Hong Kong: Police search online media company

The Police National Security Department today conducted a search of an online media company in Kwun Tong with a warrant issued under the National Security Law and arrested the companys six senior and former senior staff members.

The warrant was issued under Schedule 1 of the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the security law that authorises Police to search and seize relevant journalistic materials.

The arrestees comprise three men and three women aged between 34 and 73. They were arrested for conspiracy to publish seditious publication, contravening sections 9 and 10 of the Crimes Ordinance.

The search operation is ongoing.

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South Africa: USA to lift Southern Africa travel ban

US President Joe Biden has announced the lifting of travel restrictions imposed on Southern African countries following the emergence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant last month.

The travel ban is expected to be officially lifted on Friday morning.

The variant was announced by South African scientists at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and led to countries swiftly closing their borders to South Africa.

Since I issued that [travel ban], [American] health officials, in collaboration with the South African scientists who originally reported the variant, have made substantial progress in understanding the Omicron variant.

In light of these changed circumstances, and based on the recommendation of the CDC, I have determined that it is in the interests of the United States to revoke [the ban]. The travel restrictions imposed by that proclamation are no longer necessary to protect public health, he said.

The travel ban was also extended to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Biden explained that the travel ban was aimed at slowing the spread of the variant and enable the US to implement measures to fight the variant.

On the same day that the World Health Organisation classified the Omicron variant as a variant of concern...I issued [travel restrictions]. That proclamation generally suspended and restricted the entry into the United States of non-citizens of the United States who were physically present within [Southern Africa].

I took that action to slow the spread of the Omicron variant into the United States and to enable the United States to implement appropriate mitigation measures while new information emerged about the variant, Biden said.  SAnews.gov.za

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Hong Kong: Media not for selfish purpose: CS

Any attempt to use journalistic work for self-serving political purposes must be condemned, particularly when it poses a threat to national security, Chief Secretary John Lee said today.

Mr Lee was responding to reporters questions concerning the arrest of at least six senior and former senior staff members of the online media company Stand News by Police when he attended an event in the afternoon.

The Police National Security Department conducted a search of the online media company with a warrant issued under the National Security Law and made the arrests this morning. The warrant authorises Police to search and seize relevant journalistic materials.

Mr Lee said: Anybody who attempts to make use of media work as a tool to pursue their political purpose or other interests (which) contravene the law, particularly offences that endanger national security, they are the evil elements that damage press freedom.

He added that media workers should keep a distance from those who use press freedom as a cover to pursue their own political objectives.

Professional media workers should recognise that these are the bad apples who are abusing their position, simply by wearing a false coat of media worker.

Say no to these people and stand far from them.

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South Africa: Tributes for Archbishop Desmond Tutu

City of Johannesburg Mayor, Dr Mpho Phalatse, has paid tribute to the late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for living a life of servitude and speaking out against corruption.

The Archbishop lived a life of servitude. He did not seek personal gain that is why he spoke fearlessly against the corruption that he saw on the rise in this nation like a cancer destroying everything that had labored so hard to build, Phalatse said.

The Archbishop, who was a globally venerated theologian, anti-apartheid campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away on Sunday.

Mourners including various members of the clergy as well as residents of Soweto gathered on Wednesday in Orlando West outside Tutus former home to pay their respects to the Archbishop during a candlelight prayer service and wreath laying ceremony.

With South Africa being a diverse nation with different races, cultures and religious beliefs, Phalatse expressed concern at the racial polarisation in the country.

I worry when I see racial polarisation across socio-economical lines. I worry if we are ready as a generation to start rebuilding the bridges that have been destroyed. It is my prayer that we will have the boldness to confront our reality and pledge our lives as they have done.

Blood was shed for our liberation, for the freedoms that we enjoy today. We do not need to continue shedding blood, we have been given a strong foundation with which to build and all we need to do is to be true to that calling, to continue building these bridges and foundation. We need to demonstrate what a rainbow nation truly looks like, she said.

Phalatse said she believes that South Africa is a gateway to the liberation of Africa and needs to be united for its own emancipation and that of Africa.

It is my prayer that we will have the boldness to confront our realities as the Archbishop did. It is my prayer that we will stay true to our calling. Let us be faithful and let us deliver the rainbow nation that he envisioned for us.

As we pray, let us remember the lessons that we have learned, let us not seize to read the lessons that he left us, she said.

Reverend Peter Lenkoe said the nation has lost a pastoral leader.

The world knows Archbishop Desmond Tutu as a profound intellectual giant. He taught us that the basis of faith and the basis of theology is love, compassion and forgiveness.

He lived those ideals. Although he reminded us about that all the time, he also pushed us to improve ourselves academically to go as far as we could but when we reached those heights, he would come back to us and say that is not very important.

What is important is the love that you will display in your ministry, the love of Christ with which you will serve the people of God, Likwe said.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: Loss of Tutu a global bereavement

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the day of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutus passing as one of the saddest of days in the nations history.

The 90-year-old social justice champion passed away in Cape Town on Sunday, 26 December 2021.

Affectionately known as The Arch to millions across the world, Tutus life was punctuated by his intense passion for human rights  displayed by his outspoken nature against the Apartheid government and by his tireless campaigning for the downtrodden people of the world.

In his address to the nation following Tutus death, President Ramaphosa said the clergyman was one of South Africas finest patriots.

We have lost a person who carried the burden of leadership with compassion, with dignity, with humility and with such good humour. We are comforted in the knowledge that he has left an indelible mark in the lives of the millions of people who had the privilege and honour of knowing him, the President said.

The struggle icon not only fought the racist Apartheid regime from the pulpit where he preached but also took the fight against racial segregation to the streets by leading protests and acts of civil disobedience against the apartheid government.

Like many of his time, he was a witness to the gravest injustices and the most intolerable cruelty. In his ministry, in his struggle against apartheid, and as Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), he saw the depths to which human beings could descend in the subjugation of others. And yet, his faith in humanity, like his faith in God, was unwavering, President Ramaphosa said.

Tutus firm stance on non-violence and dedication to the struggle against Apartheid despite immense pressure from the racist regime earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

This, President Ramaphosa said, is a testament of Tutus devotion to transformation and advancing social justice.

It was an honour that he accepted not for himself, but for all South Africans who stood for freedom, for peace and for justice. And it was in receiving this great honour in Oslo that he said: There is no peace because there is no justice. It was a fundamental principle to which he held throughout his life. It is a principle to which we must remain true as we mourn his passing.

Our country will not know the peace we seek until all have justice, until all have a place to sleep and enough to eat, until all children have an education, until all women feel safe in their homes and on our streets, he said.

Tutu, post-Apartheid

In post-Apartheid, Tutu was appointed as chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) where he led the country through a process of truth telling, reconciliation of differing parties, helping to heal the wounds of the nation and forgiveness.

At the end of the TRC, Tutu turned his attention to speaking out and fighting against social ills such as xenophobia, homophobia and the spread of HIV and Aids.

President Ramaphosa praised Tutu for his continued dedication to the upliftment of others.

His brave and often critical voice lost none of its vigour when apartheid ended. He continued his work as a tireless campaigner for the rights of the oppressed. He was frank and forthright, speaking truth to power, even when this meant criticising the democratic government.

May we follow in his footsteps. May we too be worthy inheritors of the mantle of service, of selflessness, of courage, and of principled solidarity with the poor and marginalised, the President said.  SAnews.gov.za

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Hong Kong: Anniversary celebrations unveiled

Chief Secretary John Lee today officiated at the launch ceremony of the celebrations for the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, saying that the Government will organise a full range of diversified celebratory events.

The anniversary theme A New Era  Stability  Prosperity  Opportunity not only represents Hong Kong's exemplary achievements over the past 25 years, but also underscores the eager anticipation for and confidence in a brighter future.

Mr Lee, who chairs the Steering Committee overseeing the 25th Anniversary preparations, said that with the staunch support of the central government, Hong Kong has successfully implemented one country, two systems over the past 25 years while sustaining its role as an international metropolis.

Although Hong Kong has faced adversity, with National Security Law safeguards, improvements to the electoral system as well as implementation of patriots administering Hong Kong, the city has transformed from chaos to stability and looks forward to even more prosperity.

Mr Lee pointed out that under the national development of the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a brighter future will be created for Hong Kong as people work together and grasp the new opportunities ahead.

He added that the Government has planned over 100 events and will continue its efforts on this front, with a view to allowing wide participation by the community in the anniversary celebrations.

Efforts will be made to reach out to the elderly and underprivileged families. External promotion will also be enhanced to consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international city.

The extensive line-up of signature events to be held next year was unveiled at today's ceremony, along with a preview video.

Among the celebration events, a number of large-scale exhibitions will be staged to showcase precious cultural relics from the Dunhuang Caves, invaluable dinosaur fossils and a treasured collection of masterpieces by Italian Baroque painters from the National Museum of Capodimonte. These will supplement the Hong Kong Palace Museum's opening exhibitions which are sure to draw big crowds.

Apart from major exhibitions, the Government will organise a series of arts and cultural events, including the grand parade by disciplined services and youth groups, the Wine & Dine Festival, FARMFEST, the flower show featuring Calibrachoa as the theme flower, an exhibition at the harbourfront with installations combining elements of science and art, and concerts.

Along with Celebrations for All, a district visit programme, and mega sporting events such as the Hong Kong Cyclothon and Hong Kong Games, the celebrations can be enjoyed by every citizen.

Riding on this opportunity, a number of international forums, conferences and symposiums will be held, including the Symposium on the 3rd Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area, the Basic Law Legal Summit, the Legal Forum on National Security Law, the Asian Financial Forum, the Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum, the Global I&T Summit and the International Society for the Performing Arts Congress.

The Government's offices overseas and in the Mainland will step up their outreach work and stage exciting activities in major cities, including a large-scale exhibition in Beijing in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

The 25th anniversary theme song produced by Radio Television Hong Kong was premiered at the ceremony.

The official logo and an artistic icon designed for the anniversary celebrations were also unveiled.

A dedicated website for the 25th anniversary has been launched with details of celebration activities and the latest updates.

Mr Lee appealed to all sectors of the community to fully support and participate in the celebration events and programmes.

The Government has introduced an accreditation scheme for community-organised events, welcoming the commercial sector, professional groups and community organisations to organise different activities to bring a celebratory ambience around town.

Accredited activities organised by community groups and organisations in support of the 25th anniversary will be included in the official Events Calendar, which will be uploaded to the dedicated website for wider publicity.

Organisations or people interested in seeking accreditation for their events can submit applications to the 25th anniversary Project Planning Office by email.

Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Joe Wong, Director of the Project Planning Office Eddie Mak, Director of Broadcasting Patrick Li and Acting Director of Information Services Grace Ng also officiated at the launch ceremony.

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RTHK: Biden, Putin to talk with Ukraine on agenda

Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak with US leader Joe Biden on Thursday, both sides said, as Washington crafts a common response to Russia's military build-up on the Ukraine border with European allies.

Biden and Putin will discuss a range of topics, including upcoming security talks between the countries, US National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the call was planned for "late Thursday evening," without elaborating.

Horne said Biden had spoken with leaders across Europe about the situation on the Ukraine border, while Biden administration officials were in touch with Nato, the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Moscow has alarmed the West by massing tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine in the past two months, following its seizure of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014 and its backing of separatists fighting Kyiv troops in eastern Ukraine.

Russia denies planning to attack Ukraine and says it has the right to move its troops on its own soil as it likes.

Moscow, worried by what it says is the West's re-arming of Ukraine, has said it wants legally-binding guarantees Nato will not expand further eastwards, and that certain offensive weapons will not be deployed to Ukraine or other neighboring countries.

US concerns have not ebbed in recent weeks, according to a senior Biden administration official.

"We are at a moment of crisis and have been for some weeks now given the Russian build-up, and it will take a high level of engagement to address this and to find a path of de-escalation," said the official, who declined to be named.

The official said Putin requested the call.

"When President Biden has asked to speak with President Putin over the course of 2021, President Putin has said, Yes, let's talk. And when President Putin says, I'm interested in touching base and having a phone call, President Biden says yes." (Reuters)

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Vietnam, China talk to clear backlog of container trucks at border gates

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu has had a phone conversation with Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wu Jianghao to examine measures to clear a huge backlog of truck drivers stranded at border gates of the two countries.









More than 4,000 of container trucks mostly carrying fruits and electronics products have been stranded at Vietnams northern border gates after China introduced tougher COVID-19 safety measures.



During the December 27 conversation, the two sides agreed that the congestion has caused a great economic loss, affecting bilateral trade cooperation as well as regional supply and production chains.



They also candidly shared difficulties in concurrently realizing the goal of COVID-19 prevention and control and economic - trade recovery promotion.



They stressed the importance of early resuming border trade activities, that will help maintain stable production and supply chains, and especially ensure legitimate interests of businesses and people of the two countries.



The two sides agreed to maintain regular contact to seek solutions to the current problem of cargo congestion at the border gates.



More than 4,000 of container trucks mostly carrying fruits and electronics products have got stuck at Vietnams northern border gates after China introduced tougher COVID-19 safety measures. The move is anticipated to cost businesses trillions of VND in economic loss.
60 outstanding businesswomen honoured

The 2021 Golden Rose Cup awards were presented to 60 businesswomen during a ceremony held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in Hanoi on December 29.









Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Head of the Party Central Committee's Mass Mobilisation Commission Bui Thi Minh Hoai and female businesswomen at the 2021 Golden Rose Cup Award ceremony in Hanoi.

The event aimed to honour their important contributions to national socio-economic development amid COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters caused by climate change.



VCCI President Pham Tan Cong said the event is also meant to honour success stories and encourage the spirit of start-up and business development among Vietnamese women, contributing to realising the National Strategy on Gender Equality for the 2021-2030 period with at least 27 percent of female directors and owners of enterprises and cooperatives by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.



On the occasion, the VCCI presented the insignia For the cause of Vietnamese business development to former Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh in recognition of her support to the Vietnamese business community and businesspeople in particular.



The VCCI also posthumously granted the title of Outstanding Vietnamese businesswoman  Golden Rose Cup to Hoang Thi Minh Ho. She and her spouse Trinh Van Bo made their names in history with meaningful contributions to a special period of the country./.
News  Headlines

Omicron affects resumption of international flights
Chinese locality halts dragon fruit imports from Vietnam

Pingxiang City in China has temporarily suspended the import of dragon fruit from Vietnam through Huu Nghi Border Gate in the northern province of Lang Son Province.



According to Nguyen Dinh Dai, director of Lang Sons Department of Industry and Trade, the announcement was made after the Chinese side found Covid-19 traces in a batch of dragon fruit imported from Vietnam.

The suspension will last from December 29, 2021 to January 26 in 2022.



The Lang Son Department of Industry and Trade reported that dragon fruits account for some 30 percent of the goods nearly 3,000 container trucks transporting farm produce which are now stranded at Lang Sons border gates.



In September, China also temporarily ceased the import of dragon fruit from Vietnam via a border gate in Quang Ninh Province after detecting Covid-19 on packaging.



At present, thousands of Vietnams container trucks carrying farm produce have remained stuck at border gates due to Chinas tighter inspections on imports as a Covid-19 prevention measure.
Europe, U.S. brace for surging COVID-19 infections, travel chaos during holiday season

16:59, December 28, 2021 By Guo Yage ( Xinhua

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- For most Europeans and Americans, the annual Christmas season is a festive period for happy family reunion and joyous holiday travel. But they could not find much to have a good laugh about together this year, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant has triggered another explosion of infections and deaths in their homelands.

While many in the Western society are mournfully changing their holiday plans after airlines and railways cancelled more services at the last minute, experts worldwide are urging rapid re-imposition and upgrade of control measures, as well as broader vaccination efforts, to slow down the spread of the virus and keep the COVID-19-related burden manageable.

SURGING INFECTIONS

According to data published on Thursday by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the 50th week of 2021 witnessed 2,644,836 more cases and 26,179 new deaths registered in Europe.

The 14-day notification rate of reported cases per 100,000 population in Europe has hit roughly 629.2, the ECDC data showed.

France, one of the worst-hit European countries by Omicron, reported on Saturday 104,611 new cases, the highest daily record since the pandemic broke out in the country, bringing its cumulative caseload to 9,088,371, said the French Public Health Agency.

Local media reported around 20 percent of the new cases in France are related to Omicron.

Official figures released Friday showed that Britain had reported another 122,186 cases in the latest 24-hour period, breaking the record of 120,000 daily cases for the first time since the start of the pandemic. It also reported a further 137 coronavirus-related deaths.

The country had altogether registered some 700,000 cases and 810 deaths in the week ending Friday, up by 48.2 percent and 2 percent respectively from the previous week.

Also on Friday, Spain reported 72,912 new cases, a record high for the third day running. Italy reported 44,595 infections on Thursday, the highest daily count it has ever registered.

Also dire is the situation in the United States. Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed that more than 69,000 Americans were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Christmas Eve.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 300,000 new cases were reported on Dec. 21, a new high since Jan. 8. About 2,200 new deaths were reported on Dec. 22, the highest single-day increase since Oct. 8.

The CDC has announced that Omicron is the cause of 73 percent of new infections across the United States, and even of 90 percent in some parts of the country.

TRAVEL CHAOS

For many Europeans and Americans, a surge in COVID-19 infections driven by the highly infectious Omicron variant has thrown a wrench into their holiday season plans, as they are still painfully processing the fact that they have to cancel flights, hotels and other holiday bookings.

FlightAware, a flight tracker website, noted that 46 flights from British Airways were canceled on Monday alone. According to media reports, German airline Lufthansa announced that it will cancel 10 percent of its winter flight schedule amid the pandemic. Railway authorities in the Netherlands and Belgium have both decided to cancel daily trains because of rising staff illness or quarantine.

Besides, FlightAware also noted that a total of 1,033 Monday flights within, into and out of the United States were canceled and 2,982 faced delays due to crew shortages and disrupted operations. A combined 1,700 flights had been canceled on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

"The cancellations come at the busiest time of year for air travel," and major U.S. travel hubs were "among the hardest hit," ABC News reported.

Meanwhile, experts and officials are warning the conditions could be even worse in the future. In its weekly epidemiological update published Monday, the ECDC said an increasing number of infections have been reported within Europe, including as parts of clusters and outbreaks, indicating possible community spread.

The spread of Omicron "is extremely rapid, especially among the 20-29 years olds," noted Arnaud Fontanet, an epidemiologist and member of the French Scientific Council. "In January, we are expecting hundreds of thousands of new cases a day."

Given the rising cases in Britain, experts said there are likely to be hundreds of thousands of infections per day, with many being missed by the system.

As Germany is also bracing for a new wave of the pandemic, Ute Teichert, chairwoman of the Federal Association of Public Health Service Doctors, said a large proportion of public health departments in Germany already stopped contact tracing for people infected with COVID-19 due to overload.

"Because of the Omicron variant, we are running into a situation in Germany where health departments will eventually not be able to compensate for sick staff," she said.

Silvio Brusaferro, president of Italy's National Health Institute, has also noted in a statement "the great rapidity of the variant spread, which seems to produce large outbreaks in a short time, and it is expected to become predominate, as it is already occurring in several other European countries."

In the United States, health officials have been warning that Omicron threatens to overwhelm hospitals and healthcare workers. Many hospitals are already overburdened, especially with patients who remain unvaccinated and those who have delayed necessary care during the pandemic. The surging infections and deaths have also created COVID-19 testing shortages.

"Every day it goes up and up. The last weekly average was about 150,000 and it likely will go much higher," Anthony Fauci, U.S. President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor, was quoted as saying by ABC News on Sunday.

TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS

Surging cases and deaths have already prompted some European countries to consider tightening control measures.

In a video posted on social media by Downing Street, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged caution and suggested people should take a test before meeting elderly relatives.

The country's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid reiterated his call for citizens to get vaccinated, tweeting, "If you're eligible for the jab, please come forward as soon as possible."

Germany has added Britain, Denmark, Norway and France to its list of "areas at particularly high risk of infection." Travelers entering Germany from risk areas must quarantine for 14 days, including those who are vaccinated or who recovered from the virus, said the country's Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases.

The Netherlands has reintroduced a full lockdown, which will remain in force until Jan. 14. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a press conference that "Omicron is spreading even faster than we feared, so we must intervene now."

According to media reports, Spain, Greece and Italy have also reintroduced outdoor mask mandate amid the Omicron surge.

Meanwhile, the United States has shortened the isolation period for healthcare workers infected with COVID-19, due to hospital staff shortages. The CDC said in a new guidance that those workers who had received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters, do not need to quarantine at home following high-risk exposures.

The new guidance was immediately condemned by the New York State Nurses Association, which called the CDC's decision "inconsistent with proven science."

"It makes no sense not to take every measure which would reduce risk of healthcare worker infection," it said in a statement.

Amid busy marketing authorization of various vaccines and urgent call worldwide for promoting vaccination, the World Health Organization stressed that "vaccines can offer protection but it is also essential to wear a mask and avoid large crowds to keep COVID-19 away during the holiday season."

"It is not yet known how easily Omicron spreads, how serious symptoms are or how it affects protection from vaccines," it tweeted Monday, adding that to protect oneself and others, it is also necessary to open windows and clean hands.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
China issues plan on digitalization, networking of manufacturing

Xinhua) 08:00, December 29, 2021

Workers assemble vehicles in a smart factory of Chang'an Kuayue Automobile Co., Ltd. in Wanzhou District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Sept. 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- China will see 70 percent of its major manufacturing firms basically digitalized and networked by 2025, according to a development plan on smart manufacturing.

The plan, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments, also states that all of China's manufacturing firms above a designated size will be digitalized and networked by 2035.

China will also build more than 500 industry-leading smart-manufacturing demonstration plants by 2025, according to the plan.

Although China's smart manufacturing has progressed from the pilot test phase to application, it still lags behind the standard of high-quality development.

The plan proposes a range of special actions, including innovation, application, supply and support, to advance the development of smart manufacturing.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
CPC leadership stresses enhancing historical confidence, unity, fighting spirit

Xinhua) 08:02, December 29, 2021

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and delivers an important speech. The meeting of criticism and self-criticism, themed on studying the Party's history, stressed carrying forward the Party's great founding spirit and upholding its historical experience from the endeavors over the past century. The meeting was held from Dec. 27 to 28. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- A meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has stressed strengthening the Party members' historical confidence, unity and their fighting spirit.

The two-day meeting of criticism and self-criticism, themed on studying the Party's history, stressed carrying forward the Party's great founding spirit and upholding its historical experience from the endeavors over the past century.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting that ended on Tuesday and delivered an important speech.

The meeting reviewed a report on the implementation of the eight-point decision on improving conduct by the Political Bureau in 2021, as well as another report on addressing the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and reducing burden at the grass-roots level in 2021.

Afterward, the Political Bureau members spoke one by one, conducting criticism and self-criticism.

The meeting noted that 2021 is a milestone year in the history of the Party and the country.

Under the combined impacts of worldwide changes of a scale unseen in a century and the global COVID-19 pandemic over the past year, China has faced extremely arduous tasks in COVID-19 prevention and control as well as economic and social development, according to the meeting.

China has continued to lead the world in terms of economic development and COVID-19 containment, with significant progress made in all areas of the Party and country's endeavors. The 14th Five-Year Plan has got off to a great start, stressed the meeting.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee have unanimously noted that the establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the defining of the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is of decisive significance for driving forward the historic process of national rejuvenation.

The meeting noted that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the complicated and grave circumstances and environment the Party has faced and the arduous tasks it has undertaken are rarely seen in the world.

The historic achievements and shifts in the cause of the Party and the country were made possible fundamentally because General Secretary Xi Jinping, as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party, has steered a steady course at the helm, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has provided scientific guidance, the meeting noted.

The past 100 years of the Party have shown that resolutely upholding the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party is key for the Party to forge consensus and make a decisive choice at critical times, and provides an important guarantee for the Party to progress steadily in solidarity and unity, the meeting said.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee must take the lead in upholding Xi's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party and in studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the meeting noted.

Noting that there is no end to the task of improving Party conduct, the meeting urged efforts to remain committed to self-reform, and to implement the eight-point decision on improving work conduct and the detailed rules for its implementation with perseverance.

Noting that the Party will convene its 20th national congress next year, the meeting urged members of the Political Bureau to take the lead in implementing the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and delivers an important speech. The meeting of criticism and self-criticism, themed on studying the Party's history, stressed carrying forward the Party's great founding spirit and upholding its historical experience from the endeavors over the past century. The meeting was held from Dec. 27 to 28. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

In his speech, Xi summarized the self-assessment remarks by the members of the Political Bureau.

Xi stressed that the CPC has always attached importance to the education on the Party's history.

The more historical wisdom the Party accumulates, the greater initiative it will take to master its own future, Xi said.

Xi noted that the campaign on studying the Party's history launched by the Party leadership this year within the Party and throughout the society is aimed at boosting confidence in history and enhancing solidarity and unity.

Over the past 100 years, the Party has been committed to pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, to seeking progress for humanity and the common good for the world, Xi said.

He added that this is where the Party's historical confidence is grounded and is the source of the Party's confidence in exercising long-term governance in China and in uniting the people and leading them in striding ahead.

Today, the CPC has proved itself worthy of the choice of history and the people, Xi said.

He urged efforts to educate Party members, officials and the public, especially the young people, to enhance their historical confidence and strive forward with full confidence.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the unity and solidarity of the Party, which is the Party's lifeline, has reached a new high with the concerted efforts from the whole Party, Xi noted.

The CPC Central Committee decided to highlight the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the resolution adopted at the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which is of great significance to the Party in unifying thinking and action on major theoretical and practical questions, Xi added.

The CPC comes from the people, has its roots among the people, and is dedicated to serving the people, Xi stressed, noting that the CPC's third resolution on history aims to remind the whole Party to stay true to its original aspiration and founding mission.

The Party should always maintain its close bond with the people, Xi said.

Highlighting the importance of struggle, Xi said under new circumstances of the era, the Party should make good use of the experience accumulated during the great struggle, carry forward the fighting spirit and build strength.

Xi called on the Party to maintain its mettle regardless of the hardships and dangers it faces, effectively cope with various risks and challenges -- both predictable and unexpected -- and advance socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi asked members of the Political Bureau to have a great vision, care less about personal gains, take the lead in firming up ideals and convictions, and set an example for upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership.

The convocation of the 20th CPC National Congress is the Political Bureau's primary political task for next year, Xi said.

During leadership elections and changes, officials in leading positions must strictly follow relevant discipline and rules, Xi said, urging efforts to educate and guide officials to bear the big picture in mind and focus on carrying out their duties.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
A year of self-reliance: China's sci-tech highlights in 2021

Xinhua) 08:06, December 29, 2021

The Long March-7 Y4 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-3, blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 20, 2021. China launches cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-3 to deliver supplies for its under-construction space station. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- For Chinese scientists and engineers, the past 12 months have been a year like no other.

With the pandemic still raging, scientific and technological self-reliance took center stage, bringing in advances in frontiers like space exploration, quantum science, and the battle against COVID-19.

At the Beijing Aerospace Control Center this year, Zhang Rongqiao and Sun Jun were no strangers to the "big red screen." The giant display turns red when a mission is declared a success.

On May 15, Zhang Rongqiao, chief designer of China's first Mars exploration mission, wiped tears from his eyes as Mars probe Tianwen-1 landed safely on the red planet. It was the country's first successful Mars mission and a giant leap for deep space exploration.

Zhang Rongqiao (R), chief designer of China's first Mars exploration mission, talks with Wu Weiren (2nd L), chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, after China's first Mars rover, Zhurong, drives down from its landing platform to the Martian surface, May 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Launched on July 23, 2020, Tianwen-1 arrived at Mars in February and landed the lander and rover in May. Since then, the rover Zhurong has traveled more than 1,200 meters on the planet and is currently heading toward a region that might have been the coastline of an ancient ocean, looking for clues about Mars' evolution.

Earlier this month, Zhang was included on Nature's list of 10 people who were part of big stories in science in 2021. He said the landing gave him a taste of the old Chinese saying, "it takes 10 years to sharpen a good sword."

Sun Jun understands exactly what Zhang means by the old Chinese saying.

Photo released on June 11, 2021 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) shows a selfie of China's first Mars rover Zhurong with the landing platform.(CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

Sun, chief engineer of the space mission at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, started with his colleagues in 1995. "We didn't have a single line of software code or computers, never mind a ready-to-use guidebook," he recalled.

This year, Sun and his colleagues witnessed "big red screen" moments multiple times: the launch of the space station core module Tianhe, two launches of the cargo freighters Tianzhou-2 and Tianzhou-3, two crewed flights of Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13, the safe return to Earth of the Shenzhou-12 crew, four extravehicular activities and a live class from the space station.

"Now we can say that we can safely and freely build, control, operate, and maintain the space station," Sun told reporters this month.

Like space research and engineering, quantum research also continued to gain momentum this year. The quantum research team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) again hit the highlight list of the year.

Last year, China's quantum computer, Jiuzhang, performed a calculation in 200 seconds that would take a supercomputer 2.5 billion years to complete.

Critics say it's unclear whether the problem a U.S. quantum computer solved was indeed beyond the capabilities of a conventional machine, and Jiuzhang is not easily reprogrammable to solve more than one problem.

In an interview with Outlook Weekly under Xinhua, Chinese quantum physicist Pan Jianwei said it took the team 20 years to make the breakthrough of Jiuzhang in 2020. They achieved a series of innovations on concepts and technologies this year, and Jiuzhang 2.0 arrived to address various issues.

In the 2021 "Highlights of the Year" story, the American Physical Society said "the USTC results stand out because they provided compelling arguments that a computer had finally achieved quantum primacy," a quantum system's ability to outperform the best possible classical computer in a given task. "The researchers observed exceptional quantum computational speedups that made the claim of quantum primacy hard to dispute."

A participant views a quantum computing prototype model during the 2021 Quantum Industry Conference in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

As space and quantum researchers reap the rewards from years of dedication, Chinese vaccine producers and drug developers have earned plaudits from racing against the clock to fight COVID-19.

Throughout the year, China has been promoting mass vaccination along with the global vaccination plan. Earlier this month, two COVID-19 medicines were granted emergency approval, China's first approved COVID-19 virus-neutralizing antibody combination therapy with independent intellectual property rights.

A batch of COVID-19 vaccine donated by China arrives at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Dec. 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

Self-reliant innovation never ends, noted Sun. "Core technologies can only come from a country's own innovation," he said. "You'd better hold the safety rope yourself, rather than leave it to others."

Although tensions and the pandemic limited international cooperation, China has never forgotten to share its achievements and make encouraging commitments to the international community.

The country has delivered on its promise to make vaccines global public goods and made continued efforts to improve vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries. Over 1.8 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been provided to more than 120 countries and international organizations.

Aerial photo taken on March 29, 2021 shows China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) under maintenance in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

In March, China announced that its Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, the world's largest single-dish radio observatory, can be accessed by astronomers worldwide.

On Dec. 1, Tianwen-1 and the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft successfully performed an in-orbit relay communication test. As the relay communication equipment interfaces of Zhurong and Mars Express match and conform to international standards, the Tianwen-1 and Mars Express teams will cooperate further in scientific data relay communication.

China has pledged to make its space station an open platform for international cooperation. A total of 17 countries will participate in the experiments aboard China's space station, covering aerospace medicine, life sciences and biotechnology, and astronomy.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Saudi announces recognition of intellectual property rights report issued by Chinese authority

Xinhua) 08:25, December 29, 2021

RIYADH, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property on Tuesday announced its recognition of the intellectual property rights (IPR) research report issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

This is part of the Patent Cooperation Treaty, an international patent law treaty concluded in 1970, to allow patent applicants in Saudi Arabia to select the Chinese authority to issue a report about their IPR request, according to the SPA.

CNIPA is the eighth authority whose IPR research report is recognized by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.

Saudi Arabia and China recently also worked together to teach the Chinese language to Saudi students as a way to expand their education cooperation.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
BiH, China launch construction of green energy project

Xinhua) 08:30, December 29, 2021

SARAJEVO, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has officially launched the construction of the Bistrica hydropower plants near the city of Foca, some 80 km southeast of the capital Sarajevo, the state-owned news agency SRNA reported on Tuesday.

The three hydropower plants to be built on the Bistrica River will have a total installed capacity of 39 megawatts and will produce 152 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.

All three plants are to be connected to the national grid in the next four years.

The contracting company is the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and the total cost of the project is 103 million euros (116.5 million U.S. dollars), according to the SRNA.

Radovan Viskovic, prime minister of Republika Srpska (RS), one of BiH's two entities, attended the ceremony along with the representatives of the Chinese Embassy to BiH and of contracting company AVIC.

"RS aims to be recognized as a regional energy leader," Viskovic said, adding that his country covers 60 percent of its energy need by burning coal and that it aims to rely more on green energy from renewable sources in the future.

Viskovic thanked China and AVIC for their support, adding that he was proud to listen to the anthems of the RS and China and see their flags that represent no threat to anyone but the development and prosperity to all who wish good to BiH.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
After Floyd, U.S. cops still murder and get away with it, says Iran's daily

Xinhua) 08:36, December 29, 2021

TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- After the murder of African American George Floyd by a white police officer and subsequent protests against police brutality, "U.S. police are still using similar levels of lethal force and they are still not facing the consequences," Iran's Tehran Times reported recently, citing a nonprofit that tracks people killed by the police.

There are, in essence, three issues raised from recent research by Mapping Police Violence, which will "sound the alarm among rights groups and international human rights organizations that have been very critical of American police brutality," the report said.

"Firstly, the astonishingly high murder rate by police, who are literally acting as the judge, the jury, and the executioner by taking the law into their own hands and using lethal force," Tehran Times said.

Meanwhile, secondly is the issue of "racial disparity among black and white Americans killed by police," according to the report. Despite the nationwide outcry, Mapping Police Violence has documented that African Americans are still two and a half to three times more likely than white Americans to be killed by a police officer.

"Thirdly is the aspect of accountability, or to be more precise the lack of justice for officers who murder their victims and then walk away," the Iranian daily warned.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Chinese authorities facilitate issuance of yuan bonds in Hong Kong SAR

Xinhua) 08:36, December 29, 2021

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have abolished a set of interim measures introduced in 2007 to make it easier for financial institutions on the Chinese mainland to issue yuan-denominated bonds in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The interim measures have been abolished as they no longer reflect current demand amid the accelerated establishment of a new system for a higher-level open economy, according to a statement jointly released by the People's Bank of China and the National Development and Reform Commission.

The move will help simplify and optimize procedures for financial institutions on the Chinese mainland to issue yuan bonds in the HKSAR, as well as other countries and regions overseas, according to the two state organs.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
China work-relief programs to benefit greatly in 2022

Xinhua) 08:48, December 29, 2021

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Finance have allocated 4.05 billion yuan (about 635.51 million U.S. dollars) from the 2022 central government funding to support programs that provide work for people in need as a form of relief, the NDRC said Tuesday.

The advance allocation will mobilize 500 million yuan worth of local government funding, support over 1,200 work-relief programs, and help stabilize employment and increase income for nearly 100,000 rural residents who have got rid of poverty and low-income earners, said a statement on the website of the NDRC.

More support will go to Henan, Shanxi, and other provinces hardest hit by torrential rains and floods this year.

Rural residents who have been lifted out of poverty and low-income earners will be encouraged to participate in these work-relief programs to help them find jobs and boost incomes in places close to their homes.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Beijing sets air quality record in Jan-Nov

Xinhua) 08:48, December 29, 2021

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Beijing saw the reading for a major air-pollution index fall to the lowest level in the January-November period since records began in 2013.

The city's average concentration of PM2.5 was 33 micrograms per cubic meter in the first 11 months of this year. It is also the lowest level in 28 cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and neighboring provinces, Yu Jianhua, deputy director of the Beijing municipal ecology and environment bureau, told a press briefing Tuesday.

The PM2.5 reading is a gauge monitoring airborne particles of 2.5 microns or less in diameter, which can penetrate deep into people's lungs and pose serious health risks.

The improved air quality was achieved following impactful measures, including limiting the total amount of carbon emissions and carbon intensity.

In 2021, authorities in Beijing issued quotas for big carbon emitters and helped establish a voluntary greenhouse gas-emission reduction alliance, the official said.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Chinas democracy is translated into concrete and pragmatic practices

08:57, December 29, 2021 By Ping Lun ( People's Daily

During the drafting of the proposals for the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, the Communist Party of China (CPC) solicited public advice and suggestions online about the formulation of the proposals for the first time in the history of the countrys Five-Year Plan.

Residents in Qianxibian village, Tangya township, Jindong district, Jinhua city, east Chinas Zhejiang province, count votes in an election for officials for the villagers committee, Nov. 26, 2020. (Peoples Daily Online/Yang Meiqing)

Among more than one million pieces of advice and suggestions made online, the advice of mutual-aid elderly care from a netizen with the username Yun Fan was included in the proposals for the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, and eventually became a concrete measure in the document.

The story serves as a vivid demonstration of the fact that Chinas democracy is translated into concrete and pragmatic practices.

Whole-process peoples democracy in China is a complete system with supporting mechanisms and procedures, and has been fully tested through wide participation, said a white paper titled China: Democracy That Works issued by the countrys State Council Information Office.

Thoroughly expounding the practice of the whole-process peoples democracy in China, the document pointed out that the whole-process peoples democracy is a comprehensive and coordinated system involving extensive and regular participation.

Whole-process peoples democracy operates a democratic system covering a population of more than 1.4 billion from 56 ethnic groups of a vast country, making possible the wide and sustained participation of all the people in the country, according to the white paper.

Whether the people enjoy democratic rights depends on whether they have the right to vote in elections and whether they have the right to continuously participate in political affairs in their everyday life.

Residents in Qianxibian village, Tangya township, Jindong district, Jinhua city, east Chinas Zhejiang province, cast their ballots to elect officials for the villagers committee, Nov. 26, 2020. (Peoples Daily Online/Yang Meiqing)

In Chinas practice of democracy, the country lays emphasis on both the role of electoral democracy and the advantages of consultative democracy, ensuring that people exercise their right to vote in elections and participate in state and social affairs through extensive consultations.

Integrating electoral democracy and consultative democracy, the whole-process peoples democracy in China consolidates the peoples principal position in the countrys political and social life and leaves no room for politicians to shower promises while campaigning and break them all once elected.

Whether the people enjoy democratic rights depends on whether they have the rights to take part in democratic elections, decision-making, management, and oversight.

By exercising their right to vote in elections, the Chinese people elect those who represent their will to hold and exercise power. At the same time, they undertake extensive deliberations before major decisions are made.

In China, hearing peoples voices, acting on their needs, and pooling their ideas and strength have become a standard practice. More and more ideas and suggestions of the general public are flowing directly to decision-makers at all levels, and they are increasingly reflected in the major decisions of the Party and the government.

The Chinese people are the masters of the country and exercise their democratic rights accordingly, managing affairs of the state, the economy, culture, and society through various channels and in many forms.

Taking into consideration its own conditions, China has explored a coordinated system of oversight and established a well-defined, efficient supervisory network with clear functions and responsibilities. Supervision of power extends across every area and into every corner.

Residents in Qianxibian village, Tangya township, Jindong district, Jinhua city, east Chinas Zhejiang province, cast their ballots to elect officials for the villagers committee, Nov. 26, 2020. (Peoples Daily Online/Yang Meiqing)

The wider the peoples democratic participation is, the better peoples aspirations can be expressed and the principle of the people running the country as its masters be realized.

Since the launch of the reform and opening-up in 1978, China has held 12 direct elections to peoples congresses at the township level and 11 direct elections to those at the county level, with a current participation rate of about 90 percent.

Among the enterprises in China that have established trade unions, a total of 3.14 million have established employees congresses.

Before adopting the Civil Code, the country solicited public opinions on the draft of it for 10 times and received more than one million pieces of suggestions and comments.

Today, as China constantly improves its democratic system, diversifies the forms of democracy, and expands democratic channels, the principle of the people being masters of the country is manifested in the Partys governance policies and measures, in all aspects of the work of the Party and state organs at all levels, and in the efforts to meet the peoples expectation for a better life in a concrete and realistic way.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Full Text: China's Export Controls

Xinhua) 10:23, December 29, 2021

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a white paper titled "China's Export Controls" on Wednesday.

Following is the full text of the white paper:

China's Export Controls

The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China

December 2021

First Edition 2021

Contents

Preamble

I. China's Basic Position on Export Controls

II. Ongoing Improvements to the Legal and Regulatory System for Export Controls

III. Modernizing the Export Control System

IV. Promoting International Exchanges and Cooperation

Conclusion

Preamble

Export controls are a standard international practice. They involve prohibitive or restrictive measures on the export of dual-use items, military products, nuclear materials, and other goods, technologies and services related to safeguarding national security and national interests, and other restrictions related to fulfilling non-proliferation and other international obligations.

The world is undergoing profound changes of a scale unseen in a century, with an increase in destabilizing factors and uncertainties, disruption to international security and order, and challenges and threats to world peace. The status and role of fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory export control measures is growing in importance as an effective means to address international and regional security risks and challenges and safeguard world peace and development. All countries pay close attention to export controls and take an active approach to strengthening and standardizing their approach by establishing and enforcing measures through their legal systems.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and the largest trader and manufacturer of goods, China has always been committed to the principle of safeguarding national security, world peace and regional security by steadily improving export control governance. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China is pursuing a holistic approach to national security and taking more active steps to integrate into the process of economic globalization. To build a more open economy and a more peaceful China, China strives to achieve sound interaction between high-quality development and guaranteed security, modernize its export control regime, and make new progress in export control governance. China will assume its responsibilities from a global perspective, conscientiously undertake its international obligations, and step up international exchanges and cooperation. It will take concrete actions to participate in the international coordination of export controls, make progress on related international processes, and work together with all other countries in building a global community of shared future and delivering a strong boost to world peace and development.

The Chinese government is publishing this white paper to provide a full picture of China's policies on export controls, and to help the international community better understand China's position.

I. China's Basic Position on Export Controls

As a responsible country, China firmly stands by the international system centered on the UN and the international order underpinned by international law. China safeguards the authority of international treaties and mechanisms that uphold true multilateralism, and actively promotes the implementation of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory international export controls.

1. Maintaining a Holistic Approach to National Security

In the age of economic globalization, no country's security can be independent of and isolated from all others. China maintains a holistic approach to national security, which means coordinating development and security, opening up and security, traditional security and non-traditional security, and China's own security and the security of others. It means safeguarding and shaping national security to build an export control system that is commensurate with its international standing and aligned with its national security and interests. China holds that all countries need to develop a fresh perspective and adopt a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable outlook on global security. In particular, major countries should fulfill their obligations, show a sense of responsibility, and promote international security in the field of export controls to build a global community of universal security.

2. Honoring International Obligations and Commitments

It is China's solemn commitment to maintain international peace, and to respect non-proliferation and other international obligations. China actively draws useful experience from international standard practices, and employs that experience to strengthen and improve its export control system. China stands firmly against the proliferation of all forms of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and has established an export control system governed by the Export Control Law that covers dual-use items, military products, nuclear materials, and other goods, technologies and services related to safeguarding national security and national interests, and other restrictions related to fulfilling non-proliferation and other international obligations.

3. Promoting International Cooperation and Coordination

In today's world, countries are increasingly part of a community of shared future. The more significant the global challenges we face, the greater the need for cooperative responses. China believes in addressing differences and disputes through international coordination and cooperation and multilateral mechanisms, so that all countries can become partners who trust and work with one another on an equal footing. As reform of the global governance system has reached a historic turning point, China advocates increased representation for emerging markets and developing countries in international coordination on export controls, to promote equal rights, opportunities and rules for all in international cooperation. This will reflect the wishes and interests of the majority in a more balanced manner, and help to build an international environment of peace and stability, equality and mutual trust, and win-win cooperation.

4. Opposing the Abuse of Export Control Measures

No country or region should abuse export control measures, gratuitously impose discriminatory restrictions, apply double standards to matters related to non-proliferation, or abuse multilateral mechanisms related to export controls for the purposes of discrimination and exclusion. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC) and a host of resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council all provide for the right of countries to fully enjoy peaceful use of controlled items and technological achievements free from discrimination. China believes that export controls should be fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory. They should not undermine the legitimate right of other countries to the peaceful use of controlled items, obstruct the peaceful use of outcomes of scientific and technological advances designed to promote development, interfere with normal international science and technology exchanges and economic and trade cooperation, or obstruct the secure and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains. With deeper globalization and more new technologies emerging, China calls upon all countries to promote inclusive sharing of the benefits of scientific and technological development, to increase human wellbeing, to effectively manage risks and threats related to export controls, and to create a secure environment for economic and social development.

II. Ongoing Improvements to the Legal and Regulatory System for Export Controls

Committed to the basic principle of pursuing law-based governance in all respects, China continues to improve its legal and regulatory system for export controls. To provide law-based and institutional export control guarantees, it bases its efforts on its national conditions and draws upon helpful experience from overseas.

1. Establishing and Improving a Legal System for Export Controls

Since the beginning of reform and opening up in 1978, profound changes in the internal and external environment have impacted economic development in China. There have been continuous improvements in China's socialist market economic system, and its law-based export control work has improved steadily. Since the 1990s, China has promulgated six administrative regulations: Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Controlled Chemicals, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Export, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of Arms Export, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Dual-use Items and Related Technologies Export, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-related Items and Technologies, and Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-use Biological Agents and Related Equipment and Technologies. The Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, China Atomic Energy Authority, the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and other related departments have introduced a number of departmental rules and normative documents setting detailed provisions on matters related to export controls, including specific stipulations on particular items, license regulation and enforcement supervision, and documents on implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

In October 2020, China promulgated the Export Control Law, which includes clear provisions on systems, measures, and international cooperation on export controls. It also sets a basic institutional framework, and unified rules for export control policies, a control list, temporary controls, a restricted name list, and supervision. The Law was formulated in the light of changing circumstances, drawing on China's own experience in export controls and taking into account standard international practices. It raises China's export control legislation to a higher level, makes comprehensive arrangements for China's export control system, and provides a full coverage of controlled items, legal subjects and other aspects of export control. To make sure that the Export Control Law is effectively implemented, China's authorities have introduced, revised, and rescinded supporting administrative regulations and departmental rules. In addition to the Export Control Law, China's Foreign Trade Law, National Security Law, Data Security Law, Nuclear Safety Law, Customs Law, Administrative Licensing Law, Administrative Punishment Law and Criminal Law also provide a strong legal base for the enforcement of export control measures. China now has in place a well-organized basic legal system on export controls with well-coordinated laws, administrative regulations and departmental rules and a balanced structure, which provides a solid legal foundation for developing a modern export control system with Chinese characteristics.

2. Building a Coordinated and Efficient Export Control Regime

Export controls involve multiple departments of the State Council and the CMC. China has established a sound working mechanism and clearly assigned roles and responsibilities among departments, which provides a solid institutional guarantee.

Regulatory system for export control of dual-use items.

Export of nuclear dual-use items is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the China Atomic Energy Authority;

Export of dual-use biological items is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the National Health Commission, among others as required;

Export of dual-use items related to certain chemicals is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce;

Export of dual-use missile-related items is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the Equipment Development Department of the CMC, among others as required;

Export of commercial cryptography is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the State Cryptography Administration - the Cryptography Law stipulates that the export control list of commercial cryptography shall be formulated and published by the Ministry of Commerce in conjunction with the State Cryptography Administration and the General Administration of Customs;

For the export of controlled chemicals, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology regulates exporter accreditation jointly with the Ministry of Commerce, and is responsible for undertaking specific export review.

Regulatory system for export control of military products. The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, and the Equipment Development Department of the CMC, regulate military exports in accordance with the division of their duties. This mainly includes reviewing the franchise qualification of military exports, export project proposals, projects and contracts for military exports, approving and issuing licenses for military exports, formulating rules regulating related business, supervising export activities, and punishing violations.

Regulatory system for export control of nuclear materials. The export of nuclear materials is regulated by the National Atomic Energy Authority and the Ministry of Commerce in cooperation with other departments. These exports are conducted by entities designated by the State Council. They are carried out in strict accordance with three principles - that nuclear materials should be exported for peaceful purposes only, that they should be under the supervision and safeguard of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and that they must not be transferred to third countries without the permission of the Chinese government. Competent authorities carry out rigorous reviews of nuclear exports and impose severe penalties on violators.

The General Administration of Customs cooperates closely with related authorities to regulate the export of controlled items. Among other duties it also engages in investigating and handling violations, carries out risk prevention and control, and supervises law enforcement.

III. Modernizing the Export Control System

China strictly enforces export control laws and regulations, and translates solemn commitments into concrete actions. With institutional foundations and technological support, China has gradually realized effective and comprehensive regulation and whole-process monitoring, and put in place a modern export control system providing scientific design, orderly operation and vigorous enforcement.

1. Improving License Management

China widely adopts internationally-accepted practices in export controls such as license management, end-user and end-use certificates, and general licensing. China has established an inter-agency consultation mechanism and a two-tiered management model, optimized the licensing procedure and extending the types of license. License management has been steadily improved, to ensure that all trade in export-controlled items is consistent with compliance requirements, and to create a better business environment for high-level opening up.

An inter-agency consultation mechanism for prudent and accurate review. For the review of dual-use items, China has set up an inter-agency consultation mechanism that brings together the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, China Atomic Energy Authority, and the Equipment Development Department of the CMC. These departments work closely together to review export applications, each carrying out its respective duties, taking into account factors such as national security and national interests, international obligations, end users and end uses, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies.

A two-tiered management model to facilitate license applications. License applicants may come from any part of China. To strike a balance between export promotion and export control, and to protect and promote trade in controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, China adopts a two-tiered license management model. Provincial government departments are mandated to provide exporters with public export control services and re-submit their export applications to the central government. The results of reviews are sent to the exporters and China Customs via the internet. To facilitate trade, the Ministry of Commerce realized paperless license management for dual-use items in July 2021, employing digital tools through the entire process of application, review, license issuance and customs clearance. As a result, the licensing time frame was shortened by five to seven days.

Improved measures for targeted license management. China promotes multi-tiered management with the emphasis on end-user and end-use certificates. Generally, an exporter is required to submit the end-use certificate provided by the end user; for export applications presenting a potential risk, the exporter is required to submit end-user and end-use certificates verified or issued by the government agencies of the country or region in which the end user is located, and by the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country or region. To extend the types of license, China grants general licenses to exporters with internal compliance programs and sound operating procedures, provided that they meet the necessary requirements. These general licenses allow them to export multiple times to multiple countries/regions or end users within the period of validity. The implementation of these measures has made license management more targeted and effective.

An expert team for informed and efficient management. China values the contribution of experts, and has created statutory provisions to establish and improve the export control expert advisory mechanism. Relevant departments have set up a team consisting of experts in dual-use items, military products, nuclear materials, and other areas, to facilitate informed and accurate assessment. Over the years, the expert team has provided robust support in the creation of lists, license management, monitoring and enforcement, and business consultancy. As export control becomes a more specialized field, China will continue to mobilize more experts to develop a team providing wide coverage and strong expertise, so as to provide more professional and effective support in the new era.

2. Strengthening Enforcement Capability

China continues to reinforce its export control enforcement mechanism by expanding methods and sharpening capabilities. An authoritative and efficient system has gradually taken shape with consistent rights and responsibilities, which plays an important role in tackling violations and ensuring complete, accurate and strict implementation of relevant laws and regulations.

Improved organizational structure for a coordinated and effective enforcement mechanism. In 2014, to strengthen institutions responsible for export control, the Ministry of Commerce set up a dedicated enforcement team, which is responsible for developing enforcement institutions and conducting case investigations. The Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs, and other departments have strengthened collaboration on enforcement, and work on joint enforcement with relevant departments of provincial governments. With this horizontal and vertical cooperation among central departments and provincial governments, a closely-knit enforcement network is in place. It provides a firm institutional guarantee for enforcement of export control laws in China and effectively addresses the problems posed by geographical distance, wide spectrum, and difficulties in imposing penalties.

Various enforcement measures to amplify the deterrent effect of enforcement and regulation. China continues to strengthen its enforcement capability. In addition to basic methods such as site visits, inquiries and investigations, and access to materials, the enforcement authorities are also authorized to employ other methods, including sealing off and detaining items and checking bank accounts. The enforcement authorities can also mark any illegal act into the credit record of an offender, which significantly reinforces the deterrent effect of law enforcement. Every aspect of the export process is covered by enforcement. In addition to the exporters, intermediary service providers are also subject to control to prevent illegal exports. Agencies and individuals are prohibited from providing offenders with intermediary services such as agency, shipping, consignment, financing, customs declaration, and third-party e-commerce platform transactions. China also values the role of non-compulsory enforcement methods such as regulatory interviews and administrative guidance, and implements preventive, guiding, and monitoring measures to ensure that enforcement is effective.

Improved enforcement equipment and IT application to strengthen guarantees. China has increased inputs into enforcement equipment. With professional equipment to detect radioactive, biological and chemical items, China Customs is able to inspect and detect illegal exports more efficiently, thus helping enforcers to dispose of controlled items more effectively. China has also improved the use of enforcement information by sharing information among enforcement and regulatory agencies. China attaches great importance to collecting information and analyzing statistics on violations. Basic information on companies involved is integrated with case descriptions through use of information technologies. To boost enforcement capacity, the enforcement authorities regularly provide enforcers with training on export control laws and regulations, and on identification and enforcement skills.

3. Developing Export Control Compliance Systems

China is committed to developing export control compliance systems. Based on the principle of government-guided, business-led, and coordinated action, China has made notable progress in building export control compliance systems by consolidating the legal foundations, improving the policy framework, and investing in publicity and training.

Intensified legal guarantee. China has been working to reinforce the legal foundations of export compliance. The Export Control Law requires the Chinese government to issue sector-specific guidelines for export controls at the appropriate time, guiding exporters to establish and improve their internal compliance programs and to operate in accordance with laws and regulations. As an incentive, an exporter with an internal compliance program and sound operating procedures can be granted a general license or other facilitating measures. These provisions provide a legal guarantee for the government to provide guidance on export control compliance, and a legal basis for businesses to establish and improve their internal compliance programs.

Improved policy guidance. In 2007, the Ministry of Commerce first issued guiding opinions on internal export control mechanisms for exporters of dual-use items and technologies. In 2021, the Ministry of Commerce revised and issued the Guiding Opinions on Establishing the Internal Compliance Program for Export Control by Exporters of Dual-use Items, which increased the number of compliance elements to nine - policy statement, organizational structure, comprehensive risk assessment, screening procedures, contingency measures, compliance training, compliance audits, record-keeping and management manual. The Guidelines for Internal Compliance for Export Control of Dual-use Items was added to provide more details and scenarios for reference. In the field of nuclear materials, China promulgated Guidelines for Import and Export Compliance Mechanism Building of Nuclear Items and other government documents.

Improved public services. The Chinese government attaches great importance to information and training on export controls, and has continued to disseminate information to increase compliance across broader society. Government authorities at all levels have paid study visits to enterprises and provided training in key areas to raise awareness and foster a compliance culture. In recent years, around 30,000 people have participated in over 20 training sessions and seminars every year. In 2021, the Ministry of Commerce launched an export control information service platform to provide better guidance and services. The Chinese government provides guidance to business associations, chambers of commerce, intermediary agencies, experts and think tanks, to help them study export controls, provide consultancy, and play an active part in export compliance.

4. Complying with International Obligations

China consistently advocates the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, and resolutely opposes the proliferation of such weapons and their means of delivery. China does not support, encourage or help any other country in the development of WMD and their means of delivery. China is committed to regulating the trade in conventional arms, combating illicit trafficking of weapons, and mitigating humanitarian issues triggered by the abuse of conventional arms. China firmly upholds the authority and efficacy of all relevant international treaties, strictly complies with its international obligations, and safeguards international and regional peace and stability.

Nuclear. China joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984 and signed the Agreement Between the People's Republic of China and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in China in 1988, voluntarily placing China's civilian nuclear facilities under Agency safeguards. In 1992, China acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). China was actively engaged in the negotiations on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, making a major contribution to the conclusion of the Treaty to which it was one of the first State Party signatories in 1996. China became a member of the Zangger Committee in October 1997. In 1998, China signed the Additional Protocol aimed at strengthening the IAEA safeguard system, and formally completed the domestic legal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Additional Protocol in early 2002, thus becoming the first nuclear-weapon state to complete the relevant procedures. In June 2004, China joined the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and has since taken an active part in the NSG while fulfilling the relevant rights and obligations.

Biological weapons. China strictly honors its obligations under the BWC, to which China became a State Party in 1984. Since then, China has submitted declarations of Confidence Building Measures in full and on time, been fully involved in the BWC reviews, and actively proposed multilateral initiatives on regulating biological scientific research exercises, biological technology, and global resource allocation. China has offered the international community public goods in reinforcing laboratory biosecurity and other areas, tightened export controls on dual-use biological items and related equipment and technologies, and revised its control list in a timely manner. China calls for positive outcomes in the BWC reviews, particularly regarding the negotiations for a legally binding verification protocol to maximize the effectiveness of the BWC.

Chemical weapons. China made a positive contribution to the conclusion of the CWC, which it signed in January 1993. In April 1997, China deposited its instrument of ratification, becoming an original State Party of the CWC. In strong support of the Convention's purposes and objectives, China encourages all States Parties to strictly fulfill their obligations, and implements the provisions in a balanced and effective manner. Since the Convention entered into force, China has adopted a series of laws for domestic compliance as required by the Convention, set up agencies dedicated to compliance, submitted annual declarations in full and on time, and firmly committed itself to the inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. As required by the Convention, in 2020 China completed the domestic legislative procedures for the amendment to Schedule 1 reached at the 24th CWC Conference of States Parties.

Missiles. China supports international efforts to prevent the proliferation of missiles, and missile-related items and technologies, and adopts a positive and open attitude to international proposals designed to strengthen the mechanisms for non-proliferation. Drawing from other countries' export control practices, China has promulgated and implemented the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-related Items and Technologies, which provide the legal basis for China's export of missile-related items and technologies. In addition, China takes an active part in relevant international exchanges and cooperation to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles.

Military products. China actively participated in the negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and made a significant contribution to the conclusion of the Treaty. China announced that it would initiate the domestic legal procedures to join the ATT in September 2019, and formally acceded to the Treaty in July 2020. As a State Party, China firmly supports the Treaty's purposes and objectives through full compliance with its obligations, and stands ready to work with other States Parties to regulate the trade in conventional arms, promote the universality and effectiveness of the Treaty, and improve global governance of the arms trade.

IV. Promoting International Exchanges and Cooperation

As an active participant, China prioritizes international exchanges and cooperation on export controls. It endeavors to boost mutual trust, ease doubts, increase mutual learning, strengthen international coordination, and promote trading in export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, so as to contribute to a more open and just regime for international export controls.

1. Conducting Bilateral Exchanges and Cooperation

Based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, China engages in international exchanges and cooperation on export controls, in order to increase mutual trust through dialogue and consultation. These efforts reflect China's open and cooperative attitude, and facilitate win-win cooperation.

China promotes trading in export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements. China has established inter-governmental mechanisms with various countries and regions to share experience and practices through government-to-government consultations and discussions and dialogues with business. China has also maintained communication with export control authorities in other countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. To build up mutual trust and cooperation, China has signed bilateral agreements with Russia and several other countries for mutual issuing of end-user and end-use certificates.

China is deeply involved in bilateral exchanges and cooperation on export controls and non-proliferation. China and the US have held multiple seminars on identifying export-controlled items to promote exchanges on enforcement skills. In nuclear non-proliferation, China has maintained consultations and exchanges with the US, Russia, the UK, France, Germany, and the EU to take resolute action against illegal activities through information exchanges and cooperation on enforcement. With respect to controlled chemicals, China has engaged in bilateral exchanges and cooperation with other States Parties under the framework of the CWC, and conducted end-user and end-use verifications in Germany, Spain, the Republic of Korea, Japan and other countries. China has established consultation mechanisms with more than ten countries at vice-ministerial and director-general levels on strategic security, arms control, and non-proliferation, which, as platforms for sharing non-proliferation experience and practices, have played a crucial role in increasing mutual understanding and cooperation.

In addition to inter-governmental cooperation, China also supports non-governmental exchanges and cooperation on export control. Chinese institutions such as the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce, the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, and the China Nuclear Energy Association, have held non-governmental exchanges, conducted academic research, and engaged in international people-to-people interactions with research institutions of other countries. Through symposiums, forums and on-site visits, these institutions have increased mutual understanding and friendship with their foreign counterparts.

2. Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue and Consultation

As part of the effort to promote world peace and regional security, China prioritizes communication and consultation on global issues and emergencies via the UN and multilateral export control mechanisms.

China advocates that as the most representative international organization, the UN should play a central role in finding the right balance between non-proliferation and peaceful uses, and in safeguarding the legitimate rights of developing countries to peaceful uses of technological advances. In December 2021, the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the China-initiated resolution "Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security", which emphasizes the significance of international cooperation in science and technology for peaceful purposes in facilitating economic and social development, and urges all Member States, without prejudice to their non-proliferation obligations, to lift unnecessary restrictions on peaceful use in developing countries. The adoption of this resolution marks the beginning of an open, inclusive and just dialogue process under the UNGA framework, which is in line with the common interests of the international community. It represents a critical contribution to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of all countries concerning peaceful uses of technology, ensuring that scientific and technological dividends are widely shared to the benefit of all, and addressing the security challenges arising from scientific and technological progress. It is also conducive to fuller and more balanced implementation of the NPT, the CWC, the BWC and other international treaties, and to greater dialogue and exchanges between other countries and State Members of the existing mechanisms on non-proliferation and export control, to better serve shared security and development. China will continue to work with all other parties to advance this dialogue process under the UNGA framework.

In April 2004, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540), which requires all countries to reinforce domestic management and export control of WMD and relevant materials and technologies, and to prevent and combat the proliferation of such items among non-state actors. As the first UN Security Council resolution dedicated to non-proliferation, this advances international cooperation under international law. China actively supports and participates in non-proliferation efforts under relevant UN frameworks, including the 1540 Committee, and works vigorously to promote the comprehensive review of UNSCR 1540. To strengthen its enforcement in Asia, China and the 1540 Committee hosted three training sessions - "Training Course for the 1540 Points of Contact in the Asia-Pacific Region" - in the Chinese cities of Qingdao, Xi'an and Xiamen in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Since its accession to the NSG in 2004, China has conscientiously assumed its membership obligations, actively taken part in policy consultations, drawing up lists, information sharing, and other NSG matters, and stepped up export control cooperation with other NSG members. Following the NSG Guidelines, China has amended Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Export and Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Dual-use Items and Related Technologies Export. In the amendments, acceptance of comprehensive safeguards and oversight by the importing country is a precondition for the export of nuclear materials, and the export control lists are routinely updated in sync with the NSG's control list.

China officially applied to join the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2004, and has since maintained communication and exchanges, with five rounds of dialogue focusing on China's accession and issues regarding control systems, lists and the enforcement of missile export controls. China referred to the MTCR Guidelines and Annex when formulating its missile export control regulations and control list.

China has maintained communication and exchanges with the Wassenaar Arrangement. The two sides have held five rounds of in-depth dialogue on control principles, lists, and best practices pertaining to the export of conventional arms and relevant dual-use items and technologies.

China has been involved in six rounds of consultation with the Australia Group (AG) on biological and chemical non-proliferation, implementation of the CWC and the BWC, and operation of the AG.

China is willing to work with the international community to ensure that multilateral export control mechanisms are just and open, and to increase the diversity and breadth of representation in their membership. China upholds solidarity and cooperation, opposes discriminatory approaches, and advocates that all countries work together to address serious global issues and create a brighter future for humanity.

Conclusion

The international landscape is undergoing profound changes, and the world is rife with challenges in the field of export control. It is no easy task to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity. All countries need to work together, relentless in their determination to strengthen international cooperation and pursue shared security and development.

Employing a holistic approach to national security and export controls, China will continue to strengthen its systems, increase capacity, reinforce administration, step up enforcement, and promote compliance, so as to effectively address the risks and challenges under the new circumstances. China will shoulder its due responsibilities as a major country by fulfilling its international obligations and commitments, by participating in exchanges and cooperation on export controls, and by joining forces with all other countries to build sound international export control governance as part of a global community of shared future.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
MOC officials answer questions upon release of white paper on China's export controls

Xinhua) 10:27, December 29, 2021

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The State Council Information Office released a white paper titled "China's Export Controls" on December 29, 2021. Officials in charge from the Ministry of Commerce took questions from the press regarding the background and the main content of the white paper and relationship between opening-up further and export control.

Question 1: What is the background and main content of the white paper on China's Export Controls?

Since the holistic approach to national security was put forward by President Xi Jinping after the 18th National Congress of the CPC, it has provided the fundamental basis and direction for efforts to improve China's export control system at a faster pace. The Export Control Law, enacted and implemented in 2020, was an important step to develop a full-fledged legal system for export control. Over the years, the Chinese government has coordinated development and security, opening-up and security, traditional security and non-traditional security, the security of itself and common security, and safeguarding and shaping national security. To strengthen export control on all dimensions and foster a modern export control system, China has actively fulfilled non-proliferation and other international obligations, adopted internationally-accepted practices such as export control list, end-users and end-uses management, optimized license management, created new enforcement methods, reinforced non-compliance penalties, and improved compliance regime.

Under this background, the white paper on China's Export Controls aims to give an overview of China's position, institutions, and practices in improving export control governance, and elaborate on China's commitments and actions to safeguard world peace and development, and security at national and international level. The 9,000-word long white paper is composed of foreword, main body, and conclusion. The main body consists of four parts: China's basic position on export control, continued improvement to the legal and regulatory system for export control, modernization of the export control system, international exchanges and cooperation.

Question 2: What's the current situation in international export control?

To safeguard world peace and development and effectively address international and regional security risks and challenges under the new circumstances, countries around the world are paying close attention to and working actively on export control under the framework of the UN and applicable international treaties. Efforts to establish and enforce legal systems, strengthen and standardize export control, and actively engage in international exchanges and cooperation, have helped to enhance mutual trust and dispel misunderstandings, promote international coordination on export control, and continuously improve the international export control governance.

At present, international export control also faces challenges. One of them is the abuse of export control measures and unreasonable discriminatory restrictions. Some countries, in particular, have generalized the concept of national security, fabricated excuses, directed state power to intervene in normal trade flow and market transactions, and frequently used export control as a tool to attack and bully other countries. Such moves have eroded the legitimate interests of fellow developing countries in the peaceful uses of controlled items, disrupted international industrial chains and supply chains, and jeopardized the sustainable development of many countries.

The second challenge is the attempts of countries to draw small circles and turn their back on true multilateralism, or even apply double standards on non-proliferation, which are in essence unilateralist practices under the pretext of multilateralism.

The third challenge is the need to enhance international coordination on export control and increase representation of the multilateral mechanisms on export control. China believes that in export control, the international community should move forward in a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory direction, remain united and enhance cooperation, resist discriminatory practices, and join hands in tackling global issues and building a brighter future for humanity.

Question 3: What is China's basic position on export control?

As a responsible major country, China adheres to a holistic approach to national security. In keeping with the principle of safeguarding world peace and development, national security and international security, China has been continuously improving export control governance, conscientiously undertaking its international obligations, and stepping up international exchanges and cooperation.

China holds that all countries should firmly stand by the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order underpinned by international law, safeguard the authority of international treaties and mechanisms that uphold true multilateralism, refresh their security perspectives, and adopt a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable outlook on global security. In particular, major countries should duly fulfill their obligations, show a sense of responsibility, promote international common security in the field of export control, and actively advance international export control in a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory direction; they should not undermine the legitimate right of other countries to the peaceful use of controlled items, or obstruct the peaceful use of outcomes of scientific and technological advances to promote development, normal international science and technology exchanges and commercial cooperation, and the secure and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains.

China holds that international cooperation on export control should promote the equality of rights, opportunities and rules for all, and reflect the wishes and interests of the majority in a more balanced manner. International coordination and cooperation and multilateral mechanisms should be further leveraged to properly address differences and disputes, and create an international environment of peace, stability, equality, mutual trust, and win-win cooperation, so that all countries can become partners that trust and work with one another on an equal footing in jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Question 4: How does China view the relationship between opening-up and export control?

Opening-up is one of China's basic national policies and a unique icon, and expanding opening-up is the only path to high-quality development. Even as the world faces the compounded impact of major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, as well as growing anti-globalization trends, China is still dedicated to expanding openness, speeding up the building of an open economic system at a higher level, and pursuing opening-up on all fronts.

Over the years, China has been committed to coordinating development and security, and opening-up and security in implementing export control. With a view to building a new system of an open economy and a peaceful China at a higher level, China has been optimizing its business environment with enhanced regulatory openness and risk prevention and control capacity, thus safeguarding and promoting high-level opening-up by effectively guarding against major risks. At a new historical starting point, China will not change its resolve to open wider at a high standard; China will not change its determination to share development opportunities with the rest of the world; and China will not change its commitment to economic globalization that is more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial for all. China will continue to coordinate opening-up and security, strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on trade and economic fronts, advance trade of export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, so as to contribute to an open world economy.

Question 5: What specific measures has the Chinese government taken to establish and improve a modern export control system?

China has been strictly enforcing export control laws and regulations. With institutional foundation and technological support, China has gradually realized effective and comprehensive regulation with full coverage and whole-process monitoring, and put in place a modern export control system with scientific design, orderly operation and vigorous enforcement.

First, improving license management. China widely adopts internationally-accepted practices such as license management, end-user and end-use certificates, and general licensing. China has established an inter-agency consultation mechanism and a two-tiered management model, optimized the licensing procedure, enriched the types of licenses, and kept improving license management, to promote trade of export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, and create a better business environment for high-level opening-up.

Second, strengthening enforcement capability. China has kept improving the export control enforcement mechanism by increasing enforcement methods. An authoritative and efficient export control enforcement system, with consistent rights and responsibilities, has gradually taken shape, and played an important role in tackling export control violations and ensuring complete, accurate and strict implementation of export control laws and regulations.

Third, developing export control compliance systems. Under the principle of government-guided, business-led, and coordinated action, China has scored notable progress in export control compliance system building by consolidating the legal foundation, improving the policy framework, and promoting publicity and training.

Four, complying with international obligations. Fulfilling its due responsibilities as a major country, China firmly upholds the authority and efficacy of relevant international treaties, strictly complies with its international obligations and honors its commitments on nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, missiles and military products, and safeguards international and regional peace and stability.

Question 6: How does China participate in international cooperation on export control?

It is an aspiration shared by most countries across the world to strengthen international coordination and cooperation and pursue shared development and common security. China prioritizes international exchanges and cooperation on export control as a step to promote international coordination and push forward relevant international processes, so as to contribute to greater justice and openness of international export control regime.

Bilaterally, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, China has established inter-governmental mechanisms with various countries and regions to compare notes on practices through government-to-government consultations and discussions, as well as dialogues with businesses. China has actively promoted trade of export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, and been deeply involved in bilateral exchanges and cooperation on export control and non-proliferation to build up mutual trust. China supports non-governmental exchanges and cooperation on export control. Through academic researches and international people-to-people interactions with research institutions of relevant countries, these institutions have increased mutual understanding and friendship with foreign counterparts.

Multilaterally, China advocates that the United Nations, as the most universal organization in the world, should play a central role in initiating an open, inclusive and just dialogue process, safeguarding the legitimate rights of developing countries to peaceful uses of technological advancements, ensuring that scientific and technological dividends are widely shared to benefit all, and addressing the security challenges arising from scientific and technological progress. In December 2021, the 76th UNGA adopted the resolution "Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security", which is conducive to enhanced dialogues and exchanges between State members of existing mechanisms on non-proliferation and export control and other countries to better serve common security and shared development. Since its accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), China has actively taken part in NSG matters and assumed its membership rights and obligations. China also values dialogues and exchanges with the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group.

Moving forward, China will continue to take up its due responsibilities as a major country, stay engaged in exchanges and cooperation on export control with other countries, uphold the UN-centered international system and enhance consultation and communication with multilateral mechanisms, in a bid to work toward the sound development of international export control governance.

Question 7: What are China's considerations for export control-related legislative development in the future?

On October 17, 2020, the 22nd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Thirteenth National People's Congress adopted the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China, which entered into effect on December 1, 2020. By establishing basic systems on export control scope, control policies, the control list, control measures, supervision and administration, and legal liabilities, among others, the Export Control Law lays a solid legal foundation for building a modern export control system and represents a milestone in China's export control development.

China will continue to advance law-based export control. In the future, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will pursue a holistic approach to national security, coordinate development and security, and aim to quicken our pace to develop a modern export control system with scientific design, orderly operation and vigorous enforcement. We will act promptly to improve supporting regulations for the Export Control Law, move faster to formulate the unified export control list, carry out multilateral and bilateral exchanges and cooperation on export control, widely publicize and implement related laws and policies, rigorously protect the legitimate rights and interests of all market players, and create enabling conditions for fostering a business environment that is based on market principles, governed by law and up to international standards.

Question 8: In what aspects will the Chinese government encourage and guide businesses to enhance export control compliance?

In order to encourage businesses to develop internal export control compliance systems in keeping with their own conditions, standardize business operation and create responsible corporate images, the Ministry of Commerce of China amended and published the Guiding Opinions on Establishing the Internal Compliance Program for Export Control by Exporters of Dual-use Items and the Guidelines for Internal Compliance for Export Control of Dual-use Items in April 2021 according to the Export Control Law and related regulations and based on the new characteristics of export control in the new era. Following the requirements of the aforementioned documents, businesses can develop and improve internal compliance systems by drafting policy statements, setting up institutions, comprehensively assessing risks, establishing screening procedures, formulating contingency measures, carrying out compliance training, improving compliance audit, keeping files and compiling management manual.

Going forward, China will work actively to develop a coordinated export control compliance system guided by the government and led by businesses to improve the whole society's export control compliance awareness, encourage businesses to improve compliance capacity and level, as well as safeguard and serve high-level opening-up.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Nation to spur consumption rebound and trade

By LIU ZHIHUA (China Daily) 10:44, December 29, 2021

Export-bound cars awaiting shipment at Yantai Port, Shandong province. (Photo by Tang Ke/For China Daily)

China will strive to better facilitate consumption rebound, foreign trade and investment growth, to advance high-quality economic development in 2022, the country's Ministry of Commerce said.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao told Xinhua News Agency that the business sentiment is likely to feel obvious pressure from shrinking demand, supply shocks and weakening expectations next year, despite its upbeat high-quality development this year.

To tame the risks, the country will ensure consistency in policies while unleashing new policy measures combining cross-cyclical and countercyclical adjustments.

It will also take measures to stabilize market entities, especially small, medium-sized and micro enterprises, while securing the domestic market and supply chain, Wang said.

He also said China will make more efforts to shore up high-quality development. Such efforts include accelerating consumption upgrades to unleash potentials, promoting innovative development in foreign trade to improve competitiveness, and expanding two-way investment cooperation in sectors like science and technology, green development and digital economy.

Even as COVID-19 continues to curtail economic activities at the international level, the annual Central Economic Work Conference earlier this month mapped out key risks and counter measures for the Chinese economy to achieve stable growth next year.

Analysts said China will likely adopt more efficient measures to better stabilize expectations, boost development and expand high-level opening-up.

"We will firmly implement domestic market expansion strategy to strengthen internal development momentum, while opening-up at a higher level to deepen reforms and push for high-quality development," Wang said.

Kang Yong, chief economist at KPMG China, said, "The Chinese economy will see a shift of balance in the rebound momentum from external to domestic demand next year, as the nation's macroeconomic policy will become more flexible and precise with the COVID-19 gradually coming under rein."

Consumption in China remains resilient, and the improved job market has laid a solid foundation for consumption recovery, Kang said, adding that progress in urbanization, promotion of common prosperity, and improved social welfare will strongly support mid to long-term domestic consumption growth.

The rise of domestic brands also will spur the growth in consumption, he said.

According to Wang, China must innovate to bolster confidence and stimulate vitality in consumption, while taking concrete measures to achieve common prosperity.

Such measures include strengthening distribution and logistics in urban and rural areas, cultivating new consumption models and formats, and promoting consumption upgrades, he said.

The government will also roll out targeted measures at the local level to facilitate foreign trade enterprises, and encourage innovations for new advantages in global trade, he said.

Such innovations will include new scientific and technological applications, new foreign trade models and formats, and regulatory adjustments. Securing healthy operation of industrial and supply chains and helping enterprises to increase presence in overseas markets will also become key tasks for the commerce authorities next year, he said.

According to Huo Jianguo, vice-chairman of the Beijing-based China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, the Chinese government will likely take more measures to stimulate investment by private enterprises to expand exports.

The country also aims to make better use of foreign investment by expanding opening-up and improving business environment, Huo said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
US military budget hike to support Taiwan will make few ripples in Pacific

By Global Times editorial (Global Times) 10:47, December 29, 2021

A US Marines assault amphibious vehicle (Photo: Xinhua)

US President Joe Biden signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022 on Monday. The Act authorizes $768 billion in defense spending, up about 5 percent from a year earlier. In the context of the US' high debt and that it has to raise the debt ceiling to avoid government shutdowns, the country's military expenditure has grown for the sixth consecutive year. This underscores the US' twisted and distorted view of national security and lays bare some American politicians' Cold War mentality.

The $768 billion figure is bigger than the GDP of many countries. It accounts for about 40 percent of global military spending, equaling the sum of the military expenditures of the nine countries behind the US. Nonetheless, for Washington which is suffering from the anxiety disorder of seeking "absolute security," it is far from enough. It is widely reported that many Republican lawmakers, who complained Biden's initial proposal was not high enough, pushed to add nearly $25 billion to the defense budget. The US Congress has the power of the purse and is known for its calculations and stinginess in appropriating government expenditure. It is hard for livelihood-related bills to get passed. But Congress has been more and more generous toward military spending.

Under this distorted security view, certain US interest groups such as the military-industrial complex and lobbying groups are doing their best to get more of the pie. The US in 2021 withdrew its troops from Afghanistan hastily, and formally ended its combat mission in Iraq. US military spending is supposed to drop. But instead, it has increased. What will the money be used for? The NDAA has put it bluntly, a large part will be spent against China and Russia, especially China.

We have noticed that this year's NDAA of more than 1,300 pages mentions China in many aspects, including technological research and development, military comparisons, COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, as well as international influence. Among them, the so-called Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) and a statement of congressional support for the defense of Taiwan has attracted the most attention. The bill includes $7.1 billion for the PDI in order to worsen the environment around China by creating confrontation and division and calls for developing a "grand strategy" with respect to China. It also encourages improving the "defensive asymmetric capabilities of Taiwan" and calling for the island of Taiwan's participation in the 2022 Rim of the Pacific Exercise. US media have hyped up these topics, but Washington should be clear that no matter in what ways it uses the island of Taiwan to contain the Chinese mainland, it is playing with fire, and whoever plays with fire will get burnt.

For China, we do not need to be affected by the US' unrestrained greed for "security," or fall into the quagmire of an arms race with the US. China has kept the ratio of defense spending to GDP stable. The increase of its military spending and growth of military strength is a natural result of China's overall social development. China does not harbor ideas of initiating a war against the US somewhere in the world, but it won't allow the US to act wantonly in the West Pacific, particularly on issues that concern China's core interests. Such a determination and will cannot be swayed, no matter how much money the US spends on military. Facts will tell them that their military spending increase that targets China will make few ripples in the Pacific.

The Associated Press reported last month that 29 percent of US troops in the most junior enlisted ranks faced food insecurity in the past year, and as many as 160,000 active-duty US military members are having trouble feeding their families. This is unbelievable, yet is one of the weird truths about the US military. As an old Chinese saying goes, "Greed is like a valley that can never be filled." The US cannot find the security it needs even if it doubles its military spending; nor can it solve its domestic problems even if it makes more imaginary foreign enemies. When it comes to the defense budget, what can really make the US safe is political rationality. And when it comes to the Taiwan question, the more Washington spends, the more easily it will draw fire on itself.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Winter Olympics trivia: What kinds of robots will serve the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?

People's Daily Online) 14:06, December 29, 2021

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games will use robots as part of its epidemic prevention and control measures, with robotic services set to be made available in nine different scenarios, including in accommodation, award presentation ceremonies, mobile vending, the delivery of goods and food items, the delivery of room services, the transport of medical equipment, providing guide and translation services, and patrol services, among other services.

Anti-epidemic robots

The anti-epidemic robot is a smart terminal that will be placed at the entranceways of competition areas. After scanning staff members' QR codes, the checkpoint will send the health, vaccination and travel records of the staff members to the terminal. It takes only two seconds for a staff member to pass through the checkpoint.

Temperature measuring robots

The temperature measuring robot can approach people and take their body temperatures. When it detects an abnormal body temperature, the robot will tell the person about this status and then report the situation to epidemic prevention and control staff members.

Disinfection robots

The atomization disinfection robot can sterilize an area of 36 square meters in one minute. An ultraviolet disinfection robot will also be adopted for use to sterilize the competition areas.

Logistics robots

The logistics robot will be used to deliver the score reports of the athletes during the competitions. Powered by laser and visual sensing technologies, it is able to flexibly avoid any obstacles.

Another logistics robot that works outdoors can carry 30 to 300 kg of goods. After a staff member places goods on top of the robot, it will deliver the goods to a final destination and directly unload them.

Smart restaurant

The smart restaurant in the Main Media Center for Beijing 2022 is located inside the China National Convention Center Phase II. It will provide catering services around the clock to reporters from around the world. The robots inside the smart restaurant can cook cuisines, as well as making hamburgers, ice cream, coffee, and cocktails. The food and drinks, after being made ready to order, will then be delivered to the dining tables through an installed transfer system.

Award presentation robots

In April, the award presentation robots made their first debut during test events held at the National Speed Skating Oval.

Related:

Winter Olympics trivia: Is coldest always best when selecting a site for the Winter Olympic Games?

Winter Olympics trivia: When was the first time that mascots for Winter Olympic Games took on human form?

Winter Olympics trivia: Why is the Zhangjiakou Winter Olympic Village composed of courtyards?

Winter Olympics trivia: How long does it take to travel from Beijing to Zhangjiakou to watch a match?

Winter Olympics trivia: Is there an athlete that has won gold medal at both Summer and Winter Olympics?

Winter Olympics trivia: Why don't Winter Olympics medalists get their medals immediately after finals?

Winter Olympics trivia: What is the proportion of female athletes in the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022?

Winter Olympics trivia: How many types of snow can snowmakers produce for Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games?

Winter Olympics trivia: How fast are bobsleighs  the "Formula One on ice"?

Winter Olympics trivia: What are the differences between speed skating and short track speed skating?

Winter Olympics trivia: What are the new events for Beijing 2022 Winter Games?

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
Ground crew make thorough inspect before flight

China Military Online) 14:44, December 29, 2021

A ground crew member assigned to an aviation brigade of the air force under the PLA Western Theater Command inspects the canopy of a fighter jet prior to a flight training mission from December 21 to 22, 2021. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wen Rui)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Rural residents in NW Chinas Xinjiang embrace better life thanks to the regions multiplied efforts

People's Daily Online) 14:59, December 29, 2021

Living standards in rural areas of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have been significantly raised these years, thanks to the regions endeavor to develop industries with local features, improve the living environment and infrastructure in rural areas, and cultivate talents.

Photo shows apricots produced in Luntai county. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

The first three quarters of 2021 witnessed a year-on-year increase of 11.5 percent in the per capita disposable income of rural residents and an increase of 6.9 percent in the added value of the primary industry in Xinjiang.

Luntai county of Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture started to build demonstration parks for small white apricots in 2018, while Taleke village in the county, which used to produce low-quality apricots due to a lack of sufficient techniques and experience, held training sessions on cultivating apricot trees and invited professionals to give lessons to local villagers in the same year.

The village saw a bumper harvest of apricots in 2019. With the help of online sales channels and logistics firms, the sweet and juicy fruit has been sold outside Xinjiang. Now the village also hosts an apricot flower festival in April when apricot flowers enter the blooming season as a way to boost tourism.

Shilbam Ibrahim, an apricot farmer from the village whose family has 15 mu of land (1 hectare) for growing apricot trees, earned 135,000 yuan (about $21,195) this year. My family built a new house. And my husband and I bought a car each, she said, adding her life is as sweet as the apricot.

Similarly, Altay Prefecture has fully tapped its potential in ice and snow tourism. Now the prefecture is home to over 1,200 homestays, with over 3,000 local residents engaged in tourism. Altay boasts world-class resources of ice and snow, and has organized a series of ice and snow events these years, Mukyat Otey, head of the rural vitalization bureau for the region introduced.

Besides, Xinjiang began work on improving the living environment and infrastructure these years and started to upgrade its toilet facilities, regulate the discharge of contaminated water, clean up garbage in a timely manner and dredge waterways in 2019.

As a result, residents of Nanhu village of Hami city, who used to live in adobe houses, now live in new settlements that are comfortable and fully equipped with furniture. An asphalt road with solar-powered street lights leading to the village was also built, making the travel of villagers easier. With the newly-installed trash cans, villagers have a higher awareness of environment protection, introduced Arkin Abliz, a local villager.

To ensure that each village has a talent team focused on agricultural technologies, Xinjiang has cultivated agricultural talents and entrepreneurial pioneers, while encouraging those who worked and studied outside the region to come back and startup businesses.

Gheni Barat, 27, returned to his hometown of Bachu county and learned cotton planting from his father when he graduated from college in 2018. Now, he is the head of an agricultural cooperative, which has seven employees. The cooperative installed drip irrigation systems in the cotton fields, promoted the integration of water and fertilizer, and chose cotton varieties that can be easily harvested by machines, he said, adding that about 400 kilograms of cotton will be harvested on each mu (667 square meters) of land this year, which will generate a return of over 100,000 yuan.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Chinese embassy, passengers lash out at Delta over midair turnaround of flight, suspected of crew shortage

By Zhang Changyue, Tu Lei and Liu Xin (Global Times) 16:24, December 29, 2021

Many domestic and international flights in the US have been canceled due to staff shortages, and recent reports that the midair turnaround of Delta Air Lines' flight DL287 from Seattle to Shanghai was due to China's entry ban did not tally with the facts, the Chinese Embassy in the US said on Tuesday.

Delta Air Lines' flight DL287 from Seattle to Shanghai turned back midway on December 22, and in a statement on Monday, the company said that new pandemic-related disinfection requirements at the Shanghai airport were behind the move, USA Today reported.

However, the Chinese Embassy in the US said in a statement on Tuesday that claiming the DL287's turnaround was due to China rejecting entry of the flight, as the media quoted some crew members as saying, does not tally with the facts, and that recently many US airlines have encountered staff shortages.

Situations of crew members worrying about flying occurred occasionally, which led to the large-scale canceling of domestic and international flights, the embassy said.

Chinese passengers on board the flight bore huge losses from the sudden turnaround of the flight. The embassy is assisting the passengers and lodged solemn representations to Delta Air Lines to urge it to protect the interests of passengers.

In response to the Global Times' questions on the incident, Delta repeated its previous statement and said the turning back of the flight was due to new pandemic-related cleaning procedures required at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

It added that the procedures announced by the Chinese government on December 21 significantly extended ground time and were not operationally viable for the company.

However, a manager from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport previously said that the flight neither landed at the airport nor entered China's airspace. The manager said they did not know what "specific impact" China's anti-pandemic policy has caused to the flight.

An analyst from the civil aviation industry also told the Global Times previously that the midair turnaround may have been due to the shortage of crew members, which is a widespread problem for many US airlines.

"Departing from Seattle, the flight needed to land in Seoul for transit and a crew change before arriving in Shanghai, since each group of crew members has a required working time."

"Flight DL287 may have had to return in midair if there were no crew members in Seoul available," said the analyst.

Delta has prepared two sets of aircrew in Seoul for each flight from the US to China since the pandemic, one working during the section from the US to Seoul and the other working from Seoul to China and back to Seoul, said staff at Delta Air Lines, as quoted by caixin.com.

The Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco on Sunday lodged a solemn representation to Delta after its flight DL287 unexpectedly returned to the US halfway, leaving numerous Chinese on board nowhere to go, with expired visas and health codes.

Most of the passengers were Chinese nationals, and those who held F1 visas and tourist visas have been trapped in the airport as their re-entry to the US was illegal, according to passengers reached by the Global Times.

Runtu (pseudonym), a passenger on flight DL287, told the Global Times that the flight was scheduled to depart on the night of December 21 but the captain said one passenger was not well and the plane would take off after the passenger's luggage had been unloaded.

About half an hour later, the captain noted that some parts of the plane needed to be reviewed. Later, the captain said due to the weather, the flight could not leave.

All the passengers got off the plane and were put into a hotel. At 10 pm (local time) on December 22, the plane finally took off. However, after six hours' flying when the plane was over Russia, the captain noted that they needed to return to Seattle due to China's new epidemic prevention policies, said Runtu.

While Runtu had come back to the city where she lived in the US, many other passengers on the flight were still at the airport in Seattle, paying for living in hotels themselves.

Runtu said Delta's move to shift blame to China's prevention measures are disrespectful and smears against China. Runtu said a staff member working in the Seattle airport admitted to her that they learned of China's requirement for three-hour disinfection of planes arriving in China on December 21, which means Delta already knew the crew members might have to work overtime due to the changes.

Runtu said Delta could have canceled the flight in advance, rather than flying for hours and turning back midway. Runtu said the captain claimed that the turnaround was due to that China did not accept the passengers' health codes according to China's new epidemic prevention measures.

"Delta refused my reimbursement request by email," Runtu said.

According to flight tracking site FlightAware, numerous flights from the US to China have been delayed or canceled. CNN reported on Saturday that United Airlines canceled some flights because the nationwide spike in Omicron cases had a direct impact on flight crews and people who run the operations.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Feature: "All is well" -- foreigners stay confident amid COVID-19 resurgence in Xi'an

Xinhua) 16:53, December 29, 2021

XI'AN, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ushurova Sofiya, a professor from Kazakhstan at the school of law in Xi'an Jiaotong University, celebrated her 48th birthday on Dec. 15. Henceforth, she has not left her home.

Xi'an, the megacity in northwestern China where she lives, is in a bitter fight against a new wave of COVID-19 infections.

Since the latest resurgence triggered by imported infections on Dec. 9, the city had registered a total of 962 locally transmitted cases as of Tuesday. Closed-off management has therefore been imposed in communities and villages in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.

"We have to take the virus seriously. In fact, staying at home is part of our efforts to curb its spread," said Sofiya.

Though being cooped up, the family is busy as usual -- Sofiya enjoys reading, preparing lectures while her three children are taking online classes. Her husband serves as a volunteer delivering vegetables to local residents.

Although their lives have been disrupted, she is fully supportive. "One of my family members outside China was infected and passed away. So I totally support the measures taken by China, which truly value people's life and health."

To Dev Raturi, a 45-year-old Indian, the sudden hit of the pandemic has given him some precious family time.

Having been in China for 17 years, Raturi was entangled in his restaurant business spreading across five Chinese cities. "China is my promised land," said the restauranteur and part-time actor.

"I had been occupied with business trips, leaving little time with my family over the past year. But now we can do a lot at home: cook meals, do exercise and have fun with my kids," said Raturi.

Though the recent outbreak of COVID-19 forced Raturi to close all his five restaurants in Xi'an, he remains optimistic. "It's a big loss, but only a short-time loss," he said, noting that strict management is necessary to tide over the current difficulties.

"The world was not under control in the past two years as cases are still jumping in many Western countries. But China did a very good job in controlling it. I am sure things will go back to normal soon, so we don't have to worry," he added.

His confidence is rooted in a slew of epidemic prevention and control measures introduced recently. "We take nucleic acid testing almost every day, and community staff help us get daily necessities. They are very supportive and comforting."

"All is well," Puriya Daei, 32, told his family in Iran via videolink. The young man came to Xi'an a couple of years ago to work in the apple business, as Shaanxi Province, where Xi'an is located, produces about one-seventh of the total global apple output.

"I do not feel panic because China has taken comprehensive measures to deal with the virus. I've been fully vaccinated and take tests regularly," Daei said.

Despite rising confirmed cases in Xi'an, more and more people are gradually steering their life back to normality and picking up new hobbies. Pakistani student Alvi of Northwestern Polytechnic University has learned to cook several Chinese dishes and write Chinese characters recently.

"Cheer up Xi'an," Alvi said in Chinese.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Workers assemble vehicles in a smart factory of Chang'an Kuayue Automobile Co., Ltd. in Wanzhou District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Sept. 23, 2020.(Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- China will see 70 percent of its major manufacturing firms basically digitalized and networked by 2025, according to a development plan on smart manufacturing.

The plan, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments, also states that all of China's manufacturing firms above a designated size will be digitalized and networked by 2035.

China will also build more than 500 industry-leading smart-manufacturing demonstration plants by 2025, according to the plan.

Although China's smart manufacturing has progressed from the pilot test phase to application, it still lags behind the standard of high-quality development.

The plan proposes a range of special actions, including innovation, application, supply and support, to advance the development of smart manufacturing.
The Long March-7 Y4 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-3, blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 20, 2021. China launches cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-3 to deliver supplies for its under-construction space station. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- For Chinese scientists and engineers, the past 12 months have been a year like no other. With the pandemic still raging, scientific and technological self-reliance took center stage, bringing in advances in frontiers like space exploration, quantum science, and the battle against COVID-19. At the Beijing Aerospace Control Center this year, Zhang Rongqiao and Sun Jun were no strangers to the "big red screen." The giant display turns red when a mission is declared a success. On May 15, Zhang Rongqiao, chief designer of China's first Mars exploration mission, wiped tears from his eyes as Mars probe Tianwen-1 landed safely on the red planet. It was the country's first successful Mars mission and a giant leap for deep space exploration. Zhang Rongqiao (R), chief designer of China's first Mars exploration mission, talks with Wu Weiren (2nd L), chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, after China's first Mars rover, Zhurong, drives down from its landing platform to the Martian surface, May 22, 2021.(Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Launched on July 23, 2020, Tianwen-1 arrived at Mars in February and landed the lander and rover in May. Since then, the rover Zhurong has traveled more than 1,200 meters on the planet and is currently heading toward a region that might have been the coastline of an ancient ocean, looking for clues about Mars' evolution. Earlier this month, Zhang was included on Nature's list of 10 people who were part of big stories in science in 2021. He said the landing gave him a taste of the old Chinese saying, "it takes 10 years to sharpen a good sword." Sun Jun understands exactly what Zhang means by the old Chinese saying. Photo released on June 11, 2021 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) shows a selfie of China's first Mars rover Zhurong with the landing platform.(CNSA/Handout via Xinhua) Sun, chief engineer of the space mission at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, started with his colleagues in 1995. "We didn't have a single line of software code or computers, never mind a ready-to-use guidebook," he recalled. This year, Sun and his colleagues witnessed "big red screen" moments multiple times: the launch of the space station core module Tianhe, two launches of the cargo freighters Tianzhou-2 and Tianzhou-3, two crewed flights of Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13, the safe return to Earth of the Shenzhou-12 crew, four extravehicular activities and a live class from the space station. "Now we can say that we can safely and freely build, control, operate, and maintain the space station," Sun told reporters this month. Like space research and engineering, quantum research also continued to gain momentum this year. The quantum research team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) again hit the highlight list of the year. Last year, China's quantum computer, Jiuzhang, performed a calculation in 200 seconds that would take a supercomputer 2.5 billion years to complete. Critics say it's unclear whether the problem a U.S. quantum computer solved was indeed beyond the capabilities of a conventional machine, and Jiuzhang is not easily reprogrammable to solve more than one problem. In an interview with Outlook Weekly under Xinhua, Chinese quantum physicist Pan Jianwei said it took the team 20 years to make the breakthrough of Jiuzhang in 2020. They achieved a series of innovations on concepts and technologies this year, and Jiuzhang 2.0 arrived to address various issues. In the 2021 "Highlights of the Year" story, the American Physical Society said "the USTC results stand out because they provided compelling arguments that a computer had finally achieved quantum primacy," a quantum system's ability to outperform the best possible classical computer in a given task. "The researchers observed exceptional quantum computational speedups that made the claim of quantum primacy hard to dispute." A participant views a quantum computing prototype model during the 2021 Quantum Industry Conference in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 18, 2021.(Xinhua/Han Xu) As space and quantum researchers reap the rewards from years of dedication, Chinese vaccine producers and drug developers have earned plaudits from racing against the clock to fight COVID-19. Throughout the year, China has been promoting mass vaccination along with the global vaccination plan. Earlier this month, two COVID-19 medicines were granted emergency approval, China's first approved COVID-19 virus-neutralizing antibody combination therapy with independent intellectual property rights. A batch of COVID-19 vaccine donated by China arrives at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Dec. 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang) Self-reliant innovation never ends, noted Sun. "Core technologies can only come from a country's own innovation," he said. "You'd better hold the safety rope yourself, rather than leave it to others." Although tensions and the pandemic limited international cooperation, China has never forgotten to share its achievements and make encouraging commitments to the international community. The country has delivered on its promise to make vaccines global public goods and made continued efforts to improve vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries. Over 1.8 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been provided to more than 120 countries and international organizations. Aerial photo taken on March 29, 2021 shows China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) under maintenance in southwest China's Guizhou Province.(Xinhua/Ou Dongqu) In March, China announced that its Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, the world's largest single-dish radio observatory, can be accessed by astronomers worldwide. On Dec. 1, Tianwen-1 and the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft successfully performed an in-orbit relay communication test. As the relay communication equipment interfaces of Zhurong and Mars Express match and conform to international standards, the Tianwen-1 and Mars Express teams will cooperate further in scientific data relay communication. China has pledged to make its space station an open platform for international cooperation. A total of 17 countries will participate in the experiments aboard China's space station, covering aerospace medicine, life sciences and biotechnology, and astronomy.


A US Marines assault amphibious vehicle Photo: Xinhua

US President Joe Biden signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022 on Monday. The Act authorizes $768 billion in defense spending, up about 5 percent from a year earlier. In the context of the US' high debt and that it has to raise the debt ceiling to avoid government shutdowns, the country's military expenditure has grown for the sixth consecutive year. This underscores the US' twisted and distorted view of national security and lays bare some American politicians' Cold War mentality.

The $768 billion figure is bigger than the GDP of many countries. It accounts for about 40 percent of global military spending, equaling the sum of the military expenditures of the nine countries behind the US. Nonetheless, for Washington which is suffering from the anxiety disorder of seeking "absolute security," it is far from enough. It is widely reported that many Republican lawmakers, who complained Biden's initial proposal was not high enough, pushed to add nearly $25 billion to the defense budget. The US Congress has the power of the purse and is known for its calculations and stinginess in appropriating government expenditure. It is hard for livelihood-related bills to get passed. But Congress has been more and more generous toward military spending.

Under this distorted security view, certain US interest groups such as the military-industrial complex and lobbying groups are doing their best to get more of the pie. The US in 2021 withdrew its troops from Afghanistan hastily, and formally ended its combat mission in Iraq. US military spending is supposed to drop. But instead, it has increased. What will the money be used for? The NDAA has put it bluntly, a large part will be spent against China and Russia, especially China.

We have noticed that this year's NDAA of more than 1,300 pages mentions China in many aspects, including technological research and development, military comparisons, COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, as well as international influence. Among them, the so-called Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) and a statement of congressional support for the defense of Taiwan has attracted the most attention. The bill includes $7.1 billion for the PDI in order to worsen the environment around China by creating confrontation and division and calls for developing a "grand strategy" with respect to China. It also encourages improving the "defensive asymmetric capabilities of Taiwan" and calling for the island of Taiwan's participation in the 2022 Rim of the Pacific Exercise. US media have hyped up these topics, but Washington should be clear that no matter in what ways it uses the island of Taiwan to contain the Chinese mainland, it is playing with fire, and whoever plays with fire will get burnt.

For China, we do not need to be affected by the US' unrestrained greed for "security," or fall into the quagmire of an arms race with the US. China has kept the ratio of defense spending to GDP stable. The increase of its military spending and growth of military strength is a natural result of China's overall social development. China does not harbor ideas of initiating a war against the US somewhere in the world, but it won't allow the US to act wantonly in the West Pacific, particularly on issues that concern China's core interests. Such a determination and will cannot be swayed, no matter how much money the US spends on military. Facts will tell them that their military spending increase that targets China will make few ripples in the Pacific.

The Associated Press reported last month that 29 percent of US troops in the most junior enlisted ranks faced food insecurity in the past year, and as many as 160,000 active-duty US military members are having trouble feeding their families. This is unbelievable, yet is one of the weird truths about the US military. As an old Chinese saying goes, "Greed is like a valley that can never be filled." The US cannot find the security it needs even if it doubles its military spending; nor can it solve its domestic problems even if it makes more imaginary foreign enemies. When it comes to the defense budget, what can really make the US safe is political rationality. And when it comes to the Taiwan question, the more Washington spends, the more easily it will draw fire on itself.
NEW DELHI, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Indian army established a quantum laboratory in the central state of Madhya Pradesh to boost training and research with the support of the National Security Council Secretariat, the defense ministry said Wednesday.

The quantum laboratory, set up at the Military College of Telecommunication and Engineering, Mhow in Indore district, would lead research to help the Indian army leapfrog into next-generation communication, and transform the current system of cryptography to post-quantum cryptography, officials said.

"Indian army is making steady, yet significant strides in the field of emerging technology domains," said Chief of Army Staff Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane.

The ministry said the army has also established an Artificial Intelligence center at the same institution.
By Andrew Korybko

The U.S. national flag. /CFP

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

The U.S. recently passed the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that commits almost $770 billion to ostensibly "defense-related" needs next year, which amounts to a five-percent increase in military spending. It's by far the largest such annual expenditure of any country in the world. Nevertheless, the NDAA is actually a misnomer of sorts since it isn't entirely connected to "defense." This is made obvious by the dangerous anti-Chinese provocations written into this gargantuan text of over 1,300 pages.

For starters, Congress included a statement of "support for China's Taiwan." This is an unfriendly but not exactly unexpected gesture. It reduces the chances of normalizing the fraught relations between China and the U.S.

That's unlikely to happen anytime soon though if the U.S. actually goes through with following the NDAA's suggestion to "invite Taiwan" to participate in next year's "Rim of the Pacific Exercise" (RIMPAC), which is the world's largest naval drill. Coupled with the document's request to "continue to support the development of capable, ready, and modern defense forces necessary for Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability," it's clear that the U.S. is fanning the flames of separatism there.

America's adversarial intentions towards China are also evidenced in the NDAA's passage about prohibiting the Department of Defense from purchasing products that its authors describe as being made in so-called "forced labor camps" in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. That part was meant to remind the world about the regularly discredited U.S. claims of a so-called "genocide" there that form the basis for its "diplomatic boycott" of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics.

Finally, the last prominent anti-Chinese provocation in this year's newly passed NDAA is the $7.1 billion that'll be spent on what the U.S. describes as its "Pacific Deterrence Initiative" (PDI). At its initial stage, this project will aim to identify the most strategically promising areas of U.S. military investment and cooperation in the "Indo-Pacific". The purpose is of course to complicate the practice of Chinese policy in this transregional space. It's basically the seed of something that's envisioned to be grander.

Reviewing this list of anti-Chinese provocations, observers can confidently declare that the document is actually quite dangerous, provocative, and therefore doesn't have anything to do with "defense" when it comes to the highlighted parts about China. There's never any excuse for the U.S. flirting with a reversal of its one-China policy like it's begun to do over the past few years since the administration of former President Donald Trump. It's disappointing that U.S. President Joe Biden doesn't want to change course in this respect.

Submariners stand on top of the Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut in the water at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, May 7, 2018. /Getty

Despite being from different political parties and hated enemies of one another, these two men pursue the same antagonistic policies towards China. This can be attributed to the consistent vision of their permanent military, intelligence, and diplomatic bureaucracies ("deep state"), which in turn discredits the claim that American administrations significantly differ from one another on the foreign policy front. Any serious changes are usually due to behind-the-scenes calculations, not presidential decisions.

Continued American military support for Taiwan and the suggestion to invite it to RIMPAC are unacceptable. This will increase the risk of a war by miscalculation by emboldening that island's separatist forces. China previously promised on numerous occasions that it'll never let their vile campaign succeed. So the U.S. should stop playing with fire. Hopefully Biden and his closest advisors have enough sense to only pay lip service to those parts of the NDAA and not actually fulfill them.

The Xinjiang "genocide" claims are doomed to fade into obscurity since there's no factual evidence to support them. The U.S. is artificially manufacturing a scandal in a desperate attempt to discredit China's international reputation ahead of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. The region's economy will continue to prosper regardless of whether or not the Department of Defense sources any products from there. For most of the world, Xinjiang is becoming a byword for responsible growth and security policies.

As for the PDI, the chronically mismanaged American government will struggle to organize the grand anti-Chinese "Indo-Pacific" coalition that it ridiculously dreams about. The Pentagon couldn't even organize effective resistance to the Taliban despite spending over $2 trillion across the course of two decades. The NDAA's provisioning of $7.1 billion for the PDI's obviously anti-Chinese mission next year is a proverbial drop in the bucket and is thus unlikely to amount to anything of substance whatsoever.

With all these observations in mind, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian was right to "urge [the U.S.] to discard the obsolete Cold War zero-sum mentality and ideological bias and look at China's development and China-U.S. relations in an objective and rational light." The NDAA should be about defense, not dangerous anti-Chinese provocations. It's incumbent that the Biden administration basically ignores that document's hostile suggestions in order to preserve peace with China.
Pets are no longer just consumers of canned or dried food, they are hotel guests and cafe customers, and businesses are adapting apace. Pet-friendly hotels are springing up everywhere, and now even condos and apartments are starting to lift their strict ban on residents' four-legged friends.

According to a study by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 5.11 million Korean families owned pets as of last year, or one in four. The Korea Rural Economic Institute forecast that the country's market for pets, which has grown at an average of 14.1 percent annually over the last three years, will be scaled at W6 trillion by 2027 (US$1=W1,129).

A growing number of homes built in Seoul and surrounding Gyeonggi Province in recent years have catered to pet owners. They were designed for pet owners and the companies that manage them even rent out pet-care equipment.

One apartment block that was built in August last year has specially coated floors designed to keep pets from slipping and falling and sound-proof windows to keep barking and other noises from being heard by neighbors.

One staffer at a housing unit exclusively designed for pet owners said, "Tenants mostly own many large dogs and moved here despite higher rents after facing complaints from their neighbors in their former residences."


The government lodged a protest against Japan on Monday for whitewashing forced labor from its industrial history at an exhibition center that opened in Tokyo.

The Foreign Ministry summoned Japanese Ambassador Koji Tomita to lodge the protest and issued a statement expressing "deep regret" over the historical revisionism on display at the new Industrial Heritage Information Center in Tokyo.

Tomita claimed that his government "faithfully adhered" to the recommendations of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2015, when it listed 23 industrial facilities that played an important role in Japan's modernization.

The center makes no mention of the often brutal conditions suffered by Korean forced laborers, many of whom died in a notorious coal mine on Hashima Island, one of the listed sites.

Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Naoki Okada told reporters that the Japanese government "fully accepted" the recommendations by the committee and "exhibited" its pledge to the international community.

But the exhibit contains only the word "pledge" but no details of what the pledge might be. When asked if the Japanese government intends to add more exhibits in response to Korea's protest, Okada simply reiterated the formula.

The latest whitewash by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's far-right government has further soured Seoul-Tokyo relations, which were already at breaking point over compensation orders by Korean courts for the victims of forced labor, and scuppered recent hopes of a thaw.
With the arrival of winter in Europe and energy prices soaring, tensions are running high over the provision of gas from Russia -- especially through the Yamal-Europe pipeline that runs through Poland and Belarus.

But the Yamal pipeline is just one part of a complex gas infrastructure network shaped not only by energy needs but also wider economic interests and politics, including strife between Russia and Ukraine.

The pipeline, opened in 1994, runs over 2,000 km (1,242 miles) to Germany from the city of Torjok in central Russia, transiting through Belarus and Poland. It delivers 30 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe each year, making it one of the most important vehicles for the provision of Russian gas to the continent.

Russia sells Germany gas at a cheaper rate than it does to Poland, in part to make up for the higher transit fees through the longer delivery distance. But this means that it is more cost efficient for Poland to buy Russian gas from Germany. Some of the gas sold by German traders to Poland flows directly into Polish territory, or if that is not sufficient, the pipeline can also operate in reverse to send more to Germany's eastern neighbor.

Since Dec. 21, the pipeline has been operating in reverse, with gas flowing east back into Poland from the German border, according to data from management company Gascade seen by AFP. This means that over the last days, Germany itself has not been receiving gas via Yamal.

Meanwhile, Russian gas continues to flow to Europe through other major pipelines such as Nord Stream I and TurkStream. It is not unusual for the Yamal pipeline to operate in reverse for short periods, but this latest about-turn comes against a backdrop of political tension over fears that Russia may invade Ukraine.
Korea on Monday protested again Japan's plan to list another site where masses of Koreans were used as slave labor in World War II as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On Tuesday, the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs announced its plan to register a mine on the island of Sado in Niigata Prefecture on the UNESCO World Heritage list. About 1,000 Koreans were forced into hard labor in the mine during World War II, when Korea was under Japanese colonial rule.

This is only the latest attempt by Japan to glorify its industrial heritage by glossing over its reliance on Korean slave labor in wartime and the suffering of the forced laborers. In previous listings it has blatantly ignored UNESCO stipulations to prominently document the troubling history of industrial sites.

Japan will decide by Feb. 1 whether to formally recommend the Sado mine to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which will make a decision in 2023 based on results of a review by the International Council on Monuments and Sites, a non-governmental international organization advising on the matter.

The Sado mine was the biggest gold and silver mine during the Edo period in the 17th century, but it was used to produce war materiel like copper during the Pacific War.
Xu Jun and his rescue team: civilian heroes who choose bravery

By:Eastday | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-12-29 15:24

(Editors note: There are only a few days left of 2021. In that time Eastday.com will tell the story of five people in Shanghai, who epitomise the citys transformation and its future. In the third article, we sat down with Xu Jun, a civilian hero who leads a special rescue team.)

We are heading to Xian as we just received a call from the Xian Anti-Epidemic Command Center. The task will take a long time. Maybe we will not return for the Spring Festival. Late at night on December 26, three members of Pudongs Sanqi Emergency Rescue Team packed up for Xian, which is now under siege from COVID-19. This will almost certainly be the last rescue task undertaken by the Sanqi team in 2021.

Founded by Xu Jun, a retired sergeant who used to serve the border defense force, Sanqi team has always been contributing their efforts and skills to anywhere in need of special rescue.

Back in July, 2021, Xu Jun and his Sanqi team went viral online among Shanghai peoples WeChat moments, because of their rescue efforts in the Henan flood. Since then, the civilian rescue team has become more familiar to the public.

We set off for Zhengzhou on the evening of July 20. Later, we did not sleep for three days and nights, searching for people constantly. After a short break, we headed for Xinxiang and fought over seven consecutive days in the three hardest hit areas, recalled Xu. Even though it happened half a year ago, he still has a fresh memory of the task. The team transferred more than 6,000 trapped people, including one unaccompanied mentally handicapped person, seven pregnant women, and two under-one-month-old babies.

The team seems to be always on the move. Now, they are heading for Xian for anti-epidemic disinfection.

Not born heroes but brave people

The team members on the forefront actually have their own jobs. Rescue is an aspiration and career that they are willing to devote themselves to after work, even though it means that they may have to give up their spare time.

We are the only charity rescue team in Shanghai that consists of retired soldiers. Our members are from fire special service departments, armed police force, PLA special forces brigade, and the national rescue team, said Xu with much pride.

Oftentimes, once there is an assembly call, members have little time to say goodbye to their family. When they were heading to help Henan flood victims, they left in a hurry so they could only leave a note to their family: Im off to Henan to the rescue. Take care of yourself, dear daughter. I will be home safe and sound. I will be home soon.

However, the rescue tasks are not as smooth as ordinary people might think. There is always hidden danger.

Gao Hang, vice captain of the Sanqi team first dispatched to Henan, waded through chest-high floodwaters while carrying trapped victims.

Liao Hao, a member of the team, got wet through as he used his body as an umbrella for an under-one-month-old baby. Some other team members fell into the rapids during the rescue, while the rescue boat was scraped by glass shards. They are too busy to eat during the tasks, but never say anything about it. The more professional, the more needed, said Xu, adding that professionalism is the principle of Sanqi, and the root of healthy development for all civilian rescue teams.

Looking to the future of civilian rescue

The frequent occurrence of natural disasters and public emergencies is a test of the government's emergency management capabilities. It also calls for effective participation and coordination of diversified resources and forces.

As an integral part of the national governance system, social organizations are important tools to improve the capabilities and professionalism of social governance.

Sanqi team is such a social organization. Rooted in Shanghai, the team also contributes their efforts in helping other provinces whenever there is need.

Putting aside the honor of civilian heroes, civilian rescue teams face many various practical problems: lack of uniform standards, high costs of operation, and uneven professionalism, while rescue is an extremely complex and professional task.

Established in 2018, Sanqi is the only rescue team in Shanghai that is equipped with the capabilities to complete coordinated rescue between air and land. It is also the only one with special rescue abilities on land, at sea and in the air, and the only one which operates in earthquakes, waters, diving, and high-altitude situations.

Entering Sanqis warehouse, you will be greeted with various rescue equipment: a diving rescue suit that can withstand minus 30 degrees Celsius, a professional life jacket that can bear the weight of two adults, a safety helmet for different rescue scenarios, assault boats, oxygen cylinders, basic medical supplies, and emergency kits which are always on standby and filled with vacuum-packed biscuits and other rescue materials.

A set of large-scale professional earthquake rescue equipment costs 1 million yuan. We also send team members out to get trained in diving rescue, and the training fee for each member is around 300,000 or 400,000 yuan, said Xu. Nevertheless, he keeps investing in personnel and equipment to become ever-more professional.

Speaking of their plan for 2022, Xu said, Very simple. Keep improving our professionalism.

Q&As

Q: 2021 is about to end. How would you describe the year?

A: Actually, this year has been a relatively busy year for us, as there were a number of disasters, which is not what we want, personally speaking. Of course, the work has also brought honor to our team. We came from obscurity to the attention of the public.

Q: How do you look back on the past year?

A: 2021 is a critical year for our team, and it is also a very decisive year. We transformed from a group of people with kindness to a more professional group. This year has brought our team more honor and we feel a better team spirit.

Since we are here doing this, the first thing is to maintain our professionalism. Otherwise, we will not be able to undertake the tasks when we are needed. If we can't meet the professional demands, we will not be able to deal with situations properly at the earliest time, or stand in the forefront. So it is more important for us to integrate the feedback with our past rescue experiences.

Q: What is your outlook for next year?

A: In fact, it is very simple. Do our job well, and improve our professional capabilities under the leadership of the Emergency Management Bureau.

Story by Chen Lina, Wang Pengchong, Cai Huanghao

Translated by Wu Qiong


Egypts golden mummies land in Shanghai

By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-12-29 15:24

Six golden mummies from ancient Egypt are now on display at the Meet You Museum in Shanghai.

In Egyptian history, there is a lesser known "Greek-Roman" period (between 300 BC and 300 AD). It began with the rule of the Greek royal family, and ended with Roman monarchy. Meet Egypt: The Exhibition of the Golden Mummies represents Egyptians expectations during that period for the afterlife.

On December 27, the exhibition finally landed in Shanghai after previous stops in New York, North Carolina, and Beijing.

It consists of seven parts, of which the biggest highlights are six golden mummies from the 1st century AD.

It also exhibits 11 Fayoum mummy portraits, which are a type of naturalistic painted portrait on wooden boards attached to upper class mummies from Roman Egypt, and two other portrait mummies.

Visitors will also find in the exhibition ancient Greek-style statues, sculptures, and stone steles, along with 33 pieces of rare treasure like glass containers and papyrus paper from ancient Egypt.

The exhibition takes place at 210 Wenshui Rd, Jingan District, and lasts through April 20, 2022.

(Photos/Shanghai Observer)
KIEV, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and three others hurt in a fire in a hospital in Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk region, the National Police said in a statement on Wednesday.

The fire broke on the evening of Tuesday in a COVID-19 ward of the hospital in Kosiv city, killing three patients on the spot.

Three health workers were taken to the hospital with burns. According to local media, one nurse is in grave condition with burns covering 90 percent of her body.

A preliminary investigation showed that the fire was caused by a candle, which resulted in an explosion of the COVID-19 oxygen concentrator. Further investigation is underway. Enditem


Image from Nevada state government

The Nevada Supreme Court recently issued a ruling upholding the immunity of firearm and ammunition makers from civil lawsuit, when their products are used criminally, under Nevada law.

The lawsuit stems from the criminal mass murder perpetrated in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017. Many people are desperate to blame the instruments of crime for the crime. There arr deep pockets to consider. Gun manufacturers have significant assets. Dead criminals, do not.

A Federal statute The Protection of Legal Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), protects manufacturers, distributors, and retailers on the federal side.

Nevada has a separate state statute to protect firearms manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits designed to destroy innocent manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

If manufacturers, distributors and retailers can be held responsible for the acts of criminals, no manufacturer, distributor or retailer will be safe from lawsuits designed to destroy them. The Federal lawsuit was sent to the state court to see if it was valid in Nevada.

The Nevada statute is NRS 41.131. From state.nv.us: .....
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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan increased the trade turnover with Italy by $4 billion in January-November 2021, the State Customs Committee has reported.

During the first 11 months of the year, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $8.5 billion, with exports accounting for $8.1 billion and imports for $375.3 million. Thus, Italy was Azerbaijan's largest trade partner during the reported period.

In January-November 2020, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Italy amounted to $4.4 billion.

It should be noted that last year Italy was Azerbaijan's main trade partner as well, with a trade turnover amounting to $4.5 billion.

Azerbaijan is one of Italys main energy resources suppliers. Over 100 Italian companies, operating in various fields, are registered in Azerbaijan. In addition, Italian companies have contracts worth over  10 billion ($11.8 billion) for Azerbaijani projects both outside and inside the country.

Azerbaijans overall investment in Italys economy is estimated at around  1.7 billion ($2 billion), while Italy invested about  770 million ($910.8m) in Azerbaijan.

Moreover, Azerbaijan accounts for more than 90 percent of Italys total trade with the South Caucasus countries. Azerbaijan is the main destination of Italian exports to the South Caucasus region, with a 7-percent increase in 2020 as well.

Additionally, Italy was one of the first countries that voiced its support for Azerbaijans territorial integrity and later on interest in participation in restoration works carried out in Azerbaijan's liberated territories. Thus, Italy and Israel have already started the implementation of a joint project to turn the liberated Zangilan region into a smart city.
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

"Karabakh in patterns" project has been presented at Nizami Cinema Center.

The project, implemented by the Network of Azerbaijani Journalists Public Association, the Culture Ministry, Azerkhalcha OJSC and Tamiz Shahar is timed to the 44-day Patriotic War.

The presentation was timed to the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day (December 31).

A 35-minute documentary film "Karabakh in patterns" was also screened as part of the event.

In the film, the author of the idea and project manager of the Network of Azerbaijani Journalists Orkhan Jabbarli, spoke about the implementation of the project.

The documentary features shots from various cities, statements of the project participants and citizens who took part in the carpet creation.

The project "Karabakh in patterns" united thousands of Azerbaijani citizens, representatives of various peoples and religions, martyrs and ghazi families of the 44-day Patriotic War.

The project has turned into a symbol of hard work, unity and equality, multiculturalism and tolerance of all Azerbaijani citizens.

Everyone could make a loop on Karabakh`s Chalabi carpet.

The film was created by the project coordinators Ayaz Mirzoev and Khatuna Abdullayeva, stage director-Emil Babayev, director Bahruz Gadirov, cameramen - Boyukaga Naghiyev, Vugar V.Sh, Ilkin Mehdiyev, Zaur Sultan, graphic designer-Abbas Eyvazov, editor-Arzum Nurushzadeh and producer Anar Shushali.

The project started on September 27 at the Azerkhalcha exhibition center in Icharishahar. It is symbolic that the first loops on the carpet were made by Azerkhalch employees, the Patriotic Warveterans and combat medal holders Nijat Guliyev and Mammad Zulfaliyev.

Notably, Trend News Agency's correspondent Vugar Imanov also made a loop on the carpet.

In a special car, the created carpet has traveled across the country completing its route in Shusha, known as Azerbaijan's culture, where work was completed on the eve of Victory Day - November 8.

After the presentation of the film, the creative team of the film and the project participants were invited to the stage.

In their remarks, Azerkhalcha Chairman of the Board Emin Mammadov, author of the idea and project manager of Network of Azerbaijani Journalists Orkhan Jabbarli, project coordinator, Chairman of the Network of Azerbaijani Journalists Ayaz Mirzoyev, head of the staff of the Ministry of Culture Vasif Eyvazzadeh stressed that the determination, will and unity of the Azerbaijani people, economic power, a modern and valiant Azerbaijani Army led by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev resulted in the Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Karabakh War.

The central place of the "Karabakh in a carpet pattern" is decorated with the Kharibulbul flower, which is inextricably linked with Shusha and Karabakh.

The flower is a symbol of love and peace, a real talisman of Azerbaijan, a national symbol of Victory in the 44-day Patriotic War.

The carpet itself, woven from various colored threads and presented in colorful patterns, embodies all the diversity and unity of Azerbaijan.

The project was also attended by the chairman of the board of Tamiz Shahar OJSC Etibar Abbasov, director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum Shirin Malikova, production director of Azerkhalcha OJSC Alisafa Nuriyev, creative director of Azerkhalcha OJSC Asmar Abdullayeva, chief designer of Azerkhalcha OJSC, sketch artist of the project Neva Aghalieva.

In conclusion, the carpet was cut with the participation of the families of martyrs - the mother of Major General Polad Hashimov Samaya khanum, spouse of colonel-lieutenant Raguf Orujov Sevinj khanum and spouse of Denis Pronin Aynur khanum. The carpet was donated to the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.

Notably, Chalabi carpet is one of the brightest and most distinctive in the Karabakh group of carpets in Azerbaijan. One of the earliest Chalabi carpets dates from the late 17th - early 18th centuries, being woven during the reign of the Safavid dynasty.

Chalabi carpet is a woolen pile rug with a symmetrical knot and two weft threads.

The overwhelming majority of Chalabi carpets had a red background, the designs of the border are characterized by a variety of options. The beams of the central medallion have a white background color, while the cruciform motif of the central medallion is usually green.

The transformation of the carpet's medallion over a long period testifies to the artistic and symbolic evolution of the carpet motifs.

In the early versions of the medallion design, preference was given to plant motifs, then geometric, abstract and symbolic motifs as well as ornaments such as a sunflower flower, a radiant sun, crystal, diamond, etc., where the color scheme resembles a flash of bright light.
By Laman Ismayilova

Arts Council Azerbaijan has released another video inspired by Nizami Ganjavi's "Seven Beauties".

A video titled "Maghreb Beauty" was shown to the guests of the evening.

The image of the Maghreb Beauty was embodied by talented writer Natella Osmanli.

The video contains vivid examples of Nizami's poetry to music from Gara Garayev's ballet "Seven Beauties".

The project brought together project curator Sona Guliyeva, costume designer Sabina Zulalova, Niyaz Ilyasoghlu (poem reader) and videographer-Medina Dorozhkina.

Notably, separate videos dedicated to Nizami Ganjavi's "Seven Beauties" have been already released as part of the project.

Art Fest Nizami encourages talented people to participate in various joint projects. It also focuses on raising awareness of the young generation about the poet's literary heritage.

The festival features workshops for photographers and artists, exhibitions, screenings of animated films and other events dedicated to the work of Nizami Ganjavi.

Within the framework of the project, separate videos have been created for "Seven Beauties".

The event is organized by Arts Council Azerbaijan with the support of the Icharishahar Historical and Architectural Reserve, Icharishahar Museum Center and Baku City Main Department of Culture.

Art Fest Nizami is being held at the initiative of the head of the Arts Council Azerbaijan, artist and art critic Dadash Mammadov within the Year of Nizami Ganjavi in Azerbaijan.

The festival is curated by director of the Art School, Sona Guliyeva.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az and Milli.az.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani Deputy Defence Minister Col-Gen Karim Valiyev has visited the Land Forces, the Defence Ministry reported on December 29.

Initially, Valiyev checked the conditions created in the headquarters, as well as other administrative buildings of the Land Forces Command and held a meeting on the results of 2021, the report added.

Reminding the tasks set by the high command, Valiyev stressed the importance of further improvement of military personnels combat capabilities.

The combat readiness of servicemen, their moral and psychological state, as well as other significant issues were discussed at the meeting.

The deputy defence minister also congratulated the personnel on the occasion of the upcoming Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year.

Later, Valiyev visited the military personnel of one of the operational (commando) military units. Addressing the meeting, he stressed the importance of further advancing the professional skills of servicemen and gave relevant instructions.

On December 24, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their son Heydar Aliyev visited the liberated Khojavand region's Hadrut village to open a military unit of commando forces. Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan will create many commando brigades across the country. President Aliyev described the creation of the commando brigade unit in Hadrut as a significant event of strategic importance.

Experts described the creation of commando brigades in Azerbaijan as a new stage in the national army building. It was also assessed as a clear message for supporters of revanchist ideas in Armenia.
By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijan has ensured that its 728 of 766 registered citizens coming from Russia via the Yarag-Gazmalar-Samur state border checkpoint on December 22-27 cross into the country's territory, the Foreign Ministry has reported.

The process was organized in line with the daily quota set by the Operational Headquarters under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers and coordinated with local Russian agencies, the report added.

A delegation consisting of the Foreign Ministry, the Interior Ministry, and the Emergencies Ministry staff paid a working visit to the Dagestan Republic of Russia to facilitate the procedure.

Members of the delegation registered 766 Azerbaijanis waiting to cross the border and provided them with the necessary consular assistance.

It was reported that Azerbaijani citizens traveling from Russia to Azerbaijan gathered at the border checkpoints in Dagestan due to the temporary restrictions (under the COVID-19 pandemic regime) on the land crossing.

The next procedure was organized for Azerbaijanis on December 20-27, 2021, in line with the relevant instructions of the Operational Headquarters under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers and the conditions of the pandemic.

In total, some 4,217 Azerbaijanis were evacuated through 35 border crossings between January 29 and December 27, 2021, the report concluded.
By Sabina Mammadli

Against the background of the global pandemic that continues to impact the world's hopes, fears, and expectations, Azerbaijan is among the countries expressing economic optimism worldwide according to Gallup International research.

These results were found through End of Year survey - the worlds longest-running global survey started in 1979 by Gallup International. End of Year is an established tradition throughout the world - with its Hope Index, Happiness Index, and economic situation expectations trend.

According to economic expectations, there seems to be a pattern of developing regions being more cheerful and hopeful.

Economic optimism is visibly prevailing against pessimism in Azerbaijan with 52 percent.

The Economic Hope Index is based on the expectations of the country's citizens for future economic prospects.

Today 26 percent of the people now expect economic prosperity for their country in the year to come, 41 percent are prepared for economic difficulties and 26 percent think that 2022 will be the same as 2021 in terms of economy.

According to Gallup International Association Hope Iindex (answers better minus answers worse) the top five optimists are Indonesia (+72), Albania (+65), Azerbaijan (+53), Nigeria (+51), Mexico and Vietnam (both with net score of +47).

Azerbaijans index here is estimated at 53 points, which is 6 points higher than last year. At the same time, it is the third-best indicator after Indonesia (+72) and Albania (+65).

According to GIAs Happiness Index, Azerbaijan takes fifth place with 70 points. The list also includes Colombia (+79), Kazakhstan (+76), Albania (+74), and Malaysia (+73).

Speaking of personal happiness, this years results are not the best ones; however, most of the surveyed people are satisfied.

The optimism/pessimism ratio seems to show a relatively stable pattern over recent years. Europe, Russia, and the Middle East tend to be more pessimistic, while countries in Asia, for instance, seem to be more optimistic.

The survey, led by the organization in October-December this year, covered 41,560 people in 44 countries. According to the study, 38 percent of respondents worldwide believe that 2022 will be better than 2021, 28 percent expect a worse year, and 27 percent believe there will be no fundamental changes.

Such high results of Azerbaijan in the post-war period could be explained by the military and political settlement of the conflict in the Karabakh region after many years of occupation.
By Trend

Azerbaijan transferred Armen Verdyan, who got lost and entered the territory controlled by the Azerbaijani military, back to Armenia, Trend reports.

"On Dec. 29, a civilian of Armenian origin was handed over to Armenia, namely, Armen Verdyan, born on April 24, 1971, who had previously lost his way and crossed to the territory under the control of Azerbaijani military personnel. Remaining committed to the principles of humanism, Azerbaijan handed him over to Armenia," the message says.

It is noted that another civilian of Armenian origin was transferred to Armenia on November 26, 2021.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed a law amending Azerbaijan's law "on Labor Pensions", Azertag reported on December 29.

According to the change, the words "from 1 October 2019 200" in the first sentence of clause 6-1 of the Law of Azerbaijan "on Labor Pensions" are replaced by the words "from 1 January 2022 240".

The law comes into force on January 1, 2022.
By Trend

A commission on delimitation of the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan may be created soon, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said in an interview with RIA Novosti, Trend reports on Dec. 29.

The commission will be created soon, Rudenko said. We do not see any big obstacles to the implementation of this agreement at the highest level.

The deputy foreign minister stressed that Russia acted as a mediator, offering its assistance in launching the corresponding negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia from the very beginning of the aggravation of the situation in certain sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in May.

I would like to stress that the incidents are not directly related to the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers, Rudenko said. The problem has remained from the Soviet period and has been stipulated by the lack of proper international legal formalization of the state border between the two countries along its entire length.
By Trend

The trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan totaled $626,1 million in January-November 2021, Trend reports via the Uzbek State Statistics Committee.

The figure increased by 34.5 percent when compared to the same period last year.

Turkmenistans exports to Uzbekistan totaled $450,6 million, while imports from this country to Turkmenistan amounted to $151,5 million.

Turkmenistan was among Uzbekistan's top ten trading partners during the 11 months of this year.

The foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan in the given period was $37,94 billion, an increase of $4,95 billion, which is 15 percent more than the same period last year. Uzbekistan's trade with neighboring countries surpassed $465,5 million last year.

Uzbekistan's top foreign trading partner with more than $6 billion was China during this period. Uzbekistans exports exceeded $2 billion, while imports surpassed $4 billion.

Other major trading partners of Uzbekistan in the first 11 months of this year were Russia (almost $6,6 billion), Kazakhstan (more than $3,53 billion), Turkey (more than $3 billion), Korea (more than $1.67 billion), Kyrgyzstan ($852,5 million), Germany ($675,4 million), Ukraine ($622,5 million) and Afghanistan ($576,7 million).
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

New Veterinary Clinic has opened in Baku's Nizami district.

Vice-President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Association Leyla Aliyeva took part in the opening ceremony.

The clinic is the first in the South Caucasus both in terms of territory and provision with modern equipment.

The Veterinary Clinic at the Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine under the Agriculture Ministry was built in accordance with modern standards.

The Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov said that new clinic, which covers an area of ??1000 square meters, will carry out examinations and treatment of both domestic animals and agricultural livestock.

For the first time in the South Caucasus, such a large-scale veterinary clinic equipped with modern equipment has been commissioned.

The Veterinary Clinic will employ up to 20 personnel, including private veterinarians, paramedics, and laboratory assistants.

The clinic will operate a reception center, a quarantine room, a hospital, therapeutic, toxicological, dermatological, ophthalmological, surgical departments, ultrasound and X-ray rooms, a biochemical laboratory, as well as providing services through a first aid car.

On April 22, 2020, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree "On some measures to improve services in the veterinary field."

In connection with the implementation of the decree, institutional changes were introduced in the veterinary field. So, the further activities of specialists of local veterinary posts, providing veterinary services on the basis of state order, while remaining on a contractual basis, will be replaced by a transition to a private veterinary service.

During her visit to the new clinic, Leyla Aliyeva observed the surgical operation performed on a cat.

Veterinarians who passed to a private service will be able to improve their knowledge and skills at the Veterinary Clinic that has a Bio-Safety Research Diagnostic Laboratories of the second and third levels, as well as production department of diagnostics and serum.

Besides, the clinic will provide all conditions for further improvement of knowledge and skills of young personnel - graduates of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zoo-Engineering of the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University.

After getting acquainted with the Veterinary Clinic, a memorable photo was taken.
By Trend

The monitoring was carried out 66 times in Azerbaijans Eastern Zangazur and Karabakh regions in 2021, Head of the National Hydrometeorological Department of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources Umayra Taghiyeva said, Trend reports on Dec. 29.

Taghiyeva said that 657 water samples were taken from these territories.

The samples taken from the Okhchuchay River showed that this is the most polluted river in these territories, Taghiyeva added. The corresponding structures and international organizations were informed.
The Emirates Development Bank (EDB) said that its Business Banking App has supported more than 500 UAE-based SMEs and start-ups by opening accounts for them in less than 48 hours over the past three months.



Designed to support the SMEs operating within the UAE, the app offers SMEs access to a 24x7 secure, convenient, on-the-go digital banking services, reported Emirates News Agency WAM.



With the app, the business account IBAN is reserved in minutes, and the account is activated within 48 hours. The account is free to all, across all Emirates, with no minimum balance criteria.



Since the launch in September 2021, besides a fully operational business bank account, bill payments, invoicing, budgeting, and analytics facilities, several new features and a suite of banking facilities have been incorporated.



Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of EDB said: "Emirates Development Board is proud of the milestone achieved through its Business Banking App  to onboard 500+ companies within three months of its launch is a phenomenal accomplishment. A lot of effort and hard work has gone in to reach this stage and we thank our team, as well as our partners, in offering world-class products and first-class user experience."



He added: "As part of our innovation roadmap, we will continue to add new user-friendly features and banking services on the App in the future. We look forward to building on this success with more innovation in the space."



The app is part of the EDBs strategy unveiled earlier this year to support the countrys SMEs and priority industrial sector. As part of this strategic roadmap, the EDB has earmarked AED30 billion ($8 billion) to extend financial and non-financial support to SMEs operating in the UAE over the next five years.
The Abu Dhabi School of Government (ADSG), the leading government platform for developing human capital, and Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy (ADGM Academy) have launched the Investment Foundation program.



The initiative seeks to equip Abu Dhabi government employees with knowledge and skills related to finance, ethics, and investment practices.



Targeting Abu Dhabi government employees working in the financial sector whose practical experience ranges between one and five years, the program features a blend of interactive face-to-face training and remote learning, as well as group work, open debates, and tutorial support.



Mohamed Gheyath, Acting Director-General of ADSG, said: We are thrilled to launch the Investment Foundations program, which seeks to hone the specialized expertise and skills of Abu Dhabi government employees in the investment/financial sector. This program is a fantastic opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the financial industry and to obtain skill sets that will enable them to perform well in their respective fields.



He added: Our programs are designed to keep participants abreast of the latest developments and requirements of the present and future job market, thus, enabling their valuable contributions towards continued government excellence in the Emirate and realizing the UAE vision of building a knowledge-based economy.



Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouie, Managing Director of ADGM Academy said: We are delighted to enhance our partnership with ADSG and strengthen our joint commitment to nurturing the skill development of the UAE government employees. This important program with its best-in-class curriculum upskills qualified professionals in the financial sector and promotes the development of future leaders advancing Abu Dhabi's plans to create a knowledge-based economy.



The program seeks to deepen participants understanding of the investment sector and its vital role in the world by providing a clear learning foundation, whilst also providing them with insights into ethics and organizational skills.



These learnings will focus on the sectors key principles, which include emphasizing clients trust, building personal and professional reputation, and offering high value to clients. In addition, participants will also learn how the global economy works from a big picture perspective, as well as through its minute details, highlighting how it will influence establishments financial performance. The program will also help employees to prepare for the CFA level 1 certification.



In addition, the program will help participants learn how to use systems and regulations in the sector, ensuring their clients receive the best service possible.



Upon successful completion of the program and passing exams, participants will receive a certification jointly accredited by the ADSG & Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy.



To date, ADSG has launched more than 23 training programs, which empower and upskill Abu Dhabi government employees.  TradeArabia News Service
The global fluorochemicals industry, valued at $27.5 billion in 2020, is poised for solid growth over the next few years, thanks to the boom in automotive sector and its recent usage in the construction industry.

Expanding at a CAGR of 6%, its market will surpass $53.1 billion by 2031, according to a report by Transparency Market Research.

The expansion of the fluoropolymers industry is projected to propel the demand for fluorochemicals over the next few years, it stated.

The other forms of materials used in automotive industry include resins, solutions, compounds, and coatings. Newer uses of fluorochemicals in the construction industry are also being developed.

According to the report, the growth of the automotive sector is an important factor driving the fluorochemicals market. Fluoropolymers, a type of fluorochemicals, are used on a large scale in the production of various automobile components such as air conditioners, chillers, fuel tanks, connectors, compressor hoses, and underfloor heating cables.

The automobile industry is considered one of the most important industries driving the global economy. It is experiencing a gradual recovery from the Covid-19 impact, it stated.

However, countries across the world, especially those in Asia Pacific, are witnessing significant increase in the demand for automobiles. This is likely to drive the fluorochemicals market at a significant pace during the forecast period.

Fluorochemicals are also used to manufacture lighter alloys that are used in the automotive sector besides the construction industry, which is a key end user of fluorochemicals.

The global fluorochemicals market is broadly affected by several factors, including usage of fluorochemicals in various applications such as refrigerants, aluminium production, plastic foams, electrical and electronics, and others, said the report by Transparency Market Research.

Shrinking size of products is one of the latest trends in the consumer electronics industry. Reduction in size of products has resulted in manufacture of nanochips and complex circuit boards. This is fuelling the demand for high precision fluorochemicals.

Asia Pacific dominates the global fluorochemicals market. The market in the region is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific held the major share of the market in 2020, owing to the presence of a large population and high economic growth rate of the region. End-use industries of refrigerants, aluminum production, medical, agriculture, and apparel, are performing well in the region. This is expected to boost the demand for fluorochemicals in Asia Pacific during the forecast period.

China is a large producer of raw materials required for fluorochemicals. Hence, Asia Pacific is also an important source of comparatively lower-priced products. China held a major share of the fluorochemicals market in Asia Pacific in 2020. The country is estimated to maintain its dominant position in the region during the forecast period.

Europe is also a key region of the global fluorochemicals market. Germany led the fluorochemicals market in Europe in 2020. On the other hand, presence of a large number of automotive manufacturing companies and increase in the demand for refrigerants are estimated to drive the fluorochemicals market in the US in North America.

The global fluorochemicals products market was consolidated with the presence of key players. Prominent players operating in the global fluorochemicals market are DuPont de Nemours, Daikin Industries, Ltd, Solvay SA, Asahi Glass Company, Arkema, Honeywell, Pelchem, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., The Chemours Company, and The 3M Company.-- TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain leads the world in the number of Covid-19 booster shots administered per 100 people, according to the scientific online publication Our World in Data, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

For further details visit, https://www.gdnonline.com
Abu Dhabi-listed tech-focused holding company Multiply Group has signed a binding commitment to invest AED275 million ($75 million) in global visual content creator and marketplace Getty Images.



With a broad portfolio that includes the Getty Images, iStock and Unsplash brands, the company reaches and empowers a broad base of retained customers ranging from international enterprises to amateur creators, reported Emirates News Agency WAM.



Multiply Groups investment is connected to the planned merger between Getty Images and CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) sponsored by CC Capital and Neuberger Berman. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2022, after which a newly formed parent company of Getty Images is expected to be listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "GETY".



The merger, which was announced in early December, involves a total equity investment of $1.3 billion, valuing Getty Images at US$4.8 billion, including debt. Multiply Groups private investment in public equity (PIPE) commitment is incremental to the existing $150 million PIPE, raised by CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II to contribute to funding of the transaction.



Getty Images will be a valuable addition to Multiply Groups portfolio of investments in fast-growing, global tech-centric businesses, which include digital marketing firms Firefly and Yieldmo.



Samia Bouazza, CEO and Managing Director at Multiply Group, said: "Multiply Group is pursuing a series of strategic investments that create technological synergies across our portfolio. We regard Getty Images as a clear global leader in visual content with substantial recurring subscription revenues and high growth potential as digital disruption ripples through every economic sector. This is a great opportunity to invest pre-listing alongside the CCNB team, a partner with a strong vision and impressive track record."



Chinh Chu, CEO and Director at CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II, said: "We are pleased to welcome Multiply Group as a major investor as we finalize the transaction with Getty Images. The company shares our vision for the future growth of Getty Images, serving an increasingly broad customer base with the highest quality visual content."



Craig Peters, CEO at Getty Images, said: "We value the commitment from Multiply Group and look forward to their long-term investment support for our next phase of growth. Becoming a publicly listed company is the next step in the continued evolution of our business and enables us to build on our momentum as we enable more and more businesses to connect and compete in an increasingly visual world."



Multiply Group recently raised AED3.1 billion in a private placement ahead of its listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) on December 5, 2021. In the last 2 years, the Group has made a number of strategic investments complementary to this sector including stakes in San Francisco-based street-level DOOH media company Firefly, New York-based contextual mobile advertising company Yieldmo, and the full acquisition of integrated communications company Viola.
Abu Dhabis energy sector has a total available electricity generation capacity of 16,701 MW while the total electricity generated was 84,740 GWh in 2020, says the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE).

In its report titled 2020 Annual Technical Report for Water, Wastewater, and Electricity Sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, DoE says demand for electricity in Abu Dhabi continued to grow in 2020, driven by a slight increase in system demand and a higher increase in demand resulting from exports to the Northern Emirates, also known as global electricity demand.

Global electricity demand in Abu Dhabi peaked at 16,040 MW on July 20, 2020. The emirate itself recorded a peak of 11,730 MW on June 18 with Abu Dhabi system peak reaching 11,757 MW. Exports to the Northern Emirates peaked at 4,451 MW on July 16.

Peak demand load at Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) grew by 8% from 2019 to reach 6,568 MW in 2020, while that of Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC) grew by 2.9% to reach 2,444 MW.

There are 14 power providers with electricity generation market shares ranging from 0.05% up to 13% in 2020. Tapco, APC, and Gulf Total Tractebel Power Company (GTTPC) have the largest market share at 13% each.

Renewables from Shams Solar Power Station and Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Power Plant accounted for around 2.71% of the energy mix in Abu Dhabi, while Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) accounted for the largest share of 86.48%, followed by Co-gen and OCGT at 11.16%.

The share of clean energy will continue to grow in the coming years with the addition of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. The plant will have four APR1400 reactors, adding a total of 5,600 GW of renewable energy to the grid when fully operational.

The report goes on to state that 74,979 km is the length of cable/overhead lines allocated to distribute electricity. While the number of distribution substations stood at 36,650, whereas the number of primary substations was 474. Meanwhile, the water distribution network reached a total length of 14,146 Km, in addition to including 40 Pumping Stations.

Natural Gas remained the predominant fuel type used within the sector to generate electricity and produce water in Abu Dhabi. Both Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and Dolphin Energy Limited (DEL) continued supplying the sector with natural gas throughout the year without the need to burn any back-up fuel on top of the regular amounts used to carry out operational tests to maintain the liquid fuel supply system on standby if needed.

Both Adnoc and DEL delivered around 782,755,804 MBTU of natural gas to the sector, which is 1.7% less than last year.

DoE Chairman Eng Awaidha Murshed Al Marar said: Guided by the directives of the UAEs wise leadership, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy continues to record high energy efficiency rates and drive sustainable economic growth. We are committed to developing policies and regulations to enhance performance on every level, in collaboration with licensed entities across the UAE.

The report highlights the sectors transparent approach and underlines the achievements that were made over the course of a challenging year, where the energy sector demonstrated its agility and its readiness to address challenges, Al Marar added.

For his part, Eng Ahmed Mohammed Belajer Al Rumaithi, DoE Undersecretary, said: The energy sector delivered a great performance despite the challenging global developments, living up to its responsibility and commitment to supporting the government in its effort to advance sustainability across all sectors. The report highlights the achievements of the past year, offering insights that can be leveraged for future action. It also supports our plans to develop a framework for collaborating with Abu Dhabis largest energy companies, and inspires us to develop practical solutions to future challenges.

The report reveals that water demand in 2020 peaked at 3.80 million cubic metres per day (MCMD) (836 million imperial gallons per day, MIGD), while average demand for water throughout 2020 remained relatively stable, only registering a 2% increase from 2019. Abu Dhabi accounted for 89% of peak demand with 3.37 MCMD (742 MIGD) while the Northern Emirates accounted for 11% of peak demand with 0.4 MCMD (94 MIGD).

Total water production capacity was 4.14 MCMD (910 MIGD), while the total amount of water produced stood at 1.225 MCMD (269.475 MIGD) in 2020. This averages to 3.35 MCM (732 MIG) of water produced per day.

According to the report, the total number of tests completed by Independent Water and Power Providers (IWPPs) in 2020 was 51.158, with 64 water quality parameters assessed for Reverse Osmosis (RO) facilities, and 51 parameters for thermal desalination plants.

Overall water quality testing frequency compliance (measure of the number of tests conducted against those required) for the production companies was 99.79%. Meanwhile, overall average water quality compliance for 2020 was 99.95%, with Physical Parameters and Microbial Parameters compliance at 99.91% and 100%, respectively.

In terms of water production, capacity shares vary between the nine IWPPs with market shares ranging from 5 to 18%. Nearly 18% of the overall water production share is with Taweelah Asia Power Company (Tapco). This is followed by Emirates SembCorp Water and Power Company (ESWPC) and Fujairah Asia Power Company (Fapco), with a 15% and 14% share, respectively, in 2020.

Additionally, Multi-Stage Flash Distillation (MSF) production capacity decreased, mainly due to the retirement of water capacity at Arabian Power Company Umm Al Nar (APC UAN) East and West in 2019. RO desalination contribution is anticipated to significantly grow in the coming years; the Taweelah RO Independent Water Plant (IWP) will increase total RO production capacity by 0.91 MCMD (200 MIGD) when completed in 2022.

In 2020, the Abu Dhabi Sewerage and Services Company (ADSSC) operated a total of 300 pumping stations, ranging in size from small local stations to large terminal pumping stations at over 300 l/s. Additionally, the total network length operated by ADSSC in 2020 was 8,706 km.

It also outlines that more than 60% of recycled water is used in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for irrigation purposes, while almost all of the recycled water produced in Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions is used every year. The total dry mass of biosolids produced in the Emirate in 2020 was 63,899 tonnes.

The DoE Health & Safety (HSE) team reviewed 149 environment reports in 2020 regarding seawater inlet and outfall discharge and waste management. Additionally, the CO2 emissions in the energy sector are monitored on a regular basis. Total CO2 emissions in 2020 stood at 41,669,199.61 tonnes.

DISTRICT COOLING (DC)

In 2020, DoE received five licensing applications for five DC existing facilities. There are over 25 existing DC facilities in Abu Dhabi that will have to undergo detailed grandfathering review. Licensing of all existing DC facilities will extend over the coming few years.

The Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Department at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy coordinated with District Cooling companies and registered four establishments with the Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health Centre (OSHAD), which is a requirement by the new licensing scheme for DC sector companies under the District Cooling Regulations.

The DoE provides researchers, investors, and media entities with reports that offer data and insight into the performance of the water, electricity, wastewater, recycled water, and environmental health and safety sectors, in addition to developing regulations and setting standards for said sectors.-- TradeArabia News Service
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group with over 420 hotels across India, the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, is expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia with the signing of Rixos Obhur Jeddah, the first Rixos property in the kingdom.

The group is partnering with Dur Hospitality to manage the upcoming luxurious resort which will upgrade and restyle the Makarem Annakheel Village, transforming it into a full-fledged tourist resort with a 5-star luxury hotel, said a statement from Accor.

In addition, a water park, swimming pools, and villas with private pools will be featured, all of which will be developed in line with the Rixos brand standards, it stated.

Boasting a spectacular location at the heart of Jeddahs Obhur Bay on the Red Sea, Rixos Obhur Jeddah will feature a private beach and 247 residential units, including 174 rooms and 73 villas with a Club Prive lounge, a main fine-dining restaurant, a Lounge bar, and two specialty beach restaurants.

The resort will also offer a central ballroom for special events, meeting rooms, a Fitness club with indoor and outdoor, a Spa for Gents and Ladies, kids and teens Club, and several swimming pools. Additionally, the resort will feature gorgeous green landscapes, golden sandy beaches, a sea port, and a plaza with a marvelous ocean view.

Rixos Obhur Jeddah will become the first luxurious integrated resort in Jeddah, specifically designed to keep up with the increasing demand from guests looking to experience true luxury while enjoying high-end hospitality services, as well as a range of exceptional and memorable leisure activities, it added.

"We are pleased to partner with Dur Hospitality as we truly value their long-standing experience in the Saudi hospitality sector," remarked Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey.

"We are confident that Rixos Obhur Jeddah will become an outstanding destination taking the hospitality and tourism services in Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea and the kingdom, to the next level. This resort is Rixos first project in Saudi Arabia and we hope this will be the first of several projects on which the group collaborates with Dur Hospitality in the country," stated Willis.

Dur Hospitalitys Chairman Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Issa said: "The partnership with Accor is aligned with our strategy to enhance our capabilities and cement our leading position in the Kingdoms hospitality sector by offering our guests the best services and experiences available in the hospitality industry locally and internationally."

"This partnership simultaneously contributes to developing the sectors role in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 which inspires us to keep pace with the guests expectations and provide them with the latest premium hospitality products and services," he added.

Accor currently operates 39 properties (14,301 keys) in Saudi Arabia with 40 properties (10,803 keys) in the pipeline.-TradeArabia News Service
Help India!



Many survivors of anti-Muslim violence in Delhi that took place in February 2020 are today living with trauma and a deep sense of fear.

Mahibul Hoque | TwoCircles.net

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SHIV VIHAR, NEW DELHIStingy smell of methane and ammonia makes it difficult to breathe along the sewer drain at Shiv Vihar, one of the violence-ravaged neighbourhoods in Northeast Delhi where in February 2020, an anti-Muslim pogrom unfolded after threatening calls for violence were made by a leader of Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the Muslim protesters who were demonstrating against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The path along this gutter leads to the rented accommodation of Nur Jaha, one of the many people who were displaced following the violence.

Like any other low-income, ghettoized localities of Delhi, sunlight scarcely enter Nur Jahas three-room house where her three daughters and two sons along with her husband live. Her older son had narrowly escaped the Hindu mobs while returning from Jamat. Her younger son, Sayan Ansari, had almost choked of the smoke on the night of February 23 when the riots began.

Nur Jaha is afraid for her 12-year-old son. Since the riots have taken place, he has become unpredictable. He stays quiet and doesnt bother about school. Once his brother asked him to go to school, he ran upstairs and almost hung himself. This was the fourth time he had tried to kill himself, the 52-year-old mother said.

Earlier, he was interested in school and now he only goes to school if he feels like going or plays nearby our house. Sometimes he collapses while playing outside, Nur Jaha added.

The Northeast Delhi anti-Muslim violence that continued till 29 February 2020 left at least 53 people deadmost of them Muslims.

Living with trauma

Nur Jahas house was situated at the centre of the violence. As she tried to control her tears, she said how she and her daughters made desperate calls to the police to save her family. As per her, the police did not come to her rescue.

As it was getting late, they started bursting gas cylinders in the Muslim house. We are unable to breathe in the smoke. I had to cover Sayans face with wet cloth which almost choked him. He witnessed all the killings, burning, Hindu chants, and almost died. Now my most important concern is that he does not hurt himself due to what he has gone through and that is why I am constantly monitoring him, she said.

Mohammad Rashid from the same Shiv Vihar neighbourhood is also facing trouble looking after his five children. His sons Mohammad Zaid (12) and Mohammad Shariq (10) have sleeping problems. Whenever there is a loud sound of a cracker or even loud chanting, they start shivering. Zaid even wakes up trembling whenever there is noise at night, the father said.

For those who lost their family members, the trauma is deep. Aged people from the community are scared of going outside, going to terracesto do chores they have been doing all their lives.

Riots can break out any time. We lost our men and this can happen again, 45-year-old Anisha from Mustafabad told TwoCircles.net.

Anishas husband Mohammad Yousuf was killed in the riots and his body was fished out from the sewer drain. I cannot look at the drain, nor the area. Whenever I see the drain, I feel so scared. This fear will end only with me.

Sana, from the Mustafabad area, echoes the same fear for her brothers and father whenever they go out to the market or their jobs. Her 24-year-old brother Salman was killed by a Hindu mob when he was returning home from his workplace.

I clearly remember my brother calling my father. He was stuck among the mob and my father went out to get him back home. I prayed for their safe return home. But the father could not bring him back alive, she said.

Sana is struggling to continue her education and remains alone and quiet. Conversation with her is not easy. After opening up during one conversation, she said, I know that riots are not happening now. But every time, my brothers or my father go out, I feel so scared whether they will return home or not, whether I will be able to see them again or not. Till they return home, I am always anxious.

When PTSD is political

Hundreds like Sayan, Zaid, Shafiq and Sana are battling with the mental trauma that the riots have inflicted on them. The political implication of the mental trauma is that these children, young and elderly men and women from the Muslim community have been exposed to a deep sense of insecurity and inferiority.

Psychologists maintain that such socio-political implicationswhile victims may even not know the meaning of being from, in this case, Muslims is that the victims are plunged into uncertainty leading to either depressed self or overt aggressive response to any threat they may feel.

Parents giving up the education of their children for their well being, children remaining anxious and fearful for their male members of the family, sense withdrawal from physical spaces such as road or terrace of victims of Delhi pogrom are similar responses to the trauma they have experienced.

Zehra Mehdi, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and a doctoral candidate from Columbia University, told TwoCircles.net, Just because people return to their lives doesnt mean they have forgotten it. The memories of violence, and most importantly the experience of it stays with people for years to come.

Mehdi maintains that the responses of the victims of the Delhi riots are issues of mental health and depression. It is equally political.

Members of communities who are discriminated against experience greater mental health issues, and this predisposition is tied to their oppression and subjection to abject violence. When you arewhether in a political speech, or a Twitter post, Instagram videos, being constantly humiliated, demeaned, cursed, where people call upon all forms of brutality against you, we can imagine people, especially the young wanting to end it all. The despair can be unbearable to live with.

As subjected to generational violence, post-traumatic stress disorder does not do justice to minorities because the members of the victim community keep encountering such pervasive violence, she said.

Drawing from her research in Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013, she said while the riot instilled insecurity, fear, distrust, sense of inferiority among the Muslimsthe Jats and Hindus experienced a sense of revenge and recompense to their perceived sense of exploitation by Muslims over centuries.

A vocabulary of violence has been unleashed on people where every difference is read as a transgression and warrants vengeance, she said.

In the case of children, according to the psycho-analytic professional, riots take away curiosityperhaps the most important ability of children.

What riots do is take away the curiosity to explore without inhibition. During riots, children have witnessed things that dont make sense but they are told what it means; what rape means, what Mulla means, what Dalit meanswhich they are unable to find out for themselves otherwise and that is confusing beyond measure. This also instils fear and doubt within the children in great proportions because they dont know when they will be subjected to something similar. When we are exposed to anything and dont fully understand it, it appears more fearful and more dangerous. Children seldom understand violence, while they may be told what it is. The impact exposure to violence has on children is that it makes sure they arent children anymore, she added.

Mahibul Hoque is a SEED-Fellow with TwoCircles.net. He tweets at @H_Mahibul.
Help India!



The killing of the twenty-year-old Dalit girl in a village in Bihar after being kidnapped by upper-caste men saw a protest by members of the Bhim Armywho are demanding arrest of the accused and compensation to the family.

Sami Ahmad | TwoCircles.net

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PATNA, BIHAR  Six days after being kidnapped by upper-caste men, the body of a twenty-year-old Dalit girl belonging to the Ravidas community was found dead in a water pool on December 26 at Shahpur chowk under Tisiauta police station of Vaishali district, around 80 kilometres north of Patna, Bihar.

As per her family, twenty-year-old Kiran Kumari was supposed to be returned by her kidnappers in two days.

They said she was picked up at gunpoint on December 20 by a few upper-caste men of the same area. But she never returned, they said.

Kirans father Jageshar Ram works as a labourer in Punjab. Her mother Akali Devi is also a labourer. They live just half a kilometre away from the place where Kirans body was recovered. The couple have four childrenthree daughters and a son.

On Sunday (December 26) local workers of the Bhim Army staged a protest in the area against the killing. They took to the streets again on Monday. The protestors also blocked the Jandaha-Kushhar road near the house of the deceased girl. They demanded the arrest of the accused, compensation to the family and a government job to one of the family members.

An FIR registered in this regard with the thumb impression of Akali Devi states that Kiran had gone to relieve herself in a nearby field when she was forcibly taken away by four men named Anurag Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Manoj Chaudhary and Anshu Kumar and 5-6 other unknown persons. As the girl started crying, we rushed to her rescue but we were driven away. They brandished a pistol and used abusive language, the FIR reads.

When Akali Devi went to the house of Manoj Chaudhary along with some other persons, she was told that her girl would be returned in two days, the FIR states.

The FIR does not talk about what happened after two days following her kidnapping. It ends with the information that a dead body was found on December 26 by some women.

Guddu Ravidas of Bhim Army told TwoCircles.net that Kiran was the youngest among her siblings. She was a matriculate, he said.

The girls mother was asked to keep shut by the kidnappers threatening to kill her if she went to the police. She kept pleading with them but ultimately, she lost her girl, Ravidas said.

He alleged that the families of the accused men treated the Dalit girl very poorly leading to her death. 

Apprehensions are high that the girl may have been raped but the Police said it can be confirmed only after the post mortem report.

A 20 year old Dalit girl picked up from home by Thakur community while waving guns in Vaishali Bihar. When the family of girl reached the house of Thakur people. They were dragged & driven away saying girl will be back after 2 days. After 6 days her dead body was found in a canal pic.twitter.com/cslWDiAs7l  Aarif (@aerifshaw) December 26, 2021

TwoCircles.net tried multiple times to seek a response from Superintendent of Police, Vaishali, Shree Maneesh, but his reply was still awaited. The story will be updated as and when he responds.

However, Prabhunath Yadav, the Station House Officer of Tisiauta told TwoCircles.net that an FIR has been registered under IPC 302, 34 and SC/ST Act etc. He said that a search operation was underway to nab the accused. A medical board has conducted the autopsy and its report is awaited, he said. He did not rule out the possibility of rape.

The incident has not been covered in the Patna edition of the vernacular press, however, the district edition has covered it.

Reports said that there was a settlement between the accused and the aggrieved family and it was agreed that the girl would be returned in two days.

SHO Prabhunath, however, maintained that the police have no such information till now and they are taking this as a case of kidnapping and murder. We would be able to tell more only after arresting the accused, he added.

Sami Ahmad is a journalist based in Patna, Bihar. He tweets at @samipkb.
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Technically this isnt one article, but its impossible to limit ourselves to just one review from our new food critics. Whether it was the lighthearted, barbed-tongue service at Ed Debevics and The Wieners Circle or a deeply moving visit to Dear Margaret amid a wearying pandemic winter, Nick Kindelsperger and Louisa Chu have forged a new path for our food criticism  one we hope provides a more complete, equitable survey of all kinds of restaurants, bars and other food creators across the region.
"For a week, that was probably 50 percent of my job - fielding calls from England and Canada and all over the United States," Pam Culver, the local nurse supervisor working the night of the concert, told the newspaper. "People wanted to know how much did it cost to do that, and did it hurt, and how many shots did he have to have, what part of his body did we have to attack."
It sounds as if Lizzie has always been the Alpha of the two of you, meaning that she dominates the friendship. Now that youre older, this behavior is getting more extreme, perhaps because she senses or is afraid that she is losing control over you.
Defendants are not, as they argue, charged with anything like burning flags, wearing black armbands, or participating in mere sit-ins or protests, Kelly wrote in his 43-page ruling. Moreover, even if the charged conduct had some expressive aspect, it lost whatever First Amendment protection it may have had.
A safe and happy New Years Eve for everyone is our shared goal, so were reminding everyone to think and act responsibly, Brown said. We all want to be safe this weekend, and we share that aspiration for every Chicagoan, and theres no reason we cant be if we all, not just law enforcement, all of us do our part.
Raineys path to a diagnosis of kidney disease was rocky, as she encountered some dismissive doctors who didnt realize what was happening to her until years after her first symptoms. About a decade ago, Rainey said, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure, even though she was a dancer and a vegetarian. She felt that something more was wrong, but she said doctors believed she suffered from high blood pressure because her mother did. Her mother, though, was able to take a pill and reduce her blood pressure, while Raineys remained out of control.
Talking about the rise in cases, where they are coming from, concerns about 18-29 cohort and if ready by then, some of our new strategies to reach this group, Lightfoot said. We are toying with a mandatory mask order for Chicago. I will also say that we will not hesitate to shut down or fine businesses for non-compliance.
Thirty diplomats from various countries, including Azerbaijan, Brazil, Pakistan, Spain and Indonesia, along with their spouses, were invited to experience Peking Opera at Tianleyuan Theater in Beijing on Monday.



The diplomats were introduced to the ancient art form and got to try on Peking Opera costumes and makeup, as well as watch performances.

The event, titled 2021 New Year's Experience Journey to Peking Opera for Diplomatic Missions in China, is part of the Taihu World Cultural Forum, a nonofficial platform created by China for international cultural exchanges.

"Peking Opera embodies the essence of Chinese traditional culture," Zheng Chuanxin, secretary-general of the forum, says in a video greeting to the diplomats.

"It's full of Chinese philosophy, aesthetics and traditional values, like loyalty, bravery and honesty. It's a great way to get to know Chinese culture by experiencing the ancient art form."

The forum, launched in 2008, was named after Taihu Lake in the Yangtze River Delta. Since its inception, the forum has successfully held six conferences in Suzhou in Jiangsu province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Shanghai, Macao, Beijing and Bengbu in Anhui province, respectively.

The forum has attracted hundreds of politicians, scholars, entrepreneurs and cultural notables from more than 80 countries and regions to share ideas and deepen mutual understanding among cultures.

The gray-brick Tianleyuan Theater is located in the capital's Qianmen area, a popular tourist spot. The theater has a history spanning more than 200 years and reopened in March 2019, after six years of renovation.

Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang (1894-1961) performed there for four years, from the tender age of 17. Cheng Yanqiu (1904-58) also premiered four of his classic Peking Opera shows, including The Legend of Hongfu and A Red Mole, at the theater from 1923 to 1927.

Both Mei and Cheng were known for their dan roles, that is, men who played female characters in Peking Opera pieces, because, at the time, women were forbidden to appear onstage.

The theater also produced one of the country's first female Peking Opera troupes, Chongyashe, in 1916.

The 5,000-square-meter theater also hosts exhibitions of historical photos. Visitors can try their hand at stage costumes and makeup with the help of professional performers.

The theater is now run by former TV host Ma Yingying and her company. Ma fell in love with Peking Opera after hosting a TV program about it. She has tried to give it a modern appeal by combining the ancient art form with contemporary elements, hoping to popularize it, especially among the younger generation.

Yegana Zeynalli, spouse of the ambassador of the Republic of the Azerbaijan to China, was one of the participants in the event on Monday. "China has an ancient history and rich culture, in which Peking Opera holds a special place. It is recognized as a pearl of Chinese culture," she says.

"Peking Opera is a window that allows us to look into Chinese history, music and culture, as well as offering a great opportunity to understand the life philosophy of the Chinese people."

She notes that Azerbaijan was a guest of honor at this year's Taihu World Cultural Forum, which was held in October in Bengbu.
The State Council Information Office released a white paper titled "China's Export Controls" on December 29, 2021. Officials in charge from the Ministry of Commerce took questions from the press regarding the background and the main content of the white paper and relationship between opening-up further and export control.

Question 1: What is the background and main content of the white paper on China's Export Controls?

Since the holistic approach to national security was put forward by President Xi Jinping after the 18th National Congress of the CPC, it has provided the fundamental basis and direction for efforts to improve China's export control system at a faster pace. The Export Control Law, enacted and implemented in 2020, was an important step to develop a full-fledged legal system for export control. Over the years, the Chinese government has coordinated development and security, opening-up and security, traditional security and non-traditional security, the security of itself and common security, and safeguarding and shaping national security. To strengthen export control on all dimensions and foster a modern export control system, China has actively fulfilled non-proliferation and other international obligations, adopted internationally-accepted practices such as export control list, end-users and end-uses management, optimized license management, created new enforcement methods, reinforced non-compliance penalties, and improved compliance regime.

Under this background, the white paper on China's Export Controls aims to give an overview of China's position, institutions, and practices in improving export control governance, and elaborate on China's commitments and actions to safeguard world peace and development, and security at national and international level. The 9,000-word long white paper is composed of foreword, main body, and conclusion. The main body consists of four parts: China's basic position on export control, continued improvement to the legal and regulatory system for export control, modernization of the export control system, international exchanges and cooperation.

Question 2: What's the current situation in international export control?

To safeguard world peace and development and effectively address international and regional security risks and challenges under the new circumstances, countries around the world are paying close attention to and working actively on export control under the framework of the UN and applicable international treaties. Efforts to establish and enforce legal systems, strengthen and standardize export control, and actively engage in international exchanges and cooperation, have helped to enhance mutual trust and dispel misunderstandings, promote international coordination on export control, and continuously improve the international export control governance.

At present, international export control also faces challenges. One of them is the abuse of export control measures and unreasonable discriminatory restrictions. Some countries, in particular, have generalized the concept of national security, fabricated excuses, directed state power to intervene in normal trade flow and market transactions, and frequently used export control as a tool to attack and bully other countries. Such moves have eroded the legitimate interests of fellow developing countries in the peaceful uses of controlled items, disrupted international industrial chains and supply chains, and jeopardized the sustainable development of many countries.

The second challenge is the attempts of countries to draw small circles and turn their back on true multilateralism, or even apply double standards on non-proliferation, which are in essence unilateralist practices under the pretext of multilateralism.

The third challenge is the need to enhance international coordination on export control and increase representation of the multilateral mechanisms on export control. China believes that in export control, the international community should move forward in a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory direction, remain united and enhance cooperation, resist discriminatory practices, and join hands in tackling global issues and building a brighter future for humanity.

Question 3: What is China's basic position on export control?

As a responsible major country, China adheres to a holistic approach to national security. In keeping with the principle of safeguarding world peace and development, national security and international security, China has been continuously improving export control governance, conscientiously undertaking its international obligations, and stepping up international exchanges and cooperation.

China holds that all countries should firmly stand by the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order underpinned by international law, safeguard the authority of international treaties and mechanisms that uphold true multilateralism, refresh their security perspectives, and adopt a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable outlook on global security. In particular, major countries should duly fulfill their obligations, show a sense of responsibility, promote international common security in the field of export control, and actively advance international export control in a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory direction; they should not undermine the legitimate right of other countries to the peaceful use of controlled items, or obstruct the peaceful use of outcomes of scientific and technological advances to promote development, normal international science and technology exchanges and commercial cooperation, and the secure and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains.

China holds that international cooperation on export control should promote the equality of rights, opportunities and rules for all, and reflect the wishes and interests of the majority in a more balanced manner. International coordination and cooperation and multilateral mechanisms should be further leveraged to properly address differences and disputes, and create an international environment of peace, stability, equality, mutual trust, and win-win cooperation, so that all countries can become partners that trust and work with one another on an equal footing in jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Question 4: How does China view the relationship between opening-up and export control?

Opening-up is one of China's basic national policies and a unique icon, and expanding opening-up is the only path to high-quality development. Even as the world faces the compounded impact of major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, as well as growing anti-globalization trends, China is still dedicated to expanding openness, speeding up the building of an open economic system at a higher level, and pursuing opening-up on all fronts.

Over the years, China has been committed to coordinating development and security, and opening-up and security in implementing export control. With a view to building a new system of an open economy and a peaceful China at a higher level, China has been optimizing its business environment with enhanced regulatory openness and risk prevention and control capacity, thus safeguarding and promoting high-level opening-up by effectively guarding against major risks. At a new historical starting point, China will not change its resolve to open wider at a high standard; China will not change its determination to share development opportunities with the rest of the world; and China will not change its commitment to economic globalization that is more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial for all. China will continue to coordinate opening-up and security, strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on trade and economic fronts, advance trade of export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, so as to contribute to an open world economy.

Question 5: What specific measures has the Chinese government taken to establish and improve a modern export control system?

China has been strictly enforcing export control laws and regulations. With institutional foundation and technological support, China has gradually realized effective and comprehensive regulation with full coverage and whole-process monitoring, and put in place a modern export control system with scientific design, orderly operation and vigorous enforcement.

First, improving license management. China widely adopts internationally-accepted practices such as license management, end-user and end-use certificates, and general licensing. China has established an inter-agency consultation mechanism and a two-tiered management model, optimized the licensing procedure, enriched the types of licenses, and kept improving license management, to promote trade of export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, and create a better business environment for high-level opening-up.

Second, strengthening enforcement capability. China has kept improving the export control enforcement mechanism by increasing enforcement methods. An authoritative and efficient export control enforcement system, with consistent rights and responsibilities, has gradually taken shape, and played an important role in tackling export control violations and ensuring complete, accurate and strict implementation of export control laws and regulations.

Third, developing export control compliance systems. Under the principle of government-guided, business-led, and coordinated action, China has scored notable progress in export control compliance system building by consolidating the legal foundation, improving the policy framework, and promoting publicity and training.

Four, complying with international obligations. Fulfilling its due responsibilities as a major country, China firmly upholds the authority and efficacy of relevant international treaties, strictly complies with its international obligations and honors its commitments on nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, missiles and military products, and safeguards international and regional peace and stability.

Question 6: How does China participate in international cooperation on export control?

It is an aspiration shared by most countries across the world to strengthen international coordination and cooperation and pursue shared development and common security. China prioritizes international exchanges and cooperation on export control as a step to promote international coordination and push forward relevant international processes, so as to contribute to greater justice and openness of international export control regime.

Bilaterally, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, China has established inter-governmental mechanisms with various countries and regions to compare notes on practices through government-to-government consultations and discussions, as well as dialogues with businesses. China has actively promoted trade of export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, and been deeply involved in bilateral exchanges and cooperation on export control and non-proliferation to build up mutual trust. China supports non-governmental exchanges and cooperation on export control. Through academic researches and international people-to-people interactions with research institutions of relevant countries, these institutions have increased mutual understanding and friendship with foreign counterparts.

Multilaterally, China advocates that the United Nations, as the most universal organization in the world, should play a central role in initiating an open, inclusive and just dialogue process, safeguarding the legitimate rights of developing countries to peaceful uses of technological advancements, ensuring that scientific and technological dividends are widely shared to benefit all, and addressing the security challenges arising from scientific and technological progress. In December 2021, the 76th UNGA adopted the resolution "Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security", which is conducive to enhanced dialogues and exchanges between State members of existing mechanisms on non-proliferation and export control and other countries to better serve common security and shared development. Since its accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), China has actively taken part in NSG matters and assumed its membership rights and obligations. China also values dialogues and exchanges with the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group.

Moving forward, China will continue to take up its due responsibilities as a major country, stay engaged in exchanges and cooperation on export control with other countries, uphold the UN-centered international system and enhance consultation and communication with multilateral mechanisms, in a bid to work toward the sound development of international export control governance.

Question 7: What are China's considerations for export control-related legislative development in the future?

On October 17, 2020, the 22nd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Thirteenth National People's Congress adopted the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China, which entered into effect on December 1, 2020. By establishing basic systems on export control scope, control policies, the control list, control measures, supervision and administration, and legal liabilities, among others, the Export Control Law lays a solid legal foundation for building a modern export control system and represents a milestone in China's export control development.

China will continue to advance law-based export control. In the future, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will pursue a holistic approach to national security, coordinate development and security, and aim to quicken our pace to develop a modern export control system with scientific design, orderly operation and vigorous enforcement. We will act promptly to improve supporting regulations for the Export Control Law, move faster to formulate the unified export control list, carry out multilateral and bilateral exchanges and cooperation on export control, widely publicize and implement related laws and policies, rigorously protect the legitimate rights and interests of all market players, and create enabling conditions for fostering a business environment that is based on market principles, governed by law and up to international standards.

Question 8: In what aspects will the Chinese government encourage and guide businesses to enhance export control compliance?

In order to encourage businesses to develop internal export control compliance systems in keeping with their own conditions, standardize business operation and create responsible corporate images, the Ministry of Commerce of China amended and published the Guiding Opinions on Establishing the Internal Compliance Program for Export Control by Exporters of Dual-use Items and the Guidelines for Internal Compliance for Export Control of Dual-use Items in April 2021 according to the Export Control Law and related regulations and based on the new characteristics of export control in the new era. Following the requirements of the aforementioned documents, businesses can develop and improve internal compliance systems by drafting policy statements, setting up institutions, comprehensively assessing risks, establishing screening procedures, formulating contingency measures, carrying out compliance training, improving compliance audit, keeping files and compiling management manual.

Going forward, China will work actively to develop a coordinated export control compliance system guided by the government and led by businesses to improve the whole society's export control compliance awareness, encourage businesses to improve compliance capacity and level, as well as safeguard and serve high-level opening-up.
The ups and downs in the A-share market this year have not dampened the enthusiasm of leading international investors.

They have vowed to allocate more capital and look for more structural opportunities in the new year.

For instance, UBS Global Wealth Management has said overseas investors' interest in the A-share market has been increasing. It attributed the phenomenon to China's strong supply chain resilience.

It is a factor that helped China to stave off a crisis during COVID-19, said Hu Yifan, the firm's regional chief investment officer and head of macroeconomics for Asia.

Stocks of consumption-related companies in the A-share market have been especially lucrative for overseas investors, said Hu.

As China's per capita GDP is projected to double and top $20,000 in 2035, the country will be home to more than 400 million middle-income earners. This suggests the huge potential in the Chinese consumption market and stoked overseas investor interest in A shares of related companies, she said.

China's series of plans for the development of the manufacturing and high-end chip-making sectors have also helped buoy investor sentiment, she said.

The plans were announced during the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Communist Party of China Central Committee in November.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.39 percent to close at 3630.11 points on Tuesday, while the technology-heavy ChiNext on the Shenzhen bourse jumped 1.06 percent to close at 3328.56 points.

As of Dec 23, more than 417.5 billion yuan ($65.5 billion) of overseas capital has flown into the A-share market via the stock connect programs, according to Wind Info, a market data provider. The amount of foreign investment is expected to continue to rise to a record high in the new year, experts said.

Although the A-share market fluctuated quite a bit this year, market mavens have a positive outlook for 2022 in anticipation of possible easing of monetary and fiscal policies for fresh development, said Laura Wang, chief China equity strategist at Morgan Stanley.

At the beginning of this year, Morgan Stanley suggested that investors may want to allocate as much capital as possible to the A-share market from their China investment portfolio.

That practice can be carried on in 2022 while looking for more thematic and structural opportunities in the A-share market, said Wang.

Stocks of companies specializing in information security, network security and the localization of semiconductor technologies will promise much room for high returns on investment. Raw materials that have controllable capacity and predictable profitability may also churn out investment opportunities, with aluminum and lithium part of the best targets, she said.

Victoria Mio, director for Asian equities at Fidelity International, said the recent turbulence in the A-share market resulted from the tighter regulations imposed on the property and online education sectors although it has subsided over the past few months.

The A-share market's price-to-earnings ratio is below 20not only much lower than the reading in the United States and the global average but lower than the historic market peak.

In this sense, investing in the A-share market is very likely to generate positive results in 2022, she said.

Global asset management firm Robeco will increase its investment in stocks of the industrial sector in the A-share market in 2022, with focus on new energy and automation companies, said Lu Jie, the firm's head of investments in China.

As China has a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, investors can also look for opportunities in renewable and "new infrastructure" sectors as the country aims to embrace green development, said Lu.

The rapid development that China has seen over the past few decades has not only made the local markets the darlings of global investors, but helped create an independent category within the investment portfolios under certain circumstances, said Philip Li, investment director at Wellington Management, a global fund manager.

Wellington Management said it believes tighter regulations on the Chinese internet industry have somehow led to a price slump in shares of certain listed companies. But the negative risks are fully reflected in the current share prices, which makes the Chinese internet industry a very attractive investment target.

"China has led the global digital economy all along. The business model of the Chinese internet industry remains intact," said Li.
A meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has stressed strengthening the Party members' historical confidence, unity and their fighting spirit.



The two-day meeting of criticism and self-criticism, themed on studying the Party's history, stressed carrying forward the Party's great founding spirit and upholding its historical experience from the endeavors over the past century.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting that ended on Tuesday and delivered an important speech.

The meeting reviewed a report on the implementation of the eight-point decision on improving conduct by the Political Bureau in 2021, as well as another report on addressing the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and reducing burden at the grass-roots level in 2021.

Afterward, the Political Bureau members spoke one by one, conducting criticism and self-criticism.

The meeting noted that 2021 is a milestone year in the history of the Party and the country.

Under the combined impacts of worldwide changes of a scale unseen in a century and the global COVID-19 pandemic over the past year, China has faced extremely arduous tasks in COVID-19 prevention and control as well as economic and social development, according to the meeting.

China has continued to lead the world in terms of economic development and COVID-19 containment, with significant progress made in all areas of the Party and country's endeavors. The 14th Five-Year Plan has got off to a great start, stressed the meeting.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee have unanimously noted that the establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the defining of the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is of decisive significance for driving forward the historic process of national rejuvenation.

The meeting noted that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the complicated and grave circumstances and environment the Party has faced and the arduous tasks it has undertaken are rarely seen in the world.

The historic achievements and shifts in the cause of the Party and the country were made possible fundamentally because General Secretary Xi Jinping, as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party, has steered a steady course at the helm, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has provided scientific guidance, the meeting noted.

The past 100 years of the Party have shown that resolutely upholding the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party is key for the Party to forge consensus and make a decisive choice at critical times, and provides an important guarantee for the Party to progress steadily in solidarity and unity, the meeting said.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee must take the lead in upholding Xi's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party and in studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the meeting noted.

Noting that there is no end to the task of improving Party conduct, the meeting urged efforts to remain committed to self-reform, and to implement the eight-point decision on improving work conduct and the detailed rules for its implementation with perseverance.

Noting that the Party will convene its 20th national congress next year, the meeting urged members of the Political Bureau to take the lead in implementing the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans.

In his speech, Xi summarized the self-assessment remarks by the members of the Political Bureau.

Xi stressed that the CPC has always attached importance to the education on the Party's history.

The more historical wisdom the Party accumulates, the greater initiative it will take to master its own future, Xi said.

Xi noted that the campaign on studying the Party's history launched by the Party leadership this year within the Party and throughout the society is aimed at boosting confidence in history and enhancing solidarity and unity.

Over the past 100 years, the Party has been committed to pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, to seeking progress for humanity and the common good for the world, Xi said.

He added that this is where the Party's historical confidence is grounded and is the source of the Party's confidence in exercising long-term governance in China and in uniting the people and leading them in striding ahead.

Today, the CPC has proved itself worthy of the choice of history and the people, Xi said.

He urged efforts to educate Party members, officials and the public, especially the young people, to enhance their historical confidence and strive forward with full confidence.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the unity and solidarity of the Party, which is the Party's lifeline, has reached a new high with the concerted efforts from the whole Party, Xi noted.

The CPC Central Committee decided to highlight the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the resolution adopted at the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which is of great significance to the Party in unifying thinking and action on major theoretical and practical questions, Xi added.

The CPC comes from the people, has its roots among the people, and is dedicated to serving the people, Xi stressed, noting that the CPC's third resolution on history aims to remind the whole Party to stay true to its original aspiration and founding mission.

The Party should always maintain its close bond with the people, Xi said.

Highlighting the importance of struggle, Xi said under new circumstances of the era, the Party should make good use of the experience accumulated during the great struggle, carry forward the fighting spirit and build strength.

Xi called on the Party to maintain its mettle regardless of the hardships and dangers it faces, effectively cope with various risks and challenges -- both predictable and unexpected -- and advance socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi asked members of the Political Bureau to have a great vision, care less about personal gains, take the lead in firming up ideals and convictions, and set an example for upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership.

The convocation of the 20th CPC National Congress is the Political Bureau's primary political task for next year, Xi said.

During leadership elections and changes, officials in leading positions must strictly follow relevant discipline and rules, Xi said, urging efforts to educate and guide officials to bear the big picture in mind and focus on carrying out their duties.
The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a white paper titled "China's Export Controls" on Wednesday.

Following is the full text of the white paper:

China's Export Controls

The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China

December 2021

First Edition 2021

Contents

Preamble

I. China's Basic Position on Export Controls

II. Ongoing Improvements to the Legal and Regulatory System for Export Controls

III. Modernizing the Export Control System

IV. Promoting International Exchanges and Cooperation

Conclusion

Preamble

Export controls are a standard international practice. They involve prohibitive or restrictive measures on the export of dual-use items, military products, nuclear materials, and other goods, technologies and services related to safeguarding national security and national interests, and other restrictions related to fulfilling non-proliferation and other international obligations.

The world is undergoing profound changes of a scale unseen in a century, with an increase in destabilizing factors and uncertainties, disruption to international security and order, and challenges and threats to world peace. The status and role of fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory export control measures is growing in importance as an effective means to address international and regional security risks and challenges and safeguard world peace and development. All countries pay close attention to export controls and take an active approach to strengthening and standardizing their approach by establishing and enforcing measures through their legal systems.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and the largest trader and manufacturer of goods, China has always been committed to the principle of safeguarding national security, world peace and regional security by steadily improving export control governance. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China is pursuing a holistic approach to national security and taking more active steps to integrate into the process of economic globalization. To build a more open economy and a more peaceful China, China strives to achieve sound interaction between high-quality development and guaranteed security, modernize its export control regime, and make new progress in export control governance. China will assume its responsibilities from a global perspective, conscientiously undertake its international obligations, and step up international exchanges and cooperation. It will take concrete actions to participate in the international coordination of export controls, make progress on related international processes, and work together with all other countries in building a global community of shared future and delivering a strong boost to world peace and development.

The Chinese government is publishing this white paper to provide a full picture of China's policies on export controls, and to help the international community better understand China's position.

I. China's Basic Position on Export Controls

As a responsible country, China firmly stands by the international system centered on the UN and the international order underpinned by international law. China safeguards the authority of international treaties and mechanisms that uphold true multilateralism, and actively promotes the implementation of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory international export controls.

1. Maintaining a Holistic Approach to National Security

In the age of economic globalization, no country's security can be independent of and isolated from all others. China maintains a holistic approach to national security, which means coordinating development and security, opening up and security, traditional security and non-traditional security, and China's own security and the security of others. It means safeguarding and shaping national security to build an export control system that is commensurate with its international standing and aligned with its national security and interests. China holds that all countries need to develop a fresh perspective and adopt a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable outlook on global security. In particular, major countries should fulfill their obligations, show a sense of responsibility, and promote international security in the field of export controls to build a global community of universal security.

2. Honoring International Obligations and Commitments

It is China's solemn commitment to maintain international peace, and to respect non-proliferation and other international obligations. China actively draws useful experience from international standard practices, and employs that experience to strengthen and improve its export control system. China stands firmly against the proliferation of all forms of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and has established an export control system governed by the Export Control Law that covers dual-use items, military products, nuclear materials, and other goods, technologies and services related to safeguarding national security and national interests, and other restrictions related to fulfilling non-proliferation and other international obligations.

3. Promoting International Cooperation and Coordination

In today's world, countries are increasingly part of a community of shared future. The more significant the global challenges we face, the greater the need for cooperative responses. China believes in addressing differences and disputes through international coordination and cooperation and multilateral mechanisms, so that all countries can become partners who trust and work with one another on an equal footing. As reform of the global governance system has reached a historic turning point, China advocates increased representation for emerging markets and developing countries in international coordination on export controls, to promote equal rights, opportunities and rules for all in international cooperation. This will reflect the wishes and interests of the majority in a more balanced manner, and help to build an international environment of peace and stability, equality and mutual trust, and win-win cooperation.

4. Opposing the Abuse of Export Control Measures

No country or region should abuse export control measures, gratuitously impose discriminatory restrictions, apply double standards to matters related to non-proliferation, or abuse multilateral mechanisms related to export controls for the purposes of discrimination and exclusion. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC) and a host of resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council all provide for the right of countries to fully enjoy peaceful use of controlled items and technological achievements free from discrimination. China believes that export controls should be fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory. They should not undermine the legitimate right of other countries to the peaceful use of controlled items, obstruct the peaceful use of outcomes of scientific and technological advances designed to promote development, interfere with normal international science and technology exchanges and economic and trade cooperation, or obstruct the secure and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains. With deeper globalization and more new technologies emerging, China calls upon all countries to promote inclusive sharing of the benefits of scientific and technological development, to increase human wellbeing, to effectively manage risks and threats related to export controls, and to create a secure environment for economic and social development.

II. Ongoing Improvements to the Legal and Regulatory System for Export Controls

Committed to the basic principle of pursuing law-based governance in all respects, China continues to improve its legal and regulatory system for export controls. To provide law-based and institutional export control guarantees, it bases its efforts on its national conditions and draws upon helpful experience from overseas.

1. Establishing and Improving a Legal System for Export Controls

Since the beginning of reform and opening up in 1978, profound changes in the internal and external environment have impacted economic development in China. There have been continuous improvements in China's socialist market economic system, and its law-based export control work has improved steadily. Since the 1990s, China has promulgated six administrative regulations: Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Controlled Chemicals, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Export, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of Arms Export, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Dual-use Items and Related Technologies Export, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-related Items and Technologies, and Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-use Biological Agents and Related Equipment and Technologies. The Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, China Atomic Energy Authority, the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and other related departments have introduced a number of departmental rules and normative documents setting detailed provisions on matters related to export controls, including specific stipulations on particular items, license regulation and enforcement supervision, and documents on implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

In October 2020, China promulgated the Export Control Law, which includes clear provisions on systems, measures, and international cooperation on export controls. It also sets a basic institutional framework, and unified rules for export control policies, a control list, temporary controls, a restricted name list, and supervision. The Law was formulated in the light of changing circumstances, drawing on China's own experience in export controls and taking into account standard international practices. It raises China's export control legislation to a higher level, makes comprehensive arrangements for China's export control system, and provides a full coverage of controlled items, legal subjects and other aspects of export control. To make sure that the Export Control Law is effectively implemented, China's authorities have introduced, revised, and rescinded supporting administrative regulations and departmental rules. In addition to the Export Control Law, China's Foreign Trade Law, National Security Law, Data Security Law, Nuclear Safety Law, Customs Law, Administrative Licensing Law, Administrative Punishment Law and Criminal Law also provide a strong legal base for the enforcement of export control measures. China now has in place a well-organized basic legal system on export controls with well-coordinated laws, administrative regulations and departmental rules and a balanced structure, which provides a solid legal foundation for developing a modern export control system with Chinese characteristics.

2. Building a Coordinated and Efficient Export Control Regime

Export controls involve multiple departments of the State Council and the CMC. China has established a sound working mechanism and clearly assigned roles and responsibilities among departments, which provides a solid institutional guarantee.

Regulatory system for export control of dual-use items.

Export of nuclear dual-use items is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the China Atomic Energy Authority;

Export of dual-use biological items is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the National Health Commission, among others as required;

Export of dual-use items related to certain chemicals is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce;

Export of dual-use missile-related items is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the Equipment Development Department of the CMC, among others as required;

Export of commercial cryptography is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the State Cryptography Administration - the Cryptography Law stipulates that the export control list of commercial cryptography shall be formulated and published by the Ministry of Commerce in conjunction with the State Cryptography Administration and the General Administration of Customs;

For the export of controlled chemicals, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology regulates exporter accreditation jointly with the Ministry of Commerce, and is responsible for undertaking specific export review.

Regulatory system for export control of military products. The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, and the Equipment Development Department of the CMC, regulate military exports in accordance with the division of their duties. This mainly includes reviewing the franchise qualification of military exports, export project proposals, projects and contracts for military exports, approving and issuing licenses for military exports, formulating rules regulating related business, supervising export activities, and punishing violations.

Regulatory system for export control of nuclear materials. The export of nuclear materials is regulated by the National Atomic Energy Authority and the Ministry of Commerce in cooperation with other departments. These exports are conducted by entities designated by the State Council. They are carried out in strict accordance with three principles - that nuclear materials should be exported for peaceful purposes only, that they should be under the supervision and safeguard of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and that they must not be transferred to third countries without the permission of the Chinese government. Competent authorities carry out rigorous reviews of nuclear exports and impose severe penalties on violators.

The General Administration of Customs cooperates closely with related authorities to regulate the export of controlled items. Among other duties it also engages in investigating and handling violations, carries out risk prevention and control, and supervises law enforcement.

III. Modernizing the Export Control System

China strictly enforces export control laws and regulations, and translates solemn commitments into concrete actions. With institutional foundations and technological support, China has gradually realized effective and comprehensive regulation and whole-process monitoring, and put in place a modern export control system providing scientific design, orderly operation and vigorous enforcement.

1. Improving License Management

China widely adopts internationally-accepted practices in export controls such as license management, end-user and end-use certificates, and general licensing. China has established an inter-agency consultation mechanism and a two-tiered management model, optimized the licensing procedure and extending the types of license. License management has been steadily improved, to ensure that all trade in export-controlled items is consistent with compliance requirements, and to create a better business environment for high-level opening up.

An inter-agency consultation mechanism for prudent and accurate review. For the review of dual-use items, China has set up an inter-agency consultation mechanism that brings together the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, China Atomic Energy Authority, and the Equipment Development Department of the CMC. These departments work closely together to review export applications, each carrying out its respective duties, taking into account factors such as national security and national interests, international obligations, end users and end uses, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies.

A two-tiered management model to facilitate license applications. License applicants may come from any part of China. To strike a balance between export promotion and export control, and to protect and promote trade in controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, China adopts a two-tiered license management model. Provincial government departments are mandated to provide exporters with public export control services and re-submit their export applications to the central government. The results of reviews are sent to the exporters and China Customs via the internet. To facilitate trade, the Ministry of Commerce realized paperless license management for dual-use items in July 2021, employing digital tools through the entire process of application, review, license issuance and customs clearance. As a result, the licensing time frame was shortened by five to seven days.

Improved measures for targeted license management. China promotes multi-tiered management with the emphasis on end-user and end-use certificates. Generally, an exporter is required to submit the end-use certificate provided by the end user; for export applications presenting a potential risk, the exporter is required to submit end-user and end-use certificates verified or issued by the government agencies of the country or region in which the end user is located, and by the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country or region. To extend the types of license, China grants general licenses to exporters with internal compliance programs and sound operating procedures, provided that they meet the necessary requirements. These general licenses allow them to export multiple times to multiple countries/regions or end users within the period of validity. The implementation of these measures has made license management more targeted and effective.

An expert team for informed and efficient management. China values the contribution of experts, and has created statutory provisions to establish and improve the export control expert advisory mechanism. Relevant departments have set up a team consisting of experts in dual-use items, military products, nuclear materials, and other areas, to facilitate informed and accurate assessment. Over the years, the expert team has provided robust support in the creation of lists, license management, monitoring and enforcement, and business consultancy. As export control becomes a more specialized field, China will continue to mobilize more experts to develop a team providing wide coverage and strong expertise, so as to provide more professional and effective support in the new era.

2. Strengthening Enforcement Capability

China continues to reinforce its export control enforcement mechanism by expanding methods and sharpening capabilities. An authoritative and efficient system has gradually taken shape with consistent rights and responsibilities, which plays an important role in tackling violations and ensuring complete, accurate and strict implementation of relevant laws and regulations.

Improved organizational structure for a coordinated and effective enforcement mechanism. In 2014, to strengthen institutions responsible for export control, the Ministry of Commerce set up a dedicated enforcement team, which is responsible for developing enforcement institutions and conducting case investigations. The Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs, and other departments have strengthened collaboration on enforcement, and work on joint enforcement with relevant departments of provincial governments. With this horizontal and vertical cooperation among central departments and provincial governments, a closely-knit enforcement network is in place. It provides a firm institutional guarantee for enforcement of export control laws in China and effectively addresses the problems posed by geographical distance, wide spectrum, and difficulties in imposing penalties.

Various enforcement measures to amplify the deterrent effect of enforcement and regulation. China continues to strengthen its enforcement capability. In addition to basic methods such as site visits, inquiries and investigations, and access to materials, the enforcement authorities are also authorized to employ other methods, including sealing off and detaining items and checking bank accounts. The enforcement authorities can also mark any illegal act into the credit record of an offender, which significantly reinforces the deterrent effect of law enforcement. Every aspect of the export process is covered by enforcement. In addition to the exporters, intermediary service providers are also subject to control to prevent illegal exports. Agencies and individuals are prohibited from providing offenders with intermediary services such as agency, shipping, consignment, financing, customs declaration, and third-party e-commerce platform transactions. China also values the role of non-compulsory enforcement methods such as regulatory interviews and administrative guidance, and implements preventive, guiding, and monitoring measures to ensure that enforcement is effective.

Improved enforcement equipment and IT application to strengthen guarantees. China has increased inputs into enforcement equipment. With professional equipment to detect radioactive, biological and chemical items, China Customs is able to inspect and detect illegal exports more efficiently, thus helping enforcers to dispose of controlled items more effectively. China has also improved the use of enforcement information by sharing information among enforcement and regulatory agencies. China attaches great importance to collecting information and analyzing statistics on violations. Basic information on companies involved is integrated with case descriptions through use of information technologies. To boost enforcement capacity, the enforcement authorities regularly provide enforcers with training on export control laws and regulations, and on identification and enforcement skills.

3. Developing Export Control Compliance Systems

China is committed to developing export control compliance systems. Based on the principle of government-guided, business-led, and coordinated action, China has made notable progress in building export control compliance systems by consolidating the legal foundations, improving the policy framework, and investing in publicity and training.

Intensified legal guarantee. China has been working to reinforce the legal foundations of export compliance. The Export Control Law requires the Chinese government to issue sector-specific guidelines for export controls at the appropriate time, guiding exporters to establish and improve their internal compliance programs and to operate in accordance with laws and regulations. As an incentive, an exporter with an internal compliance program and sound operating procedures can be granted a general license or other facilitating measures. These provisions provide a legal guarantee for the government to provide guidance on export control compliance, and a legal basis for businesses to establish and improve their internal compliance programs.

Improved policy guidance. In 2007, the Ministry of Commerce first issued guiding opinions on internal export control mechanisms for exporters of dual-use items and technologies. In 2021, the Ministry of Commerce revised and issued the Guiding Opinions on Establishing the Internal Compliance Program for Export Control by Exporters of Dual-use Items, which increased the number of compliance elements to nine - policy statement, organizational structure, comprehensive risk assessment, screening procedures, contingency measures, compliance training, compliance audits, record-keeping and management manual. The Guidelines for Internal Compliance for Export Control of Dual-use Items was added to provide more details and scenarios for reference. In the field of nuclear materials, China promulgated Guidelines for Import and Export Compliance Mechanism Building of Nuclear Items and other government documents.

Improved public services. The Chinese government attaches great importance to information and training on export controls, and has continued to disseminate information to increase compliance across broader society. Government authorities at all levels have paid study visits to enterprises and provided training in key areas to raise awareness and foster a compliance culture. In recent years, around 30,000 people have participated in over 20 training sessions and seminars every year. In 2021, the Ministry of Commerce launched an export control information service platform to provide better guidance and services. The Chinese government provides guidance to business associations, chambers of commerce, intermediary agencies, experts and think tanks, to help them study export controls, provide consultancy, and play an active part in export compliance.

4. Complying with International Obligations

China consistently advocates the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, and resolutely opposes the proliferation of such weapons and their means of delivery. China does not support, encourage or help any other country in the development of WMD and their means of delivery. China is committed to regulating the trade in conventional arms, combating illicit trafficking of weapons, and mitigating humanitarian issues triggered by the abuse of conventional arms. China firmly upholds the authority and efficacy of all relevant international treaties, strictly complies with its international obligations, and safeguards international and regional peace and stability.

Nuclear. China joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984 and signed the Agreement Between the People's Republic of China and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in China in 1988, voluntarily placing China's civilian nuclear facilities under Agency safeguards. In 1992, China acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). China was actively engaged in the negotiations on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, making a major contribution to the conclusion of the Treaty to which it was one of the first State Party signatories in 1996. China became a member of the Zangger Committee in October 1997. In 1998, China signed the Additional Protocol aimed at strengthening the IAEA safeguard system, and formally completed the domestic legal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Additional Protocol in early 2002, thus becoming the first nuclear-weapon state to complete the relevant procedures. In June 2004, China joined the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and has since taken an active part in the NSG while fulfilling the relevant rights and obligations.

Biological weapons. China strictly honors its obligations under the BWC, to which China became a State Party in 1984. Since then, China has submitted declarations of Confidence Building Measures in full and on time, been fully involved in the BWC reviews, and actively proposed multilateral initiatives on regulating biological scientific research exercises, biological technology, and global resource allocation. China has offered the international community public goods in reinforcing laboratory biosecurity and other areas, tightened export controls on dual-use biological items and related equipment and technologies, and revised its control list in a timely manner. China calls for positive outcomes in the BWC reviews, particularly regarding the negotiations for a legally binding verification protocol to maximize the effectiveness of the BWC.

Chemical weapons. China made a positive contribution to the conclusion of the CWC, which it signed in January 1993. In April 1997, China deposited its instrument of ratification, becoming an original State Party of the CWC. In strong support of the Convention's purposes and objectives, China encourages all States Parties to strictly fulfill their obligations, and implements the provisions in a balanced and effective manner. Since the Convention entered into force, China has adopted a series of laws for domestic compliance as required by the Convention, set up agencies dedicated to compliance, submitted annual declarations in full and on time, and firmly committed itself to the inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. As required by the Convention, in 2020 China completed the domestic legislative procedures for the amendment to Schedule 1 reached at the 24th CWC Conference of States Parties.

Missiles. China supports international efforts to prevent the proliferation of missiles, and missile-related items and technologies, and adopts a positive and open attitude to international proposals designed to strengthen the mechanisms for non-proliferation. Drawing from other countries' export control practices, China has promulgated and implemented the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-related Items and Technologies, which provide the legal basis for China's export of missile-related items and technologies. In addition, China takes an active part in relevant international exchanges and cooperation to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles.

Military products. China actively participated in the negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and made a significant contribution to the conclusion of the Treaty. China announced that it would initiate the domestic legal procedures to join the ATT in September 2019, and formally acceded to the Treaty in July 2020. As a State Party, China firmly supports the Treaty's purposes and objectives through full compliance with its obligations, and stands ready to work with other States Parties to regulate the trade in conventional arms, promote the universality and effectiveness of the Treaty, and improve global governance of the arms trade.

IV. Promoting International Exchanges and Cooperation

As an active participant, China prioritizes international exchanges and cooperation on export controls. It endeavors to boost mutual trust, ease doubts, increase mutual learning, strengthen international coordination, and promote trading in export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, so as to contribute to a more open and just regime for international export controls.

1. Conducting Bilateral Exchanges and Cooperation

Based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, China engages in international exchanges and cooperation on export controls, in order to increase mutual trust through dialogue and consultation. These efforts reflect China's open and cooperative attitude, and facilitate win-win cooperation.

China promotes trading in export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements. China has established inter-governmental mechanisms with various countries and regions to share experience and practices through government-to-government consultations and discussions and dialogues with business. China has also maintained communication with export control authorities in other countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. To build up mutual trust and cooperation, China has signed bilateral agreements with Russia and several other countries for mutual issuing of end-user and end-use certificates.

China is deeply involved in bilateral exchanges and cooperation on export controls and non-proliferation. China and the US have held multiple seminars on identifying export-controlled items to promote exchanges on enforcement skills. In nuclear non-proliferation, China has maintained consultations and exchanges with the US, Russia, the UK, France, Germany, and the EU to take resolute action against illegal activities through information exchanges and cooperation on enforcement. With respect to controlled chemicals, China has engaged in bilateral exchanges and cooperation with other States Parties under the framework of the CWC, and conducted end-user and end-use verifications in Germany, Spain, the Republic of Korea, Japan and other countries. China has established consultation mechanisms with more than ten countries at vice-ministerial and director-general levels on strategic security, arms control, and non-proliferation, which, as platforms for sharing non-proliferation experience and practices, have played a crucial role in increasing mutual understanding and cooperation.

In addition to inter-governmental cooperation, China also supports non-governmental exchanges and cooperation on export control. Chinese institutions such as the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce, the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, and the China Nuclear Energy Association, have held non-governmental exchanges, conducted academic research, and engaged in international people-to-people interactions with research institutions of other countries. Through symposiums, forums and on-site visits, these institutions have increased mutual understanding and friendship with their foreign counterparts.

2. Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue and Consultation

As part of the effort to promote world peace and regional security, China prioritizes communication and consultation on global issues and emergencies via the UN and multilateral export control mechanisms.

China advocates that as the most representative international organization, the UN should play a central role in finding the right balance between non-proliferation and peaceful uses, and in safeguarding the legitimate rights of developing countries to peaceful uses of technological advances. In December 2021, the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the China-initiated resolution "Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security", which emphasizes the significance of international cooperation in science and technology for peaceful purposes in facilitating economic and social development, and urges all Member States, without prejudice to their non-proliferation obligations, to lift unnecessary restrictions on peaceful use in developing countries. The adoption of this resolution marks the beginning of an open, inclusive and just dialogue process under the UNGA framework, which is in line with the common interests of the international community. It represents a critical contribution to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of all countries concerning peaceful uses of technology, ensuring that scientific and technological dividends are widely shared to the benefit of all, and addressing the security challenges arising from scientific and technological progress. It is also conducive to fuller and more balanced implementation of the NPT, the CWC, the BWC and other international treaties, and to greater dialogue and exchanges between other countries and State Members of the existing mechanisms on non-proliferation and export control, to better serve shared security and development. China will continue to work with all other parties to advance this dialogue process under the UNGA framework.

In April 2004, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540), which requires all countries to reinforce domestic management and export control of WMD and relevant materials and technologies, and to prevent and combat the proliferation of such items among non-state actors. As the first UN Security Council resolution dedicated to non-proliferation, this advances international cooperation under international law. China actively supports and participates in non-proliferation efforts under relevant UN frameworks, including the 1540 Committee, and works vigorously to promote the comprehensive review of UNSCR 1540. To strengthen its enforcement in Asia, China and the 1540 Committee hosted three training sessions - "Training Course for the 1540 Points of Contact in the Asia-Pacific Region" - in the Chinese cities of Qingdao, Xi'an and Xiamen in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Since its accession to the NSG in 2004, China has conscientiously assumed its membership obligations, actively taken part in policy consultations, drawing up lists, information sharing, and other NSG matters, and stepped up export control cooperation with other NSG members. Following the NSG Guidelines, China has amended Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Export and Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Dual-use Items and Related Technologies Export. In the amendments, acceptance of comprehensive safeguards and oversight by the importing country is a precondition for the export of nuclear materials, and the export control lists are routinely updated in sync with the NSG's control list.

China officially applied to join the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2004, and has since maintained communication and exchanges, with five rounds of dialogue focusing on China's accession and issues regarding control systems, lists and the enforcement of missile export controls. China referred to the MTCR Guidelines and Annex when formulating its missile export control regulations and control list.

China has maintained communication and exchanges with the Wassenaar Arrangement. The two sides have held five rounds of in-depth dialogue on control principles, lists, and best practices pertaining to the export of conventional arms and relevant dual-use items and technologies.

China has been involved in six rounds of consultation with the Australia Group (AG) on biological and chemical non-proliferation, implementation of the CWC and the BWC, and operation of the AG.

China is willing to work with the international community to ensure that multilateral export control mechanisms are just and open, and to increase the diversity and breadth of representation in their membership. China upholds solidarity and cooperation, opposes discriminatory approaches, and advocates that all countries work together to address serious global issues and create a brighter future for humanity.

Conclusion

The international landscape is undergoing profound changes, and the world is rife with challenges in the field of export control. It is no easy task to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity. All countries need to work together, relentless in their determination to strengthen international cooperation and pursue shared security and development.

Employing a holistic approach to national security and export controls, China will continue to strengthen its systems, increase capacity, reinforce administration, step up enforcement, and promote compliance, so as to effectively address the risks and challenges under the new circumstances. China will shoulder its due responsibilities as a major country by fulfilling its international obligations and commitments, by participating in exchanges and cooperation on export controls, and by joining forces with all other countries to build sound international export control governance as part of a global community of shared future.
The Luohu Future School opened in September 2021. With advanced infrastructure facilities and modern management, the school represents Luohu's latest efforts to innovate its education sector.



The school breaks with conventions that usually dictate grade and class. Its classrooms are equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, connecting the classrooms with outdoor space and bringing different classrooms closer.

Liu Rongqing, a researcher with the Luohu Education Bureau and head of the school, said apart from eliminating the boundaries of physical space, the school has organized activities that involve students of different classes and grades for them to integrate and exchange. However, the value of traditional classrooms giving students a sense of belonging should not be denied, Liu added.

The school also conducts mixed-age learning by turning two grades into one big team, so that students can have more variety in choosing the classes they are interested in, Liu said.

Cai Linying, head of the student cohort covering grade one and grade two, said the cohort is divided into six sub-groups, and the teachers will instruct the groups in different contents based on what they have and have not grasped.

There are no fixed offices for teachers. Sometimes, their desks are placed in the back row of the classrooms so that students can communicate with them conveniently.

Every student has an individual tutor, who oversees and records their studies, life and mental well-being. These records are then transformed into big data, which the school uses to quickly identify problems students may be facing, and cooperate with teacher and parents to solve them.

These dramatic changes represent a challenge to teachers as well. To address the challenge, Liu suggests that all the teachers should be prepared and that they should pay more attention to the students' learning quality.

Liu said students should be the leading actors and enjoy more opportunities to reach their full potential in the school. By doing so, not only students can identify their shortcomings and proactively seek guidance for self-improvement, the teachers can also learn from students and gradually adjust their teaching methods.

Du Qingwei, a grade seven teacher, said that the teachers allow some students to teach their peers in the class to inspire their learning motivation.

To help teachers adapt to the new teaching styles, the school has organized training seminars and teaching competitions, and invited education experts to offer insights.

The parents say their children enjoy the new campus life in Luohu Future School, after adapting to the novel education environment. Pupils in younger grades have become more independent, and the older students have acquired more skills, including logical thinking and eloquence.
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France reported on Tuesday 179,807 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, a record high since the outbreak of the pandemic in France.

French Public Health Agency said that 242 people died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours in the country, while 3,416 people are currently being treated in intensive care units.

According to the agency, some 17,405 people are being hospitalized.

As for vaccination, French Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that 52,798,871 people have received at least one dose of vaccine, which is 78.3 percent of the country's population. More than 23 million booster shots have been administrated.

The French government authorized on Tuesday the sale of antigenic tests in supermarkets until the end of January. Meanwhile, the French Prime Minister announced a monthly bonus of 100 euros to all intensive care medical staff.

"In the context of a very sharp increase in the incidence rate, due to the spread of the Delta and Omicron variants and a demand for examinations and screening tests unprecedented since the start of the health crisis, there is a need to diversify the supply and sales circuits of the self-tests", the government said in a decree.

Until now, the sale of antigen self-tests has been limited to pharmacies.
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Four people were killed after a small plane crashed Monday evening in the western U.S. state of California, according to authorities.

"A Learjet 35 business jet crashed in a residential San Diego neighborhood around 7:15 p.m. local time Monday. Four people were aboard," said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a statement on Tuesday, adding that the flight departed John Wayne Airport in Orange County and was headed to Gillespie Field Airport in San Diego.

Police and firefighters responded to the scene after the crash. Firefighters were not able to find any survivors at the crash scene, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The Learjet 35, which could carry up to eight passengers, is a type of multi-role twin-engine business jet manufactured by Learjet. The plane was scheduled to land at Gillespie Field Airport when the accident happened.

No one was hurt on the ground, but one home was damaged and power lines were knocked down in the area, said the department in a news release.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the accident.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has officially launched the construction of the Bistrica hydropower plants near the city of Foca, some 80 km southeast of the capital Sarajevo, the state-owned news agency SRNA reported on Tuesday.

The three hydropower plants to be built on the Bistrica River will have a total installed capacity of 39 megawatts and will produce 152 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.

All three plants are to be connected to the national grid in the next four years.

The contracting company is the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and the total cost of the project is 103 million euros (116.5 million U.S. dollars), according to the SRNA.

Radovan Viskovic, prime minister of Republika Srpska (RS), one of BiH's two entities, attended the ceremony along with the representatives of the Chinese Embassy to BiH and of contracting company AVIC.

"RS aims to be recognized as a regional energy leader," Viskovic said, adding that his country covers 60 percent of its energy need by burning coal and that it aims to rely more on green energy from renewable sources in the future.

Viskovic thanked China and AVIC for their support, adding that he was proud to listen to the anthems of the RS and China and see their flags that represent no threat to anyone but the development and prosperity to all who wish good to BiH.
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A campaign by the United States against scientists there with ties to China is causing many to feel unwelcome, and many are considering going elsewhere, a report has found.

The report by the American Physical Society, or APS, titled Impact of US Research Security Policies: U.S. Security and the Benefits of Open Science and International Collaborations, warns that the U.S. government's approach is compromising the country's scientific endeavors.

The report, issued last week, is based on a survey of more than 900 physicists in the country in September. It found that only 1 in 5 had either chosen or been directed to withdraw from opportunities to engage in professional activities with colleagues based outside the country, due to current research security guidelines.

Additionally, more than 43 percent of international physics graduate students and early career scientistsPhD graduates with fewer than five years of experiencenow living in the U.S. perceive that the country is unwelcoming for international students and scholars.

At least 45 percent of international early-career physicists said the U.S. government's current response to research-security concerns makes it less likely for them to stay in the U.S. long term.

A day after the APS published its report, Charles Lieber, a chemistry professor at Harvard University, was found guilty of six felony counts, including false statements and tax fraud. He is the first academic convicted at trial under the so-called China Initiative.

Instigated in November 2018 by the administration of then-U.S. president Donald Trump, the initiative was said to be countering economic espionage but has, in practice, focused on academics accused in matters of research integrity.

The first trial under the program was that of Anming Hu, a former professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was acquitted of all charges in September. Another five China Initiative cases await trial. As with Lieber and Hu, all five defendants are charged with making false statements.

In response to the impact of the China Initiative, the APS recommends that the U.S. government focus on evident economic and national security risks, not on cases of administrative or unintentional nondisclosure. It also urges the government to rename the China Initiative so it focuses on criminal acts rather than on a country.

To remain a global leader in science and technology, the U.S. also needs to improve both disclosure policies and high-skilled visa and immigration policies, the APS report says.

The challenges researchers face are due not only to recent policies, but also to a lack of clear guidance from the federal government, it says. In some cases, physicists report taking an overly cautious approach out of fear.

Their actions include not writing letters of recommendation for graduating students applying for positions in China and ending collaboration with former postdoctoral researchers, the report says.

The federal government's research-security policies are having a "chilling effect" on the country's researchers, causing them to withdraw from international collaboration that brings new scholars, ideas and techniques to U.S. research and development, the report says.

'Clear and measurable'

The benefits of international scholars and collaboration are "clear and measurable", it says. For example, 44 percent of the 2021 Fortune 500 companies have founders who were immigrants or the children of immigrants.

By 2019 more than half of the privately held billion-dollar startup companies in the U.S. had been founded by immigrants, with 21 having a founder who first came to the country as an international student.

About 1 in 3 respondents to the APS survey said they had career-disrupting delays of more than two months when applying for or renewing visas; more than 80 percent of international physics graduates and early-career professionals in the U.S. said they were considering pursuing their careers in another country or had considered doing so.

The respondents said pathways to permanent residency or citizenship and a perception of the U.S. being unwelcome to foreigners were the main factors in their decision to leave the U.S.

The challenges and perceptions created by current U.S. policies could create "a severe hole in our international STEM talent pipeline and a critical segment of our future STEM workforce", the APS warned.
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"Environmental challenges are not figments of our imagination, but a key issue of mankind's future," Laurent Fabius, former French Prime Minister and one of the leaders who helped turn the 2015 Paris UN Climate Change Conference into a success via the Paris Agreement, said when pointing out what is at stake during a recent webinar.

Acknowledging the urgent need for solid actions tackling climate change, the webinar highlighted the importance of partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society and the significance of synergy between China, Europe and the United States. Known as the first dialogue of the China-Europe-America Net-Zero Transition Platform, it took place on December 20, two months after the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow of the United Kingdom, which adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact.

The pact clarifies that the sum of national pledges is insufficient for the globe to escape 2 degrees Celsius of warming, let alone reach the 1.5 degrees Celsius considered preferable in the Paris Agreement that went into force in 2016. Therefore, every country is requested to toughen its goals and strengthen its commitment over the next year.

Fabius stressed that efforts should focus on the near future, particularly on the next UN climate change conferences, because climate action is a race against time. He added that the status quo is not a cause for pessimism but, on the contrary, a call for more ambitious and urgent actions.

Restoring faith

The webinar called on all parties to accelerate their actions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

David Gosset, a co-organizer of the dialogue, deemed the joint efforts of China, Europe, and the U.S. crucial to the implementation of the Glasgow Climate Pact. Also founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, Gosset attached great importance to the partnership of the three parties because, in his words, "when China, Europe and the U.S. work together, they can solve the most complex problems and contribute to the advancement of mankind."

Other participants echoed their calls for international cooperation and partnerships. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, said that the Chinese Government is working to materialize its commitments, with a concrete roadmap for the 2030 and 2060 climate goals.

The year 2021 turned out to be a critical one for China, exemplifying its leadership in the fight against climate change. China hosted the Second UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference in Beijing and the UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming. President Xi Jinping announced during the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly that China would not build new coal-fired power plants abroad.

Javier Solana, former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, connected climate change with security. "One of my main worries for the future of humanity is whether we will be able to cooperate in tackling the climate crisisthe greatest threat to international peace and security," the former top EU diplomat elaborated.

Difficulties aside, progress is being made on the path to a greener economy, Joan McEntee, former Under Secretary with the U.S. Department of Commerce, said.

China and the U.S. issued a joint declaration on enhancing climate action in the 2020s on the sidelines of the COP26. They promised to collaborate in areas such as regulatory frameworks, green design and renewable resource utilization, whilst also agreeing to the formation of a working group to advance bilateral and multilateral climate cooperation.

Erik Berglof, chief economist with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which is committed to infrastructure financing, believed the China-U.S. announcement could really bring something new to the table. In his opinion, the global system suffers from a widespread and growing lack of trust.

"When it comes to climate change, nothing is more worrisome. This is really where we must start the process of rebuilding the trust," he said. "Not only to address our collective emergency, but also to rebuild confidence in the global community."

Berglof likened the pursuit of net-zero targets to the mutual deliberation behind arms control efforts. The key is to trust and verifythough verification might probably be easier. He believes that the multilateral development banks can take on an important role in the verification mechanism. These institutions can establish universal standards to be applied in the verifying process as well as help ensure the outcome is all-inclusive, giving developing economies and vulnerable populations a boost to rekindle multilateralism-fostering cooperation.

Private participation

The impact of climate change is asymmetrical and so are nations' abilities to respond to the change. In light of these, the world's wealthy nations in 2009 agreed to provide and mobilize $100 billion annually for climate action in the developing world. This funding fell short by $20.4 billion in 2020 and as of late December, it remains unlikely the target will still be met in 2021. The COP26 created more room for all parties involved to move beyond the original $100 billion and mobilize supplementary funds.

The global shift to net zero, then, will require trillions of dollars in investment. The Glasgow conference eventually came to the understanding that financial means should be accessible to those who need them most and the private sector should play a vital part in extending the right to their use.

When it comes to climate change, governments, according to the public policies they originally designed and deployed, still have to lead the way. Yet companies and businesses must sync up with the authorities, especially intergovernmental agencies, said Eric Li, Vice Chairman of the China Forum at Tsinghua University and a dialogue moderator.

Chatterjee also pointed out that the private sector therefore needs to take on a much bigger responsibility in global action because engaging only the public sector is far from sufficient to fill the financing gap and develop innovative solutions in the transition to a net-zero economy.

He added the public sector needs to step up to drive investment in climate change, and coordinate mobilization of resources. To tackle the issue on a much larger scale, governments from different countries need to work together in the fields of harmonizing tax incentives for clean energy worldwide.

Li echoed Chatterjee on "harmonizing tax incentives," raising the example of Canada threatening tariffs over Joe Biden's proposed tax incentives on American-made electric vehicles. Canada also argues the tax credit runs counter to the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.

Gian Maria Gros-Pietro, Chairman of Intesa Sanpaolo, explained the importance of green finance, referring to any structured financial activity that's been created to ensure a better environmental outcome, in the transition toward sustainability. Gros-Pietro, leader of one of Europe's largest banks, clarified, "Financial institutions will hold the primary responsibility for channeling private and public savings, market and sovereign financial resources, toward sustainable goals."

Leslie Maasdorp, Vice President and Chief Finance Officer of the New Development Bank, said there is also a need to look well beyond green finance, at all the financial instruments that can be utilized to aid the evenhanded transition to net zero.
Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang (3rd L, back) and Egyptian Minister of State for Military Production Mohamed Morsy (5th R, back) attend the signing ceremony of cooperation deals between China's Weichai Group and Egypt's Geyushi Motors in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 26, 2021. Weichai Group, a Chinese engineer maker, and Egypt's Geyushi Motors signed cooperation deals on green transportation, the manufacturing of gas cylinders, and others in Cairo this week, the Chinese Embassy in Egypt said in a statement on Tuesday night. (Photo by Ahmed Gomaa/Xinhua)

CAIRO, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Weichai Group, a Chinese engineer maker, and Egypt's Geyushi Motors signed cooperation deals on green transportation, the manufacturing of gas cylinders, and others in Cairo this week, the Chinese Embassy in Egypt said in a statement on Tuesday night.

Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang, Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea, and Minister of State for Military Production Mohamed Morsy attended the signing ceremony, which was held on Sunday.

Liao said during the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, it was announced that China and Africa will jointly implement nine projects to promote trade, investment, and green development, which coincides with Egypt's national strategy of promoting the green transformation of energy and industrial structure and achieving sustainable development.

"The national strategies for transformation and sustainable development coincide between the two sides," Liao added, noting China will continue to encourage and support the active participation of Chinese companies in Egypt's green development projects, so as to better benefit the two countries and peoples.

For his part, Gamea said trade and industrial cooperation is an important part of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and China as the Arab country is committed to developing clean and renewable energy and striving to achieve sustainable development goals.

"The Egyptian side welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and start businesses in Egypt, especially participating in green cooperation and localized production projects," he added.

Morsy also expressed Egypt's willingness to further expand and deepen cooperation with China in various fields, especially clean energy and localized production projects, so as to promote greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and China. Enditem
TEHRAN, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Lifting sanctions should be a priority on the agenda of the ongoing talks over Iran's nuclear program since the Western parties have concluded that psychological operations against Iran are no longer viable, Mohammad Qaderi, an Iranian international affairs expert, told official IRNA news agency on Wednesday.

Negotiators from Iran and the remaining parties to the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reconvened on Monday in Austria's capital Vienna in an attempt to salvage the accord which has been in great jeopardy since the former U.S. government withdrew Washington from it in 2018.

Iranian officials have repeatedly expressed their seriousness about restoration of the deal but also urged the removal of the sanctions reimposed by the United States after its exit from the JCPOA, and guarantees that the next U.S. governments would never breach their possible commitments in the renewed deal.

Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran's top negotiator in the Vienna talks, said on Monday that the participants in the current round of negotiations have agreed that priority should be given to the removal of sanctions.

The representatives of P4+1 countries in the talks, namely Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, have highlighted the significance and priority of working on the subjects such as the removal of sanctions on Iran, the verification of termination of sanctions, and giving Iran assurances, Bagheri Kani told reporters after the JCPOA Joint Commission meeting on Monday.

"Given the modification of the text of the (earlier) drafts by Iran, it seems that ... reaching an agreement is possible, and the general atmosphere of this round of negotiations is very positive," said Qaderi.

The P4+1 have emphasized that the United States should not impose new sanctions on Iran during the negotiations because it would disrupt the negotiation process, he added.

"Sanctions should not be used for threatening casually and new sanctions should not be introduced against Iran during the negotiations," Wang Qun, the Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, said on Monday.

Despite different interpretations of the seventh round of negotiations, China, like most of the participants, believes that the negotiations have achieved positive results, Wang noted.

Since early April, representatives from China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and Iran have held seven rounds of negotiations in the Austrian capital, with the United States involved indirectly. Enditem
BAGHDAD, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi confirmed on Wednesday the end of the U.S.-led coalition forces' combat mission in Iraq after the withdrawal of the forces from the country.

"The combat mission of the international coalition has ended, and all the combat equipment withdrew outside Iraq," al-Kadhimi said in a tweet posted on the official Twitter page of his media office.

"The role of the coalition has become limited to advise and support, according to the strategic dialogue," al-Kashimi added.

On Jan. 5, 2020, the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in the country.

In July this year, the United States and Iraq held a session of strategic dialogue, during which the two countries agreed on withdrawing all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by Dec. 31. Enditem
BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Wang Like, a former senior Party official in east China's Jiangsu Province, has been indicted on charges of taking and offering bribes, harboring and conniving mafia-like organizations, and forging identity documents, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Wednesday.

Wang was formerly a member of the Standing Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and head of the commission for political and legal affairs of the provincial Party committee.

Wang's case has been filed by the People's Procuratorate of Changchun, Jilin Province, to the city's intermediate people's court.

Prosecutors accused Wang of taking advantage of his various posts in Liaoning and Jiangsu provinces to seek benefits for others, accepting huge sums of money and gifts in return.

He was also accused of sheltering and conniving at mafia-like organizations to conduct criminal activities in his role as a state organ functionary for an extended period.

The SPP said the prosecutors had informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him and listened to the defense counsel's opinions. Enditem
XI'AN, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ushurova Sofiya, a professor from Kazakhstan at the school of law in Xi'an Jiaotong University, celebrated her 48th birthday on Dec. 15. Henceforth, she has not left her home.

Xi'an, the megacity in northwestern China where she lives, is in a bitter fight against a new wave of COVID-19 infections.

Since the latest resurgence triggered by imported infections on Dec. 9, the city had registered a total of 962 locally transmitted cases as of Tuesday. Closed-off management has therefore been imposed in communities and villages in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.

"We have to take the virus seriously. In fact, staying at home is part of our efforts to curb its spread," said Sofiya.

Though being cooped up, the family is busy as usual -- Sofiya enjoys reading, preparing lectures while her three children are taking online classes. Her husband serves as a volunteer delivering vegetables to local residents.

Although their lives have been disrupted, she is fully supportive. "One of my family members outside China was infected and passed away. So I totally support the measures taken by China, which truly value people's life and health."

To Dev Raturi, a 45-year-old Indian, the sudden hit of the pandemic has given him some precious family time.

Having been in China for 17 years, Raturi was entangled in his restaurant business spreading across five Chinese cities. "China is my promised land," said the restauranteur and part-time actor.

"I had been occupied with business trips, leaving little time with my family over the past year. But now we can do a lot at home: cook meals, do exercise and have fun with my kids," said Raturi.

Though the recent outbreak of COVID-19 forced Raturi to close all his five restaurants in Xi'an, he remains optimistic. "It's a big loss, but only a short-time loss," he said, noting that strict management is necessary to tide over the current difficulties.

"The world was not under control in the past two years as cases are still jumping in many Western countries. But China did a very good job in controlling it. I am sure things will go back to normal soon, so we don't have to worry," he added.

His confidence is rooted in a slew of epidemic prevention and control measures introduced recently. "We take nucleic acid testing almost every day, and community staff help us get daily necessities. They are very supportive and comforting."

"All is well," Puriya Daei, 32, told his family in Iran via videolink. The young man came to Xi'an a couple of years ago to work in the apple business, as Shaanxi Province, where Xi'an is located, produces about one-seventh of the total global apple output.

"I do not feel panic because China has taken comprehensive measures to deal with the virus. I've been fully vaccinated and take tests regularly," Daei said.

Despite rising confirmed cases in Xi'an, more and more people are gradually steering their life back to normality and picking up new hobbies. Pakistani student Alvi of Northwestern Polytechnic University has learned to cook several Chinese dishes and write Chinese characters recently.

"Cheer up Xi'an," Alvi said in Chinese. Enditem
Photo taken on Dec. 2, 2020 shows the Saint Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin in Moscow, capital of Russia. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)



"But what they, our Western partners, are going to build at home, (is not known)," Zakharova said.



MOSCOW, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia does not want to return to the "iron curtain" in relations with the West, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Tuesday during an interview with the BelRos TV channel.

Asked whether Moscow will return to the "iron curtain" in relations with Western countries, the diplomat said that the Russian side will not take such steps.

"But what they, our Western partners, are going to build at home, (is not known)," she added. 
SHANGHAI, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) announced Wednesday that it will add Egypt as its new member.

"We are delighted to welcome Egypt into NDB's family. We look forward to supporting its investment needs in infrastructure and sustainable development," said Marcos Troyjo, president of the NDB.

The NDB will provide Egypt with a new platform to foster cooperation with BRICS countries on infrastructure and sustainable development, as well as with other emerging economies and developing countries.

Membership of the NDB becomes effective once the admitted country completes its domestic processes and deposits the instrument of accession.

Egypt is the fourth new member admitted into NDB, after Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay, further expanding the bank's global outreach.

Since its establishment six years ago, the NDB has approved about 80 projects for its members, with a total portfolio of 30 billion U.S. dollars. The projects cover sectors including transport, water and sanitation, clean energy, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure and urban development.

Headquartered in Shanghai, the NDB was established by BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The bank formally opened in July 2015. Enditem
HANOI, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam welcomed some 157,300 international arrivals in 2021, plunging 95.9 percent on year, mainly due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's General Statistics Office said Wednesday.

Foreign visitors entering the country by air accounted for 70.6 percent of the total, followed by road with 29 percent and sea routes with 0.4 percent. Most of the arrivals were from Asia (84.5 percent), according to the office.

In December alone, the country received some 17,200 international arrivals, up 14.2 percent against November following efforts to revive its tourism sector and resume commercial international flights.

Vietnam closed its border and grounded all international flights in March last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only allowing entry for Vietnamese repatriates, foreign experts and highly-skilled workers with certain quarantine requirements. In mid-November, it welcomed the first wave of quarantine-free international travelers in 20 months under a pilot tourism program.

The Southeast Asian country hosted just over 3.8 million international arrivals in 2020, plunging 78.7 percent from a record number of over 18 million in 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 broke out, according to its General Statistics Office. Enditem
DHAKA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Wednesday that it had delivered over 100 million COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh from multiple World Health Organization (WHO)-approved manufacturers since June 2021.

The threshold was passed after Bangladesh received a shipment of 20.46 million doses of vaccines from China on Tuesday, part of a cost-sharing agreement between the Bangladesh government, the Asian Development Bank and UNICEF.

The 100 million vaccines delivered so far also include over 50 million doses that UNICEF has delivered to Bangladesh under the COVAX facility, which is the WHO-led initiative for equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world, it said.

The government of Bangladesh has also received large quantities of vaccines through bilateral agreements in addition to the vaccines delivered by UNICEF, it added.

The UN agency said the fresh delivery of vaccines is a welcome boost for Bangladesh's efforts to achieve its target of vaccinating 80 percent of the total population by June 2022.

The agency said 28.44 percent of Bangladesh's total population had been vaccinated with a second dose as of Sunday.

"The clearest way out of this pandemic is vaccine equity and boosting vaccination rates globally. Getting vaccines from manufacturers and into recipients' arms in every corner of Bangladesh as quickly as possible is critical," said UNICEF representative to Bangladesh Sheldon Yett.

UNICEF has been organizing the international transportation of COVID-19 vaccines and supplies for the COVAX Facility since February 2021, in what is the largest, most complex logistical operation in the history of immunization, it said.

"Getting the vaccines to Bangladesh is only the first part of the battle. Safely delivering them the last mile to the communities that need them most is equally as important, and we salute the government of Bangladesh and partner organizations who make this possible," Yett said. Enditem
Fourth Judge Blocks Biden Shot Mandate for Federal Contractors

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Liberty Counsel

Dec. 28, 2021



TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 28, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- A federal court in Florida has sided with the State of Florida and issued a preliminary injunction against Joe Biden's COVID shot mandate for federal contractors and subcontractors.

On September 9, 2021, Biden issued Executive Order 14042, which requires federal contractors and subcontractors to become "fully vaccinated." In response, the State of Florida sued Biden, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services Administration (GSA).

In his December 22, 2021, ruling, U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday states, "Florida demonstrates a substantial likelihood that Executive Order 14042 exceeds the President's authority" and "intrudes into a matter traditionally committed to the state." Florida also shows the likelihood of "irreparable economic injury" the mandates would cause, and a denial of the injunction "would substantially injure Florida entities faced with violating either a federal contract or state law."

The conflict between state and federal law arises from the Florida legislature's passage of the "Keep Florida Free" joint agenda in November 2021, banning shot mandates on public and private employees in the state.

Judge Merryday is the fourth judge to block Biden's shot mandate for federal contractors.

On November 30, 2021, U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove issued a preliminary injunction against Biden's federal contractor shot mandate in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.

December 7, 2021, U.S. District Judge R. Stan Baker expanded the injunction nationwide in a seven-state lawsuit brought by Georgia, Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia and a trade organization.

December 20, 2021, U.S. Magistrate Judge David D. Noce issued a preliminary injunction against Biden's shot mandate for federal contractors in 10 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

The Supreme Court has set oral argument in four shot mandate cases, two involving OSHA and two involving the health care mandate, on January 7, 2022.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "Joe Biden and the federal government have clearly overstepped their bounds in demanding a COVID shot mandate for federal contractors. Now that four federal judges have agreed, it's time for the federal government to reconsider its enforcement role and its relationship with state governments."

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



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When news reporters or radio hosts confidently say something recently found is X-number of millions of years old, am I the only one ready to throw a shoe at the television?

They are only reporting on something I realise, but it annoys me because there is no evidence of many thousands of years, let alone millions.

Carbon-14 Dating?

Scientists will tell you these numbers are based on carbon-dating and yet they will also say carbon dating is an inaccurate method of aging material, be it bones or rocks or sediment, because it has been buried for so long (carbon-14 dating is a method full of assumptions).

Stonehenge

Recent discoveries at Stonehenge and the mile-wide Durrington Circle on Salisbury Plain, near Amesbury, Wiltshire, in the UK bear out what Im saying so allow me to use these discoveries as an example.

Professor Vincent Gaffney of Bradford University, one of the leading archaeologists working on the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project, stated: This is an unprecedented find of major significance within the UK.

Key researchers on Stonehenge and its landscape have been taken aback by the scale of the structure and the fact it hadnt been discovered, until now, so close to Stonehenge.

The newly discovered site is a huge circle, 1.2 miles (2km) in diameter, with twenty shafts which are five metres deep (16 ft) and up to 20 metres (65 ft) in diameter. This construction encircles an existing structure called the Durrington Walls, the site of a large settlement and later wooden henge circle, described as Neolithic (from the so-called Stone Age).

Silts (fine mud) extracted from core samples and the circles pits, contained bones and shells, which were sent for carbon-14 dating.

A wide range of dates were calculated, some as old as 7,179  28 years BC for shell, and 1130 BC for bone (calibrated), but all from the same deposits.

The archaeological report admits: There is a wide range of time represented in the radiocarbon dates early dates are on shells and suggest the determinations from these samples are not reliable

However, carbon-14 dating is a method full of assumptions.

All the monuments discovered so far (at Stonehenge and the Durrington Circle, and those still to be discovered), must be placed after the Flood.

The Deluge

Even mighty monuments like Stonehenge could not have survived the Deluge; in fact, the larger Sarsen stones are made of sedimentary rock which was formed during the Flood, and chemically altered afterwards.

These monuments, therefore, would have been constructed sometime after Babel, when people-groups were scattered over the face of the earth, after their common language was confused, see Genesis.

Some of them, likely Japheths descendants, eventually settled in Britain and constructed Stonehenge along with many associated monuments like the newly identified Durrington Circle.

Conclusion

This brand new discovery is an amazing find and has been unearthed using some clever technology and techniques.

The uncovered shaft structures demonstrate, as far as archaeologists peer back into history, humans have always been humans, displaying their God-given abilities of great intelligence and ingenuity.

Radiocarbon ages which are offered so confidently, far in excess of the date of Noahs Flood, should be dismissed.


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LEGO to launch NASA-inspired moon sets in time for Artemis I launch



December 29, 2021  LEGO is launching a new series of building toys themed around NASA's Artemis program just in time to coincide with the first mission.



The toy company recently revealed the first two of its NASA-inspired LEGO City Space sets with hints of more to come. The new Rocket Launch Center and Lunar Research Base are scheduled for release on March 1, 2022.



After several delays, NASA is now looking to launch its Artemis I moon mission in March or April.



"LEGO City Space toy playsets come with feature-rich models inspired by real NASA machines, vehicles and spacecraft, plus inspiring astronaut characters for imaginative, open-ended play based on real-life space missions," LEGO wrote on its website.



The LEGO City Rocket Launch Center includes a mobile launch tower and rocket that resembles the Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift booster making its first flight on Artemis I. The LEGO rocket, which features NASA "meatball" and "worm" logos just like the real vehicle, stands more than 16.5 inches tall and 4 inches wide (42 by 11 cm).



The set also includes an observation dome and launch control center, plus a service vehicle and drone. The LEGO minifigures that come with the Rocket Launch Center set include scientists, technicians and two astronauts similar to the four minifigures flying for LEGO Education on the real Artemis I Orion spacecraft.



The 1,010-piece Rocket Launch Center (set no. 60351) will sell for $149.99.



The LEGO City Lunar Research Base is "inspired by NASA's Artemis base camp concept," according to LEGO's box art. The set includes the 786 plastic bricks to build a lunar lander, a domed accommodation module with laboratories, a garage, airlock and six astronaut minifigures.



The lunar lander loosely resembles SpaceX's Starship human landing system (HLS), which NASA selected to deliver the first astronauts to the lunar south pole.



The set also includes the parts to build a VIPER rover, based on NASA's Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, which is the agency's first lunar mobile robot. The real VIPER is scheduled to be delivered to the moon in late 2023 by Astrobotic's Griffin lander as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.



The Lunar Research Base (set no. 60350), which when built will measure 5 inches tall, 15.5 inches wide and 10 inches deep (13 by 40 by 25 cm), lists for $119.99.



The box art for the research base also points to another set coming soon, a moon rover. The yet-to-be-announced set (no. 60348) is shown being able to connect directly to the base to ease the transfer of astronauts (minifigures) back and forth.



"Combine this set with others from the LEGO City Space toy range for nonstop space fun," LEGO promotes on its website.



At least one other set in the series has been teased in a German toy catalog, the Lunar Space Station (60349), which appears to be based on NASA's Gateway, a human-tended outpost to be built in lunar orbit.



The LEGO City Space toy playsets continue a partnership between NASA and LEGO that promotes the space agency's exploration programs while encouraging an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Previous LEGO sets have celebrated NASA's Apollo moon missions, space shuttle and space station programs and future plans to land astronauts on Mars.



LEGO's new Rocket Launch Center and Lunar Research Base toy sets are inspired by NASA's Artemis program, including the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and lunar base camp. (LEGO)





Some of the minifigures included in the new LEGO City Space sets are similar to the figures flying on the Artemis I mission. (LEGO)





The NASA-inspired LEGO City Space Rocket Launch Center and Lunar Research Base sets are scheduled for release on March 1, 2022. (LEGO)



(LEGO)



(LEGO)



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Due to the increasing concerns being raised over the deteriorating air quality levels, global warming, and rising environmental degradation, the governments and regulatory authorities of several countries across the world are taking various measures and initiatives for promoting the usage of green energy sources. Moreover, many governments are implementing strict policies for restricting the generation of power from fossil fuels and providing subsidies and other financial incentives to green energy projects.

India and China are some of the major countries that have adopted green energy generation policies in the recent times and intend to meet the power requirements in their countries from green energy projects in the coming years. Furthermore, the depleting reserves of oil, coal, and other fossil fuels and the high import costs of these fuels are making many countries switch to renewable energy such as geothermal energy, biofuels, solar energy and wind energy for power generation.

Moreover, the governments of many countries are making huge investments in the development of green energy-based power infrastructure and power projects. This is one of the biggest trends presently being observed in the green power industry. Due to these reasons, the adoption of green energy is rising rapidly all over the world. This is, in turn, driving the expansion of the global green energy market. As a result, the market is predicted to exhibit swift growth in the future years.

Amongst the various types of green energy, the usage of hydroelectric power is currently being observed to be significantly high, as this energy easily meets 1521% of the power requirements, depending on the plant capacity factors. Another type of green energy that has witnessed a steady rise in popularity over the last few years is the energy produced from biofuels. This is primarily because of the large-scale production of bioethanol in Brazil and the U.S.

Additionally, the high production volume of biodiesel in several European countries such as France and Germany is also responsible for the growing utilization of biofuels for power generation all around the world. Geothermal energy is another kind of green energy that is being increasing used for electricity production across the world. The most commonly used power conservation systems in this energy type are binary cycle, dry steam, and flash steam.

Across the globe, the green energy market registered rapid advancement in Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the years gone by, according to the observations of the market research company, P&S Intelligence. The rapid growth of the industry in this region was due to the launch of several solar power projects in regional nations such as Japan, China, and India located across the tropic of cancer. Further, the large-scale deployment of solar plants boosted solar power generation in the region in the past.

Thus, the adoption of green energy would rise tremendously all over the world in the upcoming years, on account of the increasing environmental damage being caused because of the usage of fossil fuels for energy generation, rising public awareness of the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels, and the increasing initiatives being taken by various governments and regulatory bodies for promoting the usage of eco-friendly and renewable energy sources for electricity generation.
San Francisco, 29 Dec 2021: The Report Pore Strips Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Ingredient (Non-charcoal, Charcoal), By End Use (Home, Salon), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, CSA, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

The global pore strips market size is expected to reach USD 2.14 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2021 to 2028. The millennial population has radically reshaped the beauty and personal care industry in recent years. Millennials are becoming more conscious of their physical appearances and looks and are willing to use diverse products that are proven to give effective skin nourishment and quick fixes. Inspired by these trends, numerous pore strip manufacturers are launching products that contain natural ingredients, such as aloe vera, lemon, orange, and charcoal.

With the increased access to the internet and social media apps such as Instagram and YouTube, consumers are looking to explore skincare products, including pore strips, on these platforms to gain the necessary information related to effective at-home skincare routines. With detailed videos from how to know your skin type to what kind of night/day routines to follow, these apps have a wide variety of content that suits the needs of beginners as well as experts.

Emerging markets and the increasing demand for overseas goods are further driving online spending. Consumers in emerging countries such as China and India prefer local e-commerce companies, such as Tmall in China and Flipkart in India. Consumer spending in the U.S. and some countries in Europe has witnessed a slight drop owing to the global recession. However, the market has witnessed significant growth in recent years due to the rising demand from emerging markets, such as China, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and other South Asian countries.

As consumers have been spending less on beauty and grooming products over the past year and a half, many skincare companies have responded to the crisis by shifting gears and offering hand sanitizers and cleaning agents instead.

According to global reports, the beauty and personal care industry in the U.S. can decline by up to 35% in the worst-case scenario. In-store and offline purchases of pore strips accounted for approximately 85% of purchases. Due to the closure of stores worldwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic, 30% of stores were shut down and it is estimated that 23% of the stores will permanently shut down.

Access Research Report of Pore Strips Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pore-strips-market

Pore Strips Market Report Highlights

The home end-use segment grabbed the largest share of over 65.0% in 2020. The growing fashion consciousness among consumers is expected to boost the growth of the segment

By ingredient, the non-charcoal segment accounted for the largest share of over 70.0% in 2020. Changing consumer perception toward organic products and the growing utilization of environmentally sustainable products are fueling the demand for naturally derived ingredients

Asia Pacific held the largest revenue share of more than 40.0% in 2020 and is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period owing to the increasing product adoption in the region

List of Key Players of Pore Strips Market

Kao Corporation

Walgreen Co.

Ulta Beauty

Earth Therapeutics

Sephora

LOreal

Tonymoly Co., Ltd.

Boscia

Hip Hop

Access Press Release of Pore Strips Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-pore-strips-market


San Francisco, 29 Dec 2021: The Report Shapewear Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End User (Male, Female), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Specialty Stores, Online), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

The global shapewear market size is anticipated to reach USD 3.7 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.0% from 2021 to 2028. The growth of this market is fueled by factors such as changing lifestyles, increased use of compression wear among the geriatric population, and developments in garment designs and fabric technology. Furthermore, the rise in online sales of compression wear and shapewear, as well as the rising demand for plus-size clothes, has fueled the growth of the market.

The market is also influenced by a variety of cultural factors. When it comes to the body, the concept of perfection is being replaced with the concept of self-love and comfort in one's own shape and size. The market has been influenced by this body-positivity philosophy.

Shapewear is not about hiding defects for millennials and Gen-Z shoppers; rather, it is seen as apparel that improves rather than alters one's appearance. As a result, Gen Z-focused manufacturers like Honeylove have gained a wider audience by avoiding the term "shapewear" and instead of offering "sculptwear" in a variety of sensual styles with flattering elements that women want to flaunt in public.

Most of these companies also have enormous communities - Shapermint, for example, has four million members  who are encouraged to share their photos using shapewear across various social media platforms. Skims' inclusive strategy, which includes varied ad campaigns and a wide assortment of items in all shapes and colors, has also made it popular with millennials. They have one of the broadest size ranges (XXS to 4X) and a wide selection of skin tones to accommodate people of all ethnicities.

Women nowadays expect work-life flexibility intimates that may keep their bodies in tip-top form and make them appear attractive. Many firms are examining this as a customer-centric strategy and expanding their product portfolios to include lighter, firmer, and more practical products for everyday use throughout the year.

Access Research Report of Shapewear Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/shapewear-market

Shapewear Market Report Highlights

The female segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 94.0% in 2020 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.9% over the forecast period

The specialty stores distribution channel accounted for the largest revenue share of 58.4% in 2020 and is estimated to ascend with a CAGR of 8.1% over the forecast period

North America accounted for the largest revenue share of 38.8% in 2020

List of Key Players of Shapewear Market

Nike, Inc.

Adidas AG

Spanx Inc.

Triumph International Corporation

Leonisa

Wacoal America, Inc.

Ann Chery

2XU Pty. Ltd.

Under Armour Inc.

Skins International Trading AG

Access Press Release of Shapewear Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-shapewear-market
According to a Trends Market research report titled Military Radar Market Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast by. The Research study on Military Radar Market is a crucial document for the industry players to understand competitive Military Radar Market scenario. The base year considered for Military Radar Market analysis is 2020. The report presents Military Radar Market industry chain structure, market overview, present industry statistics, market share & volume. All Military Radar Market industry is spanned across regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South America and Rest. Military Radar Market key players analysis, regional analysis, product insights, Military Radar Market types, and applications are elaborated.

This has brought along several changes in This report also covers the impact of COVID-19 on the global market.

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The report provides revenue forecasts for global, regional and country levels. It also provides comprehensive coverage on major industry drivers, restraints, and their impact on market growth during the forecast period. For the purpose of research, The Report has segmented global Military Radar Market on the basis of types, technology and region

he report also provides company market share analysis of the various industry participants. Acquisition is the main strategy being widely followed by leading market players. In case of an acquisition, the acquirer takes advantage of existing synergies. As a result, both companies are expected to emerge more profitable and stronger than before. Key players in the global military radar market have been profiled and their company overview, financial overview, business strategies and recent developments have been covered in the report. Major market participants profiled in this report include: Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, Raytheon Company, BAE System PLC, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Harris Corporation, Saab Sensis Corporation, Terma A/S, ASELSAN A.S., DRS Technologies Inc.

The global military radar market is segmented as below:

Global Military Radar Market: By Type

Ground based

Naval

Air borne

Space based

The Global Military Radar Market Research Report is a comprehensive and informative study on the current state of the Global Military Radar Market industry with emphasis on the global industry. The report presents key statistics on the market status of the global Military Radar Market manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.

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Regional Military Radar Market (Regional Output, Demand & Forecast by Countries):-

North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)

South America ( Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile)

Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, Korea)

Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy)

Middle East Africa (Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran) And More.

The research report studies the past, present, and future performance of the global market. The report further analyzes the present competitive scenario, prevalent business models, and the likely advancements in offerings by significant players in the coming years.

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 The report offers an analytical study on various global Military Radar Market industries to provide decisive data.

 The top market segment analysis and market drivers are explained in this report.

 A mix of primary and secondary research methodology provides authentic and reliable data.

 A separate section is dedicated for competitive scenario and market statistics.

 The clear and concise study on Military Radar Market dynamics, cost structures will yield useful results.

 Latest developments and trends in Military Radar Market are evaluated in this report.

This study offers past, present and forecasts information on Military Radar Market. The data is represented in form of tables, infographics, charts to provide an easier view.

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The Global Sulfosuccinate Market Report, in its latest update, highlights the significant impacts and the recent strategical changes under the present socio-economic scenario. The Sulfosuccinate industry growth avenues are deeply supported by exhaustive research by the top analysts of the industry. The report starts with the executive summary, followed by a value chain and marketing channels study. The report then estimates the CAGR and market revenue of the global and regional segments.

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Till: 2027

The report classifies the market into different segments based on type and product. These segments are studied in detail, incorporating the market estimates and forecasts at regional and country levels. The segment analysis is helpful in understanding the growth areas and potential opportunities of the market.

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A special section is dedicated to the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the Sulfosuccinate market. The impact is closely studied in terms of production, import, export, and supply.

The report covers the complete competitive landscape of the Worldwide Sulfosuccinate market with company profiles of key players such as:

Cytec Industries Inc.

Huntsman Corporation

The Dow Chemical Company

Stepan Company

MFG Chemical Inc.

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Sulfosuccinate Market Analysis by Application:

Dish Washing Liquids

Household Detergents & Cleaners

Industrial Cleaners

Personal Care Products

Pharmaceuticals

Others (Including Textiles, Petroleum Processing, Food Processing Agrochemicals, Etc.)

Sulfosuccinate Market Analysis by Geography:

North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico)

(USA, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)

(Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America)

(Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America) The Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa)

Key questions answered in the report:

What is the expected growth of the Sulfosuccinate market between 2022 to 2027?

Which application and type segment holds the maximum share in the Global Sulfosuccinate market?

Which regional Sulfosuccinate market shows the highest growth CAGR between 2022 to 2027?

What are the opportunities and challenges currently faced by the Sulfosuccinate market?

Who are the leading market players and what are their Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)?

What business strategies are the competitors considering to stay in the Sulfosuccinate market?

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BREA, Calif., Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solutions, leveragedA its audiovisual expertise for an event held by the TaiwanA -A Reyhanli Centre for World CitizensA in Turkey. By creating an outdoor theatre to play independent Taiwanese movies, the event fostered cultural exchange and learning. The TaiwanA -A Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens is located in Turkey's Hatay province, which shares a border with Syria. This region has seen significant inflows of displaced people over the last decade. Funded by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in cooperation with the Municipality of Reyhanli, the CentreA was established to provide education, training, and sociocultural exchange for Syrians and locals. It boasts ! 52 multip urpose rooms that serve a wide range of functions, including offices, classrooms, shops, coffee shops,A and artists' workshops. The event, which was entitled "Taiwan Films Illuminate the Border Between Turkey and Syria", sponsored by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, started at the Centre on November 13th for five consecutive weeks. The event showed a diverse selection of Taiwanese films three nights per week. Over the course of the event, audiences were transported to Taiwan to experience stories about the local indigenous culture, familial relationships, environmental conservation, and more. "We established the Centre to be a place of empowerment and educationA -A somewhere people could have opportunities to learn, to expand their understanding of the world, and to have fun while they do it," said Dr. Chen-Yu Chiu, Founding Director and Principal Architect of the TaiwanA -A Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens. "This event is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to get away from the daily grindA and learn about Taiwanese culture through filmA -A something they may not have had exposure to in the past. But more importantly, through these films exploring everything from youth to the environment, to family ties, there is a chance to reflect on some of the common themes that bind us all." The films from Taiwan were projected outdoors on a 3 x 6 meter screen. For this demanding task, ViewSonic provided its commercialA grade, high brightness LS850WU laser projectors, ensuring cinemaA grade projection in a semi-lit environment. Through this approach, the audiences were able to enjoy these films through rich visuals that truly bring Taiwanese culture to life. The projections allowed attendees to learn from and immerse themselves in another part of the world. "It's a pleasure to work with the TaiwanA -A Reyhanli Centre for World CitizensA to support this valuable cultural exchange initiative," said Dean Tsai, Dean Tsai, General Manager of Projector & LED Display Business Unit at ViewSonic. "We're committed to promoting education and helping people through our solutions. With the spirit of humane care, we are more than happy to assist Mr. Cho achieve his goals, help people get back to normal life, and inspire the world to see the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary." Mehmet Hacioglu, Mayor of Reyhanli, said, "The TaiwanA -A Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens has already become an important resource for providing skills and training, and we're excited now to be opening up opportunities for exposure to diverse art and culture. I look forward to the Centre providing more exciting cultural experiences like this in the future." About "Taiwan Films Illuminate the Border between Turkey and Syria" Location: Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens, Hatay Province, Turkey

Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens, Hatay Province, About the Films Hang in There, Kids!A Three village boys discover their teacher's musical audition tape, only to decide to take it to the city in hopes of finding someone to recognize her true talent. Official Selection of Taiwan for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film consideration. Nominated for 3 Golden Horse Awards (Best New Performer, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Song). Long Time No Sea A pair of new shoes, a cross-sea competition, and a tribesman of oceans interweave a story of a child's emotional courage in pursuit of dreams. Special Jury Prize, Seattle IFF; Best Young Actor, Minsk IFF; Best New Performer, Golden Horse Awards. To My Dear Granny A man looks back at his life by examining his relationship with his grandmother. Through this approach, the movie tells the story of how his grandmother supported his family and inspired people to treasure their own families. The Opening Film of the 2012 Golden Horse Film Festival. Nominated for 2 Golden Horse Awards (Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay). Black Bear Forest Dafen, the heart of Yushan National Park, is a place abundant in wildlife and indigenous culture. With the assistance of an indigenous hunter, a female ecologist started her journey searching for Formosan Black Bears in 1998. In the midst of this wilderness, they gradually developed a deep and sincere companionship. With deep research, the secret of the Taiwan Black Bear is revealed. Wawa No CidalA Panay worked in the city as a journalist. One day, she found her tribe had been overdeveloped and changed by tourism. They were losing their land and their culture, so she decided to return home to help. In this process, she found it's not only about the land, but also about who she really is. About the Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens Since 2016, Dr. Chen-Yu Chiu, Founding Director and Principal Architect of the Taiwan - Reyhanli Center for World Citizens, has worked voluntarily to establish a cooperative community that looks beyond one's nationality. It will allow every person to become better and more equal at Reyhanli.A The 52 unit space at the Taiwan - Reyhanli Center for World Citizens is planned to feature offices, classrooms, shops, cafes, art studios, showrooms, children play areas, and mosques. Also, a cultural and creative design center and a factory for promoting local traditional handicrafts will be constructed. It will create a series of unique products with border cultural elements to provide a source of income for Turkish citizens and Syrian refugees. About ViewSonic Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, digital signage, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 30 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visitA www.viewsonic.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1717144/Image_1_Scenario_Photo__Provided_by_Taiwan___Reyhanli_Centre.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1587181/Logo.jpg
The special investigation team of the Nagaland government is likely to start questioning the accused soldiers and record their statements from Thursday after getting a green signal from the army, according to sources. (Representational Image: PTI)

Kolkata: The Court of Inquiry team, constituted by the Indian Army to investigate the killings of at least 13 civilians in a botched up military operation in Nagaland earlier this month, visited the site at Oting village in Mon district of the North Eastern state on Wednesday

The inquiry team, headed by a Major General rank officer, inspected the site to understand the circumstances in which the incident could have happened, the Eastern Command stated.

It said, "The team also took along the witnesses for better understanding of the situation & how events would have unfolded. Subsequently, the team was also present at Tizit Police Station, Mon District between 1330 to 1500 hours on 29 December 2021 to meet the cross section of the society to obtain valuable information pertaining to the incident."

The state police had lodged an FIR against the army troopers including 21 Para (Special Forces) commandos. The special investigation team of the Nagaland government is likely to start questioning the accused soldiers and record their statements from Thursday after getting a green signal from the army, according to sources.

Earlier, Indian Army had requested twice, through public notices regarding any person having information, to directly share it, either by being present before the Inquiry Team at Tizit Police Station on above mentioned date and time or any input, photo or video related to the incident be shared with them via Phone, SMS or Whatsapp Messenger at +916033924571.

The information may also be shared in person to the Inquiry team at Dinjan military station in Assam. As per the Indian Army, the Court of Inquiry is progressing expeditiously and all efforts are being made to conclude it at the earliest.
65,299 religious places in AP were mapped and geo-tagged and 51,053 CCTV cameras installed in temples for continuous monitoring of the surroundings. (DC photo)

VIJAYAWADA: In a first-of-its-kind act, as many as 65,299 religious places in AP were mapped and geo-tagged and 51,053 CCTV cameras installed in temples for continuous monitoring of the surroundings.

Temple-related offences have decreased in the state in 2021, with 48 cases, compared to 145 in 2020. AP is the first and only state to use geo-tagging and mapping technology for safety and protection of religious places.

The opposition parties mainly Telugu Desam, BJP and Jana Sena staged numerous protests and agitations against the desecration of holy idols and attacks on temples in 2016. This was shortly after the YSRC government took charge.

The state BJP president Somu Veerraju conducted a Temples Yatra and the ruling YSR Congress countered the opposition parties by recalling the demolition of 40 odd Hindu temples in Vijayawada itself during the TD governments term  or during Krishna Pushakarams.

Faced with criticism, the YSRC government acted on a war footing and started reconstruction of demolished temples and initiated strict security measures through the AP Police department to ensure such actions did not repeat. This helped.

The YSRC government, in fact, suspected an Opposition plot to tarnish the image of the state government and create communal problems in AP.

The police department thereon conducted a survey of religious places in all the 13 districts and held meetings with the committees of various religious places vis-a-vis their security and protection. The police set up Grama Rakshana Dals (village defense squads) and Communal Harmony Committees to look after the safety and security of all religious places in coordination with the police department.

According to reports, the highest of temple offences -- 200 --were registered in 2016 followed by 152 in 2017, 126 in 2018, 171 in 2019 and 145 in 2020. The temples offences largely decreased to 33 per cent this year, with a recording of only 48 offences compared to 145 the past year.

Hindu religious activist D Srinivas said the decrease in temple-related offences is a good sign. But, apart from installing round-the-clock surveillance systems, such crimes continued to be committed. He urged the police to make security and surveillance mandatory for every small, medium and big religious place.

DGP Gautam Sawang said that as part of the temple protection steps taken by the AP police, officials have arrested 632 such criminals while 323 offences were detected. These included previous cases too. The department has carried out a security audit while CCTVs, fire-fighting equipment and generators were installed and watchmen appointed as part of the massive drill.

The DGP various departments took the initiative to form 18,895 communal harmony committees and Grama Rakshana Dals. Some 48 temple-related offences were reported in 2021, which included 13 idol desecrations/idol thefts and 35 ornament thefts.
Varanasi: The BJP will win more seats in western Uttar Pradesh compared to the last assembly polls, and the farmers' protest had no bearing on public sentiment in the region, Union minister Anurag Thakur has asserted.

Thakur, who is also the BJP's Uttar Pradesh election co-incharge, expressed confidence that the party will return to power in the state with more than 300 seats on the back of a positive public sentiment due to action against "gundaraj", "unprecedented" development and public welfare schemes under the Yogi Adityanath government.

"We brought the (farm) bills for the benefit of farmers. As (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji said maybe, due to some deficiency, we could not make the farmers understand. Even if the bills were repealed, it was done in national interest," he said when PTI asked if the withdrawal of the agri laws will benefit the BJP in western Uttar Pradesh.

"I had gone to Meerut and Saharanpur before the laws were repealed... The public sentiment was very positive then too," he said, adding that huge crowds can be seen in the BJP's rallies and there is a lot of enthusiasm.

Western Uttar Pradesh accounts for 76 seats in the 403-member UP Assembly. In 2017, the BJP had bagged 66 of the 76 seats in the region, while the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress won four, three and two seats, respectively.

The Farm Laws Repeal Act repealed the three farm laws which were passed by Parliament in September last year with an objective to bring reforms in the agriculture sector, especially marketing of farm produce.

The three farm laws against which farmers were protesting were the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Thakur said the Adityanath government ended "gundaraj and mafiaraj" in Uttar Pradesh while the previous government allegedly gave protection to goons.

"People fled Uttar Pradesh to due to rampant gundaraj and mafiaraj in the state during the tenure of the previous Samajwadi Party government and now they are returning seeing the work of the Adityanath dispensation," he said.

While the previous Samajwadi Party allegedly inflicted atrocities on women, no one can dare look at women in Uttar Pradesh with a bad intention under the Adityanath government, he said.

Responding to a question on the Congress' women-centric approach for its Uttar Pradesh election campaign, Thakur said the Sonia Gandhi-led party had joined hands with those who inflicted atrocities against women in the last assembly elections.

"Won't Priyanka Gandhi concede that the SP supported goons like Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari?" he said.

Women in Uttar Pradesh can now step out of their home even in the dark and businessmen have developed confidence due to the Adityanath government's action against "gundaraj and mafiaraj", he said.

"We will return to power with more than 300 seats due to a positive public sentiment... we brought development to every nook and corner of the state despite Covid-induced problems in the last two years," he told reporters.

On reports about resentment in the Brahmin community, Thakur said the BJP government in the Centre and the state works on the principle of "sabka saath sabka vikas".

He said, "4.5 lakh youths got employment in the government sector and three lakh got contractual jobs without any differentiation on the basis on caste".

"It is the biggest factor along with the improvement in the law and order situation that jobs were given in a transparent manner," the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting added.

"There are lakhs of people who got a 'pucca' house, power connection, benefit under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and free ration ... the poor evaluate the benefit of even a rupee," he said.

"Social welfare schemes and the improvement in the law and order situation are two other major factors which will bring the BJP back in power," he said.
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.
Scientists think that wild deer could gestate and generate a new COVID strain that can infect and with newer adaptations originating from zoonotic sources.

The threat of the Delta and Omicron is serious, though another mutant will not be a good development.Animals like bats and pangolins have alluded to sources of these coronaviruses.

Deer could give new deadly coronavirus strain

The wild white-tailed deer, the species on which Walt Disney inspired his most-loved animal Bambi, have been shown to bring at least three variants of the pathogen, reported the Daily Star.

A study done in Ohio, United States, has identified the herbivores as carriers for mutant strains yet to be found.

According to Andrew Bowman, from The Ohio State University, remarked the data from the research have verified these animals had contact with the virus. The infection and transmission of a pathogen can be done in a controlled lab experiment, according to Eureka Alert.

He added that if the infected deer out there gestate the virus, then a new source of mutant variants can come into contact with humans.

Three mutations were identified in a total number of 360 animals found in six places. Worries over the jumping of the pathogen from one animal and another; can make a mutant come into existence.

The deer's nasal swabs were collected from January and March 2021, before Delta ravaged the world, and that genotype was just not available. By coincidence, the strains from the animals were the same as patients sick with COVID-19. One idea is that the new COVID strain can survive and flourish in the wild deer and stay inside their bodies until it can infect.

Read Also: COVID-19 Antibodies Reduces the Immune Response Resulting to More Prolonged Symptoms in Long Haulers

Mr. Bowman suggests there is a danger for the coronavirus to exist in other animals that people can have contact with, cited Wales Online. It's unclear how the deer got contaminated or if they can transmit how the virus acts in their bodies to humans and other animals.

PCR tests showed that genetic material corresponding to three SARS-CoV-2 types was found in 1298 animals. The data checked revealed that B.1.2 pathogens were dominant in Ohio in the year's early part. Later the coronavirus variant got spread to three locations where the animals were plentiful.

He added the sequencing that shows people are transmitting it to the deer. Furthermore, it has been transferred to them multiple times. In this case, humans are the culprit.

One finding is that those deer populations got introduced to six virus variants. It isn't as if a specific population contracted it, and afterward, it spread. The frequency of infection is projected to range between 13.5 to 70% throughout the nine sites based on the findings.

Animals as carriers of more transmissible COVID-19 variants

If the animals become a reservoir, there would be two results, said the professor. One result is that the pathogen would evolve in the deer and infect other animals and people. Another is there is an evolution in the animals, but keep on changing humans if there is no immunity from a deer-based pathogen.

Also, the source is contaminated water in the environment, and the professor is working out how it works. The theory is that wild deer can be the source of a new COVID strain gestated in these mammals with unpredictable results.

Related Article: UCLA Researchers Find Evidence That T-Cells Added to COVID-19 Vaccines Could Deal With More Strains Like the Delta, Omicron

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Poland was furious at Germany for acting to enforce the general rule of the European Union on all member states. Warsaw, very displeased with the development of a Fourth Reich, said it was not right.

The issue of independence of the Polish Court in deference to the EU is a big issue that the Polish government would not let go of.

Poland accuses Germany

According to the top Polish party chief, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, some nations are not exactly looking forward to imposing the Fourth Reich in Germany using the EU.

Poles would never agree to allow subjugation in the modern-day, speaking of the European Commission and how it interferes, reported the Express UK.

Kaczynski mentions that the EU's Court of Justice is a tool to slowly bring into line and federate all blocs; under their one authority.

This most recent attack came after the Polish PM Mateusz Moraqiecki and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had aired grievances over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline; it piped-in natural gas from Russia to Germany, cited Financial Assets.

Scholz remarked that Berlin is adamant about keeping Ukraine as one of the key pipelines to keep gas flowing into Western Europe. The presence of Russian troops on the Ukraine border is causing political pressure on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Poland is furious at Germany also for allowing the pipeline to exist.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Threatened Placing Nuclear Missiles on the EU Border if the US and NATO will Continue its Provocation

This pipeline would be a direct conduit for gas supplies that will be going to Germany and bypass Ukraine altogether. It has not been approved due to delays in approval, and the US is demanding Germany shut it down if Kyiv is invaded.

Still, the new chancellor has disregarded Washington's demand and would not commit to its Atlantic ally. On his first trip to Warsaw as the new chancellor, he intends to keep the Ukrainian gas transit continue. He echoes what Angela Merkel, his predecessor wanted to do, noted the Straits Times.

The chancellor said that Germany would not let go of future opportunities. He added that Ukraine would develop green energy and all the production, with everything that comes from that.

Poland opposes operation of Nord Stream 2

Mr. Morawiecki argued that the Kremlin would fully take advantage of the pipeline and use it as leverage to pressure both Ukraine and the EU all in one go.

The Polish official was not reassured what scenarios could happen with the Nord Stream 2, saying that Vladimir Putin can choose to blackmail other Eastern European countries, speaking to Scholz about the Kremlin's options if the pipeline is open full blast.

Warsaw has told Brussels that it will still have its judicial independence for the rule of law and human rights. Funds from the EU Commission are held until the end of 2021, the tiff over independence is serious for them Poles.

Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commission Vice-President, said that approval would be at the year's later end, not finalized yet. He gave these statements in Brussels.

The EU fund has conditions attached to it, but the Polish PM said the EU is against Poland's constitution. But Poland was furious at Germany for pressuring to accept the EU laws that would encompass its different national constitution, but the discontent might lead to a Polexit.

Related Article: Is Polexit Looming After It Refused Interference From the European Union as Threat of Prosecution is Warned?

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A Republican and Democrat from Michigan called Capitol Hill an adversarial place where both parties are at each other's, with no attempt to reach a middle ground. Lamentable is the loss of bipartisan reach for issues that should be addressed.

Both Republican Fred Upton and Democrat Debbie Dingell think the toxic atmosphere should be improved to improve relations in Congress. They want to disagree diplomatically.

Republicans and Democrats think toxic atmosphere should be improved

The two were interviewed on CNN's State of the Union last Sunday, reported the Daily Mail. Upton said there is a metal detector on the house floor, and he even gets threats at home. Lower House politics is toxic and unlike anything before.

Dingell concurred and expressed the same views as the GOP member. She added that Americans should reflect on the dishonesty and hate spreading in the country, cited People.

The female Democrat said we should be concerned about our democracy to find a way to debate with people in a civilized and acceptable manner, which makes her very concerned.

Furthermore, she has many friends on the other side, and what we all need to do is recognize how much we have in common, appreciate each other, and approach each other with respect.

She told the host Dana Bash that a small act of kindness toward someone can make a huge difference in their day, week, or life. The Republicans and Democrats from Michigan say that is what's needed.

Read Also: Press Secretary Jen Psaki Says No Lockdowns Due to New Coronavirus Variant Despite Unlawful Vaccine Mandates Issued Before

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a centrist Democrat, was a recent illustration of the escalating animosity in Congress. He did not want to support President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion Build Back Better social spending and welfare package.

Members of his party erupted in rage, branding him a phony and condemning him for not doing everything best for his constituents in West Virginia.

Manchin gets attacked

Several celebrities, including actress Bette Midler, had struck at the Virginia senator when he called the people of West Virginia poor, unschooled, and strung out. But she ate her words with an apology, and she just saw red.

Other instances of Capitol Hill's 'toxicity' could be observed in the frequent spats between the far Republican Party members and very far Democratic Party lawmakers.

Boebert versus Omar

The most recent quarrel was between Representatives Lauren Boebert of Colorado, a Republican, and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a Democrat. Ms. Omar got mad at the GOP member after some anti-Islamic comments were directed at the Democrat, noted the Vox.

Boebert made a joke about a suicide bombing aimed at Omar; she wore a hijab and is Muslim.

The GOP House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy minority leader is said to pass over any penalties for the Colorado representative. She tried to make amends, by the democrat took it hard.

In 2021 there have been instances of people airing threats against lawmakers after the January 6 unrest, before ex-president Donald Trump stepped down after a lengthy protest over the 2020 election tally.

Members of Congress, a Republican and Democrat from Michigan, have expressed the need to lessen animosity between the two parties, especially with the vitriol amongst the same party.

Related Article: Biden's Junior Staff Says There Is Low Morale in the White House Creating a Very Toxic Working Environment

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North Korea is what Nazi Germany in the Second World War should contain, but that has not happened yet since the Korean War.

Concern over the less attention given to Pyongyang's leader Kim Jong-un is alarming. It gets worse as it continues arms programs that threaten the west.

President Joe Biden has been ignored and discounted due to the loss of Afghanistan, and the North Korean leader has rebuffed him.

Biden administration to deal with North Korea, other nations

Countries like Russia, China, and North Korea are developing arms, and military strength over the first term of the current US administration, reported the Express UK.

In late September, Pyongyang ballyhooed a new hypersonic missile, Hwasong-8, even as sanctions were in place. According to the KCNA, the new weapon system will enhance the self-defense of North Korea, cited Reuters.

Gordon Chang, Asian Affairs specialist made it clear that NoKor did not do it alone. Both Russia and China have assisted the North Koreans, enabling development speed. He added Moscow and Beijing have the interest to help develop the hermit kingdoms' arms.

While the US was not looking, Pyongyang is armed with better nukes and missiles than the previous generations. But for all the progress they've had in better arms, their populace is going to experience another terrible famine. If the famine that comes will be as great as the 1990s, no one knows.

US grave mistake

Hazel Smith, a professor from the University of London, has confirmed mass starvation and forced labor. She added instead of striving to improve the lives of North Koreans by engaging with foreigners, this leadership is seeking to suppress youngsters politically. It worsens by compelling them to perform more labor to account for the no longer available products, noted Tech Register UK.

Chang is uncertain how North Korea's internal problems will impact its approach towards the wider world. Next, if it will force the nation to close and ignore the west and the east, Pyongyang decides to make problems for others is left to be seen.

The Kim dictatorship of North Korea has been known to make crises should there be internal strife, it happens continuously.

Read Also: Kim Jong-un Watches Invincible Soldiers Show Their Unbeatable Combat Prowess; Exhibit Shows Troops Smashing, Breaking Blocks, Lying on Bed of Nails

North Korea appears calm on the outside, but inside, a lot is happening, and everyone is getting distracted. The UN sanctions are useless, and Washington cannot control the North Korean dictator. They have been skirting it all this time.

The trio of China, Russia, and North Korea are immune to the US and flaunt the sanctions with impunity. Chang said if the US had enacted the rules to limit, then this system would not be grossly violated. Failure of international systems is caused by democracies that make them deteriorate.

The Biden administration is doing what happened in the Munich Agreement of 1938, including the UK and France. Hitler was able to grab large parts of Czechoslovakia and render the treaty moot.

Like then, when signatory nations failed to stop the Third Reich earlier, which steamrolled Poland, Austria, the Munich treaty allowed these events to happen. Washington is turning away from North Korea, stocking up on arms that could come back and attack.

Related Article: Kim Jong Un Ignores Joe Biden's Offer To Restart Negotiations; Pyongyang Would Rather Talk to Seoul To Promote Peace

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One Christmas eve, a woman murders her fiance, killing him with a sword as one of the shocking deaths as the year ends.

The victim Harrison Stephen Foster, 34, was run through by Brittany Wilson with a sword that killed him instantly. A crackpot idea caused her to impale her husband to be. It has been terrible in 2021, which has been marked by depression due to the ongoing pandemic.

Fiance stabbed to death on Christmas eve

The cops apprehended Wilson after being arrested for the gruesome murder and held for a 1.5million bond reported by the Daily Star.

Observers were shocked and chilled to their veins was how the suspect grinned while police took her mugshot. It was not the face of someone losing her loved one, and the woman looked like a leering Cheshire cat remarkably unperturbed. Aside from the cold, creepy smile she had on her face, she was in the orange prison garb when the mugshot was taken.

According to reports, the police had gone to the suspect's home as directed by the dispatched, they investigated 'suspicious activity but had no idea how.

Cape Girardeau Police Department stated that when they arrived at the scene of the crime, they discovered that Foster was dead on the spot that Saturday.

The victim is identified as the suspect's live-in partner as well. A story run by the New York Post, shares other details of the violent crime. Her fiance is killed with a sword wielded by someone special.

Read Also: Husband Hacks Wife to Death Using Samurai Sword and Meat Cleaver

In full detail, the victim, Foster, 34, was found with several violent assaults with a sharp weapon at the time of his death. Punctures into his body were fatal, and the alleged killer was the one who called the police.

She admitted the murder weapon was a sword found outside the house, discarded after the brutal killing, noted CBS 42. The cops discovered the dead body at 11 pm after getting the call.

Wilson is accused of the murder in the first degree of Stephen Foster, armed with a sword that took his life. The bond will be no less than 1.5 million for bail. The high bond will not be met, and the suspect will remain in custody till the money is paid.

Suspect admits to taking drugs, committing crime

Other detail arose from the investigator's interrogation of the murder suspect, which was another add-on to her live-in partner's extremely violent sword killing.

She told the police how they had taken methamphetamines the day earlier and committed the crime after the drugs kicked in. Later the suspect said that her partner lived with more than one person in him in the past several months, noted the authorities.

In the Daily Mail, the suspect had a meme on Facebook last Christmas day about having a multidimensional experience with many, rambling about the love of Christ and its power perks and mentioning following him for salvation.

Foster and Wilson were supposed to tie the knot in April, but it's not happening anymore.

Related Article: Derange Teens Stab Man With Samurai Sword About 100 Times, Attempt to Decapitate Head While Rapping With Glee

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Thousands of Afghan children that were evacuated to the United States are still struggling to adjust to their new lives.

According to reports, over 200 of the 1,425 Afghan children that were evacuated have not reunited with their parents or relatives. They haven't also found sponsors that can take them in while they try to reunite with their loved ones.

Those that are interested to sponsor child refugees from Afghanistan go through a rigorous interview process and not everyone turns out to be qualified.

As such, over 200 children are still under the custody of the government. And this reportedly adds to the trauma that they experienced after they were forcefully evacuated from their families.

Afghan children mourning the death of their loved ones

Ferishta, who is taking care of her niece and nephew, detailed the tragedy that the minors injured. After they were separated from their parents, Mina and Faisal first ended up in Germany where they received treatments for their injuries at Landstuhl Germany and Walter Reed Medical Center.

Shortly after, they spent 20 days at a shelter in Virginia that specifically caters to unaccompanied minors. Their aunt Ferishta, who has been living in the United States got them out and they have been living together ever since.

But while Mina and Faisal are still struggling to adjust to their new lives, the siblings found out that their mom died in the recent attacks in Afghanistan. They are now forced to mourn her passing.

The siblings do not also have any idea where their dad is. And the fact that their names and birth dates are incorrect in all the official documents just made it more difficult for them to be reunited with their dad.

Read Also: Former Personal Security Official for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Arrested for Murdering US-Based Journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Afghan refugees pleads with Joe Biden, his administration

Ferishta is urging Joe Biden and his administration to prioritize the reunion between the refugees and their families back in Afghanistan. She acknowledged that her niece and nephew are still lucky to have a home and a relative, but hundreds of other children do not enjoy the same benefits.

"All those children who made it here without parents. I can feel them, every day that I am living with my niece and nephew, how much they are suffering," she said via CNN.

Two teenage boys named Ramin and Emal were also separated from their parents.

In August, they tried to flee Afghanistan with their respective families, but only the two of them managed to cross the border. They families are still in Kabul, and they couldn't help but worry about them every day, according to KCRA.

Even though Ramin gets to talk to his parents via video call, he still can't help but worry about them. He wants nothing more than to be reunited with his parents, but it's impossible to return to Afghanistan especially during this time.

Talibans are still taking over Afghanistan

The Talibans are still taking over the country and they have also been posing threats to the economy and livelihood of locals.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Taliban also dissolved Afghanistan's election commission because they don't think that there's any need for it, according to Al Jazeera.

Related Article: Afghanistan on the Brink of Humanitarian Catastrophe; Children Becoming Malnourished Due to Economic Issues

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Joe Biden recently received flak due to his relationship with the press.

At a press conference where he discussed his administration's response to COVID-19, Biden decided to pass the floor to Jeffrey Zients, the coronavirus response coordinator for the White House.

Biden just finished thanking the governors for all their help amid the pandemic, and he asked Zients if there are officials that want to ask questions.

But before the governors could ask Zients about the Biden administration's COVID-19 response, he first asked the press to leave the room.

According to reports, Biden has a complicated relationship with the press. And the POTUS has also been accused of avoiding them so that they can't ask him questions.

According to Fox News, the POTUS previously implied that he is not the one that decides whether he could answer questions during a press conference or not. Instead, it is his handlers that make the call.

Still, hundreds of people that saw the video of Biden and Zients slammed the duo.

Joe Biden receives criticisms

One of them said accused Zients of not being reliable when it comes to covid-related information. After all, he was the one that delivered a severe illness and death statement about COVID-19.

Another person thinks that Biden isn't allowed to answer questions during his press conferences because he can't read the teleprompter fast enough.

Others accused the Biden administration of not being transparent and for causing fear among Americans.

Some critics also reposted Kamala Harris' promise that the first thing that she and Biden would do is get COVID-19 under control. However, almost an entire year has passed but this hasn't happened.

Read Also: Joe Biden Calls Cable News' Incorrect COVID-19 Reporting 'Immoral,' 'Deadly,' Urges Them To Stop Spreading Lies

Joe Biden mocked following 'Let's go, Brandon' chide

Other Biden critics poked fun at the president after a man from Michigan made an offensive comment during their phone call on Christmas Day.

The man ended his call with the POTUS with the words, "Let's go, Brandon," and Biden and his wife, Jill were taken aback by it.

"Let's go, Brandon" first circulated in the news in October after a reporter misheard some people at the NASCAR race cheering for race car driver Brandon Brown. However, the people were chanting a curse words at Biden.

According to CNN, the words "Let's go, Brandon" is equivalent to cursing on television and the fact that it was directed at Biden just made things worse.

To add fuel to the fire, the man that uttered the offensive remark claimed that he had the right to make fun of the president because of his freedom of speech.

Jared Schmek supports Donald Trump

Following the controversial exchange, the man went on to Steve Bannon's podcast. During their conversation, the man revealed that he's a Donald Trump supporter.

He also donned a red cap with the words "Make America Great Again" during the interview. The words were used as Trump's tagline when he ran for president in 2016.

The man also insisted that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump even though he and the ex-POTUS do not have any proof to support their claims, according to the Daily Beast.

Related Article: Joe Biden Says He Will Run Against Donald Trump in the 2024 Election If Ex-POTUS Campaigns

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Some medical experts criticize the US government's decision to reduce the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period from ten to five days, claiming that it will cause greater confusion and panic among Americans.

Much to the dismay of some authorities, the new guidelines allow people to leave isolation without being tested to check if they are still infectious. The recommendation has sparked debate over how it was written and why it was revised now, in the midst of yet another wintertime rise in cases, this one mostly due to the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant.

US' new COVID-19 isolation period stirs confusion

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that the recommended isolation period for Americans who are infected with the coronavirus but have no symptoms had been slashed in half. Similarly, the CDC has reduced the amount of time that those who have come into close contact with an infected person must be quarantined, AP News reported.

The CDC has been pressed by the public and commercial sectors, notably the aviation industry, to limit the time spent in isolation and the possibility of severe staffing shortages as a result of the Omicron outbreak. Thousands of flights have been grounded in recent days as a result of the Omicron surge.

Per ABC News, the CDC decreased the recommended isolation period by half for Americans who are infected with the coronavirus but have no symptoms after taking action on Monday. Similarly, the CDC reduced the period of time persons who have had close contact with an infected person must quarantine.

The CDC has been pressured by the public and commercial sectors, especially the aviation industry, to limit the time spent in isolation and the possibility of severe staffing shortages resulting from the omicron outbreak. In a debacle blamed on Omicron, many flights have been canceled recently. The advice is in line with accumulating evidence that persons who have the virus are most contagious in the first few days, according to CDC authorities.

The CDC's guidelines have a scientific basis, according to Louis Mansky, head of the University of Minnesota's Institute for Molecular Virology. Although medical professionals noted that nearly all of the data predated Omicron, research, including a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine in August, backs that up.

The CDC released a report on a cluster of six omicron cases in a Nebraska household on Tuesday, finding that the median incubation period - the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms - was about three days, compared to the five days or more documented earlier in the pandemic. The six persons also got sick, but it was only a minor ailment. Other experts, on the other hand, questioned why the CDC standards enable persons to be released from isolation without being tested.

Businesses said Tuesday that new federal recommendations decreasing the necessary isolation periods for many infected Americans would help alleviate staffing shortages. Still, labor unions warned that the move could force some employees back to work too soon.

Representatives from various industries, including air travel, food, and retail, praised the new approach. The Omicron variant has ripped through already understaffed regions, forcing eateries to close temporarily and thousands of flights to be canceled, disrupting Christmas travel.

According to FlightAware, an aviation data provider, more than 1,000 flights "inside, into, or out of the United States" were canceled on Tuesday. However, the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents roughly 50,000 flight crew members, had maintained that employees should not be expected to return to work unless they were free of symptoms and had passed a drug test.

Read Also: Joe Biden, Anthony Fauci Claim COVID-19 Vaccine Will Let Americans Celebrate Holidays; President Urges Boosters Amid Omicron Surge

Shortened isolation will ease company staffing woes

The news was welcomed by Jon Hurst, president of the Massachusetts Retailers Association, especially in this state, where the vaccination rate is relatively high. The news came as a comfort to Ronn Garry, proprietor of Roxbury's Tropical Foods grocery shop. His employees are mainly vaccinated and mandated to wear masks at work, so the new policy "seems appropriate," he says, as per The Boston Globe.

Others, like Mitchell Fallon, communications and political director for the New England Joint Board UNITE HERE, a union that represents workers in the textile, garment, manufacturing, warehousing, laundry, human service, and hospitality industries, were surprised by the new CDC guidance, which he believes was influenced "in part due to pressure from major corporations."

Related Article: CDC Slashes Recommended COVID-19 Isolation, Quarantine Period To 5 Days for Coronavirus-Positive Americans

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United States President Joe Biden's administration has continued to struggle to assure the American public that he has the coronavirus pandemic under control after they planned to distribute at-home kits that delivered rapid test results.

The holiday season is remembered for the hours spent in long testing lines or fruitlessly looking for antigen tests on pharmacy shelves amid the Omicron variant surge. The most recent variant, which is also highly transmissible and has been compared to the Delta variant, has caused patchy testing among the public.

Biden's Federal Plan

The situation in the United States has caused people worldwide to compare the country to other developed nations that provide easy access to rapid tests of the coronavirus infection for free. In a virtual meeting held on Monday, President Biden told governors that his administration should have been more zealous to speed up the availability of rapid testing within the nation.

In his statements, the Democrat also pledged this month to distribute 500 million kits starting in January, which will come too late to assist during the holiday season coming this week. Biden said that what the federal government was doing was not enough. He said that if officials had had more information, they would have cracked down on the Omicron variant even harder, CNN reported.

In an interview just before Christmas, the U.S. president denied that the lack of at-home testing kits distributed to the American people was considered a "failure." However, the Democrat added that he considered the idea of ordering 500 million at-home tests "two months ago."

Read Also: US New COVID-19 Isolation, Quarantine Period Stirs Confusion, Doubt; Medical Experts' Concerns Linger

On Tuesday, Biden boasted about his "federal plan" that seeks to combat the coronavirus pandemic and the spreading Omicron variant. In a Twitter post, the Democrat said that his administration was supporting every governor in the United States who was working to fight against the coronavirus in their state.

In his social media post, Biden also mentioned that he rolled out a federal plan last week that would address and tackle the Omicron surge by adding more to vaccination and booster capacity, hospital equipment, staff, and many others, Fox News reported.

Pandemic Situation

But previously, Biden said that there was no "federal solution" against the pandemic, saying it was to be resolved at the "state level." "I'm looking at [New Hampshire] Gov. [Chris] Sununu on the board here. He talks about that a lot. And it ultimately gets down to where the rubber meets the road and that's where the patient is in need of help or preventing the need for help," said the U.S. president.

However, the Democrat has given the federal government a central role in coronavirus pandemic mitigation measures. Previously, the Education Department opened civil rights probes that analyzed several states after they banned school mask mandates.

The situation comes after Biden said on Monday that he supported the proposal to shorten COVID-19 quarantine requirements for people who have tested positive for the infection. He said that he was on board the change if U.S. health authorities agreed to recommend the idea, Reuters reported.



Related Article: Joe Biden Faces Criticisms After He Was Prevented from Talking to the Press About His COVID-19 Response

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The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that talks with Russia about Ukraine tensions and a variety of other topics will begin on January 10, in what American officials hope will be a gradual shift away from a possible military clash on Ukraine's eastern border and toward dialogue.

The news came after Russia announced that 10,000 combat and special forces personnel who were participating in drills were returning to their barracks. However, the move occurred far from Ukraine, and it was unclear whether it was part of the intense behind-the-scenes negotiations underway to persuade Russia to withdraw tens of thousands of troops from the border before genuine diplomacy can begin.

US, Russia to hold security, Ukraine talks

"Meaningful progress at the negotiation table, of course, will have to take place in the context of de-escalation, not escalation," Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's national security adviser, said last week at the Council on Foreign Relations.

According to the New York Times, the fear of a military invasion of Ukraine, however, is crucial leverage for Moscow; and Russian officials say the January 10 discussions should focus on their proposed "treaty," which demands that NATO never admit Ukraine to membership or station its forces or weapons in former Soviet states.

Some of these countries are already members of NATO. The National Security Council did not specify the location of the conference in a statement, but Geneva is the most likely location as it has hosted prior rounds of nuclear weapons discussions.

It also didn't disclose who would be in charge of the delegation. Wendy Sherman, the deputy secretary of state, and Sergei Ryabkov, her Russian counterpart, have led the nuclear discussions. Biden's "policy on Ukraine has been clear and consistent: unite the alliance behind two tracks, deterrence, and diplomacy," according to the National Security Council.

In January, US and Russian officials will meet for a two-party "strategic security conversation," just before a pair of larger sessions with European allies keen to prevent a wider confrontation between Russia and Ukraine as the Kremlin wants a contraction of the transatlantic alliance.

Per Washington Examiner, that meeting on January 10 could signal a reduction in the geopolitical pressure that has been building in recent months as Russian forces have gathered around Ukraine's borders. It also puts European officials in the position of waiting for an update on the outcome of a meeting that could have an impact on their security - albeit one that will be followed by a NATO-Russia council meeting on January 12 and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's assembly on January 13.

President Joe Biden's team committed on December 17 that they would not debate "European security without Europeans in the room," as a senior administration official described it, and the format of the meetings is symbolic for all parties.

Read Also: China Continues Exploiting US Universities To Support Beijing's Military Modernization, Recent Spy Case Reveals

Russia will firmly protect national interests

On Tuesday, December 28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that during the January security talks with the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO), they will resolutely protect their national interests. According to Russian state-owned Sputnik, Lavrov also stressed that they will "effectively" work towards their goals and will not make any unilateral compromises without considering the balance of interests.

He said this during the first meeting of the United Russia party's panel on international cooperation and support for compatriots abroad. On January 10, the US and Russia will hold long-awaited discussions on arms control and the situation in Ukraine.

He said this during the inaugural meeting of the United Russia party's panel on international cooperation and support for countrymen abroad. The United States and Russia will undertake much-anticipated talks on weapons control and the situation in Ukraine on January 10, as per Republic World.

Related Article: Russia's Vladimir Putin, India PM Narendra Modi Hold Phone Conversation; What Is Russian President Planning?

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Massive flooding in Brazil left a total of 116 cities in the country's northeastern region in the state of Bahia in a state of emergency on Tuesday after heavy rains that have battered the nation since the end of November.

In at least five other states in the country's north and southeast, cities have also been flooded in recent days. Flooding in Bahia has affected more than 400,000 residents and water has ravaged homes and businesses in at least 50 cities. People were forced to abandon their homes and belongings.

Massive Flooding

The state government released official data that showed 31,500 residents have been robbed of their homes while 31,000 others have been displaced by the flooding. Since the beginning of the month, authorities reported that the recent incidents have also killed at least 20 people and injured 358 others.

The flooding that residents are currently struggling with is brought by what officials consider to be the heaviest period of rainfall in Bahia in the last 32 years, based on the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters' website. Bahia experienced five times the normal amount of rain it usually experiences this time of the year, the Associated Press reported.

On Tuesday, Bahia State Gov. Rui Costa said that the infrastructure damage caused by the flooding was "enormous." The official's statement came as images of the affected areas showed residents trying to salvage their belongings from their homes that have been ravaged by the floods.

Read Also: US New COVID-19 Isolation, Quarantine Period Stirs Confusion, Doubt; Medical Experts' Concerns Linger

Costa also warned the country's people of a "perfect storm" caused by the catastrophic effects of the flooding amid the coronavirus pandemic that has lasted for two years. He added that the federal government was struggling against a natural disaster and two pandemics at the same time, citing the coronavirus and the flu virus.

The state governor said that critical COVID-19 medicines and vaccines have been destroyed after flooding ravaged cities and municipalities, including Jucurucu and Itororo. Costa added that in some places, 100% of all medicines and vaccines were lost after water completely flooded the municipal health secretariats and their medicine depots, CNN reported.

Thousands Displaced

Costa said that while the country has previously experienced other floods and other disasters that have killed people, there was never anything with such territorial extension as the recent incidents. The official said that flooding has hit a large number of cities and impacted thousands of residents at the same time.

Rescue teams searched areas by boats and helicopters in an attempt to gain entry to various parts of Ilheus, Itabuna, Irece, and a hundred other cities in the country. In support of the efforts, neighboring states deployed aircraft and firefighters to assist police and members of the armed forces. Additionally, volunteers distributed donated food, mattresses, and blankets for the poorest communities that have been affected by the flooding.

Over the Christmas holiday weekend, the situation grew even direr after heavy rainfall caused two dams to collapse. The first one was located in Vitoria da Conquista, which is in the southern part of the state, and broke on Saturday night. The second, which collapsed on Sunday morning, was located 125 miles north, in Jussiape, the New York Times reported.



Related Article: New York To Install Crosswalk Signals for Blind Pedestrians After City Violated Laws Protecting PWDs

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The stimulus check-filled year of 2021 is coming to an end, with only four days left; the entire picture along these lines shifts dramatically.

In 2022, there will no longer be any monthly Child Tax Credit payments. However, individuals will be able to claim a stimulus-related tax break as early as next month when they file their federal tax return. In that regard, the IRS is preparing a large mailing of letters that you'll need to employ.

$1,400 stimulus check deadline looms

In addition, the IRS is rushing to complete the final mailing of a certain type of stimulus check. A plus-up payment is what it's called, and the remaining ones will be sent out before the end of the week.

Per BGR, eligible taxpayers can receive up to $1,400 through this program. It is even better because they don't have to go out of their way to receive it. The IRS is automatically determining people's eligibility and issuing checks.

These are "supplemental payments for taxpayers who received payments based on their 2019 tax returns but are qualified for a new or bigger payment based on their newly submitted 2020 tax returns," according to the IRS. Importantly, the IRS must get these payments out the door by December 31. If you're awaiting a payment, you may also check the status of it here.

The IRS will explain everything in a letter called Letter 6475 that will be sent out soon. Keep that letter because you'll want to double-check the information on it against the information on your next federal tax return.

Those who received a stimulus check the prior year will receive plus-up payments in 2019, according to their 2019 tax returns or Social Security Administration information. According to IRS.gov, you will make less money in 2020 than you did in 2019.

Apart from that, the IRS has stated that non-filers will be obliged to submit a 2020 tax return and claim all of their qualifying dependents. Individuals earning $72,000 or less per year are eligible to file under their Free File Program, according to The East County Gazette.

To be considered for the said program, you must file your 2020 tax return, which the IRS will process and credit the additional stimulus to any eligible dependents. The project must be completed by December 31, 2021.

Read Also: $50,328 Social Security Income in 2022? Here's All You Need To Know

What does it take to get a $1,400 stimulus check next year?

New parents may have lost out on dependent stimulus checks in 2021, but they will be eligible for the $1,400 stimulus checks and the enhanced Child Tax Credit payment in the coming year. The American Rescue Plan provided compensation to parents for dependents which amounted to $1,400 per child.

When the American Rescue Plan was adopted, however, some couples had not yet welcomed their newborn. Eligible families must file their 2021 tax returns the following year. Once the tax return is filed, they will receive their stimulus payment.

Those parents will be able to claim their new dependent when filing their taxes in 2021. It's worth noting that there's no limit to the number of additional dependents that may be claimed so parents who have more than one child will be eligible for several payments. In 2020, there were over 3.6 million births, and the figure is likely to be similar this year, as per The Sun.

Related Article: $8,000 Stimulus Check in 2022: Answers You Want To Know About The New Payments

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The Westchester County district attorney ruled Tuesday that former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is not responsible for the allegation of unwanted kisses on a female state trooper and a random woman while he was in office.

Cuomo's announcement comes less than a week after acting Nassau District Attorney Joyce Smith stated allegations that Cuomo ran his hands across a trooper's belly at Long Island's Belmont Park in 2019 were "not criminal under New York law."

Cuomo won't be charged in 2 sexual harassment cases

During the summer of 2019, the unidentified trooper, who was serving as one of Cuomo's bodyguards, allegedly assaulted Cuomo outside the Mount Kisco home he shared with then-girlfriend and TV chef Sandra Lee, as per NY Post.

Cuomo allegedly asked if he could kiss her when the trooper approached him in the driveway and asked if he needed anything. According to Rocah's account, the trooper claimed "she was concerned about the repercussions of declining the Governor's request and so she responded: "sure," following which Cuomo kissed her on the cheek.

Susan Iannucci, a Westchester resident, held a press conference with Gloria Allred, a well-known women's rights lawyer, in August after Cuomo included a photo of himself kissing her in a slideshow of similar photos to try to refute the sexual misconduct charges that prompted him to quit. According to ABC7, the following is a list of the allegations:

When Cuomo was Governor and Trooper 1 was a member of his detail and on duty at his residence in Mount Kisco, she asked the Governor if he needed anything, and he reacted by asking her if he may kiss her, according to the Attorney General's Report.

Read Also: New York Son Shoots Mother in Head, Father in the Back on Christmas Day at Long Island Mansion

Former NY governor under investigation by two other county district attorneys

She also indicated that she was concerned about the consequences of denying the Governor's request so she said "sure." The Governor then kissed her on the cheek and "said something to the effect of, 'oh, I'm not supposed to do that' or 'unless that's against the rules," according to the Attorney General's report.

Cuomo grabbed her arm, pulled her toward him, and kissed her on the cheek without asking permission while the two were at a White Plains High School event, according to a second woman who has claimed (publicly and to investigators) that he grabbed her arm, pulled her toward him, and kissed her on the cheek without asking permission.

Per NBC News, Cuomo has denied sexually touching anyone, but he has admitted that he may have acted in ways that made individuals uncomfortable. Rich Azzopardi, Cuomo's spokesman, did not immediately answer a request for comment on Rocah's decision on Tuesday. Cuomo, who resigned in the wake of the attorney general's report, was abused, according to Azzopardi, who claimed after Smith's announcement last week that the determination was more proof.

The former New York governor is currently being investigated by two other county district attorneys and has been charged with misdemeanor forceful touching in Albany County, despite the fact that he faces no additional allegations in Nassau County.

An administrative assistant claims Cuomo molested her when she was working at the Executive Mansion in Albany. The charges have been refuted by Cuomo. Rita Glavin, Cuomo's lawyer, has stated that he "never assaulted anyone" and that his case should be dismissed.

Related Article: Andrew Cuomo Drags Joe Biden In His Testimony Released By New York Attorney General Letitia James

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Donald Trump's request to shield some documents from his time at the White House has been approved. However, none of them has to do with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

According to reports, the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot reached an agreement with the White House not to release certain documents as long as they don't have any bearing on their investigations.

The House select committee and the White House agree that releasing certain documents could be troublesome because they could start a precedent for the executive branch regardless of who is the POTUS.

There are also fears that if the documents are released, they could cause national security and safety issues because they contain classified information.

However, the White House and the investigating committee stressed that other documents that have a direct impact to their investigation cannot be withheld.

"The documents for which the Select Committee has agreed to withdraw or defer its request do not appear to bear on the White House's preparations for or response to the events of January 6, or on efforts to overturn the election or otherwise obstruct the peaceful transfer of power," White House deputy counsel Jonathan Su said via the Huffington Post.

Read Also: Donald Trump Announces New Conference on Jan. 6 To Coincide With the Capitol Riot; Ex-POTUS Insists 2020 Election Was Rigged

Donald Trump wanted Capitol riot-related documents to be withheld

Before they reached an agreement, Trump requested for some of his White House documents to be withheld from the committee. These documents included his presidential diaries, visitor logs, speech drafts, and handwritten notes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

The ex-POTUS also tried to block files of his former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, as well as a draft Executive Order on election integrity.

However, it is important to note that these documents could still be released because they have a direct link to the Capitol riot.

Joe Biden also denied Trump's request to shield his presidential records by saying that it's not in the best interest of Americans to do so.

Rep. Bennie Thompson expressed security, executive privilege concerns

According to the Seattle Times, aides to Rep. Bennie Thompson previously agreed to withdraw a request for about 50 documents after Biden's staff flagged them for national security and executive privilege concerns.

For weeks, White House counsel Dana Remus also negotiated with the House committee to set aside requests for the 511 documents her staff deemed sensitive and unrelated to the probe to not be included in the investigation.

Trump and his supporters are also being investigated regarding their involvement in the insurrection.

Proud Boys leaders could face 20 years in prison

According to CNN, a federal judge ruled for the conspiracy case against four Proud Boys leaders involved in the Capitol riot to move forward.

Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Charles Donohoe, and Zachary Rehl are facing felony obstruction charges, among many others to which they have pleaded not guilty.

The judge didn't also agree with the defendants' claim that the riot could have been a protected First Amendment demonstration.

According to the judge, the four Proud Boys leaders have other avenues to express their opinions on the 2020 election results other than attending the Capitol riot.

Related Article: Donald Trump's Turberry, International Scotland Resorts Received $3.7 Million in Furlough Support After 237 Jobs Were Cut

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio are joining forces in trying to prevent the spread of omicron cases among students in public schools.

According to reports, there has been a massive increase in COVID-19 cases among students in the past three weeks. And this has caused an alarm not only to parents but also to school officials.

Students exposed to COVID-19 can still return to school

To prevent the further spread of the deadly virus, Hochul and de Blasio are putting three new measures in place that all public schools need to adhere to.

At-home testing kits will be distributed to a classroom where at least one student tests positive for COVID-19. All students can return to school the next day as long as their test results come back negative and they do not show any symptoms.

The same students exposed to a covid-positive classmate need to take two-at-home tests over the course of seven days.

"This guarantees more consistency in their education. It guarantees fewer disruptions. And it works because here's the fact we now know: 98% of close contacts don't turn into positive cases themselves. We have a lot of evidence now that tells us this is going to be the approach that works in the future," de Blasio said via NBC New York.

Omicron affects more children than adults in New York

Hochul also acknowledged that the latest covid wave affects children more than adults compared to other variants. But even if this is the case, she urged locals not to worry too much.

Reports also revealed that New York is one of the first states to impose a vaccine mandate for Department of Education staff. As of Tuesday, 96 percent of all employees have already been fully vaccinated.

Read Also: New York City Department of Correction in Crisis Due to Surge in COVID-19 Cases; Less Than 50% of Inmates Are Vaccinated

Bill de Blasio announces new goal for public schools

Health Commissioner Dr. David Chokshi showed his support to de Blasio's new goal for schools to stay safe and to stay open by saying that this could help quickly identify the actual cases and ensure that they are isolated.

Chokshi said that only one in 120 close contacts in public school settings developed COVID-19, which is just 0.83 percent.

Even though COVID-19 rates in schools can increase due to omicron, they estimate that 98 percent of close contacts do not develop COVID-19, according to ABC 7 NY.

COVID-19 hospitalizations among children dubbed as alarming

According to the NY Daily News, coronavirus hospitalizations among children are exploding in New York.

Over the last two weeks, the rate of pediatric hospitalizations in the city ballooned by nearly 400 percent. Confirmed COVID-19 cases also jumped from 22 to 109.

While at a press conference earlier this week, Dr. Mary Bassett said that pediatricians should be careful when it comes to diagnosing children with COVID-19.

Bassett also wants to destroy the public's misconception that children cannot get COVID-19 because they can. An alarming rate of children who test positive for COVID-19 in hospitals.

The majority of the positive children for COVID-19 are aged 11 and below because they are unvaccinated.

Related Article: New York To Install Crosswalk Signals for Blind Pedestrians After City Violated Laws Protecting PWDs

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Many social media users are posting claims that CNN host Anderson Cooper said he supported denying unvaccinated individuals from receiving social security benefits during an interview with Microsoft CEO and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates in August.

The claim, which has been found to be false, is a misrepresentation of the host's discussions with Gates during their Aug. 4 meeting. One Twitter post argued that Cooper wanted to keep social security benefits from people who have not yet been vaccinated against the coronavirus infection.

Social Security Benefit for Unvaccinated People

Another user who posted on Facebook said that Cooper and Gates agreed that the American government should prevent people from getting social security benefits if they did not choose to get vaccinated. They also asked others whether or not they thought that the decision was a little bit extreme.

Some social media posts included clips of the Aug. 4 interview on the CNN host's "Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees." During that specific episode of the show, Gates talked about his divorce with Melinda Gates, his experiences with the coronavirus pandemic, and his relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Reuters reported.

But in contrast to the claims, Cooper never actually said he was supportive of denying unvaccinated people from receiving social security benefits. He merely asked Gates whether or not the Microsoft CEO agreed to impose such mandates to encourage individuals to get inoculated against the coronavirus.

Read Also: US New COVID-19 Isolation, Quarantine Period Stirs Confusion, Doubt; Medical Experts' Concerns Linger

"Do you think the federal government or state governments, or the very least federal government should mandate, if you want to get on an airplane, you have to be vaccinated; if you want to get Social Security, you need to be vaccinated; if you want to get whatever benefits they give, you need to be vaccinated for", asked Cooper during the Aug. 4 show with Gates, Nicki Swift reported.

Support for the Mandates

While he did not specifically say that he supported the mandates and simply posed the questions to Gates, a viral video clip was posted on Twitter on Dec. 24. Many of the responses were quite divisive, with some praising the CNN host for his alleged stance against anti-vaxxers while others criticized him for being a monster.

The claim comes as many Americans are still refusing to get vaccinated against the coronavirus infection despite the rapid surge of cases related to the new Omicron variant. In Ohio, many hospitals are running low on available beds and staff recently had to take out a full-page newspaper advertisement to request help from unvaccinated people to get the coronavirus vaccines.

Health experts revealed that about 15% of the adult population in the United States has yet to receive their first coronavirus vaccine shot. They argued that they are the ones who are at the greatest risk of severe illness and even death from the Omicron variant. The possible surge of patients could overwhelm hospitals that are already filled with coronavirus patients.

A hospital unit at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, where the Omicron variant is rapidly spreading, is already completely full of coronavirus patients. The problem is made worse by data that showed the number of first-time vaccinations appears to be flat-lining this month, the New York Times reported.



Related Article: Joe Biden Faces Criticisms After He Was Prevented from Talking to the Press About His COVID-19 Response

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Military men started a deadly attack on civilians on Christmas Eve, and two of the 30 casualties were confirmed to be Save the Children staff members.

According to reports, the two men that died are new fathers. The organization also pleads for justice for the staff workers and their families.

"With profound sadness, we confirm two of our staff are among the burnt bodies found in Myanmar after an attack by the military on Xmas Eve. Both new fathers working on education for children. The UN Security Council must convene & take action to hold those responsible to account," the organization said in a statement via CNN.

Victims bodies were burned after they were killed

Save the Children revealed that some military members forced people to get out of their cars before arresting them, and others were killed and their bodies burnt. The 30 individuals killed included a mix of women, men, and children.

Reports confirmed that the victims of the attack were discovered close to Hpruso Township in Kayah state and all their bodies are charred. The soldiers reportedly fired on and killed an unspecified number of terrorists with weapons from forces fighting the military government.

Read Also: Sudanese PM Abdalla Hamdok, Leaders of Military Coup Agree on Importance of Democratic Transition After Months of Conflict

Statements released denouncing the attacks on innocent individuals

Martin Griffiths, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, confirmed the reports. He also said he's condemning the grievous incident and all other attacks targeting civilians because they are prohibited by law.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also released a statement condemning the attack. He said that the targeting and killing of innocent people and humanitarian actors are unacceptable. He also said that the United States would continue to press to restore the country's path to peace and democracy.

Inger Ashing, chief executive of International Humanitarian Law, said that the senseless attack is intolerable. Ashing also said that what happened to the 30 victims is not an isolated case because Myanmar residents continue to be targeted, according to ABC News.

Myanmar in turmoil since the military takeover

According to Al Jazeera, Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military took over and overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The latter is also facing multiple charges, including breaking COVID-19 rules and could be sent to prison.

Kyi has denied all the charges against her, but she was still sent to prison and is facing two years behind bars. On top of this, Kyi could also face ten other charges that could leave her in jail for the rest of her life.

Prior to her sentencing, Kyi was kept in an undisclosed location. Her supporters rallied against the military by saying that Kyi was treated unfairly due to her political affiliations.

At the time, Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed the United Nations for making one-sided judgments regarding their decision to detain Kyi, according to Reuters. Since the military takeover in February, mass protests have also been held across Myanmar, and the majority of them support Kyi.

Related Article: Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Aung San Suu Kyi Faces Multiple Charges Including Incitement, Breaking COVID-19 Rules, Could be Imprisoned

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The free and popular password manager LastPass might be compromised. Its members reported multiple attempted logins by malicious actors who used the correct LastPass master password.

Members are advised to enable two-factor authentication to secure their accounts.

LastPass is popularly known as a reliable password manager and web browser extension. Its service also extends to smartphones via an app. Unfortunately, its good reputation is now being tested after members reported concerning issues about its interface.

LastPass Master Password: Hack Reports

One LastPass user asked in Hacker News if their account was already compromised. The user said "LastPass blocked a login attempt from Brazil (it wasn't me). According to an email I received from LastPass, this login was using the LastPass account's master password. The email doesn't look like it's a phishing attempt."

Many in the thread's comment section shared the sentiment. Notably, a majority of reports come from users with outdated LastPass accounts. These members grew concern that LastPass might already be compromised and a few passwords have leaked out.

Read Also: Microchip Brain Implant Helps Paralyzed Man Tweet With Just His Mind!

Is LastPass Hacked: Representatives Say No

When asked for a comment, LastPass spokesperson Meghan Larson told Apple Insider that the company was not breached. Instead, cybercriminals are utilizing a strategy called "credential stuffing" where they attempt to access user account using information from third-party breaches.

The sentiment implies the cyberattacks that happened earlier this year. Some events to note are:

Any user who has fallen victim to these attacks might have their accounts and passwords exposed during the breach. Cybercriminals are reportedly using this information to hack into their accounts, which LastPass promptly detected.

Notably, LastPass did a good job of blocking these suspicious logins. However, it is undetermined how many users are affected by this type of issue.

Meghan told How-To Geek that "it's important to note that we do not have any indication that accounts were successfully accessed or that the LastPass service was otherwise compromised by an unauthorized party." The situation is still progressing, and the company is still investigating whether or not a breach happened in their system.

How to Secure LastPass Master Password

Regardless, the issue cause an alarm to many users. To avoid falling victim to these attacks, users are recommended to secure their accounts as soon as possible. They can do this by following the steps provided below:

Enable two-factor authentication: This ensures that only the user with the smartphone can access the account.

Change account passwords regularly: It should be emphasized that users should never share the same password for different accounts or different websites.

Strengthen account passwords: Users are advised to make a strong password by taking advantage of numbers, special characters, uppercase and lowercase letters in the code.



Related Article: Telegram Malware Steals Crypto Wallets, Other Credentials: Warning Signs of Elcheron Malware, How to Avoid
Due to bad weather conditions and the rise of the Omicron variant, several airline flight cancellations and delays have affected numerous passengers. Fortunately, there are two simple ways to track canceled flights.

Flight Cancellation Ramps Up Due to Bad Weather Condition and Omicron Variant

Numerous flight cancellations have extended into the week leading up to New Year, as severe weather and a rise in coronavirus infections made a huge impact on air travel over the holiday weekend.

To put it into context, FlightAware reported that about 2,700 flights have been canceled throughout the world on Tuesday, following more than 3,200 on Monday.

Meanwhile, according to CNN, nearly 6,000 flights were canceled worldwide throughout the Christmas holiday, which ran from Friday to Sunday.

The total number of flights canceled since Christmas eve currently counts at almost 12,000 flights.

Apart from the bad weather, several airlines also blamed staffing shortages for this matter since the widespread COVID-19 Omicron variant either infects workers or limits their capacity to work due to the required isolation after exposure.

For those who do not know, the week between Christmas and New Year is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

In relation to this, United Airline canceled 129 flights on Tuesday, or around six percent of its total planned flights, per FlightAware.

A United Airlines spokesperson stated that the nationwide increase in Omicron cases had a direct impact on their flight crews and those in charge of their operations.

"As a result, we've unfortunately had to cancel some flights and are notifying impacted customers in advance of them coming to the airport. We're sorry for the disruption and are working hard to rebook as many people as possible and get them on their way during the holidays," the spokesperson furthered through Cnet.

During the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak, families have changed their Christmas gathering plans and those who persisted in their arrangements over the weekend presumably struggled to get to their locations.

Surprisingly, The New York Times coronavirus tracker detected over 189,000 new COVID-19 infections in the US on Sunday alone.

Read Also: Alexa Penny Challenge Disaster: Digital Assistant Offers Dangerous Idea to 10-Year-Old, Amazon Takes Action

How to Track Airline Flight Cancellations Amid COVID-19 Omicron Surge?

On FlighAware's webpage, curious airline passengers will have three options to monitor a flight such as by airline, origin airport or destination airport.

As of writing, it has recorded 1,221 flight delays today with 173 total delays within, into, or out of the United States.

With regards to flights canceled, there are 1,867 recorded postponements and 601 total cancellations within, into or out of the United States.

Keep in mind that this number increases every second that a page was refreshed.

To further explain, FlightAware is a digital aviation firm that claims to run the largest aircraft tracking and data platform in the world.

With the worldwide connection to every area of aviation, FlightAware delivers global flight monitoring systems, predictive technologies, analytics and decision-making tools to over 10,000 aircraft operators and service providers, as well as over 13,000,000 passengers.

Technically, FlightAware gathers information from over 45 nations' air traffic control systems. The HyperFeed engine from FlightAware combines hundreds of real-time, worldwide data sources with FlightAware's own AI models and algorithms in a seamless manner.

The world's most complete flight tracking and digital aviation data platform are created by combining this data with FlightAware's powerful, and reliable web-based interfaces and APIs.

Aside from FlightAware, FlightView can also track any airline flight cancellation. To access it, head to this site.

Related Article: Are You Involuntarily Bumped From Your Flight? You Might Be Entitled to a Compensation




A court on Wednesday dismissed an injunction request against "Snowdrop," a TV series that has come under fire for allegedly distorting modern pro-democracy history, allowing the controversial show to air as scheduled.







Set against the background of the country's pro-democracy movement in the late 1980s, the show by JTBC has drawn controversy over its depiction of a fictional romance between a South Korean university student and a North Korean spy. A civic group recently filed the injunction over the program's supposed distortion of history perspective.







The Seoul Western District Court ruled the show is not likely to mislead viewers about the country's history of the pro-democracy movement, rejecting the injunction request.







"Even if 'Snowdrop' is based on a distorted historical viewpoint as claimed by the complaint, it is difficult to believe that viewers will blindly accept it," the court said.







The court also ruled that the civic group is not entitled to seek an injunction on behalf of the general public. Five episodes of the total 16-episode series starring Jung Hae-in and Jisoo of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK have been aired so far. (Yonhap)










By Lee Gyu-lee







Actors Lee Je-hoon and Koo Kyo-hwan will be co-starring in the new action film, "Escape."







The film's distributor, Megabox Plus M, announced Tuesday that the actors have confirmed their lead roles in the upcoming movie.







Directed by Lee Jong-pil, whose previous work includes, "Samjin Company English Class" (2020) and "The Sound of a Flower" (2015), the film follows a heated chase between a North Korean soldier and an officer of the Ministry of State Security.







Lee Je-hoon will play the soldier, Lim Gyu-nam, who tries to escape the country to defect to South Korea, dreaming of a new life. Koo will play the officer, Lee Hyun-sang, who attempts to stop Lim.







The film will begin shooting in the first half of next year, the distributor says.







Lee Je-hoon debuted in the short film, "They Live By Night," in 2007 and has been taking on various roles in films and TV series, including in the dystopian thriller film, "Time to Hunt," and the hit SBS action series, "Taxi Driver."







Actor Lee recently made his directorial debut as well, with the anthology film "Unframed," co-directed with three other actors  Park Jung-min, Son Suk-ku and Choi Hee-seo.







Koo debuted with a minor role in the 2009 film, "Castaway on the Moon." He became familiar to the public after landing a supporting role in Director Yeon Sang-ho's zombie apocalypse film, "Peninsula," in 2020. He has been playing lead roles since, such as in the Netflix series, "D.P.," and in the action film, "Escape from Mogadishu."


KB Securities headquarters in Seoul, left, and the logo of Morgan Stanley / Courtesy of each company



By Anna J. Park



As the local capital market is getting hyped up surrounding LG Energy Solution's impending initial public offering (IPO)  which will be the country's all-time biggest IPO in terms of a company's initial market value  now the attention is focused on which brokerage house will reap the most profit from handling the mega IPO, worth 70 trillion won ($59 billion).



As the LG Group battery affiliate was hoping to raise 12 trillion won through the scheduled IPO, local securities firms and global investment banks have been drooling over the prospects of taking the position of lead manager for the company's IPO, because of its accompanying massive underwriting fee.



Early this year, KB Securities and Morgan Stanley were jointly tapped to lead the process as co-lead underwriters, to the dismay of other major securities firms, including traditional IPO powerhouses NH Investment and Korea Investment, which couldn't find a spot for themselves in the IPO.



On top of the two co-lead underwriters, the underwriting process will also incorporate nine other brokerage companies, both local and global  including three global firms, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Citi Group Global Markets, as well as six more local firms, Daishin, Shinhan, Mirae Asset, Shinyoung, Hana and Hi Investment.



KB Securities is expected to produce the largest windfall from the IPO underwriting fee, as the brokerage firm covers 9.35 million of the entire 42.5 million shares being newly offered through the IPO. This amounts to nearly 22 percent of the total shares being newly offered, and is the largest portion to be held by a brokerage among the 11 participating brokerage companies in the process.



It is expected that the brokerage arm of KB Financial Group will reap roughly 20 billion won from the underwriting fee alone.



Morgan Stanley, which shares the joint lead underwriter role with KB Securities, is handling 8.07 million shares, which is about 18 percent of the secondary battery company's new stock offerings. It is expected to earn some 17 billion won.



Other global investment banks  Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Citi Group Global Markets  each underwrite 4.6 million shares of the newly listed firm, accounting for about 11 percent of the newly offered price. The global investment banks are expected to reap some 10 billion won from the work.



Daishin Securities and Shinhan Financial Investment also cover the same amount of stocks of 4.6 million shares each, while the remaining four local brokerage houses  Mirae Asset, Shinyoung, Hana and Hi  handle only 425,000 shares.



As more than 50 percent of the new shares will be sold to foreign institutional investors through the global investment banks, the total underwriting fees earned by the four global investment banking houses will be bigger than the aggregate amount by the seven local brokerage firms.



Yet it is undeniable that KB Securities will remain the top beneficiary of the mega IPO deal, underwriting the largest portion of LGES' newly offered shares.



The company explains that the feat is attributed to the fact that the firm's long-term development strategies have paid off. Since KB Securities increased its size through the acquisition of Hyundai Securities in 2016, the brokerage firm has strategically focused on strengthening its equity capital market (ECM) department, while buffing up the organization's capabilities.



"We view the recent big-name IPOs by the firm as proving the company's improved track record in the industry," an official from KB Securities said.






North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has presided over the second-day session of a key party plenary to discuss rural development measures, Pyongyang's state media reported Wednesday amid its drive to tackle nagging economic woes.







During the meeting held Tuesday, Kim "set forth medium- and long-term development strategies and major tasks for attaining the grand goal of rural development in line with the realistic conditions and the requirement of the times," according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).







North Korea opened the 4th Plenary Meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's 8th Central Committee on Monday amid expectations Pyongyang could unveil its new policy directions on the economy and foreign affairs for the new year.







Tuesday's meeting dealt with "rural questions" to which Kim took "important revolutionary measures," the KCNA said without elaborating on what they were.







"The new program on socialist rural construction won full support and approval by the participants in the meeting," the report said.







North Korea has been calling for the "face-lifting" of local areas as a first step of "building a powerful country."







In November, Kim visited the northwestern city of Samjiyon, where a major development project is under way, and called it a "picturesque model unit in rural buildup" and a starting point "in making the people in local areas witness a leaping progress to a highly civilized material and cultural life."







According to a state media report last month, construction of houses was "getting brisk in rural villages" of the country under a party plan to turn them into "model socialist fairylands."







The North's emphasis on rural development comes as the country struggles from crippling sanctions and protracted pandemic-driven border closures.







Its economy is estimated to have shrunk 4.5 percent on-year in 2020, from 0.4 percent growth a year earlier, government data showed.







The KCNA report said, "The meeting is continuing the discussion of the agenda items," indicating there will be a third-day session.







It is unclear for how long the party gathering will last as the North has not made public the exact schedule. Previous plenary meetings were held between one and four days. (Yonhap)


Foreign Affairs Minister Chung Eui-yong speaks during a press conference at the ministry's headquarters in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



Seoul, Washington agree on draft of end-of-war declaration



By Kang Seung-woo



The South Korean government's hopes to hold another inter-Korean summit and eventually improve its ties with North Korea on the occasion of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics is unlikely to be realized, its foreign minister said, Wednesday.



However, he added that South Korea and the United States have practically agreed on a draft version of Seoul's proposed declaration to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War.



"Although the South Korean government had hoped to take advantage of the Beijing Games to gain momentum in normalizing frayed inter-Korean ties, things are virtually running counter to expectations at this moment in time," Foreign Affairs Minister Chung Eui-yong said during a press conference at the ministry's headquarters in Seoul.



In the lead-up to the Winter Olympics starting Feb. 4, the Moon Jae-in administration had sought to use the quadrennial sporting event for momentum to revive stalled talks with North Korea, as he successfully improved ties with Pyongyang through the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018, in which the reclusive state participated, thereby leading to both improved inter-Korean and U.S.-North relations.



As part of Seoul's peace efforts, the South Korean government was speculated to have sought another summit between Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the sidelines of the Olympic Games amid hopes that China, the North's lone economic lifeline as well as diplomatic protector, could exert influence on the reclusive state.



But the Olympic participation of ranking North Korean officials, including Kim, has become even less likely as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. South Korean government officials' attendance is also unclear for now, amid increasing U.S. pressure on its allies to boycott the event.



However, Chung stressed that the South Korean government will not give up hope and will seek all available measures to resume the stalled process for creating a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.



Since President Moon resurrected his proposal for the end-of-war declaration in September, South Korean and U.S. diplomats have met frequently to discuss the issue.



However, there have been no public announcements with regard to the declaration, raising suspicions that the two sides are not exactly on the same page, although this was dispelled by Chung.



"Regarding the end-of-war declaration, South Korea and the U.S. have already shared their understanding on its importance, and the two sides have practically reached an agreement on its draft text," Chung said.



The minister reaffirmed the agreement, noting that he and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the progress made so far between the allies during the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers' Meeting in Liverpool earlier this month.



Although Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's powerful sister, has described the end-of-war declaration as an "admirable idea," Pyongyang has since remained unresponsive on the proposal.



Nevertheless, Chung continues urging the Kim regime to respond positively to it.



"Although North Korea showed a set of prompt, positive responses to the end-of-war declaration, we hope the North will show a more concrete reaction," Chung said, adding that the two Koreas already reached an agreement on the end-of-war declaration in summits held in 2007 and 2018.




A dermatologist treats patients from Mongolia at a medical center in Daegu, in this April 23, 2019 photo. Courtesy of Daegu Metropolitan City



By Bahk Eun-ji



The COVID-19 pandemic, which has lasted for almost two years, has impacted local governments' efforts to promote medical tourism. Foreign patients come here to receive treatment at local medical institutions, during which they are also free to go sightseeing, shopping and experience Korean culture, and many programs are offered by public and private agencies to offer support at various stages of their stay.



But medical tourists have been unable to visit the country due to travel restrictions and fears of infection during travel. Unless they need to get urgent treatment available only in Korea, many who planned to travel here for medical purposes have delayed their plans because a large ratio of medical tourists used to come for health checkups or cosmetic surgeries.



According to data from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the number of medical tourists visiting Korea last year was 117,069, down 76.5 percent from 2019's 497,464.



By region, Seoul experienced a 79.2 percent decrease in the number of medical tourists; Incheon, 78.8 percent; Gyeonggi Province, 66.6 percent; Busan, 74.5 percent; and Daegu, 83.1 percent.



This year's total number, which hasn't been tallied yet, is expected to be even lower than last year's.



As medical tourism is a high value-added industry, with medical tourists spending 10 times more money than ordinary tourists, local authorities are struggling to come up with new ideas to revive the industry and attract patients from abroad, planning ahead for after the pandemic is brought under control.





Banners promoting a medial tourism fair are displayed along street near Apgujeong Station in Gangnam District in this Sept. 30, 2019 photo. Yonhap
A medical worker wearing protective gear in a booth takes a sample from a woman in the sub-zero temperatures at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, Dec. 28. AP-Yonhap



South Korea's new coronavirus cases bounced back to above 5,000 for the first time in three days Wednesday and the number of critically ill patients surged to a record high.



The country added 5,409 new COVID-19 infections, including 5,283 local infections, raising the total caseload to 620,938, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).



Wednesday's figure marked a rise from 3,865 on Tuesday and 4,206 on Monday, but it represented a sharp decline from a daily record high of 7,849 on Dec. 15. The number of new daily cases usually shrinks at the beginning of the week due to less testing over the weekend.



The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients rose to another record high of 1,151, the KDCA said. Previous record high was 1,105 reported on Saturday. Critical cases have stayed above 1,000 for nine consecutive days.



The country added 36 more deaths from the pandemic, bringing the death toll to 5,382. The fatality rate stood at 0.87 percent, unchanged from a day earlier



It marks the first time in 26 days that the daily new deaths dropped below 40.






gettyimagesbank



By Bahk Eun-ji



The central and local governments are expanding their support for children with multicultural backgrounds, with the goals of guaranteeing their right to education and better facilitating their integration into Korean society.



The Ministry of Justice said, Wednesday, that the F-4 visa for overseas Koreans will be available for underage children here who are either ethnic Korean Chinese or ethnic Koreans from former Soviet Union states, starting Jan. 3.



Children attending elementary, middle or high school here, or those between ages six and 18 not attending school due to long-term treatment for disease or disabilities, will be subject to the new visa system.



The measure was designed to resolve unstable stay statuses and guarantee the right to education for children eligible for F-1 visas, which allow for temporary stays in Korea of up to two years for family members in accordance with their parents' residential visa status.



Until now, these children were required to graduate high school in Korea in order to receive the F-4 visa. Previously, if a child's parents' visas were to expire or if there were no other legal guardian here, they would have to end their studies and return to their country of origin, without being able to extend their stay here.



When the new system goes into effect, regardless of parents' status or period of stay, the children will be eligible for F-4 visas and able to continue their studies until they graduate from high school here, as well as being able to work in Korea.



In addition, parents of children with F-4 visas can receive permission to extend their stays via F-1 visas until the children graduate.



"We expect this measure to help underage children who are ethnic Koreans from China and former Soviet countries continue their studies here stably, and we hope that, after graduating, they will become talented people who can contribute to both Korea and their home countries," Justice Minister Park Beom-kye said in a press release.





A classroom in the Seoul OnDream Education Center. The center will be upgraded into the tentatively named, "Seoul Global Youth Education Center," next year. Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government




By Bahk Eun-ji







Seoul Learn, an online learning platform introduced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to bridge the education gap for underprivileged students, is displaying high user and satisfaction rates, according to the city.







Some 8,800 children have registered since the website providing lectures opened on Aug. 27, meeting 88 percent of the membership goal set by the city government.







One user was taking an average of five courses.







Seoul Learn is an educational support service implemented as part of Mayor Oh Se-hoon's campaign promises to restore the collapsed "educational ladder" in the country, by providing online lectures from popular private academies, or "hagwon" in Korean, for free.







Elementary, middle and high school students from low-income households, children from mixed heritage families as well as those not attending school can join the website and use the services from well-known hagwon such as Megastudy, Etoos, i-Scream Home Learn and Eduwill.







Besides the lectures on school curricula, the platform provides one-on-one consulting and mentoring services on college admissions and future careers.







According to an online survey of 1,025 Seoul Learn users from Nov. 17 to Dec. 7, the overall satisfaction level was 85 out of 100 points, and the intention to continue using the service was at 88 points.







Also, 27 percent of the users said the free service helped them save on educational costs.







The city government plans to develop the website into a lifelong learning platform in the future so that citizens of all ages can use it.







"We will collect various opinions from the satisfaction survey and improve the services so that they can remain a good example of educational innovation," said Lee Dae-hyun, the director of the city government's lifelong education bureau.


President Moon Jae-in encourages a harmonica player from the Barrier-free Ensemble at Kongju National University, Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, Wednesday, after the groundbreaking ceremony of the country's first vocational school for disabled people, to be set up on the university's campus. Yonhap




Members of a local consumer rights group hold a protest in front of the Financial Supervisory Service headquarters, on Yeouido, Seoul, Dec. 23. Yonhap
Main opposition People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea at the Conrad Hotel on Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps



By Nam Hyun-woo



Main opposition People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol is again at the center of controversy over his remarks that: "most Koreans hate China."



Yoon added that this hatred is the result of the Moon Jae-in government's policies favoring of China. Concern is growing over the PPP candidate's rhetoric, in which he throws out controversial comments which he later has to add follow-up explanations to. Critics say this type of rhetoric can be a problem, especially in diplomacy, if he is elected president.



During an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Tuesday, Yoon said, "Most Koreans, especially young people, hate China, and most young Chinese hate Korea."



He continued: "This wasn't so in the past. Koreans and Chinese had amicable feelings when Seoul engaged Beijing in strong trilateral cooperation between Korea, the U.S. and Japan. But the current Moon Jae-in administration resorted to policies pushed by China, while claiming to be an intermediary, and the outcome was not good."



After the event, he clarified when asked by reporters that despite such bias toward China, people of the two countries have developed reciprocal animosity toward one and other.



Yoon's full remarks are interpreted as the candidate's attempt to criticize the Moon administration's effort to seek a balance between the current U.S.-China power struggle, which he views as leaning to much toward China. Yet criticism has now been raised that he made hastily generalizations even though he was speaking about extremely sensitive diplomatic matters that require delicacy.



The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) immediately lashed out at Yoon's remarks, saying they were, "ludicrous."



"In the wake of the escalating U.S.-China rivalry, Korea's leader should strengthen the alliance between Korea and the U.S. and maintain a partnership with China through sophisticated and precise remarks," DPK spokeswoman Kang Seon-ah said.





Main opposition People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a forum on balanced inter-regional development in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps




Rival parties on Wednesday agreed to pass pending legislations through parliamentary plenary sessions this week and in early January.







The agreement to hold plenary sessions on Friday and Jan. 11 came after floor leaders of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) held a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug.







The parties first agreed to pass bills related to livelihoods of people and an item of extending the working period of a special committee on media system improvement to May 2022.







A bill on lowering the age of candidacy for parliamentary and local elections to 18 from 25 is also expected to be passed Friday. The bill, which was approved by a special parliamentary committee on political reform, is currently under review by the legislation and judiciary committee.







But the DP and the PPP failed to find common ground on a bill to launch a special counsel investigation into the Seongnam development scandal involving former aides of the ruling party's presidential nominee Lee Jae-myung.







The PPP has been demanding an independent counsel probe, arguing Lee is the mastermind behind the corruption-laden development project in 2015 as he was the mayor of Seongnam city at the time.







Meanwhile, the two sides also agreed to form a special committee supporting the country's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in the southern port city of Busan. (Yonhap)






By Kim Jin-heon





Last weekend I visited Jeong Byeong-uk's house near the Mangdeuk Estuary in Gwangyang County, South Jeolla Province, which is situated at the mouth of the Seomjin River. At the house was a preserved collection of poems by Yoon Dong-ju, which was printed three years after he passed away in 1945.



In 1941, when the poet was graduating from Yonhi College (today's Yonsei University), he planned to print the poetry collection. At first, he asked his professor whether he should do it. The professor responded, "If you print it, you will go to jail because some of the poems criticize Japan's colonization." Thus, the pupil gave up his attempts, but made three handwritten copies of the collection; one he gave to his teacher, another to his friend Jeong Byeong-uk and the last he kept for himself. However, in the end, only his friend's collection survived.



While at Yonhi in Seoul, Jeong resided in the same dormitory as Yoon, who was then in his third year of college. During that time, he learned how to survive and thrive as a freshman from Yoon, his senior who was known for his literary sensibility and national spirit. One year later, both of them moved to the same boarding house near the school.



While living together, the poet showed him his new works and often inquired as to their literary value.



After graduation in 1942, Yoon went to Japan for further studies. One year later, he was arrested at Doshisha University in July 1943 on charges of involvement in the Korea independence movement. His life ended abruptly when he was killed for unknown reasons in a Fukuoka prison in February 1945 at the age of 27.



Meanwhile, Jeong was drafted as a student soldier and sent to Southeast Asia in 1944. Before leaving home, he gave his mother his last request, "If the poet and I don't come back home alive, you should keep his collection of poems well, return it to Yonhi College after the country becomes independent from Japan, and help to get it printed."



Fortunately, Byeong-uk returned alive. His mother had hidden the collection, packing it into a pot with silk cloth, which she kept in a hole she dug under the floorboards.



Keeping his promise, he faithfully ensured it was printed in 1948, thus revealing some of the poet's greatest works. Soon after, he received a doctoral degree in Korean literature from Seoul National University and became a professor there.



Later, Jeong's house was sold to his uncle, Park Yeong-ju. Since then, his son Chun-sik has lived there. In the late 2000s, his daughter attended high school in Gwangyang. The daughter wrote an article relating to how Jeong's collection of poems was kept.



After some teachers read the article and visited her house, the story became known to the public. The Gwangyang mayor visited the house and declared it to be "Jeong Byeong-uk's house," thus preserving Yoon's posthumously published work by appointing it as registered cultural property No. 341, to be managed by the city.



The news that Yoon's poems were stored at Byeong-uk's house and printed spread to Longjing in China's Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, where the poet was born. In 2008, 20 ethnic Korean students who had received Yoon's literary award from three provinces in Northeast China visited the house and showed an instant connection relating to his life.



The process of Yoon's collection of poems being printed, Jeong's willing to evaluate his friend's poetic excellence and preserve it and his mother's efforts to hide his works in her house with devotion during the period of Japanese colonialism tells a dramatic story worthy of the history books.





Kim Jin-heon is an English teacher at Chung-mu High School in South Jeolla Province.


By Lee Jong-eun





On Dec. 8, 1991, Boris Yeltsin, then the president of the Russian Soviet Republic, announced the conclusion of the Belovezh Accords with the presidents of the Ukrainian and Belarus Soviet Republics, declaring the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).







Other Soviet republics quickly affirmed their support, declaring sovereignty from the USSR. On Dec. 26, 1991, the USSR ceased to exist, with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev ceding his remaining power to Yeltsin and the other leaders of former Soviet Republics.







Thirty years later, there are people within the former USSR republics who remember the dissolution of the Soviet Union as an event of liberation. Others, however, remember it as an event of tragic demise. Still others remember it as an unexpected turn of history. It was one thing for a communist regime to be replaced by a different ideological regime, but how could the political state itself dissolve? There are three reflections to consider.







First, there was Soviet communism, but not Soviet nationalism.







The Soviet Union failed to create a unifying national identity among its populace. There were Russians, Ukrainians and Armenians, but were there "Sovietians?" When given a choice between Russian national identity vs. Soviet identity, many of the Russian political elites and populace embraced the tri-color flag representing Russian identity, as did political elites of other republics with their respective national identities.







What if instead of the "USSR" (which was self-proclaimed to transcend ethnic differences), the "People's Republic of Russia" had been established? A political state more strongly founded upon Russian national identity might have motivated the ethnic Russians, the largest ethnic demographic group, to defend the state rather than passively watching it dissolve.







Second, the Soviet federal system was founded upon the unsustainable coexistence of parallel governments.







The USSR attempted to project an institutional image of a "union of 15 different socialist republics." In reality, the republics were subservient to the Soviet Union's central government. As a result, the USSR had 15 "institutionally autonomous, operationally subservient" political institutions, resentful of the dominance from the parallel central government.







These individual republics, especially the Russian Soviet Republic, later became the political basis for local political elites to expand their political sovereignty through challenging the USSR and eventually abolishing the upper-tier government altogether.







What if the Soviet Union had been a better-integrated state? Instead of 15 nationally distinct republics, what if it had been divided into 89 federal districts (the current structure of the Russian Federation) that could not claim autonomous political identities?







Such a federal political structure could have diffused the threats from lower-tier governments and motivated aspiring leaders to compete for political power within the central Soviet government. If Yeltsin had sought to be the next president of the USSR rather than the president of the lower-level Russian Soviet Republic, the historical outcome could have been different.







Third, the "power of an idea" alone might not be durable without the "power of coercion."







Transnational political unions are often established based on the "power of an idea," or rather, a political principle (democracy, socialism, pan-nationalism) that serves to unify political entities. The United States of America and the European Union, as well as the now defunct Grand Colombia Republic, the USSR and the United Arab Republic were established based on such political principles.







But what happens when the populace and political elites no longer believe in the same ideas? Can political unions still exist? Most of these transnational political unions eventually collapsed, or in the case of the EU, have faced internal divisions because of the conflict of political norms. While the United States is a successful (or more successful) case of political union, even the U.S. historically fought a civil war to coerce states from seceding from the union.







Of course, the power of coercion without a unifying political idea will ultimately fail, as proven by the fall of past colonial empires. However, it might be a slightly romanticized notion to assume that political identity is formed purely through the "consent of the populace." At times, the state coercively demands such consent.







For the Soviet Union, the repudiation of its founding idea, Marxist-Leninist socialism, certainly posed a severe challenge to its existence. Yet, the Soviet Union might have altered its name, replaced its political idea and continued its existence. The Soviet republics, however, chose to pursue "different ideas" to craft their own political identities, whether based on democracy, nationalism or both.







In retrospect, if the Soviet Union had been led by leaders willing to combine political ideas with institutional coercion, would the outcome have been different? Yeltsin and Putin, after all, used military operations to prevent Chechen from leaving the Russian Federation.







It is possible that the Baltic States would still have gained independence, with the Soviet leaders "tactically amputating" the most rebellious region from the union. But other republics, in particular in Central Asia, might not have pursued "ideas of independence" at the expense of facing armed coercion.







Even after 30 years, the legacy of the fall of the Soviet Union continues to impact the former Soviet republics. The ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict is one such consequence. Could the continuation of the Soviet Union have made the region more stable? Perhaps.







But it is possible that, rather than inter-state conflicts, the world might have instead witnessed more intra-state conflicts within the Soviet/Russian Federation. It is also probable that for many in Ukraine, the Baltics and the other former Soviet republics, handling their conflicts with Russia from the outside, rather than from within, might be perceived as the better alternative.













Lee Jong-eun ( jl4375a@student.american.edu ) is a Ph.D. candidate and is also an adjunct faculty at the American University School of International Service. Prior to this, he has served as a South Korean Airforce intelligence officer. His research specialty includes U.S. foreign policy, South Korean politics and foreign policy, alliance management, East Asian regional security.
Japan hit for trying to list mine as heritage site



Japan has come under growing criticism for pushing to register as a UNESCO World Heritage Site former mines that used Korean forced labor during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. On Tuesday, Japan's Cultural Affairs Agency proposed a number of mines on Sado, an island in Niigata Prefecture as a 2023 candidate for the UNESCO list.



Tokyo has been taking flak for failing to inform people of its forcible mobilization of Korean workers on Hashima Island, despite having pledged to do so in its application to UNESCO in 2015. Against this backdrop, it is deplorable for Japan to try again to register the mines  another island site of forced labor  as a global cultural heritage site.



The mines were operated to produce wartime materials such as gold, copper and iron for the Japanese military during World War II. According to a report by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 1,200 Koreans were forcibly mobilized there from 1939 until 1942, and suffered harsh work conditions. Unable to endure, many attempted to escape and were lynched once they were caught fleeing, according to the report.



In July 2015, Japan acknowledged that Koreans and others were forced to work "against their will" in the 1940s and promised to establish an information center to honor the victims and inform visitors of the historical facts. Japan's move came in line with its efforts to register 23 sites, including Hashima Island, as a legacy of the country's Meiji Industrial Revolution. Tokyo, however, invited anger from other countries including Korea for failing to keep its pledge.



Contrary to its earlier promise, the information center carries apparently "distorted" historical facts by claiming "there was no discrimination against Koreans." In July, UNESCO, for its part, adopted a resolution calling on the Japanese government to fulfill its promise.



It is an apparent challenge to international society for Japan to submit Sado Mine to UNESCO's list without correcting its distortions on Hashima Island's shameful history.



On Tuesday, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Japan to retract its push to list the island mines with UNESCO. Releasing a statement, ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam said, "It is deplorable for Japan to push for the heritage designation of the mines, another site of Korean forced labor."



The Seoul government should make concerted diplomatic efforts to publicize the reasons why the mines on Sado should not be granted World Heritage status, and shed more light on Japan's wartime forced labor. Tokyo should stop glossing over its past misdeeds which could worsen already soured bilateral relations.




By Kim Jae-heun



Korea is seeing the world's worst total fertility rate of 0.8 percent and its life expectancy is increasing. Local confectionery companies and retailers are pushing into overseas market  particularly of China, Indian, Russia and the U.S.  to prepare for the future in these areas with high populations.



Confectionery firms are mostly driven to expand their sales in foreign countries with dense populations of children and adolescents, the main consumers of snack foods. India is an attractive market with the second-largest population in the world. Its confectionery market value reaches nearly 17 trillion won ($14.3 billion).



Orion, the country's No.1 snack food manufacturer, established a production facility in Rajasthan, India, in February, as part of its plan to target cities with high incomes. Thanks to its strategy of expanding global markets in China, India and the United States to increase its overseas sales to 65 percent of total sales, the confectionery firm beat Lotte Confectionery to become the No.1 player. As of the third quarter of this year, Orion's accumulated sales showed 1.72 trillion won and its operating profit rate recorded 18.3 percent, the highest among food and beverage firms here.



Orion's sales in Russia reached 105 billion won ($8.83 million) as of last month, which is up by 29.6 percent. It was the first time for the confectionery firm's revenue there to rise above 100 billion won.



Orion has introduced 11 types of Choco Pie in Russia since 2019 and built two factories there to aggressively target locals who consume hot beverages and biscuit-type snacks together.



"Russia has the world's ninth-largest population at 145 million. In a situation where domestic consumption is not increasing, it is important to expand business in countries like Russia," an Orion official said.



Lotte Confectionery has also jumped into an overseas market expansion scheme. It erected a large-scale production factory for its Choco Pie product in the Indian cities of Chennai and Delhi, which helped boost snack sales to 40 billion ($3.36 million) last year alone.



Considering that more than 30 percent of India's population consists of vegetarians, due to the influence of Hinduism, the confectionery firm uses vegetable ingredients instead of eggs to make the marshmallow filling of its Choco Pie products made there.



"The company's future is at stake. The success or failure of its business abroad is key as the local confectionery market is shrinking by 2 percent every year, affected by population aging in the country," a Lotte Confectionery official said.



SPC Group, an operator of the market-leading franchise brand Paris Baguette, opened its first bakery chain there last month in the central commercial district of Sudirman, Jakarta's largest downtown area in Indonesia. Indonesia is home to the world's fourth-largest population.



On Dec. 15, SPC Group also opened a Paris Baguette store in Shenyang of Liaoning Province, China. In the world's most densely populated country, SPC Group operates nearly 300 stores alone.



"We are already running 430 stores around the world, mainly in the United States, China and Indonesia. In the upcoming year, we plan to invest more in the overseas market," an SPC Group official said.



Dairy firms are also facing pressure. Local dairy manufacturer Maeil Dairies acquired an Australian powder factory earlier this year and established a subsidiary there to cope with the domestic milk powder market that is shrinking by 20 percent annually. Maeil Dairies plans to use this chance to target the Australian and Asian markets.



The dairy firm is also struggling to enter the Chinese powdered milk market, which is 50 times bigger than Korea's. In 2018, Maeil Dairies founded a local subsidiary in China to launch three company brands there.



Markets with young population are key



Local retailers are focusing on countries that have a lot of young consumers because even if the markets in those locations are small now, there is a high possibility for future growth.



Vietnam is the most attractive for local firms for this reason. Vietnam's population has an average age of 32.5 and more than half of its population are in their 20s and 30s.



Korea's top convenience store brand GS25 opened its first franchise store run by a local owner. It's an accomplishment of GS Retail, coming three years after the company entered the Vietnamese market in collaboration with local firm SonKim Land in 2018. GS Retail has plans to expand the number of its convenience stores to 700 by 2027.



The country's largest retailer E-mart, owned by Shinsegae, and LF are striving to establish a presence in the Mongolian market. Mongolia has a population of about 3.29 million, but 70 percent of the people are under 40 years old.



E-mart opened its third supermarket store in partnership with a local firm and its sales there rose by 47 percent year-on-year.



LF launched its casual clothing brand "Hazzys" in October to sell its products online through Mongolia's largest e-commerce platform Shoppy.


Samsung SDI's newly launched PRiMX battery brand / Courtesy of Samsung SDI



By Kim Hyun-bin



Samsung SDI announced that it has launched its "PRiMX" battery brand, promoting a super-gap technology strategy through the launch of the brand, which the company says conveys its brand identity.



PRiMX stands for "Prime Battery for Maximum Experience." The brand was developed under three key phrases: "Absolute Quality," "Outstanding Performance" and "Proven Advantage."



"Absolute Quality," the first key phrase, refers to the safest and most reliable battery quality. Samsung SDI has strengthened quality control for the whole process, from battery development to manufacturing and shipping.



It conducts strict quality inspections, selecting materials and designs that can improve battery quality at the development phase, advancing the defect detection algorithm with deep learning-based AI testing at the manufacturing and shipping phase and examining about 500 quality items throughout the entire manufacturing process.



"Outstanding Performance" refers to high-capacity and high-power battery technology with Samsung SDI's latest materials technology, including high-nickel cathodes and silicon anodes, as well as its unrivaled manufacturing capability. It is crucial to determine key performances, such as electric vehicle (EV) mileage and output of power tools.



"Proven Advantage" means user convenience, achieved with the company's independently developed technology. In particular, its super-fast-charging technology developed using a new technique is said to be groundbreaking, minimizing the lithium-ion transport distance and time by reducing resistance inside the battery cell.



Trademark registration for PRiMX has been completed not only in Korea but also in Europe and is soon to be registered in the U.S. Samsung SDI will apply PRiMX to all batteries it produces to achieve high quality and technology befitting the three key terms.



With the launch of PRiMX, Samsung SDI opened a microsite and released a brand introduction video. The video helps viewers easily understand the meaning and characteristics of PRiMX.



"PRiMX is a battery brand that conveys Samsung SDI's unique identity," said Michael Son, executive vice president of Samsung SDI's Strategic Marketing Team. "We will develop the brand to reach the pinnacle of technology."



The PRiMX brand name was decided through an in-house employee contest.



Phrases such as "super-gap technology" are in line with Samsung SDI CEO Choi Yoon-ho's strategy.



'The top priority is the super-gap technological competitiveness," Choi said upon his appointment on Dec. 13.



"It is imperative for a company to achieve qualitative growth by offering the highest standard of quality."






Korean Air Lines Co., South Korea's national flag carrier, said Wednesday it has been ordered by Chinese authorities to temporarily suspend its flights to Shenyang over novel coronavirus infections found among passengers aboard its plane that landed there earlier this month.







Eight Chinese passengers aboard the Korean Air flight that departed from Incheon International Airport on Dec. 17 tested positive for COVID-19 after they landed in Shenyang, northeast China, according to the company.







China imposes a two-week ban on an airline's route if five or more passengers on a plane operating that path test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival.







Due to the regulation, Korean Air said its flights connecting Incheon and Shenyang will not be available on Jan. 7 and 14. The air carrier flies to Shenyang once a week.







Korean Air was also ordered to suspend its Incheon-Tianjin route, which was given to the airline by the Chinese authorities as an "incentive route" following its virus-free record in the past.







Its service to Tianjin will not be available from next Tuesday, according to the air carrier.







Earlier this week, the Hong Kong government also ordered a two-week suspension of Korean Air flights to its territory until Jan. 8, citing its antivirus protocol. (Yonhap)






A rider travels on an empty road following lockdown measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China, Dec. 26. Reuters-Yonhap



A lockdown of 13 million people in the Chinese city of Xi'an entered its seventh day on Wednesday, with many unable to leave their residential compounds and virtually dependent on deliveries of necessities as new COVID-19 infections persisted.



Xi'an reported 151 domestically transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms for Tuesday, or nearly all of the 152 cases nationwide, bringing the total number of local Xi'an cases to nearly 1,000 during the Dec. 9-28 period. No cases of the Omicron variant have been announced in the city so far.



While the Xi'an outbreak is small compared with outbreaks in many other places around the world, officials have imposed tough curbs on travel within and leaving the city from Dec. 23, in line with Beijing's drive to immediately contain outbreaks as they appear.



People in the city have not been allowed to leave town without clearance from their employer or community authorities.



A 32-year-old mechanic went to Xi'an on a business trip and had planned to leave last week, only to find he had to stay for longer after local community officials refused to grant the certificate to clear his departure.



That means he has missed his wife's birthday and might be forced to spend the New Year in Xi'an. "I just want to go home," he told Reuters on condition of anonymity.



Since Monday, the Xi'an government has suspended granting permission to people seeking to leave their homes to buy essentials, as epidemic containment measures rose a notch.



The city said in-person shopping could be resumed for people in less risky areas once mass testing returned negative results, without saying exactly when stay-at-home orders would be lifted.



The measure stirred complaints on social media from some residents about the uncertain access of fresh produce.



Several district-level governments in Xi'an have started arranging grocery deliveries to peoples' homes, or setting up temporary booths in large residential compounds selling fresh produce, the city government said on Wednesday.





Workers in protective suits stand at an entrance to a university's residential area under lockdown following COVID-19 outbreak in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China, Dec. 20. Reuters-Yonhap
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has managed multiple departments at a university including grounds, housekeeping, construction/project management and maintenance.

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Requirements

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National

Congress should apologise for false cases against Hindu orgs

Yogi Adityanath

Farrukhabad (UP), Dec 29 (PTI) | Publish Date: 12/29/2021 12:59:27 PM IST

Attacking the Congress over the claims of a witness in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday accused the party of nurturing terrorists and foisting false cases against Hindu organisations when in power.

The witness, who turned hostile, on Tuesday old Mumbais special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court that ATS officers had forced him to take the names of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and five RSS members in the terror case.

This mischief of the Congress is a crime against the country and its leaders should apologise to the people, Adityanath said while addressing a public meeting during the BJPs Jan Vishwas Yatra here.

How the Congress played with the country is not hidden. When in government, they encouraged and nurtured terrorists and fake cases were foisted against Hindu organisations. And now when it is out of government, it opposes all works which are in peoples interest, the firebrand BJP leader alleged.

He also took a swipe at Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav over the income tax raids on a Kanpur-based perfume trader, saying this shows why Yadav was opposing demonetisation.

You must have seen the money of the poor which had been hidden and kept away during the previous governments is now coming out of the walls.

Now you must have understood as to why Babua opposed demonetisation. This money was meant for the poor and development works. It could have been helpful in your district but was usurped and hidden. We are now taking it out and will use it for development, Adityanath said.

He also cited the various schemes of the government including the distribution of free ration and stressed that when there is an able government, it brings good schemes for the people.

If a bad government comes, then this foodgrain would go to the houses of SP, BSP and Congress leaders and fill their vaults, the chief minister said.
Regional

Tripura State Rifles recruitment: Rejected candidates stage protest

Agartala, Dec 29 (IANS) | Publish Date: 12/29/2021 12:52:26 PM IST

Protests that began on Tuesday in Tripura after the announcement of candidates selected for recruitment to various posts including riflemen in the Tripura State Rifles (TSR), continued on Wednesday as individuals whose name did not appear in the list of selected ones attacked the BJP offices in different parts of the state.

A large number of rejected candidates attacked party offices of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the states different districts on Tuesday and Wednesday, apart from holding agitation in various districts and sub-divisions.

The angry candidates ransacked BJP party offices and engaged in squabbles against the local leaders in several places of Gomati and South Tripura districts for not getting selected in the TSR jobs.

The agitated candidates including women threatened to file cases in the Tripura High Court.

A BJP legislator from northern Tripura had openly expressed his anger on the social media over the selection list. However, on Wednesday the legislator withdrew his post on Facebook. A senior police officer said the Tripura police headquarters on Monday published the names of the 1,443 selected candidates including 138 women to the post of Riflemen and Riflemen (tradesmen) to raise two new battalions of TSR under the Indian Reserve (IR) battalion category. Of the 1,443 selected candidates, 357 are from different states of the country.

Tripura currently has 12 battalions of TSR.

Following the request of the Union Home Ministry, one battalion was deployed in Delhi and another battalion posted under Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, while another battalion would soon be deployed under South Eastern Coal Fields Limited in Chhattisgarh.

Trained in counter-insurgency operations, the TSR was raised in March 1984 to deal with terrorism.

Seventy-five per cent of its personnel are from Tripura, while the remaining are from across the country. Of the 12 TSR battalions, nine are IR battalions that can be deployed anywhere in the country as and when the Union Home Ministry desires. The Union Home Ministry has earlier sanctioned two more IR battalions of the TSR and the Tripura government has started the process to recruit personnel for the two fresh TSR battalions sanctioned.

Besides providing security during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the IR battalions of TSR had earlier performed election duties in more than 16 states including Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Jharkhand, Haryana and to the northeastern states, to provide security during the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

The TSR has also demonstrated an excellent performance in Tripura in taming the terrorism.
BERLIN, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Germany introduced tighter restrictions nationwide for vaccinated and recovered people on Tuesday in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Private gatherings of vaccinated and recovered people are limited to ten people. Unvaccinated people can get together with up to two other external people per household. Children under 14 are excluded from this quota.

New Year's Eve gatherings and the sale of fireworks during the last days of the year will be banned nationwide.

The number of confirmed Omicron variant infections in Germany increased by 45 percent within one day, bringing the cumulative number to 10,443, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases said on Tuesday.

Most of the country's laboratory-confirmed Omicron cases were in the 15 to 34 age bracket, followed by 35 to 59-year-olds, according to the RKI.

"The goal is to vaccinate in time and quickly so that we keep the coming Omicron wave at bay as much as possible and then build up sufficient protection in the population," a spokesperson of the Ministry of Health said on Monday. Enditem
ANKARA, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Amid soaring liquor prices and a currency slump, bootleg alcohol has claimed the lives of at least 75 people in two weeks in Turkey while security forces have ramped up security controls nationwide ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Monday that a nationwide operation code-named "Alcohol," one of the biggest so far, was launched amid a rising number of deaths from bootleg alcohol across the country.

Police and gendarmerie forces searched 23,103 locations in a crackdown on bootleg drink sellers, the ministry said, adding 20,863 personnel took part in operations "to curb the access to smuggled/bootleg drinks to protect public health."

Over 20,000 liters of counterfeit alcohol was seized, the police announced on Tuesday.

Four people died and two others were in critical condition after consuming bootleg alcohol on Sunday in the southern Mediterranean province of Mersin, while another person died in Ordu Province in northern Turkey, bringing the overall death toll to 75 in 21 provinces, local news outlets said, quoting police statements.

In Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, nearly 30 have died from bootleg alcohol.

Over 100 suspects have been detained in the last 10 days and tens of thousands liters of counterfeit alcohol was seized ahead of the New Year celebrations usually involving more alcohol consumption, security forces said.

Deaths from illicit alcohol poisoning are rather common in Turkey where people try to get cheaper alcohol as prices have soared in recent years amid an avalanche of taxes.

Bootleg alcohol is made from low-cost methyl alcohol, instead of ethyl alcohol. The consumption of illegally distilled liquor can cause permanent blindness, metabolic disturbances and death.

However, more people have died this year in a short period of time as the Turkish lira has lost 37 percent of its value since the start of the year which also had an impact on alcoholic beverage prices.

"The government should decrease taxes so that people don't go looking for cheap products," said Ozgur Aybas, head of Turkey's Liquor Stores Platform, adding taxes translate into more than 70 percent of the price of alcohol.

However, there have been many attempts by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government to restrict tobacco and alcohol sales in recent years to "discourage the youth from bad habits."

Erdogan has frequently voiced opposition to alcohol sales and consumption. In Turkey, shops are now forbidden to sell alcohol after 10 p.m. local time and it has become more difficult for stores and restaurants to obtain an alcohol license.

According to surveys, alcohol consumption remains modest in Turkey compared with European countries. Only about 20 percent of adults drink regularly in the Muslim nation as Islam bans alcohol. Enditem
RIYADH, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property on Tuesday announced its recognition of the intellectual property rights (IPR) research report issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

This is part of the Patent Cooperation Treaty, an international patent law treaty concluded in 1970, to allow patent applicants in Saudi Arabia to select the Chinese authority to issue a report about their IPR request, according to the SPA.

CNIPA is the eighth authority whose IPR research report is recognized by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.

Saudi Arabia and China recently also worked together to teach the Chinese language to Saudi students as a way to expand their education cooperation. Enditem
GAZA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least three Palestinian farmers were injured on Wednesday after the Israeli tanks struck Hamas' military posts in the Gaza Strip, the health ministry in Gaza said in a press statement.

The three Palestinians from the same family were injured by the shrapnel of the artillery shells fired by the Israeli tanks on northern Gaza, according to the ministry.

Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesman said in a press statement that the Israeli tanks bombed several military posts belonging to Hamas after the fire from Gaza slightly wounded an Israeli soldier near the border.

The Israeli media reported that the Israeli army has asked the Palestinian farmers close to the border between Gaza and Israel to leave their farms until further notice.

It is the first military clash between Gaza and Israel since the last Israeli attack on Gaza in May, which killed more than 250 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, and destroyed multiple buildings and structures in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Enditem
BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday reiterated the central government's strong stance on the Taiwan question for the upcoming year.

"We will take more forceful measures to crush attempts of secessionists who seek 'Taiwan independence,' oppose external forces' intervention in Taiwan affairs, and continue promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

He also stressed continuous efforts in exploring new ways to push integrated development across the Strait and sharing development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots in 2022. Enditem
DHAKA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tech giant Huawei has donated tablets for winners of a competition organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Bangladesh on the occasion of World Teachers Day 2021.

Teachers of different backgrounds participated in the competition by portraying their innovative approaches to cope with the challenging times of COVID-19 pandemic through videos.

Out of the submissions, 20 teachers have been selected as the winners of this competition, and all of them were rewarded with the tablets donated by Huawei at a ceremony held at the National Academy for Educational Management on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Zhang Zhengjun, chief executive officer of Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Ltd, talked about challenges Bangladeshi teachers have gone through during the pandemic and how different organizations like Huawei stepped in to facilitate learning during this period.

Beatrice Kaldun, head of office and UNESCO representative to Bangladesh, echoed the opinions of the Huawei CEO.

She said teachers need to play an instrumental role in reviving the education system in the post-pandemic era. Enditem
JERUSALEM, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel approved on Wednesday a series of measures intended to improve ties with the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced the move in a statement, a day after a rare meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Gantz's home in Rosh Ha'Ayin, northeast of Tel Aviv.

Gantz said in the statement that he authorized "a number of confidence-building measures," including the transfer of 100 million new shekels' (32 million U.S. dollars) worth of tax payments that Israel has been collecting on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

The package also includes travel permits to hundreds of VIP Palestinian businesspersons and the approval of residency status to about 9,500 Palestinians in the Israel-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Israel has withheld Palestinian tax funds, citing stipends the Palestinian Authority pays to families of the Palestinians imprisoned for their involvement in attacks against Israelis, although the Palestinian Authority describe them as welfare stipends used to support needy families. Enditem
BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said that the mainland will continue to assist with the pandemic response efforts in Taiwan and earnestly safeguard the health and well-being of people across the Taiwan Strait.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry regarding the mainland's efforts to aid Taiwan compatriots in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the first outbreak of COVID-19 on the island, the mainland promptly activated a health-emergency reporting mechanism across the Strait, and has since shared a substantial amount of pandemic-related information with Taiwan's disease control agency, Ma said.

Based on preliminary statistics, 177,000 Taiwan compatriots on the mainland have received COVID-19 vaccines, with a total of 350,000 jabs administered as of Dec. 15, Ma said.

Since the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Taiwan in May, the mainland has expressed willingness multiple times to help Taiwan compatriots tackle the pandemic and advanced the initiative to offer vaccines to people on the island. However, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authority have viciously stigmatized the mainland-made vaccines and arbitrarily blocked the effort, Ma said.

In the darkest hour of the pandemic on the island, the first shipment of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines developed by Fosun Pharma and BioNTech was dispatched to Taiwan in September. So far, around 12.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines provided by Shanghai-based Fosun Pharma have been delivered to Taiwan in 14 shipments, and the 15th shipment of 930,000 doses of the vaccine is expected to arrive in Taiwan by the end of December, Ma said. Enditem
TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian foreign minister said on Tuesday that the talks in Vienna, Austria on the restoration of a 2015 nuclear deal are on a "good path."

In an address to reporters on the sidelines of a Tuesday ceremony, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that "we have a unified and joint text, on which the Iranian negotiating team is focused," Iranian Foreign Ministry reported on its website.

The Iranian top diplomat noted that the other parties to the deal are also focused on the issues "we placed in the text," which are those the sides have differences on.

Enrique Mora, the European Union deputy foreign policy chief, has been actively making efforts to play the coordination role, Amir-Abdollahian said.

He said if the other parties, including France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany, continue the negotiations with goodwill, it will be possible to reach a good agreement in the near future.

Iran and the five signatories started the eighth round of talks in Vienna in a bid to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the U.S. quitted in 2018 under former President Donald Trump who then reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran.

The U.S. has been indirectly taking part in the Vienna talks which have been held since April.

The 2015 nuclear deal eased the previous U.S. sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran's curbing its nuclear program, which the U.S.-led Western countries have suspected as an attempt to create nuclear weapons despite Iran's insistence that it is peaceful. Enditem
BEIRUT, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned Israel's attack on Syria's main port of Latakia earlier in the day.

"The attack, which came during the holidays and was the second in less than a month, once again exposes Israel's true face," the ministry was quoted by the state-owned National News Agency as saying.

The ministry reaffirmed its support for "the Syrian Arab Republic and the brotherly Syrian people, who are suffering from the most terrible crisis in their modern history," and wished them "peace and prosperity."

Israel fired missiles from the Mediterranean on the commercial port of Latakia in Syria early Tuesday, hitting the container terminal and igniting a fire.

It is the second such attack on the port this month following the strike on Dec. 7.

Israel frequently shoots missiles into Syria on the pretext of targeting so-called Iranian-backed militias, primarily those linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah group. Enditem
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Hans Grundberg, the special envoy of the UN secretary-general for Yemen, said on Tuesday that escalating violence in the country has been "among the worst" in recent years, and civilians are increasingly being targeted.

Airstrikes on Sana'a have resulted in civilian deaths and damage to noncombatant infrastructure, he said.

The continuing offensive on Marib, where at least 35,000 people have fled since September, and the unabated missile attacks on the governorate are causing civilian casualties, damage to civilian objects, and mass displacements.

Furthermore, the special envoy expressed concern about sustained attacks against Saudi Arabia, which have resulted in civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure.

"Any targeting of civilians and civilian objects as well as indiscriminate attacks by any actor is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately," he said.

A political settlement that is sustainable is undermined by the escalation, according to Grundberg.

He said that violations of international humanitarian and human rights law cannot go unpunished.

In addition, the UN envoy highlighted the grim impact on an already precarious humanitarian situation, saying that "2021 ends on a bittersweet note for the Yemeni people, millions of whom are suffering from poverty, hunger, and severe restrictions on their freedom of movement."

The UN has called for the opening of Sana'a airport and the removal of obstacles preventing Yemenis from moving between governorates and within them.

Grundberg stated that he stands ready to work with the parties in seeking immediate solutions, addressing humanitarian needs, and enabling a political process.

In parallel coverage, Audrey Azoulay, director-general of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and Michelle Bachelet, high commissioner for human rights, expressed their deep concern for the well-being of two staff members who were detained in Sana'a early last month.

Azoulay and Bachelet confirmed in a statement that they have not been able to communicate with the staff since then. Enditem
BEIRUT, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The customs authorities at the Beirut port on Wednesday seized a shipment of oranges hiding 9 million captagon pills destined for the Gulf region, the National News Agency reported.

Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi visited the Beirut port and inspected the shipment shortly after its seizure while assuring that Lebanon is working seriously on halting such practices.

Mawlawi addressed the Gulf countries, saying that this operation proves the readiness of Lebanese security agencies to seriously combat crime and drug smuggling.

On Oct. 29, Saudi Arabia announced a ban of all Lebanese imports following an incident in which Saudi customs found 5.3 million captagon pills hidden inside pomegranates imported from Lebanon. Enditem
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - Burundi recorded over the last 24 hours 321 cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections transmitted locally and 46 imported from neighbouring countries, the Health ministry said here Wednesday
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - As from Wednesday, 29 December, 2021, the prices of petroleum products (gasoline and diesel) will go up by 10 per cent in Mauritius, the State Trading Corporation (STC) said in a communique released Tuesday night
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BBC Persian (Translated by RAWA), December 28, 2021

A group of women demonstrated in Kabul to protest the killing of former Afghan soldiers and strict Taliban rules.

The women chanted "Justice, justice, we are tired of crime, we are tired of captivity, we are tired of ignorance, long live humanity." They called for "a rule of law." They protested the Taliban's mistreatment of former militants despite a general amnesty.

Another group of women protested the Taliban's strict rules against women, especially their new law that women should drive with a Muharram (close male relative), calling it discriminatory.

At the same time, female protesters complained of violent treatment by the Taliban and firing shots into the air by their gunmen. The Taliban say they are investigating allegations of abuse.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
At least 20 foreign passengers have tested positive for Covid-19 at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, sources said on Wednesday.

Of the 20 infected, seven came from Paris; five each from London and Frankfurt; and one each from the UAE and Kuwait. The nationality of the last person was yet to be ascertained

Airport authorities are on high alert as most of the infected passengers, who are currently in isolation, came from high-risk countries.

Their samples have been sent for genome sequencing.

Meanwhile, the health department has started mock drills at oxygen plants installed in hospitals across Karnataka.

Of the 226 oxygen units in the state, 192 oxygen plants are functioning and have 199 metric tonne oxygen production capacity.

The dry run has been conducted to ensure the preparedness in case of third wave and identify any technical or other snags in the oxygen plants.

The state government has also initiated a door-to-door campaign to identify people with symptoms of breathlessness and high fever and get them tested for Covid-19. The drive will be conducted till January 15.

The health department officials would identify persons with severe acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illness symptoms.
The raids, which started on December 22, on the premises of Kanpur perfume trader Piyush Jain is finally over, the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence(DGGI) said Wednesday.

Several documents, huge cash, gold and other precious materials were recovered during the searches.

On Wednesday morning, Pratyush Jain-- son of Piyush Jain-- was seen locking the house and leaving with the DGGI team for further interrogation.

Zakir Hussain, the Additional Director of DGGI said that they have recovered Rs 19 crore more in cash besides gold and other things.

The team was at Jain's residence at Chhipati Mohalla of Kannuj for the past eight days.

"It is Piyush Jain's house. This will be closed for few days. His son Pratyush locked the house and he has the key. For the time being we are taking him and will free him after making panchnamas of articles recovered from the house," said the official.

Notably, the counting of notes was on for the past five days with the help of State Bank of India officials and 20 note counting machines. The notes were put in big cartons and sealed by the team. The financial intelligence teams had to take help of extra labourers and a truck to take the cash to SBI branch.

A large number of people had gathered outside his house and local police was called to maintain law and order.

"The raid is finally over and we are relieved. Now, we will be busy preparing case-related documents, few of which will be submitted with different agencies, before the concerned courts. A report is also likely to be given to the government," said the official.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a swipe at the Centre over India-China trade crossing $100-billion mark despite a military standoff, saying the country is waiting to see the current dispensation step down.

He said in a tweet in Hindi,"Jumlo Ki sarkar hai, Jhoot Dhong Dikhawa apar hai, desh ko ab jhola uthne ka intezar hai."(This is a government of rhetoric, the pretence of falsehood is immense and the country is waiting for their bags to be packed).

Gandhi was commenting on India's trade with China as after the Chinese incursion, the Centre had banned Chinese apps as amidst repeated domestic boycotts of Made-in-China, trade volume between India and China hit a record high of $100 billion by November, the Global Times reported citing the latest data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs.

Chinese state media pointed out that while there are those in India who are concerned about the trade deficit advocating not to rely too much on trade with China, the data speaks for itself.

"Whatever the political considerations of these people, seeing China as India's enemy should not be an option for India and one that India cannot afford to make. Further increasing cooperation is the right choice," the Global Times report said.

India has long hoped to reduce its trade deficit with China, but making bilateral trade more balanced cannot be done by curbing Chinese exports to India, which would only hurt the Indian economy. Further boosting China's imports from India is the right way to go, and there is room for coordination between the two sides in this regard, and it should be a joint effort, the report said.

The record two-way trade provides the best evidence of the two countries' economic complementarities and the strong resilience of bilateral economic relations. In particular, by importing Chinese products at relatively low prices, India has saved more foreign exchange reserves and improved capital efficiency, Global Times reported.

Also, India's large imports of machinery and electronics from China and Chinese investment in the country's smartphone sector have greatly served the needs of the Indian people and boosted Indian exports to third countries, it added.
The Kanpur police have lodged an FIR at the Naubasta police station against Samajwadi Party members for conspiring to create ruckus during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kanpur.

Modi was in Kanpur on Tuesday.

The action was taken after the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday shared a video that shows Samajwadi Party (SP) members burning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy.

In the video, a group of SP workers are seen burning the PM's effigy on a roadside in Kanpur. The group also vandalised cars parked nearby causing the police to interfere.

With the video tweeted by the BJP, the party alleged that the SP workers were seen burning the Prime Minister's effigy and the group also attacked and vandalised a car after being confronted by a passer-by about the havoc being caused.

The BJP also alleged that the SP workers attacked the car because it carried posters of Modi over it.

Following the incident, Uttar Pradesh deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya assured strict action against the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the UP Police have said that it will further investigate the matter before taking any action.

The Kanpur police officials informed that the vandalisers would be identified and arrested.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday filed a supplementary charge sheet against former state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and has named his two sons, Hrishikesh and Salil, in the alleged bribery case lodged against him, officials said here.

The supplementary charge sheet running into several thousands pages was filed before the Special PMLA Court and among other things, has accused Deshmukh of corruption and money-laundering.

A senior Nationalist Congress Party leader, Deshmukh was arrested on November 2, a day after he appeared before the ED offices in Mumbai, and has remained in custody since then.

The ED has claimed that Deshmukh was the prime beneficiary of the laundering of the bribe monies allegedly collected by dismissed policeman Sachin Vaze, who is also an accused in the same case.

In the earlier charge sheet filed in August, the ED had named 14 accused, including Deshmukh's private secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde, a trust run by the Deshmukh family in Nagpur, and others.

The ED has contended that the Desmhmukh family was controlling or managing the activities of over two dozen companies that were used to launder the bribe money by showing them as donations for CSR activities.

Denying the allegations, Deshmukh has countered the ED claiming that the money was loans and CSR funds received from various companies.

The supplementary charge sheet includes statements of Deshmukh, former Mumbai police commissioner Parambir Singh, ex-Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, certain IPS officers, police officials and other witnesses in the case, besides various documents and other evidence that came up during the probe.

The ED probe started after this the Central Bureau of Investigation filed its FIR against Deshmukh on April 21 accusing him of graft and misusing his official position as minister, but he has consistently refuted all the allegations against him.

The central agencies said that as the Home Minister, Deshmukh had allegedly directed Vaze to collect Rs 100 crore per month from hoteliers and had collected Rs 4.70 crore from various bar owners in Mumbai which was then laundered through his trusts.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday urged the Centre to expedite the NEET-PG Counselling to avoid medical staff crisis in hospitals as Covid surges. He said that doctors' representatives met Union Health Minister on Tuesday and is hopeful that they will call off the strike soon.

Jain underlined that Delhi is ready for children's vaccination as the drive is going to start from January 3. He said that there is no need to make separate vaccination centre for children as the city has already completed the first dose. "We will use the same centres for children too as people due for second dose visit the centre only when their time comes," said the Delhi Health Minister, adding that now only children will visit those centres for their first dose.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Jain said that the GRAP stage one has been implemented in the city which means that Delhi is under 'Yellow Alert'. "Further discussion on the current Covid situation will take place in today's DDMA meeting," he added.

Terming the Omicron outbreak an important factor for spike in Delhi's daily Covid caseload, he said that Covid-19 positivity rate is around 1 per cent with 496 new cases reported on Tuesday. The cases have increased with the arrival of international flights.

There is no need to create panic as not a single Omicron patient has required oxygen support so far, he added further.
Four people were killed after a small plane crashed in California, according to authorities.

"A Learjet 35 business jet crashed in a residential San Diego neighbourhood around 7:15 p.m. local time Monday. Four people were aboard," said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a statement on Tuesday.

It added that the flight departed John Wayne Airport in Orange County and was headed to Gillespie Field Airport in San Diego, reports Xinhua news agency.

Police and firefighters responded to the scene after the crash.

Firefighters were not able to find any survivors at the crash scene, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The Learjet 35, which could carry up to eight passengers, is a type of multi-role twin-engine business jet manufactured by Learjet.

The plane was scheduled to land at Gillespie Field Airport when the accident happened.

No one was hurt on the ground, but one home was damaged and power lines were knocked down in the area, said the department in a news release.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the accident.
Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/29/2021 -- Global Airline Reservation System Market Status, Trends and COVID-19 Impact Report 2021, Covid 19 Outbreak Impact research report added by Report Ocean, is an in-depth analysis of market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider Airline Reservation System market, and compares it with other markets., market definition, regional market opportunity, sales and revenue by region, manufacturing cost analysis, Industrial Chain, market effect factors analysis, Airline Reservation System market size forecast, market data & Graphs and Statistics, Tables, Bar &Pie Charts, and many more for business intelligence. Get complete Report (Including Full TOC, 100+ Tables & Figures, and Chart). - In-depth Analysis Pre & Post COVID-19 Market Outbreak Impact Analysis & Situation by Region



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Key Segments Studied in the Global Airline Reservation System Market

Manufacturer Detail

- Trawex Technologies

- Airmax Systems

- Sabre

- Amadeus IT Group

- Blue Sky Booking

- Enoyaone

- SITA

- Bird Group

- AMA Assistance

- InteliSys Aviation Systems

- Juniper (Cangooroo)

- IBS Software Services

- Provoke Technologies

- HitchHiker

- Videcom



Product Type Segmentation

- On-Premise

- Web-Based



Application Segmentation

- Individual

- Business

- Government



Our market research provides vital intelligence on market size, business trends, industry structure, market share, and market forecasts that are essential to developing business plans and strategy. In addition, the key strategic and competitive variables affecting the global market are discussed, the industry's key players are identified, and global market share is evaluated. The entire study is framed within the industry's economic and market environments.



How will the COVID-19 coronavirus impact the global economy? The Report Ocean is tracking recent developments and analyzing their impact. Also included are discussions of virus trends, the economic impact of the pandemic, production, supply chains, capacity expansions, and suppliers.

A combination of factors, including COVID-19 containment situation, end-use market recovery & Recovery Timeline of 2020/ 2021



covid-19 scenario Market Behavior/ Level of Risk and Opportunity End Industry Behavior/ Opportunity Assessment Expected Industry Recovery Timeline Business Impact Horizon

Opening of Economy by Q3 2020 xx xx xx xx

Recovery  Opening of Economy extended till Q4 2020 / Q1 2021 xx xx xx xx

Under COVID-19 Outbreak Impact Analysis:

We analyzed industry trends in the context of COVID-19. We analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the product industry chain based on the upstream and downstream markets. We analyze the impact of COVID-19 on various regions and major countries.



The impact of COVID-19 on the future development of the industry is pointed out.

Study Explore :

- Market Behavior/ Level of Risk and Opportunity

- End Industry Behavior/ Opportunity Assessment

- Expected Industry Recovery Timeline

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Each study, more than 100+ pages, is packed with tables, charts and insightful narrative including coverage on:

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- Product segments  size and forecasts

- Market segments  size and forecasts

- Market share of leading manufacturers

- Relevant industry trends

- Industry structure

- Company profiles of industry participants

- Market environment

- Trade flows



Geographical Breakdown: The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the impact and recovery path of Covid 19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.



Countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam

In-Depth Qualitative COVID 19 Outbreak Impact Analysis Include Identification And Investigation Of The Following Aspects: Market Structure, Growth Drivers, Restraints and Challenges, Emerging Product Trends & Market Opportunities, Porter's Fiver Forces. The report also inspects the financial standing of the leading companies, which includes gross profit, revenue generation, sales volume, sales revenue, manufacturing cost, individual growth rate, and other financial ratios. The report basically gives information about the Market trends, growth factors, limitations, opportunities, challenges, future forecasts, and details about all the key market players.



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The study objectives of this report are:

- To study and analyze the global market size (value & volume) by company, key regions/countries, products and application, history data, and forecast to 2025.

- To understand the structure of market by identifying its various subsegments.

- To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).

- Focuses on the key global manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.

- To analyze the growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.

- To project the value and volume of submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).

- To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.

- To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.



The Study Explore COVID 19 Outbreak Impact Analysis



- What should be entry strategies, countermeasures to economic impact, and marketing channels?

- What are market dynamics?

- What are challenges and opportunities?

- What is economic impact on market?

- What is current market status? What's market competition in this industry, both company, and country wise? What's market analysis by taking applications and types in consideration?



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Key Points Covered in Airline Reservation System Market Report:



Chapter 1, About Executive Summary to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Airline Reservation System market, Applications, Market Segment by Regions North America, Europe or Asia;

Chapter 2, objective of the study.

Chapter 3, to display Research methodology and techniques.

Chapter 4 and 5, to show the Overall Market Analysis, segmentation analysis, characteristics;

Chapter 6 and 7, to show the Market size, share and forecast; Five forces analysis (bargaining Power of buyers/suppliers), Threats to new entrants and market condition;

Chapter 8 and 9, to show analysis by regional segmentation, comparison, leading countries and opportunities; Regional Marketing Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis

Chapter 10, focus on identifying the key industry influencer's, overview of decision framework accumulated through Industry experts and strategic decision makers;

Chapter 11 and 12, Market Trend Analysis, Drivers, Challenges by consumer behavior, Marketing Channels and demand & supply.

Chapter 13 and 14, describe about the vendor landscape (classification and Market Positioning)

Chapter 15, deals with Airline Reservation System Market sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.

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Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/29/2021 -- Global Artificial Intelligence in Education Market Status, Trends and COVID-19 Impact Report 2021, Covid 19 Outbreak Impact research report added by Report Ocean, is an in-depth analysis of market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider Artificial Intelligence in Education market, and compares it with other markets., market definition, regional market opportunity, sales and revenue by region, manufacturing cost analysis, Industrial Chain, market effect factors analysis, Artificial Intelligence in Education market size forecast, market data & Graphs and Statistics, Tables, Bar &Pie Charts, and many more for business intelligence. Get complete Report (Including Full TOC, 100+ Tables & Figures, and Chart). - In-depth Analysis Pre & Post COVID-19 Market Outbreak Impact Analysis & Situation by Region



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Key Segments Studied in the Global Artificial Intelligence in Education Market

Manufacturer Detail

- Blackboard

- Cisco Systems

- Instructure

- Pearson

- Samsung

- Dell

- Adobe systems

- Discovery Communications

- Echo360

- Fujitsu

- Jenzabar

- IBM

- Promethean World

- Ellucian

- Oracle

- SAP

- Microsoft



Product Type Segmentation

- Convenient for Educational Affairs

- Convenient for Learning

- Convenient for Campus Management



Application Segmentation

- Teaching Application

- Evaluation Application

- Management Application



Our market research provides vital intelligence on market size, business trends, industry structure, market share, and market forecasts that are essential to developing business plans and strategy. In addition, the key strategic and competitive variables affecting the global market are discussed, the industry's key players are identified, and global market share is evaluated. The entire study is framed within the industry's economic and market environments.



How will the COVID-19 coronavirus impact the global economy? The Report Ocean is tracking recent developments and analyzing their impact. Also included are discussions of virus trends, the economic impact of the pandemic, production, supply chains, capacity expansions, and suppliers.

A combination of factors, including COVID-19 containment situation, end-use market recovery & Recovery Timeline of 2020/ 2021



covid-19 scenario Market Behavior/ Level of Risk and Opportunity End Industry Behavior/ Opportunity Assessment Expected Industry Recovery Timeline Business Impact Horizon

Opening of Economy by Q3 2020 xx xx xx xx

Recovery  Opening of Economy extended till Q4 2020 / Q1 2021 xx xx xx xx

Under COVID-19 Outbreak Impact Analysis:

We analyzed industry trends in the context of COVID-19. We analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the product industry chain based on the upstream and downstream markets. We analyze the impact of COVID-19 on various regions and major countries.



The impact of COVID-19 on the future development of the industry is pointed out.

Study Explore :

- Market Behavior/ Level of Risk and Opportunity

- End Industry Behavior/ Opportunity Assessment

- Expected Industry Recovery Timeline



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Each study, more than 100+ pages, is packed with tables, charts and insightful narrative including coverage on:

- Market size

- Product segments  size and forecasts

- Market segments  size and forecasts

- Market share of leading manufacturers

- Relevant industry trends

- Industry structure

- Company profiles of industry participants

- Market environment

- Trade flows



Geographical Breakdown: The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the impact and recovery path of Covid 19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.



Countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam

In-Depth Qualitative COVID 19 Outbreak Impact Analysis Include Identification And Investigation Of The Following Aspects: Market Structure, Growth Drivers, Restraints and Challenges, Emerging Product Trends & Market Opportunities, Porter's Fiver Forces. The report also inspects the financial standing of the leading companies, which includes gross profit, revenue generation, sales volume, sales revenue, manufacturing cost, individual growth rate, and other financial ratios. The report basically gives information about the Market trends, growth factors, limitations, opportunities, challenges, future forecasts, and details about all the key market players.



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Key questions answered: Study Explore COVID 19 Outbreak Impact Analysis



The study objectives of this report are:

- To study and analyze the global market size (value & volume) by company, key regions/countries, products and application, history data, and forecast to 2025.

- To understand the structure of market by identifying its various subsegments.

- To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).

- Focuses on the key global manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.

- To analyze the growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.

- To project the value and volume of submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).

- To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.

- To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.



The Study Explore COVID 19 Outbreak Impact Analysis



- What should be entry strategies, countermeasures to economic impact, and marketing channels?

- What are market dynamics?

- What are challenges and opportunities?

- What is economic impact on market?

- What is current market status? What's market competition in this industry, both company, and country wise? What's market analysis by taking applications and types in consideration?



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Key Points Covered in Artificial Intelligence in Education Market Report:



Chapter 1, About Executive Summary to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Artificial Intelligence in Education market, Applications, Market Segment by Regions North America, Europe or Asia;

Chapter 2, objective of the study.

Chapter 3, to display Research methodology and techniques.

Chapter 4 and 5, to show the Overall Market Analysis, segmentation analysis, characteristics;

Chapter 6 and 7, to show the Market size, share and forecast; Five forces analysis (bargaining Power of buyers/suppliers), Threats to new entrants and market condition;

Chapter 8 and 9, to show analysis by regional segmentation, comparison, leading countries and opportunities; Regional Marketing Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis

Chapter 10, focus on identifying the key industry influencer's, overview of decision framework accumulated through Industry experts and strategic decision makers;

Chapter 11 and 12, Market Trend Analysis, Drivers, Challenges by consumer behavior, Marketing Channels and demand & supply.



Chapter 13 and 14, describe about the vendor landscape (classification and Market Positioning)

Chapter 15, deals with Artificial Intelligence in Education Market sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.

..and view more in complete table of Contents



Browse Premium Research Report with Tables and Figures at @ https://reportocean.com/industry-verticals/sample-request?report_id=bis249613



Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.



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Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/29/2021 -- A new research document is added in HTF MI database of 148 pages, titled as 'Global RegTech Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2027' with detailed analysis, Competitive landscape, forecast and strategies. Latest analysis highlights high growth emerging players and leaders by market share that are currently attracting exceptional attention. The identification of hot and emerging players is completed by profiling 50+ Industry players; some of the profiled players are Acuant, Inc. (United States), Trunomi (United Kingdom), Suade (United Kingdom), PassFort (United Kingdom), Launch Pad Technologies Limited (Ireland), LexisNexis Risk Solutions Group (United States), ACTICO GmbH (Germany), Ascent (United States), Ayasdi AI LLC (United States), London Stock Exchange Group plc. (United Kingdom), Additional players considered in the study are as follows: Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (United States), Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (United Kingdom), ComplyAdvantage (United Kingdom), PwC (United Kingdom), Thomson Reuters (Canada). The Market has witnessed continuous growth in the past few years and is projected to see some stability post Q2,2020 and may grow further during forecast year 2021-2026



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Regtech is the management of regulative processes among the monetary trade through technology. Most functions of RegTech embrace regulative observation, reporting, and compliance. Regtech consists of a group of corporations that use cloud-computing technology through software-as-a-service (SaaS) to assist businesses to adjust to rules with efficiency and low expense. Regtech is additionally called regulative technology.



The RegTech market study is being classified by Type (Software and Services), by Application (Risk Management, Compliance Management, Regulatory Reporting, Financial Regulation, Transaction Monitoring, Identity Management and Control and Fraud Detection) and major geographies with country level break-up.



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Market Drivers



Demand for Solutions regarding Data Breaches and Money Laundering in Technology-Driven Economy through Automation



Opportunities



Automation of Processes Lowering Human Workforce Deployment

Growing R&D in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence to make Procedure faster



Restraints



The Reliability of Decision Makers in a Firm upon Machinery can hurt the Market Growth



Challenges



Shortage of Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain to complement the Efficient Result Generated by RegTech



Key Target Audience



RegTech Providers/Vendors, Financial Advisors, Cyber Security Firms, Research Firms and Others



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Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global RegTech Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2027 Market:

Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Global RegTech Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2027market. (Introduction, Scope of the Report)Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary  the basic information of the Global RegTech Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regiona



....Continued



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It's vital you keep your market knowledge up to date. If you have a different set of players/manufacturers according to geography or needs regional or country segmented reports we can provide customization accordingly.



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The first and arguably biggest impact so far is cultural. The origins of cryptocurrency lie with utopian libertarians attempting to construct a basis for the ultimate free market

.

by Thomas Redshaw

The use of cryptocurrencies is rapidly increasing across the world. In 2020, scholars at the University of Cambridge estimated there were 101 million people using cryptocurrencies worldwide, an increase from 35 million just two years previously. The rise of cryptocurrency is usually a story of pizzas bought with bitcoins now worth over a billion dollars, kingpins of darknet drugs markets ordering assassinations and hospitals being held to ransom by anonymous hackers. These new levels of activity however are pushing cryptocurrency, and its underlying blockchain technology into the mainstreamwith significant consequences.

Cryptocurrency Farm

The first and arguably biggest impact so far is cultural. The origins of cryptocurrency lie with utopian libertarians attempting to construct a basis for the ultimate free market. Bitcoin was designed to be a currency that no centralised organisation, let alone nation state, could control. Instead, digital assets could be exchanged across peer-to-peer networks run, in theory, by anyone with a computer.

Emerging at a time when the reckless lending of financial institutions had crashed the world economy and national governments had shifted its costs onto working people via austerity measures, the idea of a currency run by its users that could challenge the power of the banks appealed to many. These ideas flourished online, particularly in the wake of Edward Snowdens revelations about mass surveillance, and a new subculture emerged, replete with its own specialised news sites, forums, events, businesses and vernacular. While there was some degree of ambivalence to the politics of early bitcoin users, the anti-establishment populism that now characterises this subculture is fervently right-wing.

On the one hand, this is due to the enduring libertarian ideas that inspired bitcoins design. Indeed, because many of these ideas are embedded in its functionalitysuch as a predetermined limit on how many bitcoins can be createdlearning how bitcoin works often involves learning libertarian economic theory and its implicit political premise that free markets are the best solution to social problems. On the other hand, using bitcoin involves financial speculation. Bitcoin has yet to prove itself as a stable currency but it has demonstrated that those who closely monitor its wild price fluctuations can make money if they can buy low and sell high. This has fostered a Wolf of Wall Street-style culture of frenzied trading.

The result is a libertarian subculture that loathes banks and national governments but celebrates volatile markets and fetishises bitcoin as an agent of historical change. In what may be the best expression yet of capitalist realism, a new tool for free market speculation has become for many a populist symbol of resistance to the ravages of finance capitalism. This is the ideological power of bitcoin: to rearticulate free market capitalism in a new, invigorating way that resonates in an era defined by seemingly unaccountable financial institutions, mass surveillance and political inertia.

This has not been lost on political movements on the right seeking to build popular support for neoliberal policies. Indeed, it is arguably the principal reason the right-wing populist president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, made the country the first in the world to accept bitcoin as legal tender. Here bitcoin may not function as a stable currency but as a publicity stunt. Bukele has been able to successfully energise his strategy for establishing right-wing hegemony by attracting the interest of a global and growing subculture.

Capital Flow

A second major impact of cryptocurrency concerns the way it has been incorporated into global flows of capital. This has occurred in many ways, from cryptocurrencies becoming so prevalent in the trade for illicit goods that crypto-markets are now a key focus for criminologists, to blockchain innovation attracting major investment from an array of transnational corporations such as Amazon, IBM and Mastercard.

The indispensable context to all this is the continuing crisis of overproduction. After decades of neoliberalism in which the global economy has been restructured to facilitate more free trade and diminish the power of organised labour, surplus value has been increasingly concentrated within the capitalist class. To put it bluntly, rich elites have more money than their financiers know what to do with.

Historically, such moments lead to increases in speculative activity as a bloated finance sector seeks ever more ways to make money out of money, such as trading in futures and derivatives or speculating on the future price of gold or artwork. With no real underlying value being produced by such activities, financial bubbles grow dangerously large and threaten to crash the whole system. Similar concerns are growing about the potential consequences of a cryptocurrency crash.

At the heart of this issue is Tether. Tether is essentially a bank for people looking to make quick money by trading cryptocurrencies (because most banks dont deal with crypto companies). You buy tokens called tethers, each one of which the company insists are backed by U.S. dollars. With these casino chips you can then go off to cryptocurrency exchanges and start speculating, safe in the knowledge that you can always go back to Tether and cash in your chips for real money.

However, questions are increasingly being raised over the authenticity of Tethers claims. This is a serious concern as there are now 69 billion tethers in circulation. If confidence falls, as a result of criminal investigations for example, a significant number of people may try to cash in their tethers at the same time. Tether could collapse and trigger a crash in wider credit markets. The potential impact of such a crash grows as cryptocurrency becomes more enmeshed in global finance and everyday life.

The energy question

The final and perhaps most widely known impact of cryptocurrencies concerns their ruinous levels of energy consumption. The amount of energy used to power the bitcoin network alone is more than many countries use in a year.

Hundreds of thousands of hardware operators known as miners compete with one other to process data on the bitcoin network, incentivised to do so by rewards in units of bitcoin. To successfully process data and receive these bitcoins a miner must set their computer to constantly generate random sequences until one of them effectively wins a lottery operated by the network itself. The more powerful your computer, the more likely it is to generate the winning ticket. This has led to an arms race between miners, the mass production of specialised hardware and the emergence of giant mining farmswarehouses full of powerful computers all generating random codes with the aim of processing data for the bitcoin network.

Historically the vast majority of bitcoin mining has taken place in China due to cheap access to electricity. Recently, though, the rapid growth of an industry that is both notoriously difficult to regulate and exhibiting all the signs of a dangerous speculative bubble has led the Chinese authorities to clamp down on both mining and trading activities, enforcing a complete ban on cryptocurrency from June this year.

What can the left do?

The impact of this ban on cryptocurrency is still unclear. While many mining operations have shut down or migrated to other regions, some analysts argue the networks carbon emissions may actually increase. This brings us to the question: what to do about crypto?

Debates on the left broadly fall into two camps: calling on more governments to follow China and ban cryptocurrency; or calling on social movements to engage with the technology and steer its development towards more progressive ends. The first of these responses has received more mainstream media coverage and influenced public figures from Elon Musk to Elizabeth Warren to denounce bitcoins energy consumption. The second has revitalised visions for a global commons within some hacktivist circles, with blockchain seen as a much needed alternative infrastructure to the monopoly platforms that dominate the internet.

These two camps are both fighting an uphill struggle in a scene dominated by finance capital and libertarian ideology. They are also at odds with one another, with those advocating regulation perceiving no salvageable potential and those advocating adaptation often attracted to blockchain precisely because of its capacity to escape regulation. As financial blockades on organisations such as Wikileaks demonstratenot to mention those on countries with socialist governmentsit is not only right-wing movements that have reason to evade legal and financial restrictions.

One way to reconcile these two positions may be to decentre the technology and focus on practice. It is indisputable that crypto has given rise to problematic practices (for example, mining) and exacerbated others (for example, unregulated speculation) and these must be opposed. Yet it is also true that the technology has prompted many to experiment with alternative currencies and projects for building a global digital commons. The technology is only a tool here; the main objectives and real potential lie with the capacity to build networks of solidarity and collaboration aimed at addressing real injustices. Networks such as Crypto Commons, P2P Models, DisCO Coop, Breadchain, Circles UBI, Holochain and Nym (to name but a few) deserve engagement and support from the left in their attempts to address pertinent grievances around inequality, surveillance and concentrations of power in the digital age.

Thomas Redshaw is a lecturer in digital society at the University of Salford.
The ARRL report that HamSCI is soliciting abstracts for the 2022 HamSCI Workshop. The submission deadline is February 1, 2022. The workshop will be a hybrid (in-person and virtual) event from March 18  19, 2022, at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Jim Bacon, G3YLA

The primary objective of the HamSCI workshop is to bring together the amateur radio community and professional scientists, said HamSCI Lead Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, an assistant professor within the Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering at The University of Scranton. This years theme is The Weather Connection, with invited speakers Tamitha Skov, WX6SWW, and Jim Bacon, G3YLA.

Skov and Bacon will present tutorials on the impacts of space and terrestrial weather on the ionosphere. Chen-Pang Yeang, an associate professor and director for the Special Project on Scientific Instruments at the University of Toronto, will deliver the keynote address, Ham Radio and the Discovery of the Ionosphere.

Frissell said that abstracts related to development of the Personal Space Weather Station, ionospheric science, atmospheric science, radio science, space weather, radio astronomy, and any science topic that can be appropriately related to amateur radio are invited. We especially encourage submissions related to this years meeting theme of The Weather Connection, but will also accept abstracts outside of this theme that are of interest to both the amateur radio and professional science communities.

To submit an abstract, complete the form on the HamSCI Workshop page. Workshop registration will open by mid-January. The 2022 HamSCI Workshop is organized by The University of Scranton, in collaboration with The University of Alabama and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Financial support is provided by the US National Science Foundation

Source: The ARRL

http://www.arrl.org/news/hamsci-invites-abstracts-for-its-2022-workshop
Populism and autocracy have been on the rise for some time, largely attributed to the feckless insouciance of the neo-liberal democratic leadership that has fueled inequality and want in the world.

by Dr. Ruwantissa Abeyratne in Montreal

A phenomenon noticeable throughout history regardless of place or period is the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interests. Mankind, it seems, makes a poorer performance of government than of almost any other human activity Barbara W. Tuchman, The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam

The Economist records five major trends that confront us at the present time: the threat to democracy; the advent of the electric vehicle; Chinas emergence in the global film industry; climate change; and the technology that could deflect an asteroid threatening the world. Of these, we had a foretaste of the first trend throughout the year  the decline of democracy in the world. There were two other largely contentious events which happened in 2021: The ill-advised, arbitrary, and seemingly capricious withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, which left the Afghan people destitute of security and sustenance; and COP -26 in Glasgow which many considered a COPOUT rather than just another COP.

Attack on the U.S. Capitol

Populism and autocracy have been on the rise for some time, largely attributed to the feckless insouciance of the neo-liberal democratic leadership that has fueled inequality and want in the world. When we look at the concept of Democracy (in the classical Greek sense of governance by the people and the right of the citizen to vote-in a government) which brings with it such rights as the right to speech and press freedom; the right to expect free and fair elections; and the rule of law, there is no room for doubt that the foretaste we had on 6 January  when the United States Capitol was violently attacked by a rabblesome band of obstreperous insurgents  brings to bear the stark reality that democracy is nothing but an elegant discourse on theoretical social semantics. Our primeval nature is riven with a tendency towards hanging on to the coattails of a strong man (and rarely a strong woman) who would control us with demagoguery and fearmongering along with false promises of protection from the insidious elite and pernicious migrants.

The onslaught on the US Capitol released contentious arguments among the vituperative and malignantly divided legislative community and argumentative academics and lawyers, if only from a constitutional law perspective. The gravamen of accusation was against the speech delivered by President Trump which some called invidiously inciting. The basis for this accusation was that the speech focused on the claim by the President that the democratic Presidential elections was stolen by the Democrats, and that people should not take it lying down. This distinct link led to a groundswell of demand from the Democrats for the impeachment of the President. On the other hand, Professor Alan Dershowitz, a distinguished and erudite law professor at Harvard University de linked the Presidents speech from the attack, claiming that if the Presidents speech did not lead to the attack it would have been considered, and indeed could have been considered, an innocuous exercise of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution which proclaims: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The question that arose was whether the attack could be directly imputed to the preceding incendiary speech of the President on the basis that he incited the insurgency, arousing the people to protect their right by effectively precluding the United States legislature from confirming the election to office of President Biden. From a strictly non-partisan point of view it must be stated that 18 U.S. Code Chapter 15  2384 on Seditious Conspiracy says; If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.

This is of course if a link could be established between the Presidents speech and the insidious attack'.

As for impeachment, the U.S. Constitution, in Article II section 4 says:  President, as well as the Vice-President and all civil officers, may be impeached for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. This provision was seemingly drafted by the founding fathers of the Constitution to refute the old English adage that the king can do no wrong. The issue here would lie on the words high crimes and misdemeanours for which there is no coherent definition.

Withdrawal from Afghanistan

By August 30th the withdrawal of the U.S and its NATO allies from Afghanistan was complete  a withdrawal initiated and decided by President Biden without formal consultation with the European allies. As The Economist noted:  THE LAST Royal Air Force transporter has left and the British are gone, taking with them 15,000 people and 173 cats and dogs. The French have lowered their tricolour and departed, having evacuated some 3,000 people. Germany got out another 5,100 people before calling it quits. Nation by nation the NATO powers that spent 20 years fighting alongside America in Afghanistan have in the past few days raced to end their missions.

General Kenneth McKenzie, head of US Central Command, announced the end of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan at 3.30pm Eastern time on August 30th, which was in the wee hours of the morning of August 31st in Kabul: right on President Joe Bidens schedule.

The U.S. and its allies left US $ 65 billion worth of fighting equipment as a gift to the Taliban who effected a peaceful but ominous takeover of Kabul. Congressman Jim Banks said:  "The Taliban now has biometric devices which have the fingerprints, eye scans and biographical information of all the Afghans who helped us and were on our side in the last 20 years, There is no plan by this administration to get those weapons backthere is no plan to account for any of this equipment or these weapons."

As the Democratically elected President of Afghanistan fled, Afghans rushed to the airport to get out of the country, desperately clinging to aircraft ferrying foreign personnel and their families; some fell violently to the ground; the people wept, unable to cope with their own saturnine misery, while suicide bombers killed13 soldiers and numerous Afghanis at the airport. President Biden said: After 20 years, Ive learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw US forces. Thats why were still there. We were clear-eyed about the risk.We gave them every chance to determine their own future. We could not provide them with the will to fight for that future,. This drew disapproval and protests from British legislators among others.

BBC World News of 28 December 2021 showed children working on the streets of Kabul as shoe shiners and tea sellers, while some were foraging through garbage. What they earned would buy them bread for them and their unemployed parents to eat at night. The children who were interviewed said they should be in school some saying they wanted to become doctors, engineers and pilots.

While the world equivocated, Jane Ghosh of Bristol wrote a letter to The Guardian which explicitly summarises the indiscretions of western interference:  The history of western interference after the second world war in countries throughout the world has been one of unmitigated failure for which we all bear a share of shame... Western powers have invaded countries thousands of miles away in the name of democracy and achieved a vacuum of power that has swiftly been filled by the very forces they went to evict. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. We have left behind devastation and despair while never learning the lessons of each disaster. If people want a one-party state, why does the US and its poodles think it has a duty or right to impose a very flawed system of democracy on other nations? Hubris followed inevitably by nemesis.

Was COP 26 a COPOUT?

The 26th Conference of the Parties (COP-26) of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Glasgow in October amidst the bluster of evocative speeches by leaders and vocal protests of environment activists. As reported at the end of the Conference COP-26 had had four key objectives summarized as coal, cash, cars, and treesin other words: Ending coal power generation (a pledge now endorsed by 46 countries with a deadline set at 2040). Providing the long promised $100 billion annual support towards developing countries green transition (a goal that was meant to cover the period 2020-2025). Supporting electric vehicles and a phase out of gasoline and diesel-powered motor vehicles by 2040. Reversing deforestation in an attempt to protect existing nature-based solutions to capturing emissions.

COP26 resulted in the completion of the Paris Agreement rulebook and kept the Paris targets alive, giving us a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. During the summit, member countries agreed for the Glasgow Climate Pact, which will accelerate action on climate this decade, and finally complete the Paris Rulebook.

There were criticisms that stakeholders were left out of negotiations. Asad Rehman, a spokesperson for the COP26 coalition, told CNBC when asked about his experience of COP26 so far: Id like to be polite, but it will go down as the worst planned, worst organized and least effective COP that I have ever known. It is just unbelievable.

CNBC reported: Rehman, who said he had been attending U.N. climate talks for over a decade, estimated that only one-third of the usual number of participants representing the Global South had been able to attend COP26 due to Covid-19 restrictions, a lack of affordable accommodation and an inability to access the conference. This seriously undermines the credibility of the meeting, he said, before adding that some civil society groups in attendance had also been locked out of negotiations. This, when the 52 African countries pollute 1% of the world and the top 10 richest nations pollute 70%. Yet, the Africans bear the brunt of climate change and global warming, not to mention poor Pacific States and States in Asia

The much celebrated bestselling author Naomi Klein said at Doha Debates:  Its now or never: We must rein in capitalism and fight the climate crisis and poverty at the same time. Our moment calls for holistic and systemic solutions that are designed to meet the basic needs of all while radically lowering emissions  ones that do not gamble the lives of billions on capitalist shell games

Conclusion

As Michael Sandel, a distinguished professor at Harvard University said, there is a moral vacancy in public discourse. This was clearly evident in the equivocality of the neo post modernism of the world in 2021. Apart from the three major events cited in this article, there were scores of others in 2021 that spoke to vaccine apartheid as some called the inequity of vaccine distribution in the world; the billions spent on the momentary experience of floating in space; the contumacious greed for the accumulation of fortunes where, to quote Inequality.Org : [A]ccording to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report, the worlds richest 1 percent, those with more than $1 million, own 43.4 percent of the worlds wealth. Their data also shows that adults with less than $10,000 in wealth make up 53.6 percent of the worlds population but hold just 1.4 percent of global wealth. Individuals owning over $100,000 in assets make up 12.4 percent of the global population but own 83.9 percent of global wealth. Credit Suisse defines wealth as the value of a households financial assets plus real assets (principally housing), minus their debts.

Something definitely was wrong with 2021. Lets be sanguine about 2022 as we seem to have no alternative.

Dr. Abeyratne is a former senior official of the United Nations.
The degeneration of the Indian-Pakistani moral and intellectual culture is well in progress. The essence, meaning and purpose of historic British colonial systems are operative across all public affairs, policies and practices in India and Pakistan.

by Mahboob A. Khawaja, PhD.

Irony of Historic National Freedom and Unspoken Tyranny of Imperialism

Do nations and civilizations grow out of the moral mire of military conquests, killings of innocent people, political cruelty and subjugation by imperialism? For more than 800 years, India as a Moghul Empire was an economically well integrated and politically viable entity and west European had strong trade and political relationships. After intrigued conspiracies and planned division, British invaded India in 1857, committing cold blooded massacres of two millions people mostly Muslims opposing the military invasion described just as a Mutiny in the British chronicle. Bahadur Shah Zafar  the last Moghul emperor was deposed over night in Delhi, his youngest son head was chopped-off and put on a breakfast plate to strangle the Shah and make him surrender unconditionally. Shah was hurriedly taken to Rangoon (Burma) and imprisoned in a garage and later on died and buried only to write poems in loss of his freedom and beloved country. Did the British overtake India to be a free country for democracy or to support the Hindu domination of futuristic India? British robbed Moghul India and became it became Great Britain and imagined India as an absolute entity of the British Empire.

Leaders like Gandhi and Nehru, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Khan though educated in British intellectual traditions but articulated new mission and visions for national freedom as a revulsion against the British colonial political traditions and continuity of British Raj in India. Was this violent and ruthless indoctrination part of the British heritage or history-making efforts to besiege India forever? Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy made sure that Indians will remain loyal and committed subservient to the futuristic blending of so called celebrated national freedom after the 1947 partition into India and Pakistan. British failed to deliver the truth of national freedom to both nations in a universal spirit of political responsibility. Both nations continued to engage in military warfare, ethnic conflicts and hegemonic control to dominate each other by undermining their own future.

History could not have confined the tyranny and oppression of divide and rule of British imperialism against the will of the Indian masses. Canons of rationality clarify that national freedom granted to both new entities in August 1947 was a fake chronology of time and history. The so called national freedom perpetuated a hybrid socio-economic and political culture  part human- part vulture, British made no security arrangements to ensure communal peace and harmony which resulted in millions of people been killed in ethnic violence while migrating from one place to another.

Strange as it is, while British imperialism changed the Indian mindset and behavior within a century, but even after 75 years India and Pakistan remain glued to the British colonial systems to this day in thoughts, systems and governance. Does it not signal a naive and void imagination of national freedom professed by both nations since 1947? They continue to interact with one another as the most hated enemy of time and history, wars, threat of nuclear arsenals, Kashmir dispute and worst of all lack of direct people to people communication or business relationships  all seem to be part of a highly ruptured and purging pursuit of national freedom.

Indian and Pakistani Leaders Follow Egoistic Agenda for the Future

The aerial view of New Delhi reflects an Islamic image of the city - grand New Delhi Mosque, nearby historic and beautiful Taj Mahal, Old Fort and lot more. To foreigners, it is does not look like the capital of Hindu India at all. If this inference has any reality, the future of India and Pakistan should have been collaboration and lasting friendship. India always wanted to subdue Pakistan and its national freedom. Pakistans bad luck entailed many military coups breaking its integrity and trust on freedom. Egoistic and foolish Generals created bogus and corrupt politicians claiming to be the leaders of future-making. They lacked the moral and intellectual capacity to imagine its future with a new generation of educated, intelligent and proactive people who could have contributed for a promising future of Pakistan.

Indias political agenda was intact when in December 1971, East Pakistan was disintegrated and Bangladesh was created by Mrs. Indra Gandhi the Prime Minister  a power conspirator in India. Pakistani governing elite would not dare to admit that it was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Genera Yahya Khan both major conspirators who led to the defeat of Pakistan. Even half a century later, Pakistanis still live in delusional and unarguable conclusion of that historic misfortune. As a graduate student, I met General PNK Choudry (the former Chief of the Indian Armed Force) forcibly retired by Mrs. Indra Gandhi and sent as an Ambassador (HC) to Canada. At a local Canadian university campus, we met when he was a guest speaker. Later on, I invited him for a class gathering with fellow students and lunch. During the summer while working at photo store, General Choudry comes in with two cameras on his shoulder and many times we had lunch together and walks and photography together. On weekends, at university library- often I got library books to share with him and we talked about global affairs and his own past and India-Pakistan. He denied any alleged conspiracy against Mrs. Gandhi to oust her and bring a military coup in India. My interaction with General Choudry continued for almost two years. After his diplomatic assignment, he was hired by McGill University as a lecturer and that is where he died in 1975. He was a simple, 6.5 ft approx tall person, humble and spoke openly and truthfully as I recall him. As an Indian top army General he may have been a tyrant but as a human being and a diplomat he was a decent person. He fought wars with Pakistan and knew most of the military establishments. Here is what he disclosed during many conversations and it should be alarming to Pakistanis if they deny it:

ZABhutto and Shekih Mujib were Appointed by Mrs. Indra Gandhi

Prior to the defeat and surrender of East Pakistan in 1971, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had direct contact with Mrs. Gandhi and wanted Indias help to become the next leader of Pakistan. India was looking for such an opportunity and wanted East Pakistan to become a new entity- Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujib Rehman was nationalist but was enthusiastic for a new homeland except to become the next elected leader of Pakistan. Bhutto-Yahya Khan were competing for power even without elections. ZA Bhutto wanted political power even if Pakistan was defeated, otherwise Sheikh Mujib-Yahya could have become the next governing leaders. Bhutto was a power hungry individual without any political capacity to be a leader. Mrs. Gandhi helped both  ZA Bhutto and Sheikh Mujib and the price was the defeat and surrender of Pakistan. Mrs. Gandhi appointed Bhutto as the next President, Martial Law Administrator and Prime Minister of Pakistan and Sheikh Mujib ur Rehman as the next President of Bangladesh. Some Pakistani would blame General Niazi for the surrender but in reality it was Yahya-Bhutto and the Pakistani Generals who should have faced full accountability and perhaps firing squads for their treachery and dishonesty to national freedom and integrity of Pakistan. None of this ever happened in Pakistan. To see more, please view the articles by this author: Pakistan: Leaders who Stabbed the Nation (2009), Pakistan: Leader or Criminals. (2014); Pakistan: Reflections on the Turbulent 69th Independence Day, Pakistan: How to change the culture of political corruption and rebuild the Future. (2014), and Pakistan and Indias leader mark freedom from British Colonial Rule but Masses look for a Navigational Change. (2020).

To General Choudry, if the whole Pakistan was captured by India except the Sindh province, ZA Bhutto would have gladly become the Chief Minister of Sindh to co-exist with India. He disclosed, there were five or six soft hearted Pakistani Generals willing to align and not to challenge Indias plan for Bangladesh. Shocking as it is, future Pakistani leaders never held anyone accountable for the crimes against the nation. Were ZA Bhutto and Yahya Khan more important than the existence, national freedom and integrity of One Pakistan? Dr. Ishtiaq Qureshi (Editor Urdu Digest) wrote Skoote Dahaka Say Purdah Uttha Hey (1972), in which he described the details how Bhutto and Yahya khan betrayed Pakistan and stabbed the nation. Dr. Qureshi was imprisoned by the Bhutto Government. This truth remains unacknowledged and districted by the Pakistani governing elite even to this day. Are the Pakistanis still living in any rational denials of their own chapter of history? Moral and intellectual corruption is rampant in both countries. Masses are systematically compelled to bribe officials to get the basic services and official necessities of nationality ID, passports, driver license and lot more in life. The national freedom has changed from the enlarged scope of corruption and exploitation  the legacy of the British imperialism. Both India and Pakistani neo-colonialists look for escape from reality and are allergic to see the mirror of the present and future. Allama Iqbal (pioneer of Pakistani national freedom) did not live to see his dream come true of Pakistan. Mahtama Gandhi was murdered by a Hindu extremist, Nehru died a natural death. Mohammad Ali Jinnah passed away in a broken ambulance on a Karachi street, and Liaquat Ali Khan (first PM) was murdered by the then Pakistani politicians. Mrs. Gandhi was killed by his Sikh bodyguard. Sheikh Mujib was murdered by his military commander and Bhutto was hanged for killing a political opponent.

Are there any Glimpse of Hope for People-Oriented Change for the New Generations?

India has its multiple problems of socio-economic and political diversity. It is unable to counteract the national freedom movement of Sikh Nation for an independent Khalistan. Kashmir was never a part of British Indian dominion and its masses continue to seek freedom from India occupation and violations of their basic human rights. Muslim, Christian and other minorities are oppressed under Hindu-controlled India. Pakistani miserably failed to take proactive initiatives to support the freedom movement for the people of Kashmir. The old service men-led elite could not imagine new and creative strategies to organize international conferences or effectively communicate to the Western world to share the aspirations of the Kashmiri masses.

The degeneration of the Indian-Pakistani moral and intellectual culture is well in progress. The essence, meaning and purpose of historic British colonial systems are operative across all public affairs, policies and practices in India and Pakistan. The armed forces, the civil service and legal jurisprudence all remain under the sinister influence and disfigured reality of the two so called free nations. Police still beats the protesters and open fire on peaceful demonstrators, be in New Delhi, Kashmir or Islamabad. National freedom does not empower futuristic societies to establish political absurdity, immoral and intellectual decadence and political injustice. Common people in both countries are besieged in obsolete systems of political governance except rich landlords and affluent compete the elections and gain power. There is no change for the people in the colonized landscape except enlarged scope of moral and intellectual corruption guised as freedom. If you will question both elite having many common values of the British Raj, they would deny if there is anything wrong with their thinking, role play and management of public affairs. The new and young generation who could not imagine a new sustainable future are vanishing fast and migrating to Europe and America in search of better opportunities. The old generations of landlords and retired civilian-military officials manage the governing bodies whereas people of new and educated generation are deprived of any practical participation and migrate to Europe and North America and never return to their home countries. The hub of political culture is divided and delusional about national freedom and a sustainable future-making. There are no wars for the people of the sub-continent to fight but they are fighting wars on several fronts without reason- known and unknown. The compelling realities across the beleaguered sub-continent demand new thinking, new visionary leadership, men of new ideas and plans to deal with the unwarranted exploitation of masses, communal deaths, and deliberate destruction of the historic culture and millions of people looking for change and a new beginning of cordial borders and relationships.

Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja specializes in international affairs-global security, peace and conflict resolution with keen interests in Islamic-Western comparative cultures and civilizations, and author of several publications including the latest: One Humanity and the Remaking of Global Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution. Lambert Academic Publications, Germany, 12/2019.
Russias tensions with the US over Ukraine also has a Far East vector. Second, Russia and Japan are yet to sign a Peace Treaty bringing their World War 2 hostilities to a formal end. Russia increasingly sees a congruence of interests with China.

by M.K. Bhadrakumar

A Kyodo News agency report on Friday cited Japanese government sources to the effect that Tokyo and Washington have drawn up a draft joint operation plan that would enable the setup of an attack base along the Nansei island chain in Japans southwest in the event of a Taiwan contingency.

According to the report, the forthcoming 2+2 ministerial of foreign and defense chiefs of the US and Japan on January 7 in Washington is expected to formalize the operation plan.

The report details that under the plan, US Marines will set up a temporary attack base on the Nansei Islands (also known as Ryukyu Islands) initially in a chain stretching southwest toward Taiwan, with around 40 candidate sites amongst around 200 islands, including uninhabited ones.

The report comes in the wake of the recent remarks by Japans hawkish former PM Shinzo Abe that any Taiwan contingency would also be an emergency for Japan and for the Japan-US security alliance.

This report comes only a day after the approval by the Japanese Parliament on Friday to approve the country's biggest ever increase in defense spending since World War 2.

What remains to be seen is whether the Japanese government will now push ahead with a constitutional amendment that will allow Japan to wage war. The existing pacifist constitution, a legacy of World War 2, forbids Japanese armed forces waging wars except strictly in self-defense.

Seven decades ago, the US imposed a pacifist constitution on Japan  which was drafted over the span of just a week by a small team of Americans led by Gen. MacArthur, the supreme commander for the Allied powers. Ironically, the US is now actively encouraging Tokyo to jettison the restrictions and be a normal country so as to recruit it as a full-fledged participant in its alliance system in waging wars in the Asia-Pacific.

Japanese militarism is a fact of modern history. The Great Depression affected Japan by a great amount, and led to a rise in militarism. Succinctly put, Japan wanted to expand in order to gain more natural resources and to create its own economic empire in the Pacific. Its genesis can be traced to the period of rapid militarisation to modernize quickly and keep up with the Western world.

Circumstances then and now have similarities and dissimilarities. The main difference in the early 20th century was that Japan was unhappy with the massive wave of modern globalization by the Western powers, which resulted in the colonization of numerous countries around the world whose ramifications were felt especially in Asia. In sum, Japan protected itself against colonization from western powers.

To protect itself from what it perceived as the possibility of war with Western powers, Japan developed a National Defense State, which was effectively a highly militarized government in which the political establishment made the militaristic decisions with strength of the nations economy tied with that of its military.

Of course, an ideological revitalisation went hand in hand whereby the Japanese nation came to believe in serving the militant, ultra-nationalistic state as a sacred duty. Thus it was that Japan turned into an imperialist type power of Asia with its rapid industrialisation and invasions in China, Korea and Manchuria.

Beijing and Moscow do not seem overly worried about Japans moves right now. But they are watching closely, given the geopolitical reality that any revival of Japanese militarism will now be also anchored on the US Indo-Pacific strategy against China and Russia. They may yet be waiting to see if Japan makes its biggest move yet  actually amending its antiwar constitution for the first time.

Russias tensions with the US over Ukraine also has a Far East vector. Second, Russia and Japan are yet to sign a Peace Treaty bringing their World War 2 hostilities to a formal end. Russia increasingly sees a congruence of interests with China.

On November 23, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu told his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe that US air patrols near Russias eastern borders had increased, with a total of 22 strategic flights over the Sea of Okhotsk in 2020  up from three the previous year  which he said posed a threat to both Russia and China. Against this background, Russian-Chinese coordination is becoming a stabilizing factor in world affairs, Shoigu said.

This conversation took place on the sidelines of the signing of a road map for military cooperation by the two defense ministers. Only three days earlier, Chinese and Russian air forces conducted a joint strategic air patrol over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. China sent two H-6K aircraft to form a joint formation with two Russian Tu-95MC aircraft.

This was the third joint strategic air patrol by the Chinese and Russian militaries aimed at enhancing the level of strategic coordination and joint operational capabilities, and jointly maintain global strategic stability, according to a Chinese readout.

A month before that, after wrapping up a joint naval exercise in the Sea of Japan on October 17, ten powerful Chinese and Russian warships undertook an unprecedented mission to sail through the Tsugaru Strait into the Pacific Ocean in their first joint maritime patrol encircling Japan.

Russias defense ministry said, The tasks of the patrols were the demonstration of the Russian and Chinese state flags, maintaining of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and guardianship of the subjects of maritime economic activities of the two countries.

Quite obviously, Moscows line has hardened in the recent months on the Kuril Islands problem with Japan. President Putin unveiled a new proposal in September to establish a special economic zone in the disputed islands under Russian law. Evidently, Russia plans to intensively and rapidly develop the Kuril and strengthen its integration. Tokyo has protested.

Moscow fears possible deployment of US missile systems on the islands if they are returned to Japan, creating a direct military threat to Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on December 2 the deployment of advanced mobile coastal defense missile system Bastile on the Kuril Islands.

The Russian Defense Ministry also announced on December 21 a plan to hold two strategic command-and-staff exercises, headlined Vostok and Grom, next year. The Vostok (East) drills in the Russian Far East are planned as a key combat training event for all Russian troops.

The disclosure by Kyoto of a joint US-Japan joint operation plan to set up an attack base along the Nansei island chain will most certainly draw a backlash from Moscow. The Kyodo News report said the US deployment will include a high mobility artillery rocket system. Russia has repeatedly warned the US against the deployment of intermediate range missiles in Japan. China too has a similar position and has warned that it would not stand idly by if the US deployed ground-based missiles to Asia.

Author Bio: M.K. Bhadrakumar is a former Indian diplomat. This article was produced in partnership by Indian Punchline and Globetrotter.
MANZINI  I have nothing much to say to the DPM other than to say we shall meet during the dialogue.

This was said by well-known political activist Mphandlana Shongwe during a thanksgiving ceremony hosted by Dr Nash Shongwe Foundation held at the Divine Healing Ministries International yesterday. Shongwe said this to a full auditorium when he was being presented with a blanket by Dr Nash. His remarks drew laughter from the audience and the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Themba Masuku, who was the guest speaker during the event. Mphandlana was spruce as he adorned an all-black suit, a red tie, and black and white shoes. After he was called to the podium by Bishop Dr Nash to receive his blanket, the auditorium burst into applause coupled with whistles. In jest, Bishop Dr Nash said Mphandlana should not be allowed to speak as he would talk politics.

Podium

Meanwhile, when the DPM took to the podium, he reminisced when he was still the minister of Finance wherein he would have road trips with Mphandlana.

He said: I also used to drive with Mphandlana as Finance minister to make him enjoy the comfort of a Mercedes Benz. I dont know if he still has the boots he used to wear. Also, in his remarks, the DPM remarked that Mphandlana had promised him that they would meet during the National Dialogue. Masuku said he was glad that he (Mphandlana) shall partake in it this time around.

Following this, Masuku applauded the support that was being extended to the man of the cloth  Bishop Dr Nash  as the foundation he was heading was not his personal item but a service vehicle to the community. Masuku said the elderly, who Dr Nash was offering gifts to, were full of wisdom and values that the country needed. He said people who had deserted the elderly were seen by vandalism stones and the burning of infrastructure. This is because they have lost the values they need in life. Destroying property and burning infrastructure is a setback as the infrastructure they destroyed needed to be fixed again, Masuku said.

The DPM said following the announcement that His Majesty King Mswati III committed to dialogue, many concerns came to the fore. This, he said, was surprising as emaSwati had engaged in dialogue before and no person was compelled to attend.

In the past, Masuku said the elderly played a pivotal role as they made submissions at the royal kraals that led to the birth of the Constitution of the land. In this exercise, he said, there was no violence and the public voluntarily participated just like some people were not taken to task for not partaking. Nothing was burnt and I appreciate that emaSwati will make submissions and seek amendments if need be. Furthermore, Masuku said there were many bishops who were proclaiming death and were not seen praying for good in the country. He said all their prophecies were about gloom such that some were even praying for an interim government and the collapse of the current administration. While saying this, in jest Masuku said: I wonder if I shall be in the interim government. He implored the citizenry to read the Constitution so that during the dialogue, all shall go smooth. Also, he pleaded that the youth should not be left out in gatherings so that they could know the customs of Eswatini.

Land

We left them behind when going to meetings in royal kraals and it is for this reason that they are now buying Swazi Nation Land (SNL) at E40 000 instead of offering a cow as allegiance. In his closing remarks, Masuku said people who did not take care of the elderly and abandoned them would be followed by curses.

Meanwhile, following the speech by the DPM, Mphandlana claimed that there was truth malnutrition in some of the assertions. The political activist claimed that the current political state in the country was a result of the Constitution. Mphandlana said: I honestly pray that we should not engage in politics when in such platforms. This is why I had made a brief statement that well meet during the dialogue.

He said the reason this should not be the subject when the elderly and vulnerable were present was because most believed assertions made by leaders in society without being able to fact-check such statement. Mphandlana said he would approach Dr Nash to convene a meeting between him and the DPM so that he (Masuku) could withdraw his statement. On the other hand, Pastor Griffiths Dlamini said as the clergy, they should not take sides in the political arena but should be truthful and assist in healing those who were hurting.

We should not favour Mphandlana or support the DPM; but should be at the centre and heal those who are hurting. Meanwhile, over 500 people benefitted from E200 000 spent by the Dr Nash Shongwe Foundation yesterday. The foundation hosted a thanksgiving ceremony which was attended by politicians, men of the cloth, the elderly, orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs) and people with disabilities. Among the people who graced the event was former Prime Minister (PM) Prince Mabandla, ex-Mbabane west legislator, Johane Shongwe, Bishop Samson Shongwe, Pastor Griffiths Dlamini, former National Commissioner (NATCOM) Isaac Magagula, political activist Mphandlana Shongwe and many others.

Dr Nash said organising the event and buying the gifts for the attendees cost about E200 000. The gifts that were handed out to the people included 430 bags of 10kg mealie meal, 300 loaves of bread, 100 buckets of five litres sour milk, 60 blankets, eight double beds and toiletry. Shongwe said his foundation came to life in April and was subsequent to a long history of assisting people. He said its birth resulted in many businesses and individuals donating towards its success. Among the sponsors of the foundation, he said, was the ex-NATCOM who constantly made contributions and had offered E5 000 for the event yesterday. He also said there was a sponsor that did not want to be disclosed that contributed two cattle annually and had also offered E60 000 towards the function.

Storm

Shongwe made donations towards the church of Bishop Samson Hlatshwayo which was destroyed by a storm recently. He also donated E5 000 and toiletry to Gogo Ndes orphanage while offering E3 000 and a blanket to two congregants. Furthermore, six elderly people received beds and blankets while two of them were donated to Mkhiweni Constituency, MP Michael Masuku and Phondo Indvuna Yenkhundla, Sibongile Motsa. The two politicians were also offered bags of mealie meal which along with the bed, they would donate to the needy within their constituencies.

Also, Manzini North Indvuna Yenkhundla, Fana Tsabedze received 20 bags of 10 kg mealie meal to donate to the destitute within the constituency. Worth noting is that, most of the elderly were overcome by emotions when they received the beds and blankets. In dissuading them from crying, Dr Nash poked fun at them and wondered why they were crying. He said when they were excluded from lists, they cry and when being recipients, they shed tears. Am I committing suicide by making these donations? People are crying endlessly, he said, much to the amusement of the attendees. In appreciating the gifts that were extended to them, some of the recipients pledged to make annual contributions towards the foundation.
SITEKI  At last!

Motorists can heave a sigh of relief as they will usher into 2022 with enough fuel. This follows that about two million litres of fuel were transported into the country from Matola Port in Mozambique. According to Galp Eswatini Sales and Marketing Director Fanie Mthethwa, 10 trucks loaded with thousands of litres of fuel each, were on their way into the kingdom from the Portuguese speaking nation. The delivery of the fuel will come as a huge relief to motorists, some of whom had to endure the Christmas weekend without travelling or queuing at filling stations where there was fuel.

The queues were too long as Galp and Puma filling stations did not have any fuel. Towns that were mostly affected were Nhlangano, Siteki and Manzini City.

Mthethwa indicated that processing of customs documents at the Lomahasha Border Gate might delay the arrival of the trucks, which meant fuel could be available late this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

He further stated that his company had also secured a fuel load that was being transported by train and was expected into the country this coming weekend. The director said they secured close to two million litres of fuel, which would only cover the first week of January. Initially, Galp Eswatini is allocated two million litres of diesel and 400 000 litres of petrol by government through the Import Committee that was appointed by the Ministry of Finance. This is fuel to be imported from Mozambique.

This fuel only covers the first quarter, which is January until March; however, due to the high demand of fuel, Galp Eswatini further made a special quota application of four million litres of diesel and the same number of litres of petrol. Mthethwa pointed out that there had been delays in the issuance of the special quota allocations which had resulted in the current prevailing fuel shortage in most of their retailers locally. He said they uploaded their special allocation application through the ASYCUDA system on December 03, 2021 and were expecting feedback from the Import Committee on December 6, 2021.

Delays

However, there were delays hence they were now scrambling to mitigate the situation. ASYCUDA is a computerised customs management system that covers most foreign trade procedures. It handles manifests and customs declarations, accounting procedures, and transit and suspense procedures. It also generates trade data that can be used for statistical economic analysis. Mthethwa explained that they sourced their fuel with a Galp Eswatini sister company based in Mozambique and they also sourced a certain percentage with South African suppliers but were only entering in six months to a year contracts due to the high demand of fuel as South African suppliers also subsidised their local sister companies.

We have a 10-year running contract with our sister company in Mozambique and we become a third party when we try to source fuel from South Africa as they also prioritise their local sister companies, hence we enter into short term agreements with them, he said. Furthermore, Mthethwa said they were expecting feedback on the applied quota application from government next week. We are optimistic that the current prevailing situation will be addressed once government gives us feedback. This is an inevitable situation which we have to try by all means to avert in the near future, Mthethwa concluded.

Meanwhile, Eswatini Fuel Retailers Association (EFRA) Chairman Mduduzi Nyoni said they had engaged all the concerned stakeholders to find a lasting solution to this situation. The chairman acknowledged that it was not the first time the country was faced with scarcity in fuel supply which had been necessitated by logistical issues between the retailers and suppliers. Nyoni also noted that government had not been swift in addressing the issue of delays in the issuance of quota allocations to the retailers. He further assured the nation that his organisation was positively addressing this issue with the aim of ensuring that the situation did not repeat itself in the future.

The logistical connotations between Galp and Puma filling stations with their suppliers in South Africa have also been the catalyst. However, we have engaged the oil companies, the regulator, the Ministry of Finance and that of Natural Resources and Energy, to find a workaround strategy in mitigating the situation, he said.

Meanwhile, motorists also faced the same predicament during the June and July unrest when tankers transporting fuel had to stop sourcing fuel from Durban, South Africa due to the intensity of bombing threats in that country as well as locally. As a result, tankers from Southern Star Logistics had to source fuel from Matola Port in Mozambique and were escorted from the Lomahasha Border Gate to their various supplying depots and garages countrywide. Meanwhile, Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, said the stock depletion in the Matola Port with a shipment arriving on Sunday had also necessitated the situation after government approved the special quota allocation application in early November.

Advance

Rijkenberg said the allocations were done months in advance and the retailers requested the special quota for November and December and were granted in early November. The minister added that the prevailing situation had been exacerbated by the fact that certain local companies found a problem with importing fuel from South Africa. He said the approved special quota permits were to source and import fuel from Mozambique. They also battled due to the fact that fuel was not available in Mozambique and a ship came in on the 26th at the Matola Port. There are fuel companies that are not experiencing the problem other than running dry due to high demand, Rijkenberg explained.
MANZINI - The family of the late Thabani Nkomonye has alleged that the NATCOMs office is aware that the police are intentionally concealing the cause of death of their loved one.

This is what Lawyer Mangaliso Nkomondze told the Coroner, Senior Magistrate Nonhlanhla Dlamini, in the presence of the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsitsibala Dlamini, during his appearance at the ongoing inquest into the death of Nkomonye yesterday. Nkomondze told the coroner that in his mind, he wanted to say that there was negligence by the police in the handing of the matter of the deceased. However, he said the Nkomonye family was concerned the police negligence was a chain which took place for almost a week. So, they believe there is an element of intention for the police to conceal something and the office of the NATCOM is aware of that, Nkomondze submitted.

Concealment

However, in response, the police chief told the coroner that he would not agree to the said concealment of information and that his office was aware of that. He submitted that what he knew was that there was a fatal road traffic accident and further mentioned that the truth would eventually come out. The lawyer added that another issue was the rumours about police officers who allegedly killed Nkomonye, which were circulating and the NATCOMs supposed reluctance to launch a criminal investigation on the basis that he would rely on the report of the coroner. On top of that, he submitted that this was taking place against the backdrop of the chain of police negligence when handling the matter.

So, can we conclude that there is a systematic concealment, particularly because of your reluctance to launch a criminal investigation into the death of Nkomonye? the lawyer asked. In response, the NATCOM maintained that he was not aware of any concealment and denied that he was reluctant to institute a criminal investigation. The police chief submitted that all he was asking for was that they should give the coroner time to finish the inquest and thereafter, the police would act accordingly, based on the recommendations that would be made.

Protect

We are not going to protect police officers who commit criminal offences, the police chief added. However, the lawyer submitted that depending on the coroners report could be dangerous because it might not be conclusive, compared to what could be gathered during an investigation carried out by the police. Again, he submitted that the NATCOM had also mentioned that the coroner could also rely on the police road accident report and occurrence book, which he labelled as erratic. For example, he submitted that at the time of recording the accident in the occurrence book, the police officers were supposed to be at the scene and when they were asked about that, they claimed it was a mistake.

Didnt you find it compelling to investigate the matter to see if the police negligence was not driven by ulterior motives? the lawyer asked and the police chief responded to the negative. Thereafter, the lawyer asked the NATCOM to at least exonerate his conscience about the need to investigate the police because the outcome would not only satisfy him alone, but government and the nation at large. Nkomondze reiterated that this was an alleged systematic concealment on the real cause of death of Nkomonye and that it was not only because the police were allegedly involved, but there was also the first person to arrive at the scene (Mathokoza Makhanya), who submitted that he did not find the body despite going to the car about two minutes after the accident.

The police failed to investigate him. And this is happening against the backdrop of how the deceaseds body was found and how his (NATCOM) office is reluctant to find the truth, the lawyer submitted. In response, the NATCOM submitted that he did not agree with the lawyer. He added that sometimes they did not know if they were advancing or going backwards because at times, the public said the police could not investigate themselves. Earlier on, Advocate Mduduzi Tsotsi Mabila had asked the police chief why he did not launch criminal investigations into the death of Nkomonye. The NATCOM alleged that he thought it would be a duplicate of efforts because government initiated the inquest.

Investigation

However, the advocate told him that the police investigation would find out if there were criminal elements in the matter or not. In response, the NATCOM alleged that they did not see it that way as they only thought it would be a duplication of efforts. Thereafter, Advocate Mabila wanted to know if as a police service, they decided to launch a criminal investigation because there was an inquest. We did not see criminal elements in the matter. But if there are, it will be stated in the inquests report, the NATCOM responded. Mabila told the NATCOM that according to evidence which was submitted to the coroner, his officers searched for the occupants of the car after the accident (night of May 8, 2021) together with members of the public, but did not find the body.
MANZINI - Does this not require criminal investigation?

Advocate Mduduzi Tsotsi Mabila asked the NATCOM if he was aware that hardly two minutes after the accident, the occupants were not found and he responded to the affirmative. He also asked if it was brought to his attention that his officers conducted a search together with members of the public at the scene on the night of the accident, but did not find the occupants of the car. In response, the NATCOM alleged that this information did not reach his ears. Instead, he submitted that he was told that there was a car which was found at the scene, it was towed to Matsapha Police Station and that no occupants were found inside.

Again, the advocate asked if he was told that on the following morning, police officers from Matsapha Police Station were sent to conduct a search at the scene, but did not find anything or anyone. He responded to the positive.

Once more, Advocate Mabila asked the police chief if he was aware that on May 10, 2021, Mathokoza Makhanya (the first person who arrived at the scene on the day of the accident), conducted another thorough search, but did not find the body of the deceased. In response, the NATCOM alleged that the police told him that they did not find the occupants, but mentioned that they would continue searching. Furthermore, the legal eagle told the witness that on May 13, 2021, the Nkomonye family was asked by the police to go to the scene, together with officers from His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS), and within a short space of time (hardly three minutes); they discovered the body of their loved one.

Investigation

The question is; does this not require a criminal investigation? Is that not good enough for you to institute a criminal investigation? Advocate Mabila asked.

In response, the NATCOM said; No, because there was already an investigation of a fatal road traffic accident which was ongoing. If any criminal element will be discovered at any stage, the docket will be transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

However, the advocate wanted to know from the NATCOM why they did not investigate where the body was in the five days (between May 8, 2021 and May 13, 2021). He asked if he did not deem it appropriate to investigate why the body was not found after the accident and during other searches. I did not find it necessary to do so because the body was eventually found. Before that (during previous searches), they did not go and search where the body was found, NATCOM claimed.

Thereafter, Mabila asked if the police lied to him (Dlamini) and he claimed that he did not know. Again, Advocate Mabila submitted that Constable Victor Nkentjane and Constable Blondy Mdluli were transferred from the Traffic Department at Manzini Police Station to the Communications Department at Manzini Police Regional Headquarters six days after the body of Nkomonye was discovered. The NATCOM alleged that he was not sure about the time, but mentioned that they were allegedly transferred together with one Constable Ndlovu because they were implicated in a kombi conductors arrest, which attracted the attention of social media users and the public.

Thereafter, the advocate told the NATCOM that in the evening of the alleged accident, a police sedan was supposedly seen in pursuit of a black Mazda Demio at high speed at Ngwane Park. He submitted that coincidentally, Mdluli, as per his own evidence and MTN Eswatini records, was at Ngwane Park. Again, he submitted that on the following day, around 7:45am, Constable Mdluli communicated with Nkentjane. Thereafter, he added that on May 12, 2021, at around 5pm, both officers were allegedly at Nhlambeni, yet the jurisdiction of Manzini did not cover that area.

Explanation

He alleged that according to the evidence, Nkentjane spent about two hours at Nhlambeni and he allegedly failed to give an explanation on what he was doing there because he was on duty. Then the following day, he submitted that the body of the deceased was found in less than three minutes. Does this not need to be investigated? the advocate asked. On top of that, Advocate Mabila brought it to the attention of the NATCOM that Dr Komma Reddy, the Police Pathologist who conducted the post-mortem on May 14, 2021, told the coroner that he could not rule out an assault on the body of the deceased. He added that the doctor also told the coroner that he could not rule out that the deceased was pulled on his back by his feet, thus he sustained injuries on the upper part of his back.

Once more, he submitted that the doctor also told the coroner that he could not have come out of the car without being assisted and that if the vehicle ejected him through the windscreen, it would have not curved inwards. Now, you have all this evidence, still you do not see a need to institute a criminal investigation? Advocate Mabila asked. In response, the witness submitted that they would wait for the coroners report and recommendations. The advocate told him that they did not institute the investigation in the first place because they knew that Nkentjane and Mdluli were allegedly involved in the death of Nkomonye and they were supposedly protecting them together with the organisation.

I cannot protect officers who commit criminal offences, the NATCOM responded. As they continued, the NATCOM submitted that the lawyers could not push them to launch a criminal investigation now or tomorrow. I am sorry, that I cannot do, the police chief added. Thereafter, lawyer Nkomondze accused the NATCOM of allegedly emulating a character which was consistent with that of his subordinates; that of shifting blame. He then reminded him that the Inquest Act did not prohibit the police from carrying out their own investigation, even if there was an ongoing inquiry.

Evidence

Furthermore, Nkomondze submitted that police investigations were important and had weight compared to that of the inquest investigation because law enforcers went out to gather evidence, while the coroner depended on what people submitted. The NATCOM did not dispute the lawyers submissions. He added that with the investigation of the coroner, a person who committed a criminal offence could get away with it, yet in police investigations, they would be arrested. However, the NATCOM submitted that maybe no one had committed a criminal offence in the matter.

Thabani Nkomonye is the 25-year-old man who went missing on the night of Saturday May 8, 2021, after the car, a Mazda Demio, which he was driving, was involved in a road traffic accident at Nhlambeni, along the Mhlaleni/Nhlangano Public Road. After the accident, his body was not located. It was eventually discovered five days later, on May 13, 2021, and it was about 20 metres from where the car was found.

The delay in the discovery of Nkomonyes body raised questions among many and diverse insinuations were shared on social media platforms. This resulted in the #JusticeForThabani movement, whereupon members of the public demanded answers from the police. Thereafter, the then acting Prime Minister (PM), Themba Masuku, appointed a Coroner, Senior Magistrate Nonhlanhla Dlamini, to lead an inquest into the death of Nkomonye, who was a Law student at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA). The inquest started on June 1, 2021.




MATSAPHA - Akuhambanga kahle (It didnt go well).

These were the words of the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsitsibala Dlamini, when he admitted that police flouted procedure in handling the matter of the late Thabani Nkomonye. The police chief made this submission before the Coroner, Senior Magistrate Nonhlanhla Dlamini, when he delivered evidence in the ongoing inquest into the death of Nkomonye. The inquest is held at Matsapha Correctional College.

Investigate

The NATCOM was first led by Advocate Mduduzi Tsotsi Mabila and he asked him why he did not investigate traffic police officers at Matsapha Police Station, who told the Nkomonye family that the car, a black Mazda Demio, was not at the police station yet it was parked at the backyard of the police establishment. He told the police chief that the Nkomonye family went to the police station on Monday May 10, 2021, but when they returned on Thursday May 13, 2021, they found the car parked at the backyard of the police station.

Advocate Mabila reminded the NATCOM that the police also issued a missing persons notice and described the car which was being driven by the deceased when he went missing on Saturday May 8, 2021, yet the vehicle was parked at the police station. Was it not important for you to question the Matsapha police from the Traffic Department on why they allowed the police service to issue the notice when the car was parked at the backyard of their police station, through the instruction they gave the tow truck? the advocate asked. In response, the NATCOM alleged that they talked to the traffic officers from Matsapha Police Station about it, but they gathered that there was a communication breakdown between those who said the car should be towed to the police station and the ones who were at the station, in terms of proper handover.

Intention

They said it was an operational glitch and that there was no intention to hide any information, the police chief submitted. Lawyer Mangaliso Nkomondze then asked him if this (operational glitch) was what they should expect from the police service. The NATCOM responded to the negative and added that it was why the officers said it was an operational mistake and as a police service, they did not condone it. Thank you for admitting that before the coroner and the nation at large, the lawyer submitted.

Thereafter, Nkomondze told the coroner that the feeling of the Nkomonye family was that if this was purely a road traffic accident and the police had reported it on time, maybe they could have found their loved one still alive at the scene, if he was indeed there. Again, the lawyer submitted that if the police had accordingly recorded the matter and kept the records properly when the family members went to enquire about the deceased and car at Manzini and Matsapha police stations, maybe they would have found him still alive.

That is understandable, the NATCOM replied. After that, the lawyer asked the NATCOM that in the absence of any other evidence, could they safely conclude that the police were involved in the death of Nkomonye. The police chief responded to the negative. However, he submitted that if the conclusion of the inquest would be to that effect, proper actions would be taken against any officer who would be said to have had a hand in the death of Nkomonye.

For now, I do not agree that the police were involved in the death of Nkomonye, the NATCOM added. Once more, the lawyer emphasised that by May 10, 2021, there were no proper documents about the matter at the police station. In response, the police chief submitted that the officers who were on duty when the accident took place, did not execute their duties properly.

Evidence

On top of that, the lawyer told the NATCOM that evidence that was submitted to the coroner by REPS officers was that they were sent to search for the occupants of the car in the morning of Sunday May 9, 2021, but spent about five minutes at the scene. He added that it was submitted that their search was not a thorough one. The lawyer also submitted that the evidence before the coroner was to the effect that after that day, no other search was conducted by the police, until Thursday May 13, 2021, when the body of Nkomonye was found by his family members. Akuhambanga kahle nangabe basho njalo (it did not go well if thats what they said ), the NATCOM submitted.
The Saudi Fund for Development has completed the development of the Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Road Project in Sri Lanka for which it had sanctioned a loan of $60 million.

Besides, SFD is financing the extension of the Wayamba University Township Development Project with a loan of $28 million.

Since its inception, SFD has issued 15 development loans to Sri Lanka totalling $425 million, helping finance and implement 13 projects in water, energy, health, roads, and education.

Benefiting three million people in the surrounding areas, the road project will strengthen the countrys transport infrastructure, reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries, and improve road safety.

Participating in the opening ceremony were Johnston Fernando, Minister of Highways, Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Abdul Nasser bin Hussain Al-Harthi, SFD CEO Sultan bin Abdul Rahman Al-Marshad and an SFD delegation and number of Sri Lanka government officials.

During the ceremony, Fernando praised the efforts of the Saudi Arabia, through the SFD, for supporting and developing infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka. He said that the projects would benefit many people economically and socially.

The SFD CEO and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa, also laid a foundation stone for the extension of Wayamba University Township Development Project.

More than 5,000 students will benefit from the project which will improve teaching and learning facilities, boost educational quality, and strengthen long-term economic and social capabilities.

"The SFD's contribution to the Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Road development comes from its commitment to fund projects that have a significant impact on social and economic development," stated Al-Marshad. The road connects the eastern, middle, and southern provinces, promoting sustainable development goals, and increasing agricultural goods transportation."

SFD seeks to contribute to the quality of education to support social activities, move upward economic paths, and achieve community well-being. The SFD also looks forward to opening the horizons of education through this project and enabling the university to support the community in the regions of Kolyabitia and Makandura. The Fund's contribution included the Wayamba University Township Development Project, as one of the most recent programmes in the development of higher education systems in Sri Lanka, added Al-Marshad.

During the visit to Sri Lanka, the SFDs delegation conducted a field tour of the epilepsy hospital, which was inaugurated in 2017 as one of the Fund's projects in the health sector in Sri Lanka, with a loan of $32 million.

These initiatives reflect the SFDs commitment to investing in transport and education as means of building economic progress and prosperity. For more than 47 years, the Fund has contributed to 226 development projects in the transportation sector on a global level, as well as 77 projects in education, providing socio-economic support to developing nations. -- TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB), a leading provider of Sharia-compliant integrated financial solutions in Bahrain, has played a key role in boosting the national economy and supporting projects worth BD1.5 billion ($4 billion).

The bank has supported various development projects in the kingdom, namely in housing, educational, health, telecommunications and infrastructure related projects.

BisB is part of a consortium of local and international financing institutions to finance several governmental projects focused on the development of national infrastructure.

The banks contribution is subsequently expected to have significant impact on the local economy and labour market conditions in the kingdom.

Bahrain Islamic Bank has also supported the development of several healthcare and educational projects worth more than BD15 million.

In addition, the banks Corporate and Institutional Banking department remains keen on supporting social housing projects, providing financial support to projects worth over BD200 million, positively impacting the pace of construction work.

The bank has also played a significant role in the development of the information technology and telecommunications sectors through its participation in projects well over BD25 million. This is a reflection of the banks mission to improve user experience, positioning Bahrain as a leader in the technology and communications sectors amongst developed countries.

The Corporate and Institutional Banking department has additionally played a vital role in the development of the SME sector, whose revenue accounts for a large segment of the GDP, resulting in the increase of employment rates through the creation of jobs.

The bank was also able to increase its SME portfolio to approximately 24% of total corporate assets. With this achievement in stride, the department aims to increase the SME portfolio to 30% of total corporate assets by the year 2025.

With regards to sustainability, the bank has adopted many initiatives to reduce negative impact on the environment, most notably to decrease paper waste and carbon emissions; largely achieved through its pioneering implementation of state-of-the-art digital banking solutions including a full-fledged mobile application for corporates.

The department has also focused on encouraging companies and institutions to follow suit with its environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) outlook by putting into motion an initiative that incentivises corporates that do so with preferential profit rates.

BisB continues to enhance the banking experience for its valued customers by simplifying their banking transactions, refining services, and introducing innovative change to the sector.

This can be seen in the banks commitment to digital transformation across all services. Most notably, BisB is the first bank in the region to allow corporate clients to open accounts through its digital banking mobile application, subsequently improving user experience and reducing the turnaround time for opening accounts.

The bank has navigated through the pandemic steadfastly, shifting its workforce remotely, setting a target for 70% of employees to work from home, ensuring their health and safety as well as that of their families. Additionally, under the directives of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), the bank provided customers the option to defer loan payments. This allowed customers the benefit of allocating their financial resources with added ease in the event of any hardship brought on by the spread of the pandemic.

The bank also offered all clients the option to restructure their credit facilities to cope with the uncertainty that is expected after the CBB deferment directive expires in December 2021.

Commenting, Jawad Humaidan, Acting Chief of Corporate and Institutional Banking at BisB, expressed his pride in the departments achievements over this period, noting: We are proud of the tremendous efforts put forth by the Corporate and Institutional Banking department, which has played a notable role in developing the economic and social landscape in the kingdom, especially over the past few years. This comes as part of our ongoing commitment to playing an active role with social responsibility, enacted through initiatives designed to develop the national economy, as well as support institutions and companies working towards the betterment of key sectors such as education, health and housing. At BisB, we place our customers, their satisfaction, and aspirations above all else, considering them our most valued asset. It is with this outlook that we continually strive to develop our services, ultimately simplifying their banking experience and enriching their lives.-- TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain's Eskan Bank has received nine bids from top contractors in response to the request for proposals (RFP) for construction of three community projects in the kingdom. The scope of work includes development of 22 commercial outlets across the kingdom.

Eskan Bank said it intends to develop a single-storey building featuring shops, service area in three areas across the kingdom. These include:

*237.7 sq m of land in North East Muharraq for setting up four shops with a total built-up area of 274 sq m

*612.55 sq m land in Samaheej for nine shops with a total built-up area of 675 sq m; and

*525 sq m land in Zallaq for setting up nine shops with a total built-up area of 585 sq m.

According to Bahrain Tender Board, the bidding was open to only firms who had carried out projects with the construction value of BD300,000 and above during the last three years.

On the criteria for the contractors, it stated that Esklan Bank preferred contractors who are prequalified and registered with Ministry of Housing under Grade D and above and Ministry of Works under Grade D and above construction projects.

These include Insha contracting with bid amount of (BD445,298.811); Contratech (BD632,420.046); Sayed Kadhem Al Durazi & Sons (BD448,119.694); Eastern Asphalt & Mixed Concrete Company (BD599,665.763); Al Shaheen Contracting (BD457,600); Zaedon Building Construction (BD463,746.360); Saraya Contractors Company (BD423,940); Jahecon (BD408,379.142) and Sarab Contracting Company with bid amount of BD349,800.
Denmark-based AP Moller-Maersk has reached an agreement with Hong Kong-based LF Logistics for about $3 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported late on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The announcement for the deal could come as soon as Wednesday, assuming the talks don't break down, the report added.

LF Logistics operates an extensive Pan-Asian network and is the supply chain partner of choice for companies looking to grow in the Asia-Pacific region.

A specialist in B2B and B2C distribution solutions within retail, wholesale, and e-commerce, LF logistics is privately owned company by Li & Fung (78.3%) and Temasek Holdings (21.7%).

It boasts premium capabilities within omnichannel fulfilment services, e-commerce, and inland transport in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Maersk, the Hong Kong group's deep customer relations and operational excellence is a strong base for Maersk to expand within Asia-Pacific and globally.

With the intended acquisition, Maersk will add 223 warehouses to the existing portfolio, bringing the total number of facilities to 549 globally, spread across a total of 9.5 million sq m.

"The acquisition of LF Logistics is an important and truly strategic milestone on our journey to become the global integrator of container logistics; a global logistics company that provide digitally enabled end-to-end logistics solutions based on control of critical assets," remarked Soren Skou, CEO of Maersk.

"With this buy, we add critical capabilities in Asia Pacific to support our customers long term growth in Asia Pacific as well as capabilities and technology we can scale in our contract logistics business globally

As part of the agreement to acquire LF Logistics, Maersk will enter a strategic partnership with Li & Fung to develop logistics solutions," he added.

Joseph Phi, CEO of LF Logistics, said: "We recognize that for LF Logistics to be a global leader in the industry, achieving scale is of paramount importance. Maersk provides the ideal fit for our people and our customers."

"It has a substantial presence around the world and will utilize LF Logistics talent base and operational platform across Asia to build out its logistics and fulfillment offering globally. This is testament to the strength of our team, our unique operations-centric culture, and superb growth potential. Together we will deliver a compelling value proposition that allows our people to attain their full potential and our customers to achieve sustainable competitive advantage," he added.
In addition to its electric vehicles, Qatars transport firm Mowasalat (Karwa) has acquired a fleet of diesel vehicles with Euro 5 Standard.

They are equipped with one of the latest filtration systems to remove particulate matter from exhausts, reducing it to the equivalent of one grain of sand per kilometre driven.

The company has also stepped up its eco-efforts with the introduction of the first AdBlue filling station for large-scale bus operations  a first-of-its-kind in the region.

AdBlue is an agent that is injected into the exhaust pipeline of diesel fuelled buses. In a chemical reaction it additionally reduces the release of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

The expansion of the companys conventional filling stations to include AdBlue pumps combine the normal fuelling with a regular refill with the agent.

This is convenient, streamlines operations for hundreds of buses and helps Karwa to support the States environment policy, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Ahmed Al Obaidly, Mowasalat (Karwa) Chief Operating Officer, explains: With the guidance of the Ministry of Transport, we are constantly working towards a greener and healthier environment in Qatar. This project is a natural continuation of our sustainability initiatives. It is our mandate to lead the way in the transition from conventional towards emission-free engines in the public transport network. For the time being we will utilise this best-in-class diesel Technology until we ultimately reach a full electrification of our fleet.

Karwa has deployed the new vehicles during international events and will gradually replace the old rolling stock until 2023.-- TradeArabia News Service
HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah of Kuwait approved in an Amiri order on Tuesday the formation of a new cabinet comprising 15 ministers led by the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, reported Kuwait News Agency.

The Prime Minister would be tasked with informing the National Assembly of the order effective on the date of issue, it stated.
MG Motor, a British-born automotive brand, has opened 12 showrooms and other new facilities in 2021 as it continues its swift growth in the Middle East.



The demand for MG cars has been steadily increasing  as a result the brand registered a record number of sales in the first three quarters of 2021, with outstanding growth of 60% in sales, and witnessing its highest recorded growth in market share to reach 3.8%, a company statement said.



The brand registered particularly strong growth in Oman with sales up by 131% to help it to a solid market share of 5%, and ranking it fourth amongst the top 10 brands. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been the brands highest contributor in terms of sales volume in the Middle East, contributing 60% of MGs overall sales in the region, with a market share of 4.6%.



While the world is still recovering from the pandemic and ongoing global uncertainty, MG has focused on an intensive network development and expansion plan to reinvigorate the brands strategy, partnerships and objectives and to maximise its accessibility to customers across the nine countries.



MG, along with its partners in the Middle East, has been committed to offering a captivating experience for its current and future customers. With its partners support, it has succeeded in expanding its network in the region by increasing the number of showrooms from 28 in 2020 to 40 today, with plans to reach 41before the end of 2021, whilst simultaneously increasing the number of service and spare parts centres.



Tom Lee, Managing Director of MG Motor Middle East, commented: I am so proud to watch MG Motors extraordinary growth in the region and I can attribute this to the efforts of the MG team as well as our partners who have been key in the continuous building, investment and development of the MG brand in the Middle Eastern region.



We pride ourselves on delivering quality products and services through an attentive approach, which comes as a result of strong staff training and loyalty. Im excited to see what is in store for MG and to watch the brand continue to grow and thrive in the Middle East.



So far in 2021, MGs distributor in Kuwait, Adel Alghanim, has invested $20 million in opening the brands flagship and largest showroom and service facility in the region. In Oman, MGs exclusive retailer, Mohsin Haidar Darwish, has inaugurated a total of six showrooms in 2021 alone, increasing its total number to 11.



In the UAE, MG Motors new official distributor, Inter Emirates Motors, opened three new showrooms in three Emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah during March and April. A further showroom was recently opened in Al Ain City, and one more showroom is expected to open in December. MGs growth in other regional markets such as Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq remains strong.  TradeArabia News Service
Rounding up a dazzling 2021, Gargash Motors, one of the largest distributors of premium and luxury cars in the UAE, and China's leading auto brand GAC Motor, have launched the all-new GS4 and GA6 for the first time in UAE.

The two firms also brought out a roadmap for the future in which Gargash GAC Motor seeks to collaboratively spur innovation, adopt advanced technology and accelerate growth and productivity.

Commenting on the occasion, Morgan Sunderland, General Manager Gargash Motors said: Weve had a stellar 2021 on the back on several launched, expansions and internal initiatives. In my opinion, there is no better way to top the year than the launch of two new car models. It is no secret that the consumers preferences are evolving and we are constantly finding ways to cater to them. With the new year upon us, we look forward to a fruitful 2022 by carving out a niche in the UAEs automobile sector and delivering outstanding experiences to our customers.

For his part, Zeng Hebin, General Manager of GAC Motor International said: Weve enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Gargash Group, and through our collaborative efforts, we have been able to make a significant mark in the countrys dynamic automobile scene. As a brand, GAC Motor is well-positioned to overcome any shortcomings and leverage our strengths for a bigger and better 2022. Weve received excellent responses this year and hope to build on this momentum we have created by offering leading quality, technology, and design to our patrons.

The two new models, star performers in the domestic Chinese market, are newly upgraded with powerful technology, improved design features, and higher quality materials are officially available to the UAE market.

The GS4 boasts a turbocharged 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed automatic. This engine produces about 169 hp and 270 Nm of torque. The redesigned exterior features a sculpted light & shadow design concept, developed in-house at GAC R&D centres across the globe, as well as a floating roof design.

These make the car sportier without compromising on comfort. On the inside, the GS4 comes with a big touchscreen for its infotainment system, which now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The upgraded all-New GA6 sedan also features a sleek new design, with a sweeping single shoulder line that traverses the entire length of the car. Continuous LED rear lights and a unified front display also breathe new life into its appearance.

As for the interior car features, passengers will also find it has a lot of legroom and plenty of storage space, with many clever compartments and a trunk volume of up to 500L. More excitedly, the all New GA6 introduces users to the future of driving with GAC Motors L2 Autopilot System. It optimizes driving by suggesting lane changes and making adjustments according to traffic. Drivers can now navigate complex road conditions with safety and ease through L2 Autopilots Lane departure warning system and automated parking feature.

During the year, Gargash GAC Motor was awarded The Best Chinese Automotive Brand 2021. Conferred by Turbo Al Arab of the 7awi Group, the award acknowledges Gargash GACs outstanding craftsmanship as attested by customers and local automotive media.

The accolade also recognises Gargash GACs performance in comparison to its competitions as well as to the innovative campaigns rolled out by the brand. This includes lighting up of the Burj Khalifa and joining forces with key government & private players such as the Dept. of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai), Cars Taxi Company, Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, among others.

Additionally, GAC Group was ranked No 167 among the Fortune Global 500 companies, in 2021 and the brand also managed to retain the number one position in the JD Power Asia Pacific's China Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) for the eight consecutive year.

EXPANSION

In response to the growing demand for GAC cars especially in Abu Dhabi, Gargash GAC opened doors to a new showroom in partnership with ADMM located at Yas.

The new showroom provides all sale services under one roof that will greatly improve the convenience of new and existing customers living in the emirate as well as neighbouring emirates.

Subsequently, the firm also inaugurated a new state-of-the-art after-sales facility in Al Qusais, Dubai.

Over the years, Gargash Group has established itself as a frontrunner in delivering premium vehicles to the clientele in the UAE. Since its presence of over 100 years in the market, Gargash Group focuses on delivering premium products with a perfect understanding of local markets and regional insight. Innovation, better service and solutions to all UAE customers have been the goal and focus of the company over the years.-- TradeArabia News Service
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov participated in the informal summit of the Heads of the CIS member states in St. Petersburg.

Speaking at the summit, the President of Turkmenistan emphasized the economic component as an important part of integration processes among the CIS member states based on the compatibility of economic and structural parameters, development of cooperation and partnerships, establishment of production, technological and logistics chains with a strong innovative component.

The President of Turkmenistan also called for intensification of work with the CIS partners, primarily with regional economic associations with the Eurasian orientation, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union and the Organization for Economic Cooperation. This will allow the CIS member states to establish systemic partnerships and offer promising joint projects in the transport, energy and industrial fields, using their own production, resource and technological potential.

Speaking of the need to continue countering the effects of COVID-19, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted the importance of consistent and soonest restoration of economic and trade ties, lifting of compulsory restrictions on transport services. At the same time, the head of Turkmenistan emphasized that the accumulated national and international experience in combating the pandemic and its consequences gives hope for successful results of this work.

The President of Turkmenistan also stressed that cultural and humanitarian cooperation should remain among the CIS priorities.

 TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2022
Andaman Chief Secretary orders survey of assets of serving and retired officials

Port Blair, Dec. 28 (UNI) The Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar administration, Jitendra Narain has asked officials to conduct a survey of assets for the last 10 years of local serving and retired officials including their moveable and immovable properties, as also properties they have accumulated in the name of their relatives and others.

Narain gave the directive to all the secretaries, departmental heads of the Public Works, forest, revenue, police, health, power and shipping.

The Chief Secretary has also asked the general public to provide feedback to the secretaries and the departmental heads concerned.
Mumbai, Dec 29 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday field a chargesheet in a PMLA court here against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and others for their alleged involvement in a money laundering case.



This is the second chargesheet in the case. The first was filed in August against Deshmukh's Personal Secretary Sanjeev Palande, Personal Assistant Kundan Shinde and a trust run by Deshmukh's family, Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan.

The supplementary chargesheet running into more than 7,000 pages also names Deshmukh's sons as accused. Deshmukh and the others were chargesheeted under various section of the Indian Penal Code as well as the law related to financial irregularities and crime.

Deshmukh was arrested by the ED on November 1 in connection with the case and is currently in judicial custody.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) earlier filed an FIR against him on April 21 on charges of corruption and misuse of official position. After that the ED began its probe against Deshmukh.

The ED's case is that while serving as Home Minister, Deshmukh allegedly misused his official position and through Sachin Waze, a police officer dismissed from service after his arrest two cases, collected Rs 4.70 crores from various bars in Mumbai.

The money was laundered to Nagpur-based Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan, an educational trust controlled by the Deshmukh family.

His aides, Palande and Shinde, played an important role in circulating and laundering the unaccounted money, according to the ED

Deshmukh, who resigned as Home Minister earlier this year, has repeatedly denied the charges against him.

UNI AAA MR
Islamabad, Dec 29 (UNI) Amid the ongoing internal rift in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Minister Kamran Bangash has served a legal notice to his own party leader Arbab Mohammad Ali for accusing him of selling ticket of Peshawar city Mayor to a businessman.

The KP minister on Tuesday had served a legal notice on Ali after he was accused of selling ticket of Peshawar city Mayor to a wealthy businessman and receiving 20 million Pakistani rupees out of the total amount, 70 million Pakistani rupees, according to The News International report on Thursday.

Ali is the brother of PTI MNA from Peshawar, Arbab Sher Ali and cousin of Arbab Shehzad, advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Establishment.
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Police officers stand guard in Times Sqaure in New York, the United States, on Jan. 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

A recent research showed that U.S. police are still using similar levels of lethal force after the killing of African American George Floyd, which sounded the alarm among rights groups and international human rights organizations, Iran's Tehran Times reported.

TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- After the murder of African American George Floyd by a white police officer and subsequent protests against police brutality, "U.S. police are still using similar levels of lethal force and they are still not facing the consequences," Iran's Tehran Times reported recently, citing a nonprofit that tracks people killed by the police.

There are, in essence, three issues raised from recent research by Mapping Police Violence, which will "sound the alarm among rights groups and international human rights organizations that have been very critical of American police brutality," the report said.

"Firstly, the astonishingly high murder rate by police, who are literally acting as the judge, the jury, and the executioner by taking the law into their own hands and using lethal force," Tehran Times said.

Meanwhile, secondly is the issue of "racial disparity among black and white Americans killed by police," according to the report. Despite the nationwide outcry, Mapping Police Violence has documented that African Americans are still two and a half to three times more likely than white Americans to be killed by a police officer.

"Thirdly is the aspect of accountability, or to be more precise the lack of justice for officers who murder their victims and then walk away," the Iranian daily warned.
HONG KONG, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Stephen Choi has found it is the little everyday details of normalcy that are really impressive in 2021.

"While a lot of 2020 was unprecedented, the continuation of the COVID-19 challenges in 2021 required more strength to deal with -- it was impressive how most of us found our inner stamina," said Choi, a father of three and the co-founder of an early-stage start-up company in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Choi, who is from the Republic of Korea (ROK) and has been residing in Hong Kong on and off for 10 years, said the COVID-19 fortress of Hong Kong provides protection so that he can live a normal life, as the global financial hub has had fewer COVID-19 cases throughout 2021 than most regions and countries registered in one day.

"While everyone is careful and prudent, I don't feel COVID-19 overwhelming my daily life," he said. "I don't fear the fellow commuters on the bus or MTR. Innocent coughs don't receive the suspicious glares. I can take my mask off in a restaurant for a meal."

Choi is the co-founder and CTO of a fintech start-up utilizing artificial intelligence to automate professional wealth management advice, trying to disrupt a mature industry in a daunting venture.

His team had diverse individuals that mirror the melting pot of Hong Kong: Hong Kong locals, people from the Chinese mainland, Britain and the United States -- where Cantonese, Mandarin, and English are all being used interchangeably.

"It's difficult to build such a diverse team elsewhere in Asia but Hong Kong itself has been extremely supportive," he said.

He spoke highly of the investment-promoting department of the HKSAR government InvestHK for its guidance for a company that "feels like a tribe settling a new frontier," while Cyberport, an innovative digital community with over 1,650 start-ups and technology companies in Hong Kong, has also been instrumental in introducing potential collaborations with local brokerages and other fintech firms in its ecosystem.

Before 2021, the co-founders of the company named AskLORA were spread out across Asia with most research and development in ROK. In 2021, they were able to gather in Hong Kong through the Cyberport Incubation Program and the support from InvestHK.

For the East-meets-West hub of over 7.3 million residents, building a fortress against COVID-19 in 2021 has not only allowed business leaders to link up onsite but also allowed students and teachers to meet again on campuses.

Lam Chun-hei, a committee member of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW), said one of the most encouraging things in 2021 is the resumption of full-time face-to-face classes in more schools thanks to wider COVID-19 inoculation.

Return to classrooms has allowed Hong Kong students to attend the class by taikonauts in China's new space station, which grabbed national headlines. Lam found the exchange very inspiring to Hong Kong's younger generation, which is increasingly interested in opportunities offered by the country's development.

As the students started new dreams, Hong Kong also started afresh in 2021, said Lam.

In 2019, rioters spread violence and hate in Hong Kong. In 2020, Hong Kong was hit hard by COVID-19. And this year saw Hong Kong return from chaos to order and head towards prosperity under the national security law and the improved electoral system in Hong Kong, he said.

The HKSAR's seventh-term Legislative Council (LegCo) election, postponed for over a year due to COVID-19, was successfully held on Dec. 19 after the electoral improvement, a happy coda to a year of cutting the Gordian Knot for the Hong Kong people.

Hong Kong's economy has been tested by the social unrest and the impact of the pandemic over the past two years. In 2020, the Hong Kong economy plummeted by 6.1 percent after shrinking 1.2 percent in 2019.

Hong Kong had also weathered four waves of COVID-19 cases by May 2021 and has aptly adjusted its antiepidemic strategy in light of new challenges of new variants such as Delta and Omicron.

Local health authorities have been decisive in beefing up the defense to keep community spread at bay and reported mostly an increase of imported cases since the fourth wave receded.

As the pandemic situation eases, economic indicators of the metropolis started to pick up in 2021. In the first three quarters of this year, Hong Kong's economy grew by 7 percent year on year, and the annual economic growth is expected to reach 6.4 percent for 2021.

The number of business operations in Hong Kong from overseas and the Chinese mainland, including start-ups, reached a record high in 2021, according to an HKSAR government survey.

To put 2021 in a nutshell, Choi chose the word "persistence."

"It describes not only our start-up but the world in general. COVID-19 has been agonizingly persistent throughout the year and people have been persistent in learning to adapt and deal with the situation," said Choi.

In 2022, his company has a long to-do list for take-off. As for his personal life, Choi hopes to relocate his entire family from the ROK to Hong Kong, to enjoy the spectaculars of the place: the amazing hiking trails, the mountains and the sea, and the Cantonese dim sum. Enditem
A Cessna 560 airplane lands at the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane lands at the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane lands at the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane flies over the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane flies over the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane flies over the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane lands at the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane lands at the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane flies over the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane is parked at the apron of the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane is parked at the apron of the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A Cessna 560 airplane flies over the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 29, 2021. A Cessna 560 carried out flight verification of the Ezhou Huahu Airport on Wednesday, marking the completion of the cargo-oriented airport. The airport is the country's first cargo airport, with the functional orientation of the air cargo hub and feeder airport for passenger transport. It is also China's first airport project that introduces social capital and enterprises. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- A selection of the best daily press photos from Xinhua.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and delivers an important speech. The meeting of criticism and self-criticism, themed on studying the Party's history, stressed carrying forward the Party's great founding spirit and upholding its historical experience from the endeavors over the past century. The meeting was held from Dec. 27 to 28. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and delivers an important speech. The meeting of criticism and self-criticism, themed on studying the Party's history, stressed carrying forward the Party's great founding spirit and upholding its historical experience from the endeavors over the past century. The meeting was held from Dec. 27 to 28. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Photo taken on Dec. 11, 2021 shows carrier-based aircraft flight instructors at an airbase of the Naval Aviation University. Instructors from the airbase have devoted themselves to the training of China's carrier-based aircraft pilots. (Photo by Wan Quan/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Dec. 28, 2021 shows a view of Shougang Big Air, a venue for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, capital of China. The organizers of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are preparing for the artificial snowmaking at the Shougang Big Air. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)

Aerial photo taken on Dec. 27, 2021 shows workers finishing the main snow sculpture featuring Beijing 2022 mascots at the 34th Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Luo Yan (C) hugs her son Wu Linchuan, who has been abducted in 1999 while only 11 months old, in Huadu District of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 28, 2021. Luo Yan, 49, a mother who has been searching for her abducted son for 22 years, reunited with her son Wu Linchuan in Guangzhou on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Aerial photo taken on Dec. 27, 2021 shows people visiting the snow-covered Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie of central China's Hunan Province. (Photo by Shao Ying/Xinhua)

Children play in the snow in Gandong Township of Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Dec. 27, 2021. (Photo by Long Linzhi/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2021 shows a meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Joint Commission in Vienna, Austria. (EU Delegation in Vienna/Handout via Xinhua)
HONG KONG, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force arrested six current or former senior staff members of an online media company on Wednesday morning, said a press release of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

The six people were arrested for conspiracy to publish seditious publications, contravening section 9 and 10 of the Crimes Ordinance, it said.

According to local media, the arrestees were the former and acting editor-in-chief of Stand News, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, respectively, as well as former board members Denise Ho, Margaret Ng, Christine Fang and Chow Tat-chi.

Also on Wednesday morning, Hong Kong police said they conducted a search on the office of the online media company in Kwun Tong for relevant journalistic materials. Enditem
CAIRO, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian officials on Wednesday hailed BRICS New Development Bank (NDB)'s decision to add Egypt as its new member, expressing their anticipation of deeper cooperation between Egypt and other developing countries as well as emerging economies in the future.

The decision indicates that the NDB views Egypt as one of the world's fastest-growing countries boosting a pioneering economy in the Middle East and North Africa region, Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said in a statement.

"Egypt is a firm believer and supporter of multilateralism. The NDB has established itself as one of the premier multilateral development banks for emerging markets and developing countries," Maait said.

The NDB has strong financing capabilities and relevant expertise that would help Egypt meet its financing needs and enhance its efforts to upgrade its infrastructure base for achieving goals of comprehensive development, he said, adding Egypt hopes to build a strong partnership with the NDB in the coming years.

"The NDB is a new platform for Egypt to enhance cooperation with BRICS countries and other emerging economies and developing countries in the field of infrastructure and sustainable development," he said.

Egypt is also willing to provide promising investment and development opportunities in various sectors that serve development goals, contribute to improving the standard of living of citizens, and meet their development needs, as well as to improve the quality of public services, he added.

Meanwhile, Egypt's Deputy Minister of Finance for Fiscal Policies Ahmed Kjok said the ministry is keen to "diversify sources of funding to reduce the cost of financing needs of development projects, in order to preserve the gains of economic reform, and to maintain a safe economic path."

Joining the NDB, which is in accordance with Egypt Vision 2030 and the country's sustainable development goals, will open new horizons for development cooperation and partnerships between Egypt and BRICS countries, Kjok said.

In an announcement published earlier on Wednesday, Marcos Troyjo, president of the NDB, said, "We are delighted to welcome Egypt into NDB's family. We look forward to supporting its investment needs in infrastructure and sustainable development."

Membership of the NDB becomes effective once the admitted country completes its domestic processes and deposits the instrument of accession.

Egypt is the fourth new member admitted into NDB, after Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay, further expanding the bank's global outreach.

Since its establishment six years ago, the NDB has approved about 80 projects for its members, with a total portfolio of 30 billion U.S. dollars. The projects cover sectors including transport, water and sanitation, clean energy, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure and urban development.

Headquartered in Shanghai, the NDB was established by BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The bank formally opened in July 2015. Enditem
Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah takes the oath before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 29, 2021. Kuwait's newly-formed government took the oath on Wednesday before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. (Xinhua)

KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait's newly-formed government took the oath on Wednesday before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

During the oath, the crown prince called on legislative and executive authorities to cooperate in achieving national goals, KUNA said.

"You have responsibilities and duties that require diligent work in the spirit of one team, to improve economic programs and advance development in the country," he said.

"We look forward with full hope and optimism to a constructive and fruitful cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities to approve and implement legislation and laws that are in the interest of the country and citizens," the crown prince added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah expressed his commitment to the Kuwaiti emir's instructions that are aimed at harnessing all efforts to serve the country and the citizens.

Kuwait formed on Tuesday a new government led by Al-Sabah.

On Nov. 8, the previous Kuwaiti government submitted resignation to the emir. On Nov. 14, the emir accepted the resignation. On Nov. 23, the crown prince issued an order on behalf of the emir to appoint Al-Sabah as prime minister and assign him to form a new government. Enditem

Kuwait's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah takes the oath before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 29, 2021. Kuwait's newly-formed government took the oath on Wednesday before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. (Xinhua)

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah takes the oath before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 29, 2021. Kuwait's newly-formed government took the oath on Wednesday before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. (Xinhua)

Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ahmad Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah takes the oath before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 29, 2021. Kuwait's newly-formed government took the oath on Wednesday before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. (Xinhua)

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (R) meets the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 29, 2021. Kuwait's newly-formed government took the oath on Wednesday before Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. (Xinhua)
GAZA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Tuesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of impeding an imminent prisoners' swap deal between the two sides.

"The Israeli occupation and its prime minister cannot break our will and our resistance," said Zaher Jabarin, a member of Hamas politburo who is in charge of the prisoners' issue, in a press statement.

Just as the former deal was accomplished in 2011, he said, "Hamas will achieve a new deal."

The Israeli media have earlier reported that Bennett is unwilling to strengthen Hamas power in the Gaza Strip, but wants to accomplish a prisoners' exchange deal.

In October, Hamas said that the Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip will only be exchanged for the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails.

According to official Palestinian figures, Israel is holding more than 4,000 Palestinian prisoners in 23 prisons, jails and detention camps.

In 2016, Hamas armed wing, known as al-Qassam Brigades, announced that its militants are holding 4 Israeli captives but they decline to give additional details on whether they were dead or alive.

Israel said that Hamas holds two Israelis, namely one Ethiopian and one Israeli Bedouin, and the corps of two Israeli soldiers, who were killed during the 2014 offensive that Israel waged on the Gaza Strip for 50 days.

In 2011, Egypt brokered a prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas, under which Israel released more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in return for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Enditem
Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2021 shows a meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Joint Commission in Vienna, Austria. (EU Delegation in Vienna/Handout via Xinhua)

"Sanctions should not be used for threatening casually and new sanctions should not be introduced against Iran during the negotiations," Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, said Monday.



TEHRAN, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Lifting sanctions should be a priority on the agenda of the ongoing talks over Iran's nuclear program since the Western parties have concluded that psychological operations against Iran are no longer viable, Mohammad Qaderi, an Iranian international affairs expert, told official IRNA news agency on Wednesday.

Negotiators from Iran and the remaining parties to the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reconvened on Monday in Austria's capital Vienna in an attempt to salvage the accord which has been in great jeopardy since the former U.S. government withdrew Washington from it in 2018.

Iranian officials have repeatedly expressed their seriousness about restoration of the deal but also urged the removal of the sanctions reimposed by the United States after its exit from the JCPOA, and guarantees that the next U.S. governments would never breach their possible commitments in the renewed deal.

Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran's top negotiator in the Vienna talks, said on Monday that the participants in the current round of negotiations have agreed that priority should be given to the removal of sanctions.

The representatives of P4+1 countries in the talks, namely Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, have highlighted the significance and priority of working on the subjects such as the removal of sanctions on Iran, the verification of termination of sanctions, and giving Iran assurances, Bagheri Kani told reporters after the JCPOA Joint Commission meeting on Monday.

"Given the modification of the text of the (earlier) drafts by Iran, it seems that ... reaching an agreement is possible, and the general atmosphere of this round of negotiations is very positive," said Qaderi.

The P4+1 have emphasized that the United States should not impose new sanctions on Iran during the negotiations because it would disrupt the negotiation process, he added.

"Sanctions should not be used for threatening casually and new sanctions should not be introduced against Iran during the negotiations," Wang Qun, the Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, said on Monday.

Despite different interpretations of the seventh round of negotiations, China, like most of the participants, believes that the negotiations have achieved positive results, Wang noted.

Since early April, representatives from China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and Iran have held seven rounds of negotiations in the Austrian capital, with the United States involved indirectly. 
BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- China will roll out a host of measures to attract more high-caliber professionals to teach in rural areas and improve education quality, the State Council's Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Wednesday.

The meeting also decided on policy steps to effectively ensure equal access to compulsory education for children living with their migrant worker parents in cities.

"The Chinese nation has the tradition of respecting teachers and revering education. Ensuring educational equity is of great significance in advancing social fairness. Compulsory education is most fundamental. We must shore up weaknesses on this front," Li said. "Compulsory education is now faced with two weak links, one is cultivating the ranks of teachers in rural areas; the other, schooling for children of migrant workers. These concern the people's critical aspirations and also bear on the country's development."

The pay packages of teachers in rural areas will be enhanced. The regulation that the average salary of teachers in compulsory education shall not be lower than that of public servants working in the same locality must be rigorously implemented.

Standards of teaching seniority allowances will be raised, and approving of performance-based salaries weighted toward small-scale rural schools and schools in harsh and remote areas.

Funds will be earmarked from the central government budgetary investment to improve dormitories for teachers working in harsh and remote rural areas. Localities will be encouraged to provide stable housing for teachers in rural areas.

"Thanks to the joint efforts of competent departments and localities in recent years, the benefits for teachers in compulsory education have seen improvements. Yet problems still exist, especially on implementing the policy that the average salary of teachers in compulsory education shall not be lower than that of public servants. We must intensify supervision and inspection on this matter," Li said.

Training for teachers in rural areas will be bolstered, better aligning such training with academic education and supporting rural teachers in getting higher academic degrees in a more convenient manner.

The program to cultivate competent teachers for designated regions will be implemented on an ongoing basis, to nurture some 10,000 undergraduates annually from normal colleges exclusively for counties that have just graduated from poverty and for land-border counties in the central and western regions.

The academic requirements for granting professional titles will be relaxed for teachers in rural areas, and the weight of teaching performance increased. Competent teachers will be guided to work in rural schools on a rotating basis. A social environment that respects teachers and reveres education will be fostered.

"The whole society should show full respect for teachers working in rural areas, to raise their social status. We should provide special support in their training, conferral of professional titles and other aspects," Li said. "China has a considerable advantage in labor resources, and enhancement of their education is largely dependent on teachers in rural areas."

The meeting also required effectively ensuring equal access to compulsory education for children of migrant workers in cities, with the local governments of these children's residence and public schools shouldering primary responsibilities, and their education will be included into local education development plans and budgetary spending. Dedicated efforts will be made to deter levy of transient students fees and sponsorship fees.

Efforts will be made to lay the groundwork for providing children of migrant workers with greater opportunities to take high school entrance exams in their cities of residence. Universities and colleges will continue to enroll more students from the central and western regions and rural areas.

"China has a massive flow of people between urban and rural areas, and there are some 280 million migrant workers alone. The number of children living with their migrant worker parents in cities is growing every year, and now is over 15 million. We must adopt further measures to better meet their education needs," Li said. Enditem
BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a white paper titled "China's Export Controls" on Wednesday.

Following is the full text of the white paper:

China's Export Controls

The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China

December 2021

First Edition 2021

Contents

Preamble

I. China's Basic Position on Export Controls

II. Ongoing Improvements to the Legal and Regulatory System for Export Controls

III. Modernizing the Export Control System

IV. Promoting International Exchanges and Cooperation

Conclusion

Preamble

Export controls are a standard international practice. They involve prohibitive or restrictive measures on the export of dual-use items, military products, nuclear materials, and other goods, technologies and services related to safeguarding national security and national interests, and other restrictions related to fulfilling non-proliferation and other international obligations.

The world is undergoing profound changes of a scale unseen in a century, with an increase in destabilizing factors and uncertainties, disruption to international security and order, and challenges and threats to world peace. The status and role of fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory export control measures is growing in importance as an effective means to address international and regional security risks and challenges and safeguard world peace and development. All countries pay close attention to export controls and take an active approach to strengthening and standardizing their approach by establishing and enforcing measures through their legal systems.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and the largest trader and manufacturer of goods, China has always been committed to the principle of safeguarding national security, world peace and regional security by steadily improving export control governance. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China is pursuing a holistic approach to national security and taking more active steps to integrate into the process of economic globalization. To build a more open economy and a more peaceful China, China strives to achieve sound interaction between high-quality development and guaranteed security, modernize its export control regime, and make new progress in export control governance. China will assume its responsibilities from a global perspective, conscientiously undertake its international obligations, and step up international exchanges and cooperation. It will take concrete actions to participate in the international coordination of export controls, make progress on related international processes, and work together with all other countries in building a global community of shared future and delivering a strong boost to world peace and development.

The Chinese government is publishing this white paper to provide a full picture of China's policies on export controls, and to help the international community better understand China's position.

I. China's Basic Position on Export Controls

As a responsible country, China firmly stands by the international system centered on the UN and the international order underpinned by international law. China safeguards the authority of international treaties and mechanisms that uphold true multilateralism, and actively promotes the implementation of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory international export controls.

1. Maintaining a Holistic Approach to National Security

In the age of economic globalization, no country's security can be independent of and isolated from all others. China maintains a holistic approach to national security, which means coordinating development and security, opening up and security, traditional security and non-traditional security, and China's own security and the security of others. It means safeguarding and shaping national security to build an export control system that is commensurate with its international standing and aligned with its national security and interests. China holds that all countries need to develop a fresh perspective and adopt a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable outlook on global security. In particular, major countries should fulfill their obligations, show a sense of responsibility, and promote international security in the field of export controls to build a global community of universal security.

2. Honoring International Obligations and Commitments

It is China's solemn commitment to maintain international peace, and to respect non-proliferation and other international obligations. China actively draws useful experience from international standard practices, and employs that experience to strengthen and improve its export control system. China stands firmly against the proliferation of all forms of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and has established an export control system governed by the Export Control Law that covers dual-use items, military products, nuclear materials, and other goods, technologies and services related to safeguarding national security and national interests, and other restrictions related to fulfilling non-proliferation and other international obligations.

3. Promoting International Cooperation and Coordination

In today's world, countries are increasingly part of a community of shared future. The more significant the global challenges we face, the greater the need for cooperative responses. China believes in addressing differences and disputes through international coordination and cooperation and multilateral mechanisms, so that all countries can become partners who trust and work with one another on an equal footing. As reform of the global governance system has reached a historic turning point, China advocates increased representation for emerging markets and developing countries in international coordination on export controls, to promote equal rights, opportunities and rules for all in international cooperation. This will reflect the wishes and interests of the majority in a more balanced manner, and help to build an international environment of peace and stability, equality and mutual trust, and win-win cooperation.

4. Opposing the Abuse of Export Control Measures

No country or region should abuse export control measures, gratuitously impose discriminatory restrictions, apply double standards to matters related to non-proliferation, or abuse multilateral mechanisms related to export controls for the purposes of discrimination and exclusion. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC) and a host of resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council all provide for the right of countries to fully enjoy peaceful use of controlled items and technological achievements free from discrimination. China believes that export controls should be fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory. They should not undermine the legitimate right of other countries to the peaceful use of controlled items, obstruct the peaceful use of outcomes of scientific and technological advances designed to promote development, interfere with normal international science and technology exchanges and economic and trade cooperation, or obstruct the secure and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains. With deeper globalization and more new technologies emerging, China calls upon all countries to promote inclusive sharing of the benefits of scientific and technological development, to increase human wellbeing, to effectively manage risks and threats related to export controls, and to create a secure environment for economic and social development.

II. Ongoing Improvements to the Legal and Regulatory System for Export Controls

Committed to the basic principle of pursuing law-based governance in all respects, China continues to improve its legal and regulatory system for export controls. To provide law-based and institutional export control guarantees, it bases its efforts on its national conditions and draws upon helpful experience from overseas.

1. Establishing and Improving a Legal System for Export Controls

Since the beginning of reform and opening up in 1978, profound changes in the internal and external environment have impacted economic development in China. There have been continuous improvements in China's socialist market economic system, and its law-based export control work has improved steadily. Since the 1990s, China has promulgated six administrative regulations: Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Controlled Chemicals, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Export, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of Arms Export, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Dual-use Items and Related Technologies Export, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-related Items and Technologies, and Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-use Biological Agents and Related Equipment and Technologies. The Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, China Atomic Energy Authority, the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and other related departments have introduced a number of departmental rules and normative documents setting detailed provisions on matters related to export controls, including specific stipulations on particular items, license regulation and enforcement supervision, and documents on implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

In October 2020, China promulgated the Export Control Law, which includes clear provisions on systems, measures, and international cooperation on export controls. It also sets a basic institutional framework, and unified rules for export control policies, a control list, temporary controls, a restricted name list, and supervision. The Law was formulated in the light of changing circumstances, drawing on China's own experience in export controls and taking into account standard international practices. It raises China's export control legislation to a higher level, makes comprehensive arrangements for China's export control system, and provides a full coverage of controlled items, legal subjects and other aspects of export control. To make sure that the Export Control Law is effectively implemented, China's authorities have introduced, revised, and rescinded supporting administrative regulations and departmental rules. In addition to the Export Control Law, China's Foreign Trade Law, National Security Law, Data Security Law, Nuclear Safety Law, Customs Law, Administrative Licensing Law, Administrative Punishment Law and Criminal Law also provide a strong legal base for the enforcement of export control measures. China now has in place a well-organized basic legal system on export controls with well-coordinated laws, administrative regulations and departmental rules and a balanced structure, which provides a solid legal foundation for developing a modern export control system with Chinese characteristics.

2. Building a Coordinated and Efficient Export Control Regime

Export controls involve multiple departments of the State Council and the CMC. China has established a sound working mechanism and clearly assigned roles and responsibilities among departments, which provides a solid institutional guarantee.

Regulatory system for export control of dual-use items.

Export of nuclear dual-use items is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the China Atomic Energy Authority;

Export of dual-use biological items is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the National Health Commission, among others as required;

Export of dual-use items related to certain chemicals is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce;

Export of dual-use missile-related items is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the Equipment Development Department of the CMC, among others as required;

Export of commercial cryptography is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the State Cryptography Administration - the Cryptography Law stipulates that the export control list of commercial cryptography shall be formulated and published by the Ministry of Commerce in conjunction with the State Cryptography Administration and the General Administration of Customs;

For the export of controlled chemicals, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology regulates exporter accreditation jointly with the Ministry of Commerce, and is responsible for undertaking specific export review.

Regulatory system for export control of military products. The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, and the Equipment Development Department of the CMC, regulate military exports in accordance with the division of their duties. This mainly includes reviewing the franchise qualification of military exports, export project proposals, projects and contracts for military exports, approving and issuing licenses for military exports, formulating rules regulating related business, supervising export activities, and punishing violations.

Regulatory system for export control of nuclear materials. The export of nuclear materials is regulated by the National Atomic Energy Authority and the Ministry of Commerce in cooperation with other departments. These exports are conducted by entities designated by the State Council. They are carried out in strict accordance with three principles - that nuclear materials should be exported for peaceful purposes only, that they should be under the supervision and safeguard of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and that they must not be transferred to third countries without the permission of the Chinese government. Competent authorities carry out rigorous reviews of nuclear exports and impose severe penalties on violators.

The General Administration of Customs cooperates closely with related authorities to regulate the export of controlled items. Among other duties it also engages in investigating and handling violations, carries out risk prevention and control, and supervises law enforcement.

III. Modernizing the Export Control System

China strictly enforces export control laws and regulations, and translates solemn commitments into concrete actions. With institutional foundations and technological support, China has gradually realized effective and comprehensive regulation and whole-process monitoring, and put in place a modern export control system providing scientific design, orderly operation and vigorous enforcement.

1. Improving License Management

China widely adopts internationally-accepted practices in export controls such as license management, end-user and end-use certificates, and general licensing. China has established an inter-agency consultation mechanism and a two-tiered management model, optimized the licensing procedure and extending the types of license. License management has been steadily improved, to ensure that all trade in export-controlled items is consistent with compliance requirements, and to create a better business environment for high-level opening up.

An inter-agency consultation mechanism for prudent and accurate review. For the review of dual-use items, China has set up an inter-agency consultation mechanism that brings together the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, China Atomic Energy Authority, and the Equipment Development Department of the CMC. These departments work closely together to review export applications, each carrying out its respective duties, taking into account factors such as national security and national interests, international obligations, end users and end uses, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies.

A two-tiered management model to facilitate license applications. License applicants may come from any part of China. To strike a balance between export promotion and export control, and to protect and promote trade in controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, China adopts a two-tiered license management model. Provincial government departments are mandated to provide exporters with public export control services and re-submit their export applications to the central government. The results of reviews are sent to the exporters and China Customs via the internet. To facilitate trade, the Ministry of Commerce realized paperless license management for dual-use items in July 2021, employing digital tools through the entire process of application, review, license issuance and customs clearance. As a result, the licensing time frame was shortened by five to seven days.

Improved measures for targeted license management. China promotes multi-tiered management with the emphasis on end-user and end-use certificates. Generally, an exporter is required to submit the end-use certificate provided by the end user; for export applications presenting a potential risk, the exporter is required to submit end-user and end-use certificates verified or issued by the government agencies of the country or region in which the end user is located, and by the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country or region. To extend the types of license, China grants general licenses to exporters with internal compliance programs and sound operating procedures, provided that they meet the necessary requirements. These general licenses allow them to export multiple times to multiple countries/regions or end users within the period of validity. The implementation of these measures has made license management more targeted and effective.

An expert team for informed and efficient management. China values the contribution of experts, and has created statutory provisions to establish and improve the export control expert advisory mechanism. Relevant departments have set up a team consisting of experts in dual-use items, military products, nuclear materials, and other areas, to facilitate informed and accurate assessment. Over the years, the expert team has provided robust support in the creation of lists, license management, monitoring and enforcement, and business consultancy. As export control becomes a more specialized field, China will continue to mobilize more experts to develop a team providing wide coverage and strong expertise, so as to provide more professional and effective support in the new era.

2. Strengthening Enforcement Capability

China continues to reinforce its export control enforcement mechanism by expanding methods and sharpening capabilities. An authoritative and efficient system has gradually taken shape with consistent rights and responsibilities, which plays an important role in tackling violations and ensuring complete, accurate and strict implementation of relevant laws and regulations.

Improved organizational structure for a coordinated and effective enforcement mechanism. In 2014, to strengthen institutions responsible for export control, the Ministry of Commerce set up a dedicated enforcement team, which is responsible for developing enforcement institutions and conducting case investigations. The Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs, and other departments have strengthened collaboration on enforcement, and work on joint enforcement with relevant departments of provincial governments. With this horizontal and vertical cooperation among central departments and provincial governments, a closely-knit enforcement network is in place. It provides a firm institutional guarantee for enforcement of export control laws in China and effectively addresses the problems posed by geographical distance, wide spectrum, and difficulties in imposing penalties.

Various enforcement measures to amplify the deterrent effect of enforcement and regulation. China continues to strengthen its enforcement capability. In addition to basic methods such as site visits, inquiries and investigations, and access to materials, the enforcement authorities are also authorized to employ other methods, including sealing off and detaining items and checking bank accounts. The enforcement authorities can also mark any illegal act into the credit record of an offender, which significantly reinforces the deterrent effect of law enforcement. Every aspect of the export process is covered by enforcement. In addition to the exporters, intermediary service providers are also subject to control to prevent illegal exports. Agencies and individuals are prohibited from providing offenders with intermediary services such as agency, shipping, consignment, financing, customs declaration, and third-party e-commerce platform transactions. China also values the role of non-compulsory enforcement methods such as regulatory interviews and administrative guidance, and implements preventive, guiding, and monitoring measures to ensure that enforcement is effective.

Improved enforcement equipment and IT application to strengthen guarantees. China has increased inputs into enforcement equipment. With professional equipment to detect radioactive, biological and chemical items, China Customs is able to inspect and detect illegal exports more efficiently, thus helping enforcers to dispose of controlled items more effectively. China has also improved the use of enforcement information by sharing information among enforcement and regulatory agencies. China attaches great importance to collecting information and analyzing statistics on violations. Basic information on companies involved is integrated with case descriptions through use of information technologies. To boost enforcement capacity, the enforcement authorities regularly provide enforcers with training on export control laws and regulations, and on identification and enforcement skills.

3. Developing Export Control Compliance Systems

China is committed to developing export control compliance systems. Based on the principle of government-guided, business-led, and coordinated action, China has made notable progress in building export control compliance systems by consolidating the legal foundations, improving the policy framework, and investing in publicity and training.

Intensified legal guarantee. China has been working to reinforce the legal foundations of export compliance. The Export Control Law requires the Chinese government to issue sector-specific guidelines for export controls at the appropriate time, guiding exporters to establish and improve their internal compliance programs and to operate in accordance with laws and regulations. As an incentive, an exporter with an internal compliance program and sound operating procedures can be granted a general license or other facilitating measures. These provisions provide a legal guarantee for the government to provide guidance on export control compliance, and a legal basis for businesses to establish and improve their internal compliance programs.

Improved policy guidance. In 2007, the Ministry of Commerce first issued guiding opinions on internal export control mechanisms for exporters of dual-use items and technologies. In 2021, the Ministry of Commerce revised and issued the Guiding Opinions on Establishing the Internal Compliance Program for Export Control by Exporters of Dual-use Items, which increased the number of compliance elements to nine - policy statement, organizational structure, comprehensive risk assessment, screening procedures, contingency measures, compliance training, compliance audits, record-keeping and management manual. The Guidelines for Internal Compliance for Export Control of Dual-use Items was added to provide more details and scenarios for reference. In the field of nuclear materials, China promulgated Guidelines for Import and Export Compliance Mechanism Building of Nuclear Items and other government documents.

Improved public services. The Chinese government attaches great importance to information and training on export controls, and has continued to disseminate information to increase compliance across broader society. Government authorities at all levels have paid study visits to enterprises and provided training in key areas to raise awareness and foster a compliance culture. In recent years, around 30,000 people have participated in over 20 training sessions and seminars every year. In 2021, the Ministry of Commerce launched an export control information service platform to provide better guidance and services. The Chinese government provides guidance to business associations, chambers of commerce, intermediary agencies, experts and think tanks, to help them study export controls, provide consultancy, and play an active part in export compliance.

4. Complying with International Obligations

China consistently advocates the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, and resolutely opposes the proliferation of such weapons and their means of delivery. China does not support, encourage or help any other country in the development of WMD and their means of delivery. China is committed to regulating the trade in conventional arms, combating illicit trafficking of weapons, and mitigating humanitarian issues triggered by the abuse of conventional arms. China firmly upholds the authority and efficacy of all relevant international treaties, strictly complies with its international obligations, and safeguards international and regional peace and stability.

Nuclear. China joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984 and signed the Agreement Between the People's Republic of China and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in China in 1988, voluntarily placing China's civilian nuclear facilities under Agency safeguards. In 1992, China acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). China was actively engaged in the negotiations on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, making a major contribution to the conclusion of the Treaty to which it was one of the first State Party signatories in 1996. China became a member of the Zangger Committee in October 1997. In 1998, China signed the Additional Protocol aimed at strengthening the IAEA safeguard system, and formally completed the domestic legal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Additional Protocol in early 2002, thus becoming the first nuclear-weapon state to complete the relevant procedures. In June 2004, China joined the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and has since taken an active part in the NSG while fulfilling the relevant rights and obligations.

Biological weapons. China strictly honors its obligations under the BWC, to which China became a State Party in 1984. Since then, China has submitted declarations of Confidence Building Measures in full and on time, been fully involved in the BWC reviews, and actively proposed multilateral initiatives on regulating biological scientific research exercises, biological technology, and global resource allocation. China has offered the international community public goods in reinforcing laboratory biosecurity and other areas, tightened export controls on dual-use biological items and related equipment and technologies, and revised its control list in a timely manner. China calls for positive outcomes in the BWC reviews, particularly regarding the negotiations for a legally binding verification protocol to maximize the effectiveness of the BWC.

Chemical weapons. China made a positive contribution to the conclusion of the CWC, which it signed in January 1993. In April 1997, China deposited its instrument of ratification, becoming an original State Party of the CWC. In strong support of the Convention's purposes and objectives, China encourages all States Parties to strictly fulfill their obligations, and implements the provisions in a balanced and effective manner. Since the Convention entered into force, China has adopted a series of laws for domestic compliance as required by the Convention, set up agencies dedicated to compliance, submitted annual declarations in full and on time, and firmly committed itself to the inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. As required by the Convention, in 2020 China completed the domestic legislative procedures for the amendment to Schedule 1 reached at the 24th CWC Conference of States Parties.

Missiles. China supports international efforts to prevent the proliferation of missiles, and missile-related items and technologies, and adopts a positive and open attitude to international proposals designed to strengthen the mechanisms for non-proliferation. Drawing from other countries' export control practices, China has promulgated and implemented the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-related Items and Technologies, which provide the legal basis for China's export of missile-related items and technologies. In addition, China takes an active part in relevant international exchanges and cooperation to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles.

Military products. China actively participated in the negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and made a significant contribution to the conclusion of the Treaty. China announced that it would initiate the domestic legal procedures to join the ATT in September 2019, and formally acceded to the Treaty in July 2020. As a State Party, China firmly supports the Treaty's purposes and objectives through full compliance with its obligations, and stands ready to work with other States Parties to regulate the trade in conventional arms, promote the universality and effectiveness of the Treaty, and improve global governance of the arms trade.

IV. Promoting International Exchanges and Cooperation

As an active participant, China prioritizes international exchanges and cooperation on export controls. It endeavors to boost mutual trust, ease doubts, increase mutual learning, strengthen international coordination, and promote trading in export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, so as to contribute to a more open and just regime for international export controls.

1. Conducting Bilateral Exchanges and Cooperation

Based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, China engages in international exchanges and cooperation on export controls, in order to increase mutual trust through dialogue and consultation. These efforts reflect China's open and cooperative attitude, and facilitate win-win cooperation.

China promotes trading in export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements. China has established inter-governmental mechanisms with various countries and regions to share experience and practices through government-to-government consultations and discussions and dialogues with business. China has also maintained communication with export control authorities in other countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. To build up mutual trust and cooperation, China has signed bilateral agreements with Russia and several other countries for mutual issuing of end-user and end-use certificates.

China is deeply involved in bilateral exchanges and cooperation on export controls and non-proliferation. China and the US have held multiple seminars on identifying export-controlled items to promote exchanges on enforcement skills. In nuclear non-proliferation, China has maintained consultations and exchanges with the US, Russia, the UK, France, Germany, and the EU to take resolute action against illegal activities through information exchanges and cooperation on enforcement. With respect to controlled chemicals, China has engaged in bilateral exchanges and cooperation with other States Parties under the framework of the CWC, and conducted end-user and end-use verifications in Germany, Spain, the Republic of Korea, Japan and other countries. China has established consultation mechanisms with more than ten countries at vice-ministerial and director-general levels on strategic security, arms control, and non-proliferation, which, as platforms for sharing non-proliferation experience and practices, have played a crucial role in increasing mutual understanding and cooperation.

In addition to inter-governmental cooperation, China also supports non-governmental exchanges and cooperation on export control. Chinese institutions such as the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce, the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, and the China Nuclear Energy Association, have held non-governmental exchanges, conducted academic research, and engaged in international people-to-people interactions with research institutions of other countries. Through symposiums, forums and on-site visits, these institutions have increased mutual understanding and friendship with their foreign counterparts.

2. Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue and Consultation

As part of the effort to promote world peace and regional security, China prioritizes communication and consultation on global issues and emergencies via the UN and multilateral export control mechanisms.

China advocates that as the most representative international organization, the UN should play a central role in finding the right balance between non-proliferation and peaceful uses, and in safeguarding the legitimate rights of developing countries to peaceful uses of technological advances. In December 2021, the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the China-initiated resolution "Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security", which emphasizes the significance of international cooperation in science and technology for peaceful purposes in facilitating economic and social development, and urges all Member States, without prejudice to their non-proliferation obligations, to lift unnecessary restrictions on peaceful use in developing countries. The adoption of this resolution marks the beginning of an open, inclusive and just dialogue process under the UNGA framework, which is in line with the common interests of the international community. It represents a critical contribution to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of all countries concerning peaceful uses of technology, ensuring that scientific and technological dividends are widely shared to the benefit of all, and addressing the security challenges arising from scientific and technological progress. It is also conducive to fuller and more balanced implementation of the NPT, the CWC, the BWC and other international treaties, and to greater dialogue and exchanges between other countries and State Members of the existing mechanisms on non-proliferation and export control, to better serve shared security and development. China will continue to work with all other parties to advance this dialogue process under the UNGA framework.

In April 2004, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540), which requires all countries to reinforce domestic management and export control of WMD and relevant materials and technologies, and to prevent and combat the proliferation of such items among non-state actors. As the first UN Security Council resolution dedicated to non-proliferation, this advances international cooperation under international law. China actively supports and participates in non-proliferation efforts under relevant UN frameworks, including the 1540 Committee, and works vigorously to promote the comprehensive review of UNSCR 1540. To strengthen its enforcement in Asia, China and the 1540 Committee hosted three training sessions - "Training Course for the 1540 Points of Contact in the Asia-Pacific Region" - in the Chinese cities of Qingdao, Xi'an and Xiamen in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Since its accession to the NSG in 2004, China has conscientiously assumed its membership obligations, actively taken part in policy consultations, drawing up lists, information sharing, and other NSG matters, and stepped up export control cooperation with other NSG members. Following the NSG Guidelines, China has amended Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Export and Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Control of Nuclear Dual-use Items and Related Technologies Export. In the amendments, acceptance of comprehensive safeguards and oversight by the importing country is a precondition for the export of nuclear materials, and the export control lists are routinely updated in sync with the NSG's control list.

China officially applied to join the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2004, and has since maintained communication and exchanges, with five rounds of dialogue focusing on China's accession and issues regarding control systems, lists and the enforcement of missile export controls. China referred to the MTCR Guidelines and Annex when formulating its missile export control regulations and control list.

China has maintained communication and exchanges with the Wassenaar Arrangement. The two sides have held five rounds of in-depth dialogue on control principles, lists, and best practices pertaining to the export of conventional arms and relevant dual-use items and technologies.

China has been involved in six rounds of consultation with the Australia Group (AG) on biological and chemical non-proliferation, implementation of the CWC and the BWC, and operation of the AG.

China is willing to work with the international community to ensure that multilateral export control mechanisms are just and open, and to increase the diversity and breadth of representation in their membership. China upholds solidarity and cooperation, opposes discriminatory approaches, and advocates that all countries work together to address serious global issues and create a brighter future for humanity.

Conclusion

The international landscape is undergoing profound changes, and the world is rife with challenges in the field of export control. It is no easy task to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity. All countries need to work together, relentless in their determination to strengthen international cooperation and pursue shared security and development.

Employing a holistic approach to national security and export controls, China will continue to strengthen its systems, increase capacity, reinforce administration, step up enforcement, and promote compliance, so as to effectively address the risks and challenges under the new circumstances. China will shoulder its due responsibilities as a major country by fulfilling its international obligations and commitments, by participating in exchanges and cooperation on export controls, and by joining forces with all other countries to build sound international export control governance as part of a global community of shared future. Enditem
BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The number of passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush will rise sharply from the figure recorded in the corresponding period of 2021, a transport official said Wednesday.

China's largest annual travel rush will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 next year, said Ren Zhuoli, an official with the Ministry of Transport.

The number of passenger trips during the Spring Festival travel rush in 2022 will increase significantly from the 870 million trips made in 2021 Spring Festival travel rush, and even surpass the 1.48 billion trips recorded in the corresponding period in 2020, Ren said.

During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to reunite with their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. Enditem
Staff members test the Omicron variant of COVID-19 at a laboratory in Gwangju, South Korea, on Dec. 29, 2021. South Korea reported 5,409 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Tuesday, compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 620,938.

The number of the Omicron variant infections was 558, including 252 imported cases and 306 local transmissions, up 109 from the prior day. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)

SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korea reported 5,409 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Tuesday, compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 620,938.

The daily caseload was up from 3,865 in the previous day, rising above 5,000 in consecutive three days.

The recent resurgence was attributable to small cluster infections in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Of the new cases, 1,869 were Seoul residents. The number of newly infected people living in Gyeonggi province and the western port city of Incheon was 1,608 and 309 respectively.

The virus spread also raged in the non-metropolitan region. The number of new infections in the non-capital areas was 1,497, or 28.3 percent of the total local transmission.

The number of the Omicron variant infections was 558, including 252 imported cases and 306 local transmissions, up 109 from the prior day.

A total of 126 cases were imported, lifting the combined figure to 17,119.

The number of infected people who were in a serious condition stood at 1,151, up 49 from the previous day.

Thirty-six more deaths were confirmed, leaving the death toll at 5,382. The total fatality rate was 0.87 percent.

The country has administered COVID-19 vaccines to 44,115,185 people, or 85.9 percent of the total population, and the number of fully inoculated people was 42,432,990, or 82.6 percent, of the population.

The number of those who received booster shots in the country was 16,582,758 people, or 32.3 percent, of the population. Enditem

International travelers arrive at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, on Dec. 29, 2021. South Korea reported 5,409 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Tuesday, compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 620,938.

The number of the Omicron variant infections was 558, including 252 imported cases and 306 local transmissions, up 109 from the prior day. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)

A staff member tests the Omicron variant of COVID-19 at a laboratory in Gwangju, South Korea, on Dec. 29, 2021. South Korea reported 5,409 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Tuesday, compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 620,938.

The number of the Omicron variant infections was 558, including 252 imported cases and 306 local transmissions, up 109 from the prior day. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)

A staff member tests the Omicron variant of COVID-19 at a laboratory in Gwangju, South Korea, on Dec. 29, 2021. South Korea reported 5,409 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Tuesday, compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 620,938.

The number of the Omicron variant infections was 558, including 252 imported cases and 306 local transmissions, up 109 from the prior day. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)
The file photo taken on Oct. 27, 2021 shows Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian (2nd L) speaking at the Second Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan's Neighboring Countries in Tehran, Iran. (Photo by Ahmad Malek/Xinhua)

TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian foreign minister said on Tuesday that the talks in Vienna, Austria on the restoration of a 2015 nuclear deal are on a "good path."

In an address to reporters on the sidelines of a Tuesday ceremony, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that "we have a unified and joint text, on which the Iranian negotiating team is focused," Iranian Foreign Ministry reported on its website.

The Iranian top diplomat noted that the other parties to the deal are also focused on the issues "we placed in the text," which are those the sides have differences on.

Enrique Mora, the European Union deputy foreign policy chief, has been actively making efforts to play the coordination role, Amir-Abdollahian said.

Photo taken on Dec. 3, 2021 shows a meeting of the Joint Commission on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in Vienna, Austria. (EU Delegation in Vienna/Handout via Xinhua)

He said if the other parties, including France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany, continue the negotiations with goodwill, it will be possible to reach a good agreement in the near future.

Iran and the five signatories started the eighth round of talks in Vienna in a bid to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the U.S. quitted in 2018 under former President Donald Trump who then reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran.

The U.S. has been indirectly taking part in the Vienna talks which have been held since April.

The 2015 nuclear deal eased the previous U.S. sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran's curbing its nuclear program, which the U.S.-led Western countries have suspected as an attempt to create nuclear weapons despite Iran's insistence that it is peaceful. 
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- In his message for the New Year, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged everyone to strive for recovery that benefits people, the planet, and prosperity.

"The world welcomes 2022 with our hopes for the future being tested by deepening poverty and worsening inequality... an unequal distribution of COVID vaccines... climate commitments that fall short, and by ongoing conflict, division, and misinformation," lamented the top UN official.

These are "not just policy tests," but "moral and real-life tests," he added.

Yet, these are tests that everyone can pass "if we commit to making 2022 a year of recovery for all," said the secretary-general.

Guterres then outlined how recovery should be carried out on each front.

It is imperative that every person be vaccinated against the pandemic, he said.

As for the economic recovery, the UN chief emphasized that wealthier countries must support the developing world with "financing, investment, and debt relief."

Meanwhile, to heal the wounds of mistrust and division, he affirmed that a renewed focus should be placed on "science, facts, and reason."

While conflict resolution calls for "a renewed spirit of dialogue, compromise, and reconciliation," restoring the planet requires "climate commitments that parallel the scale and urgency of the crisis," said Guterres.

Furthermore, the UN chief noted that "moments of great difficulty can also be moments of great opportunity to come together in solidarity" because they offer the chance "to unite behind solutions that can benefit all people. And to move forward together, with hope in what our human family can accomplish."

"Together, let's make recovery our resolution for 2022," concluded the secretary-general. "I wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year." Enditem
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat of Singapore via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng on Wednesday met with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat via video link, pledging to jointly fight the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance bilateral cooperation.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that as close neighbors and partners, China and Singapore enjoy mutual political understanding and trust and maintain close high-level exchanges.

He noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping recently had a phone conversation with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, providing new strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations.

China welcomes Singapore's in-depth participation in the process of fostering a new development paradigm, and is willing to work with Singapore to strengthen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, safeguard multilateralism and free trade, strengthen anti-pandemic cooperation, and actively expand cooperation in the fields of digital economy and green development, among others, Han said.

Heng, for his part, said China's entry into the new development stage has brought great opportunities for bilateral cooperation, and the Singaporean side stands ready to deepen all-round cooperation with China and jointly create a better future for the two countries and the region.

He also expressed his wish that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be a great success.

After their meeting, Han and Heng co-chaired four meetings of bilateral cooperation mechanisms: the 17th China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation Meeting, the 22nd China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council (JSC) Meeting, the 13th China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City JSC Meeting, and the 5th China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity JSC Meeting.

The two sides reviewed the implementation of the high-level consensus and progress in practical cooperation, and jointly planned the direction and priorities of the next stage of cooperation.

The two sides agreed to promote the high-quality development of key cooperation projects under the guidance of building the new development paradigm, and to take the establishment of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership as an opportunity to set a new benchmark for mutually beneficial cooperation.

They also agreed to expand anti-pandemic and development cooperation, so as to make new contributions to global disease control and sustainable development.

After the meeting, they jointly announced a series of outcomes, including the New Land-Sea Corridor cooperation plan, and attended the naming ceremony of a giant panda cub, who was born earlier this year in Singapore. 
Tunisian President Kais Saied (L) meets with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio in Tunis, Tunisia, on Dec. 28, 2021. Saied and Di Maio on Tuesday urged efforts to tackle the root causes of illegal immigration and combat human trafficking on both sides of the Mediterranean. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

TUNIS, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied and visiting Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio on Tuesday urged efforts to tackle the root causes of illegal immigration and combat human trafficking on both sides of the Mediterranean.

Saied stressed the importance of developing new common concepts to encourage regular immigration through mechanisms that protect immigrants' rights, while admitting that conventional strategies for dealing with illegal immigration have proven their limits, according to a statement released by the Tunisian Presidency.

The Tunisian president also expressed willingness to strengthen the friendly ties with Italy and expand promising opportunities for bilateral cooperation in a variety of fields based on mutual respect and shared interests, said the statement.

"Italy recognizes and supports the ambitious reform path established by Tunisian president," Di Maio was quoted as saying.

Italy has worked with its partners and the International Monetary Fund to emphasize the need to assist Tunisia in overcoming the economic scenario it is experiencing, which has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Di Maio said. Enditem

Tunisian President Kais Saied (R) meets with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio (L) in Tunis, Tunisia, on Dec. 28, 2021. Saied and Di Maio on Tuesday urged efforts to tackle the root causes of illegal immigration and combat human trafficking on both sides of the Mediterranean. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)
Only people living with confirmed coronavirus cases will be considered close contacts as the country goes through a gear change to deal with the surging Omicron outbreaks across most states and territories.

National cabinet will also urgently discuss coronavirus testing requirements on Thursday as Australia moves away from its reliance on PCR tests towards widespread rapid antigen test use - but the responsibility for purchasing the tests will remain with state governments.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison holds a press conference at Kirribilli House on Wednesday. Cole Bennetts

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was important to adjust the countrys approach to the pandemic as Omicron takes hold.

Were going through a gear change when it comes to how we manage testing arrangements, the definition of close contacts, how we furlough staff and isolate people who are impacted by cases, he told reporters on Wednesday.

Its important that we continue to adjust and get as consistent an approach as we possibly can across all the states and territories.

National cabinet will also discuss adopting a national definition of close contacts, which the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee has recommended be narrowed to only include household contacts of positive cases.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called an emergency National Cabinet meeting tomorrow which will look at changes to PCR testing and close contact rules.

Whats important with this definition is to try and understand that youre dealing with a high volume of cases, and we just cant have everybody just being taken out of circulation because they just happen to be at a particular place at a particular time, Mr Morrison said.

So far on Wednesday, 18,171 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed around the country. The figure does not include cases from Western Australia or the Northern Territory.



The Prime Minister said that, while cases were rising, hospitalisation rates remained low  across the country, 1314 people are in hospital, 126 in ICU and 55 on ventilators.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly said Omicron was proving to be milder  between 15 per cent and 80 per cent less severe than Delta  but the large number of cases was putting pressure on PCR testing. The countrys chief health officers are discussing in a Wednesday afternoon meeting the best way to reserve those tests going forward.

South Australian Premier Stephen Marshall said the state could not continue pre-departure tests for interstate travellers, after the state recorded 1471 cases on Wednesday.

He said Thursdays national cabinet meeting will have a big update on testing and how it will be used in the country into next year.

We will be looking to adopt nationally consistent test, trace, isolate and quarantine protocols right across the country. There is still some disparity which is causing confusion, and as we move through various stages of this new Omicron variant, we do need to move towards standardisation as much as possible, he said.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said he spoke to Mr Morrison on Wednesday morning.

I certainly believe it would be best to have a national approach and I certainly look forward to having those discussions as we move through the meeting tomorrow, he told reporters.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is on leave but will attend Thursdays national cabinet meeting. He also had a phone call with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday morning ahead of the meeting.

States have been struggling to secure supplies of rapid antigen tests and have to compete in a tight global market as the federal government refuses to buy kits for widespread use despite public health experts saying they are vital in fighting the pandemic.

NSW has secured 20 million rapid antigen tests, and Victoria announced on Wednesday morning it had bought 34 million of the kits. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard told this masthead sourcing the tests had been a challenge.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said the federal government had failed to take leadership when it came to rapid antigen tests and left Australians dangerously exposed.

Yet again, weve seen state governments having to fill a vacuum left by Scott Morrison, who has gone missing in the fight against this critical fourth wave, he said.

State and territory governments have stepped up in the absence of Commonwealth leadership. But when we talk about purchasing of rapid antigen tests from overseas, it clearly is a federal government responsibility.

With Sarah McPhee

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.




He stated that Peru's foreign policy is conducted based on principles and foundations of international rights, which are values that are recognized and distinguish us as an emerging, Pacific Ocean-based, Andean, and Amazon nation that respects international treaties.





"It (Peru) shows a democratic conviction that is recognized by the European Union, through Josep Borrell (High Representative of the EU), and by the Government of President Joseph R. Biden, upon receiving recently the credentials of the new Peruvian Ambassador to Washington D.C., thus reaffirming this link (with our country)," Ambassador Maurtua said in an interview with TVPeru.





In addition, the high-ranking official commented that he has received positive comments from the Foreign Affairs Ministers of Russia and China ( Sergei Lavrov and Wang Yi , respectively), with whom he spoke by phone regarding Peru's projection and the potential of its resources.





Vaccines









"We now have a volume that allows us to make donations to third parties. We are properly equipped. A proactive policy was introduced and we helped to implement it properly with State operations and transactions and thanks to global programs such as COVAX," he remarked.





Moreover, the diplomat announced that vaccines for the vaccination of children between 5 and 12 years of age are duly envisaged, noting that the issue of immunization is always the first to be addressed at all sessions of the Council of Ministers.





Cabinets





On the other hand, he affirmed that the Binational Cabinets with neighboring countries show the priority that the Government's policy places on its environment.





(END) JCC/JCR/RMB/MVB

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?El presidente @PedroCastilloTe, junto a los titulares del @MTC_GobPeru, @MinamPeru y @MimpPeru, encabezo la ceremonia por el 45 aniversario de las rondas campesinas de Cuyumalca y del Peru. ???? pic.twitter.com/PL1PZCaMlm
Cumpliendo mi deber constitucional, recibi en Palacio de Gobierno a representantes de la @FiscaliaPeru, ante quienes respondi, en condicion de testigo, todas las preguntas sobre los ascensos de las FF.AA, como parte de la indagacion preliminar que realiza el MP. (1/2)
??Ahora | El ministro de Economia y Finanzas, @pedrofrancke, participa en conferencia de prensa para informar a la ciudadania sobre las decisiones en materia economica aprobadas en el Consejo de Ministros.

?? En vivo: https://t.co/BASCUtqmE4 pic.twitter.com/Lodv7eUFFc
STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. A man from the village of Aygestan in Artsakhs Askeran Province was arrested by Azerbaijani troops after accidentally crossing into Azeri-controlled territories in the morning of December 29.

The National Security Service of Artsakh said in a statement that they received a missing-person report around 07:30, December 29 concerning the whereabouts of Armen Verdyan, a 50-year-old resident of Aygestan.

Investigators then found out that the man got lost near Nakhijevanik and Ughtasar and accidentally crossed into the Azeri-controlled areas and was subsequently taken into custody by Azeri troops.

The Artsakh authorities said theyve immediately notified the Russian peacekeepers, who in turn have validated that Armen Verdyan is safe.

Negotiations are now underway to return the citizen of Artsakh, the NSS said .
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani military released the citizen of Artsakh whom theyd arrested after hed accidentally crossed into Azeri-controlled territory.

The 50-year-old resident of the village of Aygestan (Askeran Province) was handed over to the Russian peacekeepers, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan said in a statement.

As a result of negotiations conducted by the security forces of Artsakh and the Russian peacekeepers, the civilian was returned and is now with the Russian peacekeepers. Soon he will be handed over to the Armenian side, Stepanyan said.
YEREVAN, 29 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. Unique archeological objects saved from Shushi Carpet Museum were presented to the public at Erebuni Historical-Archeological Museum- Reserve. During the 44-day war of 2020 it was possible to evacuate carpets, as well as archeological objects from the museum.



The Director of Erebuni Museum Mikayel Badasyan told ARMENPRESS that everyone should do his job and with this exhibition they try to familiarize the people with the archeological heritage of Shushi Carpet Museum.



We, knowing, that archeological items were saved from Shushi Carpet Museum, getting acquainted with Vardan Astsatryan, decided to organize a temporary exhibition in order to be able to familiarize our compatriots and visitors of the museum with the important part of our fatherland Artsakh and, in particular, the archeological heritage of Shushi. The saved items, when brought and stored at Erebuni museum, many were not at good condition. Quite a long and detailed work was carried out for the restoration of those items at our restoration, solidification laboratory, said the Director of the museum.

Photos by Gevorg Perkuperkyan



He said that different pottery items and jewelry are presented at the exhibition, but he singled out two exclusive items  a cast jewelry-ornament, which undoubtable was a symbol of power and the next

a stone wand with a cats head at the top, which also was a symbol of power and belonged to a person of highest social status.



The Director of Shushi Carpets Museum Vardan Astsatryan said that the items exhibited is only a part of the archeological items of the museum which were possible to evacuate during the war.



This is only a small part of the samples. I have to mention that because we were specialized in carpets, these items were of secondary role, but we knew the origin of all. When the items were evacuated and moved to Yerevan, the directorate of Erebuni Museum and the scientific council restored all of this, dated and presented to the public. I should say that from the entire pottery samples it was possible to evacuate only 40 percent he said.



About 30 samples are presented at the temporary exhibition in Erebuni Museum. The exhibition will last until May 29, 2022.
YEREVAN, 29 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan participated in a reception organized for the representatives of the public administration system on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas holidays.

In his speech, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan particularly said,

Honorable President of the National Assembly,

Distinguished representatives of the Government, the legislative and the judicial branches,

First of all, I would like to thank all of you for the work done in 2021, because people usually complain about the work of the public system, citing bureaucracy, hassles, delays. But I want to remind you that 2021 was not an ordinary year, in fact, we felt, saw and faced a significant part of the consequences of the 44-day war in 2021. Our statehood was facing huge, dangerous challenges, and it should be stated that we were able to manage those challenges.

Of course, it was not easy, the work done by all those present, all our state bodies, local self-government bodies is of essential and key importance for the management of those challenges. I am really thankful to you for that work. Moreover, by overcoming those challenges, we not only did not damage Armenia's international reputation as a democratic country, but, on the contrary, strengthened it even more.

Early parliamentary elections were held in the country in 2021. With them, we were able to reveal a new function of the electoral process, when the atmosphere of internal political unrest was finally overcome by the elections, and not the contrary. During those elections and before that, our entire state system, legal system and judiciary worked around the clock. Moreover, they worked trying not to yield to emotions, trying to stay loyal to the service, mission, state order. And it is obvious that in 2021 this service of addressing these challenges was a success, which does not mean that our work is perfect, on the contrary, in 2020-2021 we identified a number of systemic problems that exist in our public administration system. And an agenda has been formed, which, of course, we must consistently implement.

Our greatest challenge is ensuring external security, but I want to emphasize again that ensuring external security is not, has not been and should not be the function of only the army, the Armed Forces. It is equally the function of our diplomatic service, our other public administration bodies. I would also like to mention here the work of our special services, the important mission and work of our parliamentary diplomacy. And I want to emphasize that we have also overcome significant challenges in the field of internal security in 2021, moreover, we have overcome those challenges without any shocks. And in this regard, I want to emphasize again the work of our law enforcement agencies.

Dear attendees,

Dear colleagues,

I want to wish Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all you, your families. I want to believe that 2022 will really be a year of renascence for Armenia. I hope the shocks that took place in 2020-2021, our capability to pass that road full of those shocks, which was demonstrated, will really help and strengthen us in building a state worthy of all our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland during the 44-day war, the four-day war that took place before it, also our victims of the previous Artsakh war. This is probably the biggest motivation we have. And this is probably the biggest motivation, which should never allow us to waver or shake under any circumstances. We must take firm steps towards the Armenia that our ancestors dreamed of, that our martyrs dreamed of, that we dream of for our generations.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"
Representational: A police car in Shanghai on 30 July 2019 (AFP via Getty Images)

A Chinese couple have been sentenced to death for conspiring to kill the mans two children from his previous marriage  just so they could start a new family.

The man and woman violated both the law and moral limits for the act that caused a terrible social influence, a Chinese court said while delivering the conviction on Tuesday.

Zhang Bo had began an extra-marital affair with Ye Chengchen from Chinas Chongqing municipality and soon after Zhang divorced his then-wife Chen Meilin in February last year, the two decided to kill the children.

The father threw his one-year-old son and two-year-old daughter out of the 14th-floor window of his high-rise building in November last year after calling both of them to his apartment.

Local media reported that Ye was also convicted of murder and sentenced to death because she forced Zhang to kill the children, the Chongqing No 5 Intermediate Peoples Court said in its verdict.

The court said Ye did not want her future husband to have children from other women.

It said Ye and Zhang had began dating in 2019. Ye had allegedly asked the father to kill his two children on several occasions because her parents had objected to her getting married to a man who already had children.

The court documents revealed that Ye told Zhang: When the kids are gone, I will marry you Why dont you kill both since you will be killing anyway?

When Zhang Bo hesitated, Ye forced him to commit the crime, and finally he followed through with the murder, read the verdict.

After he threw his children out of the window, he was seen by some neighbours crying beside them.

One of the children had died on the spot while the other was declared dead in a hospital.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo News UK
An illustration of the tiktok logo on a smart-phone

A former TikTok moderator is suing the company, claiming it failed to protect her mental health after "constant" exposure to traumatic video content.

Candie Frazier says she reviewed videos that featured "extreme and graphic violence" for up to 12 hours a day.

She says she suffers from "significant psychological trauma", including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

TikTok says it strives to promote "a caring working environment".

In September TikTok announced 1 billion people were using the app each month. It now has more hits than Google, according to Cloudflare, an IT security company.

To protect its users, the video-sharing platform uses thousands of in-house and contract content moderators to filter out videos and accounts that break its rules.

Ms Frazier is suing both TikTok and its parent company, Chinese tech-giant Bytedance.

She claims that in her role as a moderator she watched graphic content, including videos of sexual assault, cannibalism, genocide, mass shootings, child sexual abuse, and the mutilation of animals.

Ms Frazier, who worked for a third-party contractor, Telus International, says she was required to review hundreds of videos a day.

According to the lawsuit filed with a federal court in California last week, Ms Frazier suffered "significant psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder" because of the material she was required to review.

The lawsuit claims that while she was not a TikTok employee, the social-media giant "controlled the means and manner in which content moderation occurred".

Ms Frazier alleges that in order to handle the volume of content, she was expected to review, she had to watch as many as 10 videos simultaneously.

In the lawsuit it is claimed that during a 12-hour shift moderators were permitted a 15-minute break after the first four hours of work, and then a 15-minute break every subsequent two hours. In addition there was a one-hour lunch break.

Story continues

It alleges that TikTok failed to meet industry standards designed to reduce the impact of content moderation, and that the firm violated California labour law by not providing a safe work environment.

Mental support

TikTok would not comment on the "on-going" case, but the firm did say it strived to "promote a caring working environment for our employees and contractors".

The company added: "Our safety team partners with third-party firms on the critical work of helping to protect the TikTok platform and community, and we continue to expand on a range of wellness services so that moderators feel supported mentally and emotionally."

TikTok believes its measures to protect moderators are in line with industry best practice.

Last year, TikTok was among a coalition of social-media giants that created guidelines to safeguard employees who have to filter out child sex-abuse imagery.

Telus International, which is not a defendant in the case, said it had robust mental-health programmes in place and told the Washington Post, its employees could raise concerns through "several internal channels" - something it claimed Ms Frazier had not done.

The firm told the paper Ms Frazier's allegations were "entirely inconsistent with our policies and practices".

The BBC has approached Telus International for comment.

In 2020, another social-media goliath, Facebook, agreed to pay out $52m (39m) in compensation to moderators who had developed PTSD as a result of their job.
City

 Emmett E. Hicks, 41, transient, Auburn, was charged Dec. 25 with third-degree menacing and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Ricardo Marrero, 61, 2164 Adams Road, Waterloo, was charged Dec. 24 with aggravated family offense and endangering the welfare of a child.

 Bernard J. Simmons, 33, 15 Letchworth St., Owasco, was charged Dec. 24 with three counts of criminal mischief.

 Mitchell L. Warter, 25, 55 Lansing St., Auburn, was charged Dec. 26 with second-degree aggravated harassment and third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle.

 Annie S. McKinley, 58, 101 Fulton St., Auburn, was picked up on a bench warrant Dec. 28.

 Gregory C. Horsford Jr., 29, 114 S. Fulton St., Auburn, was charged Dec. 27 with endangering the welfare of a child.

 Carin E. Moore, 32, 7 Havens Ave., Auburn, was picked up on an arrest warrant Dec. 27.

 Charli L. Townsend, 29, 623 Brookline Boulevard, Pitttsburgh, Pennsylvania, was picked up on a bench warrant Dec. 27.

County

 Dawn M. Ibbs, 43, 941 College Ave., Modesto, California, was charged Dec. 25 with driving while intoxicated first offense.

 James R. Bunnell, 40, 7142 N. Division St., Throop, was picked up on an arrest warrant Dec. 27.

 Sabrina L. Dimora, 54, 214 S. Hoopes Ave., Auburn, was picked up on a bench warrant Dec. 27.

State

 Brooke E. Kingsley, 21, Hannibal, was charged Dec. 27 with three counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and a motor vehicle violation.

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Dec. 29, 1996

UNION SPRINGS  A sign hangs in the office building at the TRW plant in Union Springs. On the sign are the company's stock market figures.

Friday, TRW's stock was up three-eighths of a point to 50 3/4 points.

Thirty-four-year-old Libby Halverson wasn't concerned with company figures as she left the plant Friday afternoon. Halverson is one of the few employees who can come back to work Monday.

"I don't understand it," Halverson said. "It seems you just don't know nowadays."

Ninety-seven employees worked their final day Friday at the Salem Street plant, which opened in 1941 as General Products and made distributor caps and rotors. TRW is closing the plant and moving all work done there to plants in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and Reynoso, Mexico.

Halverson has a little over a month left to work at the plant. She is one of 50 employees who will stay on until the end of January to work on a line that makes headlamp switches. The line will continue because a similar line at the Mexico plant isn't ready.

TRW purchased the Union Springs plant from Wickes Manufacturing in 1990.

Halverson has worked at the plant for 16 years. She said Friday was an odd day.

"It was a strange day. Nobody wanted to say goodbye," Halverson said.

 Compiled by David Wilcox

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As Onondaga County is sharing services, New York is sharing the wealth.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday that Onondaga County will receive more than $19.3 million in matching funds from the state for a handful of shared services between local governments.

The partnership that netted the most savings was a collaboration between the county, city of Syracuse and Syracuse City School District to create a joint Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan. The effort saved $16,609,003, according to Hochul's office.

Other shared services included:

 Onondaga County worked with Syracuse and Oswego County to offer pharmacy benefit manager services, which saved $3,412,968.

 Onondaga and Cayuga counties partnered to bid on road salt, which produced savings of $111,678.71.

 The villages of Fayetteville and Manlius in Onondaga County saved $226,418 by sharing a deputy fire chief and purchasing five ambulances.

"Here in New York, we are committed to finding new and innovative to save taxpayer dollars," Hochul said. "I applaud the leadership efforts of Onondaga County, along with Cayuga and Oswego counties, the city of Syracuse, the Syracuse City School District and all the local officials for thinking outside the box to find efficiencies to help cut costs and generate real savings for New York taxpayers."

The state's County-Wide Shared Services Initiative provides a 95% match of the savings achieved by implementing shared services. The city of Syracuse will receive the largest award ($9,416,936), while Onondaga County will get $5,424,961 and the Syracuse City School District will get $4,285,070. The villages of Manlius and Fayetteville will receive $108,860 and $106,238, respectively.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon thanked Hochul for recognizing the county's work and for the state providing the match.

"Onondaga County is constantly looking for ways to provide the highest quality of services to our residents while being good stewards of their tax dollars," McMahon said. "These latest successful initiatives with our fellow municipal partners are proof of those efforts."

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Car consumers are facing a long waiting period to take delivery of the vehicles they have been booking. Blame it on the prolonged chip crisis that emerged due to the Covid-19 pandemic early this year. However, it seems the customers in Russia who have booked Honda Jazz and Toyota Tank might have to wait for more, but that is for another reason. Similar Cars Honda Jazz 1199 cc|Petrol|Manual  7.48 Lakhs* Onwards Check latest offers Add to compare Toyota Glanza 1197 cc|Petrol|Manual  7.18 Lakhs* Onwards Check latest offers Add to compare This time, the mighty mother nature pulled the strings. (Also Read: World's first autonomous electric container ship makes debut) A large ship called Sun Rio arrived at Russia's largest seaport Vladivostok from South Korea was carrying a shipment of the cars built by Japanese automobile giants Honda and Toyota. The ship arrived with its deck full of cars that were encapsulated under thick ice, reports a Russian publication VL. The report says that in December the sea is rough and windy. As water splashes on board, making a crust, it is not a big deal. However, it also claims that this year the winds are much stronger than usual, which resulted in such a thick cover of ice on the cars.

The publication has posted a video online that shows how the cars on the deck of the large ship are covered under the thick sheet of ice. It is quite common for vehicles to arrive in this state during winter. When this happens, sailors usually break the ice cover before unloading the cars from the ship. They apparently use everything from reagents and fire hydrants to crowbars. In this process, sometimes the cars are damaged as well.

Auto companies around the world take various transportation routes for transporting cars or any other type of automobiles to different regions or countries. Sea routes are one of the most popular among them when shipping vehicles internationally. It helps the auto companies to send large shipments at a lower cost.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Company Ltd. (DPCA) celebrated accomplishing its annual sales target of 100,000 vehicles ahead of schedule, on December 28th.

Versailles CX5; photo credit: DPCA

According to DPCA, the company has managed to sell over 10,000 vehicles for three consecutive months, sustaining a positive growth for 13 months year on year.

The company has been vigorously pushing out a slew of new products on the market, satisfying consumers more personalized, reasonable, and practical expectations of a car. Since March this year, DPCA successively introduced the 2021 C6 Comfort, 2021 AIRCROSS, the new 4008, 5008, C3-XR, the Versailles CX5, and more.

Meanwhile, DPCA managed to upgrade the vehicle configurations without additional costs to serve the customers better. For example, several most-used and liked features that were typically equipped on luxury trims came standard on the Dongfeng Citroen Versailles C5X.

Moreover, the automakers factories are also working feverishly to finish strong at the year end.

DPCAs Wuhan factory produced 6,468 vehicles in November, soaring 170% from a year ago.

Its Chengdu factory delivered 8,200 vehicles in November and is expected to produce 10,000 vehicles in December. The Xiangyang factory is projected to produce over 14,000 units of engines in December, resulting in 106,253 units for the entire year, surging 70% year on year. In 2021, the factory sold over 2.289 million units of powertrain parts, representing a 47% increase compared to a year ago.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Great Wall Motor announced that it had inked a strategic investment agreement with Chinas third-generation semiconductor supplier, Hebei Synlight Crystal Co., Ltd. (Synlight Crystal), marking the automakers foray into the semiconductor field.

SiC monocrystalline substrate; photo credit: Synlight Crystal

Great Wall Motor will be a new shareholder to Synlight Crystal. The automaker will help to accelerate the latters SiC business development and further the application of the third-generation wide bandgap semiconductor SiC on new energy vehicles, thus promoting the industrialization of SiC material and chips.

Founded in 2012, Synlight Crystal is a leader in the third-generation semiconductor field. The company has formed a cooperation with the Institute of Semiconductors of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, dedicated to the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of SiC monocrystalline.

Synlight Crystal is also the first high-tech company to mass-produce the SiC monocrystalline substrate. In August, the companys first production expansion project has started operation. The company plans to establish a growth and fabrication base consisting of 2,000 units SiC crystal growing furnace, with a designed production capacity of 600,000 pieces.

The investment move aligns with Great Wall Motors devotion to the new energy vehicle business territory. The automaker intends to invest in key technologies in the following five years, including the third-generation semiconductor.

Notably, SiC products have already been implemented onto the automakers young high-end EV brand, Shalong. Great Wall Motor said that Shalongs future models would continue to adopt SiC products on a large scale.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.



Pony.ai works with Guangzhou Public Security Bureau's Nansha District branch

Pony.ai, Guangzhou Public Security Bureau's Nansha District branch signing agreement; photo credit: Pony.ai



Pony.ai and Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau's Nansha District branch forged a strategic partnership on Dec. 28 to jointly boost the sound development of autonomous driving policies, laws and regulations, and co-build a research center dedicated to ICV-related laws and policies.

Hainan province starts building world-class NEV experience center

On Dec. 29, China's Hainan province broke ground on a world-class new energy vehicle experience center in Haikou city, which involves around 4 billion yuan ($627.766 million) of total investment.

Beijing raises NEV ownership quota to 70,000 units for 2022

Beijing's authority will release 100,000 units of car ownership quotas for 2022, 70,000 units of which are prepared for NEVs, up by 10,000 units from the year of 2021, according to a local media outlet.

The second-generation CS75 PLUS to go on sale in Feb. 2022

The second-generation Changan CS75 PLUS will hit the market next February with both interior and exterior significantly upgraded, according to a local media channel.

Shanghai's Jiading District eyes over 100 bln yuan annual production value for hydrogen & FCV industry by 2025

Jiading District, a thriving hub for automotive industry of Shanghai, will strive to surpass 100 billion yuan ($15.694 million) in the annual production value of the full hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle (FCV) industrial chain, and deploy at least 3,500 FCVs for demonstration by 2025, local government announced on Dec. 29 in an action plan.

GWM forays into 3rd generation semiconductor field by investing in Synlight Crystal

Great Wall Motor announced that it had inked a strategic investment agreement with China's third-generation semiconductor supplier, Hebei Synlight Crystal Co., Ltd. (Synlight Crystal), marking the automaker's foray into the semiconductor field.

NavInfo, Cennavi help to construct intelligent connected vehicle test base in Gansu

China's Gansu Province has recently completed the construction of its intelligent traffic and intelligent connected vehicle testing application demonstration base and started operation. The base was co-built by China's navigation mogul NavInfo and its digital twin service subsidiary, Cennavi.

China launches NEV-dedicated insurance, leading to increase in NEV premium

The commercial insurance dedicated to new energy vehicles (NEVs) was officially launched for sale in China on Dec. 27, resulting in significant increase in premium of many NEV models.

China's auto chip developer ChipON bags hundreds of million RMB in C1 round

China's auto-grade chip developer, ChipON has completed its C1 round of financing, raising hundreds of millions of RMB.

Xiaomi, SAIC Motor invest in domestic automotive chip supplier Flagchip

China's automotive chip supplier Flagchip has completed its latest investment round with SAIC Motor-backed and Xiaomi- backed ventures as investors.

Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen completes 100,000 vehicle sales target in 2021

Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Company Ltd. (DPCA) celebrated accomplishing its annual sales target of 100,000 vehicles ahead of schedule, on December 28th.

Changan Auto, ZongmuTech extend partnership for ADAS application

Changan Auto announced that it had joined hands with China's autonomous driving developer, ZongmuTech, for advanced intelligent driving applications.

BYD partners with RoboSense for automotive intelligence layout

China's major automaker BYD recently announced that it had struck strategic cooperation with Chinas LiDAR supplier, RoboSense, for automotive intelligence development on December 23rd.

Geely's Zeekr, Waymo partner on autonomous ride-hailing vehicle

China's electric vehicle brand Zeekr from Geely Holding Group will work with American autonomous driving technology development company Waymo to develop a new electric vehicle model for Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing fleet to be deployed in the United States, both companies announced on Tuesday.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinas electric vehicle brand Zeekr from Geely Holding Group will work with American autonomous driving technology development company Waymo to develop a new electric vehicle model for Waymos autonomous ride-hailing fleet to be deployed in the United States, both companies announced on Tuesday.

Photo credit: Geely

According to the partnership, the new model will be designed and developed at the Chinese brand's R&D facility, CEVT (China Europe Vehicle Technology Centre) in Gothenburg, Sweden. The vehicle will be built on its new proprietary and open-source mobility architecture, the SEA-M, according to Geely. After taking delivery of the vehicles in the U.S., Waymo will then empower the transportation-as-a-service (TaaS)-optimized vehicles with its fully autonomous Waymo Driver.

Photo credit: Geely

Notably, the vehicle will be designed for ride-hailing purpose from the very beginning, and is expected to come with a fully configurable cabin, both with and without driver controls, that can be tailored towards rider requirements for the Waymo One unmanned ride-hailing fleet in the U.S.

Photo credit: Geely

According to Waymo, the new model features a flat floor for more accessible entry, easy ingress and egress thanks to a B-pillarless design, low step-in height, generous head and legroom, and fully adjustable seats.

Currently, Zeekr sells one model in Chinas market, namely the Zeekr 001, which was launched in April, 2021 with deliveries starting in October. In November, the models registrations were 1,179 units.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinas automotive chip supplier Flagchip has completed its latest investment round with SAIC Motor-backed and Xiaomi- backed ventures as investors.

Photo credit: Flagchip

According to Chinas corporate database, Qichacha, Flagchips fourth financing round participants include SAIC Motors Shangqi Capital, Xiaomis Hubei Xiaomi Yangtze River Industry Fund Partnership, Xiaomi-backed Shunwei Capital, auto electronics supplier Jingwei Hirain, and several others.

Flagchip has raised hundreds of millions of RMB through four investment rounds since its establishment.

The companys operations revolve around the R&D and sales of advanced automotive controller chips. Its products and execution capability helped to win the venture capital over.

Its ArmCortex-M4 based 32-bit auto-grade MCU chip, the FC4 series, is under tape out and engineering samples will be produced in the first quarter of 2022, with estimated mass production starting in the following July or August.

According to the company, the FC4 chip series consist of low-consumption cores, abundant peripheral resources, and configurations. The chip is compatible with various onboard scenarios, including BCM, T-box, Motor Control, Chassis, and Safety.

Meanwhile, Flagchip is co-defining and designing its second-generation multi-core DCU chip with clients.

Currently, the company has formed relationships with Jingwei Hirain, SAICs UAES, DIAS, and other Tier 1 suppliers. Flagchip has also come in contact with automakers like Geely, BYD, Changan Auto, and Great Wall Motor.
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Jake Bacon is a bad journalist.

Journalists are taught to observe, to simply document their subjects without emotion.

But thats not Bacon. The longtime Arizona Daily Sun photographer cant help but get involved. His camera isnt a barrier, but a conduit that connects him to the world around him and the community he loves so much.

Somehow, these projects always find him -- they draw him in wholeheartedly and with everything he has. It was on the way to a shoot that he encountered an injured red-tailed hawk, catapulting him into a new role as a sort of triage caretaker for Flagstaffs wildlife. He found a man passed out along the road on a way to another shoot, prompting a firsthand example of the value of Flagstaffs alternative response system.

Hes a man whos built his entire life on four tenets: family, community, humanity and kindness. From the Tiny Library Project to the Best Life Ever Foundation and community advocacy, Bacon refuses to simply be a bystander. He greets every person he encounters like an old friend and everyone seems to know him, even those hes never met.

Thats just Bacon.

He sees community problems as what they are, said Ross Altenbaugh, executive director of Flagstaff Shelter Services. Not just as his profession, but he has this lens of humanity. If he doesnt know what to do to himself, he makes the phone calls to find out what to do and then uses his voice to share with others.

Bacon was selected as Flagstaff's 2021 Male Citizen of the Year. He was chosen for the award by a vote of previous Citizen of the Year honorees, who received nominations from the community. The Daily Sun is not involved in the selection process.

The award and being recognized for his commitment to this community means more to him than any Pulitzer Prize ever could.

This community means more to me than anything else, apart from my family, Bacon said. This community is a part of my family.

A place to call home

Bacon first moved to Flagstaff at the age of 24  following a woman, of course.

He was born in Singapore to parents both in the Royal Air Force. Bacons father died when he was just 7 weeks old and his newly widowed young mother returned from Australia to England to be with family. He spent seven years in an English boarding school where he learned how to be a citizen and to actively participate in a community.

He wanted to find somewhere to settle down -- a place where he knew everyone and they knew him. While his mother would have preferred the next village over from her in northeast Scotland, Bacon found exactly what he was looking for more than 6,000 miles away in Flagstaff. He enrolled in Northern Arizona University and maneuvered his way into a part-time photographer position at the Daily Sun, then to a full-time staff position and eventually chief photographer and photo editor over nearly three decades.

Throughout those 30 years, Bacon found a home and a family. He had four children and unofficially adopted a few along the way. He documented the changing community, photographing in schools and neighborhoods of varying socioeconomic backgrounds. He saw glimpses of Flagstaff that so often go ignored and used his personal social media platforms, as 2015 Citizen of the Year Billy Weldon put it, to hold a mirror up to our community to reflect on what brings us together rather than pulls us apart.

Bacon decided to go back to school to get a masters degree in elementary education after witnessing how much of an impact a lack of equity can have on children. He wanted to be a positive male role model for the students that might not have one in their lives, to be present when there was no one else. He was a single dad balancing student teaching with school and his full-time job at the paper. He continued to tutor at Marshall Magnet Elementary School and teach photography classes to 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-grade students.

Multiple projects

Bacons projects always seem to find him. Hes never looking for something, but somehow always seems to stumble straight into it, refusing to just standby.

One such example of this is his organization of the effort to support the Chabads Molly Blank Jewish Community Center after it was vandalized in 2019.

Thats not Flagstaff, he said. That's not the community that I see. Thats an example of what I try and do in the community. Its like, OK, how can I rally? How can I show the members of that community that they are supported by the greater Flagstaff community?

Bacon came up with the idea to write messages of support on hearts and attach them to the fence along the construction site. The simple paper heart was a physical symbol to counter the darkness. Anyone could do it at home or in school. Soon the entire construction site had hearts bearing messages from church groups, nursing homes, local agencies and residents.

It was a snowball effect, Bacon said. It was really simple to stand on the mountain, make a snowball, roll it and watch what the community did with it. That's why Flagstaff has such a space in my heart because it's always been that way, you know -- the community is fertile ground for growing that reaction. It's fertile ground for saying to people, Hey, let's do this.

Bacon values bringing the light to others because he knows just how dark life can be. His father died when he was only an infant, his boarding school roommate died young too and his brother died in his 30s.

His own son, Sam, died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 19. Grieving privately wasnt an option to him as he asked so many others to share the stories of their worst moments throughout his career.

There is no good in losing a child and there's no good and losing your firstborn son, Bacon said. But how do I find a way to honor him and honor that experience? By talking about that to the community and by sharing.

Bacons always been a storyteller and he again turned to that to chronicle his loss. The openness of his raw grief became a resource for others dealing with similar tragedies.

It was the same during his time as a member of the Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical Corps organization, taking unpaid leave from his job to document the work of local medical professionals in Haiti.

He covered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Flagstaffs vulnerable unhoused population, going far beyond his day job to truly hear and understand what was going on within Flagstaffs shelters and to tell that story, according to Altenbaugh. He was a listening ear when Altenbaugh needed someone to cry with after some of the worst days the community saw, but he also knew what to do.

He responded in a way a hero would respond in those moments, Altenbaugh said.

He did the same as a founding board member of Best Life Ever (BLE) Flagstaff, a nonprofit organization created to celebrate the life of Nate Avery by building community spirit through random acts of kindness. He served on the board for five years.

Jake is authentic and as real a person gets, said Tammy Nelson, who served on the board alongside Bacon. Jake gives with all his heart and asks for nothing in return. He will be the first one in line to assist another human in need, even when he may be experiencing hardship or personal pain. He cares deeply.

No one loves and cares about Flagstaff more than Bacon, Nelson added. He lives to document the good in others and shies away from the credit. Theres a certain humor in him finally receiving public accolades for what Nelson described as his huge-ass heart.

But thats just who Bacon is. Its never been about him.

We all should be invested in kindness, Bacon said. If we all spent a bit more time worrying about how we brighten somebody else's day, whether that's a homeless person or someone who seems to be pretty aggressively having a bad day, if you can brighten someone's day, that sends ripples out into the world.

And those ripples are visible all over Bacons life. His home is a temporary shelter for injured wildlife rescued from across northern Arizona. He and his son, Charlie, help nurse everything from a litter of displaced skunks to a wounded raven back to a stable level before transporting them to a rehabilitation facility in Phoenix or releasing them back into the wild.

Or theres the two bright red British telephone booths stationed outside his home, serving as tiny libraries for both adults and children. Bacon and Charlie traveled cross-country twice to bring the UK symbols back to Flagstaff. They then restored them and installed floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with books readily available for the community. The community watched the entire way, contributing to the project via a GoFundMe. Bacon plans to install more phone booth libraries across Flagstaff to encourage literacy.

'A sense of place'

Bacon was on a beach in Hawaii with his kids and grandson when he received the call telling him he won Citizen of the Year.

He stood there looking at the ocean and started to cry from the magnitude of it all. Then, he told his grandson and youngest child he won. They werent surprised.

They both turned around and said, Well, of course, you did, Bacon chuckled.

For Bacon, that was enough. It was enough to know he set a model of kindness and an expectation of community service for his own children.

Thats everything to have my children see that and to hopefully inspire them to be good people, he said. I want them to love each other and be close and connected to each other. And I want them to love their community and be close and connected to their communities, to have a sense of place.

Reporter Bree Burkitt can be reached at bburkitt@azdailysun.com or on Twitter at @breeburkitt.

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Sunday, Dec. 26

On this date in 1864, the Supreme Court of the Territory of Arizona held its first session in Prescott.

On this date in 1874, the citizens of Arizona, California and New Mexico petitioned the Postmaster General for daily mail service from San Diego to Mesilla, New Mexico.

On this date in 1929, the Southern Arizona Automobile Company at Douglas was destroyed by fire. The loss was estimated at $200,000.

Monday, Dec. 27

On this date in 1919, the city of Phoenix attempted an experiment with a municipally operated store selling government blankets, underwear, beans and corned beef in an effort to combat the high cost of living.

Tuesday, Dec. 28

On this date in 1866, the Rev. Charles M. Blake held the first Presbyterian Church service in Arizona in a log cabin in Prescott.

On this date in 1881, Marshall Virgil Earp of Tombstone was shot in the back and crippled for life.

On this date in 1903, a fire started in the furnace room of the Arizona State Capitol. Because of the distance of the building from the nearest fire hydrant, nearly an hour elapsed before firefighters were able to turn their hoses on the blaze. The only loss was two and a half cords of cedar firewood.

On this date in 1929, it was announced that military airplanes would be used to make serial photographs of the ancient irrigation canals of the Gila and Salt River Valleys before all traces of them were destroyed by modern farming and irrigation.

Wednesday, Dec. 29

On this date in 1863, Gov. Richard C. McCormick, the first Territorial Governor, and a party of newly appointed officials reached Navajo Springs where McCormick administered the oath of office to his party, read his proclamation and raised the flag.

On this date in 1919, fire broke out in the 96th Aero Squadron camp at Douglas and 250 aerial bombs exploded, causing $100,000 damage.

On this date in 1931, the University of Arizona College of Law was elected to membership in the Association of American Law Schools.

Thursday, Dec. 30

On this date in 1853, under the terms of the Gadsden Purchase, the U.S. agreed to pay Mexico $10 million for 45,535 square miles of land below the Gila from the Rio Grande to the Colorado River.

On this date in 1911, the Federal Court sat for the last time in Tombstone. After adjourning there the court was scheduled to reopen in Phoenix under a new judge to be appointed by President William Howard Taft.

On this date in 1916, as a result of a very close, contested election, Thomas E. Campbell, Republican, and George W.P. Hunt, Democrat, both took oaths of office as Governor of Arizona  after which Hunt refused to vacate the Governors office and Campbell opened a temporary office in his home.

On this date in 1929, the annual meeting of the Arizona Pioneers Historical Society was held in the Societys new quarters in the University of Arizona stadium building.

Friday, Dec. 31

On this date in 1908, Dr. James Douglas was named president of the Phelps Dodge Corp.

On this date in 1914, 300 Arizona saloons reported a rush of business as they prepared to close at midnight in compliance with the new prohibition amendment.

On this date in 1934, the second earthquake in two days shook Arizona with damage reported from Phoenix to Nogales.

Saturday, Jan. 1

On this date in 1875, four convicted murderers escaped from a jail in Tucson.

On this date in 1877, the 9th Territorial Legislature, the last one to meet in Tucson, convened.

On this date in 1915, giving women the right to vote becomes law in Arizona.

On this date in 1921, a damage suit was brought against the Arizona Eastern Railroad alleging negligence. According to the complaint, 34 ostriches died or were killed in transit.

On this date in 1927, the first seven in a series of 50 earthquake shocks occurred. The shocks lasted three days and caused extensive damage in areas of Arizona, California and Mexico.

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PHOENIX  Martine Garcia, a first-generation student at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, was surprised when he was asked a few years ago to be president of a new school club.

He hadnt been particularly involved on campus, and the invitation to head the Male Empowerment Network, a support and mentoring group for minority male students, didnt really make sense.

My immediate reaction was, Why is this person helping me? What do they want? Garcia recalled.

But he soon learned hes part of a shrinking group when it comes to higher education: Men.

A generation of young men are disappearing from colleges  a trend accelerated by the pandemic. In Arizona, the trend is most visible at Maricopa Community Colleges. Arizona State University, however, has been able to buck the trend so far with a 5% increase in male enrollment in the 2020-21 school year.

The gender gap at colleges has been slowly growing for decades, according to the Department of Education. Women outnumber men when it comes to both enrolling and staying in college.

But this trend has reached unprecedented levels recently. The National Student Clearinghouse reported that women made up 59.5% of college students, while men made up 40.5% at the close of the 2020-21 academic year. This is a major shift in the collegiate population, which men historically have dominated. And its happening across all ethnic and socio-economic groups.

At the Maricopa Community Colleges, women make up roughly 59% of the student population, and men 40%. At the University of Arizona, male enrollment is down slightly, and at Northern Arizona University, about 8,000 more women are enrolled than men.

Although overall enrollment might be expected to drop in a national crisis, such as the pandemic, theres little research as to why men are not pursuing higher education.

Its difficult to understand whats happening with this generation of young men and why theyre opting out of that traditional path, said Arizona state Rep. Lorenzo Sierra, D-West Phoenix.

One reason could be that young men are prioritizing the safety and happiness of their families in a time of uncertainty, she said.

Theyre being faced with the harsh reality that theyve got to make money to help the family out. Theyve got to be working at this point, Sierra said. And then you throw upon that that going to college is expensive and that youre going to end up in a hole before you even start your life.

Students overall arent returning to college as might be expected after enrollment dropped during COVID-19, when many opted to take a break rather than take virtual classes. The National Student Clearinghouse reported that enrollment for all students continues to fall. The overall decline from 2019 to 2021 was 5.8%, but for men it was more than 10%.

Doug Shapiro, vice president and research and executive director of the clearinghouse, said at a news conference in October that if this continues, it will be the largest two-year enrollment decline in at least the past 50 years.

Theres simply no upside from the recession, just a downside that were seeing, he said. These are the students who would normally be enrolling in droves during a recession, and then we (would) expect them to go back to work as the job market improves.

Universities have always been conscious of under-enrollment for men of color, such as Garcia, and have created outreach programs to boost enrollment and graduation. But the downward trend is prominent among white males, whose enrollment declined 13.4% from 2019 to 2021, according to clearinghouse data. Enrollment by Black men dropped 14.8% and by Latino men 10.3%, the data says.

ASU, however, saw a record number of students enrolled in fall 2021, 14,350, and male students were majorities on the Tempe and the Polytechnic campuses.

Weve been very fortunate that we have not seen a lot of the enrollment trends  that a lot of the other schools, universities and community colleges are facing, said Matt Lopez, ASUs associate vice president of academic enterprise enrollment.

In fact, it reported a 5% increase in male students from 2020-21, despite COVID-19 and its fallouts.

The university as a whole has one of the largest percentages of males at ASU that weve had in at least a decade, probably longer than that, Lopez said.

Many factors make ASU a desirable option, he said. Its convenient, with five campuses and nearly 300 online degree programs. Financial aid, scholarships and overall inclusivity may also make it more accessible than other colleges.

ASU is also known for excelling in retention, especially when it comes to freshman. The university says 86.2% of students return after their first year.

Although ASU touts retention, it did not report the rate of men who are graduating.

ASUs Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, one of the largest engineering programs in the country, could be attracting male students, Lopez said.

In addition, he said, the STEM programs, which are historically male-dominated fields, have grown tremendously in recent years.

I would not be surprised if our current freshman class  is one of the largest the Fulton schools have had, he said.

Despite ASUs success, school officials still see the need to reach out to young men. ASU leads a program called Males in Higher Education, while the Maricopa Community Colleges have the Male Empowerment Network. Both focus on inspiring minority men to pursue higher education.

Garcia, whos now at ASU, said the network helped him navigate the college process. His parents, although always supportive of his journey, didnt know how to help him because they hadnt gone to college themselves.

Hes now the program director for TRIO Student Support Services at the Polytechnic campus. These opportunity programs are designed to support first-generation, low-income, students with disabilities and veterans seeking a college degree.

But men arent signing up for Garcias program. With Polytechnic being a predominantly male campus, Garcia said hes puzzled by the programs failure to attract minority men, who are the most susceptible to the declining enrollment trend.

We have these expectations that men cannot complain. Men cannot ask for help, he said.

One thing that plays a large part in this national phenomenon, Garcia said, is traditional gender roles.

One of the biggest things is the societal pressure to be a man, he said. You have this responsibility and you dont really have a lot of outlets or resources when you do fail.

In Arizona, those who do seek help may not get it, as the state lags the country in the number of school counselors available. As of 2018, Arizonas counselor-to-student ratio was the worst in the nation, at 905 students for every counselor, according to a report from the American School Counselor Association.

ASU students are suffering, as well. An article from the State Press, the campus newspaper, reported monthlong wait times for ASU Counseling Services in November, when students were stressing over finals.

Im seeing a lot of folks go straight into the workforce or look at a trade, Garcia said. I think theres a lot of emphasis on making money right now. Why struggle and go into debt for four years when I can get a job right now, making what Ill make in college?

College graduates earn an average of $30,000 more than nongraduates, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Osaro Ighodaro, the vice president of student affairs at South Mountain Community College, said 80% of students there are first-generation, meaning theyre the first in their family to go to college.

He said these students lack the male role models to pursue higher education.

Most of these students come from backgrounds where they dont even think college is a possibility, he said.

UArizona, the second largest public university in the state, is witnessing similar trends, although not as drastic as the community colleges are experiencing.

Kasandra Kay Urquidez, the vice president of enrollment management and dean of undergraduate admission, said women are enrollling and graduating at slightly higher levels than men.

When we look at retention from year to year, our women tend to do a little bit better there, she said. I would definitely say that theyre graduating at higher rates, as well.

One way the schools are trying to counteract this trend is through programs like Opportunities for Youth. The program, which ASU created and is a partnership between several colleges, seeks to engage youth in school and work. It started a few years ago.

Ighodaro said the program has resulted in steady improvements in attempts of retention across the community college district.

But the lack of national research could be preventing these programs from reaching their full potential, according to Kishia Brock, the associate vice chancellor at the Maricopa Community College District.

No extensive research has been conducted  at least from the Department of Education  on why we have seen such a reversal in females essentially dominating higher education, Brock said. I think we just really need to dig in  and get a better understanding of whats fueling this.

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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
?Chapter 13



Peter received another rejection to his job application. This time was for an English translator in a language service center. He thought he had done very well in the interview and since then he had been hopeful.

What was the damn reason they must still reject him?!

Hopeless, hopeless, hopelessPerhaps doing a post-graduation, as his parents had suggested, was the only way out?

But the idea of doing more study, spending more of his parents money, made him sick.

Getting out he began to wander listlessly along the street. The city, like a colossal machine enclosing all the restless people and cars and ugly buildings, remained indifferent to his predicament in life. The dull pale sky cast everything in lacklustre. In the air there was not a single ounce of excitement, no distinction of shapes and colors, even the usually defiant Yinxing trees, with their limbs now drooping, had yielded to a world of depression.

He felt his breath thinning out. Like a fish that had blundered onto the shore, bit by bit he was losing his fighting energy. And the haunting tune of Chengdu leaked out of the messy groceries, of the tea houses, of the countless hot pot restaurants this city was so proud of, plagued his ears, driving his mood further south.

Desperately he craved for another drink, to forget this world, even just for a few hours.

'The Little Bar, in the song? ' he said to himself, 'Yes...'

He was waiting for Didi, when Xiaobai WeChatted him, Hey, Peter, how are you? Any news?

Yes, bad news, another rejection email, replied Peter, I am heading to the little bar to get me drunk.

Little Bar, in the song?

Yes.

Well, my friends and I went there once and to be honest it was nothing special as the song feels, so crowded with fans and tourists. So if you wish to go there and shed your sentimental tears you will be disappointed.

Ah Peter replied, a lot of things are damned disappointing anyway, who cares about adding one more...

Sounds like you are right on for a heck of drink. Okay okay, how about I get other classmates in Chengdu and throw you a welcome-back-to-China party over there?

But Xiaobai, I need it right now.

Look Peter, it is no fun drinking by yourself, and I am still in the Town, but I promise I will make it this evening, about six, regardless whoever else I may get, okay? Just a few hours away anyway.

Okay then, Peter obeyed. He canceled the Didi and went back home to sleep.

At a quarter to six, Peter was at the front of the Little Bar. The name on the signage was ostentatiously written in three languages, Chinese and English and French, without which the whole thing was like another grocery store.

Bob and Charlie were the other classmates Xiaobai had called for the evening. Bob was much taller and bigger than the last time Peter had seen him, reminding him of Jason in Australia who had the similar muscular build, whilst Charlie, like Peter himself, had little changed in size and shape in the last few years. Apparently the growth hormones in youth were not fair, as unfair as society.

Xiaobai and Ming were the last to turn up, Hey Bob and Charlie, they ran noisily to the threesome circle, where are your girlfriends? I have told you to bring them tonight, and where is yours Peter, you really need to get a girlfriend before a job

A girlfriend before a job? Haha, that is me, Bob was laughing, but my girlfriend is very shy, she said she would faint in front of strangers, and winking at Ming, he added, unlike you, Ming, haha...

Ming twisted her eyebrows, looking up 'threateningly at Bob, what are you trying to say? Am I so thick-skinned? You need to drink three bottles as a punishment.

Pity me, Charlie chimed in, I have no girlfriend, otherwise she must be here to face all of you, no matter how thin or thick her skin is.

Come on Charlie, you have a good job at the tax office, unlike me, jobless, eating on my parents, so called neet or Kenlao, retorted Bob, your bar is set too high, how many girls you must have turned down...

And Peter waited no time to air the bigger share of his grievance. Well well look at me, I have neither a job nor a girl

Teasing and pushing joyfully as old times, they went inside the bar. The interior was like an aged cottage that had seen much of the years tear and wear. The most eye-catching element in it was a paint in yellow light, featured with five-fingers and a red sun. A number of old-fashioned shaded lamps were hanging from the ceilings.

The tables and chairs were fully occupied. Some patrons were taking selfies. Looks like we have to stand drinking for a while before we can find a table, hopefully, said Xiaobai, leading them through the narrow space.

Without a seat, Peter took his chance to explore the room settings. The walls were arrayed with numerous frames, recording the events taken place during the bars twenty years of life. The Chinese character Xiao - Little on the lamp, looked like the figure of a drunkard, who, after putting aside his bottle, turned to relieve himself.

Some time later, they had finally secured a table where they could sit close together. Cheers, they began to toast, for our friendship, for our brotherhood, for our pain in preparing for the Gaokao

They drank quickly. Reasons for their toasting were invented one after another. Soon enough they were having their fourth beer, out of the dozens piled up on and under their table, also strewn with assorted snack dishes like chicken feet, potato chips and fresh fruits, etc., except rabbit beads Xiaobai had asked for.

Ming, getting intoxicated faster than the boys, was a little beside herself. She held the bottle almost like a gun, her big eyes flashing, with the peculiar wildness of the spicy Chengdu ladies, as if ready to strike anyone who dared to belittle her feminine pride.

Peter clanked Mings bottle with his, Cheers, Ming, you know what, I miss the very spirit of our Chengdu girls, who would go hot and wild at alcohol times, then turning to Xiaobai, and you must be careful from this moment on...

Of course, of course, echoed Bob, that is the essence of our lovely and fiery Chengdu girls...down to earth, never pretentious, and very volatile...

Bob, said Charlie, are you describing your girlfriend? Humm, very volatileCall her right now and ask her to come here and show us the depth of her volatility.

This was a proposal applauded loudly by all but Bob himself. Under the pressure Bob had to surrender. He began to finger his mobile phone and then made a victorious announcement, See, I have ordered her to come, and she is coming, haha but Charlie, you must also bring yours, and Peter, where is yours? Where is your Yangniu - foreign girl, from Australia?

I swear I dont have one, said Charlie, pushing up his thin-framed glasses, and I beg Ming to pair up for me.

Not a problem, Ming replied, her cheeks beautifully pink, in our farm we have a few female pig carers who, though smelly, very beautiful, and very volatile as well haha, that I believe would match you perfectly.

I dont mind that at all, so long as they are smelly and lovely like you, Charlie sought her bottle to have another toast. You must promise

The drinking campaign went on, and by the time Bobs girlfriend Tingting came to edge the table, they were all hilariously drunk. Tingting had a tiny figure, but had very long hair; in Bobs arms she was like a hairy precious pet. And in no way she was going to be shy as Bob had earlier said about her. Okay, okay, she yelled, her body straight like a soldier doing a parade, I empty this bottle, as a punishment, for my late arrival. Then she drank continuously like a horse, to the last bit of liquid, belying all the delicacy of her looks.

The table became the noisiest in the room, drawing much attention from others who seemed rather bored, drinking their beer quietly like sipping a cup of tea, as if they didnt want to drink but were obliged to, in this famous celebrity bar.

Why doesnt the bar play the Song to cheer them up? Peter asked curiously, suddenly realising the bar had not played it as even many other irreverent shops did.

At first, said Bob, the bar played it nonstop 24 hours, but it has now become an old narrative, the peak of the phenomenon already passed and sooner or later it will be written off just like another fad.

But people will still keep on coming here for sure.

Because they all have lost their way in life.

What do you mean? Lost their way? Like me? Peter asked, in a hoarse voice.

Like all of us, except the hopeful and promising pig raisers, haha, Bob added, making an impressive pig-face towards the pig-raising couple.

Bob was at once punished by Ming, downing half of his bottle.

But the song does bring beautiful moments, Peter returned to the topic, does it not?

Yes, it does, Charlie jumped in, but it is only when you are in absolute solitary listening to it, when your imagination has a free go. If you wish to turn that imagination into reality, you will fail because there is hardly anything here that could be related to our own experience. This is why people who come here with hopes for reliving their nostalgic past will leave here disappointed. Put simply, you cant live in other peoples lives.

You are right, absolutely, agreed Peter, all those artworks, music or paint or else, are mere imagination, its only purpose is to fool people.

Charlie, who studied art at his university, found his favourite subject, Yes, all types of artwork are simply creating illusions for us, helping us to forget the harsh life we are living. They lured us into a kind of virtual glass house, a wishful perfect cocoon, where we fancy to stay forever. Since the ideal life only exists in our imagination, in real life we are never happy, so we need to drink, drink, drink a lot, if without the drugs, to get fantasy, get oblivion, get a wisp or two of happiness, He grabbed the bottle and noisily he was sucking its content.

Charlie, I despise your viewpoint, Tingting got out of Bob's arms to lodge a protest, you sound like an outdated philosopher and too pessimistic about life. Of course people can live happily in real life, like me, and Ming as well I am sure. Why do people need a piece of other peoples creation to live upon? I dont get it... 

Well, Charlie leant forward, his eyes glaring at his little spicy challenger, without imagination, without a piece of art, without fantasy, what is left for our life? It would be just like day in day out, eating and pissing, mating and twisting like snakes, and then breeding one or two offspring, what is the difference from other animals. Dont you see we all try to distract ourselves from the animal way of living, like exactly what we are doing right now?

Come on, Charlie, don't scare Tingting, this is too heavy a topic, Xiaobai decided to calm Charlie down, I am only a pig raiser, but I hope I will be a happy pig raiser and be successful as everyone else, he paused, and pointing at the yellow globe on a desk, look at that, isn't the piece of art very cute, such a hand with the five fingers? What imagination can we get from it?

Ming was the first to attend his quiz, Why sweetheat, it is only a hand, isnt that obvious, I dont think it is any art at all. After saying this, she spread her fingers, shaking before the eyes of others, particularly close to Charlies, see my fingers? Arent they far far better looking, in real real reality, than those fake ones on a piece of paper? Do you not agree with me, our pessimistic artist Charlie?

Haha no comment from me, how would I know about your fingers, you should ask your sweetheart Baibai instead, said Charlie defiantly, pushing her fingers away from him and towards Xiaobai.

Yes, yes, Xiaobai responded, without a second of delay, your hand is the most charming thing in the entire real real world.

His flattering comment instantly made Tingting upset. She swiftly opened her own hand and pursing her small cherry lips he began to grumble in the voice of a cat, Bob, my dear love, my man, what do you say about my fingers?

Your hand, your fingers my darling, Bob said quickly, his arms embracing, or crushing, the small shoulders of Tingting, your fingers are the sexiest in the entire real real universe.

Charlie, seeing the deliberate dual play, put up his hand like a prisoner of war admitting defeat, well, partial defeat, Alright, alright, you guys have won, your reality is happier than your imagination, okay? But look look, my reality is nonetheless still poor, I dont have a girls snaky pretty sexy fingers to pamper me every night...

That would make us two, Charlie, Peter said, having found an alliance, But seriously, the five fingers in the paint seem to tell us something, they look greedy enough, don't they?

I think it is playing an instrument like piano.

No, it is trying to catch a fish.

No, it is searching ones soul for the meaning of life.

Peter was thinking of something rather vulgar, like grasping a womans breast, but clinging to the last bit of decency, he kept the metaphor to amuse himself.

Tingting, after a thought, burst it out, Oh, I think I think it is playing Majiang!

Her creativity had triggered the greatest laughter for the group, earning her numerous hard kisses from her beefy Bob. Ah, my darling, how smart and clever, and philosophical you are! I bet whoever had drawn the fingers must have had Majiang in his mind.

Charlie seized the chance of defending his art theory, See, that is exactly what charm a piece of art can bring us, where everyone has his own interpretation, and how incredibly it was able to entertain our mind.

But his moment was interrupted by a live performance that was going to take place on the stage. A tall girl, in tattered jeans that showed off much of her white skin, was swinging her head and hands, as well as her pumpkin-buttocks, dancing passionately to the drum beats, and now and again shouting for the attention of the audience who didnt seem very interested in her show.

Beautiful, isnt she? said Charlie, she is one of the Douyin influencers, only 19 years old. She declined the admission offer from her university, and dedicated her life to show business.

How amazing, and awe inspiring, Peter said admiringly, his eyes full on the dynamic figure. She is as brave as Xiaobai and Ming, who dont hesitate to do extraordinary things, leading an extraordinary life.

Well Peter, said Xiaobai, you must have done many extraordinary things in Australia, now tell us your stories, especially the love stories.

Well, I had nothing Very extraordinary, and all was dumped into the bin of history ... Peter chuckled.

Come on, we dont need Very, anything enough to make us envy...

So, Peter, too drunk to care about keeping his secrets, began to tell about the three girls with whom he had some specials. But then, his fussy and curious friends were not satisfied only with his words, they demanded to see their photos. But after seeing the photos he had kept in his mobile phone, they were still not satisfied, and further egged him on to have live video chats with them.

In high spirit and indeed missing Melody badly this very moment, Peter initiated a video chat with her, without even sending her any WeChat pretext. She wouldnt possibly pick up the call, he thought, because he had never contacted her ever since that night of his departure.

But to his thriller surprise, the call was connected, after only two rings.

Hi, Peter, Melodys face appeared on the little screen. Where are you? Very noisy over there, are you having much fun?

Yes, Peter replied, shoving the phone around to allow her to see other faces, I am in a bar with my schoolmates. They said that, in the photos you look Extremely sexy and beautiful and want to see you in the video.

Hahah, now that they have seen me they are Extremely disappointed, arent they? But anyway thank you and your friends for the call, and one day I shall visit Chengdu and you guys will have the chance to see me in person.

Then suddenly, from the corner the face of Cooper squeezed into the screen. He waved his hands, greeting Peter as if he were one of his best friends, Hi, Peter, nice to see you again, how have you been?

Hi hi, Cooper, nice seeing you, not too bad, thank youthank you  Peter stuttered, feeling his hot heart chilled with ice.

The face of Cooper, an anti-climax, put a premature cut to the video call, which was not a bad thing because Peter, in his drunkenness, would certainly say many crazy things to Melody if without Coopers intervention.

Next one to call would be Lotus. As I said before, Lotus got cancer. She must be still in recovery, Peter cautioned his friends before making the call, trying to water down their keen interest, and strictly she was not my girlfriend, she was only my classmate, although

We know, we knowwords omitted

A sudden sense of guilt came to attack Peter. How come had he forgotten Lotus as soon as she had gone home, after making love to her in the sand grave, on that fabulous beach? How cruel and selfish had he been?

He searched her contact, and after a few lines of greetings, the video chat was connected. And materizing on the screen was an emaciated face. This was far from the round and lovely face he had remembered. How much pain and suffering had she been through, with all chemotherapy treatments

The greetings to her from around the table were now very formal, subdued with careful smiles and blessings, although Lotus, with her eyes now looking very big over her sunken cheeks, remained joyful all this while.

Peter, Peter, dont worry about me, she smiled weakly, then paused, then clear tears climbing to the brim of her eyes, I am okay, Peter, in trying to cope with her emotion, her voice became husky, for now I am waiting for the bone marrow transplant as.. she began to sob uncontrollably, as doctors say, I will have it in a few more months.

Well, Lotus, take care, Peter felt tears swelling up in his eyes, you get well soon and I will one day go to Changchun to see you...

Will you? Peter Her tears were now streaming down her cheeks and she didnt bother wiping it. It is better for you to come after I have done the transplant, I miss you, but.. See, Peter, not now...

Okay, I know, you take care, Lotus said Peter, Bye for now, Lotus, stay strong and ending the call he began to cry, so did the two girls at the table.

Peter manged to collect himself, feeling sorry for saddening the group by the call with Lotus. And in the air of sadness, they drank quietly, the previous loud noise turned into little murmurs.

It was not until Peter began to call Sarah via FaceTime that the table had its liveliness back.

Hey, Peter, Sarah, from another hemisphere, smiled beautifully on the screen, my master chef, where have you gone? Have you forgotten me, my darling

Sarah, no, I havent forgotten you, I am here in China, in Chengdu, Peter said in English, the first time he had spoken it after he had come back to China. Sarah, I am in a bar, the so-called Little Bar which in my view was much better than the Burwood Hotel. See the beautiful lantern? he moved the mobile towards the lantern, See the five fingers, arent they beautiful, and like yours? Ah.. Sarah, I miss your .. your fingers, and remembering the way she treated him in bed, and reflecting on the misery he was having of his current life, and perhaps also elevated by the misery of Lotus, Peter let out a thrust of emotion, Sarah, Oh my god how much I miss you, Sarah

I miss you too, Peter, I have been bored to death here at Burwood, ever since you had suddenly gone missing. Qiangdu is your hometown, isnt it? I remember you told me many good things about it, the delicious food, eh, there is a special dish, called Husband and Wife something? And you have a special kind of chess game, what is it? The green blocks on the table?

Fuqifeipian, and Majiang.

Yes, yes, Mahrqiang, Mahkeuang, Marlqiang'' She said it a few times, trying to improve the accuracy of her Chinese pronunciation, while the listeners were all amazed at her peculiar accent, as well as the great effort she was willing to put into it.

Sarah, my friends here are inviting you to come to Chengdu, to have fun with us. How do you like that?

I would be mighty happy to. Actually I have a friend teaching English in Vietnam. She has asked me a few times to join her. Maybe I shall go to China instead?

Sure sure, you must come and taste our hot pot, drink our Baijiu, and play Majiang with us.

Wow, what a fantastic idea, I will seriously consider it. Well, bye for now my friend, enjoy yourself, you know it is very late here, I got to get my sleep and we will keep in touch, wont we?

Wait, wait a second, Sarah, my friends want to talk to you.

So, each of the other four began to say a little English to Sarah. You are very very beautiful, was Mings; Peter loves you very very much,'' was Xiaobais; You are very very cute, was Charlies; I very like you, was Tingtings; and Come to Chengdu Sarah, we teach you how to play Majiang, teach you how to say Sichuan dialect and also, come to see our lovely Panda, was Bobs, whose English seemed the best among the four.

And Sarah, amazed by the shifting smiles and many a English accent, was laughing in great mirth, Thank you, my friends, please wait for me, I will one day go to Qiangdu, even if not as soon as tomorrow.

It was such a happy face-time with Sarah. Peter wondered why he had not loved her as much as he should. She was so beautiful, kind and generous, open-minded, and very understanding, and most of all very sexy with her stunning body size and shape.

Peter, said Xiaobai, she is beautiful, why havent you already brought her here.

Impossible, she was just kidding, couldnt you see? To tell you the truth, she was very open, I mean about sex, so I dont think she is my cup of tea.

But she looked quite okay to me, Xiaobai said, and in another second, with Mings eyes now fixed on his, he was wise enough to stop saying anything more that might displease his girlfriend.

Approaching midnight, the party was dissolved. Bob and Tingting, and Charlie called for Didi respectively and had gone home. Peter didnt want to go home this early, and wanted to pace the Yuling Road, as sung in the song. Xiaobai and Ming decided to accompany him.

The city was in sleep. Under the tranquility of lamp lights, the empty roads had never looked so desolate.

Before they knew it they were singing the Song. Peter couldnt remember the lyrics, so he was largely humming after the couple who not only sang loudly and heartily, but also imitated what was depicted in the song, with Ming holding on Xiaobais sleeve and Xiaobai thrusting his hands into his pockets. At the peak of the outburst, Ming kissed Xiaobai in great passion, her body writhing, her fingers rampaging his body, short of making love on the spot. All this while they seemed to have forgotten there was a miserable soul staggering behind them.

At this late hour, there was still a flower shop that stayed open. The couple paused at the front, then in a flirting husky voice, Minv asked Xiaobai to buy her flowers. So three of them stumbled into the shop.

The shop was all colours, warm and cozy. Peter felt he was suddenly thrown into a land of fairytale.

Boss, do you still have fresh roses? Peter heard Xiaobai speaking. I want many many many of them for my sweetheart.

The boss, a girl sitting on a stool, paused her work of tying up a bunch of lilies and said, Yes, I have quite a few of them, see over there.

Oh, I see, said Xiaobai, but do you have 999 stems?

Ming, who seemed able to hold up against her drunkness, stepped forward, please excuse us, he is very drunk, I just need 9 stems.

No, no, no, Ming, I want exactly 999 for you, Xiaobai spoke noisily, leaning his thin body against Mings shoulder.

The boss smiled, with amusement dancing vividly in her bright eyes. She wore a light blue sweater, a white apron covering the front of her body, the shape of her breasts evident underneath it. Peters eyes were fixed long on her, following her as she went to fetch the roses, came back to the bench and began to make the bouquet. She was about to wrap it up with the plastic paper, when Peter, who seemed to have woke up suddenly from his reverie, came to her and said in English, No, no, dont put on that paper, the roses are already perfect on their own.

The girl was startled. She looked confusedly at Peter, wishing to understand him, but Peter, like a piece of wood, only stared at her.

Then she turned to Xiaobai for help. Oh, he said, Xiaobai tried to guess the meaning, he said, dont bother putting on the wrap, isn't that what you mean, Peter?

Peter, still half dazed, continued to voice his English way of thinking, yes, yes, fresh flowers and plastics are incompatible, they must never be mixed, even the ribbons shouldnt have been used, you should use natural straws instead ...

This time, none of the people in the shop could understand him. And Xiaobai had to explain to the girl, Sorry my friend is very drunk, as if he were not very drunk himself, he just came back from Australia, and perhaps he is dreaming he is still in Australia or he has forgotten Chinese, hahah..

No, I havent forgotten Chinese, Peter said, speaking in an auto-pilot mode, then seeing the lilies in a basket, he went over and picked one up, I want this, how much?

This time, the girl needed no translation, Five yuan.

Okay then, include it, Xiaobai gave the instruction, ready to pay.

After the purchase, they left the shop and kept on wandering in the street. Then, as if remembering something, Peter suddenly turned on heels and walked back to the shop.

The girl was still there, cutting papers with a pair of scissors. She was surprised at Peter bumping into the shop again.

Sorry, Peter muttered in the foreign language, I forgot to give you the flower, and thrust the lily into her hand.

The girl looked at him in confusion. No, no, she said, returning the flower, it is your flower, your friend has already paid for it.

But this is for you, see, I actually bought it for you he said, stubbornly pushing the stem back to her.

At last, the girl seemed understanding, Oh, you mean this is for me?

Yes, for you, he muttered, and turning he lurched back to the street.





~ to be continued ~




As some Gage County residents are still dealing with the fallout from this months wind storm, officials are reminding property owners that down buildings could have an impact on property taxes.

Gage County Assessor Patty Milligan discussed the issue during Wednesdays Board of Equalization meeting, where she said any down buildings should be reported by the end of the year.

Of course that storm two weeks ago, if anybody lost buildings or anything like that give us a call and we can go over your property record card and see what buildings are down, she said. It would be whats down Jan. 1, so naturally we dont have much time to look at that, but we know that (storm) went through.

She added there will not be an impact on current tax statements that went out, but could impact the following year.

At this point we cant get to everybody by Jan. 1, so were just going to have to look at whats gone down and go from there Its whats there Jan. 1, so if they start rebuilding in February after a building is completely down, that wont be taxed until the following year.

Gage County Emergency Management Director Lisa Wiegand said many landowners are currently working with their insurance carriers to assess the damage.

Our county did do a declaration of disaster, which is common protocol when we know weve met or are over that threshold, she said. Some of the concerns as we keep driving, landowners are now doing their assessments through their insurance agents and the adjusters are scheduled two to three weeks out We know theres going to be a time delay with the reporting process for damages, so how does that affect the property tax and reporting process? Thats what we talked about.

The Gage County Courthouse will be closed Friday, Dec. 31, in observance of the New Years holiday.

According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the Dec. 16 storm set the record for the most number of hurricane force wind gusts since 2004.

The Beatrice Airport documented wind speeds of 58 mph and gusts up to 86 mph.

Throughout Gage County, downed limbs oftentimes meant downed lines, which left thousands of residents without power.

At the storms peak, Norris Public Power District had 6,400 customers without power. Beatrice power had 960 customers offline.

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MOSCOW (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia and Belarus will hold joint war games early next year.

Putin welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's proposal to hold another round of military drills, saying that they could be held in February or March. Speaking during a meeting with Lukashenko in St. Petersburg, he added that military officials will coordinate details.

Putin's announcement comes amid a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine that raised Western fears of an invasion. Some officials in Ukraine have voiced concern that Russia may attack the country from Belarusian territory.

Russia has denied having plans to attack its neighbor, but urged the U.S. and its allies to provide guarantees that NATO doesn't expand to Ukraine or deploy its weapons there  demands the West has rejected.

Russia and Belarus have a union agreement envisaging close political, economic and military ties, and Moscow has staunchly backed Lukashenko amid Western pressure. That pressure intensified after a brutal crackdown on domestic protests fueled by Lukashenko's reelection to a sixth term in an August 2020 vote that the opposition and the West say was rigged.
Road to recreational cannabis After the medical marijuana industry navigated a winding route of regulatory overhauls, federal raids and Supreme Court rulings, Montanans started the next part of the states journey when 58% of voters approved recreational cannabis in the 2020 election. For this seven-part series, the Montana State News Bureau's Seaborn Larson and Thom Bridge have documented the route providers, local regulators and law enforcement have taken as they prepare for the new cannabis landscape in Montana. The series will conclude with a first-day look at recreational sales on Jan. 1

BOZEMAN  The cannabis industry has come a long way since Bozeman Police Chief Jim Veltkamp was on the Missouri River Drug Task Force busting clandestine operations loaded with out-of-state product.

A decade ago, federal, state and local law enforcement task forces swept through the states cannabis industry that operated with little to no oversight. But now on the cusp of legal recreational cannabis sales, law enforcement agencies around Montana say following a generation of medical marijuana, theyre prepared for cannabis-centered interactions with the public.

Officers are now better trained to identify all types of drug use. In other words, dealing with impaired drivers, debilitated by either cannabis or alcohol, is not a new bag for law enforcement, Veltkamp said in a recent interview. And in the years since Montana overhauled its medical marijuana program in 2017, the industry has become more sophisticated while the Legislature has likewise passed more informed laws to guide law enforcement.

"I've seen this change from when I started, where no part of marijuana was legal right to where we are today," Veltkamp said. "The main thing for us and our main job is clearly to enforce the law. And so the clearer the law is for us  right?  the easier it is for us to appropriately do our job."

More clarification

Veltkamp was sworn in as the Bozeman police chief earlier this year, but has been with BPD since 1999. Earlier in his career, Gallatin County was something of an epicenter for those federal raids. It was a significant period in Montana marijuanas 15-year history that led the state to tighten down on cannabis until state lawmakers and regulators blanketed the industry with rules to keep business in the daylight.

Many of the gaps in the original medical marijuana law have since been defined, and some of the questions stumping law enforcement have been answered, Veltkamp said. After the drug task force, Veltkamp shifted gears into the department's support services bureau, where he began engaging with providers in checking for compliance with city licenses.

"As the law became clarified, it seems like they wanted to make sure they were operating within the law to demonstrate that they were trying to actually be part of the community," he said.

Today, Gallatin County, home to a college town with a booming population, has the largest number of medical marijuana providers of any county in the state, and both providers and law enforcement have a better understanding of one another, Veltkamp said.

Up the road in Broadwater County, a rural district that locally voted against recreational cannabis use, Sheriff Wynn Meehan consulted with the local prosecutors and became familiar with the new laws before concluding he's got bigger things to worry about than recreational marijuana use.

"Especially with meth, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, those hard drugs that are killing people," he said. "You put your manpower and resources into those things to protect human life. I don't mean to minimize it, but if it doesn't pose the risk and the threat we're seeing  we'll deal with it accordingly."

In Montana, a person is allowed possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana. Possession of more than 1 but less than 2 ounces could face a possible $500 fine for a third or subsequent offense. Possession of any greater amount remains a felony, as it was before the 2020 election.

Consuming marijuana in a public space could land someone a $50 fine.

Each department in Montana will have different dynamics that set the expectations in their jurisdiction, Meehan said. But after two decades with the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office, Meehan suspects this overtly casual cannabis consumption will be where problems arise.

"People going downtown, having a couple drinks, we all know we lose our common sense when we do that," Meehan said. "So they might want to go outside and smoke a bowl, and you can't do that."

Legislative conundrum

Law enforcement in Montana wrote an average 942 citations for misdemeanor marijuana possession from 2018 through 2020, according to information gathered in April by the Governor's Office of Budget and Program Planning. The Montana Department of Justice said in the same April report it expects a 77% increase in DUI cases after the recreational market launch, based on numbers reported from Washington state and Denver.

The plan to handle this rise in DUIs includes oral swabs designed to detect recent cannabis use, similar to what a Breathalyzer test does with alcohol. Funding for these oral fluid tests were made available in the federal infrastructure bill Congress passed in November. The tests are intended for cannabis but not alcohol.

A slip during the legislative process earlier this year, however, has taken away drivers' incentive to comply with an oral swab test. While lawmakers were tinkering on the legalization bill, a separate piece of legislation from Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, rewrote the state's driving-under-the-influence laws.

The cannabis bill intended to set oral swabs on the same level of Breathalyzer tests in terms of "implied consent"; if a person declines to take a Breathalyzer test, their driver's license is automatically suspended for six months. But the segment coordinating the cannabis bill with DUI laws was lost when Regier's DUI bill became law and changed the statutes. This means to decline an oral swab would not trigger a license suspension in the same way that refusing a Breathalyzer would.

Mark Taylor, a lobbyist representing the Association of Montana Troopers, asked the Legislature's Economic Affairs Interim Committee in November to circle back to the implied consent issue in the 2023 legislative session.

"Unfortunately in the flurry of activity at the end of the session  we effectively lost that in translation," Taylor told the committee. "What we've seen in other states, highway safety issues are a significant public issue that we certainly need to get addressed."

The Legislature approved funding from the 20% tax on cannabis for the Department of Justice to retain new canine units; such dogs can't be untrained to smell cannabis. In October the department began doling out some of that funding to local agencies to replace their canine units.

The justice department declined to make a Montana Highway Patrol official available for an interview for this story to discuss the expected increase in DUIs, changes to the law and the Legislature's blunder on implied consent.

More training

The Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council sets employment and training standards for all law enforcement officers in Montana. The council also certifies officers who complete certain training classes administered by outside organizations. Eric Gilbertson, executive director of POST, said there has been an increase in certifications for Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) classes, from five classes in 2018 to 12 in 2021. The ARIDE certification is a step toward an officer becoming a drug recognition expert, which includes intensive training to be able to identify drug use, oftentimes in traffic stops.

I worked in law enforcement for 16 years, and ARIDE wasnt a thing, Gilbertson said. Theres been a bigger push, a greater demand for it and theres an expectation that those investigations are taking place.

Back in Bozeman, Veltkamp said his department has been sending more and more officers into ARIDE classes, not necessarily in correlation with recreational cannabis sales, but because its becoming a more regular tool for law enforcement.

"As we see a wider variety of substances becoming more common place, we've started increasing those types of trainings," Veltkamp said. "It'll be interesting to see if we end up having to use some of those tools from those trainings more than we've had to in the past."

Like Meehan up the road, Veltkamp sees heroin or methamphetamine as a bigger issue for the community. Veltkamp said his message to the Bozeman Police Department on recreational marijuana is to keep updated on the law and prioritize their work on a daily basis.

"Just as we in law enforcement change, there's so many other topics we have to keep up with that I think this one just fits into that," Veltkamp said. "Our hiring to our training to our daily briefings is centered around a lot of that. Here's the law, use your discretion in how you handle that."

Read Wednesday: Inside the Department of Revenue's efforts to stand up a new cannabis division and develop rules that balance industry feedback with lawmakers' intent.

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It was late 2013 when then-Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said he received a call from then-U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid to weigh in on who Bullock should appoint to replace Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, who would soon be named ambassador to China.

Bullocks reply to the Nevada Democrat, as reported by the media?

  I said it was none of your damn business.

By law, the Montana governor fills any Senate vacancies by appointing a replacement. Bullock, a Democrat who served two terms as governor, told reporters in May 2014 about the conversation with Reid, who died Dec. 28 after a four-year bout with pancreatic cancer.

I said, You know what. Stay out of my decision-making. This is a decision I make and no one else,' Bullock said in a story reported by Charles S. Johnson of the Lee Montana State Bureau. This is one of those decisions that voters have entrusted me with.
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[Specialists] are saturated in urban places, not in rural places it becomes more efficient to bring specialized care here, Shah said.

The model ensures there is accessible stroke care 24/7, making it the first full-time stroke center in the state. Billings Clinic plans to offer 24/7 coverage by Feb. 1, 2022.

The team will work closely with the entire neurology floor as well as other staff such as paramedics and emergency room personnel so all workers feel they are part of the team, Shah said.

If we are able to accomplish what were trying to see, based on market analysis, we are expecting well benefit 150 patients per year who wouldnt have gotten treatment [close to home], Shah said.

St. Vs has brought in expertise focused on stent technology for stroke patients including removable stents that pull out stroke-causing clots.

Now there is significant technology to improve recovery the best outcome is faster treatment and accessibility to care, Shah said.

Since the launch of the program on Oct. 18, 2021, St. Vs has cared for about 10 patients. Five or six of those would have been flown out before the program.
A number of the top ten states with the largest population growth from 2020 to 2021 were Wyomings neighbors, but the Cowboy State fell far behind.

Half of the top ten states, including the top four states, with the largest annual percent population growth were in the West: Idaho led the nation with 2.9%, followed by Utah, Montana and Arizona, while Nevada ranked ninth. Wyomings annual growth ranked 22nd highest in the nation.

Wyomings total resident population grew slightly by 1,536 people for a total of 578,803 as of July 2021, according to estimates released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The growth can mainly be attributed to net migration of roughly 1,300. This positive net migration means that 1,368 more residents moved into Wyoming than moved out of the state between 2020 and 2021. The rest of the growth came from the difference between births and deaths. Wyoming had a natural increase of about 170, meaning that there were 170 more births than deaths.
Thankfully, most grizzly bears should be denned up by then. Grizzly Bear 399 the worlds most famous mama bear  recently made it safely into her Greater Yellowstone den with her four cubs. Sadly, the safety of a den is no refuge for some of Yellowstones most famous wolves and wolfpacks, as 15 Yellowstone wolves have already been slaughtered this year, including seven from the Junction Butte pack, the most watched wolf pack in the park.

Winter is a time for nesting, denning, and reflecting. The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, but it also marks a return of the light.

At WildEarth Guardians, we want to end the year focusing on gratitude and all the successes we accomplished together this year for wildlife and wild places. But we also cant shy away from telling the dark stories that continue happening. We are standing up against these injustices and for the beauty and wildness that still remains.

Above all, nature is cyclical and we know that our fight to protect the natural world will contain both moments of despair and darkness and moments of exhilaration and exuberance. Just as the winter descends, spring will also rise.

In a few months, Grizzly Bear 399 and her four cubs will emerge from their den. Lets do everything in our power to ensure that the world they walk out into is one that values coexistence and reveres the cycle of life.

John Horning is executive director of WildEarth Guardians.

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Judge Gregory Todd will be missed.

There's something admirable about a judge who prepared for rapping a gavel by swinging a sledgehammer to pound railroad spikes before heading to law school.

As the Gazette's A.J. Etherington revealed in an excellent portrait of the retiring 13th Judicial District judge this week, Todd had a wide-ranging 23-year legal career before being appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Marc Racicot in 2000. He was a prosecutor and civil practitioner who covered a wide array of cases.

In the two decades-plus he served on the bench in Billings, Todd earned a reputation for evenhandedness and even displayed that rarest of judicial attributes, a sense of humor.

With characteristic bluntness, he pointed out upon his departure from the bench the peril of the Montana Legislature's ongoing attack on the state's judicial branch.

I believe were in great danger at the national level as well as the state level of people losing government that has three equal branches and has checks and balances, Todd said. I think theres a faction of Legislatures that are upset with rulings that the push seems to be to try to create the judiciary in their own image.
Howdy Lawlar has been farming and ranching in the Watford City area for decades and battling wildfires as a volunteer firefighter for much of his adult life. Hes never experienced a year like this one.

Record heat, record dryness and thousands of wildfires torched the North Dakota landscape in 2021.

I recall (a drought) back in the 90s, but I was younger -- Im the fifth-generation on this farm, said Lawlar, 47. I remember it a little bit, but not like this one.

Lawlar watched his small grains and soybean crops wither in the fields. He juggled his 170 cow/calf pairs among various parched pastures. And he responded to so many wildfires that he lost count. But he hasnt let it all get him down.

I cant control the weather, so I dont let it control me, he said. You just have to deal with what the good Lord gives you.

In 2021, that was drought. The year started out dry -- Bismarck, for example, got just 16.7 inches of snow last winter compared to the norm of 50.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

And it got drier. And drier. And drier.

Gov. Doug Burgum on April 8 declared a statewide disaster, citing the worst drought this century. By Aug. 9, when he issued another order easing some driving restrictions for haulers of livestock, hay and water to aid stricken ranchers, he was calling it the worst drought on record. Six days later, he and nine other Western governors would send a letter to President Joe Biden, asking for a presidential disaster declaration.

Thousands of farmers in our states are experiencing devastating impacts from our ongoing drought, the letter said.

The average temperature in North Dakota over the summer was about 4 degrees warmer than normal, making it the third-warmest summer on record, according to State Climatologist and North Dakota State University professor Adnan Akyuz. Precipitation was about 2  inches below average, making it the 16th-driest summer on record, he said.

"Overall, 339 records, including temperature- and precipitation-related occurrences across the state, were tied or broken" over the summer, Akyuz said in a summer wrap-up.

A La Nina weather phenomenon -- a cooling of the waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean -- was a driving factor behind the dry weather this year, according to AccuWeather. Some experts including AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson also say human-caused climate change will increasingly lead to more severe weather events.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated in their reports that heat waves are very likely to become more frequent and more intense as well as increase their duration by the end of this century due to climate change, Anderson wrote in June.

Records run rife

Hot weather records spanned the entire year.

A mid-January heat wave set records in Bismarck, Minot, Dickinson and Jamestown. Bismarck on Jan. 12 hit 52 degrees.

Bismarck on the day before Easter had a record high temperature for April 4, of 83 degrees.

The temperature in Dickinson on Sept. 28 soared to 100 degrees -- the latest in the year that any weather station in the state has recorded a triple-digit temperature, according to the National Weather Service.

Bismarck, Dickinson and Minot on Dec. 1 set record highs for the date, and Bismarck and Dickinson also tied their records for the warmest temp ever recorded in the month of December -- 68 in Dickinson and 66 in the capital city.

Deep in drought

During much of the summer, three-fourths of North Dakota was in either extreme or exceptional drought, the two worst categories on the U.S. Drought Monitor map. Those conditions have improved dramatically, due in part to a wet October.

October ended up being a drought anomaly. Climate statistics from the National Weather Service showed precipitation for the month was above normal in Bismarck, Dickinson, Minot and Jamestown. Bismarck received 3.35 inches. That was nearly 2 inches above normal and marked the seventh-wettest October on record for the city. Records date to 1874.

An Oct. 13 storm brought record rainfall to Bismarck -- more than 1  inches -- and a roof drain failure at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum led to interior flooding and the temporary closure of some exhibits.

But by October, damage to crops and livestock was already done.

A prime example, we used to run 72 (cow/calf) pair in a pasture, and this year we could only run about 32 pair out there in the same spot, Lawlar said.

Weekly updates from the National Agricultural Statistics Service during the year routinely showed the bulk of pasture, rangeland and crops in poor or very poor condition, and stock water supplies and soil moisture as being mostly short or very short.

Our whole operation changed  the normal wasnt the normal anymore, Lawlar said.

Lawlar considers himself more fortunate than many other ranchers -- he hasnt had to downsize his herd, and he has enough hay to get him through the winter.

North Dakota Stockmens Association Executive Vice President Julie Ellingson in October testified before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power, noting a 24% increase in sales this year at auction markets where the association maintains brand inspection. North Dakota ranchers as of July had sold 148,000 cows, when the average for an entire year is 200,000, she said.

The state and federal governments have implemented numerous aid programs.

Everybody has a little different perspective -- is it enough or not? -- but any assistance in a time of need helps, Lawlar said.

Widespread wildfires

Lawlar came to the aid of others when wildfires broke out in his region. Hes been a volunteer with both the Watford City and the McKenzie County Rural fire departments for 15 years, and I would say for me, (2021) has been the worst, he said.

There were 2,442 wildfires in North Dakota this year, burning 125,664 acres, according to North Dakota Emergency Services spokesman Eric Jensen. The number of fires is more than 2  times the number all of last year, and the scorched acres are more than 10 times what burned in all of 2020. The total blackened area is more than six times the size of Bismarck.

Large wildfires around Easter prompted the evacuation of Medora and shut down the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Lawlar helped battle the large fire at the national parks North Unit, and many smaller ones.

I know its double digits, he said. Any little spark was igniting stuff, it was so dry."

'Look to the future'

Weather experts expect this winter to be snowier than last in North Dakota, though that won't take much.

Bismarck's winter season total of 17.8 inches as of Monday was more than the total of 16.7 inches for all of last winter, according to the National Weather Service.

Any precipitation through the rest of fall and into winter is going to help with drought conditions, weather service Meteorologist Megan Jones, climate program leader in Bismarck, said earlier this month.

The main thing we are hoping for is that we have a normal to above-normal snowpack in late winter and spring, she said. That will really give us the runoff and replenish the soil moisture that were hoping for as we go into the growing season.

There is still optimism in the agricultural community despite the tough year, according to Lawlar.

I have hope. You cant look behind; you learn from what happened the previous year, he said. Thats part of farming and ranching -- you have to look down the road, look to the future.

Im not going to get negative, Lawlar said. I love to farm and ranch, and I wouldnt do anything else. I keep my chin up and go forward.

Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

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Flasher Public School senior Cassidy Strommen loves working with the Angus cattle her family raises on their ranch.

Her passion led her to being crowned a North Dakota Angus Princess by the North Dakota Angus Association. As princess, she is responsible for promoting the breed at sales, schools, parades and other events.

That association has done a lot for me in terms of developing my communication skills, and I will always value my time as princess because of the experiences it gave me, Strommen said.

The daughter of Aaron and Sheyna Strommen, of Solen, is this week's Teen of the Week. Thirty-two high school seniors will be recognized by spring, at which time a Teen of the Year will be selected from the weekly winners to receive a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by MDU Resources Group.

Strommen said she was roped into agriculture through her involvement with 4-H and FFA. Through those organizations she started livestock judging and showing pigs and cattle at county fairs, which has earned her multiple grand champion titles.

FFA adviser Macey Kleinjan said Strommen as chapter president puts in a lot of work to ensure her chapter succeeds by recruiting, planning events and participating in conferences.

Cassidy has been a great asset to the Flasher agricultural education program, Kallenbach wrote in a letter of recommendation. Cassidy displayed talents in leadership, professionalism and responsibility. There were several times where Cassidy has gone beyond her duties as president.

Strommen also is a junior member of the North Dakota Stockmens Association, the American Angus Association and the National Junior Angus Association. This past summer, she attended the National Junior Angus Show in Grand Island, Nebraska, where she ranked top five in the intermediate division of livestock judging.

I really draw all of my passion for agriculture from those associations, she said.

The honor student enjoys playing volleyball, playing guitar and singing in choir. Strommen said that coming from a small school, she enjoys getting to sing in the large honor choirs and meeting students from across the state. She has sung in choirs at Dickinson State University, Minot State University, Concordia College and All-State.

Its nice to go to honor choirs because its a bunch of people who really love to be there and really try to do their best, she said. It's such a change from my little Class B, six-person choir.

When school is over and the chores are done, Strommen likes to spend time with her family. She said her family members are her biggest supporters and motivators, especially her little brother Clint, who was born with muscular dystrophy. Strommen said her brother is the light of her life and inspires her every day.

Stommen hopes to continue working in the ag field by majoring in agriculture communications at South Dakota State University.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  South Dakota lawmakers met behind closed doors on Tuesday as they launched an impeachment investigation into the state attorney general for his conduct surrounding a fatal car crash last year.

The House Speaker, Republican Spencer Gosch, had pledged a transparent process as a committee that he appointed considers whether to recommend Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg's impeachment. But it took just four minutes on Tuesday for the committee  made of seven Republicans and two Democrats  to take an oath, then move into a private executive session with the attorney hired to guide the inquiry.

Lawmakers planned to take formal action that will lay out the scope of their investigation during a public session slated for Wednesday.

Ravnsborg, a Republican elected to his first term in 2018, pleaded no contest in August to a pair of misdemeanors in the crash that killed Joseph Boever. The 55-year-old man was walking along a rural stretch of highway in September 2020 when Ravnsborg struck him with his car. Ravnsborg first reported the crash as a collision with an animal. He has insisted that he did not realize he had killed a man until he returned to the scene the next day and discovered Boever's body.

Gov. Kristi Noem, a fellow Republican, has called for Ravnsborg's ouster, and her Secretary of Public Safety, who oversaw the crash investigation, has said he believes the attorney general should have faced a manslaughter charge. The governor gave Gosch a copy of the crash investigation, which lawmakers plan to delve into as they weigh whether to bring impeachment charges.

In a statement late Tuesday, Gosch said the committee began a review of the crash investigation and reviewed state law on the grounds for impeachment.

Other lawmakers on the committee either declined to discuss their Tuesday session or did not respond to a request for comment.

Lawmakers have said a priority will be to determine what an impeachable offense is in South Dakota. The state constitution stipulates that officials such as the attorney general can be impeached for corrupt conduct, malfeasance or misdemeanor in office. The Legislature has never before impeached a state official.

If the investigative committee recommends impeachment charges be brought against Ravnsborg and a majority of the House were to approve the charges, Ravnsborg would then face a trial in the Senate. It would take a two-thirds majority of the Senate to convict and remove him from office.

A spokesman for Ravnsborg did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Gosch indicated Tuesday's private meeting was held under attorney and client privilege." State law allows government bodies to meet in executive sessions to consult with legal counsel, and to discuss the qualifications, competence, performance, character or fitness of any public officer. Any official action must be made in an open meeting.

We will be as transparent as humanly possible, Gosch told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, adding that he was trying to ensure fairness by keeping some of the discussions private.

The House voted in November to make public the material that the investigative committee uses, with the exception of redacted confidential and nonrelevant information.

But the impeachment inquiry has been held under a cloud of secrecy: Gosch has refused to divulge the names of the 49 House members who petitioned for a special legislative session to launch the committee in the first place. He and the Legislature's support staff are facing a lawsuit from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and the South Dakota Newspaper Association to formally release the names.

Even though those have already been released  by the Senate Pro Tempore, and against Gosch's wishes  the media organizations have pressed the lawsuit in order to establish that petitions for a special legislative session are public record.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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There will be changes at the Capitol after next years election, since a number of longtime officeholders are leaving. The feuding in the Republican Party could lead to some interesting convention and primary battles.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem announced this month that hes retiring. He was first elected in 2000, which makes him the states longest-serving attorney general. Before that he was in the Legislature for 24 years.

Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger is leaving office Monday to deal with health issues. Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Public Service Commissioner Brian Kroshus to serve out his term, which ends at the conclusion of 2022. Kroshus has indicated he intends to seek the nomination to run for tax commissioner next year.

Kroshus was reelected to the PSC in 2020 for another six years. However, whoever Burgum appoints to replace Kroshus will have to run next year if he or she wants to complete the next four years.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger, who was first elected in 1992, has announced hell retire next year.

Thats four statewide offices opening up, though Burgums appointees should have some advantage if they run. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, is retiring; Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman, D-New Rockford, is losing her seat because of redistricting; and a number of veteran legislators have announced plans not to seek reelection.

Democrats, who hold only 21 of the 141 seats in the Legislature, will face a challenging election. Only one Democratic legislator, Rep. Corey Mock of Grand Forks, doesnt have to run for reelection. Its an opportunity for Republicans to add to their big majorities.

However, Republicans arent a happy party. At least some Republicans feel betrayed by the party apparatus. They are angry over a new law that allowed party Chairman Perrie Schafer to appoint eight temporary district chairs. Seven district chairs and the partys national committeewoman walked out of a Dec. 18 State Committee meeting that was discussing the partys bylaws and 2022 convention plans.

Plus, the North Dakota Young Republicans and North Dakota College Republicans are disappointed after being removed as voting members of the board. They are being placed in ex-officio non-voting status.

This comes after a number of Republican legislators were censured after voting to expel former Rep. Luke Simons, R-Dickinson. The ultra-conservative Bastiat Caucus in the Legislature is considered by some to be driving a wedge in the party.

Minot-area District 40 Republican Chairman Jay Lundeen organized the walkout, and he didnt sound receptive to compromise. If it fractures the Republican Party, break it up, because I would rather break it up than be left with slavery completely, he said.

Its not just the Bastiat Caucus dividing the party. Burgum angered party members when he tried to organize the defeat of Rep. Jeff Delzer, R-Underwood, in the last election. Burgum and Delzer had disagreed during the previous legislative session.

This all indicates that Republicans will have potentially competitive races at the convention and in the primary. The more conservative wing of the party can be expected to push candidates for the statewide races and the Legislature. If the tactic is even partially successful, it could result in a divided majority party in the Legislature with the Republican factions needing Democratic voters to pass bills.

Its also an opportunity for Democrats in the 2022 general election, but they have an awful high hill to climb. The Tribune editorial board isnt ready to bet against the established Republican Party organization, but the situation could get interesting.

Both parties need to remember its important to be transparent. The disgruntled Republicans obviously feel they are being shut out, while the established Republicans cant be happy with the censures.

Voters deserve a clear idea of who they are voting for and their ideals. It will only hurt the state if the candidates positions and issues get lost in the fog of an intraparty fight.

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Please refer to my dispatch from Monday before reading the following.

"Are you telling me this is the beard of the man I had lunch with in Pock? What happened to the man?"

"He lost his beard, and his life. I'm not sure which he was more unhappy to lose," said the man who loved junk mail.

It was clear that this man was insane, and that he was capable of anything. I decided that it would be wise to play along, to humor him, to stay on his good side.

"I'll do it," I said.

"I knew you would," he said. "There's a car waiting for you outside. It will take you to the airport. I promise the driver will make sure you have a pleasant experience. Further, I have a special relationship with airport security at Warsaw Chopin. I hand-picked the officers who will be on duty at the airport when you depart. They will see to it that you are not delayed in any way."

"But I left my baggage at the hotel," I told him. "It has my Nintendo Switch."

"No need to worry," he said. "Your baggage is already in the car's boot. You will be contacted with further instructions when you arrive in Honolulu.

He reached into yet another pocket and pulled out a battered copy of Tschai, by Jack Vance and began reading it. I said goodbye, but he either didn't hear me or was simply ignoring me. In any case, I knew he was done talking to me.

I had initially planned to go straight back to my hotel as soon as I left the cafe, but since his driver had my luggage and passport, I had little choice but to go along.

Outside, I saw an old Toyota Crown station wagon with the back door open. Standing next to the door was a young woman with a head of coal-black hair. She was wearing smartly-tailored chauffeur's uniform. She wore her cap tilted at a jaunty angle.

"Please get in," she said gesturing to the back seat. "My name is Katarzyna. I have been transferred to your service."

I got into the back seat. Katarzyna closed the door, got into the driver's seat, and lurched from the curb. I could smell gas fumes from the car's cracked muffler. The car rocked back and forth as we hit every pothole in the road. I began to feel nauseous.

As we rode in silence I tried to formulate a plan to overpower Katarzyna and steal the car. Suddenly she asked, "Are you an avid reader of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant?" I was surprised by the question. I replied that I was, in fact, an avid reader of Kant.

"Then you must know that there are two kinds of knowledge. There is knowledge as a means and there is knowledge as an end," she said.

"Yes," I replied.

"Knowledge as a means can only be acquired by study and learning such as reading and writing. But knowledge as an end is knowledge that exists beyond the mind. It isn't a matter of remembering something. It is a feeling, an irreducible state of being. It is akin to when you meet someone you like very much. It is something that cannot be explained. Such knowledge is beyond the intellect. You see it or you don't."

"I've never heard it put that way before," I said.

"The man who loves junk mail is a great connoisseur of knowledge as an end."

"You sound like you know him well."

"In many ways he in unknowable. But I know that his favorite color is blush pink. I know that he likes to snack on meringue. I know that he cries when he listens to the aria from Madame Butterfly. He has the ability to see into another person's soul. He can see the person's true nature, their depth and their character. He can see what they cannot see. He knew that you would do everything he asked of you. He said that you were exactly the person he was looking for. He said that he had been waiting for you for a long time, and that your arrival was fortuitous."

"Fortuitous?" I asked.

"The man who loves junk mail has a mystical streak. He believes in signs, omens, and destiny."

"What is my destiny?" I asked.

"That is something you will have to discover for yourself," she said with a smile.

"What is your destiny?"

My destiny is to serve the man who loves junk mail. That is all."

We rode for several more minutes in silence. Then Katarzyna said, "I think we are being followed. There is a car that has been behind us since we left the cafe."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"I am very sure."

I looked back and saw a black sedan with heavily tinted windows. The car accelerated and pulled alongside us. I saw a flash of light and heard a loud bang. I ducked and Katarzyna swerved the car to avoid the gunshots. Another flash of light. Another loud bang.

"My God! They are firing at us!" I exclaimed.

"Stay down!" she yelled, and I complied. She took a sharp right onto a freeway exit. The sedan's driver wasn't able to react quickly enough and missed the exit.

"We lost him," she said.

"Who was it?" I asked.

"I don't know. But I know their leader. He is an old enemy of the man who loves junk mail."

"The man who loves junk mail said that I was to have a pleasant experience on the way to the airport," I said.

"The man who loves junk mail also said that your suitcase was in the boot of the car," said Katarzyna. "The truth matters little to him when he is in pursuit of a higher goal."
Oklahoma lawmakers are apparently taking a similar approach to book banning as the Texas legislature took to abortion. Earlier his month, State Senator Rob Standridge presented Senate Bill 1142 to the legislature, which reads that:

No public school district, public charter school, or public school library shall maintain in its inventory or promote books that make as their primary subject the study of sex, sexual preferences, sexual activity, sexual perversion, sex-based classifications, sexual identity, or gender identity or books that are of a sexual nature that a reasonable parent or legal guardian would want to know of or approve of prior to their child being exposed to it.

If a parent learns about a book in their kids' school library that GASP! acknowledges the existence of sex, they can submit a written request to the school district to have the book removed. If the school or library fails to comply within 30 days, the employee tasked with removing the book will be fired and cannot be rehired for a period of at least 2 years.

Conveniently, the bill also clarifies that the only person who can remove a book (i.e., "the employee tasked with removing a book," according to the text) must be a school administrator.

Also, if that administrator fails to remove the book, then the parent or legal guardian:

may seek monetary damages including a minimum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) per day the book requested for removal is not removed, reasonable attorney fees, and court costs.

Surely nothing will go wrong by letting parents threaten principals with arbitrary book bans!

Standridge also proposed an accompanying bill that would prevent schools from requiring students to take any class that teaches "concepts relating to gender, sexual, or racial diversity, equality or inclusion."

Standridge files bills to address indoctrination in Oklahoma schools [Oklahoma Senate]

OK Bill Would Pay Parents $10K Each Day Their Nominated Banned Books Remain in Libraries [Justin Klawans / Newsweek]

Oklahoma senator files bills prohibiting schools from having books on sexual behavior, colleges from requiring diversity course enrollment [Hicham Raache/KFOR]

Image: Carmichael Library / Flickr (CC-BY-SA 2.0)
A shareholder has sued Tesla alleging no one is reviewing Elon "Pedo Guy" Musk's reckless twittering, as per their 2018 settlement with the SEC over Musk's reckless fiduciary management, as opposed to just recklessly endangering people by contradicting his engineers.

Bloomberg Law:

The lawsuit, filed in Delaware Chancery Court, accuses Musk of continuing to tweet impulsively and recklessly, in violation of a 2019 agreement with securities regulators that required the company to adopt strict new internal oversight procedures for monitoring his online statements.

"It is unclear who at Tesla, if anyone, is currently reviewing Musk's tweets" after its last full-time general counsel left in December 2019 and the most recent acting general counsel stepped down in April, the suit says.

Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. The suit doesn't name Musk as a defendant.

In addition to the poll and related tweetswhich allegedly sent Tesla shares tumbling 5% on Nov. 5 and another 12% on Nov. 6the investor suit targets Musk's recent "Twitter feud with Sen. Elizabeth Warren," the Massachusetts Democrat, which allegedly drove the stock price down another 9.6% between Dec. 13 and Wednesday.
The New York Times provides access to its sprawling archive to paying customers, and hooo boy is it easy to get sucked in. In a fit of curiosity, I read some of the biggest stories of December 29, 1961. The day's paper was a tiny sample of a distinct era: when JFK was present, the civil rights movement gained traction, and the Cold War escalated. Here are a few of the headlines:

Strike averted on city transit; 15 cent fare is kept 15 cents! Can you believe it! If the Pizza Principle holds up, a New York slice would likely set you back the same amount.

Former First Lady Edith Wilson died on December 28th on what would have been her husband's 105th birthday. She was 90.

Kennedy to Ask Authority To Purchase U.N. Bonds President Kennedy wanted to buy up to half of the United Nations' projected $200,000,000 bond issue to finance "peace-and-security operations in Congo and the Middle East." Congo was particularly politically unstable at the time it was newly independent from Belgium. In addition, the US had recently supported a coup to replace the elected leader Lumumba, who had communist ties, with pro-Western leader Mobutu.

US sues to upset Louisiana's law on voting tests Fifty years ago, the Justice Department asked a Federal court to strike down a Louisiana law requiring voters to pass a "constitutional interpretation test." In the suit, the Justice Department said the laws' purpose was "maintaining white political supremacy and racial segregation."

American colleges are accused of slighting educational goals A book by Dr. Nevitt Stanford accuses higher education of being a "corporate enterprise" and a "watchdog of the upper-middle class." One could say the same in 2021 (sigh).

-US father to ask reds to free son Edgar Pankey, the father of a 20-year-old American student serving a two-year term in an East Berlin prison, flew to Berlin in hopes of getting East German authorities to free his son.

Church closings in Soviet tallied Cue the pearls clutching! 1500 Soviet churches closed in 1961.

Babes in Toyland "A soggy line of diehards" waited in line outside Rockefeller Plaza to see Walt Disney's Babes in Toyland movie which was released two weeks before.

-"Fashions to please men in '62" Over in the women's section, the articles aged like milk. The Times declares "1962 will undoubtedly be the year in which men finally approve of women's fashions." In: feminism, youth, emphasized bosoms, and belted waistlines. Out: "hard architecture look."

1961 sets record in cigarette use Americans smoked more than ever, and the US manufactured cigarettes to keep up. Including exports, the US produced 528 billion cigarettes!

There was so much more, from articles to classifieds to puzzles. At the time, a year-long mail subscription cost $51.50.
Tesla Inc. is on track to meet its employment goal at its South Buffalo factory and avoid a $41.2 million penalty, according to new job figures from the state.

The company had 1,536 full-time jobs at its South Park Avenue factory on Nov. 10, along with 21 part-time positions.

That tops the 1,460 jobs that Tesla was required to have in Buffalo by the end of the year under its agreement with the state in exchange for spending more than $950 million to build and equip the plant.

Tesla faces a $41.2 million penalty for any year that it falls short of its employment target. This is the first year that the requirement has been enforced.

State officials noted that the job numbers are not official and that the penalty is based on Tesla's head count on Dec. 31. But the November figures indicate that the company is on target to meet the jobs goal, barring a late round of year-end layoffs.

0:55 Tesla's focus at Buffalo plant shifts away from solar energy as job deadline nears Tesla's electric vehicle business is growing, while the development of its solar roof  which had been expected to be the factory's main product  is lagging because of stubborn installation problems.

Tesla's agreement with the state, part of the Buffalo Billion economic development initiative, only requires the company to have a certain number of jobs in Buffalo. It does not include any provisions on the type of job or how much they pay.
CHICAGO (AP)  More than a year after the vaccine was rolled out, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. have soared to their highest level on record at over 265,000 per day on average, a surge driven largely by the highly contagious omicron variant.

New cases per day have more than doubled over the past two weeks, eclipsing the old mark of 250,000, set in mid-January, according to data kept by Johns Hopkins University.

The fast-spreading mutant version of the virus has cast a pall over Christmas and New Year's, forcing communities to scale back or call off their festivities just weeks after it seemed as if Americans were about to enjoy an almost normal holiday season. Thousands of flights have been canceled amid staffing shortages blamed on the virus.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious-disease expert, said Wednesday that there is no need to cancel small home gatherings among vaccinated and boosted family and friends.

But "if your plans are to go to a 40- to 50-person New Years Eve party with all the bells and whistles and everybody hugging and kissing and wishing each other a happy new year, I would strongly recommend that this year we not do that, he said.
County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein explained why other commonly used types of masks may not be as effective.

"Most masks, they have like a little bit of an opening ... on the sides of your mouth. This may not be a really tight fit. And now with the Omicron, just like a few viral particles can get in there and infect you. So we have to wear a really super well-fitting mask that doesn't have any of these potential defects on the side of our mouth or anywhere where a virus can intrude around our mask," she said.

What you should know about testing at home to keep Covid-19 at bay Getting tested before getting together with others during the holidays is a good way to minimize risk.

Testing and a bit of good news

The county is also gearing up to provide rapid home tests to the public. The federal government is expected to distribute 500 million tests across the nation, with 37 million slated for New York State. Gov. Kathy Hochul said 3 million to 3.5 million will go directly to school districts that would allow students and staff who are identified as a close contact of a Covid-19 positive person to "test to stay" in school.

However, those tests have not yet arrived, Poloncarz said.
I don't think people should just assume that next week we're back to normal.  Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz in November 2020

"It is not fun to be the person who has to keep saying, 'OK it's not over yet, we have to keep doing this,' but I'm saying this in the context of we want to get back to normal."  Gov. Kathy Hochul, just over a year later

Since were still in the holiday season and being charitable, I wont say our esteemed leaders were being disingenuous in continuing to propagate the idea that we actually want to get back to normal after two years of the pandemic.

Lets just say theyre giving our unvaccinated, unmasked friends and relatives way too much credit.

If our communal resolution heading into the new year is honesty, lets be candid about the fact that we dont really want to return to normal. At least way too many of us dont.

If we did, we already know what would get us there. The experts  both those in the white coats and those on their deathbeds who find religion too late  have been telling us for months.
Standing at a crowded bar, however, is not so smart. But in fairness to Florida, the presence of the virus looms large, and thats a fluctuating factor over time. Over summer, most of Florida was deep red, while much of New York was a relatively safer yellow. That reversed this fall and early winter, meaning youre mathematically more likely to run into Covid-19 in Erie County than in most parts of Florida.

Travel as you will, but be cautious everywhere  even near home.

7. Perceptions divide us

Masking vs. not. Vaccinated-only events. The factors that divide us have become more distinct during the pandemic, as has the connection between our political views and personal health decisions.

University at Buffalo researchers undertook a study funded by the National Science Foundation to analyze risk perception during the pandemic. They found that sociodemographics are influential. For example, people who are older, white, have school-age kids and lean Republican are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories about the pandemic and vaccination.
The LAPD on Monday posted an edited video package online that included 911 calls, radio transmissions, body camera footage and surveillance video from the Thursday shooting at a Burlington store crowded with holiday shoppers. The department's policy is to release video from critical incidents, such as police shootings, within 45 days.

The family's attorneys  including civil rights lawyer Ben Crump  have sent a letter to the LAPD asking for more video.

The 24-year-old suspect, Daniel Elena Lopez, died at the scene. Soledad Peralta's screams can be heard in the video.

"At this preliminary phase of the investigation, it is believed that the victim was struck by one of the rounds fired by an officer at the suspect," police Capt. Stacy Spell said in the posted video. Police believe the bullet skipped off the floor and struck the dressing room wall.

The California Department of Justice is also investigating.

"We at the LAPD would like to express our most heartfelt condolences and profound regret for the loss of this innocent victim, Valentina Orellana-Peralta. There are no words that can describe the depth of the sorrow we feel at this tragic outcome," Spell said in the video.
HIGH STAKES RACES FOR GOVERNOR

In Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Democratic governors have been a major impediment to the GOP's effort to overhaul elections. Most significantly, they have vetoed new rules that Democrats argue are aimed at making it harder for people of color to vote.

Governors have a significant role in U.S. elections: They certify the winners in their states, clearing way for the appointment of Electoral College members. That raises fears that Trump-friendly governors could try to certify him  if he were to run in 2024 and be the GOP nominee  as the winner of their state's electoral votes regardless of the vote count.

Additionally, some Republicans argue that state legislatures can name their own electors regardless of what the vote tally says.

But Democrats have had little success in laying out the stakes in these races. It's difficult for voters to believe the system could be vulnerable, said Daniel Squadron of The States Project, a Democratic group that tries to win state legislatures.
Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said during a news conference that McLeod was on the radar of law enforcement and had been investigated in both 2020 and 2021. He declined to say what McLeod was investigated for but said charges were not filed against him.

The shootings started around 5:30 p.m. in central Denver along Broadway, a busy street lined with shops, bars and restaurants, where two women were killed and a man was injured but expected to survive, police said. Soon after, McLeod forced his way into a home that also housed a business nearby, pursued the occupants through the building and fired shots, but no one was injured, Clark said. Then a man was shot and killed in a home near Denver's Cheesman Park, he said.

Later, Denver police chased the vehicle believed to have been involved in the shootings, and an officer exchanged gunfire with McLeod, Clark said. McLeod was able to get away, fleeing into Lakewood, after gunfire disabled the officer's cruiser, he said.

Just before 6 p.m., the Lakewood Police Department received a report of shots fired at the Lucky 13 tattoo shop. Denny Scofield, 38, was killed there, Romero said.
6. Conduct private executive sessions only on rare occasions, in accordance with the New York State Open Meetings Law. We understand that a motion to hold an executive session to discuss litigation, personnel or collective bargaining is not sufficient, as the Open Meetings Law requires motions to state more information when holding an executive session.

7. Support having our elected members complete and post an Annual Financial Disclosure Form on our government website. (Just as state elected officials do.)

8. While private political party caucus meetings are allowed under the law, agree to not hold such meetings. There is no reason at the local level to hold private political party caucus meetings to discuss political business or public business.

9. Support the publics right to obtain records and ensure that information regarding the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) is posted in a visible place on your website. Proactively post documents online as much as possible so that the public can access information without having to file a FOIL request. Also, post an easy, fill-in-the-blank form that assists the public in filing a FOIL request by email on our website.
The City Campus, meanwhile, serves many low income and minority students. There are other ways to deliver high quality education to students who might otherwise attend the South Campus. Society has become acclimated to virtual learning, which works better for older learners. Could that serve students while helping to lower costs?

Balkin succeeds Dan Hocoy who left after three years at ECC, taking the presidents post at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City. The ECC board had declined to offer Hocoy a contract extension. Hocoy was named president of Goddard College in Vermont this past summer.

William D. Reuter, vice president for administration and finance officer at Hudson Valley Community College and former chief administrative and finance officer at ECC, deserves thanks for his work in taking the helm in July 2020 while the college looked for a new president. Reuter was not a candidate for the permanent position.

Balkin, who has been chancellor of the South Bend-Elkhart campus of Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana, appears well qualified not only to lead the college but to rethink the model here. He has an impressive background, reaching into the business arena, creating beneficial partnerships.
Specifically, the Times published an article last month in which it quoted from memos prepared by a lawyer for Project Veritas, suggesting strategies that would allow the group to engage in deceptive reporting practices without breaking federal law. That story was part of the Times reporting on the theft of a diary belonging to President Bidens daughter, Ashley, for which the Justice Department is investigating Project Veritas. But the memos in question were written several years before the organization sued the Times.

Whether the judge truly understood any of this, or its First Amendment implication is an open question. While trial court judges are elected by voters in New York, their balloting is typically controlled by political bosses who often cross-endorse candidates to guarantee who will win. And even when thats not the case, as The News has reported, the political donations of potential nominees can matter more to their chances than their qualifications.

Maybe thats not the case with Westchesters Justice Wood. Maybe he just made a mistake or has an ax to grind. Regardless, he has issued a dangerous ruling that undermines the First Amendment.
The one year anniversary of Jan. 6, Americas darkest day, is fast approaching. It is Americas darkest day because on that day, a homegrown antidemocratic movement known as Trumpism, accomplished what Nazism, Communism, and Islamic terrorism never came close to accomplishing.

At the urging of the fascist fawning president, Donald Trump, a legion of his adoring acolytes violently stormed into Americas temple of democracy and came within a hairsbreadth of tearing down the system of government that Americans have fought and died for since 1776.

You would think that the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan would have recoiled in horror and condemned Trump to the trash heap of history.

Yet, that once great party has done the exact opposite. Trump, a lifelong, imbecilic con man, devotee of dictatorship, and architect of an attempted coup, is the overwhelming favorite of Republicans to be their nominee for President in 2024.
In response to Dr. Frederick Guidas Dec. 24 letter opposing physician assisted suicide (PAS), I offer the following.

A cynical person may consider that Guida is against PAS because it would potentially reduce his income while caring for ailing patients. Rather, I will take the stance that Guida is very caring, and focused on helping his patients be as healthy as possible and live as long as possible.

As Guida notes, there are many reasons an individual may choose to end their life. I suggest, regardless of the underlying issue, they believe that living as they are, is not really living. That is, one can be alive, but not living.

Americans have fought for over 200 years for freedom  including freedom of choice over their own bodies. Currently, there are two such fights that are very hot. A womans choice to abortion, and everyones choice to get vaccinated or not. We can add PAS to that list. While PAS does not have the same level of press coverage, it is, nonetheless, just as important to personal freedom.

Finally, how can we let someone decide what is best for another? To do so removes one of our most basic freedoms. This is my life and my choice of how I want to live  or not.
In the Dec. 14 Buffalo News column Another Voice, the author advocates legalizing assisted dying for competent adults with terminal disease. His scenario compares suffering on hospital machines versus peacefully dying by medication at home amidst loved ones.

But assisted dying is really assisted suicide. It is unnecessary, flawed, and dangerous, and it is bad medicine.

The scenario above is a false choice. True palliative care achieves comfort and peace of mind for patients and their families wherever the patients needs can be met. It neither intentionally hastens nor delays death. It is true caring. The wish to die indicates that a patients needs have not been met. It is a sign of despair. Such outstanding institutions as Calvary Hospital in New York City, dedicated solely to terminal care and eminently successful in providing relief without a hastened death, are gold standard resources, along with local hospice programs and independent palliative care physicians. Our final days and months are precious and can bring closure, reconciliation, and resolution precisely because we accept them and receive care and support, choosing to neither extend nor shorten them.
Screengrab from the UK government website saying there are no home delivery slots for lateral flow tests available. (Photo: UK Government via PA Media)

The government is urging people scrambling to secure supplies of Covid-19 tests to try back later as many are face frustrations with Boris Johnsons central policy for keeping life moving.

On Wednesday, ministers acknowledged a worldwide supply issue is hitting the UK as people again struggled to get tests through pharmacies or delivered to their home.

The government website showed no PCR tests were available for home delivery  even for essential workers  in England or Northern Ireland, with very few in Scotland, while Wales had availability only in some regions.

Home delivery slots for lateral flow tests were also unavailable on Wednesday afternoon.

As anger grew  and the Tory government was accused of overseeing a shambles  the UK Health Security Agency said almost eight million test kits would be made available to pharmacies by New Years Eve.

Ive just been sent this by two doctors within 5 minutes. According to the government website, no PCR tests available anywhere right now in England ( https://t.co/JWNy1OQfeR) pic.twitter.com/DAThusu286  Dr Julia Grace Patterson (@JujuliaGrace) December 29, 2021

Tests are also being used to replace self-isolation for contacts of confirmed Covid-19 cases, while people returning to work following the Christmas break has also added to demand.

After the UKHSA said tests may be temporarily unavailable on the government website at points throughout the day due to exceptionally high demand, and urged people not to order more tests before using the ones they have, a spokesperson said almost eight million test kits would be made available to pharmacies by New Years Eve.

The spokesman said: The UKs testing programme is the biggest in Europe with almost 400 million tests carried out since the start of the pandemic.

Story continues

We are delivering record numbers of lateral flow tests to pharmacies across the country, with almost eight million test kits being made available to pharmacies between today and New Years Eve.

We have made 100,000 more PCR booking slots available per day since mid-December and we are continuing to rapidly expand capacity  with over half a million tests carried out on December 23 alone and delivery capacity doubled to 900,000 PCR and LFD test kits a day.

If you have not been able to get the test you need from gov.uk, please keep checking every few hours as more PCR and LFD tests become available every day.

Before the update, work and pensions minister Chloe Smith advised people who cannot get Covid tests through the government website to try back again later.

Asked on BBC Radio 4s World at One programme about reports that tests are in short supply, she said: Now behind the scenes, obviously, weve got to make sure that the Gov.uk website and the way that people are accessing that is always there for people and able to get those kits to people.

That is happening behind the scenes. I appreciate that every so often the site may go down but try back again later, because that is how we are making sure it is all there.

Pharmacies are asked for lateral flow tests every five minutes

Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said patients are often unable to find the Covid-19 tests in pharmacies because of low and inconsistent supplies.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Hannbeck said: What our members are telling us is that demand for the lateral flow tests is very high at the moment due to the current guidelines around self-isolation.

Pharmacies are reporting that every five minutes, approximately, somebody comes in to the pharmacy asking for a test.

But, unfortunately, because of the issues around supply being patchy and inconsistent, it means that those who come for the test dont always get it, which is very stressful not just for the pharmacy team but for the patient.

The scale of the problem is huge because the demand is high, because of the current guidelines.

Failure to order tests a total shambles

Underlining how testing is key to avoiding further lockdowns, the prime minister urged people to get swabbed before enjoying New Year celebrations.

During a visit to a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes on Wednesday, Johnson told reporters: Everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way  take a test, ventilation, think about others but, above all, get a booster.

But shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: The failure to make enough tests available weeks after they became a requirement is a total shambles.

People are trying to do the right thing, follow the governments own advice, and test themselves regularly, but are prevented by the Conservative governments incompetence.

They need to get a grip and provide enough tests so people can keep themselves and everyone else safe.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated.

Related...
iSignthis Ltd

iSignthis Ltd (ISX.AX) Managing Director Update

Melbourne, Australia, Dec 29, 2021 - (ABN Newswire) - The Board of iSignthis Limited (ASX:ISX) (HAM:TA8) has been informed today by Mr John (NJ) Karantzis Chairman that he will step aside from his role as Managing Director, but will remain as a non-executive director of the Company.



Mr Tim Hart, Executive Chairman said today: "With the demerger from ISX Financial EU Plc now complete and Mr Karantzis relocating to Cyprus, it is appropriate for him to step aside as Managing Director to allow him to focus on the demerged EU business, which also owns 19.9% of the NSX Limited. I want to thank John for all his hard work and dedication to build a world class business over the last ten years. His passion for the Company and never ending optimism as CEO and Managing Director will be difficult to replace, but we are thankful that John has agreed to stay on as a non-executive director."



Mr Karantzis said "I'd like to thank the board and in particular Mr Hart for their support over the ten years since the iSignthis business was founded. I also take the opportunity to thank all our shareholders for their support and patience over the last 2 years. Whilst I'm stepping down as CEO and Managing Director, I remain committed as a non-executive director to the Company, and in particular to holding the ASX Ltd to account for their unprecedented actions against the Company and its 10,000 plus retail shareholders."



In the new year the Board will review its structure. In the interim period, Mr Tim Hart will step up as the Executive Chairman.







About iSignthis Ltd:



iSignthis Ltd is a hybrid monetary financial institution and also a RegTech leader in remote identity verification, payment authentication with deposit taking, transactional banking and payment processing capability. iSignthis provides an end-to-end on-boarding service for merchants, with a unified payment, electronic money and identity service via our Paydentity(TM) and ISXPay(R) solutions.



By converging payments and identity, iSignthis delivers regulatory compliance to an enhanced customer due diligence standard, offering global reach to any of the world's 4.2Bn 'bank verified' card or account holders, that can be remotely on-boarded to meet the Customer Due Diligence requirements of AML regulated merchants in as little as 3 to 5 minutes. Paydentity(TM) has now onboarded and verified more than 1.5m persons to an AML KYC standard.



iSignthis Paydentity(TM) service is the trusted back office solution for regulated entities, allowing merchants to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, and focus on growing their core business. iSignthis' subsidiary, iSignthis eMoney Ltd, trades as ISXPay(R), and is an EEA authorised eMoney Monetary Financial Institution, offering card acquiring in the EEA, and Australia.



ISXPay(R) is a principal member of Mastercard Inc, Diners, Discover, (China) Union Pay International and JCB International, an American Express aggregator, and provides merchants with access to payments via alternative methods including SEPA, Poli Payments, Sofort, PRZ24 and others.



Probanx Solutions Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of iSignthis Ltd, provides API based access to CORE Banking solutions, SEPA Core, SEPA Instant and SEPA business scheme, for neobanks, banks, credit unions and emoney institutions, and provides a bridge to the Eurosystem's Central Bank of Lithuania's CENTROLink service.



Contact:



Chris Northwood

Investor Relations Director

iSignthis Limited

chris.northwood@isignthis.com

+61 (0) 458 809 177



Media Enquiries

Mark Hawthorne

Director

Civic Financial Communications

mark.hawthorne@civicfinancial.com.au

+61 (0) 418 999 894



Investor Relations Europe

Dr Eva Reuter

Friedrich Ebert Anlage 35-37

Tower 185

60327 Frankfurt

e.reuter@dr-reuter.eu

+49 (0) 69 1532 5857



Source:

iSignthis Ltd



Copyright (C) 2021 ABN Newswire. All rights reserved.
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Ghislaine Maxwell, the socialite accused of procuring girls for Jeffrey Epsteins teen massage ring, was convicted on five of six charges related to child sex-trafficking on Wednesday.

The Manhattan federal jury delivered the verdict after six days of deliberations. The decision arrived four days after Christmas, which also marks the socialites 60th birthday.

From the 1990s and onward, Maxwells romance, and later her close companionship, with the multimillionaire Epstein made headlines, particularly in the British tabloids which knew her as the youngest daughter of disgraced British media baron Robert Maxwell.

Those ties would be her undoing decades later when Epstein was arrested by the FBI in July 2019 for preying on scores of underage girls.

Flights With Trump, Pregnancy Pics, and Latex Costumes: The Biggest Bombshells From Ghislaines Trial

After Epstein, 66, killed himself in a Manhattan federal lockup while awaiting trial that August, federal prosecutors targeted Maxwell as their next defendant in the money-managers international sex-trafficking operation. While Maxwell has adamantly denied any involvement in Epsteins sexual pyramid schemewhich involved the late financier molesting scores of girls during paid massages at his homes in Florida, New York and beyondshe has been hounded for years by accusers claims that she aided his perverted scheme.

Maxwells arrest last yearat a secret compound in New Hampshire where shed holed up with her much-younger tech CEO husbandmarked another scandalous chapter in the Maxwell family history. After Robert Maxwell mysteriously and fatally tumbled off his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine, his Daily Mirror employees discovered he had pillaged hundreds of millions of dollars from their pension funds. Maxwells sons Ian and Kevinwho were present for closing arguments in Ghislaines trialwere charged in connection to their fathers scheme. Then in their late 30s, the Maxwell brothers were acquitted after an eight-month trial.

Story continues

Maxwell was convicted of five charges: conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts; transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; sex trafficking conspiracy; and child sex trafficking.

The jury found her not guilty of a sixth charge: enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.

Government Exhibit

Hours after the verdict, the Maxwell family released a statement indicating the legal battle wasnt over. We believe firmly in our sisters innocencewe are very disappointed with the verdict, they said. We have already started the appeal tonight and we believe that she will ultimately be vindicated.

While the Maxwells palled around with British high society, prosecutors say Ghislaine Maxwell helped Epstein prey in secret on poor and vulnerable teenagers. Four victims testified against Maxwell over the course of the prosecutions case, which lasted two weeks. Jane, a TV actress, claimed Maxwell and Epstein first recruited her at Michigan's prestigious Interlochen arts summer camp in 1994 when she was 14. The couple abused her, she said, and involved her in group sex with adult women.

Kate, who was 17 and living in England when she met Maxwell in 1994, told jurors that the socialite encouraged her to give Epstein sexualized massages and directed her to wear a schoolgirl uniform during one encounter with the wealthy pervert. Some of the abuse, Kate said, took place at Maxwell's London townhouse.

Carolyn, who was 14 when she met Maxwell in 2001, said the cosmopolitan arranged her massage appointments with Epstein and invited her to the U.S. Virgin Islands. She told Maxwell she couldnt travel because I couldnt get a passport because I was too young and that her mother would never let her go. Carolyn alleged Maxwell groped her and told her she had a great body for Mr. Epstein and his friends.

Annie Farmer, who testified under her full name, detailed how Maxwell and Epstein preyed on her during a weekend trip to New Mexico in 1996. Then 16 and alone with the couple at Epsteins ranch, Farmer was instructed to give Epstein a foot massage. Afterward, Maxwell offered to give Farmer a body massage, during which the socialite unexpectedly groped her breast. She testified that she was fearful, because knew she was very isolated on the remote property, and that she just needed to get through this.

As a 16-year-old, when I experienced abuse at the hands of Epstein and Maxwell, I did not have a framework for understanding what happened to me. I had never heard the word grooming, she added.

After the jury announced its verdict, Farmer wrote in a statement, I am so relieved and grateful that the jury recognized the pattern of predatory behavior that Maxwell engaged in for years. She has caused hurt to many more women than the few of us who had the chance to testify in the courtroom. I hope that this verdict brings solace to all who need it and demonstrates that no one is above the law. Even those with great power and privilege will be held accountable when they sexually abuse and exploit the young.

Annies sister, Maria, who has also accused Epstein and Maxwell of sexual abuse, told The Daily Beast she was proud of the other survivors of Epsteins trafficking ring for coming forward and thanked victims lawyers David Boies, Sigrid McCawley, Brad Edwards and Brittany Henderson for spending years advocating for them. This is one of the greatest victories we have had so far in exposing a vast and powerful pedo ring, Maria said. Im grateful to God and all the good jurors who heard the truth and took the proper action!

Im so proud of the women I could cry! Maria added.

Prosecutors wrapped up the case sooner than expected, calling 24 witnesses in 10 days including two former pilots for Epstein, his ex-butler, FBI analysts, a forensic psychologist and former boyfriends of two victims to support their claims. For its part, the defense called eight witnesses over two days including Epsteins ex-girlfriend and longtime confidante, former Miss Sweden Eva Andersson-Dubin, and false memory expert Elizabeth Loftus, a favorite of prominent defendants including Robert Durst, Harvey Weinstein and O.J. Simpson. Loftus testified that victims' memories can be corrupted or even implanted. Maxwell decided not to testify in her own defense, telling the judge: Your Honor, the government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and so there is no need for me to testify.

At the time of Epsteins arrest and suicide, Maxwell was living far away from the New York social scene as a suburban stepmom and oceans activist in Massachusetts. She had allegedly married her secret husband, tech CEO Scott Borgerson, in 2016 and transferred a majority of her more than $20 million in assets to him three years later. (Borgerson hasnt publicly commented on Maxwells case, nor appeared in court to support her.)

This new life was interrupted in July 2020, when the FBI tracked Maxwell to a luxury getaway in New Hampshire using her cellphone data. While Maxwells team argued she was running from the media, prosecutors suggested she was hiding from authorities and pointed to the feds finding a cell phone wrapped in tin foil in the house which they called a seemingly misguided effort to evade detection.

Government Exhibit

Throughout the trial, Maxwells lawyers tried to paint her as a scapegoat for Epsteins sickening behavior. In a bombshell first line during opening arguments, defense attorney Bobbi Sternheim said: Ever since Eve was tempting Adam with the apple, women have been blamed for the bad behavior of men.

The charges against Ghislaine Maxwell are for things that Jeffrey Epstein did, but she is not Jeffrey Epstein, she is not like Jeffrey Epstein, and she is not like any of the other men, powerful men, moguls, media giants who abuse women, Sternheim added.

The defense suggested Maxwell was so busy managing Epstein's properties in New York, Florida, New Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that she had no idea he was sexually exploiting minors. Epstein, they said, manipulated people and compartmentalized his life, showing only what he wanted to show to the people around him, including Ghislaine.

Maxwells team made much of attacking the credibility of the victims themselves, pointing out their prior drug and alcohol abuse and conflicting statements to investigators, and suggesting their families werent as penniless as they claimed. Counsel centered their defense around the theme of memory, manipulation, and money, suggesting the victims recollections of abuse were contaminated by media reports and greedy civil lawyers looking for a hefty payday. They also highlighted the victims million-dollar settlements with the Epstein Victims Compensation ProgramJane, for example, received $5 million, more than half of which went to attorneys fees and court costssaying that cooperating with the government only enhanced the womens claims with the fund.

Defense lawyers also worked to introduce doubt by naming other adult women in Epsteins world, including alleged co-conspirator Sarah Kellen, and suggesting the financier was dating multiple other people behind Maxwells back.

We are not here to defend Jeffrey Epstein, he is not my client, attorney Laura Menninger said in closing arguments on Monday. The government played you a montage of Epstein's houses, his bank accounts, his artwork, his cars, his planes, his helicopters, his bank accounts, his message pads, just like a sensationalist tabloid would.

Government Exhibit

As we have said from the beginning, Menninger later added, Ghislaine Maxwell is not Jeffrey Epstein. Shes being tried here for being with Jeffrey Epstein. Maybe that was the biggest mistake of her life, but it was not a crime.

But in a fervent rebuttal, assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said, The defense just spent a whole lot of energy trying to get you to think about anyone other than the defendant, trying to get you to look away from the massive amount of evidence

The defense tried to suggest that even if Jeffrey Epstein did engage in sexual contact with Jane, Kate, Carolyn, and Annie, Maxwell didnt know about it, Comey added. She just had no idea that her boyfriend and best friend for more than a decade had a thing for teenage girls. Ladies and gentlemen, that suggestion is borderline laughable.

Of course she knew, the prosecutor said. The defendant ran every aspect of Jeffrey Epsteins life for the better part of a decade.

Comey later underscored the class divide between Maxwell and Epsteins young victims (and even Epsteins household staff), a reality which permeated much of the trial testimony. Maxwell never thought that those teenage girls would have the strength to report what happened to them, Comey said. In her eyes, they were just trash, beneath her.

Still, one of Epsteins most high-profile victims didnt testify, despite her name haunting the proceedings and her teenage photograph being presented to the jury.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre has long accused Maxwell of being Epsteins chief accomplice. Giuffre first identified Maxwell as a procurer of underage girls in a 2009 lawsuit filed after Epsteins controversial plea deal in Florida for soliciting a minor. The complaint, filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe 102, alleged Maxwell recruited her one day at Mar-a-Lago, where the teen worked as a changing room assistant. Giuffre claimed she went to Epsteins Palm Beach mansion later that day and Epstein and Maxwell sexually assaulted her. At the end of this sexually exploitive abuse, [Epstein] and Ms. Maxwell giddily told [her] to return the following day and told her she had lots of potential, the suit alleged.

Giuffre came forward again when two other victims sued the Department of Justice over Epsteins non-prosecution agreement. One way to describe Maxwells role was as the madame. She assumed a position of trust for all the girls, including me, Giuffre said in a 2015 affidavit, in which she was anonymous. She added, It turned out that Maxwell was all about sex all the time. She had sex with underage girls virtually every day when I was around her, and she was very forceful.

A photo of Giuffre and Maxwell with Britains Prince Andrewas the royal grinned and slung his arm around the teens waistrocked the tabloids when it emerged several years ago. The prince has denied any involvement in Epsteins sex trafficking ring, though he spent time palling around with the financier at Epsteins palatial New York townhouse. After the pedophile's arrest, authorities discovered an array of strange art in the lairincluding a painting of Bill Clinton in a blue dressas well as a safe containing loose gems, cash, and a fake passport, as well as photos of nude girls.

Government Exhibit

It was Giuffres 2015 defamation suit against Maxwell that brought to light much of what is known of the Oxford-educated heiresss role in Epsteins world. Secret court filings in that case, which was settled in Giuffres favor two years later, were unsealed before her arrest. The documents exposed accusations that Maxwell sent Giuffre to powerful men to be abused including billionaire Glenn Dubin, Prince Andrew, and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

After Maxwells guilty verdict, Brad Edwards, a lawyer for "Kate" and other Epstein victims, told The Daily Beast, I have been on the phone for hours now with client after client, one more relieved than the other. As the jury clearly believed, Ghislaine Maxwell was the single person who set in motion all of the abuse Jeffrey Epstein inflicted on hundreds of young women.

She is finally where she belongs. It took far too long but truth and justice have prevailed.

Giuffres lawyer David Boies said in a statement, This is a great result. It is a great day for Virginia and for all of Epstein and Maxwells survivors. It is also a great day for justice and the justice system. The jurys verdict vindicates the courage and commitment of all the survivors of Epstein and Maxwell, who against great odds for many years, stood up to bring them to justice. This is their verdict, this is their victory.

Giuffre herself tweeted out, My soul yearned for justice for years and today the jury gave me just that. I will remember this day always.Having lived with the horrors of Maxwells abuse, my heart goes out to the many other girls and young women who suffered at her hands and whose lives she destroyed.

In 2017, Maxwell faced another lawsuit from a victim named Sarah Ransome, who alleges she was 22 in 2006 when Epsteins recruiters targeted her and promised to help her get into New Yorks Fashion Institute of Technology. Ransome claimed Epstein and Maxwell intimidated, threatened, humiliated and verbally abused [her] in order to coerce her into sexual compliance. (Ransomes case was settled one year later.)

After the Miami Herald published its three-part expose into Epsteins lenient plea deal in 2018, the feds began a new investigation into his sex crimes.

Palm Beach police first targeted Epstein in 2005, after the stepmother of a teenage girl contacted them about a 45-year-old man molesting the child. The investigation revealed Epstein was abusing and raping teen girls hed hired to give him massages and also paying girls to bring more victims to his mansion. When the sessions were over, Epstein or his staff would hand the girls hundred-dollar bills.

The probe unearthed sex toys, phone message pads and nude photos of young femalesevidence that surfaced again at Maxwells trial this month. But when state prosecutors failed to pursue serious charges, cops took their case to the FBI and the Miami U.S. Attorneys Office, which drafted a 53-page indictment. Epstein dodged federal charges with the help of his high-powered legal team, which inked the secret non-prosecution agreement that ensured he received a slap on the wrist for abusing dozens of minors. This plea deal also granted immunity to Epsteins alleged co-conspirators: assistants Kellen, Lesley Groff, Nadia Marcinkova and Adriana Ross. The document did not name Maxwell.

Michael Reiter, the retired Palm Beach police chief who handled the Epstein case, noted after Maxwells guilty verdict, In 2005, early in our investigation, the Palm Beach Police Department recognized the importance of stopping Jeffrey Epstein and bringing him to justice. The Department never bent to the power and influence brought to bear against us. Unfortunately, of the many other agencies involved, only the FBI acted in a similar way.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York should be congratulated for having the courage to bring Epstein and now Ghislaine Maxwell to justice, something that should have been done in the Florida case fifteen years ago. The importance of the failure of the Florida case cannot be overstated.

Law school professors should teach this case in legal ethics courses as examples of how not to treat victims of sex crimes and as a forewarning to prosecutors on how they can be influenced to fail in their duties to both victims and the public.

Victims hopes for justice were shattered when Epstein, newly charged in New York, died before he could even face a jury.

In wake of his death, U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Berman held a special hearing to officially close the indictment against Epstein and allow accusers to have their say.

Giuffre was among the procession of women that day to identify Maxwell as an accomplice and urge federal prosecutors to finish what they started.

I am a victim of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in the dark and cruel and criminal acts they committed against me and hundreds of other girls and young women for years and years and years, unstopped, Giuffre testified.

Jeffrey Epstein will not have his day in court, but the reckoning of accountability has begun, supported by the voices of these brave and beautiful women in this courtroom today, she continued. The reckoning must not end.

"He did not act alone and we, the victims, know that.

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Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi : MBA Admissions 2022 https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/banaras-hindu-university-mba-admission.htm Details of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi : MBA Admissions 2022 2021-11-21 2022-1-4 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi : MBA Admissions 2022 Management

Admission Notice - Banaras Hindu University: MBA Admission

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi : MBA Admissions 2022 Category : Management Admissions 2022 Published : On November 21, 2021 By Webindia123 Editor

Important Dates

Online Admission Application Submission open from 1st October 2021 - 4th January 2022

Institute of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University invites applications for admission to the following two-year Post-Graduate Management courses in Business Administration for the Academic Session 2022-24.

Admission to MBA and MBA IB programs is made through CAT of Indian Institute of Management. Candidates interested to apply for MBA and MBA IB programs of the Institute for session 2022-24 are required to appear in CAT 2021.

Candidates are also required to apply separately for Institute of Management Studies, BHU.

Our Institute uses CAT Score for short-listing/selecting the candidates for our MBA and MBA IB programs. IIMs have no role either in the selection process or in the conduct of the programme.

Please visit CAT 2021 website for details of CAT (URL: www.iimcat.ac.in)

Programmes offered

Master of Business Administration

Master of Business Administration-International Business

Eligibility

Candidates should have a bachelor degree under 10+2+3 pattern/ a degree in Agriculture, Technology, Medicine, Education or law/ a post graduate degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate from any University/Institution recognized by AIU/AICTE. For SC/ST candidates, 45% marks is required. (Candidates should also fulfill the minimum eligibility requirements for appearing in CAT 2021).

Candidates appearing in the final year of the qualifying examination can also apply provided they furnish a certificate from the Head of the Institution where he/she is pursuing the course of study, to the effect that he/she has appeared or will be appearing in the qualifying examination to be concluded on or before June 30 of the year of admission.

Admission Procedure

Step 1:

Candidates seeking admission to the Institute of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University (IM-BHU) are required to appear in CAT 2021 conducted by IIMs. For details, please visit CAT 2021 website - www.iimcat.ac.in. Selection will be made strictly on the basis of the Combined Merit acquired by a Candidate in CAT 2021, Academic Record, Group Discussion & Interview.

The Institute uses CAT score for short-listing the candidates for its two-year full time Post Graduate Programs in Management. IIMs have no role either in the selection process or in the conduct of the program.

Step 2:

Candidates are also required to apply separately for MBA/MBA IB programs of the Institute through University Admission Portal (www.bhuonline.in) for which the online application process is open from 1st October 2021 to 11:59:59 PM on 4th, January 2022.

Application fee is Rs. 2000/- (Rs. 1000/- for SC/ST candidates) to be remitted through online.

More Details can be available from the institute website.

Contact Details Address : The Dean,

Institute of Management Studies,

Banaras Hindu University,

Varanasi - 221005 (UP) Phone : 0542 6701409 Fax : 0542 2369332 Mobile : E-mail : Contact I Website : www.bhu.ac.in/fms/

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LA CROSSE  In recent weeks, a series of threats against Coulee Region schools materialized, leading one to close for a day and others to increase police presence on the premises. Thankfully, no acts of violence have followed  but after the shooting at a Michigan school three weeks ago, mental health experts are on high alert.

The 15-year-old assailant in the Michigan attack, which left four dead, carried out the shooting using a gun gifted to him by his parents, which authorities stated was not securely stored. His parents are also facing charges.

If the gun had been locked up, rather than loose in a drawer, as reported, maybe the shooting wouldnt have happened, says Dr. Emily Rae, psychiatrist and behavioral health specialist at Gundersen Health System.

While gun control is a frequently publicized, hot-button topic, far less emphasis is put on proper storage and handling.

Maybe we dont agree on gun control laws or what kind of guns we should have, but we all seem to agree on gun safety and keeping our kids safe, Rae says.

Rae works with teens struggling with mental and behavioral health, the majority with suicidal ideations or tendencies, and a routine discussion with parents revolves around secure storage of firearms. A suicide attempt by gun, Rae says, is far more likely to be lethal than other forms. Suicides among youth and teens overall are on the rise, and guns suicides are also increasingly common. From 2007 to 2018, suicides among those age 10 to 24 increased by 57%, and from 2008 to 2018 gun suicides in the 15 to 24 age group rose by 50%.

We really know that a home without a gun is the safest, says Rae. But lets face it, people enjoy their guns ... so theyre going to be in the home. But there are ways (to own) them safely.

Guns in the home should be unloaded, with ammunition and the gun itself locked up separately. Youth may know where keys to a gun safe are stored, and a combination lock with a random code  not a birthdate or other easily guessed sequence  is safer. Locks which go directly on the gun can also be affixed prior to storing and locking it.

Parents might hide the gun, but most kids know where the gun is hidden, Rae says. Adults should always be in charge of the firearm, even if the child has had hunter safety or other gun handling courses.

Rae also emphasizes that not having a gun in the home doesnt mean there is no access.

Its important to remember the majority of the gun suicides and in youth (involve a) gun from home or from a relatives home. Kids shouldnt be able to buy guns themselves, so theyre finding somebody elses gun that they know, Rae says.

Greg Head, therapist at Gundersen and part of the behavioral health team, advises keeping guns stored at a gun range or locked at the home of a friend or relative where no minors live. Head also says parents should inquire about guns in the house before letting their child visit a friend.

Over a third of all unintentional accidental shootings of children that occur in the United States happen in a friends home or a neighbors home or another relatives home, Head says. So we would recommend that if your child is going to someone elses house, you inquire (just as you would) ask about food allergies or other sort of issues of safety.

The inquiry doesnt need to be confrontational, and if parents feel awkward broaching it they could put it on (themselves): Im a worrywart. Theres just been so much in the news. Most responsible parents and gun owners will understand the idea that it is better to be safe than sorry, and that it only takes one time for a childs life to be lost, Head says.

Keeping an eye on mental health, warning signs

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Childrens Hospital Association in October declared youth mental health a national emergency, and Head says the psychological effects of the pandemic are evident on the population he works with.

COVID-19, the way our world has been over the last two years, has really changed a lot of things, Head says. The experts that I work with, we are seeing things that we have never seen in our careers before. We are seeing things that even in the research literature shouldnt be happening. I think thats one of the factors that people need to take into consideration  COVID may have affected these children, the children in your community and in your childs school in ways that you cant imagine. So its best to take every precaution.

Physical isolation during the pandemic, Head says, seems to be one of the underlying causes of psychological distress in teens.

Both suicide and threats, whether made to attract attention or with actual intent to act, are often impulsive decisions. The teenage brain, Rae notes, is not fully developed, and one bad day can spark an undoable action.

Says Head, The adolescent brain, the prefrontal cortex, does not fully develop until sometime between 21 and 25. (At that age) we really learn to identify true risk versus benefit. And so your child will think differently at 25 than they do now.

Parents need to actively check in with their children and recognize possible signs of mental distress, such as irritability, altered mood and behaviors, slipping grades or even giving away their personal effects.

The key is looking for a change from from a pattern. And then instead of just brushing it off, asking yourself, Well, what else could be going on there? Rae says. Most kids out there that are suffering, they do want help. They act out and put out signs, like leave me alone, but they actually do want help from their parents and the adults around them.

Being bullied could increase the chance of suicidal tendencies, or the issuance of threats or acts of violence, and Head says bullying needs to be taken more seriously, especially by schools.

Every day we work with individuals who identify themselves as being bullied. Despite the fact that there are laws in the state protecting students from that, we still often hear the same thing: that schools are telling the students to just ignore them, to just walk away, dont stand around and dont be around them. And thats not enough, Head says. The schools are mandated to proactively protect the children, and now considering how many guns are on the streets and how much chaos is going on across our country because of societal influence  I think thats a real risk. These kids should not be told to just ignore this. They should not be ignored.

Looking at the recent sequence of threats in school threats in the area as a trend could be dangerous, Head says. Dismissing any threat could be detrimental, and Rae says if any sort of threat is made, whether written, verbal or in other form, parents should have their child assessed by a primary care or mental health provider. A recent nationwide viral TikTok challenge to threaten school violence on Dec. 17 didnt materialize into any actual shootings, but led to several arrests. Schools in the Coulee Region did not close, but some issued messages to families and stated there would be enhanced police presence on school grounds. If a threat is traced back to an individual, consequences can range from expulsion to criminal charges. A 17-year-old Central High School student is currently facing charges following an emailed threat.

Mental health conditions could factor into the making of threats or carrying out of violence, and Rae cautions not all are diagnosed or obvious. People may assume This person is mentally healthy. Theyre no risk at all, just because we dont know lot of the times what people are dealing with.

Head urges parents to talk to their children about the seriousness of threats and the dangers of guns. At Gundersens inpatient psychiatric unit, it is a daily discussion with families.

Most of us go through life just assuming those things wont happen. And unfortunately, what we are asking people to do is to change that and assume the worst. Assume that you may not always know whats going on with your child because that could be a fact. Assume that their friends and media are very influential because thats a fact. And so it is better to take every precaution and and not need it, then not to take precautions and regret it later, Head says.

We tend to think if we bury our heads in the sand, the best will happen or it wont happen to us. Be proactive. It wont increase the risk. We know that a responsible conversation with your children about gun safety will decrease the risk of an unintentional shooting.

Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net.

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Some of you may have noticed quite a few articles popping up here and there about the possibility of China going to war with multiple nations, most notably the USA and Taiwan. There are many reasons why China would be willing to go to war, and many possible outcomes, some of which I will touch on in this article.

As many know, China has considered Taiwan to be a part of its nation and not an independent nation (and therefore under its control) since Taiwan first came into being. This, of course, is something Taiwan vehemently disagrees with. Taiwan is, and considers itself to be, an independent democratic nation.

This begs the question of whether under the leadership of Xi Jinping China will try to limit the conflict to Taiwan and its surrounding waters, or will they embark on a conflict involving other nations as well, such as the USA, Japan,etc.? That remains to be seen.

Location, location

The attempted conquest of Taiwan offers a second consideration: its geographic location. If China had Taiwan in its possession, its rapidly expanding fleet would have a much greater ability to project its power and threaten Japan, the US and other nations.

Therefore, there are plenty of reasons for the CCP to attempt to conquer Taiwan. Additionally, the US and China are gearing to clash in the realm of finances, and perhaps the physical realm too. This war could have massive, far-reaching and far-ranging effects on the economies of both countries. It could also have major ramifications on the future of the global economic order.

China produces what comes to about 80% of the drugs consumed by the USA and Europe, leaving the USA and Europe quite vulnerable to a sworn enemy. Quite frankly, the results of this issue alone would be absolutely devastating, because so many people in both these regions are on medications to either stay alive or stay sane. This would have wide-ranging ramifications in and of itself.

Debt

Another worrying fact is that the US is in tremendous amounts of debt. A good chunk of it is owed one way or another to China. If China decides it wishes to regain some of the wealth it has yet to regain from the USA, it could very well decide it will physically invade the USA.

If the USA defaults on their dollar and China has a financial implosion, while it isnt a direct physical war, it will instantly become one for the following reasons.

China has only a 5 day oil supply, and the sinking of the tankers coming to deliver oil to China would totally paralyse China and make it defenseless, so China would feel forced to react instantly; about 60% of Chinas internal commercial bonds are backed by US T-Bills and if those T-Bills lose all value, that would destroy about 60% of the loans in China, as well as tank the GDP of China; a default of the US dollar would also destroy the largest customers of Chinese goods: the USA, the British pound and economy would crash, and the European Union and the Euro would crash. I think we can all figure out what that means for the world: another Great Depression.

Market implications

China itself is losing many companies listed on the stock exchange to collapse. This could very well have huge marked implications, and drive it to attempt to regain some of its lost wealth in other ways.

Turning back to Taiwan, many analysts believe China would only seek to attack only Taiwan during an effort to seize the island. This makes the assumption that China believes it could successfully deter the USA and Japan from coming to Taiwans aid. Deterrence cant be ensured, so China will likely have to assume that both the USA and Japan will act to prevent the conquest of Taiwan.

Taiwans value

Taiwan has tremendous value in the international community. If Taiwan suffers militarily the whole world will feel the impact. Also, the USAs ginormous loss of face in Afghanistan and the perception that President Joe Bidens decision-making abilities are in serious doubt could lead to China deciding to make a move sooner rather than later. If so, it should come as no surprise if China conducts an aggressive surprise first strike, hitting Taiwan, Japan, and the USA simultaneously.

Consequently, I think it is safe to say that there is a strong possibility that China, Taiwan and others could be going to war in the not-so-distant future, with terrible possible consequences. Hopefully not, but with the way things are, I believe its a strong possibility and should prepare ourselves for the consequences.
Editors note: Alain Zedrick Camiling is an educator, arts writer, and curator based in Manila, Philippines. His background is in art education and curatorial studies and his ongoing research scrutinizes knowledge production, circulation, and practice vis-a-vis arts management in the Philippines.

For the purposes of transparency, the author declares his involvement in some of the projects mentioned below such as being deputy curator and art manager for Alimuom Contemporary Exhibition, being artistic director and curator for The ManilaBang Show: Art Fest International 2021, being co-proponent with Dindin Araneta on British Council Philippines Arts and Culture Philanthropy Research, and being the current Chair of the Arts Management Program at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Manila.

When struck by a question on what the best part of the Philippine visual arts ecosystem for the past year was, what answers must we expect?

As the arts ecosystem is still adjusting through the pandemic just like other industries, I look back on the year that was, including noteworthy activities, events, and initiatives across the visual arts sector in the Philippines propelled by myriad collaborative gestures among diverse entities, individuals, groups, and organizations. In addition, insights from art historian, professor, and UP Vargas Museum curator Dr. Patrick Flores as well as National Committee on Visual Arts (NCVA) Head and Art Fair Philippines co-founder Geraldine Dindin de Borja-Araneta are included, specifically their reflections and things they look forward to in the visual arts sector in 2022.

I was struck by the network of communities and initiatives that was horizontally coordinated but with the depth and density of organic intuition, Flores shares on anything specific he has in mind that are commendable or noteworthy for the past year. He mentions that this is a good sign as he observes surfacing of the archive, residency, solidarity as vital intersections eluding the capture of institutionalized assimilation or ideological partisanship, both of which oftentimes turn art into an instrument or integer. He eventually expounds that these intersections are local but extensively inclined outwards, laterally, adjacently, tangentially. Also, we found out that projects may be conceived as part of an iterative stamina, incremental, scalar, multi-site, and therefore always decisively alert and open to afterlives or incarnations, without the spectacle of self-importance and righteousness.

In February, the National Arts Month Project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts transitioned fully online. The project aimed to conserve, promote and popularize Filipino artistic creations; integrate the arts in the community life; and harness the arts as catalysts for values education. To name a few, they mounted webinars, workshops, exhibitions, a film festival highlighting works by and for women as well as the LGBTQPIA+ community and presented Bagong Biswal by the NCVA to find a new visual language brought about by circumstances'' that local artists find themselves in during the pandemic.

Similarly, the Cultural Center of the Philippines held Tuloy Po Kayo, a week-long multi-arts festival that included an art fair/market component and virtual tours and exhibitions with several museums, galleries, and venues as partners.

A screenshot of Metaverse homepage.

Unfortunately, the year also tallied many of the visual arts sectors losses from the passing of visual artists like Professors Jack Pilar, Leo Abaya, Joey Tanedo, Neil Doloricon, and National Artist Arturo Luz, among many others.

However, 2021 has remained filled with interesting activities and projects. We were ushered into the Metaverse by Art Fair Philippines and opened discourses on nun-fungible tokens (NFTs) apart from focusing on digital art, introducing new programs and competitions, offering residencies, mounting special exhibitions, and facilitating tours, among many others, last May 2021.

The emergence of new art fairs at the latter part of the year, from various localities, has been evident and mostly recognized as those which attempt to veer away from traditional commercial approach through expanded programming and social responsibility.

Some of these recently established and new art fairs include regional and national initiatives like the 3rd Mindanao Art Fair (Oct. 1 to 31) having both virtual and physical components, Tarlac Art Fair (Oct. 1 to Nov. 13), ManilArt: The National Art Fair (Oct. 20 to 24), Visayas Art Fair (Nov. 25 to 28), Alimuom Contemporary Exhibition at the Ibagiw Festival, Baguio City (opened on Nov. 13), the 2nd iteration of Alt Philippines (Dec. 4 to 8, 2021), Fotomoto PH (opened on Nov. 20), and the recent The ManilaBang Show: Art Fest International 2021 (Dec. 8 to 12).

The crisis laid bare an overinvestment in an art system tied to high-maintenance infrastructure, and a supply chain dependent on First World expectations, shares Flores as he explicates his reflections, perhaps realizations on the past year. We now realize it to be an unwieldy hardware that requires a largely mechanical software, one not honed by workers who nimbly refunction procedures in the very act of running operations, or making a particular bureaucracy proceed while thinking through it with practical intelligence. Surely, there are improvisations and calibrations here and there, though well within the apparatus. That said, the field was able to strongly position itself to meet the challenges, at times by insisting on business as usual but at others by recovering intimate, if not counter-intuitive, resources and redistributing them across other recoveries. It was an alternation between liquidity and fluidity. The latter was inspiring, as it indexed an internal dynamism not exclusively indebted to, though also not totally unhinged from, dominant formations.

As he refers to the art world as a lush rainforest having many subjective species, he hopes we dont conveniently turn it into a terrarium. The discourse, the writing and the thinking, the excitement, the self-management, the conviviality were all there, he adds.

The first year of the pandemic was one of adjustment. Artists were thinking of how to pivot, for the lack of a better term, shares Araneta. She notes of a few notable initiatives in the visual arts sector for the past year, which are also keen on safety considerations in line with the pandemic. Araneta refers to these as natural transitions, perhaps progressions of things like the shift of face-to-face activities to online modality.

The current pandemic has also propelled everyone to rethink, perhaps reconfigure art residencies. Aside from ongoing residencies offered by Art Fair Philippines in Orange Project Art Residency in Bacolod, Manila Observatory, Linangan Art Residency in Cavite, Emerging Islands in La Union, and Butanding Barrio in Palawan, Load Na Dito Projects, led by Mark Salvatus and Mayumi Hirano, mounted Pasa Load Residency (September 2020 to April 2021) where an invited artist takes over their Instagram account as a residency platform to connect with publics as well as studio visits through dialogues with artists and professionals from all over the world, among many others. Additionally, Anakbanwa Arts Residency Project (November 2021 to January 2022) hosted three Luzon-based artists to immerse themselves in the 4th district of Pangasinan as well as its communities.

A poster for Load Na Dito Projects' Pasa Load residency. Photo courtesy of LOAD NA DITO PROJECTS

In terms of initiatives led by visual artists, collectives, and practitioners some notable ones include Prof. Toym Imaos works which stem from ideas of remembrance and memory including an installation art at the University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital called Whispering Flower Beds, which targeted to honor our frontliners in this pandemic and Barikada which marked the 50th year of Diliman Commune, Tarantadong Kalbos #Tumindig Campaign which gathered a huge support from the online communities, Limbag Kamay Contemporary Print Fair (October 2021) which some of the proceeds are to be used for a prototype batch of etching presses for the Association of Pinoyprintmakers (AP) who are also one of the organizers, Concerned Artists of the Philippines initiatives to lobby for a nationalist and people-oriented art and culture, online zine FREE-Lances on the plight of freelance arts practitioners across parts of the world during the pandemic led by curators Con Cabrera, Renan Laru-an, and J Pacena II, and community-led projects at Project Space Pilipinas in Lucban, Quezon led by Leslie de Chavez, and the Visayas-wide biennale which started in 1990, the Visayas Islands Visual Arts Exhibition and Conference (VIVA- EXCON) led by Dr. Patrick Flores in its 2021 iteration, among others.

The digital interface was crucial in making this possible, but more basically I think its the enthusiasm of agents forming assemblies, and assemblies reaching out to one another with mutual care and introspection, that enlivened the digital sphere, adds Flores when asked about his thoughts on collaborative gestures, specifically online, including their possibilities and ability to sustain activities in the ecosystem.

This effectively fought the fatigue, ennui, and the angst of the pandemic, not to mention its depletion of material life and exhaustion of emotional spirit. The coming together of the digital and the inter-human stirs up the energy to imagine a different natural history of the artistic ecology: that there are different lifeworlds out there: real life,cyberspace, quarantine, bubble, and so on.

Moreover, in the context of cultural institutions, the academe, and research grants, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Manila, Philippine Womens University, and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M), among many others, have hosted various online dialogues particularly on contemporary art, art and communities, cultural policy, research, among many others. These attempts by academic institutions are quite commendable to veer away from the ivory tower.

Also, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) Manila hosted a drive-in theater Watch & Chill (October  December 2021) for video work screenings in a carpark curated collaboratively with museums in Seoul and Chiang Mai and a district in Hong Kong SAR. Furthermore, the British Council Philippines has supported various initiatives like arts and culture philanthropy in the Philippines report led by Dindin Araneta and its Connections Through Culture Programme, which includes a research project during the crisis of reunion by Sultan Kudarat-based curator Renan Laru-an with United Kingdom artists and collaborators who worked on Mindanao-specific subjects both to be launched in 2022.

Filipinos have also been in the global limelight engaging in some of the art worlds biggest activities, platforms, and institutions like the recent acquisition of Pio Abads and Frances Wadsworth Jones The Collection of Jane Ryan and William Saunders, which utilizes jewelry as medium to tell a story of martial law corruption during late dictator and kleptocrat Ferdinand Marcos regime, by the Tate Gallery London, Tessa Maria Guazons participation as part of the Asian Art Biennals curatorial team, Yael Buencamino Borromeos and Arvin Jason Flores participation as curators for the Philippine Pavilion and Dr. Patrick Flores appointment as curator of the Taiwan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2022, and National Artist Kidlat Tahimiks Marilyn, Mickey & Fr. Damaso. 500 Years of Conquistador Rockstars, where he exhibited materials explicating impact of imperialism on local cultures at the Palacio De Cristal in Madrid, Spain.

Additionally, awards and recognition bodies have continued on their traditions such as the Ateneo Art Awards Fernando Zobel Prizes for Visual Art and the Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism, Metrobank Foundations Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) 2021, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Thirteen Artists Awards (TAA) 2021, among others.

While people are still being cautious and anxious about the pandemic, there seems to be a strong desire for artists to show their art on-site, says Araneta on how she envisions the coming year for the visual arts sector  that people, both artists and art goers, seem to be so eager in experiencing art on-site. Within a span of a month in late 2021, weve seen more than 300 artists in recent events like Fotomoto PH, Alt Philippines, and The ManilaBang Show. Art goers and collectors seemed to have enjoyed these face-to-face events while considering safety as paramount.

Flores wraps up our email interview by sharing what hes hopeful for in 2022, Id like to see practitioners further learning together and across persuasions to remake an ecology imperiled by potentially extractive interests like the market and ideology. The latter should be released from their impulses, or obsessions, so that more productive exchange and political work can happen. Also, the language of critique must find delicate tone, urgent texture, and hopeful style so that it doesnt descend into the idle commentary on power, which is too complex to be left in the hands of intrigants and cynics who posture as critics of institutions in the manner of evangelists. As a corollary, we must be wary of operatives, entrepreneurs of traditional (cultural) politics who preach democracy but actually monopolize. Needless to say, we can revisit critique as the privileged language of analysis.

Finally, practitioners should predispose forces to be less acquisitive and instead be more generative, to diminish both profit and prophesy in the face of vulnerabilities and complicities. The universe of Philippine contemporary art is vast, both archipelagic and migrant. It may seem dispersed, but the pandemic has revealed how nodes can be rendered proximate to each other without necessarily making them align.

Above all, 2021 is a year that remains spirited despite the many constraints that the visual arts ecosystem resists. This was evident through a rise in the number of celebrated art fairs, a constant test on models and platforms for artistic and creative experiences, engagement, and participation, numerous attempts to propel and continue conversations in/about the field, distinctive regional initiatives, strong digital intervention, and participation of Filipinos in notable activities in the global visual art scene. I reflect on how sustainability and evaluation become of utmost necessity to pave way for more of these in the coming year.

Conceivably, what remains crucial behind these projects is a question I would like to constantly ponder on in my practice and something I want to offer to all artists, practitioners, and professionals in the visual arts ecosystem  why are we doing these and who are we doing these for?
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 28)  Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. hopes local government units (LGUs) can address the accessibility of COVID-19 vaccination sites to have get more people to be vaccinated.

Galvez on Tuesday told CNN Philippines' Politics As Usual that LGUs have ramped up their efforts - like entertaining walk-ins and doing house-to-house activities - to encourage or vaccination and administer more doses.

Galvez said these efforts, in a way, addressed vaccine hesitancy especially in rural areas.

"This (accessibility) still remains a challenge," he added.

Based on their data, Galvez said there are about 2.5 million senior citizens and 40 million other Filipinos who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

He added that the recent national vaccination drive was also a success, where over 10 million people received their coronavirus shots.

For the first quarter of 2022, Galvez said they are targeting to fully vaccinate 77 million Filipinos and get 19 million people to receive booster shots.

Also a target in the first three months of 2022 is starting the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 - a move that will promote the reopening of face-to-face classes in schools and universities.

The country has so far received over 205 million COVID-19 vaccine doses since the national vaccination program started in March this year. Over 106 million shots have already been administered, according to Galvez.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  There is still much to learn about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but a health expert and an economic adviser are split on whether home quarantine would be an effective way to control local transmission, after it was found in at least four people in the country.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion told CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday that the government could first look into whether more Filipinos would simply resort to home quarantine when another COVID-19 surge occurs.

"Let us determine first if even if we have reached 1,000-level on a daily basis, lets find out, are these people running to the hospitals?" Concepcion said. "Because if they are just getting well at home, this could eventually just turn into a flu, so you will have more cases, but they may be mild."

"If these people will be going to the hospitals which means our vaccines are not working, then that's when we should worry," he added.

However, health reform advocate Tony Leachon expressed a different sentiment in an interview. To him, resorting to home management of COVID-19 cases does not discount the fact that the economy will still be affected once infections are not properly monitored.

He added that even if Omicron is said to be "less ferocious," it is still more transmissible than the Delta variant.

"Hindi ka nga maoospital at pwede kang home management eh 'pag positive ka naman hindi ka makakapasok. Therefore, 'pag nagpositive ka it will also hurt the economy," Leachon noted.

[Translation: Even if you will not be taken to the hospital and you can simply resort to home management, once you test positive, you will not be allowed to get to your workplace. Therefore, if you test positive, it will also hurt the economy.]

Leachon and Concepcion both agreed that the government should fast-track the inoculation of boosters especially in areas with low inoculation rates, but Leachon noted that COVID-19 testing should also be increased to easily detect cases.

"We must do 100,000 tests per day...aside from 100,000 tests per day magboosters tayo. Doon sa findings, kailangan ang panlaban natin sa Omicron is the booster (let's get the boosters. Based on findings, we really have to fight Omicron with booster doses)," Leachon said.

The World Health Organization has said it is not yet clear whether Omicron is more contagious or if it causes more severe effects than other variants of concern. But preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron.

The Philippines is imposing travel restrictions on eight nations to delay the entry of more Omicron cases.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPI) is holding off its call for private health facilities to stop accepting claims from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

"After our meeting, and hearing requests from concerned patients and citizens, PHAPI decided to temporarily hold implementation of the PhilHealth holiday," Dr. Jose de Grano, president of PHAPI, said in a text message.

The group earlier said the protest, initially scheduled from Jan. 1 to 5, 2022, was planned to show support to hospitals that have decided to cut ties with the insurer due to its failure to pay claims.

Private hospitals have long complained about the mounting unpaid claims of the agency, which they said affected their operations amid the pandemic.

The government-run health insurer admitted delays in its payments, but said it is working to improve its processes, especially for COVID-19 claims.

CNN Philippines correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.
(CNN)  A jury in a New York federal court has found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty on five of six counts related to her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of minor girls between 1994 and 2004.

Maxwell, 60, was found guilty of five federal charges: sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and three related counts of conspiracy.

She was acquitted on the charge of enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.

Maxwell faces up to 65 years in prison.

"The road to justice has been far too long. But, today, justice has been done," US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. "I want to commend the bravery of the girls  now grown women  who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom. Their courage and willingness to face their abuser made this case, and today's result, possible."

The jury, which was made up of six women and six men deliberated for about 40 hours, across parts of six days.

The jury's decision represents a concluding chapter in a disturbing saga of abuse that stretches nearly three decades.

Prosecutors argued Maxwell and Epstein conspired to set up a scheme to lure young girls into sexual relationships with Epstein from 1994 to 2004 in New York, Florida, New Mexico and the US Virgin Islands. Four women testified during the trial that Epstein abused them and that Maxwell facilitated the abuse and sometimes participated in it as well.

Her defense, meanwhile, said she was a "scapegoat" for Epstein's actions and attacked the memories and motivations of the women who say they were sexually abused.

The trial, which began November 29, alternated between disturbing testimony from sexual abuse victims and illuminating testimony about some of Epstein's connections to high-profile figures such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew. None are alleged to have committed wrongdoing in relation to the ongoing trial.

Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution charges, was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019 but died by suicide in prison a month later. Maxwell, his confidante and former girlfriend, was arrested a year afterward and has been held in jail since.

The trial took place in federal court in Manhattan, which prohibits the use of cameras.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  The Philippines total outstanding loans shrank in November compared to the month prior, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Treasury reported the national debt stock stood at 11.93 trillion by the end of the month. This represents a 0.3% decline from October, with authorities paying out securities and foreign debts getting cheaper due to the pesos strong performance.

On an annual basis, the countrys overall debt grew by 17.7% from 10.13 trillion.

Locally sourced loans  which made up 70.7% of total borrowings  reached 8.44 trillion in November compared to Octobers 8.46 trillion.

Foreign debt, meanwhile, amounted to 3.49 trillion during the month  also easing from 3.5 trillion in October.

The lower external debt for the month was attributed to PHP appreciation against the USD and other foreign currencies adjustments amounting to 11.64 billion and 4.05 billion respectively. This more than offset the net availment of external obligations amounting to 2.90 billion, said the bureau.

The states total guaranteed obligations decreased by P8.62 billion or 2% month-on-month to 417.84 billion in November. This was due to the payment of domestic and external guarantees worth 4.94 billion and 3.94 billion respectively.

Local currency appreciation also trimmed 0.77 billion to offset the 0.58 billion effect of net appreciation on third-currency denominated guarantees against the US dollar, added the Treasury.

RCBC chief economist Michael Ricafort noted additional measures to further re-open the economy through the alert level system could have contributed to the lower debt stock for the month, as these are less costly for the government than lockdonws.

Further re-opening of the economy would help increase economic/business activities that help increase tax revenue collection and also help reduced government spending on various COVID programs, thereby narrowing the budget deficit and, in turn, reduced the need for more borrowings/debt, he said in a note.
Editors note: This is second in a series of features on our selections of our Best Books of 2021.

The term orality speaks so much of Mia Tijams stories in Flowers for Thursday, her first collection of short stories. Small, even pocketable, the book gathers stories as far back as 2006, back when local speculative fiction was gaining ground courtesy of Dean Francis Alfars Philippine Speculative Fiction volumes. It is in those early volumes where Tijams stories showcased their might. Waiting for Agua De Mayo was first published in 2006 in Philippine Speculative Fiction Volume 2 and in the subsequent volume, Tijams much lauded The Ascension of Lady Boy'' made its first appearance. As Tijam mentions, Lady Boy  a story about a trans woman who inherited her iyays aswang powers  had many achievements. It was published online on Expanded Horizons (which has published fiction by Silvia Moreno-Garica, Aliette de Bodard, and Joe Haldeman); and given an honorable mention in 2008 Years Best Fantasy and Horror, edited by Elen Datlow, Kelly Link, and David Grant.

When I first read The Ascension of Lady Boy in 2006 I thought it was a hoot and was glad to see my femme self in the world of speculative fiction. Imagine reading Mabuhay! My name is Lady Boy and Im from Los Angeles, Iriga Cityyyyyy! in a genre of fiction thats mostly inhabited by gods, monsters, and warriors. I felt seen as a baklita who took after Maximo Oliveros over Spider-Man. And it was a hoot to find that a prestigious fantasy and horror fiction anthology would name the story as in their Honorable Mentions list when it is so specific in our culture: how it namechecks Ate Luds, Melanie Marquez, and Cristy Fermin; the oft-used Sirena po! joke involving a macho fathers wrath and a batang bakla; and more interestingly, the storys use of baklese (Charot!). But Lady Boy isnt just katatawanan or kabaklaan. Reading it now, Lady Boys sadness is obvious, how she hides under layers of humor to hide the hurt from trauma and many years of rejection. After a tumultuous life in Manila, Lady Boy comes back to Iriga and not much has changed. Her dad still shuns her and her mother is still a denial queen. Much like many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, Lady Boy continues to live her life as happily as we could, but still with that monster of a trauma hiding underneath our beds, ready to ensnare us anytime.

Like in Lady Boy, there is a tributary of trauma that runs in Tijams stories. The opening salvo Remembering Thursday is a dark rendering of a folklore thats as violent as it is terrifying. Waiting for Agua De Mayo, may be about a bakunawa, but its story rolls on with a wave of despair, the sheen of innocence and magic furiously destroyed by the pain of living. Wishes Do Come True is most explicit in its woundedness; a story filled with hope swallowed whole by piercing darkness.

In H. Francisco V. Penones Jr.s introduction to the book, he uses the term native imagination to describe the strain of magic embedded in Tijams stories. Iriga after all, as the award-winning poet points out, is a pre-colonial settlement and the center of the cult of aswang. Tijams ability to tap into the infinite imagination of her heritage and mesh that with the wounds of modern life speaks so much of the powers of her writing  it has been called exceedingly beautiful by Shirley Jackson Award and World Fantasy Award winning-writer Jeffrey Ford.

Here, Tijam gives a rare interview and talks about decolonizing speculative fiction, chismis as folklore, and negotiating with languages when you move around the country that has close to over 200 of them.

When did you start writing and when did you start devoting it to fiction?

I guess formal training or being introduced to writing came with the academics, the extra curricular activities because I remember the first essay writing I had was in Grade 5. It was one of those school competitions sa Division, I think it was a DOST competition. That was the sustaining activity.

By high school it was the Division secondary schools press conference. Thats really good training for a lot of people, especially for kids in the provinces. Now its good that we have workshops and it has gone online. And a lot of school programs integrate that, campus journalism, but imagine that theres no reading exposure in elementary and high school on how to write a short story. Right? How to write a poem. Noon essay pa lang eh ngayon creative non-fiction na, o di mas naloka mga tao diba? (Laughs)

Writing in a sense that getting into it as a daily practice was actually journaling. Kasi before the prompt in journaling, hindi lang diary what I was into. Remember Filofax? Diba may daily yan, I would jot down stuff the weirdest things, the most interesting things for the day, ganon yung i-list ko. And then I think journaling came because it was part of writing classes.

Getting into short fiction because my interest before was poetry. I was writing poetry. This is pretty crystal clear we were required to take short fiction or essay. Hirap na hirap ako sa short fiction kasi I came from poetry na maikli, exact, diba? And then yung short fiction it was actually Emil Flores.. Mr. Sci Fi, and he was the one who helped me transition, he introduced me to flash fiction poetry... So madali lang and then the writing exercises Many people have different perspectives on what is a short fiction form but for us  at least with me when I was trained  minimum 10, maximum 25 pages. So kapag hindi ka nag 10 pages sorry hindi ka marunong magsulat, ganon lang yun kasimple. (Laughs) A lot of my contemporaries, Carljoe Javier, Selena Salang, our one big problem was how to elongate it to reach the 10 pages. And then eventually you develop, so it was that.

[Writing] was also part of therapy. With some therapy programs, when you have a hard time talking about your concerns, what psychologists or psychiatrists or counselors do is to encourage you to write it down. Then they could process and until eventually, [its like] having a silent voice until you can tell your story or your narrative with your own voice. So this is pertaining to mental health, during a time when talking about mental health was still a social taboo. If you talk about depression, krung krung ka eh. They think youre crazy. Or may time pa noon na kapag may mental health issues ka, sakit pangmayaman daw yan.

Looking at the stories in Flowers for Thursday, it seems that you kind of took your time until you collected your stories in one book. Why did it take you until now to publish your first short story collection?

(Laughs) I never aspired for a book. Thats one. Finishing one story takes time. Especially if youre balancing work and family life. [Theres also] the demands of work, of social life, of your relationship.

Two, is that sometimes kasi it was a matter of confidence. Theres a conflicting feeling. You look at the bookshelves and sometimes you would say, Oh my god ang daming may libro! Right? Sometimes you look at yourself and ask Do I have a right? May K ba ako makisali dyan? (Laughs) Do I want to go through the pressure of everything involved when it comes to putting a book out? The conversations with friends like in the spine of the book, do you want to put your spine out there (Laughs) for feedback and criticism, to be that exposed? Because thats what it means to be published. And I kind of hate more so now in the age of social media where authors are more reachable compared to before wherein there was no social media. I see that all the time where theyre being contacted by students for book reports, or parang cliff notes na agad yung dating eh.

"Flowers for Thursday" is published by Ateneo De Naga University Press and collects six of Mia Tijam's short stories which have been published here and abroad.

And it's also an example of, "Hey, I'm 42. And I'm coming out with my first book." There's so much pressure in society, not just for writers, but for a lot of people. You [have] to achieve these when you're in your 20s, or in your 30s. Right? And I think [this book is] a testament to that, that you can have your first in your 40s. And that's fine. That's fantastic. Doesn't mean that you're late into things.

My question to myself was if I'm going to come out with a book, what was it for? And one of the bigger reasons was homecoming to Bicol. Because for the longest time, I wasn't really identified with Bicol literature, right? I was known as a writer from Manila. But the fact that a lot of the things that I do write about come from the Bicol culture, Bicol history, Bicol society. If I want to come out with a book, what would it be? What would it be about? That took time.

Meron bang guidance that came from your publisher, Kristian Cordero of Ateneo De Naga University, when it comes to selecting the stories, aside from being about Bikol since its Ateneo De Naga?

Actually, no. KC, he trusts the author. So I had, I pretty much had the freedom to choose. And that was really it.

These stories [were from] when I started publishing in Philippines Speculative Fiction, it also had a very specific guiding principle, which was really postcolonial. So this was when I was taking graduate studies, my master's in comparative literature, in UP [around] 2005-2006. Postcolonial was just actually being discussed at that time. It's not as prevalent as it is now. My project when it came to my graduate studies was, "Is it possible to write a literature in English that is actually decolonized from Western thought?" And so the big part, that's why you would see the themes. A big part, if you look at the postcolonial criteria, a lot of that is about using, reclaiming what you would call your native forms.

"If you go regional and you can see in the stories [in the book], ang dami nang terms and values and references that are intrinsic to let's say Iriga or Bicol or even Naga... yung references that unless I guess you research, [you won't understand]. I think that was one internal game that I was playing with the readers where in... Google it away! Or ask. Because storytelling should be a generative process."

So one part of that Sir Frank [Penones Jr.] noted is the orality. Mahirap magsulat ng kwento na oral yung dating, nagkkwento. I think that makes it distinctly Filipino. Yung orality. I was exploring other things in the other stories, but that stayed with me. So there was that being conscious of that.... and it's not just a matter of ... minsan kasi exoticized eh. "I'm gonna use these native terms." It's like now uso ang aswang. So it's not that because when I was writing this, I was not coming from [around 2005, 2007]. It was really a conscious effort to come from the postcolonial thought in writing, and sort of like a reclamation, a coming home, an examination of where we are and where we were before.

Remember when The Ascension of Lady Boy got acknowledged in 2008? That was big for us in Philippine spec fic [speculative fiction], diba? Sina Dean [Francis Alfar] at that time naloka na "Bakit? Naintindihan ba nila yon? All that baklese? All that kabaklaan? So I think there was chatter at that time online that it was because it was exotic or being exoticized. In fairness at that time, I couldn't really care less. The community was, "Yeah!" Because this is one story that's distinctly Filipino and it's there. But with me, at that time, I was attending to my dad who was sick. So I had my priorities.

I was reading the intro of Best of Philippine Speculative Fiction. And one of the sentences that struck me was parang they started the Philippine speculative fiction anthology because they wanted to read stories that they were reading but in a Philippine setting which kind of teeters to the edge na okay, we're going to ape Western tropes, diba? And just put all these words from Filipino languages... With your work, you were conscious na nga of decolonizing these things. So with your stories, how did you avoid that pitfall? A lot of the stories here were published online for Bewildering Stories. And that's a different kind of audience versus the Philippine readers. Or did you just focus on the concept of the story?

If the question was "Who do I write for?" I don't write for the international [audience], I write for the Philippine audience. So there's the assumption that the Pinoy will understand that. If you incorporate Filipino languages into the story itself and mesh it into the kind of language narration that you're using for this story. Because if you go regional and you can see in the stories [in the book], ang dami nang terms and values and references that are intrinsic to let's say Iriga or Bicol or even Naga... yung references that unless I guess you research, [you won't understand]. I think that was one internal game that I was playing with the readers where in... Google it away! Or ask. Because storytelling should be a generative process. It should lead readers to ask hindi lang yung tanggap na... It's also a way of teaching, exchanging learning.

Theres regional and then there's the national [language]. How much more baklese? Yung gay linggo na ginamit [sa] Lady Boy. If you're not familiar with gay lingo here, it's a different language altogether also. Actually there is that process, wherein with the editors in the international platform [where some of the stories were published], they do check, like This part won't be understood by the international audience so is there a way that you could [clarify this]. For example, in "Talking to Juanito." Yung ta? Yeah. Oh, so there's a technique that you can use in writing where you can expand it a little, so you're sort of translating it without outright translating it so it [can be] understood by a non-Filipino native or non-Bikolano reader in the international platform, but we are not compromising the essence of where the narration was coming from or where it wanted to go.

Which I guess speaks for the writing tradition here in the Philippines, that people are also discussing this, just now in na very Western yung tradition natin of writing and especially for you comes from the UP tradition of writing.

I guess, if you're referring to that essay that went around for a time like the creative writing program, I think that was from Australia, I think like the writing program itself is very Westernized because of the storytelling techniques that come from the Western canon... Yes, there was that but hindi ko alam kung characteristic lang naming mga probinsya... may different yung rural with the urban. When you're coming from the rural storytelling kita mo rin yung promdi feels, the way it's told. I guess I was traversing, negotiating through all of these because all of these were influences.

So to be fair to UP hindi naman. A lot of teachers when they would reference ang reference talaga is Anglo-Am eh: techniques, styles. Unless you consciously immerse yourself in Philippine literature in English and that's something that I'm grateful for, at least in the school programs now because they have 21st century literature, so mas contemporary, but I'm like, You know, contemporary but do you know about from the start? Kasi maganda rin eh  I'm just talking about Philippine literature in English. Hindi ko i-cover yung iba. Philippine speculative fiction carved its space there in English. So yes, with the stories that I read when it's spec fic and in English, that's was my constant challenge to at least my contemporaries and peers in the community. Like if I look at the story, I always see okay, what is Filipino about this? Right. How is it representing our culture?

Parang pwede mo lang palitan yung mga pangalan... na Filipino yung terms but it still feels very Western.

You can tell, diba? When I think when you're an astute reader, na, okay, pinalitan lang but the rest.... it's the same old thing. So I guess that was that. A number of us, we're challenging ourselves in that.

"That's why it's a negotiation of languages for me. Our mother tongue was Rinconada but then we moved to Naga and in Naga the language was Bikol. And then in school, were taught Filipino, which is technically really different from Tagalog. And then there was English. So there is also that journey of languages."

When you mentioned orality, it really was apparent in your work, especially with the opening story, "Remembering Thursday," it's kind of like an opening salvo to what kind of stories there are in "Flowers for Thursday."

How was it for you?

It's dark but at the same time meron siyang folkloric elements na these are the kind of stories you'll read later on in the book. I also had to Google some of the terms used in the story, like the knife that the uncle was using. And it really speaks to your desire to "decolonize" (Laughs) speculative fiction, or Philippine literature in English. So, in choosing the stories 'diba sabi mo, this is more of the Bicolano, the Iriga influence on you. Can you talk more about how he grew up with these stories, the folklore, the legends that you kind of incorporated in, in the short stories?

I think Dean and I used to joke about that... What is speculative fiction is actually nonfiction from where we come from. (Laughs) Yung aswang or yung ganito, where we grew up, yung ganito, o, yung neighbor namin.

Chismis siya!

Yeah! Sa kabilang barrio may ganon. You live with that. That's why yung mga kwento na wag kang lumabas at this time. Or kung guwapo kang lalake pwede kang pagtipuhan ng ganito.

They say when you're raising a child, it's the first six years for seven years, that are really critical because this is where we can assimilate, we acquire a lot of the skill sets or a lot of the values are things from the visceral or archetypes you and your archetypes as a person and as much as these are actually very traumatic experiences... that's why if you notice not many of us can remember things. When you ask kids like, "Do you remember this?" noong one to six years old [ka pa?]. Kasi sobrang traumatic for the brain eh, na kailangang "Hoo-hoo!" We're gonna break [these memories] down so that we can make more.

Storytelling was very much abound in our families and in our community. Especially in Iriga because it's still very rural... talagang barrio, especially if you go to the barrios just like now na marami pang parts of the Philippines, na walang kuryente, walang signal. So what do you do? There's a lot of storytelling, a lot of oral tradition.

That's why it's a negotiation of languages for me. Our mother tongue was Rinconada but then we moved to Naga and in Naga the language was Bikol. And then in school, were taught Filipino, which is technically really different from Tagalog. And then there was English. So there is also that journey of languages. English became the middle ground for me of all of these languages where I could fully invest and express myself. In the same way that when I first arrived in UP, in Manila, marami akong words na ginagamit from Bikol na iba ang ibig sabihin kapag sa Tagalog! So journey talaga of languages. I was very conscious about the negotiation of languages. But hindi ko pino-proclaim then na Postcolonial ito! Internal na lang yun.

These days, I see  at least in my circle or in the social media platforms I use  that readers are actively looking for more non-American/Western reading. A lot of people are reading Japanese and South Korean books, even Southeast Asian books. Although nagbabago na rin naman yung American/Western publishing now because there are more people of color who are given the chance to publish their books, more than ever.

The whole point like you make way, you forge space for the others to join. Eto na kanya kanya kayong style. With me, it's just that I'm very clear about it. That's why oh, god recognized international or na-publish international it was always a surprise for me. It's not that I couldn't care less it's just that because first and foremost really that's it, when I'm asked "Who do you write for?" My audience has always been the Philippines. [But] it's also a door for people to learn more to want to learn more about Iriga and Bikol culture, [and] Rinconada because very diverse ang cultures by virtue of the languages and locality dito sa Bikol eh. Para siyang microcosm ng Philippines eh. The joke is because were the Ireland of the Philippines. Super Catholic, super drinkers, and superstitious. (Laughs)

"There's so much pressure in society, not just for writers, but for a lot of people. You [have] to achieve these when you're in your 20s, or in your 30s. Right? And I think [this book is] a testament to that, that you can have your first in your 40s. And that's fine. That's fantastic. Doesn't mean that you're late into things."

The Ascension of Ladyboy comes in at a time where the discussion of the rights of transgender people is very heated.

It was part of my studies on Gender Studies which is one huge chapter in literary theory. And yes, wala pa... yung mga trans [discussions] emerging pa at that time. Now they have more voices, but at that time hindi and at that time, people when The Ascension of Lady Boy came out [the first time]... the conversation was bakla 'yan. When people write about it or talk about it, oh, there's this gay guy... gay pa rin... hindi transgender. 'Di ba yun yung usual articulation natin, a girl trapped in a boy's body... a lady in a boy's body.... yung interpretation is bakla ka.

[The story] came from questions that you would ask yourself [with your writing] and how you wanted to resolve [these issues.] What is it that I want to reframe, recreate rework, so that it would address certain things that for me as a person and as a member of a community or society would want to understand or want to put forth as a perspective out there, and take a look, you know, assume this perspective so that, you know, we think better. So you you, yung mga ganon eh.. So si Lady Boy kasi ang dami niyang achievements eh. (Laughs)

Have you had trans women talk to you about "The Ascencion of Lady Boy"?

People would send me like, screenshots of somebody saying or reacting tweet about it. So yeah, wala pa naman sa aking naniningil ng cultural appropriation. Pero feeling nila yung inner bayot ko is Bisaya. Bikolano yan! But most of the [response are] positive. Most of them would say that underneath it all they saw the sadness of Lady Boy.

Do you think your consciousness of language is also an offshoot... or it's because you come from outside of Manila? Because in Manila, there's just Filipino and then English, but I guess, merong tendency to not be conscious of how you use language because parang innate na siya with your tradition...

I think in Manila, English is already a second language, if not even a first language, right? A lot of parents problematize their children's ability to cope with Filipino subjects. "Hirap na hirap po sila sa Araling Panlipunan".... There are more languages than English and Tagalog or Filipino. It's very much part of it because it's. In Iriga alone... you have Rinconada... there's Iriga Rinconada, there's Nabua, which is several kilometers away, there's Buhi... In the regions, teachers would tell you... you just throw a stone, ma'am ibang language na 'yan [diyan] and it's very true.

With me, it was hard, at least me personally because my mother tongue was Rinconada and then we moved to Naga and so you have to acquire a new language. And I remember my classmates in Naga telling me that when I talk my intonation is not because my intonation is Rinconada. And yung intonation ng Rinconada akala mo palaging may kalaban eh. So it's learning that and maintaining Rinconada as well and then learning Filipino and then when we went to Manila, it's English and then Tagalog. Tagalog. When I came back to Bikol, technically it was 20 years since I spoke Bikol Naga on a daily basis. I would literally grasp for words, like I don't know what to say anymore.

I guess as the last question, I want to go back to the intro of Sir Frank. Immediately I was struck by the term "native imagination." How do you feel about the term being applied to your writing?

Well, it is what it is right? It is there. In a sense that Sir Frank said, I think one time in our conversation what he said was, yeah, you think in English, but your soul is Rinconada. Where did our imaginations come from as a person? It comes from where we came from. And that's what he saw. I don't know if it's the same thing that other readers would see. But yes, if it's if you're asking me like, do I own up to it? Yes. Because that is, that is the cultural imagination, that is the mythical imagination, that was [my] formative imagination. And I think it was Wittgenstein that said [The limits of my language mean the limits of my world], right?

I don't know yet how comfortable I am talking about all these things because like I said, I refer to whatever it is [in the book.] There's the introduction, there are the stories. Knock yourselves out, okay? (Laughs)

***

You can buy "Flowers for Thursday" on Shopee or at Savage Mind Bookshop in Naga.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  Filipino comic book artist Manix Abrera is launching his first ever published DC Comics cover for Batman next year.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' New Day on Wednesday, Abrera shared how he came up with the variant cover for the superhero comic Batman The Knight which will be released in 2022.

Known for his very own Kikomachine Komix, Abrera said his dream was fulfilled through the help of Next Comic Art and comic book shops Comic Odyssey and Sanctum Sanctorum Comic & Oddities for pitching his work to DC.

"Nagulat ako na ino-offer nila (DC) na gumawa ako ng variant cover," he confided. "Super nakakapressure kasi okay ba sa kanila yung style ko ng cartooning na surreal and weird tapos yung style ko talaga sa Kikomachine?"

[Translation: I was surprised to hear that they were offering me to make a variant cover for them. I felt extreme pressure because I wondered if they were okay with my cartooning style which is surreil and weird like the ones in Kikomachine.]

"Sabi naman nila, 'yes,' kasi nakita naman nila yung drawing style and okay naman sa kanila," he recalled. "Masaya ako na game na game sila sa ganoong art style ko."

[Translation: They said 'yes,' because they saw my drawing style and they said they were okay with it. I'm happy that they were so game with my own art style.]

Abrera shared that he was happy to incorporate a vintage look using his own style in the new Batman comic cover.

"Actually fan ako ng mga lumang style ng mga komiks ng Batman...ginagawa ko rin ito sa sarili kong komiks, hinahaluan ko siya ng elements ng supernatural, yung mga magic, yung mga occult," he added.

[Translation: Actually I'm a fan of the old style used in Batman comics...I also use that in my own comics and I combine elements of the supernatural, with themes of magic and occult.]

For the comic book artist, this is just the beginning. Abrera sent praises for literary icon Ricky Lee, following their recent collaboration on the graphic novel adaptation of "Si Amapola" which was released earlier this month.

Abrera said he hopes to score more opportunities where he could contribute to the comic industry with his own cartoon style.

"May mga gusto pa akong ma-achieve," he said, "hopefully, isa diyan yung makagawa mismo ng story, let's say tungkol (kay) Batman, kasi marami rin akong naisip na stories na nagagawa ko sa Kikomachine pero feeling ko bagay siyang ma-translate sa superhero comics."

[Translation: I still want to achieve a lot of things, hopefully, one of them would be to eventually concecptualize stories, let's say for Batman, since there are concepts that I get to use in Kikomachine which I believe are more suited to be translated to superhero comics.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  President Rodrigo Duterte's adviser for entrepreneurship explained how retaining an Alert Level 2 status in January 2022 would further reduce economic losses despite the threat of the Omicron variant.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday, Go Negoyo founder Joey Concepcion said there is no need to tighten or even downgrade to Alert Level 1 because businesses are already recovering from their pandemic losses over the past months.

"The businesses have definitely recovered in the last quarter. Everybody was extremely happy, the bounce back was about 80% of pre-pandemic sales," he said. "That's great. What is more important is we sustain this."

"We have to keep the economy open, the micro small and medium enterprises cannot afford lockdowns because we need revenue to be able to pay our loans and suppliers," he added.

Concepcion added that retaining the current alert level status would also help the government gain revenues, especially after borrowing heavily from other countries to fund various health initiatives.

"The country cannot afford a lockdownLet us just pray Omicron will not devastate the country," Concepcion said.

Alert Level 2 is in effect until Dec. 31.

The Department of Health previously said that most areas are already eligible to shift to the lowest alert level, but the government is erring on the side of caution to prevent a community spread brought by the Omicron variant, which was found in at least four individuals in the country so far.

RELATED: DOH, private sector back Alert Level 2 for January
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  Vice President Leni Robredo is under quarantine after her close-in security tested positive for COVID-19.

"Kagabi tinawagan ako na iyong isang close-in security ko nag-positive. Eh sinamahan niya ako so ngayon, naka-quarantine ako," Robredo said Wednesday.

[Translation: Last night, I was informed that one of my close-in security tested positive. My close-in security was with me, so now, I am under quarantine.]

Robredo said this is the second time she has come into contact with a person infected with the coronavirus.

The Vice President had visited a number of areas battered by Typhoon Odette before she received the news about her close-in security's health status. Among those she visited in the past two weeks were Surigao City, Dinagat Islands, Siargao, Maasin City in Southern Leyte, Negros Oriental, and Palawan.

Robredo also said her daughter, Tricia, tested positive, and is currently in an isolation facility. Her other daughters, Aika and Jillian - who returned to the Philippines with Tricia on Dec. 20 - are also under home quarantine.

She added that Tricia has already tested negative but is completing her isolation.
(CNN)  China's Xi'an has further tightened lockdown measures and rolled out a fifth round of mass testing as it reported the highest daily count of local symptomatic COVID-19 infections in a Chinese city since March 2020.

Xi'an, an ancient city in northwestern Shaanxi province, reported 175 new local symptomatic cases on Tuesday.

This month, the city has reported 810 local symptomatic cases  making it one of the worst community outbreaks in China since the initial wave of coronavirus infections in Wuhan, the original epicenter of the pandemic.

Authorities responded by enacting sweeping measures with an intensity and on a scale rarely seen since Wuhan, as the Chinese government sticks rigidly to its zero-Covid strategy before the Beijing Winter Olympics in February.

Xi'an rolled out city-wide testing and placed its 13 million residents under a strict lockdown last week, closing schools, public venues and transportation except essential services like supermarkets and hospitals. Residents were banned from leaving their homes except for urgent reasons such as medical emergencies.

The lockdown is China's largest since Wuhan, which sealed off 11 million people.

As cases continued to surge, Xi'an further tightened lockdown measures on Monday, requiring all residents to stay at home unless permitted to go outside for mass testing. Previously, each household was allowed to send one designated person out to buy groceries every two days.

On Chinese social media platform Weibo, some Xi'an residents complained Tuesday they were running out of groceries at home.

"Can anyone save me?" a user asked. "I'm about to starve at home. There was no one taking my orders online ... Please help me. It's OK if it's expensive, I just want to have some groceries. I'm desperate."

Under the new rules, university students are required to stay inside their dorms unless for special needs, while staff at supermarkets, convenience stores, logistics centers and markets selling agricultural products must wear N95 face masks and medical gloves, according to a statement issued by the Xi'an government.

The statement said authorities would adjust containment measures based on the results of the latest round of mass testing.

Authorities began disinfecting the whole city late Sunday, with workers in protective gear and trucks spraying disinfectant on roads, underground railways, buildings and into the air. Residents were warned to close their windows and not to touch any outside surfaces and plants.

On Monday night, 150 military medics from the People's Liberation Army Air Force  some with experience fighting the initial Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan  were sent to Xi'an to assist in local hospitals, state media reported.

Xi'an, a tourist hotspot known internationally as the home of the 2,000-year-old Terracotta warriors sculptures, detected its first case connected to the latest outbreak at a quarantine hotel on December 9. The virus is believed to have then spread into the community via an infected hotel worker.

Officials believe the cluster is linked to an inbound flight from Pakistan on December 4, where at least six passengers were found to have the Delta variant. So far, there have been no reported cases of the Omicron variant in Xi'an.

The city is also a major transportation hub for western China. Its airport has been virtually shut down since last week, with all domestic flights canceled.

According to flight tracker VariFlight, 681 flights departing and arriving at the Xi'an airport were canceled on Tuesday.
Transformers are hard to come by these days.

That was the sentiment shared at recent Cornhusker and Loup Public Power District Board of Directors meetings in Columbus. Loup and Cornhusker both supply power to parts of Platte County.

"Poles, cross arms -- a lot of what I'll call 'normal material' -- is OK," Cornhusker Technical Services/Safety Director Brian Strong said at a Dec. 20 Cornhusker board meeting. "When you start getting into steel, meter boxes...bigger wire sizes, that's what we keep hearing about. Transformer...lead times are getting extended."

Strong said Cornhusker has had many products on order for a long time, but orders have been delayed and delayed again.

In the past, Cornhusker CEO/General Manager Clay Gibb said at the meeting, it might take a vendor a few days or a week to get a transformer to Cornhusker. It varies depending on the type, but transformer lead times are currently between 30 and 45 weeks.

As a Dec. 21 Loup board meeting wound to a close, Loup Vice President of Engineering Korey Hobza made similar observations.

"(We're) looking at transformer shortages and deliveries for 2022," Hobza said. "...Some companies around are having troubles getting transformers. We are going to be able to get transformers, but in some cases the prices have gone up significantly and sometimes...something we'd like to have in July we're not going to get until November."

Hobza said Loup is working to prioritize certain projects and move equipment around to make everything work out in the meantime.

"We should be able to get by and keep moving forward to have what we need to support the district, but...it is an ongoing issue," Hobza said.

On Dec. 21, Loup President/CEO Neal Suess pointed out that the need for transformers has been great in areas of Kentucky which were recently devastated by tornadoes.

"We are getting a lot of requests from other utilities for transformers," Suess said. "A bunch of places in Kentucky are basically begging for transformers for right now because they lost a bunch."

Gibbs also pointed to the damage in Kentucky. Despite the difficulty with getting ahold of transformers, Gibbs said vendors are discouraging entities from ordering ahead.

"They said it doesn't help, (but) you can't help but feel compelled to place an order. When they tell something is going to take 120 weeks, you want to get in the queue," Gibbs said on Dec. 20.

At the Loup board meeting, Subdivision 1 Director and Board Chairman Ross Knott asked about sharing supplies in a pool with other utilities. A similar question was asked at the Cornhusker board meeting the previous day.

Gibbs said he's confident that sharing will continue in critical situations.

"It will be more difficult...(but)...if it's a real emergency, I'm certain everyone will continue to do the networking that we've done and do what we can to help someone else out and...play the shell game," Gibbs said. "I'm confident people will share if they can, if it's critical."

Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net.

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The school district partnered with Henry's Pharmacy to provide vaccines to children ages 5-11, as well as vaccines and boosters for teens and adults. For children ages 5 to 11, this clinic will provide the first dose, and the second dose is scheduled for January 17, 2022.

"The Pennsylvania Department of Education has been visiting school vaccine clinics across the commonwealth since the vaccines were approved for children ages 5 to 11, and we are continually impressed by the turnout at these events," said Sec. Ortega. "For the past two years, our youngest learners have been the most vulnerable, and now that they are able to access this free, safe, and effective vaccine, they are able to continue learning in the classroom without additional disruptions."
HARRISBURG  An effort to reflect the rapid growth of Pennsylvanias Hispanic population in newly drawn districts for the states predominantly white state Legislature is drawing criticism that it didnt exactly accomplish that mission.

Instead, proposals from the five-member Legislative Reapportionment Commission that must reflect a decade of demographic changes identified by the census actually narrowed opportunities for Latinos, critics say.

The commission  composed of the Legislatures four partisan floor leaders and a chair picked by the Democratic-majority state Supreme Court  voted Dec. 16 in favor of new preliminary maps, starting a 30-day public comment period.

The commission could make changes before it issues final maps, and Victor Martinez  who testified twice during commission hearings this year  said it should.

When Martinez testified, he urged commission members to create districts that reflect the growth of Pennsylvanias Spanish-speaking population.

However, Martinez, who owns Spanish-language radio stations in markets across eastern Pennsylvania, said the commission instead created more districts that favor minority candidates generally, but not necessarily Latino candidates.

You might have made it more inclusive, but as far as my testimony, as far as the people who I represent and the people I testified for, they didnt do us any good, they didnt make it any easier, Martinez said in an interview.

Out of 1.5 million Hispanic or multiracial Hispanic residents in Pennsylvania, or almost 12%, just four Latinos serve in the 253-seat Legislature, Martinez said.

Thats under 2%. Proportional representation would be more like 22 seats.

The commission chair, former University of Pittsburgh chancellor Mark Nordenberg, describes the new maps as being drawn with eight minority opportunity districts that are particularly attractive because no incumbents live in those districts.

Seven are in the House and one is in the Senate.

However, only one has a majority Latino population. That district, the Allentown-based 22nd House district, actually shrinks the Latino population from the current 22nd, Martinez said.

Even an existing Latino-majority district in Reading went from 60% Latino to 50% Latino, Martinez said.

Pennsylvanias shrinking white population and growing Hispanic population is relatively extraordinary.

It is just one of four states  Connecticut, Louisiana and Rhode Island are the others  that would have lost population over the past decade if it werent for Hispanic population gains, according to census figures.

Four metropolitan areas  Pittsburgh, Reading, Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton and Scranton-Wilkes-Barre  also would have lost population but for new Hispanic residents. Its the same for seven counties: Berks, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Pike, Snyder and Washington.

All told, Pennsylvanias white population dropped by about 540,000, or 5%, according to census figures, even as Pennsylvanias population grew by 300,000 to 13 million, or 2%.

At the same time, Pennsylvanias Hispanic and multiracial Hispanic population grew by 500,000, or 50%.

Carol Kuniholm, the chair of Fair Districts PA, a nonpartisan project of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, complimented the proposed House map. But she attacked its Senate counterpart as a product of buddy-mandering that protects incumbents.

A newly drawn Senate district that absorbs most of Allentown actually has fewer Latino residents than the existing district that includes Allentown, Kuniholm said.

It also splinters a corridor connecting fast-growing Latino communities through cities including Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown and Reading  the Route 222 corridor  so that it can provide a safer district for Allentowns current senator, Republican Pat Browne, Kuniholm said.

The one they drew makes no sense to anybody, Kuniholm said in an interview.

Kuniholms organization proposed a new Latino-majority district with no incumbent senator in Philadelphia. The commissions proposed Senate map, however, split that community four ways among four incumbents, Kuniholm said.

Republicans hold majorities in both chambers, including 142 of 253 seats while representing the vast majority of the whitest stretches across Pennsylvania where the population is stagnant.

Nordenberg gave principal credit to House Democrats and Senate Republicans for drawing minority opportunity districts into the maps.

House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, and Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, D-Westmoreland, both declined interviews about those districts.

In the House, Republicans are criticizing the proposed map as an unconstitutional gerrymander that stands to shrink their majority.

At the Dec. 16 commission meeting, McClinton lauded the House map as being representative of Pennsylvania while substantially correcting decades of gerrymandering.

Ward said the Senates map needs corrections but did not elaborate.

In a text message, Ward suggested the proposed new Allentown district can be improved by giving it more Latino residents. She would not say how she plans to do it.

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The FDA originally reported a recall from Fresh Express last week, which the administration expanded this week to include more packages, including Bowl & Basket baby spinach and spring mixes, as well as Fresh Express chopped kit, Americas Fresh and baby spinach products.

For a full list of the expanded Fresh Express products, visit the FDAs website at www.fda.gov.

Consumers can return the product to the place of purchase or call Fresh Express Consumer Response Center at 800-242-5472 to obtain a refund.

The FDA also reported that Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalling its Dole-branded and private label packaged salads that were processed at a North Carolina and an Arizona processing facility due to possible listeria contamination.

Products subject to the recall have a product lot code beginning with either the letter N or Y in the upper right-hand corner of the package and will have a best if used by date between Nov. 30 and Jan. 8. Customers are urged to discard the product or call Dole Consumer Response Center at 800-356-3111.

Products from both facilities were shipped to Pennsylvania and other states, including New York, Maryland and Ohio. Affected products include those with the brand name Ahold, Dole, Kroger, Lidl, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Naturally Better, Natures Promise and Simply Nature.

For a full list of affected products and their UPC codes, check out the FDAs website.

Undeclared milk was behind the recall of two other food products in the last week.

Dream Pops is recalling four types of its plant-based Dream Pops Bites frozen dessert because of undeclared milk. The recall was initiated after a consumer report of an allergic reaction.

Affected products include the Vanilla Sky, Berry Dream, Birthday Cake and Cookie Dough flavors with best by dates between June 28, 2022, and Oct. 21, 2022. For UPC codes, check out the FDAs website.

Consumers who purchased the products may return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Seviroli Foods Inc. is recalling its Aplenty rotini with plant-based bolognese meal kit also due to undeclared milk. The product was sold through Amazon Fresh stores and Fresh online channels and distributed throughout the country.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Seviroli Foods products containing milk were inadvertently packaged with the meal kit packaging. No illnesses or incidents have been reported to date.

The affected product has an item number of 19759 and sell by date of either May 28, June 10 or June 11, 2022.

Customers with questions or concerns can contact the company at 516-222-6220.

Undeclared tree nuts/pecans was behind a recall from Diannes Fine Desserts. The company is recalling 1,480 trays of its Sienna Chocolate Decadent Brownies because the packages actually had the companys turtle brownies, which has pecans.

The product was distributed through Gordon Food Services in five states, including Pennsylvania and Ohio. The affected lot is 6Z1L24. Customers who purchased the product can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also reported a number of recalls this past week, including one product that has resulted in at least one death.

Royal Sovereign is recalling its Royal Centurian portable air conditioners because a faulty drain motor can ignite the plastic enclosure, posing fire and burn hazards.

The company has received 11 reports of the air conditioners catching fire or smoking, resulting in more than $1 million in property damage, as well as two injuries and one death due to smoke inhalation. The injuries and death came from one incident in 2016 involving a woman and two children.

The air conditioners were sold online at Amazon and in Sears, Costco, Home Depot, BJs Wholesale Club and Best Buy stores from March 2008 to August 2014. For model numbers, check out the commissions website at www.cpsc.gov.

Consumers should stop using the air conditioners, unplug them and follow instructions at www.Recall-PAC3012.com for properly severing the electrical cord to render the unit unusable. Consumers can then contact the company at 833-947-3699 for a pro-rated refund based on the age of the product.

A 2-year-old childs death in 2018 is connected with a recent recall from Angel Line over its bunk beds with angled ladders. The company is recalling the beds because the metal hook fastening the ladder can move away or detach when the ladder is lifted, causing the gap between the ladder step and bed frame to open wider and pose entrapment and strangulation hazards.

The commission reported that the infant died in May 2018 after being found unresponsive in the gap in the bunk bed ladder.

Three models of the bunk beds are included in the recall: Fremont, Creston and Brandon. For model numbers, check out the commissions website.

The bunk beds were sold online at Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair from March 2016 to June 2021.

Consumers should stop using the bunk beds and contact the company at 844-542-0694 for a free repair kit with brackets to reinforce the ladder.

Big Game Treestands is recalling its Captain Hang-on treestand because the crimps of the plastic-coated cables can slip during use, causing the standing platform to release and pose a fall and injury hazard.

The company has received 10 reports of cables releasing and causing consumers to fall, including two reported injuries. The treestands were sold nationwide at Dicks Sporting Goods and other outdoors stores from August to October.

Consumers should stop using the treestands and contact the company at 877-343-8211 to receive either replacement cables or to return it for a full refund.

Email Naomi Creason at ncreason@cumberlink.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelCreason

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Americans should remember the turmoil and nationwide debates that opened 2021. Of note were a series of protests and demonstrations that raised questions about the role of the U.S. military and how it would/should respond to such events. In September, I was asked to provide my thoughts to a Constitution Day panel titled A Conversation on the State of Civics Education in PA.

As I close the year, the following reflection has stuck with me mostly because of calculated activities that politicize our U.S. military in seeming support of partisan groups. In my view, involvement in domestic politics is untenable and poses a threat to the militarys relationship with the American people whom it serves.

On the 7th of June 1978, I took the following Oath of Commissioned Officers:

I ___, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

I made this statement prior to graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point and at the base of the monument to Gen. George Washington. This attestation is how I became a member of the military profession, along with officers commissioned through service academies, Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), and other programs.

The essence of the United States profession of arms is the trust between the American public represented by its elected officials and its military members. They are officers and enlisted personnel who swear fealty to the Constitution; their loyalty is to neither a person nor a political party. As they progress through the ranks from young lieutenants and ensigns to generals and admirals, senior military officers must provide their best military judgments to inform and help civilian leaders make difficult strategic decisions for our national security. Irrespective of political ideologies, military leaders must give what is needed to hear, rather than what civilians may want to hear.

The secretary of defense and the chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff are the principal advisers to the president on military matters. As senior military officers, the chiefs of services (Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard and now the Space Force), as well as field commanders provide assessments and recommendations to the secretary and the chairman. Thus, they engage in national security conversations and debates out of the public eye. The need for private and privileged communications within the executive branch is well-established.

However, under Title 10 of the United States Code, service chiefs and senior commanders are obligated to provide Congress with their opinions when different from the defense department and executive branch policy decisions.

The challenge for senior military leaders is to not be pawns in the political theater that is the milieu of our system of government. Under constitutional authority, military officers must be loyal to two masters: the Office of the President and to Congress. Section 8 of Article I gives Congress the power to organize, train and equip, as well as fund the military. Thus, Congress provides oversight through its rules and regulation of the force through laws. Section 2 of Article II, defines the president as the commander-in-chief of the military. And, importantly, the Constitution directs the president to take care that the laws are faithfully executed.

For the advice of senior military officers to have weight, it must be considered truthful and apolitical. When the inevitable conflicts of opinions happen, the constitutional masters should consider Vince Lombardis practice of praise in public, criticize in private. Rather than reprimand in the media, national security leaders should exercise restraint and consult with military members behind closed doors when appropriate.

A closing thought  each year I engage with a new cohort of senior officers at the U.S. Army War College. Inevitably, there are discussions and debates based on international and domestic events, and circumstances for which individuals have strong opinions and beliefs. I remind our students of their Oath of Commission and their obligations under the U.S. Constitution.

Effective civil-military relations sustain the connectedness of those who serve with those whom they serve. The U.S. military profession is charged with tremendous responsibilities for the security of the nation and is an integral part of American society. Accordingly, the charge to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic continues to require true faith and allegiance to the principles upon which our nation was founded.

Col. Charles D. Allen, U.S. Army, Ret., is professor of leadership and cultural studies at the U.S. Army War College.

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Central Methodist University

Mikayla Kinkead of Fredericktown will lead a chapel band under the guidance of Dr. David Witter, director of music ministry education. She is participating in the areas of leader, voice, piano. She is majoring in music ministry.

Mineral Area College

Jenna Simily, a freshman at Mineral Area College, received the Hal Loughary Family Scholarship for the 2020-21 school year.

Missouri State University

Students named to the summer 2021 dean's list earned at least a 3.5 GPA. The list includes Gwen Layton of Farmington and McKenna Moore of Farmington.

Missouri Valley College

Hayden Sprenkel of Bonne Terre, a senior majoring in physical education, has made the Fall 2021 Dean's List, having achieved a 3.3 or higher grade point average and at least 12 graded hours for the semester and no "D," "F," or "Incomplete" grades for the semester.

Missouri Western State University

Ikechukwu Anthony Chukwuemeke-Oyefia of Park Hills earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education last spring.

University of Central Missouri

Spring commencement exercises May 7-9 saw participation from the following local graduates: Joshua Christopher Politte, Fredericktown and Brett Wampler, Park Hills.

University of Mississippi

Kendall Runzi of French Village was inducted into the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest all-discipline collegiate honor society. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership.

Southern New Hampshire University

The summer 2021 president's list earned a minimum GPA of 3.700 and earned 12 credits. It included Nick Nabors of Park Hills, Shellie Sebastian of Fredericktown, Daisy Benz of Farmington, and ShaFawn Hodges of Desloge.

The Dean's List of students who accumulated a GPA of 3.5-3.699 and earned 12 credits included Taylor Donovan of Farmington.

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Phil and Mary Page of Cap America received the Missouri Community College Associations Award of Distinction at the organizations annual convention, held Nov. 10-12 in Branson.

The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated sustained service and commitment to their local community college. It is one of the highest honors the Associations membership bestows.

Mineral Area College (MAC) nominated the Pages for the award in recognition of their dedication and investment in the college. Over the past three years, Cap America has donated over $50,000 to MAC. Their donations to the Annual Enhancement Grant Campaign have been especially impactful, qualifying for up to a $3-to-$1 match from the state and increasing the cumulative gifts purchasing power to as much as $200,000 for career and technical programs at the college.

We are thankful to Phil and Mary Page for their generosity and investment in the future of our region, said MAC Executive Director of Development Kevin Thurman. Time and time again, they have proven that they believe in the value of quality education and they are willing to help ensure that our communities have access to it.

Though the MCCA award is in recognition of their commitment to community colleges, the couple supports education at all levels. Both Pages volunteer on Educational Foundation Boards, Mary on the MAC Foundation, and Phil on the Fredericktown Educational Foundation. Cap America has made generous financial donations to local school districts and provides backpacks and supplies for students in need. The company also provides opportunities for employees to receive financial assistance or tuition reimbursement when pursuing a college degree.

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The St. Francois County Commission took care of two items of business during a brief meeting held Tuesday morning.

Following approval of the consent agenda, Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher gave a presentation on the purchase of cyber-security insurance by the county.

What happened was we were insured for this by MoPERM (an insurance company that deals solely with counties). They have canceled all coverage of this. I guess they had a string of bad experiences, so we and every other county in Missouri have lost their coverage on it. So, Rhonda sent out a request for proposals and she only got one back, and thats from this Evolve [MGA].

Its a 12-month comp policy, Gallaher said. It has a $25,000 deductible (per claim), $1 million limit and the premium is $16,065 per year. I was thinking Rhonda would say $22,000, but the figures here say $16,065.

Prior to the vote on a motion to accept the policy, county resident Rich Luebcke asked Gallaher what the policy covers.

According to the Evolve MGA website, cyber insurance  also referred to as cyber liability insurance, data breach insurance, or hacker insurance  covers the costs associated with hack attacks and data breaches to illegally acquire company funds and sensitive data via electronic means. Cyber insurance covers all the costs faced by a business after experiencing a hacker-prompted cyber-attack.

County Auditor Louie Seiberlich commented on the widespread problem of cyber-security.

At our auditors conference, recently, this was a major topic among first-class county auditors, he said. I can relate one county  I wont mention the name  where they were hacked this past fall and the ransom request was, I think, a million dollars. They eventually settled for $100,000, which it paid the ransom.

"Unfortunately, all systems in county government were shut down for 10 business days, including the phone service, and it cost $200,000 to restore the service. Im assuming that this insurance is what could acclimate us back to our regular service.

Seiberlich suggested that in the future the county might consider setting aside the $16,000 cost of an annual premium and build up an account from which it could eventually self-insure.

He added, The problem with this is that we are up against a timeline because our coverage expires on Friday.

The motion to purchase the cyber insurance through Evolve MGA was unanimously approved by the commissioners.

The second item of business was approving the order of four 2022 Ford Police Interceptor utility vehicles for the sheriffs department at an approximate cost of $16,000 each. Lights and other necessary accessories will be installed at an additional cost by the county. Funds to cover the cost of purchasing the vehicles had been previously approved by the commission.

Gallaher announced there will be a special meeting held at 1 p.m. Thursday at which the commission will be meeting with its attorney regarding the opioid lawsuit. It will be open to the public. The next regular meeting of the commission will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 4 on the fourth floor of the courthouse annex in Farmington.

Kevin R. Jenkins is the managing editor of the Farmington Press and can be reached at 573-783-9667 or kjenkins@farmingtonpressonline.com

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The real subject, many critics said, was paint and the act of painting itself: the shimmering color and sensuous texture of the thickly applied paint.

He laid on the paint so heavily that he often carved his signature into the painting instead of putting it on with the brush.

The oil paint is made to look like meringue, said Marla Prather, a curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art New York who helped organize a 2001 retrospective of the artists work. And with the cakes, you get this great sense of texture with the frosting. You just want to step close and lick it.

Many of his painted images were outlined in neon pinks and blues that made the objects appear to glow. Shadows were often a rich blue.

Its joyful, while a lot of modern art is angst-ridden, Prather said in a 2001 Associated Press interview.

Thiebaud told PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer in 2000 that the subject of food was fun and humorous, and thats dangerous in the art world, I think. Its a world that takes itself very seriously, and of course, it is a serious enterprise, but I think also theres room for wit and humor because humor gives us, I think, a sense of perspective.
Our warnings have proved sadly prescient and continuously compelling. Time for CDC and cruise lines to protect consumers, again pause  docking their ships, the Connecticut senator posted on Twitter.

Cruise lines have not announced any plans to halt cruising.

None of the ships so far appear to have so many cases that they would overwhelm medical resources on board and require a return to port. But some have been denied entry at some foreign ports.

Several Florida-based ships have reported outbreaks. The Carnival Freedom was denied entry to Aruba and Bonaire after an undisclosed number of passengers and crew aboard caught the virus.

Some cruise ships have not been allowed to disembark in Mexican ports due to cases reported, bringing to memory the early days of the pandemic when cruise lines negotiated docking plans as ships were being turned away by officials worried about the viruss spread.

The Mexican government said Tuesday it would allow cruise ships with reported coronavirus cases to dock. The country's Health Department said passengers or crew who show no symptoms will be allowed to come ashore normally, while those with symptoms or a positive virus test will be quarantined or given medical care.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Putin and Ukraine. At years end, Vladimir Putin laid out demands for NATO to scale back its military involvement in Eastern Europe, including Poland and the Baltic States. Most of these were rejected by NATO earlier, but Putin clearly wants negotiations on Ukraine that will prevent its western orientation and NATO membership. The Russian leader also sees an opportunity to divide Europe and America on how tough NATO should be confronting Russia over Ukraine.

For President Biden, the crucial issue is not only Ukraine but how his negotiations affect other adversaries who hope to benefit from what they believe is a weakening of Americas resolve to stay actively involved abroad. We should know in early 2022 whether Ukraine can be negotiated or whether Washington and NATO should prepare for Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Xi and Taiwan. Putin and Chinas Xi Jinping recently agreed to coordinate policies in order to counter Americas power in Europe and East Asia. If Putin gets a deal on Ukraine that accommodates his demands, we may expect President Xi to increase his pressure to bring Taiwan into Greater China. Japan and Australia recently stated that Taiwan is a strategic interest for their countries.
An Albany man was taken in to custody after the Albany Police Department and Linn Benton Regional SWAT team surrounded his home Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 28; police believe he is connected to a shooting on Christmas Day.

At about 5:30 Christmas morning, an Albany police officer made a traffic stop at the 2500 block of Eighth Avenue, according to APD Capt. Jerry Drum.

The driver, believed to be 51-year-old Robin Ray Gilliland, fled. He then allegedly fired a gun at the pursuing officers. Neither officer was hit by gunfire, but one officer sustained minor injuries from flying debris, according to a news release from APD.

The officers took cover and the suspect was not located, according to Albany police.

Through investigation, we discovered where the suspect was at and that caused what happened today with the SWAT team being activated and finding the suspect and taking him into custody, Drum said Tuesday.

The effort to arrest Gilliland on Tuesday started at 1:48 p.m., according to Drum. He was located at a residence at the 800 block of Fifth Avenue. The Linn County Sheriff's Office also assisted.

Drum said Gilliland was arrested for outstanding Linn County Circuit Court warrants, not for the Christmas incident.

According to the release issued Tuesday evening, Gilliland was arrested for outstanding felony warrants and on suspicion of two counts of attempted aggravated murder. He was arrested without incident and will be lodged at the Linn County Jail.

We are glad the arrest went without any use of force, APD Chief Marcia Harnden said in a statement. "This suspect was a significant threat to public safety after firing at Albany officers.

According to Oregon's online court system, Gilliland has three open cases in Linn County Circuit Court. Charges for these cases include suspicions of identity theft, being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, delivery of meth and more.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact APD detectives at 541-917-7686.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story said Gilliland was 52-years-old, but he is actually 51. The story has been corrected with Gilliland's correct age.
Events

Wednesday

Fourth Annual Ornament Hunt and Sweepstakes, through Saturday, non-wilderness trails, Willamette National Forest and Umpqua National Forest. The Willamette Valley Visitors Association is sponsoring the hunt, which encourages locals and travelers to connect with public lands and increase outdoor recreation activities. Two hundred wooden ornaments featuring the Willamette Valley will be hidden along non-wilderness trails not affected by wildfires. Each ornament includes a Willamette Valley leather patch and instructions on how to register to win a prize of an adventure and overnight stay in the Willamette Valley. The visitors association website, https://willamettevalley.org/ornament, will serve as the hub for contest winners to claim their prizes throughout the contest. You can also find trail information and hints throughout December on this page. Once the contest closes, all remaining ornaments will be picked up by U.S. Forest Service professionals. The Willamette National Forest provides recreational opportunities, fishing, hunting, foraging, firewood, minerals, wood products and Christmas trees. Christmas tree permits are available at https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits.

Holiday light string collection; drop off lights at the Republic Services office, 1214 SE Montgomery St., Albany. Through Monday.

Albany Visitors Association's 34th Annual Nighttime Magic Holiday Light Contest. Pick up a list of the winners at the AVA, 110 Third Ave. SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, except Friday. The addresses are also posted on the Albany Explorer App. Participants' lights are on from 5 to 10 p.m. through Saturday, or beyond.

Pastega Christmas Display, 5 to 10 p.m. daily through Friday, Benton County Fairgrounds, 110 SW 53rd St., Corvallis; enter off Reservoir Avenue and exit on 53rd. The drive-through event has returned after being canceled last year due to COVID-19. Admission: donation of packaged food items for local food items. Organizers are seeking volunteers to assist with taking down the display after Friday; information is available at https://www.pastegachristmasdisplay.com (click on the "Volunteer" button).

Saturday

Guided 2022 First Day Hikes, several state parks. The normal $5 day-use parking fee will be waived for the day at the 25 parks that normally require a parking permit. Jan. 1 also marks the beginning of the yearlong Oregon State Parks centennial commemoration. A list of guided hikes, including times and meeting locations, is available at https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=things-to-do.events. Visitors should check the calendar in the days leading up to Saturday for additional guided hikes. Some parks not hosting guided hikes may post information that includes recommended hikes and ranger favorites. Parsons added that at this time of year, whales can be seen during winter migration, so bring binoculars to coastal parks to help scan for whale spouts.

Oregon State Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity Christmas tree pick-up, through Jan. 15, Corvallis. Members will collect trees for a $5 donation; all proceeds will benefit Be the Match, a bone marrow registry that every year helps thousands of people diagnosed with life-threatening blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. For more information or to schedule a pick-up: 503-662-6636 or stablesj@oregonstate.edu.

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It is the duty of every citizen to defend the country against its enemies.

COVID-19 has killed over 800,000 Americans, more than the total combat deaths in all American wars since 1775, and more than the combat and non-combat deaths since the Spanish American War. Clearly COVID-19 is a greater enemy than all the communists, fascist and other foes this nation has fought. We are being attacked by an invisible enemy!

I recently saw two young fellows at Fred Meyer who were not wearing masks. A store employee offered them masks, and they ignored him. It really irked me to see these two slackers refusing to wear masks in a public place. They think it is an inconvenience, or a violation of their rights, to take measures to defend the nation against the COVID-19 threat. What a bunch of wusses!

When I was their age it was our right to be drafted and sent to Vietnam. I served my country for 27 months in Vietnam  longer than the pandemic has been raging in the United States. That was a real inconvenience!

Some think it is their right to do as they please. They dont understand that rights come with responsibilities. We all have the responsibility  our patriotic duty  to defend our country and wear masks, practice social distancing and get vaccinated to avoid spreading disease.

What bothers me the most is when these irresponsible anti-vaxxer my-rights Trumpanzee traitors wrap themselves in the flag and call themselves patriots!

Phillip Hays

Corvallis

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Crime

featured

A business fire and Denton police officer's arrest led 2021 crime stories

Jeff Woo/DRC file photo Debbie Weigenant, co-owner of Denton Sewing Center, is shown inside the businesss damaged building on May 27, three days after a fire. Weigenant said her daughter, who faces arson charges, has struggled with mental illness and drug addiction for decades. Courtesy photo In January, Dallas Drug Enforcement Agency reported finding 663 hidden packages of methamphetamine inside an 18-wheeler that agents stopped in Denton County in October 2020. Al Key/DRC file photo A pickup turns onto Rockhill Road in front of oncoming westbound traffic in May on U.S. Highway 380, near the site of a crash that killed three people.

The most-read crime stories in the Denton Record-Chronicle this year touched on a woman being accused of setting fire to her familys business and the FBI opening an investigation into a Denton police officer who allegedly viewed child pornography in his patrol car.

The Record-Chronicle followed a handful of crime stories this year from the initial report to follow-up stories.

Some of these stories will see future coverage in 2022.

Fire at Denton Sewing Center

Debbie Weigenant, co-owner of Denton Sewing Center, spoke to the Denton Record-Chronicle shortly after her daughter was arrested and accused of setting fire to the family business back in May. The sewing center, which has been in business since 1986, is still rebuilding from the fire, although it was able to reopen in a neighboring storefront.

The fire started at the building at 1504 Malone St. around 2:30 a.m. May 24, the same night there was a small fire behind Drug Emporium and a few days after a fire at the Holiday Lodge motel.

Jennifer Spillane

The Denton Fire Department connected Jennifer Spillane, 45, to the fires, and she was charged with three counts of arson. In September, she was deemed incompetent to stand trial by a judge.

Weigenant said its been a tough road for the past 21 years watching her daughter struggle with mental illness and drug addiction. She said the system has failed many people with mental illnesses, but she hopes her daughter can find the help she needs.

Denton police officer accused by the FBI of possessing child porn

David Schoolcraft was a 15-year veteran of the Denton Police Department when he was arrested on one count of distributing child pornography on March 3.

In the weeks that followed, federal court records stated that Schoolcraft used Kik, an instant messaging application, to send two sexually explicit videos late last year showing girls who appeared to be prepubescent.

Schoolcraft was an administrator of several child exploitation messaging groups, and at one point, Kik deleted one of his accounts, according to court records.

He allegedly used Kik to trade content that was entirely underage while he was at the park, in his squad car, at the police department, and anywhere else he had Wi-Fi.

Schoolcraft pleaded not guilty shortly after his arrest, and he resigned from the Police Department in April. On Tuesday, Schoolcraft changed his plea to guilty. A sentencing date hadnt been published by Tuesday afternoon.

Schoolcraft faces up to 20 years in prison.

Man accused of shooting at Corinth police

Attorneys for a Corinth man accused of shooting at three police officers in February released surveillance footage in July.

The Corinth Police Department found Charles Williams Jr. near his home after they got a call about a reckless driver on Feb. 2, but Williams attorneys said he never shouldve had that confrontation with police since they didnt actually see the alleged reckless driving.

Corinth police claimed the video released was carefully edited and that viewers were getting only the perspective from Williams camera. Surveillance footage shows Williams telling police repeatedly to leave his property, an officer shooting at him and Williams returning fire during an encounter that escalates within a few minutes.

Williams was arrested once he was cleared at the hospital and was charged with three counts of aggravated assault against a public servant. Corinth police said they first shot at him with less lethal munition.

Woman, two children died in a crash on University Drive

Twenty people and a dog died in car crashes in Denton this year as of Dec. 28, and a story about the deaths of three people in one crash stood out to Record-Chronicle readers.

Two young sisters and a 31-year-old woman died in a crash this spring, bringing an unexplainable loss to their local families. It was one of two fatal crashes this year along U.S. Highway 380 toward east Denton.

First responders were called out to a crash just before noon May 23 on U.S. 380 at Rockhill Road. Investigators said a white Mustang and black Mercedes were involved in a head-on crash in the westbound lanes.

The crash killed three people: Denton residents Kimberly Katherine, 4, and Karoline Jaclyn Satterfield, 4 months old, were described as happy, social butterflies. Jordan Nicole Dodson, 31, of Providence Village, underwent three kidney transplants throughout her life and was set to be married next year.

People want to assign blame, but the reality is, regardless of what happened, two families have lost loved ones and are dealing with the devastation, said Brian Rebecek, a spokesperson for the Dodson family, shortly after the crash. Were all dealing with this unexplainable loss.

Dodsons fiance was with her in the Mercedes at the time of the crash and was injured. The Satterfield sisters father and grandmother were with them during the crash, and both lived, although they were critically injured.

$45 million in meth the largest bust in Denton County

The Dallas Drug Enforcement Agency in January spoke for the first time about an October 2020 methamphetamine drug bust involving nearly 2,000 pounds of the drug, worth about $45 million.

Dallas DEA agents on Oct. 8, 2020, stopped an 18-wheeler in Denton County, although the agency declined to specify where on Interstate 35 the bust happened. Agents found about 663 packages that totaled about 1,930 pounds of meth.

Although the bust happened in Denton County, Dallas special agent in charge Eduardo Chavez said they didnt know if its final destination was in the county.

Chavez said they seized about $45 million in product, based on what they believed was the current market price for the drug, from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Until late 2020, Lesothos telecom regulator maintained a market duopoly between the privatised national operator, Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL), which is focussed on fixed-line services, and Vodacom Lesotho, which dominates the mobile sector.

Competition between the two was insufficient to promote effective price reductions for consumers, while the regulator had no mechanisms in place to monitor the telcos to ensure quality of service and fair pricing for consumers. The small size of the countrys population provided little incentive for new players to enter the market.

Legal wrangling between the regulator and the telcos are ongoing. Both telcos were fined in late 2020, though Vodacom has the more troubled relationship with the regulator. This culminated in the regulator having attempted to revoke Vodacom Lesothos operating licence, a process which was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Court after the company appealed. A positive outcome for consumers was the deployment in early 2021 of a service to monitor traffic and billing. This ended the practice whereby the regulator was dependent on telcos submitting data about their performance, billing, and other matters.

Vodacom was the first operator to introduce mobile broadband services in the country, supplemented with a WiMAX network. In late 2014 the company launched commercial services based on LTE technology. This was followed by fixed-wireless 5G trials in early 2019 based on a trial 3.5GHz licence. Vodacom Lesotho was among the first network operators in the region to conduct such trials.

BuddeComm notes that the outbreak of the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally. During the coming year the telecoms sector to various degrees is likely to experience a downturn in mobile device production, while it may also be difficult for network operators to manage workflows when maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure.

Overall progress towards 5G may be postponed or slowed down in some countries.

On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, will offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect should be a steady though reduced increased in subscriber growth.

Although it is challenging to predict and interpret the long-term impacts of the crisis as it develops, these have been acknowledged in the industry forecasts contained in this report.

The report also covers the responses of the telecom operators as well as government agencies and regulators as they react to the crisis to ensure that citizens can continue to make optimum use of telecom services. This can be reflected in subsidy schemes and the promotion of tele-health and tele-education, among other solutions.

Key developments:

Vodacom Lesotho transfers its M-Pesa division to a new independent company, VCL Financial Services;

Telecom regulator assumes the right to approve telcos senior management appointees;

ETL expands FttP network;

Safaricom and Vodacom Group acquire the M-Pesa brand;

Improved internet connectivity following landing of international cables;

Universal Service Agency expanding base tower infrastructure in remote areas;

Report update includes ITU statistics, regulators ICT market report, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, operator data to Q2 2021, assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, recent market developments.

Get a Full Copy of this Report

Developing Telecoms market report summaries are produced in partnership with BuddeCom, the worlds largest continually updated online telecommunications research service.

The above article is a summary of the following BuddeCom report:

Report title: Lesotho - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Edition: November 2021

Analysts: Henry Lancaster

Number of pages: 104

Companies mentioned in the report: Telecom Lesotho, Econet a, Vodacom Lesotho, Eskom, Comnet

Single User PDF Licence Price: US$890

For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report please use the following link: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Lesotho-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83
CMLink, China Mobile's subsidiary in Canada, will cease operation in Canada due to fears expressed by the federal government.

"In compliance with the request of the Canadian Federal Government, CMLink of China Mobile Canada, will cease operations on January 5, 2022," said a statement on the company website.

"The balance in your CMLink account can be refunded from December 28, 2021. The refund amount is subject to the account balance on the day of application submission," said CM Link, which is in charge of China Mobile's operation in the Canadian market.

For users who are not activated on or after January 5, 2022, the card purchase fee will be automatically refunded to the same method of payment, and no refund registration is required.

The National Post reported earlier in December how China Mobile had lost a court bid for a temporary hold on the federal governments order that its Canadian affiliate is divested or wound up over national security concerns.

According to Richmond News, Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton stated the harms to the general public curiosity posed by China Mobile International Canadas continued operation are significantly greater than the harms the corporate has proven it could endure without a keep of the order.

In January, the federal authorities informed CMI Canada {that a} assessment of its operations, prompted by safety issues, indicated that the enterprise could possibly be leveraged by the Chinese state for overseas interference, the report said.

The authorities then issued an order in August directing mum or dad firm China Mobile to both wind-up or divest the Canadian enterprise within 90 days.
Chinese technology firm Xiaomi has unveiled its new flagship Xiaomi 12 smartphone in China.

The line includes the Xiaomi 12 Pro version, with three 50 MP sensors and other features, said a press release.

"Equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Mobile Platform, which is manufactured using the 5nm process, Mi 11 offers breakthrough performance with superior power efficiency," it said.

Available in standard and Pro versions, the phone will go on sale from 31 December in China starting at CNY 3,699 (512, $580). A global launch is expected to follow in early 2022. This is exactly what happened for the Mi 11 a year ago, as that was shown off for China on December 26, and then rolled out globally in February.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun indicated this could be a direct competitor of the iPhone 13. "We have bigger batteries and a faster power supply. What's more important? Our cell phone signal is so much better. Sometimes I think that as a business person if you often make a lot of phone calls, it must be more convenient to use Xiaomi 12 than to use iPhone13," he said during the presentation.

SOT, Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi (Mandarin) said: "This time we officially announce our Xiaomi 12 series to beat the Apples iPhone 13 series. When I first said this a few days ago, the hashtag and the topic have quickly become a hot topic on the internet. I think this would have been a good goal, but I still see a lot of cynicism comments online. I think Chinese domestic mobile phone brands should have such courage, why not compare or beat with it?"

The Xiaomi 12 will also likely end up as a close rival for the Samsung Galaxy S22, Oppo Find X4, and OnePlus 10 when they launch, so its definitely worth paying attention to whatever happens today.
He noted that the study of ants offered insights into the state of the environment, because the welfare and diversity of ant populations might be useful as an indicator of subtle destructive changes in a seemingly normal area.

Wilson was born in 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama. As an only child whose parents divorced when he was 7, Wilson found comfort in nature, which he called his companion of choice.

He also had to deal with the loss of sight in one eye in a fishing accident and, in his teens, a partial hearing loss.

The Boy Scouts provided Wilson an opportunity to further his enthusiasm for nature, and by the age of 15, Wilson had risen to the rank of Eagle Scout.

He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1949. He received his Ph.D. in biology from Harvard in 1955 and became an assistant professor there in 1956. Wilsons field research included stops in Australia, New Guinea and Sri Lanka, in addition to his ongoing work at home.
WEEDOWE, Alabama (AP)  The Rev. Athanasius Chidi Abanulo  using skills honed in his African homeland to minister effectively in rural Alabama determines just how long he can stretch out his Sunday homilies based on who is sitting in the pews.

Seven minutes is the sweet spot for the mostly white and retired parishioners who attend the English-language Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in the small town of Wedowee. If you go beyond that, you lose the attention of the people, he said.

For the Spanish-language Mass an hour later, the Nigerian-born priest  one of numerous African clergy serving in the U.S. -- knows he can quadruple his teaching time. The more you preach, the better for them, he said.

As he moves from one American post to the next, Abanulo has learned how to tailor his ministry to the culture of the communities he is serving while infusing some of the spirit of his homeland into the universal rhythms of the Mass.

Nigerian people are relaxed when they come to church, Abanulo said. They love to sing, they love to dance. The liturgy can last for two hours. They dont worry about that.
Watergate tops news for 1973

Watergate  the scandal, its investigation and effects  was voted the top news story of 1973 by the editors and news directors of Associated Press member newspapers and radio and TV stations.

The other top 10 stories in order of balloting were: 2. Spiro T. Agnew; 3. the end of the war in Vietnam and release of the prisoners of war; 4. the economy; 5. war in the Middle East; 6. the energy crisis; 7. the slaying of 27 boys in Texas; 8. the death of Lyndon B. Johnson; 9. Skylab space missions; and 10. the revolution in Chile.

The poll was taken before the Arab oil cutoff generated a more severe energy crisis.  Jackson County Floridan, Thursday, Dec. 27, 1973

Mitchell linked to veto of grand jury in dairy findings

Former Atty. Gen. John N. Mitchell turned down recommendations for a federal grand jury investigation of possible criminal violations by the nations largest dairy cooperative, the Justice Department has disclosed.
In 2014, the war in Afghanistan came to a formal end with a quiet flag-lowering ceremony in Kabul that marked the transition of the fighting from U.S.-led combat troops to the countrys own security forces, and more events that happened on this day in history.
The U.S. is averaging more than 400,000 cases a day, with hospitalizations also up. Get ready for the week and COVID-19 year three with these updates and comprehensive guides to dealing with the omicron wave.
MONTGOMERY  Health officials on Tuesday urged people to take precautions, such as wearing masks and getting booster shots, after the positivity rate for COVID-19 tests more than doubled over the last week.

The Alabama Department of Public Health said in a news release that the state positivity rate for COVID-19 tests had more doubled over the past week to reach 22.1%. All but six counties are classified as having high levels of community transmission.

We are seeing outbreaks happening all over town. We are hearing about groups of people coming into our clinics to be tested, who were at the same party or went to the same after-school event, go to the same church or maybe attended the same social gathering, Dr. Rendi Murphree, an epidemiologist with the Mobile County Public Health Department, said Tuesday.

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The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Alabama tripled over the last two weeks to reach 1,747 new cases per day on Dec. 26, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Bert Eichold, the health officer for Mobile County, said over 50% of recently sequenced samples from COVID-19 patients came back as the omicron.
This week, the federal judge overseeing a lawsuit against Alabama for its chronically troubled corrections system issued a generous deadline for state officials to adequately staff the prison system.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompsons pointed 600-page opinion demands multiple changes in inmate care and sets a July 2025 deadline for the state to bring its staffing level in line with the recommended 3,826 full-time-equivalent officers.

Lawmakers either dont understand or dont care that one thing in short supply with the federal courts is patience. The initial ruling mandating rehabilitation of the corrections system  its inadequate staffing, inadequate mental health resources, and widespread violence  was handed down in 2017, yet little progress has been made.

Lawmakers, meanwhile, have hammered out a building program for new prisons at a cost of up to $3 billion, but made no significant movement with regard to the concerns addressed in the 2017 ruling.
Tripping and stepping on each other's feet is a definite no-no for dancers but not in To Van Hoa's class: all his students are blind.

"The most difficult thing for them when it comes to dancing is feeling the space," the trainer at the Hanoi Dance Club for the Blind (Solar Club) says.

Three years ago he agreed to participate in a physical training project for the blind. Working for the first time with sight-impaired people, the 35-year-old was confused in the beginning. Then he imagined himself as a blind person to understand their difficulty and began to patiently train them.

He breaks a dance into many motions, making it easier for them to visualize, and corrects each movement and posture.

The project ended after three months, but the students in the group texted him to say they "wish to continue learning".

He decided to set up free classes twice a week. The class is a 20-meter square room on the third floor of the blind association office in Dong Da District.

"Those who are not blind can undertake many activities for physical fitness, but blind people cannot," he explains when asked why he set up the class.

After starting with around 10 students, he now has more than 30.

Dancers in Solar Club, Dec. 24, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Nga

Every Wednesday and Friday morning Pham Van Quang, who lost his sight and three fingers to a landmine accident when he was 14, travels 13 km from his home in Thanh Tri District to Hoas class. He is the hardest working student there, and never takes a day off.

He used to take a motorbike taxi and then a bus to reach the place, switched to ride-hailing services, and then, when the pandemic broke out, rented a motorbike taxi full-time, paying nearly VND200,000 ($8.76), to attend the class.

He says: "Every dance to me is like stepping into a dream. I used to think I would not be able to learn to dance, but now I know many kinds of dances".

In the beginning he too found things awkward, unable to see the person dancing next to him, not knowing how to keep a distance, bumping into others, tripping on the uneven ground, and even falling.

It was also common for the trainees to bump into tables and chairs.

Then they struck upon the idea of using signals or touching their partners' hips to let them know they are standing next to them.

If only two couples are dancing, the rest move out of their way.

Quang says: "Here I get to exercise and interact with people, so I'm much more energetic and healthy. We face the same situation, have the same goals, and so we feel free to share".

Do Thuy Ha, head of Solar Club, said at first she had only planned to learn dancing as an exercise, with even her mother telling her she could not dance.

"Your body is too stiff," she reportedly told her.

She is now surprised her daughter dances well.

Ha says: "We want to inspire people through the club's activities. There are things we think we cannot do, but with effort and dedication we are bound to succeed".

In April Solar Club organized a contest called PASS (Passion Assembly of Step and Sway), the first ever dance competition for blind people in Vietnam.

Hoa has learned perseverance and determination from his students. Many of them have patiently learned to dance and surprised the trainer.

To nurture his special students' passion, he taught online when Hanoi was under the Covid lockdown.

He adds: "For the first time in my life I taught dance online. Their positive energy helps me believe no difficulty is insurmountable".
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A man who dropped a gun and ran naked from police before being shot by an officer outside a church in 2017 has accepted a $525,000 settlement to end a federal lawsuit against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and police officers, both sides said this week.

Jason Funkes lawyer, Jason Newville of Minneapolis, confirmed a Las Vegas Review-Journal report about the Nov. 3 agreement and U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware IIs finding in June that Officer Mark Hatten unlawfully used excessive force against Funke when he shot the then-25-year-old in August 2017.

Attorney Craig Anderson, representing the department, also confirmed the settlement in the case alleging violations of Funkes constitutional rights, the Americans with Disabilities Act and unlawful assault and battery. Anderson and police Officer Larry Hadfield, a department spokesman, declined additional comment.

Newville noted Hatten was at the center of a $500,000 settlement the police department reached in 2018 with the mother of a 44-year-old man who died in December 2010 after Hatten shocked him with an electronic stun gun 10 times for more than 90 seconds during a struggle after a traffic stop.

The day Funke was shot, police were summoned to a church where Funk had sought counseling just days earlier about his mental health, including feelings of suicide, according to court records.

A church leader told a 911 dispatcher that Funke was sitting naked in a meditation pose with a handgun in front of him and money on the ground in front of the church.

He told the dispatcher, Yeah, this man is suicidal. I talked to him; hes not making sense, Boulware noted in his June ruling granting summary judgment on Funkes excessive force claim against Hatten.

At least six police officers arrived, with a police helicopter overhead, before Funke stood, picked up the gun and began pacing.

Hatten, armed with a rifle in a position near other officers, announced: Hes starting to move. ... Im gonna take a shot.

It is undisputed that Funke had not directly or verbally threatened anyone with the gun, and that he committed no serious crime, Boulware wrote. He had not raised the weapon toward others or himself.

Another officer yelled at Funke to drop the gun and he did, putting his hands in the air, and walking toward Hatten and another officer, the judge said.

A K-9 officer struggled to control a police dog, which was barking and pulling at its leash when officers ordered Funke to lay on the ground.

Funke ran, the police dog was released and attacked another officer," and Hatten shot Funke in the back left shoulder when Funke was about 30 feet (9 meters) from the dropped gun. The police dog then reached Funke and bit his arm.

The parties dispute whether Funke was running to retrieve the gun or simply running away, Boulware wrote.

Hatten is still employed by the Las Vegas police department, assigned to the criminalistics bureau, which includes crime scene investigations, the Review-Journal reported.

Officer Aden OcampoGomez, a department spokesman, declined to tell the newspaper if Hatten was disciplined for shooting Funke and declined to comment on the settlement.

Funkes mother, Theresa Funke, told the newspaper her son suffered physical and emotional scars, and that having to fight criminal charges was almost as bad.

Funke was initially charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure and possession of a dangerous weapon on a school or child-care property, court records show.

He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to probation.

Essentially, he said, Im being punished for having a mental breakdown, his mother said.

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RENO  Donor Network West, the federally designated nonprofit organ procurement organization for northern Nevada and northern California, will honor three organ donation recipients and two families whose loved ones donated organs at the 133rd Rose Parade happening Jan. 1 in Pasadena, California.

Remembering the selfless gifts their loved ones made through organ donation, the Meas and Hammond families will see the memorial portraits of their family members featured on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float. Riding on the same float will be organ recipients Branden Dever, Selah Kitchiner and Hilda Martinez.

In order of their hometowns, the Rose Parade honorees supported by Donor Network West are:

From Reno, Elizabeth Lizzy Hammond, Donor

Nine-year-old Elizabeth Lizzy Hammond saved three lives through organ donation after she died in 2019 in a tragic accident when a bounce house, with her inside, was blown into electric power lines. With a generous spirit, Lizzy always raised her hand to help others. She is survived by her parents, Wendy and Mitch Hammond, two younger siblings and an extended network of friends and loved ones.

From Richmond, Calif., Hilda Martinez, Recipient

Experiencing issues with her kidney, Hilda Martinez was preparing to undergo her first dialysis treatments in 2014. Just before her first treatment, a donor match was found and her kidney transplant provided her with the gift of life. Hilda and her husband of 26 years have raised four children. She dedicates her free time to volunteering with Donor Network West, alongside a devoted group of women called Las Amigas who educate the Latino community about the importance of organ and tissue donation.

This honor is co-sponsored by Sutter Health, an affiliate of California Pacific Medical Center.

From Sacramento, Calif., Selah Kitchiner, Recipient

At 13 years old, Selah Kitchiner was diagnosed with liver failure. As she battled her disease in the hospital, her father passed away from his battle with cancer. She received the life-saving transplant just two weeks after her fathers passing. Inspired by her caring and knowledgeable medical team who was there to support her during these difficult times, Selah is now on her way to becoming a doctor herself. She is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Southern California studying psychology.

This honor is co-sponsored by UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital San Francisco.

From San Jose, Calif., Branden Dever, Recipient

Following the diagnosis of stage 4 chronic kidney disease at 15 years old, Branden Devers life immediately changed. After experiencing a sharp decline in his kidney function and undergoing painful dialysis treatments for months, Branden was matched with a donor. His transplant surgery in November 2020 was successful and his family looks forward to more time together and seeing him continue to improve and thrive.

This honor is co-sponsored by The Pediatric Transplant Center at Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford.

From Union City, Calif., Siwutha Sam Meas, Donor

Siwutha Sam Meas was born in Cambodia and fled the Khmer Rouge Regime with her family to the United States as refugees. With her husband of 35 years, Siwutha was mother to three children and a proud grandmother of six. After years of working to support her family, Siwutha found faith with her church and began finding more time to enjoy life to travel and try new things. She died in July 2020 and became an organ donor, giving her precious gifts of life to save others.

We are honored to recognize this years Donor Network West participants and their families at the Rose Parade, said Janice Whaley, president and CEO of Donor Network West. The donor families who gave others a second chance at life are extending their loved ones legacy while the living recipients are celebrating their lives with renewed focus and gratitude for the gifts they have been given to live. We encourage everyone to consider registering to become an organ donor so together, we can help save and heal more lives.

Anyone can register to be an organ donor. To learn more and to register as an organ donor, visit DonorNetworkWest.org.



Look back: Nevada Health Centers:

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Dear Honorable Senator Joe Manchin:

The Elko County (Nevada) Board of Commissioners would like to pass along its heartfelt thanks for your efforts to stand up for the American people with your decision to oppose the Build Back Better plan. In resisting the extreme pressure from your own party you have proven yourself to be a true, patriotic American!

Our commission recently wrote to the Nevada congressional delegation pleading with them to oppose any additional spending that would add to our already $29 trillion national debt. Unfortunately, our two senators lacked your fortitude and followed your partys demands.

In that letter to our delegation, we explained the magnitude of the national debt. We asked our representatives to stop and think what that number  $29 trillion  means before supporting any additional spending.

Twenty-nine trillion dollars in debt represents a debt of $86,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States, according to usdebtclock.com. Excluding our babies and retirees, that represents a debt of $229,000 for every taxpayer in the country. That is insane!

Looking back, 29 trillion seconds ago was 918,952 years ago. Ancient man was just appearing on Earth way back then. Looking to the future, it would take us nearly a century to pay off this debt if we began paying it off at a rate of $10,000 every second. That would be our great-great-grandchildren that would finally see the debt retired, assuming we ever made the commitment to begin paying it down at that rate.

How can Congress do that to our future generations?

Thanks to you, Sen. Manchin, our descendants will be spared the additional $2 trillion that would have been added by the Build Back Better plan.

In addition to our sincere thanks, we would also like to invite you out to Elko, Nev., where we could pay you the personal tribute you deserve.

Good luck in the future, stay strong and God bless you!

Jon Karr, chairman

Elko County Commissioners

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Headlines

- Five statesoffer unemployment benefits to workers who refuse private and public sector vaccine mandates.

- Omicron leads businesses to shut down voluntarily and no more stimulus is on the way

- Could Omicron spark need for a fourth stimulus check?

- Biden remains optimistic about BBB, in light of Senator Manchin's opposition.

- Some parents will receive $8,000 stimulus checks this spring.

- Biden extends the student debt moratorium to May.

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Child Tax Credit

- What next for the Child Tax Credit after Build Back Better bill talks stall?

-Why does Manchin oppose the Build Back Better bill?

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Latest articles:
It has been eighteen days since the trial of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell began. On 29 December, the New York jury found her guilty on five of the six charges related to the sexual abuse of minors. Maxwell herself chose not to take to the stand. What happens next?

Deliberations in Manhattan federal court began on the afternoon of 20 December and resumed on Monday after a four-day break for Christmas. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan had told the jurors to be careful given the surge in covid-19 cases in the New York area driven by the Omicron variant. Maxwell who turned sixty during the trial will could face up to sixty-five years in prison. The sentencing date has not yet been set.

What was she accused of?



Maxwell, 60, was accused of recruiting and grooming the four women to have sexual encounters with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein when they were teenagers. Over a three-week trial, jurors heard emotional and explicit testimony from the women, three of whom said Maxwell herself touched their nude bodies. The daughter of late British media baron Robert Maxwell pled not guilty to six counts of sex trafficking and other crimes. Her lawyers argued prosecutors were treating her as a scapegoat for Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex abuse charges.

She has been named in several lawsuits filed by woman who say they were victims of sexual abuse. One accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, has alleged that she was coerced by Epstein and Maxwell into having sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17.

Giuffre, who says Maxwell recruited her to work as Epsteins masseuse when she was 15, alleges that the disgraced financier paid her $15,000 to have sex with the prince, who denies the claims and says he has "no recollection" of meeting his accuser.

In 2015, Giuffre sued Maxwell over the socialites claims that her accusations were lies. During the defamation case, which was settled two years later, Giuffre said she was "forced to have sexual relations" with Prince Andrew "in three separate geographical locations".

Who is Ghislaine Maxwell?

Full screen Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell pulls down her mask to sip from a cup as deliberations extended into a second week. JASON SZENES (EFE)

Maxwell is the youngest child of media tycoon Robert Maxwell, who died in 1991 after apparently falling overboard from his 180-foot yacht - which he had named Lady Ghislaine after his daughter - while it was cruising off the Canary Islands.

Ghislaine, who moved to the US after her fathers death, is a former girlfriend of Epstein. After their romantic relationship came to an end, reportedly at some point in the 1990s, she became "something more akin to [] a close friend, confidante and personal assistant" to Epstein, a Guardian profile said.

FBI investigation lead to Maxwell arrest

Maxwell was arrested by the FBI in New Hampshire in July 2020.

We have been discreetly keeping tabs on Maxwells whereabouts as we worked this investigation, said William Sweeney, the assistant director of the FBIs New York office, at the time.

"More recently, we learned she had slithered away to a gorgeous property in New Hampshire, continuing to live a life of privilege while her victims lived with the trauma inflicted upon them years ago."
China will see 70 percent of its major manufacturing firms basically digitalized and networked by 2025, according to a development plan on smart manufacturing.

The plan, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments, also states that all of China's manufacturing firms above a designated size will be digitalized and networked by 2035.

China will also build more than 500 industry-leading smart-manufacturing demonstration plants by 2025, according to the plan.

Although China's smart manufacturing has progressed from the pilot test phase to application, it still lags behind the standard of high-quality development.

The plan proposes a range of special actions, including innovation, application, supply and support, to advance the development of smart manufacturing.
According to statistics from Japan Customs, Japans imports of bananas (coded HS 0803) in the 10 months reached 939.8 thousand tons, worth 93.6 billion JPY (equivalent to 822.8 million USD), an increase of 4.7% in volume and 3.5% in value over the same period last year. The average price of imported bananas reached 99.6 thousand JPY per ton, down 1.2% year on year.

Photo for illustration. (Source: congthuong.com.vn)

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world. In Japan, bananas are commonly sold in supermarkets, convenience stores and grocery stores. Each household in the country uses between 9 and 15 bananas a month. However, Japans banana production is quite low and so bananas are mainly imported from countries around the world.

In the structure of banana supply to Japan, the Philippines is the largest supplier, accounting for 75.8% of the total amount of bananas Japan imported in the 10 months. It was followed by Ecuador, Mexico, Guatemala and Vietnam.

The proportion of imports from Vietnam accounted for 0.6% of Japans total banana imports, up 0.2 percentage points against the same period last year. The average import price of Vietnamese bananas was high, at 107,600 JPY a ton in the 10 months, a year-on-year decrease of 19.8%./.
The figures were revealed at a conference held by the Vietnam Administration of Forestry on December 28.



Bui Chinh Nghia, deputy head of the Vietnam Administration of Forestry, said that Vietnams forestry export value this year is estimated at 15.87 billion USD, a year-on-year rise of 20%.

Of the number, the export revenue of wood and wood products reached 14.72 billion USD, and that of non-timber forestry products was 1.15 billion USD.

In 2021, the total export value of wooden furniture and forest products is estimated at 15.87 billion USD. (Photo: sggp.com.vn)

In addition, forest environmental services revenue reached 3.115 trillion VND, exceeding 11% of the 2021 collection plan, an increase of 21% over the same period last year. The forest coverage rate so far has reached 42.02%, an increase of about 3,300 ha compared to 2020.

The sector accounted for over 30% of the countrys total agro-forestry-fishery export revenue, 4.7% of the countrys cumulative export value, and was among the seven items with export revenue exceeding 10 billion USD.

Notably, it significantly contributed to the trade surplus of the agro-foresry-fishery sector.

To ensure materials for processing, domestic firms also imported wood and wood products worth around 2.93 billion USD, up 14.2 percent from the corresponding time last year.

In 2022, the sector aims to plant 230,000 hectares of concentrated forests and 122 million scattered trees; exploit 31.5 million cubic meters of timber and achieve export value of 16 billion USD for the whole year./.
Mr. Pham Minh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front (2nd from the right), receives the masks supported by Gangwon Province. (Photo: VNA)

Mr. Tran Phuoc Anh, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, expressed his appreciation for the support from Gangwon Province for the city and the southern provinces. Due to the impact of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ho Chi Minh City and many localities of Vietnam face many challenges. During that difficult time, Vietnam has received a lot of valuable support from countries, localities and international partners, including the Republic of Korea.

According to Mr. Anh, besides the support of foreign localities, the City Department of Foreign Affairs has received the attention, coordination and enthusiastic support from the southern localities. The Department donated 35,000 medical masks out of a total of 80,000 masks received from the Korean province to 7 Departments of Foreign Affairs of the provinces of An Giang, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, Tay Ninh and Tien Giang.

At the ceremony, Mr. Yeon Song Heum, Head of the Representative Office of Gangwon Province in Ho Chi Minh City, discussed the potentials and strengths of Gangwon Province; expressed his wish to further promote cooperation activities in the near future, especially in the application of high technology in the medical field between Gangwon and Ho Chi Minh City as well as southern provinces.

Previously, in early October, the Korean Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and member businesses of the Korean Business Association (Koncham) supported funding and medical equipment worth more than VND5.9 billion for the city's COVID-19 prevention and control./.
Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung took souvenir photos with representatives of the Korean side. (Photo: VNA)

The organizations included the North Gyeongsang Province Firefighting Police Department, the Korean International Fire Sprinkler Association (IFSA), the Business Exchange Association and the Korea and Vietnam Cultural Exchange Association (KOVECA).



Since the end of last August, through the connection of KOVECA, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea (RoK) and IFSA implemented a project to receive a number of used Korean ambulances to assist Vietnams fight against COVID-19. This project has received the attention and support of senior leaders, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Health and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the Korean firefighting agencies, especially the North Gyeongsang Province Firefighting Police Department.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung expressed his belief that the 8 ambulances supported by Korean partners will be a timely source of encouragement for local health authorities in Vietnam to have better conditions in patient care and COVID-19 disease prevention and control, showing the friendship and sharing between the two peoples. He also affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK will continue to accompany the Korean partners in transferring this meaningful gift to Vietnam.

After the handover ceremony, IFSA will transfer 8 ambulances, and it is expected that these vehicles will arrive in Ho Chi Minh City in January 2022. IFSA is implementing a project to support used ambulances for a number of countries in Southeast Asia and Africa. Recently, IFSA has also implemented projects in Laos and Cambodia./.
At the congress (Photo: VOV)

The congress was attended by about 100 delegates in both direct and online formats.

The Congress voted to approve the official establishment of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Kitakyushu and elected the Executive Committee of the association, including 13 people. Ms. Ta Minh Thu, a Vietnamese person who has lived, studied and worked in the city for more than 10 years, was elected as the President of the association. In particular, the Executive Committee of the Association has the participation of two Japanese honorary members.

Speaking at the Congress, Consul General Vu Binh warmly congratulated the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Kitakyushu on its official establishment, saying that the event has met overseas Vietnameses expectations in this city and the vicinity.

Mr. Vu Binh expressed his gratitude to the government and people in Kitakyushu city for their attention and support of the Vietnamese community in the locality; believed that the Executive Board of the Association will unite and agree to quickly stabilize the organization and leaders the association will conduct practical and meaningful activities, contributing to community cohesion, helping each other stabilize and integrate into the local society, preserving and promoting the proud image of Vietnamese people, and looking to the homeland and making positive contributions to the friendship and cooperation between Hai Phong city and Kitakyushu, as well as between Vietnam and Japan in general.

At the end of the ceremony, the representative of the Consulate General of Vietnam presented congratulatory flowers and a set of Vietnamese language learning books to support the association to open Vietnamese classes for children, as well as Japanese friends who love Vietnamese culture in the coming time./.
At the ceremony to hand over the ambulances to the Vietnamese side. (Photo: VNA)

The fire police department of North Gyeongsang province coordinated with the International Fire Suppression Alliance (IFSA) of the RoK, and the Korea-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Association (KOVECA) to organize the ceremony.

According to Vietnam News Agency, since the end of August, through KOVECA, the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK and IFSA have deployed a project to receive used Korean ambulances to donate to Vietnam, which have received support from the Vietnamese Ministries of Public Security and Health, the Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the RoKs National Fire Agency, and especially North Gyeongsang provinces fire police department.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung said the ambulances donated by RoK partners are useful for local health authorities in Vietnam in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them have better conditions in caring and treating COVID-19 patients.

The ambulances are scheduled to be delivered to Ho Chi Minh City in January 2022.

On the same day, Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Foreign Affairs held a ceremony to receive 80,000 medical masks from the RoKs Gangwon province./.
Illustrative photo

Ho Chi Minh City has proposed 8 specific solutions to deal with the Omicron variant. Hanoi has also requested to strengthen management and supervision of entry from countries where the Omicron variant has been recorded; and inspected pandemic prevention and control in high-risk areas such as hospitals, production facilities, markets, supermarkets, railway stations, airports and bus stations.

Notably, localities are required to maximize the management and treatment of mild and asymptomatic known cases at home; and be ready to activate treatment facilities.

In Hanoi, city leaders asked localities to strictly comply with international health quarantine regulations, especially, requiring passengers to have a negative test within 72 hours upon entry into Vietnam; strengthening the control of the certificate of negative test results, and the medical declaration of passengers on entry.

The city also requested relevant agencies to strengthen the review of passengers coming from countries and regions where the new variant has been recorded and spread, such as southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mozambique).

For flights originating from or with passengers arriving from countries where the Omicron variant is present, it is mandatory to carry out centralized isolation for people entering from these countries, regardless of their vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infections.

In addition to the request to strengthen supervision and early detection of suspected cases of Omicron variant in residential areas, agencies, enterprises and businesses, the City People's Committee also proposed to organize health monitoring activities at medical facilities, in the community, at agencies, units and businesses, especially in cases related to immigrants.

The City People's Committee also requires laboratories to proactively detect early cases of Omicron variant infection through tests.

In addition, it is possible to organize random surveillance of some other suspected cases depending on the pandemic situation in the country and in the world.

Earlier, at a meeting between leaders of the Ministry of Health and representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Southeast Asia, both WHO and CDC emphasized four factors in controlling and responding to the Omicron variant, including enhanced surveillance and testing for early detection of the new Omicron variant; promotion of vaccination; strengthening of the health system; and increased communications on preventive measures.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son, Vietnam's main goal in the coming time is to strengthen the protection of high-risk people, quickly detect new variants entering Vietnam, and strengthen measures to monitor, trace, investigate and handle outbreaks.

The Ministry of Health directs localities to organize vaccination against COVID-19 for people in many forms, giving priority to people with underlying diseases and those who are over 50 years old.

The goal is to complete the 2nd injection for people aged 12-18 years old by January 2022, and complete the 3rd dose for people 18 years of age and older in the first quarter of 2022./.
HCM City is Top destination to welcome New Year 2022.

(Photo: nhandan.com.vn)

According to Agoda, Vietnamese tourists as well as tourists around the world wish to find new experiences to celebrate New Year. Famous cities are still attractive destinations, but tourists tend to find more natural destinations or beaches for the holiday. Besides, tourists continue to choose luxury accommodation spots for their first trip of the year.

In Vietnam, tourists seem to prefer 4-5 star hotels to welcome New Year 2022. This shows that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic makes people follow the staycation trend.

HCM City has maintained its position as the top destination for tourists on New Years Eve for 2 consecutive years, while Sapa in Lao Cai province is prominent in the ranking as it jumped from 7th place last year to 2nd place this year, pushing Da Lat city in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong to 3rd place.

Phu Quoc Island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang ranked 5th and Nha Trang city in the central province of Khanh Hoa jumped from 8th place last year to 6th this year. Hanoi ranked 4th in attracting tourists, thanks to the unique French architecture in many famous tourist destinations.

The northern province of Ninh Binh is a new name in the Top 10 favorite destinations for the New Year this year, because of its attractive natural beauty and many interesting experiences./.
Aerial photo taken on Dec. 28, 2021 shows the city wall museum of Nanjing in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

A man visits the exhibition hall of the city wall museum of Nanjing in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 28, 2021. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Photo taken on Dec. 28, 2021 shows city wall bricks displayed at the exhibition hall of the city wall museum of Nanjing in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Photo taken on Dec. 28, 2021 shows the inside view of the exhibition hall of the city wall museum of Nanjing in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

People visit the city wall museum of Nanjing in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 28, 2021. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Aerial photo taken on Dec. 28, 2021 shows the city wall museum of Nanjing and its surrounding landscape in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

A woman visits the exhibition hall of the city wall museum of Nanjing in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 28, 2021. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

A docent introduces an item displayed at the city wall museum of Nanjing in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 28, 2021. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

People visit the city wall museum of Nanjing in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 28, 2021. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Aerial photo taken on Dec. 28, 2021 shows the city wall museum of Nanjing and its surrounding landscape in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. The Nanjing city wall museum opened for trial service here Tuesday. It will showcase the historic and cultural value of the Nanjing city wall from various aspects. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Editor: ZAD
Photo taken on Dec 8, 2021 shows tourists visiting Liukeng Ancient Village, located in Fuzhou City of east Chinas Jiangxi Province. Liukeng Ancient Village has 260 historical architecture sites that shine beautifully under the warm winter sunlight. (Huang Yu/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Dec 8, 2021 shows tourists visiting Liukeng Ancient Village, located in Fuzhou City of east Chinas Jiangxi Province. Liukeng Ancient Village has 260 historical architecture sites that shine beautifully under the warm winter sunlight. (Huang Yu/Guangming Picture)

Editor: JYZ
Dmytro Sennychenko, Chairman of the State Property Fund of Ukraine

Two years ago, I gave my first interview as the Chairman of the State Property Fund of Ukraine.

In that particular interview, apart from covering the future plans and stating the actual status of state assets, I have mentioned my personal deadline for this position  two years. As for me, this is an adequate period of time to establish processes, as well as to show some certain results (in case you dont try to hold down your job). This time is also enough for the Fund to become fully operative without my personal interference.

Now we have met all these conditions. Two years have passed, and the Fund has become an effective institution with transparent and well-managed processes, capable of being effective regardless of its current management.

To avail of this opportunity, I want to thank journalists for the first and all the subsequent chances to tell about privatization, inform on the status of the SOEs and report on our results. Your competence, critical control and focus were priceless and significantly contributed to the privatization reform in Ukraine, which became possible with your help.

I also would like to present sincere compliments to my team. My dear colleagues, you were, and you are the best. I had to fox, parley and persuade in order to bring top professionals from their fabulous business centres into the world of shabby carpets. But then I have never ever regretted, as it paid off a hundredfold with the record-breaking KPIs generated by this team.

Now, looking back on the last two years, during which we have caught up three decades, Im full of honour and confidence. We have made a breakthrough, broke a vicious circle of corruption in the sphere of state property and neutralized even the possibility of corruption. The processes are now well-managed, the team is put together, the goal is clear, and the examples are shown. Now we should keep up the pace.

I was, and I am certain: there is no alternative for privatization in Ukraine. I can confirm, it is a common perception in each and every level of power: reducing the number of state enterprises lies at the heart of the economic strategy Ukraine 2030. For the last 2 years, no one retreated from this path.

In Ukraine, the public sector generates 50% of GDP. Even in China, which is considered as an ideal of state regulation policies, the public sector provides for only 32% of GDP. Embarrassed with public assets, the state cannot move forward, or actually does it with an extremely low pace. We pull this load, fix it, pay for the imitation of work, being self ignorant with its worthlessness.

Its time to say: we do not really need it. SOEs are a kind of nostalgia for the irretrievable past. On the contrary, we should look forward and strive for the maximum productivity. The absolute majority of assets might be effective only in private hands. A government is a good strategist, but a poor manager.

The moment, when everyone gets down to his business  businessmen deal with entrepreneurship, whiles a state creates necessary conditions  everything will be fine, including anti-corruption measures. A common fact: SOEs are the main sources of corruption. Some people tend to go into politics not for policymaking, but to appoint loyal managers on state assets.

730 Days Which Changed Everything

Two years is a relatively small period of time for a person, and just a blink of an eye in the scale of a country. But if we look upon these two years, speaking in financial results, they have surpassed a decade, and the whole period of Ukraines independence considering institutional progress. I will point out only a few main parameters, in which the Fund succeeded during the last two years.

First and foremost: the relaunch of privatization.

Nominally, state property had been under privatization even before. However, it was a kind of Schrodinger privatization, with only a few people participating, informed and having various kinds of formal and informal influence. We do have changed this situation.

Everyone knows everything principle has ruined all cover-ups, and with the launch of privatization.gov.ua site we saw the transformation of privatization into a transparent, competitive, honest and inclusive process. Online mechanisms and maximum autonomy of participants contributed to an obvious financial effect: as a result of successful auctions, privatization earned for the budget app. UAH 8 bn (with UAH 2.25 bn in 2020), a 9-year record, despite closed borders, quarantines and Covid-19.

An average number of participants, which havent really changed for ages (traditionally, a winner + a puppet competitor), comprises up to 5 now, with 10 or even 20 players can fight for the asset. Several years ago, it was simply impossible. The average price increase has reached 107%. In comparison, prior to the reform, the start price increased only by 20% due to low market competition.

A new format, namely  the relaunch of privatization, allowed to launch Big privatization, which had been impossible during the last 16 years. With the big privatization being finally unlocked, large-scale SOEs were brought back under the state control, went through a period of financial and legal sanitation, and can be finally privatized.

When we came to the State Property Fund of Ukraine, the lease of state property was even more corrupt than the privatization itself. While the sales of state property were at least in public focus, the lease of state property was absolutely in the shadows. But this situation has finally changed.

Just as in the case of privatization, all the information on the lease was transferred online. The orenda.gov.ua site was full of actual and complete data in the assets, with fully automatic online auctions (now totaling more than 4000) contributing to the rise in competitiveness and equality for all participants. Ukrainian business could not reshape its activities and reasonably could not believe in such changes. For multiple times, I have hung up my phone after people asking to get things done. At some time, such kind of phone calls stopped, so I suppossed that the new rules have become a new normal for the public.

And again, the financial result of the reform is obvious. The state has earned UAH 1.6 bn for the lease of its property, the highest-ever result!

One should point out, the SPFU has been guided by the principle of economic justice, especially during the period of low business activity during the pandemic. Allowances for SMEs, which suffered due to the quarantine, have generated UAH 160 mln of savings for national business. Our point was clear: it is better to concede a part of profit now than to lose a partner, actual jobs, and potential taxes due to the downfall of such SMEs in the future. And it has really worked out.

Property evaluation has been also under a quiet revolution.

The property evaluation reform was our first war in the office. Back in these days, I used to believe there was nothing worse than that. What a naivety! However, just in a few steps, we have broken the back of the scheme, one of the most cynical and large on the market, which influenced almost everyone, who had to evaluate his property. Eliminating agents, which are charged only for the fact of their existence and data transfer, we have saved UAH 1.7 bn for Ukrainian citizens. An economic effect of the automatic evaluation system, which uses adequate parameters and multipliers, comprises up to UAH 80 mln. Moreover, the rise of profits to the Pension Fund of Ukraine, which are based on the evaluation property cost, has increased by 42%  to UAH 217 mln in 3Q 2021.

We have developed all the necessary legal norms for the full transfer of the evaluation process on an advanced basis. The Draft Law eliminates fractional evaluation, which pulled apart an asset and a land plot of its location; it also introduces the best international standards of evaluation. Now, only 226 votes of Ukrainian MPs separate us from this.

And finally, the corporate governance reform.

The State Property Fund is a last resort institution. Getting another SOE on our balance, we can say straight off, without any financial documents: it was bled white during the last 30 years, it has a lot of debts, and its workers lived at least 5+ years with no salary. Dozens of illegal seizures and legal cases are almost inevitable for such enterprises.

The Fund has received almost 700 SOEs, and almost each of them is a nobodys bargain. However, we have started to clean these Augean stables: changing management, introducing financial accountability, and putting expenditures under severe control. All these measures contributed to the overall sanitation of the assets.

 Dividends increased in 3 times  to UAH 300 mln

 Annual tax incomes increased by UAH 800 mln  to UAH 8.4 bn

 Total losses dropped by UAH 3 bn in a year  to UAH 1 bn

 More than 2500 ha of land plots have been regained under state control, with 15000 ha under the process

Complementary to the operation activities, we have also worked on our strategic goals. The balance between employee turnover and strategy is a written rule for every manager. I have always been dedicated to it, despite any current tasks, namely such exotic measures as countering an armed seizure of an enterprise or 3 special operations of NABU to detect the potential bribers of the Chairman of the SPFU.

In conclusion, I would like to point out: reforms do not gain support at once. I have hardly ever heard any approval from everyone but the colleagues. I have even more seldom heard support, and I have rarely heard any words of gratitude. It was tough, but I am quite experienced to understand: the results can be seen only over the years. Only time can judge whether it was done little or enough.

of my term, I pledged to change the inner sense of the privatization process in Ukraine. Now, I want to declare: it has been done successfully. We should continue this work and keep up the pace.

The privatization goes on.
As a result of the explosion and the subsequent fire in the intensive care unit in Kosivska central regional hospital (Ivano-Frankivsk region), four people have died, and another three have been hospitalized in the regional hospital, head of Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration Svitlana Onischuk has said.

"Four people died. According to preliminary information, one person died from COVID-19 disease, and three people died from fire," Onischuk said.

She added that another three people were injured. They were sent to Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital. "They are provided with a full range of assistance," said the head of the Regional State Administration.

As reported, an explosion occurred in Kosivska Central District Hospital, followed by a fire. The staff of the medical facility was evacuated by 12 patients even before the arrival of the fire and rescue units.

Later, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that in the ward where the fire occurred, the bodies of two dead (bedridden patients) were found, and four medical workers were injured, two of whom were in serious condition and two in a state of moderate severity. The victims were hospitalized with burns in the hospital.

The fire damaged a ward, medical equipment and beds on an area of 55 square meters. Twenty-one people and six units of equipment were involved in extinguishing, of which 11 people and two units of equipment were from the State Emergency Service.
The Ivano-Frankivsk regional prosecutor's office, in connection with the fire in Kosivska Central District Hospital, is carrying out procedural guidance in criminal proceedings initiated on the fact of violation of fire or man-made safety requirements established by law, as a result of which people died and sustained injuries.

"According to the investigation, on the evening of December 28, 2021, a fire broke out on the 1st floor of the intensive care unit of the Kosivska Central District Hospital. Three patients: two women and a man died. Three doctors received burns of varying severity. They were hospitalized. According to preliminary data, the cause of the fire is violation of fire safety requirements," the prosecutor's office said.

Investigative actions are being carried out to establish all the circumstances of the criminal offense.

The pretrial investigation continues.

In turn, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that five oxygen concentrators were operating simultaneously in the intensive care unit, which created conditions for air oversaturation with oxygen.

"After the tragic death of one of the hospital's patients from COVID-19, one of the employees of the institution traditionally set up a memorial candle. The contact of an open fire with oxygen-saturated air in the intensive care unit instantly set fire to medical equipment, tissue and other items ... In such conditions of rapid spread of fire could not be avoided," the message says.

Currently, doctors are fighting for the lives of those who have been injured. It is also noted that the State Emergency Service will conduct urgent inspections of hospitals for the state of fire safety.

As reported, an explosion occurred in Kosivska Central District Hospital, followed by a fire. The staff of the medical facility was evacuated by 12 patients even before the arrival of the fire and rescue units.

Later, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that in the ward where the fire occurred, the bodies of two dead (bedridden patients) were found, and four medical workers were injured, two of whom were in serious condition and two in a state of moderate severity. The victims were hospitalized with burns in the hospital.

Head of Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration Svitlana Onischuk said that as a result of the explosion and the subsequent fire in the intensive care unit in Kosivska Central Regional Hospital (Ivano-Frankivsk region), four people died, another three were hospitalized in the regional hospital.

The fire damaged a ward, medical equipment and beds on an area of 55 square meters. Twenty-one people and six units of equipment were involved in extinguishing, of which 11 people and two units of equipment were from the State Emergency Service.
At the parliamentary elections, 20.5% of Ukrainians, who will come to the elections and have decided on their vote, are ready to vote for the Servant of the People party, according to the results of a nationwide study conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation in conjunction with the sociological service of the Razumkov Center.

The European Solidarity is in the second place with 17% of support. Third place in terms of electoral sympathies is shared by three parties at once - Batkivschyna (10.5%), the potential Reasonable Politics party (10.5%) and the Opposition Platform - For Life (10%).

The Strength and Honor party (almost 7%) and the Nashi project (slightly more than 5%) also have chances to get into parliament. The Ukrainian strategy of Groisman is also close enough to the passing barrier - 4.4%.

The Servant of the People is the only major political party that enjoys relatively equal support in all regions and educational groups. In the West, the party is supported by 16.5% of respondents, in the Center - 18.2%, in the South - 23.7%, in the East - 18.6%. Among the voters of this party, there are also no significant distortions regarding the material condition of the respondents or their language of communication. The Servant of the People is supported by 16.9% among the extremely poor, by 17.2% among the poor; by 19.5% among the conditionally wealthy, by 16.1% among the wealthy.

The European Solidarity Party is most supported by voters with a higher level of education and, as a rule, wealthier ones. In particular, 8.5% of the extremely poor, 13.6% of the poor, 16.3% of the conditionally wealthy, 26.8% of the wealthy are ready to vote for the European Solidarity. More voters of the European Solidarity live in the West (21.3%) and, partially, in the Center (16.6%). In the South - 10.8%, in the East - 10%.

Older respondents and poorer people are more likely to vote for the Batkivschyna and the Opposition Platform. In particular, the Batkivschyna party is supported by 12.3% of the extremely poor, 12.3% of the poor, 8.4% of the conditionally well-off, 6% of the well-off.

It is also indicated that respondents with a lower level of education vote for the Opposition Platform much more often, which is not observed in relation to the Batkivschyna party. Meanwhile, women are totally predominant in the structure of the Batkivschyna party voters, which is not observed in relation to other parties.

If the elections were held now and according to the proportional system, the Servant of the People would receive some 114 seats, the European Solidarity would get 97 seats, the Batkivschyna - 59, the Reasonable Politics -59, The Opposition Platform - 55, the Strength and Honor - 37 seats, Nashi party - 29 seats.

A nationwide study was conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation together with the sociological service of the Razumkov Center from December 17 to 22, 2021 in all regions of Ukraine, with the exception of Crimea and the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. A total of 2,018 respondents aged 18 and over were surveyed. The theoretical sampling error is 2.3%.
Vessel with 88,000 tonnes of Colombian coal for Centrenergo arrived in Ukraine

The Van Gogh vessel with 88,000 tonnes of Colombian coal for PJSC Centrenergo on Wednesday morning moored in the Pivdenny port, the company's press service said.

According to the company, this is the fourth vessel from the end of November with imported thermal coal for the needs of Centrenergo: the company received about 300,000 tonnes of energy coal by sea.

In January 2022, two more vessels with coal from Australia are scheduled to arrive with a total volume of about 150,000 tonnes. Approximate dates are January 15 to 17 and January 28 and 29.

Centrenergo operates 23 blocks (18 pulverized coal and five gas-oil blocks) at Vuhlehirska, Zmiyivska and Trypilska TPPs with a total installed capacity of 7,660 MW. The government owns 78.3% of the company's shares.
This year we are delighted. Although attendance is still limited at churches, at least we are allowed to go, said Marina Gamil, a Coptic Orthodox Christian, adding that churches are doing their best to maximise in-person attendance, including adding outdoor seating.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday rejected suggestions that Beijing was luring African countries into debt traps by offering them massive loans, dismissing the idea as a "narrative" pushed by opponents to poverty reduction.
A special program organized by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD) on "media and sustainable development in Africa", wrapped in Cairo Friday.



As part of the EAPD program, which included several events and meetings, the agency organized on 7 July a workshop entitled "Media Role in Supporting Sustainable Development in Africa" in collaboration with Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies.



A large host of media and press figures were in attendance.



The program included an expanded meeting with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar.



It also included a dialogue session with Head of Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) Makram Mohamed Ahmed.



A delegation of African media personnel had a meeting with Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese.

They also visited Al-Azhar in Cairo where they met with Acting under-secretary of Al-Azhar Saleh Abbas.



In addition, the delegation visited several sites of mega national projects, including the Suez Canal where they had a meeting with Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) Mohab Mamish.



They also toured the Suez Canal Corridor, Tahya Misr tunnels as well as several other projects under-construction in the New Administrative Capital.

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Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas gave Israel one year to withdraw from occupied territory or he said he would no long recognize the Israel based on pre-1967 borders

In a virtual address to the United Nations General Assembly, Abbas called on Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to "convene an international peace conference."

But along with that request he also issued an ultimatum.

"We must state that Israel, the occupying power, has one year to withdraw from the Palestinian territory it occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem," he said.

Abbas added that the Palestinians were ready "to work throughout the year" on solving the final status of the states of Israel and Palestine "in accordance with United Nations resolutions."

But "if this is not achieved, why maintain recognition of Israel based on the 1967 borders?" he said.

Abbas added that the Palestinians would also go to the International Court of Justice "on the issue of the legality of the occupation of the land of the Palestinian state."

The peace process to achieve a two-state solution between in the Middle East has been deadlocked for years.

Israel immediately brushed aside the Palestinian leader's demands.

Abbas "proved once again that he is no longer relevant," said the Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan.

"Those who truly support peace and negotiations do not threaten delusional ultimatums from the UN platform as he did in his speech," he added.

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Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas held a private audience with Pope Francis Thursday and met with top Vatican officials, who emphasised the importance of resuming peace talks with Israel.

Abbas, who has met the pontiff several times before, held talks with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and de facto foreign minister Paul Gallagher on a trip to Rome that also included a meeting with Italian premier Mario Draghi.

The Vatican later said, "it was stressed that it is absolutely necessary to reactivate direct dialogue in order to achieve a two-state solution, also with the help of more vigorous effort on the part of the international community".

It "reiterated that Jerusalem must be recognised by all as a place of encounter and not of conflict, and that its status must preserve its identity and universal value as a Holy City for all three Abrahamic religions".

The Israeli coalition led by new hardline nationalist prime minister, Naftali Bennett, has no common position on ending the decades-long Palestinian conflict, complicating any formal diplomatic negotiations.

But recent visits to Abbas by three Israeli cabinet ministers indicate both sides are keen to promote stability and improve ties, even if peace talks remain off the table for now.

At the Vatican Thursday, the pope and Abbas exchanged gifts and then held hands as Abbas wished the pope good health and strength going forward, according to footage released by the Vatican.

In what Vatican News said was their sixth meeting in the Vatican, Abbas gave the pope a representation in amber of the Grotto of the Nativity, an underground cave in Bethlehem where Christians believe Jesus was born.

During his trip, Abbas also met with Italian Prime Minister Draghi and the country's head of state, President Sergio Mattarella.

At their meeting Wednesday, Draghi "expressed his support for a prompt resumption of the bilateral dialogue" and "a just, sustainable and negotiated two-state solution", the prime minister's office said.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Tuesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, where Putin stressed the importance of achieving a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue, Wafa news agency reported.

President Abbas, who arrived in the Russian city yesterday, briefed President Putin on the latest developments related to the Palestinian issue.

The discussion focused on bilateral cooperation as well as the Middle East agenda with regards to Russias efforts to help reach an Palestinian-Israeli settlement.

Putin said that the Russian Federations position on Palestine with regards to how to solve the Palestinian issue remains unchanged, according to a Kremlin press release.

"The Palestinian problem should be solved in keeping with the earlier UN Security Council resolutions and on a just basis that takes into account the interests of all people living in this region, on the basis of the two-state concept. We will certainly work towards this, no matter how difficult this might be," Putin said.

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Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas made a rare visit to Israel Tuesday for talks with Defence Minister Benny Gantz, which the defence ministry said focused on security and civil matters.

Gantz told Abbas that he intended to "continue to promote actions to strengthen confidence in the economic and civilian fields, as agreed during their last meeting," the ministry statement said.

"The two men discussed security and civil matters," it added.

Israeli media reported that the meeting took place at Gantz's home in the central town of Rosh HaAyin.

In late August, Gantz visited the Palestinian Authority's headquarters in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah for talks with Abbas, the first official meeting at such a level for several years.

But after those talks, hawkish Prime Minister Naftali Bennett underlined that there was no peace process under way with the Palestinians, "and there won't be one".

Palestinian Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh tweeted on Wednesday that Abbas met with Gantz.

"The meeting dealt with the importance of creating a political horizon that leads to a political solution, in accordance with international resolutions," he said.

The pair also discussed "the tense conditions on the ground due to the practices of settlers" as well as "many security, economic and humanitarian issues".

Israel's right-wing opposition party Likud condemned the latest meeting, saying that "concessions dangerous for Israel's security were only a matter of time".

Likud added a dismissive reference to Bennett's governing coalition, which includes an Israeli Arab party for the first time.

"The Israeli-Palestinian government has put the Palestinians and Abbas back on the agenda... it is dangerous for Israel," Likud said.

Deepens Palestinian divide

Palestinian movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, also condemned the visit.

It went against the "national spirit of our Palestinian people", a Hamas statement read.

"This behaviour by the leadership of the Palestinian Authority deepens the Palestinian political divide, complicates the Palestinian situation, encourages those in the region who want to normalise relations with the occupier, and weakens the Palestinians' rejection of normalisation," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said.

The Gulf Arab states Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Morocco and Sudan, signed US-brokered normalisation deals with Israel during the presidency of Donald Trump.

Relations between Israel and the Palestinians deteriorated sharply during Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu's record 12 years as prime minister, up to June this year.

US-sponsored peace talks broke down in 2014 as Netanyahu oversaw an intensification of illegal Jewish settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

Right-winger Bennett, the former head of a settler lobby group who opposes Palestinian statehood, leads a coalition of parties from the Jewish nationalist right and the left and centre.

Gantz's meeting with Abbas follows a visit to the region by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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The winner of Iraq's October parliamentary election, Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr, met Wednesday with rivals from the pro-Iran Hashed al-Shaabi former paramilitary alliance ahead of the opening of parliament.

The October 10 vote was rejected by the Fatah (Conquest) Alliance, the political arm of the pro-Tehran Hashed, but Iraq's top court on Monday dismissed their allegations of voter fraud and ratified the results.

It paves the way for parliament to meet and elect a president, who will then name a prime minister tasked with forming a new government.

In multi-confessional and multi-ethnic Iraq, the formation of governments has involved complex negotiations ever since the 2003 US-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

On Wednesday, leaders including Fatah Alliance chief Hadi al-Ameri, senior Hashed official Faleh al-Fayyad and Qais al-Khazali, head of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq force; a key component of the Hashed, were hosted by Sadr at his home in the Iraqi shrine city of Najaf, according to state news agency INA.

The leaders discussed "the political situation" and the "formation of the next government", INA reported.

Sadr, a political maverick and former anti-US militia leader who opposes all foreign interference, had already met leaders from pro-Iran parties earlier this month.

Iraq is trying to recover from years of war and jihadist violence but remains hobbled by political divisions, corruption and poverty.

Parties from Iraq's Shiite majority have previously struck compromise deals to work together, but Sadr is insistent he wants to forge a coalition capable of forming a parliamentary majority.

Sadr's movement won more than a fifth of the seats, 73 out of the assembly's total of 329. The Fatah Alliance took 17 seats, sharply down from its 48 seats in the past assembly, and Hashed leaders rejected the result.

Sadr, a self-styled defender against all forms of corruption, has repeatedly said that the next prime minister will be chosen by his movement.

The scion of an influential clerical family who led a militia against the US-led occupation of Iraq, Sadr has distinguished himself from other Shiite factions by seeking to distance himself from both Iranian and US influences.

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta tackled means of boosting bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern in a meeting in the Rwandan capital on Wednesday.

The Egyptian FM, who arrived in Kigali on Tuesday evening, is set to take part in a celebration to mark laying the foundation stone of the Magdi Yacoub Heart Centre in Kigali, Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said.

The Egyptian foreign ministry will fund the processes of purchasing and equipping the centre's first phase through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD), Hafez said.

Established in July 2014 by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi as the first South-South cooperation institution in Egypt, the EAPD is meant to put the countrys advantages and technical expertise into play for the benefit of the South, especially Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

World-renowned Egyptian heart surgeon Magdi Yacoub will take part in the ceremony together with senior Rwandan officials, including Rwanda's First Lady Jeannette Kagame, Hafez added.

Yacoub, 85, one of Egypts most inspirational medical figures, is one of the worlds most respected cardiology surgeons.

He holds the Guinness World Record for having performed the largest number of surgeries in one year, when he performed 100 operations in 1980.

Yacoub is the first Egyptian to receive the UK Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth in 2014.

He has developed a procedure for switching heart vessels for babies born with congenital heart defects, and has written over 1,000 medical articles and co-authored several books.

After 11 years of engagement with Egyptian children through Abul-Riche Childrens Hospital in Cairo, he established the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation in 2008.

In 2009, the foundation established the Aswan Heart Centre; a non-profit NGO that provides free world-class medical services to the less privileged in Egypt and the region who suffer from cardiovascular diseases. The NGO conducts various training and research programmes.

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Egypt announced on Wednesday that it has administered slightly more than 21 million second coronavirus vaccine shots since the country started its vaccination campaign early this year.

This means that Egypt has fully vaccinated slightly over 20 percent of its 102.8 million population, falling short of the World Health Organisations global target for countries to fully vaccinate 40 percent of their populations by the end of 2021.

The country has also administered first coronavirus vaccine shots to 34.6 million people, acting Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar told a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Egypt has so far imported over 119 million COVID-19 vaccines, Abdel-Ghaffar said, noting that around 64.3 million doses are still available.

This includes recent shipments of 2.3 million vaccines delivered through COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX), including about 1.5 million Pfizer shots, 462,000 Moderna shots, and 352,800 AstraZeneca shots.

Egypt has been battling a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic since early August. Moreover, it has detected its first three cases of the new highly transmissible variant Omicron in Egyptian nationals who had returned from abroad at Cairo International Airport.

Over the past two months, Egypt has also vaccinated hundreds of thousands of children aged 12-18 years old and allowed citizens to receive a third booster shot at least six months after receiving their second dose without the need for registration.

Egypt has made vaccination against coronavirus a requirement for citizens to enter government institutions starting December. Starting last month, Egypt has also barred unvaccinated state employees from entering their workplaces without presenting negative PCR tests.

Vaccination for all those in the school and university education sector who are above 18 years of age, including students, teachers, and other staff, has been made mandatory.

In October, the health ministry announced that Egypt has secured all types of coronavirus vaccines after receiving the first Moderna vaccine shipment.

Egypt's vaccination campaign also includes the use of Sinopharm, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Sputnik V vaccines, as well as the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

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Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi took a tour on Monday of the Nubian village of Gharb Suhail, which is part of the presidential initiative Haya Karima (Decent Life) to develop rural communities.

El-Sisi launched the Haya Karima project in July to improve standards of living, infrastructure, and services in villages nationwide.

The initiative targets 58 percent of Egypts 102-million population, who live in 4,658 villages across the country.

During his tour, El-Sisi held an open dialogue with some residents of the village in Upper Egypt's Aswan, sharing a Nubian lunch with them, according to an official statement.

The president also visited the tourist market in the village, where he was received by Nubian folkloric songs. He also visited the local market and met with the owners of market stalls and handicraft shops.

El-Sisi praised the generosity of the Nubian people, and stressed that the state is keen on providing all basic services to the town as part of the Haya Karima initiative.

Work is currently underway in 52 cities in 20 governorates as part of the initiative, El-Sisi said.

President El-Sisi ordered the inclusion of Aswani villages in the Haya Karima Initiative during an inspection tour of the areas most affected by flash floods and storms that hit the Upper Egyptian governorate in November.

El-Sisi has inaugurated a number of national projects in Upper Egyptian governorates over the past few days, including land reclamation projects in Toshka, south of Aswan, as well as two industrial complexes in Qena and a gasoline complex in Assiut.

El-Sisi also inspected the Benban Solar Power Park in Aswan earlier on Monday.

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Egypt's Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources invested EGP 16 billion in 2021 in water projects across the country, which is deemed one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, to rationalise water use and create water additional resources.

Over the year, the ministry invested EGP 1.2 billion in groundwater and rainwater harvesting-based ventures, utilising some 6.2 billion cubic metres of surface water and 4.4 billion cubic metres of groundwater, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Cabinet Media Centre.

Up to 75 water wells have been drilled, or renewed, 100 solar powered wells created, and some 300,000 feddans reclaimed as part of land reclamation efforts in the country's desert hinterland, according to the report.

The ministry during the year also established 139 dams and artificial lakes to trap rains water and increase the capacity of rainwater reservoirs to accommodate up to 10 million cubic metres.

It also has completed the renovation and lining of 3,539km of irrigation canals nationwide, the cabinet's report said, adding that work is under way to rehabilitate more canals extending over 4,375km.

A canal after undergoing renovation as part of Egypt's canal renovation and lining project. Monday 8 November 2021.

The canal renovation project aims to improve the management and distribution of water and to rationalise the use of water resources, one of the goals of Egypts national water resources strategy, which is intended to resolve Egypt's water-related issues by the year 2037, according to previous statements by ministry officials.

The cabinet report added that the ministry has spent nearly EGP 90 million on the development of irrigation systems to serve over 13,000 feddans nationwide.

It has also earmarked EGP 664 million for upgrading 50 water-lifting stations and EGP 1.9 billion for modernising agricultural subsurface drainage networks to serve slightly more than 63,000 feddans countrywide.

The ministry, in parallel with the project to rehabilitate and line water canals, has been encouraging farmers to adopt modern irrigation techniques instead of surface irrigation to reduce water consumption, according to previous statements by the minister, who has pointed out that some 237,000 feddans are irrigated with modern techniques.

Egypt needs 114 billion cubic metres (bcm) annually to fulfil its water needs, but it receives an average of 60 bcm only, mainly from the Nile given the very limited amounts of rainwater and groundwater in the desert.

Egypts Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Ati has stressed earlier that Egypt, which is one of the driest countries in the world, overcomes its large gap in water resources by importing 54 percent of its virtual water and reusing 42 percent of its renewable.

Virtual water  which is the embedded water required to produce commodities  is measured as a percentage of the already existing water resources, and is increasingly recommended as a good policy for water-scarce areas.

For Egyptian coasts and beaches, the ministry allocated EGP 686 million to develop and further protect coasts and beaches in Alexandria, Kafr El-Sheikh, Damietta, Beheira and Matrouh, according to the cabinet report.

The minister has warned of the adverse effect of climate change on the Nile Delta, as the rise in sea levels makes it one of the worlds prime candidates for drowning and decreasing fertility.

Climate change also adversely affects water quality, threatens sustainable development, and consequently people's right to access water, he said.

With a total cost of EGP 278 million, the ministry has carried out projects to protect the Nile River, which includes campaigns to remove the encroachments along the Nile, the report said.

The cabinet also indicated that the ministry has allocated EGP 157 million to renew and develop the Aswan High Dams facilities.

The ministry, according to the Cabinet's report, has carried out development projects in North Sinai, investing around EGP 2.3 billion to complete the governorate's infrastructure, including setting up subsurface drainage network to serve up to 6,000 feddans in the southern areas of the Qantara East region, as well as installing public irrigation networks to cover 5,941 feddans.

Up to EGP 3.2 billion has also been spent to complete the implementation of the Sheikh Zayed Canal in South Wadi (Toshka).

Egypts annual share of water is 560 m3 per person, placing the country well below the international threshold for water scarcity.

When annual water supplies drop below 1,000 m3 per person, according to the UN, the population faces water scarcity, and below 500 cubic metres is "absolute scarcity."

The countrys population, estimated at over 102 million, is expected to increase by 75 million by 2050, which will add more pressure on Egypts water resources, he noted.

Egypt has drawn up a strategy for its water resources until 2050, at a cost of up to EGP 900 billion, according to previous remarks by Abel-Ati.

The country has also developed a four-pronged National Water Resources Plan, running through 2037 and based on rationalising water use, improving water quality, providing additional water resources, and creating a climate suitable for optimal water management, the minister added.

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President Joe Biden formally announced Tuesday he will lift a ban this week on travel from South Africa and other countries in the region, imposed due to fear of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.

"The travel restrictions... are no longer necessary to protect the public health" and will end on Friday, Biden said in a proclamation.

The White House had already said it would end the restrictions but Biden's proclamation makes the decision effective at 12:01 am in Washington on Friday (0501 GMT).

Biden said that he was lifting the bans on the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noting that US researchers, "in collaboration with the South African scientists who originally reported the variant, have made substantial progress in understanding the Omicron variant."

While the Covid strain has now spread to more than 100 countries including the United States, the threat level is considered lower than initially feared because "scientific experts have determined that people who are vaccinated against Covid-19 are protected against severe disease," Biden said.

Countries around the world blocked travel from southern Africa after the variant was detected in South Africa, which reported Omicron to the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 24.

WHO and the United Nations spoke out against the travel bans, while officials in South Africa said they were being punished for identifying the strain and being transparent.

The ban applied to South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

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Israel's defense minister approved a raft of measures aimed at improving relations with the Palestinians on Wednesday following a rare meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Israel.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Abbas at his private residence in a Tel Aviv suburb late Tuesday night. It was the first time Abbas met an Israeli official inside Israel since 2010. The two discussed security coordination between Israel and Abbas' Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the occupied West Bank.

Gantz's office said he approved 'confidence-building measures'' including the transfer of tax payments to the Palestinian Authority, the authorization of hundreds of permits for Palestinian merchants and VIPs, and approving residency status for thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel collects hundreds of millions of dollars worth of taxes on behalf of the PA as part of the interim peace agreements signed in the 1990s.

The tax transfers are a key source of funding for the cash-strapped Palestinians, but Israel has withheld funds over the PA's payment of stipends to thousands of families that have had relatives killed, wounded or imprisoned in the conflict. Israel says the payments incentivize terrorism, while the Palestinians say they provide crucial support to needy families.

Israel approved residency for some 9,500 Palestinians. Israel controls the Palestinian population registry, and over the years its policies have left an estimated tens of thousands of Palestinians without legal status, severely limiting their freedom of movement, even within the occupied territories. Israel granted legal status to some 4,000 Palestinians in October.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is opposed to Palestinian statehood. His government has shown no interest in reviving peace talks, which broke down more than a decade ago, but has said it wants to reduce tensions by improving living conditions in the West Bank. Recent months have seen a surge in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank and Palestinian attacks on Israelis in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Gantz's meeting with Abbas, the second in the six months since Bennett's coalition government took office ,drew vocal criticism from Israeli opposition lawmakers, including former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, the largest in parliament.

The Palestinians seek an independent state that includes all of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, areas Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war.

Hamas seized Gaza from Abbas' forces in 2007, a year after the Islamic group won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections.

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At least people were killed in an Israeli strike on the Syrian port of Latakia, a war monitor said on Wednesday.

The strike before dawn on Tuesday marked the second time that Israel has hit the key cargo hub since the outbreak of Syria's civil war in 2011.

The Israeli attack, one of nearly 30 that have hit Syria this year, caused significant damage with stacks of containers catching fire.

Two fighters were killed in the Israeli strike, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

They had suffered serious wounds and succumbed to their injuries in hospital in Latakia on Wednesday.

Three other militia fighters were also wounded.

Syrian state media said the containers hit in the strikes carried "engine oil and spare parts for cars and other vehicles".

But the Observatory said the cargo was "arms and munitions".

Since the start of the conflict, Israel has routinely carried out air strikes on its strife-torn neighbour, mostly targeting Syrian government troops as well as allied Iran-backed forces and Hezbollah fighters.

So far this year, Israel has targeted Syria nearly 30 times, killing 130 people including five civilians and 125 loyalist fighters, according to Observatory figures.

The Israeli military has defended the strikes as a necessary measure to prevent its arch-foe Iran from gaining a foothold on its doorstep.

The conflict in Syria has killed nearly 500,000 people since it started in 2011.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Sudanese authorities said Wednesday rescue workers retrieved at least 31 bodies from a collapsed gold mine in West Kordofan province.

The country's state-run mining company said workers and villagers were still searching the Darsaya mine for more bodies or possible survivors. The mine is located in the Fuja village, around 700 kilometers (435 miles) south of the capital of Khartoum.

The defunct mine collapsed earlier this week, killing at least 38 people, the company said Tuesday. It posted images on Facebook showing villagers gathering at the site as at least two dredgers worked to find possible survivors and bodies.

The Sudanese Mineral Resources Limited Company said the mine was not functional but local miners returned to work there after security forces guarding the site left the area.

Collapses are common in Sudan's gold mines, where safety standards are not widely in effect.

Sudan is a major gold producer with numerous mines scattered across the country. The industry, however, suffered from years of mismanagement and corruption.

The transitional government has begun regulating the industry during the past two years.

In nearby North Darfur province, an unidentified armed group late Tuesday attacked and looted a warehouse for the World Food Program in the provincial capital of el-Fasher, said Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan.

As many as 1,900 metric tons of food had been stored at the warehouse, meant to be distributed to people in need in the area, the WFP said.

"Such an attack severely impedes our ability to deliver to the people who need it the most,'' she said.

Sudan is one of the poorest counties in the world, with at least 14.3 million people in need humanitarian assistance, according to U.N. figures.

The attack on WFP's warehouse came after another one on a former base for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in el-Fasher last week. The base, handed over to Sudanese authorities on Dec. 21, was also looted, the U.N. said.

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Harry Reid, the former U.S. Senate majority leader and Nevada's longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82.

Reid died Tuesday, ``peacefully'' and surrounded by friends at home in suburban Henderson, ``following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer,'' according to family members and a statement from Landra Reid, his wife of 62 years.

``Harry was a devout family man and deeply loyal friend,'' she said. ``We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from so many over these past few years. We are especially grateful for the doctors and nurses that cared for him. Please know that meant the world to him,'' Landra Reid said.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in coming days, she said.

Harry Mason Reid, a combative former boxer-turned-lawyer, was widely acknowledged as one of toughest dealmakers in Congress, a conservative Democrat in an increasingly polarized chamber who vexed lawmakers of both parties with a brusque manner and this motto: ``I would rather dance than fight, but I know how to fight.''

Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents _ Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama _ a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

``If Harry said he would do something, he did it,'' President Joe Biden said in a statement after the death of his longtime Senate colleague. ``If he gave you his word, you could bank on it. That's how he got things done for the good of the country for decades.''

Reid retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye, and revealed in May 2018 that he'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.

Less than two weeks ago, officials and one of his sons, Rory Reid, marked the renaming of the busy Las Vegas airport as Harry Reid International Airport. Rory Reid is a former Clark County Commission chairman and Democratic Nevada gubernatorial candidate.

Neither Harry nor Landra Reid attended the Dec. 14 ceremony held at the facility that had been known since 1948 as McCarran International Airport, after a former U.S. senator from Nevada, Pat McCarran.

Reid was known in Washington for his abrupt style, typified by his habit of unceremoniously hanging up the phone without saying goodbye.

``Even when I was president, he would hang up on me,'' Obama said in a 2019 tribute video to Reid.

Reid was frequently underestimated, most recently in the 2010 elections when he looked like the underdog to tea party favorite Sharron Angle. Ambitious Democrats, assuming his defeat, began angling for his leadership post. But Reid defeated Angle, 50% to 45%, and returned to the pinnacle of his power. For Reid, it was legacy time.

``I don't have people saying `he's the greatest speaker,' `he's handsome,' `he's a man about town,''' Reid told The New York Times in December that year. ``But I don't really care. I feel very comfortable with my place in history.''

Born in Searchlight, Nevada, to an alcoholic father who killed himself at 58 and a mother who served as a laundress in a bordello, Reid grew up in a small cabin without indoor plumbing and swam with other children at a pool at a local brothel. He hitchhiked to Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada, 40 miles (64 kilometers) from home, where he met the wife he would marry in 1959, Landra Gould. At Utah State University, the couple became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The future senator put himself through George Washington University law school by working nights as a U.S. Capitol police officer.

At age 28, Reid was elected to the Nevada Assembly and at age 30 became the youngest lieutenant governor in Nevada history as Gov. Mike O'Callaghan's running mate in 1970.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone else in Nevada history. He narrowly avoided defeat in a 1998 Senate race when he held off Republican John Ensign, then a House member, by 428 votes in a recount that stretched into January.

After his election as Senate majority leader in 2007, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the state's caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season. That forced each national party to pour resources into a state that, while home to the country's fastest growth over the past two decades, still only had six votes in the Electoral College. Reid's extensive network of campaign workers and volunteers twice helped deliver the state for Obama.

Obama in 2016 lauded Reid for his work in the Senate, declaring, ``I could not have accomplished what I accomplished without him being at my side.''

The most influential politician in Nevada for more than a decade, Reid steered hundreds of millions of dollars to the state and was credited with almost single-handedly blocking construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain outside Las Vegas. He often went out of his way to defend social programs that make easy political targets, calling Social Security ``one of the great government programs in history.?

Reid championed suicide prevention, often telling the story of his father, a hard-rock miner who took his own life. He stirred controversy in 2010 when he said in a speech on the floor of the Nevada legislature it was time to end legal prostitution in the state.

Reid's political moderation meant he was never politically secure in his home state, or entirely trusted in the increasingly polarized Senate. Democrats grumbled about his votes for a ban on so-called partial-birth abortion and the Iraq war resolution in 2002, something Reid later said it was his biggest regret in Congress.

He voted against most gun control bills and in 2013 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, dropped a proposed ban on assault weapons from the Democrats' gun control legislation. The package, he said, would not pass with the ban attached.

Reid's Senate particularly chafed members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats. When then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, muscled Obama's health care overhaul through the House in 2009, a different version passed the Senate and the reconciliation process floundered long enough for Republicans to turn it into an election-year weapon they used to demonize the California Democrat and cast the legislation as a big-government power grab. Obama signed the measure into law in March 2010. But angered by the recession and inspired by the small-government tea party, voters the next year swept Democrats from the House majority.

Reid hand-picked a Democratic candidate who won the election to replace him in 2016, former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, and built a political machine in the state that helped Democrats win a series of key elections in 2016 and 2018.

On his way out of office, Reid repeatedly lambasted President Donald Trump, calling him at one point ``a sociopath'' and ``a sexual predator who lost the popular vote and fueled his campaign with bigotry and hate.''

Reid, who brushed off verbal tussles with the seen-it-all calm of a political veteran, was known to tell his staff they weren't life-or-death situations.

Reid, after all, had faced one of those before he ever got to Washington. Then head of the Nevada Gaming Commission investigating organized crime, Reid became the target of a car bomb in 1980. Police called it an attempted homicide. Reid blamed Jack Gordon, who went to prison for trying to bribe him in a sting operation Reid participated in over illegal efforts to bring new games to casinos in 1978.

Following Reid's lengthy farewell address on the Senate floor in 2016, his Nevada colleague, Republican Sen. Dean Heller, declared: ``It's been said that it's better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. And as me and my colleagues here today and those in the gallery probably agree with me, no individual in American politics embodies that sentiment today more than my colleague from Nevada, Harry Mason Reid.''

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The operator of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany -- criticised by some Western countries as a geopolitical weapon -- said Wednesday it was ready to begin delivering gas.

But Germany's energy regulator BNetzA earlier this month said the approval process for the pipeline is likely to drag into the second half of 2022.

"As of December 29, the gas-in procedure for the second string of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline has been completed," operating company Nord Stream 2 AG said in a statement.

"This pressure is sufficient to start gas transportation in the future," the Switzerland-based company added.

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday confirmed that Russia was ready to send gas via Nord Stream 2 as soon as German authorities give their approval.

"As soon as they decide to start work, large volumes -- additional volumes -- of Russian gas will immediately begin to flow to Europe," he said on state television.

Gas prices in Europe have been ticking up over the past week, and Putin suggested that launching the pipeline would send them back down.

"This, of course, will immediately affect the price on the market, on the spot, and all those countries and consumers of those countries that consume Russian gas, of course, will immediately feel this," he said.

Nord Stream 2 was completed in September but BNetzA suspended the German approval process in November, saying it needed to become compliant with German law before it could be certified.

The Baltic Sea pipeline has for years divided European capitals and raised tensions between the EU and Washington, with critics saying the project will increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas.

Western countries have for weeks accused Russia of limiting gas deliveries to put pressure on Europe amid tensions over the Ukraine conflict and to push through Nord Stream 2.

Putin and Russian energy giant Gazprom have rejected the accusations.

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We are nowhere near the end of the pandemic. Delta will not be the last highly transmissible variant. Large unvaccinated groups and the unchecked spread of the virus around the world raise the prospect of further mutations, possibly evading todays vaccines, that will create new waves everywhere.

Yet COVID-19 is also a forerunner of more, and possibly worse, pandemics to come. Scientists have repeatedly warned that without greatly strengthened proactive strategies, global health threats will emerge more often, spread more rapidly, and take more lives. Together with the worlds dwindling biodiversity and climate crisis, to which they are inextricably linked, infectious disease threats represent the primary international challenge of our times.

Recognizing this new reality of a pandemic era is not fearmongering but rather prudent public policy and responsible politics. We must organize ourselves on a whole-of-society basis within nations and rethink how we collaborate internationally to mitigate its profound consequences for livelihoods, social cohesion, and global order.

COVID-19s only benefit has been to put the case beyond doubt. Our collective failure to heed scientific advice and invest in pandemic prevention and preparedness has inflicted a catastrophic toll. Official data put the number of deaths at over 5 million; credible unofficial estimates are a multiple of that number. Many more people have survived serious illness, with long-term consequences for their well-being and nations human capital that have yet to be determined. The world has experienced the deepest economic contraction since World War II and a significant rollback in progress in education, poverty eradication, and inclusive development for a large swath of its population. The IMF has projected large cumulative losses in global GDP by 2025, with particular impact on the developing world.

From aid to strategic investment

Overcoming todays pandemic remains the immediate task. Rich nations must make good on pledges to donate their projected substantial surplus vaccines, along with grants to bridge the $23 billion shortfall needed to get jabs into arms and provide test kits and other medical supplies. All that is a very small price to shorten the pandemic everywhere.

But we also need a more fundamental reset to avoid blundering into pandemics again and again with enormous human and economic costs. The current system of global health security is not fit for purpose. It is too fragmented, overly dependent on discretionary bilateral aid, and dangerously underfunded. We must repair the system with urgency. The next pandemic could strike at any time, whether from a deadly influenza strain or another pathogen that jumps from animals to humans. It may even strike while the world continues to struggle with COVID-19.

We cannot avoid outbreaks altogether. But we can sharply reduce the risk that they will blow up into pandemics. The world has the scientific and technological capabilities and the financial resources to do so. However, to mobilize these resources, we need a new way of thinking about international cooperation.

Rather than financing global health security under the mantle of aid for other nations, we must treat it as a strategic investment in global public goods that benefit every nationrich or poor.

The Group of 20 major advanced and developing economies (G20) established a high-level independent panel (HLIP) to conduct a full review of the gaps in global public goods. It was aided by extensive consultation with experts, the global health organizations, and the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, an independent group established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank. The gaps the HLIP identified are large.

We need a massively scaled-up network of genomic surveillance, integrating national, regional, and global capabilities. Such a network is critical to detecting and instantly sharing information on pathogens that could cause infectious disease outbreaks, identifying their genome sequences, and accelerating the development of medical countermeasures.

We must also close long-standing gaps in core health care capacities within nations to thwart both emerging and endemic infectious diseases and mitigate comorbidities. These capacities benefit individual nations in normal times but are also critical to pandemic prevention and preparedness globally. They therefore require both domestic and international financing. This, coupled with a broader strengthening of public health systems, will require many developing economies to spend an additional 1 percent of GDP, at least over the next five years. The additional spending must be complemented by enhanced external grant support for investments in lower-income countries that are in the nature of global public goods.

Global supply capacity

Crucial too is building the global capacity needed to radically speed up supplies of vaccines and other vital materials to avoid prolonging a pandemic and repeating the staggering inequalities of access that COVID-19 has revealed. We need a globally distributed development, manufacturing, and delivery ecosystem that is kept in use in normal times and can pivot swiftly to provide the medical countermeasures specific to each pandemic.

In the absence of a larger global supply capacity ready early in a pandemic, producing nations will remain prone to prioritize the needs of their own populations over global needs. The private sector currently has little incentive to invest in this ever-warm supply capacity on the scale required ahead of a pandemic, even if there is scope for dual uses to meet ongoing needs in normal times.

We can therefore build the necessary supply ecosystem only through a major public-private investment initiative. That will require a tightly coordinated network of global health organizations and national and regional agenciessuch as the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in the United States, the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) in Europe, and the African Vaccine Alliancecollaborating closely with the private sector. Equally, we need clear global rules to keep supply chains open in a pandemic and ensure that export restrictions and trade bottlenecks are tackled quickly.

To plug these key gaps in global public goods, we must invest collectively on a scale much larger than we have been willing to in the past. Using the best cost estimates by the WHO, McKinsey & Co., and other sources, the G20 HLIP estimated that the world needs, at an absolute minimum, additional international investments of $15 billion a year in these global public goods to avoid future pandemics. This is a doubling of current levels, but COVID-19 demonstrates that the costs of a pandemic are several hundred times greater. The expected social returns on these collective investments are immense.

To plug these key gaps in global public goods, we must invest collectively on a scale much larger than we have been willing to in the past.

However, to succeed in averting the next pandemic, we must strengthen multilateralism. That cannot be achieved with incremental changes to existing mechanisms, which have failed to prevent and respond decisively to the current pandemic. We need major renovation and replenishment of both individual institutions and the global health architecture. The G20 panel has advocated three strategic shifts to enable proper and proactive financing of global health security.

First, we must put the finances of the WHO on a more secure multilateral footing and empower it to perform its core roles more effectively. There is no solution to pandemic security that does not involve a reformed and strengthened WHO at its center. It plays the lead role in the surveillance of global health emergencies and in identifying gaps in the national core capacities set out in the International Health Regulations. It is also integral to the international coalition of health partners that must develop a globally distributed, end-to-end supply ecosystem for medical countermeasures.

Second, we must repurpose the international financial institutions (IFIs) for a new era. The IMF and World Bank were created at the end of World War II to assist countries with economic reconstruction or when they ran into financial difficulties of their own. The World Banks success led to the establishment of the other regionally based multilateral development banks. Collectively, the IFIs are unique international institutions with the ability to multiply the impact of finance in ways that will be critical in the decades ahead. They leverage the resources of their shareholders in the capital markets, induce domestic funding and policy reforms by governments, and help catalyze private sector investments.

Yet the mandates of the Bretton Woods institutions must be updated for an era when the largest challenges facing countries lie in threats to the global commons, even as poverty alleviation and inclusive growth remain critical priorities. The IMF and World Bank must work closely with regional development banks and other international players, including global health organizations, to incentivize lower-income countries and regions to invest in the public goods needed to address these threats.

The business models of the World Bank and other multilateral development banks must also pivot toward mitigating risk rather than direct lending, so as to mobilize private capital and transform global savings into development finance. The potential for doing so has long been recognized, given the banks triple-A credit ratings and scope for using risk guarantees and other credit-enhancement tools and that most developing economies now have access to capital markets to finance infrastructure. However, progress in moving away from a lending-based model has been slow. A bolder move is now required to use their resources more optimally to support investments in global public goods.

The IFIs must also play lead roles in international financing of the response to pandemics. The IMF and World Bank have designed programs and streamlined processes during COVID-19 to enable more flexible disbursement of funds. Following the recent $650 billion general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) among its members, the IMF is also actively working with wealthier countries to channel excess SDRs to those that are more vulnerable via the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, among other ways. However, the whole process for an SDR allocation to be approved, and subsequently deployed to countries most in need, takes time. Several other mechanisms were also developed or enhanced in the midst of the pandemic. The IFIs must now improve and formalize them as part of their crisis-response toolkits so they can deploy resources at a much larger scale and more swiftly when necessary.

The shareholders of these key institutions must themselves adapt to the challenges of a new era. They must make timely replenishments of the grants and capital needed by the IFIs and ensure that the greater focus on global public goods does not come at the expense of spending on education, social protections, and other development priorities. They must also enable the IFIs to put out much more money in a pandemic, much faster and with less elaborate conditions, just as their treasuries and central banks became major lenders and investors of first resort in their own countries.

Shareholders should also support a new capital adequacy framework for the multilateral development banks, one that recognizes their preferred creditor status and very low default experience and enables enhanced leverage without compromising their triple-A ratings. Recommendations for doing so were made by an earlier G20 eminent persons group. The recent review initiated by the Italian G20 presidency is an important step in the right direction.

Overcoming fragmentation

Third, besides strengthening the WHO and repurposing the IFIs, we must establish a new multilateral financing mechanism for global health security. Currently, fundraising for this purpose is fragmented, based on the different mandates of the various global health organizations, and largely dependent on discretionary bilateral and philanthropic aid. The result is a nonsystem of complex, unpredictable, and greatly inadequate funding for global public goods.

The G20 HLIP has therefore proposed establishing a multilateral financing mechanism aimed at mobilizing at least $10 billion a year from the international community. It would be most practical for this to take the form of a financial intermediary fund hosted at the World Bank, which would act as trustee. At two-thirds of total additional international financing needed for global health security, the new mechanism would provide a much-needed layer of multilateral support on top of todays siloed landscape.

However, it is critical that resources mobilized for this new financing mechanism add to, and not substitute for, existing official development aid for global public health and other priorities. It should also be designed to catalyze funding from private, philanthropic, and bilateral sources. Importantly too, the new mechanism should not be an implementation agency on the ground. It should instead fund existing institutions and networks and prioritize or reprioritize allocations across the system based on the most pressing needs of the time. This will enable it to serve as an integrator rather than become a new silo that only furthers fragmentation.

Funding for this multilateral mechanism should be based on pre-agreed contributions from all countries, similar to the way nations periodically provide fresh funds to the International Development Association. When spread across a large number of countries on a fair and equitable basis, the contributions translate to barely 0.02 percent of the GDP of most countries, or less than 0.1 percent of annual government budgets. This is entirely affordable.

Greater and more sustained funding also requires better governance. Governance of global health itself rests with the WHO and its decision-making body, the World Health Assembly. What is missing is a mechanism that brings finance and health decision-makers together to govern and mobilize funding of global health security. We believe that a board that brings health and finance ministers together within an inclusive G20-plus group will fill that need most effectively. It should have adequate representation from developing economies, especially the inclusion of the African Union. The WHO, World Bank, IMF, and World Trade Organization should be included in an ex officio capacity. A permanent, independent secretariat hosted by the WHO and drawing on the expert resources of the major international organizations should support the board.

Narrow window

Rethinking multilateralism has never been more urgent. The window for action is narrow. As the experience of earlier crises shows, the impetus to make bold change will fade once we are past the worst of the pandemic in the richest countries.

We must also act urgently to repair the deep and growing distrust of the global system in developing regions that have had little access to lifesaving supplies. Failure to reverse this trust deficit will have lasting consequences. It will make it very difficult to address climate change, future pandemics, and other problems in a dangerous world.

Rethinking multilateralism has never been more urgent. The window for action is narrow.

The Joint Finance-Health Task Force initiated by G20 Leaders on October 31, 2021, should be the first step toward establishing the new multilateral financing mechanism and the board required for effective coordination and stewardship of funding for global health security. The task force should seek to bridge differences pragmatically and achieve consensus by early 2022.

The collective actions we propose are critical to future human security everywhere. They will also help avert the much larger costs that nations will incur in future global health crises. It would be both economically and politically myopic, and morally indefensible, to wait for the next pandemic to overwhelm us.

* Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is director-general of the World Trade Organization.

** Tharman Shanmugaratnam is senior minister in Singapore and chair of the Group of Thirty.

** Lawrence Summers is the Charles W. Eliot University Professor at Harvard University and a former US Treasury secretary.

** The authors cochaired the G20s High Level Independent Panel on Financing the Global Commons for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.

*** Opinions expressed in articles and other materials are those of the authors; they do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF and its Executive Board, or IMF policy.

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For Tunisia, 2021 was neatly bookended by dramatic scenes that captured how the only success story of the Arab Spring might come to an end.

The angry nationwide protests against poverty, police brutality, the countrys political elite and a spiraling Covid-19 pandemic, followed by the startling announcement of an attempt to poison President Kais Saied and the power struggle between the president, prime minister and parliamentary speaker, were a precursor to the implosion of Tunisias decade-long democratic transformation a few months later.

At the peak of Tunisias sweltering summer, Saied suspended parliament, lifted parliamentary immunity, fired the prime minister and declared emergency measures amid a pandemic crisis that almost brought the country to a standstill. In September, he cemented his power grab by assuming executive and legislative powers and ruling by decree.

Speaking in the name of the people, Saied has vowed never to return to the pre-July 25 order when he froze parliament, accused his political opponents of treason and pledged a corrective movement to Tunisias 2011 uprising.

In a 40-minute long televised speech on 13 December Saied announced a roadmap for change, setting dates for a referendum on constitutional changes on 25 July and legislative elections on 17 December 2022. He said the process would begin in January with online public consultations that will end on 20 March, which marks Tunisias independence day.

While the former constitutional law professor-turned-strongman has emerged as the sole face of Tunisias politics, scenes of the deadly fire in December at the headquarters of the Ennahda Movement in Tunis, home of the countrys largest political party, have provided a political metaphor for the countrys changing times.

The tumult has begged the question that has been in the minds of many for months: is this the end of Tunisias decade of democratic transformation? Between pessimists, including Saieds critics, and the presidents supporters, any answer to this question seems to be weighed down with uncertainty.

Today, Tunisia has no parliament, a partially enforced constitution, and a president wielding unprecedented powers. This no longer makes it a democracy, but still does not qualify it as an authoritarian state, observers say.

It is somewhere in the grey zone, said Youssef Cherif, a political analyst and director of Columbia Global Centres, a US institution, in Tunis. Saied has steered Tunisia to no mans land.

Speaking in a recent Webinar by Oxford Universitys Middle East Centre in the UK on Tunisias political crisis: the end of democracy? Cherif cautioned against black-and-white interpretations of developments in Tunisia.

Rights groups have sounded the alarm at the proliferation of arbitrary and politically motivated acts of repression since Saieds power grab. Three Tunisian MPs have been imprisoned for speech offenses, and at least 50 Tunisians have been placed under arbitrary house arrest, including former officials, a judge and three lawmakers, according to the US NGO Human Rights Watch.

Dozens of others have faced arbitrary travel bans, and the authorities have shut down three TV stations critical of the president for failing to obtain licences.

Yet, Tunisians are still capable of expressing themselves openly in the public sphere, Cherif said, because of freedoms gained in the decade following the uprising against former Tunisian president Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali.

The first protest against Saieds measures was held in September, only metres away from another demonstration supporting him in central Tunis. Since then, more anti-Saied protests have been staged, and they have noticeably increased in size and political diversity.

The recently formed Citizens Against the Coup initiative, which organised the largest protest seen last month, was denied a permit to hold a press conference in a city hall.

Saied named university professor Najla Bouden as the countrys new prime minister two months after his July intervention. The new government, which includes eight female ministers, was formed in October.

On a positive note, we see a civilian government, not a security government, or a government that responds to the political whims of this or that group, Cherif said.

There have been no bloodbaths in the country and no immediate threat to the freedom of expression, he added.

When the offices of the Qatari TV channel Aljazeera in Tunis were raided after Saieds July intervention, its reporters were still free to report and move around the country.

Similarly, when Tunisians Against the Coup could not hold a press conference in a hall, they were able to do so in the street, which got them more publicity. There are regular anti-Saied demonstrations, and Tunisias main labour union the UGTT has resumed industrial action without being harassed.

Democracy hasnt ended in Tunisia, Cherif said.

Saied was a barely known political outsider when he won the 2019 elections in a landslide. In both the presidential and legislative elections, Tunisian voters snubbed most of the countrys traditional political parties, resulting in a deeply fragmented parliament barely capable of consensus.

Saieds popularity skyrocketed after his intervention in July, and according to Tunisia expert at Oxford University Anne Wolf, recent polls show a satisfaction rate of 80 per cent with his rule.

This is also due to his populist strategy of power consolidation, Wolf said. He portrays himself as the leader of the Tunisian revolution who speaks for the people.

When asked about his political project, Saied often replies that

I want what the people want. If hes asked the follow-up question what do the people want, he says the people know what they want, she explained.

During his presidential campaign and long before his 2019 win, Saied was vocal in his aversion to Tunisias political class and democratic model. As an anti-establishment man, he envisaged an alternative form of democratic representation in which elected local council members would advance to parliament.

Saied has always envisioned a powerful president for Tunisia, said Wolf, and he should not be underestimated.

He instigates confusion about his project because it buys him time  and when people are confused, theyre not organising as forcefully against him because theyre still hoping something positive will come out of the crisis, she added.

On 9 December, a statement by the Tunisian presidency said that Tunisias 2014 Constitution was no longer valid.

The way forward is to return to the people in a completely new and different way. There must be a legal solution based on the will and sovereignty of the people, the statement, quoting Saied, said.

The president has vowed to introduce changes to the Constitution through a committee of experts appointed by the presidency.

The following day, member states of the G7 group issued a statement reiterating its previous position of urging Tunisia to announce a clear timeline and a swift return to functioning democratic institutions with an elected parliament playing a significant role.

The statement came as a reminder of the international pressures on Saied and Tunisias deep economic crisis, as much-needed loans and financial assistance remain contingent on Western support, which he does not have.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE have come out in support of Saieds 25 July intervention. Algeria, France and Italy have barely issued criticisms of his decisions, remarked Cherif.

However, four months after the power grab, none of these countries have offered the billions of dollars Tunisians need to pass the winter, he said. So far, their support is moral, not physical.

His roadmap, however, was welcomed by the European Union, which described the timeline for elections as an important step towards restoring institutional stability and balance.

Domestically, Saied is politically isolated despite his popularity, having vilified Tunisias entire political class, including the million-strong UGTT, which initially supported his decision to freeze the parliament.

On 17 December, the anniversary of the Tunisian 2010 uprising, hundreds protested Saieds roadmap in central Tuniss Habib Bourguiba Avenue as a smaller counter demonstration supporting him was held nearby. Protestors said police prevented thousands from joining the demonstration, which called for the president to step down. The Citizens Against the Coup (CAC) initiative held a small sit-in, which was cordoned off by security forces.

Jouhar Ben Mubarak, a constitutional law expert and CAC leader said the roadmap is designed to perpetuate the political crisis. Noureddine Taboubi, UGTTs secretary general, said the elections calendar does not address the countrys economic and social problems.

Observers say that Saieds ability to confront sharpening opposition and Tunisias growing economic and political crisis means a bigger role for the security apparatus and military institutions.

Saied will not be able to uphold his popular support base forever, said Oxford Universitys Wolf. If anything, the current political crisis will just make things much worse, which makes his political future dependent on the support he receives from the army, Wolf said.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 23 December, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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A federal judge on Tuesday refused to dismiss an indictment charging four alleged leaders of the far-right Proud Boys with conspiring to attack the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's electoral victory.

Proud Boys members Zachary Rehl, left, and Ethan Nordean, left, walk toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington, in support of former President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. [File Photo: AP/Carolyn Kaster]

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly rejected defense attorneys' arguments that the four men  Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Charles Donohoe  are charged with conduct that is protected by the First Amendment right to free speech.

Kelly said the defendants had many nonviolent ways to express their opinions about the 2020 presidential election.

Defendants are not, as they argue, charged with anything like burning flags, wearing black armbands, or participating in mere sit-ins or protests," Kelly wrote in his 43-page ruling. Moreover, even if the charged conduct had some expressive aspect, it lost whatever First Amendment protection it may have had."

Nordean, Biggs, Rehl and Donohoe were indicted in March on charges including conspiracy and obstructing an official proceeding. All four of them remain jailed while they await a trial scheduled for May.

Defense lawyers also argued that the obstruction charge doesn't apply to their clients' cases because Congress certification of the Electoral College vote was not an official proceeding." Kelly disagreed.

Earlier this month, another judge in the District of Columbia's federal court upheld prosecutors use of the same obstruction charge in a separate case against two riot defendants.

The case against Nordean, Biggs, Rehl and Donohoe is a focus of the Justice Department's sprawling investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection. More than three dozen people charged in the Capitol siege have been identified by federal authorities as Proud Boys leaders, members or associates, including at least 16 defendants charged with conspiracy.

Last Wednesday, a New York man pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol with fellow Proud Boys members. Matthew Greene is the first Proud Boys member to publicly plead guilty to conspiring with other members to stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote. He agreed to cooperate with authorities.

Other extremist group members have been charged with conspiring to carry out coordinated attacks on the Capitol, including more than 20 people linked to the antigovernment Oath Keepers.

Nordean, of Auburn, Washington, was a Proud Boys chapter president and member of the groups national Elders Council. Biggs, of Ormond Beach, Florida, is a self-described Proud Boys organizer. Rehl was president of the Proud Boys chapter in Philadelphia. Donohoe, of Kernersville, North Carolina, also served as president of his local chapter, according to the indictment.

Lawyers for the four men declined to comment on Tuesday's ruling.

On the morning of Jan. 6, Proud Boys members met at the Washington Monument and marched to the Capitol before President Donald Trump finished addressing thousands of supporters near the White House.

Just before Congress convened a joint session to certify the election results, a group of Proud Boys followed a crowd of people who breached barriers at a pedestrian entrance to the Capitol grounds, the indictment says. Several Proud Boys also entered the Capitol building itself after the mob smashed windows and forced open doors.

More than 700 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. At least 165 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanor offenses punishable by a maximum of six months' imprisonment.
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo won't face criminal charges stemming from allegations from two women  including a state trooper  that he planted unwanted kisses on their cheeks, a suburban prosecutor said Tuesday. It's the latest in a series of decisions about whether a raft of sexual assault and harassment claims against Cuomo will end up in criminal court.

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepares to board a helicopter after announcing his resignation on Aug. 10, 2021, in New York. [File Photo: AP/Seth Wenig]

Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that while there was evidence to conclude the conduct the women described did occur, she couldn't bring criminal cases over it.

In both instances, my office has determined that, although the allegations and witnesses were credible, and the conduct concerning, we cannot pursue criminal charges due to the statutory requirements of the criminal laws of New York, Rocah said in a statement.

Cuomo had no immediate comment on the decision. The Democrat has denied sexually harassing anyone or touching anyone inappropriately and has said he doesn't recall touching the trooper.

A number of prosecutors around the state launched investigations after state Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, chronicled accusations from 11 women against Cuomo. The August report led to his resignation from office, although he has attacked the findings as biased and inaccurate.

In October, the Albany County sheriffs office filed a misdemeanor groping complaint against Cuomo, but a week later the district attorney asked a judge for more time to evaluate the evidence.

The district attorney said the sheriffs one-page criminal complaint, based on allegations from a woman who said Cuomo slid his hand up her blouse and grabbed her breast at the governors mansion in late 2020, was potentially defective.

At the prosecutors request, a court delayed Cuomos scheduled arraignment until Jan. 7.

Last week, a Long Island prosecutor said Cuomo wouldnt face criminal charges after the same trooper as in the Westchester investigation said she felt completely violated by his unwanted touching at an event at Belmont Park in September 2019. Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce Smith said the allegations were credible and troubling but not criminal under state law.

The alleged Westchester County incident involving the trooper happened outside Cuomo's then-home in Mount Kisco, according to the district attorney's office. The trooper told investigators that while stationed in the driveway as part of Cuomo's security detail in summer 2019, she asked the governor if he needed anything, and he responded by asking her whether he could kiss her.

I remember just freezing, being  in the back of my head, Im like, Oh, how do I say no politely?' Because in my head, if I said no, hes going to take it out on the detail. And now Im on the bad list, she told investigators, according to James' report.

So, she said, she told him, Sure. He kissed her on the cheek, while saying something like Oh, Im not supposed to do that, or Unless thats against the rules, she told investigators.

A male colleague told investigators he witnessed the episode, the attorney general's report said.

The trooper hasn't been publicly identified. A message seeking comment was sent to a lawyer for her.

In the other incident that Westchester prosecutors examined, Cuomo allegedly greeted a woman by grabbing her arm, pulling her toward him and kissing her on the cheek without asking whether that was OK. She was attending a press conference he gave at White Plains High School in June 2018.

I smiled nervously afterward. I had to endure comments from people in attendance, the woman, Susan Iannucci, told reporters at a virtual news conference in August.

Iannucci, a school office manager, said she came forward because she was appalled to see Cuomo use a photo of the encounter in a compilation video that he released to argue that he commonly greeted people with kisses, touches and hugs to convey warmth.

Her lawyer, Gloria Allred, said Tuesday that Iannucci had spoken to the DA's office knowing that criminal charges weren't legally possible. Nonetheless, Iannucci was gratified that prosecutors found her and her allegation credible, her attorney said.

We thank the district attorney's office for their serious consideration of this matter," Allred said in a statement.
KYODO NEWS - Dec 29, 2021 - 09:50 | All, World, Coronavirus

A U.N. conference on nuclear nonproliferation scheduled for next month is expected to be postponed again amid the surge of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.

The gathering to review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was scheduled to be held Jan. 4 to 28 in New York after repeated postponements from its original date in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The United States and some European countries have seen a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases with the advent of the Omicron variant, prompting authorities to bring back some restrictions at indoor venues and on public transportation.

New York is among the hardest-hit areas during the latest wave of infections in the United States and the administration of President Joe Biden and local authorities are scrambling to get more people vaccinated or receiving booster shots.

NPT review conferences, which provide a platform for nuclear weapon states to hold discussions with non-nuclear weapon states, have been held every five years since 1975, with the last gathering in 2015.

Participating countries failed to adopt a consensus document at that gathering due to a growing rift among members.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday he is considering making a video address to the NPT review conference.

Some 190 countries have signed the NPT, which is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and related technology, promoting cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and achieving nuclear disarmament.

A U.N.-adopted Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into force in January this year, is more ambitious in its approach to eliminating nuclear weapons, but its effectiveness is in question as it lacks support from any nuclear weapon states such as the United States, Russia and China.

Japan, the world's only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, has not joined the nuclear ban pact given its reliance on the U.S. nuclear deterrence.

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By Mie Sakamoto, KYODO NEWS - Dec 28, 2021 - 14:07 | Feature, All, Japan

A chocolate maker launched in 2014 in central Japan by an entrepreneur with a dream of encouraging a more inclusive society has proven a success, with its many workers with disabilities or mental health issues playing important roles in its method of making high-quality products.

In one of its most recent initiatives, Quon chocolate, based in Toyohashi in Aichi Prefecture but with branches nationwide, started a new factory called "powder lab" in June 2021, employing around 10 severely intellectually disabled people.

They take on the kind of small-scale tasks that would otherwise be hard to incorporate in the production process -- for instance making green tea powder in small quantities from different parts of leaves and stems, allowing fine adjustments of flavors among the firm's green tea chocolates.

Ordinarily, such a task would be outsourced and done in bulk, producing standardized rather than variegated tea powder.

It's a win-win situation for the firm and its team of severely disabled workers, who make more at Quon than they would at welfare facilities for those who have difficulty working at companies.

At Quon, they earn 50,000 yen ($435) a month by working five hours a day, five days a week. That translates into about double the hourly wage they would be paid at welfare facilities, which was about 220 yen in fiscal 2020, according to Japan's welfare ministry, far lower than Japan's average minimum wage of 930 yen for fiscal 2021.

"Since welfare facilities are not considered to be intended for labor, many only earn 3,000 yen to 5,000 yen a month, but I've always doubted whether this is the appropriate value they could generate," said Hirotsugu Natsume, 44, head of the La Barca Group Association, which operates Quon chocolate. "I want to raise their wages further."

Quon's commitment to inclusion runs throughout its workforce. It currently has 550 staff, including those at franchised outlets, of whom more than half, or 350, have either intellectual or physical disabilities, development disorders, or mental health issues.

Known for its rectangular-shaped "Terrine" signature chocolates with a variety of around 150 flavors and toppings of dried fruits and nuts, the company expects net sales of 1.5 billion yen for this business year through March 2022, up 25 percent from the previous year.

Its branches have expanded to 52 locations, including 18 manufacturing bases from Hokkaido in northern Japan to Kagoshima in Kyushu, the country's southern main island.

Yoshihiro Kawano, 22, who has a developmental disorder, started working part-time at Quon's manufacturing base when he was a high school student. Now a regular employee, he takes part in "tempering" -- a key process of heating and cooling chocolate to make it smoother -- to cutting finished products.

"I enjoy mixing ingredients and cutting chocolates," said Kawano. "I'd like to continue working here."

Transgender female Matsue, 28, who declined to give her real name, said she started working at Quon in October 2020, as she likes to make sweets. She now sells chocolates at the shop's headquarters in Toyohashi and teaches other employees how to make them.

"I feel very comfortable working here, as I can be myself. I can easily express my opinions because no one denies me," she said.

Despite the chocolate maker's steady progress over nearly a decade, Natsume had his share of bumps in the road starting off in business, including a failed attempt as a construction designer of elevators for disabled people at train stations around 2000.

After finding out that disabled people were earning only 3,000 yen to 4,000 yen a month at local welfare facilities, he decided to try to do something about it himself. "I wanted to create a place where even disabled people can make some money," Natsume said.

He started a bakery in 2003 with three people who had intellectual disabilities, but the losses the business incurred "were like falling from a cliff," he said.

"Making bread was difficult, as they were pressed for time to make products, such as kneading dough and fermenting. It was painful to see people who could not keep up," Natsume said.

He also operated a cafe, but it too required speed to serve meals and beverages to customers, so some workers were inevitably left behind, he said.

After his unsuccessful forays, he met Kazuo Noguchi, a chocolatier who has created chocolates for luxury hotels and famous restaurants. Noguchi told him that delicious chocolates can be made by anyone using quality ingredients and correct procedures.

"It was a great surprise, as I had always thought making chocolates and cakes is difficult," Natsume said.

But as he learned more about it, he discovered that chocolate was the perfect sweet to be created by "disabled people" because the process is easy to follow with a clear objective in mind.

As the company makes pure chocolates without adding any oil, it requires handwork to temper chocolates with varying temperatures depending on the kinds of cacao, which the company has delivered from some 30 countries, Natsume said.

"Even if we fail, chocolates can be melted again," Natsume said. "Unlike bread or other sweets, chocolates adjust to people who make them," he said, adding that there is no rush to make the products.

"If there are people with differing abilities, I don't want them to adjust. Instead, I want them to remain as they are and be considerate of each other so we can work as a team like putting the pieces of a puzzle together," he said.

Natsume said the company is aiming to become one of the top chocolate brands in Japan, where sales of chocolates surge in the run-up to Valentine's Day in February.

"I want people to buy our chocolates, not because disabled people are making them, but because they are top quality," he said.

Among other similar initiatives in the food industry, Yamato Welfare Foundation, set up by the late former Yamato Transport Co. President Masao Ogura, started the Swan bakery chain in 1998 hiring disabled people. Now more than 350 disabled people work at its bakery shops and cafes nationwide.

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By Ryosuke Uematsu, KYODO NEWS - Dec 29, 2021 - 16:16 | World, Japan, All, Feature

A Uyghur woman who had been studying and teaching in Japan for five years is feared to have died while being investigated by state security police after returning to China two years ago, according to information from Uyghurs in Japan.

Mihray Erkin, 31, from Kashgar in China's Xinjiang region, returned to the country in June 2019 after learning that her father had been sent to a detention center, people affiliated with the Japan Uyghur Association and other acquaintances said.

Many Uyghurs in Japan say their family members have been sent to detention centers in that region where more than 1 million of the Muslim minority people are being subjected to "re-education".

Mihray came to Japan in September 2014 after graduating from Shanghai's Jiao Tong University, one of the most prestigious universities in China, and completed a master's course in agriculture at the University of Tokyo's graduate school in September 2016.

After a period as a research student at the graduate school, she went to live in Yokohama and study at a Japanese language school there. She also volunteered to teach Uyghur children in Japan the Uyghur language, making the two-hour train journey every week to the location in Saitama Prefecture.

Her friends have said that she wanted to be a teacher and that as a highly intelligent person she would undoubtedly have held a leading position within the Uyghur community in the future.

But they said Mihray began to express concern around the fall of 2017 when she learned that her father, who was a public servant, had been sent to a detention center.

Many similar cases have been reported among Uyghurs in China's far-western Xinjiang region who themselves or whose family members have visited other countries or lived abroad.

In Japan, Uyghur students who have spoken about cases involving their family members have become scared and intimidated after receiving periodic contact from Chinese authorities via the WeChat messaging app.

Some say they feel as if their families have been taken hostage and they often feel guilty or remorseful about having come abroad.

Mihray felt the same while she was studying but her anxiety increased when she learned her father had been moved from the detention center to another place, according to close acquaintances.

Uyghurs who have been transferred from detention centers have often remained missing and are believed to have been engaged in forced labor outside the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Mihray's friends said she became so anxious that she started to receive medical counseling, but by 2018 had become so depressed she was unable to respond to their encouragement and stopped attending the language school. Some of them said they had heard her screaming in her dormitory room at nighttime.

"She was a quiet type and tended to bottle everything up inside so as not to bother others. People around her couldn't help her," said a friend, who was also struggling with distress after learning that relatives had been sent to a detention center.

Mihray's acquaintances said they tried to dissuade her when she decided to return home to help her father, as he is an advocate of Uyghur human rights. They said the Chinese authorities were unlikely to treat her as an ordinary Uyghur.

But they quoted Mihray as telling them, "I cannot leave my father alone. I want to return to my hometown no matter what happens."

Her uncle Abduweli Ayup, 48, a prominent Uyghur writer exiled in Norway who has been actively publicizing the suppression of Uyghurs via global media coverage, is apparently regarded as a "danger" to the Chinese government. He received a message about his niece from a local collaborator in December last year which said "She has gone".

The U.S. government-funded Radio Free Asia, meanwhile, reported in May this year that it had confirmed that Mihray had died while being investigated by state security police in Kashgar, citing official sources.

Ayup said he had repeatedly pleaded with Mihray not to return home, but to no avail given her desire to save her father.

Ayup himself is well aware of the cruelty of the Chinese authorities, having been imprisoned and severely tortured from 2013 to 2014 for opening a school in Kashgar to teach children the Uyghur language -- a language suppressed by the Chinese government.

He said he had been urged by Mihray to stop his activities as she was worried it could cause harm to relatives in Xinjiang.

"I regret what I've been doing," he said, thinking he had caused Mihray and other relatives to be detained. "But I'm the only one in the family who can speak about the misery of the Uyghurs. I want people of the country she lived in to know that she was certainly in Japan, and to know of this sadness."

Afumetto Retepu, 44, vice chairman of the Japan Uyghur Association and a friend of Mihray, said, "She was trying hard to look forward despite enduring sadness."

"I was right beside her, but couldn't get to know her heart. She would have lived normally if the Chinese government had no detention policy. That normal life has been destroyed," he said angrily.

During a protest rally the association staged in Tokyo in March 2019, before her return to China, Mihray said, "It's been two years since I lost all contact with my family. I believe that everyone is alive. I believe we can see each other someday."

One of Mihray's friends quoted her as saying in her last message: "If I die and if I am buried in a grave, may a posy of red peony flowers mark my grave."

Following her reported death, many Uyghurs living in Europe and the United States have posted images of themselves on social media holding placards bearing her last message printed and a bouquet of red flowers.

Ayup, who initiated the move, said, "Our question is very simple. Why did Mihray have to die? Why did she have to be detained? What's happening to the millions of Uyghurs? Now the Chinese government has to open the doors of the containment facilities."

While there are Uyghurs who have taken risks in speaking up for their families and friends, and Western countries and media increasingly criticize the "genocide" of Uyghurs, the Chinese government continues to deny it as an "absolute falsehood."

One of Radio Free Asia's Uyghur reporters who lives in the United States and diligently covers China and the actions of the Communist authorities, said she would do anything in order to be reunited with her family someday.

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 29, 2021 - 19:23 | World, All, Japan

South Korea conducted a regular military exercise last week for the defense of a disputed pair of islets it controls in the Sea of Japan, Yonhap News Agency reported Wednesday.

The Defense Ministry has withheld information regarding the reported drills, apparently to avoid heightening tensions with Japan, which regards the islets as part of its territory and calls them Takeshima. South Korea calls the outcroppings Dokdo.

Citing multiple sources, the Yonhap report said the exercise did not include any landing and was instead conducted in waters near the islets. It reportedly involved the navy, maritime police and the air force.

The ministry declined Wednesday to confirm information about the drills.

In the wake of the report, Japan lodged a strong protest with South Korea through diplomatic channels both in Tokyo and Seoul.

Takehiro Funakoshi, director general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, told Kim Yong Gil, a minister at the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo, that Japan can never accept the drills and finds them "extremely regrettable," according to the Japanese ministry.

Funakoshi was quoted by the ministry as saying the islets are an inherent part of Japanese territory in light of historical facts and based on international law.

The islets are a constant source of dispute between the two countries. In November, the chief of the South Korean police visited Takeshima in the first such landing by a serving police chief in about 12 years, prompting protests from the Japanese government.

South Korea holds regular drills around the islets twice a year. An earlier exercise was held in June.

The country has stationed security personnel there since 1954.

Related coverage:

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Japan, S. Korea skip 3-way news conference with U.S. after flare up
A medical worker sanitizes a woman's hands at the entrance of a COVID-19 assessment center in Toronto, Canada, on Dec. 28, 2021. Canada reported 22,219 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday noon, raising the cumulative whole to 2,057,489 cases with 30,199 deaths, according to CTV. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

OTTAWA, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Canada reported 22,219 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday noon, raising the cumulative whole to 2,057,489 cases with 30,199 deaths, according to CTV.

COVID-19 cases continued to rise in Quebec, with the provincial government reporting 12,833 new cases and 15 additional deaths.

Quebec, with a population of 8.4 million, recorded 10,246 cases on Dec. 22 and 10,713 on Dec. 23.

Tuesday's new cases, a single-day high, elevated the cumulative cases to 559,270 with 11,629 deaths in Quebec.

The positivity rate was 26.8 percent and the seven-day average came to 9,133 in the province.

As of Dec. 27, a total of 7,260,432 Quebecers, or 89 percent of the eligible population aged five and up, had received their first dose of a vaccine, and 6,657,312 people, or 82 percent, had received two.

Of those eligible for a third dose, 1,087,425 Quebecers, or 13 percent, had received it.

Ontario, the most populous province with a population of 14 million, reported 8,825 new cases and seven additional deaths on Tuesday.

The new cases brought the cumulative cases to 715,405 with 11,629 deaths in Ontario. The seven-day average for the number of COVID-19 cases in Ontario rose to 8,318.

Ontario's daily COVID-19 case count has been hovering between 9,000 and 10,000 in recent days.

Canada has seen a steep rise in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the new Omicron variant throughout the month of December as more people move indoors and gather for holidays.

Recording more than two million COVID-19 cases, Canada is faced with mounting concerns over how the country's health systems will cope with an expected surge in cases after the holidays.

Some provinces in the country released updates regarding COVID-19 hospitalizations on Monday, which highlighted an increase in case numbers driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant. Enditem

A medical worker holds a door open for a woman at the entrance of a COVID-19 assessment center in Toronto, Canada, on Dec. 28, 2021. Canada reported 22,219 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday noon, raising the cumulative whole to 2,057,489 cases with 30,199 deaths, according to CTV. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People wearing face masks line up to enter a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Toronto, Canada, on Dec. 28, 2021. Canada reported 22,219 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday noon, raising the cumulative whole to 2,057,489 cases with 30,199 deaths, according to CTV. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A health worker distributes the COVID-19 rapid test kit inside a testing site in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Dec. 28, 2021. Canada reported 22,219 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday noon, raising the cumulative whole to 2,057,489 cases with 30,199 deaths, according to CTV. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

People line up to enter a COVID-19 testing site in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Dec. 28, 2021. Canada reported 22,219 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday noon, raising the cumulative whole to 2,057,489 cases with 30,199 deaths, according to CTV. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

A health worker prepares to distribute the COVID-19 rapid test kits inside a testing site in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Dec. 28, 2021. Canada reported 22,219 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday noon, raising the cumulative whole to 2,057,489 cases with 30,199 deaths, according to CTV. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)
SUVA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Fiji announced on Wednesday that it will re-tighten its border restrictions for all foreign travellers from Jan. 1, next year as more COVID-19 cases continue to be confirmed among foreign travellers coming to the island nation.

According to a statement by Fiji's Health Ministry, effective from Jan. 1, all foreign travellers from the travel partner countries and non travel partner countries must produce a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test taken no more than 2 calendar days prior to the scheduled day of departure.

Prior to this, foreign travellers had to return a negative PCR test 72 hours before leaving for Fiji.

The changes apply to all travellers disembarking in and transiting through Fiji which re-opened its international borders for tourists from its travel partner countries such as Australia and the United States.

In addition, all eligible foreign travellers will now be required to take an approved Rapid Antigen Test after 24 hours of their arrival into the island nation.

Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said the changes came as more COVID-19 cases continue to be recorded among the foreign travellers coming to the country.

All these cases were of fully vaccinated individuals who tested negative on their three-day pre-departure PCR test and are currently in isolation within Fijian hotels.

He said that they anticipated an increasing number of cases from border quarantine facilities.

Fong added that the Health Ministry is now preparing hospitals for any likely surge in COVID-19 cases.

While health facilities are being prepared, he also stressed that the possibility of reintroducing earlier curfews, placing more restrictions on gatherings, and escalating further their masking mandates is always under consideration.

Fong urged the Fijians to get vaccinated to ensure they are protected against the deadly disease.

Currently, a total of 91.9 percent of the adult target population in Fiji have been fully vaccinated while 97.7 percent have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Enditem
Photo shows an interior view of a triage center in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2021.

A triage center has been opened in the main hospital in Jalalabad city, the capital of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported Tuesday. (Photo by Hamidullah/Xinhua)

JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- A triage center has been opened in the main hospital in Jalalabad city, the capital of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported Tuesday.

The medical facility was built at a cost of 100,000 U.S. dollars with the financial support from the World Health Organization (WHO). It has the capacity to accommodate 15 patients at one time, said the report.

Afghan health authorities have vowed to do their best to facilitate access to health services for the Afghan people, the report added. Enditem

Photo shows an interior view of a triage center in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2021.

A triage center has been opened in the main hospital in Jalalabad city, the capital of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported Tuesday. (Photo by Hamidullah/Xinhua)
New Delhi:

An astronomer last month captured a flash in Jupiter's atmosphere which was nearly Earths size compared to the giant gas planets size. Astronauts now have come to the conclusion that the flash was caused by a small asteroid. The 1.5-second flash on August 7 was captured by Ethan Chappel using a telescope. Jupiter Moon has the same brightness as that of the flash during peak.

Ramanakumar Sankar and Csaba Palotai of the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) analysed the data to estimate that the flash could have been caused by an impact from a stony-iron asteroid between 39 and 52 feet (12 and 16 meters) in diameter, according to a CNET report.

Ricardo Hueso, a physicist said that the impact appears to be the second brightest of the six captured since 2010.

Also Read: Asteroid alert: NASA spots Potentially Hazardous Space Rock 1998 FF14 Inching Towards Earth On This Day, May Hit Us

"Most of these objects hit Jupiter without being spotted by observers on Earth," Hueso said. "However, we now estimate 20 to 60 similar objects impact with Jupiter each year."

Also Read: Asteroid alert: NASA spots Potentially Hazardous Space Rock 1998 FF14 Inching Towards Earth On This Day, May Hit Us

It is also known to the scientist that 800,000 years ago, a one-kilometre long asteroid crashed into Earths Southeast Asia region.

However, it is still a matter of study how the humans at that time survived such huge impact. It may be because humans are much smarter than dinosaurs gave them a edge when it comes to surviving asteroid attack.



In 2016, a NASA scientist warned that the Earth is unprepared for such an event. In April 2018, the B612 Foundation reported "It's 100 per cent certain we'll be hit [by a devastating asteroid], but we're not 100 per cent sure when." Also, in 2018, physicist Stephen Hawking, in his final book Brief Answers to the Big Questions, considered an asteroid collision to be the biggest threat to the planet.

Asteroid impact avoidance comprises a number of methods by which near-Earth objects (NEO) could be diverted, preventing destructive impact events. A sufficiently large impact by an asteroid or other NEOs would cause, depending on its impact location, massive tsunamis, multiple firestorms and an impact winter caused by the sunlight-blocking effect of placing large quantities of pulverized rock dust, and other debris, into the stratosphere.

According to expert testimony in the United States Congress in 2013, NASA would require at least five years of preparation before a mission to intercept an asteroid could be launched.

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Kuala Lumpur:

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday said that his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi did not request the extradition of Zakir Naik, wanted in India for money laundering and terror-related charges, and his country is looking for a place to send the radical preacher. Naik, a 53-year-old radical television preacher, left India in 2016 and subsequently moved to the largely Muslim Malaysia, where he was granted permanent residency. Mahathir said that Modi, whom he met in Russia during an economic forum earlier this month, made no extradition request for the controversial Islamic televangelist despite official notice from New Delhi.

Briefing reporters on Prime Minister's bilateral meeting with Mahathir, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale had said that Modi raised the issue of Naik's extradition with the Malaysian premier.

"Not many countries want him. I met with Modi. He didn't ask me for this man," Mahathir told Malaysian radio station BFM 89.9 when asked about Naik's extradition.

He also said that Malaysia was looking for a place to send Zakir who has made racially sensitive comments against Hindu and Chinese Malaysians recently.

The prime minister then reaffirmed that Zakir will no longer be allowed to publicly speak in Malaysia following his racially divisive remarks.

"Well, he's not a national of this country. He has been given, I think by the previous government, permanent residence status. A permanent resident isn't supposed to make any comments on this country's systems and politics. He has breached that. He is now not allowed to speak.

"We are trying to find some place he can go to but at the moment, no one wants to accept him (Naik)," he said.

Naik is wanted by Indian authorities since 2016 for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches.

He has been banned from any public activities in the multi-ethnic country after his remarks against Malaysian Hindus and Chinese on August 8.

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday posed certain searching queries to the Muslim parties about the images of lions, birds and flowers found on the now-demolished structure at the disputed Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri masjid site, seeking to know whether such pictures are found in mosques.

The Muslim parties said there were no images of God found in any mosque but just because "some flowers and some pictures" have been found, it cannot be said that the site was 'unquranic' and against the Islamic beliefs.

They told the 5-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, that a few pictures of lions, a bird on the 'Singhdwar' (gate) and some flowery images found on 'kasauti pillars" of the structure do not help the Hindu side in establishing that there was a temple instead of a mosque.

"This (the picture of two lions and one bird taken in 1950) is on the 'singhdwar'. It has two lions and one 'garuda', the bench said, adding that it wanted to see a "better picture".

"There cannot be images of flowers, animals in a mosque... Mr Dhavan, can you make a small note and give us the images of mosques," said the bench, also comprising Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and SA Nazeer, on the 25th day of hearing in the case.

Dhavan, who was arguing on eighth day on behalf of Sunni Waqf Board and others including original litigant M Siddiq, told the bench that the reliance on these pictures by Hindu parties "does not prove anything".

Moreover, we were not called upon to answer this question in the High Court and the point was that there was "no direct evidence of any image of a god there", he said.

Nothing had come out of it (pictures of lions and a bird) as some Muslim witnesses had said it was "emblem of Nawab", while some Hindus said that they indicated towards the existence of temple.

On the lotus symbol, found on the kasauti pillars, the senior lawyer said they did not make the structure a temple or part of a temple and moreover, such flowery images were also part of Islamic art the world over.

Dhavan questioned the submissions of Hindu parties on 14 'kasuti' pillars and various images found on them and said: "Some (witnesses) said that these pillars were lying there, some said that they came from Nepal and some said they came from nearby mining area and few others said that they came from Sri Lanka.

"On kasuti pillars, there was no direct evidence of any image of God or Goddess on them. This is what I have argued. They (Hindus) will have to show some images of God on them...there was a suggestion that as there were images of lotus, so it was a temple."

Referring to the High Court verdict, he said that there was no such findings in the judgement and referred to Qutab Minar and said that there are temple inscriptions on it.

"The question is that whether such images are there in any mosque," Justice Bobde asked.

If a 'Sultan' or 'Nabab' or a King gave an "un-Islamic" or "Unquranic" edict, the structure does not become "un-Islamic", Dhavan said, adding that there were no images on the west wall of structure and Muslims pray with their face towards west.

Justice Chandrachud said the presence of such images on the site could be because of the "cultural assimilation" and the religions, which came from outside, adopted some features of Indic faiths also.

Dhavan agreed with the observations and said the purpose of showing these images by Hindus was to prove that this mosque was not a mosque at all.

Justice Bobde then asked, "Has any witness said that this (pictures) was because of any cultural assimilation".

Dhavan replied in negative.

He assailed the HC verdict saying that it did not consider a report of four famous historians, including Irfan Habib, on the existence of Ram temple at Ayodhya on the site of Babri mosque.

The report had stated that the site where Babri Masjid stood could not have been the birthplace of Lord Ram, he said, adding that it was not considered because one of the historians, D N Jha, did not sign it.

"Who asked them to give the report," the bench asked, adding, "at the highest", the report could be considered as an opinion.

Dhavan said that according to the report the belief that temple was destroyed gained ground for the first time in 19th century.

This report was filed in response to the version given by the 'Vishwa Hindu Parishad', the bench said, adding that "this is not the opinion of the historians based on the archeological excavations and the report".

Moreover, it said the historians were not cross-examined during the hearing.

At the outset, Dhavan referred to the u-turn made by the Shia Wakf Board and referred to the earlier statement made by one Prince Anjum Khadar in which he had said that the land belonged to 'Allah" and there was a mosque in existence.

He said here Shias have said they have no objection if the land is given to Hindus for constructing temple.

He also referred to the testimonies of Hindu witnesses including one T P Verma to buttress the case.

The advancing of arguments remained will resume on Wednesday.

The Allahabad High Court, in its judgment of 2010 on four civil lawsuits, had partitioned the 2.77-acre disputed land equally among Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. Fourteen appeals have been filed in the Supreme Court against the verdict.

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New Delhi:

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) may not contest the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. According to media reports, the party functionaries told Thackeray that the MNS is not in a position to contest polls. Citing the turmoil and defection in parties like Congress and NCP, some leaders of the party have suggested MNS chief to drop the idea of contesting the upcoming elections in the state. The workers at the grass-root level are of the view that it will be critical for the party to hold the party cadre together if it contests elections.

Interestingly, MNS had backed off from contesting the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year.

Moreover, Raj Thackeray, was grilled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case in August this year. The Mumbai police has imposed section 144 of CrPC (banning unlawful assembly) outside the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office. The move was taken apprehending law and order problem, a police official said. Raj has appealed his party workers not to throng outside the ED office but we dont want to take any chances, the official had said.

The MNS is struggling to stay relevant in the state politics. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), founded in 2006 by Raj Thackeray after he fell out with Shiv Sena patriarch and his uncle Bal Thackeray, reached its zenith in 2009 assembly elections when it won 13 out of total 288 seats. The party was also said to be responsible for defeat of Shiv Sena candidates in Mumbai and its metropolitan region, apparently due to the division of Marathi votes.
Srinagar:

Armed terrorists are trying to spread fear among residents and defy the administration by forcibly shutting shops, sometimes by walking into the premises and intimidating owners, through threats made in posters that appear on walls overnight or by sealing shutters with tape, officials here say.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police has officially kept mum with no one willing to come on record, but officials said on condition of anonymity that the situation could be slipping out of their hands.

The incidents of terrorists sealing shops and posters, both handwritten and typed, being pasted in markets, mosques and other areas with do and don't diktats from different terror groups, have become a regular feature in Kashmir Valley, they said.

There have also been instances of armed terrorists walking into shops to warn owners to keep shutters down and barging into Jammu and Kashmir Bank branches in south Kashmir to ask employees to stay away from work, they said.

Two shops in Modrigam village in south Kashmir's Kulgam district were recently sealed by adhesive tapes with a seal of the banned terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, sending shock waves in the area. And it is not just about a far-flung village or one terror group, officials said.

In Karan Nagar market in Srinagar's Civil Lines area, the words 'LW' were emblazoned on two shops followed by an insignia of the Hizbul Mujahideen. The police deciphered 'LW' to mean 'last warning' as the two shops had defied the terrorists, officials said.

"We want to open markets but who will guarantee our security when we return home. We have held talks with senior police officials privately but no solution to our problems is forthcoming," said a shopkeeper who did not want to be identified.

It's a common refrain in the Valley, which has been under virtual lockdown since August 5, when the Centre announced the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status and the bifurcation of the state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The life remains hit with a communications clampdown, markets and other business establishments closed, and public transport largely off the roads.

"We do not understand why police is ineffective and not acting against those creating mischief," said another shopkeeper.

In Ganderbal in central Kashmir and in Srinagar's downtown Fathekadal area, posters came up on behalf of the terror outfit Al Badar asking them to socially boycott the families of the policemen.

Several police officials said the posters were pasted at night when security deployment was low. In another instance, a poster in English from the Musa Baba group was pasted on the wall of a shop at Srinagar's Bemina Bazar asking shopkeepers to sell essential commodities till 8.30 am.

Officials admitted that such posters were dictating the defiance against the administration. Many people were taking them seriously and preferring to remain indoors, they said.

"We are with the people and they are with us. We will not allow any harm to come to them. Those who are threatening them will be taken care of and the terrorists will be neutralised," Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh told reporters in Jammu on Tuesday.

On terrorists threatening orchardists, shopkeepers and setting a car ablaze in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Tuesday, the top cop said, "Two terrorists, who burnt down a car after beating its driver in Sopore on Saturday, have been identified as Sajjad and Muzaffar of the Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT). We will take care of them very soon."

On Tuesday, terrorists intercepted a car driven by a civilian in Sopore town of Baramulla district, an Army official said. The man was thrashed and his car was set ablaze, the official added.

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New Delhi:

A pregnant woman along with her two sisters was allegedly stripped naked, tortured and brutally thrashed at a police chowki in Assams Darrang district. The alleged incident took place on September 10 and only came to light after the women went to a local news channel to narrate the horror. After the news sparked furore in the state, the police sprung into action and suspended the outpost in-charge and another cop. The policemen took the women away to the outpost for interrogation in a case filed against their brother. The man was booked for allegedly kidnapping a girl. According to Press Trust of India, the three women were released only after their brother and the woman he had allegedly kidnapped surrendered at the police outpost.

The women, aged 18, 28 and 30, were picked up by Mangaldoi police outpost in-charge Mahendra Sarma at 1:30 am. The women were stripped naked, beaten with lathis. They said that the policemen touched their private parts. The women begged to leave their pregnant eldest sister. At this, the cops said that they were acting. The woman lost her baby due to severer torture.

In her police complaint, the sisters said that, "We were brutally beaten up and the police officer who also touched our private parts. The police officer threatened us by showing his pistol and warned us from filing any complaint against him." No case was registered despite the police complaint on September 10 itself. Finally, a case was registered by police on Tuesday. Darrang district superintendent of police Amrit Bhuyan said that an inquiry has been ordered into the allegations of use of "excess force" by Sarma. The medical examination of the women had been carried out and the report is yet to be received, the SP said. "If the inquiry points to use of excess force, then necessary action will be taken against the police official," he added.

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New Delhi:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday produced Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar before a special court in Delhi and sought judicial custody for further interrogation in a money laundering case, even as his lawyer Abhishek Singhvi cited his poor health and claimed he came dangerously close to a "heart attack".

Shivakumar was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on September 3 in connection with a money laundering case that surfaced following an I-T raid in 2017. After his arrest, the former Karnataka minister was sent to a 9-day ED custody. On the agency's request, his custodial interrogation was extended till September 17.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj, appearing for the ED, told the court that Shivakumar's health condition didn't allow the agency to effectively interrogate him, thus, his judicial custody with permission to interrogate was needed.

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However, Shivakumar's lawyer contended that his health condition was very serious and he needs to be hospitalised as he came "very close" to a heart attack. Accusing the ED of being biased and lying before the court about the investigation in the case, Singhvi sought Shivakumar's immediate release on bail.

During the last hearing, the Enforcement Directorate had alleged that many of Shivakumars properties were benami and claimed that he diverted more than Rs 200 crore of tainted money through 317 bank accounts. The agency had told the court that he was evasive and gave irrelevant answers during the interrogation.

His lawyer, however, told the court that the probe agency was alleging about 317 bank accounts only to spoil Shivakumar's image in media and public. He told the court that during the raids, only Rs 41 lakh were recovered from him and not Rs 8.5 crore or 143 crore as claimed by the agency.

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New Delhi:

A woman and her brother were arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the gruesome murder of her live-in partner at a flat in Lajpat Nagar area. The woman, already married, had left her husband over some marital discord and started a living with Sunil, the restaurant cook in Delhi. But after sometime, Anita started feeling dejected and told Sunil that she wanted to go back to her hometown. She also told him that she wanted to break up with him. But Sunil insisted her to stay with him. He also allegedly blackmailed her so that vshe wont leave him. Agitated, Anita told her woes to her brother Bijay Chhetri.

Chhetri, who lived in Kalimpong got in touch with a killer and came to Delhi to murder Sunil. On Saturday night, as per Anitas plan, she left for a friends place in Greater Noida. She didnt lock the door. At around 4 am, Chhetri and his friend Rajendra entered the flat and slit Sunils throat. They left quietly leaving him in a pool of blood. They dumped the knife used for murder in nearby bushes. Later, the took train from Anand Vihar to West Bengal. On Sunday morning, Anita returned to her flat.

She raised an alarm after which her landlord called the police. It was her inconsistent statements that led police to suspect her role. After intense grilling she finally confessed to cops.

Anita and her live-in partner Sunil Tamang, 28, used to stay in a rented apartment in Amar Colony area of the national capital. Sunil, who hailed from Nepal, worked as a waiter at a restaurant in Saket, they said. The woman had earlier told police that she had gone to meet her friend in Greater Noida at 11.30 pm on September 9. When she returned the next day around 2 pm, she found Sunil Tamang's body on the floor, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said.

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New Delhi:

The DDA has proposed amendment in the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021 under which bank lockers, if part of an existing bank, will be allowed in the basements of its premises. The decision was taken during the authority meeting of the urban body chaired by Lt Governor Anil Baijal at the Raj Niwas, the DDA said in a statement.

The authority also approved a proposal for modification in the development control norms under which following activities are allowed on religious (category) plots at sub-city level: training Centre for yoga, spiritual activities and meditation, museum or art gallery or exhibition centre, auditorium, accommodation for preachers, devotees or management staff, canteen, restaurant, langar hall or community kitchen and bank extention counter, ATM facility or prayer halls, it said.

The approved proposals will be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for consideration and final notification.

Besides, restaurants on ground floor only with valid appropriate licences and with all statutory clearances, as existing on or before today will only be permissible on notified mixed-use streets, it said.

The authority also approved reduction of permission charges for usage of additional activity under the educational category plots.

Other decisions included rationalisation of cost of one-bedroom flats at Ram Garh Colony, Jahangirpuri. The authority also approved concessions for allottees of various housing schemes of DDA who have been allotted flats under Persons with Disability (PwD) category. It also approved 20 per cent concession on the current rate of Rs 2,80,000 per sq m for disposal of 84 Commonwealth Games flats to government bodies, PSUs and central or state corporations.
New Delhi:

Indian and US Army soldiers trained together during the joint exercise Yudh Abhyas 2019 exercise at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The exercise "Yudh Abhyas" started on September 5 and ended on September 18. It is a part of the ongoing Indo-US defence cooperation. A video of soldiers from both nations singing and dancing to the tunes of an Assamese marching song had gone viral. Now, a video of American Army band playing Indian National Anthem during the exercise has also come out. In a video posted by ANI, the band can been seen playing 'Jana Gana Mana'.

Here's the video:

#WATCH USA: American Army band playing Indian National Anthem during the Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2019 at Joint Base Lewis, McChord. pic.twitter.com/J9weLpKD3X  ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2019

Yudh Abhyas is one of the largest running joint military training and defence corporation endeavours between India and the US. This is the 15th edition of the joint exercise hosted alternately between the two countries.

Earlier, another video from the joint exercise has charmed the internet. In that video, Indian and American soldiers could be seen tapping to the rhythm of the song named  'Badluram ka badan zameen ke neeche hai'.

During the exercise, both armies jointly trained, planned and executed a series of well-developed operations for neutralisation of threats of varied nature.

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New Delhi:

State Bank of India, India's largest public sector lender, has revised charges for its various services including ATM transactions, fund transfer, cash withdrawals, deposits and disbursement of debit cards and cheque book among others. Aside, the bank has also waived off the monthly limits on the internet and mobile banking transactions. Therefore, SBI customers will soon enjoy unlimited transactions without any burden of maintaining a fixed saving account balance every month. The revised rules and charges will come into effect from October 1, 2019.

READ | SBI Expresses Desire To Be Lead Bank For Union Territory Ladakh, Opens New Branch

Here is a quick look at the revised rules and charges:

Monthly average balance : The average monthly balance (AMB) for urban centres has been reduced from Rs 5,000 to Rs 3,000. Under the new rule, savings bank accounts having less than Rs 3,000 will be charged a fine up to Rs 15 excluding GST. While accounts falling short of AMB by 50 per cent (Rs 1,500) will be fined Rs 10 plus GST, customers who go short by over 75 per cent will be imposed with a penalty of Rs 15 along with GST.





: The average monthly balance (AMB) for urban centres has been reduced from Rs 5,000 to Rs 3,000. Under the new rule, savings bank accounts having less than Rs 3,000 will be charged a fine up to Rs 15 excluding GST. While accounts falling short of AMB by 50 per cent (Rs 1,500) will be fined Rs 10 plus GST, customers who go short by over 75 per cent will be imposed with a penalty of Rs 15 along with GST. Fund transfer: SBI waived charges on National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) through internet and mobile banking from July 1, after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to do away with the charges with an aim to move the country towards less-cash economy. However, conducting fund transfers at an SBI branch will attract a charge based on the amount. Before July 1, SBI used to charge between Re 1 and Rs 5 for transactions through NEFT, and Rs 5-50 for RTGS route.





SBI waived charges on National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) through internet and mobile banking from July 1, after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to do away with the charges with an aim to move the country towards less-cash economy. However, conducting fund transfers at an SBI branch will attract a charge based on the amount. Before July 1, SBI used to charge between Re 1 and Rs 5 for transactions through NEFT, and Rs 5-50 for RTGS route. Deposits: Cash deposits in the savings account will be free for up to 3 transactions every month. Post that the account holder will be charged Rs 50 plus excluding GST per transaction. The maximum limit for deposit of cash at a non-home branch is Rs 2 lakh per day.





Cash deposits in the savings account will be free for up to 3 transactions every month. Post that the account holder will be charged Rs 50 plus excluding GST per transaction. The maximum limit for deposit of cash at a non-home branch is Rs 2 lakh per day. Withdrawals: Account holders who maintain an AMB of Rs 25,000 are allowed to conduct two free cash withdrawals in a month. Customers with AMB between Rs 25,000 and 50,000 can avail 10 free cash withdrawals per month. Those with AMB in the Rs 50,000-1 lakh bracket will get 15 free cash withdrawals. However, there will be no limit of transactions for those who maintain a AMB of over Rs 1 lakh. The fine for transactions beyond the free limit is Rs 50 plus GST.





Account holders who maintain an AMB of Rs 25,000 are allowed to conduct two free cash withdrawals in a month. Customers with AMB between Rs 25,000 and 50,000 can avail 10 free cash withdrawals per month. Those with AMB in the Rs 50,000-1 lakh bracket will get 15 free cash withdrawals. However, there will be no limit of transactions for those who maintain a AMB of over Rs 1 lakh. The fine for transactions beyond the free limit is Rs 50 plus GST. Free ATM transactions : Customers with AMB of up to Rs 25,000 in their savings accounts, can enjoy five financial and non-financial free transactions at SBI ATMs. Account holders with higher AMB can conduct limitless transactions in a month. Besides, customers in non-metro cities irrespective of their AMB can avail five free transactions every month at non-SBI ATMs. Customers in the metros is three free transactions at other bank ATMs.





: Customers with AMB of up to Rs 25,000 in their savings accounts, can enjoy five financial and non-financial free transactions at SBI ATMs. Account holders with higher AMB can conduct limitless transactions in a month. Besides, customers in non-metro cities irrespective of their AMB can avail five free transactions every month at non-SBI ATMs. Customers in the metros is three free transactions at other bank ATMs. Charge on transactions beyond free limit : Financial transactions beyond the mentioned limits will attract a charge of Rs 10 plus GST at SBI's ATMs and Rs 20 at non-SBI ATMs. Non-financial transactions will cost Rs 5-8 plus GST depending on the ATM used. This covers services such as balance enquiry, placing a cheque book request, payment of taxes and funds transfers. Declined transactions due to insufficient balance will incur a fee of Rs 20 plus GST.





: Financial transactions beyond the mentioned limits will attract a charge of Rs 10 plus GST at SBI's ATMs and Rs 20 at non-SBI ATMs. Non-financial transactions will cost Rs 5-8 plus GST depending on the ATM used. This covers services such as balance enquiry, placing a cheque book request, payment of taxes and funds transfers. Declined transactions due to insufficient balance will incur a fee of Rs 20 plus GST. Inter-changeability: SBI allows one-way inter-changeability between branch and ATM transactions. This means that a customer with AMB of up to Rs 25,000 will be allowed a maximum of 10 free debit transactions in metro cities provided they use SBI ATMs and do not avail of the two free cash withdrawal transactions at the branch. Similarly, those in the non-metros can enjoy up to 12 free debit transactions.





SBI allows one-way inter-changeability between branch and ATM transactions. This means that a customer with AMB of up to Rs 25,000 will be allowed a maximum of 10 free debit transactions in metro cities provided they use SBI ATMs and do not avail of the two free cash withdrawal transactions at the branch. Similarly, those in the non-metros can enjoy up to 12 free debit transactions. Repo Rate: As directed by the Reserve Bank Of India, the SBI, from October 1, will adopt repo rate as the external benchmark for all floating rate loans for MSME, home and retail loans.

Floating Rate Home Loans: The floating rate home loans introduced on July 1, 2019 has also been modified to comply with the latest regulatory guidelines released by the RBI.





The floating rate home loans introduced on July 1, 2019 has also been modified to comply with the latest regulatory guidelines released by the RBI. Charges for getting a debit card: Not all debit cards offered by the bank are free. SBI charges Rs 100 for issuing a Gold Debit Card and Rs 300 for the platinum card, excluding GST. In addition, if your ATM card or kit is returned by the courier due to wrong address submission, you will have to pay a little over Rs 100.





Not all debit cards offered by the bank are free. SBI charges Rs 100 for issuing a Gold Debit Card and Rs 300 for the platinum card, excluding GST. In addition, if your ATM card or kit is returned by the courier due to wrong address submission, you will have to pay a little over Rs 100. Revised Cheque Book Rules: As per the new SBI guidelines, the lender has decreased the number of pages in its cheque books for customers. From October 1 onwards, only 10 cheques will be issued free of cost instead of 25 for a savings account holder in a financial year. Post that, customers will have to pay Rs 40 service tax instead of earlier Rs 30 for a 10-leaf cheque book.





As per the new SBI guidelines, the lender has decreased the number of pages in its cheque books for customers. From October 1 onwards, only 10 cheques will be issued free of cost instead of 25 for a savings account holder in a financial year. Post that, customers will have to pay Rs 40 service tax instead of earlier Rs 30 for a 10-leaf cheque book. Cheque Bounce Charges: The SBI has also increased the penalty charges imposed on an account holder in case of a cheque bounce. However, he penalty charges vary from one bank to another, and are different for different account types.

READ | State Bank Of India Slashes Interest Rates On Home Loans, Fixed Deposits

SBI is the largest commercial bank across India in terms of assets, deposits, branches, customers and employees. It is also the largest mortgage lender in the country. The bank has the largest network of 22,010 branches in the country and an ATM/CDM (cash deposit machine) network of over 58,000.

After announcing its decision to waive all charges on fund transfer through RTGS and NEFT systems from July 1, the RBI had also asked banks to pass on the benefits to customers from the same day. In the Union Budget, Finance Minister Sitharaman too announced steps to promote digital transactions.

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New Delhi :

Congress leader Jitin Prasada, who earlier held India's rising population responsible for economic slowdown and unemployment in the country, on Wednesday asked the party workers to "mobilise" 10 families each to adopt birth control measures, stressing on the need to maintain two-child norm. Prasada also reminded the party of its Pachmarhi resolution, in which it had always pitched for maintaining the norm across the country.

"It's time to sensitise and make India aware of the need for Population control/stabilisation. It has been the part of @INCIndia Panchmarhi shivir sakalp to work towards the goal of the two-child norm," the Congress leader tweeted.

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Its time to sensitise and make India aware of the need for Population control/stabilisation. It has been the part of @INCIndia Panchmarhi shivir sakalp to work towards the goal of the two child norm. #nationalinterest  Jitin Prasada (@JitinPrasada) September 18, 2019

"To start with Congress workers should mobilise 10 families to adopt population control measures based on the two-child norm," He wrote in another tweet.

To start with Congress workers should mobilise 10 families to adopt population control measures based on the two child norm . #nationalinterest @INCIndia  Jitin Prasada (@JitinPrasada) September 18, 2019

READ | PM Modi meets 40 economists to deliberate on economic policy, rising unemployment

Earlier too, the Congress leader had appealed to the Centre to bring in necessary laws to restrict the country's population, adding that nationwide discussion and adequate measures are required to make the country move forward. Prasada said population was also responsible for environment change, water crisis and pressure on natural resources all over the country.

Last month, India had reported a slow GDP growth rate of 5 per cent for the first quarter of this fiscal. Sharp deceleration in manufacturing output and subdued farm sector activity pulled down India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth to over six-year low of 5 per cent in the April-June quarter of 2019-20.

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New Delhi :

India regreted Pakistan's decision to deny overflight clearance for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special flight to the United States via germany, the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said on Wednesday, adding that Islamabad should reflect on its decision to deviate from global practice and reconsider habit of misrepresenting reasons for unilateral action. The MEA's statement comes barely hours after Pakistan refused to open its airspace for PM Modi's upcoming visit, citing "the current situation in Kashmir".

"We regret the decision of the government of Pakistan to deny overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight for a second time in two weeks, which is otherwise granted routinely by any normal country," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on response to a query on the recent denial by Pakistan.

READ | No Chance Of Talks With India On Kashmir Until Curfew Lifted: Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Announcing Pakistan's decision via a video statement, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad had been informed of Pakistan's decision to not allow Prime Minister's Modi's special Air India One aircraft to fly over the country. "In the light of the current situation in Kashmir, India's attitude and atrocities there, we have decided to not allow our airspace for the flight of the Indian prime minister," Qureshi said.

Prime Minister Modi will be travelling to the US on September 21 to attend the 'Howdy Modi' diaspora event on September 22 along with US President Donald Trump. He will also address the UN General Assembly in New York on September 27.

READ | PM Modi Showed Pakistan Its Place By Abrogating Article 370, 35A: Home Minister Amit Shah

This is the second time in two weeks that Pakistan has denied India's request to open its airspace for VVIP special flights. On September 7, it refused to allow President Ram Nath Kovind to use its airspace for his flight to Iceland. Imran Khan-led government has been under pressure from the Opposition and some ministers to impose ban on India to use its airspace after India revoked special status of Kashmir on August 5.

Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into two union territories, evoking strong reaction from Pakistan. India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was an internal matter and also advised Pakistan to accept the reality.

READ | Sharad Pawar Praises Pakistan, Says Ruling Class Spreading False Things For Political Benefits

In June, Pakistan "specially" opened its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit. However, India decided not to use the Pakistani airspace for the VVIP aircraft.

Pakistan fully closed its airspace in February after an Indian Air Force strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Balakot. The country opened its airspace for all flights except for New Delhi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur on March 27. On May 15, Pakistan extended its airspace ban for flights to India till May 30. It fully opened its airspace for all civilian traffic on July 16.

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New Delhi:

Office bearers, key functionaries and members of NGOs, receiving foreign funds, will have to declare before the government that they were not prosecuted or convicted for converting anyone from one faith to another, the Home Ministry said on Monday. In a notification, the ministry announced the changes in the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011, which includes that individuals receiving personal gift valued up to Rs 1 lakh need not inform the government about it anymore.

It has been made mandatory for every key member of the NGO "office bearers and key functionaries and members" to certify that they have not been "prosecuted or convicted" for "conversion" from one faith to another and for creating "communal tension and disharmony", according to the notification.

Earlier, as per the FCRA 2010, only the applicants such as directors who were seeking permission to receive foreign contribution were required to make such a declaration. In addition, every member of an NGO must also now, under oath, through an affidavit, certify that they have never been involved in "diverting" foreign funds or propagating "sedition" or "advocating violent means".

READ | Sikh Girl Converted To Islam In Pakistan To Return Home Soon: Punjab Province Governor

This declaration, too, needs to be given to all members of an NGO. Earlier, this declaration was to be only given by the applicant of an NGO. Individuals receiving personal gift valued up to Rs 1 lakh need not inform the government about it anymore, the Home Ministry said on Monday as it amended the FCRA.

Earlier, the threshold value was Rs 25,000, as per the market value of the gift item in India. The Centre amended the rules governing the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2011, and notified this change alongside some other modifications.

READ | Imran Khan Orders Probe Into Forced Conversion And Marriages Of Two Teenage Hindu Girls In Pakistan

In case of emergent medical aid needed during a visit abroad, the acceptance of foreign hospitality has to be intimated to the government within a month of such receipt, according to the amended rules. The intimation should contain full details including the source, approximate value in Indian rupees and the purpose for which and the manner in which it was utilised. Earlier, the intimation was required to be given within two months.

The Modi government has over the past five years tightened rules and procedures to receive and utilise foreign contribution. Permission to receive foreign contribution has been taken away from nearly 18,000 NGOs which were found to be violating the various clauses of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.

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New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday made a big statement on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying PoK is part of India and New Delhi expects it will be under Indias jurisdiction.

"Our position on PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) has always been and will always be very clear. The PoK is part of India and we expect one day that we will have the physical jurisdiction over it," Jaishankar said while addressing a press conference on the first 100 days of the Modi 2.0 government.

The government has maintained that henceforth talks with Pakistan would be only about PoK and not on Kashmir. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu have made statements in this regard in the recent past after Pakistan sought to internationalise the Kashmir issue.

Jaishankar also said there was no need to "worry" too much beyond a point about what people will say on Kashmir, asserting that India's position on its internal issues has prevailed and will prevail.

#WATCH: External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar says, "Our position on PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) has always been and will always be very clear. PoK is part of India and we expect one day that we will have the physical jurisdiction over it." pic.twitter.com/XpK0aPspmE  ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2019

The minister asserted that there is a complete predictability of India's position since 1972.

"Beyond a point, don't worry too much about what people will say on Kashmir. There is a complete predictability about my position. My position has been clear since 1972 and my position is not going to change. At the end of the day, it is my issue. On my issue, my position has prevailed and will prevail," the external affairs minister said.

He was replying to questions on Pakistan's attempt to internationalise the Kashmir issue and concerns expressed by some foreign leaders on human rights condition in Kashmir.

He also emphasised that countries develop a reputation, Jaishankar recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in Afghanistan about "information technology" vs "international terrorism'' and how IT has two different meanings, in a reference to India, which is known for its IT professional, and Pakistan.

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New Delhi:

Four new judges were appointed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, taking its strength to 34, the highest-ever. According to separate Law Ministry notifications, justices Krishna Murari, SR Bhat, V Ramasubramanian and Hrishikesh Roy were appointed as judges of the top court. The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended their names to the government last month.

Justices V Ramasubramanian and Krishna Murari head the Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and Haryana high courts respectively. Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Hrishikesh Roy head the Rajasthan and Kerala high courts respectively.

With a huge backlog of cases in the top court, the government had recently increased the strength of its judges from 31 to 34, including the Chief Justice of India. As of today, the apex court has 30 judges. Once the new judges take oath, the strength will go up to 34, the highest ever.

The sanctioned strength of SC judges was increased days after Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase the number of judges in the top court. According to a written reply by the Law Ministry to a Rajya Sabha question on July 11, 59,331 cases are pending in the top court.

Due to paucity of judges, the required number of constitution benches to decide important cases involving questions of law were not being formed, the CJI said.

"You would recall that way back in 1988, about three decades ago, the judge strength of the SC was increased from 18 to 26, and then again after two decades in 2009, it was increased to 31, including the CJI, to expedite disposal of cases to keep pace with the rate of institution," he wrote.

"I request you to kindly consider, on top priority, to augment the judge-strength in the SC appropriately so that it can function more efficiently and effectively as it will go a long way to attain the ultimate goal of rendering timely justice to the litigant public," Gogoi wrote.

Some of the consultee judges are learnt to have questioned the recommendation to elevate some of the candidates who are lower in the order in the all-India seniority list.

Consultee judges are those who have earlier served in courts where the candidate judges are currently posted. The views of consultee judges are not binding on the collegium. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 originally provided for a maximum of ten judges (excluding the CJI).

This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 in 1977. The working strength of the Supreme Court was, however, restricted to 15 judges by the cabinet (excluding the chief Justice of India) till the end of 1979. But the restriction was withdrawn at the request of the chief justice of India.

In 1986, the strength of the top court was increased to 25, excluding the CJI. Subsequently, the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2009 further augmented the strength of the court from 25 to 30.

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TEHRAN, Iran: The talks in Vienna, Austria, on the restoration of a 2015 nuclear deal are on a "good path," according to Iran's Foreign Minister. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told the media on the sidelines of a Tuesday ceremony that "we have a single and joint document, on which the Iranian negotiation team is focusing," according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website.

The other parties to the deal, according to Iran's top diplomat, are likewise focusing on the concerns "we placed in the text," which are the points of contention between the two sides. According to Amir-Abdollahian, Enrique Mora, the European Union's Deputy Foreign Policy Chief, has been working hard to play a coordination role.

He went on to say that if the other countries, which include France, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, and Germany, continue to negotiate with goodwill, a favourable agreement will be reached in the near future.

The eighth round of talks between Iran and the five signatories began in Vienna on Monday in an attempt to resurrect the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which the US pulled out of in 2018 under former President Donald Trump, who then reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran.

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Egypt has been admitted as a new member of the New Development Bank (NDB), which was founded in 2015 by the BRICS countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The Board of Governors of the NDB had given the bank permission to begin official negotiations with potential members in late 2020.

With the entrance of Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Uruguay in September 2021, the NDB began increasing its membership after a series of successful negotiations. Egypt is the bank's fourth new member, significantly expanding the bank's global reach, according to the statement.

"We are delighted to welcome Egypt into NDB's family. Egypt is one of the world's fastest-growing economies, a major economy in Africa and the Middle East, and a major player in development financing institutions. We look forward to assisting it with its infrastructure and long-term development needs "NDB President Marcos Troyjo was cited in the announcement as saying.

"Egypt is a strong supporter and believer in multilateralism. The NDB has established itself as one of the most important multilateral development banks for emerging markets and developing countries... The NDB's strong financing capabilities and relevant expertise would assist Egypt in meeting its financing needs and enhancing its efforts to upgrade its infrastructure base while also meeting its ambitious SDG goals "Egypt's Finance Minister, Mohamed Maait, said as much.

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New Delhi: The crisis of new variant Omicron of corona virus is deepening all over the world. Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi's visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait has been postponed. Tell me, the tour was scheduled to take place on 6th January. According to south block sources, the tour will have to be rescheduled due to increasing number of Omicron cases and could likely be held in February.

The Omicron variant of the coronary has spread around the world and the deadly variant is badly affecting the United States and Europe. In the US, Omicron is now the main virus that replaces Delta. In the United Kingdom, covid-19 cases are breaking records daily due to the rapid spread of Omicron. On the other hand, when it comes to India, the situation is still under control, after the first case of Omicron was reported in South Africa on November 24, 800 cases have been reported in India.

According to Abu Dhabi's Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee, vaccinated people will need a green condition on their mobile-phone health app, while those who have not been vaccinated will need a negative RTPCR test to enter the Emirate from December 30.

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Islamabad: A university in Pakistan's Punjab has introduced a new dress code for its students. The dress code came into force a few months after Pakistan's Central Directorate of Education issued a directive in this regard. The notification says that boys are not allowed to wear shorts, cut-off jeans, multi-pockets, faded, light torn jeans and trousers or T-shirts with any kind of message.

The notification issued by Toba Tech Singh Sub Campus of The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad also seeks to ban wearing any type of vest, long hair and ponytail, earrings, wrist straps including slippers, bandanas, hats. Girls have also been banned from wearing T-shirts with jeans, sleeveless shirts, see-throughs and skintight clothes. At the same time, the girl students will also be banned from wearing attractive jewellery, anklets and wearing heavy makeup.

Earlier in September, the Central Directorate of Education (FDE), which looks after educational institutions in Islamabad, had directed women teachers not to wear jeans and to ban men from wearing jeans and T-shirts. At the same time, FDE had asked the heads of educational institutions to follow their teaching and non-teaching staff dress codes and personal hygiene, including regular haircuts, beard trimmings, nail cutting and perfume use.

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The National Planning Commission Vice-chairperson Biswo Poudel gets quite irritated when he goes on field visits. Everywhere he goes, he sees public property (government property) left unattended. Several buildings that were built, spending billions on raw materials and equipment, await completion while others already constructed are left unused.

The worst part, experts claim, is the government does not even have accurate data on how the money is spent on public property. Nor does it have the data of resources that it purchased to complete the projects. It is quite worrisome as a lot of taxpayers money is being wasted.

The mismanagement menace

Projects are being undertaken without proper homework and planning, thereby wasting a lot of public property. They buy equipment and machinery without thinking if they need them for other projects as well. This has resulted in the government having to spend more money to save these projects.

It is a known fact that the government has not made proper use of its public property, but sadly, it has also not been able to stop others from misusing it.

We do things without thinking clearly. We build airports without knowing if aeroplanes will come. We build industrial estates spending billions but these estates dont have industries. Where is the planning when building these, questions Poudel.

The apartment built for squatters has no one living in them as locals have been opposing the government plan to relocate them to these flats in Nagarjung.

One such project that was built misusing the public property and without planning is the apartments built for the needy and landless squatters in Nagarjun municipality in Kathmandu. Its been eight years since it was completed, but the squatters are still living in their shacks by the Bagmati, Bishnumati and Manohara rivers.

To give them a new home, the government spent over Rs 120 million to build these apartments that have over 200 flats. The then prime minister Baburam Bhattarai commissioned the project, but as the government has not been able to identify the squatters, it has not been able to hand over keys to them. The locals of the area have also been causing problems as they do not want squatters to live on this public property.

Were using the apartments as an isolation centre for Covid-19 patients. We will not be letting squatters live here, says Mohan Bahadur Basnet, the municipalitys mayor.

Other development works are also in a similar state as most of them are undertaken in a haphazard way. These projects, also known as examples of dozer development, are carried out without a feasibility study or environmental assessment.

A bridge was built joining Kerauni in Nuwakot and Phosretar in Dhading in April. But, due to roads in Dhading still being incomplete to connect to the bridge, it has not come into operation. The reason  stakeholders were unaware that there was no road on the other side of the bridge. Even though a small track has been set up, the landowners have obstructed the road demanding compensation.

You do not have to go far to see pointless constructions and the mismanagement of public property. An overhead bridge near the western gate of the Parliament building in Kathmandu is hardly used by anyone as the road is very narrow.

We dont think clearly and we seem to not care about what the public wants or whether it is practical, says urban infrastructure expert Ashish Gajurel. Unless we start thinking rationally, development like these will continue to happen.

Abuse of resources

Unused electric buses and taxis at Bhairawa Airport.

Another occasion when public property management is seen is when the government purchases things it does not know how to use. An example is the procurement of electric buses and taxis to use at the newly constructed Bhairahawa Airport. These electric vehicles are gathering dust as a charging station is still being constructed.

Why are not these vehicles used yet? The Lumbini Development Trust says the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has not officially handed them to the trust. As they are not operating and are under the open sky, experts say the chances of them being dysfunctional are quite high.

A similar story can be found in Province 2 where five buses the provincial government bought have not been in operation. Over Rs 40 million was spent to buy these buses. But, there was no plan on how to operate them.

Aircraft, which cost a lot of public property, are also facing a similar fate as six Nepal Airlines Corporation planes have not flown for ages, after which the NAC decided to hand them over to the government in July 2020. These small aircraft were bought to fly to remote areas of Nepal, but that was decided without proper studies. Hence, the state has faced losses of up to Rs 8 billion. There are plans of reoperating these aircraft, but as the operating cost is high, it is going to take some effort to make money.

The former Meghauli Airport has turned into a grazing field for cattle.

The state has been careless about building and managing airports. Over a dozen airports in the country have shut down as there is hardly any demand for flights. The local governments want to restart the airports, but with a lack of passengers, it is unlikely. This was the same reason why Chitwans Meghauli airport was shut down and has turned into a cattle-grazing field. Out of the 53 airports, only 10 of them are in profit, says CAAN.

Despite this, there are still plans to build airports as politicians want to ensure that they do whatever they can to receive votes. Even though CAAN knows these airports are not sustainable, they have already started work to build them as they are under huge political pressure.

The government is not sure that even the two international airports that will be built in Pokhara and Bhairahawa will make any money.

Meaningless machines

Gas Plant bought by Kathmandu Metropolitan City has been not been in operation.

Public property mismanagement is evident when buying machinery also. The Kathmandu metropolitan city bought machinery that would produce biogas and electricity out of rubbish over four years ago. The officials said this was the citys answer to the load shedding that plagued the country for years. But, the machine, purchased for over Rs 30 million, has not been in operation for a while.

As the past has shown the country, the future of many projects are questionable. One such project misusing public property is the Janakpur-Jainagar railway. Nepal purchased a train from India to operate on the Janakpur-Jainagar line. It has been a year now since the train arrived in Nepal, but it is not been in operation. When will the train come into operation is a question no one can answer as Nepal does not have skilled human resources that can operate the train. Neither has the Railway Company received adequate funds to hire skilled people who can operate these trains.

Even if we do operate the train, we wont make enough to sustain the company. Almost all trains like these in India are under a loss, so I dont know what the thinking was behind purchasing these trains, says infrastructure expert Surya Raj Acharya, who calls on the government to think ahead when making plans like these.

The reason public property mismanagement happens is the hastiness of those in power. Poudel from the Planning Commission says those in power want to buy things immediately or issue a tender notice immediately. He, nonetheless, maintains not all projects are undertaken to cheat as there are people who want to do good.

But, they dont do due research before undertaking these projects. These people dont have any idea how to manage the public property in the long run and that is a major problem, says Poudel, calling on everyone to stop the misuse of government resources.
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With live music offered just about every night, K.J. Farrell's is a must-visit for music fans in Nassau County. The venue has a full menu of appetizers, pizzas, tacos, sliders, and more to snack on during each show. Wonderous Stories will be performing on this particular date.
The United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi, is stepping up its efforts to attract crypto-focused businesses. It aspires to be the Middle Easts leading crypto hub.

Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, stated that the government had set a deadline for this years end. It will ease passporting between digital cryptocurrency exchanges to normal instruments.

Two Regulated Digital Asset Exchanges; More to Come

According to Emmanuel Givanakis, CEO of Abu Dhabis Financial Services Regulatory Authority, the emirates are already among the global leaders developing a crypto-friendly regulatory environment. It is after having established an initial framework in 2018.

The emirates hope to attract more regulated digital asset exchanges with a comprehensive regulatory regime. Already, two of the exchanges  Matrix Exchange and Midchains  are operational in Abu Dhabi. A third, DEX, will begin entire operations soon.

Additionally, the whole ecosystem in Abu Dhabi is working together to make it easy for all the actors in that space to shift there. It is also essential to develop a legal framework. He added that they are to find the pain points everywhere to eliminate them and develop a powerful, robust regulatory framework.

The Focus is Shifting to Technology

Abu Dhabis determination to become a crypto hub is part of the city-effort states restructuring of its economy. They are trying to shift away from reliance on oil and gas and toward a greater emphasis on technology.

Abu Dhabi provides a fintech sandbox for the private sector to test their products in a live environment. Hence, ensuring they meet the UAEs strict anti-money-laundering (AML) and other regulatory standards.

Dubai, Abu Dhabis neighbour .and fellow emirate, is eager to attract digital-assets firms. It announced last week that it has enlisted Binance to assist it in developing an international virtual asset ecosystem.

Blockchain Development in MENA

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On December 27, 2021, Binance announced that it had also received approval for a license-in-principle in Bahrain. Binance had applied to the CBB for a license as part of its plans to become a fully-regulated centralised cryptocurrency exchange.

CBB is the first regulator in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region to grant in-principle approval to a Binance entity, according to an official statement from the crypto exchange.

CBBs in-principle approval still requires Binance to complete the entire application process, which is expected to be completed soon.

Regulation Concerns

Binance has been targeted by financial regulators all over the world this year. Some have prohibited the platform from engaging in certain activities, while others have warned consumers that it is unlicensed to operate in their jurisdictions.

According to Amy Oldenburg, head of emerging market equities at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, a challenge for regulators is ensuring they dont stifle innovation while trying to protect investors.

The UAE and Abu Dhabi appear to be striking the right balance in regulating cryptocurrency. However, not in such a way that they stifle the growth and exploration that will continue for long.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
BioMe

BioMe

BioMe

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The microbiome treatment market is receiving global attention and is rapidly emerging as a new treatment alternative for various intractable diseases. However, recent clinical trial failure reports and the limitation to identify a clear mode of action demand a careful approach. Korea-based company BioMe Inc. wants to bring in disruption with pathbreaking microbiome-based therapeutics.

Established in November 2020 by Professor Sang Sun Yoon of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, BioMe Inc. has been developing a microbiome-based live biotherapeutic product (LBP). Based on the distinguished microbiology research foundation of Yonsei University College of Medicine, BioMe Inc.

(i) understands the bacteriological characteristics of the candidate strains,

(ii) can prove its effectiveness using animal disease models, made possible in the state-of-the-art Avison Biomedical Research Centre.

To accelerate its research & development process, the startup recently signed a technology transfer contract with Yonsei University College of Medicine. BioMe Inc. would start developing microbiome-based therapeutics with the six patents transferred from Yonsei University College of Medicine.

The technology transfer under the contract includes a total of six patents, and BioMe's development pipeline is as follows:

No. Development Pipeline 1 A protein derived from airway microbiome with inhibitory effects against broad-spectrum respiratory infections 2 A microbiome-derived immune-enhancing protein with clear anti-cancer effect 3 A skin microbiome showing efficacy in treating atopic dermatitis 4 A consortium of commensal microbes showing efficacy in treating inflammatory bowel disease 5 Novel synbiotics system inducing butyrate synthesis

In addition to the above technology, a novel pipeline capable of degrading TMA, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is under development by BioMe Inc.

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Beyond discovering useful strains, BioMe Inc. is building a microbiome-based system that selectively produces beneficial metabolites or degrades hazardous counterparts. This development strategy represented by "Molecule First" is implemented through the iBTSTM (integrated BioMe Technology for Screen) platform.

Recently, Kim Bu Seon, a former managing director of SK Bioscience, has been recruited to design target product profiles for candidate strains. Preclinical trials are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2022, and clinical trials will begin in 2023.

Press contact: vallabh@topprwire.com

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This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment




Figure 1

Plan View of the 3.5 km x 3 km Porphyry Cluster Outlined at the Guayabales Project

Plan View of the 3.5 km x 3 km Porphyry Cluster Outlined at the Guayabales Project

Figure 2

Plan View of the 1.3 km Long Pound Target at the San Antonio Project

Plan View of the 1.3 km Long Pound Target at the San Antonio Project

TORONTO, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Collective Mining Ltd. (TSXV: CNL) (Collective or the Company) is pleased to review its accomplishments of 2021 and outline its business plan for 2022 for its Guayabales and San Antonio projects. The properties are located in Caldas Colombia and the Company has the right to earn 100% unencumbered interests in both projects.



2021 Highlights

Guayabales Project (Figure 1)

4,838 metres of diamond drilling has been completed at the project as of December 22, 2021.





Due to the operating teams extensive Colombian experience, the Company was able to rapidly advance surface exploration at Guayabales, which in turn lead to the discovery of a 3.5 kilometre x 3 kilometre cluster encompassing six porphyry targets for diamond drilling.





Donut Target: The Company made a significant grassroots discovery with multiple broad drill intercepts in predominantly breccia beginning at surface. Highlights from holes completed to date are as follows:



Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AuEq* (g/t) DOC-5 0.0 163 163 1.2 11 1.3 DOC-2 0.0 104.0 104 1.2 12 1.3

* AuEq (g/t) is calculated as follows: (Au (g/t) x 0.95) + (Ag g/t x 0.016 x 0.90) + (Cu (%) x 1.83 x 0.92) + (Mo (%) x 4.57 x 0.92), utilizing metal prices of Cu - US$4.00/lb, Mo - US$10.00/lb, Ag - $24/oz and Au - US$1,500/oz and recovery rates of 95% for Au, 90% for Ag, 92% for Cu and Mo. Recovery rate assumptions are speculative as no metallurgical work has been completed to date.

** A 0.1 g/t AuEq cut-off grade was employed with no more than 10% internal dilution. True widths are unknown, and grades are uncut.



Assays for several completed drill holes remain outstanding and will be announced once received in Q1, 2022.

Olympus Target: A high-grade porphyry related, carbonate base metal (CBM) vein system, measuring 1,000 metres x 600 metres and open in all directions has been outlined through detailed surface sampling and geophysics. High-grade samples have been collected throughout the target area with highlights as follows:



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Sample ID Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu % Zn % Pb% CM003546 485.3 325 - - - CM003571 198.7 369 0.08 9.03 12.74 CM003574 72.4 271 - - - CM003581 69.2 254 - - - CM003544 58.2 99 - - - CM003582 48.5 206 - - - CM003570 34.8 745 2.66 0.18 0.45

*The reader should be cautioned that grab samples are selective in nature and as a result should not be relied upon as being representative of average grades anticipated in any future resource estimate or mining scenario.

** Only samples CM003570 and CM003571 reported above were analyzed for base metal grades.

A maiden diamond drilling program utilizing two rigs commenced at the Olympus target on December 1, 2021, and visual logging of the two completed holes to date highlights the discovery of multiple mineralized CBM veins hosted within intensely altered porphyry diorite and hydrothermal breccia units. Initial assay results are expected in January 2022.

Box Target: Three reconnaissance diamond drill holes were recently completed at the Box Target to test an altered and mineralized porphyry target with associated carbonate base metal veins. Visual inspection of the core for drill holes 1 and 3 indicates that multiple CBM veins and altered porphyry style mineralization were intercepted but appears to be distal to a potassic core of a porphyry system. Assay results are expected in mid to late Q1, 2022.





Victory Target: Extensive reconnaissance work is ongoing and has both significantly enhanced the 1000 metre x 600 metre porphyry target and has resulted in the discovery of a new carbonate base metal vein system directly flanking the eastern edge of the porphyry target. Multiple samples from both the porphyry and the Victory East vein target have been collected with results expected in Q1, 2022.



San Antonio Project (Figure 2)

4,310 metres of diamond drilling was completed at the project in 2021 resulting in a significant bulk tonnage grassroots discovery at the Pound Target. Mineralization at Pound, which begins from surface, is related to hydrothermal breccia and highly altered quartz diorite intrusive which have been overprinted by late stage, polymetallic veins. Subsequent follow up exploration has expanded the strike length of the target to at least 1.3 kilometres with assay results as follows:



HoleID From (m) To (m) Intercept

Interval (m)** Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zn (ppm) Pb (ppm) Cu % Mo % AuEq (g/t)* SAC-6 0 750 750 0.32 6 454 303 0.02 0.001 0.41 SAC-8 0 710 710 0.40 6 352 130 0.04 0.001 0.53

* AuEq (g/t) = (Au (g/t) x 0.95) + (Ag g/t x 0.013 x 0.90) + (Cu (%) x 1.83 x 0.92) + (Mo (%) x 4.57 x 0.92), utilizing metal prices of Cu - US$4.00/lb, Mo - US$10.00/lb, Ag - $20/oz and Au - US$1,500/oz and recovery rates of 95% for Au, 90% for Ag, 92% for Cu and Mo.

** a 0.1 g/t AuEq cut-off grade was employed with no more than 10% internal dilution. True widths are unknown and grades are uncut.

Corporate and Sustainability

The Company successfully completed an RTO and was listed on the TSX Venture Exchange on May 28, 2021.





The Company raised C$28.5 million through a combination of a private placement financing and the exercise of warrants related to said financing.





As a result of successful exploration campaigns during the course of the year, the Companys share price gained approximately 200% from the date of listing on the TSX Venture Exchange.





The Companys multi-pronged and comprehensive ESG program for 2021 resulted in the recognition by local stakeholders as a transparent and trustworthy entity. Numerous programs were implemented throughout the year highlighted by the strategic alliance with the National Coffee Federation of Colombia and the Municipality of Supia to promote water utilities, infrastructure improvements, as well as to provide technical assistance for more than 400 coffee growing families representing 6,000 people from 35 different communities.



2022 Outlook

With a fully funded 20,000+ metre diamond drilling program, the Company will assertively test its suite of targets at both the Guayabales and San Antonio projects.





At the Guayabales project, drilling will be focused on the Olympus and Victory targets with additional metres planned for the Donut and Box targets. Depending on exploration results in H1 2022, the Company may elect to drill test the earlier stage Apollo and ME targets as well.





At the San Antonio project, a deep penetrating ground IP survey will commence in January and once completed, the Company will launch a follow up drill program at the Pound target with the possibility of also testing the COP target for the first time.



Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure

David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG).

Technical Information

Rock samples have been prepared and analyzed at SGS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program.

About Collective Mining Ltd.

Collective Mining is an exploration and development company focused on identifying and exploring prospective mineral projects in South America. Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, the mission of the Company is to repeat its past success in Colombia by making a significant new mineral discovery and advancing the projection to production. Management, insiders and close family and friends own approximately 40% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result are fully aligned with shareholders. Collective currently holds an option to earn up to a 100% interest in two projects located in Colombia. As a result of an aggressive exploration program on both the Guayabales and San Antonio projects a total of eight major targets have been defined. The Company is fortuitous to have made significant grass root discoveries on both projects with discovery holes of 104 metres @ 1.3 g/t AuEq and 710 metres @ 0.53 AuEq at the Guayabales and San Antonio projects, respectively. (See press releases dated October 18th and 27th for AuEq calculation.)

Contact Information

Collective Mining Ltd.

Steve Gold, Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

Tel. (416) 648-4065

To schedule a one-on-one meeting with management please use the following link:

https://calendly.com/collectivemining/30min?month=2021-11

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the drill programs, including timing of results, and Collectives future and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as may, will, should, could, expect, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict or potential or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Collective cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and Collective assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Figure 1: Plan View of the 3.5 km x 3 km Porphyry Cluster Outlined at the Guayabales Project

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96fe322b-c3e1-44d8-b048-e6aac409759b

Figure 2: Plan View of the 1.3 km Long Pound Target at the San Antonio Project

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a9ba725-a0b3-4dce-a030-e1d31f7a941c




CHICAGO, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CT7 Mexican Sweet Hard Seltzer known in Guadalajara, Mexico for its sweet yet crisp clean taste with a blast of lime flavor announced today that it will enter the USA market by being part of the first-ever all Latin music room at the iconic Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL on New Year's Eve night! The night will be headlined by CT7 brand ambassador DJ Mauricio spinning Latin beats. CT7's bold flavor profile led to the tagline "Fearless With Flavor" which has shown early support in market research.

Mexican Sweet Hard Seltzer One part beach. One part club. All parts Mexico!

"CT7 has a passionate following in Guadalajara because of its bold flavor and citrusy notes. Staying true to its Mexican heritage we are excited to launch in Chicago at the Drake Hotel on New Year's Eve on the Drake's 100-year anniversary," says Pep Katcher President of CT7 USA LLC. "Since Chicago has the largest population of people from Guadalajara in the world outside of Guadalajara itself, we knew Chicago would embrace CT7's brand ethos and culture. CT7's high-quality ingredients, bold lime taste, and 7.0% ABV is great over ice with a lime, as a mixer or straight from the can."

There are few cities that fit CT7's tagline "Fearless With Flavor" more than Chicago, boasting 820,000 Latinos who work hard and play in over 8,000 bars and restaurants throughout the city. Chicago also has over 26 miles of lakefront beaches making it one of the few cities in the United States where you can go from the "beach" to the "club" within minutes, which is very similar to many coastal towns in Mexico. Named by Forbes as one of the "coolest neighborhoods around the world," and heavily populated by Mexican's, areas like Pilsen and Little Village in Chicago have already shown strong interest in CT7's brand heritage and bold flavor profile.

FLAVORS

CT7 will launch with a Limon Chingon flavor and then quickly expand its product line into Berri Sexi and Mucho Mango flavors. These citrusy notes are true to CT7's Mexican heritage, and culture but also found to garner interest by even broader audiences of the legal drinking age throughout the United States.

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For Tickets:

https://www.thedrakehotel.com/dining/NewYearCelebrations/ChicagoSceneNewYear%27sEveParty

www.CT7usa.com

Instagram: @CT7usa

Sales Contact: sales@ct7usa.com

Marketing & PR Contact: mark@juiceltd.io

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SOURCE Juice Ltd.
DALLAS, Dec. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Fadi Yousef with Rob Wiley, P.C. has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas. Election is a mark of distinction and recognition of Mr. Yousef's contributions to the legal profession.

Fadi Yousef

Selection as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation is restricted to members of the State Bar of Texas. Each year one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys are invited to become Fellows. Once nominees are selected, they must be elected by the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. Membership has grown from an initial 255 Charter Members in 1965 to more than 10,000 Fellows throughout Texas today.

The Texas Bar Foundation is the largest charitably funded bar foundation in the country. Founded in 1965 by lawyers determined to assist the public and improve the profession of law, the Texas Bar Foundation has maintained its mission of using the financial contributions of its membership to build a strong justice system for all Texans. To date, the Texas Bar Foundation has distributed more than $23 million throughout Texas to assist nonprofit organizations with a wide range of justice-related programs and services. For more information, contact the Texas Bar Foundation at www.txbf.org.

Cision

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SOURCE Rob Wiley, P.C.
NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BizVibe has made available 1,000+ company profiles for the silicone products category on its B2B platform. Companies listed in this product category are primarily engaged in manufacturing or supplying various types of silicone and related products (such as liquid silicone, silicone molds, etc.).

Snapshot of BizVibe's silicone supplier profiles and categories.

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List of product and service category offerings and primary operating industries

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Latest company news with the ability to sign up for timely news alerts

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Silicone Companies on BizVibe

BizVibe's platform contains 30M+ company profiles, spanning across 200+ countries, categorized into 40,000+ products and services. There are 1,000+ company profiles related to silicone manufacturers and suppliers on BizVibe, covering 10+ product and service categories. Each company profile contains detailed insights dedicated to helping procurement and sales teams find trusted suppliers and target sales prospects.

Examples of silicone manufacturer and supplier company profiles that can be discovered on BizVibe include:

Liquid silicone suppliers

Silicone mold manufacturers

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Story continues

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Contact

BizVibe

Jesse Maida

Email: jesse@bizvibe.com

+1 855-897-5880

Website: https://www.bizvibe.com/

BizVibe (PRNewsfoto/BizVibe)

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SOURCE BizVibe
Figure 1

Plan View of Paubacken Maiden Drill Program

Plan View of Paubacken Maiden Drill Program

Figure 2

Cross-Section of PAU21003

Cross-Section of PAU21003

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gold Line Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: GLDL; OTCQB: TLLZF) (Gold Line) (the Company) is pleased to announce initial results from its maiden drill program at the Companys Paubacken Project (Paubacken) in Sweden.



Five widely spaced reconnaissance drill holes were completed at Paubacken for a total of 670 meters (m) in October and November 2021. Data from three of the five holes have been certified and received, and the Company is excited to report an intercept of 22.5 m core length averaging 2.40 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au); including a higher grade zone of 9.5 m averaging 4.6 g/t Au beginning at 46.5 m in drillhole (DH) PAU21003 (see Table 1). The Company is awaiting results from the remaining drillholes, PAU21004 and PAU21005.

This current drill program represents phase one (Phase I) of a two phase 1,500 m maiden drill program (the Program) that will be completed early summer 2022. Phase I drilling of the program was completed at the end of November, and in agreement with the local reindeer husbandry, Phase II will commence once the reindeer have left the area.

DH PAU 21003 targeted a gold-in-bedrock anomaly of 1.43 g/t Au, previously identified at Paubackens Aida target in fall 2021, as a result of a base of till/top of bedrock (BoT/ToB) drilling and sampling program (Figures 1 and 2). This target was blind in the sense that all bedrock in the area is covered by a veneer of glacial till, and there is no bedrock exposure in the target area. The 22.5m intercept within DH PAU21003 is hosted by a strongly sheared amphibolite with intense biotite and calc-silicate alteration. The entire thickness of the amphibolite intersection was mineralized, which suggests there is additional exploration potential in other similar amphibolite units and structural targets. The Company is highly encouraged by the 53.9 gram-meter (grade thickness)1 intercept in DH21003 and plans to utilize these early exploration results to refine additional targets for Phase II of the drill program.

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Zones of anomalous gold were also intersected in DH PAU21002, which was drilled approximately 450 meters to the southeast of DH PAU21003. This includes a sample with 0.55 g/t Au and numerous samples in the 0.1-0.5 g/t Au range. While not as enriched as the zone of mineralization intercepted in PAU21003, the mineralized intervals in PAU21002 also showed intense biotite and calc-silicate alteration as well as narrow amphibolite zones. The mineralization in PAU21002 appears to occupy a different structural trend than the intercept seen in PAU21003.

Table 1: Paubacken Maiden Drill Results

Hole ID Grid Northing Easting Target Azimuth/

Inclination () Total Depth (m) Results PAU21005 SWEREF99 TM 7190927 629221 Aida 240/50 151 Results pending PAU21004 SWEREF99 TM 7191096 629065 Aida 237/50 161 Results pending PAU21003 SWEREF99 TM 7191136 629025 Aida 237/50 121.9 22.5 m at 2.40 g/t Au including 9.5 m at 4.67 g/t Au PAU21002 SWEREF99 TM 7190934 629403 Aida 220/50 103 Multiple (7) intercepts between 0.1 and 0.6 g/t Au PAU21001 SWEREF99 TM 7190880 629357 Aida 40/50 133 No significant intercepts

Note: A cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t Gold with internal dilution limited to less than 3m was used to calculate the reported intercepts. True widths are not known at this time due to the limited exposure and drilling in the area. However, the amphibolite contacts seen in the drill hole are at relatively high angles to the core axis.

Gold Line considers these initial results to be significant due to the:

lack of exposure and previous exploration in the area; this structural/geochemical trend has not been previously drill tested.

shallow nature of the intercepts; DH PAU21003 was drilled at an angle of 50 degrees, which means that depths below surface are 35-55 meters (see Figure 2).

mineralization being associated with a distinctive style of alteration and hosted by a readily identifiable rock type in the area.

position of the mineralized intervals along pronounced geophysical and structural trends known to contain other zones of gold mineralization.

numerous comparable structural/geochemical targets identified by the recently completed BoT/ToB drilling and sampling in the area.



The initial results from widely spaced reconnaissance holes underscore the potential of the Paubacken project, with some of the strongest anomalies identified through the BoT/ToB program in the area, yet to be tested in the current drill program.

The Paubacken Project:

The Paubacken Project consists of three licenses (17,097 ha) that cover the central part of an emerging gold belt in north central Sweden known as the Gold Line Belt. The Gold Line Belt is host to several significant gold deposits, including the nearby Barsele project (operated as a joint venture between Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. and Barsele Minerals Corp) as well as the Svartliden mine and Faboliden development project (operated by Dragon Mining Ltd). The Paubacken Project is strategically positioned between Barsele and Faboliden, and a few hundred meters north east of the Svartliden mine and features a regional shear zone with multiple untested gold anomalies.

Sampling:

Samples were collected in accordance with industry standard best practices. Samples were collected by Arctic Drilling AS and submitted for preparation at the MSALABS in Storuman, Sweden. Accredited control samples (blanks and accredited standards) are inserted into the sample intervals regularly. Drill core is sawed with a semi-automatic core saw, then core samples are crushed to a 70% pass 2mm, split (1000g), and pulverized to 85% passing 75m (SAW-100 and PRP-920, respectively). Pulps are analyzed at the MSALABS in Langley, BC, Canada with a four-acid digestion and ICP-MS/AES finish (IMS-230) as well with a 30g Fire Assay and ICP-AES finish for gold analysis (FAS-114). A gravimetric determination for samples above 10g/t Au is used (FAS-415).

Comments on Nearby Mines and Deposits

The nearby mines and deposits discussed in this news release provide context for Companys Paubacken Project, which occurs in a similar geologic setting, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Project hosts similar styles, grades and tonnages of mineralization.

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., a Qualified Person.

About Gold Line Resources Ltd.

Gold Line Resources is focused on acquiring mineral properties with exceptional exploration potential in the most prolific gold-producing regions of Fennoscandia, and further delineating the historic. Gold Line is working in one of the worlds top mining jurisdictions and emerging exploration frontiers due to its strong mineral endowment, stable tenure, straightforward permitting, favourable tax regime and supportive geopolitical landscape.

Gold Line currently holds a prospective portfolio of five gold exploration projects in Sweden: one project is in the Skelleftea belt of north-central Sweden and four projects, including the Langtjarn property, are located within the Gold Line Mineral Belt of north-central Sweden. The projects are located on a 200-kilometre Proterozoic greenstone sedimentary belt that is host to multiple gold showings and deposits

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Gold Line Resources,

Adam Cegielski

CEO & Director

For further information:

Email: investor@goldlineresources.com

Telephone: 1-800-858-9710

FOLLOW US:

Website: https://www.goldlineresources.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gold-Line-Resources

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GLDL_Resources

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gold_line_resources/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gold-line-resources-ltd

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Gold Lines actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on Gold Lines current beliefs and assumptions as to the outcome and timing of future events, including, but not limited to, that the exploration and development activities will be completed as planned, and that the results of the exploration and development activities will be as anticipated. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: that exploration and development activities will not be completed as planned; that the results of exploration and development activities will not be as anticipated; Gold Line may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect Gold Lines business and results of operations; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of Gold Lines securities, regardless of its operating performance; and the impact of COVID-19. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the expectations of Gold Line as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Gold Line undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Figure1: Plan View of Paubacken Maiden Drill Program

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b13488ee-7ef7-4e90-a7b8-abe4d1acc829

Figure 2: Cross-Section of PAU21003

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e716a026-73c6-4c86-a21e-40412d334f51

1 Calculated as average grade*thickness in meters (as measured in the drill hole) with applied cutoff and internal dilution factors.




LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2021 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Berkeley Lights, Inc. ("Berkeley Lights" or "the Company") (NASDAQ:BLI) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investors who purchased the Company's securities between July 17, 2020 and September 14, 2021, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before February 7, 2022.

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at brian@schallfirm.com.

The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Berkeley Lights' primary instrument, the Beacon, suffered from a considerable number of problems ranging from manufacturing defects and breakdowns to high error rates. The Company received many customer complaints not only on the instrument's effectiveness, but also on its design and production quality. The actual market for the Beacon instrument is a small percentage of the $23 billion the Company touted to the market due in part to these design and production problems. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Berkeley Lights, investors suffered damages.

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Join the case to recover your losses.

The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

CONTACT:

The Schall Law Firm

Brian Schall, Esq.,

www.schallfirm.com

Office: 310-301-3335

info@schallfirm.com

SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/680029/INVESTOR-ACTION-NOTICE-The-Schall-Law-Firm-Encourages-Investors-in-Berkeley-Lights-Inc-with-Losses-of-100000-to-Contact-the-Firm




RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / December 28, 2021 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Chegg, Inc. ("Chegg") (NYSE:CHGG). The action charges Chegg with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Chegg's materially misleading statements to the public, Chegg investors have suffered significant losses.

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CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CHEGG LOSSES

LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: February 22, 2022

CLASS PERIOD: May 5, 2020 through November 1, 2021

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:

James Maro, Esq. (484) 270-1453 or Toll Free (844) 887-9500 or Email at info@ktmc.com

CHEGG'SALLEGED MISCONDUCT

Chegg operates a direct-to-student learning platform. Chegg's services include subscription services and required materials that comprise its print textbooks and eTextbooks.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, defendants touted that Chegg was "in a unique position to impact the future of the higher education ecosystem" and that the primary cause of Chegg's success was its "strong brand and momentum" which would allow Chegg "to continue to grow and take advantage of the ever-expanding opportunities in the learner economy."

The truth was revealed on November 1, 2021, when Chegg reported its financial results revealing fewer-than-expected enrollments while failing to provide 2022 guidance. In addressing these concerns, CEO Dan Rosensweig stated, "a combination of variants, increased employment opportunities and compensation, along with fatigue, have all led to significantly fewer enrollments than expected this semester. And those students who have enrolled are taking fewer and less rigorous classes and are receiving less graded assignments." Following this news, shares of Chegg plunged nearly 50% on November 2, 2021.

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WHAT CAN I DO?

Chegg investors may, no later than February 22, 2022 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Chegg investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE

WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?

A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. At the end of the day, we have succeeded if the bad guys pay up, and if you recover your assets. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

James Maro, Jr., Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(844) 887-9500 (toll free)

info@ktmc.com

SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP





View source version on accesswire.com:

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VIENNA, Va., December 29, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Please replace the release with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211229005312/en/

Student of the Year recipients (Photo: Business Wire)

The updated release reads:

NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION ANNOUNCES ROTC ALL-AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Navy Federal Credit Union announced today the recipients of its ROTC All-American Scholarship Program. The program honors the best and brightest ROTC seniors across the nation. Launched in 2018, the recipients are chosen by a panel of judges based on the pillars of the ROTC program: Leadership, Military Excellence, Scholarship and Service.

In its first year, the program highlighted outstanding senior ROTC students from 10 universities. In 2021, the program expanded to 500 universities from across the nation. Since launching the program, Navy Federal has donated over $250,000 to ROTC All-Americans via its scholarship program and has seen over 10,000 ROTC student submissions.

From the collective group of nominees, Navy Federal selects 15 to become ROTC All-American Scholarship recipients. Out of the 15 finalists, the top Air Force, Army and Navy/Marine students are selected and honored as the three ROTC All-American Scholarship Program Students of the Year. This years recipients are:

- Ean Buffington, Missouri University of Science and Technology Air Force (Student of the Year)

- Andrew Bainbridge, Texas A&M Air Force

- Skylar Chase, Utah Air Force

- Andrew Wang, Embry-Riddle Air Force

- Dejha Nixon, North Carolina State Air Force

- Zachary Glanz, University of Massachusetts Amherst Army (Student of the Year)

- Jimmy Hayburn, Loyola-Maryland Army

- Rachel Verdow, Dayton Army

- Austin Grabill, Kansas State Army

- Kathryn Porter, Washington University School of Law Army

- Grayson Gasque, The Citadel Navy (Student of the Year)

- Sarah Stevens, Vanderbilt Navy

- Clayton Reppert, Florida Navy

- James Hickman, Auburn Navy

- Caleb Plumley, Marquette Navy

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"This scholarship program is supporting students at the beginning of their military careers, highlighting those who will go on to be exceptional leaders," said Vice President of Branch Operations at Navy Federal, Matt Lawson. "As a graduate of Army ROTC, I know the hard work each of these students puts in the classroom and for their units. Were proud to recognize them for their military service, and for becoming exemplary members of their communities."

To learn more about the scholarship program, please visit rotcaa.navyfederal.org.

About Navy Federal Credit Union: Established in 1933 with only seven members, Navy Federal now has the distinct honor of serving over 11 million members globally and is the world's largest credit union. As a member-owned and not-for-profit organization, Navy Federal always puts the financial needs of its members first. Membership is open to all Department of Defense and Coast Guard Active Duty, veterans, civilian and contractor personnel, and their families. Navy Federal employs a workforce of over 20,000 and has a global network of 350 branches. For more information about Navy Federal Credit Union, visit navyfederal.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Opportunity Employer.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211229005312/en/

Contacts

Media: Martin Miller

Corporate Communications

E-mail: Martin_Miller@navyfederal.org
Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - NxTech Network is introducing Multi-Chain Cross-Chain Crypto Swap, which will give the ability to transact with any type of token across various blockchains without having to pay a high bridging fee.

Figure 1: NxTech Network launches the Multi-Chain Cross-Chain Crypto Swap

As of now only 0.6% of the population in the world have access to crypto wallet. NxTech focuses on enhancing the user experience so it could be easier for everybody to participate in web3. And help increase the usage of Cryptos.

NX DEX will focus on building a simple user interface that helps anyone accelerate their trading by making it easy to trade or invest in crypto.

Low Transact Fees

NxTech team aims to help users to transact with low fees and across different blockchains. In order to swap any crypto using DEX, users need to use different platforms, this is where NxTech DEX comes into play, NX DEX integrates both cross-chain crypto swap, and secure wallet features in one Dapps, including the Algo-trading system.

Peer-To-Peer Trading

NxTech Network is introducing NX DEX; for the DEX to facilitate peer-to-peer trading to the mass of the people by relying on automated smart contracts to execute trades without an intermediary. NxTech is also building a simple-to-use all-in-one platform. Users will be able to swap, store digital assets securely and also provide liquidity for tokens, farm tokens, stake tokens, and trade tokens.

PancakeSwap Listing

NxTech Network has just launched in the market and is still in its early stage. NxTech native token is currently available to trade on Pancakeswap.finance and their smart contract address is 0xeb0bdd8f51c867d787f0fc6b2dee360ca31628e3

KYC Verified

NxTech has a KYC verified team and have already completed smart contract Security audit by Tech-Audit. NxTech has already verified the identities of at least two team members and their connection to the project which are determined by submitting ID documentation (Passport, National ID) to an automated platform.

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Additionally, NxTech has locked 65% of their NX tokens for 2 years.

BSC Contract: https://bscscan.com/token/0xeb0bdd8f51c867d787f0fc6b2dee360ca31628e3

CoinMarketCap: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/nxtech-network/

Audit: https://github.com/Tech-Audit/Smart-Contract-Audits/blob/main/TECHAUDIT_NXTECH.pdf

Social Media Handles:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NxtechNetwork

Telegram Group: https://t.me/nxtechnetwork

Telegram Channel: https://t.me/nxtechtoken

Media Details

Company Name: NxTech Network

Contact Name: Sambar Harary

Email: support@nxtech.network

Website: https://nxtech.network/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108613
Somewhere around this time of year, the song, and the tune, come into my head: In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan; earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.

It seems to sum up the reasons, often inexplicable to outsiders, why those of us who choose to live in Maine do so. Its not for everybody, but for us, it works.

Douglas Rooks

Id just returned from Washington, D.C., a city I know well but one that seems increasingly unreal each time I visit. Two decades after the attack on the Pentagon, and the threatened attack on the Capitol, the steel barriers are still up, with guard posts and sentries blocking many of the paths by which one once wandered up to the American seat of government, and power.

The razor wire around the Capitol is gone, and the Christmas tree is up, but its hard to look at the western front without imagining scenes from the Jan. 6 attack.

Yet the museums are open, with masks, and, outside the White House, tourists and young urban dwellers lounge and chat, as a few vehicles crawl through the security entrances. Life goes on.

I was taking my own research excursion into the distant past, a time of turbulence marked by extraordinary growth and equally extraordinary conflict, as the nation continued to struggle to emerge from a civil wars aftermath, and  somehow  figure out how to be one people.

We know now that the reunion, such as it was, came at the price of excluding many, a price we are still reckoning. And today, as the legislative branch continues to labor behind the Capitols walls, theres a seemingly inexplicable lack of progress in addressing the nations urgent needs.

At such times, it may be meaningful to return to dark times, when the future wasnt known, and the outcome still in grave doubt.

I took some comfort from reading Thomas Paines The American Crisis, his pamphlet published in the first December of the Revolution. It wasnt nearly as popular as Common Sense a year earlier, which helped spur the Continental Congress into declaring independence from the British king, and all kings.

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Many, in fact, were close to despair and, as Paine put it, the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot had vanished. Paine could not have known that General Washington was about to pull off brilliant stratagems at Trenton and Princeton that would save the day, but in a way, he foresaw it.

One thinks of Abraham Lincoln, perhaps the loneliest man on Earth, in the White House the first winter of the Civil War, facing an uninterrupted string of military defeats and an increasingly shaky Union. He, too, must have wondered, as he said later at Gettysburg, whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

My parents generation lived through the darkness following Pearl Harbor, when Nazi armies stood astride Europe, and American forces were thrown steadily backwards across the Pacific. We have enshrouded World War II in too many myths since then; suffice it to say this was a grim, world-wide conflagration that cost more lives than almost all the wars before and since.

And for me, the darkest moment may have been the end of 2002, when it became clear that the Iraq war resolution, passed by overwhelming congressional majorities despite scant evidence or convincing reasons, would indeed launch an invasion early the next year.

Many have said we didnt know, or couldnt have known, the truth, but many of us did, nonetheless, understand immediately the epic nature of our mistake. Fear swept away reason, as it has too often before.

A pandemic bears little resemblance to a war between human actors, true enough. But the same currents of doubt and fear swirl, and the life-saving solution to the problem is caught up in the same waves of mistrust.

If only we knew how it would all come out, if we had reassurance that, after terrible death and suffering, there would be a better day ahead for all of us.

But we cant know this, just as we can never know the future, no matter how many confident and self-assured predictions are issued.

What we have, then, is hope  a thin and fragile reed in the darkness, with the sun dipping to its lowest point in the northern sky. We must pray that it is enough.

Douglas Rooks, a Maine editor, commentator and reporter since 1984, is the author of three books. His first, Statesman: George Mitchell and the Art of the Possible, is now out in paperback. He welcomes comment at drooks@tds.net

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rooks: In the bleak midwinter, a fragile reed
Trussville Storage activates its recent solar power installation to support green initiatives.

TRUSSVILLE, Ala., Dec. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trussville Storage, an Alabama-based self-storage company, along with Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight, announce the receipt of a grant from the USDA for the installation of its solar power installation at 7900 Gadsden Highway in Trussville.

David Protiva and Mark Titshaw with Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight

In January 2021 Trussville Storage began its investigation of adding solar power to its facility on Gadsden Highway in Trussville. Despite limited inventory of materials and a disrupted supply chain, installation proceeded on schedule. The system has been operational since early November.

"The availability of a grant from the USDA was an important factor in moving forward with the project proposed by Eagle Solar & Light" say David Protiva and Mark Titshaw of Trussville Storage. "We expect to cover about 61% of our energy use with this installation and even can sell power back to Alabama Power at times."

Samuel Yates, CEO of Eagle Solar & Light added "commercial solar in Alabama not only generates exceptional financial returns, as we have utility rates well in excess of the national average, but is also the best step toward achieving corporate sustainability goals. Climate controlled self-storage facilities produce energy consumption profiles that fit daily and weekly solar energy generation parameters very well."

Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight said "we welcome the new owners of Trussville Storage, David Protiva and Mark Titshaw, to Jefferson County and to the City of Trussville. I am impressed with their innovative approach of using solar power to partially supply the energy needs at this expanded facility on Highway 11. Jefferson County has come a long way in the last few years and we are excited about the direction in which we are heading. We look forward to other new businesses that will be coming to our county."

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Trussville Storage manager, Kelly Epps, said, "The new owners have been working hard since November 2020 to make sure this facility remains the best self-storage facility in the area. Earlier this year, we completed our transition to all LED lighting and now with the solar power, the owners are showing again they want to be responsible corporate citizens."

About Trussville Storage

Trussville Storage is a self-storage facility located in Trussville, AL. The facility offers over 53,000 square feet of rentable storage space, both in climate-controlled units and in non climate-controlled units. The company is currently building an additional building which will offer over 13,000 additional square feet of climate-controlled storage space.

About Jefferson County

Jefferson County is a County in U.S. state of Alabama. Its location includes the city of Birmingham and suburban areas. The population estimate was 658,000 in 2019.

Media: For more information, contact Kelly Epps of Trussville Storage at 205-655-8200 and manager@trussvillestorage.com.

Related Links

https://www.TrussvilleStorage.com

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SOURCE Trussville Storage
Tyler joins the Detroit Free Press ranking in large company category

TROY, Mich., December 29, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TYL) has been named to the Detroit Free Press "2021 Top Workplaces" list in Michigan for the fifth year in a row. Tyler was ranked 15th in the large company category, which comprises companies that have more than 500 local employees.

"We are pleased to once again be recognized by the Detroit Free Press as a top workplace in Michigan this year," said Bryan Proctor, president of Tylers Public Safety Division, which is headquartered in Troy. "Especially during a year where many of our employees worked remotely, were proud to have maintained a strong company culture and a reinforced commitment to serving the public sector. Im humbled to work alongside such a driven team."

The Detroit Free Press partnered with Energage, an employee research and culture technology firm, to administer an employee engagement survey related to workplace culture. The rankings are based solely on employee survey feedback, which is analyzed based on Energages objective criteria.

More than 3,300 employers in Michigan were invited to have their employees take the survey. Of employees who received questionnaires, nearly 57,000 responded. There were 174 employers who earned recognition as top workplaces this year among the small, midsize, and large employer categories.

More than 550 employees work in Tyler's Troy office, home to its Public Safety Division, which develops software solutions for police, fire, and EMS agencies. The Troy location is also home to the company's New World ERP staff, who provide integrated public administration solutions. Tyler has more than 6,600 employees nationwide.

About Tyler Technologies, Inc.

Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) provides integrated software and technology services to the public sector. Tyler's end-to-end solutions empower local, state, and federal government entities to operate more efficiently and connect more transparently with their constituents and with each other. By connecting data and processes across disparate systems, Tyler's solutions are transforming how clients gain actionable insights that solve problems in their communities. Tyler has more than 37,000 successful installations across more than 12,000 locations, with clients in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. Tyler has been named to Government Technology's GovTech 100 list five times and has been recognized three times on Forbes' "Most Innovative Growth Companies" list. More information about Tyler Technologies, an S&P 500 company headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at tylertech.com.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211228005008/en/

Contacts

Jennifer Kepler

Tyler Technologies

972.713.3770

Media.team@tylertech.com
New building will support hiring plans for local talent

ORONO, Maine, December 29, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TYL) announced today it has purchased the University Inn Academic Suites building in Orono, Maine. Tyler plans to expand its Orono-based workforce, which will accommodate 36 of its team members who currently work out of the Bangor, Maine, office. Once the full renovations are complete, the office will house approximately 75 employees.

"Tyler is excited to expand our presence in Maine with the purchase of the Orono facility," said Chris Hepburn, president of Tylers Enterprise Group. "We have strong ties to the local area and having this new space will allow us to strengthen our commitment to hiring in Maine. In addition, it will help us foster STEAM job opportunities for both full-time employees and for internship candidates, as well as strengthen our relationship with community partners."

Tylers expansion in Orono will also allow for greater collaboration with the Orono-based University of Maine. Recently, Tyler announced a partnership with the Foster Center for Innovation at the University of Maine for its Maine App Challenge. Student participants in the Maine App Challenge, and the educators supporting them, will have the opportunity to complete a series of free workshops at the university related to brainstorming, customer discovery, prototyping, testing, and promotional pitching as they design their app for the competition.

With the new office space in Orono, Tyler plans to provide a shared space to be available to the community during non-office hours. Tyler will also be working closely with the town of Orono to align with its economic development plans.

Tyler has a long history in Maine, with more than 1,200 employees currently based in its Yarmouth, Falmouth, and Bangor offices. The company was recently recognized as a 2021 Best Place to Work in Maine for the 14th year.

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About Tyler Technologies, Inc.

Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) provides integrated software and technology services to the public sector. Tyler's end-to-end solutions empower local, state, and federal government entities to operate more efficiently and connect more transparently with their constituents and with each other. By connecting data and processes across disparate systems, Tyler's solutions are transforming how clients gain actionable insights that solve problems in their communities. Tyler has more than 37,000 successful installations across more than 12,000 locations, with clients in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. Tyler has been named to Government Technology's GovTech 100 list five times and has been recognized three times on Forbes' "Most Innovative Growth Companies" list. More information about Tyler Technologies, an S&P 500 company headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at tylertech.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211229005391/en/

Contacts

Jennifer Kepler

Tyler Technologies

972.713.3770

Media.team@tylertech.com
DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "GCC Construction Equipment/Machinery Rental Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecast (2021 - 2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Research and Markets Logo

The GCC construction equipment/machinery rental market was valued at USD 3.77 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 5.48 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 6.15% over the forecast period (2021 -2026).

The Covid-19 pandemic hindered the growth of construction machinery/equipment market across GCC region owing to shut down of manufacturing facilities and halt of investments into infrastructure sector.

However, post-pandemic, as economic activities resumed, the market expected to gain momentum during the forecast period.

Some of the major factors driving the growth of the market are the growing construction industry in the region, increasing demand for cranes, and developing trends toward automation and telematics. The renting or leasing of construction equipment has been on the rise, owing to an effort to lower the equipment purchase and maintenance expenses.

Apart from the cost, there are also other benefits associated with renting the construction equipment. Rental companies provide the machinery, along with the required professional machine operators and drivers, thereby ensuring a hassle-free operation.

Moreover, advancement in the rental method of construction machinery such as digital platforms is providing ease to the consumer, which is further also acting as a big factor for the growth of the construction machinery market in GCC countries.

The construction sector is witnessing growth in the GCC countries such as the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain, due to the arise in the construction projects related to roads, buildings, hotels, stadiums, and other infrastructure.

Key Market Trends

Earthmoving Equipment Segment Expected to Dominate the Market

In recent years, renting earth moving equipment, such excavators, motor graders, Loaders, are increasing due to growing infrastructural projects related to road and highway networks in countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and owing to the penetration of more construction contractors in the country due to Saudi Vision 2030.

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For instance, in February 2020, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the development of main roads in the heart of Riyadh in order to upgrade the city's transportation system.

The project objective is to transform Riyadh to be a major hub in providing sustainable transportation services as well as logistics services in the Middle East. The program will work on developing junctions between Riyadh's ring roads and main routes. It will develop 400 kilometers of the road network, by adding new roads and upgrading existing junctions.

Owing to the aforementioned instances and developments, the trend of renting construction machinery is to rise and is anticipated to witness healthy growth over the forecast period.

United Arab Emirates Likely to Lead the GCC Construction Machinery Rental Market

The construction market is a key driver of the UAE economy, but the sector has come under substantial pressure due to the prolonged slump in oil prices in 2019 and the COVID-19. However, as economic activities resume across the UAE, demand for renting construction machinery is likely to pick up the pace.

This growth in the rental market is mainly due to the growing construction sector as well as government initiatives towards rising infrastructure spending for World Expo 2020. Additionally, increasing construction projects in the commercial and residential verticals would further fuel demand in the UAE

Several players in the market are adopting growth strategies such as expansion, partnerships to strengthen their position in the market. For instance, In July 2021, Sudhir Power Ltd, construction equipment and power generator rental business company, announced its joint venture with Fuel Buddy, an Indian doorstep fuel-delivery service startup, inaugurating its business in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Such factors are going to create significant demand for construction machinery, which furthermore is going to benefit the construction machinery rental market in the United Arab Emirates.

Some of the major players in the market are Al Faris, Bin Quraya, Arabian Machinery & Heavy Equipment Co. (AMHEC), Byrne Equipment rental, Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar LLC and among others.



Companies Mentioned

Zahid Tractor and Heavy Machinery Company

Al Mutawa Heavy Equipment Trading LLC

Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar LLC

Rezayat Sparrow Arabian Crane Hire Co. Ltd.

Byrne Equipment Rental

Al Faris

Johnson Arabia LLC

Arabian Machinery & Heavy Equipment Co. (AMHEC)

Abdullah H. Al Shuwayer Company

Hertz Dayim Equipment Rental Co.

Kanamoto Co. Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/s2aai5

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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The second reason Trump has more power over Republicans than it looks is that his influence depends as much on the depth of his support as on its breadth. Some Republicans who wish Trump would fade away have taken solace in polls that show voters increasingly likely to call themselves primarily Republicans rather than Trump supporters. (In October 2020, Trump-first voters outnumbered Republican-first voters 5930; this month, the split is 4250.)

Lets say, though, that the Trump-first number shrinks much further, to 10 percent of right-leaning voters. If Trump is willing and able to convince that 10 percent not to vote for Republican candidates he dislikes, Republicans wont be able to win races in a lot of places. And we know hes willing to do it.

Jonathan Karl of ABC has reported that on the last day of his presidency, Trump threatened to destroy the Republican Party by starting a new one. That was two weeks after he had cost Republicans two Senate seats and consequently control of the chamber by attacking Georgia Republican officials and casting doubt about whether elections were administered honestly.
Carter Hagelstien and his classmates wanted to help kids from Afghanistan.

So the youth filled 24 drawstring bags with toys and toiletries for children of Afghan refugee families making new homes in Nebraska.

We chose this project because we wanted to make a difference and help make these refugees comfortable in America, he said.

Carter is part of a confirmation class of six students who attend St. Paul and Elim Lutheran churches. The Rev. Judy Johnson is pastor of the rural Hooper congregations.

Johnson said the students  all seventh-graders  filled the bags which she and her husband, Dick, delivered to Lutheran Family Services on Dec. 21.

Lutheran Family Services is resettling about 100 Afghan families in Nebraska, said Johnson, who hopes several bags were able to be delivered in time for Christmas.

The idea for the bags evolved last fall when Johnson and her students were talking about possible service projects.

Knowing LFS is helping resettle Afghan refugees, Johnson asked what could be done for the children in these families.

They suggested if we wanted make up little bags with personal items and things for the kids  that would be something they could really use and would make them feel welcome, she said.

Confirmation students liked the idea.

The students really took that to heart, she said.

So Johnson went to both congregations and asked if the endowment fund committees would be willing to help pay for some of the items. They agreed. Johnson said Thrivent, a charitable organization, also gave them a credit card for $250.

Johnson said she and her students talked a lot about how hard it would be to leave home with little more than the clothes they were wearing.

It has to be a scary thing to go thousands of miles from your home and not be able to take much with you, she said.

LFS suggested filling the bags with practical items, like a toothbrush and toothpaste.

But the confirmands wanted to do more.

They wanted to not only fill the bags with things the kids would need  like the comb and brush  but some fun things, Johnson said.

Johnson and her class developed a list of items for each bag, which included: a stocking cap, winter gloves, brush, comb, toothpaste, toothbrush, hand sanitizer, bottles of body wash and shampoo, a stuffed dog toy, 24-pack of crayons, a coloring book, two containers of Play Doh, Slinky, wooden jigsaw puzzle and Kleenexes.

The items are intended for kids ages 3 to 12.

It was tricky trying to choose items for such a wide age range of children, but Johnson believes the bags contain items to suit children of various ages.

After compiling the list, the group of students went shopping.

The first thing we got was drawstring backpacks, Johnson said.

Students used fabric markers to draw designs on the backpacks for the children ages 3 to 12.

Two, 6-foot-long tables were put together and students  working in assembly line fashion  filled bags with items.

All the items fit into the bags.

Whats more, enough money was leftover for a $10 Walmart gift card for each bag.

Confirmation students involved in the project were Kavan Egbers, Chaise Hilbers, Breanna Meyer, Marinn Meyer, Kinsley Mundil and Hagelstien,

Johnson believes students enjoyed the project.

Its one of those projects that I think was meant to be, Johnson said. The students really had fun choosing the items.

Carter liked the project.

I really enjoyed drawing on the bags and packing them, he said.

Johnson believes the bags will provide help and encouragement for the recipients.

I think it will give them a feeling that they have something all their own and that other people are thinking about them and wish them well, she said. We want to help make them feel as welcome as we can.

Carter also believes the bags will help the children.

It will give them a fresh start with toys and supplies, he said.

At the same time, Carter noted how the project helped him:

It helped show me other ways I can help people.

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The Taliban has released the director of an Afghan television station two days after he was detained, the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) monitoring group said on December 28.



Aref Nouri, the director of the private Nourin television network, was detained at his home in Kabul on December 26 for unspecified reasons.



AFJC said in a statement it "condemns the arbitrary detention" of Nouri as an "infringement of press freedom."



Nouri's son, Roman Nouri, told RFE/RL that Taliban security forces searched the family's home without an arrest warrant before taking his father to an unknown location. It was also unclear why Nouri was detained.



The Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) quoted a Taliban government spokesman as saying the detention was not related to Nouri's media activities.



The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had called for Nouri's release.



"The detention of media owner Aref Nouri by a Taliban-affiliated militia marks a serious attack on the independent media in Afghanistan," CPJ Asia coordinator Steven Butler said. "Taliban authorities should immediately release Nouri and stop intimidating independent voices in Afghanistan."



Nourin TV is known for its coverage of security issues and sympathy with the opposition Jamiat-e Islami party.



The Taliban, which employed a strict interpretation of Islamic Shari'a law during its last stint in power from 1996-2001, retook power in Kabul in mid-August, prompting concerns about the future of free media and human rights in the country.



Last week, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and AIJA released a joint survey finding 43 percent of media outlets have closed and 60 percent of journalists are no longer able to work since the Taliban took control of the country. The media landscape is now "largely devoid of women journalists" after 84 percent of female media employees lost their jobs, the media rights groups found.



Hundreds of journalists have left Afghanistan over the past four months fearing reprisals or because of the impossibility of continuing to practice their profession. There have also been reports of media workers being detained, harassed, or attacked.



In addition to harassment by the Taliban, media outlets have been badly hit by a loss of advertising revenue and a halt in national and international funding.
The Taliban toppled the Western-backed Afghan government in August following a brutal, nearly 20-year insurgency.

But the militant groups war against its former enemy is not over. The Taliban has been accused of killing, torturing, or forcibly disappearing hundreds of members of the former government and its armed forces.

Even the dead have not been immune from Taliban violence.

Since seizing power in August, the militants have been accused of vandalizing or destroying the graves of fallen Afghan Army and police commanders. The Taliban has also allegedly defiled monuments dedicated to figures who fought the group during its first stint in power in the 1990s.

The Taliban has denied responsibility for many of the incidents.

But allegations against the hard-line group have mounted, with Afghans accusing the militants of violating Islamic traditions that advocate respect for the dead.

Anti-Taliban Commanders



In the latest incident, Taliban fighters were accused of bombing the tomb of former police commander Daraya Khan Talash in the southeastern province of Paktika on December 26.

Talash was killed by a roadside bomb planted by the Taliban in Paktikas Sarobi district in 2020. He had reportedly lost four of his brothers in the war against the Taliban.

Taliban fighters have also been accused of defiling the tomb of Mohammad Daud Daud, a former governor and an ex-police chief of northern Afghanistan, in the province of Takhar on December 17.

Daud was killed in a Taliban suicide attack in Takhars capital, Taloqan, in 2011. Following the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, Daud oversaw the surrender of thousands of Taliban fighters in the northern city of Kunduz. He was a commander in Jamiat-e Islami, a political-military Islamist group that opposed Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001.



Bilal Sarwary, an exiled Afghan journalist, said Dauds family confirmed that his grave was vandalized. But that claim was rejected by the Taliban. RFE/RL was unable to independently verify the claims.



Meanwhile, the Taliban was accused of destroying the tomb of Colonel Azizullah Karwan in a bomb blast in the southeastern province of Paktika on October 31.

The Taliban assassinated Karwan in June 2018. He was a colonel in the special forces unit of the Afghan National Police. He had survived dozens of Taliban assassination attempts.

In September, videos emerged that appeared to show damage to the mausoleum of resistance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud in the Panjshir Valley, just north of Kabul.

The footage emerged soon after the Taliban captured the mountainous valley, the scene of a short-lived resistance to the militants, in early September.

The vandalism coincided with the 20th anniversary of Massouds death. Massoud, who fought against the Taliban in the 1990s and occupying Soviet forces in the 1980s, was killed by Al-Qaeda militants posing as journalists just days before the September 11 attacks in the United States.

The Taliban repaired Massoud's mausoleum after a public uproar.

Personal Revenge

Sarwary said the Talibans destruction of graves is part of a growing trend.

Seizing homes, vehicles, property, and the destruction of tombs in several places shows how the younger generation of Taliban [fighters] are constantly taking part in these actions, he says.

Such actions have embarrassed Taliban leaders who have constantly assured everyone that the Taliban is a changed force and a responsible government, he added.



Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban deputy minister and spokesman for the regime, said claims about Taliban fighters destroying graves were simply not true.



But Anas Haqqani, the younger brother of Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, urged Taliban fighters to get rid of your personal revenge and envy.

In a December 27 speech marking the 42nd anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Haqqani warned that the Taliban regime will collapse if it tries to rule through brute force.



An infidel government is likely to last, but an oppressive regime will not survive, he said.



But on the same day, another Taliban official boasted about the group bombing the tomb of former leftist President Babrak Karmal, who assumed power after Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan and killed his predecessor, Hafizullah Amin, in late 1979.



After capturing Mazar-e Sharif, the Taliban bombed Babrak's tomb, tweeted Nazar Mohammad Mutmaeen, head of the Talibans Olympic Committee. He was alluding to the destruction of the late presidents tomb in 1997, when the Taliban briefly seized the northern Afghan city.
The Lakewood and Denver police departments held a joint press conference Tuesday afternoon following the Monday night shooting spree in the two cities that left five people dead.
A massive column of smoke from the East Troublesome Fire looms over Lake Granby in 2020. The state is ramping up its $88 million wildfire mitigation plans and officials are asking locals to come forward to help with the effort.
A medical corporation and its employees may be held liable for the 2020 suicide of a man in custody at the Fremont County Detention Center, after a federal judge declined to dismiss the claims against them.

NatCore Healthcare Industries Inc. formerly provided health care services to detainees in Fremont County, and its employees were reportedly aware that 47-year-old Clint Long was experiencing mental health struggles and self-harm while at the jail. Longs son, Gage Long, has alleged NatCore showed deliberate indifference to his fathers serious medical needs, which culminated in Clint Long hanging himself in April of last year.

On Dec. 15, U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello rejected NatCores request to dismiss certain allegations against the company and its employees. Gage Long is seeking a jury trial for his claims as well as monetary damages if he prevails.

Leading up to Clint Longs death, the lawsuit alleged a long string of red flags that NatCore failed to address. Throughout his incarceration in 2018 and 2019, Long reportedly submitted multiple requests to NatCore staff seeking mental health treatment. On one such occasion, he said he heard men talking in my head again.

In August 2019, Fremont County jail employees allegedly tried to contact NatCore after finding Long bleeding from his face, but were unable to immediately reach anyone. Later that month, jail staff also encountered Long vomiting blood in his cell. Their call to NatCore went to voicemail.

On other occasions, NatCore allegedly placed Long on a medical watch, requiring a check on him every 30 minutes. According to the lawsuit, though, that did not happen in multiple instances. When Long harmed himself by sticking something in his ear, a NatCore employee offered him an ice pack and time alone to calm down, rather than provide mental health care, the suit says.

Less than two weeks before Longs suicide, Adam Beaty, a NatCore worker, allegedly reviewed jail footage after Long was found bleeding. Beaty reportedly discovered that Long had injured himself, but Beaty did not place Long on suicide watch or provide mental health care.

On March 24, 2020, Daniel Vaught, the chief executive of NatCore and a nurse practitioner, testified in Fremont County District Court that Long had bipolar disorder. He also said that even though he wanted Long to see a psychiatrist the week earlier, that had not happened because the "psychiatrist had to leave early and ... so forth.

Four days before his suicide, Long submitted a note to NatCore staff indicating he needed to see a psychiatrist immediately. i am and have been seeing dead people when I wake up in my cell at night. They arent dangerous but knowing they are not real is quite disturbing, he wrote.

Long hung himself on April 2, 2020. Reportedly, he sent an email to a member of his criminal defense team minutes before with the subject line, my mindnismgone and im sick." Despite a video camera in his isolation unit with a live feed, jail officials allegedly failed to notice him for over 30 minutes.

At the time Long was jailed, he was facing charges for assault and harassment.

Longs son sued NatCore, the individual employees and Fremont County for his fathers death. The lawsuit alleged a pattern among NatCore of failing to provide adequate mental care to detainees at Fremont County Detention Center. Lawyers for Gage Long portrayed his father as begging for psychiatric help in the lead-up to his death.

Unsurprisingly, NatCore proved incapable of providing constitutionally-adequate medical care to people in FCDC custody. During 2020, NatCore was short staffed at least 74% of the time, the lawsuit claimed.

NatCore argued there was no plausible constitutional violation alleged in the complaint. Knowing that Clint Long had a history of mental health issues did not necessarily mean he was at risk of suicide.

An inmate himself causing a bloody nose or ear may very well be attempting to provide a reason for transport to the hospital, or engaged in drug seeking behavior, and not suicidal, attorneys for the company wrote. The Constitution does not require a healthcare entity providing services to a jail to have someone with specific credentials available to evaluate inmates for potential suicide risk.

In September, U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty recommended against dismissal of the claims involving NatCore, Beaty and Vaught. He found the allegations were plausible enough to show that the defendants knew Long faced a substantial risk of suicide and disregarded it.

Here, Defendant Beaty witnessed and recorded on two separate occasions the harm Mr. Long inflicted on himself, Hegarty wrote. Further, they followed years of kites (communications) indicating Mr. Longs mental health battles, including hearing voices in his head. Defendant Beaty did not connect Mr. Long with a mental health care professional or otherwise place him on suicide watch.

As for Vaught, Hegarty pointed out he had not only heard about Longs self-harming behavior, but also allegedly took Long off of medical watch. The magistrate judge credited the lawsuits allegations that understaffing at NatCore could have been a contributor to Longs suicide.

Due to that practice, NatCore was unable to adequately monitor Mr. Long or provide him with mental health care. Failing to do so was a direct causal link, Hegarty wrote.

Arguello adopted Hegartys recommendation entirely. The ruling also dismissed the claims of deliberate indifference against the NatCore employee who received Longs note shortly before his death about seeing dead people. Arguello conceded that the employees alleged failure to act after receiving the note may constitute negligence, but was not enough for a constitutional violation.

Beginning in January 2021, Fremont County contracted with a different health care provider for people in the jail.

Our current health care provider, NatCore, was struggling to meet their contractual obligations, said Sheriff Allen Cooper at the time, according to The Canon City Daily Record. Due to the size of their organization and the impact of the pandemic, they were only able to staff our facility 75% of the time and some of those staff were only EMTs.

The lawsuit over Long's suicide also claims Fremont County jail staff were liable for failing to intervene and obtain adequate medical care for Long.

Months prior to Long's death, a jury in federal court found Fremont County and its former sheriff were not liable for another detainee death in the jail: that of John Patrick Walter in 2014, who died from withdrawal after staff withheld his prescription medication.
The man accused of going on a shooting rampage across Denver and Lakewood on Monday had gun safes insides the walls of his former home, which was raided by law enforcement shortly after he moved out, the home's current owner said Tuesday.
Authorities on Tuesday identified 47-year-old Lyndon James McLeod as the gunman in Monday night's shooting rampage in Denver and Lakewood that killed five people and wounded two others.

McLeod was fatally shot by a Lakewood police officer who was wounded during a shootout with McLeod. The officer was in stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon and was expected to make a full recovery, police said.

I cant overemphasize enough the heroic actions of our Lakewood police agent, said John Romero, a spokesman for the Lakewood Police Department. In the face of being shot, in the face of danger, she was able to not only save others from this terrible tragedy, but also neutralize the threat.

In all, seven people were shot Monday evening at eight crime scenes in Denver and Lakewood. Four of the victims died Monday and a fifth was pronounced dead Tuesday, police said.

McLeod, a Denver resident, knew most of the victims through personal or business relationships and specifically targeted them, police said. Detectives were still investigating McLeods motives. Police declined to release details about how McLeod knew the victims.

According to public records, McLeod owned a business called Flat Black Ink Corp. at 246 W. Sixth Ave., less than a mile from where the shooting spree began.

McLeod was the subject of two police investigations in 2020 and early 2021, said Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen. Neither of those investigations resulted in state or federal charges. Police declined to share specifics about the previous investigations.

We knew of this individual, there was an investigation into this individual and it will also be part of this larger investigation to try to get to a motive and answer those why questions that our community has with the loss of five lives, Pazen said.

Police said the shooting spree began at 5:25 p.m. inside of a business at First and Broadway in Denver. Three victims, two women and one man, were shot at that crime scene.

The victims families identified them as Alicia Cardenas, Alyssa Gunn-Maldonado and Jimmy Maldonado. The families say the victims were shot inside of the Sol Tribe tattoo shop at 56 Broadway, a business that Cardenas owned.

At 5:31 p.m., McLeod went to the 200 block of West Sixth Avenue and broke into a home, where he shot at the people inside the home but did not hit anyone, police said. Investigators also believe McLeod set a van on fire behind the home.

At 5:45 p.m., McLeod shot and killed an unidentified man inside of the One Cheesman Place apartment building at 1201 N. Williams St., police said. Bullet holes could be seen in the glass of the buildings front doors Tuesday.

After the third attack, Denver police chased McLeod, who was driving a black van, to Eighth Avenue and Zuni Street, where he and the police got into a shootout. No one was hit by the gunfire, but the police vehicle was disabled and McLeod drove away.

McLeod then drove to Lakewood where, at 5:58 p.m., he fatally shot 38-year-old Danny Schofield inside of the Lucky 13 tattoo parlor at 1550 Kipling St., police said. Schofield worked at the shop as a tattoo artist, according to the business website.

Surveillance footage from a liquor store near the Lucky 13 shows a man walking into the tattoo parlor carrying a large gun and then leaving 10 seconds later before driving away in a black van.

At 6:04 p.m., Lakewood police spotted McLeod driving in the Belmar shopping center. He shot at police and drove off. Officers returned fire but no one was hit.

At 6:10 p.m., McLeod walked into the Hyatt House hotel in the shopping center and briefly talked to an employee at the front desk before shooting her several times, police said. The worker, 28-year-old Sarah Steck, died Tuesday.

Police said they believe McLeod intentionally targeted the Hyatt House but may not have known Steck.

After leaving the hotel on foot, McLeod ran into a Lakewood police officer at West Alaska Drive and South Vance Street. The officer ordered McLeod to drop his weapon, at which point McLeod shot her in the abdomen. The officer then returned fire, killing McLeod.

Police have not released the officers name, but Romero said she has been with the Lakewood Police Department for three years.

The investigation into the shooting spree is ongoing, police said. Anyone with information or footage is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can be anonymous and are eligible for a $2,000 reward.
A bouquet of flowers is placed outside the door of a tattoo parlor along South Broadway Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Denver, one of the scenes of a shooting spree that left five people deadincluding the suspected shooter Monday eveningand left three more people wounded. The spree spread from the core of Denver to the western suburb of Lakewood where the suspect was shot and killed by police near a busy intersection in a bustling shopping district.
Eight decades after the first church was built in Black Forest, church leaders are working to restore the 1940 log building. Lexie Manfrin, at 88 the last living charter member of Black Forest Community Church, remembers when her father and his team of horses helped erect the structure. She attended services there most of her life and was married in that church - twice. Manfrin still lives nearby, but her health keeps her from going to services at the church as much as she'd like. Since 1962, worship at the United Church of Christ church has been held in a newer building next to the log structure, which currently is used for offices. "I was 7 years old when we came to the Black Forest from Topeka, Kansas,"
A meager start to the snow season in Colorado has turned around across much of the state in recent weeks, a welcome sign for the state's water supplies and ski industry.

In early December, snowpack across the state was lagging, with the southwest corner around Durango falling the farthest behind at just 27% of normal and the local region, the Arkansas River basin, at 50% of normal. Since then snowpack across much of the state has caught up to and in some areas even exceeded average snowpack, data from the Natural Resource Conservation Service showed. River basins from the northwest to the southwest corner of the state all had snowpack exceeding 100% of average on Tuesday with more precipitation in the forecast for much of the state.

"We are seeing the skies just kind of open up across the state," said Tim Sullivan, with Colorado Ski Country USA, an industry group. The snow is welcome after poor snow conditions postponed opening dates for several resorts.

Southwest and west Colorado are expected to see heavy snowfall through Friday, National Weather Service in Pueblo meteorologist Kathleen Torgerson said, with winter storm warnings in effect for the Sawatch range and the San Juan and west Elk mountains, as well as the Grand and Battlement mesas, until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Wolf Creek Pass, she said, was expected to receive the heaviest snowfall. The pass could see 17 to 28 inches of snow through Thursday night, the weather service said. Wolf Creek Ski Area was reporting 33 new inches of snow over the last two days on Tuesday.

"It's just a really nice set of Pacific moisture that keeps funneling into those southwest mountains. And that is an ideal flow to bring heavy persistent snow to that region. ... It's a real snow machine for the Continental Divide, which is good because they've been hurting for precipitation as much as we have, and now they're really making it up like gangbusters here in the last week or so," Torgerson said.

The best chance for Colorado Springs to get snow is on Friday night when a storm could bring a few inches to the area.

"It could be an inch or two, maybe three up on the Palmer Divide if were lucky. Now, if the storm can drop a little bit further south and intensify a bit more, its possible we could see more, but Ive also seen these systems weaken and move farther north, and that would give us less snow," she said.

While metropolitan areas, like Colorado Springs, are missing out on the big storms this week, the healthy snowpack they will help build is key to replenishing reservoirs that serve the city.

"The downstream impacts, literally and figuratively of this event, can be far reaching especially if its something that continues through the winter and into the spring we could see a lot of good recovery," said Becky Bolinger, assistant state climatologist.

La Nina is guiding weather patterns this winter and so it is more likely the northern mountains in Colorado will see more snow, but that doesn't mean another big storm won't hit the southern mountains, she said.

Eastern Colorado has missed out on much of the moisture this month, worsening the drought conditions. While this is a dry time for eastern Colorado when the region doesn't get the small amount of average moisture expected it stresses the vegetation, and increases the risk for grass fires, like the Oak fire in Littleton, and dust storms, Bolinger said.

She doesn't expect a repeat of the storm that brought hurricane force winds to town earlier this month, but smaller blowing dust events are likely because it is a windy time of year and the soils are dry. Such storms are hard on farmers and can blow out seeds. They can also take a toll on mental health.

"The wind is just blowing relentlessly on you and then you see a wall of dust or the dust is so thick that there are visibility issues and it can look almost as dark as night. These things very much have an impact on our mental wellbeing," she said.
US agrees to meet with Russia despite pledge not to exclude European allies from high-stakes talks
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers year-end remarks for 2021 and holds a news conference with news media gathered at the U.S. State Department in Washington, U.S., December 21, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
FILE PHOTO: Bottles of prescription painkiller OxyContin, 40mg pills, made by Purdue Pharma L.D. sit on a shelf at a local pharmacy, in Provo, Utah, U.S., April 25, 2017. REUTERS/George Frey/File Photo
DES MOINES  As work progresses on making a leakproof roof to protect more than 200 million pieces of Iowa history and culture at the State Historical Building, lawmakers promise to intensify their discussion of the planned improvements that could tally as much as $60 million.

The 37-year-old building is a hive of activity, said state Department of Cultural Affairs spokesman Michael Morain. This fall, work crews used a crane to remove most of the skylights over the atrium in order to rebuild a watertight roof. The building has remained open, with temporary walls encircling the atrium so visitors can still access the museum galleries and research center.

The museum collection reflects the lives of settlers even before Iowa gained statehood  which marks its 175th anniversary Tuesday of its 1846 admission to the union.

Morain characterizes the work as building maintenance, not a grand renovation. But in budget documents, the work that is projected to continue until at least 2025 is described as total renovation.

The current project and its price tag have raised questions from Iowa lawmakers, some who see the building down the hill from the Capitol as a money pit. In addition to housing the state Department of Cultural Affairs administrative offices, the building is home to the State Historical Society museum and archives as well as its research centers.

As the 2022 Iowa Legislative session approaches, lawmakers promise to step up the discussion of the buildings future, including whether it would make sense to replace it with a new building to showcase Iowas history and heritage.

I guess the only thing I can say to you is that discussion will intensify, said Rep. Gary Mohr, R-Bettendorf, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. It has to intensify simply because of the money involved.

Its not a new discussion. In a 2016 report, Neumann Monson Architects said the building was a critical juncture.

The building and its systems no longer serve the needs of the DCA or its primary function as the states flagship museum, it wrote in a report to the Legislature. The departments ability to serve as a cultural institution is in jeopardy due to building flaws, maintenance and oversized structure.

Based on that report, Cultural Affairs pitched an $80 million plan to right-size the building from 234,000 square feet to 155,000 to make it, according to the architects, more functional, flexible and adaptable for the future.

Lawmakers were told it would be the most sustainable and cost-effective option for the building that needed more than $40 million in repairs to mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems as well as those leaky skylights. Estimates placed the cost of demolition and construction of a new facility as high as $118 million, which the architects said was cost prohibitive.

Legislators didnt take action on that proposal and, since then, have continued to talk about the building without reaching a decision. We cant just continue to throw money at it (because) every year we put millions of dollars into it, its just another year, Mohr said.

But thats essentially what lawmakers have done, according to Rep. Dennis Cohoon, D-Burlington, who sits on the Transportation, Infrastructure and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee. The problems arent new to him. Cohoon recalls there were buckets on the floor to catch water leaking through the roof when he visited the State Historical Building shortly after it opened. In recent years, repairs to the three-story building have continued kind of piecemeal.

Its like, whats the minimum that we put in to keep something repaired? he said. That doesnt keep up with anything.

Its a classic case of legislators kicking the can down the road, Cohoon said. But were spending money on it as were kicking it. Its like were putting in money but not enough to really save it.

A couple of years ago, the Legislature created a $500,000 task force to look at moving the Historical Building to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. There was some interest, but no decision.

A structure that big, that public, we need a lot of options, Mohr said about the museum, which attracted nearly 90,000 visitors in 2019, which Cultural Affairs characterized as the last typical year before the coronavirus pandemic.

In the meantime, the department plans to continue with improvements to the building. Earlier this year, the Department of Cultural Affairs submitted a request for $13.7 million as a down payment for future phases of the renovation, including replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, vapor barrier applications, fire alarm, security system upgrades and other repairs and renovations. The projects also will include improvements to collection storage, archive digitization, other technology, and exhibits.

The total ask for the remaining project would be $57 million, according to the state Department of Administrative Services.

When lawmakers see the numbers, its going to heighten our awareness and heighten our discussions, Mohr said.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, recently said he will look to the Capitol Planning Commission for guidance on whether to continue improvements or replace the building.

The commission is in support of continued and complete renovation as outlined in its 2020 annual report, Chairwoman Annette Renaud of Ankeny said. It recommends continuing and completing the phased renovation of the State Historical Building.

According to its annual report, that includes $20 million for repairs to exterior walls and lighting, $600,000 for floor repairs, $1.5 million to replace the chiller and $500,000 to replace a boiler, $2.15 million for HVAC controls and $2.275 million to replace elevators.

Quoting from the annual report, Renaud said the commissions priorities include the preservation and enhancement of the dignity, beauty, and architectural integrity of the buildings and grounds of the Capitol complex.

There wasnt much discussion about the State Historical Building during the pandemic-disrupted 2021 legislative session, Cohoon said, but he expects the conversation will continue when legislators convene in January. However, hes not confident it will lead to a decision.

Weve talked about this forever, Cohoon said. The question was always do we want to pour more money into that and end up spending more on it, literally, than it cost to build?

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Bunuel wrote:

A traveller is stranded in an unknown town and needs to make a telephone call to her friend. Unfortunately, the traveller does not recall the seven-digit telephone number. The traveller does recall that the first three digits of the number are either 635 or 674, that the number is odd, and that there is exactly one digit of '9' in the number. What is the minimum number of trials that the traveller needs to make to produce the correct telephone number?



(A) 3206



(B) 3402



(C) 5014



(D) 6018



(E) 8220





Breaking Down the Info:

Answer: B



Jerry | Dream Score Tutor

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We have to select the last four digits for this telephone number, once we find out how many options there are we multiply by 2 since the first three digits have two options.If the 9 is in any of the first three digits, then we have to fill in two digits and an odd number, each of which cannot be 9. That would be 9*9*4 options. Since the 9 can go in three slots, we multiply that by 3 to get 9*9*12.If the 9 is the last digit, then we can fill in anything for the rest of the three digits except 9. That would be 9*9*9 options.Add those up to get \(9*9*21\), and finally multiply by 2 since we had two options for the first three digits to get \(81*42 = (80 + 1)(40 + 2) = 3200 + 160 + 40 + 2 = 3402\). (We can immediately choose B as soon as we see the last digit must be 2)._________________
Locally, while infections have increased, the gains arent as dramatic as the commonwealth overall. The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is adding about 35 new cases per day. On Christmas Eve, there were 61 new infections recorded.

Local health district leaders have briefed their investigation staff on the likelihood of a post-holiday surge in a similar manner as they have done since the COVID-19 virus was first detected, epidemiologist Chris Andrews told the Register & Bee via email this week.

We are maintaining our current investigation team and continue to endorse vaccination, social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing hands, he said when asked whats being done at the local level to prepare for a possible onslaught of infections.

Health districts throughout the commonwealth havent decreased levels of surveillance and investigation even as cases waned after the most recent delta wave. When someone tests positive for COVID-19, the local health department begins contact tracing to alert others they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Over the course of the pandemic, the health department added more people to help with those tasks.
And you get a feeling, once you get over the beauty of it, that the human species is a very fragile, very tiny entity living on the surface of the planet. It almost seems like the Earth could shrug us off at any moment, particularly when you look at the blackness of space. It is a deep, palpable blackness. Its not like something thats just painted on.

So its sends a chill through you in a way, just how vast it is. And in some ways, we seem very alone, but in the same way, it makes us as humans seem incredibly precious.

Q. So you see blackness. Do you think that there has to be life out there, maybe superior, maybe inferior to us?

We think about that a lot at NASA. I think a lot of people think about that. Theres nothing that I see that would inform me one way or the other. When our eyes adapt, and we can see stars ... and get a glimpse at just how large this universe is, I would say, statistically, there probably is life outside our solar system. Every time we look at another star, it seems we are finding other planets around it. So just looking at the math, Id say there is a good chance.

Q. You mentioned that you walked in space two weeks ago. What is it like?
The Pfizer vaccine is available for anyone 5 and older, but a parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18. The Moderna vaccine and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson are available for anyone 18 and older.

The Pfizer booster may be obtained by anyone 16 and older at least six months from their second injection. The Moderna version is on the same timeframe, but only those 18 and older may receive a booster. For the one-shot Johnson and Johnson version, anyone 18 and older may receive a booster dose at least two months from the original vaccine.

Residents may choose which booster to receive, meaning its possible to mix and match. However, the Virginia Department of Health urges individuals to talk with a doctor or health care provider to make the right decision.

The clinics are set from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 8 at Johnson Elementary School located 680 Arnett Blvd. and from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 15 at Park Avenue Elementary School located at 661 Park Ave.

While walk-ins are welcome, health leaders recommend making an appointment by registering in advance at vase.vdh.virginia.gov. If anyone has issues online they may call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1).
When Cat 5 began, Kenny talked to us about helping out the band and we brought him in, Dudley said.

The couple have three children: Wyatt Pinnix, Crystal Loftis Matthews and Brandon Loftis, as well as four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

These days, Kenny Loftis spins a set as deejay before Cat5 shows and during the bands breaks. The Reidsville native also helps with the stage set ups and breakdowns.

Although he was raised in Hillsville, Va., Dudley is technically a native of North Carolina. He made a surprise appearance in Guilford County in 1970 as his parents were traveling. Near Greensboro, his mother Donna went into labor and was forced to stop at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in the Gate City where Dudley was born.

Describing himself as the pot and pan kid in the kitchen before I could walk, Dudley said his mother and grandmother bought his first drum set from a Sears & Roebuck catalog in 1974. He still has it.

When he was nine, some friends of his mother had a band whose drummer quit. Someone gave the band Dudleys mothers name and Dudley was hired as the new drummer after a try out at their practice site in Fancy Gap, Va., Dudley said.
RALEIGH  As the year draws to a close in politically divided North Carolina, hostilities have eased somewhat between the Democratic governor and majority-Republican lawmakers, both of whom recently agreed on a comprehensive budget more than three years after the last one was approved. But their relationship is still far from harmonious.

Last month, second-term Gov. Roy Cooper signed a two-year, $53 billion state budget bill penned by GOP legislative leaders that was 4 1/2 months late, and with lots inside for him to dislike, such as provisions that rein in his emergency powers and phase out corporate income taxes. And there are only plans to study the broad Medicaid expansion he's sought for years, with no promise for an actual vote.

Two years ago, Cooper vetoed the spending bill. But this year, there was enough in it to make him sign, including an avalanche of surplus funds that Republicans were happy to direct toward myriad projects across the state, including broadband expansion and water treatment plant repairs.

"The good outweighed the bad, and it was time to move forward," Cooper said in an interview with The Associated Press. "There's been a long time since we've had a budget, and (vetoing) it would have at that time stopped everything."
One of the major problems is that in too many instances some members who seek to cooperate with their opposites are told by leadership not to. From the perspective of many conservatives, compromise means Republicans must give far more than they get.

Its easy to be cynical about such things as members of Congress must appeal to their respective constituencies. It is difficult for a Democrat and Republican to be seen dining together in Washington  even should they wish to  lest someone take a picture and use it against one or the other in the next campaign for consorting with the enemy. However, any effort to create peace and goodwill should be encouraged, not dismissed out of hand. Peace on Earth was what the angels cried out on the day the Prince of Peace was born. Congress and the rest of us would do well to listen to their voices.
In a media statement, a copy of which we received today, the group expressed its readiness to engage in efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis on the basis of international resolution 2254.

The group's media statement read:

The Syrian crisis, during eleven years, has left huge destruction in the Syrian social and structural structures. The crisis has further complicated regional and international interventions. In particular, the Turkish occupation of Syrian areas is estimated at the moment at 10% of the Syrian geography, under false and baseless pretexts.

We, in Nidaa Al-Balad, affirm that solutions to the Syrian crisis will only be at the hands of the daughters and sons of Syria, and that national democratic solutions will not only end the specter of division and total obstruction in the Syrian political process, but if the Syrian National Democratic Bloc regains its historical role, it is without doubt will serve as assistance to all parties concerned with resolving the Syrian crisis on the basis of international resolution 2254/2015, after these costly obstacles in all respects. From this aspect, as a Syrian national group, we find it obligatory, based on our Syrian national democratic duty, to work with all the sons and daughters of our Syrian people and in the various Syrian regions away from any national or religious approach and other factional stereotypes, which are one of the most important reasons for not forming a comprehensive Syrian national identity. And at the same time as a decisive obstacle to the formation of a modern citizenship state, which in itself is a hope for all Syrians and must be achieved in any way.

We also address our Syrian people with all its components on the occasion of the New Year holidays and the glorious Christmas, wishing them peace, security and stability in our Syrian country and all the peoples of the region and the world, hoping that the new year will be a good year for all.

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" " Would a sex contract lessen some of the issues associated with casual encounters? PhotoAlto/Anne-Sophie Bost/Getty Images

Revelations of sex abuse, both proven and alleged, are everywhere these days, from Harvey Weinstein to recent claims against comedian Aziz Ansari. As a result, the concept of consent has come roaring to the forefront, causing some people to engage in frank discussions and others to look for ways to prevent allegations down the road.

To assist with all that comes an app called LegalFling , the brainchild of Dutch firm LegalThings. The app, which is in development and seeking funding, would record a sexual consent agreement, then store it in the blockchain where it could be called upon should the need arise.

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"During a fun night you meet your fling. Now it's time to get consent. Does your fling really want to take it further? Simply open the LegalFling app, scroll to your contacts and send a request. Your sexual preferences, including your do's and don'ts are automatically communicated," says the website.

The app generates what the app developers refer to as a "Live Contract," which they say is a "legally binding agreement. Just remember, the app is about setting clear rules and boundries [sic], not breaking them. To which extent the contract holds up in court depends on your country of residence."

The app also allows partners to set parameters of things that are or aren't allowed, like explicit language and photo/video-taking. Users can also specify that a partner must be free of STDs and whether or not a condom is required.

Boston-based criminal defense attorney Keren Goldenberg likes that the app forces the participants to communicate their parameters, as well as their likes and dislikes.

However, she cautions, "Sex contracts would never be legally binding to establish consent. Imagine a scenario where two people plan to have casual sex and they use this app to establish consent and set boundaries. Then one of the participants goes to the police and says that [she] changed [her] mind and was forced to do what they had originally agreed to do. That would be sufficient [for the partner] to be charged with sexual assault.

"The contract would certainly go to the accused's state of mind  why he thought that his partner was consenting  which would be relevant in a situation where the party who claims to have been unwilling was not very vocal about her wishes. But it's not a decisive legal defense  it would be part of the jury's consideration. The contract may be helpful for the accused but would not serve as a defense," she emails. For their part, the app site says that consent can be withdrawn at any time, with one touch; or apply to just a few hours.

Indeed, this isn't as new-fangled as it might seem, although the legal contract component is taking things to a new level. "Some people already use apps to negotiate sex more informally and in non-legally binding ways," says Dr. Jess O'Reilly, Astroglide's resident sexologist in an email interview. "People often send texts indicating what they like and outlining their boundaries. Others use apps (like InTheMood app) to communicate their desires. This app builds upon digital approaches that are already in use."

For some, the app approach could take some of the awkwardness out of a sexual encounter. "Most of us don't have a lot of experience speaking openly and honestly about pleasure and values and bodies, so when it comes to being frank with an intimate partner about what we want and what they want, we can feel unprepared. Apps like these might be trying to bridge that communication gap," says Kristen Gilbert, education director at Options for Sexual Health. "It's also clear to me that, rather than listening to what people are sharing about their #metoo experiences, lots of folks are reacting defensively. An app like this would appeal those who think, 'I guess the only solution is a contract!'"

O'Reilly notes that consent isn't a one and done deal  people may feel differently about sex with the same partner from one day to the next. Also, "Affirmative or enthusiastic consent isn't just about ticking a box  for example, am I ticking that box because I really want to engage in a specific act or because my partner is looking over my shoulder pressuring me?"

Finally she adds,"If you're starting from the angle of 'let's sign this contract so I can cover my butt and make sure I'm not accused of anything unsavory,' it's not a good place from which to begin a sexual relationship."

Now That's Interesting Sweden is proposing to change its consent laws so that someone could be prosecuted for rape if it could be proved the accuser hadn't given explicit verbal consent or demonstrated their desire. Previously, the law stated there had to be threats or violence for the sexual encounter to be considered rape.
A Republican juggernaut coupled with the coronavirus made Montanas 2021 legislative session one of the most unique and combative political bouts in years.

The 80-day session kicked off in January, about two months after Republicans gave Democrats a shellacking at the ballot box for all the top state offices, giving Montana its first GOP governor in 16 years.

Republicans also increased their majorities in the state Senate and House.

Through the session, Republicans advanced bills that previously died via veto during the last decade and a half by a Democratic governor. That included legislation to restrict access to abortion, broadly expand where firearms can be carried, end same-day voter registration and more.

Because of the policies that we enacted, Montana families, businesses and individuals have more freedom to thrive. We gave $120 million back to the taxpayers and simplified our tax code, Speaker of the House Wylie Galt, R- Martinsdale, said in late April at the end of the session. We gave more power back to the people and the legislative branch of government. We expanded individual rights and freedoms. We cut regulations. We opened Montana back up to business. We also modernized our health care and education system, and thankfully we have a governor who will sign these policies into law.

The Montana Free Press recently reported that legal challenges have been filed against 18 of those bills passed by the 67th Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte. All the lawsuits allege the new laws violate the U.S. or Montana constitutions.

Democrats said the change in power dynamic took a turn for the worse.

I think the tone of this Legislature was much different than I've ever seen it before, and I think it has to do with the fact that there wasn't balance.  We might have had Republican majorities in the Legislature, but we had a Democratic governor, so it forced folks to come to the table and actually work in this middle ground where I think most Montanans are," said Senate Minority Leader Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena, at the end of the session.

Lawmakers also carried bills aimed at changing the state's response to the pandemic, from a bill to provide a legal liability shield for businesses that led to Gianforte lifting the statewide mask mandate and new laws that limit public health officials' previous power to enact public health restrictions.

Some of the major fights during the session included $100,000 in funding for lawsuits filed over new laws that tighten access to voting and $285,500 to pay for a committee formed by Republicans to investigate their allegations of bias and improper behavior in the judiciary. And lawmakers weighed in on recreational marijuana.

They set up a system in Montana similar to "dry counties" in relation to alcohol. Cannabis use and possession remains legal statewide, but whether counties allow recreational cannabis sales now depends on whether or not that county approved legalization in the 2020 election. Of the state's 56 counties, 29 are "green" counties and 27 are "red."

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Democrats to raise concerns over gathering 150 lawmakers and the potential for hundreds of staff, lobbyists, the public and news media into the Capitol in close quarters. Republicans offered a hybrid plan, which for the first time allowed remote participation. By the end of the session, six legislators and the governor had announced they tested positive for COVID-19. A lobbyist's case shut down two days of floor sessions in mid-April.

In terms of voting, Republicans passed bills that require voters to register no later than noon on the day before an election and also OK'd a bill that requires any voter who does not have a government-issued photo ID or a state concealed carry permit to produce two forms of identification to vote at the polls.

Lawmakers passed along party lines the state's $12.6 billion budget, the only thing law requires them to accomplish during the session.

Republicans also passed Gianforte's tax plan, which the party estimates will reduce income and property taxes by $120 million over the two-year budget through lowering the state's top income tax rate and making other changes to things like the business equipment tax.

Another major component of the state's budget  legislation to spend about $2 billion in federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act  cleared with broad bipartisan support.

Cohenour listed the ARPA bill as one of the Democrat wins during the session, saying they shaped how Montana will spend its allocation of the American Rescue Plan to fund infrastructure projects, education and opportunity for working families.

There was action on the judicial front as well.

Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, introduced Senate Bill 140, which eliminated the panel installed 50 years ago to forward judicial nominations to the governor and instead gives the governor the ability to directly select judges he prefers. The law was later challenged and upheld by the state Supreme Court.

Republicans also squared off against the state Supreme Court.

Lawmakers issued the subpoenas to the court in April after learning about an internal email poll of judges during the session on pending legislation related to judicial functions. They say the communications represented a predetermination on legislation the judges may rule on later.

The court ruled the lawmakers overstepped their authority when they subpoenaed them without a legislative purpose and refused to reconsider their decision.

Cleanup" legislation for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks became one of the most hotly debated hunting bills of the session. A late amendment to House Bill 637 allows outfitted nonresident hunters who were unsuccessful in getting a big game license this year in the lottery to purchase one. It also revamps nonresident preference points to give hunters using an outfitter an advantage in the draw over do-it-yourself hunters.

This story was compiled from previous reporting by the Montana State News Bureau, including Holly Michels, Tom Kuglin, Seaborn Larson and Sam Wilson.

Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.

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Helena Police Department Cpl. Matt Lewis was honored on Wednesday for his life-saving efforts after a multi-vehicle crash earlier this month.

The incident took place on Dec. 10, when HPD officers were dispatched to a rollover injury crash near Washington Street and Custer Avenue. At the time, Lewis was only a few blocks away from the crash. He quickly responded to the scene and found one vehicle on its side and another vehicle crashed into the water treatment plant. Lewis said he could tell something was different about this crash, as he had responded before dispatch officially made the call.

"The difference on this was that you could tell dispatch was stressed," Lewis said.

Lewis said multiple vehicles were involved in the crash and multiple road signs had been taken out in the process. Lewis was able to quickly infer that the driver of the vehicle by the water treatment plant was in distress. Bystanders at the scene said the woman in the rolled vehicle was trapped, but uninjured. However, the man in the other vehicle was unconscious and struggling to breathe. The vehicle he was in was still in gear and locked. Lewis had to punch out the window to get to the man.

Lewis said the first thing officers do when they arrive at a crash like this is assess and secure the scene. After observing no safety hazards, he quickly knew this man needed his help.

After making contact with the man, Lewis wasn't able to get him to respond. Lewis observed the man was having trouble breathing and worked to free him from his seat belt. Lewis also called for the next officer on the scene to bring an Automated External Defibrillator unit to him. Lewis was unable to get a pulse from the man, who was experiencing sporadic short gasps for air. Officers Tanner Singh and Steven Cornish arrived and delivered the AED to Lewis. He attached the machine to the man and was advised that the man was not experiencing shock and that CPR should be administered.

"We don't have a ton of medical training," Lewis said. "But we do know what to do until more qualified medical professionals arrive on scene."

Lewis administered chest compressions to the man, and after a short time he began lifting his arms and recoiled in pain. Lewis stopped doing the compressions and the man's pulse returned. Lewis tried to communicate with him, but he went unresponsive again. Medical units arrived on scene and set up oxygen. The following day, medical workers informed Lewis that the man had stabilized and was transported to the VA hospital for further treatment.

The man had experienced a medical emergency that caused the crash. Corporal Lewis' quick action played a major role in saving the patient's life. According to Lewis, the AED was an invaluable tool and every HPD patrol vehicle has one.

"Thank you for having AEDs in all of our police cars," Lewis said, as he was presented with a life-saving ribbon by HPD Chief Steve Hagen.

The day before the award ceremony was the 10-year anniversary of Lewis joining the HPD as a patrol officer. Lewis spent three of those 10 years on the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the remainder as a patrol officer. Lewis and his wife moved to Helena from Minneapolis, Minnesota around 10 years ago. The couple had family and friends in Montana and landed in the capital city after Lewis went back to school for law enforcement. They now have five children they are raising in the community.

"We love it here in the capital city," Lewis said. "We're never leaving."

Hagen said Lewis is an officer the community can count on.

"We wanted to recognize him because this is one of those instances where we can point to it and say that this officer saved this man's life," Hagen said. "His actions made a difference."

Hagen said he wanted to present the award before retiring from the department on Thursday.

Lewis said he didn't want to make a huge deal out of the incident because he was just doing his job.

"I tried to minimize it," Lewis said. "But it does feel good that the department is watching and recognizing officers for what they do."

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Despite widespread flight cancellations across the country during the holiday travel season, Helena Regional Airport Assistant Director Ross Marty said it "hasn't hit too close to home yet."

The Associated Press reported Monday that airlines called off more than 1,000 U.S. flights because crews were sick with COVID-19 during one of the year's busiest travel periods, and storm fronts added to the havoc.

As reported by the AP, flight delays and cancellations tied to staffing shortages have been common this year. Airlines encouraged workers to quit in 2020, when air travel collapsed, and carriers have struggled to make up ground this year, when air travel rebounded faster than expected. The arrival of the omicron variant only exacerbated the problem.

But Marty said Helena's airport has yet to cancel any flights and that the three major airlines that service the regional airport -- Alaska, Delta and United -- have not experienced the same level of shortages as others.

The recent storm fronts that dumped feet of snow and rain across Western states did force delays of some flights departing Helena for hub airports, such as Seattle-Tacoma International, Salt Lake City International and Denver International airports.

"It hasn't affected us much here locally," Marty said. "But it has the potential to compound on our local folks at those hubs."

Marty said with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issuing new guidance lessening the recommended quarantine time for those who come into contact with the virus, that backlog of postponed flights should catch up soon.

"I believe we're on the tail end of the national cancellations," he said Tuesday.

Marty said individual airlines are responsible for testing their pilots and cabin crew members and added that if any of the nearly two dozen local airport crew exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, they are told to be tested and quarantine until the results of those tests return negative.

"We're constantly suggesting that if folks want to get vaccinated, that they do that," he said.

He said that while a smaller crew poses its own challenges, it does allow for better mitigation of the spread of COVID-19. The local airport is able to dedicate equipment, such as snow plows, to a single employee.

Marty said those crew members have also managed to keep on top of snow removal during the recent precipitation, which also helps keep the local airport running smoothly.

"They've largely been able to clear the snow as it falls," he said.

Winter weather in the Pacific Northwest led to nearly 250 flight cancellations to or from Seattle on Sunday, according to Alaska Airlines, and about 100 more flight cancellations Monday. But the airline told the AP that sick crews were no longer a factor.

United said it canceled 115 flights Monday, out of more than 4,000 scheduled, due to crews with COVID-19. Delta expected to cancel more than 200 flights out of its schedule of over 4,100, after scrapping more than 370 on Sunday, citing the effect of COVID-19 on crews and winter weather in Minneapolis, Seattle and Salt Lake City.

Delta also told the AP that it is working to implement the new guidance, which would allow the airline more flexibility to schedule employees.

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ENNIS  Firefighters faced sub-freezing temperatures that caused their equipment to ice up Wednesday morning as they battled a fire at a four-unit apartment building in Ennis, Madison County officials said.

"Everything was freezing up," including nozzles and breathing equipment, said Joe Brummell, director of Disaster and Emergency Services for Madison County in southwest Montana.

The fire was reported at about 5:45 a.m. by a resident of one of the apartments, he said.

By the time the fire was out at about 8 a.m., three of the four apartments were a total loss, Brummell said. Three people were displaced, but no one was injured, he said.

The Madisonian newspaper captured an image of firefighter Pat Noack with his helmet, beard and his gear covered in ice.

The temperature was zero degrees Fahrenheit in Ennis on Wednesday morning, Brummell said, with winds blowing 5-10 mph, causing sub-zero wind chill factors.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have started in the attic of one of the apartments, Brummell said.

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CHICAGO (AP)  Two Chicago men have been charged in a shooting at a suburban Chicago shopping mall that wounded four bystanders and sent thousands of last-minute Christmas shoppers running for cover last week.

Tyran Williams, 32, and Steve Lane, 29, face multiple felonies, including aggravated discharge of a firearm, in the Dec. 23 shootout at Oakbrook Center, a mall in west suburban Oak Brook.

A judge issued a $1 million bail Wednesday for both men during a court appearance.

DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin said at a news conference that Williams and Lane fired at each other near Auntie Annes pretzel store at the shopper-filled mall after an argument broke out between Williams and Lanes male companion.

The facts allege in this case that on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, at the second largest shopping mall in the Chicago area, that these two defendants decided to settle a verbal argument by taking out handguns and firing multiple times with thousands of men, women children and families present, Berlin said.
Desmond Tutu is being remembered for his passionate advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ people as well as his fight for racial justice. But the South African archbishops campaign against homophobia had limited impact in the rest of Africa, where same-sex marriage remains illegal and most countries criminalize gay sex.

Even within his own denomination, the Anglican Communion, there has been no continentwide embrace of LGBTQ rights. Leaders of Ghanas Anglican Church, for example, have joined other religious leaders there in endorsing a bill that would impose prison sentences on people who identify as LGBTQ or support that community.

Before Tutu died Sunday at age 90, most African religious leaders rejected his LGBTQ positions, and those who agreed with him often were cautious, said Kenya-based researcher Yvonne Wamari of Outright Action International, a global LGBTQ-rights organization.

Most of them are unwilling to offer their contrary views due to fear of reprisal and backlash for not conforming with African values, Wamari said via email. As long as the religious leaders are unwilling to interpret the Bible from the lens of love for all, as Tutu did, homophobia and transphobia will remain a part of our lives.
No additional cases have been linked to a confirmed case of hepatitis A in a person who works at the KFC restaurant in Hudson, but there could still be spread from the case.

The case was confirmed Dec. 17, according to Caldwell County officials. Household and close contacts of the person were notified, but patrons of the restaurant were not notified. Customers are not considered close contacts, said Chad Barr, Caldwell County infectious disease nurse.

Out of the notifications, four people received a post-exposure vaccine to reduce the risk of infection, Barr said. He did not say how many people were considered close contacts.

As of Tuesday, no additional cases of hepatitis A were found related to the KFC employee. The virus has a long incubation period, Barr said. The incubation period of hepatitis A is up to 50 days, so the health department is still monitoring for linked cases.

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There has been an increase in hepatitis A cases nationwide.
In 2014, Russian troops marched into the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and seized the territory from Ukraine. Russia's annexation of Crimea  one of the darker moments for former President Barack Obama on the international stage  looms large as Biden looks to contain the current smoldering crisis.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has made clear in public comments that the administration is ready to discuss Moscows concerns about NATO in talks with Russian officials, but emphasized that Washington is committed to the principle of nothing about you without you in shaping policy that affects European allies.

Were approaching the broader question of diplomacy with Russia from the point of view that ... meaningful progress at the negotiating table, of course, will have to take place in a context of de-escalation rather than escalation, Sullivan said at an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations earlier this month. He added that its very difficult to see agreements getting consummated if were continuing to see an escalatory cycle.

The two leaders are also expected during Thursday's call to discuss efforts to persuade Iran to return to the 2015 nuclear accord, which was effectively scrapped by the Trump administration.
" " John Quincy Adams (left) followed his father John Adams (right) into politics. Both men were president of the United States. Adams senior was second president; Quincy Adams was the nation's sixth. Library of Congress/HowStuffWorks

Family dynasties in U.S. politics are not uncommon. Do the names Roosevelt, Kennedy and Bush ring any bells? But the original family dynasty was unquestionably the Adams family.

Founding Father John Adams served in the Continental Congress, as President George Washington's vice president, then as nation's second president (1797-1801). His eldest son John Quincy Adams was the country's sixth president (1825-1829).

But Adams and his son shared more than a career path.

"They both had a deep abiding duty to country and in the fundamental principles of American democracy," says Sara Martin, editor-in-chief of The Adams Family Papers, an extensive collection of Adams family writings owned by the Massachusetts Historical Society. "And they both spent the majority of their professional lives in service to the country."

Both men attended Harvard and studied law, though John Quincy also had the benefit of growing up as the son of "John Adams, Founding Father," and enjoyed some impressive experiences as a result. When he was just 10, he traveled to France with his father as John sought recognition and funds from the French government to support the American Revolution. When the support wasn't forthcoming, the father and son traveled to the Netherlands, where the Dutch came through with both recognition and financial assistance. When John Quincy was 14, he traveled to St. Petersburg to serve as a French-language interpreter and private secretary to Francis Dana, the U.S. Minister to Russia.

John served as America's first Minister to Great Britain. He negotiated the terms of the peace treaty to end the Revolutionary War and went to Paris for the signing in September 1783.

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John Adams as President

John became the nation's first vice president in 1788 under George Washington (it was a consolation prize no one really wanted.) And when Washington retired in 1796, John stood for president and was elected as a Federalist, though Martin says he was only loosely affiliated with the party.

" " John Adams was the first vice president of the United States and the second president. Library of Congress

"He was a Federalist president, but because he holds himself to principles over party, he actually runs into problems with the Federalist Party," she says. "The Federalist Party fractures during his presidency and contributes to his defeat in the election of 1800."

Foreign affairs dominated John's presidency, and his loyalty to his values (and perhaps his obstinacy) doomed his chances for a second term.

"When he takes office, U.S relations with France are deteriorating  the XYZ affair;the Quasi-War  these are the dominant issues," says Martin.

The U.S. was split along Anglo and French lines. John was viewed as pro-British and Federalists typically wanted a more aggressive policy toward France. John always sought diplomacy first. His biggest mistake was seeking a diplomatic solution without consulting his Federalist cabinet.

"He was battled from within his cabinet and from external forces," Martin says.

Ultimately, he lost his reelection bid. He returned to Massachusetts and his beloved wife, Abigail.

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Like Father, Like Son

"For John Quincy Adams, being his father's son, coming of age, he is aligned with the Federalists," says Martin. He became a U.S. senator in 1803 and, like his father, put principle over party, meaning there were times he voted with the Federalists and times he voted with the Democratic-Republicans.

John Quincy eventually split from the Federalist party and in 1809, he left the U.S. to serve as a diplomat overseas, helping negotiate the end of the War of 1812 in Ghent, Belgium, and serving in the same post his father did in Great Britain, U.S. Minister to the Court of St. James. John Quincy returned to the U.S. in 1817 to serve as Secretary of State under President James Monroe.

John Quincy's most significant contribution was developing the Monroe Doctrine, the U.S. foreign policy that "respected the independence of other nations, while asserting and maintaining her own," to quote the document.

John Quincy stood as a loosely affiliated Democratic-Republican candidate in the 1824 presidential election with three other candidates from the same party, Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford and Henry Clay. Jackson won the popular vote but didn't get a plurality (an absolute majority of either the popular vote or the electoral vote). The contest was decided by the House of Representatives, who chose John Quincy, infuriating Jackson and his supporters.

"From day one, John Quincy's presidency was embattled because Jackson and his supporters opposed him at every turn," Martin says. "He had this ambitious view of internal improvements  canals, roads, even grander visions for a national university and a national observatory  but he couldn't get any traction for these ideas. He did not have a successful presidency."

" " Like his father, John Quincy Adams voted with the Federalists, but eventually split with the party in 1809. Library of Congress

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Problems and the Presidency

Foreign policy issues dogged his father's presidency, but domestic issues were John Quincy's bane, especially growing sectionalism  the matter of state's rights.

"It was really playing out in the issue of the federal government's relationship with Native Americans, specifically what was going on in Georgia," Martin says.

The governor of Georgia refused to honor federal treaties when settlers moved into native lands and Creek Nations defended their territory. John Quincy could have but didn't use federal troops to keep state troops in line, and a new treaty ended up causing Native Americans to cede more land.

"It becomes the further dispossession of native territory," Martin says, "The roots of the Trail of Tears are found in this incident."

Martin says both men frequently wrote of desiring a "quieter life" but believed it was their duty to serve the young nation in whatever way they were called.

"If you take their careers as a whole, their presidencies were the least successful of their public lives, and that's true for both of them for many of the same reasons," she says. "Neither were able to generate popular support the way their opponents did. Jefferson sold the idea of a more inclusive democracy; Jackson did the same thing. But you look at the scope of their lives; the presidency was only a small portion of it."

Now That's Interesting John Quincy Adams served in the House of Representatives for 17 years after his term as president. He is the only former president to do so. He was a staunch anti-slavery voice in Congress and, in 1843, defended the African prisoners aboard the slave ship Amistad before the U.S. Supreme Court.
" " Brian Stansberry/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0 Welcome to 'Ar-Kansas'? No way. The state of Arkansas has decreed its state is pronounced like "Arkansaw" and with good reason.

Imagine you're an intrepid 17th-century French explorer traversing the expansive wilderness of Louisiana (New France), a territory spanning the entire Mississippi basin from modern-day Louisiana through Illinois and northward into Canada. You encounter dozens of native tribes, each with its own confounding language or dialect, and you attempt to record their names in your journal as best you can.

This imperfect system is how English-speaking Americans arrived at many of the names for Native American tribes, including the Dakota, Iowa, Alabama, Nebraska, Ottawa, Chippewa and Tuskaloosa. Think of it as a centuries-long game of multilingual "telephone." Tribal names evolved from their original native pronunciation into a French approximation and finally into an Anglicized mangling of the French.

Which brings us to the legitimately confusing question of how the state of Kansas could be pronounced "KAN-zis" while the nearby state of Arkansas, with the addition of two simple letters, is pronounced "AR-kin-saw."

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The Politicians Weigh In

This very question was the subject of a fascinating pamphlet published way back in 1881 titled, "Fixing the Pronunciation of the Name Arkansas." The booklet, written by members of the Arkansas Historical Society, was meant to provide historical context to a resolution passed by the Arkansas General Assembly declaring the one and only correct pronunciation of Arkansas:

"It should be pronounced in three syllables, with the final 's' silent. The 'a' in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables, being the pronunciation formerly universally and now still most commonly used."

Apparently, some eggheads at Webster's dictionary had changed the entry for Arkansas to include a new pronunciation note  "Ar-kan-sas, formerly Arkansaw"  and that sent red-blooded Arkansans into a lexicographical tizzy.

The authors of the Arkansas Historical Society pamphlet called it a "vicious pronunciation" with "no basis of reason, authority, or prior polite usage." Moreover, people who said "Ar-Kansas" "failed to consider that they would thus render ridiculous a name highly poetic in its sounds, and associated with the grandest memories of the past, from the days of [French explorer Jacques] Marquette downward."

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Blame the French

The Arkansas Historical Society members argued that the divergent pronunciations of Arkansas and Kansas stem from similar French names given to two different Native America tribes. A Siouan tribe lived near the modern-day Kansas River and early French explorers called them by a version of their name, which sounded to their French ears like "Kansa." The second tribe, the Quapaw, lived further southwest along the modern-day Arkansas River and, for reasons unknown, the French called them by their Algonquin name, "Akansa."

Those tribal names, as the French rendered them, look and sound very similar, but again, for reasons unknown, early French explorers wrote out the associated place names very differently. Explorer Henri Joutel, writing in 1687, called the area around modern-day Arkansas "Accanceas" and spelled Kansas "Chanzes." By 1723, Arkansas was routinely spelled "Arkansas," but as late as 1805 French cartographer Perrin du Lac called Kansas "Kances."

Clearly, at some point an "r" was added to the original Algonquin name Akansa. One theory, mentioned in a 1945 article in the Arkansas Historical Quarterly, is that the Akansa used a particularly cool bow when hunting and the French word for bow is "arc." It's possible that the French explorer's admiration for the weapon influenced their pronunciation. Other French explorers called the Arkansas river "la riviere des arcs" ("river of the bends") for its curvy course. Either example could explain why the French Colonel de Champigny, writing in 1776, chose to call the region "Arckantas."

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The Ahs Have It

Which brings us to the pronunciation question. The 1881 Arkansas Historical Society pamphlet concluded that both Kansas and Arkansas have roots in similar Indian tribal names, but that Kansas chose to follow the standard English pronunciation  marked by the hard "a" sound in "can" and vocalizing the final "s"  while Arkansas stuck with the original French pronunciation.

It's the long French (and Italian) "ah" sound, wrote the Arkansas Historical Society, which explains why Arkansas was sometimes spelled "Arkansaw," including in the 1818 peace treaty between the United States and the Quapaw. The inclusion of the "s" at the end of Arkansas was likely a product of pluralization. If the tribe was called the Akansa, then multiple members of the tribe were the Akansas. But since the final "s" is silent in French, all that's left is the "ah" sound.

The 1945 article in the Arkansas Historical Quarterly makes an interesting point, though. The Arkansas legislature made a big deal in 1881 about fixing for good the true pronunciation of the state name, emphasizing that all three "a"s should be pronounced "with the Italian sound." Yet the unanimous pronunciation of Arkansas by native Arkansans and interlopers alike is "AR-kin-saw." So much for adhering to the letter of the law.

Now That's Cool In 1880, the Arkansas Historical Society wrote the iconic American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for his take on the pronunciation question. "I confess I prefer the sound of Arkansaw as being more musical than Arkansas," he replied. Case closed.
" " Members of Brigade 2506, the counter-revolutionary military unit that tried to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, surrender after the Bay of Pigs fiasco. Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Just months after Fidel Castro and his communist revolutionaries took power in Cuba in 1959, the United States government secretly began to plot his downfall. Under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the CIA recruited Cuban exiles in the U.S. to form a counter-revolutionary army at a covert CIA training camp in Nicaragua called "Happy Valley." The group was known as Brigade 2506. When John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960, he inherited a convoluted scheme to invade Cuba using 1,500 of these anti-Castro Cubans trained by the CIA.

The mission, known as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, was doomed from the start and is widely regarded as one of America's worst foreign policy failures. The attack began the morning of April 15, 1961, with what was supposed to be an aerial bombardment of Castro's small air force. But the CIA-trained pilots, who flew World War II-era B-26 bombers painted to look like Cuban planes, failed to destroy all of Castro's aircraft.

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That's when things really started to unravel, says Jim Rasenberger, author of "The Brilliant Disaster: JFK, Castro, and America's Doomed Invasion of Cuba's Bay of Pigs". Here are five reasons why the Bay of Pigs Invasion went so spectacularly wrong.

1. Journalists Spotted the CIA's Fake Plane

While eight of the B-26 bombers were sent to destroy Castro's airfields, a ninth flew directly to Miami, Florida, where "the CIA came up with this cockamamie idea," says Rasenberger.

The B-26 pilot in Miami claimed to be a defector from Castro's air force who had risen up with his comrades to attack the communist regime. The CIA took pains to make his plane look legit, complete with a Cuban air force serial number and a nose cone riddled with fresh bullet holes, but savvy journalists on the ground quickly saw through the ruse.

"There was still tape on the gun barrels to keep the dust out and his guns were mounted in the nose of the plane, while Castro's were under the wings," says Rasenberger. "It gave away the whole game right there."

Suddenly, with one bad fake job, it was plain to everyone that the U.S. was clearly behind this invasion. The Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev was furious and Kennedy was backed into a corner. If he admitted U.S. involvement, he risked starting World War III.

2. Kennedy Canceled the Second Airstrike

With the world watching, Kennedy made a difficult decision to cancel a second round of airstrikes planned for the early hours of April 17. Those airstrikes were supposed to destroy the rest of Castro's air force and clear a path for the amphibious pre-dawn landing of 1,500 men.

"The moment Kennedy canceled those airstrikes, he doomed the invasion," says Rasenberger. "Castro still had half of his planes left. For the invasion to have any chance of succeeding, those planes had to be taken out."

Rasenberger doesn't think Kennedy got "cold feet," as some critics alleged, but rather made a rational decision that a second airstrike wasn't worth going to war with Russia. Unfortunately, it would prove to be the mission's undoing, leaving the invading force and supply ships vulnerable to devastating airstrikes from Castro's remaining pilots.
North Carolinas COVID-19 positive test rate hit a record high Sunday, the latest available data, of 21.9%, as new cases continue to increase due to holiday gatherings and the highly contagious omicron variant, many public health officials suspect.

The previous high was 17.1% on Jan. 4.

Over the last seven days of available data, DHHS has reported that an average of 13% of cases have returned positive per day. State health officials have said they want that number at 5% or lower.

Over the last six days, North Carolina has reported more than 32,000 new COVID-19 cases. The six days prior, the state reported just over 22,300 new cases.

Its the first time that the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has updated its COVID metrics since last Wednesday due to the long Christmas weekend.

Hospitalizations due to the virus continue to increase also as DHHS reported 1,992 on Tuesday, an increase from just over 1,200 at the first of the month. Its still much lower than the nearly 4,000 reported at the height of the delta surge a few months ago.
Coca-Cola has its own museum in Atlanta, Georgia. PepsiCo does not, but bringing one to its birthplace is estimated to bring 50,000 annual visitors, adding an economic impact of $7.5 million.

To go along with the Slotnick collection, PepsiCo also acquired a large collection of Pepsi memorabilia between 2015 and 2018.

In the closed session minutes, the city discussed a potential partnership with Swiss Bear and the Tryon Palace Commission to display the items in a museum.

PepsiCo offered to provide a seed grant to fund up to $750,000 for program items such as planning, architectural design, and display and was willing to pursue if local leadership was willing.

Under the partnership, the city would provide the facility and discuss the old firemens museum as a potential location. Swiss Bear is committed to helping raise funds but a concept would be needed for the plans to continue.

The aldermen supported the idea but no other actions have taken place. Director of Collections and Exhibits Alyson Rhodes-Murphy explained in October that leadership is waiting to see how many items there are before moving forward with finding a museum site. More than likely, one will have to be built.
It quickly became apparent that it was not the time capsule historians expected to find. The box was the wrong material, the wrong size and in the wrong location.

So after the masonry crew had removed every stone of the pedestal Wednesday  all 632 of them, Spence said  the search resumed. The foundation of the statue  rocks, mortar and boulders  still remained.

On Monday morning, a crew returned and slowly picked away at the foundation. At the bottom of the northeast corner, they found harder, fabricated material.

Obviously it was trying to protect something, Spence said. That was our theory.

Using an excavator, they slid a 3,000-pound stone to the side  and there it was, the other time capsule. Devon Henry, the projects contractor, called for all the workers to stop. Spence, who was standing near the perimeter at the time, walked bristly  you never run on a construction site, he said  to see what had been discovered.

What they found isnt a perfect match to the 1887 newspaper descriptions, but its close.
CHARLESTON  The Illinois Central Railroad has filed in Coles County Circuit Court a suit in which damages of $200,000 are demanded from the National Surety Corporation, a New York company. The Illinois Central claims it rented five locomotives to a small railroad in the Mexican Republic, which were to be returned to the Illinois Central at a specified time. But the time limit expired some time ago and the Mexican company is in receivership. The value of the locomotives is placed at $35,000 each, and the unpaid rentals bring the total to $200,000. The New York company is surety for the Mexican railroad MATTOON  Odd Niles, who has been sought by officers of Moultrie County for several months after an incident of a gun battle on the Treat farm near Gays, is now a prisoner in the Coles County jail. Niles, late yesterday, surrendered to his bondsman, J.L. Stiff of Mattoon, who accompanied him from the home of his mother, Mrs. Sarah Niles, in Bruce, Moultrie County, to Charleston. Niles was convicted of perjury for testimony he gave at a trial in which he was charged with receiving a stolen automobile. Niles is expected to be taken to Chester to begin serving his sentence on the perjury charge.
Riklin elected Bnai Brith Intl president

Seth J. Riklin

When Seth J. Riklin was 8 years old, his father, Sam J. Riklin (of blessed memory), brought the youngster to his office. Riklin remembers how the office walls were filled with dozens of plaques, thanking his father for his service to various nonprofit organizations.



From my father and two uncles, I learned the importance of community service, Riklin told the JHV. If you are going to be successful in this world, you have to help others be successful.



Beginning with food drives in high school, Riklin developed the knowledge and skills needed to take on various community service leadership roles.



When I got out of law school, Jerry Ribnick invited me to have lunch and talk about Goldberg Towers. Ribnick, zl, served as president of Bnai Brith Goldberg Towers from 1978-1996. My aunt Sarah was one of Goldberg Towers first residents when she moved here from San Antonio, said Riklin.



Goldberg Towers is a 302-unit federally subsidized, low-income, nondenominational affordable senior housing building in Southwest Houston. Riklin served as secretary, treasurer and president of Goldberg Towers. He also served as the immediate past chairman of the Bnai Brith executive board of directors and is a longtime member of the Bnai Brith board of governors, former chair of the Bnai Brith Senior Housing Committee and he twice served as Bnai Briths treasurer.



In December during its triennial meeting in Washington, Bnai Brith Internationals board of governors elected Riklin as the organizations new president. Riklin immediately began a three-year term leading the worlds oldest Jewish humanitarian, human rights and advocacy organization.



Senior housing has been one of Bnai Briths priorities for decades. The Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 created HUD as a cabinet-level agency and initiated a leased housing program to make privately owned housing available to low-income families. In 1968, Bnai Brith launched its senior housing program, in partnership with HUD, to make rental apartments available for senior citizens with limited incomes.



According to Riklin, the thinking in Washington at that time was to provide funding to nonprofit organizations that developed and operated housing for seniors with very low incomes through the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program.



Bnai Brith was very decentralized in the 1960s. Numerous lodges got together to buy the land needed on which to construct the housing for low-income seniors, said Riklin.



Congress has not provided new resources for new Section 202 construction since Fiscal Year 2012. Funds provided by Congress for the Section 202 account now are used primarily to renew underlying rental assistance contracts and existing contracts for on-site service coordinators.



In 1991, the Section 202 program was converted to a capital advance grant with a Project Rental Assistance Contract for operational expenses (Section 202 PRAC).



There currently are more than 400,000 Section 202 units serving very low-income seniors. Most senior housing buildings now use tax-credit financing. With the aging of baby boomers, affordable housing is now more in demand than ever, noted Riklin.



Outside of his volunteer work at Bnai Brith, Riklin practiced business law for nearly 30 years. He is the founder, current president and CEO of Hill Country Wind Power, LP and Clean Power Texas, which develops utility-size wind and solar energy projects.



Riklin said that fighting antisemitism is still at the core of Bnai Briths organizational mission. The None Shall Be Afraid campaign, a program to promote tolerance and respect, is the organizations signature response to antisemitism.



When we see antisemitism being practiced, we stand up and speak out against the language and tropes. Were neither Republicans nor Democrats. We support politicians who do the right thing when it comes to the issue of antisemitism.



As an international organization, Bnai Briths interests go beyond American politics. For example, the organization claimed a diplomatic victory when a total of 38 countries openly boycotted the 20th anniversary of the World Conference Against Racism in Durban in September, citing concerns of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias.



Bnai Brith has been a leader in calling Durban for what it is: an antisemitic and anti-Zionist effort, said Riklin.



The new organizational president said his first priority is going to be to put together a plan to create a leadership institute with the goal of reaching out to young people to receive leadership-skills training.



We have thousands of lodges worldwide. However, these lodges are not as important in the U.S. as they once were. We want to create new pathways towards leadership. We need to find more pathways at the grass-roots level for people to support the future of Bnai Brith International.




He took over in November 1994. Horton said that Doug White actually suggested he change the name to Ronnies. But the Whites sign outside had good paint on it, so I waited a couple years till it needed painting to change that.

Hortons wife, who previously had worked in stores alongside him, came to work at Ronnies. And my sons started here as bag boys. Son Brian is still there.

And all along Ive had this great pool of retired people working here  a lot of them from my church, people who just wanted something to do, people who would help me out.

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When Horton bought Whites, he kept it just as it was. We knew not to change anything. People would tell us, he said with a laugh.

We still have the same sausage and egg box. Thats still the same slicer Whites had in here. I did put in the barrels for the beans, but almost everything else is the same  everything is even in the same position in the store.

Horton had been thinking about retiring before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Then I got real serious and called a real-estate agent, he said.
* If you have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status  get tested and isolate from others while you wait for a result.

* If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are not vaccinated, stay away from others for five days and get tested on Day 5 after exposure.

If you test negative, return to normal activities while wearing a mask for five additional days.

The same recommendation has been made those individuals who are vaccinated and eligible for a booster, but have not yet been boosted.

* For those who are vaccinated, and have either received your booster or are not yet eligible for a booster, they do not need to stay away from others, but should wear a mask for 10 days.

Elevated positive test rate

DHHS lists COVID-19 cases and deaths on the day they are confirmed by medical providers and public health officials, so individuals may have been infected or may have died days or weeks before their cases were counted.
It is in our communities and rapidly spreading, Priest said.

A person with the omicron variant will infect three to five other people around them. It also seems to have a shorter incubation period, as short as three days.

In the rest of the 14-county Triad and Northwest N.C. region, the positive test rate as of Sunday was 12.6% in Alamance, 18.1% in Alleghany, 13.9% in Ashe, 12.4% in Davidson, 15.8% in Davie, 11.2% in Guilford, 11.5% in Randolph, 11.1% in Rockingham, 17.2% in Stokes, 14.6% in Surry, 9% in Watauga, 11.5% in Wilkes and 16.3% in Yadkin.

Key masking metrics

With Tuesdays report, Forsyth averaged 43.7 cases per 100,000 people over the most recent two-week period, while Guilford is at 38.7 per 100,000.

One reason those case and positive test-rate totals are important is that Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines has said he would use two criteria in deciding whether to lift the citys mask mandate: the city must have a COVID-19 positive test rate of 5% or less for at least two weeks, and must average fewer than 10 new cases per 100,000 people over five days.
I did not know then how much was ended. When I look back now from this high hill of my old age, I can still see the butchered women and children lying heaped and scattered all along the crooked gulch as plain as when I saw them with eyes still young. And I can see that something else died there in the bloody mud and was buried in the blizzard. A peoples dream died there. It was a beautiful dream. And I, to whom so great a vision was given in my youth  you see me now a pitiful old man who has done nothing, for the nations hoop is broken and scattered. There is no center any longer, and the sacred tree is dead.
These responses are not likely to have much influence on Paul or his fellow travelers. Republican politicians are becoming more and more comfortable with bad-faith arguments intended to undermine legitimate election outcomes  no doubt in preparation for any losses they suffer in 2022 and 2024.

And if none of that works, theres always the threat of violence.

All of this because of an inability to accept the reality of defeat.

Earlier this month, the conservative group Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, concluding a 10-month investigation into its 2020 election results, stated it found no evidence of fraudulent ballots or widespread voter fraud. It joins a long list of election officials and organizations, from Arizona to Georgia to the U.S. Attorney Generals office, that affirm President Bidens 2020 election victory. Indeed, no legitimate investigation has proved otherwise.

Nevertheless, two-thirds of Republican voters reportedly still believe the Big Lie. Last month, 16 N.C. legislators signed a letter, along with about 150 other state legislators, asking for an audit of every state to look into claims of a corrupted 2020 presidential election.
Wendy Birdsall spent 30 years working for the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the past 15 as its first female president.

She announced in June that she planned to retire at the end of this year.

As Birdsall's tenure comes to an end, the Journal Star asked the Lincoln native for some thoughts on her time at the chamber and how the city and business community has changed.

You were the first female president of the chamber of commerce. What challenges and obstacles did you have to overcome? Did being a known quantity who had been at the chamber for a long time help smooth the road?

WB: I was very fortunate, throughout my career at Bryan Health and then the chamber, to always work with people who treated me with respect, saw how I could contribute and gave me opportunities to advance. I know that there are still some workplaces, even in Lincoln, where that might not be true for women and people of color.
When she first started at Madonna, all Vandenbosch worked on was breathing. Now she's trying to clear up a foggy memory.

Vandenbosch tackles some of her treatment on the treadmill.

The process has been riddled with ups and downs. Some days, Vandenbosch said her chest feels tight and heavy, almost like someone's sitting on it.

"I've got a lot of steps to go to get back to where I was, but I know what I need to do and I know that even on bad days I can do a little," she said.

While she said she wasn't in the best health before, she never expected to be hit so hard by COVID-19.

"There are days that it feels like it's all in your head and if you just push yourself harder, maybe you would get better," she said. "Give yourself some grace and understanding that COVID does weird things to your body and to be gentle with yourself."

Bierner said staff at Madonna have been open-minded when it comes to investigating and treating patients' symptoms.
Health

editor's pick alert top story

Demand up for COVID-19 testing following holiday, Lincoln health director says

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star Cars line up at Nomi Health's COVID-19 testing site at Gateway Mall on Tuesday. Officials were adding staff this week to help meet demand for more testing. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo Cars line up at Nomi Health's COVID-19 testing site at Gateway Mall on Dec. 28. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star Cars line up at Nomi Health's COVID-19 testing site at Gateway Mall on Tuesday.

The senior medical director for Nomi Health  which operates Lincolns largest COVID-19 testing center  has seen the video.

Long lines of idling cars, snaking out of the parking lot near the former Sears store in the northeast corner of Gateway Mall.

COVID-19 hospitalizations up in Lancaster County Local health officials reported one COVID death from over the weekend, an unvaccinated man in his 70s who had been hospitalized. It marked the 350th death in Lancaster County since the beginning of the pandemic.

On Christmas Eve, nearly 1,000 people pulled up for tests. So far this week, the site is averaging about 700 a day, but that number could go up as people feel the need to get tested in advance of New Years Eve gatherings with friends and family.

The reasons, said Dr. June Steely of Bountiful, Utah, are several-fold: Some people want to get tested before they gather with vulnerable friends or family, and others feel the need to get tested after gatherings. And at the same time, the omicron variant is spreading quickly, at least nationally.

If they get symptoms, theyre doing the right thing  making sure it isnt COVID, she said.

At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Pat Lopez, director of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, cited staffing issues at Lincoln's Nomi testing site as an issue that contributed to the lines, along with increased demand.

To help speed up testing, Nomi added 10 contractors, with six starting Wednesday, nearly doubling the workforce it deployed at the site last week.

Still, wait times can be long, especially later in the day, so Steely had advice for those seeking its free COVID-19 tests. First, register ahead of time and complete all the paperwork before pulling up.

That really helps you get through faster, and it helps everyone behind you get through faster, too.

And if you do drop in unregistered, go early. Wait times in the morning have averaged five to 10 minutes, but have grown to about an hour later in the morning and more than 90 minutes at the end of the day.

The demand could increase even further. Last week, the lines grew longer as Christmas Day approached.

It may tick up again right before New Years Eve, so they can get tested before they visit their family. I expect a similar situation, but its hard to say, Steely said.

The holidays make it more difficult to track week-to-week numbers, but positive cases in Lancaster County have dropped slightly since officials saw a sharp increase in the seven-day rolling average of new cases about a week after Thanksgiving weekend.

From a peak of 182 cases a day Dec. 5, the daily rolling average of new cases dropped to 131 on Dec. 24.

"We hope this decrease is not temporary. But our experience tells us that we are likely to have another increase in cases and hospitalizations at the end of the year," Lopez said.

Lopez said that's because of large holiday gatherings and the arrival of omicron. There now have been five confirmed cases of the fast-spreading variant in Lancaster County.

But, she said, the feeling is that the county hasn't yet seen the surge that's coming. The local risk dial remained in the elevated-orange, or high-risk, category Tuesday.

Lopez said she spoke with Nomi officials about staffing levels at the testing site and Bryan Health, looking at the potential to offer additional drive-thru testing, which she expected to have more information about yet this week.

Tests are available at pharmacies, doctors offices and urgent care clinics. Anyone looking for information on where to go can find details at Covid19.lincoln.ne.gov.

On Tuesday, Lopez reported two more COVID-19 deaths, both men who weren't vaccinated  one in his 70s and one in his 50s  bringing December's total to 23 deaths in Lancaster County.

She said, as of Tuesday, local hospitals reported 116 COVID-19 patients, including 21 on ventilators. Seventy of them are Lancaster County residents.

Some Nebraskans unable to get monoclonal antibodies Gov. Pete Ricketts said he had heard anecdotal stories that some doctors are reluctant to prescribe the treatment to people who could benefit from it. "It is incredibly frustrating to me that doctors would do that."

Statewide, 5,826 cases of COVID-19 were reported last week, up from 5,488 the previous week. But the numbers are lower than the 7,052 cases reported the week before that, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of people hospitalized with the virus has also improved since mid-December, although hospital capacity remains strained across the state. Nebraska health officials said 470 people were hospitalized with the virus Monday, down from a recent peak of 637 on Dec. 13 but slightly higher than the previous day's 446. The seven-day average of 475 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 was down from 589 the week before.

Options abound in Lincoln for preventative COVID-19 tests Those looking to get a test for travel or before holiday gatherings can find them at several pharmacies. Nomi Health and Bryan Health also offer tests.

So far, delta has remained the dominant variant in Nebraska, but more cases of the highly contagious omicron variant are being identified in the state.

Demand for COVID-19 testing increased in Omaha, too, where a long line of more than 150 cars formed at a drive-thru testing site at Oak View Mall on Monday.

Nomi, which also operates the drive-thru site in Omaha, said a delay in getting gasoline delivered for a generator used to provide heat at the site contributed to the backlog of cars, but company officials said Nomi performed 4,200 tests last week at its three Omaha locations  the most since the testing sites reopened in August.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Still, wait times can be long, especially later in the day, so Steely had advice for those seeking its free COVID-19 tests. First, register ahead of time and complete all the paperwork before pulling up.

That really helps you get through faster, and it helps everyone behind you get through faster, too.

And if you do drop in unregistered, go early. Wait times in the morning have averaged five to 10 minutes, but have grown to about an hour later in the morning and more than 90 minutes at the end of the day.

The demand could increase even further. Last week, the lines grew longer as Christmas Day approached.

It may tick up again right before New Years Eve, so they can get tested before they visit their family. I expect a similar situation, but its hard to say, Steely said.

The holidays make it more difficult to track week-to-week numbers, but positive cases in Lancaster County have dropped slightly since officials saw a sharp increase in the seven-day rolling average of new cases about a week after Thanksgiving weekend.

From a peak of 182 cases a day Dec. 5, the daily rolling average of new cases dropped to 131 on Dec. 24.
"He gave me wide latitude and a lot of flexibility," Nelson said.

During the negotiations, Reid proposed an amendment that would provide full federal funding of the cost of Medicaid expansion in Nebraska, subsequently igniting a political firestorm that gave birth nationally to the term "Cornhusker Kickback."

Nelson said he had viewed that idea as "a place-holder" for subsequent negotiation of an acceptable opt-out provision for all states.

"I didn't have a closer friend," Nebraska's former two-term U.S. senator and two-term governor said in saluting Reid.

A fond memory, he said, is the day he was sitting on a tractor in Nebraska when the phone rang and it was Reid, with whom he "chatted for 20 minutes."

"He was a very direct person," Nelson said. "He didn't suffer fools. His word was always good. He didn't play games."

Seeing the announcement of his death Tuesday night on TV in Omaha was "a gut punch," Nelson said.
It kept the house nice, Howe said. It wasnt warm, but it was nice enough to get by.

Then Grell turned to finding donations, which came in spurts. Day after day, he reached out to groups and people in his network.

Grell, who served as mayor in Beatrice, said he saw a need that called for action.

My mother always told me, If youre going to live in a community, youve got to be involved in that community, he said.

Just in time for winter, the donations rolled in, and Harleys Heating and Air Conditioning installed the furnace in mid-December.

A list of donors, provided by Allen and Linda Grell, includes Barbara Best from Omaha  whose late husbands wish was to help a veteran family in need  Jefferson County Speedway in Fairbury, the VFW and Home Depot.

Howe, a mother of three, said shes always felt supported by the community. In 2005, her husband, Darren Howe, died from injuries sustained in Iraq. At the time, she was raising their 3-year-old and 1-year-old.

The community was a great help when we lost him, she said.
The city of Ogallala and Nebraska Public Power District are poised to make the Keith County seat NPPDs seventh retail town with a community solar farm.

The project should allow the city to cut its NPPD power bills and allow Ogallala residents to do likewise by subscribing for shares, said Pat Hanrahan, the districts general manager for retail services.

Its 1.5-megawatt capacity would be a very small percentage of NPPDs total power generation, but the impact it will have on the community of Ogallala will be greater, he said.

Ogallala is one of 79 Nebraska cities and villages where NPPD both sells and delivers electricity.

Hanrahan said GRNE Solar of Lincoln, which will lease the 13.5-acre site from the city and build the solar farm, should start construction this spring and likely will bring the project online next summer.

NPPD would buy the solar farms output from GRNE and work with the city in allocating shares to interested customers.

The power district, which has announced a goal of generating electricity with net zero carbon emissions by 2050, launched its community solar program in January 2017.
SCOTTSBLUFF  After a few weeks in quarantine, Riverside Discovery Centers new puma cubs have been moved to their permanent enclosure.

Anthony Mason, the Scottsbluff zoo's director, said it couldnt have gone any better.

Now that theyre actually together, they are playing a lot, he said. Its really fun.

Mason said he gave the cubs a little time to get acquainted before putting them in the same enclosure.

We gave them a little bit of side-by-side time where they could see and smell each other, he said. I think it was that first day, they were trying to play with each other through the fence. (They got along well), so we gave them access to each other.

The puma cubs were a little apprehensive at first, but Mason said that didnt last long.

There was a little nervousness, but they got over it really quick and started playing with each other. It was pretty fast. Within a day, they were playing with each other and wrestling, he said. I kind of thought it might have taken a couple of days for them to get used to each other.
The influx of cash will fund a second carbon black plant to the north of its current plant and a plant to combine the hydrogen produced in the manufacturing process with nitrogen to produce anhydrous ammonia, a liquid farm fertilizer.

Innovation, clean energy, public partnerships. This is the kind of development that lifts a whole lot of boats -- especially in view of the news that Monolith is looking to hire 200 new employees in the next 18 months.

And here is where Nebraskans can have a say in how happy of an ending this story has. With historic low unemployment -- as has been documented in news stories and Editorial Board opinions -- at some point, our economic growth is only hampered by our ability to fill jobs and get the work done.

That's why, again, it is in Nebraska's best interests to be as welcoming as possible -- to refugees, the legal immigrants, to recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status (Dreamers), to people of color, to members of the LGBTQIA community, to people of every conceivable background.

Diversity will enrich our community in many ways. But an influx of workers taking existing and newly created jobs will enrich us all in a very literal way, too.

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UNION GROVE  A Kansasville man has been accused of threatening people with a knife while allegedly being drunk, and also high on opiates and cocaine.

Wayne Richard Delaney, 45, was charged with three felony counts of second degree recklessly endangering safety, a felony count of attempting to flee or elude an officer and two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and resisting an officer.

According to a criminal complaint:

At 11:36 p.m. on Christmas Eve, deputies were sent to Coal Miners Daughter, a Union Grove bar at 1024 Main St., for a report of a man that had a knife and was threatening to use it.

A deputy saw a man approach a truck while fumbling with his keys and appearing to be off-balance. Patrons were yelling that he was the one who pilled out the knife and threatened them.

He was able to get in the truck and speed away, with deputies giving chase.

A traffic stop was conducted and a deputy was giving instructions to the driver, later identified as Delaney, over the PA system of his the squad vehicle.

Delaney then turned off the truck and put his hands out of the window. When asked to get out of the car, he then started it up again and began driving westbound on Highway 11. The chase resumed, and Delaney eventually turned onto the 23300 block of County Line Road and parked the car.

Delaney was eventually taken down and placed in handcuffs. A search of his car found a box cutter in the center console along with prescription bottles. There was an open bottle of Captain Morgan on the passenger side floor.

A preliminary breath test was taken and it yielded a result of 0.13, above the legal limit of 0.08 to operate a vehicle.

While walking back to the squad car, Delaney allegedly said that they would find opiates and cocaine in his blood in addition to the alcohol.

A deputy went back to Coal Miners Daughter to gather statements from the patrons that were involved. Nine people said that Delaney pulled out the knife and began pointing it at people, saying he wanted to gut people. Once on the sidewalk, he threatened to gut three people while touching his blade to a persons stomach.

Delaney was given a $7,500 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 5 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., online court records show.

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BURLINGTON  With a new building, the Burlington Area School District needed a new middle school principal. Nick Ryans the man for the job.

Before landing in Burlington, Ryan taught in Oconomowoc and Watertown. After receiving his masters degree from UW-Madison, he ventured back to his birth state, Wyoming, to serve as an assistant principal before taking a similar job back in Watertown.

Now in his new role as principal in the shiny new Karcher Middle School, 300 Wainwright Ave., Ryan also is continuing his education, pursuing a doctoral degree. While continuing his education has allowed Ryan to further connect to his students  he has homework of his own to do  he has maintained his focus on restorative practices.

I just really, really love restorative practices, Ryan said. Its one of my biggest passions.

Restorative practices, according to Ryan, are what brought him to BASD. He said it is already common practice throughout the district.

Restorative practices

Restorative practices are widely misunderstood, Ryan said. While many may see it as a no consequences approach to student discipline, that is not the case. Restorative practices are rooted in community building, both Ryan and BASD spokesperson Julie Thomas said.

This is an approach to create community building, Thomas said. In order for students to have a sense of belonging at school, students need trust in others in the school community.

The practice can have its uses in the discipline process, but often occurs after a student may have already faced consequences. The practice, according to Ryan, allows students to heal the community they have created.

Yes, you might have a consequence; thats part of the reality of making a mistake, Ryan said. However, were separating the kid from the behavior, right? The behavior was a mistake, we shouldnt have done XYZ, but we still love having you as a Karcher student, we still want you to be part of our community. So, to welcome you back into the community, lets repair what was broke.

Ryan explained that a majority of restorative practices focus on the community building, using a proactive rather than reactive approach to prevent issues from arising. This, according to UW-Madison Clinical Associate Professor and Restorative Justice Project Director Jonathan Scharrer, can actually lead to a return on the investment with an improved culture and fewer disciplinary referrals.

So were always sending a ton of energy, and frankly, a ton of resources on responding to student conduct with student discipline, Scharrer said. So, when youre able to introduce restorative justice, and work to rapidly build community, even the amount of time that is spent directly in classrooms, in direct instructional time that is used in either teaching about restorative justice or engaging in the practice of restorative justice and restorative practices on the community-building sides, you are actually seeing a net return on that investment of time because youre recapturing teaching time, youre recapturing sort of time that you might otherwise spend on responding to harm or disruption.

Restorative practices have been shown to decrease incidents requiring discipline. A 2003 analysis of restorative practices in Minnesota schools revealed a reduction in behavior-related referrals by 45% and suspensions by 63%.

In a 2015 study of more than five years of restorative practices in Denver Public Schools decreased the risk of suspension by 5 percentage points, specifically by more than 7% for black students, approximately 6% for Latinos and nearly 3% for white students.

While the use of restorative practices in schools is not necessarily new, Scherrer said, the practice is growing and that its full potential is still being realized.

Its still emerging, but probably the fastest-growing area of restorative justice in the nation is going to be the implementation in schools, Scherrer said.

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Joe Biden is the president.

Its the truth, even if many dont believe it should be that way.

Few elected Republicans in Wisconsin argue that he isnt. But probes into the 2020 election that led to Bidens irrefutable win continue.

What also is true is that millions of dollars from liberal-leaning organizations poured into Wisconsin and other swing states prior to Election Day 2020. Cities that received the lions share of the money, Racine included, have said they needed the money to recoup the costs of safely conducting the April 2020 election  which Gov. Tony Evers had tried and failed to postpone, another nearly unprecedented move.

Conservative critics have claimed those dollars constituted election fraud, even though courts and elections officials have consistently ruled that the donations were 100% legal.

Wisconsins Republican Legislature has tried to change that, to make illegal donations of so-called Zuckerbucks  since most of the donations came from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, an advocacy group funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan.

Republicans passed a bill that would have essentially banned local governments from accepting private election-related donations, but Evers vetoed it, along with other election bills that would have made it more difficult to identify as an indefinitely confined voter and hold absentee ballot collection events.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, opened a special investigation to probe the 2020 election and appointed former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to lead it.

Racine County has taken on another prominent role in investigations of the 2020 election after the Sheriffs Office spent nearly a year investigating alleged election fraud at a nursing home in Mount Pleasant.

Sheriff Christopher Schmaling and Investigator Lt. Michael Luell said they found seven individuals living at a Mount Pleasant nursing home who had severe declines in mental health and voted absentee in the election. Schmaling and Luell accused the Wisconsin Elections Commission of failing to enforce oversight of absentee voting in nursing homes, since the WEC voted to waive a law that requires Special Voting Deputies to execute the vote in such facilities.

It is not illegal for someone who has severe mental health issues, such as dementia, to vote, although it would be illegal if the staff of the nursing home in which they resided were to coerce them into voting.

Schmaling has called for five of Wisconsins six elections commissioners to be criminally charged for their actions, which Racine County District Attorney Tricia Hanson has so far not done. Hanson has not spoken publicly on Schmalings demand for charges.

The RCSO also has called for a statewide investigation, alleging that what happened at the Mount Pleasant nursing home may have occurred elsewhere. Attorney General Josh Kaul has refused to undertake such an investigation, and he called the RCSOs actions a publicity stunt and abuse of authority.

Could election changes come in 2022? A lot of that depends on next years elections.

Republicans control of the Senate and Assembly (currently holding 63.6% and 61.6% of the seats, respectively) is essentially assured after the 2022 elections. Not only do Republicans tend to have stronger support in votes during non-presidential election years, but the new legislative maps they drew to give themselves a partisan advantage are all but certain to be in place despite Democrats attempts to take map-drawing out of the Legislatures hands. The Wisconsin Supreme Court in November voted to deny Democrats attempts to stop the Republican-drawn maps.

As such, the election-related bills Evers has vetoed could, were Evers to lose his re-election bid, become law under a Republican governor in 2023.

Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Rebecca Kleefisch and other GOP candidates have said they would sign those election changes into law.

Wisconsins 2022 gubernatorial race is rated a toss-up by Washington, D.C.-based The Cook Political Report.

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TOWN OF WATERFORD  Nine people are seeking appointment to a vacancy on the Town Board, after the town chairman tried to fill the vacancy without seeking applications.

Now that applications have been sought, a town employee initially refused to identify who applied for the position, but later shared the candidates for local government.

Down one

The five-person Town Board lost a member Dec. 13 when trustee Nick Draskovich resigned one month after being questioned about a possible conflict of interest involving his employer.

Draskovich, who said he was resigning to spend more time with his family, had run into questions about representing local business owners as a private consultant appearing before the Town Board.

His resignation letter was dated Nov. 29, originally set to take effect Dec. 31, but later amended to Dec. 13.

His departure leaves a vacancy for a two-year term that continues until 2023, at a salary of $7,750 a year.

On the same day Draskovich stepped aside, Town Chairman Tom Hincz proposed making an appointment without announcing the vacancy publicly and seeking applications.

Katie Kawczynski, an architect with VJS Construction Services in Waukesha County, had submitted an application dated Dec. 6, stating, It is my understanding that a Town Board position is now available.

Kawczynski, whose application did not include her home address, addressed her application to Hincz, using her VJS Construction Services company letterhead.

She could not be reached for comment.

Town Board members must reside within the town.

Hincz, who also could not be reached for comment, presented Kawczynskis application to the town board Dec. 13 for approval. Other board members, however, pushed for soliciting more applicants.

Trustee Dale Gauerke said he doubts many people in town even knew there was a vacancy on the Town Board at the time.

Gauerke called it unusual for the chairman to propose making an appointment without first soliciting applications from any qualified person in the community.

I thought it would be more democratic to open it up, he said.

Gaueke said that Draskovich seemed to know Kawczynski, as he spoke highly of her at the Dec. 13 meeting.

A video posted by the Facebook group, Our Voices Matter-Waterford, shows Draskovich introducing his would-be successor to the Town Board and assuring trustees that he has known her for many years.

We do a lot of work together between our businesses, he said.

Draskovich, who had served eight years as a trustee before his resignation, could not be reached for comment. He works for business consultant Endpoint Solutions Corp., a firm that represents business owners trying to build new storage units in the town.

Craig Jorgensen, a principal with VJS Construction, said his company has no affiliation with Endpoint Solutions.

Jorgensen said he supports Kawczynskis efforts to get involved in Town of Waterford local government.

We want to be involved, Jorgensen said. Thats part of what we do  give back to the community.

Rather than approve Kawczynskis appointment, however, the Town Board set a Dec. 20 deadline for applicants to come forward.

In addition to Kawczynski, eight other candidates have applied.

Names not shared immediately

Town Clerk Tina Mayer initially withheld the applicants names, saying that state law did not require disclosure until the Town Board narrowed the field to five or fewer finalists. Mayer later relented and released information about those seeking the elected office.

The other applicants include:

Greg Horeth, 29308 Forest Isle Lane, a former chief operating officer of hotelier Spire Hospitality

Robert Ulander, 32741 Territorial Drive, a pilot with Southwest Airlines; Douglas Schwartz, address unknown, a member of the Waterford High School Board

James Maney, 6911 Big Bend Road, a town employee in the public works department

Tanya Maney, 6911 Big Bend Road, who is executive director of the Explore Waterford chamber of commerce group, wife of James Maney

Scott Burns, 4546 Sunset Road, a former manager in the printing industry

Richard Rens, 28715 Golden Circle, a former police officer and police chief

Jeff Klyzub, 4424 Sunset Road, a semi-retired corporate pilot.

No schedule has been announced for the Town Board to consider the applications.

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More than 10,000 Wisconsin residents have died from COVID-19, state officials confirmed Wednesday, a grim milestone that comes as hospitals fill, the omicron variant spreads and many remain unvaccinated.

The state reported 34 deaths Wednesday, bringing the states total since the pandemic began to 10,014. Officials also reported 6,477 new cases of COVID-19, the highest daily total since November 2020, before vaccines became available. Health officials have warned that the highly transmissible omicron variant likely will spur high case numbers in coming days and weeks.

Dane County, which has had 381 COVID-19 deaths, reported a record 751 new cases Wednesday. Including updates from previous days, the countys total number of reported cases increased 1,116 on Wednesday.

It was a lonely Christmas, said Mike Allsen, of Madison, whose wife of more than 40 years, Diann Allsen, died from COVID-19 at age 63 on Dec. 17, 2020, before having a chance to be vaccinated. There are these ripples of loss that go across hundreds of people who were her family, who were her friends, who were her co-workers, people who knew her from church.

Jody Chellovolds father, Dave Chellovold, of Darlington, died from COVID-19 at age 79 on Dec. 15, 2020, also before he could be vaccinated. Jody Chellovold wishes people who can get vaccinated but havent would.

Its so little to ask, for people to try to help get things turned around, said Jody Chellovold, of Mount Horeb. I would have given anything to give my dad an extra chance to fight it.

Wisconsin reported its first deaths from the pandemic strain of the coronavirus on March 19, 2020. The state had 5,748 COVID-19 deaths last year, before vaccines became widely available early this year. The total so far this year is 4,266.

The totals could make COVID-19 the states third-leading cause of death last year and this year, based on state data from 2018, the most recent year for which statistics on top causes of death are readily available. In 2018, heart disease was the No. 1 cause, with 12,053 deaths, followed by cancer, with 11,454 deaths, according to the state Department of Health Services.

The third-leading cause of death in 2018 was unintentional injury, with 3,776 deaths. The category includes drug overdoses, and the state reported a record 1,226 opioid overdoses in 2020, so its possible unintentional injury surpassed COVID-19 deaths.

More than 72% of residents who have died from COVID-19 were age 70 or older, according to the state health department. About 15.4% were in their 60s, 7.5% were in their 50s, 3% were in their 40s and 1.1% were in their 30s. Some 57 deaths, or 0.6% of the total, were among people age 29 or younger.

The state health department doesnt provide vaccination status for total deaths. But in November, unvaccinated people were about five times more likely to get COVID-19, 11 times more likely to be hospitalized with it and 12 times more likely to die from the disease than those fully vaccinated, the department said this month.

The 6,477 new cases reported Wednesday brought the states daily average to 3,869, the highest in more than a year. Dane Countys daily average is now 498, topping its previous high of 490 on Nov. 17, 2020.

Hospital leaders in Madison and elsewhere say the COVID-19 surge, along with a demand for regular care, is straining facilities and staff. While early data suggest omicron may typically cause less severe illness in individuals than other strains, the sheer number of expected cases could still result in more hospitalizations, especially among people who arent vaccinated, health officials say.

Officials urge people to get vaccinated and receive booster shots. Everyone age 5 and older is eligible for the vaccine, while boosters are available for everyone age 16 and older, generally six months after their second shot.

As of Wednesday, 61.9% of state residents had received at least one dose of vaccine and 58.1% were fully vaccinated, but not necessarily including booster shots.

Allsen said hes sad, disgusted and more than a little bit angry that many of the deaths and hospitalizations could be prevented if more people got the vaccine, which came too late for his wife.

I just hope people go out and get vaccinated, said Allsen, who received two doses in April and a booster this month. I dont want anybody to have to go through what Im going through.

The state reports deaths from COVID-19 when death certificates list COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the disease, as an underlying cause of death or a significant condition contributing to the death. In order to be counted, such deaths must be reported by health care providers, medical examiners or coroners and recorded in the states data system by local health departments.

Deaths among people with COVID-19 that were caused by other means, such as accidents or drug overdoses, are not counted as COVID-19 deaths, according to the department.
1. Crime. Too much violence, too many shootings. Police have to get a handle on it.

2. Coronavirus. The omicron variant and others to follow threaten the community.

3. Roads. Killeen-area roads are still a mess after last years storm  a serious problem.

4.Government. Elections are on the horizon, and voters will have hard choices to make.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say which single issue will stand out at this point.

Vote

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Gish Jen is known for her novels, such as The Resisters, but her new short story collection, "Thank You, Mr. Nixon," is a delight. Focused on the experiences of Chinese immigrants who find themselves caught between two cultures, the stories are witty, insightful and beautifully crafted.

If you were a fan of Hanya Yanagiharas bestselling 2015 novel "A Little Life," youll welcome "To Paradise," an epic triptych of stories set in 1893, 1993 and 2093. All are connected to Manhattan; the first two are set in alternative histories of America, the last in a post-apocalyptic future.

The latest posthumous publication by Zora Neale Hurston is "You Dont Know Us Negroes and Other Essays." It collects Hurstons essays, criticism and journalism over more than 30 decades, showcasing her penetrating, sometimes contrarian insights about race, gender and American culture.

February

Before Anne Rice died earlier this month, she and her son, author Christopher Rice, completed a trilogy with "Ramses the Damned: The Reign of Osiris," in which the pharaoh, made immortal by a magical elixir, awakes in Edwardian England after centuries of sleep. No word on whether there are any more vampire novels in the vault.
OLYMPIA (AP)  Former Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst, who had been fighting cancer, has died. She was 64.

In a statement Washington Courts said Fairhurst died Tuesday surrounded by her family in Olympia. In January of 2020 she retired due to health reasons.

Chief Justice Fairhurst was an inspiration to everyone. She was always positive yet with both feet on the ground, Chief Justice Steven Gonzalez said in a statement. We are grateful for her leadership and for the time she shared so generously with all of us and send our condolences to her entire family.

Fairhurst was first diagnosed with colon cancer in late 2008 and it later spread to a lung. After a final treatment in 2011 and several years of no evidence of disease, Fairhurst said that the cancer returned in 2018  appearing in her lungs, liver, thyroid and spleen. She had continued to work while undergoing chemotherapy before opting to step down.

She was first elected to the court in 2002, and was elected chief justice by her colleagues in 2016.

In 2018, when the high court unanimously struck down the states death penalty as arbitrary and racially biased, Fairhurst wrote the lead opinion.
Hey. Vern here. You never know what you are going to find if you arent looking. Today, the story as I remember it is a little rocky, but Id 
Happy New Year from the staff and volunteers of McIntosh Memorial Library!

As we prepare to begin a new year, we would like to encourage you to discover the benefits of your local public library. If you have never had a library card before, please stop by and get one. Signing up for a library card is free and takes about 5 minutes. If you lost your card and need a replacement one, please know that card is also free. Once you have a library card you can begin checking out books, e-books, DVDs, audiobooks, video games, magazines and more. You can also use any of our public internet computers. The services provided by your public library are extraordinary and always changing. We look forward to serving you in the New Year.

Winter is such a great time to curl up with a book or watch a new DVD. Our staff have added so many new titles to the collection in the last month. We encourage you to stop in and browse the new titles in our New Arrivals Area. This section is located just past the circulation desk for easy access. Pick up a new title and enjoy it immediately! If you need to place an order for an item we can help you with that, too. Once the item is ready for pickup you will be notified to stop by the library to check it out. Let us help you place an order or do it yourself! Access to the catalog can be found on our website at www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org.

We are partnering with the Vernon County Health Department and AMI Expeditionary Healthcare to provide COVID-19 vaccine clinics inside our lobby space in 2022. Clinics are scheduled for Jan. 3 and Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The vaccine is free, and no insurance information is being collected. The clinics are all walk-in services, so an appointment is not necessary. Specific questions about the vaccines can be directed to the Vernon County Health Department at 608-637-5251.

Myron Daubert from the Department of Workforce Development will be returning to the library in January with monthly visits. Myron specializes in assisting individuals looking for employment by writing resumes, providing interview tips, and registering people to search the Wisconsin Job Center website. Myron plans to be at McIntosh Memorial Library on the first Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first visit in 2022 is scheduled for Jan. 4. Appointments to meet with Myron can be made, otherwise most of the meetings are drop-in at the library inside the conference room.

To stay up-to-date on everything happening at the library, like the Viroqua Library page on Facebook, visit our website at www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org, or visit us in person at 205 S. Rock Ave. in Viroqua.

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This weeks column presents you with the story of another Vernon County pioneer, Jesse L. Davis. Jesse L. Davis was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Nov. 7, 1809.

When Jesse was 10 years old, his family moved to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, where he attended school and assisted his father in the tannery business. When he was 18years old, he relocated to Carlisle, Indiana, where his brother John W. Davis worked as a physician. It was here that he married Vienna T. Purdy in 1832. Vienna was born in Indiana to William M. and Sarah Purdy, natives of Kentucky. For two years Jesse was employed as a clerk there and subsequently moved to Edwardsport, Knox County, Indiana, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1846, he received an appointment as a clerk in the Post Office Department in Washington, D.C. After obtaining a leave of absence from this position in 1855, he traveled to Wisconsin to purchase land in sections 10 and 15 in what later was established as the town of Sterling. His family remained in Sterling while he returned to Washington, D.C. to continue his employment until 1862 when he resigned and moved to his new home in Wisconsin to farm. Davis became a storekeeper in 1868 and served as postmaster. His store and house were located east of the Retreat Community Hall.

Jesse and Vienna had five children. Dr. John William Davis was born in 1837. As a young man he moved to Washington, D.C. where his uncle, John W. Davis served as speaker of the house of representatives. While living there he attended the Georgetown University School of Medicine. He enlisted in the Civil War and served as a surgeon. In 1866 he married Elizabeth Morgan and they had four daughters and three sons, one of which was adopted. John William Davis died in Lansing, Iowa, in 1915. His wife died in 1919 and they are buried in Lansing. Jesse and Viennas second son, Warren Green Davis remained in Retreat. He married Jeanette Miller in 1860 in Indiana and they had seven children. Warren had several occupations; fire insurance agent, saloon keeper and optician. He died in 1904 and Jeanette died in 1913. Martha Mattie, was born in 1844 and married George H. Bryant. They had six children. Mattie died in Iowa in 1885 three weeks after giving birth to her sixth child. Jeanette was born in 1849 and died in 1862. She is buried in Walnut Mound Cemetery. Their third daughter Laura was born in 1853. She married Robert N. McKay and they had two daughters. Laura died suddenly of paralysis on Aug. 15, 1888 at the age of 35. She is buried in Walnut Mound Cemetery.

On Aug. 20, 1888, only five days after the death of his daughter Laura, Jesse Davis suffered a stroke. He died the next day at his home in Retreat. He was laid to rest at Walnut Mound Cemetery. His wife Vienna died on Oct. 3, 1904 at the age of 88.

We sincerely hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and send out a wish for a Very Happy New Year!

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A 53-year-old La Crosse man is being held in the La Crosse County Jail after being accused of burglary and stealing a bicycle.

Yousef G. Gilali faces felony charges of burglary to a dwelling and bail jumping (two counts) and misdemeanor charges of resisting an officer and theft.

According to the criminal complaint filed Tuesday in La Crosse County Circuit Court, police identified Gilali as a suspect in a stolen bicycle case, and police found him Dec. 27 walking near the intersection of King and Second streets in La Crosse. Police approached Gilali and told him he faced outstanding criminal charges. Gilali reportedly denied he was facing any charges before running away from the officer.

The complaint says police caught up with Gilali but that he broke free and ran away two more times before police could subdue him. A search of Gilalis belongings reportedly found $1,000 worth of computer components that were stolen from a local business. The complaint says security footage shows Gilali broke into the business Dec. 23 and stayed overnight before leaving the following day.

Assistant La Crosse County District Attorney Megan Gomez requested that Gilali be held on a $10,000 cash bond. She said Gilali has six open cases and that hes missed six court appearances in the last 18 months.

Public defender Vincent Rust asked for a signature bond. He said Gilali is indigent and has yet to be charged with a violent crime.

Judge Gloria Doyle set cash bail at $5,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Jan. 6.

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Local hospitals saw a spike in COVID-19 testing numbers Monday, with Gundersen Health System breaking its previous daily record and Mayo Clinic Health System coming close to its peak day total.

Gundersens drive-thru testing lab had marked a previous single day high on Nov. 29 at 536 tests, and this past week broke that record by around 100 on three separate days. On Dec. 20, tests topped out at 624, followed by 649 on Dec. 22 and 666 on Dec. 27. Despite the lab being open for a half day only on Dec. 23, 481 patients were still tested.

Mayos testing site administered 480 tests Monday, just under the near 500 daily record and double what is administered on an average day. Testing rates have risen steadily since July, with around 1,700 to 2,000 tests per week in late fall and early winter.

Gundersen has seen numbers over quadruple in the last six months, administering 2,286 tests total the month of June and 10,645 in November. As of mid-day Tuesday, 10,789 tests had been given in December, including nearly 4,000 in the last 8.5 days alone.

The rise in COVID test demand is being felt nationwide, with long lines and short supply. Contributing to testing surges are the eruption of the highly contagious omicron variant, which has led to sharp increases in case rates, and the holiday season, with people testing due to exposure or out of precaution prior to or after visiting with relatives or traveling.

There are definitely many factors in play, says Megan Eddy, nurse administrator at Mayo and lead for primary care testing. Last year a lot of people chose to forgo holiday gatherings and coming into another year its very hard to do that again and not see family, so that definitely could be part of it. We have omicron, and we also have flu right now, and its very hard to distinguish (between flu and COVID symptoms) so people have to be tested.

Keith Frye, clinical operations director of lab services at Gundersen, says some people are coming for testing for work clearance, including Gundersen staff testing, or due to being a close contact, but many who come through are very ill.

Gundersens drive though lab can accommodate around 75 vehicles per hour, and to allow staff to have succificent breaks and cut down on patient wait times  on Monday, vehicles were backed up, with waits of two to three hours  Gundersen is temporarily limiting daily testing. For the time being, 600 appointments will be allowed daily Monday through Friday, and 300 on holidays or weekends.

On Tuesday, the first day the cap was in place, wait times at Gundersen had dropped to 15 to 30 minutes, Frye says. Patients should still be prepared for a possible longer wait.

Mayo is currently not putting a cap on daily tests, says Eddy.

At this point we are doing everything we can do to meet the demand. We have not talked about capping yet, but if numbers continue we may have to, Eddy says. But we understand the downstream effect  if we cap today, tomorrow is just going to be busier. So we are trying to do everything we can to accommodate those who truly need testing in the moment.

Results from Mayo are usually available 24 to 72 hours after testing. Gundersen generally has results in 14 hours but wait times could be 24-48 hours.

Our hospital lab is knocking it out of the park with getting those samples tested, Frye says. Gundersen purchased an additional analyzer in fall 2021, which has helped speed up processing times. Gundersens lab at the La Crosse hospital processes COVID tests taken from all Gundersen sites, and in November processed over 15,000 tests.

The bottleneck is the collection piece  we have the staff and the capacity to run more tests, but you cant collect more than 600 to 650 per day in the (drive-thru) building, Frye says.

Eddy reminds individuals to continue practicing virus prevention, noting, We will continue to test as needed, but the key point is for our community to continue to do their part with getting vaccinated and when out in public wearing a mask over the course of the winter months. This is going to continue to be important in hopefully driving down case rates locally.

Gundersens drive-thru lab, 1207 Mulberry Lane, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday. Those coming for COVID testing must be prescreened via the MyChart online patient portal or by calling the Gundersen COVID Nurse Line at 608-775-4465. Upon arrival at the drive-thru site, patients should call the number posted on the signage.

Mayos testing site, at the corner of 10th and Market, is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To register, use the Mayo Clinic App (https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/covid19), Patient Online Services or call the Mayo COVID nurse telephone line at 507-293-9525. Walk-in appointments are not accepted.

Antigen testing is available for free at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosses Cartwright Center, with operating hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The service is closed for the holidays through Jan. 2. To register, visit https://www.wihealthconnect.com/

The La Crosse County Health Department will offer free PCR testing from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, at the Health and Human Services building parking lot, 300 Fourth St. N. Register at https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov/.

For more information on local COVID testing sites, visit https://lacrossecounty.org/covid19/testing-information

Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net.

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REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP)  President Joe Bidens new puppy, Commander, got his moment under the flashing lights of the Washington press corps  and some time frolicking on the beach  on Tuesday.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden took the German shepherd on a walk near their second home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Commander was born Sept. 1 and arrived at the White House last week, a birthday gift from the presidents brother, James Biden, and sister-in-law Sara Biden. Biden introduced Commander in a tweet. He turned 79 in November.

Commander is the third German shepherd Biden has welcomed to the White House. Champ died in June at age 13. The other dog, Major, 3, now lives with family friends in Delaware after behaving aggressively while living at the White House.

The Bidens are spending the holidays between their homes in Delaware.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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PHOENIX (AP)  The attorney representing the private company that oversaw the Arizona Senates partisan review of Maricopa Countys 2020 election results is trying to quit after a series of losses in cases brought by groups seeking records of the audit.

The move to withdraw by attorney Jack Wilenchik is opposed by American Oversight, a government watchdog group that has for months been seeking records held by Florida-based Cyber Ninjas.

American Oversights lawyer said in a court filing Monday that allowing Wilenchik to quit will just delay resolution of the case and prevent the public from knowing how the Senate and its contractors conducted the review. And it said he has not given the court any reason to allow such delay and has continued his pugnacious approach to defending his client in the face of repeated losses and court orders to hand over the records.

In sum, the jig is up, and Cyber Ninjas longstanding effort to avoid disclosure of public records relating to the audit would seem to be finally coming to an end, American Oversight attorney Keith Beauchamp wrote. But Wilenchiks eleventh-hour maneuver to avoid production could thwart this Courts orders because, of course, Cyber Ninjas cannot appear except through counsel.

Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan has been called to give a deposition to American Oversights lawyers on Jan. 5.

Wilenchik didnt immediately respond Tuesday to calls and emails seeking comment. A spokesman for Logan, Rod Thomson, said he would not comment on legal matters.

The Arizona Republic has a separate lawsuit against the Senate and Cyber Ninjas seeking records the firm holds related to the audit. Wilenchik is also asking a judge to allow him to quit representing them in that case.

The Republics attorneys also oppose Wilenchiks withdrawal, saying it came a day after they sent him a letter informing him that they would seek sanctions against his firm because Cyber Ninjas had not complied with court orders to turn over documents to the Senate.

The Wilenchik Firms attempted ... withdrawal shortly after its receipt of this letter may be its attempt to escape this Courts oversight to avoid such sanctions, attorney Craig Hoffman wrote in a court filing Tuesday. Such an effort should not be facilitated by the Courts granting of the motion.

Hoffman noted that Wilenchik had not served his Dec. 21 notice of withdrawal on the Republics attorney and they were forced to go to the courthouse to retrieve it on Tuesday.

In the American Oversight case, Wilenchik only cited professional considerations as a reason to quit. But he was more explicit in the Arizona Republic case, saying he hadnt been paid.

Cyber Ninjas has argued for months that it is not subject to the public records law because it is a private company. Two different judges and the Arizona Court of Appeals have ruled that records Cyber Ninjas possesses that have a substantial nexus to the audit are public and must be released. They held that the audit done for Senate Republicans after former President Donald Trump lost in Arizona to President Joe Biden was a core government function and that makes the records public.

Cyber Ninjas is asking the state Supreme Court to overrule the Court of Appeals decision, and Wilenchik has not withdrawn from that case. The high court has declined to put the lower court orders on hold and could consider the appeal next month. In the meantime, Cyber Ninjas still has not provided the records to the Senate so it can release them.

Wilenchik told a judge last month that Cyber Ninjas has no money and cant afford to pay for the review or redaction of records.

Cyber Ninjas has released some documents but maintains it is doing so voluntarily. Among them is a financial statement suggesting the ballot review cost nearly $9 million. Cyber Ninjas received $5.7 million from political groups led by Trump allies who have aggressively promoted the former presidents false claims that the election was stolen from him, along with $1 million paid by donors directly to subcontractors. Altogether, Cyber Ninjas reported a net loss of more than $2 million from the audit.

The audit, released in September, found that Biden got 360 more votes in Maricopa County than initially reported out of 2.1 million ballots cast. It produced no proof to support Trumps false claims of a stolen election, and experts described it as riddled with errors, bias and flawed methodology.

A final review of some computer logs has not yet been completed.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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BOAZ  Tucked just off Highway 14 on the way from Richland Center to Readstown, the village of Boaz has a church, a bar and a supper club.

It will soon add a battery-powered microgrid to its list of amenities.

Alliant Energy is installing the $3 million microgrid in an effort to improve reliability with technology that could someday make the electrical system more resilient and able to make better use of intermittent wind and solar energy.

With just a single overhead distribution line running into town, Boaz, population 156, presented Alliant with an opportunity to test a new approach in a real-world situation.

Its a relatively small community ... and its in a unique situation: a community connected to a three-mile extension cord, said Mike Bremel, Alliants director of engineering.

Theres times were out three, four times a year, said village trustee Kerry Gies. If a tree lands on the line between Boaz and Blue River, were pretty much out.

Rather than spend the money to bury the line or build a backup, Alliant decided to install a 250-kilowatt battery designed to meet peak load for up to 8 hours and keep the lights on for more than a day under normal circumstances.

Do you underground your extension cord or do you have a battery? ... The project is really designed for us to get ahead of how these technologies may be used in the future and understand how theyre used before theyre at our feet.

Bremel said test projects like this will be key to Alliants plans to replace thousands of megawatts of coal-fired power plants with wind and solar energy.

Expected to be operational by fall, the Boaz battery will initially be charged with electricity from the larger grid. There may be an opportunity in the future to add solar panels, Bremel said.

A microgrid is essentially a smaller version of the electrical grid that delivers electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. What makes it special is the ability to keep operating when the larger grid goes down, said Peter Asmus, a researcher with Guidehouse Insights who tracks microgrid development.

Microgrids come in all sizes and shapes, all different kinds of resources, Asmus said.

Pioneered by UW-Madison scientists, microgrids can use solar panels, diesel generators, batteries or some combination of resources to supply electricity when operating as islands.

When strung together, they can make the grid more flexible and less susceptible to interruptions and make better use of small distributed generators like rooftop solar panels, said Fei Ding, a senior engineer with National Renewable Energy Laboratory who is studying ways that microgrids can help restart the larger grid after blackouts.

Microgrids are seen as a way to bring power to people in regions without access to electricity as well as a way to increase reliability and resiliency in developed countries while making better use of intermittent clean energy sources.

They also offer a more manageable platform for utilities to test out things like battery storage, said Dominic Gross, an assistant professor of electrical engineering at UW-Madison.

Developing all these technologies at grid scale can be a very costly endeavor, Gross said. This allows you to develop them at a smaller scale.

Alliant last year installed a small solar-powered microgrid at a remote state park as an alternative to running wires through rugged terrain. And regulators earlier this year approved an Xcel Energy pilot program to equip large customers  such as factories and municipal facilities  with microgrids.

But Boaz will be the first community-scale microgrid in Wisconsin.

Though microgrids have been around for decades, Asmus said wildfires, hurricanes and other extreme weather events have driven a huge uptick in interest, including from utilities that have historically viewed them as competition.

They can put their head in the sand and pretend nothings changing or figure out what is their role as the energy market is changing, Asmus said. More and more businesses are generating their own power. Theyre not going to have a monopoly.

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COOKE CITY, Mont. (AP)  Two Minnesota men died in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the mountains north of Yellowstone National Park, where about 3 feet (1 meter) of snow had fallen over the past week, the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center said.

A group of eight snowmobilers was recreating in the area of Scotch Bonnet Mountain north of Cooke City at mid-day Monday. One man got stuck on the southeast facing slope and another man was trying to help dig him out when the avalanche happened, Park County Undersheriff Clay Herbst said Tuesday.

The avalanche brought down snow about 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep and approximately 300 feet (91 meters) wide, burying the two riders, the avalanche center said.

The group had avalanche beacons and rescue equipment, Herbst said. They were able to dig the men out and attempted CPR, but were unable to revive them.

The victims were Jesse Thelen, 43, of Paynesville, Minnesota, and Carl Thelen, 40, from St. Martin, Minnesota, Park County Coroner Al Jenkins told The Livingston Enterprise.

Due to consistent snowfall in the mountains around Cooke City, human-triggered avalanches were likely on steep, wind-loaded slopes, the avalanche center said in its forecast on Monday morning.

The deaths were the fifth and six due to avalanches in the United States this month, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Montana had two avalanche deaths during the 2020-21 season.

For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Livingston Enterprise.

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Education leaders ask for raises for teachers, bus drivers

The state Education Department is asking South Carolina lawmakers to increase pay for all teachers by 2% next school year.

The agencys budget request also said leaders want to tweak pay for teachers in their first five years of service so they get the full annual cost of living increases given to all teachers, according to The State newspaper.

The 2% raise for teachers would give them an extra $800 to $1,700 more a year depending on how many years they have worked and their education level.

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The department also is asking for money to raise pay for school bus drivers by at least 5%.

That would raise the minimum pay for drivers from $8.44 an hour to at least $8.86 an hour. Many districts put extra money into salaries, raising pay up to as much as $25 an hour, Education Department spokesman Ryan Brown said.

School districts are competing for drivers with trucking companies that can pay more, Brown said.

Teacher salaries are an issue, but if you cant get kids to school, it doesnt really matter, Brown said.

The General Assembly will consider the requests when they return in January.
Ethiopia unhappy as U.S. ends its duty-free access

Ethiopia says it is unhappy with the U.S. decision to revoke duty-free access for the East African countrys exports.

The statement by Ethiopias trade ministry on Monday came after the Biden administration on Dec. 23 terminated Ethiopias eligibility for benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The U.S cited its disapproval of the war in the Tigray region for the action.

The Ethiopian government is saddened over the decision by the U.S. to remove it, from the preferential trade benefits, the ministry said. It asked the U.S. to reconsider its decision.

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Ethiopia is carrying out various initiatives aimed at bringing peace and stability, political consensus and economic development in addition to conducting reforms in line with the longstanding relationship between the two countries, the statement said.

The U.S. stopped Ethiopias eligibility for the trade benefits despite pleas by a few U.S. legislators and Ethiopian lobby groups who asked the Biden administration to give the country more time to comply with U.S. demands.

The decision against the African nation was made over its failure to end a nearly yearlong war in the Tigray region that has led to gross violations of human rights, said the Biden statement. The action also stops Guinea and Mali from receiving the trade benefits as of January 1.

The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act provides sub-Saharan African nations duty-free access to the United States on the condition they meet certain requirements, including eliminating barriers to U.S. trade and investment and making progress toward political pluralism.

The U.S. and the United Nations say Ethiopian authorities have prevented trucks from delivering desperately needed food and other aid into Tigray. Scores of people have starved to death, The Associated Press has reported.

In September Biden warned that his administration would levy sanctions if Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed did not take steps to wind down the war in Tigray and other regions.

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On November 3, Ethiopias foreign ministry labeled the move as misguided and unjustified intimidation and said the decision could affect the livelihoods of more than 200,000 low-income Ethiopians who work for companies that benefit from the preferential trade access.

Some Ethiopian companies are already showing signs of a downturn in their export business.

Several companies have already started leaving and we dont know what is next, a textile worker at the Hawassa Industrial Park, some 270 kilometers (168 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa, told the AP by phone on condition of anonymity fearing for his workplace safety.

Ethiopia in recent years had one of Africas fastest-growing economies, but the war in Tigray has dampened that momentum.
Plane Crashes into Neighborhood Near El Cajon, No Survivors Found

An investigation was continuing today into the crash of a small airplane that took off from John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana and slammed into a neighborhood near El Cajon in San Diego County, killing four people aboard.

The crash was reported at about 7:15 p.m. Monday near the 1200 block of Pepper Drive and North Mollison Avenue in the unincorporated Bostonia neighborhood. The area is a few miles east of Gillespie Field airport, where the plane was scheduled to land.

Deputies from the San Diego County Sheriffs Departments Santee and Lakeside stations immediately responded to the scene along with the Lakeside Fire Protection District, the California Highway Patrol and the El Cajon Police Department. One home was damaged, but no injuries were reported on the ground, officials said.

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There was no immediate word on what led to the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will be handling the investigation. According to the NTSB, the plane was a Learjet 35A business jet, which seats eight people. Pepper Drive is expected to remain closed between Topper Lane and North Second Street through Wednesday, officials said.

The crash took down an unknown amount of power lines. San Diego Gas & Electric reported that 225 customers in the El Cajon area were without power. By midday Tuesday, SDG&E crews were still on standby, waiting for clearance to access the area. The American Red Cross was providing assistance to residents who remain affected by the power outage, according to sheriffs officials.
Country that dumped Queen as head of state holds snap election

Barbadians will head to the polls just weeks after removing Queen Elizabeth as head of state.

Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced the early election in a bid to unite the nation around a common cause and behind a single government after the island nation formally transformed into a republic.

Mottley, the countrys first female prime minister and leader of the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), was elected in May 2018 and had until 2023 to go to the polls. However, speaking in an address to the nation on Monday, Mottley said she was seeking to put an end to what she called silly season, after getting blasted by critics over her response to the Covid pandemic.

Commenting on her governments performance, Mottley claimed her administration oversaw economic and financial successes that helped the country recover from the critical blow to tourism caused by the Covid pandemic.

The decision will see voters head to the ballot box only weeks after Barbados, which had been a British colony for more than 300 years, removed Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and completed its transition into a republic.

Dame Sandra Mason, the former governor-general, was sworn in as the countrys president in November, having previously secured the support of a joint session of the House of Assembly and Senate.

Barbados followed Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Dominica in becoming a republic, reducing the number of former British colonies that still call the Queen their head of state.

Novembers formal ceremony marked the end of a decades-long process for Barbados, which began in 1998 when a constitutional commission recommended the nation become a republic. While the governments that followed failed to make progress, Mottleys administration began the formal steps to move past its colonial legacy in 2020.

Source: RT
Wednesday, December 29, 2021

NHPR reports on a recent interim suspension ordered by the New Hampshire Supreme Court

Robert Fojo, a Bedford-based attorney who has been involved in multiple failed legal efforts to thwart mask mandates in school districts across New Hampshire and Massachusetts, has been temporarily suspended from practicing law for allegedly mishandling client money in unrelated cases.

According to recently filed court paperwork, Fojo is alleged to have mishandled nearly $100,000 in client funds, including payments for personal injury claims and a contract dispute. On December 21, the New Hampshire Supreme Court temporarily suspended Fojos license to practice law in the state, writing that the move was necessary to protect the public and to preserve the integrity of the legal profession.

Fojo didnt respond to requests for comment, but in a legal filing, admitted to certain errors in his bookkeeping. Through his attorney, Fojo is challenging his temporary suspension.

There is no emergency, no immediate harm to the public, and no justification for an immediate suspension, attorney William Saturley, who is representing Fojo, wrote in court paperwork. Fojo will appear before a specially appointed judge on January 4 for a hearing on his temporary suspension.

Fojo has been practicing law in New Hampshire since 2010, and is licensed to practice in Massachusetts. His law license in Florida has been suspended for failing to pay dues.

Along with his personal injury work, Fojo has been the states most pugnacious lawyer on issues related to mask mandates in schools, remote schooling, and the governors emergency orders during the pandemic.

He has filed lawsuits on behalf of dozens if not hundreds of parents challenging mask mandates at schools including in Hollis/Brookline, Bedford, Londonderry, Timberlane, Epping, Derry, Dover, Somersworth, Rochester, Durham and Exeter, along with at least 18 school districts and the state department of education in Massachusetts. In September, he filed a suit against the Catholic Diocese in Florida over the use of masks in its private schools.

In New Hampshire courts, Fojo has repeatedly argued that school districts lacked authority to issue mask mandates, and that face masks violated a law prohibiting physical restraint that obstructs a childs breathing.

Masks for children do more harm to their development than provide effective safeguards against spreading COVID-19, Fojo alleged in an October lawsuit involving eight New Hampshire schools.

Some of Fojos lawsuits have been forcefully rejected by New Hampshire judges, including his case against the mask mandate in Hollis/Brookline schools. In dismissing the suit, Judge Charles Temple called Fojos argument a twisted and tortured reading of state law regarding the use of restraints.

Attorneys have a professional obligation to present accurate information to the courts in which they appear, or at the very least, to not present information they know is misleading, Judge Temple wrote in an order.

While Fojo has yet to prevail in any of the anti-mask lawsuits filed in New Hampshire, the suits have led to large legal bills for public schools, including $7,466 spent by SAU16 in Exeter, which ultimately won.

Fojo has also filed lawsuits against the cities of Nashua and Keene over their respective mask ordinances, and against Gov. Chris Sununu over extending a state of emergency declaration related to the pandemic, all of which failed.

Now, his handling of client money in unrelated matters may affect his ability to continue litigating pandemic-related suits.

On December 17, the Attorney Discipline Office filed a 33-page complaint outlining Fojos alleged mismanagement of funds on behalf of three clients. In one instance, Fojo failed to properly hold a $40,000 settlement check in a slip and fall case in whats known as an IOLTA account. In another claim, hes alleged to have used funds allocated for one client to pay taxes following a settlement payment for a different client.

There is a danger that Mr. Fojo will continue this course of conduct if he is not suspended from the practice of law, lawyers for the Attorney Discipline Office wrote.

In his rebuttal, filed less than a week later, Fojo admitted to failing to properly handle client money and said he was willing to accept some form of discipline, but argued a suspension wasnt necessary, in part, because he had cooperated throughout the investigation.

There is no public emergency here. While unfortunate, errors in IOLTA accounts are not

as rare as comets, Fojos lawyers wrote.

The temporary suspension will complicate Fojos ongoing anti-mask lawsuits. An attorney from the states Attorney Discipline Office has been assigned to take possession of Fojos files and notify his clients and any financial institutions of his law suspension, but will not take over his legal cases.

Finding other counsel to handle his clients ongoing matters, particularly during Christmas week, is an insurmountable task, his attorney wrote.

(Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2021/12/nhpr-reports-on-a-recent-interim-suspension-ordered-by-the-new-hampshire-supreme-court-robert-fojo-a-bedford-based-attorney.html
Wednesday, December 29, 2021

The Illinois Administrator has filed a complaint alleging that the Respondent made false statements about judges and related violations in a case where he represented his biological brother on a murder charge.

Respondent filed a recusal motion alleging an improper ex parte communication between judge and prosecutor recounted in part below

The miscreant behaviors of [Judge] Linn and [prosecutor] Sussman were, in a word, stupid.

***

Linn's childish and blistering personal attacks on defense counsel's mental stability and legal acumen, which are vile and gutless attacks on his competency demand that counsel defend himself.

***

Associate Judge James B. Linn mirrors in clone-like fashion the Jack Nicholson character Colonel Nathan Jessup in A Few Good Men, a narcissist with unchecked hubris freely and knowingly violating rules he considers being nothing more than inconvenient nuisances. That arrogance which encapsulates Associate Judge Linn portends that he will be met with the same fate as the Colonel as well he should...

Linn was spurred on by a truth, namely, the truth in knowing that in the George Leighton Criminal Courthouse as a judge he was without any meaningful supervision, from his immediate boss all the way up to the farcical Timothy C. Evans, the Chief Judge.

In a later motion

Let us change the details but keep the fact of the judicial ex parte. Instead of Mixon we have Jewish females as the affected people, and we have them from opposite ends on the scales of sympathy and culpability.

***

Watching with a beastly focus was Guy Black, aka Meatman, a moniker bestowed on Guy because of his physical endowment.

***

Guy viciously, brutally and with the aid of enhancements, raped the daughter and to the point of limp exhaustion.

***

The Mother was forced to listen to Guys inhuman panting and inhumane pounding.

***

Letem Go realized the Mr. Black, who was a despicable man deserving of the strictest punishment for the crimes for which he was responsible, would get railroaded because he defiled and debased a 16 year old Jewish princess.

***

What better way to emasculate a cadre of African-American and Hispanic male defendants than to have them prosecuted by white women at the direction of a pseudo black woman guided by a Jewish man, and under the presiding control of a white judge, who in turn meets in private with the Jewish man in promoting the goals of the pseudo black woman?





In a motion to the Illinois Supreme Court

There exists in Cook County extremely diabolical prejudice against Mr. Jackson in this case against his lawyer of choice, former decorated Department of Justice Attorney George Jackson III, by Cook County Judges (primarily Criminal Court Judges Porter, Linn, Walowski and Walowskis various replacements, along with the woefully intellectually challenged Honorable Judge Levander Smith of domestic violence court).

***

There is no way that Cook County Circuit Court Judges would dare sit a jew or an anglo in jail for 6.5 years awaiting trial.

***

Without exception, every single Judge that Mr. Jackson and his Attorney have appeared before at the Criminal Courthouse and before the exceptionally low intellect Judge Levander Smith and other domestic violence court judges, has engaged in conduct to inappropriately prolong Mr. Jacksons stay in jail, in violation of his Speedy Trial rights.

Another pleading

The May 6th Motion also contained a section entitled Modern-Day Emmett Till. In this section, Respondent made the following statements directed toward a female prosecutor assigned to Jacksons case:



The reality is shameful and an insult to Attorney Jacksons Mandingo stud status. The white woman is entirely unattractive in general and her white woman traditional features sorely unattractive to Attorney George Jackson III in particular, though thankfully she lacks the feminine hygiene slight body odor of her former coprosecutor, which we mention because that ever present odor, though slight, turned off Attorney Jackson to the specter of servicing any of the white women in that courtroom.

And

Here we present our invited retort to this Sweet Polly Purebread Plaintiff Whitegirl/Hungry Mandingo Black Stud Utter Nonsense.

***

Judge Smith snarly and defiantly responded, "That is not gonna happen." When Jackson began to advocate his position, Judge Smith threatened to have Jackson arrested and called for security. While the Honorable Judge Levander Smith, Jr. is yet another Cook County Judge who attacked and threatened Jackson with arrest, his situation demands patience because Judge Smith truly is intellectually limited-at least as a Judge-as revealed by the tree [sic] times in separate cases that he issued incorrect Orders only to correct himself afterwards. From Jackson's personal lens, Judge Levander Smith, despite his considerable intellectual shorts, still had sufficient wit to join, and did join, the conspiracy.

GM Today reported on the criminal case. (Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2021/12/the-illinois-administrator-has-filed-a-complaint-alleging-that-an-attorney-made-false-statements-about-a-judge-in-a-case-wher.html
Indonesia has permitted a boat carrying Rohingya refugees to land off the countrys northernmost province of Aceh.

The wooden boat carrying about 120 passengers became stranded after experiencing engine problems. Fishermen first saw the boat Sunday about 96 kilometers off the town of Bireuen, said Badruddin Yunus. He leads the local, tribal fishing community and spoke to The Associated Press.

Their condition looks weak, but fine, Yunus added. He said the refugees wanted to go to Malaysia and had been at sea for 28 days before their boats engine broke down.

An official at Indonesias chief security ministry, Armed Wijaya, said in a statement the governments decision was made in the name of humanity. He added that the passengers  mostly women and children  were experiencing severe conditions.

"The decision was made after considering the emergency conditions the refugees are experiencing onboard the boat," the statement said.

Officials said they would give the refugees food, medicine and water. Local officials supported by police and the navy worked to repair the boat.

But the government does not plan to permit the Rohingya Muslim refugees to seek refuge in Indonesia. Local officials said the plan was to push the boat back to international waters once it is fixed.

That plan drew criticism from human rights groups.

The Rohingya ethnic group is a vulnerable, stateless group of people that should be given protection, the Civil Society Coalition said in a statement. The coalition is a group of nine Indonesian rights groups. As a country that upholds human rights and is a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council, Indonesia should set an example for other countries, the statement said.

Members of the Rohingya ethnic group were forced to flee violence and persecution in Myanmar starting in 2017. They began leaving Rakhine state after Rohingya militants launched attacks against security forces. The attacks led to government military action against suspected militants and their supporters.

Muslim-dominated Malaysia has been a common goal for the boats, with traffickers promising the refugees a better life there. But many Rohingya who land in Malaysia face detention.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand 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

province  n. large areas that some countries are divided into

stranded  adj. unable to leave a place

vulnerable  adj. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally

persecution  n. the treatment of someone unfairly or cruelly because of their race, religion, or beliefs
VOA spoke to people in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday who said they saw Taliban security forces fire guns in the air to break up a womens protest.

Afghan women marched through the streets to protest new restrictions put out by the Taliban on Sunday. The restrictions limit how far women can travel without a close, male, family member.

The new rules said women cannot go more than 72 kilometers from home by themselves. In addition, taxi drivers are not permitted to give rides to women who are not wearing a hijab, or headscarf.

Sadiq Akif Mahajer is the spokesman for the Talibans Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. He said the new rules are within the limits of what is allowed under Sharia, or Islamic, law.

The rules also now prevent taxi drivers from playing music in their cars. It also asks them to grow facial hair and take time out to pray each day.

On Tuesday, women walked together to the ministry, holding signs that read: we are tired of discrimination and we are the voice of hungry people.

Protesters demanded work, food and education and asked: Why have you closed schools?

One protester, Hoda Khamush told VOA that the security forces fired shots in the air as the women got closer to the ministry building and some tried to enter.

During the previous Afghan government, the building was the home of the Womens Affairs Ministry.

Khamush said the shots injured some protesters, but VOA could not verify her claim.

Taliban officials did not comment on the incident Tuesday.

Television channels, however, did show video from the protest.

Since the Taliban took back Afghanistan after the United States military announced it would leave the country earlier this year, boys have been permitted to go to school. Girls are still waiting for permission.

Most women are waiting for permission to return to work.

When the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August, the group said it would not bring back the same restrictions it had imposed during its earlier rule, which lasted from 1996-2001.

The new restrictions came after the Taliban told television broadcasters to stop showing fictional television programs such as soap operas with women actors. The Taliban also requires female television broadcasters to wear hijabs.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris told the American broadcaster CBS that she is concerned that the Taliban is not treating women and girls well. In a conversation shown Sunday, she called it a big issue in any future diplomatic discussions with the group.

The U.S., other western governments, and some banks are holding back billions of dollars in financial aid to Afghanistan. The Taliban says the U.S. should release over $9 billion of its wealth and remove financial restrictions because the new government is representative of the Afghan people.

The country is currently suffering. The United Nations estimates 23 million people do not have enough food due to years of war, bad weather, and poverty.

Im Dan Friedell.

Ayaz Gul wrote this story for VOA. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor.

What can you do to support the women of Afghanistan? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page.

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

virtue  n. morally good behavior or character

vice  n. bad or immoral behavior or habits

previous  adj. existing or happening before the present time

verify  v. to prove, show, find out, or state that (something) is true or correct

fiction  n. something that is not true

diplomatic  adj. involving the work of maintaining good relations between the governments of different countries : of or relating to diplomats or their work
The past years top technology news included stories about the release of secret Facebook documents, developments in robotics and the rise of NFTs. Here is a look back at some of those stories.

Facebook Papers

In October, a former Facebook employee accused the company of ignoring its own research findings. A Facebook investigation had found that its products and policies can harm users. The former data scientist, Frances Haugen, based her accusations on secret Facebook documents she provided to media organizations and the U.S. Congress.

The documents became known as The Facebook Papers. Haugen said the documents showed Facebook can amplify hate and misinformation and fuel political divisions. The documents also suggested the company was aware that its Instagram service could harm the mental health of girls and young women.

Haugen said Facebook had been dishonest in public declarations about its efforts to fight hate speech and misinformation. The company denied it had purposefully pushed content that makes people angry for profit. Facebook also denied that it ignored research on the possible effects of its products.

Robotics progress

A video of dancing robots that went viral in early 2021 demonstrated the human-like abilities of the machines. Three robots, produced by American technology company Boston Dynamics, took part in the full dance performance.

The chairman of Boston Dynamics, Marc Raibert, admitted the video was fun to watch. But he said the real success behind the experiment was the valuable lessons the project taught his team.

Boston Dynamics introduced another robot, called Stretch, which was designed for only one job - to move containers in large storage buildings. The company said the robot can move about 800 containers, weighing up to 23 kilograms each, in one hour.

In Hawaii, another Boston Dynamics robot was deployed by police to find people with high body temperatures in a homeless shelter in the capital, Honolulu. The effort was aimed at identifying homeless individuals who might be infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

In September, Italian researchers reported results from an experiment that examined how a robots eyes can make the machines better connect with humans. They said the experiment showed that looks from a robot can trick people into thinking they are socially interacting with a human. They noted that the experience can affect a persons decision-making process and change how humans react to robots.

Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics announced plans to mass produce thousands of human-like robots, called humanoids. The company said the coronavirus pandemic had increased demand for robots designed to assist and interact with humans.

Rise of NFTs

One robot designed by Hanson, called Sophia, helped create a new form of artwork, called an NFT, or non-fungible token. This kind of digital art gained popularity in 2021.

An NFT is based on blockchain technology, which is also used with digital money. An NFT can be attached to a piece of digital artwork or other things in digital form. It can be used to provide proof that the pieces are real. While anyone can view the work, the buyer has official ownership rights over the pieces.

In March, American artist Beeple sold an NFT for nearly $70 million through Christie's Auction and Private Sales. It was the first sale by a major auction house of art that did not exist in physical form.

Even the man credited with inventing the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee, decided to sell an NFT that included computer code he used to create the beginnings of the internet.

The NFT included 9,555 lines of code Berners-Lee used to start the World Wide Web. It also contained an animation of the code being written and a letter he wrote describing his thoughts on the code and his process for creating it. The NFT sold for $5.4 million.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

Quiz - Technology 2021: Facebook Papers, New Robots and Rise of NFTs Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

__________________________________________________

Words in This Story

amplify  v. to make a feeling or opinion stronger or clearer

blockchain  n. a system used to make a digital record of all cryptocurrency activity

auction  n. a public sale at which things are sold to the people who offer to pay the most

code  n. written instructions for a computer

animation  n. a way of making a video or movie by using a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of objects
Lt. Gov. Mike Foley honored City officials this week, on behalf of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), for its continued leadership in the states Economic Development Certified Community (EDCC) program. Lexingtons fourth certification in nearly 15 years recognizes recent investments in housing and industrial development projects. DED Central Nebraska Business Development Consultant and EDCC Program Director, Ashley Rice-Gerlach, joined Lt. Gov. Foley for a special presentation to the community on December 28.

Lexington is one of 40 Nebraska communities to earn EDCC status in the program, sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and administered by DED. State officials established the EDCC program in 2005 to recognize communities for preparedness to attract new industries and grow existing businesses. As part of the certification process, qualifying cities and villages must identify a well-defined program that engages with their existing business community to offer a supportive environment for welcoming new economic development projects. This includes documenting available sites and buildings, developing local financing and incentive programs and creating ongoing strategic planning for economic growth. Lexington earned EDCC certification in 2007 and was recertified in 2011, 2016 and 2021.
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Fido fix: Sadie finds a family, but influx of litters leaves countless puppies waiting for homes

JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News A four-month-old male Labrador retriever mix named Hudson waits for someone to adopt him at Kurth Memorial Animal Shelter in Lufkin. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News An energetic litter of puppies peer out of their kennel at Kurth Memorial Animal Shelter. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News A 9-month-old male gray tabby named Luca waits for someone to adopt him from Kurth Memorial Animal Shelter. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News Addison Sory, 7, embraces a 5-year-old Labrador mix she plans to name Sadie Lady at Kurth Memorial Animal Shelter Tuesday. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News A very vocal 9-month-old male gray tabby named Luca waits for someone to adopt him from Kurth Memorial Animal Shelter.

Sadie, formerly known as Lady, found her furrever home Tuesday with the Sory family. However, the older dog left behind a shelter filled to the brim as residents bring in litter after litter of puppies.

Weve been averaging like 25 animals in a day; that was like before and after Christmas, volunteer Dianne Paulette said.

Its puppies. A lot of puppies.

Rebecca Sory wanted to adopt an older dog. She knew the shelter would be overrun with puppies but figured an older dog could have the temperament and training to deal with her younger children.

The family has recently been caring for an almost 3-year-old cousin, 7-year-old Addison Sory said. So they wanted a dog who wouldnt mind the attention and would be more comfortable with the little ones.

Plus, they dont get a lot of options, Rebecca said. Puppies are so easily adoptable most of the time, and girls like her are not. So thats why we came looking.

Rebecca hadnt planned on adopting anything on Tuesday, but she and Addison fell in love with Sadie. They had to tear Addisons dad away from the puppies though, Rebecca said.

Addison hugged Rebecca tightly to thank her for adopting Sadie and excitedly worked with the dog in an attempt to hold her still for pictures.

There are several kennels at the shelter with litters of puppies, although several are in the outdoor kennels. They came from people either dropping off the litters without the mothers or dropping off pregnant mothers.

The influx has been such that the shelter is struggling to keep up, Paulette and director Aaron Ramsey said. And this comes after nearly two years of successfully connecting animals with rescues from across the northern U.S. and Canada.

From October to September 2019, the intake was 5,199 animals with 3,011 euthanasias, according to shelter records. The shelter transferred 472 animals to a rescue.

Over the same time period in 2020, the intake dropped to 4,244 animals, resulting in 2,123 euthanasias and the transfer of 1,592 pets to rescues.

Intake rose to 4,386 in 2021, while the number of euthanasias dropped to 1,323. Animals transferred to rescues rose to 2,593.

But this hasnt been enough to keep the shelter clear, so officials are again pushing the necessity of residents to have their pets altered.

There seems to be a little bit of a pattern there with the warmer weather (and the number of puppies), Ramsey said. Over the years it has kind of ebbed and flowed as far as volume.

But since November, the shelter has seen an increase compared to last year. A large part of this is animals that become pregnant, so their owners just drop off the puppies, Ramsey said.

If you are a pet owner and you have an unaltered female, go get it spayed, he said. It becomes our problem because of your failure to alter your animal.

There are a lot of organizations that offer low-cost spay and neuters throughout Angelina County. These include the Winnie Berry Humane Society, Wendys Misfits Animal Rescue, DeHart Veterinary Services, Salvation Animal Rescue and the Angelina Animal Hospital.

For those who have altered their pets but still want to help, the shelter needs fosters, Ramsey said. Fostering is a great option, and it is OK to foster fail and adopt if the person falls in love with the pet, he said.

Its just a simple application we require, he said. We cover the spay, neuter and rabies shot so they can take the animal out of our care and into their home while we try to find a home for it.

Fostering opens spaces for the shelter  which cant turn animals from Angelina County away  so it can continue to lower its euthanasia rate.
Up to 8 inches of snow could fall in far southeastern Wisconsin, and much less to the north and west Saturday into early Sunday, forecasters said, while stressing that the storm track was far from certain this far in advance.
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Retired Air Force Col. Don Christensen, who served as the chief prosecutor for the U.S. Air Force between 2010 and 2014, said the new policies are loosely defined, and lack guidance in terms of what organizations service members should not interact with.

He also said that the new policies are unclear on how commanders would enforce the social media rules.

I understand this stuff is hard, but the like button means so many different things to different people. My main takeaway is this isnt going to be enforceable. Theres a lot of subjectivity. Christensen said. I also think they (the Defense Department) are naive to think its a small number of service members who engage in extremist activity.

The DOD said it is commissioning a study to determine the extent of extremism in the military.

But in its report last week, the Pentagon said prohibited extremist activity among service members was rare.

The military itself doesnt know the extent of the problem, said Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League, who testified before Congress in February 2020 about the dangers of extremism within the military, one year before the insurrection.
In addition to waiving the requirement for in-person reception of the mifepristone, the FDA said pharmacies could dispense that medication provided they are certified by the drugs manufacturers. ... No doubt, the drug will continue to be dispensed via certain mail order pharmacies already certified to send it out. Whether brick-and-mortar pharmacies will get certified to provide the drug is unclear right now.

The landscape for abortion access is bleak at the moment. Nineteen states have laws on the books requiring that a clinician providing abortion pills be physically present to hand over the medication. So the FDA change in rules wont have any effect on those states. And in eight of those states, the person getting the pills must take the first course in the presence of the health provider. Meanwhile, the state of South Dakota has proposed regulations that would require both drugs be taken at a clinic.

None of these restrictions are anything more than attempts to make it as arduous as possible to get a first trimester abortion. ...And if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade or severely limits its protections, about half the states in the country are expected to ban abortion. If that happens, even mailing abortion medication pills prescribed by a doctor out of state will most likely be prohibited in those states. Getting abortion pills would require a trip to a state where they are allowed or from pharmacies not based in the U.S. The FDA cautions against doing that, though some reproductive health experts say that for the most part, using medication from outside the U.S. is not risky.But the point is no one should have to go to such lengths, and without the guidance of a health care professional, to obtain a legal medication that has been approved by the FDA.
This article provides information for educational purposes. NerdWallet does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend specific investments, including stocks, securities or cryptocurrencies.

The new year offers time to set goals, especially if you have a debt hangover from the extra spending the holiday months require. While Gatorade and Advil wont help much when it comes to this kind of hangover, crowdsourcing ideas from people you trust might.

Thats where we come in.

NerdWallets personal finance writers and editors share what financial goals they hope to achieve in the coming months.

Bring back the budget

Making a budget is one of the first steps to taking control of your finances, but it can feel daunting for even the most financially savvy. Although I spend my workweek immersed in personal finance topics as an editor for NerdWallet, I have a secret: I don't have a budget, says Kathy Hinson. My 2022 goal is to change that.

She plans to switch from a pay yourself first mindset to every dollar has a job. In the first approach, money for retirement, college and emergency savings is diverted from each paycheck by direct deposit, and money left over can be spent. In the latter, every dollar is allocated to an expense or savings bucket.

Managing your budget over time sometimes requires revisiting what works and what doesnt. Writer Bev OShea wants to start tracking spending leaks ever since she noticed one of the biggest spending categories in her expense-tracking software was labeled uncategorized.

Tackle estate planning for peace of mind

Staying up to date with estate planning is important as your life circumstances  and assets  change. My goal is to update my will, which I haven't touched since my kids, who are in their 20s, were little, and to set up an estate plan, says editor Sheri Gordon. Our assets are different and more complicated than they were when we first wrote it.

This goal became a priority as Gordon watched her mother-in-laws health rapidly deteriorate: We're helping go through her financial paperwork. She did a lot of things right (and neglected to do some others) in planning for her future, so we're learning from her setup to create our own estate plan.

Prioritize college savings

College costs are at an all-time high, and saving is on the mind of many parents. Writer Lauren Schwahn wants to focus on making regular contributions to my childs 529 plan.

A 529 plan is a tax-free investment plan that takes advantage of compounding interest and harnesses the power of the stock market to grow money over time to pay for education-related costs.

I added funds sparingly in the past, but in order to stay on track, I'm making college savings a higher priority in 2022, Schwahn says. I'm setting up automatic monthly contributions from my bank account as an easy solution.

Reboot travel without breaking the bank

For a few writers, finding money in their budget to travel is a top priority. Writer Sean Pyles wants to stay on track with savings goals even as he travels more.

During the pandemic, I got used to saving a good amount of my income, and I'm wary of giving that up, Pyles says. Hell focus on finding opportunities to trim costs during my travels and leveraging credit card points for cash back and hotel stays.

Writer and spokesperson Kim Palmer has similar aspirations but wants to bring her kids along, too. Between the budgetary demands of having three kids and the pandemic, we haven't ventured much beyond our part of the country in the last two years, but I'd really like to think of a 2022 vacation as an investment in our future family memories, Palmer says.

Like many parents with kids too young to be vaccinated, Palmer has concerns about booking a trip and air travel, and especially whether or not it makes sense to buy trip insurance.

When planning a trip with unvaccinated children, also consider things like picking a destination with fewer COVID-19 cases and favoring lower-risk activities that are outdoors and in smaller groups.

Save for retirement

Retirement, especially when its far in the future, can seem less important than more immediate budgeting needs. However, starting early can be a big help to your future self.

I got a late start on retirement contributions, says writer and spokesperson Liz Renter. To get a comprehensive plan together, she gathered documents and hired a certified financial planner. While I'm big into DIY-ing everything, I know the value of delegating to professionals not only for their knowledge and experience, but the accountability, Renter says.

As you save throughout your career, it might be tempting to leave 401(k) retirement savings where they are, but after multiple job changes it might be hard to keep track of your money.

"I've worked for three companies over the past 10 years and let my 401(k)s linger in their respective investment managers accounts after moving on from each, says writer Tommy Tindall. His goal for 2022 is to seek the advice of a CFP to either roll them all into my current company's account, or set up a personal IRA.

Diversify investments

Investing your money into a single stock, bond or mutual fund can be risky, which is why writer Hal Bundrick wants to focus on diversifying his portfolio in 2022. I want to take some of the risk out of my investments, he says. It just means that in a jumpy market like we've been seeing, over time, your holdings get out of whack. Too much of this, too little of that. Bundrick wants to rebalance his target mix of holdings to match his goals.

Prioritize saving

Perhaps one of the most common money goals is simply to save more. For writer Laura McMullen, finding ways to save despite day care costs is a top priority. We started sending our daughter to day care at the beginning of 2021, which has been a massive expense. By the time we covered all of our expenses  and set aside money for retirement, there just wasn't much left over for savings.

She and her husband plan to devote part of any income increases to savings.

2022 takeaways

Here are some things you can do to set yourself up for success:

Set a reasonable number of financial goals. If you set too many too soon, you might get overwhelmed. You can always add more later.

If you set too many too soon, you might get overwhelmed. You can always add more later. Break your goals into smaller chunks to feel your progress. If your goal is to save $1,000 in an emergency fund this year, try setting aside $19 a week rather than $83 a month.

If your goal is to save $1,000 in an emergency fund this year, try setting aside $19 a week rather than $83 a month. Be persistent. Achieving long-term financial goals takes time and patience. Automating your savings or debt payments can help keep you consistent.

This article is meant to provide background information and should not be considered legal guidance.

Amanda Barroso writes for NerdWallet. Email: abarroso@nerdwallet.com.

The article Need a 2022 Money Goal? Borrow One From a Finance Nerd originally appeared on NerdWallet.

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TWIN FALLS  Its time to ring in the New Year and say Hello to 2022.

Ruperts giant sugar beet falling from the sky has become the biggest New Years event in the Magic Valley. But its not the only place in the area dropping something to bring in 2022. A much older, classic event that was postponed last year is returning to downtown Twin Falls.

David Woodhead is bringing back the tradition of dropping a 40-pound copper ball from the top of the grain elevators at the corner of Fifth Avenue South and Shoshone Street in Old Towne Twin Falls.

Woodhead started the event almost 20 years ago and enjoys hearing the yells and screams of happy community members.

I think my favorite part is the excitement of waiting for the clock to wind down, he said.

The event is free, just wander down to the old silos to watch.

Here are some more events around Twin Falls if dropping things isnt your celebration style:

Annual New Years Eve Party at Twin Falls Skateland

This is an all ages event on Dec. 31 from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The cost is $11, which includes regular rental skates. There will be gifts and prizes as well.

Twin Beans Coffee Company

Twin Beans will be hosting a special New Years Day Dinner. Reservations can be made over the phone or in-person. Tickets are $60 per person and the seating times are either 55:30 p.m. or 77:30 p.m. Dinner will be a three course meal with a choice of prime rib or salmon. Twin Beans can be reached at 208-749-0927.

New Years Eve Kickback

Social Dance Theory will have an informal evening at its dance studio featuring food, music and dancing. The cost is $5, and the event will have lessons and practice for the hustle and salsa. The event starts at 8 p.m. at Social Dance Theory Studios, 205 Shoshone St. N., Suite 204, above Milners Gate.

2nd South Food Market Late Night

Idahos first food hall will feature a live DJ outside until midnight, and the Taphouse and Lucys Pizza will be open late serving pizza and beer until 1 a.m. 2nd South Food Market is at 210 Second Ave. S.

New Years Eve at the Klover Klub

The Klover Klub will have karaoke, poll, darts and drink specials. The Lover Klub is at 402 Main Ave. N.

Stay home and celebrate with the library

The Twin Falls Public Library is offering a New Years Eve party-in-a-bag kit for people who want to stay home and still celebrate. The kits include a New Years games, noisemakers, crafts and chocolate. Kits are limited to one per family and are available at the library, 201 Fourth Ave. E., while supplies last.

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Bingham County Sheriff Craig Rowland has disgraced himself totally. He should resign immediately, rather than leaving his post vacant while he faces violent felony charges.

For those who have not been following the news on the east side of the state, in November Rowland grabbed his gun when a Mormon youth group came to his neighborhood to hang turkey-shaped thank-you notes on door handles.

When they knocked on Rowlands door, he came to the door with a gun. As East Idaho News reported, he then pulled the youth group leader, a neighbor of his whom he said he didnt recognize, out of her car by her hair and pointed his gun at her head while the teenage girls watched.

He faces charges of aggravated assault, aggravated battery and exhibition of a gun, brought by the Idaho Attorney Generals Office. The first two charges are felonies.

Such a level of dangerous behavior should preclude someone from owning a firearm, much less leading a sheriffs office. Rowland should resign immediately, rather than wait until his criminal charges are resolved.

Now that charges have been filed, new details have emerged from the police investigation into what he did in November. The explanation Rowland gave investigators for his bizarre, dangerous behavior managed  somehow  to make matters even worse.

I have been doing this job for 36 years, Rowland told investigators, according to East Idaho News. I have had drunk Indians drive down my cul-de-sac. Ive had drunk Indians come to my door. I live just off the reservation, we have a lot of reservation people around us that are not good people.

Nearly one of every 10 residents in Bingham County, which includes significant portions of the Fort Hall Reservation and the city of Blackfoot, is Native American. Rowland has expressed racial animus toward a huge chunk of the population he is meant to serve. So even if he is exonerated of these charges, he is plainly unfit to serve in either elected office or law enforcement.

Thats hardly the first time Rowland has said something that undermines confidence in his ability to do his job fairly. In 2016, he claimed in an interview that the majority of rapes  not to say that we dont have rapes, we do  but the majority of our rapes that are called in, are actually consensual sex.

Thats another reason Rowland should resign.

Rowlands bizarre, dangerous behavior and racist statements have done lasting harm to the Bingham County Sheriffs Office. The very least he owes the men and women who work for him is to separate himself from them, so they wont be tarred by association. Every day he is nominally in charge of that police department, he does it further harm.

His deputies are entitled to a decent leader, and the citizens of Bingham County are entitled to a professional, competent, unbiased sheriff.

So for a final time, Rowland should resign  today.

Bryan Clark is an Idaho Statesman opinion writer based in eastern Idaho. He has been a working journalist for a decade, the last seven years in Idaho.

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Piedmont Arts will have an opening reception in honor of the museums new exhibits on Friday, Jan. 21, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the museum.

Our Living Past: Platinum Portraits of Southern Music Makers is a collection of portraits and still lifes by photographer Timothy Duffy.

Over the course of 35 years, Duffy has forged a unique vision immortalizing Southern musical heroes and the world in which they live. The founder of Music Maker Foundation, a non-profit organization that preserves the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it, Duffy traveled the South to capture this compelling collection of 25 wet-plate collodion photographs, which were printed with the platinum/palladium process.

Our Living Past includes portraits ranging from guitar virtuoso and Allman Brothers Band member Derek Trucks and legendary bluesman Taj Mahal to lesser-known blues and soul artists, as well as images of instruments, like former Carolina Chocolate Drops member Dom Flemons circa 1920 banjo, Big Head Joe.

Dear B.J.: Postcards from the Pandemic is a creative non-fiction interpretation of life in Appalachia during the COVID-19 pandemic, as imagined by artist L.S. King through intimate postcard-sized images and written correspondence. Each card features a black-and-white photograph with a backside written to a mysterious B.J. and signed by ME. Through these vagaries, King invites the viewer into a shared world. Perhaps you wonder who B.J. is, or maybe you know. Perhaps you relate to the ME, who signed the cards. And as you think about it all, perhaps you overlay Kings visual narrative over your own.

Tara Compton, featuring work by the local abstract painter, sculptor and jewelry designer, will be on display in the Lynwood Artists Gallery. Compton is a Martinsville native who has returned to the area after years in New York City.

The opening reception is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and light refreshments will be served. RSVP is required by Jan. 18 to 276-632-3221 or online at PiedmontArts.org.

Exhibits will be on display Jan. 22 through March 12. Admission is free.

The exhibits and reception are sponsored by Gael and Smith Chaney, Cindy and Steve Edgerton, Marty Gardner, Jennifer Reis and Pete Mannen, Barbara and Guy Stanley, The Martinsville Graduate Kappa Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Lynwood Artists.

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June 25, 1876, was the beginning of one of the most well-known military battles to take place on American soil.

It was the start of the two-day conflict known as the Battle of the Little Big Horn. At that battle, Col. George Armstrong Custer and the 209 men in his immediate command met their fate. No survivors? Not quite true.

There was one survivor who later returned to his hometown to live the rest of his days and become a prominent citizen. His name: Daniel Kanipe. His hometown: Marion, North Carolina.

Do I have your interest yet? How about an historic gruesome murder? How about the first African American in the history of North Carolina to hold state office? Are you interested in architecture? Could you endure a little historic gossip?

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Join us at the New Years Eve festivities, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marion, for a hike that will reveal some of the history, architecture and people of our town.

The hike will start in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church at 99 N. Main St. at 7 p.m. on Friday, New Years Eve. It will be a very pleasant 2 to 2 mile hike around the city following closely to the original city boundary.
After going to Costa Rica for an opportunity to work with international scientists, one local teacher created a mobile learning lab for McDowell students to learn about sea turtles.

Renata Crawley, a fifth-grade teacher at West Marion Elementary, visits local schools in her STEM van to work with fifth-graders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Earlier this year, Donna Pyatt and I traveled to Costa Rica to work with Ecology Project International. We worked with scientists to monitor leatherback sea turtle nesting sites, measure, weigh and release these endangered species, said Crawley. We also networked with teachers across the United States to develop and share inquiry-based lessons. We created engaging activities that centered around the leatherback sea turtles.

The van has visited every elementary school in the district so far and worked with all fifth-grade classes.

Students took on the role of predators by trying to collect turtle eggs (in theory), and then became conservationists by designing, creating and building protective coverings for the turtle nests. Students also learned to program ozobots and code and design mazes that would allow their robot turtle to make it to the ocean for safety.
A study by South African scientists suggests that Omicron may replace the Delta variant of the coronavirus because infection with the new variant boosts immunity to the old one.

The study involved only a small group of people and was not peer-reviewed, but it found that people infected with Omicron, particularly those who were vaccinated, developed enhanced immunity to the Delta variant.

The analysis included 33 vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals who were infected with the Omicron variant in South Africa.

While the authors found that Omicron variant neutralization increased 14-fold within 14 days of enrollment, they also found that Delta variant neutralization increased 4.4-fold.

Increased neutralization of the Delta variant in Omicron-infected individuals may lead to a decrease in the ability of Delta to reinfect these individuals, said the scientists who conducted the study.

The study results are consistent with Omicron displacing the Delta variant, as it may elicit immunity that neutralizes Delta, making reinfection with Delta less likely, they added.

The implications of this displacement depend on whether Omicron is less pathogenic than Delta, the scientists said. If it is, then the incidence of severe COVID-19 disease would be reduced and the infection could shift to become less disruptive to individuals and society.

Alex Sigal, a professor at the Africa Health Research Institute in South Africa, said Monday on Twitter that if Omicron is less pathogenic, as it appeared to be from the South African experiment, it will help push Delta out.
At least 38 people were killed Tuesday when a disused gold mine collapsed in West Kordofan province, according to Sudanese authorities.

The countrys state-owned mining company said in a statement that the collapse of the closed and non-functioning mine took place in the village of Fuja, 700 kilometers south of the capital Khartoum. It added that there were also injuries, without giving a precise figure.

The local press reported that several shafts had collapsed in the Darsaya mine and that in addition to the dead, at least eight injured people had been taken to a local hospital.

The mining company posted images on Facebook showing local residents gathering at the site as at least two dredges worked to find possible survivors and bodies.

Other images show people preparing traditional graves to bury the dead.

The company said the mine was not operational but that local miners had returned to work after the security forces guarding the site left. It did not say when the mine stopped working.

In its statement, the Sudanese Mineral Resources Limited Company asked troops to guard the site to prevent unregulated mining. It also called on local communities to help it resume mining operations in the area, which were suspended in 2019. It did not provide details.

Sudan is a major gold producer with numerous mines scattered across the country. In 2020, the East African nation produced 36.6 metric tons, the second-highest output on the continent, according to official figures.
The Supreme Court of Gambia rejected Tuesday the appeal of the unsuccessful candidate in the presidential election of early December, Ousainou Darboe, who denounced irregularities, thus validating the re-election of the outgoing Head of State Adama Barrow.

Adama Barrow, whose accession to the presidency five years ago had put an end to more than 20 years of dictatorship, won the presidential election of December 4 with about 53% of the vote, against about 27% for his main opponent, Ousainou Darboe, according to the electoral commission.

Mr. Darboe had expressed his intention to contest the results, along with two other candidates, even before the results were announced, claiming irregularities.

His party, the United Democratic Party (UDP), had appealed to the Supreme Court on December 6. In its appeal, it accused Barrow or his supporters of distributing money or gifts in various villages. The opposition claims that Mr. Barrows party, the National Peoples Party (NPP), infiltrated the electoral commission and denounced the participation of non-Gambians in the election as well as various irregularities in the voting and counting process.

The Supreme Court ruled that the UDP has not complied with the provisions of section 11 of the electoral law which requires that an appeal be accompanied by a motion for security, said its president Hassan B. Darboe Jallow. We have not lost anything because the appeal was not rejected on the basis of merit but on a mere technicality. We should be proud of ourselves for what we have done and will continue to do for the country, Darboe said on his partys website.

This decision of the Supreme Court is final.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected a bill to amend the electoral Code, saying its enactment would cause unrest among political parties. The presidents decision has provoked strong reactions from civil society, opinion leaders and the general public.

The bill contained innovative provisions to reduce electoral fraud. In particular, it would allow for the electronic transmission of election results and impose direct primaries within political parties. The idea, according to its sponsors, is to eliminate the sponsorship system that facilitates the imposition of candidates on political parties.

After its passage through both houses of the federal parliament, the constitution gave the president 30 days to sign the bill into law.

President Buhari sent a letter to parliament justifying his refusal to ratify the bill.

Ahmed Lawal, the Senate president, read the letter from the head of state to the senators.

The organization of direct primaries in more than 8,000 constituencies in the country will be a difficult problem for political parties and the supervision of these elections by INEC will be costly. In addition to these reported problems, organizing and supervising primaries poses major security challenges, the president argued.
As a strategic partner of several countries on the continent, the IsDB provides significant financing for infrastructure projects in Africa. For its 2021 closing, the institution announced road investments on the continent.

The Board of Directors of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) approved last December 18 the disbursement of $371 million to back road projects in five African countries, Ecofin Agency reports.

In its 343rd meeting on 18 December, chaired by IsDB President and Chairman of the Board, Muhammad Al Jasser, the Board of Executive Directors of the Bank, approved $1.394 billion of funding for new development projects in member countries located in Asia, Africa, and Europe, the institution said.

Senegal received 100 million ($113 million) for the second phase of the Regional Express Train (TER), expected to cover 19km. The first 36km line built as part of this project became operational on December 27, after several delays.

This infrastructure, which interconnects downtown Dakar with Blaise Diagne International Airport (located about 57 km away), was designed to meet the growing demand for urban traffic. It will reduce travel time from 1.5 to 0.5 hours, reducing operating costs and air pollution, IsDB said.

About 159.56 million will be used for the construction of the Labe-Mali road in the northern part of Guinea. Co-financed by the IsDB and the African Development Bank, this project aims to interconnect these localities with high agricultural, tourism, and mining potential. The Labe-Mali road (120 km) will facilitate the carriage of agricultural and mining products to consumer markets. It will also give a new impetus to tourism activities in these areas.

The Gambia was granted a loan of $14 million to finance the extension and upgrading of the Bertil-Harding highway. The 22 km road is a vital link between Old Jeshwang (a suburb of the capital) and Banjul International Airport. Other investors, including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and the Gambian government also backed the project. In addition to facilitating urban mobility, this project will support trade, tourism, and agriculture in the country.

For Sierra Leone, IsDB approved $40.98 million for the RRM project, which aims to improve regional integration roads. Technical details of the project were not disclosed.

The institution also granted 20.49 million to Niger to finance the Dogondoutchi  Kurdula road project, a locality on the border with Nigeria. According to the IsDB, the project will contribute to the socio-economic development of Niger, reduce the travel costs and travel time and increase access to social amenities.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poses during an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. More than 40 cases of the omicron variant have been reported in the U.S. so far, with most of them people who were vaccinated and nearly all of them suffering only mild illness, Walensky said Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

More than 40 people in the U.S. have been found to be infected with the omicron variant so far, and more than three-quarters of them had been vaccinated, the chief of the CDC said Wednesday. But she said nearly all of them were only mildly ill.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the data is very limited and the agency is working on a more detailed analysis of what the new mutant form of the coronavirus might hold for the U.S.

"What we generally know is the more mutations a variant has, the higher level you need your immunity to be. ... We want to make sure we bolster everybody's immunity. And that's really what motivated the decision to expand our guidance," Walensky said, referencing the recent approval of boosters for all adults.

She said "the disease is mild" in almost all of the cases seen so far, with reported symptoms mainly cough, congestion and fatigue. One person was hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported, CDC officials said.

Some cases can become increasingly severe as days and weeks pass, and Walensky noted that the data is a very early, first glimpse of U.S. omicron infections. The earliest onset of symptoms of any of the first 40 or so cases was Nov. 15, according to the CDC.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. More than 40 cases of the omicron variant have been reported in the U.S. so far, with most of them people who were vaccinated and nearly all of them suffering only mild illness, Walensky said Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

The omicron variant was first identified in South Africa last month and has since been reported in 57 countries, according to the World Health Organization.

The first U.S. case was reported on Dec. 1. As of Wednesday afternoon, the CDC had recorded 43 cases in 19 states. Most were young adults. About a third of those patients had traveled internationally.

More than three-quarters of those patients had been vaccinated, and a third had boosters, Walensky said. Boosters take about two weeks to reach full effect, and some of the patients had received their most recent shot within that period, CDC officials said.

Fewer than 1% of the U.S. COVID-19 cases genetically sequenced last week were the omicron variant; the delta variant accounted for more than 99%.

Scientists are trying to better understand how easily it spreads. British officials said Wednesday that they think the omicron variant could become the dominant version of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom in as soon as a month.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) speaks during an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. The CDC on Wednesday gave new details of the first U.S. cases of the new omicron variant of COVID-19. Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

The CDC has yet to make any projections on how the variant could affect the course of the pandemic in the U.S. Walensky said officials are gathering data but many factors could influence how the pandemic evolves.

"When I look to what the future holds, so much of that is definitely about the science, but it's also about coming together as a community to do things that prevent disease in yourself and one another. And I think a lot of what our future holds depends on how we come together to do that," she said.

The CDC is also trying to establish whether the omicron variant causes milderor more severeillness than other coronavirus types. The finding that nearly all of the cases so far are mild may be a reflection that this first look at U.S. omicron cases captured mainly vaccinated people, who are expected to have milder illnesses, CDC officials said.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) speaks during an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. The CDC on Wednesday gave new details of the first U.S. cases of the new omicron variant of COVID-19. Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, walks during an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. More than 40 cases of the omicron variant have been reported in the U.S. so far, with most of them people who were vaccinated and nearly all of them suffering only mild illness, Walensky said Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) speaks during an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. The CDC on Wednesday gave new details of the first U.S. cases of the new omicron variant of COVID-19. Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) speaks during an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. The CDC on Wednesday gave new details of the first U.S. cases of the new omicron variant of COVID-19. Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poses during an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. More than 40 cases of the omicron variant have been reported in the U.S. so far, with most of them people who were vaccinated and nearly all of them suffering only mild illness, Walensky said Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

Another key question is whether it is better at evading vaccines or the immunity people build from a bout with COVID-19.

This week, scientists in South Africa reported a small laboratory study that found antibodies created by vaccines were not as effective at preventing omicron infections as they were at stopping other versions of the coronavirus.

On Wednesday, vaccine manufacturer Pfizer said that while two doses may not be protective enough to prevent infection, lab tests showed a booster increased levels of virus-fighting antibodies by 25-fold.

Blood samples taken a month after a booster showed people harbored levels of omicron-neutralizing antibodies that were similar to amounts proven protective against earlier variants after two doses, the company said.

Explore further Interview: CDC chief says omicron mostly mild so far

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Elana Tal, MD, clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, got both vaccines while trying to conceive; she received the booster when she was in her seventh month. Credit: Doug Levere

Physicians at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo are urging anyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive to prioritize getting all three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (two doses and the booster) as soon as they can.

The current surge of infections, increased socializing during the holidays and the detection of the omicron variant are all putting everyone, especially unvaccinated pregnant people, at much higher risk, they say.

"The data we now have on what can happen to you and your baby if you are unvaccinated and become infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy are truly alarming," said Allison Brashear, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB.

The urgent focus on pregnancy emerged from discussions among members of the COVID Surge committee that Brashear convened since her arrival in Western New York earlier this month. The committee is comprised of physicians and researchers from throughout UB's five health sciences schools.

Among people who are pregnant, the rate of vaccination is far lower than for the adult population as a whole, possibly as low as 20 percent and in some geographic areas, even lower.

Severe illness, and even death

Those who are pregnant and get infected with SARS-CoV2 are not only more vulnerable to developing severe illness and requiring hospitalization, but some even die from it, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Pregnant women have an increased risk of severe illness and hospitalization from a COVID-19 infection, which can have devastating effects on a pregnancy and the fetus like pre-term birth, stillbirth and other complications," said Gale Burstein, MD, Erie County Commissioner of Health and clinical professor of pediatrics in the Jacobs School.

Tom Russo, MD, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine in the Jacobs School and a physician with UBMD Internal Medicine, noted that new medical data on how COVID-19 affects pregnancy continues to be alarming.

"Pregnant women with COVID-19 have a significantly worse outcome," said Russo. "They are more likely than uninfected pregnant women to deliver prematurely, end up in the ICU, require mechanical ventilation, and die. Recent data also suggests there is an increase in stillbirths in women infected with COVID compared to those not infected.

"The best way to reduce all these risks is to get vaccinated with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, both of which have been shown to be safe for both mother and baby," said Russo.

Credit: University at Buffalo

A personal story of vaccination during pregnancy

Those data resonated with Elana Tal, MD, clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Jacobs School and a physician with UBMD Obstetrics and Gynecology, who is in her eighth month of pregnancy.

Tal received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it was available for health-care workers while she was trying to conceive; a few months later, she found out she was pregnant. She received her booster shot during her seventh month.

Tal eagerly shares her personal story with pregnant patients who are wary about the vaccine and haven't received it yet. (See video)

"A lot of misinformation about the vaccines came out early in the pandemic and since then, we've gotten a ton of really good, high-quality, scientific data that show that the vaccine is safe both when you're trying to conceive and throughout pregnancy," says Tal. "It doesn't cause miscarriage and it doesn't cause sterility."

Combating misinformation

"As a doctor, I see my role as interpreting the medical literature and giving relevant information to my patients in order to combat the misinformation that's out there about COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy," she continued. "I feel really grateful that there is so much good literature that shows the vaccine is safe and effective in pregnancy."

Burstein noted that outcomes from COVID-19 vaccination for all patients are continuously monitored. "Both the CDC and FDA are conducting continuous COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring, as they do for all vaccines," she said. "With anticipated surges in COVID-19 cases related to the omicron variant, there's never been a better time for people who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant to get a COVID-19 vaccine. It will provide an additional layer of protection for you and your family."

And COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy provides an additional bonus: potential immunity for the baby.

"Importantly, babies can acquire antibodies from their vaccinated moms during pregnancy and with nursing, which may protect them from subsequently getting COVID," Russo said. "So, if you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant, please get vaccinated and boosted when eligible. It is in yours and your baby's best interests."
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

COVID-19 vaccination of expectant mothers elicits levels of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 outer "spike" protein at the time of delivery that don't vary dramatically with the timing of vaccination during pregnancy and thus don't justify delaying vaccination, according to a study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian.

The researchers, whose study was published Dec. 28 in Obstetrics & Gynecology, analyzed how anti-spike antibody levels in the mother's blood and baby's umbilical cord blood at delivery varied with the timing of prior vaccination in nearly 1,400 women and their babies.

They found that the levels of these antibodies at delivery tended to be higher when the initial vaccination course occurred in the third trimester. However, they also found that antibody levels at delivery are still comparably high, and probably still protective, when vaccination occurs in early pregnancy or even a few weeks before pregnancyand a booster shot late in pregnancy can make those antibody levels much higher.

"Women often ask what is the best vaccination timing for the babyour data suggest that it's now," said Dr. Malavika Prabhu, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an obstetrician and gynecologist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women. Prior studies suggest that COVID-19 tends to be more severe for women when they are pregnant, and increases the risks of preterm birth, stillbirth and other adverse outcomes for their babies. COVID-19 vaccination protects pregnant women from severe COVID-19, and elicits antibodies that cross the placenta to circulate in their babies' blood after delivery. Studies of the commonly used vaccines so far have found no increased rate of adverse side effects for mothers or their babies.

Dr. Prabhu and her colleagues set up the new study to address the question of the best timing for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. The analysis covered 1,359 pregnant women who reported vaccination against COVID-19, during or up to six weeks before pregnancy, and gave birth at New York-Presbyterian/Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns after 34 or more weeks of gestation.

They found that anti-spike antibodies were generally detectable at delivery, in maternal and cord blood, among all the fully vaccinated women, regardless of the timing of their first vaccine dose. Among women with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection who received the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine, the levels of antibodies at delivery were lowest after pre-pregnancy or first trimester vaccination and highest after third trimester vaccination; however, the difference wasn't large. There was no significant difference in anti-spike antibody levels by timing of vaccination among the relatively small number of women who received the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) single-dose vaccine.

Among vaccinated women who had a prior history of COVID-19 infection, anti-spike antibody levels at delivery in maternal and cord blood were moderately higher on average, and showed even less of a decline with earlier vaccination timing.

Twenty of the women reported having a booster dose in the third trimester, and they on average had still higher levels of anti-spike antibodies in maternal blood and in cord blood.

In women that did not receive a complete course of vaccination by time of birth, the levels of anti-spike antibodies in maternal blood and in cord blood were significantly lower than all other cohorts including the earliest vaccinated cohort.

The findings suggest that pregnant women should not delay COVID-19 vaccination until late pregnancy.

"The message here is that you can get vaccinated at any point during pregnancy and it is likely going to be beneficial to you and your baby at the time of birthand of course by getting vaccinated early you will be protecting yourself and your baby throughout the pregnancy," said first author Dr. Yawei Jenny Yang, assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and a pathologist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

"These study results are consistent with what we see with other maternal vaccines such as flu and Tdap, which, when given during pregnancy, protect the mother and baby," said senior author Dr. Laura Riley, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and obstetrician and gynecologist-in-chief at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

The researchers now plan further studies to examine vaccine and booster effects under different maternal conditions, and in the context of the spread of the new Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Explore further COVID vaccination in pregnancy may pass helpful antibodies to baby

More information: Yawei J. Yang et al, Association of Gestational Age at Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination, History of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection, and a Vaccine Booster Dose With Maternal and Umbilical Cord Antibody Levels at Delivery, Obstetrics & Gynecology (2021). Journal information: Obstetrics & Gynecology Yawei J. Yang et al, Association of Gestational Age at Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination, History of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection, and a Vaccine Booster Dose With Maternal and Umbilical Cord Antibody Levels at Delivery,(2021). DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004693
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Trying to get screened for COVID-19 before the holidays, Gia Ingenito stood in a long line at a free testing site in a park two blocks from the White House last week.

The free, at-home tests at her neighborhood library had been snapped up in minutes.

So she patiently waited in the December chill, on the day President Joe Biden announced new measures to make at-home tests more availablealthough not until January.

Next month, Americans will be able to request free tests from a website and kits will be mailed to homes.

The website, and other details about how and when the tests will be distributed, have not been released.

Also still to come are the parameters for how private health insurers will have to pick up the tab for over-the-counter tests, a requirement Biden announced at the beginning of December as the highly infectious omicron variant was just starting to spread.

If consumers have to seek reimbursement from the insurer after buying a test, rather than getting it free at the pharmacy, that would be "better than nothing," said Ingenito, 37, an executive assistant at an accounting firm.

"But it's another deterrent," she added.

Ingenito said it would be "ideal" if consumers could just show an insurance card when picking up an at-home test at the pharmacy, similar to how she provided her insurance information at the city's free site.

She's not alone in that view.

Experts urge fewer hurdles

It's not clear yet if the White House plan will require consumers to seek reimbursement from insurers, or if insurers will work with pharmacies to make the tests free to consumers up front.

Several top health experts have urged the latter approach. They say that requiring reimbursement would create additional hurdles for consumers, who would have to save receipts, submit them and wait to get their money back. And the U.S. can't afford a burdensome process at a time when infections are rising, the demand for testing is higher than ever, and people are gathering inside during the winter months.

"If you are somebody who is struggling to make ends meet and they're being asked to spend some of your own money to buy rapid tests and then wait for reimbursement, that's really not even going to be an option for people even if they do get reimbursed," said Dr. Celine Gounder, an epidemiologist who advised Biden's transition team on COVID-19.

But insurers might not want to make it too easy to get the free tests. Extensive use could escalate their costs and health plans have warned those bills could a be passed along to consumers through higher premiums.

Ensuring that Americans can get tested easily and affordably is a central part of the administration's strategy to reduce the spread of the coronavirus without shutting schools and businesses. But in addition to the cost obstacle, tests are in short supply. Retailers have been limiting how many can be purchased at a time.

"One of the other things that we know that has to be done is more testing," Biden said when announcing new measures to help. "And on that score, we are not where we should be."

Adrienne McCray, a 47-year-old landscape architect who put an hour's worth of money into her parking meter before getting in line for a COVID-19 test Tuesday, said she would use her health insurance to get an at-home test even if it meant having to seek reimbursement after purchase. But she thinks many others will bypass that option.

"It just needs to be more accessible all around," McCray said of testing.

Insurers can make it easier or harder

Jeff Zients, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, said last week that all ideas, including requiring insurers to work with pharmacies so people don't have to file for reimbursement, are "on the table."

"That'll be worked through across the next couple of weeks with clear guidance on how American consumers with private health insurance can be easily reimbursed for their test," Zients said during the COVID team's final briefing before Christmas.

Without a mandate, insurance companies will decide how easy they want it to be for consumers to buy tests, said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-partisan research organization.

"My guess is they're going to make it hard, not easy, for people to get them," he said. "The cost could end up being substantial."

Insurers are already required to pay for COVID-19 tests administered at testing sites and medical offices, which can cost $100 or more. Home-tests, which consumers can buy without a prescription at retail stores or online, are less expensive. Walmart sells the BinaxNow kit for $14. Others cost $25 or more.

The cumulative cost would quickly mount if the more than 150 million people with private insurance want to test themselves weekly, or even more often, with at-home kits.

Despite what insurers are already spending on pandemic-related costs, however, Levitt said they have "still done quite well" financially.

Insurers already have options

Even before Biden's announcement, Express Scripts, one of the nation's largest pharmacy benefit managers, announced it's offering health plans the option of covering over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits through their existing pharmacy benefit plans.

If insurers go along, consumers could use their Express Scripts member ID card to pick up tests at participating in-network pharmacies starting in January.

Express Scripts didn't respond to questions about whether insurers have expressed interest in that option.

A spokesman for the trade association representing pharmacy benefit managers deferred questions about the Biden administration's reimbursement requirement to insurance companies.

Kristine Grow, spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plans, said it's too soon for her trade association to comment on "potential approaches until we receive further guidance from the administration."

When Biden's reimbursement requirement was announced in early December, Grow said that while ensuring everyone has access to affordable testing is an important tool to fighting the pandemic, the reimbursement requirement could also lead to manufacturers hiking the cost of the tests and higher insurance premiums.

"As we continue our work with the administration in the fight against COVID-19," Grow said at the time, "we will make sure that the full impact of these actions on patients, consumers, and hardworking families is understood."

The nation's pharmacies might also oppose any effort to nix the up-front consumer payment requirement. Drug stores are fine with selling the tests, but they're concerned that having to work out payments with insurers, instead of customers, will burden pharmacists who are already strapped by the pandemic.

"From the patient standpoint, absolutely, it would be easy and probably more accessible," said Hannah Fish, director of strategic initiatives for the National Community Pharmacists Association, said of having pharmacists get paid by health plans rather than consumers. "From a pharmacy standpoint, it would actually make it a little more challenging."

Testing services tend to be covered on the medical benefit side of health insurance rather than the prescription side, Fish said. And reimbursements on the medical side are not as straightforwardand are often delayed, she added.

Plus, not every pharmacy has a contract with all insurance plans, and tests don't have to be purchased in pharmacies; some will be purchased online or through other retailers.

Experts say the White House's testing plan should be driven by what will deliver the biggest public health benefit, not what hurdles it might create for insurers and pharmacies. Any obstacles for consumers will have a negative impact on their ultimate goal: Getting the pandemic under control.

"If consumers face out-of-pocket costs, even if they're relatively cheap, the likelihood is that they won't use the tests," said Rena Conti, associate professor at the Questrom School of Business.

She said decades of economic research shows that the default option matters. So if consumers have to seek reimbursement, inertia will set in and they won't do it.

Waiting for White House guidance

Sabrina Corlette, a co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, said insurers might actually find it easier to deal with pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers instead of consumers.

"There's not just the cost to the carrier in terms of cutting the checks," she said. "It's a hassle factor for them too, to be collecting all these receipts."

Still, she said, "so much depends on the guidance that the administration puts out next month."

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said there is always the possibility that insurers could challenge the reimbursement requirement, similar to how the administration's mandate that larger employers ensure their workers are either vaccinated or regularly tested is now before the Supreme Court.

"We've done what we think our authorities allow us to do. Now we've got to see it play out," Becerra told reporters this month. "So if an insurer says, 'I'm not paying for it,' we'll test that out."

Micah Johnson, who was waiting for a COVID-19 test last week to "take every precaution" before seeing his granddaughter, had spent 20 minutes on hold trying to find a testing site before lining up in the park.

Johnson, 73, welcomed more options but feels the government has been more reactive than proactive in dealing with the pandemic.

"It is what it is," Johnson concluded. "I'm just going to do my partand try to take advantage of what is available."

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No changes are seen in plasma anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels at three months following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in Human Reproduction.

Aya Mohr-Sasson, M.D., from Sheba Medical Center in Tel-Hashomer, Israel, and colleagues conducted a prospective study involving 129 reproductive-aged women (18 to 42 years) vaccinated with two Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses 21 days apart. Blood samples were collected for AMH levels before the first vaccine administration and after three months.

The researchers found that at baseline and after three months, mean AMH levels were 5.3  4.29 g/L and 5.3  4.50 g/L, respectively. Subanalyses were performed for three age groupsyounger than 30, 30 to 35, and older than 35 yearsto account for possible age-specific changes of AMH. At all times, AMH levels were significantly lower for women older than 35 years; however, in the three age groups, no significant differences were seen for the changes in AMH levels before and after vaccination. No association was observed between the degree of immune response and AMH levels after controlling for age.

"All vaccinated women in this study demonstrated elevated anti-COVID-19 antibody levels at three months [providing] the correct administration of the vaccines. We did not find any association between antibody levels and AMH levels," a coauthor said in a statement. "We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations are not associated with a decrease in ovarian reserve at three months. This information could be of significant value to physicians and patients alike."

More information: A Mohr-Sasson et al, The effect of Covid-19 mRNA vaccine on serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels, Human Reproduction (2021). Journal information: Human Reproduction A Mohr-Sasson et al, The effect of Covid-19 mRNA vaccine on serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels,(2021). DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab282

2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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In a study of nearly three million births over 13 years, Oregon State University researchers found that pregnant women living in close proximity to oil or gas drilling sites in Texas were more likely to have hypertension compared to those who lived farther away.

After accounting for other factors that influence high blood pressure, the results showed that pregnant women who lived within 1 kilometer of an active drilling site were 5% more likely to develop hypertension and 26% more likely to develop eclampsia, a more severe form of high blood pressure that can cause seizures and pose a serious risk to both mothers and infants.

These findings, published earlier this month in the International Journal of Epidemiology, align with a 2019 National Toxicology Program statement that air pollution is associated with an increased risk in hypertensive disorders.

"Oil and gas drilling produces air pollutions, so it made sense that we would find a similar increased risk near oil and gas sites," said Mary Willis, lead author on the paper and a postdoctoral scholar in OSU's College of Public Health and Human Sciences.

This was the first study to look specifically at the association between oil and gas drilling sites and hypertension during pregnancy. It examined birth certificates from more than 2.8 million babies born to mothers who lived less than 10 kilometers from an active or future drilling site in Texas during the years 1996-2009. Texas was chosen because it has the most oil and gas drilling activity of any state.

Birth certificates document risk factors experienced by the mother, including hypertension and eclampsia. The certificates included in the study did not record pre-eclampsia, a more common, milder form of eclampsia.

The increased odds of hypertension and eclampsia dissipated as mothers' proximity lessened, with the effect dissipating entirely after 3 kilometers.

Nationwide, up to 8% of pregnancies are affected by hypertensive conditions and 16% of maternal deaths are attributed to complications arising from high blood pressure, the study authors note. Gestational hypertension may last for months after childbirth and costs the health care system over $1 billion annually.

In the U.S., an estimated 11.3 million people live within 1 km of a drilling site.

"In Texas, drilling sites can be as close as 45 meters from residences," Willis said. "Most people think that no one lives near drilling, but there are large populations that live in close proximity to this industry. As the industry expands, this means that an increasing segment of the population may be vulnerable to drilling-related pollution."

The study also accounted for the potential socioeconomic benefits of oil and gas drilling, which include more jobs and higher income for those living near a drilling site. These financial benefits may help mitigate some of the negative health effects of pollution associated with drilling sites, Willis said.

More research is needed to understand the precise relationship between oil and gas drilling sites and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, Willis said. Drilling sites cause air pollution in the form of flaring and increased road traffic, along with water contamination and noise and light pollution. It's unclear how those individual factors affect pregnancy, and at what point in the pregnancy mothers are most vulnerable.

Co-authors on the paper were Molly Kile and Perry Hystad in OSU's College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Elaine Hill at the University of Rochester and Susan Carozza, recently retired from OSU.

Explore further Living by oil and gas drilling linked to lower birthweights

More information: Mary D Willis et al, Associations between residential proximity to oil and gas extraction and hypertensive conditions during pregnancy: a difference-in-differences analysis in Texas, 19962009, International Journal of Epidemiology (2021). Journal information: International Journal of Epidemiology Mary D Willis et al, Associations between residential proximity to oil and gas extraction and hypertensive conditions during pregnancy: a difference-in-differences analysis in Texas, 19962009,(2021). DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab246
NEW YORK (AP)  The jury weighing the fate Ghislaine Maxwell's fate said Tuesday they were making progress at the end of the fourth full day of deliberations at the closely watched sex trafficking trial where a judge expressed concern New York City's coronavirus surge could derail proceedings.

Judge Alison J. Nathan granted jurors' request to leave at 5 p.m.  an hour earlier than planned  but told them they were expected to work toward a verdict the rest of the week, if needed. Earlier Tuesday, Nathan told lawyers out of the presence of the jury that the astronomical spike in the number of coronavirus cases necessitated jurors working longer hours.

We now face a high and escalating risk that jurors and trial participants may need to quarantine, Nathan said. We are simply in a different place regarding the pandemic than we were a week ago.

In her explanation to the lawyers, Nathan voiced what had largely gone unmentioned in her previous requests to get the jury to work overtime: the fear that sickened jurors could force a mistrial.

We now face a high and escalating risk that jurors and trial participants may need to quarantine, Nathan said. We are simply in a different place regarding the pandemic than we were a week ago.

During the first week of deliberations, the jury stopped at 5 p.m., but Nathan told jurors late Monday that they should be prepared to stay until at least 6 p.m. moving forward. Despite that, the judge agreed to release them early after they assured her, in a note: Our deliberations are moving along and we are making progress."

The judge had told lawyers she was considering informing jurors she would require deliberations every day  including the New Year's weekend, if necessary  until they reach a verdict. But after defense lawyers pushed back, she chose Tuesday to not tell jurors that weekend deliberations were a possibility.

Fueled by the omicron variant, coronavirus cases in the city have rocketed from an average of about 3,400 a day in the week that ended Dec. 12 to 22,000 in the week that ended Sunday.

Laura Menninger, a defense lawyer, told Nathan on Monday that any suggestion that the jury stay later is beginning to sound like urging them to hurry up.

We would object to trying to urge them to stay later if they are not asking to do so and arent expressing any difficulty in proceeding with the deliberations that they are currently undertaking, Menninger said.

Menninger noted that the jury was continuing to request transcripts of trial testimony and other materials that indicate they are working diligently to decide six charges alleging Maxwell played a crucial role in Epstein's sexual abuse of teenage girls between 1994 and 2004.

Defense lawyers have said Maxwell, 60, is being used as a scapegoat by prosecutors after the U.S. government was embarrassed by Epstein's suicide at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited a sex trafficking trial.

Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 and has remained in jail after Nathan repeatedly rejected bail attempts, including a $28.5 million package with 24-hour armed guards to ensure she did not flee.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can make communication a challenge, and some of these children are also deaf, making social interactions even more daunting.

But new research suggests that cochlear implants can go a long way toward helping these kids understand speech and connect with others.

A long-term survey that followed 30 children who had autism and hearing loss and had received cochlear implants found that 73% of children used their cochlear implant consistently throughout the day, and 45% of those children developed some understanding of spoken words through hearing alone with no visual cues. About 45% also used spoken language to some degree as part of their overall communication.

About 86% of parents said their kids had improved social engagement after receiving cochlear implants.

"Without his implant, he was stuck in his own little world, no sound, no eye contact with others. The implant brought his personality out to us," said one parent responding to the survey.

"Our results add to the growing body of evidence that cochlear implantation clearly benefits deaf children with autism spectrum disorder," said senior study author Dr. Nancy Young, medical director of audiology and cochlear implant programs at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago.

"Improved hearing provides access to spoken language that may enhance their cognitive and communication potential, as well as help these children engage more with their families," Young said in a hospital news release.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in every 44 children in the United States has autism, which is a complex developmental disorder characterized by impaired communication and social interaction.

About 25% to 30% of children with autism who do not have impaired hearing do not develop spoken language as a means of communication.

Children with autism in combination with profound hearing loss have two conditions that may limit development of spoken language. The children in this study usually developed understanding and use of spoken language more slowly than children without autism who had implants.

Children with autism have been reported to have a higher prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) than children without autism. Conversely, children with SNHL have been reported to have a higher rate of ASD than those with normal hearing, according to the researchers.

"The relationship between these two diagnoses for some of these children may be due to congenital cytomegalovirus [CMV], an infection that begins in the developing fetus that often is unrecognized after birth. It may cause hearing loss and is associated with increased incidence of [autism]," Young said.

Most children in the study were diagnosed with autism after cochlear implantation, likely because of the young age at which they received their implant, and to the increased difficulty in diagnosing ASD when significant hearing loss is present.

The study was published recently in the journal Otology & Neurotology.

"Understanding the range of outcomes in this population is important for counseling parents and educators to ensure that these children receive appropriate support and services," said study co-author Beth Tournis, an audiologist at Lurie Childrens Hospital.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on autism with hearing loss.

SOURCE: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago, news release, Dec. 23, 2021

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WEDNESDAY, Dec. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- A program meant to encourage the use of a drug that can help people overcome opioid addiction led to dramatic increases in its use in emergency rooms, researchers report.

Buprenorphine is a medication that stabilizes opioid withdrawal and soothes cravings. Using it can help people with opioid use disorder stay engaged with care, while reducing overdose deaths and other complications of drug use.

The program designed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania worked both to give doctors incentives to train to treat opioid use disorder, as well as to develop and improve the connection between patients and peer recovery specialists.

Designed to increase initiation of the use of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in emergency rooms, the program was tested at three Penn Medicine hospitals and led to a sixfold increase in the treatment at these locations.

"We used a behavioral design approach to make implementation of evidence-based treatment easy, attractive, social and timely. While we concentrated initially on prescribing itself, we realized we also needed to overcome other barriers, such as identifying and engaging patients in care," lead study author and assistant professor of medicine Dr. Margaret Lowenstein said in a university news release.

This medication can be lifesaving for patients. To help make it easier for them to get it, researchers first needed to make it easier to prescribe by helping more clinicians become authorized prescribers.

The physicians in the study needed something called an X-waiver that required training, but those restrictions were later loosened in 2021. To prescribe the drug, physicians still need to register in advance on a government website.

The clinical team used a financial incentive system that rewarded doctors for the training, increasing their numbers from 6% to 90% in six weeks.

The researchers also developed a system to identify patients through electronic health records and connect them immediately with peer recovery specialists while they were in the hospital and during early recovery.

For the study, data was collected from March 2017 until July 2020, 18 months before and after the start of the program. It found that the rate of patients with opioid addiction who received buprenorphine in emergency departments climbed from 3% before the study to 23% by the end of the study period.

The patients sustained their use of the drug and increased it, even a year after the changes went into effect, though the study found that not all doctors prescribed it at the same rates. Some doctors prescribed buprenorphine to 61% of their patients with opioid use disorders, while others never wrote a prescription, even if they were authorized.

The fact that some physicians in our group were able to provide this evidence-based treatment to more than half of their patients while others had the ability to do so, but never did, showed there was much more work to be done to nudge clinicians and make offering this treatment a default process, said senior study author Dr. M. Kit Delgado, an assistant professor of emergency medicine and epidemiology.

This information led the team to conduct a focus group of 29 emergency department doctors or nurses. They learned that the automated process wasnt finding all eligible patients because the algorithm needed more specificity.

"Moving forward, were going to test different ways to better ensure that patients we're discharging with buprenorphine prescriptions have a warm handoff and engagement with ongoing addiction treatment," Delgado said in the release. "Starting this medication is the best first step, but there are many more on the long-term path to recovery once they leave the hospital."

The findings were published Dec. 23 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on drug overdose.

SOURCE: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, news release, Dec. 23, 2021

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Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday he is calling up nearly 100 members of the Connecticut National Guard to help distribute 3 million COVID-19 test kits and 6 million N95 masks the state is making available to help blunt the growing surge of cases, fueled in part by the omicron variant.

The Democrat announced Monday his administration procured about 3 million at-home kits, each containing two rapid tests, and would give them to cities and towns, public health departments, school districts and others over the coming weeks. Municipalities, he said, would begin receiving test kits and masks Thursday and allocation would be based on population. Local officials will determine how to distribute them.

Some cities and towns are expected to begin handing out test kits as soon as Thursday, with some noting that masks may not be distributed until possibly next week.

"As these at-home tests arrive in Connecticut over these next several days and weeks, the National Guard will help provide support on behalf of the state to ensure that they are distributed to each municipality and school district, Lamont said in a statement. The soldiers and airmen will also help at testing and vaccine sites if needed.

The activation is 100% federally funded.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said he expects his city of about 130,000 will receive 30,000 two-dose test kits. He said the city will provide some to nonprofit agencies that help vulnerable groups, including people who are homeless, and also distribute kits to residents at two mass distribution events Friday and Saturday.

Elicker urged people returning to work or school and who will be exposed to others to pick up a test kit, which have been difficult to find due to high demand. N95 masks will also be distributed at those events, he said.

The town of Rocky Hill, with a population of more than 20,000, announced it expects to receive 2,610 test kits for distribution beginning Thursday. A statement on the town's website called it a short-term, interim solution with a limited number of test kits ... given the increased travel over the holidays.

The town said COVID-19 tests will be limited to residents with an immediate need, such as if they believe they've been exposed or have been experiencing symptoms, and if they traveled over the holidays and have been experiencing symptoms. Up to two kits per car or person will be distributed at the town hall and the fire station on Thursday, Friday, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week.

Some communities are planning drive-through pickups of kits and masks to help prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

In Killingly, for example, tests will be available to motorists in the town hall parking lot on Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. In Westport, residents are being asked to remain in their cars when they are handed two test kits at a distribution site planned Thursday at the Staples High School parking lot. As in many communities, proof of residency will be required by both towns.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Hearing loss can happen with advancing age, but fewer American women appear to be affected now than in the past.

Researchers who studied hearing loss between 2008 and 2017 found in the earliest of those years, 16.3% of older U.S. adults reported serious hearing loss. But by 2017 that had dropped to 14.8%, or 739,000 fewer people.

"Interestingly, we found that the improvements observed are mostly among females," said co-author ZhiDi Deng, a pharmacy student at the University of Toronto.

"In fact, the downward trend in hearing loss appears to be entirely driven by declines within the female population after taking into account age and race," Deng said in a university news release.

The study used data from the American Community Survey, which each year sampled a half-million Americans 65 and older, including those who lived in different living situations, such as long-term care homes and in the community. The study included 5.4 million participants whose hearing was assessed based on their responses to the question "Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?"

"The reduction in hearing loss in older Americans has important implications for our society," said co-author Esme Fuller-Thomson, director of University of Torontos Institute of Life Course and Aging. "Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic problems affecting older adults. It can negatively impact their health and quality of life."

Fuller-Thomson said the finding is encouraging as baby boomers become seniors.

"The decline in prevalence of hearing loss can partly offset the burden on families, caregivers and the health care system," she explained in the release.

While hearing loss actually rose about 2% for men, the odds of having serious hearing loss dropped 10% for women.

The same pattern was true even when researchers grouped participants by age: 65 to 74; 75 to 84, and 85 and older. The only exception was men over 75.

The reasons for these gender differences arent known, but the authors suggested they could include differences in anatomy, smoking habits and noise exposures.

"More research is needed to understand the extraordinary differences in the 10-year prevalence of hearing loss between older American males and females," Fuller-Thomson said. "Identifying the causes and driver behind the sex differences in hearing loss can help us design preventative strategies to better support our aging population."

The findings were recently published in the journal Aging and Health Research.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on hearing loss.

SOURCE: University of Toronto, news release, Dec. 27, 2021

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WEDNESDAY, Dec. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers say they may be closer than ever to detecting ovarian cancer earlier and improving the odds for women with this life-threatening disease.

In a new study, scientists used stem cells created from the blood samples of women with BRCA mutations and ovarian cancer to fashion a model of fallopian tube tissue.

There, they found first hints of ovarian cancer in the fallopian tube tissue. Called organoids, these tissues one day might help doctors predict years in advance which women will develop ovarian cancer, the researchers believe.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths in the United States, in part because its symptoms are typically subtle and most tumors are missed until they have spread beyond the ovaries.

Women with a genetic mutation in the BRCA-1 gene have a lifetime ovarian cancer risk of 35% to 70%, compared to just 2% in the general population. So, some women with these mutations choose to have their breasts, ovaries and/or fallopian tubes surgically removed to avoid a future cancer diagnosis.

"We created these fallopian organoids using cells from women with BRCA-1 mutations who had ovarian cancer," explained study author Clive Svendsen, executive director of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute in Los Angeles.

"Our data supports recent research indicating that ovarian cancer in these patients actually begins with cancerous lesions in the fallopian tube linings," he said in a Cedars-Sinai news release. "If we can detect these abnormalities at the outset, we may be able to short-circuit the ovarian cancer."

"We were surprised to find multiple cellular pathologies consistent with cancer development only in the organoids from the BRCA-1 patients," said study first author Nur Yucer, a project scientist in Svendsen's lab. "Organoids derived from women with the most aggressive ovarian cancer displayed the most severe organoid pathology."

The modeling showed how ovarian cancer is "seeded" in the fallopian tubes of women with BRCA-1 mutations. Each organoid is a twin of the persons own fallopian tube linings because it carries the genes of the person who provided the blood sample, the researchers said.

Because of that, it can potentially be used to determine if a drug might work against the disease in an individual without first exposing the person to the drug, Svendsen said.

"Building on these findings may one day allow us to provide early, lifesaving detection of ovarian cancer in women who carry the BRCA-1 mutation and create effective, individualized prevention and, if necessary, treatment strategies," said Dr. Jeffrey Golden, vice dean of research and graduate education and director of the Burns and Allen Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

The findings were published Dec. 28 in the journal Cell Reports.

More information

The American Cancer Society has more on ovarian cancer.

SOURCE: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, news release, Dec. 28, 2021

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JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  COVID-19 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes have almost doubled in the past week, an indicator that the state is likely heading into another major surge of virus cases and hospitalizations, a top health official said Wednesday.

Were in the midst of a peak of transmission that weve never seen, most likely, this whole pandemic, Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said during a Wednesday news conference.

The state health officer said people who test positive or are exposed should take precautions and quarantine for at least five days, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Dont perpetuate the chain of transmission, Dobbs said. This is really a love thy neighbor sort of moment, and love thy family, also. Stay home.

There were 63 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes Monday, nearly twice the number of nursing home outbreaks reported in the state last week, state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers wrote Wednesday in a memo to Mississippi hospitals and health care providers. There were 8,344 new COVID-19 cases reported last week, an 80% increase from the week before. Byers said a growing proportion of Mississippi cases are fueled by the omicron variant of the virus.

We really are in the fifth wave now of COVID for Mississippi, Byers said during the news conference.

Last week, the omicron variant accounted for about 13% of all samples sequenced in the state, up from about 8% in the previous week. Byers said these numbers likely underrepresent the impact of omicron on the state because some samples collected recently are still pending sequencing. The omicron variant is significantly more infectious than the delta variant.

A total of 400 people were hospitalized with a confirmed coronavirus infection in Mississippi on Monday, compared with 239 people on Christmas Eve, the Department of Health reported.

Jim Craig, senior deputy for the Mississippi Department of Health and director of health protection, the shortage of health care workers continues to be a concern for health officials. Lack of staff prevents hospitals from opening all available beds to treat patients.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for our smaller community, county hospitals to transport patients to some of our larger centers. ... It all plays back to the staffing issue," he said.

Health officials said Tuesday that 48% of Mississippi residents were fully vaccinated, and 29% had received a booster shot. About 63% of people nationwide are fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University.

With the surge in new virus cases, there has also been a surge in demand for testing. Dobbs said the state is expanding the number of available testing sites, and asked residents to be patient.

There is testing available, its just not on-demand like weve had before," he said. ... That convenience might not be quite as big as it has been. But you know, this is a moment of phenomenally increased demand. So itll be a little bit of a challenge.

Due to a surge in new confirmed coronavirus cases, the mayor of Mississippi's capital city has ordered the closure of city hall and other offices.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's new executive order closing offices went into effect Wednesday. Only essential employees will continue to work in person, he said. The order will stay in place until at least next Wednesday.

The infectious spread of COVID-19 through both the Delta and Omicron variants has continued and dramatically increased in the City of Jackson, with a corresponding increase in hospitalizations and death rate," the mayor said in a statement. The City of Jackson does not have the luxury of a wait-and-see approach to the continued threat.

Leah Willingham 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.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- While climate change calls to mind extreme weather and melting polar ice caps, government officials' inaction to stop it is also affecting the mental health of young people, new research reveals.

"This study paints a horrific picture of widespread climate anxiety in our children and young people. It suggests for the first time that high levels of psychological distress in youth is linked to government inaction," study author Caroline Hickman, of the Climate Psychology Alliance at the University of Bath in England, said in a university news release.

The researchers surveyed 10,000 young people between 16 and 25 years of age in 10 countries. Forty-five percent said climate anxiety and distress affects their daily lives, and 75% called the future frightening.

In addition, 58% said governments were "betraying me and/or future generations," and 64% said their governments weren't doing enough to avoid a climate catastrophe.

Mitzi Tan, a 23-year-old from the Philippines, said she grew up being afraid of drowning in her own bedroom.

"Society tells me that this anxiety is an irrational fear that needs to be overcome -- one that meditation and healthy coping mechanisms will 'fix,'" Tan said. "At its root, our climate anxiety comes from this deep-set feeling of betrayal because of government inaction. To truly address our growing climate anxiety, we need justice."

The anxiety is a "completely rational reaction," Hickman said.

"Children and young people are now mobilizing around the world and taking governments to court; arguing that failure to act on climate change violates their human rights," she said. "This study makes an important contribution to these legal arguments, framing climate anxiety and distress as a moral injury.'"

The study included the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, Nigeria, Philippines, Finland, Portugal, Brazil and France.

Young people surveyed from the Global South -- encompassing Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Pacific Islands and developing nations in Asia -- expressed more worry and a greater impact on functioning.

More than half of survey respondents said they had felt afraid, sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless and/or guilty.

About 55% said they expected to have fewer opportunities than their parents had. About 65% said governments were failing young people. About 59% said they were very or extremely worried about climate change.

The study concluded that governments must respond to "protect the mental health of children and young people by engaging in ethical, collective, policy-based action against climate change."

The findings were recently published in The Lancet Planetary Health.

More information

NASA has more on climate change.

SOURCE: University of Bath, news release, Dec. 22, 2021

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Those with New Years resolutions to get outside more can look to Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks for inspiration.

The annual FWP First Day Hikes schedule includes adventures from Travelers Rest State park and several locations along Flathead Lake, as well as Ulm and Helena sites. All take place on New Years Day and are free to the public.

Travelers Rest State Park in Lolo offers self-guided hikes around the site where Lewis and Clark verifiably camped while on their transcontinental exploration of the American West in 1805. Brochures detailing the features along the 1.5-mile trail will be available between 10 a.m. and noon at the visitor center kiosk.

Flathead, Big Arm, Wayfarers, West Shore and Lone Pine state parks all have self-guided trail opportunities. Lone Pine State Park, 5 miles southwest of Kalispell, features extensive views of the valley laid out across 7.5 miles of trail encircling its interpretative center. It has snowshoe rentals available for individuals and families.

Big Arm on the lakes western thumb covers 240 acres with views of Wild Horse Island from its wide pebble beach. Its 2.5 mile hiking trail also looks to the surrounding mountain ranges and wildlife habitat while passing through large juniper and Ponderosa pine stands.

Wayfarers State Park rambles across cliff walls overlooking Flatheads eastern shore near Bigfork. The 67-acre park is covered by mature forest. West Shore State Park near Lakeside has extensive cliff and beach vistas on its 129-acre grounds.

Spring Meadow Lake State Park near Helena has a 1-mile easy hike with a live guide starting at 11 a.m. New Years Day.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park gates will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. for self-guided tours of the sites 3-mile trail. A guided hike is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. to learn about the history of the sites.

Hikers should wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring a water bottle and ice cleats or snowshoes if the trail conditions are snowy or icy. First Day Hike participants are encouraged to share their adventures on social media with #FirstDayHikes. For more information on these or other Montana state parks, visit: stateparks.mt.gov.

First Day Hikes is an annual, nationwide special event co-sponsored by America's State Parks that originated more than 25 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation  a state park in Milton, Massachusetts. All 50 states will be participating in the 10th annual national event that encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with guided outdoor exploration.

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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  A school district in northwestern New Mexico is providing high-speed internet to students' families, most of whom are Indigenous, in a $1.2 million deal that leapfrogs piecemeal efforts by state and tribal officials.

Cuba Independent Schools superintendent Karen Sanchez-Griego said staff began installing Starlinks $500 receivers at students homes in November and hope to connect all 450 families by the end of the school year.

Traditional fiber optic cables haven't been installed around Cuba because of the area's sparse population, lack of money, and crisscrossing red tape from tribal, federal, and state agencies that have to approve digging.

New Mexico education officials were ordered by a court in April to provide high-speed internet to students in Cuba and other areas but haven't done so.

Wi-Fi hotspots from the state didn't work well in remote areas far from cellphone towers. Education officials are planning on purchasing Starlink units for around 1,000 families around the state but haven't specified a timeline for doing it.

Our kids cant wait, said Sanchez-Griego, adding that the investment is funded by federal relief money that will eventually run out paying for $100 monthly internet fees. Our hope is that the state will come through."

Attanasio 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 under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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DEER LODGE  A woman was shot in the arm during an altercation with law enforcement late Tuesday night in Deer Lodge.

According to a joint statement issued Wednesday afternoon by Powell County Sheriff Gavin R. Roselles and Deer Lodge Police Chief George Smith, a Powell County deputy and Deer Lodge police officer responded to call about a violation of a restraining order at around 11:15 p.m. The female suspect had already allegedly vandalized and stolen property.

The deputy and officer located the suspect and attempted to have her exit a stolen vehicle she was driving. She reportedly refused and drove off. A pursuit ensued.

By this time, two more Deer Lodge police officers and a Montana State Highway Patrol officer joined the pursuit.

According to the sheriff and police chief, spike strips were successfully deployed twice during the pursuit, but the woman continued driving. Approximately 30 minutes into the pursuit, she allegedly rammed a parked civilian car, then rammed two of the police vehicles, causing injury to one of the officers.

Officers then fired their weapons, hitting the suspect in the arm. The woman was removed from the vehicle, given first aid and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting the investigation of the officer-involved shooting. As part of departmental policy, the officers who discharged their firearms have been placed on administrative leave.

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It was late 2013 when then-Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said he received a call from then-U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid to weigh in on who Bullock should appoint to replace Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, who would soon be named ambassador to China.

Bullocks reply to the Nevada Democrat, as reported by the media?

  I said it was none of your damn business.

By law, the Montana governor fills any Senate vacancies by appointing a replacement. Bullock, a Democrat who served two terms as governor, told reporters in May 2014 about the conversation with Reid, who died Dec. 28 after a four-year bout with pancreatic cancer.

I said, You know what. Stay out of my decision-making. This is a decision I make and no one else,' Bullock said in a story reported by Charles S. Johnson of the Lee Montana State Bureau. This is one of those decisions that voters have entrusted me with.

Bullock told reporters Reid called him in December 2013, before it became public that President Barack Obama would appoint Baucus, who had served six terms in the U.S. Senate, as the U.S. ambassador to China. Baucus accepted the appointment. Bullock appointed John Walsh, his lieutenant governor, to fill Baucus seat.

Bullock declined to say who Reid had recommended for the appointment, the Associated Press reported at the time. Reid's press office did not return calls for comment.

Republicans claimed the Walsh appointment was all part of a backroom deal orchestrated by the White House, Reid and Bullock.

If there was a backroom deal, I certainly was never invited to that back room, Bullock told reporters.

Montana Republican Party officials had called for an open process in selecting Baucus' replacement. Bullock said Montana law left it as his decision.

Walsh, former adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, withdrew from the senate race in August 2014 because his campaign was distracted by allegations he plagiarized a U.S. Army War College research paper.

Then-state Rep. Amanda Curtis, D-Butte, entered the race for the Democrats. She was defeated by Republican Steve Daines, who was serving as the states lone U.S. representative. Daines defeated Bullock, who was termed out of office from running for another four years as governor, in the 2020 U.S. Senate race and was re-elected to a second term.

Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.

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The health department recommends people wear a face covering in areas of high transmission, saying proper hand-washing, along with covering sneezes and coughs, can go a long way.

NCDHHS has said that in the coming months the omicron variant is expected to cause the greatest surge in COVID-19 infections to date. Health officials said early evidence suggested that omicron variant is two to three times as contagious as the delta variant, making it four to six times as contagious as the original COVID-19 virus. The state said data collected showed more rapid waning of protection after the primary vaccination series than was seen with delta or other variants, although vaccines are still effective at preventing severe disease.

Local and state health officials have been pleading with residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to get a booster shot if eligible.

At this time 69% of adults in the state are fully vaccinated while 74% of adults have had at least one dose of the vaccine, according to NCDHHS.

In Burke County, 45% of the population, which includes those 5 years old and up, are fully vaccinated and 47% have had at least one dose of a vaccine.
Temperatures could rise above freezing in Seattle Thursday and be even warmer in Portland, before airflow from the Pacific blows in on the weekend and causes the mercury to rise to more seasonable highs in the 40s Fahrenheit (4.4 Celsius).

State officials in Oregon have declared an emergency. In Multnomah County  home to Portland  about a half dozen weather shelters were open this week. A similar number of shelters were opened in Seattles King County, which also declared an emergency.

Seattle leaders said city shelters will remain open through the new year.

Winter weather and a return to pre-pandemic levels of traffic have resulted in hundreds of accidents on Oregon roads this holiday season.

Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that between Dec. 23 and Dec. 28 there were 915 traffic accidents in the state. During that same period last year there were 365 accidents and 237 in 2019, according to Oregon State Police. The number of deaths has not been calculated yet.

David House, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation, said the high number of accidents over the last week is a reminder to travelers to use caution and prepare for slick conditions.
HONG KONG (AP)  A vocal pro-democracy website in Hong Kong shut down Wednesday after police raided its office and arrested six current and former editors and board members in a continuing crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
As the 2022 Iowa Legislative session approaches, lawmakers promise to step up the discussion of the buildings future, including whether it would make sense to replace it with a new building to showcase Iowas history and heritage.

I guess the only thing I can say to you is that discussion will intensify, said Rep. Gary Mohr, R-Bettendorf, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. It has to intensify simply because of the money involved.

Its not a new discussion. In a 2016 report, Neumann Monson Architects said the building was a critical juncture.

The building and its systems no longer serve the needs of the DCA or its primary function as the states flagship museum, it wrote in a report to the Legislature. The departments ability to serve as a cultural institution is in jeopardy due to building flaws, maintenance and oversized structure.

Based on that report, Cultural Affairs pitched an $80 million plan to right-size the building from 234,000 square feet to 155,000 to make it, according to the architects, more functional, flexible and adaptable for the future.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Indonesia said Wednesday it is lifting its ban on Boeings 737 Max aircraft, three years after one crashed into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff killing all 189 people on board.

The Transportation Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the aircraft will be permitted to fly in Indonesia, but only after airlines carry out airworthiness directives.

The ministry will also conduct inspections before the aircraft are allowed to operate in the country, said Novie Riyanto, the ministrys director general of Civil Aviation..

Several flight operators have stated that they have carried out airworthiness orders for 737 MAX aircraft, in accordance with FAA provisions and will prepare training and simulators at the nearest facility, in Singapore, Riyanto said.

Governments grounded the Boeing 737 Max after a total of 346 people were killed in the crashes of the Lion Air flight in Indonesia on Oct. 29, 2018, and an Ethiopian Airlines flight on March 10, 2019.

Investigators blamed a computer system that pushed the planes nose downward in flight and couldnt be overridden by pilots. Boeing has carried out technical upgrades to fix such problems.
Transportation Security Administration data shows that the number of passengers screened at TSA checkpoints so far during the holiday season went up significantly from last year  on some days double the number of fliers or even more. But the number is generally still short of 2019 levels.

The TSA has predicted that the Monday after New Year's will be one of the busiest days of the holiday season. The CDC's new guidelines could help airlines better navigate the New Year's weekend rush as staffers who got infected are able to come back to work, Harteveldt said.

The U.S. government has issued new rules relating to COVID-19 and travel in recent months, requiring foreigners coming to the U.S. to be vaccinated. It also now requires a negative COVID-19 test for both U.S. citizens and foreigners within a day of flying into the country.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, said Monday that the nation should also seriously consider a vaccination mandate for domestic travel as another way to push people to get vaccinated.
PORTAGE, Wis. (AP)  A semitrailer driver from Iowa faces charges in Wisconsin after he allegedly led state troopers on a wild interstate chase.

The Portage Daily Register reported Wednesday that 27-year-old Kyle Futrel of Cherokee, Iowa, was charged Dec. 21 in Columbia County with multiple counts, including fleeing an officer, reckless endangerment, possession of methamphetamine and possession of narcotics. He also was cited for first-offense operating under the influence.

According to a criminal complaint, state troopers received calls from motorists on Dec. 17 reporting a semitrailer was all over the road on Interstate 39-90-94. One caller said the truck had stopped in traffic and was backing up toward their vehicle.

A state trooper caught up with the semitrailer and followed it with emergency lights activated. According to the complaint, the truck deviated from the right lane onto the shoulder multiple times.
Kourtney Kardashian fell for Travis Barker because he is such a great father.

The 42-year-old reality TV star and the 46-year-old drummer had been friends for years before they started dating this year and friends have revealed that Kourtney fell madly in love with Travis because she loved what a great father he is to his kids Alabama, 16, Landon, 18 and stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya, 22.

A source told PEOPLE: "She fell for Travis because he's such a there-for-his-kids father. He has a huge heart."

And Travis is proving to be a great stepfather to Kourtney's children - Mason, 12, Penelope, nine, and Reign, seven - who she shares with former partner Scott Disick.

The insider said: "Kourtney is not only head over heels in love with Travis because he's hot and attractive but also because he's so sweet and loving towards her and her children. Their families also blended easily and nicely, and they all get along so well."

Travis and Kourtney got engaged in October in a romantic, beachside proposal at the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito, California and Kourtney's mother Kris Jenner revealed he asked her permission first.
Steady December rainfall has filled Bell Canyon Reservoir and prompted city officials to lift the Phase II water emergency that had been in place since October 2020.

Mother Nature has been kind to us and, as a result, our Bell Canyon Reservoir has started to spill, Public Works Director Mark Rincon said in a press release issued Tuesday. With a full reservoir and the confidence we can meet projected demand beyond the next rainy season, we can end water usage penalties but not our conservation efforts.

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The rations imposed under Phase II are no longer in effect, and water penalties will not be applied for the month of December.

However, St. Helena remains in a Phase I emergency, in which customers are urged to take voluntary conservation measures.

It is important to remain vigilant due to operational challenges we are experiencing at our Rutherford Pump Station (RPS) which are temporarily impacting our ability to draw water from Napa, and the fact that other California reservoirs remain below historic averages for this time of year, Rincon said. Continued water conservation will help us navigate this challenge as well.

Conservation efforts have saved more than 100 million gallons of water year over year, according to the citys press release.

It is remarkable how much water has been saved and Im so proud that our community rose to meet this challenge and conserve water at a critical time, Mayor Geoff Ellsworth said. We learned many lessons from this experience which will improve our ability to navigate future water supply challenges.

Rincon praised the City Council for improving the citys water availability forecasting through a urgency ordinance adopted in July.

When the Council took action to better understand our water availability by looking beyond the next rainy season, this also challenged our staff to refine our forecasting efforts, Rincon said. Today, we are using this longer-term horizon and considering a number of variables to better anticipate and adjust to water availability challenges, and sharing good news as early as appropriate.

You can reach Jesse Duarte at 967-6803 or jduarte@sthelenastar.com.

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Nagorno Karabakh (known as Artsakh to Armenians) was attacked by Azerbaijan on September 27, 2020. After forty-four days of war, in which Turkish drones and jihadist mercenaries shaped the battlefield in Azerbaijans favor, more than 4,000 Armenians were killed. Sidelining the West, Russias President Vladimir Putin brokered ceasefire terms on November 9, calling for Armenia to relinquish territory in Azerbaijan. The ceasefire also called for the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces, The National Interest wrote. It added as follows:

While Armenia withdrew its forces as called for by the ceasefire terms, Azerbaijan continued its provocative and aggressive actions. It seized 41 square kilometers of Armenian territory on May 21, 2020, and launched another cross-border operation on November 14, seizing thirteen villages adjoining the city of Gabriel south of Artsakh, the southern Syunik region, and along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border near Lake Sev. 40,000 displaced Armenians are presently homeless as a result of these recent operations.

In addition to Azerbaijans continued cross-border aggression, the situation is aggravated by its failure to return Prisoners of War (POWs). Outside the terms of the ceasefire, Azerbaijan and Turkey now publicly demand a sovereign corridor through Armenia connecting Azerbaijan and Turkey which would be the death knell of independent Armenia. It would also eliminate the remaining Armenians of Artsakh. President Ilham Aliyev continues his war-mongering and racist hate speech. The regime of Recep Tayyip Erdogan is now pursuing negotiations with Armenia through special envoys, instead of simply establishing diplomatic relations.

Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposed stationing Russian troops on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan to deter ceasefire violations. Armenia filed a lawsuit with the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Baku of violating the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The ICJ instructed Azerbaijan to "take all necessary measures to prevent the incitement and promotion of racial hatred and discrimination including by its officials in public institutions targeted at persons of Armenian national or ethnic origin.

Further roiling tensions, Aliyev maintains that large parts of Armenia including the capital Yerevan should be included in Azerbaijan. This claim is a bargaining tactic as the countries start talks on border demarcation and transportation agreements. But it fits the authoritarian pattern of promoting false historical narratives to maintain corruption and power. Today, Azerbaijan has occupied 41 sq km of Armenia proper and frequently takes hostages. It continues to fire into Armenia without counterbalance from Russian peacekeepers who are supposed to stop such acts.

While Russia is tasked with peacekeeping and the mandated mediators including the United States and France are excluded, Russia and Turkey established their own ceasefire monitoring center. The initiative is problematic because Turkey was not a signatory to the ceasefire. As a party to the conflict, Turkey backs Azerbaijan politically and militarily.

According to Sergey Naryshkin, head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, We know the work of Turkish intelligence, and we see certain elements of its work. He also indicated that Russia had obtained confirmed intelligence about the participation of Syrian mercenaries on the battlefield. We have precise information about the presence of terrorists in the combat zone in the Karabakh region, from the Middle East, and from Syria primarily. Turkish officials are boasting about Turkeys role in defeating Armenians.

The Lachin corridor, which connects Armenia and Artsakh, is a flashpoint. It is patrolled by Russian peacekeepers and Azerbaijani soldiers, but there have been incidents, including explosions and the killing of Armenian civilians.

Russian peacekeepers restrict access to the Lachin corridor by international media and humanitarian organizations. Transportation talks collapsed after Azerbaijan insisted on building the Zangezur corridor through Armenia, connecting Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, an Azerbaijani enclave in Armenia.

Azerbaijans detention of [Armenian] POWs also violates the ceasefire terms. In violation of the ceasefire terms, as well as Articles 3 and 4 of the Geneva Conventions, over 100 Armenian captives are held by Azerbaijan, which claims they are terrorists, saboteurs, and war criminals. Instead of releasing them as the ceasefire terms required, Aliyev has openly used them as bargaining chips. Ten were selectively released recently, for which Aliyev expects credit. Video evidence shows Erdogans wife advising Aliyev to use this tactic and hold onto the POWs in blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and the Geneva Conventions.

POWs recount mistreatment beginning immediately upon detention. They were beaten, tortured, and humiliated by the military personnel who had taken them captive, with abuses continuing during interrogations and the duration of their time in custody. POWs were denied sufficient food or water. They were subject to sleep deprivation and minimal medical attention.

Russian peacekeepers initially played a useful role, preventing further aggression by Azerbaijan. At this stage, however, a multilateral approach would be more effective. In 1994, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe [(OSCE)] established the Minsk Group co-chaired by Russia, France, and the United States. The Minsk Group can ensure greater transparency and more effective peacekeeping operations.

The Minsk Group should accelerate talks over border demarcation and transportation agreements, while establishing buffer zones that are enforceable and effective. It can also take the lead on monitoring, calling out the perpetrators, and naming parties responsible for escalating violence.

The Minsk Group must not turn a blind eye to Turkey by allowing Ankara to establish a broader footprint in the South Caucasus. A direct transport link through Nakhichevan to Baku will destabilize the region and must be prevented. Turkey is a party to the conflict, unqualified to participate in peace enforcement. The joint Russian-Turkish peace monitoring center should be disbanded.

The Biden administration should insist on the return of all POWs and accountability for their captors. France could call on the European Court for Human Rights to play a role, which would deter future crimes.

More robust engagement would signal the U.S. commitment to stabilizing the South Caucasus, ending abuses, and furthering accountability. It would also constrain Russias regional ambitions.

A multilateral approach would limit Russias role in the post-Soviet space. It also presents an opportunity for the United States and Russia to work together on a regional conflict where their interests overlap.
The United States and NATO partners are united in their readiness to start active diplomatic talks with Russia, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price noted, VOA reported.

The Biden administration has confirmed that the bilateral talks between the United States and Russia will take place on January 10. The White House said in a statement that the two sides will discuss security concerns in Eastern Europe and the possibility of easing growing tensions over Ukraine.

Ned Price did not answer the question who will lead the American delegation in the negotiations, saying that more information about this will come out in the coming days. He stressed that the Biden administration continues to show a clear and consistent approach to the situation around Ukraine, adding that the Ukrainian issue will also be discussed at the January 12 meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, and on January 13at the meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

State Department spokesperson confirmed that during the bilateral talks the United States will definitely take into account the views of its allies and partners.

Price stressed that the Strategic Stability Dialogue, whose approval became known after the June 16 summit of Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, is a bilateral channel with the Russian Federation to discussion issues of strategic stability, issues that are of great importance to the United States but also great importance to our NATO Allies.
The Office of the President of Armenia informs that Russia President Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory message to Armenian President Armen Sarkissian on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas holidays. The congratulatory message reads as follows, in particular:

"Armenian-Russian relations are based on good traditions of friendship, cultural and spiritual closeness. I am convinced that next year our bilateral allied cooperation, constructive cooperation in various domains will continue to develop for the interest of our brotherly peoples and for the benefit of strengthening stability and security in the region."
After the last press conference of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held online, there is the impression that he is trying in every to convey to the public the notion that there is an urgent need to remove him from office. Chairman Aram Sargsyan of the Democratic Party of Armenia told about this to a press conference Wednesday.

According to the opposition politician, Pashinyan should be "helped" to immediately step down from power.

"Seriously, there is the impression that he wants to say, Well, what else can I do so that you can 'worthily' remove me from office? What else can he do so that we finally understand [this]? We do not have a head of state who is concerned and always thinks about the country and the people," said Sargsyan.

Moreover, the politician has the impression that the Armenian people have lost the instinct of self-preservation.

"Armenians have lost the instinct for self-preservation; especially those who pursue a pro-Turkish policy in Armenia. I'm just in shock. The Armenians seem to want to check again whether the Turks will massacre them or not. Armenia wants to start negotiations with Ankara, with the presence of preconditions. Turkey has not given up and will not give up on them," Aram Sargsyan stressed.
There is still military-political tension in the South Caucasus; moreover, it has become stronger, and there is also uncertainty with respect to various processes which are, in their turn, linked to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and the attempts of Turkey and Azerbaijan to reinforce their influence in the region, Russian political scientist Andrey Areshev said in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to him, there are many processes that are not sustainable and will move in this or that direction in 2022.

The region will remain a region that is rather conflictual and is about to explode, in spite of all the attempts to establish diplomatic platforms for unifying the countries of the region, he said.

The analyst stated that in Armenia various groups are expressing the exact opposite viewpoints on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and the settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relations, recalling the unequivocal response that Pashinyans statements sparked in Armenia, that is, the statements that helped reiterate Bakus argument about the impossibility of the existence of Nagorno-Karabakh out of Azerbaijan.

Areshev believes the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations under the conditions of Ankara will also spark tension. Certain discrepancies between Russia and Turkey and between Iran and Turkey will contribute to the tension in the region, in spite of the several attempts to smoothen them. I believe the political and diplomatic efforts, including Russias efforts will, nevertheless, provide the opportunity to avoid radical military scenarios in the coming year, he stated.

As far as the role of the United States is concerned, Areshev believes even though there were certain circles that were behind the previous attempts to normalize the Armenian-Turkish relations, the current stage mainly proceeds from Turkeys interests which has an interest in the formation of a geopolitical space in the South Caucasus that includes not only Georgia and Azerbaijan with which Ankara has more than positive relations, but also Armenia.

I believe this will be easier to do during the current administration of Armenia, and Turkey is trying to benefit from this. The attempts of the countrys incumbent authorities to restructure Armenias foreign policy are more than noticeable. In case of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, the next step will be to pay more attention to the Russian military base deployed in Gyumri and the Russian military presence in Armenia in general. In this regard, the Armenian authorities need to decide whether they want to regenerate the previous ties with Russia in the security sector or become something like a Turkish vilayet. This is an issue that is out in the open, and in 2022 we will follow the active discussions of members of Armenian society about the paths for the countrys development, including foreign policy, Areshev emphasized.

According to him, Pashinyans long-term power in Armenia will be strictly dependent on support from abroad.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in a reception organized for the representatives of the public administration system on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas holidays.

In his speech, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan particularly said,

Honorable President of the National Assembly,

Distinguished representatives of the Government, the legislative and the judicial branches,

First of all, I would like to thank all of you for the work done in 2021, because people usually complain about the work of the public system, citing bureaucracy, hassles, delays. But I want to remind you that 2021 was not an ordinary year, in fact, we felt, saw and faced a significant part of the consequences of the 44-day war in 2021. Our statehood was facing huge, dangerous challenges, and it should be stated that we were able to manage those challenges.

Of course, it was not easy, the work done by all those present, all our state bodies, local self-government bodies is of essential and key importance for the management of those challenges. I am really thankful to you for that work. Moreover, by overcoming those challenges, we not only did not damage Armenia's international reputation as a democratic country, but, on the contrary, strengthened it even more.

Early parliamentary elections were held in the country in 2021. With them, we were able to reveal a new function of the electoral process, when the atmosphere of internal political unrest was finally overcome by the elections, and not the contrary. During those elections and before that, our entire state system, legal system and judiciary worked around the clock. Moreover, they worked trying not to yield to emotions, trying to stay loyal to the service, mission, state order. And it is obvious that in 2021 this service of addressing these challenges was a success, which does not mean that our work is perfect, on the contrary, in 2020-2021 we identified a number of systemic problems that exist in our public administration system. And an agenda has been formed, which, of course, we must consistently implement.

Our greatest challenge is ensuring external security, but I want to emphasize again that ensuring external security is not, has not been and should not be the function of only the army, the Armed Forces. It is equally the function of our diplomatic service, our other public administration bodies. I would also like to mention here the work of our special services, the important mission and work of our parliamentary diplomacy. And I want to emphasize that we have also overcome significant challenges in the field of internal security in 2021, moreover, we have overcome those challenges without any shocks. And in this regard, I want to emphasize again the work of our law enforcement agencies.

Dear attendees,

Dear colleagues,

I want to wish Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all you, your families. I want to believe that 2022 will really be a year of renascence for Armenia. I hope the shocks that took place in 2020-2021, our capability to pass that road full of those shocks, which was demonstrated, will really help and strengthen us in building a state worthy of all our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland during the 44-day war, the four-day war that took place before it, also our victims of the previous Artsakh war. This is probably the biggest motivation we have. And this is probably the biggest motivation, which should never allow us to waver or shake under any circumstances. We must take firm steps towards the Armenia that our ancestors dreamed of, that our martyrs dreamed of, that we dream of for our generations.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"
In 2021, Gallup chronicled Americans' reactions as President Donald Trump left the White House and as President Joe Biden took office and settled into his new job. We also tracked Americans' evolving reactions to the coronavirus pandemic each month.

Just as important were the landmark changes we documented this year on key economic, social and political trends.

Here's the roll call:

Presidential Approval in Biden's First Year

The year began with Americans predicting that history will not be kind to Trump. His final job approval rating as president punctuated the point, registering a record low for him of 34%. At the same time, Americans largely approved of how the incoming Biden administration handled the presidential transition.

Once Biden took office, his first job approval rating, 57%, was just shy of the historical average for modern presidents. And he maintained majority approval through June. Yet these initial positive ratings masked record political polarization for an early-term president.

Biden's approval rating then dipped to about 50% over the summer, as the coronavirus situation deteriorated. It plunged to 43% in September, following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, and remains at the same reduced level at year's end.

Political Identity and Ideology

With partisan polarization as strong as it is, public opinion of the presidency is best understood with the additional context of Americans' underlying party preferences.

Gallup's January 2021 review of Americans' party ID found 30% of U.S. adults in 2020 identifying as Democrats, 29% as Republicans and 39% as independents.

Only when considering the political leanings of independents did either party have a meaningful advantage coming into 2021, with Democrats' lead at five percentage points -- 48% to 43%.

Democrats' leaned-party ID advantage over Republicans stretched to nine points in the first quarter.

Gallup will review Americans' 2021 party preferences in January 2022, but a September poll already hinted at improvement for the GOP. That survey found more Americans than in 2020 choosing the Republicans over the Democrats as the party better able to keep the country safe and, separately, prosperous.

Meanwhile, the two parties are worlds apart when it comes to the diversity of members' self-ascribed political ideology. While the vast majority of Republicans (75%) self-identify as conservative, Democrats are divided, with nearly as many describing their political views as moderate (37%) or conservative (12%) as describing them as liberal (51%).

Americans as a whole are more politically fractured on social issues than on economic issues. Whereas about a third each identify as liberal (34%), moderate (35%) or conservative (30%) on social issues, a plurality (41%) are conservative on economic issues, with just a quarter identifying as liberal.

When it comes to Americans' views of leading economic systems, the majority of adults, including Democrats, view capitalism positively -- while the majority of adults, but not Democrats, view socialism negatively.

The Pandemic Roller Coaster

Regarding the coronavirus situation, Americans' mood quickly improved at the start of 2021 as optimism about the pandemic overtook the profound pessimism that had persisted in the second half of 2020. Accordingly, Americans' worry about getting COVID-19 and social distancing behaviors dwindled in the spring.

By May, the majority of Americans said their lives were at least somewhat back to normal as their optimism about the coronavirus situation reached 84%. U.S. adults' general wellbeing also soared at this time, with the percentage "thriving" surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

But by July, pandemic optimism was cut to 40% as the delta variant powered a new wave of infections, and optimism fell further to 15% in August. As the fall came around, optimism about the course of the pandemic greatly rebounded to 51% in October only to be quickly dashed again in December, falling back to 31%.

As the delta variant wreaked havoc on perceptions of the pandemic, Gallup's November healthcare poll found no change from the prior year in the percentage of Americans describing their mental or emotional health as "excellent," stuck at 34%, versus 43% pre-pandemic.

The Ripple Effects of COVID-19

Gallup has also tracked how the pandemic is affecting the workplace and education.

On the workplace:

As of September, 45% of full-time U.S. employees were working remotely all or part of the time, little changed since the spring. The rate was significantly higher, at 67%, among workers in white-collar jobs, contrasted with 48% in education and 35% in healthcare.

Less than half of U.S. workers favored employer vaccine mandates when Gallup first asked about them in May, but by September, support had grown to 58%.

A Gallup analysis of worker emotions found that women's on-the-job burnout increased with the onset of the pandemic in 2020 and persisted in 2021, while men's edged down slightly.

On the education front, Gallup reported parents' views about remote learning and the use of masks in the classroom:

In February, Gallup found 79% of K-12 parents in the U.S. supporting in-person schooling for elementary and secondary students in their community, including 94% of Republican parents and 62% of Democratic parents.

At the start of the school year in August, Gallup found parents sharply split over mask-wearing policies, with 48% saying masks should be mandatory for all students and 41% saying masks shouldn't be required for any students. Eleven percent favored masks for unvaccinated students only.

Notable Highs and Lows in Gallup Trends

Several long-term Gallup trends reflected a growing social liberalism among Americans in 2021.

Reflecting the heightened attention to race relations since the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, Americans' belief that good relations exist between Black and White people in the U.S. reached a new low of 42% in Gallup's two-decade trend, after descending to 44% in 2020. In most prior measurements since 2001, the majority rated race relations positively.

Partly because of younger generations' shift away from religion, the percentage of Americans who reported being a member of a church, synagogue or mosque fell to a record-low 47% according to a March 2021 Gallup report. This finding (based on combined 2018-2020 data) represents the first time in Gallup's trend since the 1930s that less than half of U.S. adults have claimed such membership.

Throughout the year, Gallup polls provided multiple signs of public discontent with their political institutions as well as the fourth estate:

In late January/early February, Gallup found a record-high 62% believing that the two major parties "do such a poor job that a third major party is needed."

In September, a record-low 40% approved of the job the Supreme Court was doing.

At the same time, the 36% of Americans expressing trust in the media was the second lowest on record, while Americans' positive ratings of four media-related industries -- the computer, internet, publishing, and television and radio sectors -- were at record lows, mainly owing to Republicans souring on them.

And while trust in many societal institutions was steady -- albeit low -- in 2021, trust in the federal government to handle international problems fell to its lowest level yet, at 39%.

In terms of global perceptions, Americans' favorable views of two countries -- China and Russia -- hit record lows of 20% and 22%, respectively.

Shifting to positive trends, Americans in October were the most upbeat they have been since 2001 about the U.S. job market. Reflecting the nation's low unemployment rate and unprecedented labor shortages in many industries, 74% said it was a good time to find a job.

And with jobs plentiful, approval of labor unions (68%) was also the highest in more than a half-century.

Stable but Notable Views

In addition to tracking Americans' views on the president's performance, monitoring reactions to the pandemic and finding record-setting positions in 2021, Gallup documented stability in many of its long-term trends on a wide range of cultural and social matters. Some of the most relevant ones in light of recent news include:

We Close Remembering 9/11

2021 contained two landmark anniversaries related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the U.S. that provided a natural time to review how the country has and hasn't changed since Sept. 11, 2001:

May 2 marked 10 years from the day in 2011 that U.S. forces executed 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden. Gallup reviewed how Americans reacted to bin Laden's death at the time, including how it affected President Barack Obama's job approval rating.

Sept. 11 marked 20 years from the day in 2001 that the 9/11 attacks occurred. A 2021 Gallup poll documented how public attitudes about terrorism have changed in the intervening years. Americans are less likely today than in 2001 to be avoiding travel by air, going into skyscrapers and traveling overseas because of the events that occurred on 9/11. But they are also less likely than they were in 2011 to believe the U.S. is winning the war against terrorism.

Gallup's regular polling on presidential approval, the coronavirus situation and numerous long-term trends will continue in 2022, Gallup's 88th year of measuring the will of the people.
From an overwhelming application pool of 150 startups, the selection committee shortlisted 4 startups for the programme. The accelerator offers IIITH's research support, business mentorship, market access and Rs 40L seed fund.

Avishkar is a 6-month cohort-based accelerator programme facilitated jointly by CIE, IIIT Hyderabad, Co-creation Consulting, and SucSeed Indovation Fund. It brings together the deep-tech expertise of IIITH's research labs and the opportunity of working within the ecosystem of IIITH Foundation while engaging in in-depth business mentoring from Co-creation consulting and Investor connections from SucSEED Indovation Fund.

The program focuses on honing the business plan, team, and overall strategy of the startups and getting the startups business investment ready. It facilitates the startups' journey from a seed level to a VC/Angel level readiness.

Prof. Ramesh Loganathan, COO CIE-IIITH says, "Connecting research with startups is a key need to help realize deep-tech innovation that can succeed in the markets. Happy to see yet another cohort of Avishkar commencing."

The startups in this cohort are:

Hirex.ai, a cognitive voice-bot solution for automated hiring interviews.

CometLabs, an AI-powered solution for hiring deeptech developers by competitive development events and bootcamps.

Embedsense, an industrial IoT company providing remote monitoring, process optimization, and predictive maintenance in moulding manufacturing setup.

WebNyay, an online dispute resolution ecosystem end-to-end digital platform for the resolution of complaints and disputes in an efficient, speedy, flexible, and inexpensive manner.

Avishkar, through the six years, has enabled a number of alumni Avishkar startups. That have since raised external VC funding. Revos (USD 4M), Instoried (USD 8M) Scholr (Acquired by Edtech giant of India, Byju's), Paymatrix (Acquired by Muthoot) among others.

This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 29 (ANI/NewsVoir): On December 16-18, electronica India, productronica India, IPCA Expo and MatDispens, back in their physical format, were held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in Bengaluru and concluded this special edition successfully. Continuing the bounce back sentiment, the business community enthusiastically took part, with over 138 exhibitors showcasing their solutions and innovations to the visitors. In terms of visitors, this special edition attracted more than 8255* participants (*includes visitors to electronica India, productronica India, IPCA Expo and MatDispens co-located with LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA s and SmartCards Expo). "We are happy that this special edition of electronica India, productronica India, IPCA Expo and MatDispens once again delivered a successful platform for exhibitors, partners and buyers to meet, greet and do business successfully. The exhibition hall displayed an atmosphere of confidence and the energy to exchange business on the floor," said Bhupinder Singh, CEO of Messe Muenchen India. On the closing day of the event, Dr Ashwath Narayan C.N., Minister of Science and Technology, Higher Education, Electronics & Information Technology, Biotechnology of Karnataka said, "The government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have been front runners contributing to the growth of the hardware manufacturing industry in our country. They have provided a platform to the companies with various schemes and incentives, out of which PLI, SPEC are a few notable schemes for semiconductor manufacturing and others. By doing this, India will become self-reliant, leading to growth in economy, thereby facilitating growth ecosystem. Electronica and Productronica are highly appreciated. On behalf of Government of Karnataka, I would like to congratulate the organisers for aligning their vision with MeitY and taking this leap for growth." Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer, Deputy CEO of Messe Munchen GmbH, added, "We are glad to see the exhibition hall buzzing again and would like to thank all participants for their care and cooperation." Face to face interactions again All the exhibitors, visitors, buyers, and partners took full advantage of face-to-face meetings - on site. Mr. Sameer Verma, Area Sales and Key Account Manager, Kurtz Ersa India, expressed, "It was great to exchange ideas and meet personally again. I was especially excited about our new technologies and products here as well as to meet all our industry peers. " Thought provoking supporting program The industry not only exchanged information at the booths, but also at the first-rate supporting program. The topics were tailored to the market requirements. The conference sessions, CEO Forum, and India PCB Tech, organized together with partners focused on the topic of "A trillion dollars digital economy - Pathway to progress" and "Investment in PCB manufacturing - a billion dollars opportunity witnessing green shoots". Online - the exhibition beyond three days The trade fairs extended their scope to the digital world. Through online participation options, electronica India, productronica India, IPCA Expo and MatDispens carried together a premium audience of top business and technology leaders and influencers across the globe. Ms. Saswati Ray, Senior Marketing Manager (India), APAC, Mouser Electronics said, "This platform has produced new ideas for groundbreaking innovations, for the validation of business strategies and enabled to strengthen or build up new contacts." The digital event platform was frequently used to access company profiles, see products and services, hold B2B meetings, learn from the conferences and network." Positioning back 2022 in India Expo Mart, Greater Noida The successful impact of this long-awaited edition gives more than enough reasons to look forward to the next editions, which will be back to India Expo Mart, Greater Noida from September 21-23, 2022. electronica and productronica worldwide electronica India and productronica India are part of Messe Munchen's network of trade fairs for the electronics industry. That network also includes the leading international trade fairs electronica and productronica in Munich, electronica China, electronica South China, Smart Cards Expo, electronicAsia, as well as productronica China, productronica South China, productronica India and LOPEC. MatDispens India MatDispens is a new exhibition on adhesives, sealants, silicone and other performance materials and related dispensing, metering, mixing equipment used across diverse industries. Founded in 2007 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Messe Muenchen, Messe Muenchen India Pvt. Ltd. is one of the leading organizers of trade fairs in India with an extensive portfolio of B2B trade fairs covering various sectors: bauma CONEXPO India, electronica India, productronica India, MatDispens, drink technology India, LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA, Intersolar India/The smarter E India, IFAT India, analytica Anacon India/India Lab Expo, Pharma Pro Pack, Indian Ceramics Asia, Smart Card Expo, VRTECH India, World Tea & Coffee Expo, Pack Mach Asia Expo and air cargo India. Messe Muenchen India works closely with industry stakeholders to develop well-researched trade fairs encapsulating the latest trends and innovations dominating the industry. Headquartered in Mumbai with offices in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, Messe Muenchen India connects global competence by bringing professionals together for business, learning and networking. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], December 29 (ANI/NewsVoir): With the aim to promote interdisciplinary research, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), and Chitkara International School (CIS) have launched a Collaborative Research Project (CRP) which facilitates collaboration between the faculty and students. Recognizing the immense contribution of innovations in national growth, 2010-2020 was declared as the 'Decade of Innovation' by the Government of India. To contribute to this, CRP functions with the primary objective of working on innovative ideas and explore if joint research groups from Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh and Chitkara International School work together on them. By participating in the Collaborative Research Project, faculty members can find colleagues with whom they can collaborate and students who may be interested in assisting with their projects. With this vision, 12-14 teams have been formed from both the institutes, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh and Chitkara International School to work on this initiative with Dr Sartajvir Singh, IPR Cell Coordinator, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, as the mentor. Referring to the excellent opportunity to think of out-of-the-box solutions for everyday problems for school students, Dr Niyati Chitkara, Director, Chitkara International Schools remarked, "It is an excellent opportunity for our young thinkers who have been mentored by senior academicians from Chitkara University and this will go a long way in developing a scientific temperament among the school students." "The foundation of societal advancement lies in innovation. Universities are not only repositories of innovation but also provide thought leadership on scientific, ethical and social issues which confront society when advancements take place due to innovations. With the help of CRP, more than 50 faculty members and students have benefitted from both the campuses i.e., Chitkara University and Chitkara International School," said Dr Manoj Manuja, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Chitkara University. "Moreover, it gives me immense pleasure to share that we have reached the next logical milestone of our on-going vibrant collaboration with CIS team which has resulted in filing 12 joint patents on novel ideas. Apart from CU-HP and CIS Faculty, we also have students from CIS as the primary contributors towards this initiative and joint owners of the filed patents," said Dr Manuja. Explaining the importance of patents, IPR Cell Coordinator, Chitkara University, Dr Sartajvir Singh said, "Innovations and patents are intricately linked. Patents help to create ownership over innovations and facilitate investments and commercialization. They also help in the dissemination of knowledge owing to legal requirement for open publication and also create respect and recognition for the innovators and the institutions, in event of commercialization owing to technologically advanced products which benefit society." Chitkara University, situated near Chandigarh (India) has emerged as the most vibrant and high-ranking university in North India which has been ranked A+ by the NAAC. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, scientifically driven pedagogy, strong industry collaborations, and 120+ working associations from schools across the world, Chitkara University not only attracts the finest students from across the nation but with its seamless placement support, it is also able to help them carve high growth careers. For more information, please visit www.chitkara.edu.in. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Just six weeks after the Glasgow climate summit (COP26), where the world agreed to phase down coal, Australia is opening the world's biggest new coal basin, the Galilee Basin in Queensland. Coal giant Adani is commencing its first exports of coal from the Carmichael mine. Adani says the first coal for export is "being assembled" at its coal port in Bowen, the North Queensland Export Terminal. Adani plans for the mine to be Australia's biggest, but has faced 10 years of opposition from Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners and climate campaigners. Responding to the development, Joseph Sikulu, 350.org Pacific Coordinator, recently returned from COP26, says: "Just last month I was at the Glasgow climate summit when global governments pledged to phase down coal. Adani is doing the opposite of this agreement. "Adani and the governments who enabled them are throwing a wrecking ball at global efforts to protect the Pacific from the impacts of climate change. But we won't let them, we stand in solidarity with the Wangan and Jagalingou people. "We are in the fight of our lives to stop dangerous climate change. We simply cannot afford for Adani's mine to expand to 60 million tonnes per year. We will fight to keep every single tonne of coal in the ground where it belongs." Julien Vincent, Executive Director of Market Forces said: "People power has kept tens of millions of tonnes of Adani's coal in the ground. We'll keep fighting to prevent as much climate-wrecking coal from being mined and burned by Adani as we can. "At this point in the climate crisis, every tonne of coal counts if we are to avoid catastrophic climate impacts like mega fires and superstorms. Adani plans to pour fuel on the fire, continuing to build the Carmichael mine to be Australia's biggest, as well as new coal mines and plants overseas. "We're so close to denying Adani a critical source of finance it needs to be able to keep running the Carmichael mine: insurance. Over 100 companies have walked away from this disastrous project so far. If we keep pushing, we can stop it, permanently." On opposition to Adani's mine, Adrian Burragubba, Senior Elder and spokesperson for the Nagana Yarrbayn, Wangan and Jagalingou Cultural Custodians, said: "Wangan and Jagalinagou people first said no to Adani's mine in 2012, and we continue to say no. Adani has never had free prior and informed consent from the Wangan and Jagalingou people. "We will continue to resist Adani's coal mine, practice our culture, and assert our human rights as the first nations people of this country. We are not going away: this is our land and we have human rights." Wangan and Jagalingou people have been conducting the cultural ceremony Waddananggu for over 120 days on Wangan and Jagalingou country and Adani's mining lease. "This Ceremony will continue and our Human Rights to practice ceremony on the country must be respected," Burragubba added. --IANS vg/ksk/ ( 504 Words) 2021-12-29-10:16:04 (IANS)
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCIs) do not require prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for buying or selling immovable properties like houses in India, the central bank said on Wednesday. "At present, NRIs/OCIs are governed by provisions of FEMA 1999 and do not require prior approval of RBI for acquisition and transfer of immovable property in India, other than agricultural land/ farm house/ plantation property, as per the terms and conditions laid down in Chapter IX of the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, dated October 17, 2019 (as amended from time to time), issued under Section 46 of FEMA 1999," the RBI said in a statement. The RBI issued a clarification on acquisition/transfer of immovable property in India by Overseas Citizen of India (OCIs). "A large number of queries have been received at various Offices of the Reserve Bank, based on newspaper reports on a Supreme Court Judgement, on whether prior approval of RBI is required for acquisition/transfer of immovable property in India by as Overseas Citizen of India OCIs," the central bank said. "It is hereby clarified that the concerned Supreme Court Judgement dated February 26, 2021 in Civil Appeal 9546 of 2010 was related to provisions of FERA, 1973, which has been repealed under Section 49 of FEMA, 1999," the RBI added. (ANI)
Ahead of a launch slated for January 2022, Travis Scott and Dior have indefinitely postponed their 'Cactus Jack Dior' line of products. The news comes after a troubling few weeks for Scott, who has been hit with dozens of lawsuits following the Astroworld tragedy that left 10 people dead. According to The Hollywood Reporter, of the approximately 50,000 concertgoers who attended his Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas on November 5, hundreds more were injured. The capsule collection originally began as a collaboration between Dior men's artistic director Kim Jones and Scott, who's Cactus Jack brand spans music, fashion, and food and beverage. In a statement, representatives for Dior said, "Out of respect for everyone affected by the tragic events at Astroworld, Dior has decided to postpone indefinitely the launch of products from the Cactus Jack collaboration originally intended to be included in its summer 2022 collection." Since the Astroworld tragedy, Scott's Air Max 1, a two-sneaker collaboration with Nike, has been put on hold and Anheuser-Busch, Scott's partner on the popular Cacti hard seltzer beverage, announced that the cans would be discontinued. Scott has gained a reputation for being an entrepreneurial rapper, counting brands like Nike, Jordan, McDonald's, Epic Games, and Parsons School of Design as collaborators on various projects. The now-suspended launch is not the first time Scott has worked with Dior; the musician was the face of the luxury fashion house's AIR DIOR capsule collection for their Men's Fall-Winter 2020 show. But Scott's shelved project would have been more uniquely his own, as the Cactus Jack Dior collection was designed to pay homage to his native Texas and the Dior brand's Parisian heritage and connection to the American South. The collection was the first time Dior partnered with a musician on a collection and the first time it ever allowed its iconic logo to be altered. As of December 22, The House Committee on Oversight and Reform has launched an investigation into Live Nation, the event promotion and management company responsible for organising the Astroworld festival. In an open letter to Michael Rapino, Live Nation's president-CEO, Carolyn B. Maloney, the committee's chairwoman, has demanded a hearing before the close of January 2022. (ANI)
While the film industry was on its way to bouncing back from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delhi government on Tuesday ordered to shut down cinema halls, spas, and gyms in order to curb the rise in COVID-19 cases. However, the multiplex owners are concerned about the decision and recently wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to reconsider the new rules and allow the operation of theatres with proper guidelines and protocols in place. Bollywood celebrities including Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, who will be next seen sharing screen space in 'Bhediya', have extended their support to the plea of the multiplex owners. Posting the statement on their Instagram stories, Varun and Kriti urged their fans to read and spread it, and the government to consider it. The Multiplex Association of India's (MAI) letter stated that the Delhi government's decision had caused "massive uncertainty" and that it could lead to "irreparable damage" to the film industry. It further stated that the period from March 2020 was "undeniably the most challenging" for the film industry. "Not a single outbreak of COVID-19 anywhere around the world has been traced to a cinema, " read the letter. It also sought "equal treatment" with other industries and institutions. It requested the Delhi government to introduce the double vaccination requirement to enter cinemas like in states like Maharashtra and resort to a 50 per cent capacity for seating. "We call on the Government to recognise the unique social, cultural and economic value of the Indian film industry, and to provide the support it so desperately needs to survive this unprecedented period," the statement concluded. Amid the rise in Omicron cases, the first film to postpone its release is Shahid Kapoor's 'Jersey' which was earlier slated to release on December 31 this year. The makers of the film made the announcement on Tuesday. A new release date for the movie is yet to be announced. (ANI)
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on Wednesday, sealed Arjun's Mumbai residence after he tested positive for COVID-19. Currently, the sanitisation work of his building is under process. However, Arjun has not issued any statement regarding his diagnosis yet.

Earlier in the day, Arjun's cousin Rhea Kapoor shared that she has tested positive for coronavirus.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Rhea wrote, "Yes I am positive for COVID in spite of being super careful. But this is the nature of the pandemic. Not sure why my or anyone's private health information is news or gossip. This information should only be for the government and medical bodies so that they can do their job and not on gossip sites. It's invasive and weird."

According to reports, Arjun's sister Anshula Kapoor, who turned a year older today, has also contracted the virus. (ANI)
Indian film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the news on his Twitter handle, writing, "#Xclusiv... BREAKING NEWS... 'RRR' VERY MUCH ON 7 JAN 2022... SS RAJAMOULI OFFICIAL STATEMENT TO ME... No postponement. #SSRajamouli #JrNTR #RamCharan #RRR #RRRMovie #RRRPreReleaseEvent #RoarOfRRRInKerala."

Directed by 'Baahubali' fame director SS Rajamouli, 'RRR' features a stellar cast including Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Jr. NTR, and Ram Charan.

Set in pre-independence India, 'RRR' is a fictional take on the younger days of celebrated freedom fighters, Komaram Bheem and Alluri Seetharama Raju, portrayed by Jr. NTR and Ram Charan.

'RRR' was originally planned as a July 30, 2020 release. However, the unforeseen delays, including those caused by injuries suffered by Jr NTR and Ram during production, forced the makers to push the release date.

The makers then pushed the release date to October 13 this year, but due to the theatres not being fully functional, the makers postponed that date too.

Jayantilal Gada (PEN) has bagged the theatrical distribution rights across North India and has also bought worldwide electronic rights for all languages. Pen Marudhar will be distributing the film in the North territory. (ANI)
Soon after resident doctors protesting in front of the Safdarjung Hospital were allegedly roughed up by Delhi Police, Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) President Dr Rakesh Bagdi tweeted: "Depressed, exhausted, cheated now arrested. "Thank you Nation for ur repay for all services we had given in this hard time (sic)." That summed up the mood of the doctors protesting since November 27 but became the talking point across India only when they took to the streets. The doctors, under the banner of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), have been staging protests across India and were soon joined by the FAIMA. The resident doctors' demands are simple: Conduct counseling for NEET-PG examination, the National Eligibility Entrance Test for entrance to post-graduate courses, so that those selected will add to the strength of existing inadequate number of resident doctors across medical institutions in India. Since March 2020, it has been the resident doctors that have borne the maximum load of the pandemic with long hours of duties, endless time away from families and, in several cases, facing the wrath of relatives of the patients who succumbed to coronavirus. The resident doctors were hoping to get additional hands once the NEET PG admissions were done. The examination that was scheduled in April 2021 was postponed due to the second wave that time. In September, finally the written examination was conducted but the interviews/counseling sessions have been pending. The government has been delaying it as it claimed the matter about Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota is sub judice and hence it cannot go ahead with the admissions. At a time when India and the whole world is staring at a possible third wave thanks to the Omicron variant, the doctors can always do with additional hands. With the government not relenting, the resident doctors across India started the protests since November 27. The events that unfolded on the streets of Delhi when the Delhi Police pushed and shoved them, including female doctors, allegedly baton-charged them, bundled them into buses and arrested them - and also lodged an FIR - the doctors became more restless. Delhi Police, however, denied any usage of "force or lathicharge" on the resident doctors and said they have "highest regard for the doctors". With the government not agreeing to their demands, doctors on Tuesday said they will declare their further course of action soon. --IANS niv/vd ( 411 Words) 2021-12-28-22:48:03 (IANS)
Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday signed an MoU with Apollo Hospitals for the establishment of a multi-specialty hospital in Jammu. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha termed the MoU another major milestone for J&K. "We have embarked on a new journey of development and socio-economic growth, which will take J&K UT to levels never seen before," he said. "With greater industry engagement and greater investment, J&K will grow from strength to strength in the years to come. Besides providing best healthcare facilities, the venture will bring huge direct and indirect employment opportunities for the locals," he said, adding that more healthcare projects and MoUs are in the pipeline to ensure best healthcare is within the reach of every citizen of the UT. In the first phase, Apollo Hospitals will set up a 250-bed hospital in the region. Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd Executive Vice Chairperson, Dr. Preetha Reddy, shared its vision to establish state-of-the-art health facilities in the UT. "We understand that the health sector creates vast job opportunities and this project will also generate more than 1,000 direct employment opportunities. That is the responsibility which all of us collectively have set forth to discharge. Apart from this, it will also become the training centre not only for doctors, but also for the nurses, paramedics, technicians, and allied healthcare workers," she said. --IANS zi/vd ( 233 Words) 2021-12-28-23:20:05 (IANS)
Airlines continue to cut flights as rising numbers of staff are infected by the Omicron coronavirus variant and bad winter weather disrupts parts of the US. As of Tuesday morning, 2,182 flights set to depart in the day have been canceled, and the cancellations have amounted to about 13,000 since Friday morning, according to figures from the flight-tracking website FlightAware. Of Tuesday's cancellations, 675 -- just under a third -- were flights within, into, or out of the US. United Airlines has canceled 115 flights or 5 per cent of its total flights for the day. Alaska Airlines has canceled 50 flights scheduled for Tuesday or 8 per cent of its flights, and JetBlue has canceled 75 flights or 7 per cent of its schedule, according to the website's data. "The highly contagious Omicron variant of Covid-19 has fueled a rising wave of infections across the US and caused significant disruptions to holiday travel," reported CBS News, noting that from Friday to Monday, more than 5,400 flights in the country were canceled and thousands more were delayed, with airlines citing staff shortages caused by Covid-19 infections among pilots, crew and other airline workers out sick. Meanwhile, Delta, Alaska, and SkyWest said that harsh weather conditions in parts of the US, including heavy snow in Washington state on Sunday, were also to blame for some cancellations, reported Business Insider. Delta has canceled 81 flights on Tuesday or 3 per cent, and Spirit has canceled 69 or 8 per cent. SkyWest has canceled 139 flights on Tuesday, or about 6 per cent of its scheduled flights, Xinhua news agency reported. "The nationwide spike in Omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation," CNN quoted a United memo as saying. Delta also said the cancellations are due to multiple issues, including the Omicron variant. "We apologise to our customers for the delay in their holiday travel plans," Delta added in a statement. Airlines were already having trouble finding enough crew to meet the surge in demand for travel, said the report. "Omicron is making that labor shortage even worse. Staffing shortages are leading to overworked flight crews and most of the canceled flights. Less choice in flights has led to higher ticket prices. And altercations over masks have been the cherry on the top of a miserable year for travel," it added. Officials with various airline unions said that their members are stressed to the "breaking point" by work conditions because of understaffing. Many pilots and flight attendants said they're having trouble getting the hotel rooms they need to meet the government-mandated rest requirements while working, according to the report. American Airlines and Southwest blamed service meltdowns in October and November on lacking enough pilots and flight attendants to adjust for weather-related cancellations. Pilots at American Airlines have held informational pickets in recent weeks to complain about work conditions, and the airline unions correctly predicted that the problems would get worse with the pick-up in travel over the holidays, it added. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious-disease expert, told MSNBC on Monday that "when you make vaccination a requirement, that's another incentive to get more people vaccinated. If you want to do that with domestic flights, I think that's something that seriously should be considered." "Omicron is different ... It has extraordinary capability of transmitting very efficiently from person to person," he said. The US already requires foreign visitors to show proof of vaccination to board an international flight to the country but there is no such rule for domestic travelers. However, in a CNN interview on Monday evening, Fauci said that he doubted the US administration would call for vaccine mandates for domestic flights "in the reasonable foreseeable future." US President Joe Biden, speaking to reporters on Monday, declined to say whether he endorsed a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel. The President has previously said he did not consider them necessary. --IANS int/khz/ ( 677 Words) 2021-12-29-00:18:04 (IANS)
Germany announced the Covid restrictions on Tuesday. Private gatherings of vaccinated and recovered people are limited to 10 people while unvaccinated people can get together with up to two other external people per household. Children under the age of 14 years are excluded from these curbs.

New Year's Eve gatherings and the sale of fireworks during the last days of the year will be banned nationwide, Xinhua news agency reported.

The number of confirmed Omicron variant infections in Germany increased by 45 per cent within one day, bringing the cumulative number to 10,443, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases said on Tuesday.

Most of the country's laboratory-confirmed Omicron cases were in the 15 to 34 years age group, followed by 35 to 59-years-old, according to the RKI.

"The goal is to vaccinate in time and quickly so that we keep the coming Omicron wave at bay as much as possible and then build up sufficient protection in the population," a spokesperson of the Ministry of Health said on Monday.

--IANS int/khz/

( 208 Words)

2021-12-29-01:46:04 (IANS)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee managed to secure a majority in the 2021 West Bengal assembly polls, because she met with an accident and campaigned from a wheel-chair, Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale said here on Tuesday. The Union Minister of State who is in Goa, also said that by winning 77 seats in West Bengal, the BJP had not lost the much hyped state assembly polls and neither could Banerjee claim to have won the elections. "Mamata Banerjee succeeded (in West Bengal). PM and I congratulated her. Those who are victorious in a democracy, must be congratulated. She won a huge success. The reason for this is Mamata Banerjee met with an accident, she was on a wheel chair. After that BJP lost 99 seats by a margin of 500 to 1500-2000 votes," Athawale told reporters at a press conference in Panaji. "The reason why BJP won less seats is because the Left Front and Congress there did not get any votes. All the votes went to Mamata Banerjee and TMC and that is why BJP got fewer votes. Otherwise BJP would have won 180-190 seats. BJP now has 77 seats. I feel that it was not BJP's loss nor was it Mamata's win," he also said. Athawale met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and state BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade and later announced the support of the Republican Party of India, which he heads nationally, to the ruling party for the 2022 polls. "In Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur, RPI will align with the BJP. In Goa, RPI will not field a single candidate and will support BJP in all 40 seats. My party's state committee has taken this decision. BJP should come to power here and RPI will be with the BJP wholeheartedly," Athawale said. --IANS maya/skp/ ( 315 Words) 2021-12-28-19:24:01 (IANS)
Presiding over a meeting of the District Task Force on Tuesday, Garg directed the District Town and Country Planning Department (DTCP) to take action in two weeks against people involved in developing illegal colonies in the Farrukhnagar area.

He has also asked the relevant authorities to immediately stop the ongoing construction work.

Garg directed all departments related to the enforcement to also strictly deal with illegal commercial activities going on in the licensed colonies.

District Town Planner (DTP), RS Bhatt said that after the permission of the Deputy Commissioner, a drone survey is underway to monitor the illegal construction activities.

"So far, a survey of about 3,000 acres of Garhi Harsaru and Palam Vihar areas has been done. Currently, this survey is being done in Bhondsi area. The survey is to be done on 12,000 acres in the district," Bhatt told IANS.

The DTP also presented a detailed report of the sealing of properties related to commercial activities in Sushant Lok Phase-1 before the Deputy Commissioner.

Bhatt also told the deputy commissioner that a large number of illegal commercial activities are being conducted in Phase 1, 2 and 3 of Sushant Lok including Phase 1 and 2 of DLF, which need to be sealed with immediate effect.

A demolition drive was also carried out at village Mahendarwara and Bhondsi on Tuesday by a team of DTCP led by Bhatt.

--IANS str/pgh

( 265 Words)

2021-12-28-19:30:05 (IANS)
In wake of a BJP lawmaker's suggestion that he should take a "brief rest", Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that he had "the energy and inspiration to work tirelessly without rest all 365 days of the year". "I have the energy to work tirelessly. I have resolved to work atleast 15 hours a day. Bringing the BJP back to power in the 2023 election is my aim. Preparations will be on in this regard," he told media persons on his arrival at Hubballi airport for the two day BJP State Executive Committee meeting that began on Tuesday. He was responding to BJP MLA M.P. Kumaraswamy's statement that he should take a brief rest. The two-day meet will have deliberations on issues related to party organisation and political developments, and a few significant decisions would be taken. BJP national General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Arun Singh and the state President would decide the agenda for the meeting, Bommai said. Replying to a question about the recent the ACB raid at the BDA, Bommai said that a request for permission to file an FIR has been received. Permission would be granted without any delay for the request from the Internal Vigilance Cell. Reacting to Arun Singh's statement that the 2023 election would be fought under his leadership, Bommai said: "The Central leadership has reposed faith in me. BJP believes in teamwork. We will work unitedly. There is good coordination between the government and party." --IANS mka/vd ( 260 Words) 2021-12-28-21:22:05 (IANS)
The incident took place in Rajawar village. The deceased have been identified as Ankush Kumar, Shivani Kumari, Seema Kumari, Soni Kumari and Ansu Kumari.

Senior officials including the district magistrate and the superintendent of police had rushed to the spot along with the firefighters.

Banka Superintendent of Police, Arvind Kumar Gupta said the mishap took place around 6 p.m. at the house of one Ashok Paswan.

"Paswan's wife Sarita Devi was cooking when the leakage appeared in the pipe. Soon, a fire broke out and it spread across the area where the children were present," Gupta told IANS.

Sarita Devi managed to escape to safety but her children were trapped inside. The cylinder, however, did not explode.

"We are taking statements from the victim's family members. The FSL team is also collecting samples from the house to ascertain the actual cause of the incident. The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem," Gupta said.

--IANS ajk/pgh

( 200 Words)

2021-12-28-21:36:04 (IANS)
The raids by multiple financial agencies are still underway at the different premises of Kanpur-based perfumer Piyush Jain, who was arrested by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence(DGGI) under the GST Act on Monday. Cash worth around Rs 200 crore, gold bars and sandalwood oil have been found from his premises in Kanpur and Kannauj, following which more agencies have been roped in to probe the matter. IANS now takes a look at how it all started. Tip of the iceberg was fake invoices of Rs 50,000 It all started when a special team of the Ahmedabad unit of DGGI found fake invoices of below Rs 50,000, which were issued by Ganpati Road Carriers to avoid Customs duty and taxes. Piyush Jain had connection with Ganpati Road Carriers. After gathering information about Ganpati Road Carriers and its owners and partners, the DGGI team decided to raid their premises. The first raid was conducted at the premises of Trimuti Fragrance Pvt ltd (the manufacturers of Shikhar brand pan masala and other tobacco products), which is reportedly owned by Piyush Jain. The DGGI unit did not stop there, as they had more information about the uncounted cash. Later, another raid was conducted at Ganpati Road Carriers. The products made at Trimuti Fragrance Pvt ltd were being transported to different locations by Ganpati Road Carriers. The manufacturer (Trimuti Fragrance) was supplying the goods, but was not paying the applicable taxes. Ganpati Road Carriers used to generate fake invoices of below Rs 50,000. "We intercepted four trucks full of goods. We were surprised as all the invoices were of below Rs 50,000. For products which have value of more than Rs 50,000, you will have to generate e-way bills, otherwise the states will not allow the good-laden truck to enter their territory. This was the reason they created all the bills of below Rs 50,000 to give us a slip. But we got suspicious and discussed the matter with our seniors to conduct raids at the premises of the transporter and the manufacturer," said a source. Ganpati Road Carriers always generated multiple invoices in the name of nonexistent firms. It also used to collect cash payments against the sale/purchase of the goods and would return them to Trimuti Fragrance after deducting the commission. On December 22, the DGGI seized four goods laden trucks from outside the factory premises of Trimuti Fragrance, which were cleared from the factory without invoices or e-way bills, confirming the suspicion of the intelligence agencies. The officials found that all the finished products were being supplied without paying GST. The authorised signatory of the company confessed to this during interrogation. The GST officials also recovered 200 fake invoices issued by Ganpati Road Carriers. Recovery of bundles of notes After this, the authorities sent another team to the residential address of Odochem Industries, a private firm which supplied raw materials to Trimuti Fragrance Private Ltd. During the search proceedings, huge amount of cash was found wrapped in paper. "It was a heap of cash. We had to take the help of officials from the State Bank of India, who suggested that without note counting machine, it was not possible to count the cash. Around 20 counting machines were then used. We kept on counting the cash for three days, till December 28, which came to around Rs 200 crore," an official said. The DGGI team then roped in the Income Tax Department as the matter was not just about avoiding Customs duty, but also involved tax evasion. The interrogation The DGGI team then detained Praveen Jain, the owner of Ganpati Road Carriers. But he did not give satisfactory answers to the probe team and even tried to mislead them. The team found that Piyush Jain, the brother-in-law of Praveen Jain, played a big role in the entire nexus. A team was immediately sent to the residence of Piyush in Kanpur from where he was detained. "We questioned him about the cash but he tried to avoid our all queries. We then took him to his paternal house in Kannauj to conduct a search and recovered 2.5 kg gold from there," the official said. How did he hide the cash and gold? Piysh Jain hid the cash in a secret chamber in the basement of his house. The cash was wrapped in paper. There were sacks full of cash, while gold bars were hidden in a cupboard. The DGCI officials have so far recovered 23 kg gold, sandalwood oil worth Rs 6 crore, 500 keys, 109 locks and 18 lockers. The financial intelligence agencies have claimed that Piyush Jain has four properties in Kanpur, seven in Kannauj, two in Mumbai, and one in Delhi. He also reportedly has two properties in Dubai, which the agencies are probing. The DGGI has lodged a case under Section 67 of the GST Act. The I-T Department will look into the tax evasion angle of the case. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is also probing the matter as the gold bars were reportedly brought from Dubai. A comprehensive report is being prepared by the DGGI, which will be handed over to the Enforcement Directorate. The ED can in future file case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). --IANS atk/arm ( 898 Words) 2021-12-28-21:56:01 (IANS)
Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday took a jibe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and said that only Yadav and some of his party leaders were pained by the arrest of Kanpur-based businessman Peeyush Jain, who was held for tax evasion. Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister said, "If someone hoards black money, if someone stores gold, around Rs 200 crores in cash, what will you do? Central agencies conducted an investigation because this should have been a part of the country's funds and should have been used for the welfare of the poor. However, that did not happen." "Instead of congratulating the agencies, SP leader protest against it and say that after income tax raids, Enforcement Directorate and CBI will also be looped in. Why are only SP people pained about it? What connections does the SP have with this perfume maker? Nobody else was pained. Only Akhilesh Yadav and some of his party leaders felt the pain," Thakur added. Meanwhile, Yadav has denied having any links with perfume businessman Peeyush Jain. "Raids on businessman Peeyush Jain's houses and establishments in Kanpur are not linked with Samajwadi Party at all. This incident shows that demonetization has failed. Officials who conducted raids may tell sources of recovered newly printed Rs 2,000 note," Yadav had said. The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) seized Rs 194.45 crores of cash, 23 kg gold and 600 kg sandalwood from Peeyush Jain's possession. The accused has admitted that cash recovered was related to the sale of goods without payment of taxes. He was arrested on Sunday under Section 67 of the CGST Act and has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a Kanpur court in the matter. The Union Minister further alleged that during the tenure of Yadav's government, there was corruption in the state. "You are seeing a fresh example right now," he said. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh will go to Assembly polls next year. On asking why people should vote again to bring Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the state, the Union Minister said that the state government has freed the state of 'Gundaraj' and 'Mafia raj' and given impetus to development in the last five years. "In the last 5 years, investments have come into the state which have facilitated easy of doing business and improved the economy," the Union Minister said. (ANI)
The Tripura government has decided to ban the use of tobacco products, both smokable and non-smokable, in government offices as a part of the government's anti-tobacco campaign. The West Tripura district has taken the first step in this regard and banned the use of tobacco products on the office premises. The 'no-tobacco programme' is being carried out as a part of the 50th statehood celebrations of Tripura slated on January 21, 2022. Briefing the media persons over the issue, West Tripura District Magistrate Debapriya Bardhan on Tuesday said "In this connection today a meeting of all Officers and Officials, Office In-charges of Office of District Magistrate and Collector West have been conducted. I have chaired the meeting where it has been unanimously decided that all staff, officials, officers and visitors of the office shall abstain from using and carrying any kind of smoke and smokeless Tobacco Products from today within the office campus. In case of non-compliance, the offenders will be penalized as per the provisions of COTPA 2003." Sharing a brief overview of the campaign, he said, till date in West District 73 Educational Institutions, Two Block Offices that include Hezamara Block and Jirania Block Central Medicine Store Shyamalibazar and Narsingarh PHC have also conducted similar meetings also displayed mandatory signage as per new guideline under government of India. "We have maintained all criteria for this initiative. The decision has been taken a couple of months back but now we are on the implementation level," he said. On being asked about the fine money which was collected in 2021, the District Magistrate has informed that a total of Rs 18,000 fine money was collected from West District for not following the norms of government about tobacco. (ANI)
BJP MLA Lakhendra Kumar Raushan was forced to leave his native village in Bihar's Vaishali district on Tuesday as local residents strongly protested his lack of concern towards a case of rape and murder there. Raushan went to his native village Shahpur Bijrauli, under his constituency Patepur (SC), to console the family of rape-cum-murder victim three days after the incident. But, his tardy arrival evoked resentment, with villagers saying that he hailed from the village but did not come there for three days. A video of this incident, going viral on social media, shows the villagers shouting "go back" slogans at the MLA, and forcing his convoy to return. There is no place for him in the village, the villagers were saying in the video. The victim, a Dalit teenager, went missing from her house a week ago, and her family members alleged that she was kidnapped by a strongman of the village. "We requested the strongman to return my daughter and he assured us to send her back home after couple of days. He did not... Her semi-naked body was found near the pond of the village three days ago," said a family member of the victim. Following the incident, the villages conducted candle march in the village and also requested the local administration to take action against the accused. RJD leader Shiv Chandra Ram and RJD MLA from Rajapakad constituency Pratima Kumar had visited the village and consoled the family members after the incident. "When the victim was kidnapped by that strongman, the incident came in the knowledge of all district administration and public representatives. Raushan is a local MLA and also a native of this village, still, he did not come. If he would have taken initiative earlier, the life of the victim could have been saved," said another relative of the victim. --IANS ajk/vd ( 325 Words) 2021-12-28-23:08:04 (IANS)
"Two years ago. Still relevant!" the post was captioned tagging an old tweet that read, "An interesting, though incomplete, comparative table doing the rounds. #HinduismVsHindutva."

Hindutva as characterized in the post shared by Tharoor states: "Hindutva is monolithic. In that, it is more like Islam and Christianity than Hinduism," while "Hinduism is pluralistic. It is a union of many ways of life."

The post also stated that "Hindutva is a homogeneous racial-territorial category propagated by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar" while "Hinduism is a great union of various Indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots and no founder."

This post by Tharoor comes at a time when incidents of hate speech against a particular community have been reported during 'Dharam Sansad' in Uttarakhand's Haridwar.

Police have informed that some people have been booked in connection with alleged hate speeches against a particular community in Haridwar during a three-day Dharma Sansad, held from December 17-19 in the city. (ANI)
A man has been arrested in the Deolali Cantonment area of Nashik for allegedly posing as Major of the Indian Army and duping people on the pretext of getting them recruited in the army. As per the sources in the Army, an imposter dressed in the combat uniform of the rank of Major in the Indian Army was arrested in Deolali Cantonment on Tuesday on the input that he is duping people of money on the pretext of getting them recruited into the army in the ongoing recruitment rally at Artillery Centre, Nashik. According to the sources, the imposter has been identified as Ganesh Walu Pawar who hails from Nashik. On the input from Military intelligence of Southern Command, Pune, he was apprehended by the security personnel in the Cantt on Tuesday. "The individual was dressed in combat uniform with ranks of Major and was using a Maruti Ertiga to move around the Cantt premises," said the sources in the Army. The individual visited the Cantt and collected documents of the people participating in the recruitment rally on the pretext of helping them to get recruited in the rally. He allegedly informed them that he was a serving army officer and could help them in the process. Pawar was accompanied by his driver namely Nilesh Chhabu Khaire who had allegedly paid him Rs 3,00,000 for getting a job as a civil defence employee in the armed forces. Upon further investigation, it was learnt that Pawar had taken money to the tune of Rs 15 lakh from some individuals. He had also taken lump sums of money in lakhs from some other individuals, according to the sources. Some of the items recovered from the imposter included his own photographs in the Military uniform, character certificate and serving certificate made using a fake stamp of station headquarters, Deolali. "Using the above-mentioned documents, Ganesh Pawar had also taken a loan of Rs 39 lakh from Union Bank of India, Chandwad branch, for construction of his house in the village," the sources further informed. The individual was handed over to the police and an FIR has been lodged in the case. Further details are awaited. (ANI)
An official witness, accompanying the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) raid team at businessman Peeyush Jain's residence in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj, has claimed that the money was recovered from the two underground bunkers on the premises. Speaking to the media, Amit Dubey, a witness who accompanied the DGGI team five-day raid, said, "The money was recovered from two underground bunkers after much difficulty. The family members also had no idea about the money." Earlier on Wednesday, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) concluded the raids at businessman Peeyush Jain's residence in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj. The Kanpur-based businessman was arrested on Sunday under Section 67 of the CGST Act after the recovery of unaccounted cash, gold and sandalwood. Speaking to ANI, Zakir Hussain, Additional Director of DGGI said, "We have concluded our 'panchnama'. We have recovered gold, handed it over to DRI, but the probe is on. The gold which was recovered in Kanpur is separate...here, we recovered about Rs 19 crore cash. As per higher officials, this is the biggest cash recovery." The DGGI which had allegedly seized Rs 194.45 crores of cash, 23 kg gold and 600 kg sandalwood from businessman Peeyush Jain's possession, on Monday informed that the accused has admitted that cash recovered was related to the sale of goods without payment of taxes. The DGGI further alleged that it has seized more than 200 such fake invoices."The statement of Peeyush Jain has been recorded wherein he has accepted that the cash recovered from the residential premises is related to the sale of goods without payment of GST," it said. "The evidence collected during the searches conducted in the last five days are being investigated thoroughly to unravel the tax evasion," it added. The accused has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a Kanpur court in the matter. (ANI)
A letter petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking suo-motu cognizance on the protest by resident doctors against delay in NEET-PG counselling. Advocate Vineet Jindal, has filed the letter petition regarding protest taken out by resident doctors which were headed by the Federation of Resident Doctors Association of India (FORDA). According to the lawyer, this mass protest has resulted because the Union Health Ministry has not taken any concrete steps to expedite NEET-PG counselling. The petitioner in its letter has urged the Supreme Court to prepone the hearing on the matter pertaining to the economic reservation in the NEET-PG course and initiate day-to-day hearings in the matter. He also sought directions from the government of India to form a committee to address the issues related to the doctors protesting. Further, He has sought to issue direction to the Delhi Commissioner of police to initiate an enquiry and take stern action on officials who physically assaulted the protesting doctors. In the letter petition, the lawyer has praised the exemplary service given by doctors in emergencies faced during two waves of COVID19 saying that the doctors are the saviours of mankind from this deadly virus in the time of crisis. "For last two years, the doctors have given exemplary service in the emergency faced during COVID19. They were well applauded by the nation for their commendable efforts and devotion towards serving health care. The second wave of COVID-19 has already left an indelible impact on the lives of people. Now we are again facing a crisis of the third wave and are in extreme need of best health care services owing to the current situation of omicron outbreak, " reads the letter. Calling it a sad state of affairs, the advocate said that the doctors once applauded and appreciated for their ceaseless efforts are now in a state of overburden and exhaustion. "The appeal of these resident doctors seems to have fallen on deaf ears of the authorities who do not seem to be concerned about the shortage of healthcare workforce due to non-admission of a fresh batch of resident doctors,' said Jindal. "Besides, these doctors are also deprived of their basic right of being professionally upgraded in every aspect. This would dampen the spirits of the doctors who have wholeheartedly devoted their lives in the nation's service and would prevent them from serving and performing their utmost, " he said. "With doctors as our frontline warriors against this war with COVID-19, it is imperative to address the issues of resident doctors at the earliest to resolve their demands and to call off the strike as soon as possible," he added. Resident doctors of several hospitals staged a march near Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Monday evening in protest against the delay in holding NEET-PG counselling. They have also alleged that protesting doctors were taken into custody and were brutually trashed by the Delhi Police. Several resident doctors across the country continue their protest against the delay in NEET-PG counselling and warned to withdraw "all healthcare services" from Wednesday. NEET PG exam was scheduled to be held in January 2021 but postponed in view of the first and second wave of COVID-19 and held on September 12, 2021. However, due to the legal impediments of the Supreme Court now the Counselling is withheld resulting in a shortage of doctors on the frontline. (ANI)
The raid was conducted on the premises of Mayur Vanaspati. Owner of the company, Sunil Gupta accepted to pay the taxes, said the officials.

According to the officials, the owner of Mayur Vanaspati, Sunil Gupta was raided by the team of DGGI at his residence and his office. The team took important documents related to Mayur Vanaspati Industries into its custody.

However, no arrest has been made so far. A probe of the owner of the company is underway, officials said.

A spate of DGGI raids in on in Uttar Pradesh. After the raids at the residence of Kanpur-based businessman Peeyush Jain, Sunil Gupta is the second businessman to be raided.

Earlier, DGGI on Wednesday concluded the raids at businessman Peeyush Jain's residence in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj.

The DGGI seized Rs 194.45 crores of cash, 23 kg gold and 600 kg sandalwood from businessman Peeyush Jain's possession. Jain has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a Kanpur court in the matter. (ANI)
Refuting media reports on the price of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new Merc-Maybach S650 guard-armoured cars, sources in the know stated that the cars cost lesser than the apparently inflated prices quoted in some media reports. Going a step further, sources added that the price was in fact "a third" of the range of prices being quoted in various media portals. Earlier, some media portals reported that the top of the line Maybach S650 guard which had enhanced security features was in excess of Rs 12 crore. However, decisions makers privy to information of this particular security upgrade told ANI on the condition of anonymity that media reports were quoting an inflated price and also expressed concern that speculation on security features of this particular car was not in the national interest as it would put details of the security features in the public domain which could be a threat to the VVIP. According to sources, the Special Protection Group (SPG) security detail has six years' norm to replace vehicles used for protected and the previous cars were used for eight years by PM Modi. "The procurement of the new cars was made after an audit raised objection over the issue and commented that it was compromising the life of the protectee," sources said. The new cars are not an upgrade but a routine replacement as BMW had stopped making the model which was used previously. Unlike the current protectee, who has not given any preference on which cars to use, when protected by the SPG, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi in the past used Range Rovers which were actually procured for the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, sources told ANI. The decisions relating to security detail purchases are based on the threat perception of the protectee. These decisions are taken independently by the SPG without taking the views of the protectee. Special Protection Group (SPG) is entrusted with the task of providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India, former Prime Minister and their immediate family members. Since its inception in the year 1985, SPG is providing security to its protectees at their office and residence, during local functions and during internal as well as external tours. (ANI)
"COVID-19 positivity rate is around 1% with 496 new cases reported yesterday. The cases have increased with the arrival of international flights. Not a single Omicron patient has required oxygen support so far," said Jain.

"Mostly it has been seen that the family members of those who have returned from foreign countries get affected by the Omicron variant of the virus. But everyone needs to take precautions," he added.

Delhi Health Minister's statement comes on the same day when Union Health Ministry released the countrywide data on Omicron cases which show Delhi leading the chart with 238 cumulative cases.

"Out of 238 Omicron patients, 57 have been discharged," reads the Health bulletin.

"Delhi reported 496 new COVID-19 cases with one death in last 24 hrs," as per the health bulletin released by the Delhi government on Tuesday.

"Positivity rate is 1.89 per cent and there are 1,612 active cases in the national capital," it added. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will attend the pre-budget meeting with Finance Ministers of all states and UTs to be held at Vigyan Bhawan on December 30 between 11 am and 1.30 pm. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to hold a pre-budget meeting with state Finance Ministers on December 30. This will be a part of a series of pre-budget consultations being held in the run-up to the Union Budget 2022-23. While most of the consultation meetings this year have been conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting with state Finance Ministers will take place at Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital. (ANI)
After the Bharatiya Janata Party formally announced its alliance with Captain Amarinder Singh's party and former Akali Dal leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa's new outfit for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, Union Minister of State Som Parkash on Wednesday said that the seat-sharing will be decided in a day or two on the criteria of winnability. Speaking to ANI, Som Parkash said, "The decision on seat-sharing will most probably be taken in the next two to three days. Our party's stand is very clear. We will fight on all the seats. It is also clear that we will fight alongside Captain Amarinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa's new outfit, Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt). A 6-member committee has been constituted which will decide on seat-sharing. Wiinability is the only criteria of seat-sharing." When asked about reports of BJP contesting on most of the seats of Majha and Doaba and Captain Amarinder Singh fighting on most seats in the Malwa area, the Union Minister said, "It will be decided in the coming days. If it does not happen, the party's senior leadership will take the decision then." "The candidates who can win in the three areas, the decision will be taken according to that. It would be premature to say anything on that," he added. Of the 117 assembly seats in Punjab, 69 seats are in Malwa. Majha has 25 assembly seats whereas there are 23 assembly seats in the Doaba region. Speaking about various party leaders joining the BJP, he said, "We will form our government in Punjab. We will fight on the issue of development." BJP's National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said that the three parties will release their list with mutual consent according to winnability. "All the three parties together will show our presence in Majha, Malwa and Doaba and good results will come out. The leaders are regularly joining the BJP which is a good sign." Ahead of the Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) and Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress has formed a six member-Committee to decide on seat sharing, informed Punjab BJP in charge Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. A joint manifesto of the allies is also expected ahead of the polls, he added. BJP National President JP Nadda, Punjab Lok Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh, and SAD (Sanyukt) chief Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital, along with Shekhawat, on Monday. Punjab is slated to go to Assembly polls early next year. (ANI)
Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said that an order has been issued after assessing the situation.

He said that under Section 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Public Health and Epidemic Control Act, 2020, the entire state has been declared as Covid-affected.

The Governor has issued an announcement in this regard which will be in effect till March 31, 2022 or till further orders are given, whichever is earlier.

The state registered 80 fresh cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, while 11 people recovered from the virus in the same time period.

Meanwhile, amid a spike in cases and concerns over the new Omicron variant, several states have imposed fresh restrictions to curb the spread of infection.

The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed a night curfew from 11 p.m to 5 a.m from December 25. Also, the number of people allowed at weddings has been capped at 200.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed that Covid protocols will have to be followed at all times at events.

--IANS amita/ksk/

( 197 Words)

2021-12-29-08:44:03 (IANS)
Ahead of the UP Assembly polls, the politics over the perfume and recovery of huge illegal cash from a manufacturer have heated up and has taken the center stage. While the BJP is linking the money with the Samajwadi party (SP), the SP is alleging that the businessman Piyush Jain has links with the BJP. Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party President, alleged that the recovery of unaccounted cash belongs to the BJP. He claimed that the raid at Piyush Jain's house was a case of mistaken identity as his name is similar to Pushparaj Jain, an SP MLC.Yadav said that the demonitisation has failed as exposed by the recovery of the cash. The BJP is linking the money with the SP and refers to the 'Samajwadi perfume' launched recently. The SP denies this saying that the perfume was launched by a person, who is the brother of MLC. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah both on Tuesday attacked the Samajwadi Party on this issue. Modi in his speech referred to the Piyush Jain episode and said that some people always want to take credit for all that is being done. "Now when suitcases full of cash are coming out one after another, will they take credit for this too? They have spread the 'itr' of corruption," he said while speaking at a rally in Kanpur. The reference to 'itr' was the launch of 'Samajwadi 'itr' -- a perfume launched by perfumer Pampi Jain last month. The Prime Minister said that the people of Uttar Pradesh now know the truth and are watching every incident very minutely. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also mounted a blistering attack on the Samajwadi Party when he said that ABCD for SP meant -- A for 'apradh', B for 'bhai-bhatija', C for corruption and D for 'danga'. "BJP has wiped off this ABCD. When Piyush Jain was raided, it was Akhilesh Yadav who felt uneasy. Who does this money belong to?" he asked while addressing a rally in Hardoi. The raids of multiple financial agencies were underway at the different premises of Kanpur-based businessman Piyush Jain who was arrested by DGGI under the GST Act. Cash around Rs 200 crore and gold bars, sandalwood oil has been found from his premises. The DGCI officials have so far recovered 23 kg gold, sandalwood oil worth Rs 6 crore, 500 keys, 109 locks and 18 lockers. --IANS miz/dpb ( 416 Words) 2021-12-29-08:46:03 (IANS)
Panneerselvam said, "The number of Omicron confirmed cases in Tamil Nadu has risen to 45 as of today. Doctors expect schools, colleges, government offices, banks, private offices and factories to ensure 100 per cent face masks and adherence to community spaces and to take steps to prevent crowds from gathering around the New Year."

"Therefore, I urge the Chief Minister to take appropriate action to prevent the further spread of the Omigran infection by wearing masks and adhering to social gaps and preventing crowds from popping up," he added.

As many as 45 people have tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu, said State Health Minister Ma Subramanian.

The Minister said that 129 samples have been given to the National Institute of Virology for testing and 16 people are undergoing treatment.

Addressing a press conference, the Health Minister said that all these patients are asymptomatic and had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Minister further said that 194 people tested positive for the COVID in Chennai yesterday and it is spreading rapidly. (ANI)
"On coming to power in Punjab, we will make a Transporters' Welfare Board with a corpus of Rs 25 crore. The board will include the representatives of autorickshaws, tempo travellers, four-wheelers, bus and truck unions," said Badal.

He accused the current Congress government of "finishing small truck unions" and promised that " if SAD voted to power, those truck unions will be reinstated."

Punjab is slated to go to Assembly polls early next year.

In the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, Congress had won an absolute majority in the state by winning 77 seats and had ousted the SAD-BJP government after 10 years.

Aam Aadmi Party had emerged as the second-largest party winning 20 seats in the 117 members Punjab Legislative Assembly. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had won 15 seats followed by the BJP which secured 3 seats. (ANI)
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the Jagananna Palavelluva- AP Amul project in Krishna district virtually on Wednesday. The Andhra Pradesh government's latest initiative was floated to financially boost the dairy farmers of 264 villages in the Krishna district. " With the aim of price stabilization on milk, the state government came forward to market the product effectively and ensured remunerative returns are made by the farmers", said an official. As per the state government, Amul started working with the state in November 2020. Later it has spread to more than 500 villages in the state. So far, 1.67 crore litres of buffalo milk and 73,96,857 litres of cow milk have been collected from 1,79,248 farmers of 1,906 villages through 1,093 RBKs. An average of 75,000 litres of milk is collected daily from 30,640 farmers. The Andhra Pradesh Amul project is already successfully in YSR Kadapa, Prakasam, Chittoor, Guntur, and West Godavari districts. Speaking at the launch, the Chief Minister stated that during his Padayatra he came across several dairy farmers who were facing financial issues. "The dairy farmers told me that they compared their milk rates to that of mineral water, saying while the price of one-litre mineral water was Rs 20, they don't even get that for a litre of milk", said the chief minister. As per state data, the dairy farmers in Andhra Pradesh have made an additional profit of 10.7 crores after the MOU was signed with AMUL, paying a maximum of Rs 74.78 per litre for buffalo milk and Rs 35.36 per litre for cow's milk. The Chief Minister said that "When there are multiple sellers and only one buyer, a Bias Monopoly is created leading to sellers coming to terms with the price decided by the buyers, making the financial gain of dairy farmers limited to local milk vendors pricing. The state government is determined to change this system for the benefit of the dairy farmers. The MOU with Amul has brought significant change in the system. The company is the 8th largest Milk processor and isn't looking to make profits from the state. The dairy farmers are now the stakeholders in this company, they are the ones who are supplying, benefiting, and making profits from this MOU." (ANI)
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Wednesday slammed the government and media for not giving attention to the rejection of renewal of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to Nobel Laureate Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity (MoC) and alleged that "after Muslims, Christians are the new target of the Hindutva brigade". Taking to Twitter, he said: "Did you notice that the mainstream media has banished the story of MHA-FCRA-Missionaries of Charity from its pages? Sad and shameful! The rejection of renewal to MoC is a direct attack on NGOs who are doing yeoman service for the 'poor and wretched' of India. In the case of MoC, it reveals bias and prejudice against Christian charity work. After Muslims, Christians are the new target of the Hindutva brigade." On Tuesday, slamming the Ministry of Home Affairs for refusing to renew FCRA over "some adverse inputs", he said: "Nothing can be more shocking than denying future foreign contributions to the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, West Bengal. This is the greatest insult to the memory of Mother Teresa who devoted her life to care for the 'poor and wretched' of India." According to him, the MHA, should put to use its "Sherlock Holmes-like" skills to quell communal violence, terrorist activities and not suppress Christian charity and humanitarian work. It has become clear that the Modi government is now "targeting the Christians to advance its majoritarian agenda". Dubbing the denial "shocking", former Union Minister, Anand Sharma, said: "Shocked at the government's action of freezing the accounts of Missionaries of Charity. Condemning the cruel, insensitive and inhuman decision which will hurt the ailing and suffering poor the most. Demand PM's intervention and immediate reversal." Meanwhile, the Centre, on Monday, clarified that it had not frozen the bank accounts of the Missionaries of Charity. The ministry also said that the renewal application of FCRA to MoC was refused on December 25 for not meeting the eligibility conditions under FCRA 2010 and Foreign Contribution Regulation Rules (FCRR) 2011. No request or revision application has been received from MoC for reviewing the refusal of renewal, it added. --IANS miz/sks/skp/ ( 364 Words) 2021-12-29-12:26:04 (IANS)
Though farmers hailed the rain which is good for crops, they are worried for the hailstorm as it can damage standing crops of cumin, isabgol, wheat and gram.

Many villages wore a thin white sheet after heavy hailstorm lashed the area accompanied by rains on Tuesday afternoon.

Hailstorm was reported in the Pokhran region of Jailsalmer which included villages such as Chhaya, Ajasar and Bodana.

Almost all districts shivered with under 15 degrees Celsius minimum temperature.

Jaipur recorded a minimum of 9 degree Celsius, Pilani 5.8 degrees Celsius, Churu 4.3 degrees, Hanumangarh 4.8 degrees and Fatahpur 2.2 degrees Celsius.

Dholpur registered 15.7 degree Celsius as maximum temperature while Phalodi 15.9 degrees Celsius, Chittorgarh 17.3, Sawai Madhopur 17.8 degrees, Alwar 17.6 degrees, Jaipur 18 degrees, Kota 17.2 degrees and Bhilwara 17.6 degrees Celsius.

--IANS arc/svn/skp/

( 161 Words)

2021-12-29-12:42:04 (IANS)
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an office memorandum directing to refer to the subject and to convey the approval of the competent authority that consequent upon the superannuation of Kumar Rajesh Chandra as Director-General of the SSB in December this year.

As per the order, Arora, a 1988-batch Tamil Nadu cadre Indian Police Service officer, shall hold additional charge of the post of DG, SSB vice Chandra, till the appointment and joining of the regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier. (ANI)
Union Minister of State (MoS) for Education Dr Subhas Sarkar on Wednesday virtually released the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2021.On the occasion, Dr Sarkar said that ARIIA ranking will certainly inspire Indian institutions to reorient their mindset and build ecosystems to encourage high-quality research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in their campuses. Emphasizing promoting innovation to achieve a USD 5 trillion economy by the year 2025, Sarkar said that more than quantity, the institute should focus on the quality of innovations and research. "This will help us achieve the Atmanirbhar Bharat in the true sense," he said. "We need to give a huge push to Innovation and Entrepreneurship within our educational institutions and ARIIA is one major initiative in that direction," he added. The minister said India is one of the largest higher education systems in the world. "There are ample opportunities for higher education institutions to play the role of enabler to drive the Indian innovation and start-up ecosystem." "A concerted effort by our higher educational institutions is required towards inculcating the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among our students and to prepare faculty as innovators, thinkers, creative problem solvers, entrepreneurs, and job creators," Sarkar said. He appreciated the efforts done by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and MoE's Innovation Cell in planning and implementing ARIIA and its two editions successfully. He also launched the 4th edition of ARIIA and urged all the higher educational institutions to participate. AICTE Chairman Professor Anil Sahasrabudhe said that indigenous version of innovation and entrepreneurship ranking initiative designed through ARIIA by accounting both national and international contexts, will not only help our Higher Educational Institutions to demonstrate their efforts but also orient them in setting goals at the institute level to make India move further up in world rankings. Additional Secretary, Technical Education, Rakesh Ranjan said that ARIIA has set a tone and direction for our institutions. It will help in making them globally competitive and front-runner in innovation and entrepreneurship, he said. ARIIA is an initiative of the Ministry of Education to systematically rank all major higher educational institutions in India on indicators related to Innovation, Start-up, and Entrepreneurship Development amongst students and faculties. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party Andhra Pradesh unit President Somu Veerraju has said that people in the state will get at Rs 70 if the BJP receives one crore votes in the 2024 state Assembly elections. His remarks have drawn flak from various political leaders and parties. "Cast one crore votes to Bharatiya Janata Party... We will provide liquor for just Rs 70. If we have more revenue left, then, will provide liquor for just Rs 50," said Veerraju in Vijayawada on Tuesday. Reacting to the statement, Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary Ramakrishna said on Wednesday termed Veerraju's statement "highly unfortunate" and alleged that the BJP wanted to harm the health of people by reducing the prices of liquor. "The statement is unfortunate. BJP is not implementing the promises it made to the people in the state while it is in power at the Centre. It is not reducing prices of essential commodities like petrol, diesel, etc. They want to reduce the prices of cheap liquor to harm the health of people. It is ironic that how they are telling people to vote for them for cheaper liquor prices but while they are in power, they cannot reduce the prices of essential commodities," Ramakrishna told ANI. "They earlier wanted to create communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims and Hindus and Christians. But they did not get anything out of it. So now, they are wooing the boozers," he added. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Spokesperson Kommareddy Pattabhi Ram said that the issue of cheap liquor should not be turned into a poll promise, adding that BJP should rather urge the Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to fulfill the promise of a complete liquor ban. "YS Jagan Mohan Reddy turned back from the promises of complete liquor ban and shutdown of all liquor shops that he had made while in opposition. He has increased the liquor prices by 2 times, 3 times. It is being sold at exorbitant prices. While this is a fact that the government is selling cheap liquor at exorbitant prices, BJP should not make the reduction of its prices a poll promise. It is not correct. Rather, they should urge Reddy to fulfill the promises he had made earlier on liquor ban," Ram said. (ANI)
"Covid-19 negative certificate or double vaccination certificate will be made mandatory for attending functions on December 31st in the state," Sawant said.

Chief Minister Sawant said that the orders will be issued soon.

Goa reported its first case of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus on Monday after an eight-year-old boy who arrived in the state from the UK on December 17 was found to be tested positive for the Omicron variant in the state.

Meanwhile, there are 781 Omicron cases in India so far and a total of 9,195 new COVID-19 cases are reported in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Wednesday. (ANI)
"Encounter has started at Nowgam Shahabad, Dooru area of Anantnag. In the initial firing, 01 police personnel got injured and was shifted to hospital. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.

Earlier on Sunday, one terrorist affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Islamic State of Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK) has been killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Srigufwara area of Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag. (ANI)
Mumbai reported 2,510 fresh COVID-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours, informed the state health bulletin. As per the bulletin, the financial capital has reported 2,510 new cases, one death and 251 recoveries on Wednesday. Mumbai has 8,060 active cases and the recovery rate stands at 97 per cent.Presently, 45 buildings have been sealed in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Maharashtra cabinet minister Aditya Thackeray chaired a meeting at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters. In the meeting, BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar and other health officials were also present. In a series of tweets, Aditya Thackeray said, "As the cases are rising rapidly, we urge everyone not to panic. However, we all must exercise extreme caution and ensure that we are vaccinated, masked up. This is a time to protect one's self and thereby protect others." Thackeray informed, "In the next 48 hours, BMC will be connecting with all educational institutions in the city to plan an organised vaccination drive for all those from 15 to 18 years of age." "We have also asked all the covid care jumbo centres to be at the stand by, at all readiness levels, along with basic facilities to medical infrastructure. Testing and tracing protocols for all that have been operational all through were reviewed too," he added. He informed that in the meeting, they also discussed covid appropriate behaviour guidelines and public place event issues, especially with the New Year being around the corner. Meanwhile, India reported 9,195 new COVID-19 cases and 302 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday. (ANI)
Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was "pained and dismayed" by the "threatening tenor" of the Maharashtra government's letter, said sources. The ongoing tussle between Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari escalated over the election of the Assembly Speaker. Sources told ANI that Governor Koshyari in his response to Maharashtra Chief Minister over the proposal of notifying Speaker's election mentioned that "he was personally pained and dismayed to see the intemperate tone and threatening tenor of Thackeray's letter which has belittled and denigrated the highest constitutional office of the Governor." The Governor told Maharashtra Chief Minister that the latter has taken nearly eleven months to initiate the process of Speaker's election and the Maharshtra Assembly Rules 6 and 7 have been amended drastically, said sources. The Speaker post in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly still remained vacant even after the conclusion of the Winter session on Tuesday as Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Maha Vikas Aghadi government continued to be in tussle over the election of the post. Governor in a letter to the government raised several issues for the same citing technical and legal reasons. Maharashtra assembly speaker's post has been vacant for over nine months now. The Budget session of the state Assembly will start on February 28. Following the Assembly elections of 2019, Congress leader Nana Patole was elected Speaker of the House. But the post fell vacant in February 2021, after Patole resigned and was appointed president of Maharashtra state Congress. On Tuesday morning Governor responded to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government's proposal of notifying Speaker's election in a sealed cover and raised some issues in the proposed process of Speaker election after which the state government decided not to go ahead with its plans to hold elections in the winter session. The state government on December 24 has decided to hold the Assembly Speaker's election on December 28 and a proposal was sent to Raj Bhavan for Governor's consent on the same day. Two days later, on December 26, a delegation of senior ministers met Governor Koshyari in Raj Bhavan and sought his consent for the election. According to a source present in the meeting, Governor told MVA ministers that he was taking legal opinion on the constitutionality of the amendments made by the Rules Committee of the state legislature last week in order to conduct the election of the Speaker by voice vote instead of secret ballot Opposition party BJP was also not in favour of holding elections without the Governor's consent. BJP had one more reservation about Speaker's election. BJP state president Chandrakant Patil said it would not be appropriate to proceed with the election in view of the fact that 12 lawmakers of the party had been suspended for a year during the Monsoon Session held in July. Now, sources said that the government will either convene a special session of the Assembly for speaker's election or the process can be completed in the 2022 budget session. (ANI)
The Army inquiry team, which is probing the firing incident in Nagaland that led to the death of 13 civilians visited the site at Oting Village in Mon district on Wednesday. The inquiry team, headed by a senior rank officer, a Major General, inspected the site to understand the circumstances in which the incident could have happened. According to the Indian Army, the team also took along the witnesses for a better understanding of the situation and how events would have unfolded. Subsequently, the team was also present at Tizit Police Station, Mon District between to meet the cross-section of the society to obtain valuable information pertaining to the incident. Army said it had requested twice, through public notices regarding any person having information, to directly share it, either by being present before the Inquiry Team at Tizit Police Station on December 29 or any input, photo or video related to the incident be shared with them via Phone, SMS or Whatsapp. Indian Army had also said that the information may also be shared in person with the Inquiry team at Dinjan Military Station in Assam. As per the Indian Army, the Court of Inquiry is progressing expeditiously and all efforts are being made to conclude it at the earliest. About 14 civilians were killed in a botched up operation by the Indian Army on December 4 in the Mon district of Nagaland. The government had said earlier that it was a case of mistaken identity as Army had received information on the movement of extremists in Oting, in Mon district. It had said that a special investigation team has been constituted and has been directed to complete the probe within a month. (ANI)
One person was killed and another was left injured in an incident of firing at the Dahisar branch of State Bank of India in the limits of MHB Police Station, Mumbai on Wednesday. The accused are currently on the run. As per the police, at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, two masked men entered the bank and started the firing, which killed an employee at the bank and left a security guard injured. Both the accused escaped the bank premises after looting Rs 2.5 lakhs in cash. Speaking to media, Additional Commissioner of Police, Praveen Padwal said, "At around 3 pm, two masked men entered the bank and started firing, which unfortunately killed the employee. Both men ran away after looting cash worth Rs 2.5 lakh. Police have deployed eight teams for the investigation of the case." (ANI)
Sirsa had joined BJP earlier this month after leaving Shiromani Akali Dal.

"His security had been upgraded two days ago and personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have already taken over as per the upgraded security cover. The security cover gets upgraded after reviewing of threat perception," the official said.

Earlier, he was provided 'Y' category security cover including security by Delhi Police in Delhi. Now he will have 'Z' category security cover in Delhi and Punjab.

In the 'Y' category, a total of six CRPF personnel were deployed. Now he will have 18 CRPF personnel in his duty that means six at a time in three shifts.

MHA has also ordered 'Z' category security cover to Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, MLA from Guru Har Sahai in Punjab and Delhi. He had also joined BJP earlier this month. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy on Wednesday alleged that West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has been sending him messages against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee every day. Roy said that 'it is unethical' for the Governor to engage in such activities. Speaking to ANI, the TMC MP said, "Sending messages against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to me by Governor Dhankhar is very unethical. Chief Minister is the leader of the party of which I am a member. I think someone is provoking the Governor. Governor tweets all this after meeting with either Shubhendu Adhikari or Amit Shah. Governor making statements against Chief Minister every day. He is diminishing the dignity of the post of Governor." Referring to the extension of the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) by the Centre, the TMC MP said, "We had opposed the Centre's move of extending BSF's jurisdiction. The Governor also had countered our views on the matter." (ANI)
"India and Philippines are in an advanced stage of negotiations over the sale of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. Export order likely to be placed soon," government sources told ANI.

"DRDO and BrahMos Aerospace together have been pushing hard for exports of this missile to friendly foreign countries: for the last few months," sources said.

The Indian government's defence export push is coming from the DRDO stable as it bagged orders for a 'made-in-India' weapon locating radars from the Armenian government recently.

India is likely to bag more orders for the missile system from friendly countries as it is negotiating at an advanced stage with some other nations too.

The missile is also getting more capable due to added range and other modern technologies getting incorporated into it.

Senior scientist Atul Dinkar Rane has been appointed as the new head of the BrahMos Aerospace Limited and he has worked with the firm since its inception days. (ANI)
Chief Justice of India Justice NV Ramana on Wednesday said that freedom of the press is a sacrosanct Constitutional right, adding that there is no doubt that a healthy democracy can thrive only with a fearless and independent press. "The freedom of the press is a sacrosanct Constitutional right. From the very beginning, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the freedom of the press as an important facet of our Constitution, from Sakal Papers and R. Rajagopal to Anuradha Bhasin. There is no doubt that a healthy democracy can thrive and survive only with a fearless and independent press. " CJI said. Pointing out that freedom comes with an enormous responsibility that must be borne by every individual who is part of the journalistic enterprise, the journalists, editors, and management, he quoted Justice Frankfurter, the judge of US Supreme Court, "Justice Frankfurter had said that the freedom of the press is not an end in itself but a means to the end of achieving a free society." As the Chief Justice of India, he restrained from commenting on specific issues that may be under judicial consideration and said "Let me simply say that the judiciary is a robust pillar. Despite all the constraints, it is working to further Constitutional goals." The recent trend to sermonize about judgments, and villainise judges, needs to be checked, the media must have belief and trust in the judiciary, he said. He appealed that as a key stakeholder in democracy, the media has the duty to defend and protect the judiciary from motivated attacks by evil forces. "We are together in the mission of Democracy and in promoting national interest. We have to sail together, " CJI said. "The freedom of the press is a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Without such freedom, there cannot be discussion and debate that is essential for the growth of democracy. There can be no flow of information that the public requires, and that a democracy demands, " he said. CJI Ramana also raised concerns about incorrect reporting and said that social media amplifies that incorrect news in a matter of seconds, and once published it is difficult to take back. CJI also said, "Another trend that I witness in reporting nowadays, is the seeping of ideological stances and biases into the news story. Interpretation and opinions are colouring what should be factual reports. News mixed with views is a dangerous cocktail. Connected to this is the problem of partial reporting, of cherry-picking facts to give it a particular colour." "Nothing can be more lethal to democracy than the deadly combination of confrontational polity and competitive journalism. Tragically, they feed on each other. History is witness to this hard truth, " he added. CJI Ramana also congratulated to all those who were being honoured in the function. CJI Ramana was speaking at the Red Ink Awards for Excellence in Journalism. He also paid tribute to all journalists who lost their lives while reporting from the ground during this pandemic. CJI also paid respects to the late Danish Siddiqui and said he was a man with a magical eye and was rightly regarded as one of the foremost photo-journalists of this era. (ANI)
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar scolded a man who was trying to take a selfie with him in the Mandya district of the state. The incident occurred in Mandya during celebrations of the Congress party's 137th Foundation Day. The Congress leader moved the man's phone away from him. "We don't know what one might have in hand. You know what happened to Rajiv Gandhi. Sometimes, human anger and emotions come out, nothing wrong in that," the leader said later. (ANI)
The vacation bench of Madras High Court with Justices S Vaidyanathan and D Bharatha Chakravarthy heard a petition seeking a ban on celebrations to contain the spread of COVID-19 in view of the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Counsel for Puducherry Union Territory said the UT government has imposed severe restrictions and has taken preventive measures to ensure COVID-appropriate behaviour during the new year celebrations.

Puducherry confirmed two cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus on Tuesday.

Puducherry Health Department has instructed all hotels, malls, restaurants, cinema owners to only allow individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter their premises for new year celebrations. (ANI)
All the rescued tourists were provided with medical assistance and hot meals.

"Indian Army assisted 300 tourists stranded in heavy snowfall in Lachung, North Sikkim. Tourists were assisted through Road opening, medical aid, and hot meals," Eastern Command, Indian Army tweeted from its official account.

Earlier in the day, around 1,027 tourists who had been stuck in the upper reaches of East Sikkim near the China Border at Nathu La following heavy snow on Saturday were rescued by the Indian Army.

Severe snowfall had occurred in areas of Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake, and adjoining areas on Saturday afternoon, bringing down the temperature to sub-zero levels. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday took a veiled dig on the Samajwadi Party (SP) over Peeyush Jain's arrest and said that the recovery of a huge stash of cash and gold bricks has exposed how the previous governments had concealed the money that belongs to the poor. Addressing a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's Farrukhabad, Yogi Adityanath said, "Now the people would know where the money, which was originally to be used for the development of the state, was being misused." "The recovery of a huge stash of cash and gold bricks three days ago exposes the black deeds of previous governments and shows how they concealed the money that belongs to the poor," the Uttar Pradesh CM hit out at the previous governments "Now, this money will be used to accelerate the pace of development to make the state number one," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday also took a dig over the perfume trader Peeyush Jain's arrest. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project alongside the Bina-Panki Multiproduct Pipeline Project, the Prime Minister had said, "The itar (fragrance) of corruption that was spread before 2017 in the entire state has now been exposed. They are not commenting on the issue, nor taking the credit." The Kanpur-based businessman was arrested on Sunday under Section 67 of the CGST Act after the recovery of unaccounted cash, gold and sandalwood. The accused has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a Kanpur court in the matter. (ANI)
Attacking the Congress over the claims of a witness in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday claimed that Congress spread separatism and said it is the originator of the phrase 'Hindu terror'. "It clearly shows the character of Congress of how it spread separatism. If anyone is the originator of the phrase 'Hindu terror', it is Congress. The people will punish them severely. It has been the tradition of Congress to implicate innocent people," the BJP leader told ANI. The witness, who turned hostile, on Tuesday old Mumbai's special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court that Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) officers had forced him to falsely take the names of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and five RSS members in the case. On Madhya Pradesh government recommending a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged murder case of five family members in Nemawar, the BJP leader said, "When the government has made a recommendation, it must have been done thoughtfully." In June this year, five bodies buried in agricultural land in Nemawar of Dewas district were recovered. (ANI)
The Confederation of Transport Workers on Wednesday called off the protest by autorickshaws, taxi, and light vehicle owners after meeting with Kerala Transport Minister Antony Raju. The minister held a discussion with the representatives of unions in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI, the Kerala minister said, "Auto taxi employees unions were demanding the revision of auto taxi fare. The government had discussed the issue in detail and decided to consider their demands." "The government had also appointed Justice Ramachandran committee to examine the demands of various auto taxi unions. We have directed the Justice Ramachandran committee to file a report in one month and after getting the report government will discuss it with unions," Raju said. Reacting to the meeting with the State Transport Minister, N Unnikrishnan, Confederation of transport workers leader said that the minister has responded positively to the demands of auto taxi unions. "He has approved most of the demands in our memorandum. The Unions' demand to increase the taxi charge has been approved by the minister and tasked justice Ramachandran Nair commission to revise the fare charge," the Union leader said. He further stated, "Minister has also agreed to increase the taxi charge within one month so, we have postponed our strike which we have scheduled to start from today midnight." Govind R Thampi, State General Secretary, BMS Taxi Federation said, "The government agreed to increase the fare charge of the auto taxi, but the main demand forwarded by BMS to the state government was to reduce the fuel tax as other states did. But they have not considered it. So, BMS will conduct a strike tomorrow from 6 am to 6 pm." (ANI)
The restriction comes just days ahead of New Year celebrations.

As per an order issued by the state's Home Department, essential services and medical emergencies have been exempted from the night curfew.

The state has also banned music concerts, thabal chongba (folk dance), celebratory feasts, large gathering of people in enclosed areas or indoor halls.

"Wearing of face masks in public places, gatherings and crowded areas is a critical Covid Appropriate Behaviour and it should be strictly enforced and violators to be penalised promptly under relevant rules," the order read.

All District Magistrates have been directed to enforce the curbs by invoking relevant provisions of law.

"This order is in continuation of the order of even number dated 27.12.2021 and shall remain in force till 31.01.2022," the order stated.

Notably, according to Union Health Minister, Manipur has reported one case of Omicron.

India's Omicron case tally stands at 781, as per a COVID-19 bulletin issued on Wednesday morning. (ANI)
Despite the recent Omicron surge, tourists from different parts of the country are flocking to Goa for New Year celebrations as there is no night curfew here. Speaking to ANI, Joe, a tourist said, "Basically, not only the government, but the public also should think about curbing the pandemic. For the past two years, people were at home and they were stressed, so we have come here for the New Year." He further spoke about the night curfew and said that the government has imposed it due to Christmas and New Year, but there is no night curfew in Goa. "People should follow the COVID-19 protocols like wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, sanitizing, etc," Joe added. Justin, another tourist said that it is really important to be vaccinated with both the doses of COVID-19 vaccine. "It is very important for all of us to be fully vaccinated due to rising cases. The government has taken the right decision of mandating both the doses for entering the places here. We are enjoying ourselves a lot and were on a cruise right now," Justin said. Sushmita Roy, a tourist from Kolkata said that enjoyment is also important for living a healthy life. "We have come from Goa and enjoying a lot here. I did not expect that this trip would be fun due to COVID-19 restrictions, but we are enjoying it a lot. All the beaches are properly clean. I am fully vaccinated. Night curfew is a right decision but enjoyment is also important for a healthy life," Roy said. Another tourist from Kolkata said that Goa is running on tourism, so a night curfew won't work here. "We are also enjoying very much here. But night curfew won't work here because it is running on tourism. If Goa will not keep its tourist happy, then the footfall will decrease which will lead to a fall in the finances of the state," the tourist said. Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said Covid-19 negative RT-PCR report or double vaccination certificate will be made mandatory for attending New year eve celebrations in the state. "Covid-19 negative certificate or double vaccination certificate will be made mandatory for attending functions on December 31st in the state," Sawant said. Meanwhile, Goa also reported its first case of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus on Monday after an eight-year-old boy who arrived in the state from the UK on December 17 was found to be tested positive for the Omicron variant in the state. (ANI)
US-based semiconductor company AMD, gaming PC maker MSI and smartphone maker OnePlus have joined the growing list of tech companies who have decided not to attend the 'CES 2022' in-person in Las Vegas, as cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant have have continued to surge. While Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the governing body on CES, plans to go ahead with the show, several tech companies like Google, Intel, Microsoft, Lenovo, T-Mobile, AT&T, Meta, Twitter, Amazon, TikTok, Pinterest, Alphabet-owned Waymo, along with several media outlets, will not attend the consumer electronics show. "AMD has decided to cancel our in-person presence at CES 2022 in Las Vegas and will instead transition to a virtual experience. While the AMD 2022 Product Premiere was always planned as a digital-only livestream, our in-person engagements will now transition to virtual in the best interest of the health and safety of our employees, partners and communities. We look forward to sharing all our exciting news as scheduled on January 4," a company spokesperson said in a statement. Although OnePlus did not have an official presence in Las Vegas planned, the company is scrapping its in-person plans. The smartphone maker had said it would introduce the OnePlus 10 Pro in January and was rumoured to unveil the phone at CES, reports CNET. The CTA told TechCrunch that over 2,200 companies are confirmed to participate in-person at 'CES 2022' in Las Vegas. "Since December, the rapidly spreading Omicron variant has brought the US a surge of Covid-19 cases. The health and well-being of our employees, customers and fans are our top priority. Hence, we have decided not to participate in-person at CES 2022 and will join the show virtually with our online product launch," MSI said in a post on its website. In an earlier tweet, Lenovo had said: "After closely monitoring the current trends surrounding Covid, it is in the best interest of the health and safety of our employees, customers, partners, and our communities to suspend all on-site activity in Las Vegas." T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert, one of the CES 2022's featured speakers, announced that his company won't be attending the world's largest electronics show next month. The world's most influential tech event is slated to showcase some first-time innovations around Blockchain-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs), remote health solutions, self-driving cars, gaming, food and space tech. --IANS wh/svn/ksk/ ( 405 Words) 2021-12-29-10:48:02 (IANS)
"Taliban opened fire on protesters to stop or suppress the protest," she said, adding that filming of the demonstration was not allowed.

According to the protester, women came out in protest on Tuesday demanding "employment, food and freedom." As of now, no casualties have been reported, as per Sputnik.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan had dissolved the ministry of women affairs and replaced it with the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Khaama Press said.

Last Thursday, the Taliban decided to dissolve several ministries and electoral bodies including the ministry of peace affairs, ministry of parliament affairs, independent election commission and the independent election complaints commission. (ANI)
Member of Tibetan communities on Tuesday held candlelight vigil here in solidarity with a critical situation in Kham Drago, Central Tibet and called China to end its repressive policies in the region. "Today Tibetan Youth Congress and Students for Free Tibet organised this candlelight vigil to share our solidarity with Tibetans in Kham Drago, where the situation is very critical, where the Chinese government has implemented repressive policies, where the monasteries are demolished, schools are destroyed," said a Tibetan who took part in the vigil. "Recently in the Kham Drago, areas of Central Tibet, the Chinese government has destroyed a giant Buddhist statue. The statue is almost 600 feet statue of Buddha. And then, they also destroyed a monastery. So this vigil is s sign of China's rising repression of Tibetan practice of Buddhism inside Tibet and this is not just happening in central Tibet that we got to know recently but in many other places," said another Tibetan who took part in the vigil. "So China's attempt to destroy aspects of Tibetan Buddhism culture is their way of homogenising, criticising entire Tibet and not only Tibet, East Turkistan and southern Mongolia also. This is an attempt to Sinicise entire China and China's occupied country," he added. Emphasising that such Chinese activities are a threat to Tibetan's religion, culture and identity, the vigilant said that such acts by "China directly are contradictory to Beijing's promise of autonomy or rights for what is called minorities to practice their religion and culture." "China is doing this even when their Winter Olympics is coming which is after two months.So, therefore, we are protesting, we are leading this candle vigil, we are spreading awareness of this and we are telling China to stop the repression in Tibet," he added. (ANI)
The Iranian Foreign Minister has said the talks in Vienna, Austria, on the restoration of a 2015 nuclear deal are on a "good path." In an address to the media on the sidelines of a Tuesday ceremony, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that "we have a unified and joint text, on which the Iranian negotiating team is focused," Iranian Foreign Ministry reported on its website. The Iranian top diplomat added that the other parties to the deal are also focused on the issues "we placed in the text," which are those the sides have differences on, Xinhua news agency reported. Enrique Mora, the European Union Deputy Foreign Policy Chief, has been actively making efforts to play the coordination role, Amir-Abdollahian said. He added that if the other parties, including France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany continue the negotiations with goodwill, it will be possible to reach a good agreement in the near future. Iran and the five signatories started the eighth round of talks in Vienna in a bid to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which the US quit in 2018 under former President Donald Trump who then reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran. The US has been indirectly taking part in the Vienna talks which have been held since April. The 2015 nuclear deal eased the previous US sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran's curbing its nuclear program, which the US-led western countries have suspected as an attempt to create nuclear weapons despite Iran's insistence that it is peaceful. --IANS int/khz/ ( 270 Words) 2021-12-29-01:14:03 (IANS)
"Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company [of] Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a USD 492,685,342 ...modification to a previously awarded contract," the Defence Department said in a press release on Tuesday.

The modification exercises options to provide logistics support to include ground maintenance activities, action request solutions, depot activities, automatic logistics information system operation and maintenance, reliability and maintainability, the release said.

It will also include supply chain management, pilot training, maintainer training and training system sustainment in support of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft systems, the release added. (ANI/Sputnik)
"We'll see," Biden said on Tuesday in response to a question about a possible meeting with Putin on January 10.

The meeting would take place days before a reported Russia-NATO meeting on January 12 and a Russia-Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on January 13.

The United States and Russia are expected to hold talks on arms control and the situation in Ukraine on January 10.

Putin said earlier in December following a virtual meeting between him and Biden that they will have to meet again, possibly also in a video format. The two leaders last met in person in Geneva last June. (ANI/Sputnik)
All the arrested men, according to the official, had been involved in criminal activities ranging from armed robbery to theft, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Taliban administration is committed to ensuring law and order in the country, Khan added.

Meanwhile, people urge the new administration to create more job opportunities citing poverty as the main cause of the increase in crimes.

--IANS int/khz/

( 103 Words)

2021-12-29-02:54:01 (IANS)
Exports of Israel's hi-tech industries services increased from $28.44 billion in January-October 2020 to $34.65 billion in the same period in 2021, said the report published on Tuesday.

Export of services refers to the sale and delivery of intangible products such as computing, advertising, telecommunications, construction, and accounting, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Israel's exports of services from start-up companies totaled $2.16 billion in the first 10 months of 2021, up by 209 per cent year on year, the report added.

Total Israeli exports of services rose by 32.6 per cent in the first 10 months from $43.83 billion to $58.1 billion, it said.

--IANS int/khz/

( 152 Words)

2021-12-29-03:08:02 (IANS)
Hundreds of Palestinian Christians in the Gaza strip have left the besieged enclave for the West Bank to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, for the first time in two years since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, a spokesman for the Christian community in Gaza has said. Kamel Ayyad, Spokesman of the Christian community in Gaza, told Xinhua on Tuesday that 722 Christians from Gaza applied to the Israeli side for permits to visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Jordan, and 468 of them obtained permits and left earlier this week to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan. The rest of the applicants, many of whom are children, women and elderly, were banned from leaving Gaza for unspecified security reasons, he added. The Gaza strip, home to more than 2 million Palestinians, has been under an Israeli blockade since Hamas violently seized control of the coastal enclave in 2007, Xinhua news agency reported. Before 2007, the number of Christians living in Gaza had reached 5,000. Now there are 800 only, according to Ayyad. In the Gaza strip, most Christians are Greek Orthodox. --IANS int/khz/ ( 201 Words) 2021-12-29-04:44:01 (IANS)
The recent visit by the Chinese envoy to Sri Lanka's Tamil-majority Northern Province has sparked concern and political debate on what is being seen as a strategic move to expand the Chinese footprint, amid geopolitical contest with India. From December 15-17, the Chinese ambassador of China to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong paid a visit for the first time to the Northern Province of the island nation. This visit took place one year after ambassador Qi presented the credentials. A Chinese embassy release said that a familiarization visit and a study tour to the north was planned for a long but couldn't be realized due to the disadvantageous situation of COVID-19, and other busy schedules. During his three-day visit, Ambassador Qi visited the landmark Jaffna Public Library and donated piles of food parcels "to extend strong solidarity" to local communities to fight current COVID-19 difficulties. Experts familiar with the geopolitical of the region have pointed that this Chinese "solidarity" could be meant to win over Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen. "China is now strategizing a dual approach to satisfy the majority and minority community at the same time. The Chinese ambassador's visit and the substantial assistance from China to the Northern Province is a strategic move to expand the Chinese footprint, targeting the fisheries community as the initial step," said Asanga Abeyagoonsekara, Geopolitics and International Security Advisor in Sri Lanka, as quoted by inmathi, an online community hub for Tamils across the world. Security experts believe that Beijing sees Sri Lanka as a geostrategic hub for the Belt and Road Initiative in the Indian Ocean. There has been a clear expansion of Chinese influence in multiple sectors supported by the Rajapaksa regime for their survival and economic security, according to inmathi. "China should understand India's security sensitivity, especially in India's immediate southern periphery," Abeygoonsekara added. India should approach this carefully, said R S Vasan, Former Regional Commander Coast Guard Region East, currently Director Chennai Centre for China Studies. "China will play any card for its advantage and it wouldn't be surprising if it plays India card amidst the Island nation's fishers. China wants an edge in the Indian Ocean Region and uses all its techniques in Sri Lanka, turning it as a geopolitical point to corner India," he said. The article argued published in the inmathi, argued that China is now strategizing a dual approach to satisfy the majority and minority community at the same time in Sri Lanka. The Chinese envoy's visit and subsequent aid to the Northern Province is a strategic move to expand China's footprint, the report said and added that targeting the fisheries community is the initial step. "We have to be careful against this asymmetric warfare being played in the Indian Ocean Region. India should address this with Sri Lanka," Vasan added. (ANI)
During the presentation of a program to achieve energy self-sufficiency, Romero added that the strategy calls for first reducing Mexico's crude exports in 2022 to 435,000 barrels per day, Xinhua news agency reported.

"By 2023 and by 2024, practically all of Pemex's production is going to be processed and refined" for the domestic market, said Pemex CEO, who was accompanied by Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Pemex's refining capacity will be expanded once the Dos Bocas refinery begins operating. Starting December 2018, the refinery has been the most important infrastructure project of the Lopez Obrador administration.

Refining will also get a boost from the rehabilitation of Mexico's six existing refineries and acquisition of the Deer Park refinery based in Houston of US state of Texas.

"Practically 100 per cent of Mexican crude is going to be refined in our country to guarantee fuel supplies," Romero said.

Lopez Obrador's administration is working to strengthen Pemex, whose finances were depleted in recent years by constant transfers of funds to government coffers amid a decline in its crude output.

International credit rating agencies have even threatened to lower the country's investment grade rating if the state company's finances do not improve.

--IANS int/khz/

( 244 Words)

2021-12-29-06:44:04 (IANS)
Russian President Vladimir Putin's concerns over lack of security on Afghanistan's borders with Central Asian countries has drawn a response from the Taliban who said that there is no threat from Afghanistan's borders to regional countries. A spokesperson of the Taliban Inamullah Samangani reacted and said that there is neither potential nor a de facto threat from Afghanistan's border to any other country, reported Khaama Press. Putin said on Monday that the security situation at the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border is a concern. The Russian President in a visit to Tajikistan met with Tajikistan's President Imam Ali Rahman and said that Russia is seeking to mitigate security threats by strengthening its military base in Tajikistan with weapons and other equipment, reported Tolo News. "You know that we're actively working toward enhancing Tajikistan's defense capability. In keeping with our agreements, some essential weapons and hardware have been delivered lately in line with our agreements to bolster Tajikistan's armed forces and make Tajikistan capable of efficiently opposing any external threats to your country," said Putin, reported Tolo News. The Russian officials repeatedly expressed concerns over possible security threats from across the border with Afghanistan, but the Islamic Emirate pledged that Afghanistan's soil will never be used to threaten a country. Moreover, Putin mentioned his country's military equipment given to Tajikistan's military forces to get stronger and address potential threats from other countries, reported Khaama Press. Vladimir Putin's concerns over insecurity on Afghanistan's borders with Central Asian countries are not new, earlier; he had expressed some concerns and had discussed the issue with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan's heads of state. Russia has also conducted military drills with Tajikistan's forces on the border with Afghanistan and Putin described his country's military base in Tajikistan as a significant element of regional security. (ANI)
The US will be inviting Taiwan's participation in the 2022 Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the world's largest naval exercise, amid escalating tensions with China. The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed by US President Joe Biden on Monday said that the invitation would supplement US efforts to support the self-governed democratic island in the face of "increasingly coercive and aggressive behaviour" by China, reported CNN. The NDAA authorizes appropriations for national security programmes across the US Defense, Energy and State departments. Section 1246 of the act deals with Taiwan, which split with mainland China more than 70 years ago but which Beijing considers part of its territory and leader Xi Jinping has vowed to bring under China's control. Washington has been committed to the island's autonomy since the passage of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which provides for the US to supply Taipei with the means to defend itself against aggression from Beijing. Citing that 1979 law, the 2022 NDAA says "the United States should continue to support the development of capable, ready, and modern defence forces necessary for Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability," including "as appropriate, inviting Taiwan to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise conducted in 2022," reported CNN. The sprawling exercise is expected to take place next summer with the participation of more than 48 military units from 20 nations and 25,000 personnel, according to a December statement from the US Navy's 3rd Fleet in San Diego, which oversees RIMPAC. The US Navy has not disclosed specific invitees to RIMPAC 2022, but a potential invite to Taiwan would be the first-ever extended to the island. Any potential invite could take a variety of forms, from ships or aircraft to a handful of observers, reported CNN. The US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii on Tuesday did respond to a request for comment on a possible Taiwan invite. Traditional RIMPAC participants include a range of US allies and partners, including key Pacific powers like Japan and Australia, both of which are seeing increasing tensions with China and showing support for Taiwan. "RIMPAC involvement is a political statement as much as a professional opportunity. The invitation, should it take place, marks Taiwan as a friend and partner of the United States," said Carl Schuster, former Director of Operations at the US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center, who called the NDAA language "a strong politico-strategic statement that has its roots in China's escalating aggression against Taiwan" and other nations in the Indo-Pacific region. Any Taiwanese involvement in RIMPAC would "send a strong political signal to Beijing that its behaviour created this and has raised the potential cost should it choose the military aggression route," Schuster said, reported CNN. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Beijing was opposed to using what it called "domestic legislation" to try to "engage in political manipulation" concerning China, when asked about the sections on China in the NDAA. "We urge the US to abandon outdated Cold War zero-sum thinking and ideological prejudices," Zhao said. RIMPAC 2022 will be the 28th version of the event. The US, Australia and Canada founded the exercises in 1971 as an annual event, but in 1974 they were moved to a biennial basis as more nations were invited to participate, according to the US Navy. (ANI)
This new notification states that the male students are not allowed to wear shorts, cut-off jeans, multi-pocket, faded, torn and skin-fitted jeans and trousers, T-shirts with messages of any kind, the Daily Pakistan newspaper reported.

This notification, issued by Toba Tek Singh sub-campus of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), also bars wearing of chappals, and slippers, bandanas, caps, vest of any kind, long hair and ponytails, earrings, wrist straps, and bracelets.

It further says that girls were also banned from wearing T-shirts with jeans, sleeveless shirts, see-through and skintight dresses. Female students were also barred from wearing flashy jewellery, anklets, and using heavy make-up, the report added.

Earlier in September, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), which oversees educational institutes in Islamabad asked women teachers not to wear jeans and tights and restricted men from wearing jeans and t-shirts.

FDE had directed heads of educational institutes to ensure their teaching and non-teaching staff followed the dress code and personal hygiene, including regular haircuts, beard trimming, nail cutting and the use of perfume.

The letter asked all staff to maintain a formal dress code while in the institutions, and during official gatherings, ceremonies and meetings, Arab News reported.

Earlier, two universities issued in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province had imposed strict dress code policies, banning tight-fitted jeans, T-shirts, and makeup among other things. (ANI)
They gathered at the main bus stand and closed the busy road linking Bannu with the Mianwali district of Punjab, reported The Nation.

The protesters were holding placards inscribed with slogans against gas and electricity load-shedding. Women speakers said that excessive gas and electricity outages had added to their problems as they could not maintain housekeeping effectively.

"We face a lot of problems while preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner as the facilities remain suspended most time of the day and night," said one of the protestors, reported The Nation.

They asked the government to take notice of unscheduled load-shedding being carried out in Lakki Marwat city. Area elders and councillors-elect also joined the protest. (ANI)
"We had hoped that the Beijing Olympics would serve as an opportunity to improve inter-Korean relations, but I think such chances are virtually getting slimmer," Chung said during a press conference, Yonhap news agency reported.

Chung again stressed that Seoul is not planning to join the US diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter games.

He also noted that South Korea will carefully consider how it will send its government delegation to the Beijing games while taking into consideration a number of factors. The minister added that South Korean President Moon Jae-in's administration will take any chance it gets to improve relations with the North and restart peace talks.

Earlier this month, Moon announced that South Korea was not considering joining in the diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympic Games despite Washington's decision. China in turn had praised South Korea for upholding the Olympic spirit.

The 2022 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Beijing in February next year. (ANI)
The demonstrating farmers from Pirmahal held the protest due to the strike of the fertiliser dealers and sellers, reported Dawn.

As a result of the protest, the traffic remained jammed on the Faisalabad-Multan road for more than one hour.

The farmers told Dawn that the officials had asked them to reach the Pirmahal Grain Market where they would be sold fertiliser bags on the rates fixed by the government but they remained standing in a long queue for hours in vain.

They were later informed that the dealers had refused to end their strike and sell them fertiliser. At this, the farmers were forced to stage a protest and block the traffic on Faisalabad-Multan road, reported Dawn.

The farmers ended their protest after the agriculture department assistant director and tehsil administration officials assured them that fertiliser bags would be supplied to them at the fixed rates from Wednesday.

Earlier on December 23, the farmers had blocked the railways crossing in protest against the urea fertiliser shortage. (ANI)
Slamming Imran Khan Cabinet's decision to approve first security policy, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has expressed concern over the government's act of bypassing Parliament in the formulation of the key policy matter. PPP Senator Raza Rabbani on Tuesday said that the National Security Policy (NSP), which had been first approved by the National Security Committee (NSC) on Monday and later by the federal cabinet, was denied any input from parliament, Dawn newspaper reported. Rabbani recalled that the government had promised to share the details of its agreement with the-then banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan at an appropriate time, however, it failed in this regard. On Monday, Pakistan's NSC, the highest forum for coordination on security issues, had approved its first-ever NSP, covering all internal and external security aspects, including the situation in Afghanistan. Pakistan National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf, highlighted that Pakistan was shifting to a comprehensive national security framework while the ultimate purpose of national security was to ensure the safety and security of citizens, Dawn newspaper reported. During the 36th NSC meeting, it was informed that the policy had been devised with the consultation of all stakeholders concerned. "To ensure this citizen-centric approach to security, the NSP put economic security at the core," Yusuf said. The security policy meeting was chaired by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan with participation from key ministers, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, all services chiefs, national security advisor, and senior civil and military officers, according to Dawn. This is Pakistan's first-ever National Security Policy in a documented form. Pakistan media reports said that the draft puts economic and military security at the core of policy and outlines the challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan in the coming years. Aside from the military and economic issues, the document throws light on Pakistan's water security as well as population growth, terrorism and foreign policy. (ANI)
According to the sources, PM Modi was scheduled to visit the UAE on January 6.

PM Modi was expected to meet the top leadership of the UAE during the proposed visit. (ANI)
During the meeting on Tuesday, Kim "set forth medium- and long-term development strategies and major tasks for attaining the grand goal of rural development in line with the realistic conditions and the requirement of the times", according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea opened the 4th Plenary Meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's 8th Central Committee on Monday amid expectations Pyongyang could unveil its new policy directions on the economy and foreign affairs for the new year.

Tuesday's meeting dealt with "rural questions" to which Kim took "important revolutionary measures", the KCNA said without elaborating on what they were.

"The new program on socialist rural construction won full support and approval by the participants in the meeting," the report said.

North Korea has been calling for the "face-lifting" of local areas as a first step of "building a powerful country".

In November, Kim visited the northwestern city of Samjiyon, where a major development project is underway, and called it a "picturesque model unit in rural buildup" and a starting point "in making the people in local areas witness a leaping progress to a highly civilized material and cultural life".

The North's emphasis on rural development comes as the country struggles from crippling sanctions and protracted pandemic-driven border closures.

Its economy is estimated to have shrunk 4.5 per cent on-year in 2020, from 0.4 per cent growth a year earlier, government data showed.

--IANS ksk/

( 284 Words)

2021-12-29-11:06:01 (IANS)
South Korea and the US have "effectively" agreed on the draft text of the proposed declaration of a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War, amid their continued push to resume dialogue with North Korea, Seoul's top diplomat said on Wednesda . Chung Eui-yong made the remarks during a press conference, noting he and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the progress in the allies' consultations over the declaration when they met on the sidelines of a G7 session in Liverpool earlier this month, reports Yonhap News Agency. "Regarding the end-of-war declaration, South Korea and the US have already shared the understanding on its importance, and the two sides have effectively reached an agreement on its draft text," Chung said. Though Seoul and Washington have made considerable progress over the declaration, its fate remains uncertain as Pyongyang has been unresponsive to their overtures for dialogue, with the five-year term of the Moon Jae-in administration set to end in May. "Although North Korea showed a set of prompt, positive responses to the end-of-war declaration, we hope (it) will show a more concrete reaction," Chung said. "We are considering various ways on how to advance discussions with North Korea." In September, Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, called the declaration an "interesting" and "admirable" idea but urged Seoul to drop what she called "hostile" policy toward Pyongyang in order to start relevant discussions. Denuclearization negotiations between the US and the North have remained stalled since the two countries' no-deal Hanoi summit in 2019. --IANS ksk/ ( 271 Words) 2021-12-29-12:12:02 (IANS)
"We need to reach an understanding to strengthen Lebanon's ties with Arab nations, especially Gulf countries, by not offending them or interfering in their internal affairs," Xinhua news agency quoted Mikati as saying in a televised speech.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need for Lebanon to disassociate itself from problems in the region to be able to preserve its ties with the Arab world and the international community.

Mikati added that he has been working on securing a meeting for the council of ministers to deal with the country's economic crisis.

Beirut is currently facing a crisis in its relations with Saudi Arabia and its Gulf supporters after a Lebanese Cabinet Minister criticised over Riyadh's ongoing military involvement in the Yemen war.

Mikati's speech comes one day after an address by Lebanese President Michel Aoun who called for a national dialogue to put an end to the governmental paralysis, getting through important legislation, in addition to holding an urgent dialogue on a financial recovery plan, administrative and financial decentralization, and the defence strategy.

--IANS ksk/

( 215 Words)

2021-12-29-12:36:06 (IANS)
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release, Pankaj Sharma, an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1991 batch, is expected to take up his assignment shortly.

"Pankaj Sharma (IFS:1991), presently Permanent Representative of India to the UN Conference on Disarmament, Geneva, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Mexico," MEA said.

"He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," MEA added. (ANI)
Pakistan as it contemplates comprehensive prison reforms implementation has to deal with the structural problems of the criminal justice system. The Islamabad High Court's comments that the country's prisons have turned into "epicentres of crime, corruption and corrupt practices" are hardly surprising, according to the Dawn. While hearing a case about the maltreatment of prisoners in jails on Monday, the Islamabad High Court's chief justice remarked that "elite capture" also seemed to prevail in prisons as those with power exploited the system, aided by the prison authorities. The description of Pakistan's prisons could serve as a precursor of the country's overall criminal justice system. Also, the overcrowding of prisons, not investing in the salaries and training of prison staff and a lack of resources have all contributed to prisons' inability to fulfil their role as venues of reformative justice, according to Dawn. Earlier, a number of reforms have been carried out in the area of prosecution and policing, successive governments have failed to accord priority to prisons and their staff. Further, prison reforms are compounded by the lack of capacity of the prison staff in Pakistan combined with a situation where their transfers and promotions are often compromised on account of political interference thereby allowing exploitation by criminal elements. The authorities will be forced to allow reformatory premises to be turned into dens of crime. As a starting point, they can note their domestic and international commitments and work towards reforming a faulty criminal justice system that has neither curbed law-breaking behaviour nor emphasised the rehabilitation of prisoners, according to the Dawn. (ANI)
China is using its pressure tactics on Indonesia designed to halt oil and natural gas development projects by Jakarta in the South China Sea. The exploratory drilling began in July near the Natuna islands within Indonesia's exclusive economic zone, which overlaps China's expansive "nine-dash line" territorial claim covering much of the sea, Nikkei Asia reported. It further reported that in addition to the protests, China has sent coast guard vessels into the area to increase pressure, Indonesian government sources said, citing eyewitness accounts. Jakarta, which contends that no territorial dispute with China exists, has not disclosed Beijing's protests. Indonesia apparently regards a public response to the protests as tantamount to acknowledging the existence of a dispute. The round of drilling was completed in late November, Nikkei Asia reported citing Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia, who heads the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency, known as Bakamla as saying. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has overlapping territorial claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. Beijing has intensified activity near the Natuna islands since 2019, escalating tensions with Jakarta. In May 2020, Indonesia sent the United Nations a letter rejecting Beijing's historical claims in the sea indicated by its nine-dash line maps. China, in turn, sent a letter to the UN that maintains the claims in the South China Sea while seeking a solution through negotiations. Indonesia refused to come to the table, Nikkei Asia reported. China's aggressive maritime activity echoes its strategy over the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims and calls the Diaoyu. From the beginning of the year through Sunday, Chinese Coast Guard vessels have entered Japan's territorial waters near the Senkakus in the East China Sea a total of 40 days, Nikkei Asia reported citing the Japan Coast Guard. According to the media outlet, Indonesia and the U.S. are building a joint training facility for coast guard personnel near Natuna. The two nations held their biggest joint military exercise to date this August, spanning three locations in Indonesia. The drills simulated island defenses. The conflict over the Natunas has worsened Indonesian sentiment toward China. About 25 citizens protested China's incursions into Indonesian territorial waters on December 8 in front of the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, Nikkei Asia reported citing a police statement. Meanwhile, Jakarta wants to avoid an accidental military flare-up with its top trading partner. Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto held online talks with his Chinese counterpart on November 30 and stressed his desire to build trust. (ANI)
"Welcomes Egypt as the fourth new member of #BRICS #NewDevelopmentBank family. Bangladesh, UAE and Uruguay joined in Sep 2021. Membership expansion enables @NDB_int to position itself as a premier development institution for emerging economies," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi.

Further, NDB is a multilateral development bank established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

Earlier, in September India welcomed Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay as new members of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). Egypt is the fourth new member admitted into NDB.

NDB's Board of Governors authorized the Bank to conduct formal negotiations with prospective members in late 2020.

After a round of successful negotiations, NDB approved the admission of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uruguay and Bangladesh as its first new member countries.

NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.

Projects in areas such as transport, water and sanitation, clean energy, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure and urban development are funded by the NDB.

The BRICS group includes five major emerging countries-Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa. (ANI)
South Korea's ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the government on Wednesday agreed on the need to extend the current Covid-19 curbs. The two sides reached the consensus during a meeting on the Covid-19 response, noting that key indicators, such as the operation of ICUs and the numbers of critically ill patients and deaths, have yet to improve, DP spokesperson Rep. Shin Hyun-young said at a press briefing. The party asked, however, that the government consider making minor adjustments to the social distancing measures to minimise damage to specific business sectors, the spokesperson added. The current virus curbs include a maximum private gathering size of four people and a 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. curfew on businesses. The government is expected to announce an update before the end of the scheme on Sunday. Shin said the DP urged the government to look into providing advance compensation to small businesses hurt by the curbs and then settling accounts, citing the time required to complete the deliberation process for compensation, which could take up to five months. Citing the opposition of some parents, the party also asked the government to reconsider its plan to enforce a vaccine pass system for all adolescents starting in February. The system would require teenagers to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test when entering libraries, cram schools and other public facilities. The government, meanwhile, said it has secured 90 million doses of vaccines but needs to increase its related budget from the current 3.2 trillion won ($2.7 billion) to prepare for a fourth round of vaccinations. It also reported plans to increase the number of hospital beds from 19,000 to 25,000 and expand its budget for oral Covid-19 pills to treat an additional 400,000 people. --IANS ksk/ ( 305 Words) 2021-12-29-14:34:04 (IANS)
Human rights activists have chided China's infamous Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location (RSDL), highlighting that Chinese authorities torture and forcibly hold people without providing them with the right to legal counsel. RSDL is a form of detention that is employed by Chinese authorities on the individuals "endangering state security". Human rights activists, now and then, have flagged that this kind of detention is in violation of human rights and have urged China to stop using it. Based on the data fetched from Supreme People's Court and testimony of survivors and lawyers, Spain-based rights group Safeguard Defenders put out a significant report. The rights group said that since 2013 as many as 274,208 to 56,963 people have gone through China's RSLD system. Recently, two Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were released by the Chinese authorities after being kept in detention under RSDL, that rights groups have likened it with enforced disappearance. The two Canadians were kept in detention for a period of 1000 days. The prison where the duo was kept was not an ordinary prison and they had limited access to a lawyer or consular services. They lived in cells also had lights on 24 hours a day. The Chinese criminal law changed in 2012. Post-2012, police can now detain anyone, foreign or Chinese, for a period of six months at an undisclosed location. Michael Caster, a co-founder of rights watchdog Safeguard Defenders said: "These high profile cases obviously attract a lot of attention, but they shouldn't detract from the fact that there's no transparency. Collecting the data that is available and analysing the trends, the estimate is every year 4 to 5,000 people are disappearing into the RSDL system alone." Caster termed such cases as "tip of the iceberg" The estimation done by Caster suggested that, in 2020, between 10,000-15,000 individuals went through the Chinese RSDL system. In 2013, this number was just 500 and has increased significantly since then. Some very high profile and well-known names are included in the list of detained people. Artist Ai Wei and human rights lawyers--Wang Yu and Wang Quanzhang--were caught by the Chinese police during the crackdown in 2015 on human rights defenders. Another foreign national Peter Dahlin, a Swedish Activist and co-founder of Safeguard Defenders, has also gone through the RSDL system. Canadian Couple and missionaries-- Kevin and Julia Garrett-- who were accused of espionage in 2014 were also detained under the RSDL system. William Nee, a research and advocacy coordinator at China Human Rights Defenders RSLD has become a widely and frequently used detention tool in China. He said that almost a decade ago the use of an extrajudicial system like RSDL was only an exception, unlike today. "Before, when Ai Wei Wei was taken away, they had to make an excuse that it was really about his business, or a tax issue or something like that. So there's this trend, a decade or two ago, where they would use a pretence to detain someone when the real reason was their public participation or their political views," said Nee. "There was a fear that [RSDL] was going to make it more routine 'legal,' given a veneer of legality and legitimacy to it. And I think that's been well borne out." Since 2018, a similar parallel system called liuzhi is functional in china for Communist Party members, state employees, and anyone involved in "public affairs". According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people have been held under liuzhi system since its inception in 2018. Inmates in both the RSDL and liuzhi systems are said to be tortured and forcibly held without providing them with the right to legal counsel. According to multiple rights groups, survivors of both systems have reported that they were deprived of sleep, kept in isolated and solitary confinements and forced into stress positions. In some extreme cases, the movement of inmates' limbs are restricted and they are kept in the infamous "tiger chair" position for days. RSDL, liuzhi and similar extrajudicial procedures, all have "systematised arbitrary and secret detention," said Caster. China, on the other hand, has accused the 'UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances' of maligning the country's image and misrepresentation of the RSDL system. China has defended RSDL, saying the system is governed by the country's criminal code. It also boasted about its Constitution and said that the Chinese Constitution is against the law of illegal detention of any individual or depriving them of their personal liberty. When asked to comment on the illegal detention of the Canadian couple-- Spavor and Kovrig, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the pair was detained because they were suspected of posing threat to national security. The ministry also said that their "lawful rights had been guaranteed", they were not held in "arbitrary detention" and their cases moved forward "in accordance with the law." The entire episode of the detention of the Canadian couple is seen as a hit back to the Canadian authorities. Notably, in 2018, Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested by Canadian authorities at the request of the United States. The US Department of Justice wanted Meng because of her alleged involvement in helping the Chinese tech giant conduct business in Iran despite US sanctions. Spavor, a businessman who worked in North Korea, was found guilty of espionage just before his release. He was then sentenced to prison for 11 years while Korig had yet to face sentencing. The situation only diffused when Canada finally allowed Meng to return to China after living under house arrest and the Canadian couple escaped further prison. It may be a moment of respite for the couple however for many others, RSDL remains a matter of grave concern. "For the hundreds or thousands of members of civil society who don't have their own Wikipedia entry, they might be held for the maximum amount of time under one of these systems. And then they're released into criminal detention to wait as the investigation continues," he said. (ANI)
The impact of the westerly low-pressure system has brought rain and snowfall across Nepal including hill stations around Kathmandu where people are thronging to play with the snow. Chandragiri Hills, the nearest hill station and a popular tourist spot just at the entrance of Kathmandu Valley got covered with a thick layer of snow with people climbing onto hill to play with the flakes. The news of snowfall brought thousands of people to the hilltop which is now connected by an electric cable car and other facilities of recreation. "We came to know through the mainstream as well as the social media about it. This morning as I strolled through the feeds of Facebook and came over information that there's snowfall in Chandragiri then my family of four rushed up to here. We got to play with the snow after a long while, we really are having a great time," Krishna Maharjan, one of the residents of Kathmandu who came to play the snow with the family told ANI. The Meteorological Forecasting Division had issued a bulletin warning weather disturbance that had recently entered into the country has caused light drizzle in most of the parts and snowfall in high hills and mountainous areas of the country. Issuing alert circular for 24 hours, the Division has urged one and all to place necessary safety measures to protect from the rising cold across the country. The Division has cautioned that Weatherly disturbance is likely to affect mountaineering and aviation service as well as daily life and also called for all to adopt cautionary measures to get protected from the effects of cold and snowfall. According to the Division's recent data, Kathmandu's minimum temperature was recorded 3.56 degrees and maximum 15.2 degrees Celsius. (ANI)
Two People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Shenyang J-11 fighter jets, one Shaanxi Y-8 electronic warfare plane, one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft, and one Y-8 electronic intelligence airplane entered the southwest corner of Taiwan's ADIZ, Taiwan News reported citing the Ministry of National Defense (MND).

In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, broadcast radio warnings, and deployed air defense missile systems to track the PLAAF planes. A total of 75 Chinese aircraft have been tracked in the identification zone so far this month, including 42 fighter jets, 2 bombers, and 31 spotter planes.

At a legislative session on Wednesday, Taiwan's Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (Qiu Guo Zheng ) briefed lawmakers on the military's moves amid increasing Chinese military aggression. Chiu said that since January, the PLAAF has already carried out over 940 incursions into the country's ADIZ.

Since mid-September of last year, Beijing has stepped up its grey-zone tactics by regularly sending planes into Taiwan's ADIZ, with most instances occurring in the southwest corner of the zone and usually consisting of one to three slow-flying turboprop planes.

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 threatened that "Taiwan's independence" means war. (ANI)
Dozens of women came out on the streets of Kabul on Wednesday to protest the continued hold on Afghan bank assets by the US amid an economic crisis in Afghanistan, local media reported. The women protestors called on the US to free up Afghan bank assets to prevent the further deterioration of the situation. The protestors carried banners saying, "Our children want food, release our money," Tolo News reported. They also called on the international community to lobby for the release of the bank assets by the US. "Afghanistan's frozen money should be released. It belongs to the people of Afghanistan, not to the current government. Our children demand food from us, we do not have money to pay for our rent. We should go back to work," Tolo News quoted Nasima Amiri, a civil society activist as saying. "The US should release the frozen money of Afghanistan so the people of Afghanistan can cope with the economic problems in the winter," Tolo News quoted Mahnaz Khadimi, a protester. The protesters read aloud a number of demands calling on both the Taliban and the international community to address their needs. "The international community should put into practice its human rights slogans and in a united way should advocate for the release of our money. The US should free the frozen assets of Afghanistan immediately without any conditions," a protester said. The protester said, "The Afghans are facing more challenges today than any time before and the international community should not stay silent and impartial. They should provide any sort of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan," Tolo News reported. The protesters also called on the UN and the World Bank to find a solution for the looming economic crisis in Afghanistan. (ANI)
Pakistan's opposition leaders on Wednesday questioned PM Imran Khan's government about the recruitment of retired officers of the armed forces to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). A written reply was submitted to the Senate by the Ministry of Interior stating that 13,997 employees are working in NADRA, and no retired or present service employee of the armed forces is working in NADRA on deputation, according to the News International. During the session, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami said that the response was "incomplete" and demanded to know how many such individuals had been employed at the database authority. "That a large number of young people are looking for jobs and there are none for them," he said. Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Azam Nazir Tarar said that he had received information that army officers are working in NADRA as directors and deputy directors. Tarar questioned the treachery on what period and in what numbers were retired military officers recruited and whether these military officers were recruited in NADRA on quota or on merit. Further, the PML-N senator questioned additional qualifications of the retired officers recruited in NADRA are and demanded to know details of assignments given to them, according to News International. Responding to the queries, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan asked the senators to submit the questions afresh, so the Ministry of Interior could reply accordingly. NADRA is an independent and autonomous agency under Pakistan's Interior Secretary which regulates government databases and statistically manages the sensitive registration database of all the national citizens of Pakistan. (ANI)
Paris [France], December 29 (ANI/Xinhua): France has recorded more than 200,000 COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour span, the country's Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Wednesday. Veran told a National Assembly hearing that 208,000 people tested positive during the period. (ANI/Xinhua)
In an effort to misuse civilian data for military purposes, China proposes to regulate applications of artificial intelligence capable of transforming the international security paradigm. For dual-use technology like AI, a clear distinction in the civil or military application of data might be difficult. For example, civilian data can be used to train an AI model, and this trained model can then be used for military purpose., according to Asia Times. China recently submitted a position paper on regulating the military applications of artificial intelligence to the sixth review conference of the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). Further, the takeaway from this position paper is that countries should debate, discuss, and perhaps eschew the weaponization of Artificial Intelligence. Also, the proposal is Beijing's formal acknowledgement of AI as a technology capable of transforming the international security paradigm. Many countries, including the US and China, are trying to leverage the advantages of AI in military applications. Additionally, for technological security, China's position paper emphasizes the centrality of human intervention and data security, along with a restriction on the military use of AI data. Earlier, the move to propose regulations on the weaponization of AI could also mean the People's Liberation Army has achieved a desired level of sophistication in it's application. On the other hand, PLA plans to achieve a certain level of sophistication by the time discussion on AI reaches a consensus. Meanwhile, the distinction between strict military applications and civilian applications is also blurred. For example, the face-detection technology used for security checkpoints can also be used to eliminate key leaders during war, according to Asia Times. Hence blanket regulation on AI is not possible, and the caveats in China's proposal might in effect render it meaningless. Also, current applications of AI are in decision-making, battlefield simulations, increasing precision, reducing reaction time, etc and these applications cannot typically start a war. However, the possibility of miscalculation or a misfire from a fully autonomous system can never be refuted, according to Asia Times. (ANI)
The United States has appointed Rina Amiri as a special envoy to defend the rights of Afghan women, amid rising restrictions by the Taliban regime. "I welcome Rina Amiri back to @StateDept as Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights. Rina brings over two decades of expertise and specialized knowledge that will advance our vital work toward a more peaceful, stable, and secure Afghanistan for all," US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken tweeted. The US State Department said Amiri will work on issues of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, girls, and other at-risk populations in all of their diversity in Afghanistan. "We desire a peaceful, stable, and secure Afghanistan, where all Afghans can live and thrive in political, economic, and social inclusivity. Special Envoy Amiri will work closely with me toward that goal," the State Department statement read. Special Envoy Amiri's important work will be complemented by the contributions of Stephenie Foster, the new Senior Advisor for Women and Girls Issues within the Department's Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) team. Blinken named Stephenie Foster, a State Department veteran, as a new senior adviser for women and girls to U.S. operations to evacuate and resettle Afghans at risk of retaliation from the Taliban after it took over the country. "Stephenie's diverse public and private sector experiences, including at the Department, and her passion for advancing women and girls' safety and equality will help advance CARE's around-the-clock relocation and resettlement efforts on behalf of our Afghan allies and their families," the statement read. Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August after US-backed democratically elected collapsed. Since then, the Taliban have imposed restrictions on women and girls, banning most of the former from working. (ANI)
Mohammad Naeem, spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate political office said UAE is ready to invest in Helmand and Kandahar dry ports, and a railway and solar power system in Afghanistan, Tolo News reported.

According to Naeem, PM Deputies Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Abdul Salam Hanafi as well as acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi were also present at the meeting.

On Tuesday, acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with a delegation led by the UAE Minister of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security Ali Mohammed bin Hammad Al Shamsi in Kabul.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Muttaqi discussed a range of issues including economic cooperation and bilateral relations with the UAE delegation.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said that during the meeting Muttaqi said the UAE was in a key location and could serve as a gateway for Afghanistan to increase Afghanistan's trade with the world.

"The UAE is in a key location that could serve as a door for Afghanistan to increase our exports," Tolo News quoted Muttaqi as saying. (ANI)
The scheduled phone call between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday was requested by the Russian President, said a senior US administration official on Wednesday. The telephone call was requested by Putin, and Biden accepted because "he believes when it comes to Russia there is no substitute for direct leader-leader dialogue", according to the official. President Biden will make clear to his Russian counterpart that there is a diplomatic path to de-escalating tensions in the region if only the Russian leader is interested in talking, the senior administration official announced. "This dialogue should and we expect will proceed on the basis of reciprocity," the administration official further added. Biden plans to preview the upcoming bilateral talks between the US and Russia set to take place on January 10, the official said, and will also discuss the NATO-Russia and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe meetings slated for January 12 and 13. "President Biden will make clear when he speaks with President Putin that we will continue to coordinate closely with our allies and partners on all of these matters. And we will proceed on the principle of nothing about them without them," the senior official affirmed. On Wednesday, the US National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne earlier announced that Biden will hold a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday afternoon "to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia." "The Biden Administration continues to engage in extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners, consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russia's military build-up on the border with Ukraine. President Biden has spoken with leaders across Europe, and Biden Administration officials have engaged multilaterally with NATO, the EU, and the OSCE," Horne added in a statement. Horne also said officials have held consultations with the Bucharest Nine (B-9) group of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Amid an alarming Russian military buildup on its shared border with Ukraine, the Biden-Putin call is scheduled for 3:30 pm ET, which will be the second direct contact between the two leaders this month. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday spoke to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and reiterated full US support to Ukraine. "Reiterated full US support for Ukraine in my call with Ukrainian President @ZelenskyyUa. We will continue to consult closely with Ukraine, @NATO Allies, and partners in our diplomatic efforts to deter further Russian aggression," Blinken said in a tweet on Wednesday (local time). The scheduled phone call between Biden and Putin comes at a time when the US continues to pressure Russia to draw down its large military presence near Ukraine's borders. US intelligence officials have warned Ukraine and its allies that Russia could be planning to launch an attack as soon as January. (ANI)
The unavailability of the funds began soon after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have suspended financial aid to the country, and the US has frozen billions of dollars in assets belonging to the Afghan Central Bank following the takeover, said Sputnik.

Even the banking system in Afghanistan is under a profound crisis and it could collapse if appropriate measures are not taken timely.

In Afghanistan, nearly 38 hospitals were equipped to treat COVID-19 patients when the pandemic hit the country. Currently, 17 hospitals among 38 are operational, while the remaining have been closed.

With regard to again start receiving the funding of remaining hospitals, Afghan Health Ministry has said that it is negotiating with international sponsors some of the international organizations have agreed to finance them.

So far, Afghanistan has reported more than 15,00,000 COVID-19 infections and over 7,000 fatalities. (ANI)
US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya has said that she received a letter of congratulations from Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on her appointment as US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. "Thank you to His Holiness the @DalaiLama. It was my profound honour to receive his letter of congratulations on my designation as US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues," Zeya said in a tweet on Wednesday (local time). Zeya also said that she is committed to help Tibetans preserve their religious, cultural, and linguistic heritage. She was designated Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues on December 20 by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. With regard to her new responsibilities, Zeya will coordinate US government policies, programs, and projects concerning Tibetan issues, consistent with the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, as amended by the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020. Zeya's responsibilities include further supporting US efforts to address the humanitarian needs of Tibetan refugees and diaspora communities, including those in the United States who have faced threats and intimidation instigated by the PRC, US State Department had said earlier in a statement. She also will promote activities to protect the environment and sustainably manage the water and other natural resources of the Tibetan plateau. Consistent with the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018, she also will seek to increase access to Tibet for US officials, journalists, and other citizens, read the statement. (ANI)
U.S. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, R-Third District, left, talks to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally in Oak Ridge before a ceremony in which a check was presented to the Oak Ridge Housing Authority. In the background is Jean Lantrip, Oak Ridge Housing Authority board chair.

A grant of $500,000 will help qualifying people in Oak Ridge renovate their homes.

Jim Ratliff, HOME administrator with the Oak Ridge Housing Authority, said people who make 80% or below the median income for people in Oak Ridge qualify. The program is only for people within the Oak Ridge city limits. The grant is part of the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

Ratliff said the program was not in place yet as of Dec. 22, when The Oak Ridger interviewed him, but it will probably be in place by middle to late January. The ORHA will make an announcement at that time, he said. The program was previously funded through a grant to the city in 2016. It was finished in 2021, due to two extensions, one due to COVID-19.

"The significance is to help people with lower incomes and help them make repairs on their properties," Ratliff said.

"You get things fixed up to look a little nicer," he said.

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency presented the check for $500,000 to the Oak Ridge Housing Authority. Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and U.S. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, R-Third District, attended a ceremony in which the check was presented.

Pictured with a check for Oak Ridge housing renovation programs are Jim Ratliff, Oak Ridge Community Development Corporation (ORCDC) Director of Operations; Maria Catron, ORCDC - executive director; Lt. Gov. Randy McNally R-Oak Ridge; Jean Lantrip, ORCDC commissioner; Katie Moore, Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA); Sharon Crane, ORCDC  Commissioner; Congressman Chuck Fleischmann R-Third District; and Tom Beehan, ORCDC board chair.

The event included speeches from the officials, both on the Oak Ridge Housing Authority about the importance of housing programs.

"Nothing pains me more, whether I'm in Washington, D.C. or in our great state of Tennessee, than to see homeless people," Fleischmann said.

"You really have taken this housing authority in the right direction, and we thank you for that," he said to Maria Catron, executive director of Oak Ridge Housing Authority.

McNally also voiced his support for ORHA.

"What you do here is essential in providing one of the pillars that we build our state on," he said.

Down Payment Assistance

Ratliff said there was an earlier HOME grant for $106,000 to help with down payment assistance for eligible homeowners within the city of Oak Ridge.

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More information about this program is available on the official ORHA website. Eligible people can receive between $1,000 and $14,999.

Ben Pounds is a staff reporter for The Oak Ridger. Call him at (865) 441-2317, follow him on Twitter @Bpoundsjournal and email him at bpounds@oakridger.com.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: $500K grant will help some OR residents repair homes
(Bloomberg) -- What was once the second-biggest exchange-traded fund investing in sustainable emerging-market companies just became a shadow of its former self.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In the two days leading up to Christmas Eve, the iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) lost 91% of its investments, leaving its total assets depleted at about $69 million, compared with $803 million on Dec. 21. Thats the biggest two-day outflow for a developing-nation ETF this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Only one holder of LDEMs shares owned enough to account for such a steep outflow, the data show: Ilmarinen, the Helsinki-based pension company that made a $600 million investment in the fund when it launched in February 2020.

A spokesperson at Ilmarinen declined to comment. A spokesperson for BlackRock confirmed there was an outflow in LDEM, but declined to comment further on the fund.

The blow comes less two years after the fund was launched with great success and the backing of Finlands oldest pension company. LDEM tracks an index containing large and mid-cap emerging-market stocks that meet certain environmental, social and governance criteria. The funds number of shares outstanding dropped to just 1.2 million, the lowest ever.

Ilmarinen also owned shares of two similar funds, which buy ESG companies in the U.S., according to filings as of Sept. 30. Neither the iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) nor the Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF (USSG) suffered large outflows in recent weeks.

Shares of LDEM fell 3.5% this year to trade at $57.68 as of the close on Dec. 28, lingering near the lowest in over a year. The fund now has $75 million under management after adding about $6 million this week.

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Another BlackRock fund, the iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) remains the largest ETF investing in emerging-market sustainable companies, with $6.2 billion in assets. According to the firm, the assets under management in iShares sustainable ETFs and index funds globally has doubled year-over-year across more than 180 sustainable fund solutions.

(Updates with year-to-date share price change in seventh paragraph and BlackRock comment in final paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Long icicles hang from a house where nearly a foot of snow fell over the weekend, on Monday, December 27, in Bellingham, Alaska (AP)

Alaska has recorded record high temperatures for December amid a Christmas heatwave, which has brought temperatures approaching 20C, and heavy snow and rain which has then frozen, causing power outages and closed transport routes.

The highest temperature was measured in the Kodiak Archipelago where the air temperature at a tidal gauge hit 19.4C (67F) on Sunday  the highest December reading ever recorded in Alaska, according to scientist Rick Thoman of the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy.

Speaking to the Reuters news agency he described the weather as "absurd".

The state has seen at least eight December days where temperatures, which would normally be well below zero, have climbed higher than 10C, including to 18.3C at the Kodiak airport, 16.2C at the Alaska Peninsula community of Cold Bay, and 13.3C at the Aleutian town of Unalaska on Christmas Day - the states warmest 25 December on record.

Warmer air holds much more moisture, meaning the state  which generally records very dry Decembers, has been hit by high levels of rain and snow.

Mr Thoman said usually any snowfall tends to be "the more fluffy powder because the air is nice and cold".

The Fairbanks area was hit by its fiercest mid-winter storm since 1937.

So much snow fell that on Sunday it caved in the roof of the only grocery store in Delta Junction, a town 95 miles southeast of Fairbanks.

The heavy snows have been followed by torrents of rain which have coated communities in the region with ice, triggering widespread power outages and prompting closures of major roads and offices, as well as a nickname: Icemageddon.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities warned that roads will remain treacherous for a long time because of the cement-like ice coating that has formed on them.

"Ice is extremely difficult to remove once it has binded to the road surface. Even though air temps were warm during #icemageddon2021, roads were at sub-zero temps, which caused ice to bind to the surface," the department wrote on Twitter.

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Warm wet weather has become increasingly frequent in Alaska in recent decades due to the worsening climate crisis.

"This is exactly what we expect in a warming world," Mr Thoman said.

The heatwave is expected to end this weekend, with temperatures in Fairbanks forecast to plunge to -29C (20F) this weekend, but warm, soggy episodes are expected to be more numerous in the future, Mr Thoman said.

"A warming, moistening world has put our thumbs on the scale to make this more likely," he said.

Additional reporting by Reuters.
ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA  Alameda County and the city of Berkeley on Wednesday announced it was effectively reinstating its mask mandate, and the new health order applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

The city and county jointly announced the decision to rescind amendments to a previous health order that allowed fully vaccinated people to go unmasked in limited circumstances.

The new health order goes into effect Thursday at 12:01 a.m.

NBC Bay Area reported Tuesday that Alameda and Marin counties would likely revise their health orders this week, and both counties did so on Wednesday.



Contra Costa County announced a similar measure Tuesday, fueling speculation that other counties would follow suit.

Alameda was among several Bay Area counties that were granted a state exemption for certain settings where vaccines are required such as gyms and offices. The move aligns Alameda County with the rest of the state.



The revised health orders come as an omicron case explosion tears across the nation and much of the world.



Federal health officials said last week that omicron has already become the dominant variant in the U.S. accounting for 73 percent of new infections, The Associated Press reports.

"All of us have a date with omicron," Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security told The AP.

"If you're going to interact with society, if you're going to have any type of life, omicron will be something you encounter, and the best way you can encounter this is to be fully vaccinated."

The joint statement included an admonishment that the unvaccinated get their shots and that anyone who tests positive or is symptomatic stay home.

People who are unvaccinated or havent gotten their booster shot are urged to stay home if exposed.

"Omicron may be more transmissible, but we have the tools to prevent infection," Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss said in a statement.

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"Because even a mild infection in a vaccinated person may be passed on to someone who could become hospitalized, we must take every precaution this winter."

Alameda County officials are counting on the community's high vaccination rate to help it avoid catastrophe.

The county's coronavirus dashboard reports as of Wednesday 85.3 percent of eligible residents have had at least one dose and 79.1 percent are fully vaccinated.

The county's positivity rate has nearly quadrupled in less than a month, ballooning from 6.1 percent on Nov. 28 to 22.5 percent on Dec. 21.

The new cases are largely driven by the unvaccinated, whose 37.8 percent positivity rate is more than double that of the county's fully vaccinated population (18.6 percent).

Alameda County has seen a less pronounced uptick in hospitalizations, although that metric has consistently been a lagging indicator.

As of Dec. 27, there were 108 coronavirus-related hospitalizations in Alameda County, nearly double its Nov. 27 55 hospitalizations.

"The Omicron variant requires us to use all the tools at hand to reduce the chance of transmission," Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez said in a statement.

"Masks are more important than ever to minimize the spread of COVID to our most medically vulnerable community members."

This article originally appeared on the Alameda Patch
A look at some of today's top stories, the weather forecast and a peek back in history.

Arizona's minimum wage will get an inflation-fueled boost to $12.80 an hour in 2022. With the increase, Arizona will have the 5th-highest minimum wage among the states.

A Peoria report shows Hispanic voters vote similarly, but city officials say they are so spread out that a minority-majority district isn't possible.

A judge has scrapped a Gilbert man's attempt to undo the town's $515 million bond election, which voters narrowly passed in November.

Today, you can expect it to be cool, with a high near 58 degrees. Cloudy at night, with a low near 50 degrees. Get the full forecast here.

Today in history

On this date in 1863, Gov. Richard C. McCormick, the first Territorial Governor, and a party of newly appointed officials reached Navajo Springs where McCormick administered the oath of office to his party, read his proclamation and raised the flag.

In 1919, fire broke out in the 96th Aero Squadron camp at Douglas and 250 aerial bombs exploded, causing $100,000 damage.

In 1931, the University of Arizona College of Law was elected to membership in the Association of American Law Schools.

In 1890, the Wounded Knee massacre took place in South Dakota as an estimated 300 Sioux Indians were killed by U.S. troops sent to disarm them.

In 2006, word reached the United States of the execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (because of the time difference, it was the morning of Dec. 30 in Iraq when the hanging took place). In a statement, President George W. Bush called Saddams execution an important milestone on Iraqs road to democracy.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ Briefing: Arizona's minimum wage will rise again in 2022
Over the past 28 months, Feng Franklin Tao and his family have been driven to the cusp of bankruptcy as they try to prove he isnt a tech spy for the Chinese government.

In August 2019, FBI agents arrested Tao, a chemical engineering professor at the University of Kansas, on fraud charges, accusing him of failing to disclose his affiliation with a Chinese university. He has lost his job and, with a trial date scheduled for March, faces a possible prison sentence of 20 years.

Through his attorneys, Tao pleaded not guilty to all charges and contended that the FBI knowingly used false information from an informant to obtain search warrants.

We live under constant fear that our family would be separated as a result of this injustice, said Taos wife, Hong Peng.

She said the ordeal has taken a toll on the mental health of her teenage children, both of whom were born in the U.S. The legal defense fees, meanwhile, have almost reached $1 million. Peng, now the primary provider for her family, juggles three jobs and sometimes has to work 24-hour shifts as an ultrasound technician to make ends meet. Even though they have raised nearly $350,000 from GoFundMe, the Taos are still more than two months behind on payments.

Tao was the first of more than 20 academics of Chinese descent to be prosecuted under the China Initiative, a Trump-era national security program to address Chinese economic espionage  the theft of trade secrets to benefit a foreign government  in universities and research institutions. Over the past year, Asian American advocacy groups have increased pressure on the Biden administration to end the initiative, which they say unfairly targets ethnic Chinese scientists and brings emotional and financial harm to their families.

Image: Franklin Tao (Travis Wessel)

The China Initiative impacts Americans, permanent residents, immigrants, international students and visiting scholars, said Gisela Kusakawa, a staff attorney for the civil rights group Asian Americans Advancing Justice, or AAAJ. Its based on the premise that all scientists of Chinese descent or [who] have connections to China should be treated with suspicion.

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Nearly 90 percent of the 148 people charged under the China Initiative are ethnically Chinese, according to an investigation by MIT Technology Review. They include U.S. citizens, Chinese citizens and citizens of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

The Justice Department didnt respond to a request for comment. At a congressional hearing last month, Attorney General Merrick Garland said China represents a serious threat with respect to espionage and that Justice Department officials never investigate or prosecute based on ethnic identity.

The racial profiling of scientists of Chinese origin, advocates say, stretches back more than a quarter-century, to the Economic Espionage Act of 1996, which sought to address economic espionage by foreign governments. Since 2009, a majority of defendants charged under the law have been people of Chinese heritage, according to a recent report from the advocacy group Committee of 100.

The China Initiative, despite its stated mission, hasnt found much success catching spies or countering technology theft. Only about a quarter of 77 cases include economic espionage charges, and fewer than one-third have resulted in convictions, according to the MIT Technology Review analysis. Since 2018, when the initiative launched, the FBI has brought 12 prosecutions at academic or grant-making institutions, none of which involved espionage charges.

On the other hand, the study found, there has been an increase of grant fraud cases centered on academics who fail to disclose financial ties to Chinese entities on grant application and conflict-of-interest forms  which is a federal requirement. Because the U.S. has historically encouraged academic collaboration with China, experts say, reporting policies arent always clearly communicated to university scientists.

Anming Hu, a professor and nanotechnology expert at the University of Tennessee, was put under house arrest for 18 months for failing to disclose income he had received from a Chinese university. Hu, however, claimed that the University of Tennessee asked him to disclose income in excess of $10,000; he made only $3,000 from lectures in China. In September, a federal judge acquitted him on all counts, concluding that there was no evidence of fraud.

A year ago, AAAJ launched the Anti-Racial Profiling Project to persuade lawmakers to end the China Initiative and assist people targeted by the Justice Department. The group has provided legal and advocacy support to more than 70 academics, many of whom lost their jobs.

Kusakawa, who leads the project, said many targeted scientists have lived in the U.S. for decades and have made it their home. Being under prosecution renders them unemployable and jeopardizes their immigration status. Some werent able to find work again even after their charges were dropped.

Thu Nguyen, the executive director of OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, a nonprofit advocacy group, said the program has created a climate of fear that could trigger a brain drain in academia. The growing threat of racial profiling in the U.S., she said, has already pushed some talented scientists to look for jobs back in China.

According to a University of Arizona and Committee of 100 survey of nearly 2,000 scientists at 83 research institutions, 51 percent of ethnically Chinese scientists, including U.S. citizens, feel considerable fear or anxiety about being under surveillance by the US government. Just 12 percent of non-Chinese scientists share the sentiment.

All this uproar about prosecuting spies and anyone with ties to China causes fear in the community, Nguyen said. Folks from Asia who may have wanted to come here arent coming anymore because of all these government processes and background checks.

The China Initiative, she said, affects not only professors and working scientists but also students, many of whom may hesitate to apply for scholarships or pursue careers in science and technology out of fear of prosecution.

In recent months, OCA has been lobbying lawmakers to end the program. In November, the group visited senators and mobilized chapter members to speak out about the issues at legislative sessions.

Students and faculty members at some academic institutions have also stepped up support of their Asian and Asian American colleagues.

In January, after MIT professor Gang Chen was charged with grant fraud over allegations that he concealed ties to the Chinese government, 170 of his colleagues signed an open letter condemning the investigation as deeply flawed and misleading. (MITs president said the school handled grant funding and collaboration with China. Chen is fighting the charges.) Last month, New York Universitys graduate student union launched a petition in support of two tenured Asian professors in the medical school who are targeted by the initiative.

Meanwhile, Taos family, who have lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades, are committed to clearing his name and fighting the case, which they consider an injustice.

We came here to chase the American dream, Peng said. We dont want this to happen to any other family.

CORRECTION (Dec. 30, 2021, 1 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the source of a survey. It was conducted by the University of Arizona and Committee of 100.
SheKnows

During these frigid winter temperatures, theres really nothing like hitting the ski slopes and embracing all the seasonal weather to the fullest. While some would rather take a trip to the beach and escape the cold, Paulina Gretzky opted to embrace her inner snow bunny with a trip to Aspen. The 33-year-old daughter of hockey []
Stock markets wobbled Wednesday as a "Santa Claus rally" showed signs of fatigue, with investors gauging the impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant on the economic recovery.

London's FTSE 100 outshone other markets, rising 0.7 percent to hit a nearly two-year high as UK traders returned from a long holiday.

But the traditional post-Christmas bullish mood waned in Asia and the eurozone, with markets there finishing lower.

The picture was also mixed on Wall Street, where the Nasdaq retreated even as both the Dow and S&P 500 edged to fresh records.

"The markets continue to reassess the economic impact of the Omicron variant," analysts at Schwab said in a note.

The United States has hit its highest-ever average of new Covid cases as Omicron spreads at a blistering pace, and the World Health Organization warned that a "tsunami" of infections would push health systems to the brink of collapse.

But investors have also clung to data showing a reduced risk of hospitalization, as well as the reality that trading volumes are extremely low in the period between Christmas and New Year's.

"With market activity much reduced for the holiday season, investors continue to tentatively price in a global recovery hitting a minor bump, and not a pothole," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA trading group.

"It's a positive drift in a thinly traded market," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. "There's really no news driving the market today."

Among individual stocks, Victoria's Secret shot up 12.2 percent after announcing that it will repurchase $250 million in company stock and confirmed an earlier sales forecast.

Biogen surged 9.5 percent following a report in the Korea Economic Daily that the drugmaker is in talks to be acquired by Samsung Group in a deal valued $42 billion.

- Key figures around 2150 GMT -

New York - Dow: UP 0.2 percent at 36,488.63 (close)

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New York - S&P 500: UP 0.1 percent at 4,793.06 (close)

New York - Nasdaq: DOWN 0.1 percent at 15,766.22 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.7 percent at 7,420.69 (close)

Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.7 percent at 15,852.25 (close)

Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.3 percent at 7,161.52 (close)

EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.6 percent at 4,284.83 (close)

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.6 percent at 28,906.88 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.8 percent at 23,086.54 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.9 percent at 3,597.00 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1351 from $1.1310

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3489 from $1.3434

Euro/pound: DOWN at 84.10 pence from 84.19 pence

Dollar/yen: UP at 114.95 yen from 114.82 yen

Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.4 percent at $79.23 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.8 percent at $76.56 per barrel

bur-jmb/bfm
Harry Reid and Barack Obama. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and other lawmakers are remembering Harry Reid as "a great leader in the Senate" and "tough-as-nails strong, but caring and compassionate."

Reid, a Nevada Democrat who served as Senate majority leader from 2007 through 2014, died on Tuesday at 82. Reid was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018, and Obama tweeted that when Reid "was nearing the end," his wife, Landra, asked people to write letters she could read to her husband, as it was difficult for him to speak on the phone. In lieu of a statement, Obama, whose landmark health care legislation was passed thanks to Reid, shared his letter.

"Here's what I want you to know: You were a great leader in the Senate, and early on you were more generous to me than I had any right to expect," Obama wrote to Reid. "I wouldn't have been president had it not been for your encouragement and support, and I wouldn't have got most of what I got done without your skill and determination." He also thanked Reid for being "a good friend," adding, "As different as we are, I think we both saw something of ourselves in each other  a couple of outsiders who defied the odds and knew how to take a punch and cared about the little guy. And you know what, we made a pretty good team."

Schumer said in a statement that Reid was "one of the most amazing individuals I've ever met" and "tough-as-nails strong, but caring and compassionate, and always went out of his way quietly to help people who needed help." Reid was a boxer in college, and Schumer said he "used those boxing instincts to fearlessly fight those who were hurting the poor and the middle class."

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) praised Reid's commitment to his home state, tweeting, "To say Harry Reid was a giant doesn't fully encapsulate all that he accomplished on behalf of the state of Nevada and for Nevada families; there will never be another leader quite like Sen. Reid. To me, he was a mentor, a father figure, and someone I trusted to always give it to me straight."

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Republican lawmakers are also sharing their memories of Reid, with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) tweeting that "early in our career, we worked together to get a taxpayers bill of rights passed. Even though I am ideologically opposite I must say he did a good job representing the interests of Nevada in the U.S. Senate. As majority leader he ran a tight ship."

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Thousands of people gather for the New Years Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park in 2019.

PANAMA CITY BEACH  Pier Park soon will be packed with thousands of people eager to welcome 2022 with the New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop, which was canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, warm weather and possibly rainfall could dampen the celebrations.

According to Andy Haner, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, there is a 30% to 40% chance of rain during the day on Friday, with a 20% chance of rain that night.

Still, the rain should subside by New Year's Eve celebrations, Haney said.

"Even if it does rain some on Friday ... it's still going to be a lull on Friday night," Haner said. "It's pretty likely that things will be dry on Friday night."

There then is a 40% chance of rain on Saturday.

In case you missed it: Visit PCB releases Panama City Beach event line-up for 2022

More: Home fireworks are legal in Florida on NYE and New Year's Day but what kind, when and where?

Haney said New Year's Eve and New Year's Day both are forecast to boast high temperatures of 76 or 77 degrees, with a low on Friday night of about 67 degrees.

Haner said to expect a temperature of 69 to 71 degrees "by the strike of midnight."

"Temperatures in ... the Panama City area are going to be quite balmy (and) well above normal for this time of year," he said. "This is not going to be a cold New Year's by any stretch. ...

"By winter standards, it's going to be as balmy as it gets."

Haner noted current temperatures are about 20 degrees warmer than normal.

According to Lacee Rudd, spokeswoman for Visit Panama City Beach, Beach Ball Drop celebrations will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Friday with "family friendly activities," including live performances from the Barry Fish Band.

The kids' countdown will begin at 7:30 p.m. and last until 8 p.m., when "10,000 beach balls will fall from the sky" alongside fireworks, she said.

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This will be followed by live performances from the Will Thompson Band and Celebrity Allstar Band before the midnight countdown begins at 11:45 p.m.

"The countdown begins and then our beach ball, which is one of the largest in the world ... will start to come down," Rudd said. "As soon as it reaches zero, the fireworks will go off."

Pier Park officials said the Beach Ball Drop will continue through rain or shine, only being canceled in the event of severe weather.

"This is one of the biggest events that we host throughout the year," Rudd said. "It's nice to invite the visitors back who maybe weren't able to travel last year or this year and we can all ring in 2022 together.

"This year was very successful for us and as we lead into 2022, we've got a jam-packed event line-up," she added. "(The Beach Ball Drop) is just a great kick-off event for next year."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County to see wetter, warmer weather this New Year's Eve
President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold their second call in a month Thursday amid geopolitical tension threatening Ukraines sovereignty.

A senior administration official said the two world leaders will discuss the parameters of an upcoming meeting scheduled for the week of Jan. 10, where the U.S., NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe permanent council (OSCE) will discuss a "range of security and strategic issues."

US, RUSSIA SET TO HOLD 'STRATEGIC SECURITY' TALKS IN JANUARY

U.S. President Joe Biden holds virtual talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin amid Western fears that Moscow plans to attack Ukraine, during a secure video call from the Situation Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 7, 2021. Reuters

"Russia has put its concerns on the table and we are prepared to discuss them," the official said. "The United States and our allies and partners will put our concerns on the table and expect Russia to be prepared to discuss them as well."

The talks are a part of the previously planned Strategic Security Dialogue that was agreed to in June, but comes as Russia has amassed roughly 100,000 troops along its shared border with Ukraine.

Putin, who requested the Thursday call, has said he will need "guarantees" from the West that NATO will not allow former Soviet nations, like Ukraine, membership  citing alleged security concerns of an expanded NATO presence surrounding Russia.

It is unclear why the Russian leader requested the call ahead of the talks in two weeks. But the Biden administration has repeatedly said it will follow the principle of "nothing about them without them"  suggesting Biden will be unwilling to discuss NATO plans without European leaders present.

Neither the U.S. nor NATO have said how they will respond to Putin's demands, but have threatened severe repercussions should Russia invade Ukraine.

The senior administration official also told Fox News that Biden will "make clear" to Putin that "we are prepared for diplomacy" but will warn that "we are also prepared to respond if Russia advances with a further invasion of Ukraine."

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a flower-laying ceremony at the Russian Civil War memorial on Unity Day, in Sevastopol, Crimea, on Nov. 4, 2021. MIKHAIL METZEL/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

RUSSIA WITHDRAWS 10,000 TROOPS FROM UKRAINIAN BORDER AHEAD OF PLANNED NEGOTIATIONS NEXT MONTH

The call on Thursday is expected to reflect a similar tone to the previous conversation between Biden and Putin earlier this month, though the threat of more than economic backlash is expected to be floated.

The Biden administration has already warned it will not hesitate to implement severe economic sanctions that would surpass those slapped on the Kremlin after the 2014 invasion of Ukraine.

But the official said the president will also make it known that "we have made plans to reinforce NATO's force posture and allied states in the event of further invasion."

The destabilizing security implications of a Russian invasion would also "demand adjustments to NATO forces and capabilities," the official said. Adding "we are prepared to provide Ukraine with further assistance to defend its territory and respond to a potential Russian occupation."

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND  JUNE 16, 2021: US President Joe Biden (L) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands as they meet for talks at the Villa La Grange. Mikhail Metzel/TASS.No use Russia.

Earlier this week Russia withdrew 10,000 troops from the Ukrainian border, alleging the service members had "completed" months-long "drills."

But the senior administration official told Fox News that the White House remains "gravely concerned" about the nature of the continued troop presence on the Ukrainian border and the capabilities they possess.

Former Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) intelligence officer for Russian doctrine and strategy, Rebekah Koffler, told Fox News it is not a matter of if Putin invades Ukraine, but when.

"He's convinced the U.S.'s long-term goal is to basically fracture Russia," she said, noting Putin's concerns about Ukraine gaining a foothold in NATO.

Koeffler said she thinks the call ahead of the January talks may be an attempt to "warn Biden to stay out of it."

"It seems to be an urgent call," she added. "Putin is reading for war and he will strike Ukraine soon."
President Joe Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday -- their second conversation this month amid heightened fears of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The call, which the Biden administration said comes at Putin's request, was the latest effort to defuse those tensions diplomatically.

But tens of thousands of Russian troops remain near Ukraine's borders, and bellicose rhetoric from Russian officials and state propaganda have Western officials on edge still.

MORE: 'High risk' of armed conflict over Ukraine, Russian defense ministry warns

The U.S. and European allies have threatened unprecedented economic penalties for Moscow if it attacks Ukraine, nearly eight years after its forces seized the Crimean Peninsula and sparked a war in Ukraine's eastern provinces known as Donbas.

Sanctions and other penalties have not brought that conflict to an end, with approximately 14,000 people killed and Russian-led separatists still fighting Ukrainian forces. U.S. officials say it's unclear if Putin has decided to attack again in an all-out invasion, but Biden has already made clear U.S. forces will not come to Kyiv's aid on the battlefield.

PHOTO: Ukrainian soldier walks along a trench on the frontline with Russia-backed separatists, not far from town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Dec. 10, 2021. (Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images)

Instead, the Biden administration is hoping deterrence and diplomacy will stop Putin. A senior administration official said they "cannot speak to why the Russian side has requested the call," but added both leaders believe there is "genuine value in direct leader to leader engagement."

"I think we are at a moment of crisis and have been for some weeks now given the Russian build-up and that it will take a high level of engagement to address this and to try to find a path of de-escalation," the official told reporters Wednesday.

In addition to the leaders' call, U.S. and Russian diplomats will meet on Jan. 10, the two sides confirmed Tuesday, to discuss stated security concerns on either side.

MORE: Amid Ukraine invasion fears, Putin says West must give NATO guarantees

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"Open lines of dialogue, open lines of diplomacy have the potential to be constructive as we seek to de-escalate the potential for conflict in and around Ukraine," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said of the talks.

After those meetings, NATO will hold a meeting with Russia on Jan. 12, while the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a key security forum that has deployed a war monitor in eastern Ukraine, will hold a session Jan. 13.

"The Biden administration continues to engage in extensive diplomacy with our European allies and partners, consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russia's military build-up on the border with Ukraine," Emily Horne, Biden's National Security Council spokesperson, said in a statement.

But some European allies have called for greater involvement. The European Union "must be involved in these negotiations," its top diplomat, Josep Borrell, told the German newspaper Die Welt.

PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin and President Joe Biden shake hands as they meet for a Russia-United States summit in Geneva, June 16, 2021. (Sergei Bobylev/TASS via Getty Images)

"It's about us. This is not simply the case for two states, i.e. America and Russia, or NATO and Russia -- even if Moscow imagines it," he added in the interview, published Wednesday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said repeatedly the U.S. will not negotiate any arrangement about European security without first consulting European allies -- speaking again to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Wednesday, just as the two spoke before Biden and Putin's first call this month.

He reiterated "unwavering" U.S. support for Ukraine, per Price, and "discussed efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine and upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia" -- a nod to both Thursday's call and the Jan. 10 meetings.

MORE: On the front line of eastern Ukraine, as Biden and Putin talk

Zelenskiy tweeted that he was assured of "full" U.S. support "in countering Russian aggression." U.S. officials have already publicly rebuked Russia's demand heading into talks -- that Ukraine be barred from NATO membership, saying the Western alliance's military activity in former Soviet states threatens Russia.

But other items on Russia's public demands are not "unacceptable" and could be addressed through diplomacy, Blinken, Price and others have said -- provided that Russia de-escalate as well by pulling back its forces from Ukraine's borders.

Instead, while Russian state media reported Monday that more than 10,000 were withdrawn, the senior administration official said there's still a "significant Russian troop presence in and around the border."

PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office, Sept. 1, 2021. (Pool/Getty Images)

The ominous language from Russian officials has also continued. Putin himself said Sunday that he is weighing "diverse" military and technical options if Russia's demands aren't addressed.

Amid that heightened threat, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is making "emergency preparations" in case it evacuates non-emergency personnel or diplomats' families, according to internal emails obtained by ABC News.

The embassy is seeking additional security staff to temporarily fill in next month, as the "permanent staff continue Emergency Preparations in case of Authorized or Ordered Departure" -- when an embassy allows diplomats' families and non-emergency personnel to relocate because of a threat.

A State Department spokesperson confirmed Wednesday they are "conducting normal contingency planning, as we always do, in the event the security situation severely deteriorates." But they told ABC News they are not "currently considering evacuations of U.S. government personnel or American citizens from Ukraine."

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that during Biden's call with Putin, Biden assured that the U.S. is not going to deploy offensive strike weapons in Ukraine.

"President Biden has clearly stated that the United States does not intend to deploy offensive strike weapons in Ukraine. Our president noted that this is one of the key points that are just included in our documents that we have handed over to the Americans and on which we want to continue substantive negotiations," Ushakov told reporters after a telephone conversation between the presidents.

According to Ushakov, Putin said Russia will seek guarantees of its security.

"Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin outlined in detail the basic principles that were laid down in the documents we submitted, and stressed that negotiations on these three tracks are important for us, of course, but the main thing is that we need a result, and we will achieve a result in the form of ensuring guaranteed security of Russia," Ushakov told reporters. "The US President, in principle, agreed with this point of view and reacted quite logically and quite seriously."

Earlier this month, the State Department updated its travel advisory for Ukraine to include a warning about "increased threats from Russia." The advisory had been at the agency's highest level, "Level 4: Do Not Travel," for months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it now warns, "U.S. citizens should be aware of reports that Russia is planning for significant military action against Ukraine."

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki issued a short statement Thursday following Biden's call with Putin, saying Biden "urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine," and "made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine."

"President Biden also expressed support for diplomacy, starting early next year with the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue, at NATO through the NATO-Russia Council, and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. President Biden reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation," Psaki said.

Also on Thursday, a senior White House official gave a readout of the call between Biden and Putin, saying the tone was "serious and substantive."

According to the official, Biden outlined two paths forward -- all depending on how Russia chooses to proceed.

"President Biden laid out two paths. Two aspects of the US approach that will really depend on Russia's actions in the period ahead. One is a path of diplomacy, leading toward a de-escalation of the situation, and the other is a path that's more focused on deterrence, including serious costs and consequences should Russia choose to proceed with a further invasion of Ukraine," the official said.

"Those costs include economic costs include adjustments and augmentations of NATO force posture in allied countries and include additional assistance to Ukraine to enable it to further defend itself in its territory. as we've laid out previously," the official added.

When asked if Putin had offered any further clarity on if he had made a decision on whether or not to further invade Ukraine, the official said there were "certainly no declarations to intention" in the conversation, but the U.S. will continue to monitor the situation to be ready for whatever Putin decides.

ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.

Biden, Putin hold call amid heightened tensions over Ukraine originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
From voting rights and police reform to the COVID-19 response and immigration, the Biden-Harris White House and Congress grappled with a host of national matters impacting Black and Brown communities.

As we look to the new year of 2022, to say 2021 was a high impact news year in the world of politics would be an understatement. Without a doubt, the biggest headline in the past year has been the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has disproportionately impacted Black and Brown communities.

To date, Black Americans are nearly three times more likely to be hospitalized and nearly two times more likely to die from COVID-19, according to the CDC.

This year we saw the United States make strides in vaccinating Americans, but also faced challenges as seen in recent weeks as the nation grapples with the omicron and delta variants. Just this week, the cases in the United States hit a record high since last winter.

As lead researcher for the Moderna vaccine, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, told theGrio in November it is not if but when everyone will inevitably be infected with the disease.

In this Feb. 11, 2021, file photo, Kizzmekia Corbett, an immunologist with the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) looks on at the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory at the NIH in Bethesda, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

The push for vaccinations and boosters escalated from the highest levels. By the end of the year, boosters and vaccinations were made available to most Americans, including children starting at age 5. The federal government had not yet mandated immunization nationwide, but did require vaccinations for federal workers. Businesses with 100 employees or more were also ordered by the Biden administration to require their workers to be vaccinated or produce a negative test result weekly.

To date, 62% of Americans have been fully vaccinated, according to CDC data, but not nearly has much as President Biden and his administration had hoped.

The unvaccinated are still considered a major hurdle in combating the continued spread of the deadly virus. By the end of 2021, there was even a surprise endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who changed his stance on vaccinations.

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The potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate told right-wing Black conservative Candace Owens that the vaccines work, adding the ones who get very sick and go to the hospital are the ones that dont take the vaccine. But its still their choice. And if you take the vaccine, youre protected.

Speaking of Trump, the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6 believed to be incited by the former president also dominated the news cycle in 2021. During the now infamous Capitol attack, congressional leaders were led to safety while running for cover as followers of then President Trump waged war on the legislative branch of government. Thousands broke into the Capitol building looking for leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then Vice President Mike Pence.

The visuals cannot be unseen as Trump supporters erected a noose hanging from a gallows as they destroyed the nations Capitol in an attempt to stop the presidential election from being certified by the Electoral College in favor of the newly elected president, Joe Biden, and Americas first Black and South Asian woman vice president Kamala Harris.

Vice President Kamala Harris fist bumps President-elect Joe Biden after she was sworn in at their inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

Lonnie Bunch, the first African American secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, called the terrorist attack a day of infamy.

Insurrectionists also desecrated the memorial of late Congressman John R. Lewis and spread feces on the walls of Congress along with other unthinkable acts. Now special interest groups that funded the gatherings that led up to the insurrection are being investigated by the U.S. House select committee commissioned by Speaker Pelosi, who broke the news of the committees formation with theGrio earlier this year.

Days before the attack, theGrio talked exclusively with U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters about her concerns over Jan. 6 ahead of the planned march that eventually turned violent. The California congresswoman described how she had questioned Speaker Pelosi and Capitol Police on the safety precautions for that day. The then Capitol Police leadership in that meeting told Waters that they were prepared for what was to come. History, however, proves otherwise.

In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, is Jacob Chansley, right with fur hat, during the Capitol riot in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Weeks later into the month of January 2021, security gates guarded by military officers surrounded the Capitol building for the ceremonious peaceful transition of power as outgoing President Trump dragged his feet to leave his seat of power at the White House. History was ultimately made on Jan. 20 as President Biden and Vice President Harris were officially inaugurated as the nations new leadership.

As the first woman and woman of color to serve as vice president, Harris held an honorable and almost celebrity-like status that failed to sustain throughout 2021 as her approval rating dropped to 28% in a poll conducted by USA Today/Suffolk University.

Harris saw an attack on her credibility from the press, particularly conservative media, from within the White House, and even from disgruntled Democrats. And by the end of the year, two high-profile Black women in the Harris press office, Ashley Etienne and Symone Sanders, had resigned from their positions.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the press as her press secretary Symone D. Sanders looks on at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport before she boards Air Force Two to return to Washington, DC, June 14, 2021 in Greer, South Carolina. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Despite the political beatings the Biden-Harris administration took from time to time in its first 11 months in office, throughout the year the White House leaned in on Americas racial history and vowed to center race and equity in all of its executive and legislative work.

In June, President Biden traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the 100th anniversary of the deadly race massacre in the Greenwood District once known as Black Wall Street. The president spoke of the atrocity of the event in which angry White residents destroyed the thriving Black community that spanned 40 city blocks.

The speech in Tulsa laid the groundwork for the national conversation led by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about deconstructing racism in the nations roadways.

Funding from Bidens infrastructure plan, which was signed into law in November, has been earmarked to address the intentional racism that was in mind when developing and building the nations interstates and highways in the 1950s. As theGrio reported earlier in December, the onus is left to state and local officials to determine if and how they will undertake the heavy lift to redress the infrastructure racism that has for decades isolated and caused harm to Black communities.

Throughout the year there were stumbling blocks on major issues impacting Black America, voting rights and police reform, as well as Bidens Build Back Better (BBB) plan that included social programs like the extension of the child tax credit.

On policing, Black Republican U.S. Senator Tim Scott torpedoed the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act after months of work to come up with a bipartisan compromise between him and Democratic U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey and U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass of California.

(L-R) Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) speak briefly to reporters as they exit the office of Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) following a meeting about police reform legislation on Capitol Hill May 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Some Democrats believed that Scott never worked in good faith to achieve police reform, despite support for reform from police unions. After all, naysayers pointed out, this was the same Senator Scott who said in his GOP rebuttal response to President Bidens Joint Address to Congress that America is not racist  this after millions marched in 2020 in protest of racist police brutality following the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other unarmed Black Americans.

The White House hosted Floyds family in May on the anniversary of his murder. President Biden, however, had fallen short of his promise to sign the George Floyd bill into law by the anniversary of his death.

As the year ended the Biden administration has been working on what they could do to expedite some sort of response to police reform through executive orders. The administration is working in conjunction with civil rights leaders and attorneys who contend the hoped-for executive orders wont have the same teeth as a law passed by Congress.

2021 was also a year of high-profile and consequential verdicts involving police and civilian-involved homicides  all of which was connected in some fashion to the nations policing issue that was magnified by the Black Lives Matter movement.

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

White House officials were said to be glued to a television set in the west wing while they watched the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was found guilty on June 25 in the murder George Floyd.

In another controversial trial, President Biden weighed in on the Nov. 19 verdict that found Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, not guilty in the fatal shootings of two men (and wounding of another) following Black Lives Matters protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The president stunned Black activists in his comments following Rittenhouses acquittal in which he said the jury system works.

Just days later, there was another highly-anticipated verdict in the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old unarmed Black man who was jogging in a predominantly White neighborhood in Brunswick, Georgia.

A demonstrator holds a sign at the Glynn County Courthouse as jury selection begins in the trial of the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery on Oct. 18, 2021 in Brunswick, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

After Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William Roddie Bryan were found guilty of felony murder, President Biden delivered a more explicit statement on the role of race in the criminal justice system.

While the guilty verdicts reflect our justice system doing its job, that alone is not enough, Biden said in a written statement. Instead, we must recommit ourselves to building a future of unity and shared strength, where no one fears violence because of the color of their skin.

Adding to the list of high-profile criminal cases involving Black shooting victims, two days before Christmas Day a jury found former police officer Kim Potter guilty of manslaughter for using a gun instead of her taser when she shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright.

President Biden also faced significant challenges trying to pass key legislative agenda items through his trillion-dollar social spending package known as Build Back Better. The main roadblocks to passing the bill were members of his own party: Senator Krysten Sinema of Arizona and Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Despite Manchin essentially killing the bill after announcing on Fox News that he would not vote in favor of BBB, President Biden still thinks theres a possibility that Democrats could get it passed in a good faith deal.

Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema (Photo: Getty Images)

Manchin delivered his fair share of nos to the Biden and Democratic agenda in 2021. The moderate Democrat also held up passage of voting rights reform in the Senate, despite being passed by his Democratic colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives. Not to mention, both Manchin and President Biden indicated they were not willing to eliminate the Senate filibuster to bypass Republican opposition and pass critical voting rights legislation.

The president, however, changed his tune during a CNN town hall in Baltimore, Maryland, where he said he would work with Democrats on the filibuster to address nationwide bills that stand to weaken access to the ballot in Republican-controlled states like Texas and Georgia  but only after he signed the Infrastructure and Jobs Investment Act into law.

As Biden and Democrats in the Senate engaged in political caution as it related to voting rights, theGrio led on voting rights coverage as activists and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) worked to pressure the White House and Congress to act and keep the issue top of mind for the American public.

Voting Rights activists, led by U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) (C) and Chair of Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), stage a protest at Hart Senate Office Building July 15, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Demonstrations throughout the year in Washington, D.C. saw the prominent arrests of CBC Chair U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Green and Hank Johnson, and civil rights activists Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Martin Luther King III, Ben Jealous and actress Alyssa Milano. Sirius XM radio host and activist Joe Madison also joined the nationwide protests with a solid food hunger strike until Congress passes voting rights legislation.

President Biden has since leaned all the way in on voting rights, declaring it the single-biggest issue for the nation and vowed to work with Democrats to address it, including reforming the filibuster if necessary.

As it relates to education, HBCUs received record funding from Congress, though President Biden had pushed for more. That as Howard University saw its reputation and its mold-infested dorm rooms exposed for the public to see. Rev. Jesse Jackson was one of the major names working to broker a deal in the month-long standoff between students and the university.

Photograph of Howard University campus. (Photo: Jessica Floyd)

However, what astonished many was the revelation on The Breakfast Club in an interview with Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cordona, who admitted he was oblivious to the protests on the Howard campus that is less than 3 miles away from his office in D.C.

The White House also found itself defending against accusations of discrimination and inhumane treatment of Black and Brown migrants at the U.S. border. The matter became a national issue after images surfaced of U.S. Border Patrol agents on horses whipping Haitian migrants with horse reins in Del Rio, Texas. The migrants had traveled from South America in search of a new home in the midst of extreme crises in Haiti, including the assassination of its president, gang violence and a deadly earthquake.

White House officials pushed back against advocacy groups who accused the administration of discrimination in its deportation of Haitian immigrants compared to migrants from other nations who sought asylum in the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection mounted officers attempt to contain migrants as they cross the Rio Grande from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki solemnly said from the press briefing room in response to a question posed by theGrio that the administrations immigration policy is not about one country or discriminating against one country over another. We want to put an end to that and what we saw over the last four years.

But despite the United States bringing Afghans who supported the U.S. militarys 20-year war against the Taliban in Afghanistan into the country, as well as Mexican migrants being processed by Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), Haitians were sent back on planes immediately after the Border Patrols treatment of Haitian migrants was exposed.

Whats more, deportation flights containing Haitian and African migrants under the public health law, Title 42, continued well into the latter part of 2021.

Now the administration and members of Congress look ahead to 2022, where there will be crucial elections that will determine the future leadership in Washington and governorships across the country.

One of those major elections will be the race for governor of Georgia. Political superstar Stacey Abrams, who came extremely close to becoming the states first Black woman governor (and the first in the nation) in 2018 announced on Dec. 1 that she will run again in 2022.

In this Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, file photo, Stacey Abrams speaks to Biden supporters as they wait for former President Barack Obama to arrive and speak at a campaign rally for Biden at Turner Field in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Georgia is also the state where former president Donald Trump lost to Biden in a political upset that ultimately led to his false claims of voter fraud and the subsequent Capitol insurrection.

Abramss voter registration activism through her organization Fair Fight has been largely credited for the major turnout among Democratic voters, specifically Black and Brown, who made the difference in the 2020 election. Abrams hopes to capitalize on that momentum, but not without a fight from Republicans and Trump, who is determined to flip Georgia back to red.

Trump has since endorsed the former U.S. Senator David Perdue as his preferred Republican candidate to run against Abrams. Trump publicly blasted current Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp after he refused to play a role in Trumps attempt to reverse the states 2020 presidential election results.

With this political backdrop, the battle ahead in 2022 will be one to watch.

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The post Black political issues dominated headlines in 2021 appeared first on TheGrio.
Popcorn, prosciutto, potato chips: Some of the best snacks nationwide are based right here in Iowa.

Iowans also really like their dairy products, even though the Hawkeye State ranks 12th nationally in total milk production and eighth in milk production per cow, according to the Iowa State Dairy Association.

Here are seven food companies that pump out tasty treats from cities in Iowa:

Le Mars is home to Wells Dairy, the makers of Blue Bunny Ice Cream.

Blue Bunny ice cream

In 1913, Fred H. Wells started the Wells Enterprises dynasty with a horse, delivery wagon and the help of a Le Mars dairy farmer. By 1925, Wells and his sons began manufacturing ice cream.

The maker of Blue Bunny ice cream also produces Blue Ribbon Classics, Halo Top and The Original Bomb Pop. The company remains one of the top ice cream manufacturers in the country with products found in all 50 states.

In 1994, Iowa's General Assembly crowned Le Mars the ice cream capital of the world for producing more than 100 million gallons of ice cream a year, more than any other single location in the world.

Fun fact: There are more than 50 ice cream cone sculptures scattered around Le Mars.

Sterzing's Potato Chips

Salty, crunchy, addictive: Since the 1930s, Sterzing's has been pumping out potato chips from Burlington for the snackiest of Iowans.

In 2018, Sterzing's tweaked the original chip recipe after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandate banned oils that contain trans fats. But don't fret, the company didn't stop production, instead simply adjusting its process to fill its iconic yellow-and-red-trimmed Sterzing's bags found in stores throughout the Midwest.

More: How WWII shortages, flavor testing and pandemic-era changes created Sterzing's Potato Chip success

Maytag Raw Milk Blue Cheese is produced in Newton, Iowa.

Maytag blue cheese

Especially known for its artisan, hand-crafted blue cheese, Maytag Dairy Farms in Newton has created nationally recognized cheese products since 1941.

The son of Maytag founder Frederick Louis Maytag started Maytag Dairy with microbiologists at Iowa State University. Its blue cheese was originally an attempt to recreate Roquefort cheese, a European blue cheese typically made from sheep's milk. Say the words "Maytag blue" and every chef in America knows the meaning.

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Anderson Erickson Dairy

Based in Des Moines, AE Dairy products line the shelves of grocery stores throughout the Midwest. Iver Erickson and William Anderson started the company during the Great Depression in 1930, pasteurizing milk and delivering it in glass bottles.

AE Dairy now sells cottage cheese, eggnog and other milk-based drinks, sour cream, cream cheese, dips and yogurt all with milk sourced from Iowa cows.

More: Iowa is about to turn 175. How much do you know about our state's history? Test yourself with our quiz.

RAGBRAI riders pass by the Jolly Time Popcorn plant in Sioux City.

Jolly Time popcorn

With sprawling hills of corn extending into the state's horizon, it's only logical that a cousin of field corn would find a home in Iowa. Popcorn company Jolly Time popped up in 1914 as the sole brand of American Popcorn Co. based in Sioux City.

The family-run company is in its fifth generation selling popcorn products in all 50 states and 23 different countries.

Did you know: Iowa is also home to the world's largest popcorn ball! Weighing 9,370 pounds the gigantic eight-foot-tall popcorn sphere sits in Sac City.

After living in one of the regions of origin of prosciutto  Parma, Italy  for more than three years, Herb and Kathy Eckhouse brought their appreciation for the salty, cured ham to Norwalk in 2005.

Meaning "the oak" in Italian, La Quercia claims to be the first company to bring acorn edition prosciutto to the U.S. When free-roaming pigs eat acorns, wild plants, mushrooms and hickory nuts, the prosciutto takes on a nutty, sweet flavor, according to La Quercia's website.

La Quercia sells various types of salami, bacon, sausage, pancetta and other pork-based products, sourcing all of its meat from within 200 miles of its facilities in Norwalk.

The Quaker Oats sign is seen atop the factory and reflected in the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids.

Honorable mention: Quaker Oats

While Quaker Oats calls Chicago its headquarters and its origins trace back to Ohio and Canada, the cereal company's sole milling facility is located in Cedar Rapids.

Dating to the 1800s, the cereal mill joined Quaker Oats in 1901 becoming the largest cereal milling facility in the world, processing more than two million pounds of oats daily.

More: Iowa has world's largest cereal plant, but state's farmers lack market for oats

Hannah Rodriguez covers retail for the Register. Reach her at herodriguez@registermedia.com or on Twitter @byherodriguez.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Made in Iowa: These Iowa food companies make popcorn, blue cheese, prosciutto
An attorney for the longtime doctor for Agape Boarding School facing child sex charges said his client was headed back to Missouri to turn himself in when he was arrested Tuesday night in Arkansas.

He was never on the run, said Attorney Craig Heidemann, who represents David Smock on charges filed by the Missouri attorney generals office in Cedar County. He didnt know about the charges until he was out of state.

Late Tuesday, Smock was arrested at a motel in Harrison, Arkansas. Authorities in Missouri had said he was a fugitive and had been at large since two warrants were issued for his arrest last week.

Smock operates a clinic in Stockton, Missouri, where Agape students for years have gone for treatment.

Heidemann said that Smock had gone to Louisiana to visit his son for Christmas. He was in Louisiana when he learned about charges filed in Greene County and he made arrangements to come back to the Ozarks, his attorney said.

On Tuesday, Heidemann said, they learned about the eight counts filed by the attorney generals office in Cedar County.

He planned to turn himself in at 8:30 this morning in Cedar County, Heidemann told The Star Wednesday morning.

While on his trip, Smock started getting sick, which slowed his travel, his attorney said. At the Arkansas county jail, Heidemann said his client tested positive for COVID-19.

He gave me permission to tell you that, Heidemann said. Dr. Smocks concern is that law enforcement has wrongly painted him as a fugitive when in fact hes a COVID victim trying to get back to deal with these charges.

Smock, 57, was arrested and booked into the Boone County, Arkansas, Jail at 8:29 p.m. Tuesday. He was still listed as being in the jail Wednesday morning on an out of state hold, according to the countys online jail records.

Mike Stokes, deputy U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Missouri, told The Star late Tuesday that there was a sighting of Smock in Harrison and local law enforcement and deputy marshals responded to the area. Smock didnt turn himself in, Stokes said, he was captured.

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Boone County Sheriff Tim Roberson said the U.S. Marshals called his department Tuesday night for assistance. Deputies went with the marshals to the Family Budget Inn motel where Smock was staying.

We were happy to oblige, Roberson told The Star. Smock did not resist, the sheriff said.

It doesnt make good news but it was a pretty uneventful arrest as I understand, Roberson said.

Heidemann said that his client made no attempt to flee at any time.

If youre running from the marshals, you dont go open the door and invite them in, Heidemann said. If youre running from the marshals, you dont park your car in front of your hotel room with your license plate on it. ... Nor would he continue to use his cell phone to announce to the world his GPS location.

Smock is charged with 11 child sex counts  all felonies  in Greene and Cedar counties. Those counts include first- and second-degree statutory sodomy, child molestation and stalking.

A Greene County judge ruled that once arrested, Smock should be held without bond pending trial, saying there were reasonable grounds to believe the defendant will not appear on summons, is a danger to the crime victim, the community or another person.

A bond hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning in Greene County Circuit Court in Springfield, where he faces three child sex charges, was postponed. Smocks attorney on those charges, Stacie Calhoun Bilyeu of Springfield, has filed a motion requesting that the court set bond or release Smock on his own recognizance.

In Greene County, Smock is accused of second-degree statutory sodomy; third-degree child molestation of a child younger than 14 years of age; and enticement or attempted enticement of a child younger than 15 years of age, according to court records.

On Tuesday, charges filed by the Missouri Attorney Generals office became public. Last week, Smock was charged in Cedar County with eight felonies, including four counts of statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy  deviate sexual intercourse  involving a child younger than 14; and one count of second-degree statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy. He also was charged with one count each of sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15, fourth-degree molestation of a child younger than 17 and first-degree stalking.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt released details on those charges Wednesday.

The Star obtained the probable cause affidavit outlining charges in Greene County earlier this week.

Prosecutors there allege Smock groomed and then sexually abused a teenage boy  when he was 13  inside a rental home the doctor owned in Springfield.

Greene County prosecutors filed the felony charges on Thursday and requested the arrest warrant, asking that Smock be detained pending trial. The court ordered Smock to be held without bond once arrested, saying it found reasonable grounds to believe that Smock will not appear on summons and is a danger to the crime victim, the community or another person.

The court also found by clear and convincing evidence that no combination of nonmonetary conditions and monetary conditions will secure the safety of the community or other person including the victim(s) and witness(es) and the Court, therefore, denies bail herein and orders the defendant detained pending trial and any other stage of the criminal proceeding, according to a docket entry in the case.

The Star has reported extensively on Agape and other unlicensed Missouri boarding schools over the past year and investigated Smocks close ties to the school. In October, The Star reported that two of five Agape Boarding School staff members charged in September with assaulting students listed Smocks Cedar County mansion as their address.

Many former Agape students said some boys injured by staff or other schoolmates during physical and sexual assaults would be taken to Smocks clinic, where Agape officials claimed they had been hurt while playing sports. No questions were asked, they said.

As a doctor, Smock is required by law to report suspicions of abuse or neglect.
Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft piloted by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Chief Steve Dickson lands during an evaluation flight at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, U.S. September 30, 2020

Indonesia has lifted a ban on the Boeing 737 Max, more than three years after the Lion Air disaster that saw the loss of all 189 people on board.

The plane maker saw its best-selling aircraft grounded globally after a deadly crash in March 2019 involving an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max.

On Monday, Ethiopian Airlines said it will resume such flights in February.

The announcements come months after the aircraft returned to service in the US and Europe.

More than 180 countries now allow the use of the 737 Max, with Australia, Japan, India, Malaysia and Singapore lifting their bans this year.

Indonesia's transport ministry said in a statement that the lifting of the ban would be effective immediately, and that it follows regulators' checks of changes made to the aircraft's systems.

The ministry also said that airlines must follow airworthiness directives and inspect their planes before they can fly the 737 Max again, adding that government officials would also inspect the planes.

Lion Air, which operated 10 such planes before the ban, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the BBC.

Indonesia's national flag carrier Garuda said it had no plans to reintroduce the plane to its fleet as it focuses on debt restructuring.

The state-controlled firm, which operated just one 737 Max before the plane was grounded, has said it aims to cut its fleet of aircraft from 142 to 66 as part of its turnaround plan.

On 29 October 2018, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after taking off from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, killing all 189 passengers and crew.

Less than five months later, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 Max on its way to Kenya, crashed six minutes after leaving Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board.

"We have taken enough time to monitor the design modification work and the more than 20 months of rigorous rectification process... our pilots, engineers, aircraft technicians, cabin crew are confident on the safety of the fleet," Ethiopian Airlines' chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam said in a statement about resuming 737 Max flights.

You may also be interested in:
Families walk out of Central Ohio Primary Care, where a pediatric vaccination clinic was hosted on Dec. 11, the first of its Pfizer second-dose clinics in Westerville.

Federal authorities are scaling back how much time people exposed to or infected with COVID-19 need to spend away from others but it's unclear how this might change state guidance to Ohioans.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week changed its recommendations for isolation and quarantine for COVID-19, saying that science shows most of the virus transmission happens in the one to two days before symptoms appear and the first two to three days after.

"We are working with our local health departments to ensure that (CDC) guidance is reviewed and will continue to keep Ohio as safe and healthy as possible. We will provide updated information as soon as possible," the Ohio Department of Health said in a written statement on Tuesday.

The CDC's new isolation recommendations for those who test positive for COVID-19 are:

If asymptomatic after five days, they can leave isolation and then wear a mask for another five days.

If they still have a fever after five days, they should continue isolation until the fever goes away.

The CDC's new quarantine recommendations for those exposed to COVID-19 are:

Unvaccinated people or those who are more than six months out from their last shot and not yet boosted, quarantine for five days and then follow strict mask use for an additional five days.

People who have received a booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure but should wear a mask for 10 days.

Everyone exposed should get a COVID-19 test five days after exposure.

More: CDC cuts isolation time for Americans who test positive from 10 days to 5. Latest COVID-19 updates

Ohio has often modified its guidance based on updates from the CDC. Schools, employers and others then follow Ohio's guidance. Dropping from 10 days to five days for isolation and/or quarantine could make a big impact for parents and their school age children as well as workers.

Ohio Department of Health quarantine guidance includes:

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Quarantine is not required for fully vaccinated people who show no symptoms.

Anyone living in a group setting should quarantine for 14 days and get tested, even if there are no symptoms and regardless of vaccination status.

Staying at home for at least seven days after last exposure with a negative test result from a sample collected on day five or later.

In K-12 schools, the Ohio Department of Health recommends:

Vaccinated children don't have to quarantine or be tested following an exposure.

Unvaccinated children should quarantine if the exposure took place outside school.

Unvaccinated kids exposed to the virus in school settings can continue to attend school and extracurricular activities if masks and other precautions were in place.

COVID-19 cases soaring in Franklin County

Meanwhile, COVID-19 numbers continue to soar in Franklin County.

During an administrative briefing Wednesday morning, Franklin County Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola said that the seven-day moving average of daily new cases in Franklin County increased from 444 on Nov. 24 to 1,272 on Monday  almost three times as many.

Even with those increasing figures, Mazzola said he believes rapid home test results are likely underreported.

The most recent seven-day case rate in Franklin County is 567 per 100,000, he said. A rate of 100 per 100,000 is considered a high community transmission rate.

The states average two-week cases rate was 1,009 per 100,000, he said. The two-week case rate in Franklin County was 757 per 100,000, or 34th out of 88 counties.

The spread is happening so quickly, Mazzola said.

In Greater Columbus, the total COVID-patient census has increased to its highest point since Dec. 17, 2020, with a 17.4% jump over the past seven days. Meanwhile, the Franklin County adult hospital COVID patient census has increased to the high point since Dec. 23, 2020, with a 25.6% increase over the past seven days.

This thing is unbelievably contagious, Franklin County Commissioner John OGrady said.

Mazzola said that once the Ohio Department of Health changes its quarantine guidance, the county will update its guidance locally.

We will be in alignment at the county and city level. This is a significant change, he said.

To date, Franklin County has reported 200,689 total cases, Mazzola said, along with 4,942 hospitalizations and 1,929 deaths.

Mazzola said the vaccine remains widely available in the county through public health providers, hospitals, community health centers, pharmacies and others. So far, 64% of county residents (845,654) have started the vaccine, while close to 60% (788,367) are fully vaccinated.

Franklin County public health continues to work with the state to distribute home tests. Residents should not go to emergency rooms for testing, he warned.

A community-wide mask advisory remains in effect for Franklin County. Residents are advised to use a disposable surgical mask when outside of their homes.

Because of high transmission rates, Franklin County Public Health has asked all cities, school districts and businesses to require universal masking, regardless of vaccination status.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves The Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

lbischoff@gannett.com

@lbischoff

Mark Ferenchik is a reporter for The Columbus Dispatch.

mferenchik@dispatch.com

@MarkFerenchik

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio reviewing new CDC quarantine guidelines on COVID cases, exposures
GuruFocus data shows that Daniel Poneman, President & CEO of Centrus Energy Corp ( AMX:LEU), sold 12,000 shares on December 27, 2021-12-27.



Centrus Energy Corp Insiders are Selling. Investors Should Take Notice

Insiders selling shares can cause investors concern. This could indicate that insiders have become bearish about the shares of their company's stock. Investors should pay close attention to insiders' ability to determine the company's value. We'll take a closer look at the insider sale to determine if Centrus Energy Corp is worthy of some skeptical investors.





Trades of Daniel Poneman











Daniel Poneman sold over 120,000 shares during the last year.



It means Daniel Poneman is selling the stock of their company over a long term. Contrary to what was expected, this could be a good sign for stock. Insiders selling frequently could indicate that their company has a large number of stock options for executives. Executives will sell some shares to raise cash. It is possible, however, that insiders became more bearish about the stock. Insider selling should not be taken lightly by investors.





Trends from the inside







One insider selling doesn't necessarily mean other insiders have a bearish view of the stock. Is the stock being sold by other insiders? Or have top company executives and owners bought more recently?



Centrus Energy Corp's insider transactions history shows that there were 0 insider buys over the last year. During the same period, 17 insider sales have occurred.



Not only Daniel Poneman, but other insiders have been selling shares in recent weeks. Investors should be concerned that some company employees are also selling more than buying. We should remember that insiders can sell shares for many reasons. A high level of insider sales could indicate a negative sign or neutral, depending upon the motivation behind it.



Story continues

Please note, the numbers and facts quoted are as of the writing of this article and may not factor in the latest trading data or company announcements.



Want to provide feedback on this article? Have questions or concerns? Get in touch with us here, or email us at editors@gurufocus.com!



This article is general in nature and does not represent the opinions of GuruFocus or any of its affiliates. This article is not intended to be financial advice, nor does it constitute investment advice or recommendations. It was written without regard to your individual situation or financial goals. We aim to bring you fundamental, data-driven analysis, The information on this site is in no way guaranteed for completeness, accuracy or in any other way.



This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


CHESTER  Chesterfield Police say a man was shot and killed Tuesday in a neighborhood in the Ironbridge community.

A department statement said officers were called to the 6800 block of Arbor Lake Drive around 5:45 p.m. on a report of shots being fired. They found the victim suffering from an undisclosed gunshot wound.

The victim died at the scene. His identity was not released pending notification of family.

Police did not release any other details of the case, including any suspect information.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Chesterfield Police at (804) 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660. Info may also be shared through the P3Tips mobile app.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is daily news coach for USA TODAY's Southeast Region-Unified Central, which includes Virginia, West Virginia and central North Carolina. He is based in Petersburg, Virginia. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Chesterfield Police investigate shooting death in county neighborhood
BEIJING (AP)  China is calling on the United States to protect a Chinese space station and its three-member crew after Beijing complained that satellites launched by Elon Musks SpaceX nearly struck the station.

A foreign ministry spokesman accused Washington on Tuesday of ignoring its treaty obligations to protect the safety of the Tiangong stations three-member crew following the July 1 and Oct. 21 incidents.

The Tiangong performed evasive maneuvers to prevent a potential collision with Starlink satellites launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., the government said in a Dec. 6 complaint to the U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

The United States should take immediate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again, said the spokesman, Zhao Lijian.

Zhao accused Washington of failing to carry out its obligations to protect the safety of astronauts under a 1967 treaty on the peaceful use of space.

The American Embassy in Beijing didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Musk also is chairman of electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, Inc. The company opened its first factory outside the United States in Shanghai in 2019.

The Tiangong, however, is a prestige project for the ruling Communist Party, making it unlikely Beijing would tolerate disruption even by a major foreign investor in China.

The main module of the Tiangong was launched in April. Its first crew returned to Earth in September following a 90-day mission. The second crew of two men and one woman arrived on Oct. 16 for a six-month mission.

SpaceX plans to launch some 2,000 Starlink satellites as part of a global internet system to bring internet access to underserved areas. In its 34th and latest launch, SpaceX sent 52 satellites into orbit aboard a rocket Dec. 18.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA  The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is making staffing adjustments after 66 employees recently tested positive for COVID-19, the department said Wednesday.

Along with the staff members who tested positive, 12 Fairfax County Fire and Rescue employees are in quarantine.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue has 1,260 career staff. Currently, 85.4 percent of department personnel are vaccinated. The non-vaccinated personnel are required to be tested regularly.

These temporary adjustments are the result of data-informed decisions made to minimize the impact of staffing changes on our communities and ensure that the men and women of FCFRD can continue providing the highest quality fire suppression and emergency medical services to the communities we serve, Fairfax County Fire Chief John Butler said in a statement Wednesday.

Due to the staffing challenges, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue will be temporarily placing four units out of service: Tower Ladder 405 in Franconia, Medic 408B in Annandale, Medic 409B in Mount Vernon, and Medic 410B in Baileys Crossroads.

SEE ALSO: COVID-19 Cases Surge In Virginia, Pushing Hospitalizations Higher

The medic units are located at stations that have two EMS units assigned to them, ensuring that one EMS unit will remain in service at each station, according to FCFRD.

Among the other adjustments are temporary cross staffing among six units, including a Hazardous Materials Unit, a Hazardous Materials Support Unit, and four tankers across the county. Cross staffing allows apparatus to remain in service and available for response, the department said.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue also is requesting that its volunteer partners assist with staffing transport units.

We must balance the ability to carry out the mission of our department with the health, safety, wellness, and morale of our responders, Butler said. Our goal is to return to normal operations as quickly and safely as possible as the number of positive covid cases decline within the department.

RELATED: Fairfax Fire Recruits Graduate Early To Deal With Coronavirus

This article originally appeared on the Chantilly Patch




The death of a Black teenager in law enforcement custody in Sedgwick County, Kan., was deemed a homicide Tuesday after an autopsy.

Chief Medical Examiner Timothy S. Gorrill said in an autopsy report that 17-year-old Cedric Lofton died in September because of "complications of cardiopulmonary arrest sustained after physical struggle while restrained in the prone position," CNN reported.

The corrections employees involved in the incident are on paid administrative leave awaiting the results of an investigation by the county's district attorney.

Lofton was taken into the custody of the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center on Sept. 24 after he displayed "erratic and aggressive behavior toward his foster family." He also assaulted officers who arrived on the scene and was later booked on four counts of battery of a law enforcement officer, according to CNN.

Shortly after staff members restrained the teen in the prone position, they were unable to find a pulse. They began chest compressions and called for emergency help, but Lofton was unresponsive and died two days later.

"Cedric's death was caused by the hands of the very authorities that were obligated to protect him and make sure he was safe. Instead, they killed him with conscious disregard for the young life in their keeping," said a statement to CNN from attorneys Steven Hart and Andrew M. Stroth, who represent Lofton's family.

The prone position has been linked to other deaths; it restricts one's ability to breathe and can limit oxygen flow to the heart and brain.
GREENDALE, WI  If youre one of many in Greendale who claim the standard deduction rather than itemize your tax returns  and most people do  heres some good news if you were thinking about donating to Feeding America through Patchs annual food drive.



If you plan to claim the standard deduction on your 2021 tax returns, you can actually write off up to $600 in contributions to charities such as Feeding America, provided you give by Dec. 31. These write-offs are possible thanks to a charitable-giving deduction authorized by Congress in response to the pandemic.

Nationwide, more than 38 million Americans  including 12 million children  are considered food insecure, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Feeding America says as many as 42 million Americans could go hungry in 2021.

To put that into perspective, about 35 million people in the United States struggled with hunger in 2019, according to the latest report on household food insecurity by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Households with children are the most vulnerable to food insecurity. Before the pandemic, more than 10 million children lived in food-insecure households.

Right now, hunger in America is closer to home than you may think. In fact, Milwaukee County is among places that have been profoundly affected by hunger in 2021.

Before the pandemic, 11.8 percent of residents in Milwaukee County were considered food insecure, according to Feeding America, the nations largest domestic hunger-relief organization. The continuing economic fallout from the pandemic has swollen that number to 14.9 percent who are on the brink of hunger.

In 2020, a charitable-giving deduction of $300 was authorized under the CARES  Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security  Act. This year, however, the charitable deduction is more for those who file a joint return.

For 2020, the charitable limit was $300 per tax unit  meaning that those who are married and filing jointly could only get a $300 deduction. For the 2021 tax year, those who are married and filing jointly can each take a $300 deduction for a total of $600.

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Under the change, individual taxpayers can claim an above-the-line deduction of up to $600 in cash donations to qualifying charities in 2021. This means the deduction lowers both gross income and taxable income  translating into tax savings for those making donations to the qualifying tax-exempt organization.

In tax year 2019, the latest year for which complete figures are available, just over 87 percent of all filers claimed the standard deduction, according to the AARP, citing the Tax Policy Center.

Other qualifying organizations can be found by using the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool on IRS.gov to make sure the organization is eligible for tax-deductible donations.

Cash donations include those made by check, credit card or debit card. The IRS reminds those seeing the charitable deduction to retain records related to the contributions  such as a receipt or acknowledgment letter from the charity  and keep canceled checks or credit card receipts.

The CARES Act also made other provisions to help charities during the pandemic. These include higher charitable contribution limits for corporations, individuals who itemize their deductions, and businesses that give food inventory to food banks and other eligible charities. For more information about these and other coronavirus-related tax relief provisions, visit IRS.gov/coronavirus.

The Patch Holiday Food Drive continues through Dec. 31. For every $1 you give, Feeding America can supply 10 meals.

RELATED: 2021 Patch Holiday Food Drive: How To Give To Feeding America

Many of the families experiencing food insecurity dont qualify for federal nutrition programs, and they need to rely on their food banks and other hunger relief organizations to have enough to eat, according to Feeding America.

Patch and Feeding America teamed up in summer 2020 to address the growing hunger crisis in America, connecting readers with the organizations 200 member food banks that serve 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, and providing an easy way to donate money to help their neighbors.

A stubborn pandemic, rising food prices, and supply chain issues combined this year to increase the urgency of the 2021 Patch Holiday Food Drive.

Higher prices at the grocery store make it worse for people who are struggling to feed themselves and their families. Officials at the nation's 200 food banks, which supply 60,000 local food pantries and meal programs around the country, are paying two to three times more than they were before the pandemic as supply chain bottlenecks, lower inventory and labor shortages drive up food costs.

Katie Fitzgerald, Feeding America's CEO, told The Associated Press she's not sure how long food banks will be able to absorb the higher costs.

"What happens when food prices go up is food insecurity for those who are experiencing it just gets worse," Fitzgerald said.

FIND FOOD

Find your local food bank

DONATE

Make a donation to Feeding America*

READ

"The Impact of Coronavirus On Food Insecurity"

ACT

Take action against hunger

How To Support The Patch Holiday Food Drive

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, more than 42 million Americans wont have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations.* Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

This article originally appeared on the Greendale Patch
Codington County commissioners have hired a new emergency management director.

Commissioners unanimously approved the hiring of Andrew Delgado, 34, as the new emergency management director during Tuesdays weekly commission meeting.

Delgado was presented to the commission by Human Resources Manager Natalie Remund. She said Delgado was the top choice by the selection committee following a search that included, lots of good candidates and some really good applicants.

His starting annual salary is $66,753.36, auditor Cindy Brugman said following the meeting.

Andrew Delgado

Delgado is a Huron native who received a teaching degree from the University of South Dakota. He spent one year teaching before joining the Vermillion Police Department in 2013. He remained at that position until his wife and two children moved to Watertown last summer.

Delgado joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 2006, was promoted to an officer in 2010 and is still a member.

He replaces Jamie Torstenson, who announced his resignation in early November and stayed with the county until early December. Delgados first day in his new position will be Monday.

In other action. commissioners:

Approved the transfer of $588,782.02 from surplus cash into the future building projects fund to meet the state law of not carrying more than 40% of its surplus funds into the upcoming years budget. The future building projects fund now has almost $11 million, Brugman said adding that the county plans to transfer $4.4 million in surplus cash to the 2022 budget.

Approved a strategic planning agreement with SLM Consulting of Sioux Falls regarding social issues in the county. The agreement must also be approved by the City of Watertown, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and Watertown Area Community Foundation. The $10,000 contract calls for each entity to contribute $2,500.

Approved three payments from its contingency fund. Those payments were $101,032.01 to road and bridge, $1,506 to Memorial Park and $965 to planning board.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Delgado hired as Codington County emergency management director
The jury that is deciding Ghislaine Maxwells fate could be ringing in the new year in a New York courthouse.

After the jury requested to see additional testimony Wednesday from several more witnesses who testified in Maxwells trial, they also asked whether they would be expected to continue deliberating on New Years Eve and New Years Day. The jury began its deliberation on Monday, Dec. 20, but took a two-day break ahead of Christmas.

Its my view we need to proceed every day unless they indicate its a hardship, said U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan, who is presiding over the case. She has expressed concern about the surge of COVID-19 cases in New York City connected to the omicron variant and the impact it could have on the proceedings.

The request for more testimony, including from several witnesses called by Maxwells legal team, seemed to be met with elation from Maxwell and her lawyers, who could be seen smiling at the latest request by the jurors to review more testimony.

The defense has to be feeling good about the length of the deliberations, said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor.

A photograph of Ghislaine Maxwell giving Jeffrey Epstein a foot massage on his plane was introduced as evidence at Maxwells trial on sex trafficking charges.

After Nathan left the courtroom, Maxwells family attorney, Leah Saffian, who has been a regular in the courtroom seated with Maxwells family, motioned to James Hill, a producer for ABC News, to introduce him to Maxwell.

Maxwell smiled and appeared to introduce herself to Hill and was heard to say that she was willing to speak to the media before a U.S. marshal told the journalist to return to his seat.

While Maxwells trial, on six charges related to sex trafficking, was shorter than anticipated, the jury has deliberated for more than five days as it determines whether Maxwell is guilty of recruiting and grooming four accusers to be sexually abused by her ex-boyfriend, deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The charges are complex and the jury has asked multiple times for clarification on which alleged offenses correspond to which charges.

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Leah Saffian, left, an attorney and family friend, accompanies Isabel Maxwell, sister of Ghislaine Maxwell, as they head toward their ride outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan at the end of day two of jury deliberations in the trial of Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend. The jury will resume deliberating Wednesday morning.

Maxwell was arrested in July 2020, one year after Epstein had been arrested on new sex charges. Epsteins arrest came in the wake of the Miami Heralds Perversion of Justice series, which highlighted the remarkably lenient plea deal Epstein had negotiated a decade earlier after being investigated for allegedly abusing numerous girls in Palm Beach.

Epstein pleaded guilty to two state solicitation charges, one involving a minor, and served 13 months in a county jail, where he was granted work release and allowed to spend most days working out of a nearby office.
Denver was reeling on Tuesday after a gunman killed five people in a violent killing spree across the metro area before a three-year veteran police officer, already wounded, killed him in a shoutout.

Lyndon James McLeod, 47, began his shooting spree in Denver around 5pm Monday, police said on Tuesday in a news conference. He was known to police and had been investigated twice before but no charges were filed.

Travelling in a van, McLeod first opened fire in the South Broadway neighbourhood of Denver. He shot two women and wounded a man before heading to the Cheesman Park neighbourhood, where he shot and killed a man, according to police.

He headed to another intersection near the Denver Health hospital campus and fired shots, then exchanged fire with Denver police officers who tried to stop him but got away.

Next he headed to Lakewood, which has its own police department, and killed a man there, police said.

Officers also engaged him in Lakewood but he kept firing and escaped again, fleeing on foot and heading to the Hyatt House Hotel, where he spoke briefly to the 28-year-old woman working at the front desk before fatally shooting her.

McLeod then encountered another Lakewood police officer, who has not been identified, and shot her before she returned fire, killing him and stopping the spree. The Lakewood public information officer said Tuesday that she had undergone surgery and the department was withholding her identity as family travelled to Colorado to be with her.

Police officials said most were known to the suspect, and that he targeted them based on previous personal and business dealings. He did not however know the hotel employee but had issues with Hyatt House previously, police said.

Two people were killed at the Sol Tribe tattoo shop in Denver, Colorado, on Monday (Getty Images)

Victims who have been identified so far are Sarah Steck, 28, who worked at Hyatt House; Alicia Cardenas, the 44-year-old owner of Denvers Sol Tribe Tattoo & Piercing ; Alyssa Gunn-Maldonado, who was also at Sol; and tattoo artist Danny Scofield, 38, who worked at Lucky 13 Tattoo in Lakewood.

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A fifth victim was reported dead on Tuesday but has not been named.

Business records show McLeod owned at least one Denver tattoo parlour, called Flat Black Ink Corp, which he founded in 2005 and registered as delinquent in 2017, reports suggested. The tattoo business was also listed online as the publisher of three books describing a spree of murders that were not dissimilar to what happened on Monday, The Denver Post reported.

People walking past police cars parked outside a tattoo shop in Denver, Colorado, following a shooting spree (Getty Images)

Police have meanwhile admitted that McLeod was on their radar had been not been charged for any crimes. The owner of a tattoo business now registered at the address of Flat Black Ink Corp hung up when The Associated Press enquired about McLeod on Tuesday, and investigations into McLeods motives continue.

Tributes have been left outside many of the tattoo parlous caught up in the shooting, and a GoFundMe set up by a friend for a victim, Ms Maldonado, had by Tuesday evening already raised more than $62,000; her husband was also shot and is fighting for his life in the ICU, according to the site.

A 30-year friend of Ms Cardenas, Amy Gordon, confirmed her death Tuesday and told the Denver Gazette that she was stunned.

Tributes have been left outside a tattoo parlour following the shootings (AP)

Alicia was an amazing individual. Her loss is a piece of Denver thats being erased, Ms Gordon said, adding: I just pray people will stop being as short sighted in their anger and disgust on society.

This is the holiday season. To have this type of spree take place is not normal for our community, Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said. We cannot lose sight of the victims in this, the people who are still fighting for their lives, including a Lakewood agent.
The Daily Beast

U.S. Department of JusticeA 22-year-old woman who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was drunk and driving in the wrong direction on Wednesday night when she killed a young mom and seriously injured another driver, authorities said.Emily Hernandez was driving west in the eastbound lanes in Franklin County, Missouri, just after 7 p.m. when she crashed into another car that spun into the median strip and struck cable barriers, police said. Both vehicles swerved to avoid each other, according to
The Daily Beast

via FacebookAlaska police say they have found the young mother of a newborn baby who was abandoned in a cardboard box on a freezing street with a heartbreaking note.The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the baby being abandoned is ongoing, and no criminal charges have been filed at this time, Alaska State Troopers said Wednesday, adding that the juvenile mother was taken to a hospital for evaluation and care.The infant boy was nestled under blankets in the box, which was left
As you wind down the year, cleaning out drawers and emptying wallets of receipts, dont forget to report to the IRS any income you brought in from drug deals, bribes, stolen goods, prostitution or other illegal activity.

According to IRS publication 17, the Internal Revenue Service wants taxpayers to include on their forms income from illegal activities, such as money from dealing illegal drugs. Make sure you put that on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8z, or on Schedule C (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity, the IRS wrote.

The agency also requests that if you steal property, you must report its fair market value, but only if you dont return it to its rightful owner in the same year.

The somewhat obscure provisions went viral this week after a popular finance-meme social media account and daily newsletter author pointed them out.

The IRS didnt immediately return an NBC News request for comment.

Humorous as they appear on their face, the statutes are law and have been on the books for years. Prohibition-era gangster Al Capone was indicted on tax evasion after prosecutors alleged that his stated income didnt match his lavish lifestyle.

All income, from whatever source, is taxable income, unless excluded by an act of Congress, Gary Schroeder, a Maryland-based tax preparer, said. If you receive $500 to kill your neighbors annoying rooster, or find $1 on the street, or embezzle from your employer, thats all taxable income, as well as your paycheck from flipping burgers at McDonald's.

In practice, its rare for those who break the law to then turn around and dutifully log their ill-gotten gains for the government to review. But there are exceptions.

People who are convicted or expected to be convicted of embezzlement will report the income to avoid getting prosecuted for tax evasion on the proceeds, Stephen Moskowitz, a San Francisco tax attorney, told NBC News.

If a person declares and pays taxes on their illegal activities, then they also get to deduct the cost of any restitution as well, he said.

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Income for activities that may be legal at the state level, such as marijuana production, but illegal at the federal level is also disclosed in this manner, he said.

This law exists. Its a revenue raiser, Moskowitz said.

Congress requires that you report all of your income  whether legitimate or not, said David Cay Johnston, an investigative journalist who specializes in tax code issues. There are people who file tax returns and list as their occupation criminal activities like 'prostitute.'

Because tax returns are confidential and the IRS cant share the information unless law enforcement has a case and gets a court order to get access to a taxpayers records, this is less risky than it sounds.

In 2020, there were 324 tax fraud convictions, according to the United States Sentencing Commission, down from 595 in 2016, a 45 percent decrease.

The tax gap  the difference between the taxes that are owed and the taxes that are collected  runs in the hundreds of billions of dollars a year, Schroeder said.

While a portion of that gap is the unreported profit from illicit drug sales, the gap also includes the folks who skim by not reporting some or all of their income that is paid in currency, he said.

In 2019, the IRS added a question to forms asking taxpayers to declare whether they had engaged in cryptocurrency transactions. In 2020, the IRS moved it to the top of Form 1040. Last year, the agency said it seized $3.5 billion in cryptocurrency assets.
KINGSTON  Dress Right Dress has opened its first brick-and-mortar office on the edge of Kingston.

DRD offers several programs for military veterans returning home from duty and re-entering society as civilians.

Not only that, but the organization also provides services to incarcerated vets, helping them find housing, job skills, and employment.

Jeremy Parkins, founder and CEO of Dress Right Dress, poses in front of his business's new central office in Kingston on Dec. 9, 2021.

Jeremy Parkins, founder and CEO of DRD, said the inspiration to help others came through personal experience.

"I went through my own troubles when I transitioned out of the military," he said, "and righting my own ship, I was awarded the opportunity to work with these other individuals coming out of incarceration, and found out these stories continue to exist, even today."

While DRD has been in business for a few years, Parkins didn't have a central office until recently when they cut the ribbon on their first location on Dec. 9.

Parkins served nearly a decade in the armed forces prior to creating DRD - eight years active duty in the United States Air Force, and approximately 18 months in reserves. He has also earned a master's degree in criminal justice.

When Parkins began thinking of ways to help veterans, he and his wife originally decided to sell t-shirts with proceeds going to various programs. Instead, after researching the idea and talking to other vets about their needs, he decided to create DRD.

The phrase "Dress Right Dress" comes from a military command where soldiers align themselves to the right or left of the person beside them in a squared-off formation.

Parkins said the name fits with the organization's goals to help military vets.

"We're trying to create a community of veterans and veteran supporters that help us bounce off each other in order to better ourselves," he said.

Dress Right Dress Founder and CEO Jeremy Parkins cuts the ribbon to officially open the organization's new central office in Kingston on Dec. 9, 2021.

Parkins said DRD relies heavily on volunteers, fundraising, and donations in order to help the veterans they serve.

According to DRD's website, the company provides service to veterans in five areas of the state: South-central, southeastern, west-central, northeastern, and north-central Ohio. The Kingston office will serve not only Ross County, but the seven bordering counties (Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, and Vinton) plus Fairfield County, as well.

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Outside of Kingston, DRD also has offices in Meigs, Montgomery, Lake, and Seneca counties. DRD also provides services to veterans in California, according to their website.

Logan Weaver is a news reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Contact him at 740-277-8396 or via email at laweaver@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @loganaweaver

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Dress Right Dress Kingston helps veterans return to civilian life
Rupert Grint said he, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson never talk about fame. Jim Spellman/WireImage

Emma Watson and Rupert Grint said they both considered quitting "Harry Potter."

The pair said the fame of the film franchise took a toll on their lives.

"The fame thing had finally hit home in a big way," Watson said.

The actors Emma Watson and Rupert Grint said they both considered quitting their roles in the "Harry Potter" film franchise during its eight-film run because of the pressure childhood stardom put on their lives.

Watson and Grint  who played Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley in all eight "Potter" films  discussed their time acting in the franchise during HBO Max's wizarding-world reunion show "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts."

The one-off reunion special was commissioned to mark the 20th anniversary of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," the first film in the "Potter" franchise. At one point during the show, Grint recalled a time during the production of the films when Watson brought up the possibility of her exit.

"You were considering pulling out. I've never really spoken to you about that," Rupert said, according to a clip seen by ET Canada.

Watson replied: "Yeah. I think I was scared. I don't know if you ever felt like it got to a tipping point where you were like, 'This is kind of forever now.'"

Grint, Watson and Radcliffe. HBO Max.

Grint later said that he also had moments "all the way through" his time as Ron Weasley in the "Harry Potter" films when he would be "contemplating what life would be like if I called it a day."

Speaking about his anxieties from the time, Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular role, said: "We never really spoke about it. I guess we were just going through it at our own pace. We were kind of in the moment at the time. It just didn't really occur to us that we were all probably kind of having similar feelings."

"The fame thing had finally hit home in a big way," Watson added.

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Later during the reunion, David Yates, who directed the final four "Potter" films, said that when he was drafted into the franchise, one thing David Heyman, the series' producer, "and the studio spoke to me about was, 'Emma is not sure she wants to come back to do another Potter.'"

Watson as Hermione Granger. Warner Bros.

The British actor Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the film series, also continued to highlight the pressure Emma Watson was subjected to as the lone female lead in the franchise.

"People definitely forget what she took on and how gracefully she did it," he said. "Dan and Rupert, they had each other. I had my cronies, whereas Emma was not only younger, she was by herself."

Watson concluded by saying that "no one had to convince" her to stay. The support of the franchise's fans and her costars, she said, gave her the confidence to continue in her role.

"The fans genuinely wanted you to succeed, and we all genuinely have each other's backs. How great is that?" she said.

"Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts" airs January 1 on HBO Max.

Read the original article on Insider
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A 2009 settlement agreement between the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre, which bears directly on Giuffre's civil lawsuit accusing Britain's Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, will be made public early next week.

In a joint order on Wednesday, U.S. District Judges Lewis Kaplan and Loretta Preska in Manhattan ordered the agreement's release on or about Jan. 3, 2022, finding no reason to keep it under seal.

Kaplan oversees Giuffre's lawsuit accusing https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/prince-andrew-is-sued-by-jeffrey-epstein-accuser-over-alleged-sexual-abuse-2021-08-09 Andrew of forcing her to have sex more than two decades ago when she was under 18 at the London home of former Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and abusing her at two of Epstein's homes.

Andrew has denied Giuffre's claims.

Preska oversees Giuffre's lawsuit accusing Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz of defaming her when he denied her claim that he was among the men Epstein compelled her to have sex with.

The prince's lawyer, Andrew Brettler, has contended https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/prince-andrew-seeks-dismissal-accuser-giuffres-lawsuit-2021-10-29 that the 2009 settlement with Epstein released the Duke of York from liability from Giuffre's lawsuit because it covered "royalty," and Epstein insisted it cover anyone Giuffre might sue.

Giuffre's lawyer, David Boies, countered that the settlement applied "at most" to people involved in underlying litigation in Florida, where Epstein had a home, and that Prince Andrew should not use it as a "get out of jail free card."

Andrew has not been charged with crimes. Giuffre's civil lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

Kaplan is scheduled on Jan. 4, 2022 to hear oral arguments on whether to dismiss Giuffre's lawsuit against Andrew.

In a filing on Tuesday, Brettler called for the case to be halted or thrown out https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/prince-andrew-questions-accuser-giuffres-ability-pursue-sex-abuse-lawsuit-2021-12-28 because Giuffre has long lived in Australia, depriving the Manhattan court of jurisdiction, and cannot support her claim that she is a Colorado resident.

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Sigrid McCawley, another lawyer for Giuffre, in a statement called that argument "another in a series of tired attempts by Prince Andrew to duck and dodge the legal merits of the serious case Virginia Giuffre has brought."

Epstein, a registered sex offender, killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was found guilty https://www.reuters.com/world/us/maxwell-jury-resume-deliberations-after-judge-warns-omicron-risk-2021-12-29 by a U.S. jury on Wednesday of helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Stephen Coates)
The real estate firm behind one of Americas most glitzy traditions is ushering in 2022 in  where else?  the metaverse.

Jamestown, the owner of One Times Square, is recreating the 26-story tower at the heart of New Yorks New Years Eve ball drop in Decentraland. The company announced the plan Wednesday as a partnership with Digital Currency Group (DCG), the longtime Decentraland backer with major holdings in the platforms MANA and LAND tokens. (DCG is the parent company of an editorially independent CoinDesk.)

As the value of virtual real estate in popular metaverse games like Decentraland and The Sandbox continues to soar, involvement from real-world real estate developers like Jamestown could be a trend to watch.

It comes at a time when the real Times Square ball drop will be limited to 15,000 socially distanced and fully vaccinated attendees due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. The event typically hosts 58,000 and is watched on TV by many more.

Read more: Consultants Are Entering the Metaverse  Literally

The virtual One Times Square will span 170 parcels of Decentraland property and include the unveiling of the games first high-rise building.

The main square for NYE in Decentraland. (Jamestown/DCG)

The celebration, dubbed MetaFest 2022, will include non-fungible token (NFT) art galleries, rooftop VIP lounges and virtual music performances, according to a press release. Virtual billboards will tie the experience to the events meatspace counterpart via livestreams of New York City.

How much Jamestown spent on its virtual real estate wasnt disclosed, though the construction project was said to be part of the firms larger digital asset strategy.

The metaverse is an important part of the evolution of real estate and the built environment, Jamestown President Michael Phillips said in a press release. Whereas physical real estate is largely limited to people with geographic proximity, the metaverse can give people around the world meaningful access to places through immersive virtual experiences.

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Jamestown and DCG tapped metaverse development firms GrowYourBase and MetaVenture Studios for the construction.

Interestingly, Decentraland isnt Jamestowns only metaverse bet. The firm is also behind the app VNYE, offering a different virtual space in which to experience the New York tradition. VNYE debuted last year.
The father of teenager accidentally shot dead by US police in a department store, demanded jail time Tuesday for the officers involved in her killing.

The death of 14-year-old Valentina Orellana-Peralta is the latest at the hands of law enforcement in a country where guns abound and police readily resort to deadly force.

"The only thing I want is justice for my daughter," Juan Pablo Orellana told reporters.

"I will not rest until the last day, until all these criminals are in jail."

Valentina, a Chilean immigrant, was hiding in a changing room last Thursday as Los Angeles police rushed into the Burlington department store to confront a man swinging a bike lock at customers.

Video footage of the chaotic incident shows several officers prowling the aisles with weapons drawn, one of whom opens fire almost as soon as he sees the attacker.

One of the bullets he fired went through a wall and killed the schoolgirl, who had been trying on clothes with her mother for Christmas.

"We were together in a fitting room shopping for Christmas clothes," a tearful Soledad Peralta said.

"We heard screams, we sat hugging each other praying, when something hit Valentina and threw us to the floor.

"She died in my arms. I couldn't do anything, I couldn't do anything.

"To see a daughter die in your arms is one of the greatest and deepest pains one can imagine. She meant the world to me," she said.

The parents were accompanied by lawyers, including Benjamin Crump, a prominent Black attorney specializing in wrongful death suits, whose clients have included the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

Los Angeles Police Chief Michael Moore has pledged a "complete and transparent investigation" into Valentina's death.

Civil rights groups have been quick to criticize the ready use of weapons in a department store, where officers could not have known the full circumstances, including whether bystanders were present.

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Emergency calls included reports that the suspect had a gun, but no firearm was subsequently found.

- Family 'destroyed' -

There is no official national record of fatal shootings by US police officers, and reporting of incidents by police departments is voluntary.

A tally by the Washington Post shows 900 people have been shot and killed by police in the last year.

Police frequently defend their use of deadly force by pointing out that in a country with an abundance of guns, they routinely encounter life-threatening situations.

In the wake of a number of mass casualty shootings, police training has morphed from stressing the need to negotiate and avoid violence to moving quickly and decisively to neutralize an attacker.

Valentina's father on Tuesday said the actions of police officers last week were "negligent".

"They destroyed us as a family," he said, showing the skateboard he had bought his daughter for Christmas.

"All she wanted was to be an American citizen. But death is what my daughter came here to find."

pr-hg/jh
By Keith Coffman

DENVER (Reuters) - A hotel clerk gravely wounded in a Denver-area shooting spree died on Tuesday, bringing to five the number of people killed in Monday night's rampage by a gunman, who was slain by police, authorities said.

Police in Denver and the adjacent suburb of Lakewood announced the latest death at a news briefing a day after the rampage, which spanned both municipalities and two tattoo shops.

Police identified the gunman as 47-year-old Lyndon James McLeod. They did not offer a possible motive and provided few details about McLeod, except to say that all of the dead but one, the hotel clerk, were known to him. McLeod's ties to the victims were not explained.

McLeod died following an exchange of gunfire with a Lakewood police officer who, despite taking a bullet to the abdomen, was able to fire her weapon, fatally striking the gunman, police said.

Lakewood police spokesman John Romero declined to name the officer, a three-year veteran of the force, but called her actions heroic.

She took a situation that was horrendous and put herself in harms way to stop it, Romero said, adding that the officer underwent surgery and was expected to survive.

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said McLeod had been on "law enforcements radar" prior to the shooting as the subject of investigations in 2020 and again in 2021, but was never charged with a crime. Pazen declined to discuss the nature of the probes.

Police said the shooting began shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday when McLeod entered a tattoo parlor near downtown Denver and opened fire, killing two women and critically wounding a man.

He then shot dead a man at a home in east Denver before firing at others on the citys west side without hitting anyone. Police said McLeod then got into a running gun battle with Denver police who were pursuing him.

He ultimately drove to Lakewood and entered another tattoo shop, where he fatally shot a man, then stormed into a hotel and shot the clerk, leading to his deadly encounter with the Lakewood officer.

(Reporting by Keith Coffman in Denver; Editing by Steve Gorman and Leslie Adler)
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Wednesday morning acknowledged President Joe Biden's call to states to find a solution for the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Look, there is no federal solution," Biden said Monday, according to a transcript of a conversation he had with a group of governors. "This gets solved at a state level."

That's why Fried, sitting in a black plastic folding chair at a joint vaccination and testing site on Florida A&M University's campus, got her booster shot, she explained.

"I want to show the people what leadership looks like, that we're stepping up," said Fried, a Democrat who also is running for Florida governor in 2022 against GOP incumbent Ron DeSantis.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried urges the public to get vaccinated after receiving her booster shot at the FAMU vaccine and testing site, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021.

"We're doing everything we can to protect ourselves and our family members," she added.

Wednesday's photo opportunity was another highlighting of the ongoing politicization of the pandemic.

The day before, Fried sent a letter asking DeSantis to address the latest coronavirus surge, this time of the omicron variant. A request to his office for comment is pending.

More: First cases of omicron strain of COVID virus reported in Florida

Fried called on the governor to use the Florida Department of Emergency Management to increase the number of testing sites and to promote booster shots among Florida's most vulnerable populations.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried receives her COVID-19 Pfizer booster shot at the FAMU vaccine and testing site Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021.

She also said she wants school districts to have more authority to implement COVID-19 safety measures.

After some school districts required masks on almost all students amid this summer's delta surge, DeSantis ordered lawmakers into special session, during which they put his ban on mask mandates into state law.

Special session: Florida lawmakers wrap up special session called by Ron DeSantis to blunt Biden on vaccines

Biden's pointing the finger at the states for COVID answers has been a bit of a bonanza on both sides of the aisle.

Also this week, the state's surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, concerned that the federal government was "actively preventing the active distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments (MAB) in the U.S."

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Florida's Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo spoke during Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' press conference at Ocala Health, Friday morning, December 17, 2021.

He too referred to Biden's statement in asking the feds to send more MAB treatment to Florida. What Ladapo called the Biden administration's "shortsightedness" has removed a treatment for COVID patients, he wrote.

Long lines at testing sites with wait times as long as four hours have plagued South Florida, for instance, as the number of COVID cases has spiked in the state in recent days.

From South Florida: COVID-19 'back at high transmission' in Palm Beach County; cars wait in test lines

Editorial: Long lines, frustration at COVID testing sites reflect lack of leadership

"I'm asking him to release that money, allowing him to use the secretary of DEM to actually engage with local officials, and to actually take his head out of the sand," Fried said on Wednesday morning after her booster shot.

She also told local officials to reach out to her office if they need resources like supplies for vaccinations or testing.

"We'll be here as kind of that conduit to the White House and making sure that we get through omicron and whatever is next," she said.

USA TODAY contributed. Contact Ana Goni-Lessan at AGoniLessan@tallahassee.com and follow her on Twitter @goni_lessan.

Want more news coverage? If you're already a subscriber, thank you! If not, please subscribe using the link at the top of the page and help keep the news you care about coming.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Nikki Fried offers COVID help as 'conduit to White House'
FPL crews leave a Jupiter substation on Oct. 10, 2018, headed to North Florida to help restore power after Category 5 Hurricane Michael hit the area. The 10 2-3 person crews will join more than 1,300 crews from across Florida staging in Lake City, Daytona Beach and Sarasota.

A group that challenged a Florida Power and Light plan to raise base electric rates is taking the fight to the state Supreme Court.

The group Floridians Against Increased Rates filed a notice this week that it is appealing a decision by the state Public Service Commission to approve a settlement that will lead to FPL rate increases starting in January.

As is common, the notice did not detail arguments the group will make at the Supreme Court. But the group battled FPL for months during the rate case, including over an attempt by the utility to block it from intervening in the case.

The nature of the order on appeal is a final order of the Florida Public Service Commission authorizing Florida Power & Light Company to increase its rates and thereby to charge its customers several billion dollars in additional base rate charges over the next four years and also to implement certain accounting measures and spending programs that will substantially affect the utilitys customers, the notice, filed Monday at the commission, said.

Transitioning Jan. 1: Gulf Power is transitioning to FPL on Jan. 1. Here's what customers need to know

Bill increase: Gulf Power bills are about to increase due to rising fuel costs. What to expect:

The Public Service Commission in October unanimously approved the rate settlement, which FPL reached with the state Office of Public Counsel and several organizations that took part in the case. The Office of Public Counsel represents consumers in utility issues.

Under the four-year settlement, FPL will be able to raise rates in 2022 to generate an additional $692 million in annual revenue, followed by increases in 2023 that will generate $560 million in annual revenue. Additional increases are planned in 2024 and 2025 to pay for solar projects.

The plan also involves integrating the rates of FPL and Northwest Floridas Gulf Power, which have merged. That involves what is described as a transition rider to take into account the substantially different rates that FPL and Gulf Power have charged. The result will leave Northwest Florida customers paying more than FPL customers in other areas.

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In a Dec. 2 written order that carried out its October vote, the Public Service Commission said none of the parties to this case have questioned or presented evidence that would indicate that FPLs overall quality of service, performance and response to outages is not exceptional.

Having reviewed all the briefs filed and the evidence presented, we find that when taken as a whole, the 2021 settlement provides a reasonable resolution of all issues raised, establishes rates that are fair, just, and reasonable and is in the public interest, the order said. The 2021 settlement is therefore approved.

But in a brief filed before the October vote, Floridians Against Increased Rates  or FAIR, as it is known  argued that the utility was trying to get billions of dollars of its customers' money that it doesn't need.

Perhaps the worst aspect of the settlement agreement is that most, if not all, of these increases are not necessary for FPL to fulfill its obligation to provide safe and reliable service at the lowest possible cost, the groups brief said. FPL can and should provide service in 2022 with rates no greater than its current rates.

Want to stay up to date on the latest news? Click here to subscribe to pnj.com.

But in another October brief, FPL said the settlement was in the public interest.

First, the settlement agreement provides all FPL customers (i.e., those within both the former FPL and Gulf Power service areas) with stability and predictability with respect to their electricity rates, while allowing FPL to maintain the financial strength to make investments that are necessary to safely provide customers with the superior reliability and service that they have come to expect and which have been facilitated by previous multi-year rate agreements approved by this commission, the utilitys brief said. Second, the agreement increases the amount of emissions-free and fuel-free solar energy that will be available to serve all of FPLs customers on a cost-effective basis.

While groups representing customers regularly intervene in utility issues, Florida Power & Light unsuccessfully sought to keep FAIR out of the rate case. FPL argued, in part, that the nonprofit group was a shell organization and questioned its membership and finances.

But in the Dec. 2 order, the Public Service Commission concluded that FAIR, which was incorporated in March, demonstrated associational standing to take part in the case.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida Power and Light January rate increase heads to Supreme Court
By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Harry Reid, the pugnacious son of a Nevada hard-rock miner who rose from poverty to become the U.S. Senate majority leader and earned a reputation as a fierce partisan fighter during an era of political gridlock in Washington, died on Tuesday. He was 82.

Reid, a former amateur boxer who represented Nevada in the U.S. Congress as a Democrat for more than three decades, died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, his wife of 62 years, Landra, said in a statement.

"I've had the honor of serving with some of the all-time great Senate Majority Leaders in our history. Harry Reid was one of them. And for Harry, it wasn't about power for power's sake. It was about the power to do right for the people," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a written statement.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said late on Tuesday that the country had lost an honorable public servant, adding that the Reid made a meaningful difference in peoples lives.

"Harry Reid rose through the ranks in Washington, becoming Senate Majority Leader, but he never forgot his humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nevada  and he always fought for working families and the poor," Harris said in a separate written statement.

As majority leader, Reid served as President Barack Obama's point man in the Senate and helped secure congressional passage of Obama's signature healthcare law, known as Obamacare, in 2010 over furious Republican opposition.

Obama on Tuesday posted to social media a recent letter he had written to Reid:

"You were a great leader in the Senate, and early on you were more generous to me than I had any right to expect," Obama said in the letter. "I wouldn't have been president had it not been for your encouragement and support, and I wouldn't have got most of what I got done without your skill and determination."

Reid retired in 2016, one year after suffering broken ribs and facial bones and injuring an eye in an accident while exercising at home.

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He had ascended to the job of majority leader in 2007 despite being a political moderate who differed from many in his party on abortion, the environment and gun control. In that job Reid regularly clashed with the Republicans and maintained poor relations with the opposition party's leaders.

"I always would rather dance than fight but I know how to fight," Reid said in 2004, in a reference to his boxing career.

In 2012, Mitch McConnell, then the Senate's top Republican, labeled Reid "the worst leader in the Senate ever" while Reid accused McConnell of a breach of faith on an important issue.

During Reid's time as majority leader, major legislation languished because Democrats and Republicans could not compromise. His relationship with McConnell was so strained that the Republican leader shunned Reid during crucial U.S. fiscal policy talks and dealt directly with Vice President Joe Biden.

"The nature of Harry's and my jobs brought us into frequent and sometimes intense conflict over politics and policy. But I never doubted that Harry was always doing what he earnestly, deeply felt was right for Nevada and our country. He will rightly go down in history as a crucial, pivotal figure in the development and history of his beloved home state," McConnell said in a written statement.

In 2013, fed up with Republican procedural moves blocking Obama's judicial and executive branch nominees, Reid pushed through the Senate a historic change to the Senate's filibuster rules, preventing a minority party from blocking presidential appointments except those to the Supreme Court.

Republicans said the move was a naked power grab.

Reid was first elected to the House in 1982 and was sent to the Senate by Nevada voters in 1986. He showed remarkable resilience, fighting off spirited re-election challenges.

HUMBLE ORIGINS

Tact was not Reid's strong suit. He called Republican President George W. Bush a "loser" and "liar" and said Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan was "one of the biggest political hacks we have in Washington."

He apologized in 2010 for referring to Obama, the first black U.S. president, in private conversations two years earlier as "light-skinned" with "no Negro dialect," saying, "I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words."

Reid became a Mormon as a young man and eventually became the highest-ranking member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in U.S. public office.

During the 2012 presidential race, Reid became a Democratic attack dog, accusing Obama's Republican challenger Mitt Romney of paying no federal income taxes for 10 years. Romney insisted he paid "all the taxes required by law."

Harry Mason Reid was born into a poor family in the tiny desert mining town of Searchlight, Nevada, on Dec. 2, 1939. His father was a miner with an eighth-grade education who committed suicide in 1972.

His mother, who never finished high school, took in laundry from brothels to help out financially. The family lived in a small cabin with no indoor plumbing, hot water or telephone.

"I learned in America, it doesn't matter the education of your parents, what their religion is or isn't, their social status - we had none - the color of their skin or their economic status. I am an example of this. If I made it, anyone can," Reid said in 2007.

Reid attended a two-room school through eighth grade, then hitchhiked 40 miles (64 km) each week to high school, boarding with local families before hitchhiking home each weekend.

He graduated from Utah State University in 1961 and then worked nights as a U.S. Capitol policeman while he attended law school at George Washington University in Washington. He earned his law degree in 1964 and moved back to Nevada.

Reid was a trial lawyer and held various Nevada state offices. He headed the Nevada Gaming Commission from 1977 to 1981.

In the Senate, Reid won passage of an ethics measure barring senators from accepting gifts, meals or trips from lobbyists in 2007.

He voted for Iraq war resolutions in 1991 and 2002. While Reid remained a backer of the first Iraq war, he reversed himself and opposed the second one, accusing Bush's administration of misleading the nation into it.

Reid and his wife, Landra, had five children.

(Reporting by Will Dunham; Additional reporting by Eric Beech, Dan Whitcomb and Moira Warburton and Anirudh Saligrama in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Sandra Maler and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
By Tom Sims and Hans Seidenstuecker

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -German financial regulator BaFin has fined Deutsche Bank nearly $10 million for controls related to the Euribor interest rate in a setback for the nation's largest lender as it seeks to restore its reputation.

The 8.66 million euro ($9.77 million) fine announced on Wednesday is the first imposed by BaFin under a 2018 regulation that seeks to prevent manipulation of Euribor, the Euro Interbank Offered Rate benchmark used in the financial industry.

"The bank at times did not have in place effective preventive systems, controls and policies," BaFin said.

Deutsche Bank said it accepted the fine and had implemented measures to improve its controls regarding Euribor.

The bank added that there was no reason to believe it had made incorrect rate submissions to the benchmark administrator.

The period in question was between April 2019 and April 2020, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

BaFin found flaws in certain processes meant to safeguard the quality of data used to calculate the rate, including weaknesses in regular controls and other organisational precautions, the source said.

The bank has been subject to numerous regulatory and legal investigations over the past decade. This has included rate-rigging allegations that have involved multiple global banks.

In April BaFin ordered Deutsche Bank to implement further safeguards to prevent money laundering.

Under new leadership, BaFin has itself been trying to restore its image https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/germanys-new-finance-watchdog-vows-further-supervision-reforms-2021-10-13 after it failed to spot wrongdoing ahead of the collapse last year of German payments company Wirecard.

($1 = 0.8861 euros)

(Reporting by Tom SimsEditing by Louise Heavens and David Goodman)
Guislaine Maxwell

The first time I saw Ghislaine Maxwell, I followed her from the door of her luxurious brownstone down the streets of Manhattan, asking her about the horrific allegations against her.

Nearly a decade later, I saw her for the final time, in court and no longer able to run away from the truth about her life with Jeffrey Epstein.

This is one of the most high-profile convictions of a woman for enabling a sex trafficking ring.

And most importantly, it's a major victory for the more than 100 accusers who fought for more than a decade to have Epstein and his co-conspirators face criminal charges.

The 60-year-old daughter of a British media tycoon has been found guilty of grooming and trafficking girls as young as 14 years old for sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

There were several powerful moments inside a packed courtroom in New York City, mainly from the prosecution which kept its case simple to avoid overwhelming the jury.

Their aim was to show Maxwell was Epstein's partner in crime, a sexual predator whose modus operandi was clearly illustrated by four victims' experiences.

The prosecution's opening statement to the jury began with 11 words that sounded like the start of a children's book.

"I want to tell you about a young girl named Jane."

But for these women this was no fairytale. It was a nightmare and it was very real. How real became apparent the following day when Jane took the stand.

She testified that Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein approached her when she was 14 years old at a summer arts camp in 1994.

Over the next two years, she said she was abused about every other week with Maxwell sometimes taking part. This was one of her key exchanges with prosecutors:

Q. What was Maxwell's demeanour like during these incidents?

A. I would say that it seemed very casual, like it was - like it was very normal, like it was not a big deal.

Q. And when she behaved like that, how did that make you feel?

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A. Well, it made me feel confused because that did not feel normal to me; I'd never seen anything like this or felt any of this, and it was very embarrassing. You know, it's all these mixed emotions. When you're 14, you have no idea what's going on.

The other accusers would later recount similar experiences.

Maxwell argued she was unaware of Epstein's abuse

One of the most heart wrenching testimonies came from Carolyn, who testified under her first name.

The woman was visibly broken down by years of trauma and addiction to pain killers and cocaine. She had been raped by her grandfather at four years old, dropped out of school in the 7th grade, and was neglected by a mother who abused substances.

Carolyn told the court it was one of Epstein's most outspoken accusers Virginia Roberts, now Virginia Giuffre, that first told her at 14 years old that she could make money by massaging a wealthy friend of hers.

Carolyn met Ghislaine Maxwell when she showed up at Epstein's mansion in 2001. Maxwell, she said, told Virginia to take her upstairs to the massage room and "show her what to do." Prosecutors told jurors that by this time period, Maxwell had devised a pyramid scheme of abuse that no longer required her to personally find young girls for Epstein.

Instead, they would reward vulnerable girls who brought someone new with extra cash.

Carolyn was paid hundreds of dollars to "massage" Epstein on each of the over 100 encounters until she "became too old." She brought three other friends to Epstein. Carolyn said Maxwell once told her "she had a great body for Epstein and his friends" before touching her breasts.

The charges against her

Maxwell was convicted on five counts:

conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts

conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity

transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity

conspiracy to commit sex trafficking

sex trafficking of minors

The teenage girls often came from troubled homes. Their families faced things like bankruptcy, substance abuse or previous sexual assault.

And even when they didn't, Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein lured them in with friendship, gifts, and promises to help their careers or to pay for schooling. That "grooming" process, prosecutors said, was a key part of Maxwell's "playbook."

She then used the ruse of massages as an excuse to get the girls to touch Epstein and to normalise sexual contact. Prosecutors said Maxwell would walk the girls into a room to be molested and abused, and sometimes was present "to make it all feel normal and casual."

The two other accusers in the indictment were at or over the age of consent in the places the abuse took place, and therefore the judge ruled the sex acts weren't illegal.

Still, Kate going by a pseudonym, and Annie Farmer who publicly identified herself, were equally compelling on the stand to prove Maxwell's grooming tactics.

Ghislaine Maxwell's family had complained about her treatment in prison, saying it amounted to torture.

Nevertheless, in court Maxwell was an extremely engaged and animated defendant. She carefully studied exhibits, looked witnesses in the eye, and often passed notes to her lawyers to convey her thoughts.

She appeared to be in good spirits, hugging her defence team and blowing kisses and waving to her family in court.

Her steely defiance was best captured when the judge Alison Nathan asked her if she would testify in her own defence. Instead of responding to the judge with a simple yes or no, she stood up and informed the court that there was "no need" for her to do so because the prosecution had not proven its case.

Her defence case, in contrast, was less assured. Lawyers called on just nine witnesses over two days. Their strategy relied heavily on poking holes in the case brought by prosecutors, who bear the burden of proving the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

The entire foundation of the prosecution's case rested on the four accusers' credibility. It is because their testimony was so convincing to jurors that Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted.

Legal experts said attacking the women's memories and motives didn't help the defendant.

"Ghislaine Maxwell had the disadvantage of having to explain this parade of young girls who were coming in and out of the home daily underneath her supervision," says Mitchell Epner, a former prosecutor.

"She claimed she knew none of that. And when the jurors concluded that she was a liar, they concluded she was a predator."

One of the only pieces of physical evidence displayed in the courtroom was a green folding massage table taken from a police raid of Epstein's Palm Beach estate in 2005.

It was an attempt from the prosecution to almost recreate the scene of the crimes right there in the middle of the courtroom. A retired police officer testified that they also recovered a box of sex toys.

Massage table in court

A hard drive recovered during a separate raid by the FBI of Epstein's Manhattan mansion contained emails sent by Ghislaine Maxwell to a staff member in which she complains that the house manager, Juan Alessi, did not tidy up Epstein's massage creams.

That led the police to Mr Alessi, who provided some of the most damning and X-rated corroborating testimony in the whole trial. Reporters covering the case had to hurriedly write notes to keep up with his startling revelations about the household.

He told the court that Epstein would have three massages a day. When Mr Alessi would clean up after, he would put the sex toys back where they belonged, in a basket in Ghislaine Maxwell's closet, off the master bedroom she shared with Epstein.

Mr Alessi said Epstein or Maxwell would sometimes direct him to contact and pick up young women for massages. He recalled seeing two underage girls that appeared to be 14 or 15 years old, Jane and Virginia Roberts. House rules, including in a 59-page manual, Mr Alessi said, told staff to be deaf, dumb and blind and forbade them from making eye contact with Epstein.

"There was a culture of silence. That was by design, the defendant's design, because behind closed doors, the defendant and Epstein were committing heinous crimes," Assistant US Attorney Lara Pomerantz said.

Police raids of Epstein's homes also produced intimate photos showing the duo's jet-setting, luxurious lifestyle and close connection. In one picture, the pair are seen relaxing at the Queen's Balmoral residence - when Prince Andrew reportedly invited the couple to the Scottish estate. In another, Ghislaine Maxwell is on a private plane with Epstein, massaging his foot and rubbing it against her cleavage.

The staggering wealth on display from opulent properties in Palm Beach, New York and New Mexico only highlighted the vast power dynamics at play. The pair used wealth to lure and make young girls feel indebted to them.

Several witnesses, including the four women, recalled how the duo would name drop their friends in high places, such as Bill Clinton, Donald Trump or Prince Andrew, and display photos of them alongside the Pope John Paul II or Fidel Castro in their properties. None alleged any wrongdoing by Epstein and Maxwell's famous friends.

These connections proved to be no insulation from justice and the conviction is a significant moment for people who are often found at the other end of the social ladder.

"This guilty verdict is immensely meaningful to sexual abuse victims everywhere," said Lisa Bloom, an attorney for eight of Epstein's victims.

"No matter who you are, no matter what kinds of circles you travel in, no matter how much money you have, no matter how many years have passed since the sexual abuse, justice is still possible."
James (Jim) Shroll.

James Shroll has been hired as executive director for the Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center, Inc., replacing Sister Teresa Ann Wolf who retired in July.

Shroll comes to Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, where he served as the spiritual care coordinator, according to a news release from Glacial Lakes. He worked with hospice patients as a chaplain, providing spiritual care and counsel for patients along with compassionate support to their families.

Shroll, who graduated from Watertown High School, completed his undergraduate work at Trinity Bible College and attended graduate school in Ellendale, North Dakota. He has more than 10 years of leadership, management and ministry experience.

Glacial Lakes Multicultural Centers mission is to Welcome the Stranger. They accomplish this by embracing and celebrating diverse cultures and by promoting understanding and respect for all.

Part of Shrolls role as the new executive director, is to develop new friendships and foster old friendships while broadening the scope of services, partnering with local businesses and facilitating hospitality and hope.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center hires new executive director
Grayson County has administered more than 129,015 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as of Dec. 28, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

That's up 1.48% from the previous week's tally of 127,137 COVID-19 doses administered.

In Grayson County, 44% of people living in Grayson County are fully vaccinated as of Dec. 28. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers someone fully vaccinated two weeks after they've been given a single-dose shot (Johnson & Johnson) or a second shot (either Pfizer or Moderna).

More: COVID-19 in 2021: area dealt with surges, variants, losing more than 500 GC residents

Texas reported 4,545,945 total cases of coronavirus, an increase of 2% from the week before.

The five counties with the highest percentage of their population fully vaccinated in Texas as of Dec. 28 are Webb County (82%), Presidio County (82%), Maverick County (79%), Hudspeth County (77%) and Starr County (76%).

Here are the latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Grayson County as of Dec. 28:

How many people in Grayson County have received a COVID-19 vaccine?

50% of people in Grayson County have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 64,853 people

44% of people in Grayson County are fully vaccinated, for a total of 55,986 people

For a county-by-county look at the vaccination rollout, see our COVID-19 vaccine tracker, which is updated daily.

How many people in Texas have been vaccinated so far?

69% of people in Texas have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 19,304,170 people

59% of people in Texas are fully vaccinated, for a total of 16,477,194 people

COVID vaccinations for kids and boosters

The percentages in this story reflect the total share of the population that has received vaccines. That now includes people as young as 5 years old, for whom vaccines have been authorized.

These weekly stories will be updated as more data on vaccination rates in children, as well as booster vaccination rates, are released.

We pull data on local vaccine distribution on a weekly basis. Check back for our next weekly update mid-week for the latest numbers.

This article originally appeared on Herald Democrat: Grayson County Texas vaccine rate: How many people are vaccinated?
Inspecting 4-year-old Coral IVF colonies at Heron Island lagoon, December 2020

Professor Peter Harrison checks on the progress of the coral babies at the Heron Island lagoon on the Great Barrier Reef in December 2020. The coral were settled on the reef in 2016 after being bred during a process that Harrison describes at "coral IVF." Credit - Southern Cross University

The idea to restore coral reefs by intervening in the breeding process of coral came to Peter Harrison while he was drifting through trillions of coral eggs and sperm whirling in an underwater snowstorm during a mating ritual at Australias Great Barrier Reef that occurs each year in the romantic light of a full moon.

That moment, in the early 1980s, kicked off a lifetime of research for Harrison, a professor at Australias Southern Cross Universityand culminated in the development of a process that he describes as something akin to in vitro fertilization (IVF) for the reef.

In November, his research hit a remarkable milestone when coral babies born through the first coral IVF trial on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 became mature coral and began to spawnhopefully seeding a new generation of coral.

Harrison says human intervention has become necessary to help repopulate the Great Barrier Reef because of a perfect cocktail of destruction that reefs are facing. This includes pollution, coastal development that damages ecosystems and warmer waters and intensifying stormsboth of which can be at least partially attributed to climate change. Reefs are losing corals, and more importantly, theyre losing breeding corals much faster than most of them are getting enough larvae now to replenish naturally, he says.

Hard coral (Acropora sp.), spawning in Lizard Island National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Auscape/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

READ MORE: UNESCO Says Australias Great Barrier Reef Isnt In Danger Yet. Many Environmentalists and Divers Disagree

The good news about his coral babies couldnt have come at a more crucial time for the Great Barrier Reef, which is the worlds largest coral reef ecosystem, stretching some 1,420 miles along the northeast coast of Australia. In the last five years, the reef has experienced three mass bleaching events, in which changes in conditions, like warmer than normal water, causes coral to expel the algae that give them their vibrant colors and help them survive. Many corals die as a result of the stress of mass bleaching eventsfurther depleting the reef. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts that temperatures on the reef could rise enough to cause yet another mass bleaching event by the end of January.

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These types of bleaching events have had a profound impact on the reef. A study released in 2020 by marine scientists at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies in Queensland found that the Great Barrier Reef has lost more than 50% of its coral since 1995 as the result of warmer water driven by climate change.

Harrison, who has earned the title coral IVF pioneer from fellow researchers, may just know more than anyone about how corals get it on. He was part of the team that discovered that the Great Barrier Reefs coral breed during a single yearly mass spawning event. That discovery transformed the worlds understanding of coral sexual reproduction.

Acropora spathulata branching coral, now five years old, with mature pink eggs and sperm packets ready to spawn. Christina Langley

READ MORE: UNESCO Says Australias Great Barrier Reef Isnt In Danger Yet. Many Environmentalists and Divers Disagree

Harrisons coral IVF process starts by capturing matter from multiple coral spawn slicks around the reef, which form in a pinkish film on the oceans surface during mass spawning events. He and his team use floating nets with booms similar to those used to contain oil spillsor a net that resembles a modified swimming pool skimmer.

Then the eggs and sperm from different colonies are mixed to maximize the chances of fertilization and the genetic diversity. The larvae are left to grow in a floating pools anchored near the reef for about a week, where theyre safe from predators and they can be kept from drifting away.

When the time is right, the larvae are settled onto depleted reefs. This can be done by opening the bottom of the net to allow the larvae to flow out over the reef system, or by piping the larvae directly onto reefs. Scientists have also begun using AI-enabled robots called LarvalBots, which work like an underwater crop duster, to deliver larvae. The larvae can also be put onto small bits of dead coral to be transferred onto the reef.

READ MORE: I Tried Lab-Grown Fish Maw. Heres Why It Could Help Save Our Oceans

Professor Peter Harrison, pioneer of Coral IVF, measuring coral larvae concentrations at Heron Island in Australia. Southern Cross University

Harrisons work could be used to repopulate coral reefs around the world. He has already had success with his approach on reefs in the Philippines, and he hopes to take the technique global. Half of the worlds coral reefs have died since the 1950s as the result of climate change, overfishing and pollution, according to a study published in September in the journal One Earth. That means the loss of habitats for sea creatures and protection for coastal communities, which are increasingly imperiled by extreme weather events. Reefs also support local economies by creating jobs and drawing snorkel-toting tourists.

Lesley Hughes, a professor of biology at Macquarie University in Sydney and a member of Australian NGO the Climate Council says that coral IVF research could be part of a toolbox to help the reef adapt to the changing climate and water conditions. Other scientists are working on a host of creative solutions to save the reeflike a sun shield that can be sprayed onto the surface of the ocean.

But Hughes cautions that unless climate change is addressed, any human intervention in reef communities, no matter how effective at a local scale, will be like trying to fix a broken leg with a bandaid.

READ MORE: I Tried Lab-Grown Fish Maw. Heres Why It Could Help Save Our Oceans

Australia is a laggard on climate action among developed countries, and its one of the worlds biggest exporters of coal and liquefied gas. On June 21, UNESCO recommended that the Great Barrier Reef be placed on a list of World Heritage sites that are in danger, citing climate change as the most serious threat to the site. (UNESCO agreed to delay a decision until next year on whether to label the reef endangered after a lobbying blitz by the Australian government).

Harrison agrees his solution isnt a silver bullet, but he hopes it can play an important role in saving the worlds reefs. Says Harrison: Were hoping that this buys us enough decades so that we can continue to have functioning and breeding corals on enough reefs so that when we hopefully do manage climate change down to amore sensible level, we will still have corals and reef systems on our planet.
By Anton Zverev

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The head of the Russian human rights group Memorial said on Wednesday that he and his colleagues would find a way to carry on their work despite two court rulings that ordered them to shut down.

"You don't defeat the memory of people's grandfathers and great-grandfathers that easily," he said in an interview.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Memorial International, Russia's oldest human rights group, to disband for failing to operate rigorously under the designation "foreign agent".

On Wednesday, another court ordered Memorial's Human Rights Centre, which provides legal help to victims of rights abuses and compiles a list of political prisoners, to close. The ruling capped a year of crackdowns on dissent unseen since the Soviet era.

Jan Raczynski, chairman of Memorial's board, told Reuters in an interview at its Moscow headquarters that a way would be found to continue documenting Soviet-era crimes such as Joseph Stalin's "Great Terror" as well as modern-day abuses.

"This (Soviet-era crimes) is a matter that affects millions of our fellow citizens and ... is a problem of the entire former Soviet Union and of all the ex-Soviet bloc, he said. "So one way or another, people will do this work."

He said his own grandfather had been caught up in the Terror of 1936-38, in which the dictator had more than 700,000 perceived rivals or enemies executed and many more imprisoned or tortured. He did not say how his grandfather had been affected.

Critics say the legal assault on Memorial is an attempt to whitewash the darkest chapters of the Soviet Union, which do not chime with the Kremlin's narrative of a resurgent Russia with nothing to be ashamed of.

'WORK THAT SOCIETY NEEDS'

A state prosecutor told Tuesday's court hearing that Memorial had promoted an image of the Soviet Union as a "terrorist state" and blackened the memory of its achievement in resisting Nazi aggression in World War Two. He said "someone" was paying Memorial for such treachery.

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Raczynski said it was "obvious" that the Soviet Union had been a terrorist state, describing its past as one of "mass human rights violations". He said modern Russia was repeating the mistake of trying to solve social problems with violence and by limiting freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.

In particular, he said the number of people in jail on what he called fabricated political charges was nearly as high as during the last years of the Soviet Union, before Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms.

"The direction of travel really is of great concern," he said, surrounded by shelves with hundreds of "memory books" detailing the names and biographies of people repressed by Soviet authorities.

Raczynski said he had first become involved with Memorial in 1988, the year after it was founded in the twilight of the Soviet Union, and like many others was attracted by the idea of doing work with a moral value.

He said Memorial had the right to continue its activities until the outcome of its legal appeals was known, but that it did did not have a detailed plan of how to respond if authorities went after the dozens of other legal entities it operates.

"There are people who are taking this (the court decisions) hard ... because they give their lives to something they consider important which, in many other countries, they would be thanked for and even given medals for. Here, we see the opposite.

"But nobody plans to give up. Some may have to look for different work if things go really badly, because they have to feed their families. (But) we intend to carry on all this work. It's not just our work. It's work that society needs."

(Reporting by Anton Zverev; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Indonesia will accept a boat of Rohingya refugees  mostly women and children  after initially sending them to Malaysian waters and giving them supplies, according to local authorities.



Change of heart: Indonesias security ministry said the Southeast Asian country will allow nearly 120 people, including 60 women and 51 children, to take refuge after the situation gained domestic and international attention.



"Today, the Indonesian government decided, in the name of humanity, to give refuge to Rohingya refugees currently afloat on a boat near Biereun district, Aceh," Armed Wijaya, an official at Indonesia's chief security ministry, said in a statement.

"The decision was made after considering the emergency conditions the refugees are experiencing onboard the boat.



What happened: The refugees stranded wooden vessel, first spotted about 70 nautical miles off the Indonesian shore over the weekend, as told to Agence France-Presse (AFP) by local fishing community leader Badruddin Yunus.



Yunus said the boat suffered a broken engine and was stranded off the coast of Indonesias Aceh Province, adding that the refugees could not seek help due to the language barrier. Local authorities reportedly provided the refugees with supplies, clothes and fuel as they initially made their way to Malaysia. They also had a technician repair the boat.

Navy official Dian Suryansyah initially said one of the reasons the army could not bring the Rohingya in as refugees is because they are not Indonesian citizens, adding, This is in line with government policy, Al Jazeera reported.

This isnt the first time Indonesian fishermen have had an encounter with Rohingya refugees. In June 2020, local fishermen rescued nearly 100 Rohingya stranded in Aceh Province after Indonesian officials declared they would send the refugees away. The fishermen said it was their moral duty to help the Rohingya, according to Reuters.

It is nothing more than a sense of humanity and part of our tradition in the north Aceh fishermen community, local fisherman Hamdani Yacob said at the time. We hope that the refugees will be looked after in our village.

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International call: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and several international nongovernmental organizations, including Amnesty International, called on the Indonesian government to let the Rohingya seek refuge in the country.



[Indonesias] decision to send a stricken boat back to Malaysia is unconscionable international law clearly imposes obligations on states including Indonesia to protect human rights of refugees arriving on their shores, Amnesty International's Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid told Al Jzeera from Jakarta.

Hamid also said Indonesias COVID-19 as another reason behind choosing not to help the refugees is wrong, adding, I think Indonesia can still apply strict rules of health protocol in order to prevent the disease or the spread of the disease without pushing them back to the high seas.

In a statement on Tuesday, the UNHCR expressed concern about the refugees and the condition of their leaking boat, saying it poses a risk of capsizing due to bad weather, The Guardian reported.

UNHCR is deeply concerned for the safety and lives of those onboard, the UNHCRs statement read. To prevent needless loss of life, we strongly urge the Indonesian government to allow safe disembarkation immediately.

Since August 2017, some 655,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh to escape genocide carried out by the Myanmar military. The United Nations described the incident in the Southeast Asian country as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.



Featured Image via JovanSR (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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The Daily Beast

Google MapsWhen police arrested Gioacchino Gamminoone of Italys most wanted mafia fugitivesin a Madrid suburb last week, he asked how on earth they found him. Did someone rat him out or did he accidentally leave a clue?Gammino insisted he had not called his family for more than a decade and had been living under a false name. We saw you on Google Maps, the police told him, showing him a fuzzy photo of himself standing outside a greengrocer store in 2018.Gammino, 61, had escaped from Romes
The Iowa teenagers accused in the killing of a beloved Spanish teacher took note of her daily routine, ambushed her during her walk and then killed her, prosecutors said in court documents.

Nohema Graber, 66, taught at Fairfield High School, which is in the southeastern part of the state. Preliminary evidence indicated that she suffered from "trauma to the head."

She was reported missing last month and her body was located at Chautauqua Park in Fairfield. Authorities said her body was found concealed under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties.

FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED IN DEADLY BROWARD COUNTY HIT-AND-RUN THAT KILLED 2 CHILDREN, INJURED 4

Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale, both 16 at the time, were charged as adults in the killing. The Associated Press reported that the new details were found in a court filing on Dec. 23. The report pointed out that lawyers for the teens have asked that they be tried as juveniles.

Prosecutors have challenged the request, saying that Goodale, if convicted in juvenile court, would be released in less than 24 months.

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Both teens have pleaded not guilty. Authorities have not released a motive.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited the home of Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday for his first official meeting in Israel since 2010.

Why it matters: This was the second meeting between Abbas and Gantz in four months, and is part of a broader effort by Israel's new government and the Palestinian Authority to reset relations.

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Flashback: During former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year tenure, there was almost no contact between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Abbas met with Netanyahu and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Jerusalem in 2010. He also greeted Netanyahu briefly at the funeral of former Israeli president and prime minister Shimon Peres in 2016.

That was the last time Abbas had set foot in Israel prior to Tuesday's meeting at Gantz's home in the town of Rosh Haayin.

Driving the news: The meeting lasted two and a half hours and focused mainly on security coordination and economic cooperation, senior Israeli officials say.

Gantz presented Abbas with a series of measures Israel will take to boost the sputtering Palestinian economy, including a $30 million loan to the Palestinian Authority.

One of the main issues Abbas raised was the recent attacks by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. Abbas warned Gantz that they could lead to violent reprisals from Palestinians and wider escalation in the West Bank, Israeli and Palestinian officials say.

Gantz and Abbas agreed to strengthen security coordination and increase security measures against extremist groups on both sides who are planning attacks.

Abbas told Gantz he was satisfied with his meeting last week with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, but said the U.S. isnt giving the Palestinian Authority enough financial support

Between the lines: The Israeli government is concerned that the economic and political turmoil in the West Bank and Gaza Strip could lead to a violent escalation on the ground. It's working to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, which faces a crisis of legitimacy after again postponing elections last spring.

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Netanyahu, by contrast, was accused of seeking to weaken the Palestinian Authority and effectively strengthen its more extremist political rival, Hamas, in order to reduce the pressure to hold peace talks.

In Tuesday's meeting, Abbas told Gantz he understands that the current Israeli government  an unwieldy coalition of right-wing, centrist and left-wing parties  won't be able politically to move toward peace talks. But he stressed that the sides should continue to meet and signal there is an alternative political horizon to that of Hamas.

What they're saying: The meeting was the last chance before the explosion and before finding ourselves at a dead end. Its a serious and bold attempt to [find] a political path," tweeted Palestinian Minister for Civilian Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh, who attended the meeting.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said the meeting was important for Israels security and its international standing.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett approved Gantz's meeting but didn't comment on it. He has said he won't meet with Abbas.

Now opposition leader, Netanyahu and his Likud party criticized the meeting and attacked Gantz. On the Palestinian side, Hamas criticized the meeting and attacked Abbas.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said the U.S. was "very pleased" by the meeting and hoped the "confidence-building measures discussed will accelerate momentum to further advance freedom, security, and prosperity for Palestinians and Israelis alike in 2022."

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ROME (Reuters) - Italian restaurant and club owners are seeking urgent government support due to increased cancellations prompted by a surge in coronavirus infections, they said in a statement on Wednesday.

Business group Fipe-Confcommercio said the growing number of cases and the quarantine rules imposed on close contacts of COVID-19 sufferers had prompted 25%-30% cancellations in New Year's Eve dinner bookings.

"December ... which alone accounts for 10% of restaurant revenues, is largely compromised," they said, asking the government to extend a COVID-19 debt moratorium and a lay-off compensation scheme for workers.

Daily cases have soared this week, peaking at a record high 78,313 on Tuesday as the highly contagious Omicron variant spreads.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi has tightened COVID-19 rules for the holiday period, banning concerts and open-air events and shutting down discos until Jan. 31.

"Discos and clubs have literally been wrecked without any prior notice," Confcommercio said.

The virus is ravaging several sectors of public life, including theatres. Milan's La Scala opera house was forced to cancel a ballet scheduled for this week due to growing infections among the dancers.

Italy has also imposed restrictions on travellers, including on those inside the European Union who need to take a coronavirus test before departure, a move that provoked the ire of tour operators and hotel owners.

Tourism minister Massimo Garavaglia said in a statement he agrees with the concerns about the lay-off scheme and urged the labour ministry to act quickly.

"The spread of the new variant risks causing social damage, along with harming revenues," he said.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Nick Macfie)
By Rocky Swift

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan braced for a feared rebound in coronavirus cases as the highways and airports filled with travelers at the start of New Year's holidays on Wednesday.

The governors of the metropolises of Tokyo and Osaka urged residents to keep end-of-year gatherings small, as more cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 come to light, including a suspected cluster at an Osaka nursing home.

Health officials advised travelers to avail themselves of free coronavirus tests before departure, amid fears that an outpouring of city dwellers could spread infections to the countryside.

"The highest risk is meeting people without taking adequate measures to prevent infection," said Norio Ohmagari, director of the Disease Control and Prevention Center and a top health advisor to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

"Also, due to the reports of relatively mild infections caused by the Omicron strain, people are underestimating the risk of corona."

The consecutive New Year's holidays mark one of the busiest travel seasons in Japan. Footage from public broadcaster NHK showed Tokyo's main airports were packed, while public highway data showed a 39 km (24 mile) traffic jam heading southwest of the capital.

Officials in Osaka confirmed five Omicron cases at a nursing home, believed to be the first cluster of the variant in Japan, Kyodo news agency reported on Tuesday.

Community transmission of Omicron has been found in eight prefectures so far, according to a Jiji news agency tally. The variant may comprise 90% of COVID-19 cases in Osaka by early next month, according to a projection released on Tuesday by Kyoto University professor Hiroshi Nishiura.

Concerns that Omicron may be more infectious and evade vaccine protections have prompted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to accelerate Japan's booster shot programme and maintain some of the world's strictest border restrictions.

New COVID-19 infections have ticked up in recent weeks, reaching 385 nationwide on Tuesday. Even so, serious cases and deaths have stayed low, aided by a vaccination push that has fully inoculated almost 80% of the population.

Japan has seen just 28 COVID-19 related fatalities in December, on course for the lowest monthly tally since July 2020.

(Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Ghislaine Maxwell on September 20, 2013, in New York City. Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images

A jury has convicted Ghislaine Maxwell of sex trafficking.

Jurors came to a decision after more than five full days of deliberations.

Prosecutors accused Maxwell of sex-trafficking girls with Jeffrey Epstein and abusing them herself.

A jury on Wednesday found Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, guilty of five of six sex-trafficking charges.

Maxwell, who turned 60 on Christmas day, faces a potential sentence of 65 years in prison.

The verdict came nearly a year and a half after the British socialite was arrested in New Hampshire on suspicion of arranging and participating in the sexual abuse of underage girls with Epstein.

Jurors in the trial came to a decision after more than five full days of deliberations. US District Judge Alison Nathan, who's overseeing the case, didn't immediately indicate when Maxwell would be sentenced.

Maxwell was found guilty on three conspiracy charges, as well as a separate sex-trafficking count and a charge for transporting a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

The Epstein associate was acquitted of enticement of a person under 17 years old to travel for illegal sexual activity in connection with one of her accusers.

Maxwell, who was wearing a maroon turtleneck in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, could be seen pouring herself some water while the verdict was read. She did not look at anyone else. One of her attorneys, Jeffrey Pagliuca, put his arm around her. Three of her siblings  Kevin, Christine, and Isabelle  sat still in the front row of the gallery.

In a statement Wednesday night, Maxwell's family members said they were already working on appealing the verdict.

As Maxwell stood to leave the courtroom and be transported back to a federal jail in Brooklyn, her knees appeared to buckle and she shook as she walked.

Four accusers said Maxwell was instrumental in Epstein's sexual abuse

Throughout the trial, Maxwell's lawyers said she was being scapegoated after Epstein's death. The disgraced financier killed himself in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on similar charges.

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Prosecutors said Maxwell was an integral figure in Epstein's "pyramid scheme of abuse," with Maxwell helping to groom underage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein and sometimes taking part in that sexual abuse herself.

Four women testified that they were brought into Epstein's orbit when they were under the age of 18 and that they subsequently became the targets of unwanted sexual contact from Epstein, Maxwell, or both. Many of the sexual acts detailed at the trial revolved around massages that Epstein regularly received.

Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell. US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York

One of the accusers, who testified under the pseudonym Kate, said that Maxwell told her Epstein needed sex three times a day and that she couldn't keep up. Two of the accusers  Jane, a pseudonym, and a woman who testified using only her first name, Carolyn  said that the sexual acts started when they were as young as 14 and that Maxwell sometimes participated in the abuse.

Annie Farmer, the only accuser to testify using her full name, said Maxwell fondled her breasts during a visit to Epstein's New Mexico ranch when she was 16.

After the verdict, Farmer said that she was "so grateful and relieved," with the verdict. "She has caused hurt to many more women than the few of us who has the chance to testify in the courtroom," she said. "I hope that this verdict will bring solace to all those who need it and demonstrates that no one is above the law."

All four accusers testified that their experiences with Epstein and Maxwell left them with years-long damage that affected their mental health and future relationships.

Maxwell's defense team sought to discredit the accusers by picking out inconsistencies in their stories over the years and having an expert witness explain how memories could be unreliable. They also sought to downplay Epstein and Maxwell's relationship, saying the two always maintained separate residences.

Barry Salzman, an attorney who represents 20 Epstein victims, said in a statement after the verdict that Maxwell's conviction "sends a clear message that we can no longer tolerate blaming sexual abuse survivors who have the courage to come forward.

"I'm so pleased to see that these brave women were believed, and that a defendant with means has been held to account," Salzman said. "I hope the resolution of this trial will be a first step toward the closure they seek."

The Omicron variant risked a potential mistrial

The testimony in the trial was expected to last up to six weeks but ended much sooner.

Compared with the prosecution, which spent two and a half weeks on testimony, the defense wrapped up their case in just two days. They had complained about logistical issues in getting some witnesses to New York on short notice, after prosecutors shortened the case they presented to the jury.

US Attorney Damian Williams, who oversees the prosecutor's office that brought the case, released a statement Wednesday evening praising the bravery of the accusers "who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom."

"The road to justice has been far too long. But, today, justice has been done," the statement said. "Their courage and willingness to face their abuser made this case, and today's result, possible."

Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents 20 Epstein accusers, some of whom also accused Maxwell of misconduct, said the verdict sent a message to sexual predators. Some of Allred's clients provided evidence to the prosecution in the case, she said, although they were not among the four accusers who testified in the trial.

"This case sends a message that anyone who conspires with a sexual predator to sex traffic underage girls will risk being prosecuted, convicted and potentially being sentenced to many years in prison for this very serious crime and other crimes as well," she said.

Maxwell in a courtroom sketch from her trial. Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

As the Omicron coronavirus variant spread through New York City, Judge Nathan asked jurors to spend more time deliberating. She told them Wednesday morning that they should continue deliberating every day through the weekend, including New Year's day, to avoid a mistrial. The jury was originally scheduled to not sit on Thursday and Friday.

Maxwell appeared happy as the jury took its time deliberating, smiling and chatting with family members earlier Wednesday.

In the end, Nathan's offer of additional time wasn't necessary. The verdict was read shortly before the courthouse closed Wednesday and court officers ushered journalists out of the building.

Maxwell still faces another trial in the future, on perjury charges. Prosecutors alleged she lied in a deposition for a lawsuit brought by another accuser, Virginia Giuffre.

On Wednesday night, Giuffre said in a statement that the verdict against Maxwell gave her the justice she has sought for years.

"Having lived with the horrors of Maxwell's abuse, my heart goes out to the many other girls and young women who suffered at her hands and whose lives she destroyed," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
A Florida woman walked out of a New Jersey prison on Tuesday night, hours after the New Jersey Supreme Court overturned her 2016 murder conviction in the 1991 death of her 5-year-old son, according to reports.

"Oh my god," Michelle Lodzinski said before starting to cry Tuesday morning when her lawyer called her with the news, NJ.com reported.

Lodzinski, 54, had been detained inside the correctional facility ever since January 2017, when she was sentenced to a 30-year term behind bars with no possibility of parole, the outlet reported. Prior to that, she had been held in custody, awaiting trial, since her 2014 arrest.

But the court ruled Tuesday that prosecutors had failed to produce enough evidence to prove Lodzinski had intentionally caused the death of young Timothy Wiltsey, according to The Associated Press.

GEORGIA MOM ARRESTED ON FELONY MURDER 2 WEEKS AFTER SUSPECT IN 5-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER'S SLAYING

The cold case had gone unsolved for years even though Lodzinski was considered a prime suspect because of her shifting stories about what happened the day the boy died, the AP reported.

The courts decision Tuesday means Lodzinski cannot be placed on trial again because of laws against "double jeopardy," said Gerald Krovatin, her attorney, who picked up Lodzinski from prison Tuesday night, according to NJ.com.

Lodzinski was hoping to return as soon as possible to Florida, where she had been living and working when she was arrested, NJ.com reported.

The woman has two other sons who were born after Timothy died, the outlet reported.

In May of this year, the state Supreme Court deadlocked 3-3 on Lodzinskis appeal, meaning her conviction was upheld. (Chief Justice Stuart Rabner did not participate.)

But then in October the justices agreed to reconsider the case, saying it had made a procedural error in its prior ruling. This time the decision was 4-3 in Lodzinskis favor, after the court agreed to allow an appellate judge to serve as a tiebreaking vote, according to the AP.

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Lodzinski was a single mother living in New Jersey in 1991 when she told investigators that Timothy had gone missing while at a carnival. His body was found nearly a year later in a marshy area near the office complex where Lodzinski worked, the AP reported.

In between, she gave authorities conflicting accounts about what happened, the report said.

She later moved to Florida and had two other children. Then Timothys former baby sitters told investigators that a blanket found with the dead boys body had belonged to Lodzinski.

During her trial, her lawyers argued that there was no forensic evidence linking Lodzinski to the blanket, not enough evidence saying she purposely caused the boys death, and no cause-of-death had been established because the childs body had deteriorated during the months it had gone undiscovered.

"If you cant find a cause of death, I submit you dont have a homicide by definition," Krovatin told the court in October, according to the AP.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Security and Snapchat images seized by the FBI in their criminal complaint about suspect Leonard Pearso Ridge. DOJ

A Capitol rioter should get credit for caring about politics, his lawyer said in his defense.

Leonard Pearso Ridge was 19 at the time of the January 6 riot, which he admitted joining.

He is due to be sentenced January 4 under a plea deal, and is seeking to avoid prison time.

The defense lawyer for a young Capitol rioter said he should avoid prison, arguing that he deserves credit for caring about politics.

Leonard Pearso Ridge, who was 19 at the time, took a plea deal and admitted entering a restricted building on January 6. He is due to be sentenced on January 4, 2022.

Ridge's attorney argued that other people his age are more concerned with social media, and said Ridge's activism was commendable up to the point he joined the riot.

Sentencing guidelines outlined in Ridge's plea deal give an estimate of up to six months in prison and between $2,000-$20,000 in fines.

In a memo filed on December 22 and seen by Insider, his lawyer Carina Laguzzi pleaded with the judge to consider skipping the prison part.

Laguzzi argued Ridge should be "applauded" for his youthful political enthusiasm  aside from when it led him to crime.

"During a time when most teenagers and young adults dream only of being 'influencers' on social media platforms for mundane or trifle reasons, there is a great respect for his peaceful political activism," Laguzzi wrote.

"His interest in politics is a good thing and but for entering the Capitol on January 6th, should be applauded."

On the basis of an anonymous tip, prosecutors identified Ridge as one of the hundreds who entered the Capitol. Investigators found Snapchat posts Ridge sent from the building, and also saw him in security footage.

A complaint, filed in April, includes posts from a user with the handle "pearce_ridgez," which were traced to Ridge's phone number.

This collage was found in a Snapchat account linked back to Ridge. DOJ

In them, the teen said: "Yeah just stormed the US capital [sic] for the first time in US history and I was a part of it."

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Posts also make reference to "me fighting riot police in the capital [sic] building" and how "we" broke into Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi's offices.

His plea deal with the DOJ doesn't support the last claims, saying there was "no evidence" Ridge broke into offices.

In Ridge's sentencing memo, Laguzzi also cited teenage brain development, the influence of social media, and poor policing as mitigating factors for Ridge's actions that day.

She also talked about the strains of pandemic year on the teen at the time of the riot.

"Mr. Ridge especially suffered from the emotional aspect of suddenly being cut off from friends and major social events that he has looked forward to for four years including; prom, Senior Spirit Day, and the senior year picnic," she wrote.

The filing also included dozens of positive character testimonies from members of Ridge's family and wider community, who said he has a willingness to help friends and family and a polite attitude.

In one, Frank Spires, a man identifying himself as Ridge's neighbor and as a "42 year veteran of Philadelphia Police Department" asked the judge for leniency.

Using a nickname for Ridge, he added: "If I felt Pearce did this on purpose or he was a bad kid I would never have written this."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Singapore-born giant panda cub Le Le. (PHOTO: Mandai Wildlife Group)

SINGAPORE  Meet Le Le (), the first ever panda cub born in Singapore, whose name was the overwhelming favourite chosen in a public poll, said Mandai Wildlife Reserve on its website on Wednesday (29 December).

The cub was born on 14 August at River Safari to Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the two giant pandas who arrived in 2012 on a 10-year loan from China.

The winning name Le Le garnered more than 31,000 votes out of the over 64,000 votes sent in by the public.

The character Le () comes from Shi Le Po (), which was the ancient Chinese name for Singapore. This was in use since the islands beginning as a trading port. Shi Le Po is a transliteration of the Malay term selat which means straits, indicative of Singapores geographical location, the website said.

The cubs name was jointly unveiled at a meeting held earlier Wednesday by Singapores Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Chinas Vice Premier Han Zheng.

Starting Thursday, visitors to River Wonders can see Le Le in his new glass-fronted nursery at the Giant Panda Forest. Viewing times are scheduled at around 10.30am and 3.30pm daily as they reflect Jia Jias feeding and exercise sessions when she is comfortable to leave little Le Le on his own, the website said.

Each viewing window, which ranges between 20-30 minutes, may vary depending on the comfort level of both mother and son, and will be reviewed and adjusted over the next few weeks.

Le Le now weighs more than 9kg and is starting to nibble on bamboo shoots and leaves.

Related stories

River Wonders panda cub weighs over 6kg as he nears 100th day

It's a boy! Singapore residents to name River Safari panda cub

Giant panda Jia Jia gives birth to first cub in Singapore




Current and former elected officials from both sides of the aisle are voicing appreciation for former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who died on Tuesday at the age of 82.

"During the two decades we served together in the United States Senate, and the eight years we worked together while I served as Vice President, Harry met the marker for what I've always believed is the most important thing by which you can measure a person - their action and their word," President Biden said in a statement.

"If Harry said he would do something, he did it. If he gave you his word, you could bank on it. That's how he got things done for the good of the country for decades."

The president added that he and the first lady "send our love and prayers" to the entire Reid family.

"When Harry Reid was nearing the end, his wife Landra asked some of us to share letters that she could read to him. In lieu of a statement, here's what I wrote to my friend," former President Obama said in a statement on the passing of Reid, who died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"I wouldn't have been president had it not been for your encouragement and support, and I wouldn't have got most of what I got done without your skill and determination," Obama wrote.

"The world is better cause of what you've done," he added. "Not bad for a skinny, poor kid from Searchlight, [Nev.]."

When Harry Reid was nearing the end, his wife Landra asked some of us to share letters that she could read to him. In lieu of a statement, here's what I wrote to my friend: pic.twitter.com/o6Ll6rzpAX - Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2021

Former President Clinton called Reid "one of the most effective Senate leaders our country has ever known."

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"Ever the boxer of his youth, he never shied away from necessary political fights, but believed compromise is vital for a functioning democracy," Clinton said.

Hillary and I mourn the passing of Harry Reid, one of the most effective Senate leaders our country has ever known. pic.twitter.com/gHR8lxWVdJ - Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 29, 2021

"Harry Reid was one of the most amazing individuals I've ever met," Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.

"He never forgot where he came from and used those boxing instincts to fearlessly fight those who were hurting the poor & the middle class. He's gone but will walk by the sides of many of us in the Senate every day."

Harry Reid was one of the most amazing individuals I've ever met He never forgot where he came from and used those boxing instincts to fearlessly fight those who were hurting the poor & the middle class He's gone but will walk by the sides of many of us in the Senate every day pic.twitter.com/8T9PiD7vY4 - Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 29, 2021

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), who as GOP leader was often at loggerheads with Reid, said in a statement that he "will rightly go down in history as a crucial, pivotal figure in the development and history of his beloved home state."

"The nature of Harry's and my jobs brought us into frequent and sometimes intense conflict over politics and policy. But I never doubted that Harry was always doing what he earnestly, deeply felt was right for Nevada and our country," McConnell said.

Reid served as majority leader from 2006 to 2014 before retiring from politics in 2017. He was elected Senate Democratic whip in 1998 and Senate Democratic leader in 2004, and became majority leader when Democrats took over the House and Senate

"To say @SenatorReid was a giant doesn't fully encapsulate all that he accomplished on behalf of the state of Nevada and for Nevada families; there will never be another leader quite like Senator Reid," Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) said.

To say @SenatorReid was a giant doesn't fully encapsulate all that he accomplished on behalf of the state of Nevada and for Nevada families; there will never be another leader quite like Senator Reid. My full statement is below: pic.twitter.com/dYuy8xcxIv - Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) December 29, 2021

In a statement, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that in Reid, "America lost a titan of public service."

"Senator Reid leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of patriotism and leadership that will benefit the Congress and Country for decades to come," Pelosi said.

Senator Reid leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of patriotism and leadership that will benefit the Congress and Country for decades to come. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/hj5pzspSKz - Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 29, 2021

"Harry Reid was such a unique person with infinite layers of life experience. If he said he would do something, you could cross it off the list," Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said. "And he expected the same from everyone, an endearing trait for anyone, especially someone in politics."

"I am sad tonight but grateful for the friendship I had with Harry. We disagreed on many things, sometimes famously. But we were always honest with each other," former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said in a statement.

"In the years after we left public service, that honesty became a bond. Harry was a fighter until the end. RIP, my friend."

I am sad tonight but grateful for the friendship I had with Harry. We disagreed on many things, sometimes famously. But we were always honest with each other. In the years after we left public service, that honesty became a bond. Harry was a fighter until the end. RIP, my friend. https://t.co/rA0oAEq7uN - John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) December 29, 2021

"Even tho I am ideologically opposite I must say he did a good job representing the interests of Nevada in the US Senate As majority ldr he ran a tight ship," Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said on Twitter.

Sorry 2learn of the passing of Sen Harry Reid Early in our career we worked 2gether to get a taxpayers bill of rights passed Even tho I am ideologically opposite I must say he did a good job representing the interests of Nevada in the US Senate As majority ldr he ran a tight ship - ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) December 29, 2021

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D), a protege of Reid's who succeeded him in the upper chamber, said in a statement that he "was a champion for Nevada."

"The American people are better off because of the leadership of Senator Harry Reid. He gave millions of Americans access to affordable health care and made such a difference to countless people," Cortez Masto said.

"He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, and a true son of Nevada. His legacy will be forever connected to the history of our state, and he will be deeply missed."

Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), who served as Reid's No. 2 during his time as majority leader, said that "Harry was the best."

"He brought me into Senate leadership to be by his side nearly twenty years ago and trusted me to be his partner on the biggest political achievements of our lifetime," Durbin said.

"In the last two years, he would always end our phone calls with 'I love you brother.' And that is what our forty year friendship became: a brotherhood, a trust, and a shared love for helping others."

Condolences in particular poured in from across the Senate's Democratic caucus:

Harry Reid was a friend, a mentor, and a tough leader. He always put his team, the people of Nevada, and our country first. I'm honored to have served with Harry and my heart goes out to his family and loved ones. - Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) December 29, 2021

Harry Reid was known for being both tough and compassionate - he was a dedicated public servant, a champion for the middle class, and a true leader. I'm saddened to learn of his passing. He leaves behind an incredible legacy and will be greatly missed. - Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) December 29, 2021

Harry Reid was a great leader and American-a giant of the Senate. He was a fighter for working families and never forgot where he came from. My heart is with Landra, the whole Reid family, and all who loved him. - Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) December 29, 2021

Harry Reid's career - from Searchlight to the Majority Leader's office - was an inspiration and a model of service to our nation. My thoughts are with Landra and his entire family. - Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) December 29, 2021

Harry Reid was one of the clearest thinkers I've ever known. He could be extraordinarily tough, but he was always decent and good. He was a fighter but a team player, a mentor and a leader. He extended me kindness I didn't deserve. I'm just so sad. May his memory be a blessing. - Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) December 29, 2021

Harry had an uncanny knack for politics and was as tough as they come, often telling stories of his years as an amateur boxer. He left a huge imprint on the Senate and understood how the chamber worked better than anyone. - Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) December 29, 2021

"In his many years of service to the State of Nevada and our nation - as a state legislator, Lieutenant Governor, member of Congress, and Senator - Harry Reid demonstrated his deep commitment to his community, his Party, and his country," Judith Whitmer, chair of the Nevada Democratic Party, said in a statement. "Senator Reid's work to protect and conserve Nevada's natural resources, one of his top priorities throughout his nearly 50-year career, leaves a lasting legacy across our landscape."

-Updated at 10:40 p.m.
New, independent digital outlets and nonprofits have begun to fill some of the gap left by fading local newspapers. Limited resources and the pandemic have driven many toward providing community news, information and services rather than traditional accountability journalism.

Why it matters: "It's not just about a legal or structural shift, but it also represents a shift in how the mission of journalism is changing," said Emily Roseman, research director & editor at the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN).

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"The decline of local newspapers has not just led to more government corruption and waste, but also polarization and misinformation," said Steven Waldman, president and co-founder of Report for America, a local journalism nonprofit.

By the numbers: There are now more than 700 independent local news startups in the U.S. and Canada, according to Local Independent Online News Publishers (LION), a trade organization.

LION now has over 400 paying members, up from 177 at the start of the pandemic, executive director Chris Krewson told Axios.

By comparison, at least 100 newspapers have closed during COVID, said Penny Abernathy, a visiting professor at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism.

Without additional government support, the U.S. could lose 100 more newspapers next year and another 500 over the next five years, she estimates.

Between the lines: New digital sites and legacy local newspapers alike are finding it difficult to attract sustainable, commercial investment, making philanthropic support and reader donations more important.

The number of local news companies that have registered as nonprofits has roughly doubled in the past five years, per INN.

The past year, saw "a tipping point" of people in the philanthropic world "understanding that nonprofits have to play a bigger role in local news," said Waldman.

New estimates from Poynter suggest around 50 local outlets were added during the pandemic, many of which are digital nonprofits.

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Yes, but: Many local upstarts and nonprofits are still small compared to the newspapers that once dominated American journalism.

Most of LION's members (80%) have four or fewer employees. Many are individuals writing newsletters or blogs. "There's a line to be drawn between the nascent creator economy and work we're trying to do," Krewson said, referencing local newsletters on Substack and Facebook's Bulletin.

The big picture: The past two years have pushed local news companies to focus more on service journalism, but the value of that impact is hard to quantify to funders and commercial partners.

"There is a financial value of those services that hasnt been calculated yet," Roseman noted. "If we quantify it, people will start taking it seriously," she said, referencing things like vaccine campaigns and extreme weather reporting.

Cassie Haynes, the co-executive director of Resolve Philly, a journalism nonprofit in Philadelphia, said her team sends local readers surveys about whether their journalism led to services or information that was "life-saving, life-sustaining and life-affirming" in order to measure its impact.

Between the lines: The trend also calls into question what the long-term business model is for accountability journalism  like investigations into local government spending and school boards  will be when larger newspapers continue to close.

What to watch: Government subsidies could help newsrooms move away from being reliant on commercial metrics that are often at odds with quality local journalism, like clicks, said Mike Rispoli, senior director of journalism policy at Free Press, a journalism advocacy group.

President Biden's Build Back Better plan included a $1.7 billion tax subsidy for local journalism. If it doesn't pass, state governments will need to take more action, he noted.

The bottom line: "It's an evolving marketplace with lots of volatility," said Fran Wills, CEO of the Local Media Consortium, which represents hundreds of local newspapers.

"People are looking at local media in a different way and starting to value it in a higher way than they might have pre-pandemic," she added.

The recent hostile takeover battle between the board of Lee Enterprises, one of the last independent local news chains, and hedge fund Alden Global Capital reflects the tension between the commercial market and local communities over the value of local journalism.

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William "Skip" Todd, Jr., 70, was last seen Dec. 17 at the Frisch's in the 1700 block of Lincoln Avenue, according to a missing persons alert.

UPDATE: Todd was found safe, MetroSafe said Wednesday afternoon.

Officials are asking for the community's help finding an elderly man last seen in mid-December, according to a missing persons alert.

William "Skip" Todd, Jr., 70, was last seen Dec. 17 at the Frisch's in the 1700 block of Lincoln Avenue, the "golden alert" said.

Todd, who is white, is 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs about 230 pounds, the alert said. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Read more: Missing Louisville teen with autism found safe in Texas, police say

Anyone who sees him or has information is asked to call 911.

Mary Ramsey is a breaking news reporter for The Courier Journal. Reach her at mramsey@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @mcolleen1996. Support strong local journalism in our community by subscribing to The Courier Journal today.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville missing persons: William 'Skip' Todd found safe Wednesday
NextShark

A woman was forced out of a grocery store in Montreal after going on a racist tirade in which she blamed Chinese people for the spread of COVID-19. Ken Mak and his girlfriend were waiting at the checkout at IGA on Nuns Island when the unidentified woman allegedly approached them and asked if he was Chinese, reported CBC News. Mak, who moved to Canada 20 years ago, said he replied yes, which then prompted the woman to start asking about the coronavirus.
MARIN COUNTY, CA  Marin is expected to announce an update to its mask mandate Wednesday, NBC Bay Area reports.

Marin would be among at least two Bay Area counties to reinstate a mask mandate for indoor settings this week should it follow Contra Costa, which on Tuesday announced it was reinstating the mandate for indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.

It is not the only community considering tightening restrictions as an omicron case explosion tears across the nation and much of the world.

"We are reviewing our local amendment to the face masking order and will provide our community with more information this week," an Alameda County health official told the television station.

Marin is experiencing a steep omicron-driven case climb, but hospitalizations remain low, a trend likely to continue in one of the nations most vaccinated communities.

"If we have one asset, it's high vaccination rates, it's helped us through every stage of this pandemic so far (this year), it has been our singular best strategy," Marin County Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis said earlier this month in a presentation before the Board of Supervisors.

"We have one of the highest vaccination rates in the nation, and we have corresponding low case rates hospitalizations and deaths. That's an asset we're going to continue to lean into.

Marin's positivity rate has exploded in the past month, with the county on Monday reporting 46.2 new cases per 100,000 residents on Dec. 24, according to data from the county's coronavirus dashboard.

Marin has experienced a nearly fourfold increase in its positivity rate since Dec. 13, when it was 11.7, and a nearly sevenfold since it was 7.0 on Nov. 26.

The outbreak has disproportionately impacted Marin's unvaccinated, a tiny slice of the population of a county with among the nation's highest vaccination rates.

The positivity rate for Marin's unvaccinated residents is 258.7, compared to just 37.5 among the county's vaccinated residents as of Dec. 24.

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Marin reported four COVID-19 hospitalizations on Dec. 24, with one patient in an ICU.

"On Christmas Day we had the highest number of cases ever," Willis told The San Francisco Chronicle on Monday.

"We expect to see some signature of COVID in our hospitals. We will see an uptick, undoubtedly. But it's so clearly been uncoupled from case rates."

This article originally appeared on the San Rafael Patch
MARIN COUNTY, CA  Marin officials on Wednesday announced that the county was effectively reinstating its mask mandate, and the new health order applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

County officials announced the decision to rescind amendments to a previous health order that allowed fully vaccinated people to go unmasked in limited circumstances.

The new health order goes into effect Thursday at 12:01 a.m.

NBC Bay Area reported Tuesday that Alameda and Marin counties would likely revise their health orders this week, and San Francisco joined both counties in doing so Wednesday.

Contra Costa County announced a similar measure Tuesday, fueling speculation that other counties would follow suit.

Marin was among several Bay Area counties that were granted a state exemption for certain settings where vaccines are required such as gyms and offices. The move aligns Alameda County with the rest of the state.

The revised health orders come as an omicron case explosion tears across the nation and much of the world.

Marin officials are urging the unvaccinated get their shots and requiring that anyone who tests positive or is symptomatic stay home. People who are unvaccinated or havent gotten their booster shot will be required to stay home if exposed.

Since Marins first omicron case was detected Dec. 17, average daily COVID-19 case counts have tripled, county officials said.

Marin set a single-day record Dec. 28 with 338 new cases, shattering the previous record by more than 100 cases.

When we see numbers like this, its time to respond, Marin Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis said.

The mask exemption for certain settings was a pre-Omicron policy. This variant behaves differently, and the risk of infection in a room full of vaccinated people who are unmasked is much higher now.

Despite rising case counts, Marins COVID-19 hospitalization rates have remained stable across, which officials attribute to the county being among Americas most vaccinated communities.

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As of Tuesday, 88.7 percent of all Marin residents have completed their vaccine series and 95.9 percent of county residents have received at least one jab, according to the county's vaccination dashboard.

Among Marin's eligible population (ages 5 and over), 92.0 percent of eligible Marin residents have completed their vaccine series and 98.0 percent of county residents have gotten at least one shot.

Marin tops the state with the highest vaccination rate and the North Bay county ranks among the nation's top 10 in that department among all counties (regardless of population), The New York Times reports.

Marin was the nation's most vaccinated county among those with a population over 250,000, according to data compiled earlier this year by The San Francisco Chronicle.

When the states indoor mask mandate, went into effect Dec. 15, Marin and other local counties were given an option to adopt a pre-existing mask order in lieu of the states order.

Marin and five other jurisdictions  the counties of Sonoma, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Alameda, and the city of Berkeley  adopted local orders that allowed some exemptions not found in the states policy.

The recension of the local order means Marin now falls under CDPHs mask order, which remains in effect through at least Jan. 15.

Federal health officials said last week that omicron has already become the dominant variant in the U.S. accounting for 73 percent of new infections, The Associated Press reports.

"All of us have a date with omicron," Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security told The AP.

"If you're going to interact with society, if you're going to have any type of life, omicron will be something you encounter, and the best way you can encounter this is to be fully vaccinated."

Public health experts are virtually monolithic in their view that COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses, continue to offer the most effective protection against hospitalization and death from all COVID-19 variants.

To book an appointment or find a nearby clinic visit GetVaccinatedMarin.org.

More information face coverings, local policies, and resources for businesses, including printable signs, can be found here.

This article originally appeared on the San Rafael Patch
MarketWatch

COVID cases are hitting record numbers  on Monday, for example, more than one million new coronavirus cases were recorded in the U.S. alone  with the CDC estimating that for the week ending January 1, 95% of new COVID-19 cases were the omicron strain. In fact, experts say cloth masks now underperform compared to some other types of masks like N95s, KN95s, KF94s and surgical masks, amid the latest surge, though its important to point out that any mask that fits snugly and covers your nose and mouth is better than no mask.
Update

An abducted 6-year-old girl and her 45-year-old mother were safely found in Mexico after being reported missing from Georgia, officials said.

Police said Rachel Zecena was abducted by her father, Alexis R. Zecena-Lopez, in Cumming, Georgia, on Dec. 26.

A Georgia police department later requested a missing endangered person's advisory for Rachel Zecena as well as for her mother, whom law enforcement has referred to as both Balvanera Esperanz Parada-Olivas and Esperanza Parada-Olivas.

It was believed the pair were in danger and potentially traveling through Arizona.

The Cumming Police Department said on Wednesday afternoon that the pair have since returned to the United States and are with law enforcement officials.

Alexis Zecena-Lopez was arrested in connection with their kidnapping and was awaiting extradition as of Wednesday afternoon, according to police.

No further details were immediately available. An investigation is ongoing.

Reach the reporter at bfrank@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8529. Follow her on Twitter @brieannafrank.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Missing 6-year-old, mom found safe in Mexico; child's father arrested
David Smock, who has seen boys from Agape Boarding school at his southwest Missouri clinic for years, could face up to life in prison if he is convicted of the most serious charges alleging child sex crimes.

The details of the alleged crimes in this case are shocking and horrific, Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement released Wednesday morning, as Smock sat in an Arkansas jail. And I look forward to working with the Special Prosecutor for Cedar County to obtain justice in this case.  Protecting the citizens of our state, especially our children, is of paramount importance to me as Missouris Attorney General.

Schmitts office worked with Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney Brandi McInroy, who also serves as a special prosecutor in the case. The State Technical Assistance Team, which is a part of the Missouri Department of Social Services, led the investigation.

Ty Gaither, Cedar County prosecuting attorney, initially received the case on Smock and reviewed it. But because we knew Dr. Smock and Gaither had gone to Smocks clinic, including to get a flu shot, Gaither said he thought he should have another prosecutor look at the case.

Gaither then sent it to Vernon County for review.

Smock, 57, was taken into custody Tuesday night in Harrison, Arkansas, at the Family Budget Inn motel, according to Boone County Sheriff Tim Roberson.

Since last week, Smock has been charged with 11 child sex counts  all felonies  in Greene and Cedar counties.

In Greene County, Smock is accused of second-degree statutory sodomy; third-degree child molestation of a child younger than 14 years of age; and enticement or attempted enticement of a child younger than 15 years of age, according to court records.

Schmitts office released details of the eight counts in Cedar County on Wednesday.

According to the criminal complaint, four of the eight counts  including three of the first-degree statutory sodomy charges  occurred between Aug. 13, 2018, and Aug. 12, 2019. Smock is accused of touching the victims penis when he was younger than 14, exposing his penis to the boy and masturbating in front of him.

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The first-degree statutory sodomy charge carries a punishment of imprisonment in the Missouri Department of Corrections for life or a term of no less than five years.

The second-degree attempted statutory sodomy, which is a class E felony, allegedly occurred between Aug. 13, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2019.

And the first-degree stalking charge, which is also a class E felony, refers to conduct prosecutors say Smock committed against the victim between Aug. 2, 2020, and April 1, 2021.

Punishment for a class E felony includes a prison sentence no less than one year and no more than four, or a fine no more than $10,000 or both prison time and a fine.

The Star has reported extensively on Agape and other unlicensed Missouri boarding schools over the past year and investigated Smocks close ties to the school. In October, The Star reported that two of five Agape staff members charged in September with assaulting students listed Smocks Cedar County mansion as their address.

Many former Agape students said some boys injured by staff or other schoolmates during physical and sexual assaults would be taken to Smocks clinic, where Agape officials claimed they had been hurt while playing sports. No questions were asked, they said.

As a doctor, Smock is required by law to report suspicions of abuse or neglect.
Mike Petty instructs a class of sixth graders at Jefferson Middle School.

The superintendent of Monroe County's largest school district says that while she appreciates the steps taken in Lansing this week to address the statewide substitute teacher shortage, there's more that can be done to address the issue.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed House Bill 4294, which would temporarily allow school staff members such as secretaries, paraprofessionals, and others to work as substitute teachers until the end of the current school year.

Monroe Public Schools Supt. Dr. Julie Everly said that she and her administrative team appreciate any added level of flexibility afforded to them as they look to keep classrooms staffed. However, Everly said that she feels pending legislation that would make it easier for retired teachers to return as substitutes will do more to alleviate the statewide shortage of subs.

"I think that there certainly will be some value added (with House Bill 4294)," Everly said. "However, I think that we'll see the largest impact when there is legislation that allows retirees to come back without any sort of earning limits or penalties... The retirees have the experience, they have the qualifications, and so any legislation that allows us to tap into that pool to a greater extent is going to be very helpful, very impactful. But every bit helps."

Sponsored by Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles, the bill will temporarily allow schools to employ an individual without certification who already works at the school to substitute teach through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

School districts across the state have been struggling to find subs for years, but the issue has only been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Making sure every child in Michigan has access to a high-quality public education is my top priority, which is why this year we made the largest investment in K-12 public schools in Michigan history without raising taxes," Whitmer said in a press release announcing her signing of the bill. The pandemic has been challenging for our children, teachers, and parents, and our educators have gone above and beyond to ensure Michigans children have a bright future. Allowing schools to employ school staff that students know as substitute teachers will help keep school doors open and students learning in the classroom the rest of the school year. I am committed to working with the legislature to develop high-quality solutions to address these staff shortages long-term so that we can ensure that every child is able to access a quality education.

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Michigan already faced a severe educator shortage prior to the coronavirus pandemic, said Paul Liabenow, Executive Director of the Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA). The pandemic has only exacerbated that shortage by further hindering school districts abilities to fill vacant positions and keep buildings open, placing undue stress on educators already working tirelessly every day to ensure all students in Michigan receive quality, in-person instruction. House Bill 4294 will provide districts with additional flexibility to fill substitute teaching vacancies so students can continue to learn in a safe, supportive environment. On behalf of educational leaders throughout Michigan, we want to thank Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Representative Brad Paquette for their continued advocacy on behalf of educators and students throughout Michigan.

EVERLY

Introduced in November by State Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Ida, Senate Bill 726 would reduce the wait time from 12 months to two for retired school employees to return to work without impacting their retirement benefits.

Under current law, school retirees may come back and work in a critical shortage area without it affecting their retirement benefits until July 2025  but only if they have been retired for at least 12 months.

"I certainly would not minimize (this bill). We're grateful and appreciative that attention is being given to this area."

Shultz

Bedford Public Schools Supt. Dr. Carl Shultz echoed Everly in saying that his district appreciates any additional flexibility offered in how they address their substitute teacher shortage. But he said one issue with utilizing staff already in the building as subs is that this plan potentially pulls those employees from other necessary assignments.

"It seems like the intent of the bill is for districts to be able to use paraeducators in classrooms as substitutes when we are short," Shultz said. "...The issue is we are also extremely short on paraeducators, so when we do that we then take an individual that is dedicated, usually, to an individual child, a one-to-one para, and putting them in a classroom setting. Then we're taking a situation that is already in dire need and kind of exacerbating it.

"That being said, we will take whatever flexibility is available."

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe, Bedford: More from Legislature to address teacher sub shortage
MONROVIA  It was a quiet final meeting of 2021 for members of the Monrovia Town Council, at least for the first hour.

Toward the end of the meeting, however, council member Loren Moore said he wanted the town to send letters to property owners in the buffer zone around Monrovia to let them know of the town's intention to annex them within its corporate limits.

Related: Morgan County wants to dissolve buffer zones. Municipalities aren't ready to give them up.

He said annexation would be the only way to ensure there would not be undesirable development in those areas.

Currently, Morgan County officials are considering abolishing buffer zones around municipalities such as Monrovia, Mooresville and Martinsville.

Moore asked the members of the council who live in and around the Homestead Subdivision how they would feel if someone constructed warehouses on an adjacent property.

That began a discussion on the county's effort to abolish the buffer zones, which included discussion on the possibility of filing a lawsuit to stop the county.

At the council's November meeting, some members express concern with the county's effort.

Town attorney Jim Wisco said he could not advise them on the matter.

Sweet temptations: Sara's Goodies ready to welcome locals with wide array of baked goods.

In addition to being the town's attorney, Wisco also represents Morgan County and he a sitting Martinsville City Council member.

Wisco said he could give the council the name of an attorney who could help it if it decide to file a lawsuit.

After more discussion, the council let the matter rest without making a decision.

Recreational vehicles

Moore also asked about the section in the town's ordinance that regulates the placement of motorized recreational vehicles and travel trailers.

According to Wisco, both the town's and county's ordinance bans the placement of trailers, including travel and general purpose, in view of the public. As long as the trailers are connected to a motorized vehicle, they are legal.

Story continues

I-69 in Martinsville: With interstate open, here are options to get to popular spots.

Moore also asked about "abandoned" vehicles. Moore and other council members have received complaints about alleged abandoned vehicles around town. They also received complaints about trailers and RVs around town.

Wisco said state law defines what is considered an abandoned or junk vehicle.

Council members discussed the matter before letting it drop. One council member said if the town enforces the ordinance on one property owner, it would have to enforce in on everyone.

In other business

Council members approved spending nearly $23,000 to have DLZ conduct a survey and design for a new town park. The work will be completed by March of 2022

Monrovia Clerk-Treasurer Danny Chenault said there is a meeting scheduled with the Indiana Department of Transportation concerning the Ind. 42/39 intersection.

The meeting is now scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. on Jan. 11.

The town has had problems at that intersection due to the increase in traffic.

Housing in Martinsville: City council approves planned unit development district for Hanna Farms project.

Wisco did not have an update on a home on East Main Street. The town is wanting the home to be demolished.

The council approved the revised town comprehensive plan. Council members also approved an amendment to the 2022 salary ordinance.

Council members voted to make sure all town employees who handle funds take the state required internal control training program.

A citizen asked about drainage problems around the town. He was told the town is working with the county surveyor to correct the problem.

Council members voted to make the area next to the sewer lift station in the Homestead Subdivision a no-parking area. There have been problems with people parking next to the station which blocks access to it.

The next scheduled council meeting is set for Jan. 25 at the Monrovia Festival Building, 50 Walnut St.. Council members decided to move their meetings to the festival office due to space concerns.

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Annexation around Monrovia? Councilman wants town to consider option
Dec. 28A Murray County man wanted for murder in connection with a Sunday shooting was captured Monday night in an abandoned home in Scott County, Tennessee.

Brandon Neil Wiseman, 35, of Chatsworth, was taken into custody after authorities searched extensively for him for the killing of Joshua Dewayne Petty, 42, of Chatsworth, according to the Murray County Sheriff's Office. Wiseman was considered armed and dangerous.

"I would personally like to thank all local, state and federal agencies that assisted in his apprehension," Murray County Sheriff Jimmy Davenport said on the department's Facebook page.

Wiseman was arrested in Scott County, which is near the Tennessee/Kentucky border, at about 7:30 p.m. A video posted to the Scott County Sheriff's Office Facebook page shows officers leading the handcuffed Wiseman from the abandoned home. The post said numerous Scott County Sheriff's Office detectives and agents were involved, as well as a K-9 officer and dog from the Oneida Police Department, a "team" of U.S. Marshals and a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent.

Davenport said the shooting happened around 2 a.m. on Fullers Chapel Road. He said no one other than Petty was shot. Davenport said Monday the case was an open investigation and "... from what we know right now there was an ongoing argument between the two men."

A post Monday on the Madisonville (Tennessee) Police Department Facebook page said Wiseman was seen later Sunday near the Madisonville city limits.

The post said a "brief police pursuit was undertaken by McMinn Sheriff's deputies and Englewood officers, during which Wiseman took control of (a) Pathfinder, let his sister out and disappeared in the vehicle just across the McMinn/Monroe County line in the Gudger area ...."

The sister was taken into custody, and the vehicle was later found.
Happy Wednesday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 39 Low: 36.

Here are the top stories in Nashua today:

Today's Nashua Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx  the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com.

Today in Nashua:

Trivia Night at Millyard Brewery (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

City of Nashua Office of Emergency Management: "Facebook just doesnt function properly sometimes, our last post only posted the link and not the whole post. Here is what we actually meant to post https://www.nashuanh.gov/1392/Face-Masks?fbclid=IwAR3H_ljc7uvX6chD5RsjHjV0WEH9se3e8_mUxO..." (Facebook)

Humane Society for Greater Nashua: "HFSNs Humane Education Committee is looking for new volunteer members! The committee helps to promote humane education throughout the community - geared to kids but open to all ages. We are looking for members who are excited to take pa..." (Facebook)

Nashua Silver Knights: "Right-handed pitcher, Brandon McSorley of Melrose, will be joining the Silver Knights for the 2022 season. McSorley will complete his freshman year at Catawba College in North Carolina before arriving at Holman Stadium next summer. Welco..." (Facebook)

The Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce: "Check out who is serving on our Board this upcoming year!" (Facebook)

Nashua Public Library: "Awesome New Kids Non-Fiction!" (Facebook)

United Way of Greater Nashua: "Might we suggest a little self-care with a Chiropractic adjustment or massage at Nashua Family Chiropractic or maybe have some fun at Boston Billiard Club & Casino or put on a feel good movie with your Xfinity TV or internet. These are t..." (Facebook)

United Way of Greater Nashua: "Register TODAY for this year's Nashua Nor'Easter Winter Run/Walk! https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/nashnoreaster22" (Facebook)

YMCA of Greater Nashua: "CAN THE JOIN FEE: From Dec. 13 to Jan. 16, donate 5 non-perishable items and enjoy a $0 join fee! At the Y, with opportunities to connect with neighbors and give back to your community, youll discover a greater sense of purpose, too. Le..." (Facebook)

YMCA of Greater Nashua: "The Ninja Obstacle Course is all set to be run through it's paces. Visit the link for more info and schedules for FREE showcases by age group, that begin Monday, December 13. Reserve your space to become a Westwood Park Y Ninja today! ht..." (Facebook)

YMCA of Greater Nashua: "GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC AND THEATER Come join us for classes in music and theater including singing, acting and musical instrument lessons. We also offer group classes and private lessons to meet your respective needs. https://ygn762prode..." (Facebook)

YMCA of Greater Nashua: "Giving doesnt always have to be writing a check! Check out some of these ways to make a contribution to the YMCA: - Give the gift of Stock! - Honor a loved one with a memorial gift - Double your impact with an Employer Match - Many more..." (Facebook)

Steve V, Neighbor: "Anybody else get the letter from City of Nashua assessment dept asking for entry inside to assess your dwelling for the 2022 revaluation project ? Seems pretty invasive and I've never seen this done since moving here in early 2006." (Patch)

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 Tony Schinella

About me: Award-winning journalist and broadcaster for Patch.com in NH (off and on) since June 2011. Community coverage includes Concord, Hampton-North Hampton, Merrimack, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Salem. Reachable at tony.schinella@patch.com. Career highlights available on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/an...

This article originally appeared on the Nashua Patch
National Guard personnel are shown with Mayor Michael Nicholson, center right, on their arrival day at Heywood Hospital in Gardner.

GARDNER  Reinforcements have arrived in the fight against the pandemic.

Nine members of the National Guard have joined Heywood Healthcare to provide additional support for the health system through March 20, 2022.

According to Dawn Casavant, vice president of external affairs and executive director of the Heywood Healthcare Charitable Foundation, help from the National Guard will benefit Heywood Healthcare as its faces staffing limitations and an increased number of patients seeking care as COVID-19 cases rise locally.

COVID-19: Worcester County cases up 20.3%; state cases surge 39.5%

We currently have numerous vacant positions and we have some key areas that we could use some support, which include patient observers in the emergency department, security support, and in-hospital transportation, which means helping patients with a wheelchair, if needed, to get from point A to point B, said Casavant. We have lots of patients coming in and needing support and assistance with wayfinding and with the wheelchair.

With approximately more than 300 vacant positions, Heywood Healthcare is trying to combat this obstacle, offering sign-up bonuses, incentives as well as referral incentives. However, due to the limited workforce pool at this time, Heywood Healthcare is one of the many hospitals in the nation that faces the challenge of being understaffed during the ongoing pandemic.

Staffing shortage: Long lines for free COVID-19 testing at Mercantile Center in Worcester

Nine National Guard members will be assisting Heywood Healthcare until March 2022.

A recent effort was made by the Massachusetts Hospital Association (MHA) to work with hospitals to determine what the primary needs are. MHA then approached Gov. Charlie Baker with this issue, resulting in the activation last week of 500 National Guard personnel to be assigned to Massachusetts hospitals in need of additional help.

Casavant said that this is the first event of its kind to have happened during her career and also Heywood Healthcares existence. The National Guard members were selected based on their proximity to the hospital and their residency for easier commuting, according to the staff sergeant that accompanied the Guard personnel to the hospital on their first day, Monday, Dec. 27.

Like any other staff of the hospital, the Guard personnel will work for Heywood Healthcare for 40 hours per week, with all three shifts included until March 2022.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: National Guard personnel arrive to boost Heywood Hospital
The trailer for Netflixs upcoming docuseries Midnight Asia: Eat. Dance. Dream.' was released on Dec. 23, giving audiences a sneak peek at the rich nightlife of six major Asian metropolises.









The series was previously announced by the streaming platform on Dec. 14 in a statement written by Original Documentary Programming Manager Aloke Devichand. It aims to feature the cities different food, drink and music scenes, as well as the night owls who shine in the dark, on the basis that nighttime highlights the cities most playful sides.



The show not only acts as a guide to these nocturnal worlds, the announcement read, but also provides a riveting look into stories of chasing dreams, unconventional passions or a drive to express individualism in a city teeming with millions.



Over the course of six episodes, Midnight Asia introduces a range of characters from Seoul, Manila, Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei and Mumbai. Among them are 85-year-old noodle shop owner Sumiko Iwamuro, who leads a double life as DJ Sumirock across Tokyo dance scenes; a Korean brewer who envisions a modern take on a traditional drink; Taipei drag kings; and Bangkok superheroes.



The trailer offers a first look at the vibrant lives of the cities night owls and the sights and sounds by which they recognize their own homes  sizzling night market foods, elaborate drag shows, a thriving indie music scene beneath the globally embraced K-pop hits. Each featured narrator offers a unique take, from their fighting rings to their dance floors, on what night does to their city, but each reflects a common theme of new life and liberation.



For me, night means freedom, says a young man from India featured in the trailer. The city actually seems like its coming alive, and it just makes me realize how lucky I am to be in this place.



The upcoming documentary is part of a wave of global Asian documentaries recently released by Netflix, including Thailands Hope Frozen (2020), which earned a historical Emmy win this year, as well as the popular House of Secrets (2021) from India.



Midnight Asia: Eat. Dance. Dream. will be available to stream on Netflix beginning on Jan. 20, 2022.



Feature via Netflix Philippines

Story continues

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SARAJEVO (Reuters) - A Bosnian war crimes prosecutor has indicted nine Bosnian Serbs for the killing of around 100 Muslim Bosniaks, including seven entire families, early in the 1992-95 war, the prosecutor's office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Twenty-six years after the end of its devastating war between Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats and Muslim Bosniaks in which about 100,000 people had died, Bosnia is still searching for people who went missing and seeking justice against the suspected perpetrators.

At the same time, the Balkan country is going through its worst post-war political crisis, with Bosnian Serb leaders' threat of pulling out of Bosnia's national institutions, including the joint armed forces, raising fears of a new conflict.

The nine men, the former members and commanders of the Bosnian Serb wartime army, are accused of killing the Bosniak civilians from the area around the southeastern Bosnian town of Nevesinje, including dozens of women, elderly people and small children.

The prosecutor's office said seven families were among those killed in the summer of 1992. The remains of 49 people have been found while 47 people are still unaccounted for.

Bosnia's state court will need to confirm the indictment for the case to proceed.

(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Alison Williams)
A Minnesota mom was astonished to hear her Amazon Echo suggest a dangerous TikTok challenge when her 10-year-old daughter asked the device to suggest an exercise this weekend.

The mom, Kristin Livdahl, said on social media that she and her daughter were trying to stay active inside and had been doing physical challenges instructed by a physical education teacher on YouTube.

Her daughter asked their Echo for another one, and Livdahl said the AI helper told the girl to plug in a phone charger about halfway into a wall outlet, then touch a penny to the exposed prongs.

Sunday, Livdahl tweeted a screenshot of the response Alexa gave and received over 16,000 likes and 4,000 retweets.

Livdahl said in the moment, she shouted "No, Alexa, no," but her daughter reassured her she was too smart to try it before consulting her.

I was right there and yelled, No, Alexa, no! like it was a dog. My daughter says she is too smart to do something like that anyway.  Kristin Livdahl (@klivdahl) December 27, 2021

The "penny challenge" circulated on TikTok in 2020.

Christmas tree dangers: Father, 2 sons died Christmas morning in Pennsylvania house fire that likely started in tree, police say

Talking Tech podcast: How parents should talk to their kids about TikTok

In Massachusetts, two high school students caused an outlet to spark and smoke while performing the challenge causing the local fire department to issue a PSA, according to a story by the Providence Journal, a part of the USA TODAY network. The fire marshal explained the "challenge" causes "sparks, electrical system damage, and in some cases fire.

No deaths were reported from the challenge.

Customer trust is at the center of everything we do and Alexa is designed to provide accurate, relevant, and helpful information to customers," an Amazon spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email. "As soon as we became aware of this error, we quickly fixed it, and will continue to advance our systems to prevent similar responses in the future.

Story continues

The company also issued an apology to Livdahl on Twitter and offered help.

As of Dec. 27, Twitter users reported that the AI helper no longer offers a suggestion when asked "Tell me a challenge to do."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amazon Echo suggests TikTok 'penny challenge' to a child
The man accused of shooting a Chinese restaurant worker in Las Vegas Chinatown will remain behind bars after a judge ordered him held without bail on Tuesday.



The incident: Rashawn Gaston-Anderson, 23, allegedly shot Chengyan Wang at Shanghai Taste restaurant in the 4200 block of Spring Mountain Road around 3 a.m. on Dec. 20. Surveillance video showed him wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and breaking into the business after trying multiple back doors, leading staff to take the matter as an attempted burglary.



Wang, a migrant worker from China, was performing a deep clean of the restaurant when Gaston-Anderson broke in. The suspect allegedly shot him 11 times, seven of which were critical hits.

Wang defiantly tried to fight back, Shanghai Taste managing partner Joe Muscaglione said. He ended up on the street and was spotted by an area security guard, who then called for help.









The arrest: Gaston-Anderson, who fled the scene without stealing, was arrested near East Desert Inn Road and South Maryland Parkway on Monday afternoon, according to FOX 5. He was reported to be someone who frequented tourist corridor areas.





UpdateRashawn Gaston-Anderson was taken into custody this afternoon thanks to a citizen tip.

 LVMPD (@LVMPD) December 28, 2021







Gaston-Anderson was due to appear in court on Tuesday morning but was absent due to a medical issue, according to KLAS. The judge ordered him held without bail.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure cited pending criminal cases in his decision. Court records show Gaston-Anderson was arrested in early November for pandering and carrying a concealed weapon. Within just 48 hours, he was then arrested for burglary and grand larceny. He also pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny in 2018, which sentenced him to 18 months of probation.









Gaston-Anderson managed to walk free after posting bail on the November cases; however, the judge deemed the Chinatown shooting as the last straw. He has now picked up a third felony case, Bonaventure said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He is ordered detained without bail.

The 23-year-old is facing attempted murder and attempted robbery charges for the Chinatown shooting. He is currently held at the Clark County Detention Center.

Story continues



Wang remains in the intensive care unit at University Medical Center. So far, two fundraisers via GoFundMe and Mightycause have raised more than $54,000 for his medical bills.



Featured Image via Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

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A North Carolina teen is fighting for his life after his police officer father shot him in the head in an apparent accident on Monday afternoon.

The Onslow County Sheriffs Office said the shooting happened in their home. The father is an officer for the nearby Jacksonville Police Department.

Neither the 15-year-old nor his father has been identified, but officials said the teen has a life-threatening injury.

Onslow County District Attorney Ernie Lee said an investigation needs to be completed before criminal charges, if any, can be determined.

This is a tragic event, and this matter remains under investigation by the Onslow County Sheriffs Office, Lee said in a press release. The reports, statements and other evidence from the investigation will be provided to this office to determine what actions, if any, will be taken. I continue to remain in contact with the Onslow County Sheriffs Office in this ongoing investigation.

Lt. Christopher Funcke of the Jacksonville Police Department said the department is cooperating in the investigation.

The Onslow County Sheriffs Office is conducting an investigation into the incident and the Jacksonville Police Department is fully cooperating with their investigation. We ask that our community members keep our employee and their family in their thoughts and prayers at this time, Funcke told WNCT.

The teen is currently at a local hospital after initially being taken to the Naval Trauma Center Camp Lejeune.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
SHOREWOOD, WI  In Shorewood, one of the most vaccinated parts of Wisconsin, the positive COVID-19 case burden has more than doubled between Dec. 17 and Dec. 28, according to data from the North Shore Health Department.



The NSHD data for Shorewoodreported by the Shorewood School Districtshows a case burden of 455 per 100,000 people for Dec. 17. On Dec. 28, the case burden in Shorewood jumped to 1097 per 100,000 people.

Dec. 23 was the highest one-day increase in positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic, the NSHD reported via Facebook, when 185 people in the North Shore tested positive with PCR tests.

The seemingly sudden rise of cases comes regardless of Shorewood's 77 percent vaccination rate. It also comes as the omicron variant spreads across much of the country, leaving many to scramble for testing, reports show, and as the CDC revises its guidance for isolating and quarantining if exposed or testing positive.

Here's what you need to know about the new CDC recommendations:

How can you protect yourself against the new coronavirus variant?

Get vaccinated, officials have said.

Also, in the North Shore, NSHD recommends people wear masks anytime they are indoors around others, regardless of their vaccination status.

Data from South Africa and the United Kingdom show two doses of an mRNA vaccine provide a 35 percent effectiveness against omicron infection. A booster shot bumps that effectiveness up to 75 percent, according to the CDC.

"The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement Monday. "CDCs updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses."



"These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather," Walensky added.

Story continues

Here's Where You Can Get A COVID-19 Test In Shorewood

Clinics Closest To Shorewood

To find out the closest pharmacy, clinic or grocery store near you that offers a COVID-19 test, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. A map of testing sites close to Shorewood is available online. They include:

North Shore Pharmacy

1421 East Capitol Drive in Shorewood

Register online at DOINEEDACOVID19TEST.COM

Call at (414) 962-9665

CVS

4035 North Oakland Avenue in Shorewood

By appointment.

Call at (414) 961-2001

The Shorewood School District

Shorewood schools will be offering expanded COVID-19 testing for students throughout winter break, the district announced.

"We ask that if you travel or are gathering with people outside your household, you please have your child tested prior to returning to school," the district said in its announcement.

More details about how to get your Shorewood School District student tested is available online.

City of Milwaukee Testing Clinics

The City of Milwaukee has several free drive-thru and walk-up community COVID-19 testing sites for anyone 12-months or older, regardless of symptoms. The sites will be closed Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 2.

Northwest Health Center

7630 West Mill RoadDrive-thru garage with entry at the Mill Road Library, 6431 North 76th Street

Monday and Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: 12-6 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Southside Health Center

1639 South 23rd StreetDrive-thru heated tent, entry on 24th Street

Monday and Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: 12-6 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Menomonee Valley Site

2401 West St. Paul AvenueDrive-thru garage

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 12-6 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

More information about City of Milwaukee testing sites is available online.

Summit Clinical Laboratories

Summit hosts COVID-19 testing clinics at locations across the Milwaukee area. Many locations may be closed on certain days during the holiday season.

The closest locations to Shorewood are located at 5434 West Capitol Drive Suite #1 in Milwaukee or 8643 North Port Washington Road in Fox Point.

Call Summit ahead of a visit at 262-788-9311. Summit is closed on Dec. 25 and 26. For more hours visit their website.

Do-It-Yourself With A Pharmacy Kit

Places like Walgreens, CVS and Pick 'n Save have limited appointments for tests and a limited supply of over-the-counter tests that can be taken at home. In addition to that, many pharmacies are limiting the number of tests each customer can buy, and reports show many pharmacies have run out of self-test supplies.

Still, take-home tests may be available at your local pharmacy, and it's always a good idea to call ahead and check.

State health services offer an entire database for community testing sites, and can be another option as they mail an at-home collection kit straight to your home.

The following are the state health-service guidelines on at-home rapid COVID-19 test results.

Positive test results mean that you are likely infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. People who test positive should stay home or isolate for 10 days and avoid gathering with people outside of the household.

Negative test results mean that you are likely not infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, but false negatives are possible. State health services say to consider testing again a day or two later, and tests at least 24 hours apart increase confidence in the results.

Contact your healthcare provider or a community testing site if you have trouble understanding the results or are concerned with the accuracy of the result.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

WI Health Officials Support CDC's Shortened COVID-19 Isolation

Omicron Could 'Overwhelm' Already Stretched WI Hospitals

COVID-19 Booster Shots: Where To Find Them In Wisconsin







This article originally appeared on the Shorewood Patch
By Supantha Mukherjee and Helena Soderpalm

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden's Northvolt said on Wednesday its new gigafactory in northern Sweden has assembled its first battery cell, making it the first European company to design and manufacture a battery on the continent.

The cell is of a prismatic cell format - a variety of thinner and lighter battery - and came off the assembly line on Tuesday.

Northvolt CEO Peter Carlsson had told Reuters that the new factory would produce a battery this year "even if it means the first battery is made on New Year's Eve".

"What we did yesterday was taking a few cells through the entire cell assembly process, from start to finish, as part of the commissioning of the machinery," a spokesman said.

The first batteries will be kept by Northvolt for further testing and validation, and the later on as a trophy, he said.

Commissioning and upscaling of the factory will continue into 2022, when the first commercial customer deliveries will be made, the company said in a statement.

The factory is set in the small, industrial town of Skelleftea in Sweden's main cluster of mines and mineral resources.

Its history of mining, not least for gold, gave it the nickname of "Gold town".

The company is aiming for the Skelleftea plant to achieve production capacity of 60 gigawatt hours (GWh) as it aims for at least a 20-25% market share in Europe by 2030.

It has received over $30 billion worth of contracts from customers such as BMW, Fluence, Scania, Volkswagen, Volvo Cars and Polestar.

Northvolt will rival the likes of Tesla and Asian battery makers such as Panasonic, LG Chem and CATL.

(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee and Helena Soderpalm in Stockholm; editing by Jason Neely and Louise Heavens)
(Getty Images)

Josh Mandel, the Republican running as an acolyte of former President Donald Trump in Ohios GOP Senate primary, was mocked on Twitter after appearing to equate support for Bitcoin and Christianity in a tweet.

Mr Mandel, who is one of several candidates in the crowded primary to represent the GOP in Ohios US Senate election next year, made a number of comments on Twitter espousing support for the controversial cryptocurrency which has made some buyers wealthy while others deride it as a scam.

One tweet posted two days after Christmas took the candidates support of the currency to the next level, however. In a tweet sent early Monday evening, Mr Mandel wrote that his campaign was centered on making Ohio a pro-God, pro-family, pro-bitcoin state, and depicted a supposed divide in America between States that submit to the authority of Almighty God [and] states that dont as well as States that invest in #bitcoin infrastructure [and] states that wont.

The tweet was unusual, to say the least, for a Republican politician during the Christmas season, when most political figures tend to avoid bringing politics into their seasonal and religious-themed messages to constituents.

It was mocked in turn by many Twitter users including MSNBC host Chris Hayes, who quipped that Mr Mandel was celebrating the Christian Holy Trinity.

Others, including an adviser to the conservative Lincoln Project organisation, correctly pointed out that US senator was not an office that would control such policy for Ohioans.

Mr Mandels campaign has been anything but orthodox, however, and he has frequently staked out headline-grabbing positions on issues of the day, including a recent trip to a New York City-area Cheesecake Factory to protest the citys vaccination mandate for indoor dining.

On Wednesday, he continued that trend in a tweet that argued against a vaccination mandate for domestic air travel, claiming it would send a clear message that ... air travel is for white Americans only.

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Mr Mandel was one of several candidates to make a pilgrimage to the post-presidential abode of Donald Trump in Florida, the Mar-a-Lago resort, earlier this year as he sought the former presidents endorsement for his Senate bid.

The Ohio Republican has yet to secure Mr Trumps personal support but has won the endorsement of Jenna Ellis, one of the prominent members of Mr Trumps legal team who worked on efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Others in the primary include Hillbilly Ellegy author J.D. Vance, a former chair of the state Republican Party, as well as a current member of the Ohio state Senate, Matt Dolan.
The Omicron variant is threatening the recovery of the fitness industry.

Why it matters: January is an extremely important month for the industry, which thrives on New Year's resolution memberships. But mask and vaccine mandates prompted by Omicron are creating new obstacles going into 2022.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

Gym groups have urged congressional leaders to provide pandemic relief to fitness centers, saying they have received little help compared to other pandemic-hit industries like restaurants and airlines, per The Hill.

"The appearance of another COVID variant, coupled with discussions around re-instituting mask mandates and further restrictions to address the increase in COVID rates, demonstrates the ongoing struggle and uncertainty our industry faces heading into January and February, the two most important months of the year for fitness facilities," said Community Gyms Coalition and the Global Health and Fitness Association (IHRSA).

Details: Data shows that in mid-February, visits to gyms were down 30% compared to 2019, hitting a record low for the year but had rebounded by early December. However, Omicron had only just been identified in late November and has since spread rapidly.

In 2019, there were approximately 40,000 fitness facilities. By the summer of 2021, 27% of gyms and studios permanently closed, according to the IHRSA. Additionally, the fitness industry lost 47% of its workforce during the pandemic.

Globally, gyms, studios, and in-person fitness classes saw a 37% revenue decline in 2020, per the Global Wellness Institute.

Zoom in: Marc Thomas, who owns 40 Orangetheory Fitness locations in California, told the Wall Street Journal that revenue for his best gyms is 30% lower than that before the pandemic.

Some gyms in Ohio do not expect to get membership increases until after the winter surge, according to a local CBS affiliate.

In Indiana, some YMCA facilities lost 50% of memberships during the pandemic, while numbers have increased by 75%, they are yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, the News and Tribune, a Southern Indiana local newspaper, reports.

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What we're watching: The University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that infections in the U.S. are set to reach record highs in the next two to three months, with daily infections expected to peak at 2.8 million in mid-January.

Infections detected through testing are expected to top out at a little over 400,000 cases a day in the U.S.

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The holidays have seen a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases, leaving many scrambling to find tests.

Florida reported 124,865 cases last week, a 336.9% increase from the previous week's 28,841 cases. The Treasure Coast reported 1,503 cases last week, which is over 1,100 cases more than the previous week's 337 cases, a 346% increase.

Because of Christmas and New Year's, current COVID-19 lab processing and testing availability may be disrupted. Websites for pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens showed at-home testing kits were not available online as of 2 p.m. Dec. 29.

COVID-19: Treasure Coast positive cases increasing rapidly

Vaccine rewind: A look back at the year of COVID-19 immunizations here

Treasure Coast schools: How they have fared this year with COVID-19

Raquel Heres gets a COVID-19 rapid test to be able to travel overseas, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in North Miami, Fla. Federal health officials say Florida has reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, the state's highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic. The state has become the new national epicenter for the virus, accounting for around a fifth of all new cases in the U.S. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has resisted mandatory mask mandates and vaccine. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

They may be available for purchase in person. Both stores sell four to five different types of testing kits, ranging from $10 to $39.

"To ensure equitable access to tests both in store and digitally, weve added a limit of six test kits per purchase," said Tara Burke, CVS spokesperson.

At-home testing kits may be temporarily out-of-stock online due to increased demand. The store's pharmacies still offer lab-based COVID-19 testing with results in one to two days and rapid testing with results in hours.

Appointments can be scheduled on CVS' website and Walgreen's website.

Local health officials also maintain lists of other COVID-19 testing sites, which may have altered hours of operation due to the holiday.

St. Lucie County

St. Lucie County has 26 different COVID-19 testing sites, which are outlined and updated in a spreadsheet on the County Commission's website.

"Nationally, there has been a shortage of testing capabilities," said Clint Sperber, health officer and administrator for the DOH office in St. Lucie County. "In Florida, it has been a little bit of a challenge as well."

For about eight months, DOH-St. Lucie has worked with Allied Health to provide free COVID-19 testing at the Gwenda Thompson Career Center in Fort Pierce. The site accepts walk-ups, and it will be open New Year's Eve from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but is closed on weekends.

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The testing site is not restricted to St. Lucie County residents, Sperber said.

Other local testing locations can be found on the DOH website, which offers a function to search by county and ZIP code.

People should call other testing sites for the most up-to-date information on hours and availability during the holiday, Sperber said.

Martin County

DOH's Martin County office provides free COVID-19 testing by appointment through Curative, which can be booked on the company's website.

"They're going day to day with their appointments and they are booking out slightly in advance now," said Renay Rouse, DOH-Martin spokesperson. "They are doing upwards of about 300 tests per day depending on their supplies."

It's a PCR-based, drive-through, nasal-swab testing site at the DOH-Martin office at 3441 S.E. Willoughby Blvd. in Stuart. The next available appointment wasn't until Sunday, the website said Wednesday afternoon.

"It was relatively quiet a few weeks ago, but right as the holiday season kicked in, we saw the uptick in the request for tests," Rouse said.

Other Martin County testing locations can be found on DOH website using the county and ZIP code search.

There are 15 other sites listed, including Access365 Urgent Care, Treasure Coast Primary Care and Jupiter Medical Center Urgent Care.

Indian River County

Testing sites are listed on the DOH website.

Appointments at the Intergenerational Recreation Center, 1590 Ninth St. S.W. in Vero Beach, can be booked through Curative's website.

The website lists 14 other testing locations in Vero Beach and Sebastian, including Bay Street Pharmacy, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and East Side Urgent Care, among others.

Because these sites aren't managed by the county, the DOH county office recommended contacting each site for its hours and availability during the holiday.

Thomas Weber is a Digital Now Reporter at TCPalm. You can reach him at thomas.weber@tcpalm.com or 813-545-9113. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Where to get COVID-19 testing during the holiday omicron variant surge
PEORIA  Calling it a "temporary closure", the owner of Peoria's Applebee's said staffing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic have forced the restaurant to close its doors in Peoria.

Kevin Allardice said there is no timeframe right now for the location at 6844 N. War Memorial Drive to reopen, but said he was "working diligently" to bring the restaurant back at some point.

A lack of workers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made operating the location too difficult to keep it open, he said. There are "plans to keep it going," but first they will have to weather the pandemic.

"Every time I get five people, I lose five people," Allardice said.

Peoria's Applebee's at 6844 W. War Memorial Drive will be "temporarily closed" with no timetable for return due to staffing issues.

Trending now: Illinois minimum wage is going up again on Jan. 1. What you need to know

In 2018, the Applebee's at 900 East Riverside Drive in East Peoria closed as part of a string of closings nationwide.

Fans of Applebee's in Peoria will have to travel to Pekin, where an Applebee's remains open, for their fix. There are also Applebee's locations in Galesburg and Bloomington.

For now, however, Peoria will be without one.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Applebee's is temporarily closed, says owner
The Department of Defense has recommended COVID-19 booster shots for anyone who is eligible as the latest variant of the disease has swept across the U.S., sidelined a Navy ship and infected staff members.

The latest guidance published Tuesday says those at least 18 years old who have completed an initial vaccination should consider the additional shot -- though, for now, it is not mandatory. That means all service members, civilian workers and dependents, according to the memo signed by Gil Cisneros, the under secretary of personnel and readiness.

The vast majority of troops are now vaccinated against the coronavirus following an order by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in August. Nearly 1.6 million are fully vaccinated with the required one or two shots of approved vaccines, according to the latest figures published by the department.

But the highly contagious Omicron variant and persistent Delta variant have pushed average daily cases in the U.S. over 243,000, which is a 105% increase over the past two weeks, according to detailed tracking by The New York Times.

Read Next: Biden Signs Defense Bill that Backs 2.7% Pay Raise for Troops

The Pentagon has not released statistics on booster shots, but signs of the latest pandemic wave within the military have cropped up in the past week.

The littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee is sidelined in Guantanamo Bay, because 25% of the crew, about two dozen sailors, is infected. The Navy said the entire crew was fully vaccinated, according to the Associated Press, but that did not save the ship from becoming the first confined to port this year due to the pandemic.

The USS Roosevelt aircraft carrier was quarantined in Guam for nearly two months in 2020 after 1,271 sailors contracted COVID-19. The carrier outbreak occurred long before coronavirus vaccines were available and troops were required to be inoculated.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon building ratcheted up pandemic precautions on Tuesday due to increased cases. Seven staff members traveling with Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks earlier this month tested positive, the department confirmed last week.

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The building, one of the largest office buildings in the world, will be closed to unofficial visitors through the end of January, and supervisors are to keep occupancy rates at 40% while letting as many people as possible work from home.

"DoD personnel are encouraged to consider using an FDA-approved COVID-19 home test kit upon return from the Federal holiday period prior to returning to the workplace," according to the announcement on Tuesday.

-- Travis Tritten can be reached at travis.tritten@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Travis_Tritten.

Related: DoD Readies 1,000 Troops to Aid in COVID-19 Response Nationwide
Dec. 29EBENSBURG, Pa.  A Philadelphia man was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 to 25 years in state prison for his involvement in a 2020 murder at Coopersdale Homes in Johnstown.

Amir Matthews, 20, entered a guilty plea to third-degree murder in December, the day jury selection in his trial was to begin before Judge Tamara R. Bernstein.

Matthews was sentenced on the charge for the killing of Armel Joe, 26, at a late-night barbecue at Coopersdale Homes.

Bernstein sentenced Matthews in line with the plea agreement, which was a downward departure from the standard sentence of 20 to 40 years.

"I've balanced the very serious nature of the crime with your age and mental health needs," she said in explaining her decision to not deviate from the plea agreement, which judges have the option to do.

Bernstein said she took into consideration Matthews' age, that he has children, that he has faith that he practices and that, at age 20, his brain is still developing.

Relatives of both men were present in the courthouse the day of sentencing, and while Joe's family did not speak, a victim impact statement was submitted.

"I know that from this letter there is anger occurred, but there is also a prayer for you to make change," Bernstein said.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Persio said that Joe's family was in agreement with the plea deal.

Matthews was set to face trial later this month for criminal homicide in the shooting death of Joe on May 17, 2020, in a parking lot near Building 20 at the housing complex.

At the time of Matthews' plea, Persio said that, at approximately 1:07 a.m., Matthews shot Joe in the abdomen.

Joe was taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, where he died 30 minutes later in the emergency room, Cambria County Coroner Jeffrey Lees said at the time.

Related charges are still pending in Cambria County court against Terrell "Unique" Foreman, 24, who police alleged helped Matthews hide the gun he used to kill Joe in a baby bag and flee to Philadelphia after the shooting. Police are still searching for Dawn "Duchess" Smith, 26, who also allegedly helped Matthews escape to Philadelphia.
WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish prosecutors said on Wednesday they would not investigate an allegation that the phone of a high-profile government critic was hacked, amid accusations that opposition figures have been subject to illegal surveillance.

Reports that sophisticated spyware developed by the Israel-based NSO Group had been used against government opponents including prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek have led to accusations that special services are undermining democratic norms.

Wrzosek, a member of the group Lex Super Omnia which campaigns against what it says is the politicisation of the public prosecution service under the Law and Justice (PiS) party, received a notification in November from Apple that her phone could have been hacked using NSO Group's Pegasus software.

This month, the Associated Press reported that the Citizen Lab project at the University of Toronto found Wrzosek was one of three Polish government critics whose phones had been hacked.

"The only indication that a cyberattack could have occurred ... was a message from the telephone's manufacturer," Aleksandra Skrzyniarz, spokeswoman for the District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw, said in a statement explaining the refusal to investigate the case.

"However, the message did not categorically state that a cyberattack had occurred, but contained a disclaimer that the alert might be false," Skrzyniarz said, adding that Wrzosek had refused to hand over the phone for examination.

Wrzosek told private broadcaster TVN24 that she would appeal against the decision.

"I do not see the slightest legal prerequisite or justification for the decision to refuse to initiate this procedure," she said.

Polish security services do not comment on the methods they use or whether they have investigated particular people. However, spokesman Stanislaw Zaryn has denied any suggestion that Polish services were engaged in domestic political battles.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has dismissed suggestions that spyware was used by Polish services against opposition figures as "fake news".

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NSO says it makes technology for use by governments and law enforcement agencies to combat crime and terrorism, and has safeguards to prevent misuse.

Digital rights researchers say Pegasus has been used to spy on civil society in several countries.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish and Anna Koper; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Jeremy Alford

The period between Christmas and New Years Eve is traditionally a quiet time in Louisiana politics. So make sure you soak up all peace and tranquility while you can. Because the next 12 months will host plenty of noisy political action  and it will be anything but peaceful.

There will be at least two legislative sessions in Baton Rouge in 2022, and another round of congressional elections are on deck for the fall. Plus, an unprecedented amount of federal infrastructure money is headed to the state.

First up legislatively in the New Year will be the special session on redistricting, which convenes Feb. 1. Lawmakers will be charged with drafting new maps for our election lines based on the latest U.S. Census data, and Gov. John Bel Edwards will have veto authority. Unfortunately, that special session, which promises to be just as controversial as it will be acrimonious, may very well set the tone for the rest of the year, if not the rest of the term.

The next month, in March, lawmakers will again gather to gavel in their regular session. Thematically, the 2022 regular session will seem familiar to you, since it promises to rehash many of the same issues that dominated the 2021 legislative year. Lawmakers are planning to bring back bills to address vaccine mandates, the powers of the Executive Branch, critical race theory, transgender athletes, higher teacher pay, criminal justice reforms and certain tax policies (but nothing that increases or decreases taxes, since 2022 will be an even-numbered year).

Transportation will once again be an attention-grabbing issue, especially with dollars headed here from President Joe Bidens massive infrastructure package. The speed of construction work at the state Department of Transportation and Development may be under the microscope as well. Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White, for one, recently called for a complete overhaul.

Politicos will soon begin announcing for the states premier political post, to replace Gov. John Bel Edwards, which will in turn probably open up other statewide offices.

From inside the rails of the Legislature, you can expect one or more special elections to be triggered by unexpected resignations. That trend started last term and has stayed strong over the past two years. Theres no valid reason to believe vacancies will slow down in the New Year.

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The next 12 months will also host the run-up to the statewide 2023 election cycle. Politicos will soon begin announcing for the states premier political post, to replace Gov. John Bel Edwards, which will in turn probably open up other statewide offices.

Legislative races will begin in earnest next year as well, in anticipation of the 2023 statewide cycle. There are currently 25 term-limited lawmakers who are not eligible to run again, or 17 percent of the entire Legislature. In the House, 16 members are term-limited, or 15 percent, compared to nine senators, or 23 percent of the upper chamber.

For now, however, its a waiting game. Theres only so much potential candidates can do until lawmakers approve new election maps in February. Im talking to a lot of people who are interested in these seats, said consultant Jason Hebert, a partner at the Political Firm, but what theyre finding is uncertainty. Theres an unwillingness to engage from some supporters and donors until the lines are drawn. So what I think is important right now for a lot of these candidates is to pay attention to the process. If youre serious, be ready to go when the lines are drawn and set. Until then, everyone is in wait-and-see mode.

More immediately, there are other elections slated in the New Year, beginning in just a few weeks with a Jan. 15 special election for a Catahoula parish police juror, followed by a larger municipal primary in March. That spring election will include races for mayor, district attorney and appellate and district judges.

The heavy election action will arrive in the fall with the Nov. 8 ballot. That's when voters will be asked to weigh in on a U.S. Senate race (for the post occupied by Sen. John Kennedy), six congressional seats (which may look dramatically different due to redistricting), a Supreme Court contest, two Public Service Commission positions, nearly a dozen mayoral matchups and 22 appellate judgeships.

While all of these elections, issues and sessions might provide an early political roadmap for the New Year to come, they do not represent an all-inclusive list of storylines to track over the next 12 months. As is always the case in Louisiana politics, expect the unexpected, too. (If we didnt learn that from 2020 and 2021, we didnt learn anything.)

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Political storylines to track in 2022
It wasnt front and center at the climate change summit, COP26, in Glasgow, but it was whispered about informally, in the corridors, and over meals.

For politicians, it is flammable, for some religions, it is heresy. Yet it begs a hearing: the growth of global population.

While the world struggles to decarbonize, saving it from sea level rise and the other disasters associated with climate change, there is no recognition officially anywhere that population plays a critical part.

People do things that cause climate change from burning coal to raising beef cattle. A lot of people equal a lot of pollution equals a big climate impact, obvious and incontrovertible.

In 1950, the global population was at just over 2.5 billion. This year, it is calculated at 7.9 billion. Roughly by mid-century, it is expected to increase by another 2 billion.

There is a ticking bomb, and it is us.

There was one big, failed attempt to restrict population growth: Chinas one-child policy. Besides being draconian, it didnt work well and has been abandoned.

China is awash with young men seeking nonexistent brides. While the program was in force from 1980 to 2015, girls were aborted and boys were saved. The result: a massive gender imbalance. One doubts that any country will ever, however authoritarian its rule, try that again.

There is a long history to population alarm, going back to the 18th century and Thomas Malthus, an English demographer and economist who gave birth to what is known as Malthusian theory. This states that food production wont be able to keep up with the growth in human population, resulting in famine and war; and the only way forward is to restrict population growth.

Malthuss theory was very wrong in the 18th century. But it had unfortunate effects, which included a tolerance of famine in populations of European empire countries, like India. It also played a role in the Irish Great Famine of 1845-49, when some in England thought that this famine, caused by a potato blight, was the fulfillment of Malthusian theory, and inhibited efforts to help the starving Irish. Shame on England.

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The idea of population outgrowing resources was reawakened in 1972 with a controversial report titled Limits to Growth from the Club of Rome, a global think tank.

This report led to battles over the supply of oil when the energy crisis broke the next year. The antigrowth, population-limiting side found itself in a bitter fight with the technologists who believed that technology would save the day. It did. More energy came to market, oil resources were discovered worldwide, including in the previously unexplored Southern Hemisphere.

Since that limits-to-growth debate, the world population has increased inexorably. Now, if growth is the problem, the problem needs to be examined more urgently. I think 2022 is the year that examination will begin.

Clearly, no country will wish to go down the failed Chinese one-child policy, and anyway, only authoritarian governments could contemplate it. Free people in democratic countries dont handle dictates well: Take, for example, the difficulty of enforcing mask-wearing in the time of the Covid pandemic in the United States, Germany, Britain, France, and elsewhere.

If we are going to talk of a leveling off world population we have to look elsewhere, away from dictates to other subtler pressures.

There is a solution, and the challenge to the world is whether we can get there fast enough.

That solution is prosperity. When people move into the middle class, they tend to have fewer children. So much so that the traditional populations are in decline in the United States, Japan, and in much of Europe  even in nominally Roman Catholic France. The data is skewed by immigration in all those countries  except Japan, where it is particularly stark. It shows population stability can happen without dictatorial social engineering.

In the United States, the not-so-secret weapon may be no more than the excessive cost of college.

Llewellyn King is executive producer and host of White House Chronicle on PBS. Contact him at llewellynking1@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Opinion: Will population growth dominate the 2022 climate debate?
Prince Andrew is arguing one of Jeffrey Epsteins most vocal accusers cant sue the royal scion for sexual assault because she no longer lives in the U.S.

In court filings Tuesday, the Duke of York asked a Manhattan federal court judge to order Virginia Giuffre to respond to a written legal request and be deposed about her residence  alleging she now lives in Australia, not in Colorado.

It is undisputed that, at the time she filed this action, Ms. Giuffre had an Australian drivers license and was living in a AU$1.9 million home in Perth, Western Australia, where she and her husband have been raising their three children. In reality, Ms. Giuffres ties to Colorado are very limited, the British royals lawyer, Andrew Brettler, wrote Tuesday.

She has not lived there since at least 2019  approximately two years before she filed this lawsuit against Prince Andrew  and potentially, according to her own deposition testimony, not since October 2015.

Giuffre, now 38, has long maintained Epstein trafficked her for sex in the early 2000s, when she was a teenager.

In a lawsuit filed in August, she says the dead financier and his accused madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, forced her into having sex with the Duke of York three times  at Maxwells London townhouse, in Epsteins Upper East Side mansion and on Epsteins private island in the Virgin Islands.

Andrew, 61, who is ninth in line for the British throne, was sued under New Yorks Child Victims Act.
MOSCOW (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that a new pipeline to Germany has been fully filled with natural gas, noting that it could help quickly reduce soaring European energy prices.

The $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline is currently awaiting approval from Germany and the European Union, and officials warned that a decision won't come in the first half of 2022.

The first of its two links was filled with gas in October, and Russia's state-controlled Gazprom natural gas company reported Wednesday that it had completed filling the second one to make it fully ready for operation.

Putin pointed at surging energy prices in Europe, adding that Nord Stream 2 could help quickly stabilize the markets.

This new additional route will certainly help stabilize prices on the European markets, Putin said at a meeting with energy officials. It would undoubtedly impact prices on the spot market, and consumers in the countries that use the Russian gas will immediately feel it.

The new 1,234-kilometer (765-mile) pipeline, which has an annual capacity of 55 billion cubic meters (1.9 trillion cubic feet), would double the volume of gas pumped by Gazprom directly to Germany, adding to a similar pipeline under the Baltic Sea and circumventing existing links through Poland and Ukraine.

Nord Stream 2 critics in the U.S., Ukraine and Poland warn that it will increase Russias leverage over Europe, pit EU member states against each other and deprive Ukraine of transit revenues. Washington has stressed targeting Nord Stream 2 to counter any new Russian military move against Ukraine.

Moscow has denied Western allegations that it was hatching plans to attack Ukraine. It has insisted that Nord Stream 2 is a purely commercial project that will help ensure more reliable long-term supply and help save billions in transit fees paid to Poland and Ukraine.
Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Jeffrey Perkins, your host of the Humble-Kingwood Daily.

First, today's weather:

Very warm. High: 82. Low: 65.

Here are the top stories in Humble-Kingwood today:

A COVID-19 vaccine that was developed by Texas Children's Hospital in Houston could help underserved countries fight the coronavirus. The protein subunit vaccine recently received emergency use authorization in India. (Houston Patch) Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center is hosting a Women's Restorative Hike on Thursday. (Kingwood News) Pediatric hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are on the rise in Texas as the omicron variant spreads. (Houston Patch) Here's your 2021 guide to senior living facilities in the Lake Houston area. (Community Impact Newspaper) Retirements of key Texas lawmakers, including Dan Huberty of Kingwood, will leave a void in education policy expertise. (The Dallas Morning News)

Today's Humble-Kingwood Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx  the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com.

From my notebook:

Kingwood Branch Library: "#kingwoodbranchlibrary is closing at 5 p.m. Wednesday. We will remain closed Thursday through Sunday. Regular hours resume on Monday. We wish you a safe and prosperous new year! #kingwoodlibrary #kingwood #kingwoodtx." (Facebook)

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Story continues

 Jeffrey Perkins

About me: Born in San Antonio, I was raised in Arkansas but got back to Texas as soon as I could to attend Texas A&M University, where I earned a bachelor's degree in Telecommunication Media Studies. I started my journalism career as a copy editor at The Eagle in Bryan, Texas, in 2014 and later became the high school sports beat writer for the paper.My seven years at The Eagle strengthened my passion for journalism, and I love getting to know people and telling their stories, both on the field and off. I've seen firsthand the importance of hyper-local journalism in a community, especially in an eventful 2020, when I helped with news coverage and design in addition to my high school athletics beat responsibilities.I joined Patch in 2021 as Texas Field Editor for the Conroe-Montgomery County area.I welcome your questions, comments and story ideas! Please contact me at jeffrey.perkins@patch.com or (479) 264-5801.

This article originally appeared on the Humble-Kingwood Patch
WARWICK  A state trooper suffered "moderate injuries" Tuesday evening when his cruiser was struck by a car after the trooper had stopped another car at the side of Route 95, according to a state police news release.

The driver of the car that struck the cruiser was charged with driving under the influence and driving to endanger resulting in personal injury.

At about 5:30 p.m., the trooper, whom the news release did not identify, stopped a Toyota sedan on Route 95 South near the Service Road overpass.

Both the cruiser, a Ford Explorer, and the Toyota had come to a stop in the right-hand breakdown lane, and the cruiser had its emergency lights on.

Before the trooper could exit the cruiser, a Nissan sedan, which the state police said was driven by Richard Stanley, 54, of Warwick, veered from one lane across another lane and into the breakdown lane, crashing into the cruiser. The cruiser was pushed forward into the Toyota.

The trooper and Stanley were taken to Rhode Island Hospital with moderate injuries, according to the state police.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Driver charged with DUI after crash with RI State Police cruiser
Rob Schneider is commending police officers for coming to his aid after his car broke down.

The "Grown Ups" actor was traveling in his home state of Arizona on Dec. 22 when he found himself stranded in his Tesla and in some need of help.

"It was a nice interaction. These days there are a lot of negativity," officer Paul Lee of the Scottsdale Police Department told Fox 10.

According to the outlet, officers responded to the call of his "disabled vehicle" in North Scottsdale and were surprised to find the comedian, who is known for starring in several Adam Sandler movies.

CHRIS NOTH TAKES SOLO STROLL IN NEW YORK ON CHRISTMAS AMID SEXUAL MISCONDUCT SCANDAL

"I said, Wait a second. That is Mr. Schneider, as in the Rob Schneider? And I said, Wait, Mr. Schneider? And he gave me the nod and that is how we broke the ice on that," Lee added.

Schneider took to Twitter to thank Scottdale's "finest."

"A huge THANK YOU to Scottsdale Finest @ScottsdalePD for all your help today when my car broke down! Thanks, Officer Lee! YOU CAN DO IT!!" the funnyman wrote.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Rob Schneider is known for his comedic roles in "The Hot Chick," "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo," "Grown Ups" and more. Leon Bennett

Schneider said he and the police officer made some small talk and even went over some of his movies. Lee also commended the actor for being "very appreciative."

Rob Schneider had nothing but kind words for the Scottsdale Police Department after his car broke down. Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

The incident took place during a busy week given the Christmas holiday.
By Humeyra Pamuk and Miranda Murray

WASHINGTON/BERLIN (Reuters) -Top U.S. and Russian officials for Iran have met in Vienna, a Russian envoy said on Wednesday, and delegates on both sides said Moscow and Washington were coordinating in a bid to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to talks on the nuclear pact, wrote on Twitter that he had met twice on Wednesday with the U.S. special envoy to Iran, Robert Malley, posting pictures of himself and the U.S. diplomat sitting across from a long table.

The State Department, when asked about the meeting, said it does not discuss the details of diplomatic conversations.

"Close consultations and coordination between the Russian and the U.S. delegations in the course of the Vienna talks constitute an important prerequisite for progress towards restoration of the JCPOA," he wrote, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal.

"We maintain intensive and, I believe, useful dialogue in the course of the #ViennaTalks on concrete way and means of restoration of the #JCPOA," Ulyanov tweeted, after what he said was his second meeting with Malley.

Separately, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held a phone call with his French, German and British counterparts and Iran nuclear talks were among the topics discussed, State Department said.

"The Secretary and his counterparts also discussed their shared concerns about the pace of developments in Irans nuclear program as time runs short for Tehran to return to the JCPOA," Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement about the call.

The 2015 JCPOA lifted sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on its atomic activities but Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the deal in 2018, a year after he became U.S president. Iran later breached many of the deal's nuclear restrictions and kept pushing well beyond them.

The latest round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States resumed on Monday in Vienna, with Tehran focused on getting U.S. sanctions lifted again, despite scant progress on reining in Iran's atomic activities.

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U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin were likely to discuss the Iran nuclear talks on Thursday, a senior Biden administration official said, when they are due to have a virtual meeting.

"I do believe that they're (Biden and Putin) likely to discuss it (Iran) again tomorrow given that we have ongoing talks in Vienna now and the U.S., our European partners and the Russians have been coordinating quite closely in Vienna, working quite constructively together in Vienna," the U.S. official said.

Iran refuses to meet U.S. officials directly, meaning other parties to the deal besides the United States and Iran - Russia, China, France, Britain, Germany and the European Union - must shuttle between the two sides.

On Thursday, Washington expressed caution over upbeat comments by Iran and Russia about the talks in Vienna, saying it was too soon to say if Tehran had returned to the negotiations with a constructive approach.

(Reporting by Miranda Murray, Humeyra Pamuk and Trevor Hunnicutt in WashingtonWriting by Humeyra Pamuk Editing by Madeline Chambers and Alistair Bell)
Two flight nurses who were among four people who died when a small plane crashed into a San Diego suburb on Monday have been identified.

Tina Ward and Laurie Gentz were aboard the Learjet 35 aircraft when it took off from John Wayne Airport in Santa and made its way south to San Diego, friends of the family and former colleagues have said.

The plane was headed to the Gillespie Field Airport, but never arrived at its destination, crashing in a neighborhood near El Cajon at around 7p.m. local time (10p.m. ET), according to a record of the incident.

The plane appeared to have been carrying a medical crew who worked for an air ambulance company, Aeromedevac, which is based in El Cajon, according to early reports.

An address linked to the registration number of the crashed plane was found to belong to an office and hangar at Gillespie Field for High Performance Aircraft, NBC owned and operated broadcaster NBC 7 reported.

On Tuesday, workers at the El Cajon site told NBC 7 they worked with Aeromedevac and said the company, which appears to have disabled its website and Facebook account, is still handling what happened and talking to all the families.

A spokesperson for the company said they could not immediately provide a response to a request for comment.

NBC 7 found a social media post from 2019 that shows pictures of a plane that appears to match the one that crashed on Monday, with the same tail number, N880Z, visible.

In a statement published on Instagram, the Oceanside Firefighters Association confirmed that Tina Ward, a flight nurse who was married to the fire department's recently retired chief, had been among the four who died.

It is with heavy hearts that the Oceanside Fire Department and their fire family would like to extend our deepest condolences to our recently retired Chief Ward, his family, and all family and friends of the Aeromedevac flight crew N88OZ," the department said, sharing a photo of Ward with her husband.

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Chief Wards wife Tina, was a flight nurse on board of the aircraft that crashed (on Monday) in El Cajon, the department said in the Tuesday post. We are shocked and saddened by this devastating news and are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, it said.

In a separate post published on Facebook, the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics confirmed that Gentz, who had served as a local union president, had also died in the crash.

"The IAEP extends sincere condolences for the devastating and sudden loss of Local 162 President Laurie Gentz, her fellow passengers and the Learjet flight crew," the association said.

"President Gentz will be greatly missed by all who knew her and all who benefit from her selfless contributions to organized labor in the Greater San Diego area," the AIEP said.

The organization shared a photo which appeared to show Gentz standing in the background, along with two others, with a woman who appears to be Ward standing in the foreground. The identities of the other two people in the photo was not immediately clear.

A LinkedIn page appearing to belong to Gentz identifies her as a flight nurse with Aeromedevac.
PROVIDENCE  Public schools will open in-person Monday.

"The plan is for schools to open as normal. No decision has been made otherwise," Alana O'Hare, a spokeswoman for Gov. Dan McKee, wrote Wednesday.

The president of the state's school superintendents association had urged McKee to keep schools open when Christmas vacation ends Monday.

In a letter to McKee, Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green and Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, association president Kathy Crowley wrote, Our students are experiencing trauma, learning loss the increased time away from school due to the circumstances of COVID-19, including quarantining as a close contact.

More: As COVID cases tick up in schools, districts are scrambling to cover classes with substitutes in short supply

More: With COVID numbers rising and omicron here, Gov. McKee will announce new actions Wednesday

More: Two new COVID testing sites just opened in RI, and they're busy

Crowley, who is superintendent in East Providence, said that districts have heard anecdotally that most students who have been excluded from in-person classes due to a close contact testing positive have not tested positive during their quarantine.

Therefore, hundreds of healthy students have lost countless hours of school, for no reason, Crowley wrote in a letter dated Dec. 22. We, as education professionals know that children being in school ensures their physical and emotional safety, their continuity of learning and enables families to continue working. ... We want to keep that education opportunity viable for as many students as possible.

If there is a significant increase in positive COVID cases among students and staff, or if the governor or the health department closes schools statewide, the school districts would follow that directive, she said.

Before Christmas vacation, Infante-Green urged districts to send students home with their laptops in the event schools ended up shifting to distance learning.

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In a letter to school districts, Infante-Green wrote that the Department of Education "is working hard with our colleagues across government to make sure that we are making the right decisions as a state to protect you and your community, including increasing our testing and vaccination capabilities."

More: As COVID cases tick up in schools, districts are scrambling to cover classes with substitutes in short supply

Schools have been struggling to staff classrooms as the latest COVID surge has sickened teachers. With substitute teachers in short supply, some districts have had to hold multiple classes in gyms and had teachers give up their planning periods to cover for absent teachers. Although the commissioner and leaders believe that keeping students in school is critical, several superintendents worry that if the surge continues, they will be forced to go remote in certain classes and possibly entire buildings.

On the Facebook page Rhode Island Parents for Safe Schools, parents expressed frustration by the lack of guidance from the state, with some expressing cynicism about the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's decision to shorten the quarantine period.

"Westerly has been doing test-to-stay, and it works great," wrote Katie Murano. "I see no reason to hurt the kids more by not being in school. The districts will figure it out, but between parents losing their jobs from having to stay home teaching and academic decline, I don't see it happening."

"Superintendents are not going to go to [distance learning] unless they are forced to, either by the governor or because they cant cover the classes because of teachers being quarantined or sick," wrote Charlene Wheeler. "They cant make that decision now; its too early. Superintendents do not want to close schools; it is their last resort. They have already done this rodeo and have seen the effects on students' mental health, economy, and also students education ... Parents cant afford kids to stay home for days. Many dont get paid if they dont work. I know I am going to get backlash, but I am a realist here. There is no easy solution and no one is going to be happy."

Linda Borg covers education for The Journal.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Gov. McKee says RI schools will open for in-person learning next week
As COVID-19 surges through Washington County and Maryland, Meritus Health is again asking people to be vaccinated, and a state hospital group is seeking a limited public health emergency declaration.

Our teams are doing everything they can, but we continue to see patients die. In the last seven days, 10 COVID-19 patients have died at Meritus Medical Center, Maulik Joshi, president and CEO at Meritus, said in a health advisory issued Wednesday.

In the past seven days, more than 4,000 people have used Meritus Health's drive-thru testing site, Joshi said.

Several days this week, Meritus has administered more than 950 tests during just one shift.

Maulik Joshi

During the last two days, the positivity rate for the more than 2,000 tests processed by Meritus Medical Lab topped 30%.

Our teams continue to stand outside in the December weather, often hours after their shifts have ended, because testing is paramount to stopping the spread of this virus, Joshi said.

Adding to the challenges, Joshi said, are large numbers of people arriving at the hospital who are seriously ill with ailments other than COVID-19.

Last night, we had community members experience extreme wait times at our emergency department. It is so important that we each consider the appropriate level of care for medical issues we are experiencing, Joshi said. Meritus Health continues to seek opportunities to offer easy access to the care our community members need, especially during challenging times like the one we face.

Joshi recommended patients consider other Meritus Health clinics, including Meritus Primary Care, Meritus Urgent Care or Meritus After Hours Pediatrics, for the appropriate level of care.

Registered nurse Silvia Petrick administers a COVID-19 test at the drive-through screening center behind Meritus Medical Plaza on Crayton Boulevard just north of Hagerstown on October 28, 2021.

The hospital has been treating more than 70 COVID-19 patients at day, about 80% of whom are unvaccinated.

On Wednesday, the hospital had 263 patients, according to the Meritus website.

Of the total, 71 were being treated for COVID, and 79% of them were not vaccinated.

The hospital was treating 23 patients in the intensive care unit, and nine of them had COVID. Of the nine, eight were not vaccinated.

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Of the 21 patients on ventilators, six had COVID. Five of the six were not vaccinated.

The hospital also was treating one pediatric patient for COVID.

According to Meritus, the average age of its COVID patients was 62.

I share these numbers not to frighten or alarm people in the community, but to arm them with information to help them make decisions to improve their health, Joshi said. Please, consider COVID-19 vaccination if you have not. If you are vaccinated, please get a booster when the time is right.

Get a boost: Meritus Health encourages community members to get COVID-19 boosters

COVID from the inside: Meritus staff share behind-the-scenes reflections on the pandemic

School rules: WCPS employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or be tested weekly

Other health care options

Also, for the past year, five primary care providers from Meritus Health have dedicated time to an after-hours virtual care clinic. Appointments are available from 7 to 10:30 p.m., and patients may schedule them directly through the MyChart patient portal used by the entire health system.

This service allows patients to speak with a medical provider without leaving home. While there are some guardrails as to what is appropriate and beneficial for a virtual care clinic appointment, its an option for someone who has received a COVID-19 positive test result and might have questions about treating their symptoms from home.

'Hospital personnel are stretched to their limits'

Meanwhile, the Maryland Hospital Association, which represents health systems across the state, echoed many of Joshi's comments.

The association issued a news release Thursday saying that the state's "hospitals are nearly full, and emergency departments are stretched incredibly thin. Hospitals are seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases and have fewer clinicians ready to care for all patients."

Statewide, the number of COVID-19 patients in Maryland hospitals has soared over 2,000, surpassing the previous high of 1,952 reached on Jan. 11, 2021.

Four hospitals are operating under crisis standards of care, the release stated, and others are running under contingency care protocols.

"The main concern currently is workforce," the release stated. "Hospital personnel are stretched to their limits and we cannot demand more from them."

Clinical manager Heather Markell is pictured in the regional infectious containment unit at Meritus Medical Center.

On Tuesday, Bob Atlas, the association president and CEO, asked Gov. Larry Hogan to reinstate a limited public health emergency declaration for health care, health care services and health care staffing.

We respectfully ask the governor and secretary of health to help the hospitals by offering the flexibilities and protections that a limited PHE affords, Atlas said in the release.

Maryland had a PHE in place for a year and a half, when conditions were not as dire as they are now.

Noting that most COVID-19 hospital patients are unvaccinated, the association urged people to get the vaccinations and booster shots, to wear masks, keep social distance and wash their hands regularly.

Like Joshi at Meritus, the association asked Marylanders not visit a hospital emergency room for a COVID test or vaccine, and to see a doctor or use urgent care for health concerns that are not life- or limb-threatening.

'Get boosted now'

Also Wednesday, the Hogan administration issued an update about the pandemic.

As we have been projecting, our statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations have now reached record levels and surpassed 2,000  a surge driven primarily by unvaccinated patients," Hogan said in a news release. "It cannot be stressed enough that getting vaccinated and getting boosted are your strongest possible defenses against this virus and its variants."

The release outlined previously announced steps the administration has taken in response to the newest surge. Some of those include allocating an additional $100 million for hospitals and nursing homes to address staffing needs, requiring hospitals to implement pandemic plans to suspend elective surgeries and manage their patient census, and starting to distribute 500,000 at-home rapid test kits through local health departments and BWI Airport.

Genevieve, left, a nursing assistant, and Shannon Bingaman, a registered nurse, are both dressed in personal protective equipment, PPE, while working with COVID-19 patients at the regional infectious containment unit at Meritus Medical Center.

"We have been calling on the federal government to do more to expand the availability of testing  including invoking the Defense Production Act  but as the president himself has acknowledged, those efforts have fallen short," Hogan said. "Regardless, we will do all we can at the state level to further scale up testing operations."

He also said the state has "one of the most aggressive booster shot campaigns in the country. The booster shots provide the strongest protection against the highly transmissible omicron variant. The most important thing Marylanders can do is get boosted now."

Mike Lewis covers business, the economy and other issues. Follow Mike on Twitter at MiLewis.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: COVID-19 hospitalizations surging in Washington County, Maryland
On Tuesday, the Shreveport City Council gained a new council member in Alan Jackson, who was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to fill the seat vacated by James Flurry.

City reaches agreements with Mardi Gras Krewes

The Highland Parade Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2020.

Mardi Gras agreements were finalized with five local Krewes at the Shreveport City Council meeting Tuesday evening.

Since April, representatives from the city and krewes met several times with other agencies to discuss sharing the costs of hosting the parades.

The Krewes of Harambe, Highland, and Sobek will enter a one-year agreement with the city and will receive $3,900, $22,600, and $3,000, respectively.

More on Mardi Gras: Krewes to keep same routes

The city will extend for two years its contracts with the Krewes of Gemini and Centaur, but the fee the two Krewes will receive was not included in the agreement resolutions.

According to fact sheets for the agreements, the Mardi Gras parades produced $12,333,936 for Shreveport in 2019, allowing the City to collect more than $440,000 in tax revenue.

The Krewe of Gemini Parade Saturday afternoon, February 22, 2020.

Vote on raises expected for city employees

A group of approximately 25 water and sewage employees protested the Shreveport City Council's proposed unequal raises for city employees at a Dec. 13, 2021 meeting.

A 13% raise that would benefit all full-time city employees will be voted on at the councils Jan. 11 meeting.

The idea of a 13% was initially proposed earlier this month for the police and fire departments to raise those salaries to the regional average. That proposal failed in a 3-3 vote from the council. The council members who voted against it said they wanted to pass raises for all employees at the same time.

The minimum wage for all full-time city workers was raised to $13 an hour.

Read more about the city employee raises

African American history parade extended two more years

Rep. Barbara Norton during the 32nd Annual African American History Parade in downtown Shreveport February 1, 2020.

A contract to produce the annual African American history parade was extended two years. According to a fact sheet for the extension, the parade generated $12,333,936 in local spending in 2019, allowing the City of Shreveport to collect more than $440,000 in sales tax.

2021 healthcare plan to continue into 2022

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The healthcare plan applied in 2021 for city workers and retirees will continue to be used in 2022.

Under the base plan for active employees, the City contributes 74% while the employee contributes 26 %. Under the high deductible plan, the City contributes 85% while the employee contributes 15%. For retirees, the plan would require a 42% contribution while the City contributes 58%.

Kendrick Dante writes for the USA Today Network and is a government watchdog reporter in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enjoys cooking, concerts and content. Email him at kdbrown1@gannett.com or connect on Twitter @kendrickdante.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport Council discusses minimum wage raises; Mardi Gras parades
Sir Geoffrey Boycott has questioned Joe Roots future as England Test captain (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Archive)

Sir Geoffrey Boycott believes it will be time for Joe Root to step down as captain when Englands humiliating Ashes series ends.

England were bowled out for 68  their lowest total on Australian soil since 1904  as the hosts won the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne by an innings and 14 runs to take a decisive 3-0 series lead.

The result capped a dreadful run of results for the Test team under Root, who have become the first England side to lose nine games in a year.

Joe Root has presided over a record nine England Test defeats in a calendar year (Jason OBrien/PA) (PA Wire)

Former England batter Boycott, writing in the Daily Telegraph has clearly seen enough and said: Joes captaincy lacks imagination. His team selection and decision making has been staggeringly off the mark.

At the end of this series the question should be asked: would England benefit from a change of captain?

Thats not me trying to be hurtful to Joe or just being controversial. We all love Joe.

It is impossible not to like him, but before the squad left the UK Joe said players and captains are defined by Ashes series, particularly in Australia.

Joe's captaincy lacks imagination. His team selection and decision making has been staggeringly off the mark

Sir Geoffrey Boycott

So far this series we have been dreadful and if Joe believes what he has been saying then it is time for someone else to be given the opportunity to try and galvanise the players.

Captains accept the accolades when their team wins so they have to accept some blame or criticism when they lose.

Roots return with the bat in 2021 contrasts starkly to that of his record as captain.

The 30-year-old became just the third player in history to break 1,700 Test runs in a calendar year after Sir Viv Richards and record holder Mohammad Yousuf.

Boycott added: Many of us are tired of these interviews where Joe says England will learn from a bad day or Joe says he expects a response after a poor performance.

We have had enough of this rubbish. Stop treating us ex-players and cricket supporters as idiots.

And lets be honest  we havent just lost, we have been smashed.
By Abdi Sheikh

MOGADISHU (Reuters) -The United Nations and other countries are in talks with Somalia's prime minister and president to urge them to reduce tensions in their political feud that has fed fears of a military clash, officials said on Wednesday.

A Somalia government official said Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble had separately talked with Molly Phee, U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs, on the political situation in Somalia, which is also seen by analysts as distracting the government from fighting an Islamist insurgency by the al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab group.

Phee's office said on Twitter late on Wednesday she had also spoken with President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, urging him to support Roble to complete parliamentary elections quickly. The elections began on Nov. 1 and were supposed to be finished by Dec. 24, but by Wednesday only 30 of the 275 representatives have been elected, according to the election commission.

"The United Nations and international partners are in contact with all sides to urge de-escalation," said Ari Gaitanis, spokesperson for the U.N. Somalia office.

The talks involved the global body's partners in Somalia who include the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others, Gaitanis said.

On Wednesday the group met separately with the president and a group of candidates who are aiming to run against him in a presidential election.

"Their goal at both meetings was to encourage Somalias leaders to put the countrys interests first and to focus on correcting electoral deficiencies," Gaitanis said.

Roble spoke with Phee about "the political situation in Somalia, security and elections," Somalia federal government spokesman Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu said on Twitter.

The president on Monday suspended the prime minister for suspected corruption, a move Roble said was a coup attempt and asked all security forces to take orders from his office.

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For a second day on Wednesday, security forces belonging to politicians allied to the prime minister camped in an area near the presidential palace..

Mogadishu residents told Reuters although the capital was calm they had noticed a bigger-than-usual presence of security forces belonging to Roble's political allies, but that they had largely kept away from the streets.

(Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis in Washington, Feisal Omar in Mogadishu; Writing by Elias BiryabaremaEditing by George Obulutsa and Grant McCool)
One of the last pro-democracy media organisations in Hong Kong, Stand News, is shutting down after it was raided by police and senior staff were arrested.

Seven people, both current and former employees, were detained by Hong Kong police for "conspiracy to publish seditious publications".

"Because of the situation, Stand News is ceasing operations immediately," the organisation said in a Facebook post.

More than 200 police officers were sent to raid the publication's office.

Hong Kong police said in a statement they were authorised to "search and seize relevant journalistic materials".

In a post on Facebook, Stand News said it would no longer be updating its website and would be removing its social media content "within a day".

"This morning, the police arrested a number of senior and former senior staff of the company, [and] took many people away to assist in the investigation," the statement reads.

It adds that computers and documents were seized from its office and that it would be assisting the police with their inquiry.

Those arrested - three men and four women - are aged between 34 and 73 years old.

Patrick Lam was among those arrested by police

They include the former and acting chief editors of Stand News, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, as well as pop star turned democracy icon Denise Ho, who was a former board member.

Other board members Margaret Ng, Christine Fang and Chow Tat-chi were also among those arrested. The identity of the seventh person detained has not yet been reported.

Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee said during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that he supported the police operation against the news outlet.

"Anybody who attempts to make use of media work as a tool to pursue their political purpose or other interests [and] contravenes the law, particularly offences that endanger national security, they are the evil elements that damage press freedom."

Hong Kong will 'always need journalists'

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Footage posted on Stand News' Facebook page showed multiple police officers at the door of deputy assignment director Ronson Chan early Wednesday morning.

Mr Chan was not arrested but he was taken in for questioning by police.

The night before, Mr Chan had hosted the annual dinner of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), of which he is chairperson. In a speech, he referenced the closure of Apple Daily, saying that the incident had "shaken" Hong Kong.

He concluded by saying the city would "always need the truth and always need journalists... no matter how difficult the road ahead is, the [HKJA] will not fall down".

Earlier this year, hundreds of police raided the premises of the now defunct Apple Daily - a publication known for being a vocal critic of the Hong Kong and Chinese leadership.

Its assets were frozen, executives were detained and the paper shut down soon after.

Its closure left Stand News as one of the last openly pro-democratic publications in the city. It was among a handful of relatively new online news portals that especially gained prominence during the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Today's arrests also come a day after media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, was slapped with the same charge even as he serves a jail sentence for a litany of separate charges against him.

'Once a beacon of press freedom'

Grace Tsoi, BBC News Hong Kong

Today's raid did not come as a surprise.

A few days after the closure of Apple Daily, Stand News stopped accepting donations from readers, saying they did not want to accept donors' funds in the event that they were shut down - amongst other measures instilled.

One staff member who does not want to be named said today he felt calm, as it was expected.

"I hope everyone will be safe and press freedom is not a crime," he said, but didn't want to respond when asked if he felt worried about his own safety and that of his 60 colleagues.

Hong Kong was once a beacon of press freedom in Asia, but now, with only a handful of independent news websites and publications left, one cannot help but wonder which outlet might come next.

Press freedom in Hong Kong

The Committee to Protect Journalists have condemned the arrests, with its Asia program coordinator Steven Butler calling them "an open assault on Hong Kong's already tattered press freedom, as China steps up direct control over the former colony".

Meanwhile, HKJA said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned" about Wednesday's incident, and urged "the government to protect press freedom in accordance with the Basic Law."

The Basic Law, which came into effect when Hong Kong was handed back to China from Britain, protects rights such as freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.

Hong Kong authorities have been increasingly cracking down on dissent in the city, following the imposition of a national security law.

The controversial law criminalises secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces, and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Critics says the law effectively reduces Hong Kong's judicial autonomy and made it easier to punish demonstrators and activists.
MASSACHUSETTS  Every Massachusetts school teacher and staff member will be receiving rapid COVID-19 tests to use before returning to school after the holiday break, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education said Wednesday.

Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said the effort was one of the ways officials are working to keep students in classes as COVID-19 cases continue to climb. The 200,000 rapid tests will be sent to school districts, giving them enough for each staff member to get two of the rapid antigen tests, the DESE said.

The DESE is encouraging school employees to take one of the tests at least 24 hours before returning to work.

"DESE staff worked very hard to secure these at-home rapid antigen tests for schools and we are all grateful for their efforts and hard work to help schools during this difficult time," Education Secretary James Peyser said in a statement. "We all remain committed to keeping schools open despite the recent uptick in COVID cases."

As students prepare to return to school after the holidays, COVID-19 cases continue to climb. On Tuesday, Massachusetts reported its 1 millionth COVID-19 case. Residents across the Bay State are scrambling to find ways to test and make sure they're clear after being around family.

More on Patch

This article originally appeared on the Across Massachusetts Patch
FRANKLIN  Authorities investigating the fatal shooting of an Allegheny County man at a gathering in Venango County earlier this month have released new details on the incident as they await autopsy and other results in the ongoing homicide probe.

No one had been charged as of Wednesday afternoon in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Pittsburgh resident Peter Bernardo Spencer, who was killed while at a location in the 200 block of Carls Road in Rockland Township on the early morning of Dec. 12.

The Pennsylvania State Police initially reported after the shooting that Spencer was found dead in the front yard of a residence after troopers were called to Carls Road to investigate a report of a shooting that happened sometime between 1 a.m. and 2:26 a.m. on Dec. 12.

Man dead in Venango County shooting: State police await autopsy as probe continues into fatal shooting at Venango County gathering

Investigators said Spencer had apparent gunshot wounds to his body.

State police also reported at the time that there was a gathering at the Carls Road location that involved alcohol and "gunplay," and that one person, a 25-year-old male, was detained.

Investigators wrote in an updated news release that was issued on Wednesday afternoon that the 25-year-old man and three other people were detained and questioned by troopers and were released following consultation with the Venango County District Attorney's Office pending further investigation.

Troopers wrote in the updated news release that multiple firearms, ballistic evidence, and controlled substances were seized from the scene.

The state police Troop E Major Case Team was activated for the investigation and members of the agency's Heritage Affairs were notified of the incident, according to the release.

The state police Heritage Affairs section is primarily responsible for training troopers on implicit bias, building relationships within historically underserved communities, and preventing and responding to hate/bias-related crimes, according to information on the agency's website.

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An autopsy on Spencer was performed on Dec. 14, but the results are pending, state police reported. Investigators said they are also awaiting the results of toxicology testing, laboratory testing and ballistics reports.

The Venango County District Attorney's Office will review the case and all forensic reports and make a charging recommendation once the investigation is completed, according to state police.

"The Pennsylvania State Police requests the public to remain patient, we are actively investigating this incident and are providing all investigative updates to the District Attorney's Office as appropriate," officials wrote in the release.

Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is asked to call Trooper Andrew Hagan in Franklin at 814-676-6596.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Venango County homicides: State police release more details in man's death
STRATFORD, CT  Mayor Laura R. Hoydick has announced plans for distribution in Stratford of COVID-19 test kits that the town will receive as part of the three million rapid-test kits being distributed to Connecticut towns and cities by order of Gov. Ned Lamont.

Test kits are being distributed to Connecticut communities on a per capita basis, with Stratford receiving 6,570 kits, according to Hoydick.

Kits will be made available to Stratford at two distribution points.

As the number of kits available will be insufficient to cover everyone in town, they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, officials wrote in a news release.

Read more from the news release below:

Based on CT Department of Health recommendations to limit the number of tests made available per household, the Stratford distribution sites will distribute a maximum of two kits per household. Each kit contains two tests.

The kits will be made available from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30, at the following locations:

Bunnell High School Parking Lot

1 Bulldog Blvd., Stratford

Stratford Academy: Johnson House Parking Lot

719 Birdseye St., Stratford

Tests will be available only to Stratford residents and distributed through drive-up. Residents will be directed through each drive-up by staff at each location. Everyone in vehicles coming through the drive-up should remain masked the entire time.

Households will have additional opportunities to receive test kits in the coming weeks through the school system and Federally-Qualified Health Centers.

Residents should note that there continues to be sites available in Stratford for COVID-19 tests, including DeLuca Field parking lot every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (closed Friday Dec. 31st). You can register here.

Drive-through testing is also available at DOCS Urgent Care Center, 200 East Main Street (Appointments can be made here) and at CVS Pharmacy at 1 Hawley Lane (Appointments can be made here.

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Get Vaccinated and Boosted

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has proven to be very contagious, and those who remain unvaccinated should do so as soon as possible. More information on vaccines can be obtained by visiting here.

Locations for vaccines and boosters in Stratford (appointments required):

CVS Pharmacy  1425 Barnum Ave.

Walgreens  1606 Barnum Ave.

ShopRite Pharmacy  250 Barnum Ave.

Walmart  150 Barnum Ave.

Stop & Shop  200 East Main Street

Rite Aid  1060 East Main St.

The Connecticut Department of Health also has many walk-in clinics available without an appointment, visit here.

This article originally appeared on the Stratford Patch
(AP)  A firearms store and gun range in suburban Kansas City refused to let a Muslim woman use the range unless she removed her hijab, a Muslim civil rights organization alleged in a federal lawsuit.

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the law firm of Baldwin & Vernon in Independence alleges that the gun range at Frontier Justice in Lee's Summit enforces its dress code in a discriminatory way that disproportionately affects Muslim women.

Rania Barakat and her husband went to Frontier Justice on Jan. 1, 2020, to shoot at its gun range. According to the lawsuit, Barakat was told she would not be allowed to use the range unless she removed her hijab, a religious head covering worn by some Muslim women.

Frontier Justice officials said in a statement posted on Facebook that the dress code rules, which have been in place since the store opened in 2015, are designed to protect people from being burned by expended brass and are not discriminatory.

Related video: Woman files complaint over being forced to remove hijab for mug shot

The gun range requires shooters to remove all head coverings except baseball caps facing forward. A store manager explained that shrapnel could cause the hijab and skin to burn.

The couple told the manager they had used several other shooting ranges with no problems caused by the hijab, and that people wear long sleeves and shirts that cover their necks to protect them from shrapnel, according to the lawsuit.

The manager said the gun range had different rules, according to the lawsuit. The couple left the store after the manager became aggressive and loud," the suit alleged.

The lawsuit contends that it is Frontier Justice's policy to turn away Muslims wearing hijabs, citing several social media posts from other Muslims about being refused use of the shooting range. It also claims that Instagram posts from Frontier Justice show customers wearing baseball caps turned backward, and hats and scarves.

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It is completely unacceptable for a business establishment to deny service to customers based on their religious beliefs  and that is exactly what Frontier Justice has done," Moussa Elbayoumy, chairman of the board of CAIR-Kansas, said in a statement. "The claim that a hijab somehow presents a safety issue is merely a bad excuse in an attempt to justify a pattern of discriminatory treatment of Muslim women.

The statement from Frontier Justice said it has had no complaints about its policies except from Barakat. It also offers Muslims who want to wear the hijab a chance to use a shot simulator or to wear a swim hijab.

It saddens us that anyone would say we are not inclusive, given that we serve all races and religions every single day in all of our stores. We pride ourselves on this fact, and we strongly believe in America and the Second Amendment that is for every single American. Period, Bren Brown, president of Frontier Justice, said in the statement.

CAIR asked the U.S. Department of Justice in July to investigate civil rights practices at Frontier Justice.

At the time, Brown said Barakat was not discriminated against and was asked to follow a dress code that is applied to all patrons equally, The Kansas City Star reported.

The lawsuit asks the federal court to find that Frontier Justice's policies regarding the wearing of hijabs violates the 1964 Civil Rights Act and prohibit the gun range and its employees from acting in ways that discriminate against anyone based on their religion.

___

This story was first published on Dec. 29. It was updated on Jan. 4 to correct the headline, which erroneously suggested that the store made Barakat remove her hijab. The store said she had to remove it if she wanted to use its gun range, but she refused to do so and left.
Louisiana State Police confirmed a suspect involved in the Grambling State University homecoming shooting on Oct. 13 has been arrested.

According to LSP spokesperson Michael Reichardt, Jatavious Carroll was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on charges of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm/weapon on school property.

The shooting occurred at 1:08 a.m. at an unsanctioned event on campus, according to LSP. Two victims were injured and transported to a local hospital. One later died from their injuries.

His arrest followed a standoff in Delhi between Carroll and multiple law enforcement agencies on Tuesday.

Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1.

Support local journalism by subscribing at https://cm.thenewsstar.com/specialoffer.

December: Bastrop man arrested in connection with Grambling homecoming shooting

Nov. 12: Suspect in second Grambling homecoming shooting arrested

Analysis: Grambling State University has had at least one shooting per year over the last five years

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Suspect in GSU homecoming shooting arrested following standoff
By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A jury on Wednesday convicted British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell of recruiting and grooming four teenagers for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse. [nL1N2TE1OS]

Here are 10 key moments from the trial:

- In her opening statement, prosecutor Lara Pomerantz called Maxwell a predator who manipulated girls and groomed them for abuse by Epstein, her employer and onetime boyfriend. Maxwell saw recruiting girls for Epstein to have sex with as a means to maintain a luxurious lifestyle, Pomerantz said.

"They were exploiting kids," Pomerantz said. "They were trafficking kids for sex."

- Maxwell defense lawyer Bobbi Sternheim began her opening statement by citing the biblical story of Adam and Eve to argue that Maxwell, like many women before her, was being blamed for a man's bad behavior. Epstein killed himself in 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell.

"Epstein's death left a gaping hole in the pursuit of justice for many of these women," Sternheim said. "She's filling that hole, and filling that empty chair."

- A woman known by the pseudonym Jane testified that Epstein first abused her in 1994, when Jane was just 14.

Maxwell sometimes took part in sexual encounters with Jane and Epstein, and acted as if it were normal, Jane testified.

"It made me feel confused because that did not feel normal to me," she said. "I'd never seen anything like this or felt anything like this."

- Under cross-examination by Maxwell attorney Laura Menninger, Jane acknowledged she did not initially tell the FBI everything about Maxwell's involvement. She said later under further questioning by prosecutors that she was not comfortable sharing all the details.

"I was sitting in a room full of strangers and telling them the most shameful, deepest secrets that I'd been carrying around with me my whole life," she said.

- Prosecutors displayed for the jury a green massage table that was seized from Epstein's Palm Beach, Florida, estate in 2005. Three of the four accusers said they gave Epstein massages that escalated into sexual activity.

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Pomerantz called the word massage a "ruse designed to get young girls to touch Epstein."

- Prosecutors showed the jury images depicting Maxwell's and Epstein's intimate relationship during the 1990s. The never-before-seen digital photographs showed Maxwell kissing Epstein on the cheek or rubbing his bare foot.

- A woman known by her first name, Carolyn, testified that Maxwell once touched Carolyn's breasts and buttocks while Carolyn was nude and told her she had a "great body for Mr. Epstein and his friends."

"Money will not ever fix what that woman has done to me," Carolyn said, sobbing on the stand.

- Jeffrey Pagliuca, an attorney for Maxwell, asked Carolyn why she did not mention Maxwell in her initial discussions with law enforcement but implicated her later in a claim to a victim's compensation fund run by Epstein's estate. The questioning was part of Maxwell's efforts to paint the accusers' accounts as unreliable.

"You know that if any information you submitted is false, you can be in criminal trouble?" Pagliuca said, referring to the fund.

- Elizabeth Loftus, a prominent psychologist, testified for the defense that people can confidently recount events that did not happen. Her testimony was part of the defense's effort to argue that the accusers' memories had been manipulated over time.

"When you have post-event suggestion or intervention, people get very confident about their wrong answers," Loftus testified.

- Minutes before the defense rested its case, Maxwell stood up, and with Sternheim's arm around her lower back, told U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan that she was declining to testify in her own defense.

"Your honor, the government has not proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt, and so there is no need for me to testify," Maxwell said

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Alistair Bell)
The United States on Wednesday appointed an envoy to defend the rights of Afghan women, signaling a key priority as the Taliban ratchet up restrictions.

Rina Amiri, an Afghan-born US scholar and mediation expert who served at the State Department under former president Barack Obama, will take the role of special envoy for Afghan women, girls and human rights, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.

Months after the United States ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan, Blinken said that Amiri will address issues of "critical importance to me" and the rest of President Joe Biden's administration.

"We desire a peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan, where all Afghans can live and thrive in political, economic and social inclusivity," Blinken said in a statement.

The Taliban imposed an ultra-austere brand of Islam on Afghanistan during their 1996-2001 regime, including banning women from working and girls from education.

Despite Taliban pledges to act differently after their August takeover, many women remain barred from returning to work and girls are largely cut off from secondary schooling.

On Sunday, the Taliban said that women would not be allowed to travel long distances without a male escort and that vehicle owners should not give rides to women unless they wear headscarves.

sct/jm
LOS ANGELES  Tavion Thomas had visions of becoming a running back at Ohio State.

He grew up in Dayton and had looked up to Buckeyes stars such as Braxton Miller and Ezekiel Elliott since middle school.

Nearly four years ago, that dream came close to reality as Thomas planned to sign with the Buckeyes. But in the days leading up to signing day in February 2018, he received disappointing news. Ohio State asked if he would start out at a junior college.

Dayton native Tavion Thomas rushed for 1,041 yards and 20 touchdowns this season for Utah.

Former coach Urban Meyer feared he wouldnt be accepted by the universitys admissions office out of high school, prompting him to suggest the detour, according to Darran Powell, who coached Thomas at Dunbar High School. Meyer thought he could successfully transfer to the school once he raised his grades.

He was honest about it, Powell said. He literally said hes one of the best backs that hes ever seen. It was high regards.

Dayton native Tavion Thomas rushed for 1,041 yards and 20 touchdowns this season for Utah.

The belief just wasnt enough to overcome his lower grades. As both sides moved on, it marked the start of a winding path in college football that comes full circle in the Rose Bowl.

Ohio State football: Buckeyes' toughness, called out by Michigan, to be Utah target in Rose Bowl

Rob Oller: Rose Bowl winning recipe: Give the ball to TreVeyon and get out of the way

Ohio State football: Four Buckeyes opt out of Rose Bowl game against Utah. Who won't play?

Initially signing with Cincinnati, Thomas transferred after two seasons to Independence Community College in Kansas and then hit the road again this past summer, heading to Utah and setting up the matchup with his home-state school on New Years Day.

After losing the chance to join the Buckeyes, Thomas said he has a love-hate relationship with Ohio State and hopes to show them what they missed out on, using the sudden ending to his recruitment as additional motivation for the matchup.

Thomas felt he had a good relationship with OSUs coaching staff, especially running backs coach Tony Alford.

What I like about Coach Alford is he was a straightforward guy, Thomas said, and I respect that. I want to play for a coach that's straightforward, that aint going to sugarcoat anything. And he wasnt just talking football.

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But being unable to sign with Ohio State as a freshman still stung and proved discouraging.

Dayton native Tavion Thomas rushed for 1,041 yards and 20 touchdowns this season for Utah.

That was really kind of hard for me, he said. When they said that, Im like, Man, am I not worthy enough? I had doubts in my mind and stuff like that.

As Thomas persevered, hes provided a big impact for Utah, helping it reach its first-ever Rose Bowl trip.

In his debut season for the Utes, he rushed for 1,041 yards and 20 touchdowns and was selected to the All-Pac-12 first team.

His presence was a big catalyst of this offense taking a jump about halfway through the season, Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said.

Thomas first had to overcome fumbling issues that plagued him in opening games against Weber State and BYU, leaving him with a reduced role in the following weeks.

Over a two-game stretch against San Diego State and Washington to end the opening month of the season, he saw only two carries. Then he broke out with 113 rushing yards and a touchdown in a win over USC in October.

I think a big red light went on, Ludwig said, and Tavion said, 'I'm going to get this fixed or else I'm not going to play.' He wants to play. He wants to be an impact player in this program. He identified the issue, and he got the issue corrected.

The improved ball security has allowed Utah to benefit from one of Thomas biggest strengths. Hes a bruising back at 221 pounds and can shed potential tacklers. According to Pro Football Focus, 71% of his rushing yards this season have come after contact.

It was a trait Powell noticed years ago in high school after he switched positions from defensive end to become the teams starting running back as a junior.

Hes just a physical runner, Powell said. He runs to punish people, and he gets stronger as the game goes on.

His teammates at Utah observed that same tough running style after he arrived in Salt Lake City.

When he first got on campus, he went and did a workout and I just saw him move and do everything with his thighs, quarterback Cameron Rising said. I thought he was going to be special. Once I saw him put on the pads, I knew for sure.

Watching film of him, Buckeyes secondary coach and defensive play-caller Matt Barnes saw a horse of a tailback that runs the ball downhill.

Thomas tough running could be an issue for Ohio States rush defense, which is coming off its worst performance of the season.

In a 42-27 loss to Michigan that kept the Buckeyes from reaching the College Football Playoff, they gave up a season-high 297 rushing yards.

Wolverines offensive coordinator Josh Gattis labeled them a finesse team in the aftermath of the regular-season finale, pointing out that Minnesota and Oregon fared well against them on the ground earlier in the season.

Ohio State might have a point to prove against Utah after being called out for a lack of toughness.

Dayton native Tavion Thomas rushed for 1,041 yards and 20 touchdowns this season for Utah.

But Thomas also comes into the Rose Bowl with a chip on his shoulder and is eager to replicate the blueprint laid out weeks ago by the Wolverines.

I know Michigan was more physical, stuff like that, Thomas said, and I feel like we can match up physically. Were going to be able to run the ball. We just have to do our assignments.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman.

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tavion Thomas: Utah running back eager to face Buckeyes in Rose Bowl
RICHMOND, Va.  Researchers at Virginia's Department of Historic Resources began their careful examination Tuesday of about 60 artifacts in a time capsule that was placed inside the pedestal of the former Robert E. Lee Confederate memorial.

The capsule opened Tuesday was the second collection of artifacts found amid the remnants of the pedestal, which crews began taking down earlier this month. Unlike that first one that contained only a handful of items, this one seemed to be the one that historians were hoping it to be.

The capsule opened Tuesday had been documented in an 1887 newspaper article as reportedly containing an image of former President Abraham Lincoln in his coffin.

Under the direction of state archaeological conservator Kate Ridgway, the 134-year-old copper box was opened at the DHR laboratory in Richmond, Virginia. The capsule had been found the day before by workers removing the rubble of the memorial on Monument Avenue.

Ridgway said the 14-inch square box looked to be sealed pretty well prior to it being placed inside the statue's pedestal in 1887. There was some condensation inside the box, but Ridgway said that appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary.

'AN IMPORTANT DAY FOR THE HISTORY OF RICHMOND AND VIRIGINIA': An 1875 almanac, books and a silver coin found inside Robert E. Lee statue time capsule in Virginia

Because the box was found in a pool of water, there was concern that some of it might have gotten into it and possibly damaged some of the artifacts.

"There does not appear to be much water inside the box, which we are excited about," Ridgway said prior to the capsule's opening.

After using a small electric circular saw to remove the top of the capsule, Ridgway and her colleague, Sue Donovan, began sorting through the contents of the 36-pound box clamped to a table in the lab. Using an 1887 newspaper article detailing its contents, the researchers carefully but quickly began pulling out and identifying the contents.

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The capsule received a lot of early notice prior to its discovery because the article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch claimed that a 1865 picture of Lincoln in his coffin had been placed in it.

That image was among the first of the artifacts removed, and it was a centerfold from the April 29, 1865 issue of the Harper's Weekly newspaper. That centerfold depicted an image of a woodcarving by 19th-century artist Thomas Nast of an unidentified woman grieving over a coffin with the word "LINCOLN" on it.

Ridgway said prior to the capsule's opening that she doubted the authenticity of that report.

Historian Dale Brumfield, one of several involved in the search for the capsule, said the contents "were just about what I had thought they would be." Like others, Brumfield said he was concerned about the interior's condition since it was found in standing water, but added the capsule's creators knew what they were doing to preserve it.

'PUBLIC ENTITIES SHOULD NO LONGER PLAY A ROLE IN DISTORTING HISTORY': Report counts how many Confederate statues have been removed since George Floyd's death. It's a lot.

"I was over at the site [Monday] getting ready to do interviews ... and for about 10 minutes, it got really quiet over there," Brumfield said, recalling the moment that the discovery was made. "Then somebody went, 'Hey, Dale!' [giving a thumbs-up sign], and I knew that was it."

In addition to the Harper's centerfold, conservators uncovered some Confederate money, a button from a Confederate uniform, and a shell fragment from the Battle of Fredericksburg during the Civil War. There were also various books and manuscripts tucked away, including an old directory of the city of Richmond.

Moisture caused a bit of a problem for the conservators as they began emptying the capsule. Some of the books and documents inside had expanded over time and had jammed themselves against the sides of the capsule. Ridgway used the small saw to cut open one of those sides, but only after intense measurements were made to ensure she did not cut into the artifacts themselves.

"You really don't want to cut up the copper box," she said, "but that's just how it goes sometimes."

Using the 1887 article as an inventory list, Ridgway and her team cataloged each item they pulled out, then rushed them into another part of the lab where they would undergo further conservation efforts. Rushing was necessary, Ridgway said, because the longer the artifacts were left out in the open air and under the lights of the lab, the better the chances of them becoming corroded before they could be further examined.

"They had been without any access to any new air and water for over 130 years," Ridgway said. "So what we are doing is exposing it to air and water, which causes deterioration."

As an example, Ridgway noted, a silver coin discovered in the first time capsule quickly began corroding as soon as they pulled it out. "Within a minute, it had already turned gray," she recalled.

However, the first box discovered was made of lead while this one was made of copper. Ridgway said copper acts as a natural fungicide and disinfectant, so even though there was moisture, it was not a major threat to anything.

"This really does not smell that bad," Ridgway joked as she leaned over the capsule.

Just like with the discovery of the first collection, Tuesday's capsule opening was a major media event in Richmond. Additionally, the capsule's opening was livestreamed over social media by the governor's office.

Extreme care was given to the box after its discovery. Once it was brought to the DHR lab, researchers briefly opened it to insert paper blotters that would absorb the condensation before closing it again. It was also wrapped in blankets and blotters to preserve it until the grand unveiling.

Once the artifacts are completely removed from the box, state officials said, they will be further preserved and studied. A determination on what to do with them will be made later.

The Lee memorial, once the crown jewel of Monument Avenue's gallery of Confederate monuments, was removed last September after the state Supreme Court ruled against a historical group trying to block its destruction. In 2020, Virginia passed a law allowing the removal of Confederate monuments from publicly owned land.

Once the rubble is cleared, the state will cede the property on which the statue stood to the city of Richmond.

The statue was often an origination point for last summer's protests in Richmond sparked by the death of a Black man at the hands of Minneapolis police. Demonstrators had tagged it with graffiti, and images of George Floyd, the slain man, were projected onto it.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia opens latest Robert E. Lee time capsule and find 60 artifacts
WEST HARTFORD, CT  The town of West Hartford has received 8,010 coronavirus test kits from the State of Connecticut and plans to distribute them at two drive-through locations on Friday, town officials said.

The locations are Conard High School, 110 Beechwood Road and King Philip Middle School, 100 King Philip Drive.

The distribution will begin at 10 a.m. and will run until 2 p.m., or until supplies are exhausted.

Residents should stay in your vehicle and wear a mask when interacting with staff at the pick-up location.

The purpose of this distribution is to provide tests kits to be used this week to reduce the spread of the Omicron virus and to supplement existing testing.

"There are three simple and effective interventions to fight off the current surge of COVID-19 from the Omicron variant  vaccination, masking, and testing," Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. "We will be distributing two of these  masks and tests  so that our communities can work as quickly as possible to get past this surge. I strongly encourage people to limit gathering sizes during this holiday week. Because of the scarcity of these kits, I am asking the residents of our state to please take only the kits that you need for your immediate family so that we can distribute as many as possible to help flatten the Omicron curve."

The town will distribute one test kit per family member per household, up to a maximum of four. The test kits are for West Hartford residents only (no businesses). Proof of residency will be required.

A portion of the test kits will be reserved for residents in need and distributed by West Hartford Social Services through its weekly food distribution.

To access the Conard High School distribution site, residents can enter the parking lot via the westbound lane of Beechwood Road and continue straight until you reach the main entrance of the high school. Left turns into the parking lot will be prohibited.

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To access the King Philip Middle School distribution site, residents can enter the parking lot via the northbound lane of King Philip Drive and continue straight until you reach the main entrance of the school. Please note left turns into the parking lot will also be prohibited.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has granted emergency use authorization for the iHealth COVID-19 antigen rapid test, which is completed with an anterior nasal swab and is not the deep nasal test. Each kit contains two tests. The complete instructions for the at-home rapid test are available on the iHealth packaging in English and Spanish. Results are usually available in 15 minutes. More information on the iHealth antigen home test kits is available at ihealthlabs.com.

Per the CDC recommendations, if your self-test yields a positive result, please stay home or isolate for 5 days and wear a mask. There is no need to obtain a follow up PCR test. Given the highly infectious nature of the Omicron variant, it is most important to wear any mask both in public spaces and when interacting in close contact with individuals outside of your household, but an N95 mask will provide better protection.

In addition to those designated for the general public, the state has purchased another one million iHealth kits  each containing two tests for a total of two million tests  that will be distributed to K-12 schools statewide. Distribution of those kits, which will also include a supply of N95 masks, will begin in January and continue through the school year as supplies last. Planning for this initiative is being conducted in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education. More details on the distribution of tests for schools will be announced in early January.

The Office of the Governor, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DESPP-DEMHS) and the Connecticut Military Department (CMD) are also partnering to distribute several million N95 masks, as an additional protective measure for the general population. Details on West Hartfords N95 mask distribution will follow sometime next week.

This article originally appeared on the West Hartford Patch
Abigail, left, and Leslie Wexner have left the L Brands board. Here, the high-profile couple is shown at the naming of the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University.

From the diminished presence of Ohio's richest man in the local business scene to the bankruptcy of the owner of Polaris Fashion Place and several other local malls, 2021 was packed with business stories that changed Columbus. Here's a sampling.

Wexner cuts ties: Leslie Wexner, wife Abigail step down from board of former L Brands

L Brands founder Leslie H. Wexner and his wife, Abigail, stepped down from the board of the retailer he created in 1963 with $5,000 he borrowed from his aunt. The move followed Wexner's decision the year before to retire as chairman and CEO of the company. The Wexners subsequently sold much of their stock in L Brands and L Brands later split into two companies, Bath & Body Works and Victoria's Secret. Wexner's move to step down as CEO and president came after he was criticized for his ties to child-sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

From left, former Equitas Health employees Lisa McLymont, Tia Carrington and Liz Rose-Cohen said they experienced or witnessed a culture of discrimination at the organization.

Equitas Health: Former Equitas Health staff condemn 'disrespectful, degrading and dehumanizing treatment' of Black employees

The Columbus Dispatch investigated claims of racial discrimination made by current and former employees of Equitas Health, a Columbus-based health-care provider for the LGBTQ community. Following the report, former CEO Bill Hardy and other senior leaders resigned from the organization. The board hired an interim chief people and culture officer and employed a law firm to conduct an independent investigation of the alleged racist culture in the workplace.

Mask mandates: Restaurants, other shops support Columbus mask mandate, but feel burdened by enforcement

In September, Mayor Ginther signed an executive order on Friday that would require everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks inside publicly accessible buildings. While business owners said supported the decision amid surging cases of COVID-19, they expressed concern about enforcement. They told stories of customers starting fights, damaging propertyand even spraying mace.

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Washington Prime Group, the Columbus-based owner of Polaris Fashion Place and other shopping centers, filed for bankruptcy and emerged from bankruptcy in 2021.

Washington Prime: Polaris Fashion Place owner files bankruptcy, emerges from bankruptcy

Washington Prime Group, the Columbus-based, publicly traded owner of Polaris Fashion Place and 100 other shopping centers, filed for bankruptcy protection in June, after struggling for more than a year with pandemic-reduced traffic and sales. Washington Prime operated as usual as it worked out an arrangement with creditors, and Polaris even added two major tenants: FieldhouseUSA and Public Lands. In November, the company emerged from bankruptcy as a private company under the direction of its largest creditor, the investment firm SVPGlobal. In addition to Polaris, Washington Prime Washington Prime also owns Indian Mound Mall in Heath; the Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek; Dayton Mall; New Towne Mall in New Philadelphia; Lima Mall and Lima Center; Great Lakes Mall in Mentor; and Southern Park Mall in Youngstown.

Supply chain, worker shortages: Supply shortages, hiring problems plague economy

Shortages, delays and rising prices became common throughout much of the economy, whether it's cars, new homes or grocery stores running short on basics, such as toilet paper, because of surging demand and not enough workers.

The Peninsula: Franklinton development takes shape

Work began in earnest on The Peninsula, the 26-acre development next to COSI in Franklinton. Significant construction progress was made on the first six buildings in the development: two apartment buildings, a hotel, an office building and two parking garages. Developers were pleased enough with early tenant interest that in November they announced the next phase: a 30-story apartment building and a seven-story office building, both built atop a four-story parking garage. When completed, the development is expected to include up to 2 million square feet of offices, 1,800 residences, 200,000 square feet of retail space and 400 hotel rooms.

Columbus housing market: Prices for homes skyrocket amid fierce demand

The Columbus-area housing market spent the year smashing records, as a mountain of buyers competed for a hill of homes by offering incentives such as appraisal gaps, no-remedy inspections and escalation clauses. In the first 11 months of the year, the median sales price of a home in Greater Columbus was $260,000, up from $231,750 in the previous year. Columbus-area homes sold for an average of 102% of their asking price and in an average of 16 days in 2021. The market was so super-charged that in the spring, homes were selling faster in the Columbus area than anywhere else. Buyers received discouraging news at the end of the year, when the listing service Realtor.com projected the Columbus area to be one of the nation's hottest housing markets in 2022.

Schoedinger Funeral & Cremation Service has been sold to Houston-based Service Corporation International.

Schoedinger sells: Schoedinger Funeral Home, Columbus' oldest business, sells

Schoedinger Funeral & Cremation Service, Columbus' oldest family-owned business, announced in December that it had reached an agreement to be acquired by the Houston company Service Corporation International, the nation's largest operator of funeral homes. Founded in 1855, Schoedinger is now run by its sixth generation. Schoedinger said the sale will be largely invisible to customers. All 12 Schoedinger funeral homes will remain, along with the company's 180 employees, including five family members. Service Corp. International, which also goes by the trade name Dignity, operates more than 1,900 funeral homes and cemeteries in 45 states and eight Canadian provinces.

Office space stays empty: Offices continue to vacate as workers stay home

As white-collar employees continued to work from home, office vacancies in Greater Columbus continued to climb. By fall, more than 20% of offices in the area were vacant, not including those that sat empty but were still paying rent. Meanwhile, developers continued to build new offices in the hopes that companies would still be drawn to new space with new amenities. While vacancies could be found throughout the Columbus area, they were especially acute in some Capital Square towers; during the third quarter, four high-rises around the Statehouse were at least 60% vacant. By the end of the year, corporate employers showed little appetite for returning to offices as some retreated from scheduled back-to-work plans.

This tree-lined driveway, off of State Route 38, is part of the Madison County farmland owned by Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates that might become part of a solar farm. The actual owner of the farm is a company called Midwest Farms, owner of about 6,300 acres of farmland in Union, Deer Creek, Monroe and Somerford townships.

Solar farms: Bill Gates farm property in Madison County to be part of massive solar farm

Renewable energy company Savion is moving ahead with plans to build one of the biggest solar farms in the U.S. on farmland in Madison County that includes land owned by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. The 10,000-acre Oak Run solar farm would be built north of London near Plumwood and would cost at least $1 billion to build. The project includes 6,300 acres owned by Gates. If approved by state regulators, construction could begin in 2024 or '25.

Google data centers: Google to invest $1 billion in Greater Columbus as part of data center expansion

Google announced it will invest an additional $1 billion in New Albany for its data-center operations while buying additional land in Columbus and Lancaster for more data centers. Rising demand is behind Google's $1 billion expansion in New Albany that will triple the size of those operations. The Columbus site is the home of the old Hartman Farm off of South High Street. Google said its purchase of 618 acres in Columbus and Lancaster will be for future potential development for data centers, and will give the tech giant more than 1,000 acres of land in the Columbus region.

Unemployment fraud: Cases of unemployment fraud surge in Ohio during pandemic

There were so many fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits filed in Ohio that claims were even filed in the names of Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. At one point last January, 796,000 claims out of 1.4 million filed under a federal pandemic unemployment program were flagged for potential fraud. Meanwhile, the state struggled under the weight of legitimate claims for benefits with unemployed workers complaining of lengthy wait times to collect benefits.

Where are the workers? Businesses struggle to hire workers, meet surging demand

COVID-19 has created a plethora of problems from global supply chain bottlenecks to labor shortages so severe that Greater Columbus businesses have struggled to meet surging demand. Beyond delays and shortages, soaring transportation prices are pushing up costs, further frustrating customers, say business executives. The problem dates to the early days of the pandemic in March 2020 when the global economy was largely shut down. Then the unexpected happened: One of the steepest, quickest downturns in U.S. history was followed by a snapback nearly as sharp, even as COVID-19 cases raged out of control.

Sheetz opened its first store in central Ohio in Delaware. Eventually Sheetz plans to have 50 stores in central Ohio and employ 1,500 workers. Photos of the new store in Delaware on April 8, 2021.

Sheetz comes to Columbus: Sheetz freakz celebrate Sheetz arrival in Columbus

Sheetz officially entered the Greater Columbus market in April when it opened its first store in Delaware. The Altoona, Pennsylvania-based restaurant, convenience store and gas station company had nine stores opened in the Columbus area by the end of the year and is on its way to 50 stores by 2025. The store is known for its avid fans called Sheetz freakz.

Restaurant delivery fees: Dining app contracts put some Columbus restaurants in a tight spot

In January the Columbus city council approved a 15% on third party delivery service fees, but the law only applied to contracts negotiated after the rule's passage. As a result, most Columbus restaurants did not benefit from the rule because they were unwilling to renegotiate their agreements for fear of losing them altogether. While restaurateurs felt the third party services were exploiting a loophole in the law, the companies said they were following the rule as it was written.

Business startups: Business startups surged during the pandemic, but will they last?

Ohioans filed to start their own business in record numbers during the pandemic, but economists are divided on what exactly the surge means. Many of the startups have no web presence and their owners did not return messages seeking comment, but others said they started their own business because they wanted greater flexibility or the ability to work from home during a global pandemic.

Restaurants can't find workers: Restaurants are still having hiring problems, even with enhanced benefits gone

Restaurants across Ohio had to close in 2021 because they couldn't find enough workers, a problem that some business owners attributed to enhanced unemployment benefits. When those benefits, expired, however, the hiring woes continued. Workers who left the industry cited a raft of reasons for their decision, including a lack of childcare, rude customers and low pay.

Farming during pandemic: For COVID-stressed farmers, already more likely to die by suicide, OSU sending help

The coronavirus pandemic exacerbated some of the stresses farmers face as commodity prices skyrocketed lockdowns cut off their support networks. Now Ohio State University's extension service is training its workers to better spot some of the signs of mental illness and offer help to farmers who need it. Farmers are already more likely to die by suicide than the general population, and experts fear COVID will make the problem worse.

'COVID puppies': Ohio veterinarians swamped as pet owners return to work

Record levels of adoptions in Ohio inspired feel-good headlines about shelter animals finding good homes. But as the owners of those pets returned to the offices and social activities they abandoned for much of 2020, the so-called "COVID puppies" needed more medical care, inundating animal hospitals and veterinarians offices across the state and resulting in weekslong wait times.

Champion of diversity: How Gale King changed Nationwide  and Columbus

Gale King, former Nationwide Insurance executive vice president and chief administrative officer, announced her retirement after 37 years at the company. She was celebrated for leading diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, creating an engaging work culture and mentoring leaders in the company and beyond. Her impact was praised by current mayor, former mayor a former Ohio Supreme Court justice and many others.

Lower.com Field: Columbus Crew's Lower.com Field contracts opened new doors for Ohio minority- and women-owned firms

The construction of the Columbus Crews new $313.9 million, 20,000-seat stadium and $34.2 million training facility were completed with the help of 54 minority-owned enterprises and 27 women-owned enterprises in central Ohio, throughout the state and beyond. A total of 117 contracts were awarded to minority- and women-owned contractors (79 minority-owned contracts, 38 women-owned contracts) amounting to over $74 million in spending. Beyond the financial benefit, underrepresented companies said these efforts have given them access to key players in the industry.

Seeking to improve equity amid pandemic: Black women business owners across Ohio seek better access to capital, new survey finds

The Ohio RISE Survey, created by the Alliance of Black Businesswomen & Entrepreneurs (ABBE) Ohio, tracked the impact of the pandemic on Black women-owned businesses and assessed their needs for survival moving forward. The research found that nearly 70% of responding businesses reported a loss of revenue, and 30% were forced to close temporarily. And their most pressing needs were access to capital, greater business operational support (including technical assistance) and an equitable opportunity to get private and public contracts.

Dispatch business reporters Jim Weiker, Erica Thompson, Patrick Cooley and Mark Williams contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Wexner leaves company, Polaris mall bankruptcy: Columbus business news
White City has a history that's both grandiose and simple.

The unincorporated community, located between Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce along either side of Midway Road, was named after the "Great White City"  a display of white stucco buildings and gleaming electric lights, that was one of the highlights at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.

That's the grandiose part.

The simple part was how its early settlers decided to put down roots where they did.

According to "Historic White City," a book compiled by Patricia A. Ferrick from newspaper articles and accounts from longtime residents, a group of Danish immigrants living in the Midwest during the late 1800s began reading favorable accounts about the area, particularly with the development of the railroad along Florida's east coast.

A scouting party of six was dispatched to check things out. After traveling some distance up the St. Lucie River in rented boats, they stopped along a sandy bluff because one of the scouts was tired and simply said: "This is as far as I go. Let's locate here."

A spooky scene: Historic White City antique shop featured in upcoming horror film 'iPossessed'

A community controversy: White City residents worry about Islamic Center expansion

A gathering spot: White City Park improvements planned

Rosalie Hawkins, former president of the White City Improvement Club, shows off documents related to the community's early history.

The community had its share of challenges during the early years. The farming industry endured harsh freezes that chased away some of the first settlers.

Unscrupulous land speculators were also a problem, including one "Col. Myers" who was alleged to have skipped town after swindling money from people interested in buying land in the area.

In 1904, community residents formed the White City Improvement Club to provide aid to the needy and protect the local populace from people "of bad character."

As a relative newcomer to this area, I suspect White City has often been overlooked through the years. It's not a very big place, just over seven square miles, and its population in 2019 was estimated at a mere 4,464.

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Nevertheless, unlike many Old Florida settlements that faded away over the decades, White City has endured. I suspect the White City Improvement Club is one of the reasons why it has.

The White City Improvement Club's headquarters at 1006 W. Midway can accommodate about 100 people for public gatherings.

"When I first started 25 years ago, the meetings were packed with people," said Rosalie Hawkins, the club's former president.

Although Hawkins doesn't hold the official title of president anymore, she's one of the few remaining active members.

The club used to charge membership dues of $5 per year. The process of joining was by application only, and prospective members could be rejected if they received three or more black balls from current members.

At one point in time, Hawkins said the number of dues-paying members may have numbered more than 100.

The club played an important role in lobbying county government officials for neighborhood improvements like streetlights. Although the gatherings became less political and more social over the last century, Hawkins said the group continued to hold regular monthly meetings.

The club was a place where sheriff's officials could host town hall meetings to spread the latest safety tips or political candidates could participate in forums to sell themselves to the voters.

Then COVID-19 hit.

"Because of the virus, we haven't had a meeting in two years," Hawkins said.

Membership fees have gone up  quadrupled, actually  to $20 per year, but Hawkins said there were still probably about 75 active members as of last year.

Many of those members tend to skew toward an older demographic. Since older people can face greater health risks associated with the virus, Hawkins said many are reluctant to resume in-person meetings.

The White City Improvement Club manages to stay financially viable by renting its building out to other groups.

The club still rents out its headquarters, located at 1006 W. Midway, for birthday parties, small weddings, baby showers, church services and other community gatherings.

From the outside, the club headquarters looks like a white concrete block bungalow where a family might live. It includes kitchen and restroom facilities and can accommodate groups of about 100.

The club only charges rental fees around $200 or $300 per event, which seems pretty reasonable to me.

Hawkins said the club operates on a meager budget, with about $600 in regular monthly expenses, including the cost of paying someone to clean the building. However, even with low fixed costs, the financial situation is precarious.

"One good air conditioner repair, roof damage, etc., it would put a hurting on us," she said.

Hawkins said younger people need to step forward and infuse the club with new energy, but she's not sure that's going to happen.

"I would love to see it keep going, I really would," she said. "The younger generation ... I wouldn't say they're disinterested, (but) they're busier."

A lot of the area's more recent arrivals live in subdivisions, such as Indian River Estates, that have their own meeting rooms.

TCPalm columnist Blake Fontenay

I get that. But I also think organizations like the White City Improvement Club provide more than a roof overhead.

They can  and hopefully will in the future  provide a sense of community that isn't always easy to find in the modern world.

Maybe other civic groups in the area could form some sort of alliance that would keep the club going as an umbrella organization that would represent the interests of all of White City's residents.

Otherwise, those homeowners associations and other groups may find themselves marginalized, with little clout when competing for attention with their more populated neighbors to the north and south.

Who knows? Revitalizing the White City Improvement Club might even be fun.

Thanksgiving and Christmas parties at the club used to be a big deal. The club even provided gifts for the children and grandchildren of its members.

COVID-19 shut those parties down this year and last year, but maybe not forever.

After all, we could all use places of refuge from people of bad character.

This column reflects the opinion of Blake Fontenay. Contact him via email at blake.fontenay@tcpalm.com or at 772-232-5424.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: White City Improvement Club needs new blood to keep it going | Opinion
A continuation of the Sex and the City TV series and films, And Just Like That  on HBO Max picks up with three of the four original pals  Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte  navigating their lives in middle age. Sarita Choudhury joins the cast playing a new character named Seema Patel, Carries glamorous real estate agent.

Seema is very different from me, Choudhury said. She is very powerful in business, shes wealthy and dressed so elegantly and has no fear of putting on too much jewelry. Everything that Im not! I literally wear jeans and a ratty T-shirt. But apart from her elegance, there is a lot I related to.

What has it been like joining an iconic group of characters? I was thinking, how am I going to jump into a show that I used to watch? And part of my brain was like, Oh my God, am I having a cosmo with the girls? Oh my God! So I had to let myself have that moment, and then I had to ignore it.

Choudhurys career includes roles on everything from Showtimes Homeland to The Hunger Games films. But her first screen credit was the one that got her noticed in a big way, starring opposite Denzel Washington in the 1991 romantic drama Mississippi Masala from director Mira Nair, and when asked about a worst moment in Choudhurys career, it was her audition for this movie that came to mind.

My worst moment 

This story is from the beginning of my career because Mississippi Masala was my first film. I was living in London at the time and I had a first meeting with the casting director to make sure, I dont know, maybe that youre not crazy? And then I got a call saying I was going to meet Mira and read for the role of Mina in Mississippi Masala.

The audition was in Soho. And at the time I had no money. I think I literally had 7.50 pounds sterling in my pocket, that was it. Thats important to remember.

You know how whatever (physical attributes) you have, you dont love? My hair is so thick and I always looked so fresh and in my early 20s I hated that! That was not the look I was going for. I wanted to look like an intellectual. So I was thinking, Im not going to wash my hair for a few days and Im going to put some oil in it to make it look cool. I didnt want to look like I was trying too hard, so it was sort of flat and a little greasy.

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I show up at the audition. And the casting director, who I actually really like as a person, she was like, What did you do to your hair? I was so shocked because I thought I looked so cool! And I said, Nothing, its just got a bit of oil in it. And she said, Sarita, I cant  I dont know what to say. You cant go in there like that. You have to go to a hairdressers and get it washed. And then were going to have to come up with an excuse for why youre late.

And I probably just said, Yeah, OK, and I left. But I didnt have enough money in my pocket to go to a hairdressers. So I went and found a barbershop, I almost had tears in my eyes and I said to the guy: Look, I have five quid in my pocket, I need my hair washed. You dont need to do anything else. I just begged the guy. He looked so annoyed and bored with me, but he did it. And then I had to stand in the corner and blow dry it myself, he wouldnt even do that.

And then I marched back to the audition and I go into the room. And I remember standing in front of Mira and she didnt know why I was coming an hour late and I didnt know what to say. It was very awkward. And I didnt feel pretty, because my hair looked so fluffy and healthy. And at that age, I wanted to look like a French movie star, I didnt want to look fresh-faced and apple-cheeked.

The reading went all right, but I remember thinking, why arent I able to chat with Mira? My answers were very monosyllabic. I just remember thinking, Im not going to get this role because Im not showing her who I am, Im just tense. Also, shes very charismatic and that threw me, because just her smile, everything is so alive.

Whats funny about the story is, now Mira talks about it (laughs) and shes like, I just kind of fell in love with you more. I thought it was this secret that I had with the casting director, but when Mira brought it up years later, I looked at her like, oh my gosh, of course she knew. She and the casting director had talked about it and Mira said she found it completely endearing. Also, the character of Mina was kind of like that, so she thought it was perfect.

But in that moment, Ill never forget the awkwardness. And just wishing my 22-year-old brain would articulate anything.

Actors want to feel calm and focused before an audition and this sounds like a discombobulating experience.

You know when youre running somewhere when youre late? It felt like that. I felt a little panicky. Two hours before, with my greasy hair, I felt like I had a bit of an angle and then suddenly I felt I had been told off a bit  like I had been found out and was told that my idea of cool didnt work. I didnt think they were right!

But also, I didnt feel like myself. At that age, I never blew dry my hair, I would just go to bed with it wet so that I would wake up with messy curls. And for the audition it was blown dry and fluffy and I remember thinking, oh, shes not going to like the way I look.

Its a miracle that I got that role. I assumed I wasnt going to get it and I was going to ask her later, Can I just be on the film set and serve coffee? Because I was a film graduate student, I already had that interest.

Well, I went back again for another callback. And afterward she said, Sarita, its been such a pleasure reading with you. And I thought, well that doesnt sound good. I thought she was politely letting me down.

As I was leaving she said, Do you want to meet for a drink later? And I was thinking, oh no, I cant afford to go home and come back; it was all about money then, it was constantly how you were arranging your day. And in England, public transport is pretty expensive. So I was thinking, oh God, Im going to have to hang out in Soho for the next four hours, which I did. And then when we had a drink, we sat down and she looked at me and said, Would you do me the honor of playing Mina for me.

And I was so taken aback, I burst into tears and then immediately asked if I could use the pay phone to call my dad collect, he was in Bangladesh at the time. So thats how it happened.

The takeaway 

Theres a Leonard Cohen quote Im going to paraphrase thats something like: That which we dont like about ourselves, or are uncomfortable with, is often what people fall in love with. And thats my takeaway.

As awkward and embarrassing as we sometimes are, that is actually the most human thing people relate to, more than behaving and being perfect.

I feel like its taken me a long time to realize that. What seems to be an embarrassing story is just your human story and thats why people like you.


Devastating fire, drought, heat, flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes in 2021 have finally opened most peoples eyes to the reality of a changing climate.

A new poll shows six of 10 Americans believe the pace of global warming is speeding up, while a year-old poll finds more than two-thirds of Americans think the government is not doing enough to reduce the impacts of climate change.

A Pew Research Center survey in 2020 found more than half of Republicans and a large majority of Democrats favor a range of initiatives to reduce climate change impacts, including large-scale tree planting, tax credits for carbon emission capture and tougher fuel efficiency standards.

While its tempting to let someone else figure out what to do, its far more exciting to think of this as a time when we can make extraordinary changes in the way we live so most species can thrive into the future.

To slow the impacts of climate change, we must work collectively  from the individual level to the national and global level.

Below is a list of suggestions from a variety of sources. Some ideas are big; some are small. No one can do them all, but we can all do more.

Vote for leaders at all levels who will take climate action; vote out those who wont.

Call out and boycott companies with poor environmental records; debunk green-washing.

Divest from oil, coal and natural gas; invest in renewable resources.

Invest in the education of girls and women worldwide and make contraception available to everyone to slow population growth.

Support autonomy for womens control of their bodies.

Push for public transit and use it.

Advocate for a carbon tax.

Ask companies and governments to leave fossil fuels in the ground.

Support environmental and social justice organizations.

Work to move polluting industries out of areas that disproportionately affect people of color.

Support legislation to make the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes.

Demand better climate coverage from the media and read it.

Reduce your biggest household emissions: fleet, heat and meat.

Fly less; drive less and combine errands.

Advocate for emissions reductions in your workplace and schools.

Waste less food.

Support local, regenerative farming and eat whats in season.

Send less to the landfill: reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, compost, mulch.

Buy less of everything; share more of everything.

Avoid shipping by shopping locally.

Ask manufacturers to recycle their products and reduce packaging.

Dont buy plastic when there is an alternative.

Choose low-carbon, high-nature activities such as walking, biking and bird-watching.

Plant native bushes and trees.

Grow your own vegetables.

Restore wetlands and forests.

Educate yourself and learn from indigenous communities.

Talk to friends, family and neighbors about creating a more sustainable world.

The list of things we can do is endless, but our time to do them is not.

Shannon Brennan can be reached at shannonw481@gmail.com.
An exhibit honoring the commonwealth's most important document has come to the Lynchburg Public Library, with the help of Library of Virginia.

"Virginia's Constitution," a traveling exhibit dedicated to the five versions of the commonwealth's founding document, gives locals the opportunity to learn more about the constitution's history.

The exhibit celebrates the 50th anniversary of the current constitution, which was ratified by voters on Nov. 3, 1970, and went into effect on July 1, 1971.

The exhibit also remembers earlier versions of the constitution, giving guests a brief history of how those versions came about, and were adopted into law.

It addresses how Virginia's Constitution of 1776 birthed the original version of the General Assembly, shows how the Constitution of 1869 shaped the commonwealth's government in the post-Civil War era, and even how the Constitution of 1971 helped right many wrongs from the Constitution of 1902, which instituted segregated schools in Virginia.

"State constitutions are one of the most essential parts of the social contract. They articulate a way of life and embody fundamentally important ideas about the relationships between people and their government," a news release from the city of Lynchburg says.

"Virginia's Constitutions" will be on display until Jan. 1, 2022, at the Lynchburg Public Library on Memorial Avenue. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

 Bryson Gordon

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When I heard that the Pentagon had updated its rules of conduct to root out extremism in the wake of the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol, I thought, its about time.

My mind raced back to my own Army experiences near the end of the Vietnam War era and the brief talk on color consciousness that our training company commander gave us.

The Army, he declared, does not favor any color but red, white and blue.

Good training restrained me from trying to remind him that white is a racial color, too.

After all, he was guided not only by good intentions but also military necessity. It was the late 1960s, after all. Racial and political tensions on the streets were turning up in the military.

Violent clashes at Camp Lejeune in 1969 and Travis Air Force Base in 1971, among other locations, prompted the Pentagon to take its deepest examination of race relations since President Harry Truman desegregated the military in 1948.

Interestingly, the worst of these conflicts tended to occur far from the front lines of combat. Closer to the action, as a wise old saying put it, There are no bigots in foxholes.

Yet it is the cordial camaraderie and heroic sacrifices that make me feel proud of my service  and infuriated about the service members and veterans who took up bear spray, flag poles, police shields and other weapons to beat up police and vandalize the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Of the more than 700 individuals charged by the Justice Department in connection with the Capitol breach, at least 81 are currently or former service members, according to a CBS News analysis.

That revelation led to a reckoning at the Pentagon over extremism in the ranks. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a memorandum in February that directed commanding officers and supervisors at all levels to hold a one-day stand down, a pause in operations, to address the challenge of right-wing extremism in the military.

That rang a bell with me. Back in April 2009, experts at the Department of Homeland Security drew political fire for a warning to police departments that proved to be prescient.

Right-wing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat, the DHS experts wrote. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists  including lone wolves or small terrorist cells  to carry out violence.

But instead of responding with some positive action, Republican politicians and right-wing media lambasted then-President Barack Obama and other Democrats.

Why? Supposedly for disrespecting loyal, hardworking service personnel and possibly hoping to suppress conservatives. Considering how conservative media and their movement tried to blame the Capitol attack on the lefty antifa movement, which the FBI denied, I wont be surprised if they try to suppress the Pentagons actions, too.

For now, we have been learning from the House Select Committee investigation of the Capitol attack that the lone wolves and small terrorist cells scenario is looking obsolete. Instead, were learning of surprisingly large networks of social-network-connected groups and individuals, looking for their next battle.

With all that in mind, I appreciate the Pentagons new rules, released Dec. 20 to clarify what is allowed and what isnt in the long-standing ban against active participation in extremist activities or groups by service members.

For example, theyre free to read or possess extremist materials but cant particulate, fund or support one  even with a like on Facebook.

Yet, Rep. Anthony Brown, a Maryland Democrat and retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel, raises an important point by questioning why known members of extremist groups should be allowed to serve at all, with or without active participation.

Good question. The rules could be changed again and maybe they will. But for now, Im pleased to see military leaders try to protect constitutional freedoms, even to those who might want to deny those freedoms to others.

Pages column is provided by Tribune Content Agency.
President Joe Biden on Monday signed into law a sweeping defense authorization bill that includes nearly $770 billion in defense spending for fiscal year 2022.

The bill  which provides a 2.7% increase in military basic pay  also includes changes to how the military prosecutes certain crimes, like sexual assault, and authorizes a national memorial honoring the men and women who have served in the nations longest war, the Global War on Terrorism  measures backed by Republican members of Iowas Congressional delegation.

The package also gives veterans and Gold Star families free lifetime access to national parks and public federal lands.

Also included in the package are measures supporting the mental health of our soldiers, protecting the second amendment rights of veterans, and ensuring that women do not have to register for the draft.

The bill takes away the militarys ability to prosecute serious crimes, like rape, murder, manslaughter, sexual assault and kidnapping. The bill also makes sexual harassment a crime under the Uniform Code of Mlilitary Justice.

Independent military lawyers will be tasked with prosecuting sexual assault cases, taking the decision out of the hands of the chain of command.

However, military commanders would still have authority to conduct trials, pick jury members, approve witnesses and grant immunity.

In a statement, the president said the bill provides vital benefits and enhances access to justice for military personnel and their families, and includes critical authorities to support our countrys national defense.

Iowa Republican U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst and Charles Grassley, however, joined a bipartisan group of senators earlier this month criticizing the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act that passed the House, saying it does not go far enough to ensure that sexual assault survivors get justice.

Ernst, a survivor of sexual assault and commander in the Iowa Army National Guard, has long worked to combat sexual assault in the military.

She and Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, D-New York, criticized the removal of provisions in the Senate version of the bill that would have shifted many responsibilities in the military justice system from the commander to a special prosecutor and expanded the number of crimes that would be handled by independent prosecutors.

While I was encouraged with the momentous reform we made to the way the military prevents these abuses and holds perpetrators accountable, there is still work to be done, Ernst said in a statement earlier this month.

She, Gillibrand and Grassley vowed to try again to get a separate bill passed, pressing for a floor vote in the Senate that would strip commanders of oversight of all major crimes.

The bill signed by Biden also includes a provision spearheaded by Ernst to build a memorial on the National Mall honoring the veterans of the Global War on Terrorism.

Ernst commanded 150 troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom and is the first female combat veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate.

In the wake of 9/11, millions of Americans answered the call to keep America safe, sacrificing life and limb to protect our homeland and to fight the enemies of freedom the world over, Ernst said in a statement Monday. The time to honor these heroes of our nations longest war and their families is now, and there is no more fitting of a way to do that than with a memorial on our National Mall to serve as a permanent testament of their selflessness for generations to come.

Other provisions in the bill signed into law Monday, according to Ernst, require the Department of Defense to develop a strategy to evacuate men and women who have worked alongside U.S. personnel for the last two decades who still remain in Afghanistan. It also requires the Pentagon and the Director of National Intelligence to assess the involvement of the Chinese Communist Party in the origins of COVID-19, and prohibits the DoD from funding experiments by EcoHealth Alliance  the nonprofit that funneled U.S. tax dollars into the Wuhan Institute of Virology for coronavirus studies  in China.

 The Associated Press contributed to this article
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I recently subscribed to a new internet service, which meant a technician had to come to the house to install equipment. He got a kick out of the wall-mounted phone in my basement. Not only is it wall-mounted, it also has a rotary dial. Yes, its old. I suspect it would make a good museum ar
Tunisias Justice Minister Leila Jaffel has ordered the general prosecutor to launch probe into the circumstances of the death of former President Beji Caid Essebsi who died on 25 July 2019, Webdo Tunis reports.

Essbesi, elected in 2014 to in the wake of 2011 revolution, was whisked to the military hospital of the country on July 24, 2019 but died the following day.

The order came following reports on a local media that the death of the former president was suspicious.

Per the order, the general prosecutor will carry out investigations and indict those who might be connected to the death of the former leader.

Incumbent President Kais Saied won subsequent elections, the same year.
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As she contacted him, she could see what appeared to be grease all around the males eyes, she said in the affidavit.

After Citta detained and handcuffed Franklin, another officer searched the backpack and found $91 in cash and Big Red Liquor skill game cash vouchers.

A red zipper pouch with two small crystal pieces and a spoon with burnt residue were found in the backpack later. Analysis confirmed methamphetamine and heroin were present, Citta said.

Officers searching the U-Haul found a gray cash box with plastic money trays and a Nebraska Lottery pen. The person renting the U-Haul gave permission for the search, Citta said.

Big Red Liquors owner and the employees who were robbed identified the cash box as theirs, she added.

The owner also provided a video recorded just before the robbery from a camera outside the store, she said. Police found clothing in the U-Haul matching what the robber wore.

The U-Haul search also yielded a small, loaded chrome Jennings .22-caliber pistol with white hand grips, Citta said.
Additionally, airmen and soldiers supported the Food Bank of Lincoln and Food Bank for the Heartland to distribute food to pantries throughout the state. Over two months in the spring of 2020, Guard members helped package and deliver over 400,000 pounds of produce and packaged food. This work helped families around the state put food on the table during the peak disruption period of the pandemic.

The Guard plays a leading role in the states firefighting efforts as well. In November, I called on the National Guard to help contain the Buffalo Creek wildfire in Banner and Scotts Bluff counties. The Guard flew two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to the blaze and dropped more than 100,000 gallons of water on the hottest spots of the fire. Their aerial firefighting capabilities played a big role in our success putting a stop to the fire before it harmed anyone. This wasnt the only wildfire the Guard helped fight in 2021 either. Helicopter crews provided aerial assistance to combat wildfires in Holt County in June, the Hackberry wildfire near Harrison in August, and September fires south of Crawford and west of Scottsbluff.
This means hospitalized patients are allowed one visitor between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and one visitor between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Only two total visitors are allowed per day. For the intensive care unit, visitors are only permitted by appointment for one hour each day. No visitors are allowed for outpatient surgery or for tests and procedures unless special assistance is required or recommended by the provider.

Pastors or clergy are allowed at the patients request.

EAH and other health officials also want to urge citizens to continue taking the following steps to protect against COVID-19, including variants like Omicron:

Get vaccinated and if eligible get a booster. To find a vaccine near you, visit vaccines.gov.

Wear well-fitting masks in indoor public settings and crowded outdoor settings.

Stay at least 6 feet from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Get tested if you have symptoms, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have traveled or have been in a setting where you may have been exposed.

Stay home if you are sick.
MOSCOW (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that a new pipeline to Germany has been fully filled with natural gas, noting that it could help quickly reduce soaring European energy prices.

The $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline is currently awaiting approval from Germany and the European Union, and officials warned that a decision won't come in the first half of 2022.

The first of its two links was filled with gas in October, and Russia's state-controlled Gazprom natural gas company reported Wednesday that it had completed filling the second one to make it fully ready for operation.

Putin pointed at surging energy prices in Europe, adding that Nord Stream 2 could help quickly stabilize the markets.

This new additional route will certainly help stabilize prices on the European markets, Putin said at a meeting with energy officials. It would undoubtedly impact prices on the spot market, and consumers in the countries that use the Russian gas will immediately feel it.
Add a bit of a cut, love, won't ye?

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Seems like shes getting a raw deal?

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Her not getting any of the homes seems very unfair

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They had a prenup...$100mill w/that is pretty damn good. Only weird thing is she gets none of the houses.

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Given they had a prenup, this is probably really good legal maneuvering, honestly.

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He seemed pretty confident when the initial ruling was made, which made me think their pre-nup was iron clad.

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i just read his net worth is more like 400mil and only has $183m in cash, so she got most of his cash. still sucks about not getting an property.



source: my friend who has a bike and twitter

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who is her lawyer because they ain't shit. prenup or not (no such thing as ironclad anything), they should have negotiated at least one property for her and that her legal fees be payed by dre. and leaving out child support was not a good move sis. plus this whole you'll be getting half now, half next year fuckery is probably a loop hole through which he will dragging this out for as long as possible.

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it says she didnt get child support/they didnt talk about it because the children are adults

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Yeah not even a single property? Fucked up

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I dont envy often, but SESTRA secured the bag! 



She didnt get her true worth though  a percentage of the masters and endorsements alone 

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They had a prenup, so she got a good deal out of it. Shes set for life. That hunnid mil can easily be invested and become 200mil.



Also fuck dre.

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or badly invested and become 0mil.

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This disgusting man deserves nothing. His abusive ass should be broke and dead.

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Most of that money is from him and Jimmy Iovine screwing the actual father and son team that created the underlying tech AND idea that became the Beats By Dre brand. I'm still pissed about that saga.

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I'd love reading that ontd original

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Oh no, think of all the blah blah blah, nobody should have so much money blah blah blah class warfare whinge whinge whinge.

Enjoy your money, gurl.

You EARNED it.

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She should get more for having to be married to baby Sinclair from Dinosaurs for this long.

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is it too late for a 'comment of the year' nomination?

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She made her choice.

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I just now saw this comment and I am HOLL-ER-ING

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I mean he was already big in 1997, so I get having a prenup. But it feels like she should get more

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Surprised he got all the houses? Makes me think she didnt want any cause for sure she could have one at least. Wtvr, she rich and set for life.

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deserved more after all that abuse lbr

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24 years??? you're giving me HALF of that $820 mil, tf



Edited at 2021-12-29 04:34 pm (UTC)

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Bless your heart, my love I WANT IT ALL. 

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LMAO YOU RIGHT, especially after everything she endured - i wish she could have been able to wipe him clean

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She should get at least 3 of the houses



I guess they rent out most of the properties since they're all located in LA. Or maybe they sit empty and they're just investments, like art sitting under lock and key in some weird storage facility in switzerland. I assumed they had vacation homes after reading they had 7 houses, but no 

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They probably let friends or family stay in them as caretakers.

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Women are never given their fair share for the massive amount of work they do in a marriage and as a parent. While men mostly reap the benefits, then say they "worked hard for their money". Everything they made they made because a woman was willing to take care of the day to day shit and raise your children, sacrificing their dreams for his. But because that is expected of women, they will always downplay it.

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And just watch people claim that this is misandrist and another example of women having an unfair advantage. People never look at the history, just the money.

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That's why women shouldn't do these things. They need to stop catering to their good for nothing boyfriends and husbands and have them pull their own weight.

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This applies at work too I find - in general the foundational support that women provide pretty much 24/7 is downplayed and undervalued (see how many male senior leaders would just fall apart without their female admin support) - the foundation of a functioning society is off the backs of women and it's enraging everytime it is overlooked.

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This! The amount of emotional labor the average woman does in marriage is invaluable!

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Damn that must've been a near iron clad prenup. Kudos to the fucking lawyers who wrote it cuz Cali, iirc, is notorious for disregarding most prenups after like 10 years of marriage.

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Next year will see even stronger oil demand, even with a temporary dip during the first quarter

Oil demand suffered a severe blow last year when the initially ignored coronavirus in China spread around the world and started prompting lockdowns. Then the wave receded, and oil demand began to rebound, much faster than most expected. Despite the green transition push, demand will continue to recover into next year, too, and those after it. Many forecasters, including BP, in 2020 argued that peak oil was already past us and what we had to look forward to was a more renewable energy mix. And then Covid-19 case numbers in key markets began to decline, and oil demand began to rise. Since then, demand has rebounded so strongly that it has led forecasts to start warning of the possibility of a shortage.

Saudi Arabia recently warned that underinvestment in new oil and gas production would lead to higher prices and supply crunches.

"We're heading toward a phase that could be dangerous if there's not enough spending on energy," the Kingdom's Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said earlier this month. Insufficient investment could lead to an "energy crisis," he added.

Banks are contributing to the discrepancy between demand forecasts and supply realities as they feel growing pressure to stop doing business with the oil and gas industry because of its carbon footprint. This may well exacerbate the energy crunch if such a crunch is indeed in the cards.

It probably is. Investment bank analysts seem to overwhelmingly expect higher prices because of strong demand and not-so-strong supply. Goldman Sachs' Damien Courvalin said earlier this month Brent crude could hit $100 next year. Morgan Stanley analysts slashed their first-quarter 2022 outlook for oil, citing omicron concerns but raised their third-quarter forecast to $90 per barrel of Brent, from $85 per barrel.

Canada's BMO Markets expects oil demand to hit a record next year and remain strong over the next few years as well despite a temporary dip in the first quarter, again because of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Speaking of omicron, OPEC has largely brushed off what others see as a new threat for global economies and oil demand. The cartel, in its latest Monthly Oil Market Report actually raised its demand forecast for the first quarter of next year, despite planned reserve releases by the United States, Japan, and South Korea, aimed at curbing the rally in oil prices that started in late 2020 and pushed benchmarks to highs of over $80 per barrel in October.

According to the cartel, the effect of omicron on oil demand will be "mild and short-lived, as the world becomes better equipped to manage COVID-19 and its related challenges."

Related: Cocaine, Guns And Gushers: Colombias Oil Industry Struggles To Reactivate

Goldman's Courvalin appears to agree with this view. "If this is another wave like the ones we've seen before then it is a negative hit to economic growth in the first quarter of 2022," he said recently, as quoted by Reuters. "But if there is a subsequent recovery, oil demand, which briefly touched pre-COVID levels in early November, would then be at new record highs for most of 2022."

If the previous Covid-19 waves are any indication, there will be a recovery after this wave, too. A potential problem would be the ability of suppliers to satisfy this demand beyond the short term. Investments in new oil production have indeed declined considerably, and many in the industrychiefly the supermajorsare still wary of splashing on more oil and gas, so they splash instead on renewable power capacity.

This may play them a bad joke down the road, however. If the European energy crisis has taught us anything, it is the unpleasant fact that even green and sustainable Europe is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. And Europe is not among the top consumers of oilit's emerging Asia that has this pleasure, and all forecasts point towards this demand growing further in the coming years.

OPEC+'s spare capacity stood at 5.11 million bpd as of October this year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. However, spare capacity is not static, and the October figure is actually a substantial decline from the start of 2021 when spare capacity in the extended cartel stood at 9 million bpd. And it could fall further to less than 4 million bpd by the end of next year.

This state of affairs prompted the International Energy Agency, a vocal proponent of the energy transition, to urge more investments in new oil production. Just how serious the situation could become because of this discrepancy shows in the fact that just months earlier, the IEA had called for an end to all new oil and gas investments so the world can reach its net-zero targets.

So it appears that next year will see even stronger oil demand, even with a temporary dip during the first quarter while we come to terms with the omicron variant. And while demand grows stronger, supply growth will continue to lag behind under ESG investor and government pressure. Oil markets are certainly in for an interesting year in 2022.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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These 13 new battery facilities will be the backbone of the EV revolution.

The Department of Energys Vehicle Technologies Office has listed 13 new battery plant projects that are scheduled to be completed within the next five years.

The biggest names in the auto industry are racing to build battery plants in the United States.

In August, President Biden signed an executive order that set a target to make 50 percent of all new vehicles sold in the United States in 2030 zero-emission vehiclesand ironically garnering the support of some of the biggest names in auto.



And now, there is a new push to build a slew of battery plants in the United States.

In America, Joe Biden said back in August, The future of the auto industry is electric, adding the point that those vehicles will be made in America.

To that end, the Department of Energys Vehicle Technologies Office has listed 13 new battery plant projects that are scheduled to be completed within the next five years.

#1 Ford is building a $5.6 billion industrial campus just outside of Memphis that will manufacture not only vehicle batteries but electric trucks. Dubbed BlueOval City, construction was supposed to start by the end of this year, with manufacturing set for 2025. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said that the battery facility is the largest single investment in this states history.

Related: 2022 Will Be A Pivotal Year For Mining

#2 and #3 Ford and SK are building twin battery plants in Kentucky. The complex, called BlueOval SK Battery Park, boasts investments of $5.8 billion and will supply batteries to Fords North American assembly plants. Fords $7 billion contributions to BlueOval City and Blue Oval SK Battery Park represents the largest ever manufacturing investment at one time by any U.S. automaker.

#4 General Motors & LG Chem have partnered on a battery plant in Lordstown, Ohio, in a 50/50 JV, and this one is almost complete. This is GMs first Ultium battery Gigafactory, which will produce 30+ GWh of EV batteries each year, with the option for more. Production is expected to start up in 2022. The plant had an estimated investment of $2.3 billion.

#5 GM and LG Energy Solution also have three more battery facilities in the pipeline. The second one will be built in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Like Lordstown, Spring Hill will require $2.3 billion in investment and is scheduled to open late in 2023. The facilities will supply battery cells to GMs Spring Hill assembly plant.

#6 & 7# GM and LGs third and fourth facilities do not yet have a specified location and no specific target for going into production.

#8 and #9 SK Innovation have two battery facilities on the books springing up Northeast of Atlanta. The first of the $2.6 billion plants are scheduled to open in 2022, while the second is scheduled to go into production in 2023.

#10 Toyota has just selected a site for its new Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina, battery plant Southeast of Greensboro in North Carolina. The $1.29 billion plant. It will be the first battery plant to produce automotive batteries for Toyota in North America and will have a capacity to supply batteries to 1.2 million cars per year. The facility is expected to start up in 2025.

#11 Volkswagen has a plant popping up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with an unspecified production startup date.

#12 and #13 on the list will be built by Stellantis & LG Energy Solution, and Stellantis & Samsung SDI. Neither has specified locations, but the first is scheduled to start up in 2024, while the second is scheduled to start up in 2024.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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A flotilla of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers from the U.S. has started to arrive on European shores

Europe's energy crunch is far from over, but a flotilla of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers from the U.S. are set to resupply the fuel-starved continent. European gas prices fell for the sixth day, the longest decline in more than a year. Even though natural gas prices are retreating from record highs, household power bills, especially in Great Britain, are likely to remain high until 2023.

This year, Dutch TTF natural gas prices surged more than 400% on low supplies ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter and Russia reducing flows. The news of the flotilla of U.S. LNG tankers headed to the region last week began the decline, nearly halving gas prices. On Wednesday, prices slumped again, down as much as 10%, for the sixth consecutive session but remained five times higher than the five-year average.

Even though new data shows, the US-EU shipping lane is clogged with LNG tankers headed for Europe, as many as 20 at the moment -- there is reason to believe this will only be a temporary relief.

"Europe's gas problem may not go away next year," said Andrew Hill, head of European gas analysis at BloombergNEF, in a report on Wednesday.

"Geopolitical issues and acrimony with Russia, particularly around the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, will increase the scope for Russia to limit flows to Europe in the first half of the year, and potentially much longer," Hill explained.

The good news is that LNG supplies are entering the grid as current weather outlooks are mild for the time being.

Also, electricity and gas suppliers are warning the energy crunch will persist through 2023. According to the Financial Times, British households will feel the pain of unprecedented power bills for at least another 18 months.

Martin Young, an analyst at Investec, said, "directionally, we could see further upward pressure on household energy bills come October 2022."

"This has now moved from an energy supplier crisis to a cost of living crisis," Young added.

Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told attendees at a virtual conference on Monday that more relief would be needed for households.

"This is a train wreck that we've seen coming for months." It was time for the government to "step in and support those who will be battered hardest by an inevitable price storm," Adam Scorer, chief executive of charity National Energy Action said.

To sum up, temporary relief will be seen as new supplies from the U.S. enter the European grid. The energy crisis is far from over as it may persist well into late 2022 or even 2023. Perhaps German regulators should stop twiddling their thumbs and certify Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline to resupply Europe's depleted reserves before summer.

By Zerohedge.com

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A cornerstone of the U.S.s strategy to counter the growing influence of China and Russia across the Middle East via Iran remains the relationship normalisation deal signed between Israel and the UAE. Not only does this provide the U.S. with some element of control over more of the oil coming from the region, to augment that principally of Saudi Arabia, but also as the oil industry in particular involves the movement of huge amounts of money, ships, equipment, technology and personnel in often disguised ways it allows for increased intelligence-gathering and counter-terrorism activities by the U.S. and its allies. The UAE is particularly useful in all of these endeavours, as has been analysed in depth in my new book on the global oil markets, given its scope to increase crude oil output from Abu Dhabi and to offer a secure storage and bunkering area in Fujairah, outside the perennially politically-sensitive Strait of Hormuz. Last week saw another of the UAEs constituent emirates, Sharjah, announce proposals to launch an offshore bidding round for its new gas and condensate find. The bidding, which is officially mooted to start in early 2023 but which may occur later in 2022, according to legal sources in Abu Dhabi spoken to by OilPrice.com last week, relates to Sharjahs Block B, run jointly by Italys ENI and the state-owned Sharjah National Oil Corp (SNOC) after the Emirates first bidding round in 2019. Late in 2020, the two companies discovered the Mahani reservoir, and subsequent first drilling yielded up to 1.4 million cubic metres per day (mcm/d) of lean gas and associated condensate. First gas was also produced this year from the Mahani-1 gas well, but no volume data was released by the companies, although SNOC did state that it is continuing to limit production from Mahani-1 at less than 1.4 mcm/d in order to collect data and map out the full potential of the reservoir. Further drilling by the two companies, which also work together in onshore concession areas A and C, is set to continue in January with two new wells, according to the statement by SNOC, and the company added last week that the initial seismic data on the developments show significant reserves that will be very economical to produce and develop.

Related: Waste Disposal Back In The Spotlight As America Ramps Up Nuclear Sector

These plans to develop Sharjahs gas output potential are part of an overall initiative across the UAE to boost its gas production and develop potential sites, particularly in light of the huge gas discovery made in 2020 in Jebel Ali. According to statements from the companies developing the site  the Abu Dhabi National oil Company (ADNOC), and the Dubai Supply Authority (DSA) - the shallow gas field holds around 2.2 trillion cubic metres (80 trillion cubic feet) of gas across a 5,000 square kilometre area between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Becoming self-sufficient in gas is a goal of the UAE, as part of its broader Operation 300 Billion plan that intends to raise the contribution of the countrys industrial sector to AED300 billion (US$81 billion) from the current AED133 billion within the next 10 years. This objective  itself part of the UAEs Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031 - will be achieved in large part through the creation of 13,500 industrial companies over that period, covering the manufacturing, construction, electricity, gas, mining and quarrying sectors in the first instance. Self-sufficiency in gas will also allow the UAE to build out a strategic petrochemicals sector and to avoid being reliant on Qatar for the gas that it requires for its electricity grid.

This, in turn, would allow Washington to put further pressure on Qatar  which is still home to the U.S.s huge Al Udeid airbase that acts as a forward operating headquarters of its Central Command - to keep from fully aligning with China and Russia in the ongoing struggle for influence across the region after the U.S.s scaling back of land-based military operations under former President Donald Trump. The relationship between Qatar and China appears to have deepened in recent months especially, with a swathe of deals, most prominently for liquefied natural gas (LNG) but encompassing broader business areas of interest as well. The most recent example was the deal signed earlier this month for a long-term contract for QatarEnergy to supply Chinas Guangdong Energy Group Natural Gas Co for one million tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG starting 2024 and ending in 2034, although it can be extended. This followed similar deals between China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. and Qatar Petroleum for 2 mtpa of LNG for a term of 10 years. Qatar also signed LNG supply agreements with Iranian (and Chinese and Russian) ally, Pakistan  specifically, a 10-year sale and purchase agreement for Qatar Petroleum to supply the Pakistan State Oil Company with up to 3 million tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG to various ports in the country. This agreement builds on the earlier deal signed in 2016 for Qatar to supply Pakistan with 3.75 mtpa of LNG and came at around the same time as close Pakistan ally, Bangladesh, made a similar deal with Qatar.

This pressure from the U.S. came tangentially in the form of the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia and its allies  including the UAE  on Qatar that ran from June 2017 to January 2021, supposedly for providing support to various Islamist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood. Qatar publicly acknowledged that this was true as far as the Muslim Brotherhood went but privately railed at the hypocrisy of the Saudis. In this context, Qatar alluded to Saudi Arabias own suspected links to terrorism, with 15 of the 19 hijackers in the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. being Saudi nationals. All the while, Qatar continued to supply the UAE with gas for its power grid, via the Dolphin pipeline.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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Mexico will suspend crude oil exports in two years in a bid to focus on domestic self-sufficiency, Bloomberg has reported.

The move is part of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors plan to increase local fuel production to reduce dependence on imported fuels.

The export phase-out announcement was made by the chief executive of Pemex, Octavio Romero, who also said that Mexico would reduce oil exports from next year by more than 50 percent, to 435,000 bpd.

Currently, Mexico is the third-largest oil exporter in the Americas, after the United States and Canada, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The main destinations for its crude are its northern neighbors in North America and China, India, and South Korea, as well as European countries. A cut in exports could make some of these importers look for alternative suppliers.

Fuel demand in Mexico has risen during the pandemic but local oil production has failed to follow. Refining capacity is also a problem, although President Lopez Obradors plans include the construction of a new refinery with a capacity of 340,000 bpd. The refinery has a price tag of $12.4 billion, according to calculations from earlier this year, as reported by Argus.

If Mexico indeed stops exporting crude oil, this will hit U.S. Gulf Coast refiners hard as it will cut off yet another source of heavy oil, for which their refineries have been configured. Another major source of heavy crude used to be Venezuela, but U.S. sanctions against Caracas ended the flow of heavy Venezuelan crude to the Gulf Coast.

According to the Bloomberg report, there are also doubts about Pemexs own capacity of refining all of its crude oil output. A long period of underinvestment in refinery maintenance has reduced operating capacity significantly, and it is questionable whether the state energy giant would be able to turn things around in just two years.

Pemex is currently the most indebted oil company in the world despite major efforts by the Lopez Obrador government to support it through tax breaks and other debt-relief measures.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Saudi Arabia could cut the official selling price for oil to Asian buyers in February after raising them substantially this month.

According to a Reuters report citing industry insiders and poll data, the Kingdom could slash the prices for all its export grades by as much as $1 per barrel and more, which would push these prices to their lowest in three to four months.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia raised its official selling prices for oil to Asia by $0.60 per barrel, which brought them $3.30 per barrel above the Oman/Dubai benchmark.

The price hike suggested expectations of strong demand, which in turn implied that Saudi Arabia is not all that worried about the Omicron variant that caused a more than $10 plunge in oil prices in late November, with Brent at one point dipping below $70 per barrel.

This month, however, prices have rebounded globally, but the spot market premium for Middles Eastern and Russian grades has fallen by more than 50 percent since the start of the month, Reuters noted in its report. The drop was a result of higher OPEC+ production this month.

The price cut for February is in part a move in anticipation of lower demand from Asian buyers as refineries on the continent prepare for maintenance season in the second quarter of the year, Reuters noted.

Saudi Arabia will announce its official selling prices for oil after the January OPEC+ meeting, to take place on the 4th of the month. Asia accounts for more than half of Saudi oil exports.

Earlier this month, the Kingdom reported crude oil exports accounted for 77.6 percent of total exports in October, up from 66.1 percent a year earlier. The value of oil exports was 123 percent higher than a year ago, thanks to substantially higher crude oil prices.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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While no one has criticized the quality of the 18 employees work, Poore said the agency needs more scheduling flexibility, particularly for snow removal, than the workers contract allowed. Workers and their union leaders said that they were blindsided by the pink slips and that they were never told by OHA executives or lawyers that all their jobs were at risk.

OHA Board Member Tony Veland had requested Tuesdays special meeting after hearing concern from the community. Of the 18 workers, 16 are Black, one is Latino, and one is White, according to union leaders.

Veland declined to comment after the meeting. He referred questions to Levy and Poore.

The board did not discuss the matter in open session, but voted to go into closed-door, executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters.

But the board did receive public comment, including from Chambers. The former senator from North Omaha had joined current State Sen. Terrell McKinney and several other people in urging the OHA Board on Dec. 16 to reverse its decision.
Animals from around the world will be on display when Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom joins the Tournament of Roses Parade for the first time.

Wild Kingdom, one of the most loved wildlife programs in television history, is teaming up with RFD-TV of Omaha on a 55-foot entry. The parade will air at 10 a.m. Saturday on ABC, NBC and RFD-TV.

RFD-TV has been replaying classic Wild Kingdom episodes on Sunday nights since April, and the decision to participate in the parade came from that partnership. It will also promote a new Wild Kingdom series that will launch in late 2022 on RFD-TV and other digital channels.

Words cannot express how excited we are to share our iconic Wild Kingdom brand with the millions of individuals watching this years Rose Parade, said Keith Clark, senior vice president of brand marketing and communications at Mutual of Omaha.
BEIJING (AP)  China is calling on the United States to protect a Chinese space station and its three-member crew after Beijing complained that satellites launched by Elon Musks SpaceX nearly struck the station.

A foreign ministry spokesman accused Washington on Tuesday of ignoring its treaty obligations to protect the safety of the Tiangong stations three-member crew following the July 1 and Oct. 21 incidents.

The Tiangong performed evasive maneuvers to prevent a potential collision with Starlink satellites launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., the government said in a Dec. 6 complaint to the U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

The United States should take immediate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again, said the spokesman, Zhao Lijian.

Zhao accused Washington of failing to carry out its obligations to protect the safety of astronauts under a 1967 treaty on the peaceful use of space.

The American Embassy in Beijing didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Maezawa deflected the criticism from those who questioned his decision to spend money on his space travel instead of using it to help people back on Earth, saying that those who criticize are perhaps those who have never been to space."

The most memorable moments were when I saw the International Space Station from Soyuz just before the docking and when we entered after the docking, he said.

He admitted that space tourism is mostly for the super-rich now, but added that those who embark on space travel must be prepared for other challenges.

Yes, it is still rather expensive, but it is not only about money," he told the AP. "It takes time for your body to adjust in this environment and the training for emergencies takes at least a few months. So, honestly speaking, it is only accessible for those who have time and are physically fit and those who can afford it. But we dont know if that is still going to be the case in 10 years, 20 years time.

Maezawa told the AP he felt a little bit of motion sickness and it was a little bit difficult to sleep, adding that future space tourists need to be aware of the need to spend up to five days to adapt to motion sickness in space.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The Biden administration has affirmed a Trump administration interpretation of high-level radioactive waste that is based on the wastes radioactivity rather than how it was produced.

The U.S. Department of Energy announcement last week means some radioactive waste from nuclear weapons production stored in Idaho, Washington and South Carolina could be reclassified and moved for permanent storage elsewhere.

After extensive policy and legal assessment, DOE affirmed that the interpretation is consistent with the law, guided by the best available science and data, and that the views of members of the public and the scientific community were considered in its adoption, the agency said in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The Biden administration's affirmation of the new interpretation came after various groups offered letters of support and opposition to the agency after Biden became president, leading to the notice in the Federal Register making clear where the administration stood. Biden has reversed Trump policy in other areas.
Where is Nebraskas need for such speed?

Q3. Which groups need protection?

Economics points to three equally important groups within any industry or business: owners, workers and customers. While this has always been true, somehow  since about 1980  the narrative within the United States and Nebraska has shifted to make only the owners to be of value within our state and nation. Protecting workers strengthens Nebraskas economy, but somehow many owners prefer to keep the focus on their hunger for unrealistically rising profits, no matter how much damage they are inflicting on customers and workers in the process.

Who else needs protection? I believe the commissioners and their staff do. It feels very unfair that the rules lay out some 14 duty categories, with lots of separate items within every one, and yet the need for lots more paid staff to actually perform those tasks (on top of their original duties) isnt being met. Will those costs be paid for from the industry or from Nebraska taxpayers, and how soon?
Take a bow for the new revolution.

Predictably, Republicans flipped the rhetoric of convenience, not once but twice, by stalling Obamas nominee, Merrick Garland, and then disingenuously placing three Trump nominees on the court. No longer does the ideology of the Supreme Courts justices exist within a narrow range of partisan views. And since judges sit for life, it is a long-term imbalance.

Students of the Constitution, of the Federalist Papers or of Aristotle know that a long-term imbalance is tyranny.

Smile and grin at the change all around ... Then Ill get on my knees and pray  We dont get fooled again.

The moves by Reid and McConnell were good short-term politics but inflicted long-term damage. Eventually, the other party comes into power and, consequently, governance takes a seat on the teeter-totter of hyperpartisanship as the new boss undoes the policies of their opposition.

Secondly, the court has always been modestly partisan. The tradition of compromising on placing judges prevented the court from becoming too politicized. As such, we trusted that over time the courts would balance and be neutral actors addressing complex issues with an even hand.
Dr. Robert Easter must be shaking his head. Smiling somewhat. Chuckling possibly. And maybe even grimacing in frustration, remembering all the trips he made to China to teach that nations pork industry that soy protein was needed to raise hogs.

Now, president emeritus of the University of Illinois, hes probably not looking to reprise his efforts of past decades, but he is needed.

Here is a nation with over one billion lovers of pork and expect it to be in nearly every meal. Here is a nation that raised soybeans thousands of years before North America got in the way of trade between Europe and the Orient. But for some reason, China just cant connect the dots.

Stability has been an issue for China. The leaders and the politburo know their tenure depends on keeping the populace well-fed. Hungry people are unhappy people, and unhappy people tend to take matters into their own hands. Chinas leaders dont want that to happen, but they are having a great problem between the farm and the fork.

The demand for protein is the overriding need in China, primarily from pork and then from poultry. Not so much beef, but the citizenry got a taste of prime U.S. beef in the past year when China had to import millions of tons of meat from the United States. That was when African swine fever decimated the Chinese pork industry.

AFS is the swine version of COVID, but hogs dont understand masks and social distancing, so mortality set in and the pork industry had to rebuild. But AFS is still present in spots, and China has been unable to deliver a stable supply of pork to the markets.

One of the reasons is the need for soy protein to feed hogs, as China learned from Easter. But Chinas soybean production is about 10% of its demand, and recent years have seen importation of nearly one billion bushels of soybeans from the United States and twice that volume from Brazil. China wants whole beans so its large soybean crushing industry can capture the margin from higher values of oil and protein meal.

But swine fever was a pothole in the road and a couple wheels came off. The crushing industry has not recovered from the diminished demand for soybean meal. The pork industry ramped up quickly and over produced, with small profit margins for producers. The politburo member who raises 18 million head of hogs, Qin Yinglin, says hes cutting protein feed in half and all other Chinese pork producers should also to save money.

While that saves money for Muyuan Foods and Mr. Qin, there is no guarantee savings will be passed on to consumers, unless all other producers match prices. Another bruise is what it does to the soybean crushing industry if soybean meal demand declines. What is known, is that China has cut back 30% on its importation of soybeans, both from the United States and Brazil.

Hows that plan working out? Yup, we thought so!

Stu Ellis is an observer of the Central Illinois agriculture scene. In addition to his weekly column, you can view his From The Farm and Harvest Heritage reports on WCIA 3 News.

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BLOOMINGTON  A sharp jump in the number of people going to the McLean County Fairgrounds COVID testing site after the long holiday weekend had subsided Tuesday, the same day health officials released new figures on the number of infections and the omicron variant. State data shows the daily average number of new statewide COVID-19 cases exceeded 16,000 for the first time during the pandemic.

The testing site run by Reditus Laboratories tested 816 people on Monday, the most since November 2020, lab spokesman Paul Swiech said Tuesday. The site had been closed over the weekend for the holiday and resumed testing on Monday.

Wait times are averaging one to two hours, said Wade Rossi, Reditus vice president of clinical testing, in an email. It depends on when during the day the person gets tested, he said.

Tests at the site continue to take an average of 24 to 48 hours to process. Genomic sequencing, which is used to identify the strain of the virus, has been on hold since Dec. 5 due to a lack of needed supplies. It plans to resume sequencing on Jan. 7.

Long delays at testing sites were reported across the country as the omicron variant has comprised an increasingly larger percentage of new cases, raising concerns the surge will overwhelm hospitals. Several states, including Georgia and Washington, set new records Tuesday for the number of cases.

New information and guidelines also have become available after more has been learned about the strain, which was first detected in the U.S. Dec. 1.

On Tuesday, U.S. health officials' decision to shorten the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period from 10 days to five drew criticism from some medical experts and concerns it could create more confusion and fear among Americans.

Monday's action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut the recommended isolation time for Americans who are infected with the coronavirus but have no symptoms. The CDC similarly shortened the amount of time people who have come into close contact with an infected person need to quarantine.

The CDC has been under pressure from the public and the private sector, including the airline industry, to shorten the isolation time and reduce the risk of severe staffing shortages amid the omicron surge. Thousands of flights have been canceled over the past few days in a mess blamed on omicron.

Not all of those cases are going to be severe. In fact, many are going to be asymptomatic, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said. We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science.

But other experts questioned why the CDC guidelines allow people to leave isolation without testing.

Its frankly reckless to proceed like this, said Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. Using a rapid test or some type of test to validate that the person isnt infectious is vital.

Theres no evidence, no data to support this," he said.

Overall, an average of 206,577 COVID cases are being recorded every day, according to the CDC, nearing levels not seen since last years winter wave.

The daily average of new cases for the state reached 16,040 through Tuesday, largely due to a record number of infections for a single day on Christmas Eve  21,131  and 20,804 more cases recorded on Tuesday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The average is based on the total for that day and six prior days.

McLean County officials on Tuesday said there were 874 new COVID infections between Thursday and Monday, and the positivity rate stood at 11.4%.

On Monday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced plans to add staffing to testing and vaccination sites as a result of the surge. Hours for all of the community-based testing sites are expanding from four days a week to six days a week.

The new hours for the McLean County site will be Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including being open on New Years Eve and New Years Day, Swiech said.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.

Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood

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BLOOMINGTON  Illinois State Police said a Michigan man died Tuesday night after a semi-truck rear-ended his car on Interstate 55.

An ISP press release said it happened around 9:49 p.m. Tuesday by the I-55 exit to Shirley, or 850 North Road.

The statement said a silver 2001 Ford Explorer driven by a man from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was stalled with hazard lights activated in the right lane of southbound I-55 near the Shirley exit. Then, a white 2019 Freightliner semi-trailer also heading south crashed into the back of the SUV, the report said.

Troopers said the Ford Explorer's driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder identified the man as a Rickey M. Washington Jr., 43. She said in a press release that he died from cervical spinal injuries received from the crash.

The release said driving the semi-truck was Shahzada S. Fazil, 67, of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries, ISP said.

Another man from Oshawa, Ontario, was riding as a passenger in his truck: Shahzada Fahad, 38. He was uninjured, police said.

All lanes of the interstate were shut down around 10 p.m., the release said. I-55 reopened around six hours later.

This story has been updated with new information provided by Illinois State Police and the McLean County Coroner's Office.

Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison

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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot had a funny response when former Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown suggested Lightfoot run for governor someday.

You must not like me if you want to send me to Springfield, Lightfoot said in a text, obtained by the Tribune in response to a series of open records requests.

Lightfoot isnt the first mayor of Chicago who isnt a big fan of the states capital, but dealing with the Illinois legislature and governor is a key part of the job that has at times been a challenge for the mayor.

The Tribune obtained more than 2 years of Lightfoots text messages with aldermen and other high-ranking political leaders through a series of Freedom of Information Act requests  which members of her staff failed to comply with until the state attorney general admonished them and the Tribune threatened a lawsuit.

Earlier this month, the Tribune published a trove of text messages revealing the extent to which the mayor  who campaigned as a reformer aiming to unite the city  has sometimes resorted to name-calling and shaming of her perceived enemies as she governs the city.

Text messages with the states most powerful political leaders show the same combativeness thats been a hallmark of her dealings with the City Council. In particular, Lightfoot has repeatedly clashed with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon, records show.

Although Lightfoot and Pritzker have tried to put a positive spin on their relationship when asked about it by reporters, their dealings have been strained, which the texts also reveal.

In spring 2020, for instance, Lightfoot texted Pritzker a news report analyzing tensions between their administrations as the city was negotiating for a Chicago casino and criticized his employees.

Gov, this is petty and unnecessary and why we have serious issues with your staff, Lightfoot texted. Not smart.

The next morning, Pritzker responded, I woke up and saw your text. Texting probably not the best way to communicate. You should call me when you can.

A day later, Lightfoot texted Pritzker a Sun-Times opinion piece with the headline, Mayors gaffes wont help Chicago get a lift from Pritzker and Springfield.

Super helpful, she wrote.

Pritzker responded: Mayor. I didnt write this nor did I foster it. I get bad press too. Call when you would like.

The mayor texted back, It is your people. That is very clear. I would never (do) this to you. But now I get the rules of engagement.

Pritzker said the mayors comments were not accurate and added, On another note, Ive been asking you to call me for two days. Let me know if you want to schedule it. Texting me isnt helpful.

Lightfoot did not text back, according to records released by the mayors office, but Pritzker followed up the next morning to tell her hed be speaking at the Illinois Federation of Teachers convention over the weekend but hadnt expected the Chicago Teachers Union to be on strike when he accepted the invitation to give a speech.

I was endorsed by IFT, and they have been good allies. I cannot cancel. I plan not to take questions and I plan (to) not opine about the strike during my remarks. I have also respected the bargaining process overall, Pritzker said. Just wanted you to know so you dont conclude that theres any challenge intended toward you.

She responded, Ok.

The records also document tensions between Pritzker and Lightfoot throughout the pandemic.

In April 2020, Lightfoot texted Pritzker to complain that a state official told one of her deputies that you are announcing today new testing on the south side which no one from my office, CDPH or any where else knows anything about.

Please tell me that you are not announcing this without working with us first, Lightfoot said.

An hour later, Pritzker texted her after a Tribune story about the dispute published.

Ok now theres no need to speak soon. The Trib article is out, Pritzker said. Not flattering for either of us and wholly unnecessary. We can talk tomorrow.

One of the biggest conflicts between Lightfoot and Pritzker throughout the pandemic has been over indoor dining at restaurants. As the city reopened in June 2020, Pritzker messaged her about IDPHs concern about the potential spike we may see in COVID cases after this last 10 days of protests. I am concerned too.

The mayor responded, We are all concerned but by (allowing) churches to essentially gather with very few capacity limitations, I cannot see a distinction between those spaces and restaurants.

Pritzker responded that his administration issued guidance for churches and we cannot enforce on churches anyway, citing a conservative legal challenge which went to the Supreme Court, where Justice Brett Kavanaugh signaled a willingness to hear the case.

Literally we had Justice Kavanaugh itching to throw out our restrictions last week, Pritzker added to Lightfoot.

I know, we followed the litigation very closely and I would guess you rightfully guessed you had limited options given the move by Kavanaugh, Lightfoot said. Lets talk and (we) can sort it out.

In October 2020, Lightfoot and Pritzker feuded publicly after the governor shut down indoor dining. Lightfoot initially objected, before dropping her opposition and pledging to enforce his order.

On the day Pritzker ordered indoor dining closed again, he texted Lightfoot a heads up.

Im sure youve heard already that Chicago has tipped our metrics for resurgence mitigations. Our teams have been in contact  Pritzker said. This current upswing (COVID storm) is going to be with us for a while I think.

Lightfoot texted back that she has big concerns about the state criteria to discuss and that her team is working to set up a meeting.

Happy to discuss. I cant change them on the fly before Saturday but always looking for best ideas for keeping people safe going forward, Pritzker responded. Pls have your staff call mine to put a meeting or call in the schedule.

We have been trying to get a meeting and Allison (Arwady) has been reaching out to Dr. Ezike, Lightfoot said. We need to get on the same page and right now we are not.

They did not get into the substance of the dispute further in the text messages.

In July 2020, Pritzker also asked Lightfoot about a news conference she had scheduled.

Talking about the rise in cases, where they are coming from, concerns about 18-29 cohort and if ready by then, some of our new strategies to reach this group, Lightfoot said. We are toying with a mandatory mask order for Chicago. I will also say that we will not hesitate to shut down or fine businesses for non-compliance.

Pritzker responded that the law was already in place.

Just want you to know we already have a statewide mandatory mask order. It is the law right now during the emergency, Pritzker said. We issued it May 1.

We thought so, but no one knows that in Chicago, Lightfoot responded. We will amplify it.

After the August 2020 round of looting in downtown Chicago, Lightfoot and Pritzker kept in touch to coordinate efforts between city and state police agencies.

Later in the year, Lightfoot texted Pritzker, we should talk about vaccine messaging and delivery. Seeing some big obstacles in polling across the US regarding acceptance.

In January, Pritzker texted Lightfoot a Block Club story about a big maskless party in Old Town.

How brazen? This looks ripe for a visit by CPD. !!! Pritzker texted.

On it, Lightfoot replied.

Records show Lightfoot hasnt been shy about confronting Pritzker on other issues.

Just hearing from one of my city council chairmen that your team is trying to move something on Thompson Center without presenting a plan to me and my team, Lightfoot texted him in March. We should discuss because that will not happen.

In May, Lightfoot texted, I would like to talk about the paid sick leave bill. We strongly oppose. Let me know when you can talk.

We do not agree to the stunt to try and take over the Choose Board. Tell Heinz to stand down, Lightfoot said, in an apparent reference to a dispute over the Choose Chicago tourism board and former Deputy Governor Dan Hynes, whose name she misspelled.

The mayor has had a cordial texting relationship with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch but her dealings with Harmon, the Senate president, have been more contentious.

In January, Lightfoot texted Harmon, my folks are bringing me comments that are concerning  if there is a personal issue that is of concern, lets put it on the table.

Harmon, of Oak Park, did not text back.

After the state Senate passed a bill that supporters said put Chicago firefighter pensions on par with suburban and downstate systems but which Lightfoot argued would increase pension costs and could lead to property tax hikes, the mayor sent a critical text to Harmon.

A courtesy call regarding the fire pension bill would have been helpful, particularly since there is no funding for it, Lightfoot said. When that pension fund collapses, I will be talking a lot about this vote.

Four hours later, Lightfoot texted him again: Wanted to give you a heads up that we are sending a strongly worded statement to the media about the fire pension bill.

He did not text back to either message. Lightfoot also badmouthed the bill to other officials, including Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter, records show.

In a text to him in 2020, she called the pension bill the (firefighters union president) Jim Tracy and (then-House Speaker Michael) Madigan are about to F---Chicago (Taxpayers) bill.

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ST. PETERS, Missouri  Missouri police were searching Wednesday for a suspect in a carjacking here that may be related to the fatal shooting of an Illinois sheriff's deputy earlier in the morning, police said.

St. Peters police spokeswoman Officer Melissa Doss said a man carjacked and shot another person shortly after 7 a.m. at a QuikTrip at 391 Main St. in St. Peters north of St. Louis. He then drove away and was later spotted on surveillance video in O'Fallon, Missouri, in a white Nissan Titan truck with a Missouri license plate 0WEA43.

Officials believe he was the same person who fatally shot a sheriff's deputy in Wayne County, Illinois, earlier Wednesday, Doss said.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office referred questions about that incident to the Illinois State Police, which did not immediately respond.

The man is described as a white male, last seen wearing a light gray hoodie, backpack and black shoes. He should be considered armed and dangerous, St. Peters police said.

The man who was carjacked in St. Peters was taken to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries, police said.

Wayne County is roughly two hours east of St. Louis and 30 minutes west of the Indiana border.

Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Todd Ringle said on Twitter that area agencies were escorting the deputy to the morgue in Evansville around 9:30 a.m.

Interstate 64 on the Illinois-Indiana state line was closed for part of Wednesday morning as authorities searched for the suspect, Ringle said.

Katie Kull  314-340-8087 @KatieKull1 on Twitter kkull@post-dispatch.com

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The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has supported the directive by the Police Administration to religious leaders to desist from communicating prophetic messages that could harm others and disturb the public peace.



The Ghana Police Service, in a statement on Monday, December 27, asked religious group leaders to be measured in their prophetic utterances that may injure the rights of others and public interest as the year draws to a close.



The statement, signed by Supt. Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director of Public Affairs, said it was a crime for a person to publish or reproduce a statement, rumour, or report, which was likely to disturb the public peace without evidence.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, the Reverend Emmanuel T. Barrigah, the General Secretary of GPCC, said the call by the Police Administration was in order.



Prophecies in themselves are expected to edify and glorify God and where there is the need to also rebuke those who might have fallen foul of the law of God, we should not hesitate to do so, he said.



Where prophecies become a threat or become a prediction of death and harm, there is a question mark on those kinds of prophecies.



Rev. Barrigah said he could not fathom why end-of-year prophecies were mostly centered on negative issues and not positive ones that would propel national unity and prosperity.



We must stop those doomsday and death prophecies. Why is it that we can only predict harm and death and not positive things? he asked.



Rev. Barrigah urged the Christian community to be careful and measured in their celebration of the New Year, bearing in mind the presence of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19.



He said the GPCC had issued a circular to its members, encouraging them to, as much as possible, hold outdoor services to usher in the New Year.



We have also asked them to ensure that all the preventive protocols, including hand-washing, hand sanitizing, and wearing of nose masks, are strictly observed in addition to sanitizing all the things we use at the church, he said.



The Police had warned that it was a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications service, to knowingly send communication that is false or misleading and likely to endanger the safety of others.



A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years, the police said.





Source: GNA









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Dr Frank Serebour, President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) says many doctors and nurses have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been isolated due to the surge in infections in the last two weeks.



He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that presently, most health facilities in Accra, Kumasi, Ahafo and beyond were under pressure due to the absence of health workers at post to man the situation and attend to patients.



He said Ghana was heading towards a fourth wave with the recent surge in cases, which were clearly not going to decrease, due to non-adherance to the safety protocols.



What is more scary is the kind of activities we are having all over the place, the various concerts happening in Accra and Kumasi, the kind of crowd that these activities have pulled, too many people are not adhering to the safety protocols, not wearing masksand social distancing is even not possible.



The Ghana Health Service (GHS) COVID-19 update page shows that 6,952 new cases were recorded from Dec.15 to 24.



Similarly, 22 more COVID-19 deaths were recorded within the period.



The data also showed that the daily number of new COVID-19 cases has increased from about hundreds to over 1, 000 infections per day in the last two weeks.



According to the GHS, the total active cases of COVID-19 in the country stood at 8,554 as of December 24,On Monday the number of active cases was updated twice from 5, 113 to 6,361 in the morning and to 7,353 in the evening.



Dr Serebour informed that the surge in cases was beginning to reflect in Out Patient Department (ODP) attendance, saying the updates on the page were not tests done from random samples but rather test results of sick persons who visited the hospitals.



Most people come in feeling sick with signs and symptoms of malaria, but when you screen them, they test positive to COVID-19, the good thing is that we have not recorded any critical cases amidst these infections and so even though we have seen that infections are on the rise, there are only a few severe cases, he said.



He said although there were some Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for use by health workers, there was an urgent need for the GHS to start distributing more PPEs to hospitals nationwide to serve as a buffer should the cases keep rising.



Currently we are not struggling for PPEs , but if we look at the trajectory of the cases, it is likely the PPEs available now may not be enough, the GMA President said.



Dr Frankline Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at the GHS, told the Ghana News Agency that more cases were being recorded in the country due to the presence of the Omicron variant.



Ghana, on December 1, recorded its first case of the Omiricon Variant, since then, 34 cases of the variant have been recorded at the Kotoka International Airport with seven cases detected in the community.



Two weeks ago, we were recording 40 cases a day but now we are recording more than 200 news cases in a day, he said.



He said presently there were not many cases on admission at the ICUs because most on the cases being recorded were mild.



He called on the unvaccinated to visit the vaccination centres to receive their jabs, adhere to the protocols and protect themselves during the festive season saying, You need to carefully choose where you go to as you celebrate the Christmas because the more you aggregate the higher your risk of contracting the virus."



Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.



Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.



However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention, anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.



Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell and sore throat.







Source: GNA









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A blind clairvoyant who allegedly predicted 9/11 and Brexit, has made six terrifying prophecies for 2022.



Some of the prophecies given by Baba Vanga, a Bulgarian mystic who lost her sight at the age of 12, include natural disasters, a water crisis and an alien invasion by the end of next year.



Nicknamed the Nostradamus of the Balkans, her visions are said to be 85% correct and include the Chernobyl tragedy, the death of Princess Diana and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.



Despite a challenging 2021 for the whole world, Baba Vanga's next forecast is full of further doom and gloom.



One of her most easily believable of her predictions for 2022 is a virtual reality takeover with people spending more time than ever in front of screens.



She also envisaged another pandemic, this time discovered in Siberia, caused by a frozen virus that will be released by climate change.



Baba Vanga, whose real name is Vangelia Gushterova, also predicted famine in India where temperatures will supposedly reach 50 degrees causing locusts to attack crops.



More earthquakes and tsunamis are also on the cards, according to the mystic who told of 'intense bouts of floods' in Australia and parts of Asia.



It is believed that Baba Vanga's predictions will continue to come true in spite of her death in 1996.



Her futuristic visions include the Earth's orbit changing in 2023, astronauts travelling to Venus in 2028, Muslims ruling Europe in 2043 and the end of the universe in 5079.



She also predicted that in 2046, people would live for more than 100 years due to organ transplant technology.



From 2100, she believed that the night would disappear and artificial sunlight would illuminate another part of Earth.



Read Full Story .... mirror.co.uk >>> :

















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The Western Regional Police Command in Ghana has arrested three Senior High School students for allegedly setting a Bolt driver ablaze.



Patrick Baidoo, aged 18; Joseph Lord Nii Adjei Odiku, aged 17; and Adolf Eshun, aged 17, lit Naval officer AB1, Boateng Okyere Boateng on fire at Bakano in Sekondi on Wednesday, December 22. The Bolt driver died at the 37 military hospital after he was transferred there from the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital.



According to Police, the three suspects confessed to committing the heinous act following the drivers unwillingness to hand over the keys to them as they tried to snatch the car.



The Public Relations Officer of the regional police command, Olivia Ewurabena Adiku, confirmed the development to journalists on Tuesday.



At about 5 pm on December 24, our team from the Regional Intelligence and Operation Unit, based on some intelligence, conducted an operation and arrested three suspects namely Patrick Baidoo, aged 18; Joseph Lord Nii Adjei Odiku, aged 17; and Adolf Eshun, aged 17," All these three sustained burnt wounds from the December 22, 2021 incident," she noted.



DSP Adiku did not disclose the institutions these students attend due to security reasons.



She said the suspects will be arraigned and charged accordingly, of which the charges are likely to include robbery and murder following the death of the officer they set ablaze.



"Unfortunately, the Bolt driver has passed on. The suspects confessed that they needed money and wanted to rob him of the car. When they got to Baka-Ano, and they asked him to hand over the keys, he refused; hence they poured the petrol on him and burnt him. The three are currently in our custody and would be put before court on the charges of robbery and murder, DSP Olivia Adiku added.









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90 kilometers of the Keystone XL Pipeline had been built before Biden blocked the permit. Credit: Govt. of Alberta

2021 may turn out to be the most critical year in our efforts to combat climate change. After four years of inaction and backpedaling by the Trump administration, the U.S. under President Biden is attempting to make up for lost time. A lot has happened here and around the worldsome of it good, some of it not so good. As the year draws to a close, let's take a look at where we stand.

What helped climate progress

1. COP26

Just hours after his inauguration, President Biden rejoined the 2015 Paris climate agreement from which former President Trump had withdrawn. In November, Biden attended the Glasgow climate talks, also known as COP26, to further the efforts of the Paris agreement. The meeting resulted in the Glasgow Climate Pact, an agreement endorsed by almost 200 countries. While the nations' commitments were not ambitious enough to meet the aspirational goal of the Paris accordto keep global warming to 1.5C136 countries pledged to reach net zero in the next few decades. One hundred and fifty-three countries enhanced their nationally determined contributionstheir nonbinding climate action plansand they are expected to return next year, instead of waiting another five years, with even more ambitious action plans.

Over 100 world leaders pledged to end deforestation by 2030, including Canada, Russia, China, Indonesia, Brazil, and the U.S. Over 100 countries also signed the Global Methane Pledge, committing to cut methane emissions 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. For the first time, climate negotiators called for the phasing out of fossil fuels, and set forth rules to establish international carbon markets. And in a surprise announcement, the U.S. and China agreed to work together to try to limit global warming to 1.5C by cooperating on regulations and environmental standards, policies to promote decarbonization, green design, and the implementation of new technologies.

Jason Bordoff, co-founding dean of the Columbia Climate School and founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy, said, "This was a notable year for climate progress because the U.S. is back in a leadership role, with President Biden reversing many of the actions taken by his predecessor, including rejoining the Paris Agreement. And there has been a notable shift in the way both policy makers and the public talk about climate change and the need to address it. I am heartened to see that the way we discuss climate action now matches the urgency of the challenge we face. Before the Paris Agreement, the world was on track for warming levels of 3.5 to 4 degrees Celsius. After Glasgow, we are on track for somewhere around 2.5 to 3 degrees. That's far short of where we need to be, but it shows progress is possible."

2. Biden's infrastructure and Build Back Better bills

President Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which he signed into law in November, provides billions of dollars to combat climate change. To enable more use of renewable energy, $73 billion will go towards upgrading the electrical grid. Forty-seven billion dollars will be directed to climate resiliency to help coastal communities deal with more hurricanes and flooding, and help other areas combat increasing wildfires.

To speed the decarbonization of transportation, 500,000 new charging stations will be built for electric vehicles.

Biden's Build Back Better bill, if it gets passed, would be the largest effort in American history to deal with climate change. It would offer rebates and tax credits to motivate consumers to transition to clean energy and electrification, and provide incentives to expand solar and wind power. It would also invest in natural climate solutions such as forest management and soil conservation, establish a Civilian Climate Corps to conserve public lands, and provide grants to environmental justice communities. Now stymied by Senator Joe Manchin, the Build Back Better bill will need to be renegotiated to have a chance of passage.

3. Keystone XL pipeline stopped

President Biden withdrew the permit his predecessor had given the controversial Keystone XL pipeline. Commissioned in 2010, the pipeline was designed to transport 900,000 barrels of dirty tar sands oil each day from Alberta to refineries in Illinois and along the Texas Gulf coast. Tar sands mining and production result in three to four times as much greenhouse gas pollution as conventional oil production. After 10 years of Indigenous-led protests, TC Energy finally canceled its plans for the huge crude oil pipeline.

4. NASA satellites

NASA announced plans for a new fleet of Earth-observing satellites. The Earth System Observatory will monitor clouds and aerosols, and give scientists new insights into the planet's temperatures and chemistry. The data the satellites gather should improve severe weather forecasts, assess water levels and droughts to enable better planning of water use and disaster response, and allow researchers to study how climate change affects food, agriculture, water, and energy use. The findings will be free to researchers around the world. After former President Trump's attempts to cancel NASA's earth science missions, with this new fleet of satellites, NASA is once again integral to shaping the country's climate policy.

5. Youth activism

According to a recent Lancet study, almost 60 percent of young people under 25 said that they were extremely concerned about climate change. This year, thousands of young people in over 1,500 locations around the world took to the streets before COP26 to compel leaders to forcefully tackle climate change. And in Glasgow, tens of thousands, many of them young people inspired by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, marched for systemic change.

In the end, Thunberg deemed COP26 a failure because leaders had not taken drastic enough action to end fossil fuel use, but her fight continues. She tweeted to her five million Twitter followers, "The real work continues outside these halls. And we will never give up, ever."

6. Launch of the Columbia Climate School

The Columbia Climate School welcomed its inaugural class in 2021. The first new school to be established at the university in 25 years, the Climate School's goal is to marshal Columbia University's academic resources to meet the challenges of climate change. The 12-month interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Climate and Society program it offers trains professionals and academics to understand and deal with the impacts of climate change on society and the planet.

A school like no other, the Columbia Climate School aims to ensure that the latest research in climate and sustainable development has a real-world and real-time impact on all lives, especially those that are affected most by the climate crisis.

What hurt climate progress

1. COP26 fell short

At COP26, countries were supposed to have reviewed their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and ratcheted them up to be more ambitious as per the Paris agreement. While many countries did comply, some major countries resubmitted the same targets they had in 2015 (Australia, Indonesia, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Vietnam); some submitted even weaker targets (Brazil, Mexico); and Turkey and Kazakhstan didn't submit new NDCs at all.

Climate financing fell short as well. Because the developing countries of the world have contributed least to global warming yet stand to suffer the most from climate change impacts, in 2009, wealthy countries pledged to provide $100 billion a year by 2020 to help them transition to clean energy and build resilience to climate change impacts. According to the OECD, in 2019, almost $80 billion was raised, but the $100 billion goal will likely not be reached until 2023. Although countries promised millions in new pledges at COP26, many were skeptical because the original commitments haven't been met. Rich countries are resisting attempts to get them to pay for damage inflicted on more vulnerable countries by climate change. Biden promised to raise the U.S. contribution to $11.4 billion a year by 2024, but according to global think tank ODI, the U.S."s fair share should be more like $30 to 47 billion a year.

2. CO 2 in the atmosphere broke records

The Global Carbon Project found that emissions from coal and gas increased in 2021, with fossil fuel emissions rising between 1.4 to 5.7 percent globally after a 5.4 percent decrease during 2020 due to the pandemic. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere broke another record this year, peaking at 419ppm according to NOAA's Mauna Loa Observatory. This is the highest level recorded since precise measurements began 63 years ago. The level of CO 2 in the atmosphere today is about what it was between 4.1 and 4.5 million years ago when sea levels were 78 feet higher than they are today.

3. Climate impacts got worse

2021 was a year of devastating extreme weather. In the U.S., there were record-breaking heatwaves in the Pacific Northwest, flash floods in the Northeast, damaging hurricanes in the Atlantic and Caribbean Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico, and historic drought and raging wildfires in the Southwest. Many other countries around the world were hit with heavy precipitation and flooding too.

Extreme heat waves hit Japan, Ireland, Turkey, and England, and many parts of the Mediterranean experienced record high temperatures and drought. Wildfires produced 1.76 billion metric tons of carbon emissions globally, with fires in Siberia, Turkey, and the U.S., wildfires breaking records for the amount of carbon they emitted. Global mean sea levels reached new highs in 2021: The latest measurement was approximately 100mm up from its previous record high in 2020 of 91.3mm above 1993 levels.

4. Amazon deforestation increased

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest increased 22 percent, reaching its highest level since 2006. From August 2020 to July 2021, more than 5,100 square miles of forest were razed, an area almost 17 times the size of New York City. Although Brazil's President Bolsonaro has claimed his government is slowing deforestation, he has encouraged development of the Amazon for mining and large scale farming, and failed to enact laws to prevent deforestation.

5. Biden approved fossil fuel drilling on public lands

Despite President Biden's campaign pledge to end new fossil fuel drilling on public land, he has approved more permits to drill for oil or gas on public lands than Trump did in any of the first three years of his presidency. So far, the Bureau of Land Management has approved 333 drilling permits each month, with a peak of 652 in April. Moreover, it is planning to hold more leasing auctions in the first quarter of 2022. In November, oil and gas companies won rights to drill offshore across over 1.7 million acres of the Gulf of Mexico in the largest offshore lease sale in U.S. history. That sale has the "potential to emit 723 million metric tons of CO 2 into the atmosphere over its lifetime, equivalent to operating more than 70 percent of the United States' coal-fired power plants for a year," according to the Center for American Progress.

After the Biden administration paused all new leasing last year, it claimed that the courts had required it to hold the auction, but later acknowledged that it actually had not been forced to. And even as Biden called on every nation to reduce emissions at COP26, he was urging energy-producing countries to ramp up production to expand the oil supply due to high energy prices.

6. Energy prices rose

The prices of oil, natural gas, diesel and coal surged more than 80 percent in 2021 because the demand for energy rebounded after the pandemic faster than production could handle. Natural gas and coal prices reached record highs and a global gas shortage led to more demand for coal.

As a result, global coal generation is expected to rise 9 percent this year. The Energy Information Administration predicted that U.S. home heating oil bills would be 39 percent higher than last year, natural gas would be 26 percent higher, and electricity 6 percent higher. Households could end up paying from 22 to 94 percent more to heat their homes this winter. While this would be a logical time to redouble efforts to transition to clean energy, soaring energy prices may in fact hinder the movement towards renewables.

"Public support for decarbonization is at an all-time high," Bordoff said. "But if forced to choose between emissions and expenses, many consumers will prioritize the latter, and who can blame them? Moving to a clean energy system may actually reduce energy costs, but there is every possibility that the road will be bumpy and we should expect more energy price volatility in the future. It is my hope that we will be able to sustain support for climate action even amidst a turbulent transition."

What's the bottom line?

When asked whether he was ultimately more or less optimistic about climate change after what has occurred this year, Bordoff replied, "Overall, I'm trying to stay optimistic, but 2021 was a tough year. Devastating floods in the U.S., China, and Germany and other destructive weather events have shown us the deadly results of a warming planet. And after a brief reduction, emissions again are on the rise and will be even higher than pre-COVID levels. But it's the public's concernespecially among young peopleover the climate crisis that gives me hope that we can finally make some of these difficult policy decisions that didn't garner a lot of support in the past. The big question is whether we can take action in time because time is running out to act. We're not yet on the path to solve the problem, but we're heading in the right direction."

Explore further The world is burning the most coal ever to keep the lights on

Provided by State of the Planet
On Dec. 10, DARTs DRACO camera captured and returned this image of the stars in Messier 38, or the Starfish Cluster, which lies some 4,200 light years away. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL

Just two weeks after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft has opened its "eye" and returned its first images from spacea major operational milestone for the spacecraft and DART team.

After the violent vibrations of launch and the extreme temperature shift to minus 80 degrees C in space, scientists and engineers at the mission operations center at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, held their breath in anticipation. Because components of the spacecraft's telescopic instrument are sensitive to movements as small as 5 millionths of a meter, even a tiny shift of something in the instrument could be very serious.

On Tuesday, Dec. 7, the spacecraft popped open the circular door covering the aperture of its DRACO telescopic camera and, to everyone's glee, streamed back the first image of its surrounding environment. Taken about 2 million miles (11 light seconds) from Earthvery close, astronomically speaking the image shows about a dozen stars, crystal-clear and sharp against the black backdrop of space, near where the constellations Perseus, Aries and Taurus intersect.

The DART navigation team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California used the stars in the image to determine precisely how DRACO was oriented, providing the first measurements of how the camera is pointed relative to the spacecraft. With those measurements in hand, the DART team could accurately move the spacecraft to point DRACO at objects of interest, such as Messier 38 (M38), also known as the Starfish Cluster, that DART captured in another image on Dec. 10. Located in the constellation Auriga, the cluster of stars lies some 4,200 light years from Earth. Intentionally capturing images with many stars like M38 helps the team characterize optical imperfections in the images as well as calibrate how absolutely bright an object isall important details for accurate measurements when DRACO starts imaging the spacecraft's destination, the binary asteroid system Didymos.

DRACO (short for Didymos Reconnaissance and Asteroid Camera for Optical navigation) is a high-resolution camera inspired by the imager on NASA's New Horizons spacecraft that returned the first close-up images of the Pluto system and of a Kuiper Belt object, Arrokoth. As DART's only instrument, DRACO will capture images of the asteroid Didymos and its moonlet asteroid Dimorphos, as well as support the spacecraft's autonomous guidance system to direct DART to its final kinetic impact.

DART was developed and is managed by Johns Hopkins APL for NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office. DART is the world's first planetary defense test mission, intentionally executing a kinetic impact into Dimorphos to slightly change its motion in space. While neither asteroid poses a threat to Earth, the DART mission will demonstrate that a spacecraft can autonomously navigate to a kinetic impact on a relatively small target asteroid, and that this is a viable technique to deflect a genuinely dangerous asteroid, if one is ever discovered. DART will reach its target on Sept. 26, 2022.

Explore further Double Asteroid Redirection Test launch could be key step forward in planetary defense

More information: For more information about the DART mission, see For more information about the DART mission, see www.nasa.gov/dartmission
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Shunning climate-changing fossil fuels is turning out to be more difficult than promised in Illinois.

Two weeks after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law billed as the nation's most aggressive mandate for clean energy, the Chicago Democrat's administration tentatively approved a major new source of heat-trapping pollution.

A draft state permit for a new natural gas power plant, planned for a small town south of Springfield, would allow the proposed Lincoln Land Energy Center to emit more carbon dioxide than 800,000 automobiles every year.

Combined with CO 2 emitted by two other gas plants approved during Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's single term in office, the downstate generator would wipe out climate benefits from closing four of the state's coal-fired power plants last year.

During 2019, the now-shuttered coal plants emitted 7.8 million tons of carbon dioxide, federal records show.

State permits for soon-to-be-operating gas plants near Elwood and Morris and the draft permit for Lincoln Land enable the new gas-burners to release 63% more CO 2 into the atmosphereup to 12.7 million tons annually.

"That certainly appears to be inconsistent with the path Illinois has chosen to move toward carbon-free energy," said James Gignac, senior Midwest energy analyst for the nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists.

Unlike power plants built during the last century by state-regulated utilities, companies behind the three new gas plants aren't required to demonstrate their projects are necessary to meet demand for electricity.

Instead, private investors financing the projects are betting natural gas prices will remain low enough for them to profit as dirtier, less-efficient coal and gas plants are retired. Another way the companies can make money is through annual capacity auctions held by the regional grid operator to guarantee enough electricity is available during hot days and other times when the grid is challenged.

One of Pritzker's top aides deferred to career state employees when asked why a governor who promotes himself as a clean energy champion would allow a big new source of climate pollution to be built under his watch.

"IEPA (the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency), not the governor, is authorized to act on permit applications such as this," Jordan Abudayyeh, Pritzker's chief spokeswoman, said about the proposed Lincoln Land gas plant. "In doing so, the IEPA must follow applicable statutory and regulatory provisions governing that process."

At least one other state is considering the impact of climate change now rather than years in the future. In October, the same month Illinois signaled it would approve the Lincoln Land project, New York denied a permit for a new gas-fired unit at an existing power plant, declaring it "would be inconsistent with or interfere with" a state law demanding carbon-free electricity by 2040.

Environmental groups are citing the New York decision in comments urging Illinois to withdraw the Lincoln Land permit. But it appears they are outgunned.

Backed by unions for construction workers, gas-plant developers had enough clout in Springfield during the summer to block Pritzker's clean energy initiatives until the governor and his legislative allies stripped out provisions that would have required the facilities to steadily reduce carbon emissions during years leading up to 2045, when they would either need to find a way to eliminate heat-trapping pollution altogether or shut down.

In the final version of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, the new gas plants can operate without climate-focused restrictions until the 2045 deadline for carbon-free electricity in Illinois. The law also extends a lifeline to a pair of municipally owned coal plants, including the Prairie State Generating Station southeast of St. Louis, which last year was the nation's seventh-largest industrial source of carbon dioxide.

J.C. Kibbey is a clean energy advocate at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council who was involved in negotiations that brokered the deal. He lamented having to compromise to protect a handful of fossil fuel interests for a quarter century, but suggested a dramatic increase in wind and solar power demanded by the Illinois law, along with advances in industrial-scale battery storage, will end up erasing competitive advantages enjoyed by new gas plants.

"Renewables with storage are far more economical than any fossil fuel," Kibbey said. "While we're scaling that up and bringing prices down, gas will probably fill gaps when the sun isn't shining or wind isn't blowing. What I fear is these developers are pursuing a world where their gas plants run 24/7, and we just can't allow that if we want to avoid catastrophic climate change."

In interviews and public comments, companies building or seeking to build gas plants in Illinois contend their projects will help ease the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Some are investing in both. Competitive Power Ventures, a Maryland-based company building the 1,250 megawatt Three Rivers gas plant near Morris, also is developing a 350 megawatt solar array in Livingston County.

"We build based on what we think the system is going to need and because of that people will pay for it," said Tom Rumsey, the company's senior vice president for external and regulatory affairs.

Rumsey ticked off one of the gas lobby's latest talking points: Deadly power outages during a Texas cold snap last winter showed the nation can't rely on just wind and solar power.

"If you get too far over your skis on renewables and don't pay attention to what you need to manage the system you run into reliability issues," he said.

The main problem in Texas, though, was an electrical grid dominated by gas-fired power that hadn't been weatherized, and according to the state's largest generator, still isn't.

Reliability hasn't been an issue in Illinois as climate-changing pollution from the state's industries declined by 30% during the past decade, in part because several coal-fired power plants closed.

Another variable involves the state's fleet of six nuclear power plants. Planning for the large gas-fired generators began when it appeared Chicago-based Exelon might close some of its nukes, which generally operate around the clock. Since then state lawmakers have approved two rounds of subsidies for Exelon, including $700 million during the next five years provided in the new clean energy law.

From a health and climate perspective, continuing to operate the carbon-free plants should help block additional gas-fired generation and stabilize the grid as more wind and solar power comes online.

Some analysts think gas plants intended to operate near full capacity will soon become obsolete if the cost of renewable energy and storage continues to fall at its current pace. That could limit Three Rivers and the other Illinois projects to being used only when demand peaks.

A new study by Stanford researchers found that a 100% renewable energy grid is feasible by 2050. Moving to wind, water and solar energy, the researchers concluded, would save money, create jobs and cut pollution.

2021 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This undated file photo shows the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, N.M. New Mexico Indigenous leaders are concerned about a proposed multimillion-dollar transmission line that would cross what they consider sacred lands. The transmission line planned by the U.S. government would bring more electricity to Los Alamos National Laboratory as it looks to power ongoing operations and future missions at the northern New Mexico complex that include manufacturing key components for the nation's nuclear arsenal. Credit: The Albuquerque Journal via AP, File

New Mexico Indigenous leaders are concerned about a proposed multimillion-dollar transmission line that would cross what they consider sacred lands.

The transmission line planned by the U.S. government would bring more electricity to Los Alamos National Laboratory as it looks to power ongoing operations and future missions at the northern New Mexico complex that include manufacturing key components for the nation's nuclear arsenal.

The proposed transmission line would stretch more than 12 miles (19 kilometers), crossing national forest land in an area known as the Caja del Rio and spanning the Rio Grande at White Rock Canyon. New structural towers would need to be built on both sides of the canyon.

The All Pueblo Council of Governorswhich represents 20 pueblos in New Mexico and Texasrecently adopted a resolution to support the preservation of the Caja del Rio. The organization says the area has a dense concentration of petroglyphs, ancestral homes, ceremonial kivas, roads, irrigation structures and other cultural resources.

The tribes say longstanding mismanagement by the federal government has resulted in desecration to sacred sites on the Caja del Rio.

The U.S. Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration announced in April that it would be working with federal land managers to assess the project's potential environmental effects. But pueblo leaders claim there has not been adequate tribal consultation on the proposed project.

All Pueblo Council of Governors Chairman Wilfred Herrera submitted a letter to the Santa Fe National Forest on Dec. 17, requesting that forest officials comply with consultation requirements.

This undated photo shows the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Chemistry and Metallurgy Research facility and the lab's largest building. New Mexico Indigenous leaders are concerned about a proposed multimillion-dollar transmission line that would cross what they consider sacred lands. The transmission line planned by the U.S. government would bring more electricity to Los Alamos National Laboratory as it looks to power ongoing operations and future missions at the northern New Mexico complex that include manufacturing key components for the nation's nuclear arsenal. Credit: Jane Bernard/The Albuquerque Journal via AP, File

Herrera, a former governor of Laguna Pueblo, said preservation of the Caja Del Rio's sacred landscape is a collective priority for the council as it works to protect ancestral homelands around the region. He said Caja del Rio is home to pueblo ancestors and spirits.

"We encourage the federal government to understand that to fully engage with the pueblos, we need your commitment and cooperation, especially during this time of year marked by transition and rest. APCG stands ready to support decision-making that protects pueblo cultural resources in perpetuity," he said in a statement issued last week.

Federal officials have said they will try to avoid known biological, recreational, cultural and historical resources, such as El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. Another goal would be minimizing visibility of the transmission line from residential areas.

The projectwhich could cost up to $300 millioncalls for new overhead poles with an average span of 800 feet (244 meters), access roads for construction and maintenance and staging areas where materials can be stored.

Part of the line would be built along an existing utility corridor, but a new path would have to be cut through forest land to reach an electrical substation.

Environmentalists, residents and others already have voiced concerns about potential effects, saying the area encompasses wide Indigenous landscapes and is a scenic gateway to northern New Mexico.

The area has seen an increase in outdoor recreational use and it serves as a migration corridor for wildlife.

The Los Alamos Study Group, a watchdog group that has been critical of Los Alamos lab's expansion plans, has said the lack of an overall analysis of the cumulative effects that plutonium core production and more weapons work could have on the surrounding communities is another concern.

Explore further US lab looks to boost power supply ahead of nuclear mission

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Judy Friedlander, Author provided

Taxonomy was once the domain of white-coated scientists with years of university training. While this expertise is still important, everyday Australians are increasingly helping to identify species through citizen science apps. Rapid advances in smartphone and tablet cameras are helping to popularize this activity.

Biodiversity researchers are calling on citizen scientists to contribute data to fill information gaps, identify species declines and inform management decisions. And young researcherssome as young as infant school childrenare stepping up to help.

Stories such as the experience of 14-year-old Luke Downey, of Canberra, inspire others to record and upload images to biodiversity databases. Earlier this year, Luke found a rare beetle, Castiarina testacea, last seen in the ACT in 1955. His observation was recorded in the Canberra Nature Map, an online repository of rare plants and animals.

Teen finds rare jewel beetle at LBG 65 years after first ACT sighting https://t.co/EqPT0P9I5O via @canberratimes  Dramatis Scientificae (@DramSci) January 11, 2021

I put a macro lens on my smartphone and I was hooked

My own inspiration to become a citizen scientist was an inexpensive macro lens now permanently affixed to my smartphone. This small portable lens photographs small subjects at very close distances. (Some newer smartphones have built-in lenses that can do this.)

I caught the "bug" of taking detailed close-up images such as the one below of stingless native bees, Tetragonula carbonaria, communing with one another and admiringor mindingtheir beeswax. Sharing the images I have taken has converted others to this type of citizen science.

By attaching a macro lens to your smartphone (some have close-up cameras built in), you can take photos like this one of the native stingless bee, Tetragonula carbonaria. Credit: Judy Friedlander, Author provided

Anyone can now take close-ups of insects, plants and other species to contribute to citizen science databases. The clarity of these images means experts can often determine the species, adding to understandings of distribution and numbers to assist on-ground conservation.

Activities like these feature in the B&B Highway program, run by PlantingSeeds Projects. The program encourages school students in New South Wales and Victoria to participate in a citizen science project. It's affiliated with the international iNaturalist biodiversity network and database and CSIRO's Atlas of Living Australia.

Students are using smartphones and tablets in school playgrounds to capture extraordinary images of insects less than 1cm long, or tiny details of flower parts. There's an online dashboard where students can see and share observations and knowledge. These images then contribute to our knowledge of species distributions and densities.

Focusing on pollinators

The B&B Highway program has developed a biodiversity-based curriculum with the NSW Department of Education. The project includes plantings and constructed habitats at schools to form regenerative corridors. It has a target of over 60 hubs by mid-2022 to help counter the alarming decline in pollinators in Australia and around the world.

The B&B Highway program provides training for teachers and students. While students are often more at ease with smart devices and their camera functions than their teachers, separate instructions are given to school administrators to set up an iNaturalist account and upload observations. Having a school account ensures students' identities are protected and all observations are listed as the schools."

Children under the age of 13 cannot create an account or engage directly with many citizen science communities, including iNaturalist. This means an adult needs to upload observations.

The photos you take can help fill the gaps in knowledge about the distribution and abundance of pollinators and the flowers they visit. Credit: Judy Friedlander, Author provided

An observation is regarded as research grade if at least two site users agree on the identification to the taxonomic species level. Observations on iNaturalist are shared with the Atlas of Living Australia.

Taxonomists regularly report concern at the lack of data on the distributions and densities of insect pollinators. This month's addition of 124 Australian species to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species means urgent strategiesincluding citizen scienceare needed to help regeneration.

Urban observations are important as about 30% of Australia's threatened species occur in cities. Yet only about 5% of citizen science projects in Australia are urban-based. With three-quarters of Australia's 23.4 million people now living in a capital city, the citizen science potential is enormous.

Some tips from the experts

The following tips drawn from the iNaturalist teacher's guide will help you get started.

Take identifiable photos. Try to fill the frame with your subject. It may help to use your hand to hold a flower or plant still, but make sure the plant is not dangerous.

Take multiple photos. Many organisms, particularly plants and insects, cannot be identified to species level from a single photo. Take several photos from different angles. For plants, photos of flowers, fruit and leaves are all helpful for ID.

Observations of wild species, like this King Parrot, Alisterus scapularis, are of more scientific value. Credit: Author provided

Focus on wild organisms. In general, the iNat community is more interested in wild organisms. Members respond more to pictures of weeds and bugs than cultivated roses and hamsters in cages.

Pay attention to metadata. This is the information associated with a photo that captures when and where (if location services are on) a photo was taken. Screen shots of photos will lose this data, which may result in incorrect data entry. Watch for locations and dates that don't make sense. If your device's time and date settings are wrong, the data will be wrong.

Don't feel pressured to make research grade observations. Many organisms cannot be identified to the species level using only photographic evidence so observations of them may never attain research grade.

Be aware of copyright. Images should not be copied from books or the internet to illustrate what you observed. Post only your own photos.

Check out Seek. Seek is an educational tool built on iNaturalist. It does not actually post observations to iNaturalist but provides tools such as automated species identification (when possible) and nature journalling.

Explore further Decade-old photographs shared on social media give away a new species of pygmy grasshopper

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
GLENS FALLS  A Glens Falls resident falsely reported being robbed in the parking lot of Stewart's on Glen Street, police said.

Raymond Bellinger, 42, is charged with submitting a false written statement and falsely reporting an incident that did not occur, both misdemeanor charges.

On Dec. 22 at about 2 p.m., the Glens Falls Police Department took a report of the robbery. Police said that when they arrived on the scene, Bellinger stated that there were three individuals who approached him in the parking lot and demanded money from him.

He told police that the money had been taken from him.

Detective Lt. Seth French said that police took the report and searched for suspects, but did not find any.

Two days later, police followed up with Bellinger, who admitted that the initial story was not true. Police said that Bellinger stated he willingly gave money to someone and they had not fulfilled their obligation to him.

It was for that reason that he made up the report, according to French.

French said that the Glens Falls Police Department had received calls of concern from the public about a potential threat to public safety. Because the incident was falsely reported, French stated that there is no threat to the public as a result of this incident.

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QUEENSBURY  Paula Hayes grew up in Brooklyn and worked in New York City until she moved north to Queensbury in 2003.

In the city she always took note of the people living and sleeping on the streets especially the number of Vietnam veterans in the 1970s. She saw that most people avoided eye contact and kept on walking.

The running joke was how long it took me to get to Port Authority to my job was how many bag people I saw, how many times I stopped to talk, Hayes said.

Based on those interactions, Hayes has written a short work of fiction titled, What If ...., about meeting a man on the street who was more than what he appeared.

Im not going to tell you who I think this person is, but Im going to tell you that you need to read the book and come to your own conclusions, Hayes said. It tells you about someone that Ive met that kind of changed my life in a little bit, that kind of made me look at things in a different way, and kind of was a test of my faith.

The 45-page book goes by quickly, she admits. Its a quick read with your morning coffee.

Youve seen street people and people begging on the street. Ive seen them all my life. Ive been running around the city since Im 7 years old, she said. They would have put my mother in jail now for letting me take trains and buses at that age.

Hayes suffered a stroke in December 2019. When she returned from the hospital this story popped into her head, although she feels like its been ruminating in her mind for about 40 years.

She started writing just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.

It just flowed out of me like its been up there for so long it had to come out, she said.

This is Hayes first book, published by Westbow Press.

The book is available on Amazon for $4.99 and also available at Westbowpress.com for $9.95. The cover of the book is a pencil drawing of Hayes husband, drawn by her granddaughter.

Its something that will make you think a little bit more about the people that you see on the street, she said.

Gretta Hochsprung writes features and hometown news. She can be reached at 518-742-3206 or ghochsprung@poststar.com.

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To purchase the home, Stringfield logged hundreds of hours of sweat equity, one of the requirements for homebuyers through the program, Green told CNN.

"Every Habitat affiliate in the nation and worldwide sells homes to partner families who have low to moderate incomes," Green said. "They must have and maintain good credit and be willing to partner with us."

"I'm excited to make new memories in Williamsburg and especially in a house, a home," Stringfield told CNN affiliate WTKR. "Some place I can call home and give my son that backyard that he can play in and also for my puppy to run around the yard."

The concrete used in the house's 3D construction has many long-term benefits, such as the ability to retain temperature and withstand natural disasters, like tornadoes and hurricanes.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Indiana has increased by more than 700% since June, and the state's hospital census is now at the highest level in five years, she continued.

Were often seeing patients being held in the emergency room for hours and sometimes days until a bed (becomes) available which is difficult for the patient, their family and for the staff, Weaver said. It is heartbreaking to have people arrive in distress from COVID knowing their severe illness could have been prevented by vaccine.

The Indiana Department of Health reported Wednesday that 54.6% of Indiana residents 18 and older are fully vaccinated. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said it was critical that more Hoosiers get vaccinated, especially those between the ages of 5 and 59.

She noted, too, that the state is struggling to get ahold of rapid tests, which has led to overwhelming demand and hourslong lines at state testing sites, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She said health officials are now diligently looking for other sources of rapid tests.
Porto found the couple received a benefit they were not entitled to from the district of $69,627.20.

Hossain testified in depositions that he did not realize at the time it was important to be truthful on his application for free or reduced lunches, and that I dont read that. This is very small text, when shown a certification he signed stating that all information on the application was true.

Porto scheduled a telephone hearing on punitive damages for Feb. 11.

Porto said in the document that Hossain repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination in depositions when asked.

Hossains two children used the free and reduced lunch program from Sept. 7, 2017, to March 16, 2020, according to the judge, misrepresenting their income each year.

In 2019, for example, the couple signed documents saying their income was below the $39,221 to qualify for free meals, in a year their income was about $94,000, the judge said.

4:28 Atlantic City school board member moves to disqualify solicitor in lawsuit against him An Atlantic City school board member who is being sued by the district over claims he no lon
Rowan University announced Wednesday a new School of Veterinary Medicine, a first among New Jersey colleges.

The Glassboro, Gloucester County, university will offer the states first Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, as well as additional degrees and training programs centered on veterinary medicine and animal health care.

The state Legislature in November approved $75 million in funding to construct the schools primary academic and clinical facility in the Sewell section of Mantua Township, Gloucester County. The school plans to welcome its inaugural class of 60 students in fall 2025, pending approval from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education.

Launching New Jerseys first school of veterinary medicine at Rowan University is just the latest in a series of strides we have made in expanding and improving the quality of medical education and research over the past decade, Senate President Steve Sweeney said in a news release. With this investment, we will be able to keep our best and brightest veterinary students in New Jersey, and we will attract aspiring veterinarians from other states to study here as well.

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After reviewing the entirety of the evidence and after giving the state the benefit of all its favorable testimony and all the favorable inferences drawn from that testimony, no reasonable jury could find beyond a reasonable doubt that Lodzinski purposefully or knowingly caused Timothys death, the court wrote in its majority decision.

Cold case: Mother convicted of killing N.J. 5-year-old in '91 NEW BRUNSWICK -- A woman long suspected of killing her 5-year-old son 25 years ago was convi

The prosecutors office that tried her declined comment.

Lodzinski was a single mother in central New Jersey in May 1991 when she told investigators Wiltsey had disappeared while they were at a carnival in Sayreville. She later gave conflicting accounts describing strangers she had seen who could have kidnapped the boy. Wiltseys body was found nearly a year later, in a marshy area near an office complex where Lodzinski had once worked.

As time passed and no charges were filed, Lodzinski went on with her life and had two other children. She was living in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in 2014 when authorities in New Jersey charged her with killing Wiltsey. Investigators said a break in the case had come when Wiltseys former babysitters identified a blue blanket, found along with the boys body, as belonging to Lodzinski.
It was fall 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated. Cities were burning with riots, looting, violence and deaths. I was an instructor at Atlantic Community College. I went to the dean and said, In Atlantic City, black people live on the Northside and white people live near the beach and in the suburbs. We need a course about race and discrimination here. He said, Im flying to California. Give me a book to read. I gave him Race, Mans Most Dangerous Myth, by Ashley Montague, a physical anthropologist. When he returned, he said, Write me a syllabus.

I began teaching a course called The Individual and The Group once a week as a night class. About an equal number of black and white students signed up. I will never forget that class. There was a mature black couple from Pleasantville. He would become the mayor some years later. Another black couple worked at Ancora Hospital. There were war veterans and police and fire department members from Atlantic City. Two students from Atlantic City High School were taking an interracial course and living in a hotel. Both were strong academically. Bob Virtue was white and Marsha Allen was black. She was 6-2 and had led the Miss America Parade.

During the two and a half hours we spent each Monday night, I learned as much as the students.
"Travels With George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy" by Nathaniel Philbrick; Viking (375 pages, $30)



There's been an impressive flurry of recent books on George Washington, volumes about him as spymaster during the Revolution, his relations with Native Americans, even a breezy biography titled "You Never Forget Your First." This book, Philbrick's third on George, is an insightful account of road trips the author took (with his wife, Melissa, and their retriever Dora) tracing Washington's carriage tours of the young nation after he became president.

Washington hoped personal contact with his fellow citizens would win their allegiance to the new government and underscore the importance of his office (while reminding them countless times, if legend can be believed, that he was "only a man"). He made a point of overnighting in taverns and inns, which often came with lumpy beds and indifferent meals, and he didn't have AAA to help guide him; the roads, he wrote, "are amazingly crooked ... and the directions you receive from the people equally blind and ignorant."
No matter where we traveled in 2021, our sources never ceased to amaze us with their incredible knowledge of the industry. Were so grateful for all we learned this year. Here are just 25 of the many, many insights we gained.

1. Over half the worlds cranberries come from Wisconsin. (Mind blown.)

2. Pecan trees can grow up to 130 feet tall. Yes, thats three school buses stacked on top of each other.

3. Microgreens are a superfood with up to 40 times more vital nutrients than their fully grown counterparts.

4. Though you may think otherwise, according to Meehans Bartenders Manual by Jim Meehan, the color of rum tells you little about its age.

5. When cooking pasta, its best to start with cold, fresh water in the pot.

6. The most important tip for pumpkin picking (whether for cooking or decorating) is to make sure that the pumpkin is attached to a healthy stem.

7. Although cherry varieties are not as well-known as the many apple varieties, there are actually more than 1,000 different types of cherries grown in the United States alone.

8. European-style butter is the gold standard for pie, as it contains more fat and less water than American butter.

9. When picking a watermelon, you want a melon thats symmetrical. Lopsided watermelons can indicate the fruit was picked too early.

10. All beer is either an ale or a lager.

11. Bison and buffalo are NOT the same thing. Bison have a protruding hump near their shoulders and a long goatee. Oh, and their horns are shorter and they have larger heads than buffalo.

12. A beehive houses a queen bee and her brood, comprising one very big family. At a honey farm like Fat Head Farm, Queen Bees will lay up to 2,500 eggs daily, which are nurtured for 21 days until they hatch.

13. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that apple cider vinegars astringent properties may help neutralize the itch and discomfort associated with poison ivy, bee stings and sunburn.

14. When making bread, resist the urge to improvise; baking bread involves complex chemical reactions that can create aromatic loaves as easily as disasters.

15. A heavy, fragrant tomato indicates better texture and rich flavor.

16. Oysters require far less human interaction and produce less waste to grow and harvest than many other species of fish, making them highly sustainable.

17. Charcuterie is actually a French term for a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pates and confit, primarily from pork.

18. Cow dung is rich in minerals with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and can support the growth of beneficial microorganisms when mixed with soil.

19. Olive oil is stored in heavier, dark glass to protect against oxidation that can be caused by sunlight, heat and oxygen  all of which can reduce the shelf life of a true olive oil.

20. During salmon season in Southeast Alaska, fishers devoted to sustainability of resources catch each fish individually by hook and line before taking them back to town to be flash frozen.

21. Maple sugar season only lasts six to eight weeks each spring, but its intense and weather-dependent. Farmers need nights below freezing followed by days above 40 degrees in order to get a strong sap run.

22. Illinois is tremendous, botanically. It offers far greater diversity than the mountains, thanks to overlapping ecoregions. (Again, mind blown.)

23. Pigs' arrival in the United States can be traced back to Queen Isabella of Spain, Christopher Columbus and Hernando De Soto. In 1539, De Soto brought the first pigs to the States to what is now Tampa Bay, Florida.

24. A push for sustainability helped oats gain popularity. Unlike almonds, which require about a gallon of water to grow a single nut, oats require about six times less water to grow.

25. Sparkling wine is typically white or rose, although there can be red varieties made from Lambrusco or Shiraz grapes.

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The mayor texted back, It is your people. That is very clear. I would never (do) this to you. But now I get the rules of engagement.

Pritzker said the mayors comments were not accurate and added, On another note, Ive been asking you to call me for two days. Let me know if you want to schedule it. Texting me isnt helpful.

Lightfoot did not text back, according to records released by the mayors office, but Pritzker followed up the next morning to tell her hed be speaking at the Illinois Federation of Teachers convention over the weekend but hadnt expected the Chicago Teachers Union to be on strike when he accepted the invitation to give a speech.

I was endorsed by IFT, and they have been good allies. I cannot cancel. I plan not to take questions and I plan (to) not opine about the strike during my remarks. I have also respected the bargaining process overall, Pritzker said. Just wanted you to know so you dont conclude that theres any challenge intended toward you.

She responded, Ok.

The records also document tensions between Pritzker and Lightfoot throughout the pandemic.
But as we patiently wait for the scientific breakthroughs, I believe it is so important for us to give ourselves the permission to be sad, frustrated and angry. We should acknowledge that this absolutely sucks, that we are all very tired, overwhelmed and sometimes hopeless  and that all of this is OK. Surely, this acceptance will not solve our problems, particularly for those who were already struggling to make ends meet or keep up with their numerous responsibilities for their loved ones. But in these divisive, vitriolic and isolating times, I hope this acknowledgment of our feelings could at least help us see the thread that connects all of us  that we are all trying to do our best and that, after two years, we are all exhausted.
City union employees may receive a 2.5% or 5% wage increase in 2022 pending council and union votes next week.

The Legal and Finance Committee approved the pay raises for bargaining unit employees by a 3-0 vote during the Wednesday meeting. Council members Ron Weifenbach and Jason Salamun were absent.

The Rapid City Council will make the final decision Monday, while the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local council will vote on the contract Wednesday. If the union rejects the contract, negotiations will resume with city officials.

Human Resources Director Nick Stroot said the contract calls for 2022 wage discussions to occur in 2021. The proposed adjustments would be a 2.5% cost-of-living increase for 13 employees who are over their pay scale and a 5% cost-of-living increase for all others. If approved, the increases go into effect on June 19, 2022.

Council member Ritchie Nordstrom said the city historically gives about a 3% annual cost-of-living adjustment.

Stroot said there was a 3% adjustment in July 2021. The city conducted a wage study in 2018 that showed the city was significantly behind on wages for many union jobs. The city increased wages 13.6% in 2020. There are 161 employees who did not get an average increase who will receive a full wage step increase as well as the 5% cost-of-living adjustment. Stroot said 117 employees would get the 5% increase.

Youth council request

The committee voted 2-1 to send a request to forward a letter of support regarding Statewide Social Studies Curriculum and Standards to the Rapid City Council. Council member Lance Lehmann, who serves as the Youth City Council liaison, opposed the measure.

I actually think the premise of it is wonderful, but I will be voting no on the item today just because I dont think the city should be an advocacy group, he said.

Council members Ritchie Nordstrom and Darla Drew agreed with Lehmanns statement, but still voted yes.

The letter would be sent to the Department of Education stating support for the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards in the social studies curriculum. The Youth City Council unanimously approved the letter of support.

Tae Swanson, secretary for the youth council, said Wednesday that Lakota history should be taught in schools.

Its part of the United States history, but its especially an important part of South Dakota history, she said.

The committee voted 3-0 to approve an expenditure request for the youth council to travel to Washington, D.C., for the National League of Cities youth event March 14-22, 2022.

The youth council unanimously approved the $23,000 expenditure to send eight youth and two adults to the event.

Main Street Square

The Legal and Finance Committee voted 3-0 for a resolution to enter a lease agreement with the Downtown Business Improvement District for Main Street Square. The agreement expands Main Street Squares boundary to include the entire alley and the enclosed portion of the ground level of the parking garage on Fifth Street. It also states the city would provide a utility payment, estimated at $70,000.

The lease has a five-year term with two renewal terms of five years each.

The Rapid City Council will consider the items at its Monday night meeting.

 Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com 

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About 3,500 feet of Deadwood Avenue could see reconstruction in 2022 for $2.7 million.

The Rapid City Council will vote on advertising for bids for the project just north of Interstate 90 that would include installing a PVC sanitary sewer main from Tatanka Drive north, grading, asphalt pavement, and ditches and culverts.

City Engineer Ben Ganje said at Tuesday's Public Works Committee meeting that safety is the first priority for the project.

With every project, if were not making this a safer project, then were not doing it right, he said.

The area of Deadwood Avenue was previously annexed from Pennington County. Ganje said development drives most annexation. Phase two of the project anticipated for a later date would be a joint venture between the city and county to reconstruct and realign the road to the Meade County line.

Ganje said obtaining the easements and right-of-way on the countys side has been somewhat difficult, but they are still moving ahead. The bid would be let in February.

Staff also requested to seek proposals for development and implementation of a utility rate study for water and water reclamation utilities, which would cost $200,000.

The last study was conducted in 2017 and developed a five-year rate plan for the Water and Water Reclamation Divisions.

Public Works Director Dale Tech said the study would include a cost of service analysis that would help inform the department on a rate structure for the next five-year period. He said the council will be involved in the study.

He said its a budgeted item and the citys rate policies require a five-year interval study.

Anything shorter than that is not cost-effective as far as doing the entire study, Tech said after the meeting. Anything longer than that, you run the risk of things changing rapidly and then youve got to make an adjustment that wasnt planned for in the original study.

The council will also consider a professional services agreement with Chamberlin Architects for the design, bidding and construction of Fire Station One for $838,350.

Tech said the schematic design was done by Chamberlin Architects and this is the next step in the remodel.

Division Chief Tim Behlings said Chamberlin Architects specializes in fire station remodels. He said they were selected based on qualifications and theories.

Were very confident that we have a very qualified group (that will be) very responsive to our needs, and well have a product we can be proud of, Behlings said.

The Fire Station One remodel will be a phased project to allow department services to continue. The council previously allocated $15,035,000 to the remodel using money from the $20 million in surplus funds. The project includes expanding the fire station to about 40,000 square feet.

An agreement between the city and Rapid Valley Sanitary District to allow the district to use the citys sewage treatment system was also discussed.

Tech said this is an annual agreement thats been in place since 2011, although its been happening since the 1960s. He said the district has 18 sewer main connections to the citys main trunk sewer, although the district itself has over 4,000 customers.

He said the district has grown along with the number of connections.

We need to memorialize that in the new agreement, so that was one of the reasons for the change, Tech said.

The agreement includes a cost of service update. Service charges are based on unit rates set in Rapid City's Municipal Code.

 Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com 

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People parking in Scott Wittes driveway or in front of his house have told him hes the problem before getting their morning cup of coffee from the nearby Starbucks.

Ive almost gotten in fist fights with guys over the stuff, he said recently. In the mornings, people on the weekends wake up later, 9 or 10, its all day long.

Witte, his wife, Gina, and their newborn son moved into their St. Patrick Street home near the Starbucks on Mount Rushmore Road in November 2018. At the time, there seemed to be very little traffic from the coffee shop.

When summer came, though, they were unpleasantly surprised.

It was just like, What the hell did we get into, Witte said. Id wake up to go to work and there would be semis parked in front of our driveway.

He said they have reported this to the police and confronted drivers themselves, but to no avail. When the city closed the road for reconstruction over the summer, the street was quiet. Now, the Wittes two children can only play in the backyard or indoors due to the high volume of traffic.

The citys construction on St. Patrick Street included a water main replacement, widening the street from 28 feet to 34 feet, new surfacing, curb and gutter, adding a turning lane and ADA upgrades. Construction began Aug. 23 and the street reopened Nov. 24, although there are a few more details that need to be completed before construction is considered complete, said City Engineer Ben Ganje.

Ganje said the existing street was in poor condition and needed reconstruction. He said the turn-lane configuration was incorporated in the design based on the Mount Rushmore Road Corridor study completed in June 2008.

The average daily traffic for St. Patrick Street west of Mount Rushmore Road is 2,370. Over the past five years, there were two crashes in 2018 involving a drunk driver running a stop sign and a parked car getting hit. There was a crash in March 2021 when a driver was hit while turning into Starbucks by a car traveling on St. Patrick Street. There was also a hit-and-run on a parked car between 9th Street and the Starbucks entrance in March 2021.

Ganje said there is no on-street parking allowed from the beginning of the turn lane to the Mount Rushmore Road intersection, which is about 120 feet less than the on-street parking available before the project. There is street parking past the beginning of the turn lane on St. Patrick Street.

The Starbucks on Mount Rushmore Road was proposed in 2006. It was built on two lots that had a house built in 1939 and an office building.

Ganje said a traffic study was not required at the time since it wasnt part of the infrastructure design criteria. The criteria was updated in 2012 to include traffic study requirements for establishments similar to Starbucks.

People who park illegally, people blocking the driveway access for area homes, and people stopping in the road while blocking traffic are all examples of driver behavior, he said. The citys Parking Enforcement and Police Department have both attempted to address the problematic behavior.

Cheryl Pesicka-Chapman, who lives near the store and has been against the Starbucks since 2006, said there was no regard for the historic neighborhood at the time and she was concerned about traffic.

We knew what it was going to do to the neighborhood, she said. People throw garbage in your yard because they think its whatever.

She said its kind of a slap in the face for a historic neighborhood to be treated this way. She also said the traffic makes it dangerous and doesnt let her grandchildren play in the front yard any longer.

She and Witte said even though there are signs that say no parking, people still park there. Pesicka-Chapman said there needs to be more enforcement. Witte said Starbucks should expand its parking lot or have on-street parking closer to the store.

 Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com 

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A petition circulated in Sturgis to change the form of city government to one without a city manager has led the city attorney to seek declaratory judgment from the South Dakota Election Board on whether or not the petition is valid.

Copies of a petition to change municipal government in Sturgis were filed Dec. 16 with the City Finance Office. The document seeks to hold an election to change the city's structure from an aldermanic government with a city manager to one without a city manager. Sturgis voters approved having a city manager in 2007. Daniel Ainslie was hired as city manager in 2011.

The petition was circulated by members of a Facebook group called Sturgis Citizens for Change. The Black Hills Pioneer reported the petition is sponsored by Sturgis Guns owners Justin and Tammy Bohn and Brenda Vaskinetz, who is a former city director for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Tammy Bohn also formerly worked for the city's Rally Department.

During Monday's Sturgis City Council meeting, City Attorney Mark Marshall recommended the City Council take no action on the petition to set an election until it is determined whether or not the question is valid.

Marshall said the question posed on the petition is "improper" since voters authorized the city manager position and only the City Council has the power to remove a city manager. In a memo, he quoted several instances of South Dakota law that supports his opinion.

"South Dakota law authorizes to petition for a 'change in form of municipal government' ... the employment of a city manager is not a 'form of government' but is instead a special power granted to a municipality," Marshall wrote in a memo.

Tuesday, the city of Sturgis issued a statement that said based on the discussion during Monday's City Council meeting, "the City Finance Officer will neither validate nor invalidate petitions to Change Municipal Government."

"On the advice of the Sturgis City Attorney, the Sturgis City Council will ask the City Attorney to file an action for a declaratory judgment from the South Dakota Board of Elections. This is an independent third party that will render an unbiased decision," the statement said. "This action will help clarify the rights of involved parties and will determine if the removal of a City Manager is considered a change in the form of government. The City Council will determine the appropriate next steps based on that decision."

In the memo, Marshall also questioned if there were potential criminal actions with some of the signatures on the petitions and how the petition was circulated. He requested approval from the City Council to refer the matter to law enforcement for investigation.

Immediately after Monday's public meeting, the City Council convened in a closed-door executive session to discuss the matter. It is unknown if the petitions were forwarded to law enforcement.

Contact Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com.

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I don't think one single legislator knows what Critical Race Theory is. I hope they figure it out before the governor pushes yet more legislation she doesn't understand. Leave the teaching to teachers  education was just fine before the government decided they knew better than highly trained educational professionals.

To the writer blessed with such an intellectual child comprehending nepotism, sycophant and, soon, kakistocracy, the next instruction should include disapprobation and dudgeon.

President Bidens comment about it being the winter of death is very disturbing to me, but in the sense that he speaks the truth. Many of us have been responsible and taken the recommended steps to protect ourselves, friends, family, and our community, but unfortunately others have not.

We need tougher laws to prosecute deadbeat parents who work "under the table" for cash or skip from job to job to avoid paying child support. My daughter with two kids and working two jobs still can't make enough to pay rent and put food on the table and can't get help.

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The Rapid City Police Department is offering a $5,000 reward for video or other information that leads to the arrest of who is responsible for the Oct. 19 stabbing death of 24-year-old Leon Richards of Rapid City, according to a news release.

Authorities have secured the $5,000 from the Community Reward Fund, the release states. Video can be submitted to police anonymously.

"At around 4:10 a.m. on October 19, police were dispatched to the area of 120 Surfwood Drive for a report of a stabbing that had just occurred. On arrival, police located the injured party laying on the ground. Upon contact with the injured individual, police located several stab wounds to the man," the release states. "A medical unit arrived and took over care for Richards, and he was transported from the scene to the hospital. Several hours later, police were notified that he had succumbed to his injuries."

Police have reason to believe there was a number of witnesses present at the time the stabbing occurred as well as cell phone video captured of the incident.

Anyone with any information about the incident or the suspect responsible should contact police at 605-394-4131. An anonymous tip can also be submitted by texting the letters RCPD and the information to 847411.

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Well, here we are just days away from ushering in 2022... where did 2021 go? As I look back over the last 12 months, it has been a year of learning and growth.

I have met so many amazing people across South Dakota and the United States, gaining knowledge from them along the way. As part of that learning experience, I have had the opportunity to champion and support bills that were important to those living in District 30. It is amazing how a bill at first blush, can look like a great bill. However, as you dig deeper into the bill, you discover that buried deep within it is language that changes the entire meaning.

Having the ability to call and speak with my constituents at home to discuss issues has been invaluable to me, and has helped me to better represent you in Pierre.

This year, as we gear up for the 2022 legislative session, there are two hot topics for me with many more to come as session gets underway. The first issue, as you might have already guessed, is Draft Bill 50. This is a grassland tax relief bill for our ranchers. The bill does not change any current law.

The bill specifically stipulates that this is an additional avenue with which ranch landowners may use to categorize their land as noncropland regardless of the soil classification of the land as long as they meet the bills criteria.

The second issue that is absolutely imperative for us to address is affordable workforce housing. District 30 is not the only area experiencing a housing shortage. This is a problem being experienced throughout the state.

I have heard many stories from business owners across industries (i.e., construction, hospitality, tourism and medical). Every one of them has told me that if they are fortunate enough to find a qualified candidate and offer them a position, it is more often than not, turned down because the new hire is unable to find housing.

Governor Noem recognizes the severity of this issue and in her budget address earlier this month, she proposed a $200 million dollar investment in workforce housing and a partnership between developers, municipalities, and the state.

Each partner would invest one-third of the total dollars needed (one-third investment by developers, one-third investment from municipalities and one-third investment from the state). This partnership increases the total investment in workforce housing to $600 million dollars. The state has pledged to work with cities, counties, and developers to invest these dollars wisely and facilitate growth in every corner of the state.

This past week I attended a roundtable meeting in Custer, organized by Jeff Prior from Dakota Greens Nursery, to discuss affordable workforce housing. There were community leaders representing the financial, construction, hospitality, and medical fields as well as representative from the City of Custer, the County of Custer, and Qusi Al-Haj the West River Director overseeing all West River operations for Senator John Thune.

All agreed that the biggest challenges that our communities are facing is the lack of skilled workers and the lack of affordable housing for them. It was a very productive meeting and before it ended, the group decided to form a Black Hills Housing Group to work on identifying federal and state programs that already exist that could assist in solving the housing problem. Qusi noted that it is easier to adjust existing programs than to create new ones.

Recognizing that there is strength in numbers, the group is hoping to bring in other counties such as Fall River, Meade, and Lawrence counties (to name a few), to work together and participate in finding solutions. There were many great ideas and strategic conversations around the table, and I am looking forward to working with this motivated and focused group of professionals to work toward a plan and solution to the lack of housing that we are experiencing in our communities.

As we move forward to 2022, Id like to wish you and your family a wonderful New Year filled with good health, and prosperity in every area of your life!

Representative Trish Ladner, District 30

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It can be extremely difficult to start a career in agriculture unless you have access to generational knowledge, but help is on the way.

A local nonprofit has been awarded a $565,000 federal grant to help build capacity for training beginning farmers and ranchers.

The Missoula Community Food and Agriculture Coalition recently learned they were one of 140 organizations nationwide to get the money from the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Beginning farmers and ranchers face many barriers and challenges in their startup years, such as access to land and appropriate financing, said Mary Ellis, the beginning farmer and rancher program manager at the coalition. (Our) program is focused on developing programs and resources designed to help reduce these barriers and make farming more accessible.

The project has three main goals. The first is to increase the number of successful and sustainable farmers in Montana by providing training, technical assistance and mentorship. Farmers will learn about land access, business plans and production methods.

The second goal is to help farmers with more experience learn about enhancing or supporting new revenue streams.

The third goal is to facilitate farmer-led community support systems and encourage learning, collaboration and peer support.

Ellis said that the Coalition will be able to use the federal money to start a new program called Certified Farm Startup. Its a certification program for aspiring farmers that uses performance-based teaching methods. All classes will be free and participants will work with farmers who are trained mentors.

Amberleigh Hammond is a Missoula-area beekeeper and farmer who remembers being extremely frustrated when she was trying to buy a piece of land south of town. To be eligible for many government loans, a new farmer has to prove they have experience being employed in agriculture, she noted. So its a tough business to get into unless theres an organization like the Missoula Food and Agriculture Coalition to help. Shes going to take advantage of the mentorship program to see how she can manage and perhaps profit off different portions of her land. Hammond said the Missoula area is full of farmers and aspiring agricultural producers.

We have so many small farmers, flower farmers and things like that, she said. Its really cool that CFAC brings them all together to try to help new folks learn how to get there.

Nicole Jarvis is the coordinator for the coalitions new farmer and rancher program. She was a full-time farmer for 20 years before getting a job with the nonprofit.

I learned how to do everything we will teach in this program, but I didnt have it laid out for me like this, she said. I learned by making all the mistakes. So my passion for this program comes from wanting to share my 20/20 hindsight to the next generation of farmers so they might have an easier time doing things the right way from the beginning.

She said Patrick Mangan, who has taught the local farmer boot camp series for several years, is also on board to help out.

David Ley, a Missoula-based farmer, said the program provides knowledge and training on land acquisition, business planning, financial management and marketing strategies. He said those are some of the largest barriers to entry for newbies.

Being a farmer means being an entrepreneur, a botanist, an accountant, an ecologist, a salesperson, an operations manager and more, so I'm grateful for all the help I can get, Ley said.

The Certified Farm Startup training will include on-farm trainings and classroom curriculum and both in-person and online options will be available. Program applications are open now through Feb. 15, 2022. The program runs from March 2022 through October 2022. Interested participants should contact Mary Ellis at mary@missoulacfac.org for more info.

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Ted Billinger Jr. liked to joke that he would work until he died. That turned out to be prophetic.

When Billinger died of a heart attack in 2019 at age 71, he was still running Teddy Bs, the pharmacy his father had started more than 65 years earlier in Cheyenne Wells, Colo.

With no other pharmacist to work at the store, prescriptions already counted out and sealed in bottles were suddenly locked away in a pharmacy that no one could enter. And Cheyenne Wells fewer than 800 residents were abruptly left without a drugstore.

Pharmacies were once routinely bequeathed from one generation to the next, but, in interviews with more than a dozen pharmacists, many said the pressure of running an independent drugstore has them pushing their offspring toward other careers.

And when they search for a buyer, they often find that attracting new pharmacists, especially to rural settings, is difficult. With a large group of pharmacists nearing retirement age, more communities may lose their only drugstore.
COVID-19 related deaths statewide remained relatively level throughout December, averaging about 30 per day last Friday. The average number of people dying around Christmas last year was 34 each day.

As of Tuesday, the daily average is now 45, in large part because state health officials recorded 167 deaths of Virginia residents who died in another state in 2020, according to the state health department.

Local health and government officials have urged caution during the holiday season this month to limit the surge of new cases.

Long said Tuesday that knowing the risks for immunocompromised and unvaccinated people is important, but that people can safely gather in small numbers while taking certain precautions such as testing, staying several feet apart from one another and wearing masks.

Knowing your risk and the risk of others around you can help you determine which other safety measures to layer on during the gathering, she said.

Getting tested and/or avoiding crowded spaces are both good precautions before traveling or gathering. You should also follow testing and quarantine/isolation guidance if you either are experiencing symptoms or were exposed to a known positive case.
Once again, workers believe they have found the 1887 time capsule that was put under the Robert E. Lee pedestal. But this time, the details are a closer match.

At 11:41 a.m. Monday, a crew led by Team Henry Enterprises found what appears to be a copper box underground in the northeast corner of the foundation, just as the newspapers at the time described, said Michael Spence, construction superintendent.

Once the box was out of the ground, conservator Kate Ridgway of the Department of Historic Resources covered it in bubble wrap and placed it in the back seat of a black Honda, and it was driven to their lab.

The box will be opened Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Department of Historic Resources lab on Kensington Avenue, according to a release Monday evening from Gov. Ralph Northam.

What began Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. was the third attempt to find the time capsule, which newspaper accounts said holds 60 artifacts largely from the Confederacy, including a potentially rare image of Abraham Lincoln in his grave.
The image of Abraham Lincoln wasn't a rare historical artifact. But the opening of the second time capsule from the Robert E. Lee pedestal Tuesday largely proved a success.

The contents were in excellent condition, said Julie Langan, director of the Department of Historic Resources. Some time capsules are sealed poorly and so damaged by water and air that nothing remains but a heap of mud.

The books and newspapers, while moist from condensation, could be opened, and the printed words often were legible. Even the rubber bands holding things together remained unbroken.

Its not soup, said Sue Donovan, one of the conservators examining the objects.

Among the objects removed from the box were a Confederate battle flag carved in wood from a tree over Confederate Gen. Thomas Stonewall Jacksons grave, tattered and faded Confederate dollar bills, Minie balls and a Bible.

Tuesdays events brought an end to a four-month search for the elusive time capsule. Workers struck out during their initial search and found a second unexpected time capsule two weeks ago.

All 632 granite stones that made up the Lee pedestal were removed last week, and the search for the time capsule resumed Monday. It took workers about four hours to find it. The 36-pound box was in the northeast corner, close to where they thought theyd find it. It turns out the box was closer to the center of the pedestal and 4 or 5 feet below ground, said Devon Henry, the projects contractor.

With a dozen cameras pointed at them, conservators from the Department of Historic Resources cut the copper boxs lid using a circular saw. Doing so in front of such a large audience was terrifying, said Kate Ridgway, conservator for the Department of Historic Resources.

Using a Teflon spatula, they separated and removed the soggy items.

Its not the smelliest time capsule, Donovan said.

The Richmond Dispatch had published a list of the time capsules 60 articles in October 1887. Seemingly everything pulled out of the box Tuesday matched an item on the list. Its unclear if all 60 items were present, and the conservators will continue studying the boxs contents in the days to come.

Were honestly not sure what we have here yet, Ridgway said.

They never found the inscription supposedly written on the side of the box, but its possible the water corroded it away, Ridgway said. The newspaper list mentioned a piece of cannon shell in the box, so the conservators called a bomb squad to make sure the box didnt contain live explosives.

The piece of shell was recovered Tuesday and deemed safe.

Unlike the last time capsule opening, Gov. Ralph Northam did not attend Tuesday. He was away with family, a spokesperson for the administration said.

If there was any letdown Tuesday, it was the image of Lincoln. The 1887 newspaper described a picture of the 16th president in his coffin. Only one photo of Lincoln after his death is known to exist. Had this been a never-before-seen image, it could have been quite valuable.

What was discovered Tuesday was a picture of a wooden engraving published in an 1865 edition of Harpers Weekly, a New York-based magazine. The image isnt any more valuable than the other items, Langan said.

Largely associated with the Confederacy, the items in the box dont tell the story of the Black community, said Dale Brumfield, an author and historian who has studied the time capsule. A picture of a dead Lincoln under a Confederate heros grave was one more way for the South to embrace the Lost Cause.

The point of view captured in the time capsule is a limited one, and one of white Southerners.

The Indiana Jones archeology side of all this is fun to watch and hard not to get caught up in, but the important thing to remember is that this is exactly what the people who placed the box hoped for, said Sarah Driggs, a historian and author of Richmonds Monument Avenue. That their version of history would continue to be pored over and discussed  131 years later.

Its too soon to draw a conclusion about the articles meaning, Langan said. To her, the most important part of the time capsule was how it caught the attention of a national audience.

Its more about watching the public embrace history, Langan said. On a personal level, thats what moves me the most.

The term time capsule may not even be the most accurate, Ridgway said. Typically, time capsules include instructions on when a future generation should open it, and that didnt happen here. The conservators used the term cornerstone box instead.

For the time being, the items will remain in the Department of Historic Resources lab for drying and storage. The books will be placed in the freezer to prevent mold from growing.

Their final destination is unclear. Langan believes the articles are the property of the state and deserve to be seen in a museum.

This may not be the last time capsule recovered from Monument Avenue. Each Confederate statue has one, Brumfield said. But the city, which owns the remaining pedestals, hasnt announced plans to address them.

The 60 items placed in the box, according to the Oct. 26, 1887 Richmond Dispatch:

1. Compiled history of the Monumental Church

2. Roll of Company B, Twelfth Virginia Infantry

3. Statistics of the city of Richmond

4. Constitution and bylaws of Lee Camp, Confederate Veterans

5. Programme of banquet to Lynn Post, No. 5

6. Virginia Confederate buttons

7. Battle-flag and square and compass made from the tree over Stonewall Jacksons grave

8. Twelve copper coins

9. Muster-roll of Richmond Sharpshooters, Twenty-first Virginia regiment

10. Badge of the Association of Army Northern Virginia

11. Circular advertisement

12. Copy of The Immigrants Friend

13. Genealogical tree of the Lee family

14. Confederate treasury notes

15. Copy of seal of the Adjutant-General of the Confederate states

16. A $100,000 Confederate bond, registered

16. $1 Confederate note

18. English penny of 1812

19. Roll of officers and members of Richmond Commandery, No. 2.

20. Individual card of Edward W. Price, general commander, New Jersey

21. Programme of the Ancient Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine on the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone

22. Reports of the Chamber of Commerce for 1886 and 1887

23. Constitution and by-laws of the Virginia Mechanics Institute

24. By-laws of Richmond Commandery, No. 2

25. Warrock-Richardson Virginia Almanac for 1887

26. Report Mount Vernon Ladies Association, 1887

27. Picture of Lincoln lying in his coffin

28. Programme Ancient Order Nobles of Mystic Shrine laying corner-stone of Lee Monument

29. Soldiers Life Army of Northern Virginia (by McCarthy)

30. Memorial volume of the Army of Northern Virginia

31. A Guide to Richmond, with maps of Richmond and Virginia

32. Badge corner-stone parade

33. History of First Battle of Manassas

34. Granthams Historical Account of Some Memorable Actions in Virginia, 1716

35. Weekly Dispatch October 21, 1887, containing letter of Hon. W.W. Corcoran on General Lee

36. W. Gordon McCabes address at the reunion of Pegrams battalion

37. Picture of memorial window of Pegrams battlefield at Soldiers Home

38. Gray and Blue badge

39. Piece of a stone wall, Fredericksburg, Va.

40. Three bullets from battlefield of Fredericksburg

41. One piece of shell from Fredericksburg

42. One piece of wood with Minnie-ball in it from battle-field at Fredericksburg

43. A cut from a tree at the Bloody Angle, Spotsylvania

44. Individual card

45. Programme of three exhibitions by Bremond Institute for the benefit of Lee Monument fund

46. A button from coat of Capt. Bremond

47. Individual card

48. Assortment of United States silver and copper coins

49. Richmond directory

50. One United States silver dollar, 1886

51. Copy of paper 23rd October, 1887

52. Assortment of United States fractional coins

53. One Holy Bible

54. Copies of charters issued by Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery of Virginia to its subordinates (on parchment).

55. Fourth edition of Grand Lodge Text-book

56. Copy of Text-Book Grand Chapter of Virginia and Digest

57. Copy Grand Constitution of Grand Encampment United States Knights Templars and proceedings 1886.

58. Copy of Proceedings, 1886, Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, and Grand Commandery of Virginia

59. Programme of exercises observed on occasion of laying of Lee-monument corner-stone.

60. Reprints of proceedings of Grand Lodge of Virginia from 1877 to 1822, containing steel engravings of all grand masters during that period, and also engravings of Dr. John Dove and Hon. R.E. Withers
The new 7th District as established by the courts on Tuesday is less friendly to Democrats than it was in the first draft of the maps, where it leaned Democrat by 19 percentage points. The final configuration gives Democrats an advantage of 7 percentage points.

The proposed district will have a minority population of 46%. Spanberger, who is white, is already facing a primary field that includes several prominent women of color.

Spanberger was first elected to congress in 2018 when she defeated former congressman Dave Brat, a tea party Republican that had ousted House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the 2014 GOP nomination for the 7th District. She defeated Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, by 2 percentage points to win re-election in 2020.

The Virginia Supreme Court took control of the states redistricting process after the newly created Virginia Redistricting Commission of citizens and legislators failed to come up with maps, deadlocked by partisan politics.

In a normal year, Democrats would have a 6-5 majority in the congressional delegation, according to the experts who drew the map for the Virginia Supreme Court.
Grofman and Trende said that the growth in Northern Virginia demanded that they create an additional district there, the new 7th. They described the consolidation of the western Henrico and Chesterfield suburbs into the 1st as an effort to at least keep those communities with similar interests together.

Although we were unable to identify a global resolution to this complaint that would not set off a cascade of secondary problems, the experts wrote, we did feel it incumbent upon ourselves to pay extra care to specific complaints in this region.

We have identified a series of changes that do not give these residents what they are ultimately seeking, but that do address some of the valid points that they raise regarding communities of interest.

In a normal year, Democrats would have a 6-5 majority in the congressional delegation, according to the courts experts.

Democrats current 7-4 advantage would mark a good year, and would likely have been cemented if Democrats had not ceded control of the redistricting process to the new Virginia Redistricting Commission and now the state Supreme Court.

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Harry M. Reid, a Nevada Democrat who rose from a hardscrabble mining town to become one of the longest-serving Senate majority leaders in history and a political force during the presidencies of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, died Dec. 28 at his home in Henderson, Nev. He was 82.

The death was confirmed by David Krone, a former chief of staff. Mr. Reid was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018.

A combative but soft-spoken former amateur boxer, Mr. Reid displayed an economy of personal magnetism and embraced the art of the scrappy insult. Columnist Molly Ivins called him charismatically challenged. Obama, a friend and political ally, euphemistically remarked on his curmudgeonly charm.

He was Senate majority leader from 2007 through 2014. Since the positions creation in the 1920s, only two senators have held it longer: Democrats Mike Mansfield of Montana, from 1961 through 1976, and Alben W. Barkley of Kentucky, from 1937 through 1946.
The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts will distribute 300 at-home COVID-19 testing kits after an increased demand at a testing event this week.

The health district will give out the free rapid antigen at-home test kits at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Salem Civic Center. Tests will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because of a large demand for tests, the health district expects the kits will run out quickly, according to a news release.

Health district director Cynthia Morrow said the department will operate free drive-thru testing events from 3-5 p.m. every Tuesday at the Salem Civic Center through January. She said the last few events only drew about two dozen people.

But this past Tuesday more than 200 people came to be tested and the district ran out of supplies, indicating an unprecedented demand for testing, according to the news release.

Because of that demand, the health district will provide the free test kits to anyone who has symptoms or knows they were exposed to a positive case in the previous five days. Individuals will be asked to attest that they meet these criteria before receiving an at-home test kit on Thursday.

Individuals must be present to receive a test kit and the health department will only give one kit per person. Users will need a smartphone to get the test results.

COVID-19 cases have spiked rapidly across the state as people spend the holidays with their families and the latest variant, omicron, begins to spread across the country. Omicron is more easily transmissible than previous variants and has caused large case increases.

The Virginia Department of Health reported 12,112 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, more than twice as many as a week ago and more than on any other day during the pandemic. The previous record was 9,914 on Jan. 17.

Since Christmas, the state has seen 38,064 new COVID-19 cases as the omicron variant has overtaken delta as the dominant strain across the country.

The first case of omicron was reported in Virginia on Dec. 9  20 days ago.

Hospitalizations and deaths increased across the state, too, with 398 people in Virginia hospitalized and 38 deaths from COVID-19 reported Wednesday.

The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts encourage people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, which can lessen symptoms and make it less likely a person will contract the virus. Visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA to schedule an appointment.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch contributed information to this report.

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Christmas Eve is generally a busy day for retail stores. Its the final opportunity last minute shoppers have to secure items for friends and family. Instead of spending the day assisting eager customers, one local merchant spent the day anxiously trying to figure out what happened to his operating capital.

Jeremy Parker, the owner of Unique Memories & Gifts in Rocky Mount, says he woke up on the morning of Dec. 24 to a barrage of notifications on his phone from PayPal. Each one indicated that hundreds of dollars had been spent by someone other than himself at samsclub.com. The majority of the transactions were for $878. One transaction was for $978. The transactions continued until all $10,000 that Parker had in his account was gone.

I was in shock because I couldnt do anything about it. They wiped the account out, he said. The transactions started at 1 a.m. Dec. 24 and ended at 5:15 a.m. There was nothing we could have done.

As soon as he realized what had happened, he started calling PayPal. He has been using the service since 2010. Given the fact that it was Christmas Eve, he had a difficult time getting in touch with a representative from the financial technology company. After finally getting through to someone, he made PayPal aware of the situation. The service wasnt immediately able to determine how someone accessed Parkers account information. While the representative he spoke with told him that this type of thing doesnt happen often, she did say fraudulent charges do tend to occur more frequently this time of year.

On PayPals website, those who think someone has used their account without permission are encouraged to report it immediately. Report it within 60 days of when it appeared on your statement and if unauthorized transactions are eligible, you wont be held liable, the site reads.

He is currently in a process to dispute the charges, which will likely take up to two weeks. Hopefully we get it all back. Im pretty sure we will because I think theyre insured for that, he said.

Jon Engle, who works in media relations for PayPal, made the following comment about Parkers case: I can share that their unauthorized claim is currently being worked, but an outcome hasnt been determined as of yet. The team will be in contact with the customer once that decision has been made.

The question of whether or not he will get the money back looms large in Parkers mind. The $10,000 that was stolen from him represents the entire operating funds for Unique Memories & Gifts. He said he needs the money to pay for rent and supplies. Thats all our funds, he said.

The fact that he is without operating funds has forced Parker to keep his business closed this week following the holiday weekend. We cant really buy anything right now. We cant buy supplies or nothing for the store, he said. We wanted to start working on stuff for the new year, but its kind of on pause right now. Parker will open back up for business on Jan. 2.

What Parker says happened to him has caught the attention of some locals. The community is pulling together, he said.

He received a donation from a church in Roanoke following the incident. The Rev. Ray Bell of the Cowboy Church of Virginia promptly reached out to Parker after hearing about what had happened. Bells church gave Parker a $1,000 donation on Christmas. On Dec. 27, the church offered to pay Parkers mortgage and rent for his business for the month of January using leftover funds from a previous project. Parker accepted the offer. Its a family of eight who has a business tied into their income and they lost $10,000. Short of a miracle, you arent going to survive that. Youre going to be bankrupt within two weeks, Bell said. This isnt a negligent issue. Somebody stole $10,000 from these people. You can pray for them all you want, but that isnt going to get the bills paid.

Parker hopes that talking about what happened to him will help others realize that it can also happen to them. You never think that would happen to you, he said. Ive never had anything happen with PayPal before like this. You have to watch everywhere you go.

Daniel Pinard, cultural and economic development director for Rocky Mount, said, What happened to Jeremy is a terrible thing to happen to a small business, especially one in their position. They just made a jump to a larger location and were really starting to get some traction.

He stressed that because more and more business is conducted online these days as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses big and small alike need to place cybersecurity at the forefront of the operations. He suggested businesses that are interested in increasing their cybersecurity capabilities reach out to their local chambers of commerce or the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center for guidance. Its best to prevent problems, rather than react to problems, he said. Start making plans to address it before something like this happens.

When asked about situations like Parkers, Juliana Gruenwald in the Office of Public Affairs at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission directed The Roanoke Times to a 2018 blog post that suggests users of peer-to-peer payment systems like PayPal consider turning on multi-factor authentication, requiring a PIN, or using fingerprint recognition like Touch ID.

Prem Uppuluri, a professor of information sciences at Radford University and the director of the universitys Center for Information Security, said that fraudulent purchases on platforms such as PayPal typically occur because a person has fallen victim to a phishing attack or because of weak authentication. In general, at a minimum, everyone should enable two-factor authentication on their web accounts, he said.

PayPal does offer a second authentication factor for those who want extra account security. In addition to your password, you enter a one time pin thats unique for each login. These two factors give you stronger account security, information available on its website states.

Unique Memories & Gifts opened in Rocky Mount last February. The business sells custom-made wood signs and various other unique gifts. Due to the fact that business was good, Parker relocated his business to a larger location at 350 Old Franklin Turnpike in October. The move enabled him to expand his offerings, including paint splatter parties.

Despite the recent setback, Parker said that the business is still in a good place. On Dec. 1, he took over Full Armor Custom Apparels trophy and plaque business. He also expects to get thousands of different pottery molds, which will allow him to expand his pottery offerings. When he moved to his new location in October, he added a kiln.

Its going good. More people know about us now, he said.

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CHRISTIANSBURG  Jim Bohon works as a music instructor at Bridge Kaldro Music, but has also been in charge of his employers business marquee for much of his nearly five years there.

Bohons always tried to have fun and be creative with the marquee sign. One message he roughly recalls putting up there read: Its a long way to the top if you want to Rock n Roll.

Bohon said the message was a nod to how Bridge Kaldro operates out of the second floor of its building.

Then Bohon, who enjoys looking at humorous signs on the internet, said sometime in April of this year he thought: What if he upped the ante a little? What if he tried to involve a neighboring business?

Bohon said he checked with his boss first to make sure they were fine with his next marquee idea.

As long as you dont cause any trouble, say whatever you want to, he recalls being told.

Bohon then sent a straightforward challenge to neighbor Super Shoes.

Hey Super Shoes! Wanna start a sign war?

Bohon said he wasnt even sure if Super Shoes would respond. They didnt immediately, and he even wondered after a few days if the company wouldnt allow them to.

Then finally came the reply: Hey Bridge Kaldro! Our shoe strings are stronger than your guitar strings.

The Christiansburg Sign War had started, thrusting the town of approximately 23,000 people into a spotlight that spread beyond the U.S.

Those who participated saw the banter as a way for the community to come together and bring some joy in an otherwise difficult period marked by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They were also glad to be able to promote many local businesses.

First of all, it was really kind of amazing that it took off the way it did. The morale boost, the positive feeling that came from everybody reacting to them [the signs], said Katy Cunningham, Super Shoes store manager. I think its something we didnt realize people needed. The laughter, humor, the kind of community feeling.

Some of Super Shoes delay in responding to their neighbor was deliberate, Cunningham said.

I think we always knew we were going to, but theyve always been so clever with their signs, she said. We knew we couldnt do anything without doing it right. It had to be the right thing, so it did take us a while to come back.

Bohon saw that the friendly barbs had received much attention on the popular discussion website Reddit following Super Shoes response.

It was everywhere in no time, at all, he said.

The fever spread across Christiansburg and beyond. Before culminating in an appearance on CBS News, it was common for days for area residents to scroll their Facebook and other social media feeds and see another jab or pun captured in a shared photo.

Kabuki Restaurant jumped in shortly after Bridge Kaldro and Super Shoes began their skirmish.

You got to B-sharp to make good Shoe-shi and we wont string you along.

Bridge Kaldro, of course, had responded several times and was more than happy to pull Kabuki into the mix.

What a Croc IDK what stinks worse your shoes or Kabukis sign.

Other businesses that joined in included Christiansburg Pharmacy, which wrote: Music, shoes and food are fine. But your health is on our mind!

And the battle was not limited to retailers and restaurants.

Real Life Dental wrote on a sidewalk sandwich board: Hey Bridge Kaldro no hard FILLINGS but we will be CROWNED winner of this SIGN WAR.

In the eastern Montgomery County community of Shawsville, the Meadowbrook Public Library said: We tried to find time to join the Cburg sign war but we are fully booked.

Then, the First Church of God put up these words: Pianos need tuned/Mikado costs $$/shoes wear out/Jesus is forever, honey.

The local sign war inspired similar activities elsewhere, including in the small Canadian community of Listowel, Ontario. The BBC specifically profiled Listowel when the viral moment reached that area.

A Facebook group called Christiansburg, VA Sign War was created to chronicle and promote the local event and similar instances elsewhere in the country. The group currently has just over 31,000 members.

Just several days after the page went live, the group had gained 10,000 members, including some as far away as Australia, administrator Anthony Woodyard told the Roanoke Times this past spring.

Christiansburg Mayor Mike Barber called the moment unique and said it was nice to see a small town such as Christiansburg get the national spotlight and some prominence, particularly for something that was not at all a catastrophic event.

Looking back on it, I really think its probably one of the finest things that happened because it seemed to encourage, not so much a war, but an esprit de corps between the businesses in town and it picked up like wildfire, Barber said. I appreciated the humor exposed on these signs and the thought that went into these signs.

Barber said he was also glad to see the promotion the event created for local businesses.

Thats the way we exist, he said, adding that the local mom and pop shops are truly what breathes life into the community.

The sign war has, obviously, settled down over the past several months. Bohon and Cunningham each said they have continued to trade friendly jabs, albeit at a much lighter level than what was witnessed months ago.

Yoshi Koeda, Kabukis owner, said he truly used the time to promote local businesses. He said hes thinking of reigniting the war next spring.

It was a really fun time we all had, he said.

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The Virginia Supreme Court on Tuesday finalized the states new redistricting maps for congressional and state legislative districts.

The maps are effective immediately and will affect all regularly scheduled primaries and general elections moving forward.

As for upcoming special elections, like the January contest for the seat of Del. Jay Jones, D-Norfolk, the court said it would leave it up to the State Board of Elections and the Virginia Department of Elections to determine whether the old or new maps should be used.

The court took over control of the states redistricting process after a new commission of citizens and legislators failed to come up with maps for the states legislative and congressional districts, a messy process that was bogged down by partisan politics.

The court issued its preliminary maps earlier this month, which were the product of amicable debate between the justices two experts  Bernard Grofman, nominated by Democratic legislators, and Sean Trende, nominated by Republican lawmakers.

The change incorporates Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanbergers 7th District base of western Chesterfield County and western Henrico County into a new, more competitive 1st congressional district, potentially pitting Spanberger in a contest with Republican Rep. Rob Wittman. The 7th district still moves out of the Richmond suburbs to Northern Virginia.

In addition to the vanishing of the 7th from the Richmond suburbs, the maps the experts initially proposed faced criticism for disadvantaging the three women in Virginias congressional delegation  Spanberger, Rep. Elaine Luria, D-2nd and Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th  and for pitting about half of the states legislators against fellow incumbents in primary or general election match-ups.

The experts tasked with drawing the maps said in a memo that public comment on their first drafts helped drive the changes, in particular frustration about the removal of Spanbergers 7th District from the Richmond area. The experts said they could not keep a district akin to the current 7th without unwelcome ramifications for other districts, such as splitting the Shenandoah Valley.

Grofman and Trende said that the growth in Northern Virginia demanded that they create an additional district there, the new 7th. They described the consolidation of the western Henrico and Chesterfield suburbs into the 1st as an effort to at least keep those communities with similar interests together.

Although we were unable to identify a global resolution to this complaint that would not set off a cascade of secondary problems, the experts wrote, we did feel it incumbent upon ourselves to pay extra care to specific complaints in this region.

We have identified a series of changes that do not give these residents what they are ultimately seeking, but that do address some of the valid points that they raise regarding communities of interest.

In a normal year, Democrats would have a 6-5 majority in the congressional delegation, according to the courts experts.

Democrats current 7-4 advantage would mark a good year, and would likely have been cemented if Democrats had not ceded control of the redistricting process to the new Virginia Redistricting Commission and now the state Supreme Court.

Legislative incumbents

In the first draft of the courts redistricting maps, about half of the states delegates and senators faced the prospect of either running against a colleague, moving or retiring.

In the memo they released with the final maps, the courts experts said the severe effect of ignoring incumbents when drawing the legislative maps was proof of the redistricting process working as intended.

The experts argued that failing to protect incumbents by simply remaining ignorant about where they lived allowed Grofman and Trende to instead focus on keeping localities and communities together.

Notably, they said they decided in consultation with the courts justices to proceed without addressing the issue of paired incumbents.

Protecting incumbents would seem to be at odds with the overall redistricting scheme enacted by Virginia voters, they wrote, referring to the 2020 statewide referendum in which Virginians backed the idea of a redistricting commission.

Having established compact districts that respect communities of interest, however, our hope is that future redistricting utilizing the same criteria will be less severe.

Interested parties were reviewing the maps late Tuesday. None of the General Assembly caucuses had any immediate comment.

OneVirginia2021, a redistricting reform advocacy group that supported the ballot measure creating the new redistricting process, said in a statement that a first glance at the maps and memo showed the special masters went above and beyond to incorporate as many specific public comments as possible.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The hotel clerk, 28-year-old Sarah Steck, died of her injuries Tuesday.

Steck graduated this year from Metropolitan State University with a bachelors degree of fine art in communication design. She was known among her co-workers at the hotel for her infectious laugh and love of kittens, art and music, The Denver Post reported.

Soon after the shooting at Cardenas' shop, McLeod forced his way into a residence that is also home to a business. City records show it is licensed as a tattoo shop. He pursued the occupants through the building and fired shots, but no one was injured, Clark said. Then he shot and killed Swinyard near Cheesman Park, Clark said.

Later, Denver police chased the vehicle believed to have been involved in the shootings, and an officer exchanged gunfire with McLeod, Clark said. McLeod was able to get away, fleeing into Lakewood, after gunfire disabled the officer's cruiser, he said.

Just before 6 p.m., the Lakewood Police Department received a report of shots fired at the Lucky 13 tattoo shop. Danny Scofield, 38, was killed there, Lakewood police spokesperson John Romero said.

Scofield was a father of three, according to a site raising money for his family.
But they occurred in, respectively, 2004 and 2015. The legal statute of limitations is long past. They know that, and we know that, and there is very little likelihood of any criminal charges being brought against Noth. There is no legal or ethical twist as there was in the Cosby situation. And unlike Blasey Ford and Anita Hill before her, these women are not trying to keep a man from being confirmed for a seat on the Supreme Court or some other high-profile job.

Nonetheless, what they are doing is equally dangerous, even though it doesnt have the capacity to strip a man of his employment or worse, have him locked up as an octogenarian based on hearsay evidence and a complete manipulation of privacy protections and civil depositions.

They are launching firebombs against a person who is being asked when he stopped beating his wife. He will, like former Secretary of Labor Ray Donovan, be forced to search for that office where he can get his reputation back. He is losing, as Shakespeare wrote in the person of Cassio the immortal part of myself, and all the rest is bestial. In fact, by calling Chris Noth a sexual beast, his accusers have had him tried, convicted and sentenced in that quicksilver span of time known as a trending topic on social media.
"The diversity of life on Earth is far greater than even most biologists recognize," he said in 1993.

Less than 10% of the Earth's species have scientific names, he said, making it "a still mostly unexplored planet."

In 1979, "On Human Nature"  the third volume in a series including "The Insect Societies" and "Sociobiology"  earned Wilson his first Pulitzer Prize. His second Pulitzer came in 1991 with "The Ants," which Wilson co-wrote with Harvard colleague Bert Holldobler.

Among his other honors was the 1990 Crafoord Prize in biosciences from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the highest scientific award in the field. Time magazine named him one of America's 25 most influential people in 1996.

Wilson's sociobiology theories transformed the field of biology and reignited the nature vs. nurture debate among scientists. Based on data about many species, Wilson argued that social behaviors from warfare to altruism had a genetic basis, an idea that contradicted the prevailing view that cultural and environmental factors determined human behavior.
The New Braunfels Fire Department's dive team arrives to assist in the search of a missing swimmer on Monday, June 14, 2021 in the Guadalupe River at the FM 1117 bridge. The man was reported missing on Sunday, June 13, 2021 after he and another woman saved two children from drowning.
Dalondo Moultrie is the assistant managing editor of the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail him at dalondo.moultrie@seguingazette.com .
 "Methods of Calculating the Marginal Cost of Incarceration: A Scoping Review" | Main | "How Much Prison Time Could Ghislaine Maxwell Serve After Sex Trafficking Conviction?" 

December 28, 2021

Signing of NDAA into law brings some (low profile) federal sentencing reform to the military justice system

Who says significant federal sentencing reform cannot makes its way though Congress these days? As this week proved, as long as a reform involves a relatively small and low-profile part of the federal justice system, and especially if it is part of a must-pass/must-sign National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), federal sentencing reform can become law without even a peep in the press. Indeed, I would be entirely unaware that Prez Biden's signing of the NDAA was worthy of this blog post, but for a helpful colleague ensuring I did not miss the sentencing piece of the military justice reform story in this year's NDAA.

Of course, as can be found in various press pieces, there was considerable attention given to one high-profile piece of military justice reform in the NDAA: "Democrats applauded provisions in the bill overhauling how the military justice system handles sexual assault and other related crimes, effectively taking prosecutorial jurisdiction over such crimes out of the hands of military commanders." But, as this Just Security piece laments, the new law only makes "piecemeal changes" in this arena, because "the FY22 NDAA military justice reform provisions transfer only a narrow class of crimes out of the chain of command and into the hands of military lawyers under their respective service secretaries." Helpfully, in addition to giving extensive critical attention to the high-profile reforms of the NDAA, this Just Security piece also just summarizes the sentencing story:

Revolutionizes military sentencing. The NDAA mandates that sentencing for all non-capital offenses be conducted by military judges instead of the current practice, which allows for panel (jury) sentencing. It provides for offense-based sentencing, as opposed to the current unitary model (imposing a single sentence for all offenses) and directs that non-binding sentencing guidelines be created. This sentencing reform is a much-needed step forward, though it leaves in place the only criminal justice system in the United States that tolerates non-unanimous votes to convict, a practice the U.S. Supreme Court found unconstitutional for states last year.

Because I tend to be a fan of jury sentencing, but this press article from a few months ago, headlined "'Crapshoot' Sentencing by Court-Martial Juries Likely to End, Advocates for New Legislation Say," highlights the disparity problems it seemed to produce in the military system:

Court-martial sentencing by juries may go the way of flogging, a change many military justice experts say is long overdue. Military judges instead would hand down sentences based on federal guidelines as part of military justice system reforms proposed in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.... Supporters say the revision would make sentences in military trials fairer, as well as more consistent and predictable. "People convicted of sexual assault, one guy gets five years, the other guy gets no confinement," Don Christensen[, a former Air Force prosecutor and president of Protect Our Defenders,] said. "In drug cases, you'd also see huge disparities with no justification. With shaken baby cases, sentences were all over the place." Military defendants currently may choose whether a judge or a jury, called a "panel," decides their cases, including sentencing. Military jurors have little experience, context or guidance when determining sentences, Christensen said. That is magnified by the fact that under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, jurors' sentences can range from no punishment all the way to lengthy prison terms, he added.... Proposals to end it in the military date to at least 1983. The Pentagon proposed an overhaul in 2016, but the idea was dropped.

Critically, in addition to shifting sentencing from juries to judges, the new NDAA calls for the creation of "sentencing parameters" and "sentencing criteria" to guide military judges with "no fewer than 5 and no more than 12 offense categories." These new parameters and criteria are to be created by a "Military Sentencing Parameters and Criteria Board" with five members, all judges, within the next two years. In other words, a brand new set of (more simple) federal sentencing guidelines are due to be created for the military justice system. All sentencing fans should be sure to keep an eye on this process, and one can hope that it might provide some useful lessons for reform to the civilian federal justice system.

December 28, 2021 at 05:48 PM | Permalink

Comments

DOD should just be put out of the business of adjudicating serious crimes of a nonmilitary nature committed in a judicial district. We have life tenured judges and independent jurors in district court. Why accept a second-rate alternative both for victims and accused?

Posted by: Jason | Dec 29, 2021 10:21:26 AM

As someone who has done defense work, almost exclusively for the past 40 years, most of which was/is in military forums, the sentencing "reforms" in the NDAA are simply idiotic. First, until about 1916, all serious, non-military offenses, e.g., murder, robbery, rape, etc., were indeed handled by civilian-State or Federal-prosecutions as the U.S. military had no jurisdiction over them. The lone exception were offenses committed onboard naval vessels. As WW I loomed and it became apparent that the US was going to be committing legions of troops to the battlefields of Europe, extra-territorial jurisdiction was added.

That itself was problematic, primarily because the lack of procedural protections for those accused, so from 1948-50, a number of Congressional Committees studied military justice reform, resulting in the enactment of the Uniform Code of Military Justice [UCMJ], 10 USC 801 et seq. Congressional intent was that, unless otherwise specified, 10 USC 836 mandated to the extent practicable, that courts-martial follow practices in federal district courts. And, in some ways, the military procedures far surpassed their civilian counterparts. E.g., long before SCOTUS decided Miranda, the UCMJ via 10 USC 831 mandated "rights advisements" to all suspects being questioned, whether in custody or not; and, in lieu of a Grand Jury, an investigation per then 10 USC 832, focused on two things: probable cause for the offenses alleged, and discovery by the defense. The "discovery" provision was removed at the "suggestion" of military prosecutors some years back and the current "preliminary hearing" process is a jurisprudential farce.

The push for military sentencing by military judges is just another nefarious scheme to increase sentences, contrary to the long-standing [since the time of George Washington] procedures for individualized sentencing. The reality of the military judges' corps is that the vast majority are former prosecutors, many of whom have little "real world" experience in litigating complex criminal cases, and the defense side has even less experience. Thus, the "disparities" that Col (ret) Christensen complains of above, were intentionally built into the system.

The only thing that can be said about the structure of the new "guidelines" sentencing and appellate review, is that it will employ a legion of lawyers for many years. The amended procedures do not address Apprendi issues; they make the guidelines mandatory contrary to Booker, and generally do little to comply with SCOTUS sentencing jurisprudence.

So in the end, those unfortunate souls who face criminal prosecution under the UCMJ when the guidelines go into effect, have this as their criminal "justice" system: (1) Prosecutors who draft charges, will use the guidelines to coerce pleas, as evidenced by federal issues in this area; (2) military judges who have minimal "tenure" provisions; (3) presiding over Article I, courts-martial; (4) sentencing guidelines created by Article I, military judges [the vast majority being long-time prosecutors prior to donning their Black Robes]; (5) elimination of sentencing by "Members" (Panel), which destroyed a salient feature of long-standing sentencing procedure, i.e., an Enlisted Member facing a court-martial could demand that the panel have at least 1/3 Enlisted Members who, if convicted, would then sentence the Enlisted Accused; (6) Article I, appellate Courts of Criminal Appeals, which have broad sentencing-reduction powers [significantly restricted now by the NDAA's procedures]; and (7) The guidelines for sentencing will be made by the Chief Trial Judges of the respective services.

While the guidelines' process may be new in the military criminal system, it begins in an era ignoring Apprendi, Booker, and their progeny. Hardly a robust system which our military member deserve.

Posted by: Donald G Rehkopf, Jr. | Dec 29, 2021 11:47:32 AM

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Indonesia to bring stranded Rohingya refugees to shore after protests At least 100 mostly women and children aboard a sticken wooden vessel off Aceh province were denied refuge in Indonesia (AFP/STR)

Indonesia on Wednesday said it will let dozens of Rohingya refugees come ashore after protests from locals and the international community over its plan to push them into Malaysian waters.

At least 100 mostly women and children aboard a stricken wooden vessel off Aceh province were denied refuge in Indonesia, where authorities on Tuesday said they planned to push them into the neighbouring Southeast Asian country after fixing their boat.

After a day-long meeting on Wednesday between officials in the coastal town of Bireun, Jakarta backtracked and said the refugees' boat would be towed to shore on humanitarian grounds.

"The decision was taken after considering the emergency condition of the refugees on that boat," said Armed Wijaya, head of the national taskforce on refugees.

The Rohingya boat is now about 50 miles (80 kilometres) from Bireun and would be pulled ashore, he said without elaborating on the timing.

"As it is now in the middle of the pandemic, all refugees will undergo medical screening," he said, adding that the taskforce will coordinate with related stakeholders to provide shelter and logistics for the refugees.

Indonesian authorities first spotted the wooden boat two days ago, stranded about 70 nautical miles off the Indonesian coast, according to a local navy commander. Local fishermen had alerted them on December 25, one of them said.

On Tuesday, Amnesty International and the UNHCR called on the government to let the stranded group of Rohingya refugees land.

The earlier plan by authorities in Aceh to send the refugees into Malaysia also angered locals in Bireun, where a group of fishermen on Wednesday organised a protest demanding authorities to instead allow the Rohingya to disembark.

"We saw videos of their condition on social media. They need water and food. They must be treated with kindness as human beings," Bireun resident Wahyudi told AFP by telephone.

"We, Acehnese, used to have the same experience with the Rohingya. We were in a prolonged conflict. We fled crossing the sea and were helped by people from various countries such as Malaysia, Australia."

strs-hrl/pbr/jfx
SIOUX CITY -- UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's is almost full with patients, while MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center is accepting transfers only on a "case-by-case basis" due to staffing shortage, officials with the two Sioux City hospitals confirmed Tuesday.

The situation appears to be the result of ripple effects of the pandemic, though not necessarily a direct influx of coronavirus patients.

A statement from UnityPoint did not mention COVID-19 specifically, but alluded to patients who had postponed care, and whose health suffered as a consequence. During the pandemic, particularly in the early days last year, many people opted not to get routine medical care and checkups out of fear of the coronavirus. Elective procedures, meanwhile, were halted for a time.

"Similar to other hospitals, UnityPoint Health  St. Lukes has been operating near capacity for the past few weeks. This is in part due to the number of patients that are choosing us for their care, as well as in general the number of patients that need (to be) seen due to current illnesses or complications that stem from waiting too long to seek care," UnityPoint said in the statement.

A UnityPoint spokeswoman said they have not had to transfer patients to other hospitals, despite the high numbers of patients they're seeing.

MercyOne Siouxland, the region's only Level 2 trauma center, has taken a cautious approach in accepting patients from other hospitals due to a shortage of staff.

A nationwide shortage of staffing is being felt across all industries, including health care. At this time, requests of transfers to MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center are being considered on a case-by-case basis. In case of an emergency, we urge those in the community to come to our emergency room or call 911," MercyOne said in a statement.

Siouxland District Health has not reported the number of patients with COVID in the two Sioux City hospitals in over two weeks, due to the Christmas holiday. The agency's next weekly report is due to be released Wednesday.

For the week beginning Dec. 6, the number of patients in the hospital who had the virus was 31, mostly unchanged from the previous week. Of those, 20 were hospitalized primarily because of the virus, while the others were hospitalized for other reasons, but were also positive for COVID. These figures were well below the highs seen in the fall of 2020.

Hospitals across the country faced unprecedented difficulties as the coronavirus hit in a series of waves. Nurses reportedly resigned or retired en masse as a consequence of frightening, disturbing or demoralizing experiences providing care during the pandemic. Healthcare providers in the U.S. have reportedly paid out as much as $5,000 a week each for the services of travelling nurses, the Associated Press reported in September.

Healthcare providers in South Dakota and Nebraska have been put in a similarly fraught position, though the blame in those cases was more squarely on the coronavirus itself.

Earlier this month, leaders with Sanford Health and Avera in Sioux Falls said they had few beds available and were dealing with large numbers of COVID-19 patients, the Argus Leader reported.

The Flatwater Free Press in Nebraska reported last week that hospitals in Omaha and Fremont weren't accepting patients, while one Lincoln hospital maintained a rather long wait list for people with urgent medical needs. The last time COVID-19 hospitalizations in Nebraska were this high was before the vaccines were rolled out, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

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SIOUX CITY -- As the unemployment rate in metro Sioux City tumbled to near-historic low levels, many employers continued to search for help as 2021 came to a close.

When the pandemic first hit the tri-state region in the spring of 2020, forcing many bars, restaurants and some other businesses to temporarily close or curtail operations, metro Sioux City's unemployment rate rapidly climbed to 9.3 percent, the highest seen in state records dating back to 1990. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, the region's unemployment had been consistently near rock-bottom.

"Up until March of 2020, which was kind of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rates in Siouxland have remained pretty consistent. They would usually fall somewhere between 2.5 percent maybe up to 4 percent. And they were in that range for many, many years," said Brad Newton, director of economic development and workforce solutions with The Siouxland Initiative.

The jobless rate for the metro area ebbed to around 4.1 percent in February, and continued to decline from there. In October, it stood at 2.5 percent during October, unchanged from September, according to Iowa Workforce Development.

COVID-driven expanded unemployment benefits from the federal government, which many state workforce leaders blamed for the higher-than-normal, lingering unemployment, ended by the summer in Siouxland states.

"I think if you asked employers if the labor situation has gotten better for them over the past eight months or so, I think you would hear them say that it has. The unemployment numbers certainly tell us that more people are employed today than were employed eight months ago," Newton said.

Some people who left jobs during the pandemic haven't returned to work, regardless of whether they're collecting unemployment benefits or not, and are thus not necessarily tabulated in the unemployment rate. Iowa's labor force participation rate -- the percent of working-age adults who have jobs -- held steady at around 66.8 percent from September to October, according to Iowa Workforce data. On the eve of the pandemic, somewhat more than 70 percent of Iowa adults held jobs.

Newton said the reasons people haven't come back to their jobs are varied, though there are some common threads. Some families and couples discovered they could survive on one income rather than two; some parents have struggled to find childcare; others, meanwhile, decided to start a new business venture of their own.

"It's hard to pinpoint the root of the problem. I don't think it's just one problem solely. I think there's been many causes of the worker shortage following the onset of COVID-19. One of those things that we've heard or that we've learned, is that people who were close to retirement, decided just to go ahead and retire a little bit earlier than they had planned. We also saw women step away from the workforce in record numbers following COVID-19. And part of that was, they were staying home with kids who were trying to adapt to a new virtual learning world. People also left the workforce to start new businesses, which is kind of surprising," he said.

The hospitality industry was hit very hard by the pandemic and was a major factor in the spike in unemployment last year. This industry now is among the most voracious in its appetite for workers, alongside the region's food processors.

Firms have responded to the worker shortage by raising wages and offering perks like four-figure signing bonuses, Newton said, while also offering some employees new options like working from home.

"Employers themselves are also getting more creative and more flexible to try to attract and retain workers. Many employers -- and they've been talking about this for years -- they've sped up this process of exploring automation and robotics as a potential answer to some of these workforce issues," Newton said.

A lack of readily available workers in the tri-state area predated the pandemic by years. Throughout 2021, the message coming from state workforce leaders of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota was much the same: even if every single unemployed person in any given state found a job, thousands of job openings would still be left unfilled.

"We have an employee problem. Iowa has a population problem. So, what I'm telling you all, we need to be birthing more babies, of course a longer-term proposition," said Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham during a visit to Sioux City in September.

A somewhat nearer-term solution, she said, would involve encouraging people to move to Iowa and to "build communities people want to live in."

Durham noted the marked decline in the labor force participation rate, which she -- somewhat lightheartedly -- attributed to younger people who "checked out" of the workforce to "find themselves" and to older people leaving the labor force, never to return.

"We had a tight labor market going into COVID, but coming out, it's even worse. And the reason is this: there's a national statistic that says 10,000 baby boomers are exiting our workforce every single day," she said.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  A Kansas prosecutor who will decide whether to charge employees of a juvenile center over a Black teen's death said Wednesday that an autopsy's finding that the death was a homicide doesn't necessarily mean the employees committed any crimes.

The statement from District Attorney Marc Bennett in Sedgwick County, home to the state's largest city of Wichita, came after attorneys for the family of 17-year-old Cedric Lofton described his death as unjustified. They said Wednesday that they expect Bennett to file criminal charges based on the autopsy and video from a Sept. 24 struggle between Lofton and workers at the county's Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center.

Lofton died at a Wichita-area hospital two days after the altercation. The autopsy concluded that Lofton's heart and breathing stopped after he was pulled to the ground and was handcuffed while lying on his stomach. The report from the county's chief medical examiner said, The manner of death is homicide.

But Bennett said in a statement that a medical examiner's designation of a death as a homicide means only that someone committed an intentional act that led to the death of another person. Quoting a guide from the National Association of Medical Examiners, the district attorney said the other options were describing the death as natural, an accident, a suicide or having an undetermined cause.

The determination that the manner of death was homicide does not reflect a legal determination on the part of the pathologist regarding the viability of criminal charges, Bennett said. Whether or not criminal charges can be brought is a separate, legal determination to be made by the Office of the District Attorney.

Bennett said he expects to decide whether to file charges during the second week of January. He said he met Tuesday with Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and Sedgwick County sheriff's detectives about the case.

The staff members involved in the struggle have not been identified, but the county has said they are on paid administrative leave.

Asked what prompted Wednesday's statement, Bennett spokesperson Dan Dillion said in an email that it is not a response to any one comment or comments, adding, It speaks for itself.

The results of the Dec. 21 autopsy contradicted a preliminary finding that the teenager hadnt suffered life-threatening injuries during the Sept. 24 incident  a conclusion announced by Sheriff Jeff Easter during a news conference four days after the teenager's death.

Andrew Stroth, a Chicago civil rights attorney, said he was not surprised by the statement. Stroth and another Chicago attorney, Steven Hart, are representing Lofton's family.

If you read the autopsy report, they literally took his breath away and killed him, Stroth told The Associated Press in an interview. This district attorney has had this evidence for several weeks.

According to the autopsy report, the 5-foot-10, 135-pound Lofton was brought to the juvenile center at about 1 a.m. Sept. 24 after resisting police and assaulting one or more officers called to the scene of a reported disturbance. The report said that when staff later let Lofton out of a cell to use the restroom, he was uncooperative and punched a staff member in the head.

Family attorneys and others have described Lofton as being in crisis rather than dangerous, and Stroth has repeatedly noted that he was unarmed.

What additional evidence does Marc Bennett need to file criminal charges? Stroth said. Theres objective video evidence. There is (an) objective autopsy report. I dont know what else he possibly could need. 

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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CARLYLE, Ill. (AP)  Police have arrested a Kentucky man in connection with the fatal shooting of an eastern Illinois deputy early Wednesday and a carjacking in neighboring Missouri a couple of hours later.

An Illinois State Police SWAT team arrested Ray Tate, 40, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on Wednesday afternoon at a home in Carlyle where Tate allegedly committed a home invasion and took the homeowner hostage in addition to the carjacking victim, police said.

Tate was charged with murder by the Wayne County States Attorney and lodged in the Clinton County Jail.

Neither the carjacking victim nor the home invasion victim was injured, police said.

No other suspect was being sought, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The Wayne County, Illinois, Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that Deputy Sean Riley responded to a motorist assist call on Interstate 64 near Mill Shoals around 5 a.m. Wednesday. A second officer who arrived at the scene found Riley dead. The deputy's squad car was later found abandoned on I-64.

The search for the suspect extended to St. Peters, Missouri, where police believe a man involved in a shooting and carjacking shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday at a QuikTrip convenience store was the same person who killed the deputy.

St. Peters police spokeswoman Melissa Doss said in an email that there was evidence at the QuikTrip scene which indicates the suspect was also involved in the series of crimes which occurred in Illinois earlier this morning. She declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

St. Peters police said the man drove away from the convenience store in a car that was later found near Interstate 70 in nearby O'Fallon, Missouri. The suspect then stole a white pickup truck, police said.

Carlyle is 47 miles (76 kilometers) east of St. Louis.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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HONG KONG (AP)  A vocal pro-democracy website in Hong Kong shut down Wednesday after police raided its office and arrested six current and former editors and board members in a continuing crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

Stand News said in a statement that its website and social media are no longer being updated and will be taken down. It said all employees have been dismissed.

The outlet was one of the last remaining openly critical voices in Hong Kong following the shuttering of the Apple Daily newspaper, which closed after its publisher, Jimmy Lai, and top editors were arrested and its assets frozen.

Police raided Stand News' office earlier in the day after arresting the six, including popular singer and activist Denise Ho, a former board member, on charges of conspiracy to publish a seditious publication.

More than 200 officers were involved in the search, police said. They had a warrant to seize relevant journalistic materials under a national security law enacted last year.

The six were arrested under a crime ordinance that dates from Hong Kong's days as a British colony before 1997, when it was returned to China. Those convicted could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($640).

Police did not identify who was arrested, but Hong Kongs South China Morning Post newspaper reported they were one current and one former editor of Stand News, and four former board members including Ho and former lawmaker Margaret Ng.

A Facebook post early Wednesday morning on Ho's account confirmed that she was being arrested. A subsequent message posted on her behalf said she was OK and urged friends and supporters not to worry about her.

That post drew nearly 40,000 likes and 2,700 comments, mostly from supporters.

Early Wednesday, Stand News posted a video on Facebook of police officers at the home of a deputy editor, Ronson Chan. Chan, who is also chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, was taken away for questioning, the organization confirmed in a statement.

Chan, who was later released, told media the police seized his electronic devices, bank cards and press card.

The arrests come as authorities crack down on dissent in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. Hong Kong police previously raided the offices of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, seizing boxes of materials and computer hard drives to assist in their investigation and freezing millions in assets that later forced the newspaper to cease operations.

Police charged the Apple Daily's Lai, who is already jailed on other charges, with sedition on Tuesday.

We are not targeting reporters, we are not targeting the media, we just targeted national security offenses," said Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the police National Security Department. "If you only report, I dont think this is a problem.

He said at a news conference that those arrested had to account for their actions even if they had resigned from Stand News.

Asked what advice he had for the media, Li replied, Dont be biased. You know well how to report, how to be a responsible reporter, how to make a non-biased report to your readers. Thats all I can give you."

Stand News earlier this year said it would suspend subscriptions and remove most opinion pieces and columns from its website due to the national security law. Six board members also resigned from the company.

The journalists' association urged the city's government to protect press freedom in accordance with Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) is deeply concerned that the police have repeatedly arrested senior members of the media and searched the offices of news organizations containing large quantities of journalistic materials within a year, it said in a statement.

Benedict Rogers, co-founder and CEO of the non-governmental organization Hong Kong Watch, said the arrests are nothing short of an all-out assault on the freedom of the press in Hong Kong.

When a free press guaranteed by Hong Kongs Basic Law is labeled seditious, it is a symbol of the speed at which this once great, open, international city has descended into little more than a police state, he said.

Wednesday's arrests also followed the removal of sculptures and other artwork from university campuses last week. The works supported democracy and memorialized the victims of China's crackdown on democracy protesters at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989.

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MOSCOW (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia and Belarus will hold joint war games early next year.

Putin welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's proposal to hold another round of military drills, saying that they could be held in February or March. Speaking during a meeting with Lukashenko in St. Petersburg, he added that military officials will coordinate details.

Putin's announcement comes amid a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine that raised Western fears of an invasion. Some officials in Ukraine have voiced concern that Russia may attack the country from Belarusian territory.

Russia has denied having plans to attack its neighbor, but urged the U.S. and its allies to provide guarantees that NATO doesn't expand to Ukraine or deploy its weapons there  demands the West has rejected.

Russia and Belarus have a union agreement envisaging close political, economic and military ties, and Moscow has staunchly backed Lukashenko amid Western pressure. That pressure intensified after a brutal crackdown on domestic protests fueled by Lukashenko's reelection to a sixth term in an August 2020 vote that the opposition and the West say was rigged.

Tensions have escalated further since the summer over the arrival of thousands of migrants and refugees on Belarus border with EU member Poland. The EU has accused Lukashenko of retaliating for its sanctions by using desperate asylum-seekers as pawns and tricking them into trying to enter Poland.

In a show of support for Lukashenko, Russia conducted massive war games with Belarus in September that involved 200,000 troops. In recent week, Moscow has repeatedly sent its nuclear capable bombers on patrol over Belarus in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, Russian and Belarusian fighter jets jointly patrolled Belarus' air space.

Last month, Lukashenko said that Belarus would be ready to host Russian nuclear weapons.

The Belarusian leader hasn't elaborated on what kind of Russian atomic weapons Belarus would be willing to accommodate, but noted that the ex-Soviet nation has carefully preserved the necessary military infrastructure dating back to the time of the USSR.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described Lukashenkos offer as a serious warning prompted by reckless Western policy.

Yuras Karmanau contributed to this report from in Kyiv, Ukraine.

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  The Supreme Court of Virginia said Tuesday that it had unanimously approved maps establishing congressional and state legislative districts under the commonwealth's new redistricting process.

In an order, the court said it had reviewed final redistricting maps  which were put together by two court appointees called special masters  as well as extensive public comment on earlier draft maps.

The special masters fully complied with state and federal law in creating the maps, the court said. The final maps are approved and adopted, effective immediately, according to the court order.

The once-a-decade redrawing of political maps had fallen to the court after a newly created bipartisan redistricting commission failed to agree on maps for either Congress or the General Assembly.

The special masters who drew the maps, Sean Trende and Bernard Grofman, were nominated by each political party. The process also included public comment both in writing and through hearings before the court.

We drew maps which did not unduly favor either party. These maps came about as part of a partisan and incumbency blind process based on good government map making, Trende and Grofman wrote in a 63-page memo dated Monday that outlines some of the many changes made between the draft and final versions of the maps.

Trende and Grofman wrote in their memo that the maps reflect a true joint effort."

They said they agreed on almost all issues initially, and the few issues on which we initially disagreed were resolved by amicable discussion.

Interested parties were reviewing the maps late Tuesday. None of the General Assembly caucuses had any immediate comment.

OneVirginia2021, a redistricting reform advocacy group that supported the ballot measure creating the new redistricting process, said in a statement that a first glance at the maps and memo showed the special masters went above and beyond to incorporate as many specific public comments as possible."

Trende and Grofman wrote in the memo that under the new Congressional maps, like in their draft version, they would generally expect a 6-5 Democratic edge in Virginia's congressional delegation, compared with the 7-4 advantage the party holds now.

They also acknowledged criticism from some parties who said they had paid insufficient attention to protecting incumbents, either by weakening congressional members' districts or pairing together multiple state lawmakers.

We believe that one reason for employing redistricting commissions, however, is to minimize the power of politicians over the drawing of lines," the memo said.

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HONOLULU (AP)  The head of Honolulu's water utility said Tuesday he prays the Navy doesn't continue fighting an order to remove fuel from massive tanks that a hearings officer concluded pose a metaphorical ticking time bomb threatening drinking water.

The Navy has until the end of Wednesday's business day to file a response to the hearings officer's recommendation upholding an order by Gov. David Ige to defuel the fuel storage facility the Navy owns near Pearl Harbor, which sits directly above a groundwater aquifer. The Navy contested the order, prompting hearings ahead of a final ruling from the department of health.

Ige issued the order after fuel leaked from the facility last month and contaminated the Navys tap water system serving some 93,000 people in and around Pearl Harbor.

Starting in late November, about a thousand people in military housing complained their water smelled like fuel, and hundreds complained of nausea, rashes and other physical ailments.

We pray and ask ke akua to somehow touch the hearts of the Navy to say, Dont fight this, said Ernest Lau, manager and chief engineer of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, using a Hawaiian term that can mean God or deity.

The Navy must comply with the order for the sake of our aquifer," he said, and if they have any hope of rebuilding trust with our community that they have lost.

The agency, which manages water distribution for the island of Oahu, intervened because of concerns that the facility could threaten more than just the Navy's own water system.

The Navy needs to admit that the facility, which began operating in 1943, has outlived its usefulness and that the fuel needs to be removed immediately, Lau said.

If the Navy persists in fighting the order, the Board of Water Supply won't give up, Lau said. And Im not trying to threaten the Navy but understand that you are going to need to deal with us, whether you like it or not.

A Navy spokesperson said officials have nothing more to add on Tuesday, pointing to a statement by Rear Adm. Charlie Brown, the Navys chief of information: We are aware of the proposed decision and have no further statement at this time.

Lau said he hadn't yet received a response to a letter he sent last week asking President Joe Biden to intervene.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP)  A Missouri boarding school doctor accused of several child sex crimes has been taken into custody in Arkansas.

The Kansas City Star reports that 57-year-old David Smock was arrested Tuesday night in Harrison, Arkansas, not far from the Missouri border. Authorities said they considered him a fugitive for several days.

However, Smock's attorney said Wednesday that his client had been returning to Missouri to turn himself in when he was arrested. He was visiting his son in Louisiana when he learned of the charges, attorney Craig Heidemann said.

Smock began feeling ill on his return to Missouri and tested positive for COVID-19 at the Arkansas jail, said Heidemann, who was representing Smock on charges filed in Cedar County.

Dr. Smocks concern is that law enforcement has wrongly painted him as a fugitive when in fact hes a COVID victim trying to get back to deal with these charges, Heidemann said.

Smock is the longtime physician for Agape Boarding School, a Christian school that remains under scrutiny after five other employees were charged in September with assaulting students, amounting to a total of 13 third-degree felony assault counts. The school is in Stockton, in Cedar County.

The Missouri Attorney Generals office last week filed eight felony charges against Smock in Cedar County, including four counts of statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy involving a child younger than 14; and one count of second-degree statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy. He also was charged with one count each of sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15, fourth-degree molestation of a child younger than 17, and first-degree stalking.

Smock was also charged Dec. 23 in Greene County with second-degree statutory sodomy, third-degree child molestation of a child less than 14 years of age and enticement or attempted enticement of a child less than 15 years of age, court records show. According to a probable cause affidavit, this charge related to Smocks alleged grooming and sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy at a rental home owned by the doctor in Springfield.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Presidents and former Senate colleagues are lauding longtime Majority Leader Harry Reid for a political legacy that included an expansion of health insurance coverage for millions of Americans and helping secure an economic aid package and banking overhaul following the 2008 financial crisis.

They are also recalling a politician whose blunt and combative words often antagonized his political rivals, and sometimes his allies. The Nevada Democrat's abrupt style was typified by his habit of unceremoniously hanging up the phone without saying goodbye.

Reid, 82, died Tuesday at home in Henderson, Nevada, of complications from pancreatic cancer, according to Landra Reid, his wife of 62 years.

President Joe Biden said in a proclamation that the U.S. flag will be flown at half-staff at the White House and other federal buildings on the day of Reid's internment. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a similar order for his state. The flag at the U.S. Capitol has already been lowered. Reid's family has not yet announced memorial service plans.

Biden called Reid one of the great Senate majority leaders in the country's history.

He was a man of action, and a man of his word  guided by faith, loyalty, and unshakeable resolve," Biden said in the proclamation.

Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling. He served as majority leader during the presidency of a Republican, George W. Bush, and a Democrat, Barack Obama, a chaotic period that included a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

Reid retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye. He announced in May 2018 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was being treated.

In many respects, his legacy is tied to Obama's. In a letter to Reid before Reid's death, Obama said he wouldn't have been president without Reid's support.

As different as we are, I think we both saw something of ourselves in each other  a couple of outsiders who had defied the odds and knew how to take a punch and cared about the little guy," Obama said.

Republicans cited Reid's toughness and tenacity, while also noting they disagreed with him on many issues.

The nature of Harrys and my jobs brought us into frequent and sometimes intense conflict over politics and policy, said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. But I never doubted that Harry was always doing what he earnestly, deeply felt was right for Nevada and our country."

Former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he and Reid "disagreed on many things, sometimes famously. But we were always honest with each other. In the years after we left public service, that honesty became a bond."

Reid was born in Searchlight, Nevada. His father was an alcoholic who died by suicide at 58. His mother was a laundress in a bordello, Reid grew up in a small cabin without indoor plumbing. He hitchhiked to Basic High School in Henderson about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from home, and that's where he met the wife. At Utah State University, the couple became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The future senator put himself through George Washington University law school in the District of Columbia by working nights as a U.S. Capitol police officer.

At 28, Reid was elected to the Nevada Assembly. At 30, he became the youngest lieutenant governor in Nevada history.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone in Nevada history.

After his election as Senate majority leader in 2007, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the states caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season.

Reid steered hundreds of millions of dollars to Nevada and was credited with almost single-handedly blocking construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain outside Las Vegas.

Reids moderation meant he was never politically secure in his home state or entirely trusted in the increasingly polarized Senate. Democrats grumbled about his votes for a ban on so-called partial-birth abortion and the Iraq War resolution in 2002, something Reid later said was his biggest regret in Congress.

He also voted against most gun control bills. In 2013, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Connecticut, he dropped a proposed ban on assault weapons from the Democrats gun control legislation. The package, he said, would not pass with the ban attached.

Reids Senate particularly irritated members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats. When then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., muscled Obamas health care overhaul through the House in 2009, a different version passed the Senate and the reconciliation process floundered long enough for Republicans to turn it into an election-year weapon. They used it to demonize Pelosi and cast the legislation as a big-government power grab. Obama signed the measure into law in March 2010.

But voters, angered by the recession and inspired by the small-government tea party, soon swept Democrats from their House majority.

Reid also took action in 2013 to change the Senate's filibuster rules and lower the threshold for advancement to 51 votes for most executive and judicial nominees, but not Supreme Court picks.

McConnell went further when Republicans were in the majority, lowering it to 51 votes for Supreme Court nominees too, and enabling Republicans to install three of President Donald Trumps high court choices over Democratic objections.

In his final months, Reid spoke in favor of eliminating the filibuster altogether, calling the Senate a legislative graveyard" and no longer a deliberative body.

The filibuster has become an anti-democratic weapon wielded by the minority to silence the will of the people," he wrote in the Las Vegas Sun.

Kellman, an Associated Press writer now in Jerusalem, covered Congress for the AP during Reids time as Senate majority leader. Ritter reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price in New York and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report.

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PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Philadelphia tourism official and LGBTQ advocate Jeff Guaracino, whose creative ad campaigns helped draw diverse groups of visitors to the city, has died at 48.

Guaracino, the chief executive officer of Visit Philadelphia, helped launch a series of catchy, bold tourism slogans such as Phillys more fun when you sleep over."

He died Tuesday of cancer, the agency said in a press release.

Guaracino authored two books on gay travel marketing. In a 2018 interview with Philadelphia magazine, he said that a 2003 campaign aimed at the gay community  featuring the slogan Get your history straight and your nightlife gay"  had been a risk, but a calculated one.

Philadelphia was already gay-friendly," he said. Philadelphias had a reputation since its very beginning that all are welcome.

Mayor Jim Kenney, in a statement Wednesday, said Guaracino left an indelible mark on Philadelphia.

A fierce champion and promoter of his hometown, Jeff was also a proud advocate for the LGBTQ community. With his trademark energy, charismatic charm, and never-ending wit, he helped make Philadelphia the welcoming city and destination that it proudly is today," Kenney said.

Guaracino had led the tourism agency since 2018, having previously worked on its communications team and led Wawa Welcome America Inc., which runs the citys Fourth of July celebrations. He also led Atlantic City Alliance after Superstorm Sandy hit the New Jersey coast in 2012.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The scheduled August 2024 parole for one of two men convicted in the murder of Michael Jordans father nearly three decades ago has been canceled, a North Carolina state panel said Tuesday.

The state Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission had announced in 2020 that Larry M. Demery would be released as part of an agreement in which he would take part in a scholastic and vocational program designed to prepare him for life outside prison. The initial release date was August 2023, but it was later pushed back by 12 months.

The commission said Tuesday in a news release that Demery's agreement has been terminated effective immediately, giving no reason. The release said that Demery, who is serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of James Jordan in 1993, would be reviewed again for parole on or about Dec. 15, 2023.

Greg Thomas, a state Department of Public Safety spokesperson, didn't have additional information on Demery's situation. Generally speaking, Thomas said, a Mutual Agreement Parole Program agreement may be terminated if the prisoner isn't following program guidelines or is violating behavior rules behind bars.

Demery, now 46, is serving his sentence at a minimum security prison in Lincoln County, northwest of Charlotte, according to data the department posts online. Demery's record shows 19 infractions lodged against him since 2001, including two for substance possession earlier this month.

The state presented evidence at trial that James Jordan was killed in July 1993 in his red Lexus as he napped along the side of an access road off U.S. Highway 74 in Lumberton near Interstate 95. Prosecutors had said the motive was robbery.

During the trial, prosecutors used testimony from Demery to identify Daniel A. Green as the triggerman. Jordans body was found 11 days later in a South Carolina swamp and identified using dental records. Demery and Green were both 18 at the time.

A jury decided on a life sentence plus 40 years for Demery after he pleaded guilty in 1995 to first-degree murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was resentenced in 2008 after an error was found in his initial sentencing. Demery then received a life sentence, making him eligible for parole.

A judge sentenced Green to life in prison for murder during the commission of a robbery and 10 years for conspiracy to commit robbery. A judge refused in 2019 to allow an evidentiary hearing that could have led to a new trial for Green.

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Desmond Tutu is being remembered for his passionate advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ people as well as his fight for racial justice. But the South African archbishops campaign against homophobia had limited impact in the rest of Africa, where same-sex marriage remains illegal and most countries criminalize gay sex.

Even within his own denomination, the Anglican Communion, there has been no continentwide embrace of LGBTQ rights. Leaders of Ghanas Anglican Church, for example, have joined other religious leaders there in endorsing a bill that would impose prison sentences on people who identify as LGBTQ or support that community.

Before Tutu died Sunday at age 90, most African religious leaders rejected his LGBTQ positions, and those who agreed with him often were cautious, said Kenya-based researcher Yvonne Wamari of Outright Action International, a global LGBTQ-rights organization.

Most of them are unwilling to offer their contrary views due to fear of reprisal and backlash for not conforming with African values, Wamari said via email. As long as the religious leaders are unwilling to interpret the Bible from the lens of love for all, as Tutu did, homophobia and transphobia will remain a part of our lives.

Homosexual activity remains outlawed in more than 30 of Africas 54 countries; in a few, it is punishable by death. Many LGBTQ Africans are subject to stigma and abuse, facing unemployment, homelessness and estrangement from their families.

Stephen Brown, a professor at the University of Ottawas School of Political Studies, described Tutu as a moral giant who held to his convictions  including support for LGBTQ people  no matter how risky or unpopular it could be.

For example, Tutu was mocked in 2013 by Robert Mugabe, then the repressive leader of Zimbabwe.

Tutu should just step down because he supports gays, something that is evil, Mugabe told a political rally.

That same year, Tutu uttered one of his most memorable comments about LGBTQ inclusion.

I would not worship a God who is homophobic, he said. I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say, Sorry, I would much rather go to the other place.'

South Africa is the only African country that has legalized same-sex marriage, and its constitution protects against anti-LGBTQ discrimination. Yet even there, violence against LGBTQ people remains common.

In Cape Town, where Tutu was the Anglican archbishop, members of the LGBTQ community reacted to his death with tributes.

Throughout his life, Tutu stuck to the ideas of promoting absolute love, absolute acceptance and absolute kindness, no matter who you are, no matter your sexuality or race, activist Saya Pierce-Jones said.

Daniel Jay, who works in the medical industry, said Tutus support for LGBTQ people was pivotal in South Africas decision to make HIV drugs available at no cost.

I love him to bits, Jay said.

Beyond South Africas borders, a few recent developments have encouraged LGBTQ-rights supporters.

 In Botswana, the Court of Appeal last month unanimously upheld a 2019 ruling that decriminalized consensual same-sex activities. Previously, gay sex was outlawed and offenders faced up to seven years in prison. A few other African countries also have decriminalized same-sex relationships in recent years, including Angola, Mozambique and the Seychelles.

 In Namibia, the LGBTQ community recently held its biggest Pride event  a weeklong celebration in Windhoek, the capital, that began Nov. 27. During the parade at the end of the week, some marchers urged repeal of a Namibian anti-sodomy law that remains on the books though is not enforced.

The winner of the 2021 Mr. Gay World pageant  Louw Breytenbach of South Africa  was the parades grand marshal. He later posted a tribute to Tutu on Facebook: RIP to one of the most amazing humans to ever walk this earth! A champion for human rights. A warrior for gay rights.

In many African countries, anti-LGBTQ violence is a persistent threat.

A prominent LGBTQ activist in Tunisia reported that two men, one in a police uniform, beat and kicked him during an assault in October they said was punishment for his attempts to file complaints against officers for previous mistreatment. The attack left Badr Baabou, president of the Tunisian Association for Justice and Equality, with extensive welts and bruises.

Last month, according to Human Rights Watch, a mob in Cameroon beat and sexually assaulted a 27-year-old intersex person. The perpetrators made videos of the prolonged attack that circulated on social media.

At the government level, Senegal and Ghana are under scrutiny from LGBTQ-rights supporters.

In Senegal, 13 opposition legislators recently introduced a bill to toughen penalties against homosexuality, doubling the maximum sentence to 10 years. Parliament members from the governing coalition say such a measure is unnecessary since homosexual acts are already illegal.

In Ghana, parliament members continue to work on a bill that has been condemned by LGBTQ-rights supporters in the West African country and abroad. Among other things, the bill seeks to criminalize the promotion and funding of LGBTQ activities, and disseminating information about LGBTQ people.

Alex Kofi Donkor, director of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, expressed regret that relatively few African faith leaders shared Tutus outlook.

A lot of African preachers hold a lot of prejudice, hate and disgust for the LGBTQ community, he said.

Controversy over the Ghana bill has highlighted the challenges facing the global Anglican Communion, which has taken LGBTQ-friendly positions not embraced by many Anglican leaders in Africa.

In October, Justin Welby, the Church of England's archbishop of Canterbury and the symbolic head of Anglicans worldwide, said he was gravely concerned about the bill and would discuss the Anglican Church of Ghanas response to the bill with Ghanas archbishop.

He issued a statement reminding Ghanas Anglican leaders that the global body of Anglican leaders had committed itself to opposing anti-LGBTQ discrimination and the criminalization of same-sex activity.

But in mid-November, Welby apologized for failing to speak to the Ghanaian church before issuing his statement of concern.

I have no authority over the Church of Ghana, nor would I want any, he said.

A few days later, he issued another ambivalent statement, referring to ongoing private conversations that would become useless or harmful if made public.

The Rev. Susan Russell, who is on the staff of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California, recalled a visit by Tutu to the church in 2005, shortly after the Episcopal Churchs ordination of its first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, touched off a controversy that still roils the Anglican Communion.

She recalled that Tutu talked about how all people are embraced by God, regardless of gender or race  and when he also included gays and lesbians in that list, there really was an audible gasp in the room of amazement and relief and delight.

When youre struggling on the margins, and the powers seem to be galvanizing against you, and you have Desmond Tutu on your side, almost anything seems possible, she said.

Associated Press writers Sylvia Hui in London; Farai Mutsaka in Harare, Zimbabwe; Wesley Fester in Cape Town, South Africa; Francis Kokutse in Accra, Ghana; Kwasi Asiedu in New York and Peter Smith in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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PORTAGE, Wis. (AP)  A semitrailer driver from Iowa faces charges in Wisconsin after he allegedly led state troopers on a wild interstate chase.

The Portage Daily Register reported Wednesday that 27-year-old Kyle Futrel of Cherokee, Iowa, was charged Dec. 21 in Columbia County with multiple counts, including fleeing an officer, reckless endangerment, possession of methamphetamine and possession of narcotics. He also was cited for first-offense operating under the influence.

According to a criminal complaint, state troopers received calls from motorists on Dec. 17 reporting a semitrailer was all over the road on Interstate 39-90-94. One caller said the truck had stopped in traffic and was backing up toward their vehicle.

A state trooper caught up with the semitrailer and followed it with emergency lights activated. According to the complaint, the truck deviated from the right lane onto the shoulder multiple times.

At one point the truck turned off all its lights while going about 50 mph. The trooper reported the truck nearly crashed into multiple vehicles before it finally came to a stop blocking the northbound lanes.

Futrel said he needed to pass an SUV and he turned off his lights to get the trooper's attention, the complaint said.

Officers found 11 grams of methamphetamine in the truck as well as drug paraphernalia, the complaint said. The trooper conducted field sobriety tests and Futrel allegedly showed a number of indicators for impaired driving, the complaint said.

Futrel's attorney, public defender Peter Middleton, declined comment.

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Casino gambling in Nebraska took a giant step forward earlier this month when the state Racing and Gaming commission unanimously voted to approve rules for casinos at the states horse racetracks.

It took the commission and its staff more than a year to create the 67 pages of rules and regulations that are the historic first step toward the implementation designed to resurrect horse racing in the state and provide property tax relief from the receipts generated by keeping Nebraska gambling money in the state.

Those regulations, which incorporate the language of the constitutional amendments approved by the voters, are based on best gaming industry practices aimed at creating well-regulated, ethical gambling and tight security.

The quality of the proposed rules is perhaps best verified by the testimony of gambling opponents at the commissions Dec. 17 hearing. All of those who fought against gambling and the initiative praised the rules for their thoroughness and likely effectiveness.

The rules are now before Attorney General Doug Peterson and Gov. Pete Ricketts, who must sign off on them before any further steps to approve and build the casinos can go forward.

Given their support from the racing industry and gambling opponents and the incorporation of voter-approved regulations and use of best industry practices in the rules, those reviews should be pro forma and rapid, not dragged out in an effort to delay their implementation.

A week after their approval and submission to the Secretary of State, the rules will become effective and lead to the most critical step in the process  the city by city approval of casino licenses.

All six of the states existing tracks, in Lincoln, Omaha, South Sioux City, Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings have announced plans to seek casinos. Proposals for six new tracks, required in order to have a casino, have been announced in Bellevue, Gering, Kimball, Norfolk, North Platte and York.

A dozen casinos would likely oversaturate the market in the state, which will continue to lose some gamblers to casinos in Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas. That puts the commission in the difficult position of choosing which cities will get the casinos and their related economic benefits and which will be shut out.

Wisely, the commission has indicated that it will first consider the applications of the six existing tracks, a move that will implement the spirit behind the initiative while providing time for the Legislature to regulate the number of casinos and the operation of the tracks.

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, the chair of the Legislatures General Affairs Committee, plans to introduce legislation that would require casinos to be 50 miles apart and the tracks to have a minimum number of annual live race days.

That proposal is sensible and would immediately limit development in eastern Nebraska while ensuring that the new facilities would be functioning racetracks rather than a strip of ground that holds races one day a year so a casino can operate.

Its passage in the short legislative session would continue momentum to getting casinos in the state that has now begun with this months historic commission approval of the rules.

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In Slates annual Movie Club, film critic Dana Stevens emails with fellow criticsthis year, Bilge Ebiri, Alison Willmore, and Odie Hendersonabout the year in cinema. Below is Entry 6.

Dana, Alison and Bilge,

First things first: Thanks to a huge backlog on COVID tests, my 2-hour PCR test took 26 hours to yield a result. The good news is I tested negative. This is just a plain old, nasty cold. Thank you, three shots of Moderna!

I cant cancel you for Licorice Pizza, Dana, considering I said it was a teenage sex comedy with no sex and no spine. It wasnt the age difference that I found objectionable; I could tell stories about my way-too-early sex education that would shock the most hardened reader. It was the coy tiptoeing around the age difference that I found objectionable. You cant act all innocent and then have your lead adolescent ask to see a grown womans boobs. Didnt the director see Milk Money?! In that Melanie Griffith-starring fiasco, the kids are even younger and the reveal of bodacious ta-ta occurs offscreen. Also, the kids had to pay to see them. So much salaciousness and its rated PG-13!

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But I digress. I wasnt born yesterday, Paul Thomas Anderson! I was actually 3 the year when this movie takes place. Had Licorice Pizza been made when I was 15, it would have played like My Tutor. I didnt think Hoffman and Haim had an ounce of chemistry together. That appears to be your point, Dana, but if thats intentional, then I ask why is she even around this kid? I know why hes around her! I was a 15-year- old boy once. The movie is far more interesting when theyre apart and running their separate side hustles. The waterbed scheme in particular brings us the best segment of the film and the introduction of the one performance that almost made me give this film a positive three-star review despite my reservations.

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If the Oscar nominations are going to toss Bradley Cooper a bone, I hope its for his absolutely magnificent turn as Jon Peters in this filmhere. I felt some nostalgia seeing the lines during the gas crisis, and I remembered my Pops driving his gigantic Oldsmobile down by the Holland Tunnel in the hopes of finding a gas station with the green flag that meant they had gas. This whole segment, including that masterful bit of physical comedy with the truck, is the best thing Ive seen Anderson do. I loved every moment of this subplot, and Coopers committed performance is a major part of it. I kept thinking Babs former hairdresser is gonna sue the shit out of this movie!

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Cooper is on my list of great performances in not-so-great movies, performances I wish the screenplay had left alone. Granted, Coopers a supporting role and therefore beholden to plot strings, but Im also citing leading roles like Udo Kier in the Swan Song (the one that doesnt star Mahershala Ali). Kier is just wonderful in this, perhaps his best work in a career that spans hundreds of roles. He plays Mr. Pat, an older gay man (a hairdresser like Mssr. Peters) who represents a time when LGBTQ+ people could not be as open about their sexuality. Part of why we can be more candid now is thanks to the struggles of Mr. Pats generation. The film acknowledges this while giving Kier multiple opportunities to shine. In my review, I cited a scene where Mr. Pat visits the grave of his lover, a man whose funeral he could not attend. The subtle action Kier performs in this scene tore out my heart. Here was a man whose story I wanted to know, and its completely derailed by the main storyline about doing a dead, homophobic Republican ladys hair!

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Some other noteworthy performances in not-so-great films include Jennifer Hudsons awesome turn as Aretha Franklin in the standard biopic, Respect. This is the only movie oin my list that I gave a positive review to, but thats because the movie is Jennifer Hudson. Jumping back to supporting roles in 1973 movies, theres also Ben Affleck as the only good thing in director George Clooneys otherwise useless The Tender Bar. Slates very own Sam Adams echoes my curiosity about why Clooneys directorial work is so drab and listless. Hes especially disinterested here, and its up to Affleck to light a small fire under this contraption. As a result, this is the role Affleck will probably get nominated for instead of the two better performances he gave in 2021.

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And then theres Nicolas Cage in Pig. Now, I saw Pig in the worst theater in Boston (sounds like a rejected Sondheim song from Assassins), so that may have contributed to my irritation about the story that Cage is trapped inside. But the performance itself is nothing short of brilliant and it deserved a better movie. Both Bilge and Alison put this film on their ten best list, so perhaps one of you can bring home the bacon on Pig and give it more love than I am. I found some of the plot elements to be just plain dopey, and since its very easy to predict what happened to the pig, theres no suspense. Hit me with a skillet, Bilge!

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I hesitate to wade in the boiling hot waters of House of Gucci debate. I thought the first hour was campy fun. But the remaining 97 minutes were like having my toenails pulled off one by one by a complicated system of accents so bad they made Dick van Dykes accent in Mary Poppins sound like Michael Caine by comparison. Lady Gaga gave the films best and only good performance, but her accent was clearly making trouble for moose and squirrel. I found that terribly distracting once the movie got serious.

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I dont envy you, Alison, for braving the crowd to see Spider-Man: Turn on the Audience. That viral clip of nerds screaming and cheering at a sold-out showing was NOTHING compared to the reaction of the Alice Tully Hall audience at the NYFF screening of Dune. I sat in a rickety ass chair in the balcony where the celebrities usually show up during the credits. When the movie ended, the entire theater vibrated with screams and applause. What the hell are they clapping about? I asked as I grumpily exited the balcony. I read Dune in high school the same year Lynchs version came out, and I hated the book. The movie fared better, but it was basically Dusty Twink Talks Like Cookie Monster Before Becoming the White Messiah. When I got to the lobby of Alice Tully, I could still hear the applause and the ruckus! So, to all the Dune lovers who mocked that Spidey clip: Glass houses, stones and yada-yada-yada.

Father, Son and House of Odie.

Read the previous entry.
When a whistleblower came forward and revealed damaging revelations about Facebooks operations, the companys lobbyists seemed to know exactly what to do to prevent lawmakers from joining forces against it. There appeared to be a clear strategy to play a partisan game, telling Republican lawmakers the whistleblower was working for the Democrats and telling Democrats Republicans were against the company, reports the Wall Street Journal. Ultimately, the companys goal was to muddy the waters and make sure lawmakers were divided in order to forestall a cross-party alliance that was emerging to enact tougher rules on social-media companies in general and Facebook in particular, notes the Journal.

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As soon as Frances Haugen came forward, the strategy became clear. The company told Republicans that Haugen was trying to help Democrats, and sure enough, several right-leaning outlets started publishing stories that claimed the whistleblower was a Democratic activist. When it came time to talk to Democrats, the lobbyists pushed a different story line and said that Republicans wanted to crush the company for its decision to ban people from expressing support for Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who killed two people in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

As lobbyists worked the phones, inside Facebook, executives pursued their own strategy that essentially consisted of turning the page. Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg ended up changing the companys name to Meta Platforms and told employees that no one should apologize. When our work is being mischaracterized, were not going to apologize, Facebook spokesman Andy Stone said. Were going to defend our record.
The United States shattered its daily record for COVID-19 cases as two highly infectious variants of the virusdelta and omicroncontinue to upend daily life across the country. There were a whopping 441,278 infections recorded nationally on Tuesday, which is almost 150,000 more than the previous high from last winter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that this number may be a tad misleading, as it could include a backlog of cases due to the Christmas holiday. The counts of cases will become more stable after the new year, a CDC spokesperson said.

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The average number of daily cases also broke a record when the entire week is taken into account. There have been an average of 258,312 daily new COVID-19 cases in the United States over the past seven days, according to Reuters. The previous record of 250,141 had been set on Jan. 8, 2021. The omicron variant was estimated to make up 58.6 percent of all COVID-19 variants circulating in the United States on Dec. 25, according to the CDC.

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The United States is hardly alone in seeing a sharp rise in cases fueled by the highly infectious variant. Coronavirus infections hit a record high globally, with an average of almost 900,000 cases per day over the course of the past seven days as of Tuesday. The World Health Organization reported an 11 percent increase in COVID-19 cases around the world last week compared with the previous week. France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Malta all recorded daily records on Tuesday. In Australia, daily new infections are soaring at an alarming rate, reaching 18,300 on Wednesday; the previous high was 11,300 cases, and was reached a day earlier. The sharpest increases are being detected in the Americas, which saw cases soar 39 percent to nearly 1.48 million during the period.

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Of course, cases of the virus arent necessarily the most important metric to pay attention to; hospitalizations and death rates say more about the damage the virus is doing. The WHO delivered a bit of good news on that front , noting that early data from South Africa, the U.K., and Denmark suggests omicron carries with it a decreased risk of hospitalization (though the organization noted its still too early to reach a firm conclusion). That may help explain why even as cases are soaring, the number of new deaths worldwide attributed to COVID-19 declined 4 percent last week, to 44,680.
This story was originally published by HuffPost and has been republished here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

This years devastating climate disasters, while breaking records, are only a glimpse at the worsening heat, fires, storms, and floods expected in years to come.

Over the past year, weve seen the hottest July ever recorded on the planet (again), the largest ever single wildfire in California history (again), and deadly hurricanes and flooding along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coasts (again).

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This years United Nations climate report repeated what similar reports have been saying for years, with even greater certainty: Humans are the unequivocal cause of climate change, and the window to avoid catastrophic living conditions worldwide due to global warming is rapidly closing.

Were looking at a long-term, undeniable trend, said Astrid Caldas, a senior climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists. She noted that the last seven years have been the hottest on record, adding, Imagine what were in for if warming continues unabated.  Climate change is here now, and we need to act now to keep it in check.

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Experts have repeated calls to governments and corporations to reduce fossil fuel emissions to stave off the worst of the climate crisiss effects. The communities most vulnerable to climate changeincluding those going through slower recoveries after disastersare disproportionately poor, Black, and Latino.

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Here are some of this years historic climate disasterswhich we can expect more of in the future.

Extreme Heat

In July, Earths hottest month ever recorded, temperatures soared above 100 degrees in California and the Pacific Northwest, causing hundreds to die from heat-related causes, with some of the victims being undocumented farmworkers.

2021 once again highlights the narrative that it is no longer a new normal but normal, said Marshall Shepherd, director of the University of Georgias Atmospheric Sciences Program. The bigger concern now is the next phase: continued acceleration of the pace of such extremes.

A report by the Adrienne-Arsht Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center forecast that extreme heat could kill tens of thousands of Americans each year in the coming decades unless significant action is taken to combat the climate crisis. Nearly all U.S. counties will be affected by extreme heat in the coming years, disproportionately harming Black and Latino people.

Record Wildfires

In Californiawhich is under a drought emergency after recording its driest year in nearly a centurywildfires have continued to worsen. This July, the Dixie fire in Northern California grew to the largest single fire in state history. Eight of the 10 largest fires in California history took place in just the past five years.

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Only two fires in California history have ever crossed the Sierra Nevadaand both took place this year, just a month apart.

There is fire activity in California that we have never seen before, Thom Porter, chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said to SFGate in August as the Caldor fire near Lake Tahoe showed an unprecedented spread of more than 20,000 acres in one day. Every acre can and will burn in this state.

Devastating Storms and Floods

This year was the third-most-active Atlantic hurricane season on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It was the first time that two hurricane seasons in a row had so many storms that the agency ran beyond its list of 21 storm names.

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Hurricane Ida slammed into the Louisiana coast in September as a Category 4 storm, making it one of the strongest ever to make landfall in the state. It caused more than two dozen deaths in the state before moving to the Northeast, where its heavy rainfalls brought the first-ever flash flood emergency to New York City and caused at least 50 deaths in the area. The previous month, floods in Tennessee killed at least 21 people and destroyed hundreds of homes. The following month, floods in Alabama killed at least four people, including a child. In mid-December, Typhoon Rai slammed into the Philippines, leaving more than 375 people dead and forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate.

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Conservation psychologist Susan Clayton said that thanks to climate change, we can expect to see more of these unusual climate events in the future, adding that there will also be increasing disparities, such that disadvantaged communities, who often live in areas that are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, are more severely impacted.

Jeff Masters, a meteorologist writing for Yale Climate Connections, echoed that the extreme weather events of 2021 were a reminder that the climate of the 20th centurywhich societys infrastructure was designed forno longer exists. He urged governments to prepare for more intense downpours, higher storm surges, and more intense droughts, heat waves, and fires, adding that above all, we must support the transition to a clean energy economy and stop burning fossil fuels.
Ways to pay less tax on your income statement in Spain



Personal income tax will be filed in Spain between April and June next year

There are still a few months before personal income tax will need to be filed in Spain for the year 2021, but money experts have already come up with a few tips and tricks that could lead to substantial savings for taxpayers in the next statement. The annual payment will be due between April and June of 2022, but there are still several ways to save a euro or two before the ball drops on this year.

Pension plan contributions

In 2021, the maximum contribution a taxpayer can deduct is 2,000 euros in total, provided that this amount doesnt exceed 30% of the overall economic income of the year.

The contributions made to pension plans reduce the taxable income of personal income tax, so in an example where a taxpayer has earned 30,000 euros in the year, assuming they have paid the maximum contribution of 2,000 euros, the amount payable will only be charged on the remaining 28,000 rather than the full income.

Given that the tax rate is 30%, the savings in this case would amount to 600 euros, and the more you earn, the more you save.

Up until last year, the maximum pension contribution allowed was 8,000 euros and this is expected to be reduced even further in 2022 to just 1,500 euros, so now is a good time to max out the annual plan.

Invest in start-up businesses

The government allows 30% to be deducted from the amount invested in shares in newly created companies, up to a maximum of 60,000 euros.

Offset losses against gains

If you invest in the stock market, mutual funds or cryptocurrencies, the Treasury allows you to offset the losses against the gains that have been amassed during the year.

It is therefore a good idea to sell at the end of the year and thus save on the 19-26% tax rate applied to the net amount of capital gains obtained during the year.

Work abroad

People who carry out work for a non-Spanish company or a business abroad may be exempt up to 60,100 euros per year. The exempted income is of course dependent on the number of days the worker has been posted abroad.

Liquidate part of mortgage payment

For those who purchased a home in Spain before January 1 2013, up to 15% of what has been paid on the mortgage during 2021 can be deducted, up to a maximum of 9,040 euros.

Those who have made lower mortgage repayments during the year can make the most of this tax break by amortising part of the loan on a habitual residence.

Sell a habitual residence

In the case of having sold the main residence this year, it will be possible to avoid paying tax on the capital gain (tax rate between 19-26%) if the amount obtained is reinvested in whole or in part, within a period of two years, in another home that will be considered a main residence.

Deductions for donations

Donations made to non-profit organizations allow a deduction of up to 80% on the first 150 euros. The rest of the donation may be deducted by 35%, unless donations of the same amount have been made during the last two years to the same organisation, in which case the deduction amount will increase to 40%.

Image: Archive
https://sputniknews.com/20211228/almost-40-dead-in-gold-mine-collapse-in-southern-sudan-1091871472.html

Almost 40 Dead in Gold Mine Collapse in Southern Sudan

Almost 40 Dead in Gold Mine Collapse in Southern Sudan

Almost 40 Dead in Gold Mine Collapse in Southern Sudan

2021-12-28T23:43+0000

2021-12-28T23:43+0000

2021-12-28T23:43+0000

africa

gold mining

south sudan

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Several shafts of the mine collapsed on Sunday.Due to previous accidents, local authorities had closed the gold mine and security forces guarded it for some time, according to the company. However, when the guard was withdrawn, "prospectors sneaked to the mine to work again."Sources in the state government told the Sudanese Radio Dabanga that eight more people sustained injuries in the accident. Searches are underway to find miners under the debris, the radio reported.

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africa, gold mining, south sudan
https://sputniknews.com/20211228/cbp-deletes-tweet-about-arrest-of-alleged-terrorist-over-sensitive-information---report-1091870446.html

CBP Deletes Tweet About Arrest of Alleged Terrorist Over 'Sensitive Information' - Report

CBP Deletes Tweet About Arrest of Alleged Terrorist Over 'Sensitive Information' - Report

On December 20, a CBP Chief Patrol Agent from the Yuma Sector of the border reportedly tweeted that the authorities in the sector had "apprehended a potential... 28.12.2021, Sputnik International

2021-12-28T23:11+0000

2021-12-28T23:11+0000

2021-12-28T23:11+0000

us-mexico border

us

border

terrorists

us customs and border protection (cbp)

southern border

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A tweet by a top Border Patrol official identifying a "potential terrorist" apprehended at the US-Mexico border has been removed, Fox News reported on Tuesday.The post included "law enforcement sensitive information", "violating agency protocols," the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reportedly stated.According to the commissioner, the agency is continuing to investigate the incident in accordance with its usual procedures."This may include referral, if appropriate, to other relevant law enforcement entities for further investigation and a custody determination," Miranda added.It is not clear when the tweet was deleted but Saudi Arabia's embassy in the US also posted a statement regarding the incident, saying that the man apprehended was not a Saudi citizen.According to Fox, which provided a screenshot of the deleted post which contained photos of the abovementioned migrant, he appeared to be wearing a jacket with an American flag patch and another with the words "Central Oneida County Volunteer" embroidered on it. The man, whose identity has not been revealed, reportedly had no affiliation with the New York-based organization, according to Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps Chief Thomas Meyers, cited by the outlet. The group reportedly has no idea who the man is or how he got one of the jackets, which are outdated compared to the current version used by the ambulance service.Meanwhile, Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Committee, Rep. John Katko of New York issued a statement regarding the incident, stressing that the country is "undoubtedly experiencing a nationwide crisis."Moreover, the representative and his fellow Republican colleagues questioned in November why the Department of Homeland Security has classified certain information as "Law Enforcement Sensitive," such as the number of migrants on terror watchlists.Since the beginning of the 2021 fiscal year, the US Border Patrol has caught at least four migrants whose names match those on the terror watch list, according to reports. Many politicians fear that the actual number could be higher, given the massive influx of migrants to the southern border, which saw over 1.7 million encounters in the past year.

vot tak Standard zio-media hype. Oooo, an ARAB looking guy tried to enter the sacred israeli colony illegally. Ramp up the hysteria. Thumbs down, limbaugh wannabee. 0

1

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Kirill Kurevlev

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Kirill Kurevlev

us-mexico border, us, border, terrorists, us customs and border protection (cbp), southern border
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/blinken-us-to-consult-closely-with-ukraine-nato-on-diplomatic-engagements-with-russia-1091893461.html

Blinken: US to Consult Closely With Ukraine, NATO on Diplomatic Engagements With Russia

Blinken: US to Consult Closely With Ukraine, NATO on Diplomatic Engagements With Russia

The United States will remain in close contact with Ukraine and the NATO allies on diplomatic engagements with Russia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after a phone call with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday.

2021-12-29T17:51+0000

2021-12-29T17:51+0000

2021-12-29T17:57+0000

us

russia

ukraine

antony blinken

volodymyr zelensky

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The United States will remain in close contact with Ukraine and the NATO allies on diplomatic engagements with Russia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after a phone call with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday.Meanwhile, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said after the call between Blinken and Zelenskyy that they discussed a resolution to the Donbas conflict and upcoming US-Russia diplomatic contacts.Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have increased in the past several weeks amid an alleged Russian troop buildup at the Ukrainian border and claims of preparations for an invasion. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations, saying that Russia has the right to relocate the troops within its territory at its own discretion, while NATO's military activity near Russian borders poses a threat to its security.

https://sputniknews.com/20211228/excess-military-equipment-kiev-washington-working-on-deal-to-supply-more-us-arms-to-ukraine--1091864512.html

Barros US always a coward country. 13

4Justice Blinken, Nuland, the US State Dept and all US foreign policy makers are evil scumbags. Murderers and thieves dressed in nice clothes, 9

13

ukraine

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us, russia, ukraine, antony blinken, volodymyr zelensky
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/da-says-ex-ny-gov-andrew-cuomo-wont-face-charges-despite-credible-evidence-of-sexual-misconduct-1091870734.html

DA Says Cuomo Wont Face Criminal Charges Despite Credible Evidence Sexual Misconduct Did Occur

DA Says Cuomo Wont Face Criminal Charges Despite Credible Evidence Sexual Misconduct Did Occur

Not Criminal: Former Governor Andrew Cuomo Wont Face Charges For His Sexual Misconduct

2021-12-29T00:04+0000

2021-12-29T00:04+0000

2021-12-29T00:07+0000

us

andrew cuomo

charges

state troopers

sexual misconduct

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Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said Tuesday she would not file criminal charges against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo despite credible evidence that the alleged misconduct on his part did occur.This conclusion is unrelated to any possible civil liability which is beyond the scope of a District Attorneys jurisdiction, which focuses solely on criminal laws, she added.There are no legal grounds to prosecute former New York governor Andrew Cuomo for his sexual misconduct, according to Nassau County District Attorney Joyce Smith, who earlier investigated an incident of harassment that reportedly occurred during a race at Belmont Racetrack in September 2019.As he told ABC News on Tuesday, the allegations from Cuomos alleged victims are credible, deeply troubling, but not criminal under New York law.One of Cuomos accusers, referred to in official documents as Trooper #1, said earlier to investigators that the ex-governor ran his hand across her abdomen, from her belly button to her right hip, while she was holding a door open for him. The incident made her feel completely violated.The trooper, who beginning in 2017 worked in the Protective Services Unit (PSU) of the New York State Police, which is in charge of protecting the Governor, said it wasnt the only unwanted encounter.The behavior of Cuomo allegedly ranged from him running his finger down her back, from the top of her neck down her spine to the middle of her back, saying hey, you, while she was standing in front of him in an elevator, to kissing her (and only her) on the cheek in front of another Trooper and asking to kiss her on another occasion, which she deflected.The woman told the investigators that she didnt dare to make waves, purportedly expressing feelings similar to the former governors other accusers.New York Attorney General Letitia James initiated an investigation against the embattled governor in March earlier this year after several women, many of them from his office, accused Cuomo of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.James revealed the findings of the probe into Cuomos sexual scandal in August, stating that the then-governor violated the law by sexually harassing multiple women  including former and current state employees  by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, and hugging, and making inappropriate comments.Cuomo, following calls for his resignation from many members of the state legislature and other officials, resigned in August, but denied the accusations.

https://sputniknews.com/20210806/kissing-groping--retaliation-key-findings-from-the-sexual-harassment-report-on-andrew-cuomo-1083538392.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20211229/elon-musk-reveals-who-mysterious-creator-of-bitcoin-might-be-1091891547.html

Elon Musk Reveals Who Mysterious Creator of Bitcoin Might Be

Elon Musk Reveals Who Mysterious Creator of Bitcoin Might Be

From economist, programmer, and mathematician to software developer, legal scholar, and even a drug cartel boss  since the world learned about bitcoin, there... 29.12.2021, Sputnik International

2021-12-29T16:21+0000

2021-12-29T16:21+0000

2021-12-29T16:21+0000

elon musk

satoshi nakamoto

business

economy

digital currency

bitcoin

cryptocurrency

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Tech maverick Elon Musk has unveiled the identity of the person who he believes is the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of bitcoin. Speaking on the Lex Fridman podcast, the entrepreneur said that computer scientist and cryptographer Nick Szabo may have come up with the cryptocurrency. Musk said that Szabos theories, in particular the term "smart contacts" and a decentralised digital currency named "bit gold", were fundamental to the creation of bitcoin.The entrepreneur stressed that there is not much significance behind the identity of bitcoins creator. He then quoted a line from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet to back his argument."A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. What is a name anyway? It's a name, attached to an idea. What does it even mean really?" Musk said.Satoshi NakamotoIn 2008, a person going by the name Satoshi Nakotomo published a white paper in which he described the concept for the digital cryptocurrency bitcoin. The idea was met with both interest and scepticism. Even after the price of one bitcoin rose to $150 in October 2013, the public view of the cryptocurrency was mostly negative.However, after several years bitcoin went on to cost thousands of dollars, while the concept of the cryptocurrency has become increasingly popular. El Salvador became the first country to accept the cryptocurrency as legal tender, while major companies have started accepting bitcoin as payment, including Mastercard, Lush, Starbuck, Visa, Microsoft, and AXA Insurance. Musk, who is a big fan of cryptocurrencies and has invested in them, said Tesla will accept bitcoin too.While bitcoins value continues to grow, its creator Satoshi Nakamoto (most likely a pseudonym) has kept a low profile. The only information the bitcoin mastermind has provided is that he is a male who lives in Japan, but this has been repeatedly questioned by experts and investigative journalists.The native level use of English as well as the use of British English in source code comments and forum postings suggests that Nakomoto is of Commonwealth origin. Many programmers suggest that Satoshi is likely a team of people or a genius, as his codes are too well designed for an average person.Over the years, numerous candidacies have been tipped as the creator of bitcoin, including Elon Musk himself, a claim he has denied.In 2014, a group of forensic linguistics experts from Aston University analysed the white paper written by Satoshi Nakomoto and the writing of 10 potential creators of bitcoin. They concluded that "the number of linguistic similarities between Nick Szabo's writing and the bitcoin whitepaper is uncanny.In 2015, The New York Times wrote that "convincing evidence" points to Szabo being the creator of bitcoin. However, the computer scientist and cryptographer has dismissed the idea on multiple occasions.

Notta Snowflake The most likely inventor of the Bitcoin is either the IRS, the U.S. Secret Service or U.S. Customs' Investigative Division, all of which organisations' idea of a good time being busting big-time money launderers at their homes XMas Eve in front of the perp's wife and kiddies. They love their jobs. 2

Sorvad Kelad "not much significance behind the identity of bitcoins creator" There is if it was the CIA. 2

2

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Max Gorbachev

Max Gorbachev

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elon musk, satoshi nakamoto, business, economy, digital currency, bitcoin, cryptocurrency
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/ex-un-expert-stop-lying-pentagons-war-budget-has-nothing-to-do-with-us-defence-1091892229.html

Ex-UN Expert: Stop Lying, Pentagon's War Budget Has Nothing to Do With US 'Defence'

Ex-UN Expert: Stop Lying, Pentagon's War Budget Has Nothing to Do With US 'Defence'

US President Joe Biden signed the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) on Monday; the US $768 billion defense spending bill for 2022 is up about 5 percent from a year earlier.

2021-12-29T18:16+0000

2021-12-29T18:16+0000

2021-12-29T18:16+0000

us department of defense (dod)

military spending

world

military & intelligence

us

opinion

corruption

iraq

syria

libya

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https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/12/1082664653_0:74:2200:1312_1920x0_80_0_0_8a9cec47833dbbe404a3c42dc3f32a23.jpg

US President Joe Biden on 27 December signed the $768 billion defence spending bill for 2022, which is up about five percent from a year earlier. The Pentagon's 2022 budget includes $4 billion for the European Deterrence Initiative, $7.1 billion for the so-called Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), and $300 million in security assistance for Ukraine, according to the White House.Sputnik: President Biden signed the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) on Monday, less than two weeks after the Senate approved it in an 89-10 vote. You argue that "defence" should be put in quotation marks. Why?Alfred de Zayas: I am certainly not alone in saying that. Noam Chomsky, Richard Falk, Jeffrey Sachs, Stephen Kinzer, William Blum, Aaron Mate, Caitlin Johnstone have said similar things. A defensive budget should address only real and potential threats and not become the excuse to produce more offensive weapons including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, cluster bombs, killer robots (lethal autonomous weapon systems), or to continue financing military interventions in other countries, regime change adventures, 800 military bases in 135 countries, including the infamous torture centre in Guantanamo, and an illegal worldwide surveillance of everybody as disclosed to us by the former CIA-operative Edward Snowden. A defence budget should not finance sabre-rattling and military drills very close to the borders of countries. In what sense can this be termed defence?The idea fit well with the Truman doctrine and all the new euphemisms that emerged with the infant Cold War. Such Orwellian newspeak and distorted logic has been systematically used by the White House, State Department, and Pentagon, and dutifully echoed by the quality press in the US and most Western countries, which far from being objective and critical, widely disseminate government propaganda.After the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the dismantlement of the Warsaw Pact, the world expected disarmament for development, a sustainable detente, and mutual cooperation under the UN Charter. But far from practicing multilateralism and promoting world peace, the United States has intensified its imperial ambitions to be and remain forever the only world superpower. We witness this out-dated imperial thinking with all the bullying and blackmailing of anyone who refuses to obey US orders. Yet, neither Russia nor China want to threaten or provoke the United States. They merely react to the United States' illegal sanctions and other provocations. Again and again, Russia and China have made win-win proposals based on dialogue and compromise. But the US lives in the past, in the illusion of being the only hegemon. This wrong perspective on world affairs has led the United States into the quagmire of Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria. US crimes against other peoples and nations have engendered worldwide terrorism, which is the only kind of warfare that underdogs can conduct against an imperial hegemon. If the US wants to win its war on terror, it should stop practicing state terrorism against the Palestinians, Yemenis, Syrians, etc.It suffices to read Stephen Kinzers book Overthrow or William Blums book Killing Hope to realise that the US is not into defence, but into overthrowing governments that do not play our game. The list of US-financed subversion and aggressions against Cuba, Grenada, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yugoslavia is long indeed.Sputnik: Mark Gongloff, an editor with Bloomberg Opinion, tweeted a graph indicating that the Pentagon spends more than the next 11 countries combined. What's behind this enormous price tag? Is the US afraid of some sort of imminent invasion? How does the US decision to provide military aid, for instance, to Ukraine correlate with the US' defensive purposes?Alfred de Zayas: No one dreams of invading the United States. As we know from the Nuremberg Trials, not even Hitler had planned an invasion of the United States. Based on documentation of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and the Geneva International Peace Research Institute as well as studies by Harvard University and think tanks, I explored in my 2014 report to the UN Human Rights Council the reasons for such excessive military expenditures and documented the adverse human rights impacts of the obscenely wrong priorities of the US budget  namely insufficient funding for health care, hospitals, housing, education, job-creation, maintenance of infrastructures, preparedness to address natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, potential asteroid impacts, etc.Sputnik: Bloomberg notes that the Pentagon's spending extravaganza also stems from the fact that the DoD is "wasting" US taxpayer money. Does Bloomberg actually mean "corruption"? NPR revealed in May 2021 that the Pentagon "has never passed an audit". Is the problem of corruption and fraud within the DoD really huge?Alfred de Zayas: As an American citizen, I very much resent that my tax dollars are not being used for what they should be used. The problem lies in the fake democracy that we have in the United States. If American citizens were properly informed by the government and the media, if the public were proactively consulted on their priorities, if there were referendums on how to spend our tax dollars, the priorities would be totally different  namely, more funding for education and welfare, a genuine effort to eradicate extreme poverty and illiteracy, affirmative action for the disadvantaged and discriminated Indigenous Americans  the Crees, Cherokees, Dakotas, Sioux, Navajos  for the African-Americans, for the Mexican-Americans and other Latin American immigrants. As far as corruption in the United States  it is endemic in many military enterprises, private security companies (which on top of this have enjoyed impunity for their crimes in Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.) and many weapons producers would not survive a proper audit. Back in 2001, Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld admitted that there were 2.3 trillion dollars missing from the Pentagon budget. Was there a serious follow-up? Were there any consequences? Did the corporate media and investigative journalists go at it? No.Sputnik: The Republicans and Democrats showed rare bipartisanship when passing the NDAA in mid-December, although GOP and moderate Democrats are up in arms about Biden's "excessive spending" on social programmes. Why aren't they critical about the DoD's spending spree?Alfred de Zayas: Such bipartisanship is not that rare. In fact, whether you vote Republican or Democrat, you get more of the same  because both parties are committed to the military-industrial complex, to Wall Street over Main Street, to Israel over Palestine, Ukraine over Russia, Taiwan over China. Both Democrats and Republicans are warmongers. That is why I wrote in my 2012 report to the UN General Assembly: The two-party system shows itself to be twice as democratic as the one-party system. True democracy requires real choices as well as transparent and accountable governance and administration in all sectors of society". I expanded on this in my book Building a Just World Order (Clarity Press, Atlanta 2021) and in my 25 Principles of International Order.Sputnik: What message does the huge new US military budget send to the world? Should we brace ourselves for new military adventures by Washington?Alfred de Zayas: Such a budget is a universal provocation, the consequence of which will be a new arms race. Both Russia and China will have to take measures appropriate to meet the increased threat emanating from Washington. Of course, it would be best to commit to detente, return to confidence-building measures, arms limitation treaties, the Open Skies Treaty, etc. But whether a Republican or Democratic president sits in the White House, the policy will still be dictated by the military-industrial complex, which President Dwight Eisenhower identified as the greatest danger to American democracy already in his farewell speech to the nation on 17 January 1961.Qui tacet consentire videtur  he who keeps silent is deemed to consent. In this context we should remember the words of the late Desmond Tutu, who said "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor". Concretely, this means that when the largest power structure on earth threatens, bullies, and blackmails populations around the world to force their obedience, we must denounce this injustice. Refusing to take a clear stance against that power structure is tantamount to siding with it.

https://sputniknews.com/20210817/from-vietnam-to-afghanistan-us-leaves-deserts-behind-and-calls-it-peace-ex-un-expert-says-1083636590.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211020/yalta-20-why-us-military-analysts-urge-biden-to-avoid-standoff-with-russia-china-at-all-costs-1090064167.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211211/did-us-learn-cuban-missile-crisis-lesson-right--could-moscow-and-washington-avert-its-repetition-1091425391.html

https://sputniknews.com/20201117/pentagon-fails-to-get-clean-audit-in-2020-might-not-achieve-one-until-2027-1081194511.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211228/observers-after-20-year-war-us-simply-abandoned-afghanistan-without-political--economic-solution-1091863905.html

Tyke With a debt of over $30 Trillion They need a huge war for a reset to the financial system to clear their massive debt. Tiger no one else needs to expand, Russia have more land than they can cope with right now, China just expand economically and make investments in other countries. 12

Tyke Who is actually threatening the Americans. In truth that is no one. However even the no so bright American public also know that so how do we justify a defence bill of nearly a Trillion dollars. Clearly they are threatening American interests around the world especially Ukraine and Taiwan. Why would they need 11 aircraft carriers to defend the state's. The Americans want total world domination and a threat is a country who does not bow down to them 10

16

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https://sputniknews.com/20211229/hillary-kamala-sismance-why-asking-clintons-counsel-may-not-have-been-harris-best-idea-1091892658.html

Hillary-Kamala Sismance? Why Asking Clinton's Counsel May Not Have Been Harris' Best Idea

Hillary-Kamala Sismance? Why Asking Clinton's Counsel May Not Have Been Harris' Best Idea

US Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly sought counsel of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton while trying to deal with plummeting approval rating.

2021-12-29T19:16+0000

2021-12-29T19:16+0000

2021-12-29T19:15+0000

joe biden

bill clinton

michelle obama

world

us

opinion

hillary clinton

approval rating

democratic party

kamala harris

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Since arriving in Washington, Vice President Kamala Harris has sought the counsel of Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state and Democratic presidential nominee, The New York Times reported on 23 December. According to the newspaper, "the two speak every few months on the phone", while in November, Hillary Clinton visited VP Harris in her West Wing office.Harris has found herself under growing criticism over her vice presidential performance. The veep's approval rating fell to a miserable 28 percent in November. She has also faced an exodus of her staff members, who cited a toxic workplace atmosphere earlier this year. At the same time, Kamala's allies complain that she is treated as an afterthought in Biden's White House: on some occasions she was either sidelined in discussions and decision-making or not mentioned in the White House's press releases, according to the NYT.There is a double standard; its sadly alive and well, Hillary Clinton told the NYT, commenting on the issue. A lot of what is being used to judge her, just like it was to judge me, or the women who ran in 2020, or everybody else, is really colored by that.'In Politics Admitting You Have a Problem May be Used Against You'"In life, the first step in solving a problem is admitting that you have one", says Wall Street analyst and investigative journalist Charles Ortel. "However, in politics, admitting that you have a problem invites unwelcome focus from rivals, from enemies and from the punditry, likely increasing your vulnerability rather than helping your standing".Ortel believes that if it is true Harris turned to Hillary Clinton for help with her obvious popularity problem, "this is yet another example of bad judgment".One might question Hillary's sincerity in offering assistance to Kamala Harris, given the latest rumours of Clinton's willingness to run again. In mid-December, American journalist Joe Concha presumed in his op-ed for The Hill that "2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is an interesting prospect to consider when looking for a viable candidate, particularly if an 80-something President Biden decides not to seek a second term". A day earlier, former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly on 14 December presumed that Clinton "wants to run for president again" since she "knows the Biden administration is falling apart".According to Ortel, it's probable that Hillary is seeking to throw her hat in the ring again: "[She] seems obsessed with becoming president, despite having atrocious interpersonal skills and a poor record in management at national level over almost three decades," he says.He believes, though, that Hillary Clinton should try "queen-making" if she wants to stay in politics. However, Kamala Harris does not seem to be the right pick in this case, according to the analyst.'If Harris Were Smart, She Would Encourage Michelle Obama to Replace Her'It is hardly surprising that Kamala Harris is facing trouble in Biden's White House, according to the Wall Street analyst: "In the first presidential debate, Harris savaged Biden and likely angered Jill Biden in ways that have not been forgiven; as vice president, she has failed at every turn particularly with the southern border that is an obvious and dangerous open set of wounds".It's unclear who is mentoring Harris for the long term or which power clan she belongs to, Ortel notes.According to CNBC, Tina Flournoy has been subjected to criticism by Harris' longtime allies, outside confidants, and donors for blocking them from the veep and thus contributing to Harris' apparent isolation. Flournoy was also blamed for rampant dysfunction in the vice president's office.However, Bill Clinton shredded these allegations in his 1 July interview with CNBC, insisting that Flournoy had made it easier, not harder, for [him] to advance [his] philanthropic work and [his] post-presidential activities, and keep in touch with [his] friends".Meanwhile, in July, a group of the Democratic Party's most influential women met for dinner at a home in Washington, DC "to game out how to defend Vice President Kamala Harris and her chief of staff, Tina Flournoy, against a torrent of bad press", Axios revealed on 5 August. According to the media outlet, the host was Kiki McLean, a Democratic public affairs expert and former adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton.Axios reported that McLean's guests included Harris confidant Minyon Moore; two former DNC officials, Donna Brazile and Leah Daughtry; Biden adviser and leader of his outside group, Stephanie Cutter; former Hillary Clinton spokeswomen and Democratic strategists Adrienne Elrod and Karen Finney; and former Obama White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri.Nevertheless, despite all these efforts and with a thin record of accomplishment, Harris looks weaker by the day, according to Ortel.The vice president is apparently also suffering from Biden's blunders, especially after the president failed to pass his signature Build Back Better Act this year and claimed that there is no federal solution for the COVID pandemic, thus washing his hands of his election promise to stop the coronavirus, the analyst says.

https://sputniknews.com/20211227/laugh-out-loud-comedy-internet-reels-as-vp-harris-calls-democracy-biggest-us-security-threat---1091832287.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211220/trump-clinton-2024-rematch-may-cement-hillarys-reputation-as-a-three-time-loser-analyst-says-1091674964.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211226/vp-kamala-harris-faces-plummeting-ratings-amid-intense-scrutiny-as-second-in-command-1091814803.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211208/her-failing-not-an-option-vp-harris-leans-on-black-womens-support-amid-toxic-management-reports-1091356951.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211225/kamala-harris-laments-dc-bubble-prevents-her-from-staying-in-touch-with-peoples-needs-1091793866.html

4Justice It must really suck when just being yourself is the worst thing you can do. 4

lolpro Harris was looking for the advice from a fellow female psychopath 4

5

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https://sputniknews.com/20211229/incoming-nyc-comptroller-who-vowed-to-defund-police-to-have-nypd-security-detail-1091881859.html

Incoming NYC Comptroller Who Vowed to 'Defund Police' to Have NYPD Security Detail

Incoming NYC Comptroller Who Vowed to 'Defund Police' to Have NYPD Security Detail

Incoming NYC Comptroller Brad Lander is taking an NYPD security detail despite him remaining a vocal defund-the-police advocate, the New York Post has reported.

2021-12-29T10:00+0000

2021-12-29T10:00+0000

2021-12-29T10:00+0000

mass protests

us

new york city

new york police department (nypd)

george floyd

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Incoming NYC Comptroller Brad Lander is taking an NYPD security detail despite him remaining a vocal defund-the-police advocate, the New York Post has reported.The newspaper also cited an unnamed NYPD source as calling the 52-year-old outgoing Brooklyn Democratic councilman "the guy who hates the cops". According to the insider: "If you don't like cops, don't use them".The most recent crime statistics released by the NYPD indicate that shootings, murders, and auto grand larceny have all almost doubled in New York City compared to 2019.As for the source's claims, they came after Lander said in June he was "disturbed that this agreement [NYC's annual spending bill] increases the NYPD budget by nearly $200 million and increases headcount at both NYPD and the DOC [Department of Corrections]".In June 2020, Lander focused on his "commitment to working to defund the NYPD" in an open after protests surrounding George Floyd's murder rocked the US. In the letter, he specifically called for reducing the NYPD's budget by $1 billion.Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, was killed by white police officer Derek Chauvin during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 25 May 2020 after a store clerk suspected the man might have used a counterfeit $20 bill.Floyd's death sparked mass protests across the US and abroad, with people demanding a crackdown on police brutality and racial hatred. Chauvin was convicted on three charges, including one count of second-degree unintentional murder, and was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

https://sputniknews.com/20210710/gop-releases-clip-to-prove-democrats-have-been-pushing-to-defund-the-police-1083353756.html

vot tak Promoting the standard fascist drama queen cop smears against a cop critic now, eh, limbaugh wannabee? Thumbs down. 0

vot tak For those unaware of what the nypd is, I recomend the film "Serpico" from the 1970s. It is still very relevant, very little has changed with those disgusting gangsters. Defund. Investigate. Prosecute. Hang, imprison, as appropriate. And do the same to their gaddamned propagandists. 0

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mass protests, us, new york city, new york police department (nypd), george floyd
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/lawyer-dems-trying-to-deprive-trump-of-executive-privilege-but-used-it-to-cover-up-their-own-flaws-1091884211.html

Lawyer: Dems Trying to Deprive Trump of Executive Privilege, But Used It to Cover Up Their Own Flaws

Lawyer: Dems Trying to Deprive Trump of Executive Privilege, But Used It to Cover Up Their Own Flaws

The House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack is seeking to start an investigation into Donald Trump's alleged phone calls hours before the Capitol riot began.

2021-12-29T11:58+0000

2021-12-29T11:58+0000

2021-12-29T11:58+0000

barack obama

joe biden

eric holder

donald trump

world

us

opinion

us house select committee

operation fast and furious

executive privilege

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Congressman Bennie Thompson, the House 6 January committee's chairman, told The Guardian on Monday that Donald Trump's phone calls allegedly sought to stop Joe Biden's certification, citing a November report by the newspaper.The Guardian claimed on 30 November, citing anonymous sources, that then-President Trump several times called from the White House to top liuetenants at the Willard Hotel in Washington seeking to delay certification of the Electoral College votes.Trump's lawyers oppose turning White House records over to the House panel citing executive privilege, a legal doctrine allowing the executive branch to maintain confidential communications from the legislative and judicial branches. Former President Donald Trump asked the US Supreme Court on 23 December to withhold the records from the panel.Trump's Alleged Calls Unlikely ImproperLittle highlights that every president takes an oath to protect the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic:"Whether election fraud is determined to be a legitimate conclusion, or not, the president, the executive branch, has a duty to investigate the same", the lawyer says.He insists that whatever conversations the former president had in this regard, even if they included discussing executive powers to prevent election fraud, "it was proper".Former President Trump believes that the 2020 presidential elections were stolen from him. The Arizona 2020 election audit conducted by independent third-party auditors earlier this year exposed several abnormalities in the election process in Maricopa County. Joe Biden won the 2020 vote largely due to narrow victories in key battleground states, including Arizona.How Dems' Purportedly Used Executive Privilege for Fast & Furious Op Cover-UpMarc Little argues that the executive privilege, cited by former President Trump, plays a significant role in the nation's democratic power structure.Little remarks, however, that invoking executive privilege to shield wrongdoing is an abuse of power. One such abuse of power was apparently committed by the Obama administration's Attorney General Eric Holder in 2012."Attorney General Eric Holder refused to provide over 1,300 pages of documents subpoenaed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform related to the Fast and Furious scandal that allowed thousands of firearms to cross over the Mexican border leading to the deaths of one US border agent and at least 200 Mexican citizens", Little recalls.Operation Fast and Furious was one of the "gunwalking" sting operations which purposely allowed licensed firearms dealers to sell weapons to illegal straw buyers in order to track the guns transfer to key figures in Mexican cartels. Nearly 2,000 firearms were illegally purchased for $1.5 million, according to a DOJ Inspector General 2012 report. However, the tactics proved largely futile and led to casualties on both sides of the border.In the wake of the IG's report the US Justice Department named 14 people involved in the botched op for possible disciplinary action, while AG Eric Holder was believed to be unaware of the controversial tactics. Yet, Holder was held in contempt of the US Congress in June 2012 for not turning over crucial documents related to the Fast and Furious operation. The House later initiated a lawsuit to try to force disclosure of the docs, while the Obama administration invoked executive privilege to deny Congress access to the records.6th Jan. Committee's Probe is 'Political Hit Job'The 6 January committee's inquiry "is an extension of rabid elites who simply need an insurance policy against former President [Trump] taking office again", according to Marc Little, who believes that "it is purely a political hit job".The lawyer argues that the 6 January panel's work is "a sham" as they "attempt to exercise powers outside of their purview and it should be treated as such by those who are being forced to respond to the subpoenas and the like".The House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack was formed by the Democrats in July, after the US Senate blocked the creation of a 9/11 commission-style panel proposed by top congressional Democrats. The select committee was at odds with House Republicans after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi barred GOP picks and tapped two Republican representatives - Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois - known for their ardent anti-Trump stance. There are a whopping seven Democrats and only two Republicans on the House panel, which prompted some legal observers to suggest that the committee is abusing the House's own rules.

https://sputniknews.com/20211225/trumps-records-a-few-pay-attention-to-jan-6th-committee-probe-as-bidenflation-bites-scholars-say-1091790620.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211013/arizona-audit-how-partisan-divisions-upend-us-ability-to-sell-its-image-as-city-on-hill-to-world-1089900845.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211222/law-professor-january-6-committee-violates-constitutional-rights-of-trump-allies-houses-own-rules-1091728863.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211018/january-6-could-be-washingtons-part-of-fbis-multi-state-operation-cold-snap-argues-us-observer-1090012824.html

Belfast Antagonist The worst president the US has ever had and boy have they had some bad ones! A thief a liar an adulterer and seditionist. Bang him up for 40 years in federal prison 10

Sputnik User He was not bad, he just exposed the underbelly of the American political system 5

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Ekaterina Blinova

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Ekaterina Blinova

barack obama, joe biden, eric holder, donald trump, world, us, opinion, us house select committee, operation fast and furious, executive privilege
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/moscow-court-dissolves-human-rights-centre-memorial-1091886883.html

Moscow Court Dissolves Human Rights Centre Memorial

Moscow Court Dissolves Human Rights Centre Memorial

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A Moscow City Court on Wednesday ruled to shut down the Memorial Human Rights Centre (which is recognised as a foreign agent in Russia), one... 29.12.2021, Sputnik International

2021-12-29T13:06+0000

2021-12-29T13:06+0000

2021-12-29T13:58+0000

memorial

russia

court

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

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Memorial Chairman Alexander Cherkasov said that the organisation was useful to the state.One of the group's lawyers said the case was "of a political nature" and likened it to trials of Soviet dissidents.In November, the Prosecutor General's Office and Moscow Prosecutor's Office accused the rights group of justifying terrorism in its publications and violating the "foreign agents" law by repeatedly failing to mark its materials with a relevant warning.On Tuesday, the Russian Supreme Court ruled to dissolve Memorial International for breaking the law on foreign agents and portraying the Soviet Union as a terrorist state. Among other activities, Memorial also tried to obtain the status of political prisoner for jihadists affiliated with Hizb ut-Tahrir*.*Hizb ut-Tahrir is a terror group banned in Russia and many other countries

vot tak Excellent news. 1

koursk koursk with poutine instead of Brezhnev, Chernenko, or Gorbachev, the public finances of the Soviet Union would have been better managed, and the billionaire gang, which controls the Nato Zone, could never have imposed their wishes on the ussr , and in the russian federation which would have remained soviet *** it is under the pressure of the NATO mafia cartel that gorbi had to construct this aberration *** in NATO jargon, human rights means protection of the interests of billionaires *** thank you to the moscow municipal court for shutting down this temple of glorification of the jet set, and that all russian cities will get rid of it if these horrors exist there *** to put an end in russia with these high pranks force in nato zone, the Moscow premises could be used for example by an association for the defense of the values of the general interest 1

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memorial, russia, court
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/mtg-calls-african-american-festival-kwanzaa-a-fake-religion-created-by-a-psychopath-1091894903.html

MTG Calls African American Festival Kwanzaa a Fake Religion Created by a Psychopath

MTG Calls African American Festival Kwanzaa a Fake Religion Created by a Psychopath

In her latest foray into cultural commentary, Marjorie Taylor Greene took aim at Kwanzaa, a community festival celebrated by African Americans, attacking both the festival and a conservative political group that posted about it.

2021-12-29T19:32+0000

2021-12-29T19:32+0000

2021-12-29T19:32+0000

us

twitter

college republicans

african americans

marjorie taylor greene

kwanzaa

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/06/1083082464_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_83d1f134c4408baf606746d8146ad928.jpg

On December 26, the first day of the six-day festival, the College Republicans official Twitter account posted a simple message, writing Wishing you a happy and prosperous Kwanza! accompanied by a graphic of the seven-candled kinara candelabra used to mark each day of Kwanzaa.However, many conservative posters took issue with the tweet, replying with messages questioning the purpose and wisdom of marking the holiday. None garnered greater attention than Greene, though, who called it a fake religion created by a psychopath.You arent bringing in new voters, you are turning them away, she said, adding, People are tired of pandering and BS.Karenga was a civil rights activist who formed the Black nationalist group US (as in, not them) in the aftermath of the 1965 Watts riots and assassination of Organization of Afro-American Unity founder Malcolm X with the aim of promoting Black cultural unity as a distinct national identity. This vision lent itself to holidays like Kwanzaa that promoted values like faith, cooperative economics, responsibility, and unity, but also brought them into conflict with the Black Panthers and their revolutionary socialist ideology that often exploded into violence between the two groups.Greene only leapt to the national political stage in January, but she hasnt failed to garner attention over the last 11 months with a near-constant barrage of what some might call hot takes, including numerous comparisons between pandemic response measures and the Holocaust. Recently, she jumped into a spat between freshman lawmaker Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and one of two Muslim women in Congress, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) after Boebert insinuated Omar was a terrorist.

Thomas Turk Fake article. First fruit of the season in swahili is 'matunda ya kwanza ya msimu'' and in any case.. the slaves from the East Coast, Swahili speakers, went to stay with them head-towelled Ay-Raabs. 3

vot tak Isn't this israeli quisling a fake woman. A botched tranny operation? 2

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Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg

Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg

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Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg

us, twitter, college republicans, african americans, marjorie taylor greene, kwanzaa
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/nearly-800-omicron-cases-detected-in-india-most-in-delhi-1091881209.html

Nearly 800 Omicron Cases Detected in India, Most in Delhi

Nearly 800 Omicron Cases Detected in India, Most in Delhi

A total of 781 Omicron COVID-19 cases have been detected in India so far, with nearly a third of them in the capital territory of Delhi, a press statement published by the Indian Ministry of Health said.

2021-12-29T08:52+0000

2021-12-29T08:52+0000

2021-12-29T08:55+0000

omicron covid strain

india

coronavirus

covid-19

omicron strain

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The Omicron coronavirus variant was detected in 21 states and union territories, according to the statement. Delhi with 238 cases is followed by Maharashtra's 167 cases, and Gujarat with 73 cases.The ministry added that to date, a total of 241 people have recovered after contracting the Omicron variant.The country has 77,002 active COVID-19 cases, 9,000 of them recorded today. India has administered over 1.42 billion vaccine doses with 42% of the country's entire population fully inoculated.On Tuesday, Delhi announced the introduction of a "yellow" level of restrictions to stem a rise in new COVID-19 cases.

Sputnik User Insignificant for a country of 1.5 billion... If covid, as some conspire was meant to depopulate the world is not effectiuve 2

Tom One Nearly 800.ha ha !! The U.K. regularly is reporting 90-100,000 and weve only 66million folk. They have to be kidding. More like 800,000 !! 1

3

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india, coronavirus, covid-19, omicron strain
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/orgy-gone-wrong-us-yacht-mogul-robbed-and-killed-in-luxurious-madrid-hotel-after-being-promised-sex-1091879554.html

Orgy Gone Wrong: US Yacht Mogul Robbed and Killed in Luxurious Madrid Hotel After Being Promised Sex

Orgy Gone Wrong: US Yacht Mogul Robbed and Killed in Luxurious Madrid Hotel After Being Promised Sex

Spanish police have declared the death of Jose Rosado, a New Jersey-born yacht mogul, a homicide that appears to have been masterminded by "two or three" people drugging him at a bar and luring him into a suite, promising sex.

2021-12-29T08:23+0000

2021-12-29T08:23+0000

2021-12-29T08:23+0000

society

yacht

homicide

orgy

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

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Spanish police have declared the death of Jose Rosado, a New Jersey-born yacht mogul, a homicide that appears to have been masterminded by "two or three" people drugging him at a bar and luring him into a suite, promising sex.It is suspected that Rosado was killed in a so-called "chemical submission" attack and robbed afterwards, as police detected that some of his belongings went missing after his death.The conclusion followed the initial estimation that Rosado died of natural causes because the authorities found no signs of abuse on his breathless body when it was discovered at the Westin Palace Hotel in late October. Yet, shortly after Rosado's death, charges from his credit card started emerging, triggering suspicions. On Monday, the authorities took two men into custody, a 39-year-old Romanian with nine previous arrests, and a 29-year-old Moroccan with 17 arrests for what police described as "similar events". They have reportedly been charged with homicide, robbery with violence, and fraud.Originally from New Jersey, Rosado lived in Miami and was the CEO of Spain's largest private yacht company, Hijos de J. Barreras.

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Daria Bedenko

Daria Bedenko

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society, yacht, homicide, orgy
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/polish-border-guard-says-gunshots-fired-into-air-on-belarusian-side-1091888574.html

Polish Border Guard Says Gunshots Fired Into Air on Belarusian Side

Polish Border Guard Says Gunshots Fired Into Air on Belarusian Side

The Polish border guard said on Wednesday that they recorded a series of shots fired on the Belarusian side of their common border.

2021-12-29T12:37+0000

2021-12-29T12:37+0000

2021-12-29T13:55+0000

poland-belarus migrant crisis

belarus

europe

poland

illegal migration

border crissings

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Earlier in the day, the Polish Border Guard said no illegal crossings have been detected over the past twenty-four hours - for the first time since summer. However, soldiers observed several "disturbing incidents" on the Belarusian side, according to a spokeswoman for the Polish Border Guard, Anna Michalska."A car of the local security forces appeared on the Belarusian side of the border, the people riding in it fired two shots into the air", she told reporters.The migration crisis on the border between the European Union and Belarus has been going on for several months, with thousands of migrants amassing in the area and trying to enter Europe via the Belarusian-Polish border. In response to illegal crossing attempts, Warsaw boosted security in the area, blaming Minsk for fuelling the crisis in an effort to get back at Brussels for sanctions against the country. Belarus, for its part, maintains that it has no means to curb migrant flows to Europe due to the Western sanctions.Since the beginning of the year, the Polish Border Guard has recorded approximately 40,000 illegal border crossing attempts, a major increase compared to last year. The monthly total grew from 3,500 in August to 7,700 in September and 17,400 in October, before decreasing to 8,900 in November.

https://sputniknews.com/20211223/russian-fm-on-belarus-poland-border-crisis-west-should-bear-responsibility-for-refugees-1091738015.html

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belarus, europe, poland, illegal migration, border crissings
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/political-instability-and-security-threats-here-are-main-events-that-shook-israel-in-2021-1091877026.html

Political Instability and Security Threats: Here Are Main Events That Shook Israel in 2021

Political Instability and Security Threats: Here Are Main Events That Shook Israel in 2021

The year 2021 will be remembered in Israel for "Operation Guardian of the Walls" in the Gaza Strip and for the raging coronavirus pandemic that prompted the government to roll out a booster shot for the masses. But it will also be associated with a stalemate on the Palestinian front and still unresolved economic hardships.

2021-12-29T06:11+0000

2021-12-29T06:11+0000

2021-12-29T06:12+0000

protests

middle east

israel

gaza

covid-19

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/104940/79/1049407929_0:0:1280:721_1920x0_80_0_0_73afc6fb54d70f39c8b49fa21ad483f5.jpg

2020 was a tough year for Israel, primarily because of political instability and the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. When it ended, many were hopeful that 2021 would bring with it much-needed change.But as 2021 draws to a close, many Israelis have come to realise that this year was no less challenging than the previous one.Here is a recap of the main events that took place this year.Political Stability?In March, Israelis went to the polls for the fourth time in two years, and although the Likud party still held a lead in terms of the number of seats in the Israeli Parliament, its leader Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a coalition. His rivals did, and a new government was sworn in in mid-June, effectively ending the tenure of the nation's longest-serving prime minister.Yet, the new coalition has not ushered in a period of stability. Comprised of eight parties with often opposing ideologies, the members of the government are struggling to come to terms on various paramount issues that have been dividing Israeli society, such as the status of Jerusalem or Israel's settlement activity in the West Bank.Frictions between coalition members, quarrels, and disagreements have been covered by the Israeli media, and although the government says it is here to stay, experts have already warned that it will not survive a major crisis.Security ChallengesLast year, the IDF estimated that 2020 was one of the safest years in the past decade, with Gaza-based terrorist groups only launching 176 rockets into Israel. Ninety percent of those fell in open spaces.At the time, the relative quiet was put down to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Palestinian territories and the preoccupation of Hamas with the health crisis it unlocked.The general belief was that this trend would carry on into 2021, but in May both sides realised that another confrontation was imminent.The Palestinians had been accusing Israel of evicting families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. They blamed Tel Aviv for violating their rights on the Temple Mount, a plateau in Jerusalem considered holy for both Muslims and Christians.On 10 May, Hamas decided it'd had enough, firing a barrage of rockets into Jerusalem and other Israeli cities. In total, during the 12 days of fighting, the Islamic group launched almost 4,400 rockets. Israel retaliated by launching "Operation Guardian of the Walls" and striking over 1,500 targets in the Gaza Strip, including launch sites, command and control centres. In the process, it also damaged the Strip's infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and roads.Those hostilities eventually ceased at the end of May with the help of Egyptian mediators. Israel lifted some of its restrictions on Gaza, expanding the fishing zone and granting entry permits to thousands of Gazans working in Israel. The Islamic group has not escalated the conflict since, refraining from firing rockets into Israeli towns and cities.Yet, the problem didn't go away, it just shifted to another location - Jerusalem. Over the past month, Israel has seen a surge in terrorism activity, registering 15 attacks or attempted attacks, primarily in the disputed city and the West Bank, and the general feeling is that another confrontation with Hamas is just around the corner.COVID-19 is Still a HeadacheIn terms of battling the pandemic, the beginning of 2021 appeared to be promising. The vaccination campaign bore fruit and the numbers of daily patients continued to decline.Then, in July, the first case of the Delta variant was spotted and the situation rapidly deteriorated, prompting Israel to roll out a booster shot for the entire population.The third jab did the trick and the numbers of daily cases once again started sinking, but the booster campaign prompted dissatisfaction among the general public, who was largely frustrated by what they called "coercion" to get those vaccines.Now, several months, after the discovery of Delta, the trend is repeating itself. This time around it is the Omicron strain that is keeping Israeli experts, scientists, and politicians on their toes.Authorities have already said they are now contemplating the introduction of a fourth vaccine dose for medical personnel, and people above 60 or those at risk. But many in Israel are concerned that it is only a matter of time before this policy becomes mandatory for everyone.Money TalksThe first half of 2021 gave hope to many Israelis. Despite the pandemic, the new government managed to keep the country largely open and the economy stayed afloat. Unemployment rates, which have been exceptionally high, started stabilising.Under the surface, though tensions were brewing.Israeli doctors have taken to the streets to demand better working conditions and higher salaries.Tour guides have been venting their anger against the government that kept tourists at bay due to COVID-19 without compensating them for their losses.Owners of businesses have also followed suit.The Israeli government promised to tackle these and many other financial hardships. In November, it finally passed the national budget, for the first time in three years, but the general feeling in Israel is that various problems like high prices for food, electricity, and real estate, are still unresolved.Good Ties With Neighbours?Netanyahu's departure has been seen as a positive development for some regional players, who have used the momentum to improve their relations with Israel.Such was the case with Turkey, whose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already stated he was willing to resume ties with the Jewish state. And such was the case with Jordan, whose monarch Abdullah II has met with a number of Israeli politicians in a bid to promote the Palestinian issue.Relations have also seen a boost with the UAE and Egypt whose leaders have hosted Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and vowed to cooperate with Israel on a number of important fronts.With the Palestinians, however, relations have remained largely unchanged. President Abbas did speak and meet with a number of Israeli officials but the policy of the Jewish state has largely remained unaltered. New homes continue to be built in the disputed West Bank, settlers and the Palestinians continue to clash in various points across the area.Will the situation improve in the new year? Israelis appear to be optimistic, but the question that begs to be answered is whether this optimism will remain for long.

vot tak One can tell these are israeli government propaganda articles from their titles. Why does sputnik promote israeli propaganda, the country behind all the Russophobia and aggression the west directs towards Russia? Thumbs down, 5th column. 3

STABOU Youssef Vivement que ce soit le Centriste Yair au Pouvoir car cela signifierait qu'il est l'heure pour Israel de se faire LAPIDER !!! 0

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Elizabeth Blade

Elizabeth Blade

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protests, middle east, israel, gaza, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/prince-andrew-targets-virginia-giuffres-residency-status-amid-legal-battle-over-sex-abuse-case-1091877477.html

Prince Andrew Targets Virginia Giuffre's Residency Status Amid Legal Battle Over Sex Abuse Case

Prince Andrew Targets Virginia Giuffre's Residency Status Amid Legal Battle Over Sex Abuse Case

In his bid to battle sex abuse accusations by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Prince Andrew has already challenged the New York Child Victims' Act cited in the case.

2021-12-29T06:18+0000

2021-12-29T06:18+0000

2021-12-29T06:18+0000

society

prince andrew

sex abuse

virginia roberts giuffre

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Prince Andrew's legal team filed a motion on Tuesday to challenge the residency status of Virginia Giuffre, his accuser, arguing that she is not a US citizen, and therefore the New York court has no jurisdiction over the case.According to Sky News, citing legal documents filed by Andrew's attorneys, Giuffre has "spent less than two years living in the United States since moving to Australia in 2002", even though she "alleges she is a citizen of the state of Colorado". The Duke's legal team argues that this invalidates her complaint.Prince Andrew's lawyers assert that Giuffre's ties to Colorado are "very limited", pointing to her Australian driver's license and property and noting that the accuser "only recently registered to vote in Colorado using her mother and stepfather's mailing address there".The Duke's legal team requests that US District Judge Lewis Kaplan halt the proceedings while Giuffre's residency status is investigated.Prince Andrew earlier challenged the legal mechanisms cited in Giuffre's case, claiming that she cannot use the New York Child Victims' Act in her accusations as the age of consent in New York is 17, and Giuffre had reached this age when the embattled British royal allegedly abused her.The New York Child Victims' Act classifies those under 18 as minors. Giuffre, who is one of the alleged victims of late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has claimed that Prince Andrew sexually abused her in London when she was 17.The Duke of York has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, blaming Giuffre for attempting to capitalise on him. In a bid to get the lawsuit thrown out, Prince Andrew's legal team has referred, among other things, to a settlement deal made between Giuffre and Epstein in 2009, claiming it invalidates the accuser's allegations against Andrew.Along with the legal battle between Giuffre and Prince Andrew, another one is taking place in New York around Epstein's alleged "madam", Ghislaine Maxwell. As of Tuesday, according to reports, the jury failed to reach a verdict on the fifth day of deliberations, likely to set a new round of deliberations for New Year's Eve. Maxwell, who is accused of procuring minors for Jeffrey Epstein for his sex trafficking ring, has said that she is innocent.

https://sputniknews.com/20211215/prince-andrews-lawyers-claim-royals-accuser-was-of-age-when-purported-intercourse-occurred-1091545577.html

keyboardcosmetics As with Assange, nationality hardly matters when a crime is alleged.... and the US diplomat's wife who fled the UK after killing a person in a hit and run 8

pgb in nz I did not have sex with that women !! Not very original Andrew, so now it's the girl I didn't have sex with was over the age of consent. so what are you Andrew a liar, or a pervert ?? 7

18

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society, prince andrew, sex abuse, virginia roberts giuffre
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/putin-and-lukashenko-to-hold-bilateral-meeting-in-st-petersburg-1091879441.html

Putin and Lukashenko to Hold Bilateral Meeting in St. Petersburg

Putin and Lukashenko to Hold Bilateral Meeting in St. Petersburg

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, will hold a bilateral meeting in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Wednesday, following an informal top-level summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

2021-12-29T07:03+0000

2021-12-29T07:03+0000

2021-12-29T07:05+0000

belarus

russia

vladimir putin

alexandr lukashenko

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The presidents will sum up the results of 2021 and discuss relevant issues in bilateral cooperation, as well as their trade, economic, and military partnership. They will also exchange views on the regional agenda and international issues of mutual interest.Lukashenko and Putin are also expected to discuss rapprochement between Russia and Belarus within the framework of the Union State, relations with Western countries, the situation in eastern Ukraine, and draft amendments to the Constitution of Belarus.Minsk previously announced changes to the constitution, which will be voted on by the people in a referendum. It is expected to take place no later than February 2022. The meeting will take place after a top-level CIS summit - the first big event held by the group since 2019, and dedicated to its 30th anniversary.

BillOwens Belarus and Russia must work together to keep the EU and US vultures out. neither one can be turned into a burned out dumpster like ukraine was. 5

BillOwens Biden and Borrell, LOL 2

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belarus, russia, vladimir putin, alexandr lukashenko
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/saddam-husseins-lawyers-say-american-advisers-influenced-trial-pressured-defence-1091882118.html

Saddam Hussein's Lawyers Say American Advisers Influenced Trial, Pressured Defence

Saddam Hussein's Lawyers Say American Advisers Influenced Trial, Pressured Defence

The defence team of executed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein told Sputnik that American advisers took an active part in the trial, instructed the judges on which decisions to make, and pressured the lawyers.

2021-12-29T09:57+0000

2021-12-29T09:57+0000

2021-12-29T09:57+0000

us

middle east

saddam hussein

iraq

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At the start of the trial, the defence lawyers were not aware of the US' direct involvement until an American lawyer tipped them off, wanting to help, Munib noted. When the fact became known, the defence tried to raise the issue in court, but the other side denied everything, he said.Another defence lawyer, Bushra Khalil, told Sputnik that she personally experienced intense pressure from the American side.The way the trial was held violated the basic principles of international law, and everyone was clear on its outcome from the very beginning, including Hussein, Munib said. The defendant was prevented from speaking out, he was not even granted the right to final words, and the tribunal took place in Iraq so that the court could legally impose the death penalty, the lawyer explained.The first chief judge in Saddam's trial, Rizgar Mohammed Amin, who had to step down due to government interference, confirmed to Sputnik that the United States oversaw the trial, though noted that it was the Iraqi side that exerted the most pressure on those who took part in the process.Saddam Hussein managed to avoid capture for six months after the United States invaded Iraq on the pretext of searching for weapons of mass destruction in 2003. In December of that year, he was finally arrested near his hometown of Tikrit.The first hearing of the special tribunal took place in July 2004. The court found Saddam Hussein guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced him to death by hanging on November 5, 2006. Hussein was executed on 30 December 2006.

BillOwens I saw bodies of US occupiers blown up and shit on by flies, and poked with sticks by jubilant Iraqis. Serves them right. US was, and is a much greater evil in Iraq than Saddam ever was. 10

BillOwens It was a show-trial, like any other US kangaroo victors court. 5

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us, middle east, saddam hussein, iraq
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/seoul-and-washington-reconcile-draft-declaration-ending-korean-war-1091879188.html

Seoul and Washington Reconcile Draft Declaration Ending Korean War

Seoul and Washington Reconcile Draft Declaration Ending Korean War

South Korea and the United Stated have reconciled the text of a declaration seeking to put an end to the Korean War, South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, said on Wednesday.

2021-12-29T06:44+0000

2021-12-29T06:44+0000

2021-12-29T06:59+0000

south korea

us

asia & pacific

korean war

democratic republic of north korea (dprk)

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This is the first time Seoul has mentioned clear progress on elaborating the declaration.The minister mentioned that the government is considering different approaches to achieve progress in negotiations with North Korea but has yet to share the declaration's draft text with North Korea and receive any response from Pyongyang via China's diplomatic pipelines.In November 2021, the minister said that South Korea and the US had agreed on the Korean War Declaration's general outline. He mentioned that the two had a shared stance regarding the need to declare an end to the war as "the first step to return North Korea to a dialogue".At the end of September, South Korean President Moon Jae-in addressed a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly and proposed to declare the end of the war on the Korean Peninsula in the presence of the US and China as it would help to achieve denuclearisation in the region. The same month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accused the South of sticking to biased and unfair "double standards" in its policy and failure to put words into action.The Korean Peninsula is still formally in a state of war since the parties to the conflict signed an armistice, not a peace treaty. It was signed by the commanders of North Korea and China on one side, and the US under the United Nations on the other. North Korea has since made several proposals to sign a peace treaty, all of them were rejected by the US.

south korea

democratic republic of north korea (dprk)

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south korea, us, asia & pacific, korean war, democratic republic of north korea (dprk)
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/south-africa-u-turns-on-lifting-covid-rules-under-political-pressure-1091891995.html

South Africa U-Turns on Lifting COVID Rules Under Political Pressure

South Africa U-Turns on Lifting COVID Rules Under Political Pressure

President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered strict lockdown measures early in the coronavirus pandemic, banning the sale of alcohol, tobacco and even clothing among... 29.12.2021, Sputnik International

2021-12-29T19:05+0000

2021-12-29T19:05+0000

2021-12-29T19:05+0000

omicron covid strain

south africa

coronavirus

covid-19

lockdown

cyril ramaphosa

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The South African government has reversed its decision to cancel most COVID-19 restrictions after coming under pressure from the media and its own ranks.The Health Department said on Tuesday it had been "inundated with media, stakeholders and public enquiries and comments since the release of the revised protocols on Contact Tracing, Quarantine and Isolation" on December 23.The relaxion of the rules was based on an assessment that attempts to contain the spread of coronavirus was now pointless, especially since the arrival of the far more-transmissible Omicron variant from neighbouring Botswana. The department estimated that based on "sero-surveys", 60 to 80 per cent of the population had already been infected and gained natural immunity, while the great majority of cases were going undetected. It said many children who showed no symptoms of the disease were forced to miss valuable schooling after being ordered to quarantine due to contact with an infected person, while healthcare had been impacted by staff absence for the same reason.Crucially it recommended that infected individuals showing no symptoms would no longer have to isolate, but merely practice "self-observation" for signs of the disease for five to seven days while wearing a face mask at all times. Contacts of the infected would not have to quarantine at all.Criticism from the Medical ProfessionSouth African Medical Association (SAMA) Chair Angelique Coetzee, the GP who helped discover the Omicron variant, had welcomed the move on December 23. On Wednesday she blamed political pressure from other government departments for the reversal.The Rural Doctors Association of Southern Africa (RuDASA) said the December 23 rule changes were "scientifically sound" and a step in the right direction."The old guidelines, that had barely changed since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, do not take into account the benefits of the high levels of vaccination amongst healthcare workers, nor the high levels of Covid immunity in the South African population (estimated at 80 to 90 per cent), and have put enormous pressure on small, understaffed hospitals and clinics in rural areas," the association said in a statement."By far the biggest strain for us during this fourth wave has been trying to keep services going when healthcare workers have had to self-isolate, or needed to quarantine after close contact with a Covid case, usually a colleague," RuDASA stressed. "Yet in South Africa we are insisting that vaccinated, uninfected healthcare workers who are Covid contacts quarantine for a full 10 days."South African current affairs website Groundup editor Nathan Geffen argued the government's policy was now a "confused mess"."The reversal further undermines confidence in government, and will likely worsen whatever poor adherence there is to Covid protocols. It sends this signal: the government is weak and unwilling to stand by its own decisions."

https://sputniknews.com/20211228/from-pandemic-plague-to-seasonal-sniffle-how-viruses-mutate-into-milder-strains-to-survive-1091859984.html

Thomas Turk Well done.. South African Medical Association (SAMA) Chair Angelique Coetzee, the GP who helped discover the Omicron variant, discovering something that doesn't exist. US lawyer Dr Francis Boyle has evidence that Harvard U Chem. Dept. Dr. Ch. Lieber & Oz. Health Dept aided Wuhan Labs in the project to create the bio-weapon spike protein. The Identity of the Virus: Health/ Science Institutions Worldwide Have No Record of SARS-COV-2 Isolation/Purification. By Christine Massey, December 05, 2021 As a spike protein cannot be idented as a virus, the 1M US$ reward by Dr. Russell Blaylock for its ident is NOT taken up. So.. if no COVID .. how can O derive from it? 2

efrhyivdzyjopvuvbr Coetzee is right about political pressure but not as stated by her. The pressure comes from the Globalist shills & media owners to keep this scam going for as long as possible. 2

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south africa, coronavirus, covid-19, lockdown, cyril ramaphosa
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/the-january-6th-committee-will-release-its-report-in-summer-2022-1091871897.html

The January 6th Committee Will Release Its Report in Summer 2022

The January 6th Committee Will Release Its Report in Summer 2022

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan and co-host John Kiriakou discussed current events including CDC cutting its guidance on COVID-19... 29.12.2021, Sputnik International

2021-12-29T08:41+0000

2021-12-29T08:41+0000

2021-12-29T08:41+0000

ukraine

us

swift

nato

free speech

nuclear weapons

viruses

covid-19

the backstory

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The January 6th Committee Will Release its Report in Summer 2022 On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan and co-host John Kiriakou discussed current events including CDC cutting its guidance on COVID19 quarantine from ten days to five days, and India cutting off foreign funding of Mother Teresas charity.

GUESTGeorge Szamuely  Senior Research Fellow at Global Policy Institute | NATO Expansion, Sanctions on Russia, and The Brookings InstituteCarter Laren - Co-host of Unsafe Spaces | Questioning Lockdowns, Risk Assessment, and MisinformationIn the first hour, Lee and John spoke with George Szamuley about Russian hypersonic weapons, NATO weapons in Ukraine, and how the Trump administration was compromised. George discussed the goal of the Brookings Institute and the Clinton administration allowing NATO expansion. George spoke on the individuals in the Biden administration and the goal of Ukraine joining NATO.In the second hour, Lee and John spoke with Carter Laren on listening to a different point of view, independent thinkers, and free speech censorship. Carter talked about rational thinking and how COVID-19 has distorted people from using rational thoughts. Carter spoke about the psychological harm lockdowns have had on children and big pharma invested in disinformation.Also, the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot will release an interim report with their findings by the summer.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com

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ukraine, us, swift, nato, free speech, nuclear weapons, viruses, covid-19, the backstory, , radio
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/us-africa-chief-meets-with-somali-pm-roble-as-opposition-demands-farmaajo-resign-for-coup-1091897502.html

US Africa Chief Calls Somali PM Roble as Opposition Demands Farmaajo Resign for 'Coup'

US Africa Chief Calls Somali PM Roble as Opposition Demands Farmaajo Resign for 'Coup'

Opposition is mounting to Somali President Farmaajo after he attempted to have Prime Minister Roble suspended. The US and its allies are backing Roble in the power struggle and opposition parties are demanding an investigation.

2021-12-29T22:03+0000

2021-12-29T22:03+0000

2021-12-30T05:05+0000

corruption

africa

somalia

resignation

us state department

coup attempt

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Roble's office tweeted on Wednesday he had held "a telephone conversation with US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Molly Phee, where the subject of discussions revolved around the political, security, and electoral situation in the country". Phee's office similarly tweeted that she had urged Roble to hold a meeting of the country's National Consultative Council (NCC) to correct election irregularities and swiftly concluded credible elections.Phee's office also said the diplomat had spoken with Farmaajo "about the urgent need to stop escalatory rhetoric and actions" for security forces to "remain neutral", and to support Roble's convening of the NCC.The lengthy election process in Somalia is nearly complete, with the votes being tallied this week for representatives to the House of the People, the lower house of Somalia's national legislature. Once the country's parliament is fully staffed, the lawmakers can begin the indirect elections for president to potentially replace Farmaajo, who is just one of many candidates seeking the high office.Election Dispute, or Corruption Probe?Roble was assigned control over the election process in May after an attempt by Farmaajo to extend his mandate by two years to settle disputes over elections nearly spun the country into a new civil war. However, he has also been the subject of a corruption investigation related to accusations that he stole a parcel of coastal land from the country's Coast Guard for his own purposes.In turn, Roble accused Farmaajo of seemingly deciding to "destroy government institutions" and ordered "all Somali national forces to work under the command of the office of the prime minister from today".Soldiers from the Presidential Guard seized Roble's office on Monday, but were later driven from the building by troops loyal to Roble, who have fortified the surrounding area, according to the Somali Guardian. Somalia's army chief, Odowa Yusuf Rage, then dismissed Presidential Guards commander Hassan Adan Dhi'is and ordered his arrest.Then on Tuesday, the Council of Presidential Candidates, a conglomerate of opposition parties, denounced Farmaajo's moves as an "attempted coup" and called on the president to quit his office and to be investigated."The council asks for [a] quick investigation to be launched and charges be filed against Farmaajo and others who aided him in that coup".US Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a Somali-American lawmaker whose family sought refuge in the US from the Somali Civil War in the early 1990s, also tweeted on Tuesday that it was "time for him to step aside".Protesters also gathered in the capital of Mogadishu on Wednesday to voice their support for the prime minister, but were dispersed by police, prompting denunciations from opposition politicians.US Rallies Support for RobleThe US is now gathering support for Roble around the globe, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday night.Kenya borders both nations and has had its share of disputes with both, as well. Under Kenyatta, Nairobi has edged closer to the US and France, with Kenyan air bases serving as launching pads for US missions against al-Shabaab in Somalia. Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Nairobi over the summer to finalise infrastructure project deals.Sweden's minister for International Development Cooperation, Matilda Ernkrans, voiced her support for Roble on Twitter on Tuesday, casting Roble's attempted ouster as an attack on the democratic process.He, too, sought refuge from the civil war in the US, becoming a US citizen and registered Republican Party member before returning to Somalia in 2010 for a short-lived term as prime minister. He became president in 2017 in the country's first democratic elections in 50 years, and the relative stability under his tenure has seen the return of US and UK oil prospecting, particularly in offshore blocks believed to hold rich petroleum reserves. However, Farmaajo has also aroused Western indignation by cooperating with Ethiopia and Eritrea, the latter being a country the US has treated as a pariah, and by penning deals with China.Roble, by comparison, is a political neophyte, being appointed to the prime ministry by Farmaajo in September 2020 to head the transition process for elections originally anticipated to happen that December. He was previously a civil engineer.*Al-Qaeda: a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.

vot tak The article is an exercise of israeloamerican propaganda promotion. Very disappointing. Apparently the writer's "chips got called in" here. Like what happened with pepe escobar when israeloamerica regime changed Libya. Thumbs down. As for omar, she is a fraud like all of israel's aipac pet dems and reps. She wants to see Maduro of Venezuela also regime changed. 1

Dang! And here you have the USA obstructing the Sovereign actions of Somalia, interfering in the internal activities of a country that kicked the USA out by force. No wonder no one trusts the USA anymore unless paid either with arms or money! 0

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corruption, africa, somalia, resignation, us state department, coup attempt
https://sputniknews.com/20211229/us-military-budget-hike-to-support-taiwan-will-make-few-ripples-in-pacific-1091883009.html

US Military Budget Hike to 'Support Taiwan' Will Make Few Ripples in Pacific

US Military Budget Hike to 'Support Taiwan' Will Make Few Ripples in Pacific

US President Joe Biden signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2022 on Monday. The Act authorises $768 billion in defence spending, up about 5 percent from a year earlier.

2021-12-29T10:22+0000

2021-12-29T10:22+0000

2021-12-29T10:22+0000

us

asia & pacific

china

taiwan

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In the context of the US' high debt and that it has to raise the debt ceiling to avoid government shutdowns, the country's military expenditure has grown for the sixth consecutive year. This underscores the US' twisted and distorted view of national security and lays bare some American politicians' Cold War mentality.The $768 billion figure is bigger than the GDP of many countries. It accounts for about 40 percent of global military spending, equaling the sum of the military expenditures of the nine countries behind the US. Nonetheless, for Washington which is suffering from the anxiety disorder of seeking "absolute security," it is far from enough. It is widely reported that many Republican lawmakers, who complained Biden's initial proposal was not high enough, pushed to add nearly $25 billion to the defence budget.The US Congress has the power of the purse and is known for its calculations and stinginess in appropriating government expenditure. It is hard for livelihood-related bills to get passed. But Congress has been more and more generous toward military spending.Under this distorted security view, certain US interest groups such as the military-industrial complex and lobbying groups are doing their best to get more of the pie. The US in 2021 withdrew its troops from Afghanistan hastily, and formally ended its combat mission in Iraq. US military spending is supposed to drop. But instead, it has increased. What will the money be used for? The NDAA has put it bluntly, a large part will be spent against China and Russia, especially China.We have noticed that this year's NDAA of more than 1,300 pages mentions China in many aspects, including technological research and development, military comparisons, COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, as well as international influence. Among them, the so-called Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) and a statement of congressional support for the defence of Taiwan has attracted the most attention.The bill includes $7.1 billion for the PDI in order to worsen the environment around China by creating confrontation and division and calls for developing a "grand strategy" with respect to China. It also encourages improving the "defensive asymmetric capabilities of Taiwan" and calling for the island of Taiwan's participation in the 2022 Rim of the Pacific Exercise. US media have hyped up these topics, but Washington should be clear that no matter in what ways it uses the island of Taiwan to contain the Chinese mainland, it is playing with fire, and whoever plays with fire will get burnt.For China, we do not need to be affected by the US' unrestrained greed for "security," or fall into the quagmire of an arms race with the US. China has kept the ratio of defence spending to GDP stable. The increase of its military spending and growth of military strength is a natural result of China's overall social development. China does not harbour ideas of initiating a war against the US somewhere in the world, but it won't allow the US to act wantonly in the West Pacific, particularly on issues that concern China's core interests. Such determination and will cannot be swayed, no matter how much money the US spends on the military. Facts will tell them that their military spending increase that targets China will make few ripples in the Pacific.The Associated Press reported last month that 29 percent of US troops in the most junior enlisted ranks faced food insecurity in the past year, and as many as 160,000 active-duty US military members are having trouble feeding their families. This is unbelievable, yet is one of the weird truths about the US military. As an old Chinese saying goes, "Greed is like a valley that can never be filled." The US cannot find the security it needs even if it doubles its military spending; nor can it solve its domestic problems even if it makes more imaginary foreign enemies. When it comes to the defence budget, what can really make the US safe is political rationality. And when it comes to the Taiwan question, the more Washington spends, the more easily it will draw fire on itself.This article was originally published by the Global Times.

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https://sputniknews.com/20211229/us-spy-plane-reporteldy-conducts-first-flight-over-eastern-ukraine-to-gather-intelligence-1091894674.html

US Spy Plane Reporteldy Conducts First Flight Over Eastern Ukraine to Gather Intelligence

US Spy Plane Reporteldy Conducts First Flight Over Eastern Ukraine to Gather Intelligence

The US spy plane JSTARS E-8 has conducted its first flight over eastern Ukraine to collect ground intelligence, CNN reported on Wednesday citing European Command (EUCOM) spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Russ Wolfkiel.

2021-12-29T18:51+0000

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reconnaissance flight

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The first overflight in Ukrainian airspace took place on December 27 and was done with the permission of the Ukrainian government, the report said.On Tuesday, a US defense official told Sputnik that the United States is retaining a nuclear aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean instead of sending it on to the Middle East in order to reassure allies as tensions remain high over Ukraine.The aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman and its escorts are now operating in the Ionian Sea between Greece and Italy rather than sailing through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea in support of the US Central Command, according to media reports.Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have worsened in the past couple of months amid an alleged Russian troop buildup at the Ukrainian border and claims of preparations for an invasion. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations, arguing that Russia has the right to relocate troops within its sovereign territory at its own discretion, while saying that NATO's military activity near Russia's borders poses a threat to its national security.

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Suzanne takes on this role at an exciting time at the Library as we engage with more audiences and users across the country and around the world, said Eugene Flanagan, director of General and International Collections, in a statement.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

He said Schadls experience and leadership would be central to improving development and discovery of the Librarys Latin American, Caribbean, European, and heritage collections. This will include traditionally represented and underrepresented narratives, perspectives, and people, in all their richness and diversity, Flanagan said.

Before joining the Library, Schadl was a faculty member and curator for Latin American Collections at the University of New Mexico and director of the Gerald & Betty Ford Library, at the Bosque School, in Albuquerque. She has also been on the boards of National Hispanic Cultural Center and New Mexico Humanities Council, and for Latin American initiatives via Center for Research Libraries.

Schadl has a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio State University in Spanish and International Studies, and a doctorate from the University of New Mexico in Latin American Studies.
The effect on our politics over the long term may be more important. One need look only at the rapid evolution of attitudes on LGBT issues. While overall societal attitudes have shifted toward tolerance, attitudes have changed more swiftly among the young and the nones. Will those shifts lead to greater support for abortion rights or civil rights measures, for example?

Americas historical allegiance toward religious freedom is no longer just a sometimes grudging tolerance of the other in a largely Protestant nation and culture. Just as the concept of religious freedom expanded to include the Catholic and the Jew as fully American, that concept can expand to embrace the Muslim or Buddhist. So, too, it can embrace those with no religious membership or beliefs, because the freedom to worship as one chooses also means the freedom not to worship at all.

Our concept of religious freedom has never been static. As Americas concept of who is an American has expanded, our notion of religious freedom has expanded as well. While not all of us may trust in God, we can be confident that the idea of religious freedom protects the believer and nonbeliever alike.

As Rev. Butler puts it, We all should be evolving, and those who are done and those who are none, theyre helping religion evolve. That is healthy.

Lindsay Lloyd is the Bradford M. Freeman director of human freedom at the George W. Bush Institute. This essay originally appeared as part of the Bush Institutes Democracy Talks series. This column is distributed by InsideSources.com.
A Scotts Bluff County District Court jury convicted a Scottsbluff man on sexual assault charges involving a girl over a period of years.

Prosecutors charged Christopher Matthews, 40, of Scottsbluff, in May 2021 with child abuse and third-degree sexual assault of a child, both Class IIIA felonies. Matthews appeared Wednesday, Dec. 22, for trial on the charges that alleged he had sexually assaulted a girl for a period of six years.

According to an arrest affidavit, Scottsbluff Police began an investigation in February 2020 after the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services received a child abuse intake via its hotline alleging that Matthews had sexually assaulted a now-teen girl. In a forensic interview at CAPStone, the girl disclosed that Matthews had begun sexually assaulting her when she was 6 years old. The man had lived with her family. She said she would awake to him touching her.

Later, she said, he moved into his own apartment, and he sexually assaulted her at his home. The girl disclosed she was 12 years old when the sexual assaults stopped.
He was wearing short sleeves the day Charlie Starkweather shot him.

Don Wendling was 7, growing up next door to a service station at 14th and Dakota streets in what was, then, the far southwest corner of Lincoln. His classmate, Bobby Starkweather, lived near 17th and Pawnee.

During their second grade year, Wendling would detour to the Starkweather house to pick up his friend, so they could walk the final few blocks together to Saratoga Elementary School.

Wendling always waited outside. I was afraid of his dad. I could hear him yelling at his wife and he sounded like someone I didnt want to be around.

The boys werent best friends, but they were close enough to run around together one summer, and spend some of their after-school hours in the Starkweather yard. There was a walnut tree back there, Wendling remembers, and he and his friend would smash the shells with rocks.

Theyd had their fill on a warm day in 1951, and had started walking down the driveway.

Charlie Starkweather would have been about 13 at the time, about a half-dozen years before his murder spree that would leave 11 people dead.
Last week, District Attorney Alexis King said in a statement she would seek a term of 20 to 30 years in the 2019 wreck on Interstate 70 west of Denver. She said that sentencing range reflects an appropriate outcome for Aguilera-Mederos' conduct, noting that the crash was not an accident.

After Monday's hearing, King said her office made the reconsideration request to give the court the ability to impose a sentence not bound by the state's mandatory sentencing laws. She said the judge, knowing the case well, was in the best position to decide a new sentence and urged people to be patient as the court process plays out.

Jones imposed the 110-year sentence against Aguilera-Mederos on Dec. 13 after finding it was the mandatory minimum term set forth under state law.

I will state that if I had the discretion, it would not be my sentence, the judge said during the hearing.

Leonard Martinez, another lawyer for Aguilera-Mederos, has said the district attorney's new requested sentencing range is not consistent with similar cases in Colorado and the United States.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP)  An Iowa woman and a Nebraska teenager have been charged in connection with a hatchet attack on a man in a Sioux City apartment building earlier this month.

Sioux City police said the attack was carried out on Dec. 18 to retaliate against the apartment's occupant because that man had previously kicked the 52-year-old woman out of the apartment. The Sioux City Journal reports that Mary Blair was arrested Saturday on several charges, including burglary and assault. The teen was arrested on similar charges Monday.

Court documents say Blair let the 16-year-old into the locked apartment building and then knocked on the door of the victims apartment before stepping aside to let the teen enter.

Prosecutors say the 61-year-old victim suffered a broken shoulder and had to have a chest tube inserted because of blood in his lung after he was struck several times with a hatchet. He also had to have surgery, but he has since been released from the hospital.
Rather than coercing the public, the vaccine mandates are seen as freeing most New Yorkers to largely resume their lives with very little fear of hospitalization or death, even in the event of a breakthrough infection. It doesnt matter if theyre now dining next to tourists from Idaho or Florida, states that refused to institute vaccine mandates. The people at the next table had to show their COVID-19 vax cards or they couldnt get in.

Early reports suggest that Omicron, while far more transmissible than other variants, tends to produce milder symptoms in the infected. Even though Omicron has exploded the COVID-19 infection numbers in South Africa, hospitalizations there are way down. Other factors could be in play, but evidence has yet to emerge that Omicron is as nasty as the Delta variant.

Omicron has raised the number of hospitalizations in New York, not because its shown itself to be especially deadly but because it has spread wildly. The recent surge in the infected has fatigued hospitals, but thanks to the citys high vaccination rate, its number of COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 residents is less than half that of the United States as a whole.
A month ago the IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) began paying salaries to essential government workers who, like all government employees, had not been paid since August. Among those considered essential were some security personnel to deal with the increased crime in Kabul and other cities. Most (nearly 70 percent) of the population lives in rural settlements where tribal leaders deal with local crime. That still leaves about 10 million Afghans living in cities and they are suffering from a growing crime rate. Kabul is turning into a lawless place full of people who are broke, hungry, often armed and growing more desperate. The IEA Kabul security forces are making about 10-15 arrests a day. More security forces are promised but that will take months and years to achieve pre-IEA security levels. IEA officials are armed and have bodyguards. There are some upscale neighborhoods that are easier to turn into a closed community with their own internal security.

Like the Iraq capital Baghdad, Kabul acquired a heavily guarded Green Zone in the center of the city. In the last decade s uccessful Green Zone attacks were very rare and usually the result of corrupt security officials. The IEA inherited most of the family compounds in the Green Zone because this is where most senior IRA (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) government officials lived until 2021. It was also where many embassies and foreign personnel stayed. Before the Taliban takeover in August, most senior officials and wealthy businessmen had sent their families to live elsewhere. Senior IEA members and their families are safe in the Green Zone but everyone else is outside the Green Zone and more at risk.

When the IEA took power, the national population was at least 33 million, which is 57 percent more than two decades ago when the Taliban were driven from power. Kabul is the largest city, with about half the urban population. The last time the Taliban were in charge (2001) Kabul had a population of half a million but twenty years later that has increased ten times to five million. Despite the population growth, over two-thirds of the population still lives in the countryside.

Bankruptcy

The biggest problem the IEA has is the national economy. Until 2020 the GDP has grown continuously since 2001 with average family income increasing noticeably each year until 2020 when GDP declined 5 percent because of covid19. In 2001 there were only 10,000 phones in the country, all very expensive land lines in cities. Now there are over 22 million inexpensive cell phones with access even in remote rural areas. Back then less than ten percent of the population had access to any health care, under the IRA at least 80 percent did and life expectancy has risen from 47 years (the lowest in Eurasia) to 62 (leaving Bangladesh to occupy last place). This is apparently the highest life expectancy has ever been in Afghanistan and the UN noted it was the highest one decade increase ever recorded. Afghans have noticed this even if the rest of the world has not.

While GDP declined five percent in 2020, that was due to the worldwide covid19 recession. That has abated and economic activity is growing worldwide. Afghanistan was on its way to three percent GDP growth in 2021 before the covid19 recession appeared. GDP growth was expected to resume in 2022, by about three percent. With the Taliban takeover, GDP is expected to shrink 20-30 percent in 2022 and not recover for years, if ever as long as the IEA is in charge. Most Afghans expect the situation to get worse than just the GDP decline because no donor nations believe Taliban assurances about being peaceful. There is already violence on the Pakistan border (about where the border actually is) and the Iran border, about the continued drug smuggling and violence against Afghan Shia. The neighbors still believe the IEA will collapse after a few years because of internal unrest and growing poverty which most Afghans will compare to the previous two decades.

The IEA faces massive internal unrest unless they can limit the collapse of the economy. Since 2001 the Afghan GDP has more than quadrupled, much faster than population growth. While per-capita GDP nearly tripled, government corruption and growth of the drug cartels distorted income distribution. By 2021 the drug cartels represented nearly 10 percent of GDP and only benefitted ten percent of the population, including the Taliban payroll plus bribes paid to political leaders and security forces commanders. Heroin and other drugs were by far the most profitable economic activity in Afghanistan. Despite that most Afghans are hostile to the drugs and the many local addicts it created. Neighboring countries have the same attitude.

Then there was foreign aid, which took care of most government expenses and much foreign investment. This foreign aid averaged over a hundred billion a year since 2002 and most of it was not spent in Afghanistan, but in the countries delivering the aid. This is normal, but there was enough being spent in Afghanistan to keep the government in power and the GDP expanding. This spending declined considerably after most foreign troops were withdrawn in 2014. The Taliban expected to quickly take over but that did not happen because most Afghan now had something to fight for and they kept the Taliban out of power until 2021. The deposed IRA government had approved a government budget of $6 billion with about four billion dollars going to pay government workers.

The IEA government can, at most, collect about 60-70 percent of that annual budget locally, plus a one-time boost in the form of the few billion dollars Taliban seized as it took control and looted whatever they could find. The U.S. froze some $10 billion dollars belonging to the IRA government and held in foreign banks until needed as an anti-corruption measure. All this money was foreign aid and the Americans have a fiscal responsibility to ensure it is not used by criminal or terrorist organizations. The IEA is trying to prove that it is legitimate, which is difficult because of the Talibans history with misusing money. The UN is going along and calling on member nations to step in and save Afghan banks. Not a lot of donor enthusiasm for this. Donor nations have learned how to operate in chronic disaster zones that lack banks as that requires lots of foreign currency which attracts extortion threats and outright robbery.

The few Afghan government employees who are still showing up to work are not getting their full salaries nor do they have access to money they had in Afghan banks. IEA will control disbursement of that depending on how loyal, essential, and effective the paid employees are.

The IEA has restored portions of the banking system, but overall, the Afghan banks cannot return to the past. Corruption was always a major problem with several major banks collapsing in the last decade or so because of massive fraud. Donor nations have encountered this sort of thing before but the corruption was much worse in Afghanistan.

Most of the previous IRA government budget was paid for with foreign aid and, until local disbursements were made, the money was kept in overseas accounts controlled by donor countries. Most of the money came from the United States and one of its many anti-corruption measures was maintaining control of the aid until the IRA could provide a valid request. The Afghan banks still made loans locally but with so much of the donor money offshore in well-audited banks, the Afghan banks were forced to behave because what business they could get was maintaining basic banking services for local businesses and the growing number of Afghans with money. During the few weeks it took the IRA to collapse in mid-2021, a lot of bank branches were looted by one faction or another and fleeing IRA officials took cash with them.

The Taliban were getting up to half a billion dollars a year in revenue from drug cartels as well as all manner of criminal enterprises (extortion and theft). The IEA is not getting more of their income from the drug cartels, which no longer have to bribe government officials. Aside from the drug cartel payments, the main source of IEA revenue is customs duties on imports and some exports. This is an unreliable source of income because as the custom duties (rates) increase it becomes more profitable to pay smugglers or bribe the custom duty collectors. The Taliban was never immune from corruption, something that was discovered after the Taliban were overthrown at the end of 2021 and many Taliban records, and Taliban officials, were captured. As with Islamic terror groups worldwide, corruption is a major problem, especially if there is more to steal.

The War on Literacy

The IEA is determined to eliminate education for girls and most university level education. After 2014 the Taliban put a lot of effort into disrupting efforts to safely promote and provide education for everyone. Efforts to increase the literacy rate, the lowest in Eurasia in 2001, were stalled in the last few years and now the Taliban is shutting schools and banning women from most schools. Despite nearly two decades of building schools and educating millions of boys and girls a year, the effort did make a difference. The adult (all those over 15) literacy rate is now 46 percent compared to 31 percent in 2001 and 18 percent in 1979, when the four decades of war began. For school-age Afghans the current literacy is nearly 50 percent because since 2002 over a third of Afghans have received at least a basic education and nearly half of those have been female, despite vigorous Taliban efforts to block that. Since 2014 the Taliban have put a priority on destroying schools, especially those that educate girls. The number of girls getting an education has been declining and parents are angry. In some areas the pro-education beliefs are so strong that the Taliban backs off on the no school for girls policy in order to avoid more armed resistance than they can handle. In most parts of Afghanistan, the Taliban terrorize or kill enough parents to keep the schools shut. This sort of thing fuels the growth in Afghans fleeing the country for the chance of a better life somewhere else. It also makes it easier to recruit armed resistance to the Taliban. The IEA does not fear this pro-education resistance because most of it is in urban areas. Where there are tribes that are very pro-education, the IEA can safely ignore them because the tribes will have to pay for their own illegal schools and the educated kids will still needs to go to an Afghan city or migrate to find employment.

The Starvation Solution Compromise

The UN has approved, with no major opposition, the delivery of billions of dollars of food, medical and other aid to Afghanistan, even though the UN still does not recognize the IEA government as legitimate. The IEA has accepted this compromise and, despite UN pledges to prevent much if any of this aid being diverted to the IEA or others, the UN track record in this area is not encouraging. The UN itself has lots of problems with corruption and that gets worse in troubled areas like IEA ruled Afghanistan. This emergency aid will amount to about $2 billion a year, an amount that can rise or fall depending on how the IEA handles, or mishandles the situation.

December 28, 2021: The IEA is accused of violating its own general amnesty given to members of the IRA security f0rces and proof came in the form of a cell phone video that showed up on the Internet and featuring two Taliban members torturing an army officer of the deposed IRA government. A senior IEA official explained that there were some Taliban fighters who had personal grudges against specific IRA special operations members or operatives for the IRA intelligence services. Both these IRA organization were particularly effective against Taliban terror attacks and the Taliban groups that carried them out.

This general amnesty was part of the new IEA governments charm offensive for international recognition. So far that is not working, in part because IEA efforts are sabotaged by another feature of the present that did not exist in the 1990s; cell phones and the World Wide Web (the user-friendly version of the original Internet). As so many other tyrants and bad actors have learned you can still lie but you cant hide with so many people, including Islamic terrorists, taking out their cell phones to record all manner of bad behavior that somehow gets worldwide distribution.

December 27, 2021: Anas Haqqani, younger brother of Haqqani Network leader Sirajuddin, is the primary publicist for the Haqqani Network, the Afghan Taliban and the IEA government. Today he announced that the IEA welcomes expatriate Afghans with essential skills to return to IEA ruled Afghanistan and use their skills to make the IEA government more effective. Thats a bold request and unlikely to convince educated Afghans to come home. There are possible exceptions where Afghans living abroad would return to protect members of their family from IEA threats. Another reason for taking this offer seriously is that the Haqqani family are primarily representatives of the Pakistan military, which has been their patron, employer and protector for decades. Most Afghans and Pakistanis consider the Haqqani Network a criminal enterprise protected by the Pakistani military. When a Haqqani speaks, his message is primarily from the Pakistani military.

Several senior members of the IEA government, especially two of the Haqqani brothers, are known Pakistani agents. Pakistan insisted on these men being included in the IEA, particularly Sirajuddin Haqqani, who had been the acting head of the Haqqani Network since 2009 and became the de facto head of the Afghan Taliban in 2016. Sirajuddin Haqqani could not be the official supreme leader of the Taliban, so a respected Taliban cleric became the official leader with Sirajuddin Haqqani as his deputy and the actual boss. This Pakistani tinkering with the Taliban split the Taliban and created a civil war that was going on for five years before the Taliban gained control of the Afghan government again.

Sirajuddin Haqqani is now the IEA Interior Minister and one of his first acts was to promise the families of suicide bombers who had died in the service of the Taliban, that they should be rewarded with cash and property. Most of those suicide bombers were recruited and trained by the Haqqani Network, acting as a terrorism contractor for the Pakistani ISI (military intelligence, a sort of CIA/KGB). Pakistan denies this but Afghans, most Pushtuns and most Western nations recognize Sirajuddin Haqqani as a major Islamic terrorist who works for Pakistan. The U.S. offers a $10 million reward for anyone who can kill or capture Sirajuddin Haqqani. For that reason, official IEA photos of the senior leadership blur Interior Minister Haqqanis facial features. Khalil Haqqani, the uncle of Sirajuddin and Anas Haqqani, is the IEA Minister of Refugees. Both Kahlil and Sirajuddin have been senior Haqqani Network leaders for over a decade, since the Haqqani Network founder Jalaluddin Haqqani became ill and unable to run the Haqqani Network himself. Jalaluddin died in 2018 but had been less active in running the Haqqani Network for years.

December 26, 2021: The IEA announced that it had eliminated the two election commissions as well as the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs along with the Ministry of Peace (negotiations). The IEA described these organizations as unnecessary even though the IEA has been telling foreign donors that they are not a religious dictatorship. The IEA did allow that these electoral organizations could be revived in the future if needed. Foreign donors believe the Taliban are going to run the IEA as they did their brief religious dictatorship in the 1990s.

In Kabul the IEA arrested Arif Noori, the owner of Noorin TV, the largest satellite-based Afghan TV network. This was unexpected because Noori appeared to be cooperating with the IEA, as have most other Afghan news organizations. Noor was released after two days and no one is revealing why he was taken.

The IEA has been arresting disobedient local journalists, or arranging for them to be physically attacked or killed. This is intimidation and all journalists who want to work in Afghanistan have to follow IEA rules on what can be reported and how. The problem is that outside of Kabul there is no standard rules for what can be reported and how. Nearly half the IRA era news outlets have shut down or been closed by the IEA. The list of things you cann0t mention in Afghan media grows daily. Aside from any criticism of the government, there are also restrictions on how permissible news is to be reported. This means you have to be careful on how you report, if at all, on IEA changes that violate IEA assurances to foreign nations that about reviving lifestyle rules that barred women from most jobs and mandated dress and travel rules for women.

December 25, 2021: The IEA threatened Pakistan because of resumed use of rockets and artillery fire from Pakistan into eastern Afghanistan (usually Kunar province) against TTP (Pakistan Taliban) camps. Pakistan has been doing this for years. The IRA government would contact Pakistan and the Pakistanis usually apologized and said they would halt the attacks. The attacks kept happening. Back in early 2019 the IRA government sent the UN a letter complaining about nearly a decade of similar Pakistani border violence. The Afghan letter detailed incidents from 2012 to early 2019 in which Pakistani troops fired 28,849 rockets, mortar or artillery shells into eastern Afghanistan . Much of this firepower is directed at Kunar province and has been going on since 2010 in an effort to hit real or suspected TTP bases there. These incidents increased to the point where the Afghans began keeping track of them in 2012. Since then, this violence has killed or wounded nearly 300 people that the Afghan government knows about. The shelling occurs against rural areas that are often unpopulated so it is unclear if the Pakistanis have hit many Pakistani Taliban. The Pakistani government propaganda insists that these Taliban Islamic terrorists are based in eastern Afghanistan and regularly cross into Pakistan to carry out attacks. The 2019 letter to the UN details how the situation is getting worse and that in 2018 there were 161 of these incidents that involved at least 6,025 Pakistani projectiles landing in Afghanistan. The letter pointed out that several elected Pakistani leaders have pledged to halt these border violations but those pledges are ignored by the Pakistani military. There was a large scale (neatly 200 shells and rockets) Pakistani attack in late 2019 but since the UN was notified and the Pakistani habit of cross border attacks became news, there have been fewer of these Pakistani attacks, and they have not stopped, even as the Pakistan-backed IEA government replaced the elected IRA one. The Pakistani military is also sending its missile armed UAVs to look for TTP leaders and kill them.

December 24, 2021: In the east (Nangarhar Province) the IEA has resumed attacks on the Pakistani efforts to build and maintain border fences. There have long been disagreements about exactly where the border is. T he current Afghan-Pakistani border is called the Durand Line. This was an impromptu, 1893 era invention of British colonial authorities and was always considered temporary, or at least negotiable, by locals. The need for renegotiation was mainly about how the line often went right through Pushtun tribal territories. However, the Afghans are more inclined to demand adjustments to the Durand Line, and fight to obtain what they want. Recent Pakistani efforts to build more fences and other structures on their side of the border was an attempt to make the Durand line permanent and no longer negotiable.

December 23, 2021: In Kabul a suicide bomber was detected and shot as he tried to enter the passport office. The bomber managed to detonate his explosives and wounding several civilians. Two days late ISK ( Islamic State Khorasan), the local ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) affiliate, took credit for the attack and promised more. ISK has been very active in Afghanistan since the IEA took power in mid-August. The IEA told Pakistan it would go after ISK while telling the United States they would not cooperate with the Americans or Russians in suppressing ISK activity in Afghanistan. Now ISK is once more operating in Pakistan in addition to growing attacks in Afghanistan. ISK is growing rapidly because many Taliban factions oppose the Pakistani domination of the IEA and continued discrimination against Pushtuns in general. Opposition to Pakistan is one thing that most Pushtuns can agree on. While ISIL doctrine calls for attacks to concentrate on heretics (mainly Shia Moslems) and infidels (non-Moslems), the growing number of Afghan and Pakistani Pushtuns joining ISK led to more attacks in general with a larger proportion against the IEA and Pakistani military and its ISI intelligence branch. ISK is believed to currently have about 2,000 armed members in Afghanistan. This growth began as soon as the IEA took over in August. Several prominent ISK members in Afghan prisons were freed by IEA, along with many lower ranking men. Some members of the deposed IRA military are also known to have joined ISK, which won some popular support by being consistent in concentrating its attacks on foreigners and Moslem factions that are considered heretics by the Sunni Moslem majority in Afghanistan.

December 22, 2021: The UN passed a resolution, which the U.S. agreed to, that allowed emergency food and medical aid to Afghanistan without recognizing the IEA as the legitimate government. Pakistan is the only country advocating recognition of the IEA and that has not stopped the IEA from causing problems with Pakistan over border disputes and the TTP maintaining bases in areas near the Pakistan border.

December 21, 2021: Companies from Qatar and Turkey have agreed to a partnership deal in which they would operate Kabul airport and share profits with IEA. This deal has been in the works for months and one obstacle was the IEA refusal to allow Turkish troops to provide airport security. Turkey agreed to the no troops demand but it is unclear who will provide security.

December 20, 2021: One of the more visible signs of IEA economic problems is the more frequent electricity blackouts in Kabul. These are the result of chronic electricity shortages made worse by blocked aid payments needed to complete power transmission networks bringing additional electricity into Kabul.

December 16, 2021: In the east (Kunar province), a senior TTP leader was the target of a laser guided rocket fired from a UAV above the village he was staying in. The missile failed to detonate. Two TTP gunmen were wounded. No pictures of the missile wreckage were made available so it is difficult to determine where it came from. Pakistan has been using Chinese UAVs since 2009 and by 2015 had armed them and used them against Islamic terrorists, including TTP, in 2015. In September 12015 a Pakistani Burraq UAV, armed with Pakistani Barq laser guided missiles, killed three Islamic terrorists in North Waziristan. This was a first for Pakistan. While Pakistan has, for nearly a decade, officially condemned and opposed similar strikes by American UAVs in North Waziristan, it never outright banned the American use of armed UAVs in certain parts of Pakistan. The U.S. refused to sell Pakistan UAVs that could carry laser guided missiles, mainly because the Americans didnt, and still dont, trust Pakistan. There were other suppliers and eventually Pakistan bought a similar (to the U.S. Predator) UAV from China in 2009 and began building their own. and calling the larger one Burraq.

December 11, 2021: India sent an aircraft to Kabul with 1.6 tons of vital medical supplies. The IEA promptly broadcast thanks to India, which Pakistan considers an archenemy, and praised past Indian aid to Afghanistan (under the IRA government). India long supported the IRA government and allied with Iran to build another road and rail link to a new (Indian financed) Iranian port on the Indian Ocean. Technically India, a Hindu majority nation, would be a target for radical Moslems. The situation with India is different because India has the largest Moslem population in the world and has always been fair in the treatment of its Moslems and Indian Moslems have reciprocated. The Pakistan military has made India the official military threat to Pakistan, something the few Indians, Pakistanis or anyone else in the region agrees with. Most Afghans agree that Pakistan is more of a threat than anything else. The IEA is trying to portray itself as the friend of all but few nations believe that as they said the same thing in the 1990s. The IEA underestimates the extent of foreign distrust. Pakistan always assured the Taliban that once they were in control once more, everything would work out.

December 1, 2021: In the west (Nimroz province) IEA gunmen opened fire on Iranians who were building the new border wall in an area favored by smugglers. The Iranians returned fire but the shooting was soon halted and representatives from Iran and the IEA met to talk. The IEA reaction was a misunderstanding about whether the wall was going up on the Iranian side of the border. It was. Turkey and Pakistan have built border fences or walls, mainly to prevent people smuggling. The Iran border barrier is aimed at drug and people smugglers. Iran has not yet recognized the new IEA because despite assurances that it would not happen, some IEA gunmen are attacking Afghan Shia, who comprise 20 percent of the population and Iran has pledged to protect Afghan Shia from Taliban or IEA violence.

November 27, 2021: In the east (Khost province) TTP gunmen crossed the Pakistan border into North Waziristan and attacked an army outpost, killing two soldiers. It is unknown if the attackers went back to Afghanistan or continued into Pakistan.
DAMASCUS, Va.  After months of disputes and delays, a dog park is still in the future for the town of Damascus.

According to Richard Smith, organizer of the project, miscommunication between the town and Washington County resulted in having to move the prospective site for the dog park to a different location in town.

A Damascus Dog Park Development Team, composed of residents eager to see the project come to fruition, had designated earlier this year an acre field at Beaverdam Creek Park to be used for an off-leash facility. However, plans changed after learning that a lease signed by the town and the county specifies the field be used for recreation.

That left the development team to do only one thing, according to Smith. We had to locate another suitable location.

After conducting a search, the team has decided on a new location where the dog park will be built on town-owned land accessible by Whistlestop Road near Trestle 17, adjoining Laurel Creek.

The town owns almost two acres of this property in the floodplain, which is unsuitable for any building other than a recreational site such as a dog park, he said.
The United Way serves the communities of both Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee.

The deadline for the fundraiser was initially set for early December but has been extended to late January due to COVID-19.

enn.  As the New Year approaches, the United Way of Bristol continues its annual fundraising campaign with an eye toward reaching a goal of $1 million.

As things stand now, the United Way has raised $874,087, putting the group $125,000 away from reaching its goal. Lisa Cofer, executive director of Bristol United Way, explained the role of United Way in the Bristol community and why the fundraising campaign is critical to the community.

"What we do is we look at where the gaps are in our community for health and human service needs and look at what programs we can either develop or what program we can pull together to meet those needs, Cofer said. We provide financial support to all 25 agencies (that are active in the region) and their programs to help continue to meet those needs."
Stakeholders from many quarters are doing their best to get their minds around the changes the incoming configuration of state government will bring  and what it meant that these changes were even set in motion.

Referring back to Terry McAuliffes run as the Democratic candidate for governor in 2013, when he eked out a win against hardcore social conservative (and science skeptic) Ken Cuccinelli, Holsworth floated this what-if, condensed here for clarity: If I had told you before the election that Terry McAuliffe would more than double his margin in Loudoun County, that he would add eight points to his margin in Fairfax County, that he would add to his margin in Prince William County, that he would add to his margin in Henrico County and that he would halve his deficit in Chesterfield County from eight points to four points  if I told you all of that was going to happen, how many of you would have placed your theoretical bets on Glenn Youngkin?
In the big picture, Longview and Cowlitz County have bounced back from the economic strains created by the pandemic. The unemployment rate is lower than it had been before COVID-19 and the total number of jobs is higher in some measures.

But are the jobs available appealing for the workers long-term? What does it mean to offer a high-quality job?

The Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative is trying to answer that question for businesses across southwest Washington and northern Oregon through the Quality Jobs Initiative. The workforce board is a team-up among three nonprofit labor agencies: Workforce SW Washington, Worksystems and the Clackamas Workforce Partnership.

The agencies began meeting with a council of business leaders from the region in August to determine what job aspects are the most important for a quality experience. Those ideas and goals will be turned into a framework that will be released early next year for local businesses to use as inspiration.

People need to earn enough money to cover basic living expenses, but its a lot more that goes into a good job than just wages, said Darcy Hoffman, director of business services for Workforce SW Washington.

One of the business representatives on the council is Bob Gustainis, the regional district manager for Walgreens in southwest Washington. Gustainis said the final rubric that comes out of the report should work for local businesses as well as companies like Walgreens that can only change so much at the local level.

Gustainis said inclusivity is going to be the major policy he plans to work on with his store managers. He hopes that actively trying to create a better work environment will make it easier to retain workers for the lower-paying, less skilled positions.

If everyone is leaving for fast food pay rates, then why is Jimmy staying for 10 years? Do you talk differently to Jimmy? Do you treat him differently than the rookies you have been working with? Gustainis said.

Positive signs for local job numbers

The Longview area reported an unemployment rate of less than 5% every month since September which is more than just a turnaround from the double-digit unemployment rates during the first months of COVID-19  its the lowest unemployment rates the county has seen since 1990, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Scott Bailey, the departments regional economist for southwest Washington, said the unemployment numbers dont tell the whole story. People who have stopped looking for jobs are not counted as unemployed.

Some people are not going back to work, either because of COVID worries or child care or kids are bouncing in and out of schools, Bailey said.

He prefers to use the total number of jobs as a measure of local economic strength, which is similarly strong for the region. Preliminary numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the Longview area had around 41,300 total jobs in November. The highest that number reached in the years leading up to the pandemic was 41,100 employees.

While the recent numbers seem positive, Bailey warned against using them to assume how the labor market will look in 2022.

All bets are off on forecasting. You tell me what omicron is going to do, or what is next in the Greek alphabet, Bailey said.

Child care and business success

One issue that came up as part of the Quality Jobs Initiative is the availability of child care.

It used to be a few years ago, folks had a hard time drawing the line between child care and work development, Hoffman said.

Workforce SW Washington put together a report in December 2020 about the importance of child care options for businesses. Employers from dozens of Cowlitz County businesses were interviewed about how their workers were impacted.

The report found 18% of the total workforce at the companies interviewed ran into child care barriers at some point. Just over half of the businesses said child care was a substantial problem for at least one employee.

Shift workers were four times more likely to have struggled with child care between 2018 and 2020. Given the prevalence of shift work in manufacturing and health care, two of Cowlitz Countys major industries, Hoffman said businesses should know the impacts the issue will have when hiring.

They may be working 12-hour shifts or working graveyard shifts and if child care isnt already challenging enough, that adds a whole new layer to it, Hoffman said.

Workforce SW Washington is addressing child care concerns outside of the quality jobs program. The Workforce Collaborative received $2.3 million from the U.S. Department of Labor in December to help cover child care costs for job seekers. Workforces share comes to $183,000 to help cover the costs for a few dozen people getting into new jobs across southwest Washington.

In addition, Hoffman said the group is working on a larger public-private partnership in Cowlitz County that would further help with childcare. Hoffman said the project doesnt yet have the critical mass at the table to release official details.

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Washingtons COVID-19 cases skyrocketed over the holiday weekend, while Cowlitz County saw a smaller increase, according to the Department of Health.

On Christmas Eve, the state recorded 6,235 cases, a record high, according to the department. The most populous counties, King, Snohomish, Pierce and Thurston, had the sharpest increase in cases, according to the departments data dashboard.

Cowlitz County recorded 11 new confirmed cases Tuesday, bringing the total to 13,383 confirmed and 1,723 probable cases. The county reported 124 new confirmed cases over the weekend. Cowlitz County has recorded 282 COVID-19 deaths.

Its unclear how many of the new cases are from the omicron variant, but state and county health officials last week predicted a surge driven by the highly transmissible coronavirus strain.

Statewide, hospitalizations remain flat, with a slight uptick in the incomplete data. Cowlitz County hospitalizations are flat or decreasing, according to the health department. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center had 15 COVID-19 patients as of Tuesday morning.

COVID testing options

Cowlitz County clinics Tuesday reported an increase in COVID-19 testing demand around the holiday weekend.

Its unclear exactly how much testing demand has changed, as the state Department of Health paused reporting testing metrics since September to increase DOHs capacity to process increasing test data volumes. The state expects to restart reporting around Feb. 28 due to an unexpected delay.

Health officials recommend testing for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms and people with likely exposures, such as close contacts. Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste and smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Local clinics and pharmacies offer molecular and antigen testing, but appointments may be limited.

Cowlitz Family Health Center clinics have seen an uptick in people wanting to get tested, said Chief Executive Officer Jim Coffee. The clinics offer rapid antigen tests to patients with possible exposure and PCR tests for patients with symptoms, he said.

At this point in the pandemic if people have symptoms that could remotely be connected to the coronavirus, they should get tested, Coffee said.

The Family Health Center recently ordered 500 at-home tests for each clinic through the new federal home testing program, Coffee said. Once the tests arrive, they will be available for free to patients and community members, he said.

Coffee said he expects testing demand to increase significantly over the next couple of weeks because of the holidays.

Kaiser Permanentes Longview clinic also saw a holiday-related increase in testing last week, said Debbie Karman, spokesperson. The clinic offers testing to its members by appointment, which can be scheduled online. Testing turnaround time is 24 to 48 hours.

Pacific Urgent Care in Longview only offers rapid tests to patients after providers evaluate them and determine the test necessary, according to the clinics voicemail.

PeaceHealth tests all patients admitted to St. John Medical Center, regardless of symptoms. Anyone with a scheduled procedure also is tested ahead of time. PeaceHealth encourages people with symptoms or who have been exposed to seek testing at a local pharmacy.

The Longview Walgreens stopped offering COVID-19 testing last week and appointments are not available right now, according to its website. Appointment availability fluctuates daily and is limited in many locations, the company said in a statement.

Appointments are available at the Longview Rite Aid beginning next week, according to the pharmacys website.

Some pharmacies, including Walmart, Walgreens and Rite Aid, also may have over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for sale, although supply appears limited and variable.

Tests were out of stock online at Walgreens and Rite Aid as of Tuesday afternoon. Its unclear if the tests were available in store. Walmart listed several brands of at-home tests online, with some in stock.

Anyone who tests positive should isolate for at least five days and wear a mask around others for another five days, according to new Centers for Disease Control recommendations. People can stop isolating after five days if they have no symptoms or once their fever goes away.

After testing positive, people should inform their close contacts, or those who were within six feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

People who test positive with an at-home test can report the result by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127. The hotline is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and holidays.

The health department also recommends people contact their healthcare provider. People should monitor their symptoms, and seek emergency care if illness becomes severe.

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Watch out for child in need Whatsapp scams as parents get duped out of 50,000





Another WhatsApp scam is circulating, this time aimed at parents. WhatsApp scammers pretend to be desperate children who need money right away.

People in the UK have reportedly been defrauded of nearly  50,000 for this type of scam. 25 cases of fraud were reported between August and October, with victims losing pounds 48,356.

A Bedford mom shared her WhatsApp exchange with a Bedford Facebook group to warn others.





"Hello mom, it's me. I have a new number, you can delete the old one, read the scammer's input text.

Toni Parker, 53, thought her son had dropped his phone down the toilet and had a new phone number (Picture: Caters News)





When the woman asked who the unknown messenger was, they replied: Your oldest and sweetest son xx. The scammer then stated that he had a new phone and was "transferring everything", claiming that his banking app had banned him for 48 hours.

Very annoying because there is nothing I can do about it. Can you possibly pay me and I will get it back to you asap? I'm sorry to bother you with this, '' read the scammer's text message. However, instead of sending the money immediately, the woman called her daughter, who confirmed that she was not sending the messages.

When the woman realized she was being attacked by a conspiratorial impostor, she immediately warned others about the deception.





This is not the first time such a tactic has been used to commit fraud on WhatsApp. In August, a nurse was cheated of  2,500 after a scammer impersonated her son. In September, WhatsApp users were warned of the scam that could see criminals steal thousands of them.

'WhatsApp protects our users' personal messages with end-to-end encryption, but we want to remind people that we all have one.' We advise all users never to share their six-digit PIN code with anyone, not even with friends or family, and we recommend all users configure two-step verification for added security.
European Central Bank experts spot fake euro notes with 3D microscopes, ultra-sensitive scales and special devices.

On the 23rd floor of the European Central Bank's towering Frankfurt headquarters, on the other side of a security door, anti-counterfeiting experts are poring over some of the best fake banknotes in the eurozone.

The room, off limits to outsiders, at first glance recalls a high school science laban unusually well-equipped one.

Lined up on the workbenches are 3D microscopes, ultra-sensitive scales and special devices designed to detect around a dozen of the safety features embedded in genuine euro banknotesand spot the forgeries.

The analysis done by the handful of specialists in the room helps the ECB keep up to date with the latest counterfeiting techniques, and hopefully stay a step ahead.

Twenty years after the launch of the single currency, the risk of a eurozone citizen holding a fake euro note is "very slim", said Jean-Michel Grimal, head of the ECB's currency development division.

And the chances have been getting slimmer by the year.

According to the ECBresponsible for issuing bills while the central banks of the 19 eurozone nations each produce their own coinsbanknote counterfeiting fell to a historically low level in 2020.

Around 460,000 fake euro bills were taken out of circulation last year, an 18-percent drop on 2019.

European Central Bank experts use machines to check the thickness of euro bills.

By comparison, there are currently 27 billion genuine euro notes out there.

The safety of euro banknotes has contributed to the "strong trust" eurozone citizens have in the single currency, Grimal said, with recent surveys putting support for the euro at around 80 percent.

Helping police

The lab's biggest treasure is a large iron cabinet that requires two people to open it, each only knowing part of the secret combination.

Inside is a trove of nearly 1,000 fake banknotes, from five- to 500-euro bills, that have been studied over the past two decades.

Every eurozone country has its own counterfeiting detection centre, but Frankfurt holds the most "interesting" examples because they are considered the best imitations, said Eric Languillat, one of the ECB's counterfeiting experts.

The analysis done here also helps to give "a quantitative view of the (fake) notes circulating in Europe", he said.

Euro banknote counterfeiting fell to a historically low level in 2020.

The findings are shared with police services like the EU police agency Europol to help them track down counterfeiting networks.

The ECB's research and development teams, tasked with constantly improving the quality and security of euro bills, also feed off the lab's discoveries.

"If we notice the counterfeiters using certain technological methods, the R&D teams will look at what they can put in place to counteract them," said Grimal.

The ECB's tampering-fighting efforts come at a price, requiring a sizable annual budget.

But the money spent "is a good investment compared to the cost of a counterfeiting crisis", said Grimal.

'Feel, look, tilt'

The Frankfurt analysts examine the bills into the smallest details.

On one computer screen, a genuine 20-euro note is blown up to nearly 70 times its size, revealing the tiny waves inside the "20" figure, resembling the ridges of a ploughed field, and quite a challenge to imitate.

"If you look carefully at a banknote, the quality of a fake is generally pretty bad, it should be easy to spot," says ECB counterfeit bill expert Eric Languillat.

Citizens don't necessarily "have the instinct to look closely at notes," said Languillat.

That's why the ECB has for years encouraged the public to use the "feel, look, tilt" method to check that what they're holding is the real thingno microscope required.

Special printing ensures no other notes feel like euro notes, holding a bill up to the light reveals the watermark and security thread, while tilting it changes the hologram and colour-shifting images.

"If you look carefully at a banknote, the quality of a fake is generally pretty bad, it should be easy to spot," he said.

Explore further Euro banknote artist fears redesign could revive rivalries

 2021 AFP
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Q: Several months ago, my copy of Microsoft Word 2010 ceased being able to print documents. I get the error message "There is insufficient memory or disk space. Word cannot display the requested font." (I get the same message no matter what font I use.) This is only a problem with Word. I can copy the text to Windows 10 Notepad or WordPad and print from those programs. The Office repair tool didn't help. I can't reinstall Word because my PC is second-hand, and I don't have any Office 2010 installation disks. I tried the solution in a YouTube video (see tinyurl.com/4fma86hy) without success. What can I do?

David Nightingale, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

A: There are several possible causes of the Microsoft Word error message you're getting, but you've already ruled out two of them: It's not data corruption in the printer's driver software because you can still print from other programs. It's also not corruption in a crucial Word file called "normal.dot"; you followed the YouTube directions to recreate that file. So, what else might cause your problem?

You might have compatibility problems with Windows 10. Your PC, a Dell Optiplex 760, was introduced in 2009 and may not keep working with newer versions of Windows 10.

You may have a problem with your copy of Office. Microsoft stopped providing technical and security updates for Office 2010 more than a year ago, so it's possible that your copy of Word 2010 has been hacked. If so, there's no easy fix because you can't reinstall the program.

There may be a software conflict with one of the add-in programs you can download to give Word new features (see tinyurl.com/mr2v4p4c). Turn off any add-ins that you or the PC's previous owner might have installed and see if this solves your printing problem. (For details on this and the following fixes, see tinyurl.com/3ufsw84x).

There may be other software flaws. You can try using the Windows "PowerShell" commands, which provide an alternate way to manage printers. And if that doesn't work, you can change the PC's registry, a database of settings. This is always risky because if you make a mistake the PC won't work. Make a back-up copy of the registry before making the recommended registry changes (the Web address above explains how.)

Q: I bought a new HP laptop that has Windows 11, but I can't get it to print Microsoft Word documents on both sides of the paper using my HP Officejet Pro 8610. This was easy on my previous HP PC, but this time I can't seem to set it up in Control Panel. What can I do?

Earl Athman, Little Falls, Minnesota

A: There is a new software driver for your printer; download it at tinyurl.com/5cy8zbn7 and it may solve the problem. If not, try this: To print a single document double-sided, open the document and press the "Ctrl" and "P" keys simultaneously. Select your printer from the list, then click "preferences." In the resulting menu, select either "duplex printing (manual)" or "duplex printing (automatic)." Duplex means printing on both sides of the paper. Doing it manually means you have to feed the paper into the printer a second time. Doing it automatically means you don't have to do anything. At the bottom of the menu, click "OK." In the next menu, click "apply" at the bottom, then click "print." (For more details, see tinyurl.com/yckt3cy9).

Explore further Tech Q&A: How being online renews Office 365 PC apps

2021 StarTribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: Irina Bg / Shutterstock

The dramatic changes in technology over the past 20 or so years, from the internet to the smartphone and digital assistants like Alexa, have made communication more accessible than ever before. We have created an online world where we post, share, comment, express views and seek information as well as relationships. These changes have also transformed the language we use.

Our new study based on the British National Corpus 2014 (BNC2014)a 100 million-word sample of current languageshows us just how language has changed in the internet era. This data was contrasted with the original British National Corpus 1994 (BNC1994)a comparable data set which samples British English from the early 1990s.

The study employed a methodology called corpus linguistics, which analyzes large amounts of language using specialized software. The method allows researchers to search and compare word frequencies across different texts and genres, revealing the patterns and trends in language over time. The software used in this study was developed at Lancaster University and is freely available for download together with the data.

Here are some of the most striking changes:

1. We've become more informal

Our study revealed that overall, British English has become much more informal. This is true not only in blog posts and social media, where informality would be expected, but across the whole spectrum of genres, from fiction to newspapers, political speeches and academic writing.

Take the example below, from a recent academic papera genre that has traditionally been perceived as formal. What is new about the language of this text is the high frequency of informal features like contractions (isn't) and second and first person pronouns. This is something that would be fairly unusual before the internet revolution.

"For at least on a popular Christian conception, when you believe something truly on the basis of faith this isn't because of anything you're naturally competent to doI argue in this article that there's no deep tension between faith-based knowledge and virtue epistemology."

Modals are on their way out. Author provided

2. We use "Mr. and Mrs." less often

Compared to 20 years ago, we are now more likely to address people using their first names than by more formal forms of address. The frequency of use of Mr and Mrs has decreased by 30% and 56%, respectively. The decrease in the use of Mrs has been partly counterbalanced by the increase in the use of Ms., but the overall decrease in the use of all the formal forms of address combined is 33%.

3. 'Elanguage'

The internet has transformed not only how we use language, but also the words themselves. The following terms, acronyms and spellings are part of a register known as "elanguage": Alexa, app, awesome, blog, congrats, email, fab, Facebook, fitbit, Im, Instagram, iPad, iPhone, Ive, Lol, omg, tbh, tweet, Twitter and website.

Each word in this list has a story behind it. Take, for example, the word "app," which is somewhat symbolic for the technological revolution. Although the first uses of this term are from the early 1990s, there are only a handful of examples of this word being used in the 100 million words of the BNC1994. One example, from a computer magazine:

"To run your average Windows app you'll need 4Mb of RAM, a 100Mb hard disk."

In the early 1990s, the term used to refer to an app was software with 9,356 examples in the BNC1994. Nowadays, software is used much less frequently with a 49% decrease in use. On the other hand, app has considerably increased its frequency of use in elanguage (167 per million words) as well as in general British English (41 per million words).

4. Farewell to modals

The use of modal verbs such as must, may and shall has reached new lows. Must is now used just over 350 times per million words, a 42% decrease over the last 20 years. May marked a similar decrease (41%) as must, while shall changed even more dramatically, a 61% decrease.

These changes are associated with the overall shift of British English towards informality. The following sentences, both from BNC1994, now sound slightly old-fashioned and formal:

"Of course, we shall not be staying here long."

"May I take my jacket off, please?"

The decrease in the frequencies of modals started in English at the beginning of the 20th century, when must and may appeared well over 1,000 times per million words. Shall has always been the verb with the lowest frequency (400 per million words at the beginning of the 20th century and 64 per million words in present-day English). The graph below shows a clear trajectory of decrease of the core modals in English. If the trend continues at the same rate, these modals will be practically out of use by 2050. Note, however, that language change rarely follows a straightforward linear pattern of decrease.

5. Punctuation

Language change is also demonstrated in subtle linguistic features like punctuation marks. These indicate how long our sentences are, and what message and tone these carry: statements, questions or exclamations. The table below shows five most popular punctuation marks in English writing and how their frequency per million words has changed from the early 1990s to the present.

Most common punctuation marks are used more frequently now than they were in the early 1990s. This is particularly noticeable in the case of question marks (64% increase) and exclamation marks (103% increase). This might be a sign of language becoming more interactive and carrying a more emotional load. There is a small (5%) decrease in the use of semicolons, which are typically used in a more formal style of writing.

The corpus study offers a unique insight into the changes to lexical and grammatical features of British English over the yearsonly a few examples of which were given in this article. These reflect changes in technology as well as society. While language is always changing, the unprecedented access to a variety of forms of language on the internet, where one doesn't need to be a fiction writer or a journalist to reach thousands or millions of readers, has accelerated informalisation of language.

Explore further Use of swear words has declined by more than a quarter in the UK since 1990s, says research

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Another round of litigation against the Mountain Valley Pipeline is revving up, this time over the vote earlier this month by the State Water Control Board allowing the infrastructure to cross streams and wetlands.

The Sierra Club and eight other environmental and community groups filed a petition late in the day on Dec. 22 with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, asking the court to review the boards decision.

Legal grounds were not included in the two-page document; those will be spelled out in future filings.

But pipeline opponents have long criticized the board and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, who they say failed to stop construction of the natural gas pipeline from harming natural resources  first in 2017, and more recently with a second permit.

MVPs dirty, dangerous pipeline project has already impacted both air and water quality along the route, leading to major environmental degradation, as well as public health concerns for communities, Caroline Hansley, a senior organizer for the Sierra Club, said in a statement.

Opponents say Mountain Valley should not be allowed to continue its past track record of nearly 400 violations of erosion and sediment control regulations in Southwest Virginia.

Mountain Valley contends that the problems, largely caused by heavy precipitation in 2018, have been corrected.

We believe the Courts review of the work completed by the VA DEQ during the past year will find that the agency met or exceeded all legal and regulatory requirements, and that the agencys action will be upheld, company spokeswoman Natalie Cox wrote in an email.

Joining the Sierra Club in the latest challenge are: Appalachian Voices, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Preserve Bent Mountain, Preserve Craig County, Preserve Franklin County, Preserve Giles County and Wild Virginia.

The Fourth Circuit has been a frequent pipeline battleground, with both Mountain Valley and the government agencies that regulate it often suffering setbacks.

So far, however, there has not been a fatal blow to the $6.2 billion project. Five energy companies building the pipeline say its needed to provide 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to markets along the East Coast.

Three-judge panels of the appellate court have twice set aside a blanket permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which would have allowed the pipeline to cross nearly 1,000 water bodies along its 303-mile route through West Virginia and Virginia.

After the second defeat, Mountain Valley decided to seek a different type of permit that required a more detailed study of each crossing. Approval from the two states is needed before the Army Corps can issue a permit for the remaining crossings. West Virginia has until Dec. 31 to act.

The water boards 3-2 vote Dec. 14 applied to about 150 streams and wetlands in the six Virginia counties through which the buried pipeline passes: Giles, Craig, Montgomery, Roanoke, Franklin and Pittsylvania.

Getting from one side of a stream to the other has not been Mountain Valleys only legal challenge.

In 2018, not long after work began on the long-delayed project, the Fourth Circuit invalidated a permit for the pipeline to pass through the Jefferson National Forest. The court found the Forest Service was too accepting of the companys assurances that erosion in the forest would not be a major problem.

The following year, the same court issued a stay of an opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which determined that running a 42-inch diameter pipe along steep slopes and through pristine water bodies would not jeopardize endangered species.

Both agencies have since re-issued permits, only to be sued again by the coalition of environmental groups. The Fourth Circuit heard oral arguments Oct. 29. Decisions are expected in the coming days or weeks.

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The She Doos rang bells to raise money for the Salvation Army during this holiday season. The She Doos have been around Smith Mountain Lake for over 20 years now, supporting and raising funds for numerous organizations. In the month of December the She Doos volunteered for the Salvation Army by ringing bells on three separate days at the Kroger in Westlake. They were able to collect a total of $2,721.81.
The full ACT without the writing portion, according to the tests website, costs $60. The full ACT, with writing section included, is $85, but ACTs writing test is not required in state assessments.

Engle said GICC tries to ease the financial burden by offering some financial assistance for families who would otherwise not be able to afford the test through the Central Catholic Development Foundation.

Grand Island Central Catholics student-to-teacher ratio is smaller than many schools. Ideally the 10:1 ratio lends itself to more individualized attention to students and their academic needs, but Engle credited the schools learning culture for their test scores.

I think the reason that we have such high expectations for our students on the ACT is that it rests very close to what our vision and our goals are for our school right now, he said. One of the goals that I have for our students is for 100% of our students to graduate with college credit of one form or another.
Cases in Illinois prisons jumped to 703 active COVID-19 cases among inmates and staff in the past two weeks  compared to 74 inmates and 126 staff on Dec. 6, according to data provided by IDOC.

Despite a state mandate for all staff within the Department of Corrections to get vaccinated that went into effect in October, only 66% of staff are currently vaccinated.

Lindsey Hess, a spokesperson for IDOC, said 66% of staff and 75% of inmates are vaccinated.

Hess said these staff members have either received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer.

Approximately 12,292 individuals in custody and 1,609 staff received their booster shots, she said.

Alan Mills, executive director of the Uptown Peoples Law Center, told The Southern that he believes the rise in case numbers can be attributed to low vaccination rates among staff.

On Aug. 26, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order requiring the vaccine for all IDOC employees. These workers were required to have the vaccine no later than October 4, 2021, subject to bargaining.

The main union supporting guards working for the Department of Corrections, AFSCME, has opposed any mandate for a vaccine and is currently in arbitration with the Governor's office over the matter.

The governors office did not respond to requests for comment.

Eddie Caumiant, a regional director for AFSCME Council 31, said while the union is supportive of the vaccine in general, they oppose the mandate.

Caumiant said the arbitration began Oct. 22 and its end is imminent. However, he said he doesnt know what the decision will ultimately be regarding the mandate.

Since July 1, correctional facilities have accounted for 18.6% of COVID-19 cases statewide, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data. The facilities were one of the highest sources of outbreaks next to daycares, factories and group homes.

Case counts are updated daily Monday through Friday at approximately 5 p.m. on IDOCs website, according to IDOC.

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WAYNE COUNTY  Authorities have named Ray Tate as the suspect arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Wayne County deputy near the Illinois/Indiana border.

Illinois State Police's Criminal Division Zone 8 announced Wednesday evening they will lead the investigation into Tate's alleged killing of Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Riley.

After a manhunt that lasted several hours, Tate was taken in custody and transported to the Clinton County Jail. Authorities say they expect him to be charged with first-degree murder by the Wayne County States Attorney.

At about 5 a.m. Wednesday, ISP DCI Zone 8 was requested to assist with a shooting involving an officer. Preliminary reports indicate that Riley was dispatched for a motorist assist call on eastbound Interstate 64 at mile marker 115.

A short time later, another responding officer located Riley dead on scene. The deputy's squad car was missing, and then located abandoned a short time later just east of the scene.

ISP said it's believed the suspect, Tate, 40, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, carjacked a semitrailer near where Rileys squad car was located.

The driver of the semitrailer said he was held against his will and drove Tate to a gas station in St. Peters, Missouri, police said.

While in Missouri, a series of carjackings, robberies and shootings occurred, police said.

Tate allegedly traveled back into Illinois with a kidnapped victim in another stolen vehicle, ISP said. That stolen vehicle was located at a residence in rural Carlyle.

Police say Tate committed a home invasion, and took the homeowner and the kidnapped victim hostage at a residence in rural Clinton County.

At 1:42 p.m., ISP S.W.A.T. officers made entry into the residence and took Tate into custody without incident. The homeowner and kidnapped victim were located uninjured.

ISP Sgt. Todd Ringle said an autopsy has been completed and nearly 40 police vehicles escorted Riley back home.

"Please continue to keep his family in your prayers. We appreciate the volume of people along the route that showed their respect for Deputy Riley," he wrote.

ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly released a statement on ISP's behalf, saying he extended my heartfelt condolences all who knew Riley.

Once again, the Illinois State Police has safely apprehended an alleged cop killer with exceptional professionalism, patience and persistence standing side by side with all Illinois law enforcement through another dark and difficult moment. Mercifully, this incident was concluded with no further harm to first responders, and this defendant will now face justice, concluded Kelly.

Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza released a statement this morning regarding the death of Riley.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Wayne County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Riley early this morning," Mendoza said in the release. "As the sister of a Chicago Police detective sergeant, any death of a first responder on duty hits close to home. My family and I will be praying for Deputy Rileys family as well as for the rest of the Wayne County Sheriffs Department. As the investigation into Deputy Rileys tragic death continues, I hope that the perpetrator will be caught, and Deputy Rileys family can feel some sense of justice. I ask that all Illinoisans lift up Deputy Rileys family in prayer in the days and weeks ahead.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information should contact the Illinois State Police at 217-524-2500.

Katie Kull of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

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HICKSTOWN  An historic country church left an empty hole in the heart of many when it was burned to the ground this past November.

The Richland Church was a beacon of hope for all Hickstown residents that saw generations of families through two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and so much loss, illness, death and despair, Lena Morsch said on the Richland Churchs Facebook page the night it burned down.

A family member of Morsch is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with information the leads to an arrest in the case.

Lena Morsch and her sister, Gina Morsch, spent countless years of their life in that church with their family and friends.

The two were attempting to reopen the churchs doors that had been closed for the last five years.

When their plan went up in flames along with the building the whole community mourned the loss of a longtime friend.

A tragic fire

On the evening of Nov. 1, Gina Morsch was leaving her family farm to head back to Harrisburg with her brother when she saw a vehicle pull into the churchs parking lot, Gina Morsch said.

She tried to convince her brother to take them over there to check it out, but the ultimately didnt.

Later that night, she received a message that took her breathe away.

All the way back to Saline County, I had the most horrible feeling in my stomach because it just looked so suspicious, Gina Morsch said. By the time we had got back to his house another relative sent me a photo. They said, I know you dont want to hear this but the church is fully engulfed in flames right now. I cant describe to you how I felt.

The Rosiclair Fire Department received the call about the fire that night, and the Hardin County Sheriff's Office dispatched units to the scene, sheriff's office dispather Jessica Fricker said.

Both Fire Marshals and Illinois Fire Service personnel were called to investigate the fire, Fricker said.

Gina Morsch has spent a majority of her life in that church and losing it was heartbreaking for her.

It really felt like somebody had called me to tell me that a family member had passed, Gina Morsch. Its odd to describe a building with that much meaning, but it really felt like somebody in our family had been a victim of a horrible crime. Im having nightmares about it now because of the guilt I feel for not being more persistent that we check it out. So much disbelief that somebody could burn down such a sweet little beautiful church that had so much history.

Not all was lost.

Shelly Deal, an individual who lives near the church, had the foresight to retrieve some historic items out of the church years prior.

I do have a lot of items and records that I had taken out two or three years ago. So not everything is lost, but its just a shame that someone would do that for no reason. I dont understand it.

She was able to retrieve some records, a cross and some other unique items.

Its a huge relief because unfortunately I did not absorb everything my elders tried to tell me about the history of the church, Gina Morsch said. It was sort of this divine intervention that she had the foresight to take those things out.

Aside from these items, countless memories remain in the minds of those who once went to the Richland Church.

A legacy felt by many

Lena and Gina Morsch were destined to be a part of the Richland Church, as were many others.

I grew up there. It was something that generations of our family did, Gina Morsch said. They went to church there. I had multiple relatives that were preachers there. It all started with our great, great grandmother who was the first member there in 1887 when the building was built.

Many local families, including the Robinson, Stacy and Ralph families, are just some examples of the deep roots the church has within the community, according to Lena Morsch.

It was very important to the lives of multiple generations of people, Gina Morsch said. They would leave the doors open to the church when it was active so anybody could go in there. So its kind of like going to your grandmas house. It just never changed. It was familiar.

The building held countless memories for all of who used to attend  from holiday services and choir to late night piano practice.

We could always stop by and go in the church and play the piano, Gina Morsch said. It really helped shaped me as a person I think. I dont know what I would have done if I hadnt had that little place to go to when I had troubled times.

However, not all memories were fun ones.

The church was built out of handmade nails and wood from many locals farms and even contained handmade pews.

It was in one of these pews the Gina Morsch spent her last moments in the church holding her mothers hand as they mourned her uncle.

Her mother then passed three weeks later, Gina Morsch said.

This was the primary reason for the churchs closing. As more and more of the church elders died, the congregation thinned.

The Richland Church then had no choice but to close its doors, shutoff power and cease having service five years ago.

The future

While the churchs doors remained closed until its last day, there was hope that it would not remain that way forever.

Lena and Gina Morsch had been speaking with a pastor and they were working to get the power back on, Gina Morsch said.

Although service had not been held in a few years, it was our hope to restore the church and rebuild a congregation, Lena Morsch said on Facebook. It was a comfort to know that it still stood, waiting for a new day. We can't imagine the unthinkable has happened. It is a horrible loss!

They were even looking into groups who could fix any issues with the building.

After hours of thinking it over Gina Morsch has decided that she plans to try to rebuild the church should they be allowed to do so on the same land.

I do not want this to be the end of the church. The end of the story. Our ancestors left it in our care, and I feel really bad that I wasnt more involved in it. It seems like a lot of those little old country churches are becoming a thing of the past. Theyre an endangered species. I dont know if the church could be sustained or if there would be enough interests, but Im more than willing to try.

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Carbondales Christmas Tree Recycling Program allows any resident to dispose of their live trees in a beneficial way that will not only give back to the environment but the local community as well, according to Carbondales City Arborist Mark McDaniel.
Illinois lawmakers approved nearly 700 bills this legislative session  nearly 300 of which took effect Saturday. Here are some that you should know:

Juneteenth

House Bill 3922 recognizes Juneteenth, which commemorates the date the last enslaved people were told of their emancipation in 1865, as an official state holiday. It will be a paid day off for state workers and public educators in years when it falls on a weekday. Since it is on a Sunday this year, the first paid state holiday will be in 2023.

FOID reform

House Bill 562 makes major changes to the states Firearm Owners Identification card system. It encourages but does not require fingerprinting, with those who provide them granted a streamlined process for renewal of FOID and concealed carry licenses. It also includes a combined FOID and CCL license for those who are eligible.

Trailer bill

Senate Bill 58 reduces the license plate renewal fee for trailers with a single axle and weighing under 2,000 pounds from $118 to $36. It also increases the private vehicle tax by $75 for each model year where the purchase price is less than $15,000 and $100 if the purchase price is above $15,000.

Minimum wage

The states minimum wage will increase to $12 per hour. It will increase an additional $1 every year until reaching $15 on Jan. 1, 2025.

Criminal justice reform

Most of the massive omnibus criminal justice reform law will take effect in the coming years, but starting Jan. 1, all law enforcement officers working for counties and cities with a population over 500,000 will have to wear body cameras. Police departments in smaller jurisdictions will be phased in.

Interrogations

Senate Bill 2122 makes statements provided by minors inadmissible if attained using deceptive practices by law enforcement.

Test optional

All Illinois public colleges and universities will have to offer a test-optional policy with the signing of House Bill 226. This means that students can choose whether or not to submit ACT, SAT or other test scores as part of their application.

Student mental health

Students will have up to five excused absences that can be used for mental or behavioral health. A doctors note is not required and students must be given the opportunity to make up any missed work while taking those days.

Hair discrimination

Named after a four-year-old boy who was sent home from school for having braids that violated the schools dress code, the Jett Hawkins Act bans school districts from enforcing dress codes that prohibit hairstyles historically associated with race and ethnicity, such as dreads and locks.

Gendered language

Senate Bill 139 allows a married person to request a certificate of their current marriage that is free of any gender identifying language like bride or groom and includes nongendered language like spouse.

Flags

House Bill 605 requires that state agencies and institutions purchase Illinois and American flags that were made in the United States.

Lemonade

Senate Bill 119 allows children under the age of 16 to sell lemonade and other non-alcoholic drinks without a permit or license. It is also known as Haylis Law after an 11-year-old whose lemonade stand was shut down by local public health officials.

Asian American history

Religious history

House Bill 564 requires that history classes in public schools include contributions made by people of different faiths, including Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs.

Youth vaping

Dubbed the Preventing Youth Vaping Act, Senate Bill 512 prohibits electronic cigarette companies from using images of cartoons or video games that appeal to children in their marketing tactics. It also requires sellers to ensure that the buyer is at least 21 years old.

Agricultural science

Senate Bill 1624 adds agricultural sciences as a type of course that may be counted toward the three-year high school science course requirement to gain admission to an Illinois public university.

No non-compete

Non-compete clauses are only enforceable if the employees annual salary exceeds $75,000.

Childrens drinks

Senate Bill 1846 sets water, juice or milk as the default beverages for kids meals at restaurants. Kids can still request other drinks, such as pop.

FAFSA

Senate Bill 63 requires the Department of Children and Family Services to ensure that youth in care who are seniors in high school have completed a FAFSA by Nov. 1 of their final year of school and provide assistance in obtaining required documents.

Journalism task force

Senate Bill 134, known as the Local Journalism Task Force Act, will review, study and analyze the state of journalism in Illinois.

Ethics reform

Senate Bill 539 bans public officials from lobbying other units of government; ban legislators and executive branch officials from lobbying for six months after leaving office or the conclusion of their term; and bans fundraisers on days before and after session.

Imprisonment

Senate Bill 1566 requires the courts to factor pregnancy into consideration when deciding in favor of withholding or minimizing a sentence of imprisonment.

Human trafficking

Senate Bill 1600 requires a restaurant or truck stop to provide its employees with training in the recognition of human trafficking and protocols for reporting observed human trafficking to the appropriate authority.

Reduce sentences

Senate Bill 2129 allows states attorneys to petition the court to reduce an offenders sentence if the states attorney believes the original sentence no longer advances the interests of justice.

Debate

Senate Bill 2354 allows students to take one year of forensic speech and debate in high school as a replacement for music, art or foreign language requirements.

Meeting minutes

Senate Bill 2356 requires that public bodies meet to review meeting minutes every six months, that a committee reviews closed session minutes six months from the last review, or at the next meeting.

Gold Star families

House Bill 20 repeals the registration fee for Gold Star license plates for surviving spouses or parents of veterans who died either during wartime or peacetime.

Early termination

House Bill 122 ends early termination fees for utility customers who are deceased before the end of a contract.

Animal adoption

House Bill 168 prohibits an individual from adopting or otherwise possessing animals if he or she has been convicted of two or more specified animal-related offenses.

Homeless hygiene

House Bill 310 ensures that feminine hygiene products are available for free at all homeless shelters providing housing assistance to women and/or youth.

Adjuncts

House Bill 375 requires the governing board of a public university or community college district to notify an adjunct professor about the status of the class they were hired to at least 30 days before the start of a term and again 14 days before the beginning of a term.

Microbe

Township roads

House Bill 2863 requires county highway superintendents to provide written confirmation of positive or negative decisions on applications to build ditches, drains, tracks, rails, poles, wires, pipe line or other equipment alongside a township road.

Word choice

House Bill 3217 amends numerous state statutes by deleting the use of Haitian or Negro and instead uses Black or African American.

Watch now: Top 10 stories in Illinois government from 2021 2021 was a year of change in Illinois politics and government, whether it was the ushering in of new leadership under the Capitol dome or the passage of consequential legislation that will fundamentally change how the state generates its electricity.

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KENOSHA, Wis.  Prosecutors have now charged more than 60 people in connection with offenses committed during protests against police brutality and racism in Kenosha last year.

The Kenosha News reported Tuesday that Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveleys office has filed more than 90 separate charges, including 70 felonies and 18 misdemeanors. Six cases involved juveniles. The felony counts include burglary, making threats against police or National Guard troops and destroying an ATM.

Protests engulfed Kenosha for several nights in August 2020 after a white police officer shot Jacob Blake during a domestic disturbance. Blake, who is Black, survived but the shooting left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Kyle Rittenhouse of Illinois shot three protesters on the second night of the demonstrations, killing two of them. He argued he fired in self-defense after the first protester tried to grab his rifle, the second hit him with a skateboard and the third pointed a gun at him. A jury acquitted him of multiple charges in November.

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The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to send contract killer Sammie Louis Stokes back to death row.

The Attorney Generals Office filed a petition with the court on Dec. 21, asking that it reinstate Stokes death sentence.

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the Orangeburg County mans death penalty back in August after his lawyers argued the jury shouldve been told about his traumatic childhood.

The S.C. Attorney Generals Office requested the U.S. Supreme Court keep Stokes on death row, but Chief Justice John Roberts denied the request last month.

On Dec. 21, the S.C. Attorney Generals Office filed a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court stating that the majority of appeals court judges erred when they made their decision four months ago.

The majority consisted of two of three judges. One judge wrote a dissent.

In petition, the S.C. Attorney Generals Office said the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals committed multiple errors that warrants this Courts review.

According to the petition, the Appeals Court:

 Refused to properly consider evidence of a second murder Stokes committed and the horrific circumstances of the crime.

 Didnt take into consideration the downside of introducing evidence about bad upbringing.

 Diminished the substantial burden to prove there wouldve been a reasonable probability of a different outcome by introducing mitigating factors that wouldve made a difference, even when there was plenty of evidence.

 Erred in assessing the performance of Stokes trial and collateral attorneys.

The S.C. Attorney Generals Office also stated, Most of Stokess case is founded on a federal evidentiary hearing that shouldve never been held pending the outcome of the Shinn vs. Ramirez case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

If the Supreme Court allows the appeals court ruling to stand, the 1st Judicial Circuit is allowed to hold another sentencing hearing for Stokes by Oct. 22, 2022. If the state doesnt hold a sentencing hearing by Oct. 22, 2022, Stokes will continue serving a life sentence.

Stokes raped, tortured and murdered Connie Lee Snipes, 21, of Bamberg, on May 22, 1998 in Branchville.

According to U.S. Court documents, Patti Syphrett, then 42, hired Stokes to kill Snipes, who was her daughter-in-law, for $2,000.

At 9:30 p.m., Syphrett and Snipes picked up Stokes at a pawn shop.

The three then went to Branchville and picked up Norris Martin, court documents say.

The four of them then drove down a dirt road in Branchville and stopped. Syphrett remained in the car while Stokes, Martin and Snipes walked into the woods. When they got into the woods, Stokes told Snipes, Baby, Im sorry, but its you that Patti wants dead  court documents said.

Martin, then 37, testified that Stokes forced him, at gunpoint, to engage in a sex act with Snipes.

Then Stokes engaged in a sex act with Snipes.

Stokes then stabbed Snipes multiple times.

Stokes and Martin each shot Snipes once in the head and dragged her body into the woods, where Stokes continued to mutilate her body.

A farmer discovered Snipes body on May 27.

Days after Snipes murder, Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office investigators attempted to serve a warrant to Syphrett at her Rivelon Road home in Orangeburg. There investigators made a gruesome discovery: Douglas Ferguson, 24, was found dead under a blanket.

He died due to suffocation after Syphrett and Stokes bound him with duct tape, including his nose and mouth.

Martin reached a plea deal with prosecutors and received a life sentence.

Syphrett was also found guilty of conspiracy and murder and received a life sentence.

Stokes was 31 when he killed Snipes and Ferguson. Hes now 54.

His lawyers believe that if the jury knew details of Stokes childhood, they likely wouldve sentenced him to life in prison instead of death.

Neither Stokes lawyers nor the S.C. Attorney Generals Office would comment about the pending litigation in the case.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD

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Investigators are seeking the person who robbed a local dollar store at gunpoint, according to Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell.

This incident happened on Sunday night when an armed individual went into this business and robbed the employees, Ravenell said. This isnt the first such incident, but we believe the latest by this individual.

Orangeburg County investigators were called out around 9:30 p.m. when employees at a Dollar General reported a robbery.

The employees told investigators that a masked Black male entered the Five Chop Road business armed with a handgun.

The gunman took an undetermined amount of cash after demanding the register be opened.

He is described as wearing a black hoodie and gloves, light-colored jogging pants and black shoes.

Ravenell said the same store was also robbed at gunpoint in August and burglarized twice in October.

A Bamberg Road Dollar General was robbed at gunpoint twice in September, while Edisto Drive Family Dollar employees reported an attempted armed robbery in September.

Several days after the Edisto Drive attempted robbery, the Family Dollar was burglarized.

We believe one individual has committed several of these robberies, Ravenell said. We need to get him off the streets before someone gets hurt.

If anyone has any information on the subjects or the incident, contact the sheriffs office at 803-534-3550 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Callers using Crimestoppers are encouraged to use the P3 Tips app or submit a web tip by going to CrimeSC.com and click Submit a Tip.

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The city and county are working to ensure the continued development of Orangeburgs downtown area.

The effort includes the creation of a new, $9.2 million library and planning for the revitalization of the Railroad Corner area.

I think it's a good time for collaboration because we are all focused on trying to do some stuff downtown and in the overall area, too, as well as with some of your local developers, Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young said.

Orangeburg City Administrator Sidney Evering said the recent purchase of downtown property is among the ways the city is preparing to improve the area.

The City of Orangeburg is purchasing a number of downtown properties with an eye toward rehabilitation and revitalization.

Orangeburg City Council voted on Dec. 21 to purchase five properties at a total cost of $429,400.

The city will purchase the former Thunderbird motel at 465 Orange St. behind the Dairy O. The other properties to be purchased are owned by the Braxton J. Edward Trust at 1117, 1125, 1133 and 1155 Russell St.

We're in the process of doing a downtown master plan, and that's something we'll be rolling out to council and to the city next year for their engagement. But in terms of the actual buildings that we purchased, that's the site control so when we do go out to developers, we can have a say in terms of what type of businesses, or whether they're commercial or retail, restaurants locating downtown, Evering said.

He continued, We want to have a vibrant downtown in a place that not only is attractive to our current residents, but that can attract visitors as well. That's the purpose of that. We may do some upgrades to those buildings with council's permission to further attract developers, but that's all being discussed at the moment.

Evering said the intent is to bring development to the city, particularly downtown, so individuals will no longer have a reason to say there's nothing to do, or not enough to do, in the city.

Honestly, it is overdue. I'm not sure why it wasn't done in the past, but part of my goal and my job here is to try to help be a catalyst for that change, to work with the community. We're going to be engaging the community for public input as we move forward next year in terms of some of the downtown master plan, as well as a strategic plan for the entire city. So we'll try to position ourselves for growth, he said.

Several public input sessions have already been held in the continuing effort to redevelop of Railroad Corner.

Council is considering three separate development scenarios as it relates to the Railroad Corner from a mixed-use perspective: commercial, retail and residential. With the last meeting that we had with DFI, they suggested council to go with Scenario B. That's kind of a mixed-use plan that will still preserve historical buildings where possible, such as the State Theater," he said. DFI is the University of North Carolina Development Finance Initiative, which is the consultant group the city is working with on the project.

North Carolina-based Perkins & Will is the architect for the project.

Evering said, The city's still looking for additional acquisition that might expand upon those scenarios and those plans. We have an architect in place and have engaged the community, as well as Claflin and South Carolina State.

We certainly want student input as well. We foresee them being a big part of the success of this project.

He said, Once we've gotten all the input and the architect begins to put ideas and drawings into place, then we'll go out to the market and get a developer to come in and basically bring the community's ideas to fruition.

Evering said a pedestrian bridge is also part of the plans.

A pedestrian overpass is certainly a significant part of the project. We've been in discussions with Claflin and South Carolina State in regards to that, and also with Norfolk Southern Railroad. They will prefer to actually have an overpass rather than the at-grade crossing, he said.

The city administrator continued, The city just received a $350,000 grant to do a study in regard to what a pedestrian overpass would look like and what the engineering requirements would be, and also to just look at the traffic patterns around Railroad Corner and Boulevard (Street) in particular, whether or not it might be feasible to make that a one-way street. There's no plan to do so at the moment. It's just a study."

Evering said the bridge would serve as a safe connector between university students, for example, and downtown.

Safety is of the utmost importance. So we would definitely prefer to have an overpass at the moment. If done well, which I know it will be, it would just be a nice connector, almost a connection from our history to our future. This is a very much a project not just for our students, but the entire city. I want people to understand that, he said.

Young said the county has, several projects what we'll be working with Claflin and South Carolina State to help do some additional things downtown. Then, we're also working with the City of Orangeburg as they move forward with the Boulevard (Street) development.

The county administrator said the new library and conference center was built to help kick-start the Boulevard Street development and also have a tie-in with the development that's coming forward downtown.

Young said, I think the citizens right now are really about to witness something amazing because (Claflin University President) Dr. (Dwaun) Warmack and (S.C. State Interim President) Col. (Alexander) Conyers both have a firm vision in doing some stuff downtown with development, along with myself and working with the city as well.

The county administrator said The Moore Group and other local developers have also been pushing the gas to get some things done, including with building upgrades.

You're starting to see different venues come alive and grants function behind the scenes on the (All-Star) bowling alley. So we're in the process of making a lot of that stuff happen and making things change, Young said.

Several people from as far as away as Charleston have already been through the new library, located at 1645 Russell St.

I think it's been well-received. The conference center is religiously being booked. The meeting room for the community has been a big hit. I know we had a Rotary meeting there, and then several community groups have had meetings. It's been used for training. The children's areas of the library have also been well-received and used, Young said.

He continued, We've had senior bingo. We also have an art class that's being put on by a certified art teacher that allows homeschoolers to get credit for art by coming to the library. We have a family that comes from Charleston just to take advantage of that. So there's a lot of advantages to having that new facility. We're really putting it to use.

Young said Orangeburg County Council has worked creatively to make amenities such as the new library and conference center a reality.

If you can see the growth in the (U.S. Highway) 301, the (U.S. Highway) 601 area and even the North Road, you know that a lot of the decisions the county council are making are pretty much pushing the county in the right direction, he said.

An art studio, computer lab, meeting rooms, outdoor amphitheater and walking track are among the amenities included the new library, located in the heart of downtown Orangeburg.

OCL Circulation Supervisor Amy Ridgeway is also happy with the facility, noting the library has seen a lot of individuals applying for library cards, including those from as far away as Summerville, Summerton and Lexington.

That's definitely a positive thing. We hear nothing but positive things about the space and how beautiful and inviting it is. People come in here and just sit down and read. We've been seeing State and Claflin students coming up here to use the Wi-Fi and just sit and study, she said.

OCL Director Anna Zacherl said, We checked out just over 500 books the day we cut the ribbon and since that day, we have welcomed just under 500 new library cardholders."

Ridgeway said the meeting room space is being used all the time.

People are so excited to have that space to come here. We've had somebody come here to do yoga classes. The Rotary Club has used it. We've had so many different groups. We've had sororities come in and use it. It's just a really positive thing, she said. The whole place is my favorite space, but that children's area is just phenomenal. When the kids come in here, they just love it.

Zacherl said she is also pleased with the library's usage since it opened in October.

People mostly comment on the size of the new library and how inspired they feel just by walking inside. They think its beautiful and love the use of color and light, she said.

Zacherl continued, Im most proud of the commitments that had to be made to create this facility. Im proud of the way Orangeburg County leadership is prioritizing public education through the avenues they can most positively affect, like their own library system.

Libraries are the foundations of our communities, essential to their functioning, enrichment and sustainability.

Of course, Im proud of my team members in all our locations for showing up in such genuine and steadfast ways. Their day-to-day service is the reason our connection to the community is so secure, she said.

Contact the writer: dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5534. Follow "Good News with Gleaton" on Twitter at @DionneTandD

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(TBTCO) - ung ngay lam viec au tien cua nam 2022, ngay 4/1/2022, Quoc hoi khai mac Ky hop bat thuong lan thu nhat. Xong at nam moi, Chu tich Quoc hoi Vuong inh Hue neu len 3 ieu moi: niem tin moi, khi the moi va quyet tam moi se mang en thang loi khong chi trong nam 2022 ma cho ca nhiem ky 5 nam 2021 - 2025.
Times up for unit 2 of the Jim Bridger Power Plant.

After state and federal officials failed to establish updated pollution control standards for the unit ahead of its Dec. 31 compliance deadline, Gov. Mark Gordon signed a temporary emergency suspension order to keep the unit operating for another four months in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

If the dispute is not resolved by April 30, or if Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan rejects the extension, unit 2 will be required to shut down. Unit 1 could meet the same fate next December.

An analysis by University of Wyoming economics professor Timothy Considine estimated that the abrupt closure of unit 2 would cost the state $33.2 million in annual tax revenue and eliminate 404 full-time-equivalent positions statewide. Of those job losses, 327 would occur in Sweetwater County, including 65 at the power plant, 108 in coal mines and 154 in adjacent industries.

The governors office hopes it wont come to that.

Im very optimistic that well reach some kind of an agreement, said Randall Luthi, Gordons chief energy advisor. We just dont know yet.

Jody Ostendorf, congressional and intergovernmental liaison for EPA Region 8, wrote in an email to the Star-Tribune that EPA intends to issue a proposed decision on this plan revision for public comment in the near future, and said the agency is not in a position to comment on this upcoming action or potential litigation over Wyomings regional haze plans.

Regulatory reversal

U.S. coal plants are required to limit their output of nitrogen oxides, or NOx  harmful air pollutants that cause respiratory diseases and environmental damage. Wyomings plan to retrofit its coal plants with pollution controls was approved by the EPA in 2014.

At the Bridger plant, however, the cost of reducing NOx emissions proved a significant barrier. Operating utility Rocky Mountain Power installed the required technologies at units 3 and 4, but with units 1 and 2 scheduled to be converted to natural gas peaking facilities in 2024, the utility deemed pollution controls uneconomical. In 2019, Rocky Mountain Power came up with an alternative: reducing the units electricity production to lower their NOx output to acceptable levels.

We still think that plan provides satisfactory compliance with regional haze requirements, and is a sound plan, both from compliance with the Regional Haze Rule and cost to consumers, said Dave Eskelsen, a spokesman for Rocky Mountain Power.

State regulators agreed; the EPA looked to be on board, too. Wyoming submitted its alternative plan for federal approval in May 2020. But the agency didnt finalize the change before President Donald Trump left office, and after the Biden EPA reevaluated the proposal, it notified Wyoming in June of this year that it would not take any further action on the plan.

Its just been very disappointing and somewhat confusing, Luthi said. EPA was with us all the way  until they werent.

According to Luthi, the EPA has yet to communicate its objections directly to the state.

Theyve never given us reasons of why this just doesnt work  why it doesnt meet the regional haze guidelines, Luthi said.

In Tuesdays email, Ostendorf offered two such reasons.

The states revision would remove longstanding requirements that the Jim Bridger power plant install modern controls to limit its visibility- and health-harming nitrogen oxides pollution, and does not address [Rocky Mountain Powers] current plan to convert Jim Bridger units 1 and 2 to natural gas in 2023, Ostendorf wrote. Accordingly, the 2023 date is not currently enforceable through state or federal regional haze plans.

Conservation groups, meanwhile, say the plan relies on misleading assumptions that yield invalid conclusions. Public comment submitted to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality in 2019  when existing permit restrictions already limited the plant to 84% of potential capacity, according to WyoFile  argues that because the alternative plan assumes that the four Bridger units operate at maximum capacity, it overestimates how significantly NOx emissions would be reduced.

Running down the clock

The governors office anticipates three possible outcomes over the next few months.

Its been six weeks since Gordon sent a strongly worded letter to the agency, urging regulators to approve the states plan and warning that Wyoming would sue if no action was taken in the next 60 days. During that time, Luthi said, negotiations have continued, but nothing has been resolved.

Ideally, the state and EPA will reach an agreement before the end of April, he said. But if the EPA rejects Wyomings proposal, itll have to explain its rationale, which could enable the state to modify the plan accordingly.

Then we at least have some information with which to talk to them about, he said. So I hope that opens up the door wider to negotiation.

If the two parties cant agree and the EPA doesnt act, the state may follow through on Gordons Nov. 15 threat and sue.

For now, at least, Bridger unit 2 remains in regulatory limbo. While Eskelsen declined to speculate on what Rocky Mountain Power would do if the unit had to close, he emphasized that the planned conversion to natural gas will require months of permitting and planning. Such closures are economically sensitive to ratepayers, he said, and cant be taken lightly.

When we remove a network resource from the transmission network, it always must be done with a certain amount of forethought and planning, Eskelsen said. Its not something that the company would normally do. And thats one reason why we would hope for resolution of this issue, because proven utility practice requires these steps to be taken in a fairly deliberate way.

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JACKSON  A recent spike in COVID cases has overwhelmed Teton County case investigators, who are now prioritizing outreach to more vulnerable residents, the Teton County Health Department announced in a press release Monday.

In the week ending Dec. 25, or Christmas Day, the Health Department received 209 reported cases of COVID-19 in Teton County residents, a 386% increase from the previous 7-day period.

The substantial increase in cases can be partially attributed to increased testing as people prepared for holiday travel.

But Public Health Response Coordinator Rachael Wheeler also said more people are having symptoms and testing. She cautioned against attributing the rise in cases to any singular explanation.

The department also noted testing delays from the holiday weekend. Curatives rapid testing site in the future Target plaza saw long lines, then closed on Christmas Day, while Jacksons send-out kiosks were closed for multiple days to account for a shipping freeze on Christmas.

If testing was open a normal week, we would most likely see an even higher number of cases, Wheeler said.

State and local health officials still have not announced the presence of the omicron variant in Teton County, though Teton District Health Officer Dr. Travis Riddell said fewer cases are being genetically sequenced because of the widespread use of rapid tests, which arent sent to state labs.

Meanwhile, the recent spike in cases is forcing public health investigators to prioritize outreach to older residents, those believed to be at higher risk for severe disease, people who live or work in communal living settings, or instances where there is concern of significant further spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Teton County residents who test positive for COVID-19 but do not meet these criteria may not receive a call from Health Department staff during this surge of cases, the release stated.

Officials are asking people who test positive for COVID-19 to take the following steps:

Isolate yourself from everyone possible, including members of your household; stay home and dont return to work until 10 days after symptom onset.

Notify all those who have been in close contact with you while you were sick or up to 48 hours prior to your onset of symptoms and let them know that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Close contacts who have symptoms should get tested as soon as possible. Those who do not have symptoms should wait until at least 5 days after the exposure before they test.

If you believe you are at high risk for severe disease, contact your health care provider for treatment options.

As stated by the CDC, look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19 such as trouble breathing; persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion; inability to wake or stay awake; pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds; or any other symptom that is concerning you.

For close contacts to a positive case, the department recommends:

If you are fully vaccinated and not experiencing symptoms, monitor yourself for symptoms, get tested 5-7 days after the exposure, and wear a mask in all indoor settings until you get a negative test result, or it has been 14 days since the exposure.

If you are not fully vaccinated and have no symptoms, quarantine and get tested 5 days after exposure.

If you are experiencing symptoms, isolate and get tested as soon as possible regardless of your vaccination status.

Health officials expect to see an increase in COVID-19 cases over the coming weeks. They urge everyone to wear masks in crowded indoor settings, stay home and get tested when sick, and get vaccinated and boosted.

These steps are vital for preventing further transmission of the virus and protecting those who are the most vulnerable in our community, the release stated.

The department also said community members should expect exposure to COVID-19 in places like crowded enclosed areas.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D.  South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is pushing new rules for medicine-induced abortions that would be among the most restrictive in the country, but a legislative committee on Monday withheld its approval until it can get more information on the proposal.

The state Department of Healths proposed rule would add further requirements for women to get abortion pills, including requiring them to visit a doctor a third time and be within their first nine weeks of pregnancy. Only Texas has an earlier ban on abortion medication, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. South Dakotas rules proposal has been decried by abortion-rights advocates as unconstitutional and an overreach of the governors executive power.

The Republican governor initiated the rules change through an executive order, arguing that restrictions on abortion pills are necessary for the safety of women. As the Supreme Court has reexamined Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a nationwide right to an abortion, it has spurred a flurry of state-by-state skirmishes over abortion access. Noem has made it clear she wants abortion eventually outlawed.

Her executive order came amid the Food and Drug Administration permanently eliminating a long-standing requirement that women pick up abortion medication in person. In South Dakota, roughly one-third of abortions have been performed with drugs in recent years.

Medication abortion is incredibly safe and effective, Dr. Sarah Traxler, the chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, wrote in a letter to the Department of Health.

She added that the FDA has acknowledged complications are extremely rare, but that the proposed rule makes it more likely that patients wouldnt be able to return to Planned Parenthoods clinic  the states lone abortion clinic  to take the second drug.

That would hurt the Department of Healths goal of protecting the health and safety of South Dakotans, Traxler argued, as well as create an unconstitutional violation of the right to an abortion.

However, Lynne Valenti, a deputy secretary for the Department of Health, called medication-induced abortions a potentially dangerous procedure that is ending the life of an unborn child.

State law already requires women seeking abortion pills to meet with a doctor twice, go through at least a three-day waiting period before receiving any of the drugs, and receive a written statement that it might be possible to stop the abortion before taking the second drug  an assertion that medical experts say is dubious. The Department of Healths proposed rule would require a third doctors visit where a woman would be monitored as she takes the second drug.

Until we can make abortion completely illegal in this state, we better do what we can do to make sure that pregnant mothers are at least protected, said Republican Rep. Jon Hansen as the Legislatures Rules Review Committee debated approving the proposal.

But the proposal failed to clear the committee Monday after lawmakers became deadlocked on a three-to-three vote. Two Democrats voted against the proposed rule changes, arguing that passing them through executive rules, rather than legislative debate, set a bad precedent. They were joined by Republican Sen. Timothy Johns, who said he opposed approval because it was not clear whether requiring a third visit was really necessary for an abortion-seekers safety.

With the committee deadlocked and unwilling to send the Department of Healths proposal back to the agency for revisions, the proposed rule was stuck in committee. That brought up the possibility of the Department of Health skipping to the next step in codifying rules  filing them with the Secretary of State  without the legislative committees approval.

But lawmakers both opposed and in favor of the rule said they wished to avoid seeing rules taking effect without the Legislatures approval. Instead, they decided to take another look at the proposed rule next month and have requested the Department of Health to show whether it is necessary for a woman to take the second round of abortion medication at a clinic.

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 will soon cost you at least a dollar or two more to enjoy a Carib or Stag beer as bar owners say a price increase by Carib Brewery has left them with no other alternative but to charge customers more.

Carib Brewery, in a statement on Monday, announced a $1 retail price increase per bottle or can would apply to its Carib, Carib Pilsner, Stag, Carib Blue, Royal Extra Stout, Coors, Heineken, Guinness, Smirnoff Ice and Blue Moon products.
Caribbean Airlines (CAL) passengers flying the domestic route between Trinidad and Tobago should be required to show proof of vaccination before they fly.

This is the call of CALs pilots and stewards, who are of the view that their safety is compromised as at present anybody can fly back and forth between the islands without proof of vaccination or negative PCR test.
Jane said in 1994, when she was only 14, she was instructed to follow Epstein into a pool house at the Palm Beach estate, where he masturbated on her.

Two charges, including the lone count on which Maxwell was acquitted, applied only to Jane.

"I was frozen in fear," she told the jury, adding that assault was the first time she had ever seen a penis. She also directly accused Maxwell of participating in her abuse.

Maxwell's lawyer asked Jane why it had taken so long to come forward.

"I was scared," she said, choking back tears. "I was embarrassed, ashamed. I didn't want anybody to know any of this about me."

The last to testify, Farmer described how Maxwell touched her breasts while giving her a massage at Epstein's New Mexico ranch and how Epstein unexpectedly crawled into bed and pressed himself against her.

Maxwell, who turned 60 on Christmas, vehemently denied the charges through her lawyers.

Still, she declined to take the risk of testifying, telling the judge: "The government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt so there is no reason for me to testify."
First of four stories

Oscars phone battery was failing as he tried to stay on the line with the 911 dispatcher.

He had crossed the Arizona-Mexico border southwest of Tucson a few days earlier, but he was running out of food and couldn't keep walking through the Baboquivari Mountains. His call to 911 came during a record heat wave that turned September 2020 into one of the deadliest months for migrants ever recorded in Southern Arizona.

"I'm lost and alone," Oscar said through a shaky connection with a dispatcher at the Pima County Sheriff's Department, which recorded the call. "I've been lost for two days and I have almost nothing to eat here so I called this number."

The battery was running out. "It's down to 5%," he said.

The dispatcher connected Oscar's call to the Border Patrol, but the call dropped even though multiple carriers provided coverage in the location he called from.

"Hopefully, he's able to call back," the Border Patrol agent said.

Oscar called again but the call dropped. He called again, and this time the coordinates showed him to be about a mile away from the site of his original call.

"I only have 3% of my battery left," he said. An agent told him to send a text message through the WhatsApp messaging service instead of using his phone battery on a call.

Oscar called back again, pleading, "please don't leave me here." The Border Patrol sent an aircraft to look for him, but Oscar said it was flying on the wrong side of the mountain.

"I don't want to be here anymore," Oscar said. "I don't have anything left. I didn't think things were going to be so hard here."

His battery was at 2%.

"My wife is about to give birth and I prefer to just go back there. This is killing me," Oscar said. He started to sob.

A Border Patrol agent took over the call and the 911 audio recording stopped.

Oscar's fate isn't known. The Sheriff's Department later said the Border Patrol found him, but the Border Patrol could not find any record of what happened to him.

He was one of thousands of migrants who cross the border in Southern Arizona every year. Each year, many of them are overwhelmed by the harsh deserts and mountains, leading to distress calls to 911 dispatchers, family members and local humanitarian groups.

Some find help. Others do not.

Over the past two decades, the remains of more than 3,900 migrants were found in Southern Arizona, according to the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office, the Tucson-based aid group Humane Borders, and the Yuma County Sheriff's Office. An unknown number of others also died while crossing the border, but their remains were never found.

The long-running humanitarian disaster is intensifying. Within weeks of Oscars calls for help, the remains of 36 migrants were found, making September 2020 the deadliest month since 2013. By the end of the year, the remains of 239 migrants had been found, more than any other year since large-scale deaths in the desert of Southern Arizona began in 2000.

Until this summer.

After the remains of 52 migrants were found in June, more than any month since 2010, the death toll so far in 2021 is on pace to surpass last year. The remains of 222 migrants were found in Southern Arizona from January through September, compared to 192 during the same period last year and 124 during that period in 2019.

"2020 does not look like a one-year blip," said Dr. Greg Hess, Pima County's medical examiner, who oversees the vast majority of remains recovered in Southern Arizona. "We're super busy over these types of remains in 2021 and I imagine we're going to come close to the numbers we had last year."

The increase in migrant deaths is raising the stakes for President Joe Biden as he seeks to overhaul immigration policy. Hundreds of predictable and preventable deaths could continue for the foreseeable future without urgent and sustained action by federal authorities, but that action is nowhere on the horizon.

As has been the case for the past two decades, the thousands of migrant deaths flit around the periphery of the immigration debate but rarely become the center of attention. Biden has proposed a wide array of new immigration and border policies, but they are not aimed at helping migrants in the desert.

To understand the crisis, the Arizona Daily Star analyzed medical examiner data in multiple Southern Arizona counties and built a statistical model of migrant deaths.

We listened to audio recordings of 911 calls from migrants and reviewed incident reports from law enforcement agencies. We also tracked how lawmakers discussed those deaths; and interviewed migrants, scholars and officials. We visited sites where migrants died, and walked through the desert and mountains with Border Patrol agents and humanitarian volunteers.

The Star found the Border Patrol, humanitarian groups and local law enforcement work hard to rescue migrants. But no one is in charge of those efforts or held accountable, despite the need to coordinate across 20 jurisdictions and work with humanitarian groups and the families who lost loved ones in the desert.

The Star also found the scope of the crisis remains unclear, even after two decades of migrants dying in large numbers in the desert. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office is the only agency involved that does not take a lethargic approach to record-keeping. As a result, migrant deaths tend to be treated as isolated incidents, rather than as part of a large phenomenon.

Perhaps most importantly, the lack of clear rules for providing humanitarian aid blocks the intellectual power and volunteer energy the Tucson community unleashes when an extraordinary migration event occurs, from the Sanctuary Movement in the 1980s, when Tucson churches and activists helped refugees fleeing violent conflict in Central American countries, to the volunteers and donations that keep the Casa Alitas shelter for asylum-seeking families in Tucson running today.

All this is unfolding as the U.S. Senate considers the nomination of Chris Magnus, current chief of the Tucson Police Department, to be the next commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, which oversees the Border Patrol. A key committee narrowly approved moving forward with his nomination process on Nov. 3.

The Star's investigation found that:

Exposure to the elements, particularly heat, is the most common cause of death, leading to 1,390 deaths and likely many of the 1,866 sets of skeletal remains where cause of death was undetermined.

The journey has grown more dangerous over the years, due in part to walls and barriers funneling migrants into remote areas. Today, remains are found an average of 17 miles from towns.

Southern Arizona's desert is as large as several states, but deaths are concentrated in specific areas. About half the deaths in 2021 occurred in 6% of that area.

Migrants often can't call for help. At least 514 migrants died in areas without cellphone coverage.

Migrants often die just hours before help arrives. More than 1,000 migrants died less than 24 hours before the discovery of their remains.

Opposing principles

The political decisions that shape the official response to migrant deaths have become wrapped up in the debate over border enforcement without being "elevated to the discussion it needs to have," said U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, a Democrat who has represented districts along Arizonas border with Mexico since 2003.

"Politically, if you show any empathy, any response short of enforcement, then for some reason you fall into the category of those that don't want to do anything about the border, and you fall into the open-border discussion," Grijalva said. "So politicians have backed away from it."

Without clear guidance from Congress, the public policy response to migrant deaths remains caught between opposing arguments.

On one hand, the argument is that if migrants didn't cross the border illegally and try to evade Border Patrol agents, they wouldn't risk dying in the desert.

"No one wants anybody to die," Border Patrol Agent Jesus Vasavilbaso said as he sat next to a trail in the Baboquivari Mountains where a migrant from Mexico died last year.

"If we had 100% apprehensions, nobody would die," Vasavilbaso said.

"Strong border security and interior enforcement is the best way to stop loss of life," U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican from Pennsylvania, said during a debate on the House floor in December 2020, over a bill that would direct federal officials to count migrant deaths.

"In reality, to prevent future deaths at the border, we need to make it absolutely clear that no one should embark on this dangerous journey because illegal entry is simply not an option," Reschenthaler said.

On the other hand, the argument is that border enforcement strategies put migrants lives in danger by leaving only one option, crossing through deadly terrain rather than through ports of entry, as they look for a better life in the United States or flee poverty, corruption and violence in their home countries.

In 2005, U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, a Republican who represented Southern Arizona from 1985-2007, described a "hard lesson" learned in Arizona after a vast increase in the number of Border Patrol agents and technology in previous years: "No matter how much we increase our enforcement, still the illegal migrants kept coming, at the same rate or faster than they had come in previous years."

"The border buildup did not stop the flow; it merely shifted it to more dangerous areas, where apprehensions are more difficult and death more likely," Kolbe said in remarks on the House floor, archived by the Library of Congress.

Over the last two decades the Border Patrol "monopolized the emergency response to a crisis of their own creation," the Tucson-based aid group No More Deaths wrote in a February report.

"Only abolishing Border Patrol policies and practices that cause people to become lost, missing, and injured in wilderness terrain in the first place will stop death on the southern border," said the No More Deaths report.

'For my family'

Damaris, a 25-year-old woman from Guatemala, had heard about the dangers of crossing the desert, but a family member was able to loan her the money this summer to make the journey. She decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

"You have to overcome," she said at a migrant shelter in Nogales, Sonora, in late July. "You make the decision to risk your own life and you say 'for my family.'"

The Border Patrol had picked up her group the day before, after they walked through the desert for more than a week. She didn't know where they crossed the border, saying "everything looks the same."

As she traveled to the United States, she met a 50-year-old woman from El Salvador who sobbed as she described her ordeal in the desert.

"We don't know who to trust," she said through tears.

Joel Mondragon, a 27-year-old man from the Mexican state of Jalisco, had been in Nogales for nearly two months. He and his family, including young daughters, did not plan to try to cross the border through the desert.

"I wouldn't risk it," he said.

"They told me about asylum here and I think it's better, more correct, to do things right," Mondragon said.

Damaris and Mondragon were among more than 100 migrants and asylum seekers seated at long tables inside the Kino Border Initiative shelter in Nogales, Sonora. Many of them erupted in loud applause as asylum seekers took turns with a microphone to call on Biden to let them make their claims at the port of entry a few miles away.

They spoke in front of a mural portraying a border version of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," with Jesus surrounded by migrant parents and their children. The windows behind Jesus in the mural showed the wilderness and mountains of Southern Arizona stretching into the distance.

That wilderness covers the equivalent of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island combined. It includes harsh desert, steep mountain ranges, and vast areas with few towns and roads.

Crossing the wilderness

From a car, the Altar Valley flies by on Arizona 286, which connects Three Points and Sasabe southwest of Tucson. On foot, the 45-minute drive turns into days of walking across rough terrain rutted with ravines.

Walking is even more treacherous on the trails that run along ridges in the nearby Baboquivari Mountains, which Customs and Border Protection officials in Arizona say have become one of the main thoroughfares for migrants crossing the border.

The area also has long been one of the deadliest for migrants, medical examiner numbers shows. The remains of nearly 1,400 migrants were found since 2000 in the corridor on the west side of the Baboquivari Mountains on the Tohono O'odham Nation reservation, including more than 140 since January 2020.

On the east side of the mountains, the remains of about 550 migrants were found in the Altar Valley since 2000, including at least 35 since January 2020.

The trek is made more difficult by the fact that many migrants already walked for days on the Mexico side of the border, as a couple from the Mexican state of Oaxaca did last December.

They sat glumly on a stone next to a dirt road in the mountains a few miles north of the border. They had been walking for four days and couldn't continue, they said. They tried to call for help, but they couldn't get cell reception and decided to wait for someone to come by.

As Border Patrol Agent Jesus Vasavilbaso questioned them, they emptied crackers and vitamin water from their backpacks and showed him the street clothes they wore under camouflage pants and jackets. Minutes later, they got into the back of a Border Patrol truck. From there, they likely were expelled to Mexico, left to decide whether to give up or try to cross the border again.

Had the couple from Oaxaca continued their journey, they might have met the same fate as Jovita Garcia Ortiz, a woman from Hidalgo, Mexico, who died near the northern edge of the Baboquivari Mountains.

Garcia was traveling with a group of migrants, but she fell behind in early August 2020.

Her fate was unknown for more than a month. On Sept. 11, 2020, a Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (Borstar) agent called the Sheriff's Department to say they were tracking a group of migrants near the Border Patrol checkpoint on Arizona 86, not far from the northern edge of the Baboquivari Mountains. A Border Patrol dog led the agents to Garcia, who appeared to have died several weeks earlier.

The Pima County sheriff's deputy who went to the scene remembered an Aug. 15 report from No More Deaths volunteers, who relayed a call from Garcia's family. Another migrant in the group had called the family to let them know Garcia had fallen behind.

At the time, deputies believed Garcia's last known location was on the Tohono O'odham reservation. A deputy alerted the Tohono O'odham Nation Police Department and the Border Patrol, but it turned out that Garcia was not on the reservation. The phone she carried with her showed missed calls and text messages sent days earlier.

Like Garcia, about half the migrants whose remains were found in Southern Arizona were from Mexico. Another 12% were from Central American countries such as Guatemala. The medical examiner could not determine the nationalities of 37% of the found remains.

Remains are far more likely to belong to men, accounting for nearly 3,100 remains where gender could be determined, compared with about 500 belonging to women.

In terms of age, about 1,600 were between 18 and 39 years old and about 460 were in their 40s or 50s. About 100 were under 18 years old. The ages of about 1,500 could not be determined.

Shaky correlation

A sharp increase in border crossings since the winter when Biden took office dominated news coverage and political rhetoric about the border, which might make it tempting to point to the rise in crossings as the obvious explanation for more deaths in the desert.

But a rise in crossings doesn't fully explain a rise in deaths, the Star found by comparing Border Patrol statistics on encounters with migrants, which generally are used as an indicator of overall crossings, and medical examiners' data from Arizona's border counties.

Agents in Arizona reported more than three times as many encounters with migrants in 2021 than they did in 2020, but the number of remains found in those years stayed on the same record-breaking, but consistent, pace. Agents reported 74,800 encounters last year and about 265,000 through September of this fiscal year. Medical examiners reported 239 sets of remains last year and 222 from January to September this year.

On a smaller scale, agents in Arizona reported similar totals for encounters in June and July, but the number of remains was dramatically different. Agents reported 30,800 encounters in June and 32,800 in July. But the remains of 52 migrants were found in June, more than twice the 23 found in July.

In fact, Border Patrol apprehensions plummeted by roughly 90% over the past two decades, while the number of remains found in Southern Arizona grew nearly tenfold.

Apprehensions in Arizona dropped from 725,000 in 2000 to 74,800 in 2020, while the number of remains grew from about 25 in 1999 to 239 in 2020.

Longer, more

perilous routes

Deaths occur throughout the year and across thousands of square miles, but they are most frequent during the heat of summer and in the desert west of Tucson, the Star's geographical analysis of migrant deaths shows.

Two important trends emerged in the Star's analysis: Summers are growing hotter in Southern Arizona and migrants are taking longer, more dangerous routes through the desert.

A third trend, the quick expulsions of migrants to Mexico during the pandemic under the public health order known as Title 42, may have allowed migrants to make repeated crossing attempts just hours or days after making grueling treks through the desert. While Border Patrol statistics show Title 42 expulsions were the norm in the Tucson Sector in 2021, no data is available on how many of the migrants who died had been expelled.

More than 3,200 migrants died from exposure to the elements or their bodies were too decomposed for the medical examiner to determine a cause of death. The months from May to September accounted for 60% of remains found. For the roughly 1,400 sets of remains found within a week after death, more than 1,000 were found in the summer.

The risk for migrants is worsening as the deadly summer months in Southern Arizona grow hotter. Last year was the second-hottest year on record, as well as the driest, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Seven of the 10 hottest years on record were in the past decade.

In the cold winter months, migrants sometimes die of hypothermia, including about 60 since 2000.

Migrant deaths from violence have become rarer in Southern Arizona over the past decade. Fewer than 3% of all migrant deaths, or about 120, were the result of violence, such as gunshot wounds or stabbings. About 220 deaths were linked to vehicle wrecks.

A woman named Esthela disappeared in 2006 while crossing the border in Arizona "searching for the American dream," according to a video testimonial her sister Nadia provided in 2018 to the Colibri Center for Human Rights, a nonprofit in Tucson that helps identify migrants' remains and their families to find closure.

She wanted to give her son a better future. School, clothes, food, everything that was very difficult, and is still difficult, to get in Mexico, Nadia said. She was an ambitious woman. She didnt want to settle for how things were. She wanted to fight for more."

"I dont know exactly how far Esthela walked. They think it was three days and that those days were very difficult for her, that it was terribly hot and perhaps Esthela wasnt in the best health to walk, Nadia said.

I imagine that Esthela had to have suffered from thirst," Nadia said as her voice choked up and she wiped tears from her eyes. "Sometimes I think about that and it, that idea, thinking about that, that Esthela died thirsty. It tortures me, it hurts me.

"Esthela had to have been aware that she wasnt going to make it across the border or that she wasnt going to survive," Nadia said. "How must my sister have felt in those moments?

I often tell my nephew Emiliano, I tell him, Your mom gave her life for you, because she loved you. And I think, if my sister lost her life crossing the border its so that her son could be a successful man and could have a chance.

We didnt come here to do bad things. We came because we want our kids to get ahead, for school, because there are more opportunities here to work, Nadia said.

And, I dont know, I think that telling my sisters story can help so that someone analyzes that, that perhaps there are laws that are too unjust and arent giving people a chance."

Already exhausted

upon reaching US

The journey across the border in Southern Arizona has grown longer and more dangerous over the last three decades, the Star's analysis of all migrant deaths on record in the state shows.

The trend is clear: Since 1990, the remains of migrants have been found in increasingly remote areas. Today, they are found much farther from roads, cities and towns than they were in the 1990s or 2000s, according to the Star's analysis of medical examiner data and OpenStreetMap data, a public geographic database.

In 1990, when relatively few remains of migrants were found, the average distance they were found from the nearest road was less than one mile. By the late 1990s and 2000s, that distance ranged from two to four miles, spiking to seven miles one year. Since 2010, the average distance from the nearest road ranged from five to eight miles away.

The shift away from towns and cities was also apparent, growing from an average of about three miles in 1990 to roughly 11 miles in the late 1990s and between 11 and 15 miles in the 2000s. Since 2010, the average distance ranged from 16 to nearly 20 miles away.

The Star analysis shows 43% of migrant deaths occurred in mountain ranges.

Border Patrol officials say migrants who try to evade agents are crossing the border in more numerous, but smaller, groups that require more agents to respond. At the same time, large groups of migrant families, unaccompanied children and other asylum seekers flag down agents, which pulls agents away from patrolling remote areas where deaths most often occur.

The dangerous routes smugglers choose to bring migrants across the border is a key reason for deaths in the desert, Border Patrol Agent Alan Regalado said.

Even before migrants reach the border, they may have walked for days or weeks and already are malnourished when they cross, he said.

"Their bodies just shut down when they go up the mountain," he said.

When Suyapa Chacon crossed the border this summer, the guide who smuggled her group across the border said they would make it through the desert in three days.

"But when it came time, it wasn't three days. It took us eight, nine days," Chacon, a 29-year-old woman from Honduras, said in late July after the Border Patrol sent her and her 11-year-old son back to Nogales, Sonora.

They walked "sometimes all day, sometimes all night," she said inside the Kino Border Initiative shelter, a Jesuit ministry for migrants in Nogales, Sonora.

"At one point, we ended up without any food, any water," Chacon said. "Our shoes broke underneath and we couldn't walk, we couldn't keep going, but we had to keep battling because we had to get there."

"There were moments when I didn't think I would make it. I could feel that my heart was beating fast, I felt like I couldn't continue, but I had to arrive for my children," said Chacon, adding she "wanted something better for them."

She said she didn't know where she crossed the border, but recognized the names of several towns in Mexico west of Nogales.

'Funnel effects'

The increasing remoteness of migrant deaths the Star found in medical examiner data is in line with the conclusions of a study published by University of Arizona researchers in April, the latest in a series of studies on migrant deaths in Southern Arizona over the past 15 years.

Border enforcement policies pushed migrants into ever more remote and dangerous areas, leading to more migrant deaths, despite an overall decline in Border Patrol apprehensions, the UA researchers found.

Rather than walk for a day or two to a house or a highway and get a ride, migrants are walking farther and longer through the desert, said Daniel Martinez, a UA sociologist who has studied migration and migrant deaths since 2005 and co-authored the study.

People today are crossing through some of the most remote and desolate areas of the Arizona-Sonora border, Martinez said.

The UA researchers described "funnel effects" in which border enforcement policies in the 1990s pushed migrants away from cities like San Diego and El Paso to Southern Arizona. From there, border enforcement policies in the early 2000s pushed migrants away from Nogales and other Arizona border cities into remote areas.

The initiative to build up border enforcement in Arizona, dubbed Operation Safeguard by the Border Patrol, began in the mid-1990s, Martinez said. But the resources, such as fencing in urban areas, more agents, vehicles, and technology, didnt arrive until 1999.

It was the following year that we saw migrant deaths in Southern Arizona go from 15, 20 per year, up to 70, 79 roughly in 2000," Martinez said. "And by 2001, we had over 100 known migrant deaths in Southern Arizona."

The border security buildup in Southern Arizona was part of a wide-ranging strategy the Border Patrol put in place in the 1990s known as prevention through deterrence. The idea was to block urban areas and leave dangerous terrain as the only place where migrants could cross the border. If migrants instead crossed into busy urban areas, they could quickly blend in, making it harder for agents to spot and arrest them.

Federal officials acknowledged at the time that the strategy could place migrants in "mortal danger," as a 1994 planning document put it, but the thinking was that the danger would deter migrants from crossing the border. Instead, migrants continued to cross, and thousands died in the wilderness of Southern Arizona.

Over the past two decades, the number of agents in Arizona increased sharply, and a wide array of surveillance technology and border barriers was installed, including bollard-style fencing in urban areas such as Nogales, Douglas, Naco and Lukeville.

Border Patrol checkpoints dot most of the north-south highways in Southern Arizona and ring the Tohono O'odham Nation reservation. In many areas, surveillance towers stand on hilltops several miles apart from each other in a long row a few miles north of the border. Agents park in trucks with portable surveillance equipment and thousands of sensors alert agents when someone passes by.

Arizona was at the center of former President Donald Trump's plan to build a 30-foot-tall steel wall along the border in 2019 and 2020, accounting for about 225 miles of wall, or roughly half of all the miles of wall built under the Trump administration.

As a candidate, Joe Biden said he would not build another foot of border wall. Soon after taking office as president, Biden stopped wall construction, including an additional 20 miles of wall planned for Arizona's 370-mile long border with Mexico.

Body count is up

in unwalled areas

The Star has found statistically significant evidence that walls and pedestrian fencing have contributed to the funnel effect.

Using data from 2015 to 2020, the Star built two statistical models to examine how border walls and remoteness may impact migrant death counts.

The Star found cross-border migration corridors that have more of Arizonas unwalled border also typically have more deaths than other corridors in a given year. Also, more deaths tend to be found in remote corridors.

To run the first model, the Star calculated the border miles by year that were unobstructed by the 30-foot-tall walls built during the Trump administration or the roughly 15-foot-tall pedestrian fencing built during previous administrations.

Then the Star calculated the number of border miles in each corridor by year that were unobstructed by these barriers.

Using these two numbers, the Star calculated each corridors share of Arizonas unwalled border by year.

Our first statistical model estimates that a 1 percentage point increase in a corridors share of Arizona's unwalled-border typically increases deaths by about 4%.

For example, the migration corridor west of Lukeville currently has the smallest share of Arizona's unwalled border. Nearly all of it is walled off. Effectively, its share of Arizona's unwalled border is 0%.

Meanwhile, the corridor west of Nogales, where Sasabe is located, has nearly 4 miles of Arizona's unwalled border, which is about a 3% share of unwalled border across the state.

Based on data from 2015 to 2020, our model expects that the corridor west of Nogales would have 14% more deaths in a year than the corridor west of Lukeville.

The direction of this trend is apparent in the corridor in the eastern portion of the Tohono O'odham Nation reservation, where most deaths are currently found.

In 2015 it had about a 20% share of Arizonas unwalled border. Since the new wall was built under the Trump administration, the share of the states unwalled border more than doubled in this corridor on the east side of the Tohono O'odham Nation, to 43%. No new wall went up on the reservation.

In 2020, 77 deaths were found in this corridor, or 50% more than in the corridor with the next highest death count.

This corridor has been one of the deadliest for migrants since 2000, however, so there are certainly other factors at play in addition to its share of the states unwalled border.

To run the second model, the Star took all the deaths in each corridor and calculated their average distance from the nearest town or city by year. We used this to measure remoteness. The model identified this trend: As distance from cities and towns increases, deaths counts in a corridor tend to increase, too.

The Star's models show that, from year to year, more deaths are typically found in corridors that aren't engineered to slow migrants on foot with walls, and more deaths are typically found in areas where migrants die more remotely.

While these models help us see statistically significant patterns in the data at hand, they don't establish cause and effect. Federal officials would need to make much more data available for researchers to build a highly predictive model that might anticipate where migrants will die.

Repeat crossings

follow expulsions

The vast majority of encounters with migrants in the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector result in quick expulsions to Mexico under the pandemic-related public health order known as Title 42. The Trump administration started using Title 42 in March 2020 and the Biden administration continues to use it.

The Border Patrol reported about 159,000 expulsions in the Tucson Sector in fiscal 2021 and about 32,500 migrants processed under immigration laws.

Title 42 is relatively new and needs more research, but it would be unwise to discount its effect on the increase in migrant deaths in Southern Arizona, the UA's Martinez said.

Title 42 expulsions are leading people "to engage in repeat crossing attempts that we havent seen since the early 2000s, Martinez said, referring to the period when migrants often were sent to Mexico in what were known as voluntary returns.

A lot of people are stuck at the border with very few options other than to try to cross again, he said.

Planting crosses

The monsoon rains left the hills near Amado covered in greenery dotted with blue, yellow and orange flowers in early August.

Alvaro Enciso and a handful of volunteers trekked out to the desert west of Amado on a Tuesday morning, one of hundreds of trips Enciso has made in the past eight years to mark where more than 1,000 migrants died.

He makes wooden crosses and fits them with a red dot, as seen on the Humane Borders online map of migrant deaths, and an item left by migrants in the desert, such as the metal top to a jar. Guided by GPS coordinates, he and a handful of volunteers hauled wet cement in a bucket down a dirt road and into the meadow.

He puts crosses at the "exact point where someone's life, plans and dreams ended there. And that death caused a lot of repercussions and ramifications to a family south of the border, and maybe to a family here," Enciso said.

One of the crosses now stands in a meadow a quarter-mile from a dirt road east of Amado.

After planting the cross, Enciso repeated a simple ceremony he and his companions had performed hundreds of times.

Peter Lucero, a fellow volunteer, hung a plastic rosary around the top of the cross and sprinkled the cross with water from a white plastic bottle, a nod to the Catholic faith of many migrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries.

As the gray clouds of a monsoon storm approached over the mountains to the west and the first raindrops started to patter onto the leaves of nearby trees, the group paused in reverence. Enciso pulled a worn notebook from his pocket and read aloud the name of the man who died at that spot: Juan Carrillo Gomez, 55 years old.

The crosses and ceremony mark a spot where a family can grieve. Countless other families of migrants who simply disappeared in the wilderness, their remains never found, are left to struggle to find a sense of closure.

Cesar Sanchez disappeared in the desert near Lukeville as he headed to Tucson for a job in construction in October 2016.

"Nobody can tell us what happened," said his daughter, Lilibeth Sanchez Alvarez.

Sanchez, 44, left his small town near Mazatlan, Sinaloa, on Mexico's west coast, hoping to find a better way to support his family.

He had worked as a police officer years before, but gave it up after he was threatened too many times. He started working as a carpenter and mason.

He waited in Sonoyta, a small town on the Mexico side of the border about 150 miles southwest of Tucson, with the guide who had smuggled several of his family members across the border two years earlier.

He called his daughter to say that he was getting ready to cross and he would call her in 10 days, Alvarez said. That call never came.

Alvarez called a family member, who had spoken to Sanchez during his trek. Sanchez had said he was getting tired in the desert. He knew there was a "button" he could push to call for help, Alvarez said, likely referencing the button on rescue beacons the Border Patrol places in the desert. But she didn't know if he ever made it to the beacon.

His family doesn't know if he is alive or dead, just that "he's not here anymore," she said. But they are becoming resigned to the idea they may never see him again.

"It's very hard to live with that idea," his daughter said.

To contact the reporters: Curt Prendergast is at cprendergast@tucson.com and Alex Devoid is at adevoid@tucson.com

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Curt Prendergast Reporter Curt has been with the Star since 2015. He covered the border, immigration and federal courts. He now is the Opinion editor at the Star. He previously worked at the Nogales International.
Analysts also look at other data points. Those include political history, such as how well candidates have done in the last couple of years with the same group of voters.

"The 2018 governor's race is probably the least predictive just because that race was a blowout," Khalaf told Capitol Media Services.

Incumbent Republican Doug Ducey picked up 56% of the vote against less than 42% for Democrat David Garcia, with most of the balance going to Green Party candidate Angel Torres.

Similarly, the 2020 presidential race, where Joe Biden edged incumbent Donald Trump by 10,457 votes in Arizona, appears not to be a reliable predictor.

Khalaf said it may be best to go farther down the 2018 ballot to see how people in any given area voted. That includes the race for attorney general where Republican Mark Brnovich got 80,672 more votes than Democrat January Contreras statewide.

"It's a race that obviously wasn't under the radar," Khalaf said. "Money was spent significantly from both sides. But the performance was where you would expect a Republican to perform."
He compared this to the Jim Crow era where there were laws and policies in some states that enforced racial segregation. Folks were discriminated against because of their color, he said. Im saying this is the same thing.

He said thats why he wants to expand protections against mandatory vaccinations to workers at private firms. I dont believe that we need to fire people from their jobs or hold their jobs over their heads for refusing to get vaccinated, he said.

One potential sticking point could be the ban on the state doing business with those firms.

That might not be a problem when deciding, for example, to buy office supplies from a different firm. But it would get trickier when the state is dealing with the bank that handles its checks or the utility that provides electricity or gas.

I hope it doesnt go to that, Blackman said. But he said he remains steadfast in his belief that no ones job should be placed at risk for refusing to get inoculated.

Petersens proposal also deals with private business, but in a different way.
That may be only the beginning. He said there were indications entrepreneurs were setting up hundreds of cameras and then selling the images to hunters who wouldnt even have to go out into the field and check their own cameras.

And that begins to monetize wildlife, Davis said. And thats a whole other issue.

Thats not to say there isnt money involved in hunting. People still can hire guides to help them track and find animals. But the difference, Davis said, is that the guide has to be out in the field, which, in the ethos of hunting, of sportsmanship, is a different standard.

Also important to remember, he said, is that, in Arizona, all wild animals are public resources, meaning they are the property of the state, whether for hunting with a permit or for the enjoyment of someone hiking in the woods with a camera or pair of binoculars.

When youre out there bird watching, say thats what you like to do, you really dont want to be walking into places that have 30 or 40 cameras, complete with people coming in and out to check and exchange the memory cards, Davis said. Is that really going to enhance your outdoor experience?
And then our first-graders spent their whole first year in the school system remotely, so not only are they facing learning deficits, but theyre just learning how to be in a school, developing social skills and working on their attention spans, Carmody said.

Attention spans getting shorter

Carmody and Taouil said many students easily opted out of class at times throughout the day during remote learning by turning off the camera when they got bored.

But when they can no longer do that in person, the kids frustration and fatigue begins to show inside the classroom.

Thats when were seeing more anxious behaviors. In the real little guys, we see it kind of with the outbursts, the crying, not being able to continue on a task and needing to take a break, Taouil said. And even in the older kids with the shutting down and avoidance, all the way up to panic attacks.

In the middle and high schools, Shivanonda of TUSD said, students forgot a great portion of their social skills during their time away from campus.
A medical clinic that offers specialized counseling services in office, in home or virtually will open early next year in midtown Tucson.

Teris Health Services leased 3,054 square feet at 40 N. Swan Road, just north of Broadway, from Larsen Baker.

The landlord was represented by its broker, Isaac Figueroa.

Teris Health Services was started by Teri Hourihan as a one-person practice in 2017.

It has since grown to 65 employees.

The clinic offers primary care, COVID-19 testing and vaccines, psychiatric care and counseling.

All services will be available at the clinic, in a patients home or office or via telemedicine.

Teris currently provides mobile services in Pima County and the addition of the clinic will allow for group counseling sessions and other in-office services.

Visit terishealthservices.org for more information.

Other recent commercial transactions include:
Winter has arrived. Two systems will keep the Tucson area wet and cold through New Years Day. The bulk of the precipitation will come Thursday night through Friday night, according to the National Weather Service in Tucson. Snow level is 6,000-7,000 feet. On Saturday, it drops to 4,500 feet. Expect freezing temperatures overnight Saturday/early Sunday.
US move to shorten COVID-19 isolation stirs confusion, doubt

WASHINGTON (AP)  U.S. health officials' decision to shorten the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period from 10 days to five is drawing criticism from some medical experts and could create more confusion and fear among Americans.

To the dismay of some authorities, the new guidelines allow people to leave isolation without getting tested to see if they are still infectious.

The guidance has raised questions about how it was crafted and why it was changed now, in the middle of another wintertime spike in cases, this one driven largely by the highly contagious omicron variant.

Monday's action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut in half the recommended isolation time for Americans who are infected with the coronavirus but have no symptoms. The CDC similarly shortened the amount of time people who have come into close contact with an infected person need to quarantine.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan's new redistricting commission approved congressional and legislative maps Tuesday, ones that are fairer to Democrats than when the process was controlled by the Republican-led Legislature the past two decades.

The landmark votes capped months of work by the 13-member panel, which voters created to stop partisan gerrymandering.

It really is a history-defining day. We've adopted fair maps that are fair to both parties and fair to the people of Michigan. That's a big deal, said commissioner Anthony Eid, one of five members unaffiliated with neither major political party. The commission of citizens who were selected randomly following an application process also has four Democrats and four Republicans.

In the U.S. House delegation, there could be 7-6 splits in favor of either party if it is close statewide, with three highly competitive seats in the Grand Rapids, Lansing and Flint/Saginaw areas.

The battle for the majority in the state Senate, where the GOP has a 22-16 edge due to gerrymandering despite Democrat Gretchen Whitmer winning the governorship by nearly 10 points in 2018, will become much tighter.
Cyber Ninjas has argued for months that it is not subject to the public records law because it is a private company. Two different judges and the Arizona Court of Appeals have ruled that records Cyber Ninjas possesses that have a substantial nexus to the audit are public and must be released. They held that the audit done for Senate Republicans after former President Donald Trump lost in Arizona to President Joe Biden was a core government function and that makes the records public.

Cyber Ninjas is asking the state Supreme Court to overrule the Court of Appeals decision, and Wilenchik has not withdrawn from that case. The high court has declined to put the lower court orders on hold and could consider the appeal next month. In the meantime, Cyber Ninjas still has not provided the records to the Senate so it can release them.

Wilenchik told a judge last month that Cyber Ninjas has no money and cant afford to pay for the review or redaction of records.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The scheduled August 2024 parole for one of two men convicted in the murder of Michael Jordans father nearly three decades ago has been canceled, a North Carolina state panel said Tuesday.

The state Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission had announced in 2020 that Larry M. Demery would be released as part of an agreement in which he would take part in a scholastic and vocational program designed to prepare him for life outside prison. The initial release date was August 2023, but it was later pushed back by 12 months.

The commission said Tuesday in a news release that Demery's agreement has been terminated effective immediately, giving no reason. The release said that Demery, who is serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of James Jordan in 1993, would be reviewed again for parole on or about Dec. 15, 2023.

Greg Thomas, a state Department of Public Safety spokesperson, didn't have additional information on Demery's situation. Generally speaking, Thomas said, a Mutual Agreement Parole Program agreement may be terminated if the prisoner isn't following program guidelines or is violating behavior rules behind bars.
But the prince's lawyers say the new information about Giuffre's residence should result in the suspension of any further progress in the lawsuit toward trial, which would include depositions of Andrew and Giuffre, until the issue is settled as to whether her foreign residence disqualifies her from suing Andrew in the U.S.

They asked the judge to order Giuffre to respond to written legal requests about her residency and submit to a two-hour deposition on the issue.

An attorney for Giuffre, Sigrid McCawley, called the request to toss out the case just another in a series of tired attempts by Prince Andrew to duck and dodge the legal merits of the case Virginia Giuffre has brought against him. All parties in litigation are subject to discovery and Prince Andrew is no exception.

The prince's attorneys wrote that Giuffre has an Australian driver's license and was living in a $1.9 million home in Perth, Western Australia, where she has been raising three children with her husband, who is Australian.
Authorities have not released a motive. Both teens attended Grabers Spanish class at Fairfield High School, where she had taught since 2012.

Moulding argued trying Goodale as an adult is the only appropriate plan because he would be released at age 18, less than 24 months, if he is tried and convicted in the juvenile court system.

This prosecuting attorney cannot fathom any combination of programming at any Iowa juvenile facility which could appropriately treat or rehabilitate the defendant if adjudicated as a juvenile, he said.

Millers attorney has made a similar request and Moulding resisted for many of the same reasons.

Miller and Goodale are being held on $1 million cash bond in juvenile detention facilities awaiting trial. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Moulding charged them as adults with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The sentence in Iowa would be life in prison for first-degree murder as an adult, although a 2016 Iowa Supreme Court ruling requires juveniles to have a chance of release when given life sentences.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The victim is literally cut into pieces, Pesci said in court. His head is cut off.

Holland fled from police in an allegedly stolen truck and then got into another allegedly stolen vehicle before he was arrested, the prosecutor said.

Police later found receipts in the vehicles for items purchased from a home improvement store where Pesci said Holland was seen on security cameras pushing a cart with a saw in it.

This is an individual who literally had the body cut up into pieces in that car that he flees from the police (in), he told the judge, who has felonies spanning four decades and a current case pending.

Outside court, Pesci said Holland and Miller knew each other, but he didn't know the extent of their acquaintance.

Holland had been sought since May 2019 on an arrest warrant in a 2018 case in Las Vegas accusing him of embezzlement, identity theft, issuing false checks and theft, according to court records. He had posted $5,000 bail in that case.

KLAS-TV in Las Vegas reported that court records showed Holland was accused in 2018 of stealing a truck and selling it.
The 2020 Census may have missed more than 1.6 million Americans, about 48,000 of them in Arizona, with the undercount disproportionately falling on minority groups, according to a recent report.

The November report by the Urban Institute said that no census is ever perfectly accurate and that the 0.5% undercount it estimated for 2020 was better than some feared, given the difficulty of conducting a census during a pandemic and legal challenges that went all the way to the Supreme Court.

But any undercount matters, advocates say, since census results are used to determine everything from congressional representation to federal funding for health care, schools and more.

It just fuels this never-ending vicious cycle of people uncounted, specifically those lower-income, people of color. They will get less resources, said Jose Patino, director of education and external affairs at Aliento, a pro-immigration nonprofit based in Arizona.

They have to live with the past 10 years of the census, and now another 10 years of it. It just fuels this inequality for sure, Patino said.
Federal health officials also have been urging all eligible Americans to get booster shots as quickly as possible, as the country faces a surge in the highly contagious omicron variant. Both Moderna and Pfizer have said that booster shots of their COVID-19 vaccines appear to offer protection against the new strain, which preliminary evidence suggests can better evade vaccines than previous variants.

Stitt got vaccinated in March after health officials opened vaccine eligibility to everyone in the state ages 16 and older. At the time, he said he hoped that receiving his shot publicly would encourage people who might be hesitant to get vaccinated.

Only about 53% of Oklahomans are fully vaccinated, which is well below the national average of 61.8% and far behind Vermont's first-in-the-nation rate of 77.3%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But the vaccine and public health efforts to promote it have often drawn the ire of some conservatives. When former President Donald Trump revealed during an event in Dallas last week that he received a vaccine booster, the crowd booed him.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health District 4 mobile wellness unit continues to offer public health services throughout January in locations across northeast Oklahoma, including Wagoner County.

The mobile wellness unit will be in Redbird, OK on Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nettie L. Osborn Park. The park is located at 103 S. Main St.

OSDH District 4 serves an eight-county region including Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Wagoner and Washington counties.

The Mobile Health on the Go mobile wellness unit is part of a statewide fleet mobilized in May 2021 by OSDH to help reach underserved communities with vital services, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

Free services offered by the mobile wellness unit will include: immunizations, general sick visits, annual child visits, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, school/sports physicals, flu testing and vaccinations, blood pressure screenings and other public health services.

The OSDH District 4 mobile wellness unit will be at the following locations in January:

Craig County:
No matter where we traveled in 2021, our sources never ceased to amaze us with their incredible knowledge of the industry. Were so grateful for all we learned this year. Here are just 25 of the many, many insights we gained.

1. Over half the worlds cranberries come from Wisconsin. (Mind blown.)

2. Pecan trees can grow up to 130 feet tall. Yes, thats three school buses stacked on top of each other.

3. Microgreens are a superfood with up to 40 times more vital nutrients than their fully grown counterparts.

4. Though you may think otherwise, according to Meehans Bartenders Manual by Jim Meehan, the color of rum tells you little about its age.

5. When cooking pasta, its best to start with cold, fresh water in the pot.

6. The most important tip for pumpkin picking (whether for cooking or decorating) is to make sure that the pumpkin is attached to a healthy stem.

7. Although cherry varieties are not as well-known as the many apple varieties, there are actually more than 1,000 different types of cherries grown in the United States alone.

8. European-style butter is the gold standard for pie, as it contains more fat and less water than American butter.

9. When picking a watermelon, you want a melon thats symmetrical. Lopsided watermelons can indicate the fruit was picked too early.

10. All beer is either an ale or a lager.

11. Bison and buffalo are NOT the same thing. Bison have a protruding hump near their shoulders and a long goatee. Oh, and their horns are shorter and they have larger heads than buffalo.

12. A beehive houses a queen bee and her brood, comprising one very big family. At a honey farm like Fat Head Farm, Queen Bees will lay up to 2,500 eggs daily, which are nurtured for 21 days until they hatch.

13. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that apple cider vinegars astringent properties may help neutralize the itch and discomfort associated with poison ivy, bee stings and sunburn.

14. When making bread, resist the urge to improvise; baking bread involves complex chemical reactions that can create aromatic loaves as easily as disasters.

15. A heavy, fragrant tomato indicates better texture and rich flavor.

16. Oysters require far less human interaction and produce less waste to grow and harvest than many other species of fish, making them highly sustainable.

17. Charcuterie is actually a French term for a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pates and confit, primarily from pork.

18. Cow dung is rich in minerals with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and can support the growth of beneficial microorganisms when mixed with soil.

19. Olive oil is stored in heavier, dark glass to protect against oxidation that can be caused by sunlight, heat and oxygen  all of which can reduce the shelf life of a true olive oil.

20. During salmon season in Southeast Alaska, fishers devoted to sustainability of resources catch each fish individually by hook and line before taking them back to town to be flash frozen.

21. Maple sugar season only lasts six to eight weeks each spring, but its intense and weather-dependent. Farmers need nights below freezing followed by days above 40 degrees in order to get a strong sap run.

22. Illinois is tremendous, botanically. It offers far greater diversity than the mountains, thanks to overlapping ecoregions. (Again, mind blown.)

23. Pigs' arrival in the United States can be traced back to Queen Isabella of Spain, Christopher Columbus and Hernando De Soto. In 1539, De Soto brought the first pigs to the States to what is now Tampa Bay, Florida.

24. A push for sustainability helped oats gain popularity. Unlike almonds, which require about a gallon of water to grow a single nut, oats require about six times less water to grow.

25. Sparkling wine is typically white or rose, although there can be red varieties made from Lambrusco or Shiraz grapes.
A Tulsa man who is accused of shooting a security guard outside a Tulsa nightclub pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday and could face a sentence of 10 years in prison.

Jaden Perez, 21, of the Muscogee Nation, was charged in the federal Northern District of Oklahoma with carrying, using, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in Indian Country. The Aug. 21 shooting injured a security guard at the Rodeo nightclub on 46th Street near Mingo Road.

Jaden Perez has been held accountable for his blatant criminal disregard for the safety of nightclub patrons and employees when he shot a security guard outside the nightclub, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson said in a news release. I am thankful that no one was killed in the incident. The U.S. Attorneys Office and our partners at the Tulsa Police Department and ATF will continue to hold accountable those responsible for gun violence in our community.
The man charged with murder in the death of a 13-year-old boy in west Tulsa has been arrested, police said.

Christian Harrison, 19, a Seminole Nation citizen, was charged in federal court last week with first-degree murder in the boys shooting death at the Parkview Terrace apartments, just west of U.S. 75 off 61st Street, according to court records. Harrison was arrested Tuesday, Tulsa Police Lt. Brandon Watkins said.

The 13-year-old, identified in an affidavit only as B.W., was one of two 13-year-olds killed in Tulsa within the past week.

Harrison is accused of shooting the 13-year-old in west Tulsa about 6 p.m. Dec. 22 after Harrison got into an argument with the victims brother, according to an affidavit.

The victims brother told officers he was arguing with a woman and that Harrison then started arguing with him. B.W. later joined in the argument, and Harrison then pulled out a gun and shot him at least twice.

B.W. died after being taken to a hospital.
We will be addressing this issue with the company that provided the service. Your credit will NOT be affected due to their error regarding this notice.

Another former Epic parent, who did not give permission for her name to be used, showed the Tulsa World the collection notices received by her daughters, ages 7 and 10, as well as a written receipt she requested when she returned their laptops in person in October.

When I withdrew my girls from Epic in September, I had to ask them how to return the computers assigned to my kids, she said. I turned them in and had to ask for a receipt showing that I turned them in. How many other families have they done this to?

For Brooks, of Broken Arrow, the process of withdrawing her children from Epics student rolls and the onus for returning their school-owned assets felt complicated and one-sided.
The vaccine mandate to which the governor objects is the one  in addition to the nine that already apply to all service members  intended to protect service members from the virus which has, in less than two years, killed more Americans than have been killed in action in all of the wars the United States has ever fought, Friot wrote. The court is required to decide the case on the basis of federal law, not common sense. But, either way, the result would be the same.
Teague said the new House proposal also splits up Black communities in other parts of the state, including Richland County. It also makes more sense to draw a map to keep the cities of North Charleston and Charleston together over Beaufort and Charleston, Teague said, noting the first two share more economic and social interests than the latter two.

We believe that it is an obvious racial and partisan gerrymander and should be rejected, Teague said of the new map.

The committee didn't vote on either map Wednesday. Jordan said the committee plans to send a proposal to the full House sometime in the next two weeks.

We have been criticized both for taking too long and also for moving too fast," Jordan said. But I again remind everyone this is a monumental task, and that we have been diligent and careful to get this right.

The Senate has yet to approve its congressional map. Lawmakers from both chambers still have to get together to hash out what the districts will eventually look like, and those boundaries must also withstand any legal challenges.

Two civil rights groups have already sued the state, saying lawmakers are taking too long to approve the U.S. House maps. The groups want a court to set a Feb. 15 deadline for the U.S. House maps to be finished.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  North Dakota spent $8.4 million this year on bonuses for some state workers, a record sum that was more than double paid out in 2020.

A little more than a third of the nearly 9,300 state employees received the bonuses, including several from Republican Gov. Doug Burgums office, according to records obtained by The Associated Press. The bonuses, which grew from $3.5 million last year, helped push total employee compensation to $582 million for 2021, up $40 million from 2020.

The bulk of bonuses paid to employees comes from agencies in the governors cabinet, records show. Burgum, who approved $7,100 in bonuses to six of his staffers, defends the program. In a statement, he called the bonuses a tool authorized by the Legislature to reward performance and help retain team members in a competitive labor market.

State Office of Management and Budget Director Joe Morrissette, the states top budget writer, said the bonus money must come from an agencys existing salary budget and agency heads are given discretion on how to spend it.

North Dakota agencies turned back $338 million in unspent money to the state general fund in past year, Morrissette said.
See for yourself how and where vaccinations are ramping up, plus how COVID-19 infections and deaths still persist in most states.
In fact, when they tested asymptomatic people  people that have positive tests but not symptoms  56% of them had no neutralizing antibodies. So there does seem to be some correlation of severity of illness. The sicker you are, the more likely you are to have some prolonged protection.

Bratzler said a large CDC study of 201,000 patients from 187 hospitals in nine states published in November found that patients who recovered from COVID were 5.49 times more likely to be reinfected if they were unvaccinated than those who were vaccinated.

The importance of booster shots is underscored by how the omicron variant is changing the effectiveness of the primary series of vaccinations.

Bratzler said the omicron variant has more than 30 mutations to its spike protein  the protein targeted by the mRNA COVID vaccines to make the immune system recognize the virus. An open question is how effective the vaccine-induced antibodies will be at preventing the virus from attaching to human receptors.

He said vaccine-induced antibodies seem to drop in number about four months after receiving the initial series of mRNA vaccinations.
We work hard on the Tulsa World opinion pages to do one thing: Have a discussion about the world around us.

Letters to the editor are a key part of that. Our readers have strong opinions, and let they us know through a steady influx of letters.

One fun fact about those letters: They are among our most read items.

As we near the end of the year, we thought it would be fun to look back at the most popular letters to the editor.

1. Support for OU football is gone, by Don Peters of Bartlesville. Peters took exception to the University of Oklahomas decision to leave the Big 12 and head to the Southeastern Conference.

What happened to loyalty to both the citizens of the state and the conference which has treated the school well? Peters wrote. All that is gone in the interest of money. A teaching university that teaches greed: what a legacy for students.
In his recent opinion piece, Kevin Hern again proves that he is a master of pandering to his base, with no apparent interest in good government (Democrat leaders not living up to promises, Dec. 19).

His partisan nonsense starts by absolving Republicans of any responsibility for current problems because Democrats have unilateral control of Washington.

Then he catalogues every failure (no accomplishments) of President Joe Biden, including a truly bizarre rebuke for COVID-19 deaths. As if Republicans who deny science and politicize masks are keeping us safe.

Next, he rants and raves about our broken budgeting process, again blaming Democrats and ignoring Republican obstructionism.

He brags about his magical proposal which cuts $2 trillion in taxes and balances the budget in five years. How, you might ask?

Well, he doesnt explain that, but if it passes lets hope you dont rely on Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP or other social programs.
Singapore expends a great deal of effort to attract tourists from Vietnam, a market the city-state considers important, when conditions permit after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

In its latest move, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Vietnam Director Sherleen Seah joined guests on a virtual tour where spectators had a chance to experience Singapores most famous shopping paradise, Orchard Road, which is currently crowded again after COVID-19 hibernation.

Led by a Vietnamese tour guide, online visitors could learn about local brands which are part of Made with Passion, a national initiative that showcases and celebrates local lifestyle brands and the passion behind them.

Speaking at the event, Sherleen mentioned Singapore's effort to enhance safety and health measures based on new national standards so travelers can enjoy a range of new experiences with peace of mind.

The director also emphasized the plans to resume two-way travel with Vietnam.

The virtual tour was part of Singapores SingapoReimagine campaign, an initiative to reimagine travel for Singapore by sparking conversations, stories, and ideas to collectively shape the future of tourism.

According to STB, the SingaporeReimagine campaign aims to bring a new standard of tourism that combines safe, sustainable solutions with a differentiated and meaningful experience for travelers.

As the tourism industry is gradually recovering, we want to together with Vietnamese tourists reimagine new travel experiences, STB said in a press release last week.

A screenshot shows Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Vietnam Director Sherleen Seah introducing new attractions in Singapore during a virtual tour held by STB for invited guests on December 22, 2021.

The Singapore Tourism Board has also invited Vietnamese influencers who visited Singapore before, or are living in Singapore, to share their cherished memories as well as bring the image of Singapore closer to Vietnamese tourists.

A travel survey conducted by STB early this year and released in late October showed Singapore among the destinations that Vietnamese tourists want to explore after the pandemic.

The report, done in collaboration with Vietnamese news site VnExpress to survey over 2,000 people to see Vietnamese people tourism expectations after the pandemic, pointed out that the respondents wanted to visit Singapore thanks to its vibrant and diverse tourism experiences, especially unique cuisine, impressive architectural works, continuous innovative initiatives, as well as its people and unique multi-ethnic culture.

Vietnam is an important market for Singapore tourism, STB Vietnam Director Sherleen said while releasing the survey, adding the report is part of the boards effort to take care of the Vietnamese market.

This is a positive signal for us as Singapore is still one of Vietnamese tourists favorite places to visit after the halt.

We will constantly innovate and improve travel experiences to delight visitors when international tourism reopens."

Currently, vaccinated travelers from certain countries/regions are welcome to enter Singapore via the Vaccinated Travel Lane without any quarantine or stay-home notice.

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Vietnam's coffee exports in 2021 are expected to show a drop of 2.7% to 1.5 million tonnes, while rice exports will likely fall 0.5%, government data released on Wednesday showed.

Coffee

Coffee exports from Vietnam will likely decrease to 1.5 million tonnes, equal to 25.38 million 60-kg bags, the General Statistics Office said.

Coffee export revenue for Vietnam, the world's biggest producer of the robusta bean, will likely rise 9.4% to around $3 billion this year, the report said.

The country's coffee shipments in December are estimated at 130,000 tonnes valued at $305 million, it said.

Rice

Rice exports in 2021 from Vietnam were forecast to drop 0.5% earlier to 6.2 million tonnes. Revenue from rice exports in the year was expected to rise 5% to $3.3 billion.

December rice exports from Vietnam, one of the world's largest shippers of the grain, totalled 470,000 tonnes, worth $242 million.

Energy

Vietnam's 2021 crude oil exports were seen falling 35% to an estimated 3.03 million tonnes. Crude oil export revenue is expected to rise 8.8% to $1.71 billion.

Oil product imports in 2021 were estimated at around 10 million tonnes, down 14.9%, with the value of product imports rising 36.6% to $5.2 billion.
Vietnams value of agro-forestry-fishery exports hit a historic high of US$48.6 billion in 2021 despite the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organized a conference on Wednesday morning to review the performance of the primary industries in 2021 and set targets for 2022.

The event was chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

In 2021, the fourth COVID-19 outbreak seriously affected the countrys import and export activities, the ministry said at the meeting.

The country has detected 1,675,321 community transmissions in all its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth virus wave erupted on April 27.

However, local exporters managed to take advantage of new free trade agreements to promote exports and make forays into new markets.

Vietnams exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products reached an all-time high of $48.6 billion this year, up 14.9 percent against 2020.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organizes a conference in Hanoi on December 29, 2021. Photo: Tung Dinh / Tuoi Tre

The agricultural sector achieved a growth rate of 2.85-2.9 percent, while about 68 percent of communes in the country have been qualified as modern rural areas.

The production, transportation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products across the country were disrupted when the pandemic peaked in southern localities in this years third quarter, according to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan.

However, enterprises and farming households were able to overcome these challenges in the final months of the year thanks to their quick adaptation as well as the connectivity between different industries and businesses, Hoan continued.

In 2022, the agricultural sector will focus on restructuring to increase value added, maintain sustainable development, transform growth projects, and develop advanced farming models, the minister said.

The sector will strive to achieve $49 billion worth of export turnover and a growth rate of 2.8-2.9 percent next year.

Measures must also be taken to improve farmers' income, the official stressed.

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A 26km thruway project funded by a South Korean loan of over US$209 million has been approved by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for development in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap for five years.

PM Chinh on Monday gave a nod to the construction of the expressway spanning more than 26.1 kilometers in length to connect My An Town and Cao Lanh City in Dong Thap at a cost of over VND4,770 billion ($209.5 million), most of which will come from South Koreas official development assistance (ODA) fund.

The government chief assigned the Ministry of Transport to govern the project, whose sponsor is the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of South Korea.

Of the total investment, around VND3,677 billion ($161.4 million) will come from the ODA loan and the rest will be covered by the Vietnamese governments corresponding capital.

This loan has a term of 40 years including a grace period of 10 years.

The ODA funding will help cover costs of construction, equipment, engineering design and consultancy, and construction supervision, while Vietnams investment part will pay expenses on project surveys and planning, site clearance, project management, technical design verification, relevant VAT, and others.

The project will be developed for five years from the effective date of the loan agreement.

One end of the expressway in Cao Lanh will be connected with the Lo Te - Rach Soi route, which links Dong Thap with Kien Giang, one of the southernmost provinces of Vietnam.

The other end in My An will merge with Route N2, part of the Ho Chi Minh Road that connect Dong Thap to Long An Province, leading to the North-South Expressway.

The freeway will have four lanes with a total width of 17 meters for vehicles to run at an initial design speed of 80 kilometers per hour, which will increase to 100 kilometers per hour later.

The project will help improve the local road traffic network among the localities in the Mekong Delta in general and between Long An and Dong Thap in particular.

It is also aimed at promoting the effectiveness of the traffic infrastructure projects under operation or construction in the region.

Upon completion, the expressway will help shorten the time to travel from the southeastern provinces and the Central Highlands to the Mekong Delta.

The Ministry of Transport must coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the donor to negotiate the ODA agreement for the project and ensure the expressway will be completed on schedule, the PM said.

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As Christmas has just passed, followed by New Years Eve, then Tet  the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebrations beginning at the end of January  now is a very good time to start planning and thinking ahead.

While Im well aware that most people reading this article are experienced enough in local situations to decide well in advance on their holiday plans, it never hurts to remind ourselves about the important stuff before we get carried away by the dreamy holiday atmosphere!

As the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries will experience modest growth in the first half of next year, getting around the country is going to take some tricky calculations for both homeward locals and foreigners wanting to get out about.

The word this year is to keep your ears to the ground for last-minute changes in travel viability and schedules. I know that may contradict my advice to book early but thats the best we can all do at the moment.

In years past, booking any Tet travel was always advisably done at least a month in advance as the likelihood of getting caught in large local crowds trying to get out of town and obtaining a good seat on a bus, train or airplane narrows in success the closer we inch toward the holidays.

Local travel will be down on last years numbers as people will be reluctant to travel due to COVID-19.

Due to incomes and budgets being reduced by the pandemic, its economic impact will also lower the travel figures.

New Year is probably going to be stay near home affairs. Although you can guarantee big crowds during New Year's Eve celebrations, most foreigners will have more modest home or local pub parties.

The big consideration is the period after New Year's Eve and Tet. Unsurprisingly given local customs, its one of the busiest times of the year for the locals. In order to usher in the 2022 Lunar New Year, Vietnamese spend an amazing amount of time and effort on cleaning and repainting their homes, doing repairs, and preparing holiday food and accommodation for visiting families and a lot more.

These activities become more frantic before Tet as people buy goodies and rush around. The most important point is that everything slows down, government offices, notaries and any visa or work permit situations will become far more difficult to work with, so I highly recommend you make arrangements with your school, office or travel agent early so as not to be caught out by the holiday shutdowns. Actually, youd be surprised how many people do forget to plan for these things!

A biggie to ponder is home security.

I live in Hoi An and either of the two New Years that we celebrate creates golden opportunities for thieves and pickpockets.

Dog theft is rampant around this time of the year too, as crooks look to make some quick money. House-sitting, dog hotels, and dog baby-sitting are good ideas and check your security cameras as well. One thing I got undone last year was forgetting to stock up on dog food as the pet shops were closed just a tad too long, oops!

Although Im not a big fan of organized festive restaurant food deals (I simply cant eat that much food!), there are great bargains out there but be warned, a lot of these deals book out early so dont wait too long to organize that family dinner.

For Tet, the mantra should be Dong, Accommodation, Food, Transport (DAFT)!

During the official Tet festival, therell be a run on the ATMs wherever you are, so making a withdrawal days before the official holiday dates  which for 2022 run from January 31 to February 4  might just save your holiday cheer!

Gas stations in many areas will only be open on a half-day or early closing (at 5:00 am or 6:00 pm) basis, so planning motorbike tours should really be done after the main holidays as its anyones guess what hours people will be opening out in the countryside!

Food in general shouldnt be a problem  its more your harder to get or exotic items to stock up on. In my case, its New Zealand cheese, European sausages, and high-end chocolate! Check with your local shops first.

We cant really predict whats going to happen with the weather around anytime between now and the end of Tet. Thankfully, weve had a relatively mild winter with few severe storms, yet keeping an eye on the weather is just common sense.

The important things during these potentially stressful holidays, particularly if you have a family, are just riding with the inevitable hiccups and problems and your ability to stay chilled out. It's not an easy thing over these last two years; however, the opportunities to have fun, catch up with friends and family, and simply get out of the house are priceless.

In any case, have wonderful, safe, and happy holidays! (And dont forget to feed the god!)

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AES Vietnam handed over in-kind support as part of its project to promote access to clean water in Son My Commune, Ham Tan District, Binh Thuan Province on December 24.

The handover ceremony was organized at the village hall of Hamlet 2, Son My Commune, with the participation of Son My Peoples Committee officials, school principals, hamlet leaders, and representatives of AES Vietnam.

The project, worth a total of VND268 million (US$11,741), includes four water pumps supplied to Son My Commune and three water purification machines to local schools, including Son My 1 Elementary School, Son My 2 Elementary School, and Son My Middle School.

It is expected that the project will benefit 1,600 local residents and 1,000 students at schools in the area.

During the peak months of the annual drought, local people usually have to buy water for VND70,000 [$3] to VND100,000 [$4] per cubic meter," a Son My Commune representative said.

"The system of pumps and water tanks will help save costs and solve the problem of water scarcity in the local area, while the installation of water purifiers for local schools will ensure pure drinking water for students and enable better health and hygiene conditions in schools.

"On behalf of the local people and commune authorities, I would like to thank AES Vietnam for their practical support which ultimately increases the standards of living in our local communities."

AES has installed four systems of pumps and tanks as well as arranged water intake faucets so that people can come and get water, which is especially necessary during the peak dry season months.

The pump and tank systems are installed in four wells in Son My Commune.

The project was initiated following a close consultation with authorities in Son My Commune and thorough inspections and assessment by AES staff.

The systems were designed and set up under the close monitoring of an AES team, following the company's safety standards and guidelines.

A water purification system provided by AES Vietnam at Son My 1 Elementary School

At AES, we believe we are all in need of more sustainable solutions to power our lives and improve our communities," a company spokesperson said.

"I am glad to see that the project will make clean water accessible to local residents and students, and create a positive difference in their lives.

"Through projects like this, we hope to continue to support the safe and sustainable development of the communities in Binh Thuan Province.

The project is part of AES Vietnams social impact program, which was initiated in 2019 with many other community support initiatives in Binh Thuan.

These include joint efforts with local authorities to fight the COVID-19 pandemic by donating masks and test kits, granting scholarships to poor students, and giving gifts to impoverished households for the coming Lunar New Year.

AES Vietnam is a power company in Vietnam that provides safe, reliable, and affordable energy.

Its 2.2 GW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant and LNG terminal project, which are under development, will bring in $3.2 billion investment in Binh Thuan Province and will significantly enhance the local economy.

The plant and terminal will play a major role in shaping Vietnams energy future by diversifying the energy mix with imported LNG while meeting the countrys increasing demand for sustainable and affordable electricity.

AES, through its subsidiary, AES Mong Duong Power Company Limited, successfully developed and arranged financing for the Mong Duong 2 Power Project of 1,242 MW with a total investment of approximately $2.1 billion.

The AES Corporation is a Fortune 500 global energy company accelerating the future of energy.

To learn more, please visit https://www.aes-vietnam.com/en.
Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith on Tuesday co-chaired the 8th Vietnam-Laos political consultation in Hanoi, as the latter arrived in Vietnam for a two-day visit from December 28 to 29.

-- Vietnams President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Tuesday called on Da Nang to become a liveable city that can easily attract investments when attending an event to mark 25 years since the city was recognized as a centrally-governed municipality, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Society

-- As of Tuesday, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) had reached agreement with the aviation authorities of Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Cambodia, and the U.S. to resume regular international flights from January 1. South Korea, Laos, and China have yet to approve the flight resumption plan while Thailand has proposed more discussion.

-- Police in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday initiated legal proceedings against a 36-year-old man for duping more than 150 victims into investing in virtual currencies and appropriating over VND23 billion (US$1 million).

-- Doctors at Dong Nai General Hospital 2 on Tuesday successfully performed a hip replacement surgery on a 103-year-old woman who had broken her left femur neck.

Business

-- The Quang Ninh Department of Industry and Trade advised other provinces on Tuesday to temporarily halt transporting goods to the province's border gate for export to China, citing the neighboring country's sustained strict management of the flow of goods and people into the Chinese territory.

Education

-- K-12 students in Ho Chi Minh City will have a nine-day break during the upcoming Lunar New Year, or Tet, holiday from January 29 to February 6, according to the municipal Department of Education and Training.

World News

-- Reuters cited the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as saying on Tuesday that the Omicron variant was estimated to be 58.6 percent of the coronavirus variants circulating in the country as of Christmas Day.

-- Mexico on Tuesday allowed a cruise ship to dock and disembark tourists in spite of an outbreak of COVID-19 on board, as the government vowed to keep the country open to cruise vessels provided sanitary precautions are met, Reuters reported.

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Vietnam is still awaiting the response of aviation authorities in several countries regarding its plan to reopen regular international air routes on January 1.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) previously sent an official document on the plan to its counterparts in Japan, South Korea, mainland China, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Taiwan on December 17.

The CAAV proposed that four flights be operated per week per route from January 1. It also mentioned pandemic prevention regulations for international arrivals in the Southeast Asian country.

Authorities in Vietnam and the U.S. have already allowed national carrier Vietnam Airlines to operate regular flights between the two nations, thus further discussion is not necessary.

After receiving the reply from Japanese authorities on December 22, the CAAV announced that Vietnam Airlines will operate three flights per week starting January 5, while Vietjet Air will carry out one flight a week starting January 6.

On December 24, Taiwan agreed to resume regular air routes to Vietnam, but suggested that the number of weekly flights increase to five from four.

On December 27, Singapore confirmed that four flights will be operated each week, including two by Vietnam Airlines, one by Vietjet Air, and one by Pacific Airlines.

Cambodian authorities agreed on December 28 that Vietnam Airlines will operate four flights per week along the route between the two countries.

Thailand has sent a document requesting that the two nations have an online discussion about the plan.

Vietnam is still waiting for the official decision of aviation authorities in South Korea, Laos, and mainland China.

The CAAV also intends to negotiate with its counterparts in France, Germany, Russia, and Australia regarding regular flights from these countries to Vietnam, which are to meet the travel demand of overseas Vietnamese ahead of the Lunar New Year festival.

The Vietnamese aviation authority has expressed concerns that the operation of regular international flights will not go according to the approved plan due to new pandemic control regulations related to the Omicron variant.

The Omicron mutant, or the B.1.1.529 variant, was first discovered in South Africa in late September and has now been reported in over 100 countries.

Vietnam detected its first-ever Omicron case on Tuesday.

Due to the pandemic, the Vietnamese government has closed borders since March 2020, with an exception for Vietnamese repatriates, foreign experts, diplomats, investors, skilled workers, and students, who are allowed to enter the Southeast Asian country if they meet strict quarantine requirements.

Recently, the country has gradually opened its borders to international visitors in a pilot scheme to revive the tourism industry, after deciding to live safely with the pathogen instead of pursuing a zero-tolerance COVID-19 approach.

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Authorities in Vietnam have been taking various measures to respond to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, which was first detected in the country on Tuesday after spreading to over 100 countries.

A man who arrived in Hanoi from the UK was the first case infected with the Omicron variant in Vietnam, the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday.

He landed in the Vietnamese capital on December 19 and was quarantined upon arrival.

After he tested positive for COVID-19, health experts conducted genome sequencing and discovered that he was carrying the Omicron variant.

The patient is receiving treatment at 108 Military Central Hospital in Hanoi. He is currently in stable conditions and does not have any clinical symptom.

The hospital had performed genome sequencing on over 1,000 samples of COVID-19 patients in the country since September, but most of them were carrying the Delta variant.

First reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by South Africa on September 24, the Omicron mutant, a.k.a. the B.1.1.529 variant, was designated by WHO as a variant of concern two days later.

The variant has now been reported in over 100 countries, with health experts stating it appears to be more contagious but less virulent than previous strains.

At a meeting on Monday, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said that Vietnam had administered the second COVID-19 vaccine doses to about 70 percent of its population.

However, an expert from the health ministry said that a third shot is necessary to prevent infection caused by the Omicron mutant.

A lower number of infections will thus reduce the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in the country, he added.

The Ministry of Health plans to finish providing the third dose to local residents at the earliest, with priorities given to people over 50 years old and those with underlying conditions.

Ho Chi Minh City was among the first in the country to begin providing the third shot to residents on December 10.

The southern metropolis is currently in the lead with nearly 654,000 third jabs given so far.

Since December 20, the health ministry has allocated more than 2.3 million vaccine doses to Hanoi to administer the second and third shots to its citizens given rising infections in the capital.

Aside from boosting vaccination pace, wearing face masks, filing health declarations, keeping a safe distance, sanitizing hands, and avoiding large gatherings also play an important role, according to another Ministry of Health expert.

People have been doing a good job in following these basic regulations, the expert stated, adding that the face mask has become a familiar item nowadays.

The country still needs to improve its preparedness by raising its treatment capacity in terms of emergency beds, medicine, and medical oxygen to get ready for a surge in COVID-19 cases, he continued.

Vietnam may report more cases of the Omicron variant as regular international flights are to be resumed next year, but people should remain calm in order to effectively respond to the pandemic, health officials said.

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The Ministry of Health documented 13,889 new COVID-19 cases throughout Vietnam on Wednesday, together with 38,260 recoveries and 245 virus-related deaths.

The latest infections, including 16 imported and 13,873 domestic transmissions, were detected in 60 provinces and cities, the ministry said, noting that 8,853 patients were infected in the community.

Hanoi logged 1,766 of the newest local cases, Tay Ninh Province 938, Vinh Long Province 917, Khanh Hoa Province 793, Ho Chi Minh City 702, Phu Yen Province 686, Thua Thien-Hue Province 390, Lam Dong Province 347, Quang Nam Province 291, Hai Phong City 271, Bac Ninh Province 263, Dong Nai Province 213, Da Nang 180, Binh Thuan Province 159, Quang Ninh Province 158, Can Tho City 137, Binh Duong Province 119, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province 52.

Vietnam had found 14,421 domestically-acquired infections on Tuesday.

The country has confirmed 1,689,194 community transmissions in all its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth virus wave erupted on April 27. A combined 1,299,725 of them have recovered from COVID-19.

Ho Chi Minh City has been hit the hardest with 501,990 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 290,468, Dong Nai Province with 97,380, Tay Ninh Province with 73,398, Dong Thap Province with 43,021, Hanoi with 42,260, Can Tho City with 40,287, Long An Province with 40,244, Tien Giang Province with 33,270, An Giang Province with 31,903, Khanh Hoa Province with 31,418, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 25,988, Binh Thuan Province with 25,406, and Da Nang with 10,850.

Vietnam reported a mere 1,570 locally-transmitted infections in total in the previous three waves.

The health ministry registered 38,260 recovered patients on Wednesday, bringing the total count to 1,302,542.

The toll has ascended to 31,877 deaths after the ministry confirmed 245 fatalities on the same day, including 40 in Ho Chi Minh City, 28 in An Giang Province, 21 in Dong Nai Province, 15 in Dong Thap Province, 15 in Tien Giang Province, 14 in Binh Duong Province, 11 in Hanoi, and the remainder in 18 other provinces and cities.

Vietnam has recorded 1,694,874 patients since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the country early last year.

Health workers have administered above 148 million vaccine doses, including 811.888 shots on Tuesday, since vaccination was rolled out nationwide on March 8.

More than 77.3 million of the countrys 98 million people have received at least one dose while over 67.3 million have been jabbed twice.

The number of third doses  including additional primary shots for immunocompromised people, boosters, and third jabs of Cubas Abdala vaccine  has risen to 3,517,593.

Vietnam aims to fully inoculate 100 percent of its adult population this year. Many provinces and cities are immunizing children aged 12-17 against COVID-19, using Pfizer-BioNTech shots.

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The owner of Banh Mi Phuong, a famous bakery in Hoi An, has issued a public apology in response to a customers complaint which has been circulated recently on social media about her staffs disrespectful attitude.

The incident happened last weekend when a client from Ho Chi Minh City posted on her personal Facebook account a status titled 'Boycott Banh Mi Phuong Hoi An,' expressing her disappointment over its staff's discrimination and rip-off.

Banh Mi Phuong is a well-known bakery in Hoi An, a touristic town in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam.

The customer recounted that she was treated unequally while waiting for her 'banh mi' order, while receiving unfriendly glares and hearing offensive words from the bakery's employees.

I was embarrassed and frustrated when seeing people behind me, instead of me, getting the 'banh mi' first, she complained, referring to Vietnamese short baguettes served with meats and vegetables.

They gave me a bossy gaze with an unreasonable excuse that I bought more baguettes than the people behind me, while I had been waiting for 20 minutes for another person buying more than me."

The customer then realized that Banh Mi Phuong offered locals a loaf of bread for just VND15,000 (US$0.66) while she bought it at double the rate when the staff added more toppings without her consent or showing her any fixed-price menu.

She considered such behaviors a discriminatory attitude toward people like her who come from the southern region of Vietnam.

The post, after being published, has received more than 3,200 comments, over 1,100 shares, and upwards of 5,800 reactions.

Some reposts also attracted a lot of comments from netizens.

Upon the massive controversies over the shops impolite attitude, the owner Truong Thi Phuong Phuong, posted her apology on Facebook for the incident on Monday.

I felt shocked since this was the first time in 35 years of experience that we had received such complaints, Phuong said in her post.

We have been putting serious effort in delivering 'banh mi' at the best quality to customers, which has gained us todays reputation."

On the rumor about the rip-off, she explained that her bakerys menu lists detailed prices.

Regarding the rude attitude, she believed the unpleasant incident that day might come from the staffs carelessness in observing customers order in line.

Moreover, most of my staff are local residents, the insulting words might result from miscommunication over different accents, she claimed.

On behalf of my employees, I would love to send an apology to the customer in question and the online community for the awkward handling," Phuong said.

"I will discipline the wrongdoers!

She also hoped that clients would forgive the employees' unprofessional behavior and understand their constant dedication to delivering tasty 'banh mi'over the past decades.

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LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Wednesday pledged 105 million pounds ($141.7 million) in emergency aid to help vulnerable nations, particularly in Africa, cope with the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant.

The government said the money would go towards measures helping to reduce transmission, increase testing and boost oxygen supplies.

"The UK is providing vital assistance to help tackle the spread of new variants around the world," foreign minister Liz Truss said in a statement. "This is key to securing our freedom and ending this pandemic once and for all."

Britain, along with other wealthy countries, has been accused of not doing enough to distribute stockpiles of vaccines to poorer nations, which some scientists said was key to stopping the emergence of new variants.

The Foreign Office said its latest pledge came on the back of confirmation that Britain had delivered 30 million vaccines to the rest of the world as promised by the end of 2021, part of the 100 million shots it has vowed to donate.

So far, 24.6 million doses have been given to COVAX, the global vaccine-sharing network, to deliver to countries and 5.5 million have been shared directly with countries in need including Kenya, Jamaica, and Indonesia.

"The UK is helping other countries most in need. No one is safe until everyone is safe," Truss said.

($1 = 0.7411 pounds)

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by William Schomberg)
Ramiro Petrone Crowned 2021 partypoker MILLIONS Online Main Event Champion

December 29 2021 Calum Grant

After five Main Event flights and two more days of play, the 2021 partypoker Millions Online Main Event has concluded with Argentina's Ramiro Petrone being the eventual victor. He became the rightful owner of the $859,018 up top after defeating Spanish-Andorran player Juan Dominguez in heads up play.

The event had a combined 1,041 entries, which saw the tournament eclipse its $5 million guarantee, creating a final prize pool of $5,205,000. Just 156 players made the money with the min-cash being $10,653, notable names who walked away with a piece of the prize pool include Michael Addamo (117th - $11,834), Ali Imsirovic (69th - $15,462) and Adrian Mateos (10th - $52,714).

There were a host of partypoker ambassadors who also cashed the tournament; Mikita Badziakouski (140th - $10,653), Jamie Staples (137th - $10,653) and Joni Jouhkimainen (121st - $11,211) departed early when the money bubble burst. Yuri Dzivielevski (109th - $11,834), Patrick Leonard (72nd - $13,587) and Matthew Staples (41st - $18,318) faired slightly better than their colleagues.

Related: Kisacikoglu and Nemeth Make partypoker MILLIONS Online Main Event Final Table

Millions Online Main Event Final Table Recap

Andras Nemeth came onto the final table with a nine-figure stack but was the first player to leave the table. The Hungarian poker player shipped in his stack with ace-jack offsuit and was called by Petrone from the small blind with pocket tens. Nemeth hit his jack on the flop while his opponent had a gut-shot straight draw. Petrone made his straight on river to get the first elimination of the day and Nemeth collected $69,767 for his Main Event run.

There was then back-to-back bust outs as Igor Dunsel moved in preflop with ace-jack offsuit only to get called by Steven van Zadelhoff with ace-king. Dunsel failed to connect on the runout and picked up $88,327 for his eighth-place finish. Orpen Kisacikoglu was then on the wrong side of a flip against Dominguez, whose pair of threes remained best. Kisacikoglu, who finished eighth in last week's 2021 EPT Online Main Event, claimed the first six-figure prize of $111,313.

Orpen Kisacikoglu finishes in 7th place and wins $111,313 for his run in the #MILLIONSOnline Main Event!  partypoker (@partypoker)

Fabio Luongo was the next player who was all-in and at risk versus fellow Canadian Sebastian Sikorski. Luongo held the bogey-hand of the day, ace-jack, and was hoping it would be third time's. In a 200 million chip pot, Sikorski's ace-queen reigned supreme meaning his compatriot would have to settle for the $141,031 payout.

Petrone and Sikorksi got their second knockouts of the day after Petrone's aces held against the pocket fours of Christopher Brice.Sikorski would then make it three-handed play after outflopping Van Zadelhoff's pair of fives. Three became two after a blind on blind battle between Dominguez and Sikorski. The latter had the shorter stack and would need some assistance to leapfrog Dominguez's queens, no help arrived and Sikorksi pocketed $406,793 for his performance.

Heads up play was a close affair for much of it's duration but that all changed after Petrone rivered a better flush to have a 4:! chip lead over Dominguez. A few hands after Petrone would be crowned the winner after he made another flush while Dominguez flopped top pair. The Argentinian bet the flop and turn before putting his opponent all-in on the river to which Dominguez called-off the remainder of his stack. The runner-up took home $591,687, which comes just a few days after he won the WSOPC Series: $25,500 Sunday Million Super HR for $431,319.

Ramiro Petrone is your #MILLIONSOnline Main Event Champion! Congratulations to Ramiro who defeated Juan Pardo Domin https://t.co/OE64LGJdi4  partypoker (@partypoker)

It would also be another significant 2021 online tournament victory for Petrone who took down a GGPoker Super MILLION$ tournament in October for $267,285. Congratulations to Ramiro Petrone on becoming the He became the rightful owner of the 2021 partypoker Millions Online Main Event.

Millions Online Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize (USD) 1 Ramiro Petrone Argentina $859,018 2 Juan Dominguez Spain $591,687 3 Sebastian Sikorski Canada $406,793 4 Steven van Zadelhoff Netherlands $265,987 5 Christopher Brice United Kingdom $182,437 6 Fabio Luongo Canada $141,031 7 Orpen Kisacikoglu Turkey $111,313 8 Igor Dursel Malta $88,327 9 Andras Nemeth Hungary $69,767

Millions Online Main Event Day by Day Breakdown

Date Event Entries Progressed Chip Leader Sunday, December 12 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1a 383 57 Thomas Clack Sunday, December 19 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1b 221 33 Andras Nemeth Sunday, December 26 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1c 237 36 Jamie O'Connor Monday, December 27 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1d 132 20 Aleksandr Shepel Monday, December 27 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1 Turbo 68 10 Jonathan Bussieres Monday, December 27 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 2 156 9 Sebastian Sikorski Tuesday, December 28 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 3 9 - Ramiro Petrone (Winner)

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Egypt and Russia discussed a partnership between them to establish a logistic free zone in Cairo to store grains, which would greatly contribute to food security in Egypt while also benefiting neighboring countries, Al-Monitor writes.

On Dec. 14, Egyptian Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali el-Moselhi met in Cairo with Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister Sergey Levin. Moselhi said they discussed the establishment of an Egyptian-Russian partnership for grain production in Egypt, as well as the establishment of a logistic free zone for wheat storage in Cairo with an initial capacity of 1 million tons per year

In a press statement, Moselhi noted that Russia is a major trading partner for Egypt, and that he discussed with the Russian side the possibility of establishing a partnership for grain trading in Egypt, which would turn it into a nucleus for achieving stability in strategic commodities and ensuring food security for Cairo and neighboring countries, both Arab and African.

He continued that the meeting discussed a partnership to establish storage tanks for edible oils. It was also agreed that a joint committee would follow up on the implementation of the proposals and study them in detail in order to prepare memoranda of understanding and cooperation protocols, as a prelude for their execution on the ground.

Egypt is the world's largest wheat importer. It imported about 12.5 million tons worth $3 billion and 12.9 million tons worth $3.2 billion in 2019 and 2020, respectively, according to data provided by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.

Egypts government imports of wheat amounted to 5.5 million tons in 2021, in addition to about 3.5 million tons secured locally from farmers. Russia is one of the largest wheat exporters in the world.

Rashad Abdo, an Egyptian economic expert and president of the Egyptian Forum for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor that the Egyptian-Russian partnership in grain trading and wheat storage is a very important step to achieve food security in Egypt and the African continent. These countries are the largest wheat importing countries in the world. Their food security is all the more threatened currently in light of the coronavirus pandemic and climate changes, he said.

He praised the Russian-Egyptian talks but stressed the need to expedite the execution of the steps agreed upon. He said, Both countries and neighboring countries can benefit from this partnership. This will achieve stability of strategic commodities vital for securing food security. In turn, the Russian economy will reap great gains from these steps as this will guarantee it a permanent large sale outlet for its products.

Abdo stressed the need to expedite the drafting of policies to boost local grain production by encouraging farmers to cultivate large areas and achieve a profit margin. He explained this could allow Egypt to bypass global conditions and climatic changes in the future.

One of the disadvantages of developing countries is the lack of fixed policies, which makes them vulnerable to changing global conditions, and renders their food security constantly under threat, he noted.

Adel Amer, director of the Egyptian Center for Political, Economic and Social Studies, believes that the Egyptian-Russian partnership in grain trading and wheat storage is an immense gain for the African continent and a great step to achieve food security and stability. This partnership is a significant gain for the Russian economy as well. It is a win-win situation, he told Al-Monitor.

He said that the African continent has always been Egypt's concern, noting, The Egyptian-Russian partnership will be among Cairos priorities to ensure food security for all of Africa, by maintaining the stability of strategic commodities, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic and climate changes.

He expects practical steps to be taken to activate the partnership between the two countries as of next year, especially in light of their aligned stances and understanding on several issues. The Egyptian market is an attractive investment factor and a gateway to the large African market, Amer added. It is in the interest of the two parties to speed up the activation of the partnership to get the most out of it.

Yomn al-Hamaki, professor of economics at Ain Shams University and former head of Egypts parliamentary economic committee, believes the partnership will be a success in light of Egypt being the largest wheat importer and Russia the largest wheat exporter. It is in the best interest of both countries as well as neighboring countries to speed up the implementation of this partnership, she told Al-Monitor.

She praised Egypts pivotal role in ensuring food security for the African continent and maintaining the stability of strategic commodities, through its partnership with Russia to establish a logistic free zone for storage of wheat in Cairo. Being the largest buyer of grain in the world will allow it to persuade Moscow to expedite the activation of the partnership on the ground, she argued. Hamaki concluded, The Egyptian market will open the door for Russian products to enter the huge African market. This partnership will not only secure stability for the strategic commodities for Egypt and the other African countries and secure their food security, it will also bolster the Egyptian-Russian influence in Africa."
U.S. President Joe Biden said "we'll see" when asked on Tuesday whether he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Jan. 10, the same day U.S. and Russian officials are due to hold security talks.

The talks, announced by the two countries on Monday, are to discuss concerns about rising tensions over Ukraine, Reuters reported.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on whether Biden had been referring to the lower level security talks in his comment about meeting Putin.
Russian envoy to the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said on Tuesday that the working group was making "indisputable progress."

"Today in the course of #ViennaTalks on JCPOA the working group on nuclear issues held a useful meeting. We observe indisputable progress. Sanctions lifting is being actively discussed in informal settings," Ulyanov wrote on Twitter.

Ulyanov is attending the 8th round of the Vienna Talks, which are about reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by bringing the United States back into the deal through sanctions lifting, and Iran through full implementation of its nuclear commitments.
A new chapter has been opened in relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Tehrans ambassador to Baku Abbas Mousavi said.

"We were able to overcome these tensions with the wisdom of the leaders of the two countries and the diplomats of the two countries, and I can honestly say that we overcame these tensions and a new chapter in the relations between the two friendly countries, brothers, neighbors and Muslims started in the area," Mousavi told Tehran Times.

He added that the recent tension between the two countries that followed border clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia was "unintentional and artificial".

Ambassador also described Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahians visit to Baku on Dec. 22-23 as positive as he held fruitful talks with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Parliament Speaker Saheba Gafarova.

Mousavi also says Israel definitely will not be able to undermine the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan which their cultural, religious, ethnic, and linguistic affinities are rooted in history.

"Now I can confidently say that a new chapter in the relations between the two neighboring countries has begun," the ambassador stressed.
The Russia-NATO Council will convene on January 12, US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price told reporters on Thursday.

He said that as far as the situation in Ukraine is concerned, Washington and its allies are "unified in our willingness to engage in principled diplomacy with Russia." "This administrations approach on Ukraine has been clear and consistent. We have sought to unite the alliance between two tracks: deterrence, and diplomacy," he added.

"And so to that end we look forward to engaging with Russia in the Strategic Stability Dialogue on January 10th. Additionally, we understand Russia and NATO are intending to hold a Russia-NATO - NATO-Russia Council meeting on the 12th and that the OSCE is scheduled to meet on the 13th," Price continued.

"We will surely put our concerns on the table. I imagine the Russians will do the same," he said. "There will be areas where we can make progress, areas Im sure where we will disagree."
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday submitted a bill on Russian citizenship to the State Duma, according to the legislatures database.

The bill states a citizen cant be stripped of Russian citizenship and has the right to change citizenship. It also says Russia wont expel or extradite its citizens.

Under the legislation, no person would have their rights restricted because of social status, race, ethnicity, language or religious affiliation.

A Russian passport would be issued as a paper document or as a document with an electronic chip, starting from the age of 14 years. The cabinet would later specify which biometric data the electronic chip should hold.

Russia would simplify the procedure for granting its citizenship to people that have a child with a Russian citizen, including through adoption. Marriage wouldnt qualify as a reason for a simplified procedure, which sets the bill apart from the current legislation.

Simplified naturalization would be an option for several other groups of people, such as children or Great Patriotic War veterans, former USSR citizens and people whose close relatives are Russian citizens. Eligible candidates would also include military service members that served in Russian units stationed outside of Russia as of February 6, 1992.

Investors or highly-skilled professionals wouldnt be entitled for a simplified procedure. The current legislation has these provisions but they havent been applied, a memo for the bill said.

There would be an option for special-circumstances naturalizations, which could be initiated by a federal government agency, a regional head and the nonprofit group Russia: A Country of Opportunities. They would be able to appeal to the President of Russia and state the merits that would justify a persons naturalization, such as the persons accomplishments in culture, science, engineering, manufacturing, sports, civil activity, economy and contribution to Russias defense and security.

The bill would broaden the reasons for citizenship revocation for people that had been naturalized to include, in addition to terrorism-related felonies, such crimes as drug trafficking and crimes against the state.

Voluntary renunciations of citizenship would be handled by the Interior Ministry, as opposed by the president currently.

The proposed legislation empowers the president to grant Russian passports in special circumstances, including to Great Patriotic War veterans and some professionals. The president would also be able to define, for humanitarian or other purposes, what foreign nationals or persons without citizenship could be naturalized even if they dont comply with some or all the requirements of the bill.
Ukraine will not be able to undermine the Nord Stream 2 project, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told the RBC media outlet on Wednesday.

"We believe that this project cannot be disrupted. It was created in line with all requirements of the law," the deputy prime minister noted.

Novak also pointed out that there were numerous challenges, nevertheless, the process was underway and assured that gas would be delivered to Europe via this pipeline.

The construction of Nord Stream 2 was fully completed on September 10, 2021. To start pumping gas, the pipeline operator needs to get approval from the German regulator. The certification has now been suspended, the operator Nord Stream 2 AG, headquartered in Switzerland, needs to register a subsidiary in Germany.

This week, the Federal Network Agency of Germany announced that a decision on the certification of the Nord Stream 2 operator will not be made in the first half of 2022.

Russia has repeatedly stressed that Nord Stream 2 is a commercial project and is being implemented together with European partners.
The Turkish coast guard has rescued 526 irregular migrants since Dec. 13 that were pushed back by Greece, the command said Tuesday.

From Dec. 13-25, "in a total of 52 incidents, 991 irregular migrants and 10 migrant smugglers were apprehended, and 526 irregular migrants pushed back into our territorial waters by Greek assets were rescued," it said in a statement.

The statement also highlighted Turkey's efforts to prevent irregular migration and illegal activities on a 24/7 basis and to assist anyone in need of help at sea while respecting human rights and both domestic and international law.

The command also expressed Turkey's concern over rising casualties along migration routes due to Greek security forces' pushback tactics and pressure policy, forcing irregular migrants to change course directly to Italy, Daily Sabah reported.

Meanwhile, the Turkish coast guard on Tuesday rescued 88 irregular migrants, including 56 who were pushed back by Greek authorities in the Aegean Sea. While 56 of the migrants were rescued off the coast of Bodrum district, 32 others were rescued off Fethiye district in southwestern Mugla province.
The Turkish Embassy in Poland was attacked with Molotov cocktails on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at around 2 p.m. local time (1 p.m. GMT) when a 34-year-old man of Turkish descent threw three Molotov cocktails at the embassy building, located on Rakowiecka Street in the capital Warsaw, the Polish news agency PAP reported.

Police teams were sent to the embassy following the incident. The suspect was caught by the security forces guarding the embassy and no one was injured in the attack, the agency reported citing police sources.

Warsaw police examined the building's camera records and launched a large-scale investigation into the incident, Anadolu Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Turkish Ambassador to Poland Cengiz Kamil Frat told Turkish broadcaster TRT Haber that they contacted the Polish authorities and filed a complaint about the attack. The police cooperated and intervened immediately, Frat added.
Dozens of Afghan women took to the streets in Kabul on Wednesday morning to protest the continued hold on Afghan bank assets by the United States amid an economic crisis in Afghanistan.

One banner carried by the women reads: Our children want food, release our money.

The protesters called on the US to free up Afghan bank assets to prevent the further deterioration of the situation. They also called on the international community to lobby for the release of the bank assets by the US.

The protesters also called on the UN and the World Bank to find a solution for the looming economic crisis in Afghanistan.
Many banks have recently offered to sell mortgaged assets, mainly real estate, worth billions of VND, to recover debts amid the recovery of the realty market.

PV GAS Tower in HCM City is among many mortgaged real estate assets that banks offer to sell to recover debts (Photo: pots.com.vn)

Vietcombank has just announced the sale of many properties as collateral to recover debts worth nearly 1.2 trillion VND. The assets include more than 70,000sq.m of industrial park land and factories attached to the land in the Vietnam-Singapore 2 and VSIP industrial parks in Binh Duong province.

They also include assets equal to 20 percent of PV GAS Tower in Ho Chi Minh City. The 15-floor tower covers an area of 7,441sq.m. The bank announced the starting price for the properties at more than 423 billion VND.

Similarly, VietinBank has just announced the sale of the right to use more than 8,000sq.m of land and attached assets in Soc Trang and Bac Lieu to recover debts of My Hung Co., Ltd.

Previously, in November, VietinBank also offered to sell nearly 50,000sq.m of land for perennial crops in Dong Nai province. The bank set the starting price for the real estate, which is collateral for the loan of the Industrial Construction Joint Stock Company, at nearly 100 billion VND.

Agribank is offering land use rights of more than 2,000sq.m in Thu Duc city at a starting price of 58 billion VND. This is the collateral for loans of Phu Cuong Construction Design Trading Service Co., Ltd.

In December, Agribank also auctioned some real estate in HCM Citys District 1 with a starting price of 20-25 billion VND.

BIDV is also selling land lots in cities of Thu Duc, HCM City and Hanoi, and Ninh Binh province.

According to experts, banks have pushed up the sale of mortgaged real estate to recover debts in the context of rising bad debts due to the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while having favourable conditions thanks to the recovery of the real estate market.

According to data from the State Bank of Vietnam, the banks bad debt ratio by the end of June 2021 was 1.73 percent against 1.69 percent at the end of 2020. Meanwhile, most of the collateral for bank loans is real estate. In the group of State-owned banks, real estate usually accounts for 70-90 percent of total collateral.

Meanwhile, the recovery of the real estate market is helping banks to sell collateral.

A survey conducted by property consultant Savills Vietnam revealed that real estate value has increased by 30-40 percent in most residential segments this year. In Vietnam, residential real estate is still tending to increase in many areas, especially big cities and provinces despite the pandemic.

According to Savills Vietnams experts, with an average gross domestic product growth rate of 6-7 percent, Vietnam is evaluated as an ideal destination for investment, compared to other countries in the region, particularly in real estate. There are many investment opportunities for individual investors when participating in this market in 2022.

Source: VNA
Pingxiang Customs has temporarily stopped the handling of imported dragon fruit from Vietnam

.

Vietnamese businesses were informed that from 0:00 of December 29, 2021 to 24:00 on January 26, 2022, the customs agency will temporarily stop importing dragon fruit from Vietnam.

The decision was apparently made because of the complicated pandemic developments in Vietnam.

A representative of Lang Son Customs Agency told VietNamNet on December 28 that the agency got the news from businesses. Meanwhile, Lang Son border gate agencies have not received an official notice from the Chinese customs agency.

At an online conference on cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese customs agencies to fight against smuggling on December 28, Lang Son Customs Agencys Deputy Head Vu Tuan Binh asked Chinese Nanning customs agency to instruct border gate agencies to exchange information with Vietnamese customs sub-agencies as soon as possible to discuss the solutions to arising problems. This will help better control import and export activities, ensure the implementation of anti-pandemic activities, facilitate trade activities, and soon ease the deadlock at border gates.

We propose that Nanning customs agency creates favorable conditions for Vietnams farm and seafood produce and give priority to produce to shorten the time for customs clearance, especially for consignments quarantined by CCIC (China Certification & Inspection Group), he said.

The leaders of the Lang Son Customs Agency also asked the Nanning counterpart to exchange information and update new policies to be applied from 2022, if any, so as to improve Vietnams state management in the customs sector and fight against smuggling.

Prior to that, at GDCs conference reviewing tasks in 2021 and discussing tasks for 2022 held on December 27, Deputy Head of Lang Son Customs Sub-agency Nguyen Huu Cuong said 2,043 trucks carrying goods, mostly farm produce, were stuck in the locality as of the end of December 24.

Currently, only 78-90 trucks can get customs clearance each day. With such a low customs clearance capacity, deadlocked goods wont get a customs clearance from now to Tet.

He said that talks at higher levels are needed on the issue, because talks between the management board of the economic zone with the Chinese side did not bring the desired effects.

Stressing that customs clearance from now to the end of Tet holiday will be slow, he recommended that owners should think carefully before carrying goods to border gates.

Vuong recommended that businesses carry goods by rail rather than by land.

China is pursuing a zero-Covid policy, so carrying goods by rail is the best solution, Vuong said.

Tam An

Farm export deadlock at border gates: long-term solution needed Preliminary treatment centers and cold storage warehouses along the border and systematic logistics chains are both needed, experts said.
Hanoi has reinforced inspection over business households and collected tens of trillion of dong worth of tax arrears from businesses via Google, Facebook and Youtube and online sales.

Director of Hanoi Taxation Agency Mai Son said the agency pays high attention to new business models, especially e-commerce activities and business on digital platforms so as to make policy proposals to manage taxation and expand tax collection sources.

The agency has identified operation models and cash flow of e-commerce activities so as to classify taxpayers and design specific management measures for each group of taxpayers.

It also has joined forces with banks, payment and transport service providers to collect data for the classification.

Its estimated that VND14 trillion worth of tax was collected this year, which accounts for 6 percent of total tax collections and 10 percent of collections from production and business.

The agency has data about five groups of institutions and individuals doing business on digital platforms.

First, taxpayers with income from foreign institutions such as Google and Facebook. The agency has data about 465 individuals who have income from foreign contractors. The individuals have paid VND56 billion in tax for their income in 2021.

The taxation agency will continue checking information about 503 taxpayers with revenue of VND500 billion in the time to come, expecting to collect VND30 billion worth tax.

Regarding online sellers, the agency is managing the data of 32,085 online selling addresses. After checking information with transport service providers, the agency found that there are over 3,300 addresses with annual revenue of over VND100 million.

The agency plans to list 1,300 taxpayers of this group and put them under control, while it is checking the other 2,000 addresses.

The third group comprises those who lease houses online via apps. The tax agency now has information about 756 accommodation owners with 2,300 addresses.

The fourth comprises institutions and individuals who make payment for electronic services of foreign contractors. The agency now manages the data of 1,407 institutions and individuals.

As for the group related to e-commerce platforms, payment and transportation apps, the agency has completed the inspection of six businesses, which helped find information about related individuals.

The General Department of Taxation said it has issued a lot of legal documents, instructing taxation agencies to intensify measures to manage tax payment from e-commerce activities and business on digital platforms by foreign suppliers with no business facilities in Vietnam.

As much as VND1.314 trillion has been collected from Vietnamese institutions which sign online ad contacts with foreign institutions with no legal status in Vietnam.

Luong Bang

Cross-border E-commerce Matchmaking Conference 2021 held successfully The cross-border e-commerce carnival series event 2021 entitled Cross Board & Launch Out organized by the Deqing Municipal Bureau of Commerce (Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, China) was successfully held on December 6-16.
Vietnams textile and garment export value this year is estimated at US$39 billion, up 11.2 per cent year-on-year, according to an official from the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS).

Vietnams textile and garment export value this year is estimated at US$39 billion.  Photo kinhtedothi.vn

VITAS General Secretary Truong Van Cam said the textile and garment industry had overcome many difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the third quarter, to maintain export growth over the whole year, at a press conference in Hanoi on Tuesday.

"This is a great effort of the textile and garment industry in the context of the pandemic heavily affecting the economy both at home and abroad," he said.

"Amid difficulties caused by the pandemic, the association has connected domestic enterprises with each other and with foreign-invested enterprises to form supply chains and expand export markets.

"It has also connected local businesses with international organisations and textile associations of other countries to support them with experts and funding for training courses on technique, design, sales and branding.

The association has acted as a bridge between textile and garment enterprises and the Government as well as State management agencies to solve problems relating to policies, administrative procedures, specialised inspection, tax, customs, wage labour and insurance.

In addition, he said VITAS had participated in developing policies to support and facilitate businesses in doing business. It had also been a member of a Government delegation to join negotiation rounds in free trade agreements.

For next year, Cam said that the pandemic was expected to have a complicated and unpredictable development throughout the world and Vietnam.

However, major markets such as the US and the European Union have reopened while Vietnam has brought the pandemic under control and is also recovering economic development. Many textile and garment enterprises have had orders to produce until the second quarter of 2022.

Therefore, the association has three development scenarios for 2022, he said. The most positive will see a textile and garment export value of US$42.5-43.5 billion for the whole year, if the pandemic is controlled well in the first quarter of 2022.

In the second, the industry estimates an export value at US$40-41 billion, if the COVID-19 is controlled by the middle of the year.

The worst scenario is that it makes US$38-39 billion in export value, if the disease is complicated until the end of 2022.

The association also said that a conference on reviewing production and business in 2021 will be held on December 17, 2021 in online and offline forms in Hanoi, Da Nang and HCM City.

The event aims to evaluate the activities of the industry and the association in 2021 and point out the necessary work and solutions that member businesses and associations need to do in textile and garment development strategy in the period 2020-2025.

A seminar on the impact of the fourth outbreak of the COVID-19 on textile enterprises and workers will also be held.

The seminar will cover climate change in the fashion industry, sustainable trade, the green transformation of the textile dyeing industry, world textile markets consumption trends and change in production and fashion in the context of the pandemic.

Source: Vietnam News
The electric-car race is only just beginning in Vietnam and VinFast have taken an early lead. Late last week they officially handed over the first batch of VFe34 electric automobiles to clients, the first electric cars to hit the road in Vietnam.

The first VinFast VF e34 electric cars ready roll off the production line at VinFast's Hai Phong factory.  Photo courtesy of VinFast

The event marks the beginning of the electric car era in Vietnam, making Vietnam one of the few countries in the world that has mastered clean energy car production technology. The first batch of 100 cars was handed over last Saturday. Another 2,000 will be sold in January 2022.

The event has also sparked a race between local and foreign carmakers. The Japanese car firm Toyota made a surprise announcement that they will begin selling e-cars in Vietnam next year too.

Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Global, said that the Japanese automaker will start production of The Toyota bZ series ("beyond Zero"), a family of battery electric vehicles (BEV). The all-new bZ series goes beyond zero emissions to transform lives and experiences.

Toyota is expected to launch three models of the bZ series next year, including in Vietnam. Toyota's Motomachi car factory is manufacturing the bZ4X model and will soon expand to other bZ models.

Do Nguyen Vuong, General Director of Volkswagen Vietnam Automobile Co., Ltd., had said that his company plans to sell e-cars in Vietnam but were waiting for more supporting infrastructure first. After Toyota announced they would be selling e-cars in Vietnam, Volkswagen decided to speed up its planned launch too.

General Director of Thaco Automobile Nguyen Quang Bao said the Sorento 7-Seater SUV of All-New Kia Sorento Hybrid will be sold in March 2022.

Another hybrid model, the Kia Sportage, will also go on sale in June 2022. In particular, the Kia EV6, the company's first all-electric car with super-fast charging battery technology, is also expected to go on sale in the second quarter of 2022.

A representative of Nissan Vietnam also announced that his company has prepared a strategic plan to develop electric cars that will soon launch in Vietnam. Mitsubishi have already displayed its electric cars at a car show in Vietnam two years ago and will sell e-cars in Vietnam, after retailing this model in other countries in the region.

Future choices

Akio Toyoda acknowledged that pure electric vehicles were one of the most promising means of transport of the future.

Toyota plans to expand the production of carbon-neutral vehicles. By 2030, Toyota aims to have 30 pure electric passenger and commercial cars.

A representative of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) said that, because the price of electric vehicles is still quite high and the infrastructure has not been fully invested, it is a struggle to attract consumers. However, the fact that so many car makers are launching electric cars creates more competition and choice for consumers.

To attract customers to electric cars, it is necessary to have a preferential policy to invest in battery charging stations, and cut or exempt fees and taxes to lower prices, said the representative.

Do Nguyen Vuong said that Volkswagen was expected to sell its electric SUV cars at a price of VND1.8 billion and VND1.3 billion for sedan models in Vietnam. Vuong said if Vietnam offered a preferential policy for electric cars, the price could be lower and become more attractive to consumers.

Source: Vietnam News

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rewrite development scenario for VN auto industry Developing electric vehicles is a "golden opportunity" that comes once every hundred years and a chance for Vietnam to rewrite the development scenario for the auto industry.
No sooner had the appropriation of billions of Vietnamese dong been discovered than the fraudsters suddenly disclosed their swindles, which were quickly done thanks to the trust and affection they easily gained from the victims.

Li Rui's admissions made the victim give in to the scam.

The sweet confession scam



N.M.Y. (24 years old, living in Tien Giang province) remains distraught following a Tinder fraud causing a massive loss of over 1 billion VND. The scammer named Li Rui recently messaged M.Y.



I was initially flabbergasted. But now that many others have shared the same story as mine, I can say for certain that this is the new script of these scammers. They even locked and deleted their accounts upon receiving confronting texts from their prey," M.Y. said.



"Li Rui admitted he aimed at getting my money. From the first interactions with me on Tinder, he told me that he used to work in a company which later went bankrupt and was bought by another corporation. The new owner forced Li Rui to work to pay off the debt before he could leave the company. To get money fast, the romance scam sprang to his mind. M.Y. added.







Mason, another super fraudster admitted to defrauding the victim and benefiting from 5% of the money he made from scamming girls.

Li Rui said that if he didn't get any money on a daily basis, he would starve and be beaten by the company. These guys even put the blame on themselves as a form of punishment to evoke compassion using words like 'I am ashamed to have deceived you', using your money to pay off debt'; 'if you are not deceived by me, you will also be deceived by others who will hurt you more'; 'I need money to pay off my debt and will pay you back later on'  These admissions were compelling to the victims. What these scammers have in common is showing that they did not do this of their own accord but only as forced to, then they apologize."

"Some of them even advised victims against paying money or investing if they encounter similar cases in the future. They then in no time recalled or deleted these messages for fear that they would get into hot water if discovered by the owner said Ms. L.N.K.T. (29 years old, living in Hanoi), another victim of the scam.

I was left mystified a few days ago, not knowing whether to believe him or not, as I had developed a soft spot for him and his words seemed so truthful. I was downhearted and felt awkward. However, it is high time that I become disenchanted and work with other victims to find a way to expose the tricks of these bad guys, " M.Y. said.

Declaring war on scammers

These are some of the conspicuous Tinder accounts identified by many women.

Many others are also victims of these romance scams. They have gathered and formed a secret group to collect documents and evidence with the aim of uncovering the swindlers.



Currently, many women are talked into tying up their money?? to certain exchanges, front page? or different investment sites whose clever tricks are many, according to M.Y.



While some fraudsters might fail in their mission in the very first moves, many others can simultaneously trick 3-4 victims into investing in an exchange. Specifically, five out of the eight victims on Ausforex-x.com (currently inaccessible) that I know of, were also lured by Li Rui, M.Y. continued.



T.N.P.N. (27 years old, living in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), the administrator of the Ausforex-x.com victim group, which was formed after the incidents, shared that most of the scams have so far been figured out thanks to the consensus amongst the members.







After matching on Tinder, Xavier immediately seduced a girl to go on Zalo for a chat in which he instigated his fraudulent scheme.

For access to super cheaters disguised as handsome men, P.N. consented to create a Tinder account with a profile of a beautiful, young woman who has a job that brings in a handsome salary, which appears captivating to scammers. Only a few minutes in, an account named Hanjie 31 invited PN to download the Binance app for virtual currency trading while boasting about a 4,900 USD profit from his work to seduce. He added that it could be up to 1,000 USD at the moment of the chat and constantly urged the prey to invest with training and guide guarantee.

As shared by P.N, these men only have to converse with them and evaluate the potential of each person, and come up with a flexible scheme.

They will initially let you win and withdraw the first few times, until the amount they deposit is huge enough around over several thousand USD Withdrawal then is not allowed which occasions a common regret at such a large fund, and the victims will therefore continue to pour money into it according to their instructions. Conversely, if you do not seem moneyed or show little fondness of investment, they will freeze your account the moment you pay," P. N said.

Nguyen Son
Preliminary treatment centers and cold storage warehouses along the border and systematic logistics chains are both needed, experts said.

Any change in import policy from China is enough to create goods export congestion at border gates.

Nguyen Quoc Toan from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), reporting that more than 4,000 containers of goods are stuck at border gates in Lang Son, said its necessary to set up preliminary treatment and cold storage warehouses in areas along the border. Such warehouses are not available in both provinces.

The cold storage warehouses need to connect transport infrastructure so as to minimize logistics costs. One container of goods cannot move from Binh Thuan to Mong Cai as the value of farm produce would be lost on the way.

Meanwhile, Quang Ninh has a deep-water port in Hai Ha, so goods can be carried from the south to the north on waterways to minimize transport costs. Large farm produce centers such as Mekong Delta can also exploit the local canal network.

Before the goods distribution gets stuck at border gates, a deadlock was seen in the Mekong Delta during lockdown days, when the pandemic reached its peak.

An Giang Deputy Chair Tran Anh Thu said the supply chain disruption was serious from June to September 2021. Farm produce could not be sold and their prices dropped dramatically. Meanwhile, HCMC residents couldnt buy farm produce and had to pay more for food.

As for the retail network, Nguyen Anh Duc, CEO of Saigon Co-op said there are two types of disruption. First, disruption in every locality. Goods cannot go from one locality to another, from HCMC to the Mekong Delta, from one province to the adjacent province.

Second, disruption because of the absence of some links in a chain. For example, when rice supply was abundant in An Giang, producers did not have packaging to pack the rice.

The congestion at border gates will lead to price fluctuations of agricultural products in localities in the near future. So there should be intervention to stabilize the market.

Deep processing, clear strategy

Dong Thap in the south has mango and Son La in the north also has. Vietnam has diverse farm produce, but it needs to decide how to use the produce to optimize the value chain, which products should be used for processing and which products to dining tables.

Toan said MPI and MARD have included in draft resolutions for Can Tho City the establishment of a logistics, farm produce processing and preservation complex for the entire Mekong Delta. The plan will be submitted to the NA Standing Committee for approval.

Dong Thap Chair Pham Thien Nghia agreed that Mekong Delta needs cold warehouses to store goods and an integrated center of production, logistics and distribution. There should be favorable conditions in the area, including seaports, processing industry and workforce.

IME Vietnams CEO Do Hoa said two strategies are needed. The first is supply chains for export. The second is supply chains for the domestic market. The aim of each supply chain will determine how logistics should be designed.

The roads to Mekong Delta are always full of traffic, which are used for both cargo and passengers. The products from Mekong Delta are mostly raw materials, and are cumbersome. Its not competitive to transport farm produce by land. There should be a specific logistics system for farm produce.

The export chain needs to be designed in a way to serve connections with seaports. Meanwhile, domestic consumption chains need to be designed to connect material growing areas in Mekong Delta provinces with the market in HCM City.

In developed countries, artificial intelligence (AI) is applied in logistics, and used to calculate vehicle density, average speed, load and demands in every area so as to decide where major distribution centers should be set up.

Tran Chung

When Vietnam has to import farm produce Vietnams farm produce import turnover reached record highs in 2021. The country for the first time saw high exports of rice, cashew and pepper.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has assigned the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to study and design some kinds of tax related to the real estate market, including property tax, in order to stabilize the market and reduce speculation.

The Prime Minister has issued Decision2161, approving the national housing development strategy in 2021-2030 with a vision towards 2045.

One of the most important goals of the strategy is developing housing products affordable to families with medium and low incomes.

The strategy also sets the goal of making the real estate market sustainable and transparent under the supervision of the State and commensurate with land-use programming. The aim is to ease land speculation which causes waste in land resources use.

Under the strategy, average housing area per capita is expected to reach 28 sq m of floor area per head in urban areas and 26 sq m in rural areas by 2025.

Vietnam aims to increase the proportion of solid housing to 85-90 percent by 2030 (100 percent in urban areas and 75-80 percent in rural areas). In addition, 90 percent of houses nationwide would have sufficient electricity and water supply and wastewater drainage systems connecting with public infrastructure.

Regarding the development of commercial housing, Vietnam will encourage multi-storey apartments, friendly to the environment; develop a wide range of housing products for rent and lease-purchase; and increase the proportion of commercial housing with medium-sized areas and reasonable prices.

To implement the strategy, the Government has mentioned measures such as the perfection of the legal framework on housing, planning and land bank development, to solutions on taxation, administrative procedures and investment.

Regarding taxes, preferential tax policies related to the development of social housing projects will continue to be provided to realtors (value added tax, corporate income tax remissions and other preferences).

The Government has also asked to develop new taxes, including property tax, to regulate the real estate market to suit reality and avoid losses to the state budget.

The Prime Minister has asked the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), together with ministries, related branches and provincial authorities, to join forces to implement the strategy.

MOF has been asked to design policies to encourage the diverse development of long-term sources for housing development, such as real estate investment funds, trust funds, real estate corporate bonds, and other long-term financial tools.

The ministry has also been asked to create a property tax to stabilize the market and mitigate speculation, effectively exploit real estate and ensure state benefits.

Prior to that, the HCM City Real Estate Association (HOREA) sent a dispatch to Prime Minister, suggesting very high taxes on the selling and transferring of land and housing right after purchase, with the aim of killing speculation.

The real estate market has witnessed many artificial land fever attacks on a large scale since 2017, leading to serious consequences and depriving people of the opportunities to own accommodations. When the fever cools, many individual investors incur big losses, causing social problems.

The real estate association believes that it would be better to impose a progressive tax on people who own many properties and dont use the real estate for accommodation, production or business. High taxes should also be imposed on institutions and individuals who are late in putting land into use, which will help stop the hoarding of land.

HOREA agrees with MOFs idea on designing a real estate tax on land and house value. Currently, people still dont have to pay a residential property tax. They only have to pay a tax for use of non-agricultural land, including residential land with a modest tax rate of 0.03 percent.

A representative of MOF said that the ministry is collecting opinions and considering international practice to design new policies for submission to the NA as a part of the taxation system reform strategy in 2021-2030.

Experts have also voiced their support for new additional taxes to help ease speculation which distorts the real estate market.

Thuan Phong

VND2.4 billion per square meter: is land in Vietnam the most expensive in the world? One of the businesses participating in a bidding session on December 10, 2021 had to pay VND2.4 billion per one square meter to obtain a land plot in Thu Thiem new urban area. The sky high price has raised worries rather than joy.
Businesses in Ho Chi Minh City are trying to adapt and recover after the fourth wave of the Covid-19 epidemic.

General Director of Viet Hong Textile and Dyeing Joint Venture Company - Hang Vay Chi - said the companys conversion during the pandemic went from "60%-40%" to "10%-90%".

In previous years, Viet Hong's domestic market accounted for 60% of revenue, and the remaining 40% came from exports, but now the rate is 10% - 90%.

To get this rate, the company has focused on changing marketing behavior, investing heavily in research and development. During the epidemic when travel between countries was impossible, the firm saved design fees.

This is a God-given opportunity. We hire native designers with a salary of 5,000-6,000 USD per month and native sale managers. For example, in the US market we hire American employees because they understand the local market. We also promote online transactions to save time and costs, said Chi.

Meanwhile, Tan Quang Minh Company (Bidrico) General Director Nguyen Dang Hien has turned to domestic materials instead of imported goods. Previously, Bidrico imported oranges from the United States, and apples from Israel for beverage processing, but now it seeks domestic raw materials.

Thanks to the use of domestic materials, the cost of raw materials has fallen, so the company can stabilize its selling prices during the time of pandemic.

In addition, according to Mr. Nguyen Dang Hien, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, his companys export markets maintain only two countries instead of 14 as before. It has to take advantage of the domestic market, and review each distributor to maximize market share in order to offset the decrease of foreign markets. For example, it sells soft drinks to not only restaurants and hotels but also schools, hospitals. In addition, the company expands sales via online channels.

Businesses excited for year-end season

Besides Viet Hong and Bidrico, many businesses in Ho Chi Minh City are seeking to gradually recover and adapt.

A representative of a foreign-invested (FDI) company said that although there are more Covid infected workers, everything is under control. The firm has developed various scenarios and applied strict measures at its factories.

Businesses in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park have joined hands to set up an isolation area on the spot with a total investment of about VND1 billion, with 200 beds for their employees.

Thanks to the efforts of the business community, the recovery speed is still slow, but there are signs of gradual improvement. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Statistics Agency, the index of industrial production (IIP) in November 2021 increased by 13.3% compared to October. However, the citys industrial production index in the January-November period in 2021 decreased by 15.5% year on year.

Nguyen Phuoc Hung, Vice President and General Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (Huba), said the activities of local enterprises have gradually normalized with about 96% of businesses resuming operation. A number of industries have entered the peak season at the end of the year.

In this race, the service sector runs slower than the manufacturing sector due to the limitations of the epidemic situation. However, on the momentum of safe and stable production, businesses need optimism to resume activities as before. A light can be seen at the end of the tunnel, said Huba Vice President.

Motivation for businesses

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hung said when businesses resume operation, resources are very important. So the need for capital is huge. The business community wants the banking system to facilitate easy access to capital so that it can restore production. In addition, the tax policy needs to last until the end of 2022 to create momentum for businesses.

Dr. Tran Quang Thang, Director of the Institute of Economics and Management of Ho Chi Minh City, said that businesses have adjusted the export market, and diversified consumption channels instead of focusing on the same place as before. What is needed is for the government to control the epidemic well, and then the recovery speed will be faster.

In the past 11 months, total registered FDI capital increased to over 8 billion USD, showing the confidence of foreign investors in the Vietnamese market.

From an expert's perspective, Mr. Thang acknowledged that the recent overseas business trips of State and Government leaders have brought positive results. Specifically, partners great support for vaccines created peace of mind among the people. Along with that, there have been specific international cooperation commitments, promoting trade and service activities, and creating motivation for businesses after the pandemic.

Tran Chung

Persevere with reopening and recovery After over two months of implementation, Resolution 128 on shifting from the state of epidemic prevention to the stage of "safe and flexible adaptation to the epidemic" has left positive imprints on the economy and socio-psychology.
An eatery that serves meat skewers located in front of Ham Long Church has been a popular destination for many young people in Hanoi for 15 years. It sells at least 700 meat skewers a day, sometimes 1,000.

I visit Ms. Loans eatery around three times a week to eat delicious meat skewers before going home in rush hours, Ms. Ha Linh, an office worker in Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, said.

I have gone to this eatery since I was a high school student. Even now, when I have job, I still visit Ms. Loan eatery. In this time of the year, I can enjoy my meat skewers while viewing Ham Long Church. Sometimes, I could hear the church bell. This is a perfect place for dating, Mr. Quoc Tung (Hang Bot Ward, Hanoi) said.

From 4:0pm to 6pm, the oven in the eatery owned by Mr. Thang and Ms. Loan works continuously to serve purchasers.

Today, there are many customers, so please wait!

As usual, right? But can you wait for me, I still have many orders! I will compensate next time for you.

As there are many customers, those who come late may have to wait for 20 minutes at most.

People call this an eatery with a church view, but I usually call it a waiting eatery. However, I am used to waiting. The husband and wife are hospitable, so no one gets angry, Ms. Ha Linh said.

The owners have been working for 15 years. I sell from 25 to 30 kilograms of pork a day, equivalent to about 1000 meat skewers. After the pandemic, there were fewer customers than before, but I still sell at least 700 meat skewers a day, Ms. Loan said.

In 2007, Ms. Loan opened the eatery. She gradually improved her recipe to suit customers demand. At first, most of the purchases were from students, so they called her eatery childhood meat skewer eatery. At that time, a meat skewer cost 4000 VND. In 2018, she raised the price to 5000 VND per meat skewer.

As most of my customers are young people, I do not want to raise the price too much. Meat skewers vary in size depending on the price of pork, she said.

Ms. Loan has to choose the pork carefully. She and her husband wash fresh pork, chop it into pieces, season, and then put it through skewers. The more skewers the customers order, the more she grills.

Ms. Loan also sells bread, so that people can eat meat with the bread. A piece costs 2000 VND, as she sells it to break even. If they order a large number of meat skewers, we will give them bread as a gift for waiting, Mr. Thang said.

Ms. Loans eatery sells dishes such as spicy beef salad, sea snails. Many young adults consider her place as a perfect dating site. At the price of 5000 VND per skewers, the meat is not big, and customers also have to wait for a while, but the eatery only has two employees  Ms. Loan and her husband.

The alley has many eateries, so the place is quite small. Besides, as they do not open on Sundays, many buyers can miss an opportunity to try their skewers, Ms. Ha Linh said.

The pavement is full of customers waiting for their meat skewers.

Ms. Loan grills meat while chatting with customers.

The hospitality of the owners makes the customers feel happy.

Buyers are impressed with the sweet and tasty meat skewers.

Due to their seasoning technique, the meat skewers are fragrant and delicious when served with a special spicy sauce.

Many customers have been going to this eatery for years.

Quang Minh
The production index rose three points to 24.2, a reading well above average and indicative of solid output growth.

The new orders index came in at 9.5, down from 15.6 but still slightly above the series average.

Among firms noting supply-chain disruptions, 52% said they have worsened over the past month.

Just over half of the firms were currently trying to fill entry-level positions. Mid-skill employees were also hard to find, with 52% saying it was very difficult.

A respondent from the plastics manufacturing industry said: Retention is the new norm. Just as we hire one, another leaves. To help alleviate this problem, weve taken steps to help stabilize our workforce through increased starting wages and other incentives. Only time will tell if these adjustments make an impact.

Furthermore, the respondent said, As they have all year, supply-chain issues continue to drive price increases, delivery issues and late orders. Many suppliers cite that things will recover in late January. Well have to wait and see what happens.

Ray Perryman, an economist based in Waco, said it will take months for the current issues to be resolved.
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TxDOT prepares for winter weather

Texas Department of Transportation crews in the Waco District will start ice prevention operations Thursday morning. With the potential mix of subfreezing temperatures and precipitation in the forecast, TxDOT maintenance crews will be mobilized and proactively pretreating structures. Elevated structures such as bridges and overpasses experience freezing temperatures first.

Crews will be pretreating heavily traveled highways including Interstate 35, Interstate 14 in Bell County, State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 84. The pretreatment is a brine solution that lowers the freezing point of the moisture on a roadways surface, which can help keep ice from forming.

Maintenance workers will continue to monitor the forecast and adjust operations as conditions warrant.

Bellmead H-E-B blood drive

H-E-B in Bellmead, 801 N. Interstate 35, will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot on a Carter BloodCare bus.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Gloria Wilson at 254-799-0253.

Safe ride, free tow
Vaccination rates for about one-third of the states correctional facilities are above 70% for both prisoners and staff and for another half of the facilities, vaccination rates are above 50%.

The weekend also led to an increase in positive cases among youth and staff members at the states juvenile correctional facilities with 37 children in Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities having tested positive for COVID-19. Thats more youth cases than the agency registered over the past nine months and the largest single-day positive rate since the summer of 2020.

I think we know that anytime were moving into the holidays, anytime that we have new variants out there, theres a higher risk of infection and spread, said Brian Sweany, the TJJD spokesperson.

Mart facility

The agency also recorded 23 positive cases among staff that weekend, including 10 at the McLennan County campus where all but one of the youth cases originated. The agency speculates that these are omicron cases, due to how quickly the virus is spreading but how mild the cases are.
WATERLOO  As Iowa rings in the New Year with a surge in new COVID cases, hospitals are feeling the impact of increased hospitalizations and tighter staffing during the holidays.

In Black Hawk County, the COVID-19 response level is listed as high with more than 100 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days, or more than a 10% 14-day average positivity, according to county health department data.

Some residents have been notified that their elective and surgical procedures are being postponed. One man who contacted The Courier was concerned that his prostate cancer surgery had been put on hold for the time being.

The pandemic continues to slam local hospitals.

Over the last few days, UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital has seen an increase in patients who require inpatient care as COVID-19 spreads in our community, said spokesperson Carson Tigges.

To ensure there are appropriate resources to care for the critically ill, Allen Hospital is suspending elective procedures that require an overnight stay effective Dec. 29 through Jan. 7, he explained.

MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center spokesperson Chelsea Keenan said their situation is fluid and changes from day to day, and at this point the medical center is continuing to accommodate elective and surgical procedures.

MercyOne is doing everything in its power to keep elective surgeries on the books. We are doing our best to keep patients informed. If, unfortunately, we have to reschedule, we will do that, taking into account patients conditions and schedules. Were trying to deal with the situation to the best of our ability.

There has been an increase in COVID patients being hospitalized, and at the same time, more patients are being treated for flu symptoms and other respiratory illnesses not related to COVID, Keenan said. More COVID patients also have been admitted to MercyOne Waterloos 12-bed ICU.

In the last seven days, there have been 9,506 positive COVID tests across the state, according to state health officials, and 101 patients admitted to hospitals in the last 24 hours (as of Dec. 29). Those who are not fully vaccinated account for 81.6% of Iowa hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and 85.5% of ICU admissions.

Iowa reports 70.1% of the population 18 and older is fully vaccinated, while 73.9% of Iowans 12 and older have had at least one vaccine dose.

More therapeutics have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Last week, Pfizers Paxlovid pill and Merck's molnupiravir pill, developed in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, were both approved to treat the coronavirus.

On Monday, quarantine time was reduced from 10 to 5 days by U.S. health officials. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the change reflects evidence that COVID is most infectious two days before and three days after symptoms appear. People with symptoms are encouraged to stay home.

During this time of increased transmission, in addition to vaccination, its important to wear a mask in public, avoid large gatherings and wash your hands frequently. If you are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, get tested for COVID-19 and stay home, said Tigges of UnityPoint-Allen Hospital.

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Board Changes

Sydney, Dec 29, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Magnis Energy Technologies Limited ( ASX:MNS ) ( FRA:U1P ) ( OTCMKTS:MNSEF ) announces the following board changes. Distinguished Professor M. Stanley Whittingham will retire from the board on 31 December 2021 and will be replaced by Hoshi Daruwalla. Zarmeen Pavri has tendered her resignation effective immediately.Hoshi Daruwalla - Non-Executive DirectorMr Daruwalla is based in the United States and has a career spanning over three decades where he has started, operated and grew businesses across a variety of industries globally from start-ups to significant multinationals.Mr Daruwalla designed, project-managed, successfully delivered, maintained and serviced solutions in niche, mission-critical areas. Mr Daruwalla engages with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Defense on matters related to U.S. national security, innovation, and self-reliance of the United States on critical energy, defense and homeland security capabilities.Mr Daruwalla has held global senior management roles at corporations such as Daikin Industries, American Air Filter - McQuay, Hong Leong Group and Purafil. He has operated, seeded, and scaled up businesses in 93+ countries, with successful outcomes including receiving the prestigious U.S. Presidential E- and E-Star awards for Excellence in U.S. Exports awarded by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.Recently, Mr Daruwalla holds the role of Executive VP - Strategic Global Expansions; Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the North American entity of EcoPro Battery Materials (US$9 Billion Market Capitalisation), a critical battery materials manufacturer with ties to the Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen and other reputed EV manufacturers.Hoshi is a Board Member and CEO Mentor at the State of Georgia District Export Council (U.S. Department of Commerce appointee), an active Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Dunwoody. Hoshi holds a bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, Masters in Business Administration, and is an alumnus of the Wharton Business School.Outgoing Magnis Director Distinguished Professor M. Stanley Whittingham commented: "I'm retiring at a point where I believe I have played my part in making sure that both Magnis and iM3NY will be a success.""I will continue to be a huge supporter of both groups in the background and I believe that Hoshi's experience is a perfect fit for both groups."Incoming Magnis Director Hoshi Daruwalla commented: "It is genuinely humbling to step into any position that is last held by a Nobel Laureate and in this case, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Professor M. Stanley Whittingham, and co-inventor of the Lithium-Ion Battery himself.""Magnis Energy Technologies and iM3NY's green and sustainable approach to lithium-ion battery IP and manufacturing is a much needed. This refreshing approach is a must in today's battery energy marketplace."Magnis Chairman Frank Poullas commented: "It has been a huge honour for the Company to have Professor Whittingham on the board over the last five years. On behalf of the board, employees and shareholders, I would like to thank Professor Whittingham for his guidance as we have evolved from a mining exploration entity to a vertically integrated lithium-ion battery company with near term revenues.""Hoshi comes from a strong manufacturing background in many sectors including the lithium-ion battery industry where he has led groups in global executive roles. With his experience and hands-on attitude, we believe he is the ideal replacement for Professor Whittingham in assisting us in our next phase in the company's evolution.""Zarmeen played a significant role in short period of time in building the framework around the Company's alignment to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours. We are in the final stages of making a couple of board appointments and will announce them once they are completed."About Magnis Energy Technologies Limited

Magnis Energy Technologies Limited (ASX:MNS) (OTCMKTS:MNSEF) (FRA:U1P) is involved in and has strategic investments in several aspects of the electrification supply chain including manufacturing of green credentialed lithium-ion battery cells, leading edge battery technology and high quality, high performance anode materials. The company's vision is to enable, support and accelerate the green energy transition critical for the adoption of Electric Mobility and Renewable Energy Storage.


German Battery Materials Plant Targets EU Feedstock

Perth, Dec 29, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Altech Chemicals Limited ( ASX:ATC ) ( FRA:A3Y ) is pleased to announce that two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) have been executed by Altech Industries Germany GmbH (AIG) and Altech, with two European based suppliers of lithium-ion battery grade anode materials. The MoUs set out the basis for the parties to work together for the possible future supply of materials to a battery material plant that would be constructed by AIG in Saxony, Germany and which is currently the subject of a preliminary feasibility study (PFS).For graphite, AIG and Altech have executed a MoU with SGL Carbon GmbH (SGL), one of the leading producers of graphite in Europe. SGL Carbon is supporting Altech's development of high purity alumina coated graphite material targeted for use by the lithium-ion battery industry (see ASX Announcement dated 29 April 2021). In addition, the non-binding MoU details the potential future relationship whereby SGL would supply uncoated synthetic graphite anode material to an AIG battery materials plant in Saxony, Germany. The indicative, non-binding volumes and prices that are prescribed in the MoU will be adopted in the AIG PFS financial model. SGL Carbon is a world leader in the development and production of carbon-based solutions and reported sales of 919 million Euros in 2020. Only SGL supplied graphite has been used by Altech in test work conducted at its Perth research and development laboratory.For silicon, AIG and Altech have executed an MoU with Ferroglobe Innovation S.L. (Ferroglobe), a leading producer of high purity metallurgical silicon in Europe. The non-binding MoU details the relationship whereby Ferroglobe would supply silicon anode material to an AIG battery materials plant in Saxony, Germany. Ferroglobe is a leading producer of silicon metal with a proven ability to create new solutions and applications using state-of-the-art technology to drive innovation. Ferroglobe has the ability to produce high purity silicon, and is targeting the development of tailor-made silicon powders for use in the anode of lithium-ion batteries. Only silicon supplied by Ferroglobe has been used by Altech in test work conducted at its Perth research and development laboratory.The importance of environmental considerations has previously been highlighted as a key consideration in the design of AIG's proposed battery materials coating plant (refer to ASX Announcement on 18 November 2021). The MoU executed with SGL and Ferroglobe not only establish the basis for the possible future supply of high-quality feedstocks suitable for the battery materials coating process, but also align with the objective to minimise the proposed plant's carbon footprint and overall environmental impact.The supply of high quality graphite and silicon from these leading European based materials suppliers would also minimise transport emissions attributed to feedstock shipments, plus their respective production facilities have the potential to utilise Europe's extensive green electricity market. Importantly, these suppliers, will like AIG, will be governed by the same stringent European Union (EU) environmental regulations. Both companies have a strong corporate focus on sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of their operations. Finally, partnering with EU based feedstock suppliers is expected to reduce any potential future supply chain risks when compared to non-European suppliers.About Altech Chemicals Ltd

Altech Chemicals Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is aiming to become one of the world's leading suppliers of 99.99% (4N) high purity alumina (Al2O3) through the construction and operation of a 4,500tpa high purity alumina (HPA) processing plant at Johor, Malaysia. Feedstock for the plant will be sourced from the Company's 100%-owned kaolin deposit at Meckering, Western Australia and shipped to Malaysia.



HPA is a high-value, high margin and highly demanded product as it is the critical ingredient required for the production of synthetic sapphire. Synthetic sapphire is used in the manufacture of substrates for LED lights, semiconductor wafers used in the electronics industry, and scratch-resistant sapphire glass used for wristwatch faces, optical windows and smartphone components. Increasingly HPA is used by lithium-ion battery manufacturers as the coating on the battery's separator, which improves performance, longevity and safety of the battery. With global HPA demand approximately 19,000t (2018), it is estimated that this demand will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% (2018-2028); by 2028 HPA market demand will be approximately 272,000t, driven by the increasing adoption of LEDs worldwide as well as the demand for HPA by lithium-ion battery manufacturers to serve the surging electric vehicle market.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

A mysterious figure known as John Doe is central to the prosecutions argument that Fabian Gonzales had a motive to attempt to conceal the murder of 10-year-old Victoria Martens, a prosecutor told a judge Tuesday.

Gonzales, 37, is charged with abuse of a child, recklessly caused, in Victorias 2016 killing. His trial is scheduled to begin Monday.

Gonzales is also charged with eight counts of tampering with evidence and one count of conspiracy for allegedly dismembering the girls arms, wrapping her organs, washing knives and hiding clothing in an effort to conceal the killing, according to an amended grand jury indictment.

At a hearing Tuesday, prosecution and defense attorneys sparred about whether statements allegedly made by John Doe the night of the killing should be allowed as evidence, or excluded as hearsay.

Chief Deputy District Attorney James Grayson told a judge the statements motivated Gonzales to dismember Victorias body in an effort to conceal the killing.

Gonzales attorney, Stephen Aarons, asked a judge to exclude the statements.

We dont even know that there is a John Doe, Aarons said. Our position is that there is no John Doe. We simply cannot, and should not, allow rank hearsay by an unknown person to influence the jury.

Second Judicial District Judge Cindy Leos said she cant rule whether the statements are hearsay until she hears testimony from Jessica Kelley, who is the source of the statements.

Kelley, Gonzales cousin, told police she was inside the West Side apartment where Victoria was killed in August 2016.

Gonzales and Michelle Martens, Victorias mother, were not at the apartment at the time of Victorias death, according to a statement of facts filed by prosecutors.

Kelley and Michelle Martens each have pleaded to felony charges in connection with Victorias killing. Both are scheduled for sentencing in February.

Kelley is required to testify in Gonzales trial as a condition of her plea agreement.

Kelley told police that a well-dressed Mexican man, referred to in court records as John Doe, entered the apartment and killed Victoria.

Prosecutors indicted John Doe in 2018 for first-degree murder and other charges based on a partial DNA profile found on Victorias back. His identity remains unknown.

After John Doe killed Victoria, he told Kelley that she and Gonzales needed to clean up the mess or she and her kids would be in danger, according to court records.

Grayson said Kelley will testify that she relayed John Does statements to Gonzales. The statements will help prosecutors explain why Gonzales dismembered Victorias body, he said.

Gonzales believed that his actions resulted in Victorias killing, Grayson said. He believed that he was responsible, and thats why he tampered, he said.
It was a swing and a miss to get U.S. Space Commands headquarters in Albuquerque nearly a year ago. As disappointing as that was, New Mexico remains a premier location to build a thriving ecosystem of commerce related to space innovation  the nations newest gold rush.

All the things that made New Mexico a merit-based leader for Space Command are still in place  as are the issues that likely held it back. Its no small irony that a state with massive brain power  perennially top-ranked in such high-tech resources as Ph.D. scientists and federal research dollars per capita  struggles with such basics as public safety and education. The challenge today is to keep the states historic role as a key player in the space industry moving forward despite peripheral challenges and setbacks that diminish the states standing as an innovation leader.

Last months aborted mission of 1,000 new jobs researching and designing satellites at the planned Orion Center off Gibson Boulevard offers an important lesson. Without pointing fingers at the vetting process or questioning if the deal ever really had legs, you have to wonder what other space-related opportunities were lost because the city put a lot of eggs in one basket. Fortunately, there are many others here with an eye on whats becoming a formidable prize.

The nation has entered a new phase of space-related opportunity. As the Journal reported Dec. 19, the Space Foundation estimates the global space economy expanded by 55% over the past decade, reaching $447 billion in 2020. Its expected to grow to between $1 trillion and $3 trillion over the next 20-30 years.

The U.S. and world economies are already fundamentally dependent on space technology and operations to maintain basic societal functions. By synchronizing and linking up power grids and communication networks, space technology supplies data to enable city planning, agriculture, public health, transportation and more. The next phase of developing space assets could produce new wonders: harnessing solar energy and beaming photovoltaic energy to Earth or low-gravity manufacturing of biotechnology products.

New Mexico has a leg up to tap the immense economic potential of space. Space-related endeavors at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, at White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico and the states national laboratories have attracted an impressive array of companies to provide support services to experienced federal entities. The future of the emerging global space industry hinges on such public-private partnerships, according to the third annual State of the Space Industrial Base report issued in November. It was co-authored by Col. Eric Felt, head of the Air Force Research Laboratorys Space Vehicles Directorate at KAFB.

New Mexico has played a key role in preparing and disseminating the reports. New Space NM, an industry alliance, has hosted two conferences to collect participant input in the past two reports and is now helping to monitor progress on adopting a whole of government approach for space industrial development.

And, with regard to public-private partnerships, New Mexico appears ahead of the curve in business development. The Dec. 20 Building the space industry ecosystem in the Journals Business Outlook enumerates the myriad incubators, accelerators and tech hubs in place to build up New Mexicos fast-growing commercial space sector.

This all plays to the states strengths. New Mexico has a history and synergy of military bases, national labs, research universities and private aerospace enterprises  plus a one-of-a-kind spaceport and the only ground-to-infinity protected airspace outside of the White House.

Hosting Space Command headquarters would have made it easier to build an industrial platform for emerging commercial space projects. But this next generation of economic development remains firmly in our reach. Legislators and policymakers cant let it become another lost opportunity. Resources to directly support the space industry must be combined with better educational outcomes  still waiting on that education moonshot  more STEM graduates from local universities, lower crime and a host of other quality-of-life issues that have grounded our economy to date.

Its time New Mexico takes its rightful place as the future of space.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Metro Albuquerque may see more new home development in 2022 than in any year since the Great Recession. But experts say it likely wont be enough to ease the citys record-low housing supply.

A handful of new subdivisions are either underway or slated to begin soon in Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, Mesa del Sol and other hot spots in and around Albuquerque. Mackenzie Bishop, past president of the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico, said he expects to see about 2,800 new home starts around the metro area, which would represent an approximately 12% increase over 2021, already the highest in a single year since before the Great Recession.

Theres definitely been a lot of capital invested in new projects, Bishop said.

However, Bishop said that total would still fall well below annual figures from before the recession, noting that labor shortages and fluctuating commodity prices have kept the market from building enough homes  which he estimated as being between 3,500 and 4,000 annually in metro Albuquerque  to reach a balanced market.

And we havent done that for going on 13 to 14 years, Bishop said. Theres a huge balance to make up.

Still, the citys very low inventory of existing houses on the market and rising home prices have prompted several developers to take notice.

Wade Messenger, vice president of operations with Pulte Homes New Mexico, told the Journal that it is planning to begin developing around 900 lots in and around Albuquerque and Santa Fe in the next three to six months, with additional development planned after that. Messenger said the shortage of homes and limited new home construction in recent years convinced the team that its the right time to move forward on several projects.

We feel very confident that this is an underserved and under-built market, he said.

Plans call for about 80 lots at Mesa del Sol, 85 lots in Los Lunas, 300 new homes near Santa Fes southern end and around 450 homes in various subdivisions in Rio Rancho, Messenger said. He added that prices will fluctuate based on the price of lumber and other commodities, but said the Los Lunas homes and the Rainbow Canyon development in Rio Rancho will be aimed at first-time homebuyers, while the Santa Fe homes and other Rio Rancho developments will be more expensive.

Separately, homebuilder D.R. Horton recently acquired about 150 finished lots at 118th Street and Amole Mesa Avenue SW, on Albuquerques West Side, for the second phase of its Aspire project. Jeffrey Harrison, land development manager for D.R. Horton, said he expects the phase to be built out by the end of 2022. The houses start at $279,990, according to the company.

After a couple of years of preparation, Mesa del Sol expects 2022 to be a big year for new development. Ron Brown, coordinator of residential development at Mesa del Sol, said he expects to have around 600 lots across four different subdivisions ready for development completed in the next six months. The first project, an upcoming phase of Mesa del Sols Montage project, is slated to break ground at the start of 2022.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Unvaccinated Sandia National Laboratories employees  who have either been fired or are expected to be terminated soon for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine  filed a lawsuit in Texas over the vaccine mandate in an effort to keep their jobs.

Members of the SNL Workforce Freedom Alliance and several current and former lab workers are the plaintiffs in the complaint and request for injunctive relief, which was filed last week in federal court in Amarillo, Texas. Ana Garner, an attorney representing the Sandia workers, said she ultimately expects to represent about 200 employees who are part of the alliance, which was formed on social media.

The complaint is seeking an injunction so the unvaccinated workers can keep their jobs, which are at risk because of an executive order President Joe Biden issued in September requiring federal workers and contractors to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Originally planned to be enforced last month, Garner said the employees are now facing an early January deadline to get vaccinated. The order has been challenged by several states and other opponents.

Plaintiffs contend, as emphatically as words will allow, that a person has every right to decide whether something is going to be injected into his body which will have an effect on his body and even more so where it will actually change the way his body functions, the lawsuit states. This is all the more so when this injection has caused death and serious disability to a not insignificant percentage of those who have taken it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says serious adverse events after the COVID vaccine can occur but are rare. The agency says the vaccines are safe and effective and recommends that everyone 5 years and older be inoculated.

Garner said most of her clients are working from home, which makes rules requiring them to be vaccinated and wear masks stupid.

For example, one of the plaintiffs, David Peterson, who has worked for Sandia in some capacity for 20 years, lives in Texas and never sets foot at the labs in Albuquerque. The lawsuit says he has both religious and medical safety concerns with the vaccine. His official exemption remains unresolved at the labs, Garner said.

Were trying to prevent Sandia National from putting negative pressure on any people if they refuse to have the shot, she told the Journal in an interview.

Jon Brooks, an electrical engineer from Bernalillo County who worked at the labs until he was fired in October after not filling out the form to request an exemption from the mandate, and Anna Burns, a 67-year-old labs worker who doesnt want an experimental medical treatment, are the other named plaintiffs in the lawsuit. It was filed against National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia and Honeywell International Inc.

The lawsuit says the federal court in northern Texas has jurisdiction over the case, in part, because Pantex Nuclear Labs is in Amarillo. That lab is home to the Weapons Evaluation Test Laboratory, which Sandia operates. There are also other Sandia employees who, like Peterson, work remotely from Texas.

Officials with Sandia labs couldnt be reached for comment on Tuesday.

When Biden enacted the policy in September, lab officials said more than 80% of its workers were fully vaccinated, which is higher than the percentage of total New Mexico residents overall.

The lawsuit contends that COVID is a far less dangerous disease than what health authorities have reported, and that the vaccine is more dangerous. The court filing says that 99.8% of COVID patients survive and that the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System shows that people are reporting more adverse reactions to the COVID vaccines compared to other vaccines.

New Mexico health officials have reported that there have been 5,796 COVID-related deaths in 346,461 cases, which makes the disease lethal in about 1.67% of confirmed cases.

Garner acknowledged that some of the data contained in her lawsuit doesnt align with what the states public health department is reporting.

That certainly is a hurdle we have to overcome, Garner said. So many people have gotten facts from false sources.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

A criminal complaint and arrest warrant affidavit identifies 43-year-old Isela Camarena as the person wanted for deliberately setting a fire at the base of one the doors to the Islamic Center of New Mexico late last month.

The document was filed in Metropolitan Court on Monday by an Albuquerque Police Department officer investigating the incident, which was captured on security cameras at the Islamic Center on Yale SE.

Police are searching for Camarena, who is facing charges of arson and negligent arson. It was unclear if she would additionally be charged with a hate crime, as mosque officials have requested.

According to the court document, a woman entered the grounds of the Islamic Center early Nov. 29 and, after unsuccessful attempts to gain access through locked building doors, she started a fire next to a door using combustible items from a trash receptacle. She also took some of the burning trash and set small fires in an outdoor playground area.

Neighbors who saw the smoke ran over and extinguished the fires before Albuquerque Fire Rescue arrived.

Mosque spokesman Tahir Gauba said the same woman entered the building prior to the start of Sunday school on Nov. 7 and unsuccessfully tried to start a carpet fire in the prayer hall. When a fire alarm was triggered, the woman ran out while allegedly yelling an anti-Islamic obscenity, he said.

Gauba said the same woman also entered the building during the evening of Oct. 31, where she confronted the imam, Mahmoud Eldenawi, and threatened to burn down the mosque.

The APD and FBI previously released to the public images of the suspect from the mosques security cameras.

A relative of Camarena contacted authorities, was shown security camera images and positively identified her, the court document said.

Damage to the property includes $9,000 to replace the artificial playground turf, Gauba said, and between $3,000 and $5,000 to clean the brick, cement and other areas charred by the fire, and where burning material had melted into the surface.

The center expects to spend an additional $20,000 or more to update its security gate, motion sensors and camera system, he said.
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.  President Joe Bidens new puppy, Commander, got his moment under the flashing lights of the Washington press corps  and some time frolicking on the beach  on Tuesday.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden took the German shepherd on a walk near their second home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Commander was born Sept. 1 and arrived at the White House last week, a birthday gift from the presidents brother, James Biden, and sister-in-law Sara Biden. Biden introduced Commander in a tweet. He turned 79 in November.

Commander is the third German shepherd Biden has welcomed to the White House. Champ died in June at age 13. The other dog, Major, 3, now lives with family friends in Delaware after behaving aggressively while living at the White House.

The Bidens are spending the holidays between their homes in Delaware.
TAIPEI, Taiwan  Much of Asia has largely managed to keep omicron at bay even as the variant rages in other parts of the world, but the region that is home to most of the globes population is bracing for what may be an inevitable surge.

Strict quarantine rules for arrivals and widespread mask wearing have helped slow the spread of the highly contagious variant in Asia. Countries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand quickly reinstated entry and quarantine restrictions in recent weeks after relaxing them in the fall.

But cases are mounting, and experts say the next few months will be critical. Those fears have been amplified by doubts about the effectiveness of the Chinese-made vaccines used in China and much of the developing world.

Once the pace picks up, its upsurge would be extremely fast, said Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top medical adviser to Japans government.

In India, which has been getting back to normal after a devastating COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year, omicron is once again raising fears, with more than 700 cases reported in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people.

The capital, New Delhi, banned large gatherings for Christmas and New Years, and many other states have announced new restrictions, including curfews and vaccination requirements at stores and restaurants.

At the crowded Chandni Chowk market in New Delhi, many people were shopping without masks this week. Cycle rickshaw driver Mahesh Kumar said he is afraid of passengers who dont wear masks.

There are many people who dont believe in this disease. They think it doesnt exist. But I am very scared. I have children and a family, he said. If something happens to me, who will take care of them?

Australia is already dealing with multiple COVID-19 surges, with a state leader saying Wednesday that omicron is moving too quickly. Elsewhere, Thailand has topped 700 cases, South Korea has more than 500 and Japan, over 300. China, which has some of the strictest virus controls in the world, has reported at least eight.

Only four cases have been reported in the Philippines, where people flocked to shopping malls ahead of Christmas and to Mass in the biggest Roman Catholic nation in Asia. Some hospitals have even begun dismantling COVID-19 wards in a move experts say could prove to be premature.

Japan managed to delay the spread of the new variant for about a month largely thanks to its reimposition of entry restrictions, mandatory COVID-19 tests for all arrivals and the isolation of all passengers on a flight if anyone tested positive for omicron.

But the barrier was broken last week when the first locally transmitted cases were confirmed in the neighboring cities of Osaka and Kyoto. Experts are urging the government to prepare for an imminent wave of infections by increasing testing, speeding up booster shots and preparing more beds at hospitals.

We want to believe the omicron cases could be mild, but its fast-paced infections could quickly multiply the number of patients and could still overwhelm hospitals, Omi said.

Taiwan, where wearing a face mask is near universal in major cities, has started to offer booster shots of the Moderna vaccine and is urging people get a third shot before an expected influx of people returning home for Lunar New Year at the end of January.

Preliminary research has shown that booster shots of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines offer continued, though diminished, protection against omicron.

However, a Hong Kong University study that has yet to be published found that Chinas widely used Sinovac vaccine does not generate enough antibodies to protect against omicron, even with a booster shot, according to a university news release. Hong Kong offers both the Sinovac and Pfizer vaccines.

Sinovac did not respond to a request for comment. Chinese officials have said their vaccines are still effective.

Our inactivated vaccines are still rather reliable and cover a range of antigens. Therefore, they wont be completely ineffective against omicron, Zhong Nanshan, a top government doctor, said at a public forum.

Some countries that relied on the Chinese vaccines are turning to others for boosters.

Thailand, which largely used Sinovac and Sinopharm, another Chinese vaccine, is offering booster shots of AstraZeneca or Pfizer. Indonesia, where Sinovac has been the mainstay of a campaign to vaccinate its 270 million residents, is offering a Moderna booster for health care workers. The government is also planning boosters for the general population in January, though it hasnt said which vaccine.

Chinas attitude toward the virus, omicron or not, is to stop transmission in its tracks, and the country appears to be getting even tougher with the approach of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February.

Officials locked down the city of Xian, a city and administrative area of 13 million people last week, amid a delta outbreak that has infected hundreds of people. On Monday, they ordered everyone to stay at home until another citywide round of testing was completed.

Residents complained on social media about the sudden ban. Many were relying on instant noodles and other packaged food. Some worried how they would get enough food in the coming days, especially fresh vegetables.

China quarantines those arriving from abroad for weeks, depending on the province, with three weeks being the most common.

How Chinas zero-COVID-19 policy will play out at the Olympics is a major question. Athletes and visitors will not be allowed to leave the Olympic zones, and those attending such as officials, journalists and venue staff will be tested every day.

To contain a deadly delta-driven surge in South Korea, the government this month restored its toughest distancing rules with a four-person limit on private gatherings and a 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants.

Health experts predict its only a matter of time before omicron comes.

Omicron has such a high transmission rate that its too obvious that itll become the dominant variant in South Korea at some point, said Jaehun Jung, a professor at Gachon University College of Medicine in South Korea.

___

Associated Press staffers Busaba Sivasomboon in Bangkok, Thailand, Jim Gomez in the Philippines, Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, Krutika Pathi and Rishabh Jain in New Delhi, Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Japan and Olivia Zhang in Beijing contributed to this report.
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.  President Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin will speak Thursday as the Russian leader has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe while maintaining an unsettling buildup of troops near Russias border with Ukraine.

The two leaders will discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements, National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement announcing the call.

The talks come as the U.S. and Western allies have watched the massing of Russian forces along the border, growing to an estimated 100,000 and fueling fears that Moscow is preparing to further invade Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken reiterated the United States unwavering support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the face of Russias military buildup on Ukraines borders.

Price said the two discussed efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine and upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia.

Putin said earlier this week he would ponder a slew of options if the West fails to meet his push for security guarantees precluding NATOs expansion to Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Moscow submitted draft security documents demanding that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back its military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.

The U.S. and its allies have refused to offer Russia the kind of guarantees on Ukraine that Putin wants, citing NATOs principle that membership is open to any qualifying country. They agreed. however, to hold talks with Russia next month to discuss its concerns.

The U.S. and Russia are to hold high-level talks on Jan. 10. Moscow and NATO representatives are expected to meet that same week as well as Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which includes the United States.

In Thursdays call, which was requested by the Russians, Biden is expected to stress to Putin that the U.S. is united with its allies but will demonstrate a willingness to engage in principled diplomacy with Russia, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the upcoming call. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity. The two leaders held a video call earlier this month.

The official added that the White House sees the leader- to-leader engagement as important as the administration looks to find a way beyond this moment of crisis over growing worries of a further Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In 2014, Russian troops marched into the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and seized the territory from Ukraine. Russias annexation of Crimea  one of the darker moments for former President Barack Obama on the international stage  looms large as Biden looks to contain the current smoldering crisis.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has made clear in public comments that the administration is ready to discuss Moscows concerns about NATO in talks with Russian officials, but emphasized that Washington is committed to the principle of nothing about you without you in shaping policy that affects European allies.

Were approaching the broader question of diplomacy with Russia from the point of view that  meaningful progress at the negotiating table, of course, will have to take place in a context of de-escalation rather than escalation, Sullivan said at an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations earlier this month. He added that its very difficult to see agreements getting consummated if were continuing to see an escalatory cycle.

The two leaders are also expected during Thursdays call to discuss efforts to persuade Iran to return to the 2015 nuclear accord, which was effectively scrapped by the Trump administration.

Despite differences on Ukraine and other issues, White House officials have said the Iran nuclear issue is one where they believe the U.S. and Russia can work cooperatively.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin would speak with Biden on Thursday but provided no details.
BERLIN  The head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday that hes worried about the omicron and delta variants of COVID-19 producing a tsunami of cases between them, but hes still hopeful that the world will put the worst of the pandemic behind it in 2022.

Two years after the coronavirus first emerged, top officials with the U.N. health agency cautioned that its still too early to be reassured by initial data suggesting that omicron, the latest variant, leads to milder disease. First reported last month in southern Africa, it is already the dominant variant in the United States and parts of Europe.

And after 92 of the WHOs 194 member countries missed a target to vaccinate 40% of their populations by the end of this year, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged everyone to make a new years resolution to get behind a campaign to vaccinate 70% of countries populations by the beginning of July.

According to WHOs figures, the number of COVID-19 cases recorded worldwide increased by 11% last week compared with the previous week, with nearly 4.99 million newly reported from Dec. 20-26. New cases in Europe  which accounted for more than half of the total  were up 3% while those in the Americas rose 39% and there was a 7% increase in Africa. The global gain followed a gradual increase since October.

Im highly concerned that omicron, being more transmissible (and) circulating at the same time as delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases, Tedros said at an online news conference. That, he said, will put immense pressure on exhausted health workers and health systems on the brink of collapse.

WHO said in its weekly epidemiological report that the overall risk related to omicron remains very high. It cited consistent evidence that it has a growth advantage over the delta variant.

It noted that a decline in case incidence has been seen in South Africa, and that early data from that country, the U.K. and Denmark suggest a reduced risk of hospitalization with omicron, but said that more data is needed.

WHOs emergencies chief, Dr. Michael Ryan, underlined that note of caution. He said it will be important in coming weeks to suppress transmission of both variants to the minimum that we can.

Ryan said that omicron infections began largely among young people, but what we havent seen is the omicron wave fully established in the broader population. And Im a little nervous to make positive predictions until we see how well the vaccine protection is going to work in those older and more vulnerable populations.

WHO officials didnt offer specific comments on decisions by the U.S. and other countries to reduce self-isolation periods. Ryan said these are judgement calls that countries make  taking into account scientific, economic and other factors. He noted that the average incubation period to date has been around five to six days.

We need to be careful about changing tactics and strategies immediately on the basis of what were seeing about omicron, Ryan said.

Tedros renewed longstanding warnings that ending health inequity remains the key to ending the pandemic. He said that missing the target of getting 40% of populations vaccinated this year is not only a moral shame  it cost lives and provided the virus with opportunities to circulate unchecked and mutate.

Countries largely missed the target because of limited supply to low-income nations for most of the year and then vaccines arriving close to their expiry date, without things such as syringes, he said.

All the same, I still remain optimistic that this can be the year we can not only end the acute stage of the pandemic, but we also chart a path to stronger health security, Tedros said.

___

Follow all AP stories on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
NEW YORK  The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted Wednesday of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by the American millionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

The verdict capped a monthlong trial featuring sordid accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14, told by four women who described being abused as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epsteins palatial homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico.

Jurors deliberated for five full days before finding Maxwell guilty of five of six counts. With the maximum prison terms for each charge ranging from five to 40 years in prison, Maxwell faces the likelihood of years behind bars  an outcome long sought by women who spent years fighting in civil courts to hold her accountable for her role in recruiting and grooming Epsteins teenage victims and sometimes joining in the sexual abuse.

As the verdict was read, Maxwell was largely stoic behind a black mask. Afterward, she could be seen pouring herself water as one of her attorneys patted her back. She stood with her hands folded as the jury filed out, and glanced at her siblings  faithfully in attendance each day of the trial  as she herself was led from the courtroom. She did not hug her lawyers on the way out, a marked change from previous days during which Maxwell and her team were often physically affectionate with one another.

One of her victims, Annie Farmer, said she was grateful the jury recognized Maxwells pattern of predatory behavior.

She has caused hurt to many more women than the few of us who had the chance to testify in the courtroom, she said in a prepared statement. I hope that this verdict brings solace to all who need it and demonstrates that no one is above the law. Even those with great power and privilege will be held accountable when they sexually abuse and exploit the young.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams praised the victims who testified against Maxwell after experiencing what he called one of the worst crimes imaginable.

I want to commend the bravery of the girls  now grown women  who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom. Their courage and willingness to face their abuser made this case, and todays result, possible, he said in a statement.

No sentencing date was set.

The defense had insisted Maxwell was a victim of a vindictive prosecution devised to deliver justice to women deprived of their main villain when Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial in 2019.

Her brother, Kevin Maxwell, said the family believes she will be vindicated on appeal. We firmly believe in our sisters innocence, he said in a written statement.

During the trial, prosecutors called 24 witnesses to give jurors a picture of life inside Epsteins homes  a subject of public fascination and speculation ever since his 2006 arrest in Florida in a child sex case.

A housekeeper testified he was expected to be blind, deaf and dumb about the private lives of Epstein, a financier who cultivated friendships with influential politicians and business tycoons, and Maxwell, who had led a jet-setting lifestyle as the favorite child of a media mogul.

Pilots took the witness stand and dropped the names of luminaries  Britains Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump  who flew on Epsteins private jets.

Jurors saw physical evidence like a folding massage table once used by Epstein and a black book that listed contact information for some of the victims under the heading massages.

There were bank records showing he had transferred $30.7 million to Maxwell, his longtime companion  onetime girlfriend, later employee.

But the core of the prosecution was the testimony of four women who said they were victimized by Maxwell and Epstein at tender ages.

Three testified using first names or pseudonyms to protect their privacy: Jane, a television actress; Kate, a former model from Great Britain; and Carolyn, now a mom recovering from drug addiction. The fourth was Farmer, who chose to use her real name after being vocal about her allegations in recent years.

They echoed one another in their descriptions of Maxwells behavior: She used charm and gifts to gain their trust, taking an interest in their adolescent challenges and giving them assurances that Epstein could use his wealth and connections to fulfill their dreams.

They said the script would darken when Maxwell coaxed them into giving massages to Epstein that turned sexual, encounters she played off as normal: After one sexual massage, Kate, then 17, said Maxwell asked her if shed had fun and told her: You are such a good girl.

Carolyn testified that she was one of several underprivileged teens who lived near Epsteins Florida home in the early 2000s and took up an offer to give massages in exchange for $100 bills, which prosecutors described as a pyramid of abuse.

Maxwell made all the arrangements, Carolyn told the jury, even though she knew the girl was only 14 at the time.

Jane said in 1994, when she was only 14, she was instructed to follow Epstein into a pool house at the Palm Beach estate, where he masturbated on her.

Two charges, including the lone count on which Maxwell was acquitted, applied only to Jane.

I was frozen in fear, she told the jury, adding that the assault was the first time she had ever seen a penis. She also directly accused Maxwell of participating in her abuse.

Maxwells lawyer asked Jane why it had taken so long to come forward.

I was scared, she said, choking back tears. I was embarrassed, ashamed. I didnt want anybody to know any of this about me.

The last to testify, Farmer described how Maxwell touched her breasts while giving her a massage at Epsteins New Mexico ranch and how Epstein unexpectedly crawled into bed and pressed himself against her.

Maxwell, who turned 60 on Christmas, vehemently denied the charges through her lawyers.

Still, she declined to take the risk of testifying, telling the judge: The government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt so there is no reason for me to testify.

The charges against Ghislaine Maxwell are for things that Jeffrey Epstein did, one of Maxwells lawyers, Bobbi Sternheim, emphasized to the jury. But she is not Jeffrey Epstein and she is not like Jeffrey Epstein.

Maxwells legal team questioned whether the accusers memories were faulty, or had been influenced by lawyers seeking big payouts from Maxwell and from Epsteins estate in civil court. During their two-day presentation, they called as a witness Elizabeth Loftus, a professor who has testified as a memory expert for defense lawyers at about 300 trials, including the rape trial of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Maxwells family complained she was under duress from harsh conditions at the Brooklyn jail where shes been held since her arrest in July 2020. She had repeatedly, and futilely, sought bail, arguing that she was unable to adequately contribute to her defense.

Before Maxwell was taken from the courtroom, Sternheim asked that arrangements be made to give her a coronavirus booster shot, saying infection rates were rising dramatically at the lockup. The recent surge threatened to derail the trial itself as U.S. District Court Judge Alison J. Nathan prodded jurors to work quickly to avoid the potential of a mistrial caused by sickened jurors.

The legal fights involving Epstein and Maxwell are not over.

Maxwell still awaits trial on two counts of perjury.

Lawsuits loom, including one in which a woman not involved in the trial, Virginia Giuffre, says she was coerced into sexual encounters with Prince Andrew when she was 17. Andrew has denied her account and that lawsuit is not expected to come to trial for many months.

Following the Maxwell verdict, Giuffre released a statement through her lawyers, saying, I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served.

___

AP journalist Ted Shaffrey in New York contributed to this report.
2012 Helen M. Free Award Winner

For a lifetime of sharing the excitement of science with audiences of all agesin the classroom and beyondretired teacher Ron Perkins of Naples, Fla., was named as the 2012 winner of the American Chemical Societys Helen M. Free Award for his achievements and outreach in the field of chemistry.

Perkins, a longstanding member of ACS, worked as a high school chemistry teacher in New Hampshire and Connecticut for 33 years. While in Connecticut, he served as Science Facilitator for Greenwich High School, leading a 15-member team of chemistry and physics staff to enhance science education. He has lived in Naples since his retirement in 2010.

His outreach efforts, however, have extended far beyond his teaching career. In 1994, Perkins founded Educational Innovations, Inc., a company that provides teachers with the necessary documents and supplies for science demonstrations. He served as the CEO of Educational Innovations, Inc., for 16 years.

A firm believer in hands-on learning, Perkins has presented more than 800 chemical demonstration sessions in 39 states. Several of these sessions were held at ACS National Meetings.

His passion for outreach encouraged both students and colleagues alike to share the world of chemistry with others. Perkins Advanced Placement chemistry students frequently presented on chemistry-related topics at local elementary schools.

Perkins success as a teacher was further emphasized by the success of his students. For example, one young woman he taught was the first female on the U.S. team for the International Chemistry Olympiad.

In 1982, Perkins suggested the way to improve chemical education was by funding summer teacher workshops. His idea inspired the creation of the Dreyfus/Woodrow Wilson Summer Institute and later led to his position at the Institute of Chemical Education where he assisted in designing teacher workshops.

Perkins was recognized in Philadelphia at the 244th ACS National Meeting & Exposition.
SHASTA LAKE, Calif.- A traffic stop on Monday lead to the arrest of a convicted felon and the seizure of 8 guns, ammunition, meth, narcotics paraphernalia and evidence pointing to sales of drugs.

Damon Odell Dennis was pulled over in a 2010 Cadillac CTS with Michigan plates that expired in 2019.

Dennis lives in Shasta Lake and had previously been pulled over in the same vehicle several times over the last two years, according to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.

Dennis admitted to having ammunition in teh vehicle and told the deputy he was a convicted felon.

A search of the vehicle revealed to types of handgun ammunition, 14 grams of meth and drug paraphernalia.

Dennis further admitted to the deputy that he had a handgun and rifle at his home.

Dennis was arrested for felon in possession of ammunition, possession of narcotics for sales and was booked into Shasta County Jail.

A search of Dennis' home with a warrant uncovered more meth, scales, packaging, ammunition, and 8 total firearms, said SCSO.

One of the rifles found was reported stolen in 2013 by the Redding Police Department.

Following the search of Dennis' home, he was also charged with:
PARADISE, Calif. - One mother tells Action News Now, these cold nights with the snowfall today are especially tough for her family who had their house burned down in the Camp Fire.

Well, I got a ride down to Chico to pick up my brothers car because I have a two-wheel drive and he has an all-wheel drive. Im on my way to go get propane because we still live in a travel trailer. Were not out yet, but it gets pretty cold, pretty quick," said Kayla Cox who lives in Paradise.

She tells us she went out today to get all the essentials in preparation for more snow.

"I got extra groceries so hopefully I dont have to go out again. We pulled more blankets out of storage bins. I was looking into covers for our propane tanks because when I went to pull them off our trailer today, they were frosted," said Cox.

Cox says its been tough for her family ever since the Camp Fire.

My entire family lived up here. 33 people. All of them lost their stuff. Some of us are back up here, but most of us are not," said Cox.

She tells me they are able to find the joy in all situations though as both her and her 4-year-old daughter love the snow.

She waited. She knew snow was a possibility, so every single day she got up and looked out the window to see if it was here yet and today was finally the day, so she was very happy," said Cox.

Others in town tell Action News Now the biggest difficulty has been traveling today as several people had to get rides to neighboring cities with the conditions.

Rain and snow are expected to continue through today and tomorrow in Paradise. This weather will also return early next week.
It's been an overcast Tuesday with light rain and snow showers thus far. A stronger storm will move over northern California tonight and Wednesday morning, delivering heavier mountain snow, valley rain and light valley snow. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the north valley as well as the foothills west of the valley, and a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Sierra and its foothills through noon Wednesday. Most of the valley will receive rain rather than snow, but valley areas in Shasta and Tehama counties could receive light amounts of overnight and morning snow. Lows will range from the 10s and 20s in the mountains to the 30s in the valley. Wednesday will be cloudy and drier by afternoon with highs in the 30s and 40s.

Wednesday's storm represents the last good chance of rain and snow for our region for the week and the rest of 2021. Thankfully, December has been very good for our region with healthy amounts of rain and snow. We'll have a gradual decreasing cloud trend from Wednesday night through Thursday, Friday and New Year's Day Saturday. Having fewer clouds will mean even colder overnight lows, and highs will stay below average. Another strong Pacific storm will approach the West Coast Sunday, and it will bring another round of valley rain, mountain snow, and gusty wind next Monday and Tuesday. Valley lows will fall into the 20s and lower 30s before rising to near 40. Valley highs will remain in the 40s and lower 50s all week.
Get ready for more travel impacts from rain and snow in your Wednesday forecast. Low pressure dropping south along the California coast is continuing to drive rain and snow showers into northern California today, with snow levels down to parts of the valley floor in Shasta, Tehama, and Glenn Counties early today. Foothills snow levels are mostly down to 1500' early today, but will rise to around 2500' to 3500' Wednesday afternoon. A Winter Storm Warning is still in effect through noon Wednesday in the foothills and northern Sierra down to 1500'. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect through 10am in Siskiyou and Trinity Counties, and Shasta County areas down to 1000' are under a Winter Weather Advisory through noon Wednesday. The heaviest and most widespread rain and snow showers will be in store for the early portion of the day, but wet weather will subside from northeast to southwest through the day. Northern Mountain zones will start to dry out during the mid morning hours, valley areas will likely still have some showers through at least noon, and the foothills and northern Sierra could potentially linger through early Wednesday evening. Most showers will fizzle out by the early evening, and we'll have clearing skies and colder temperatures tonight. Temperatures are starting out in the 30's in the valley, 20's to lower 30's in the foothills, and teens to low 30's in our mountain areas. Winds will mostly be out of the east to 10mph this morning, and then out of the northeast to 10mph this afternoon. High temperatures are projected to top out in the low to mid 40's in the valley, 30's in the foothills and upper 20's to mid 30's in our mountain zones this afternoon. The clearing skies and cold airmass in place will result in dry but chilly conditions late tonight, and frost will be a big concern for your Thursday morning.

Chilly but dry conditions are ahead for the start of your Thursday. Valley and areas will start out in the 20's to lower 30's, while mountain areas dip into the teens to 20's early Thursday. We'll be dry but partly cloudy through the day on Thursday. Valley temperatures will top out in the mid to upper 40's, foothill areas will climb into the 30's to lower 40's, and mountain areas will mostly top out in the mid 30's to low 40's Thursday afternoon. Low pressure to our north will bring a chance for light mountain showers to our northern zones late Thursday through very early Friday. High pressure will build towards northern California late this week, and that will result in dry weather and clearing skies across our region for New Years Eve and New Years Day. We'll continue to have very chilly overnight low temperatures through this weekend, and below average high temperatures. Valley areas will range from the upper 40's to lower 50's through Sunday, while foothill areas top out in the upper 30's to mid 40's, and mountain areas mostly top out in the 30's. Low pressure will be approaching the West Coast on Sunday, but the latest models are keeping us dry through this weekend. We'll have increasing clouds on Sunday, and then the potential for rain and snow will return to northern California on Monday. Snow levels are expected to be higher from this next storm arriving on Monday. Shasta County areas could have snow levels down to 2000', while the foothills and Sierra have snow levels hovering between 3000' to 4000'. The higher snow levels will result in rain over areas that have recently had snow, and that will allow for more runoff from the recent active weather. Rivers and streams could rapidly rise next week, and we'll be keeping a very close eye on any flooding concerns. Rain and snow are currently projected to continue from Monday through at least Wednesday of next week.
Although samosas have overtaken chicken biryani as the most popular meal on Swiggy, it remains the most popular dish on rival food delivery service Zomato. While Briyani was the most popular previous year as well, it has exploded in popularity this year. It has increased from 22 deliveries per minute last year to 120 per minute this year.

Meanwhile, the tiny momos defeated the mighty samosa (over 30 lakh orders) and vada pav (over 70 lakh orders) (over one crore orders).

Zomato delivered it's annual 'How India Ordered Report' in the most entertaining way it knows how: through social media memes. Despite the fact that the report is a data sheet with numbers peppered throughout, the memes ensure that there are no dull moments.

It's not simply a report on the food that was ordered, but also on the year's most memorable memes. From the perennial ship stranded in the Suez Canal to the 'pawri ho rahi hai' meme, there are plenty of allusions.



The report post includes some intriguing statistics. During the historic India-Pakistan match, for example, nearly 10 lakh people ordered meals using the app. Someone in Ahmedabad placed Zomato's largest order for Rs 33,000. Tushar, a Delhi resident, placed an order for 389 pizzas. Pritee placed the most orders (1,907) while Honey Katiyal tipped the delivery partners 1,250 items.

Zomato claims to have over one million Pro members who have saved Rs 2.5 billion as a result of their membership.
India-based firm SecureNow has reinforced its focus on commercial insurance issuance by building an end-to-end insurtech platform currently serving 25,000 small businesses across 150 locations. The firm aims to increase this to over one million businesses within the next three years, the same timeframe within which it is also on track to reach profitability. SecureNows platform covers the full range of commercial insurances including group health insurance, property, marine and liability covers and is the single-window for all insurance matters for its clients, including claims.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, traffic to SecureNows platform rose significantly as the traditional channels of distribution that required face-to-face selling were under stress. The company responded by providing covid-specific insurances, further automating the digitized user journeys and fast-tracking the digital enablement of wellness, OPD and claims processes for group health insurance. Small businesses can leverage the SecureNow self-service platform to buy insurance, with one in every seven of these customers now completing their transaction without any human assistance, a figure that is rapidly increasing month-on-month. The platform also caters to the increased requirements of medium and large businesses, which are able to manage multiple corporate insurances, file and track claims using the SecureNow proprietary insurance dashboard. As firms grow, they typically purchase at least two insurance products and several buy eight to ten. For each product, a firm requires at least three insurers to quote to ensure efficient price discovery. As a licensed insurance broker, SecureNow is able address these needs seamlessly.

In its last round of funding, SecureNow raised a total of US$ 6 million from Apis Insurtech Fund I, managed by Apis Partners LLP, and Charan Singh, founder of SelectQuote Inc. Both Apis Partners and Charan have deep knowledge of investing and building insurance firms and the investment will help develop the platform further, bundle value-added services for clients, and increase client outreach. Elevar Equity was the first institutional investor in SecureNow.

Businesses bravely face material risk every day. A quick look at our risk diagnostic tool would show you how some risks are existential and vary by industry. Still, insurance remains a low-involvement purchase. Clients want to quickly evaluate insurance plans for value and transparency. The only way to deliver this consistently is by the ubiquitous use of technology across the buying journey. The proof of this is in our net retention rate, which is well over 100%. With scale, we increase our ability to consolidate demand and deliver better value for our clients. There are over 60 million firms registered in the country, the majority of which are underinsured. So, we have some ground to cover. Commercial insurance for businesses is likely to be one of the fastest-growing segments within insurance, said Kapil Mehta, co-founder of SecureNow.

Udayan Goyal, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Apis Partners said We see a big opportunity in India to meet the needs of underserved businesses. Since there are so many different stakeholders in the insurance ecosystem, a successful venture must have deep insurance domain knowledge and know-how to leverage technology effectively. These are SecureNows strengths. They have a strong track record and are well placed to rapidly scale up.

Charan Singh, the founder of SelectQuote, said I have closely watched the leadership at SecureNow build out the company. I have myself once been through the stage they are at now and can see that all the building blocks are in place. Im delighted to be able to back SecureNow as it scales up to serve the needs of millions of businesses.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 29.12.2021 - Switzerland is making an additional contribution of CHF 900,000 to help deal with the serious food crisis in Madagascar. In releasing this sum, which is intended to support the activities of the World Food Programme (WFP), Switzerland is responding to a recent joint appeal by the government of Madagascar and the UN for international aid. Alarming situations are also unfolding in many other countries where millions of people lack food because of armed conflict, economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of climate change. In 2021, Switzerland provided a total of CHF 100 million  a new record  to support the WFP's activities, primarily in Africa.

Food insecurity in Madagascar continues to worsen. Since the beginning of the year, the authorities and humanitarian organisations have redoubled their efforts to mitigate the consequences of the worst drought in 40 years and the economic recession linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than one million people are currently in need of emergency food assistance and nearly half of all children aged 6 months to 5 years are suffering from chronic malnutrition.

In view of this crisis, Switzerland has decided to make an additional contribution of CHF 900,000. This amount is intended to support the WFP's operations on the ground. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the FDFA had already allocated around CHF 1.5 million since the beginning of the year in order to mitigate the consequences of the crisis. Although Madagascar is not one of its priority countries, the SDC is active on the island through its humanitarian aid. It is working together with the Swiss embassy in Antananarivo, which is closely monitoring the situation in the country and providing support for the implementation of the aid provided by the Swiss Confederation.

Critical situation worldwide

Besides Madagascar, at least 80 other countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, are facing food insecurity. Famine-like conditions are prevalent in 43 countries, with 45 million people facing acute or catastrophic levels of food insecurity, as compared to 41 million people in June 2021. Conflict-driven displacement, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the consequences of climate change are depriving millions of people of access to food of sufficient quantity and quality to meet nutritional needs.

The WFP sounded the alarm as early as February of this year, calling on the international community to mobilise additional funds to meet the unprecedented scale of need. At the time, the SDC pledged a record CHF 100 million to the WFP for 2021. This new contribution for Madagascar means that Switzerland will have paid the full amount by the end of this year. To put this in perspective, the SDC's annual contributions to the WFP amounted to approximately CHF 70 million in previous years and CHF 90 million in 2020. Switzerland continues to monitor the global food insecurity situation with great concern. Swiss support for WFP operations takes the form of financial contributions, technical assistance from Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit specialists and funding for political initiatives undertaken by UN organisations to promote food security.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




Kim Kimbro passed onto his next home, December 23, 2021, at the age of 72, living his life to the fullest until the last minute on his farm.

Kim was born in Waynoka, Oklahoma, and loved living in Woods County. After high school he tried his hand at college, but it wasn't for him. After that he followed in his family's footsteps and became a Marine, making it to E5 within a very short time and gained the highest level of marksmanship. Most of his time in the service was spent in California and Japan, and he had many stories to tell from his adventures. His service was an honor he carried his entire life as anyone that knew him could see by the belt buckle he always wore.

After leaving the Marines he returned to Waynoka where he met the love of his life, Debbie Eggleston, and they were married within the year. Kim began working for the Santa Fe Railroad like his father and grandfather, starting on the paint gang and quickly became a bridge Foreman.

A few years into their marriage, after being blessed with their oldest two children, Tisha and Brett, they decided to buy the farm in Waynoka to raise their kids. Kim would joke that he had to go back to work to rest as his weekends were spent working hard on the farm.

Then the family all decided we needed another person to love, so we had another baby, as Dal was born. Our family of five was now complete.

Just as much as he worked hard, he enjoyed making time with his family taking breaks, fishing, and shooting. We all enjoyed being outdoors and the farm was always our haven.

Poppy was an amazing grandpa. He would spend time loving on the grand babies playing on the floor when they were little and talking with them as they grew. Each of his nine grandchildren were special to him in their own way.

Kim was like an encyclopedia. Any information he gleaned from various sources was often topic in his many conversations as he could make conversation with anybody. He never met a stranger. Poppy could also make or repair anything that was broken on the farm or at work and was always ready to help his family with their many projects.

His entire family is heartbroken but better people because he was with us for so long.

Kim would like for all of us to honor him by taking a kid fishing, hunting or teaching them about firearms.

Kim's wishes were for his wife and children to have a private celebration of life at a later date.

Remembrances may be shared with the family at http://www.marshallfuneralhomes.com.
Incidents at Cornell University's famous Law School, and more recently at the University of Illinois-Chicago John Marshall School of Law raise concerns over whether prospective attorneys should choose these programs. Legal Insurrection reports that the usual crybullies, including John Marshall's Black Law School Association (BLSA), called for a law school professor to be fired for including the following problem statement in an examination. Jesse "Hymietown" Jackson also weighed in on this.

"Employers lawyer traveled to meet the manager, who stated that she quit her job at Employer after she attended a meeting in which other managers expressed their anger at Plaintiff, calling her a n***** and b**** (profane expressions for African Americans and women) and vowed to get rid of her." The rest of the question appears to relate to interrogatories whose purpose is to identify witnesses to the discriminatory behavior in question.

The law school canceled the professor's class and said he violated its nondiscrimination policy. The school's response to the crybullies should have been instead, "This is, in case you haven't noticed, a law school. The professor has given you an example of a blatant hostile and discriminatory work environment. How would you obtain redress for the African-American woman in question? A good lawyer should be able to argue both sides of a case, so how might you defend the employer? The employer might, despite the other managers' racist and misogynist behavior, have a defense if it 'can prove that: 1) it reasonably tried to prevent and promptly correct the harassing behavior; and 2) the employee unreasonably failed to take advantage of any preventive or corrective opportunities provided by the employer.' If you do not want to deal with questions of this nature, the 'woke' gender studies department is in that building over there."

The EEOC's website adds "The victim does not have to be the person harassed, but can be anyone affected by the offensive conduct" which suggests that the manager who quit because of this conduct, as well as the African-American plaintiff, might also have a case against the employer in the absence of the defenses cited above. I am not an attorney but, if you were the hypothetical African-American plaintiff who was subjected to this workplace abuse, would you want an attorney whose first move is to look up the appropriate EEOC regulations, or one who goes triggered snowflake crybully on the instructor?

It is also deeply concerning that the same crybullies who called for the professor to be fired for using the indicated words in an obviously condemnatory context remain silent, as in, you know, "silence is violence," when Al Sharpton uses the N word on Black people he dislikes, Caucasian and even Black (heard in this video) BLM demonstrators use it on Black police officers, and rap artists such as Rico Nasty sing about smacking [female dogs] while others dehumanize Black women as "hoes" and sing about killing police officers and burning Asian-owned stores. This behavior is unacceptable from anybody regardless of race.

Should New York Students Pick SUNY over Cornell Law?

Cornell's BLSA responded to a professor's accurate condemnations of Black Lives Matter. "He has gone as far as to declare that the movement seeks to 'tear down our society to achieve their Marxist goals.'" This reminds me of the old adage, If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table." Here are the facts from BLM Global Network's own website: "This is the revolution. Change is coming." PolitiFact adds the balanced statement that, while most of the BLM movement is not Marxist, two of the central founders and leaders have described themselves as Marxist-trained. This article in Teen Vogue says meanwhile, "It may be too soon to call this a revolution, but it has the makings to be one," and images of burning police cars are not very helpful to BLSA's side of the story either.

Cornell's BLSA also wrote that Breonna Taylor was "murdered." Taylor's death, and also the non-fatal shooting of a police officer during the same incident, both resulted, as I understand, from police executing a no-knock search warrant of the wrong house. What happened to both Taylor and the cop must never be allowed to happen to anybody again, but nobody was murdered. Any first-year law student, not to mention faculty member -- and at least eighteen Cornell Law School faculty made the same statement about Taylor -- knows or ought to know that a false public accusation of a crime is libel per se.

While Cornell Law School Dean Eduardo Penalver was quick enough to use a Cornell website to criticize a colleague for the latter's condemnation of Black Lives Matter, I cannot identify any action he took to counsel both BLSA and the faculty members in question against falsely accusing a police officer of murder. Even though the statements did not name the officer, he can be easily identified from the context. SUNY at roughly $25,000 a year plus fees and expenses might therefore be a better choice than Cornell at $71,500 a year. The roughly $140K difference not spent at Cornell during three years will be worth, to an attorney who graduates at age 25 (assuming an annual stock market rate of return of eight percent) $3 million if he or she retires at age 65. SUNY adds "Our students graduate to work at the same law firms and earn the same starting salaries as those who attend pricey private law schools."

The letter by the Law School Faculty added that there was "a smear campaign against Black Lives Matter." Lawyers-in-training need to understand that they will not be able to make the truth go away in a court of law, or the court of public opinion, by calling it a smear. BLM has encouraged looting, supported the "dismantling" of Israel, and other appalling behaviors totally irrelevant to the group's purported mission. I have meanwhile yet to identify any constructive action BLM has taken to, for example, put the subjects of false arrests for walking while Black or driving while Black in contact with attorneys who handle these cases on a contingency basis.

Dean Penalver meanwhile criticized his colleague for "casting broad and categorical aspersions on the goals of those protesting for justice for Black Americans, do not reflect the values of Cornell Law School as I have articulated them" even though the goals of the protesters (and rioters, vandals, and looters) in question go well beyond justice and equality for African-Americans. If BLM wants only to protest racial discrimination and excessive use of force by police, I'll line up with it on the spot. The instant anybody incites looting, vandalism, rioting, or arson, or advocates the "dismantling" of Israel, however, the left-of-center Beatles sum up the case against BLM perfectly: "We all want to change the world/ But when you talk about destruction/ Don't you know that you can count me out."

Civis Americanus is the pen name of a contributor who remembers the lessons of history, and wants to ensure that our country never needs to learn those lessons again the hard way. He or she is remaining anonymous due to the likely prospect of being subjected to "cancel culture" for exposing the Big Lie behind Black Lives Matter.

Image: Cornell Law School and John Marshall School of Law

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Donald Trump had to be the most fossil-fuel friendly U.S. president of recent times. When he became president, Trump quickly reversed Obamas energy policies; the Keystone Pipeline was approved, imports from the Middle East were cut, and the price at the pump came down. It was claimed that America had become energy independent and was again a net exporter of oil. In 2018, the U.S. oil business even surpassed the record petroleum production peak set in 1970.

Inasmuch as American petroleum production had been sliding downward since 1970, how did this come about? It came about because of unconventional oil, e.g. shale oil. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic and the installation of a new president hostile to fossil fuel, shale oil had hit a snag: financiers were losing patience with shales profit performance.

In November of 2019, two months before the outbreak of the pandemic in America, NPR ran As Oil Prices Drop And Money Dries Up, Is The U.S. Shale Boom Going Bust?

Today, shale accounts for about two-thirds of U.S. oil production and nearly all of the industry's growth, but many of the companies that made that growth possible are now struggling to stay afloat. [] Without access to new cash, many producers are pulling back on exploration. The number of rigs drilling for new oil is at its lowest point in two years. That's bad news for people like Ron Fountain, who works on a drilling rig in the Bakken shale of North Dakota. He thinks back to a few years ago, when the price of oil was more than $100 a barrel and companies were drilling with abandon.

In March of 2020, just after the coronavirus began feasting on elderly Americans, Why This Oil Crash Is Different ran at both the Center on Global Energy Policy and at Foreign Policy:

With the economic slowdown from the coronavirus outbreak projected to cause the first annual drop in oil demand since the global financial crisis in 2009, oil prices had already plunged 20 percent in the lead up to last weeks meeting of the so-called OPEC+ group, which includes both OPEC members and several other oil-producing countries, most notably Russia. Russia had made clear its ambivalence about cutting supply, given concerns about whether cuts would be effective in supporting prices, and Russias reluctance to throw a lifeline to U.S. shale oil producers struggling under low prices and high debt. [] Even before this weekend, shale oil production growth was already projected to slow sharply due to lower oil prices and much tighter capital constraints as investors grew skeptical of the sector due to its poor profitability.

In April of 2020, with bodies piling up in makeshift morgues, The Guardian ran US shale industry expected to shrink sharply as oil price falls:

US shale was expected to grow by 650,000 barrels a day this year before the coronavirus outbreak wiped out forecasts for global oil demand, triggering one of the steepest oil price declines on record. It is now forecast to shrink by 1.5m barrels a day compared to last year and that may accelerate even further.

Also in April of 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas ran How the Saudi Decision to Launch a Price War Is Reshaping the Global Oil Market:

Saudi Arabias decision [to expand oil production] was a response to the dislocation in the global oil market caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) against the backdrop of an already weak global economy. [] The resulting drop in the oil price from about $35 to near $20 has further exacerbated the financial stress experienced by U.S. oil producers in Texas, Oklahoma and other oil-producing regions, which were already reeling from sharp reductions in fuel demand caused by the coronavirus.

In July of 2020, as the pandemic was raging throughout America, the Washington Post re-ran Bloombergs Shales Bust Shows Basis of Boom: Debt, Debt and Debt:

What was very visible this spring was the steep drop in the fall of oil, driven first by OPEC actions to increase supply and then by pandemic lockdowns that decimated demand. But a crackdown by creditors alarmed at the industrys debt levels had begun last year. [] The pandemic and OPECs moves, which were driven by Russia and Saudi Arabias market-share war, pushed prices down steeply in March, with some oil futures prices falling into negative territory for the first time. Even when oil is at $35 a barrel, almost a third of U.S. shale producers are technically insolvent, according to a recent study by Deloitte LLP.

In August of 2020, energy investor Kirk Coburn ran The US Shale Industry: From Boom to Bust:

For years, the US shale industry was on a boom fueled by junk bonds from Wall Street. The industry was waning in 2019. In 2020, shale oil giants faced the perfect storm -- COVID-19, failed OPEC+ talks, and relentless oil price wars came to a head. Then the US shale industry went from just barely hanging on [] to a definitive bust. The bust has been a long time coming; COVID-19 just pushed the industry over the edge.

In October of 2020, Forbes ran As Oil Bankruptcies Surge, Vulture Investors Start Their Long Feast:

More Chapter 11s are coming, [] it will mean that management teams are finally accepting of the new reality of oil prices stuck at $40/bbl amid a continuing supply glut and pandemic-weakened demand. The world has changed, the debt-fueled fracking binge has come to an end. Many zombie oil companies cannot survive in their current form.

Alarming stuff, Id say. But pandemic or no, shale oil is a more costly proposition than regular old conventional oil. Because of the complexity of its extraction (fracking), shale oil has a higher break-even price than does conventional oil. Its been alleged that the Saudis and others have recently been able to pump (conventional) oil out of the ground for $10 a barrel.

In April of 2021, at Oilprice.com, we read that Oil at $60 is undoubtedly a comfortable price level for U.S. shale. And since oil has been trading above that price recently, maybe the U.S. oil business can round up new investors and creditors willing to take a chance that shale oil can turn a profit.

But for U.S. oil to be profitable, the federal government needs to get a whole helluva lot smarter. Biden should start by replacing his Energy Secretary with someone who knows something about energy. Jennifer Granholm is unfit for that job. America needs an Energy Secretary with a deep understanding of both fossil fuel and its alternatives. Biden should consider someone like chemical engineer Robert Rapier (a recent article of his).

But Uncle Joe probably wont replace Granholm with someone who knows their stuff. And he probably wont reinstitute the policies of his predecessor. You see, the puppet masters who control Joe dont care about high energy prices. Theyd rather ride COVID into the midterms, as vaccine and mask mandates are about all they got going for them.

Jon N. Hall of ULTRACON OPINION is a programmer from Kansas City.

Image: Renerpho

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The Supreme Court has agreed to take up two vaccine mandate cases -- the one involving OSHA and the one for health care workers (CMS).

A third mandate, aimed at federal contractors, remains in a kind of legal limbo. The temporary injunction granted by a Georgia judge was recently upheld by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Whether that decision will also be appealed to SCOTUS, and if so whether they will agree to hear it, remain to be seen.

However, according to Jenin Younes, an attorney with the New Civil Liberties Alliance and charter member of Team Reality, It is likely that whatever decision [the court] makes about [the first two] mandates will affect the contractor one as well, since the principles are similar.

So the importance of the upcoming arguments against the OSHA and CMS mandates cannot be overstated. They will almost certainly be for all the marbles.

Far be it from me to tell lawyers things they already know, much less what they ought to say or do. But youll have to forgive me if, after the ObamaCare and Obergefell fiascos, Im not exactly brimming with confidence in our sides ability to make winning arguments before the nations highest court.

It seems to me there are essentially two questions before the Court: Whether the federal government has the authority to mandate any vaccines, and if so, whether they have the authority to mandate these particular vaccines (hereafter referred to more accurately as injections).

The answer to the first question, I believe, is maybe or it depends -- although there is, in fact, no precedent for such federal mandates. The two examples the pro-mandate forces like to cite are both problematic for them, in different ways.

The first is the 1905 Supreme Court decision in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, in which the Court said the state could require citizens to take the smallpox vaccine.

That case poses at least two problems for mandaters. First, it involved a state mandate, not a federal one. Second, it upheld a law duly passed by the legislature -- not an executive edict.

So Jacobson isnt really a precedent at all, as it deals with a very different set of questions.

The other precedent often mentioned is the fact that, during the American Revolution, George Washington ordered his troops to be inoculated with a new smallpox vaccine.

Again, this is hardly the same thing. It applies to a relatively small group of people -- soldiers -- not to the general population. Moreover, the individuals in question, by virtue of enlisting, had already voluntarily placed themselves under the full and undisputed authority of their military commander.

In contrast, the vast majority of those affected by the Biden administrations mandates have never ceded that kind of authority over their personal lives to the federal government. So there really is no precedent.

And yet precedent is not everything. New circumstances call for new responses, new court rulings, new laws. Im sure we can all envision a public health crisis in which the federal government might need to step in -- where a genuinely deadly virus is rampaging across the country, killing 20-30 percent of the population, including children.

If a vaccine existed that could stop such a virus in its tracks, we would all want everyone to take it and would probably feel the government was justified in making them -- although, in a situation like that, the government probably wouldnt have to. Everyone would be lining up.

Thus, the second question before the court is this: Does COVID-19 constitute that kind of emergency? And the answer is very clearly, No. Not even close.

Throughout this pandemic, sensationalistic case counts have been grossly exaggerated by mass testing on a scale never seen, using faulty, ill-suited tests, absurdly amplified, yielding an unacceptable percentage of false positives. Hospitals have obscene financial incentives to identify COVID patients and to blame the virus for as many deaths as possible, even in cases where it clearly played no role.

The shocking case and death statistics, in short, are fraudulent. This could easily be demonstrated to the court using the governments own documents. But even accepting their outlandish numbers, COVID still doesnt approach the kind of nightmare scenario described above. It hasnt even killed one-quarter of one percent of the population, much less 20 or 30 percent (and hardly any children).

Moreover, the vaccines, in this case, are not really vaccines as we have always understood them. That can easily be deduced from the mere fact that the health authorities had to change the longstanding definition of vaccine in order to include these injections.

They do not, we now know, prevent people from becoming infected. They do not stop the transmission or arrest the spread of the virus. As a number of reputable scientists have argued, they might even be making things worse, through Antibody Dependent Enhancement (ADE) and/or Original Antigenic Sin (OAS).

About the best we can say is that they might provide some personal protection against severe illness -- although, as efficacy continues to wane, we may soon find they dont even do that, anymore.

Given these facts -- and they are facts, which a highly paid team of lawyers ought to be able to dig up easily and document thoroughly -- no rational argument exists for federal mandates. There is no pressing health emergency worthy of turning the Constitution on its head, and even if there were, the measures the government has attempted to impose thus far would do nothing to alleviate it.

These arguments strike me as simple, obvious, straightforward, well-supported by evidence, and utterly compelling -- in short, clear winners. I just hope and pray our side doesnt screw them up, perhaps by being too clever by half.

Image: Picryl

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For Thomas Jefferson, having one generation passing on excessive debt to future generations was immoral and an unjust encumbrance on posterity. When Jefferson became president, he was successful in reducing federal debt until his last year in office, when defense spending was increased in preparation for what would become the War of 1812. This Jeffersonian principle that debt could be incurred during wartime periods but in peacetime the government should reduce debt burdens (public debt to GDP) was practiced until the Great Depression in the early 20th century.

During World War II, the U.S. debt burden reached an all-time high, but in the postwar years, it was reduced to prewar levels. The debt burden was increased again during the Cold War, exacerbated by increased spending associated with social insurance programs, but after the Cold War era (19982001), debt burdens were again reduced through bipartisan legislative actions.

Over the past two decades, America appears to have abandoned Jeffersonian debt principles. The federal government has responded to major economic crises with massive increases in spending. Social insurance program spending has continued to increase, resulting in increased debt burdens.

Indeed, the total debt burden now exceeds the size of the entire U.S. economy and is approaching an all-time record.

Even worse, in coming decades, the debt burden is projected to increase dramatically. By midcentury, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the U.S. will have a debt burden approaching that of Japan, the most indebted nation in the world, which has experienced economic stagnation for several decades. This is not a desirable outcome for our country and future generations.

The longtime consensus supporting Jeffersonian debt principles appears to have disappeared. In addition, the subsequent principles espoused by British economist John Maynard Keynes have also been abandoned. For example, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation has periodically brought together leading policy organizations from across the political spectrum to propose plans to achieve long-term fiscal sustainability. The consensus of these organizations was that the nation should reduce the ratio of public debt to GDP well below 100 percent. In a survey conducted by the foundation this year, however, the consensus was that the government should seek to close the future gap between revenues and expenses, but not at the expense of meeting new fiscal challenges. What does this mean?

Before Congress fully abandons Jeffersonian debt principles, it should understand how European countries have addressed their debt challenges.

In a referendum, Swiss citizens, with an overwhelming majority, approved an amendment to their constitution that requires the government to bring expenditures into balance with revenues over an economic cycle. The government may incur deficits in some years, but it must offset those deficits with surpluses in other years. Enabling legislation to satisfy this amendment constrained the growth in spending to the long-term growth of the economy. A "debt brake" was enacted, reducing the growth in spending required to balance expenditures and revenues. Switzerland cut the ratio of debt to national income in half. Today, it has the highest credit rating and the second highest per capita income of any country. In short, the Swiss enacted new fiscal rules satisfying Jeffersonian debt principles even though Switzerland is a neutral country that has avoided participating in major wars.

Similar fiscal rules have been enacted in other European countries, and are incorporated in European Union fiscal rules. These new fiscal rules, which focus on limiting deficits and debt levels as a percentage of GDP, allowed European countries to respond to recent economic crises without massive accumulations of debt.

In the current political climate, it is clear that Congress is not about to propose fiscal rules to address our mounting public debt/GDP challenge. But American citizens do not need to rely on Congress to decide whether or not to abandon Jeffersonian debt principles. The U.S. Constitution does not provide for a public referendum, but it does provide citizens with an alternative route to amending the Constitution. Article V provides that when two thirds of the state legislatures (34 states) approve a resolution calling for an amendment convention, Congress must call the convention. With a subsequent ratification of a proposed amendment by three quarters of the states (38 states), the proposal becomes an amendment to the Constitution.

Over the years, state legislatures have submitted many resolutions calling for an Article V Convention, but none of these has yet to reach the requisite two-thirds majority for Congress to call the convention. In December of this year, a disparate group of organizations proposing Article V amendments met at a conference in San Diego held by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). While these organizations proposed different Article V amendments, there was a consensus that the country needs to restore Jeffersonian debt principles to address our mounting debt challenge.

It is time for American citizens, like their Swiss counterparts, to have a say in answering this question. We are committed to doing our part to make such an amendment a reality.

Dr. Barry Poulson is emeritus professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Hon. David M. Walker was U.S. comptroller general from 1998 to 2008.

Image: Rembrandt Peale.

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While staying out of the horrific Syrian Civil War (except humanitarian aid at the border), Israel has long had three red lines for what happens in its northern neighbor:

No Iranian or Hezb'allah bases near the Israeli border; revised to no Iran in Syria.

No weapons delivered by Iran to Hezb'allah that Israel considers "situation-changing"

No use of non-conventional weapons

A "deconfliction" agreement with Russia has allowed Israel to strike Syria when and where it believes a specific problems exists while generally avoiding civilian areas and civilians. Though the fighting has largely  though not totally  ended, the war has not. And this week, someone blew up something big in the Syrian port of Latakia. International media, including Israeli media, report that it was the Israel Air Force that did it. All of them, including Israel, cite only Syrian sources. The IDF, as is its practice, said nothing.

A Russian air base just southeast of Latakia is one of the gifts President Vladimir Putin received from Syrian president Bashar Assad for Russia's protection during the war and the air support for missions that included the delivery of chemical weapons. About fifty miles farther south is the Russian naval base at Tartus  another prize.

Could Israel have struck so close to Russian bases without notice? Without coordination? Without permission? This requires untangling.

High on Israel's list of items to destroy are chemical weapons components and missile components. A combination of the two, plus Iran's arming of Hezb'allah in Lebanon, is an unacceptable situation  and provocation  for Israel.

In 2014, the Obama administration declared that Syria's chemical program had been destroyed after proof of the use of chemical weapons on Syrian civilians. In a remarkably precise statement, the U.N. Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said 96% percent of Syria's declared chemical weapons were destroyed. Not 95% or 87% or 43.5%, but 96% on the nose  and note the phrasing "declared chemical weapons." By August of that year, however, the administration claimed that the Syrian munitions had been "fully destroyed" but acknowledged that the munitions factories had not been dismantled as required. According to thenU.N. secretary general Ban Ki-moon, at least one of twelve storage facilities remained open, and only five of eighteen production facilities had been closed.

In 2019, it was reported that Iran was operating a precision missile factory on the outskirts of Latakia. That same year, Iran leased part of the port, and, according to Israeli sources, has used the facility to supply weapons to both Syrian forces and to Hezb'allah in Lebanon. According to an Iran analyst at the time, the deal was done bilaterally (Iran-Syria), and Russia was not happy about being cut out.

In October 2020, it was reported that Syria was still trying to import the components of chemical weapons. This information should be seen in line with an apparent Israeli air strike in Syria in January 2021, in which, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "[t]he Fatimid Brigade [an Afghan Hezb'allah unit] transported a consignment of Iranian-manufactured weapons to eastern Syria from neighboring Iraq[.] ... They were stored in the region targeted overnight."

Of late, Russia has been trying to wedge Assad back into polite society, and, according to some, Russian patience for Israeli military activity is wearing thin. On the other hand, to rehabilitate Assad, Russia needs to push Iran and its Hezb'allah and Afghan allies out. Russia can't and won't. Israel has to.

It is generally not a great idea to credit Syrian analysts with accurate information, but give journalist Maha Gazal this one:

Circles close to the Assad regime have spoken explicitly about Russian-Israeli coordination regarding the Latakia bombing. Air defenses were disrupted and no S-400 missiles, which are located at the Russian-operated Khmeimim Air Base some 20 kilometers from Latakia, were not fired. Israel cannot bomb a target so close to Russia's largest base in Syria without informing Moscow. It is a red line[.] ... And thus, Russia is in fact one of the parties conspiring against Syria. This is what is currently being circulated on pro-regime social media and networking sites.

She noted that, contrary to the aftermath of other events, there was little official comment, and media coverage disappeared after the containers were removed.

According to a Jerusalem Post report, the Latakia raid destroyed "an immeasurable amount of advanced and strategic weaponry" sitting in the port because, owing to Israel's activity, "Iran's air, land, and sea corridors didn't function for 70 percent of 2021."

A Russia-Israel condominium of interest has long been working in Syria. It may be beginning to pay off.

Image via Pixy.

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A "great man knows he is not God," observed the great and greater G.K. Chesterton  "and the greater he is the better he knows it." This came to mind when hearing something President Trump said recently  and brought to mind something Barack Obama said many years ago, something a bit odd.

"Our country needs a savior right now," said Trump while preaching for Pastor Robert Jeffress at Dallas's First Baptist Church the Sunday before last. "And our country has a savior," he continued. "And it's not me. It's somebody much higher up than me. Much higher."

Of course, such an admission doesn't require a heck of a lot of humility. What do you have to be, after all, to not realize you're not God?

Answer: Maybe a Barack Obama.

Consider: While running for the U.S. Senate from Illinois in 2004, Obama was interviewed by Chicago Sun-Times religion reporter Cathleen Falsani, and what he revealed was striking, indeed.

Obama spouted boilerplate leftist philoso-babble for much of the interview. One interesting point, however, was when Falsani asked him, "What is sin?" Obama's answer?

"Being out of alignment with my values," he said.

Now, this is a bit like asking Dr. Anthony Fauci, "What is pseudo-science?" and his answering, "Being out of alignment with my pronouncements" (which would be in character). But Obama's is not the definition of sin. Sin is that which violates God's laws, or, to put it in more modernistic terms, that which is out of alignment with God's "values" (which are the Truth). And one could conclude that a person defining sin as being out of alignment with his values believes he is God.

An even more bizarre answer came earlier in the interview, when Falsani asked Obama whether he prayed often. "Uh, yeah, I guess I do. It's not formal, me getting on my knees," the ex-president replied. "I think I have an ongoing conversation with God. I think throughout the day, I'm constantly asking myself questions about what I'm doing, why am I doing it [emphasis added]."

Well, now we see why he doesn't get on his knees.

How, after all, do you kneel before yourself?

Obviously, praying involves imploring God for aid and perhaps asking Him questions; He is the prayers' recipient. Thus, again, Obama was instinctively putting himself in God's place.

Yet, as I wrote in 2010, do "I say that Obama thinks he is a supreme being who created the Universe? Unless it's a universe of programs, laws, regulations, and debt, no. But I am certain ... that Obama is a typical leftist: self-centered and solipsistic. He has deified himself, in the sense that he believes he is above everyone else."

So who has the bigger ego, Trump or Obama? Some may claim that at First Baptist, 45 was speaking to (and perhaps playing to) an audience very different from 44's. Fair enough. But for certain is that with Falsani, Obama revealed his true self as he so often would off teleprompter, just as he did when telling an audience in 2008 that people in middle America clung to "guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them." His comments were in the nature of a Freudian slip.

As for Trump, very much the playboy, he certainly for most of his life could not be mistaken for a desert mystic, and they do say, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Yet I did sense (and I could have been wrong) that he grew as a person as his presidency wore on. Given how he was assailed and maligned without reprieve, this wouldn't be surprising. For "pain is the megaphone God uses to get through to deaf ears," as C.S. Lewis put it  trials and tribulations inspire us to grow.

But the deeper matter is that the self-deifying are dangerous because godlessness breeds the twin siblings of illusory human superiority and sinister superciliousness: those who don't look up at God with awe tend to look down on His children with ire.

That's why any leader should ideally fit the description almost no leader does: Chesterton's. As he put it in The Everlasting Man (1925):

Divinity is great enough to be divine; it is great enough to call itself divine. But as humanity grows greater, it grows less and less likely to do so. God is God, as the Moslems say; but a great man knows he is not God, and the greater he is the better he knows it. That is the paradox; everything that is merely approaching to that point is merely receding from it.

A prerequisite for approaching and receding from that point is understanding that the point exists in the first place.

Contact Selwyn Duke, follow him on MeWe or Parler, or log on to SelwynDuke.com.

Image: Levan Ramishvili via Flickr, Public Domain.

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I think I can say I am second to none in my disrespect for Greta Thunberg. She's a marginally educated, mentally unstable kid whose hard-left parents turned her into a political figurehead for the climate change movement. (I'm assuming here that American Thinker readers share my even greater disdain for the myth of anthropogenic climate change.) However, unpleasant as Thunberg is, the people who worship her are worse. It's impossible to think of a time throughout history when having a child in charge turned out well. That's why children shouldn't get driver's licenses, voting rights, or bully pulpits.

The reason these thoughts occurred to me is that Sara Carter published an article about the fact that Thunberg has turned on Biden. Despite having destroyed America's burgeoning homegrown oil industry, which was making us self-sufficient and allowing us to be an oil exporter, he is insufficiently pure for that little girl:

During an interview with the Washington Post on Monday, Far-left activist Greta Thunberg slammed Democrat President Joe Biden, saying it's "strange that people think of Joe Biden as a leader" on climate issues. Thunberg, who is known for making alarmist claims about climate change, made the comments when she was asked if she was "inspired by any of the world leaders." "If you call him a leader  I mean, it's strange that people think of Joe Biden as a leader for the climate when you see what his administration is doing," Thunberg responded. "The U.S. is actually expanding fossil fuel infrastructure," she said. "Why is the U.S. doing that? It should not fall on us activists and teenagers who just want to go to school to raise this awareness and to inform people that we are actually facing an emergency."

You can read more of Thunberg's hectoring, ill informed blah, blah, blah at Sara Carter's site. I find listening to Thunberg as pleasant and interesting as watching the bossy, disrespectful, prepubescent brats who populate Nickelodeon and Disney TV. While I hope I am always respectful to young people (as they say in Montessori, "grace and courtesy"), I'm old enough to recognize how little they know, just as I knew so little when I was their age.



Image: Greta Thunberg. YouTube screen grab.

One of the things I do know is that the expression "and a little child shall lead them" doesn't apply to the everyday world. Instead, Isaiah was referring to a peaceable kingdom that will come with the return of the Messiah. Until then, having a little child lead anything is too often a recipe for disaster. Those familiar with history know that the most terrifying thing that could happen to any pre-modern nation was for a king to die and leave only a child as his heir. The vacuum that is a child monarch invariably led to deadly power struggles (see, e.g., the 100 Years' War between England and France).

Perhaps the most tragic example of children taking on adult responsibilities was the ill-fated children's crusade in 1212. The story handed down spoke of a child preacher in Germany or France who claimed he'd received a visit from Christ ordering him to travel to the Holy Land and convert the Muslim infidels to Christianity. Eventually, upwards of 30,000 children from Germany and France followed him to the Holy Land to make good on this vision. Instead, the children either were sold into slavery in Muslim lands or died in shipwrecks.

The actual story is a little less dramatic, with two boy preachers, one in Germany and one in France, inspiring people of all ages, including children, to embark on a crusade. In both cases, the enterprises quickly fell apart, with people abandoning the crusade, becoming slaves, dying, etc. Whether in fiction or fact, a little child did not lead them anywhere at all.

Ultimately, that Greta says what she says is the kind of emotionalism that's to be expected from an emotionally fragile girl whose head is stuffed with apocalyptic visions. The disgrace is the fact that the world's leftist adults give her any credence. While it's nice to see her start to savage the very people who support her demands, the core issue is that no one should be supporting her ill informed, emotionally based demands.

The fact is that this little girl, who's now become part of the ruling elite, will be unaffected by the world that adults are allowing her to create. She will always have food, light, heat in the winter, and cool air in the summer. However, the children following in her wake, and those adults who do not benefit from elite status, will soon discover that the world Greta Thunberg has made for them is a world of hunger, darkness, disease, and death from extreme cold or excessive heat.

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File this under "Ignorance isn't really bliss." It is nothing more than the result of a lack of knowledge.

Predictably, the radical progressives in Congress are strenuously kvetching about the failure of their latest ultra-ridiculous attempt to raid the U.S. Treasury, known as Build Back Better or BBB. They are blaming the structure of the Senate, having two members from every state regardless of population. Obviously, to them, at least, the fault is with the Constitution and not their stupid proposal.

I am expecting increasing calls for making the Senate more democratic, like the House of Representatives. But there just so happens to be this pesky scrap of parchment called the U.S. Constitution. If you put on your green eye shade and scroll down to Article V, you'll find that the means for amending the Constitution are plainly specified. But there's a catch. The final clause in this single paragraph is a real humdinger: "... and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate" (emphasis added).

Why is this? The answer is found in the name of the United States. Our country is not a single political entity; it is, rather, a federation of sovereign states. The Senate embodies the essence of this sovereignty, where all member states have an equal voice. The 17th Amendment kind of, sort of tampered with this a little bit by having the senators chosen by general election rather than by the legislatures of the several states, as had been the case for the previous 126 years. There's a move afoot to go back to the old way. It is conceivable, at least, that should the legislatures regain their control over the Senate, then the D.C. swamp would have less influence on the body. Instead, the various swamps of Sacramento, Albany, Jefferson City, etc. would have more influence.

Another vestige of this state sovereignty contained in the Constitution is in the choosing of the president, should the Electoral College be deadlocked, as happened in the election of 1876. The decision goes to the proportionately democratic House of Representatives  but the specific delegation from each state has only one vote.

Other critics of the caterwauling progs have emphasized the pre-existing majority rule for votes within the Senate, and that calling such a practice "undemocratic" is foolish. But simple extrapolation reveals that the two votes per state, regardless of population, is the real target of the effort.

It is comforting to know that the Senate represents the states and not the people, and that cannot be changed by the usual amendment process. The radical progs are in the process of revealing that they are ignorant of not just history, economics, and arithmetic  but also what the United States really is.

It is profoundly unfortunate that such ignorance is commonplace among the seats of power. Should they push this issue of Senate representation far enough, a learning event will occur, and we'll at last be vaccinated from this nonsense.

Image: Third Way Think Tank via Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

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I really must stop asking how bad liberals' hypocrisy can get. They seem to be taking it as a challenge. However, I hope they're getting near the bottom of the barrel with their outrage over Jared Schmeck, a dad from Oregon who called President Biden on Christmas Eve. Biden was taking calls while watching NORAD track Santa's progress across the world. Jared ended his family's call by saying, "Let's go, Brandon."

To be clear, I do not think this was an appropriate remark on Jared's part. We all know what "Let's go, Brandon" stands for, and one simply does not say that to the president of the United States when he is hosting a family-friendly event. I have always been a firm believer that even if you don't respect the man in the White House, you should respect the office.

Having said that, I have also always been a firm believer in the concept of fair play. I hate double standards with a passion. It was perfectly fine for Madonna to say she wanted to blow up the White House after Donald Trump was elected. Kathy Griffin held up a model of President Trump's decapitated bloody head. Juli Briskman flipped off President Trump's motorcade and subsequently won a seat on a county board of supervisors in Virginia. There were also the infamous pink hats; an attack on a seven-year-old wearing a MAGA hat; and Trump-supporters Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders driven out of restaurants. None of these incidents of violence and hatred caused liberals to turn a hair.



Image by Andrea Widburg.

Jared Schmeck has them clutching their pearls. He's being dragged on the internet and subjected to death threats. The Atlantic senior editor Ron Brownstein warns that Jared's comment is tantamount to insurrection, and, a day later, MSNBC's Nicole Wallace made that same assertion.

Their use of the word "insurrection" is ominous in itself. I hardly think it's a coincidence that liberals view wholesale riots on behalf of Black Lives Matter as peaceful protests, while conservative protests like the one on January 6, 2021 are labeled insurrections.

Totalitarians can't maintain power without one set of standards for themselves and a second set of standards for those whom they consider a threat to their power, including criminalizing behavior by their opponents that is perfectly acceptable when used by their supporters. While I don't agree with Jared's vulgar comment, I do think the reaction to the comment is instructive, in the manner of a badly-needed wakeup call to those who still don't realize just how intolerant liberal leftists have become to anyone voicing a thought they don't agree with.

Pandra Selivanov is the author of The Pardon, a story of forgiveness based on the thief on the cross in the Bible.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Xi Jinping has been doing a great deal of saber-rattling of late, threatening both Australia and Taiwan. China has also been building islands in the South China Sea, flying hypersonic weapons, stealing and illegally buying vast amounts of military technology, and overtly working to make its military more manly, even as the U.S. military deals with maternity flight suits and the needs of the so-called transgender troops. Nevertheless, when all is said and done, a military is only as good as the people doing the fighting, and there are indications that China has a problem in this area.

The Epoch Times recently published an article entitled "Corruption Wears Down Chinese Military's Combat Effectiveness," a problem that marches hand in hand with a lack of battle experience:

Corruption is a widespread phenomenon in China's military where officers, including generals, have relied not on their duration of service or military prowess to rise in the ranks but rather bribery and connections. Experts commented that a lack of competent leaders now threaten to be severely detrimental to China's warfighting capabilities.

Another problem for the Chinese military is that, as in England of old, members of the upper classes don't earn their commissions; they buy them:

"A commander from a military district bribed Xu Caihou [then vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC)] 20 million yuan ($3.14 million) for a senior position. Xu then promoted this one, rather than another commander who just bribed him 10 million yuan ($1.57 million)," Major General Yang Chunchang said [in 2015]. In the Chinese military, there's only one general who has real combat experience. Li Zuocheng, 68, served in the Vietnam War in 1979 as the director of a company consisting of about 100 soldiers. Li is the chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the CMC.

Thus, for all the snazzy uniforms and drills we see when the Chinese military puts on a parade in Beijing, it's possible that the people in charge are just big, rich boys playing with toy soldiers.



Image: China's 2019 anniversary parade. YouTube screen grab.

Xi has apparently been trying to clean up the military, according to the article, for he's fired several high-level officers over the past few years. The same article details myriad instances over the past four years of efforts to purge the military of corrupt officers. That may be impossible, though:

"The Chinese military has become a puddle of mud, without combat effectiveness," Luo Yu, son of former revolutionary Chinese Gen. Lou Ruiqing, told The Epoch Times on Nov. 14, 2017. "No Chinese official or officer isn't involved in bribery, it's a systematic problem. "There's no way to stop the corruption in the Chinese military."

The Epoch Times, which is openly hostile to the Chinese communist regime, is not the only one reporting on this corruption. As far back as 2012, Foreign Policy wrote, "The institution is riddled with corruption and professional decay, compromised by ties of patronage, and asphyxiated by the ever-greater effort required to impose political control." With Xi having consolidated even more power since then, that asphyxiation must have increased.

Then, in 2018, the Rand Blog pointed out the same problem the Epoch Times article noted, which is that the Chinese military is woefully lacking in combat experience. (Hat tip: Will O'Toole.)

Today, China's military has an increasingly impressive high-tech arsenal, but its ability to use these weapons and equipment remains unclear. There are reasons to be skeptical. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) struggles under the legacy of an obsolete command system, rampant corruption, and training of debatable realism, among other issues. President Xi Jinping, the chairman of the Central Military Commission, has directed major efforts to address each of these defects and improve the military's ability to fight and win wars. Since 2016, these organizational and other reforms have gained momentum.

It's hard to believe that the chaos of 2020 and 2021 will have improved the military's corruption and inexperience.

For all that, only a fool would underestimate the risks that the Chinese military presents to Taiwan, Australia, and others in the free world. For one thing, it's probably got missile launchers arrayed on cargo ships throughout the world. For another thing, as the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir showed, if you hand enough peasants a gun, even if they're wearing cotton shoes and jackets in sub-zero temperatures, their sheer mass can wear down a better trained and better equipped military.

Nevertheless, it's as problematic to overestimate a military's strength as it is to underestimate it. While the latter can lead to disastrous military defeats, the former can lead to bad, even dangerous, political decisions taken from a sense of military inferiority.

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The Wall Street Journal recently published a brief, compelling op-ed by energy expert Robert Bryce entitled "The Electric Vehicle Push Empowers China."

In May, the International Energy Agency reported that an electric-vehicle motor requires "upwards of 1 kilogram," or more than 2 pounds, of rare-earth elements. The same report found that China controls about 85% of the global supply of those elements and that the "geographical concentration of production" of critical minerals  including rare earths, lithium, copper and cobalt  "is unlikely to change in the near term."

Mr. Bryce adds:

According to the IEA, offshore wind turbines require as much as 500 pounds of rare earths per megawatt of installed capacity, including some 400 pounds of neodymium. Those are big numbers considering that the Biden administration wants to deploy 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030. The IEA predicts that the global wind-energy industry's need for rare earths "is set to more than triple by 2040."

Huh. That's 15 million pounds of rare earth metals by 2030, just for U.S. offshore wind turbines.

In April 2021, CNBC reported on the new U.S. plan to end China's cornering of rare earth metals. Accordingly, "[t]he Biden administration and Department of Energy have targeted rare earths among domestic supply chain priorities as they outline ambitious climate and technology policy."

Only a month later, by May 2021, Biden had caved to environmentalists and abandoned domestic production of rare earth metals:

U.S. President Joe Biden will rely on ally countries to supply the bulk of the metals needed to build electric vehicles and focus on processing them domestically into battery parts, part of a strategy designed to placate environmentalists, two administration officials with direct knowledge told Reuters[.] ... The plans will be a blow to U.S. miners who had hoped Biden would rely primarily on domestically sourced metals, as his campaign had signaled last autumn, to help fulfill his ambitions for a less carbon-intensive economy.

Mining is a dirty business. Here are a few images from the Bayan Obo  the world's largest rare earth mine, located in Mongolia. These mines cause devastating damage to the environment and to the health of the people who work and live near them. China mines rare earth metals primarily in the southeastern provinces of Jiangxi and Fujian, as well as Inner Mongolia to the north and Sichuan to the west.

Rare earth minerals are hardly scarce; they are distributed throughout the planet. However, they are highly dispersed, as opposed to concentrated in exploitable ore deposits, making them difficult, expensive, and environmentally damaging to extract. In exchange for grandiose promises of infrastructure investment, China has secured mining rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo for lithium, cobalt, and coltan, and in Kenya, which has huge mineral potential. China is advancing their mining interests in several African countries, as well as in Greenland and Latin America, especially Brazil. As reported by Russell Parman, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, "[i]n 2012, an $8.4 billion rare-earth deposit was discovered in Brazil. Over the past few years, China has become Brazil's undisputed top trade partner."

Rare earth metals have indispensable and irreplaceable military and high-tech industrial applications, but they are not necessary for the production of electricity. Every wind turbine and electric vehicle our government induces into existence through subsidies and mandates further strengthens and enriches China. We can operate our vehicles with gasoline or diesel without relying on Chinese neodymium, terbium, and dysprosium. We can generate electricity by utilizing the energy density, cost-effectiveness, relative cleanliness, and made-in-the-USA qualities of natural gas and nuclear power in particular. We need not abandon our most sensible energy options in return for appeasing a boisterous crowd of self-righteous zealots.

Image via Max Pixel.

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Michigan's Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who flip-flopped into supporting vaccine mandates just a few days ago, now recognizes a severe staffing shortage for schoolteachers. Her solution? Signing into law permission for other school employees to teach in their place. John Rigolizzo reports in the Daily Wire:

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill into law that would attempt to alleviate a growing shortage of teachers in the state by allowing school staff to serve as substitutes. Michigan House Bill 4294 "will temporarily allow schools to employ an individual without certification who already works at the school to substitute teach through the end of the 20212022 school year," the governor's office said in a press release Monday announcing the signing. That includes school staff such as secretaries, office staff, teacher's aides, library aides, and even cafeteria workers and bus drivers, as long as they have a high school diploma or GED, FOX 2 Detroit reported.

Wait a minute! We are told that school bus drivers already in such short supply that in some states National Guard troops have been called up as fill-ins. If Whitmer re-purposes bus drivers as teachers, will she have to start calling out the Guard to replace them? Why not save trouble and just call out the Guard to teach?

Whitmer is also challenging the new gospel of the left: that teachers  or as they like to term them, "educators"  are the only people to qualify for designing curricula. The all-powerful (in the Democrat party) teachers' unions certainly think teachers are special breed apart, possessed of superior wisdom unfathomable to those who didn't attend a school of education.

No less an authority figure than Nikole Hannah-Jones is the latest to stress how important a B.A. degree in social studies is in figuring out what the next generation should be taught:

Nikole Hannah-Jones: Parents shouldn't be in charge of their kids' schooling: "I don't really understand this idea that parents should decide what's being taught. I'm not a professional educator. I don't have a degree in social studies." Yet she wants the 1619 Project in schools. pic.twitter.com/UAjFTCvVmg  Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) December 26, 2021

And what, pray tell, if some of those cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and office staff are parents? Former Democrat governor Terry McAuliffe joins Professor Hannah-Jones in decrying the idea that parents should have any say in what takes place in the classroom.

Will Whitmer exclude the parents among the staff from serving in the classroom?

Photo credit: Julia Pickett, CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

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Samsung is currently rolling out the Android 12 update with One UI 4 to a wide range of smartphones. The company is now sending the update to the Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy Tab S7+ across Europe.

As SamMobile notes, the Galaxy Tab S7 update brings firmware version T870BXXU2CULC. The Galaxy Tab S7+, on the other hand, will make the leap to version T976BXXU2CULC. The security update here is from December 2021, so everything is in order.

The update is currently live in Austria, the Baltic countries, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, the Nordic region, Poland, Portugal, Romania. Slovakia, Slovenia, Southeast Europe, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.

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As usual, you can pull the update manually by heading over to Settings  Software update and tapping the download button. While this rollout is seemingly limited to Europe, Samsung could start rolling out the update in other regions fairly soon.

Samsung is also rolling out the Android 12 + One UI 4 update to the Galaxy S10 series

Devices like the Galaxy Tab S7 and the Tab S7+ were always high on the list of devices getting the One UI 4 update. Samsung is scheduled to release the update for its older smartphones and tablets over the coming months.

Speaking of One UI 4, Samsung has already sent the update to a handful of devices, including 2021 flagships such as the Galaxy S21, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and the Z Flip 3. Additionally, devices like the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy S20, and Galaxy Z Fold 2 have received the coveted update this week.

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Perhaps more importantly, older devices like the Galaxy S10 are also getting the One UI 4 update as of today. The update covers the Galaxy S10+ and the Galaxy S10e as well. This update is also rolling out across Europe. Other markets should get it over the coming weeks.

News of Samsung finally getting the One UI 4 update in order is certainly good news considering the situation a few weeks ago. The Korean manufacturer had to pause the update shortly after commencing the rollout due to a slew of bugs.

Samsungs focus will now shift towards the launch of the Galaxy S21 FE in around a week. This will be followed by the trio of Galaxy S22 smartphones in February. So the company is in for a busy couple of months heading into 2022.
(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 29 - Half a tonne of illegal Chinese-made fireworks were seized in four shops run by Italians and Chinese nationals in the province of Como Wednesday as Italian police's annual pre-New Year's clampdown continued.

A powerful 'COVID Bomb' firecracker was among the haul seized ahead of New Year's Eve when Italy goes firework mad - despite a ban this year, the second year running, due to the coronavirus crisis.

Other huge bangers seized included the Cobra 7, the Rambo 1, the Uranus 2020, and other fireworks with similarly powerful names.

Every year Italian police launch campaigns aimed at easing Italy's customary New Year mayhem.

Two years ago an alert went out about the 'quota 100' high-explosive firework, named after a government pension reform.

The outrageous names of the most powerful fireworks are targeted at youthful noise-lovers.

In one recent year the biggest banger was the Kamikaze, or suicide-bomber.

The year before that, the fastest seller on the backstreet firework market was the Bin Laden Bomb.

This year, police have again confiscated stockrooms of potentially deadly devices, especially in and around Naples, the city that each year has the grimmest toll of injuries and sometimes deaths.

Last New Year's Day hundreds of Italians were nursing burns and injuries and some lost fingers as a result of New Year celebrations with fireworks that went wrong.

One person was killed and 79 reported serious injuries, 23 of which required hospital treatment. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 29 - Italy has been "overwhelmed" by extreme weather events in recent years, environmental group Legambiente said in a report looking back as far as 2010 on Wednesday.

Since that year, it said, Italy has registered 1,181 extreme weather phenomena with 264 deaths and significant damage in 647 towns and cities, 8% of the total comuni in Italy.

Over 27,000 people were evacuated due to flooding and landslides between 2016 and 2020.

In 2021 alone there have been 187 extreme weather events with huge damage and nine victims.

Sicily, Lombardy, Lazio, Campania, Veneto and Sardinia were the worst affected regions, while the most badly hit cities were Roma, Naples, Catania, Palermo and Milan. (ANSA).


Covid: infections explode in Malta, hospitalizations drop Alarm launched by entrepreneurs, nearly 30,000 quarantined

(ANSAmed) - VALLETTA, DECEMBER 29 - The explosion of new Covid infections in Malta is continuing. Over the past week, unprecedented numbers have been registered since the start of the pandemic. The new record, with 1,298 cases in 24 hours established yesterday was surpassed today by 1,337 new cases.



The maximum of cases recorded daily had been 510 on March 10.



The number of active cases has doubled in five days - from 4,469 on December 24 to nearly 9,000 today (8,956). In a country second only to Portugal in Europe for the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated, the rate of hospitalizations compared to the number of cases has dropped.



Currently, there are 82 (0.91%) patients in Covid wards in the archipelago. There were 70 (1.57%) on Christmas Eve. Some 99% of new cases in Malta report few symptoms, mostly similar to a common cold or light flu. And the rise in cases in Malta is now worrying entrepreneurs more than doctors. At risk could be essential services. For five days over the past week a record rise in cases was registered over the last 24 hours - with 1,337 cases today (the equivalent of over 160,000 cases in Italy, compared to the residing population). However, while the percentage of people who need hospitalization remains under 1%, nearly 30,000 of people are estimated to be stranded at home for the mandatory quarantine for those who test positive. In a country of over half a million residents, the burden of workers who are forced at home risks to become an "unsustainable" burden for the country's economy.



The alarm was launched by the most important entrepreneurial association of the country, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, with a statement asking the government to reduce the number of days required for mandatory quarantine for those who are fully vaccinated and test positive or those who have been in contact with a positive case. Currently, 14 days are mandatory and entrepreneurs are asking that they are reduced to 10 for asymptomatic cases and seven for those who just had a contact.



"There is a concrete risk that companies providing essential services will be unable to work without interruptions", wrote the association. "Companies that can't work remotely, as for example in the manufacturing sector, will deal with serious problems that would further compromise the provision chain.



Supermarkets, stores and the tourism sector will be affected".



(ANSAmed)
(ANSAmed) - ZAGREB, DECEMBER 29 - Croatia on Wednesday commemorated the first anniversary since the devastating 6.2-magnitude earthquake that at 12:35 local time on December 29 last year struck the region of Banija, in particular the town of Petrinja, 60 km south of Zagreb, killing seven, wounding 2 0 and causing extensive damage.



The region, among the poorest in the country, which was at the center of inter-ethnic clashes during the Serbian-Croatian war in the 1990s, recorded damages to 40,000 buildings, mostly homes, with 3,200 declared inaccessible. All restrictions against the coronavirus pandemic were suspended immediately to allow the arrival of aid and the evacuation of the population.



Over the next few weeks, the region was hit by some 30 light and medium-level tremors and a stronger one, of a 5.0 magnitude.



In February alone, three earthquakes of a magnitude of over 4 were registered. Some 1,300 containers with electricity were set up by the government in the affected areas. The displaced are still over 4,000. Reconstruction has just started and some 3,000 people are still living in containers, which is why during a visit to Petrinja the Croatian prime minister met with a group of about 100 demonstrators who asked the cabinet for more significant help.



Damages have been estimated at 5.5 billion euros, some 10% of the country's GDP. Only material damages to buildings have been included in the estimate, without costs of aid to the population. (ANSAmed)
Hamas says meeting Gantz-Mahmoud Abbas 'stab in the back' Minister a-Sheikh, 'political horizon' for talks discussed

(ANSAmed) - GAZA, DECEMBER 29 - The meeting last night between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz is a "crime" and represents "a stab in the back of Palestinian intifada", Hazem Kassem, a spokesman of Hamas, has said on Twitter. Abbas's dialogue with Israel "is especially reprehensible - the spokesperson said - while in the West Bank attacks by Jewish settlers multiply".



Websites close to Hamas have meanwhile published a cartoon depicting Abbas on his knees as he cleans Gantz's military boots.



The Islamic Jihad also criticized the meeting while Gaza's armed factions were summoned today "to elaborate a unitary response".



Meanwhile the Palestinian minister for civil issues, Hussein a-Sheikh, who attended the meeting, said its importance consisted in dealing with the issue of a "political horizon" ahead of a negotiated solution based on international legitimacy.



Among the issues discussed, he added, were security, economic and humanitarian themes. (ANSAmed)
A new record has been set for the daily number of coronavirus cases, as all four UK nations reported their figures for the first time since Christmas Eve.

The UK Government said that a further 183,037 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases had been recorded in the UK as of 9am on Wednesday.

The total includes reported figures for Northern Ireland covering a five-day period.

But the 138,287 figure for England was also the highest recorded.

(PA Graphics)

It comes as Boris Johnsons Government is scrambling to secure supplies of Covid-19 tests.

The Prime Minister earlier urged people to get swabbed before enjoying New Year celebrations.

Ministers acknowledged a worldwide supply issue is hitting the UK, as people again struggled to get tests through pharmacies or delivered to their home.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid set out the issues in a call with a Tory MP, acknowledging there is not a quick fix to a problem caused by global demand.

Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, has said people are often unable to find Covid-19 tests in chemists because of patchy and inconsistent supplies.

The Government website showed no PCR tests were available for home delivery, even for essential workers, in England or Northern Ireland, with very few in Scotland, while Wales had availability only in some regions.

Home delivery slots for lateral flow tests were also unavailable on Wednesday.

Officials acknowledged that during periods of exceptional demand there could be temporary pauses in ordering or receiving tests, in an attempt to manage distribution across the system.

The reduced postal system over Christmas has also added to the issues.

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said testing will be prioritised for essential workers as sampling processing capacity is under pressure.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to a Covid vaccination centre in Milton Keynes (Geoff Pugh/Daily Telegraph/PA)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is understood to temporarily pause the booking portal to limit the flow of tests into laboratories when there is exceptionally high demand.

Tory MP Sir Roger Gale told the PA news agency that Mr Javid had admitted there is a problem with supplies  previously ministers and officials had insisted they had sufficient stocks but the problems were in delivering them to peoples homes or pharmacies.

The North Thanet MP said: Saj was very honest with me, he said, look, there isnt a quick fix.

Sir Roger said we have created the demand in England which we now cant satisfy as a result.

He added: The Prime Minister has now found himself caught between the Covid Recovery Group and supporters and the scientists.

(PA Graphics)

We are now facing the situation where No 10 is saying go and get tested and the Department of Health is saying we havent got the tests, we cant do it.

He said Mr Javid is busting a gut to get supplies but were competing with a global market.

During a visit to a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes on Wednesday, Mr Johnson urged people to get tested before New Years Eve festivities.

He told reporters: Everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way  take a test, ventilation, think about others but, above all, get a booster.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: People are trying to do the right thing, follow the Governments own advice, and test themselves regularly, but are prevented by the Conservative Governments incompetence.

(PA Graphics)

The Government said a further 57 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19.

Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have been 173,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

A total of 10,462 people were in hospital in England with Covid-19 as of 8am on December 29, according to figures from NHS England.

This is up 48% from a week earlier and is the highest number since March 1.

During the second wave of coronavirus, the number peaked at 34,336 on January 18.

NHS colleagues and volunteers will be delivering life-saving booster jabs before the New Year. There are more than one million appointments available between now and 1 January. Two doses does not give the protection we need from Omicron, #GetBoostedNow. https://t.co/ocH1SqGFXG pic.twitter.com/IfGHiebyba  NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) December 29, 2021

A UKHSA spokesman said: We are delivering record numbers of lateral flow tests to pharmacies across the country, with almost eight million test kits being made available to pharmacies between today and New Years Eve.

We have made 100,000 more PCR booking slots available per day since mid-December and we are continuing to rapidly expand capacity, with over half a million tests carried out on 23 December alone and delivery capacity doubled to 900,000 PCR and LFD test kits a day.

If you have not been able to get the test you need from gov.uk, please keep checking every few hours as more PCR and LFD tests become available every day.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson continued to drive forward the Covid-19 vaccination programme, saying he cannot stress too much how important a booster shot is.

Congratulations to Boris Johnson who has managed to appear on television today urging people to get tested when people are struggling to access them. Boosting demand without supply. Spectacular incompetence.  Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) December 29, 2021

Mr Johnson said 2.4 million eligible double-jabbed people are yet to take up the offer of a booster.

He added: Im sorry to say this but the overwhelming majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our hospitals are people who are not boosted.

Ive talked to doctors who say the numbers are running up to 90% of people in intensive care who are not boosted.

There are no official NHS figures on the vaccination status of people in intensive care but medics have said the vast majority are either unvaccinated or have not had all their doses.
Chrissy Teigen has wished talented human being and kind hearted husband John Legend a happy birthday.

Singer, songwriter, producer and The Voice judge Legend turned 43 on Tuesday and his wife  model and TV personality Teigen, 36  celebrated the occasion by showcasing her love for him in an Instagram post.

The post featured a series of animated images of the couple joking around with each other, with Teigen wearing an embellished pink dress and Legend in a suit.

The post read: Happy birthday to my forever. I am lucky to have known you 16(!!) of your 43 years and I still wish it were more.

I picked the most kind hearted man, the best father, and most talented human being around, which is truly a testament to me!

Anyhoo I love you more than a caption could capture. More than a boomerang could wrangle. I love you I love you.

Chrissy Teigen, left, and John Legend (Ian West/PA)

The couple met on the set of Legends Stereo music video in 2007, in which Teigen played his love interest.

They began dating in 2011 and in December of that year, Legend proposed during a trip to the Maldives and they got married in 2013 in Lake Como, Italy.

The couple have two children  Luna Simone Stephens, five, and Miles Theodore Stephens, three.

In 2020, the couple experienced the greatest pain when Teigen miscarried son Jack.

In an Instagram post, she wrote: And to the son we almost had. A year ago you gave me the greatest pain I could ever imagine to show me I could survive anything, even if I didnt want to.

I didnt get to take care of you but you came and went to get me to love myself and take care of myself because our bodies are precious and life is a miracle.

They told me it would get easier but yeah, that hasnt started yet. Mom and dad love you forever.

Legend replied to his wifes birthday post with: I love you angel!

Some famous faces who also wished Legend well on his birthday included actress Octavia Spencer and vegan chef Priyanka Naik.
Emma Watson has admitted she felt quite overwhelmed ahead of reuniting with members of the original cast of Harry Potter.

But the actress, who plays bookworm Hermione Granger, said she had been pleasantly surprised while reliving moments from her years spent filming.

In a clip released by HBO Max, who produced the special, she said:  Some of us havent seen each other for years.

The HBO special Return to Hogwarts sees Watson reunited reunited with members of the original cast 20 years on from the release of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (PA)

Its just been a joy, an unexpected joy. I really didnt know how it would feel.

She continues: I felt quite overwhelmed this morning and Ive just been quite pleasantly surprised by just getting to relive it all.

In an earlier clip she said: It feels like no time has passed and loads of time has passed.

The special, Return to Hogwarts sees her reunited with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and a host of other famous faces on the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.

Members of the cast join American filmmaker Chris Columbus to discuss the beloved movies and explore their creation.

Old memories shared. New memories made. Come celebrate the magic when Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: #ReturnToHogwarts arrives on New Years Day, on NOW. pic.twitter.com/vqjeDb37R7  NOW (@NOW) December 20, 2021

Since the films were released, the author of the books they are based on, JK Rowling, has become a controversial figure over her comments on gender identity.

She has attracted criticism for her views on transgender rights, including from stars Watson, Radcliffe and Grint.

Rowling, 56, has said she was partly motivated to speak out about transgender issues because of her experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Actor Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley in the series, is the latest actor to address her comments, telling the Eastern Daily Press: I do a lot of work with charities that are LGBTQ+-focused and I raise money for the Albert Kennedy Trust on a regular basis.

A lot of my family are members of the community. It is a huge part of my life and I think, by saying that, you can probably guess where my allegiances lie in that respect.

What is important to highlight is that, when a trans person says they are male or female, that is what they are and that is how we should treat them.

It is damaging to them to say otherwise.

The highly anticipated retrospective special will be released on Sky and streaming service Now on January 1, 2022.
Predator Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted of luring young girls to massage rooms for disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein to molest.

The 60-year-old British socialite, who was labelled dangerous by the prosecution during her three-week trial, helped entice vulnerable teenagers to Epsteins various properties for him to sexually abuse between 1994 and 2004.

Maxwells New York trial heard how she summoned a 14-year-old girl to an orgy, groped another victim and laid a schoolgirl outfit out for a third accuser before a sexualised massage with Epstein because she thought it would be fun.

The defendant also asked one of her accusers to undress for a massage and left her frozen after rubbing her breasts.

The court in the Southern District of New York heard Maxwell imposed a culture of silence by design at Epsteins properties, where staff were told to see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing.

While the horrific abuse was going on, the jury was told how the defendant lived a life of luxury  with the prosecution describing the trafficking as a means to support her lifestyle.

Maxwell lived a life of luxury with Epstein while the abuse was taking place (US Department of Justice)

The jury accepted the prosecutions case that Maxwell and Epsteins youngest victim, who was 14 when she was recruited, did not know that this man and woman were predators.

The full indictment against Maxwell listed six charges, including conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts and conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Maxwell was also accused of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, sex trafficking conspiracy, sex trafficking of a minor and lying under oath by hiding her participation in Epsteins offences during a separate civil case.

On Wednesday, she was convicted on five of the six counts.

Maxwell was found not guilty of enticing a minor to engage in illegal sex acts  which alleged the defendant coerced one of the accusers, who testified under the pseudonym Jane, to travel from Florida to Manhattan so that Epstein could have sex with her.

Maxwell was convicted of five of six charges (US Department of Justice)

During her trial, the court heard how Maxwell flew on Epsteins private planes to his properties where the abuse would happen  including a ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, his house in Palm Beach, Florida, his townhouse in New York and his private island called Little Saint James.

One of Maxwells accusers, who testified under the pseudonym Jane, told jurors that as well as luring her to an orgy at the age of 14, the defendant and Epstein would fondle each other and giggle in front of her.

She also said Epstein would use sex toys on her even though it hurt and did not tell anyone about the abuse because she was terrified and felt gross and ashamed.

Maxwells trial also heard how she told another accuser, who testified under the pseudonym Carolyn, that she had a great body for Epstein and his friends.

Maxwell flew with Epstein on his private planes to his various properties where girls would be abused (US Department of Justice)

Carolyn said the defendant had touched her breasts in Epsteins massage room before telling her she had a great body type.

Jurors also heard how Carolyn had been introduced to Epstein and Maxwell through Duke of York accuser Virginia Roberts, and that she had been in the same room while Epstein and Ms Roberts had sex.

The third accuser, who testified under the pseudonym Kate, said she had a schoolgirl outfit laid out for her by Maxwell before a sexualised massage with Epstein.

Kate said the defendant then told her to take Epstein his tea in the outfit, and when asked by the accuser why the outfit was on her bed, Maxwell said she thought it would be fun.

The jury was told Maxwell asked Kate if she knew of anyone who could come to her house and give Epstein oral sex because it was a lot for her to do.

The only accuser to testify under her full name, Annie Farmer, told jurors she was left frozen when the socialite asked her to undress for a massage and rubbed her breasts.

Annie Farmer said Maxwell told her to undress for a massage before she rubbed her breasts (US Department of Justice)

Ms Farmer said the defendant encouraged her to have a massage after teaching her how to rub Epsteins feet at the age of 16.

Maxwells defence counsel had attempted to distance her from Epstein, but a series of photographs showed the close relationship the pair had.

Described as the lady of the house by Juan Patricio Alessi, the housekeeper at Epsteins Palm Beach home, Maxwell received more than 30 million dollars (22.6 million) from Epstein in the space of eight years.

She was also shown to have helped construct a household manual for Epsteins staff in which they were told to see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing.

The 58-page document also ordered staff to tell guests they enjoy doing their job and never disclose Maxwell and Epsteins activities or whereabouts to anyone.

Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

The death was ruled a suicide.

A statement from the US attorneys office released following the verdict said: A unanimous jury has found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of one of the worst crimes imaginable  facilitating and participating in the sexual abuse of children. Crimes that she committed with her long-time partner and co-conspirator, Jeffrey Epstein.

The road to justice has been far too long. But, today, justice has been done. I want to commend the bravery of the girls  now grown women  who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom.

Their courage and willingness to face their abuser made this case, and todays result, possible.

I also want to thank the career prosecutors of the Southern District of New York, who embraced the victims quest for justice and have worked tirelessly, day in and day out, to ensure that Maxwell was held accountable for her crimes.

This office will always stand with victims, will always follow the facts wherever they lead, and will always fight to ensure that no-one, no matter how powerful and well connected, is above the law.

Maxwell, who has been held in a US jail since her arrest in July last year, will be sentenced on a date yet to be confirmed.
Animals at Zoo Tiergarten in Berlin enjoyed a belated Christmas dinner on Wednesday, when they were treated to unsold Christmas trees.

Fir trees were on the menu for the attractions reindeer and other animals, such as elephants and bison.

Donations of unused or unsold Christmas trees from the people of Berlin are welcomed every year.

The tradition is seen as a method of minimising waste while also helping zoos that have suffered financially during the pandemic.

Philine Hachmeister, spokeswoman at Zoo Tiergarten, said: Many animals are fascinated and excited by the smell (of the Christmas trees).

They have an unusual shape, (they are) prickly  which is usually not on the daily food menu.

While the bison and elephants snack, the reindeer can be seen using their antlers to move the fir trees around.

The elephants were seen swinging the tree branches with their trunks (AP)

Ms Hachmeister said the tradition provides the animals with both a toy and a seasonal bite.

The reindeer, they push their antlers against the trees, push them up and throw them around in the air.

One could say a type of toy and holiday snack in one.
Pub landlords in Scotland and Wales look set to have their New Years Eve profits killed as punters plan to pour into England for celebrations free of restrictions.

Thousands of people are expected to escape to England on Friday night to avoid coronavirus restrictions imposed by First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

Chelly Jones, who runs the Stanton House Inn in Chirk, Wrexham, with her husband, said she has cancelled the live entertainment they had planned for New Years Eve because of the new rules.

Mrs Jones, whose pub is less than half a mile from the Wales/England border, told the PA news agency: Christmas has been a disaster, weve never had a year like it.

The week before Christmas, the new restrictions in Wales killed our profits. They kept us open, but shut us really. Were a family-run pub so its very difficult at the moment.

Its most definitely because of the different restrictions in England than in Wales, she added.

Theres a pub just across from us who are able to do whatever they want on New Years Eve. If people want to go party they only have to walk a mile up the road.

Mrs Jones said people in Wales feel they are fighting a losing battle because punters crossing the border for celebrations could return with coronavirus, negating the efforts of people following restrictions.

Thousands of people are expected to travel to England from Scotland and Wales on New Years Eve for celebrations free of restrictions (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Meanwhile, pubs in England are preparing for a potential flood of customers.

Justin Realff, landlord of the Grosvenor Arms in Aldford, near Chester, which is half a mile away from the Welsh border, said numbers may have to be restricted on New Years Eve if too many people turn up.

He told PA: We will have to be careful because we dont want to get too packed, well make sure weve got lots of air going through, but it will be good for business.

Were making sure theres enough space and making sure people come through one entrance and we might have to restrict numbers at some point.

Asked whether he expects people will queue outside, he said possibly.

Scotlands Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, has urged people not to cross the border to take advantage of looser Covid-19 restrictions in England.

Mr Swinney accepted that, while it is legally permitted for people to travel to England to take part in celebrations there, this would not be in the spirit of the rules we are putting forward.

Nightclubs in Scotland and Wales are currently not allowed to open, and the rule of six is in place for pubs and restaurants in Wales.

In Scottish pubs, a one-metre distance must be maintained between tables, groups of people meeting will be limited to three households, and alcohol must be served at the table.
President Joe Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday -- their second conversation this month amid heightened fears of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The call, which the Biden administration said comes at Putin's request, was the latest effort to defuse those tensions diplomatically.

But tens of thousands of Russian troops remain near Ukraine's borders, and bellicose rhetoric from Russian officials and state propaganda have Western officials on edge still.

MORE: 'High risk' of armed conflict over Ukraine, Russian defense ministry warns

The U.S. and European allies have threatened unprecedented economic penalties for Moscow if it attacks Ukraine, nearly eight years after its forces seized the Crimean Peninsula and sparked a war in Ukraine's eastern provinces known as Donbas.

Sanctions and other penalties have not brought that conflict to an end, with approximately 14,000 people killed and Russian-led separatists still fighting Ukrainian forces. U.S. officials say it's unclear if Putin has decided to attack again in an all-out invasion, but Biden has already made clear U.S. forces will not come to Kyiv's aid on the battlefield.

PHOTO: Ukrainian soldier walks along a trench on the frontline with Russia-backed separatists, not far from town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Dec. 10, 2021. (Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images)

Instead, the Biden administration is hoping deterrence and diplomacy will stop Putin. A senior administration official said they "cannot speak to why the Russian side has requested the call," but added both leaders believe there is "genuine value in direct leader to leader engagement."

"I think we are at a moment of crisis and have been for some weeks now given the Russian build-up and that it will take a high level of engagement to address this and to try to find a path of de-escalation," the official told reporters Wednesday.

In addition to the leaders' call, U.S. and Russian diplomats will meet on Jan. 10, the two sides confirmed Tuesday, to discuss stated security concerns on either side.

MORE: Amid Ukraine invasion fears, Putin says West must give NATO guarantees

"Open lines of dialogue, open lines of diplomacy have the potential to be constructive as we seek to de-escalate the potential for conflict in and around Ukraine," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said of the talks.

After those meetings, NATO will hold a meeting with Russia on Jan. 12, while the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a key security forum that has deployed a war monitor in eastern Ukraine, will hold a session Jan. 13.

"The Biden administration continues to engage in extensive diplomacy with our European allies and partners, consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russia's military build-up on the border with Ukraine," Emily Horne, Biden's National Security Council spokesperson, said in a statement.

But some European allies have called for greater involvement. The European Union "must be involved in these negotiations," its top diplomat, Josep Borrell, told the German newspaper Die Welt.

PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin and President Joe Biden shake hands as they meet for a Russia-United States summit in Geneva, June 16, 2021. (Sergei Bobylev/TASS via Getty Images)

"It's about us. This is not simply the case for two states, i.e. America and Russia, or NATO and Russia -- even if Moscow imagines it," he added in the interview, published Wednesday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said repeatedly the U.S. will not negotiate any arrangement about European security without first consulting European allies -- speaking again to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Wednesday, just as the two spoke before Biden and Putin's first call this month.

He reiterated "unwavering" U.S. support for Ukraine, per Price, and "discussed efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine and upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia" -- a nod to both Thursday's call and the Jan. 10 meetings.

MORE: On the front line of eastern Ukraine, as Biden and Putin talk

Zelenskiy tweeted that he was assured of "full" U.S. support "in countering Russian aggression." U.S. officials have already publicly rebuked Russia's demand heading into talks -- that Ukraine be barred from NATO membership, saying the Western alliance's military activity in former Soviet states threatens Russia.

But other items on Russia's public demands are not "unacceptable" and could be addressed through diplomacy, Blinken, Price and others have said -- provided that Russia de-escalate as well by pulling back its forces from Ukraine's borders.

Instead, while Russian state media reported Monday that more than 10,000 were withdrawn, the senior administration official said there's still a "significant Russian troop presence in and around the border."

PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office, Sept. 1, 2021. (Pool/Getty Images)

The ominous language from Russian officials has also continued. Putin himself said Sunday that he is weighing "diverse" military and technical options if Russia's demands aren't addressed.

Amid that heightened threat, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is making "emergency preparations" in case it evacuates non-emergency personnel or diplomats' families, according to internal emails obtained by ABC News.

The embassy is seeking additional security staff to temporarily fill in next month, as the "permanent staff continue Emergency Preparations in case of Authorized or Ordered Departure" -- when an embassy allows diplomats' families and non-emergency personnel to relocate because of a threat.

A State Department spokesperson confirmed Wednesday they are "conducting normal contingency planning, as we always do, in the event the security situation severely deteriorates." But they told ABC News they are not "currently considering evacuations of U.S. government personnel or American citizens from Ukraine."

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that during Biden's call with Putin, Biden assured that the U.S. is not going to deploy offensive strike weapons in Ukraine.

"President Biden has clearly stated that the United States does not intend to deploy offensive strike weapons in Ukraine. Our president noted that this is one of the key points that are just included in our documents that we have handed over to the Americans and on which we want to continue substantive negotiations," Ushakov told reporters after a telephone conversation between the presidents.

According to Ushakov, Putin said Russia will seek guarantees of its security.

"Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin outlined in detail the basic principles that were laid down in the documents we submitted, and stressed that negotiations on these three tracks are important for us, of course, but the main thing is that we need a result, and we will achieve a result in the form of ensuring guaranteed security of Russia," Ushakov told reporters. "The US President, in principle, agreed with this point of view and reacted quite logically and quite seriously."

Earlier this month, the State Department updated its travel advisory for Ukraine to include a warning about "increased threats from Russia." The advisory had been at the agency's highest level, "Level 4: Do Not Travel," for months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it now warns, "U.S. citizens should be aware of reports that Russia is planning for significant military action against Ukraine."

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki issued a short statement Thursday following Biden's call with Putin, saying Biden "urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine," and "made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine."

"President Biden also expressed support for diplomacy, starting early next year with the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue, at NATO through the NATO-Russia Council, and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. President Biden reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation," Psaki said.

Also on Thursday, a senior White House official gave a readout of the call between Biden and Putin, saying the tone was "serious and substantive."

According to the official, Biden outlined two paths forward -- all depending on how Russia chooses to proceed.

"President Biden laid out two paths. Two aspects of the US approach that will really depend on Russia's actions in the period ahead. One is a path of diplomacy, leading toward a de-escalation of the situation, and the other is a path that's more focused on deterrence, including serious costs and consequences should Russia choose to proceed with a further invasion of Ukraine," the official said.

"Those costs include economic costs include adjustments and augmentations of NATO force posture in allied countries and include additional assistance to Ukraine to enable it to further defend itself in its territory. as we've laid out previously," the official added.

When asked if Putin had offered any further clarity on if he had made a decision on whether or not to further invade Ukraine, the official said there were "certainly no declarations to intention" in the conversation, but the U.S. will continue to monitor the situation to be ready for whatever Putin decides.

ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.

Biden, Putin hold call amid heightened tensions over Ukraine originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader and Nevadas longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82.

Reid died Tuesday, peacefully and surrounded by friends following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer, Landra Reid said of her husband in a statement.

Harry was a devout family man and deeply loyal friend, she said. "We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from so many over these past few years. We are especially grateful for the doctors and nurses that cared for him. Please know that meant the world to him.

Funeral arrangements would be announced in coming days, she said.

The combative former boxer-turned-lawyer was widely-acknowledged as one of toughest dealmakers in Congress, a conservative Democrat in an increasingly polarized chamber who vexed lawmakers of both parties with a brusque manner and this motto:

I would rather dance than fight, but I know how to fight.

Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

He retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye.

Reid in May 2018 revealed hed been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.

Less than two weeks ago, officials and one of his sons, Rory Reid, marked the renaming of the busy Las Vegas airport as Harry Reid International Airport. Rory Reid is a former Clark County Commission chairman and Democratic Nevada gubernatorial candidate.

Neither Harry nor Landra Reid attended the Dec. 14 ceremony held at the facility that had been known since 1948 as McCarran International Airport, after a former U.S. senator from Nevada, Pat McCarran, and today ranks as one of the 10 busiest airports in the U.S.

He was known in Washington for his abrupt style, typified by his habit of unceremoniously hanging up the phone without saying goodbye.

Even when I was president, he would hang up on me, Obama said in a 2019 tribute video to Reid.

He was frequently underestimated, most recently in the 2010 elections when he looked like the underdog to tea party favorite Sharron Angle. Ambitious Democrats, assuming his defeat, began angling for his leadership post. But Reid defeated Angle, 50 percent to 45 percent, and returned to the pinnacle of his power. For Reid, it was legacy time.

I dont have people saying hes the greatest speaker, hes handsome, hes a man about town, Reid told The New York Times in December that year. But I dont really care. I feel very comfortable with my place in history.

Born in Searchlight, Nevada, to an alcoholic father who killed himself at 58 and a mother who served as a laundress in a bordello, Reid grew up in a small cabin without indoor plumbing and swam with other children at a pool at a local brothel. He hitchhiked to Basic High School in Henderson, Nev., 40 miles from home, where he met the wife he would marry in 1959, Landra Gould. At Utah State University, the couple became members of The Church of Latter-Day Saints.

The future senator put himself through George Washington University law school by working nights as a U.S. Capitol police officer.

At age 28, Reid was elected to the Nevada Assembly and at age 30 became the youngest lieutenant governor in Nevada history as Gov. Mike OCallaghans running mate in 1970.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone else in Nevada history. He narrowly avoided defeat in a 1998 Senate race when he held off Republican John Ensign, then a House member, by 428 votes in a recount that stretched into January.

After his election as Senate majority leader in 2007, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the states caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season. That forced each national party to pour resources into a state which, while home to the countrys fastest growth over the past two decades, still only had six votes in the Electoral College. Reids extensive network of campaign workers and volunteers twice helped deliver the state for Obama.

Obama in 2016 lauded Reid for his work in the Senate, declaring, I could not have accomplished what I accomplished without him being at my side.

The most influential politician in Nevada for more than a decade, Reid steered hundreds of millions of dollars to the state and was credited with almost single-handedly blocking construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain outside Las Vegas. He often went out of his way to defend social programs that make easy political targets, calling Social Security one of the great government programs in history.

Reid championed suicide prevention, often telling the story of his father, a hard-rock miner who took his own life. He stirred controversy in 2010 when he said in a speech on the floor of the Nevada legislature it was time to end legal prostitution in the state.

Reids political moderation meant he was never politically secure in his home state, or entirely trusted in the increasingly polarized Senate. Democrats grumbled about his votes for a ban on so-called partial-birth abortion and the Iraq war resolution in 2002, something Reid later said it was his biggest regret in Congress.

He voted against most gun control bills and in 2013 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, dropped a proposed ban on assault weapons from the Democrats gun control legislation. The package, he said, would not pass with the ban attached.

Reids Senate particularly chafed members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats. When then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, muscled Obamas health care overhaul through the House in 2009, a different version passed the Senate and the reconciliation process floundered long enough for Republicans to turn it into an election-year weapon they used to demonize the California Democrat and cast the legislation as a big-government power grab. Obama signed the measure into law in March 2010. But angered by the recession and inspired by the small-government tea party, voters the next year swept Democrats from the House majority.

Reid hand-picked a Democratic candidate who won the election to replace him in 2016, former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, and built a political machine in the state that helped Democrats win a series of key elections in 2016 and 2018.

On his way out of office, he repeatedly lambasted Donald Trump, calling him at one point a sociopath and a sexual predator who lost the popular vote and fueled his campaign with bigotry and hate.

Reid, after all, had faced one of those before he ever got to Washington. Then head of the Nevada Gaming Commission investigating organized crime, Reid became the target of a car bomb in 1980. Police called it an attempted homicide. Reid blamed Jack Gordon, who went to prison for trying to bribe him in a sting operation Reid participated in over illegal efforts to bring new games to casinos in 1978.

Following Reids lengthy farewell address on the Senate floor in 2016, his Nevada colleague Republican Dean Heller declared: Its been said that its better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. And as me and my colleagues here today and those in the gallery probably agree with me, no individual in American politics embodies that sentiment today more than my colleague from Nevada, Harry Mason Reid.

___

Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Las Vegas and Reno Correspondent Scott Sonner contributed to this report.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP)  A Missouri boarding school doctor accused of several child sex crimes has been taken into custody in Arkansas.

The Kansas City Star reports that 57-year-old David Smock was captured Tuesday night in Harrison, Arkansas, not far from the Missouri border. He had been considered a fugitive for several days.

Smock has been the longtime physician for Agape Boarding School, a Christian school that remains under scrutiny after five staffers were charged in September with assaulting students.

Smock was charged Dec. 23 with second-degree statutory sodomy, third-degree child molestation of a child less than 14 years of age and enticement or attempted enticement of a child less than 15 years of age, court records show.

Five other employees of the school were charged in September with a total of 13 third-degree felony assault counts.

A phone message left Wednesday with Smock's attorney wasn't immediately returned.
LOS ANGELES, CA-DECEMBER 27, 2021: Maria Fernandez, from Arcata, California, takes in the partially obscured view of the skyline as seen from Vista Hermosa Natural Park in Los Angeles on a rainy afternoon. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)

The second of two storms forecast for this week is expected to hit Southern California on Wednesday, bringing more precipitation to close out a wet December and likely providing more snow for skiers.

By Wednesday morning, a low-pressure trough will swing through Central California, "and there will be widespread rain south of it and through all four of our counties," said the National Weather Service in Oxnard, which covers Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The system is expected to move south through Thursday morning.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Prediction Center issued a slight risk for excessive rainfall Wednesday and that night in eastern Los Angeles County.





Unlike most winter storms that tend to bring heavier rainfall to counties north of Los Angeles, this system's most significant precipitation could fall over Ventura and L.A. counties, the weather service said.

Current models suggest that most snow and rain will fall over the San Gabriel Mountains, with 2 to 5 inches expected.

Another storm system will cross SW CA tonight through Thursday, with showers lingering into Friday AM. Significant rain and mountain snow possible! #SoCal#CAwx#LAsnowpic.twitter.com/PEChVyQLgt  NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 28, 2021

"There is still much uncertainty with the timing and amounts with this system, but residents of the recently burned area in Los Angeles County should monitor the latest forecasts as ... thresholds for mud and debris flow could be met with if the right ingredients come together," the weather service said.

Forecasters expect 1 to 3 inches of rain for coastal and valley areas, with 1 to 2 inches in the mountains of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, the weather service said.

The area could also see significant snowfall at high elevations. Snow levels will rise through Wednesday morning at altitudes of 4,500 to 5,000 feet, the weather service said. A winter storm watch is in place for mountains in Santa Barbara, Ventura and L.A. counties.

"The greatest potential for heavy snowfall is for the San Gabriel Range Wednesday and Wednesday night, but there is still a possibility of 6 to 12 inches for the Santa Barbara and Ventura County mountains," forecasters said. "Local amounts up to 18 inches are possible along favored south-facing slopes of the mountains. The San Gabriel Range will be a different story. Snowfall totals above 5,000 feet could range between 12 and 36 inches with this storm. Local amounts up to 48 inches are possible."

Orange County could see up to 2 inches of rain along the coast and as much as 6 inches in the mountains below 6,000 feet, forecasters said. Hourly rainfall rates of 0.6 to 0.7 inches are possible.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Nick Saballos, 17, does classwork during lunch break at Downtown Magnets High School in Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

The moment had finally come for Kiana Portillo, a senior at Downtown Magnets High School in Los Angeles.

She had worked so hard and overcome so much to get to this point: an abrupt move from Honduras to Los Angeles as a fifth-grader, merciless teasing over her limited English and heavy Spanish accent, financial hardship and the emotional void left by an absent father.

But supported by teachers who tutored her over lunchtime and fed her intellectual hunger, Kiana had built a standout college resume: mostly A's and rigorous courses heavy in math and leadership roles, including co-founding the school's first feminist club.

Now she was about to submit her application to the University of California. But she couldn't press "submit." She froze at her laptop. Worries filled her mind.

Was she good enough?



Seniors Patricia DeLeon, 17, left, and Kiana Portillo, 17, talk with college counselor Lynda McGee at the College Center at Downtown Magnets High School in Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

The 259 seniors in Downtown Magnets' class of 2022 don't take college for granted. They are the children of low-wage cooks and waitresses, parking valets and factory workers, caretakers and security guards. Their parents are mostly immigrants who landed in Los Angeles from Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, South Korea, the Philippines, China  largely unschooled in how to navigate the U.S. college admissions process and unable to hire the pricey consultants and tutors enlisted by some well-heeled families to help their children gain an edge.

They represent the new generation of students reshaping the face of higher education in California: young people with lower family incomes, less parental education and far more racial and ethnic diversity than college applicants of the past. And Downtown Magnets, a small and highly diverse campus of 911 students just north of the Los Angeles Civic Center, is in the vanguard of the change.

Last year, 97% of the school's seniors were accepted to college, and most enrolled. Among them, 71% of those who applied to a UC campus were admitted, including 19 of the 56 applicants to UC Berkeley  a higher admission rate than at elite Los Angeles private schools such as Harvard-Westlake and Marlborough.

This month, the Downtown Magnets applicants include Nick Saballos, whose Nicaraguan father never finished high school and works for minimum wage as a parking valet but is proud of his son's passion for astrophysics.

There's Emily Cruz, who had a rough time focusing on school while being expected to help her Guatemalan immigrant mother with household duties. Emily is determined to become a lawyer or a philosopher.

Kenji Horigome takes a video call during lunch at Downtown Magnets High School. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Kenji Horigome emigrated to Los Angeles from Japan in fourth grade speaking no English, with a single mother who works as a Koreatown restaurant server. Kenji has become a top student and may join the military, in part for the financial aid the GI Bill would provide.

"The main thing my kids lack is a sense of entitlement," said Lynda McGee, the school's longtime college counselor. "That's my biggest enemy: the fact that my students are humble and think they don't deserve what they actually deserve. It's more of a mental problem than an academic one."

What the students do have is a close-knit school community, passionate educators and parents willing to take the extra step to send them to a magnet school located, for many, outside their neighborhoods.

Principal Sarah Usmani leads a staff mindful of creating a campus environment both nurturing and academically rigorous; she has scrounged for money for a psychiatric social worker to help with mental health problems, an attendance counselor to stay on top of absences, an intervention counselor to monitor whether grades drop and an additional academic counselor.

And the students have McGee, who since 2000 has helped shepherd thousands to higher education.

Aleyia Willis, 17, right, hangs out with her friend Kaila London, 17, at Downtown Magnets High School. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

On a recent morning, students lined up to see her in the campus College Center, an inviting space with comfortable sofas, a bank of computers, colorful pennants and stuffed toy mascots from dozens of colleges.

Never mind that it was Thanksgiving break. UC and Cal State application deadlines were just a week away, and McGee's students needed her.

Ms. McGee, I need a fee waiver! I'm not sure about a major. How do I figure out my weighted GPA?

"I can say no to evening, weekend and holiday work, but that means someone won't go to college," McGee said. "There are too many kids, good kids who will take themselves out of the process, and they'll go to a community college with a 3.9. I can't carry that guilt."

McGee keeps close tabs on as many students as she can, often suggesting they consider options other than "the religion of the UC," as she says many parents, particularly Asian Americans, regard the renowned public research university system.

It's all about fit, she tells them. If you like personal relationships with faculty, consider smaller private colleges. Think about leaving California to stretch yourself. She gently nudges students with low GPAs away from pinning their hopes on hypercompetitive UCLA and Berkeley and suggests well-regarded but more attainable alternatives: Cal State Dominguez Hills, Woodbury University, Mount St. Mary's College, Dixie State University.

But she also needs to make sure her top students are aiming high enough.



Seniors at Downtown Magnets High School gather inside the College Center for an information session with UC Irvine. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

The day before UC's Dec. 1 deadline, McGee called Nick into the College Center to check in. The soft-spoken senior and his family live on an annual income of $30,000; at one point, when his father lost his job and the family faced eviction, they had to turn to relatives for help. His parents instilled in him an ethic to never waste  not money, not food, not college opportunities.

At Downtown Magnets, Nick entered the International Baccalaureate program, staying in the challenging course when his friends dropped out. He tackled his weakest subject, English, by poring over Harvard professor Matthew Desmond's exploration of evictions and poverty, to master academic language, text analysis and oral expository skills.

But physics is where Nick soars. His face lights up as he describes his hunger to unravel the mysteries of the universe: why it expands and whether it will stop; how stars become black holes.

Nick has earned a 4.47 GPA, making him the school's fifth-ranked senior. He didn't realize that until McGee called him in to tell him.

"You are in the top five, and this is a very competitive senior class," she said. "If you want to apply to the Ivy Leagues, go for it! Know your worth, and give yourself the opportunities."

Ivy League schools offer large financial aid packages that can make them cheaper than UC for low-income students, a point McGee amplifies by handing out lists of schools that meet full financial need without loans.

Nick had applied to UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine and UC San Diego, along with Stanford. But McGee's encouragement expanded his thinking beyond top California colleges to the Ivy League.

"I didn't think I could apply to the Ivy Leagues," he said. "I didn't have that much confidence. Hearing from Ms. McGee that I can, I'm going to try."



Aleyia Willis, 17, right, and Kaila London, 17, at Downtown Magnets High School. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Aleyia Willis was considering attending a community college, but McGee told her the two-year system's average completion rates are "just horrible" and encouraged her, instead, to apply to Cal State. Aleyia's 2.9 GPA more than qualifies her for the Cal State system, which requires a minimum 2.5. She said her comparatively low GPA is due in part to her decision not to take Advanced Placement courses after failing the first one she tried, AP English, during junior year of distance learning. She was so upset after years of getting mostly A's and Bs that she decided not to risk another failure.

That hasn't distracted her from her ambition to become an art teacher. Her first choice is Cal State L.A., which offers both an art major and a teaching credential program; she also has applied to Dominguez Hills, Long Beach and Fullerton.

Aleyia's parents both dropped out of high school but always pushed her to graduate. The 17-year-old, who has juggled school with as many as 20 hours a week of work at McDonald's, said her college dreams are her own.

"I want something great for myself," she said. "I don't want a regular job; I want a career."

Student Body President Emily Cruz sells "senior packages" for prom tickets and other items during the lunch hour at Downtown Magnets High School. Cruz, like many of her classmates, grew up without the privileges of generational education and wealth but is ready to realize her college dreams. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Emily Cruz first caught McGee's attention by the book she was carrying, a thick tome about Angela Davis, the passionate Black scholar and civil rights activist. That indicated a questing mind not reflected in Emily's 2.9 GPA  too low to qualify for UC, which requires a 3.0 and generally admits students with close to 4.0 or above.

Emily said she started out fine, making the honor roll as a freshman, with a 3.5 GPA. But her grades  and mental health  tanked in sophomore year as the pandemic took hold and shut down the campus in March 2020.

Focusing on schoolwork was difficult at home, she said, because her mother often wanted her to help clean, cook and babysit, questioning why she was always on her laptop. She dropped out of the International Baccalaureate program, unable to juggle the competing pressures.

But she is a school leader, serving as class president two years in a row and appointed by administrators as one of three students on the leadership council, which weighs in on campus policies.

Emily now lives with her aunt, who she said is a fierce education advocate and gives her frequent pep talks about staying the course. She has applied to several Cal State campuses. One of her top choices, however, is Brandeis University in Massachusetts, a campus McGee recommended for its landmark transitional program of close academic support for underserved students with academic promise, leadership and resilience.

"Emily is wiser than her age, and her GPA does not reflect who she is," McGee said. "UC is just going to say no, but Brandeis will take a risk for the right student whose life got in the way."



Kevin Hernandez, left, talks to fellow senior Emily Cruz at the College Center at Downtown Magnets High School. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Kevin Hernandez also feels he came up short in his high school record but, like Emily, is undeterred from his college dreams. He recently joined more than a dozen students who came in to the College Center during Thanksgiving break to work on their UC personal statements. The all-important statements are the one part of the application where students can make their case for selection in their own voice, beyond grades, courses and extracurricular activities, UC admission directors say.

"What are the things you want a college or university to know about you that they might not otherwise already know based on what you've shared in your application?" said Gary Clark, UCLA's director of undergraduate admission. "I think students think there's this kind of gimmick or hook to essays. There really isn't. It's really just about telling your authentic story."

Kevin's story is captured in his responses to UC prompts. Writing about overcoming barriers, he described his worst school year: 10th grade, when his grades plunged from all A's as a freshman to a D in Spanish.

The low grade raised painful issues of his identity as a Latino who can't speak Spanish well and has been criticized for not embracing his culture. His mother, an Indigenous Zapotec from Mexico, did not teach him Spanish, and his Honduran father is not present in his life. His other male relatives have run into trouble, he said, leaving him without role models.

Despite that difficult year, which also included a C in AP history, Kevin rebounded in 11th grade and managed to end up with a 3.8 GPA. Yet the aspiring engineer knows that's probably not good enough to get into UCLA, UC Berkeley or Harvey Mudd College, his top choices. He has also applied to several other UC and Cal State campuses.

"If Harvey Mudd gave me a chance, I will prove to them I can do it," he said. "But what happens, happens. I've made peace with it. I had a terrible year, but I didn't give up."

In their UC statements, Kiana and Kenji both tried to flesh out their lives, but the 350-word responses could not come close to fully capturing them.

Kenji Horigome, left, a senior at Downtown Magnets High School, sits with other seniors at the College Center as they participate in an online information session. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Kenji could not describe the pain of losing his father in second grade, feeling adrift and alone, struggling with a new language and culture in Los Angeles with his mother.

But he wrote about how his father inspired him to help others, including underclassmen with homework and church members with his handyman skills. And he wants to help his mother, who makes ends meet with her low-wage restaurant job, so he worked hard to achieve a 4.2 GPA and hopes to attend a good college without burdening her with debt. He is considering joining a college ROTC program, not only for the GI Bill benefits but also to help fast-track their path to citizenship and to find the male role models he hungers for.

For Kiana, being bullied by classmates over her limited English led her to take refuge in the universal language of math and to seek out teachers at lunchtime to press for deeper learning.

She gave up time for socializing and binging on Spanish-language TV to study English and got the language down in six months. She started winning academic awards and now has a 3.9 GPA  grades that did not suffer during the pandemic because she learned meditation, she wrote in her UC statement. Her mother supported her all the way, never letting on if money was tight for a single parent who was a dentist in Honduras but is underemployed here, in a medical assistant job.

"The language barrier taught me that I have the ability to overcome any challenge," Kiana wrote. "It just requires confidence and perseverance, sparing no effort."

And yet, for all her accomplishments, there she was, frozen, when it came time to submit her UC application. Was this a reach? Could her family afford it? Would she get good news or bad when campuses send out admission decisions next spring?

"I can't do it," she told her 13-year-old sister, Kyvana, who had come to her desk for candy.

"You can do it!" Kyvana said.

The sisters sat, staring at the screen. Finally, they pressed the "submit" button  together.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Tourism authorities in Armenia say the number of inbound tourists will pass 900,000 by yearend.

816,000 tourists visited Armenia in January-November 2021.

The First Vice Chairman of the Tourism Committee Artur Khachatryan told ARMENPRESS in an interview that while they are unhappy with the figures, the year 2021 was rather active for Armenias tourism sector.

This years data isnt finalized yet, but with Novembers data weve had 816,000 inbound tourists. I think with Decembers data we will pass the 900,000 threshold. If we compare it with the figures of the difficult period of 2020, weve had 50% growth. But comparing to the data of 2019 we are still 50% behind. We have things to do to reach the threshold of 2019 and move forward, Khachatryan said.

Most tourists come from Russia, Iran, the United States, Germany, Georgia and France. Some other countries are considered as potential inbound tourism markets  the Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy. Khachatryan says a marketing campaign is underway to promote tourism to Armenia in these countries. The promotion activities will continue in 2022.

Most tourists from Russia and Iran are interested in visiting the historical-cultural sites in Armenia, as well as gastro-tourism and adventure-tourism, Khachatryan said.

Artur Khachatryan said that their committee is developing a new bill for parliaments approval aimed at regulating the tourism sector. He said they developed the bill not only as a result of studying international experience, but also given Armenias obligations assumed before the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union.

The law will enable to ensure the quality of services and will introduce a registration system of tourism entities and operations, as well as a voluntary qualification procedure for enabling a more stable and competitive arena. Supervisory mechanisms are also envisaged.

Interview by Anna Gziryan
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Russia is ready to act as a mediator for normalizing relations between Armenia and Turkey and provide support in any format, the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Rudenko said, according to RIA Novosti.

Moscow is ready to provide mediating support in any format. At the same time, we attach importance to abandoning putting forward preconditions, focusing on mutually-acceptable topics and steps which would lead to a gradual formation of an atmosphere of trust and good-neighborliness, he said.
According to information published by the FMV (Defense Materiel Administration) of Sweden on December 21, 2021, the FMV has signed a contract with the Swedish company SAAB for the purchase of RBS 56 BILL, a Swedish-made anti-tank guided missile system developed by AB Bofors for an amount of around 20 million.

Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link



Swedish soldiers using RBS 56 BILL portable anti-tank missile weapon system. (Picture source SAAB)

The purchase of the RBS 56 BILL was decided in a very short time to maintain the anti-tank capabilities of the Swedish armed forces. It was re-introduced while awaiting the acquisition of a new medium-range anti-tank missile.

The RBS 56 BILL is a man-portable anti-tank guided missile system developed in Sweden by the Bofors and now produced by SAAB. An RBS 56 launcher station consists of a tripod, a missile in its container, and a sighting unit. Both day and infrared night sights are available, with the day sight having a 1x magnification, and the night sight has a 7x magnification. The tripod weighs 11.8 kg, while the missile weighs 20 kg (10.5 kg in flight), the day sight weighs 6.0 kg, and the night sight weighs 8.5 kg.

The RBS 56 BILL missile can be used against both static and moving targets with a firing range from 150 m to 2,200 m. The missile has a double vertically striking shaped charge High-Explosive (HE) warhead.

Citing FMV information, currently, Sweden collaborates with France for the acquisition of the new MMP (Medium-Range Missile) designed and developed by the company MBDA that could be delivered in 2025.

In July 2021, France and Sweden agreed to co-develop a new anti-tank missile based on MBDAs Missile Moyenne Portee (Medium-Range Missile/MMP) missile. The French Direction generale de l'armement (DGA French Defense Procurement Agency) has signed a letter of intent with Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Forsvarets materielverk or FMV) to build these new missiles.

In November 2021, Army Recognition has reported that Sweden has conducted firing tests with the French MMP (Medium-Range Missile) designed and developed by the company MBDA.

The MMP is the latest (fifth) generation land combat missile system designed for dismounted infantry as well as for integration on combat vehicles. The weapons effectiveness has also been proven on small naval craft.

The missile is fitted with selectable warhead mode to be used as an Anti-Tank missile for optimal armor penetration or with maximum blast effect against dismount personnel. It has a minimum firing range of 150m and a maximum of 4,000m. The warhead can penetrate 1,000 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA), and 2,000mm of concrete. It can destroy targets as heavy tanks with reactive armor as well as infantry entrenched in infrastructure.
Hamas is a radical Islamist terrorist organisation, the Palestinian equivalent of the Islamic State, or ISIS

Thirty-two-year-old Soumya Santosh from Idukki district in Kerala had been working in Israel for the last seven years. On May 10, 2021, tragedy struck when a Hamas rocket hit the house she had been working in as a caregiver in the southern Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon. She was on a video call with her husband in India when the initial Hamas rocket barrage began on the city. People ran for cover to the nearest rocket shelters. But some could not make it in time.

One such person was Soumya Santosh, who was killed immediately, while the elderly woman in her charge was hospitalised in serious condition. The nearest rocket shelter was at least a minutes run away from their house and the pair were unable to reach it in time.

Soumya Santosh is survived by her husband and a nine-year-old son. There are many people like her, some foreigners, others Israelis, who would be alive today were it not for indiscriminate terror attacks by Hamas. There are many families and friends who have lost their loved ones because of Hamas operatives, who continue to take innocent lives in Israel.

Eli Kay, a young new immigrant from South Africa, wanted to live when he was shot down by a Hamas gunman on his way to the Western Wall. Khalil Awad and his 16-year-old daughter Nadin also wanted to live when a Hamas rocket fired from Gaza directly hit their home. Five-year-old Ido Abigail was killed by another Hamas rocket. Israeli teenagers Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali certainly wanted to live when they were kidnapped and murdered by Hamas operatives in Judea and Samaria.

We all believe in peace. We believe that even in the midst of the bitter animosities in the Middle East, conflicts can and should be resolved peacefully. Our shared values mean that we must fulfil the responsibility to build better lives for our children, and a better future for us all.

Hamas is a radical Islamist terrorist organisation, the Palestinian equivalent of the Islamic State, or ISIS. It aspires to take control and impose Sharia law throughout all areas of the Palestinian Authority.

Hamas staunchly opposes peace and coexistence, with its stated goal being the destruction of Israel. Instead of providing for the welfare of Gazas citizens, Hamas uses its resources to increase its military capabilities, benefit its own members, and pursue its goal of wiping the Jewish state off the map. Earlier this month, the terrorist organisation had marked the 34th anniversary of its founding.

Hamas ruthlessly seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 in a violent and bloody coup, throwing their Palestinian political opponents off high-rises and publicly executing others in order to consolidate its own power. In the 14 years that have passed since, the Palestinians in Gaza have essentially had all of their democratic and human rights stripped away from them. Protests against the failing economy and electricity shortages that Hamas has brought about are responded to with beatings, arbitrary arrests and torture.

As its overtly antisemitic and anti-Western charter makes chillingly clear, Hamas primary goal is to obliterate Israel through jihad and extend its Islamic rule from the river to the sea. To achieve this end, Hamas has fired over 27,000 rockets and mortar bombs at Israeli civilians since 2001, including over 4,300 in the May of 2021 alone. Not only does Hamas deliberately target innocent Israelis, it also fires its rockets at Israel from residential areas in Gaza. Firing at civilians from within civilian areas is an outrageous double war crime, and Hamas does it for one reason -- to maximise Palestinian deaths, simply in order to provoke misguided condemnations of the Jewish state and stoke anti-Israel sentiment across the world.

The harm that Hamas inflicts on its own people extends even beyond the borders of Gaza. According to media reports, weapons stored in the basement of a Hamas-controlled mosque in southern Lebanon exploded in a fire a few days ago, killing and injuring numerous people. By storing arms in a mosque in one of the poorest refugee camps in Lebanon, Hamas has yet again demonstrated its contempt for all human life, including that of the Palestinians.

Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace. Hamas, however, stands firmly against the values of peace and democracy, and remains committed to destroying the lives and futures of both sides instead. Thirty-four years after its establishment, and 14 years since it violently took over Gaza, Hamas still represents one of the most significant obstacles to achieving peace and regional security.

Whoever aspires towards peace must understand and recognise that Hamas is a disaster. It is an extremist terror organisation that poses a threat to the Palestinian Authority, a danger to any prospect of peace, and seeks to obliterate Israel. These facts have now been recognised by over a dozen states, including Britain and Australia, who both recently designated Hamas in its entirety as a terror organisation. We are calling on all our friends to do the same.

We simply cannot leave Gaza in the hands of Hamas. Rather, we must focus our efforts on the economy in return for security vision outlined by Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid. To create stability and the prospect for a better life for both Gaza and Israel, we must act towards increasing international investment in the Gaza Strip, rehabilitating its infrastructure, cultivating other economic projects, and strengthening the Palestinian Authority.
Today's headlines: Moscow disbands "Memorial", the association that documented human rights violations; more civilian homes burned by the Burmese Army; Beijing aims for global dominance in robotics by 2025. Inauguration of the world's highest road in India in the foothills of the Himalayas.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

Palestinian President Abu Mazen met yesterday in Israel with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz. The face-to-face meeting took place at the Israeli politician's residence in Rosh Ha'ayin. This is Abu Mazen's first meeting in Israel in 11 years and is seen by observers as a sign of a possible resumption of official contact with the government led by Naphtali Bennett. As Defence Minister, Gantz is also responsible for the Israeli government's administrative decisions in the West Bank.

RUSSIA

The Russian Supreme has dissolved the international historical-informational, humanitarian and charitable association 'Memorial', upholding the prosecutor's office's accusation that in recent years the self-determination procedure of its status as a 'foreign agent' had not been respected in its various activities. The association was founded in 1987 to document the repression of dissent in the USSR and to rehabilitate the memory of the victims.

MYANMAR

The Burmese army has burnt down more civilian houses in the village of Natchaung, in the Sagaing region. The village has been the scene of fierce fighting for days, costing the lives of at least nine people. In the meantime, a report published by Radio Free Asia has shone a spotlight on the bloody price being paid by women in Myanmar: at least 100 women have been killed since the beginning of the repression of protests after the coup in February.

CHINA

Beijing aims to become the world leader in robotics by 2025. A five-year plan released yesterday sets annual growth rates of more than 20% for the sector.

INDIA

In a virtual ceremony held from New Delhi, India yesterday inaugurated the world's highest road in Ladakh, the Himalayan region recently at the centre of armed clashes with the Chinese army over border disputes. The road is 52 kilometres long and includes 24 viaducts. It runs at a higher altitude than the base camp used to climb Everest.

SOUTH KOREA

3 out of 10 workers South Korean workers say they are still being bullied at work. This was revealed in a survey carried out after a law against bullying came into force in July 2019.

TURKMENISTAN

In Asgabat, a number of houses were demolished after the forced evacuation of residents to make room for a new special military academy school named after the president's uncle, Berdimukhamed Annaev. The state-run Turkmenistan Today news agency reports the school will be built by a Turkish company and will be able to accommodate 700 students. Work will begin in January 2022 and be completed in August 2024.
Under Beijing's security law police have detained journalists or former staff members of the territory's last independent media outlet. Computers and archive material were confiscated. Deputy editor Ronson Chan was also questioned and released. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the attack.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - The Hong Kong authorities have again cracked down on independent media and journalists for "conspiring" to publish "seditious" material, according to the draconian security law imposed by Beijing in the territory.

In the past few hours, police have detained for questioning at least six people connected - or former collaborators - to the news website Stand News. More than 200 officers searched the newspaper's headquarters and stopped publication, "searching and seizing" on the instructions of the judiciary "journalistic material of some importance".

The people arrested, three men and three women, range in age from 34 to 73. They include the former and current editors of Stand News Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, and the pop-star and pro-democracy icon Denise Ho, a former contributor to the publication. Others arrested include Margaret Ng, Christine Fang and Chow Tat-chi.

The Facebook page released images of police officers knocking on the door of deputy editor Ronson Chan, who was interrogated and then released, while others took away computers and boxes containing archive material. "Due to the situation," reads a post, "Stand News has decided to immediately ceaseall publications".

The day before the raid, Deputy Director Chan hosted the annual dinner of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (Hkja), of which he is president, referring in his speech to the closure of the Apple Daily, an affair that had 'shaken' the whole of Hong Kong. He concluded by stressing that the city 'would always need the truth' and 'journalists [...] no matter how difficult the road ahead [the Hong Kong Journalists Association] will not fall'.

Earlier this year, hundreds of police raided the premises of the now defunct Apple Daily, a publication known to be a vocal critic of the Hong Kong and Chinese leadership. Its assets were frozen, executives were arrested and the paper was shut down, leaving only Stand News as a publication close to the Democrats' positions. In recent days, during a court hearing, judges have raised new charges of 'seditious publications' against Jimmy Lai and six other staff members of Apple Daily.

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the arrests. The committee's Asia programme coordinator Steven Butler spoke of an "open assault" on press freedom, which is already in "tatters" in Hong Kong, at a time when China is increasing "direct control over the former colony" by exploiting the Basic Law, under which 155 people have been arrested in just a few months and more than 200,000 tips have been given to the police.
The new head of the Church in the cradle of Japanese Catholicism is the archdioceses 59-year-old auxiliary bishop, a Nagasaki native. He succeeds Mgr Takami, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan, who spoke about the wounds left by the horror of the atomic bomb.

Nagasaki (AsiaNews)  The Archdiocese of Nagasaki, the cradle of Japanese Catholicism and its martyrs, has a new archbishop, Mgr Peter Michiaki Nakamura.

Yesterday Pope Francis appointed the 59-year-old Nakamura, who current serves s auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese, replacing Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, 75, at the helm of the same archdiocese since 2002.

Archbishop Takami, who has led the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan since 2016, was born seven months after the atomic bombing, in which he lost a grandmother, two aunts and an uncle.

During his ministry, Takami constantly called for peace, which the Nagasaki tragedy has bequeathed his Church as legacy. An atomic bomb means a total denial of the dignity of a human person, he said in a speech before the United Nations in 2010.

Born on 21March 1962 in Saikai, Nagasaki prefecture, the new archbishop also grew up with the same background.

Ordained priest in 1988 in the diocesan clergy, he later completed his studies in moral theology in Rome at the Alphonsian Academy.

Back in Japan, he carried out his ministry teaching in the Nagasaki minor seminary and in the major seminaries in Fukuoka and Tokyo, providing pastoral service in Togitsu and Uematsu parishes.

Pope Francis appointed him auxiliary bishop of Nagasaki in May 2019, a few months before his apostolic trip to Japan.

In a message to the archdiocese, outgoing Archbishop Takami announced Mgr Nakamuras appointment with 23 February 2022 set as the official date of his taking office.

Let us pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of the Lord on the health and work of Archbishop Michiaki Nakamura, and, through the intercession of Mary, for the growth and development of the Church community in Nagasaki. I would be very grateful if you would also pray for me, reads the message.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The leaders of Aleksej Naval'nyj's movement are trying to revive political opposition activities in Russia by attempting to exploit the discontent of increasingly popular "anti-vax" groups, proof of the government's failed anti-Covid campaign. The "competition" with the KPRF communists ahead of the 2022 regional elections.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The leaders of the Navalnist movement are trying to revive political opposition activities, despite incessant pressure and persecution (on December 28 Moscow shut down the Memorial Association). The leader Leonid Volkov, who has been in exile in Vilnius for over a year, has made it clear that he wants to forge links with the anti-vax groups, the Russian no-vaxers who are becoming increasingly popular at home. They are joined by the communists of the KPRF, with whom the navalnists were partially allied in the last September elections, but with whom they are also competing for the leadership of anti-regime initiatives.

In an interview with the Russian ex-pat magazine, Vot Tak ("Just Like That"), Volkov acknowledged that "in Russia many things we are used to, counting on some spaces of freedom in which to move, have now been suppressed or eliminated in various ways", but the anti-regimeists still have good prospects for action, because 'the strongest survive, the most agile, who adapt to changing conditions', and the navalnists want to continue to be protagonists, because Russian society continues to need alternative points of reference, even if they are less structured.

This is why the fight against the coronavirus offers plenty of scope for action, given that the representatives of power have completely failed the vaccination campaign, provoking even more angry reactions in the population. The great strength of the Russian anti-vaxxers lies not only in their criticism of health measures, but precisely in the explicit demonstration of distrust towards the Kremlin, and this reason for protest should not be wasted, according to Volkov.

Avoiding the excesses of ideological and pseudo-religious fanaticism, which boasts of conspiracies and "chippings", 90% of the disgruntled are disillusioned Putin voters: "are workers from the state factories who were forced to attend regime meetings and votes, and now they don't want to force their way onto the buses for the vaccination centre".

Volkov assures us that these social processes can also be influenced from abroad, even if we are ready to recreate a movement structure that is even more effective than the one destroyed by the repressions. It is not a question of 'governments in exile', but of supporting spontaneous protests by providing valid and not specious arguments.

However, the navalnists seem to want to ignore the initiatives of the communists, who have tried to stage no-vax demonstrations even in the State Duma's halls, displaying placards against the "Qr-fascism" of the compulsory Green Pass.

Kprf members clearly aim to increase their votes thanks to anti-vaxery already in the regional elections to be held in 2022, and Naval'nyj's followers will have to come to terms more explicitly this time, given the draconian measures used by the regime against any form of "useful vote". The communists are questioning whether it is really worthwhile to be joined by the Navalnists, or to seek a direct line with the most restless sectors of the population, on health and social issues in general.
Francis dedicates a prayer to Saint Joseph, / you who have experienced the suffering of those who must flee / you who were forced to flee to save the lives of those dearest to you, / protect all those who flee because of war, / hatred, hunger. Support them in their difficulties, / Strengthen them in hope, and let them find welcome and solidarity. / Guide their steps and open the hearts of those who can help them.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  At todays general audience, Pope Francis spoke about the reality of the people forced to migrate.

In his address, the pontiff noted that, Migration today is a reality to which we cannot close our eyes. It is a social scandal of humanity. So many people set out on the road to be free, [but] so many [. . .] end up on the street or in the sea, becoming victims of adverse circumstances: be they political, historical or personal circumstances.

For all the persecuted, Francis has a prayer dedicated to Saint Joseph, / you who have experienced the suffering of those who must flee / you who were forced to flee to save the lives of those dearest to you, / protect all those who flee because of war, / hatred, hunger. Support them in their difficulties, / Strengthen them in hope, and let them find welcome and solidarity. / Guide their steps and open the hearts of those who can help them. Amen.

The prayer for migrants came at the end of Francis' address in the general audience, also dedicated to Saint Joseph. To the 8,000 people present in the Paul VI Hall, Francis spoke about Saint Joseph as a persecuted and courageous migrant who led his family to Egypt to save the Child from Herod.

The family from Nazareth experienced first-hand the precariousness, fear and pain of having to leave their homeland. Even Today so many of our brothers and sisters are still forced to experience the same injustice and suffering. The cause is almost always the arrogance and violence of the powerful. This was also the case for Jesus.

Francis noted that an angel warned Joseph of Herod's plan to kill Jesus. Even today, Francis said again, many people [. . .] feel this impulse within: Lets flee, lets flee, because there is danger here.

We are thus faced with two opposing personalities: on the one hand, Herod with his ferocity, and on the other hand, Joseph with his care and courage. Herod wants to defend his power, his own skin, with ruthless cruelty, as attested to by the execution of one of his wives, some of his children and hundreds of opponents.

He was a cruel man: to solve problems, he had just one answer: to kill. He is the symbol of many tyrants of yesteryear and of today. And for them, for these tyrants, people do not count; power is what counts, and if they need space for power, they do away with people. And this happens today: we do not need to look at ancient history, it happens today.

He is the man who becomes a wolf for other men. History is full of figures who, living at the mercy of their fears, try to conquer them by exercising power despotically and carrying out inhuman acts of violence. But we must not think that we live according to Herod's outlook only if we become tyrants, no; in fact, it is an attitude to which we can all fall prey, every time we try to dispel our fears with arrogance, even if only verbal, or made up of small abuses intended to mortify those close to us. We too have in our heart the possibility of becoming little Herods.

Joseph is the opposite of Herod: first of all, he is a just man (Mt 1:19), and Herod is a dictator. Furthermore, he proves he is courageous in following the Angels command. One can imagine the vicissitudes he had to face during the long and dangerous journey and the difficulties involved in staying in a foreign country, with another language: many difficulties. His courage emerges also at the moment of his return, when, reassured by the Angel, he overcomes his understandable fears and settles with Mary and Jesus in Nazareth (cf. Mt 2:19-23).

Herod and Joseph are two opposing characters, reflecting the two ever-present faces of humanity. It is a common misconception to consider courage as the exclusive virtue of the hero. In reality, the daily life of every person requires courage. Our way of living  yours, mine, everyones: one cannot live without courage, the courage to face each days difficulties.

In all times and cultures, we find courageous men and women who, in order to be consistent with their beliefs, have overcome all kinds of difficulties, and have endured injustice, condemnation and even death. Courage is synonymous with fortitude, which together with justice, prudence and temperance is part of the group of human virtues known as cardinal virtues.

The lesson Joseph leaves us with today is this: life always holds adversities in store for us, this is true, in the face of which we may also feel threatened and afraid. But it is not by bringing out the worst in ourselves, as Herod does, that we can overcome certain moments, but rather by acting like Joseph, who reacts to fear with the courage to trust in Gods Providence.

"May Josephs courage, entrusted to Gods Providence, be a source of inspiration and commitment for all of us in front of the children, to teach them that only this way is it possible to reject all evil and stem every flight without fear.

Finally, in his greetings to Polish-speaking faithful, Francis urged them to pray that next year may be happy for us and for all people, that the pandemic cease and that we may enjoy peace in our hearts, our families, societies and the world.
The 65 Impala was the first car in the States to sell more than 1 million units in a single year, and that says a lot about how successful this model ended up becoming.The MY 1965 itself introduced a series of changes on every little front, including as far as engines were concerned. Buyers could choose from no less than 10 different engine configurations, once against starting with a six-cylinder unit and going all the way up to the almighty 409 (6.7-liter) that was replaced in February 1965 by an all-new 396 (6.4-liter).The Impala SS that we have here is a fighter, theres no doubt about it, as not even the challenging condition its currently in stops the car from dreaming for a second chance.The vehicle is clearly very rusty, and the huge holes in the floors could easily make many interested buyers walk away. But on the other hand, the current owner of the car says on Craigslist they already have new floors, so whoever buys this Impala can deal with the holes quite easily.On the other hand, this doesnt necessarily mean that all problems are gone once you install the new floors. The interior comes in a very rough shape, the rear seats are partially missing, and several parts might be nowhere to be found either.At the same time, this Impala comes without an engine and a transmission, so in theory, if you want to see the glass half full, you can use it for a restomod as well.This SS is priced rather optimistically, as the owner isnt willing to let it go for less than $10,000. No trades are accepted, and the car is located in Nashville, Tennessee.
Based on the LS architecture, the 6.0-liter truck engine is good for 345 horsepower and 380 pound-feet (515 Nm) completely stock. The iron-blocked engine was reportedly sourced from a Cadillac Escalade for the 2004 model year, meaning that were dealing with the high-output LQ9 variant.Fitted with a high-flow air filter, patterned skulls on the engine cover, and an aluminum radiator, this Vortec 6000 is joined by a little bit of rust in the corners of the engine bay and the 4L60-E automatic transmission. The four-speed box is based on the successful 700R4, and the primary difference between them concerns the E that stands for electronically controlled.Presented with the right amount of patina, the worn-look C10 was acquired by the current owner as a project in 2014. Offered via Bring a Trailer with a transferable New York registration, the half-ton pickup features a silver-ish roof section, plenty of chips and scratches, and a wooden bed floor.Pictured with 15-inch wheels mounted with chrome hubcaps and 255/60 white-letter tires from BFGoodrich, the old-school workhorse stops better than ever, thanks to front disc brakes. Helper air springs out back, a loosely fitting cover on the bench seat, a Bluetooth-capable stereo mounted under the dashboard, black floor liners, a column shifter, and a cracked steering wheel also needs to be mentioned, along with an aftermarket gauge pod.Replaced cab mounts and a limited-slip differential sum up this charming truck, which is offered without a title as its registered in a state that doesnt issue titles for vehicles older than the 1972 model year. With eight days of bidding left on Bring a Trailer , the C10 is sitting on an offer of $1,966.
But in addition to the many other V8 options, including the 440 (7.2-liter) Six-Pack developing 390 horsepower and a 426 (7.0-liter) with 425 horsepower. The 1970 Challenger ended up being offered with a 10th unit as well. A 340 (5.5-liter) V8 Six-Pack was introduced mid-year with a 290-horsepower output.The Challenger that we have here was born with a 383 (6.2-liter) under the hood, though as eBay seller pistolgrip_70 puts it, the engine and the transmission both left the factory with a stamping error by one number.Were not being told if the engine is still running or not, but on the other hand, the car is some 98 percent complete, so no big parts are missing.Theres the typical rust you can find on a 1970 car, but on the other hand, the photos in the gallery seem to suggest that a restoration process isnt necessarily impossible. And if the car is indeed as complete as the owner claims, then this Challenger certainly ticks many of the boxes for a solid restoration candidate.The interior itself doesnt look that good, and the drivers seat might need to be completely replaced. The floors also seem to be rather rusty, but a visual inspection should help a potential buyer get a more accurate picture of everything inside.This Challenger wont sell for pocket money despite its challenging condition. Since the original engine is still there and the rust hasnt necessarily invaded the entire body, this Challenger should theoretically be an easy restoration project for anyone already having the missing parts.This is why the owner expects to get at least $7,500 for this Challenger. You can check it out in person in Texas if you want to inspect everything before the purchase.
kW

EXCLUSIVE!

Abarth 1000 SP Gets Green Light

Five examples of Abarths proto-Alfa 4C will be built. For the full story/exclusive interview with Roberto Giolito, Head of FCA Heritage and designer of the Abarth 1000 SP, read the February 2022 issue of Auto Italia, on sale 6 January. pic.twitter.com/fbzHCvbiRV  Auto Italia Magazine (@AutoItaliaMag) December 28, 2021

Our British colleagues obtained the information in an interview with Roberto Giolito, head of FCA Heritage and designer of the Abarth 1000 SP with Ruben Wainberg. Each unit will cost around 170,000 ($228,463 at the current exchange rate).It is not clear if the Abarth 1000 SP will be exclusively a track beast or if people will be able to register it and drive it on public roads. That will only be revealed when Auto Italia Magazine publishes its February 2022 issue. Luckily, it will already be up for sale on January 6. Sadly, that is only valid for British readers.If you think that Abarth is just using what Alfa Romeo did with the 4C and changing its appearance, you are very wrong. According to Abarth, the 4C was supposed to be a joint project with the Abarth 1000 SP. The work started in 2009. While Alfa Romeo managed to reveal the 4C Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and the production version two years after that, the Abarth 1000 SP did not go beyond the draft stage until 2021.By then, Giolito managed to materialize what was considered a one-off vehicle. Little did everybody know that the idea was to get this machine produced and sold, even if in limited numbers.If the car retains the technical specifications revealed by Abarth in May, it will be powered by the turbocharged 1.75-liter four-cylinder engine that the 4C also had. Power is the same: 237 hp (177).The Abarth 1000 SP is supposed to be more straight-to-the-point than the 4C. Ironically, it may be heavier than the Alfa Romeo: 1,074 kilograms (2,367.8 pounds) of dry weight, while 4Cs was 895 kg (1,973 lb). Well check if Abarth achieves better numbers than those. The good news is that well have a new Abarth soon if Stellantis confirms what Auto Italia revealed.
On the other hand, its not a secret that third-party developers out there have been trying to find a way to bring the two to Tesla cars. And earlier this year, Emil Borconi, the developer of the famous AAWireless Android Auto wireless adapter, provided an early look at a project supposed to allow Tesla owners to run Googles app.Called TeslAA, the application was mostly an attempt to emulate Android Auto on a Tesla display using the pre-loaded browser.The good news is the project has evolved substantially in the last few months, so the application has exited the beta stage and is now available for everybody from the Google Play Store While the original implementation was rather buggy (and this wasnt necessarily a surprise given it was just a preview), the final version of TeslAA is said to be much more stable and polished. Though someone in the reviews section of the Google Play Store listing says, the touch input isnt registered correctly, while others claim theres also a 1-second lag when using the screen.The developer says every Tesla with hardware accelerated video should be able to run the app, and setting up everything is rather easy.Just select the Tesla Bluetooth profile from the list of Bluetooth devices, connect the Tesla Wi-Fi to the mobile phone hotspot, open the cars browser and go to androidwheels.com, and thats it. The audio source must also be set to Bluetooth in order to get audio from apps like Spotify and Google Maps.The application, however, isnt available free of charge, as it comes with a $4.99 one-time purchase on the Google Play Store. Your phone must be running at least Android 8.0 to be able to install the app and then emulate the Android Auto UI through the browser.
EV

The BMW CEO did not specify how long that would be for each vehicle in his interview with Muenchner Merkur. However, it must be quite a while. Otherwise, BMW would not be confident it would be able to hire 6,000 new people to build these EVs. That number represents a 5% increase in the number of workers BMW currently employs. Not badAccording to Zipse, the waiting line has to do both with high demand and also with the semiconductor crisis, which restricts production volumes. Regarding the i4 , the Munich factory will soon have to add an extra production shift to meet all the orders it has.Considering that would not be possible with any component restriction, that gives us a pretty good idea of which factor plays a more significant role in thisshortage. The BMW CEO believes the chip crisis will ease starting in the second quarter of 2022. By the end of next year, the situation should be back to normal.The BMW i4 and the iX are the perfect evidence of how fast the electric car market is growing. Zipse told Muenchner Merkur that EV sales are increasing five times as quickly as necessary infrastructure. In the BMW CEOs words, such an imbalance would make it an issue for governments to ban combustion-engine cars.That would imply a retraction to automakers that these governments may not be able to afford: less money from taxes and fewer jobs would have a massive political cost. Climate change priorities would not stand against the need to pay the bills.BMW is investing in infrastructure to avoid such a scenario, and Zipse believes BMWs factory in Munich may be producing only electric vehicles by 2026. Curiously, this factory sits in the middle of the city, which was a problem years ago. With electric cars and modern production methods, BMW thinks that is a competitive advantage.
Presented toward the end of November in London, it is dubbed the La Bouteille Noire, and comes with a bespoke case made by IXO, the same brand behind the Bugatti Pool Table. Bugatti didnt say how much it costs, but the pool table is almost $300,000, or full-blown supercar money.The 15-liter carbon fiber bottle sits inside a case that took 150 hours to be made. It boasts a lot of carbon fiber and leather, LED lights, and illuminated base that mirrors the looks of the La Voiture Noires taillights. It also features an automatic solid-state thermodynamic cooling cell, which is usually found in orbiting satellites, and no less than 14 fans that circulate cool air.The La Bouteille Noire isnt resting in a museum, next to other similar products, as Bugatti parted ways with it at the presentation event, making the announcement just recently. It was sold to the highest bidder, described as a long-time Bugatti customer, for an undisclosed sum, and will spend its days in his private collection. The owner will work with Achim Anscheidt, the automakers Director of Design, to further make it his.The philosophy of both our modern-day hypercars, as well as our historical icons, is rich within La Bouteille Noire, Anscheidt said. Im very much looking forward to collaborating further with La Bouteille Noires new owner to customize this unique piece of sculpture. We will be utilizing the combined expertise of our Molsheim designers and craftsmen and women to represent the customers personal sense of style in stunning form.
It doesnt have a cute name (just DMV), but this minibus is as adorable as it gets. It recently made its debut in Japan, where it will be operated by a private-public railway company, Asa Coast Railway. Its a great milestone for both the company and the Tokushima Prefecture, which have been waiting ten years for this moment to come. Nippon reports that Shigeki Miura, the Mayor of the Kayio town in Tokushima, is also the president of the railway company.The Japanese DMV looks like a minibus and is fitted with regular tires for operating on public roads. But the magic happens when steel wheels suddenly descend from its underbelly, ready to hit the tracks, like a train. The switch takes only 15 seconds, during which a drumming performance of local students is played inside the vehicle  to mark the special moment.Powered by conventional fuel, the minibus/train can hit 62 mph (100 kph) when operating as a bus and up to 37 mph (60 kph) when running as a train, Euronews reported . An entire fleet of cute dual-mode buses in various colors is ready to take passengers from Tokushima to Kochi, connecting several towns along the coast of Shikoku island.Japan is known for respecting its elders, and the DMV was designed with them in mind. A means of transportation that could pick up elders from the bus station and simply take them to the city where they want to go, without them having to switch from buses to trains , is a form of respect and consideration shown to the aging population.Plus, local authorities hope that it will encourage tourism. After all, who wouldnt be tempted to take a ride on the worlds first DMV?
6x6

Instead, they decided to put the spotlight on it once more, almost four years after it celebrated its premiere at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Normally, we would have skipped Kahns social media post, but there is something incredibly cool about six-wheel drive vehicles.This one is based on the previous-generation Land Rover Defender 110, and it is 880 mm (35 in) longer. The extra space added at the back was necessary for the implementation of the additional axle and has made the cabin more spacious. As a result, the off-roader has no less than four rows, offering seating for nine, including the driver. Its dressed in leather and cloth upholstery, has a modern infotainment system, two glass panels on top of the rear passenger compartments, and a sunroof that lets in more natural light for those sitting at the front.Besides the three axles, the striking appearance of the Kahn Flying Huntsman Civilianis enhanced by the aesthetics signed by Chelsea Truck Company, the tuners sub-brand. It has wider front and rear wheel arches, new grille up front, Volcanic Rock paint finish, and big all-terrain tires wrapped around the wheels.This vehicle may not be for sale, but if you want a Flying Huntsman 6x6 in your life, then get ready to blow 499,999 for the pickup version advertised by Kahn on its website, which equals to $671,655 at todays exchange rates. The beastly off-roader was made in 2018, has 100 miles (160 km) under its belt, and uses a GM-sourced 6.2-liter V8 that develops around 430 horsepower. You can find out more about it here , but dont forget to check out the pics of the so-called Civilian variant in our image gallery before that.
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The disruptions caused by the chip shortage are massive, and companies out there turned to various decisions to cope with the whole thing, including suspended production at certain factories and cars sold without certain systems.South Korean President Moon Jae-in knows how Hyundai Motor, the countrys largest car manufacturer, could deal with the lack of chips much easier: work together with Samsung and therefore build a large chip inventory as fast as possible.Speaking recently about a potential collaboration, Moon Jae-in more or less suggested the two could end up working together, though, on the other hand, neither Hyundai nor Samsung wanted to say anything in this regard.Theres nothing we can say about the deal a Hyundai spokesperson was quoted as saying This statement appears to suggest a deal does exist, so in theory, its all just a matter of time until Hyundai and Samsung join forces for a more effective plan to handle the chip crisis.It goes without saying such collaboration can only be good news for Samsung. The South Korean tech behemoth is already a supplier of memory chips for Hyundai, but on the other hand, the partnership would expand their agreement and also cover chips that would be used on critical car systems.At this point, Hyundai is working with other companies to get chips for infotainment and other systems installed on its models, including Infineon and NXP. The memory chips supplied by Samsung are being used by Hyundai for navigation systems, and at this point, they are only used on a very small number of cars in the portfolio of the South Korean manufacturer.If anything, a potential collaboration between Samsung and Hyundai on the chip front could be announced in the first quarter of 2022.
VTOL

Opened in 2003, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is an official Annex of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. It sits adjacent to Dulles International Airport, which handles most air traffic headed in or out of the D.C. Metro Area. It's the perfect alternative to the main D.C. museum for people who'd rather not deal with the chaos of the nation's capital.So then, if the Udvar-Hazy Center is simply an annex of the larger museum in D.C., why bother making the 30 and a bit mile trip to Virginia? Well, there's a handful of aircraft on display that you won't find in D.C. Or anywhere else on the planet, for that matter. Come and join us as we give you the highlights.The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy museum is named in honor of the Hungarian-American businessman and founder of the Air Lease Corporation. "Hazy," as he's often called, escaped communist-controlled Hungary in the late 1950s and would go on to lead a fabulously successful airliner leasing firm. The billionaire gifted a donation of over $60 million to construct this official annex of the National Air & Space Museum. Today the facility sees hundreds of thousands of visitors per year.Where do we even begin to start? Probably at the beginning, we imagine. The museum's impressive collection of very early aircraft would be the envy of any museum. Icons like the Sopwith Camel, Spad XVI, and Curtis Jenny all find themselves under the same room in remarkable like-new condition. It's not the most extensive collection around, but it might be the prettiest.Elsewhere, bits and pieces of every era of aviation are proudly on display. It's perfectly typical to see a couple of P-51 Mustangs, P-47 Thunderbolts , or P-38 Lightnings hanging around the World War Two section of an American museum. But nowhere else in North America is the other side of the War in Europe so amazingly documented. Everything from Fokke-Wolf Fw-190 F-8, the bonkers twin-engined Dornier Do-335 Arrow, and the innovative Arado Ar-34 Blitz jet bomber proudly have a home in the Udvar-Hazy Center across the aisle from the very planes they were built to shoot down.Imperial Japan is also very well represented. The Nakajima Kikka jet fighter flew only a handful of times before the end of the war. Now, Japan's first jet can be marveled upon by every museum visitor. So too can the sole surviving Kyushu J7W Shinden prototype, a fighter that appears to have been assembled backward.The museum's collection spans mankind's ambitions of flight from the earliest lighter than air balloons to the latestprototype fighters and reusable space vehicles. All are represented with exhibits like a woodcut prepared artwork of the first American manned balloon flight in 1793, all the way to the X-35 VTOL prototype fighter. But the museum's real star attraction is Space Shuttle Discovery.The museum previously hosted Shuttle Enterprise, the non-space-faring test vehicle. Enterprise was transferred to the USS Intrepid Air & Space Museum in New York City when Discovery was decommissioned in March 2011. The museum's spaceflight exhibits are largely formed around the main Space Shuttle attraction. Missiles, rockets, and even the Space Lab mobile laboratory flew on the Shuttle, display prominently surrounding the Shuttle. The exhibit houses many items on display that have flown in space on American, European, or Russian missions.The museum's aircraft restoration hangar is up the stairs and adjacent to the Spaceflight exhibit. If classic car restoration documentaries are totally your thing, this part of the museum is a dream come true. Across the hall from the restoration hangar sits the second-biggest attraction of the museum. The pristinely preserved Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress that dropped the "Little Boy" nuclear weapon over the Japanese city of Hiroshima in August 1945.You can peer right into the cockpit from the elevated platform above the museum's bottom floor. One can almost envision the crew's faces in their mind's eye. The look of abject horror and awe as the world was plunged headfirst into the atomic age. For the more helicopter inclined folks, the museum has a section dedicated to the wackiest verticle lift experiments ever to fly, including an experimental U.S. Navy chopper with Ram-jets in the rips of its rotors.This only scratches the surface of what's on display. We'll be delving even deeper to fish out what we thought were the most fabulous airplanes on display throughout the coming week. It just goes to prove it's not always about pure size when it comes to aerospace museums. Sometimes, it's about jamming as many fantastic items into a limited amount of space as physically possible. Many thanks to the PR team and museum staff of of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazily Center for allowing us to bring you another fascinating edition of Spotlight USA. Your hard work is appreciated and not un-recognized. Check back for more from our trip right here on autoevolution, and thank you for reading.
Nobody likes it when their car gets involved in an accident, but its even worse when were talking about a multimillion-dollar luxury yacht that did an oopsie. A big one because the tanker it rear-ended actually sank and is officially considered unsalvageable. The unfortunate event took place at night when the 206-foot (63 meters) boat hit a 160-foot (48.7 meters) Belize-registered tanker.The tankers operator, Maritime Management, stated that the catastrophic force of the collision caused the vessel to sink at 2,000 feet (609 meters) because its stern got pierced. Although more than 30 years old, Tropic Breeze had undergone recent safety checks and was on its way to Great Stirrup Cay, carrying various types of fuel. The incident occurred close to New Providence Island, at 22.00 P.M. local time, but the causes are still unknown.Luckily, the seven crew members on board the tanker were all rescued with the help of the Bahamian authorities and another motor yacht , the Maya. Because of the depth, Tropical Breeze officially cant be recovered, but at least the fuels it was carrying (LPG, marine gas, and automotive gas) are considered non-persistent materials, which means that they will evaporate, not causing additional damage to the maritime environment.The marketing millionaires yacht , built by the famous Italian shipyard Rossinavi in 2018, can hit an impressive top speed of 24 knots (27.6 mph/44 kph), but its speed at the time of the incident is unknown. The local authorities are currently investigating the accident, so whether excessive speed was the cause is yet to be determined.While the old tanker will be forever lost in the ocean, the award-winning Utopia IV got away with a dent, but most likely a very pricey one.
A few years ago, when it was launched, Tsumat was unofficially considered the most stunning superyacht owned by a Mexican millionaire. Alfredo Chedraui Obeso, who became a billionaire in the meantime, is a businessman of Lebanese descent, known for running one of the largest retailers in the country, together with his family.In 2013, when the beautiful Tsumat was delivered to its famous owner, it was said to be worth $50 million. Built by Trinity Yachts in the U.S., the 164-footer (50 meters) was brought to life under the close guidance of Obeso. Its name is supposed to come from an ancient local language, meaning beautiful girl. A fitting name for the superyacht that reveals a spectacular interior created by the Espinosa Yacht Design in Mexico.Imagine dark walnut and oak veneers, wool carpets, walls with suede upholstery, leather headboards, and a variety of the most precious marbles throughout. The truly decadent decor boasts even doors that are covered in leather, plus heated onyx floors, matching the stunning backlit onyx columns. Expensive artworks from the owners private collection add the finishing touches.Up to 12 guests can be accommodated in six lavish staterooms across three decks, also enjoying the elevated jacuzzi, the fully-equipped gym, and the lounges on the generous sun deck. The master suite comes with a separate dressing area and a private study. The main dining room boasts ceiling-to-floor windows, in line with the overall majestic appearance.Tsumat is equally lavish when it comes to water toys. The crown jewel of its wide range of toys is a Yamaha Waverunner  the starting price for one of these babies is around $7,000, with luxury models going up to $19,000.The Mexican billionaire seems to be ready to move on to what would be his third superyacht, probably even bigger and more luxurious  the unique Tsumat has been listed for sale, with an asking price of $22 million. Still a whopping cost, even after all these years.
The Iso Rivolta GT Zagato comes with an all-carbon body and the car on sale is finished in a special-ordered Le Mans Red tri-coat metallic paint. The sleek exterior goes well with the modern interior dressed in Charcoal Italian leather with the optional contrasting red hand stitching and brushed aluminum accents.Under the hood, to honor the tradition, theres a Chevrolet Corvette LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that produces 660 hp and 880 Nm (649 lb-ft) mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This propels the modern GT from zero to 62 mph (100 kph) in 3.7 seconds and to a top speed of 196 mph (315 kph). Only 19 cars are supposed to be produced and most of them have already found their future owners. Theyre in for a long wait though, as Zagato takes its time with deliveries. We know only one has been shipped and registered in the U.S. by now and is exactly this car that is looking for another garage.According to its current owners testimony, he intends to move to Japan soon and the car has no place on the narrow streets, so he has to let it go. Despite being so young, the car already made history on U.S. soil as a class winner at The Quail Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week in 2021.Such a rarity will no doubt carry a hefty price tag, if it finds a new owner that is. The Internet memory shows the car was listed in September for a cool $1.35 million. We assume the sale was unsuccessful since the car is now featured in the January Mecum auction in Kissimmee, Florida. Lets just hope this beauty will finally find its master.
In our latest OEM collaboration, were pleased to work with @GeelyGroup as we integrate our Waymo Driver into a version of their new mobility-focused, all-electric Zeekr vehicle, designed for riders first. More: https://t.co/Qdf23Ln8Uw pic.twitter.com/5opt0Z1hxd  Waymo (@Waymo) December 28, 2021

The new brand is the most recent from a wide variety under Geelys umbrella. After revealing the Zeekr 001  nothing more than a badge-engineered Lynk & Co Zero Concept  the Chinese luxury brand probably decided its next vehicle could be a ride driven by software.In the images released by Geely and Waymo, a stylish minivan with vast doors, regular seats, and no steering wheel is the first proposition for Waymos autonomous car. Zeekr stresses the vehicle is under development at CEVT (China Europe Vehicle Technology Centre) in Gothenburg, Sweden. However, production will indeed happen in one of Geelys factories in its home country.The companies inform that the still-unnamed minivan will sit on a new proprietary and open-source mobility architecture. It is probably the SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) unless Geely is working on a new platform. Not by chance, the first vehicle to use this platform was the Zeekr 001.The Chinese company will develop the Waymo vehicle with a fully configurable cabin, both with and without driver controls. Waymo will be in charge of taking delivery of these vans in the U.S. and integrating its fully autonomous Waymo Driver into the vehicle platform. Again, the Waymo Driver is not yet fully developed.For Waymo , this is the perfect opportunity to tell a car company how it needs a vehicle to be. Currently, it is adapting production vehicles to work with its technology. For Zeekr, the benefit is to have Waymo present it as a credible automaker to American customers. Geely is probably looking even further: when Waymo Driver is finished, the partnership may help the Chinese car company integrate it into its vehicles.
Big majorities of Americans think tech companies are too big and too nosy and want government to rein them in, an exclusive poll by Axios and the Illinois Institute of Technology finds.

Why it matters: As technology's role in American life increases, people on both sides of today's political divide have grown wary of its influence.

The big picture: A majority of the 1500 survey respondents expressed concern about the use of artificial intelligence, the reach of algorithms, the state of their online privacy, the size of tech firms and dependence on smartphones.

Artificial intelligence: More than 70% of those polled distrust the use of AI for self-driving buses and airplane autopilot systems (early autopilot systems in airplanes have existed since 1912).

Sixty-nine percent said they would limit the use of AI for hiring decisions. Nearly 60% distrust AI for processing loan applications and setting mortgage rates.

Both liberals and conservatives overwhelmingly agree that there should be public or government oversight of the use of algorithms (71%).

Antitrust and consolidation of power: Three-quarters of those polled said tech companies are too big (80% of liberals and 83% of conservatives).

A smaller 53% of respondents said the government should be responsible for ensuring competition and more choices in online services.

Privacy: Most poll respondents (78%) said they feel they are targeted in online ads based on their web activity. And 50% said they think they're targeted for online ads based on their offline conversations.

Eighty-one percent think the government should be doing more to protect online privacy.

Smartphone dependence: More than half of those polled (56%) believe they are somewhat dependent on their smartphones. A smaller percentage (31%) say they feel anxiety or withdrawal without their devices.

Meanwhile, 46% of respondents say their friends feel anxious without their smartphones.

What they're saying: "Were in a situation in which we already depend so deeply on technology for all of these aspects of our day-to-day lives, but at the same time, we have a deep distrust of this same tech," said Christine Himes, dean of Lewis College of Science and Letters at Illinois Tech.

"[The results] may be indicative of increasing distrust for all institutions, whether they are secular, religious, governmental, private or public," said George M. Langlois, executive director of the Center for Research and Service at Illinois Tech. "It does seem the public wants more control and is open to support changes that reflect that.

What we're watching: Government agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission want to make rules for online advertising, the use of algorithms and AI and the size of tech companies.

But to achieve those goals they'll likely need a sluggish Congress to grant them new powers.

Go deeper: Read the full survey results.

Methodology: The survey was conducted by YouGov from July 25 to Aug. 5. 1898 respondents were interviewed, and the final sample of 1,500 responses were matched across several demographic categories and weighted to form a representative sample of the U.S. population. The overall margin of error is +/- 3.63.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 42F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 42F. Winds light and variable.
After being awarded nearly $15 million in a program designed to rehabilitate housing for the homeless, Kern County is ready to put action be
It likely will be weeks before Southeast Texans know the outcome of a decertification election to end the United Steel Workers Unions representation of workers at ExxonMobils Beaumont refinery and lube plant.

The National Labor Review Board on Wednesday announced it would impound election ballots while charges of unfair labor practices by the USW against ExxonMobil are investigated, said NLRB spokesperson Kayla Blado.

USW District 13 representative Bryan Gross said the union was expecting the decision because they hadnt heard any update on the charges filed with the board.

We believe that is a positive for us and our members, because it means that the labor board believes there is enough merit in our charges and that we have given them enough evidence and they are not throwing the charges out or saying there is no merit to them, he said. Since they are still reviewing them means there is still a possibility that they could rule in our favor on the charges and believe the company did violate the National Labor Relations Act.

But in an information bulletin to employees, ExxonMobil made clear it is confident the company acted lawfully, and it believes the charges will be dismissed. Additionally, it underscored that the delay is not the result of any finding of fault made regarding the charge.

The USW has, once again, silenced your voice and stopped your vote, the company said in the bulletin. Through their baseless legal charges, the union has prevented your vote from being counted in the election.

According to a federal complaint by the United Steelworkers Union, USW claims that refinery and packaging facility employees a day before the lockout began seemingly were placed under surveillance by management and shifts were changed without notice.

Gross said he wasnt given any timeline for when ballots could be counted, although he hopes the fact that workers are locked out will move the investigation the the front of the list a little bit.

In the meantime, he said the union has asked the company to come back to the negotiating table to continue working to end the lockout. The union also has continued its food pantry and bill assistance program.

I think our membership is still standing with us, he said. Obviously, there is some differences of opinion. We saw the stack of ballots - we dont know the exact number that was turned in back to the board, but it was a good turnout, a really, really good turnout.

For ExxonMobils part, the company still is encouraging employees to sign the decertification petition. Should the majority of employees sign the petition, the company can withdraw recognition from the USW without an election.

ExxonMobil has previously noted that USWs decertification would end the lockout, which began May 1. However, the lockout was started voluntarily by the company, which says it was necessary after the unions March vote to to authorize strike actions, meaning they can strike off the job as long as they give notice.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com
ENID, Okla.  On a hot night in July, the first summer of the pandemic, Jonathan Waddell, a city commissioner in Enid, sat staring out at a rowdy audience dressed in red. They were in the third hour of public comments on a proposed mask mandate, and Waddell, a retired Air Force sergeant who supported it, was feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

He had noticed something was different when he drove up in his truck. The parking lot was full, and people wearing red were getting out of their cars greeting one another, looking a bit like players on a sports team. As the meeting began, he realized that they opposed the mandate. It was almost everybody in the room.

The meeting was unlike any he had ever attended. One woman cried and said wearing a mask made her feel like she did when she was raped at 17. Another read the Lords Prayer and said the word agenda at the top of the meeting schedule seemed suspicious. A man quoted Patrick Henry and handed out copies of the Constitution.

The line is being drawn, folks, said a man in jeans and a red T-shirt. He said the people in the audience had been shouted down for the last 20 years, and theyre finally here to draw a line, and I think theyre saying, Weve had enough.

At the end of the night, the mask mandate failed, and the audience erupted in cheers. But for Waddell, who had spent seven years making Enid his home, it was only the beginning. He remembers driving home and watching his mirrors to make sure no one was following him. He called his father, a former police officer, and told him what had happened. He said that people were talking about masks but that it felt like something else. What, exactly, he did not know.

I said, This is honestly just crazy, Dad, and Im not sure where it goes from here.

In the year and a half that followed, fierce arguments like this have played out in towns and cities across the country.

From lockdowns to masks to vaccines to school curricula, the conflicts in America keep growing and morphing, even without Donald Trump, the leader who thrived on encouraging them, in the White House. But the fights are not simply about masks or schools or vaccines. They are, in many ways, all connected as part of a deeper rupture  one that is now about the most fundamental questions a society can ask itself: What does it mean to be an American? Who is in charge? And whose version of the country will prevail?

Social scientists who study conflict say the only way to understand it  and to begin to get out of it  is to look at the powerful currents of human emotions that are the real drivers. They include the fear of not belonging, the sting of humiliation, a sense of threat  real or perceived  and the strong pull of group behavior.

Some of these feelings were already coursing through American society, triggered by rapid cultural, technological, demographic and economic change. Then came the pandemic, plunging Americans into uncertainty and loneliness, an emotion that scientists have found causes people to see danger where there is none.

Add to all of that leaders who stoke the conflict, and disagreements over the simplest things can become almost sectarian.

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Eran Halperin, a social psychologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel who studies emotions in conflict, said that people in intractable fights often do not remember how they started but that they are perpetuated by a sense of group threat. Ones group  for example, American or Christian  is an extension of oneself, and people can become very defensive when it  or its status in a hierarchy  changes.

If my American identity is an important part of who I am, and suddenly theres a serious threat to that, in some ways that means I dont know who I am anymore, he said. Its an attack on the very core of how I see myself, of how I understand myself.

Halperin said he has been surprised to see that the emotions that have powered the conflict in America were just as intense as those he sees between Israelis and Palestinians. That is because in the United States, unlike in Israel, both sides had relatively high expectations of each other, he said, leading to a sharp shock when those who were part of us suddenly do something so counter to our values.

In Enid, both sides in the mask debate believed they were standing up for what was right. Both cared deeply for their city  and their country  and believed that, in their own way, they were working to save it. And it all started as an argument over a simple piece of cloth.

Birth of Freedom Fighters

One of the first to speak at the City Council meeting that night in July was Melissa Crabtree, a home-schooling mother who owns a business selling essential oils and cleaning products. Crabtree was new to Enid  she had moved two years before from Texas  but also to politics, drawn in by the pandemic. When states enacted sweeping rules like lockdowns, mask mandates and school closures to combat the spread of illness, she was skeptical.

The more she researched online, the more it seemed that there was something bigger going on. She said she came to the conclusion that the government was misleading Americans  for whose benefit, she could not tell. Maybe drug companies. Maybe politicians. Whatever the case, it made her feel like the people in charge saw her  and the whole country of people like her  as easy to take advantage of.

I dont like to be played the fool, said Crabtree, who also works as an assistant to a Christian author and speaker. And I felt like they were counting on us  us being the general population  on being the fool.

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She felt contempt radiating from the other side, a sense that those who disagreed with her felt superior and wanted to humiliate her. She said she was taken aback at how people were ridiculing her on a pro-mask group on Facebook. She said she remembers one person writing that he hoped she would get COVID and die.

I had to stop going into that group, she said. Why people are choosing to shame others, I dont know. But she said she thought that fear must be at the root of it.

Crabtree grew up in a highly devout family, with parents who met at a Campus Crusade for Christ conference. The whole family was active in their faith, volunteering at their churches, going on mission trips, holding Bible studies in their home. Her father served in the Air Force, and they moved around a lot. As a child, she lived in Germany, Colorado, South Dakota, Ohio, Alaska and Maryland.

She accepted Jesus at a backyard Bible club when she was 4 and has never questioned her faith, despite lifes hardships, including the mental health struggles of a close family member and years of infertility. Her most traumatic experience  being run over by a car in her driveway as a young child  reinforced her faith. The only remaining trace  her left eye does not tear when she cries  is a reminder, she said, of how God spared her on that winter day.

I knew that the Lord had a purpose for us and that it was to follow him and glorify him and obey him, she said. I really didnt question that. I didnt feel the need to explore this whole world around me.

But now, at 45, she said she believes that Americans broadly, and Christians in particular, have left too much of the running of the country to a governing class that has taken advantage of power. She blames her parents generation for not talking about religion or politics, a position that she said has led to a loss of influence.

This makes her feel unsettled, because America is changing. Gender is blurred in ways that she said she believes God did not intend. She said a man in her church comes to Sunday services dressed in womens clothing. When she was shopping this fall, a cashier at TJ Maxx who checked her out looked like a man but, as she saw it, had feminine mannerisms.

I wanted to shake him and say, You can be the man you are! she said. Its OK to use your strong voice.

She home-schools her children, in part to steer clear of these shifts. But the bigger problem, as she sees it, is that the broader culture seems to applaud them. It is not just sexuality. There are other issues too  for example, what she sees as the lefts preoccupation with race and its telling of history.

Why all of a sudden are we teaching our 5-year-olds to be divided by color? she said. They dont care what color your skin is until you tell them that that 5-year-olds grandpa was mean 200 years ago.

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Demographics are changing too. Growing numbers of Hispanic people and Asian people from the Marshall Islands call Enid home. The county of Garfield, in which Enid is the seat, was 94% white in 1980. Last year, that figure was about 68%. The county experienced one of the largest increases in racial diversity in the country over the past decade, 2020 census data show.

Teachers and administrators in Enids school system have worked hard to integrate growing numbers of immigrant children. But everyone else interviewed in Enid, including Crabtree, who is white, expressed surprise when told of the scale of this change. Immigrants tend to live in certain parts of town and work in certain jobs, like at the meat plant, and do not yet have high-profile positions of power.

Still, she could feel that change was accelerating, and that was making her feel like she was losing her country, like it was becoming something she did not recognize.

I truly think that what we are doing is pulling our republic apart at the seams, she said.

So when she heard about the indoor mask mandate proposal last year in her city, she jumped to get involved. She discovered that she liked bringing people together, people whose thinking she shared. It felt good to learn together and to belong to this group she was building with urgent purpose. Eventually she made a Facebook page called Enid Freedom Fighters.

How do I sign up to talk? she said, giving an example of the questions people were asking. I dont know. Ill have to find out and get back to you. How long can we talk? I dont know. Ill find out. I didnt know any of it. But Im willing to learn.

She told people to come to the meeting and to wear red shirts so they could spot one another.

And in July 2020, when she walked into the City Council meeting wearing a red dress and a red cardigan sweater and saw the others, she felt nervous but also excited.

I just thought, OK, were not alone, she said. This is worth doing. There are more people like me who care this much.

The mandate failed. They could tell their voices mattered.

Were Ostracized

Waddell voted for the mask mandate, and the reaction was immediate. The following Sunday, people he had prayed with for years avoided him at church. The greeters, an older couple he knew well, looked the other way when he walked by. Several people left the church altogether because of his association with it, he said.

Waddell listened to critics of the mandate, but their position baffled him. The idea of individual sacrifice for a greater good was ingrained from years in the military. He grew up in Washington state, the youngest child of Black civil servants who left the Deep South in the 1970s. He went into public service, too, joining the Air Force after a year of college. When he retired seven years ago, he was at a base near Enid, and he and his wife decided to settle in town with their four children.

He knew Enid was conservative. Garfield County has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since 1940. But he considered himself conservative too. He is a registered independent who believes in the right to bear arms and fiscal responsibility. And anyway, national politics were not important to him. Good schools and low housing prices were what he cared about.

So Waddell and his family threw themselves into making Enid home. Waddell volunteered as an associate pastor at his church. He won a seat on the City Council and began looking for funding for youth programs. As a new member, he took constituents out to lunch and listened to their problems. If this was going to be his home, he wanted to belong and to be helpful to people who lived there.

But as the months went by, none of the people he had bought lunch for or helped get funding for their organizations stood up for him. A former military member whom he counted as a friend even joined the Enid Freedom Fighters. He felt as if he were living in a town that no longer recognized him.

The attention he did get was sometimes menacing. His daughter, 7 at the time, was picked on at school because of his stance. Military security on the base where Waddell now works as a civilian handling IT operations took him aside to tell him about threats against him, though noted it did not think they would be acted on. He began checking a security camera at his house through an app on his phone.

Theres just this vitriol in this place that we chose, said Waddell, who is 41. Were ostracized from the community that we chose. Its kind of a surreal feeling.

The city commissioner who introduced the mask mandate, Ben Ezzell, a lawyer and artist, got veiled warnings too  mostly via email and Facebook. Someone dumped trash on his lawn. At one City Council meeting, a man shouted that he knew where Ezzell lived. Another meeting got so tense that police officers insisted on escorting him to his car.

But Ezzell, who is 35, was not done arguing for the mandate. As summer turned to fall and the delta variant began to spike, it seemed like the logical thing to do. So he kept bringing it up in meetings, prompting Crabtree and the Freedom Fighters to begin the process of trying to recall him to stop it. She also accused him of acting disrespectfully  for example, using profanity and doodling during peoples speeches. (He said he drew lemmings walking off cliffs to stay calm, particularly when comment sessions from emotional residents went on for hours.)

A prominent supporter of the recall effort was Crabtrees pastor, Wade Burleson, whose church, Emmanuel Enid, is the largest in town. Enid has a substantial upper middle class, with large homes and a gated community near a country club and a golf course, and many of those families are part of the churchs 3,000-strong congregation.

Burleson, 59, served two terms as president of the Southern Baptists of Oklahoma, the largest evangelical denomination in the state. He was considered a moderate in the Southern Baptist tradition, calling for greater leadership roles for women and speaking out for victims of sexual abuse, including asking church leaders to create a database to track predators, an unpopular stance.

But in the early months of the pandemic, he started speaking against mask mandates. He promoted the work of Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, a Ukrainian-born doctor turned right-wing media star, who claimed to have a novel treatment for the coronavirus. Burleson used apocalyptic language, invoking Nazi doctors as a specter of where mask and vaccine mandates could end up. Mandates, he argues, are the first steps toward complete government control, and he feels called to warn people.

Winning Felt Good

The City Council finally passed a mask rule in December 2020. Ezzell said it was toothless but better than nothing, so he voted for it. And while the recall effort against him ultimately failed, the Freedom Fighters, now energized, had bigger plans.

In February, they swept the local elections, winning three seats on the City Council  including Waddells and Ezzells. Winning felt good, and they kept going. Over the course of this year, through a series of elections, appointments and City Council votes, they have helped get four candidates onto the school board and another four onto the library board, Crabtree said, the latter after a disagreement over a display of LGBTQ books for Pride Month.

The red shirts have assumed effective control of most of the public bodies in Enid, Ezzell said this month. He estimated that those who cared enough about the mask mandate to show up at a public meeting to speak against it were a small minority of the citys 50,000 population. But they had an outsize effect on the Councils moderate members, because in this moment of defensiveness and threat, going against members of your own tribe is extremely difficult.

The new city commissioners include Keith Siragusa, 53, a former police officer from New York City who worked on Enids police force for years and now works as a therapeutic horse riding instructor for disabled and troubled children, and Whitney Roberts, 34, a photographer originally from California who owns a shop in Enid.

Roberts said that when she came out as a Trump supporter on Facebook in 2016, I had a lot of friends delete me without saying anything, behavior that she said told her that they thought they were better than her, that she was not worth bothering with. Ezzell reminded her of that, she said, doodling instead of listening to people, not even acknowledging that theyre there.

Ezzell, for his part, said that after hours of heated speeches  many of them aimed at him and trumpeting things that were not true  he did not think that the duty to bend over backward for that kind of vitriol is indefinite.

Roberts said that the new city commissioners mostly agree on things and that the focus has gone back to the business of local government  fixing potholes and continuing work on a large water pipeline.

She said the Council has not spent much time on COVID, but with rates of new cases and of hospitalizations less than half of what they were at the end of 2020, it has not been a burning issue. She said she had not gotten a single email about COVID from a constituent since she started.

Enids City Council may no longer be a stage for national politics, but Burleson has continued to bring national politics to Enid. One Sunday this past August, he sat down in his church with Charlie Kirk, the right-wing speaker, who during the pandemic has been visiting churches across the country calling on people to get involved in politics.

They want to crush you, Kirk said at an evening talk at Emmanuel Enid, referring to an unspecified metropolitan elite, and to government leaders, including Republicans. They call you the smelly Walmart people. They do. You should hear the way your leaders talk about you. They have contempt for you. They want to try to turn Oklahoma into nothing more than a producing colony for the rest of the country.

People Are Waking Up

In the end, both sides could agree on one thing: The fight was not really over masks.

Waddell thought it had to do with fear. He said America is in a moment when the people who ran things from the beginning  mostly white, mostly Christian, mostly male  are now having to share control. Their story about America is being challenged. New versions are becoming mainstream, and that, he believes, is threatening.

You dont just get to be the sole, solitary voice in terms of what we do here, what we teach here, what we show on television here, he said. You dont get to do it anymore. Thats where the fight is.

He sees it as the next chapter in the story of what it means to be an American, of who gets to write this countrys story. But he does not see the country getting through it without a fight.

Were going to have an explosion, he said. Whether its literal or figurative. Its going to be bad.

For Waddell, the past 18 months have been the most painful of his life. He said the experience changed him and left him feeling that Enid, as much as he tried to build a life there, no longer feels like home.

He said he is working on forgiveness. But he is also applying for jobs outside Oklahoma. Several applications in Arizona look promising.

Of the City Council election, he said, I think the process worked. You elect representatives that reflect your ideals. And these folks do. They reflect the ideals of Enid. And Im OK with that.

Carol Lahman, the city attorney in Enid, said that the mandate fight was temporarily divisive but that it also had a positive effect: drawing more people into the decision-making process. She said she loves Enid because its people believe that government is accessible and that showing up and voicing concern will make a difference. Yes, people differ in what the right direction is from time to time, she said. It is a work in progress.

Crabtree now attends most every City Council meeting. The Christian author she works for is now running for Congress. She herself was tapped for a seat on the state board of education, but after an outcry that she was against mask and vaccine mandates and that she home-schools instead of participating in public schools  and some threatening messages online  she withdrew.

Still, she is hopeful for the future.

She is proud of her son, who she said cares deeply about the country. He flew to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 to go to Trumps speech with her father. She said they did not participate in what came after. He graduated from high school last year but did not want to go to college and pay $100,000 to fight indoctrination. She said he now works at Chick-fil-A and wants to teach his peers about patriotism.

He wants to right all the wrongs in the world, she said. He said, Mom, I dont have time to go to college. We have a country to save.

In July, the Enid Freedom Fighters had a one-year anniversary party. They rented a bouncy house and ate hot dogs and tacos in a local park. A snow cone food truck came with a red, white and blue Enid Freedom Fighter flavor.

Were we successful? Crabtree said. Absolutely. Because we learned a lot. Weve educated a whole lot of people.

She added, There are a whole bunch of people who are realizing, oh, apathy didnt serve us well. Look at where we are. I think we better wake up and get involved. I think people are waking up.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP)  Two police officers responding to a domestic violence call in Wichita, Kansas, were shot and wounded in the early hours of Christmas Day, authorities said.

A woman told police that her boyfriend, 24-year-old Malik Rogers, had threatened and attacked her. Early Saturday, officers went to Rogers' apartment to arrest him, but police say he resisted and got into a struggle with the officers.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  COVID-19 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes have almost doubled in the past week, an indicator that the state is likely heading into another major surge of virus cases and hospitalizations, a top health official said Wednesday.

Were in the midst of a peak of transmission that weve never seen, most likely, this whole pandemic, Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said during a Wednesday news conference.

The state health officer said people who test positive or are exposed should take precautions and quarantine for at least five days, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Dont perpetuate the chain of transmission, Dobbs said. This is really a love thy neighbor sort of moment, and love thy family, also. Stay home.

There were 63 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes Monday, nearly twice the number of nursing home outbreaks reported in the state last week, state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers wrote Wednesday in a memo to Mississippi hospitals and health care providers. There were 8,344 new COVID-19 cases reported last week, an 80% increase from the week before. Byers said a growing proportion of Mississippi cases are fueled by the omicron variant of the virus.

We really are in the fifth wave now of COVID for Mississippi, Byers said during the news conference.

Last week, the omicron variant accounted for about 13% of all samples sequenced in the state, up from about 8% in the previous week. Byers said these numbers likely underrepresent the impact of omicron on the state because some samples collected recently are still pending sequencing. The omicron variant is significantly more infectious than the delta variant.

A total of 400 people were hospitalized with a confirmed coronavirus infection in Mississippi on Monday, compared with 239 people on Christmas Eve, the Department of Health reported.

Jim Craig, senior deputy for the Mississippi Department of Health and director of health protection, the shortage of health care workers continues to be a concern for health officials. Lack of staff prevents hospitals from opening all available beds to treat patients.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for our smaller community, county hospitals to transport patients to some of our larger centers. ... It all plays back to the staffing issue," he said.

Health officials said Tuesday that 48% of Mississippi residents were fully vaccinated, and 29% had received a booster shot. About 63% of people nationwide are fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University.

With the surge in new virus cases, there has also been a surge in demand for testing. Dobbs said the state is expanding the number of available testing sites, and asked residents to be patient.

There is testing available, its just not on-demand like weve had before," he said. ... That convenience might not be quite as big as it has been. But you know, this is a moment of phenomenally increased demand. So itll be a little bit of a challenge.

Due to a surge in new confirmed coronavirus cases, the mayor of Mississippi's capital city has ordered the closure of city hall and other offices.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's new executive order closing offices went into effect Wednesday. Only essential employees will continue to work in person, he said. The order will stay in place until at least next Wednesday.

The infectious spread of COVID-19 through both the Delta and Omicron variants has continued and dramatically increased in the City of Jackson, with a corresponding increase in hospitalizations and death rate," the mayor said in a statement. The City of Jackson does not have the luxury of a wait-and-see approach to the continued threat.

___

Leah Willingham 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.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Kuwait's ruling emir announced the formation of a new Cabinet on Tuesday, breaking a weekslong deadlock with the nomination of 15 new government ministers who will have to address a series of political and financial difficulties.

The new Cabinet of Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah represents the Gulf Arab state's fourth government over the last year and a half alone.

Kuwait has struggled to defuse a standoff between members of the Gulf's only elected parliament and a government appointed by the emir. The dispute has delayed an overhaul of Kuwait's welfare system and prevented the sheikhdom from taking on debt  leaving it with little in its coffers to pay bloated public sector salaries.

In recent weeks, however, 84-year-old Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah has ramped up efforts to resolve the political paralysis, granting amnesty to members of the self-exiled opposition.

It remains uncertain the new Cabinet can take swift action to appease the public, especially with the ministers representing such starkly different bases and backgrounds according to the state's established appointment system.

(The government) is a cocktail. Its a victim of a quota system. I have one Shiite, I have one woman, I have a few tribal members. ... It should be merit-based, said Bader al-Saif, a Kuwait University professor. How can you follow the same manual and expect different results?

A few new, young faces from civil society stood out among the appointees. Three members from the parliament's so-called opposition bloc landed government positions, including the young and popular lawmaker Hamad Rouhaddeen, who took over the Information Ministry from a supporter of the royal family.

The new finance minister Abduwahab al-Rushaid is another outspoken, young figure with substantial support from merchant families  shaking up a Cabinet typically filled with older bureaucrats.

Kuwaiti analysts on social media suggested that the appointments could weaken the sway of opposition lawmakers in parliament who have blocked government reforms. More parliamentarians now have tribal representation in the new Cabinet and may be persuaded to support the government.

Sheikh Nawaf wished the prime minister luck from his palace and expressed hope that the executive and legislative branches would cooperate for the sake of Kuwait's development and welfare, the state-run KUNA news agency reported.
The first cases of the coronavirus omicron variant has been reported in Southeast Texas.

The Port Arthur Public Health Department reported two cases in Jefferson County, including a senior Groves man between the age of 65 and 70 and a Port Arthur man between the age of 40 and 44.

One of the men previously was hospitalized but is now recovering at home. One of the men was vaccinated. The other mans vaccination status is unknown.

There very well may be other cases that we just dont know about because everybody is not being tested in a manner where their specimen is being sent out, said Port Arthur Public Health Director Judith Smith. We have seen an increase in testing in our community, but most of the tests are rapid tests.

Public health officials still are encouraging people to get vaccinated and booster shots. Smith said most of the omicron cases reported in other parts of the country have been mild, especially for those who were vaccinated.

That is the most important thing is that people continue to get vaccinated so that if they are exposed and they actually develop this virus that it will be a mild case and they wont actually have to go to the hospital, Smith said.

Public health officials have seen a significant rise in COVID-cases, including in Southeast Texas.

Related: Southeast Texas COVID cases rise as infusion supplies drop

From Dec. 23 to 28, the Port Arthur Health Department reported 60 COVID positive cases, including 21 for Port Arthur; 10 for Groves; 21 for Nederland, and 8 for Port Neches. The Beaumont area alone is seeing averaging about 140 cases per day, but 254 new cases were reported on Tuesday  a nearly 173% increase from Dec. 21s 93 new confirmed cases in the city. The city of Beaumont reported 279 new confirmed cases on Wednesday.

The antibody infusion center, which serves the greater Southeast Texas area, is receiving double its capacity in calls.

Smith said the good news is local public health officials also have seen an increase in vaccinations  first and second doses as well as boosters.

The Port Arthur Health Department still has an open door with all vaccinations, including childrens, being administered at the Texas Artists Museum located at 3501 Cultural Center Dr.

The vaccines are available for any person that is of the age of 5 and older at the museum. No appointment is requred. Walk-ins are welcome from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for the New Years Eve holiday this Friday.

For more information call 409-332-6215 or 409-983-8832.

megan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP)  A man is in custody after his father's body was found in a building behind his home in Georgia.

Steve Joe Andrade, 26, of Gainesville, was caught just hours after Tuesday's discovery when officers pulled him over, about four miles from the home where Esteban Andrade, 52, was found dead, the Hall County Sheriff's Office said.
Jefferson Countys COVID-19 regional infusion center is struggling to keep up with a rising need in the area  and thats not the only problem.

The center has the capacity to infuse about 60 people per day, but with the number of new infections on the rise, Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said the number of calls being received at the regional infusion center exceeds that amount.

The Beaumont area alone is seeing about 140 cases per day, Branick said, while the center, which serves the greater Southeast Texas area, is receiving double its capacity in calls.

We are having many more than that call, Branick said. The call center is overwhelmed. People are calling, and they are not getting an answer and they are thinking that nobody is there  it is just they cannot keep up with all of the calls.

On Tuesday, the city of Beaumont reported 254 new confirmed cases  a nearly 173% increase from Dec. 21s 93 new confirmed cases in the city.

The county is working with various healthcare providers to try to increase capacity for infusions, including by attempting to hire independently-contracted nurses.

We hope to expand the capacity an additional 50 patients per day. Those are costs that the county will be paying. Those plans are in the works, and I am hopeful that either by this weekend or Monday that we are going to have that operation up and running.

Due to a national shortage of the monoclonal antibody, sotrovimab, regional infusion centers across Texas  including in The Woodlands, Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso  have exhausted supply until January, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services on Monday. Sotrovimab is the only monoclonal antibody treatment effective against the Omicron variant, which accounted for approximately 90% of new COVID cases on Monday, DSHS said.

Branick said officials have been working with the state for almost two weeks trying to expand capacity, but the federal supply shortage has trickled down to the states.

I know the state is working with the federal government trying to expand supplies of the monoclonial antibodies, but this is an issue we have been working on for two weeks, and we are just doing the best we can with what is available and trying to expand capacity and hoping that the supplies will remain available to allow us to do that.

Branick did not express a concern at this time about the potential for the center in this region to run out of the supply.

We have not been told that as of yet, Branick said. We are doing OK right now, and we are going to continue to work hoping that supplies will be sufficient from the federal government to the state and from the state to our infusion center and our local hospitals.

If the region continues to see an increase in cases with a shortage of supplies and personnel, the county may begin looking prioritizing certain groups of patients such as at-risk and senior patients, Branick said.

If a call is not answered at the center, Branick said to keep trying as operators are overwhelmed, and the county hasnt been able to find other people to work due to the holidays.

We are trying to expand capacity, and we will be hopefully opening that up soon, Branick said.

Meanwhile, Hardin County Health Services has released a letter to the public asking the community to do its part in preventing the spread of variants of the novel coronavirus. Hardin County is one of five counties that utilize Jefferson County hospitals and the infusion center.

Health Authority Dr. Jana Winberg said as of Tuesday, since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 10,000 county residents, or 20% of the population, has tested positive for the virus  including 209 people who died from it.

Many other people had symptoms and chose not to test and some chose to be vaccinated while others did not, Winberg said. She noted there is still much to learn about this virus and its variants as the cases once again begin to rise in Southeast Texas.

We have been fortunate over the last few weeks to have had a fairly low number of cases per week in Hardin County, however the number of cases is increasing, Winberg said. It is likely to be the omicron variant, as it is becoming the predominant variant across Texas.

Related: Beaumont COVID cases jump 800%, health officials stress holiday safety

While someone sick with the Delta variant may have spread to six other people on average, Winberg said early numbers indicate that one person sick with the possibly-more contagious omicron variant will infect somewhere between 10 to 30 other people.

The community is also seeing cases of influenza, as well as bronchitis and other infections, she said.

It takes all of us working together to keep the viruses and illnesses from spreading like wildfire, Winberg said. Please do your part.

Health officials are asking those who are sick to stay home, even if a sinus infection or cold is presumed to be the cause. Those who must go out are asked to wear a mask over their mouth and nose while indoors and around others, which Winberg said will catch most of the droplets.

Those with symptoms are encouraged to stay home and consider getting tested. Winberg also recommended washing hands often, remaining six feet or more away from people who are not in the household, and covering the mouth for coughs and sneezes.

It is still unclear if the variant is more or less severe than previous variants, as it depends on a variety of factors such as whether an individual is vaccinated.

However, Winberg said risk of reinfection with the omicron variant is about five times greater than reinfection with the delta variant.

This means that being sick before does not offer 100% protection from getting sick again, and protection may be as low as 20%, Winberg said.

Vaccination does offer protection from getting sick or hospitalized compared to not being vaccinated, she said.

Overall, there is still less severe illness and less death in those who have been vaccinated. And there is some protection against getting sick at all, Winberg said. Getting both shots in the series is better than only 1 shot of the series, and getting the booster provides even better protection. May you have a safe New Year. And may 2022 bring us better things.

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/megzmagpie
An increase in this number was expected, but the surge was pleasantly surprising: Since a federal judge ordered Texas 18 months ago to offer limited online voter registration, 1.5 million Texans have taken advantage of this opportunity to sign up.

Think about that total  1.5 million Texans who can now vote  and in many cases, might not have been willing or able to vote before. This is democracy in action, and state officials should be doing everything they can to promote more legal voting instead of erecting barriers to it.

Texas is unfortunately one of just a few states that does not offer an online registration option. It not clear how many of these 1.5 million people are registering to vote for the first time. Most of them are probably updating addresses on existing registrations. Either way, they are able to eliminate a hurdle that encourages them to actually get out and vote.

Experts say this option eliminates a potential problem for those who probably arent thinking about updating their voter registration information after they move, when they are required to update their address. This option also makes it easier for election officials to spot the rare cases of voter fraud by flagging simple mistakes, like a voter using an outdated address when voting.

The federal judge issued this order in August 2020, when Texas was found to be in violation of the National Voter Registration Act. The ruling required state officials to give residents the opportunity to register when they renew their drivers license online.

Nearly 2 million Texans use the Department of Public Safety website to renew their drivers licenses each year, with very few reports of problems or fraud. If state officials can trust the online process for something that important, it should be encouraged for voter registration and other official functions, such as hunting and fishing licenses.

Republican officials need to get over the belief that they will lose more elections when more Texans register or vote. The 2020 statewide elections saw record turnout, and Republicans did quite well. Former president Trump won the state, the GOP won every statewide race again and didnt lose any ground in the Legislature even though Democrats were predicted to make gains.

Results like that show that the Republican Party is still very strong in Texas and can win competitive races. Both parties should encourage more Texans to register and vote, and then compete vigorously in elections. Any party or candidate that fears high turnout is one that has other problems.
A China Coast Guard ship is seen from an Indonesian Naval ship during a patrol north of Natuna island, Indonesia, Jan. 11, 2020.

Updated at 12:28 p.m. ET on 2021-12-29

Indonesia has invited officials in charge of maritime security from five other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to meet early next year to discuss how to respond to Chinas assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Head of the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia, was quoted in the Indonesian media as telling reporters that hed invited his counterparts from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam to a meeting in February 2022 to share experiences and foster brotherhood among the countries facing similar challenges posed by China.

Maritime agencies from the six countries took part in an ASEAN Coast Guard Forum last October, signalling willingness to cooperate.

The Jakarta Post quoted Aan as saying that it is important to present a coordinated approach in matters related to the South China Sea, and how to respond in the field when we face the same disturbance. The vice admiral did not mention China by name.

The initiative is being praised by some analysts.

Coast guards in Southeast Asia have a bad history of cooperation  they see each other as their primary challenges, even worse than the navies, which have learned to cooperate amid competition, said Thomas Daniel, a senior fellow at Malaysias Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS).

I think what the Indonesians are proposing is very interesting and bold. At least they are trying something, Daniel said.

Chinas sweeping claims in the South China Sea are disputed by other regional countries and were invalidated by an international tribunal in 2016. However, Beijing continues to harass other countries when they are exploring resources in these waters.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Taiwan and ASEAN member-states Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

While Indonesia does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesia's exclusive economic zone as well.

Recently, Beijing told Jakarta to stop drilling for oil and gas near the Natuna islands inside Indonesias exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as the block lies within the so-called nine-dash line that China uses to demarcate its expansive claims.

The Chinese coast guard has also been active across the South China Sea.

A meeting similar to the ASEAN Coast Guard forum would be a great opportunity for ASEAN coast guards and maritime law enforcement agencies to talk and cooperate with each other, said Satya Pratama, a senior Indonesian government official and a former Bakamla captain.

It is also a good idea for Indonesia [through Bakamla] to explain Indonesias intention so that others can understand and follow suit, he said.

A crewman from a Vietnamese coast guard ship looks out at sea as Chinese coast guard vessels give chase to Vietnamese ships close to an oil rig in the South China Sea, July 15, 2014. [Reuters]

Coalition to push South China Sea negotiation?

ASEAN has a checkered history of cooperation on the South China Sea, which has emerged as a source of tension with China. Its also been a source of division in the 10-nation bloc itself as it has tried to negotiate a Code of Conduct (COC) to regulate maritime activities there, with some nations like incoming ASEAN chair Cambodia reluctant to criticize Beijing.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. alluded to those difficulties earlier this month when he addressed a meeting between foreign ministers from ASEAN and Group of Seven (G7) developed countries.

He said that as ASEAN countries and China struggle to agree on the South China Sea issues, recent incidents and the heightened tension  remain a serious concern.

These worrying developments underscore the urgency and importance of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea  But negotiations for the COC, even on our watch, went nowhere, Locsin said.

Observers say that a united ASEAN approach is difficult as not every ASEAN member gives the same weight to the South China Sea dispute.

China has successfully exploited ASEANs decision-making by consensus to ensure that it has greater leverage in statements by ASEAN on the South China Sea, and in the COC negotiation itself, Daniel from Malaysias ISIS said.

Perhaps its time for the most directly involved ASEAN countries  the claimant states  to take the lead and not depend too much on the rest of ASEAN, Daniel said.

Some suggest that a smaller grouping  a coalition of four or five member states  would be more effective.

Antonio Carpio, a former justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, was quoted by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) as saying that five ASEAN coastal states - the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, plus Indonesia - should form a coalition to oppose Chinas hegemony and bullying.

But Daniel warned that getting the four claimant states together is going to be very difficult.

There is a longstanding trust issue between them, as well as fear of retaliation by China, he said.

The Vietnam Coast Guard and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in strengthening maritime security and safety between the two forces. But overlapping maritime claims have been an irritant in VietnamIndonesia bilateral relations for decades.

The two countries frequently clash over the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. In 2019, for example, Indonesia seized and destroyed 38 Vietnamese vessels for illegal fishing.

A similar situation is seen between Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as between Indonesia and Malaysia, observers say.

CORRECTION: An earlier version misspelled the name of Satya Pratama, the former Bakamla captain.
A boat carrying Rohingya including women and children is seen stranded in waters off the coast of Bireuen regency, Aceh province, Indonesia, Dec. 27, 2021.

Indonesia agreed to allow about 120 Rohingya stranded on a boat near Aceh province to come ashore, officials said Wednesday, after two days of pressure from locals, human rights groups and the United Nations refugee agency.

Spotted by local fishermen on Sunday, the Rohingya were being allowed in because it was an emergency situation, officials said, after the UNHCR said their boat had engine trouble.

The Indonesian government has decided today, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, on humanitarian grounds, to accommodate the Rohingya refugees who are currently drifting on a ship in the sea near Bireuen regency, Aceh, said Armed Wijaya, chairman of the governments Task Force for Handling Refugees from Overseas.

This decision was made after considering the emergency situation experienced by the refugees on the ship, he said in a statement.

The vessel was drifting about 50 nautical miles off the coast of Bireuen and will be towed ashore, Armed said. Its passengers were mostly women and children but the exact number was not immediately known.

All on the boat will undergo health screening for data collection and implementation of health protocols amid the pandemic, he said.

On Tuesday, an Indonesian official had said the Rohingya would be provided with food and fuel so they could continue their journey to Malaysia, their original destination. Local officials said they had limited resources to care for the refugees as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Armed said the migrants should have been brought to land when their boat was stranded on Sunday.

They should have been allowed [to come ashore] from the start because all the elements of an emergency are fulfilled. After this, the government must not be late in taking action and must be responsive, he said.

Reza Maulana, chairman of the humanitarian organization Geutanyoe Foundation, said representatives of the fishing community were pushing for the Rohingya to be taken to shore on Wednesday.

As we speak the boat has not been towed, but it will likely be pulled to the coast today. Maybe tonight if possible, he told BenarNews.

Reza said contrary to previous reports, the boat did not have a leak, but its engine stalled. Bad weather including thunderstorms had caused the boat to take on water, creating a danger of capsizing.

The Rohingya will be under the care of the UNHCR pending verification of their refugee status, according to Reza.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) said aid supplies including food, fuel, clothing and medicines had been delivered to the boat.

The assistance was delivered directly to the Lhokseumawe naval base commander and the police, Bakamla said in a written statement.

Indonesian sailors deliver supplies to a ship destined for the Rohingya boat stranded in waters off Bireuen, Aceh province, Dec. 29, 2021. [AFP/Indonesian Navy]

Matter of life and death

Amnesty International welcomed the governments decision to take in the Rohingya, saying it was in line with the countrys international obligations.

We really hope that the refugees will immediately get basic services after going through dangerous and exhausting conditions while at sea, including health, food and psychological counseling, Usman Hamid, Amnestys executive director in Indonesia, told BenarNews.

Based on a 2016 presidential regulation, the Indonesian government has an obligation to rescue refugees who are in distress, Armed said.

Usman said the government should have taken swifter action.

Every hour is a matter of life and death at sea, he said.

Since a brutal crackdown by security forces in Myanmars Rakhine state against the Rohingya in 2017, hundreds have paid traffickers to transport them to Thailand and Malaysia. The Rohingya hope to find work away from Myanmar or crowded refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh.

Since the 2017 crackdown, about 740,000 Rohingya who fled Myanmar settled in camps in and around Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar, now home to about 1 million of the refugees.

Over the years, groups of Rohingya have packed into boats and sailed off in search of asylum in other countries, but have often been refused entry.

As of October, at least 665 Rohingya ended up stranded in Indonesia on their way to third countries including Malaysia and Australia, according to UNHCR.

Indonesia is not a party to the U.N.s 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. It prohibits refugees from obtaining jobs and attending formal schools.
Some 5 million young people in Malaysia are poised to shake up the nations politics, analysts say, noting that the newly enfranchised voting bloc will be instrumental in who wins the 15th general election, which could take place next year.

From next month on, these 18-21-year olds will be allowed to vote, as ill-equipped political parties scramble to pander to their issues, one political scientist observed.

There is a new political space being opened up and all the political parties are pandering to the wishes of the 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds because they will represent a major voting bloc, James Chin, an analyst with the University of Tasmania, told BenarNews.

The year 2021 indeed has been a big one for youth enfranchisement in the Southeast Asian nation. It brought the implementation of a law lowering the voting age to 18 from 21, and the year-end registration of a youth party, MUDA, announced on Wednesday by its co-founder, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Muda is a Malay word for young yet it was an uphill battle for the party of and for young people to become officially registered as it faced alleged political interference.

As the country begins a new year, the youth will take its political landscape by storm, said Nurul Ashikin Mabahwi, who heads the womens wing of Pejuang, a political party.

And older established parties will find it a challenge to appeal to a younger electorate, according to Chin.

This is where it gets interesting. If you were to ask most young people, overwhelmingly they will want the old faces in politics to retire, Chin said.

Syed Saddiq, co-founder of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA), a youth party, waves outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court after he won a case against the home ministry, Dec. 14, 2021. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

MUDA, the party, will face a fresh electorate during the next nationwide polls.

Many say these could be held next year in the country being ruled by a second consecutive unelected government since February 2020.

The law lowering the voting age was passed in July 2019 during the rule of the then-elected Pakatan Harapan government, but its implementation was delayed.

After several protests by a movement called Undi18 went nowhere, five youths sued the government for the hold up in implementing the law and won the case. The court ordered that 18-21-year-olds must be allowed to vote by this Dec. 31.

The 5 million new voters will comprise nearly a quarter of the total electorate of 21.1 million, and their addition has given a boost to the under-40 constituency of voters, said Zaidel Baharuddin, MUDAs information chief.

In the last election, almost 41 percent of voters who turned out to cast their ballot were aged 21-39, local media reported.

With Undi18 coming into force, the largest voting bloc will be those below 40  the same group which is bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of the slowing economy, and [because of] bad decisions by the same people who have governed this country for the past 60 years, Zaidel, 38, told BenarNews recently.

Its about time we have a fresh political movement that aims to gain political influence [and] have a say in how policies are being crafted and implemented in this country.

Zaidel was referring to the United Malays National organization, or UMNO, the party which is back in power now and has dominated Malaysian government for decades.

The past two governments that came to power unelected spurred the coming of age of young social and political activists  who began protesting online late last year and on the streets this year. They held protests on a range of issues, including against a national emergency imposed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in 2020, the alleged mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to show their support for Undi18.

This demographic, the 18-25-year-olds, are the worst hit by the pandemic.

The health crisis has increased joblessness and income difficulties for Malaysias young workers aged 15-24, said an article published in September by Singapores Yusof Ishak Institute.

Youth unemployment touched 12.5 percent in 2020, up from 10.5 percent in 2019, the article said, adding the COVID-19 stimulus packages prioritized the more experienced workers.

When the Undi18 youths won their case, scholar Bridget Welsh had said the youth vote would be decisive in GE15, the next election which, under ordinary circumstances, would have been scheduled for 2023.

[The court] decision puts all parties on notice that more needs to be done to address [the] needs [of the] young  education, employment and respect, Welsh, with the University of Nottingham Malaysia, said on Twitter.

Entice them to march to the ballot box

Meanwhile, will political parties be able to deliver what the youth need?

The average age of the Malaysian cabinet is 57, with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob being 61. The youngest person in his cabinet, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, is 45. And Ismail Sabris predecessors, Muhyiddin Yassin and Mahathir Mohamad are 74 and 96, respectively.

A member of the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP), which was part of the Pakatan coalition, agreed that for the youth it is out with old.

The main challenge  is to find a policy that is responding to the needs of the youth, especially decent jobs and decent pay, and of course, the climate will be an emerging issue too, Liew Chin Tong, DAPs National Political Education director, told BenarNews.

In general, the youth want the nation to move forward and not backward, and DAP has a very young slate of candidates compared to most other parties, he said, referring to the candidates the party is thinking of nominating to stand for elections.

But merely fielding young candidates is not enough to win over the younger demographic, said Iskandar Fareez, a spokesman for Research for Social Advancement (REFSA).

We have seen inspirational youths who champion various progressive issues and advocate for institutional change in recent years, he told BenarNews.

But we cannot assume that the entire segment [of voters] will have the same inclinations. Whichever party that can entice them to march to the ballot box and exercise their right, will have an edge over their rivals.

The youth, though, have endeared themselves to Malaysians and garnered a great deal of goodwill by volunteering to help during floods that devastated the country this month.

MUDA, for instance, raised 2 million ringgit (U.S. $478,297) within a week to help the flood victims. It also brought together more than 5,000 volunteers to help with the rescue and clean-up work.

MUDA and all of Malaysias young were lauded on social media for those efforts.

Dude is literally operating a shadow government on his own. Kudos MUDA! Malaysians are watching! one Malaysian said on Twitter.

MUDA raised close to 2 million, PKR [Pakatan member Peoples Justice Party] apparently 8 million. That is more than 10 million ringgit of the peoples hard-earned money, going direct to households. When is the Government acting? 250 million ringgit for 50,000 of Keluarga Malaysia [Malaysian family]? said a Twitter user called Edwin.

The youth are frustrated and impatient.

It is not only the current governments perceived mishandling of the floods, but also the preceding governments response to the pandemic that has irked young people here. They feel they have no one in their corner, some young people have said on Twitter.

A 21-year-old marketing executive, Hawa Nadia, said she was almost considering not voting in the next election unless the opposition Pakatan Harapan pact or MUDA step up their game.

Hawa, who volunteered herself in aid missions after the Dec. 18 floods, spoke favorably about MUDA, saying the new party should be given a chance. She also said Pakatan was a good option.

These two are our lesser evil choices, she told BenarNews.

Theyre definitely a better option than the rest, especially for those of us who are sick of old, corrupted, and misogynistic politicians  and thats like half of Malaysia.
An open-pit mine is seen in Claver town, Surigao del Norte province in southern Philippines, Feb. 22, 2021.

The Tampakan copper-gold project in the southern Philippines, one of the largest mines in Southeast Asia, is expected to be among those permitted to resume operations in the country after the central government lifted a ban on open-pit mining.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu signed the order on Dec. 23, lifting the four-year-old ban on the open-pit mining for copper, gold, silver and complex ores in the country, according to a copy of the order seen by BenarNews this week.

The change is to revitalize the mining industry and usher in significant economic benefits to the country by providing raw materials for the construction and development of other industries and by increasing employment opportunities in rural areas, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) administrative order no. 2021-40.

At the same time, the government established enhanced parameters and criteria for the types of surface mining methods to address environmental issues, the order said.

The DENR said mining permit holders will be required to conduct baseline information gathering and evaluation and incorporate the same in the mining project feasibility study and present the study to the government for approval.

In open-pit mines, minerals are extracted from the ground while underground mines require tunnels. Environmentalists have said open pits are particularly damaging to the environment since more ore needs to be mined even as plants and animals are virtually eliminated.

The ministrys order is expected to open the door for big-scale mining projects to be revived, including the Sagittarius Mines Inc.s $5.9 billion Tampakan gold-copper project, the Philippines largest minefield, in South Cotabato.

Apart from substantial copper and gold reserves, the Philippines is a significant nickel producer. In 2015 mined about 420,000 tons of nickel, the metal derived from nickel ore  about 20 percent of global supply.

These were mainly shipped to other countries, led by China, to make other semiconductor products.

Environmentalists link mining, typhoon

Leon Dulce, the national coordinator of Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment, condemned the move to lift the ban. He blamed mining firms for the devastation of watersheds that contributed to the recent calamity wrought by Super Typhoon Rai, known locally as Odette, which killed nearly 400.

He also called on all pro-environment Filipinos to unite and defeat the pro-mining alliance.

We must challenge all opposition forces to champion the reinstatement of the open-pit mining ban and the moratorium on new mining projects, Dulce said in a statement on Wednesday.

The promise that this move will bring in money for economic recovery is nothing but disinformation, he said. For every 10 pesos worth of minerals they will plunder, only a peso will return to the Philippines.

Jaybee Garganera, convenor of the Green Thumb Coalition, called lifting the ban a cruel Christmas gift from DENR and a truly ironic act of cowardice and betrayal from President Rodrigo Duterte.

At this time when climate change brings devastating typhoons such as Odette [Rai], lifting the ban on open-pit mining is a short-sighted and misplaced development priority of the government, Garganera said.

Once again, the Duterte regime puts more premium to its flawed economic agenda categorizing destructive mining as an essential industry as part of the pandemic recovery.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), meanwhile, praised the DENR order.

We welcome the decision to lift the ban on open-pit mining. As most mining applications propose the use of the open-pit method, this decision will enable the industry to contribute more to our countrys economic recovery, particularly from the devastating effects of this ongoing pandemic through investment promotion, job creation and poverty alleviation, COMP said in a statement, according to Philippine media.

Open-pit mines can be operated safely, according to globally accepted standards, and can be rehabilitated properly in a manner that provides alternative and productive land use after the life of the mine, it said.

The order repealed the directive of the late Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, an anti-mining advocate who implemented the ban in 2017 over concerns regarding environmental destruction and displacement of locals.

Lopez became the bane of big mining companies after an audit she ordered found they allegedly severely damaged watershed areas. She called for the closure of 23 mines, suspended five others and canceled 75 contracts.

Just 10 months into her term, congressmen rejected Lopezs appointment amid lobbying by mining firms. Duterte then let her go.

Her death in 2019 from natural causes was mourned by environmental and anti-mining groups.
Thai soldiers in Mae Sot, Tak province, receive Myanmar villagers who fled clashes between Burmese troops and an ethnic Karen rebel group during the third week of December 2021.

Thousands of people in Myawaddy township in Myanmars Kayin state have been displaced by fighting between the military and anti-junta forces over the past two weeks, officials and relief groups said Wednesday, with more than one-third having crossed the border to Thailand.

The exodus began on Dec. 15, according to sources, when government troops engaged with members of the local prodemocracy Peoples Defense Force and the armed branch of the ethnic Karen National Union  known as the Karen National Liberation Army  in Myawaddys Lay Kay Kaw area.

Since then, more than 16,000 residents of Lay Kay Kaw and the surrounding villages of Phlu Gyi, Phlulay, Rathegu, Hyeemae Warkhi, Mae Htaw Thale and Pahikalaw have fled for safety. Of those, an estimated 6,000 people have crossed the border into neighboring Thailands Tak province to escape the violence.

Naw Say Say, the general secretary of the Womens League of Burma, which helps refugees along the Thailand-Myanmar border, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that many of the people who have crossed into Thailand are sheltering at a cattle ranch near Mae Sot townships Mae Kot Kin village.

As far as we know, there are tens of thousands of people [displaced] from more than 10 villages on the Myanmar side, she said. They are moving from place to place and its hard to get the exact numbers.

Naw Say Say added that there is a shortage of necessities such as clothes, medicine, food and shelter for the refugees.

Rescue workers told RFA the refugees suffered from an outbreak of cholera beginning on Dec. 20 because of a lack of clean water, but that the situation has since improved.

Ye Min of the Thailand-based Aid Alliance Committee said his group is trying to locate a site for a more permanent camp on the Thai side of the border but is facing difficulties because of the large number of refugees who have crossed over from Myanmar.

There isnt enough space for everyone because we received more than 5,000 people without any prior notice, he said.

Some are now taking shelter in a barn, but the place had to be cleared up first. And then we put new tents in the open field, and it was hot. Its very hot at night as they must sleep on plastic sheets. The situation is very difficult.

He said the refugees are enduring extremely unsanitary conditions with just a few toilets for thousands of people. The aid committee is working to expand facilities, he said.

Refugees from Kayin state's Lay Kay Kaw area shelter along the Thailand-Myanmar border, Dec. 16, 2021. [MPA]

Aid stretched thin

A woman who is sheltering in Thailand told RFA that she fled after the military began shelling her refugee camp on the Myanmar side of the Thaungyin River.

Our camp was the first to get attacked. The first shell hit the kitchen hall at the rear of the camp, and we all fled, she said.

We had to cross the river as the shelling continued. It was very hard crossing the river with small children and elderly people. Even while we were crossing the river, the Burmese army was firing at us in the river from the other side.

Aid groups said the refugees do not have to worry about food for the time being, but expect that supplies will be difficult to secure over the long term.

Most of those who fled did so barefoot [and] without any possessions, Wanlop Malai, a Thai volunteer based in Tak province, told BenarNews.

In the past, most of the donations were clothes. The government does not have the budget for it. We are short on food supplies, he said on Tuesday. There are about 5,000 refugees and we need 15,000 boxes of food for three meals each day.

The governor of Tak province told the international media that the number of refugees in Thailand who fled fighting in Myanmar had risen to 5,358 as of Dec. 26. He said Thai security officials are stepping up humanitarian assistance to the refugees and that medical care is being provided to the injured.

Asked if Thailand would allow the United Nations refugee agency to have full access to the refugees, Tanee Sangrat, a spokesman for the countrys Foreign Affairs Ministry, told BenarNews that his government had been working closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to share assessments and planning should the need arise where the Thai authorities are unable to manage the situation themselves.

At present, various protection and other needs are being met by our interagency task force, and we will continue to monitor the volatile situation along our border, to address a number of concerns there, from COVID-19 to trafficking to humanitarian concerns such as this one. And we will continue to work together with UNHCR and our NGO partners to do so.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has said he will not build more refugee camps on the Thai side of the border. He told reporters on Wednesday that the refugees will have to return home when conditions improve.

Refugees shelter in Kayin states Lay Kay Kaw area, Dec. 16, 2021. [MPA]

Fighting ongoing

Fighting has continued in the Lay Kay Kaw area of Myawaddy township, with Karen National Union (KNU) officials accusing the junta of using civilian vehicles to expand its military presence along local routes in the region.

Additionally, the KNU said Tuesday that hundreds of civilians have also fled ongoing military activity in the Muthe area of neighboring Bago regions Nyaunglebin township.

KNU foreign affairs officer Padoh Saw Tawney told RFA on Wednesday it was not yet possible for the refugees in Thailand to return home because the military has so deployed many units in KNU-controlled areas.

There will be no peace if their troops continue to enter instead of withdrawing. So, what we want to call for is a withdrawal of the troops and an end to all acts of violence against civilians, he said.

The people are not running away for no reason. They were forced to flee their homes because shells and bullets were raining on their villages. [The military] cannot hide this fact from the world.

Residents told RFA that fires were seen burning as recently as Tuesday evening in Lay Kay Kaw, where the military is stationed. The KNU said recently that the military began using airstrikes against Karen National Liberation Army forces on Dec. 23.

Nontarat Phaicharoen in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies with snow developing overnight. Low 22F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%. About one inch of snow expected..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies with snow developing overnight. Low 22F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%. About one inch of snow expected.
In the last year, the Associated Press tracked down some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals that were shared widely on social media. Here is a look back at the most read and most shared Factcheck stories from the AP.

5. Pfizer CEO was not arrested by the FBI, nor charged with fraud

Pfizer CEO was not arrested by the FBI, nor charged with fraud CLAIM: The CEO of Pfizer was arrested on Nov. 5 by FBI agents, charged with fraud and was being held in federal custody while awaiting a bail 

4. Dominion Voting Systems lawsuits against Powell and Giuliani are ongoing

Dominion Voting Systems lawsuits against Powell and Giuliani are ongoing THE FACTS: Dominions defamation lawsuits against Powell and Giuliani are ongoing, according to legal records. In January 2021, Dominion Votin

3. Report claiming excess Biden votes doesnt show fraud

Report claiming excess Biden votes doesnt show fraud The report claims there was likely Strong/Rampant fraud in several states and counties nationwide, but appears to base the claim solely on how different the results were from a prediction, not on any actual examples of fraud.

2. Spike protein produced by vaccine is not toxic

Spike protein produced by vaccine is not toxic THE FACTS: COVID-19 vaccines do instruct the body to produce spike proteins that teach the immune system to combat the spikes on the coronavir

1. Japan has not substituted ivermectin for COVID-19 vaccines
Investigations editor

Larry Parnass joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, CommonWealth Magazine and with the Reuters news service.
Felix Carroll can be reached at fcarroll@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6391.

Felix Carroll can be reached at fcarroll@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6391.
You are the owner of this article.
Copies of J.D. Salinger's classic novel "The Catcher in the Rye" as well as his volume of short stories called "Nine Stories" are seen at the Orange Public Library in Orange, Ohio. A photo of Salinger is at left.
PRESTON, ID - During the late afternoon of Sunday, December 26, Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers from the Southeast Region responded to a report of two bull elk that had broken through the ice on Treasureton Reservoir north of Preston, ID.

Officers attempted to use a Fish and Game airboat to reach the elk with the plan to cut an open water pathway through the ice for the elk to swim ashore. Unfortunately, the rescue effort was not successful.

The elk had broken through the ice about 50 yards from shore on the other side of the reservoir from where the boat could be launched. Temperatures were below freezing and ice depths variable. This made it difficult to navigate the boat along the frozen reservoir surface.

We were moving along on the top of the ice toward the elk, and then our boat broke through where the ice was thinner, says District Conservation Officer, Korey Owens, of Preston. After we maneuvered the boat back to the top of the ice, the water on the bottom of the boat froze us to the ice. We were stuck there.

Using a chainsaw and shovels, it took two hours for the officers to break the ice and free their boat; however, conditions were simply too dangerous for their personal safety to continue the rescue effort.

Though some of the ice on Treasureton Reservoir was at least five inches thick at the time of the incident, there were places where the ice was only two to three inches thick. Idaho Fish and Game cautions the public that variable ice conditions like this are not just unsafe for wildlife, they are unsafe for people, too.
Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, the truth about the January 6th capitol riot.

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A team of highly skilled medical experts at Tygerberg Hospital (TBH) performed a complex and successful ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) for a rare fetal abnormality on Friday, 10 December 2021.

Source: Supplied

Green light for surgery

Multidisciplinary team

First procedure of its kind

Securing an airway

Time for recovery

21-year-old Kiara Jackson, otherwise healthy, had been followed up at the Fetal Medicine Unit (FMU) of TBH since 21 weeks gestation because her fetus had a tumor in the mouth, likely a teratoma (usually benign).Kiara was counselled about the findings and implications of the abnormality. She was told that likely the tumor would grow in size and this could cause complications. It could obstruct the airway or esophagus of the fetus, resulting in polyhydramnios (too much fluid surrounding the fetus in the womb) which could lead to early labour or early breaking of the waters.Furthermore, the fetus could develop heart failure over time due to the high blood flow feeding the tumour. Kiara was informed that the delivery of the baby would be complicated with risks for her and baby, and that her baby would require an EXIT procedure. Additionally, the baby would also need surgery after birth that could result in damage to her vocal cords, nerves or vessels. There was also a small risk of malignancy of the tumour.Kiara chose to continue with the pregnancy despite all the risks involved and was regularly seen in the FMU. On the last review at 35 weeks, the tumour measured 114 by 16 by 87mm, forcing the fetal mouth wide open.An extensive team of medical subspecialists at TBH performed a successful EXIT procedure on 10 December, 2021 by only half-delivering a baby to create a gap of 30 minutes for treatment while continuing oxygen supply by means of the placenta. In that period, a team of doctors used multiple methods to establish an airway for the baby because she couldnt breathe spontaneously due to the presence of the very large tumour in her throat, which protruded from her mouth."We believe this to be the first of its kind in South Africa and are very proud of the team spirit of all involved roleplayers (six different teams with their own staff and equipment!) that made it possible to carry out this procedure with less than 24 hours' notice - as the mother showed signs of impending labour before the planned surgery date, explains Prof Lut Geerts.The purpose of the procedure was to establish an airway for the baby while it was still receiving oxygen from the placenta because it was only half-delivered during caesarean section with the placenta still attached to the uterine wall. This is necessary in cases where spontaneous breathing at birth is feared not to be possible due to growths of the fetal neck or in the mouth. for example.The planning of the procedure involved a multidisciplinary meeting involving the main team members, which was held on 6 December when the patient was 34 weeks and 5 days pregnant. She had an MRI of the fetus so all colleagues could visualise the anatomy.The team members were Prof L Geerts (head of Fetal Medicine Unit); Prof P Goussard (paediatric pulmonologist); Dr C de Vos (paediatric surgeon); Dr A Breedt (qnaesthesiologist for baby); Dr JL Burke (anaesthesiologist for mother); Dr M Merven (ear, nose and throat specialist); Dr HA Swart (obstetrician and gynaecologist); and Dr L van Wyk (neonatologist).The decision was a planned delivery by means of EXIT procedure on 15 December at 36 weeks gestation. The patient was reviewed three days later at the FMU and found to be at high risk of going into early labour (short cervix and high volumes of amniotic fluid). The reviewed decision was to deliver the baby the next morning at 35 weeks and two days gestation. High level arrangements were made at short notice to get everything in place.The EXIT procedure took place on 10 December at Tygerberg Hospital.Dr A Breedt provided general anaesthesia for Kiara (specific goals were deep anaesthesia and a completely relaxed uterus during the EXIT procedure, with good contraction of the uterus after delivery of the baby). Prof Geerts performed an amniodrainage (1 litre of fluid around the baby was drained by means of a needle into the womb before the operation started, to decrease the amount of fluid that might gush out during the surgery and result in the babys cord or body being pushed out of the uterus or the placenta detaching from the uterine wall).A caesarean section was performed by Drs HA Swart and C von Drunick (assistant). Srs J January, S Smith, staff nurse A Moses and nurse M Gantsho all played vital roles in theater.Only the baby girls head and neck and her right arm (for monitoring purposes) were gently delivered via the incision. Dr C Apollos performed an amnio-infusion during the surgery (warm fluid running into the uterus to avoid all the fluid draining out and the placenta detaching from the uterine wall due to the shrinking uterine volume).While the rest of the babys body was still in the uterus, attached to the placenta and thus receiving oxygen from the mother (as the baby could not breathe on her own due to the teratoma obstructing her whole mouth and nose), the goal was to secure an airway for the baby to be able to be ventilated by means of a tube.Dr J Burke gave anaesthetic agents into the baby's arm to keep her calm and avoid her feeling pain. Dr C de Vos took responsibility to handle the tumour, to keep it from being injured. and to advise on options of establishing an airway.Prof P Goussard and Dr M Merven took responsibility to establish the babys airway. They did this by attempting different routes (via babys nose and mouth) and with different instruments including videolaryngoscopy (trans-oral) and flexible bronchoscopy.Establishing an airway was very challenging due to the size and position of the tumour in the babys mouth. After 30 minutes an airway was established via a tube through the babys mouth.The baby was then fully delivered and further managed in the baby crib in theater. There, the oral tube was exchanged for a nasal tube under direct vision (as this is more stable with less change of accidentally slipping out).The baby was then taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) in a stable condition (under the care of Dr L Van Wyk). Most of the oral tumour could be removed by the paediatric surgery team five days later, on 15 December.The baby girl has been named Ivoree Jane and is currently stable, still in the neonatal ICU for supportive care. While Ivoree Jane can breathe well, there are still problems with her feeding and inability to close her mouth properly, which are being addressed.Kiaras surgery was completed as soon as her baby was delivered. She was given medication to contract the uterus firmly in order to prevent bleeding. Afterwards, she was observed in a high care setting for 24 hours due to high risk of bleeding from her uterus.Kiara was discharged two days later with no complications from the surgery and visits Ivoree Jane daily in the NICU.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Much of Asia has largely managed to keep omicron at bay even as the variant rages in other parts of the world, but the region that is home to most of the globes population is bracing for what may be an inevitable surge.

FILE - People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk under decorations for new year through the alley leading to Asakusa Sensoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2021. Caseloads of omicron have remained relatively low in many countries in Asia. For now, many remain insulated from the worst, although the next few months will remain critical. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Much of Asia has largely managed to keep omicron at bay even as the variant rages in other parts of the world, but the region that is home to most of the globes population is bracing for what may be an inevitable surge.

Strict quarantine rules for arrivals and widespread mask wearing have helped slow the spread of the highly contagious variant in Asia. Countries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand quickly reinstated entry and quarantine restrictions in recent weeks after relaxing them in the fall.

But cases are mounting, and experts say the next few months will be critical. Those fears have been amplified by doubts about the effectiveness of the Chinese-made vaccines used in China and much of the developing world.

Once the pace picks up, its upsurge would be extremely fast," said Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top medical adviser to Japans government.

In India, which has been getting back to normal after a devastating COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year, omicron is once again raising fears, with more than 700 cases reported in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people.

The capital, New Delhi, banned large gatherings for Christmas and New Years, and many other states have announced new restrictions, including curfews and vaccination requirements at stores and restaurants.

At the crowded Chandni Chowk market in New Delhi, many people were shopping without masks this week. Cycle rickshaw driver Mahesh Kumar said he is afraid of passengers who dont wear masks.

There are many people who dont believe in this disease. They think it doesnt exist. But I am very scared. I have children and a family, he said. If something happens to me, who will take care of them?

Australia is already dealing with multiple COVID-19 surges, with a state leader saying Wednesday that omicron is moving too quickly." Elsewhere, Thailand has topped 700 cases, South Korea has more than 500 and Japan, over 300. China, which has some of the strictest virus controls in the world, has reported at least eight.

A customer wearing a mask leaves from a dumplings restaurant in Beijing, China on Dec. 21, 2021. Caseloads of omicron have remained relatively low in many countries in Asia. For now, many remain insulated from the worst, although the next few months will remain critical. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Only four cases have been reported in the Philippines, where people flocked to shopping malls ahead of Christmas and to Mass in the biggest Roman Catholic nation in Asia. Some hospitals have even begun dismantling COVID-19 wards in a move experts say could prove to be premature.

Japan managed to delay the spread of the new variant for about a month largely thanks to its reimposition of entry restrictions, mandatory COVID-19 tests for all arrivals and the isolation of all passengers on a flight if anyone tested positive for omicron.

But the barrier was broken last week when the first locally transmitted cases were confirmed in the neighboring cities of Osaka and Kyoto. Experts are urging the government to prepare for an imminent wave of infections by increasing testing, speeding up booster shots and preparing more beds at hospitals.

We want to believe the omicron cases could be mild, but its fast-paced infections could quickly multiply the number of patients and could still overwhelm hospitals, Omi said.

Taiwan, where wearing a face mask is near universal in major cities, has started to offer booster shots of the Moderna vaccine and is urging people get a third shot before an expected influx of people returning home for Lunar New Year at the end of January.

Preliminary research has shown that booster shots of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines offer continued, though diminished, protection against omicron.

However, a Hong Kong University study that has yet to be published found that Chinas widely used Sinovac vaccine does not generate enough antibodies to protect against omicron, even with a booster shot, according to a university news release. Hong Kong offers both the Sinovac and Pfizer vaccines.

Sinovac did not respond to a request for comment. Chinese officials have said their vaccines are still effective.

Our inactivated vaccines are still rather reliable and cover a range of antigens. Therefore, they wont be completely ineffective against omicron, Zhong Nanshan, a top government doctor, said at a public forum.

Some countries that relied on the Chinese vaccines are turning to others for boosters.

Thailand, which largely used Sinovac and Sinopharm, another Chinese vaccine, is offering booster shots of AstraZeneca or Pfizer. Indonesia, where Sinovac has been the mainstay of a campaign to vaccinate its 270 million residents, is offering a Moderna booster for health care workers. The government is also planning boosters for the general population in January, though it hasnt said which vaccine.

Chinas attitude toward the virus, omicron or not, is to stop transmission in its tracks, and the country appears to be getting even tougher with the approach of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February.

Officials locked down the city of Xian, a city and administrative area of 13 million people last week, amid a delta outbreak that has infected hundreds of people. On Monday, they ordered everyone to stay at home until another citywide round of testing was completed.

Residents complained on social media about the sudden ban. Many were relying on instant noodles and other packaged food. Some worried how they would get enough food in the coming days, especially fresh vegetables.

China quarantines those arriving from abroad for weeks, depending on the province, with three weeks being the most common.

How Chinas zero-COVID-19 policy will play out at the Olympics is a major question. Athletes and visitors will not be allowed to leave the Olympic zones, and those attending such as officials, journalists and venue staff will be tested every day.

To contain a deadly delta-driven surge in South Korea, the government this month restored its toughest distancing rules with a four-person limit on private gatherings and a 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants.

Health experts predict its only a matter of time before omicron comes.

Omicron has such a high transmission rate that its too obvious that itll become the dominant variant in South Korea at some point, said Jaehun Jung, a professor at Gachon University College of Medicine in South Korea.

___

Associated Press staffers Busaba Sivasomboon in Bangkok, Thailand, Jim Gomez in the Philippines, Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, Krutika Pathi and Rishabh Jain in New Delhi, Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Japan and Olivia Zhang in Beijing contributed to this report.
The woes of the troubled Sydney Festival have continued to grow after one of its marquee productions was scrapped following an outbreak of COVID-19 among the cast.

Qween Lear, billed as a fierce and fabulous musical adaptation of King Lear, set over one wild night in ancient Sydney, was due to occupy the Hordern Pavilion from January 7 to 16.

Qween Lear has been scrapped after a COVID outbreak among cast and crew. Credit:John McRae

The news comes on top of growing calls from a coalition of Arab groups for a boycott of the festival over a sponsorship deal with the Israeli Embassy. Another high-profile artist, Karla Dickens, has withdrawn her work from the festival in protest.

In a brief statement on Wednesday afternoon, Sydney Festival said Qween Lear was cancelled and ticketholders would automatically be refunded. The first two performances of another production, Stay, have also been cancelled due to unforeseen disruption to rehearsals.
Fast-forward 10 years and Dornan, 39, is now the kind of big name that you cast in a six-part outback thriller populated with Australian character actors if you want to sell it overseas. It also helps that hes entering a purple patch in his career: hes been nominated for a Critics Choice award for best supporting actor for his role in Kenneth Branaghs upcoming semi-autobiographical film Belfast. In The Tourist, Dornan plays The Man, who is chased off the road by a truck in the South Australian outback. When he wakes up in hospital, he has no memory of who he is, save for a note in his pocket directing him to a meeting the next day at Glorias Diner. Danielle Macdonald plays a young policewoman who helps The Man (Jamie Dornan) recover his memory in The Tourist. With the aid of a young policewoman, Helen (played by Danielle Macdonald), and a waitress, Luci (Shalom Brune-Franklin), The Man attempts to piece his past together, starting with his name. Hes not the only one trying to find himself, though: hes being pursued by a mysterious cowboy hat-wearing man (Olafur Darri Olafsson) and a detective (Damon Herriman). Dornan spends most of the first few episodes squinting into the sun, covered in dust and wearing a dead mans clothes. Thats the red dust of the outback taking its toll, he says of his near-permanent squint. Legit, we were dealing with real dust storms while we were shooting there [in the outback] in March or April. Its a filthy environment to work in, but in a great way it looks amazing. I feel dirty for a lot of this show.

Dornan says the show was pitched to him as Killing Eve meets Memento and hes not far off. The Tourist has the central Who am I? mystery of Memento and the dry humour of Killing Eve. Tension is cut through with Dornans car karaoke rendition of Bette Davis Eyes, while a stand-off over signing for a toilet key at an isolated petrol station is tense, funny and relatable to anyone who has had to lug an oversized lump of wood to the toilets and back again. Its a fine line, Dornan says of The Tourists humour. Which, I think, life is like that. Going through really tragic and insane things and then, at the same time, laughing about it. Luci (Shalom Brune-Franklin) and The Man (Jamie Dornan) in The Tourist. The team behind The Tourist have form in this lane: screenwriters Harry and Jack Williams are part of the production team behind the critically acclaimed comedy Fleabag, as well as having written BBC dramas The Missing and its follow-up Baptiste. Still, Adelaide is a long way to come for a show that spends its opening sequence flinging him around a dusty road in a rickety Mazda 323. Why did Dornan say yes?

The scripts are insanely original, he says. Thats, as an actor, something Im always looking for. Im trying to mix it up. I just dont want to do the same thing twice. I dont understand the point of being an actor and playing the same kind of character or just doing action movies. You know, maybe if youre getting paid $25 million a picture to do action movies you might find peace with it, but I dont want to do that. I want to do roles that challenge me and genres that challenge me. Dornan brought his family with him to Adelaide: wife Amelia Warner and their three daughters. Im just not someone whos willing to go away for four months, or five months, six months without my family, he says. I dont want to be that person. He describes Adelaide as one of the easiest places they have ever lived, despite the over-enthusiastic wildlife recommendations. The first thing that anyone says to them when they meet them is, Have you seen a koala yet? A kangaroo? Its sort of the equivalent of being in Ireland and someone saying, Have you had a taste of Guinness yet? Ever since The Fall, Dornan has been studiously building a varied career. There was, of course, the erotic The Fifty Shades of Grey film trilogy, but thats probably the least interesting thing hes done. Hes tried comedy (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar), kids (Trolls World Tour) and romcom (Wild Mountain Thyme), but it is The Fall that still resonates. Did he try to avoid playing bad characters for a while after The Fall?

Roles are almost always defined as good guys and bad guys, he says. Its almost as black and white as that sometimes. So theres no way that you can fully turn your back and go, I played this really dark character, Im never gonna do it again. So, its like I appreciate and Im thankful that I have been able to play someone like [Paul Spector] in The Fall, where I almost didnt realise myself that I could go to those levels of darkness  but actually what that did for me, it made me go, Thats great that I could do that, lets see what else I can take away, and challenge myself. In that respect, The Tourist has scratched an itch. Theres darkness to this character that Im playing [in The Tourist], but theres also a lightness and funny side to him, too. So this particular job is managing to scratch lots of itches. Do you want to play bad guys your whole career? F--- no. But also, would you want to play guys who always do the right thing? No, thats just not interesting. Loading The Tourist has also given Dornan the opportunity to sport his favourite type of facial hair: a full, thick beard. Without one, he has said, his face resembles a thumb. I have to be malleable and, you know, bend every way as an actor and if something means I dont have a beard, I have to be OK with that. But its my preference, he says, laughing. But ever since Ive been in Australia, the last three or four months, its gone so f---ing grey. Im not loving my beard maybe as much. I wouldnt give a f--- if it was all, like, the same, but its sort of mostly gray on one side, lopsided. Im ageing on one side of my face.

And, like his character in The Tourist, is there anything Dornan would like to forget? If he could lose his memory like The Man, would he choose to wipe anything from his life all together? I think no, not really, he says. I havent had a lot of big regrets in my life or anything. I have played it pretty straight for the most part. I dont fall out with people or get into a lot of arguments, I just dont have time for that. I think lifes too short for that shit. Ive had the same group of friends since I was a kid and I feel like things have gone along in a nice way for me. Loading Im a pretty good drinker. I never get f---ed and say the wrong thing and get kicked out or start fights, that hasnt been my thing either. So I dont think its anything. There are things in my life I wish hadnt happened and people Ive lost and lots of other f---ing bad shit. But I think this sort of tapestry of shit thats happened to me is what makes you who you are today. You know, Im happy with who I am today, I think so. I dont want to forget anything. The Tourist is streaming on Stan, which is owned by the publisher of this masthead, from January 2.
NSW reported 12,226 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and one death, as premiers and territory leaders meet with the Prime Minister to discuss redefining close contacts and seek clarity on the use of rapid antigen tests.

There are 746 coronavirus patients in hospital, up 121 on Wednesday, and 63 people are in ICU.

There were 97,201 tests in the 24-hour period to 8pm on Wednesday, down from 157,758 tests the previous day. The positivity rate has passed 12.5 per cent, but NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant on Wednesday said she expected numbers to jump around a little bit due to the testing backlog.

Premier Dominic Perrottet with chief health officer Kerry Chant on Wednesday. Credit:James Brickwood

The one death was of a Central Coast woman, aged in her 70s, who died at Wyong Hospital. She acquired her infection at Hakea Grove aged care facility, where she was a resident. The woman was not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions, NSW Health said.
NSWs Chief Health Officer says one in 10 people could be infected in the first wave of widespread community transmission of the Omicron variant, as hospitalisations remain significantly lower than during Delta.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said it was possible 10 to 15 per cent of people in NSW could catch COVID-19 in this wave of community spread, totalling between 800,000 and 1.2 million infections in the state.

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant says it is in the communitys interest to slow the spread of COVID-19. Credit: James Brickwood

In the first wave, we may have 10 to 15 per cent of the community acquire it ... COVID will then be with us for years to come and we are going to have to get used to that, Dr Chant said.

People seeking PCR testing were again faced with long lines on Wednesday, as NSW Health implored people to join queues only if they were symptomatic, a household contact of a case or had been directed to get a test by health authorities.
Sitting in the public gallery of Queenslands sole house of Parliament this week, Marshall Perron watched and listened to the debate with intent, just as the former Country Liberal Party chief minister of the Northern Territory has in five states and territories now since 2017.

He hopes his next visit will be to NSW, or even Canberra, as national progress on voluntary euthanasia continues. Its just very sad that there might have been probably now some thousands of people who would have used such legislation who missed out, Perron said during a brief break in Thursdays sitting.

Queensland MPs voting on the Palaszczuk governments voluntary assisted dying bill at the end of its second reading debate on Thursday. Credit:Matt Dennien

The Sunshine States historic vote this week to legalise voluntary euthanasia had been long considered a pipedream by advocates pursuing the reforms nationwide. Their ongoing campaign had its first, though brief, success in Perrons own jurisdiction in 1996, well after his 14-year term but still bearing much of his mark.

Perceptions of Queensland as a socially conservative state had led many supporters to believe it would be the last piece of the national puzzle to allow citizens suffering with terminal illnesses to die on their terms.
A note signed by Mummy and Daddy has been left at the Brisbane park near where five-month-old Mia spent her final moments in her mothers arms.

Mia, who died when her mother fell while being swooped by a magpie in Glindemann Park, in the suburb of Holland Park in Brisbanes south, has been remembered as a little ray of sunshine.

Five-month-old Mia died after her mother fell while being swooped by a magpie on Sunday. Credit:Internet

Paramedics were called to the park about midday on Sunday after the accident. Mia was rushed to the Queensland Childrens Hospital in a critical condition before she died.

QAS clinical support officer Tom Holland, who responded to the incident, said it was a highly emotive and tragic scene.
Victorians potentially exposed to COVID-19 will be able to pick up free rapid testing kits by showing their ID at new pop-up collection points around the state under a distribution plan being developed by the state government.

The Andrews government secured 34 million rapid antigen tests for an undisclosed cost. They are due to arrive in the state in batches throughout January and will be publicly available by the end of the month.

Martin Foley on Wednesday. Credit:Nine News

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Victorias Health Minister Martin Foley offered no detail on the rollout, but The Age has confirmed that the government plans to distribute tests through a combination of existing testing sites and pop-up locations.

A senior government source with knowledge of the plans, which are yet to be finalised, said people will be asked to display basic identification such as a Medicare card and detail why they require a testing kit. Free tests will be provided to anyone who has a valid reason, including anyone who has been potentially exposed to COVID-19. Rapid tests can still be purchased from pharmacies and supermarkets.
Business groups want the federal government to foot the bill for rapid antigen tests for workers, saying many companies are unable to afford the additional expense following months of restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia are pushing the federal government to secure more tests and distribute them among struggling businesses as the virus spreads nationally.

Businesses want the federal government to pay for rapid antigen tests for staff. Credit:Flavio Brancaleone

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that testing is largely a state and territory responsibility. The Commonwealth government has secured about four million rapid tests with another six million arriving soon. Funds have been put aside for more tests, including to add to the national stockpile.

Vaccines are what the Commonwealth traditionally provides, whether thats flus or various other forms of vaccines, thats a system that we currently run. When it comes to other health equipment that is needed at a state level, thats done by states and territories, he said. Concessional access to tests for those who cannot afford them, such as pensioners, is under consideration in partnership with the states and territories.
Almost two weeks after a food-poisoning incident at Foxconns hostel in which led to hospitalisations, protests, and arrests, the company and its local officials were in the line of fire on Wednesday. While Apple said that it has put the Tamil Nadu unit, which manufactures iPhones, on probation because its hostels did not meet the American tech giants compliance norms, the Taiwanese multinational announced restructuring of the local management team.

also accepted that its dormitory facilities did not meet the required standards. The food poisoning incident early this month had affected around 260 people and 159 were hospitalised. Following this, Apple had appointed an independent auditor to undertake additional detailed assessments.

Foxconns Sriperumbudur facility has been placed on probation and we will ensure our strict standards are met before the facility reopens. We will continue to monitor conditions closely, said an Apple spokesperson. Apple said it found the accommodation and dining facilities at the unit did not meet the compliance requirements.

We hold our suppliers accountable to the highest standards in the industry and regularly conduct assessments to ensure compliance. We found that some of the remote dormitory accommodations and dining rooms being used for employees do not meet our requirements and we are working with the supplier to ensure a comprehensive set of corrective actions are rapidly implemented, he added.

After Apples statement, acted quickly. It first apologised to its employees and then announced to restructure its local management. The details of this top-level rejig were not revealed. We are very sorry for the issue our employees experienced and are taking immediate steps to enhance the facilities and services we provide at the remote dormitory accommodations, said a statement by Technology Group. We are also restructuring our local management team and our management systems to ensure we can achieve and maintain the high standards that are needed.

Foxconn further said the safety and wellbeing of employees is its priority.



We have been investigating recent issues at our facility in Tamil Nadu and have found that some offsite dormitory facilities do not meet the required standards, it said.

Giving a thrust to the Make in India initiative, Apple was reportedly manufacturing around 70 per cent of its mobile phones, in value terms, that it sells in the Indian market through its two Taiwanese contract-manufacturing partners Foxconn and Wistron. Early this year, Wistrons facility at Narasapura in Karnataka was also kept on probation, following a rampage by workers alleging non-payment of salaries and overtime wages. The incident reportedly led to a loss of over Rs 400 crore.

Soon after the food poisoning incident, the unit was also raided by the tax authorities as part of a nationwide raid on mobile manufacturers and distributors.

All employees will continue to be paid while we make the necessary improvements before restarting our operations and we will continue to provide support for our employees as they return to work, it added.
has put Sriperumbudur factory of iPhone assembler on 'probation' following worker protests and an assessment that revealed substandard living conditions, saying it will ensure strict standards are met before the unit reopens.

The factory located on the outskirts of Chennai was shut down after workers protested against the poor condition of dormitories and dining rooms. It will resume operations once 'necessary improvements' are made.

Foxconn's Sriperumbudur factory hit headlines recently over mass-food poisoning at its offsite dormitory facility.

Foxconn, which assembles iPhone among other gadgets at the factory, apologised for the lapses and said it will revamp local management team and systems to ensure high standards needed are achieved and maintained.

An spokesperson said: "We hold our suppliers accountable to the highest standards in the industry and regularly conduct assessments to ensure compliance."



Following recent concerns about food safety and accommodation conditions at Sriperumbudur, dispatched independent auditors to undertake additional detailed assessments.

"We found that some of the remote dormitory accommodations and dining rooms being used for employees do not meet our requirements and we are working with the supplier to ensure a comprehensive set of corrective actions are rapidly implemented," the Apple spokesperson said.

"Foxconn's Sriperumbudur facility has been placed on probation and we will ensure our strict standards are met before the facility reopens. We will continue to monitor conditions closely," the spokesperson added.

Apple supplier Foxconn, in a statement, said it is restructuring local management team and management systems to make sure it can achieve and maintain the high standards, that are required.

Technology Group further informed that all employees will continue to be paid while necessary improvements are undertaken before restarting operations. The company said that some offsite dormitory facilities did not meet the required standards.

The Foxconn statement said that safety and well being of employees is the company's top priority.

"We have been investigating recent issues at our Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu and have found that some offsite dormitory facilities do not meet the required standards. We are very sorry for the issue our employees experienced and are taking immediate steps to enhance the facilities and services we provide at the remote dormitory accommodations," Foxconn said.

Foxconn said it will continue to provide support for staff as they return to work.

While the plant was widely expected to open around December 30, Apple's latest move to put Foxconn facility on probation could mean some delay in resumption of operations at the plant until all of the standards are met by Foxconn for its employees, say market watchers.

There is no official word from Foxconn yet on when the operations at the said unit will resume.

(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.)
Walmart-owned e-commerce firm has topped the list of Fairwork India Ratings 2021 report, which highlights the working conditions of app-based gig workers. It is followed by Urban Company, Asias largest home services marketplace and Tata-owned online grocer Mobility such as SoftBank-backed Ola, Porter and Uber were placed at the bottom of the list with zero scores each.

Combining desk research, worker interviews, and evidence provided by the platforms, the Fairwork India Ratings 2021 scores 11 platforms, including Amazon, BigBasket, Dunzo, Flipkart, Ola, PharmEasy, Porter, Swiggy, Uber, Urban Company and Zomato.

This year, no platform scored more than 7 out of the maximum of 10 points, and none scored all basic points across the five principles. scored 7, while Urban Company earned 5 points. Food delivery giant Swiggy scored 4 and its rival Zomato got 3 points. E-commerce Amazon, Dunzo and Pharmeasy scored 1 point each.

The Fairwork India Team is spearheaded by the Centre for IT and Public Policy (CITAPP), International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B), in association with Oxford University, presents the Fairwork India Ratings 2021: Labour Standards in the Platform Economy report. The report examines the working conditions of app-based gig workers. In its third year, the study assesses eleven platforms, from service domains such as domestic and personal care services, logistics, food delivery, e-pharmacy and transportation.

Fairwork focuses on five principles of fair gig work: fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management, and fair representation. This study evaluates and awards a basic and an advanced point to a platform for each principle. Thus, a platform can earn a maximum of 10 points.

We hope that platforms, workers, regulators and consumers, will use the Fairwork framework and ratings to imagine, and realise, a fairer platform economy in India, said Professors Balaji Parthasarathy and Janaki Srinivasan, the principal investigators of the team. Researchers Mounika Neerukonda, Pradyumna Taduri, Amruta Mahuli, Kanikka Sersia, and Funda Ustek-Spilda, constituted the rest of the team.

Last year in December, Zomato Co-founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal said the firm will leave no stone unturned to improve the working conditions for its employees after the food delivery firm found itself at the bottom of the Fairwork India Ratings. The rating was part of the report Fairwork India Ratings 2020: Labour Standards in the Platform Economy. Last year, Urban Company topped the list of platforms studied, followed by e-commerce company Interviews with managers on both platforms revealed that the Fairwork process had provided them with new perspectives from the workers point of view - enabling them to reflect on their policies.

One of the principles for this years Fairwork India Ratings 2021 Report is fair pay. The study reports a decline in take-home earnings of workers across platforms as increases in work-related costs (such as fuel costs and platform commissions) during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic reinforced a long-term decline in the incomes of gig workers due to decreases in rate cards and incentives. However, in consultation with the Fairwork project, three platforms have committed to ensuring minimum wage after accounting for work-related costs for all their gig workers.





The other criteria is fair conditions. Most platforms were unable to effectively mitigate occupational risks that workers routinely face, including road accidents, theft, violence, and adverse weather conditions, in their work. Workers also faced the additional risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus in the past year. Three platforms provided their workers with accident insurance policies, had taken steps to improve claims processes and raise awareness of accident insurance, and had in place-responsive emergency helplines. To deal with the threat of Covid-19, they also provided masks, sanitisers, a Covid-19 vaccination drive and insurance cover. Other platforms were either making policy changes or were in the process of implementing them, to deal with the various occupational risks faced by workers.

Regarding fair contracts, there was an improvement in the accessibility and readability of contracts. Several platforms provided agreements in multiple languages. However, the comprehensibility of contracts remains a challenge, and many platforms lack either a defined notification period, or a process, before changes are made to worker terms and conditions. Three platforms have committed to reducing the asymmetry in liabilities imposed on workers. Yet, the (mis)classification of gig workers as independent contractors or partners, continues.

The other criteria is fair management. Seven platforms had an appeals process for workers to challenge disciplinary action initiated against them. Some of these platforms further committed to speeding up their appeals process, to reflect workers sense of urgency. Only four platforms took a proactive stance to eliminate discrimination of workers on their platforms by consumers, by other workers, or by work allocation systems.

There is also the criteria of Fair Representation. While the overall rates of collective association among workers are low, instances of workers raising their collective voice are growing. However, based on the study, a corresponding willingness to recognize and negotiate with worker collectives among platforms is lacking. It should come as no surprise if the reluctance of financially and technologically powerful platforms to bridge the asymmetries between them and their socially vulnerable workers fuels more protests.

This year, a new Changes in Focus section in the report showcases policy initiatives, and their operationalization, initiated by platforms. This section gives a glimpse into how the platform economy is likely to evolve in addition to giving workers and their representatives a means of holding platforms accountable for the changes promised and listed here. As some platforms display greater concern for workers needs than others, the section exemplifies the Fairwork projects premise that there is nothing inevitable about the working conditions in the platform economy.

The gig economy has grown significantly in the past decade with the advent of technology platforms like Ola, Uber, Swiggy, Dunzo, UrbanCompany among others. With the emergence of technology-enabled gig work platforms, over 200 million people are considered part of the gig workforce globally, according to a report by consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

Indias gig economy is set to triple over the next 3-4 years to 24 million jobs in the non-firm sector from the existing 8 million, according to the report.

The report estimates that the gig economy has the potential to service up to 90 million jobs in Indias non-farm economy alone, transact over $ 250 billion in the volume of work, and contribute an incremental 1.25 per cent (approximately) to India's GDP (gross domestic product) over the long term.
Companies such as government-owned NTPC and the Adani and the Tata groups restructured their businesses well in time to become major players in the green space. At the same time, other conventional companies, such as Larsen & Toubro and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), which have a presence both in the energy sector as well as myriad other activities  construction, technology and retailing  are tying up ...

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IndusInd Bank has signed an agreement with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for offering real-time cross-border remittances through Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

IndusInd Bank has become the first Indian bank to go live on for cross-border payments/NRI remittances. Under this arrangement, Money Transfer Operator (MTO) partners of IndusInd Bank would use the bank's channel to connect with NPCI's payment systems for validation and cross-border payment settlement into beneficiary accounts.

IndusInd Bank has started off with Thailand for Foreign Inward Remittance (FIR) through UPI, IndusInd Bank said in a statement on Monday.

The bank has started the service with DeeMoney, a Thailand-based financial solutions provider offering money transfers and foreign currency exchange services. Customers using DeeMoney website can easily transfer funds just by adding the beneficiary's ID. "IndusInd Bank also plans to add more partners in various other countries for cross border-payments via UPI in the near future," it said.

UPI for cross border payments will enable remitters to send money in a safe, secure, and convenient manner using only the UPI ID of their beneficiaries in India without having to remember the beneficiary account details, IFSC, visiting the bank, filling lengthy forms, etc.

(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.)
State-owned will reduce its stake in its newly formed renewable energy arm below 50 per cent as it plans to go public in the next fiscal year.

NTPC-Renewable Energy, formed in October 2020, will lead the companys plan to construct 60 gigawatt (Gw) of renewable energy projects in this decade.

In the coming months, Indias largest power generation company will begin global roadshows to find a strategic investor in NREL, according to executives.

We would be open to all kinds of investors  energy utilities, financing companies, domestic, and international energy players  as long as they have financing backing that matches our ambition of 60 Gw, said a senior executive.

According to a senior executive, the plan was to list NREL during the next fiscal year, preferably before October 2022.

The mega solar power park in Khavda, Gujarat, where will set up 5 Gw of solar power capacity, is one of the key renewable energy projects that the company is currently working on. It is also in the process of inviting expression of interest for setting up a 15-Gw solar cell and module manufacturing facility.

It will soon issue a tender for 3 Gw energy storage, which will be technology and location-agnostic, said an executive. The company recently announced setting up Indias first Green Hydrogen based Energy Storage Project at its Simhadri power plant in Andhra Pradesh.

Gurdeep Singh, chairman and managing director of NTPC, had said in June that NREL would be listed soon. We should not focus on one way of raising funds. We want to soon go public for raising funds, he had said, adding the company would add 7-8 Gw renewable energy every year.

Apart from solar and wind power projects, was looking to invest in green hydrogen and green methanol that are cleaner fuels produced at renewable energy-powered units. According to sources, the company would start a pilot of producing green hydrogen at its Vindhaychal thermal power unit in Madhya Pradesh.

NTPC builds renewable projects under two heads  EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) mode, where it participates in tenders floated by the Centre and states and constructs on its own. It has constructed 1.2 Gw of solar and wind projects. The other is developer mode, where it awards renewable projects to private and procures power to sell to states. Under the developer mode, 4 Gw projects are operational and tenders for close to 3 Gw will be finalised soon.

NTPC is planning to take its three subsidiary public to meet the Centre's asset monetisation target of Rs 15,000 crore.

Apart from NREL, the other two are NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO). As part of the same plan, NTPC will also exit from its joint venture with steel major SAIL  NTPC-SAILPower Company.

The current total installed capacity of NTPC stands at 66 Gw. Of this, thermal (coal + gas) is 61 Gw, hydro 3.7 Gw, solar is 1 Gw, and the balance is wind.
State-owned power producer SJVN on Wednesday said it will invest Rs 60,000 crore to harness 5,097 megawatts (Mw) of hydropower in

SJVN Chairman and Managing Director Nand Lal Sharma held a meeting on Wednesday with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein in New Delhi to discuss a road map to develop hydroelectric projects, according to a statement.

 will invest Rs 0,000 crore to harness 5,097 Mw of hydropower in Arunachal Pradesh, the company said in the statement.

He said that pursuant to the efforts of Union Power Minister R K Singh, the government has accepted the allotment of five hydroelectric projects having a total capacity of 5,097 Mw to SJVN, for which a memorandum of understanding will be signed shortly.

The projects, namely Etalin Hydroelectric Project (HEP) (3,097 Mw), Attunli HEP (680 Mw), Emini HEP (500 Mw), Amulin HEP (420 Mw) and Mihumdon HEP (400 Mw), are located in the Dibang basin of Arunachal Pradesh.

Sharma said he has always advocated the concept of the Integrated River Basin Development Approach, wherein the allocation of hydro projects in one single river basin to one developer will enable optimum utilisation of manpower, infrastructure and financial resources.





He expressed satisfaction that this novel concept has been accepted by the government of Arunachal Pradesh in the allocation of these projects.

Sharma said the development of these projects involving a tentative Investment of Rs 60,000 crore will be commissioned by SJVN in the next 8-10 years. He added that on commissioning, these projects are expected to generate about 20 billion units of clean energy annually on a cumulative basis.

The detailed reports of some of these projects have already been prepared, while some projects are under the survey and investigation stage.

Sharma stated that with the allotment of these projects, SJVN will have a significant footprint in the countrys northeastern region enabling SJVN to be part of the development process of the region.

The deputy chief minister assured full support from the state government for the execution of these projects.

The company has seen exponential growth in recent years and now has 41 projects under various stages of development with a capacity of more than 16,000 Mw.

SJVN has set an ambitious target to achieve an installed capacity of 5,000 Mw by 2023, 12,000 Mw by 2030 and 25,000 Mw by 2040.

Earlier this month, the firm had urged the Uttar Pradesh government to allot the company more renewable power projects in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Consumer protection regulator CCPA has issued 15 notices to e-commerce entities as well as sellers for offering pressure cookers that are non-compliant with BIS norms, the government said on Wednesday.

These notices have been issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) as part of its suo-moto action.

"15 Notices have already been issued with respect to such violations," an official statement said.

The cases have also been forwarded to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for taking necessary action under the BIS Act, 2016, it said.

The BIS has also issued three notices for violation of Quality Control Order (QCO) of domestic pressure cookers and two notices for violation of QCO for helmets, it added.

Previously, the CCPA had also issued a safety notice dated December 6, 2021 to alert consumers against buying helmets, pressure cookers and cooking gas cylinders which do not hold valid 'ISI Mark' and violate the standards directed for compulsory use by the central government.

Goods which violate compulsory standards are liable to be held 'defective' under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The government said the CCPA has decided to take up cases involving sale or offering for sale goods that violate compulsory standards as a matter of preventing unfair trade practice and to protect, promote and enforce the rights of consumers as a class.

Any person found selling 11 household items like helmets, pressure cooker, electric iron, microwave oven, aluminium foil for food packaging, water heaters and sewing machines -- without conforming to compulsory standards and holding valid licence as prescribed by BIS is liable for violation of consumer rights and unfair trade practices and face action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

As part of celebrations of 75 years of India's independence 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', the CCPA has already initiated a country-wide campaign to prevent sale of spurious and counterfeit goods that violate QCOs and raise awareness among consumers to purchase goods that conform to BIS Standards.

In this regard, the CCPA has written to District Collectors across the country to investigate unfair trade practice and violation of consumer rights concerning manufacture or sale of helmets, domestic and cooking gas cylinders.

The government said that violation of standards mandated by the QCOs cannot only endanger public safety, it can make consumers vulnerable to severe injuries.

"This is a critical cause for concern especially in the case of household goods, since such goods are present in most homes and are in the immediate vicinity of family members," it said.

To protect consumers from risk of suffering injury and harm and ensure required safety and technical standards are followed, the central government is empowered to direct conformity to standard and compulsory use of standard mark under Section 16 of BIS Act.

These directions are generally published in the form of Quality Control Orders (QCO).

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The (DCGI) has given approval to the Hyderbad-based pharmaceutical company to conduct phase 3 clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax as a booster dose, said sources.

After detailed deliberation, the Subject Expert Committee recommended granting permission to conduct proposed Phase 3 clinical trials, sources told ANI.

is the second company after Bharat Biotech to conduct clinical trials for a booster dose. On the basis of approvals, is also generating the data in a systematic manner to study for booster dose, sources said.

The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) recommended granting of permission to conduct proposed phase 3 clinical trials for boosters of biological vaccine subject to the two conditions: The first is that the administration of booster dose after primary immunization should be studied in two cohorts of six and nine months with age-wise stratification and including 50 per cent subjects with high risk or comorbidity condition. The second being that the safety follow-up should be extended to nine months.

On December 10, SEC in its meeting reviewed the data provided by Biological E. The firm had presented its revised clinical trial protocol for the conduct of phase 3 clinical trial for the administration of booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine containing receptor-binding domain (RBD) antigen of SARS-CoV-2.

The firm had submitted six months' safety follow up post second dose from phase 1 clinical trials, 90 days safety data from phase 2 part and 60 days safety data from phase 2/3 and phase 3 active comparator study.

Corbevax is India's first indigenously developed protein subunit vaccine against COVID-19 that got DCGI's approval for emergency-use authorization on Tuesday. The vaccine maker company plans to deliver more than 1 billion additional doses globally.

(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.)
Financial intelligence teams probing the recovery of around Rs 200 crore during raids in Kanpur-Kannuj have now found that and compound businessman Piyush Jain has links across 50 countries. The teams have also taken around 100 samples of compounds which will be sent to the lab for tests.

"Around 100 samples of compounds have been taken by the financial intelligence teams from the premises of Piyush Jain. He used to sell the compounds to different foreign clients. Our probe has suggested that he has links in around 50 countries," said a source.

Sources further said that the team has recovered a few documents which suggest that he used to send the compounds to different foreign clients in lieu of money and gold. To make the compounds he reportedly used to buy different chemicals from different countries.

The team said that the chemicals recovered from his house were brought from Iran, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Kuwait, Indonesia, Nepal, China, UAE and Teran.

"He has a lab at his premises where he used to make inventions of different compounds. Once the compound was ready he used to sell it to his clients across the world and in India. His clients are manufacturers of tobacco, soaps, perfumes and likewise products. He used to sell compounds at exorbitant rates," the source said.

The teams are gathering information about his clients and soon they will be asked to join the probe. His Indians clients will be contacted by the team to record their testimonies.

The raid is still underway at different places.

Piyush Jain was remanded to judicial custody by a court after the probing team said he wasn't required for interrogation.

As of now the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) and teams are probing the matter. The DGGI is making a report which will be handed over to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). There are possibilities that a prevention of money laundering probe will be initiated by the ED after getting the report.

--IANS

atk/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hinted at bringing back Covid curbs in the state amid the threat of a possible third wave of the pandemic looming large, including shutting down educational institutions and identifying containment zones.

Banerjee, during an administrative review meeting at Sagar Island, asked officials concerned to review the overall pandemic situation in the state.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise; there are a few omicron infections, too. So, a review of the situation is required. If the numbers keep increasing, we may consider closing down schools and colleges, she said.

The CM, who visited the island to take stock of the arrangements for the annual Gangasagar mela, said that a decision on international flight and local train services will also be taken after the situation is reviewed in Bengal.

"Some omicron cases are being detected among returnees who are arriving here on international flights Evaluate and take a decision on the movement of international flights, Banerjee told Chief Secretary H K Dwivedi and Health Secretary N S Nigam at the meeting.

She asked the officials to conduct a ward-to-ward survey and take a call on reintroducing containment zones in the metropolis.

Offices could be asked to function with 50 per cent employee attendance, if necessary, the chief minister said. After January 3, we will decide on the Covid protocols.

Movement of local trains is unlikely to be impacted for the time being.

Reduce the number of local trains if required, but this service will not be stopped for now as many livelihoods depend on it, Banerjee said.

She urged people to adhere to Covid protocols and not panic due to the rising number of omicron cases, as the variant was less severe in terms of fatalities than the delta variant.

Asking the officials to keep a tab on the vaccination programme of children aged 15-19 years starting January 3, Banerjee wondered why the Centre was keen on beginning booster doses when many beneficiaries were yet to get the second dose.

They must complete giving the second dose first and then think on the booster shots... In fact, I am told vaccines are not working for the omicron variant," she 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.)
At least five more persons in tested positive for on Wednesday, taking the total number of patients infected by the new variant of in the state to 11, a senior health department official said.

Of the five, one person is a returnee from abroad while the rest have no foreign travel history, he said, expressing concern that the new virus variant was fast spreading among the people of the state.

"Yesterday night, we received genome sequencing reports of 107 cases and five among them were found to be Omicron-positive. One of the five patients has foreign travel history but the other four locals don't.

"The contact-tracking cell is currently collecting information for necessary containment measures, as per protocol," the official said.

Two of the four locals are from Kolkata and one each from Dumdum and Howrah, he 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.)
South Africa -- one of the epicentres of the Omicron variant -- has seen a drop of about 40 per cent in new cases of Covid infection, suggesting that the new variant could be less severe than Delta.

The seven day rolling average for new infections plummeted by 35 per cent from an all-time high of 23,000 cases nine days ago to 15,000 on Monday, The Telegraph reported.

While the new data must be taken with caution, experts assert that it is clear that the country has passed its Omicron peak with "substantially lower" death rates than with the Delta variant.

However, experts also warned against applying South Africa's data to other countries. It is because the South African population suffered devastating Beta and Delta variant waves, which has given them high levels of immunity.

"We should interpret the data from South Africa with a lot of caution. This is early days and public health practice is local," John Nkengasong, director of the Africa CDC, was quoted as saying.

"This data confirms what the scientists in South Africa have been saying for a few weeks, that this is a variant which is more transmissible, making people more likely to catch it, but that the symptoms and the impact of it are less severe," Jamie Jenkins, former head of health analysis at the UK's Office for National Statistics, was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.

"We are seeing far fewer deaths than we have in the past," Jenkins added.

Last week new data from South Africa showed nine in 10 deaths from Omicron were in unvaccinated patients.

Among the country's 309 deaths from the variant, just 40 were found to be in people given two vaccine doses, illustrating the crucial protection provided by being jabbed, the report said.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO), in its latest weekly epidemiological update on Tuesday, warned that the overall risk associated with the Omicron variant remains 'very high' which could cause widespread disruption to health systems and other critical services.

"Consistent evidence shows that the Omicron variant has a growth advantage over the Delta variant with a doubling time of two to three days," the WHO said.

The warning comes as the new Omicron variant in the US has driven daily Covid-19 new cases to a record high of over 510,000.

It is the highest single-day increase of cases since the onset of the pandemic in the country, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University.

Besides, the variant has also soared Covid cases in a number of European countries such as the UK, France, Portugal and Ireland, as well in India.

--IANS

rvt/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India on Wednesday reported a net increase of 1,546 in active cases to take its count to 77,002. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 0.3 per cent (one in 333). The country is thirty-third among the most affected countries by active cases. On Tuesday, it added 9,195 cases to take its total caseload to 34,808,886 from 34,799,691  an increase of 0.1%. And, with 302 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 480,592, or 1.38 per cent of total confirmed infections.

With 6,461,321 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Tuesday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 1,431,535,641. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 34,251,292  or 98.4 per cent of total caseload  with 7,347 new cured cases being reported on Wednesday.

Now the thirty-third-most-affected country by active cases, third by deaths, second by total cases and recoveries, India has added 50,405 cases in the past 7 days.

India now accounts for 0.3% of all active cases globally (one in every 333 active cases), and 8.85% of all deaths (one in every 11 deaths).

India has so far administered 1,431,535,641 vaccine doses. That is 4112.55 per cent of its total caseload, and 102.33 per cent of its population.

Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Uttar Pradesh (202204595), Maharashtra (136855406), West Bengal (107034806), Madhya Pradesh (104203780), and Bihar (99912428).

Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Gujarat (1446503), Delhi (1440689), Jammu and Kashmir (1392034), Kerala (1386074), and Uttarakhand (1330979).

Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 88 days.

The count of active cases across India on Wednesday saw a net increase of 1,546, compared to net decrease of 385 on Tuesday. States and UTs hat have seen the biggest daily net increase in active cases are Maharashtra (1052), Gujarat (334), Delhi (323), Jharkhand (131), and Haryana (91).

With 7,347 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 98.4%, while fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.38%.

The Indian states and UTs with the worst case fatality rates at present are Punjab (2.75%), Nagaland (2.18%), and Uttarakhand (2.15%). The rate in as many as 14 is higher than the national average.

Indias new daily closed cases stand at 7,649  302 deaths and 7,347 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 3.94%.

Indias 5-day moving average of daily rate of addition to total cases stands at 0.0%.

Indias doubling time for total cases stands at 2623.7 days, and for deaths at 1102.7 days.

Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Kerala (2474), Maharashtra (2172), West Bengal (752), Tamil Nadu (619), and Delhi (496).

India on Tuesday conducted 1,167,612 to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 675,246,143. The test positivity rate recorded was 0.8%.

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 (14.76%), Kerala (12.71%), Sikkim (11.43%), Goa (11.14%), and Maharashtra (9.7%).

Five states with the highest TPR by daily numbers for tests and cases added  are Mizoram (6.7%), Kerala (4.08%), Goa (4.03%), West Bengal (2.35%), and Maharashtra (2.25%).

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 (1732187), J&K (1400717), Kerala (1154348), Punjab (1083728), and Karnataka (831236).

The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6661486), Kerala (5239232), Karnataka (3005232), Tamil Nadu (2745261), and Andhra Pradesh (2076687).

Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 2172 new cases to take its tally to 6661486.

Kerala, the second-most-affected state by total tally, has added 2474 cases to take its tally to 5239232.

Karnataka, the third-most-affected state, has reported 356 cases to take its tally to 3005232.

Tamil Nadu has added 619 cases to take its tally to 2745261.

Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 141 to 2076687.

Uttar Pradesh has added 79 cases to take its tally to 1711049.

Delhi has added 496 cases to take its tally to 1444179.
Amid a rise in the number of cases and that of its new variant Omicron, the Police has revised the standard operating procedure on health welfare for its personnel, stating that an officer of the rank of inspector and above should personally visit the hospitalised personnel or their kin on a regular basis, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

Special Commissioner of Police (Welfare) Shalini Singh held a meeting with all the district and unit heads and other stakeholders on Wednesday to check the overall preparedness in the wake of a community spread of Omicron, the statement said.

Singh stressed on strict adherence of the revised SOP issued recently by the Police commissioner, the statement said.

"The revised SOP is more elaborate and covers complete well-being of our personnel suffering from any disease and admitted in hospital for medical treatment. The DCPs and unit heads have been designated nodal health officers.

"The nodal health officers will ensure that an officer of the rank of inspector or above should personally meet the hospitalised personnel or their kin, on regular basis till she or he gets fit. In case of outstation cases, video-conferencing with the ailing or their family members be ensured with regular feedback on health of the ailing personnel," it added.

All the eight wellness centres and two Covid care centres at Rohini and Shahdara will be activated for any medical emergency. The district heads should liaise with the collectors to turn those into vaccination centres, the statement said.

The district and the unit heads should take stock of oxygen cylinders, concentrators, sanitiser, masks, preventive medicines etc. and keep all equipment ready. They should also liaise with doctors for counselling the personnel.

The data of the staff should be updated for the administration of booster doses of Covid vaccines. The family members of the police personnel should be motivated to get inoculated against the viral disease and those in the 15-18 age group should be urged to register themselves on the CoWIN portal, the statement said.

The estate officers of the police colonies should set up helpdesks to facilitate the installation of the CoWIN application on mobile phones and the registration process.

Necessary precautions such as wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and regular sanitisation should be repeatedly reiterated during morning and evening briefings. The office premises and the vehicles should be sanitised regularly, the statement said.

"Immunity booster kits and COVID-19 protection kits be arranged for ready distribution as and when required. Liaison officers to get in touch with local hospitals and reserve beds for our personnel, in case the need arises. Quarantine rooms be also arranged for those staying outside Delhi," it 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.)
In a rare case, the customs have arrested a Ugandan woman at airport allegedly with around one kilogram of cocaine in her stomach, said a senior Customs official on Wednesday.

He said that the woman was admitted to RML hospital and it took four days for recovery of all 91 cocaine-filled capsules from her body. A total of 993 grams of cocaine has been recovered.

"It is a rare case where around one kg has been concealed inside the body in specially designed pellets containing cocaine. In normal cases, these drug carriers conceal around 400-500 grams inside their body. It could be life-threatening if these capsules burst inside the stomach," he said.

He added that Customs officers identified one Ugandan passenger, who arrived at Terminal-3 of IGI Airport a few days back. The gait and body movements of the passenger were unusual. The customs officer out of sheer facilitation and goodwill approached her if she needed any help. However, the passenger not only refused to accept any help but also showed a disinclination to engage in any conversation, while at the same time continuing to exhibit uneasy body movements.

"Sensing the unusual behaviour of the passenger, the Customs officers maintained a vigil on her. After a while, the passenger crossed the green channel and was approaching towards exit gate of the international arrival hall, when the customs officers finally intercepted her," he said.

Upon questioning, the passenger finally divulged that she had swallowed 91 capsules of narcotic substance. Since it was an impending emergency, the Passenger was admitted to the RML hospital. X-ray scanning revealed that the colon (ascending, descending) Sigmoid etc of the Passenger was filled with oval pellets, he said.

Under expert medical supervision, an ejection procedure was carried out which yielded the recovery of a total of 91 pellets in batches. The entire ejection process lasted over several days during which Customs staff maintained round the clock vigil at the hospital, he added.

"These 91 pellets, in turn, yielded 992 grams of a white powdery substance, Diagnostic test, revealed the substance to contain cocaine. The hospital authorities handed over the passenger to the Customs," he said.

The passenger has been arrested under NDPS Act on Wednesday. Further investigation in the matter is under process.

This is the second big detection of cocaine at IGI Airport in December month. Earlier, 2838 grams of cocaine was recovered from a Ugandan lady on December 9 who had arrived at New from Lagos via Dubai.

Customs officers at IGI Airport have achieved considerable success against the drug smuggling menace.

It was the 24th case of seizure of NDPS covered drugs at the airport this year. Total 32 Passengers have been arrested so far. The estimated value of drug seizures would go into more than Rs 845 crore.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The number of COVID infections has surged to a new level in as has logged a record of nearly 1,80,000 cases in the past 24 hours.

As many as 1,79,807 new COVID-19 cases have been registered in within the past 24 hours, which is a record high number since the beginning of the pandemic, Xinhua reported citing the national agency for public health on Tuesday.

French Health Minister Olivier Veran predicted on Wednesday that the strain might become prevalent in the country in late December. As of Monday, 77 per cent of the French have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, said Xinhua

On Tuesday, the UK reported 1,29,471 new COVID infections in a day, the highest daily recorded so far in the country.

It came after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged its citizens to get vaccinated.

"We know two jabs do not give you enough protection against so whether it is your first, second or booster jab I urge you to book an appointment now," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a tweet on Monday. He also urged the people to act cautiously given the rising number of cases. "Most importantly I urge everyone to get their first, second or booster jab without delay to protect yourselves and your loved ones," Johnson added.

Italy is also not far behind in the number of cases as in the past 24 hours the country on Tuesday reported 78,300 new cases of the coronavirus, which is over double the figure of the previous day.

An absolute record of over 17,000 new COVID-19 cases has also been logged in Portugal, the country's directorate-general of health said on Tuesday.

(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.)
is seeing a "tsunami" of COVID-19 infections, with 208,000 new cases reported over the past 24 hours, a national and European record, Health Minister Olivier Veran told lawmakers on Wednesday.

has been breaking COVID-19 records repeatedly over the past few days, with Tuesday's 180,000 cases already the highest for a country in Europe, according to data on Covidtracker.fr.

"This means that 24 hours a day, day and night, every second in our country, two French people are diagnosed positive for the coronavirus," Veran said. "We have never experienced such a situation," he said, describing the increase in cases as "dizzying".

The situation in hospitals was already worrying because of the Delta variant, Veran said, with Omicron yet to have an impact, something he said would eventually happen. The flu will further complicate things for hospitals, he added.

"As for Omicron, I would no longer talk about a wave. This is a groundswell, where several waves combine to form one massive wave," he said.

Global COVID-19 infections have hit record highs over the past seven days, Reuters data showed on Wednesday, as the new Omicron variant spread rapidly, keeping many workers at home and overwhelming testing centres.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
This is the third December in a row that the government is facing protests in the country specially in the capital with resident doctors on strike over the issue of NEET PG counselling. The doctors strike comes at a time when the threat of a third wave of Covid-19, especially the Omicron variant, looms over the country.

In 2020 it was the farmers' agitation which had made the government uneasy and in 2019 it was the countrywide agitation over NRC-CAA in which Delhi's Shaheen Bagh became the epicentre of the protest with protests erupting from Assam to Kerala. It was the biggest after the Anna Hazare movement in the country.

The government this year resolved the farmers' protest by withdrawing the contentious farm laws but now it has to tackle the resident doctors' protest over NEET. The Health Minister and the Resident Doctors Association could not reach a consensus on Tuesday over the issue.

The resident doctors on Wednesday continued their protest in support of their demands, including the withdrawal of the FIRs filed against them.

The meeting between a delegation of the protesting doctors and the Union Health Minister on Tuesday had failed to make any headway.

The resident doctors have been protesting for the past 13 days over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling.

The government did not focus on the issue initially and now the agitation has spread from to other parts of the country.

The 15-month-long farmers agitation started against the three contentious farm laws after they were passed in 2020. The agitation petered off after the three laws -- the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020 -- were repealed by Parliament.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) was notified on December 12, 2019 and came into force on January 10, 2020. The persons covered under the CAA may apply for citizenship after the rules are notified under the CAA. There were huge protests in several parts of the country following the government's announcement that the nationwide NRC will be done in late 2019 and early 2020. Many states, especially the opposition ruled states, refused to implement the NRC.

--IANS

miz/bg

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Covid-19 pandemic that began in December 2019 continues to rage like wildfire, threatening human lives, mental peace as well as the economy.

Official figures note that nearly 5.5 million people have died worldwide so far due to Covid, although the actual toll could likely be several notches higher.

In the last two years, the world has witnessed a consistent pattern of various strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the Covid-19 disease, hitting just when life starts limping back.

Science explains it as the evolution of the Covid virus - changes in the genetic code (genetic mutations) in response to innate and acquired immune responses of hosts as well as vaccines and therapeutic treatments.

Beginning with the wild type virus in China, SARS-CoV-2 swiftly mutated majorly into Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta strains, besides many others. The current variant in circulation around the globe is the Omicron variant -- touted as more transmissible than all other variants and with the potential of evading treatment.

Two years on, is the end of Covid in sight? The Omicron variant, detected first in South Africa and Botswana in late November, presents a different picture though.

In barely a month, the variant, with more than 30 mutations in its spike protein, has spread to over 100 countries as well as outpaced the Delta variant in many nations, including the US, the UK, Portugal and Ireland to become the dominant strain.

"The emergence of the Omicron variant shows that the virus is not done just yet," Shahid Jameel, visiting professor at Ashoka University, told IANS.

At the same time, Omicron also "shows that the virus is going towards increased transmission and milder disease. This is an indication of heading towards becoming an endemic," added Jameel, who is also a senior research fellow at Green Templeton College, Oxford University.

According to Pavithra Venkatagopalan, Director, Covid Task Force, Rotary Club of Madras Next Gen, going forward the pandemic will transform into an epidemic, like flu, requiring annual shots.

"It is likely that Covid-19 is well in course to be a seasonal disease, with periodic yearly surges around the globe and the world reacting to the same with an annual shot of vaccine to prevent the burden of disease among the population, much like that of seasonal influenza," Kiran G. Kulirankal, infectious disease physician, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, told IANS.

While according to Kulirankal, the disease is unlikely to be "wiped out from the face of the earth permanently", an end to the pandemic also depends on vaccination rates across the world.

"The unvaccinated are at a higher risk than the vaccinated population," Venkatagopalan told IANS.

"Everytime, an unvaccinated person is infected, the virus can grow to higher quantities and stay in the body for a longer period. The longer it grows, the higher is the chance for replicating and possibly introducing more mutations. This might give the virus an advantage to spread," she explained.

Although scientists worldwide brought out vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in an unprecedented speed, rich nations raced to pre-order vaccines and stockpile them -- many of which turned waste as they expired.

While the rich countries hoarded onto every single medical facility -- from vaccines to booster doses to antibody treatments and other healthcare equipment -- the poor nations scrambled to get vaccines, storage capacities as well as medical equipment.

The World Organization (WHO) has since the beginning of the pandemic called out on wealthy nations against vaccine hoarding, warning that the behaviour may only "prolong" the pandemic, rather than "ending" it.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently issued a stern warning that "we must end the Covid pandemic in 2022".

So far, about 67 per cent of people in high-income countries have been administered at least one vaccine dose, but not even 10 per cent in the low-income countries have received the first shot.

"The pandemic will end when there is no further transmission," Jameel said, adding, "And that is unlikely to happen in the near future."

Poorly vaccinated parts of the world will continue to show increased transmissions, giving more opportunities to the virus to mutate and novel variants to emerge, prolonging the pandemic.

In such a scenario, Jameel predicts that "infection spikes will continue across the world, including in India" in 2022.

"We will have to continue to protect ourselves using a mix of vaccines, masks, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, etc."

Nevertheless, the world seems to be better prepared than what it was during the Delta and other outbreaks. Besides several vaccines -- both jabs and nasal sprays -- there are booster doses; antibody therapies as well as the recent anti-Covid pills by US drug makers Merck and Pfizer which are well able to deter the onslaught of yet another wave or variant of Covid-19.

However, only time will tell whether the virus will outplay human efforts or humans will learn to live with it.

(Rachel V. Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in)

--IANS

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is facing an "unprecedented" wave of the Covid-19 pandemic triggered by the new variant, said Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

"We are going to see very high levels of infections, which have not seen in before," Xinhua news agency quoted Bennett as saying to the state-owned Kan Bet Radio.

The variant is "unusually contagious, he added.

"We are a moment away from a blizzard of infections, it will happen and we cannot prevent it," the Prime Minister said.

The remarks came as the cabinet has implemented tighter restrictions, including imposing the "green pass" scheme on large shops.

The scheme only allows vaccinated people to enter certain public venues.

Israel, a country with a population of 9.2 million, is reportedly facing the fifth wave of the pandemic caused by the variant.

In the last 24 hours, reported 623 new Omicron cases, according to the Health Ministry.

The overall number of Omicron cases in Israel now stands at 1,741, with 1,004 of them being passengers from abroad, the ministry said.

Eight of the people infected by Omicron are currently hospitalised, and one of them is in critical condition since he was not vaccinated, it added.

The Ministry also announced the death of an 84-year-old woman who had received three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. She was suspected of being infected with Omicron.

In addition, the Omicron variant was detected in sewage sampling at 19 locations throughout Israel.

Since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, Israel has reported a total of 1,371,007 Covid cases and 8,243 deaths.

--IANS

ksk/

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said the government will consider providing Covid-19 vaccine booster shots for all people in the country as much as possible, Kyodo News reported.

Kishida on Tuesday said in an interview with Kyodo News that the country's anti-virus measures will be made as fully operational so people can feel safe.

has started giving third vaccine shots to healthcare workers since the beginning of December, and senior citizens will follow from February 2022, and then the general public later, Xinhua news agency reported.

The rate of those finishing two shots reached 77 per cent at the end of December.

Infection cases with the variant of Covid-19 has not showed a surge in Japan, but community infection cases have been confirmed in some areas such as Osaka and Tokyo.

The government has offered free PCR and antigen testing in such areas and barred new entries by foreigners from abroad since November.

"Besides 31 million healthcare workers and elderly people, we'd like to consider bringing (the schedule for third shots) forward as much as possible," the Japanese Prime Minister added.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As doctors continue to protest across, it seems like there is no end to patients woes in the hospitals across India.

Vandana, a patient's mother who came to RML hospital, said, "My son has a kidney-related disease. Doctors had asked to undergo some medical tests. Today my son was supposed to undergo an eye test and accordingly, an appointment was fixed. But due to the protest, no testing is happening in the hospital. My son was referred to this hospital from GTB hospital."

A resident of Rohini said, "I came here to show my mother as she was having fever for the past eight months. When I reached here, no doctor is there inside the hospital. Everybody is participating in the ongoing protest. They asked me to come after a few days."

Another patient from Dwarka said, "My wife has to undergo surgery on January 11. Before the surgery, a biopsy procedure needs to be completed. Now the doctors are protesting, the biopsy has been delayed for the time being. I dont know when then will conduct a biopsy."

Several resident doctors across the country continue their protest against the delay in NEET-PG counselling and warned to withdraw "all healthcare services" from Wednesday.

Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) calls for complete withdrawal from all healthcare services across the country from 8 am on December 29 "in protest against brute force by Delhi Police against doctors."

On December 24, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the NEET-PG counselling crisis and augment manpower to face a possible third wave of COVID-19 infections.

PG exam was scheduled to be held in January 2021 but postponed in view of the first and second wave of COVID-19 and held on September 12, 2021, said the letter.

However, due to the legal impediments of the Supreme Court now the Counselling is withheld resulting in a shortage of 45000 doctors on the frontline, added the letter.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said that not a single Omicron patient in the national capital has required Oxygen support so far.

"COVID-19 positivity rate is around 1% with 496 new cases reported yesterday. The cases have increased with the arrival of international flights. Not a single Omicron patient has required oxygen support so far," said Jain.

"Mostly it has been seen that the family members of those who have returned from foreign countries get affected by the Omicron variant of the virus. But everyone needs to take precautions," he added.

Delhi Health Minister's statement comes on the same day when Union Health Ministry released the countrywide data on Omicron cases which show Delhi leading the chart with 238 cumulative cases.

"Out of 238 Omicron patients, 57 have been discharged," reads the Health bulletin.

"Delhi reported 496 new COVID-19 cases with one death in last 24 hrs," as per the health bulletin released by the Delhi government on Tuesday.

"Positivity rate is 1.89 per cent and there are 1,612 active cases in the national capital," it 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.)
president on Wednesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's style of functioning, saying once he takes up any task, he makes sure it is completed.

Speaking at an event in Pune organized by Marathi daily 'Loksatta', Pawar said Modi takes a lot of efforts and gives ample time to get things done. "His temperament is such that once he takes up any task in hand, he will make sure that he will not stop till the time it (the task) reached its conclusion. He has a good hold on administration and that is his strong side," said the Rajya Sabha member. The president, a political rival of the PM's party BJP, was replying to a question about what changes he has observed in Modi as a leader in all these years. Pawar said if decisions taken by the administration are not in sync with the common people and their aspirations, then one being hardworking is not enough as end results can not be neglected. "On this aspect, I see a lacuna," he said. The veteran politician said the PM emphasizes on how the administration and his colleagues can come together to ensure effective implementation of his government's policies. Modi has a different method of taking his colleagues along and that style was missing in past PMs like Manmohan Singh, the former Union minister said. Asked about actions taken by central agencies against some ministers in Maharashtra, which has a Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government and whether he ever wanted to raise this issue with the PM, Pawar said he has never spoken to Modi about the matter in the past and will never do so in the future as well.

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Omicron infection has been confirmed in a youth who recently returned here from abroad, a senior official said on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old, resident of Uska police station area here, lives in Britain.

When he landed at the Delhi airport on Sunday evening, he had rapid antigen and RT-PCR tests done and was sent home after the antigen test did not confirm the infection but later his RT-PCR report came positive, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr A.K Singh said on Wednesday.

The CMO said that he was informed through an e-mail from the Health Department of Delhi that the youth's report after genome sequencing has confirmed Omicron infection.

The health department team has informed the youth and put him in isolation at his home, the CMO added.

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The government said on Tuesday that both walk-in and online registration through CoWIN would be available for vaccination of children in the 15-18 age group, who would start getting doses against COVID-19 on January 3.

Union Health Secretary on Tuesday chaired a workshop through video conference with all states and UTs to review the rollout of vaccination for the age group 15-18 and precautionary third dose for vulnerable categories - healthcare workers (HCW), frontline workers (FLW), and those in the 60+ age group who have co-morbidity.

As announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, 2021, the vaccination for the age-group 15-18 is scheduled to begin from January 3, 2022 while administration of precautionary third dose for the vulnerable categories will commence from January 10.

In the context of the vaccination of the age group 15-18 years, the Union Health Secretary informed the states and UTs that only 'Covaxin' is to be administered in this population category and additional doses of the vaccine will be sent to them.

A Health Ministry release said that the Union Government will share the supply schedule of Covaxin with all the States and UTs in the next few days.

"Potential beneficiaries can either register themselves on Co-WIN from January 1 , 2022 or avail of a walk-in registration when vaccination commences from January 3. Those with the birth year of 2007 or before will be eligible for vaccination under this category," the release said.

It said all established protocols regarding vaccination are to be followed for the 15-18 age group and beneficiaries are to wait for half-an-hour when they will be monitored for AEFI. They will be eligible for the second dose only after 28 days.

States were informed that they have the option to designate some COVID Vaccination Center (CVC)s as dedicated CVC for the 15-18 age group exclusively which can also be reflected on Co-WIN. Dedicated CVCs would ensure that there is no confusion in administering the vaccines.

For CVCs that are intended to serve categories in addition to 15-18 age group, the States were requested to ensure separate queues for the 15-18 age group and separate vaccination teams.

States were advised to form two separate vaccination teams at the same CVC, one for 15-18 age groups and the other for all adults to avoid confusion in administration of the right vaccines.

With regards to the administration of the precautionary dose, Union Health Secretary highlighted that nine months (39 weeks) must have elapsed since the administration of the second dose to make the beneficiary eligible.

Drawing attention to misinformation being propagated through various media regarding the requirement of a doctor's certificate to establish co-morbidity at the CVC, the Health Secretary categorically emphasized that the Union Government has not issued any directions "and prescriptions/certificates are not mandated to be produced at the CVC for the administration of the precaution dose".

He also informed that CoWIN will send reminder messages to all those eligible for precaution dose and it will be reflected in the digital vaccination certificates.

States were advised to ensure the orientation of vaccinators and vaccination team members for vaccination of 15-18 years age-group and the identification of dedicated session sites for vaccination of 15-18 years age-group.

They were exhorted to undertake proper planning in advance for the distribution of Covaxin to identified session sites.

"To avoid the mixing-up of vaccines during administration, separate CVCs, separate session sites, separate queue (if at same session where adult vaccination is ongoing) and separate vaccination team (if at same session site) are to be strived for," the release said.

States, UTs were also advised to share their requirement of vaccine doses through district wise estimation of beneficiaries using Co-WIN. They are to publicise sessions where vaccination will be available for the 15-18 year age group.

"Sufficient vaccines will be provided to states to cover these beneficiaries," the release 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.)
Rajasthan recorded 23 fresh cases of the Omicron variant of the on Wednesday, pushing the tally of such cases to 69 in the state.

According to a spokesperson of the state medical and health department, of the fresh Omicron cases, 10 were reported from Ajmer, nine from Jaipur, two from Bhilwara and one each from Alwar and Jodhpur.

Four of the 23 patients had returned from abroad, three got infected after coming in contact with foreign travellers and two returned from other states. All of them have been kept in isolation in a special ward for Omicron patients at the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) hospital.

Of the 69 patients infected with the Omicron variant of the in the state, 39 are from Jaipur, 17 from Ajmer, four each from Sikar and Udaipur, two from Bhilwara and one person each is from Alwar, Jodhpur and Maharashtra. Of the 46 people who tested for positive for Omicron in the state earlier, 44 have been cured.

A total of 438 COVID-19 patients were under treatment in the state till Tuesday evening.

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The Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will meet on December 31 and discuss, among other things, report of the panel of state ministers on rate rationalisation.

This will be a physical meeting, which will also discuss correction in duty inversion in certain goods.

The 46th Council meeting will be held on December 31 in Delhi, an official said, adding that it will be an extension to the pre-budget meeting with state finance ministers on December 30.

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on rate rationalisation will submit report to the Council. The panel has reviewed items under an inverted duty structure to help minimise refund payout.

Besides, the Fitment committee, comprising tax officers from states and the Centre, has made many "sweeping" recommendations to the GoM regarding slab and rate changes and taking items out of the exemption list.

Currently, is a four-tier slab structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. Essential items are either exempted or taxed at the lowest slab, while luxury and demerit items attract the highest slab. On the top of the highest slab, a cess is levied on luxury and demerit goods.

There have been demands for merging the 12 and 18 per cent slabs as also taking out certain items from the exempt category to balance the impact of slab rationalisation on revenue.

West Bengal's former finance minister Amit Mitra has urged the Union finance minister to roll back a proposed hike in textile from 5 per cent to 12 per cent saying this would lead to closure of around one lakh textile units and 15 lakh job losses.

Telangana Industries Minister K T Rama Rao has also urged the Centre to withdraw its proposed plan to increase GST rates.

Industry has also opposed the rise in tax from five per cent, citing higher compliance cost especially for the unorganised sector and MSMEs besides making the poor man's clothing expensive.

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Mamata Banerjee's battle cry 'Khela Hobe' (game will happen) was emblematic of the hostility and confrontation that lay in store for West Bengal in 2021 amid a raging pandemic and political turmoil, as a string of bitterly fought left the state on edge for major part of the year.

Banerjee, the stormy petrel of West Bengal politics, led her TMC to emphatic victories in all despite her personal loss in Nandigram, the scene of an anti-land acquisition movement years ago that had catapulted her to power in 2011.

A decade after scripting history by defeating the longest-serving democratically elected Communist government in the world, Banerjee emerged as the most formidable opposition leader as she stormed back to power for a third straight term trouncing the in the assembly

Flashpoints in Bengal were one too many, as political violence rocked the state and allegations of electoral fraud flew thick and fast.

The CBI and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the West Bengal Police are probing the cases of post-assembly poll violence that left scores dead and injured, and reduced houses and other property to ashes.

The BJP, which established itself as the main opposition party after the last Lok Sabha polls, had its top leaders go all out with its rallying cry of Hindutva', only to find that there were not too many takers for its narrative.

The TMC invoked 'Bengali pride' to checkmate the saffron party and clinch 213 seats in the 294-member House, leaving 77 for the and one each for an Independent and an ISF candidate.

In the do-or-die assembly election, the Left Front, which had ruled Bengal with an iron fist for 34 years, ended up empty-handed. The Congress, too, was pushed to the margins, failing to open its account.

While Banerjee destroyed any dreams that the had of ruling West Bengal, her defeat in Nandigram against freshly minted BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, a confidant-turned-bete noire, came as a huge embarrassment. She, however, emerged victorious from her home turf Bhabanipur in a bypoll by a record margin.

Fresh from the impressive victory, the feisty TMC boss, who had called BJP leaders from Delhi "outsiders" during her assembly poll campaign, wasted no time trying to spread her wings beyond Bengal's skies, with an eye on her next target the 2024 general election.

The TMC forayed into Tripura in civic body elections. It gained little in terms of seats but managed to pitch itself firmly as a major opposition party in the BJP-ruled state.

In Meghalaya, where it was hardly a force to reckon with, her party pulled off a coup of sorts as 12 of the 17 MLAs of the Congress deserted the ship and joined the TMC, making West Bengal's ruling party the main opposition in the northeastern state in a jiffy.

In Goa, where elections are due early next year, the TMC has decided to contest all 40 seats, and netted a prize catch in former Congress chief minister Luizinho Faleiro in the run up to the polls.

The face-off between the BJP and the TMC in Bengal continued through the year. Within a week of the new government taking oath, the CBI arrested two ministers, a TMC MLA and a former party leader in the Narada sting operation case, provoking accusations of the Narendra Modi government using central agencies to settle political scores.

A combative Banerjee led hundreds of her supporters at a dharna outside the CBI office in Kolkata demanding unconditional release of those arrested. The court later granted them bail.

Banerjee's national ambitions came in the way of TMC's ties with the Congress, as she held the grand old party responsible for the BJP's rise across the country.

The war of words escalated between the two parties, with the TMC claiming it was now the "real Congress" and the Congress's leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury returning fire, calling Banerjee "BJP's Trojan horse".

COVID-19 held the state in a vice-like grip with over 16 lakh people having been infected with the deadly virus as on December 28. Altogether 19,733 people have lost their lives to the disease. As West Bengal battled the contagion, the TMC blamed the Election Commission's decision to hold a staggered eight-phase assembly polls for the surge in COVID cases.

Nature unleashed its fury as cyclone Yaas buffeted the state, leaving a trail of death and destruction.

The acrimony between the state government and the Centre touched a new low, when Banerjee skipped a review meeting on cyclone Yaas chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while taking exception to the presence of Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition.

Shortly after, the Union government ordered the recall of Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay to Delhi.

The state government, however, refused to release Bandopadhyay, who subsequently retired and was appointed chief adviser to Banerjee for a three-year term.

The BJP, smarting under its assembly poll defeat, faced desertions with many of its leaders quitting and joining the TMC. The party's national vice-president and MLA Mukul Roy was the first to quit in June to return to the TMC. Four other BJP MLAs followed suit.

Former central minister and MP Babul Supriyo, who was dropped during the reshuffle in July, also switched over to the TMC in September.

Plagued by infighting, the BJP brought about changes in the organisation, replacing its two-time state president Dilip Ghosh with party MP from North Bengal Sukanta Majumdar, and axing several members of the old guard from important committees.

The TMC's success at the hustings continued in the second half of the year as the party registered a landslide victory in Kolkata civic polls, clinching 134 out of the 144 wards.

The state government also claimed credit for the UNESCO 'Intangible Heritage' tag for Kolkata's Durga puja.

As another eventful year drew to a close, the Union home ministry's refusal to renew the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FRCA) licence of Missionaries of Charity the Calcutta-headquartered organisation founded by Mother Teresa became a talking point.

Opposition parties slammed the Centre over its decision, while officials of the charity organisation said efforts to resolve the matter were underway.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
All major political parties in have urged the (ECI) not to delay the 2022 assembly polls in the state, following concerns of over the new Omicron Covid-19 variant.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey and other senior officers of the ECI held meetings with representatives of national and recognised political parties in Lucknow till late Tuesday evening.

The ECI is on a three-day visit to Lucknow to assess the ground situation.

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation led by J.P.S. Rathore, Samajwadi Party (SP) delegation led by Naresh Uttam Patel, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) delegation led by Mewalal Gautam, Congress delegation led by Onkar Nath Singh and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) delegation led by Anil Dubey urged the ECI to hold the polls as scheduled amid strict Covid-19 protocols.

After the meeting, SP state unit president Naresh Uttam Patel said: "The SP urged the ECI to hold assembly polls as per schedule with strict implementation of Covid appropriate behaviour to check surge of Covid cases. The ECI should clear doubts over the assembly election with the announcement of the poll schedule."

BJP state unit vice-president Rathore said the Assembly elections should be held as per schedule, but the final decision rests with the ECI.

"The BJP told the poll panel that in view of the possible third wave, adequate arrangements should be made at the polling stations.

"We raised three demands. First, to prevent multiple voting by an individual, we demanded proper verification of burqa clad women voters at polling stations and deployment of women constables at every booth for this. Our second demand was to ensure one polling booth for all members of a family. And thirdly, relocation of any cluster of polling booths in densely-populated areas to avoid mass gathering considering the corona pandemic," he added.

The Congress, meanwhile, demanded the removal of Additional Chief Secretary (Home) from the post before the polls.

"ACS home Avanish Kumar Awasthi should not be part of election management, he should be transferred before the model code of conduct. It is in public domain that despite being a government officer, he retweets the tweets of Union ministers. He continues to hail PM's programmes and government schemes by retweeting them," the Congress said in a letter to ECI signed by Onkar Nath Singh, Virender Madan and Mohammad Anas Khan.

RLD national secretary Anil Dubey said: "The ECI must provide a list of voters above 80 years and specially challenged to all parties."

The SP has claimed there are 40 lakh voters in the state who are above 80 years or are specially challenged.

The BSP demanded strict implementation of the model code of conduct.

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The on Tuesday demanded from the to keep Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi away from the poll process of the state assembly so that he does not affect it.

The UP party raised the demand during its meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and elections commissioners Rajeev Kumar and Anoop Chandra Pandey.

The CEC and the two ECs reached Lucknow on Tuesday evening and are slated to take stock of the state's poll preparedness over the next few days. The poll panel's 13-member delegation is on a three-day visit to the state.

As part of its review of the Uttar Pradesh poll preparedness, the Election Commission held a series of meetings with the representatives of various political parties which raised their specific poll-related demands and concerns.

While the party sought the side-lining of the state's key bureaucrat, the UP BJP urged the poll panel to depute women security personnel at every polling booth in the state to identify genuine women voters.

The Samajwadi Party on the other hand urged the poll panel delegation to prepare a separate list of specially-abled voters and those above the age of 80 years and arrange for them to vote from their homes.

"UP's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi be kept away from the electoral process as he may affect polls," UP Congress leader Virendra Madan said in a statement here after the meeting of the Congress delegation with the poll panel functionaries.

UP BJP general secretary J P S Rathore also told PTI that his party made three points to the poll panel, including a request to it to ensure that the voters from the same family can exercise their franchise at the same polling booth.

"The first point was that women security personnel should be posted at every booth so that they can provide security top women and if needed, the women police personnel are roped in to identify genuine voters, Rathore said.

Secondly, we requested the Election Commission to ensure that voters from the same family should be able to cast their votes at the same polling booth. Apart from this, a request was also made to relocate the polling booths from densely populated areas to less populated areas so that the Covid protocol can be followed, he said.

In a statement issued here after its delegation's met the CEC and ECs, the Samajwadi Party said it demanded a free and fair election.

"The SP demanded that a separate list of voters above the age of 80 years and 'divyaang' (specially-abled) ones be prepared for all assembly constituencies. The list should be made available at all polling booths. The number of such voters in the state is 40 lakh, it said.

On January 5, 2022, when the final voters' list is published, this list should also be provided. Such voters should be given the option of voting from their homes," it added.

The RLD demanded that the VVPAT slips should be recounted. It also demanded that the elections should be held in time and there should be a ban on statements against the Constitution.

The Bahujan Samaj Party demanded that elections should be held in time.

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national convener and Delhi Chief Minister will be on a three-day visit to poll-bound Punjab from December 30 to January 1, informed AAP.

He will lead AAP's 'Victory March' in Chandigarh on December 30 to celebrate his party bagging the maximum number of seats in the civic polls.

New entrant AAP put up a spectacular show in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation polls and won 14 of 35 wards while pushing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to second place.

On December 31, Kejriwal will start his trip in Patiala by garlanding the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at 2 pm, he will then go to Shri Kali Devi temple to offer his prayers.

After that, the AAP convenor will lead a "Shanti March" (Peace rally), which will be joined by the party's senior leader Bhagwant Mann.

Kejriwal will then pay his obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Dukhvaran Sahib.

On his final day of the visit, Kejriwal will visit Ram Tirath Temple in Amritsar at 12 noon.

The Delhi Chief Minister has been making frequent visits to Punjab ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections.

Assembly polls are set to be held in Punjab early next year.

In the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, Congress won an absolute majority in the state by winning 77 seats and ousted the SAD-BJP government after 10 years.

emerged as the second-largest party winning 20 seats in 117 member Punjab Legislative Assembly. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) could only manage to win 15 seats while the BJP secured 3 seats.

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At least 38 people have been killed after a gold mine collapsed in West Kordofan state in southern Sudan, a government company announced in a statement.

"The General Manager of the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company Limited mourns the death of 38 miners who died as a result of the collapse of Umm Draisaya mine," the statement said on Tuesday.

The collapsed gold mine lies near El Nuhud town in West Kordofan state, nearly 500 km west of Sudan's capital Khartoum.

The government of West Kordofan state and the state's security committee previously issued a decision to close the mine, citing that it was not suitable for mining, according to the company.

However, the miners infiltrated into and worked in the mine again despite the decision, it said.

About 2 million Sudanese employees are working in the traditional mining industry across Sudan, including the states of Red Sea, Nahr al-Neel, South Kordofan, West Kordofan and Northern, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to official statistics, traditional mining contributes nearly 75 per cent of the total gold production in Sudan, which exceeds 93 tons a year.

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This is the story of the incredible cloning break. In 2004, David Baszucki, fresh off a stint as a radio host in Santa Cruz, California, started a tiny video-game company. It was eligible for a break that lets investors in small businesses avoid millions of dollars in capital gains taxes if the start-ups hit it big.

Today Baszuckis company, Roblox, the maker of one of the worlds most popular video-gaming platforms, is valued at about $60 billion. Baszucki is worth an estimated $7 billion.

Yet he and his extended family are reaping big benefits from a break aimed at small businesses.

Baszucki and his relatives have been able to multiply the tax break at least 12 times. Among those poised to avoid millions of dollars in capital gains taxes are Baszuckis wife, his four children, his mother-in-law and even his first cousin-in-law, according to securities filings and people with knowledge of the matter.

The tax break is known as the Qualified Small Business Stock, or QSBS, exemption. It allows early investors in in many industries to avoid taxes on at least $10 million in profits.

The goal, when it was established in the early 1990s, was to coax people to put money into small

Thanks to the ingenuity of the tax-avoidance industry, investors in hot tech are exponentially enlarging the tax break. The trick is to give shares in those companies to friends or relatives. Even though these recipients didnt put their money into the companies, they nonetheless inherit the tax break, and a further $10 million or more in profits becomes tax-free.

The savings for the richest American families  who would otherwise face a 23.8 per cent capital gains tax  can quickly swell into the tens of millions. The maneuver, which is legal, is known as stacking, because the tax breaks are piled on top of one another.

Early investors in some of Silicon Valleys marquee start-ups  including Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Zoom, Pinterest and DoorDash  have all replicated this tax exemption by giving shares to friends and family, according to people who worked or were briefed on the tax strategies.

So have partners at top venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz, who have figured out ways to claim tens of millions of dollars in tax exemptions for themselves and relatives year after year, according to industry officials and lawyers.

Representatives of those firms declined to comment or didnt respond to requests for comment.

QSBS is an example of a provision that is on its face already outrageous, said Daniel Hemel, a tax law professor at the University of Chicago. But when you get smart tax lawyers in the room, the provision becomes, in practice, preposterous.



Manoj Viswanathan, who is a director of the Center on Tax Law at the University of California, Hastings, estimates the tax break will cost the government at least $60 billion over the coming decade. But that doesnt include taxes avoided by stacking, and so the true cost of the tax break is probably many times higher.

The Biden administration has proposed shrinking the benefit by more than half. But the plan wouldnt restrict wealthy investors from multiplying the tax break.

The likely result, said Paul Lee, the chief tax strategist at Northern Trust Wealth Management, would be even more tax avoidance.
UN Secretary-General on Wednesday suggested that the world should commit to making 2022 as a year of recovery for everyone.

In his year-end message to the world, Guterres said: "The world welcomes 2022 with our hopes for the future being tested by deepening poverty and worsening inequality... An unequal distribution of Covid vaccines... climate commitments that fall short, and by ongoing conflict, division, and misinformation."

He added that these are "not just policy tests", but "moral and real-life tests".

However, these are exams that all of humanity can pass "if we commit to making 2022 a year of recovery for everyone", said the UN chief.

Guterres went on to detail how best the recovery should be done on each front.

The pandemic requires "a bold plan to vaccinate every person, everywhere", he said.

And for an economic rescue, the UN chief flagged that wealthier countries must support the developing world with "financing, investment and debt relief".

Meanwhile, to heal from mistrust and division, he affirmed that a new emphasis must be placed "on science, facts and reason".

At the same time, recovery from conflicts calls for "a renewed spirit of dialogue, compromise and reconciliation" while restoring our planet takes "climate commitments that match the scale and urgency of the crisis", said Guterres.

The UN head also acknowledged that "moments of great difficulty are also moments of great opportunity to come together in solidarity".

This is because they offer the chance "to unite behind solutions that can benefit all people. And to move forward together, with hope in what our human family can accomplish".

"Together, let's make recovery our resolution for 2022. I wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year," concluded the Secretary-General.

--IANS

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The dozens of Type 90, or Kyumaru, tanks rumbling through recent shooting drills on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido exemplify the challenge its arms makers face both at home and overseas as the country fortifies its defences against strategic threats.

The Self Defence Force needs the more advanced aircraft and weaponry sold by U.S. arms manufacturers as Japan's strategic focus shifts from Russia in the north to the south, where it faces incursions by Chinese fighter jets and naval vessels and North Korean missile launches.

Big Japanese defence manufacturers like Mitsubishi, IHI Corp. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are struggling to sell 20th century tanks, aircraft and warships. They need to develop better technology to serve a military in the market for unmanned aircraft like Tritons made by Northrop Grumman and Boeing's undersea Echo Voyager.

Likewise, Japan's arms sales never really have taken off. Uncompetitive, with high prices, aging technology and scant government support, arms makers in increasingly are just withdrawing from the business.

The hefty Kyumaru tanks built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries debuted 30 years ago and are being replaced with lighter and more mobile armoured vehicles that can travel on public roads and or have amphibious capabilities, including American amphibious assault vehicles.

People may think has advanced technology and it can quickly catch up with and start selling equipment if it only gets serious, but I think that's wrong, said Heigo Sato, an expert on defense issues and professor at Hokkaido's Takushoku University.

The problem is, Japan's defence products are not first grade. Nobody is interested in buying second- or third-grade products at higher prices, he said.

created its own Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency in 2015 to try to energise the sluggish domestic defense industry and promote joint technology research, development and sales with friendly nations. But profits have dwindled at home, as the government, instead of promoting sales, increased big-ticket purchases from the United States.

Japan is the world's 12th largest arms importer, with a 2.2% global share. Most purchases are from its ally the United States, according to the latest survey by the Stockholm Peace Research Institute, a global research organization.

A large and growing share of the 2 trillion yen ($17.7 billion) annually in equipment purchases by the Defence Ministry are made through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. They more than tripled from 190.6 billion yen ($1.7 billion) in 2014 to 701.3 billion yen ($6.2 billion ) in 2019, when Japan placed orders for F-35 stealth fighters, missile interceptors and other expensive equipment to reinforce its defences against China and North Korea.

Haggling over expensive American jets and other equipment has slowed progress on revamping the nation's defences, Defense Ministry officials said.

Japan has negotiated the cost of upgrading dozens of F-15 fighter jets, which had doubled from the initial U.S. estimate, down to 397 billion yen ($3.5 billion) from 552 billion yen ($4.8 billion), they said. To cut costs, Japan switched to domestic-made shorter-range air-to-surface standoff missiles from the initial plan to use U.S. long-range anti-ship cruise missiles, among other revisions, they said.

Army officials at the Hokkaido drills said they'd take whatever equipment they can get. One official joked that his camouflage uniforms were surely still Japanese made.

Japan's total defeat in World War II, when it tried to conquer much of Asia, has left many Japanese wary of military buildups. The postwar constitution limits use of force to self-defense, and a ban on arms exports was only lifted in 2014.

Moreover, Japanese scientists tend to be reluctant to engage in research and development of technologies that can be used for military purposes.

Since the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency was launched, Japan has sold just one finished product a surveillance radar to the Philippines. It first gave away five used TC-90 training aircraft along with pilot training and 40,000 items of parts for UH-1H multipurpose helicopters.

In 2016, a possible breakthrough sale of Soryu-class submarine technology fell through when Australia chose France to develop 12 diesel submarines. That $65 billion contract recently was scuttled when Australia switched to nuclear submarines under the AUKUS pact with Britain and the United Sates.

Negotiations to sell about a dozen US-2 ShinMaywa Industries sea planes to India have been held up by pricing disagreements. Japan's attempts to export a radar to Thailand and frigates to Indonesia also ended unsuccessfully.

As a latecomer, Japan lacks the marketing and technology transfer expertise of the U.S., with its FMS programme, and other major exporters.

Japan needs to be more competitive, more assertive and also be more willing to engage with customers in the marketing and promotion of defense platforms, Jon Grevatt, principal of Indo-Pacific research and analysis at the Janes, told a recent online event.

The government and the industry haven't entirely given up. Japan is developing its own long-range surface-to-air cruise missile, and as China's military buildup now extends to cyberspace and outer space, the Defense Ministry has begun pushing for research and development of artificial intelligence-operated autonomous vehicles, supersonic flight and other game-changing technologies.

Experts say Japan should accelerate work on drones, satellite constellations and technology against electronic attacks. To fund such research, the ministry requested a record 291 billion yen ($2.55 billion) budget for the year beginning in April 2022, up 38% from this year.

Japan is also pursuing joint development of its next-generation F-X fighter jet with the United States and Britain to replace its aging fleet of F-2s by around 2035. Japan and Britain recently announced plans to jointly develop a future fighter aircraft engine demonstrator and to explore work on other air combat technologies and subsystems. The project includes Japan's Mitsubishi and IHI and Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems in the UK.

It's a race against time as defense contractors drop out.

Yu Yamada, a Japan Business Federation senior manager for the defense industry, said it has 60-plus member companies with defense-related operations, down by about 10 in recent years.

Komatsu Ltd., a leading construction equipment manufacturer, stopped developing and making armored vehicles after upgrades failed to meet Defense Ministry requirements. Komatsu, once the 7th largest supplier, now only maintains existing fleets it supplied. It still makes ammunition.

In March, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co. sold its warship unit to Japan's top contractor Mitsubishi. Daicel Corp., a major electronic and chemical material maker and supplier of warplane ejection seats, is dropping its unprofitable defense business to put resources elsewhere.

Sumitomo Heavy Industries stopped making 5.56 millimeter machine guns, citing a bleak long-term outlook.

If the trend continues, both the military and the defense industry could face supply problems, higher costs or quality concerns, Yamada said. Supply chains cannot be reconstructed in just one to two years. The industry is facing a rather difficult situation," he said.

In an emailed statement, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency acknowledged that keeping a domestic defense industry base was a challenge" as companies withdraw. We must ensure businesses are succeeded smoothly so that the technology of key suppliers won't be lost in case of withdrawals.

(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.)
Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader and Nevada's longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82.

Reid died on Tuesday, peacefully and surrounded by friends following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer, Landra Reid said of her husband in a statement.

Harry was a devout family man and deeply loyal friend, she said. "We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from so many over these past few years. We are especially grateful for the doctors and nurses that cared for him. Please know that meant the world to him.

Funeral arrangements would be announced in coming days, she said.

The combative former boxer-turned-lawyer was widely-acknowledged as one of toughest dealmakers in Congress, a conservative Democrat in an increasingly polarized chamber who vexed lawmakers of both parties with a brusque manner and this motto: I would rather dance than fight, but I know how to fight".

Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

He retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye.

Reid in May 2018 revealed he'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.

Less than two weeks ago, officials and Reid's son, Rory Reid, marked the renaming of the busy Las Vegas airport as Harry Reid Airport. Rory Reid is a former Clark County Commission chairman and Democratic Nevada gubernatorial candidate.

Neither Harry nor Landra Reid attended the Dec. 14 ceremony held at the facility that had been known since 1948 as McCarran Airport, after a former US senator from Nevada, Pat McCarran, and today ranks as one of the 10 busiest airports in the US.

The Clark County Commission voted unanimously last February to make the name change, and the Federal Aviation Administration began listing the new name on aviation charts last June.

Among many other projects that Reid brought support for in Nevada and a notable national nuclear waste repository planned for Yucca Mountain that as Senate majority leader he blocked Reid pushed for development of the Terminal 3 arrivals annex that opened at the airport in June 2012.

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President and will speak Thursday as the Russian leader has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe.

The two leaders will discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements," National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement announcing the call.

The talks come as the U.S. and Western allies have watched the buildup of Russian troops near the border of Ukraine, growing to an estimated 100,000 and fuelling fears that Moscow is preparing to invade Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken reiterated the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the face of Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's borders.

Price said the two discussed efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine and upcoming diplomatic engagements with

Putin said earlier this week he would ponder a slew of options if the West fails to meet his push for security guarantees precluding NATO's expansion to Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Moscow submitted draft security documents demanding that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back its military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.

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Kamala Harris has increasingly turned to corporate executives from and Silicon Valley to serve as informal advisers, policy allies and political boosters as she grapples with a sprawling and at times intractable policy portfolio.

Microsoft President Brad Smith, Cisco Systems Chief Executive Officer Chuck Robbins and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser are among the leaders whom Harris has sought out in telephone conversations, video conferences and strategy meetings.

Discussions with one group of corporate leaders cleared the way for what Harris calls one of her biggest first-year triumphs: $1.2 billion in corporate commitments to help address the surge of migration from Central America. Talks with executives also resulted in a successful push to get banks to distribute more pandemic funds to small and minority-owned businesses.

And corporate leaders say the is continuing to engage them on other challenges, from the resurgence of the coronavirus to supply chain constraints and semiconductor shortages. Its a strategy that carries some risk.

Close ties to the leaders of the nations biggest corporations could alienate the Democratic voters already unhappy with her over her career as a prosecutor before being elected to the Senate in 2016. The talks also havent yet yielded tangible progress on other key issues. While Harris has repeatedly asked corporate leaders to help her push for a federal voting rights law, the legislation remains mired on Capitol Hill.
has formed a new government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the state media reported.

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received the Prime Minister, approved the new cabinet formation handed by him, and wished him the best in serving the people of Kuwait, Xinhua news agency quoted the state media report as saying.

The Emir hoped that the executive and legislative powers would cooperate for the sake of Kuwait's development and welfare, the report said.

On November 8, the government submitted its resignation, which was accepted by the Emir on November 14.

On November 23, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued an order on behalf of the emir to appoint Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as Prime Minister and assign him to form a government.

experiences frequent cabinet reshuffles.

--IANS

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(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.)
Mexico's state-owned oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) is looking to suspend its crude exports by 2023 to allocate all of its output toward domestic consumption, CEO Octavio Romero has said.

During the presentation of a program to achieve energy self-sufficiency, Romero added that the strategy calls for first reducing Mexico's crude exports in 2022 to 435,000 barrels per day, Xinhua news agency reported.

"By 2023 and by 2024, practically all of Pemex's production is going to be processed and refined" for the domestic market, said Pemex CEO, who was accompanied by Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Pemex's refining capacity will be expanded once the Dos Bocas refinery begins operating. Starting December 2018, the refinery has been the most important infrastructure project of the Lopez Obrador administration.

Refining will also get a boost from the rehabilitation of Mexico's six existing refineries and acquisition of the Deer Park refinery based in Houston of US state of Texas.

"Practically 100 per cent of Mexican crude is going to be refined in our country to guarantee fuel supplies," Romero said.

Lopez Obrador's administration is working to strengthen Pemex, whose finances were depleted in recent years by constant transfers of funds to government coffers amid a decline in its crude output.

credit rating agencies have even threatened to lower the country's investment grade rating if the state company's finances do not improve.

--IANS

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In a setback for the Belgian government, an advisory body on Tuesday suspended a Cabinet-ordered closure of part of the cultural sector saying that new restrictions imposed on theaters are unreasonable.

Under new restrictions that took effect Sunday, movie houses, concert halls and art centers were ordered to shut their doors. Some stayed open in protest.

The order came despite the assessment of the scientific committee advising the government that going to such places poses no extra risk to public

In an emergency procedure, the Council of State ruled that measures concerning theaters were not proportionate, and didn't provide enough motives to understand why going to cultural sector performance venues was particularly dangerous for public

The Council of State is an advisory body that has legal powers to overturn government decisions it considers unlawful.

The ruling came after a member of a production company launched an urgent appeal against the government decision to ensure that an end of year play could go ahead in suburban Brussels. It's expected to impact on the entire sector.

The minister for culture in Belgium's French-speaking region, Benedicte Linard, welcomed the verdict, and tweeted that the closure of theaters is lifted. There's no point in waiting for a new (Council of State) ruling to reopen cinemas.

The ruling, which the Council of State described as provisional, came after representatives of Belgian actors, performers and cinema operators had criticized the government's decision, describing it as baseless, unfair and disproportionate.

After meeting Tuesday with those representatives, Minister Frank Vandenbroucke told state broadcaster RTBF that there's no possibility to immediately revise the (government's) decision.

Thousands of Belgian performers, cinema operators, event organizers and rallied on Sunday in protest at the closure of the country's cultural life to stem the spread of the surging omicron variant.

Events like Christmas markets are allowed to continue, despite their boisterous, and sometimes chaotic, mulled wine parties, while restaurants and bars are allowed to stay open with some new restrictions.

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With two new metro lines set to go into operation on Thursday, the total length of Shanghai's metro network will extend to 831 km, continuing to be the longest in the world, according to authorities.

The opening of the two new lines will bring the total number of fully automatic metro lines in to five, with an operating length of 167 km, ranking first in the world for the first time, Xinhua news agency quoted the Metro as saying.

The new Line 14 with an operating length of 38 km is the first fully automatic metro line for eight-car trains in

With 31 stations, it is expected to serve as a horizontal artery in the metropolis.

--IANS

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(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.)
will accord a special official funeral Category 1 to late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu on New Year's Day, President announced on Tuesday.

Tutu, who was a globally venerated theologian, anti-apartheid campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday.

The special official funeral will take place at 10 am (local time) in St George's Cathedral, Cape Town on New Year's Day on Saturday.

"President honours Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu with special official funeral category. The funeral will be held in compliance with the provisions of the COVID-19 health regulations that apply under Adjusted Alert Level 1 of the national state of disaster," the president's official twitter page said.

A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony with full military ceremonial honours, usually reserved for all Presidents of South Africa, as well as other notable individuals.

For Category 1 state funerals, the balustrades and pillars of the seat of government in Pretoria, the Union Buildings, as well as the City Hall of the capital city, will be draped in black cloth.

But there will be some limitations on the special funeral, which allows for some ceremonial elements by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

State funeral Category 1 includes a 21-gun salute, a guard of honour, a fly past, a brass band.

On this particular occasion and based on the late Archbishop's wishes, the SANDF ceremonial content will be limited to the handing over of the National Flag to (Tutu's widow) Mam Leah Tutu, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said in a statement.

As part of this funeral designation, the National Flag will be half-masted throughout the country and at South African diplomatic missions worldwide from sunset today, 28 December 2022. until the evening of the funeral, the minister added.

Other notable South Africans who have been honoured with a Category 1 state funeral include former President Nelson Mandela, his former Winnie Madikizela Mandela, senior ANC Minister Jackson Mthembu, Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, and human rights lawyer George Bizos, who defended Mandela and at the infamous Rivonia Trial that sent the accused to prison for 27 years before Mandela became the first democratically-elected President of in 1994.

The Anglican Church earlier announced that Tutu's ashes will be interred at the Cathedral where he served after being appointed Archbishop of Cape Town.

Tutu was the first black cleric to be elected as the Bishop of Johannesburg before being inaugurated in 1986 as the first black cleric to become Archbishop of Cape Town.

Last Archbishop of Cape Town to be interred in the cathedral was Geoffrey Clayton, who died in 1957 just a day after he sent a letter to the then minority white apartheid-era prime minister J G Strijdom on behalf of all the bishops of the church, who said they would defy and not apply the requirements of segregating congregations in terms of the Native Laws Amendment Act.

Tutu had continued this tradition of resisting apartheid in non-violent ways throughout his life, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize. The funeral will be held in compliance with the provisions of the COVID-19 health regulations with only 200 people at a time allowed into the Cathedral, where Tutu's body will lie in state from 7 am to 7 pm on Friday.

The City of Cape Town has opened condolence books outside the cathedral, where hundreds of mourners braved the rainy weather to line the surrounding streets with flowers and messages of condolence.

As condolences continued to pour in from world leaders and others, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson recalled how he and renowned musician Peter Gabriel had taught Tutu to swim.

He was a fast learner and was soon splashing by us with plenty of giggles, Branson said in a tribute to Tutu on his blog.

His energy, his passion, and his love for life and humanity shone out through everything he did. I'll never forget his laugh, and how his smile lit up the room, Branson 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.)
Hans Grundberg, the special envoy of the UN Secretary general for Yemen, has said that escalating violence in the country has been "among the worst" in recent years, and civilians are increasingly being targeted.

Airstrikes on Sanaa have resulted in civilian deaths and damage to non-combatant infrastructure, he added on Tuesday.

The continuing offensive on Marib, where at least 35,000 people have fled since September, and the unabated missile attacks on the governorate are causing civilian casualties, damage to civilian objects, and mass displacements, Xinhua news agency reported.

Furthermore, the special envoy expressed concern about sustained attacks against Saudi Arabia, which have resulted in civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure.

"Any targeting of civilians and civilian objects as well as indiscriminate attacks by any actor is a flagrant violation of humanitarian law and must stop immediately," he said.

A political settlement that is sustainable is undermined by the escalation, according to Grundberg.

He added that violations of humanitarian and human rights law cannot go unpunished.

In addition, the UN envoy highlighted the grim impact on an already precarious humanitarian situation, saying that "2021 ends on a bittersweet note for the Yemeni people, millions of whom are suffering from poverty, hunger and severe restrictions on their freedom of movement."

The UN has called for the opening of Sanaa airport and the removal of obstacles preventing Yemenis from moving between governorates and within them.

Grundberg said that he stands ready to work with the parties in seeking immediate solutions, addressing humanitarian needs and enabling a political process.

In parallel coverage, Audrey Azoulay, Director General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, and Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed their deep concern for the well-being of two staff members who were detained in Sanaa early in November.

Azoulay and Bachelet confirmed in a statement that they have not been able to communicate with the staff since then.

--IANS

int/khz/

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The on Tuesday pressed for an arms embargo on the military after a recent attack by the military junta in Kayah State that killed at least 35 people.

Speaking at a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the US echoes the calls of the UN special envoy on for an immediate cessation of violence and New Year's ceasefire.

"The community must also do more to advance this goal and help prevent the recurrence of atrocities in Burma, including by supporting justice and accountability and ending the sale of arms and dual-use technology to the military," he added.

Price said that the US will continue to work with its partners and allies to promote accountability for human rights abuses, including by supporting the UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for

He added that the Biden administration will continue to press the regime to cease the violence, release all those unjustly detained, provide safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and restore Burma's path to inclusive democracy.

Earlier on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken separately condemned the recent killing of women and children and two staff members of the aid organization Save the Children.

"We are alarmed by the military regime's brutality across much of Burma, including most recently in Kayah and Karen States. The targeting of innocent people and humanitarian actors is unacceptable, and the military's widespread atrocities against the people of Burma underscore the urgency of holding its members accountable," he said in a statement.

Blinken said that the community must do more to advance this goal and prevent the recurrence of atrocities in Burma.

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US President acknowledged the possibility of holding a meeting with his Russian counterpart on January 10, the said in a pool report.

"We'll see," Biden said on Tuesday in response to a question about a possible meeting with Putin on January 10.

The meeting would take place days before a reported Russia-NATO meeting on January 12 and a Russia-Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on January 13.

The United States and Russia are expected to hold talks on arms control and the situation in Ukraine on January 10.

Putin said earlier in December following a virtual meeting between him and Biden that they will have to meet again, possibly also in a video format. The two leaders last met in person in Geneva last June.

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The price of 10 gram of gold decreased by Rs 20 on Wednesday, with 24-carat gold trading at Rs 48,220 and 22-carat at Rs 47,220.

The price of 1 kg of silver increased by Rs 200 with the precious metal selling at Rs 62,500.

In Delhi, the price of 24-carat gold stands at Rs 51,800, while in Mumbai it is at Rs 48,220, according to the Goodreturns website.

The price of 10 gram of 22-carat gold in Delhi and Mumbai is at Rs 47,500 and Rs 47,220 respectively.

In Chennai, 10 gram of 24-carat gold is selling at Rs 49,580 on Tuesday, while 10 gram of 22-carat gold is selling at Rs 45,440.

In Kolkata, 24-carat gold is selling at Rs 50,100, while 22-carat gold's price is at Rs 47,400, according to the Goodreturns website.

The price of gold varies across the country due to excise duty, state taxes, and making charges.

In Chennai, the price of 1 kg of silver is at Rs 66,300 on Wednesday, while in Delhi and Mumbai, the metal is selling at Rs 62,500.

Silver is selling at Rs 62,500 per kg in Kolkata and Bengaluru, while in Hyderabad, the metal is selling at Rs 66,300 a kg.
The key benchmark indices are likely to start trade on a tepid note given the mixed overseas cues. As of 08:05 AM, the SGX Nifty January futures were quoted at 17,267, down 19 points. Meanwhile, here the top stocks to focus in trade today.

Pharma stocks: Thirteen Indian companies can now manufacture and market oral antiviral drug Molnupiravir developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics after the countrys drug regulator granted approval for restricted use under emergency situations for Covid-infected adults in high-risk category. The approval for Molnupiravir assumes significance, as it can become an affordable oral treatment for Covid. READ MORE



Textiles: The Centre on Tuesday released the operational guidelines for the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for textiles. Under this, companies can begin the registration process from January 1-31, 2022, on the governments online portal. Incentives worth Rs 10,683 crore will be provided over five years for manufacturing man-made fabrics, garments  jerseys, overcoats, trousers, polyester suitings and shirtings, among others. READ MORE



The company as part of its strategic initiatives to venture into new-energy business and EV batteries has agreed to invest up to Euro 10 million by way of equity and convertible bonds in InBot Auto AS, Oslo Norway in one or more tranaches.

Banks: Proving sceptics wrong, 2020-21 turned out to be the best in recent years for Indian banks in terms of their financial performance. The pandemic-hit financial year was marked by a discernible increase in profitability, as banks income remained stable but expenditure declined, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) observed in the annual Trends & Progress Report.

The declining trend in bad loans that started in 2018 continued during the pandemic year, which saw gross NPAs of scheduled commercial banks dropping to 7.3 per cent as of March 2021. It was 8.2 per cent in March 2020, and further to 6.9 per cent in September 2021. READ MORE



ITC: Cigarettes-to-hotel conglomerate ITC has commissioned its first offsite solar plant at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu. Built for Rs 76 crore, the plant will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by the groups businesses.

Meanwhile, the company has also entered into a partnership with South Korean Lotte Group-owned ice cream brand Havmor - following which the latter will sell ITC Master Chef Frozen snacks through its ice cream carts. READ MORE



Airlines: A day after SpiceJet and AirAsia announced discounter fares, Go First and IndiGo have also announced discounts for travel between January 15 and April 15. Go Firsts is offering fares from Rs 1,022 and IndiGo from Rs 1,122.

Sun Pharma: Drug major Sun Pharmaceutical Industries on Tuesday said it is planning to set up a new end-to-end manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh.

Ajanta Pharma: The company said its board has approved a share buyback plan of up to Rs 286-crore, wherein the drug maker will buy back 11.20 lakh shares at a maximum price of Rs 2,550 apiece. READ MORE



Bharti Airtel, TCS: Telecom operator and IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have joined hands to build a 5G-based remote working technology using robotics, according to sources. Both the companies are currently running the trials in Airtel's 5G lab at Manesar, Haryana.

Stocks in F&O ban: Indiabulls Housing Finance, RBL Bank and Vodafone Idea are the only stocks in the F&O ban period today.
The Australian shares moved mostly higher fifth straight session on Wednesday, 29 December 2021, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index settling at a 3-1/2 month high, thanks to buying across the broad, with financials and energy stocks leading the surge.

However, market gains capped amid concerns about the impact caused by Omicron-driven economic disruptions as surge in COVID-19 infections in the country's most populous state New South Wales nearly doubled to 11,201.

At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 was up 89.51 points, or 1.21%, to 7,509.81. The broader All Ordinaries index added 95.64 points, or 1.23%, to 7,840.34.

The top performing stocks in this index were CHALICE MINING and LIONTOWN RESOURCES, up 7.79% and 7.47% respectively.

The bottom performing stocks in this index were WHITEHAVEN COAL and AFTERPAY, down 2.2% and 1.8% respectively.

Shares of energy sector rose on stronger crude oil prices, with Beach Energy and Viva Energy firming 4.1% and 2.2%, respectively.

Shares of materials and resources were up after copper prices hit a one-month peak. Chalice Mining shares soared 7.8% after the platinum explorer said it was closer to beginning drilling at its Julimar project in Western Australia.

CURRENCY NEWS: The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.722 following recent declines from above $0.725.

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Barbeque-Nation Hospitality rose 1.24% to Rs 1,342.20, advancing for second day in a row.

The stock has added 11.36% in two sessions, from its recent closing low of Rs 1,205.25 recorded on 27 December 2021.

In the past three months, the stock has gained 19.72% while the benchmark Sensex fell 2.67% during the same period.

On the technical front, the stock's RSI (relative strength index) stood at 46.173. The RSI oscillates between zero and 100. Traditionally, the RSI is considered overbought when above 70 and oversold when below 30.

The stock was trading above its 100-day and 200-day simple moving average (SMA) placed at 1278.04 and 959.73, respectively. It is, however, trading below its 50-day SMA placed at 1431.40.

Barbeque Nation is a food services company. It currently owns and operates 169 outlets across India and 3 other countries. The company pioneered the format of 'over the table barbeque' concept in Indian restaurants. The company has a majority stake in 'Red Apple Kitchen', which operates 10 Italian cuisine restaurants under the popular brand 'Toscano'.

The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 2.92 crore in the quarter ended September 2021 as against net loss of Rs 36.19 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2020. Sales rose 190.30% YoY to Rs 220.89 crore in Q2 FY22.

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For consideration of USD 60 million

BASF India announced that BASF SE, Germany (Ultimate Holding Company of BASF India) has reached an agreement to divest its manufacturing site in Quincy, Florida and the associated attapulgite business for a purchase price of USD 60 million to Clariant. The transaction is expected to close in 2022, subject to the approval of the relevant Competition Commission / Anti-trust Authorities.

As part of the divestiture, BASF would also enter into a long-term supply agreement for attapulgite business with Clariant, that will allow BASF to continue to support and grow with its customers in the paints, coatings, and construction markets.

The attapulgite business, forms part of the Dispersions & Resins Division of Industrial Solutions Segment of BASF India Limited, and has generated net sales of approx. Rs. 7.09 crore during the financial year ended 31 March 2021.

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The domestic equity benchmarks ended with minor cuts on Wednesday. The Nifty closed below the 17,250 mark. Pharma and healthcare stocks bucked the broader market weakness and edged higher.

As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, shed 90.99 points or 0.16% to 57,806.49. The Nifty 50 index lost 19.65 points or 0.11% to 17,213.60.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.13% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.49%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2043 shares rose and 1334 shares fell. A total of 97 shares were unchanged.

COVID-19 Update:

In last 24 hours, India added 9,195 new COVID-19 cases taking India's active caseload to 77,002 patients. India has recorded 781 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus across 21 states and UTs so far out of which 241 people have recovered or migrated. India's active caseload currently stands at 77,002. Active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at 0.22%; lowest since March 2020. Recovery rate currently stands at 98.40%; highest since March 2020.

Economy:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on December 28 cleared the rules for tightening initial public offerings (IPOs) near the end of a year in which companies raised a record Rs.1.2 lakh crore in first-time share sales.

These rules will address gaps like conditions for the objective of IPOs, utilisation of proceeds from the share sales, price bands, anchor investors' lock-in period and the size of the stake a majority shareholder may sell on listing day.

Currently, shareholders can sell their entire shareholding through an offer for sale, but the market regulator has now mandated that shareholders who hold 20% or more cannot exit more than 50% of their stake on listing day.

Buzzing Segment:

Shares of domestic pharmaceutical companies gained on Wednesday as the Drug Controller General of India approved the anti-COVID-19 pill Molnupiravir for emergency use in the country on Tuesday.

Strides Pharma (down 1.08%) will launch the capsule immediately while other homegrown pharma companies such as Aurobindo Pharma (up 0.13%), Natco Pharma (up 1.07%), Dr Reddy's (up 1.54%) and Cipla (up 0.04%) have announced rolling out their generic versions of the drug shortly.

Torrent Pharma (up 1.19%) has announced that it is introducing MSD (a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc, Kenilworth, NJ, USA) and Ridgeback's molnupiravir under the brand name Molnutor in India.

According to the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, 13 companies in India will reportedly manufacture the drug approved for restricted use under emergency situation for treatment of adult patients with COVID-19 and who have high risk of progression of the disease.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) shed 0.95% to Rs 830.70. Mahindra Engineering and Chemical Products, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, has agreed to sell its entire stake aggregating 49% in Mahindra Tsubaki Conveyor Systems. M&M has also subscribed to 1,60,74,000 shares of ReNew Sunlight Energy, constituting 31.2% of the company. RSEPL has become an associate of M&M.

Vedanta slipped 1.70% to Rs 830.70. Vedanta Resources' Zambia copper unit, under provisional liquidation since May 2019, has been run down and is on the verge of collapse, CEO Sunil Duggal reportedly said. The unit known as Konkola Copper Mines requires $1.5 billion to make it a world-class asset, he reported added.

Amara Raja Batteries rose 0.92% to Rs 830.70. The company on Wednesday announced plans to invest in InoBat Auto, a European technology developer and manufacturer of premium innovative batteries for E-mobility.

Shree Ganesh Biotech (India) slumped 6.54% to Rs 150. The company fixed 11 February 2022 as the record date for the proposed 10-for-1 stock split.

United Drilling Tools (UDTL) jumped 4.99% to Rs 440. The company said it has received registration for design patents for three products in the UK.

Global Markets:

European stocks edged higher while most Asian stocks declined on Wednesday as holiday-thinned trading continued in the region. Investors assessed the impact of the omicron Covid variant.

In the UK at the start of this week, infections were still topping 100,000, while France has also reported cases above that figure for the first time. France reported a record high of 179,807 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.

A study from South Africa found the immune response of people infected with the omicron Covid variant appears to increase protection against delta more than fourfold and could displace it.

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Coal India said that it has appointed S. K. Mehta, GM (Finance), as CFO of the company from 1 January 2022.

The company said that it S. Ghatak Choudhary, GM (Finance) I/C & CFO, would be superannuating from the services of the company w.e.f. 31 December 2021. Consequently, he will cease to be the CFO of the company w.e.f. 1 January 2022.

Accordingly, the company has appointed S. K. Mehta, GM (Finance), as CFO of the company from 1 January 2022, till such time regular Director (Finance) is appointed in the company.

On a consolidated basis, the PSU coal major's net profit fell 0.6% to Rs 2,932.73 crore on 9.3% increase in net sales to Rs 21,292.50 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21.

Coal India is a coal mining company engaged in the production and sale of coal. As of 30 September 2021, the Government of India held 66.21% stake while Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India held 11.01% stake in the company.

Shares of Coal India fell 1.54% to currently trade at Rs 146.60 on BSE.

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Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) announced that it has received emergency-use authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and market the oral anti-viral drug Molnupiravir capsules 200mg for the treatment of adult patients with COVID-19.

Aurobindo Pharma announced the receipt of the DCGI's (Drugs Controller General of India) permission to manufacture and distribute its in-licensed generic version of MSD (a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc, Kenilworth, NJ, USA) and Ridgeback's Molnupiravir, to be marketed as Molnaflu.

Adani Enterprises said the company has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Unnao Prayagraj Road Private Limited (UPRPL), to carry out the development, operation, maintenance and management of the project Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on DBFOT (toll) basis.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders approved declaration of interim dividend of Rs 7.10 per equity share for FY2021-22.

Strides Pharma Science announced that it has received Emergency Use Authorization from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch Molnupiravir 200mg in India.

Mishtann Foods said the company has signed Memorandum of Understanding with Government of Gujarat for the proposed project of manufacturing of grain based ethanol at Gujarat.

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The domestic equity benchmarks are trading with small gains in early trade amid volatility. The market breadth is strong.

At 09:21 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 39.91 points or 0.07% to 57,937.39. The Nifty 50 index added 7.10 points or 0.04% to 17,240.35.

Among the Nifty 50 stocks, IndusInd Bank (up 1.98%), Cipla (up 1.06%), Reliance Industries (up 0.76%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 0.76%) and ICICI Bank (up 0.65%) were the top index gainers.

Meanwhile, Power Grid Corporation of India (down 0.97%), Coal India (down 0.64%), Infosys (down 0.61%), Shree Cement (down 0.57%) and Grasim Industries (down 0.50%) edged lower.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.37% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.68%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 1966 shares rose and 555 shares fell. A total of 75 shares were unchanged.

Economy:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on December 28 cleared the rules for tightening initial public offerings (IPOs). These rules will address gaps like conditions for the objective of IPOs, utilisation of proceeds from the share sales, price bands, anchor investors' lock-in period and the size of the stake a majority shareholder may sell on listing day.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories gained 0.64% to Rs 4773.65. The company said that it has received emergency-use authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and market the oral anti-viral drug Molnupiravir capsules 200mg for the treatment of adult patients with COVID-19.

Aurobindo Pharma added 0.83% to Rs 731.15. The pharmaceutical company announced the receipt of the DCGI's (Drugs Controller General of India) permission to manufacture and distribute its in-licensed generic version of MSD (a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc, Kenilworth, NJ, USA) and Ridgeback's Molnupiravir, to be marketed as Molnaflu.

Strides Pharma Science gained 0.95% to Rs 457.60. The company said that it has received emergency use authorization from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch Molnupiravir 200mg in India.

Global Markets:

Asian stocks are trading mixed on Wednesday as investors assessed the impact of the omicron Covid variant.

A study from South Africa found the immune response of people infected with the omicron Covid variant appears to increase protection against delta more than fourfold and could displace it.

U.S. stocks were mixed Tuesday as investors continued to look to pandemic news for direction with the threat of the omicron variant looming large. The S&P 500 closed slightly lower after hitting a record intraday high on Tuesday.

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SGX Nifty:

Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 49 points at the opening bell.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on December 28 cleared the rules for tightening initial public offerings (IPOs). These rules will address gaps like conditions for the objective of IPOs, utilisation of proceeds from the share sales, price bands, anchor investors' lock-in period and the size of the stake a majority shareholder may sell on listing day.

Global markets:

Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Wednesday as investors assessed the impact of the omicron Covid variant.

A study from South Africa found the immune response of people infected with the omicron Covid variant appears to increase protection against delta more than fourfold and could displace it.

U.S. stocks were mixed Tuesday as investors continued to look to pandemic news for direction with the threat of the omicron variant looming large. The S&P 500 closed slightly lower after hitting a record intraday high on Tuesday.

Domestic markets:

Back home, the domestic equity benchmarks ended with strong gains on Tuesday, tracking positive global trend. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 477.24 points or 0.83% to 57,897.48. The Nifty 50 index gained 147 points or 0.86% to 17,233.25.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 207.31 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net buyers to the tune of Rs 567.47 crore in the Indian equity market on 28 December, provisional data showed.

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The domestic equity barometers traded sideways in mid-morning trade. The Nifty traded below the 17,250 mark. Asian markets mostly edged lower.

At 11:24 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 8.64 points or 0.01% to 57,906.12. The Nifty 50 index was down 2.15 points or 0.01% to 17,231.10.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.16% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.38%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2034 shares rose and 1167 shares fell. A total of 125 shares were unchanged.

Economy:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on December 28 cleared the rules for tightening initial public offerings (IPOs) near the end of a year in which companies raised a record Rs.1.2 lakh crore in first-time share sales.

These rules will address gaps like conditions for the objective of IPOs, utilisation of proceeds from the share sales, price bands, anchor investors' lock-in period and the size of the stake a majority shareholder may sell on listing day.

At present, shareholders can sell their entire shareholding through an offer for sale, but the market regulator has now mandated that shareholders who hold 20 percent or more cannot exit more than 50 percent of their stake on listing day.

Buzzing Segment:

Shares of domestic pharmaceutical companies gained on Wednesday as the Drug Controller General of India approved the anti-COVID-19 pill Molnupiravir for emergency use in the country on Tuesday.

Strides Pharma (down 0.11%) will launch the capsule immediately while other homegrown pharma companies such as Aurobindo Pharma (up 0.54%), Natco Pharma (up 0.94%), Dr Reddy's (up 1.72%) and Cipla (up 0.92%) have announced rolling out their generic versions of the drug shortly.

According to the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, 13 companies in India will reportedly manufacture the drug approved for restricted use under emergency situation for treatment of adult patients with COVID-19 and who have high risk of progression of the disease.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Amara Raja Batteries rose 0.79% to Rs 622.65. The company on Wednesday announced plans to invest in InoBat Auto, a European technology developer and manufacturer of premium innovative batteries for E-mobility.

Shree Ganesh Biotech (India) surged 15.11% to Rs 184.75 after the company fixed 11 February 2022 as the record date for the proposed 10-for-1 stock split.

Global Markets:

Asian stocks were trading mostly lower on Wednesday as investors assessed the impact of the omicron Covid variant.

A study from South Africa found the immune response of people infected with the omicron Covid variant appears to increase protection against delta more than fourfold and could displace it.

U.S. stocks were mixed Tuesday as investors continued to look to pandemic news for direction with the threat of the omicron variant looming large. The S&P 500 closed slightly lower after hitting a record intraday high on Tuesday.

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Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar continued his tirade against Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress in general. Uploading a video of a speech of Mamata Banerjee, Dhankhar accused the chief minister of using utmost foul 'vituperative language' defaming and insulting the Governor and being autocratic.

Posting a video of the chief minister's rally in Goa on December 16, Dhankhar said, "Your stance 'Raj Bhawan Mein Eik Raja', while being on a political trip to Goa, is hurtful and not in sync with constitutional norms or fact scenario. Seek to engage with you on this count as we both constitutional functionaries must act in harmony to serve people in dire need. Am sure you will accord priority to this and spare time for urgent interaction."

The Governor was referring to the chief minister's speech where she without taking the name said, "Raj Bhawan mein ek raja baitha hai. Kiya nehi bolta hain. BJP ka president se bhi bada. All India President BJP ka - aisa baat karta hain (There is a king who sits at Raj Bhawan. What doesn't he say? He is even bigger than the President of BJP. He speaks as if he is the All-India President of BJP.)

The Governor on his Twitter handle wrote: "Stunned @MamataOfficial 'Raj Bhawan mein ek raja baitha hai' stance, while on a political visit to Goa- unexpected act of impropriety. On Dec 16 urged CM for interaction as constitutional functionaries must act in harmony to serve people".

In a separate message, the Governor wrote: "Neither "law unto oneself" nor 'state within state' governance @MamataOfficial can be constitutionally sanctified. CM continually in breach of "duty" under Article 167 & politicized bureaucracy under Article 166".

"Functionaries @AITCofficial and Ministers @MamataOfficial have publicly used the most foul vituperative language defaming & insulting the Governor. Undeterred by these would continue to earnestly work to secure governance as per constitution & law. Present scenario alarmingly worrisome," he added.

However, there was no reaction available from Trinamool Congress.

--IANS

sbg/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will begin the poll campaign in Punjab with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to hold a rally on January 5 in the state, according to party sources.

This will be the first rally of Prime Minister Modi in Punjab after the repeal of three farm laws.

Earlier in an address to the nation on November 19, PM Modi announced the repealing of the three Central farm laws on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to inaugurate a satellite center of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMR) in Punjab's Firozpur. He is also likely to address a rally after the event.

According to BJP sources, former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal-SAD (Sanyukt) leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa will also take part in the rally.

Amarinder and Sukhdev met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda in Delhi on Monday, during which seat-sharing was discussed, the source said.

BJP will play the role of a senior alliance partner in Punjab and can contest more than half of the seats.

As per the sources, apart from Prime Minister and Captain Amarinder, Punjab's election in-charge and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and his colleague in the Union Cabinet Hardeep Singh Puri can also attend this rally.

(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.)
Much of has largely managed to keep at bay even as the variant rages in other parts of the world, but the region that is home to most of the globe's population is bracing for what may be an inevitable surge.

Strict quarantine rules for arrivals and widespread mask wearing have helped slow the spread of the highly contagious variant in Countries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand quickly reinstated entry and quarantine restrictions in recent weeks after relaxing them in the fall.

But cases are mounting, and experts say the next few months will be critical. Those fears have been amplified by doubts about the effectiveness of the Chinese-made vaccines used in China and much of the developing world.

Once the pace picks up, its upsurge would be extremely fast," said Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top medical adviser to Japan's government.

In India, which has been getting back to normal after a devastating COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year, is once again raising fears, with more than 700 cases reported in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people.

Australia is already dealing with multiple COVID-19 surges, with a state leader saying Wednesday that is moving too quickly."



Elsewhere, Thailand has topped 700 cases, South Korea has more than 500 and Japan, over 300. China, which has some of the strictest virus controls in the world, has reported at least eight.

Only four cases have been reported in the Philippines, where people flocked to shopping malls ahead of Christmas and to Mass in the biggest Roman Catholic nation in Some hospitals have even begun dismantling COVID-19 wards in a move experts say could prove to be premature.

Japan managed to delay the spread of the new variant for about a month largely thanks to its reimposition of entry restrictions, mandatory COVID-19 tests for all arrivals and the isolation of all passengers on a flight if anyone tested positive for omicron.

But the barrier was broken last week when the first locally transmitted cases were confirmed in the neighboring cities of Osaka and Kyoto. Experts are urging the government to prepare for an imminent wave of infections by increasing testing, speeding up booster shots and preparing more beds at hospitals.

We want to believe the omicron cases could be mild, but its fast-paced infections could quickly multiply the number of patients and could still overwhelm hospitals, Omi said.

Taiwan, where wearing a face mask is near universal in major cities, has started to offer booster shots of the Moderna vaccine and is urging people get a third shot before an expected influx of people returning home for Lunar New Year at the end of January.

Preliminary research has shown that booster shots of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines offer continued, though diminished, protection against omicron.

However, a Hong Kong University study that has yet to be published found that China's widely used Sinovac vaccine does not generate enough antibodies to protect against omicron, even with a booster shot, according to a university news release. Hong Kong offers both the Sinovac and Pfizer vaccines.

Sinovac did not respond to a request for comment. Chinese officials have said their vaccines are still effective.

Our inactivated vaccines are still rather reliable and cover a range of antigens. Therefore, they won't be completely ineffective against omicron, Zhong Nanshan, a top government doctor, said at a public forum.

Some countries that relied on the Chinese vaccines are turning to others for boosters.

Thailand, which largely used Sinovac and Sinopharm, another Chinese vaccine, is offering booster shots of AstraZeneca or Pfizer. Indonesia, where Sinovac has been the mainstay of a campaign to vaccinate its 270 million residents, is offering a Moderna booster for health care workers. The government is also planning boosters for the general population in January, though it hasn't said which vaccine.

China's attitude toward the virus, omicron or not, is to stop transmission in its tracks, and the country appears to be getting even tougher with the approach of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February.

Officials locked down the city of Xi'an, a city and administrative area of 13 million people last week, amid a delta outbreak that has infected hundreds of people. On Monday, they ordered everyone to stay at home until another citywide round of testing was completed.

Residents complained on social media about the sudden ban. Many were relying on instant noodles and other packaged food. Some worried how they would get enough food in the coming days, especially fresh vegetables.

China quarantines those arriving from abroad for weeks, depending on the province, with three weeks being the most common.

How China's zero-COVID-19 policy will play out at the Olympics is a major question. Athletes and visitors will not be allowed to leave the Olympic zones, and those attending such as officials, journalists and venue staff will be tested every day.

To contain a deadly delta-driven surge in South Korea, the government this month restored its toughest distancing rules with a four-person limit on private gatherings and a 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants.

Health experts predict it's only a matter of time before omicron comes.

Omicron has such a high transmission rate that it's too obvious that it'll become the dominant variant in South Korea at some point, said Jaehun Jung, a professor at Gachon University College of Medicine in South Korea.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The '2020 Depression' was caused not only due to just Covid-19 but also by the world leaders' inability to contain the virus and a lack of foresight.

While the personal loss suffered by the victims and their loved ones is incalculable, the damage to the global economy has not been anything shy of disastrous either.

During the pandemic, the entire value-chain that is the backbone of an economy was disrupted, the labour force was drastically cut down and as the developed countries faced an economic downturn, a domino effect, combined with a vicious cycle that continuously shrank economic output, led to a global depression.

The tech industry, however, didn't just endure this affair, but thrived. With an urgent need to maintain distance for consumers and businesses alike, a need to adapt to the network and be a part of the IoT emerged.

For businesses, having to reconsider and invest in was nothing short of an ultimatum against their very survival.

The second half of 2021 saw a boom for tech industry entrepreneurs to aid in the movement of conventional businesses to integrate into their business in the form of communication, manufacturing and distribution development. These immense opportunities for tech founders and unicorn companies do, however, come with accompanying execution pressure.

In India, profitability is still a far-fetched goal for most startups despite witnessing decent growth in revenue. It is essential not to let the desire for short-term profitability and a quick payout hinder the development of what could prove to be the pioneers of the next industrial revolution.

It is essential during this period that founders and investors look towards long-term profitability. Very few Indian unicorns have touched $100 million revenue and there will be immense pressure on these companies to perform. We have all seen that private markets & public markets treat valuations differently.

IPOs will likely prove to be a truly vital element of investment and long-term growth for private institutions. As the need for capital increases, so too, will the demand for short-term negative cash flow to ensure maximum utilisation of finances.

As 2022 approaches, we are experiencing more and more need for new talent and unorthodox approaches towards development. This will also require the government to alleviate the restrictions for the business industry.

The government holds a responsibility to its citizens to ensure that they opt to create and add value to goods and services in India only, instead of migrating to and working for other countries they believe will recognise their talents better.

With the second-biggest network of web users with over 680 million subscribers, India will prove to be extremely friendly to creative and talented founders, provided that we, as a country, start accepting technological advancements as the new form of evolution, and ethically work as a community to nurture creativity and intelligence.

Also, large businesses will need to be agile and adopt/acquire the DNA of what we call the 'RESPONSIVE OS' to ensure they sustain else we'll have massive loss of value in conventional businesses.

In my opinion, by 2030, 40 per cent of Nifty 50 would be young dynamic startups, displacing conventional companies.

(Dr Ritesh Malik is a famous doctor-turned-entrepreneur, investor, storyteller and philanthropist. He can be reached at info@drriteshmalik.com. The views expressed are personal)

--IANS

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(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.)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], December 29 (ANI/NewsVoir): Chitkara University, Punjab, has secured the 2nd rank in the prestigious Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements 2021 (ARIIA 2021) released by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in the University & Deemed University (Self Finance / Private) category across India.

ARIIA is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to systematically rank all major higher educational institutions (HEIs) in India on indicators related to Innovation, start-up and Entrepreneurship Development amongst students and faculty.

This year 1438 institutions (including all IITs, NITs, IISc, etc.) participated as compared to 674 Higher Education Institutes during the 2nd edition of ARIIA (ARIIA-2021) last year.

It evaluates institutions on parameters such as - academic courses offered by the institute on innovation, IPR and start-up; activities to promote and support innovation & start-up in the campus; pre-incubation and incubation infrastructures & facilities available in campus; successful innovation and start-ups emerged from campus; investment, collaboration and partnerships with ecosystem enablers; research outputs; publications and intellectual properties generated; and technology transfer and commercialization efforts.

On the occasion, Dr Ashok K Chitkara, Chancellor, Chitkara University said, "It is the hard-work of our students, staff and faculty that resulted in securing this achievement. Chitkara University's Research and Innovation Network (CURIN) encourages our students to become innovative leaders and contribute to nation-building by developing indigenous solutions. Moreover, the university has a well-defined research promotion policy which has resulted in the development of state-of-the-art advanced facilities."

Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor of Chitkara University, while congratulating the students, said, "This milestone is an outcome of Chitkara University's relentless focus on fostering innovation, and encouraging students to solve real-world problems. It speaks volumes of our innovative teaching methodology, academic prowess and proactive industry collaborations."

Dr Archana Mantri, Vice Chancellor, Chitkara University said, "We are delighted to share CURIN has multi-disciplinary advanced facilities supported by research funding from government agencies such as DST, DRDO, etc. to the tune of 37.24 crore. The research scholars and faculties are provided seed money for undertaking research and filing patents. Various dynamic collaborations have been established through the internationally-funded research projects, international conferences and cultural immersion across the campus."

Chitkara University has also been awarded the rating of A+ by the prestigious National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which places it among the 5% of higher education institutions (HEIs) in India to be granted such a coveted grade.

It achieved high rankings in the NIRF Rankings 2021 under various categories including Engineering, Pharmacy, Management, Overall, Research etc and had bagged a spectacular ranking of 601-650 in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2022, placing Chitkara University among the Top 100 institutes of the country.

Chitkara University, situated near Chandigarh (India) has emerged as the most vibrant and high-ranking university in North India which has been ranked A+ by the NAAC. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, scientifically driven pedagogy, strong industry collaborations, and 120+ working associations from schools across the world, Chitkara University not only attracts the finest students from across the nation but with its seamless placement support, it is also able to help them carve high growth careers.

For more information, please visit: (https://www.chitkara.edu.in/global).

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New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI/NewsVoir): The Global CyberPeace Challenge gets bigger and better. Organized jointly by CyberPeace Foundation & Autobot Infosec and supported by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India; Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India; Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (DSCI-Government of Telangana); National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), Government of India along with others.

Global CyberPeace Challenge 3.0 is being organized on the same lines as GCC 2.0 with three challenges: Cyber Policy & Strategy Challenge, Peace-a-Thon: The innovation challenge and Capture the Flag (CTF).

Global CyberPeace Challenge (GCC) is a journey to recognize and award talent that can build solutions to some of the most pressing Cybersecurity problems faced by society today. The objective of the challenge is to tap into the innovative approaches adopted by participants to solve critical real-world problems. This year too, the event will be organized online.

GCC 3.0 is a worldwide initiative that sought to provide a unique platform to innovators and developers including Cybersecurity experts, technologists, community leaders, civil society bodies, students, developers, UX/UI designers, business analysts, education professionals, advisors, mentors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and investors. Some among the 70 plus countries are Australia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, Poland, Portugal, Thailand, Russia and Romania.

Cyber Policy and Strategy change will be based on a simulated scenario that will test the teams on their knowledge in foreign policy and Cybersecurity and will decide their worth as the next potential leaders in cyber security and policy.

Participants from tech and non-tech spaces in Peace-a-thon category will be required to develop a working solution to the given problem statement while Capture the Flag is a time-bound Hackathon to be played individually or in teams as they will be required to find the vulnerability in the CyberPeace Range created by the hosting committee.

The registration of GCC commenced on October 10, 2021, with the last date of registration being January 2, 2022. The GCC 3.0 has garnered registrations from 70 countries till date and aims to reach out to 100 countries. You can also register for the challenge at (https://www.cyberchallenge.net/gcc-registration).

The elimination round of GCC 3.0 shall take place between January 5 and 10, 2022 followed by the announcement of the shortlisted candidates on Jan 15, 2022. The grand finale shall be organized on January 28 and 29, 2022 with the final announcement of winners on February 8, 2022.

In the last two editions of GCC, over 11 million people were impacted across more than 70 countries and reached 4.3 million people on Facebook: 3.1 million on Instagram and 4.1 million on Twitter.

The GCC 2.0 was supported by Government and Non-Government organisations like eSafety, Government of Australia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU0W_ciHySk & feature=youtu.be); Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAD), Government of Australia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlkCgnyB-dc); Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, NCMEC, ICMEC, Palo Alto Networks, Maltego, Kaspersky to name a few.

Announcing about the extension of date of registration, Maj Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global President, CyberPeace Foundation said, "The Global CyberPeace Challenge (GCC) is hosted in collaboration with Cyber organizations from across the world including Government, industry, academic, civil society organizations and multilateral organizations like UN with an aim to provide a platform to everyone from all walks of life to come together and solve the pressing problems that the Cyberspace has today."

The GCC also aims to identify Cyber Talents from across the world who can come together for a peaceful and resilient Cyberspace.

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New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI/NewsVoir): Ex Hair Original Co-founder Ashish Tiwari, after the split with Jitendra Sharma from Hair Originals, has launched a new venture in the Hair extensions domain - Hair Forever. Hair Forever has raised funds worth USD 150K from an array of angel investors in a pre-SEED round. This is the third venture by the serial entrepreneur after Healthkhoj and Hair Originals.

Ashish had joined Hair Originals as a Co-founder with Jitendra Sharma in November 2019. The start-up had also attracted investments in ongoing live start-up pitching show Shark Tank India. However, things got dented between the partners and Ashish moved out from the venture in December 2021 to launch Hair Forever.

"Certainly, we had big expectations from the previous venture, however a lot of things went off-track in terms of partnerships that held back the projected growth. I had to face the betrayal in terms of equity shares and was pushed to survive without a dime for the entire tenure I served with Hair Originals. This restricted my personal and professional growth. On the grounds of betrayal, false pretext, and cheating I had no option, but to proceed for legal remedies," said Ashish Tiwari, Founder and CEO, Hair Forever.

Closing the previous chapter, he has moved on to work towards what he had aspired for while embarking on the entrepreneurial road. Taking a step ahead, he plans to season the overall experience of hair extensions for users with AI integration. Hair Forever will explore AI integration to change the buying experience of customers i.e., users will be able to try virtually all types of extensions and be sure of the length, colour, volume etc., before buying or installing the hair extensions. Leveraging the previous experience of manufacturing, marketing and business model, he understands the areas that might be improvised to establish a healthy business structure.

"Hair Forever will offer people the quality product that otherwise is inaccessible to the Indian audience at a reasonable cost. Most of the quality product is exported, despite the very fact that India is the largest supplier of the raw material in this business. What the businessmen are overlooking is that India also happens to be the strongest market for the product if reaped right. We at Hair Forever, will not just serve overseas but also set foot tight in the domestic market," Ashish Tiwari added.

Electronics and Electrical Communication engineer from IIT Kharagpur Ashish had worked with many notable brands like Cisco, AIG, RoundGlass and Droom Technology before starting his journey at Hair Originals. Now he eyes an accelerated trajectory for Hair Forever as well.

Hair Forever has already set up the facility in Gurugram, Haryana, and is planning to go aggressive in the terms of manufacturing, to accomplish its target of cutting a thicker slice in the market share in top 4 Indian markets - Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Pune, by mid of 2022.

To know more, please visit: (https://www.hairforever.in).

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Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 29 (ANI/NewsVoir): On December 16-18, electronica India, productronica India, IPCA Expo and MatDispens, back in their physical format, were held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in Bengaluru and concluded this special edition successfully.

Continuing the bounce back sentiment, the business community enthusiastically took part, with over 138 exhibitors showcasing their solutions and innovations to the visitors. In terms of visitors, this special edition attracted more than 8255* participants (*includes visitors to electronica India, productronica India, IPCA Expo and MatDispens co-located with LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA s and SmartCards Expo).

"We are happy that this special edition of electronica India, productronica India, IPCA Expo and MatDispens once again delivered a successful platform for exhibitors, partners and buyers to meet, greet and do business successfully. The exhibition hall displayed an atmosphere of confidence and the energy to exchange business on the floor," said Bhupinder Singh, CEO of Messe Muenchen India.

On the closing day of the event, Dr Ashwath Narayan C.N., Minister of Science and Technology, Higher Education, Electronics & Information Technology, Biotechnology of Karnataka said, "The government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have been front runners contributing to the growth of the hardware manufacturing industry in our country. They have provided a platform to the companies with various schemes and incentives, out of which PLI, SPEC are a few notable schemes for semiconductor manufacturing and others. By doing this, India will become self-reliant, leading to growth in economy, thereby facilitating growth ecosystem. Electronica and Productronica are highly appreciated. On behalf of Government of Karnataka, I would like to congratulate the organisers for aligning their vision with MeitY and taking this leap for growth."

Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer, Deputy CEO of Messe Munchen GmbH, added, "We are glad to see the exhibition hall buzzing again and would like to thank all participants for their care and cooperation."

Face to face interactions again

All the exhibitors, visitors, buyers, and partners took full advantage of face-to-face meetings - on site. Mr. Sameer Verma, Area Sales and Key Account Manager, Kurtz Ersa India, expressed, "It was great to exchange ideas and meet personally again. I was especially excited about our new technologies and products here as well as to meet all our industry peers. "

Thought provoking supporting program

The industry not only exchanged information at the booths, but also at the first-rate supporting program. The topics were tailored to the market requirements. The conference sessions, CEO Forum, and India PCB Tech, organized together with partners focused on the topic of "A trillion dollars digital economy - Pathway to progress" and "Investment in PCB manufacturing - a billion dollars opportunity witnessing green shoots".

Online - the exhibition beyond three days

The trade fairs extended their scope to the digital world. Through online participation options, electronica India, productronica India, IPCA Expo and MatDispens carried together a premium audience of top business and technology leaders and influencers across the globe. Ms. Saswati Ray, Senior Marketing Manager (India), APAC, Mouser Electronics said, "This platform has produced new ideas for groundbreaking innovations, for the validation of business strategies and enabled to strengthen or build up new contacts." The digital event platform was frequently used to access company profiles, see products and services, hold B2B meetings, learn from the conferences and network."

Positioning back 2022 in India Expo Mart, Greater Noida

The successful impact of this long-awaited edition gives more than enough reasons to look forward to the next editions, which will be back to India Expo Mart, Greater Noida from September 21-23, 2022.

electronica and productronica worldwide

electronica India and productronica India are part of Messe Munchen's network of trade fairs for the electronics industry. That network also includes the leading international trade fairs electronica and productronica in Munich, electronica China, electronica South China, Smart Cards Expo, electronicAsia, as well as productronica China, productronica South China, productronica India and LOPEC.

MatDispens India

MatDispens is a new exhibition on adhesives, sealants, silicone and other performance materials and related dispensing, metering, mixing equipment used across diverse industries.

Founded in 2007 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Messe Muenchen, Messe Muenchen India Pvt. Ltd. is one of the leading organizers of trade fairs in India with an extensive portfolio of B2B trade fairs covering various sectors: bauma CONEXPO India, electronica India, productronica India, MatDispens, drink technology India, LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA, Intersolar India/The smarter E India, IFAT India, analytica Anacon India/India Lab Expo, Pharma Pro Pack, Indian Ceramics Asia, Smart Card Expo, VRTECH India, World Tea & Coffee Expo, Pack Mach Asia Expo and air cargo India. Messe Muenchen India works closely with industry stakeholders to develop well-researched trade fairs encapsulating the latest trends and innovations dominating the industry.

Headquartered in Mumbai with offices in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, Messe Muenchen India connects global competence by bringing professionals together for business, learning and networking.

Messe Munchen

Messe Munchen is one of the leading exhibition organizers worldwide with more than 50 of its own trade shows for capital goods, consumer goods and new technologies.

Every year, about 50,000 exhibitors and around 3 million visitors take part in more than 200 events at the exhibition center in Munich, at the ICM - Internationales Congress Center Munchen, the Conference Center Nord and the MOC Veranstaltungscenter Munchen as well as abroad.

Together with its subsidiary companies, Messe Munchen organizes trade fairs in China, India, Brazil, Russia, Africa, Turkey, and Vietnam. With a network of associated companies in Europe, Asia and South America, and with around 70 representatives abroad for more than 100 countries, Messe Munchen has a truly global presence.

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New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI/GIPR): Vishaal Rasquinha is no stranger to high-profile weddings but when he was asked to emcee for the wedding of the year, that of Vicky Kaushal to Katrina Kaif, he couldn't believe his ears.

He found the news hard to believe and in his words, "the feeling has still not sunk in." Therefore, it is a pity that he cannot share anything more with the world because of the promise of secrecy that binds him to the extravagant but intimate affair.

The organizers contacted Vishaal a couple of weeks before the biggest celebrity wedding of 2021 was celebrated at the Six Senses For in Barwara village in Rajasthan. The whole experience was distinctly attractive for Vishaal, who has hosted several high-profile marriages all over the world. Talking about the distinct attachment that he felt to the Kaushal-Kaif union, Vishaal says, "Both Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif are my favorites. And therefore, when I was approached to play the emcee for the wedding, I couldn't believe my ears for the opening I was being offered. This seemed to be one of those things, which one wonders if they are too dreamy to be real."

However, once the offer was signed and sealed, he got down to prepare for what he did best - bringing joy to the wedding guests and keeping the bride and groom in good humor. Talking about his preparations at the 3-day wedding, during which he participated in all the beautiful ceremonies, Vishaal has this to say, "I consider that I always have to put the best of myself on stage, regardless of the event or the conditions that arise for me. All I'm looking for is to make my client's days unforgettable."

Vishaal, who has 8 years of experience working for major events organized by the Indian Premier League, United Nations in India, Rajasthan Royals team, etc, has been lauded as the "Wedding Emcee of the Year-Platinum" for two consecutive years 2020 & 2021 by the Wedding Sutra magazine. Vishal also hosts and produces a podcast "Behind The Shaadi" on Spotify in which he narrates his insights about the workings of the grand Indian wedding industry. Apart from Spotify, the podcast can be accessed at other portals too.

Talking about his work ethics as a highly professional emcee, Vishaal shared that the most important aspect of his job for the Katrina-Vicky wedding, "Weddings are bound to be a special event for anyone who takes that step. If the partner wants to keep it intimate and confidential, regardless of who they are, my priority is to respond to their wishes. Even currently, I am denying all requests for information about the festivities from certain outlets, and I will continue to do so."

Considering this luxury wedding a career highlight for himself, this celebrity emcee is geared up to host several more jaw-dropping events in the future too because he wants to build upon his brand in the Indian wedding market.

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Kitex Garments, a Kerala-based listed garment exporter with a market cap of about Rs 1,200 crore, has courted fresh troubles. It employs more than 5,500 workers and its clients include American majors like Walmart, Amazon and Target. On December 25, two groups of clashing workers at the companys labour camp first attacked the security staff. The events took an ugly turn when the police were called in.

Eight policemen were injured and their vehicle was torched. The police promptly detained 164 workers, all of whom were migrant labourers. The cause of clash between two worker groups is still a mystery. The next day Kitex MD Sabu Jacob said that only 23 people were involved in the crime and the remaining workers were wrongly charged and detained. He said, this was an attempt to carry out political vendetta against Kitex and him. The local MLA asked for Kitex management to be held responsible for escalating the We must note that Kitex had launched a political party called Twenty20 through its CSR arm. Business Standards Shine Jacob explains the political angle behind Kitexs frequent run-ins with the state government and its authorities: In the Assembly constituency where the headquarters of Kitex is located, Twenty20 gave a tough contest to both Congress and CPI(M) by securing 28% of the votes. Its difficult to establish a clear link between the expanding voter base of Twenty20 and the action taken by authorities against Kitex. But the company has constantly used the argument that Kerala is not a business-friendly state, to justify its stand. The Kitex example shows that when a corporate gets directly involved in politics, it cannot be kept separate from its business. It is evident that the current labour unrest at Kitex gives an opportunity for other parties to intensify their fight against Twenty20. Kitex and Sabu Jacob have to contend with the fact that they are irreversibly intertwined with the political ecosystem  something thats not favourable for the business.
36-year-old Bhavish Aggarwal is feeling like Tesla CEO Elon Musk nowadays. After all, he is running two unicorn startups -- and its spin-off Electric.

Drawing parallels to the worlds richest person, Aggarwal confessed to sleeping in Electrics factory in Tamil Nadu as it ramps up production of its newly-launched electric scooter.

He has had a rollercoaster of a year, to put it mildly. Most of the action took place at the Ola Electric factory 120 kilometres away from its headquarters in Bengaluru.

Ola began the year on a subdued note.

Its core ride-sharing business was in the doldrums, slowly recovering back to the pre-pandemic levels. The upturn would be thrown of the course again in the next few months in the second wave of pandemic.

Its FY21 revenue nosedived 63% to Rs 983 crore.

And around this time, Ola Electric, the EV unit spun off from Ola in 2019, commenced the construction of its two-wheeler factory.

The factory was meant to roll out 2 million scooters annually in the first phase and 10 million by mid-2022. The EV foray coincided with the governments extension of the FAME-2 subsidy scheme for another two years.

But its plans have been hobbled by supply chain issues. The company was able to get the plant up and running in just over six months.

It promised first scooter deliveries in October, but pushed it to mid-December. The delay was blamed on the global semiconductor shortage by the company. The first batch of 100 units was handed over to customers on December 16, with pomp and show.

Expanding its footprint, Ola ventured into the used cars business in September.

While in November, it launched a 10-minute grocery delivery service joining the rush of quick commerce startups.

Ola has plans to foray into personal finance, vehicle loans and micro-insurance. It also runs a food delivery business by leveraging its multi-brand cloud kitchens.

But a recent spate of exits at the leadership level perhaps gives us the sense that Ola is biting off more than it can chew.

In August, the gross merchandise value of Olas cab business crossed pre-Covid levels. The mobility business is showing maturity. It may not require heavy intervention but ensuring quality in customer service is still the key. On this front, customer complaints have not fallen on deaf ears and the company is finally taking steps to fix the most important issue of cab drivers cancelling rides.

India has no dearth of visionary entrepreneurs who can attract hundreds of millions of dollars in funding in an instant. Aggarwal is among those that are leading the pack, attracting funds from the likes of SoftBank, Tiger Global and Falcon Edge Capital.

As the year was coming to a close, Aggarwal has been able to take Olas valuation to $7.3 billion and that of Ola Electrics to $5 billion, a no easy feat.

After a year that has taught hard lessons to Bhavish Aggarwal, an eventful 2022 awaits him. Ola is planning an IPO in the first half of next year and is preparing to launch a super app with all its offerings. As for Ola Electric, Aggarwal says they are still at the start of their journey.
Cruise ship operator Royal Caribbean has offered a 25% refund to about 2,500 passengers after they were made to wait for almost a day to get a Covid-19 test Wednesday in Hong Kong. The ship, which set sail on Sunday, was ordered to cut its journey short and return to dock at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, after local health authorities found that the passengers included nine close contacts of Covid cases. All nine tested negative

Jan 06, 2022 05:04 PM
Photo: The Canadian Press Healthcare workers prepare for the opening of a Hello Fresh vaccination site for it's employees, in Mississauga, on Tuesday December 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Some provinces announced new measures for long-term care homes as others reported record-breaking COVID-19 infections propelled by the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Quebec reported a surge in COVID-19 cases while announcing measures that would allow certain health-care workers to stay on the job despite testing positive for the virus.

Ontario said it was temporarily pausing general visitors from entering long-term care homes starting Thursday, with two designated caregivers per resident exempt from the new rule.

Rod Phillips, Ontario's Minister of Long-Term Care, said Tuesday that there were 41 homes with outbreaks across the province, up from 37 the previous day.

While 93 residents and 161 staff have tested positive for COVID-19, none are hospitalized, he said.

About 84 per cent of eligible residents and 43 per cent of long-term care workers had received COVID-19 vaccine booster doses as of last week, he said.

New measures are needed because of Omicrons high transmissibility and community spread, Phillips added.

"We must remain vigilant."

The province recorded a total of 8,825 new COVID-19 cases.

Raywat Deonandan, an epidemiologist with the University of Ottawa, said the new measures come with a social price for residents, but temporary restrictions are likely necessary at a time when community transmission is high.

"We have to err on the side of caution while we get our ducks in a row because we're scrambling right now," Deonandan said. "Why risk infecting LTCs if we don't need to?

Quebec reported 12,833 new cases and 702 hospitalizations, with 15 more deaths linked to the virus.

Health Minister Christian Dube said some health workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to stay on the job.

The decision would be made on a case-by-case basis under certain conditions and is necessary to keep the health-care system operational, he said.

Manitoba said Monday that the province may have to consider allowing health workers who test positive back at work if there is further strain on the system, and Ontario appeared poised to enact similar measures.

Deonandan called the move risky but noted that staffing shortages might mean other provinces will follow suit.

Hospitals will have to ensure other ways of mitigating risk if staff are allowed to work while infected, he added.

"If you're asymptomatic and triple vaccinated and you wear a fit-test N95 and you work in a place with HEPA filters, the risk comes down substantially."

Newfoundland and Labrador reported a record-breaking single-day count of COVID-19 cases with 194 new infections. Nova Scotia reported 561 new cases.

Manitoba reported 825 new cases and five deaths.

Health experts across the country have warned that COVID-19 data has been clouded by holiday delays as well as hospitals and centres reaching testing limits. The real case count is likely to be much higher.

The rising infection rate has begun to dampen new year celebrations with one city in Ontario calling off its plans.

Mississauga cancelled its fireworks celebrations and will hold a virtual countdown instead amid concerns of spiking COVID-19 cases there.

Ontario health officials are considering shortening isolation and quarantine period guidance, following similar changes made in the United States.

On Monday, U.S. health officials cut the recommended isolation period for Americans who catch COVID-19 to five days from 10, and shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said its guidance followed evidence that people infected with COVID-19 are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

Deonandan highlighted a few flaws with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's approach. He noted the reliance on pre-Omicron data, and excluding the caveat of a negative test at the five-day mark to ensure the person is no longer infectious.

"They're focusing mostly on symptom status, and absent the need for a negative test  that's shocking."
Photo: The Canadian Press A locked gate and notices are seen posted at a COVID-19 testing centre that has been temporarily closed due to cold weather, in Richmond on Sunday.

UPDATE: 10 a.m.

B.C.'s Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside has been added to Wednesday's live update on COVID-19, along with Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

The move could indicate that new announcements around the reopening of B.C. schools may be made during the press conference.

The BC Teachers' Federation has called for better masks and ventilation in B.C. schools prior to students' return in January, in light of the new wave of the more contagious Omicron variant of the virus.

ORIGINAL: 7:30 a.m.

British Columbia health officials are scheduled to hold a press conference today on COVID-19 cases, vaccinations, hospitalizations and deaths in the province.

The health ministry reported 1,785 new cases of the virus in B.C. on Tuesday.

It said in a news release that the numbers are "preliminary" and Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will provide a live update at 3 p.m.

Experts warn case numbers are likely to be much higher than reported because testing centres are overwhelmed and some patients might have decided not to get tested over the holidays.

Henry said last week that B.C. had reached its testing capacity as people worry about contracting the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

She urged only those with symptoms to get tested.
Photo: The Canadian Press President Joe Biden meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, June 16, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland.

President Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin will speak Thursday as the Russian leader has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe.

The two leaders will discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements," National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement announcing the call.

The talks come as the U.S. and Western allies have watched the buildup of Russian troops near the border of Ukraine, growing to an estimated 100,000 and fueling fears that Moscow is preparing to invade Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken reiterated the United States unwavering support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the face of Russias military buildup on Ukraines borders.

Price said the two discussed efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine and upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia.

Putin said earlier this week he would ponder a slew of options if the West fails to meet his push for security guarantees precluding NATOs expansion to Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Moscow submitted draft security documents demanding that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back its military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.

The U.S. and its allies have refused to offer Russia the kind of guarantees on Ukraine that Putin wants, citing NATOs principle that membership is open to any qualifying country. They agreed. however, to hold talks with Russia next month to discuss its concerns.

The U.S. and Russia are to hold high-level talks on Jan. 10. Moscow and NATO representatives are expected to meet that same week as well as Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which includes the United States.

In Thursday's call, which was requested by the Russians, Biden is expected to stress to Putin that the U.S. is united with its allies but will demonstrate a willingness to engage in principled diplomacy with Russia, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the upcoming call. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity. The two leaders held a video call earlier this month.

The official added that the White House sees the leader- to-leader engagement as important as the administration looks to find a way beyond this moment of crisis" over growing worries of a further Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In 2014, Russian troops marched into the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and seized the territory from Ukraine. Russia's annexation of Crimea  one of the darker moments for former President Barack Obama on the international stage  looms large as Biden looks to contain the current smoldering crisis.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has made clear in public comments that the administration is ready to discuss Moscows concerns about NATO in talks with Russian officials, but emphasized that Washington is committed to the principle of nothing about you without you in shaping policy that affects European allies.

Were approaching the broader question of diplomacy with Russia from the point of view that ... meaningful progress at the negotiating table, of course, will have to take place in a context of de-escalation rather than escalation, Sullivan said at an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations earlier this month. He added that its very difficult to see agreements getting consummated if were continuing to see an escalatory cycle.

The two leaders are also expected during Thursday's call to discuss efforts to persuade Iran to return to the 2015 nuclear accord, which was effectively scrapped by the Trump administration.

Despite differences on Ukraine and other issues, White House officials have said the Iran nuclear issue is one where they believe the U.S. and Russia can work cooperatively.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin would speak with Biden on Thursday but provided no details.
Photo: The Canadian Press People wait in line at a COVID-19 testing and vaccination site in Montreal, Wednesday.

Asking COVID-19-positive health-care workers to stay on the job is not ideal, but it shows the desperation provinces are facing as infections continue to soar, a prominent infectious disease expert said Wednesday.

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube said Tuesday the province would have "no choice" but to allow some health-care staff to continue working despite testing positive or being exposed to the novel coronavirus. The new policy is necessary, he added, to keep the health-care system operational.

Manitoba and Ontario have said they were considering similar measures to avoid overwhelming their own health systems.

Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious disease specialist at the McGill University Health Centre, said the decision shows the Quebec government is in "crisis mode," adding that all Canadian provinces will likely be facing similar choices in the coming days, as the number of people in hospital rises while the pool of workers available to treat them shrinks.

"We are in a fixed, limited number of health-care workers in every province because there's no reservoir or pool of health-care workers that we can sort of depend on to bail us out here," he said in an interview.

"We have to go back to our existing pool of health-care workers, which necessarily means this type of mandate where they go back to work when they're COVID-positive.

Dube said calling a COVID-19-positive health-care worker back to work will be made case by case and only under specific circumstances.

Meanwhile, infections continued to surge across Canada on Wednesday, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant prompted several provinces to impose more restrictions.

Newfoundland and Labrador announced that schools would shift to remote learning after the holiday break, as the province reported another single-day record case count, with 312 new infections.

Ontario and Quebec also set new records, with the latter reporting more than 13,000 infections, 10 more deaths and a 102-person rise in COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Ontario reported 10,436 new COVID-19 infections and three deaths.

Health officials in Nunavut extended a "circuit-beaker'' lockdown, saying Wednesday that a rise in COVID-19 infections was pushing the territory's health-care system to a breaking point.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2021.
Contrary to general amnesty announced by the Taliban post the takeover of Afghanistan, a video on social media showing a military officer of the former government, who was arrested, being tortured by two men has sparked sharp reactions.

After the video of torture went viral, a large number of people on social media platforms have said such actions are clearly in contradiction to the general amnesty announced by the Islamic Emirate in the first days of its coming into power, reported Tolo News.

"They have announced a general amnesty and it is expected that they should uphold it because upholding promises will strengthen trust between the government and the people," said Hekmatullah Mirzada, a university lecturer.

"The Islamic Emirate should enforce the general amnesty among its low-level ranks and in the provinces through provincial governors and heads of security departments," said Rahmatullah Andar, a former military officer.

Meanwhile, one of the Taliban's top members Anas Haqqani said taking personal revenge should be avoided and the general amnesty should be respected, reported Tolo News.

"Now that a general amnesty has been announced, it is better that all the people should be treated properly, and taking personal revenge should be avoided," he said.

Previously reports were released by international organizations, including Human Rights Watch, about the killings and arrests of former government security members. The Taliban, however, has repeatedly rejected these reports.

"Detaining and interrogating people due to their relations with the former government will increase social inferiority and problems which can change into a threat to security and stability in the future," said Sayed Baqir Mohsini, a political analyst.

(ANI)

Also Read: Sale of Ronaldo from Juventus to Manchester United being investigated


Cambodian cement production reached 7.9Mt in 11M21

29 December 2021

Cambodias five cement factories produced 7.9Mt over the 11 months from January-November 2021, a slight decrease compared to the volume recorded in 2020, according to the Cambodian Cement Manufacturing Association.

Puth Chandarith, secretary-general of the Cambodian Cement Manufacturing Association, said on Monday that the production of domestic cement during the January-November period was similar to last year due to the number of construction projects being put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The production of domestic cement from five factories was similar to last year, but the import of cement decreased 25 percent to 30 percent, he said.

The production of cement is expected to recover in 2022 on the back of renewed economic growth and a revival in construction projects, according to Chandarith.

Cambodia has fully reopened the country and foreign investors have been seen coming into the country, a positive sign for the investment sector, he said.

A total of 3,925 construction projects were registered in the first 11 months of this year.

Figures from the Ministry of Economy and Finance issued recently showed that the amount of registered construction projects was USD10.35bn.

Of the total registered construction projects, more than 86 percent are residential construction projects.

Furthermore, according to Chandarith, a new cement factory has been proposed in Battambang province. The planned cement factory is backed by Chinese investors.

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With two more days remaining in what has been an unbelievably bloody year in the Windy City, it is now official: Murders in Chicago have hit a 25-year high and Keith Thornton, a heroic dispatcher, just made a viral video that lays the blame squarely in Mayor Lori Lightfoots lap. This lady is disgraceful! Thorntons quick thinking this summer saved the lives of two officers and he was hailed as a hero. But on Christmas Day he aired a video that endeared him to far more Chicago residents. As it was being watched and making its way to the media, over the Christmas weekend three people were murdered and another 22 shot.

Thus far there have been 791 shot and killed and another 4,504 seriously wounded this year in Chicago.

Yes, all in 2021. (Chicago is a city with 2.7 million people. By comparison, New York City, which has a population of more than eight million, has had 479 murders to date.)

Listen to the dispatcher: I'm hot about it because this mayor does not care about Chicago police officers, period. She doesn't care about any first responders. She does not care about the d*** city. It doesn't matter if you're white, black, Asian, Hispanic, other, straight, gay, Democrat, or Republican. She don't even care about her city workers. All that lady cares about is her (expletive) self, Thornton said in the cameras eye.

''And I pray you're watching this because you're a disgrace and I'm tired of it, he said, directing his words at Lightfoot. and your city is tired of it. Matter of fact, it's not your city. The city of Chicago is tired of it  And I know you don't like me, and that's OK, because I love you,' he added, 'but I'm tired of you because you're an absolute disgrace to everyone within the city.

He ended the video by saying the 'city is burning' and that it was time to 'stand up' and 'do something.' He has offered to meet with city officials, saying: 'We've got to come together for our area because this is bull ***.

Thornton said his ire comes at a time when you dial 9-1-1 officers arent coming to you we are that short-handed. A shooting came up a few days ago and we couldnt get a unit over there. A unit could not get to the scene until 10-plus minutes later because there was no one (available.)

These are not petty crimes  women being beaten, stabbings, shootings. Criminal sexual assault in Chicago is up 132 percent over 2020, and murder up 50 percent over last year.

* * *

LIBERAL PROSECUTORS SCRAMBLE TO DEFEND RECORDS

From The Washington Times: Liberal prosecutors who have argued against their predecessors tough-on-crime policies are suddenly scrambling to defend their own records and results as shootings, thefts and homicides surge in major cities.

In Baltimore, where the numbers of homicides, carjackings and aggravated assaults are up, the citys top prosecutor, Marilyn Mosby, fired off a scathing 37-page open letter to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican who said her lax handling of prosecutions is contributing to the violent crime.

"Every single day my prosecutors go up against voluminous case dockets, uncooperative witnesses, and demanding judges to ensure accountability against violent individuals in this city, Ms. Mosby wrote. How dare you say otherwise?

The governor said last month that Baltimore needs a prosecutor who will actually prosecute violent criminals.

Governor Hogan, who is considered a potential Republican presidential contender in 2024, also launched an investigation into funding for the prosecutors office and demanded that Ms. Mosby turn over detailed statistics on plea deals with defendants and case dismissals.

He is also a frequent critic of Ms. Mosbys decision to stop prosecuting low-level drug possession, prostitution and other minor offenses.

Ms. Mosby, a Democrat who has been in her position since 2014, defended herself as homicides in Baltimore topped 300 for the seventh year in a row. She told Governor Hogan to stop finger-pointing and said the citys crime rate cannot be resolved through his antiquated tough-on-crime and zero-tolerance policing proposals.

Re-funding the police and more mandatory minimums do not deter crime, she wrote.

In San Francisco, District Attorney Chesa Boudin tried Tuesday to deflect criticism that his liberal policies are to blame for the rash of smash-and-grab thefts at luxury retail stores.

Some have wrongly accused progressive prosecutors like me of not pursuing accountability despite my offices high prosecution rates on these kinds of crimes and our transparency on filing rates, Mr. Boudin wrote in an op-ed for SFGate.

The all-too-common response to these crimes has been calls for more policing and attacks on progressive reforms, but these knee-jerk reactions are short-sighted, he said.

Mr. Boudin, a Democrat who has ended cash bail and dramatically reduced the citys jail population since taking office in 2020, faces a recall vote in June peddled by critics who say the former public defender is too soft on crime.

Mr. Boudins op-ed was headlined Were blaming the wrong things for San Francisco retail theft and included suggestions for addressing the root causes of crime. It was published a week after San Francisco Mayor London Breed, a Democrat, appeared to take a jab at Mr. Boudin while discussing efforts to combat crime.

We need everyone to get on board, not just cops and frontline workers, but prosecutors and the courts as well, Ms. Breed said. Our residents should not see the same criminals back on the streets of the Tenderloin again and again, in an endless cycle of fear and frustration.

When police make arrests, she said, it is critical that our entire criminal justice system holds these individuals accountable.

Betsy Brantner Smith, a spokeswoman for the National Police Association, echoed the mayors sentiments in a statement to The Washington Times.

American law enforcement is short-staffed and often beleaguered, and yet as police officers continue to attempt to enforce criminal law, in many areas, progressive prosecutors decline to bring the offenders to trial. This malfeasance exacerbates the crime crisis America is currently experiencing, said Ms. Brantner Smith, a retired police sergeant.

Baltimore, San Francisco and Philadelphia are among 22 large cities where the number of homicides was four percent higher during the first nine months of this year than in the same period in 2020 and 36 percent higher than in 2019, according to a report by the Council on Criminal Justice.

Rasmussen Reports released a report last week that shows 89 percent of likely U.S. voters are concerned about violent crime, including more than half (69 percent) who are very concerned.

royexum@aol.com
90 Day: The Single Life star, Syngin Colchesters alleged ex-lover, has come forward and is exposing the real Syngin. She is painting a very different picture than what TLC shows of the free-spirited South African. Syngins alleged ex-lover claims that he was not only cruel to her, but alleges that he was physically and sexually abusive toward her.

Syngin Colchester, 90 Day: The Single Life Season 2 | discovery+

Syngins alleged ex-lover exposes the real Syngin

On Dec 27, Syngins alleged ex-lover comes forward via Reddit about her experience with dating the 90 Day Fiance star. She revealed that she and Syngin began talking online on Nov 8. She said in the Reddit post, I want everyone to know the kind of person he really is. I recently spent the last month being in a pseudo-relationship with him he visited me, I visited him. He expressed that he fell in love and never felt a connection like this before.

She claims that Syngin wanted her to move to Arizona to start a future together. The woman said that after the love-bombing, the relationship turned dark. She wrote, He is an alcoholic who drinks the moment he wakes up and watches YouTube all day. He has no ambition, no drive, and nothing to offer.

Syngins alleged ex claims he abused her

Syngins alleged ex, who has messages to back up her relationship with the reality TV star, claims he abused her. She said, I cleaned for him, I cooked, and in turn, he got drunk and called me a stupid dumb bch and punched my phone out of my hands.

The woman also claimed that he sexually assaulted her. She wrote, He forced himself on me. He smokes weed from morning to night constantly. He carries alcohol with him everywhere he goes, he drinks and drives, he has no car insurance. She also claimed that he was a terrible angry, abusive drunk addicted to sex and humiliating people. She reveals, He is a cruel person.

Before the 90 Day Fiance Reddit post, she posted on other Reddit threads (captured via Imgur) detailing the alleged sexual abuse she endured while with Syngin.

Shes asking for 90 Day: The Single Life producers to investigate his behavior

Syngins alleged ex reveals that she wont be featured on 90 Day: The Single Life. She said, I am not on TV. Im a regular girl who fell for his deceit and tricks. This drama and emotional rollercoaster has destroyed my mental health because I believed I found someone who truly felt connected to me and would be part of my life.

Shes asking TLC to please investigate his behavior and to stop him from hurting other people. She said she would gladly offer proof to those who are doubting her story. She concludes the post, Do not be a fan or admirer of this man, he cried in my arms and then turned around he physically hurt me, only to cry again about how sorry he was.

Syngins alleged ex wrote, I have a lot receipts, but right now I can only share pics of us together as proof. She also wanted to keep anything relevant to herself. She concluded the post, Thank you, everyone, for reaching out and I will definitely do whats necessary to make sure this doesnt happen to anyone else. Love you all.

Since TLC wont feature this relationship on 90 Day: The Single Life Season 2, fans will have to wait and see if TLC will step in and investigate.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: All of the Red Flags in Hamza and Memphis Relationship So Far

How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
In the summer of 2021, Selling Sunset stars Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim shocked fans when they announced they were a couple. However, the relationship came to an end several months later.

Now Stause is single again, and the real estate agent recently took to social media to joke about her eggs.

Chrishell Stause | Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim had differences over family planning

On Dec. 21, news outlets shared that Stause and Oppenheim had split. Both of them later released statements about the breakup and pointed to their differences over family planning as the cause.

Jason was and is my best friend, and other than our ideas for family ultimately not being aligned, the amount of respect and love we have for each other will not change going forward, Stause said. Men have the luxury of time that women dont and thats just the way it goes. All of that being said, navigating this public terrain is difficult and I am just trying my best.

Meanwhile, Oppenheim wrote, She was the most amazing girlfriend Ive ever had, and it was the happiest and most fulfilling relationship of my life. While we have different wants regarding a family, we continue to have the utmost respect for one another.

Chrishell Stause jokes about her eggs shortly after the split

Chrishell Stause Poses in a Bikini and Jokes 'These Eggs Aren't Going to Fertilize Themselves' https://t.co/040aAlzV5H  People (@people) December 28, 2021

RELATED: Selling Sunset: Why Chrishell Stause Wasnt Afraid to Fall for Jason Oppenheim, Well Always Have That Friendship

On Dec. 28, Stause posted three photos of her in a bikini on Instagram. The photos were taken in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where Stause is vacationing.

Well these eggs arent going to fertilize themselves, she joked. Or maybe they willwho knows. Until then, 2022 bring it on.

Stause, who is 40, has made it clear on Selling Sunset she would like to have kids sometime in the future. In September 2020, she revealed to People that she had frozen her eggs.

I have taken the steps to freeze my eggs, she said. Im going to do everything I can to take that power in the situation, and hopefully, that will empower me going forward in the dating world, so theres not so much pressure.

She also added, I definitely had a different idea for where I would be at this age and stage in my life. Theres a family aspect that Im missing that I hope is still a possibility for me.

Emma Hernan reveals how Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim have been dealing with the breakup

Exclusive: #SellingSunsets Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim are really close after their split, according to costar Emma Hernan. https://t.co/x3q8LEokTF  Us Weekly (@usweekly) December 24, 2021

RELATED: Selling Sunset: Chrishell Stause Sets the Record Straight About the Origin of Her Name

Stause just finished filming season 5 of Selling Sunset, so it might be a while before fans get an inside look into the breakup. However, fellow cast member Emma Hernan recently talked about how Stause and Oppenheim have been handling everything.

If everybody in the entire world could follow how they handle a breakup, I think the world would be a better place, Hernan told Us Weekly. They handled it very well and they communicated very well with each other.  I mean theyre literally best friends, and theyve remained really close throughout even the breakup, which is nice.

Hernan is friends with both Stause and Oppenheim, and she shared that the former couple really do have a great friendship.
Earlier this year, fans were buzzing with excitement about some exclusive content from Stranger Things Season 4. Walmart released the message with a retro-inspired cassette player. However, now that fans have finally gotten their hands on the cassette player and the content that goes with it, only to be disappointed with the reveal.

Joyce stares at a mysterious Russian doll | Netflix

Walmart and Netflix teamed up and promised fans exclusive content from Stranger Things Season 4

Stranger Things teamed up with Walmart in October of 2021. Walmart advertised a Crosley Cassette Player bundle with hopes people could gift these to fellow Stranger Things fans for the holidays. The set includes a blue cassette player and one cassette labeled Top Secret, Do Not Share on one side and Off The Record on the other. They also promised one of the cassettes held exclusive content from Stranger Things Season 4.

Walmarts website reads, Strange things are happening in Hawkins! Transport yourself there with this Walmart Exclusive Crosley Cassette Player bundle, including a cassette tape with a secret voicemail left by a mysterious figure from the upcoming season 4 of Stranger Things!

Shipping quickly became an issue. Most people spent weeks waiting for the product even though they were supposed to be available to ship by Nov. 15, 2021. Many buyers didnt receive the cassette player before Christmas, but the excitement in the Stranger Things fandom remained high.

RELATED: Stranger Things Season 4: Who or What is Vecna?

The Stranger Things Season 4 exclusive content wasnt so exclusive

For weeks, Stranger Things fans speculated about the exclusive content hidden on the tape. People hoped for another clue to one of the storylines in Stranger Things Season 4, but other fans remained skeptical. With such a long wait between seasons 3 and 4, excitement for the upcoming season is higher than ever before. A buyer finally received the product and relayed the secret content. Although, only one word comes to mind regarding fans reactions: disappointment.

The Stranger Universe YouTube channel received a video of a fan revealing the message on the tapes. Hello, this is Yuri of Yuris Fish and Fly. Would you like to book a trip with me and perhaps together we soar the Arctic and fish with the polar bears? Im sorry, are you speaking? I cannot hear you because this is a pre-recorded message, you peanut brain. I got you, I got you good. I must be very busy now, perhaps with a customer, perhaps with my beautiful Katinka, but Im pleased to book a trip for you at other time for a good, fair price. Much more fair price than Jerrys Arctic Boat Charters. Just leave a number and I will call you when less busy.

Fans called the message a massive disappointment

The message is the same audio fans heard when Netflix sent a few people Russian dolls with a phone number written on a piece of paper tucked inside. Not only is the message repeat of what fans already heard, but it also gave little insight into anything about Stranger Things Season 4.

Mrs. Strange calls the message a massive disappointment, and fans agree.

One Redditor wrote, What a ripoff I mean, collectible I guess but.. a major letdown.

Another user replied, I feel bad for the people that paid money for this thing hoping for something actually exclusive.

Nikola Djuricko aka Yuri is a seedy and unpredictable Russian smuggler who loves bad jokes, cold hard cash, and crunchy style peanut butter. ..Same. pic.twitter.com/4g1yUWkXBL  Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) November 20, 2020

Who is Yuri in the upcoming season of the series?

Fans dont know much about Yuri, played by Nikola Djuricko, in Stranger Things Season 4. According to Netflix, Yuri is a seedy and unpredictable Russian smuggler who loves bad jokes, cold hard cash, and crunchy style peanut butter.

The video also states other sources heavily implied that Yuri helps sneak Murray and Joyce into Russia to help rescue Hopper.

For now, fans will just have to wait and see how this characters storyline pans out. Stranger Things Season 4 premieres in the summer of 2022.

RELATED: Stranger Things: Every Horror Movie Referenced in the Hit Netflix Series So Far
Davy Jones of The Monkees listened to The Beatles Penny Lane over and over. During an interview, he explained why he listened to the song repeatedly. In addition, Jones said he felt The Beatles were a manufactured band.

The Monkees | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

What The Monkees Davy Jones thought of The Beatles in general and George Harrison in particular

During an interview with The Bob Show, Jones discussed his reaction to The Beatles songs. He said every member of The Monkees was a fan of The Beatles. Jones said George Harrison was an underrated songwriter. Jones felt George was a very different songwriter compared to the other members of the Fab Four.

I go to a pub now in Richmond, Virginia, Jones said. Its called Penny Lane. Its owned by a guy called Terry from Liverpool. The Beatles are playing over and over. Every Beatle record you ever heard.

Jones said he had a particular fondness for the song Penny Lane. And as I was leaving the pub couple of days ago, I walked out with a friend and [sings] Penny Lane, there is a barber and I went Woo! I cant leave. I got to stand here. And I stood outside the building and listened to Penny Lane,' Jones recalled.

RELATED: Davy Jones Said The Monkees Copied This Corny Scene From The Beatles A Hard Days Night

Jones listened to The Beatles Penny Lane over and over when he heard it. The first time I ever heard it, I played it 5,000 times, Jones said. Because it was just so nice. It was different than anything and it was like a teenage  Dont get this wrong. The Beatles were the first manufactured group. Not The Monkees. It was The Beatles.

The way the world reacted to The Beatles Penny Lane

Penny Lane was a massive hit. The song spent 10 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, spending one of those weeks at the top of the chart. Penny Lane appeared on the soundtrack for The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour. The Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, staying on the chart for 93 weeks.

Penny Lane became popular in the United Kingdom as well. According to The Official Charts Company, Penny Lane reached No. 2 in the U.K. and stayed on the chart for 11 weeks. Meanwhile, Magical Mystery Tour hit No. 31 and remained on the chart for 10 weeks.

RELATED: The Monkees Davy Jones Sang a Song in The Brady Bunch Movie and Its Writer Hated It

The way Penny Lane impacted pop culture

Penny Lane had an impact on pop culture outside of its time on the charts. No Doubt and Engelbert Humperdinck covered the classic track. A character in the comedy Almost Famous was named after the song. The Rutles released a spoof of the song called Doubleback Alley that appeared in their film All You Need Is Cash, which parodied The Beatles entire career. Penny Lane also brought the street of the same name into the consciousness of many Beatles fans who might not have heard of it. Penny Lane is one of The Bealtes major songs and it impressed Jones.

RELATED: The Beatles A Day in the Life: The Monkees Mike Nesmith on Watching the Fab Four Record the Song
An artist depiction of the signing of the Treaty of New Echota is located at the New Echota Historic Site in Calhoun, Georgia.
Some of the biggest topics of 2020the coronavirus, racial justice, Donald Trump, and Ravi Zachariascontinued to make news this year. See which new developments show up on our list of important stories for evangelicals in 2021.

10. Myanmar Coup

The Christian minority in Myanmar rallied in prayer and protest after a coup in February, which has spurred ongoing military violence, including attacks that have destroyed churches and killed pastors, as the country longs for peace.

9. Josh Duggars Conviction

Fifteen years after he molested younger girls as a teenager, Josh Duggar was convicted of downloading and possessing material depicting the sexual abuse of children. Christian advocates, including in conservative homeschooling circles, see the case as reflecting larger concerns around how their communities address sexual abuse.

8. Climate Change Activism Around COP26

The United Nations put out a dire summary of the science on climate changededicated to an evangelicaland Christians prayed, worked, came together, and walked to Glasgow, Scotland, to pressure the worlds governments to reduce the use of carbon fuels.

7. Reckoning Over Donald Trumps Defeat

Even though Donald Trump lost the presidential election back in 2020, a prolonged challenge to the resultsleading to the January 6 mob at the Capitolhad lingering effects among evangelicals, with some pastors combatting conspiracy theories in their congregations and charismatic prophets questioning the basis for their claims favoring reelection.

6. Abortion Case Before Supreme Court

Evangelicals are awaiting a major turning point in the pro-life movement, as the Supreme Court appears poised to uphold a 15-week abortion ban in Mississippi in a historic case that threatens the future of Roe v. Wade. The court heard arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization in December, months after new abortion restrictions went in place in Texas, effectively banning abortion after six weeks.

5. Critical Race Theory

Approaches to racial diversity and racial justice became a firing rod dividing ministries and churches, with fights over the alleged influence of critical race theory emerging within the Southern Baptist Convention, Cru, David Platts McLean Bible Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, and other areas of evangelicalism.

4. COVID-19 Religious Freedom Claims

Christians cited First Amendment freedoms as they challenged additional restrictions on worship during the pandemic, with John MacArthurs Grace Community Church in California and Mark Devers Capitol Hill Baptist in DC winning legal settlements. Some Christian individuals and institutions also pushed back against vaccine requirements, mask mandates, and other COVID-19 precautions, citing religious freedom and personal convictions.

3. Southern Baptist Convention Abuse Investigation

The SBC Executive Committee (EC) engaged in a protracted fight before agreeing to turn over privileged documents in a major abuse investigation, a dispute that led its president Ronnie Floyd and more than 10 members to leave the EC. The investigation was approved at the SBC annual meeting last June, following leaked informationsuggesting the EC mishandled reports of abusethat came out weeks after Russell Moore and Beth Moore each announced they were leaving the denomination.

2. RZIM investigation and fallout

An independent investigation confirmed allegations that apologist Ravi Zacharias sexually abused women. The fallout started immediately, with books pulled from distribution and an announcement that Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) would change its name and purpose. It continues with high-profile departures and a donor lawsuit in federal court, as other ministries try to learn from RZIMs mistakes.

1. Afghanistan

Twenty years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, pastors in New York City were still ministering to the needs of those who rushed toward the towers. The US withdrew from the forever war in Afghanistan, raising dire questions about those left behind, the future of humanitarian work in the country, and Americas willingness to accept Afghan refugees.

Check out the rest of our 2021 year-end lists here.
Charles Stanley has been spending more time with family since he stepped down as pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta in 2020. He has continued his schedule of preaching on TV and radio with In Touch Ministries. And he is working on a book about prayer that will be released this fall.

He has not started a new business selling gummies and other products infused with cannabidiol (CBD), a compound extracted from the marijuana plant.

Enough people thought the longtime Southern Baptist pastor, considered one of the best evangelical preachers of his generation alongside Billy Graham and Chuck Swindoll, might have gotten into the CBD business, however, that In Touch Ministries released a warning on Saturday: IT IS A SCAM.

Dr. Stanley has not begun any new venture, the official statement said. Scammers are attempting to trick you into giving your personal information or infect your electronic devices by using Dr. Stanleys image.

In Touch Ministries staff have reported the false advertising to Facebook and other social media sites selling Charles Stanley CBD gummies and Charles Stanley CBD oil, but new adswith the preachers name superimposed over a large marijuana leaf, or the preachers name next to a spilled pile of glistening gummy bearshave appeared to replace them.

Our social media team has been working with Facebook to quickly remove these false ads as soon as we are alerted to them, Seth Grey, an In Touch Ministries spokesman, told CT. Unfortunately, as soon as one ad is removed, another pops up in its place.

And just to be clear: This is false and Dr. Stanley does not endorse anything like this, Grey said.

The false advertisements seem to have started back in April, beginning simultaneously on multiple websites registered in Iceland. Some of the sites were started right before the scam began, while others have previously advertised the same CBD products with other celebrities names, including Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart.

A second wave of websites, designed to look like news outlets with names like 24x7 News and Big News Network, pretended to review the product in May and June. Each piece ended with a large red button to buy the product.

The promotional material was all written in garbled English, infused with health and fitness buzzwords.

Charles Stanley CBD Gummies are one of the most selling and effective health improvement products that are constituted from various herbal and natural ingredients that are pure and natural to help consumers to get over various mental and physical health issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, mental headache, sleeping disorders, acne issues, heart diseases, etc., said one website.

Another explained that with this miracle product, ones wellness, namely in terms of inflammation and related health consequences is believed to gradually reverse with time. The phrase health consequences linked to an advertisement on another site designed to look like a news report on a safe herbal ingredients.

One of the fake reviews said that Charles Stanley CBD Gummies Gummies have 600mg of unadulterated, top-notch CBD to assist you to really feel extraordinary without the substantial! and concluded, CBD is as of this moment astonishing the us.

The artificial English, snake-oil promises, and nonsense reviews serve as a backstop for the social media ads, providing an appearance of legitimacy to convince computer algorithms and anyone doing a quick Google search that Charles Stanley CBD gummies do, in fact, exist.

They dont, but these scams do work, according to consumer protection advocates. The Better Business Bureau has documented more than 400 people taken in by CBD scams in the US in the last five years.

Some lose only a little money: $6, $12, $13.95.

Others, signing up for a free sample, agree to pay shipping and handling and then later find their bank account charged hundreds of dollars month after month. There is no established estimate of how much money is stolen this way every year.

In some cases, however, the product does exist. Its just the endorsement that is not real.

The Charles Stanley CBD ads link to gummies and oils that are actually sold by a company called Smilz, which is owned by a self-described serial entrepreneur and mind/body transformation guru, named Jas Mathur. According to an advertisement designed to look like an article in USA Today and other media outlets, Jas is a testament to a hidden truth of progress: one can only behave according to what they believe they can do and when he sets his mind, Jas can do anything.

Whether Mathur is behind the ads claiming Stanleys endorsement for CBD products or there are other parties involved is unclear. The companys public relations firm did not respond to a request for comment.

It has become common for scammers to bait their hooks with fake celebrity endorsements, according to the BBB. The consumer advocacy group warns people to Be skeptical of celebrity endorsements and Resist being swayed by the use of a well-known name.

Scammers seem to choose famous people with a very broad fan base and a well-established reputation for reliability. Actors Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Anniston, and Sandra Bullock have all had their names and images misused in this way. The fact checking site Snopes investigated whether Tom Selleck is a spokesman for CBD oil. He is not.

Tom Hanks name has been used to sell CBD twice, sending the actor to Instagram to make a statement.

Ive never said this and would never make such an endorsement, wrote the star of Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Sleepless in Seattle, and Toy Story. Come on, man. Hanx!

Before Stanleys fake endorsement, at least three Christian leaders have been used to sell CBD products: Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, and T. D. Jakes, all Christians with popular television programs.

Stanley did not address the scam during his televised sermon on Saturday, but he did preach about the dangers of deception.

When the Holy Spirit is within you, youll have foresight, he said. Youll be able to see things that look like one thing when theyre another. Youll be able to discern deception and know that what youre seeing is a lie.

Stanley said we can ask God to help us recognize counterfeit promises of joy and peace and happiness and prosperity as one big Satanic lie.

Then he went back to not selling CBD products.
221-year-old Pennsylvania church permanently closes due to declining membership

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After hosting generations of worshipers beginning in 1800 when there were only 16 states, a 221-year-old church in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is now among the latest casualties of the decline of American Christianity as it permanently closed its doors on Christmas Eve due to declining membership and attendance.

The 15,000-square-foot First Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, located at 203 North Spring Street, had only 40 members before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to The Centre Daily Times, which reports that the church now has about 25 members and only 12 attend in-person worship services.

Theres just such a love among this congregation. Weve all known each other so long and we know each others foibles, church elder Candace Dannaker told the publication. Ill miss our personality, our laughter and our joy in just being together. And, of course, the faith aspect of sharing that with other like-minded people.

Dannaker, who joined the church 34 years ago, estimates that there were about 200 people in attendance at that time.

Pam Benson, 77, who has been a member of the church for 73 years, blames the decline of her church on the changing times. Growing up, Benson explained, businesses would close on Sundays, and parents would insist on their children going to church. The competition between churches for new members, she recalled, was also not as fierce.

It was so different. It was just what you did. Unless you were really sick, it was just what you did, Benson said. Its just change. Its progression. Its what happens. Not that I like it, but it is what it is.

Many pews remained empty at the congregations socially distanced Christmas Eve service broadcast on Facebook. But the older adults in attendance worshiped and celebrated the birth of Christ before saying their final goodbyes.

And the light has splintered the darkness. And hope is ours once more. And this light does call us forward, remembering the past, and walking confidently into the future. And now go in the peace of Christ, members said together as they raised lit candles before the final hymn.

Data from the National Public Opinion Reference Survey conducted by Pew Research Center from May 29 to Aug. 25 with a nationally representative group of respondents found that only 45% of U.S. adults say they pray daily compared to 58% who reported doing so in 2007 and 55% who said they prayed daily in 2014.

Even though self-identified Christians are still the largest religious group in the U.S., they now only make up a collective 63% of the adult population. When the Pew Research Center began measuring religious identity in 2007, self-identified Christians outnumbered nones 78% to 16%.

The study noted that the decline in the number of Christians nationwide was mostly concentrated among respondents who identified as Protestant. Their numbers declined by 10% in the last decade and 4% in the last five years.
Franklin Graham doesn't believe vaccine COVID-19 passport microchips are the 'mark of the beast'

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Evangelist Franklin Graham doesnt believe that the vaccine passport chip implant developed by a Swedish company is the mark of the beast described in the Bible but warns of what such technology could lead to in the future.

The 69-year-old son of the late evangelist Billy Graham posted a statement on Facebook Tuesday, commenting on the recent news that many Swedes are having microchips the size of a grain of rice implanted under their skin, storing COVID-19 vaccine passport information and other personal data.

Some have speculated online whether such microchips could be the mark of the beast described in the book of Revelation.

The Bible tells us that in the end times there will be a one world system, Graham, who heads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, wrote. Revelation 13:16-17 says, Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark

Right now, a Swedish company has developed a vaccine passport chip that is implanted under the skin and can be scanned. It could be required to enter restaurants or businesses, fly commercially, etc, he continued. I personally do not think this particular chip is the mark the Bible talks about, but it does make you think how close we may be.

Graham is not opposed to vaccinations and believes getting vaccinated is important and helps save lives. But he believes political leaders have used the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to exert more and more control since many world leaders are still using COVID ... to lock down their countries.

Christians around the world are wondering if COVID-19 is being used as a way to condition the world population to accept a mark like this, whatever form it may take, Graham added.

If a scannable chip under the skin can contain vaccine information, adding other personal information and financial data could be a short step away. This may sound frightening; but people who have put their faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, dont need to be afraid. We should not live in fear. God told us what was coming in His Word. Make sure that your name is written in the Lambs Book of Life by repenting of your sins and putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

The microchip, created by tech firm Dsruptive Subdermals, can store various data accessible through smartphones and other devices.

Thousands of people in Sweden have had chips implanted into their hands.

The chips are usually installed just above the thumb through a procedure that costs as low as about 100 euros (roughly $113).

However, concerns have been raised about privacy and what kind of personal health data will be stored on the chips.

Hannes Sjoblad, managing director of Dsruptive Subdermals, told AFP that chips allow people to communicate effortlessly with their devices. He contends that people should see chips as a form of identification rather than a surveillance technology.

This is not the first time that some have speculated if microchip implants could be related to the beasts mark. After similar speculation was raised in 2017 after a Wisconsin-based company let employees get microchips implanted in their hands, Jerry Newcombe from D. James Kennedy Ministries warned about such conclusions.



World leaders from Mikhail Gorbachev to Ronald Reagan have been falsely accused of being the Antichrist, he wrote in an op-ed for The Christian Post. And microchip fears have stoked prophetic speculations for years  but many biblical scholars note that Revelation is not pointing to some inadvertently-adopted technology, but is speaking symbolically of those who cast their lot with the opponents of Christ for societal approval.
Harry Reid: 4 things to know about the late Senate majority leader

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Former United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has died at the age of 82, making him the latest of several established political figures to pass away this year.

Reid, who represented the state of Nevada in the Senate for three decades, died Tuesday after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Reid served as Senate majority leader from 2007 to 2015. Additionally, he served as the Senate minority leader from 2005 to 2007 and again from 2015 to 2017.

Reid opted not to seek a sixth term in office in 2016 and was replaced by fellow Democrat Catherine Cortez-Masto. While Reid was beloved by progressives and criticized by conservatives in his later years, politicians on both sides of the aisle issued statements following the news of Reids death Tuesday.

President Joe Biden, who served alongside Reid in the Senate for more than two decades, released a statement Tuesday praising Reid for getting things done for the good of the country. Bidens reflection on Reids career as Senate majority leader specifically focused on actions he took during the Obama-Biden administration: Harry helped pass the Recovery Act to prevent another Great Depression. He helped rescue the American auto industry.

He helped pass the Affordable Care Act and Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform, ended Dont Ask, Dont Tell, and ratified the New Start Treaty, Biden added. In a presidential proclamation Wednesday, Biden ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories in addition to embassies and military outposts abroad.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who served in that role during Reids eight years as Senate majority leader and replaced Reid as majority leader when Republicans took control of the Senate in 2015, also mourned the loss of a dedicated public servant and truly one-of-a-kind U.S. Senator in a statement.

While he noted that the nature of Harrys and my jobs brought us into frequent and sometimes intense conflict over politics and policy, McConnell explained that I never doubted that Harry was doing what he earnestly, deeply felt was right for Nevada and our country.

When Harry retired from the Senate, we both celebrated the fact that our many differences had never really gotten personal. Harrys and my paths in the Senate were roughly parallel. We seemed to reach each institutional milestone within just a few years of each other. I truly appreciated the sincere and cordial relationship we shared behind the scenes when passions cooled.

Reid is one of several notable politicians to have died in 2021, along with former Sens. Bob Dole, R-Kan., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Carl Levin, D-Mich., and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Here are four things to know about the late Senate leader.

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Sheriff refuses to remove Bible verse from office: 'We need more Jesus'

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A North Carolina sheriff who's garnered national attention for refusing to remove a Bible verse from a wall at his office cited a need for more Jesus as the reason for his decision not to comply with the demands of a leading atheist legal organization to take it down.

Jody Greene, the sheriff of Columbus County, North Carolina, addressed the Madison, Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundations concerns about the Bible verse Philippians 4:13 being displayed on a wall at the Sheriffs Office in a Facebook post last week.

The Facebook post came two weeks after FFRF Staff Attorney Christopher Line sent a letter to Greene asking him to remove the exclusionary and unconstitutional religious display, which proclaims, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Greene pushed back on the claim that the display constituted a government sponsorship of religious messages.

The sheriff added: The Bible verse was placed on the wall after I took office. It was paid for with private funds, not with county funding. The verse is one of my favorite Bible verses, and it seemed fitting for all the adversity I have had to endure.

After describing the scripture as being very motivational to me and my staff, Greene contended that there was a political motive behind the sudden outcry over its presence at the sheriff's office: I have taken many pictures with that Bible verse in the backdrop with not a single issue, but now that we are going into an election year, it is an issue. How absurd!

This is a political ploy. Some want a person that they can control. Companies spend thousands of dollars on motivational classes, to come up with motivational slogans. My motivation comes from the greatest motivational speaker of all time, Jesus Christ, he added.

Greene lamented that drugs and violence are killing our youth before concluding that We need more Jesus and less politics. He also expressed gratitude for all the phone calls and messages of support for the Bible verse.

I am not scared of much, but I am afraid of burning in Hell, he said. The post included an image from FFRF announcing an Unabashed Atheist/Nonbeliever of the week featuring a headshot of the unabashed freethinker in a silhouette of the devil and flames. Greene pointed to the image as a warning of where our society is headed, as well as an example of the need to stand up. He further declared that I will not waiver on my stance and Christian beliefs.

FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor elaborated on the organizations concerns in a statement. The Columbus County Sheriffs Office must serve all citizens equally, whether Christian or non-Christian, she asserted. A blatantly Christian message in a law enforcement division sends a message of exclusion.

In his Dec. 6 letter to Greene, Line noted that FFRF first became aware of the display as the result of a complaint from a concerned Columbus County resident. He asked the sheriffs office to respond in writing detailing the actions the Sheriffs Office has taken to rectify the concerns of the complainant.

Line listed several U.S. Supreme Court cases that found the First Amendment mandates government neutrality between religion and religion, and between religion and nonreligion. He also argued that The Establishment Clause, at the very least, prohibits government from appearing to take a position on questions of religious belief in an effort to back up his claim that the Bible verse display is unconstitutional.

Line indicated that the presence of Philippians 4:13 on a wall at the Columbus County Sheriffs Office was not the only example of the government agency making an unconstitutional endorsement of Christianity. The FFRF attorney began the letter by noting that we are still awaiting a response to our January 26, 2021 letter regarding the Sheriffs Office regularly promoting Christianity on its official Facebook page.

On Christmas Day 2020, the sheriffs office posted a Christmas message on its Facebook account that said, Merry Christmas to all and Happy Birthday to our lord and savior. To all that are working today, we thank you and hope you all have a very merry Christmas. #InGodWeTrust.

The sheriffs office posted a similar message on its Facebook page this year.

In his response to FFRF, Greene detailed how Christianity plays a role in the day-to-day operations of the sheriffs office as well as in his own life: Before we execute a search warrant, or any service that puts our people in immediate harm's way, we ALWAYS go to the Lord with a group prayer. ALWAYS! I was raised in the church. I have been in law enforcement for over thirty years. My training taught me to value God, family, and my country.

North Carolina resident Franklin Graham, the CEO of Samaritans Purse and the son of legendary televangelist Billy Graham, encouraged his followers to pray for Sheriff Greene and his staff in a Facebook post on Monday. Im thankful this Sheriff knows where the true solution to lifes challenges and problems comes from, and he is standing his ground, Graham wrote.
Vasectomies as an 'act of love'? Scholar fears population control agenda at play

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Amid heightened debates over abortion jurisprudence, an increase in men undergoing vasectomies is manifesting with the urological surgeries being promoted as acts of love. However, one scholar contends that promoting vasectomies in response to abortion restrictions reveals an ideological underbelly.



The Washington Post reported Monday that in light of an abortion case that was recently argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that has the potential to change abortion legal precedent in the country, there has been an uptick in social activity suggesting that vasectomies are a way men can show solidarity.

The case Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which was argued in early December and centered on the legality of Mississippis 15-week abortion ban, will likely determine whether Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark ruling that found abortion is a constitutional right guaranteed under the 14th Amendment, will continue to stand.

In addition to the Dobbs case, there has been much scrutiny of a new Texas heartbeat law passed this year that restricts abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. Since the passing of the Texas law, doctors in Texas say they have seen an uptick in men seeking vasectomies.

Koushik Shaw, a doctor at the Austin Urology Institute in Texas, told the newspaper that his practice saw an approximately 15% increase in scheduled vasectomies since Texas Senate Bill 8 went into effect on Sept. 1.

Shaw said it was the first time he had seen patients citing a state statute as the reason for their appointments.

In response to the Texas ban, lawmakers in a few states  Alabama, Illinois and Pennsylvania  put forward bills that have no chance of passing but emphasize a similar point.

Among such legislators is Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Rabb, a Democrat, who introduced parody legislation in response to the Texas law. Rabbs proposal would require men to have vasectomies when they turn 40 or after the birth of their third child, whichever comes first. The legislation provided for enforcement by allowing Pennsylvanians to report men who failed to comply and those who report them obtain a monetary award of $10,000.

In an email to The Christian Post Tuesday, Jennifer Roback Morse, founder of the Louisiana-based Christian coalition Ruth Institute and the author of The Sexual State: How Elite Ideologies are Destroying Lives, noted that Rabbs parody bill was revealing.

By declaring this as a parody bill, he inadvertently disclosed that limiting population is the real goal of so-called reproductive rights, Morse, a socially conservative Catholic who also serves as a senior fellow in economics at the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, said.

How are mandatory limitations on births a parody of protecting innocent life in the womb? The parody only makes sense if the point of abortion is not choice or rights but reducing population.

Also revealing, she argues, is Rabbs comment in a memo about that bill that as long as states restrict abortions, there should be concurrent laws that address men who impregnate them.

Rabbs bill would have codified wrongful conception to include when a person has demonstrated negligence toward preventing conception during sex, according to the memo.

He is revealing his assumption that everyone is entitled to presume that their sexual activity will be sterile. The default setting is that sex does not have anything to do with making babies, Morse contends. This Contraceptive Ideology makes war on the healthy normal connection between sex and babies.

Rabb recounted in an interview with The Washington Post published Sunday that he received death threats and hate mail full of vitriol.

The notion a man would have to endure or even think about losing bodily autonomy was met with outrage when every single day women face this and its somehow OK for the government to invade the uteruses of women and girls, but it should be off-limits if you propose vasectomies or limit the reproductive rights of men, he said.

Morse pushed back on his line of thinking, stating that the population control aspect is evident in the proposal.

The government of Texas is not invading the uteruses of women and girls. Pro-life laws are trying to outlaw private killings, she maintains.

In 1976, the Supreme Court held in Planned Parenthood v. Danforth that the fathers consent was not needed for a pregnant woman to obtain an abortion, primarily based on the risk of violence and coercion in a relationship.

The coercion, however, also happens on the abortion side, Morse stresses, noting that many men want to keep having sex without considering the responsibility of being a father.

Undercover pro-life journalists have documented Planned Parenthoods willingness to look the other way when presented with evidence of coercion, she said.

Doctors have promoted vasectomies as an act of love that benefits yourself, your partner, your family and our future.

Dr. Doug Stein, a Florida urologist known as the Vasectomy King, co-founded the annual World Vasectomy Day in 2013 along with filmmaker Jonathan Stack. Stack told The Washington Post that the men should be fighting just as hard for legalized abortion as women.

The quality of life for millions of men will be adversely affected if this right is taken from women, he argued.
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South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu had critics and they included myself and my organization. IRD in the 1980s, before I joined the staff, sometimes critiqued Tutus friendly stance towards the African National Congress (ANC). At that point, the ANC was allied with the South African Communist Party and supported by the Soviet Bloc plus international malefactors like Libyas Muammar Gaddafi.



In that Cold War context, there were concerns that a post-Apartheid South Africa might be Sovietized, and become even more oppressive, like its neighbors in Angola and Mozambique. At times, Tutu himself was at best uncritical of those nations then Marxist-Leninist regimes.

Providentially, the Soviet Union fell, 30 years ago this week, as did the appeal of Marxism-Leninism, which the regimes in Angola and Mozambique renounced. South Africas Communist Party became irrelevant. Nelson Mandela, after prison, emerged as a democrat devoted to national reconciliation. Tutu was supportive of this project, chairing Mandelas National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation, which gave Apartheid era officials the opportunity to confess their crimes and seek forgiveness. Tutu stressed the need for truth telling and mercy.

In more recent years I wrote occasionally about Tutus penchant for unfair and inaccurate anti-Israel rhetoric, which included Apartheid comparisons. He also made intemperate political statements such as calling for President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair to be tried as war criminals for the overthrow of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. And IRD has criticized Tutu for siding with Western liberal Protestantism against orthodox teaching and African Christianity, including its Anglican leaders, on sexuality.

No public life lacks controversy and misjudgments. But on the major themes of Tutus long public life, he was courageously correct. He opposed Apartheid resolutely, while also opposing violent revolution. He sometimes physically intervened to rescue alleged collaborators under mob attack. He understood that post-apartheid South Africa needed stability and continuity, not massive political upheaval. He shared Mandelas vision for a biracial nation. He criticized subsequent ANC governments for arrogance and corruption. He criticized the despotic socialist dictatorship of Robert Mugabe, who had supported the anti-apartheid struggle.

Tutu at his best brought a Christian anthropology to South African politics. He wanted justice but also harmony and peace. Most South African black Christians are associated with evangelical and Pentecostal churches more conservative than Tutus Anglican church. But Anglicans everywhere, thanks to their history, carry prestige beyond their numbers, which Tutu deployed to good effect. A Pentecostal preacher likely could not have reached his status in South Africa much less internationally. Sometimes Tutu was faulted for enjoying the perks of his episcopal office, which included a mansion and international travel. He educated his children overseas and lived well. But he also invited poor children to swim in his episcopal swimming pool and used his office as archbishop to showcase black leadership when blacks were still blocked from meaningful office and power in South Africa.

The reconciliation that Tutu advocated was possible only thanks to his faith, his clerical office and the spiritual resources of Christianity. That most South Africans white and black were Christian enabled this message to resonate. South Africa today is no nirvana. But thanks partly to Tutu, it avoided civil war and is a better and more just place than it was 30 years ago. When judging public lives, its best to search for their wider providential purpose. Did they, for all their human failures, improve the plight of humanity? For Tutu, the answer is obviously yes.

Its helpful to reflect back 30 years ago when Tutu was helping to dismantle apartheid. Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 thanks to the initiative of recently deceased South African President F. W. de Klerk, who was to apartheid what Mikhail Gorbachev was to the Soviet Union, which ended 30 years ago this week. Neither de Klerk nor Gorbachev would play any future major role of leadership for their nations. Their importance was in the oppressive regimes they peacefully ended.

Thirty years ago oppressive regimes of left and right were collapsing globally, from the Soviet Bloc to Chile and the Philippines and South Korea and Indonesia. Democracy and free markets were resurgent. Their triumph over dictatorship and collectivism was seemingly the end of history. Today there is a very different international mood as authoritarianism is ascendant and democracy is on the defensive.

Its important to remember the spirituality behind freedoms resurgence 30 years ago. Faith in the materialism of Marxism and in ideologies had collapsed. The ethos of Christianity in the West, with its focus on the dignity and liberty of each individual, was the driving force behind victorious democracy. Formerly closed societies were looking towards not just civil freedoms but also for transcendence that could replace the failed secular gods.

Many now claim that democracy and freedom are vapidly materialist and therefore without transcendent purpose. Its not true. Regimes of liberty, where people can self-govern and live without fear, descend from the narrative we recall during this Christmas season. There is a Creator who cares about each person He made in His image and who therefore merits respect, protection and the ability to think and speak freely.

Bishop Tutu believed in and witnessed to that Creator in his struggle against Apartheid and for a just and merciful transracial South Africa. All who hope for a more decent world, where liberty is cherished more than control, should always recall his message of truth and forgiveness.

Originally published at Juicy Ecumenism.
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The U.S. Supreme Court last week declined to stop a state vax mandate for healthcare workers invoking religious objections. It declined to halt New York Governor Kathy Hochuls denial of the First Amendment religious rights of healthcare workers. Only three justices stepped forward to intervene: Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas. Gorsuch was clearly disappointed with his colleagues, no doubt Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh chief among them.

No one seriously disputes that, absent relief, the applicants will suffer an irreparable injury, stated Gorsuch, denouncing New Yorks intention to fire workers and strip their unemployment benefits. This undermining of First Amendment freedoms alone is sufficient to render the mandate unconstitutional.

Gorsuch added in his 14-page dissent: The Free Exercise Clause protects not only the right to hold unpopular religious beliefs inwardly and secretly. It protects the right to live out those beliefs publicly in the performance of (or abstention from) physical acts. He concluded: Today, we do not just fail the applicants. We fail ourselves.

Among those failed, Gorsuch pointed to two New York Catholic physicians who object to the vaccines incorporation of aborted fetal cell lines:

These applicants are not anti-vaxxers who object to all vaccines. Instead, the applicants explain, they cannot receive a COVID19 vaccine because their religion teaches them to oppose abortion in any form, and because each of the currently available vaccines has depended upon abortion-derived fetal cell lines in its production or testing. The applicants acknowledge that many other religious believers feel differently about these matters than they do. But no one questions the sincerity of their religious beliefs.

An added injustice is that these healthcare workers were the front-line first-responders when New York was first under siege from COVID (many acquired natural immunity from that exposure). They feel an ingratitude from their governor. That governor, ironically, has not hesitated to insist that God is on her side on this matter. Gorsuch quoted Hochul:

The day before the mandate went into effect, Governor Hochul again expressed her view that religious objections to COVID19 vaccines are theologically flawed: All of you, yes, I know youre vaccinated, youre the smart ones, but you know theres people out there who arent listening to God and what God wants. You know who they are.  The Governor offered an extraordinary explanation for the change too. She said that God wants people to be vaccinated  and that those who disagree are not listening to organized religion or everybody from the Pope on down.

Governor Kathy Hochul invoked her religious beliefs to vaccinate New Yorkers against their will, while simultaneously saying those New Yorkers could not invoke their First Amendment religious rights to protect themselves. The Supreme Court effectively shielded her, not them. Gorsuchs objection received literal silence from the six other justices: Barrett, Kavanaugh, John Roberts, and the three liberals  Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, and Elena Kagan.

Particularly notable was the silence from Barrett, Kavanaugh, and Roberts. New Yorks healthcare workers likely expected scant protection from the courts liberals, but the lack of backing from justices known for defending religious liberty was a major letdown. It points to a larger and growing problem throughout the pandemic.

Sadly, not only are religious rights not being respected but they are being widely suspected. Increasingly as the pandemic has worn on, supporters of forced vaccination are insisting that many Americans seeking religious exemptions arent actually religious. Theyre faking it, hiding behind phony faith claims. What really is religious? the New York Times asks.

To be sure, one would hope that most people making religious appeals are genuinely religious. Surely some are not. On its face, this seems a legitimate criticism. But think again. Dig deeper into the history of American religious-conscientious objection.

Note the crucial second word there: conscientious.

From the start of the religious-appeal process against COVID mandates, Ive been concerned that these appeals are more often labeled by employers as religious exemptions. They ought to be called religious/conscientious exemptions  that is, appeals based not merely on ones religious faith but on conscience. This is a critical distinction.

Conscientious objection, of course, has a long and noble history in America. (We held a conference on the topic in 2019). There are few more honored rights in our history and Judeo-Christian tradition. One of our most revered founders, James Madison, father of the Bill of Rights, insisted that an individuals conscience was a possession more sacred than his castle. Just as one has the right to property, one has the right to conscience, which the state should not infringe upon. Your conscience is yours, and its sacred. In fact, its part of an eternal nature that transcends the mere physical.

Madison said that all men are entitled to the full and free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience. He argued for the inclusion of freedom of conscience in the Bill of Rights. He made that argument in Philadelphia, where William Penn, a century earlier, had implemented a historic Act for Freedom of Conscience.

This freedom has served America so admirably for centuries, from conscientious objectors in World Wars I and II to the Vietnam War, from the appeals of citizens as diverse as the Quakers, Mennonites, Sergeant Alvin York, Desmond Doss, Muhammad Ali, the Berrigan brothers, and Martin Luther King Jr. Today, it is appealed to by the likes of Hobby Lobby, the Little Sisters of the Poor, Kim Davis, and court cases such as Arlenes Flowers v. the State of Washington, Zubik v. Burwell, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

Liberals are aggressive supporters of conscience when it comes to, say, refusal to fight in an unpopular war. Its a great irony that liberals who once championed conscientious objection for the Vietnam draft-dodger spurn it for the Baptist florist or Christian cake-baker who beg to decline to serve a same-sex wedding, or now for millions of Americans claiming rights of conscience against mandatory vaxxing.

Our onetime precious consensus on conscience is being ignored unlike ever before and redefined unlike ever before.

James Madison lost his effort to get the word conscience in the First Amendment, and its too bad he did. Nonetheless, courts have long honored appeals to ones conscience as well as appeals to ones religion.

Not anymore.

Indulge me as I take this to a deeper theological-philosophical level, one that justices like Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, both products of Catholic education and likely admirers of Pope John Paul II, ought to be able to appreciate.

The late pope for decades was one of the worlds leading voices on conscience. He stressed the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of the free will that the Creator bestowed on all human beings. In his August 1993 Veritatis Splendor (The Splendor of Truth), he wrote: The relationship between mans freedom and Gods law is most deeply lived out in the heart of the person, in his moral conscience. Citing the Second Vatican Council, he noted that in the depths of our conscience, we detect a law which we do not impose on ourselves, but which nonetheless holds us to obedience. This is a law written into the heart of all men and women by God, telling us do this, shun that. To obey it is the very dignity of man; according to it he will be judged (Romans 2:14-16).

The pope brought that message directly to our shores, telling Americans in Miami in September 1987: The only true freedom, the only freedom that can truly satisfy, is the freedom to do what we ought as human beings created by God according to his plan.

As noted by political scientist Thomas Rourke, Possessed with reason and free will, the person seeks vertical transcendence when he seeks to know the truth and act in accord with it. To arbitrarily interfere with this search for the truth, or to prevent a person from acting according to the demands of conscience  as oppressive governments do  is to deny people their right to responsible personhood.

How a person chooses to act defines the person. Our moral choices matter and, in a sense, make us. This is the very essence of John Paul IIs published work (as Karol Wojtyla), The Acting Person. God wants us to choose rightly. It is truly about how the person acts in accord with the conscience that God gave us.

John Paul IIs conception of the human person speaks not only to the dignity of the person but also as the person living within community. That includes a community like the America of the founders that created a system that honors the dignity of that person and his or her conscience.

For our modern state to act as an obstacle to an individual moral relationship with God is an affront. It is an outrage. Not only would popes be outraged but so would our founding fathers.

Again, James Madison: The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man: and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate.

In short, modern Americans stand on firm ground whether they appeal to their religion or conscience. Vax mandates should be no exception. Its already terribly troubling that COVID survivors with natural immunity rarely receive medical waivers even with letters from their physicians arguing that vaccination could be counterproductive and unhealthy. Religious and conscience appeals, however, ought to be literally sacrosanct.

This should be a matter of not only religion but conscience. Its incumbent upon critics and HR departments and governments to realize and honor this. In this nation, your conscience must remain sacred.

Originally published at The Institute for Faith and Freedom.
Over 2,500 families receive toys, groceries at California's Rock Church Toys for Joy donation event

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Loud cheering amid encouraging words of prayer and a Gospel message could be heard as over 2,500 families and children received donated toys and boxes filled with groceries this holiday season during a California church's drive-thru distribution event, Toys for Joy.

To provide aid to families in need this Christmas, Rock Church in San Diego partnered with 1,091 community members, 30 agencies, and 55 schools across San Diego County for the Toys for Joy initiative, which served 2,857 families who needed financial help or food assistance on Dec. 11.

As families in need drove by to collect the items, many of the Christian volunteers at the event took the opportunity to not only pray with them but also share the Gospel.

"I really try to teach that this is the time of forgiveness. This is the time to heal wounds, said Tarlease Jones, a volunteer who has devoted time to helping with the initiative for the past 10 years. This is the time to make amends. This is our time to tell our God thank you and be thankful for the things that we do have.



For Jones, the Toys for Joy donation event was once something she relied on to support her two children in 2010. And ever since that year when she sought assistance for her family, she said she has become passionate about giving back to the community as a volunteer.

Looking back on the past decade of her volunteer efforts, Jones said she has been able to give thanks to God for all the years she has served in a capacity that involved sharing and spreading the Gospel to those who are in need.



Paul the Apostle teaches us about that contentment in all circumstances and situations [and] there are thousands of families who cant afford to get a gift; not for themselves, not for their children, not for their family members, their coworkers, or their grocery store clerk, Jones continued.



And so instead of us falling into humanitys nature of feeling like a failure of feeling less than, its a great moment to tell God thank you and really look at what He has for you, being able to have a sense of connection with people and always connecting back to Him, she added.



Another volunteer at the drive-thru event, Geniese Ligon, recalled a time in her past when she encouraged someone else to seek assistance from a past Toys for Joy. Ligon said she recalls inviting a single mother with three children who was a congregant at Rock Church to the initiative because the mother was on the verge of becoming homeless.



Fast forward, she came through the lines at Toys for Joy after I encouraged her to come [and] she came through for two or three years. And then in the fourth year, she and her older daughter volunteered, recounted Ligon about the womans story.



Ligon also recalled that the mother of three later told her: I'm just picking up trash, but I felt like it was a metaphor for me. When I was trash, God saw me, and He picked me up. And so now I want to encourage somebody else.



She is Christian now, shes serving God, she understood who she was. She started off as a recipient and became so much more than that, Ligon said, further detailing the mothers story.



The Rock Church will host The Rock Family Christmas Special on Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. PST (Online) and 4 p.m. at their in-person campuses. Visit here for more information.
How Indias anti-conversion laws selectively deny freedom of religion for Indians

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Indias famed Emperor Ashoka was an ancient convert from Hinduism to Buddhism. He demonstrated that a person is NOT forced by others to convert from one religion to another. Today, religious conversions are forced, is the flawed premise of all anti-conversion laws of India. Who could have forced mighty Emperor Ashoka to change his religion? The Emperors famous religious conversion was his choice.

His accomplishments are recognized both inside and outside India. In his book, The Outline of History (1920), H.G. Wells wrote, "Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Ashoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star.

India is proud of its celebrated religious convert

Emperor Ashokas famous religious conversion, which occurred about 2400 years ago, is proudly recorded in Indian history books and is taught in every Indian school.

Between 268-332 BC, Ashoka the Great, an Emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, ruled almost the entire Indian subcontinent, except parts of the southernmost states of India. After a successful but bloody victory in the Kalinga (Odisha/Orissa) war in the year 260 BC, the realization of the extent of cruelty and deaths caused by this historic war convinced the emperor to convert to Buddhism and to embrace an extreme form of non-violence or ahimsa. He did not stop there; he sent Buddhist monks to places in and around India to spread non-violence and Buddhism. He remains a highly revered Indian ruler.

Legal opinion on Indias anti-conversion laws

Mr. Alok Prassana Kumar, a legal scholar, in his article Myth and rhetoric: Dissecting the anti-conversion law, which appeared in the Indian newspaper Deccan Herald (Dec. 19, 2021), asked this pertinent question to lawmakers aggressively pushing for anti-conversion laws in India: Constitutionally, one can choose ones religion or choose none at any point of time in ones life. The Constitution doesnt say one is free to practice only ones birth religion (or worse, only one state-mandated religion). So where do anti-conversion laws such as the one currently being contemplated by the Karnataka [one of the Indian states] government fit in?

He implies Indias anti-conversion laws are making the Hindu birth religion a de facto state-mandated religion; such a mandate is not consistent with Indias constitution because it has no state-mandated religion.

Further, in the same article, Mr. Prassana Kumar addressed a spurious claim behind these anti-conversion laws  the claim of forced conversions is the imagined excuse for the anti-conversion laws. He said, The people alleged to have been forcibly converted, if at all, turned out to have converted voluntarily. Yet the claim is vociferously and vigorously repeated and never substantiated. The new attempt is to stretch it to include anyone who says that their religion is better than others  a leap of logic, which if applied elsewhere would make every advertiser a fraud and every politician guilty of a corrupt practice.

We must learn to look past this forced conversions strawman that props up anti-conversion laws before we can truly understand the deeper cultural issues that lie hidden behind Indias anti-conversion laws.

How the anti-conversion laws work

Krittivas Mukherjee noted this intrusive aspect of the anti-conversion laws in the article, Indian Hindu outcasts convert to end social stigmas: Under some of the new laws, anyone planning to leave the Hindu fold must obtain certificates from officials and affidavits from courts saying they were converting out of free will and not by inducements.

Thus, anti-conversion laws require a Hindu convert to report the details of his/her conversion to government officials, who are invariably upper-caste elites or one of their sympathizers. This demand of the law on converts has the potential to be extremely intimidating to the new convert when he or she is a member of a non-elite, low caste, or outcast community. As intended, this requirement dissuades conversion and prevents the exercise of religious freedom for fear of the consequences of reporting their conversion to upper-caste elites in positions of authority in the police force, and the court system, who are required by anti-conversion laws to record each and every conversion.

Additionally, advance notice of conversion prior to the decision/event is another requirement under Indian Anti-Conversion Laws. Aneesha Mathur, in her article, Anti-conversion laws in India: How states deal with religious conversions, (India Today, Dec. 23, 2020) said, In all other states [with anti-conversion laws], advance notice by the priest or religious convertor as well as the converted person is required. Uttar Pradesh [one of the Indian states] has the strictest provisions, requiring a person who wishes to undergo a conversion to give a 60-day notice to the district authorities. The priest is required to give the notice one month in advance.

Alas, in some Indian states, Indias constitutionally-granted freedom of religion has been distorted to demand a 60-day notice to authorities before a Hindu could change his/her faith!

India is run by its elites

Consider the NBC News report, Harvard adds caste bias protections for graduate student workers, (Dec. 2, 2021), where Shakshi Venkatraman noted, Harvard University is the latest U.S. school to add measures protecting caste-oppressed students... She explained it saying, Those born into lower castes, known as Dalits in India's deeply rooted hierarchies, have faced violence and oppression on the subcontinent for thousands of years.

India was always run and controlled by its elites. Hindu religion identifies who the elites are and who are not. Indias elites dislike the conversion of the non-elite lower caste and outcast Hindus to other religions. Given their disproportionate influence over policymaking, elites have enacted anti-conversion laws in ten Indian states to prevent the disproportionate religious conversions of non-elite Hindus and outcastes.

Anti-conversion laws penalize only those who leave Hinduism, their birth religion. Thus, Indias anti-conversion laws are discriminatory by selectively hitting hard ONLY those who convert out of Hinduism.

An unconstitutional remedy for hurt feelings?

A legitimate question for Indians to ask is: Why is India selectively depriving constitutionally granted religious freedom from her non-elite, low caste, or poor Hindu citizens?

Right now, anti-conversion laws are placating elitist Hindus, whose feelings are hurt because some Hindus are converting to another religion  this is not an adequate reason to peel away the constitutionally granted rights of some Hindus, who want to leave the Hindu faith and take on another faith such as the Christian faith.

Why are Hindus converting to the Christian faith?

A few of the converts to the Christian faith are from privileged upper castes and elites, but most are not. Poor, non-elite Hindus, who make up the lower castes or from outside the caste system tend to pay closer attention to the claims of Jesus Christ in the Bible.

In the article, Indian Hindu outcasts convert to end social stigmas (Jan. 19, 2007), Krittivas Mukherjee writes: The ancient caste system has persisted in India  mostly in villages  despite the countrys spectacular economic success and exposure to Western culture... Further, Mukherjee notes, For millions of low-caste Hindus...a switch in their faith is not so much a spiritual choice as a matter of dignity. Anti-conversion laws are intended to put an end to this.

What would Emperor Ashoka say about India today?

If Emperor Ashoka came to life in India, he would be disappointed and embarrassed by the anti-conversion laws and the fear it generates among Hindus, who voluntarily seek religious conversion.

Further, non-violence-promoting Emperor Ashoka may shed tears upon seeing India listed in Open Doors annual list, The 10 Most Dangerous Places for Christians; Indias inclusion in this humiliating Top 10 list is partly attributed to the anti-conversion laws of India, which have contributed to violence against religious converts. Indias inclusion in this ignominious Top 10 amounts to a betrayal of its famous non-violent Emperor Ashoka.

India could dump its anti-conversion laws and most likely exit this humbling list.
India blocks foreign donations to Mother Teresa's Christian charity

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Indias federal government has announced it will block foreign donations to a Christian missionary group founded by Mother Teresa amid a rise in attacks on religious minorities in the country.

On Christmas Day, Indias Ministry of Home Affairs said they found adverse inputs when reviewing the Missionaries of Charitys renewal application. As a result, the faith-based nonprofit no longer meets eligibility requirements under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act.

Founded by the famed Roman Catholic nun in 1950 in Calcutta, the charity runs orphanages, schools for abandoned children as well as soup kitchens and other charitable operations. The organization is dedicated to the service of the poorest of the poor, irrespective of social class, creed or color.

We deliberately choose to show Gods concern for the poorest and the lowliest, remaining right on the ground, while offering immediate and effective service to those in need, until they can find someone who can help them in a better and more lasting way, the website notes.

The group relied largely on foreign donations to support its humanitarian work, according to The New York Times. Though the Missionaries of Charity can appeal the decision, it is now cut off from vital resources.

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, Indias government has increasingly tightened rules on foreign funding of non-governmental organizations, many of them religious. Christians make up about 2.5% of Indias population, while Hindus comprise nearly 80%, according to the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project.

Several Indian states have passed what are referred to as anti-conversion laws, which ban religious conversion by force or through financial benefits. Activists warn that such laws have intensified attacks and prosecution of Christian individuals and groups.

Earlier this month, police in Indias western state of Gujarat filed a case against the Missionaries of Charity under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act of 2003 for allegedly hurting Hindu religious sentiments and luring young girls toward Christianity in a shelter home it runs in Vadodara city.

The institution has been involved in activities to hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus intentionally and with bitterness, a report filed to the police alleged.

The girls inside the Home for Girls are being lured to adopt Christianity by making them wear the cross around their neck and also placing the Bible on the table of the storeroom used by the girls, in order to compel them to read the Bible  It is an attempted crime to force religious conversion upon the girls.

A spokesperson for the Missionaries of Charity rejected the allegations of forced conversions as unfounded. We have not converted anyone or forced anyone to marry into Christian faith, the spokesperson said.

On Monday, Bishop M. Jagjivan, the moderator of the National Christian Council, an organization representing Indias Christian community, told The Wall Street Journal that Indias government has increasingly rejected foreign-funding approvals for Christian groups, forcing many faith-run organizations to shut.

They are thinking that opposing Christianity is patriotism, the bishop said. This is not a healthy atmosphere.

In 2017, Christian child sponsorship organization Compassion International, which helped 147,000 children in India, was ceased operations in the country after it was blocked from receiving foreign funding. In response, more than 100 members of U.S. Congress wrote a letter to Indias interior minister calling on him to allow Compassion International to receive foreign funds.

Also, in 2017, India cut off Believers Church, a network founded by Gospel for Asias K.P. Yohannan, and three other associated groups from receiving foreign funds.

In 2020, the Indian government banned six other Christian groups from receiving foreign funds: New Life Fellowship Association, Evangelical Churches Association of Manipur, Ecreosoculis North Western Gossner Evangelical, and Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church.

India ranks as the 10th-worst country globally when it comes to Christian persecution on Open Doors USAs 2021 World Watch List. In 2020, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended that India be listed by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for the first time since 2004.

In 2020, religious freedom conditions in India continued their negative trajectory. The government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, promoted Hindu nationalist policies resulting in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, the report reads.

USCIRF warned that mobs attacked Christians, destroyed churches and disrupted worship services as they were fueled by false accusations of forced conversions.

Last week, a mob of 200 to 300 people stormed a Christian school in Madhya Pradesh while students were taking their exams and threw stones at the building, the schools principal said.

Earlier in December, the Christian community in Indias northern state of Haryana found a life-size statue of Jesus Christ at the entrance to their historic church desecrated and the lighting inside the premises damaged.
Kanye West says COVID-19 vaccine is 'mark of the beast;' Hank Hanegraaff responds

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Hank Hanegraaff, also known as the "Bible Answer Man," weighed in on whether or not a COVID-19 vaccine could be the mark of the beast as referenced in Revelation 13:18 in response to comments made by Kanye West.

In a July 15 episode of his Bible Answer Man broadcast, Hanegraaff shared his thoughts on the issue after West told Forbes Magazine he was extremely cautious about the idea of a coronavirus vaccination.

Its so many of our children that are being vaccinated and paralyzed. ... So when they say the way were going to fix COVID is with a vaccine, Im extremely cautious, West said. Thats the mark of the beast. They want to put chips inside of us, they want to do all kinds of things, to make it where we cant cross the gates of Heaven. I'm sorry when I say they, the humans that have the devil inside them. And the sad thing is that, the saddest thing is that we all wont make it to Heaven, that therell be some of us that do not make it.

In his podcast, Hanegraaff warned that Wests interpretation of Scripture is as misleading as it is dangerous and completely indefensible.

I say this because biblically, the mark of the beast is symbolic is quite obviously a parody of the mark of the lamb, he stressed. Biblical interpretation matters. If we interpret the Bible incorrectly, well think the Bible is a bunch of nonsense.

The mark in Revelation 13 symbolizes identity with the beast. And as such, identifying with Satan's kingdom is what will keep you out of Heaven, not getting vaccinated, said Hanegraaff. As Kanye West must surely know, the forehead and the hands of people are Old Testament symbols of their beliefs and behavior.

Hanegraaff pointed out that in Exodus 13, eating unleavened bread is likened to a sign on the hand and a reminder on the forehead of the children of Israel. And thus, the mark of the beast in Revelation is securely tethered to the Scripture.

Kanye Wests interpretation of the mark of the beast as a vaccination or silicon or microchip is tenuously tethered to thin air, he added. The multitudes who follow West should know taking on the mark of the beast is the intentional denial in thought, in word, in deed of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Rather than fearfully avoiding vaccinations, Christians should with fear and trembling resist the temptation to be conformed to the evil systems of this world, systems that play fast and loose with biblical monikers and traffic in the selling of sensationalism.

Fall in love with the Word of God all over again, rather than falling in love with the words of social icons, he advised. How about loudly accepting the mark of the lamb? How about offering up your body as a living sacrifice by being transformed by the renewing of your mind?

Such interpretations of Scripture are toxic to a watching and skeptical world, Hanegraaff warned. It is so important that we stop falling for selling in sensationalism and  we learn to read the Bible for all its substantial worth  because Christianity is the only hope for western civilization.

A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll found that about 7 in 10 Americans say they would get a vaccine to protect against the virus if immunizations were free and available to everyone.

West is not the only person to suggest a COVID-19 vaccine could be used to prepare for the distribution of the mark of the beast. Earlier this year, Pastor Curt Landry warned his viewers that any coronavirus vaccine is from the pit of Hell.

Do not pray, do not hope, do not think, Oh, praise God they are going to have a vaccine, Landry said in April. That vaccine is from the pit of Hell, OK? Do not pray for those vaccines, and do not take the vaccine. These vaccines are coming, they are not going to be good. Theyre not good for you physically, and spiritually, theyre a set-up for what shall come later.

Similarly, Pastor Ronnie Hampton, who later died from COVID-19, warned his congregation against the vaccine via social media.

Theyre gonna come up with a vaccine and in that vaccine everybody is gonna have to take it  and inside of that vaccine theres going to be some type of electronic computer device thats gonna put some type of chip in you and maybe even have some mood, mind-altering circumstances  and theyre saying that the chip would be the mark of the beast.

However, such theories have been debunked by pastors and Christian leaders. Christian scholar Matthew Halstead used biblical analysis to explain that in Revelation, the mark of the beast is by no means a medical procedure or even a physical or visible mark at all.

Contrary to some of the more fear-inducing theories that have in the past gained steam in some evangelical circles, the mark is not at all something that could be accidentally taken either, he wrote. Why? Because the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:16-18) is a mark that is closely tied to the worship of the beast (13:12, 15; cf. 19:20; 20:4). Thus, the mark of the beast is a mark of loyalty and devotion to the beast.

So you dont need to fear getting the beasts mark by taking a vaccine  unless, of course, you plan to treat the vaccine as a sort of symbolic expression or 'unholy sacrament' (sorry for the oxymoron!) of your wilful and public rejection of the Christian faith that you despise. If thats you and if thats your plan, then its not the vaccine thats the problem.
PCA founding member and megachurch pastor Frank Barker dies at 89: 'Loved all that His Savior loved'

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Frank Barker, one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church in America and founder of the Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, has died. He was 89.

The church announced on social media that the longtime pastor passed away on Monday, calling him a "faithful Pastor with a servants heart."

Barker planted Briarwood Presbyterian Church in 1960 as a storefront church with less than 20 members, according to the PCA magazine By Faith. He led the church  which today has over 4,000 members  until his retirement in 1999, according to the church website. He pastored the church through the creation of Briarwood Christian School in 1965 and the Birmingham Theological Seminary in 1972.

Barker was also a founding member of the PCA, serving as a member of the organizing committee responsible for defining standards and principles of the new denomination.

Along with the committee, he drafted constitutional documents that served as a foundation for the PCA returning to Reformed doctrine, By Faith reports.

Dubbed the flagship church of the PCA, Briarwood became the host church for the first PCA General Assembly in 1973. Barker was elected Moderator of the 14th General Assembly in 1986, held in Philadelphia.

Barker, the author of several books, including A Living Hope, Encounters with Jesus and First Timothy, was also known for his passion for missions. He helped found Campus Outreach, a network of interdenominational ministries targeting college students without faith in the U.S. and worldwide.

In a 2018 profile published by The Gospel Coalition, Barkers daughter, Peggy Townes, estimated her father led 10,000 to Christ personally and hundreds of thousands through his ministries.

News of Barkers death sparked an outpouring of reactions on social media. The Rev. Harry Reeder, who replaced Barker as senior pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian after his retirement, remembered Barker as a Father in the faith, mentor in Gospel ministry and friend in a Facebook post on Monday.

Pray for the Briarwood family as we remember and celebrate this humble, godly, visionary friend and Pastor who loved the Christ who first loved him and loved all that His Savior loved. He loved His Word, His Church, the lost and he loved living the Great Commandment and fulfilling the Great Commission, Reeder wrote.

On Twitter, author and PCA pastor Kevin DeYoung said he was sad to hear of Barkers passing, but said he was grateful for all that the Lord accomplished through his faithfulness over many years.

Ligon Duncan, chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary, wrote on Twitter he was thankful for the life and ministry of this faithful, Gospel man.

Bill Armistead, former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, described Barker as a mentor in a Facebook post Monday.

I was blessed to be in the last small group Bible Study he conducted which concluded just a couple of months ago. Rev. Barker was truly faithful to the end and he was anxiously anticipating the day he would be face to face with his Savior, he wrote.

Randy Pope, the founding pastor of Perimeter Church outside Atlanta, told By Faith how Barker became an informal mentor, particularly during his early ministry as a PCA pastor. He was a strong example of what a pastor and godly man should be. I saw in him what the walk of faith was like.

Barker graduated from Auburn University in 1953; Columbia Theological Seminary in 1960 with a bachelors degree in divinity and masters in theology; and Reformed Theological Seminary in 1988 with a doctorate in divinity.

At the time of his death, Barker was pastor emeritus at Briarwood.
Platform behind 'The Chosen' releases season 2 of clean sitcom 'Freelancers': 'People really want to laugh'

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At a time when clean sitcoms are hard to come by, the streaming platform behind The Chosen has released the second season of the popular, family-friendly crowdfunded series Freelancers.

The online comedy show on Angel App, the new platform from Angel Studios, follows five best friends trying to make it as filmmakers and start a production company with no budget, one terrible job at a time. On the heels of the success of season one of the Freelancers  which received over 7 million organic views  the cast is back for a second season.

In season two, we find our freelancers evicted from their house but not from friendship, notes the press release. After finding a new place ... they make videos for teens, daycare centers, local barbers, and even a magically enchanted theme park. They work hard together as best friends to make a dollar. Hopefully.

Natalie Madsen, the executive producer of "Freelancers," told The Christian Post that with season two of the show, viewers can expect more of what we delivered in season one but leveled up. Crazy and lovable characters, terrible jobs, and lots of love. And of course, all family-friendly.

The series features alums from BYUtvs viral sketch-comedy show, Studio C, who had gone on to create JK! Studios  and is driven largely by women.

I think we are an excellent show that happens to be run by women, Madsen said. Women, of course, have a unique view of the world, so that informs our comedy. We hope to be thought of as just funny leaders, regardless of our gender. I think female comedians are getting more and more recognition, which makes me happy. But women have always been funny and always been leaders. Exciting that we get the chance to do that now.

Angel Studios  the Provo-based group behind The Chosen and "Dry Bar Comedy"  launched the Angel app to help creators crowdfund and distribute content that amplifies positive, family-friendly content.

JK! Studios, which focuses on making family-friendly comedy, created season one of the show with a tiny production budget and no marketing money, yet it still got viewed millions of times, they said. But for season two, creators partnered with Angel Studios to crowdfund. The studios other projects have garnered billions of views worldwide.

Dallas Jenkins, the creator of "The Chosen," previously explained to CP that though operating outside of traditional Hollywood structures has its challenges  particularly regarding distribution and funding  doing so allows creators to produce family-friendly content without backlash.

We cant be canceled. Were owned by nobody. We dont have to alter our message whatsoever to please anybody. We play by our own rules, he said.

And the support for Freelancers, Madsen said, is overwhelming; creators raised more than $1 million in funding for season two.

It shows me that people really want to laugh, and laugh together. There is a need in the world and we are so lucky that we can fill it, she said, later adding: We have been so happy with how its been received and hope to grow the audience even more in 2022.

Season two debuted in November, with new episodes released each week until mid-December. Already, Madsen said the response from viewers has been amazing  and JK! Studios hopes to do two more seasons and possibly a "Freelancers" movie, in the future.

Show creators, she added, are motivated by the idea that they can provide some levity for viewers at the end of what has been a particularly difficult year for many.

The stories we hear from fans about watching it together during hard times, Madsen shared. Kids saying they watch us during chemo treatments, families watching it together after a parent has a lost a job. Helping people laugh when its hard to laugh. Thats what its all about.

Freelancers season one and two are both available on Angel.
After 8 months of marriage Christian Congressman Madison Cawthorn is getting a divorce

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Madison Cawthorn, a Republican congressman from North Carolina, announced Wednesday that he and his wife of eight months have mutually decided to get a divorce.

When my wife Cristina and I were engaged, I was not a member of Congress. I felt called to serve and we both agreed that I should run. Our victory was unprecedented, but overnight our lives changed. That change has been both hectic and difficult, its neither the pace nor the lifestyle we had planned for, Cawthorn said in a statement Wednesday evening.

From the outset, we committed to make things work, to fight for our marriage, and seek counsel for balancing the enormity of such a transition in life. Together we realized that balance was not attainable, and that we had irreconcilable differences between us. While it was an enormously difficult decision, Cristina and I have mutually decided to divorce. We ask for privacy as we work through this privately, he added.

Cawthorn, 26, and his wife, Cristina, got married on April 3, 2021, on the seventh anniversary of the car accident that left him partially paralyzed and needing the use of a wheelchair.

On April 3rd of 2014 my life changed. A car accident put me in a wheelchair and dashed my hopes for the future. On April 3rd of 2021 my life has once again changed, he announced on Twitter. Marrying Cristina Bayardelle, now Cristina Cawthorn is the greatest honor, privilege and adventure of my life.

On April 3rd of 2014 my life changed. A car accident put me in a wheelchair and dashed my hopes for the future. On April 3rd of 2021 my life has once again changed. Marrying Cristina Bayardelle, now Cristina Cawthorn is the greatest honor, privilege and adventure of my life. pic.twitter.com/bqmtAUbsIS  Rep. Madison Cawthorn (@RepCawthorn) April 4, 2021

During a speech at AmericaFest 2021 on Tuesday, Cawthorn described himself as a devout Christian and urged young conservatives to skip college because it was a scam, and be a Christian, marry young and have as many babies as they could.

Ill tell you, Im a devout Christian. Ive got a great relationship with my Lord and Savior. And so, of course, I love being able to help people. I love taking care of people. I think we should send missionaries out into the world. We should bring people to Christ, he said.

People will call me a radical for believing that you should be a Christian, you should get married young, you should have as many kids as possible, you should try and have a great job, you should be as successful as you possibly can, theyll say Im extremist for that, Cawthorn said.

I think you should homeschool. I was homeschooled all the way through, he added. I am proudly a college dropout. If you are not becoming an engineer or a doctor or a lawyer, I highly encourage you to drop out. Its a scam.

When it comes to divorce, many conservatives frown upon the idea, but the Bible allows divorce under certain circumstances, such as the infidelity of a spouse.

A new research brief from the Institute of Family Studies also suggested that religious marriages are slightly less likely to end in divorce because these couples are less likely to seek cohabitation before marriage, which is a known risk factor for divorce.

The brief, which crunched data from more than 53,000 women ages 15 to 49 from the National Survey of Family Growth from 1995 to 2019, shows how age at the time of marriage is also a factor. Depending on when marriage happens for a woman, however, the impact of religion on divorce can also have no effect.
9 Planned Parenthood CEOs paid higher salary than Dr. Fauci: report

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A new report reveals that nine Planned Parenthood CEOs are paid a higher salary than the U.S. government's highest-paid federal employee and its non-white CEOs take home less money than many of their white counterparts.

The American Life Leagues 2020 Report on Planned Parenthood CEO Compensation, published earlier this month, reveals that nine of the 10 highest-paid Planned Parenthood affiliate CEOs were paid more money than Dr. Anthony Fauci, the highest-paid federal employee. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has become the face of the U.S. governments coronavirus task force, messaging and agenda.

The statistics uncovered by the pro-life group, compiled using public taxpayer information and data available on the abortion providers website, found that the highest-paid Planned Parenthood affiliate CEO, Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, Inc., made $616,926 in 2020. The second-highest paid Planned Parenthood affiliate CEO, Stacy Cross of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, made $554,545 last year.

In a statement announcing the reports release, American Life League CEO Jim Sedlak, the chief author of the publication, noted that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s new book, The Real Anthony Fauci, reveals that at $437,000 a year, Fauci is the highest-paid federal employee in the nation. The report identified nine CEOs, including DiGiorgio Johnson, who received higher salaries than Fauci in 2020.

Sedlak also asserted that there is an obvious disparity in the way Planned Parenthood treats its executives of color. According to the report, The following three affiliates had [b]lack CEOs: PP of Greater Ohio, PP of Southwest Ohio Region, and PP of Metropolitan New Jersey.

The [b]lack CEO of PP of Southwest Ohio Region had the lowest compensation of any PP CEO in the nation  despite her affiliate having an annual income higher than 16 other PP affiliates, the report stated. Specifically, Kersha Deibel made $124,045 in 2020. The other two black CEOs identified by American Life League also found themselves among the bottom 50% of Planned Parenthood affiliate CEOs in terms of salary, making $272,720 and $199,415, respectively.

While only two of the Planned Parenthood affiliate CEOs are Latino, one of them made it onto the list of top 10 highest-paid CEOs by taking home $424,610, slightly less than Faucis annual salary. Overall, 48 of the 53 Planned Parenthood affiliates have white CEOs, accounting for more than 90% of the total. Sedlak sees the racial makeup of Planned Parenthood's leadership as significant because of the business admitted roots in eugenic efforts to keep [b]lack women from reproducing.

The American Life League report on Planned Parenthood CEO compensation comes as the abortion provider has attempted to distance itself from its founder Margaret Sanger, who had expressed support for the eugenics movement during her lifetime. Last year, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York announced that it was removing Sangers name from its building as part of an effort to reckon with our legacy and acknowledge Planned Parenthoods contributions to historical reproductive harm within communities of color.

Earlier this year, Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson authored a New York Times op-ed titled Im the Head of Planned Parenthood. Were Done Making Excuses for Our Founder. In the article, Johnson expressed disappointment that the abortion provider had excused Sangers association with white supremacist groups and eugenics as an unfortunate product of her time. Johnson leads the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the national organization that oversees the 53 affiliates.

American Life League previously published a report in November 2020 titled Planned Parenthoods Racism  In Their Own Words. The report cited a BuzzFeed article about the findings of an internal investigation documenting the childification of non-white employees.

The article defined childification as the persistent treatment of [b]lack people as children or adolescents who are unable to accomplish work independently, and viewed uniformly, such that they cannot be differentiated from one another. The 2020 report also contained statistics showing that black employees comprise 18% of Planned Parenthood Federation of Americas 556 employees.

In addition to decrying the racial disparities in the salaries of Planned Parenthoods white CEOs and their non-white counterparts, American Life Leagues most recent report seeks to shine a light on the extremely lucrative business, as described by American Life League co-founder and President Judie Brown, in light of the fact that it receives substantial taxpayer money.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates combine to make a $1.6 billion dollar business in the United States, the report concluded. Despite continually crying poverty and begging for funds from federal, state, and local governments, Planned Parenthood reported a total profit (income in excess of expenditures) of $425 million over the last three years  even after paying almost $16 million to its various CEOs and another $6 million to its top headquarters employees.

After highlighting the $618 million in taxpayer money the organization has received, the report lamented that Planned Parenthood is demanding a significant increase in government funding from the Biden administration. Sedlak asserted that It is time that the United States Congress remove Planned Parenthoods charitable organization status and quit forcing Americans to fund this profiteering parasite.
Salvation Army responds to allegations of embracing CRT, decries 'war on Christmas and the poor'

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The national commander of The Salvation Army is accusing an advocacy organization of waging a war on Christmas and the poor by publicizing the charitys apparent embrace of critical race theory, thereby causing the faith-based organization to lose support.

On Saturday, Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army, posted a video accompanied by the caption Kenny Xus War on Christmas and the Poor on his Twitter account. The video features Hodder addressing the controversy surrounding a document titled Lets Talk About Racism.

Portrayed by the charity as a resource developed to guide The Salvation Army family in gracious discussions about overcoming the damage racism has inflicted upon our world, the document was strongly condemned by the advocacy group Color Us United, which advocates for a race-blind America and works to push back on those claiming America is racist or by those who simply want to undermine Americas fundamental principles of freedom.

The resource took issue with the idea that the U.S. is a post-racial society and cited works authored by prominent advocates of critical race theory as recommended reading.

Encyclopedia Brittanica defines critical race theory as an intellectual and social movement and loosely organized framework of legal analysis based on the premise that race is not a natural, biologically grounded feature of physically distinct subgroups of human beings but a socially constructed (culturally invented) category that is used to oppress and exploit people of color.

But such definitions of CRT that fail to mention its Marxist roots are denying reality, according to Paul Kengor, professor of political science and chief academic fellow of the Institute for Faith and Freedom at Grove City College.

Kengor noted in an op-ed published in The Christian Post that the origins of CRT are the "Frankfurt School, Freudo-Marxism. He further implored academics to "explain what CRT is and isnt. Most of all, rejecting CRT doesnt mean rejecting talking about racial discrimination. It didnt in the past and it wont in the future.

"Until then, in the spirit of Marxism, critical race theory will do what it does: divide people. We need to unite people around what is true," Kengor added.

In response to the onslaught of criticism, The Salvation Army document has since been removed from its website.

Color Us United launched a petition designed to keep The Salvation Army focused on its good works and prevent it from going woke. As of Wednesday afternoon, the petition has gathered nearly 18,000 signatures out of a goal of 25,000. Additionally, the advocacy group has started the #JustSayIt campaign, urging the charity to explicitly declare that America is not a racist country.

Hey Salvation Army, #JustSayIt: America is not a racist country! pic.twitter.com/3BeSMp00VS  Color Us United (@CUU_org) December 10, 2021

Hodder began the video by elaborating on his interactions with Kenny Xu, president of Color Us United. A couple of months ago, my wife and I hosted Kenny Xu and one of his colleagues from Color Us United at our national headquarters for lunch, Hodder recalled. We knew they had questions about the Salvation Army and we were happy to answer them.

Kenny Xus War on Christmas and the Poor - A Response from Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander of The @SalvationArmyUS. pic.twitter.com/D4EhP4Tb3d  Commissioner Hodder (@natlcommander) December 19, 2021

We shared some history outlining the Armys beliefs, described its commitment to service and even talked a bit about the deep personal satisfaction that my wife and I have found in our 33 years of ministry. Above all, we made it clear that the Salvation Army has never been about politics, we are not on the left and we are not on the right.

Hodder lamented that Xu alleged in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that an internal coalition of woke ideologues now endangers the organizations representation.

After noting that Mr. Xu calls upon the Salvation Army to say that America is not a racist country, Hodder insisted that making such a statement was not necessary because weve never said otherwise. Additionally, he accused Color Us United of engaging in a campaign to discredit the Salvation Army and dissuade the public from supporting our work.

Frankly, these attacks have left me angry not because of what they might mean for the Salvation Army but because I know what they could mean to those who are hungry, to families who are at risk of losing their homes and to the survivors of natural disasters, he said. Mr. Xu has also called for the Salvation Army to eliminate positions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. Thats not going to happen, Hodder declared.

Hodder defended the work of ensuring equal opportunity and treatment within the Salvation Army as far too important not to be intentional about.

Color Us United has misrepresented a short-lived discussion guide in order to fabricate political claims and further its own agenda. Its wrong and its reckless, Hodder maintained.

We have never said that America is a racist country. We have never said that our donors should apologize for the color of their skin and we have never endorsed a political or social ideology other than that found in the Bible.

Xu addressed a letter to Hodder in response to the video, pushing back on the idea that he is working to discredit and damage the reputation of the Salvation Army. Our team watched your video with sadness, he wrote in the letter. Our respect for The Salvation Army is immense. We fully support all the good work TSA has done for decades. Rather than harm TSA, we want to prevent divisive woke programs from causing its internal demise vis a vis an overt and unnecessary fixation on race.

FINAL letter sent to Commander Hodder and the leadership of @SalvationArmyUS: pic.twitter.com/sCAEbETNsK  Kenny Xu (@kennymxu) December 21, 2021

We are merely a messenger for concerned Salvationists. They see the imposition of [diversity, equity and inclusion] trainings and narratives onto TSA as damaging to the camaraderie among Salvationists and the implementation of programs, he added.

Addressing Hodders refusal to explicitly proclaim that the U.S. is not a racist country, Xu said: We are truly saddened that you cannot bring yourself to say America is not a racist country. You proclaim you never said America is a racist country. Yet, you cannot make a positive statement about this great country that has strongly supported TSA for over 100 years.

A poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports and RMG Research on behalf of Color Us United earlier this month revealed that the embrace of critical race theory has had a negative impact on the view of The Salvation Army among donors and members of the general public.

Specifically, the survey found that the charitys favorability ratings dropped from 81% to 41% when respondents were informed about the Lets Talk About Racism campaign. Thirty-two percent of those surveyed said the charitys embrace of Lets Talk About Racism made them less likely to donate.

In an exclusive column for CP, Ryan Bomberger, the Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of The Radiance Foundation, noted: "Many dont realize that The Salvation Army is a Christian denomination  an Evangelical one  which claims to follow the mainstream of Christian belief. ... Hodder recently and emphatically proclaimed in an online video: Let me be clear. We believe only in the Bible. We endorse no social philosophy, and we never will."

"The Salvation Army wholeheartedly promotes homosexuality and transgenderism," Bomberger asserted. "In fact, on their website, they go out of their way to highlight their unquestionable support of all things LGBTQ. I love that they serve anyone in need regardless of who they are (or who they think they are). The Bible teaches us to love every human being but not every human doing.

However, he lamented that: "Without offering any scriptural support, SA features numerous videos expressing their embrace of same-sex marriage and gender confusion. Interestingly, these are offered below the banner 'HEAR OUR TRUTH.' Well, therein lies the problem. There isnt your truth, my truth, or our truth  just the Truth. Back in 2012, the Salvation Army was biblical about its position on marriage and sexuality, signing an Open Letter on Marriage and Religious Freedom. Today, theyre clearly political; it makes those big corporate partnerships possible. They not only endorse the social philosophy of Queer Theory (not my terminology but the academic label), they champion it. This isnt mainstream Christian belief.

"The Salvation Army is known for meeting human needs. But failing to distinguish between needs and wants has been leading the Salvation Army astray."
Christian women's shelter won't be forced to admit trans-identified males, federal judge rules

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Amid a yearslong legal battle, a federal judge ruled this week that the city of Anchorage, Alaskas nondiscrimination ordinance barring LGBT discrimination does not force a Christian battered womens shelter to admit trans-identified biological males.

In an order handed down Monday, Judge Sharon Gleason of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska determined that Downtown Soup Kitchen Hope Center of Anchorage does not have the standing to sue the city over a revision to its ordinance declaring that places of public accommodation cant discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity because the center is not a place of public accommodation.

Therefore, the faith-based homeless shelter created to serve battered women fleeing domestic abuse and homeless women, part of a ministry to the underprivileged that includes a soup kitchen, will not have to admit trans-identified males.

Gleason granted in part a motion from the city to dismiss the case due to lack of standing as the municipality contends that the statute does not apply to the Hope Centers shelter operations. According to the ruling, the city cited the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling this past summer in favor of a Catholic foster care agency removed from Philadelphias foster program over policies preventing placement of children with same-sex couples.

The municipality contended that the Supreme Court ruling makes clear that Hope Center is not a public accommodation.

The judge ruled that the Hope Center may seek damages for its self-censorship based on that provision for the limited time period between the ordinances passage and the Municipalitys disavowal of prosecutorial intent because section 5.20.020 arguably

applies to Hope Centers conduct.



Attorneys for Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative religious liberty legal nonprofit representing the center, praised the judges order.

Vulnerable women deserve a safe place to stay overnight, and were pleased that they can sleep soundly, at least for the time being, due to the courts order, ADF Senior Counsel Kate Anderson said in a statement. Downtown Hope Center serves everyone, but its overnight womens shelter exists to provide a safe place for women, many of whom have survived sex trafficking, rape, or domestic violence at the hands of men.

Anderson said that Anchorage officials have twice targeted the center for operating according to its religious beliefs and for serving the citys homeless population.

She hopes that the courts order puts an end to this.

Faith-based nonprofits should be free to serve consistently with their faith without fear of unjust government punishment, stated Ryan Tucker, director of ADFs Center for Christian Ministries. This is especially true for ministries that help homeless women who have suffered sexual abuse or domestic violence. Because no woman should be forced to disrobe next to a man, we are pleased the court has allowed Downtown Hope Center to continue protecting women and operating according to its religious beliefs.

Mondays decision stems from years of litigation that began when a trans-identified male, referred to as Jessie Doe in the lawsuit, filed a complaint with Anchorages Equal Rights Commission in 2018.

Doe alleged that Downtown Soup Kitchen Hope Center violated the Anchorage Municipal Code by refusing admission to the shelter. Doe allegedly showed up drunk and injured. The charity contends that it referred Doe to a hospital and paid for a taxi ride.

At the time, the municipal code declared it unlawful for a place of public accommodation to refuse, withhold from or deny to a person any of its accommodations, advantages, facilities, benefits, privileges, services or goods of that place on account of  sex [or] gender identity.

The Equal Rights Commission filed a complaint against Downtown Soup Kitchen Hope Center, accusing it of unlawful discrimination.

Later that year, the center filed a lawsuit against the city. ADF insisted in a legal brief that the shelter did not have to abide by the nondiscrimination provision because it was not a public accommodation but a religious ministry.

While a federal court sided with Downtown Soup Kitchen Hope Center in 2019 and city officials subsequently dropped their lawsuit on behalf of Doe, the city amended the municipal code earlier this year in what religious liberty advocates saw as an attempt to force the shelter to admit trans-identified males.

The Anchorage Assembly altered the definition of public accommodation to include facilities of any kind, whether licensed or not, whose goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations are made available to the general public. Previously, the definition of public accommodation only applied to a business or professional activity.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, attorney Christy Allen alleged that Anchorage was displeased with the earlier court ruling finding that the initial laws did not apply to Downtown Hope Center and they rewrote the law to basically include homeless shelters within those definitions. The change to the definition prompted the Downtown Hope Center to file another lawsuit against the city, the claims of which Gleason addressed in her Monday ruling.
Evangelicals' views toward Israel shifting after Gaza conflict: survey

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Evangelicals' views toward Israel are shifting slightly following the conflict that erupted in Gaza earlier this year, according to a newly released survey.

Commissioned by Chosen People Ministries and the Alliance forthe Peace ofJerusalem and designed by the University of North Carolina-Pembroke, researchers surveyed Evangelicals in July, which came on the heels of the 11 days of fighting in Gaza in May.

The survey, which was conducted by Barna, found that 43.5% of Evangelicals blamed both parties for the conflict, and 34.3% blamed the Palestinians. Approximately half of the respondents said they considered the state of Israel's actions justified, whereas only 21.6% said that Palestinians' actions in the conflict were justified.

The Alliance for the Peace of Jerusalem is an organization that exists to promote further dialogue among Evangelicals about Israel and the Middle East.

During those 11 days, at least 255 people died from their injuries and over 600 were injured.

Even so, 47.6% of the respondents said their support for the lone Jewish state in the world has not changed. Additionally, 26.2% indicated their support increased, 7.3% indicating their support declined, and 18.9% said they were not sure of how the latest conflict shaped their opinion.

Our goal with this survey was to better understand how recent events have impacted the evolution of [E]vangelical views regarding Israel, said Dr. Mitch Glaser, president of Chosen People Ministries in a statement.

The results reinforce that a new generation of [E]vangelicals are less supportive of Israel than their parents and grandparents, although the overall support for Israel remains constant among half of the [E]vangelicals surveyed. These respondents indicated no change in their favorable views of Israel and more than 25% said their support increased after the Gaza war.

Researchers also found that concerns about anti-Semitism are not tied to what is more broadly conceived as social justice among [E]vangelical respondents. Thus, for all practical intents and purposes, "social justice does not include non-discriminatory treatment of Jews, in their view.

This does not mean, to be sure, that American Evangelical Christians are not concerned about anti-Semitism, the researchers say. In fact, the data revealed that a majority of the respondents are significantly worried about anti-Semitism. The data also showed that though less than 40% of African Americans showed support for Israel, 58.8% said they were concerned about anti-Semitism.

In the aftermath of the Gaza conflict, UNC-Pembroke researcher found, as reported by the Brookings Institution, that attitudes had dramatically shifted between 2018 and 2021: support for Israel among young evangelicals dropped from 75% to 34%.








Man charged with killing British MP David Amess in church pleads not guilty

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A 25-year-old man believed to be behind the October stabbing of Conservative British member of Parliament David Amess at a church has pleaded not guilty to the murder and allegations he planned a terror attack for over two years.

Ali Harbi Ali, of Kentish Town in north London, made an appearance on Tuesday in London court for his pretrial hearing before the Old Bailey, the nickname of the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.

At the hearing, Ali pleaded not guilty to allegations suggesting that he researched addresses linked to members of Parliament, the houses of Parliament and conducted internet searches for attack targets over a time starting in May 2019, The Guardian reports.

The deadly stabbing occurred on Oct. 15, when Amess was conducting a constituency surgery for his Southend West constituency at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Amess suffered 17 stab wounds so severe the paramedics could not get him to the hospital before his passing. An hour after the brutal assault, Amess died on the scene at the church at around 1:13 p.m. He was 69.

Ali is facing charges of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts between May 2019 and Sept. 28, 2021.

Authorities also allege that Ali engaged in reconnaissance of locations of targets to attack and conducted internet research relating to targets to attack.

A trial date has been set for March 21, 2022, while Ali remains in custody.

In October, it was reported that police described Ali as a self-radicalized man who had previously been referred to the governments deradicalization program.

Amess was married with five children and served as a parliamentarian for 38 years. He was known for his socially conservative viewpoints and pro-life stance on abortion.

Amess family said they are proud of the life Amess lived.

Our hearts are shattered. However, there was still so much David wanted to do  this we know from the events of the last few days, said Amess family members in a statement.

The family also mentioned that Amess was strong and courageous and that nobody should die in the way he did.

He was a patriot and a man of peace. So, we ask people to set aside their differences and show kindness and love to all. This is the only way forward. Set aside hatred and work towards togetherness, continued the familys public sentiment.

Amess family hopes some good would come from the tragedy.

Whatever ones race, religious or political beliefs, be tolerant and try to understand. As a family, we are trying to understand why this awful thing has occurred, the statement reads. We are absolutely broken, but we will survive and carry on for the sake of a wonderful and inspiring man.

Others who knew Amess shared similar sentiments following his murder.

Chairman of the Southend Conservative Association, John Lamb, shared that before the killing, Amess had celebrated the wedding of one of his daughters.

He was a family man, its just tremendously sad, Lamb said, according to The Telegraph. They cant believe that Sir. Davids gone, the wife cant believe that her husband has gone and that it happened at a place he loved being. He will never go home again. Thats the disbelief.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, said he was shocked and saddened to hear about the stabbing and killing.

This death throws a sharp light onto the fact that our Members of Parliament are servants of the people, available to people in their need, especially in their constituencies, Nichols said, according to Crux. This horrific attack, as David was undertaking his constituency surgery, is an attack on our democratic process and traditions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson posted a social media statement saying Amess believed passionately in the country and its future.

The U.K. lost a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague.  All of our hearts are full of shock and sadness, Johnson expressed on Twitter in October.

One of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics.  Our thoughts are very much today with his wife, his children, and his family.

Labour leader Keir Starmer called Amess death Horrific and deeply shocking news, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey added it was a truly terrible day for British politics.


China urges US to protect its space station from satellites

BEIJING (AP)  China is urging the United States to protect a Chinese space station and its three-member crew after Beijing complained that satellites launched by Elon Musks SpaceX nearly struck the station. The foreign ministry accused Washington of ignoring its treaty obligations to protect the Tiangongs crew following the incidents in July and October. The Chinese government said in a complaint to the United Nations that the Tiangong performed evasive maneuvers on July 1 and Oct. 21 to prevent a potential collision with Starlink satellites launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. The foreign ministry said the United States should take immediate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.



Holmes jury resumes deliberations after closed-door meeting

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)  The jury weighing fraud charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes will resume their lengthy deliberations amid some intrigue raised by a closed-door meeting among her attorneys, federal prosecutors and the judge presiding the case. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila held the in camera hearing Tuesday morning with two of Holmes lawyers, Kevin Downey and Lance Wade, along with a two of the prosecutors, Jeffrey Schenk and Robert Leach, according to a court filing late Tuesday night. Holmes was not present at the 23-minute hearing. The hearing transcript has been sealed, leaving the topics that were discussed a mystery.



Widespread flight cancellations continue as omicron spreads

NEW YORK (AP)  Hundreds of flights are being cancelled as the omicron variant creates havoc both for travelers and for airlines who are having to cobble together flight crews as infections rise among pilots and flight attendants. According to data from the flight-tracking website FlightAware, 832 flights were cancelled by midday Wednesday and that number has ticked higher throughout the day. There were nearly 1,300 cancellations for flights entering, leaving or inside the U.S. on Tuesday, and about 1,500 Monday. Cancellations began to spike the day before Christmas during what is typically an already buzzing pace for airlines.

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WHO chief worried about tsunami of omicron, delta cases

BERLIN (AP)  The head of the World Health Organization says hes worried about the omicron and delta variants of COVID-19 producing a tsunami of cases between them. Top officials with the U.N. health agency cautioned Wednesday that its still too early to be reassured by initial data suggesting that the omicron variant leads to milder disease. WHOs director-general urged everyone to make a new years resolution to get behind a campaign to vaccinate 70% of countries populations by the beginning of July. Ninety-two of WHOs 194 member countries missed a target to vaccinate 40% of their populations by the end of this year,



Putin: New Germany-bound pipeline may help reduce prices

MOSCOW (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin says that a new pipeline to Germany has been fully filled with natural gas. Putin noted that it could help quickly reduce soaring European energy prices. The $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline is currently awaiting approval from Germany and the European Union. Officials warned that a decision wont come in the first half of 2022. The first of its two links was filled with gas in October. Russias state-controlled Gazprom natural gas company reported Wednesday that it had completed filling the second one to make it fully ready for operation. Putin pointed at surging energy prices in Europe. He added that Nord Stream 2 could help quickly stabilize the continents nervous energy markets.

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Indonesia to let Boeing 737 Max fly again after 2018 crash

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Indonesia is lifting its ban on Boeings 737 Max aircraft, three years after one crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 189 people on board. The Transportation Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the aircraft will be permitted to fly in Indonesia, but only after airlines carry out airworthiness directives. The ministry also will conduct inspections before letting them operate in the country. Some relatives of victims of the 2018 crash said the decision to lift the ban on the 737 Max was regrettable. Families of some crash victims have complained a $2.5 billion settlement between Boeing and the U.S. Department of Justice excluded them from involvement in negotiating their compensation.



Belgium reverses COVID cultural rules: The show must go on!

BRUSSELS (AP)  Belgian authorities have allowed for the reopening of cinemas, theaters and concert halls. The decision Wednesday handed victory to the culture sector which said it was being unfairly targeted by the rules. The government and regional authorities had come under increasing pressure to undo last weeks decision on closures. That was not even backed by scientific experts. It highlighted the widening fault line between authorities trying to keep the pandemic at bay with on-the-spot decisions and a public increasingly frustrated by limits on their personal freedoms.



The S&P 500 rose 6.71 points, or 0.1%, to 4,793.06. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 90.42 points, or 0.2%, to 36,488.63. The Nasdaq fell 15.51 points, or 0.1%, to 15,766.22. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 2.74 points, or 0.1%, to 2,249.24.
Qualys (QLYS) closed at $140.61 in the latest trading session, marking a +0.36% move from the prior day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.1%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.26%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.1%.

Heading into today, shares of the maker of security-analysis software had gained 4.3% over the past month, outpacing the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 3.66% and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 4.4% in that time.

Wall Street will be looking for positivity from Qualys as it approaches its next earnings report date. In that report, analysts expect Qualys to post earnings of $0.80 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 12.68%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $108.53 million, up 14.48% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $3.18 per share and revenue of $409.92 million, which would represent changes of +10.8% and +12.94%, respectively, from the prior year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Qualys should also be noted by investors. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant. Qualys is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Qualys's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 44.01. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 78.49, which means Qualys is trading at a discount to the group.

The Security industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 167, which puts it in the bottom 35% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

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She became a vaccine celebrity by accident.

Since being hailed as the first person in the United States to get a COVID-19 vaccine, New York nurse Sandra Lindsay has become a prominent face in the country's biggest-ever vaccination campaign.

She has been promoting the shots on panels, in Zoom town halls and at other events.

I encourage people to speak to experts who can answer their questions, to access trusted science. I let them know that its OK to ask questions, said Lindsay, who has spoken at events in the U.S. and Jamaica, where she is from.

Lindsay got her shot in a widely televised moment on December 14 of last year as the U.S. was kicking off its vaccination effort. After getting emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration just days earlier, the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines had been arriving at hospitals for high-risk health care workers.

It was a tough time for Lindsay, who saw the impact of COVID-19 up close at Northwell Healths Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens.

I just felt broken, defeated, just tired and burned out, said Lindsay, director of critical care nursing at the hospital. Witnessing the overwhelming loss of lives, loss of livelihoods.

Northwell Health said it asked for volunteers to get the shots, and that Lindsay happened to go first" among those who raised their hands. The moment was aired on TV, and she became widely regarded as the first American to get the shot outside of a clinical trial.

Since then, Lindsay has been recognized by President Biden as an Outstanding American by Choice, a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services program that recognizes citizens who have been naturalized.

With the arrival of the omicron variant and new surges around the country, Lindsay's still addressing fears and misinformation. Some mistakenly believe the shots aren't needed if they eat well and exercise, Lindsay said. Others say the vaccines are a way for the government to track people, or an experiment on Black people.

She said she acknowledges the mistrust in communities of color, which stems from past history. But she reassures people by noting she did her own research before getting her shot, and that there are safeguards in place.

Weve had millions and millions of people around the world get vaccinated without any significant adverse event, she said.

She also stresses that getting a shot will help protect others.

Some worries, like fear of needles, can be easier to address, she said.

After children became eligible for the vaccines, Lindsay offered comfort to a 9-year-old girl getting her shot at the hospital. She had to decline the girl's request to vaccinate her since she's not a pediatric nurse, but offered to hold her hand  and did.

Later, Lindsay got a letter from the girl saying how much the gesture had meant.

Looking back, Lindsay said she's grateful for the role she's been able to play: Its very rewarding to hear people come up to me and say, Thank you very much. Youve inspired me to get vaccinated'."

___

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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One thing thats hard to grasp about the climate crisis is that big changes can happen fast. In 2019, I was aboard the Nathaniel B. Palmer, a 308-foot-long scientific research vessel, cruising in front of the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica. One day, we were sailing in clear seas in front of the glacier. The next day, we were surrounded by icebergs the size of aircraft carriers.

As we later learned from satellite images, in a matter of 48 hours or so, a melange of ice about 21 miles wide and 15 miles deep had cracked up and scattered into the sea.

It was a spooky moment. Thwaites Glacier is the size of Florida. It is the cork in the bottle of the entire West Antarctic ice sheet, which contains enough ice to raise sea levels by 10 feet. The melange that disintegrated was not part of the glacier itself, but a mix of icebergs and sea ice that had cozied up next to it. Still, the idea that it could just fall apart overnight was mind-blowing.

Alex Mazur Alex Mazur

As it turns out, the ice breakup I witnessed was not a freak event. A few weeks ago, scientists participating in the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, a $25 million five-year-long joint research program between the National Science Foundation in the U.S. and the Natural Environment Research Council in the U.K., presented their latest research. They described the discovery of cracks and fissures in the Thwaites eastern ice shelf, predicting that the ice shelf could fracture like a shattered car window in as little as five years. It wont scatter out into sea as quickly as what you saw when you were down there, Erin Pettit, a glaciologist at Oregon State University and one of the lead principal investigators in the ITGC, later told me. But the basic process is the same. The ice shelf is breaking up and could be gone in less than a decade.

Given the ongoing war for American democracy and the deadly toll of the Covid pandemic, the loss of an ice shelf on a far-away continent populated by penguins might not seem to be big news. But in fact, the West Antarctic ice sheet is one of the most important tipping points in the Earths climate system. If Thwaites Glacier collapses, it opens the door for the rest of the West Antarctic ice sheet to slide into the sea. Globally, 250 million people live within three feet of high tide lines. Ten feet of sea level rise would be a world-bending catastrophe. Its not only goodbye Miami, but goodbye to virtually every low-lying coastal city in the world.

But predicting the breakup of ice sheets and the implications for future sea level rise is fraught with uncertainty. Depending on various emissions scenarios in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, we could have as little as one foot of sea level rise by the end of the century, or nearly six feet of sea level rise (of course, rising seas wont stop in 2100, but that date has become a common benchmark). The difference between those [models] is a lot of lives and money, says Richard Alley, a glaciologist at Penn State University and one of the great ice scientists of our time. Alley adds: The most likely place to generate [the worst scenario] is Thwaites.

Or to put it more urgently: If there is going to be a climate catastrophe, Ohio State glaciologist Ian Howat once told me, its probably going to start at Thwaites.

The problem is, understanding whats going on at Thwaites is fiendishly complex. As I wrote in 2017:

The trouble with Thwaites, which is one of the largest glaciers on the planet, is that its also what scientists call a threshold system. That means instead of melting slowly like an ice cube on a summer day, it is more like a house of cards: Its stable until it is pushed too far, then it collapses.

Thwaites is very different from other big glaciers, such as those in Greenland. For one thing, it is not melting from above, due to warmer air temperatures. Its melting from below, due to warmer ocean water eating away at its underbelly. More importantly, the terrain beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet is peculiar. Think of it as a giant soup bowl filled with ice, Sridhar Anandakrishnan, an expert in polar glaciology at Penn State University, once told me. In the bowl analogy, the edge of the glacier  the spot where a glacier leaves the land and begins to float  is perched on the lip of the bowl 1,000 feet or more below sea level. Scientists call that lip the grounding line. Below the lip, the terrain falls away on a downward slope for hundreds of miles, all the way to the Transantarctic Mountains that divide East and West Antarctica. At the deepest part of the basin, the ice is about two miles thick.

What this means is that once the warm water gets below ice, it can flow down the slope of the bowl, weakening the ice from below. Through a mechanism called marine ice-cliff Instability, you can get what amounts to a runaway collapse of the ice sheet that could raise global sea levels very high, very fast.

Thats why, when I wrote my 2017 Rolling Stone story about Thwaites, I dubbed it The Doomsday Glacier. (The name stuck  if you type the phrase into Google now, you get half a million hits.)

In a worst-case scenario, how fast could Thwaites collapse? No one knows. The IPCC data is the best guide for sea level rise for the rest of this century, although Alley cautions me that even six feet of sea level rise by 2100 is not the worst-case scenario.

We just dont know what the upper boundary is for how fast this can happen, Alley says. We are dealing with an event that no human has ever witnessed before. We have no analog for this.

In the past few years, scientists have made a lot of progress in understanding the dynamics of Thwaites. On our 2019 cruise, scientists discovered troughs in the seabed that allowed warm water to flow underneath the ice shelf. Scientists have mapped the underside of the glacier itself, tracked crevasses in the ice shelf, and located pinning points that might slow the retreat of the ice. The change has been dramatic: The net rate of ice loss from Thwaites Glacier is more than six times what it was in the early 1990s, says Rob Larter, a geophysicist with the British Antarctic Survey who was the chief scientist on my trip to Antarctica in 2019.

The recent news about Thwaites eastern ice shelf breaking up in the next five years was not really a surprise to anyone who has been tracking the science closely. After the sudden disintegration of the Larsen B ice shelf in 2002, scientists realized that Antarctica was far less stable than many had believed. The discovery of cracks and fissures at Thwaites further underscore just how dynamic the changes already underway are.

Erin Pettit Erin Pettit

To be clear, there is a big difference between an ice shelf and the glacier itself. The ice shelf is like a thumbnail that grows out from the glacier and floats on the ocean. Because it is already floating, when it melts it doesnt in itself contribute to sea level rise (just as when ice cubes melt in your glass, they dont raise the level of liquid).

But ice shelves are important because they buttress glaciers. Like the flying buttresses of Notre Dame, they give the walls of ice stability. And when they break up, the land-based glacier is free to flow much faster into the sea. And that does raise sea levels.

So yeah, if Thwaites loses a significant part of its ice shelf in five years, thats a big deal.

But even if a big part of the ice shelf does crack up, there is a lot of unknown complexity in how it will play out. A first question is, if the ice-shelf breakage continues, will the whole ice shelf be lost, or will a short ice shelf remain, at least in some places? Richard Alley emailed me. Almost all ice-shelf ice is buttressing, generating friction that holds back the non-floating ice, so loss of part, most or all of the ice shelf will increase flow of non-floating ice into the ocean. But the most-important buttressing tends to arise closest to the grounding zone, so if a short ice shelf does remain, it may still provide important buttressing, and the speedup of flow and thinning will be smaller than they could be with full ice-shelf loss.

Here you see the problem. Even predicting how the crackup of the ice shelf will impact the flow of the glacier is difficult to estimate.

And this is only one of the uncertainties that scientists face when trying to predict whether or not Miami will be underwater by 2100. There is further uncertainty in exactly where and when the ice will fracture, how much warm water will be pushed up beneath the glacier by changing winds and ocean currents, how the character of the bed the glacier rests on will speed up or slow down the glaciers slide into the sea. Whether the bed is hard rock or muddy till can have a big impact on the velocity of the glacier, just as the texture of snow affects how fast you ski down a mountain. Ice is alive, says Pettit. It moves and flows and breaks in ways that are difficult to anticipate.

Paradoxically, the more scientists learn about whats going on at Thwaites, the more divergent the latest climate models have become about its future. Consider the results of two models by highly respected scientists published side by side in Nature earlier this year. One model suggests that Thwaites stays fairly stable until temperatures rise above 2 C of warming. Then all hell breaks loose. Thwaites begins to fall into the sea like a line of dominoes pushed off a table and soon takes the rest of the West Antarctic ice sheet with it. And once the collapse begins, according to this model, it will be impossible to stop  at least on any human time scale. In a century or so, global sea levels could rise 10 feet, which would swamp South Florida and Bangladesh and many other low-lying regions of the world.

In the other model, global sea level rise only differs by 4 inches between a 1.5 C global temperature rise and a 3 C temperature rise (which is a little above where we are headed with under current emissions scenarios). And much of that comes from increased melt in Greenland and mountain glaciers. As for Antarctica, the paper says explicitly: No clear dependence on emissions scenario emerges for Antarctica.

So what to make of all this?

The current divergence among model predictions is actually a good sign because it means that scientists are probing different parameterizations, representations of processes, and hypotheses, writes Jeremy Bassis, a geophysicist at the University of Michigan. Bassis suggests not focusing so much on the long-term uncertainty and highlighting instead what scientists know about the next few decades. The skill of models in predicting sea level change on decadal time scales is high, and we already have actionable projections on these time scales. We should be emphasizing that fact in discussions with community members, stakeholders, and decision-makers, so they can move ahead with important adaptation and mitigation planning.

But in the long run, it is not clear that the dynamics of ice sheet collapse that are underway at Thwaites can be stopped. As glaciologist Eric Rignot put it in 2015, in Antarctica, the fuse has been blown. Even if we cut carbon emissions to zero tomorrow, warm water will continue to flow beneath the ice sheet for decades, destabilizing the ice and further pushing the glacier toward eventual collapse. This doesnt means that cutting carbon pollution to zero isnt an important goal  nothing, in fact, is more important or more urgent. We may have a small safety margin in Antarctica, but not a large one, says Alley. Even if the fuse is blown, cutting emissions fast could slow it all down to a millennium-long crack-up that will give us more time to adapt. One way or another, our future is written in ice.

Contributing editor Jeff Goodell has written extensively about the Doomsday Glacier. You can listen to an audio account of his trip to Thwaites here.
Denzel Washington strides forward, stares straight at the camera and delivers an order: Speak, if you can. What are you? Its a grey day, and Macbeth is standing with his adjutant Banquo on a beach somewhere, were not exactly sure.

What is clear is that three witches are about to seal his fate. They are played by Kathryn Hunter in a performance that is emotionally and visually spellbinding. Its one of several astonishing moments in an endlessly surprising film.

With The Tragedy of Macbeth, director Joel Coen and cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel cracked a code that has baffled filmmakers for decades. They capture the immediacy of theater and the intimacy of film, all in a square, black-and-white box. Its a spiky, fleet-footed version of Shakespeare that communicates directly to viewers.

Theater is abstract to begin with, Joel Coen explains about choosing an approach to the movie. When you do something in black and white, its instantly abstracted, youve already abstracted the image. But youve abstracted it in a way that is also immediately intelligible to everybody.

Coen is screening his film at CCK Jordanki, a huge auditorium that resembles something out of Bedrock City. Its the opening night of EnergaCAMERIMAGE, the film industrys annual celebration of cinematography in Torun, Poland. He huddles with cinematographer Ed Lachman before climbing onstage to introduce the film with Delbonnel.

The two will meet several times with press and fans, embracing the festivals informality by taking questions from students, professionals, volunteers, basically anyone. Some answers are more pointed than others (Thats a student kind of question, Delbonnel snarks), but Coen and Delbonnel are refreshingly open about their process.

Coen admits he wasnt interested in the project at first, turning his wife Frances McDormand down when she asked him to direct a stage version. I wouldnt know what to do, he says. But if you want, Ill think of it as a movie.

Coen didnt think of Macbeth as a movie in a literal sense: Lets go outside and find a castle and have people riding on the heath on horses, and shoot it in real locations. What he wanted to do was find a purely cinematic way to perform the play.

Movies are about what youre looking at, he argues. From what angle are you looking at it? How long are you looking at it? Those are things that a director or the movie itself governs. Thats not what a play is.

Coen also tried to avoid the temptation to provide a new skin to the more-than-400-year-old source material (scholars date Macbeth somewhere between 1606 and 1607). Shakespeare on the moon or in Sarajevo, Richard the Third during the Third Reich  we wanted to strip the play to its essence, as opposed to overlaying it withsome other, more brutal kind of interpretation. Often I think thats the mistake people make when trying to make Shakespeare contemporary.

Early in preproduction, Hunter sent Coen a book about Edward Gordon Craig, a theatrical set designer in the early twentieth century.

Craig thought it was wrong to run towards realism when you do Shakespeare, the director says. The way he put it, the plays are more dreamlike. They shouldnt be in a conscious place, but in a less real place. That was a kind of lodestar in terms of directing and photography.

When he called me three years ago, Delbonnel adds, he said, I dont want to go to Scotland. Its going to be a very fast shoot, everything on a stage, thats it.

We decided to be very abstract, he continues. So basically a wall is just a wall. Its not a Gothic wall or a Roman wall, its just something separating one space from another. Thats it. Since Im not identifying a wall, I became interested in not justifying the light either. 

Most cinematographers today would be afraid to make a decision like that. Their movies are built around realistic schemes in which lighting sources are clearly identified. A face is lit by a lamp or a window or daylight.

But Delbonnel didnt use practicals for the most part. Instead, he designed lighting for each scene, each individual shot. When Macbeth descends a staircase after murdering the grooms, for example, the lighting doesnt match the previous scene. It was about building a scheme that follows the language of Shakespeare and the way Joel wants the scene to play. Its kind of a musical score.

Take Macbeths soliloquy, Is this a dagger which I see before me? Coen and Delbonnel stage it in a corridor lined with columns and arches. Washington slips in and out of shadows as he recites Macbeths lines. The camera dollies before him, the lens pushing in on his face. Theres a shot from his point-of-view, a shot of his feet. Very simple in terms of blocking, as Delbonnel says.

The first discussion I had with Bruno about the way to do it was about having the light and shadow be a rhythmic element as hes walking down the corridor, Coen says.

Theres something about the rhythm that I dont understand, Delbonnel admits. Shakespeares English is too complicated. On top of that, there is something very specific to English poetry which doesnt exist in French poetry. But that doesnt mean I had to give up.

As Bruno said, the language has a meter. The footsteps have a meter, Coen adds. But the production footsteps werent always falling where I wanted them to fall.

Coen had his editor replace Washingtons footsteps with a new recording of footsteps. Then the director decided to shorten the scene, which meant reconciling when Washington went in and out of shadow.

Macbeth is in shadow at the beginning of the scene, Delbonnel points out. I could have lit it, but why? It would have been totally different. Here, he starts walking, and Shakespeares meter, Joels blocking, the lighting  everything works together. And the whole movie is based on this one scene.

Since the movie is set in medieval times and shot in black-and-white, many festivalgoers wanted to compare it to Ingmar Bergmans films. Delbonnel will admit that his work is a homage in part to Gunnar Fischer, Bergmans cinematographer on The Seventh Seal. But The Tragedy of Macbeths visual inspirations run deeper.

Mary Zophres costumes evoke Dies Irae/Day of Wrath, Carl Th. Dreyers seminal witchcraft drama, for example.

We were looking at Dreyer, Coen agrees. Also at [F.W.] Murnau, in terms of how he did the exteriors for Sunrise. We looked at movies that had the same parameters  like ones that were set-bound.

I think our inspiration was more about how filmmakers solved problems, Delbonnel says. [Dreyers] The Passion of Joan of Arc is a good example of how you work with sets, with closeups. Because the closeups in Joan of Arc are fabulous.

One technique that intrigued Delbonnel was moving lights during a scene.

I was physically moving lights, which is very complicated, he says. You put the editor in a very complex situation because its difficult to match shots.

As Lady Macbeth sits on her bed, the lights on the wall behind her subtlely shift up and down, intensifying her characters psychological instability. Worried that he was drawing attention to the effect, Delbonnel slowed down his motion  only to learn that Coen sped it up again in post-production.

The light was moving on the wall behind her, but it wasnt on her face, Coen remembers. I showed it to Bruno and I said, This is very interesting, but maybe we made it too slow. And Bruno said, Well, its a simple matter to rotoscope her out and change the speed of the light behind her. So thats what we did in that particular case, which we couldnt obviously do if the light was moving all over the set and also on a characters face.

That give-and-take marks the way Coen and Delbonnel collaborate. The cinematographer previously worked with both Coen brothers on Inside Llewyn Davis and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

I think anybody observing us from afar would think were having very frank and no-drama conversations about everything, Coen remarks. This movie was a little bit different because we had the luxury of a very long conversation before we started pre-production. That luxury turned out to be absolutely essential, because we had somehow come to a meeting of minds in terms of what direction we were going. Even though we may not have known all the specifics.

For me, our collaboration is all about What if?, says Delbonnel. Even on the set its about, What if we do this? But its a question  its not, We should do this. And Joel might answer, But what if we do that instead? So it becomes answering with another question and then suddenly its obvious that the camera has to be here, or thats what we should do. So its really an open conversation.

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The post How Joel Coen and Bruno Delbonnel Breathed New Life Into Macbeth, 400 Years Later appeared first on InsideHook.
On a recent winters day, the protracted legal fight between Montgomery County Judge Wayne Mack and a national organization appeared to take a pause as an Islamic prayer filled a Willis courtroom.

In the name of God, the most merciful, compassionate, Oh, God, bless us all. Guide us through the straight path, said Imam Dr. Rihabi Mohamed during his invocation.

As he spoke about 15 or so people standing at the courtroom pews bowed their heads with their eyes closed. Many with folded their hands front of their person.

After Macks 2014 election to the Precinct 1 justice of the peace position, he instituted a countywide volunteer chaplaincy program to respond to grieving family members following an unexpected death. Mack, along with four other county JPs, acts as a coroner.

The chaplains prayers before proceedings in Macks Class C misdemeanor and small claims court has been the focal point of a federal lawsuit brought forth twice since 2017 by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which advocates separation of church and state.

Mohamed is one of three Muslim chaplain members. As of this month, there were more than 60 chaplains from different faiths in the program, according to Mack.

A chaplain is that bridge between the secular and faith, and kind of a bridge between that dark time, whatever it may be. When they come to a scene, theyre not a Christian, theyre not a Muslim, theyre not a rabbi. Theyre a chaplain, Mack said in his chambers.

Chaplains work on a rotation with two to three people on call, visiting families at the behest of the bereaved. Some mourners request a chaplain of a specific faith.

In the event somebody gets the worst news of their life, theyre here to be there for them, Mack said of the chaplains.

The prayer, which takes place before court proceedings, is a way of honoring the countys chaplains, Mack has argued.

The FFRF has disputed this characterization, insisting the second-term judge uses his bench to evangelize Christianity in his courtroom. The suit includes as co-plaintiff a lawyer who contends he felt he could not refuse prayer in Macks courtroom without there being prejudice from the judge.

Earlier this year, a federal judge agreed with the plaintiffs.

In his May 22 decision, Southern District of Texas Judge Kenneth Hoyt wrote Mack used the chaplaincy program to advance Gods larger purpose, adding such a magnanimous goal flies in the face of historical tradition, and makes a mockery of both, religion and law.

The Plano-based nonprofit Liberty First Institute, which focuses on religious liberty issues, and the Los Angeles-based Gibson, Dunn & Crutche are Macks counsel and have since appealed in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Sept. 22 appeal states Macks case is materially indistinguishable from the 2014 U.S. Supreme Court decision Town of Greece v. George Galloway, where a similar prayer practice was upheld.

Mohameds invocation and those of other chaplains remain in place as the court of appeals on July 9 granted a motion to stay. The imam has been a part of the chaplaincy program for four years and attends Macks courtroom as chaplain at least once a month.

In Mohameds latest visit to Macks courtroom, the bailiff announced the upcoming prayer, informing court attendees they were were free to leave during the brief interlude if they so chose to.

Your participation will have no effect on your business today or decisions of this court, the bailiff said, instructing people present on the opportunity they had to leave during the chaplains words.

No one left.

Close to four minutes later, the bailiff announced Mack. The people standing at the courtroom pews applauded as Mack named Mohamed, who was accompanied by his two young sons, and Tom Ramey, of Lone Star Cowboy Church, as chaplains. The judge explained the chaplaincy program, describing the moment as a means of honoring the two men.

Though all attendees appeared in meditation as the imam prayed, Mack would have been oblivious as he stood behind the bench, his back facing attendees.

Standing in the judges chambers before being introduced in the courtroom, Mohamed said he previously asked Mack why, as a judge and as a Christian, he invited clergy of Muslim and Jewish faiths to his court.

He said, Because I believe justice comes from God and God created us. God brought His love and justice. And we seek justice from Him. And we believe in Him. As God, He will support us and give us a wise decision, Mohamed recalled the judge telling him.

jose.gonzalez@chron.com

twitter.com/jrgzztx
When reflecting on the past year, its sometimes shocking to be reminded of certain events that happened less than 12 months ago.

Weve probably all had that moment where we said, That happened this year? No way. This year? Really?

That sentiment is especially true for American politics, as storylines in Washington D.C. can shift by the hour.

This time last year, former President Donald Trump was still in office, Jan. 6 was just the sixth day of the first calendar month, Andrew Cuomo had future presidential aspirations and less than 0.01% of Americans were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Also, remember that photo (meme) of Bernie Sanders wearing mittens? Yep. That was this year.

A lot has changed.

Here's a look back at some of the highlights  and lowlights  from the political world in 2021.



Jan. 5, 2021

Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock won U.S. Senate seats in the runoff election in Georgia. Riding the momentum of the 2020 presidential election, Georgia turned into a blue state, at least on the federal level, after ousting former senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. The wins were momentous, knotting up the partisan divide in the Senate at 50-50, though giving Democrats control of the upper chamber with Vice President Kamala Harris deciding vote.

Jan. 6, 2021

Supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an effort to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election. The violence led to countless injuries, five deaths, including one protester that was shot inside the Capitol, and massive damage to the national landmark. Four Capitol police officers who responded to the events died by suicide shortly after the attack.

Jan. 20, 2021

Despite Trump's constant and unfounded claims of election fraud as well as the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol earlier that month, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Sen. Bernie Sanders watched on straight-faced with his legs crossed, wearing his puffy parka and eye-catching mittens.

Feb. 13, 2021

The Senate acquitted Trump following his second impeachment. Fifty-seven senators voted to convict Trump for inciting the Jan. 6 attack, including seven Republicans. However, the chamber was 10 votes short of the necessary votes to officially convict the only president ever impeached twice.

Feb. 18, 2021

Sen. Ted Cruz was called out for traveling to Cancun, Mexico, during the Texas power crisis. Massive, uncharacteristic winter storms smacked the Lone Star State in February, causing widespread infrastructure failure and leaving nearly 5 million homes and businesses without power. At least 210 people were killed as a result of the storms. Cruz faced scrutiny after he was caught leaving his fellow Texans behind to ride out the storms in Mexico, instead of staying to assist in the recovery efforts. He cut the trip short and returned home, but the political damage was done.

Mar. 11, 2021

Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The COVID-19 relief bill included, among other things, $1,400 checks to individuals, extended unemployment benefits, student loan moratorium, grants made available to small businesses, funding for state and local municipalities and the expanded child tax credit.

April 19, 2021

All U.S. adults became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. To date, more than 73% of people in the United States have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Nearly 62% are fully vaccinated, and a little more than 20% have received a booster shot.

May 12, 2021

The House GOP ousted Rep. Liz Cheney from her leadership position. It was a clear signal as to the future of the Republican Party  Donald Trump is the unquestioned leader. Cheney, a frequent Trump critic, was replaced by New York Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Jun. 17, 2021

Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing June 19 as a federal holiday to recognize the day slavery officially ended in the United States.

July 1, 2021

The House of Representatives voted in favor of forming a select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. As of December 2021, the committee had interviewed over 250 people, and issued subpoenas for at least 52 phone and written records for the investigation.

Aug. 10, 2021

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned after an investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James corroborated allegations of sexual misconduct against the once-revered Democratic politician. Former Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul replaced Cuomo as governor.

Aug. 30, 2021

The last U.S. troops left Afghanistan, marking the end of Americas longest war. The rushed and disorderly withdrawal was not without mistake. Most notably, the bombing at the Kabul airport on Aug. 26, which killed 170 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. military members. The U.S.-backed Afghan government was quickly overthrown, and the Taliban resumed power for the first time since 2001.

Sep. 1, 2021

Texas controversial abortion bill took effect, kicking off a series of legal challenges that have carried into 2022. The uniquely-written legislation allows private citizens to sue any doctor that provides an abortion after the unborn childs heartbeat is detected, which usually occurs around the six-week mark of a pregnancy.

Sep. 14, 2021

California Gov. Gavin Newsom staved off recall efforts to remain head of the Golden State. The Democrat received criticism for his handling of the pandemic. However, more than 60% of Californians voted no in the recall election, allowing Newsom to claim victory over at least a dozen Republican challengers, headlined by radio host Larry Elder.

Nov. 2, 2021

Election Day 2021 took place. Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe to become Virginia's 74th governor and Democrat Phil Murphy overcame Republican Jack Ciatterelli to become the first Democratic New Jersey governor to win reelection since 1977. Plus, Eric Adams and Michelle Wu were elected mayor of New York and Boston, respectively.

Nov. 5, 2021

Congress passed one of its top priorities coming into the year: A $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Biden signed the bill into law 10 days later. The landmark legislation included funding for roads, bridges, broadband access, clean water, electric grid renewal and more.

Dec. 14, 2021

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows was held in contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the investigation into Jan. 6. Meadows joined former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon as the only two so far to be held in contempt. Bannon was also indicted by a federal grand jury.

Dec. 19, 2021

Sen. Joe Manchin, the centrist Democrat from West Virginia, announced he would not support Bidens $2 trillion social and environmental protection spending bill, tanking the partys signature legislation just a couple of weeks before 2022. The announcement capped off a year where Manchin wielded an outsize influence in Washington for a senator. With the Democrats narrow margin of control in the Senate, his more conservative opinions essentially set the bar for the party, and his vote decided what Biden could and couldnt get done in the presidents first year in office.
Sunday, Jan. 2

On this date in 1868, the contract was signed for construction of the first Pima County Courthouse.

On this date in 1912, Professor G.E.P. Smith of the Department of Agriculture, University of Arizona, arrived in Douglas to install complete meteorology equipment on the Gadsden Hotel's roof.

On this date in 1949, James Stuart Douglas  founder of the city of Douglas, founder and first President of the Banks of Bisbee and Douglas, developer of the Verde Extension mining properties near Jerome and father of Lewis W. Douglas, ambassador to Great Britain  died.

Monday, Jan. 3

On this date in 1787, mountaineer Bill Williams was born. The city of Williams and the Bill Williams River were named after him.

On this date in 1912, the Bisbee Daily Review announced that more than 6,000 acres (24.3 square kilometers) of land in the Chino and Lonesome valleys near Prescott had been homesteaded during the previous 90 days.

On this date in 1924, 117 automobiles became stalled in the mud near Casa Grande. The vehicles had to be towed to the Southern Pacific tracks, where they bumped over the ties before reaching a stretch of road they could negotiate.

Tuesday, Jan. 4

On this date in 1883, the Hualapai Indian Reservation was established in Mohave County by Executive Order.

On this date in 1921, Morris Goldwater was elected mayor of Prescott along with his entire slate of candidates for the City Council.

On this date in 1936, the Hadji Ali Monument at Quartzsite, erected on the grave of the Greek camel driver who came to the U.S. in 1857 with the first shipment of camels, was dedicated.

On this date in 1999, Arizona inaugurated five female statewide office holders, including Gov. Jane Hull, making it the first state to have an all-female line of succession.

Wednesday, Jan. 5

On this date in 1904, the Arizona Cattle Growers Association was organized in Phoenix.

On this date in 1908, Goldwaters Department Store in Phoenix added a shoe department.

On this date in 1921, orders were received by Adj. Gen. Walter S. Ingalls from Washington, D.C., to ship all horses used by cavalry troops of the Arizona National Guard to Carlsbad, New Mexico. All cavalry were to be converted into the 158th Infantry.

On this date in 1936, The Associated Press wire service was established in Phoenix. Two teletypewriters linked Arizona directly for the first time to the worldwide AP network.

On this date in 1964, Gov. Paul Fannin officially opened the University of Arizonas new solar-powered desalinization plant  the worlds largest in Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

Thursday, Jan. 6

On this date in 1880, Tom Mix, famous early Western movie star who at one time lived in Arizona, was born.

On this date in 1881, a post office was established in Galeyville, a town that became a notorious outlaw hangout. Its leading citizen was Curly Bill Brocius.

On this date in 1894, the Prescott chief of police and the town constable fought a gun duel over an arrest made by the constable. The police chief was shot twice and seriously wounded.

On this date in 1912, the Montezuma Oil Co., in which Buffalo Bill Cody owned a part interest, began drilling operations in a search for oil near Agua Caliente Springs in Maricopa County. Other companies were also exploring near Fort Huachuca and Vail.

On this date in 1975, Raul Castro becomes Arizonas first Hispanic governor.

Friday, Jan. 7

On this date in 1912, Gov. Richard E. Sloan wrote to the governors of every state in the Union asking each of them to declare that Arizonas Admission Day be observed as a national holiday.

On this date in 1947, Henry Chee Dodge, the first chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council, died at Sage Memorial Hospital at age 86.

Saturday, Jan. 8

On this date in 1774, Juan Bautista de Anza and Fr. Francisco Garces set out from Tubac with a party of 34 men to establish a route to California. They traveled to Monterey by way of El Camino del Diablo and returned by the Gila River.

On this date in 1906, the Arizona Supreme Court judges wore black robes for the first time.

On this date in 1929, the Lees Ferry Bridge was opened across the Colorado River at Marble Canyon.

On this date in 2011, a shooting outside a Tucson supermarket leaves six people dead and 13 others, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, wounded.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)  Police say they have arrested a man in connection with the vandalism of a Tucson synagogue and are investigating an unrelated attack at a local mosque.

Detectives announced Wednesday they arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of aggravated criminal damage after reviewing surveillance video taken Kol Ami Tucson. The man was in jail for allegedly assaulting a officer when police arrested him.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Much of Asia has largely managed to keep omicron at bay even as the variant rages in other parts of the world, but the region that is home to most of the globes population is bracing for what may be an inevitable surge.

Strict quarantine rules for arrivals and widespread mask wearing have helped slow the spread of the highly contagious variant in Asia. Countries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand quickly reinstated entry and quarantine restrictions in recent weeks after relaxing them in the fall.

But cases are mounting, and experts say the next few months will be critical. Those fears have been amplified by doubts about the effectiveness of the Chinese-made vaccines used in China and much of the developing world.

Once the pace picks up, its upsurge would be extremely fast," said Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top medical adviser to Japans government.

In India, which has been getting back to normal after a devastating COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year, omicron is once again raising fears, with more than 700 cases reported in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people.

The capital, New Delhi, banned large gatherings for Christmas and New Years, and many other states have announced new restrictions, including curfews and vaccination requirements at stores and restaurants.

At the crowded Chandni Chowk market in New Delhi, many people were shopping without masks this week. Cycle rickshaw driver Mahesh Kumar said he is afraid of passengers who dont wear masks.

There are many people who dont believe in this disease. They think it doesnt exist. But I am very scared. I have children and a family, he said. If something happens to me, who will take care of them?

Australia is already dealing with multiple COVID-19 surges, with a state leader saying Wednesday that omicron is moving too quickly." Elsewhere, Thailand has topped 700 cases, South Korea has more than 500 and Japan, over 300. China, which has some of the strictest virus controls in the world, has reported at least eight.

Only four cases have been reported in the Philippines, where people flocked to shopping malls ahead of Christmas and to Mass in the biggest Roman Catholic nation in Asia. Some hospitals have even begun dismantling COVID-19 wards in a move experts say could prove to be premature.

Japan managed to delay the spread of the new variant for about a month largely thanks to its reimposition of entry restrictions, mandatory COVID-19 tests for all arrivals and the isolation of all passengers on a flight if anyone tested positive for omicron.

But the barrier was broken last week when the first locally transmitted cases were confirmed in the neighboring cities of Osaka and Kyoto. Experts are urging the government to prepare for an imminent wave of infections by increasing testing, speeding up booster shots and preparing more beds at hospitals.

We want to believe the omicron cases could be mild, but its fast-paced infections could quickly multiply the number of patients and could still overwhelm hospitals, Omi said.

Taiwan, where wearing a face mask is near universal in major cities, has started to offer booster shots of the Moderna vaccine and is urging people get a third shot before an expected influx of people returning home for Lunar New Year at the end of January.

Preliminary research has shown that booster shots of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines offer continued, though diminished, protection against omicron.

However, a Hong Kong University study that has yet to be published found that Chinas widely used Sinovac vaccine does not generate enough antibodies to protect against omicron, even with a booster shot, according to a university news release. Hong Kong offers both the Sinovac and Pfizer vaccines.

Sinovac did not respond to a request for comment. Chinese officials have said their vaccines are still effective.

Our inactivated vaccines are still rather reliable and cover a range of antigens. Therefore, they wont be completely ineffective against omicron, Zhong Nanshan, a top government doctor, said at a public forum.

Some countries that relied on the Chinese vaccines are turning to others for boosters.

Thailand, which largely used Sinovac and Sinopharm, another Chinese vaccine, is offering booster shots of AstraZeneca or Pfizer. Indonesia, where Sinovac has been the mainstay of a campaign to vaccinate its 270 million residents, is offering a Moderna booster for health care workers. The government is also planning boosters for the general population in January, though it hasnt said which vaccine.

Chinas attitude toward the virus, omicron or not, is to stop transmission in its tracks, and the country appears to be getting even tougher with the approach of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February.

Officials locked down the city of Xian, a city and administrative area of 13 million people last week, amid a delta outbreak that has infected hundreds of people. On Monday, they ordered everyone to stay at home until another citywide round of testing was completed.

Residents complained on social media about the sudden ban. Many were relying on instant noodles and other packaged food. Some worried how they would get enough food in the coming days, especially fresh vegetables.

China quarantines those arriving from abroad for weeks, depending on the province, with three weeks being the most common.

How Chinas zero-COVID-19 policy will play out at the Olympics is a major question. Athletes and visitors will not be allowed to leave the Olympic zones, and those attending such as officials, journalists and venue staff will be tested every day.

To contain a deadly delta-driven surge in South Korea, the government this month restored its toughest distancing rules with a four-person limit on private gatherings and a 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants.

Health experts predict its only a matter of time before omicron comes.

Omicron has such a high transmission rate that its too obvious that itll become the dominant variant in South Korea at some point, said Jaehun Jung, a professor at Gachon University College of Medicine in South Korea.

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Associated Press staffers Busaba Sivasomboon in Bangkok, Thailand, Jim Gomez in the Philippines, Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, Krutika Pathi and Rishabh Jain in New Delhi, Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Japan and Olivia Zhang in Beijing contributed to this report.
DURHAM, N.C. (AP)  Mary Alice Jervay Thatch, the third-generation editor and publisher of a historic Black newspaper in North Carolina and a driving force behind the pardons of the Wilmington 10, has died. She was 78.

Thatch died Tuesday at Duke University Hospital in Durham, but a cause of death was not available, according to her cousin, Paul R. Jervay Jr., who considered her a human dynamo.

Thatch was the daughter of Thomas C. Jervay Sr., the publisher of The Wilmington Journal. Her grandfather, printer R.S. Jervay, started the newspaper as the Cape Fear Journal in 1927, decades after a mob of white supremacists burned The Daily Record, the African American newspaper, to the ground in the 1898 Wilmington Massacre.

Thatchs father was an activist-journalist with his heart and soul devoted to the community, Jervay said Wednesday. Thatch carried on her fathers legacy when she succeeded him in 1996. She took on the fight for pardons for the Wilmington 10, nine Black men and one white woman wrongly convicted for the 1971 firebombing of a grocery store.

In 2012, outgoing Gov. Beverly Perdue issued pardons of innocence for the group. Thatch, who had urged the National Newspaper Publishers Association to advocate for the pardons, was named the organizations journalist of the year in 2013.

We will always fervently uphold her legacy and contribution to the Black Press of America and especially her leadership of the North Carolina Black Publishers Association (NCBPA). God bless, Ben Chavis, one of the Wilmington 10 and now NNPA president, said in a statement.

The pardons were Thatchs major accomplishment on the national stage, but on the local level, she made the newspaper a reflection of Wilmingtons African American community.

She had a knack for organization toward a purpose, Jervay said.

Thatch was the president of the North Carolina Black Publishers Association at the time of her death and her energy and foresight made that organization what it is today, said Jervay, who handles media services for the NCBPA.

To her family, she was welcoming, even when you found yourself in an unfortunate situation.

She was always glad to see you, regardless of where you were in life, Jervay said. She was the first one there to help. She was totally family oriented.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  More snow and rain fell on California on Wednesday, causing travel disruptions on mountain routes and raising the risk of debris flows from wildfire burn scars.

Major highways through the snow-blanketed Sierra Nevada remained open, but chain requirements were in effect in many areas.

Caltrans said snowplows were working around the clock and urged people to avoid all but essential travel in the Sierra.

Among staggering snowfall totals in the Sierra, the Northstar resort at Lake Tahoe reported 135 inches (3.43 meters) since Dec. 21.

Gov. Gavin Newsom activated the State Operations Center to monitor storm conditions.

I strongly encourage all Californians to avoid making the situation worse and refrain from traveling on mountain roads until conditions improve, he said.

Some people who visited Lake Tahoe for the Christmas holiday found the drive back slow and frightening because of the winter storms.

It was probably the most terrifying experience that Ive ever dealt with, said Emily Kelbatyrov of Sacramento, who spent 18 hours in the car.

A lot of cars were slipping into snowbanks, she told KGO-TV. We ended up losing control of our car and almost crashed into two other people coming the opposite way.

On the scenic central coast, a 10-mile (16-kilometer) stretch of often-troubled Highway 1 remained closed by a weekend slide in San Luis Obispo County.

In Southern California, residents were ordered to leave three canyons in the Santa Ana Mountains on Wednesday night because of concern about mudslides. The December 2020 Bond Fire burned away vegetation and this years rains have triggered repeated evacuations. A recent rain sent mud flowing into several homes, making them unsafe.

People living in other Southern California burn areas were urged to leave voluntarily.

A flood watch was posted for much of the region from just south of Los Angeles County to San Diego and inland. Winter storm warnings were issued for many Southern California mountain ranges.

The Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park closed Wednesday due to the weather.

Forecasts called for California weather to generally dry out for the New Year's weekend before more storminess next week.
On GivingTuesday, officials at New Jersey-based health care charity Sostento learned they would receive a donation of roughly $58,000 by the end of the week.

The donation was unlike any the nonprofit had received before. It was derived from the proceeds of the sale of a nonfungible token, or NFT, for a digital artwork called The NFT Guild Philanthropist  Healthcare Heroes.

Youve likely heard of NFTs. Theyre built on the same technology that underlies digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. These digital assets shot into the limelight in March 2021 after Mike Winkelman, known by his artist moniker Beeple, auctioned off an NFT for $69 million at Christies. Think of an NFT as a deed or token associated with a work of digital art, like an image, an audio recording, or a video. That token can be used to keep track of the files provenance and sale history, allowing someone to prove ownership of the asset.

While the technology was created to give artists more control over their work, NFTs have spawned a frenzy as collectors look to cash in. As that speculation intensifies, a growing number of charities have begun to explore fundraising efforts tied to NFTs. Although some NFT charity auctions have yielded eye-popping sums, others have had limited success. Complicating matters, NFTs use new technologies that are generating lots of questions for accountants and regulators.

The Guild Philanthropist NFT sold for 6.3 Ethereum, the equivalent of roughly $28,000. The artist provided a donation to match the sale price. For Sostento, accepting the donation was fairly simple. The organization worked with Giving Block, a nonprofit that helps other charities accept cryptocurrency, to convert the crypto into U.S. dollars. The NFT will also continue to benefit charities in the future. It was created with a provision that obliges proceeds of future sales to be given to charity.

But there is still a steep learning curve associated with NFTs and cryptocurrency, said Joe Agoada, CEO of Sostento, which develops software and communication products for the health care industry. Accountants advising Sostento cautioned against accepting NFTs and other cryptocurrency directly. Working with an intermediary to convert the NFT proceeds from ones and zeros to dollars and cents was crucial.

It took a long time to understand how we could actually make this possible, said Agoada.

Sostento wasnt the only group to see a windfall from these novel tokens last week. Officials at Giving Block said they helped process roughly $1 million in charitable donations on GivingTuesday derived from the proceeds of NFT auctions. And on Dec. 7, Giving Block will launch the inaugural NFTuesday, a day focused on driving more NFT-derived philanthropy.

Some nonprofits have entered the NFT fray as a way to reach a broader audience.

In July, officials at Save the Chimps, a chimpanzee refuge in Fort Pierce, Florida, scanned finger paintings done by three of its residents: Cheetah, Clay, and Tootie. From those scans, they created a series of NFTs and listed them for auction on Truesy, an NFT marketplace. Think of them like prints of a photograph. They were priced to sell at a value equivalent to about $25. Save the Chimps set up its NFT to provide a royalty to the charity in the event of future sales. The fundraising haul so far? Just a few hundred dollars.

The exciting part was they were all first-time donors, said Sara Halpert, the groups marketing director.

Thats the appeal for many charities that have started to dabble in the world of NFTs and, more broadly, cryptocurrency. These collectors and investors could be a valuable new audience for fundraisers to tap, said Pat Duffy, CEO of Giving Block. They tend to be richer-than-average, financially savvy younger donors who are very active online.

These are people a major-gifts officer should be connecting with and talking to, said Duffy.

Its less common for donors to give NFTs directly to nonprofits, but thats happening, too.

Earlier this year, entrepreneur Eduardo Burillo donated an NFT titled CryptoPunk 5293 to the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami. The work, which is part of a 10,000-piece series, depicts the pixelated avatar of a person sporting a short-bob haircut, pink lipstick, and a Mona-Lisa-like expression. As of Thanksgiving, the average sale price of a CryptoPunk was just under $500,000.

While NFTs may seem novel as an instrument of philanthropy, the assets tied to the tokens are similar to other forms of ephemeral art, such as performance art, video art, or art installations, said Alex Gartenfeld, artistic director at ICA Miami.

ICA Miamis case is unique, at least so far. No other museums have yet accepted NFTs into their collections.

The biggest challenge for nonprofits  especially those that wish to hold an NFT as an asset  is that the existing accounting rules dont really address NFTs, says Brian Mittendorf, a professor of accounting at Ohio State University who focuses on nonprofits. The NFT is technically different from the artwork itself, which raises heady questions about what is and is not being valued, or even what could be considered part of a museums collection.

It captures both the challenges of charities dabbling in the cryptocurrency realm coupled with the challenges of charities seeking to raise funds off of things that are hard to value, Mittendorf said. There are just open questions from an accounting standpoint.

Regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, are beginning to examine how and when to treat NFTs as collectibles or securities. The eventual result of those decisions could have ramifications for charitable-accounting offices.

Charities are also experimenting with NFT-based fundraising in ways that go beyond the realm of digital art.

Environmental group Beneath the Waves, which focuses on ocean conservation, is auctioning off dozens of NFTs that each represent a real-life shark tag, with starting prices ranging from $500 to $20,000. The owners get the right to name their tagged shark and will receive updates on its movement through the oceans. One of the NFTs entitles the owner to take part in the groups marine-research efforts in the Caribbean. Bidding closed at $23,000.

Rewilder.xyz, a new organization, is using NFT auctions to raise funds to buy land for reforesting efforts in the Amazon. For each donor who gives a minimum donation of 1 Ethereum, equivalent to approximately $4,400, the group will create an NFT entitling the owner to receive periodic updates about the land they have helped purchase. So far, the effort has raised nearly 60 Ethereum, equivalent to roughly $241,700 as of this writing.

You basically buy a photo of the land, said Robbie Heeger, CEO of Endaoment, a charity that sponsors donor-advised funds built on the Ethereum blockchain and helps other organizations accept crypto gifts. Endaoment helped Rewilder establish the campaign.

Its another way to basically involve your donor community in a sense of attachment and ownership over the work thats happening at the nonprofit, Heeger said.

Save the Chimps had environmental concerns about fundraising with NFTs. The computing process to maintain records of crypto transactions consumes a lot of energy. Those worries have led some organizations to reconsider accepting digital currencies as donations. Earlier this year, Greenpeace announced it would stop taking Bitcoin donations, for example.

Save the Chimps opted to list its NFTs on Truesy, which trades on Tezos, a digital-currency network that uses a less-energy-intensive process than Ethereum to perform the complex computing needed to prove ownership and provenance of a digital asset. In other words: These NFTs are greener than average.

The charity remains interested in the future of NFTs and their utility for philanthropy, said spokesperson Seth Adam. Whether that means featuring NFTs in its annual auction or collaborating with other artists, he said, We are always looking at new NFT opportunities.

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This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Michael Theis is a writer at the Chronicle. Email: michael.theis@philanthropy.com. The AP and the Chronicle receive support from the Lilly Endowment for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits. The AP and the Chronicle are solely responsible for all content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
SYDNEY (AP)  Coronavirus cases surged across Australia on Wednesday as an outbreak of the omicron variant exploded, prompting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to schedule an emergency national cabinet meeting.

The surge has already overwhelmed testing stations, prompted new vaccine mandates and caused at least one state to cut back on elective surgeries.

New infections in Sydney and surrounding parts of New South Wales state skyrocketed to more than 11,000, up from 6,000 a day earlier. Victoria state also reported a record 3,700 cases, up by more than 1,000 from the previous record set on Tuesday.

Morrison said the nation's leaders would meet ahead of schedule on Thursday.

As omicron continues to go forward we will see further pressures, but states and territories are working very closely on their plans to deal with those challenges, Morrison told reporters.

He said he hoped the meeting would help give a clearer definition on what constituted a close contact and which tests should be used in different circumstances as case numbers ballooned.

Other states also reported surging numbers, with more than 1,500 new infections in Queensland, 1,400 in South Australia, 138 in the Australian Capital Territory and 55 in Tasmania. Queensland health officials said about 80% of cases were the omicron variant.

Neighboring New Zealand also reported its first case of possible community exposure to omicron, when a returning traveler tested positive after leaving quarantine. However, health authorities said the traveler wasn't considered highly infectious and there was no evidence yet of any community spread.

South Australia announced it would place limits on elective surgery and mandate vaccine booster shots for frontline health care workers.

State Premier Steven Marshall said South Australia would no longer be conducting screening tests for interstate travel because it doesn't have the capacity.

Omicron is moving too quickly, Marshall said, adding that resources needed to be focused on the very imminent increase in hospitalizations.

More than three-quarters of Australians are fully vaccinated, and just how deadly the latest outbreak will prove remains to be seen.

Australia has so far avoided the worst ravages of the pandemic, reporting a total of 2,200 virus deaths among its population of 26 million.

On Wednesday, New South Wales  Australia's most populous state  reported three new virus deaths and 625 hospitalizations, including 61 patients in intensive care. Victoria reported four new deaths and 397 hospitalizations, including 62 in intensive care.

Testing centers have been unable to keep up with a surge in demand.

Thousands of people across New South Wales have waited for hours this week to be tested. Some were travelers who were required to have a negative PCR test before arriving in Queensland.

But under pressure to ease that requirement, Queensland's premier said Wednesday it will accept rapid antigen tests instead of PCR tests for travelers from interstate hotspots from January 1.

The outbreak was also contributing to a shortage of blood donations and an urgent call for donors to step up.

Testing and quarantining requirements prompted by the outbreak, combined with the holiday season, were creating a perfect storm of cancellations, said Red Cross Lifeblood donor center network head Cath Stone.

More than half of all appointments are not being attended, which means we need more donors to roll up their sleeves and take the place of those who cant donate, Stone said.
SEATTLE (AP)  For days, travelers flying to or from the Seattle area have faced cancellations, delays, lost luggage, unexpected hotel stays and mounting frustration amid snowy, frigid winter weather and pandemic-related staffing issues.

Since snow began falling on Sunday, nearly 1,300 flights into and out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have been canceled with hundreds more delayed, The Seattle Times reported.

With more snow forecast for Seattle later this week and airline industrywide staffing shortages, many travelers were bracing for more delays and disappointment.

Its just staggering, said Jason Maddocks, a Seattle resident who has been with wife, Amy, in a Houston hotel at their own expense since their Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle was canceled Sunday  and hopes to be on a rebooked flight Wednesday.

Airlines canceled roughly a quarter of all flights scheduled Tuesday, and 180 flights Wednesday, website FlightAware.com showed on Wednesday morning. Another 183 flights scheduled for Thursday had also been canceled, according to the flight-tracking site.

Wednesdays cancellations at Sea-Tac Airport represented about a fifth of all cancellations within, into or out of the U.S. on Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines spokesperson Bobbie Egan said it was taking up to 30 minutes to de-ice a single aircraft. Late Tuesday, the airline said it would be proactively thinning Seattle departures by about 20% to allow for the additional time  to deice aircraft.

Also hard-hit by cancellations and delays on Sunday were Horizon, SkyWest and Delta.

Delays and cancellations have also often meant flight crews timed out, or went over federal limits regarding how long they can be on duty, which meant the later flights those crews were scheduled for also had to be canceled.

It literally will take several days to get people and planes back in position where we can put them back into rotation, Egan said.

Alaska Airlines was also urging flyers with non-essential travel scheduled before Jan. 2 to consider changing their travel to a later date.

Despite working around the clock to answer calls, the number of guests impacted far surpasses our ability to handle them in as quick and timely manner as we would like, Egan said. It is not our finest moment and we feel terrible about the situation.
In February, with the images of the violent insurrection in Washington still fresh in the minds of Americans, newly confirmed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took the unprecedented step of signing a memo directing commanding officers across the military to institute a one-day stand-down to address extremism within the nations armed forces.

The stand-down came in response to the participation and the subsequent arrests of several veterans and at least one active duty service member, who along with thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, stormed the U.S. Capitol in a melee that sent lawmakers scrambling for safety, left one person fatally shot by Capitol Police and caused millions of dollars in damages to the building largely seen as the symbol of American democracy.

Austins order, which also came as America as a whole was grappling with how to address systemic racism, was the latest in a series of decades-long efforts by the military to purge its ranks of extremists and white supremacists. Last week, in response to the order the military issued new rules to deal with extremism that included social media usage policy updates where liking and reposting white nationalist and extremist content could result in disciplinary action. The DOD also updated its screening of recruits and is looking at how to prepare troops who are retiring from being targeted by extremist organizations.

But an AP investigation found that despite the new rules, racism and extremism remain an ongoing concern in the military.

The investigation shows the new guidelines do not address ongoing disparities in military justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the legal code that governs the U.S. armed forces. Numerous studies, including a report last year from the Government Accountability Office, show Black and Hispanic service members were disproportionately investigated and court-martialed. A recent Naval Postgraduate School study found that Black Marines were convicted and punished at courts-martial at a rate five times higher than other races across the Marine Corps.

The AP investigation also shows the militarys judicial system has no explicit category for bias-motivated crimes  something the federal government, at least 46 states, and the District of Columbia have on the books  making it difficult to quantify crimes prompted by prejudice.

As a result, investigative agencies such as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service or Army Criminal Investigative Division also dont have a specific hate crime category, which impacts how they investigate cases.

While its possible hate crimes have occurred, our investigations are not titled as such, the NCIS said in an email. For example, an assault on a person, regardless of the reason for the assault, would still be categorized as an assaultregardless of what motivated the crime.

The new National Defense Authorization Act signed into law by President Biden on Monday directs the Secretary of Defense to make a recommendation to Congress within 180 days if a new statute is needed to address violent extremism, but does not address hate crimes or racial disparities in military law.

The new Pentagon rules do not outright ban service members from being members of extremist organizations, such as the Ku Klux Klan, Oath Keepers, or other right-wing and white nationalist groups. The regulations, like the previous ones, only prohibit active participation, in such groups, a murky policy that civil rights organizations have raised concerns about for years. The military describes active participation as publicly demonstrating or rallying, fundraising, recruiting and training members, as well as organizing or leading organizations.

Experts interviewed by the AP say theres also ongoing concern over the military commanders ability to enact a wide range of administrative and disciplinary actions -- including administrative separation or appropriate criminal action -- against military personnel who engage in prohibited activities.

Commanders essentially have total discretion to determine how to address situations as they arise, which experts say has created non-uniform, scattershot enforcement, with some commanders establishing a no-tolerance approach and others employing weak enforcement of the rules.

The AP investigation also found that while the DOD says it considers racism and extremism within the military to be a security concern, it does not have funding that specifically supports efforts to address extremism. Instead, military officials said the Pentagon uses personnel vetting programs, training, and education programs, and the Insider Threat Program to positively contribute to countering extremism within the force.

The Pentagon did not respond to questions about how much money it has spent or budgeted for efforts solely related to diversity and inclusion, and how many employees are dedicated to it. Officials also did not respond to dozens of questions from the AP on how it plans to enforce its new guidelines on extremism.

Pentagon Spokesperson Maj. Cesar Santiago acknowledged in a statement to the AP that extremism and extremist ideology can have an outsized effect on the military force.

But he added: The vast majority of the women and men in uniform serve their nation with honor and integrity. He said since taking office in January, Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first African American to serve as Secretary of Defense, has taken immediate action to address extremism. In addition to the new guidelines on extremism, the Defense Department appointed an interim deputy inspector general for diversity and inclusion and military insider threats in April.

Susan Corke, the director of the Southern Poverty Law Centers Intelligence Project, commended the DOD for taking key steps this year, including the changes announced last week, to address extremism. She said the DOD sought the expertise of civil rights organizations, academics, and others who have sounded the alarm about the dangers of extremism in the ranks for years.

But Corke said its too soon to definitively say whether the updated policies will purge extremism from military ranks.

The devil will be in the details, she said.  I do appreciate that there is a commitment from the Defense Department to have much more consultation with outside partners and that theres much more focus on doing additional research. So, were going to hold their feet to the fire.

Corke said the SPLC is still pressing for additional reforms, including how the militarys command structure allows commanders to have virtually absolute command authority over subordinates, which might discourage members from reporting incidents or concerns of extremism.

Even some in the military agree that the armed forces need to do more. There needs to be a change in action and behaviors  elements that cant be so easily influenced by a change in military law,  said Maj. Tyrone Collier, a judge advocate in the Marine Corps Reserve, in an interview with the AP.

Even if some legislation is passed from the highest echelons of government that says you will do this and that, will it actually get done? Collier said.

DECADES OF REPEATED WARNINGS

Extremism and racism in the military are hardly new. Racist attitudes and discrimination against people of color in the military were official policies before President Harry Truman, on July 26, 1948, signed Executive Order 9981, which officially desegregated the armed forces. Still, many units remained segregated until late 1954.

In the 1960s, Black soldiers in Vietnam filed numerous complaints with the Pentagon about white soldiers flying Confederate flags. Following the death of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, white U.S. service members based at the Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam naval base, celebrated his death by parading around the base in Ku Klux Klan-style white sheets and hoisted a Confederate flag atop the headquarters building, according to the 1997 book Fighting on Two Fronts: African Americans and the Vietnam War.

In the 1970s, extremism in the military gained national attention when the Ku Klux Klan was found to be operating openly at Camp Pendleton, a U.S. Marine Corps base in southern California. White Marine klansmen openly distributed racist literature on the base, pasted KKK stickers on barracks doors, and hid illegal weapons in their rooms. The hate groups presence on the base came to light in 1976 when 14 Black Marines were charged with assault when they broke into the wrong room and attempted to break up what they thought was a party of klansmen.

In June of 1986, the Southern Poverty Law Centers Klanwatch Project issued one of the first of many warnings to the DOD about white supremacists in its ranks and urged then-Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger to bar active duty service members from belonging to Ku Klux Klan factions. The center at that time alleged it had evidence, including photos, of active-duty U.S. Marines who had participated in the Confederate Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a North Carolina-based Klan faction that changed its name last year to the White Patriot Party.

It is simply intolerable that members of the U.S. armed forces, sworn to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States, be allowed to hold membership in an organization which seeks to overthrow the federal government through violent means, the SPLC wrote.

The military responded by saying it found no evidence to support those allegations and while it strongly discouraged membership by military personnel in organizations which have clear racist objectives, we also realize that our military personnel do not forfeit their constitutional rights under the First Amendment upon entry into the military service. Thus DoD does not prohibit personnel from joining such organizations as the Ku Klux Klan.

Weinberger did issue a directive instructing service members to reject participation in white supremacy, neo-Nazi and other such groups which espouse or attempt to create overt discrimination.

But critics say the militarys response fell short and failed to meet the moment by not instituting new, stricter policies.

In 1995, extremism in the military was thrust into the national spotlight again when three white Army paratroopers at Fort Bragg in North Carolina were arrested in the murder of a Black couple, Michael James and Jackie Burden, who they shot and killed in downtown Fayetteville. Two of the paratroopers, James Burmeister and Malcolm Wright, were sentenced to life in prison. Another 19 Fort Bragg soldiers were discharged for taking part in neo-Nazi activities.

Burmeister had made no attempts to hide his beliefs: Police found a Nazi flag over his bed and white supremacist pamphlets and instructions for making bombs in a room he rented off base. Earlier that year, Army veteran Timothy McVeigh, an anti-government extremist who earned a Bronze Star in Operation Desert Storm, parked a truck with a homemade bomb in front of a federal building in Oklahoma, killing 168 people, including 19 children.

The Pentagon, again, pledged after the slayings to address extremism within its ranks. Congressional leaders held hearings and the Army formed an extremism task force. But military leadership said the task force found minimal evidence of extremist activity in the Army.

The SPLC has been writing to Defense Department officials about our concerns about white supremacy, white nationalism in the military since the mid-1980s, said Margaret Huang, the president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center. This has been an issue that weve talked about quite a number of times because it has been a significant problem in the U.S. military for many decades now.

A 2005 Defense Department report, Screening for Potential Terrorists in the Enlisted Military Accessions Process, noted that the Pentagon has established numerous policies defining and restricting participation in extremist organizations. But it also found that effectively, the military has a dont ask, dont tell policy pertaining to extremism.

If individuals can perform satisfactorily, without making their extremist opinions overt through words or actions that violate policy, reflect poorly on the Armed Forces, or disrupt the effectiveness and order of their units, they are likely to be able to complete their contracts, the report read. This reality demonstrates the balance the Armed Forces have achieved between screening for extremists while respecting privacy and preserving federally protected rights to freedom of speech, religion, and association.

In July 2009, civil rights organizations again wrote to the DOD. This time to then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urging the Obama Administration to take appropriate measures to deal with extremists in the ranks. No sweeping action was taken.

The guidelines last week represent a major step on guidance for troops social media usage. Retweeting or liking extremist content will now be viewed as advocating the content. The new rules do not provide a list of extremist organizations that troops should not actively participate in.

Retired Air Force Col. Don Christensen, who served as the chief prosecutor for the U.S. Air Force between 2010 and 2014, said the new policies are loosely defined, and lack guidance in terms of what organizations service members should not interact with.

He also said that the new policies are unclear on how commanders would enforce the social media rules.

I understand this stuff is hard, but the like button means so many different things to different people. My main takeaway is this isnt going to be enforceable. Theres a lot of subjectivity. Christensen said. I also think they (the Defense Department) are naive to think its a small number of service members who engage in extremist activity.

The DOD said it is commissioning a study to determine the extent of extremism in the military.

But in its report last week, the Pentagon said prohibited extremist activity among service members was rare.

The military itself doesnt know the extent of the problem, said Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League, who testified before Congress in February 2020 about the dangers of extremism within the military, one year before the insurrection.

Pitcavage told Congress in 2020 that the ADL had reported 72 suspected white supremacists to the various branches in a three-year span, including 38 in the Army, two in the Army National Guard, four in the Navy, 19 in the Marine Corps, two in the Air Force, and one in the Coast Guard, as well as six with an indeterminate service branch. The DOD said it found fewer than 100 military members who were involved in substantiated cases of extremist activity in the past year.

Theres no safe number of extremists in the military, Pitcavage said.

MORE CHANGES NEEDED

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, was one of the many members of Congress trapped in the House Chamber gallery on Jan. 6. as chaos erupted when a mob of insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol.

As the mob breached the outer security perimeter and began banging on the gallery doors in an attempt to break down the makeshift barricades, Crow urged other members amid the pandemonium to remove their congressional lapel pins because he worried that if the mob had broken through the door, they were going to try to kill members.

They were eventually rescued but Crow said a conversation from that day with a fellow Black Democratic congresswoman remains firm in his mind. He said the congresswoman thanked him for urging members to remove their pins in an effort to remain undetected by the mob but she told Crow that as a Black woman, she would have never been able to blend in, unlike her white counterparts.

That was the first time in my life that I was on the receiving end of the violence of racism and white supremacy in our nations history, Crow said in an AP interview earlier this year.

Crow, a former Army Ranger and Iraq War veteran, who is a member of Congress House Armed Services Committee, introduced legislation last year called the Realizing Efforts for Military Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Act. It would require and create a more rigorous diversity training program for troops, contractors, and civilian staff members at the Defense Department. The legislation was passed this month as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

Crow said last week its too soon to determine whether the Pentagons policy updates are enough to weed out extremism, but he believes Austin is the right person to tackle the decades-long issue.

But Crow said hes planning to have conversations with the Pentagon about its updated policies, including the fact that members are still allowed to be members of extremist organizations as long as it isnt active participation.

Membership in some of these groups does give me concern and it does potentially send the wrong message, Crow said. The military is all about trust. Its all about making sure that you trust the person on your right and your left. Membership in some of these extreme organizations go right to the core of undermining that trust.

Experts on extremism say the militarys efforts to address racism and white supremacy need to start before recruits actually join the various services. One key area: vetting recruits social media posts.

The Pentagon said it has a robust screening procedure, including a fingerprint check and an FBI background check. Recruits are also screened for offensive, racist, or supremacist tattoos.

But it doesnt currently have the capability to conduct social media screenings, DOD officials said in a statement.

During last weeks press conference announcing the new guidelines on extremism Kirby also emphasized that the DOD does not screen service members social media posts for extremist content: Theres no methodology in there. Theres no ability for the Department of Defense to monitor the personal social media accounts of every member of the armed forces. He said when commanders are notified of problems through various streams of reporting, they would be expected to speak to troops to determine whether further steps were needed.

Veteran groups and experts on hate groups said the military also needs to do more to address extremism in those separating from active duty. The modern white power movement was born out of the 1970s when disillusioned Vietnam War veterans began to be recruited by white power militia groups, according to research by Kathleen Belew, an assistant professor of History at the University of Chicago.

Under the new guidelines, the DOD said it would develop programs to prepare troops who are leaving the service from being targeted by extremist organizations. Numerous studies have shown that some veterans are much more likely to be targeted for recruitment in the white extremist fringe, compared to the civilian population, and they are disproportionately involved in acts of violence.

The most recent study, an October research brief by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, found that from 1990 through the first nine months of 2021, at least 458 criminal extremists with U.S. military backgrounds committed criminal acts that were motivated by their political, economic, social, or religious goals.

That figure includes 118 individuals who are facing charges for their involvement in the Capitol insurrection. Of the 458 people, 83.6%, or 383, were no longer serving when they were arrested for committing extremist crimes.

Overall, numerically, this is still a small but growing problem, said William Braniff, the director of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism and a University of Maryland professor, during a Brookings Institute panel on extremism in the military earlier this month.

Its a national security concern, Braniff said. So, this is really creating a soft underbelly in American society. So, its not just a numbers problem. I think this is a problem regarding American democracy. And its a problem for which we have to put a preventative ecosystem in place now before the numbers do get more concerning.

EVERYDAY RACISM

Veterans like Reuben Keith Green said its disheartening to see the military struggling decade after decade to deal with racism and extremism in its ranks.

Green, 64 and a retired Navy lieutenant commander, was part of generations of men in his family who joined the military. Both his father and grandfather served. But he grew disillusioned by the military and what he believed were broken promises that all servicemen and women were equal and would be treated the same regardless of race.

He said he endured and witnessed countless acts of racism through his time in the service from when he first enlisted on Valentines Day in 1975 to when he left in the mid-90s. Some fellow service members, he said, proudly displayed Confederate flags and expressed white supremacist views, with no retribution. Green wrote a book in 2017, Black Officer, White Navy, that detailed his personal experiences. Hes also penned several articles, demanding military accountability.

This year, he said he served as a guest speaker for a Pentagon program that was part of Secretary Lloyd Austins extremism stand-down.

But Green said while the stand-down was a step in the right direction, he believes the military has yet to address the everyday racism that is based on extremist views.

Green said he worries the policies released last week wont move the needle. He also questioned whether military officials will be able to uniformly enforce and establish intent behind a service members decision to like or share extremist views and posts on social media.

If my CO (commanding officer) is a member of the KKK, am I going to report discrimination or extremist behavior to him or her? Green said.

He also noted that none of the policies specifically address acts of discrimination or racism that are not violent in nature but could still have disastrous impacts on unit cohesion and service members of color.

The military has let this white supremacist, racist issue fester for so long, Green said. Theyve been trying to hide the actual truth and now its blowing up in their faces.

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Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 has reached a pandemic record high in Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine said Wednesday as he ordered additional members of the state National Guard into hospitals to help with the surge. The state also saw another record number of new coronavirus cases.

In response, the Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Children's Hospital Association asked school officials statewide to consider mandatory mask wearing as cases continue to spike.

Please help us by requiring students to wear masks when they return to school, the groups said. But at least one major district  Cleveland city schools  announced it was returning to remote learning for a week starting Monday.

In Cincinnati, Mayor John Cranley declared a state of emergency on Wednesday because of staffing shortages within the fire department. The move will allow the city to order overtime for firefighters and cancel vacations to ensure public safety, Cranley said.

Ohio had 5,356 people in the hospital with the coronavirus Wednesday, the highest since the pandemic began in March 2020, accounting for more than one of every five hospital beds. That's also the highest per-capita hospitalization rate in the country, said Robert Wylie, chief medical operations officer at the Cleveland Clinic.

More than nine of every 10 people hospitalized with COVID-19 since June have been unvaccinated, DeWine said.

If youre vaccinated, the chances of you ending up in the hospital are pretty darn slim, the governor said.

Even as the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations spike, facilities are struggling with staffing levels. The Cleveland Clinic had more than 2,700 staff members out with the coronavirus on Wednesday, also a pandemic record, Wylie said.

DeWine is ordering the deployment of 1,250 members of the Ohio National Guard to help hospitals. That's on top of the more than 1,000 members of the Guard that DeWine called up earlier this month.

A total of 20,320 new coronavirus cases were reported Wednesday. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Ohio has risen over the past two weeks from 7,592.86 new cases per day on Dec. 13 to 12,525.57 new cases per day on Dec. 27, according to data collected by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

The number of positive tests is likely higher because of the widespread distribution of free, in-home testing kits whose results aren't being reported, said DeWine. But dealing with underreported case numbers is not as important as people having the ability to be tested quickly, he said.

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Associated Press writer John Seewer in Toledo contributed to this report.
Dec. 31 has arrived and a second year of the pandemic will end at midnight. Among the accomplishments from this second COVID year were, at last, three different vaccines that worked for millions, a booster as an additional insurance policy, the inauguration of our 46th president, Joe Biden, and our first female vice president, Kamala Harris; and a return to in-school learning.

But the year was peppered with horror stories as well, beginning as early as Jan. 6 with the deadly attack on our Capitol by angry, armed insurrectionists, protesting the certification of Joe Biden as our president. That attack, thankfully, has been followed by the arrests and convictions of several of the protesters, a second impeachment, which failed, of former President Donald Trump related to his potential involvement in the Capitol tragedy and the formation of a committee in Congress to conduct an in-depth investigation.

The other big horror stories for 2021 included the surge in new COVID cases from the delta and omicron strains of the virus, as well as horrific, deadly flooding in our area of the country and more recently, pre-holiday tornadoes in Kentucky and surrounding areas that left a trail of destruction and death.

If anyone ever wondered whether Mr. Trump would concede Bidens victory and ride off into the sunset, just forget about it! He is sticking around and consistently holding rallies that offer a sneak preview of his 2024 presidential re-election aspirations. Throughout the year, we have been reminded of what has become the Big Lie - that former President Trump actually won the 2020 election by a landslide and the election was stolen from him. This year was filled with lawsuits and some audits in various states, all of which ended badly for the Trump camp.

Moving away from politics, I joined fellow educators, who had spent the first half of this year in continuing remote education, in a return to all in-school education. I am a reading teacher of an experimental pronunciation and spelling program and with my mask on everyday, I face small groups of middle schoolers and high schoolers, also masked.

I certainly have been encouraged that my students have learned to pronounce and actually spell new vocabulary words like vaccine, pandemic, COVID, delta, omicron and booster. But in light of the continuing COVID cases that are impacting students and teachers in schools like ours and others across Connecticut, my students accomplishments are a little bittersweet.

In what seems like an eternity ago, in February 2021, I was able to join other seniors to receive my first COVID vaccine injection. I was the first teacher in my school to achieve that protection. A month later I had my second vaccination and in late November I had my booster shot. So far, I have remained all right, but a close friend, with whom I was to have breakfast this week, canceled due to a positive home test. Im hoping for good news.

Even though the highly controversial mask ban has been lifted around the state, our school, of course, remains mask mandated and the management of our Fairfield University Bookstore has also opted to keep masks in place. As an additional precaution, my wife and I ordered a large quantity of the KN95 masks.

On the travel front for me, one highlight of this still isolation-oriented year was a quick weekend trip to Chicago to visit my 93-year-old aunt, my brother and sister-in-law and a very close friend. My wife opted to stay home for health reasons. It was a little strange walking around the nearly completed and modernized LaGuardia Airport in a mask, but it was all worthwhile. Thankfully, there were no unpleasant incidents with flight attendants and unruly passengers (now more common than ever) on either flight and my great trip to Chicago was hassle free.

Our other travel highlight was our road trip to Virginia over Thanksgiving to be with my wifes family. Twenty-one of us - tested, boosted and masked as needed - gathered for an amazing Thanksgiving reunion at our nieces and nephews home. We took that trip in our new electric car, learning all sorts of new lessons about charging stations and predictable charging delays.

For our New Years celebration, due to some upcoming unexpected surgery for my wife in January and her concerns about getting COVID before that, our big dinner will be take out from an amazing favorite restaurant, The Spotted Horse, in Shelton. We love their specialty tacos and more along with amazing desserts. If we can muster the energy, well watch the ball drop in Times Square on our bedroom flat screen.

And as we look forward to 2022, we will remain hopeful that we can see substantial victory in the COVID battle. But more than anything, we want a year of good health, the love of family and the closeness of good friends. Happy New Year to all my readers.

Steven Gaynes is a Fairfield writer, and his In the Suburbs appears each Friday. He can be reached at stevengaynes44@gmail.com.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Indonesia said Wednesday it is lifting its ban on Boeings 737 Max aircraft, three years after one crashed into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff killing all 189 people on board.

The Transportation Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the aircraft will be permitted to fly in Indonesia, but only after airlines carry out airworthiness directives.

The ministry will also conduct inspections before the aircraft are allowed to operate in the country, said Novie Riyanto, the ministrys director general of Civil Aviation..

Several flight operators have stated that they have carried out airworthiness orders for 737 MAX aircraft, in accordance with FAA provisions and will prepare training and simulators at the nearest facility, in Singapore, Riyanto said.

Governments grounded the Boeing 737 Max after a total of 346 people were killed in the crashes of the Lion Air flight in Indonesia on Oct. 29, 2018, and an Ethiopian Airlines flight on March 10, 2019.

Investigators blamed a computer system that pushed the planes nose downward in flight and couldnt be overridden by pilots. Boeing has carried out technical upgrades to fix such problems.

Earlier this month, China became the last major market to approve the Boeing 737 Max after the United States allowed flights to resume in December 2020. European Union regulators gave permission in January. Brazil and Canada also have given approval.

Anton Sahadi, whose 24-year-old cousins Muhammad Rafi Ardian and Rian Ariandi died in the 2018 crash, said that he regrets the government decision to let the 737 Max fly again.

The government has to ensure that the aircraft meets safety standards so that similar incidents dont happen again," Sahadi said.

I do not see the urgency yet for Boeings 737 Max aircrafts to fly again in Indonesia. Families of victims still have not finished the process of resolving problems with Boeing, he said.

Sahadi was referring to complaints by some families of crash victims that a $2.5 billion settlement between Boeing and the U.S. Department of Justice excluded them from involvement in negotiating their compensation.
LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP)  Local officers in southwest Louisiana shot and killed a man who was shooting at them early Tuesday, Louisiana State Police said.

Lake Charles police were responding to a pair of late-Monday shootings when 22-year-old Christopher Thomas of Lake Charles fired at them about 3 a.m. Tuesday, Trooper Derek Senegal said in a news release.
PLATTSMOUTH, Neb. (AP)  A Nebraska man has been charged with four misdemeanor counts of motor vehicle homicide in connection with a crash that killed four people from Kansas earlier this year.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Ronald Dubas of La Vista was charged in Cass County this month. Dubas posted bail and is out of jail ahead of a Jan. 11 hearing in the case. Online court records don't list an attorney who could comment on his behalf, and he has not yet entered a plea.
PHOENIX (AP)  Phoenix police say they're trying to determine a motive for a shooting that left one man dead and another critically injured early Wednesday.

A third person in a car stopped at a red light wasn't injured when at least one person in another vehicle opened fire at about 2:30 a.m., a police statement said.
MOSCOW (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia and Belarus will hold joint war games early next year.

Putin welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's proposal to hold another round of military drills, saying that they could be held in February or March. Speaking during a meeting with Lukashenko in St. Petersburg, he added that military officials will coordinate details.

Putin's announcement comes amid a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine that raised Western fears of an invasion. Some officials in Ukraine have voiced concern that Russia may attack the country from Belarusian territory.

Russia has denied having plans to attack its neighbor, but urged the U.S. and its allies to provide guarantees that NATO doesn't expand to Ukraine or deploy its weapons there  demands the West has rejected.

Russia and Belarus have a union agreement envisaging close political, economic and military ties, and Moscow has staunchly backed Lukashenko amid Western pressure. That pressure intensified after a brutal crackdown on domestic protests fueled by Lukashenko's reelection to a sixth term in an August 2020 vote that the opposition and the West say was rigged.

Tensions have escalated further since the summer over the arrival of thousands of migrants and refugees on Belarus border with EU member Poland. The EU has accused Lukashenko of retaliating for its sanctions by using desperate asylum-seekers as pawns and tricking them into trying to enter Poland.

In a show of support for Lukashenko, Russia conducted massive war games with Belarus in September that involved 200,000 troops. In recent week, Moscow has repeatedly sent its nuclear capable bombers on patrol over Belarus in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, Russian and Belarusian fighter jets jointly patrolled Belarus' air space.

Last month, Lukashenko said that Belarus would be ready to host Russian nuclear weapons.

The Belarusian leader hasn't elaborated on what kind of Russian atomic weapons Belarus would be willing to accommodate, but noted that the ex-Soviet nation has carefully preserved the necessary military infrastructure dating back to the time of the USSR.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described Lukashenkos offer as a serious warning prompted by reckless Western policy.

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Yuras Karmanau contributed to this report from in Kyiv, Ukraine.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  The number of people injured by gunfire in Des Moines this year nearly doubled from 2020, but fewer people died from their wounds.

KCCI-TV reports that as of Tuesday, 86 people were treated for wounds inflicted by guns, compared to 49 in 2020, a number police described as about average. But just 11 people were killed by guns, compared to 17 last year.
SHERWOOD, Tenn. (AP)  More than 1,000 acres (405 hectares) have been added to southcentral Tennessee's Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Managment Area, connecting two sections of the WMA that were previously divided.

The Conservation Fund purchased the property in March 2021 to buy time for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to secure funds for its purchase. The property was officially transferred to the agency last week, according to a news release from The Conservation Fund.
Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would endorse Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy for reelection, but only if the governor doesn't back U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski's bid to return to the Senate.

Trump praised Dunleavy for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and his pushback against the Liberal Biden Administration. But Trump said he wouldn't support Dunleavy if the governor were to recommend Alaska's senior senator for re-election.
Midland Crime Stoppers

After more than three years on the run, a Midland murder suspect has been extradited from Mexico, the U.S. Marshals Service reported Wednesday.



Julio Cesar Lopez-Beltran, of Chihuahua, Mexico, is the suspect in a shooting that occurred June 21, 2018, at the Whataburger on East Interstate 20, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram report.

Lopez-Beltran was in a dispute with David Morales and another man at the Whataburger on East Interstate 20 at about 2 a.m. June 21, 2018. The dispute escalated in the parking lot and resulted in Morales and the other man being transported to Midland Memorial hospital with gunshot wounds, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram report.
Anton Deev/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Come early January, it will be illegal for Texas dog owners to chain up their pets outside. Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law in October to help ensure more humane care for companion animals. Violations are considered a Class C misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $500, according to the bill.

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The Safe Outdoor Dog Act (or Senate Bill No. 5) bans the use of chains for tethering dogs outside and mandates necessities such as shelter, shade, and clean water. Under the new law, dog owners may only use humane tethers such as trolley systems or ziplines and all allowable tethers must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness.
NEW YORK (AP)  The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted Wednesday of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by the American millionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

The verdict capped a monthlong trial featuring sordid accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14, told by four women who described being abused as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epsteins palatial homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico.

Jurors deliberated for five full days before finding Maxwell guilty of five of six counts. As the verdict was read, Maxwell was largely stoic behind a black mask. She stood with her hands folded as the jury filed out, and glanced at her siblings  faithfully in attendance each day of the trial  as she herself was led from the courtroom. She did not hug her lawyers on the way out, a marked change from previous days during which Maxwell and her team were often physically affectionate with one another.

She faces the likelihood of years in prison  an outcome long sought by women who spent years fighting in civil courts to hold Maxwell accountable for her role in recruiting and grooming Epsteins teenage victims and sometimes joining in the sexual abuse.

The defense had insisted Maxwell was a victim of a vindictive prosecution devised to deliver justice to women deprived of their main villain when Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial in 2019.

During the trial, prosecutors called 24 witnesses to give jurors a picture of life inside Epsteins homes  a subject of public fascination and speculation ever since his 2006 arrest in Florida in a child sex case.

A housekeeper testified he was expected to be blind, deaf and dumb about the private lives of Epstein, a financier who cultivated friendships with influential politicians and business tycoons, and Maxwell, who had led a jet-setting lifestyle as the favorite child of a media mogul.

Pilots took the witness stand and dropped the names of luminaries  Britains Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump  who flew on Epsteins private jets.

Elizabeth Williams/AP

Jurors saw physical evidence like a folding massage table once used by Epstein and a black book that listed contact information for some of the victims under the heading massages.

There were bank records showing he had transferred $30.7 million to Maxwell, his longtime companion  onetime girlfriend, later employee.

But the core of the prosecution was the testimony of four women who said they were victimized by Maxwell and Epstein at tender ages.

Three testified using first names or pseudonyms to protect their privacy: Jane, a television actress; Kate, a former model from Great Britain; and Carolyn, now a mom recovering from drug addiction. The fourth was Annie Farmer, a psychologist who chose to use her real name after being vocal about her allegations in recent years.

They echoed one another in their descriptions of Maxwells behavior: She used charm and gifts to gain their trust, taking an interest in their adolescent challenges and giving them assurances that Epstein could use his wealth and connections to fulfill their dreams.

They said the script would darken when Maxwell coaxed them into giving massages to Epstein that turned sexual, encounters she played off as normal: After one sexual massage, Kate, then 17, said Maxwell asked her if shed had fun and told her: You are such a good girl.

Carolyn testified that she was one of several underprivileged teens who lived near Epsteins Florida home in the early 2000s and took up an offer to give massages in exchange for $100 bills, which prosecutors described as a pyramid of abuse.

Maxwell made all the arrangements, Carolyn told the jury, even though she knew the girl was only 14 at the time.

Jane said in 1994, when she was only 14, she was instructed to follow Epstein into a pool house at his Palm Beach estate, where he masturbated on her.

Elizabeth Williams/AP

Two charges, including the lone count on which Maxwell was acquitted, applied only to Jane.

I was frozen in fear, she told the jury, adding that assault was the first time she had ever seen a penis. She also directly accused Maxwell of participating in her abuse.

Maxwells lawyer asked Jane why it had taken so long to come forward.

I was scared, she said, choking back tears. I was embarrassed, ashamed. I didnt want anybody to know any of this about me.

The last to testify, Farmer described how Maxwell touched her breasts while giving her a massage at Epsteins New Mexico ranch and how Epstein unexpectedly crawled into bed and pressed himself against her.

Maxwell, 60, vehemently denied the charges through her lawyers.

Still, she declined to take the risk of testifying, telling the judge: The government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt so there is no reason for me to testify.

The charges against Ghislaine Maxwell are for things that Jeffrey Epstein did, one of Maxwells lawyers, Bobbi Sternheim, emphasized to the jury. But she is not Jeffrey Epstein and she is not like Jeffrey Epstein.

Maxwells legal team questioned whether the accusers memories were faulty, or had been influenced by lawyers seeking big payouts from Maxwell and from Epsteins estate in civil court.

During their two-day presentation, they called as a witness Elizabeth Loftus, a University of California Irvine professor who has testified as a memory expert for defense lawyers at about 300 trials, including the rape trial of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

She said memory can be contaminated by suggestions made by an interviewer, particularly law enforcement or the media.

Maxwells family complained she was under duress from harsh conditions at the Brooklyn jail where shes been held since her arrest in July 2020. She had repeatedly, and futilely, sought bail, arguing that she was unable to adequately contribute to her defense.

Before Maxwell was taken from the courtroom, defense attorney Bobbi Sternheim asked that arrangements be made to give her a coronavirus booster shot, saying infection rates were rising dramatically at the lockup.

The legal fights involving Epstein and Maxwell are not over.

Maxwell still awaits trial on two counts of perjury.

Lawsuits involving the abuse allegations also continue, including one in which a woman not involved in the trial, Virginia Giuffre, says she was coerced into sexual encounters with Prince Andrew when she was 17. Andrew has denied her account and that lawsuit is not expected to come to trial for many months.
New Year's Day 2022 welcomes a slew of new laws taking effect in the Lone Star State, including a tax break for places of religious worship and new protections for homeowners living in flood-prone properties. The 87th Texas Legislature approved the 23 measures during its regular session this year, which ended in May.

Here's a look at some of the most notable bills becoming law in the new year:

Taxation rules and exemptions

Among the measures taking effect Saturday is House Bill 1197, which increases the maximum period that certain land owned by a religious organization for the purpose of expanding a place of religious worship or constructing a new place of religious worship may be exempted from property taxation from from six years to 10 years. Authors of the bill, which was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in June, said it was meant to benefit smaller congregations, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Another measure related to taxation is Senate Bill 794, which exempts homestead taxes for veterans who are considered totally disabled by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. HB 115 exempts taxes of certain property owned by charitable organizations and used in providing housing and related services to people experiencing homelessness. To qualify, the organization has to have existed for at least 20 years if its located in a county and two years if in a municipality.

Flood-prone property disclosures

Also included in the list of bills is HB 531, which will require landlords to inform prospective rental property owners if a property is located in the 100-year floodplain or if the home has flooded in the last five years before signing a lease. The notices would be disclosed on the lease, according to the bill's text.

Under previous Texas law, landlords were not required to tell tenants if a place flooded in the past. Issues surrounding residents uninformed about their homes being prone to flooding came to head following Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Under the new law, if landlords fail to notify them, tenants can terminate their lease if their property becomes flooded or damaged as a result of flooding. The new law only applies to leasing agreements signed on and after Jan. 1, 2022.

Long-term care facility websites

Another law, HB 3961, will require websites of long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, to post information regarding the office of the state long-term care ombudsman, which advocates for resident rights and "help protect the quality of life and quality of care of anybody who lives in a nursing home or an assisted living facility," according to Texas Health and Human Services. The measure addresses concerns that sprung up during the pandemic when facility closures isolated residents from loved ones, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Law enforcement funding requirements

Also taking effect is Senate Bill 23, which requires counties with more than 1 million residents to hold an election before reducing funding of a law enforcement agency or reallocating funding or resources from one law enforcement agency to another. The bill was authored in response to calls to defund the police last year. Supporters of the bill say it ensures voters have input in public safety decisions while opponents argue it takes away local government control.
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A review of Canadian immigration in 2021 ANALYSIS: The coronavirus pandemic continued to influence the direction of Canada's immigration system in 2021.

A review of Canadian immigration in 2021 ANALYSIS: The coronavirus pandemic continued to influence the direction of Canada's immigration system in 2021.

A review of Canadian immigration in 2021 ANALYSIS: The coronavirus pandemic continued to influence the direction of Canada's immigration system in 2021. Kareem El-Assal Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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The onset of the coronavirus pandemic changed the course of Canadas immigration system in 2020 and while things have stabilized, the pandemic caused IRCC to make major adjustments in 2021.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) entered 2021 facing difficult circumstances. Immigration application backlogs were growing, many newcomers such as Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) holders waited in limbo overseas, COVID case levels were high at home and around the world, vaccination rates remained low, travel restrictions and Canadas public health measures posed difficulties for newcomers looking to enter the country, and despite all this, the federal government mandated IRCC with landing 401,000 new permanent residents this year.

Discover if Youre Eligible for Canadian Immigration

IRCC decided early in the year the best way to achieve this goal was to transition as many temporary residents living in Canada to permanent residence. The warning signs of this policy shift at the beginning of the year were obvious in hindsight, but still left stakeholders guessing in the absence of official IRCC policy statements. Whereas IRCC was issuing Express Entry invitations to all candidates to close 2020, it started 2021 by focusing invitations on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, since some 90 per cent of them live in Canada.

IRCCs strategy on how it sought to achieve its 401,000 newcomer target became even more apparent on February 13, 2021. On that Saturday, IRCC held the most exceptional draw since Express Entry was launched in 2015. It invited all of the 27,332 Express Entry candidates in the pool to apply for permanent residence and felt compelled to release a statement explaining the decision. The statement also noted IRCC looked forward to welcoming more people from abroad when the COVID situation improved.

In May, IRCC went to even greater lengths to ensure it could hit its 401,000 newcomer target when it launched six temporary streams enabling up to 90,000 essential workers and international graduates in Canada to apply for permanent residence.

By June, IRCC had ramped up its processing capacity and was landing 35,000 permanent residents per month (mostly from within Canada) and in recent months, has surpassed 45,000 monthly landings.

Last week, the department proudly announced it broke Canadas record for permanent resident landings in a calendar year. While the strategy to focus on in-Canada landings has enabled IRCC to achieve its levels goal and also enabled hundreds of thousands to achieve their goal of becoming permanent residents, it has also come at a cost.

IRCCs backlog has grown to 1.8 million applications, which it admits is in part to the strategy to prioritize in-Canada applicants. Many COPR holders, and applicants for permanent residence, study, work, and visitor visas are waiting longer than usual for IRCC to process their papers. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) candidates, who were the main group of Express Entry immigrants prior to the pandemic, continue to wait patiently for their names to be drawn from the pool. Moreover, the in-Canada strategy has seen Canadas population and labour force growth slow which has contributed to some of the highest job vacancy levels in Canadian history.

IRCC remains constrained by many circumstances out of its control, such as COVID case counts and government lockdown measures in Canada and abroad, as well as the Canadian governments travel policies. For instance, the Canadian governments decision earlier this year to ban flight arrivals from India (a ban which has since been lifted), by far Canadas leading source country of newcomers, posed a major obstacle for IRCC.

Despite ongoing challenges, IRCC has worked to keep the immigration system functioning. In January, for example, it announced a policy allowing Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders to apply for a one-time extension to get an open work permit. The purpose was to give those in Canada more time to get the work experience they need to be eligible to apply for permanent residence. In the autumn, as another example, it invited 30,000 sponsors to submit Parents and Grandparents Program applications.

Such policies are, of course, shaped by the elected government of the day. In September, the Liberal Party of Canada was re-elected to a third consecutive mandate. Since assuming power in 2015, they have overseen significant increases in Canadas immigration levels from some 260,000 new permanent residents then to over 400,000 today.

Following the election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Sean Fraser, a lawyer from Nova Scotia, as the new immigration minister.

Earlier this month, Trudeau assigned Fraser with a new immigration mandate letter. Among Frasers marching orders include continuing to oversee higher immigration levels, improving application processing times, resettling 40,000 Afghan refugees, and bringing families together more quickly.

This year is ending in a similar fashion to how it started. COVID levels are surging in Canada and globally resulting in increased uncertainty. Nevertheless, the Canadian government continues to view immigration as an important means of supporting Canadas economic and social recovery.

Although the pandemic will continue to pose challenges for IRCC and newcomers alike, Canadas overarching immigration policy goals remain unaffected by the pandemic which means the arrival of permanent residents, temporary foreign workers, international students, and visitors should eventually return to normal and will likely exceed pre-pandemic levels once the worst of the crisis is behind us.

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A Florida claims adjuster that authorities called the mastermind behind an extensive property insurance fraud scheme has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Walter Malet, 32, of Orlando, was convicted of pilfering more than $262,559 from Security First Insurance Co. of Florida, according to court records and local news reports. Prosecutors said Malet and 10 others used the insurers computer system to reopen claims, issue expense checks to ghost vendors, then close the claims the same day, without supervisory review

This case is a shining example of the private sector partnering with the State Attorneys Office to investigate and successfully prosecute a complex and sophisticated group of thieves, the state attorney for Volusia County, R.J. Larizza, said in a statement.

Malet and another desk examiner at Security First, Rony Pierre-Louis, added eight vendors to Security Firsts expense account in 2018 and 2019, according to the prosecutors charging affidavit, filed in Volusia County Circuit Court. The schemers then issued 90 payments to the fake vendors.

Security First discovered the scheme during a routine audit, the affidavit said. The insurer found that payments had been made to the vendors, but no invoices had been submitted. Investigators then determined that the vendors were illegitimate, and had families ties to some of the defendants, the arrest report noted. By reopening and closing the claims in the same day, the Security First computer system did not record them as open claims, which helped avoid supervisory scrutiny, according to the court documents.

But the fraudsters may not have realized that records of the transactions were still available in the system.

Some 85 of the 90 checks were deposited into bank accounts, but Security First was able to stop payment on five checks. The participants also used phone-based payment apps, such as Venmo, Zelle and Square, to transfer proceeds to each other, investigators said.

The investigation also found that one defendant also operated a company that was engaged in other illegal activity, including money laundering, the court documents show. The ring also was able to hack the computer credentials of five other Security First employees, as part of the scheme.

All 11 members of the fraud ring were charged with grand theft. Several defendants have pleaded guilty.

Locke Burt, the chairman and CEO of Security First, said that reducing fraud is the best way to keep premiums and costs to a minimum.

We want the people of Florida to understand how important these cases are to everyone in Florida and if you see fraud, report fraud, Burt said in a statement to the news media.

State Department of Financial Service records show that Malet was licensed as an all-lines adjuster but was suspended in March 2020 after he was arrested.

After serving prison time, Malet will be on 12 years of probation, authorities said.
The California Supreme Court refused to loosen the states strict liability standards for wildfires, ruling on Monday that a religious retreat may be held liable for the negligence of an employee.

In a unanimous decision, the high court affirmed rulings by the Santa Barbara Superior Court and 5th District Court of Appeal that allows a lawsuit filed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection against Presbyterian Camp and Conference Centers to proceed. CalFire is seeking reimbursement of $12.2 million for the cost of suppressing the Sherpa Fire, which started on the grounds of the Presbyterian Camp and burned 7,500 acres in 2016.

Lawyers for Presbyterian Camp argued that a 1971 amendment to the state Health and Safety Code eliminated a principle known as respondeat superior when determining liability for fire suppression costs. The doctrine holds that an owner is legally responsible for the wrongful acts of an employee or agent.

We do not accept that so subtle a textual change was meant to enact such a massive departure from well-settled law, especially where the legislative history contains no indication of such an intent, the Supreme Courts opinion, written by Justice Joshua Paul Groban, says.

Presbyterian Camp owned property in rural Santa Barbara County, called Rancho La Sherpa, that was used to host camps and conferences. A chimney malfunction caused smoke from a fireplace to fill one of the cabins on June 15, 2006. An employee of the camp moved a smoldering log from the fireplace to an outdoor fire pit, dropping burning embers along the way.

The fire spread rapidly through dry vegetation. Presbyterian Camps failure to clear vegetation around the cabins, provide smoke detectors or fire extinguishers, and maintain the fireplace contributed to the blaze, according to CalFires lawsuit.

Sections 13007 and 13008 of the Health and Safety Code create a civil liability for persons or entities that cause fires. Section 13009 allows CalFire to recover the cost of fire suppression and investigation.

The state legislature amended Section 13009 in 1971, removing references to Sections 13007 and 13008 and creating standalone language that duplicated some of the terms, but not all. Among the deleted language was the phrase personally or through another in the section that states how one becomes liable.

Presbyterian Camp argued that the deletion of those words means that CalFire can seek cost recovery only from the employee who carried the smoldering log outside. Its lawyers argued that a panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal recognized this when it ruled in 2017 that property owners cannot be held liable for the actions of independent contractors.

The Santa Barbara County Superior Court, however, refused to grant Presbyterian Camps petition for a writ of mandate. Presbyterian appealed, but a different panel of the 5th District appellate court said its opinion that it disagreed with the ruling in 2017. The panel said that corporations necessarily act through their agents and Section 13009 establishes vicarious liability for their actions on the people or corporations that hire them.

The court explained that such liability is a deeply rooted sentiment in California, which it presumed the legislature did not depart from silently, the Supreme Courts opinion says.

The high court agreed with that analysis. The opinion said if the legislature had intended to enact such a massive departure from well-settled law, there would be some indication in the legislative history. The 1971 changes to the statute were minor drafting changes, the court said.

Such an approach would have been an astonishingly opaque and subtle way to announce a dramatic change, the opinion says.

About the photo: A DC-10 makes a drop on the east flank of the Sherpa Fire in Santa Barbara County, Calif., Friday, June 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
LAS VEGAS (AP)A man who dropped a gun and ran naked from police before being shot by an officer outside a church in 2017 has accepted a $525,000 settlement to end a federal lawsuit against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and police officers, both sides said Monday.

Jason Funkes lawyer, Joshua Newville of Minneapolis, confirmed a Las Vegas Review-Journal report about the Nov. 3 agreement and U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware IIs finding in June that Officer Mark Hatten unlawfully used excessive force against Funke when he shot the then-25-year-old in August 2017.

Attorney Craig Anderson, representing the department, also confirmed the settlement in the case alleging violations of Funkes constitutional rights, the Americans with Disabilities Act and unlawful assault and battery. Anderson and police Officer Larry Hadfield, a department spokesman, declined additional comment.

Newville noted Hatten was at the center of a $500,000 settlement the police department reached in 2018 with the mother of a 44-year-old man who died in December 2010 after Hatten shocked him with an electronic stun gun 10 times for more than 90 seconds during a struggle after a traffic stop.

The day Funke was shot, police were summoned to a church where Funk had sought counseling just days earlier about his mental health, including feelings of suicide, according to court records.

A church leader told a 911 dispatcher that Funke was sitting naked in a meditation pose with a handgun in front of him and money on the ground in front of the church.

He told the dispatcher, `Yeah, this man is suicidal. I talked to him; hes not making sense, Boulware noted in his June ruling granting summary judgment on Funkes excessive force claim against Hatten.

At least six police officers arrived, with a police helicopter overhead, before Funke stood, picked up the gun and began pacing.

Hatten, armed with a rifle in a position near other officers, announced: Hes starting to move.  Im gonna take a shot.

It is undisputed that Funke had not directly or verbally threatened anyone with the gun, and that he committed no serious crime, Boulware wrote. He had not raised the weapon toward others or himself.

Another officer yelled at Funke to drop the gun and he did, putting his hands in the air, and walking toward Hatten and another officer, the judge said.

A K-9 officer struggled to control a police dog, which was barking and pulling at its leash when officers ordered Funke to lay on the ground.

Funke ran, the police dog was released and attacked another officer, and Hatten shot Funke in the back left shoulder when Funke was about 30 feet (9 meters) from the dropped gun. The police dog then reached Funke and bit his arm.

The parties dispute whether Funke was running to retrieve the gun or simply running away, Boulware wrote.

Hatten is still employed by the Las Vegas police department, assigned to the criminalistics bureau, which includes crime scene investigations, the Review-Journal reported.

Officer Aden OcampoGomez, a department spokesman, declined to tell the newspaper if Hatten was disciplined for shooting Funke and declined to comment on the settlement.

Funkes mother, Theresa Funke, told the newspaper her son suffered physical and emotional scars, and that having to fight criminal charges was almost as bad.

Funke was initially charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure and possession of a dangerous weapon on a school or child-care property, court records show.

He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to probation.

Essentially, he said, `Im being punished for having a mental breakdown, his mother said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) gave local officials 15 days to distribute the cash assistance to Typhoon Odette victims.

But they can ask for a deadline extension, DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya said Wednesday.

"Binibigyan po natin ng 15 days mula sa pagsisimula ng pamimigay para maipamahagi sa lahat ng taong nasa listahan ang ating tulong pinansyal," Malaya said in a media briefing.

[Translation: We are giving local governments 15 days to distribute the cash aid to all the listed beneficiaries.]

"Pero kung hindi po matatapos within 15 days ay pwede naman pong humingi ng extension," he added.

[Translation: But if they cannot finish within 15 days, they can request for an extension.]

Pursuant to President Rodrigo Duterte's directive, the government will provide financial assistance equivalent to 1,000 for each individual or 5,000 per household. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Wednesday it already released the 4.85 billion cash aid budget for Odette victims. The allocation is as follows:

Mimaropa - 198.21 million

Western Visayas - 1.63 billion

Central Visayas - 1.04 billion

Eastern Visayas - 964.10 million

Northern Mindanao - 156.02 million

Caraga - 864.08 million

Target beneficiaries are low-income families severely affected by the typhoon and must be living in areas under a state of calamity. The disaster management agency reported that 334 cities and municipalities are currently under a state of calamity.

Malaya said local governments will identify the cash aid beneficiaries, with the list posted on social media or strategic areas in villages.

Aside from financial assistance, the government will also provide construction materials to typhoon victims to help them rebuild their homes, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said in the same briefing.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  Weeks following the devastation wrought by Typhoon Odette in the Visayas and Mindanao, the governor of Bohol continues to appeal for relief, as he slams the national government for its slow response to the calamity.

In an online media forum Wednesday, Bohol Governor Arthur Yap said national agencies need to do better in transmitting funds and distributing relief goods.

We have to do a better job when it comes to the needed fund. I was informed that Malacanang set aside 28 million for the needs of Bohol. We are still trying to find out now what nature are these funds. We dont know how to spend it, says Yap.

Yap added that as of Wednesday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has only distributed 50,000 food packs to families in need, while the provincial government was able to distribute 90,000 food packs and may exceed 100,000 food packs by the end of the month.

"They were at 20,000 food packs. As of yesterday, nasa 50,000 food packs na sila. Pero imagine ang provincial government nasa close to 90k food packs na and by Dec. 31, nasa 100k food packs na," says Yap.

[Translation: They were at 20,000 food packs. As of yesterday, they (the DSWD) have distributed 50,000 food packs. However, the provincial government was able to give close to 90,000 food packs already and will reach 100,000 food packs by Dec. 31.]

More than 200,000 families were affected by typhoon Odette in the province, with more than 70,000 people still in evacuation centers.

Yap also called on the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and telecommunication companies such as Globe and Smart to double their efforts in repairing power and communication lines. He said the downed lines continue to hamper relief distribution.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29) The Department of Health (DOH) has traced 22 close contacts of the country's fourth Omicron case.

The count includes the husband of the patient who has also tested positive for COVID-19, the DOH said in a message to reporters on Wednesday.

The agency also said it is currently verifying the test results of all close contacts, and has coordinated with Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units to check on their health status.

The fourth confirmed Omicron case is a traveler from the United States who arrived in the Philippines on Dec. 10 via a Philippine Airlines flight. She and her husband were tested on the same day and subsequently isolated upon release of positive test results, the DOH had said.

The two were set to be reswabbed, but officials have yet to give an update on the matter.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  The country will fare better next year amid the pandemic because of enough vaccine supply and significant learnings from 2021, said Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion.

"I remain optimistic that 2022 will be a much bettecoronavirusr year. We are much more prepared; we have the vaccines, we have the whole structure, we know what to do. Private sector and government are working very well together. So let's just continue and accelerate. Vaxx to the max," Concepcion said at the Laging Handa briefing Wednesday

Concepcion said the country's COVID-19 numbers remain low, adding the slight uptick was expected due to the increased mobility that comes with the holiday season.

Following health and safety protocols, as well as continued vigilance, will also assure more protection, not to mention the scientifically proven body boost provided by full vaccination.

According to the Department of Health's National COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard, over 107 million doses have been administered as of Dec 28, with 48 million of these being complete doses.

Booster doses administered have reached over 1.6 million so far.

Earlier this week, the country already breached 200 million vaccine arrivals.

According to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., this supply was more than enough to completely inoculate 100 million Filipinos, including the administration of booster shots to qualified individuals.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  A local court dismissed the drug trafficking case against self-confessed drug dealer Rolan "Kerwin" Espinosa and his alleged cohorts for insufficient evidence.

In the decision released to the media on Wednesday, the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 64 granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Espinosa, convicted drug lord Wu Tuan Yuan a.k.a. Peter Co, Lovely Impal, and witness Marcelo Adorco.

"Accordingly, for failure of the prosecution to adduce evidence to overturn the presumption of innocence enjoyed by the herein accused, the information in the above-titled case is hereby dismissed," the decision read.

The 13-page decision penned by Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos was promulgated on Dec. 17.

The court said the prosecution heavily relied on the sole testimony of Adorco, the witness who claimed to pick up and deliver methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally called shabu, for Espinosa.

Adorco said he was tasked by Espinosa to pick up drugs from Yuan, who then told him to get it from Impal, who was Yuan's alleged drug runner. He said five drug deals, including one in 2013 involving 20 kilograms of shabu, were transacted among the four of them.

The court noted that Adorco's statements were previously declared as inadmissible evidence since these were taken by police officers without a lawyer for the accused. The judge said the case cannot stand because it heavily banked on a single testimony.

"In this case, the purported participation of Impal, Espinosa, and Yuan in the alleged conspiracy was based solely on Adorco's recanted testimony which is not only untrustworthy but also inadmissible," Bibat-Palamos wrote.

The judge added, "...without Adorco's testimonies, the prosecution's case against the Espinosa group necessarily crumbles."

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday said he was "saddened" by the decision, but added he ordered the prosecutor general to exhaust all legal remedies, the first of which is to file an appeal.

He added the government is still tracking down another convicted drug lord, Peter Lim.

"Kerwin Espinosa is not off the hook yet; I understand that he is still facing an unfinished case before RTC-Manila and another drug case in Albuera, Leyte.... Sooner or later the long arm of the law will catch up with these people and they will answer for their crimes," he said in a message sent to reporters.

Espinosa confessed he was a drug dealer in Eastern Visayas, with Co as the first person inside the Bilibid to supply him with drugs. Lim is a Cebu-based businessman named by President Rodrigo Duterte as part of a Chinese triad leading illegal drug operations in the Visayas.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30)  The country is seen to record up to 2,000 COVID-19 cases on Dec. 30, the OCTA Research group said on Wednesday.

Nationwide, we are projecting 1,600 to 2,000 new cases on Dec. 30, OCTA Research fellow Guido David tweeted.

Guido said the National Capital Regions positivity rate, or the percentage of people who tested positive, has increased to 8.4% as of Dec. 28, while the regions seven-day positivity rate has increased to 3.86%. This means that new infections in the region may breach 1,000.

The ideal positivity rate is 5% or below based on the World Health Organizations standards.

On Tuesday, OCTA warned of a possible rise in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila. The trend is even concerning since this may not just be a holiday uptick, David said.

The slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases is also a cause for concern for the Philippine College of Physicians amid the threat of the Omicron variant, but the Department of Health said Filipinos should not panic since the country is still at "low risk" for infection.

The country had seen a decline in the number of COVID-19 infections, which led to the government loosening restrictions.

Authorities are expected to announce new alert level classifications for Jan. 1 to 15 after the implementation of Alert Level 2 lapses this week.

In a briefing on Wednesday, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the government may escalate the alert levels when cases spike, adding that local governments may implement granular lockdowns if there is clustering of infections.
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With the omicron variant spreading quickly, hospitals such as the ones in Columbia, may see the number of hospitalizations increase.
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
12/29/2021

Photo (c) Peter Zelei Images - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 53,217,506 (52,912,744)

Total U.S. deaths: 821,346 (819,253)

Total global cases: 283,243,283 (281,591,352)

Total global deaths: 5,418,524 (5,410,921)

U.S. cases in record territory

Amid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant, the U.S. seven-day average of cases has hit a record  265,427. The previous seven-day record was 252,000 daily cases, which was hit in January before vaccines were widely available.

Nearly all sections of the country are seeing a major escalation of the pandemic because of the highly contagious new variant. Most health experts say the new year could see an even sharper rise in cases.

"January is going to be a really, really hard month, Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, told CNN. And people should just brace themselves for a month where lots of people are going to get infected."

Omicron very different from other variants, top scientist says

A top British medical scientist says the Omicron variant is very different from other forms of COVID-19, and thats not necessarily a bad thing. In an interview with the BBC, John Bell, a regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford, said serious hospitalizations are falling as the new variant spreads.

The disease does appear to be less severe, and many people spend a relatively short time in hospital, Bell said. They dont need high-flow oxygen, average length of stay is apparently three days, this is not the same disease as we were seeing a year ago.

While British hospitals are still full, Bell said the number of people in ICUs who are vaccinated remains very, very low.

Flight attendants blast new CDC quarantine guidance

The nations airline flight attendants are not happy with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after it shortened the quarantine period for exposure to COVID-19. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants-CWA, said the decision to shorten the period from 10 days to five was motivated by business, not science.

"We said we wanted to hear from medical professionals on the best guidance for quarantine, not from corporate America advocating for a shortened period due to staffing shortages," Nelson said. "The CDC gave a medical explanation about why the agency has decided to reduce the quarantine requirements from 10 to five days, but the fact that it aligns with the number of days pushed by corporate America is less than reassuring."

Airlines canceled hundreds of flights during Christmas week because they were unable to assemble full flight crews.

Around the nation

Washington D.C.: The nations capital is now the nations number one COVID-19 hotspot. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins shows that the city experienced an average of 1,192 new cases per day over the past seven days and 169 cases per 100,000 people as of Monday.

Connecticut: The positivity rate remains in double digits, rising from 10% to 15% in just one day this week, according to state health officials. In New Haven, the city's health director said the city is in a community-spread situation. Health officials assume one in four people will test positive for COVID-19.

Montana: State health records show that COVID-19 was the leading cause of death among Native Americans in Montana last year. In contrast, it was only the third-leading cause of death for all other state residents. A new report found that 1,022 Native Americans in Montana died last year, compared to an average of 676 deaths each year during the five previous years.

Louisiana: With new cases of COVID-19 on the rise, the Louisiana Department of Health has opened two new temporary testing sites that will operate through Friday, Dec. 31. Both are in Baton Rouge.
Ransomware has been one of the most devastating malware threats that organizations have faced over the past few years, and there's no sign that attackers will stop anytime soon. Its just too profitable for them. Ransom demands have grown from tens of thousands of dollars to millions and even tens of millions because attackers have learned that many organizations are willing to pay.

Many factors and parties are involved in ransomware payment decisions, from CIOs and other executives to external counsel and insurance carriers, but the increasing need to make such payments has created a market for consultants and companies that specialize in ransomware negotiation and facilitating cryptocurrency payments.

What happens when ransomware hits?

In an ideal world a ransomware attack should trigger a well-rehearsed disaster recovery plan, but unfortunately many organizations are caught off guard. While large enterprises might have an incident response team and plan for dealing with cyberattacks, the procedures for dealing with various aspects specific to a ransomware attackincluding the threat of a data leak, communicating externally with customers and regulators, and making the decision to negotiate with threat actorsare typically missing.

"Even in large publicly traded companies that do have IR plans, they don't usually cover details related to ransomware," Kurtis Minder, the CEO of threat intelligence and ransomware negotiation firm GroupSense, tells CSO. "Once we get to the process of decryption negotiation, of making that business decision, who should be involved, a lot of that is not documented. There's no messaging or PR plan either. None of that exists for most companies that we get brought into, which is unfortunate."

Even for companies that have practiced their IR plans and have procedures in place, it's still sort of a blind panic when ransomware hits, according to Ian Schenkel, former vice president for EMEA at threat intelligence vendor Flashpoint and director of sales, EMEA, for VMRay. "We're not just dealing with a piece of ransomware encrypting files and encrypting an entire network. What we're seeing lately is sort of this second factor where they're actually trying to extort more money out of you by saying: 'If you don't pay the ransom, we'll leak all the information we have about your organization'."

In other words, as more ransomware groups adopt this double-extortion technique by combining file encryption with data theft, a ransomware attack that is ultimately a denial of service also becomes a data breach that's subject to various regulatory obligations depending on where in the world you are and what type of data was compromised. While in the past private companies didn't have to publicly disclose ransomware attacks, they might increasingly be forced to because of this data breach component.

Two critical and time-sensitive actions need to be done when a ransomware attack hits:

Identify how attackers got in, closing the hole, and kicking them off the network Understand what you're dealing with, which means determining the ransomware variant, tying it to a threat actor, and establishing their credibility, especially if they also make data theft claims.

The first action requires an incident response team, either internal or external, while the second might require a company that specializes in threat intelligence.

Some large companies keep such firms on retainer, but many organizations don't and often feel lost when facing a ransomware attack and end up losing precious time. In those cases, the better approach might be to bring in outside counsel with expertise in managing cyberattack responses. According to lawyers from international law firm Orrick who spoke to CSO, in around 75% of cases outside counsel gets called in first and starts the response process, which includes:

Notifying law enforcement

Engaging the forensic people

Running a briefing internally with the organization's leadership

Covering the investigation by privilege

Assessing notifications to the outside world that might be needed

Helping the victim organization make contact with their insurance carrier to notify them about the attack and get approval for costs, including counsel, forensics, crisis communications, and anything else that's required, including paying the ransom if that decision has been made.

Who decides if the ransom gets paid?

Discussions with the insurance provider should be opened early because, depending on what the policy says, they might have a bigger or smaller input on the selection of the IR vendor and other parties that are brought in to help with the incident. Insurance carriers usually have lists of approved vendors.

However, when it comes to deciding whether to pay the ransom or not, in the experience of the Orrick lawyers, companies make that decision on their own and then reach out to their insurance provider to see if they approve it. In some cases, the affected company might decide to pay regardless of whether their insurance covers a ransomware payment because the attack's impact on its business is so bad that it can't afford not paying. They hope to later recover the money or part of it from the insurance provider.

The decision-making process usually involves the general counsel, the CIO, and the COO. The general counsel weighs the decision based on legality and risk. The CIO and their team are in charge of the backup processes and the business continuity or disaster recovery plans. The COO makes the decision based on how the affected data impacts operations. For example, the CIO can determine that backups exist, but the number of impacted systems is so great that restoring them will take a very long time and the COO can decide that the business operations can't survive with a long downtime. Ultimately, it's a business decision, so the CEO will often weigh in as well, or in many cases has to give the final approval to pay the ransom, according to the Orrick lawyers.

Before approving a ransomware payment, insurance carriers will ask various questions like the status of backups, whether they were destroyed during the attack, whether offsite backups exist, how many systems were impacted, or how long it will take to restore them. They will also likely investigate the threat actor to determine if they are on the Department of Treasury's sanctions list and if they are they might decline payment because they have exceptions for that in their policies.

In October, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an advisory reminding organizations that they face civil penalties if they violate sanctions when making ransomware payments. However, if the insurance provider declines coverage for a ransomware payment, it's possible the organization might still decide to go ahead with it to save the business, but the next hurdle they'll face is the decision by the payments facilitator.

Ransomware payments are made in cryptocurrencies, and companies don't typically have crypto wallets and millions of dollars in cryptocurrencies laying around. They must rely on a third party with the infrastructure to make such payments. In light of the OFAC advisory, these third parties can also deny the payment if the threat group is on the sanctions list. Often the companies that specialize in ransomware negotiation are also the payment facilitators on behalf of the victim.

How does a ransomware negotiation work?

According to GroupSense's Minder, before the attackers are approached using the method of communication they providedusually some encrypted email serviceit's important for the IR team to make sure that the attack has been isolated and the attackers have been kicked off the network.

"Imagine if I'm negotiating with a threat actor and that threat actor still has access to the network. That's a lot of leverage against us," Minder says. "So, one of the things that we try to do right off the bat is working really closely with the IR team to determine if they were shut out and cannot get back in."

The second part, according to Minder, is to get all the information about the attack that was collected by the IR team, including what data has been compromised, and determine the threat actor and their existing profile and past playbook. Knowing what ransoms they've asked for in the past, establishing their maturity, how many other organizations they're likely to have on the hook at any given time is all valuable information that can dictate how to approach the negotiation.

If they have compromised 30 or 40 companies, that can change their behavior and they can be less patient when negotiating because they have many other options, Minder says.

Many hacker groups customize their ransom demands depending on the victim's profile, usually going for some percentage of the organization's estimated annual revenue if it's a company. However, that can be grossly overestimated if obtained from unreliable sources or without more details about the business structure. For example, the victim's parent company could be a multi-billion-dollar international conglomerate, but the actual victim could be a small business operation in a certain country. At the government level, there are significant differences between the financial resources of federal agencies and small municipalities that might not be directly apparent to the attackers.

According to Minder, the negotiators can have a discussion with the attackers to educate them about the actual financial circumstances of the victim, but it's better to just objectively treat it as any business transaction and not rely on emotions, which is what a victim might be inclined to do if they attempt to negotiate on their own.

That said, all the communications that happen with the attackers are available to the victim organization through a secure portal in real time, and they can weigh in and make comments or suggestions.

In some cases the victim can restore some of their systems from backups, and that can be used as leverage in the negotiation, because the victim won't be willing to pay the full ransom just to be able to decrypt the data on a few remaining systems. This is another reason why having the capabilities to detect attacks as soon as possible and having an IR plan in place to respond and limit the damage is very important.

"A huge thing that needs to be considered in the earlier stages, as you are identifying an ongoing attack or seeing ransomware being deployed across the environment, is to contain and isolate it as fast as possible," Tim Bandos, CISO of data protection company Digital Guardian, tells CSO. "That comes down to scoping the incident and reviewing the logs and identifying where this thing has gone and where we can effectively cut it off. We've had that instance where we were able to stop it. It moved to 10 or 15 servers in a fleet of around 3,000." In cases like that, the victim might not even have to pay the ransom because restoring 10 or 15 servers from backups will not take a lot of time, where in the case of thousands of systems, paying the ransom and decrypting the data might be quicker.

Even if backups exist, there might be difficulties in restoring an affected system because the applications and their software stacks are outdated. Bandos encountered that situation with a customer in the manufacturing sector that had data backups, but also had a server running an internal application made for them on an outdated Windows server version, so that system would have had to be completely rebuilt. Downtime of that server was costing the company $10,000 per hour, so they paid the ransom.

It's important to also test the restoration process for backups and create system images with all the software a system needs to function properly. Having detection capabilities in place and endpoint software that can detect and block file encryption routines and isolate systems from the network quickly is also very valuable.

Both Minder and Flashpoint's Schenkel said that ransomware groups are generally willing to negotiate, and in the majority of cases the ransoms that end up being paid by victims are a small percentage of the original amount that they ask. That's because the attackers are under time pressure, too. The longer the discussion drags on, the more time the victim's IR team has to restore systems. On top of that, according to Schenkel, data shows that only between 25% and 30% of ransoms are being paid and the attackers are aware of this.

"As much as we say how bad threat actors are, they're still just people trying to sell something, so they will have a starting price," Schenkel says. "Sometimes that's 10% of revenue, sometimes as high as 20% of revenue, but that's a starting point. They are always open to negotiation and being 'reasonable,' if that's even the right word because there's nothing reasonable in that situation at all."
FRANKFORT, Ky (AP)  Kentucky has reported a record COVID-19 test positivity rate of 14.46%, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday.

Folks, its clear Kentucky is now in a surge from Omicron,  Beshear said in a statement posted to social media. "This is the most contagious variant weve seen. Protect yourself and others: get vaccinated and get a booster shot.

The previous record positivity rate was 14.16% on Sept. 8, 2021.

Beshear announced the first case of the omicron variant in Kentucky on Dec. 17.

Kentucky reported 5,530 new coronavirus cases and 21 virus-related deaths Wednesday.

A total of 12,118 people have died of the virus in Kentucky.
An aging Connecticut prison with a history of maintenance issues lost heat for part of the day on Christmas, when the state was experiencing near-freezing conditions, an official with the Connecticut Department of Correction said Monday.

The loss of heat at the Cheshire Correctional Institution, a high-security prison, was caused by a faulty hose and control valve caused by fluctuating temperatures, according to Karen Martucci, a spokeswoman for the states prison system. The system was repaired by staff, restoring heat on Christmas Day, she added.

Martucci was unable to say how much of the roughly 1,000-bed prison was without heat while the system was being fixed, though she said that impacted prisoners were provided with extra blankets to stay warm. Martucci said it was not the first time the prison, opened in 1913, has had problems with its heating systems.

Based on the age of the facility, we have dealt with similar issues in the past, Martucci said in an email. Anything of this type is deemed to be a priority and handled immediately.

Advocates for better conditions at Connecticuts prisons also noted a history of problems with the heating and cooling systems at Cheshire on Monday, saying that the agency has failed to come up with a long-term solution.

It was not uncommon for the heat and ventilation system to go down, said Michael Braham, a former prisoner who served 20 years at Cheshire before being released earlier this year.

In addition to freezing temperatures and a lack of hot water when the heat went down in winter, Braham said the prison would be sweltering in the summer, with no air, due to frequent malfunctions with the cooling system, which he said relied on the same aging pipes as the heat.

Debra Martinez, the sister of a prisoner at Cheshire who helps operate a support group for other prison families, said that she began hearing from multiple people on Christmas Eve who were concerned about their loved ones dealing with a lack of heat at Cheshire.

Martinez said she spoke with her brother, who confirmed the problem, and contacted Deputy Warden Carlos Nunez, who she said replied to her within moments, saying that staff were working to find a solution.

He said it was cold, Martinez recalled her brother saying. He said he had been wearing his robe on top of whatever other clothes he had, he said it wasnt only the residents but the officers who were affected.

Braham said that issues with the heating and cooling systems were often only addressed during his time at the prison when the temperatures caused staff to complain. Even then, he said, only temporary repairs were made and no preventative maintenance was done to avoid future problems.

Martinez also faulted the Department of Correction for not putting in more resources to fix the long-term maintenance problems at Cheshire, though she said the current wardens at Cheshire are fantastic at addressing concerns when they are raised by family members. After hearing complaints on Christmas Day, she said the heat was back on by around 2:30 p.m.

Band-Aid repairs must be a thing of the past, Martinez said in a text message Monday. No heat or hot water is an unacceptable working environment and living environment Its fiscally irresponsible of our state to keep going with temporary fixes in any building or keeping buildings that cause serious health issues for staff and residents.

The Department of Correction also faced allegations recently of dirty, foul-smelling water at another state prison where two inmates tested positive for Legionnaires Disease. Prison officials did not identify a suspected source of the outbreak.

Temperatures in Cheshire reached a low of 27 degrees on Christmas, as most of the state was placed under a winter weather advisory for at least part of the day.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Harry Reid, the former U.S. Senate majority leader and Nevadas longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82.

Reid died Tuesday, peacefully and surrounded by friends at home in suburban Henderson, following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer, according to family members and a statement from Landra Reid, his wife of 62 years.

Harry was a devout family man and deeply loyal friend, she said. "We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from so many over these past few years. We are especially grateful for the doctors and nurses that cared for him. Please know that meant the world to him, Landra Reid said.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in coming days, she said.

Harry Mason Reid, a combative former boxer-turned-lawyer, was widely acknowledged as one of toughest dealmakers in Congress, a conservative Democrat in an increasingly polarized chamber who vexed lawmakers of both parties with a brusque manner and this motto: I would rather dance than fight, but I know how to fight.

Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

President Joe Biden said that during the two decades they served together in Congress and the eight years they worked together when Biden was vice president, Reid met the marker for what he believed was the most important measure of a person  their actions and their words.

If Harry said he would do something, he did it. If he gave you his word, you could bank on it. Thats how he got things done for the good of the country for decades, Biden said in a statement.

Reid retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye, and revealed in May 2018 that hed been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.

Less than two weeks ago, officials and one of his sons, Rory Reid, marked the renaming of the busy Las Vegas airport as Harry Reid International Airport. Rory Reid is a former Clark County Commission chairman and Democratic Nevada gubernatorial candidate.

Neither Harry nor Landra Reid attended the Dec. 14 ceremony held at the facility that had been known since 1948 as McCarran International Airport, after a former U.S. senator from Nevada, Pat McCarran.

Reid was known in Washington for his abrupt style, typified by his habit of unceremoniously hanging up the phone without saying goodbye.

Even when I was president, he would hang up on me, Obama said in a 2019 tribute video to Reid.

Reid was frequently underestimated, most recently in the 2010 elections when he looked like the underdog to tea party favorite Sharron Angle. Ambitious Democrats, assuming his defeat, began angling for his leadership post. But Reid defeated Angle, 50% to 45%, and returned to the pinnacle of his power. For Reid, it was legacy time.

I dont have people saying hes the greatest speaker, hes handsome, hes a man about town, Reid told The New York Times in December that year. But I dont really care. I feel very comfortable with my place in history.

Born in Searchlight, Nevada, to an alcoholic father who killed himself at 58 and a mother who served as a laundress in a bordello, Reid grew up in a small cabin without indoor plumbing and swam with other children at a pool at a local brothel. He hitchhiked to Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada, 40 miles (64 kilometers) from home, where he met the wife he would marry in 1959, Landra Gould. At Utah State University, the couple became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The future senator put himself through George Washington University law school by working nights as a U.S. Capitol police officer.

At age 28, Reid was elected to the Nevada Assembly and at age 30 became the youngest lieutenant governor in Nevada history as Gov. Mike OCallaghans running mate in 1970.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone else in Nevada history. He narrowly avoided defeat in a 1998 Senate race when he held off Republican John Ensign, then a House member, by 428 votes in a recount that stretched into January.

After his election as Senate majority leader in 2007, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the states caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season. That forced each national party to pour resources into a state that, while home to the countrys fastest growth over the past two decades, still only had six votes in the Electoral College. Reids extensive network of campaign workers and volunteers twice helped deliver the state for Obama.

Obama in 2016 lauded Reid for his work in the Senate, declaring, I could not have accomplished what I accomplished without him being at my side.

The most influential politician in Nevada for more than a decade, Reid steered hundreds of millions of dollars to the state and was credited with almost single-handedly blocking construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain outside Las Vegas. He often went out of his way to defend social programs that make easy political targets, calling Social Security one of the great government programs in history.

Reid championed suicide prevention, often telling the story of his father, a hard-rock miner who took his own life. He stirred controversy in 2010 when he said in a speech on the floor of the Nevada legislature it was time to end legal prostitution in the state.

Reids political moderation meant he was never politically secure in his home state, or entirely trusted in the increasingly polarized Senate. Democrats grumbled about his votes for a ban on so-called partial-birth abortion and the Iraq war resolution in 2002, something Reid later said it was his biggest regret in Congress.

He voted against most gun control bills and in 2013 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, dropped a proposed ban on assault weapons from the Democrats gun control legislation. The package, he said, would not pass with the ban attached.

Reids Senate particularly chafed members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats. When then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, muscled Obamas health care overhaul through the House in 2009, a different version passed the Senate and the reconciliation process floundered long enough for Republicans to turn it into an election-year weapon they used to demonize the California Democrat and cast the legislation as a big-government power grab. Obama signed the measure into law in March 2010. But angered by the recession and inspired by the small-government tea party, voters the next year swept Democrats from the House majority.

Reid hand-picked a Democratic candidate who won the election to replace him in 2016, former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, and built a political machine in the state that helped Democrats win a series of key elections in 2016 and 2018.

On his way out of office, Reid repeatedly lambasted President Donald Trump, calling him at one point a sociopath and a sexual predator who lost the popular vote and fueled his campaign with bigotry and hate.

Reid, who brushed off verbal tussles with the seen-it-all calm of a political veteran, was known to tell his staff they werent life-or-death situations.

Reid, after all, had faced one of those before he ever got to Washington. Then head of the Nevada Gaming Commission investigating organized crime, Reid became the target of a car bomb in 1980. Police called it an attempted homicide. Reid blamed Jack Gordon, who went to prison for trying to bribe him in a sting operation Reid participated in over illegal efforts to bring new games to casinos in 1978.

Following Reids lengthy farewell address on the Senate floor in 2016, his Nevada colleague, Republican Sen. Dean Heller, declared: Its been said that its better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. And as me and my colleagues here today and those in the gallery probably agree with me, no individual in American politics embodies that sentiment today more than my colleague from Nevada, Harry Mason Reid.

___

Kellman, an Associated Press writer in Jerusalem, covered Congress for the AP during Reids time as Senate majority leader. Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in New York and correspondent Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report.
Here we stand once more, on the threshold of Christmas, constrained by the terrible presence of COVID-19 in our midst, and growing concerns about a new surge that is enveloping our area. While we can take some comfort that we now have important tools to battle the pandemic that we did not have at its start, especially the reception of vaccines and the proper use of masks, we still find ourselves in a place of uncertainty. After the hope and joy of springtime renewal and a return to normalcy, to be amid such darkness and despair again is particularly jarring.

Yet in the midst of this darkness, we receive the gift of Christmas, when the Church reminds us that everlasting hope came to us in Bethlehem. Born into poverty and unnoticed by everyone except poor shepherds tending their flocks, the Christ Child brings us hope and inspires his followers and people of good will to work for a more peaceful and just world. It is in this spirit of hope that I offer this reflection, mindful of the personal burdens that many are carrying because of the sufferings caused by the pandemic.

As I look at our own diocese, I see the light of Christmas at work in the generosity, service, and advocacy of so many people throughout the year. Our Catholic Charities will be feeding the working poor and homeless on Christmas as they do every day throughout the year. Our Catholic schools throughout the diocese offered heroic service by remaining open for in-person learning while advancing the education of our students. The generosity of donors both large and small provided emergency relief to individuals and families, while also maintaining core services. Our churches remained open for safe public worship, while avoiding communal spread of the virus.

To be certain, both in our diocese and across the country, we have been inspired by heroic and sacrificial acts that restore our faith in one another. Yet we also see much that is deeply disturbing, especially in the rising homicide rates, traffic fatalities, altercations on airlines and in stores, and the fraying of our common bonds of civility both in public discourse and individual actions.

The pandemic has also exposed the inequalities in our society that leave so many of the working poor and most vulnerable subject to personal, economic, and social hardships. While we may be far from agreeing politically on how best to find a solution, I think as people of faith, we can agree that the love of God compels us to love our neighbors, especially those whom the world has left behind, in the shadows of our society.

I believe Christmas is a blessed time to rediscover the power of the common good; that is, the common values that invite us to work together to bring healing to the world. Thankfully, we can turn to Pope Francis writings, which resonate deeply with the notion of the common good. He makes it clear that every human person, and in particular every believer has a personal responsibility to foster healing and seek unity and peace with our neighbor.

In Christian revelation, we speak of God as a Trinity of divine persons, unified in perfect divine love since God is love. The communion (common union) we share with one another is meant to reflect this divine life in the world. We are reminded of who we are and the bond we share with every human being, of all races, cultures and backgrounds. This principle of communion is summarized in four simple words: a call for inclusion. It also reminds us of our obligation to sustain our common life and the care of creation that allows human life to endure. Further, in the Jewish scriptures, the invitation to communion is expressed in the notion of covenant. By offering a covenant to His chosen people, God binds Himself in love to His people despite whatever past infidelities may have occurred. The offer of His covenant is Gods everlasting and irrevocable invitation to share divine life with His Chosen People.

This Christmas, let our prayer be one of unity and healing. Let us put aside what divides us in our families, churches, communities, and country, and find the common ground necessary to protect the life and dignity of every person, to foster the health of nations, to affirm a global common good and to allow all humanity to live in true communion. Let us mold our world to become a place where every human being, local community, and nation can live in prosperity and peace.

I pray that this Christmas will be a time of blessings and joy for you and your loved ones, and bring our world to greater unity and peace.

The Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano was named bishop of Bridgeport by Pope Francis in 2013. You can read his reflections on Facebook: Bishop Frank J. Caggiano or follow him on Twitter @BishopCaggiano , or Instagram @BishopFrankCaggiano.
BRANFORD  BHcare clothing coordinator Joan McFarlane-Nwagboli has been known to take the coat off her back and give it to someone who needs it. Literally.

Ive seen her do it, said longtime volunteer Maggie Gouin on a recent afternoon at the Clothing Bank, which adjoins the Community Dining Room at the Patricia C. Andriole Volunteer Services Building, 30 Harrison Ave.

But that spirit of generosity couldnt help a man who appeared in early December. He told me he was working construction under a bridge in the freezing cold and desperately needed an extra-large winter coat, Gouin recalled, as Christmas carols filtered through the brightly lit space.

That Gouin was only able to scare up two sweatshirts for the construction worker is symptomatic of a severe shortage of extra-large winter coats, as well as hats, gloves, and warm socks of all sizes, according to McFarlane-Nwagboli.

The Clothing Bank is also in dire need of pants, shirts and sweaters for girls ages 6 to 16, as well as socks, underwear (new), and personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, body wash, razors, and shaving cream.

Were asking Shoreline residents to donate whatever they can, McFarlane-Nwagboli said.

The Clothing Bank serves roughly 3,000 people throughout the state. Paying $20 a year, shoppers can come in once a month and get up to 14 pieces of assorted clothing, shoes, boots, bedding and dishes for themselves and their children under 18. Theyre also eligible for coats and jackets every six months.

We have a lot of people who are sleeping on the Green or on the grounds of one of the churches or in the woods on bone-chilling nights, McFarlane-Nwagboli said.

But we also have people like [the construction worker] who are just trying to get by and feed their families, and for whatever reason hit a rough patch, and need a little help, she said.

Gouin agreed. A lot of the people who come in here were recently laid off, or theyre seniors struggling with health care bills, or theyve just arrived here. Theyre having a hard time. Its the price of gas. Its the price of food.

Thats borne out by the November 2021 data from the U.S. Census Bureau showing one in 10 Connecticut residents living below the poverty threshold.

There are parents in this community who are having to choose between keeping the lights and heat on and feeding their families, and providing warm coats for their children, said Anita Ruggiero, another long-time volunteer, who had just come in after washing and drying laundry.

Having a warm coat may mean, she said, a child is able to walk to school and not stay home on a really cold day, or an individual can go on a job interview during the winter months, or a senior is able to get out and about.

It may not seem like a lot to you if its just an old coat in the back of your closet, but to someone else, that could be a whole season of living, Ruggiero said.

While expressing gratitude for everyones efforts to take care of the most vulnerable members in our community over the years, McFarlane-Nwagboli reiterated a policy shes followed since the 1990s, when she operated the Clothing Bank out of two trailers in the parking lot of what would become the Patricia C. Andriole Volunteer Services Building.

We dont want to insult any of our shoppers with dirty or worn-out clothes, she said. I want our people to find beautiful things that make them feel good inside.

Just then, a woman poked her head inside the door of the Clothing Bank. Ruggiero gestured her in.

We cant cure COVID, said McFarlane-Nwagboli, as the woman headed to the childrens section along the wall. We cant solve poverty or unemployment or the problem of homelessness, but we can try to help those who come in. For that the volunteers have always been here, and the community has always come through.

And right now we need the communitys help through this latest challenge more than ever.

BHcare Clothing Bank is in the Patricia C. Andriole Volunteer Services Building, 30 Harrison Ave. Branford. Donations may be made Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, call 203-483-2643. To learn more about BHcare, visit BHcare.org.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Health officials on Tuesday urged people to take precautions, such as wearing masks and getting booster shots, after the positivity rate for COVID-19 tests more than doubled over the last week.

The Alabama Department of Public Health said in a news release that the state positivity rate for COVID-19 tests had more doubled over the past week to reach 22.1%. All but six counties are classified as having high levels of community transmission.
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP)  President Joe Bidens new puppy, Commander, got his moment under the flashing lights of the Washington press corps  and some time frolicking on the beach  on Tuesday.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden took the German shepherd on a walk near their second home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
BRIDGEPORT  An hour into City Council members discussion Tuesday of a proposed tax break for the developer of high-end apartments at Steelpointe, freshman member Wanda Simmons posed perhaps the most important question.

If this tax abatement is not given, does that mean they wouldnt be able to go forward with the project? Simmons asked.

The answer, according to Economic Development Director Tom Gill, is no.

They would have a gap in their financing and their financing and lending institutions would not approve the project, Gill said.

Shortly after, the two council committees involved in the teleconference  contracts and economic development  approved granting Bridgeport Landing Development, run by the Christoph family, a 12-year tax cut for as many as 1,500 market-rate apartments. Steelpointe is located on the East Side between the harbor and Interstate 95.

The deal now heads to the full, 20-member legislative body where it is expected to receive final approval.

As outlined in city documents, Bridgeport would receive $23,900 in taxes for those three years the apartments are being built/leased, then $1.26 million in year four, and then, in years five through 10, the payments would increase by 2 percent, reaching $1.47 million.

Bill Coleman, the citys deputy economic director, said Tuesday he tried to estimate what the developers were saving in taxes, and arrived at a theoretical figure of roughly 40 percent over the course of 10 years.

Council members who spoke argued it will be worth it because the apartments  studios, one, two and three-bedroom units costing $2,100 to $2,700 a month  will establish a higher-end housing market in Connecticuts largest city and, hopefully, encourage future investment that will not require a local subsidy.

What this project is going to do is create a market thats not here in Bridgeport, said Councilman Matthew McCarthy, a contracts committee co-chairman. Its going to create something where other developers are going to come in and develop around the city and lenders OK giving money. If we build it, they will come.

And Councilwoman Maria Valle, who co-chairs the economic development committee and represents the Steelpointe neighborhood, said, Its about time the East Side of Bridgeport is lifted and this cloud hovering over the East Side is lifted.

She continued, And these apartments, yes, some of them are costly, but (will) allow our East Side to shine.

Steelpointe was proposed a few decades ago and the father-son team of Robert Christoph and Robert Christoph Jr. have been slowly making progress since entering into a development agreement in 2009 with then-Mayor Bill Finchs administration.

The first tenants  Bass Pro Shops, Chipotle restaurant and a Starbucks coffee shop  opened in late 2015, followed by a marina and then, in 2019, Boca Oyster Bar. Meanwhile a luxury movie theater announced in 2015 as another draw was never built, while the housing and a still-to-come hotel have seemingly been in limbo.

The Christophs have made it clear that they want to create an upper-scale waterfront destination in this gritty, ex-manufacturing hub, hosting luxury yacht shows two years in a row at the marina. But recently their upper scale housing plan faced some criticism for excluding lower-income residents because it calls for only 25 affordable units on-site.

Bridgeport has its share of housing discrimination, racial and ethnic segregation and wealth inequality, Callie Heilmann, who helps run the Bridgeport Generation Now civic group, testified last week at a council public hearing on the Steelpointe tax breaks.

Christoph Jr. participated in Tuesdays teleconference but let Gill and Coleman handle the majority of the questions. They argued that, under the 2009 agreement with Bridgeport, the Christophs are required to build more than just the 25 affordable apartments, but allowed to do so elsewhere in town.

Whatever number gets built market rate, at least 10 percent of that number has to be built as affordable, Coleman said, noting the developers have made substantial progress before actually breaking ground on their market rate housing.

Teaming up mainly with Building Neighborhoods Together, formerly Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, the Christophs have already helped finance 50 affordable units around the city with another 114 in the works, Coleman said.

East Side Councilman Ernest Newton argued those terms were set 12 years ago.

Theyre already signed, sealed and delivered and I dont know if we can go in and undo something thats already been in place, he said.

But Simmons wondered why no affordable on-site units are being included in the first 400 apartments on Steelpointe.

Coleman told her that would complicate the financing and further delay ground-breaking.

Another new council member, Tyler Mack, asked if the developers would consider building more than 25 affordable units on-site or is that set in stone? He did not get a direct response.

I think weve got to focus on the ten percent aspect, Gill replied. Again, depending upon the overall number of market rate units being built, if they were to accomplish lets say 1,500 market rate units, there would be ten percent of that would be affordable, and those can be put in various sections of the city.

And Councilwoman Rosalina Roman-Christy said the Christophs have shown some good faith by getting a head start on building the lower-priced apartments.
DERBY  The city is set to welcome the new year with a new chief of staff.

Outgoing Chief of Staff Andrew Baklik, who will resign from his position in January, is being replaced by Walt Mayhew beginning on Jan. 4.

The announcement comes less than a month after Baklik announced his resignation. The mayor said Mayhews hire reflects an effort by the city to hire more professionals due to his experience in business and politics.

In a release issued by the city, Mayor Rich Dziekan said he did his due diligence and felt he hired a capable successor to Baklik after looking at a number of potential candidates for the role.

Out of all of them, I felt Walt brought a skill set and experience both in business, the community and within city government that uniquely qualified him to serve in the role of Chief of Staff, Dziekan said.

Dziekan said Mayhew will be paid more than $78,000 a year.

According to the release, Mayhew has an extensive business background, having worked in the IT industry in New York, including owning his own business. A longtime Derby resident, Mayhew is also the former city treasurer and has had stints as a member of the Board of Alderman, Board of Appropriation and Taxation, and the Board of Education. He is currently an eighth grade math teacher at the Westside Middle School Academy in Danbury. His community involvement includes 20 years as the pastor of Christian Community Church.

Dziekan said Mayhews hire reflects an effort by the city to professionalize its administration. Mayhews appointment comes months after the city hired Agata Herasimowicz as its new finance director in late May. Herasimowicz had extensive experience as a finance director in other towns prior to becoming Derbys finance director.

Before these hires, positions had gone at times to people who didnt necessarily have the qualifications for a role in city hall, Dziekan said.

Mayhews hire was of paramount importance to the city especially as the city continues with its economic revitalization initiatives, Dziekan said.

We got projects starting to step up in the spring, and we cant afford not to have the best people in those positions, he said.

But the mayor was also quick to praise Baklik, who was hired as Dziekans chief of staff soon after his election and had no previous government experience. He said Baklik would continue to stay on in a per diem role after Jan. 4 to wrap up grant applications and other projects he previously worked on.

As for Mayhew, hes expecting to begin work on Jan. 4 after leaving his teaching position. In the citys release, Mayhew said he would act in the best interests of the city.

I am grateful for the opportunity Mayor Dziekan has given me, as his Chief of Staff, to play a significant role in shaping the future of my hometown and working with the various people in city government, regardless of party affiliation, to accomplish what is best for Derby, he said.
A federal judge refused to dismiss an indictment charging four alleged leaders of the far-right Proud Boys with conspiring to attack the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's electoral victory.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly on Tuesday rejected defense attorneys' arguments that the four men  Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Charles Donohoe  are charged with conduct that is protected by the First Amendment right to free speech.

Kelly said the defendants had many nonviolent ways to express their opinions about the 2020 presidential election.

Defendants are not, as they argue, charged with anything like burning flags, wearing black armbands, or participating in mere sit-ins or protests," Kelly wrote in his 43-page ruling. Moreover, even if the charged conduct had some expressive aspect, it lost whatever First Amendment protection it may have had."

Nordean, Biggs, Rehl and Donohoe were indicted in March on charges including conspiracy and obstructing an official proceeding. All four of them remain jailed while they await a trial scheduled for May.

Defense lawyers also argued that the obstruction charge doesn't apply to their clients' cases because Congress certification of the Electoral College vote was not an official proceeding." Kelly disagreed.

Earlier this month, another judge in the District of Columbia's federal court upheld prosecutors use of the same obstruction charge in a separate case against two riot defendants.

The case against Nordean, Biggs, Rehl and Donohoe is a focus of the Justice Department's sprawling investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection. More than three dozen people charged in the Capitol siege have been identified by federal authorities as Proud Boys leaders, members or associates, including at least 16 defendants charged with conspiracy.

Last Wednesday, a New York man pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol with fellow Proud Boys members. Matthew Greene is the first Proud Boys member to publicly plead guilty to conspiring with other members to stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote. He agreed to cooperate with authorities.

Other extremist group members have been charged with conspiring to carry out coordinated attacks on the Capitol, including more than 20 people linked to the antigovernment Oath Keepers.

Nordean, of Auburn, Washington, was a Proud Boys chapter president and member of the groups national Elders Council. Biggs, of Ormond Beach, Florida, is a self-described Proud Boys organizer. Rehl was president of the Proud Boys chapter in Philadelphia. Donohoe, of Kernersville, North Carolina, also served as president of his local chapter, according to the indictment.

Lawyers for the four men declined to comment on Tuesday's ruling.

On the morning of Jan. 6, Proud Boys members met at the Washington Monument and marched to the Capitol before President Donald Trump finished addressing thousands of supporters near the White House.

Just before Congress convened a joint session to certify the election results, a group of Proud Boys followed a crowd of people who breached barriers at a pedestrian entrance to the Capitol grounds, the indictment says. Several Proud Boys also entered the Capitol building itself after the mob smashed windows and forced open doors.

More than 700 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. At least 165 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanor offenses punishable by a maximum of six months' imprisonment.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP)  Kansas reported Wednesday that it has seen more than 7,000 deaths from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, and health officials in one of Kansas' most populous counties are talking again about the possibility of imposing a local mask mandate only days after one for children expired.

Gov. Laura Kelly immediately ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sundown Friday, just as she has every time Kansas has reported another 1,000 deaths.

Kelly's action and the interest in a new mask mandate in Douglas County, home to the main University of Kansas campus, come as the state continues to see relatively high numbers of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

The delta variant has spread across the state, and 45 cases of the new omicron variant have been reported in 13 of the state's 105 counties, including three cases in Douglas County. The state reported 20 new omicron cases since Monday.

Meanwhile, a 46-year-old officer for the North Newton Police Department in south-central Kansas has died from complications after battling COVID-19. The state's total number of COVID-19 deaths is approaching 7,000, according to state Department of Health and Environment data.

In Douglas County, health department Director Dan Partridge told the Lawrence Journal-World that he, the county administrator and the CEO of the local health system plan to meet next week to hear from the county's public health officer and other health professionals. He said the question of imposing a new mask mandate is sure to come up.

The elected Douglas County Commission would decide whether to impose the mandate. Partridge said the earliest that health officials would present a recommendation would be Jan. 12.

The county kept a requirement that children ages 2 through 11 wear masks in public spaces in place until Dec. 22.

State health department data showed that Kansas averaged 2,003 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases a day for the seven days ending Wednesday, its highest seven-day average since Jan. 14. The state also averaged 34 new hospitalizations and seven new deaths a day during the seven days ending Wednesday.

A news release from the city of North Newton said police Officer Brian Rousseau died Tuesday. He had been a patrol officer since 2018 in the community of about 1,800 residents about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Wichita. He previously worked 18 years with the neighboring Newton Police Department.

North Newton Police Chief Randy Jordan called Rousseau a terrific officer and a terrific person. He is survived by his wife and two children.
The first phase in Connecticuts plan to distribute 1.5 million at-home test kits for COVID-19 is expected to be completed within days, though local officials said Tuesday that even a seamless delivery effort is unlikely to stave off the states insatiable demand.

A day after announcing the $18.5 million purchase of at-home testing kits using federal funds, Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday called upon 100 members of the Connecticut National Guard to assist in distribution efforts.

A spokesman for the governor said the first phase in that delivery  about 500,000 kits  will involve officials from every municipality in the state picking up their allotment of kits from distribution hubs in each of the states five emergency management regions.

Subsequent distributions of another million testing kits, as well as 6 million N95 masks, will follow a similar model developed by emergency management officials in early pandemic efforts to get masks and personal protective equipment to communities.

Theyve all done this before, so in a lot of ways its dusting off the paybook and executing, said the spokesman, Max Reiss.

A conference call between state and local leaders was held on Monday, after which several municipal officials told Hearst Connecticut Media they anticipated being able to pick up their allotment of kits starting Wednesday. Once in hand, they planned to be able to hand out the tests within a few days or even a few hours.

Meanwhile, Connecticut on Tuesday surpassed its highest single-day positivity rate since broad testing started in the spring of 2020, with more than one-in-seven people testing positive for the virus.

Concern over the highly infectious omicron variant, coupled with desire among many people to continue with their holiday plans after nearly two years of the pandemic, is fueling a demand for testing that has swamped availability, officials said.

I think its going to lead to frustration for a lot of residents who are going to want them, because there is not nearly enough, said Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna said of the states distribution plans, which otherwise praised as a good effort, a start.

Each testing kit comes with two rapid antigen tests, enough to complete nearly 3 million tests throughout the state. However, many experts  including the makers of one of the at-home testing kits, Abbott Labs  recommend that users take both tests, spaced more than day apart, reducing the number of people that can be effectively tested.

The number of tests sent to each municipality ranged from a few hundred in smaller towns to more than 18,000 in the cities, according to a copy of the allotment list obtained by Hearst. Each of the states two federally recognized Native American tribes were also set to receive 90 kits, though officials advised on Tuesday that the numbers were subject to change before final distribution.

The largest allocations are going to Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford and Stamford, which will each receive more than 15,000 test kits, according to the state.

A spokesman for the states Department of Public Health did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday inquiring how the state determined its allotment figures. The list provided by the state highlights that allocations are based on population data.

After reviewing their allotments, several local leaders said that the latest effort was unlikely to keep up with a surging demand that has cleared stocks of store-bought kits and brought long lines to public testing sites  though it could relieve some short-term pressure.

This distribution is intended to alleviate some of the lines youre seeing at the urgent care center  and at the local pharmacies, said Robert Rubbo, the director of health at the Torrington Area Health District. People want to get tested before they travel or go to a family gathering, for example.

Reiss said local leaders would have broad leeway in determining how to distribute their allotted tests and that some may choose to set aside a certain number of kits for emergency responders.

Without strict guidelines in place, many town leaders and local health officials said they would distribute the kits on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Such a method will be used in Westport, where Operations Director Lynn Scully announced plans to begin distributing kits at 1 p.m. Thursday at Staples High School, with a limit of two kits per vehicle.

In New London, Mayor Michael Passero announced a similar delivery system beginning Thursday at 2 p.m. at the C.B. Jennings School parking lot  with participants having to show a proof of residence to receive a test.

Throughout the day on Tuesday, muncipalities across Connecticut started posting locations for test pickups at facilities operated by local governments. Each came with the caveat that supplies will be limited.

In a statement distributed along with the announcement of the purchase of the tests on Monday, Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani acknowledged the limits of the supply by encouraging residents to help ease the demand by taking other precautions.

I strongly encourage people to limit gathering sizes during this holiday week, Juthani said. Because of the scarcity of these kits, I am asking the residents of our state to please take only the kits that you need for your immediate family so that we can distribute as many as possible to help flatten the omicron curve.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced a set back Wednesday in Connecticuts plans to distribute 500,000 at-home COVID-19 testing kits, saying that the shipment of the kits faced shipping and warehouse delays on the West Coast.

A statement released by the governors office Wednesday afternoon did not provide a new timetable for the arrival of the test kits. The announcement came a few hours after Connecticut National Guard Maj. David Pytlik told Hearst Connecticut Media the kits were scheduled to arrive by plane on Thursday morning, with the exact time subject to change by a few hours in one direction or the other.

A spokesman for the governor later clarified that the state originally expected the shipment to arrive on Wednesday and that it was still possible it could be delivered later in the evening or overnight. The push for more widespread testing comes as the state reported a COVID test positivity rate of nearly 18 percent Wednesday with hospitalizations increasing by a net of 150 patients for a total of 1,113, the highest single-day census since Jan. 13.

However, municipal leaders, in messages to the community, said a call was held with the governors office Wednesday evening in which they were told that the tests may not arrive in time for any planned distribution on Thursday afternoon.

In a message to the community, Monroe First Selectman Ken Kellogg, a Republican, said: I share your frustration. We expect to get an update from the state late tonight.

Paul Mounds, Lamonts chief of staff said: We provided realistic information to the municipalities. It is our hope that we will be able to have them in place for tomorrow... Its imminent. Its just a matter of things moving, thats all it is.

Mounds went on to say that the governor has been working diligently on this.

Local leaders were told earlier this week that they could begin picking up the testing kits from the state at 9 a.m. Thursday and some scheduled public distribution drives to begin as early as noon that same day.

My staff and multiple state agencies have spent the past several days working around the clock to accelerate the movement of our tests through what is clearly a shipping and distribution bottleneck on the West Coast amid unprecedented international demand for tests, Lamont said in a statement.

State officials remain confident in the supplier of the tests despite the delays.

We have a legitimate supplier we have worked with in the past, we know exactly where these tests are located right now, Mounds said.

Lamont earlier this week to help distribute the initial shipment of at-home test kits, which will be sent to each town and city and the state from a series of five centralized distribution hubs, according to the governors office.

The municipalities, which were allotted a certain number of tests based on population size, will then be charged with delivering those tests to the public.

In an email sent to municipal leaders on Monday, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Regional Coordinator Jacob Manke said the distribution hubs should be up and running Thursday by 9 a.m. A subsequent email sent Wednesday promised to notify towns ASAP if there is any delay in the delivery status of the test kits, according to emails reviewed by Hearst.

When asked about the potential for that timeline to be disrupted by shipping delays, both Manke and Maj. Pytlik referred a reporters questions the states Office of Emergency Services and Public Protection. A spokesman for that office said he was not aware of any expected distribution delays.

While some towns publicly announced plans to open pick-up locations for residents on Thursday afternoon, others opted to wait to begin distribution until Friday morning or later.

After Lamont announced delays in the testing supply chain, Lauren Meyer, special assistant to Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, said if the test kits arrive to Bradley Airport before 5 a.m. on Thursday, the city will still be able to distribute the 17,010 test kids as planned Thursday afternoon.

In his email to town leaders on Monday, Manke advised local officials to Remember the goal is for you to get these into the hands of your citizens as soon as possible and before New Years.

When asked if there were immediate plans in the works for more tests to be distributed, Lamont spokesman Max Reiss did not offer specifics, but said we scaled up in just about every way you can, so I think this would be a continued effort.

What we dont want to do is buy a bunch of tests and have them sitting in a warehouse collecting dust, he said.

Each at-home testing kit contains two tests, which the manufacturers recommend a user take both over the course of several days.

The state purchased 1.5 million kits  for a total of 3 million tests  directly from the manufacturer. The second phase of the states delivery will send 1 million kits to schools around the state beginning next month.

The tests, made by California-based iHealth Labs, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration under an emergency use authorization.

Our procurement team has a remarkable amount of experience and muscle memory getting their hands on this stuff, Reiss said. Theyve done this before. We know how to work relationships, work supply chains.

President Joe Biden also announced this month plans to have the federal government ship 500 million at-home tests directly to Americans free of charge beginning in January. To order those kits, people will register on a website that has yet to launch, the Associated Press reported.

The states effort to distribute 1.5 million testing kits is separate from that effort. Reiss said Wednesday state officials are still waiting for additional information on the national at-home testing effort.

Reporter Jordan Nathaniel Fenster contributed to this report.
DENVER (AP)  A man accused of killing five people in a rampage in Denver is believed to have written fictional books self-published online that named some of his real-life victims and described similar attacks.

The writings are part of the investigation into what led Lyndon James McLeod to carry out the shootings, which took place in less than an hour Monday at several locations around the metro area, Denver police spokesman Doug Schepman said Wednesday.

McLeod, 47, knew most of the people he shot through business or personal relationships, police have said. Four of the people who were shot were attacked at tattoo shops. In addition to those killed, two other people were wounded, including a police officer who shot and killed McLeod after being hit.

In the first novel, written under a pen name of Roman McClay, a character named Lyndon stalks a poker party held by a character named Michael Swinyard and gains access to a building near Cheesman Park by posing as a police officer. He then fatally shoots everyone at the party and robs them before fleeing with his dog in a van.

In Monday's attack, Michael Swinyard, 67, was fatally shot at a home near Denvers Cheesman Park, police said.

In his second novel, which also features a character named Lyndon, McClay names Alicia Cardenas as a victim. The book also mentions the tattoo shop she owned, Sol Tribe.

Alicia Cardenas, a 44-year-old tattoo artist, was among his first victims in Monday's rampage. She was killed at her tattoo shop, along with another woman, Alyssa Gunn, 35. A man who was also wounded there is expected to survive, police said. He was identified by friends and customers as Gunns husband, James Maldonado, a piercer there.

That shop is less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from a tattoo shop that McLeod was listed as the lease holder for between 2014 and 2016. Cardenas later took it over before moving the shop to its current spot, city records show.

McLeod was not licensed to work as a tattoo artist or operate a tattoo business himself in Denver according to city records, a spokesperson for Denvers licensing agency, Eric Escudero, said Wednesday.

Cardenas, whose daughter is 12 years old, described herself as a proud Indigenous artist who also painted murals.

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said during a news conference Tuesday that McLeod was on the radar of law enforcement and had been investigated in both 2020 and 2021. He declined to say what McLeod was investigated for but said charges were not filed against him.

Matt Clark, commander of the Denver Police Departments Major Crimes Division, said McLeod knew most of the people he targeted but not the last person he shot  a clerk in a hotel in Lakewood's Belmar shopping area. However, McLeod had had some dealings with the hotel, Clark said.

The hotel clerk, 28-year-old Sarah Steck, died of her injuries Tuesday.

Steck graduated this year from Metropolitan State University with a bachelors degree of fine art in communication design. She was known among her co-workers at the hotel for her infectious laugh and love of kittens, art and music, The Denver Post reported.

Soon after the shooting at Cardenas' shop, McLeod forced his way into a residence that is also home to a business. City records show it is licensed as a tattoo shop. He pursued the occupants through the building and fired shots, but no one was injured, Clark said. Then he shot and killed Swinyard near Cheesman Park, Clark said.

Later, Denver police chased the vehicle believed to have been involved in the shootings, and an officer exchanged gunfire with McLeod, Clark said. McLeod was able to get away, fleeing into Lakewood, after gunfire disabled the officer's cruiser, he said.

Just before 6 p.m., the Lakewood Police Department received a report of shots fired at the Lucky 13 tattoo shop. Danny Scofield, 38, was killed there, Lakewood police spokesperson John Romero said.

Scofield was a father of three, according to a site raising money for his family.

When officers spotted the car suspected of being involved in the shooting at the Belmar shopping area  where shops line sidewalks in a modern version of a downtown  McLeod opened fire and officers shot back, Romero said. He ran away and allegedly threatened some people in a restaurant with a gun before going to the Hyatt House hotel, where he spoke briefly with Steck, before shooting her, he said.

About a minute later, Lakewood police officer Ashley Ferris saw McLeod and ordered him to drop his weapon. She was shot in the abdomen but fired back and killed the gunman.

Ferris underwent surgery Monday night and is expected to make a full recovery.

I can't overemphasize enough the heroic actions of our Lakewood police agent," Romero said during a news conference Tuesday. "In the face of being shot, in the face of danger, she was able to not only save others from this terrible tragedy but also neutralize the threat.

___

Associated Press writer Mead Gruver contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to change the spelling of Danny Scofield's last name.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  The Mills administration is boosting MaineCare reimbursement rates for nursing and residential homes starting Jan. 1, officials said Wednesday.

The higher reimbursement rates, signed into law earlier this year, will allow those facilities to increase pay for direct care workers to at least 125% of the states minimum wage.

Providing quality care for Maines most vulnerable people takes commitment and compassion. Our nurses, direct care workers and assisted living staff have proven they have both, especially during the pandemic, Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement.

The extra money will help retain workers and also recruit new workers who are urgently needed, she said.

The higher rates were supposed to go into effect in July 2022, but the governor stepped up the schedule in line with legislative intent.

The administration will propose an additional $7.6 million to reinstate a supplemental wage adjustment to help nursing and residential facilities with labor costs through the rest of the fiscal year.
Traditional financial service providers continue to search for ways to maneuver the perilous competitive waters stirred up by fintech providers.

The Curql Collective offers a collaborative approach that provides swim lanes allowing credit unions to navigate these waters. The credit union service organizations (CUSOs) flagship, Curql Fund I, brings transformative technology to the credit union industry, says Nick Evens, president/CEO of the Curql Collective.

Members Development Co. incubated the idea and launched the collective as two independent CUSOs in 2020. The collective includes 68 limited partners made up of credit unions, CUSOs, National Cooperative Bank and a league service corporation.

While Curql Collective provides collaborative solutions that benefit both fintechs and credit unions, limited partners invested directly in Curql Fund. Evens says the arrangement makes credit unions more attractive and relevant as partners, a place where fintechs can access capital incubation and piloting opportunities.
Former Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) passed away Tuesday.

Harry Reid was a credit union champion whose leadership made a lasting impact for consumers across the country, said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle.

During a 30-year career in the Senate, Reid championed several credit union priorities, including legislation allowing credit unions the ability to offer Attorney Trust Accounts (IOLTAs) and granting eligibility to privately-insured credit unions to become members of Federal Home Loan Banks.

As the Senior Senator from Nevada, the credit union leadership and members of the Silver State enjoyed a close, open, and at times very straightforward relationship with the Senator, read a statement from the Nevada Credit Union League. Throughout his Senate career, and especially during his tenure as both the Minority and Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Senator Reid aided credit unions and our members in the times we needed him most.
In stock. Just two little words, and yet, a huge harbinger of customer joy these days as increasingly savvy digital consumers scour the web to find better prices, faster delivery or simply checking on inventory.

The frustration of thinking something is available when its not  even in our highly digitized, artificial intelligence-capable world where it should be easy to tell this information instantly  is alive and well.

As much as omnichannel retail is predicated on the notion of better service and convenience, gaps still exist and what is supposed to be a unified shopping experience can often feel frustrating.

As former Saks Fifth Avenue CEO and Senior Mastercard Advisor Steve Sadove told PYMNTS Karen Webster, delivering a good, omnichannel consumer experience  where in-store and online work cohesively  is a complicated and still-nascent skill.
1 to 3 times a month: 25%/ 19%Weekly or nearly every week: 28%/ 18%More than once a week: 8%/ 5%I dont know, or not applicable: 6%/ 7%Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.They show somewhat greater trust in organized religion.57% of the LDS respondents said they trust organized religion completely or a lot, compared to 35% in the national sample.How much do you trust Organized Religion?Mormons (n = 396)/ All Respondents (n = 10,274)Do not trust at all7%/ 19%Trust somewhat31%/ 33%Trust a lot34%/ 21%Trust completely23%/ 14%Not applicable5%/ 13%On the other hand, the research also showed a number of findings that will give LDS parents and leaders pause. Before I get into that, let me try to provide a bit of context. In most data about religion in the US, two things are consistently true about Mormons: they arent immune from national trends toward disaffiliation and decreased orthodoxy, but theyre still more religious than other Americans. They generally report stronger belief in God, higher attendance at religious services and a greater sense that religion is important in their lives.In fact, last month when I reported on longitudinal data from the Cooperative Election Study about the drop-off in Mormons religiosity, some readers complained that I didnt give enough context about the declines that are happening in other religions too.But with the Springtide data, its not necessarily the case that Generation Z Mormons are holding to the line Ive been using for years when I talk about Millennial Mormons: theyre less religious than their parents but still noticeably more religious than their peers. The picture is murkier here, especially in the smaller subsample of Mormon respondents who were asked a battery of additional questions about their faith.Their belief in God is about average.I found this very surprising. While few young Mormons surveyed were flat-out atheists (only 7% compared to 16%), they expressed a significant level of agnosticism, with most falling somewhere in the middle. Only one in five said they had no doubts at all about the existence of a higher power, on par with Gen Zers nationally.Which statement comes closest to expressing what you believe about a higher powerwhether it be God, gods, or some other divine source of universal energy?Mormons (n = 470) / All respondents (n = 10,274)I dont believe in a higher power.7% / 16%I dont know whether there is a higher power, and I dont believe there is any way to find out.24%/ 18%I doubt a higher powers existence more than I believe.22% / 13%I believe in a higher powers existence more than I doubt.23%/ 24%I know a higher power exists and I have no doubts about it.20% /23%I dont know.5%/ 7%Mormons rank highest of all faith groups in saying they personally have been harmed by religion, faith, or a religious leader.For me, this was a jaw-dropping finding, and a potentially disturbing one. (Remember, the n here is only 134 people, so I am taking all of this with a grain of salt, as Ill explain at the end.)I have been harmed by religion, faith, or a religious leader in the past.Group/ % agreeMormons: 59%Atheists: 52%Jews: 45%Muslims: 45%Orthodox Christians: 45%Buddhists: 43%Hindus: 35%Protestant Christians39%Agnostics: 38%Roman Catholics: 38%Just Christian: 33%Unitarian Universalists: 28%Nothing in particular: 26%Nationally, 39% of respondents said they had been harmed by religion. For Latter-day Saints, its a full 20 points higher. Its hard to digest that number, frankly: more than half of young Mormons say theyve been harmed by religion? On a similar question, 60% of Mormons said they dont feel safe within religious or faith institutions.This is particularly confusing when you juxtapose these findings side by side with the trust results reported above: a majority of young Mormons say they have been harmed by religion or religious leaders (59%), but an almost identical percentage (57%) say they have a lot of trust in religion. Its a head-scratcher.Young Mormons dont feel like they can bring their whole selves to church.Mormons ranked fifth overall on this question, so on the one hand you might see them as occupying the middle of the pack in the table below. But compared to other Christian groups, they are markedly more likely to say they cant be themselves in a religious organization.I dont feel like I can be my full self in a religious organization.Group/ % agreeAtheists: 82%Agnostics: 76%Nothing in particular: 75%Unitarian Universalists: 66%Mormons: 57%Jews: 56%Buddhists: 56%Muslims: 52%Orthodox Christians: 52%Roman Catholics: 51%Hindus: 47%Protestant Christians: 43%Just Christian: 43%Of course, one possibility is that these respondents are reflecting on the idea that they cant be themselves in any religious organization, not just their own. The question doesnt specify. But in any case, it demonstrates a discomfort, a worry that the community might not be expansive enough to hold whoever they are behind the facade.Half of Mormons dont think religious leaders care about their concerns.I dont think religious leaders will care about the things I want to talk about during times of uncertainty.Group/ % agreeAtheists: 72%Agnostics: 66%Nothing in particular: 65%Jews: 58%Mormons: 50%Orthodox Christians: 50%Unitarian Universalists: 50%Muslims: 48%Buddhists: 44%Roman Catholics: 40%Hindus: 38%Just Christian: 37%Protestant Christians: 35%The question doesnt spell out what kind of leaders, so its hard to know if these Mormon respondents were thinking of apostles in Salt Lake City or a bishop closer to home.So theres good news and bad news, potentially. I think we should exercise a lot of caution in interpreting the results from the small subsample, and also be aware that post-survey weights that are applied to make data represent the national population in terms of gender, race, and region can skew the results somewhat for Mormons. The nation is more racially and geographically diverse than Mormons are, and this can make a difference. For example, Utah Mormons are more religiously orthodox in both belief and practice than Mormons elsewhere in the US, and they make up about 30% of Mormons throughout the country. But in a national survey that is weighted to reflect the total population of each state, Utah only accounts for 1% of the US population, which means the post-survey weights may be deflating responses from some of the most orthodox respondents and artificially inflating the responses of Midwestern heretics like me. However, thats true of every national survey that includes Mormons, not just this one.Despite the datas limitations, I also think that the Springtide data is particularly valuable for people who care about LDS young people, because its able to harness something that studies that only include adults often miss. By targeting people ages 13 to 25, Springtide is unconsciously including some Mormons who will probably leave the Church later.Think about it this way: Some of these respondents are still living at home, maybe attending church with their parents (or not). They still consider themselves Mormon, and will self-identify as Mormon on a survey, but theyre not strong believers. Some years down the road if theyve been inactive in the Church for a long period, they may be less likely to still identify themselves on a survey as being LDS.I think thats a major part of why Springtides data looks different from what were used to seeing from outlets like Pew and PRRI, which only focus on adults older than 18. Since the median age for leaving the LDS Church is in late adolescence (19 in the Next Mormons Survey, and apparently 18 in internal data from the Church itself), the Springtide data gives us a glimpse of young adults who may have one foot out the door but not yet both.We need to learn from what they have to say.
STORY LINK Pound Australian Dollar Exchange Rate News: GBP/AUD Muted amid Rising Omicron Concerns

GBP/AUD Muted as Covid-19 Concerns Prevail

Australian Dollar (AUD) Subdued in Spite of Risk-On Sentiment

Pound (GBP) Mixed amid Increase in Omicron Cases

GBP/AUD Exchange Rate Forecast: Omicron Headlines to Influence GBP and AUD

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The Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate is trading in a narrow range in the beginning of todays session despite a risk-on mood amid thin post-Christmas trade and rising Covid-19 cases.At the time of writing, the GBP/AUD exchange rate is trading at approximately AU$1.8585 with market movement limited by mounting coronavirus concerns.The Australian Dollar (AUD) is trading in a narrow range against the Pound (GBP) this morning despite the risk-on mood.The risk-sensitive Aussie began Wednesdays session strengthening against its peers but has since started to reverse its gains due to the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus.The latest coronavirus strain, Omicron, is spreading throughout Australia, and although largely considered less severe than previous variants, is still a threat to the economy.Concerns over rising Covid-19 cases have offset news the Australian government will ease testing and isolation rules in an attempt to keep more people working.Queensland has also announced that the controversial rule  the requirement of a negative PCR test before entering the state  has been overruled and will no longer be in effect from the 1st of January.This is likely to be beneficial to AUD as travellers have easier access to the state. It is also expected to ease the demand shortages of PCR tests currently being experienced.According to many officials, this rule has been largely a waste of resources due to the length of time it takes to receive a result.NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, said:They might have been negative on day one when they had their test, but they could well be positive on day four or day five when they cross the border.We are still seeing many people in those queues who do not need to be there.On Tuesday, Chief Health Officer John Gerrard, backed up this decision by saying that this would allow the PCR tests to be used by those who genuinely require them, such as those who have knowingly been in contact with an infected individual.Gerrard said:It [PCR testing] is not contributing in any way to the safety of Queenslanders and that resource can be used better elsewhere.Meanwhile, the Pound (GBP) is rangebound against the Australian Dollar (AUD) this morning as cases of Omicron increase.On Tuesday, the number of cases reached 117,093, with just under 10,000 people in hospital. Though this is below Januarys peak, it is the highest record of cases since March.The lateral flow test shortages is likely to also impact the UKs economy as many sectors are dependent on negative results from customers to maintain consistent business.This is causing frustration for many industries as well as public health professionals as coronavirus continues to hinder.However, the home tests are being produced and distributed as quickly as possible according to suppliers.A spokesperson for UK Health Security Agency said:Despite unprecedented demand, we are continuing to supply millions of rapid lateral flow tests every day. Our total delivery capacity has doubled to 900,000 test kits per day since Saturday 18 December so more people can order tests.During periods of exceptional demand there may be temporary pauses in ordering or receiving tests, to ensure we manage distribution across the system and support changing requirements for LFD [lateral flow device] and PCR tests, and delivery capacity was reduced over Christmas and the bank holiday.Looking ahead, the Pound Australian Dollar exchange rate is likely to be impacted by coronavirus developments and market risk appetite due to an absence of data for both currencies over the festive period.The evolving Omicron situation may dominate market movements as headlines and government guidance continues to change with new scientific research.Moreover, AUD is a proxy for the Chinese economy and is therefore likely to be influenced by the release of Chinese data during the rest of this weeks session. On Friday, manufacturing and services Chinese PMIs are scheduled to be released, all forecast to slightly increase.If the data meets expectations, it may weigh on the GBP/AUD exchange rate.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

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Canadian Dollar Outlook:

Oil Fueling Loonie Gains

Strength in energy markets is helping propel the Canadian Dollar higher at the end of the year. Energy, which accounts for approximately 11% of Canadian GDP, has a considerable sway over the Loonie, so its no surprise that the sharp rebound by crude oil prices over the past week have filtered into rallies by the major CAD-crosses. And with risk appetite having improved meaningfully in recent days, safe haven counterparts like the Japanese Yen and the US Dollar are fading, allowing CAD strength to shine through in pairs like CAD/JPY and USD/CAD rates.

CAD/JPY Rate Technical Analysis: Daily Chart (December 2020 to December 2021) (Chart 1)

CAD/JPY rates have continued their rally from the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the August low/October range at 87.86, finally achieving a move higher through the daily 21-EMA  the one-month moving average  by the end of last week. Of equal consequence, the pair was also able to climb above the descending trendline from the October and November swing highs, suggesting that a near-term bottom has finally been established.

Bullish momentum continues to improve. Daily MACD is on the verge of climbing above its signal line, while daily Slow Stochastics have entered overbought territory. CAD/JPY rates are above their daily 5-, 8-, 13-, and 21-EMA envelope, which is in full bullish sequential order. Further gains are anticipated into the early-December high at 90.37 in the near-term.

USD/CAD Rate Technical Analysis: Daily Chart (December 2020 to December 2021) (Chart 2)

In the prior update it was noted that if crude oil prices are able to clear 73.34, however, then it would be a favorable sign that the Loonie rally could have some room to run yet. Crude oil prices have hurdled 73.34, suggesting that more USD/CAD weakness could be on the way. Unlike CAD/JPY rates, however, USD/CAD rates have yet to emerge on the other side of their daily 21-EMA, which has as support over the past few trading days. Doing so would be a strong indication that the tide has finally turned.

For now, bearish momentum is gathering pace, albeit more slowly than bullish momentum has emerged in CAD/JPY rates. Daily MACD continues to trend lower, but is not yet close to moving below its signal line. Daily Slow Stochastics are falling, but are not yet below their median line. And USD/CAD rates are sitting amid their daily EMA envelope, which is not yet in bearish sequential order. Ultimately, if one is seeking more CAD strength in the near-term, CAD/JPY rates have a more favorable setup than USD/CAD rates.

IG Client Sentiment Index: USD/CAD Rate Forecast (December 29, 2021) (Chart 3)

USD/CAD: Retail trader data shows 56.50% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.30 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 2.80% lower than yesterday and 39.70% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 3.39% lower than yesterday and 44.63% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests USD/CAD prices may continue to fall.

Traders are further net-long than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger USD/CAD-bearish contrarian trading bias.

--- Written by Christopher Vecchio, CFA, Senior Strategist
Like many, I am delighted that the Government has decided not to impose further Covid restrictions  at least until next year.

This welcome late Christmas present not only means that people in England can enjoy New Year's Eve, it also means that many restaurants, pubs, theatres and shops will now be saved from closure.

But not everyone shares my relief. Instead, arguing furiously for ever-tougher restrictions  even in the face of the demonstrably milder threat from the Omicron variant  are Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon and her Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford.

TOM HARRIS (pictured): 'Like many, I am delighted that the Government has decided not to impose further Covid restrictions  at least until next year'

They continue to display breathtaking political opportunism and a shocking refusal to prioritise people's livelihoods. Meanwhile, their allies indulge in endless handwringing, fury, virtue-signalling and political point-scoring. I've had enough of it all.

As a former Labour MP who was a member of the party for 34 years, it pains me to say this, but parts of the Left love bossing everyone else around.

Gloomy

Restricting personal freedom is the itch the Left loves to scratch whenever it can. Lockdowns and the baffling array of contradictory rules and guidelines have provided the perfect pretext for this.

Yes, the state has a role to play in life. But there is a vast and widening gulf between sensible citizens with jobs, businesses and responsibilities, who willingly accept restrictions while longing for the day when they are lifted  and those who constantly demand further curbs, howling with self-righteous fury and predicting disaster when they are loosened.

In England, these Leftist doom-mongers, including Corbynista Labour MPs, party activists and a ragbag of socialists, vent their spleen online and in some cases in the broadcast media. But in Scotland and Wales, Sturgeon and Drakeford's Left-wing governments (respectively SNP and Labour) actually wield the power to act on their urges.

So despite the encouraging data on Omicron, they have once again been trying to make political capital by upending people's lives more disruptively than Westminster, bringing in draconian new restrictions and decimating livelihoods.

In Scotland, large public events have been cancelled, one-metre social distancing has been imposed in pubs, restaurants, gyms, theatres and museums, and table service is now mandated anywhere alcohol is served. Nightclubs are closed and the New Year's party is effectively cancelled.

I live in Glasgow South, in the constituency I represented for Labour. The streets around me are gloomy and empty as they have been for so much of the past two years. Restaurant and business-owners are facing a second bleak midwinter.

This is not because Scotland's Covid cases are higher than in England  in fact, they are lower  but because of Sturgeon's relentless virtue-signalling which plays a huge role in all her decisions.

With impeccable political cynicism, she always insists on imposing tougher Covid restrictions than the Prime Minister is prepared to inflict.

During much of the pandemic, her press conferences were scheduled slightly before Boris Johnson's, making it seem as if she was acting against Covid with greater urgency. Now, in contrast, she is on the back foot as the Prime Minister appears to have been vindicated by his own policy decisions.

Wales's Labour government, under Drakeford, is similarly cynical. The latest rules in Wales are truly absurd. In a policy decision reminiscent of a Monty Python sketch, Welsh people are currently permitted to go to the pub  but can be fined 60 for going to work.

Like most of the hard Left, Drakeford  a self-professed acolyte of Jeremy Corbyn  is an instinctive authoritarian who clearly enjoys wielding the power to restrict ordinary people's freedoms.

So why does the Left have this sinister authoritarian urge? Part of the answer rests in how they see the role of the state.

Most on the Left believe the state should play an extensive role in people's lives. Many are also convinced it should own and run key industries and services  and take a lot of your income in taxes to do so.

Traditional liberals, in contrast, believe that the state should step back wherever possible and allow people to live their lives as much as possible without intrusion.

Rage

Covid has crystallised this distinction. The role of the individual has been shrunk, the role of the state expanded.

But history offers ample proof of why this is a dangerous move  and the trend takes no account of individual agency.

As John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, noted this week, the English have in fact been 'pretty responsible' in their response to the spread of the Omicron variant, regardless of the lack of restrictions.

Yet on social media in particular, prominent Left-wing voices are furious at the Government's 'recklessness'.

And what precisely sparks this rage? It is the belief that they are better people, that they care more, and if you don't subscribe to their view then you are just some 'evil Tory'.

Famously, Harold Wilson once said: 'The Labour Party is a moral crusade or it is nothing.' But that was a dangerously simplistic judgment.

Labour, like any serious political party, should leave the crusading to the Middle Ages and instead dedicate itself to taking practical steps to improve people's lives.

But many on the Left believe in this dangerously messianic vision, and that they are thus better people than those on the centre-right.

The pandemic has given them the perfect outlet to demonstrate this goodness. Their alleged 'fears' about the impact of loosening restrictions or their noisily expressed anger about people not wearing masks both work to bolster their self-importance.

Heroic

Anyone who fails to demand tougher rules is, in contrast, heartless and uncaring. And because the arguments against further lockdowns and restrictions often rest on the grievous effects on the economy, Labour claims that the Tories only care about profits and money.

But who suffers when businesses collapse and jobs are lost? Ordinary workers. The Labour Party too often forgets this because its power base is in the public sector  funded, of course, by the taxpayer's ever-expanding largesse.

Aside from the heroic NHS staff, many public sector employees have worked at home on full pay for much of Covid. It's hardly surprising that so many of them are in favour of further lockdowns.

The Labour Party seems to have forgotten that the public accounts are not some bottomless resource. Instead, when the economy declines, so do the tax revenues that keep public services going.

The Left must learn to abandon the ludicrous idea that people can't be trusted to make their own judgments about how to live their lives.

Two years into this pandemic, Sturgeon and Drakeford should be giving their citizens the facts and figures, and then trusting them to behave sensibly. It is now time British people were allowed to think for themselves.
A chef who was one of nearly 1,000 Sydneysiders since Christmas Eve who wrongly received a text message saying her Covid test was negative has shared the immunity-boosting chicken soup she's drinking while recovering from the virus.

Food blogger Lucy Rosenberg, who lives in Bondi Beach, took a Covid test after coming down with 'all the textbook symptoms' of Covid only to be told it was negative, a bungle that was corrected nine hours later.

SydPath - operated by St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney's east - revealed they sent the wrong results to a total of 886 Covid-positive people due to 'human error'.

Ms Rosengerg has been spending her time in isolation regardless, cooking up a delicious chicken soup to help manage her symptoms.

Food blogger Lucy Rosenberg, who lives in Bondi Beach, took a Covid test after coming down with 'all the textbook symptoms' of Covid only to be told it was negative, a bungle that was corrected nine hours later

While it's not a cure the celery, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, ginger and chilli included in the recipe are helping boost her vitamin C levels.

'I've still got this annoying cough. I'm making home remedies and chicken soups to help,' she told The Project on Tuesday night.

She started by sauteing mushrooms, leek, garlic, chilli and ginger in a large pot, before adding celery, carrots, thyme and turmeric.

Then Ms Rosenberg adds in chicken stock and lets the ingredients come to the boil.

'Once boiling add some pearl cous cous and broccolini,' she said on Instagram.

'It's truly delicious.'

She started by sauteing mushrooms, leek, garlic, chilli and ginger in a large pot, before adding celery, carrots, thyme and turmeric

'Once boiling add some pearl cous cous and broccolini,' she said on Instagram

The Bondi food blogger told The Project the testing bungle has been 'an emotional and physical roller coaster' since she started to feel unwell.

'I definitely got sick, and it was all the symptoms from Covid. It was textbook,' she told the panellists.

'And then I got tested four days later, I got the results back, and they came back as negative and I was shocked.

'Then nine hours later, I got a text message saying, "Please disregard - you are actually a positive".'

Ms Rosenberg believes the mix up was 'very dangerous' given how many large family gatherings were taking place over the Christmas period.

Ms Rosenberg believes the mix up was 'very dangerous' given how many large family gatherings were taking place over the Christmas period

'People are still getting sick. It's a life or death situation,' she said.

When asked by host Hamish Macdonald her thoughts on NSW being described as the 'gold standard in testing', the glamorous Instagrammer burst out laughing.

'Ahhh, no. I actually just got told by a friend that she's still waiting on her test results from eight days ago that apparently got lost,' Ms Rosenberg said.

'So I don't think there's any gold in that. So, no, definitely not.'

On Sunday it emerged that SydPath had also sent negative results to 400 positive people tested on December 23 and 24.

Then on Monday SydPath announced a further 950 people had received texts saying they were negative when their swabs had not been tested.

On Sunday it emerged that SydPath had also sent negative results to 400 positive people tested on December 23 and 24

About half of those were in fact positive, taking the total receiving incorrect negative results to 886.

There are major concerns the hospital blunder will see cases skyrocket with so many patients mingling, hugging and kissing their families under the presumption they were Covid-free.

A spokesperson for St Vincent's Hospital has since assured the public such a monumental mistake will not happen again.

'We have identified what occurred and can confirm it was related to a specific human error. SydPath have put procedures in place to ensure this cannot happen again,' the spokesperson said.

'This event comes at a time of unprecedented Covid-testing activity and SydPath's people, as with all pathology teams throughout NSW, are working around the clock to respond.'

The lab said a worker accidentally entered the wrong data into the system meaning the erroneous texts were sent. It said it has now switched to an automated system to eliminate human error.
A young model who put off her yearly skin check because of the Covid pandemic has issued an urgent warning after a 'tiny' freckle on her ankle turned out to be a deadly melanoma.

Oceana Strachan, 26, first noticed the innocent looking freckle in 2019, but doctors told her it didn't look suspicious at the time.

So even when the Wollongong-based beach lover noticed the mark changing she didn't stress too much.

In fact she continued to put off her once regular skin checks because of the Covid pandemic - a mistake which could have cost her dearly.

26-year-old model Oceana Strachen has revealed why it is important to get frequent skin checks after a freckle on her shin turned out to be melanoma

The young model didn't get the mole checked immediately when it started to change

When the mole became itchy and red Oceana decided to get it looked at again and also asked for a biopsy of the area in April.

'It was a very simple process which took five minutes and required one stitch,' she told Yahoo.

Despite having the foresight to ask for the biopsy the young woman was shocked when results showed she had stage two melanoma, which means her mole had the potential to spread to her lymph nodes and turn into life-threatening cancer.

'I had a coastal upbringing and spent a lot of time in the sun as a teenager. I have olive skin and naively thought if I got sunburnt, I would deal with the consequences much later in life.'

She spent four years sunbaking with tanning oil and said the bump wasn't coloured and it didn't look like a regular mole.

Pictured: Oceana Strachan with her boyfriend Conor Hegyi, 25, who is a disability worker

Oceana Strachan says she spent four years sunbaking at the beaches around Sydney and the NSW south coast

Oceana Strachan said the melanoma didn't look like a regular mole (left), and was slightly raised with no colour at first

'So when the doctor told me it was a spreadable melanoma, I couldn't take it in,' she told Daily Mail Australia previously.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It usually looks like a mole and occurs on parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun.

When the doctor explained the steps to remove the melanoma, she started fearing the worst and couldn't hold her tears back.

Pictured: Oceana Strachan preparing for her melanoma-removal operation on Wednesday

Pictured: Oceana Strachan in hospital before her melanoma removal operation in late April

Pictured: Oceana Strachan with a bandage on her leg after getting a dangerous mole removed

She had a test to see if the disease had spread throughout the rest her body and, in the 10 days that it took to get the test back, the young woman did wonder what would happen if her situation was life-threatening.

The results came back clear and she had surgery to get the 0.3mm mole removed.

'It sounds tiny, but it's still dangerous,' she said.

'The doctor told me I was really lucky because it didn't look like a regular melanoma.'

Ms Strachan will undergo further testing to ensure the melanoma doesn't spread, and now wants to share her story to encourage others to get tested.

Oceana Strachan and her partner Conor both decided to get skin checks, before she was tols she had melanoma

Oceana Strachan said it doesn't matter what colour your skin in, everyone can get skin cancer

The model said she is now easily triggered when she sees young girls wearing tanning lotion on the sand

The model said she's now concerned when she sees young girls wearing tanning lotion on the sand.

'I want to go up to them and tell them to be safe - to be safer. I just had a melanoma cut out, and I had to learn the hard way,' she said.

'It doesn't matter what colour your skin is, you can still get melanoma.'

Since sharing her story online, Ms Strachan has replied to more than 50 private messages and comments from people telling her they have had the same ordeal.
After falling out with her daughter, she moved into a hotel and eventually died penniless in a nursing home

The 'highly sexed' Margaret Argyll was defined by the 'Headless Man' photo, becoming a social outcast

Weeks after the divorce, the Duke of Argyll married his fourth wife, an American divorcee 22 years his junior

Claire Foy and Paul Bettany played the couple, who became the centre of society scandal in the early 1960s

A Very British Scandal culminated last night with the end of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll's divorce case

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Three-part BBC series A Very British Scandal reached its conclusion last night with the Duke of Argyll being granted a divorce from his wife Margaret, the Duchess of Argyll, on the grounds of adultery.

The final moments of the series showed the Duchess being jeered and spat at by a braying mob outside the court as she arrived to take the stand. This is how the public viewed the Duchess in the aftermath of the divorce: a cheating harlot who had, by her husband's account, bedded some 80 men over the course of their marriage.

For the remaining 30 years of her life, Margaret Argyll provided gossip columnists and society tittle-tattles plenty else to print and talk about. She publicly feuded with family, maids and landlords, continued to call out her husband as a 'fiend' and a 'sadist' and hosted glitzy society parties, until she was forced to leave her Grosvenor Street apartment due to a lack of funds.

Yet she was never able to shake the legacy of the divorce case and its notorious 'Headless Man' Polaroids, the blurry snaps taken via the bathroom mirror of the aristocrat's Mayfair apartment of her wearing nothing but her signature triple string of pearls, which became central to court proceedings.

In some, Margaret was entertaining an unidentified lover whose head had been cropped out of the picture and whose identity she took to the grave.

Meanwhile, her husband seemed to escape public rebuke for his own affairs. After spending time in France, and suffering the tragedy of losing a daughter in infancy, the Duke of Argyll died in Edinburgh in 1973.

Here, Femail reveals how the Duchess, branded 'a completely promiscuous woman' whose attitude towards marriage was 'wholly immoral', and her husband who remarried Mathilda Mortimer, a rich American, just six weeks after their divorce, lived out the rest of their lives.

Fourth wife: The Duke wasted no time in marrying his fourth wife, Mathilda, after his divorce to Margaret was granted. The couple (pictured in 1964) wed in a small civil service at the Registry Office in Horsham, West Sussex, in June 1963

Dwindling fortunes: The Duchess of Argyll was defined by the divorce case and the 'Headless Man' photo for the rest of her life. Thanks to bad investments and her lavish lifestyle, her fortune diminished and in 1990 she was forced to move out of her Grosvenor Street apartment and into the Grosvenor House Hotel (pictured, in front of a portrait of herself she installed)

Brought to life: Paul Bettany and Claire Foy as the Duke and Duchess of Argyll in BBC series A Very British Scandal

THE DUKE'S FOURTH WEDDING... WEEKS AFTER HIS DIVORCE

Finding love again: The Duke went on to marry divorcee Mathilda Coster Mortimer, granddaughter of New York banker and clubman William B. Coster. Above, the couple in France in 1963. He died in Edinburgh in 1973, at the age of 69

Poles apart: The Duke of Argyll with his third wife, Margaret, in April 1952, whom he met while married to his second wife. Mathilde would later say that 'she was whatever Margaret was not' and believed her husband to be a good man

A press baron's daughter and a divorcee: The Duke's first two wives Ian Argyll's first marriage was to Janet Gladys Aitken, daughter of business tycoon and press baron Lord Beaverbrook, in December 1927. The couple welcomed a daughter, Lady Jeanne Campbell, before divorcing in 1934. The following year, he married Louise Hollingsworth Morris Vanneck, daughter of American artist Henry Clews. Like Argyll, Louise had been married before, to Andrew Nicholas Armstrong Vanneck, a British Army officer. Louise and Ian welcomed two sons, Ian, the 12th Duke of Argyll and Lord Colin Campbell. They also raised Lady Jeanne when her mother, Janet, returned to Canada. The Duke was married to his second wife when he met Margaret on a train at Paris's Gare du Nord station in 1949. He cheated on Louise before being granted a divorce in 1951. Advertisement

The Duke of Argyll's reputation suffered a battering during court proceedings: allegations of violence, adultery and problematic drinking were made public, while the judge blasted his fondness of pornographic postcards.

Yet he still emerged with what he wanted: the divorce from his wife.

He was granted his decree and the judge even ruled that the Duchess of Argyll must foot the 50,000 bill, which at the time made it the most expensive British divorce in history.

When the verdict was announced, the Duke said he would have a celebration bonfire.

Shortly after the court case ended, the Duke of Argyll married his fourth wife, an American divorcee named Mathilda Coster Mortimer who was 22 years his junior.

Born in Geneva, Mathilda was the daughter of American landowner Stanley Mortimer and granddaughter of banker William B. Coster. She was raised in France and studied at Radcliffe College, Massachusetts before marrying Clemens Heller, a professor at the University of Paris. The couple had three sons before divorcing in 1961.

She reportedly first met the Duke of Argyll some time before his divorce from Margaret. 'She [Mathilda] had been in Ian's life for some years before our divorce,' Margaret wrote in her 1975 autobiography, Forget Not.

The Duke wasted no time in marrying Mathilda after his divorce to Margaret was granted. The couple wed in a small civil service at the Registry Office in Horsham, West Sussex, in June 1963.

The couple welcomed a daughter, Lady Elspeth Campbell, in 1967, but she died at just a few days old.

They spent time in France, in both Paris and Vezelay, as well as the Argyll family seat of Inveraray Castle.

'In her own estimation, Mathilda was whatever Margaret was not,' a former secretary recalled. 'Her 10 years at Inveraray Castle had been happy, free of scandal, and she was pleased to display the duke's photo on her many occasional tables.

'To her, Ian Campbell was not the dark soul of his reputation. She was his fourth wife, yes, but also the dowager duchess.'

Mathilda remained with the Duke of Argyll until his death in Edinburgh in April 1973, at the age of 69. Mathilda Campbell died in 1997 in Paris.

The Duke's grandson Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll, currently holds the title.

MARGARET'S PUBLIC FUEDS WITH FAMILY... AND HER MAIDS

Parenthood: Margaret with husband Charles Sweeny at the christening of their daughter, Frances Helen, in 1937. Frances, now the Dowager Duchess of Rutland, later fell out with her mother over her decision to divorce

MARGARET'S FAILED FORAYS INTO WRITING Two years after her ex-husband's death, Margaret Argyll published Forget Not Two years after her ex-husband's death, Margaret Argyll published her memoir, Forget Not, which was ill-received by critics and disappointed readers because it did not offer clues to the identity of the 'Headless Man'. It also did not address her public feud with her daughter, Frances. In 1979, Margaret was given a gossip column in society bible Tatler magazine but it lasted only three years before being scrapped. One of the issues was reportedly Margaret's inability to spell people's names correctly. Advertisement

In a scathing 50,000-word judgement delivered by Lord Wheatley, the Duchess of Argyll was described as 'a completely promiscuous woman' whose attitude towards marriage was 'wholly immoral'.

He said: 'I consider her to be a highly sexed woman who had ceased to be satisfied with normal relations and had started to indulge in disgusting sexual activities to gratify a debase sexual appetite.'

In the wake of the court case Margaret publicly fell out with her daughter Frances, a staunch catholic who disagreed with her mother's decision to oppose the divorce.

Frances was the product of Margaret's marriage to her first husband, the American-Irish stockbroker Charles Sweeny.

Margaret and Charles's wedding day in 1933 was a glamorous affair, stopping traffic for three hours as 2,000 guests attended the Brompton Oratory in west London while another 2,000 onlookers gathered to see the stunning 28ft train to her Norman Hartnell wedding gown.

Despite having Frances, and a son, Brian, together, the couple's relationship broke down after 14 years, with Margaret claiming all Charlie wanted in a spouse was a 'pretty brainless doll' and they divorced in 1947.

Frances and Margaret became estranged in the 1960s, by which time Frances had married the Duke of Rutland (she is now the Dowager Duchess, Granny to Ladies Violet, Alice, and Eliza Manners).

The family seat is Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, which, in a strange turn of events, it served as one of the filming locations for Netflix's The Crown, which also starred Claire Foy.

'Margaret was a nightmare of embarrassment to her daughter. It's simple as that. Frances is a staunch catholic, and a very private person, and couldn't stand all that ghastly publicity anymore,' a friend told Vanity Fair in 1968.

Another anecdote has them meeting at a cocktail party. Margaret approached and said, 'Hello, I'm your mother,' to which Frances apparently replied, 'I remember' and turned away.

They only reconciled before Margaret's death in 1993. Frances, her husband and children all attended Margaret's funeral.

Margaret also had very public feuds with her household staff.

In 1989 she was involved in a highly public prosecution of her Moroccan maid, who had run up a telephone bill of thousands of pounds.

The maid claimed that the Duchess had said she could call her family overseas but didn't remember doing so because she had been drunk on whisky.

The maid's stories were dismissed and she was given a suspended sentence.

The Duchess also fell out with another maid, Edith Springett, who was in her employ for more than a decade but was roundly dismissed when she was found passed out in her employer's bedroom next to an empty bottle of whisky.

ADOPTING AND ANIMALS: MARGARET'S SOFTER SIDE

Kind heart: Margaret, pictured in March 1965, unofficially adopted two boys, Jamie and Richard Gardner, whom she paid to put through school at Kinwarton House School, in Warwickshire, under the supervision of Philip Rutter

TV appearances: In 1988, Margaret Argyll, a vocal supporter of animal rights, appeared on Channel 4's After Dark to discuss the Grand National 'from the horse's point of view', but left halfway through filming because she was 'very tired', pictured

Although she is best known for scandal, Margaret Argyll did have a softer side.

According to the Daily Telegraph, she unofficially adopted two boys, Jamie and Richard Gardner, whom she paid to put through school at Kinwarton House School, in Warwickshire, under the supervision of Philip Rutter.

It is not known what happened to the Gardner brothers.

Speaking out: In a 1977 interview (above) she slammed the 'ghastly' press coverage she received following the divorce from her husband

A keen animal lover, Margaret was also the owner of a string of miniature French poodles and served for many years as the president of the Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Lancashire.

In 1988 she appeared on Channel 4's After Dark to discuss the Grand National 'from the horse's point of view', but left halfway through filming because she was 'very tired'.

The Duchess also backed a campaign to save the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from disbandment.

In the years after her divorce, Margaret also spoke out against the 'unkind' press coverage she had received.

In 1977 she spoke to Melvyn Bragg for BBC's Read All About It, saying she had found coverage in the 1930s to 1950s - when she was a much admired debutante - 'very pleasant', adding she was friends with journalists who she 'absolutely trusted.'

However she said she had found publicity had become 'ghastly', adding: ' I must say lately, the press, has become very unkind to put it quite mildly. I haven't liked it at all.'

FADING FORTUNES

Spending beyond her means: Margaret Argyll attending a concert held by her granddaughter Lady Theresa Manners' band in London in 1985. She continued to live large despite not having the funds, and ended her life in a London nursing home

In the papers: The Duchess' antics remained of huge interest to gossip columnist and society tittle-tattles. Pictured, outside court in 1971, when she sued her solicitor for negligence

Margaret Argyll continued to throw lavish parties at her Grosvenor House apartment throughout the 1970s and 1980s and called out her ex-husband the Duke as a 'fiend and a sadist'.

And yet the quality of guests reportedly diminished, with any association to the 'highly sexed Duchess' considered social suicide in the years after her divorce.

Years of lavish parties and high society living finally caught up to Margaret in the last 15 years of her life. Thanks to bad investments and spending beyond her means - not to mention the cost of various legal issues over the years - she was eventually left with very little money.

In 1978, Margaret was forced to move from her Grosvenor House apartment into a suite in the Grosvenor House Hotel - with her maid in tow. A photograph shows Margaret seated at a desk in front of a large portrait of herself she had installed on the wall.

Twelve years later she was evicted in the hotel but was able to move into an apartment thanks to the support of friends and her first husband, Charles Sweeny.

She later took up residence in a nursing home, where she died almost penniless in 1993, after a bad fall. She was 80 years old.

Margaret Argyll is buried next to her first husband Charles, who died just four months before her, at Brookwood Cemetery in Woking, Surrey.
A Netflix show has been slammed by royal fans for going 'a step too far' in mocking Prince Philip's death.

Charlie Brooker's Death To 2021 evoked angry reactions from royal fans who said the mockumentary was 'distasteful' in poking fun at The Queen's late husband, just days after the monarch spent her first Christmas without him.

In a scene showing clips from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's now infamous tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired in March, a voiceover said: 'After the interview, Prince Philip withdraws from public life permanently, by dying.

'Millions watched the funeral of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke Of Deadinburgh.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a 112million deal with Netflix, which has come under fire for its treatment of the Royal Family in its original series The Crown, as well as its decision to host the filmed version of Diana: The Musical.

The couple 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.

The Queen and Prince Philip, pictured in 2007, were married for 73 years before his death

Death to 2021 arrived on Netflix in the same week that The Queen paid an emotional tribute to Prince Philip - who died in June aged 99 - in her annual Christmas Day speech.

Royal supporters swiftly took to Twitter to express their disappointment.

One wrote: '#DeathTo2021 is terribly brilliant and chaotic, the Prince Phillip gag was maybe a step too far, though.'

Another said described the gag as 'a touch too far and maybe a little distasteful.'

Meanwhile one viewer concluded: 'Watched #DeathTo2021 today which was hilarious, but I thought the Prince Phillip section was a bit much and not needed.'

Royal experts have previously demanded Prince Harry tears up his Netflix deal and takes a stand over how his family is treated in its programming.

Prince Harry's biographer Angela Levin criticised the Duke of Sussex for not 'finding his voice' over the streaming giant's controversial portrayal of his mother in The Crown.

Satirist Charlie Brooker's production company Broke And Bones is behind the mockumentary

Meanwhile, 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 Peter Morgan.

On Christmas Day the Queen's traditional message, delivered for the first time as a widow, following the death in April of her husband of 73 years.

The broadcast, which was around 10 minutes long and was one of the most emotional speeches the monarch has ever given, saw her reflect on the events of the year including the loss of her husband and the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the poignant speech, the monarch said there was 'one familiar laugh missing' during the festive season this year.

Wearing the sapphire brooch she donned on her honeymoon in 1947 and again for her diamond wedding anniversary, the 95-year-old head of state also reached out to families who have lost loved one this year and addressed the Covid crisis.

Viewers were left surprised by the comments about Prince Philip, with some royal fans claiming the show went too far

The Queen sat behind a desk adorned with a solitary photograph of the Queen and the duke in 2007 to mark their 60th wedding anniversary as she spoke to the nation from the White Drawing Room in Windsor Castle.

Wearing a sapphire chrysanthemum brooch pinned to her Christmas red Angela Kelly dress, said of Philip: His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible.

Charlie Brooker's Death To 2021 blends archival footage of real events from the past year with commentary from fictitious characters.

A number of well-known faces returning from last year's cast include Hugh Grant, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo and Diane Morgan.

The show aired in the same week The Queen paid tribute to Prince Philip on Christmas Day

They are joined by Lucy Liu, Stockard Channing, Ted Lasso's Nick Mohammed and The Good Place's William Jackson Harper.

Brooker's production company Broke And Bones is behind the mockumentary, though the satirist was replaced this year by Cunk On Britain's Ben Caudell as writer on the special, alongside Jones.

The Royal Family came under fire earlier this year in controversial HBO animated series The Prince, which aired after the Duke of Edinburgh's death and depicted him as a drooling idiot.

The show, created by Family Guy co-executive producer Gary Janetti and starring Orlando Bloom as Prince Harry, centres around a fictional version of Prince George as a child tyrant with expensive taste, a withering sense of humour and a dim view of his family.
The story of how the families of four men murdered by 'Grindr serial killer' Stephen Port fought for justice will be told in a new BBC series starring Stephen Merchant.

Four Lives, which premieres on Monday night on BBC1, tells the tragic stories of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor, and how their families worked to prove their loved ones had been murdered.

Merchant, 47, best known for comedies including The Office, plays Port, who met his four victims online, enticing them to his home in Barking.

The four men all died after being given fatal doses of drugs by Port, who then dumped their bodies locally in a killing spree spanning 16 months.

The story of how the families of four men murdered by serial killer Stephen Port (left) fought for justice will be told in a new BBC series starring Stephen Merchant as the murderer (right)

Port's first victim Anthony Walgate, left, a 23-year-old fashion student from Hull. Right, Tim Preston as Anthony in Four Lives

It comes after inquests into the deceased concluded that fundamental failings by the Metropolitan Police 'probably' contributed to three of the four deaths.

The programme is written by Neil McKay and stars Sheridan Smith as Sarah Sak, the mother of Port's first victim Anthony Walgate, a 23-year-old fashion student from Hull.

'Four young men with their entire future ahead of them lost their lives in a brutal and tragic way,' McKay told Radio Times.

'This is a story not only of the consequences of that loss but also of the extraordinary courage and resilience shown by those who loved them as they sought truth and justice. It is a privilege to be able to tell it.'

Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor were all found dead a short distance from the east London home of Stephen Port in 2014 and 2015.

For more than three years Port, 41, carried out attacks against 11 men under the age of 26, including the four who died, after watching violent porn featuring drugged men and women.

Port raped and killed his Slovakian flatmate Gabriel Kovari, 22, left, played by Jakub Svec

Jack Taylor (left) was a forklift operator and aspiring police officer from Essex, who became the final victim of Port in September 2015. Right, Paddy Rowan as Jack in the series

Daniel Whitworth, 21, was a chef who became the third victim of Port. Right, Leo Flanagan as Daniel with Robert Emms as long-term partner, Ricky

The bus station chef lured young men to his flat after meeting them on gay dating websites such as Grindr.

He spiked their drinks with GHB - a drug known as liquid ecstasy - and raped them while they were out cold.

Port dumped three of the bodies next to a local church and left one outside his flat. He planted drugs on them to make it look as if they died from accidental overdoses.

Those who survived suspected they were drugged and some have a hazy memory of being raped while incapacitated.

Port first came to the attention of the police in June 2014 when a young man he had drugged collapsed next to him at Barking train station in East London. Despite admitting that both he and his companion had taken illegal drugs, he was released without charge.

Two weeks later Port raped and murdered his first victim, Anthony Walgate, before dumping the body outside his flat. He then called 999 anonymously and pretended he had merely come across the lifeless body of the 23-year-old fashion student.

Police realised that Port was lying and charged him with perverting the course of justice after he claimed that Mr Walgate died of an accidental overdose after consensual sex.

Port was finally caught in October 2015 after the family of his fourth victim Jack Taylor carried out their own research and showed police the striking similarities between Mr Taylor's death and the previous three murders. Pictured, Merchant as Port in the programme

The Metropolitan Police spent 25,000 and 980 man-hours on the investigation - but crucially never opened a murder investigation.

While on police bail, Port raped and killed two more victims, his Slovakian flatmate Gabriel Kovari, 22, and chef Daniel Whitworth, 21.

The bodies were found within a month of each other in the summer of 2014 in the same graveyard by the same dog walker only 400 yards from Port's flat in Barking. Port left a fake suicide note in Mr Whitworth's left hand which said Mr Whitworth had accidentally killed Mr Kovari by giving him an overdose of GHB during a sex session.

The note went on to say: 'Please do not blame the guy I was with last night, we only had sex then I left. He knows nothing of what I have done.' Police accepted the note at face value and did not check if it matched Mr Whitworth's handwriting. They also failed to look into Mr Whitworth's last movements and made no attempt to trace 'the guy I was with last night'.

Port's first three victims were all found in a seated position with their clothes pulled up to expose their stomachs which was caused by the bodies being dragged.

Port was finally caught in October 2015 after the family of his fourth victim Jack Taylor carried out their own research and showed police the striking similarities between Mr Taylor's death and the previous three murders.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were spotted leaving Aberdeen airport today as they arrived in Scotland to celebrate New Year.

The heir, 73, and his wife, 74, flew via private jet from RAF Northolt in west London, which is near The Queen's Windsor's home where they spent Christmas.

It comes as Nicola Sturgeon today insisted large-scale New Year's Eve parties in Scotland are still cancelled as English border pubs brace for as many as 100,000 Scottish and Welsh revellers to cross into England to celebrate on Friday.

The Scottish First Minister announced a ban on large gatherings last week which torpedoed Hogmanay festivities and this afternoon she insisted the crackdown is necessary to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were spotted leaving Aberdeen airport today as they arrived in Scotland to celebrate New Year

Ms Sturgeon said it is 'prudent' and 'essential' to take action to reduce transmission of the disease in order to 'avoid the sheer volume of cases overwhelming us'.

Some 15,849 positive cases were recorded in Scotland yesterday - the highest number of the pandemic 'by some margin' - while 679 people were in hospital, 80 more than the previous day.

Ms Sturgeon's comments came as Boris Johnson said 'everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way' as he stressed the data on Omicron shows it is 'obviously milder than the Delta variant'.

The couple are travelling north after spending Christmas at Windsor Castle - where they came under threat from a crossbow-wielding man threatening to assassinate the Queen in revenge for 1919 Amritsar massacre.

Jaswant Singh Chail, 19, who has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, uploaded a pre-recorded video to Snapchat vowing revenge for the 1919 Amritsar, or Jallianwala Bagh, massacre, when British troops killed hundreds of Indian protesters.

Today, Charles - who is known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland- was seen driving himself as he sported his signature tweed suit and tie.

The heir, 73, and his wife, 74, flew via private jet from RAF Marham in Norfolk, which is near The Queen's Sandringham home

Meanwhile Camilla wrapped up warm for the Scottish winter in a coat and sat in the passenger seat, an aid joined the couple in the back of the car.

The royals are believed to be spending New Year at Birkhall, their private estate on Balmoral.

It follows muted Christmas celebrations which the Queen was forced to tone down due to rising levels of Covid-19.

Instead of the usual grand Christmas at Sandringham, Her Majesty - celebrating the first festive period since the death of Prince Philip - was joined by Charles, Camilla Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex for a muted affair in Berkshire.

Today, Charles - who is known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland- was seen driving himself as he sported his signature tweed suit and tie.

Security at Windsor must undergo a radical review after a series of troubling lapses, experts have said.

They called on police to carry out a root and branch shake-up of security protocols at the historic castle and other royal residences in Windsor Great Park.

Sam Armstrong, of counter-terrorism think-tank the Henry Jackson Society, said: 'It is clearly not geared up to be a primary royal residence.

The Queen is spending more and more time there, which is entirely understandable at this time of transition for the Royal Family. But the police now need to step up and do their part.

The couple spent Christmas at Windsor Castle - where they came under threat from a crossbow-wielding man threatening to assassinate the Queen in revenge for 1919 Amritsar massacre. They are pictured on their way to St George's Chapel

'Windsor presents a new set of challenges in terms of security because of the size of the estate and its semi-rural location on the edge of town.'

Elsewhere, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles will read extracts of Charles Dickens' festive classic A Christmas Carol in a series published on social media set to run over the 12 days of Christmas.

The series, broadcast via @DuchessofCornwallsReadingRoom on Instagram, began on Christmas Day, with the Prince of Wales reading stave one of the famous story in which Ebenezer Scrooge rediscovers the magic of Christmas.

Other contributors include Miriam Margolyes, Paterson Joseph, Sir Derek Jacobi, Simon Callow, Stephen Mangan and Bridgette Amofah.
A 15-year-old boy has become the youngest person ever to graduate from the University of Nevada  with what was his fifth degree in just four years.

Child prodigy Jack Rico, from California, had already earned four associate's degrees by the time he was 13 years old.

Now has completed his bachelor's degree in history at UNLV with an impressive grade point average of 3.78.

'I honestly loved all the classes I took,' Jack said in an interview with the school. 'The majority of my classes were through the history or film departments, and every class taught me something different.'

A 15-year-old boy has become the youngest person ever to graduate from the University of Nevada - with what was his fifth degree in just four years

Child prodigy Jack Rico, from California, had already earned four associate's degrees by the time he was 13 years old

Now has completed his bachelor's degree in history at UNLV with an impressive grade point average of 3.78

Jack had been homeschooled by his mother, Ru Andrade, but after four years of teaching him everything she could, she began struggling to find new things for him to learn.

'I had given everything I had, and he was smarter than me,' his mom told Fox News.

At age 11, he took a placement exam at Fullerton College  which offered a K-12 bridge program  and scored so high that they put him in college-level courses.

Within two years of studying there, he earned four associate degrees  one in each concentration of history, social behavior, art and human expression, and social science.

At the time, he became the youngest person to graduate from a college in California, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA.

When he was 14, he started taking classes at the University of Nevada. He explained how he buckled down and studied even as more idle fun was calling his name.

'In my first two semesters, I was on it. I managed my time really well and made sure I completed all assignments on time,' he said.

He was homeschooled by his mom, Ru Andrade, but after four years, she ran out of things for him to learn. He is pictured with his sister, mom, and dad

At age 11, he took a placement exam at Fullerton College - which offered a K-12 bridge program - and he scored so high that they decided to put him in college level courses

'This semester it has been a little more difficult for me to stay motivated. I missed my very first assignment ever in college a few weeks ago. That was enough to push me back on track.

'I started writing down everything again and making sure Im staying organized. I have a PS5 still in the box staring at me, but I promised myself I'm not going to open it until after finals,' he said.

And on December 14, after just a year, he officially graduated on December 14, 2021  and said the accomplishment feels 'awesome.'

'I worked really hard but I also had a lot of support. All my professors and classmates have been awesome. A huge thank you to my mom for driving me back and forth from California to UNLV every week so that I could take classes on campus,' he said.

'Just being alongside of him on this journey has been so amazing,' his mom gushed.

Within two years, he earned four associate degrees - one in history, social behavior, art and human expression, and social science. He is pictured at his Fullerton graduation

When he was 14, he started taking classes at the University of Nevada. Pictured is his ID card from the school

In only one year of studying there, he officially graduated on December 14, 2021. He is pictured at his UNLV graduation

'I know he gets a lot of attention for his brain, but hes the sweetest kid  never been in trouble once. He has a sister who has autism who he is amazing with.

'Obviously, we are so proud of him because this is what he wanted. But also proud of the human he is. Thats the coolest thing about him.'

Now Jack has plans to earn his masters degree, but wants to take one semester off from school so that he can relax and just be a teenager.

He told Fox News that his next goal is to learn how to code, and said he also hopes to become fluent in Spanish.

Although Jack is unsure about his career path, he said he wants a job that will make him enough money to take care of his sister 'for the rest of her life.'

'Thats his plan and motivation through all of this,' Ru added.

When Jack enrolled at UNLV in May 2020, spokesman Tony Allen said the university was going to do everything it could to make Jack feel at home.

'Jack is a remarkable young man with a bright future ahead of him, and we're thrilled that he chose UNLV to continue his academic journey,' Tony said.

'We have a long history of Rebels making it happen by following their dreams, no matter how big, and we look forward to welcoming Jack and his family to UNLV.'

His mom explained that Jack 'is not a genius,' he just 'works very hard' and loves to learn. He is pictured on the first day of his first semester in college (left) and the first day of his last semester (right)

Jack has plans to earn his masters degree, but wants to take one semester off from school so that he can relax and just be a teen

Although Jack is unsure about his career path, he said he wants a job that will make him enough money to take care of his sister (left), who has autism, 'for the rest of her life'

'It was surprising how many resources are available to us at UNLV. I felt extremely supported in my research through the library and online access to support materials.'

His mom explained in a 2020 interview with Las Vegas Review that the 15-year-old 'is not a genius,' he just 'works very hard' and loves to learn.

And although she described him as an 'old soul,' she added that he still loves to do the same things other kids his age like to do, like play video games.

'He really is 13 when it comes to play. He will get done with his work just to get to his video games as fast as he can,' she said at the time.
For the first time in weeks, Id managed to do the school run. In pain and miserable, I was not in the mood for conversation. But the parents at my childrens school are a social bunch and Im lucky enough to count many as dear friends. So, it wasnt long before I heard a cheery hello.

Of course, I stopped to talk, and the lovely mum exclaimed how long it had been since shed seen me. I explained Id not been well and was still struggling. Then, looking me up and down, and with the best intentions, she said: Oh, but you look amazing.

I explained, again, that I was ill, so had lost a substantial amount of weight. Every cloud has a silver lining, she joked, and I laughed along, although it was somewhat hollow.

She meant well, as did the others who commented approvingly about how slim I looked. But their remarks, perhaps especially because they were said with good intentions, made me realise just what an obsession there is around being skinny. I was in serious pain and in such a dark place that I barely had the energy to brush my hair, let alone put on make-up. To me, I looked awful, my face strained and miserable, my body hunched and far too skinny.

Kitty Dimbleby (pictured), who shed a stone while ill, said even her mother and grandmother applauded her weight loss

But none of that mattered because I was thin and in todays world that is the ultimate achievement.

It really hit me how pervasive and twisted our attitude to slimness is.

My health has always been a challenge. I was born in 1980 with a club foot, a spinal defect and Hirschsprungs disease. This congenital condition affects the large intestine.

Ive had more surgeries than I care to count. I was told I would never conceive naturally, so both my children are only here thanks to IVF.

Both pregnancies were extremely challenging, and the trauma of C-sections meant that I didnt gain much weight and was back in my skinny jeans within days.

I was confused by the awe my thinness inspired in others  rather than the miracle life in my arms.

I remember how a pregnant friend stared at my skinny limbs and said: Youre so thin, Im jealous.

Things evened out and I had a few years of good health. I got into exercise, properly, for the first time, taking up weightlifting. I loved the impact the endorphins had on my mental health and became fitter than ever.

Then, in October 2019, pre-Covid, my bowel stopped working again and I needed morphine to cope with the immense pain.

I kept up my fitness and I ate as well as I could, feeding my body the nutrients I knew it needed. So, I still felt strong, despite being ill.

Kitty (pictured) admits the compliments about her appearance made her feel good about herself after weeks of loathing her failing body

But last April, my bladder suddenly stopped working. My stomach distended so much that I looked eight months pregnant and I was rushed into hospital in agony.

I had gone into whats called retention  my bladder had more than double the amount of urine that it is designed to cope with.

As the UK started opening after lockdown, I retreated, spending most of my time in bed. My appetite disappeared and the weight fell off. I lost muscle and essential fat. I was weak and miserable, unable to muster the energy to play with my children let alone anything else.

Life became punctuated by waiting for hospital appointments and invasive procedures.

By late June, I was tiny  about the size I was at 14, a stone lighter than my normal healthy weight. And a stone is a lot when you are a petite 5 ft like me, and already slim.

I was in serious pain and in such a dark place

As I started going out again, managing the school run, a gentle session in the gym or a drink with friends, to my surprise I received many compliments about my appearance.

They were all so well intentioned, and yes, to a point I enjoyed them.

They made me feel good about myself after weeks and weeks of loathing my failing body. The cult of skinny is so ingrained that I started to believe what was repeated so many times  that being so thin was the upside to it all.

I had thought I looked unwell and miserable yet judging by the response from (almost) everyone, I looked better than I ever had. And it wasnt just women  in fact one male friend was so insistent in his compliments that even my easy-going husband felt the need to step in and say: Mate, shes had a really bad time, to stop him.

Even my mother and grandmother, more aware than most of what I was going through, applauded the weight loss. Treating it as if it was something I had achieved worth celebrating, rather than a side-effect of yet another bout of awful illness.

Kitty (pictured) admits she's found herself struggling with the inevitable weight gain since her health has improved

After a while I didnt know what to believe; the version of me I could see in the mirror  which I knew was too thin  or the version reflected to me by everyone else, which was apparently the best version of me theyd ever seen.

Close friends spoke up, but from everyone else the applause was deafening.

So perhaps it is no surprise that as my health has improved, Ive found myself struggling with the inevitable weight gain.

For the first time in my life, Ive found myself upset by a number on the scales. I eat well (most of the time) and Im still by any measure a very slim woman. I should be delighted my appetite and energy are back and, most importantly, that Im no longer in pain.

I should be revelling in the fact that I can exercise daily, whether its a brisk dog walk, yoga or keeping up with my six-year-old son.

And I am, most of the time. But when youve been showered with compliments when you are at your thinnest its hard not to believe you look bad when you gain weight.

Jane Ogden, professor of health psychology at the University of Surrey, isnt surprised Ive been struggling. She says: Weve been conditioned that thin equals good and weight gain equals bad. So, while you rationally know weighing more means youre getting healthier, the peer reinforcement you received that the thin, ill version looked good, makes it hard to accept.

The comments I received damaged my relationship with my body

Its helped to know Im not alone. My friend Grace, whos tall and slim, lost two stone due to the stress of separating from her husband and told me she found the compliments confusing.

I knew I was too thin for my height  that I didnt look well. But everyone commented how good I looked, she recalls. The most shocking thing was female friends, those at a healthy weight, who seemed almost angry with me for losing weight.

As a result, Ive got body dysmorphia  my relationship with my body has been damaged. Ive not put the weight back on yet and it will be while before I can accept thats its OK to do so.

Meanwhile, Alice, whose husbands affair left her unable to eat, remembers being comforted by friends who said that, at least, she was now skinnier than the other woman. At the time it was reassuring, she says, but I can see now how messed up that is.

Hilary, who lost her baby when 24 weeks pregnant, says: Because it was clear the baby wasnt growing as she should, I was worried so wasnt eating much. Then, grief impacted any appetite I had left.

Kitty (pictured) said she is stopping all talk about weight or size in front of her daughter because she doesn't want her to think women strive to be skinny

I was doubly hurt  I wanted to still be expecting, so it was painful that no one could tell I had been pregnant. I was too slim for even my pre-pregnancy clothes. People would say: I know youve been through a terrible time, but you look good. As if my good appearance would be any comfort.

For Amelie, who had a mastectomy earlier this year, the comments werent about weight loss.

She says: Doctors were hoping to do the reconstruction surgery using fat from my stomach. So, there was a lot of commentary on my body within the context of the surgery. People saying: Lucky you, what a silver lining you get a boob-job and a tummy-tuck.

I was too slim for this procedure and the discussion caused a lot of upset. Still, some friends joked I could have some of their fat. Unsurprisingly, none of this helped.

For my part, Ive realised that so much of this is social habit, rather than being malicious. Ive been guilty, too, particularly when I know someone has been working hard to get fitter.

I have always tried to be mindful of not celebrating misery weight loss. But I also understand people dont know what to say when someone they know is going through a tough time, so feel a compliment is the best icebreaker.

Its a safe option to comment that someone looks good. But its something as a society we need to change. We need to stop complimenting women (and men) for getting smaller. Especially if that shrinking is, as is so often true, due to some kind of suffering.

Particularly those of us raising the next generation: I dont want my nine-year-old daughter to think skinny mummy is the best version of me, that as women thats what we strive for.

So, Im militant in stopping all talk about weight or size in front of her. I want her and my son to know Mummy is strong and healthy, and that people exercise to feel good. Nothing more.

As Professor Ogden advises: We need to find a new language to compliment one another. Instead of commenting on peoples appearance, talk about how clever or kind they are. Especially with children. It will take generations to truly change things, but we can start now. We need to focus on what the body can do rather than its size.

Meanwhile, Ive binned the scales and am focusing on staying fit and healthy, regardless of what size jeans fit. Most importantly, Im fighting any feelings of loss for my super-skinny figure and reminding myself that I prefer food, exercise and good health to compliments.
Roll on 2022 and good riddance to Christmas. The past week has been one of the most stressful of my life and its all thanks to our countrys obsession with Christmas.

Or am I the only one with a mother who wont let anything  not common sense and certainly not Covid  stand in the way of a huge family dinner?

Earlier this month, I wrote in these pages how my family was at war over Christmas. My mum was determined to invite anti-vaxxer relatives along, hoping to cram us all into her overheated farmhouse as usual.

My sister, Chloe, 32, and I were dead against it. Weve made massive sacrifices over the past two years to keep ourselves and our families safe.

Ironically, Mum used to be terrified of catching Covid. She refused to go to crowded places and was fanatical about forcing everyone to sanitise their hands. But then December 1 dawned and it was like she had a personality transplant. Come hell or high water, she was going to do Christmas for everyone.

Rebecca Tidy vents her frustration after contracting Covid before Christmas Day. Pictured: Rebecca with mum Sue

I had no idea that the drama was only just kicking off.

At first, as Christmas approached, it all began to look up. Mum announced she had found the perfect compromise: she would see our wider family at the church carol concert on Sunday, December 19 and then host my sister and me along with various vaccinated relatives on Christmas Day.

I was relieved, but wary. The service at our lovely little Methodist church has always been a big part of our family Christmases. However, there was no way I was going this year because I know just how crowded it can get. Mum normally looks after my daughter, Mabel, on Sundays so I can work. But, for the same reason, I didnt want Mabel going.

Mabel, now three, was born prematurely and spent time on a ventilator. Shes only recently gained enough weight to be considered healthy.

Mum was quick to reassure me. Oh no, I am sure it will all be outside, she said. Well be fine.

Famous last words. It turned out the concert was inside the church as usual. Mum, her anti-vaxxer relatives and scores of other villagers stood shoulder to shoulder, masks abandoned as they sang heartily. Right in the middle of it all was Mabel.

She came home that night hugely excited and with a hacking cough. By morning, she was having trouble breathing. It was hard for me to get a proper lateral flow test sample, but Im convinced she had contracted Covid.

Next, my 84-year-old grandma, who was also at the carol concert, woke up feeling hot and shivery. A lateral flow test was positive. She was terrified. So were we. Although she had received her booster jab, her age left her very vulnerable. I felt helpless and was seething with rage as I listened to Mabel fighting for breath.

Rebecca claims her mother accused her of 'ruining Christmas' and suggested that she was faking having Covid to avoid being in the same room as an anti-vaxxer. Pictured: Rebecca with daughter Mabel

By December 21, several of our other relatives had Covid, including one vehement anti-vaxxer who became seriously ill.

And so  to my intense fury  was I. I had Covid in March 2020 after a work trip to the Channel Islands, where I shared a hotel with Chinese exchange students. I was unbelievably ill for weeks.

This time, having been double vaccinated, I did not expect to be so unwell. But I knew the signs immediately and a lateral flow test confirmed my worst fears.

Of course, it meant Christmas Day at Mums was a no-no. After all the drama, this was one bright spot. Mabel and I could enjoy a lovely, quiet day at home.

I rang Mum, hacking down the phone. If I was expecting sympathy, I was sorely mistaken. Mums first reaction was to shout. Youve ruined Christmas, she snapped. Ive cancelled my family for you and now youve contracted Covid. All my hard work has been for nothing. I do so much and no one is ever grateful.

Mum seemed to blame it squarely on me. You should have been more careful when you went shopping at Waitrose, she said.

To cap it all, she then seemed to suggest I was faking having Covid because I was paranoid about finding myself in the same room as an anti-vaxxer. I was so angry, I slammed the phone down and rang my sister to vent.

Like me, Chloe, who has a one-year-old daughter, thinks Mum is nuts. Like me, she was secretly relieved to be let off the hook and avoid a fraught family Christmas.

Rebecca said she spent Christmas Day sipping orange juice out of a plastic mug and praying for the moment she could go back to bed. Pictured: Rebecca with Sue and Mabel

We love Mum to bits, but shes opinionated and so are we.

That evening Mum texted: I hope you and Mabel are still coming on Christmas Day. I have disinvited everyone for you. Still seething, I ignored her. And I honestly didnt intend to go. But then I thought about Mabel. She loves my mum and was excited about seeing my sister and her baby. And, if Im honest, I felt too unwell to entertain her.

Perhaps it was mean but I left Mum on tenterhooks until Christmas Eve. Ill come if I test negative in the morning, I said with all the enthusiasm I could muster.

And thats how I found myself in Mums sitting room on Christmas Day, sweat pouring off me, sipping orange juice out of a plastic mug and praying for the moment I could go back to bed.

Grandma, who had also tested negative that day, looked peaky. My sister, her husband and their baby all had hacking coughs.

Despite Mums efforts, everyone was too exhausted from a mixture of Covid and the drama of the past few weeks to eat much.

We normally drink gallons of champagne, but no one felt like alcohol. And, while I know Mum was pleased to have me and my sister with her, it definitely wasnt the Christmas she had hoped for.

Our vaccinated relatives had cried off on Christmas Eve, claiming they had tested positive, too. I suspect they were wary about venturing into Covid Central, as I nicknamed Mums house.

Sue suspects that none of her family has been sanitising their hands enough, but revealed she's eager to do something in the New Year. Pictured: Sue with Rebecca

Looking at their unopened presents piled up was depressing. But on the bright side, Mum is happy the anti-vaxxers have no hard feelings.

So much so that shes even talking about bringing out all the leftover food from the freezer for a celebration on New Years Day.

Somehow, she and her partner Terry have avoided getting Covid. She argues now that so many of us have had it, wheres the harm?

I, for one, wont be attending the New Years get together.

Mum sue says: I honestly thought Id found the perfect compromise when I arranged to meet my family at the big carol service at our local chapel. The windows and doors were all flung open  to the point where we were all almost frozen to death.

And the chapel was so full, I couldnt sit near my anti-vaxxer relatives anyway. In the end, I just waved to them across the room.

As it turns out, my mother fell ill the next day, as did a few others. But its completely ridiculous to blame the carol service. They could have caught Covid anywhere.

Quite frankly, I expect none of the family has been sanitising their hands enough.

And I know full well that Mabels nursery has had kids off with chest infections and flu since September. So I suspect that is the much more likely cause.

It was lovely to have my daughters and granddaughters with me on Christmas Day but, in the end, it wasnt the wonderful, exciting time Id hoped for.

I think we all felt a bit exhausted and down in the dumps, which is why Im eager to do something in the New Year.

I just want to see everyone and hug them again.

Interviews by Tessa Cunningham
A third of newly-diagnosed cancer patients in England now have to wait more than two months for urgent treatment, official data shows.

Only 67.8 per cent of people with an urgent referral from their GP for cancer started treatment within two months in October.

The result is the worst on record  and far below NHS England's goal of treating 85 per cent of cancer patients within the crucial time-frame.

While Covid pressures have likely played a role, the problem predates the pandemic with the goal having been missed for almost six years.

NHS statistics showed 4,410 out of 13,691 cancer patients diagnosed in the last two months missed out on timely treatment.

Rapid treatment, in the form of chemotherapy, surgery and the like, is a key factor in improving survival outcomes for patients.

NHS England aims to treat 85 per cent of cancer patients who receive an urgent referral from their GP within two months, but in October 2021 only 68 per cent of patients received treatment in this time frame. The graph above shows the October performance of meeting this target in the health service in England in the month of October from 2010 to 2021

Rapid cancer treatment is a key factor in determining outcomes for patients, charities have called the growing proportion of people facing delays for their treatment as worrying

Omicron-fuelled staffing shortages in the NHS are a 'bigger problem' than rising Covid admissions NHS staffing shortages are a 'bigger problem' than rising coronavirus admissions, health bosses have warned. Thousands of nurses and doctors are having to self-isolate every day because of the rapid spread of Omicron. Dr David Nicholl, of the Doctors' Association, described the ever-growing number of absences as 'our biggest worry' over the coming weeks. Worst-case scenario modelling projected up to 40 per cent of NHS staff in London  the UK's Omicron hotspot  could be off each day. Hospitals had already resorted to cancelling routine ops before the highly-infectious variant started to spiral, mirroring scenes from the darkest days of the pandemic last spring. And A&E bosses have warned the crisis may leave doctors with no option but to focus on treating the most severely ill patients. But the staffing absences could cause pile even more chaos onto the health service, which frontline medics say is already 'functioning on life support'. NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson told BBC Breakfast: 'We're now seeing a significant increase in the level of staff absences. 'And quite a few of our chief executives are saying that they think that that's probably going to be a bigger problem and a bigger challenge... than the number of people coming in who need treatment because of Covid. 'So what we're seeing is in some hospitals, we're now having to redeploy staff to fill the gaps that are being left in critical and essential services by staff who are off with Covid-related absences.' Advertisement

Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting referenced his own cancer today as he attacked the Government over the performance data.

'I can have no complaints about my own treatment for kidney cancer this year, I owe the NHS my life,' he said.

'But I could see how overstretched staff are and not every patient is as fortunate as I was.'

He also dismissed claims that Covid pandemic pressures were the root cause of the problem, instead saying Government mismanagement was to blame.

'Patients have been left waiting too long for cancer treatment for years,' he said.

Charities also lashed out at the performance data.

Cancer Research UK's head of public affairs, Shaun Walsh, said more must be done to avoid a 'cancer catastrophe'.

'This is incredibly worrying, and we're expecting winter pressures to add more strain to the NHS and its staff,' he said.

'Earlier in the year cancer services showed improvement, but this progress has stalled; the situation is getting worse again. People with cancer can't afford any more delays.

'Swift action is needed from Government and NHS leaders to prevent a cancer catastrophe. Government are due to publish a plan on NHS recovery  cancer has to be prioritised and chronic staff shortages must be addressed.'

A Department of Health spokesperson blamed waiting lists on Covid pressures but insisted most services were back to pre-pandemic levels.

'Cancer diagnosis and treatment remains a top priority,' they said.

'The pandemic has put enormous pressures on the NHS causing waiting lists to grow but now most cancer services are back to or above pre-pandemic levels.'

NHS England's 85 per cent performance target for GP urgent referrals was last met in December 2015.

There are also fears that there are thousands more patients with cancer who have yet to come forward for a diagnosis because of the pandemic.

Many people were put off seeking help due to No10's 'stay at home message' during 2020, or out of fear of catching Covid. Others had appointments or scans cancelled.

The authors of the report said it is uncertain how many 'missing' cases will return to the NHS over the coming months.
Hopes of stopping Alzheimer's in its tracks were raised today as scientists said they may have found what drives the memory-robbing disease.

Australian researchers believe their discovery  if proven true in human trials  may 'enormously benefit our ageing population'.

Genes thought to raise the risk of the condition disrupt the way brain cells produce energy and could contribute to the deterioration of the brain, their study suggests.

University of Adelaide academics examined how genetic mutations linked to early-onset Alzheimer's affected zebrafish.

Brain cells of the fish with the telltale DNA changes used less oxygen, meaning their brains were unable to produce enough energy to function correctly.

Similar data on mice backed-up their theory.

Lead researcher Dr Karissa Barthelson said the team are confident they have found a 'fundamental, early driver of Alzheimers in humans'.

'Energy production is the most fundamentally important cellular activity supporting all other functions, particularly in highly active organs such as brains,' she said.

'If we can understand what is going wrong with oxygen use and energy production, we may see ways of stopping the disease before it starts.'

Australian researchers have found what could be a key driving factor in the memory-robbing disease Alzheimer's finding genes associated with the condition disrupt how brain cells use oxygen

The scientists used zebrafish for their study due to their ability produce a huge number of offspring which makes it easier to detect subtle genetic differences

She added: 'That would enormously benefit our ageing population.'

Dr Barthelson and colleagues published their findings in the journal Disease Models and Mechanisms.

Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease, in which the build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die.

This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink.

Dr Barthelson also said the disease that 'people's brains become severely deficient in energy production'.

The disease, the most common type of dementia, usually strikes over-65s but one in 20 cases are among younger adults.

Dr Barthelson's team studied zebrafish because they have very large families, which makes it easier to detect subtle effects.

The experts also examined a different team's similar research on mice and found the same result.

Dr Barthelson said: 'This reinforces our confidence that we've found a fundamental, early driver of Alzheimers in humans.

'It is very satisfying to have found this important common, early factor driving the development of Alzheimers disease.'

The team of researchers now plan to examine how the genes associated with Alzheimers impact the the energy generation of different types of brain cells.

About 1million people in the UK have Alzheimers disease, with the condition being responsible for the majority of dementia cases in the country,

In the US an estimated 5million people have Alzheimers and it is the officially sixth leading cause of death in the country, though more recent estimates have suggested it should now be bumped up to third.
Overseas and private equity buyers of British firms will face formidable new obstacles from January when the UK National Security and Investment Act comes into force.

This follows a record-breaking year for buyouts with the value of deals involving UK companies hitting 470billion.

The laws robust powers are designed to stop companies critical to national and economic security falling into unsafe hands.

Takeover frenzy: The UK National Security and Investment Act will come into force in January

The current free-for-all has seen swathes of the countrys infrastructure such as water companies, ports and airports fall into foreign hands, weakening the command and control of vital services.

HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) DIY investing platform and stocks and shares Isa

As seriously, there has been a dramatic loss of intellectual property, patents and vital technologies  much of it the result of work done in the nations great research universities.

The powers become effective on January 4 and there already are indications that Boris Johnsons government intends to use them forcefully.

The speed with which it warned French-Israeli telecoms entrepreneur Patrick Drahi against taking creeping control of BT, after lifting his stake to 18 per cent this month, was a shot across the bows.

The terms of the intervention were intriguing. Officials warned against anything which might interfere with the Levelling Up agenda through investment in digital infrastructure.

BT has pledged to spend 12billion bringing super-fast fibre to 20m homes. The plan has become ever more critical with the rapid rise of hybrid working during the pandemic.

The Government finds itself on the horns of a dilemma. It came to office preaching a global Britain agenda.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, in her previous role as international trade secretary, stuck with the task  concluding a rapid fire series of trade agreements including with Japan and Australia.

The imperative to boost trade with the rest of the world has been exacerbated by Covid and Brexit. Exports to the EU were down by 13 per cent, or 18billion, in the first ten months of 2021 compared to 2019.

It would be worrying if the NSI Act was to be seen overseas as eroding Britains commitment to an open, free market economy which welcomes inward investment.

But as the buyouts and bids gathered momentum last year there has been greater determination in Downing Street to act against the predators.

Seemingly done deals  such as the takeover of aerospace and engineering firm Meggitt  have been halted by referral to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The proposed 40billion takeover of Softbank-owned Arm Holdings by American rival semi-conductor rival Nvidia also has gone to the CMA.

Opinion has moved a long way from when Theresa Mays government saw the Softbank bid for Arm as a vote of confidence in Britain.

The then Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom infamously refused to step in to protect aerospace pioneer Cobham. The company was hurriedly dismantled and sold off by private equity buyer Advent.

The assault on UK assets by foreign and financial buyers is largely blamed on the discount of UK equity markets to those overseas.

This has led to bidders paying what appear to be large premiums irresistible to big battalion investors and compliant boards. The NSI Act will complicate matters for shareholders and executives looking for quick gains.

Law firm Brown Rudnick, which specialises in mergers and acquisitions issues, notes that the powers granted to ministers by NSI are sweeping in their breadth and exceed those deployed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US.

Among other things the new law grants powers to look at domestic takeovers. It could, for instance, been deployed to probe the hostile takeover of aerospace and automotive group GKN by Melrose in 2018.

What concerns Brown Rudnick partner Mark Dorff is the lack of precision in government guidance about how and when government might intervene.

There are questions as to whether the authorities could intervene to block future share purchases. That would prevent Drahi from taking partial control of BT. It is unclear whether such purchases could be unwound retrospectively.

Takeovers in Britain famously have been governed through the common sense rulings of City referee the Takeover Panel. In future battles, the law could become far more intrusive.

Belatedly, the UK has put sand in the wheels of the bid pantechnicon.
Britain's tax collector has been urged to spend more on finding fraudsters.

HM Revenue and Customs is set to spend just 155million over the next two years on clawing back the estimated 5.8billion lost through the Covid support schemes it administered.

The Department for Work and Pensions, in contrast, has been handed 510million to tackle the Covid-related rise in benefits fraud, estimated at 3.4billion.

HM Revenue & Customs is set to spend just 155m over the next two years on clawing back the estimated 5.8bn lost to fraudsters through the Covid support schemes it administered

The vast disparity was blasted by research charity Taxwatch. Executive director George Turner said: 'I can see no possible justification why the Treasury is putting vastly more resources into tackling benefits fraud, when the amount of money lost to tax fraud is significantly higher.

'Billions of pounds was stolen from the Treasury during the pandemic  given that these fraudsters were taking advantage whilst so many people were suffering, this was a particularly heinous crime.

'HMRC now needs to be given the resources to go after these people.' The department administered the furlough, Self-Employed Income Support and Eat Out to Help Out schemes which cost 99billion.

It estimates 5.8billion was lost through fraud and erroneous payments. But Jim Harra, boss of HMRC, has said the taxman will struggle to recoup even half of that. HMRC was granted 100million by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March for a 'Taxpayer Protection Taskforce' to hunt down the money.

In the Autumn Budget, Sunak said that would be increased by 55million next year.

The DWP, however, has been handed 510million over the next three years to tackle the 3.4billion rise in Covid-related benefits fraud  on top of the 103million it secured for fraud and error at the Spending Review.

Yet it is understood that HMRC officials are not pushing for more money because they do not believe increased funding would necessarily result in more success.

Sources claimed that a large chunk of suspected Covid tax fraud only involved very small sums, which would not be cost-effective to chase up.

A HMRC spokesman said: 'Our taskforce has already opened more than 26,000 civil inquiries and a number of criminal investigations, as well as making thirteen arrests for suspected fraud. More work will follow.'
Precious metals miner Fresnillo was underground after a new milling plant at one of its projects was hit by delays.

Shares in the FTSE 100 digger sank 2.4 per cent, or 21p, to 872p following news the plant at the Juanicipio gold and silver mine in Mexico, in which it owns a 56 per cent stake, had not yet received permission to be connected to the national power grid.

The countrys state-owned electricity operator said the hold up was due to a shortage of workers caused by Covid-19.

Slump: Shares in Fresnillo sank 2.4% following news the plant at the Juanicipio gold and silver mine in Mexico, in which it owns a 56% stake. Pictured is the firm's Minera Saucito site

As a result, the timeline for the plant has been pushed back by six months. To mitigate the damage caused by the delay, the company is planning to use any spare capacity at its Minera Fresnillo and Minera Saucito projects to process any material mined from Juanicipio, which will be used to supplement its cash flow until the plant is up and running.

While frustrating for all concerned, we recognise this situation is beyond the control of all parties, said Fresnillo boss Octavio Alvidrez.

Fresnillos shares were also weighed down by a dip in gold prices, which fell nearly 0.9 per cent as fading concerns over the Omicron variant dampened demand for safer assets. Silver prices also dropped by 1.5 per cent.

Stock Watch - James Fisher & Sons Shares in James Fisher & Sons bobbed higher after it settled a dispute over funds from a suspended gas project in Mozambique. The group, which provides marine engineering services, has received all outstanding cash owed to it from the project, which will be used to cut down on debts. The settlement will also cover some of its costs into next year should the project not restart in the short term. Shares surged 28.7 per cent, or 87.25p, to 391.75p.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.7 per cent, or 48.59 points, to 7420.69  the highest since the pandemic struck  while the FTSE 250 bounced 1.1 per cent, or 246.84 points, to 23,517.27.

Optimism has been boosted over the festive season by a steady stream of reports that Omicron may result in lower numbers of patients ending up in hospital.

Boris Johnsons plans not to introduce any new restrictions before New Years Eve also raised hopes that there will be no harsh lockdown in January.

The optimism lifted retailers, with Next up 2.1 per cent, or 166p, to 8110p, Primark owner AB Foods climbed 1.3 per cent, or 24p, to 2014p, and home furnishings seller Dunelm jumped 2 per cent, or 27p, to 1399p.

Pubs and bar stocks also got a boost. JD Wetherspoon added 0.4 per cent, or 3.5p, to reach 933p, while Revolution Bars flowed 3.4 per cent, or 0.75p, higher to 23p.

Some in the sector were less fortunate, with Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group falling 1.7 per cent, or 1.6p, to 92.9p after data emerged that sales at pubs, bars and restaurants on Christmas Day were 60 per cent lower than in 2019.

Lockdown measures and travel restrictions in other countries also held back some travel stocks, with British Airways owner IAG down 2.2 per cent, or 3.18p, at 143.46p while easyJet fell 2.3 per cent, or 12.8p, to 550.2p and package holiday outfit TUI descended 6.2 per cent, or 15.2p, to 232.3p.

The slump followed data that showed international flights to and from the UK plunged by 71 per cent in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Cruise ship outfit Carnival was also underwater, plunging 4.6 per cent, or 67p, to 1395.4p as it warned that one of its vessels, the Queen Mary 2, will skip a scheduled stop in New York due to concerns over the Omicron variant.

Meanwhile, pharma giant AstraZeneca was looking healthy, rising 0.6 per cent, or 45p, to 8656p, after it closed a multi-million-pound deal with Californian biotech firm Ionis Pharmaceuticals.

The companies will jointly develop and sell eplontersen, a drug designed to treat TTR amyloidosis, a rare disease that stops organs from working effectively.

Mid-cap oil rig owner Diversified Energy also added 2.7 per cent, or 2.8p, to reach 106.4p after it sold a section of undeveloped land in Texas, netting around 26.7million in cash.

The funds will be used to reduce the companys borrowing.
A lesbian businesswoman has blasted transgender rights activists for trying to 'intimidate' her by sending her 'death and rape threats on a daily basis'.

Angela Wild, 44, who lives in Wales, started her own business in September 2017 designing slogan-printed t-shirts and badges, which campaign for womens sex-based rights.

She began selling her products on Etsy but many of them were banned for 'hateful conduct' after she was targeted by 'cruel' trans rights activists who sent her threatening messages and reported her items.

Despite setting up her own website last year, the mother-of-one has had three different suppliers refuse to work with her and has been forced to call the police on several occasions to report the 'frightening' abuse she receives online.

Angela Wild, 44, (pictured) who lives in Wales, creates feminist slogan t-shirts and badges that have been seen on harry Potter author J K Rowling

The single mother-of-one started her own business in September 2017 making slogan-printed products campaigning for womens sex-based rights

She has blasted trans activists for trying to 'intimidate' her by sending her daily death and rape threats. Pictured: A threat she has received via Facebook

Speaking exclusively to the MailOnline, Angela said: 'The past five years of my life have been hell.

'I've been relentlessly targeted by trans rights activists and their witchhunt campaign to instil fear into anyone who doesn't agree with their views.

'I've been labeled a 'terf' - a trans exclusionary radical feminist - a transphobic bigot, hateful, a Nazi, over social media and had some of my personal details published online.

'My products are based on my own views. I do not accept the idea that anyone can have a cervix. It's simple biology that only women do. It's ridiculous that we can't even say that - how is biology now viewed as hate speech?

'What I have experienced first-hand from trans activists has been intimidating and frightening - it shouldn't be allowed to happen.

'No one should have to be subjected to the abuse I and many other women receive on a daily basis. It's disgusting and simply not right.

'Transgender activists are trying to stifle free speech by tearing down anyone who wants to express gender critical views - It's unacceptable!'

The single mother-of-one (above) has been labeled a 'terf' - a trans exclusionary radical feminist - a transphobic bigot, hateful, a Nazi, over social media and had her personal details published online

Angela says her products are based on her own views and have been popular with customers

'Lesbian not Queer' is another of the store's popular designs that have attracted attention

One of Angela's t-shirts which references the term 'Cis', which describes a person whose gender identity is the same as their sex assigned at birth

Angela receives hateful messages daily from transgender activists on social media (pictured) and has been forced to contact the police several times concerned for her safety

Angela, who is originally from France, has an array of products that she sells on her website, Wild Womyn Workshop, which include badges that read 'Trans women are men', 'Protect women-only spaces' and 'Female biology is not bigotry' to name a few.

She started her business in September 2017 but was instantly met with abuse and opposition from trans activists who labelled her a 'worthless b***h'.

She added: 'I was in an abusive relationship with a man for a very long time. I struggled severely with my mental health and when we broke up I decided I wanted to create something I believed in that reflected my values.

'I set up an Etsy shop in 2017 but after a few months, many of my products were being repeatedly reported. Over the years it kept happening until I was given a final warning in 2019.

'Messages on social media from trans activists sending me abuse became the norm - but as time went on they got more severe. It started to get quite scary and I had to contact the police.

'Fed up of having to constantly justify myself, I decided to set up my own website and it's been the best thing I've ever done. I love it!'

The single mother-of-one, who is also the co-founder of lesbian feminist activist group Get The L Out, shot to prominence when J K Rowling purchased a t-shirt with the slogan 'This witch doesn't burn' under a pseudonym last year.

The author, 56, has faced accusations of transphobia after she mocked an online article in June 2020 which used the words 'people who menstruate' instead of 'women'.

Angela shot to prominence when J K Rowling purchased a t-shirt with the slogan 'This witch doesn't burn' under a pseudonym last year and tweeted about it (pictured)

Angela says: 'I have been fortunate enough to always have consistent sales, but they went through the roof when J K Rowling posted a tweet wearing one of my t-shirts. I couldn't believe it!

'I support her and am a huge fan - it really was the boost I needed. I was so grateful.

'However, it massively increased the abuse and on one occasion I received a bomb threat to my studio followed by rape and death threats in their masses.

'Three different suppliers refused to work with me and one claimed my products were inciting hate. I've also had people pretend to place orders and message me to try and find out my home address - It's crazy.

'One person wrote to me on Facebook, '"Trans women are more of a woman than you. Looks like you burn pretty well to me."

'My activism and products seem to highlight the conflict of interest between women's rights and trans rights activists. It's baffling to me that I am a woman and my right to free speech is taken away because I want to express gender critical views.

'My opinions aren't hurting anyone. We live in a democracy. Yet, with trans rights activists they seek to cancel you and make you feel as if you are nothing.

Angela has said her activism and feminist products seem to highlight the 'conflict of interest between women's rights and trans rights activists'

'The more we are harassed the more we will stand up and fight. Women who are critical of gender ideology are routinely accused of being on the wrong side of history" but enough is enough. There needs to be a voice heard for the lesbian community.'

Angela opened up about how trans lobby group Stonewall, which is paid millions of pounds for advising public bodies  including Government departments, police forces and universities  has branded lesbians 'sexual racists' for raising concerns about being pressured into having sex with transgender women.

She said: 'We are now under huge pressure within the LGBT+ groups to accept trans women as sexual partners but there needs to be a voice for the other side. In my opinion, trans women are men. They do not have cervixes and they do not menstruate. That is simple biology. That is fact. Saying otherwise is ridiculous.

'Lesbians are women who are sexually attracted to women exclusively. We get called by organisations such as Stonewall and the LGBT community as transphobic and hateful because we don't conform to the ideology that we should be attracted to trans women.

'I believe nobody can change sex - you can identify as whoever you want but it doesn't make you that. Lesbians are being targeted. I have spoken to many who have been harassed and it's not okay.

'At the end of the day, we live in a democracy that prides itself on free speech. Trans activists have their voices heard and are supported by charities like Stonewall, however what about women like me who speak for the other side?

'You cannot simply shut us up. We are entitled to our opinion and I will make sure mine is heard every day.'

You can visit the Wild Womyn Workshop here.
The New York sex abuse case against Prince Andrew was weakened because prosecutors in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial failed to call his accuser as a witness, it was claimed last night.

Jeffrey Epstein's former lawyer Alan Dershowitz insisted the fact the Maxwell jury didn't hear from Virginia Giuffre was because the authorities don't believe she is telling the truth.

But critics pointed out Mr Dershowitz is also accused of sexual abuse by Ms Roberts, said that taints his opinion on the case and slammed the BBC for interviewing him on the subject without giving any context.

And royal experts said there was 'no way back' for Andrew's reputation now the Maxwell verdicts are in regardless of the outcome of the case against him.

Prince Andrew and Alan Dershowitz both deny all the allegations against them.

Mr Dershowitz, 83, who was formerly Jeffrey Epstein's lawyer, told the BBC he thought the case against Andrew was 'weakened considerably' after the Maxwell trial.

'I think the most important thing for British viewers is that the Government was very careful as to who it used as witnesses,' he said.

Few references to the Prince have not been accompanied by the photograph of him with his arm round the waist of 17-year-old Virginia Roberts at Ms Maxwell's mews house in London, an occasion which he claims not to recall

The BBC labelled Alan Dershowitz a 'lawyer' without saying he represented Jeffrey Epstein and is also accused by Virginia Giuffre

'It did not use as a witness the woman who accused Prince Andrew, who accused me, who accused many other people, because the Government did not believe that she was telling the truth.

'And in fact that she, Virginia Giuffre, was mentioned in the trial as someone who brought young people to Epstein for him to abuse.

'So this case does not do anything at all in any way to strengthen the case against Prince Andrew.

'In fact it weakens the case against Prince Andrew considerably because the government was very selective in who it used.

'It used only witnesses it believed were credible and they deliberately did not use the main witness, the woman who started the whole investigation, Virginia Giuffre because ultimately it did not believe that she was telling the truth.

'They didn't believe that a jury would believe her and they were right in doing so, so it was very smart on behalf of the government.'

The fact Mr Dershowitz was introduced on to the BBC News Channel as a 'constitutional lawyer', with no mention of his involvement in the case, drew condemnation last night. His claims about Ms Giuffre were not challenged by the interviewer.

Adam Wagner, a human rights barrister, said that the interview represented a 'huge error by the BBC'.

However royal experts said that Prince Andrew's reputation was 'a busted flush' regardless of what transpires in the case against him, because of his friendship with billionaire paedophile Epstein and now-convicted sex trafficker Maxwell.

The jury's confirmation that Maxwell was the willing accomplice for the late Epstein will serve to place Andrew beyond the pale for his elder brother Prince Charles, who already saw him as a liability for the Royal Family.

The Duke of York's lawyers will try to have the civil lawsuit brought by his accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre thrown out of court early next month.

But last night's result will make that much more difficult.

And royal observers believe that even a victory for Andrew at that stage  or at a full trial expected in the Autumn  would still not be enough to remove the stigma attached to his name over his friendship with Epstein.

And the sensational verdict in Maxwell's case will have done nothing to bolster confidence in Andrew's camp at having Ms Giuffre's lawsuit dismissed.

Prince Andrew strongly denies Ms Giuffre's (pictured at court in New York on August 27, 2019) allegations that he slept with her as a 17-year-old sex slave after she claimed to have been trafficked to him at the London house

'He's a busted flush,' one seasoned royal expert told MailOnline. 'Unfortunately for Andrew, it's no longer so much about evidence and proof, or what if anything went on with Virginia Giuffre -- it's all about public perception.

'Andrew's handling of this whole affair, coupled with his car crash Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, have made him into a toxic brand for the rest of the Royal Family.

'Only the Queen, who has always considered him as her favourite, remains loyal, while the other Royals are keen to keep him at arm's length.'

Officially, Andrew's position is that he has 'stepped back' from royal duties while the court case is resolved, but it's difficult to envisage how he could once again take his place in public life in the same way as previously.

Last night Lisa Bloom, a lawyer representing many of Jeffrey Epstein's victims in several cases, said anyone connected to the paedophile financier should be 'concerned'.

'I think anyone who was associated with Jeffrey Epstein, who either participated in sexual abuse, or helped him by sending girls to him, trafficking, etc, should be very concerned today about this verdict.'

She added: 'The case [against Prince Andrew] has been filed, it has been served after various attempts on his behalf to duck service. Eventually the courts said "you've been served, move forward".

'Now he is trying to get the case thrown out on some technical grounds, he says Virginia is not a resident of the United States, that she's really a resident of Australia, therefore the case should not be heard here.

'He seems to be doing everything he can to avoid the case being decided on its merits, hoping to get it thrown out on technical grounds, so we'll see what the judge does.'

Said it was possible that the case could be thrown out but Virginia says she has residency of the US in Colorado.

'She has outstanding attorneys.

'I am rooting for her and I hope the case is decided on its merits, so that her dispute with Prince Andrew, and whether he sexually assaulted her can ultimately be decided once and for all by a jury.'

That case is likely to dominate the news heading through the early part of 2022.

At the moment, the Duke is not expected to play any high-profile part in the forthcoming commemorations for the 40th anniversary of the Falklands war in June, despite his role on active service as a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter pilot during the 1982 conflict.

Prince Andrew first met Ghislaine Maxwell when she was at university and the pair had known each other for nearly 20 years when she is alleged to have introduced him to Epstein

Ghislaine Maxwell (right) and the American financier (left) were believed to be dating at the time and the Duke subsequently struck up a friendship with Epstein

As a veteran, Prince Andrew would be perfectly entitled to attend any of the events to mark the recapture of Port Stanley, but it is understood that no official invitations have been extended.

Prince Andrew was frequently mentioned by the prosecution in the trial, as a friend of Epstein and Maxwell, a visitor to the billionaire's townhouse in Manhattan and his private island Little St James  and as having travelled at least four times on the infamous 'Lolita Express', Epstein's private jet.

Few references to the Prince have not been accompanied by the photograph of him with his arm round the waist of 17-year-old Virginia Roberts at Ms Maxwell's mews house in London, an occasion which he claims not to recall.

Prince Andrew strongly denies Ms Giuffre's allegations that he slept with her as a 17-year-old sex slave after she claimed to have been trafficked to him at the London house. It has even been reported at one stage that 'sources close to Andrew' suggested the photo could have been faked.

That said, his team must have breathed a sigh of relief over the fact that Ms Giuffre was never called to the stand to give evidence during the Maxwell trial, despite being 'available to do so'.

In a hearing on Saturday, prosecutors taunted Maxwell's defence lawyers by saying they could have invited Miss Roberts to take the stand but had chosen not to. Andrew Rohrbach said: 'The most obvious witness who was available to both sides and who we expect the defence to comment on is Virginia Roberts, who was described as a victim but did not testify and she was fully available to the defendants. They did not call her.'

A source close to the Duke told MailOnline: 'This was Ghislaine Maxwell's trial  not the Duke's. Nothing new of any substance has been raised in relation to the Duke  any mentions have been glancing blows, not body blows.'

Prince Andrew first met Maxwell when she was at university and the pair had known each other for nearly 20 years when she is alleged to have introduced him to Epstein.

She and the American financier were believed to be dating at the time and the Duke subsequently struck up a friendship with Epstein.

It was that relationship which allegedly saw him make multiple visits to Epstein's homes and his island.

Those who have known Prince Andrew for decades say he is a victim of his own boorish, entitled arrogance and his biggest mistake  and one which many other high-profile individuals also made, not least former US Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, was to allow himself to associate with the likes of a man like Epstein at all

Andrew's lawyers will bring their motion to the District Court in New York next month, seeking a dismissal. Court filings state that he 'unequivocally denies' sexually abusing or assaulting Ms Giuffre.

His lawyer Andrew Brettler states in the court papers that 'accusing a member of the world's best known royal family of serious misconduct has helped Giuffre create a media frenzy online and in the traditional press.

'It is unfortunate, but undeniable, that sensationalism and innuendo have prevailed over the truth.

'Giuffre has initiating this baseless lawsuit against Prince Andrew to achieve another payday at his expense and a the expense of those closest to him Epstein's abuse of Giuffre does not justify her public campaign against Prince Andrew'.

Those who have known Prince Andrew for decades say he is a victim of his own boorish, entitled arrogance and his biggest mistake  and one which many other high-profile individuals also made, not least former US Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, was to allow himself to associate with the likes of a man like Epstein at all.

'Andrew is out in the cold now and likely to stay there, whatever happens' said one who has met the Duke many times over the years. 'He doesn't help himself with his couldn't-care-less attitude, which makes people resent him.

'I don't think we're likely to see much of him in the future, whatever happens in the civil case in New York, because he'll find it impossible to shake off this stigma.

'He's likely to see out his days as a rather lonely figure riding out in Windsor Great Park and possibly assisting the Queen behind the scenes, but it seems very unlikely we'll see him doing public engagements again.'
Mercedes-Benz has drawn backlash in China over claims that it used models in an advert whose appearance perpetuated harmful stereotypes about Asians.

The German automaker was savaged on Chinese social media site Weibo for using models with 'slanted eyes' in the commercial for its new CLS luxury sedan.

The Communist Party's Global Times newspaper reported on Tuesday that there was fury because the models' 'makeup reflects Western stereotypes about Asian people.'

Mercedes is the latest Western brand to fall foul of the Chinese public after French fashion house Christian Dior sparked uproar with an art exhibition showing an Asian model with dark makeup clutching a handbag.

The German automaker was savaged on Chinese social media site Weibo for using models with 'slanted eyes' in the commercial for its new CLS luxury sedan.

The advert features models appearing on pages of a fashion magazine, while shots of the new CLS luxury sedan appear on the adjacent pages

Weibo users complained the models (pictured above) have stereotypically 'slanted eyes'

Beijing-based photographer Chen Man issued a grovelling apology for 'immaturity and ignorance' in 'perpetuating racial stereotypes' for the shoot.

Dior responded to the criticism by saying that it 'respects the feelings of the Chinese people.'

The Mercedes advert still remains viewable on its Weibo social media page and the automaker has not yet addressed the backlash in China.

Along with Mercedes, a local snack brand called Three Squirrels was also caught up in the fray this week.

The Three Squirrels snack food brand was also caught up in the controversy this week for the above advert

Some complained that the food brand featured advertisements for noodle products on its Weibo microblogging account showing a Chinese model with eyes they said looked slanted. Critics accused the company of spreading Western stereotypes.

Three Squirrels said in a post Saturday on its official Weibo account that it did not intend to portray a Chinese person in a bad light.

The advertisement was shot in 2019, the company said in a statement.

The model is Chinese and the makeup style was designed to suit her natural features, it said.

'In response to the feedback from netizens that the models makeup does not conform to publicly-accepted aesthetics standards and caused discomfort, our company apologizes,' the statement read.

'The page has been replaced and arrangements have been made to check other company pages to ensure that this situation will not happen again.'

Online, Chinese internet users have criticized the selection of models and makeup styles to deliberately portray the 'slanted eyes' image.

One user with the handle MaoBuErXiong said that such slanted eyes imagery is derogatory and is deeply embedded in the fashion industry, with Asian models and their makeup styles often selected to fit a stereotype.

The model featured in the Three Squirrels advertisements has spoken out against the criticism.

A Chinese fashion photographer shot an image (pictured) showing an Asian woman who critics say was portrayed as having 'sinister' small eyes and a 'gloomy face' for the Lady Dior exhibition in Shanghai

After furious backlash from internet users and Chinese publications, Beijing-based photographer Chen Man (pictured in 2014, left, and 2017, right) has 'formally apologised' for some of her 'past works'

'Just because my eyes are small, I'm not good enough to be a Chinese person? I don't know what to say to these comments ... I'm really helpless,' the model said in a Weibo post under the handle Cai Niangniang.

'As a professional model, what I need to do is be photographed accordingly to what the client wants, I dont know how this became about me humiliating the Chinese people,' she said.

The communist party newspaper Global Times said Cai's response drew more than 330 million views.

'I hope people online would stop messaging me with personal attacks. Im not a supermodel nor am I a public figure, Im just someone who loves my motherland and a law-abiding citizen.'
Sydney commuters are set to be hit with higher road tolls as prices rise from the New Year.

From January 1, the cost to use nine busy motorways across the Harbour City will be jacked up between 0.8 per cent up to 4 per cent for each toll.

Western Sydney drivers will bear the brunt of the changes, with the WestConnex M4 - the biggest increase - jumping by 35 cents for cars, up to $8.87 one way.

Meanwhile, trucks using the motorway will be forced to fork out an additional $1.03, costing a whopping $26.61 in total.

Drivers using the WestConnex M8 will be slapped with the second-largest surge, with cars paying 29cents more ($7.52) and trucks an extra 86cents ($22.56).

Sydneysiders are set to be slapped with higher road tolls from the New Year (stock)

The tolls for nine major motorways across Sydney will cost between 0.8 per cent up to 4 per cent more

The Cross City Tunnel, the lowest increase, will cost 5cents more for cars from Friday, at $6.06 per use, while trucks will pay an additional 10cents for a new toll of $12.12.

The truck price is almost double the price for cars - a pattern that extends to the Eastern Distributor, which will soon rise to $8.56 for cars and $17.13 for heavy goods vehicles.

Commuters crossing through the M7 in a car will pay 7cents more ($8.59) while the increase soars by 21cents for trucks ($25.77).

But truck users will be worst affected, with tolls the triple the standard cost for cars on seven major motorways, including the M7, M8, M4, NorthConnex, Lane Cove Tunnel, M2, and M5 East.

Labor leader Chris Minns said the price surge reflected NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet's 'obsession' with privatisation.

'NSW drivers will be paying more than ever before in tolls thanks to Dominic Perrottet and his obsession with privatisation and toll roads,' Mr Minns said, the Daily Telegraph reports.

'We are the most tolled city in the world and the bad news for drivers is Dominic Perrottet has locked in 4 per cent rises every year for the next 20 years.'

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the government would consider options to bring financial relief to families.

The Cross City Tunnel, (pictured) will cost 5C more for cars and an additional 10C for trucks from Friday

'The NSW Government is delivering programs to reduce the cost of tolls on NSW households including the Toll Relief program introduced in 2018 to provide free or half-price registration costs for eligible road users,' she said.

'Last financial year alone, almost $70m was paid to around 200,000 eligible drivers under the Toll Relief program.'

In October, Mr Minns called for road tolls to be paused, arguing motorists would face $2.3billion annually in toll fees over the next four years.

'Every time you pay a toll, send your kids to an overcrowded school, are stuck in traffic, or find the cost of living just that little bit harder,' he said at the time.
A Florida woman with a long criminal history will be receiving a $1.75 million payout after she lost her leg from a blood infection she claims was caused by an unsanitary pedicure.

Clara Shellman, 55, went to Tammy's Nails 2 in Tampa to get a pedicure in September 2018.

During the pedicure, an employee cut Shellman's foot with dirty tools, which caused an infection, the lawsuit claims. The infection was exasperated by Shellman's severe peripheral arterial disease and eventually lead to the lower part of her leg being amputated.

Shellman and the salon reached a $1.75 million settlement on December 16, her attorney Paul Fulmer told the Tamps Bay Times.

Clara Shellman, 55, will be receiving a $1.75 million payout from a Florida nail salon that gave her a 'dirty' pedicure which led to her foot being amputated

The lawsuit claims an employee at Tammy's Nails 2 cut Shellman's foot during a pedicure in 2018. The cut quickly became infected and eventually led to the amputation

Shellman's lawyer said the medical bills from the infection and amputation caused her to lose her house. She has since moved in with relatives who help care for her

'She was stunned, shocked, crying and giddy, all at the same time,' Fulmer said.

The mother of three filed the lawsuit against Tammy's Nails 2 in May 2020. It did not name any individuals.

Shellman's infection and amputation led to her losing her home due to overwhelming medical expenses, caused her to move in with relatives because she was unable to care for herself and will impact her for the rest of her life, her attorney said.

Before her pedicure from hell, Shellman racked up a lengthy rap sheet. Records show she has 52 criminal filings including arrests for theft, drug possession and violating probation.

The lawsuit claimed a salon employee used dirty equipment which posed a danger to the customers. It also alleged the salon failed to follow its own policies, train its employees and properly maintain equipment.

'When she patronized this salon, Ms. Shellman had a reasonable expectation that the professionals working there would keep their tools clean to protect her health and safety,' Fulmer said, according to WFLA.

'While no amount of money can truly make up for such a life-altering injury, I'm happy that this settlement will compensate her for a world of pain and suffering that wasn't her fault.'

Tammy's Nails 2 initially responded by claiming that Shellman was at fault for not seeking medical care immediately or taking 'reasonable efforts to prevent the development of infection.'

They also denied that the tools that were used for Shellman's pedicure were dirty.

Fulmer said that while he strongly believes his client was entitled to the settlement he did not expect the salon to payout the $1.75 million because of Shellman's pre-existing condition.

Peripheral arterial disease is a circulatory condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs. People who suffer from the disease are more susceptible to suffer more intense injuries and are more likely to needing amputation.

'There could have been a very strong argument from the defense with this,' Fulmer said. 'We would have been happy with at least half what we received.'

The lawsuits list Tammy's Nails 2's address as 2507 W Hillsborough Ave, the same location that now operates as Tampa Nails, which claims to have no affiliation with Tammy's Nails 2

Tammy's Nails 2 was reportedly located at 2507 W Hillsborough Ave before the lawsuit. No salons in Tamps appear to currently be operating under the name.

Tampa Nails, which is currently located at 2507 W Hillsborough Ave, told DailyMail.com that they are unaffiliated with Tammy's Nails 2 and have been operating at the address 'forever.'

Florida Department of State records show that Tampa Nails filed their business records listing Hillsborough Ave as the principal address on December 8.

Court and state records list two neighboring residential addresses in Tampa for Tammy's Nails 2. Lam Vuu is named as the registered agent of Tammy's Nails 2 and is listed as living at one of the addresses.

Vuu previously owned another salon in the area named Hair and Nail Art. She could not be reached at a phone number listed for Vuu.
A worried family have issued a plea for help to find a mother-of-two who vanished more than a week ago.

Kylie Prince, 53, was last seen buying a coffee at a 7-Eleven store in Clayton in Melbourne's south-east last Wednesday at about 6.45am.

She requires ongoing medication and her family, who live in Far North Queensland, are desperate to find her.

It's believed she left her phone, wallet, and handbag at a hospital she visited just a day before her disappearance.

Kylie Prince, 53, was last seen buying a coffee at a 7-Eleven store in Clayton in Melbourne's south-east last Wednesday

Ms Prince's older sister Michelle Piccone said Christmas was agony with her family wondering where she had gone.

'I tried to keep an upbeat sense of happiness, but in the back of my mind I was just thinking of my dear little sister.. not knowing where she is,' she told Seven News.

'We're just bewildered. How far can you go on a tank of fuel?'

The mother-of-two was captured in security footage buying a coffee at a 7-Eleven store in Melbourne before she disappeared

Her car, a red Honda HRV with Victorian number plates AYS742 has also not been found.

She was last seen wearing a black top with a white skirt and metallic slides.

She is described as being 175cm tall with blonde hair.

Anyone who spotted Ms Prince or has information about her disappearance is urged to contact Oakleigh police station.
Australians are struggling to get hold of rapid antigen tests amid fears that supply shortages will last for weeks, denting the nation's ability to live with Covid-19.

Countries including the UK and Singapore have been providing free rapid tests - which can be done in 15 minutes at home - for several months.

But in Australia they have to be bought for at least $10 per swab and there are severe shortages amid a surge in global demand due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

PCR testing queues in Melbourne and Sydney (pictured) stretched to five hours over the past week

Australians around the country are complaining about being unable to get hold of rapid tests which are crucial to releasing close contacts from isolation and allowing the economy to function during a major outbreak.

Twitter user Steve in Melbourne wrote: 'Been to eight different pharmacies looking for rapid antigen tests with no luck.'

Effie Karageorgos in Sydney added: 'Have been searching this morning for rapid antigen tests in Sydney for my parents (just in case) and cannot find any.

'One lovely pharmacist I called told me to check Facebook community groups to see who has them. Seems to me this is not the way to run a pandemic.'

The need for rapid tests has become urgent as PCR testing queues in Melbourne and Sydney stretched to five hours over the past week due to Queensland's entry test requirements, clinic closures and more people wanting a negative result before visiting family over the Christmas holidays.

'It is easier to get a ticket to the AFL grand final than get a test in some parts of Australia,' Labor leader Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday.

'Scott Morrison and his Government are once again showing a lack of leadership, consistently passing the buck to state and territory governments.'

On Wednesday Queensland announced from January 1 it will require negative antigen tests for entry - instead of PCR tests - a move that will increase demand even further.

Residents queue in their cars for Covid-19 PCR tests at a clinic at North Ryde in Sydney

Victoria has ordered 34million rapid tests and NSW has ordered 20million with another 30million due to be requested - but they won't arrive until the end of January.

Penrith City Councillor and former nurse Robin Cook said this was too late and the State Government should have acted sooner.

'So NSW won't receive supply of the RAT kits until the end of January meanwhile PCR Testing Labs continue to struggle. My plea to the government is be PROACTIVE rather then reactive in this pandemic,' she wrote on Twitter.

Mr Morrison described rapid tests as a 'precious commodity' but has refused to help states with supplies, insisting it's not his responsibility under the constitution.

'State governments as always are responsible for securing the RAT tests, providing them to people, and we'll share the cost 50/50 with the state government,' he said on Wednesday.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley blasted the PM for the lack of national leadership.

'We would much prefer to have a national approach to what is a national, indeed an international, supply issue. But failing that, as per usual, the states have had to step up over the course of this pandemic and fill the gap left,' he said.

Victoria and NSW both plan to hand out rapid tests for free, with distribution details still being worked through.

Mr Morrison described rapid tests as a 'precious commodity' but has refused to help states with supplies, insisting it's not his responsibility under the constitution

The boss of rapid test maker Atomo Diagnostics has also criticised the Prime Minister for the lack of planning so far.

'There's no national rapid test strategy and we've been waiting two years for this to happen. I don't understand why as a nation we are not better prepared,' he told News Corp.

Atomo Diagnostics is one of several local test makers awaiting approval from the drug regulator, the TGA, to be able to sell its products in Australia.

Queensland-based rapid testing company Anteotech is in the same boat, unable to sell its tests even though the state's Chief Health Officer John Gerrard admitted 'there is no doubt rapid antigen tests are hard to obtain in Queensland'.

Mr Morrison said applications would be fast-tracked but only if they met the required standard.

'We'll also be working closely with the TGA to ensure that pending applications for RAT test approval continue to receive a priority (but) the TGA has to be sure about the testing kits that it approves,' he said.

Last week the PM admitted that 'some can't' afford the rapid antigen tests as an alternative to supervised PCR swabs but said his priority was the booster rollout.

The comment sparked fury from opponents who have been demanding free rapid tests.

ACTU Acting Secretary Liam O'Brien said: 'Unions and business urged the Prime Minister to make Rapid Antigen Tests free back in October, but he didn't do anything about it - and now we have testing sites jammed and a looming crisis on our hands.

'A single test can cost up to $20, if you're lucky enough to find a chemist that still has them. That's $100 for Mum, Dad and the three kids. That might be small change to the Prime Minister, but it's out of reach for many families.

'Scott Morrison's callous indifference to Australians who cannot afford the sky-high costs of Rapid Antigen Tests proves yet again that working people cannot trust this Prime Minister to be there when they need him.'

Even former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd weighed in on Tuesday, comparing the rapid test debacle to the slow vaccine rollout which was delayed by a lack of Pfizer following changing health advice on the AstraZeneca jab.

He wrote on Twitter: 'Morrison and Hunt didn't order enough vaccines, delaying our rollout, extending lockdowns and border rules; didn't order enough boosters, undermining the Omicron response; and now haven't ordered enough rapid antigen tests to avoid a NSW testing collapse.'
Australia's most cut off capital city has had the slowest house price growth in 2021 - and values remain below a peak set seven years ago.

Perth's house price increases - at a monthly and annual level - are the weakest among the state capital cities, with values rising at only half the pace of Sydney.

The city is also Australia's most isolated capital city, not just geographically, with the West Australian government now deeming visitors from New South Wales and Victoria to be 'extreme risk'.

People from Queensland and South Australia are classified as 'high risk' as Omicron cases surge on the east coast.

While house price records are continuing to be set across Australia, Perth's median house price is still below a peak from seven-and-a-half years ago.

Australia's most cut off capital city has had the slowest house price growth in 2021 - and values remain below a peak set seven years ago. Perth's house price increases - at a monthly and annual level - are the weakest among the state capital cities, with value rises only half that of Sydney (pictured are walkers at Cottesloe Beach)

CoreLogic's head of research in Australia Eliza Owen said despite a recovery that began in 2019, Perth's median home price was still 2.4 per cent below a record set in June 2014.

The disparity in house price rises SYDNEY: Up 1 per cent in November and 30.4 per cent over the year to $1,360,543 PERTH: Up 0.2 per cent in November and 14.8 per cent over the year to $552,158 ADELAIDE: Up 2.6 per cent in November and 23.9 per cent over the year to $608,624 HOBART: Up 1.2 per cent in November and 26.6 per cent over the year to $726,779 BRISBANE: Up 3.2 per cent in November and 27.9 per cent over the year to $757,194 DARWIN: Down 0.5 per cent and up 14.8 per cent over the year to $562,900 MELBOURNE: Up 0.6 per cent in November and 19.5 per cent over the year to $986,992 CANBERRA: Up 0.8 per cent in November and 27.2 per cent over the year to $999,755 Source: CoreLogic Advertisement

Property analyst John Lindeman said the evidence showed population had little to do with house price increases.

'Even when we compare price performance in capital cities with similar housing prices and population sizes such as Perth and Adelaide, we quickly discover that their performance can be very different,' he said.

'Perth's housing market growth run appears to be over, while Adelaide's is gaining strength.'

Perth's median house price edged up by just 0.2 per cent in November and by 14.8 per cent over the year to $552,158, CoreLogic data showed.

By comparison, Sydney's median house price last month climbed by 1 per cent for an annual increase of 30.4 per cent to an even more unaffordable $1.361million.

At first glance Sydney, with a population of 5.3million people, has more than double Perth's 2.1million.

But Hobart, with must 240,000 people, saw its house prices last month rise by 1.2 per cent in November for a year-on-year increase of 26.6 per cent, taking the median house price to $726,779.

Adelaide, with 1.4million people, saw its house prices rise by 2.6 per cent in November for an annual increase of 23.9 per cent to $608,624.

Brisbane's mid-point house price last month increased by 3.2 per cent for an annual rise of 27.9 per cent to $757,194 in a city of 2.5million people.

Darwin, home to 147,000 people, was last month the only capital city where prices went backwards, with median house values shrinking by 0.5 per cent for an annual increase of 14.8 per cent to $562,900.

But Mr Lindeman said it was wrong to assume smaller markets were automatically more volatile.

The city is also Australia's most isolated capital city, not just geographically, with the West Australian government deeming visitors from New South Wales and Victoria to be 'extreme risk' with Queensland and South Australia classified as 'high risk'

'Other experts claim that it's a small market size that causes price volatility because even tiny changes in buyer demand can lead to big changes in prices,' he said.

'However, dwelling price data for our two smallest capital cities by size, Hobart and Darwin, clearly shows that Darwin's housing market has experienced far more volatility and even gone negative while Hobart continues to offer strong price growth to the city's property owners.'

Apart from having the weakest annual growth among the state and territory capitals, Perth and Darwin's economies are also more tied to the fortunes of the resources sector.

Western Australia's population growth can fluctuate with the iron ore price while the Northern Territory's top end is linked to liquefied natural gas.

'While the market size and property prices obviously have an effect on demand, the real cause of price changes is the relationship of supply to demand,' Mr Lindeman said.

'As long as the supply of properties on the market is less than the demand for them, prices will rise.'
Queensland has recorded 1,589 new cases of Covid but only eight patients are in hospital and none in the ICU.

Another 93 people in hospital who tested positive to the virus are hospitalised, but they being treated for unrelated health conditions.

Chief health officer John Gerrard said 80 per cent of the 6,368 active cases in the state were the Omicron variant, and it appeared to be more dominant in Queensland than other states.

'Case numbers are going to rise very rapidly in the next few weeks,' he said.

'It has a downside in that it's much more contagious than Delta but on the good side it does appear to be a milder disease, particularly for those who are vaccinated.'

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was notably absent from Wednesday's Covid update press conference as Police Minister Mark Ryan fronted the media alongside Dr Gerrard and Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.

She announced earlier that the state would drop its requirement of a PCR test for entry from January 1, in the face of pressure from other states.

Mr Ryan said that from today, those who wished to come into Queensland within the next 72 hours would therefore be able to use a rapid antigen test as a valid test to enter the state.

The move will immediately relieve pressure on testing queues in NSW and Victoria.

No test will be required after Queensland reaches 90 per cent of its 16 years and over population with two doses of a Covid vaccine. The state currently sits at 86.14 per cent of people doubled dosed.

'The value of rapid antigen tests is in the context of widescale transmission of Covid [but] they're not as sensitive as PCR tests. We're entering that phase now,' Dr Gerrard said.

Travellers from interstate hotspots will be able to use a negative rapid antigen test to cross the Queensland border, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) tweeted on Wednesday

The decision ended days of frustration, particularly in NSW, with long testing queues at clinics that were blamed on the 'tourist test' needed to come to Queensland

The decision ended days of frustration, particularly in NSW, with long testing queues at clinics that were blamed on the 'tourist test' needed to come to Queensland.

Commissioner Carroll said 130 people were put in quarantine after arriving into Queensland on 204 flights yesterday.

More than 471,000 border pass applications had now been made since the state reopened to interstate visitors on December 13.

She said that the rapid antigen test system in place from January 1 will be an 'honour system' via a declaration of a negative result on the border pass.

However, it is a criminal offence to make a false declaration on the border pass application and fines over $1,400 apply.

Queensland Police Minister fronted the media in place of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday as the state announced it will drop the requirement for a PCR test to enter the state from January 1

Dr Gerrard said contact tracing in Queensland had begun to be scaled back since Christmas Eve.

'This should have had some positive impact on the hospitality sector, I hope,' he said.

'We are pulling back to isolating those who are sick and their immediate household contacts, that is the main group that we are contacting.

'The broader contact tracing is gradually being pulled back.

'We are doing less contract tracing in places like restaurant and cafes... we cannot afford to quarantine the entire population of Queensland.

'This pandemic is progressing and has always been expected to progress.'

He also confirmed that a case had been detected on Thursday Island. The person likely acquired the infection after travelling to Sydney.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Tuesday claimed Ms Palaszczuk was indulging in 'passive-aggressive stupidity' by continuing to insist on the test.

He claimed that 'from what I've heard', Queensland Police were only randomly checking whether people have had a PCR test at the border.

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard speaks to the media on Wednesday. 'The value of rapid antigen tests is in the context of widespread transmission of Covid [but] they're not as sensitive as PCR tests. We're in that phase now,' he said

NSW authorities said more than a quarter of the 600,000 PCR tests conducted in the state since Christmas Eve were on healthy travellers looking to travel interstate over the Christmas-New Year holiday period.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath on Tuesday announced the PCR test interstate visitors were required to take on day five of their stay in the state was also being dropped, effective immediately.

Of the tens of thousands of travellers who have crossed state lines since Queensland reopened its border, only 0.6 per cent have tested positive in the day five test.

Dr Gerrard said scrapping the PCR tests would allow health resources to be 'better used' elsewhere - including testing those who have been exposed to a known infection.

Ms D'Ath had insisted the PCR entry test would be maintained until the state reached 90 per cent of those 16 or over had received two doses of a Covid vaccine.

She said ensuring supply of rapid antigen tests was the reason the PCR test would be required until January 1.

'Weve got to make sure theres adequate supply so that you dont have people lining up for a PCR test in NSW or Victoria, for example, but then they cant get a [rapid antigen] test,' she said.

NSW authorities said more than a quarter of the 600,000 PCR tests conducted in the state since Christmas Eve were on healthy travellers looking to travel interstate over the Christmas-New Year holiday period. Pictured: People queue in Sydney's CBD for a PCT test

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath yesterday announced that the PCR test on day five for visitors to the state will no longer be required. Pictured: People queue at a drive-through testing facility in Boondall, Brisbane

Ms D'Ath said yesterday that ensuring supply of rapid antigen tests (pictured) was the reason the PCR test would be required until January 1

But pressure from NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and claims that people in NSW and Victorian testing queues were preventing symptomatic people from getting one of the lab tests forced Ms Palaszczuk's hand.

However, the country still faces a crippling shortage of the rapid antigen test kits, with chemist shelves bare and hefty price tags for those that are available.

Mr Perrottet on Tuesday warned his state wouldn't receive an order of 20 million rapid antigen tests until the end of January.

The tests only take about 15 minutes to return a result and can be done at home, costing anywhere from $30 for a two pack or $50 for a five pack.

Australia is understood to be transporting more tests from overseas by air with the tests repackaged from bulk packs so they could be sold in chemists.

Queensland has 250,000 twin-packs of rapid antigen tests on the way in early January, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia confirmed, which will be distributed to pharmacies throughout the state.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) on Tuesday warned his state wouldn't receive an order of 20 million rapid antigen tests until the end of January

Queensland case numbers surged past 1,000 for the first time with 1,158 reported on Tuesday,

New South Wales has suffered a record 11,201 new Covid-19 cases and three deaths on Wednesday, nearly double the 6,062 infections announced on Tuesday.

There are 625 Covid patients in hospital, up from the 557 on Tuesday, but just one extra person is in ICU with a total of 61 people.

Victoria also saw a large jump in cases with 3,767 new infections and five deaths on Wednesday, compared to the 2,738 announced a day earlier.
The majority of people who were booked in to give blood have missed their appointments, prompting an urgent call for thousands of donors to roll up their sleeves and donate.

Red Cross Lifeblood donor centre network head Cath Stone says testing and quarantining requirements prompted by the Omicron outbreak, as well as the holiday season, were creating a 'perfect storm' of cancellations.

'More than half of all appointments are not being attended, which means we need more donors to roll up their sleeves and take the place of those who can't donate,' Ms Stone says.

The majority of people who were booked in to give blood have missed their appointments, prompting an urgent call for thousands of donors to roll up their sleeves and donate

While the holiday season always presents a challenge for Lifeblood donations, Ms Stone says 'donor numbers have plummeted' as people isolate and wait for results of COVID-19 tests, with many people also travelling interstate and wanting to spend their time with family and friends.

The PCR test requirement for entry into a number of states, as well as a surge in the number of people being identified as close contacts and requiring testing, has caused a blowout in wait times with some results taking up to six days to return.

The Red Cross is calling for at least 3200 donors to give blood before January 3, with O and A blood types the most in demand.

Red Cross Lifeblood donor centre network head Cath Stone said Covid testing and quarantine requirements amid the Omicron outbreak have lead to the mass cancellations

'These blood groups make up nearly 90 per cent of patients in hospital and we need donors of these blood types to donate this week to maintain our supply,' Ms Stone says.

Qld and NSW are the most in need of donors, with 1000 additional donors required in each state.

Blood donation centres are open every day around the country.

Trauma events, surgeries, cancer treatments, birthing mothers and newborn babies are in need of blood, and experts said a donation is needed every 18 seconds around the country

'It takes one hour to come and donate blood and it gives life and hope to somebody and their families for Christmases to come,' Ms Stone says.

Trauma events, surgeries, cancer treatments, birthing mothers and newborn babies are among those in need of blood during the period, and Ms Stone says a donation is needed every 18 seconds around the country.
Daniel Andrews has tripled the number of highly paid public servants in Victoria since he came to power in 2014.

The number of public service executives, who can earn between $192,800 and $479,900, soared to 1,742 by June 2021 with an increase of 271 in the past year alone, latest figures show.

When Mr Andrews came to power the number was 647.

Daniel Andrews has tripled the number of highly paid public servants in Victoria since he came to power in 2014

The premier has created a vastly bigger Government while the private sector battled through the world's longest Covid-19 lockdown in Melbourne.

The city's shutdown lasted a cumulative 262 days over six rounds of lockdown since March 2020.

A spokesman for the Victorian Government said the increase in public servants was necessary to man the 'response to the coronavirus pandemic and the state's biggest ever infrastructure agenda'.

During the Andrews Labor government 48,000 roles were created in the six years to June 2020, taking the total number of employees to 381,200.

In the state budget before the Andrews Government took office, the wage bill for public sector workers was $21 billion but this will increase to $36 billion for next financial year, and to $39 billion for the 2024-25 financial year.

Melbourne's shutdown lasted a cumulative 262 days over six rounds of lockdown since March 2020

Robert Carling, senior research fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies, said this blowout was a major risk to the state's finances.

'The pay rates in the Victorian public sector have outpaced the rest of the country,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'It's a major contributing factor to the blowout in the deficit in Victoria and the blowout in public sector debt.'

Victoria's net debt is expected to reach $156.3 billion by June 2025.

'If a state government wants to do something to bring its budget under control, you'd have to tackle this public sector payroll,' said Mr Carling.

He also slammed the 11.8 per cent pay rise for politicians during the height of the pandemic, saying: 'If ever there was a wrong time to do it, it was then.

'The optics are never good on big rises in politicians' pay but they're particularly bad in the circumstances of last year.'

Cian Hussey, Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs, said the Andrews government has created two Victorias with its policy of harsh lockdowns.

'Lockdown measures have destroyed businesses and cost private sector workers their jobs and wages while public sector workers have thrived,' he said.

'As long as public sector workers, and politicians in particular, remain this detached from the real economy, they will keep imposing lockdown measures because it doesn't cost them anything.'
A young Indian engineer who drowned on Christmas Day after being hit by a freak tidal wave had 'always dreamed' of moving Down Under.

Sidhardha Reddy Vaddi, 27, originally from Hyderabad in southern India, relocated to Adelaide on November 27 to pursue a job as a plant operator for a manufacturing company.

He was spending his Christmas at Port Elliot, 82km south, when he was hit by a huge tidal wave and swept off rocks at Horseshoe Bay about 12.45pm.

Lifeguards rushed into the water and brought him back to shore, but he sadly could not be revived.

Sidhardha Reddy Vaddi, 27, (pictured) tragically drowned on Christmas Day after being hit by a huge wave

Mr Vaddi was spending the festive holiday at Port Elliot (pictured) when he was swept off rocks at the lookout

Friends have launched a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for his devastated family to bring their son back home.

Sai Venkat Prabath Isukapalli said Mr Vaddi, affectionately known as Sid to loved ones, had a dream of coming to Australia and moved to Sydney in 2020 to complete a masters in mechanical engineering.

He had completed his course and was looking forward to starting his new job in South Australia when his life was tragically cut short.

'He is from a middle-class family from Hyderabad, born to Mr & Ms Sathi Reddy Vaddi,' Mr Isukapalli wrote in the fundraiser.

'[His father] is working in a Construction Company [and his] mother as a house wife and [he has a] younger sister.

'They had a dream for their son to graduate and succeed in life. But unfortunately he is no more.'

Tributes have begun pouring in online for the beloved graduate as friends rally to help support his family.

'Never expected I [would] share this news.. I dont have words to say.. I miss you forever buddy,' friend Sravan Kumar Eaga said sharing the link to the fundraiser.

'RIP sid, you will be missed but always remembered,' friend Zaynab Ali said.

'Rest in peace brother,' another post read.

The fundraiser has so far raised $78,715 of the $100,000 goal since it was launched on Monday.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
A New Orleans judge sent a 31-year-old man to jail after he violated his parole by tricking women into changing his soiled diapers - again.

Rutledge 'Rory' Deas IV, 31, was on probation for five years after he posed as an 18-year-old mentally and physically disabled man named 'Cory' to trick several women, and was charged with 10 counts of sexual battery and human trafficking for his scheme.

As part of his plea agreement, he was ordered to maintain employment, attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, undergo internet addiction counseling, stay off social media and complete 400 hours of community service, according to NOLA.com.

Although the women he victimized agreed to this arrangement, one who spoke publicly doubted the treatment would change him.

'Hopefully he follows through with that,' she said. 'I dont believe that he will because five years is a long time. I hope he can make himself better.'

She was right. On December 23, Louisiana State Police launched an investigation after learning of a text message in which Deas again pretended to be an adult with special needs, telling a victim that he was engaged in 'alternative therapy' and offering to pay her to change his diapers.

Rutledge 'Rory' Deas, 31 (pictured) was arrested again on Thursday for tricking women into changing his diaper while posing as a mentally handicapped man. He had been on parole for 5 years after an earlier scheme to

Deas was arrested on December 23 after police were notified that he had sent text messages to women offering to pay them to change his diapers

He tried to solicit the victim to find other women to 'care for him' in the process. Police said an investigation is still underway, and they are searching for additional victims of Deas' perverse scheme.

Deas was arrested at his Metarie home on December 23, and was sent to jail in lieu of $200,000 bail for human trafficking and attempted human trafficking charges. He was also be charged with five counts of parole violation.

During a court hearing for the 2019 charges, two women spoke about Deas, with one saying: 'I used to believe that almost everyone in the world was inherently good. ... In this case, I was wrong.'

At the time of his 2019 arrest, authorities said that Deas used an online app called UrbanSitter to hire a college student to look after a fabricated 18-year-old brother named Cory.

He would then pose as Cory and pretend to be handicapped while a home help worker looked after him and changed his soiled diapers for around one year.

A New Orleans judge has sentenced Rutledge Deas (pictured), 30, who tricked women into changing his diapers by pretending to have physical and mental disabilities, to five years of probation

Deas told investigators that he had trauma during childhood and being treated like an infant brought him 'back to a time and place where he was at peace,' court records obtained by The Times-Picayune revealed.

Deas told one woman, 20, that Cory needed a person to deal with him with 'tough toddler gloves'.

Pretending to be Cory, he sent text messages to the woman saying he needed to be potty trained, needed his 'diapee' changed and required a child's booster seat.

He would then pose as Cory and pretend to be handicapped while a home help worker looked after him and changed his soiled diapers for around one year. The app Deas used is pictured

The woman looked after a man she believed was Cory on ten occasions. She had changed his soiled diapers, according to court records obtained by The Times-Picayune.

The documents state Deas became aroused during that time and would suck on a baby's pacifier when she performed diaper changes.

The female victim never met the older brother, and he made payments through an Apple online app.

However she then had questions after Deas attempted to use another method to pay her on November 6, 2019.

She then examined his profile and saw another exchange of money between Deas and another man. She found a profile under the name 'Rory Deas' when she looked at the other man's friend group on Facebook.

The woman told police that the profile was the man she knew and cared for as Cory.

After contacting authorities, she contacted the babysitting app and Deas' profile was removed.

Deas later contacted her to see if she could care for Cory and at an apartment in the 1200 block of Marengo Street.

State Police secured warrants to arrest Deas on the sexual battery counts and took him into custody.
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Joe and Jill Biden have worn masks to walk their dog alone on a beach while on their Delaware vacation.

The Bidens - who are booster vaccinated - covered their faces for no apparent reason as they took their German Shepherd puppy, Commander, for a walk along a deserted Rehoboth Beach on Tuesday evening.

The President, 79, even continued to wear his mask after the First Lady, 70, took hers off.

It's not clear who Biden believed he was protecting or who he felt he needed protection from as the only other people on the beach, the secret service, didn't come within 10 yards.

When the couple were walking through the neighborhood, members of the secret service and the press were seen closer, within a couple of yards, however the risk of infection given they were outdoors was negligible.

It was while speaking to the press that Biden declared that he would impose a domestic vaccine travel requirement 'when I get a recommendation from the medical team.' The surge in Covid cases from the Omicron variant has made the White House reassess whether to impose it.

The President's mask-wearing parade came just hours after Dr Anthony Fauci admitted there was an 'extremely low' risk of contracting Covid indoors after getting fully vaccinated, saying that he only continued to wear a mask to stop 'giving mixed signals.'

Last week, the CDC updated its guidance to say that Americans who are fully vaccinated can safely go maskless indoors, or outdoors, with the exception of crowded indoor settings like planes.

Why the mask Joe? Biden is seen wearing a face covering while walking his new pup, Commander, on Rehoboth Beach in Delaware on Tuesday evening. It's not clear who Biden believed he was protecting by wearing a mask or who he felt he needed protection from as the only other people on the beach, the secret service, didn't come within 10 yards.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden both wearing masks on Tuesday evening took their new German Shepherd puppy Commander on a neighborhood walk near their vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The risk of infection outdoors is so minimal that it is absurd to wear a mask outside, with the chances diminished even more by having received booster vaccines

Jill and Joe Biden toss a ball to each other as they take their dog Commander for a walk on the beach in Delaware

Biden plays with his new dog on Rehoboth Beach on Tuesday

Biden told reporters that the 15-week-old puppy is a rescue that was gifted to him by his brother last month for his 79th birthday

The president told reporters that he will make a decision on domestic vaccine requirements 'when I get a recommendation from the medical team.'

The president plays fetch with the newest addition to the first family during some off-leash beach time December 28

Members of the secret service guarding the President and First Lady are seen spread out around them, there is no scientific reason to wear a mask in such a scenario

The change was long-awaited, and many U.S. leaders said it was overdue.

Dozens of states have lifted or updated their mask mandates to reflect the new guidance - including New York, where vaccinated people can go maskless starting tomorrow - but confusion has abounded, and some, like California, are keeping their requirements or the time being.

Despite the relaxing of mask rules, Fauci, Biden's top health adviser, seemingly called for a vaccine mandate for air travelers on Sunday but quickly retracted his remarks the next day.

'Everything that comes up as a possibility, we put it on the able and we consider it, that does not mean that it is likely to happen,' Fauci clarified to CNN's Jim Acosta on Monday.

'I doubt if we're going to see something like that in the reasonably foreseeable future,' he added.

Last month, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that Biden was considering an array of options, but valuing the input of health and medical experts the most when she was asked about vaccine requirements for domestic air travel.

Fauci laughed off Acosta's questions on Monday on whether there is conflict within the administration over whether to impose such a mandate.

'It's not a question of being in favor of it or not. I'm in favor of what we can do to keep the country safe,' he said.

On Sunday, Fauci told Americans that removing masks on airplanes is 'not something we should even be considering,' while hundreds of flights in the U.S. continue to be canceled due to the spread of the Omicron variant across the country.

Appearing on ABC's This Week, Fauci said: ''We want to make sure people keep their masks on. I think the idea of taking masks off, in my mind, is really not something we should even be considering.'

'A vaccine requirement for a person getting on the plane is just another level of getting people to have a mechanism that would spur them to get vaccinated; namely, you can't get on a plane unless you're vaccinated, which is just another one of the ways of getting requirements, whatever that might be.'

'So I mean, anything that could get people more vaccinated would be welcome. But with regard to the spread of virus in the country, I mean, I think if you look at wearing a mask and the filtration on planes, things are reasonably safe,' he continued.

Joe and Jill are spending several days at their Rehoboth Beach vacation home in the days after Christmas

Biden chats to the press as he poses with his new puppy

Biden took commander off the leash to let him run around by the water Tuesday evening

The couple played with their new puppy as the sun set in Delaware. Biden wore a face mask for the entire outing despite only being with his wife and dog on the beach

Joe and Jill Biden walking their German Shepherd pup on Tuesday in Delaware

The Bidens walking the dog on the beach

The President pauses to speak with the press as he takes the new dog for a walk

Biden plays with the dog as the First Lady looks on

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk their dog Commander on the beach in Rehoboth Beach

Meanwhile, the president also told reporters during his stroll on Tuesday evening that there has been 'a bit of progress' toward the administration's goal of producing and distributing at-home COVID testing kits amid nationwide shortages.

The administration has pledged that all Americans will be able to acquire an at-home rapid test for coronavirus after previously ruling it out.

Biden insisted to reporters that he was on the phone for most of Tuesday working despite a blank public schedule and spending the days following the Christmas holiday away from Washington, D.C.

He is also facing criticism for his response to the most contagious variant yet of COVID.

Biden and Jill on Tuesday evening took Commander on a walk along the beach and through the neighborhood near their vacation home in Rehoboth Beach.

Commander, the president said, is a 15-week-old rescue given as a present from his brother for his 79th birthday last month. The new addition to the first family comes after Biden's dog Champ, who was also a German Shepherd, died in June 2021.

Some press gathered around for the walk were able to prompt Biden to answer some questions before the president let Commander off his leash to run around near the water.

Biden told reporters that he has not spoken recently with centrist Democratic Senator Joe Manchin after he sank the president's $1.75 trillion Build Back Better agenda earlier this month.

Cases are surging and Republicans claim 'there is no federal solution' to the pandemic.

Anything that could get people more vaccinated would be welcome, Dr. Anthony Fauci says when asked by @jonkarl about potential vaccine requirements for domestic air travel. https://t.co/UPSYdyW4BU pic.twitter.com/Uetl9DaBO7  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) December 27, 2021

Fauci said that the idea of removing masks while on an airplane 'is really not something we should even be considering,' while appearing on ABC's latest edition of This Week on Sunday

Fauci added that the obligation to wear a mask while traveling by plane may never be removed and that introducing a vaccine mandate for domestic and international air travel would force non-vaccinated Americans to immune themselves against the coronavirus

And although Biden's Tuesday schedule was blank, his public events do not usually contain any private meetings or phone calls the president may hold during the day.

The White House called a 'lid' at 10:13 am. A 'lid' means there will be no more public events with the president for the day. The 'lid' can be lifted  and was at 4:19 p.m.

Biden, Jill and Commander arrived in Rehoboth on Monday afternoon.

The first couple will spend several days at their 4,786-square-foot beach-side home with six bedrooms and five baths.

Their break from Washington D.C. comes as COVID cases in the U.S. have doubled over the past two weeks and the Omicron variant takes hold of the nation.

On average, 235,269 Americans are testing positive for the virus every day  a 99 percent increase over the last two weeks.

Republicans wasted no time following the massive surge slamming Biden for saying there is 'no federal solution' to combating COVID-19 on Monday despite his administration's far-reaching efforts to stop the pandemic, including federal mask and vaccine mandates.

Biden's comments Tuesday come amid an explosion of COVID cases in the U.S. over the past two weeks as the newly discovered Omicron strain takes hold in the country

Biden arrived in Rehoboth Beach on Monday afternoon with first lady Jill Biden and Commander

The trio will spend several days at the family's Rehoboth, Delaware beach house

Biden has no public events on his schedule for Tuesday as he holes up in his beach house

The GOP, citing a comment Biden made in October 2020, released a tweet implying the president did an about-face on his commitment to battling the pandemic, which has come back with a vengeance with the highest amount of cases in a day since January - before vaccines were created.

'BIDEN, TODAY: 'There is no federal solution' to COVID,'' the Republican National Committee tweeted, and included footage of the president from Monday's meeting with 25 governors.

'BIDEN, 2020: 'I'm going to shut down the virus.''

Biden was meeting Monday with 25 of the nation's governors - a mix of Republicans and Democrats - where he addressed the ongoing pandemic.

After his speech, Biden asked White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients to open to the floor to questions from the governors.

However, before taking any questions, Zients quickly booted the press from the room, saying: 'I think we're going to clear the press first.'

It's the latest instance of White House staffers appearing to shield the gaffe-prone president from the press. Last week, Biden cut short questions after a speech, saying: 'I'm not supposed to be having this press conference.'

The Republican party blasted President Joe Biden on Twitter Monday after he said 'there is no federal solution' to combatting COVID-19

The GOP's post was referencing a comment Biden made in October 2020 where he promised to 'shut down the virus'

During the speech, he told the governors that there was 'no federal solution' to the Omicron variant causing cases to spike around the country, saying the solution was solidly on the 'state level.'

His message to governors was: 'If you need something, say something. We are going to have your back.'

The president's comments came as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut in half isolation restrictions for Americans who catch COVID from 10 days to five. The CDC also shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.

The restriction change comes as several industries face staff shortages caused by the federal mandates and the administration's failure to provide adequate testing.

Biden's supporters quickly rushed to his defense, alleging Republicans took his remarks out of context.

'This deceptively-edited clip put out by the RNC and several GOP Members of Congress of Biden [sic] today creates the false impression that Biden is giving up on battling COVID,' defense attorney Ron Filipkowski said. 'This is a total lie'.

Filipkowski claimed the now-viral clip of Biden was 'a total lie' and edited to suggest he is 'quitting on dealing with COVID and just throwing it to the states.'

Echoing the RNC's sentiment, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott blasted Biden's handling of the pandemic.

'Biden says there's no federal solution to COVID and that this gets solved at a state level. He should immediately end his unconstitutional federal mandates,' Abbott argued. 'The Texas solution is no mandates and personal responsibility.'

Abbott did not join Biden's meeting with the nation's governors on Monday. All governors were invited to attend the virtual gathering.

Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, also accused the president of implementing illegal mandates and blamed his 'incompetence' for the surging virus.

'When Joe Biden says 'there is no federal solution,' he's trying to avoid blame for his incompetence,' Cotton tweeted.

'If he really believes this, he should rescind his unconstitutional federal mandates.'

Biden's remark came during a meeting with 25 of the nation's governors - a mix of Republicans and Democrats - where he addressed the ongoing pandemic. He told the governors that there was 'no federal solution' to the Omicron variant causing cases to spike around the country, saying the solution was solidly on 'state level'

Cotton then argued that although there is 'no federal solution,' there are steps the president could take to combat COVID.

'Biden opened the border, botched testing, and outsourced CDC's guidance to the teachers' unions,' he stated.

'There's no federal solution, but the fed government can help by securing the border, approving safe treatments & tests, and appointing competent leaders at the FDA & CDC.'

North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn - the youngest member of Congress - also chimed in on Biden's handling of the virus.

'Joe Biden blames the unvaccinated for COVID more than he blames China,' said Cawthorn, a Republican from North Carolina.

Congressional candidate Buzz Patterson, also from North Carolina, offered his two sense on the situation: 'Biden surrendered on the border, surrendered to the Squad, surrendered to the Taliban, and just surrendered to COVID.'

'Don't worry, he's safely ensconced in his beach home. Sleep well.'

Rep. Tom Cotton (left) and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (right) were among those who blasted Biden over his handling of the pandemic. Both Republicans accused him of implementing COVID 'illegal mandates'

Several conservatives took to Twitter, issuing their detest for Biden's handling of the pandemic

During Monday's meeting with governors, Biden admitted that his administration has not done enough to ease the COVID testing demand, vowing to do better.

He acknowledged the long lines around the country as people sought to get a COVID test ahead of the holidays, saying 'clearly' his administration has more work to do.

'That's not enough. Clearly not enough,' Biden said, adding: 'We have to do more. We have to do better. And we will.'

The president joined his COVID-19 Response Team's meeting with the governors for the first time ever on Monday. After the meeting, Biden told reporters the governors had thanked him for his work.

'They didn't tell me they're worried but they thanked me for the cooperation they're getting. They said they've gotten all that they need. They just want to know what we think is gonna happen from here,' he said, adding 'there were no complaints, a lot of cooperation.'

He spoke with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House as he and Jill Biden departed for Rehoboth Beach, where the first couple will spend a few days at his family home in Delaware for New Year's.

The president also denied a report in Vanity Fair that his administration, back in October, rejected a plan for more at-home COVID tests that called for an estimated 732 million tests per month. The plan also recommended a nationwide 'Testing Surge to Prevent Holiday COVID Surge.'

'We didn't reject it,' Biden said.

Biden joined the virtual meeting with the governors to discuss their needs to combat the Omicron variant as cases continue to rise and testing kits remain in demand. He acknowledged the testing shortage around the country in his opening remarks.

'Seeing how tough it was for some folks to get a test this weekend shows that we have more work to do,' he said.

During the meeting, Biden also admitted that his administration has not done enough to ease the COVID testing demand, vowing to do better

He acknowledged the long lines around the country (a seen above in New York City on Dec. 27) as people sought to get a COVID test ahead of the holidays, saying 'clearly' his administration has more work to do

President Biden said his administration will do more to ease COVID testing lines and that more testing centers were coming

Biden argued, when he took office in January 'we had no - zero - over-the-counter home test in the United States. None.'

'Now there are more than 20,000 places to get tested for free,' he said.

He said more testing sites were coming.

'I know the lines have gotten very long in some states. That's why I ordered FEMA to set up pop up sites in places with high demand to shorten the wait. We stood up 60 of sites in New York City in five days and there are more coming,' he told the governors.

He also said his administration worked with Google 'so you can now search COVID test near me on google to find a location.'

Biden's meeting comes as his administration faces criticism for a shortage of COVID tests as Americans rushed to get tested ahead of the holiday season.

With demand high and shelves emptying out of stock, some retailers have placed limits on how many at-home testing kits can be purchased at a time. CVS has a limit of six test kits per purchase both in stores and online while Walgreens limits it to four kits.

'You know, testing has always been an issue ... that has been problematic. It has been compounded by the situation of the high demands,' Biden's COVID tsar, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told CNN.

'We had a conflation of high demands  high demands because of the concern about Omicron which is a justifiable concern, but the high demand that was triggered by the holiday season, people getting ready to travel getting ready to go and mix with family members and friends. It's been a very, very strong run on testing.'

The Biden administration has announced plans to help quell this demand, distributing 500,000 at-home COVID tests to Americans in January.

Fauci also stated he expects more tests to be available next month.

'We've obviously got to do better,' Fauci said Sunday on ABC's This Week. 'I think things will improve greatly as we get into January, but that doesn't help us today and tomorrow.'

Coronavirus cases are surging at a rate not yet seen in the near two-year pandemic

Despite the massive surge in cases, the CDC on Monday cut isolation restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine

Both hospitalizations and deaths have remained steady in recent weeks, not rising at the same pace as cases

COVID cases in the US have exploded over the past two weeks, as the newly discovered Omicron strain begins to take hold in the country.

America is currently averaging 198,326 cases every day, a 68 percent increase over the past two weeks. Deaths and hospitalizations have not followed, though.

The US has not recorded a higher seven-day case average since January 19, the backside of the nation's most devastating COVID surge to date.

The country is averaging 71,302 hospitalizations every day, only an eight percent increase over two weeks. Deaths are up three percent during that time span to 1,328 per day.

This could be a signal of the Omicron variant - which accounts for 73 percent of cases in the US, according to most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - being more mild than other strains.

Deaths and hospitalizations do lag behind cases, though, and a similar spike could be seen in those metrics soon as well, though.

Despite the surge, US health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.

CDC officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

The quarantine guidance is not a mandate, rather it's a recommendation to employers and state and local officials.

It says workers can go back to work after seven days if they test negative and don't have symptoms. The agency said isolation time could be cut to five days, or even fewer, if there are severe staffing shortages.

Meanwhile, Americans have been told by Fauci to cancel big parties as the Omicron variant tears across the nation.

Daily cases have spiked in recent weeks, up 68 percent over the past two weeks, and America's top infectious disease expert warns that things will only worsen in the near future.

Fauci told ABC's Good Morning America that the surge may only be beginning, and that Americans should expect the situation to exacerbate over the coming weeks.

'It's going to get worse before it gets better. That's for sure,' he said.

'We don't expect things are going to turn around in a few days to a week. It likely will take much longer than that. But that's unpredictable.'

The Omicron variant, which was first discovered by South African health officials in late November, is the most mutated COVID strain yet. It has more than 50 mutations, including 37 on the spike protein targeted by the COVID vaccines

Fauci says it's not possible to predict when the Omicron variant surge will come to an end because different countries have seen varied patterns.

'Each demography of a country is different,' he said.

The Omicron variant, which was first discovered by South African health officials in late November, is the most mutated COVID strain yet.

It has more than 50 mutations, including 37 on the spike protein targeted by the COVID vaccines.

The U.S. confirmed 10,179 cases of the variant as of Tuesday morning, though the real case figure is likely much higher. Only two other countries have confirmed more cases than that of the U.S.

Research performed by vaccine manufacturers and independent health experts have repeatedly found that the initial vaccine regimens - two shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine - are not effective at preventing infection from the variant.

Scientists and the pharmaceutical and biotechnical companies insist, however, that additional booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna jabs can re-establish protection.

According to CDC data, 72 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID, and 64.5 million people have received their booster shot.
IT wasnt so long ago that they were out of tune with the tastes of todays music lovers.

But the revival of vinyl records has gone from strength to strength, according to 2021 sales figures which are set to show them at their highest in three decades.

As the format thrived during the pandemic, more than five million vinyl albums were purchased in the UK  up 8 per cent on 2020, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It is the 14th consecutive year of growth.

Record breaker: Half a million vinyl copies were made of Adele's album 30

It is also the highest total since 1990 when Phil Collins ...But Seriously was the UKs biggest selling title.

The figures, based on Official Charts Company data, indicate vinyl albums now account for 23 per cent of all those purchased  competing with downloads, CDs and the revived compact cassette format.

The BPI expects to announce in its annual report that classic LPs Rumours by Fleetwood Mac and Back To Black by Amy Winehouse, which were reissued in 2021 to coincide with National Album Day, are among the years best-sellers.

Pictured: The top 5 vinyl LPs of 2021

Major 2021 releases including Abbas Voyage, Adeles 30 and Ed Sheerans = [Equals] are also projected to be high on the charts.

Despite a worldwide shortage of the PVC which vinyl records are made of, Adeles record label Sony ordered 500,000 copies of her latest LP 30 pressed on vinyl. It had to send the recording to plants six months in advance.

Vinyl is the highest-grossing format for artists and record labels. Adeles album 30 costs 30 to purchase on vinyl but around 11 on CD, 10 as a tape and 9 as a download.

Campaigns such as National Album Day, Record Store Day and Tims Twitter Listening Parties helped rally vinyl sales for independent record shops and specialist chains.

The report also said 190,000 cassettes had been purchased in the past 12 months  up a fifth on 2020 and the highest since 2003 when 243,000 were sold and Now! 54 was the biggest seller in the format.

This would mark the ninth year of consecutive growth for cassettes.

The BPI expects to announce in its annual report that classic LPs Rumours by Fleetwood Mac (pictured) and Back To Black by Amy Winehouse, which were reissued in 2021 to coincide with National Album Day, are among the years best-sellers

Ex-High School Musical star Olivia Rodrigos album Sour is predicted to be the best-selling cassette album of the year alongside rapper Daves Were All Alone In This Together and Queens Greatest Hits.

Geoff Taylor, of the BPI, Brit Awards & Mercury Prize, said: Its a great time to be a music fan, with a wider choice on offer than ever before supported by great value.

Fans can purchase and collect the music they most love on vinyl, CD and even cassette, whilst also enjoying access to more than 70million songs to stream instantly  enabling a new generation of artists to create music and sustain successful careers.

The BPI will report its final sales figures for the year on January 4.
The dying wish of courageous Australian asbestos victim Gillian North is starting to be heard, with home renovators downing tools over concerns about the deadly material.

Daily Mail Australia was at the forefront of reporting Ms North's heart-breaking final days as she fought to warn the public their lives could be at risk if they are exposed to asbestos while restoring their own homes.

The former corporate lawyer and professor died on December 23 south of Sydney, aged 61, after a painful but extraordinary three year journey in which she researched asbestos and laid the foundations for reforms.

She developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos while renovating homes in London and Sydney in the 1990s and was diagnosed with the fatal illness in 2018.

Ms North hoped those reforms will include the compulsory removal of asbestos from existing buildings.

The dying wish of courageous asbestos victim Gillian North is starting to be heard, with home renovators downing tools over concerns about the deadly material

Daily Mail Australia was at the forefront of reporting Ms North's heart-breaking final days as she fought to warn the public their lives could be at risk if they are exposed to asbestos while restoring their own homes

Thanks to you and dear Gill I will be arranging a thorough asbestos audit for my vacant investment property (old Queenslander) tomorrow   Caroline Hooper (@hoolerhooper) December 23, 2021

Im about to start a renovation in my 1989 built homes bathroom and this story sticks with me Thankyou. But the builder Ive employed did warn me of the risks of there being asbestos in the wall sheets for the bathroom being that year so.I will be having it tested before I start  Danny esgate (@ssdannyesgate) December 20, 2021

Im sorry for your loss Martin. - Just bought a Reno house with asbestos - Im very much grateful for hearing her story. Thank you both.  Alex Kidd  (@AlxPrdx) December 23, 2021

Her husband Martin North has been contacted by hundreds of well-wishers since her death, many of whom say they have halted their home renovations until they get professional inspections.

Several have directly contacted Mr North, by phone, email and via social media.

'Some I said they had planned to start renovating over Christmas but they didn't because they saw the article and coverage and the fact is they weren't aware,' Mr North said.

Three days before she died Ms North told Daily Mail Australia she knew she would save lives.

Gillian North (left) pictured with her sister Trudy and her husband Grant in New Zealand in the late 1990s. They will both be attending Gill's memorial service on Thursday

Martin North said told Daily Mail Australia that Gillian North managed to 'turn a pointless death into an amazing jumping off point to hopefully create change and save lives'

Definitely and with young children I will definitely not be toying with their lives just to save a few bob You and your wife have done a wonderful thing by highlighting awareness in the diy renovations. If only the Australian government set regs they have for business A lot saved  Danny esgate (@ssdannyesgate) December 21, 2021

Sorry to hear it. I got an asbestos report and know where it is and definitely take it more seriously. It can be in just about any building material.  Alargerat (@Memeunit2234) December 19, 2021

So sorry for your loss. I have read articles on what happened and admire her bravery and dedication to uncover and draw attention to this serious threat. I am going to get someone in to inspect our old house once Covid settle down. May she rest in peace.  redwhiteblue (@oxox1122331) December 23, 2021

The asbestos reforms Gill North wanted to see National public health campaigns to warn about the dangers of exposure to 'legacy' asbestos.

Compulsory residential property asbestos assessments prior to sale, renovation, or lease.

Legal requirements for residential property owners to have all asbestos removed by licensed professionals.

The introduction of interest free loans (means tested) for residential property owners to support the removal of asbestos by licensed professionals.

Urgent and firm commitments to eradicate asbestos from public, commercial and residential properties across Australia. Advertisement

'I know I have,' Ms North said, saying she had convinced friends to pause work on their homes until they were sure it was safe to continue.

'We've had numerous friends who have ceased doing their DIY. We have to try to save as many lives as we can,' she said.

Her plea was for home renovators to pay for professionals to remove the deadly building material, which is found in one third of homes across Australia.

'Honestly, every time someone says they have read an article or seen Gill on television, and decided to get a professional check for asbestos I feel like ringing a bell, because that could be a life saved,' Mr North said on Wednesday.

He admitted the past month has been a rollercoaster of emotions.

'I've had a certain amount of quiet sobbing, but I am extremely motivated to make sure Gill's wishes are followed. It gives me purpose too.'

'They are taking it seriously and that's the point, so as hard as it's been for me, these messages are a cause for celebration.

He said it's 'not a surprise' people are starting to wake up about asbestos because 'they need to'.

'The level of awareness across community was so low, so it's not surprising people are starting to wake up,' he said.

Mr North said he is not trying to 'scare people' - just help them to understand and reduce their risks.

'I don't want anyone to die like Gill died, her last 48 hours was excruciating.

'Her dying wish was people would wake up and make better decisions than she did.'

Several people tweeted their change of heart of renovations.

'I'm about to start a renovation in my 1989 built home's bathroom and this story sticks with me [so] thank you. I will be having it tested before I start,' said a father, Danny.

'With young children I will definitely not be toying with their lives just to save a few bob.'

Martin North paid tribute to his wife Gillian (pictured), who developed mesothelioma after doing home her own home renovations and died on Thursday. He released video showing her trying to breathe seven hours before she passed away

Ms North's home at Hampstead, London during the 1990s. She did 'major renovations' there by herself

Wishing you and your wife all the best Martin.



Reading about your story has given me the prompt I needed to deal with some suspected asbestos around my place.  Degrow, grow do it  (@LookAvin) December 19, 2021

From 20 years in prop-management Martin - only a handful have ever asked ... we have on the other hand knocked back managements when owners didnt want to rectify exposed asbestos sheeting... we also instructed tenants NOT to screw into wet area walls- More awareness needed...   Just Think Property (@justthink1) December 19, 2021

Brave of you to share. Have already shared the dangers with my loved ones. Thinking of you with great affection.  Cat (@Cat44123573) December 26, 2021

'Thanks to you and dear Gill I will be arranging a thorough asbestos audit for my vacant investment property (old Queenslander) tomorrow,' tweeted Caroline.

'Reading about your story has given me the prompt I needed to deal with some suspected asbestos around my place,' tweeted another father from south-east Victoria.'

'Just bought a reno house with asbestos. I'm very much grateful for hearing her story,' wrote Alex.

Mr North says the fight to stop people meeting the same fate as his wife, who was exposed to asbestos during renovations in London and Sydney, has a long way to go.

Ms North was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2018 and before she died, she wrote a remarkable 18 research papers about the dangers and legal picture, and also surveyed 40,000 households about their awareness of asbestos.

She also created a charity, Asbestos Awareness Australia, to support her work.

Gillian North was extremely fit and energetic up until her mesothelioma diagnosis in 2018, and even after that she amazed palliative care workers by walking up to an hour a day until recently

The exterior of Ms North's home at Hampstead in London. It was one of the home renovations where she believes she was exposed to asbestos

'What she said was if I can save one life it's been worthwhile, well judging by the immediate response a number of people have said they are getting their homes checked and that they are changing their plans, so Gill was definitely on the right track.'

While the changes Ms North wants to see have not yet been made, Mr North feels there is public support for them.

She wants to see compulsory residential property asbestos assessments prior to sale, renovation, or lease and residential property owners forced to have the deadly material removed by licensed tradespeople.

Ms North suggested interest-free loans should be available to help owners get rid of it.

She also wants national public health campaigns to warn about the dangers of exposure to asbestos still in homes and buildings.
A bizarre plan to send Northern Ireland's political leaders on a 'game hunting' trip in South Africa was considered during the peace process, documents reveal.

Declassified files detailed Ireland's proposal to host a meeting with those from the main parties at a game reserve in February 1997.

But sending Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein, Ian Paisley of the DUP and David Trimble of the UUP on a safari  with a 'midnight game hunting expedition'  was dismissed by then-Taoiseach John Bruton.

He said the idea was 'rubbish', adding: 'It is the sort of indulgence that adds to the problem.'

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams listening to other party members during the first day of debating in the new Northern Ireland Assembly chamber at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, in 1998

Reverand Ian Paisley delivers a hard-hitting speech at a joint Unionist rally in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, 1997

He was opposed to any foreign junket being offered to parties who had been reluctant to enter into the peace talks.

But the proposal had been seriously considered by officials in Ireland.

It was suggested that 30 politicians from Northern Ireland would meet with South African politicians to discuss the country's experience of post-apartheid conflict resolution.

The plans, released by the National Archives, were included in a tranche of previously classified files.

Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly chamber at Stormont, 1998

The first face-to-face negotiations between Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader David Trimble and his counterparts from Sinn Fein only took place in September 1997.

At the time, the UUP was the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland and it had refused to engage with the talks initially.

The historic moment when the two sides shared a conference room for the first time during the peace talks was recorded in minutes from the meeting as 'something of a damp squib'.

Mr Trimble was said to have told the meeting at Stormont that he had come 'to confront Sinn Fein rather than negotiate with them'.

An official summary of the talks noted: 'The Unionists shared the same conference room as Sinn Fein for the first time... A historic change had occurred.'

Leaders of the main parties signed the Good Friday Agreement a year later in 1998.
Sydneysiders are planning to stay inside rather than head out to enjoy the city's world-famous New Year's Eve celebrations as restaurants, bars and harbour cruise operators report tens of thousands of cancellations amid rising Omicron case numbers.

Some of Sydney's top restaurants will not even open on the night as staff shortages and Covid testing pressures force owners to juggle crews between venues.

Legendary restaurateur Matt Moran told Daily Mail Australia that Chiswick, the favoured haunt of celebrities won't open on December 31 for the first time in its history.

Captain Cook Cruises, Sydney's biggest operator, will have only two cruise boats instead of 30 on the harbour on Friday night and said that hopes for a bumper New Year's Eve 'just toppled off a cliff'.

Hundreds of thousands of cancellations are hitting restaurants, bars and harbour cruises as Sydney locks itself in rather than go out for the world famous New Year's Eve party

Restaurants like North Bondi Fish (above) are open on New Year's Eve and January 1 but Solotel, one of Sydney's biggest hospitality groups is struggling with staff shortages

Captain Cook Cruises (above), the city's biggest cruise operator has only two boats out on New Year's Eve, down from 30 two years ago and has had 20-30 per cent cancellations

'The 11,000 case numbers today might have helped (fuel cancellations), but it's like Sydney is locking itself down,' Captain Cook Cruises Sydney General Manager Nick Lester told Daily Mail Australia.

'I get it. We haven't seen case numbers like this in Australia and they are expected to go up. I'd crawl up in a ball in the corner too.

'We had a decent December and then Omicron started to have legs.

'The timing couldn't be worse. New Year's Eve is when businesses can pay for next year's infrastructure because (Sydney) is an international drawcard.

'It's a disaster.'

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has pleaded with revellers to go out and party at hotels, restaurants and bars to boost the Covid-hit economy.

Sydney's Lord Mayor Clover Moore said earlier this month that Sydney businesses 'have really struggled to keep afloat... they need all the support we can give them. Book into a restaurant or bar to start your evening... make a night of it'.

Legendary chef Matt Moran (above left) is juggling staff numbers due to Omicron testing and not every venue can open, while Captain Cook Cruises general manager Nick Lester (above right) said business had 'toppled off a cliff' with the 11,000 plus case numbers

But one restaurateur said the scrapping of mandated mask wearing and QR codes stopped people from making bookings, and their reintroduction only caused more confusion and had sapped consumer confidence.

'Now the rules are back, but it's too late. At the moment we lose close to 80 per cent of bookings every day, thankfully 50 per cent are rebooked because we're the only place open,' Phillip Fikkers of Macleay Street Bistro told Nine newspapers.

'With the rules constantly changing, people are terrified but who can blame them?'

The Solotel Group, which owns North Bondi Fish and Chiswick, will keep the iconic New Year's Eve dining spots, Aria and Opera Bar, open on Friday evening, but Aria will be closed on January 1.

Police on duty for New Year's Eve 2020. The hope for a busy 2021 NYE is fading away amid rising Omicron case numbers

It has been forced to keep venues closed because of testing delays, although Matt Moran said the group had the foresight to spend $10,000 on 1200 rapid antigen tests.

He said all staff were tested on arrival and only allowed in if negative. It was a daily juggle to see if enough had tested positive to staff each respective venue.

'Our problem is we have a very bad shortage of staff. We had a lot of venues closed over Christmas, but we were short staffed before this,' he said.

'What we do need is the government to allow skilled workers back into the country.

'(If not) there's not going to be a hospitality industry.'

High end restaurant Aria will be open on New Year's Eve with its $1,450 dining experience, but will close on January 1 as the Solotel group struggles with hospitality industry shortages

Nick Lester said the cruise ship industry on Sydney harbour was down by 85-90 per cent on pre-Covid business in 2019 when his company had 30 boats out on the night.

The two still sailing on Friday evening are a 65m cruise boat serving a six course $1,300 degustation menu and a $300-a-head BYO picnic cruise.

'We've had 20-30 per cent cancellations, but if case numbers ... could be, say, 50,000, what about Australia Day? That's a lot of business for people operating around the harbour.'

NSW Premier's mixed message about mask mandates and QR codes had sapped consumer confidence, causing people to cancel bookings and stay home on December 31

Lengthy testing queues, delays with results and a run on rapid antigen tests have kept people from being able to see loved ones and friends during the festive season

On New Year's Eve, there are 31 harbour fireworks vantage point locations, most of which are ticketed, five of which are sold out.

The City of Sydney told Daily Mail Australia it could not estimate crowd numbers this year, but if people didn't have vantage point ticket or were feeling unwell 'please stay home and watch the fireworks on the ABC or iview'.

Anyone venturing out should be 'fully vaccinated, use QR codes' and 'wear a mask if you can't social distance' now that daily Covid cases have surged to 11,201.

In a December 9 press release, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said her council was celebrating '25 years of creating the worlds biggest New Years Eve fireworks displays over Sydney Harbour' with this year's theme, 'See Sydney shine' and that the city deserved a party.
Policing Insulate Britain's roadblocking protests cost at least 4.3million  enough to insulate about 3,500 homes  an investigation has found.

More than 6,600 Scotland Yard officers were involved in dealing with the climate group's stunts from September to last month, Freedom of Information figures reveal.

The staff costs were 3.1million, with a further 600,000 spent on deploying vehicles and 300,000 on overtime.

Police officers arrest an Insulate Britain climate activist who had been blocking a slip road from the M25 earlier this year

Insulate Britain activists stop a car from driving towards them as they block a street in central London in October

Four other forces that assisted spent more than 300,000 solely on overtime, meaning the actual figure for policing protests in their areas was considerably higher.

It costs roughly 1,250 to insulate a four-bedroom detached house, meaning that almost 3,500 could have been insulated for the same price.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was appalled by the cost to the taxpayer and senior police officers described the figures as 'disgusting'.

Climate activists from Insulate Britain blocking the anticlockwise carriageway of the M25 between in Ockham this September

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, pictured, said: 'Not only did their guerrilla tactics wreak havoc on our roads and inflict misery to thousands of motorists, but they diverted our emergency services away from vital work'

Mr Shapps said: 'I am appalled at the amount of time and public money that's been spent policing the selfish actions of Insulate Britain.

'Not only did their guerrilla tactics wreak havoc on our roads and inflict misery to thousands of motorists, but they diverted our emergency services away from vital work, costing the UK taxpayer millions in the process.'

Insulate Britain, which is associated with climate group Extinction Rebellion, has demanded the Government insulates all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions.

The eco-warriors blocked major roads across the country between September 13 and November 20, causing huge disruption and miles of traffic jams.

Protesters from Insulate Britain block the M25 motorway near Cobham in Surrey in September

The group frequently targeted the M25 around London, the UK's busiest motorway, but also blocked roads in the capital, Manchester, Birmingham and the Port of Dover, Kent.

At one stage police officers were deployed at every junction of the M25.

Hertfordshire Constabulary spent at least 185,000 on the protests, Surrey Police 110,000, City of London Police 44,000 and Greater Manchester Police 10,000.

Policing Insulate Britain's roadblocking protests cost at least 4.3million, enough to insulate about 3,500 homes, an investigation has found

Traffic built up on the M25 after Insulate Britain climate activists blocked the clockwise, and then anticlockwise, carriageway

Mr Shapps (pictured) said he was appalled by the cost to the taxpayer and senior police officers described the figures as 'disgusting'

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said responding to the demonstrations on 70mph motorways was some of the most dangerous policing his colleagues have ever had to do.

He added: 'It's disgusting that we're having to spend that sort of money on these protests.'

Police made hundreds of arrests, but many suspects returned to the roads just hours after being released from custody.

National Highways applied to the High Court for injunctions to ban protests on motorways and main roads in England, at a cost of 220,000 spent on lawyers.

Ten Insulate Britain activists have been jailed for breaching the subsequent injunctions so far, with each handed prison sentences of two to six months.

Mr Shapps said: 'We will continue to act against this lawless behaviour while the Government gets on with tackling climate change.'

He said he is working with Home Secretary Priti Patel to ensure tougher penalties for disrupting key infrastructure such as major roads.

Insulate Britain said the group would 'much rather money was being spent on insulating homes and helping get people out of fuel poverty' but it vowed to continue protesting.

Spokesman Tracey Mallaghan said: 'Our Government has proved time and time again they're not doing what is necessary for our children, for the future. So how can we stop?'
The incoming New York City comptroller will be chauffeured around with an NYPD security detail, despite being a vocal defund-the-police advocate who has called for $1 billion to be slashed from the budget.

Brad Lander, 52, who takes over for Scott Stringer, voiced his 'commitment to working to defund the NYPD' in an open letter in June of last year.

An NYPD source with more than two decades on the job blasted Lander as a hypocrite.

'He's the guy who hates the cops,' the source told the New York Post of the outgoing Brooklyn Democratic councilman.

'If you don't like cops, don't use them.'

Lander's push to cut the police budget comes as New York City is in the throes of a crime wave not seen since the dark days of the crack epidemic in the early 1990s.

NYC Comptroller Elect Brad Lander, pictured, will receive an NYPD security detail despite vocally calling to defund the police

Pictured: Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller Elect has previously struck out against the NYPD, calling to cut the department's budget by $1 billion in an open letter in June of last year

Lander will now include a cop who will chauffeur him around the city in his NYPD security detail, officers pictured above

Pictured: Lander's open letter to his constituents back when he was a Brooklyn Councilman, where he called on defunding the NYPD

In June, when the city passed its annual spending bill, Lander said he was 'disturbed that this agreement increases the NYPD budget by nearly $200 million and increases headcount at both NYPD and the DOC.'

'But NYC already has more police officers per capita than nearly every large American city,' Lander added.

He went on to say that the money should go to social services, like mental health care or housing, instead.

Lander ally and fellow Brooklyn Democrat, Public advocate Jumaane Williams, has also called for defunding the police, while having an NYPD security detail himself.

The NYPD source said the city would be better served if the resources used for Lander were put toward protecting residents.

New York Police Department (NYPD) Community Affairs Rapid Response Team patrol through the Chinatown section of Manhattan in New York City, March 17

Fellow Brooklyn Democrat, Public advocate Jumaane Williams, pictured far right from Lander, has also called for defunding the police, while having an NYPD security detail himself

Lander, Adam congratulate each other on their recent electoral success as they attend a street naming ceremony on June 24, 2021

'Crime is at an all time high and now you're going to give him 12 to 14 cops? You've gotta give them vacation, sick time,' the source told the Post.

'All that for this guy, who nobody really knows. Would anyone know him if he was walking down the street?'

Lander's spokeswoman told the outlet that his NYPD detail would not lead to an increase in the department's headcount or budget, as officers who are already on the force are regularly assigned to such security details.

'As he steps into citywide office, Brad is grateful to the city workers who keep the Comptroller's office and City government running, including the officers assigned to his security by the NYPD,' Lander's representative, Naomi Dann, told the Post.

'There's no contradiction between believing that some of our public safety dollars would be better spent on supportive housing, mental health services, and restorative justice programs  and following longstanding NYPD protocol regarding safety for elected officials,' Dann added.

The Post reported in April that Lander has been caught speeding in school zones around the Big Apple eight times in the past five years, despite his ongoing efforts against reckless driving.

Crime levels in New York City drastically spiked in 2020 and has continued to climb in 2021

New York City is currently experiencing soaring crime rates and an increase in shooting incidents not seen since the mid-2000s

A New York City subway rider survived being bludgeoned with a hammer and falling onto the subway tracks with a train fast approaching the station as he was attacked by a violent stranger in August

Meanwhile, the incoming New York City police commissioner faces a murder rate that is 50 percent higher than it was before the pandemic and shootings that have doubled since 2019, according to the most recent crime statistics released by the NYPD.

Keechant Sewell, who is set to become the first black woman to hold the post after being tapped for the position by Mayor-elect Eric Adams earlier this month, will be charged with the daunting task of reversing the violent crime that has plagued the city.

Crime statistics published by the NYPD show shootings, murders and auto grand larceny have all nearly doubled while murder is up 50 percent in the city compared to 2019 as of December 5.

There have been 1,470 shootings, 443 murders and 9,595 cases of auto grand larceny, according to the latest data for the year.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea, who departs at the end of the month, has blamed bail reform laws enacted by the Democratic-dominated state Legislature for the spike in violent crime.
A police officer took selfies at a murder scene where a teenager had been stabbed to death and sent deplorable racist, homophobic and offensive images via WhatsApp.

PC Ryan Connolly, who worked for Merseyside Police, also took photos of mentally ill people being sectioned, someone who had slit their wrists and at least two men in hospital.

He resigned in November prior to a disciplinary hearing taking place, the Guardian reported, and was later barred from ever rejoining the police.

PC Ryan Connolly, who worked for Merseyside Police, took selfies at a murder scene where a teenager had been stabbed to death and sent deplorable racist, homophobic and offensive images via WhatsApp (Stock image)

Connollys case echoes that of the two Metropolitan Police officers who took mobile phone pictures of two murdered sisters, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, as they guarded the crime scene.

Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis were jailed this month after admitting misconduct in public office.

Merseyside Police said their anti-corruption unit had caught Connolly and his offensive behaviour, which began in 2014.

Connolly, who joined the force in 2003, also had an association with a known criminal without informing his bosses.

The racist photos included images of Muslims and a Ku Klux Klan member. He also took a picture of a fellow officers behind.

The most offensive photographs were taken in 2018 at the scene of a murder cordon, but did not feature the victim.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley of Merseyside Police said: The behaviour of this officer is deplorable and serves to undermine the publics confidence and trust in the police.
Cases of Covid in South Africa are continuing to fall, as the wave caused by Omicron appears to burn itself out.

The country, which was one of the first in the world to fall victim to Omicron, hit its peak in the seven days to December 17, when an average of 23,437 cases were recorded.

But by Monday, the number had plummeted by 38 per cent to 14,390 cases.

The figures are the average across seven days, making them more reliable than fluctuating day-to-day statistics, although fewer people get tested around Christmas and people in South Africa tend to leave large cities for rural areas, where they are less likely to get tested.

A healthcare worker administers the Pfizer vaccine to a man amid the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 9

Scientists at the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, South Africa, work on the Omicron variant of coronavirus on December 15

However the figures for deaths reflect the evidence from the UK that Omicron is significantly less severe than the previous Delta variant.

At the very start of the year, in South Africa, deaths hit their peak at an average of 578 a day in the seven days to January 4.

The daily toll now is around 60 deaths, bearing out suggestions that patients in South Africa have milder symptoms and are less likely to end up in hospital.

Jamie Jenkins, former head of health analysis at the Office for National Statistics, said: 'This data confirms what the scientists in South Africa have been saying for a few weeks, that this is a variant which is more transmissible, making people more likely to catch it, but that the symptoms and the impact of it are less severe.

Passengers board buses traveling to Zimbabwe amid the spread of the Omicron variant in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 14

Travellers queue at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on November 27, after several countries banned flights from South Africa following the discovery of Omicron

'We are seeing far fewer deaths than we have in the past.'

Last week new data from South Africa showed nine in 10 deaths from Omicron were in unvaccinated patients.

Among the country's 309 deaths from the variant, just 40 were found to be in people given two vaccine doses, illustrating the crucial protection provided by being jabbed.
A man convicted of killing a British pensioner in Spain and burying her in a shallow grave has been jailed for 12 years.

Fransisco Javier Becerra admitted strangling Lesley Anne Pearson, 74, and burying her body in quicklime at her home in Algar, Cadiz in July 2019.

The 47-year-old handyman who is also an expert in martial arts killed the pensioner following a disagreement over money.

Lesley Anne Pearson, pictured with her brother Stephen Ramsbottom, right, was strangled at her home in Algar, Cadiz in July 2019. Handyman Fransisco Javier Becerra admitted her homicide and burying her body in a shallow grave at her property

Ms Pearson's body was found ten days after she was reported missing. Becerra admitted Ms Pearson's homicide and will serve 12 years in prison

Prosecutors had sought a 15-year jail term for Becerra after he had been convicted of homicide, though three years were reduced from the sentence in recognition of his guilty plea.

Brother Stephen Ramsbottom told The Mirror: 'It is not like in England, he gets no reduction.

'The setence is probably not long enough, but if he received 20 years in England, he would only serve 10. There's no point in getting upset about it. That's what's been decided. We must accept it. I fill nothing towards Javier.

Mr Ramsbottom added: 'He's in jail for the next 12 years and I would imagine life in jail in Spain will be tougher than in the UK.'

Algar is one of the many white villages in the province of Cadiz.

It is flanked by two of the most important natural parks in the province, Alcornocales and Grazalema.

It has around 1,500 inhabitants.

The nearest town is Arcos de la Frontera. The city of Cadiz, which is the provincial capital, is around an hour's drive away.
Victorians will get 34 million free rapid antigen tests by the end of January.

On the same day the state posted its highest COVID-19 daily infection tally, with 3767 new cases, the state government announced it will ramp up access to at-home tests.

'Rapid antigen testing is the way that Victorians can have confidence as they go about living with COVID and making sure that they do their bit to keep the pressure off our hard working hospitals,' Health Minister Martin Foley said on Wednesday.

Health Minister Martin Foley announced on Wednesday that Victorians will get 34 million free rapid antigen tests by the end of January

'We would much prefer to have a national approach to what is a national, indeed an international, supply issue. but failing that, as per usual, the states have had to step up over the course of this pandemic and fill the gap left.'

How the tests will be distributed is still being worked out.

The state is already handing out free rapid tests in some circumstances, including to students and staff exposed at schools.

How the tests will be distributed is still being worked out but the state is already handing out free rapid tests in some circumstances, including to students and staff exposed at schools

On Wednesday Victoria saw a massive jump in COVID-19 infections with 3767 new cases and five deaths.

The state had 2738 new cases and four deaths reported on Tuesday.

Wednesday's infection figure is the highest daily number the state has seen since the start of the pandemic.

Mr Foley acknowledged it is a confronting number to see, but it was predicted in modelling and he encouraged people to continue to wear masks, socially distance and take as many precautions as they can.

As cases rise the at-home test will remove some of the strain on testing facilities as close contact numbers continue to rise

The number of active cases in Victoria has also risen again to 19,994 up from 17,821.

Hospitalisations have jumped from Tuesday too, from 361 to 397, bringing the seven-day average to 379.

However, there are fewer people on ventilators, 28 on Wednesday down from 33 on Tuesday.

By 9.20am on Wednesday more than 20 testing sites across the Melbourne metropolitan area had been closed after reaching capacity

There are 62 people actively infectious with the virus in intensive care.

There were 75,132 tests processed on Tuesday, with sites continuing to come under intense pressure.

By 9.20am on Wednesday more than 20 sites across the Melbourne metropolitan area had been closed after reaching capacity.
A federal judge in Oklahoma on Tuesday ruled against the state in its lawsuit challenging the vaccine mandates for members of the Oklahoma National Guard in a dispute that is the first critical test of the military's authority to require National Guard troops to get the shot.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot denied Oklahoma's request for a preliminary injunction, saying the claims by Gov. Kevin Stitt, Attorney General John O'Connor and 16 anonymous Oklahoma National Guard members were without merit.

'The vaccine mandate to which the governor objects is the one - in addition to the nine that already apply to all service members - intended to protect service members from the virus which has, in less than two years, killed more Americans than have been killed in action in all of the wars the United States has ever fought,' Friot, who was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, wrote.

'The court is required to decide the case on the basis of federal law, not common sense. But, either way, the result would be the same.'

Friot also wrote the order doesn't exceed President Joe Biden's constitutional authority as commander in chief nor the Pentagon's authority to require the shot.

'Adding a tenth  vaccine to the list of nine that all service members are already required to take would hardly amount to 'an enormous and transformative expansion [of the] regulatory authority' the Secretary of Defense already possesses,' he noted.

A federal judge in Oklahoma ruled against the state in its lawsuit challenging the vaccine mandates for members of the Oklahoma National Guard

The Pentagon requires vaccinations and some governors are arguing that order exceeds constitutional authority for state National Guards

Stitt and O'Connor have been outspoken critics of vaccine mandates, even for military members, and have filed numerous lawsuits challenging such federal mandates.

A spokesman for the Oklahoma National Guard declined to comment while litigation is pending.

Spokeswomen for both Stitt and O'Connor say they're still reviewing the judge's decision.

'We filed this lawsuit to support these Oklahomans who object to the presidents vaccine mandate,' O'Connor's office said in a statement. 'We are disappointed with this decision.'

The White House and health officials have credited coronavirus vaccine mandates with driving up vaccination rates and curbing deaths from COVD-19.

Stitt and O'Connor filed the federal lawsuit over the Guard vaccine requirement earlier this month, with Stitt saying in a statement that Biden's Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin overstepped his constitutional authority by subjecting the National Guard to the mandate.

About a week later, the adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard, Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino, warned in an open letter to Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard members that refusing to receive the coronavirus vaccine could end their military careers.

Prior to filing a lawsuit, Stitt had asked Austin to suspend the mandate for the Oklahoma National Guard and directed his new adjutant general to assure members that they would not be punished for not being vaccinated.

Pentagon officials have repeatedly said Austin has the authority to set medical readiness requirements, including vaccines, for the entire military including the Guard.

Austin has said that getting the vaccine is critical to maintaining a heathy, ready force that can be prepared to defend the nation. He decided that Guard members who refuse COVID-19 vaccinations will be barred from federally funded drills and training required to maintain their Guard status.

At dispute is who the guardsman ultimately answer to - the president as commander in chief or the governor of their state. Guardsmen serve a dual role as a state militia.

There are two federal statuses for Guardsmen: Title 10, which covers mobilizations at the behest of the president, as well as mandatory training and education; and Title 32, which is also at the behest of the president and federally funded, but leaves the governor at the top of the chain of command.

The Pentagon said, under Title 32, which includes mandatory, monthly drill weekends, puts the decision under their purview.

Austin has argued that vaccines are part of a readiness requirement and that Guardsmen can't drill without them. If Guardsmen can't drill, they can't serve in the National Guard.

Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and Guardsmen challenged mandate in court

Overall, the military has a 95% complaince rate with the COVID vaccine mandate

In Judge Friot's order, he said state officials indicated that 89% of the airmen in the Guard have been vaccinated, while only 40% of Army guardsmen have been vaccinated.

Overall, the military has a 95% complaince rate with the COVID vaccine mandate.

But individual service members in other states, including Texas and North Carolina, are also fighting the mandate in court.

The deadline for Air National Guard members to be fully vaccinated was Dec. 2, while Army National Guard members have until June 30 to become fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Stitt, who was the nation's first governor to confirm that he got COVID-19, said he doesn't plan to get a booster shot even though state health officials are encouraging vaccinated people to do just that, particularly as the highly contagious omicron variant spreads.

Other governors have protested the mandate.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts have spoken out against it and written a letter to Austin asking the defense secretary to lift it.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is being slammed for taking another family vacation during a COVID-19 surge, this time spending eight days in Costa Rica as cases in his state spiked 600% in the last month due to the highly-contagious Omicron variant.

Murphy, who is vice chair of the National Governors Association, dialed in from his tropical getaway to a COVID-19 response meeting with the nations governors and President Joe Biden on Monday.

The Democratic governor and his wife, Tammy Snyder Murphy, took off on their trip on December 22 and will be back Thursday. Aside from hopping on the video conference, Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver has been filling in as acting governor until Murphy gets back, according to a statement from his office.

HIs absence comes as New Jersey's seven-day average for newly confirmed COVID-19 cases increased to 14,405 on Monday  a more than 200% increase from the 6,584 reported the week before.

The cases have jumped by roughly 300% percent from two weeks ago and have skyrocketed by over 600% from the end of last month.

'It is fitting that President Biden escapes his responsibilities by traveling to a Delaware beach house after saying responses to COVID-19 should be left to the states, and then Governor Murphy runs off to a Costa Rican beach,' said New Jersey Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew, who left the Democratic party last December.

Phil Murphy is being slammed for taking an eight-day vacation in Costa Rica, while COVID-19 cases in New Jersey spiked by 600% over the past month

Murphy, who is vice chair of the National Governors Association, dialed in from his tropical getaway to a COVID-19 response meeting with the nations governors and President Joe Biden on Monday

This isnt the first time Murphy left the country while his state was being devastated by a COVID-19 spike. He and his family took a vacation in Italy in August while the Delta variant swept through the US.

Murphy defended his decision to go on his most recent getaway when asked at an unrelated event in Trenton if he thought it was the best time to take a trip.

Were going to spend some time together as a family. Please God, we need that, he said, according to NJ.com.

Van Drew has called out Murphy for leaving the state on more than one occasion throughout the pandemic.

Governor Murphy defying orders, even his own, is nothing new. He has left the state of New Jersey on personal trips multiple times during the pandemic, yet continuously imposes mask mandates, vaccine mandates, and virtual school is now back on the table, he told Fox News.

'If Governor Murphy can travel out of the country when the State Department urges the American people to stay put, Americans should be afforded the same discretion regarding their personal health choices just like our leaders,' he added.

Murphy was also dragged by a number of Twitter users, including Dan Eberhart, the CEO of oil company Canary.

Phil Murphy barley [sic] won reelection, and he's already wasting no time in heading off on vacation during the middle of a COVID outbreak, Eberhart wrote.

Murphy was branded a hypocrite after posting a tweet today saying, We cant let our guard down against COVID-19. We encourage all individuals who have received their vaccination to get a booster dose this holiday season.

A number of replies said Murphy was letting his guard down because of his vacation, with one user named Carmela Corleone writing, Vacationing in Costa Rica during a statewide health emergency. Its good to be the king!

Murphy was blasted in August after jetting off to Italy for a 10-day vacation to his 23-room multimillion-dollar villa in Umbria as the Delta variant surged in the state.

At the time, the governor also defended his decision to get some downtime.

'Listen, I'm no different than any other family. After this past 17 months, just having a few days together is something that I think all of us want to do with our family, and I'm looking forward to that, he said.

Murphy narrowly defeated Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli in November's election. His rival had also slammed him on Twitter for his ill-timed Italy trip.

'While 'Rome is burning' here in New Jersey, Murphy is living in the lap of luxury and too rich to care about the communities and families impacted by the small businesses who had to close their doors forever,' Ciattarelli tweeted at the time.

Meanwhile, the Omicron variant has slammed the US, particularly the Northeast. New York has been the hardest struck with 167 out of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus every day, a 238 percent increase over the past two weeks. The Empire state has the highest infection rate in the U.S.

Seven states, including New Jersey, have more than 100 out of every 100,000 residents testing positive for Covid daily. New Jersey has 158 out of every 100,000 testing positive; Rhode Island has 130; Delaware has 106, and Maryland, Massachusetts and Ohio all have 104.
An Australian company that can produce millions of Covid-19 rapid antigen tests can do nothing to help the country's testing crisis due to red tape.

Brisbane biotechnology company AnteoTech3 has developed its own 15-minute test that is already regularly used in the US and Europe.

But the Therapeutic Goods Administration is yet to give the company the green light to sell its kits in Australia.

Wait times for Covid-19 tests have skyrocketed amid a surge in Covid cases in recent weeks (pictured in Sydney)

With thousands of Australians queueing up all day to get a PCR test, only to then wait up to another five days for results, chief executive Derek Thomson said the red tape was adding to the delays.

'We've always said that rapid testing has a place to be used to control the pandemic and now we're seeing that play out,' he told the Courier Mail.

The nasal swabs tests are more than 97 per cent accurate, Mr Thomson said, and are done by a health professional and not at home.

AnteoTech, a Brisbane-based biotechnology company, has developed its own 15-minute test that is already regularly being used in the US and Europe

'We believe governments should use rapid tests instead of PCR tests for screening of people who are wanting to travel as they do in Europe,' he added.

'There's too much stress on the PCR testing system in all Australian states and it's really not necessary to go to the full extent of doing a PCR test when you've got rapid tests readily available now.'

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk backflipped on her demand for PCR tests from interstate travellers on Wednesday morning.

Those entering the Sunshine State from hotspots can from January 1 provide a negative rapid antigen test instead of having to queue all day for a PCR result.

But rapid tests are hard to come by with the kits flying off pharmacy shelves.

Rapid tests are scarce to come by with residents instead having to line up for PCR tests

Pharmacy Guild Australia President Professor Trent Twomey said there would be 'scattered supply shortages' of RATs until January 15, before stores would then be 'awash' with testing kits.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said she was 'sure' the federal government was speaking to the TGA about approving different rapid tests.

'We absolutely want to see Queensland businesses be able to produce and provide them in Queensland but it has to be approved - it has to meet our standards and that is up to the TGA whether it does that or not,' she said.
Peers claimed almost 15million in allowances and expenses over the last year, figures reveal.

Members of the House of Lords pocketed 13.2million for their daily allowances between August 2020 and July 2021, research by the House of Commons Library found.

A further 1.7million was claimed in expenses  despite Covid restrictions meaning many proceedings were carried out remotely.

Members of the House of Lords the chamber during the State Opening of Parliament by the Queen in December 2019

Unlike MPs, peers are not paid salaries but they can claim a 323 allowance for in-person attendance or 162 for remotely joining the Lords.

Analysis by the SNP found that 22,140 speeches were made in the time period  equating to an average claim of 674 per contribution in expenses and allowances.

SNP MP Pete Wishart claimed the 'ludicrous sums' were more evidence why the 780-seat second chamber should be replaced with an elected upper house.

SNP MP Pete Wishart (pictured) said the sums were more evidence why the House of Lords should be replaced with an elected upper house

A House of Lords spokesman said the figures represented a decrease in the total amount claimed on the previous year due to changes in 'work practices' during the pandemic.

The spokesman said: 'The House of Lords is a busy and effective revising Chamber and it is entirely appropriate that Members from every part of the UK can contribute to its work and be supported to cover the costs of doing so.'

A recent poll of 2,207 UK adults found that only 9 per cent were in favour of an entirely appointed House of Lords.

Instead the Savanta ComRes survey, carried out in November, found that that 22 per cent of people across the UK favoured abolishing the Lords while 30 per cent thought the second chamber should be entirely elected.
Scott Morrison has called an early National Cabinet meeting to discuss testing queues and isolation requirements.

He will meet the state premiers on Thursday after Australia recorded more than 18,000 cases on Wednesday due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Testing queues in Melbourne and Sydney stretched to five hours over the past week due to Queensland's entry test requirements, clinic closures and more people wanting a negative result before visiting family.

Scott Morrison has called an early National Cabinet meeting to discuss testing queues and isolation requirements

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall let slip the snap meeting in his own press conference on Wednesday morning.

'We will be looking to adopt nationally consistent test traits isolate and quarantine protocols right across the country,' he said.

'There is still some disparity, which is causing confusion and as we move through various stages of this new Omicron variant we do need to move towards standardization as much as possible.

'We'll also be getting a very significant update with regards to the rapid antigen test, it's use in Australia, it's availability in Australia and how we're going to proceed going forward.'

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese went on the attack, accusing Mr Morrison of allowing the testing delays by not quickly acquiring millions of rapid antigen tests.

'It is easier to get a ticket to the AFL grand final than get a test in some parts of Australia,' he said.

'Australians are doing the right thing but Scott Morrison and his government are once again showing a lack of leadership.

'Consistently passing the buck to state and territory governments. Why is it that there is no issue too big for Scott Morrison to show house more his vision for this country is? Scott Morrison refuses to step up.

'We have the NSW Government trying to purchase rapid antigen test that will be available, wait for it, at the end of January, when we have a crisis right now.

'We have businesses that are unable to open. We have people that are waiting day after day after day to get the results of the tests and we have some people who simply can't get tested so they are just staying isolated because there is some doubt over their health concerns.

'Scott Morrison as we enter 2021 has been in government for four years. Everything he does is characterised by being too little, too late, characterised by failing to get ahead, saying it wasn't a race, now he stays with the rapid antigen testing, that not only not a race, it's not even on the field at all.

'They are leaving it completely to the states, it's not a matter of delay, it's a matter of no action, whatsoever.'

Pictured: Cars line up for Covid testing in Sydney as the outbreak of Omicron spreads

Mr Morrison is under fire for not buying enough rapid antigen tests which are largely unavailable in Queensland and scarce in Victoria and NSW.

'We need the tests in the country, we just don't have enough,' said Labor health spokesman Mark Butler as he called for a national stockpile.

On Tuesday Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Government was 'looking at its options' on rapid tests.

Victoria has made a 'large order' but has not said how many or when they will arrive.

NSW has ordered 20 million tests but they won't arrive until February, sparking anger from Labor.

Despite the surge in cases, there are only 129 people in ICU in Australia as Omicron appears to be a milder variant than previous strains.

Mr Morrison has not fronted the cameras since December 22.

National Cabinet was due to meet on January 7 but Mr Morrison brought this forward.
Energy firms could benefit from a 20billion fund to help lower gas and electricity bills this spring.

The companies are urging ministers to consider the taxpayer-funded assistance to help them spread the cost of soaring wholesale gas prices.

Suppliers warned Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng that energy bills could double in April unless help is offered.

Global gas prices have reached record highs in recent weeks, squeezing companies that are subject to the UKs price cap  1,277 per year. Some 26 energy suppliers have gone bust this year.

The record prices will leave the industry and consumers with a bill of between 15billion and 20billion.

An industry source told The Daily Telegraph: The UK faces doubling or trebling of bills.

Gas suppliers have warned Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured) that energy bills could double in April unless help is offered

'The global cost of energy will be 20billion higher than in a typical year.

'We need to spread it over a number of years.

'Theres no need for government handouts, its just about spreading the cost.

It is understood that ministers could facilitate a deal that would see the industry given access to a 20billion fund, which they could repay at a rate of 2billion a year over ten years.

This would help companies cover the cost of the short-term spike in wholesale gas prices and allow suppliers to keep a lid on consumers bills.
The brother of a British aid worker who has gone missing in Afghanistan has pleaded with the Taliban to release him.

Grant Bailey, 55, from Portland, Dorset was working for a non-governmental organisation and was due to leave the country hours after his capture.

Robin Bailey, 53, said the family are growing increasingly concerned about the father-of-four's safety.

British worker Grant Bailey (pictured) is missing in Afghanistan after he was reportedly seized by the Taliban and held at gunpoint

He has not been seen since Saturday when he was arrested by the Islamists during a security crackdown in Kabul (file image)

He told The Sun: 'It was the biggest shock. Ive been trying to find out as much as I can to try to help get him back. The whole family just wants him to be OK.

'His wife must be in pieces and our dad is absolutely flattened  he doesnt know what to do.

'He is 75 and not well. Im trying to keep him calm. Im scared its too late. Grant may be dead. He was there to help.'

Mr Bailey, who is married and from southern England, had worked in Afghanistan for years and returned in September after the Taliban seized power.

The Foreign Office is desperately trying to locate him amid increasing fears for his safety.

A UK security source told the Daily Mirror Mr Bailey was arrested at gunpoint on Saturday.

They said: 'We were quite surprised he went back to Kabul after the Western withdrawal as the security situation there is obviously much worse.

'Added to that the Taliban government is making it very difficult for the few ex-pats working there, making it very difficult to travel.

'A lot of people are trying to get to the bottom of what has happened to him, where he is being held and under what charges.'

The Foreign Office told MailOnline: 'We are aware of the detention of a British national in Afghanistan and have been in touch with their family to support them.'

Mr Bailey, who is married and from southern England, had worked in Afghanistan for years and returned in September after the Taliban (pictured) seized power

It comes after a dozen Afghan intelligence officers who spied for British troops say they have been left to the mercy of the Taliban despite being promised safe passage to the UK.

The 11 men and one woman worked for the country's National Directorate of Security (NDS), an agency disbanded by the Taliban after they seized the capital Kabul in August.

They are among thousands of Afghans and Britons still to be evacuated from the war-torn country.

Afghan intelligence officers who spied for Britain say they have been left at the mercy of the Taliban despite being promised safe passage to the UK. The 11 men and one woman worked for Afghanistan's now disbanded National Directorate of Security (NDS), which conducted surveillance for UK forces. (Above, file image of Afghan security forces escorting suspected Taliban fighters)

It has also been claimed that RAF aircraft evacuating desperate Afghans from the region have been returning to the UK virtually empty. (File photo)

The NDS officers conducted surveillance operations for British forces - including undercover missions for MI5 and MI6 to infiltrate groups like the Taliban and Al-Qaeda - with their primary role was to unearth terrorist plots in Afghanistan or against the West.

The operatives, whose ranks range from colonel to major general, are in hiding with their families. One officer was given an 'Eagle' award from British troops for valour on his secret missions.

Human rights groups claim more than 100 former NDS officers have been executed by the Taliban since August.

Susan Mateen, from the Afghan Council of Great Britain (ACGB) which is campaigning to bring them to Britain, said the suicide bomb attack at Kabul airport on August 26 had prevented the dozen NDS officers from being flown out. They have since been told that they need to cross into Pakistan before they can be rescued.

'These 12 individuals served Britain and British counter terrorism missions loyally with many having 10 years or more of service, which in turn kept British troops safe and stopped terrorism to our shores,' said Ms Mateen. 'The British government has a duty to save them, but the UK has abandoned them to the Taliban.'

It was revealed earlier this month that the Taliban have beheaded or hanged dozens of prisoners and publicly displayed their bodies in extrajudicial killings.

A UN report said the militant group has also been recruiting child soldiers, and has been quashing women's rights since taking power in Afghanistan in August.

More than than 100 former Afghan national security forces and others have been killed since the takeover, the UN Human Rights Council heard.

Nada Al-Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that in addition, at least 50 suspected members of the Islamic State-Khorasan Province - an ideological foe of the Taliban - were killed by hanging and beheading.

More than than 100 former Afghan national security forces and others have been killed since the takeover, the UN Human Rights Council heard

Al-Nashif said she was deeply alarmed by continuing reports of such killings, despite a general amnesty announced by the new Taliban rulers after August 15.

At least eight Afghan activists and two journalists have been killed since August, while the UN has also documented 59 unlawful detentions and threats to their ranks, she told the council in Geneva.

Concerned nations have pledged aid to the country, which made up a large part of its economy before the Taliban took over, but many are reluctant to send funds unless the Taliban agrees to a more inclusive society.

Meanwhile, reports from Afghanistan have told harrowing stories, such as parents being forced to sell their children to survive, and droughts forcing people from their homes.

The UN has warned that more than half of Afghanistan's population faces starvation this winter, a problem compounded by the fact that many aid agencies fled the country as the government collapsed and international aid dried up.

International charity Save the Children has called on governments to make urgent exemptions to existing counter-terror and sanctions policies, to allow for the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aid.
A man has been stabbed to death at a train station in Melbourne's outer suburbs, with a police hunt underway for the offender.

Police say the man had "an interaction" with another unknown man while walking through Melton train station on Staughton Street about 2.30am on Wednesday.

After the exchange, the offender approached the 40-year-old Melton man and stabbed him in his upper body.

A man has been stabbed to death at Melton train station in Melbourne's outer suburbs, with a police hunt underway for the offender

The train station and Staughton Street were closed this morning as police investigated the fatal stabbing

Emergency services found the man with life-threatening injuries, however he died at the scene.

Police established a crime scene at the closed train station and a homicide squad was seen attending.

Investigators want to speak to four men, perceived to be of African appearance, who were with the offender at the southern end of the train station just before the stabbing.
Scott Morrison insists it is the responsibility of state governments to secure Covid-19 testing kits while Australians queue all day just to get a swab.

The prime minister, at his first press conference since December 22, deflected responsibility for the impossible lines and 100-hour processing times.

'State governments are responsible for securing PCR tests, or the supplies that go with those tests, the arrangements that go with the conducting of them, and the Commonwealth shares those costs 50/50,' he said.

Mr Morrison said the same was true for rapid antigen tests, which state governments are ramping up to use despite them being sold out almost everywhere.

'Where a RAT test is required, state governments as always are responsible for securing the RAT tests, providing them to people, and we'll share the cost 50/50 with the state government,' he said.

Scott Morrison says it is the responsibility of state governments to secure Covid-19 testing kits while Australians around the country queue for several hours just to get a swab

He said though the federal government supplied tests for residential aged care facilities and other high-risk locations, it was left in the hands of state premiers to order enough supplies for everywhere else.

The prime minister said the Commonwealth already secured four million tests with another six million on their way.

His comments were little help to thousands around the country turning out to get tested amid the ongoing Omicron surge.

Residents in NSW reported having to queue up for seven hours to get swabbed, only to then have to wait up to five days for their results to come back in.

Others trying their luck at rapid tests in pharmacies have left empty-handed due to limited supply.

The Victorian Government secured 34 million rapid antigen tests that will be available to residents fore free by the end of January.

Health Minister Martin Foley took a not-so-subtle dig at the federal government when announcing the plan.

'We would much prefer to have a national approach to what is a national, indeed an international, supply issue, buy failing that, as per usual, the states have had to step up over the course of this pandemic and fill the gap left,' he said.

'Rapid antigen tests should be free, and we will be making them free.'

Australians have reported incredible wait times while trying to get a Covid test, while rapid antigen tests are selling out quickly

How the tests will be distributed is still being worked out.

The state is already handing out free rapid tests in some circumstances, including to students and staff exposed at schools.

NSW has ordered 20 million tests but they won't arrive until February, sparking anger from the Labor Opposition.

Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Wednesday he will order an additional 30 million tests.

The need for rapid tests became urgent as testing queues in Melbourne and Sydney stretched to five hours over the past week due to Queensland's entry test requirements, clinic closures, and more people wanting a negative result before visiting family over the Christmas holidays.

'It is easier to get a ticket to the AFL grand final than get a test in some parts of Australia,' Labor leader Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday.

'Yet again, we've seen state governments having to fill a vacuum left by Scott Morrison who has gone missing in the fight against this critical fourth wave.

'State and territory governments have stepped up in the absence of Commonwealth leadership. But when we talk about purchasing of rapid antigen tests from overseas, it clearly is a federal government responsibility.'

Sydneysiders are seen lining up outside a Covid testing clinic on Tuesday

Speaking outside Kirribilli House on Wednesday, Mr Morrison also revealed there would be major changes to isolation requirements and how close contacts are defined.

The prime minister will meet the state premiers in an early National Cabinet on Thursday after Australia recorded more than 18,000 cases due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Mr Morrison said he wanted a new national definition of a close contact as someone who has spent at least four hours in a household or a care facility with a positive case.

He also said a close contact should be released from isolation after seven days with a negative antigen test on day six and again on day 12.

'We just can't have everybody just being taken out of circulation because they just happen to be at a particular place at a particular time,' he said.

'It is important that we move to a new definition of close contact that enables Australia to keep moving, for people to get on with their lives.'

Casual contacts would 'just have to monitor your symptoms' but won't have to ' rush off and get in a long queue.'

This model is already in play in NSW but the difference would be that rapid tests can be used instead of PCR tests.

However, Mr Morrison admitted that not all states would want to adopt this, saying: 'We have learnt right across the pandemic that all states are at different stages.'
Strict isolation rules for Covid close contacts have been ditched in a move supported by NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, who now wants to see them adopted nationwide.

NSW Health officials have scrapped the seven-day isolation period rule for most close contacts as the state recorded 11,201 new infections and three deaths.

Under the sweeping new changes, priority testing will be given to 'clinically urgent' patients - with people lining up for a tourism test ordered to 'get out the queue'.

Only 'a small number' of exposed people - such as healthcare workers - will now be ordered into self-isolation after a close contact with someone who has tested positive.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) has ditched isolation for close contacts in a huge change to Covid quarantine rules

CHANGES TO CLOSE CONTACT RULES Previously, close contacts of a confirmed Covid case must isolate for seven days, even if they test negative. But close contacts now only have to isolate until they receive a negative PCR test. Healthcare workers are now only required to isolate for two days instead of seven, if they return a negative PCR test on their second day of quarantine. Healthcare workers who are a household contact of a confirmed case will still need to isolate for seven days, recently down from 14 days. Advertisement

'People who have been confirmed as Covid-19 cases are asked to tell those they have recently spent time with that they have tested positive,' a NSW Health statement said.

'NSW Health will only contact a small number of exposed people to direct them into self-isolation under the public health order.'

Anyone else who has been in close contact with a confirmed Covid case will now only be expected to go into isolation until they get a negative test.

The NSW Health statement adds: 'When the negative test result is received, they can leave isolation.'

Contacts are expected to continue to monitor for symptoms and get re-tested if they start to feel ill.

'NSW Health asks that they continue to be aware of any developing Covid-19 symptoms,' said NSW Health.

'If symptoms do later appear, people are asked to immediately seek a PCR test, and isolate until a negative test is received.'

Even if contacts have no symptoms, they are still being urged by NSW Health to take a rapid antigen test before mixing with others.

The new advice comes as Covid case numbers almost doubled overnight from 6,062 on Tuesday to 11,201 on Wednesday, with 625 in hospital, 61 in ICU, and three more deaths.

Anyone else in close contact with a confirmed Covid case will now only be expected to go into isolation until they get a negative test (pictured, a resident in isolation in Sydney)

Anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed Covid case will now only be expected to go into isolation until they get a negative test (pictured, people queue for testing in Sydney on Tuesday)

Premier Dom Perrottet hailed Queensland's decision to relax their border restrictions which had helped clog up the testing system (pictured)

Premier Perrottet says he will be raising the issue of isolation periods at Thursday's emergency national cabinet meeting to implement the NSW rules across Australia.

'I certainly believe it would be best if we had a national approach,' he said. 'And I certainly look forward to having those discussions tomorrow.'

Under the new NSW Health guidelines, PCR tests will be prioritised for people with Covid symptoms or a positive rapid antigen test; are household contacts for confirmed cases; were in venues where there had been high transmission such as clubs; or had been in a setting with vulnerable people, such as an aged care facility.

The premier apologised for the current testing debacle which is seeing some results take five days or more to come back, while others are waiting hours to be swabbed.

'We apologise for any inconvenience with those long queues,' said Mr Perrottet on Wednesday. 'I know there are substantial efforts have been that have been made.

'Rest assured we are doing everything we can to put downward pressure on those queues at right across right across the state. The system will improve.'

Under the sweeping new changes, priority testing will be given to 'clinically urgent' patients (pictured, Covid testing at Sydney Airport)

He hailed Queensland's decision to relax their border restrictions and allow rapid antigen test results for travellers entering the state instead of PCR tests.

Up to a third of the 157,758 tests in the last 24 hours were for interstate travellers, which had helped clog up the testing system.

'If you are traveling to Queensland from January 1, there is no reason and no need and you should not be in any of those queues for PCR testing,' the premier said.

'There are many people who are lining up in those queues who do not need to be there. You're taking the place of somebody who needs to receive one of those PCR tests.'

NSW health minister Brad Hazzard added: 'If you're in a queue right now, get out of the queue. You don't need to be there.'

Up to a third of the 157,758 tests in the last 24 hours were for interstate travellers, which had helped clog up the testing system (pictured, cars queueing for a test in North Ryde, Sydney)

PROPOSED CHANGES TO ASYMPTOMATIC COVID CASES IN NSW Currently, confirmed Covid cases must isolate for ten days after they received their first test. This isolation period is required whether or not the person is vaccinated. However, in proposed changes to the ruling, asymptomatic cases may only have to isolate for five days. On day five, they should get another test and if negative can leave isolation. After five days asymptomatic cases could then be allowed to re-enter the community, but should wear a mask for an additional five days if they haven't received a booster. Advertisement

He told interstate travellers to spend their time shopping online or at pharmacies for RAT kits.

He added: 'Obviously, there are some challenges in supply but they're all trying.

'We're also trying to make some big orders, and that should be coming online mid-January or so.'

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant advised people who test positive on a RAT kit get in touch with NSW Health for a PCR test and follow-up care if required.

She added: 'if you're unvaccinated, you're pregnant, you've got chronic conditions, it really is important that you're linked into care.

'We can use some therapies very early in your disease which will reduce your risk of hospitalisation and ICU.'
New York City's daily COVID-19 positivity rates have surged to almost 20 percent, with one in every 50 Manhattan residents having been infected in the past week, according to Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The Big Apple has had more than 20,200 confirmed cases over the last seven days, with 332 newly admitted patients for the virus at city hospitals, ABC New York reported.

Statewide, there were 40,780 new cases, with a positivity rate of 19.33 percent, and 27,774 of those cases popped up in the Big Apple alone, according to New York State data.

The surge is being driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which is estimated to be behind 92 percent of new infections in the Empire State.

Governor Kathy Hochul, pictured left, has promised to deliver three million testing kits to New York schools to keep them open. Pictured right, Mayor de Blasio

Pictured: a health worker collects a swab sample from a person for COVID-19 testing at a mobile COVID-19 testing site in midtown Manhattan

NYC reported 20,200 confirmed cases over the last seven days with 332 newly admitted patients for COVID-19 at hospitals

Manhattan leads the NYC surge with 2 percent of the borough residents- about 2,012 in every 100,000-infected within the last week

In New York City, Manhattan leads the surge with 2 percent of the borough residents- about 2,012 in every 100,000-infected within the last week, according to the latest city data

In New York City, Manhattan leads the surge with two percent of borough residents - about 2,012 out of every 100,000 - infected within the last week, according to the latest city data.

Manhattan's positivity rate is slightly above the citywide rate of 1,742 per 100,000.

But certain sections of Manhattan have even higher rates, with the Chelsea and Clinton neighborhoods recording 2,600 cases per 100,000 residents over the last seven days, making it one of the most infected regions in the US, NBC New York reported.

Things have gotten so bad that tech giant Apple shuttered all 16 of its stores in the city due to a staffing shortage,

Apple closed shops in SoHo, the Upper West Side, Chelsea as well as Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx. Long Island shops in Huntington Station and Manhasset were also affected. The stores will still allow customers to order online and allow customers to pick their orders up.

But despite New York once again being America's COVID epicenter, hospitalizations remain far lower than they were at the height of the first wave in Spring 2020.

Back then, around 26 percent of all people in New York City who tested positive for COVID were admitted to hospital. Now just 2.1 per 100,000 people end up requiring medical treatment.

According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. is averaging 181,948 Covid cases every day, with that number set to increase in the coming days due to reporting lags during the holiday season. Nearly three out of every four cases, or 73 percent, are of the Omicron variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, pictured, says at least one in every 50 Manhattan residents were infected with COVID in the past week

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city will double the amount of PCR testing in all public schools for students, teachers and staff

Deaths have slightly risen over the past two weeks, up three percent to 1,328 over the last 14 days, though not nearly at the rate of cases. This could signal that the new strain is more mild than many others.

'January is going to be a really, really hard month. And people should just brace themselves for a month where lots of people are going to get infected,' Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, told CNN.

The US is facing a shortage of COVID tests, with President Joe Biden admitting last week that current capacity is 'clearly not enough' as he faces criticism that his administration's plan to send 500 million free tests to the public is too little, too late.

Many Americans spent the holiday weekend waiting in long lines for PCR tests or scouring store shelves in vain for rapid at-home test kits, as the national shortage potentially fueled further transmission.

Although cases continue to rise, city and state officials are doubling down on their efforts to keep students in school during the pandemic.

On Tuesday, de Blasio announced that the city will double the amount of PCR testing in all public schools for vaccinated and unvaccinated students and teachers who return to school on January 3.

If there is a positive case in a classroom, all students in the class will be given at-home testing kits.

If the students are asymptomatic and test negative, they can return to the classroom the day after they test negative.

As a precaution, a week after exposure students will also be given a second at-home test.

Hochul also announced plans to distribute over three million test kits, with two test in each kit, to 731 school districts in the state.

'We wanna make sure that these schools stay open,' Hochul said on Monday. 'Most cases are not being transmitted in schools. Children are wearing their masks, we want more vaccinated and boosted at some point as soon as possible but we understand that it is not a good option to say children are gonna be returning home again.'
A boat engine explosion burned a man in his 30s and five young children resulting in one girl being flown to hospital for treatment.

Shortly before 10:30am on Wednesday police and paramedics were called to Robinvale Riverside Caravan Park, 470km northwest of Melbourne.

They had received reports of a boat fire near the Victoria/NSW border involving a man in his 30s and five children aged between eight and 13.

Police and paramedics responded to reports that a boat with five young children and a man in his 30s had exploded shortly at Robinvale Riverside Caravan Park before 10:30am on Wednesday (stock)

The man and five children all sustained burns with one young girl flown to Melbourne hospital for upper body burns (stock)

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said paramedics treated the man, three girls, and two boys before one of the girls was flown to Melbourne by air ambulance.

'One girl is being flown to Melbourne by air ambulance with upper body injuries but in a stable condition,' the spokeswoman told the Herald Sun.

The five remaining patients sustained burns to their hands, arms and legs and were taken by ambulance to Mildura Base hospital.

None of their injuries are believed to be life-threatening and they remained in a stable condition.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the patients are being treated in hospital and are all in a stable condition (stock)

A NSW Police spokeswoman said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

'Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the explosion are underway by officers attached to Barrier police district,' she said.
London. Edinburgh. Athens. New Dehli. Paris.

Revellers in massive capital cities across the globe have been told to stay safe and ring in the new year at home, with public celebrations cancelled.

But in Sydney, throngs of people are expected to flock to the city's vantage points to watch its famous New Year's Eve fireworks display, despite NSW experiencing a dramatic spike in coronavirus cases.

Some 11,201 cases were reported on Wednesday, almost double the state's previous record, as pyrotechnicians worked on last minute preparations for the show.

The City of Sydney says it can't predict how many people will turn out for the display, but five of the six locations it manages are sold out with about 17,000 tickets booked.

Tickets are still being sold for 25 other locations, which have capacity for almost 87,000 people.

Masks are encouraged, unvaccinated people are asked to stay home and tickets for viewing spots are limited, but the spiralling outbreak has largely failed to put a dampener on the event, which last year proceeded with crowds banned from the CBD.

A team of 50 from Foti International Fireworks will launch six tonnes of fireworks across two displays at 9pm and midnight.

More than 25,000 shooting effects will be fired from the top, facade and sides of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, five floating barges will launch 9,000 aerial shells, and another 6,000 fireworks will shoot from the tops of the Sydney Opera House sails.

'Whales, cubes, sunflower shells, whirlwinds and colour-changing fireworks are some of the surprises in store for Sydney's New Year's Eve 2021,' Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

'The Foti team spend more than eight days getting every firework into position to be launched on the night. I don't think anyone is going to walk away disappointed!'

Fireworks extraordinaire Fortunato Foti will this year celebrate 25 years of creating the Sydney Harbour show.

"Nothing compares to the exhilaration of creating Sydney's New Year's Eve displays," he said.

'Creating an event of this scale and being responsible for entertaining millions of people across Australia and around the world is what it's all about.

'We promise a show that everyone will enjoy, whether they're watching it around the harbour, at home or online.'

Premier Dominic Perrottet has defended his government's decision to keep the state open with few restrictions, despite the rising cases.

The government made a pact with residents that if they got vaccinated, life would begin to return to normal, he says.

Sydney is preparing for its annual New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular, despite COVID-19 soaring

'The success that everybody has had right across the state has ensured that we've been able to open up as quickly as possible, but as safely as possible," he told reporters on Wednesday.

'We need to learn to live alongside the virus and we're doing just that.'

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has urged people to continue to take active steps to keep themselves safe over the festive season.

'What individuals can do is not go out and about when you've got symptoms. Get tested instead.

'Be cautious around those big events.

'If someone says, "how about we go and book a venue" say, "well, is it a well ventilated venue"?

'When you're there ask people to keep the windows open.

'Simple things like that can really reduce the risk.'
The Denver gunman who shot and killed five people on Monday night, several of them connected to the tattoo industry, had self-published a novel in which a character with his name murders people at tattoo parlors as an act of revenge against the world.

Lyndon McLeod, 47, a known extremist with psychiatric problems and violent material on his social media, was killed by police on Monday at the end of his rampage across Denver.

From 2018 to 2020 he self-published a series of novels online, under the pseudonym Roman McClay.

One of the books features a character named Lyndon McLeod who opens fire on a tattoo parlor in downtown Denver.

In the story, McLeod the character goes on a six-month killing rampage, killing 46 people who had wronged him throughout his life.

One of his stories also featured a character who carried out a murder at an apartment complex - similar to the site of one of the shootings.

His Instagram and Twitter accounts show he harbored misogynistic hatred, and reveled in alt-right conspiracy theories.

McLeod quoted characters and lines from his books to comment on current events, such as a COVID misinformation meme on Twitter featuring Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft founder Bill Gates discussing 'an injectable nanoworm'.

Lyndon McLeod, who killed five people in Denver on Monday night, is seen with a bear he apparently shot and killed, in a photo he posted on Twitter. His social media was full of guns and extremist ideology

Lyndon McLeod is seen in a YouTube video from 2020, discussing the books he wrote under the pseudonym Roman McClay. An online reviewer said the self-published books 'give full vent to their sexism, racism, and every other -ism kept out of mainstream discourse'

McLeod had come on to the radar of police in 2020 and 2021, Denver police chief said, but no charges were ever filed. He did not say why there was concern

McLeod can be seen to the left of the screen walking into the Lucky 13 tattoo parlor and carrying a rifle. He leaves less than 10 seconds later, having killed Danny Scofield

He first killed two women working in a tattoo parlor, then shot dead a man in a home. He went to the site of his former business in downtown Denver, Flat Black Ink Corp - which is listed as the publisher of his novels - and opened fire, but no one was injured.

McLeod crossed town to a second tattoo parlor, in the Lakewood area, and killed his fourth victim - walking calmly in to the store and opening fire, then driving off 10 seconds later.

Finally he went to the Hyatt House hotel and killed a clerk, before being shot dead by police.

McLeod, who lived in a shipping container up a mountain, glorifying in a life free of women and full of 'books, guns and meat', had Flat Black Ink declared bankrupt in 2017.

McLeod has in recent years taken to living in a shipping container up a mountain

McLeod said he was surrounded by 'books, guns and meat' and none of the 'modern bulls***' that came with women

McLeod frequently professed his love of guns, captioning this image with a Hunter S. Thompson quote: 'I swore I'd never go unarmed again'

McLeod posted multiple pictures of his guns to social media

His books, he said, were his 'art' and a creative outlet.

On Amzon, the first book in the three-part series, Snction, hs dozens of five-str reviews, while others wrn potentil reders bout the extreme violence in the book.

One online review described the trilogy as 'an epic, visceral journey into the dark heart of every man broken by society.'

Another reviewer said the characters 'give full vent to their sexism, racism, and every other -ism kept out of mainstream discourse,' according to The Denver Post.

McLeod, in a 2020 interview on YouTube - now taken down - said the book was about 'our masculinity and the way we interact,' looking at religion, genetics and culture.

He described it on Twitter, in an account dormant since June 2020, as: 'The book that philosophizes with a Jack-Hammer.'

'I tend to look at the world in threes. I'll look at the world currently, then the world below it and the world above it,' he said in the YouTube interview in March 2020.

'You have the terrestrial plane, then the sub level, then the atmosphere.'

McLeod added: 'I consider myself an artist first, and then a man interested in ideas and culture second.'

McLeod, in 2020, ranted on Twitter about emasculated men, and praised boxer Mike Tyson as a role model.

He also quoted Donald Trump as saying: 'You have to dominate. If you don't dominate, you're wasting your time.'

McLeod said: 'Our entire society is made up of sh**** little f**** who insult badasses & get away with it because law enforcement & social norms protect the WEAK from the STRONG,' he tweeted.

'I'm over it.

'The weak better buckle up... s*** is about to get real.'

In another tweet, he posted what appeared to be a quote from his book.

'The only thing that can save America is a [Pinochet] purge in which we empirically assess the stupidest shit said on [MsNBC] every week & then execute the offender by [Helicopter]: a restoration of the American intellect in under a decade,' Isaiah said.'

McLeod also posted a quotes from Donald Trump, in which he urged 'domination'

McLeod posted on Twitter copies of his book beside his rifle and a face mask

McLeod, 47, relished the idea of himself living amid the elements

He promoted the book on Instagram, with an image of skulls and bullets

Four of his five victims have been named.

The first he killed were Alicia Cardenas, 44, the owner of Sol Tribe tattoo shop, and her employee Alyssa Gunn Maldonado, 35.

Her husband, Jimmy Maldonado, was injured.

McLeod then shot an unnamed man inside a home.

He then opened fire at the former premises of his company, Flat Black Ink, before being stopped by police and exchanging gunfire - which disabled the patrol car.

McLeod continued his murderous rampage, driving up to the Lucky 13 tattoo parlor and killing Danny Scofield, 38.

Finally he shot and killed Sarah Steck, a 28-year-old clerk at the Hyatt House hotel.

Steck is the only one of the five who were not known to McLeod, police said, although he did have a connection to the hotel itself.

The others were targeted, according to Denver police.

Denver police Cmdr. Matt Clark said the shootings don't appear to be random.

'It does appear that the offender was targeting specific people in this case,' Clark said.

'The victims were known to the offender.'

Mcleod had a business or personal relationship with the victims, authorities said. The suspect was linked to the Hyatt House hotel, but wasn't necessarily acquainted with Steck.

'There was previous interactions with that hotel,' Clark said, 'not necessarily that clerk.'

Alicia Cardenas, 44, the owner of Sol Tribe tattoo shop on Denver, was named by friends on social media as one of the five people who were killed in Monday's shooting spree

Cardenas (left and right) was described as a pillar of Denver's tattoo community. She is survived by a 12-year-old daughter

Alyssa Gunn Maldonado, 35 (right), was shot dead inside Cardenas' shop. Her husband, Jimmy Maldonado, was said to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest

Jimmy and Alyssa Gunn Maldonado married in February 2020. They have a son together

Danny Scofield, 38 (right), a tattoo artist at Lucky 13 Tattoo and Piercing in Lakewood, was shot and killed during the rampage

Sarah Steck, 28, was the fifth person to be killed McLeod, and the only one he is not believed to know - although he was familiar with her workplace, the Hyatt House hotel

Flowers are left on Tuesday outside the Sol Tribe tattoo parlor, where Cardenas and Gunn Maldonado were killed

McLeod was shot and killed by police shortly after he killed Steck.

McLeod shot a female officer in the abdomen, but she returned fire and killed him.

She was wearing body armor and is expected to make a full recovery, said John Romero, spokesman for Lakewood police.

Police are yet to formally determine a motive for the rampage, although a tattoo industry connection seems likely.

The owner of a tattoo studio operating from the site of Flat Black Ink said he purchased the place from Alicia Cardenas.

Ian Lutz, owner of World Tattoo Studio said he had never heard of McLeod before he was identified by police as the shooter.

'Yeah, I have no prior knowledge of really the history of the shop before my owning it. I know that Alicia owned it and it was sort of a secondary Sol Tribe,' Lutz told USA TODAY.

'That's about all I know about the history of it.

'I've had the shop for about four-and-a-half years now.'

Denver police said McLeod was on their radar in 2020 and 2021, but he was never charged.

He had sold his home in Denver around five years ago to Gabriel Thorn, Thorn told The Denver Gazette.

Thorn said the Denver Police Department raided his home about a month after he moved in for a 'suspected marijuana grow (McLeod) had been running in this little room in our garage,' he said.

Paul Pazen, chief of Denver police, would not be drawn on what they knew about McLeod, who he described as having a history of extremism.

'This is not an unknown party to us,' Pazen said.
An elderly woman hit so hard by a taxi she was knocked out of her shoes is fighting for her life in hospital.

The victim, believed to be in her 70s, was run down on Port Hacking Road in Sylvania in Sydney's south on Wednesday.

She was rushed to St George Hospital in a critical condition after suffering serious injuries.

The driver of the the taxi was uninjured and underwent mandatory drug and alcohol testing.

Dramatic pictures from the scene show a pair of comfortable black shoes and a ladies' umbrella crushed out of shape laying next to the road's central concrete divider, the red taxi parked alongside it.

Dramatic pictures from the scene show a ladies' umbrella crushed out of shape and laying next to the road's central concrete divider, the red taxi stationary alongside it

The woman, believed to be in her 70s, was transported to St George Hospital in a critical condition after sustaining multiple injuries

An Ambulance NSW helicopter carrying a critical care team arrived at the scene and landed at nearby Canberra Road Reserve to attend to the elderly woman.

The NSW Police crash investigation unit is also in attendance.

All northbound lanes of Port Hacking Road were closed at Bellingara Road due to the crash involving the pedestrian.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area, use Box Road to rejoin the Princes Highway, or use The Boulevarde and Taren Point Road. Allow extra travel time.

NSW bus routes 958, 971 and 972 had also been diverted away from the area.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area, use an alternative route and allow extra travel time
Infowars host Alex Jones' wife struck him 'over 20 times' - including with a soap bottle - and tried to hit him with a five-pound stone ball causing him to 'fear for his life,' according to a police report from their Christmas Eve fracas that was released Tuesday.

Erika Wulff Jones, 43, who looked somber and tearful in her mugshot taken after being arrested for domestic violence last Friday - apparently attacked the right-wing conspiracy theorist for cheating on her.

Pictured with extra long eyelashes, manicured eyebrows and highlights in her hair, Erika was arrested after allegedly assaulting her husband at their home in Austin, Texas.

According to the Travis County arrest affidavit, first reported by the Daily Beast, during an initial 911 phone call with police, Jones told an emergency dispatcher that his wife had struck him over the head repeatedly and was 'holding a polished club in her hand' and attempting to 'hit him with it,' according to the report.

Jones further claimed his wife had struck him 'several times' after police arrived at the house, with an officer noting the far-right radio host's hair was 'red' and 'wet.'

Jones later told cops that 'Erika had hit him with both closed fists and open hands on his head in front of their child,' the affidavit read.

Erika Wulff Jones, 43, wife of InfoWars founder Alex Jones, was arrested for domestic assault in their Austin home on Christmas Eve

Erika Wulff Jones and husband Alex Jones in better times. He said the incident was caused by a 'medication imbalance'

Erika allegedly had accused him of 'cheating on her,' according to Jones, leading to a violent altercation as the duo bathed their child. Jones also has three children from a previous marriage.

She reportedly struck Jones 'over 20 times,' including once over the head with a bottle, 'possibly shampoo,' the arrest report stated, causing the contents to get on his face and 'cause burning to his eyes.'

'(He) stated he tried to get away from her in the master bedroom, and she followed him with a stone ball trying to strike him.'

Jones was at that point 'in fear for his life,' he told officers.

Police located a stone, weighing about five pounds, in the master bedroom, which was 'consistent' with the alleged weapon.

Jones told police that his wife, who officers noted had 'a strong odor of alcohol' on he breath, never hit him with the stone, but 'threw it at his head, missing by inches.'

Alex Jones, the Infowars founder who faces financial ruin after losing four defamation lawsuits brought by parents of victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting, said after his wife's arrest that the incident stemmed from a 'medication imbalance.'

Travis County Sheriff's deputies took Wulff Jones into custody and booked her into an Austin jail around 8.45pm on Friday.

She faces misdemeanor charges of assault causing bodily injury to a family member and resisting arrest, search or transport.

After spending Christmas in custody, she was released the next day on $3,000 bail for each of the two charges.

Infowars founder and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, right, has sued in order to block a subpoena issued for him to testify about the events. (Jones pictured in 2018)

Erika, left, was arrested at the couple's home in Austin, Texas. Jones did not say who the victim of the assault was and called the episode a private family matter

Jones declined to say whether he'd been injured or elaborate on what happened beyond that he believes it was related to his wife's recent change of medication.

'It's a private family matter that happened on Christmas Eve,' Jones told The Associated Press in a brief interview on Christmas Day.

'I love my wife and care about her and it appears to be some kind of medication imbalance.'

An attorney for Wulff Jones did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The incident comes as the right-wing conspiracy theorist faces financial ruin after being found guilty in November in four defamation cases over his claims that the Sandy Hook school massacre was a 'giant hoax' aimed at increasing gun control.

His conviction is a sweeping victory for the parents of eight people killed in the Newtown massacre. On December 14, 2012 gunman Adam Lanza, 20, killed 20 first-graders and six teachers at the Connecticut school. Lanza fatally shot his mother at their home before going to the school, and later killed himself as police arrived.

The conviction combines with three rulings in Texas last month that found Jones liable for damages in defamation lawsuits that stemmed from his statements about the Newtown massacre. A jury has not awarded damages yet.

Though Jones' finances are murky, with nearly all of his income thought to be derived from the sale of dubious health supplements to his loyal followers, he is thought to have a net worth of roughly $5 million.

Jones declined Saturday to say whether he'd been injured or elaborate on what happened beyond that he believes it was related to his wife's recent change of medication

Supporters of then President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the US Capitol in Washington during the January 6 insurrection

The incident comes as Jones sued last week seeking to block subpoenas he'd been issued by the House committee investigating the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

He said he did not want to testify before the committee because he fears Congressional leaders will accuse him of lying under oath.

'I don't want to testify before them because they will lie and say I lied,' Jones said.

Jones spoke at a rally in support of then-President Donald Trump that proceeded the riot, and his Infowars colleague, Owen Shroyer, was charged with crimes related to it in August.

Shroyer has said he's 'innocent of the charges.'

Jones said his wife's arrest 'doesn't concern my politics' and that 'it wasn't some kind of personal hateful thing or anything.'
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More than a year after the vaccine was rolled out, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. have soared to the highest level on record at more than 265,000 per day on average, a surge driven largely by the highly contagious Omicron variant.

And as the Omicron variant takes over as the dominant strain in the country, now accounting for 59 percent of cases, the US on Tuesday recorded 377,014 new cases and 2,377 deaths in 24 hours.

The country recorded a seven-day average of 264,546 cases on Tuesday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data. The country's previous record was about 247,503 average daily cases, reported on January 11. Coronavirus deaths have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 1,200 per day to around 1,500.

Although the number of Americans now in the hospital with COVID-19 is rising, it stands at around 60,000, or about half the figure seen in January, echoing trends from the UK. NHS figures show that hospitalizations in England jumped 65 percent in a week, with more than 10,000 beds now occupied by virus-infected patients.

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention admitted a serious error in calculating the prevalence of the variant, overblowing the figure recorded in mid-December by as much as 50 percentage points and sowing confusion as the nation breaks records for new cases.

The agency released a revised chart on Tuesday showing that the new variant accounted for 23 percent of all COVID-19 cases for the week ending on December 18, as opposed to the 73 percent it originally reported.

The chart showed that the Omicron variant accounted for 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25, meaning the Delta variant has been accounting for far more infections than the agency initially thought, though Omicron is gaining ground quickly.

'There's no way around it, it is a huge swing that makes it seem like something went really wrong,' Dr. Shruti Gohil, the associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine's School of Medicine, told NPR.

Despite the CDC's astonishing error, data from the UK suggest that Omicron will soon account for nearly all new cases in the US.

In England, which is several weeks ahead of the US in the Omicron wave, the new variant went from zero to 92 percent of all new cases in the four weeks leading up to December 27, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency.

The CDC corrected its error, to the confusion of many, on the same day that the nation broke its record for the most daily COVID-19 cases. On Monday, 512,553 new cases were reported in the US, marking the country's largest single-day tally since the beginning of the pandemic. The record-breaking figure was in part the product of a multi-day build up of unreported cases over the Christmas holiday on Saturday, which finally were logged to start the week.

In the UK, the Health Security Agency bosses logged 183,037 positive tests on Wednesday, up by almost three-quarters on last week's tally. The count  which eclipses yesterday's previous record by more than 45,000  is skewed upwards because it includes five days' worth of backlogged data from Northern Ireland, which didn't feed officials its numbers over the Christmas break. Statistics for England-only  which were kept up-to-date through the festive period  were also their highest on record, jumping by 45 per cent in a week.

Anthony Fauci again echoed on Wednesday that he 'strongly recommends' against going to large New Year's Eve gatherings this year as the highly contagious Omicron variant causes massive case surges nationwide.

'If your plans are to go to a 40 to 50-person New Year's Eve party with all the bells and whistles and everybody hugging and kissing,' Fauci said during the White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing, 'I would strongly recommend that this year, we do not do that.'

He claimed that smaller gatherings with everyone fully vaccinated and boosted against coronavirus is low risk, despite the massive number of breakthrough cases with the Omicron variant's emergence.

The nation's top infectious disease expert also had a sobering message about COVID on Wednesday  COVID likely isn't ever going away.

'We're never going to stop counting, tests  but we're looking forward, as everyone I think feels is appropriate, that ultimately we're going to have to live with something that will not be eradicated and very likely would not be eliminated,' he said.

Updated chart: The CDC's revised chart, above, shows that the Omicron variant (purple) accounted for 23 percent of all cases in the week ending on December 18 and 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25

Previous chart: The CDC's original chart (above) claimed that Omicron cases accounted for 73 percent of all infections in the US for the week ending on December 18

 Slide me  The CDC's prior chart (left) for the week ending December 18 show Omicron much more dominant across the nation than a revised chart for the week (right) issued on Tuesday

UK warning: Data from England shows the Omicron variant (purple) went from zero to 92 percent of all new cases there in the four weeks leading up to December 27. The UK is a few weeks ahead of the US in the Omicron surge

Meanwhile, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, in a round of television interviews on Wednesday morning, said she was watching the nation's case load and its potential impact on health care providers.

While there was some data from other countries that showed less severe illness with Omicron, it was too early to say what the impact might be across the United States, particularly given its uneven vaccination rates, Walensky told MSNBC.

'We may have many, many more cases and so we may still very well see a lot of severe disease in the hospitals,' Walensky said.

'What I am focused on now is making sure that we can get through this Omicron surge, that we do so with minimal amount of hospitalization and severe disease,' she added, pointing to vaccines and booster shots as top tools to curb infections.

Fauci urges Americans to have a 'vaccinated, boosted' New Year's Eve and COVID will NEVER be eradicated Anthony Fauci said Wednesday that he 'strongly recommends' against going to large New Year's Eve gatherings this year as the highly contagious Omicron variant causes massive case surges nationwide. 'If your plans are to go to a 40 to 50-person New Year's Eve party with all the bells and whistles and everybody hugging and kissing,' Fauci said during the White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing, 'I would strongly recommend that this year, we do not do that.' He claimed that smaller gatherings with everyone fully vaccinated and boosted against coronavirus is low risk, despite the massive number of breakthrough cases with the Omicron variant's emergence. The nation's top infectious disease expert also had a sobering message about COVID on Wednesday  COVID likely isn't ever going away. 'We're never going to stop counting, tests  but we're looking forward, as everyone I think feels is appropriate, that ultimately we're going to have to live with something that will not be eradicated and very likely would not be eliminated,' he said. Even though Omicron is the most contagious variant yet, Fauci agrees with other medical professionals that it is a less severe case of COVID. 'All indications point to a lesser severity of Omicron versus Delta,' Fauci said, citing preliminary data. He added: 'Final conclusion about the level of severity in children remains to be determined.' Advertisement

'We are seeing and expecting even more cases of this Omicron variant,' even if many are mild, she said separately on CNN.

Walensky also defended the CDC's move to slash the quarantine period for asymptomatic cases in half, to five days from 10, without any negative testing requirement.

The CDC director said that PCR tests are too sensitive and could return a positive even after someone is no longer contagious, and that rapid antigen tests could be unreliable in later stages of infection.

'We know it performs really well during that period where you're initially infected, but the FDA has not at all looked at whether  your positive antigen really does correlate with whether you're transmissible or not,' she told CBS Mornings.

Walensky explained that even if someone tests negative with an antigen test after five days of isolation, the CDC would still urge them to wear a mask to prevent possible spread.

'Since it wasn't going to make a difference in our recommendations, we did not recommend an antigen at that period of time,' Walensky said.

'What we do know is about 85% to 90% of viral transmission happens in those first five days, which is why we really want people to stay home during that period of time,' Walensky said. 'And then mask for the rest of the time to capture that last 10% to 15%.'

States showing the highest daily infection numbers on Tuesday included New York, which reported as many as 40,780 cases, and California, which reported over 30,000. Texas reported more than 17,000 cases and Ohio over 15,000.

Global COVID-19 infections hit a record high over the past seven-day period, according to new data Wednesday.

Almost 900,000 cases were detected on average each day around the world between December 22 and 28, with myriad countries posting new all-time highs over the past 24 hours, including the United States, Australia and many European nations.

The simultaneous circulation of the Delta and Omicron variants of the coronavirus is creating a 'tsunami of cases', World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

'Delta and Omicrom are now twin threats driving up cases to record numbers, leading to spikes in hospitalisation and deaths,' said Tedros.

'I am highly concerned that Omicron, being highly transmissible and spreading at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases.'

Latest week: The CDC now estimates that the Omicron variant accounts for 59% of cases nationwide, but that Delta is still dominant in some regions for the week ending December 25

The simultaneous circulation of the Delta and Omicron variants of the coronavirus is creating a 'tsunami of cases', World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

FDA says rapid tests for Covid antigens may be less sensitive in detecting Omicron variant - causing 'false negative' results Rapid antigen tests for Covid may be less sensitive in detecting the Omicron variant and are leading to 'false negatives,' the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. The FDA made preliminary findings using samples from patients confirmed to be infected with the new mutant strain. The federal agency said early results show that antigen tests 'do detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity,' meaning it's possible the tests could miss an infection, known as a 'false negative.' It's not clear which brand of lateral flow tests the FDA were using in their study or to what degree there was reduced sensitivity. Advertisement

'Delta and Omicrom are now twin threats driving up cases to record numbers, leading to spikes in hospitalisation and deaths,' said Tedros.

'I am highly concerned that Omicron, being highly transmissible and spreading at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases.'

Tedros repeated his call for countries to share vaccines more equitably and warned that the emphasis on boosters in richer countries could leave poorer nations short of jabs.

He said the WHO was campaigning for every country to hit a target of 70% vaccine coverage by the middle of 2022, which would help end the acute phase of the pandemic.

New Year's Eve will mark the second anniversary of China alerting the WHO to 27 cases of 'viral pneumonia' of unknown origin in the city of Wuhan.

More than 281 million people have since been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and more than 5 million have died.

The CDC's new data on the prevalence of the Omicron variant shows that the Delta variant, which appears more severe but less contagious than Omicron, still has a hold on the country and is one driving factor behind the most current surge in cases.

It also raises the question of how the CDC could have recorded such a drastic difference in the strain's prevalence than what was the reality.

Jasmine Reed, a spokesperson for the CDC, recognized the 'wide predictive interval posted in last week's chart,' referring to the huge gap in the data for the week ending on December 18, and attributed it to the 'speed at which Omicron was increasing.'

'CDC's models have a range, and we're still seeing steady increase in the proportion of Omicron,' she told Fox News.

Gohil noted that there is 'always a delay in the testing information that comes in, and that's what the public should take away.'

She added that health professionals were finally understanding the Delta variant more and figuring out how to test for it efficiently when the Omicron variant swept through the country.

'The way in which we test and the way in which we have certitude about the numbers was all in flux right at that moment. Then along comes this new variant and now here you are trying to project something when you don't have all of the mechanisms in place,' Gohil said.

The scant rate of testing in the US may be contributing to uncertainty in the data. The UK is performing 22.3 COVID tests per 1,000 people every day, five times more than the US rate of 4.5, according to figures from Our World in Data.

Moreover, only a tiny fraction of the positive tests are actually sequenced to determine the variant strain, leaving huge potential gaps in the surveillance effort.

The scant rate of testing in the US may be contributing to uncertainty in the data. The UK is performing 22.3 COVID tests per 1,000 people every day, five times more than the US rate of 4.5

Dr. Jerome Adams, the former surgeon general for the Trump Administration, also pointed to testing as a reason for the false Omicron numbers. He referred to something called the 'S gene dropout,' in which one of the three target genes is not detected  a signifier of the Omicron variant.

'A lot of people were seeing this S dropout on the tests even before they got the follow-up genetic testing, and so those samples were disproportionately more likely to be sent in for sequencing,' he told Fox News.

'It's also important for people to understand that in the grand scheme of things, they really were probably just a week or two ahead of what we're going to see anyway, because omicron is spreading so quickly that it is going to be 73 percent by the time you look at this week's or next week's numbers,' Dr. Adams told the news outlet.

While the CDC reported that the Delta variant accounted for 41 percent of cases in the week ending on December 25, that number could be as high as 58 percent given the agency's margin of error, NPR reported.

Regardless, Gohil said, 'The implication is that we have a lot of delta going on and that requires a lot more attention. People are thinking, 'Oh, well, omicron's not that bad.' But it's actually still too early to really know even that. Besides, Delta is the beast that you should be worried about.'

The CDC's latest data will also put a burden on hospitals that will have to adjust their treatment methods to account for the vast different in Omicron and Delta cases, as different strains require different antibodies and medications.

'The bottom line is, don't take your masks off just yet and get vaccinated, vaccinated, vaccinated, vaccinated  and boosted,' Gohil told NPR.

COVID-19 cases in the U.S. also doubled over the past two weeks. Over the past week, 235,269 Americans have been testing positive for the virus every day  a 98 percent increase from two weeks ago and approaching the prior record of 247,503 set last January, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins data.

Though Omicron is thought to be less severe than Delta, hospitalizations have also been rising, up 6 percent nationwide over the past two weeks, to 71,381.

In a troubling warning sign, the UK, where Omicron struck earlier, has seen hospitalizations rise nearly 50 percent in the past week, with 1,374 coronavirus-infected patients admitted on Sunday, an 11-month high.

Hospitalizations are soaring in some US states, including Louisiana, New Jersey and Florida where in each case the number of patients has jumped nearly 60 percent in two weeks. As well, Michigan, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire all hit record hospitalizations earlier this month.

'January is going to be a really, really hard month. And people should just brace themselves for a month where lots of people are going to get infected,' Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, told CNN.

Jha warned that the unvaccinated would bear the brunt of severe illness, while most who are vaccinated and boosted were unlikely to face hospitalization.

'A lot of people who have not gotten a vaccine are going to end up getting pretty sick, and it's going to be pretty disruptive,' Jha said.

'My hope is as we get into February and certainly by the time we get into March, infection numbers will come way down, and it'll also start getting (into) spring, and the weather will start getting better. And that will also help.'

Deficiencies in testing may have contributed to the CDC's error. The US is testing for COVID at a rate of 4.5 per 1,000 people, lagging behind other developed nations including Portugal, France, Italy, Australia, and Ireland

A map of per capita rates of daily COVID testing shows the US lagging far behind many other wealthy nations

A take-home COVID-19 testing kit is displayed on the shelf of a Manhattan drugstore on December 22. Such tests have become hard to find in some areas amid a shortage

Lines of up to six hours have been reported at testing clinics, with many of those tested also forced to wait days longer than the advertised 24 to 48 hours for their result, ruining the Christmas plans of many

Biden says he WILL issue domestic flight vaccine mandate IF his medical team advises it - one day after Fauci flip flopped on his support for one Joe Biden fueled confusion on Tuesday by saying he will issue a vaccine mandate for domestic flights if his medical team advises it - one day after Dr Anthony Fauci walked back his comments in support of such a measure. Biden told reporters at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - while walking his new German Shepherd puppy, Commander, with First Lady Jill Biden - that he will make a decision on domestic travel vaccine requirements 'when I get a recommendation from the medical team.' In November, Biden said he would wait for the scientific community to provide him a recommendation when asked if consideration has been given to requiring proof of vaccination for domestic flights. The surge in COVID cases from the Omicron variant has made the White House reassess whether to impose it. Fauci, Biden's top health adviser, seemingly called for a vaccine mandate for air travelers on Sunday but quickly retracted his remarks the next day. 'Everything that comes up as a possibility, we put it on the able and we consider it, that does not mean that it is likely to happen,' Fauci clarified to CNN's Jim Acosta on Monday. 'I doubt if we're going to see something like that in the reasonably foreseeable future,' he added. The president also told reporters during his stroll on Tuesday evening that there has been 'a bit of progress' toward the administration's goal of producing and distributing at-home COVID testing kits amid nationwide shortages. The administration has pledged that all Americans will be able to acquire an at-home rapid test for coronavirus after previously ruling it out. Advertisement

Another move that turned heads on Monday was the CDC's decision to cut the amount of time asymptomatic COVID-19 patients need to quarantine in half, from 10 days to five days.

'The reason is that with the sheer volume of new cases that we are having and that we expect to continue with Omicron, one of the things we want to be careful of is that we don't have so many people out,' Fauci said in a Tuesday interview with CNN, explaining the decision.

'Obviously if you have symptoms, you should not be out. But if you are asymptomatic and you are infected, we want to get people back to the jobs. Particularly those with essential jobs, to keep our society running smoothly. So I think that was a very prudent and good choice on the part of the CDC.'

But not all health experts were on board with the new decision. In a separate interview with Good Morning America, Jha criticized the CDC's new rule.

'I actually think It would help a lot if we asked people to get a negative test as well,' he said. 'I don't know why the CDC did not put that in, I suspect it might be because tests are still hard to come by.'

Although studies have suggested the Omicron variant is less deadly than some of its predecessors, the huge numbers of people testing positive mean that hospitals in some countries might soon be overwhelmed, while businesses might struggle to carry on operating because of workers having to quarantine.

France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta all registered a record number of new cases on Tuesday, while the average number of daily COVID-19 cases in the United States hit a record daily case tally on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that 90% of patients ending up in intensive care had not received booster vaccines, which medics say is the best protection against the infectious Omicron.

'The Omicron variant continues to cause real problems, you're seeing cases rising in hospitals, but it is obviously milder than the Delta variant,' Johnson said.

New daily infections in Australia spiked to nearly 18,300 on Wednesday, eclipsing the previous pandemic high of around 11,300 hit a day earlier.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his country needed 'a gear change' to manage overburdened laboratories, with long walk-in and drive-in queues reported in a number of areas.

Testing bottlenecks have also built in European nations, including Spain where demand for free COVID-19 testing kits provided by Madrid's regional government far outstripped, with long queues forming outside pharmacies.

A number of governments were also increasingly worried by the huge numbers of people being forced into self-isolation because they had been in contact with a coronavirus sufferer.

'We just can't have everybody just being taken out of circulation because they just happen to be at a particular place at a particular time,' Australia's Morrison told reporters.

Italy was expected to relax some of its quarantine rules on Wednesday over fears the country will soon grind to a halt given how many people are having to self-isolate protectively, with cases doubling on Tuesday from a day earlier to 78,313.

However, China showed no let up in its policy of zero tolerance to outbreaks, keeping 13 million people in the city of Xian under rigid lockdown for a seventh day as new COVID-19 infections persisted, with 151 cases reported on Tuesday.

'I just want to go home,' said a 32-year-old mechanic, who was in Xian last week for a business trip when the city was effectively shut off from the outside world.

No cases of Omicron have been announced in Xian so far.

Many countries are still grappling with the earlier Delta variant, including Poland, which reported 794 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday - the highest number in the fourth wave of the pandemic.

Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska said more than 75% of those who died were unvaccinated.

Early data from Britain, South Africa and Denmark suggests there is a reduced risk of hospitalization for the Omicron compared with the Delta variant, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest epidemiological report.

However, the report said further data was needed to understand how severity of illness may be impacted by vaccination and, or, prior infection.

The surge in cases is coinciding with the New Year holidays, normally a period of parties and travel. Some countries, such as Italy, have cancelled public celebrations, while authorities in Japan urged residents to keep end-of-year gatherings small.

'The highest risk is meeting people without taking adequate measures to prevent infection,' said Norio Ohmagari, director of the Disease Control and Prevention Center and a top health advisor to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Australians forced to wait in line for hours at Covid testing clinics as infection rates spiral to new record highs are taking desperate measures to cut the queue, including sleeping in their cars and lining up from 3am.

The nation recorded 18,000 new cases on Wednesday due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant which has put immense pressure on testing clinics, already exhausted healthcare workers and the laboratories which process the results.

Many clinics have been forced to turn people away by the thousands as early as 9am, as banks of cars at drive-thru clinics queue for kilometres.

But some sneaky Australians looking to get a swab have come up with ways to beat the massive influx of people, by parking their car at the facility the night before, going home on public transport and then returning in the morning to take their place at the front of the line.

Many clinics have been forced to turn people away by the thousands as early as 9am, as banks of cars at drive-thru clinics queue kilometres. Pictured: A Covid testing clinic in Melbourne

Australians forced to wait in line for hours at Covid testing clinics as infection rates spiral to new record highs are taking desperate measures to cut the queue, like sleeping in their cars. Pictured: A Covid testing clinic in Wyndham Vale, Melbourne

WHEN SHOULD YOU GET A PCR TEST FOR COVID? With immense pressure on Australia's healthcare system from record Covid cases, testing clinics are overwhelmed along with the labs that process the results. Health authorities have urged that only the follow groups get a PCR test. *Anyone who has Covid-19 symptoms like a sore throat *Anyone who has been deemed a close contact *Anyone who has received a positive rapid-antigen test *Anyone who has been in a superspreader venue which health authorities have advised there is a high-risk of transmission Advertisement

Others are even sleeping in their cars the night before just to avoid the hours-long wait to get a PCR test.

A mother on social media revealed how her and her children got around the lengthy waiting period by enlisting the help of their devoted dad.

'My husband got in the Mona Vale hospital line just after 5am this morning. The kids and I joined him at 8am, we were tested at 9.30am,' she said.

'The line of cars was back to the skate park on Sydney's Pittwater Road when we left and the rat park line was back to Mona Vale hospital.'

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese blasted the prime minister during his trip to South Australia today, for not securing more rapid-antigen test kits as clinics get overrun.

'We know there are queues here in Adelaide of up to eight to ten hours in order to get tested,' the Labor leader said.

'In some parts of Australia like the Central Coast and Newcastle, you can't get tested for love or money. It is just not possible.

'It is easier to get a ticket to the AFL grand final than get a test in some parts of Australia.

'We had the New South Wales government trying to purchase this rapid antigen test, which will be available at the end of January  when we have a crisis right now.'

The nation recorded 18,000 new cases on Wednesday due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant which has put immense pressure on testing clinics, already exhausted healthcare workers and the laboratories that process the results. Pictured: A healthcare worker at a Covid testing clinic in Melbourne

Some sneaky Australians looking to get a swab have come up with ways to beat the massive influx of people, by parking their car at the facility the night before, going home on public transport and then returning in the morning to take their place at the front of the line. Pictured: A Covid testing clinic in Sydney

A fired up Mr Albanese said Australians are trying to do the right thing by getting tested but Scott Morrison and his government have 'once again shown a lack of leadership'.

'There is no issue too big for Scott Morrison to show house more his vision for this country is? Scott Morrison refuses to step up,' he said.

'We have businesses that are unable to open. We have people that are waiting day after day after day to get the results of the tests and we have some people who simply can't get tested so they are just staying isolated because there is some doubt over their health concerns.'

To address the myriad issues facing Australia's Covid testing system, Mr Morrison is set to change the rules around close and casual contacts to stop the country grinding to a halt in the current Omicron crisis.

Under the new proposals to go before a national cabinet meeting tomorrow only household members will count as close contacts.

The PM warned the country needed to change gears in its response to the fast-moving Omicron variant as numbers spiral across the country.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese (pictured on Christmas day helping a church charity) blasted the prime minister for a 'lack of leadership'

Scott Morrison has called an early National Cabinet meeting to discuss testing queues and isolation requirements

'We just can't have everybody just being taken out of circulation because they just happen to be at a particular place at a particular time,' he said.

'The uncertainty of that the impacts on the economy and given we are not seeing this impact our hospital system, it's an impractical way to live with the virus.'

Under the new definition, if someone in your family tests positive, or with whom you have spent four hours or more at a home or in a care facility, then you would be a close contact and need to isolate.

'[But] if I went down to a restaurant to pop in to get some takeaway and there was a case there, I would not be a close contact,' explained Mr Morrison.

'I would not then have to isolate.'

Some people have even been sleeping in their cars the night before just to avoid the hours-long wait to get a PCR test. Pictured: A Covid testing clinic in North Ryde, Sydney

Health workers are seen as members of the public queue in their cars at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at IPC Health Wyndham Vale, in Melbourne

The move comes as the early National Cabinet meeting aims to implement uniform guidelines across the states, but also allow those state which are less affected to carry on without unnecessary restrictions.

'It's important that we continue to adjust and get as consistent an approach as we possibly can across all the states and territories,' he said.

'But the other thing we've learned right across the pandemic is all states are at different stages. There are different phases.'
Donald Trump endorsed Alaska's incumbent Governor Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday - subject to his 'non-endorsement of Senator Lisa Murkowski,' one of the former president's strongest opponents, who he said has been 'very bad for Alaska.'

Murkowski was one of seven Senate Republicans who crossed the aisle to vote for Trump's conviction in his February impeachment trial for his role in the January 6 riot at the Capitol.

Should Dunleavy support Murkowski, his endorsement of the Republican governor 'is null and void, and of no further force or effect,' Trump wrote his press release through his Save America PAC.

Otherwise, the candidate has his 'Complete and Total Endorsement.'

'Mike Dunleavy has been a strong and consistent Conservative since his time in the Alaska State Senate,' Trump said in the statement.

'I was proud to endorse his first run for Governor, and I am proud to support his reelection, too. Alaska needs Mike Dunleavy as Governor now more than ever.'

He also blasted Murkowski for 'losing ANWR, perhaps the most important drilling site in the world, and much else.'

Donald Trump (right) endorsed Alaska's incumbent Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy (left) on Tuesday - subject to his 'non-endorsement of Senator Lisa Murkowski'

Trump wrote in a Tuesday statement that Senator Lisa Murkowski (pictured) was 'very bad for Alaska.' Murkowski was one of seven Senate republicans to vote to impeach Trump in February, and the only one of the seven to run for reelection

Should Dunleavy support Murkowski, Trump wrote his press release through his Save America PAC, his endorsement of the Republican governor 'is null and void, and of no further force or effect'

In June, the Biden administration halted all oil and natural gas drilling on the non-wilderness Coastal Plain (1002 Area) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) pending an environmental review.

Murkowski joined Senator Dan Sullivan, Congressman Don Young, and Dunleavy in criticizing the administration for doing so.

But Trump blamed Murkowski for the loss, citing her support of 'Radical Left Biden appointees, which in turn led to the revocation of ANWR drilling, which Alaskans have been fighting to see happen for six decades,' costing the state 'billions and billions of dollars,' according to Alaska Public.

'I think she will be met very harshly by the Alaska voters in 15 months, and I will be there to campaign against her!' Trump wrote in a June 7 statement.

Dunleavy is facing a primary challenge from state Representative Christopher Kurka as he runs for his second gubernatorial term.

Trump blamed Murkowski for Biden administration's moratorium of oil and natural gas drilling on the non-wilderness Coastal Plain (1002 Area) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) pending an environmental review, citing her support of 'Radical Left Biden appointees' despite her public disapproval of the administration's actions

Dunleavy (pictured) is facing a primary challenge from state Representative Christopher Kurka as he runs for his second gubernatorial term

Murkowski is the only one among the seven Republicans who voted to impeach Trump who is running for reelection in the 2022 midterm elections.

The moderate Republican with a history of working across the aisle to reach bipartisan agreements announced her reelection campaign in November. But winning over Alaska's Republicans will prove difficult after her handling of Trump's impeachment trial.

She earned Trump's ire and distanced herself from his base after she opposed the confirmation of Trump-nominated Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. She also voted against a Republican-backed plan to repeal Obamacare in 2017.

Dunleavy, on the other hand, has aligned himself with the Trump agenda, supporting the former president when he refused to concede the 2020 election.

'I, for one, will support our president's efforts to ensure that the election is completed with integrity. Let us hope and pray that it is,' Dunleavy wrote in a statement last November.

Dunleavy has aligned himself with the Trump agenda, supporting the former president when he refused to concede the 2020 election

Murkowski was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2002 after her father, Frank, resigned from his seat after he was elected governor.

Trump endorsed her challenger, former Alaska commissioner of administration Kelly Tshibaka, earlier this year.

He is scheduled to hold a fundraiser for Murkowski's opponent at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida in February, and several leading members of Trump's 2020 presidential reelection campaign are working for Tshibaka's campaign as advisers.

'Murkowski has got to go!,' Trump wrote in June. 'Kelly Tshibaka is the candidate who can beat Murkowski  and she will. Kelly is a fighter who stands for Alaska values and America First. She is MAGA all the way, pro-energy, strong on the Border, tough on Crime and totally supports our Military and our great Vets.'
A South Florida man driving with a suspended license was arrested Tuesday for a hit-and-run that killed two children and injured four other kids.

Sean Charles Greer, 27, was slapped with several charges, including two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, for Monday's fatal incident, which claimed the lives of Andrea Fleming, 6, and Kylie Jones, 5.

Detectives arrested Greer, who they say confessed to his involvement. His address is listed as less than a third of a mile from where the incident took place.

Greer was driving his 2009 Honda Accord southbound on Northwest Ninth Avenue in Wilton Manors at the same time that a Broward County Transit bus was stopped to drop off a passenger at around 3 pm.

Sean Charles Greer, 27, was accused of running over a group of children Monday, killing two, including 6-year-old Andrea Fleming (right), and injuring four, all ten or younger, and is facing two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving death among several charges

Andrea Fleming, 6, and Kylie Jones, 5, were killed at the scene near 2417 N.W. Ninth Avenue in Wilton Manors (pictured), just north of Fort Lauderdale, at around 3.00p.m. on Monday, according to the Broward County Sheriffs Office

As the bus pulled out to continue southbound, it began to merge into the right lane from the edge of the roadway. Greer's Honda approached the bus from behind but the driver failed to allow the bus to merge and passed it, almost striking the front driver's side as it cut in front of the bus, police said.

The Honda then veered right and drove off the roadway and onto the sidewalk, striking the children. The vehicle then accelerated and fled the area.

'I was just holding her hand and letting her know just hear my voice, don't go, don't go to sleep,' Lewis recalled.

Andrea Fleming, 6, and Kylie Jones, 5, died at the scene. Four other children, Draya Fleming, 9, Laziyah Stokes, also 9, Johnathan Carter, 10, and Audre Fleming, 2, were transported to Broward Health Medical Center, police said.

Neighbor Harriet Lewis told NBC6 she ran downstairs and saw the children lying on the street.

Andrea (left) was pronounced dead at the scene. Her sister, Draya Fleming (right), 9, is in the hospital

The girls' mother, Tyricka Williams (left), mourned her younger daughter and prayed for her older child's recovery

The three Fleming children were siblings visiting their father, Audre Fleming Sr.

Tyricka Williams, the mother of Andrea and Draya Fleming, wrote in the description of a GoFundMe campaign: 'I'm in the worse condition ever as a mother and don't know how I'm going to prepare myself mentally to fight and keep a smile for the rest of my children.

'How am I going to plan a funeral while visiting my other daughter in the hospital who doesn't know her little sister has passed away.'

Andrea's uncle, Stanley Holcomb Sr, described the six-year-old as a smart and good-natured first-grader.

'She kept us smiling and kept my heart going,' he told Miami Herald. 'Its too bad I couldnt be there to save her.'

A Broward County Transit bus in Wilton Manors, Florida, was in the motion of turning when Greer plowed into the children on the sidewalk after driving up the curve

Police said Greer was driving a 2009 Honda Accord Sedan (pictured) when he caused the carnage

Physical evidence at the scene and other information led detectives to identify the vehicle involved, which was then released among law enforcement agencies. The car was later located in Wilton Manors.

Police said the vehicle had damage consistent with being involved in the crash. The front bumper was missing, which was located at the scene.

Along with the two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, Greer faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury, tampering with evidence, four counts of driving without a license causing death and/or serious bodily injuries and driving with a suspended license.

Greer, who has a seven-year-old child of his own, is currently on probation for burglary for breaking into a home in Oakland Park in September 2018 and stealing a PlayStation 4.

Greer's criminal history also includes arrests for trespassing, shoplifting, marijuana possession, driving without a valid license and resisting arrest.

In 2017, Greer's estranged girlfriend filed for a restraining order against him after he destroyed her furniture, claiming that he has anger issues.


Said Javid has admitted the Covid test chaos will continue as the Government struggles to secure supplies amid a 'global shortage' that is threatening New Year plans after lateral flows were unavailable for a third day and PCRs ran out.



Ministers have advised people to take regular lateral flow tests before they socialise after confirming on Monday that no new Covid restrictions would be brought in for New Year's Eve festivities.

But all over the country, Brits are having trouble getting tested as pharmacies have reported sending people away empty-handed while lateral flow tests have been unavailable for home delivery for the third day in a row.

Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale said today that Mr Javid admitted there 'isn't a quick fix' to ongoing supply problems.

The North Thanet MP added: 'Saj was very honest with me, he said, "look, there isn't a quick fix".'

Previously ministers and officials had insisted they had sufficient stocks but the problems were in delivering them to people's homes or pharmacies.

Mr Gale continued: 'The long and the short of it is he says there is a worldwide shortage of lateral flow tests.

'A British company that is making them has ramped up its production line fourfold and we are buying the lot, plus anything we can get from anywhere else around the world, but we are competing in a global market.'

He said his constituents had been advised to keep trying online as availability was updated throughout the day.

Sir Roger said the shortage of lateral flow tests was having a knock-on effect with people opting for PCR tests instead, but 'there is not enough capacity' in laboratories to process them.

He said Mr Javid was 'busting a gut' to get supplies 'but we're competing with a global market'.

For those who need a PCR test, there were no available appointments at any walk-in centres in England or Northern Ireland as of midday. As of 2pm, slots briefly opened up in the North West of England but then became unavailable again while Scotland also showed 'very few available' appointments.

Pharmacists have called for urgent action to improve the supply of lateral flow tests as they say people are being turned away every five minutes due to 'patchy' supply. The industry body said it was frustrating that chemists it represented were having to wait several days for each delivery.

Pharmacists are calling for urgent action to improve the supply of lateral flow tests ahead of NYE. People have also faced difficulties ordering testing kits for home delivery (pictured)

Britons can pick up lateral flow tests for free from a pharmacy listed on the NHS website

Tory MP Sir Roger Gale says he has been told by Government there is a world shortage

The UK Health Security Agency said it was facing 'unprecedented demand' for the tests but insisted it had doubled its capacity since mid December, sending out 900,000 a day across the country.

It urged people to check the relevant Government websites regularly to see if slots had opened up or tests had become available.

Earlier today Mr Gale wrote on Twitter: 'Kent appears to be in Lateral Flow and PCR Test gridlock. Manston staff working flat out, no stocks in chemists and no East Kent delivery slots available.'

He later added: 'I have spoken to Secretary of State, there is a world shortage of Lateral Flow & PCR test supplies, but we are buying all that's available.

'Best advice to constituents - keep trying online, as stock are being released hourly.'

An out of stock lateral flow test sign on a window of a Boots pharmacy in London earlier today

Pharmacies across the country have reported shortages of LFTs and many are unable to replenish their kits as the supply chain has been affected by Christmas and New Year holidays.

Some pharmacies reported they have not had stock since last Monday and it could take three days for new supplies to arrive.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme: 'Pharmacies are reporting that every five minutes people are coming in and asking for tests.

'But unfortunately, due to the issues around supply being patchy and inconsistent, it means those who come for the tests don't always get it which is very stressful, not just for the pharmacy team but also for the patients.

'The scale of the problem is huge because the demand is high due to the current guidelines and people are doing the responsible thing by wanting to be tested.

Pharmacists say they are turning people away empty handed due to a shortage of LTF supplies

As of this morning there were no available appointments at PCR testing sites and testing kits were also showing as unavailable for home delivery on the Government's website this morning

Care Minister Gillian Keegan urged people to get tested before going to parties but pharmacists said the supply is 'patchy' and said people are being sent away empty handed

Ordering a Covid test online: What happened when MailOnline tried to get hold of a lateral flow test and book a PCR appointment Testing availability in much of the UK has been sporadic over the Christmas period with Government websites periodically saying they are unavailable. Out of five MailOnline reporters who tried to order Covid tests today - just one was able to get hold of lateral flows after logging on early this morning. After visiting the website each reporter was reminded that picking up a lateral flow test from a local pharmacy is the quickest way to get a kit. It then instructed users on those who can use the service, including people without symptoms, who are 11 or older and who have not been told to self-isolate. It then asked a series of questions, including contact details and whether you are showing symptoms. But on each try, a message appeared stating: 'Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for rapid lateral flow tests right now.' It then directed people to visit their pharmacy if they do not have symptoms. When trying to book a PCR test, users were presented with a similar reminder about who is eligible to receive this type of test. It then asked users if they are sure they are eligible and whether you are a key worker. A screen then appeared informing users that there are no home tests for the general public or key workers. It also stated there was no availability for walk-in test appointments anywhere in England or Northern Ireland. Since this morning, availability has opened up in the North West, but it continued to change throughout the afternoon. Advertisement

'[900,000 kits a day] just isn't enough to meet the demand and it's patchy. Some days you get one box delivered to you and some days you get none so it just isn't enough for pharmacies to give to patients.

'This has been going on for some weeks now and what we are asking the Government to ensure that they promptly address the supply issues to meet the high demand and also address the cumbersome processes for the supply of this, the bureaucratic processes.'

The Government's website urges people to go to their pharmacies to get tests and only order online if they are unable to do so.

The website currently states it is not possible to order lateral flow testing kits for home delivery with a message stating: 'Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for rapid lateral flow tests right now.

'You may still be able to pick up rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy or collection point, where these are available. Only pick up tests if you do not have symptoms.'

People have been left frustrated as they try and ensure they stay Covid-free ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations this weekend and have been urged to test regularly by the Government.

Speaking to broadcasters about New Year celebrations yesterday, Care Minister Gillian Keegan said: 'We have always said ''act cautiously'' since this new variant came among us.

'It is highly infectious and many people will know people who have caught this over the Christmas period.

'So do be cautious, take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) before you go out. Go to well-ventilated areas - I have been to a couple of outdoor parties actually, people have moved things to outside.

'So just be cautious, but do try to enjoy yourself as well - but cautiously.'

A UKHSA spokesperson encouraged members of the public to revisit the Government website every few hours.

'Despite unprecedented demand, we are continuing to supply millions of rapid lateral flow tests every day.

'Our total delivery capacity has doubled to 900,000 test kits per day since Saturday 18 December so more people can order tests.

'During periods of exceptional demand there may be temporary pauses in ordering or receiving tests, to ensure we manage distribution across the system and support changing requirements for lateral flow device and PCR tests, and delivery capacity was reduced over Christmas and the bank holiday.'

The government website also suggested: 'If you have tests at home, including ones that children have brought home from school, you can use these instead.'

It also said that the 119 service 'does not have access to more home delivery slots right now'.

A UKHSA spokesperson added: 'Rapid tests are available to order directly to people's homes via gov.uk and availability is refreshed regularly throughout the day.

'We encourage people to re-visit the site every few hours if they are unable to order tests as more will become available  and to please ensure they are making use of any tests they already have at home before ordering or collecting more.'

UK Government statistics show how the number of Covid tests being conducted has reached 1.5m a day, with the number of swabs carried out having shot up since Omicron first emerged

The situation has been branded a 'shambles' by Labour MPs.

Shadow minister for public health Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Denton and Reddish, tweeted: 'What an utter shambles. It's not as if you couldn't have expected an increase in demand as people return to work after the Christmas holidays.

'Ministers need to urgently sort this out before schools return too.'

His colleague Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, agreed, adding: 'The failure to make enough tests available weeks after they became a requirement is a total shambles. Ministers are nowhere to be seen.

'They need to get a grip and make enough tests available so that people can keep themselves and everyone else safe.'

Meanwhile, Labour MP Stella Creasy said: 'Lack of Covid tests and delays in processing them doesn't just mean a lag in data.

'For anyone immunocomprised [sic] a PCR test [is] critical to getting antivirals prescription - they have a window of 5 days to get them for them to work, so any delay in being affects chances of treatment.'

Last week, a public health expert warned people to use tests 'responsibly' amid the shortage.

Azeem Majeed, head of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, said on Twitter: 'I am hearing about people carrying out multiple lateral flow tests in a single day.

'The tests are in short supply in many parts of England and this kind of practice will exacerbate supply problems, including for key workers such as NHS staff. Please use the tests responsibly.'

This is at least the seventh time lateral flow tests have been unavailable for delivery while the government urges people to collect tests from their local pharmacies.
Russia has deployed into service a new top-secret 'star wars' missile that is designed to shoot down nukes and satellites.

The S-550 missile defence system 'has entered combat duty', according to defence sources who spoke to state news agency TASS on Wednesday.

While little is known about the missile, it is thought to be Russia's latest foray into the space arms race - designed to take out targets hundreds of miles above earth such as low-orbit satellites, nuclear warheads, and orbital hypersonic weapons.

Moscow is thought to have carried out a test of this weapon system last month when it blew up one of its own defunct spy satellites in a move that enraged Washington and ramped up tensions with NATO.

Vladimir Putin has been rapidly bulking up his armed forces as he takes a more aggressive stance in eastern Europe, pressures NATO to sign off on new security guarantees for Moscow, and forges alliances with China.

Russian currently has up to 100,000 troops stationed along the Ukrainian border amid warnings from the Pentagon that an invasion could take place within weeks.

Russia's top-secret S-550 'star wars' missile system has entered active service, defence sources have said, after a number of rumoured tests (pictured)

The new missile is thought to be the same one that was used to blow up a defunct Russian satellite last month, and is also capable of shooting down nukes and orbital hypersonics

And the Kremlin has staged a recent flurry of wargames which NATO chiefs fear could be rehearsals for such an invasion.

A ministry source told TASS today: 'The S-550 air defence system has successfully completed state trials.

'The first S-550 brigade has entered combat duty.'

He described the technology as superior to Western and Chinese capabilities, saying it is 'an absolutely new and unrivalled mobile system of strategic missile defence'.

The anti-satellite S-550 was among the new weapons systems that Putin had demanded should be fast-tracked, defence minister Sergei Shoigu said last month.

Even so, its reported deployment with Russian rocket forces comes ahead of expectations.

TASS said that official channels had not formally confirmed its defence ministry source's exclusive claim.

The S-550 is seen as part of an air defence modernisation involving the S-350 Vityaz, S-400 Triumf and S-500 Prometheus.

They will 'completely cover the Russian sky from possible attacks', it was reported.

Russia deployed the new missile amid heightened tensions with the West, with up to 100,000 troops sitting on the Ukrainian border as the Pentagon warns they are preparing to invade

Recent Russian reports suggest the S-550 is the same weapon as a 'satellite killer' until now known as Nudol, a project clouded in secrecy.

Pro-Kremlin Izvestia newspaper said it was part of 'one of the most covert domestic weapons programmes' ever conducted.

Videos showing the launch of an unnamed new missile system at Sary-Shagan in 2020 and earlier this year are now suspected to be this star wars weapon.

'In Russia the creation of a space defence system able to intercept the most difficult targets, satellites as well as ballistic missiles, has been in progress for more than ten years,' stated the report.

'For a long time this combat system was known by the Nudol designation.

'Specialists assume that this was precisely the system that successfully destroyed a satellite target during its first combat tests on 15 November

'Experts believe that work on the latest weapon has already been completed, and it can acquire the official designation as the S-550 air defence missile system.'

Defence minister Sergei Shoigu personally declassified the S-550 designation before the before November test that blasted the redundant orbiting Soviet-era Tselina-D military reconnaissance satellite to smithereens.

A camp containing five battalions of Russian troops is pictured near Yelna, 150 miles from Ukraine's border, within the last month as US intelligence warns Putin now has 50 battalions camped out on Europe's doorstep

Another view of the newly-built Russian military camp near Yelna, as US intelligence claims that Putin will be ready to invade Ukraine with an army of 175,000 men within weeks

Putin has been demanding that NATO give new security guarantees for Moscow and move forces away from border regions (file image)

Military expert Dmitry Boltenkov said last month. 'It is most likely (S-550) will be the official designation acquired by the system being developed under the Nudol research and development project.

'It will be part of the S-500 family, similar to the several versions of the S-300 and S-400 air defence systems that now exist concurrently.'

Other outlets have suggested that the S-550 and Nudol are separate or linked.

Nudol was believed to use a silo launcher, while the S-550 is said to be mobile.

TASS reported last month that the S-550 features the kinetic energy interceptor principle to avoid a nuclear detonation when a warhead is struck, citing military expert Dmitry Litovkin.

He suggested the S-550 was a mobile follow-up to the A-135 Amur - A-235 Nudol.

Last month both Western and Russian sources suggested the Nudol 'satellite killer' was behind the strike which provoked outrage in the US and Europe with claims it had put the International Space Station in jeopardy.

State-controlled Russian Channel One TV host Dmitry Kiselyov - dubbed Putin's 'mouthpiece' and 'propagandist-in-chief' -claimed the satellite strike was a deliberate warning to the West not to cross the Kremlin's red lines on Ukraine.

In the event of worsening relations, Russia could wipe out 32 GPS satellites crucial for NATO's military operations, including the pinpointing of missile strikes, he claimed.

Putin has prioritised modernising his military might despite a sluggish sanctions-hit economy with living standards failing to improve for tens of millions of Russians.

The Russian leader last week announced a 'flawless' salvo test of its 6,670 mph 'unstoppable' Zircon hypersonic missiles.

However, as yet footage of this has not been released.
A fervent Italian anti-vaxxer who gained a cult following after his regular phone-ins to a popular radio show has died from Covid.

Maurizio Buratti, 61, known to his fans as Mauro from Mantua, had boasted of being a 'plague spreader' after deliberately going to a Carrefour supermarket without a mask while feeling ill and having a temperature of 38 degrees, just days before his hospitalisation.

He said he was 'defending the constitution' by ignoring public health advice, and refused to get tested because he believed the swabs caused the virus.

Maurizio Buratti (pictured), a fervent Italian anti-vaxxer who gained a cult following after his regular phone-ins to a popular radio show, has died from Covid

Buratti, who worked as a mechanic, had been in intensive care for 22 days before his death on Monday

The conspiracy theorist was a regular caller on La Zanzara (pictured) for 10 years where he boasted of being a 'plague spreader'

Buratti, who worked as a mechanic, had been in intensive care for 22 days before his death on Monday.

The frequent caller to the Zanzara radio station was intubated and was no longer responding to treatment.

Buratti, who also promoted anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, remained anti-vaxx until the end and had repeatedly denied the existence of Covid.

After boasting of his illness on the airwaves, the show's presenters and his fans urged him to go to hospital and he reluctantly accepted.

But he said he would not go to hospital in his native Mantua because 'there are Communists there, I don't trust them', and instead went to Verona.

In one of his final radio phone-ins, Buratti said he would be leaving Italy and seeking asylum in Korea or Turkey to avoid being forced to get the vaccine.

The conspiracy theorist was often seen at anti-Covid and ant-Green Pass protests in Italy (pictured: a No Green Pass rally in Turin yesterday)

Before his illness, the conspiracy theorist was a regular at anti-Covid protests and was a fierce opponent of the Green Pass which forces all Italian workers to get vaccinated or show evidence of Covid antibodies.

Buratti was a regular on Zanzara for ten years, initially railing against big Pharma and the 'Jewish lobby'.

His views led to him losing his job as a mechanic.

His attention later turned to Covid and he was given a regular slot on the radio to share his wild theories.

One of the show's presenters Davide Parenzo said: 'Rest in peace wherever you are, old conspiracy theorist.

'I only hope your sad story serves as an example to all those who are still fuelling doubts about the efficacy of vaccines.'

'I only hope your sad story serves as an example to all those who are still fuelling doubts about the efficacy of vaccines.'
Rapid antigen testing is about to ramp up in Australia as Covid cases soar to new record highs, with classic PCRs testing putting immense pressure on the healthcare system.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday flagged that RAT kits will need to become a major part of the nation's battle against the Omicron variant, with coronavirus infections now climbing past 18,000 a day for the first time.

Testing clinics and laboratories are overrun in the face of the super-mutant strain as those looking to get a PCR swab are forced to wait hours in queues and a further four days to receive the result.

National cabinet will hold urgent talks on Thursday about Australia's transition away from PCR tests to the widespread use of RAT kits, which are slightly less reliable but show results in about 15 minutes.

The at-home testing kits have been in widespread use in countries including the UK and US for about a year, but Australian health authorities have been reluctant to make them part of the national strategy up until now.

Here is everything you need to know about the RAT kits, where to buy them and how to use them.

Testing clinics and the laboratories that process the results are completely overrun (Sydney's Bondi Covid clinic pictured) in the face of the supermutant strain as those looking to get a PCR swab are forced to wait hours in queues and a further four days to receive the result

WHEN SHOULD YOU GET A PCR TEST FOR COVID? With immense pressure on Australia's healthcare system from record Covid cases, testing clinics are overwhelmed along with the labs that process the results. Health authorities have urged that only the follow groups get a PCR test. *Anyone who has Covid-19 symptoms like a sore throat *Anyone who has been deemed a close contact *Anyone who has received a positive rapid-antigen test *Anyone who has been in a superspreader venue which health authorities have advised there is a high-risk of transmission Advertisement

WHERE TO GET RAT KITS AND HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?

RAT kits are sold at pharmacies, chemists, supermarkets and online across Australia and can be purchased by anyone for about $15.

Larger boxes which sell packs of two, five or 10 will be more expensive depending on the brand.

But if you rush out to buy one, you may have a great deal of trouble finding them as soaring demand has seen the kits fly off the shelves with most suppliers selling out.

The NSW government is expecting 20 million RATs by the end of January with 30 million more also on the way after that.

The Victorian Government has purchased more than 34 million RATs which will be distributed to Victorians for free in January.

The federal health department has snapped up about 10 million for use in residential aged care facilities, and is in the process of ordering another 50 million.

Other states are also scrambling to get their hands on more RATs but it may take some weeks before they're on the shelves.

The at-home testing kits have been in widespread use in places like the UK and US for about a year, but Australian health authorities have been reluctant to make them part of the national strategy up until now. Pictured: Covid testing in Sydney

If you rush out to buy one at the moment you may have a great deal of trouble finding them as soaring demand has seen the kits fly off the shelves with most suppliers selling out (pictured, a pharmacy in Sydney)

ARE RAT KITS ACCURATE AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Not every RAT kit is created equally. Some are more accurate than others, but overall the kits can be very effective in diagnosing Covid.

While PCR tests are almost 100 per cent accurate, the complex chemical process required to determine a result is currently taking laboratory workers about four days due the massive backlog of samples.

In comparison, the results of a RAT kit can be uncovered in 10-20 minutes for most brands.

Poll SHOULD RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS REPLACE PCRs? Yes - they are cheap and easy Yes - but only in some circumstances No - they are not as accurate SHOULD RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS REPLACE PCRs? Yes - they are cheap and easy 180 votes

Yes - but only in some circumstances 182 votes

No - they are not as accurate 104 votes Now share your opinion





To separate the most effective brands from the duds, the Therapeutic Goods Administration reviewed a host of studies carried out on the manufacturers.

The bare minimum standard required for RAT kits to be sold in Australia is 80 per cent clinical sensitivity, which sees the product labelled 'acceptable sensitivity'.

Kits with 90 per cent effectiveness are considered 'high sensitivity' and brands that have above 95 per cent marked 'very high sensitivity'.

There are only 15 brands which have met these criteria with just five RAT kits given the 'very high sensitivity' label.

To separate the most effective brands from the duds, the Therapeutic Goods Administration reviewed a host of studies carried out on the manufacturers (pictured, a Covid testing kit in Sydney)

The bare minimum standard required for RAT kits to be sold in Australia is 80 per cent clinical sensitivity, which sees the product labelled 'acceptable sensitivity' (pictured, a RAT test in use)

WHAT ARE THE 15 RAT KITS APPROVED FOR USE IN AUSTRALIA? VERY HIGH SENSITIVITY - 95% CLINICALLY SENSITIVE All Test Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test - (Nasal Swab) - China Lyher Novel Coronavirus Antigen Test Kit (Nasal Swab) - China OnSite Covid-19 Ag Self Test (Nasal Swab) - USA Panbio Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test (Nasal Swab) - Germany V-Chek Covid-19 Antigen Test (Saliva) - China HIGH SENSITIVITY - 90 PER CENT CLINICALLY SENSITIVE All Test Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Oral Fluid) - China Hough Covid-19 Home Test (Nasal Swab) - China My Covid Test Antigen Rapid Test - (Oral Fluid) - China Orawell Covid-19 Ag Rapid Test (Saliva) - China RightSign Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Cassette (Nasal Swab) - China Testsealabs Covid-19 Antigen Test Cassette (Nasal Swab) - China ACCEPTABLE SENSITIVITY - 80 PER CENT CLINICALLY SENSITIVE Roche Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test (Nasal Swab) - South Korea InnoScreen Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Nasal Swab) - Australia Ecotest Covid-19 Antigen Saliva Test kit (saliva) - China CareStart Covid-19 Antigen Home Test (Nasal Swab) - USA Advertisement

HOW AND WHEN SHOULD I USE THEM AND IS IT SAFE FOR KIDS?

The kits are administered much like PCR tests.

A person can test themselves by swabbing the inside of their nose and then following the instructions on the box to get a reading on the device.

Some kits instead use saliva samples, which can be a better option for the elderly or young children as nasal swabs can sometimes be painful.

Health authorities say the kits are completely safe for anyone of any age to use, but those under 12 should have their test performed by a parent or guardian.

A person can test themselves by swabbing the inside of their nose and then following the instructions on the box to get a reading on the device (stock image)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday flagged that RAT kits will need to become a major part of the nation's battle against the Omicron variant with coronavirus infections now spiralling past 18,000 a day. Pictured: Long Covid testing queues in Melbourne

The need to administer an at-home test will vary from person to person with some workers in high-risk sectors perhaps having to use a RAT kit everyday as a condition of employment.

But a positive result should be confirmed with a PCR test as false positives can sometimes occur.

Likewise, false negatives can also happen in the early stages after becoming infected, with RATs much better at detecting the virus in symptomatic cases with high viral loads.

That's why experts say if you have been exposed to the virus, it is recommended to administer RATs over several days.
Australia's politicians have been slammed for the glacial rollout of rapid antigen tests which saw thousands spend Christmas alone awaiting PCR results - as experts reveal the mass isolation could have been avoided.

The Project's Hamish Macdonald revealed a Queensland-based company has pledged to provide millions of rapid antigen tests each year - but is still yet to be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The tests are 97 per cent clinically accurate and are already in use across the US and the UK, as Australian suppliers continue to complain of inadequate stock.

The nationwide shortages of the self-test kits has meant thousands have been forced to queue up for hours to get a PCR test and wait even longer to receive the results.

The Project host Hamish Macdonald (pictured with AnteoTech CEO Derek Thomson) has questioned why the rollout of rapid antigen tests has been so slow in Australia

Poll SHOULD RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS REPLACE PCRs? Yes - they are cheap and easy Yes - but only in some circumstances No - they are not as accurate SHOULD RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS REPLACE PCRs? Yes - they are cheap and easy 180 votes

Yes - but only in some circumstances 182 votes

No - they are not as accurate 104 votes Now share your opinion





Many missed out on spending Christmas with their loved ones and many more will face the same uncertainty in the lead-up to New Year celebrations.

AnteoTech CEO Derek Thomson revealed his company's rapid antigen tests operate on a reader-base system with a small desktop that can analyse the patients results.

The reader can also collect or transport the person's data to other applications.

Mr Thompson said the advanced kits could be used in testing sites, GP offices, pharmacies, emergency departments and can provide results in 15 minutes.

Macdonald acknowledged the CEO and others had spent a long time developing rapid antigen tests to offer the government at the nation's time of need.

'Do you understand why it is that Australia now seems to be - at a government level - in this total panic about getting our hands on rapid antigen tests, when they've already been made available elsewhere in the world so easily?' he asked.

'Well, I just think we're slow. You know, we've been critical of governments across Australia for not taking up rapid antigen testing earlier,' Mr Thomson replied.

Mr Thomson (pictured) said his rapid antigen kits could be used in testing sites, GP offices, pharmacies, emergency departments and can provide results in 15 minutes

The nationwide shortages of the self-test kits has meant thousands were forced to queue up for hours to get a PCR test (pictured, a health care worker administers a test in Sydney)

He added Australian medical authorities and ministries of health had been 'very' slow and said many organisations preferred PRC tests over rapid antigen ones.

Macdonald questioned the CEO why he thought this bias existed.

'Well, I think the feedback that we have had is that there's a belief that the accuracy of rapid antigen testing is not high enough for testing regimes,' he said.

'But in the scenario that we're now in, when there's many, many thousands of people that need testing to be done, PCR testing can't cope with that load.'

Macdonald asked if the pre-Christmas chaos which saw thousands of people spend their Christmas holidays in a line to get a PCR test, could have been avoided.

'Oh, absolutely, yeah. You know, we did see that coming a while ago. We saw what happened in Europe,' Mr Thomson replied.

'There were some mistakes made in Europe as well around the adoption of rapid antigen testing and things didn't go well.'

'But they do use rapid antigen testing to alleviate that strain. And we just haven't done it here in Australia quick enough.'

Many missed out on spending Christmas with their loved ones due to shortages of the tests and overwhelming lines at testing sites (pictured, people queue at a site in Sydney)

Demand for a PCR test in NSW and Victoria in recent days has surged as residents rush to get tested (pictured, health care workers at drive through site in Melbourne)

It comes after Macdonald said he was 'shocked' that Australian leaders on a state and federal level hadn't sufficiently prepared for the onslaught of holiday testing.

Thousands of Australians on summer holiday break have been forced to get tested before attending events, travelling interstate or being reunited with family.

This is on top of the thousands being told to get tested after being deemed a close contact of a known Covid case, as well as those experiencing symptoms.

Demand for a PCR test in NSW and Victoria in recent days has surged as residents rush to get tested, while rapid antigen tests are increasingly unavailable to buy.

'The thing that is shocking to me is that this all seems to taking our political leaders at state and federal level by surprise and it defies logic,' Macdonald said.

'We have known for a long time that we were going to need rapid antigen tests. We knew that we were going to need boosters.

'And yet there doesn't seem to be a delivery of RAT tests in terms of what's available.'

Rapid antigen tests are increasingly unavailable to buy (pictured, a sign at a Sydney chemist)

Rapid antigen tests (pictured in Melbourne) only take about 15 minutes to return a result and can be done at home, costing anywhere from $30 for a two pack or $50 for a five pack

Macdonald said supply of the tests was not the issue, with 2.9 million of the tests delivered to aged care facilities this week - but pharmacy shelves were left bare.

'So Australians are left in the middle of their Christmas break kind of playing Hunger Games trying to get their hands on these things,' he said.

The tests only take about 15 minutes to return a result and can be done at home, costing anywhere from $30 for a two pack or $50 for a five pack.

But there are fears they are not always accurate, with people reporting having tested negative several times on rapid tests before later testing positive to PCRs.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Tuesday warned the state wouldn't receive an order of 20 million rapid antigen tests until the end of January.

Queensland recently announced from January 1 it will require negative antigen tests for entry - instead of PCR tests - a move that will increase demand for the kits.

Australia is understood to be transporting more tests from overseas by air with the tests repackaged from bulk packs so they could be sold in chemists.

Australia is understood to be transporting more tests from overseas and repackaging the tests from bulk packs so they could be sold in chemists (pictured, queues for tests in Melbourne)

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Tuesday warned the state wouldn't receive an order of 20 million rapid antigen tests (pictured) until the end of January

Prime Minister Scott Morrison previously described rapid tests as a 'precious commodity' and refused to help states with supplies.

'State governments as always are responsible for securing the RAT tests, providing them to people, and we'll share the cost 50/50 with the state government,' he said on Wednesday.

However Victoria later announced it had bought 34 million tests with the federal government then revealing it had would invest $375million for 50 million more.

Mr Morrison said the additional stock would be used for the national medical stockpile used for emergencies and people in aged-care facilities.

At this stage, 1.6 million tests have been delivered to aged-care homes in NSW and 1.2 million in Victoria with one million tests currently in the national stockpile.

The prime minister announced three million rapid antigen tests had already been used with a further six million to arrive on Australian shores 'very soon'.
This is the spectacular moment boiling water turned into an ice cloud after it was thrown into the air in sub-zero temperatures.

Footage captured in Alberta, Canada, shows one resident hurl the pot of boiling water over his head in a circular motion in an attempt to test out the Mpemba effect on December 27.

The water immediately turns into an arc of ice above his head as the man stares in awe.

After touching the freezing air the boiling water turns to snow and falls to the ground.

The resident throws the boiling water over his head in a circular motion before watching it turn to ice in Alberta, Canada, on December 27

The boiling water immediately turns into an arc of ice above his head after making contact with the icy air

The Mpemba effect is the scientific theory that hot liquids can freeze faster than liquids which begin cold.

It was named after Erasto Mpemba from Tanzania who noted a hot ice cream mixture froze faster than a cold one during a cookery class he was taking during the 1960s.

The effect has been noted since the time of Aristotle in Ancient Greece but scientists have struggled to explain why the phenomenon happens.

In 2016, a team of Singapore scientists said the the effect could be explained by the unique properties of the bonds that hold water together.

Hydrogen bonds bring individual water molecules into close contact, which triggers natural repulsion between the water molecules and causes the bonds between oxygen and hydrogen atoms to stretch as well as store energy.

A cloud of ice is formed in the air after the boiling water is thrown above the man's head

The boiling water turns to snow and slowly begins to falls to the ground after being thrown into the icy air

What is the Mpemba effect? The Mpemba effect, named after Erasto Mpemba, is the name given to the scientific theory that hot water can freeze faster than the same liquid which begins cold. In 2016, a team of Singapore scientists said it was to do with the unique properties of the bonds that hold water together. Hydrogen bonds bring individual water molecules into close contact, which triggers natural repulsion between the water molecules and causes the bonds between oxygen and hydrogen atoms to stretch as well as store energy. So as the liquid warms, it makes the water molecules sit further apart from each other as the hydrogen bonds stretch. When the molecules shrink again and give up their energy, this results in it cooling, which the scientists say means that warm water cools faster than cold water and explains the Mpemba effect. Advertisement

So as the liquid warms, it makes the water molecules sit further apart from each other as the hydrogen bonds stretch.

When the molecules shrink again and give up their energy, this results in it cooling, which the scientists said means that warm water cools faster than cold water and explains the Mpemba effect.

The latest scene comes after Environment Canada issued an extreme cold warning for all of Alberta after a blast of Arctic air brought icy temperatures to the region.

In Edmonton, temperatures of around -40C are expected to continue this week and in Calgary, the current forecast is predicting a wind chill of around 43C.

Dave Phillips from Environment Canada told CBC News: 'Extreme cold, brutal cold, there is no other way to describe it.'

In 2018, family blogger David Feriheit from Quebec, Canada, took advantage of sub-zero temperatures to explore the Mpemba effect.

Footage showed Mr Freiheit throwing a huge bucket of boiling water into the air before it turned into ice.

The video demonstrating the Mpemba effect was filmed in -28C (-18.4F) temperatures, and took several attempts to get right.

He said: 'I spent the entire day boiling a huge lobster pot of water, running down to the lake and throwing it in the air, trying to get the perfect Mpemba effect.

'I eventually found some red dye and on my last attempt into the setting sun, I achieved Mpemba perfection.'
Armed riot police in southern China have paraded four alleged violators of Covid rules through the streets, leading to criticism of the government's heavy handed approach.

Four masked suspects in hazmat suits - carrying placards displaying their photos and names - were paraded Tuesday in front of a large crowd in Guangxi region's Jingxi city.

Photos of the event showed each suspect held by two police officers - wearing face shields, masks and hazmat suits - and surrounded by a circle of police in riot gear, some holding guns.

The public shaming was part of disciplinary measures announced by the local government in August to punish those breaking health rules.

China banned such public shaming of criminal suspects in 2010 after decades of campaigning by human rights activists, but the practice has resurfaced as local governments struggle to enforce the national zero-Covid policy.

It comes as locked-down residents in one of China's biggest cities say they are at risk of starving in their homes after they were banned from going outside even to buy food under harsh new Covid measures sparked by just a few dozen cases.

Apparatchiks running the city of Xi'an on Monday told 13 million people they are only allowed out of their homes when invited to take part in a new round of mass testing, or for medical emergencies.

Armed riot police in southern China have paraded four alleged violators of Covid rules through the streets, leading to criticism of the government's heavy handed approach.

Photos of the event showed each suspect held by two police officers - wearing face shields, masks and hazmat suits - and surrounded by a circle of police in riot gear, some holding guns

Four masked suspects in hazmat suits - carrying placards displaying their photos and names - were paraded Tuesday in front of a large crowd in Guangxi region's Jingxi city

China banned such public shaming of criminal suspects in 2010 after decades of campaigning by human rights activists, but the practice has resurfaced as local governments struggle to enforce the national zero-Covid policy

It comes as locked-down residents in one of China 's biggest cities say they are at risk of starving in their homes. Officials running the city of Xi'an on Monday told 13 million people they are only allowed out of their homes when invited to take part in a new round of mass testing, or for medical emergencies (pictured: A medical worker reaches through protective gloves as she administers a nucleic acid test at a private outdoor clinic on December 27, 2021 in Beijing)

The four individuals paraded through the streets of Jingxi city were also accused of transporting illegal migrants while China's borders remain largely closed due to the pandemic, Guangxi News said.

Jingxi is near the Chinese border with Vietnam.

The newspaper said the parade provided a 'real-life warning' to the public, and 'deterred border-related crimes'.

But it also led to a backlash, with official outlets and social media users criticising the heavy handed approach.

Although Jingxi is 'under tremendous pressure' to prevent imported coronavirus cases, 'the measure seriously violates the spirit of the rule of law and cannot be allowed to happen again,' Chinese Communist Party-affiliated Beijing News said Wednesday.

Other suspects accused of illicit smuggling and human trafficking have also been paraded in recent months, according to reports on the Jingxi government website.

Videos of a similar parade in November showed a crowd of people watching two prisoners being held while a local official read out their crimes on a microphone.

They were then seen marching through the streets in their hazmat suits, flanked by police in riot gear.

Meanwhile, officials in the city of Xi'an on Monday told 13 million people they are only allowed out of their homes when invited to take part in a new round of mass testing, or for medical emergencies.

Previously, one member of each household was allowed out once every two days to buy food. City officials said people in 'low risk' areas will be allowed out to buy essentials once testing is complete and if their results are negative.

The tightened lockdown measures prompted some Xi'an residents to turn to social media for help, saying they are 'starving' and appealing to neighbours for supplies.

'I'm about to be starved to death,' wrote one person on Weibo, China's equivalent of Facebook. 'There's no food, my housing compound won't let me out, and I'm about to run out of instant noodles ... please help!'

'I don't want to hear any more about how everything is fine,' said another. 'So what if supplies are so abundant - they're useless if you don't actually give them to people.'

Medical workers in protective suits collect swabs from residents at a nucleic acid testing site during a third round of mass testing following cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Yuncheng's Jishan county, Shanxi province, China December 29, 2021

Xi'an on Tuesday reported 175 Covid cases, its highest toll of the current outbreak, pushing up China's seven-day average of cases to its highest level this year (pictured above)

Xi'an reported 175 new cases on Tuesday, a paltry figure compared to other large cities around the world but a major blow to China which is continuing to pursue a 'zero Covid' strategy even in the face of more-infectious variants.

Nearby cities have also logged cases linked to the flare-up, with Yan'an - about 185 miles from Xi'an - on Tuesday shuttering businesses and ordering hundreds of thousands of people in one district to stay indoors.

Xi'an's outbreak is being driven by the Delta variant and is believed to be linked to travel to Pakistan a week ago.

The city has been in lockdown since last Thursday when mass testing revealed a case had escaped quarantine and then spread the virus widely.

So-far this month, Xi'an has reported 810 Covid cases - China's largest outbreak since the virus first emerged in Wuhan.

The 13million-person lockdown is also China's largest since Wuhan was locked down early in 2020, which affected 11 million people.

On Sunday, city workers were dispatched to disinfect public spaces with residents warned not to touch anything until the chemicals had time to disperse.

Lockdown rules were then tightened on Monday evening as a fifth round of mass testing got underway.
China is deploying machinegun-carrying robots to its western desert regions amid a standoff with India because troops are struggling with the high-altitude conditions, it has been claimed.

Dozens of unmanned vehicles capable of carrying both weapons and supplies are being sent to Tibet, Indian media reports, with the majority deployed in border regions where Chinese troops are locked into a standoff with Indian soldiers.

Vehicles include the Sharp Claw, which is mounted with a light machinegun and can be operated wirelessly, and the Mule-200, which is designed as an unmanned supply vehicle but can also be fitted with weapons.

China has deployed dozens of Sharp Claw fighting vehicles to its border region with India, it is claimed, which are fitted with light machineguns

Beijing has also sent Mule-200 transport vehicles to the area, after Chinese troops struggled to operate in punishing high-altitude conditions

Beijing has sent 88 Sharp Claws to Tibet, which borders India high in the Himalayas, of which 38 are deployed to the border region, Times News Now has claimed.

Some 120 Mule-200s have also been sent to Tibet, News Now reports, with a majority of them deployed to the border area.

In addition to the unmanned vehicles, China has also bolstered its forces with 70 VP-22 armoured troop transports, 47 of which are in border zones.

Another 150 Lynx all-terrain vehicles have also been sent to the border.

The Lynx is hugely versatile, and can be used to transport small numbers of troops or mounted with various weapon systems including howitzers, heavy machine guns, mortars or missile launchers.

Beijing deployed the vehicles after state media previously reported that soldiers had been fitted with exoskeleton suits to help them cope with carrying supplies at punishing altitudes.

Soldiers were given carbon-fibre exoskeletons to relieve the pressure on their legs and ankles while carrying heavy equipment and supplies 16,000ft above sea level.

Troops had been struggling because a lack of oxygen at that altitude makes loads feel heavier while soldiers also tire more easily.

'This kind of suit is particularly helpful at high altitudes,' a military expert told the Global Times in December last year.

China and India have fought an on-off conflict in their border region for decades along what is known as the 'line of control'.

China and India have fought an on-off conflict over their Himalayan border for decades, but tensions ramped up last year after a series of clashes left dozens of solders dead

The border region is very dry, remote, largely inhospitable and has little practical value, but control of it is a hugely symbolic issue for both sides

The region - which is extremely dry, remote, and largely inhospitable - has little practical value beyond a few trading routes that criss-cross its deserts, but holds symbolic meaning for both sides which are keen to display dominance.

Tensions ramped up in 2020 as hand-to-hand fighting broke out between Chinese and Indian troops, with dozens killed in skirmishes fought with melee weapons including nail-studded clubs.

China accused India of provoking its troops, while India accused Beijing of attempting to re-draw the border and encroaching on its territory.

Satellite images seemed to back India's claims, showing new Chinese constructions in disputed areas.

The clashes sparked a diplomatic back-and-forth between Beijing and Delhi, with India cutting some trade ties and banning Chinese phone apps.

In June last year China began dismantling some structures in disputed zones which eased tensions, though the region remains on high alert for further clashes.

It comes against the backdrop of a wider military buildup by China that has seen it take an increasingly belligerent stance with its neighbours, especially Taiwan.

Fears that Xi Jinping may order an invasion of the island has prompted America - a close ally of Taiwan's government - to forge new alliances in the region including with India to counter-balance Beijing's growing strength.

Japan and Australia have also deepened their military ties with Washington, fearing that they may be dragged into any conflict in the region.
A British teacher has lost the use of her legs and hands after falling 20ft when a balcony collapsed during an end-of-term party in Thailand.

Jill Dodds, 47, is originally from Morpeth but moved to Thailand six years ago and tried to take a picture on the balcony at the December 18 party.

She leaned on a fence which gave way, causing her to plummet to the ground, sustaining serious spinal injuries.

Her family are now appealing for help to bring her home and they do not know yet what the long-term implications of her injuries are, with doctors saying she will not walk for at least two years.

Another person involved in the incident sustained a broken collar bone.

A British teacher has lost the use of her legs and hands after falling 20ft when a balcony collapsed during an end-of-term party in Thailand

Her family are now appealing for help to bring her home and they do not know yet what the long-term implications of her injuries are

One of Jill's vertebrae was crushed while another was fractured leaving her with no movement in her legs and no use of her hands and fingers, meaning she needs full-time care.

Her family is desperately trying to raise as much money as possible to get Jill back to the north-east as soon as she is fit enough to travel.

Sister Katie Breeze, 39, said she felt 'numb' after hearing the news, with the situation being made more difficult by Jill being so far away.

She said: 'I felt really numb at first, it was just unbelievable. We just feel helpless at the moment. We've been talking to Jill as much as we can but it's hard being this far away.'

Katie said: 'It was an end-of-term party through the day, and at about 2pm they were taking pictures.

Her family is desperately trying to raise as much money as possible to get Jill back to the north-east as soon as she is fit enough to travel. Pictured with her mother

'As they leaned on the fence, the fence gave way, another person fell and broke her collar bone and Jill was seriously hurt. She fell about 20 feet down damaging two of her vertebrae. One was crushed and one was fractured.

'She has no mobility from the waist down, no feeling in her legs, she can't use her hands, she can't move her wrists.

'She can't hold anything, she has to be spoon-fed and she needs a straw to drink but she can talk and move her head.'

Katie said Jill's health insurance covered a trip in the ambulance and her stay in ICU at a private hospital.

But her coverage has now been used up and she has been moved to a government hospital.

She said: 'At the moment she is in a Thai government hospital, she's been there about a week.

One of Jill's vertebrae was crushed while another was fractured leaving her with no movement in her legs and no use of her hands and fingers

'She had an operation where metal rods were inserted to take some of the pressure off her nerves.

'They don't know about long-term damage at the moment. We were initially told it would take two years before she would be walking again but we just don't know.'

Jill's friends and work colleagues have rallied around the popular teacher, visiting her in hospital and even looking after her two dogs as well as keeping loved ones back home informed.

Katie said: 'We're in contact with her friends over there and people she works with who have been great. They are trying to explain everything to us as we don't know what kind of care she's getting, we want to get her home as soon as she's able to travel.

'We were told after her operation she would need to be in hospital for at least two weeks and it would be six weeks until she would be fit to travel.'

Jill's friends even brought her a Christmas dinner to help boost morale.

Jill's friends and work colleagues have rallied around the popular teacher, visiting her in hospital and even looking after her two dogs

Katie said: 'She's pretty down, she's lucky she has a lot of people around her doing what they can to help her.

'When she doesn't have her friends, she's on her own for hours not able to do anything for herself which is really getting her down. A couple of her friends also brought her a Christmas dinner which was lovely.'

Katie added: 'She was putting things in place to move back home but because of Covid, it kept getting put back. We hoped she was going to be home for Easter.'

A friend of the family, Leigh Hawkes, set up a Go Fund Me page on behalf of Jill's sisters Katie and Nicola with the money raised going towards hospital bills and getting Jill home.

Katie said the family is 'overwhelmed' by the support they have received so far with more than 11,000 already raised in just a few days .

She said: 'The fundraising page really took off from Facebook because people were sharing it, we're just overwhelmed with the response we've had.

'It's been really surprising how many people have helped us even people we don't know and all the messages we've had. Everything helps.

'It's all girls in our family. Our mum had three girls me, Jill, and our other sister Nicola who has two girls, and I also have two girls so Jill has four nieces. We're all really close.

'We're just taking every day as it comes.'

The family is not sure how much money will be needed so are trying to raise as much as possible.

If you would like to donate, you can do so here.
The West is 'sleepwalking into the biggest humanitarian crisis of our times' following the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Gordon Brown warned today.

The former prime minister called on the global community to commit to the 'largest humanitarian response ever agreed for a single nation' as he warned the country is 'on the brink of economic and social collapse'.

Mr Brown said more than half of the Afghan population is facing extreme hunger, including a million children who are at risk of starving to death.

Afghanistan's economy was heavily reliant on western aid, which has now been withdrawn. It has also been cut off from the global financial system, meaning banks cannot borrow from abroad or access their foreign reserves.

The Afghan banking system is now almost entirely frozen, with customers unable to withdraw cash from ATMs, while the cash crisis has been exacerbated by the Taliban banning foreign money despite much of the economy running on dollars.

All these problems have been compounded by one of the worst droughts in living memory.

Gordon Brown called on the global community to commit to the 'largest humanitarian response ever agreed for a single nation' as he warned the country is 'on the brink of economic and social collapse'

Afghan women rally to demand jobs, food, education and better living conditions under the Taliban rule during a protest in Kabul yesterday

Brown's controversies: Questions raised over claim West's hoarding is behind poor world's jab crisis as Nigeria INCINERATES 1m doses Gordon Brown claimed in a recent interview that the West's 'failure' to distribute vaccines to poorer countries was a 'stain on our global soul' and one of the 'greatest policy failures of our times'. But within days of his intervention, it emerged Nigeria had incinerated more than a million doses of Covid vaccine that had been donated by developed countries several months ago and had since passed their expiry dates. Africa's most populous country has so far fully vaccinated four million people - less than three percent of the adult population and well short of the government's target of 112 million people by the end of next year. Experts have suggested low vaccination rates in some African countries is more the result of vaccine hesitancy stifling demand. South Africa's deputy director-general of the Department of Health Dr Nicholas Crisp said the country has 'plenty of vaccine and capacity but hesitancy is a challenge'. Mr Brown has been involved in a string of other controversies during his political career. While serving as Tony Blair's chancellor, he sold 60% of the UK's gold reserves shortly before gold entered a protracted bull market. The sales raised approximately 2.6billion, but by 2011 that quantity of gold would be worth around 14bn, leading to Brown's decision being roundly criticised. Mr Brown was also a vocal backer of the Iraq War. It later emerged that the case for war had been made with flawed intelligence reports suggesting Saddam Hussain possessed weapons of mass destruction. It took years before he would accept he had made a mistake, but he tried to place the blame on the Americans by suggesting the UK had been 'misled' about the dictator's capabilities. Advertisement

Mr Brown pointed to UN and International Monetary Fund predictions that the Afghanistan economy will contract by 20 to 30% over the next year - a figure he dubbed 'unprecedented'.

'No country in recent times is suffering from such 'universal poverty' in the way that Afghanistan may do,' Mr Brown wrote on Times Red Box.

'It is ironic that when the whole international community is pledged to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals - to free all the world from absolute poverty this decade - almost every citizen of Afghanistan will be condemned to that dire fate.

'Instead of no absolute poverty in any country, we will have the horror of practically an entire country living in absolute poverty.'

Mr Brown said the effects of Afghanistan's poverty crisis could be felt as far away as Europe as thousands of Afghans are faced with the choice of starvation or emigration.

He also warned that by 'standing aside' since the August withdrawal, the West was fostering conditions for 'the exploitation of grievances and anti-western resentment that may come back to haunt us'.

In order to most immediately address the crisis, Mr Brown called on global support for a 4.5 billion dollar (3.3 billion) plan from the UN Office for Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which would provide assistance to 22 million of the most vulnerable Afghans.

Mr Brown said: 'It cost America trillions to fight the war in Afghanistan. It is not beyond our capacity to find 4 billion dollars to prevent starvation amid this uneasy peace.

'This tragedy foretold cannot be a tragedy unresolved.'

The scale of Afghanistan's food crisis has been revealed in a series of horrifying accounts that have emerged from the country since the Taliban takeover.

Earlier this month, a 40-year-old mother was forced to sell one of her newborn twins to a childless couple in return for $104 in the hope it would buy enough food to last her family for another six months.

Drought had forced the couple off of their farm and into a nearby city, where her husband and second-eldest son worked as labourers before the Taliban take-over in August collapsed Afghanistan's economy and work dried up.

This family's plight was uncovered by Save the Children, which still has workers on the ground who are distributing what food they have to those in need.

The women at yesterday's protest held banners reading 'we are the voice of hungry people' and 'consciences are silent'

Afghan evacuees wait to board a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during the airlift out of Hamid Karzai International Airport

Tortured by the Taliban for helping SAS troops: Afghan translator abused with stun gun by captors By David Williams and Mark Nicol for the Daily Mail A former interpreter for UK Special Forces has been captured and tortured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Wahid, who was trapped in the country when the RAF evacuation ended, is now in fear for his life. The 34-year-old Afghan said he believed he would be murdered after fighters questioning him searched his phone and found emails applying for relocation to the UK, military certificates showing he had worked for the British and evidence of regular contact with colleagues in Britain. Former interpreter Wahid, 34, shows the scars of where he was tortured and beaten by the Taliban because of his work for UK forces Wahid, who has survived previous Taliban attacks on his home, added: 'They already had intelligence I helped their enemy. They bound my hands and hooded me at one stage, then began to beat me as they asked questions. 'When they did not receive the answers they wanted their men used an electric stick to give me shocks and a stun gun on my neck to cause pain. It was terrifying.' The ex-interpreter, who has been in hiding since the Operation Pitting rescue flights ended in August, believes he was released only because he had been able to alert his wife and she had gone to tribal elders and the district governor to plead for him to be freed. Advertisement

Speaking to the charity workers, the Afghan mother, from Jawzjan province, explained that she had given birth to the twins - a boy and a girl - around four or five months ago, shortly after leaving their farm due to drought.

Sitting in a bare room carpeted in rugs donated by a local mosque, the woman said that all of the children's clothes are secondhand and donated by locals.

She had initially planned to keep both children, but was barely able to get hold of enough food for even one of them - typically bread, and sometimes milk powder.

Her husband, 45, works as a labourer but says there are only enough jobs for one day of work in five - and the day's wages, around $1, are enough for just two days of food.

The second-eldest son also works in the nearby market, the mother said, pushing carts that stall owners use to carry their produce.

But because he is young, owners often prefer to use stronger children and he frequently goes without work as well.

With the new babies crying continually from hunger, the woman says a childless couple approached her and offered $104 to take her newborn son away.

Initially she refused, but after several days of seeing the boy cry with nothing to eat - she decided that giving him away was the best option to provide for him and for her remaining children.

She said: 'It was hard. Harder than you can imagine. I gave my child away because of destitution... I was unable to take care of him and I could not afford anything.'

Workers also learned of a second case where another mother of twins was pressured by her family to leave one of them to die because she was suffering from malnutrition - but she refused to give up on the girl.

The woman's 18-month-old twins are both unwell and weak. With the weather getting colder and the little ones suffering from severe malnutrition, the woman explained she can't afford to care for her children as a single parent.

'My son and my daughter cried all last night because they were hungry. We have nothing in my house. We have no food, no flour, we have nothing,' she said.

'My husband doesn't send us money. (He says) 'let her die'. Everyone was telling me, 'We will buy her', but I didn't give her up.'

Save the Children estimates that 3.2million young Afghans will be facing acute malnutrition before the winter's end.
A teenager has been charged with the murder of a 14-year-old schoolboy who was stabbed to death in a mass brawl outside a train station.

Jermaine Cools died from multiple knife wounds after a large fight near West Croydon station in south London just after 6.30pm last month.

Detectives yesterday confirmed another schoolboy, aged 16, was arrested on suspicion of his murder yesterday.

The suspect has since been charged with the murder and possession of an offensive weapon. after being quizzed by investigators.

Jermaine Cools (pictured) died from multiple knife wounds after a large fight near West Croydon station in south London just after 6.30pm last month

When police arrived at the scene of the fight on November 18, no injured victims were found, but around half-an-hour later Jermaine turned up at hospital in a life-threatening condition.

He made his own way to a hospital in south London just after 7pm suffering from a series of stab injuries and despite the efforts of doctors to save him, he died a short time later, police said.

A post-mortem examination revealed Jermaine's cause of death as multiple stab wounds, the Met Police said.

Police also today appealed for the public to send detectives any footage and pictures of the brawl - content can be handed over anonymously via the Met Police website.

A spokesman for the force said: 'Police investigating the murder of 14-year-old Jermaine Cools in Croydon have made an arrest.

'The 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday, December 27 - he remains in custody at a south London police station.

When police arrived at the scene of the fight on November 18, no injured victims were found, but around half-an-hour later Jermaine (pictured) turned up at hospital in a life-threatening condition

Police also today appealed for the public to send detectives any footage and pictures of the brawl (pictured: The scene after the brawl)

'An investigation was launched after police were called to London Road, close to West Croydon Railway Station, at 6:41pm on Thursday, November 18, to reports of a fight involving a number of people.

'Shortly after 7pm, police attended a south London hospital after a 14-year-old boy self-presented with stab wounds.

'Despite the efforts of doctors at the hospital, the boy died a short time later.

'The boy was later formally identified as 14-year-old Jermaine Cools. A post-mortem examination gave Jermaine's cause of death as multiple stab wounds..'

Any witnesses or anyone with any information can call police on 101, quoting reference CAD 6179/18Nov, tweet @MetCC, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Australians can score a full-time job with no resume, no reference, no experience and no background checks by simply answering three basic questions - including whether they can legally work Down Under.

The Body Shop is a global cosmetic and skincare company is using open hiring to source their employees hiring people on 'their potential, not their history'.

Michelle Nolan, Head of Inclusion and Belonging at the brand said the approach allows people with limited work experience or education to get a foot in the door.

Tenille Furze (pictured) has spent the last several years caring for her autistic brother so didn't have the same skills or experience others did her own age

'We actually hire people based on first-in, best-dressed, there's no resume required,' Ms Nolan told A Current Affair.

The program allows people who may be a carer to a sick or disabled loved one, have a criminal record or limited education to land full-time job as a retail assistant.

Ms Nolan said there were a few 'interest groups' the brand was keen to give an opportunity including First Nations peoples, young carers, people experiencing homelessness or single parents.

Tenille Furze is one of thousands of job-seekers who landed a role straight out of high school after hearing about the program through charity Little Dreamers.

The Body Shop recently partnered with the NGO, which works to improve the quality of life for families supporting a sick or disabled loved one.

Michelle Nolan (pictured), Head of Inclusion and Belonging at the brand said the approach allows people with limited work experience or education to get a foot in the door

The Body Shop is a global cosmetic and skincare company that relies on open hiring to source their employees hiring people on 'their potential, not their history'

THREE SIMPLE QUESTIONS 1. Are you legally authorised to work in Australia? 2. Can you lift up to 11kgs and work an eight-hour shift in one day? 3. Are you happy to work in a customer-facing role? Advertisement

'I got a call from the state manager a couple weeks after that and she said "did you want a job?" and I said "of course I would", Ms Furze said.

The high school graduate has spent several years caring for her autistic brother so wasn't able to garner the same skills or experience of others the same age.

'It makes me feel empowered that a company cares enough about me to overlook some of my challenges,' she said.

Ms Nolan said the company's approach had been well-received and was a breath of fresh air compared to traditional employment processes.

The concept of open hiring was first launched by New York-based company Greyston Bakery which hired people with no drug or background checks.

The business aimed to give back to its local community by hiring people without the need for strict criteria, a resume, or drug or background checks.

The brand instead asks three questions of their potential employees: can you legally work in Australia, lift 11kg and work eight hours and work with customers (pictured, one of the company's young workers)

The Body Shop tested the hiring approach North America before introducing it to stores in the UK, Canada and Australia

The brand instead asks three questions of their potential employees: can you legally work in Australia, lift 11kg and work eight hours and are you happy to work with customers.

The Body Shop tested the hiring approach North America before introducing it to stores in the UK, Canada and Australia.

Aristea Havelas, 20, is the latest to join the successful program and is proudly working as a retail assistant in Melbourne's western suburbs.

'This is a first job for me so I didn't need any prior experience whatsoever,' she said.

'Definitely more companies should take on board what The Body Shop is doing.'

The company is now advising other businesses on the merits of open hiring as many experience skill shortages as a result of the pandemic.

The company is now advising other businesses on the merits of open hiring as many experience skill shortages as a result of the pandemic

The closing of the international border saw thousands of skilled workers, international students and backpackers able to find new opportunities.

Ms Nolan told the Australian HR Institute that the results of open hiring saw positive outcomes for both the employee and the employer.

'The results are really interesting They show a higher retention rate, higher loyalty rate and greater productivity,' she said.

She said the retention rates are higher because traditionally some of the workers had found getting employment more difficult.

'So when they do get one, they hold onto the job, whereas a typical Christmas casual can ride in and ride out,' she explained.
Covid lateral flow tests may be less effective at detecting Omicron, US health chiefs have warned.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said new laboratory findings indicated the rapid kits  which give results in as little as 15 minutes  could still spot the highly-infectious variant.

But bosses warned they may have reduced sensitivity, meaning they could wrongly tell more infected people they are free of the virus.

Doubts over the tests come as ministers and health officials in the UK urge people to take a lateral flow test before going out to meet people in an attempt to reduce the chances of people unknowingly passing the virus on to others.

Scores of Britons have complained over the Christmas period that they received a negative lateral flow result only later to test PCR positive.

But the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has insisted that data shows lateral flow tests are just effective at detecting Omicron.

Lateral flow test kits, like the one pictured above are a cornerstone of the Westminster Government's plans to keep venues like nightclubs and pubs open with ministers urging revelers to take one before heading out to meet others in case they have Covid

The number of lateral flow tests taken in England has risen significantly since the start if December with the 1million mark being breached multiple times as officials urged people to take a test before meeting others

A woman named Angela was one of numerous Britons who have detailed a case where a family member tested negative on a lateral flow test but later positive on a PCR test

Rose Bateman was another, who found herself with a negative result using a latera flow test for Covid but tested positive using a PCR tests later on the same day

Roy from the Hampshire and Surrey Border area claimed to have two family members receive the opposite result of their lateral flow test when later taking a PCR test

Home delivery rapid tests are unavailable for third day - as ministers say take a lateral flow before going out Pharmacists have called for urgent action to improve the supply of lateral flow tests as they say they are being forced to turn people empty-handed. The Government has advised people to take lateral flow tests before they socialise after confirming on Monday that no new Covid restrictions would be brought in for New Year's Eve festivities. But the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies says people are being turned away every five minutes due to 'patchy' supply and said it was frustrating that chemists it represented were having to wait several days for each delivery. The UK Health Security Agency said it was facing 'unprecedented demand' for the tests but insisted it had doubled its capacity since mid December. It comes as lateral flow tests are unavailable for home delivery for a third day running meaning some families will be unable to test ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations this weekend. The Government's website states it is not possible to order lateral flow testing kits for home delivery with a message stating: 'Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for rapid lateral flow tests right now. 'You may still be able to pick up rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy or collection point, where these are available. Only pick up tests if you do not have symptoms.' Pharmacies across the country have reported shortages of LFTs and many are unable to replenish their kits as the supply chain has been affected by Christmas and New Year holidays. Some pharmacies reported they have not had stock since last Monday and it could take three days for new supplies to arrive. Advertisement

The FDA's statement was based on early data from new laboratory tests involving live samples of the the Omicron virus.

Like the UKHSA, the US agency has been analysing whether lateral flows are just as effective at detecting new Covid variants.

The FDA previously tested the accuracy of the tests using samples of dead Omicron virus, and found they were just as effective.

But now lab tests using live samples of the virus have raised fresh doubts about their accuracy.

'Early data suggests that antigen tests do detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity,' they said.

However, the FDA is still advising people to use lateral flow tests, saying the findings are still at an early stage.

'It is important to note that these laboratory data are not a replacement for clinical study evaluations using patient samples with live virus, which are ongoing,' it said.

'The FDA continues to authorize the use of these tests as directed in the authorized labeling and individuals should continue to use them in accordance with the instructions included with the tests.'

No data on how less sensitive lateral flow tests may be at detecting Omicron or how many samples of the virus were tested was detailed in the FDA announcement.

Lateral flow tests are a key cornerstone of the UK Government's plans to keep the hospitality sector open in England over the festive period with officials urging people to take a test before heading out to meet others.

But numerous Britons have cast doubts over if lateral flow tests are accurate enough in recent days following officials advocating for their regular use over the festive period.

One mother described how her son had received five negative lateral flow test but later tested positive on a PCR test.

'My son has had a positive Covid PCR test, despite five lateral flow tests showing he's negative. He has all the symptoms of Omicron and feels pretty rough - he's 25 and super fit,' she said.

Roy, from Hampshire, also said he had two cases in his family where lateral flow tests had not been accurate.

'So in the last few days my son had a negative lateral flow test but a positive PCR as he felt a bit chesty. My son-in-law had a positive natural flow test but a negative PCR,' he said.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed 129,471 people tested positive in England over the last 24 hours, up 43 per cent on last week's figure of 90,629  which included case numbers for the other home nations as well

How to do a rapid lateral flow test Rapid lateral flow tests are for people who do not have Covid symptoms, such as a high temperature, a cough or a loss or change to smell or taste. The tests give a quick result using a device similar to a pregnancy test. People with Covid symptoms should do a PCR test. Before doing a rapid lateral flow test the NHS advises: try not to eat, drink, smoke or vape 30 minutes before doing the test as this may affect the result

read the instructions carefully

clean the surface you're putting the test on

check nothing in the test kit is damaged or broken

start the test within 30 minutes of opening the test kit If your test requires a throat swab: open your mouth wide and rub the swab over your tonsils (or where they would have been)

avoid the end of the swab touching your teeth, tongue and gums

put the same swab inside your nose (about 2.5 cm up or until you feel some resistance) If your test requires a nose swab only: put the swab inside your nose (about 2.5 cm up) Completing the test: put the end of the swab into the tube so it's in the liquid

squeeze the liquid from the tube onto the test strip

check the waiting time in the instructions that came with your test kit

wait for the time shown in your test kit instructions

read your result

report your result on the Government website Advertisement

And single mother Rose Bateman also detailed her experience: 'I tested negative on a lateral flow the morning I took my positive PCR test two hours later, as I had some cold symptoms.'

When contacted by MailOnline about the FDA's findings, UKHSA referred to data published earlier this month demonstrating that lateral flow tests were just as accurate at detecting Omicron as they were with previous variants.

In its tests the UKHSA used the five lateral flow testing brands dished out by the NHS on samples from patients infected with Omicron.

All of the tests showed a positive result for each patient, even when their sample was diluted, showing the devices have 'a comparable sensitivity to that observed for previous strains' of Covid, the UKHSA said.

However, at the time, the UKHSA said it was monitoring how well the tests perform in the real world to ensure their sensitivity is not 'significantly reduced' when people swab themselves.

The tests, which can tell if someone is infected in as little as 15 minutes, report positive results by detecting the virus's nucleocapsid protein.

But this part of Omicrons cell has four mutations, which has raised concerns that the test could be less effective.

Fears about the accuracy of lateral flow tests and Omicron were first raised by South African experts, where Omicron was first identified.

Dr Angelique Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical Association, told MPs on the Science and Technology Committee: 'The rapid test still showing false negatives in the early period.

'We do have patients that waited a week and still have a headache and then they do PCR and it's positive.'

But despite being urged to take lateral flow tests before meeting up Britons are having increasing trouble securing a supply as the number of kits available dwindles.

Today, pharmacists called for urgent action to improve the supply of lateral flow tests, stating they are being forced to turn people away empty-handed.

The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies says people are being turned away every five minutes due to 'patchy' supply.

And it said it was frustrating that chemists it represented were having to wait several days for each delivery.

The UK Health Security Agency said it was facing 'unprecedented demand' for the tests but insisted it had doubled its capacity since mid December.
A Church of England priest who protested at the consecration of the first female bishop has lost a claim of religious discrimination at a tribunal after he claimed he was forced to retire because he believes women shouldn't be ordained.

Reverend Paul Williamson, 72, claimed he was forced to retire aged 70 - as is common practice in the Church of England - because of his unpopular view.

His notorious campaign against women being ordained dates back 25 years when in 1997 he tried to sue the dean and chapter of St Paul's Cathedral for appointing a female minor canon.

In 2015 the priest publicly interrupted the ordination of Libby Lane - England's first female bishop - at York Minster to object to it, shouting that it was 'not in the bible' and that it was an 'absolute impediment'.

Now, Rev Williamson has lost his second employment tribunal after he was forced to retire from his post as priest of St George's Church, Hanworth, London.

Rev Williamson, 72, first lost an age discrimination case in 2019 after he was retired at 70. All priests retire at 70 under Church of England rules unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Rev Paul Williamson, a Church of England priest who claimed he was forced out of his post due to his controversial belief that women shouldn't be ordained has lost a religious discrimination case - his second bid to claim he was forced to retire at the age of 70 because of discrimination

Rev Williamson interrupted the service where Rev Libby Lane was being ordained as a Bishop

Protesting priest shouting 'Not in the Bible' disrupted consecration of first female bishop in the Church of England The consecration of the first woman bishop in the history of the Church of England was disrupted by protesting vicar Rev Paul Williamson in January 2015. The Reverend Libby Lane became the Bishop of Stockport in a service conducted by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu at York Minster. The historic event was briefly interrupted by the appearance of ultra-conservative priest Rev Paul Williamson shouting 'Not in the Bible' as she was presented to the congregation. A Church of England spokesman described him as a 'serial protester' who had been expected to attend. He said: 'He's got the right to protest but the contrast was between a lone voice protesting and a sea of voices affirming.' Mrs Lane, an Oxford-educated mother of two, was appointed as a bishop last month, in a historic move which ends five centuries of all-male leadership in the church. That announcement came just weeks after the General Synod formally adopted legislation allowing women to take the role, following years of furious debate on the issue. Advertisement

Despite losing the case, he has now tried to bring the same claims in addition to allegations of religious discrimination.

'[Rev Williamson] believed that he was being discriminated against on grounds of his religious beliefs regarding the ordination of women into the clergy', a tribunal report said.

The Watford employment tribunal was told: '[Rev Williamson] considers that the ordination of women into the clergy is not consistent with biblical doctrine.

'Historically, he has pursued a number of legal challenges as a consequence of this belief.'

The tribunal heard Rev Williamson requested to continue working past his 70th birthday in November 2018, however the Bishop of London decided only to extend his service until April 2019.

In early 2019 the tribunal heard Rev Williamson was 'distressed' by thoughts concerning his impending retirement and sought mental health support from his GP.

He was diagnosed as suffering from stress and was prescribed antidepressants - but declined counselling - and concerns were raised about him expressing 'suicidal thoughts'.

Rev Williamson lost his latest case because his religious discrimination claims were lodged 10 months too late - with a panel questioning why he didn't raise them as part of his first tribunal.

The tribunal panel said: 'The second claim, as reformulated, includes a new complaint of religious discrimination which did not appear in the first claim.

'It is clear that Rev Williamson was of the view, before the first claim was filed, that the refusal to extend his service was motivated by his religious beliefs regarding the ordination of women.

'Despite this, he and his representatives apparently decided not to include these matters in the first claim. There is no reason why these matters could not have been included when the first claim was filed.'

Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu (L) and the Rev Libby Lane take part in a consecration service where she became the eighth Bishop of Stockport at York Minster on January 26, 2015

Rev Williamson was first ordained as a deacon in 1972 and as a priest the following year. He served as priest St George's in Hanworth since 1992.

Rev Williamson is notorious for his opposition to the ordination of women to the priesthood.

He hit headlines in 2015 when t he Reverend Libby Lane became the Bishop of Stockport in a service conducted by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu.

The historic event was briefly interrupted by the appearance of Rev Paul Williamson, shouting 'Not in the Bible' as she was presented to the congregation at York Minster.

At the time, a Church of England spokesman described him as a 'serial protester' who had been expected to attend.

He said: 'He's got the right to protest but the contrast was between a lone voice protesting and a sea of voices affirming.'

Rev Williamson was declared a 'vexatious litigant' by the High Court the same year he tried to sue the dean and chapter of St Paul's Cathedral, as a result of his continued legal challenges.

He also protested against the legality of Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla in 2005.
Kim Jong Un is looking slimmer than ever in new photos released by state media yesterday.

The North Korean leader, 37, appeared noticeably trim in the photos released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), which were taken during a key ruling party meeting - a forum he has previously used to make major New Year policy announcements.

The meeting, in which government officials discussed 'guiding the struggle of our Party and people to the next stage of victory', comes as North Korea grapples with compounding economic crises caused by Covid lockdowns, sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme and natural disasters.

It also comes as North Korea marks the 10th anniversary of Kim assuming supreme command of the military after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011.

Government authorities have insisted the despot is eating less 'for the sake of the country' as it grapples with severe food shortages and claimed Kim is healthy, after speculation about Kim's health started earlier this year amid news he had shed over 40lbs.

It comes after state TV said Kim's 'emaciated' condition was 'breaking our people's hearts', despite many of North Korea's 25 million inhabitants battling countrywide starvation and systemic oppression.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pictured looking noticeably slimmer during a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party in this photo released on December 28, 2021 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un looks considerably larger in these photos (left, dated January 1, 2019 // right, dated March 6, 2020)

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, attends a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government

South Korea's spy agency reported Kim (pictured in 2018) had bulked up to 285 pounds, having piled on considerable weight since taking power in 2011 'binging on food and drink'. State media attributes his weight loss to 'eating less to help the country'

KCNA said Tuesday that leader Kim Jong Un presided over a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party, but did not give any remarks made by Kim at the meeting from which journalists were barred.

'The plenary meeting is to review the implementation of main Party and state policies for the year 2021,' the report said.

The meeting would also discuss and decide on strategic and tactical policies and practical steps for 'dynamically guiding the struggle of our Party and people to usher in a new period of the development of socialist construction to the next stage of victory,' KCNA said.

The impoverished, nuclear-armed country has been hit by severe flooding in recent years which has left families without homes and is currently tackling a food crisis as the nation struggles to feed itself amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kim in October told his citizens that they must expect to eat less food until the country re-opens its border with China in 2025, despite the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization estimating that North Korea is short around 860,000 tons of food this year alone.

A North Korean resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: 'Telling us to endure hardship until 2025 is the same as telling us to starve to death'.

A second source claimed that the North Korean government is attempting to spin the food shortages as a result of their effective Covid-19 strategy, which they say has worked well.

The government has blamed external factors for their food shortages though, citing sanctions imposed on them, natural disasters and the global coronavirus pandemic.

State media and government officials have said that Kim Jong Un's apparent weight loss is symptomatic of his desire to 'eat less to help the country' amid the food shortages, and in August banned citizens from discussing it, labelling gossip as a 'reactionary act'.

Analysts say the remarks showed authorities were seeking to use the change to Kim's weight to reinforce loyalty to the regime in desperate times.

Rumours that his weight loss could be a result of an illness were sparked earlier this year, but reignited in November after a slimmer Kim made his first public appearance in over a month - the longest absence in seven years from public glare.

An undated photo shows a severely overweight Kim Jong Un smiling as he is surrounded by hysterical female soldiers

Kim in October told his citizens that they must expect to eat less food until the country re-opens its border with China in 2025, despite the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization estimating that North Korea is short around 860,000 tons of food this year alone (undated photo of Kim Jong Un)

People bow during a three minutes silence to pay their respects towards portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, to mark the ten year anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il, the father of current leader Kim Jong Un, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on December 17, 2021.

Last year, North Korea suffered severe flooding which damaged vital crops and left hundreds of families without homes. This year, crops were also damaged by droughts and subsequent flooding.

It remains to be seen whether the country's dire food shortages will factor into any decisions taken at this week's plenary meeting, which could last for days.

Kim has often made major policy announcements around the New Year, including in 2018 when he announced a delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea, and in 2019, when he discussed his desire to continue talks with then-U.S. President Donald Trump.

Since his father and longtime ruler Kim Jong Il's death in December 2011, Kim Jong Un has established absolute power at home and fortified North Korea's nuclear and missile arsenals.
Insulate Britain activists who have ground major roads to a halt this year have pledged to continue their disruptive protests into 2022.

It emerged last night that stunts by the group, which demands the Government insulates all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions, cost police at least 4.3million.

Such a figure would be enough to insulate about 3,500 homes around the country.

Today, the group was urged by LBC host Andrew Castle not to continue its protests into the new year.

He told campaigner Zoe Cohen: 'Don't come back. Don't inconvenience people because someone is going to get killed or run over, and that is a serious concern. Don't do it.'

Ms Cohen did not confirm or deny the group's plans when quizzed, but insisted that supporters 'are getting together to decide what to do next'.

And a High Court hearing this month was told there was 'intelligence' suggesting activists will resume their demonstrations in the spring of 2022.

Insulate Britain climate activists block the anticlockwise carriageway of the M25 between Junctions 9 and 10 in September

It emerged last night that stunts by the group, which demands the Government insulates all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions, cost police at least 4.3million

She said in response to Mr Castle today: 'I think your children and grandchildren will have something to say about that.

'What are you doing to stop this? We need massive, massive system change. What are you doing as a journalist with a much bigger reach than me to change this?

'Please educate yourself about the reality of the science and tell your listeners about it day in day out and then you can look your grandchildren in the eye.'

On the same radio station this afternoon, Ken Marsh, chair of the Met Police Federation hit out at the protesters for endangering officers as well as themselves.

'I don't know how anyone can think it's value for money in terms of what my colleagues have had to do,' he told LBC.

'We obviously police without fear or favour and my colleagues do what they're told to do if it's lawful. What they had to do was absurd, dangerous, at times putting their lives at risk. It is just beyond belief.

'It's not rocket science, a 70mph car and a human being: you know who's going to win. If these people want to behave in that way I could explain other ways to do it so they don't put my colleagues at risk because it's not fair and it's not acceptable.

'I have no problem with lawful demonstration, none whatsoever, none of my colleagues do. But if you want to put my colleagues at risk and cost millions of pounds in taxpayer's money, it's ridiculous.

'If my colleagues weren't there, God knows what would have happened to these individuals. At times we were actually proteting them, which is the most absurd scenario you could ever create.

'The legislation in this country needs to be changed far quicker than it's being changed. The Home Secretary has a lot more power and can deal with things a lot quicker so that we can then deal with these.

'If an individual wants to come back [and protest again] then lock them up, simple as that, because they're not taking note of what's being said to them.'

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain stop a car from driving towards them as they block a street in central London in October

Campaigner Zoe Cohen did not confirm or deny the group's plans when quizzed, but insisted that supporters 'are getting together to decide what to do next'

Earlier in December, seven Insulate Britain protesters were 'surprised' to have been spared jail for blocking roads - including a priest who told a judge she would go straight back to demonstrating if she walked free.

Lord Justice Dingemans and Mr Justice Johnson handed down sentences at the Royal Courts of Justice in London after National Highways took legal action against protesters.

Dr. Diana Warner, 62, who previously failed to attend court while she blocked a train heading for Drax power station, accepted her guilt and was given a two month prison sentence.

Dr. Ben Buse, 36, who has served 28 days of a four month sentence on an earlier charge of contempt of court, was ordered to serve a further 30 days consecutively.

The remaining seven defendants all walked free from court with suspended sentences.

It comes as Freedom of Information figures reveal the Metropolitan Police spent 3.1million on staff costs for Insulate Britain's stunts from September to November, with a further 600,000 spent on deploying vehicles and 300,000 on overtime.

More than 6,600 Scotland Yard officers were involved in dealing with the disruption over several weeks.

Four other forces that assisted spent more than 300,000 solely on overtime, meaning the actual figure for policing protests in their areas was considerably higher.

It costs roughly 1,250 to insulate a four-bedroom detached house, meaning that almost 3,500 could have been insulated for the same price.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was appalled by the cost to the taxpayer and senior police officers described the figures as 'disgusting'.

Insulate Britain declined to make further comment when approached by MailOnline.
A damning report from Anne Longfield, chair of the Commission on Young Lives, said the care system in place to support vulnerable teenagers is 'infuriatingly inadequate'

The 'unfit for purpose' social care system is allowing county lines drugs gangs to prey on vulnerable children - with gangsters even receiving tip-offs from within councils telling them when youngster have moved into unregulated housing.

The damning report from the Commission on Young Lives said the care system in place to support vulnerable teenagers is 'infuriatingly inadequate' and has been designed with younger children in mind.

Some children who go into care are 'more likely to experience instability through multiple placement moves and changes in social worker', while in some cases they are moved into 'completely unsuitable' accommodation, the report said.

It found many teenagers in crisis are moved away from their local area and support networks, sometimes to areas with high levels of crime.

Criminal gangs have even been known to be tipped off from within local authorities when vulnerable teenagers are moved into unregulated accommodation, it said. They then seek to take over this housing to use for dealing drugs, a technique known as 'cuckooing'.

Anne Longfield, chair of the the Commission for Young Lives, referred to the horrific killings of Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes as the 'tragic consequences' of a child protection system 'stretched to its absolute limit'.

Ms Longfield today spoke about the report's finding that criminal gangs with a view to exploiting children have been aided by people working within the social care system.

She told the BBC Today Programme: 'One thing that's very worrying, and police forces report it, is there's a concern that some of the provision is even run by organised crime groups.

'This is unthinkable when we look at a system that's there to protect children.

'This is the profile of kids that has grown enormously in terms of risk over the last few years and now we're at the situation where a quarter of all those that are in care are 16 or 17-years-old.

'But the system that is designed for much younger children just hasn't kept up.'

Ms Longfield today spoke about the report's finding that criminal gangs with a view to exploiting children have been aided by people working within the social care system. File pic

Ms Longfield, who is also the former children's commissioner, described an 'epidemic of harmful exploitation' against young people in the UK.

She added: 'It involves tens of thousands of young people, it brings misery, it destroys their lives and often their prospects.

'This has been fuelled by many gangs and county lines people seeking to exploit young people, who are ruthless, who are very agile, and who will do anything and are very talented at spotting the vulnerable children now.

'What we've looked at is a social care system there to protect people (but) what we find is the data isn't there, the mechanisms there to identify kids in the first place or co-ordinate help.

'There isn't the intervention that's needed to provide that ring of protection around the kids and the families to help guard them against the exploiters.'

The report found that excessive reliance on limited numbers of residential places, a failure to identify children at risk of exploitation early enough, a broken children's home market and cuts to funding for intervention programmes were putting vulnerable young people at risk.

It also found that the care population is getting older, with data analysis published by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory revealing that between 2011/12 and 2019/20 the number of 16-year-olds entering care rose by 285%.

In total, 16 and 17-year-olds now make up 23% of those in care as of March 2021.

The report said these rising numbers of older children in the system demonstrate 'a failure of prevention'.

In March 2021, there were 80,850 children in care in England, a 1% rise on the year before.

The commission has also published FOI data alongside the report collected from London boroughs which shows that hundreds of children are being placed outside of their local borough in semi-independent accommodation.

Ms Longfield referred to the horrific killings of Star Hobson (left) and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes (right) as the 'tragic consequences' of a child protection system 'stretched to its absolute limit'

In 2021, at least 1,932 children in care in London were living in semi-independent accommodation, while at least 4,340 children in care in London boroughs spent some or all of their time in a placement outside of their local borough.

The FOI data shows that more boys were taken into care than girls in London boroughs, while 1,341 of those taken into care were aged over 12 and 655 were over the age of 16, demonstrating the increasing proportion of older children making up the care system cohort.

It found that criminal gangs targeting vulnerable teenagers operate a 'serious and ruthless' business, with children given responsibilities by the gang and then 'systematically robbed', leaving them indebted to criminals and unable to escape.

It added that the shift in perception over child victims of abuse in Rotherham needs to take place for boys and children of any gender exploited by organised criminal gangs.

The report added that it is particularly concerned by 'racial biases in the system which put Black boys at risk of harm'.

Black children are more likely to be in care compared with their share of the under-18 population, while the number of black children in care who were adopted dropped by 50% between 2015 and 2019.

The report makes a series of recommendations, calling on the Government to set up a Vulnerable Teenagers At Risk ministerial task force, and says the Department for Education should establish a Teenager in Care package of support including the financing of new local community children's homes.

A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We recognise many vulnerable young people face new and growing risks, which is why we are providing targeted support through our specialist alternative provision and SAFE taskforces, backed by 45 million, to keep these young people engaged in their education and to prevent them becoming involved in criminal activity.

'While the independent review of children's social care continues, we are urgently reforming the system to address growing pressures. This includes by introducing national standards and new oversight from Ofsted for supported accommodation, and maintaining and increasing the number of places in these homes backed by 259 million.'
The decomposed bodies of a couple have been found lying in bed next to each other in a pretty hamlet as police probe a suicide pact theory.

Retired Claudia Forbes, 62, and her husband Andrew were found on December 7 at an exclusive property she has rented by an isolated farm at picturesque Bishopstrow near Warminster, Wiltshire.

It is not known how long they had been lying in bed and Wiltshire Police have refused to say if their deaths are being treated as suspicious.

And police haven't confirmed how either of them died.

Retired Claudia Forbes, 62, and her husband Andrew were found on December 7 at an exclusive property she has rented by an isolated farm at picturesque Bishopstrow (pictured) near Warminster, Wiltshire

Mr Forbes was thought to have been very ill but his wife had been healthy.

Yesterday Mike Perry - Chair of Bishopstrow Parish Meeting where only just over 120 people live - said: 'It is shocking. We do not get things like this occurring within our village.

'Obviously this is very unusual. It is strange these people have been there for that amount of time and nobody in our village seems to know them. It is a tragic event.'

They were found by police after concerns had been raised for her welfare by landlord and farmer Alexander Walker.

He said: 'It was quite a shock.'

The property is understood to meander just a few yards from the boundary with Warminster.

It is not known how long they had been lying in bed and Wiltshire Police have refused to say if their deaths are being treated as suspicious. Pictured: Bishopstrow

An inquest at Salisbury, Wiltshire, was told on December 7 police were called to the property at Bishopstrow by the landlord Alexander Walker over concerns for the welfare of Claudia Forbes.

She was found lying dead in bed with her husband and they were both decomposed.

A post mortem failed to find a cause of death and toxicology and histology tests were ordered.

There was no evidence of third-party involvement.

The inquest was opened because there was evidence her death may be unnatural. She was identified by Mr Walker.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed and the coroner has launched an Investigation into her husband's death.

A decision whether to hold an inquest will depend on the cause of his death.

An inquest will only be held if his death is unnatural.
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Boris Johnson today gave the green light for people to celebrate on New Year's Eve but urged the nation to be 'cautious and sensible'.

The Prime Minister said he believes 'everybody should enjoy New Year' despite the spread of the Omicron variant.

He said the strain 'continues to cause real problems', with hospitalisations rising, but the data shows it is 'obviously milder than the Delta variant'.

Mr Johnson said the booster jab rollout means England does not currently need new coronavirus restrictions, despite Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all imposing new rules on socialising.

The premier today repeated his plea to the nation to get boosted as he warned that 90 per cent of Covid patients in intensive care units across the country had not received the top-up dose.

Mr Johnson has faced criticism after failing to make a public appearance in recent days despite the coronavirus crisis.

He was grilled on the subject this morning as he was asked where he had been 'for the last 10 days'. A flustered PM replied: 'I have been in this country.'

The comments came as hospitality chiefs suggested as many as 100,000 Scottish and Welsh revellers could cross into England to enjoy 'normal' New Year's Eve celebrations without restrictions.

Rules prohibiting large social events in neighbouring nations are expected to prompt a flood of people crossing into England on December 31, with the Scottish government having admitted it is powerless to stop Scots who want to make the trip.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney today urged Scots not to travel to England to celebrate but Work and Pensions Minister Chloe Smith risked a row as she said 'we are one country and people are more than free to move around inside our country under the general law'.

Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford are facing a growing backlash over new Covid curbs in Scotland and Wales.

Ms Sturgeon will deliver a Covid update this afternoon after record case numbers were recorded in Scotland over the festive period, with a pandemic-high of 11,030 on Boxing Day.

It remains unclear whether Ms Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, is planning to introduce further restrictions, stick with the ones she has already announced, or remove some of the existing curbs.

Social media has been flooded with people saying they are planning to head to England on Friday to bring in the New Year in the face of stringent restrictions on clubs, pubs and bars in their own nations.

Furious Tory MPs and hospitality bosses in Scotland and Wales yesterday demanded Ms Sturgeon and Mr Drakeford publish figures justifying their Covid crackdowns.

It came as UK ministers said they have no plans to cut the Covid self-isolation period to just five days despite fears crippling staff shortages will threaten the NHS and other vital parts of the economy.

Scientists, MPs and business leaders have all lined up to urge Mr Johnson to follow the example of the US by once again reducing the time people have to spend in quarantine.

The Government has now said there are 'no further changes' planned but insisted the rules would be kept 'under review'. Ms Smith argued the current seven-day isolation period is the 'right' length of time.

Meanwhile, pharmacists have called for urgent action to improve the supply of lateral flow tests as they said they are being forced to turn people away empty-handed while home delivery kits are unavailable for the third day in a row.

Boris Johnson today gave the green light for people to celebrate on New Year's Eve but urged the nation to be 'cautious and sensible'. He is pictured this morning at a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes

No10 rules out cutting Covid self-isolation to FIVE days despite scientists, MPs and business leaders urging Boris to follow the US Ministers today revealed there are no plans to cut the Covid self-isolation period to just five days, despite fears that crippling staff shortages will threaten the NHS and other vital parts of the economy. Scientists, MPs and business leaders have all lined up to urge Boris Johnson to follow the US' example by once again reducing the time spent in quarantine. But the Government has said there are 'no further changes' planned but insisted the rules would be kept 'under review'. Chloe Smith, minister for disabled people, health and work, argued the current seven-day isolation span was the 'right' length of time. The Prime Minister  who was accused of dodging the Omicron crisis by spending the Christmas period in his country bolthole Chequers  was not asked about whether he intended to adapt the stay-at-home rules during a visit to a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes today. No10 only last week slashed the quarantine period in England from ten days to seven for those who test negative two days in a row. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to make any changes. But late on Monday, American health officials announced they would cut their isolation time for positive cases to just five days  provided people were showing no symptoms, piling pressure on the UK to follow suit. Advertisement

The latest coronavirus developments came as:

Work and Pensions Minister Chloe Smith said people should 'persevere' in their efforts to secure Covid tests amid reports of patchy supply.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the Government should avoid 'rushing into' cutting Covid isolation times.

Chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies Leyla Hannbeck has said the current daily supply of almost 900,000 lateral flow tests is not enough to meet demand and urged the Government to improve the consistency of deliveries.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said 'staff absence is a huge issue for the NHS right now' on top of about 100,000 vacancies that already existed.

Mr Johnson has promised that there will be no new Covid rules in England before New Year's Eve.

His decision not to roll out extra curbs is in contrast to the actions taken in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland where additional restrictions have been imposed after Christmas.

The PM said this morning during a visit to a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes that the vaccination programme meant 'we are able to proceed in the way that we are'.

He said: 'The Omicron variant continues to cause real problems. We are seeing cases rising in hospitals but it is obviously milder than the Delta variant and we are able to proceed in the way that we are.

'But there is one reason and one reason only why we are able to do that and that is because such a huge proportion of the British public have come forward to get vaccinated and particularly to get boosted.

'We have done about 32 and a half, maybe more, million booster jabs now and that is allowing us to go ahead with New Year in the cautious way that we are.

'But I cannot stress too much how vital it is for everybody to get that booster jab, particularly the 2.4million people who have had two jabs but haven't yet had their booster, they had two jabs more than six or seven months ago, so they are eligible for their booster but they are not yet coming forward to get it.

'So I would say to people, come forward and get your booster, it is a fantastic thing to do, it makes a huge amount of difference to you, it protects you, and I'm sorry to say this but the overwhelming majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our hospitals are people who are not boosted.

'I have talked to doctors who say the numbers are running up to 90 per cent of people in intensive care who are not boosted.

'If you are not vaccinated you are eight times more likely to get into hospital altogether.'

Mr Johnson was asked for his opinion on people crossing the border to come to England on New Year's Eve.

He said: 'I think everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way. Take a test, ventilation, think about others, but above all get a booster.'

Asked why England is taking a different approach to curbs to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Mr Johnson said: 'We are looking at the data and what we are seeing is that we have got cases certainly going up, we have got a lot of cases of Omicron, but on the other hand we can see the data about the relative mildness of Omicron and what we can also see is the very, very clear effect of getting those jabs, getting those boosters in particular.

'That is what is making a huge difference. According to some of the surveys I have seen, 90 per cent of the patients in ICU are people who are not boosted.

Covid test shortage puts New Year plans under threat Pharmacists have called for urgent action to improve the supply of lateral flow tests as they say they are being forced to turn people empty-handed while home delivery kits are unavailable for the third day in a row. The Government has advised people to take lateral flow tests before they socialise after confirming on Monday that no new Covid restrictions would be brought in for New Year's Eve festivities. But the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies says people are being turned away every five minutes due to 'patchy' supply and said it was frustrating that chemists it represented were having to wait several days for each delivery. The UK Health Security Agency said it was facing 'unprecedented demand' for the tests but insisted it had doubled its capacity since mid December, sending out 900,000 a day across the country. Meanwhile, there are currently no appointments for walk-in PCR tests anywhere in England or Northern Ireland and lateral flow tests are unavailable for home delivery for a third day running meaning some families will be unable to test ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations this weekend. The Government's website states it is not possible to order lateral flow testing kits for home delivery with a message stating: 'Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for rapid lateral flow tests right now. 'You may still be able to pick up rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy or collection point, where these are available. Only pick up tests if you do not have symptoms.' Pharmacies across the country have reported shortages of LFTs and many are unable to replenish their kits as the supply chain has been affected by Christmas and New Year holidays. Some pharmacies reported they have not had stock since last Monday and it could take three days for new supplies to arrive. Advertisement

'So think about that, think about the risk you are running with your own health if you fail to get a booster.'

Mr Johnson said the Government had 'looked at the balance of the risk' and while cases are rising 'what is making a huge difference is the level of booster resistance, the level of vaccine-induced resistance in the population'.

The PM said he believes ministers will hit their goal of offering every eligible adult a booster jab by the end of the year.

'What we need to do now is really finish off that work and I have no doubt at all that by January 1, by the New Year, everybody, every adult in the country, will have been offered a slot to get a booster,' he said.

Regional differences on social gathering rules are expected to result in a surge of Scottish and Welsh revellers crossing into England on New Year's Eve.

Greg Mulholland, at the Campaign for Pubs, said as many as 100,000 could cross the borders for a 'normal' New Year's Eve without table service-only or mask wearing requirements.

He told The Sun: 'We need a more coordinated, common sense approach. It's confusing for the many thousands of people who live near a border, and frustrating for publicans in Scotland and Wales.'

Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney today admitted the Scottish government is powerless to stop Scots heading to England.

Mr Swinney told BBC Breakfast that he would 'discourage' Scots from making such trips.

Well, people have got to make their own choices, they have got to follow the advice that we have put in place,' he said.

We have the power in Scotland to put in place certain restrictions and we have done those on what we consider to be a proportionate and an appropriate basis.

I would discourage people from doing what you have suggested to me. I dont think it is in the spirit of the rules that we are putting forward.

But people are free to make their own judgements. What we have got to recognise is that Omicron is a serious threat to absolutely everybody within our society and we have all got to take measures to protect ourselves by limiting our social contacts and connections and by complying with the restrictions that we have in place.

Asked if the Scottish government will be policing the border to stop people from crossing, Mr Swinney said: 'No, people are free to take those decisions but I would discourage them from doing so.

Ministers 'will NOT impose regional restrictions to fight Omicron' Ministers have ruled out regional lockdowns to tackle the Omicron coronavirus variant, according to reports - meaning that all of Britain could pay the price for some Londoners not getting jabbed. A return to regional restrictions, such as tiers - which were credited with slowing the virus but ultimately failed to head off a third national lockdown - will not go ahead, reports The Times. A government source told the newspaper: 'We are not looking at doing regional restrictions. That is not on the table.' Referring to regional curbs, another source added: 'It is difficult for people to understand because of different sets of rules. We want one set of rules for everyone in the country, which is easier for people to understand.' The move could result in regulations being imposed on parts of the UK with comparatively low hospital admissions to areas such as London, where medics fear that rate could increase in the coming weeks due to a lag between people getting infected and becoming severely ill. The latest data shows 374 people were admitted to hospitals in the capital on Boxing Day - nearing the 400-a-day level that could trigger a Government intervention - up 73 per cent on the week before. London also has the lowest vaccination rate of any region in the country and therefore is more susceptible to a rise in severe infections. Advertisement

'I think it is the wrong course of action for people to take because we have a serious situation that we have got to manage and we encourage everybody to play their part in addressing that.

The best thing people could do is limit their social connections and to wear face coverings, to get vaccinated and to make sure they get their booster before Hogmanay and with all of these measures we can all play a contribution in ensuring that we tackle the issues and the serious challenges that we face.

Ms Smith was later asked about Mr Swinney's remarks and she told the BBC's World at One programme: I think perhaps I should just add the obvious constitutional point here which is we are one country and people are more than free to move around inside our country under the general law, obviously, but also at this time in terms of any Covid restrictions, as I understand it, there are of course slightly different points of guidance and regulation operating in the different parts of the UK.

But given the general point that I think people could hear from all of the administrations in the UK, is that it is time to be cautious.

The best thing to do is to get boosted and make use of lateral flow testing so that you can keep yourself healthier and crucially keep those around you, wherever you are, healthier and safer too.

Hospitality firms and opposition politicians in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been left furious by post-Christmas Covid rules, particularly over the lack of figures published to justify the decisions.

Tory MP Fay Jones, whose constituency sits on the border between England and Wales said: 'I've been inundated with messages from worried businesses in Brecon and Radnorshire, particularly for those who have competitors across the border. We really must see the evidence.'

Andrew Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, added: 'As businesses struggle in the run up to the new year, we still haven't seen any scientific evidence or advice from the Welsh Government on these new restrictions. Another example of why we need to see a Wales-specific inquiry into their handling of the pandemic.'

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen told Nation.Cymru: 'Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford have let Scotland and Wales down badly and shown their true authoritarian nature.'

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, told Sky News there has already been a significant difference in trading levels in English venues compared to those in Scotland and Wales, and warned that imposing the rule of six and table-only service can see firms lose up to 70% of their regular takings.

She said: 'We welcome the fact that this is a pragmatic step, it's a cautious step but it does allow our businesses to continue trading and opening their doors.

'We can see already the impact hospitality restrictions are having in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are devastating their level of revenue and ability to trade. It's very welcome that in England at least we have that ability to continue to trade.

'This is the last big weekend that our businesses have before we go into those quieter periods in January and February where they make a loss, even in a good year. This is the last weekend to get some much-needed cash into the tills so it's very welcome they can remain open and trading.

'The trading levels in the devolved administrations are down 70, sometimes 80% in city centres and for those businesses like nightclubs that are closed, they are back to earning no money at all. In England we're still seeing suppressed levels of trading but there's about 40-50% of normal trade we're seeing.

'We would appeal for [the government] to continue with the pragmatic, cautious approach they've adopted, to balance the economic cost of restrictions against the need to protect the NHS and deal with rising cases, but to err on the side of caution by not imposing restrictions unless they are absolutely necessary.'
A one-year-old girl has died after being crushed by a falling chest of drawers in Western Australia.

The incident unfolded at around 5.30pm on Wednesday in Byford, south east of Perth.

She was rushed to Armadale Hospital but later died from severe injuries.

A one-year-old girl was rushed to Armadale Hospital where she later died from severe injuries after being crushed by a falling set of drawers in Byford on Wednesday (pictured, stock photo)

It is not yet known if the chest of drawers had been secured to the wall before toppling over.

WA Police said the death is being treated as non-suspicious and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
This is the comical moment a five-year-old girl covered her face in mud and leaves when her mother took her through a park.

Stacey Mitchell, from Glenrothes, Scotland, was on her way to Matalan with her three children when she decided to take a stroll through the nearby park.

But just moments later her daughter Olivia entered a mud fight with her younger brother and was left with a coating of mud across her face.

Five-year-old Olivia looks at her mother Stacey after covering her face with mud and leaves at a park in Glenrothes, Scotland

The young girl rubs the mud all over her face as her mother tells her their plans to go to the shop may no longer be possible

Footage, captured on November 12, shows the five-year-old stare at her mother after covering her entire face with mud.

The young girl then scoops up a pile of leaves and throws them over her face as her mother says: 'I am done. I was planning to go to Matalan but I don't think that's possible now.'

As the child gathers more leaves, Stacey continues: 'I can't look at you for laughing.'

Following the scenes, social media users praised Stacey for her calm and cool demeanour, with one calling her the 'best mom ever'.

One user wrote: 'Try it mum! It works wonders!'

Another commented: 'Bairns got no fear.'

The five-year-old scoops up a pile of leaves from the ground and pours them over her face

Mother Stacey Mitchell, from Glenrothes, Scotland, tells her daughter: 'I can't look at you for laughing'

Most social media users praised Stacey for her calm and cool demeanour, with one calling her the 'best mom ever'

And another social media user added: 'Love it, kids being kids.'

While another said: 'It washes off and the memory will last a lifetime. Parenting done right. Good on you Stacey.'

Elsewhere another social media wrote: 'I don't want to criticise but how did it get to this stage without you noticing? There could have been dog excrement in that mud. Your child could have gone blind. And why would you even record/ post this? There is so much wrong with this.'

However Stacey replied: 'It ended pretty much when it started I took the video for her to see when she is older.

'She is totally fine no dog mess etc. It's something for her to look back on and see that I don't mind her playing away.'
An Indian farmer was left astonished yesterday after one of his goats gave birth to a kid with the 'face of a human' which neighbours described as a 'warning from God'.

The goat belonging to farmer Shakar Das, 46, gave birth to several offspring in Gangapur village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam.

However, the second kid bowled over locals when it emerged with a swollen, distorted face which resembled a human head.

Shakar said the goat was born alive despite its considerable deformities, which left it with only two crippled legs and shriveled, under-developed hind quarters, but later died.

In India, the birth of a deformed animal is considered a bad omen or bad luck, locals said.

Shakar said: 'The neighbours rushed to our house. Everyone was left shocked by its appearance.'

Neighbour Rakesh Kumar added: 'In many areas, it's considered as a warning.

'The people see the mutant births as the sign from God.'

A goat belonging to farmer Shakar Das, 46, gave birth to several offspring in Gangapur village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, but the second kid (pictured) bowled over locals when it emerged with a swollen, distorted face which resembled a human head.

In India, the birth of a deformed animal is considered a bad omen or bad luck, locals said.

Shakar said the goat was born alive despite its considerable deformities, which left it with only two crippled legs and shriveled, under-developed hind quarters, but later died.
Unlikely allies Dominic Perrottet and Daniel Andrews will join forces in Thursday's crunch national cabinet meeting to lobby the government to ditch PCR Covid testing for international arrivals, in what could prove to be a holiday revolution.

The New South Wales Liberal leader and Victorian Labor Premier both want to do away with the requirement in order to free up capacity at overrun testing clinics and the inundated labs struggling to process the results.

Such a pivot would make it far easier for cooped up holiday-starved Australians hoping for an overseas trip this summer, as they wouldn't have to waste the majority of a day waiting in line or worrying about getting tested in time.

The states are understood to be willing to push ahead with the new plan even if Canberra refuses to play ball, freeing up much-needed testing capacity.

International arrivals including returning Australian travellers are currently forced to get a PCR test within 24 hours of arriving Down Under.

But while the unlikely allies, who have been at each other's throats at various times during the pandemic, are preparing to raise the issue - the prime minister has a plan of his own to push.

A woman is embraced by her friend after arriving in Sydney on a flight from Los Angeles - with current rules dictating all arrivals must get a PCR test within 24 hours

Unlikely allies Dominic Perrottet (left) and Daniel Andrews (right) are set to join forces in a shock move ahead of the national cabinet meeting to lobby the government to ditch PCR Covid testing for international arrivals

International arrivals including returning Aussie travellers are currently forced to get a PCR test within 24 hours of arriving Down Under (pictured, arrivals at Sydney Airport)

PROPOSED CHANGES TO INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS AND CLOSE CONTACTS Under the current rules all international arrivals and returned Australian travellers must get a PCR within 24 hours of touching down. But with Covid testing sites overrun with record high case numbers, Dominic Perrottet and Daniel Andrews are calling on the federal government to scrap the system to free up capacity in the healthcare system. Their plea comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison is urging the state's to overhaul the definition of what is considered a close contact. The prime minister said close contacts should only include someone who has spent at least four hours in a household or a care facility with a positive case. Mr Morrison also said a close contact should be released from isolation after seven days with a negative antigen test on day six and again on day 12. Advertisement

Scott Morrison is urging Australia's state and territory leaders to ease the rules for close contacts of Covid cases so the nation's economy isn't brought to a standstill.

The prime minister will pitch the idea at Thursday's snap national cabinet meeting that only household contacts of positive cases should be forced to isolate.

State health systems are buckling under the massive Omicron case load as more than 18,000 infections were reported on Wednesday - the highest since the pandemic began.

Such a large number of positive cases also means the amount of close contacts is skyrocketing and there are growing fears within the government the requirement to isolate could cause Australia's workforce to grind to a halt.

'We just can't have everybody just being taken out of circulation because they just happen to be at a particular place at a particular time,' Mr Morrison said at his first public address in more than a week.

'The uncertainty of that, the impacts on the economy and particularly given the fact we are not seeing this impact on our hospital system means that it's an impractical way to live with the virus in this next phase.'

Scott Morrison (pictured on Wednesday) is urging Australia's state and territory leaders to ease the rules for close contacts of Covid cases so the nation's economy isn't brought to a standstill

The prime minister will pitch the idea at Thursday's snap national cabinet meeting that only household contacts of positive cases should be forced to isolate - as NSW and Victoria's leaders propose a travel overhaul (pictured, arrivals at Brisbane Airport)

Mr Morrison said he wanted a new national definition of a close contact as someone who has spent at least four hours in a household or a care facility with a positive case.

'If one of my kids Abby or Lily got it or if Jenny or any of the household staff here got it then we would find ourselves in that situation and I would be a close contact,' he said outside Kirribilli House on Wednesday.

'If I went down to a restaurant down the road and I happened to pop in and get some take away and there was a case there, I would not be a close contact. I would not then have to isolate for the arrangement sitting under a close contact.'

Mr Morrison also said a close contact should be released from isolation after seven days with a negative antigen test on day six and again on day 12.

Casual contacts would 'just have to monitor your symptoms' but won't have to 'rush off and get in a long queue.'

In NSW, officials have gone one step further and said close contacts needn't isolate after they receive just one negative PCR test.

Most state leaders appear to be in favour of the changes including Covid hard-liner Mark McGowan.

Cars line up along Campbell Parade ahead of the opening of the Covid testing clinic at Bondi Beach on Tuesday (pictured) as centres experience blown-out waiting times

Thousands of Australians have battled to get a PCR test (pictured outside a clinic in Sydney) over the past week - including close contacts, symptomatic people and those wanting to travel overseas and interstate

The Western Australian premier, who oversees the resources-rich state, said it would be a 'wise' move to protect critical sectors of the nation's economy.

'What you don't want to do is have lots of people just leaving the workforce because they are in touch with someone who is positive so you imagine in a power station someone turns up to work who is positive and then everyone goes off work,' Mr McGowan told Perth FM radio.

'The power station shuts down, or a hospital or an aged care facility. You can't have that happen. So the new definitions, the tighter definition of close contacts is a good thing to do.'

Australian Hotels Association chief executive Stephen Ferguson said the constant pinging of uninfected close contacts is already destroying the nation's pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Patrons of Sydney's Opera Bar shelter under umbrellas during a rain shower on Wednesday (pictured), as some Sydneysiders try to continue life as normal during the outbreak

Australian Hotels Association chief executive Stephen Ferguson said the constant pinging of uninfected close contacts is already destroying the nation's pubs, clubs and restaurants (pictured, a cafe worker in Perth)

'Hospitality venues are losing staff by the day because of contacts at work or other places,' he told The Australian.

'Basically at the moment with the way that close contacts are being interpreted, it's a lockdown by another means.'

Also set to be brought forward by Premier Perrottet at the emergency talks is the recommendation to reduce the mandatory time in isolation for asymptomatic Covid cases from 10 days to five.

NSW's chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said it's important to be open minded and that such rules for Covid sufferers with no symptoms are already in place in places like the United States.

'We need to keep an open mind and look at the science and increasingly we need to work with the community to support them with their understanding (of the risks),' she said.

Proposals to be put forward by the NSW and Victorian premiers could see arrivals in Australia no longer having to get a PCR test (pictured, a woman arriving into Sydney Airport)
Mark McGowan has directed his most vicious tirade to date towards NSW as the state battles record case numbers, while his own citizens suffer under strict rules.

The Western Australia Premier had a few choice words for NSW's handling of the pandemic when asked what he thought about its record 11,201 new Covid cases on Wednesday, saying it was 'good' to watch the state to learn 'what not to do'.

Dominic Perrottet has introduced a modest handful of restrictions in response to surging infections and recently encouraged residents to attend New Years celebrations, hoping to revive the slumping hospitality sector.

Disparately, Mr McGowan has cancelled large events, banned all dancing except for at weddings and ordered revellers to wear masks indoors with only seated service - despite WA recording just two new cases on Wednesday.

During a Covid update on Wednesday, a disdainful Mr McGowan took the opportunity to criticise NSW for its high case numbers and eased restrictions.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) had a few choice words for NSW's handling of the pandemic when asked what he thought about the state's 11,201 new Covid cases

'The good thing about watching New South Wales is you can learn what not to do,' he said.

'They've chopped and changed on masks, they've chopped and changed on everything, really.

'By watching New South Wales you can see what works and what doesn't work. Generally what they do doesn't work, so you operate on the basis - "don't do what New South Wales does".'

The spray comes after the NSW premier in October called Mr McGowan 'the gollum of politics' after the isolated state recorded a $5.6billion budget surplus, partly due to GST revenue from mining.

'Mark McGowan is the Gollum of Australian politics,' Mr Perrottet told Sky News before he was even confirmed as the state's new leader.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) has introduced a handful of restrictions in response to surging infections and recently encouraged residents to attend New Years celebrations

Mr McGowan's commentary of NSW's handling of the pandemic comes on the eve of an emergency national cabinet meeting (pictured, residents enjoy the view in Sydney on Tuesday)

'You can just picture him over there in his cave with his "little precious" - the GST.'

Mr McGowan responded by stating he would fight to the death to protect WA's GST revenue, adding NSW has 'a terrible set of finances, massive deficits, huge debt'.

Mr McGowan's commentary of NSW's handling of the pandemic comes on the eve of an emergency national cabinet meeting called by Prime Minister on Wednesday.

The snap meeting is expected to focus on testing queues and isolation requirements, after Australia recorded more than 18,000 cases.

NSW Health recently moved to scrap the seven-day isolation period for close contacts meaning they only have to isolate until they return a negative test.

Under the sweeping new changes, priority testing will be given to 'clinically urgent' patients - with people lining up for a tourism test ordered to 'get out the queue'.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) called an emergency cabinet meeting to be held with all state premiers on Thursday to discuss testing queues and isolation requirements

Only 'a small number' of exposed people - such as healthcare workers - will now be ordered into self-isolation after close contact with a Covid-positive person.

Mr Morrison said the definition of a close contact could change to someone who is a household contact of a confirmed case only - or someone who has spent four hours with a positive case in an aged-care facility.

The emergency meeting will also look holistically at the 'Omicron effect' and the impacts surging caseloads are having on health workers and testing facilities.

State and federal governments have come under fire this week for not sufficiently preparing for the onslaught of testing over the summer holidays.

Thousands were forced to spend Christmas alone after being forced to wait over 72 hours for test results along with a diminishing supply of rapid antigen tests.

The snap meeting is expected to focus on testing queues and isolation requirements, after Australia recorded more than 18,000 cases (pictured, residents in Perth on Christmas Eve)

Mr Perrottet recently moved to scrap the seven-day isolation period for close contacts meaning they only have to isolate until a negative test result (pictured, Sydney residents)

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese accused the prime minister of allowing the testing delays by not quickly acquiring millions of rapid antigen tests.

'It is easier to get a ticket to the AFL grand final than get a test in some parts of Australia,' he said.

'Australians are doing the right thing but Scott Morrison and his government are once again showing a lack of leadership.

'We have the NSW Government trying to purchase rapid antigen test that will be available, wait for it, at the end of January, when we have a crisis right now.'

Cases in NSW almost doubled overnight from 6,062 on Tuesday to 11,201 on Wednesday, with 625 in hospital, 61 in ICU, and three more deaths.

Cases in NSW almost doubled overnight from 6,062 on Tuesday to 11,201 on Wednesday, with 625 in hospital, 61 in ICU, and three more deaths (pictured, health workers at Bondi Beach)

The emergency meeting will also look holistically at the 'Omicron effect' and the impacts surging caseloads are having (pictured, people queue for a test in Sydney's CBD)

Meanwhile, WA's two cases have been identified as a close contact of a person who attended an event at Northbridge's Mess Hall ten days ago and another backpacker.

Mr McGowan said 704 close contacts of the backpacker had now been identified, with 50 people still to be tested.

The hardline premier defended the introduction of tough restrictions just days out from New Years Eve despite the low number of cases.

'The alternative was to shut down everything, and we didn't want to do that, so we selected events that were high-risk events where people dance in close proximity, like the Mess Hall event, and we've done our best to come up with a reasonable set of rules,' he said.

'Having a low number of cases is good, and shows our measures have worked.'
AT&T - All employees must be vaccinated

Alaska Airlines - All US-based employees had to be vaccinated by Dec 8 and the airline offered a $200 incentive to get the shots

American Airlines - All US-based employees must be vaccinated by Jan 4 or face termination

American Express - Employees and company visitors at US offices had to be fully vaccinated by Nov 18 although remote work remained optional. When AmEx fully reopens its offices on Jan 24, all workers are expected to be vaccinated and there will not be a mandatory Covid-testing program.

Ascension Health - All employees had to be vaccinated by Nov 12, including those working remotely

Capital One - All employees had to be vaccinated before returning to work after offices reopened on Nov 2. Employees working from home could choose to remain unvaccinated and were 'supported in doing do,' as stated in a company announcement

Centene Corporation - All employees must provide proof of vaccination or undergo regular Covid-19 testing and wear masks at all times in the office

Chevron - Expatriate employees, workers traveling internationally, and employees on US-flagged ships must be vaccinated. Offshore workers in the Gulf of Mexico must be vaccinated by Nov 1

Cisco - All office workers must be vaccinated

Citigroup - All employees working in major cities had to be vaccinated by Sept 13

CNN - All employees must be vaccinated and three have already been fired for violating the policy

CVS - Pharmacists had to be vaccinated by Nov 30 and corporate workers had to be vaccinated by Oct 31, with exemptions for medical and religious reasons

Deloitte - All employees had to be vaccinated by Oct 11

Delta Air Lines - All employees must be vaccinated or pay an additional $200 per month for their company-sponsored healthcare plan

Disney - Disney announced that cast members must be fully vaccinated by Oct 22 but in November retracted the mandate after Florida Gov Ron DeSantis signed a law prohibiting companies from forcing vaccines on workers

DoorDash - All corporate employees working in person must be vaccinated

Envision Healthcare - All employees must be vaccinated by Nov 1 despite medical and religious exemptions

Equinox - New York City employees and members must be vaccinated beginning in September

Facebook - All US office workers must be vaccinated but employees will not be required to work in person until January 2022

Ford - All employees who travel for international business must be vaccinated and a mask mandate was reinstated at all facilities on Aug 3

Frontier Airlines - All employees must be vaccinated by Oct 1 or undergo weekly Covid-19 testing

General Electric - As of December the vaccine mandate has been suspended in response to a US District Court judge's decision to issue a preliminary injunction on President Biden's order demanding all federal contractors be vaccinated by Jan 18

Gilead Sciences - All US employees and contractors must be vaccinated by Oct 1 unless exempt for medical and religious reasons

Goldman Sachs - All office staff and visitors must be vaccinated and will be subjected to regular Covid-19 testing starting September 7, with no exemptions

Google - All office workers must be vaccinated

Hawaii Airlines - All employees must be vaccinated by Nov 1, but could apply for medical or religious exemptions and instead undergo regular Covid-19 testing

Hess - Employees who work in the Gulf of Mexico must be vaccinated by Nov 1

IBM - All US employees had to be vaccinated by Dec 8 - unless exemptions for medical or religious reasons - or face unpaid suspensions

JetBlue Airways - All US employees had to be vaccinated by Jan 4 unless exempt for medical or religious reasons

Johnson and Johnson - All US employees must be vaccinated by Oct 4 unless exempt for medical or religious reason

Lyft - All office workers must be vaccinated

McDonalds - All US employees, excluding those at corporate or franchise restaurants, must be vaccinated by Oct 11

MGM Resorts - Salaried office employees must be vaccinated by Oct 15 and new office employees must be vaccinated starting Aug 30. Las Vegas employees must undergo regular Covid-19 testing

Microsoft - All office workers and guests must be vaccinated by Oct 4

Moderna - All US employees must be vaccinated by October

Morgan Stanley - All employees must be vaccinated by Oct 1

Netflix - Anyone working in or visiting the company's offices must be vaccinated

Northwestern Mutual - All office workers must be vaccinated with exemptions for medical or religious reason

Norwegian Cruise Line - All crew and passengers must be vaccinated at least two weeks before boarding

Pfizer - All US employees and contractors must be vaccinated or undergo weekly Covid-19 testing

Politico - All employees must be vaccinated

Saks Fifth Avenue - All office employees must be vaccinated

Salesforce - All office workers must be vaccinated

The New York Times - All office workers must be vaccinated

The Washington Post - All employees must be vaccinated by Sept 13

TJX - Only Home and Regional Office Associates must be vaccinated by Nov 1 with medical and religious exemptions

Twitter - All office workers in San Francisco and New York must be vaccinated

Tyson Foods - All US employees must be vaccinated by Oct 1 and other staffers by Nov 1 with medical and religious exemptions

Uber - All office workers must be vaccinated

United Airlines - All US employees must be vaccinated by Oct 25 with medical and religious exemptions

UPS - All headquarters and office building employees must be vaccinated by Oct 1

Walgreens - All workers in support offices must be vaccinated by Sept 30 or undergo weekly Covid-19 testing

Walmart - All staff at its headquarters and managers traveling within the US must be vaccinated by Oct 4, with medical and religious exemptions
Talk show titan Oprah Winfrey finally offered her thoughts on former protege Dr. Mehmet Oz's recently announced GOP Senate bid in Pennsylvania, deliberately distancing herself from the conservative cardiac surgeon's campaign.

'One of the great things about our democracy is that every citizen can decide to run for public office,' Winfrey, 67, told New York magazine Tuesday in a brief statement from her spokesperson, Nicole Nichols.

'Mehmet Oz has made that decision. And now it's up to the residents of Pennsylvania to decide who will represent them,' the iconic host of The Oprah Winfrey Show asserted, offering no endorsement for her old pal who rocketed to fame as a regular guest on her program in the 2000s before landing his own show in 2009.

At the time, Winfrey affectionately dubbed the surgeon who appeared on regularly on the show to offer health and wellness advice as 'America's Doctor.'

Winfrey, an Independent who previously endorsed former President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in their White House bids, did not offer additional comments on Oz's campaign.

Talk show titan Oprah Winfrey deliberately distanced herself from the the political campaign of her old pal and associate Dr. Mehmet Oz Tuesday

Oz, running in Pennsylvania as a pro-Trump Republican, announced his candidacy last month

Oz, 61, who announced that he would be running to succeed retiring Republican Pat Toomey last month, has since decided to nix his popular show after 13 seasons in order to fully pursue his political career.

The aspiring politico, who was born to Turkish immigrants in Cleveland, Ohio, said at the time that he was throwing his hat in the ring because of other politicians' mishandling of the pandemic.

'We have not managed our crises as effectively as past generations,' Oz said last month upon announcing his candidacy for Senate.

'During the pandemic,' he went on, 'I learned that when you mix politics and medicine, you get politics instead of solutions. Thats why I am running for the U.S. Senate: to help fix the problems and to help us heal.'

Oz originally rocketed to fame by making appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 2000s, offering tips to viewers concerning health and wellness

In an op-ed for the Washington Examiner announcing his candidacy in November, the pro-Trump Republican homed in further on the federal government's mismanagement of the pandemic.

'We are angry at our government and at each other,' the surgeon said.

'Over 750,000 in the United States have died from the virus, a devastating toll for families and communities. Many of those deaths were preventable. COVID-19 became an excuse for the government and elite thinkers who controlled the means of communication to suspend debate. Dissenting opinions from leading scholars were ridiculed and canceled so their ideas could not be disseminated,' Oz wrote.

Oz paid tribute to 'moments of brilliance,' including 'mRNA vaccines made possible by President Donald Trumps Operation Warp Speed.'

'We must confront those who want to change the very soul of America and reimagine it with their toxic ideology,' Oz concluded.

Shortly after Oz released his first campaign video on Twitter.

'Covid has shown us our system is broken. We lost too many lives, too many jobs, too many opportunities because Washington got it wrong. They took away our freedoms without making us safer. They took away our spirit, our dignity. Pennsylvania needs a conservative who will put America first.'

Oz joins the Republican field of possible candidates aiming to capture Pennsylvania's open U.S. Senate seat in next year's election

With his comments, the heart surgeon turned celebrity doctor, who has touted fat-melting pills and a malaria drug endorsed by former President Trump as a COVID-19 miracle cure on his popular, eponymously named program, seems to be trying to capitalize on his medical knowledge for his campaign.

But the longtime New Jersey resident has come under fire for not holding residency in the very place he aims to represent. Some suggest the TV doc, who has never held public office, is only choosing Pennsylvania to launch his political career because of Toomey's retiring.

However, his campaign team recently pointed out to local news outlet 6 ABC that Oz has rented in the state's Bryn Athyn, Montgomery County, for the past year, and has voted there as well.

Oz also went to medical school and business school at the University of Pennsylvania.

Despite this, though, experts posit that the surgeon-turned-statesman, who has used his time on the air waves, to promote practices and tips concerning health and wellness, may have his work cut out for him.

'You could meet the legal standard fairly easily by renting a residence and establishing you're getting mail there and registering to vote,' political science professor Chris Borick, also the director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, said earlier this month.

'Convincing the public that you are truly a resident of the state and care about the state and are vested in the state,' he added, 'is a different thing.'

Democrat New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell, meanwhile, made a tongue-in-cheek remark on Oz's candidacy.

'I want to congratulate my North Jersey constituent Dr. Oz on his run for US Senate in Pennsylvania', he said. 'Im sure this fully genuine candidacy will capture the hearts of Pennsylvanians.'

Oz looks to bring his name recognition and wealth to a race expected to be among the nation's most competitive and possibly a factor in determining the dominant party in the Senate.

Oz would enter a Republican field that is resetting with an influx of candidates and a new opportunity to appeal to voters loyal to former President Donald Trump. Trump-endorsed candidate Sean Parnell withdrew from the race last month amid allegations from his estranged wife that he was abusive toward her and their three children.

Now, Oz's competition consists of Montgomery County developer Jeff Bartos, former Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands, and conservative commentator Kathy Barnette, ahead of the 2022 GOP primary. The general election is November 2022.

The TV surgeon made headlines earlier this week after he and his wife, Lisa, 58, were allegedly overheard engaging in a curse-laden rant criticizing a New York journalist.

Olivia Nuzzi, a correspondent for New York magazine, reportedly contacted Oz earlier in the week for an over-the-phone interview as part of a profile the publication was preparing on the TV doc.

According to Nuzzi, Ozs wife answered the phone, and had a brief interaction with Nuzzi, 28, before attempting - unsuccessfully - to hang up.

Nuzzi listened in as the couple called her a 'liar' and a 'f***king girl reporter,' while bringing up a conversation Nuzzi had with the couple's friend Michelle Bouchard.

The TV doc made headlines earlier this week after he was allegedly overheard engaging in a curse-laden rant against a New York journalist

'I think the old guard of the Republican Party was just that, the old guard. I think the new Republican Party is emerging, and the new Republican Party is going to be great,' Bouchard had told Nuzzi for New York magazine's piece, published Tuesday.

The GOP 'should be very grateful that someone that intelligent and that objective, someone of his caliber who is able to reach across aisles, is actually running. He's the greatest healer I've ever known,' Bouchard added.

Speaking about the longtime friend of the couple who had been interviewed by Nuzzi for the profile just days before, Oz reportedly asserted to his wife that 'Michelle said stuff she shouldn't have said' concerning his Senate run and potential political career.

'She said s**t she shouldn't have said! That I was going to be the next leader of the Republican Party.'

During Oz's recent media appearances, the doctor chose not to align himself with hardcore conservative views concerning abortion.

In 2007, Oz described himself as a 'moderate Republican,' who has donated money to the campaigns of late Senator John McCain and Senator Bill Frist.

In an interview with The Observer, he said that he had thought about running for office and that 'I get asked all the time about it...I've always enjoyed leading people.'

'Teddy Roosevelt to me was the ideal Republican,' he said. 'He was someone who felt strongly about the need for individuals to make the place work better without having someone tell them how to do it. But they had an obligation to do that as well. It wasn't a favor for the country; it was an obligation as Americans.'

Nuzzi said that she also tried to interview Winfrey for the piece, to no avail.

Oz's show had been on air for more than a decade, and currently earns a $20 million salary and has an estimated net worth of around $100 million.

The show will be replaced by a spinoff titled The Good Dish, hosted by the doctor's own daughter Daphne Oz.

Family ties: The television personality's long-running, syndicated show will be replaced by a spinoff titled The Good Dish, hosted by his own daughter Daphne Oz. Pictured in 2018

New show: The new cooking and health show will also be hosted by Top Chef judge Gail Simmons and chef Jamika Pessoa

The new cooking and health show also will be hosted by Top Chef judge Gail Simmons and chef Jamika Pessoa.

The Good Dish will premiere in 90% of markets three days after the Dr. Oz Show airs its final episode.
A psychiatric expert is set to decide if Josef Fritzl, who fathered several children with his captive daughter after imprisoning her in a basement dungeon for 24 years, should walk free.

Fritzl, 86, kept his daughter Elisabeth locked in a soundproof dungeon beneath the family home in Amstetten, Austria, raping her more than 3,000 times and fathering seven children with her between 1984-2008.

Her ordeal finally came to an end in April 2008, when their sick teenage daughter Kerstin had to be taken to hospital. Fritzl was jailed on March 19, 2009.

Fritzl is serving a life sentence, but may be eligible to apply for early release in 2024 if he is deemed no longer a danger, because he will have served 15 years for his crimes.

If he is allowed to walk free, he will have spent less time in captivity than his daughter by almost a decade.

Josef Fritzl, who kept his daughter in a cellar for 24 years and fathered seven children by her, was jailed for life on March 19, 2009 (pictured at sentencing), but could now potentially apply for early release

Elisabeth Fritzl (pictured here as a child in an undated photo) has not had any contact with her father since he was jailed and lives under a new alias in an unknown part of Austria with the children conceived during the decades her own father brutally raped her.

Earlier this year, the Regional Court of Krems in Lower Austria decided that it would move Fritzl from a special unit for the criminally insane in Krems-Stein prison to the regular prison system.

This, in turn, would mean that after having served 15 years of his sentence, he would be able to apply for early release.

But the public prosecutor's office was opposed to this plan and immediately appealed the decision.

Now, the Higher Regional Court has taken over the case and appointed an expert to examine Fritzl in an effort to determine his psychiatric and neurological condition after more than ten years in prison, much of which has been spent separated from other inmates.

If the expert detects any abnormalities, Fritzl will have to remain in the prison system and will not be eligible to ask for early release.

However, if the expert deems that the 86-year-old is of 'sound mind', then one of Europe's most notorious criminals could be released from prison as early as 2024.

Fritzl pictured at Sankt Poelten prison where he was previously held, in 2010

A photo taken by a forensic team and released by the Austrian police with permission of Austria's prosecution office on April 28, 2008 shows a view into a hidden room in a house in Amstetten, Austria, where Fritzl kept his daughter Elisabeth captive for 24 years

Vice President of the Krems Regional Court, Ferdinand Schuster, said the expert's opinion is expected by the end of January, though the chances of Fritzl receiving a clean bill of mental health, and judges subsequently granting him freedom, are extremely slim.

Aside from the heinous crimes he committed over a period of 24 years on his daughter, it was reported in 2019 that Fritzl, then 84, was exhibiting signs of dementia and that his mental health was deteriorating.

He was said to be extremely unpopular with other inmates at the Krems-Stein prison and spent much of his time in solitary confinement.

Meanwhile, Elisabeth Fritzl has not had any contact with her father since he was jailed and lives under a new alias in an unknown part of Austria with the children conceived during the decades her own father brutally raped her.

Fritzl's horrific crimes were only discovered when one of the children, Kerstin, slipped into a coma and he took her to hospital where doctors noted her malnourished condition and rotting teeth.

When Elisabeth, now 55, was given permission to finally leave the dungeon to visit Kerstin in hospital, she was arrested and subsequently told the police about the horrific crimes her father had committed.

Fritzl said during his trial that he 'actually meant well' before being jailed.
Florida's surgeon general has accused the Biden administration of 'actively preventing' the distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments in the US in a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr Joseph Lapado said that the sudden suspension of the treatments from distribution to Florida removes the health care provider's ability to 'decide the best treatment options for their patients' in a letter addressed to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

The Biden administration paused shipments of the Covid antibody drugs from Regeneron and Eli Lilly last month after the drugmakers warned that laboratory testing suggested their therapies will be much less potent against Omicron.

This is because the new variant contains dozens of mutations that make it harder for antibodies to attack the virus.

Dr Joseph Lapado said that the sudden suspension of the treatments from distribution to Florida removes the health care provider's ability to 'decide the best treatment options for their patients' in a letter addressed to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra

The Biden administration paused shipments of the Covid antibody drugs from Regeneron and Eli Lilly last month after the drugmakers warned that laboratory testing suggested their therapies will be much less potent against Omicron

Dr Lapado wrote in the letter: 'The federal government is actively preventing the effective distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments in the US.

'This sudden suspension of multiple monoclonal antibody therapy treatments from distribution to Florida removes a health care provider's ability to provide the best treatment options for their patients in this state.

'This shortsightedness is especially evident given the federal government effectively prohibited states from purchasing these monoclonal antibodies and serving their populations directly.'

Dr Ladapo concluded his letter by referencing comments Biden made on Monday that there was no federal solution to Covid-19

'There is no federal solution. This gets solved at the state level,' Biden said at the time in response to Arkansas Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson who had warned the President against letting 'federal solutions stand in the way of state solutions.'

Dr Ladapo wrote: 'As Surgeon General, I respectfully request that you allow states and healthcare practitioners to provide treatment options that best benefit the communities that they know and serve.'

Florida's surgeon general has accused the Biden administration of 'actively preventing' the distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments in the US in a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services

For more than a year monocolonal antibody drugs from Regeneron and Eli Lilly have been the go-to treatments for early COVID-19, thanks to their ability to head off severe disease and keep patients out of the hospital.

But after research found that they were less effective in fighting against the Omicron variant, the government decided to suspend their distribution.

A third antibody from British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline appears to be the best positioned to fight Omicron.

But Glaxo's drug is not widely available in the U.S., accounting for a small portion of the millions of doses purchased and distributed by the federal government. U.S. health officials are now rationing scarce drug supplies to states.

Fauci said last week that while boosted Americans have about 75% protection against the Omicron variant, some monoclonal antibody treatments won't work against the new strain due to its mutations.

'Unfortunately, but understandably with the degree of mutations that we have with Omicron, some of the monoclonal antibodies shown on the slide here very likely will not work against Omicron and those are shown in the first two monoclonal antibodies,' Fauci said on MSNBC on Dec. 22.

The Regeneron and Lilly monoclonal antibody treatments were deemed 'unlikely' to fight Omicron, while the GSK/Vir and AZ treatments were believed to work.
George Galloway says his Scottish daughter was told to 'get back to England, you English c***' while carrying her baby as she shopped in Tesco.

The alleged incident is said to have occurred at the supermarket in Dumfries on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Galloway, a former Labour MP, who is now leader of the Workers Party of Britain, said his Dundee-born daughter, Lucy, the eldest child from his first marriage, 'drove 500 miles to spend time, and money, in Scotland'.

It is not known whether the alleged abuser - who Mr Galloway described as 'a young well-dressed woman' - was reacting to 39-year-old Lucy's accent.

The politician, 67, then took to Twitter to get the attention of police, writing: 'My daughter - carrying her baby! - was told to 'get back to England, you English c***' in your Dumfries store @Tesco at 12.50pm today.

'I have a picture of her racial abuser. I will not let this drop. I'm not that sort of father. @PoliceScotland @DumfriesGPolice @scotgov'

Police Scotland said it was aware of the incident and that enquiries are ongoing.

A Tesco spokesperson added: 'We were very sorry to hear about this incident and will support enquiries in any way we can.'

George Galloway (pictured) says his Scottish daughter was told to 'get back to England, you English c***' while carrying her baby as she shopped in Tesco

Mr Galloway said his daughter, Lucy (pictured), the eldest child from his first marriage, 'drove 500 miles to spend time, and money, in Scotland'

George Galloway: The father-of-six who married four times The politician has had six children in total across four different marriages. His first wife, and childhood sweetheart, Elaine Fyffe, gave birth to his eldest child, Lucy, now 39, in 1982. Galloway then split from Fyffe in 1987 before finally divorcing her in 1999. His second wife was Dr Amineh Abu-Zayyad, who he met at a political meeting in Glasgow in 1991. She described him as her 'hero' following his support for Palestine. They did not have any children together and divorced in 2009, after he had met Rima Husseini. Together, he and his third wife had two sons together, Zein, now 14, and Faris, now ten. After that, he married his current partner, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, in Amsterdam in 2012. Between them they have three children: a son, seven-year-old Toren Mustaqim, and two daughters, Orla Dhien, four, and Oban Amaria, who has born in August last year. Advertisement

The tweet has been shared thousands of times since being posted on Tuesday afternoon, and Mr Galloway followed it up with a number of other messages.

In response to a follower who suggested to him that Lucy should have told the alleged abuser to 'f*** off', he replied: 'She said: 'actually I'm Scottish, not that this makes a difference'. She should have said what you said!'

He also wrote: 'I'm dismayed at the Nationalist response to my daughter's ordeal today,

'It's not just venality on display from them, it's stupidity. By their denial, obfuscation even endorsement of this vileness they are PROVING the charge that their 'civic nationalism' is just a fraud.'

He then added: 'Nationalism is the socialism of fools. It's about time liberals and leftists in England understood that. The Separatists are NOT 'progressive'. That's just lipstick on an old old pig.'

Scottish Government hate crime figures, published in February 2021, found that an estimated 7% of racially aggravated hate crimes had a victim of Other White British ethnicity.

This equates to around 230 crimes recorded by the police in 2018-19. In 68% of these crimes, the prejudice shown by the perpetrator was against those from the English community.

A Police Scotland spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are aware of the incident and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.'

Mr Galloway's office has also been approached for comment.
Anthony Fauci is set to rake in the highest-ever federal government retirement package in U.S. history with his annual payment exceeding $350,000, according to a Forbes estimate.

The White House's top COVID adviser, who is 81, has shown no indications that he will retire any time soon after 55 years as a federal employee. Since 1984, Fauci has served as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health.

If he retired today, Fauci would still earn $350,000 per year on retirement and his pension and benefits would continue to increase with cost-of-living adjustments, auditors at OpenTheBooks.com found in the Forbes review.

Fauci has become somewhat of a celebrity among Democrats after he became the point person on the White House coronavirus response under Trump and continued that role with Biden. He was often praised by the left for rebuking Trump in the early days of the pandemic.

On the other hand, Republicans have called for Fauci to be fired and have slammed the doctor for his agency giving a gain-of-function grant to the Wuhan lab, which they claim led to the development of the COVID-19 virus.

MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace said Tuesday on-air with a COVID panel: 'I'm a Fauci groupie. I'm a thrice-vaccinated, mask adherent. I buy KN95 masks by the, you know, caseload. They're in every pocket. I wear them everywhere except when I sit down.'

The infectious disease expert has preached avid mask-wearing and getting vaccinated  including boosted  against coronavirus. This quickly led Trump supporters to turn against the doctor, claiming he is trying to take away right by mandating masks and vaccines

In 2019, Fauci had a salary of $417,608 and in 2020 was bumped to $434,312  giving him two consecutive years of being the highest compensated federal employee. Fauci even out-earned the president, four star generals and the rest of his roughly 4.3 million colleagues in the federal government.

As president, Joe Biden, 79, earns $400,000 annually.

If Dr. Anthony Fauci, 81, were to retire soon he would make upwards of $350,000 per year after serving 55 years in the federal government

Fauci earned $434,312 in 2020, making it the second consecutive year that he out-earned every other federal employee, including the president, who has a salary of $400,000

Cases of coronavirus have been surging nationwide with the emergence of the Omicron variant earlier this winter

Information has not yet been released for Fauci's 2021 salary, but Forbes filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit to receive all financial disclosures, which a federal judge required be produced starting February 1, 2022.

The Office of Personnel Management notes that federal employees with such a lengthy service like Fauci can retire and still earn 80 per cent of their average salary from the last three salaries they earned  plus any credit they have left for sick leave that wasn't taken.

Using 2018, 2019 and 2020 salaries, which equates to $1.252 million in earnings over three years, Fauci would have started raking in an 80 per cent pension payment of $333,745 if he had retired at the end of 2020.

In this calculator Forbes also factored in a cost-of-living increase through the three years.

Since Fauci's 2021 and 2022 salaries are still unknown  but likely similar or slightly higher  it's safe to say his retirement pay should he choose to end his tenure soon would be closer to $347,500 or higher.

Fauci started in his most high-profile role yet as the second-ever Chief Medical Advisor to the President in January 2021, when Biden took office.

His biggest pay bump, however, came in 2004 under President George W. Bush when Fauci got a 'permanent pay adjustment' for biodefense work.

In 2008, Bush awarded Fauci with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work on the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program.

Fauci became somewhat of a celebrity among Democrats after he became point person for the White House coronavirus response under Donald Trump  and often publicly rebuked or went against the president

Since Fauci has also far-exceeded the 10-year-minimum work requirement to receive an annuity in retirement, his annual payout would increase by 2 per cent of his average three-high salary, meaning if he were to leave at the end of December, he could earn around $8,500 more per year in retirement.

Senator Rand Paul, one of Fauci's biggest critics, blamed the infectious disease expert on Monday for thousands of COVID deaths, claiming he is 'biased' in his push for vaccines while he ignores proven therapeutics for the virus.

'I would venture to say that thousands of people die in our country every month now because [Fauci's] deemphasized the idea that there are therapeutics,' Paul told his father, three-time presidential candidate and former Texas Representative Ron Paul, on 'Liberty Report'.

The senator also claimed thousands died because Fauci did not take into account natural immunity in his prioritization of vaccinations.

'Because he's made this mistake of deemphasizing natural immunity, I think thousands of people have lost their lives,' Fauci added in his Monday discussion. 'For instance, I've already had it  I should be at the end of the line.'

With the prevailing pandemic, Fauci has become the expert voice on the White House response to coronavirus.

While it appeared early in the summer that the U.S. was in the final days of restrictions in the pandemic, the administration quickly reinstated mandates as the Delta variant emerged  and now it is grappling with the even more contagious, but seemingly less serious, Omicron variant.

This fall, the administration created a rule requiring private companies with 100 or more employees to impose a vaccine-or-test mandate so all workers must prove they are vaccinated or else be subject to at least weekly testing.

Case rates have doubled nationwide over the last two weeks as the Omicron variant takes hold and mask mandates have been reimposed in areas where they were finally lifted, like Washington, D.C.

The CDC, and Fauci, are pushing vaccinations for all Americans as the most effective way to fight against COVID-19

Case rates have doubled in the last two weeks with Omicron taking hold of the nation

Deaths have not increased at the same rate. While Omicron is much more contagious as the other COVID variants, some doctors say it is not as deadly or serious if caught

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all people be fully vaccinated regardless of previous infection.

According to a CDC study of residents in Kentucky, the state Paul represents in the Senate, those who had COVID-19 and were not vaccinated were 2.34 times more likely than those vaccinated to become reinfected in May and June 2021, which was before the emergence of the Omicron variant.

On average, 235,269 Americans are testing positive for the virus every day, a 99 percent increase over the last two weeks.
The jury in Ghislaine Maxwell's trial has reached a verdict.

On Wednesday afternoon, the sixth day of deliberations, the jurors of six men and six women reached a verdict in Maxwell's sex trafficking trial.

The verdict will be read in Manhattan court this evening

The jury requested five more transcripts in an early morning note.

They asked for the evidence from Shawn, the boyfriend of the accuser Carolyn; Cimberly Espinoza, Maxwell's personal assistant at Epstein's New York office, and the defense 'false memory' expert Elizabeth Loftus.

They also asked for testimony from FBI agents Amanda Young and Jason Richards, the lead agents in the 2019 investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

In a note in the afternoon on Wednesday the jury asked for the transcript of the testimony from Larry Visoski, Epsteins other pilot.

The jury has now asked for the transcripts of 14 witnesses: there were 33 in total for the defense and prosecution.

Ghislaine Maxwell held a meet and greet with an ABC News journalist in court during the sixth day of jury deliberations in her sex trafficking trial

On Wednesday the jury requested five more transcripts in an early morning note at the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse in downtown Manhattan

Ghislaine's sister Isabel Maxwell is seen taking a stroll in lower Manhattan as Day 6 of jury deliberations is underway

On Tuesday the jury said in a note they were 'making progress'.

The jury also asked for 'clarification' as to whether they would be sitting over New Year's Eve and New Year's Day so they could 'plan our schedules accordingly', suggesting they were expecting to sit that long.

James Hill, senior producer and investigative journalist for ABC News, was invited by one of Maxwell's lawyers to sit on the front bench of the public gallery and talk to her Wednesday morning

Judge Nathan said she would send a note confirming they would be sitting every day including the weekend until they reach a verdict because she was 'greatly concerned' about a mistrial due to a juror or trial participant like Maxwell getting sick with Covid-19.

Maxwell, wearing a purple turtleneck and black pants, looked in a good mood and at one point smiled and pointed a finger at her lawyer Laura Menninger in a jokey fashion.

The jurors said they were 'moving along' and that they are making progress in the case but they failed to reach a verdict on the fifth day of deliberations.

Before the jury came in late Tuesday, Judge Nathan said that if a verdict was not reached by the end of Wednesday she would tell the jury it would have to sit on the weekend until reaching a verdict.

Judge Nathan had planned to sit only until Wednesday and then let the jurors off for the holiday, but the Omicron variant has thwarted those plans.

On Tuesday morning the judge said that the rising number of Omicron cases was 'putting at risk our ability to complete this trial.'

Maxwell held a meet and greet with an ABC News journalist in court on Wednesday.

James Hill, senior producer and investigative journalist for ABC News, was invited by one of Maxwell's lawyers to sit on the front bench of the public gallery and talk to her Wednesday morning.

Hill, who won an a Murrow Award for producing the podcast Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein, appeared to introduce himself to Maxwell who smiled back and did the same.

They chatted for a few minutes before Hill returned to his seat on the press bench, moments before the judge came back in.

The bizarre interaction suggests that Maxwell is lining up TV interviews.

Ghislaine Maxwell verdict sheet Count One: Conspiracy to entice individuals under the age of 17 to travel with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity Maximum sentence: Five years Accusers: Jane, Carolyn and Annie Count Two: Enticing an individual under the age of 17 to travel to with intent to engage in illegal sex acts Maximum sentence: Five years Accusers: Jane Count Three: Conspiracy to transport individuals under the age of 17 with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity, Maximum sentence: Five years in prison Accusers: Jane, Carolyn and Annie Count Four: Transportation of an individual under the age of 17 with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity. Maximum sentence: 10 years in prison Accuser: Jane Count Five: Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of individuals under the age of 18 Maximum: Five years in prison Accusers: Carolyn and Virginia Count Six: Sex trafficking of an individual under the age of 18 Maximum: 40 years in prison Accusers: Carolyn Advertisement

Judge Alison Nathan is growing increasingly concerned that the spread of Covid could scupper Ghislaine Maxwell's sex-trafficking trial

The jury of six men and six women (seen in a court sketch) went home for the holidays after the third day of deliberations and will once again have a short week due to the New Year holiday

Isabel Maxwell comes out with a pizza for the media after the fifth day of deliberations for the jury in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial on December 28 without a verdict

Lead defense attorney Bobbi Sternheim and attorney Christian Everdell leave court on Tuesday after the jury failed to reach a verdict

According to Judge Nathan, none of the jury panel had objected to sitting an hour extra each day to deliberate - a 'request' she made on Monday -meaning they finish at 6pm instead of 5pm.

She said that the change was because 'we are seeing an astronomical spike in the number of Covid positive cases in New York.'

The reason was to 'avoid a mistrial due to the Omicron variant' of the coronavirus.

Judge Nathan added that 'we are facing a high and escalating risk that the jurors or participants may need to quarantine, putting at risk our ability to complete this trial.'

She added it was time to think about the jurors 'making plans to continue to deliberate until a verdict is reached.'

Judge Nathan did not elaborate, although during the week leading up to Christmas she offered the jury an extra day to deliberate, which they declined.

Maxwell suffered a setback Tuesday after Judge Nathan rejected her request to give the jury additional instructions on one of the counts related to transporting accuser 'Jane'.

Ghislaine Maxwell's sister, Isabel, was in court to support her sister for the fifth day of jury deliberations

Isabel was standing in front of a person with a gas mask and sign that states: 'Les Wexner, Donald Barr, this has gone way too far'

Judge Nathan plans to sit throughout the New Year's weekend unless jurors come to a decision before then

The judge said the request by Maxwell's lawyers to clarify a count to the jury was 'just wrong.'

On Monday the jury sent a note asking whether they could convict Maxwell on one of the charges relating to the accuser Jane if they concluded Maxwell aided in booking her a flight back from New Mexico.

Judge Nathan had previously referred the jury to the instructions she gave to them.

But in a letter filed to the court, Maxwell's lawyers argued that this was 'incorrect and prejudicial to Ms. Maxwell.'

They said that the jury were 'confused' about not just count four - transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity - but count two - Enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts - as well and requested an additional, three paragraph instruction to clarify.

Judge Nathan rejected the request to address count two as the jury didn't ask about it.

The judge dismissed the third paragraph of the suggested instruction as 'just wrong' under the law and said she would not give the jury any additional guidance.

As the ruling came down Maxwell's lawyer Bobbi Sternheim rubbed her back with her hand.

Maxwell appeared in court wearing a black turtleneck sweater and black pants and gave two of her lawyers a hug.

Her brother Kevin and her sisters Christine and Isabel were in the public gallery.

On Monday the jury sent a note asking whether they could convict Maxwell on one of the charges relating to the accuser Jane if they concluded Maxwell aided in booking her a flight back from New Mexico

Ghislaine's sisters, twins Isabel and Christine Maxwell, are seen arriving at the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday morning

Defense attorney Bobbi Sternheim speaks with twins Christine and Isabel

Defense attorneys Laura Menninger and Jeffrey Pagliuca arrive as jury deliberations continue

Maxwell's defense attorney Bobbi Sternheim arrives to the courthouse Tuesday morning as deliberations continue

The jury failed to reach a verdict on Monday when it requested a transcript of the testimony of the ex-boyfriend of one of the victims and a definition of 'enticement,' one of the charges related to that victim.

Like last week, this will be a short week for the proceedings. Because of the New Year holiday the jury will deliberate today and Wednesday and if they don't reach a verdict will take a break until Monday.

On Monday, in a surprise move, Judge Alison Nathan urged the jurors to stay an hour later each day. Sessions will now end at 6pm instead of promptly at 5.

Maxwell's lawyer Laura Menninger had argued that giving the jury such an instruction was 'beginning to seem like urging them to hurry up.'

Prosecutor Alison Moe said that it was 'within the court's discretion' to ask the jury to stay longer.

Judge Nathan initially told Menninger: 'I have the discretion to set the schedule and I can do it over your objection.'

She later said she would add the qualifier to the jury that they should take all the time they needed.

There was also intense legal debate around a note from the jury which asked whether or not they could convict Maxwell on one of the counts related to Jane if they thought Maxwell aided in arranging her flight home from New Mexico.

Prosecutors wanted to refer the jury to their instructions while Maxwell's lawyers argued that the answer should be no.

Judge Nathan said that the note was 'ambiguous' and told the court: 'I don't know what the question means, it's too difficult to parse factually and legally'.

She referred the jury to the relevant part of the instructions she had read out before they began their deliberations.

Earlier in the afternoon the jury sent notes asking for transcripts of testimony from Epstein's former pilot Dave Rodgers and Gregory Parkinson, the former Palm Beach police officer who recorded the video of the raid on Epstein's house in 2005.

The jury had also asked for a transcript of the testimony from one accuser's boyfriend and stationery supplies as they began their fourth day of deliberations.

An hour and a half after starting on Monday the jury sent a note asking for different colored Post-it notes, a white paper board and highlighters in different colors.

The jury also asked for the testimony of Matt, the boyfriend of the accuser Jane, who corroborated her account of being recruited and abused by Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein aged 14.

They requested a definition of enticement - one of the two charges that relate to Jane include Maxwell enticing her to be sexually abused by Epstein.

After taking questions from Maxwell's lawyers and the prosecution, Judge Alison Nathan directed the jury to two parts of the jury instructions for a definition of enticement.

She gave them the additional instruction that it could mean: 'Attracting, inducing or luring, using hope or desire.'

Ghislaine Maxwell has worn a number of different colored turtleneck sweaters throughout her trial, now in its fifth week

After taking questions from Maxwell's lawyers and the prosecution, Judge Alison Nathan directed the jury to two parts of the jury instructions for a definition of enticement. She gave them the additional instruction that it could mean: 'Attracting, inducing or luring using hope or desire'

They also asked for a definition of enticement - one of the two charges which relate to Jane is Maxwell enticing her to be sexually abusing by Epstein

Maxwell walked into court looking relaxed having spent Christmas - also her 60th birthday - in prison.

She wore a light brown turtleneck sweater and a black mask and hugged her lawyers one by one as her sister Isabel sat in the public gallery.

Maxwell's lawyer Jeff Pagliuca told Maxwell: 'Happy birthday and happy Christmas'.

Her lawyer Bobbi Sternheim requested that Maxwell be allowed to wear a KN95 mask at all times and not just in court - Maxwell had a different mask on in her holding cell.

Judge Nathan said anyone entering the courthouse had to wear a KN95 or and N95 in the courthouse, as per a ruling that took effect on Monday and required all visitors to wear such masks due to the rise in coronavirus cases.

The jury of six men and six women ended their first week of deliberations Wednesday without reaching a verdict forcing the British socialite to spend Christmas behind bars.

Maxwell, who is facing 80 years in prison if convicted, has been in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, which she's described as a 'hell hole', since her arrest in July 2020.

Jurors began weighing her fate on Monday last week after hearing closing arguments in the three-week trial, and deliberated for two full days before going home for the holidays.

In this courtroom sketch, Maxwell, center, hugs her defense attorney, Laura Menninger, immediately after walking out of lock-up Monday

On Wednesday the jury sent one note requesting three transcripts, but failed to come to a decision.

Maxwell has maintained her innocence and her lawyers have bashed her accusers as having false memory and being motivated by money.

In legal filings earlier this year, Maxwell claimed her treatment in prison is so bad it would be 'fit for Hannibal Lecter'.

But they are not appropriate for a '59-year old woman who poses no threat to anyone', Maxwell's lawyers claimed.

A bruised Ghislaine Maxwell is seen in this photo of her alleged mistreatment in prison

At one point, Maxwell 'barricaded' herself in the video conference room in prison with a cart of legal documents, prosecutors claimed and was deemed a 'security threat' by blocking the door and preventing guards from accessing the room.

Near the end of Wednesday the jury asked for another copy of the transcript of the accuser known as Jane's testimony.

They also asked for the testimony of Kate, another accuser, and Epstein's former Palm Beach House manager Juan Alessi.

Given the option to deliberate on Thursday the jury said no because they had 'made plans', they said in a note.

Maxwell, 60, denies six counts of recruiting and transporting underage girls for her former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein.

On Tuesday - the second day of deliberation - the jurors appeared to be zeroing on two accusers.

They deliberated for the whole day Tuesday and sent four notes to the judge including one which related to Annie Farmer, the only accuser publicly identified in court.

They wanted to know if they could use her testimony for two counts of conspiracy to entice and transport an underage girl to engage in sex acts.

Pictured: The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) where Ghislaine Maxwell is being held

Judge Nathan said she would tell them that they could.

Earlier the jury asked to see notes of an FBI interview that Carolyn gave in 2007, the first time she spoke to law enforcement about being abused by Epstein.

Judge Nathan said that it had not been entered in evidence so they could not see it.

However the jury could refer to its mention in Carolyn's cross examination by the defense.

Defense attorney Menninger said that Epstein was a 'master manipulator' who 'abused his money and his power' but said Ghislaine had nothing to do with it

Four of Maxwell's siblings - Kevin, Isabel, Ian and Christine - arrived to court to support their sister Monday

At 10.10am after just over an hour of deliberating on Tuesday the jury sent its first note.

Judge Nathan said the jury were asking for the transcripts of testimony from Jane, Annie and Carolyn - but did not mention Kate.

The charges against Ghislaine Maxwell Count One: Conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts Maximum sentence: Five years Accusers: Jane, Carolyn and Annie Count Two: Enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts Maximum sentence: Five years Accuser: Jane Count Three: Conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, Maximum sentence: Five years in prison Accusers: Jane, Carolyn and Annie Farmer Count Four: Transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Maximum sentence: 10 years in prison Accuser: Jane Count Five: Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. Maximum: Five years in prison Accusers: Carolyn and Virginia Count Six: Sex trafficking of minors. Maximum sentence: 40 years in prison Accuser: Carolyn Advertisement

Kate is the only accuser whose claims should not be considered crimes as charged in the indictment.

The jury were not brought out and Judge Nathan said she would give them the transcripts in the deliberation room.

Maxwell walked into court wearing a black turtleneck sweat and black pants while holding a green folder.

She hugged her lawyers and waved at a young woman in the public gallery.

Maxwell's defense delivered closing arguments Monday afternoon, telling the jury that she is 'an innocent woman wrongfully accused of crimes she did not commit.'

In her closing remarks, Maxwell's lawyer Laura Menninger said: 'The government has failed to prove any charge beyond a reasonable doubt and the only correct verdict in this case is not guilty on each count.'

The defense again attempted to discredit the accounts of the four accusers, as Menninger stated, 'The evidence has established what we told you it would, that the stories relied on by the government are erroneous memories, manipulation and money. But in this case the order is reversed. The money brought the accusers to the FBI where their personal injury lawyers sat right there.'

As for how Maxwell was portrayed, Menninger said that she had been made to look like 'Cruella de Vil and the Devil Wears Prada all wrapped up into one'.

Such a portrait was 'as old as Hollywood', Menninger said.

Menninger said, 'The lawyers manipulated their stories and the government accepted their stories without ever corroborating them.'

Menninger said that 'suddenly' the accusers 'recovered memories years later.'

She said: 'The recovered memories that Ghislaine was involved, that Ghislaine was there, that Ghislaine was the culprit.'

Menninger said that the prosecution spent a lot of time talking about Epstein's lifestyle, about his wealth and his property and his private planes 'just like a sensationalist tabloid would'.

The couple appear in one photo in what appears to be a European city. Ghislaine is seen kissing Jeffrey Epstein on the cheek

Members of the prosecution team at the Ghislaine Maxwell trial walk out of the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse with boxes of papers as the jury deliberates

Menninger said that Epstein was a 'master manipulator' who 'abused his money and his power'.

She said: 'We are not here to defend Jeffrey Epstein, he is not my client', but she added: 'Ghislaine Maxwell is not Jeffrey Epstein'.

Menninger claimed that when Epstein died the prosecution 'pivoted' to going after Maxwell.

The idea was that 'Ghislaine was there, she must have known.'

Menninger criticized prosecutors for showing the jury dozens of photos out of 38,000 seized from Epstein's New York home in 2019.

She said: Where are the other 31,960 photos? Who was in those photos? Was it other girlfriends? Other women?

Nor should the jury draw any inference from Epstein keeping photos of Maxwell. Menninger asked the jury that if an ex boyfriend or girlfriend had photos of them, would that make them a 'sex offender'?

Menninger condemned the use of such images as 'straight up sensationalism.'
An Iowa family is blaming the unvaccinated for keeping their patriarch who had sepsis from getting a hospital bed for two weeks before he later died from complications after surgery.

Dale Weeks, 78, was a retired school superintendent diagnosed with the infection in November and was being treated at a small, rural hospital. He was vaccinated and boosted, according to his son Anthony.

His family wanted him transferred to a larger hospital that could provide him with better treatment options, but none of the bigger facilities had open beds due to a recent rash of COVID cases with the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Weeks' children blame the unvaccinated for their father's inability to be moved to a different facility.

'It was terribly frustrating being told, There's not a bed yet,' Jenifer Owenson, one of his four children, said Tuesday.

'All of us were talking multiple times a day, Why can't we get him a bed? There was this logjam to get him in anywhere.'

Dale Weeks (pictured center), 78, had to wait two weeks for a hospital bed due to unvaccinated COVID patients taking up ICU space

Weeks eventually got into surgery for sepsis but succumbed to complications from surgery two weeks later

Weeks' family believes that Dale could still be alive had he not had to wait for a bed at a larger hospital that could treat him better than the rural facility he'd been staying at

Weeks finally got into surgery two weeks after being admitted to a new facility, but his condition had worsened and he died on November 28 due to complications from surgery.

Anthony called his father a victim of the pandemic who would've survived had he been able to get to a larger hospital.

'The frustrating thing was not that we wanted him to get care that others weren't getting, but that he didn't get care when he needed it. And when he did get it, it was too late,' Anthony said.

'The question comes up of: 'Who was in those beds?' If it's people who are unvaccinated with Covid, then that's the part where it really hurts.'

Jennifer sees the unvaccinated as selfish, making it harder to accept what happened to their father.

'The thing that bothers me the most is people's selfish decision not to get vaccinated and the failure to see how this affects a greater group of people,' Owenson said. 'That's the part that's really difficult to swallow.'

The hospital system responsible for Weeks admitted that a majority of their patients were unvaccinated

Iowa, like much of the rest of the country, is seeing a spike in COVID cases due to Omicron

Though they've ticked down slightly, hospitalization of COVID patients has spiked in Iowa in recent weeks

A spokesperson for MercyOne, the hospital system tasked with Weeks' care, admitted that unvaccinated individuals were causing bed shortages.

'In addition to an increased number of COVID-19 cases and spread of the delta and omicron variants, hospitals across the country are dealing with traumas and experiencing multiple types of illness,' Marcy Peterson said in a statement.

'This demand is coupled with a reduced number of staff to care for patients. These challenges can strain available resources and contribute to delays in care or other complications for patients.'

She said that 'a large percentage' of their patients were not vaccinated.

More than 71,000 people are currently in the hospital suffering from COVID-19 in America, occupying around 16,344 ICU beds. According to COVID Act Now, at least 81 percent of Iowa's ICU beds have been taken up.

In Iowa, more than 1,500 people are testing positive for the virus each day and currently 706 people are hospitalized, which is down slightly.

COVID-19 cases are up across much of the country in recent weeks due to the new variant

Iowa is currently below the national average in terms of residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19

The state's department of health said that 82 percent of hospitalized COVID patients are unvaccinated and over 85 percent of those in the ICU haven't gotten the jab.

The state is below the national rate of 62 percent fully vaccinated with just 60 percent of residents falling in that category.

Julia Simanski, Weeks' daughter, said their father struggled with how others could avoid taking the shot.

'He said, I don't understand that, what is the reason for not getting vaccinated?' Simanski said. 'I told him how these people didn't know what was in the vaccine. He said, Well, we didn't know what was in polio, either, but we got the shot.'

Weeks' surviving family is hoping people will live up to their father's example in his memory.

'The irony of it all is that someone who was committed to service and helping people his whole life ended up dying from people not being neighborly or helpful,' Simanski said.
'Girls Gone Wild' creator Joe Francis claims that his wife has 'kidnapped' their twin daughters in Mexico and has ignored court orders to let him see them, but her lawyer hit back on Wednesday saying his client has full, temporary custody.

Francis, 45, posted on Instagram on December 25 that 'Santa Claus came today all the way from the North Pole' to deliver gifts for Alexandria and Athena, both 7, but then was 'so sad when he found out that you were kidnapped and not here at @casaaramara [Casa Aramara resort].'

Francis, who had been arrested in August on domestic violence charges, made sure to tag the Casa Aramara resort that he built in the beach town of Punta de Mita, Mexico, near Puerto Vallarta.

Abbey Wilson (left) claims that her husband Joe Francis has kicked her out of his house and refuses to provide financial support to raise their seven-year-old twin girls

A lawyer for Joe Francis's estranged wife Abbey Wilson says she has full, temporary custody of the couple's twin seven-year-old daughters Athena and Alexandra

Celebrity website TMZ reported Wednesday that Francis has reportedly not seen his seven-year-old twin daughters since before the holiday, which he claims is a violation of a court order.

The report goes on to quote unspecified court documents that claim the mom is violent and the trio is living with another man at an unknown address in Mexico.

The site's sources said that the mother, Abbey Wilson, 33, whom Francis met while conducting a 'Search for the Hottest Girls in America' contest in 1997, could be charged with kidnapping - which her lawyer later refuted.

Ronald Richards later told the Daily Mail that Francis has been 'physically and verbally abusive' and the mother has 'full, temporary custody.'

He said that the common law couple are currently in the process of arranging custody visits for Francis, but it has taken a while to iron out the details because they live five hours apart.

'The kidnapping claim is just ridiculous,' Richards said. 'If someone physically hurts you, you move out and you don't give them your address.'

Wilson's lawyer also claimed Francis hasn't provided financial support in over a year.

The couple had been living at Francis's beach resort near Puerto Vallarta because he has an outstanding warrant for his arrest in the U.S. based on a bankruptcy case, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In August, Francis was arrested on domestic violence charges when he allegedly became verbally and physically violent after an unnamed woman refused to inject him with vitamins.

Richards said that Wilson was that woman.

When she allegedly refused to get too close to him, he began to scream at her that she was an 'evil b****' and a 'w****' who he hoped rotted.

Francis told the woman that he was kicking her out of Casa Aramara when she tried to get away from him, according to a report by the Sun.

He told her that she didn't care about him, but that she'd now care because 'she's infected as well,' according to the report. Francis had tested positive for COVID-19, the report said.

Francis allegedly stepped on her head and put all of his weight on her body, wringing her neck and spitting in her face again, before telling her to leave the house.

He then pulled her down the hallway causing her head to bounce on the floor, the report said.

Francis was arrested and jailed for the incident until September 8, but the charges were eventually dropped after the victim issued a statement of forgiveness and he agree to undergo psychological treatment.

Both Francis and Wilson have complained bitterly about each other and their parenting styles on social media. Pictured: Francis with his daughters

Wilson said on her Instagram account that the marriage was anything but happy.

'We live in fear on a daily basis. My ex has not provided financial support in over a year, he does not help with their education, their medical bills, housing, food, or ANYTHING,' she wrote on November 6.

'He stole our home, ALL of our clothes and personal belongings, he stole our car from my parking garage, and has made it clear I am not safe in Mexico. I have faith that the Mexican government, judges, and various hard working people overseeing our case will do the right thing. No one should ever have to go through this. I will be going public with my story soon and sharing (what I am legally allowed to share) to protect myself and my children.'

Francis has also vented his custody issues on social media.

'Hopefully this ordeal will be over for you soon,' he posted on November 20. 'I cant imagine what your mother has put you through. Its so sad what she did to you. Its time for you to come home now.

DailyMail.com reached out to both Francis and Wilson.

Abbey Wilson took to Instagram to complain about her husband Joe Francis
The holiday travel nightmare continued Wednesday - with no end in sight - for the sixth day as nearly 800 flights were canceled and 1,000 delayed amid looming winter storms in the western U.S. and the Omicron surge.

Staffing shortages caused by Omicron infections led United airline to cancel 162 flights Wednesday while Atlanta-based Delta said it canceled 125, and JetBlue reported 98 nixed flights.

So far on Wednesday, 945 flights scheduled to enter, leave or fly in the U.S. were canceled and 3,917 were delayed, according to tracking website FlightAware.

Travelers wait on a long line in Miami International Airport on Tuesday as they navigate the chaotic travel delays brought on by Omicron

Travelers make their way through Miami International Airport on Wednesday as the travel nightmare drags into it's sixth day

Passengers at Miami International Airport check the flight information board to check for cancellations or delays caused by short staffing due to the Omicron surge

Patient travelers stand in a long line at Salt Lake City International Airport on Monday when over 1,000 flights were cancelled

More cancellations are expected during the day as airlines scramble to deal with the knock-on effect of the resurgence of COVID.

According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. is averaging 181,948 COVID cases every day, with that number set to increase in the coming days due to reporting lags during the holiday season. Nearly three out of every four cases, or 73 percent, are the Omicron variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.

Wednesday's cancellations dragged the holiday travel nightmare into its sixth day.

The chaos was kickstarted over the holiday weekend after more 7,300 flights were impacted Sunday, and 4,000 flights were canceled or delayed on Christmas Day, frustrating travelers.

And now travelers have to contend with weather-related cancellations going into Wednesday and Thursday as the West and Pacific Northwest brace for winter storms expected to bring freezing temperatures and heavy snow.

Currently, a winter storm warning is in effect for parts of Northern California and Nevada into Wednesday evening as Washington and Oregon deal with the effects of severe weather.

The Portland area got one to three inches of snow and Seattle saw up to six inches.

Officials warned drivers on Tuesday to avoid snow filled Northern California highways, including R-49 and SR-89 in the Camptonville and Downieville areas (pictured)

As Northern California deals with snowfall and cold temperatures, crews are hard at work clearing highways such as SR-49 and SR-89 in the Camptonville/Downieville area (pictured)

Travelers have to contend with weather related cancellations as the Western U.S and Pacific Northwest braces for sweeping winter storms (picture: Tahoe National Forest on Wednesday)

In Southwestern California, forecasters expect 1 to 3 inches of rain for coastal and valley areas and 1 to 2 inches in the mountains of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties (pictured: Kirkwood, California on Tuesday)

In southwestern California, forecasters expect 1 to 3 inches of rain for coastal and valley areas and 1 to 2 inches in the mountains of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, the National Weather Service said.

As a result, Alaska Airlines said it would decrease Seattle departures by around 20 percent to allow additional time to de-ice aircraft, NBC News reported.

The snowy weather in the Pacific Northwest contributed to the cancellation of more than 110 flights scheduled to land at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Monday, Reuters reported.

The travel havoc has not been limited to just the U.S. European airlines also were affected after experiencing their own Covid-19 surge.

That includes British Airways, which has canceled 'a number of flights due to operational constraints,' and was forced to use larger aircrafts, a spokesperson told CNN.

On Wednesday, the airline canceled 15 flights and delayed 42, according to FlightAware. BA canceled 46 on Monday.

German airline Lufthansa said it will cancel 10 percent of its winter flight schedule due to Covid-19, CNN reported.

As airlines scramble to deal with the Omicron surge and weather, passengers have been left stranded, leaving them to air their frustrations on social media.

'Delta what is going on with your flights, this is second flight in 2 days that will be canceled and cant reach any single representative without waiting more than 3 hours?' an angry customer tweeted on Wednesday.

Another customer said the wait time for customer service was outrageous: 'Hey Alaska Air you cancelled my flight, told me to change my reservation online, and then your online portal told me I needed to call your 1-800 numberbut when I did that, it said there was a 20 hour wait to speak to an agent and I still haven't gotten a callback. Help?'

'Hey United you canceled my connecting flight home, then delayed the rescheduled flight 3 times, and now you literally can't find a flight crew. Some people have been waiting here for 12 hours. When are you going to just give in and out us up in a hotel?' someone else tweeted.

'The ordeal at Delta continues, my second flight has been cancelled and the agent is giving me an option to pick up the remainder of the journey 2 days later. Sigh!' another frustrated traveler tweeted.
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Forecasters are anticipating a record-breaking end to the year, with warm air from the mid-Atlantic bringing unseasonably mild temperatures to the UK as strong winds hit parts of the country.

Warm south-westerly winds from the Azores have arrived in the UK, replacing the cooler northerly winds, causing the mercury to rise well into the mid-teens as 2021 draws to a close.

A continued period of milder weather means the record for the highest temperature on New Year's Eve in the UK - 14.8C (58.6F) at Colwyn Bay in north Wales in 2011 - could be broken.

The mild temperatures are expected to last until the end of the week, before dropping to around 43F (6C) in Scotland and the north of England, and around 48F (9C) in the south of England from Bank Holiday Morning.

Craig Snell, forecaster with the Met Office, said the milder temperatures were 'all to do with the wind direction'.

He said: 'Earlier in the month we had some cold northerly winds, but from today the winds are coming in from the South West, you can trace the air back to the Azores and the central Atlantic.

Forecasters are anticipating a record-breaking end to the year, with warm air from the mid-Atlantic bringing mild temperatures to the UK as strong winds hit parts of the country. Pictured: A woman battles strong winds in Plymouth today

Grey morning: A dark and misty morning with mild temperatures at the Plymouth seafront in Devon earlier today

Temperatures are expected to be unseasonably mild throughout the rest of the week before dipping again in January

'It's still pretty warm there at this time of year, so we are tapping into the milder air that's being dragged up to the UK.

'It means it's very mild for the time of year, particularly in the South West of the UK.'

Temperatures on Wednesday are expected to hit 16C along the south coast, but still some way short of the December record of 18.7C experienced in 2019.

Mr Snell said: 'I think people will continue to feel how mild it is over the coming days.

'We are keeping a close eye on the New Year's Eve weather, because that record (14.8C) is quite under threat.

'But it looks like the transition (to cooler weather) will be on Bank Holiday Morning.

Braving the waves: The wind and mild temperatures made it perfect for sea swimmers on Plymouth seafront this morning

Pictured: Strong winds and cause waves to crash into the Plymouth seafront in Devon earlier today

People out punting on the river Cam in Cambridge making the most of a dry spell and the mild temperatures earlier today

Pictured: Cambridgeshire remained underwater earlier this morning as river levels continue to rise and the Environment Agency issued more than 30 flood alerts for the area. Pictured: St Ives, Cambridge on Wednesday, 29 December, 2021

The 30 flood alerts issued on Wednesday morning, largely across central and south-west England, after heavy rainfall overnight. Pictured: Parts of St Ives, Cambridge was still underwater earlier today (on Wednesday 29 December 2021)

'We will see the winds switch around so temperatures will return down to normal, with a smidgen below normal in the north of the UK.'

It came as the Environment Agency issued more than 30 flood alerts on Wednesday morning, largely across central and south-west England, after heavy rainfall overnight.

Yesterday, fields and roads around Sutton Gault were left underwater with drivers advised to plan their routes in order to avoid the worst hit roads following the persistent rain.

Meanwhile flood alerts were also issued for the Hundred Foot Washes, the East and West Glens and Harrold and Oakley as experts warned of more rainfall yet to come and rising river levels over the next 12 hours.

Elsewhere a road was blocked off in Northwich, Cheshire, this morning after a landslip at Winnington Bridge.

It came after heavy rainfall over the last few days caused flooding on many local roads in the region and motorists were urged to drive carefully.

A motorist drives a Land Rover through a flooded road in Cambridgeshire after the region was hit by heavy rain this weekend

On Monday, a British aid group said that the ten most expensive weather disasters this year caused more than 126 billion in damage - 15 billion more than in 2020.

Each year, UK charity Christian Aid calculates the cost of weather incidents like flooding, fires and heat waves according to insurance claims and reports the results.

In 2020, it found the world's ten costliest weather disasters caused 112 billion in damage, making this year's total an increase of 13 per cent.

Christian Aid said the upward trend reflected the effects of man-made climate change and added that the ten disasters in question also killed at least 1,075 people and displaced 1.3 million.

The most expensive disaster in 2021 was hurricane Ida, which lashed the eastern United States and caused around $65 billion in damages. After crashing into Louisiana at the end of August, it made its way northward and caused extensive flooding in New York City and the surrounding area.

Other disasters costing several billion dollars include flooding in Canada, a late spring freeze in France that damaged vineyards, and a cyclone in India and Bangladesh in May.

The report acknowledged its evaluation mainly covered disasters in countries where infrastructure was better insured and that the financial toll of disasters on poor countries was often incalculable.
Boris Johnson insisted today that he had spent Christmas 'in this country' as he made his first public appearance in 10 days.

The premier emerged at the Open University's Walton Hall campus in Milton Keynes this morning to give the official green light for New Year's Eve celebrations in England.

It was his first official engagement since before Christmas and was just 24 miles - an easy 45-minute drive - north of Chequers, his official country residence in Buckinghamshire.

But he was coy on where he had actually spent the break, despite having been pictured at the lavish estate on December 23 with wide Carrie and their newborn daughter Romy.

Asked where he had been, he told reporters: 'I've been in this country.' He did not elaborate further.

Questions have been raised about the Prime Minister's whereabouts after he left it to other ministers to announce there would be no fresh Covid restrictions introduced before the New Year.

Sajid Javid made the announcement on Monday after the PM met his advisers Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance to analyse Christmas Covid data.

The following day Care Minister Gillian Keegan reiterated the message and told revellers to enjoy themselves 'cautiously'.

The premier emerged at the Open University's Walton Hall campus in Milton Keynes this morning to give the official green light for New Year's Eve celebrations in England.

But he was coy on where he had actually spent Christmas, despite having been pictured at Chequers, just 24 miles from Milton Keynes, on December 23

Boris Johnson's Christmas

December 17

Boris Johnson visits his Uxbridge constituency in West London. He speaks to local police officers as a row rages in Westminster over his leadership amid fallout from the North Shropshire by-election defeat and partygate.

The Lib Dems had won the former safe Tory seat the previous day in a by-election that signalled public anger at his Government.

Boris Johnson visits his Uxbridge constituency in West London and speaks to local police

December 21

Mr Johnson uses video message from Downing Street to declare that Christmas can definitely go ahead 'cautiously'.

Amid rising anger that millions of people were being left in limbo, the PM completely ruled out any further curbs being introduced before December 25.

But he gave notice that the government was still monitoring the 'finely balanced' situation with Omicron 'very carefully' and was 'ready to take action' afterwards if necessary.

In a statement he said: 'What this means is that people can go ahead with their Christmas plans but the situation remains finely balanced and I would urge everyone to exercise caution, to keep protecting yourselves and your loved ones, especially the vulnerable.

'And remember to keep following the guidance - wear a mask indoors when required to do so, keep fresh air circulating, and take a test before you visit elderly or vulnerable relatives.'

December 23

Mr Johnson records his Christmas message at Downing Street, in which he described booster jabs as a 'wonderful' gift to families.

He warned that the pandemic is far from over, as 'Omicron is surging', and paid tribute to the work of NHS staff.

The video was release on Christmas Eve, with the PM saying: 'Though the time for buying presents is theoretically running out, there is still a wonderful thing you can give your family and the whole country, and that is to get that jab, whether it is your first or second, or your booster.

'So that next year's festivities are even better than this year's.'

Mr Johnson records his Christmas message at Downing Street. Later the same day he posed for pictures at Chequers after leaving London with his family

Later the same day he posed for pictures at Chequers after leaving London with his family.

In images released on Christmas Day he hopped onto Zoom for video calls with vaccine medics.

He was accompanied by his wife Carrie, their two young children, and their dog Dilyn.

The Prime Minister and Mrs Johnson were pictured sitting on a sofa next to their dog in a living room in Chequers, speaking to NHS vaccination 'heroes' administering millions of Covid booster jabs.

Mrs Johnson held Romy, born on December 9, who appears to have a full head of brown hair.

The PM addressed health staff including Dr Laura Mount director of Central and West Warrington. He was surrounded by family decorations including Christmas cards, a homemade sign which read 'Wilf and Romy', and what appeared to be children's art.

December 27

England's New Year's Eve celebrations were given the green light after weeks of being hung in the balance.

Mr Johnson held crunch talks with his chief advisers Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance.

But it was Health Secretary Sajid Javid who appeared before TV cameras to say: 'There will be no further measures before the New Year.'

The Pm limited himself to a short statement on Twitter, saying: 'We will continue to monitor the data carefully, but there will be no new restrictions introduced in England before the New Year. However, I would urge everyone to continue to act cautiously given the rising number of Omicron cases.

'Most importantly I urge everyone to get their first, second or booster jab without delay to protect yourselves and your loved ones.'

December 28

A senior minister gave New Year's Eve revellers in England the go-ahead to party but to exercise Covid caution today - as Boris Johnson's light-touch plans won approval from a top vaccine expert.

Gillian Keegan said people should go out and have fun to see in 2022 but take steps to limit their chances of catching the virus.

Gillian Keegan said people should go out and have fun to see in 2022 but take steps to limit their chances of catching the virus.

She advised people to take Lateral Flow Tests before hitting the town and consider having parties outdoors - something that will be aided by temperatures expected to hit the mid teens Celsius in parts of the UK.

The message came as a leading vaccines expert backed Boris Johnson's refusal to toughen England's Covid restrictions to bring them into line with the other Home Nations, saying that mass deaths and hospitalisations from the deadly disease are 'history'.

Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University and a member of the Vaccines Taskforce, said the public had been 'pretty responsible' in its response to the spread of the Omicron variant.

December 29

Mr Johnson finally reappears after Christmas, but is vague on his festive whereabouts.

Speaking at the Open University in Milton Keynes he gave the green light for people to celebrate on New Year's Eve but urged the nation to be 'cautious and sensible'.

Mr Johnson finally reappears after Christmas, but is vague on his festive whereabouts.

The Prime Minister said he believes 'everybody should enjoy New Year' despite the spread of the Omicron variant.

He said the strain 'continues to cause real problems', with hospitalisations rising, but the data shows it is 'obviously milder than the Delta variant'.

Mr Johnson said the booster jab rollout means England does not currently need new coronavirus restrictions, despite Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all imposing new rules on socialising.

The premier today repeated his plea to the nation to get boosted as he warned that 90 per cent of Covid patients in intensive care units across the country had not received the top-up dose.
Three people have died in Ukraine after a candle lit in memory of a Covid patient set fire to an intensive care unit.

A hospital employee in Kosiv, a western town on the edge of the Carpathian mountains, lit a candle in accordance with local tradition.

The tribute was held in the hospital's intensive care unit where five oxygen concentrators had been operating, with equipment instantly catching fire.

Three people have died in Ukraine after a candle lit in memory of a Covid patient set fire to an intensive care unit (file image)

'Ignorance of the elementary laws of physics and disregard for safety rules have led to irreparable losses,' the emergencies services said.

They described the incident as a 'terrible mistake.'

Three people - including two patients - were killed.

Four other people were treated for severe burns.

Deadly fires are common in the ex-Soviet nation due to poor compliance with safety regulations and ageing infrastructure.

In February, an oxygen explosion killed one coronavirus patient and injured another at a hospital in the western city of Chernivtsi.

The same month, four people died in the southwestern city of Zaporizhzhya after a fire ripped through the intensive care unit of a hospital that was treating coronavirus patients.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will leave their Rehoboth beach house on Wednesday to head to their family home in Wilmington, Delaware, as they continue their vacation from the White House amid rising COVID cases throughout the country.

The first couple slipped out for a walk on the beach Tuesday evening, taking their new German Shepherd puppy Commander with them.

Biden, who arrived at the beach on Monday afternoon, insisted to reporters that he was on the phone for most of Tuesday working despite a blank public schedule and spending the days following the Christmas holiday away from Washington, D.C.

Commander, the president said, is a 15-week-old rescue given as a present from his brother for his 79th birthday last month. The new addition to the first family comes after Biden's dog Champ, who was also a German Shepherd, died in June 2021. Their other dog Major now lives with family friends after a series of biting incidents.

The Bidens took Commander down to the beach where they let him off his leash to run on the sand. Jill Biden had a ball with her that she and the president took turns throwing for the pup to fetch.

It was Biden's 31st trip to Delaware, his 4th to Rehoboth Beach, since the start of his presidency, according to CBS News' Mark Knoller, who tracks presidential travel.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will leave their Rehoboth beach house on Wednesday to head to their family home in Wilmington, Delaware

Jill and Joe Biden toss a ball to each other as they take their dog Commander for a walk on the beach in Delaware on Tuesday evening

Biden told reporters that the 15-week-old puppy is a rescue that was gifted to him by his brother last month for his 79th birthday

The first couple spent Christmas at the White House but decamped to Delaware for the week between the Christmas and New Year's holiday.

Biden's exodus from Washington D.C. comes as the nation's capitol and its surrounding area became a COVID hot spot. The proportion of people testing positive has soared to above 15% in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

And on Tuesday the nation broke its record for the most daily COVID-19 cases with a seven-day average of 264,546 cases reported, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data.

The country's previous record was about 247,503 daily cases, reported on January 11.

The record comes as the US hit a total of 53,170,421 cases as of Wednesday morning, amid a growing number of people who were tested before and after Christmas weekend.

The administration has faced criticism for a testing shortage as long lines formed around the nation.

Biden said his administration had made 'a bit of progress' in getting more COVID testing kits distributed but he did not offer details.

The president has pledged 500 million at-home COVID tests will be available in the new year.

Biden also said he would impose a vaccine mandate for domestic airline travel if his medical team recommends it.

He said he would make a final decision on the matter 'when I get a recommendation from the medical team.'

The idea of mandating COVID vaccines for domestic travel has been bouncing around the administration for months. The emergence of the Omicron variant and rising case rate has it being reconsidered yet again.

President Biden takes Commander for a walk on the beach

The president told reporters that he will make a decision on domestic vaccine requirements 'when I get a recommendation from the medical team.'

The president plays fetch with the newest addition to the first family during some off-leash beach time December 28

Members of the secret service guarding the President and First Lady are seen spread out around them

The Bidens played with their new puppy as the sun set in Delaware

Meanwhile, the impact the Omicron variant has had on the nation's skyrocketing COVID infections may have been overblown by as much as 50 percentage points after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention slashed its estimate for the prevalence of the strain in COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.

The agency released a revised chart showing that the new variant accounted for 23 percent of all cases for the week ending on December 18, as opposed to the 73 percent it originally reported.

The chart showed that the Omicron variant accounted for 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25, meaning the Delta variant has been accounting for far more infections than the agency initially thought.

'There's no way around it, it is a huge swing that makes it seem like something went really wrong,' Dr. Shruti Gohil, the associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine's School of Medicine, told NPR.

The CDC's new data on the prevalence of the Omicron variant shows that the Delta variant, which is more severe and less contagious than Omicron, still has a hold on the country and is a driving factor behind the most current surge in cases.

It also begs the question of how the CDC could have recorded such a drastic difference in the strain's prevalence than what was the reality.

Jasmine Reed, a spokesperson for the CDC, recognized the 'wide predictive interval posted in last week's chart,' referring to the huge gap in the data for the week ending on December 18, and attributed it to the 'speed at which Omicron was increasing.'

'CDC's models have a range, and we're still seeing steady increase in the proportion of Omicron,' she told Fox News.

Gohil noted that there is 'always a delay in the testing information that comes in, and that's what the public should take away.'

She added that health professionals were finally understanding the Delta variant more and figuring out how to test for it efficiently when the Omicron variant swept through the country.
A comedy mug that called local councillors 'idiots' was banned after the council leader said that not all staff would 'appreciate the joke'.

Anthony Gotts, owner of Handmade in Rossendale, which is based in Lancashire, was ordered to stop selling the item or face losing his Rawtenstall Market stall, the Lancashire Telegraph reports.

The otherwise plain white mugs he sold were emblazoned with the words: 'In Rossendale we call our idiots ''The Council''.' Mr Gotts had been selling them at the market for several years before he received a letter instructing him to stop.

Leader of the Borough Council, Cllr Alyson Barnes, said she felt that not all council staff would 'appreciate the joke'.

Mr Gotts found a new home for the item at Queens Dock Barbers on Bank Street, not on council property, and went on to raise 170 for Rossendale Hospice by selling off his stock.

Writing on his business' social media account on December 17, Mr Gotts said he was visited by Samara Barnes, a Councillor from Haslingden, and the pair had a 'jolly little chat' about the mug.

Writing on his business' social media account on December 17, Anthony Gotts said he was visited by Samara Barnes, a Councillor from Haslingden, and the pair had a 'jolly little chat' about the mug

Anthony Gotts, owner of Handmade in Rossendale, which is based in Lancashire, was ordered to stop selling the item or face losing his Rawtenstall Market stall

He added: 'Today I received a phone call telling me I had to remove my best selling line from sale or be suspended from the place I usually sell my goods. This ultimatum was passed directly from the council. Coincidence? Possibly but I doubt it.

'I've been selling these mugs for almost three years, local councillors, politicians, council workers have all bought them along with other members of the public.

'We've all had a bit of fun chatting about them, they've been a great ice breaker.'

But in an update on December 18, he gave 'huge thanks to Rossendale Borough Council for their excellent PR campaign', revealing that his customers had been offering to overpay for the mugs.

Mr Gotts wrote: 'I feel inspired by my customers generosity so, not only am I going to donate the profit, I'll donate the entire takings on these mugs and round it up to 150

'Merry Christmas Rossendale Council.'

And in a further update, included in his original post, Mr Gotts said that Samara Barnes had emailed the Chief Executive of Rossendale Council 'to say she does not agree with council leader Alyson Barnes' decision to censor my mugs'.

He added: 'I'm now relatively happy that Samara inadvertently caused this to happen and I don't wish her any ill. I'm sorry if I caused any personal abuse to go in her direction. It seems my customers are pretty protective of my business.'

MailOnline has contacted Rossendale Borough Council for comment.
Vice President Kamala Harris has tapped Wall Street and Silicon Valley executives for advice and ideas on tackling her difficult policy portfolio, it emerged Wednesday, as she grapples with migration and other crises.

Harris has faced intense criticism since being put in charge of addressing the root causes behind a surge in migration from Central America.

Now she is looking to business brains to help her navigate the crisis.

They include Microsoft President Brad Smith, Cisco Systems Chief Executive Chuck Robbins and Citigroup C.E.O. Jane Fraser, according to Bloomberg News.

'The vice president has worked closely with business leaders across a range of issues - and throughout her career she has viewed the business community as an important partner when it comes to getting things done, with speed and impact in mind,' said Harris economic adviser Mike Pyle in a statement.

The effort is not without risk. Progressives, already suspicious of Harris's record as a prosecutor in California, will worry that she is cozying up to corporate America, giving big business a chance to push its own agenda.

Vice President Kamala Harris is turning to Silicon Valley and Wall Street chief executives as she tries to tackle migration and supply chain problems

A migrant from Haiti carries a child while crossing the Rio Bravo river to turn himself in to U.S Border Patrol agents to request asylum in El Paso, Texas

Harris has been talking to business leaders Microsoft President Brad Smith (left) and Cisco Systems Chief Executive Chuck Robbins as she tries to get on top of her portfolio

But insiders say the discussions yielded one of the vice president's biggest successes so far, delivering $1.2 billion in corporate commitments to invest in Central American economies.

In the spring, Harris asked the executives - including Mastercard Chairman Ajay Banga and Chobani C.E.O. Hamdi Ulukayi - how to address poverty and corruption in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

They reportedly described what they saw as some of the key issues pushing migration, and said their charitable contributions would be more effective if they worked in unison.

'She latched on to that and kind of said, "That's interesting. How many ideas can we come up with? How could a team of people get together?"' Banga told Bloomberg News.

She gathered the executives in a conference room at the Old Executive Office Building where they agreed to set up a non-profit to co-ordinate their efforts.

Last month, Harris announced the results, setting out how $1.2 billion in commitments would be used to open job training programs and expand Internet access in the hope is would stem migration.

Harris, seen with husband Doug Emhoff visiting firefighters on Christmas Eve, suffered a difficult year of cratering approval ratings and criticism over her handling of the migrant crisis

Customs and Border Protection data show officers encountered more than 1.75 million migrants at the southern border since Harris and President Biden took office

The effort comes during a year of record breaking numbers of arrivals at the southern border.

Customs and Border Protection data show officers encountered more than 1.75 million migrants at the southern border since Harris and President Biden took office.

Numbers released this month show the agency's officers encountered 173,620 illegal crossers in November  a 140 per cent increase in illegal crossings from the same month last year, when there were 72,113 encounters.

Republicans have tried to paint Harris as 'border czar' but she has insisted her role is to address the factors that push people to leave their homes in Central America.

'My approach to the issue in Guatemala and its neighboring countries, which has been formerly called the Northern Triangle, is to do what we have, I think, a responsibility to do, as a member of the Western Hemisphere  to assist in dealing with the root causes of migration out of those countries,' she told CBS's Face the Nation on Sunsday

'And that is my primary focus.'

Whether or not her push will have an impact on numbers at the border remains to be seen.

But Smith, of Microsoft, said he believed the talks with executives were making a difference.

'I probably started out as somebody who was hopeful but skeptical that this could make a real dent, just because I think the magnitude of the challenge is so great,' he said.

'But increasingly, I'm optimistic that this is gaining real momentum and will make a real difference.'

Harris has also relied on corporate leaders she first met as a rising politician in California, such as Cisco's Robbins.

He said the two had stayed in contact since she was sworn in as vice president, and that they discussed issues including semiconductor shortages before she visited Singapore and Vietnam in August.

'We talked a lot about the specific capacity issues, the geographic consolidation of where the semiconductors are built,' he said.

Harris aides say she has also held calls with the heads of big banks, such as Bank Of America C.E.O. Brian Moynihan, J.P. Morgan Chase and Co C.E.O. Jamie Dimon, and Truist Financial Corp. C.E.O. Kelly King, to improve access to loans during the pandemic.
PC Declan Jones was sacked from West Midlands Police after being found guilty of assault by a district judge in August

A police officer who was jailed for attacking a 15-year-old black boy and a black cyclist while on duty has been found dead at his parents' home.

PC Declan Jones was discovered by his horrified mother and father at his home in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire yesterday afternoon. He is believed to have taken his own life.

The 30-year-old was sacked from West Midlands Police after being found guilty of assault by a district judge in August.

He was recorded on CCTV pulling a 44-year-old black cyclist to the floor in Birmingham before punching him and kicking him and later pushing his face into the bonnet of a patrol vehicle in April last year.

Less than 24 hours later he was filmed kicking and punching the black teenager after wrongly accusing him of possessing drugs in the Newtown area of the city.

Officers from West Mercia Police attended the address in Bromsgrove, where Jones had spent Christmas.

A force spokesman said: 'On 28 December, officers were called to an address in Bromsgrove following reports of concern for the welfare of man in his 30s.

'Sadly, the man was pronounced dead at around 12.45pm. We don't believe there to be any third party involvement in the death and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.'

Jones (pictured outside court in August) was charged in October 2020 after an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) inquiry

Jones, pictured top right, was filmed throwing punches at this cyclist on hood of police car

During his trial earlier this year, Coventry Magistrates Court was shown security camera footage of PC Jones grabbing innocent cyclist Michael Rose, 44, off his bicycle in the middle of the street in Aston, Birmingham, on April 20 2020.

He had believed him to have stolen his phone. While Mr Rose was held down by a female officer, Jones punched him three times in the back while appearing to bang his head on the bonnet of the patrol car.

Disturbing footage shows the officer only stopping the attack when a silver Ford Focus drove past the scene. The officer then appeared to punch the man again before kneeing him in the side as his colleague put the handcuffs on. Several passers-by appealed to the officer to stop, but Jones responded by body slamming Mr Rose against the car.

The next day Jones was caught on camera kicking the boy, who was not named for legal reasons, while on the ground.

In footage shown in court, Jones grappled with the youngster. Jones claimed he had used reasonable force in self-defence but he was found guilty of using unlawful force after a five-day trial at Coventry Magistrates' Court.

District Judge Shamim Qureshi said the two complainants were of good character, rejecting Jones' claims that they were only seeking compensation. He found the officer's use of force in both incidents 'unlawful'.

He said: 'None of the complainants went immediately to the police to allege assault. They only did so after being advised in the community.'

Following the guilty verdicts, Jones was then dismissed without notice by West Midlands Police Chief Constable Sir David Thompson at an accelerated misconduct hearing.

Sir David said of Jones: 'The officer's conduct has clearly fallen far below what ought to be expected of any police officer. The conduct is criminal and has caused a serious impact on the public view of West Midlands Police.

'I fully apologise to his victims in this case. I can see no sanction other than the officer should be dismissed without notice.'

Sir David said the case also involved a 'national concern' surrounding the use of force by the police on members of the black community.

He added: 'Getting this right and ensuring our black communities know this is an imperative for me and every right-thinking person on this force. It requires each of us to strive to be better... so we can remove the stain that this police officer's actions has placed on our force.'

The assaults were investigated by the Independence Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) but the board did not find Jones guilty of gross misconduct over the discrimination allegations made by the victims.

Jones was released from prison in December.

He was facing trial in October next year for another alleged assault.

He was accused of committing actual bodily harm against Trevaile Wyse in an incident involving a Taser last year.

The former officer was charged after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Jones denied the charge.

West Midlands Ambulance Service told MailOnline: 'We were called to a property on Patch Street, Bromsgrove at 12.44pm yesterday.

'Three ambulances and a paramedic officer attended to find a man in cardiac arrest. Sadly, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased on scene.'
France has recorded 208,000 new Covid infections in the past 24 hours, the highest number seen in Europe throughout the entire pandemic.

Health minister Olivier Veran warned lawmakers of the tsunami of new cases, breaking France's own record set a day before with 180,000 infections.

Every second, two people in France are testing positive for COVID-19, Veran said.

And 70 per cent of those in intensive care in Paris are unvaccinated, while among the vaccinated patients, 80 per cent are immunocompromised.

Veran added that the situation in hospitals was worrying because of the Delta variant, with Omicron yet to have an impact.

France has recorded 208,000 new Covid infections in the past 24 hours, the highest number seen in Europe throughout the entire pandemic. Pictured: an emergency Covid center in Lagny-sur-Marne near Paris

The flu will further complicate things for hospitals, he said.

'I wouldn't call Omicron a wave anymore, I would call it a tidal wave,' Veran said.

'Given the numbers we have been seeing these past few days, we're talking about a landslide.'

Some 10 per cent of the French population had been in contact with somebody who is infected with the virus, Veran said, and even vaccinations were unlikely to offer enough protection.

'The virus circulation is too intense,' he said.

Speaking to those not vaccinated, Mr Veran said: 'There is really little chance that this time you can escape (Covid-19): The virus is spreading too fast.'

Health minister Olivier Veran (pictured) warned lawmakers of the tsunami of new cases, breaking France's own record set a day before with 180,000 infections

Mr Veran also advised the most vulnerable people who had not got the vaccine booster shot yet to 'protect yourself in the coming days. Don't take risks'.

The minister had warned on Monday that France could reach more than 250,000 daily Covid cases by the beginning of January.

France has vaccinated 77 per cent of its population and is rushing out booster shots.

But more than four million adults remain unvaccinated, including more than one million people over the age of 65.

More than 3,400 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised in intensive care units on Wednesday, an increase of 10% over the past week.

The figure represents two thirds of ICU beds occupied by people infected with the virus.

But the number is lower than during the previous peak in the spring, when about 6,000 Covid-19 patients needed intensive care.

The government wants the vaccine pass to be in place by mid-January.

Global COVID-19 infections hit a record high over the past seven days, Reuters data showed on Wednesday, as the new Omicron variant spread rapidly, keeping many workers at home and overwhelming testing centres.

This week, France announced a raft of new Covid measures, making working from home mandatory three days a week, limiting attendance for indoor events and banning eating on long distance trains.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said the government is narrowing the delay for a third booster shot to three months from four, but there will be no curfew for New Year's Eve.

He added that for the next three weeks, all public gatherings will be limited to 2,000 people for indoor events, and to 5,000 people for outdoor events.

Professor Paul Hunter, an epidemiologist at the University of East Anglia, said a ban on food and drinks on long-distance trains was probably an attempt to ensure people wear masks as much as possible.

Prof Hunter told MailOnline: 'If people wear face coverings it will reduce the rate of transmission by about 20 per cent.'

However, he said whether the food and drinks ban will make a big impact was 'uncertain'

Health experts estimated the number of daily cases could increase rapidly by mid-January, even though millions of people received booster shots in recent weeks.
The jury weighing fraud charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes departed court Wednesday without reaching a verdict after six days of deliberations. It won't resume discussions until after the upcoming New Year's holiday weekend.

The eight men and four women on the jury had been expected to continue deliberations on Thursday morning, but a court filing after they left disclosed they will be taking a break until Monday. There was no explanation for the decision to pause deliberations. The jury had already been scheduled to be off Friday, a federal court holiday.

The latest round of discussions occurred against a backdrop of intrigue raised by a closed-door meeting early Wednesday involving Holmes' attorneys, and the judge presiding over the case.

U.S. District Judge Edward Davila held the 'in camera' hearing Tuesday morning with two of Holmes' lawyers, Kevin Downey and Lance Wade, along with a two of the prosecutors, Jeffrey Schenk and Robert Leach, according to a court filing late Tuesday night. Holmes was not present at the 23-minute hearing.

The hearing transcript has been sealed, leaving the topics that were discussed a mystery. But it it's not unusual for plea agreement discussions to take place while a jury deliberates over charges, especially the longer it takes to reach a verdict. The surprise decision to take Thursday off may also have been a focal point.

Holmes, 37, is facing 11 criminal charges alleging that she duped investors and patients by hailing her company's blood-testing technology as a medical breakthrough when in fact it was prone to wild errors. If she is convicted, Holmes faces up to 20 years in prison.

The eight men and four women on the jury have been meeting in a San Jose, California, federal courthouse after absorbing reams of evidence in a three-month trial that captivated Silicon Valley.

Former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, center, with her partner, Billy Evans, left, and mother, Noel Holmes, right

Elizabeth Holmes and her mother Noel Holmes walk as they leave the Robert F. Peckham Federal Building on December 23

In this courtroom sketch, Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is cross examined by prosecutor Robert Leach

Last week, the jury sent out two notes to Judge Davila -- one making a swiftly rejected request to take their instructions home with them for further study and another that allowed them a replay of a 2013 recording of Holmes discussing Theranos' dealings with prospective investors.

The jurors didn't provide any inkling of their progress in deliberations this week.

The case has attracted worldwide attention. At its core is the rise and fall of Holmes, who started Theranos as a 19-year-old college dropout and then went on to break through Silicon Valley's male-dominated culture with her bold claims and fundraising savvy. She become a billionaire on paper before it all evaporated amid allegations she was more of a charlatan than an entrepreneur

The court listens as assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Schenk delivers closing arguments in Holmes's fraud trial

Investors gave Theranos $945 million in Holmes' pursuit of a groundbreaking blood-technology system

The machine Edison, claimed to be invented by Holmes, was considered to be revolutionary as it could run multiple blood tests from a single sample

Her co-defendant and ex-boyfriend Sunny Balwani, 56, is set to start trial early next year.

She claimed her ex-boyfriend was abusive and once gave her controlling handwritten instructions on how to become 'the new Elizabeth.'

The document, released as evidence earlier this month, includes mantras such as 'I will never meet with anyone for more than five minutes unless I have written down why.'

The three pages of scrawling outlined how Holmes should start her day, beginning with forcing herself out of bed and spending 30 minutes  'never a minute less'  writing down the day's goals.

In court earlier this week, Holmes sobbed as she accused Balwani of abusing her and forcing her into sex.

Earlier this month, Holmes accused Balwani of being abusive and controlling, and forcing her to have sex against her will during their 12-year relationship, which ended in 2016.

'He would force me to have sex with him when I didn't want to because he would say that he wanted me to know he still loved me,' said Holmes, in tears.

She told the court that Balwani, a Pakistan-born multimillionaire who made his fortune in the dot com boom in the Silicon Valley, controlled what she ate and how she lived.
A Pennsylvania man has been charged with child endangerment after multiple minors were found in a room in his apartment that contained nothing but a mattress, roaches, Plan B and condom wrappers, police said.

At least three minors were discovered after police went searching for a missing boy who later said he was 'attacked and force to strip down,' according to authorities.

Tyron Scott, 24, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania - a suburb of Pittsburgh - has been charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of children, one count of recklessly endangering another person, and one count of corruption of minors after at least three juveniles were found in his home on Center Street.

Wilkinsburg police arrived at Scott's residence after they responded to a request from the Pittsburgh police about a missing boy allegedly being held against his will at Scott's address.

When authorities arrived, they found minors hiding in the home, including two female minors. Police also encountered Scott and his daughter. The suspect told police that two other minors had run away. It's unknown exactly how many minors were in the home or how old they are.

The missing boy, who was not named nor was his age given, had eventually escaped from the house before police arrived and was later found at a local Save A Lot supermarket, roughly two minutes away.

He told authorities that he was 'jumped' by minors he did not know, was forced to strip off his clothing, was sprayed in the face with cologne, and was forced to drink unknown liquids.

Tyron Scott, 24, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania - a suburb of Pittsburgh - has been arrested and charged with four counts of child endangerment after three minors were found inside his home (pictured) on Center Street

Police arrived at the residence after a missing boy's brother alerted police he saw a video on Facebook of the boy being attacked. The boy, who was not named, managed to escape to a nearby Save A Lot (pictured) and told police he was 'jumped' by a group of minors he didn't know, forced to strip off his clothing, was sprayed in the face with cologne, and forced to drink unknown liquids

Police confirmed that Scott's daughter, who was also not named, participated in the attack while Scott watched. It is unknown how old his daughter is.

The boy was later transported to a hospital to be treated for his injuries. The severity of his injuries is unknown.

Police received a tip of the boy's location from his brother, who said he saw a video of the attack on Facebook and reported it to police.

Two other female minors were found inside the home and both had been reported missing.

They gave police fake names, but were later discovered to be reported missing from McKeesport and Pittsburgh.

The girls were found inside a room that only had a mattress in it and they were surrounded by Plan B, condom wrappers and roaches, according to police.

Scott is currently being held at an unknown jail and awaiting a preliminary hearing, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

DailyMail.com requested a copy of the criminal complaint.
Two flight nurses have been identified as among the four people killed when a 10-seater private jet operated by a California company crashed near San Diego on Monday.

The Learjet 35A, operated by Aeromedevac Air Ambulance, smashed into a power line before exploding on a street in El Cajon, leaving no survivors on the plane.

The Oceanside Firefighters Association named Tina Ward as one of the victims of the crash, revealing in an Instagram post Tuesday that she was the wife of a recently retired local fire chief, Joe Ward.

'It is with heavy hearts that the Oceanside Fire Department and their fire family would like to extend our deepest condolences to our recently retired Chief Ward, his family, and all family and friends of the Aeromedevac flight crew N880Z,' the post read.

Flight nurses Tina Ward (foreground, circled) and Laurie Gentz (background, circled), have been identified as two of the four people who were killed when a medical plane crashed near San Diego on Monday

Ward was the wife of retired Oceanside Fire Chief Joe Ward, according to an Instagram post from the Oceanside Firefighters Association

Firefighters work to put out flames on the ground after a small jet plane crashed in unincorporated area in a town about 17 miles east of San Diego

'Chief Wards wife Tina, was a flight nurse on board of the aircraft that crashed last night in El Cajon. We are shocked and saddened by this devastating news and are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.'

Joe and Tina Ward had been married for more than a decade and had three daughters together.

Meanwhile, the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics on Tuesday identified one of the other victims of the plane crash as Laurie Gentz, a nurse with more than 30 years of experience who also served as president of her local union.

'The IAEP extends sincere condolences for the devastating and sudden loss of Local 162 President Laurie Gentz, her fellow passengers and the Learjet flight crew early this morning,' the Facebook post read. 'President Gentz will be greatly missed by all who knew her and all who benefit from her selfless contributions to organized labor in the Greater San Diego area.'

The post was accompanied by an undated selfie showing Gentz, Ward and two men posing in front of the doomed Learjet 35A with the tail number N880Z.

Ward was a veteran health care worker who previously worked as an emergency room nurse at Palomar Pomerado Health. She is pictured with husband Joe, right

Joe and Tina Ward are pictured with their three daughter in this photo the mom posted on Facebook a day before her death

CBS8 has reported, citing unnamed sources, that the other two victims were pilots, but it has not been that the men pictured in the photo shared by IAEP were part of the crew that perished.

According to CBS8, the medevac plane transported a patient from Arizona to Orange County, California, Monday and was returning to Gillespie Field when it went down.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner has yet to officially identify any of the victims pending notification of next of kin.

According to her Facebook page, Tina Ward previously worked as an emergency room nurse at Palomar Pomerado Health.

Laurie Gentz's LinkedIn profile reveals that she only joined Aeromedevac Air Ambulance as a part-time flight nurse in February.

She also worked as a critical care transport registered nurse at Rural Metro for nearly a decade.

Laurie Gentz was a transport nurse with more than 30 years of experience. She had only joined Aeromedevac Air Ambulance as a part-time employee in February

'I have 30+ years of experience in the field of Nursing, and have spent over 2 and a half decades doing Critical Care Transport both on the ground and in the air,' Gentz wrote in the description.

Friends and co-workers of Ward and Gentz have been posting messages on Facebook expressing their grief.

'My heart is heavy tonight,' wrote Ryan McBride. 'I lost some amazing coworkers with such an amazing company to work for.... The nicest crew to fly with! Its because of ALL of you I gained confidence and began to love flying while performing my job as a flight paramedic while assisting Tina, Laurie and all of the other amazing nurses we have with us! While feeling so safe in the air!'

Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration said the Learjet plane was carrying four people who had taken off from Orange County.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash. A final report, including the probable cause, will likely take 12 to 24 months, the board said.

Doorbell camera footage shows the Learjet 35A hurtling towards the ground before a flash of light erupts across the clouded sky as it explodes in El Cajon, California.

Luggage is removed from the scene as emergency teams worked to identify the victims on Monday night

This map shows the route of the doomed Learjet plane that crashed on its way to Gillespie Field in El Cajon, California

The Learjet 35A, similar to the one pictured above, was operated by Med Jet, an air ambulance company

Fire and smoke are seen rising above a neighborhood in El Cajon, California, on Monday night following the private plane crash

The jet, flying out of John Wayne Airport in Orange County, struck power lines before crashing in the area of Pepper Drive and North 2nd Street, at around 7.15pm Monday.

National Weather Service data described sky conditions at Gillespie as 'fog/mist' at 6.55pm.

Radio communications between the jet and the airfield recorded by LiveATC.net indicated that trouble happened suddenly.

The pilot canceled an instrument flight rules approach to Runway 27 and requested a switch to Runway 17 using visual flight rules.

After the switch was granted and new instructions were given, the pilot asked that the field lights be turned up and was told they were already at 100%.

But in that moment something goes awry.

'Oh, s***! Oh, s***! Oh, s***! No!' the pilot is heard screaming, following by a loud noise and then silence.

Footage showed the smoldering wreckage lying in the middle of a road, most of it destroyed, with parts of the jet, including the landing gear, strewn across the street.

The crash also appeared to have caused a car to erupt in flames outside a house.

No fatalities or injuries were reported on the ground, however about 2,500 people were left without power by the fallen power line.

'There is very little left of the aircraft,' Fire Chief Don Butz said. 'We weren't able to find any survivors.'

Footage from a doorbell camera shows the moment the plane hurtles towards the ground before a flash erupts across the clouded night sky in El Cajon, California

A blast lights up the night sky over El Cajon following the plane crash seen on a Nest camera

A cloud of smoke rising from the scene of the crash that killed everyone on board the plane

Parts of the jet are seen strewn across the road after it exploded in the residential neighborhood last night

Several fire and police units worked to get the blaze under control by about 9 p.m. local time in El Cajon, California

San Diego Sheriff's Lt. Mike Krugh told The San Diego Union Tribune the jet smashed into a power line and exploded on the ground shortly after.

Around six San Diego Gas & Electric trucks were in the area working to get power restored amid constant rainfall.

Shortly before midnight, power was restored to most customers, however around 350 people remained without.

The Sheriff's Department said local volunteers from the American Red Cross would visit those people still without power in the morning to check on them.

At around 9pm, police said the burning wreckage had been extinguished.

Around an hour later, two chaplains arrived at the scene.

Lakeside resident Suzie Mercadante was out walking the dogs at around 7.15pm when she saw the jet plummeting to the ground.

She told the Tribune how she saw 'a blue streak and then a giant big orange ball,' then 'the blackest smoke just billowing out.'

Thomas O'Brien who lives just a few blocks away from where the plane exploded onto the road said he was sitting on the couch when he heard the jet's turbines screaming across the night sky.

He said that he used to hearing planes because they live near the runway at Gillespie Field, but described the sound as incredibly loud.

'It was 10 times louder than normal,' O'Brien told the Tribune. 'My walls started shaking, like there was an earthquake. I froze. Honestly, I thought it was about to hit us.'

O'Brien said he saw the jet explode from his back window and the blast reflecting off his pool.

A few beats later, the booming sound of the explosion hit him and then his house lost power.

Fire and smoke could be seen in video provided by a local resident. A Facebook livestream showed a car on fire in front of a house and debris in the street

No one on the ground was injured or hurt. Rainy conditions and the darkness have kept investigators from finding the full extent of the damage

Resident Lauren Watling also described the plane as 'really, really, loud' as it approached and that after the crash all she could see was 'fire and smoke'.

She told NBC7: 'We were outside and basically, we heard the plane getting closer.

'Normally they get loud because we live right by the airport, but it got really, really loud and all of the sudden, we think it could've hit our power lines above our house, but we just saw bright blue and orange flashing lights and we heard the electricity running.

'And then after that, we heard the plane actually crash. We ran out immediately and there was a ton of smoke everywhere.'

The cause of the crash has yet to be determined as authorities are still investigating. NTSB will produce a preliminary report in several weeks.
A 20-year-old man from Georgia has been charged for allegedly murdering his mother and stepfather at their family home while his two younger sisters were in the house.

Peyton Moyer allegedly shot dead Ashley Schutza, 41, and her husband Benjamin Smith, 54, at the family home in Watkinsville, Georgia, before fleeing in his parents' car.

Moyer, who lived at the house on Bouldercrest Circle, allegedly carried out the murder while his 16-year-old and four-year-old sisters were at home, Oconee County Sheriff James Hale told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The girls were not harmed in the attack.

The suspect is being held at the Oconee County Jail after being charged with two counts of murder and one count of cruelty to children, reports Fox News.

Peyton Moyer, 20, (pictured) allegedly shot dead his mother Ashley Schutza, 41, and his stepfather Benjamin Smith, 54, at the family home in Watkinsville, Georgia, before fleeing in his parents' car

The motive for the attack is still under investigation, Oconee Sheriff's Chief Deputy Jeremy Wasdin told Athens-Banner Herald.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, police officers responded to reports of a shooting at the house.

They found Schutza and Smith dead inside the home from apparent gun shot wounds, the Oconee County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. Wasdin did not say how many times each victim was shot.

'It's a terrible, terrible thing that happened,' Sheriff Hale told Fox 5 Atlanta.

'There were two siblings that were still there at the residence that gave us the suspect's name and information.'

Police said that Moyer had already fled the scene in a car belonging to one of the victims by the time officers arrived - but he was later arrested following a short pursuit by Athens Clarke County Police.

The suspect is being held at the Oconee County Jail after being charged with two counts of murder and one count of cruelty to children. Pictured: Oconee County courthouse

Athens Clark County Police Lt. Shaun Barnett said that officers had spotted the vehicle and tried to pull Moyer over but he fled.

Police then deployed a tire deflation device, which the vehicle ran over, before coming to a stop after two blocks. Barnett said Moyer was arrested without incidence.

Sheriff Hale revealed that officers have been called to the house in the past and encountered Moyer before.

'We've had some encounters with him before. We've had several calls out to that residence and at a different residence in the county when they lived in another location,' the sheriff said.

Moyer's jail records show he was arrested in March and charged with criminal trespass, family violence and violating a family violence order.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims,' the sheriff's department said, adding that the case is still under investigation.

A memorial page has been set up in tribute to Schutza, with members of the public lighting virtual candles in her memory.
The animal charity where Carrie Johnson is the director of communications has advertised for three unpaid interns for 'physically demanding' work lasting up to a year.

Details in the trio of internships at The Aspinall Foundation said wannabe animal keepers needed to be able to do 'heavy lifting' and have 'good fitness'.

It stressed 'We are unable to offer any wages or salary for the placement.

'We will provide a full uniform and discount at the parks food outlets for the days that you attend work. No other financial benefits are offered'

The internships are for between three and five days a week for up to 12 months.

The advert added: 'Candidates will need to have the ability to financially support themselves for the entire length of the internship.'

This evening the communications department did not respond to MailOnline, autoreplying a spokeswoman was out of the office until January 3 with limited access to emails'.

Ms Johnson  who is Prime Minister Boris Johnson's wife - was made Director of Communications in January.

Carrie Johnson is the director of communications at The Aspinall Foundation animal charity

The Aspinall Foundation offers luxury getaways including in this Giraffe Lodge with the animal

Damian Aspinall and Carrie Johnson with the cheetahs at an Aspinall Foundation zoo, around the time the Prime Minister's then fiancee was hired to be director of communications

One of the internship adverts shows how hard it stresses they will need to support themselves

Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke told the Mirror Boris Johnson must act to show he is serious about 'levelling-up'.

The backbencher, who has pushed for eight years to ban long unpaid internships, said: 'It's a campaign that I continue to want to see resolved.

'The Prime Minister has a big levelling-up agenda.

'And I would hope he would eventually find the legislative vehicle to support the banning of unpaid internships, which - as this example shows - precludes people who don't have independent financial means.'

The Aspinall Foundation was set up by zoo owner John Aspinall in 1984 and it is now run by his millionaire son Damian.

It paid more than 150,000 to his wife Victoria for interior design services last year.

The figure paid by the Aspinall Foundation equates to ten per cent of all donations received from public and corporate donors in 2020.

The organisation and its sister charity the Howletts Wild Animal Trust are already being investigated by the Charity Commission over their spending and financial management.

It was revealed in April that watchdogs had launched a probe into payments made to chairman Damian Aspinall and other family members. Pictured: Victoria and Damian Aspinall

A gorilla called Kangu, who lives in the semi-freedom conditions in Lesio Louna reserve in The Republic of Congo. Kangu is now twenty years old, most of which had spent in London zoo. Thanks to a Aspinall Foundation he is now being adapted to living in the wild.

Carrie Johnson is being wooed by Netflix to make nature documentary Carrie Johnson is in talks with Netflix to produce a hard-hitting nature documentary about elephants, it can be revealed. Mrs Johnson, 33, is head of communications at the Aspinall Foundation wildlife charity, which is preparing to relocate 13 of the ivory-tusked animals from the Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent to Kenya, in Africa. The move, set to take place in the coming months, is a world-first in terms of its size. The prime minister's wife and her boss, Damian Aspinall, are now being courted by Netflix and other streaming giants, who want to document the historic moment. A friend of Mrs Johnson told the Daily Mail: 'Carrie's phone was ringing off the hook after it was announced she was working hard on the project to re-wild the elephants. 'It's an inspiring story, and she and Damian are such charismatic and passionate people that they are the right people to tell it.' They hope to make a show similar to the Netflix hit Seaspiracy, which made a powerful case against eating fish. Advertisement

It was revealed in April that watchdogs had launched a probe into payments made to chairman Damian Aspinall and other family members.

This included concerns that 12,500 had been handed to his wife Victoria for interior design services in 2019.

But updated accounts, filed in October, reveal that Mrs Aspinall's fees had gone up 12-fold in 2020 to 150,158.

The foundation insisted her fees had been subject to 'rigorous benchmarking' to ensure it received 'value for money'.

The alleged mismanagement happened before the arrival of the Prime Minister's wife, who took on a senior role at the charity, heading up communications for a 'medium to high five-figure salary' in January this year.

Other trustees of the charity include Ben Goldsmith, the Tory donor, and his half-brother Robin Birley, whose father Mark founded the Mayfair nightclub Annabel's.

The Aspinall Foundation's job adverts said it was 'funded entirely by visitor fees and donations'.

But its 2020 accounts showed 19 staff on the books, the highest earning of which was over 80,000 a year.

Mr Shelbrooke added: 'In my opinion there isn't an organisation in the world that can justify not paying someone after four weeks.

'Unpaid internships are immoral and at the very minimum people should be paid minimum wage.

'Because after four weeks it moves beyond experience and you are clearly adding value to that organisation.'

The Aspinall Foundation did not respond to a request to comment from MailOnline.

A spokeswoman's auto-email reply said: I will be out of the office until January 3, 2022, with limited access to emails.'
Long Island bodybuilder Dino Tomassetti Jr., accused of shooting his parents on Christmas day, allegedly fired on the couple during a custody dispute over his one-year-old baby, Nassau County police said Wednesday.

Tomassetti Jr., 29, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on two counts of attempted murder. He was placed back in custody directly after the hearing on Long Island and no bail has been set.

The argument over the child reportedly escalated at about 10 a.m. on December 25. The hulking trainer allegedly tried to leave the family's 8,751 square-foot Hewlett Harbor mansion with the child, but his parents tried to stop him, according Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.

'He became involved in a domestic dispute with his parents who were caring for the one-year-old, during that argument it obviously escalated,' Ryder said during a Wednesday morning press conference. '[He] tried to take the child from [his] parents and attempted to leave the residence. When the parents objected, the defendant produced a .22-caliber pistol.'

The police commissioner said the child's mother and the infant witnessed the shooting.

Tomassetti Jr. allegedly shot his mother, Vencenza Tomassetti, 64, in the head near the left temple, and then turned the pistol on his father, Rocco Tomassetti, 65, whom he shot in the back and the wrist, according to police.

'He struck his father then in the head with the gun numerous times after he ran out of bullets,' Ryder said.

Both parents underwent surgery and have been released from the hospital. Rocco got out on December 27 and Vencenza was let go on December 28.

The child is currently with his birth mother, according to the Nassau police commissioner. Tomassetti Jr. is due back in court on January 5. His lawyer Marco Laracca told DailyMail.com that he would apply for bail around that time.

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Dino Tomassetti Jr, 29, left the Bergen County Superior Courthouse on Wednesday to head to New York, where he's expected to face charges in the shooting of his parents

Dino Tomassetti, 29, was held at the Bergen County Jail in New Jersey (pictured right). A new mugshot was released on Wednesday (left) after he was taken to New York

'At this early juncture, without the appropriate discovery to review, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time,' Laracca said.

Tomassetti Jr., who does not have a permit for a gun, has no prior arrests, according to Ryder.

After the incident last week, the son jumped in his Cadillac Escalade SUV and fled to Mahwah, New Jersey, according to authorities, where he was tracked down via the vehicles GPS and arrested later Christmas day.

Tomassetti was held in the Bergen County Jail on charges of being a fugitive from justice until he waived extradition and was returned to Long Island on Wednesday morning.

The hulking and handcuffed Tomassetti Jr., 29, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a surgical mask, said nothing as he was lead away from the New Jersey facility to an awaiting Nassau County police car.

He wore a hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a surgical mask as he was lead away to an awaiting Nassau County police car

The alleged shooter is being taken back to Long Island where he is expected to be charged

He stayed mum and stared straight ahead as detectives led him through a gauntlet of photographers and reporters peppering him with questions.

Rocco and Vincenza have three children, including twins Rocco and Dino Jr., and daughter Gina, 24.

Rocco Tomassetti owns several construction firms and helped build some of Manhattan's most iconic towers, including the Goldman Sachs headquarters and One World Trade Center.

The company and the family have been embroiled in several construction-related scandals and reportedly took a bribe from a mob turncoat.

Rocco was accused of trying to bribe union officials and dumping cement sludge in Newtown Creek. His company Empire Transit Mix was banned from city contracting under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, according to The New York Times.

The family has previously faced indictments for their alleged mob ties, and their sprawling home on Long Island is now surrounded by yellow tape as police investigate the shooting in the exclusive South Shore community, which is in the 95th percentile for public safety.

Construction magnate Rocco Tomassetti, 65, and wife Vinceta Marsicano-Tomassettti, 64, were shot inside their 8,751-square foot mansion in Hewlett Harbor on Christmas morning

The couple has three children, including twins Rocco and Dino, and daughter Gina, 24.

Shooting suspect Dino Tomassetti (left) with his twin brother Rocco and younger sister, Gina

The family's sprawling, $3.2million Long Island estate was surrounded by yellow tape Saturday

Dino works as a personal trainer in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. His social media pages are filled with pictures of him flexing his bulging muscles.

His Instagram page, which was set to private as of Wednesday, was stacked with snaps of him lifting weights and occasionally traveling to more exotic parts of the world such as Paris and the Caribbean.

In one photo, he's posing in a car, showing off a pricey Breitling watch. In another post, he boasts about his 240-pound physique.

He writes that he is able to deadlift 725 pounds, squat 625 pounds and bench press 550 pounds.

Tomassetti's social media is filled with photos of his ripped physique

In one photo, he's posing in a car, showing off a pricy Breitling watch. In another post, he boasts about his 240-pound physique

His Instagram page, was set to private as of Wednesday, was stacked with photos of himself lifting weights, flexing muscles, and occasionally traveling to more exotic parts of the world

The family has been embroiled in legal troubles in the past, with federal prosecutors claiming his late grandfather had ties to the mob.

Dino's grandfather, Dino Tomassetti Sr., is a legend in New York City, both for what he accomplished as a first-generation immigrant and for the scandals that he became embroiled in.

He owned construction company Laquila Group and had been linked by the feds to organized crime.

A 2006 New York Times profile detailed how Dino Sr. was once indicted for allegedly illegally making thousands of dollars in illegal payoffs to union brass over the span of a decade. The elder Dino denied the allegations.

But then in 1997 both Rocco and Dino Sr. were arrested for allegedly operating an illegal waste site next to their company's Brooklyn headquarters, the New York Times reported. That year, the company pleaded guilty to filing fake documents related to a project at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens.

'Laquila, which had a $2.5 million contract to build concrete decking for a new wing at the hospital, had secretly and illegally subcontracted the work to a second company for $1.4 million, enabling Laquila to collect a $1 million profit,' the Times reported. 'The scheme came to light after Laquila failed to pay the second company.'

In the same article, the outlet reported that the company was indicted for racketeering in 1987 for allegedly bribing local officials to let them illegally dump construction waste in New Jersey. The scheme was allegedly organized by a member of the Gambino crime family.

But the charges were dropped after Laquila agreed to pay a $25,000 fine.

In 2006, a scathing New York City Sanitation Department report rejected an application by Rocco and Dino Sr. to operate a waste business in the city, calling the pair 'unworthy' of obtaining a registration.

The request was denied because the applicants lacked 'good character, honesty, and integrity,' the report said.
Findings show a 'decoupling of cases, hospitalisations and deaths', they said

Covid death rates in South Africa's Omicron wave were just a quarter of levels seen during previous surges, real-world data suggests.

Researchers examined records of 450 patients hospitalised in the City of Tshwane since the extremely-transmissible variant took off in the country.

Their survival rates were then compared against nearly 4,000 patients hospitalised earlier on in the pandemic.

Just 4.5 per cent of patients hospitalised with Covid in the last month died from the virus. For comparison, the rate stood at around 21.3 per cent earlier in the pandemic.

The findings, in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, also revealed ICU admissions were a quarter of the rate seen in previous waves, and patients' average hospital stay was halved.

The City of Tshwane is an authority situated in Gauteng  the first province to fall victim to Omicron.

Scientists behind the research said it shows 'a decoupling of cases, hospitalisations and deaths compared to previous waves'.

Omicron could be a 'harbinger of the end' of the darkest days of the pandemic and could usher in the virus's endemic phase, the team wrote.

Cases of Covid in South Africa are continuing to fall, as the wave caused by Omicron appears to burn itself out. The country, which was one of the first in the world to fall victim to Omicron, hit its peak in the seven days to December 17, when an average of 23,437 cases were recorded. But by Monday, the number had plummeted by 38 per cent to 14,390 cases

Number of English Covid patients ending up in hospital is now SEVEN TIMES lower than second wave Seven times fewer Covid 'cases' are ending up in hospital now compared to England's devastating second wave, official data suggests as proof that Omicron is milder continues to pile up. No10's own advisers feared the ultra-infectious variant could overwhelm the NHS , which prompted calls for Boris Johnson to adopt tougher restrictions. But mounting evidence now shows the strain causes less severe disease than previous strains, which the PM today used to justify his refusal to tighten curbs. And MailOnline's analysis of UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data adds to the slew of statistics that suggest the days of the UK recording several hundred deaths a day are 'history'. The proportion of Covid cases ending up in hospital a week later now stands at just 1.5 per cent, compared to 10.9 per cent during the depths of the country's Delta crisis last January and February. Experts told MailOnline immunity from vaccination and prior infection means 'what we're seeing this winter is a very different picture'  but warned hospitalisations and deaths could still tick upwards in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, separate figures show five times fewer Covid-infected patients are hooked up to ventilators now than during the NHS's darkest days fighting Delta. And data from South Africa  the first country to fall victim to the variant  shows Omicron is causing just a quarter of the number of deaths seen before it took hold. Advertisement

Patients involved in the latest study were, however, much younger, which may have skewed the results.

But the academics, from South Africa's National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the University of Pretoria, aren't the first to show the virus is milder.

Other real-world studies from the UK and South Africa already reported that patients who catch the strain are up to 80 per cent less likely to be hospitalised.

But the new study is the first major examination of Omicron death data.

It also showed just one per cent of people were moved to intensive care, compared to 4.3 per cent in earlier waves.

And patients were discharged after four days during the Omicron wave on average, compared to almost nine towards the start of the pandemic.

Separately, the same experts also examined the records of 98 patients who were in hospital at the peak of hospital admissions.

Admissions in the City of Tshwane 'peaked and declined rapidly' within 33 days and just half of hospital beds were taken at any one time. During the Delta wave, almost all hospital beds were occupied at the peak.

Just one-third of the Covid patients were hospitalised because of the virus, while the others were admitted for incidental reasons.

The researchers said this level of incidental Covid has not been observed anywhere in South Africa before and 'most likely reflects high levels of asymptomatic disease in the community with Omicron infection' and 'high levels of prior infection and vaccination coverage'.

Around two-thirds of people in the City of Tshwane have either been vaccinated or infected, according to the team.

Higher rates of incidental Omicron admissions could also be because the strain is inherently less severe but 'more research is required to support this theory', they said.

Similar patient and mortality findings are likely to emerge across South Africa  but 'may differ' in countries where vaccination and previous infection rates are lower, they said.

The study states that Omicron completely displaced Delta in three weeks but cases and hospitalisations peaked within five weeks.

And it said there are 'clear signs' both infections and admissions in South Africa will 'decline further over the next few weeks'.

It comes after Covid cases in South Africa are continuing to fall, as the wave caused by Omicron appears to burn itself out.

The country, which was one of the first in the world to fall victim to Omicron, hit its peak in the seven days to December 17, when an average of 23,437 cases were recorded.

But by Monday, the number had plummeted by 38 per cent to 14,390 cases.

The figures are the average across seven days, making them more reliable than fluctuating day-to-day statistics, although fewer people get tested around Christmas and people in South Africa tend to leave large cities for rural areas, where they are less likely to get tested.
Two Trump-appointed federal judges have dismissed claims by January 6 defendants that they are being targeted for their conservative beliefs, rejecting defense arguments that they are being treated more harshly than leftwing agitators arrested during violence in Portland, Oregon, last year.

The comparison has become popular in rightwing circles as defendants face the consequences of the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

But Judge Trevor McFadden became the second to reject the argument on Tuesday and issued a ruling saying defendant David Lee Judd had not done enough to show discrimination.

'He argues that the Government has prosecuted him - a conservative - more harshly than liberal defendants accused of similar behavior during the riots that plagued Portland in the summer of 2020,' wrote McFadden.

'Although he raises some troubling patterns in the Portland prosecutions, Judd has not shown that he is similarly situated to those defendants. He thus has not met his burden to compel discovery.'

Prosecutors allege that David Lee Judd threw a firecracker at police and trying to breach a Capitol tunnel during the Jan. 6 riot, charges that the defendant denies

Judge Trevor McFadden denied Judd's attempt to dig into prosecutors' decisions in the two sets of cases as he defended himself against multiple charges related to Jan. 6

It comes days after his colleague in Washington, DC, federal court Judge Carl Nichols made a similar ruling against defendant Garrett Miller.

While Portland rioters said they were protesting racism and police brutality after the killing of George Floyd, the Jan. 6 attackers were supporters of President Donald Trump intent on overturning the results of last year's presidential election.

Judd, 35, of Carrollton, Texas, is accused of throwing a firecracker at police and trying to breach a Capitol tunnel.

He has pleaded not guilty to seven charges including using a dangerous weapon, obstructing an official proceeding, civil disorder, and disruptive behavior.

And he asked the judge to compare prosecution decisions in DC with those in Portland, claiming that he was being treated unfairly.

His defense pointed out that cases had been dropped against rioters in Portland.

A court document said Judd was captured on video at a tunnel entrance to the Capitol , which was the scene of a lengthy clash between rioters and officers guarding the building

Trump supporters clashed with policy on January 6 after hearing the president speak and then marching to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

In his memo, McFadden criticized those decisions as 'suspicious' but went on to say the two circumstances were different in their severity.

'Although both Portland and January 6 rioters attacked federal buildings, the Portland defendants primarily attacked at night, meaning that they raged against a largely vacant courthouse,' he wrote.

'In contrast, the January 6 rioters attacked the Capitol in broad daylight. And many entered it.

'Thousands of congressional staffers walked the Capitols corridors that day. So did hundreds of legislators and the Vice President, all of whom appeared for a constitutionally mandated proceeding.'

Last week, Nichols reached a similar conclusion in the case of Miller, 34, of Richardson, Texas.

'The Portland rioters' conduct, while obviously serious, did not target a proceeding prescribed by the Constitution and established to ensure a peaceful transition of power,' he wrote.

'Nor did the Portland rioters, unlike those who assailed America's Capitol in 2021, make it past the buildings' outer defenses.'
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Anti-vax activists stormed a Covid testing site and marched through the facility where protesters tore down signs, threw traffic cones and appeared to steal medical supplies.

Demonstrators in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were filmed shouting 'shame on you' repeatedly at testing site staff.

Some held placards bearing slogans including 'BBC: Just a bunch of WOKERS!', 'Fear is the currency of control' and 'Boris lied, people died', while others threw traffic cones and pushed over signs.

Cries of 'You murdering b****rds' and 'The wind is changing' are heard as the crowd marches into the site, and one of the demonstrators appears to pick up testing equipment before carrying it out of one of the site's tents.

One of the protesters is seen asking a member of staff in a high visibility jacket: 'Have you had the vaccine yourself?'

The social media user who uploaded footage of the incident, which has been viewed 10,000 times, claimed that one protester 'stole testing equipment and dumped it in a bin outside the centre'.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police told MailOnline that it is aware of an anti-vaccination protest which took place this afternoon and moved across different areas of the town, including a Covid testing centre.

The force said it will 'take swift action and bring offenders to justice' where necessary.

It came on the same day that Boris Johnson visited a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes, urging people to get tested before New Year's Eve festivities.

Protesters throw traffic cones as they take part in an anti-vaccination 'Freedom Rally' inside an NHS Covid vaccination centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, this afternoon

A motorist remonstrates with anti-vaccination protesters during the rally at a Covid testing site in central Milton Keynes

Anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Piers Corbyn, 74, and other protesters clash with theatre patrons wearing face masks insude Milton Keynes Theatre during the rally earlier today

A demonstrator holds up a placard reading 'Reclaim NHS, end jab tyranny now' at the testing site in Milton Keynes today

Staff appear overrun as protesters take part in an anti-vaccination Freedom Rally inside an NHS Covid testing centre in central Milton Keynes

It came on the same day that Boris Johnson visited a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes (pictured above), urging people to get tested before New Year's Eve festivities

Anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Piers Corbyn, 74, could not be seen in the footage, but he was pictured at the anti-vaccination so-called 'Freedom Rally' in Milton Keynes today.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns branded the video 'utterly appalling', adding: 'Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who deserve so much better than this shameful, self-aggrandising nonsense.'

Meanwhile, speaking at a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes today, Mr Johnson told reporters: 'Everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way - take a test, ventilation, think about others but, above all, get a booster.'

The clip comes after it was revealed earlier this month that Piers, the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, had been arrested on suspicion of encouraging people to attack MPs' offices.

He was arrested in south London in the early hours of December 19 relating to a video posted online 'in which people were encouraged to burn down MPs' offices,' the force said.

In the video, posted online, Mr Corbyn says: 'We have got to get a bit more physical. It means we have to take down these lying vaccinators and we got to take down these lying MPs and things.

The social media user who uploaded footage of the incident, which has been viewed 10,000 times, claimed that one protester 'stole testing equipment and dumped it in a bin outside the centre'

Demonstrators in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were filmed shouting 'shame on you' repeatedly at testing site staff

Some protestors held placards which bore slogans including 'BBC : Just a bunch of WOKERS!', 'Fear is the currency of control' and 'Boris lied, people died', while others threw traffic cones and pushed over signs

The social media user who uploaded footage of the incident, which has been viewed 10,000 times, claimed one protester 'steals testing equipment and dumps in a bin outside the centre'

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police told MailOnline that it is aware of an anti-vaccination protest which took place this afternoon, and will 'take swift action and bring offenders to justice' where necessary

Protestors pictured storming a Covid testing site and marching through the facility in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire today

'We got to support and welcome all of those who have rebelled or voted against Boris, ie rebelled from the Tories or my brother and his mates - they voted against the measures yesterday, which is a step forward.

'We have got to support all those and we've got to hammer to death those scum, those scum who have decided to go ahead with introducing new fascism.

'You've got to get a list of them ... and if your MP is one of them, go to their offices and, well, I would recommend burning them down, OK.

'But I can't say that on air. I hope we're not on air.'

MP Alicia Kearns branded the video 'utterly appalling', adding: 'Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who deserve so much better than this shameful, self-aggrandising nonsense'

Piers Corbyn is pictured making a speech at an anti-vaccination rally in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, today

Protesters forcibly enter a theatre to protest during the so-called 'Freedom Rally' in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, today

Demonstrators hold up signs against Covid vaccinations and vaccine passports during the protest in Milton Keynes

A placard reading 'reclaim your freedom' is pictured as Piers Corbyn and protesters forcibly enter a theatre during the protest

Protesters hold placards as they gather at beginning of the rally in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, on Wednesday morning

Milton Keynes today: Protesters take part in an anti vaccination 'Freedom Rally'

His comments were widely condemned, with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan calling them 'despicable and dangerous', and Home Secretary Priti Patel describing the video as 'sickening'.

Ms Patel had urged police to take 'the strongest possible action' against Mr Corbyn.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said the force 'is aware of an anti-vaccination protest that took place in central Milton Keynes this afternoon.'

He added: 'Where criminal offences have been disclosed, we will take swift action and bring offenders to justice.

'If anyone has any information or wishes to report they can do by calling 101 or online quoting reference 604 29/12/2021.'
The boyfriend of a popular Los Angeles business manager who worked with celebrities such as the Kardashians and Nicki Minaj has been charged after she was found murdered in the trunk of her car early Thursday morning, authorities said.

Angela Kukawski, 55, was found dead with a stab wound in the Simi Valley neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles police reported.

Jason Barker, Kukawski's boyfriend, was arrested hours after her body was found. The 49-year-old is being held at Van Nuys Jail on a $3 million bond, police said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has filed murder charges against Barker. Police believe the boyfriend killed Kukawski in their Sherman Oaks home on December 22, put her body in his car, and drove to a relative's home in Simi Valley.

Kukawski's death has been ruled a homicide with her cause of death being sharp and blunt force injuries of the head and neck and strangulation, the Ventura County Medical Examiner's office confirmed to DailyMail.com.

The mother-of-five worked at Boulevard Management which specializes in 'financial management services to entertainers, athletes, and high-net worth individuals,' according to their site.

'Angela was truly the best. She cared about everyone of us and made things happen that were impossible,' the Kardashian family said in a statement to DailyMail.com

Los Angeles business manager Angela Kukawski, who worked with the Kardashians, Nick Minaj and Kanye West was found dead in the trunk of a car early Thursday morning (Pictured: Kuakski's clients Kourtney, Khloe, and Kim Kardashian)

Kukawski's boyfriend Jason Barker has been arrested and is being held on a $2 million bond in connection to Kukawski's death (Pictured: Kukawski's clients Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West)

Kukawski worked as a business manager at Boulevard Management. They declined to comment on her death (Pictured: Kukawski's client Nicki Minaj)

'She will be greatly missed and we send our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones during this most difficult time.'

Authorities were investigating what began as a missing person's case when they found Kukawski's car in the 1500 block of Patricia Avenue around 2 a.m., police said.

Kukawski maintained many high-profile clients. Along with the Kardashians and Minaj, she also worked with Kanye West, rapper Off-set and the late rapper Tupac Shukar's estate.

'We are saddened and heartbroken by the loss of our colleague, Angie Kukawski,' Boulevard's Todd Bozick and Lester Knispel said in a statement to Variety.

'Angie was a kind, wonderful person, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Our deepest condolences go out to all of Angie's family and friends.'

The 'beloved' mother and friend is remembered by loved one as 'hard-working' and a 'straight shooter,' Vareity reported.

The investigation surrounding Kukawski's death remains ongoing.

Barker is scheduled to appear in Van Nuys Municipal Court on January 12 at 8:30 a.m.
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New York state recorded 67,000 new covid cases on Tuesday. Governor Kathy Hochul said: 'We're basically preparing for a January surge. We know it's coming. And we're naive to think it won. We do think there's going to be a spike in cases that's going to continue, not just in our positive rates but in our hospitalizations'

New York state has hit a new single-day high 67,090 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours as Gov. Kathy Hochul warns that a spike in cases will continue through January with one-in-five people in New York City being tested now infected with the virus.

Hochul on Wednesday reported a statewide test positivity rate of 18.5 percent, with the New York city rate at 19.6 percent, soaring increases from a 5.3 percent rate in the state a month ago.

Deaths in the state have also risen, with 97 people dying from the virus in 24 hours - the highest it's been since February.

'We're basically preparing for a January surge. We know it's coming. And we're naive to think it won't,' Hochul said Wednesday.

'We do think there's going to be a spike in cases that's going to continue, not just in our positive rates but in our hospitalizations.'

Positivity rates in the state approached 50 percent in April of last year, but at that time the tests were extremely scarce and were mostly used in hospital settings.

In New York City, which is being hit hard with the latest surge, where 27,774 people tested positive on Tuesday and roughly one in fifty Manhattan residents who have been tested have contracted the virus in the past week.

Hospitalizations in the state are beginning to rise sharply, though the 6,173 now hospitalized still marks a much lower level than the first wave, when the number approached 20,000, as well as the second peak last winter above 8,000. Statewide, 1,474 new patients were admitted to hospital on Tuesday, with 396 of those in New York City.

Nevertheless, Mayor Bill de Blasio is forging ahead with his plan to host a massive New Year's Eve bash in Times Square to celebrate the final day of his eight-year reign on Friday, though attendance, usually about 60,000 before the pandemic, will be capped at 15,000 and restricted to the fully vaccinated.

A spokesman for de Blasio told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that the New Year's Eve plan was moving forward as the mayor previously announced.

Hochul on Wednesday reported a statewide test positivity rate of 18.5 percent, with the New York city rate at 19.6 percent, soaring increases from a 5.3 percent rate in the state a month ago. Deaths in the state have also risen, with 97 people dying from the virus in 24 hours - the highest it's been since February

Hospitalizations in the state are beginning to rise sharply, though the 6,173 now hospitalized still marks a much lower level than the first wave, when the number approached 20,000, as well as the second peak last winter above 8,000. Statewide, 1,474 new patients were admitted to hospital on Tuesday, with 396 of those in New York City

The test positivity rate is spiking in NYC after dropping below 1% in June and July. Citywide it stands at 19.6% now

People watch and cheer as confetti is released from the Hard Rock Cafe marquee during a 'confetti test' on Wednesday ahead of de Blasio's New Year's Eve bash in Times Square

Amid the celebrations, huge lines formed in Times Square on Wednesday as people sought COVID tests

New York City set new records for daily cases just before Christmas, and has dropped off only slightly in the days since

On Tuesday, de Blasio said that the nation's largest school system, with 1.1 million students, will be abolishing its current policy of quarantining entire classrooms exposed to COVID.

Mayor Bill de Blasio is forging ahead with his plan to host a massive New Year's Eve bash in Times Square to celebrate the final day of his eight-year reign on Friday, though attendance, usually about 60,000 before the pandemic, will be capped at 15,000 and restricted to the fully vaccinated

Instead New York city schools will be prioritizing a ramped-up testing program so that asymptomatic students testing negative for COVID-19 can remain in school.

Some parents are hopeful the new policy could limit disruptions to in-person learning, but others fear it could turn schools into super-spreader hotbeds, pointing to signs that rapid tests are less accurate at detecting Omicron.

The new policy was described by de Blasio as 'Stay Safe, and Stay Open' and will take effect on January 3. About a million students who attend New York City's public schools are scheduled to return from holiday break on Monday.

New York city Mayor-elect Eric Adams, de Blasio and New York Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement at a joint news conference.

The city aims to detect more infections while mitigating disruptions as officials described remote learning as 'a failed experiment.'

New York city's previous policy was to quarantine unvaccinated close contacts of infected students for 10 days.

Instead of sending classes of unvaccinated students home to learn online when a student tests positive for COVID-19, the students will be given rapid at-home tests. If they are asymptomatic and test negative, they can return the day after their first negative test.

Students will then be given a second at-home test within seven days of their exposure, according to the announcement.

New York city and Long Island are seeing the highest case rates and account for most new cases in the state

New York city hospitalizations are rising but are still below levels seen in Spring 2020 and last winter

Deaths, which lag cases and hospitalizations, have shown little movement in New York City so far in the Omicron wave

A tourist throws confetti during a 'confetti test' Wednesday ahead of New Year's Eve in Times Square. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that attendance for New Year's Eve in Times Square will be limited to 15,000 with proof of full vaccination

The step raised some concerns among parents. One tweeted that schools should be kept remote for at least a week's cushion following potential holiday gathering and travel exposure.

Others called for mandatory testing for all children, as well as school employees.

On Wednesday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky cast doubt on the efficacy of rapid antigen testing for those who are asymptomatic and recovering from an infection, saying that that use had not been tested by the Food and Drug Administration.

As well, the rapid antigen tests may be less sensitive in detecting the Omicron variant and are leading to 'false negatives,' the FDA said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Letitia James lashed out at new CDC guidelines slashing the isolation period for asymptomatic cases in half, to five days from 10.

'The health and safety of all New Yorkers has always been our top priority, and, in order to protect our communities, we must continue to act responsibly and carefully,' James said in a statement.

'It is essential that any employee who is exhibiting any COVID-19 symptom and tests positive not be pressured to return to the workplace before those symptoms subside. We must take the necessary steps to stop the spread of this virus, and this is a basic and common-sense approach,' she added.

The Omicron wave continues to cause severe staffing disruptions in New York, with urgent care clinic chain CityMD saying it will close 31 clinics citywide due to staff shortages caused by the variant.

Huge lines for COVID testing form in Times Square Wednesday ahead of de Blasio's New Year's Eve bash on Friday night

New Yorkers are seen getting Covid tests in Manhattan on Wednesday as the city positivity rate hits 19.6%

CityMD, pictured, closes 31 clinics citywide due to staff shortages caused by Omicron, the health care company said Tuesday

CityMD clinics located throughout the city are key COVID testing sites, and the closures will further limit options for residents who are struggling to find tests.

The company said that the closures were necessary 'to preserve our ability to staff our sites,' as CityMD and other COVID-19 testing sites routinely overwhelmed with demand while the Omicron variant continues to rip through the city at unprecedented speeds.

'This isn't good,' resident Kevin Sims, 45, said after showing up at a Jersey City clinic Tuesday for a COVID test only to find the doors locked.

'I can see flights being canceled, Broadway shows being canceled,' he said.

'But urgent care? Kind of scary in a doomsday sort of way. I get it. They're short staff and doing the best they can, but still scary.'

A worker at CityMD's Boerum Hills, Brooklyn location on Tuesday said employees hadn't been told how long the shutdown will last, with the site is set to close on Wednesday.

'It's been lines going all the way around the corner even before I get here in the morning,' the worker said.

'It's a crazy time. Everything is weird. If you're looking for urgent care in this neighborhood you might just have to walk a little bit further,' he added.

'Even if you show up here at noon, there's a good chance that they are already filled up for the rest of the day.'

Nationwide, new cases of COVID-19 have soared to the highest level on record at more than 265,000 per day on average, a surge driven largely by the highly contagious Omicron variant.

And as the Omicron variant takes over as the dominant strain in the country, now accounting for 59 percent of cases, the US on Tuesday recorded 377,014 new cases and 2,377 deaths in 24 hours.

Updated chart: The CDC's revised chart, above, shows that the Omicron variant (purple) accounted for 23 percent of all cases in the week ending on December 18 and 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25

The country recorded a seven-day average of 264,546 cases on Tuesday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data. The country's previous record was about 247,503 average daily cases, reported on January 11. Coronavirus deaths have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 1,200 per day to around 1,500.

Although the number of Americans now in the hospital with COVID-19 is rising, it stands at around 60,000, or about half the figure seen in January, echoing trends from the UK. NHS figures show that hospitalizations in England jumped 65 percent in a week, with more than 10,000 beds now occupied by virus-infected patients.

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention admitted a serious error in calculating the prevalence of the variant, overblowing the figure recorded in mid-December by as much as 50 percentage points and sowing confusion as the nation breaks records for new cases.

The agency released a revised chart on Tuesday showing that the new variant accounted for 23 percent of all COVID-19 cases for the week ending on December 18, as opposed to the 73 percent it originally reported.

The chart showed that the Omicron variant accounted for 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25, meaning the Delta variant has been accounting for far more infections than the agency initially thought, though Omicron is gaining ground quickly.

'There's no way around it, it is a huge swing that makes it seem like something went really wrong,' Dr. Shruti Gohil, the associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine's School of Medicine, told NPR.

Despite the CDC's astonishing error, data from the UK suggest that Omicron will soon account for nearly all new cases in the US.

In England, which is several weeks ahead of the US in the Omicron wave, the new variant went from zero to 92 percent of all new cases in the four weeks leading up to December 27, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency.

The CDC corrected its error, to the confusion of many, on the same day that the nation broke its record for the most daily COVID-19 cases. On Monday, 512,553 new cases were reported in the US, marking the country's largest single-day tally since the beginning of the pandemic. The record-breaking figure was in part the product of a multi-day build up of unreported cases over the Christmas holiday on Saturday, which finally were logged to start the week.
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The impact the Omicron variant has had on the nation's skyrocketing Covid infections may have been overblown by as much as 50 percentage points after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention slashed its estimate for the prevalence of the strain in COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.

The agency released a revised chart on Tuesday showing that the new variant accounted for 23 percent of all cases for the week ending on December 18, as opposed to the 73 percent it originally reported.

The chart showed that the Omicron variant accounted for 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25, meaning the Delta variant has been accounting for far more infections than the agency initially thought.

'There's no way around it, it is a huge swing that makes it seem like something went really wrong, Dr. Shruti Gohil, the associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine's School of Medicine, told NPR.

The CDC corrected its error, to the confusion of many, on the same day that the nation broke its record for the most daily COVID-19 cases with a seven-day average of 264,546 cases reported on Tuesday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data. Coronavirus deaths have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 1,200 per day to around 1,500.

On Tuesday, the US recorded 377,014 new cases and 2,377 deaths in 24 hours. It comes after a record, 512,553 new cases were reported in the US on Monday, marking the country's largest single-day tally since the beginning of the pandemic. The record-breaking figure was in part the product of a multi-day build up of unreported cases over the Christmas holiday on Saturday, which finally were logged to start the week.

The country's previous record was about 247,503 daily cases, reported on January 11.

Previous chart: The CDC revised a chart showing the prevalence of the Omicron variant (purple) in the US, cutting the number of cases involving the new strain by half. Above is the original chart, showing that Omicron cases accounted for 73 percent of all infections in the US for the week ending on December 18

Updated chart: The CDC's revised chart, above, shows that the Omicron variant (purple) accounted for 23 percent of all cases in the week ending on December 18 and 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25

Previous chart: The CDC estimated that the Omicron variant (purple) accounted for as many as 90 percent of all cases in certain parts of the country for the week ending December 18

Updated chart: The CDC now estimates that the Delta variant (orange) accounted for far more cases than originally thought

The record comes as the US hit a total of 53,170,421 cases as of Wednesday morning, amid a growing number of people who were tested before and after Christmas weekend.

The CDCs new data on the prevalence of the Omicron variant shows that the Delta variant, which is more severe and less contagious than Omicron, still has a hold on the country and is a driving factor behind the most current surge in cases.

It also begs the question of how the CDC could have recorded such a drastic difference in the strains prevalence than what was the reality.

Jasmine Reed, a spokesperson for the CDC, recognized the wide predictive interval posted in last weeks chart, referring to the huge gap in the data for the week ending on December 18, and attributed it to the speed at which Omicron was increasing.

"CDCs models have a range, and were still seeing steady increase in the proportion of Omicron, she told Fox News.

Gohil noted that there is always a delay in the testing information that comes in, and that's what the public should take away.

She added that health professionals were finally understanding the Delta variant more and figuring out how to test for it efficiently when the Omicron variant swept through the country.

"The way in which we test and the way in which we have certitude about the numbers was all in flux right at that moment. Then along comes this new variant and now here you are trying to project something when you don't have all of the mechanisms in place," Gohil said.

Latest week: The CDC now estimates that the Omicron variant accounts for 59% of cases nationwide, but that Delta is still dominant in some regions for the week ending December 25

Dr. Jerome Adams, the former surgeon general for the Trump Administration, also pointed to testing as a reason for the false Omicron numbers. He referred to something called the S gene dropout, in which one of the three target genes is not detected  a signifier of the Omicron variant.

"A lot of people were seeing this S dropout on the tests even before they got the follow-up genetic testing, and so those samples were disproportionately more likely to be sent in for sequencing," He told Fox News.

"Its also important for people to understand that in the grand scheme of things, they really were probably just a week or two ahead of what were going to see anyway, because omicron is spreading so quickly that it is going to be 73% by the time you look at this weeks or next weeks numbers," Dr. Adams told the news outlet.

While the CDC reported that the Delta variant accounted for 41% of cases in the week ending on December 25, that number could be as high as 58% given the agencys margin of error, NPR reported.

Regardless, Gohil said, The implication is that we have a lot of delta going on and that requires a lot more attention. People are thinking, Oh, well, omicron's not that bad. But it's actually still too early to really know even that. Besides, Delta is the beast that you should be worried about."

The CDCs latest data will also put a burden on hospitals that will have to adjust their treatment methods to account for the vast different in Omicron and Delta cases, as different strains require different antibodies and medications.

"The bottom line is, don't take your masks off just yet and get vaccinated, vaccinated, vaccinated, vaccinated  and boosted," Gohil told NPR.

COVID-19 cases in the U.S. also doubled over the past two weeks. Over the past week, 235,269 Americans have been testing positive for the virus every day  a 98 percent increase from two weeks ago and approaching the prior record of 247,503 set last January, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins data.

Though Omicron is thought to be less severe than Delta, hospitalizations have also been rising, up 6 percent nationwide over the past two weeks, to 71,381.

In a troubling warning sign, the UK, where Omicron struck earlier, has seen hospitalizations rise nearly 50 percent in the past week, with 1,374 coronavirus-infected patients admitted on Sunday, an 11-month high.

Hospitalizations are soaring in some US states, including Louisiana, New Jersey and Florida where in each case the number of patients has jumped nearly 60 percent in two weeks. As well, Michigan, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire all hit record hospitalizations earlier this month.

'January is going to be a really, really hard month. And people should just brace themselves for a month where lots of people are going to get infected,' Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, told CNN.

Jha warned that the unvaccinated would bear the brunt of severe illness, while most who are vaccinated and boosted were unlikely to face hospitalization.

'A lot of people who have not gotten a vaccine are going to end up getting pretty sick, and it's going to be pretty disruptive,' Jha said.

'My hope is as we get into February and certainly by the time we get into March, infection numbers will come way down, and it'll also start getting (into) spring, and the weather will start getting better. And that will also help.'

Dr. Anthony Fauci in a Tuesday interview defended the CDC's decision Monday to cut the amount of time asymptomatic COVID-19 patients need to quarantine in half, from 10 days to five days

A take-home COVID-19 testing kit is displayed on the shelf of a Manhattan drugstore on December 22. Such tests have become hard to find in some areas amid a shortage

Lines of up to six hours have been reported at testing clinics, with many of those tested also forced to wait days longer than the advertised 24 to 48 hours for their result, ruining the Christmas plans of many

Biden says he WILL issue domestic flight vaccine mandate IF his medical team advises it - one day after Fauci flip flopped on his support for one Joe Biden fueled confusion on Tuesday by saying he will issue a vaccine mandate for domestic flights if his medical team advises it - one day after Dr Anthony Fauci walked back his comments in support of such a measure. Biden told reporters at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - while walking his new German Shepherd puppy, Commander, with First Lady Jill Biden - that he will make a decision on domestic travel vaccine requirements 'when I get a recommendation from the medical team.' In November, Biden said he would wait for the scientific community to provide him a recommendation when asked if consideration has been given to requiring proof of vaccination for domestic flights. The surge in COVID cases from the Omicron variant has made the White House reassess whether to impose it. Fauci, Biden's top health adviser, seemingly called for a vaccine mandate for air travelers on Sunday but quickly retracted his remarks the next day. 'Everything that comes up as a possibility, we put it on the able and we consider it, that does not mean that it is likely to happen,' Fauci clarified to CNN's Jim Acosta on Monday. 'I doubt if we're going to see something like that in the reasonably foreseeable future,' he added. The president also told reporters during his stroll on Tuesday evening that there has been 'a bit of progress' toward the administration's goal of producing and distributing at-home COVID testing kits amid nationwide shortages. The administration has pledged that all Americans will be able to acquire an at-home rapid test for coronavirus after previously ruling it out. Biden insisted to reporters that he was on the phone for most of Tuesday working despite a blank public schedule and spending the days following the Christmas holiday away from Washington, D.C. He is also facing criticism for his response to the most contagious variant yet of COVID. Biden and Jill on Tuesday evening took Commander on a walk along the beach and through the neighborhood near their vacation home in Rehoboth Beach. Commander, the president said, is a 15-week-old rescue given as a present from his brother for his 79th birthday last month. The new addition to the first family comes after Biden's dog Champ, who was also a German Shepherd, died in June 2021. Advertisement

Another move that turned heads on Monday was the CDC's decision to cut the amount of time asymptomatic COVID-19 patients need to quarantine in half, from 10 days to five days.

'The reason is that with the sheer volume of new cases that we are having and that we expect to continue with Omicron, one of the things we want to be careful of is that we dont have so many people out, Fauci said in a Tuesday interview with CNN, explaining the decision.

Obviously if you have symptoms, you should not be out. But if you are asymptomatic and you are infected, we want to get people back to the jobs. Particularly those with essential jobs, to keep our society running smoothly. So I think that was a very prudent and good choice on the part of the CDC.

But not all health experts were on board with the new decision. In a separate interview with Good Morning America, Jha criticized the CDC's new rule.

'I actually think It would help a lot if we asked people to get a negative test as well,' he said. 'I don't know why the CDC did not put that in, I suspect it might be because tests are still hard to come by.'

Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the FDA vaccine advisory committee, said that the new rule made sense overall, but worried that it would encourage a lax attitude toward isolating when symptomatic.

'It's the honor system. You have to trust that people are truly asymptomatic,' he told the Today Show.

The US is facing a crisis shortage of COVID tests, with President Joe Biden admitting this week that current capacity is 'clearly not enough' as he faces criticism that his administration's plan to send 500 million free tests to the public is too little, too late.

Many Americans spent the holiday weekend waiting in long lines for PCR tests or scouring store shelves in vain for rapid at-home test kits, as the national shortage potentially fueled further transmission.

Separately Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease official, urged people to avoid large New Year's gatherings.

Rising cases snarled air travel over the Christmas weekend, with thousands of flights canceled as flight crews contracted the virus. Curtailed cruises and limited availability of testing crimped other plans as the more transmissible variant took hold.

On Monday, U.S. airlines canceled nearly 1,000 flights, the fourth straight day of cancellations. Travel-related stocks fell.

Biden warned governors that the spike in cases would probably overwhelm some hospitals, stretching staff and equipment like ventilators, particularly in areas where fewer people are vaccinated.

He declined to answer a reporter's question about whether he endorses a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel, another step officials have discussed.

As Biden departed Washington for his home state of Delaware, he pledged cooperation with governors and said he had offered them any needed additional resources.

'They want to know what we think is going to happen,' he said.

For New Year's Eve on Friday, officials say people who are vaccinated can safely gather with families, but larger celebrations are riskier.

'When we are talking about a New Year's Eve party ... I would recommend strongly stay away from that this year. There will be other years to do that, but not this year,' Fauci, Biden's chief medical adviser, told CNN.

'We really still need to be extremely careful,' he said separately on MSNBC.
A mother was left horrified after a 'massive' bag of crystal meth fell out of a cereal box as she was dishing out breakfast to her children.

Haisam Nassir, 25, was pouring bowls of cereal for her four children when the box of Golden Morn stopped flowing, despite still feeling half full.

Upon further inspection, she felt an extra bag blocking the rest of the crunch maize flakes from escaping the box.

Ms Nassir removed the plastic bag and saw it was filled with mysterious white crystals.

Having become suspicious, the mother jumped on Google and was shocked to discover she was actually handling class A drug methamphetamine - more commonly known as crystal meth.

The substance is known to be highly addictive and gained notoriety after becoming a prominent part of hit TV series Breaking Bad.

Ms Nassir, from Dagenham, Essex, took the bag to her local police station, where officers later confirmed her worst fears.

She also rushed her children to hospital having become worried they might have unknowingly consumed some of the drug. However, a doctor confirmed they had not been affected.

The stay-at-home mother said: 'It was so so bad, I was really shocked. It was massive - it took up nearly half the box.

Haisam Nassir, 25, discovered a plastic bag concealed within the box of cereal she was using to dish breakfast to her four children

Ms Nassir said police confirmed the plastic bag was filled with methamphetamine, more commonly known as crystal meth

Despite the bag of Golden Morn still feeling half full, no more crunchy maize flakes were coming out. Ms Nassir then inspected the box and made the horrifying discovery

'I felt really frightened. My anxiety went off the roof. There was 450g of it. The street value would be quite something.

'Imagine if that burst it could have had a deadly impact. It could have ended so badly.

'They'd been eating from that box for four days straight and the bag of crystal meth was really thin, a sharp piece of cereal could easily have made a hole in it.

'My eldest is very independent and gets her own cereal. She could so easily have eaten it.

'I was having these heartbreaking thoughts. I could have gone from being a mum of four to a mum of none very quickly.'

She said officers at her local police station were stunned to see the massive bag and her children - aged three, two and one-year-old twins - were checked out at Queen's Hospital in Romford.

Ms Nassir added: 'It was an horrific experience. I still can't believe it was in my house with my kids.

'I bought [the box] at my local shop, five minutes away from me. It's an international shop, quite similar to a corner shop, [with] loads of world foods from other places such as Pakistan.

'It's probably imported, only specific shops have this cereal. I have been getting the cereal from that specific shop regularly for like six months.

'Normally I go in and get two bags. I did that this time too. The first bag I bought was fine.'

A police investigation into the incident in June found a cut in the bottom of the cereal bag through which, officers concluded, the bag of drugs had been inserted.

A formal letter sent to the mother said: 'It appears highly unlikely that the crystals were inserted at the factory of production, though this cannot be established for certain.'

A police investigation found a cut in the bottom of the cereal bag through which, officers concluded, the bag of drugs had been inserted

Ms Nassir took her four children to hospital to be checked over after becoming concerned they might have consumed the class A drug

The letter also explained that a man had been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences, but was later released under investigation.

The case has been closed for now, which has left Ms Nassir feeling displeased.

She said: 'I can't believe the case has closed. It's really shocking," she said. "I feel like no one is taking it seriously. It makes no sense.

'My children could have consumed it - and there could have been a very different outcome.'

A spokesperson for Nestle said: 'This case was investigated six months ago by both Nestle and the police.

'It was concluded that the item was inserted into the packaging at some point after the product left Nestle in Nigeria.

'This is not a product we manufacture or distribute in the UK, but we appreciate how concerning it must have been for Haisam and worked closely with her to resolve the issue since she first contacted us in June.'

The Metropolitan Police have been approached for comment.
The House of Commons chamber is 'no place' for a baby, Tory MP Alicia Kearns has said after speaker Lindsay Hoyle backed allowing MPs to take their babies into parliamentary debates as long as they are not disrupting proceedings.

Rutland and Melton MP Ms Kearns, 34, said she has always been able to leave the chamber to feed her daughter and does not need to have that 'live-streamed to the world' from the Commons.

MPs are allowed to take their babies with them when voting but not when participating in debates, although the Speaker and his deputies have exercised their discretion on the issue in the past.

Sir Lindsay has requested a review into whether the rules should be updated amid an outcry over Labour's Stella Creasy being censured for carrying her son Pip, then aged three months, while speaking in a debate in November.

But Ms Kearns, who announced the birth of her second child in January 2021, said: 'Babies have no place in the chamber. I've asked to leave debates to feed my child a few times - I have never been turned down.

'This is a debate about childcare that is wrongly being presented as one of rights and representation.'

Alicia Kearns (pictured), 34, said she has always been able to leave the chamber to feed her daughter and does not need to have that 'live-streamed to the world' from the Commons

It comes amid an outcry over Labour's Stella Creasy being censured for carrying her son Pip, then aged three months, while speaking in a debate in November (pictured above)

Sir Lindsay Hoyle (pictured on November 17) backed allowing MPs to take their babies into parliamentary debates as long as they are not disrupting proceedings

Ms Kearns added: 'In no professional workplace would you feed your baby in a meeting with your chief executive, or in a pitch to new clients, or on a stage in front of shareholders.'

She acknowledged there are difficulties in combining being a mother with being an MP, and there have been 'a couple (of) days where security would not let my then eight-month-old daughter, in her pram with her childcare, into Parliament because someone deemed it not to be "essential Parliamentary business", but that was resolved by the Commons authorities.'

She said: 'You'll also see me frantically running around Parliament feeding baby between votes/debates/meetings' in corridors, on the Commons terrace and in Central Lobby.

'I don't think being a mum should be hidden in Parliament/workplaces. But I don't want to feed my baby live-streamed to world. And I definitely don't need to.

'This is a matter of childcare.'

The cross-party Commons Procedure Committee has been asked to examine the rules around babies in the chamber.

Sir Lindsay told the Daily Telegraph his view is that the 'chair on the day has got to make a decision'.

Referring to Ms Creasy's son, he said: 'I saw that baby come into the chamber when I was in the chair. And did it affect the debate? No. Was it a quiet and peaceful baby? Absolutely. Did it disrupt? Not in the slightest. So did it matter to me? Absolutely not.

'What I would say, and I'll be quite honest with you, is each chair will make a decision. Unfortunately it's become highly political.

'It is now for others to decide, that's why the committee is reviewing it. And I will then have to respect (that decision).'

Ms Kearns, who announced the birth of her second child in January 2021, said: 'Babies have no place in the chamber. I've asked to leave debates to feed my child a few times - I have never been turned down' (part of her Twitter thread pictured above)

Ms Creasy pictured with her baby in a sling while speaking in the chamber of the House of Commons in September this year

Ms Creasy argues that, while she can take maternity time off with full pay, the current Commons rules do not allow her constituents to be fully represented while she is off, and has continued to work.

She pointed out that she has previously been allowed to speak in debates with her son in a sling, with authorities taking a relaxed view.

The case polarised opinion with some MPs saying the rules should be eased for mothers with very young children, and Downing Street indicating it was sympathetic to her case.

But others have accused her of 'grandstanding', while a YouGov poll found the majority of Britons believe MPs should not be allowed to take babies into the chamber.

Ms Creasy, a mother of two, welcomed the review after she was emailed by authorities about rules prohibiting bringing children to debates after bringing Pip into a Westminster Hall debate.

The Walthamstow MP Ms Creasy said she hopes the move 'means some of these rules will be reviewed to make parenting and politics possible to mix'.

Pip, who is breastfeeding, has regularly attended the Commons, as did Ms Creasy's older daughter.
Los Angeles police officers repeatedly pleaded with a colleague to 'slow it down' and 'hold up' as he stalked the aisles of a Hollywood Burlington store with a rifle searching for an assault suspect, just moments before firing a shot that killed a 16-year-old girl hiding in a dressing room with her mother.

Valentina Orellana Peralta was struck in the chest while shopping for a quinceanera dress just two days before Christmas.

The LAPD on Monday released a heavily edited package of surveillance and police body camera footage, which captured Valentina's final moments.

In bodycam video, armed officers enter the store and approach Daniel Elena-Lopez, 24, suspected of attacking two women.

One officer with a rifle pushes to the front of the pack as the cops go through the store in formation. Other officers repeat 'slow down' and 'slow it down' as the officer with the rifle moves forward.

Valentina Orellana Peralta, 14, was shot and killed by an LAPD officer's stray bullet at a Burlington store on December 23

Body camera video released by the LAPD on Monday shows an officer looking for an assault suspect while aiming a rifle, as his colleagues repeatedly tell him to 'slow down'

As the officer with the rifle leads a group of his colleagues in formation through the Burlington store, he is told to 'slow it down, slow it down'

When the cop encounters a bloodied assault victim crawling on the floor, other officers scream at him: 'hold up, Jones!'

Moments later, Officer Jones fires three shots, killing suspect Daniel Elena-Lopez and Valentina, who was hiding in the dressing room

'Shes bleeding!' an officer shouts when they find a victim of a brutal beating, crawling on the blood-stained floor. The suspect was on the other side of the aisle.

'Hold up! Hold up, Jones! Hold up! Hold up! another officer screams just before three shots ring out.

The officer holding the rifle pulled the trigger, police said.

Elena-Lopez collapsed on the floor, mortally wounded. In the background of the footage, Valentina's mother can be heard screaming in the dressing room beside her dying daughter.

Capt. Stacy Spell said Orellana-Peralta was 'struck by a round which skipped off the floor and entered the dressing room wall.'

Police have not named the officer who fired the fatal shots, killing Elena-Lopez and Orellana Peralta.

On Tuesday, Valentina's inconsolable parents stood outside the LAPD headquarters on and demanded justice for their daughter.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump joined the parents and read a translated statement written by Valentina's mother, who revealed that she and her daughter were hugging each other and praying inside the dressing room when the bullet struck the 14-year-old in the chest, killing her just two days before Christmas.

Speaking in Spanish and choking back tears, Valentina's mother, Soledad Peralta, said: 'She died in my arms. I couldn't do anything. Having a child die in your arms is one of the most painful things you can imagine.'

Soledad Peralta and Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas, the parents of Valentina Orellana-Peralta, 14, choked back tears at a press conference outside the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters on Tuesday

Soledad Peralta said Valentina, 14, died in her arms, and there was nothing she could do for her daughter after she was shot by a police officer's stray bullet

Valentina's father told reporters his daughter believed the US was the safest country in the world, and her greatest wish was to become an American citizen

The girl's grieving parents were joined by civil rights attorney Ben Crump (second left)

The grief-stricken mother added: 'Now our sweet angel is gone forever.'

The girl's family said they had left their native Chile to get away from violence and injustice in search of a better life in the US.

'All she wanted was to become a American citizen,' her father, Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas, said in Spanish. 'I once told her, let's leave this country. 'No, papa,' she said. 'This is the safest country in the world, a country of opportunity.' Now my daughter is dead at the hands of the state.'

The father said he was in Chile for the holidays when his wife called him, telling him their daughter had been killed, adding in Spanish: 'my world collapsed on me.'

Police shot and killed suspect Daniel Elena-Lopez, 24, after he allegedly attacked two women

Valentina's parents said the teen loved skateboarding and had dreams of becoming an engineer to build robots.

Attorneys representing the Orellana Peralta family said they want the LAPD to release all the video from the crime scene and for the officer who fired the deadly shot to be held accountable.

The press conference came a day after the police released surveillance and police body camera footage from the shooting.

In surveillance footage from the Burlington store in North Hollywood on December 23 around 11.45 am, eleven armed officers can be seen entering the store in response to 911 calls reporting a suspect, later identified as Elena-Lopez, who attacked two women.

Elena-Lopez was in the process of beating a bleeding woman with a steel bike lock when police arrived, cops said.

The unidentified officer who fired the fatal bullet can be heard on his body camera footage yelling 'victim down,' 'he's hitting her to the right side,' and 'she's bleeding, she's bleeding!' before he takes aim.

'Hold up Jones, I got you!' another officer says before the first policeman fires his rifle three times. He runs up to the Elena-Lopez, who flails on the ground, as another officer tends to the injured woman.

As officers tell Elena-Lopez to 'get on [his] f***ing stomach,' a woman can be heard screaming in the background from the dressing room.

The moment when the officers found the slain girl in the dressing room was not shown on the released police footage.

Daniel Elena-Lopez, 24, can be seen laid out on the ground after he was shot by the Los Angeles Police Department officer. Behind him, Valentina Orellana Peralta, 14, was hiding in a dressing room with her mother

Pictured is the unnamed officer's view of the suspect, Daniel Elena-Lopez, who had just beaten the bloodied, unidentified woman on the floor with a bike lock. Directly behind the suspect is the dressing room where Peralta and her mother were hiding as the chaos unfolded

Behind the suspect, Orellana Peralta and her mother were hiding in a dressing room. Officers can be seen entering the dressing room as another group of police attend to Elena-Lopez.

LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi said officers later found the teen's lifeless body inside the changing room.

'You can't see into the dressing rooms and it just looks like a straight wall of drywall,' Choi said at an earlier news conference.

The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave for at least two weeks as the incident is under investigation, although officials said a full probe into the shooting could take up to a year.

Body camera footage from the five officers closest to the LAPD officer who fired at Daniel Elena-Lopez, hitting Peralta in the process, were also shared in the LAPD press package

Police also shared the events that led up to the officer-involved shooting.

In CCTV footage from around 11 am, Elena-Lopez can be seen entering the Burlington store, pushing his bike while wearing a tank top and shorts.

The steel bike lock is looped over his shoulder.

LAPD Capt. Stacy Spell said in a pre-recorded briefing within the press package that Elena-Lopez took his bike to the second floor of the store before laying it in an aisle then he began trying on clothes.

Police said he was asked to move it by a female store employee, and he responded by smashing a nearby computer monitor. He then hit the glass railing, took the escalator downstairs, and tried to take another woman's purse.

Elena-Lopez can be seen laying on the ground after he was shot from another angle

When the woman resisted, Elena-Lopez tackled her and tried to attack her with the lock. The woman, who police have yet to identify and question, was able to run out of the store.

Elena-Lopez then attempted to grab another woman as she came down the escalator. She, too, was able to break away and run out of the store.

He then went back up to the second floor, where he approached a woman pushing a shopping cart from behind and hit her over the head with the bike lock. She crawled away, but Elena-Lopez dragged her back toward the dressing rooms and continued beating her.

Police do not believe that any of the women knew their attacker.

Three 911 calls to police reporting the attacks were also released.

Daniel Elena-Lopez can be pictured lunging at a woman on the first floor of the outlet, trying to take her purse and hit her with his bike chain before she gets away

Daniel Elena-Lopez can be seen beating the unidentified woman was his bike lock as she holds up her hands to protect her head

One call is from a store employee who tells the operator that there is a 'hostile customer in my store attacking customers' who is 'walking around the store looking for people' and 'breaking things.'

She can be heard frantically, repeatedly telling customers to evacuate the store, and tells the 911 operator that she and other employees have barricaded themselves in one of the store's offices.

The Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office ruled the teen's death a homicide from the gunshot wound to the chest.

The parents of Valentina Orellana Peralta, Soledad Peralta (center) and Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas (right) will hold a press conference on Tuesday demanding transparency from the Los Angeles Police Department in their investigation into their daughter's killing

Valentina Orellana Peralta, 14, (pictured as a child) was shot and killed in a Burlington dressing room after an unidentified police officer's spray bullet struck her in the chest

The Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office ruled Peralta's death a homicide. Pictured is a petition demanding justice for the slain teen

'This chaotic incident resulting in the death of an innocent child is tragic and devastating for everyone involved. I am profoundly sorry for the loss of this young girl's life and I know there are no words that can relieve the unimaginable pain for the family,' Police Chief Michel Moore said on Thursday.

The shooting is being investigated by the California Department of Justice under Attorney General Rob Bonta.

'It's just absolutely heartbreaking, and I cannot find words to try to comfort a mother and a family, but I will ensure them and the public and our people that we will conduct a complete and thorough investigation,' said Moore

Spell said the department is still seeking out unidentified witnesses and victims, and will continue to investigate the shooting over the next several months.

When the department's Critical Incident Review Division completes its investigation, Spell said, findings will be sent to Moore, who will then make a recommendation to the Civilian Board of Police Commissioners.

The board will evaluate whether the officer's tactics, drawing and exhibiting a weapon and his use of deadly force were justified.

A 14-year-old girl who was shot dead by a Los Angeles police officer's stray bullet during Thursday's confrontation with an assault suspect at a Burlington Coat Factory was in a dressing room trying on gowns for a quinceanera with her mother. (Pictured: Shoppers are seen outside the store after the shooting)

Valentina Orellana Peralta, 14, was shopping for a quinceanera gown with her mother at this Burlington store in North Hollywood on Thursday when she was struck by cop's stray bullet

Police say they came upon the male suspecting assaulting a woman and opened fire, killing the man. Pictured: a broken glass door is scene at the Burlington Coat Factory

People are seen sobbing after the deadly shooting that took the life of the 14-year-old

Police say the officer who fired the fatal shots did not know Valentine was inside the dressing room behind a wall

A woman wipes her eye as police officers investigate the scene where two people were struck by gunfire in a shooting at a Burlington store )

Shoppers are seen at the scene after the officer-involved shooting, which is now under investigation

No gun was found near the male assault suspect after his killing at the Burlington store

Moore said it did not appear that the officer who fired the fatal shots 'would have known that there was anyone behind there or that he was looking at anyone other than the suspect and a wall.'

'There's not a police officer in America who would ever want this type of circumstance to occur,' Moore added.

Imelda Garcia said her sister works in the store and was on break when she heard gunshots and everyone started running. Garcia said she spoke to her sister on the phone and that she's OK but sounded 'really nervous.'

Police escorted people out of the store nearly two hours after the shooting.

Thursday's shooting comes come as homicide rates have soared 52 percent in the past two years, and Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon is under fire for his soft-on-crime policies.

Flowers and balloons are left along a sign reading 'Release the Footage Moore' at a makeshift memorial for the teenage girl who was killed by a police stray bullet at a Burlington coat factory in North Hollywood

Before the footage was released by the LAPD on Monday, the message 'Release the Footage, Moore' was written alongside a memorial of flowers and balloons outside the Burlington Coat Factory where the teen was killed

Gascon continues to be called out for a zero-bail policy that some critics say is exacerbating the region's crime problems by freeing criminals to offend safe in the knowledge they'll be straight back on the streets after.

At this time in 2019, the Los Angeles Police Department recorded 251 homicides. As of December 18, there have been 382 slayings in the city, representing a 52 percent increase, according to LAPD data.

Burglaries have dipped over the past few years.

Property crimes are up in California as a whole as well, according to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).

Year-over-year through October, violent crimes spiked five percent statewide, with Oakland up 17 percent and Los Angeles up about one percent, PPIC data shows.

Homicide rates in LA have skyrocketed over the past two years. At this time in 2019, the Los Angeles Police Department recorded 251 homicides. Burglaries have dipped in recent years

Homicides during the same period rose 17 percent, from 523 last year to 613 as of October. In LA, homicides rose 17 percent, the institute said.

Gascon, one of many progressive DAs bankrolled by billionaire Democrat donor George Soros, has survived one recall effort and faces another that was launched December 6 after he was accused of being soft on crime amid an epidemic of brazen smash-and-grab robberies perpetrated by organized groups of thieves.

During the first week of December, LA police arrested 14 suspects alleged to have been involved in 11 recent smash-and-grab robberies at stores last month, where nearly $340,000 worth of merchandise was stolen in strikes on an LA Nordstrom, a Lululemon in Studio City, a Fairfax district store, and a CVS pharmacy in South LA.

However, due to city's zero-bail policies, the suspects were all released within hours of being handcuffed and are currently walking the streets while they wait for their cases to go to court.
Donald and Melania Trump will return to the New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago after skipping last year's lavish gala in the wake of his election defeat.

Sources close to the former president told DailyMail.com that he's expected to attend this year's black-tie gathering.

Trump could, of course, change his mind as he did last year, when he was in Palm Beach for the holiday season and expected to drop by the gala, as he usually does.

Instead, in an unusual move, the former first couple opted to return to Washington D.C. on December 31st and skipped the party, where guests had paid up to $1,000 a ticket.

They returned to the White House where Trump focused on the upcoming certification of Joe Biden's election victory in Congress, which took place on January 6th after the Capitol was cleared of MAGA supporters who stormed the building in an attempt to disrupt the process.

This year, they could be back on the red carpet where, in the past, Trump has enjoyed playing host of the event and speaking to reporters.

Donald and Melania Trump will return to the New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago after skipping last year's lavish gala - the former first couple had Christmas Eve dinner in the ballroom at their private club (above)

Donald and Melania Trump had Christmas Eve dinner with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump has her arm around Jared Kushner (left) as President Trump speaks to a guest

For Christmas dinner, Melania Trump wore the $7,450 Elie Saab dress she wore to a July 2018 NATO meeting in Belgium (above)

Donald and Melania Trump are, in a tradition that predates his presidency, spending the cold weather months at his Palm Beach club with its Atlantic Ocean views.

The Trumps had Christmas Eve dinner at Mar-a-Lago, where they ate with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. The two couples sat alone at a table in the private club's main ballroom.

Photos and video posted to social media show the Trumps got a standing ovation as they walked through the ballroom to the table where Jared and Ivanka waited for them.

Unlike when he was president, the table was not roped off from the rest of the guests.

Former President Trump waved to the crowd as he made his way to his spot. Both Melania and Ivanka wore white dresses for the festive occasion. Melania wore the same $7,450 Elie Saab dress she wore to a July 2018 NATO meeting in Belgium.

The New Year's Eve gala comes as Florida, like most areas of the country, sees a massive spike in COVID cases as the highly-transmissible Omicron variant gathers steam.

In the past seven days, the state has added 26,537 cases per day on average, according to Miami Herald calculations of CDC data. That rolling seven-day case average is the highest it's been since Aug. 23, when it was at 29,334.

On Wednesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who Trump clashed with during the COVID pandemic, recommended against large New Year's Eve gatherings.

'If your plans are to go to a 40-to-50 person New Year's Eve party with all the bells and whistles and everybody hugging and kissing and wishing each other a Happy New Year? I would strongly recommend that, this year, we do not do that,' Fauci said.

The main ballroom of Mar-a-Lago - with its white paneling and gold-plated decor - can hold 700 people and there are smaller ballrooms available to add to the crowd size.

Social media postings show the ballroom was crowded with guests for Christmas and nary a face mask in sight. Florida recommends but does not require face masks for the general public.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a close ally of Trump's who has dined multiple times at Mar-a-Lago, has been defiant about recommended COVID restrictions. He issued an executive order on May 3 that barred local governments and school systems from imposing COVID-19 restrictions, including face mask rules.

Donald Trump waves to the crowd as he arrives for Christmas dinner

Trump gives his signature thumbs' up sign; Jared Kushner is seated at the table behind him

Donald and Melania Trump missed last year's New Year's Eve gala, returning to Washington D.C. on Dec. 31, 2020

New Year's 2020: Melania listens as Trump speaks at his New Year's Eve Gala on December 31, 2019  ringing in 2020

On Tuesday the nation broke its record for the most daily COVID-19 cases with a seven-day average of 264,546 cases reported, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data.

The country's previous record was about 247,503 daily cases, reported on January 11.

The record comes as the US hit a total of 53,170,421 cases as of Wednesday morning, amid a growing number of people who were tested before and after Christmas weekend.

The tradition of New Year's Eve at Mar-a-Lago goes back years for the former president.

The black-tie gala is one of the highlights of the private club's social calendar. Trump likes to work the room, talking to guests and posing for selfies.

At past New Year's Eve parties, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have attended with their children. Donald Trump Jr. and girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle typically make an appearance as do Eric Trump and Lara Trump along with Tiffany Trump and her fiance Michael Boulos.

Prominent Trump friends like Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Matt Gaetz have also made an appearance.
President Joe Biden will talk to his Russian counterpart on Thursday, the White House announced, amid continuing alarm at Russia's military buildup on its shared border with Ukraine.

The two leaders will hold a phone call 'to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia,' said National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne.

The call, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, will be the second direct contact between Biden and Putin this month as the U.S. looks to pressure Russia to draw down its military threat to Ukraine.

The conversation was requested by the Russian leader, according to a senior administration official.

Biden accepted because 'he has always believed that there is no substitute for direct leader to leader dialogue and engagement, and that is especially true when it comes to Russia and to his engagement with President Putin,' the official added.

He will tell Putin that there is a diplomatic path to de-escalating tensions if he wants to take it, but that he should expect consequences if he invades Ukraine.

'President Biden will also make clear when he speaks with President Putin that we are prepared for diplomacy and for a diplomatic path forward,' said the official. 'But we are also prepared to respond if Russia advances with a further invasion of Ukraine.'

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Joe Biden will hold a telephone call on Thursday afternoon amid increased tensions over Ukraine

An image released by the White House showed President Biden in the Situation Room as he spoke to Putin by videolink earlier this month

Ukrainian reservists take part in military exercises near Kiev on December 18, as the country prepares for a possible Russian invasion that could come as soon as next month

Russia has accused the West of provocations by admitting former Soviet states to NATO, and has massed an estimated 100,000 troops on the border.

Ukrainian officials say they fear an invasion could come in the new year.

Moscow has repeatedly denied it is planning to invade.

But Putin raised the stakes on Sunday by saying he would consider a range of options if the West failed to provide security guarantees preventing Ukraine joining NATO.

Horne added that Biden has spoken with leaders across Europe.

'The Biden administration continues to engage in extensive diplomacy with our European allies and partners, consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russias military build-up on the border with Ukraine,' she said in a statement.

The talks are expected to preview security talks due to take place of January 10, when the two sides will discuss arms control and Ukraine.

At the same time, Biden will spell out some of the consequences of aggression, according to the official.

On a call with reporters, the official said the U.S. had made plans to reinforce 'NATO's force posture' in eastern Europe if Russia attacked and was prepared to provide Ukraine with 'further assistance' to help the county defend itself.

'And we would like to see obviously, a reduction in that buildup and the return of forces to their their regular training areas or their long term deployment areas,' said the official.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday about the tensions and outlined Biden's call with Putin.

'We will continue to consult closely with Ukraine, NATO allies, and partners in our diplomatic efforts to deter further Russian aggression,' he said in a tweet.

It comes as a senior Russian diplomat accused the U.S. of starting a new Cold War.

America has been warning for weeks that Putin appears to be readying tens of thousands of troops, tanks and artillery pieces to invade Ukraine, but the Kremlin has insisted it is merely a defence force - until now (pictured, Russian forces currently massed in border regions)

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to the Ukrainian president on Wednesday

Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky told reporters the West had betrayed the trust shown to it by Russia after the end of the Soviet Union.

'We have started to be perceived as a threat by the West, by the United States,' he said, according to the state news agency TASS.

'What we're having now we have is kind of a remake of the Cold War, Cold War 2.0.'

Further raising the stakes, it emerged at the same time that Russia has deployed into service a new top-secret 'star wars' missile that is designed to shoot down nukes and satellites.

The S-550 missile defence system 'has entered combat duty', according to defence sources who spoke to TASS on Wednesday.

While little is known about the missile, it is thought to be Russia's latest foray into the space arms race - designed to take out targets hundreds of miles above earth such as low-orbit satellites, nuclear warheads, and orbital hypersonic weapons.

Moscow is thought to have carried out a test of this weapon system last month when it blew up one of its own defunct spy satellites in a move that enraged Washington and ramped up tensions with NATO.
The father of a six-year-old boy who was shot and killed last year while watching Fourth of July fireworks in San Francisco blamed the city's district attorney Wednesday for ensuring that one of the boy's killers will walk free in fewer than 10 years.

In his first televised interview since his son got caught in the crossfire of four gunmen, Jason Young, the father of slain Jace Young, called District Attorney Chesa Boudin 'out of touch and really dismissive', criticizing his decision to charge one of the suspects, now-18-year-old Deshaune Lumpkin, as a minor.

Lumpkin was 17 at the time of the murder.

'The police are doing their due diligence to try to solve these crimes and hold people accountable for these crimes,' Young told Fox News Wednesday, more than a week after a California court found Lumpkin guilty of the murder.

'The district attorney's office is not willing to prosecute and hold these criminals accountable,' the dad told the network. 'Because of the politics and the policies of the district attorney, there's no accountability.'

Following the verdict, Lumpkin was handed an eight-year maximum sentence - a judgment that sparked swift backlash from citizens as well as the boy's family.

Jace's relatives noted that one of Boudin's key promises when campaigning in late 2019 was never to allow those under 18 to be tried as adults, no matter how horrific the crime.

But since assuming office less than two years ago, Boudin, who is already facing his second recall, has been under fire. His critics say his approach to prosecuting violent crime has effectively allowed San Francisco to devolve into a hellscape where murders such as Jace's are commonplace.

There was a 15 per cent increase in homicides across San Francisco compared to last year, with 54 cases recorded so far this year alone, compared with 47 the year before.

Jace Young, 6, was fatally shot watching Fourth of July fireworks with his father in 2020. Two of four suspects have since been apprehended

In his first televised interview since the senseless incident which saw his son caught in the crossfire of four gunmen, Jason Young, at left, the father of slain Jace Young, called DA Chesa Boudin (at right) 'out of touch and really dismissive' over his decision to charge one of the suspects as a minor

'We're doomed as a city,' an impassioned Young told the outlet in a video interview from his Bayview home. 'Especially with a district attorney like Chesa Boudin.'

He blames Boudin's notoriously progressive laws that have been largely blamed for recent rampant crime plaguing the city, where looters have ransacked stores and broken into parked cars, spurring several city officials, including its mayor, to act.

After Black Lives Matter protesters demanded cities defund the police last year, liberal Mayor London Breed announced that San Francisco would be one of the first to do so and sliced $120million from its police and sheriff department budgets.

However, in an emergency police intervention on December 16, Breed made a screeching U-turn as she announced she was asking the city's Board of Supervisors for more money for police to stamp out drug dealing, car break-ins and theft.

Joining a growing number of Democratic mayors in the US who U-turned on 'defund the police' strategies in December, Breed called for 'more aggressive policing' to replace 'bulls**t progressive policies,' acknowledging that the city needed more law enforcement to tackle rapidly rising crime rates.

'It's time the reign of criminals who are destroying our city, it is time for it to come to an end,' she said. 'And it comes to an end when we take the steps to be more aggressive with law enforcement, more aggressive with the changes in our policies.'

There was a terrifying 15 per cent increase in homicide across San Francisco compared to last year, with 54 cases recorded so far this year alone, compared with 47 the year before

Boudin's notoriously progressive laws have been largely blamed for the recent rampant crime plaguing the city, where looters have ransacked stores and broken into parked cars, spurring several San Francisco officials, including the city's mayor, London Breed (pictured), to act

Jace, was killed around 10:30 pm on July 4, 2020, caught in four suspects' gunfire while he watched a firework show in the city's Bayview District with his father.

According to Young, approximately 12 shots were fired from across the street before the assailants - who police say were split into two warring groups - fled. Jace was hit and rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive.

A 39-year-old man also was hit in the fray, police said, though the injuries he suffered were not life-threatening.

Since the incident, two gunmen have been identified: 18-year-old James Harbor and Lumpkin, who was apprehended more than a year after the shooting, in August.

Harbor was charged with five felony counts including murder, related to the shooting. He has yet to stand trial despite getting arrested in January 2021.

The two other suspects are still at large.

Since he was an adult at the time of the killing, Harbor faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life for his part in Jace's tragic death - a sentence that's severity stands out starkly compared with Lumpkin's.

'Let's talk about the fact that the guilty verdict is only going to do maybe five years,' Young posited during Wednesday's interview, noting that Lumpkin could end up serving the minimum end of his sentence or get released early.

'My son barely lived that long,' Young asserted.

Boudin's office said in a statement that the DA stands by his decision to try Lumpkin as a juvenile, noting the pledge during his campaign to 'never prosecute children as adultswhich is supported by science, makes our communities safer by reducing recidivism, and promotes justice.'

Boudin's notoriously progressive laws, which are seen as lax on crime, have been blamed for the rampant crime in San Francisco. Boudin is now facing his second recall effort in his short tenure, with organizers hoping to oust him submitting 83,000 signatures to election officials to force him into a recall election next June.

'Our heart breaks for the Young family, whom our Victim Services Division has continued to support,' a spokeswoman for Boudin, Rachel Marshall, said in the statement.

'We are committed to holding accountable those responsible for this tragic crime.'

The office did not address the difference in penalties the two killers will likely receive.

Young said he voted for Boudin and supported him, at first.

'I agreed with some of the policies that he was putting in place,' Young said, noting that several members of his family also voted for the New York-born DA, who served as a public defender in San Francisco before becoming the city's premiere prosecutor.

'After voting, I gave Jace the 'I Voted' sticker because he liked stickers,' Young remembered during his televised talk with Fox News.

Now, however, Young asserts that the district attorney 'should get recalled.'

'To be a victim of a crime in San Francisco, under this district attorney? It's a complete joke,' he told the outlet. 'To be where we are today and to be dismissed the way we've been dismissed by this district attorney, it just makes me sick.'

Jace's father, Jason, pictured in July 2020, told Fox News: 'The killer of my six-year-old son will likely serve less time than the age of my son because of Chesa's campaign promise'

Jace was caught in crossfire and despite being rushed to hospital did not survive the shooting which happened in the Bayview district of San Francisco

'Some wonder why the black community doesn't have faith in the justice system,' Young told the outlet last week, following Lumpkin's sentencing.

'We cannot help but feel that if this had happened to a white child in another neighborhood, we would not be having this discussion; we would not have this result from a dismissive, out-of-touch district attorney. At the very least there would be some real accountability in Jace's case.'

'As the cycle of violence continues in San Francisco, our family and everyone else affected by this senseless crime and lack of accountability is traumatized. To be a victim of crime in San Francisco is a complete nightmare under District Attorney Boudin.

'He makes San Francisco's criminal justice system a complete joke.

Boudin, 41, entered the district attorney's race back then as an underdog and won by fewer than 3,000 votes.

Just two years into his term, Boudin will face a recall vote on June 7, 2022

Voters were captivated by his life story.

In 1981, when he was 1, his parents, who were members of the far-left Weather Underground, dropped him off with a babysitter and took part in an armored car robbery in upstate New York that left two police officers and a security guard dead.

His mother, Kathy Boudin, served 22 years behind bars and his father, David Gilbert, was jailed for life - until then-NY Governor Andrew Cuomo commuted his sentence for murder in August.

They didn't fire shots and the victims were killed by the Black Liberation Army.

Chesa was cared for by members of a radical left-wing group and said his experiences visiting his parents in jail galvanized his progressive views on law and order.

But since he entered office, his opponents said, crime rose and more criminals went free.

Boudin is now facing his second recall effort in his short tenure. Organizers hoping to oust him submitted 83,000 signatures to election officials to force him into a recall election next June.

Boudin won San Francisco's tightly contested race for district attorney after campaigning to reform the criminal justice system in November. Pictured as a child with his parents in his campaign video

Kathy Boudin (left in November 24, 1981) served 22 years behind bars and his father, David Gilbert (center in the right image), may spend the rest of his life in prison. Judith Clark, David Gilbert and Katherine Boudin are pictured right October 20, 1981

In October, San Francisco Police Officers Association President Tony Montoya said the city is crippled with open-air drug markets and homelessness, coupled with upticks in blatant shoplifting, residential and commercial burglaries, shooting and other violent crimes.

'Police are the bad guys and the bad guys are the good guys in the mind of a progressive' like Boudin, Montoya said. 'Chesa's good at the blame game. We're going to call him Mr. Deflector because he's always pointing the finger left or right and never at the man in the mirror.'

And in September San Francisco Superior Court Judge Bruce Chan took the unusual step of criticizing Boudin's office from the bench for 'constant turnover' and neglecting 'the fundamentals of competent, professional prosecution.'

'I cannot express in any more certain terms my disapproval of the manner in which the office of the district attorney is being managed,' Chan said.

'We simply cannot have the current levels of inadvertence, disorganization and expect there to be any public confidence in what we do here collectively.'

Sara Yousuf, a district attorney spokesperson, though, defended Boudin saying he 'has made it his priority to promote public safety for the people of San Francisco.'

She also underscored his efforts to protect San Franciscans by 'expanding services for crime victims, pursuing meaningful accountability to address the root causes of crime, including by fighting for public health solutions to prevent crime from occurring.'

And, she said, Boudin's prosecution rates are similar, if not higher, than both his predecessor 'as well as other district attorneys in surrounding counties.'

The office is also fighting back against the recall effort, with Boudin telling his supporters at a recent rally: 'This has nothing to do with the facts or the real challenges our communities are facing.

'This has everything to do with disrespecting the will of the people,' he said, describing the recall campaign as being pushed by 'dark money' and the Republican Party.

Young, meanwhile, a longtime San Francisco resident, said of Boudin's policies:

'Boudin's campaign promises do not protect San Franciscans and ensure justice  they only allow criminals, and in this case, murderers, to return to the community.'
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Anthony Fauci said Wednesday that he 'strongly recommends' against going to large New Year's Eve gatherings this year as the highly contagious Omicron variant causes massive case surges nationwide.

'If your plans are to go to a 40 to 50-person New Year's Eve party with all the bells and whistles and everybody hugging and kissing,' Fauci said during the White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing, 'I would strongly recommend that this year, we do not do that.'

He claimed that smaller gatherings with everyone fully vaccinated and boosted against coronavirus is low risk, despite the massive number of breakthrough cases with the Omicron variant's emergence.

Despite the warnings and massive surges of COVID in New York City, Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio still plans to ring in 2022 with a 15,000-person strong Times Square ball drop and celebration.

Fauci also said it is 'conceivable' that a fourth dose could be recommended to protect against the Omicron variant.

'Before we start talking about a fourth shot, it would be very important for us to determine the durability of protection, particularly against severe disease for the third shot booster of an mRNA [vaccine] and the second shot of a [Johnson & Johnson],' Fauci said Wednesday.

He added: 'It is conceivable that in the future, we might need an additional shot but right now, we are hoping that we will get a greater degree of durability of protection from that booster shot. So we're going to take one step at a time, get the data from the third boost and then make decisions based on scientific data.'

The nation's top infectious disease expert had a sobering message about COVID  it likely isn't ever going away.

'We're never going to stop counting, tests  but we're looking forward, as everyone I think feels is appropriate, that ultimately we're going to have to live with something that will not be eradicated and very likely would not be eliminated,' he said.

More than a year after the vaccine was rolled out, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. have soared to the highest level on record at more than 265,000 per day on average as the Omicron variant takes hold of the nation.

Despite saying earlier this week that the mask mandates for domestic flight travel 'should seriously be considered', he said Wednesday that this provision is not needed.

'At this particular time, we do not feel that it's necessary to make that a requirement for domestic flights,' Fauci said after President Joe Biden told reporters Tuesday that he would consider the provision if his 'medical team' advised it.

'Right now we feel that the masking requirements and the degree of filtration on a plane is sufficient to keep people safe,' he added.

Even though Omicron is the most contagious variant yet, Fauci agrees with other medical professionals that it is a less severe case of COVID.

'All indications point to a lesser severity of Omicron versus Delta,' Fauci said, citing preliminary data.

He added: 'Final conclusion about the level of severity in children remains to be determined.'

Despite record number of cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant, Anthony Fauci said the strain is of 'lesser severity' when compared to Delta

Despite the massive case surges and warnings to keep New Year's Eve celebrations small, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio still plans to hold the annual 15,000-person strong Times Square ball drop. On Wednesday organizers did a test run by releasing confetti in Times Square

A CDC map shows the entire United States, as well as four territories, are at the highest level of COVID transmission

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday that Americans should only have small New Year's Even gatherings if everyone is vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 and shut down the idea of big celebrations this year

Fauci, 81, will get largest-ever retirement package in federal government when he steps down Anthony Fauci is set to rake in the highest-ever federal government retirement package in U.S. history with his annual payment exceeding $350,000, according to a Forbes estimate. The White House's top COVID adviser, who is 81, has shown no indications that he will retire any time soon after 55 years as a federal employee. Since 1984, Fauci has served as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health. If he retired today, Fauci would still earn $350,000 per year on retirement and his pension and benefits would continue to increase with cost-of-living adjustments, auditors at OpenTheBooks.com found in the Forbes review. Fauci is somewhat of a celebrity among Democrats after becoming the point person on the White House coronavirus response under Trump and continued with Biden. He was often praised by the left for rebuking Trump in the early days of the pandemic. On the other hand, Republicans have called for Fauci to be fired and have slammed the doctor for his agency giving a gain-of-function grant to the Wuhan lab, which they claim led to the development of the COVID-19 virus. In 2019, Fauci had a salary of $417,608 and in 2020 was bumped to $434,312  giving him two consecutive years of being the highest compensated federal employee. Fauci even out-earned the president, four star generals and the rest of his roughly 4.3 million colleagues in the federal government. As president, Joe Biden, 79, earns $400,000 annually. Information has not yet been released for Fauci's 2021 salary, but Forbes filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit to receive all financial disclosures, which a federal judge required be produced starting February 1, 2022. The Office of Personnel Management notes that federal employees with such a lengthy service like Fauci can retire and still earn 80 per cent of their average salary from the last three salaries they earned  plus any credit they have left for sick leave that wasn't taken. Using 2018, 2019 and 2020 salaries, which equates to $1.252 million in earnings over three years, Fauci would have started raking in an 80 per cent pension payment of $333,745 if he had retired at the end of 2020. In this calculator Forbes also factored in a cost-of-living increase through the three years. Since Fauci's 2021 and 2022 salaries are still unknown  but likely similar or slightly higher  it's safe to say his retirement pay should he choose to end his tenure soon would be closer to $347,500 or higher. Fauci started in his most high-profile role yet as the second-ever Chief Medical Advisor to the President in January 2021, when Biden took office. His biggest pay bump, however, came in 2004 under President George W. Bush when Fauci got a 'permanent pay adjustment' for biodefense work. Since Fauci has also far-exceeded the 10-year-minimum work requirement to receive an annuity in retirement, his annual payout would increase by 2 per cent of his average three-high salary, meaning if he were to leave at the end of December, he could earn around $8,500 more per year in retirement. Advertisement

Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, was the highest-paid federal employee in 2019 and 2020  even above the president. And a Forbes analysis found this week that if he retired today, Fauci would earn an annual pension of upwards of $350,000, which is the highest-ever in U.S. history.

In 2019, Fauci had a salary of $417,608 and in 2020 was bumped to $434,312  and the 81-year-old has shown no indications that he will step out of his role any time soon after 55 years of federal government work.

Omicron has become the dominant COVID strain in the U.S., now accounting for 59 percent of cases. There were 377,014 recorded new cases on Tuesday and 2,377 deaths in 24 hours.

The country recorded a seven-day average of 264,546 cases on Tuesday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data. The country's previous record was about 247,503 average daily cases, reported on January 11. Coronavirus deaths have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 1,200 per day to around 1,500.

Coronavirus deaths have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 1,200 per day to around 1,500.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention admitted Tuesday that there had been a serious error in calculating the prevalence of the Omicron variant, overblowing the figure recorded in mid-December by as much as 50 percentage points and sowing confusion as the nation breaks records for new cases.

The agency released a revised chart on Tuesday showing that the new variant accounted for 23 percent of all COVID-19 cases for the week ending on December 18, as opposed to the 73 percent it originally reported.

The chart showed that the Omicron variant accounted for 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25, meaning the Delta variant has been accounting for far more infections than the agency initially thought, though Omicron is gaining ground quickly.

'There's no way around it, it is a huge swing that makes it seem like something went really wrong,' Dr. Shruti Gohil, the associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine's School of Medicine, told NPR.

Despite the CDC's astonishing error, data from the UK suggest that Omicron will soon account for nearly all new cases in the US.

In England, which is several weeks ahead of the US in the Omicron wave, the new variant went from zero to 92 percent of all new cases in the four weeks leading up to December 27, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency.

The CDC corrected its error, to the confusion of many, on the same day that the nation broke its record for the most daily COVID-19 cases. On Monday, 512,553 new cases were reported in the US, marking the country's largest single-day tally since the beginning of the pandemic. The record-breaking figure was in part the product of a multi-day build up of unreported cases over the Christmas holiday on Saturday, which finally were logged to start the week.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, in a round of television interviews on Wednesday morning, said she was watching the nation's case load and its potential impact on health care providers.

Meanwhile, the White House COVID-19 Response Team is scheduled to hold a news conference at 11am.

While there was some data from other countries that showed less severe illness with Omicron, it was too early to say what the impact might be across the United States, particularly given its uneven vaccination rates, Walensky told MSNBC.

'We may have many, many more cases and so we may still very well see a lot of severe disease in the hospitals,' Walensky said.

'What I am focused on now is making sure that we can get through this Omicron surge, that we do so with minimal amount of hospitalization and severe disease,' she added, pointing to vaccines and booster shots as top tools to curb infections.

'We are seeing and expecting even more cases of this Omicron variant,' even if many are mild, she said separately on CNN.

States showing the highest daily infection numbers on Tuesday included New York, which reported as many as 40,780 cases, and California, which reported over 30,000. Texas reported more than 17,000 cases and Ohio over 15,000.

Global COVID-19 infections hit a record high over the past seven-day period, according to new data Wednesday.

Almost 900,000 cases were detected on average each day around the world between December 22 and 28, with myriad countries posting new all-time highs over the past 24 hours, including the United States, Australia and many European nations.

Updated chart: The CDC's revised chart, above, shows that the Omicron variant (purple) accounted for 23 percent of all cases in the week ending on December 18 and 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25

Previous chart: The CDC's original chart (above) claimed that Omicron cases accounted for 73 percent of all infections in the US for the week ending on December 18

 Slide me  The CDC's prior chart (left) for the week ending December 18 show Omicron much more dominant across the nation than a revised chart for the week (right) issued on Tuesday

The US broke its record for the most daily COVID-19 cases with a seven-day average of 264,546 cases reported on Tuesday

Latest week: The CDC now estimates that the Omicron variant accounts for 59% of cases nationwide, but that Delta is still dominant in some regions for the week ending December 25

The simultaneous circulation of the Delta and Omicron variants of the coronavirus is creating a 'tsunami of cases', World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

FDA says rapid tests for Covid antigens may be less sensitive in detecting Omicron variant - causing 'false negative' results Rapid antigen tests for Covid may be less sensitive in detecting the Omicron variant and are leading to 'false negatives,' the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. The FDA made preliminary findings using samples from patients confirmed to be infected with the new mutant strain. The federal agency said early results show that antigen tests 'do detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity,' meaning it's possible the tests could miss an infection, known as a 'false negative.' It's not clear which brand of lateral flow tests the FDA were using in their study or to what degree there was reduced sensitivity. Advertisement

'Delta and Omicrom are now twin threats driving up cases to record numbers, leading to spikes in hospitalisation and deaths,' said Tedros.

'I am highly concerned that Omicron, being highly transmissible and spreading at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases.'

Tedros repeated his call for countries to share vaccines more equitably and warned that the emphasis on boosters in richer countries could leave poorer nations short of jabs.

He said the WHO was campaigning for every country to hit a target of 70% vaccine coverage by the middle of 2022, which would help end the acute phase of the pandemic.

New Year's Eve will mark the second anniversary of China alerting the WHO to 27 cases of 'viral pneumonia' of unknown origin in the city of Wuhan.

More than 281 million people have since been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and more than 5 million have died.

The CDC's new data on the prevalence of the Omicron variant shows that the Delta variant, which appears more severe but less contagious than Omicron, still has a hold on the country and is one driving factor behind the most current surge in cases.

It also raises the question of how the CDC could have recorded such a drastic difference in the strain's prevalence than what was the reality.

Jasmine Reed, a spokesperson for the CDC, recognized the 'wide predictive interval posted in last week's chart,' referring to the huge gap in the data for the week ending on December 18, and attributed it to the 'speed at which Omicron was increasing.'

'CDC's models have a range, and we're still seeing steady increase in the proportion of Omicron,' she told Fox News.

Gohil noted that there is 'always a delay in the testing information that comes in, and that's what the public should take away.'

She added that health professionals were finally understanding the Delta variant more and figuring out how to test for it efficiently when the Omicron variant swept through the country.

'The way in which we test and the way in which we have certitude about the numbers was all in flux right at that moment. Then along comes this new variant and now here you are trying to project something when you don't have all of the mechanisms in place,' Gohil said.

The scant rate of testing in the US may be contributing to uncertainty in the data. The UK is performing 22.3 COVID tests per 1,000 people every day, five times more than the US rate of 4.5, according to figures from Our World in Data.

Moreover, only a tiny fraction of the positive tests are actually sequenced to determine the variant strain, leaving huge potential gaps in the surveillance effort.

The scant rate of testing in the US may be contributing to uncertainty in the data. The UK is performing 22.3 COVID tests per 1,000 people every day, five times more than the US rate of 4.5

Dr. Jerome Adams, the former surgeon general for the Trump Administration, also pointed to testing as a reason for the false Omicron numbers. He referred to something called the 'S gene dropout,' in which one of the three target genes is not detected  a signifier of the Omicron variant.

'A lot of people were seeing this S dropout on the tests even before they got the follow-up genetic testing, and so those samples were disproportionately more likely to be sent in for sequencing,' he told Fox News.

'It's also important for people to understand that in the grand scheme of things, they really were probably just a week or two ahead of what we're going to see anyway, because omicron is spreading so quickly that it is going to be 73 percent by the time you look at this week's or next week's numbers,' Dr. Adams told the news outlet.

While the CDC reported that the Delta variant accounted for 41 percent of cases in the week ending on December 25, that number could be as high as 58 percent given the agency's margin of error, NPR reported.

Regardless, Gohil said, 'The implication is that we have a lot of delta going on and that requires a lot more attention. People are thinking, 'Oh, well, omicron's not that bad.' But it's actually still too early to really know even that. Besides, Delta is the beast that you should be worried about.'

The CDC's latest data will also put a burden on hospitals that will have to adjust their treatment methods to account for the vast different in Omicron and Delta cases, as different strains require different antibodies and medications.

'The bottom line is, don't take your masks off just yet and get vaccinated, vaccinated, vaccinated, vaccinated  and boosted,' Gohil told NPR.

COVID-19 cases in the U.S. also doubled over the past two weeks. Over the past week, 235,269 Americans have been testing positive for the virus every day  a 98 percent increase from two weeks ago and approaching the prior record of 247,503 set last January, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins data.

Though Omicron is thought to be less severe than Delta, hospitalizations have also been rising, up 6 percent nationwide over the past two weeks, to 71,381.

In a troubling warning sign, the UK, where Omicron struck earlier, has seen hospitalizations rise nearly 50 percent in the past week, with 1,374 coronavirus-infected patients admitted on Sunday, an 11-month high.

Hospitalizations are soaring in some US states, including Louisiana, New Jersey and Florida where in each case the number of patients has jumped nearly 60 percent in two weeks. As well, Michigan, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire all hit record hospitalizations earlier this month.

'January is going to be a really, really hard month. And people should just brace themselves for a month where lots of people are going to get infected,' Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, told CNN.

Jha warned that the unvaccinated would bear the brunt of severe illness, while most who are vaccinated and boosted were unlikely to face hospitalization.

'A lot of people who have not gotten a vaccine are going to end up getting pretty sick, and it's going to be pretty disruptive,' Jha said.

'My hope is as we get into February and certainly by the time we get into March, infection numbers will come way down, and it'll also start getting (into) spring, and the weather will start getting better. And that will also help.'

Deficiencies in testing may have contributed to the CDC's error. The US is testing for COVID at a rate of 4.5 per 1,000 people, lagging behind other developed nations including Portugal, France, Italy, Australia, and Ireland

A map of per capita rates of daily COVID testing shows the US lagging far behind many other wealthy nations

A take-home COVID-19 testing kit is displayed on the shelf of a Manhattan drugstore on December 22. Such tests have become hard to find in some areas amid a shortage

Lines of up to six hours have been reported at testing clinics, with many of those tested also forced to wait days longer than the advertised 24 to 48 hours for their result, ruining the Christmas plans of many

Biden says he WILL issue domestic flight vaccine mandate IF his medical team advises it - one day after Fauci flip flopped on his support for one Joe Biden fueled confusion on Tuesday by saying he will issue a vaccine mandate for domestic flights if his medical team advises it - one day after Dr Anthony Fauci walked back his comments in support of such a measure. Biden told reporters at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - while walking his new German Shepherd puppy, Commander, with First Lady Jill Biden - that he will make a decision on domestic travel vaccine requirements 'when I get a recommendation from the medical team.' In November, Biden said he would wait for the scientific community to provide him a recommendation when asked if consideration has been given to requiring proof of vaccination for domestic flights. The surge in COVID cases from the Omicron variant has made the White House reassess whether to impose it. Fauci, Biden's top health adviser, seemingly called for a vaccine mandate for air travelers on Sunday but quickly retracted his remarks the next day. 'Everything that comes up as a possibility, we put it on the able and we consider it, that does not mean that it is likely to happen,' Fauci clarified to CNN's Jim Acosta on Monday. 'I doubt if we're going to see something like that in the reasonably foreseeable future,' he added. The president also told reporters during his stroll on Tuesday evening that there has been 'a bit of progress' toward the administration's goal of producing and distributing at-home COVID testing kits amid nationwide shortages. The administration has pledged that all Americans will be able to acquire an at-home rapid test for coronavirus after previously ruling it out. Advertisement

Another move that turned heads on Monday was the CDC's decision to cut the amount of time asymptomatic COVID-19 patients need to quarantine in half, from 10 days to five days.

'The reason is that with the sheer volume of new cases that we are having and that we expect to continue with Omicron, one of the things we want to be careful of is that we don't have so many people out,' Fauci said in a Tuesday interview with CNN, explaining the decision.

'Obviously if you have symptoms, you should not be out. But if you are asymptomatic and you are infected, we want to get people back to the jobs. Particularly those with essential jobs, to keep our society running smoothly. So I think that was a very prudent and good choice on the part of the CDC.'

But not all health experts were on board with the new decision. In a separate interview with Good Morning America, Jha criticized the CDC's new rule.

'I actually think It would help a lot if we asked people to get a negative test as well,' he said. 'I don't know why the CDC did not put that in, I suspect it might be because tests are still hard to come by.'

Although studies have suggested the Omicron variant is less deadly than some of its predecessors, the huge numbers of people testing positive mean that hospitals in some countries might soon be overwhelmed, while businesses might struggle to carry on operating because of workers having to quarantine.

France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta all registered a record number of new cases on Tuesday, while the average number of daily COVID-19 cases in the United States hit a record daily case tally on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that 90% of patients ending up in intensive care had not received booster vaccines, which medics say is the best protection against the infectious Omicron.

'The Omicron variant continues to cause real problems, you're seeing cases rising in hospitals, but it is obviously milder than the Delta variant,' Johnson said.

New daily infections in Australia spiked to nearly 18,300 on Wednesday, eclipsing the previous pandemic high of around 11,300 hit a day earlier.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his country needed 'a gear change' to manage overburdened laboratories, with long walk-in and drive-in queues reported in a number of areas.

Testing bottlenecks have also built in European nations, including Spain where demand for free COVID-19 testing kits provided by Madrid's regional government far outstripped, with long queues forming outside pharmacies.

A number of governments were also increasingly worried by the huge numbers of people being forced into self-isolation because they had been in contact with a coronavirus sufferer.

'We just can't have everybody just being taken out of circulation because they just happen to be at a particular place at a particular time,' Australia's Morrison told reporters.

Italy was expected to relax some of its quarantine rules on Wednesday over fears the country will soon grind to a halt given how many people are having to self-isolate protectively, with cases doubling on Tuesday from a day earlier to 78,313.

However, China showed no let up in its policy of zero tolerance to outbreaks, keeping 13 million people in the city of Xian under rigid lockdown for a seventh day as new COVID-19 infections persisted, with 151 cases reported on Tuesday.

'I just want to go home,' said a 32-year-old mechanic, who was in Xian last week for a business trip when the city was effectively shut off from the outside world.

No cases of Omicron have been announced in Xian so far.

Many countries are still grappling with the earlier Delta variant, including Poland, which reported 794 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday - the highest number in the fourth wave of the pandemic.

Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska said more than 75% of those who died were unvaccinated.

Early data from Britain, South Africa and Denmark suggests there is a reduced risk of hospitalization for the Omicron compared with the Delta variant, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest epidemiological report.

However, the report said further data was needed to understand how severity of illness may be impacted by vaccination and, or, prior infection.

The surge in cases is coinciding with the New Year holidays, normally a period of parties and travel. Some countries, such as Italy, have canceled public celebrations, while authorities in Japan urged residents to keep end-of-year gatherings small.

'The highest risk is meeting people without taking adequate measures to prevent infection,' said Norio Ohmagari, director of the Disease Control and Prevention Center and a top health advisor to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
An Irishman has been arrested for breaking into the Romanian Presidential Palace after 'mistaking it for his hotel' while drunk during a night out in Bucharest.

The Irish citizen reached the third floor of the building in a breach that has ignited a review into the security of the People's House.

The man was caught fleeing after he jumped over a fence and escaped from the Defence and Protection Service.

An Irishman has been arrested for breaking into the Romanian Presidential Palace after 'mistaking it for his hotel' while drunk during a night out in Bucharest

The sprawling communist structure (pictured), constructed between 1984 and 1997, is the world's second-biggest administrative building by surface area after the US Pentagon, thanks to a floor area of 365,000 square metres (3,930,000 sq ft)

He allegedly thought the Palace of the Parliament was his hotel after he returned from a night out in the Romanian capital.

When quizzed by police, he was unable to remember how he broke in.

The sprawling communist structure, constructed between 1984 and 1997, is the world's second-biggest administrative building by surface area after the US Pentagon, thanks to a floor area of 365,000 square metres (3,930,000 sq ft).

It holds the Guinness World Record for being the planet's heaviest building, thanks to 700,000 tonnes of steel and bronze combined with 35.3million cubic feet (1 million cubic m) of marble, 3,500 tonnes of crystal glass and 31.7million cubic feet (900,000 cubic m) of wood.

'Palace of Parliament has protection systems developed by The Securitatae (the former secret police of Communist Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu),' a source told the Irish Sun.

'It is a mystery how this guy managed to get in.'

He allegedly thought the Palace of the Parliament was his hotel after he returned from a night out in the Romanian capital

It comes just days after a teenager suspected of scaling Windsor Castle armed with a crossbow in a bid to 'assassinate the Queen in revenge for 1919 Amritsar massacre' was pictured for the first time.

Jaswant Singh Chail uploaded a pre-recorded video to Snapchat at 8:06am on Christmas Day, 24 minutes before a man was arrested by police inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.

It has sparked a major internal security review at the estate looking at how someone could have got so far into the grounds.

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, or Massacre of Amritsar, saw 379 protesters killed and 1,200 wounded by British forces in India.
More than 3,000 passengers aboard a cruise ship carrying 69 people infected with COVID were reportedly blocked for disembarking by Carnival Cruise Line after health officials in the western Mexico state of Jalisco requested negative tests for all traveler who sought to leave the liner.

Mexico news outlet Milenio reported on Tuesday that the Jalisco state health department made the request after the Carnival Panorama docked in the Pacific resort city of Puerto Vallarta on Monday around 9:00 a.m local time.

The health department decision to allow the non-infected passengers to disembark only came after the Mexican governments Health and Tourism ministries agreed earlier this week to allow vacationers off the ship in accordance with the World Health Organizations (WHO) International Health Regulations.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, a Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson did not confirm or deny whether the company had stopped uninfected passengers from leaving the ship.

In our conversations with Mexican officials, they acknowledged that we have implemented vigorous protocols, including vaccine, testing and mask requirements for guests and crew, but they are concerned about their ability to manage the Omicron variant given low vaccination rates amongst local residents, the Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson said.

We are also frequently testing our crew, even when asymptomatic. A positive case of a crew member results in their isolation, as well as quarantine for their close contacts, so that we can actively manage public health on board. We have had no incidents of crew requiring escalated medical attention or hospitalization.

Mexico news outlet Milenio reported that more than 3,000 passengers on the Carnival Panorama weren't allowed to leave the ship in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. At least 69 COVID-19 cases were detected within passengers and crew members. Health officials said it would permit passengers with negative tests to but Carnival Cruise Line said no, Milenio reported

Instagram user dr_alavi_1906 shared a photo from the Carnival Panorama on Christmas Day. The ship sailed from Long Beach, California, on December 24 but has encountered problems docking in the Mexican cities of Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan due to a COVID-19 outbreak

Milenio reported that the Carnival Panorama remained at the port until 10:00 p.m. before returning to sea.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy informed the Carnival Panoramas 3,425 guests on Tuesday morning that the ship would continue on to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, where it is expected to arrive Wednesday.

The liner departed from Long Beach, California on December 24 for a seven-day voyage that included stops in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco; Mazatlan, Sinaloa; and finally Cabo San Lucas before returning to the Long Beach on Friday.

While Carnival Cruise Line refused to say how many passengers have tested positive for COVID-19, it did say that the guests and those traveling in their party are in isolation, per protocols that have been approved by the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC).

Carson, California, resident Rudy Castanon took to Facebook to share his dismay with not being allowed off the ship on what he said was his first-ever cruise.

'We can not get off the ship here in Puerto Vallarta due to a few cases of Covid discovered today (Monday) on our ship,' he wrote. 'We will not be able to get off at any of our ports. This is my first cruise, and it is not working out. I pray not too many people get sick.'

A travel blogger named Nicole, who is on the Carnival Panorama with her mother also wrote on Facebook: 'This is obviously disappointing  we were looking forward to exploring PV (Puerto Vallarta) again  but by no means surprising. This is the nature and risk of cruising right now, so it is what it is  an extra 'sea day' for us!'

Rudy Castanon, who is aboard the Carnival Panorama, shared the upsetting news that he and other passengers could not disembark in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, after crew members and passengers had tested positive for COVID-19

A travel blogger named Nicole took to Facebook to share scenic photos of the Puerto Vallarta coast, pictured, after her cruise ship was not allowed to disembark its passengers after 30 crew members showed positive COVID-19 tests on Monday

Passenger has his temperature taken after the Holland America Lines MS Zuiderman in Guaymas, Sonora, on Tuesday after 37 people tested positive for the coronavirus

In a separate incident, Mexican officials in Guaymas, Sonora, permitted passengers to disembark Tuesday from the Holland America Lines MS Zuiderman after 37 people tested positive for the coronavirus.

Video footage showed passengers having their temperatures taken by a health worker as they stepped off the liner.

Sonora state health minister Dr. Jose Luis Alomia Zegorra indicated that the presence of the passengers did not pose a risk at all.

Let us remember that COVID-19 is present in Sonora, in Guaymas, throughout Mexico, he said. Therefore, it is not a disease that, because it comes from abroad, represents a different risk from the one we already have.

The cruise ship was expected to stop in Topolobampo, Sinaloa, but officials there have already said that it will not be allowed to dock at its port.

The liner, with a capacity for 1,848 passengers and 842 crew members, sailed from San Diego on December 23 and its itinerary includes stops in the Baja California Sur cities of Cabo San Lucas, Pichilingue (La Paz), and Loreto. It also had stops in Guaymas as well as the Sinaloa town of Mazatlan. The ship returns to returning to San Diego on January 2.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week it was investigating 68 cruise liners following COVID outbreaks.

The CDC maintains a list of 108 operating cruise liners on its website, categorizing them based on how many cases of COVID-19 have been reported onboard. Passengers on U.S.-based cruise liners must wear masks in public areas and present proof of vaccination.
A Kentucky man is being investigated for 'Zoom-bombing' a virtual class and hurling racial slurs at black fifth-graders before threatening to lynch them.

Prosecutors allege that 45-year-old Brian Adams went on a racist tirade against a classroom of mostly black students at Laureate Academy Charter School in Harvey, Louisiana during a lesson via Zoom October 14, 2020, nola.com reported.

Adams accessed the virtual lesson without permission under the handle 'alex jones' - a nod to the right-wing radio host - and told the children, 'You all are a bunch of dirty n****s,' federal court documents filed this month in New Orleans allege.

Prosecutors allege that Brian Adams, 45, (pictured) went on a racist tirade against a classroom of mostly black students at Laureate Academy Charter School in Harvey, Louisiana

Students at Laureate Academy Charter School (pictured) covered their eyes and ears and cried during Adams alleged tirade

He said: 'I am gonna hang you by the tree,' as students covered their eyes and ears and cried, prosecutors allege, citing a recording of the incident.

Even after he was banned and teachers created another virtual classroom, prosecutors said he managed to log into that one, too. Adams then continued his tirade until he was permanently removed.

After Adams' 'Zoom-bombing', the Harvey school canceled classes for two days.

The following day students gave school administrators a YouTube video they had found of the incident posted on a page called 'Arch Angel gaming'. The site also had videos of someone looking up images of swastikas.

Since the beginning of lockdown earlier this year there has been an increase in 'Zoombombing'

Investigators were able to track Adams down through his 'alex jones' handle and on November 3, 2021, they raided his father's Paintsville, Kentucky, home where he also lived.

After seizing his electronics and being questioned, Adams admitted to the 'Zoom-bombing' incident and said he also was behind the YouTube video.

He confessed to stealing over $1,000 worth of electronics stolen Best Buy rewards points, prosecutors said.

While feds have not charged Adams with a crime, court documents said he is suspected of multiple federal crimes, including interference with federally protected activities, threatening interstate communications and wire fraud, nola.com reported.

Less after a month after the incident, in November 2020, Zoom launched two security features that allow users to easily remove and report disruptive gatecrashers.

The features allowed hosts to pause meetings and eject Zoombombers by clicking 'suspend participant activities' under the security icon. Another update allowed hosts to report troublesome users directly by clicking the security badge.
The mother of a pregnant newlywed who fell to her death from Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh whilst on her honeymoon has said she is 'devastated' and her 'world has collapsed'.

Fawziyah Javed, 31, was believed to be holidaying in Scotland with her husband Kashif Anwar, 27, when she plunged to her death on the famous cliffside overlooking the Scottish capital at around 9pm on September 2.

The trainee solicitor, from Pudsey, West Yorkshire, was pregnant with her first child, a little boy, at the time of her passing.

Her husband has since been charged with murder in relation to her death.

Fawziyah Javed, 31, (pictured) fell to her death from Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh whilst on her honeymoon at around 9pm on September 2

The trainee solicitor, from Pudsey, West Yorkshire, was pregnant with her first child, a little boy, at the time of her passing. Pictured: Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh

Her husband Kashif Anwar, 27, has since been charged with murder in relation to her death

Now, three months on from her death, her mother Yasmin Javed has spoken of the void her only child's death has left in her family's life.

Mrs Javed said she and her husband Mohammed have been 'not living, just existing' in the past three months, and she 'feels like I'm stuck in a nightmare I'll never wake up from'.

Her mother said: 'All day I've been crying until my tears have run dry, we are devastated, our world has collapsed.

'She was our only child, and she was pregnant with her first child too at the time.

'To lose a child under any circumstances would be painful, but when it's your only child and your unborn first grandson too, I have no words to describe my pain. We will never, ever get over this.

'The light is gone from our lives, we are just existing now, there is no quality of life for us.

'There is a massive void in our lives and we are traumatised without her, the whole family and her friends. This has rocked our community.'

Fawziyah, from Bradford, worked as a solicitor after graduating from The University of Sheffield and spent much of her free time supporting a wide array of charities, including the In Touch Foundation, Mosaic, Penny Appeal and Citizens Advice Bureau.

Now, three months on from her death, her mother Yasmin Javed has spoken of the void her only child's death (pictured left and right) has left in her family's life

Ms Javed, who worked at Lyons Davidson Solicitors in Leeds, was declared dead at the scene of Arthur's Seat (pictured), an ancient volcano in Edinburgh that us popular among hillwalkers, after the horror plunge

To continue her legacy, the family have made donations to St George's Crypt in Leeds, Edinburgh's Children's Hospital, and Social Bite, a Scottish homelessness charity. Other family members have also given to other organisations anonymously.

Mrs Javed added: 'This week we've made some donations in her name to charities here and in Edinburgh.

'She was a very caring person, she cared about other people and wanted to make a difference.

'Helping people gave her so much fulfilment, she was so passionate about it. She was a selfless person who wore her heart on her sleeve, she was very kind and considerate.

'She was so loving and generous, she was always there for her friends. They could ring her any time day or night and she was their shoulder to cry on, she was a truly wonderful person, without a bad bone in her body.'

To continue her legacy, the family have made donations to St George's Crypt in Leeds, Edinburgh's Children's Hospital, and Social Bite, a Scottish homelessness charity. Pictured: The marital home in Leeds of Fawziyah Javed

The family has also set up a GoFundMe page for donations to continue Fawziyah's legacy.

It reads: 'We have set up this page to fundraise in memory of Our Beloved Fawziyah to support the Homeless, Orphans, Poor and Needy around the world.

'Fawziyah was very passionate about helping people that were less advantaged, vulnerable and needy.

'And only child herself and pregnant with her first baby. Fawziyah was perfect in every way. A Beautiful soul that had given so much to others and would have continued to do so.'

You can donate to the family's GoFundMe here.
Deputy Sean Riley (pictured) was declared dead at the scene by a second officer

A man who is accused of shooting and killing an Illinois police deputy has been taken into custody after two states were searching for him after he shot another victim in Missouri.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that Deputy Sean Riley responded to a motorist assist call on Interstate 64 near Mill Shoals at around 5am on Wednesday.

A second officer who arrived at the scene found Riley dead. The deputy's squad car was later found abandoned in an undisclosed location on I-64.

The search for the unnamed suspect, who has been dubbed the Wayne County murder suspect, extended to St. Peters, Missouri.

Police say a man involved in a shooting and carjacking shortly after 7am on Wednesday at a QuikTrip convenience store has been confirmed to be the same suspect who shot the deputy.

The suspect had also shot another man in the shoulder and then carjacked his white Nissan Titan, which was later found abandoned off Highway 70 near O'Fallon.

The unidentified suspect, who is now in custody, was last seen inside a QuikTrip in St. Peters, Missouri, wearing a gray hoodie (pictured) where he allegedly shot a man and carjacked his vehicle

The suspect was involved in two shootings on Wednesday morning

A suspect who is believed to have shot and carjacked at man at QuikTrip in St. Peters (pictured), Missouri, has been brought into custody and is also suspected in the killing of a deputy in Illinois earlier on Wednesday morning

He shot the victim around 7am, two hours after reportedly fatally shooting an Illinois Police Deputy Sean Riley on I-64 near Mills Shoals, Illinois

Police were searching for a second suspect believed to be in a residence in Carlyle, Illinois, but Indiana State Police, who are assisting the other forces, said the other person could be a victim.

'Its my understanding the other suspect turned out being a victim,' Indiana State Police Todd Ringle said.

Clinton County Sheriff's Office warned residents of Carlyle that there were two men who were 'considered armed and dangerous.'

One man was said to have 'tattoos on his arm,' but not other description of either man was provided by Clinton County.

St. Peters police spokeswoman Melissa Doss said in an email that 'there was evidence at the QuikTrip scene which indicates the suspect was also involved in the series of crimes which occurred in Illinois earlier this morning.'

She declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

St. Peters police said the man drove away from the convenience store in a car that was later found near Interstate 70 in nearby O'Fallon, Missouri. The suspect then stole a white pickup truck, police said.

The Missouri carjacking victim was hospitalized with injuries police described as non-life-threatening.

The deputy's body was taken to a Vanderburgh County, Indiana, morgue and will be escorted back to Illinois on Wednesday, an Indiana State Police confirmed to DailyMail.com on Wednesday.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Illinois State Police for comment.
It's not the first time Greene has called for a 'national divorce' along party lines

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgia on Wednesday backed calls for an added tax for Americans moving to red states from the blue strongholds of California and New York.

She went on to advocate for a 'national divorce' between Democrat-run and Republican-run states.

The conservative firebrand lawmaker was responding to a Twitter post by an editor at the right-wing monthly magazine Chronicles, sounding off about Democrats moving to red states despite vocally opposing the majority's politics.

'I support actively discriminating against transplants like this through legislation. They shouldnt be able to vote for a period, and they should have to pay a tax for their sins,' Pedro L. Gonzalez wrote.

Greene retweeted Gonzalez post, adding: 'All possible in a National Divorce scenario.'

She also accused Democrats of 'brainwashing' their own voters.

'After Democrat voters and big donors ruin a state like California, you would think it wise to stop them from doing it to another great state like Florida. Brainwashed people that move from CA and NY really need a cooling off period,' Greene wrote.

One Twitter user said 'national divorce' was a vague term with no legal definition.

'Could you let us know which parts of the Constitution youre getting your genius ideas from? I cant find anything about National Divorce or cooling off periods but obviously you know much more about it than the rest of us. Thanks in advance!' wrote user @TheeKnifeBomb.

Another person, Layne Heiny, pointed out that economics experts projected California to have a $31 billion budget surplus next year.

'DC politicians could learn a thing or two about budgets from CA,' they added.

She said people living in California and New York were 'brainwashed' by Democrats and their wealthy donors

The lawmaker was responding to the editor of a conservative magazine's post calling for transplants from those states to not immediately get the right to vote there

It's not the first time the pro-Trump Republican pushed for a 'National Divorce.'

Her previous calls to divide states by political party earned her accusations of trying to foment a civil war.

In October Greene posted an informal poll to Twitter, posing the question: 'Should America have a national divorce?'

It netted nearly 85,000 votes, with a majority of 47.7 percent selecting 'No, stay together.'

But in a testament to today's political divisions, nearly just as many people -- 43 percent -- chose 'Yes, by [Republican] & [Democrat] states.'

The Georgia congresswoman went on a tear earlier on Wednesday, accusing the Democrats in power of running a 'Communist regime.'

'Yes our foundation is infested with freedom killing termites, our agencies are running a regime change on our own soil like theyve done in foreign countries for decades, and the all powerful propaganda machine is serving the regime...but their lies and tyranny are failing them,' Greene wrote.

Debate over a vague 'national divorce' is a symptom of the hyper-partisan environment that's reaching nearly every facet of American life, from the economy to medicine to education.

And according to a CIA adviser who monitors nations in danger of slipping into civil war, that kind of conflict may hit the United States sooner rather than later.

Greene launched an informal Twitter poll in October asking Americans if there should be a 'national divorce'

Her statements applied to all blue states but Greene targeted the Democrat strongholds of California and New York

''We are closer to civil war than any of us would like to believe,' said Dr. Barbara Walter, who serves on the Political Instability Task Force, which guides intelligence analysts on countries overseas that might be on the brink of conflict, looking at factors that include undemocratic leanings.

The University of California San Diego academic, who has studied hotspots like Syria and helps run a blog on political violence, said the U.S. meets several of the telltale signs that are part of a road to insurgency.

'No one wants to believe that their beloved democracy is in decline, or headed toward war,' she writes in her forthcoming book, How Civil Wars Start.

'If you were an analyst in a foreign country looking at events in America  the same way youd look at events in Ukraine or the Ivory Coast or Venezuela  you would go down a checklist, assessing each of the conditions that make civil war likely. And what you would find is that the United States, a democracy founded more than two centuries ago, has entered very dangerous territory,' she writes, according to the Washington Post.

She concludes that the U.S. has gone through the 'pre-insurgency' and 'incipient conflict' phases  without deciding whether the January 6th Capitol riot constitutes part of the 'open insurgency' phase.

She also labels the U.S. as an 'anocracy'  a category between a democracy and an autocracy, after a slide based on factors in its criteria during the four years of the Trump administration  with the U.S. falling from a score of 10 to a score of 5.

That put the nation far behind its traditional peers.

A CIA adviser monitoring countries in danger of slipping into civil war said that the U.S. has gone through the 'pre-insurgency' and 'incipient conflict' phases  without deciding whether the January 6th Capitol riot constitutes part of the 'open insurgency' phase

'We are no longer the worlds oldest continuous democracy, according to Walter. That honor is now held by Switzerland, followed by New Zealand, and then Canada. We are no longer a peer to nations like Canada, Costa Rica, and Japan, which are all rated a +10 on the Polity index.

Three retired US generals issued a warning of their own on Friday, fearing a potential split in the military might play out in a civil war if there is a coup attempt after 2024.

They pointed to 'signs of potential turmoil in our armed forces,' and noted that a 'disturbing number' of active-duty members of the military took part in the Capitol riot, accounting for more than 1 in 10 people charged.

Former Army Major Gen. Paul Eaton, former Brigadier Gen. Steven Anderson and former Army Major Gen. Antonio Taguba outlined their concerns in a Washington Post op-ed.

'The potential for a total breakdown of the chain of command along partisan lines  from the top of the chain to squad level  is significant should another insurrection occur. The idea of rogue units organizing among themselves to support the rightful commander in chief cannot be dismissed.'

They added: ''As we approach the first anniversary of the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol, we - all of us former senior military officials - are increasingly concerned about the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election and the potential for lethal chaos inside our military, which would put all Americans at severe risk,' the generals penned.
One of Russia's top diplomats on Wednesday accused the United States and the West of igniting a new Cold War by betraying the trust shown to them by Moscow after the break up of the Soviet Union.

It comes at a moment of heightened tension, with Russian troops massing along the Ukrainian border and both sides accusing the other of provocation.

President Joe Biden is due to talk by phone to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday as each tries to persuade the other to back down.

Against that backdrop, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky told reporters that the U.S. was responsible for ramping up tensions by viewing Russia as a threat, after relations improved following the end of the Soviet Union.

'Everybody was thinking that people in the West are our friends, that they really are giving us a hand so that we will live in some better place, a better world and nobody will ever remember about the Cold War, about East and West,' he said, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.

'But eventually things have gone other way very quickly.'

First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said the U.S. and the West were responsible for starting Cold War 2.0

President Joe Biden is due to have a phone call with President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, soon after they held a video call to discuss tensions in Ukraine

Russian troops have massed along the border with Ukraine raising fears of imminent invasion

Russian officials fear that NATO is closing in on their territory and have laid out red lines around Ukraine joining the alliance.

Some 100,000 Russian troops have been deployed to the Ukrainian border but officials claim it is a defensive measure.

In his comments, Polyansky said the West had long taken measures to weaken Russia.

'We saw that the intentions of our colleagues are not as innocent as it was presented at the beginning,' he said.

'We saw a lot of Americans and Europeans exploiting our country, trying to split it, to crush it, to split Russia further, to promote separatism in Russia, to promote divisions between Russia and newly emerged states.'

The first 10 years of modern Russia's history, he continued, had been tough but things changed in the 2000s.

'We have started to be perceived as a threat by the West, by the United States,' he said.

'What we're having now is kind of a remake of the Cold War, Cold War 2.0.'

There was no need for confrontation between the East and the West, he added.

Ukrainian tanks being transported to the Luhansk region. Ukrainian officials fear Russia is planning to launch an invasion in January, which Moscow has denied

America has been warning for weeks that Putin appears to be readying tens of thousands of troops, tanks and artillery pieces to invade Ukraine, but the Kremlin has insisted it is merely a defence force - until now (pictured, Russian forces currently massed in border regions)

'There is no communist ideology that Russia or anybody else promotes, our economic structure is very close to that of the United States, or any other western country, but confrontation is there and the efforts to portray Russia as an enemy are also there,' he said.

'It of course brings to your mind some conclusions that the question was not of ideology but of geopolitical struggle, which is back to existence right now, unfortunately.'

The leaders of the two countries will hold a phone call 'to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia,' said National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne.

The call, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, will be the second direct contact between Biden and Putin this month as the U.S. looks to pressure Russia to draw down its military threat to Ukraine.

The conversation was requested by the Russian leader, according to a senior administration official.

Biden accepted because 'he has always believed that there is no substitute for direct leader to leader dialogue and engagement, and that is especially true when it comes to Russia and to his engagement with President Putin,' the official added.

He will tell Putin that there is a diplomatic path to de-escalating tensions if he wants to take it, but that he should expect consequences if he invades Ukraine.

'President Biden will also make clear when he speaks with President Putin that we are prepared for diplomacy and for a diplomatic path forward,' said the official. 'But we are also prepared to respond if Russia advances with a further invasion of Ukraine.'

Russia has accused the West of provocations by admitting former Soviet states to NATO, and has massed an estimated troops on the border.

Ukrainian officials say they fear an invasion could come in the new year.

Moscow has repeatedly denied it is planning to invade.

But Putin raised the stakes on Sunday by saying he would consider a range of options if the West failed to provide security guarantees preventing Ukraine joining NATO.

Moscow submitted draft security documents earlier this month demanding that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries.

Putin warned that Moscow will have to take 'military-technical measures' if the West continued its 'aggressive' course.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday about the tensions and outlined Biden's call with Putin.

'We will continue to consult closely with Ukraine, NATO allies, and partners in our diplomatic efforts to deter further Russian aggression,' he said in a tweet.
A Holocaust survivor has received thousands of birthday cards and messages as she turned 98, eight decades after surviving Auschwitz concentration camp.

Lily Ebert, who has ten grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, celebrated her birthday on Wednesday.

She was sent more than 2,500 birthday cards and said the heartfelt wishes showed 'the Nazis did not win'.

A Holocaust survivor has received thousands of birthday cards and messages as she turned 98, eight decades after surviving Auschwitz concentration camp

Lily Ebert (above), who has ten grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, celebrated her birthday on Wednesday. Pictured with her birthday cake

Lily said: 'I never expected to survive Auschwitz. Now, at 98, I celebrate surrounded by my family - the Nazis did not win!'

Lily's 18-year-old great-grandson, Dov Forman, asked the pair's 1.5million TikTok followers to 'Help me surprise my amazing great grandma for her 98th birthday!'

Cards arrived from all over the world and a number of MPs, including Matt Hancock and Sajid Javid, commented on Dov's tweet.

Dov told MailOnline: 'It is so humbling to see so many people, from all over the world, respond to my request to surprise Lily for her birthday!

'My great-grandmother has not just survived Auschwitz and the Holocaust; she has built a large and loving family with three children, 10 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren who all love her very much.

'Lilys 98th birthday, which is now being celebrated together with millions online, is another of lifes affirmations  the Nazis, and the prejudice and hatred that they stood for, didnt win.'

She was sent more than 2,500 birthday cards and said the heartfelt wishes showed 'the Nazis did not win'. Pictured with her great-grandson Dov Forman

Lily said: 'I never expected to survive Auschwitz. Now, at 98, I celebrate surrounded by my family - the Nazis did not win!'

Cards arrived from all over the world and a number of MPs, including Matt Hancock and Sajid Javid, commented on Dov's tweet

Lily was on one of the last trains carrying Hungarian Jews to enter Auschwitz in 1944, enduring months at Birkenau before being transported to Altenburg, a sub-camp of Buchenwald.

The survivor told her story in a heart-wrenching book, titled Lily's Promise: How I Survived Auschwitz and Found the Strength to Live, which details the horrific reality of life in a concentration camp.

Lily was born in December 1923 in Bonyhad, a town in southwestern Hungary which at the time had a Jewish population of nearly 7,000.

She first hit headlines in July 2020, after successfully searching for the family of the American soldier who gave her a banknote with a message wishing her 'good luck and happiness'.
The dog which mauled a five-year-old boy to death on Christmas Eve has been put down.

Manny Eveleigh, had been swimming in a pool at a home his family were house sitting in Varsity Lakes in the Gold Coast when an English bull terrier-American bulldog-cross suddenly attacked him.

Paramedics gave Manny an emergency blood transfusion at the scene before he was rushed to hospital for an operation after suffering bites to his neck and back.

Tragically, he was unable to be saved.

His grandmother, who desperately tried to save the little boy, also sustained injuries to her arm.

Manny Eveleigh, five, had been swimming in a pool at a home his family were house sitting in Varsity Lakes in the Gold Coast when he was suddenly attacked by an English bull terrier-American bulldog-cross

Manny had not been playing with the dog at the time and it's believed the attack was unprovoked, the Courier Mail reported.

The Gold Coast City Council confirmed the dog has been euthanised.

A family friend, Craig Kavanagh, has since set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Manny's family and father Angus, with more than $24,000 already donated.

'Angus is a single father who is very dedicated to providing the best for his little bud. Manny was Angus' world,' Mr Kavanagh said.

'His love for his son was immeasurable.'

The little boy's mother Samara Mctackett has also started a separate fundraiser.

Gold Coast City Council confirmed the dog who attacked the little boy has now been euthanised

'I lost my son, my best friend, my first love,' she said.

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'How do I even deal with the loss of my baby, my first born, my whole entire world.'

Since the attack, there have since been renewed calls for regulations to be enforced around owning dangerous dog breeds.

'There needs to be a debate or inquiry about how to handle the upbringing, breeding and training of powerful dog breeds dogs,' a vet, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail Australia.

'Currently in Australia any person can own and breed any unrestricted type of dog without limitation regardless of their physical strength and with any level of experience of dog ownership from being a first time pet owner to an accomplished owner that has had dogs their whole life.'

He welcomed changes to dog ownership laws that are coming in Queensland on January 1, but also cautions that the law could go too far in some instances.

The law change will make it mandatory for regulated dogs including restricted breeds, declared dangerous dogs and declared menacing dogs, to wear a distinctive red and yellow collar with reflective stripes.

While English bull terrier-American bulldog crosses are not listed as a 'restricted' dog in Queensland, state law says that 'an authorised local government officer can declare a dog to be dangerous or menacing'.
Social media was buzzing after a Twitter user discovered a bizarre way to lower your U.S. tax bill.

The account @litquidity posted a screenshot of an actual IRS form that shows how you can indicate stolen goods on your tax form.

They wrote: 'Tax szn [sic] is around the corner. Remember to report your income from illegal activities and stolen property to the IRS.'

The IRS guidelines from their 2021 Publication 17 says: 'If you steal property, you must report its fair market value in your income in the year you steal it unless you return it to its rightful owner in the same year.'

The rule dates back to a Supreme Court case in 1927 that decided that the government is allowed to tax illegal income.

Legendary mobster Al Capone was convicted for tax evasion under the law.

A Twitter user discovered Wednesday that stolen property can be reported as income on your tax forms

Legendary mobster Al Capone was convicted for tax evasion under a 1927 Supreme Court ruling that determined stolen income can be taxed by the government

Regardless of whether the property is stolen or the money is otherwise obtained illegally, the IRS says: 'Income from illegal activities, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8z, or on Schedule C (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity.'

Twitter users were aghast at the reveal, with some pointing out the historical nature of the ruling.

Hannah Griff wrote: 'the government that expects criminals to report their illicit earnings to the IRS is the same government that believes criminals will follow stricter gun laws lmaooo.'

Andrea S. James tweeted: 'IRS isnt playing around. Nothing stuck to infamous mob boss Al Capone, until he got pinned on tax evasion in 1931.'

User @DTJ_Rintzler added: 'Life hack: Return stolen property before doing your taxes, then steal it again, to avoid a second crime of tax evasion.'

'Income from illegal activities, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8z, or on Schedule C (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity,' the IRS says

Even law enforcement was getting in on the act.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office in Pennsylvania posted to Facebook that they were encouraging anyone who stole something this year to participate.

'Attention all car thieves,' they wrote. 'The stuff you stole from people's vehicles in 2021 must be claimed on your income taxes.'

'If you need an itemized list of property call us at 716.858.2903 & a Deputy or Detective will be happy to meet you with the list,' they added. 'It would be our pleasure.'
A Southern California man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for shooting dead his garage bandmate's wife as she held her toddler son in her arms during a heated argument over the 2016 presidential election.

John Kevin McVoy Jr, 40, of Corona, received the maximum sentence Monday after being convicted of murder last month. A jury found McVoy not guilty of two counts of attempted murder and a count of child endangerment.

McVoy, who ran an online store selling musical instruments, was in a garage band, Below the Faultline, with Victor Garcia and two others.

John McVoy, 40 (not pictured), has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering Susan Garcia, 33, as she was holding her son in January 2017 (pictured with her husband, Victor)

McVoy's bandmate, Victor Garcia (pictured with his wife) was shot in the head and spent months in a coma

During practice on January 10, 2017, the two got into a dispute over politics at Garcias home in North Long Beach, prosecutors said, according to reporting by the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

McVoy pulled a gun after he was teased for saying he had voted for Hillary Clinton, and Garcia snapped his fingers at him and ordered him to 'get the [expletive]' out of his house, prosecutors said.

McVoy shot and wounded Garcia and a second shot fatally struck Garcias wife, Susan Garcia, 33, as she held their son, Rey, on her lap. The boy was not hurt.

Garcia was shot in the head. He told the court on Monday that he was in a coma for months, underwent two brain surgeries and still has physical issues, including permanent loss of control of one foot.

McVoy shot the Garcias during an argument about politics, when he was teased for voting for Hillary Clinton in 2016 (Clinton is pictured at an event in April 2016)

Victor Garcia survived the shooting but was left with permanent physical disabilities

'My son not only lost his mother, but also part of his father,' Victor Garcia told the court.

When given a chance to speak, McVoy said he did not intend to hurt anyone and apologized to the victim's family.

'As far as my remorse, I think about this every day,' he said.

At trial, McVoys attorney argued that he shot Garcia in self-defense after being threatened with a can opener, which he allegedly mistook for a knife.

Defense attorney Ninaz Saffari said that the shot that struck Susan Garcia was fired while McVoy was struggling for control of the gun with another bandmate.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Laura Laesekce ruled that McVoy was at fault for bringing the loaded gun and aiming it at Garcia.

'Theres no reason to be pointing a gun,' she said. 'Mr. Garcia should not bear the weight of this crime.'
A drunk Spirit Airlines passenger who was zip-tied by fellow passengers after allegedly attacking two flight attendants has been charged by federal prosecutors.

Federal prosecutors in Tennessee announced that Amanda Renee Henry, 43, turned herself in to FBI agents in Nashville on Tuesday after an alcohol-fueled incident on a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale to Nashville last month.

On the November 29 flight, Henry 'acted flirtatious' and 'made lewd sexual advances' toward male passengers, placing her hands on two of them, a criminal complaint said.

Federal prosecutors in Tennessee announced that Amanda Renee Henry, 43, (pictured) turned herself into the FBI agents in Nashville on Tuesday

On the November 29, Henry 'acted flirtatious' and 'made lewd sexual advances' toward male passengers on a Spirit Airlines flight to Nashville

The passengers asked to be moved away from Henry who 'became disruptive and appeared to be intoxicated.' Crew members decided to move Henry instead because she was seated at an emergency exit, court documents said.

But when a crew member asked the 43-year-old to move, she refused, grabbed her carry-on bag and ran toward the front of the plane screaming, 'I'm getting off this plane' while the flight was still midair.

Henry kicked and hit a flight attendant who blocked the main cabin door, as well as another flight attendant who tried to restrain her, the criminal complaint said.

A passenger was able to restrain Henry's feet with zip ties before the plane landed at Nashville International Airport, where she resisted getting into a police vehicle, officials said.

The affidavit said she smelled of alcohol, slurred her words and had bloodshot eyes. She told officers she drank 'a lot', it added.

After being arrested, she yelled at them several times, using expletives. She said, 'I didn't do anything wrong' and 'shoot me,' documents show.

As she was being put into the police cruiser, she reportedly stiffened her legs to prevent officers from closing the door.

She was charged with public intoxication, court records show. After spending the night in jail, Henry was released and the case was dismissed.

After further investigation by the FBI, the 43-year-old was charged with interfering with flight crew members and attendants, which carries an up to 20-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.

'Henry's actions while seated in the exit row required Flight Attendants 1 and 2 to forego their other duties to relocate Henry and other passengers for aircraft safety,' the complaint said. 'Flight Attendants 1 and 2 were also forced to neglect their normal duties as they restrained Henry as she ran through the aircraft, was returned to her new seat, and withstood her physical assaults while they tried to secure her in her new seat.'

Spirit Airlines spokesperson Nicole Aguiar said Henry was banned from the airline. 'We do not tolerate aggressive behavior of any kind, and this passenger is no longer welcome on any of our flights.'

'Thank you to our guests who assisted our crew and local law enforcement for their assistance,' she added. 'We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure this individual is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.'

Violent incidents on airplanes have soared since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, largely due to passenger frustrations at measures in place to stem the spread.

According to the New York Post, a survey last month found 85 percent of flight attendants had been confronted by unruly passengers during the pandemic.

It also found that nearly one in five had been attacked.

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received more than 5,000 reports of unruly passengers, and so far in 2021 has investigated more than 1,000 incidents - five times more than in 2020, according to the agency.
Police are growing increasingly concerned after a 67-year-old woman with dementia has been missing since Monday afternoon.

Barbara Thaxton, who is described as vulnerable, is believed to have left her home in Hackney, east London around 5.35pm on Monday, December 27.

She was later seen at Farringdon Underground Station at 8pm on CCTV cameras approaching the ticket barriers.

Barbara Thaxton, who is described as vulnerable, is believed to have left her home in Hackney, east London around 5.35pm on Monday, December 27. She was later seen at Farringdon underground station at 8pm, right

Officers are trying to track where Barbara went to after she was spotted at Farringdon, pictured

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: 'Barbara has Dementia and may appear confused. Her family and officers are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.

'When last seen, Barbara was wearing a woollen fleece/hooded top with thick grey and black stripes, dark coloured trousers and dark coloured shoes.

'She was also carrying a light coloured mesh-type material bag.

'Both of Barbara's feet are bandaged.'

Officers have asked anyone who has seen Barbara to contact the Met's Missing Persons Unit at the Central East BCU.

Anyone with information can contact the team on 101 quoting reference CAD 5436/29DEC.
Four people have been taken to hospital after they were injured in separate double stabbings around an hour apart in London.

British Transport Police were called at around 4:00pm following a report of a serious assault at Seven Kings railway station in east London on Wednesday.

Officers and paramedics arrived at the scene and two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The incident led to the station being closed by Transport for London as enquiries are still ongoing.

Around an hour later, the Metropolitan Police were called to a separate knife attack on Kilburn High Road in north west London at approximately.

British Transport Police were called at around 4:00pm following a report of serious assault at Seven Kings railways station (pictured) in east London on Wednesday

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended the scene and found one man with stab wounds.

A second man was found injured with stab wounds nearby on Cavendish Road.

The two men, who are in their 20s, were taken to hospital but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, according to source Mitch Costello.

Emergency services have remained at the scene and officers are urging anyone with information to contact police.

In a statement, the British Transport Police told MailOnline: 'Officers were called just after 4pm this afternoon (29 December) to Seven Kings railways station following a report of serious assault.'

'Paramedics also attended and two people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries consistent with being stabbed.

'Officers are at the scene and the station is currently closed as enquiries are ongoing.'

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: 'Police were called at approximately 17:00hrs on Wednesday, 29 December to report of a stabbing on Kilburn High Road, NW6.

Around an hour later, the Metropolitan Police were called to a separate knife attack on Kilburn High Road in north west London (pictured) at approximately 17:00pm

'Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man with stab wounds.

'A second man was found with stab wounds nearby on Cavendish Road.

'Both men are believed to be in their 20s and have been taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Emergency services remain at the location as enquiries continue.

'Anyone with information should call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting 4472/29Dec

'To remain 100 per cent anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.'
The death rate from COVID-19 in the United States remains stubbornly high compared to the United Kingdom and other developed nations, raising questions about why the world's largest economy hasn't been able to better rein in mortality.

Considering a variety of factors, it is likely that differences in vaccination rates and overall health play a key role in the higher US death rate, with less widespread adoption of vaccines in America fueling more severe illness and death.

The US overtook the UK in June as the G7 nation hardest hit by COVID deaths on a total per capita basis, and has maintained the ignominious title ever since.

Since November 1, the US has averaged about 3.8 COVID deaths per million people each day, more than double the UK rate of 1.8, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of data from Our World in Data.

The difference has remained consistent even as the UK saw COVID case rates spike well above US levels as the Omicron surge took hold.

This could be due to the simple fact that deaths lag well behind new cases, or another indicator that Omicron causes less severe illness and death than prior variants.

But the difference in death rates has been persistent for some time and is not fully explained by variations in the prevalence of Omicron, which spread a few weeks earlier in the UK than in the US, and which experts say causes milder symptoms than other variants, including Delta.

Since November 1, the US has averaged about 3.8 COVID deaths per million people each day, more than double the UK rate of 1.8, according to a DailyMail.com analysis

The UK has seen per capita cases soar in comparison to the US as the Omicron variant takes hold, but deaths have yet to rise commensurately

The UK surpassed the US in vaccination rate in June and has remained higher ever since

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seen with U.S. President Joe Biden in Glasgow, Scotland last month

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention admitted a serious error in calculating the prevalence of the Omicron variant in the US, overblowing the figure recorded in mid-December by as much as 50 percentage points and sowing confusion as the nation breaks records for new cases.

The agency released a revised chart showing that the new variant accounted for 23 percent of all COVID-19 cases for the week ending on December 18, as opposed to the 73 percent it originally reported.

The chart showed that the Omicron variant accounted for 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25, meaning the Delta variant has been accounting for far more infections than the agency initially thought, though Omicron is gaining ground quickly.

In England, which is several weeks ahead of the US in the Omicron wave, the new variant went from zero to 92 percent of all new cases in the four weeks leading up to December 27, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency.

There are a number of variables that might explain the difference in deaths between the US and UK, including difference vaccination rates and overall health in the two countries.

In the US, 61.9 percent of the total population is fully vaccinated, compared to 70.4 in the UK.

That is a difference of some 29 million Americans who are unvaccinated, but would have the shot if the US matched the UK's vaccine uptake rate.

The US is also an unhealthier country than the UK overall in some key respects, with a higher death rate from cardiovascular disease and a much higher prevalence of diabetes.

And the US adult obesity rate is above 40 percent, compared to 28 percent in the UK. Obesity and other pre-existing health conditions, as well as age, are key risk factors for developing severe illness with COVID.

The UK's pre-pandemic life-expectancy of 81.3 years, versus 78.9 in the US, is another signal of the better overall health quality in Britain.

Other potential demographic factors, such as age and urban living rate, don't appear to be at play.

The number of deaths in the US has surpassed 820,000 since the start of the pandemic. Only 62% of Americans are fully vaccinated

In the UK, where 70% of the population is fully vaccinated, there have been 148,089 covid-related deaths since the start of the pandemic

In 2020, about 83 percent of the total population in the United States lived in cities and urban areas.

That's comparable to the UK, where the degree of urbanization amounted to 83.9 percent, suggesting that denser living conditions are not the driving factor behind increased deaths.

The US is also a slightly younger country, with a median age of 38.1 years versus 40.5 years in the UK, meaning that America is not more vulnerable to severe illness due to a more elderly population.

Another key statistic offers insight into the discrepancy: the case fatality rate, or the percentage of those infected with COVID who end up dying from the virus.

Before April, the US, the UK and the average of wealthy nations all had roughly the same case fatality rate, meaning the virus killed roughly the same proportion of people it infected in each country.

Then in May, a startling trend developed in which the UK case fatality rate plunged below the wealthy country average, and the US rate soared above it.

Since April, the US and UK have sharply diverged on case fatality rate, or the percentage of those infected with COVID who end up dying from the virus

That trend has held steady ever since, and it may be no coincidence that the shift coincides with the period in which vaccines became widely, freely available in the two countries.

Public health authorities have struggled to convince many Americans to take the vaccines, leading to President Joe Biden's increasingly strict mandates to try to force compliance.

In one puzzling point, the excess mortality rates in the UK and US have remained roughly comparable. The refers to the number of additional deaths above what would be expected from averages over prior years.

In early November, the last data available, the US excess mortality rate (11.3 percent) was actually below the UK (16.8 percent).

This could suggest that COVID is more likely to kill people in the US who would otherwise imminently die, or there could be some other confounding factor.

In one puzzling point, the excess mortality rates in the UK and US have remained roughly comparable

The US death rate has exceeded all other G7 nations for the most part since August

The UK is not alone among wealthy nations in maintaining lower deaths rates than the US.

For the first year of the pandemic, per capita daily deaths were spread fairly evenly among the Group of Seven developed nations, with the exception of Japan, which sealed its island borders and has recorded comparatively few deaths.

The other G7 nations saw their various surges in deaths as waves of virus came and passed, by turns surpassing each other in the grim statistic.

But starting around early July, daily death rates in all G7 nations converged at less than one.

A month later, the US began to pull away from the pack, and aside from a brief challenge from Germany earlier this month, has remained on top of the death tally.
A retired nurse from Washington state is sharing her incredible tale of survival after spending five days trapped inside her wrecked car at the bottom of a ravine, where she drank rainwater to stay hydrated and prayed for deliverance.

Lynnell McFarland, 68, from Spokane Valley, was returning home from a relative's memorial service on November 18 when her 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse slid on some black ice, overturned and landed in a ditch 100 feet from Highway 97 near Blewett Pass.

The impact fractured McFarland's arm and knee, and sent her flying to the back of the car after she freed herself from her seat belt.

Speaking to The Spokesman-Review weeks later, McFarland explained that she had her cellphone, winter boots and bottles of water on the front floorboard, but they were all out of her reach because of her injuries and her upside-down position.

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Lynnell McFarland, a retired Washington state nurse, was rescued on November 24, five days after getting into a terrible accident near Spokane

McFarland was driving home when her Mitsubishi Eclipse (pictured) slid on black ice, overturned and landed in a ravine near Blewett Pass

The woman's daughter, Amanda McFarland, reported her mother missing the next day after hearing from neighbors that she never made it home, and being unable to reach her by phone. She then went out looking for her mother herself.

Lynnell McFarland said later that day, she spotted a police officer and hunters in the area, but they did not see her car through the trees, nor hear her desperate cries for help.

'Mom had remained alert and aware for almost five days,' her son, J James McFarland, wrote in the description of a GoFundMe campaign. 'The sound of the creek beside her kept her calm, and she listened to the heavy traffic on the nearby road. She had been praying and watching a woodpecker who stayed near her during that time.'

McFarland suffered fractures in her knee and arm, and landed upside-down in the backseat

The woman had her phone, winter boots and bottles of water on the front floorboard, but she could not reach any of the supplies

As time passed, the injured nurse used her medical training to bandage her wounds, and made a shelter for herself in the backseat out of some clothes, blankets and plastic bags to stay warm against the freezing temperatures and falling snow, reported KHQ.

McFarland's daughter reported the woman missing the next day and went out looking for her

'She understood the extent of her wounds,' Amanda McFarland told KHQ earlier this month. 'She understood how long her body could survive. And she understood what she needed to do to keep her body warm.'

On the fifth day of her harrowing ordeal. McFarland said she felt tired but could feel her late parents' arms around her, and she sent up a prayer.

'I just said, "Dear God, I know Im going to die someday, but please dont let it be in this dark, deep ravine, where Im never found,"' she told the paper.

About 30 minutes later, a state Department of Transportation crew spotted her mangled car.

Chelan County first responders found McFarland injured but conscious and with signs of hypothermia, and they extricated her from her sedan.

On the fifth day, state Department of Transportation workers spotted McFarland's wrecked car in the ravine and summoned firefighters

The 68-year-old crash survivor was extricated from her mangled car

McFarland was extremely dehydrated and required three surgeries to repair her fractured bones, followed by weeks of rehabilitation

Amanda McFarland was there as rescuers worked to free her mother from the car.

She said she could hear her daughter crying and called out that she was fine.

The retired nurse said she was desperately thirsty and consumed three pitchers of ice water as soon as she was brought to a hospital in Wenatchee.

After three surgeries and weeks of treatment, the 68-year-old survivor was discharged from the hospital in time to spend Christmas Day with her daughter.
Tenured California middle-school teacher Lori Caldeira, who said she 'stalked' sixth-grade students' online searches earlier this year to recruit for a school LGBTQ+ club, now claims her comments were meant to be 'tongue in cheek.'

Caldeira acknowledged that she and fellow Buena Vista Middle School staffer Kelly Baraki monitored students' online activity to identify suitable candidates for an LGBTQ club, but said her 'stalking' comments were not meant to be taken literally.

Still, the backlash was charged and immediate.

Tenured California middle-school teacher Lori Caldeira, who shockingly confessed she 'stalked' sixth-grade students' online searches to seek out recruits for an LGBTQ+ club at her school earlier this year, now claims her comments were 'tongue in cheek'

'When we were doing our virtual learning - we totally stalked what they were doing on Google, when they weren't doing schoolwork,' Caldeira said during a speech at the 2021 LGBTQ+ Issues Conference, Beyond the Binary: Identity & Imagining Possibilities, in Palm Springs in late October.

She described how she and Baraki would look at students' internet searches 'to try and identify kids' interested in an LGBTQ club, which the pair organized at the school. They failed to recruit enough students in 2020.

'So we started to brainstorm at the end of the 2020 school year, what are we going to do?' Caldeira told attendees at the pair's exhibit, titled 'How we run a GSA in Conservative Communities.'

'We got to see some kids in-person at the end of last year, not many but a few. So we started to try and identify kids,' Caldeira, who predominantly teaches kids aged 11 to 12, continued.

'One of them was Googling "Trans Day of Visibility." And we're like, "Check." We're going to invite that kid when we get back on campus.'

Astounded by the teacher's comments, someone at the conference, which was organized by the California Teacher's Association conference, recorded Caldeira's remarks. The recording was then sent to freelance journalist Abigail Shrier - author of 'The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters' - who wrote an explosive article.

Caldeira is currently employed by Buena Vista Middle School in Salinas, where she heads a Gay Straight Alliance club with a staffer. The pair have since been suspended pending an investigation

As of Wednesday, Caldeira is still employed by the school, where she regularly teaches ages 11 to 12

'Last month, the California Teachers Association (CTA) held a conference advising teachers on best practices for subverting parents, conservative communities and school principals on issues of gender identity and sexual orientation,' Shrier wrote in the piece, How Activists Recruit Kids, published November 18.

'Speakers went so far as to tout their surveillance of students Google searches, internet activity, and hallway conversations in order to target sixth graders for personal invitations to LGBTQ clubs, while actively concealing these clubs membership rolls from participants parents.'

The article went on to name both Caldeira and Baraki specifically, as well as their gay-straight-alliance club.

As a result, the pair's 'You Be You,' LGBTQ club was suspended and both teachers were placed on administrative leave until the school completes an internal investigation.

'We have LGBTQ kids who come to us, and they come and spend a year with us and they get all the love and the affirmation that they need,' Caldeira reportedly said in the recorded clip.

'And we give them tools to be powerful and brave and bold, but then they go hang with their friends at lunch. And they do their things. And we love them for that, but we miss them when they dont join us. So we saw our membership numbers start to decline.'

Baraki then adds in the recording that the pair's teachings already had sparked backlash among parents the year prior, when she and Caldeira introduced topics involving gender and sex to their sixth-grade students.

Caldeira said her 'stalking' comments at the 2021 LGBTQ+ Issues Conference, Beyond the Binary: Identity & Imagining Possibilities, in Palm Springs in late October (pictured) were not to be taken literally, after an attendee recorded the contentious remarks

She suggested starting LGBTQ teachings earlier in the school year.

'Next year, theyll be going first with this presentation and the gender stuff will be the first thing they are about. Hopefully to mitigate, you know, these kind of responses, right?'

Baraki then presented a parent email objecting to such presentations.

The parent wrote that she had not intended to have a conversation with her middle-schooler, a sixth-grader, about sexual orientation and gender identity, but the school presentation forced her to do so.

Baraki is heard mocking the parent to her audience: 'I know, so sad, right? Sorry for you, you had to do something hard! Honestly, your 12-year-old probably knew all that, right?'

She said one parent objected so starkly to the curriculum, that the principal 'invited them to take their child to a private school that more aligns with them,' Caldeira says in the clip.

'So that was a win, right? We count that as a win.'

Caldeira then adds: Plus, I hate to say this, but thank you CTAbut I have tenure! You cant fire me for running a GSA.

'And so, you can be mad, but you cant fire me for it.'

The two teachers acknowledged that they limited information about the club and its members to keep parents' awareness minimal. Angry parents said the teachers were trying to take their places in critical decision-making for their kids.

One outraged parent said her daughter's name and pronouns had been changed without her knowledge and consent - and that when she complained the school reported her to Child Protective Services.

'You took away my ability to parent my child, even before I had any knowledge!' Jessica Konen said. 'I didn't even get to show support. You asked for support, I didn't get the chance.'

The case against Konen and her husband was later dropped.

Meanwhile, Caldeira told The San Francisco Chronicle Tuesday that she and Baraki were using approved GoGoGuardian software for their self-proclaimed 'stalking.' The software was widely adopted during the pandemic to allow teachers to monitor student activity and prevent online misconduct.

'I see a site that's emblazoned with rainbows. How am I not going to notice that?' Caldeira said, arguing that students are already engaged in social media patterns.

She said she was addressing concerns, not creating them.

The teachers argued that their club provides an outlet for children who are uncomfortable revealing their LGBTQ concerns to their families, and recruiting them in school allows students, in their pre-teens, to make such a connection.

Concerning the 'we totally stalked what they were doing on Google' comment, Caldeira asserted, 'It was tongue in cheek.' She added that teachers do not have access to students private social posts, messages and emails.

The probe is ongoing, and Caldeira and Baraki will remain suspended pending its conclusions.

In the meantime, the teachers each said they have received multiple death threats in the wake of the controversy and are afraid to leave their homes.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered flags to be flown at half-staff outside government buildings in honor of Sen. Harry Reid who died a day earlier at age 82.

Biden directed flags to be lowered at the White House, embassies, military bases and naval vessels on the day of Reid's internment.

Reid was one of the most powerful Democratic politicians to serve in Washington, and was Senate majority leader from 2007 to 2015.

'He was a man of action, and a man of his word - guided by faith, loyalty, and unshakeable resolve,' said Biden in a proclamation.

'Throughout his long career of public service, Harry Reid was instrumental in passing landmark legislation that made a positive difference in the lives of countless Americans and made our nation stronger and safer.

'His devoted service to our nation was not about power for power's sake. It was about the power to do right by the American people.'

Flags flew at half-staff over the U.S. Capitol Building on Wednesday, where Harry Reid served for more than 30 years as one Washington's most powerful Democrats

Reid died on Tuesday at the age of 82

President Biden, who served alongside Reid in the Senate, led tributes to the late senator

Harry Reid's achievements during a 34-year career in Washington Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid helped broker the Affordable Care Act, encouraged then-Senator Barack Obama to run for president and near-singlehandedly thwarted a proposed nuclear waste facility in his state's Yucca Mountais. His political clout, known as 'The Reid Machine,' helped flip Nevada to a Democrat-majority statehouse, and pushed Democratic candidates to victory in his state in the last four elections. Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections. Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone else in syate history. He was elected to the Senate in 1987, and served as Senate Majority Leader from 2007 until 2015. There, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the state's caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season. In the post-Recession era, during Obama's presidency, Reid was instrumental in pushing economic stimulus, new rules to govern Wall Street and the biggest expansion of American healthcare coverage since the 1960s. The most influential politician in Nevada for more than a decade, Reid steered hundreds of millions of dollars to the state and was credited with almost single-handedly blocking construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain outside Las Vegas. He won his last reelection in his state, which had shifted from an agrarian community of farmers and miners to one where 70 percent of the population lived in Las Vegas, largely due to support from Nevada's growing population of Hispanic and Asian communities. Advertisement

Tributes poured in after Reid's death was announced.

Former President Barack Obama published a letter he sent Reid as his health ailed.

'I wouldn't have been president had it not been for your encouragement and support and I wouldn't have got most of what I got done without your skill and determination,' wrote Obama.

Republicans also praised their longtime opponent, citing his toughness and tenacity.

'The nature of Harry's and my jobs brought us into frequent and sometimes intense conflict over politics and policy,' said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

'But I never doubted that Harry was always doing what he earnestly, deeply felt was right for Nevada and our country.'

During a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling.

He was majority leader during the presidency of a Republican, George W. Bush and a Democrat, Barack Obama, a chaotic period that included a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

He retired in 2017 after an accident left him blind in one eye.

He announced in May 2018 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was being treated.

Landra Reid, his wife of 62 years, said funeral arrangements will be announced in coming days.

'We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from so many over these past few years,' she said Tuesday.

'We are especially grateful for the doctors and nurses that cared for him. Please know that meant the world to him.'

Chuck Schumer, who succeeded Reid as Democratic leader in the Senate, said: 'He was my leader, my mentor, one of my dearest friends.'

Vice President Kamala Harris also paid tribute.

'Our country has lost an honorable public servant,' she said.

'Harry Reid rose through the ranks in Washington, becoming Senate Majority Leader, but he never forgot his humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nevada  and he always fought for working families and the poor.'

Nevada's Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak wrote in a statement: 'He will be so deeply missed but the mark he left on the Silver State will last forever.'

'Today, America lost a titan of public service,' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted.

'Senator Harry Reid was a leader of immense courage and ferocious conviction who worked tirelessly to achieve historic progress for the American people.'

Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, who ran for president in 2020, said described Reid as a ;fighter.'

'He never gave up when it came to doing what was right for his state and his country,' Klobuchar tweeted. 'I am so honored to have had his mentorship, leadership, and most of all, friendship. My thoughts are with Landra and his whole family tonight.'
Tough new Covid restrictions mean British nationals who live in the EU can no longer travel through France to get home, Eurotunnel claimed tonight.

The operators of the English Channel rail link, which is owned by Paris-based Getlink, issued an 'urgent' warning on Wednesday in response to tightened customs checks by the French.

They said anyone with homes in countries such as Belgium, Italy, Spain and Germany could no longer drive or take a train through France to get there.

But the French Interior Ministry told MailOnline the tweet was wrong, and providing travellers have documentation, they should be free to travel.

The confusion started with a Eurotunnel 'Urgent update' Tweet posted on Wednesday evening, which reads: 'Following a French Government decision, on 28/12/2021, unless they hold French residency, British citizens are now considered 3rd country citizens and can no longer transit France by road to reach their country of residence in the EU.'

Many Britons travelling through France have faced disrupted journeys as a result of mixed interpretations of Covid-19 restrictions.

Eurotunnel has warned Britons with second homes on the continent that they will no longer be able to travel through France to their homes in countries such as Spain and Portugal

French President Emmanuel Macron, pictured, has introduced new restrictions to help stop the spread of Covid-19 across the country

Eurotunnel's operator said Britons are banned from travelling through France to their homes in other EU countries, however, the French Interior ministry insists this is not true

French authorities said anyone travelling through France, including Britons, require 'compelling reasons' for their journey.

But, as baffled passengers expressed their anger, an Interior Ministry spokesman in Paris told MailOnline that reaching a home in an EU country WAS a 'compelling reason'.

The line he quoted said compelling reasons included 'a third-country national (UK included), [or a] holder of a valid French or European residence permit or long-stay visa ... who joins, in transit through France, his main residence in a country of the European Union or the like'.

According to French officials British nationals with a home in another EU country, such Belgium, Germany, Spain or Italy will require evidence of their home, such as a residency permit, tax forms, or utility bills.

However, the implementation of these rules has led to growing confusion.

It follows President Emmanuel Macron's government imposing new restrictions to try and control spiralling Coronavirus cases in France.

From Friday, wearing masks on the streets of Paris will be mandatory.

Local authorities will levy a 135 for people without a face covering.

Earlier, Health Minister Olivier Veran told lawmakers France was seeing a 'tsunami' of COVID-19 infections, fuelled by both the Delta and Omicron variants of the disease.

Mask-wearing is already mandatory inside public buildings and public transport across France.
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has said the Australian government is not doing enough to prevent the spread of Covid-19 across the country.

Speaking on Thursday morning, the outspoken politician said that every Australian should have been given a rapid antigen test for Christmas.

'If I was Prime Minister, I would have given everyone a Christmas test, in the post, a rapid antigen test,' she told Channel 9's Today.

'Just so everyone can have one on their kitchen bench to check.'

Senator Jacqui Lambie (pictured) says the government is not doing enough to curb the spread of Covid-19

Ms Lambie, who is known for speaking her mind, said that the latest Covid variant, Omicron, is not as bad as the Delta variant that came before it, and that Delta is still a concern.

'The other thing that worries me is if the Delta variant gets mixed in, that's what people are worried about.

'The Omicron [variant] is not as bad, but if Delta gets back in the mix, that's what people are concerned about.'

Ms Lambie said that more than anything, people were fed up with dealing with the virus, and the nation needed to move towards normality.

'But like I said most people are saying, "two years of this crap we've had enough, we want to get on with our lives",' she said.

The senator has often been an advocate on mental health, and raised the issue of such problems being caused or exacerbated by the spread of Covid-19.

Rapid antigen tests (pictured) should have been sent to everyone in Australia for Christmas, says Senator Jacqui Lambie

'We need to weigh up where people are, where people's mental health is, all the rest and try to get on with this, build some immunity to it and do that very quickly because we do not know what's going down the line in the future.'

In the latest Covid numbers released on Thursday morning, NSW recorded 12,226 new cases, with 746 people in hospital.

There are 63 Covid-19 patients in NSW intensive care units and one new death was recorded.
South Australia's chief health officer has been slammed for advising the state's residents to have their 'quietest New Year's Eve ever'.

Professor Nicola Spurrier made the remark on FIVEaa radio in Adelaide after the state its highest ever Covid-19 case number of 1472 on Wednesday.

'I want this to be the absolute quietest New Years Eve anybody has ever had. You can still make a bit of noise by yourself, I fully intend to do that on my own veranda,' the state's top health official said.

'You can meet up with people on Zoom  but we really do not want to have lots of people getting together during that New Years Eve period.'

'I want this to be the absolute quietest New Years Eve anybody has ever had,' Professor Nicola Spurrier told Adelaide radio

Professor Spurrier's comments were directed at slowing the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in the state, but business groups have reacted with dismay as current Covid restrictions affect their operation.

Density limits are currently in place for hospitality venues, gyms and home gatherings in South Australia.

Gyms are limited to one person per seven metres, while one person per four square metres is allowed for indoor dining and one person per two square metres is allowed in outdoor settings.

Only seated dining and drinking is allowed in hospitality venues.

Home gatherings are capped at 10 people per household, down from the previous restriction of 30 people per household.

The crowd for the New Year's Eve Big Bash League match between Adelaide Strikers (pictured) and Sydney Thunder at Adelaide Oval has been slashed from 35,000 to 25,000

The crowd for the New Year's Eve Big Bash League match between Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder at Adelaide Oval has been slashed from 35,000 to 25,000.

Chair of peak body Business SA Nikki Govan told ABC Radio the changes were 'devastating' for hospitality businesses.

'I certainly had no idea we were going to be making this jump back. It was quite devastating as this is our busiest week of the year.'

It's not the first time Professor Spurrier's remarks have caused a stir.

In June she was widely ridiculed for advising attendees at an AFL match in Adelaide to avoid touching the ball if it was kicked into the crowd to avoid possible Covid-19 infection.

'If the ball comes towards you, my advice is to duck and do not touch that ball,' she told reporters.
More questions were raised about when the Biden administration will be able to deliver on its promise to have 500 million COVID at-home tests available for Americans with news on Wednesday the contracts for the order won't be finished until 'late next week.'

Jeff Zients, the COVID response coordinator for President Joe Biden, said on Wednesday the contracts to order the kits won't be finished until early January.

He did claim the first deliveries will come in January but didn't have specific details on how that will happen and precisely when. Zients simply said the White House is 'actively working to finalize' the distribution mechanism.

'Companies are already submitting information, and we expect the contract to be completed late next week,' Zients said at the COVID press briefing.

'That means that the first deliveries for manufacturers will start January. We'll set up a free and easy system, including a new website to get these tests out to Americans. Were actively working to finalize that distribution mechanism, which includes a website where people will be able to order tests for free. And well share more details in the weeks ahead  days and weeks ahead,' he added.

But specific details have been scant about how the at-home test distribution will work and how long it will take for the tests to arrive once ordered. The questions come as long lines of Americans continue to form as people seek to get tested around the holidays.

More questions were raised about when the Biden administration will be able to deliver on its promise to have 500 million at-home tests available after COVID response coordinator Jeff Zients said on Wednesday the contracts will only be finalized 'late next week' - above Zients is seen with President Joe Biden at Monday's virtual meeting with governors

President Biden told reporters on Tuesday that his administration has made 'a bit of progress' on getting more COVID testing kits but had no details

President Biden and his staff have pushed back against criticism of the lack of testings kits available during the holiday rush. With demand high and shelves emptying out of stock, some retailers have placed limits on how many at-home testing kits can be purchased at a time. CVS has a limit of six test kits per purchase both in stores and online while Walgreens limits it to four kits.

The administration bragged on Wednesday it has brought two more at-home tests on the market

'The Biden-Harris Administration has brought two new over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests to the U.S. market. The tests, one manufactured by SD Biosensor and distributed by Roche and the other manufactured by Siemens, have received emergency use authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),' the Department of Health and Human Services noted in a release.

'Combined, it is estimated the companies can produce tens of millions of tests per month for use in the U.S.,' the agency noted.

Again, it remains unclear when these tests will be in the hands of Americans.

The White House has emphasized officials are working on the problem over the holidays and pushed out the numbers behind their work.

'There are now 20,000 free testing sites across the U.S., four times as many at-home tests available to Americans than were available this summer, and free at-home tests are already being made available at key community sites, such as community health centers and rural clinics,' HHS said.

Biden told reporters on Tuesday he spent the day working the phones and said his administration had made 'a bit of progress' in getting more COVID testing kits distributed but he did not offer details.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Jen Psaki downplayed questions about the unsigned contracts to deliver the promised testing kits, calling it a 'part of the process.'

'We have no concern about the contract being finalized. Were just working to finalize the contracts. We just announced this two days ago. But theres no  we dont see any issue or any halt to getting that done and to finalizing that. Thats a natural part of the process,' she said at her press briefing on Thursday.

She also argued that the president has boosted testing capacity and pointed out it wasn't until October that five versions of at-home tests were available.

'The president knew that we needed to increase testing capacity. Thats why he used the Defense Production Act to expand the supply of at-home tests. Without that, we wouldnt have the supply in the market,' she said.

President Biden announced last Tuesday his plan to distribute 500 million at-home COVID tests

Long lines have formed around the country for Americans to get tested - above people wait in line at Los Angeles' Union Station

President Biden announced last Tuesday his plan to distribute 500 million at-home COVID tests.

But he told ABC News the next day that 'I wish I had thought about ordering a half a billion [tests] two months ago, before COVID hit here.'

On Tuesday the nation broke its record for the most daily COVID-19 cases with a seven-day average of 264,546 cases reported, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data.

The country's previous record was about 247,503 daily cases, reported on January 11.

The record comes as the US hit a total of 53,170,421 cases as of Wednesday morning, amid a growing number of people who were tested before and after Christmas weekend.

The White House, however, has not be able to offer many details on how the tests will be distributed and how many kits households can order.

Psaki said Tuesday there would be a website people can use to order their testing kits.

'We will make the website available as soon as these tests are available. They will start to be available in January,' she said. 'And in terms of the numbers that different families can order: We are working through all those very important details right now.'

But when drilled on details - how long it would take to get a test after one was ordered, how would they be delivered - Psaki had no answers.

'Again, really good questions. And we, of course, want people to be able to rapidly receive the tests and people have certainty to know they can get a test, they can feel safe, go into their workplace, seeing their family members, sending their kids to school. Thats our objective. The details of how it will be distributed and the mechanisms will all be coming soon,' she said.
A PC who took selfies at a murder scene has also admitted possessing extreme pornography, it emerged yesterday.

Ryan Connolly, 37, had his phoned seized during a separate police anti-corruption investigation into him in February last year.

The probe led to the discovery of deplorable racist, homophobic and offensive images and extreme pornographic content.

That led to a tribunal hearing over pictures hed taken at work and criminal charges over the pornography.

The content included an act which threatened a persons life and sex with animals.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing the grossly offensive pornography at Manchester Crown Court last month.

He could be jailed for up to three years when he is sentenced in a fortnight.

But yesterday questions were being asked about why Connolly had not been charged with any crime relating to the murder scene selfies or other offensive images.

Ryan Connolly, 37, pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing the grossly offensive pornography at Manchester Crown Court (pictured) last month

West Midlands Police officer found dead weeks after release from prison for assault A police officer jailed for assaulting members of the public while on duty has been found dead just weeks after his release from prison. Declan Jones, 30, was reportedly discovered by his parents at an address in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on Tuesday. The West Midlands Police officer was sacked after he was convicted of assaulting cyclist Michael Rose, 44, during a stop and search. The next day, Jones attacked a 15-year-old boy he had stopped. Both victims were black. Declan Jones, who was jailed after being caught on camera assaulting members of the public, has been found dead He was jailed for 26 weeks over the offences committed in April last year. Released from prison a fortnight ago, he was facing a further trial, accused of committing actual bodily harm against Trevaile Wyse, 30, who is also black. West Mercia Police said they did not believe a third party was involved in the death. Advertisement

His behaviour also only became public knowledge after documents relating to his misconduct hearing were leaked to a newspaper.

This is despite college of policing guidelines stating media outlets should be informed when an officer is charged with a potential crime while on duty.

Connolly joined the force in January 2003 but his misconduct started around 2014, Merseyside police said.

Racist photos including images of Muslims and a Ku Klux Klan member were found on his mobile.

He also took a picture of a fellow officers bottom and sent others that mocked disabled people.

In October 2015 he took a photo, while on duty, of someone who had slashed his wrists, and shared it on WhatsApp.

A year later he sent a graphic homophobic image and also, on separate occasions, took photographs of two men detained under the Mental Health Act who were in hospital.

The most offensive photographs were taken at the scene of the murder cordon in 2018 but did not include images of the teenage victim.

Connolly resigned from the police ahead of last months misconduct hearing and was later barred from ever rejoining the ranks.

Vinny Tomlinson, former chairman of Merseysides Black Police Association, attended the hearing.

He told The Guardian Connollys conduct was on an almost industrial scale and the worst he could recall.

The case echoes that of the two Metropolitan police officers who used their mobile phones to take pictures at the scene where sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman lay murdered.

Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis were jailed this month after admitting misconduct in public office. Connollys phone was seized during a separate probe in February last year.

He had initially been charged with perverting the course of justice over an alleged false claim he had been assaulted, plus misuse of a police computer.

He was also charged, alongside another officer, with misconduct in a public office over allegations they failed to alert colleagues to a potential gun attack.

But those charges were discontinued and allowed to lie on file when he admitted the extreme porn offences.

Merseyside police insisted they were still reviewing the material found on Connollys phone to see if any more criminal charges could be brought.
Climate change has set a new record high temperature in Alaska - it was 67 degrees Fahrenheit in Kodiak on Sunday.

The previous records, recorded in the 1980s, were in the low to high 40s, but temperatures typical sit in the 30s this time of year.

The warmer than usual weather is due to a dome of stagnant high pressure sitting on the southeast area of the Aleutian Islands in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Alaska is also warming faster than any other US state and twice as quickly as the global average, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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Climate change has set a new record high temperature in Alaska, as it was 67 degrees Fahrenheit in Kodiak on Sunday

'Alaska's Changing Environment notes that, since 2014, there have been 5 to 30 times more record-high temperatures set than record lows,' the NOAA said on its website.

Kodiak was not the only city in Alaska to experience record temperatures.

Cold Bay, located in the Aleutian Islands, saw a high of 66 degrees - the previous record was 44 degrees in 1999.

And Unalaska, Alaska, spiked to 57.3 degrees by noon Monday after bottoming out at 50 degrees overnight, The Washington Post reports.

Kodiak is the main city and one of seven communities on Kodiak Island in Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska

The warmer than usual weather is due to a dome of stagnant high pressure sitting on the southeast area of the Aleutian Islands in the northern Pacific Ocean

In addition to warming the usually cold region, this dome also dumped an unusual amount of rainfall over the area.

This is because the air can hold about four percent more water with every degree it warms.

In Fairbanks, which is located on Alaska's mainland, residents saw 1.93 inches of rain on Sunday - the city's wettest December on record.

Alaska seems to have been lost in the mix when it comes to climate change, but data shows it is expected to warm about 11 to 16 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century if society does not reduce greenhouse gases.

In Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, warmer temperatures and drier conditions in recent summers have lengthened the fire season across the entire state.

And last year, over half of the fires in Alaska were started by lightning, which experts say are expected to be more common due to climate change.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) shared a warning in February that if greenhouse emissions are not curbed the number of thunderstorms will triple later this century.

Kodiak was not the only city in Alaska to experience record temperatures. Cold Bay, located in the Aleutian Islands, saw a high of 66 degrees - the previous record was 44 degrees in 1999

Alaska is also warming faster than any other US state and twice as quickly as the global average, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The increase of these violent storms would spark widespread flash flooding, landslides and lightning-induced wildfires.

NCAR, along with a team of scientists led by scientists at the Paris Sciences and Letters University, conducted two studies about climate change's impact on Alaska.

Together they showed that the sea ice around Alaska is on track to largely give way to open water in the warmer months, creating an ample source of moisture.

The substantial amount of moisture plus warmer temperatures from greenhouse emissions is the perfect combination for intense summertime storms.

Basile Poujol, a scientist with the Paris Sciences and Letters University and lead author of both studies, said: 'We suspect that the increasing number of thunderstorms might have significant impacts, such as amplifying spring floods or causing more wildfire ignitions.'

'Further studies are necessary to determine whether these impacts are likely to occur and, if so, their potential effects on ecosystems and society.'

However, the team also notes that the destructive events could be avoided simply by curbing emissions.

For the first paper, which focused on how Alaskan thunderstorms may change later this century, researchers compared computer simulations of the state's current-day climate with what is expected at the end of the century.

The team used a storm-tracking algorithm and the NCAR-based Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to create simulations of Alaska's weather and climate.

The results showed that thunderstorm frequency south of the Yukon River increased from about once a year to every month during the warm season.

Hourly rainfall rates increased noticeably, ranging up to 37 percent higher in the cores of storms.

However, thunderstorms were found to appear in places they are not know to hit, such as the North Slope and West Coast.

The second paper focused on the reasons for the increase in thunderstorms.

The team applied applied a specialized model to trace air parcels back to their sources using the WRF, along with other models that created a simulated atmosphere over Alaska, including temperature, water vapor and seasonal sea ice cover.

NCAR scientist Maria Molina, a co-author of the second study, said: 'Our goal was to determine the sources of moisture and associated changes that would fuel such a significant increase in thunderstorms over Alaska.'

The results showed that moist air masses from ice-free regions of the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean will be an abundant fuel for storms.

The warmer atmosphere will experience increasingly powerful thunderstorms that are more likely to organize and form large-scale clusters, increasing the potential for heavy rain and lightning.

'The potential for flash flooding and landslides is definitely increasing, and the Arctic is becoming way more flammable,' Prein said. 'It's hard to grasp what the ecological changes will be in the future.'
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King Richard III may not have killed the young 'Princes in the Tower' more than 500 years ago but instead allowed the older boy, Edward V, to live in secret under a false name in a rural Devon village, researchers have said.

They believe Edward's mother Elizabeth Woodville made a secret pact with Richard III, who historians have always thought murdered his nephews so he could claim the throne for himself in the 15th century.

Richard III's brother, Edward IV, died unexpectedly in 1483, leaving Richard as Lord Protector in charge of his nephews, Edward V, 12, and nine-year-old Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York.

Edward was due to assume the throne but before he could be crowned king the brothers were declared illegitimate and Richard had them locked in the Tower of London, never to be seen again.

A narrative handed down by Tudor authorities and popularised by William Shakespeare suggested that the king had the brothers murdered, just in case anyone tried to dispute his power and seek to put Edward on the throne.

But despite a pair of skeletons being found in the Tower in 1674, 200 years after their supposed death, no evidence of Edward and Richard's murder has ever been discovered  and now researchers believe a series of 'Da Vinci Code'-style clues suggest it may be because they were never killed.

The findings are part of the Missing Princes Project, led by Philippa Langley, the historian responsible for a dig that found the remains of Richard III in a Leicester car park in 2012.

Langley and colleagues followed a paper trail including medieval documents that led them to Coldridge, where royal Yorkist symbols are carved into the local church, St Matthew's.

The findings hint at a secret deal struck between the boys' mother and Richard III, that allowed Edward V to live his life under the fake name 'John Evans'.

In the church there is also an effigy of 'John Evans' gazing directly at a stained glass window that depicts Edward V, suggesting they were one and the same person.

Despite a pair of skeletons being found in the Tower in 1674, 200 years after their supposed death, no evidence of Edward and Richard's murder has ever been discovered  and now researchers believe a series of 'Da Vinci Code'-style clues suggest it may be because they were never killed

King Richard III may not have killed the young 'Princes in the Tower' more than 500 years ago but instead allowed the older boy, Edward V (depicted with his brother Richard of Shrewsbury), to live in secret under a false name in a rural Devon village, researchers have said

Researchers found a series of 'Da Vinci Code'-style clues at a church in a Devon village, including a giant crown with 41 small deer inside, floating above a depiction of Edward V in stained glass. John Evans was 'Parker' of the deer estate in Coldridge

There is an effigy in the church that includes a scar on the chin, matching a similar image of a face that holds a crown in the stained glass window of Edward V

Researchers followed a paper trail including medieval documents that led them to Coldridge, where royal Yorkist symbols are carved into the local church, St Matthew's (pictured)

CLUES FOUND IN ST MATTHEW'S CHURCH SUGGESTING IT WAS LINKED TO EDWARD V Effigy of John Evans: There is an effigy in the church that includes a scar on the chin, matching a similar image of a face that holds a crown in the stained glass window of Edward V Broken shied: On the empty tomb of John Evans there is a shield that includes the name John EVAS, which could be a clue to Edward V (EV) and asa (AS), Latin for in sanctuary. Stained glass: There is a giant crown with 41 small deer inside, floating above a depiction of Edward V in stained glass. John Evans was Parker of the deer estate in Coldridge. Graffiti: Within the church is an etching showing the word KING in inverted writing, written on the tomb of John Evans, as well as nine carved lions that may symbolise the year Edward V may have been able to reclaim the throne from Richard IIII, 1509. Sunne in Splendour: There is a tiny symbol carved in the ceiling of St Matthew's Church that depicts part of the Sunne in Splendour, a symbol of the House of York linked to the princes. Scarred face: Within a part of the glass window is a mysterious face that is thought to show John Evans himself, baring a scar and deformed mouth. He wears an ermine jacket and carries a crown. Woman with a snake tongue: There are three carvings showing a Tudor woman with a snake-like tongue, possibly depicting a slur against the mother of Henry Tudor. Rose of York: This symbol appears throughout the church, including in the tiles of the floor, which is unusual for a church in Devon. Window Sunne: Within the window is the depiction of the Yorkist Sunne in Splendour, sitting adjacent to similar images in the roof. A prayer desk: This medieval prayer desk has the inscription 'Pray for John Evans, Parker of Coldridge, maker of this work in the third year of the reign of King Henry VIII'. The team believe the desk was made the same year as the stained glass windows, 1511. Advertisement

'With all the secret symbols and clues, it sounds somewhat like the Da Vinci Code. But the discoveries inside this church in the middle of nowhere are extraordinary,' John Dike, lead researcher on the project, told the Telegraph.

Langley started the Missing Princes Project four years ago, and so far has more than 100 lines of inquiry into the fate of the older of the pair of brothers.

Described as a 'Da Vinci Code-style' investigation, the team have been following a trail of medieval documents and clues hidden in an ancient parish church.

'The idea of a missing prince lying low in Devon might appear fanciful at first,' said Dike, 'but the discoveries inside this church in the middle of nowhere are extraordinary'.

Their unexpected discovery suggests that Edward was sent to live out the rest of his life on the land of his half-brother in Devon on the condition he kept quiet.

This was part of a deal between his mother and Richard III, that was upheld by his successor, Henry Tudor, according to Dike.

'Once you take all the clues together, it does appear that the story of the princes in the Tower may need to be rewritten,' he added.

No conclusive evidence has ever been found that Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury were murdered and some revisionist historians believe it may have been invented as part of a plot to smear Richard III.

The last time the boys were actually seen was in the summer of 1483, when they were spotted playing by the Tower of London.

The bones found under a staircase in the tower now lie in an urn in Westminster Abbey, and the Queen is said to have refused to allow scientists to analyse them.

However, the team say the paper trail leading to the arrival of Edward V in Devon is strong, with considerable evidence he was John Evans.

Historians know that in March 1484, Elizabeth Woodville, mother of the two princes, left Westminster with her daughters after reaching a deal with Richard III.

She then wrote to her exiled rebel son, Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset, telling him to come home as Richard agreed to pardon him.

On March 3, royal documents show that Richard sent a follower on a mission from Yorkshire to Coldridge in Devon, which sits within Grey's seized lands.

Soon after this event, John Evans suddenly appeared in the village, and was given the title Lord of the Manor, the researchers discovered.

No record has been found of Evans' life before he arrived in Devon, with the prestigious titles, which also included 'Parker' of the 130-beast-strong deer park behind the church, appearing out of the blue.

'This man John Evans was given these prestigious titles despite apparently arriving out of the blue, which is odd to say the least,' Dike said.

'It is possible that Edward was sent here to live in secrecy as part of the deal that we know was agreed between Richard and his mother.'

It was the chantry at the local St Matthew's Church that led Dike and colleagues to publish their findings, as this was built by John Evans in 1511, and full of symbolism, including a glass depiction of a 'saint-like' boy King, Edward V.

There are only two other glass portraits of Edward V and one is in the royal window at Canterbury Cathedral, prompting Dike to ask 'why is a royal portrait of Edward V in this rural church in the middle of nowhere?'

He suggests Edward was sending a message to future generations, revealing the truth of his royal identity.

The Rose of York symbol appears throughout the church, including in the tiles of the floor, which is unusual for a church in Devon

Within a part of the glass window is a mysterious face that is thought to show John Evans himself, baring a scar and deformed mouth. He wears an ermine jacket and carries a crown

Yorkish symbolism appears throughout the Devon church, which researchers say is an unusual discovery for a rural building

This medieval prayer desk has the inscription 'Pray for John Evans, Parker of Coldridge, maker of this work in the third year of the reign of King Henry VIII'. The team believe the desk was made the same year as the stained glass windows in 1511

Within the church is an etching showing the word KING in inverted writing, written on the tomb of John Evans, as well as nine carved lions that may symbolise the year Edward V may have been able to reclaim the throne from Richard IIII, 1509

WHO WERE THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER AND HOW DID THE DEATH OF THEIR FATHER KING EDWARD IV LEAD TO RICHARD III CLAIMING THE THRONE FOR HIMSELF? The 'Princes in the Tower' were the sons of King Edward IV and when their father died, their uncle, King Richard III, locked them up in the Tower of London while he acted as regent. Their disappearance and believed murder in 1483 led to the long-standing 'Princes in the Tower' mystery, the greatest cold case in English history, which rumbles on to this day. Many believe Richard III had Edward, 12, and Richard, 9, killed in order to take the throne for himself. He went on to become one of the most controversial monarchs in English history. Edward IV became king of England because he was a direct descendent of Edward III, who ruled between 1312 and 1377, via both his mother and father's heritage. Edward V and his brother Richard of Shrewsbury were the sons of King Edward IV. When their father died, their uncle Richard (pictured)  then Duke of Gloucester  locked them up in the Tower of London while he acted as regent. Their disappearance and believed murder in 1483 led to the long-standing 'Princes in the Tower' enigma, the greatest cold case in English history, which rumbles on to this day Following the convoluted and bloody period of Plantagenet and Lancaster rulers, Edward IV became the Yorkist challenger to the throne when his father and brother were killed at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460. Edward then took up the Yorkist claim against Lancastrian incumbent Henry VI, leading to a successful deposition in 1461. The 19-year-old king went on to rule as monarch until his sudden death in 1483. His marriage to Elizabeth Woodville in 1464, mother to the princes in the tower, led to conflict with his chief advisor, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and his eventual temporary removal from the throne. Edward fled to Flanders, gathering support for an invasion of England in March 1471, winning battles in Barnet and Tewksbury that led to him resuming his place on the throne. Portrait of Elizabeth Woodville, circa 1540-70 by an unknown author, who was the mother of Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury Despite threats to his place as king from Henry Tudor, and later Henry VII, the Lancastrian claimant, Edward was able to reign in relative peace for 12 years. That was until his death in April 1483, when he was succeeded by his son, Edward V - who was a minor at the time. Edward IV had many children, including Edward V; Richard, Duke of York; and Elizabeth, who would go on to marry Henry Tudor. Edward IV's brother Richard III is said to have murdered Edward V, aged 12 at the time, and nine-year-old Richard of Shrewsbury shortly after his death and claimed the throne for himself, but he died just two years later at the Battle of Bosworth, bested by Henry Tudor, the husband of the sister of the two princes. However, evidence to support the theory that Richard III ordered their murder has long been debated by experts. While two skeletons were found in the tower 200 years after their supposed death, they have never been examined in detail, and no literary or scientific evidence exists to show they were murdered. The two skeletons were discovered under the stairs in the tower and reburied in Westminster Abbey. They were last examined in 1933, but scientists were then unable to determine their sex, let alone find any clues as to their identities. Researchers now claim that Edward V may have been exiled to the village of Coldridge in Devon - after they found a 'Da Vinci Code'-style trail of clues by sifting through writing, letters and official documents. Historians know that in March 1484, Elizabeth Woodville, mother of the two princes, left Westminster with her daughters after reaching a deal with Richard III. She then wrote to her exiled rebel son, Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset, telling him to come home as Richard agreed to pardon him. Grey was in exile in Brittany, after joining the Duke of Buckingham's failed rebellion against Richard III. He was there with Henry Tudor, who was pledged to marry his half-sister Elizabeth of York. But soon after England, and his mother, made peace with Richard III, Grey was persuaded to leave Tudor and return home. King Edward IV, the father of Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, by an unknown English artist, circa 1540 Around the same time, the team behind the new study found that Royal documents revealed Richard III had sent a trusted courtier to travel from Yorkshire to Coldridge in Devon, a village within Grey's lands. Soon after this event, the name John Evans suddenly appeared in the village, and was given the title Lord of the Manor and Parker of the deer reserve behind the church in the village. No record has been found of Evans' life before he arrived in Devon, with the prestigious titles appearing out of the blue. Researchers believe he left hints to future generations of his true identity, as Edward V, through clues in the village church of St Matthew's. Some historians suggest that the idea Richard III had the brothers killed was put out as propaganda against him by the Tudors that followed him to take the throne. Sir Thomas More, a trusted courtier of King Henry VIII in the early 16th century, wrote a book detailing the dark saga before he joined Henry VIII's Privy Council, in 1518. His is the earliest detailed account of the deaths and it unmasks two men as the murderers  Miles Forest and John Dighton  who were acting on direct orders from Richard III. The book and its findings have been taken with skepticism by historians due to the fact Sir Thomas was five years old when the 'Princes in the Tower' scandal occurred. It was believed his book and its theory may have been royal propaganda and published as a Tudor scheme to besmirch the name of the former king and boost public support for the new House. The two princes were 'stifled with pillows by the order of their perfidious uncle Richard the Usurper', according to the inscription on the urn their believed remains are kept in. Their death ranks atop the list of royal misdeeds and scandals due to the rippling side-effects it had on the royal family, although a recent study suggests Edward V was sent to exile in Devon, rather than be killed. Richard III's demise in battle brought about the end of the War of the Roses and the centuries-long feuding between Yorkists and Lancastrians and ushered in the era of the House of Tudor, led by Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Their son, Henry VIII, would become one of England's most famous monarchs. Advertisement

In the glass there is a large crown above Edward's head, and it is littered with pictures of 41 tiny deer, further adding to the suggestion it was Evans sending a message of who he really was.

Edward V would have been 41 years old when the chantry was built in 1511.

Other symbols include the name John Evans being incorrectly spelt EVAS, with the team suggesting the EV stood for Edward V and AS for 'asa', which is Latin for in sanctuary.

There are also symbols linking the church to the House of York throughout the building, including in the floor tiles and carved into the wooden roof.

'To have all these symbolic details in such a remote and inaccessible church, which in 1500 would have only been accessed by cart track, and is right in the centre of rural Devon, suggests the presence of a person of importance,' Dike explained.

'An ideal location for Thomas Grey, with the probable agreement of Richard III or later Henry VII, to place his half brother out of the political arena.'

There is a tiny symbol carved in the ceiling of St Matthew's Church that depicts part of the Sunne in Splendour, a symbol of the House of York linked to the princes

It was the chantry at the local St Matthew's Church that led Dike and colleagues to publish their findings, as this was built by John Evans in 1511, and full of symbolism, including a glass depiction of a 'saint-like' boy King, Edward V

There are three carvings showing a Tudor woman with a snake-like tongue, possibly depicting a slur against the mother of Henry Tudor

Edward V of England - portrait. It seems that decades after his exile, Edward, living as John Evans, built a chantry in Coldridge that gave future generations clues to his true origins

A 'DA VINCI CODE' STYLE TRAIL OF DOCUMENTS Researchers behind the 'Missing Princes Project', including former police detectives, have been following hundreds of lines of inquiry into the mystery. These led them to a small village in Devon called Coldridge, where there is a local church that includes some unusual symbolism and a stained glass window. The window depicts Edward V as a young king, including a large crown over his head covered in tiny deer. The team followed a trail that suggests a deal was struck by Queen Elizabeth Woodville, mother of the princes, Edward V and Richard, Duke of York. This deal, with King Richard III, allowed for Edward to live out his life under an assumed name, rather than be killed, on the condition he kept quiet about his heritage. It seems that decades after his exile, Edward, living as John Evans, built a chantry in Coldridge that gave future generations clues to his true origins. These includes symbols for the House of York in the ceiling and floor tiles, as well as the glass window. Advertisement

Dike and colleagues are now looking for more evidence, as they believe their tomb may lie under the floor of the church.

Previous research has also suggested that Edward died of natural causes while his younger brother, Richard, was eventually reunited with his mother, Queen Elizabeth Woodville, and allowed to live with her under the supervision of trusted courtiers.

In his book, The Lost Prince: The Survival of Richard of York, University of Leicester historian David Baldwin suggested that Richard of Shrewsbury then moved to Lutterworth in Leicestershire and was taken to Bosworth Field the day before the battle where King Richard was killed.

King Richard may have considered naming the boy his heir, says the historian. But his defeat and death changed everything.

Baldwin suggests that Prince Richard was taken to St John's Abbey at Colchester after the Battle of Bosworth and worked as a bricklayer until the Dissolution of 1539.

Richard III's demise in the battle brought about the end of the War of the Roses and the centuries-long feuding between Yorkists and Lancastrians and ushered in the era of the House of Tudor, led by Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.

Some historians suggest that the idea Richard III had the Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury killed was put out as propaganda against him by the Tudors.

Sir Thomas More, a trusted courtier of King Henry VIII in the early 16th century, wrote a book detailing the dark saga before he joined Henry VIII's Privy Council, in 1518.

His is the earliest detailed account of the deaths and it unmasks two men as the murderers  Miles Forest and John Dighton  who were acting on direct orders from Richard III.

The book and its findings have been taken with skepticism by historians due to the fact Sir Thomas was five years old when the 'Princes in the Tower' scandal occurred.

It was believed his book and its theory may have been royal propaganda and published as a Tudor scheme to besmirch the name of the former king and boost public support for the new House.

'Murder Of The Little Princes', 1483, (c1850). Legend has it that Edward V and his brother Richard of Shrewsbury were murdered in the Tower of London, as depicted in this artwork

Rose motifs and artwork appear throughout the church, which is an unexpected find for somewhere in rural Devon, further adding to evidence it was linked to Edward V
China has accused the US of ignoring its space treaty obligations after blasting Elon Musk over two 'near misses' between his Starlink satellites and Beijing's new space station.

The space station, called Tiangong, had to perform 'evasive manoeuvres' to 'prevent a potential collision' with two Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX on July 1 and October 21, the Chinese government said in a December 6 complaint to the UN.

A foreign ministry spokesman for China accused Washington on Tuesday of ignoring its treaty obligations to protect the safety of the Tiangong station's three-member crew following the two separate launches.

China launched Tianhe  the main section of what will be a permanent space station called Tiangong Space Station  back in April.

Tiangong, meaning 'heavenly palace', will rival the ageing International Space Station (ISS), which is operated by the space agencies of the US, Canada, Russia, Japan and Europe.

SpaceX's Starlink, meanwhile, is a constellation of more than 1,700 satellites that aims to provide internet access to most of the Earth.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying the 29th batch of approximately 60 satellites as part of SpaceX's Starlink broadband internet network in May 2021

China has complained to the US over Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX, the company owned by Elon Musk (pictured)

This fresh issue between China and SpaceX is another reminder of how hazardous low-Earth orbit is becoming due to space junk and human-made space objects.

THE NEW TIANGONG SPACE STATION China is launching a modular space station similar to, but much smaller than the International Space Station. Known as Tiangong, or Heavenly Palace, the first module - Tianhe - was launched on April 29, 2021. The 59ft long living quarters will include a solar array and docking ports for spaceships and future modules. The final two parts of the space station are expected to launch in 2022. It will house up to three astronauts at a time for six months once operational. Orbit: 210 to 280 miles Mass: 180,000 to 220,000 lb Length: 65ft Diameter: 10ft Lifespan: 15 years Advertisement

Evasive manoeuvres are becoming more frequent as more objects crowd into near-Earth orbit and force course adjustments to reduce the risk of crashes, said Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

'We've really noticed the increase in the number of close passes since Starlink started getting deployed,' he told AFP

Any collision between Tiangong and a Starlink satellite would likely 'completely demolish' the space station and kill everyone on board.

During both the July and October incidents, the Starlink satellites moved into orbits that prompted space station operators to change course, said the document submitted to the UN's space agency by Beijing this month.

'The manoeuvre strategy was unknown and orbital errors were hard to be assessed', Beijing said of the satellite involved in the October incident, adding that it took action to 'ensure the safety and lives of in-orbit astronauts'.

The US should 'take immediate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again,' said Zhao Lijian, deputy director of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Zhao accused Washington of failing to carry out its obligations to 'protect the safety of astronauts' under Outer Space Treaty, a 1967 treaty on the peaceful use of space.

The American Embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PA Media. SpaceX has not responded to a request for comment from MailOnline.

3D rendering of the Chinese Space Station, or Tiangong Space Station, as it'll look when fully constructed. Tianhe will form the main living quarters for three crew members. Shenzhou is an existing spacecraft that would dock at the station with crew. Tianzhou is an existing cargo transport spacecraft

Each Starlink satellite (depicted here in orbit in artist's impression) weighs 500 pounds (227 kilograms) and is roughly the size of a table

CHINESE SPACE STATION MODULES - Tianhe: Core module. Launched on April 29, 2021 - Wentian: Experiment module I. Launch planned for 2022 - Mengtian: Experiment module II. Launch planned for 2022 - Xuntian: Space telescope module. Planned launch in 2024 to co-orbit with Chinese Space Station Advertisement

The Tianhe module of the China's new space station  which was the first module to be launched, in April this year  forms the main living quarters for crew members in Tiangong, which will have a life span of at least 10 years.

Tianhe will be connected next year to two more 'experiment module' sections, named Mengtian and Wentian.

Once completed, Tiangong Space Station will weigh some 66 tons, far smaller than the ISS, which launched its first module in 1998 and weighs around 450 tons.

ISS, currently in orbit, took 10 years and more than 30 missions to assemble from the launch of the first module back in 1998.

The ISS is backed by five participating space agencies  NASA (US), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada)  but China was originally barred from participating by the US.

Tiangong's first crew returned to Earth in September following a 90-day mission.

The second crew of two men and one woman  Zhai Zhigang and Ye Guangfu and Wang Yaping  arrived in mid October for a six-month mission and are still aboard today.

In early November, Yaping became China's first female spacewalker after completing a six-hour task outside the station, along with Zhigang.

Chinese astronaut Wang Yaping conducts an activities outside the space station's Tianhe core module, at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Sunday

The spacewalk took a total of six hours 25 minutes, during which time the duo installed equipment and carried out tests alongside the station's robotic service arm.

Elon Musk's SpaceX, meanwhile, plans to launch some 2,000 Starlink satellites as part of a global internet system to bring internet access to underserved areas.

In its 34th and latest launch, SpaceX sent 52 satellites into orbit aboard a rocket on December 18.

Although Musk is widely admired in China, the reputation of Tesla  which sells tens of thousands of vehicles in the country each month  has faltered this year following a spate of crashes, scandals and data storage concerns.

Tesla is still hugely popular, selling around one out of every four of its cars in China, and has built a rare wholly-owned factory in Shanghai.
Southern Wales was once home to long-necked 'sauropodomorph' dinosaurs , a study of roughly 200-million-year-old footprints has revealed.

The tracks  found on a beach near Penarth by walker Kerry Rees in 2020  were examined by a team of experts from Liverpool John Moores University.

Based on the density and variety of the fossilised footprints, the researchers believe that the site may have been an area where sauropodomorphs liked to gather.

The team also created 3D models of the trace fossils, which date back to the Late Triassic (237201.3 million years ago), to be able to examine them in closer detail.

Sauropodomorphs are a clade of plant-eating, long-necked dinosaurs that lived from 231.466 million years ago and famously include the Late Jurassic-era Diplodocus.

Southern Wales was once home to long-necked 'sauropodomorph' dinosaurs, a study of roughly 200-million-year-old footprints (pictured) has revealed

Sauropodomorphs are a clade of plant-eating, long-necked dinosaurs that lived from 231.466 million years ago and famously include the Late Jurassic-era Diplodocus. While it is impossible to be sure which species left the footprint, Thecodontosaurus (pictured), is an example of a sauropodomorph that lived at roughly the same time as the tracks were formed

The tracks  found on a beach near Penarth (pictured) by walker Kerry Rees in 2020  were examined by a team of experts from Liverpool John Moores University

Based on the density and variety of the fossilised footprints, the researchers believe that the site may have been an area where sauropodomorph dinosaurs liked to gather. Pictured: photographs of the trackway, showing two close-up sections in photograph and illustration

 Slide me  The team also created 3D models of the trace fossils, which date back to the Late Triassic (237201.3 million years ago), to be able to examine them in closer detail. Pictured: one of the digitised footprints, shown both photo-textured (left) and as a height-mapped model (right)

TRACE FOSSILS Trace fossils  or 'ichnofossils'  are those that preserve not the remains of an animal but that of its behaviour. They may include footprints, burrows, borings and even fossilised droppings. Each trace is given its own name in a classification system based on form. One species of animal can create multiple ichnofossils  and one trace fossil might be made by many species. Because of this, it is almost impossible to assign traces to a given trace-maker  unless regular, or 'body' fossils are found in the process of making traces. Advertisement

Professor Paul Barrett, of the Natural History Museum, said that the number of footprints makes it possible the site was a place where sauropods gathered.

'There are hints of trackways being made by individual animals, but because there are so many prints of slightly different sizes, we believe there is more than one trackmaker involved,' he explained.

'These types of tracks are not particularly common worldwide, so we believe this is an interesting addition to our knowledge of Triassic life in the UK.

'Our record of Triassic dinosaurs in this country is fairly small, so anything we can find from the period adds to our picture of what was going on at that time.'

According to the researchers, many of the fossilised footprints have raised edges known as 'squelch marks'.

These would have been formed when the dinosaur pushed its foot down into the soft mud beneath it.

The tracks would have been baked dry by the sun and turned into trace fossils.

'Trace fossils are those that capture aspects of an animal's behaviour or anatomy which aren't captured by its skeleton,' Professor Barrett explained.

Professor Paul Barrett, of the Natural History Museum, said that the number of footprints makes it possible that the site was a place where sauropods gathered

'There are hints of trackways being made by individual animals, but because there are so many prints of slightly different sizes, we believe there is more than one trackmaker involved,' said Professor Barrett. He added: 'These types of tracks are not particularly common worldwide, so we believe this is an interesting addition to our knowledge of Triassic life in the UK'

'The tracks initially seemed a bit non-descript, and it took us quite a while to decide if they really were tracks or just holes in the ground,' said paper author and vertebrate biologist Peter Falkingham of the Liverpool John Moores University.

'When we looked closely, it seemed that the impressions would overlap in places, as would be expected if multiple animals were trampling the ground.

'They also seemed to sometimes occur in semi-regular spacing, as you'd expect from a trackway,' he continued.

'The best evidence actually came from a track that isn't there anymore but was documented in 2009, which I used to build a 3D model of the site.

'One of the tracks visible in that model had what we interpreted as digit impressions, and that sealed the deal for us that they were indeed tracks.'

'The tracks initially seemed a bit non-descript, and it took us quite a while to decide if they really were tracks or just holes in the ground,' said paper author and vertebrate biologist Peter Falkingham of the Liverpool John Moores University. He added: 'The best evidence actually came from a track that isn't there anymore but was documented in 2009, which I used to build a 3D model of the site. Pictured: the models of the site as it appeared in 2020 (left) and 2009 (centre)  with a composite of the two shown right

'One of the tracks visible in that model had what we interpreted as digit impressions [pictured], and that sealed the deal for us that they were indeed tracks,' said Dr Falkingham

South Wales is no certainly no stranger to dinosaur footprints, with discoveries in the region dating back to as early as 1879.

These previous finds  preserved within the 227201.3 million-year-old 'Mercia Mudstone' that outcrops along the northern coast of the Severn Estuary  have also been attributed by some palaeontologists to sauropodomorph dinosaurs.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Geological Magazine.

South Wales is no certainly no stranger to dinosaur footprints, with finds in the region dating back to as early as 1879. Pictured: the traces discovered last year were found near Penarth
Cannabis plants may absorb carcinogenic heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium from soils, experts have warned.

Researchers in Pennsylvania have conducted a 'meta-analysis' of previous studies to examine the ability of cannabis plants to absorb heavy metals.

They report that some cannabis strains have been bred specifically for 'phytoremediation'  growing plants to remove pollutants from soils.

But this risks heavy metals seeping into cannabis crops that are later harvested and smoked by humans, potentially causing cancer and neurological issues.

Heavy metal contaminants could be dangerous for people who ingest them, the researchers say, including cancer patients who use medical marijuana.

A new meta-analysis examines the ability of cannabis plants to absorb heavy metals and discusses the resulting health impacts on consumers (stock image)

PHYTOREMEDIATION Phytoremediation is the use of plants to remove pollutants from soils, air or water. Phytoremediation is a good way of targeting heavy metal accumulation in soils in hazardous environments, such as nuclear sites. Heavy metal soil accumulation has been rapidly increased due to various natural processes and industrial activities. Source: Front. Plant Sci/CPEO.org Advertisement

The researchers, Penn State University, have therefore proposed strategies for cannabis growers to ensure they avoid heavy metals contaminating their cannabis crops.

'Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium, are known to be carcinogenic,' said Louis Bengyella, assistant research professor of plant science at Penn State University.

'The heavy-metal content of cannabis is not regulated; therefore, consumers could unknowingly be exposed to these toxic metals.

'This is bad news for anyone who uses cannabis but is particularly problematic for cancer patients who use medical marijuana to treat the nausea and pain associated with their treatments.'

Cannabis plants are used to produce industrial hemp, medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) oil, among other products.

They have an inherent ability to absorb heavy metals from the soil, making them useful for remediating contaminated sites, such as by industrial activities.

But this ability to soak up toxic metals may also make cannabis dangerous for consumers who ingest it.

'The problem is if we use these strains that were developed for phytoremediation without considering why they were developed in the first place, we may unknowingly expose consumers to heavy metals,' Bengyella said.

Schematic diagram shows the uptake, translocation, and sequestration of heavy metals in plants

Along with colleagues, Bengyella conducted a meta-analysis of research studies on heavy-metal contamination in cannabis.

IS CANNABIS LEGAL? Cannabis is illegal to possess, distribute, sell or grow in the UK. Cannabis is classified as a class B drug. As such, any person who is caught with cannabis risks up to five years imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. While being convicted of producing and supplying a Class B drug, risks up to 14 years imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. For those caught with a small amount of cannabis  typically less than one ounce  police can issue a warning or on-the-spot fine if the possession is deemed for personal use. It therefore remains illegal to smoke weed anywhere in the UK, including within ones own home. Data however suggests that this law is regularly flouted. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first US states to legalise cannabis. Since then more US states have followed suit (New York doing so in July 2019). A number of other states also now permit cannabis use for medicinal purposes. Having legalised cannabis for medicinal purposes in 2001, Canada became the first whole G7 nation to legalise the recreational use of the drug in October 2018. Source: politics.co.uk Advertisement

Specifically, they investigated available information on the application of cannabis in phytoremediation, the fate of heavy metals in cannabis plants, the medical impact of heavy metals in cannabis and agricultural strategies to mitigate heavy metal uptake.

The team learned that some cannabis strains are commonly used for phytoremediation because of their unique physical characteristics.

These characteristics include long stem length, fast growth, high root and leaf surface area, high photosynthetic activity and dependence on relatively few nutrients for survival  which facilitate the absorption of heavy metals.

The team also found that lead, cadmium and chromium specifically are capable of being transported and distributed up through the stalk and into the leaves and flowers of the plant.

These heavy metals then exit the plant through trichomes, the hair-like structures located on the flowers.

'Trichomes are important because they store the CBD oil and the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that are desired by consumers,' said Bengyella.

'This led us to question if these heavy metals are there at the level of the trichome, what can they do to people?'

Next, the researchers investigated the documented health effects of heavy metals.

They found that heavy metal contamination in cannabis can cause various health problems due to the fact that the heavy metals are rarely metabolised, and therefore, accumulate in specific areas of the human body.

The most common mechanism of heavy metal toxicity in the human body is via the production of reactive oxygen species (highly reactive chemicals formed from oxygen) and free radicals (unstable atoms that can damage cells).

These can damage enzymes, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, and cause cancer and neurological issues.

'Cannabis consumed in combustive form represents the greatest danger to human health, as analysis of heavy metals in the smoke of cannabis revealed the presence of selenium, mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel and arsenic,' said Bengyella.

Heavy metal contamination in cannabis can cause various health problems due to the fact that the heavy metals are rarely metabolised in the human body (stock image)

'It is disturbing to realise that the cannabis products being used by consumers, especially cancer patients, may be causing unnecessary harm to their bodies.'

To mitigate heavy metal contamination, the authors advise growers to choose farmland that is free of heavy metals and cannabis varieties that are not bred to better absorb heavy metals.

When choosing farmland, growers should avoid abandoned industrial sites and perform air quality analyses.

They should also conduct a soil pH test, because pH can impact the quantity of heavy metals a plant absorbs.

'The problem is at the level of the consumer who uses cannabis products, but the solution must come at the agricultural level,' said Bengyella.

'We believe that is where we should hammer hard and solve the problem.'

The full results were published in a recent issue of Toxin Reviews.
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A rare albino jaguarundi cub discovered in Colombia is the first of its kind to be found in the country.

Officials spotted the female cub in the Aburra Valley metropolitan area and transferred it to a nearby conservation park for medical treatment.

The cub is completely white with red eyes, which is due to its inability to produce the pigment that colors its skin eyes and hair. Typically the animals are either red-brown or gray.

The tiny cub will live at the park because its white fur limits its ability to survive in the wild; the lack of melanin makes it difficult for these animals to conceal themselves.

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A rare albino jaguarundi cub discovered in Colombia is the first of its kind to be found in the country

Amalfi Municipality Veterinarian Yuliany Duque said in a statement: Authorities worked with the volunteer fire department to rescue the feline, which was approximately four hours from an urban area.

Jaguarundis are a type of puma native to North and South America, but are rarely is seen north of Mexico. They are solitary animals that only meet fellow jaguarundis when mating.

The conservation park shared a video of the cub, bouncing out of its cage and onto the grass of its new home.

Although very small, a female can grow up to four and a half feet long.

Officials spotted the female cub was spotted in the Aburra Valley metropolitan area and quickly transferred it to a nearby conservation park for medical treatment

The cub is completely white with red eyes due to its inability to produce the pigment needed to color skin eyes and hair, but typical animals are either red-brown or gray

The animal has a sleek, long body, small ears, short legs and a long tail. There are two color varieties of the jaguarundi: a reddish brown form, known as the eyra, and a gray form. Kittens of both varieties may appear in one litter.

Breeding takes place at the end of the year, and a litter of two or three young is born after a gestation period of about 63 days.

Albinism gets passed to offspring when both parents carry the recessive gene.

The tiny cub will live at the park because its coloring limits its ability to survive in the wild - the lack of melanin makes it difficult for these animals to conceal themselves

The conservation park shared a video of the cub bouncing out of its cage and onto the grass of its new home. The jaguarundi is a wild cat that lives in both North and South America, but rarely seen north of Mexico

An animal can be completely albino (pure albino) or have leucism. Pure albino animals will have pink eyes, nails, skin and scales. The pink coloration comes from blood vessels showing through the skin. Animals with leucism may have mostly typical but lighter coloration patterns.

Aside from appearance, these animals often have problems such as poor eyesight.

Melanin helps development of the irises, retinas, eye muscles and optic nerves, and without the pigment, the animal's eyes do not form properly.

Since melanin helps protect skin from sunlight, lacking the pigment means a higher risk of developing melanoma. This causes trouble for sun-basking species, often leading to death for the albino animal.
Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has reiterated his long-standing goal of landing humans on the surface of Mars within the next five to 10 years.

The world's richest man also owns Tesla motors and the Boring company, and has a mission to make humanity a multi-planetary species, through a colony on Mars.

He wants to achieve his goal as quickly as possible, to ensure Mars is sustainable before 'Earth gets too hot for life in about 500 million years.'

Musk made the remark during an appearance on the Lex Friedman Podcast, released yesterday, adding that the window is now open for humans to leave the Earth.

The billionaire is worth an estimated $278 billion, and through SpaceX, is building the Starship rocket that will be able to take humanity to the Red Planet.

However, Starship was hit by a setback this week, when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pushed back the release of an environmental assessment of the proposed Starship orbital test in Boca Chica, Texas.

This is now not due to be released until February 28, 2022, making the earliest possible test launch for the giant rocket March 2022.

Musk told host Friedman: 'best case is about five years, worst case 10 years,' when it comes to landing a colony on the Red Planet.

Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has reiterated his long-standing goal of landing humans on the surface of Mars within the next five to 10 years

The world's richest man also owns Tesla motors and the Boring company, and has a mission to make humanity a multi-planetary species, through a colony on Mars

NASA PLANS TO LAND HUMANS ON MARS IN THE 2030s Mars has become the next giant leap for mankind's exploration of space. But before humans get to the red planet, astronauts will take a series of small steps by returning to the moon for a year-long mission. Details of a the mission in lunar orbit have been unveiled as part of a timeline of events leading to missions to Mars in the 2030s. In May 2017, Greg Williams, deputy associate administrator for policy and plans at Nasa, outlined the space agency's four stage plan that it hopes will one day allow humans to visit Mars, as well as its expected time-frame. Phase one and two will involve multiple trips to lunar space, to allow for construction of a habitat which will provide a staging area for the journey. The last piece of delivered hardware would be the actual Deep Space Transport vehicle that would later be used to carry a crew to Mars. And a year-long simulation of life on Mars will be conducted in 2027. Phase three and and four will begin after 2030 and will involve sustained crew expeditions to the Martian system and surface of Mars. Advertisement

There is a long way to go to get to Mars, as the massive 160ft rocket is still at the prototype stage, having never been tested with the Heavy Lift booster required for it to leave Earth's atmosphere.

'It's fundamentally engineering the vehicle,' Musk said, when asked about factors that could cause a delay.

'I mean, Starship is the most complex and advanced rocket that's ever been made,' he said, adding 'it's a lot. It's really next level.'

'The fundamental optimisation of Starship is minimising the cost per ton per orbit and ultimately cost per ton to the surface of Mars,' he explained.

In May Starship completed its fifth high-altitude test flight, and has successfully landed the main part of the rocket back on the launch pad.

The next major stage is an orbital test flight, which will include the Heavy Lift booster, and finish with a splashdown in the ocean.

Following that test flight, SpaceX has been booked to travel to the Moon, make an orbit, and return to Earth in 2023.

It currently takes at least six months to get to Mars, but Musk believes that could be down to as little as a month, with flights operating every two years.

This two year gap is due to the orbits of the Earth and Mars, with the world's coming close enough for a relatively fast journey every other year.

But to achieve any of his goals, he has to bring the cost of getting to Mars down, which comes from moving to fully reusable rockets.

'There is a certain cost per ton to the surface of Mars where we can afford to establish a self-sustaining city, and above that we cannot afford to do it,' Musk told Friedman on the podcast.

'Right now you couldn't fly to Mars for a trillion dollars,' he explained, 'no amount of money could get you a ticket to Mars. So we need to get that above, you know, to get that something that is actually possible at all.'

Despite those setbacks and technical challenges, Musk believes the window for human colonisation of the Red Planet it firmly open, and believes we need to start soon to establish a sustainable colony.

His concern is that in 500 million years Earth will be too hot for life, which he said was 'a long time' but only a tenth of the time the planet has been around.

'Earth's been around 4 1/2 billion years, and this is the first time in 4 1/2 billion years that it's been possible to extend life beyond Earth,' said Musk.

'That window of opportunity may be open for a long time, and I hope it is, but it also may be open for a short time. I think it is wise for us to act quickly while the window is open, just in case.'

He wants to achieve his goal as quickly as possible, to ensure Mars is sustainable before 'Earth gets too hot for life in about 500 million years'

The billionaire is worth an estimated $278 billion, and through SpaceX, is building the Starship rocket that will be able to take humanity to the Red Planet

SPACEX STARSHIP: A REUSABLE ROCKET TO REACH MARS BY 2026 The BFR (Big F***ing Rocket), now known as Starship, will complete all missions and is smaller than the ones Musk announced in 2016. The SpaceX CEO said the rocket would take its first trip to the red planet in 2024, carrying only cargo, followed by a manned mission in 2026 and claimed other SpaceX's products would be 'cannibalised' to pay for it. The rocket would be partially reusable and capable of flight directly from Earth to Mars. Once built, Musk believes the rocket could be used for travel on Earth - saying that passengers would be able to get anywhere in under an hour. Advertisement

He said in an earlier interview, on the social audio app Clubhouse, that the first colony will be a tiny, dangerous, 'frontier-like' environment as they begin to establish propellant manufacturing, food production and power plants.

On his worst-case scenario timetable of a decade, he would still likely beat NASA to Mars by about two years - as the US space agency hopes to get there by 2033. T

This would be part of the Artemis program, that will see the first woman and next man walk on the surface of the Moon by 2024, creating a sustainable presence.

From the lunar landing, which will be completed in a modified version of the SpaceX Starship capsule, NASA will work on making a Mars landing possible.

Musk's goal is to push forward and move as fast as possible, with the aim of using the full version of Starship to reach Mars.

When complete, the main version of Starship will be 'the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed,' for crew and cargo launches.

Although Musk hopes to achieve his goal of landing humans on the Red Planet by 2026, he was realistic and said it isn't a hard deadline due to the technical hurdles.

Musk says there are a number of technological advances that need to be made between now and 2026 before humans can travel to Mars on Starship.

However, Starship was hit by a setback this week, when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pushed back the release of an environmental assessment of the proposed Starship orbital test in Boca Chica, Texas

Musk told host Friedman: 'best case is about five years, worst case 10 years,' when it comes to landing a colony on the Red Planet

HOW TO SUSTAIN A COLONY ON MARS Elon Musk said if you have a large fully reusable rocket with orbital refuelling and 'high-efficiency low cost propellant' then you can go to Mars. 'One last thing is that on Mars you need local propellant production,' Musk said in an earlier interview on Clubhouse. Adding that for this to work you could 'take CO2 out of the atmosphere and combine it with water ice to create CH4 methane and oxygen.' 'If you have those elements life can become multi-planetary and we can have a self-sustaining city on Mars - which is one of the most important things we can possibly do for ensuring the long-term existence of consciousness.' Advertisement

These include ensuring Starship is fully reusable and that it can reach orbit where it is able to refuel ready for the long six month trip to Mars.

Musk said if you have a large fully reusable rocket with orbital refuelling and 'high-efficiency low cost propellant' then you can go to Mars.

He hoped to get the journey time from Earth to Mars down from the current six month minimum to just a single month in the future.

'One last thing is that on Mars you need local propellant production,' Musk said in an earlier interview on Clubhouse.

Adding that for this to work you could 'take CO2 out of the atmosphere and combine it with water ice to create CH4 methane and oxygen.'

'If you have those elements life can become multi-planetary and we can have a self-sustaining city on Mars - which is one of the most important things we can possibly do for ensuring the long-term existence of consciousness.'

After a series of successful test flights, Musk hopes to send an uncrewed Starship to Mars and back at some point in 2024 - before a crewed flight in 2026, although he now accepts that could be pushed to 2031 under the worst case.

He described a 'great filter' - a point where Mars could be self-sufficient when it comes to human life on Mars, during the earlier Clubhouse interview.

Musk said if you have a large fully reusable rocket with orbital refuelling and 'high-efficiency low cost propellant' then you can go to Mars

'The key threshold of when we will pass the great filter is - is Mars sufficiently self-sustaining that if ships stop coming from Earth would Mars die out or not?

'Mars only has to be missing one little ingredient that it would die out - it would survive for a while but would eventually die out.

'It is about ensuring we pass that threshold where it is self-sustaining if some calamity prevents the ships from going there.

'What comes first - a self-sustaining city on Mars or World War Three?'
A Sydney socialite has been accused of Photoshopping her Instagram images after fans noticed the backgrounds closely resembled stock photos.

Fashion designer and author Suzan Mutesi had her questionable photos featured on snark account Celeb__spellcheck on Tuesday.

One image, posted by Suzan in December 2020, appears to show her superimposed in front of a seaplane, with her hand barely touching the side of the plane due to the seemingly clumsy editing.

But speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Suzan denied she'd edited her images at all, saying: 'If it was [Photoshopped], I would have no problem owning it.'

Awkward! Fashion designer Suzan Mutesi was accused of a Photoshop fail on Tuesday after sharing this image of herself seemingly superimposed in front of a seaplane

In the seaplane image, the water was noticeably blurred around Suzan's legs, which appeared to suggest it had been smudged with an editing tool.

Celeb__spellcheck then shared another photo of a different model standing in front of a remarkably similar backdrop, to prove Suzan's post was edited.

Fans were quick to comment on the image, with one writing, 'Honestly impressed with the photoshopping skills,' while another added: 'Wow thats a terrible job.'

The plot thickens: Suzan shared this suspicious-looking photo to Instagram in September. A fan asked her in the comments section, 'What app are you using to do this?'

'What a fail!' one wrote, while another said: 'Check out the hand on the plane.'

Suzan categorically denied she'd edited the photo in a lengthy statement on Wednesday, saying: 'No its not Photoshopped. If it was I have no problem owning it.

'In life to be successful you have to have a vision and then think big. Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of my mentors, says these are his five tips for success...'

She then listed the five tips as being: 'Having a vision, thinking big, don't listen to the naysayers, work your a** off and give back.'

Response: Fans were quick to comment on the image, with one writing, 'Honestly impressed with the photoshopping skills,' while another added: 'Wow thats a terrible job'

'And thats what I am doing for myself and my followers,' she continued. 'Trying to inspire them to aspire and fulfil their dreams.

'This [seaplane] post was posted 12 months ago in December 2020. But I took that photo in 2019. Theres nothing wrong with having a dream.'

Suzan shared another suspicious-looking photo of herself in front of a plane in September, which prompted a fan to ask her: 'What app are you using to do this? Please share I need to edit a photo background hehe.'

The photo in question showed Suzan in front of the plane next to a travel bag, which cast no shadow and was placed at an odd angle on the ground.

'Its an actual location hun! I didnt have to edit the background! The plants are really we were lucky,' Suzan responded.

The commenter replied back: 'Huh? This photo is edited babe - you can tell haha what plants?'

Questions: Suzan has previously denied Photoshopping her images, and even called a follower 'shady' for suggesting one of her posts had been edited

Suzan then called the commenter 'shady' for asking the question.

The fan asked why it was shady and insisted he was 'just asking a question', adding: 'I wanted to use it but it looks to obvious.'

Not giving anything away, Suzan replied: 'I know babe I was teasing!!! You know that.'

Suzan is a published author and has a podcast called Unapologetically You.
Alan Rickman refused to reveal the fate of his Harry Potter character, Severus Snape, to the film's director, it emerged during the filming of the upcoming reunion special.

The actor, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 69, famously played the stern Hogwarts professor, who worked as one of Voldemort's Death Eaters.

It wasn't until a plot twist in the final installment that fans discovered how Severus had been acting as a double agent in order to protect the series' protagonist.

Hilarious: Alan Rickman refused to reveal the fate of his Harry Potter character, Severus Snape, to the film's director, it emerged during the filming of the upcoming reunion special

Chris Columbus, who directed the franchise's first two films, would beg Alan, 'Why are you doing that like that?' according to Daniel Radcliffe, to which the Love Actually star would reply, 'I'll tell you later.'

The child actor also confessed he wasn't aware of the storyline until the final book hit the shelves in 2007, days after The Order Of The Phoenix film was released.

He revealed of the late actor: 'He had the inside line. He very, very early said to Jo [JK Rowling], he was like, "I think I need to know what happens."'

Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black, quipped: 'Rickman would have an in, wouldn't he?!'

Talented: The actor, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 69, famously played the stern Hogwarts professor, who worked as one of Voldemort's Death Eaters (pictured in-character in 2005)

Reminiscing: Chris Columbus, who directed the franchise's first two films, would beg Alan, 'Why are you doing that like that?' according to Daniel Radcliffe (pictured), to which the Love Actually star would reply, 'I'll tell you later'

Having a blast: Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black, quipped: 'Rickman would have an in, wouldn't he?!'

Daniel replied: 'And he never told Chris [Columbus], he never told anyone.'

Director Chris recalled a similar tale earlier this year, admitting Alan's 'tiny little idiosyncrasies' caused him to scratch his head.

He told The A.V. Club: 'J.K. Rowling took him out to dinner and told him something about what was going to happen to Snape throughout the series.

'I'd walk up to him afterward and say, "What was that?'' and he would say, "Oh, you'll know when you read the seventh book."

Fascinating: Director Chris (left) recalled a similar tale earlier this year, admitting Alan's (right) 'tiny little idiosyncrasies' caused him to scratch his head (pictured in 2002)

'It was like, "Well, yeah, but that doesn't help me now. I'm directing the first movie.'''

Alfonso Cuaron went on to direct The Prisoner Of Azkaban while Mike Newell succeeded him for The Goblet Of Fire.

David Yates took the reigns for The Order Of The Phoenix, The Half Blood Prince, and The Deathly Hallows Parts One and Two.

Joanne revealed the 'top secret' piece of information she gave Alan during Harry Potter filming - that he was in love with the boy wizard's mother - in a 2016 tweet.

She confessed that she had told Alan of Snape's enduring love for Harry Potter's mother Lily, who died protecting a baby Harry from Lord Voldemort.

In response to a question from a fan who asked her to let them in on the secret, she told her followers: 'I told Alan what lies behind the word "always".'

Her response referred to a scene in the seventh and final novel in the series, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, when Professor Snape reveals that he had always been besotted with Lily - who was his childhood friend.

When Hogwarts headmaster Professor Dumbledore asks if he has been in love with Lily all this time, Snape replies with one word, 'always'.

It was Snape's love for Lily that led the teacher, who had been one of Voldemort's Death Eaters, to align himself with Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix as something of a double agent.

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is set to debut on January 1, 2022 on HBO Max as well as on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK.
Kate Garraway is reportedly set to become the next Nick Knowles as she is slated to host a new show called Life Changing Homes.

The TV presenter, 54, will draw on her experiences caring for husband Derek Draper at home as he battled coronavirus for the show.

According to The Sun, the series will see a team of experts arrive at people's homes and help them deal with a major change in their lives.

New gig: Kate Garraway is reportedly set to become the next Nick Knowles as she is slated to host a new show called Life Changing Homes

An ITV insider said: 'Kate is the perfect person to front a show like this given that she knows all about adapting to looking after someone since hubby Derek returned from hospital.

'Although she's a very different character to Nick, she's hugely popular with viewers who see her as a down to earth figure. She really connects with the public because, like many people, she has gone through a rough time since the pandemic started. At this stage the show is just a pilot, which was filmed this autumn.

'But ITV have high hopes it will become a new series in the new year. They're keen to provide a platform for Kate as her profile has soared.'

MailOnline has contacted ITV and representatives for Kate Garraway for comment.

Premise: According to The Sun, the series will see a team of experts arrive at people's homes and help them deal with a major change in their lives, similar to Nick's DIY SOS

Kate, who shares Darcey, 15, and William, 12, with Derek, spent thousands in order to adapt her home for his return after he spent a year in hospital with Covid-19.

She changed the ground floor to fit his hospital bed and had a wet room and wheelchair lift installed.

Derek had been allowed home for Christmas after spending more than a year in medical care in what the presenter poignantly called 'the greatest gift' she could receive.

The family recently enjoyed a trip to watch Cinderella at Richmond Theatre in West London, the first time Derek had been seen outside since contracting Covid in March 2020.

An ITV insider said: 'Kate is the perfect person to front a show like this given that she knows all about adapting to looking after someone since hubby Derek returned from hospital'

He was so severely ill he was placed in a medically induced coma for several months, and continues to have 'extraordinary problems with communication, mobility is very limited, massive problems with fatigue and sometimes it's like he's not present with you,' according to Kate.

The journalist recently described his slow but positive progress on ITV's Good Morning Britain.

Speaking of how she was heartened by signs of his recovery, she said: 'We were playing a silly game, one of those moral question games...and they asked "Who is likely to find money on the floor and keep it?" and everyone in the room said all at the same time "Darcey," and he started to laugh.

Family: Kate spent thousands in order to adapt her home for Derek's return after he spent a year in hospital with Covid-19 (pictured on ITV's Finding Derek)

Relationship: Derek had been allowed home for Christmas after spending more than a year in medical care in what the presenter poignantly called 'the greatest gift' she could receive

'And honestly, it was just the most lovely moment because you thought he does get it, he does understand. And he's right! Because she is the most likely!'

Kate delivered a touching message about love when she appeared on ITV's Royal Carols: Together At Christmas on Friday.

She read the poem Love Came Down At Christmas by Christina Rossetti in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the concert, which had been recorded at Westminster Abbey on December 9.
He boasts over 100 tattoos from head-to-toe.

And Travis Barker's fiancee Kourtney Kardashian modeled her own extensive body ink in an edited portrait shared by the 46-year-old drummer to Instagram on Tuesday.

The image - which was originally snapped in June - was altered by artist Cheyenne Randall to give the 42-year-old KUWTK star a variety of tattoos on her arms, legs and chest.

Kourtney could be seen sitting in Travis' lap as she modeled a black crop top and matching skirt.

Randall drew a butterfly in the center of Kardashian's chest surrounded by roses and other flowers.

The tattoos on her arms offered a variety of images, including spiders, prayer hands, slithering snakes, and a barbed wire heart with flames spewing from the top of it.

After getting wind of Cheyenne's impressive artwork, Travis eagerly shared the altered portrait to his Instagram Story, as well as his official page.

He tagged the artist and added a butterfly, rose, and spider emoji to the caption.

What if: Travis Barker's fiancee Kourtney Kardashian modeled her own extensive body ink in an edited portrait shared by the 46-year-old drummer to Instagram on Tuesday; Travis and Kourtney pictured in September

Although her husband-to-be is a big fan of inking out his body, Kourtney is completely devoid of tattoos, just like her younger sister Kim Kardashian, 41.

Since kicking off their friendship-turned-romance in February, Travis has gone out of his way to pay tribute to Kourtney through tattoos.

Most recently, he covered a tattoo reportedly dedicated to his ex wife Shanna Moakler with a kiss print tattoo that was a direct stencil of Kardashian's mouth.

Back in April, the Blink-182 rocker furthered his commitment to the mother of three by getting 'Kourtney' tattooed on his left pectoral.

Tattoo-free: Although her husband-to-be is a big fan of inking out his body, Kourtney is completely devoid of tattoos, just like her younger sister Kim Kardashian, 41

The following month, Kardashian got ahold of a tattoo gun and inked 'I love you' in cursive on Travis' lower arm, just inches away from his wrist.

'I tattoo,' captioned Kourtney, who shared images from the novice ink session with her lover with her 156million Instagram followers on May 12.

Just eight months after going public with their relationship, Travis got down on one knee in October to ask Kourtney for her hand in marriage.

She eagerly accepted the proposal, which took place on the beach in Montecito, California.

Tributes: Since kicking off their friendship-turned-romance in February, Travis has gone out of his way to pay tribute to Kourtney through tattoos

New skills: In May, Kardashian got ahold a tattoo gun and inked 'I love you' in cursive on Travis' lower arm, just inches away from his wrist

Coverup: Most recently, he covered a tattoo dedicated to his ex wife Shanna Moakler with a kiss print tattoo that was a direct stencil of Kardashian's mouth

Travis and Kourtney, even before their engagement, embraced their blended family which consists of children from each of their prior relationships.

Barker shares 16-year-old daughter Alabama and 18-year-old son Landon with Moakler, whom he divorced in 2008 after four years of marriage.

Kardashian shares three children, sons Mason, 11, Reign, six, and daughter Penelope, nine, with ex boyfriend Scott Disick. The former couple dated for a decade before calling it quits in 2015.

Over the Christmas weekend, Travis and Kourtney set social media abuzz after fans spotted a baby bottle in one of his Instagram stories.

Engaged: Just eight months after going public with their relationship, Travis got down on one knee in October to ask Kourtney for her hand in marriage

Kravis fans wondered if there was more than just a wedding in the works when a Comotomo bottle appeared in one sly social media snap.

The dedicated Kravis4ever Instagram fan page wrote 'Ummmmm what this' across a snap of Travis watching The Grinch post Christmas haze with a bottle full of milk on the coffee table.

Devoted followers jumped to a slew of conclusions, including: 'Looks like a doll bottle.'

Another fan noted: 'Kylie used those exact bottles when Stormi was little.'

Kravis4ever: Travis Barker's fans went wild after spotting a baby bottle in one of his Instagram story's shared after a loved-up holiday weekend celebrating Christmas with fiancee Kourtney Kardashian

'Could be for the kitten we saw on Kylies post or the bunnies that [Travis] daughter has. Idk, my kid bottle feeds his small animals for fun,' one user wrote

Jenner, 24, is currently pregnant with her second child with boyfriend Travis Scott, and the couple also has three-year-old daughter Stormi Webster.

Some fans noted that the bottle could be for the new kitten Jenner and Scott gifted Stormi for Christmas.

'Could be for the kitten we saw on Kylies post or the bunnies that [Travis] daughter has. Idk, my kid bottle feeds his small animals for fun,' one user wrote.

Either way, Travis and Kourtney enjoyed the holiday season with their kids as they created their own winter wonderland complete with snow to celebrate his daughter Alabama's 16th birthday in Calabasas.

Winter wonderland: Kourtney Kardashian shared videos on her Instagram Story on Friday of herself and fiance Travis Barker sledding on snow they had imported to their Calabasas home
Junior Andre appeared in record producer Ayo Beatz's Instagram Stories on Tuesday - after flying to Dubai with his sister Princess to join him in the studio.

Katie Price's son, 16, who is thought to be accompanied by his dad Peter Andre, featured heavily in the DJ's social media posts, as well as Love Island's Wes Nelson.

The budding musician, who inked a deal with Harry Styles' label Columbia Records earlier this year, is yet to release any music but promised it would be coming soon.

Exciting: Junior Andre appeared in record producer Ayo Beatz's Instagram Stories on Tuesday - after flying to Dubai with his sister Princess to join him in the studio

Ayo - who remixed a version of Wes and Clean Bandit's recent single Drive - recorded Junior eating sushi in a recording studio along with an entourage.

He donned an unmissable red tracksuit and accessorised his look with a gold chain while completing his look with a pair of black trainers.

Only hours before, the One Time hitmaker was joined by Wes, who he met at the MOBO Awards earlier this month, and a group of pals as they enjoyed lunch.

Princess took to her own Instagram page as she cut a trendy figure in a black crop top and a pair of ripped jeans while posing in front of the Burj Khalifa.

Collaboration? Katie Price's son, 16, (left) who is thought to be accompanied by his dad Peter Andre, featured heavily in the DJ's social media posts, as well as Love Island's Wes Nelson (right)

Looking good: Princess took to her own Instagram page as she cut a trendy figure in a black crop top and a pair of ripped jeans while posing in front of the Burj Khalifa

Representatives for Junior have been contacted for comment by MailOnline.

Junior announced the news of his record deal in August, writing: 'Wow.. where do I start. These past 6 months have been hectic. But Ive loved every single second of it.

'My dad took me to the studio 6 months ago and got me in the booth at @rebelrecs Since then I have secretly been working on a MASSIVE project, and not long ago got a call saying saying @columbiauk want to sign me!'

He continued: I would just like to say thank you to the team @rebelress alongside my dad who have helped develop me into an artist.

Pals: The One Time hitmaker (left) met Wes (right) at the MOBO Awards earlier this month

'And of course a big shoutout to @sktartist and @marcellonoego Who are very talented and have been working with me on this project since the start.'

He ended his message as he wrote: 'And of course my family and friends. I love everyone who supports me and I am very excited to go on this journey with you all.'

Junior excitedly announced: 'NEW MUSIC COMING SOON!!'
Just one day after the fifth anniversary of her mother Carrie Fisher's death, Billie Lourd is now remembering her beloved grandmother Debbie Reynolds.

Fisher passed away at just 60 years of age on December 27, 2016, with her mother and Lourd's grandmother Reynolds passing away at 84 years old on December 28, 2016.

The actress shared a throwback snap of both her mother and grandmother on the fifth anniversary of Reynolds' death.

Mourning Billie: Just one day after the fifth anniversary of her mother Carrie Fisher's death, Billie Lourd is now remembering her beloved grandmother Debbie Reynolds

The undated photo featured a smiling Fisher and Reynolds reaching out to Lourd as a toddler, with a series of emojis.

She shared the two hearts emoji along with the AB emoji, A, emoji, moon emoji and another AB and A emojis.

The caption is believed to reference her nickname for Reynolds, 'Abadaba,' which was inspired by the song Aba Daba Honeymoon from Reynolds' 1950 film Two Weeks With Love.

Throwback: The undated photo featured a smiling Fisher and Reynolds reaching out to Lourd as a toddler, with a series of emojis

Reynolds suffered a fatal stroke and passed away on December 28, 2016.

Lourd took to Instagram on December 26 to share a heartfelt post about her mother on the anniversary of her passing, revealing she's still in mourning.

'People always ask me what stage of grief Im in. And my answer is never simple. Im in a different stage of grief in each moment of every day,' Lourd began.

Carrie and Billie: Lourd took to Instagram on December 26 to share a heartfelt post about her mother on the anniversary of her passing, revealing she's still in mourning

'My grief is a multi course meal with many complicated ingredients. An amuse bouche of bargaining followed by an anger appetizer with a side of depression, acceptance for the entree and of course a little denial for dessert,' she added.

'And thats how grief should be - all things all at once - actually there is no should in grief - grief just is whatever it is for you and that is how it should be,"' she added.

She also addressed why she posted this on December 26, a day before her mother's death, revealing she's currently in Australia, and there it's already the 27th.

Grief: 'And thats how grief should be - all things all at once - actually there is no should in grief - grief just is whatever it is for you and that is how it should be,"' she added

'Ps for anyone wondering why Im posting this on the 26th its the 27th here down unda (aka Tomorrowland) so what better thing to post for my Mombys Australian death anniversary (4 words I never thought Id be putting next to each other?!?) than this picture of her and I with a koala!?' she said.

She concluded her message with, 'sending my love to anyone out there who needs it' along with a slew of emojis.

Lourd also took to Instagram on December 27 to share a video of her singing the hit Fleetwood Mac song Landslide in honor of her mother.
They sparked reconciliation rumors earlier this week after they were seen meeting up for a friendly lunch in Los Angeles.

But Ashley Benson and her ex-boyfriend G-Eazy went their separate ways on Tuesday, when they were both spotted out around LA's hip Los Feliz neighborhood.

The 32-year-old Pretty Little Liars star was seen spending some quality time with her mother, while the rapper, also 32, stopped by a pet supplies store for some essential items.

On the town: Ashley Benson, 32, was seen out in LA's Los Feliz neighborhood on Tuesday with her mother, while her ex G-Eazy, 32, was seen nearby on the same day

Ashley looked stylish in a black leather jacket with with lapels, which she wore over a simple white top.

She matched her jacket to flared black jeans that reached to the ground, along with pointy black shoes.

The Her Smell actress accessorized with a scarlet drawstring bag and wore a thick gold necklace and classic black sunglasses framed by her long blond locks.

Her mother matched her with a black coat and a gray sweater, plus a brown handbag and jeans.

Back in black: Ashley looked stylish in a black leather jacket with matching jeans as she and her mother caught up. Her outing comes after she met up with her ex G-Eazy for lunch on December 26

Meanwhile, G-Eazy was elsewhere in Los Feliz as he picked up some supplies for his dog at a pet shop.

He was dressed ruggedly in a green down vest over a beige ribbed sweater, along with gray sweatpants, a green beanie and green-and-white Nike trainers.

After his trip to the pet store, the rapper (born Gerald Gillum) took out his Pit Bull Phoenix for a walk around the neighborhood.

TMZ reported in November that G-Eazy had adopted the dog after she had been listed as available by the Labelle Foundation for two months with no takers.

The musician later got in touch with the organization to adopt the dog. In a post announcing her adoption, the foundation wrote that Phoenix had been kicked and abused by a homeless man before she was rescued.

Getting the goods: G-Eazy (born Gerald Gillum) was spotted buying some essential items at a pet supply store in Los Feliz

Dog lover: Later, he shared a video of himself taking his rescue Pit Bull Phoenix out for a walk in the neighborhood

Ashley and her ex-boyfriend were previously seen on the day after Christmas as they had lunch outdoors.

The two appeared to be having an animated conversation, and Ashley could be seen beaming excitedly at times.

After their lunch, the two drove away together in G-Eazy's car.

Despite their breakup, the two were previously seen in his black Ferrari convertible while driving around in Pasadena, near Los Angeles.

The couple were first linked in May of 2020, but they had previously collaborated on recording a cover of Radiohead's classic single Creep in February of that year.

Although the two were reported to be getting serious about their relationship later in 2020, they split abruptly in February of 2021.

Flash in the pan: The former couple were linked in May 2020, but their romance fizzled out by February 2021

It has been a difficult couple months for G-Eazy, who shared in November that his mother Suzanne Olmsted had died following a long illness.

He wrote at the time that he was still in 'shock' as he remembered his 'queen' and 'hero.'

He wrote moving about how he had decided to check himself into a rehab program for drugs and alcohol, but he credited a letter she wrote him  'hardest letter Ive ever had to read'  with 'ultimately' persuading him to seek help.
This Is Us star Justin Hartley managed to shade his first two wives Lindsay Korman and Chrishell Stause while gushing over why he believed his third wife Sofia Pernas was 'the one.'

'It's incredible when you're not forcing things,' the 44-year-old Daytime Emmy nominee said in his Haute Living cover story.

'It doesn't have to be that hard. You just meet the right person and you just go, "Oh, this is amazing. It's just so wonderful!"'

'It's incredible when you're not forcing things': This Is Us star Justin Hartley (R, pictured November 18) managed to shade his first two wives Lindsay Korman and Chrishell Stause while gushing over why he believed his third wife Sofia Pernas (L) was 'the one'

Justin added: 'It's not a codependency; I'm just at peace with myself. I feel loved and I feel appreciated. I know she feels the same way. We just have a really great relationship and a really terrific family. It's healthy and it's wonderful.'

Hartley was dating the 40-year-old Selling Sunset star when he and the Moroccan-born, OC-raised 32-year-old co-starred in 35 episodes of CBS soap The Young and the Restless between 2015-2016.

'I wasn't available. Timing has a lot to do with that,' the Illinois native explained.

'I'm very lucky to not only have found "the one," but I found her when she was available and the timing was right.'

The 44-year-old Daytime Emmy nominee said in his Haute Living cover story: 'It doesn't have to be that hard. You just meet the right person and you just go, "Oh, this is amazing. It's just so wonderful!"'

Justin added: 'It's not a codependency; I'm just at peace with myself. I feel loved and I feel appreciated. I know she feels the same way. We just have a really great relationship and a really terrific family. It's healthy and it's wonderful' (pictured July 31)

'I wasn't available': Hartley was dating the 40-year-old Selling Sunset star when he and the Moroccan-born, OC-raised 32-year-old (R, pictured in 2015) co-starred in 35 episodes of CBS soap The Young and the Restless between 2015-2016

Justin was first publicly pictured kissing Sofia on May 29, 2020 - six months after 'blindsiding' Chrishell with divorce papers to end their two-year marriage.

'When I re-met her, I just knew,' Hartley said of his 'life partner'. 'We got married in March, and we are so happy!'

Last month, Stause revealed on her Netflix hit show: 'Justin is remarried to someone I know from back in the day, pretty well, and a lot of things made sense after finding that out.'

The two-time SAG Award winner said Pernas makes him 'want to be a better man' quoting Jack Nicholson's line from James L. Brooks' 1997 dramedy As Good As It Gets.

Ex-wife #2: The Illinois native was first publicly pictured kissing Sofia on May 29, 2020 - six months after 'blindsiding' Chrishell (R, pictured November 14, 2019) with divorce papers to end their two-year marriage

Justin said of his 'life partner' (L, pictured June 18): 'When I re-met her, I just knew...We got married in March, and we are so happy!'

Last month, Stause revealed on her Netflix hit show: 'Justin is remarried to someone I know from back in the day, pretty well, and a lot of things made sense after finding that out'

'I want to rise to the occasion because she's so great. She does make me want to be a better person, and [this kind of love] certainly does complete me,' Justin noted.

'Everything is easier with her in my life. I also feel like I'm better at stuff. I learn from her. She speaks five languages. She's brilliant, she's incredible, she's fun to look at. Everything about her is amazing - she's just hilarious.'

Hartley's first marriage was to his Passions castmate Lindsay Korman for eight years ending in 2012, and they share 17-year-old daughter Isabella Justice.

'My daughter is doing great in high school - she's off to college soon, which is sad, but it's also very exciting,' the self-described clean freak said.

'She certainly does complete me': Hartley said Pernas makes him 'want to be a better man' quoting Jack Nicholson's line from James L. Brooks' 1997 dramedy As Good As It Gets

'She's off to college soon!' The two-time SAG Award winner's first marriage was to his Passions castmate Lindsay Korman (L, pictured April 17) for eight years ending in 2012, and they share 17-year-old daughter Isabella Justice (R)

Justin will next conclude his role as Kevin Pearson in the 18-episode sixth (and final) season of This Is Us, which premieres January 4 on NBC.

'If I had to give a percentage, I'd say we're 50% alike,' Hartley estimated.

'It would depend on what script I just read. There are times where he makes decisions and goes about life in a way that I'm like, "I would never do any of these things." And there are other times where I'm like, "That's exactly what I would do."

'And there are still other times where he does things where I'm like, "I've never done that, but I think I'm going to start doing that because it's a really good way to go about things." I do learn from him, in a weird way. I know that Kevin doesn't really exist, but much like reading from a book, I have learned a lot from playing him.'

'The Challenger': Justin will next conclude his role as Kevin Pearson in the 18-episode sixth (and final) season of This Is Us, which premieres January 4 on NBC
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce unleashed on Johnny Depp live on Sunrise on Wednesday - forcing the hosts to cut him off in case his tirade compromised the Hollywood actor's ongoing legal case in the U.S.

The National Party leader, 54, called the Pirates of the Caribbean star, 58, a 'deads**t' - an Australian slang term for a contemptible person - after being asked about Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard naming her new dog after him.

Heard had announced on Twitter earlier that day that she'd named her dog Barnaby Joyce in reference to the 2015 incident when she and then-husband Depp illegally brought their dogs into Australia and Joyce threatened to have the animals killed.

Baring his teeth: Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce (right) unleashed on Johnny Depp live on Sunrise on Wednesday - forcing hosts Edwina Bartholomew and Matt Shirvington to cut him off in case his tirade compromised the Hollywood actor's ongoing legal case in the U.S.

'I can't work it out. I'd forgotten about her,' Joyce said in response to Heard's choice of dog name. 'She was out of my mind, but I'm in her mind.'

'I'm in there like a bee, I'm just buzzing around her brain,' he added, before admitting he was 'flattered' the actress had used his name for her new pooch.

Heard avoided a conviction for dog smuggling in 2016 but was issued a $1,000 fine.

Response: The National Party leader, 54, called the Pirates of the Caribbean star, 58, a 'deads**t' - an Australian slang term for a contemptible person - after being asked about Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard naming her new dog after him. Depp is pictured in October 2019

Hilarious: Heard had announced on Twitter earlier that day that she'd named her dog Barnaby Joyce in reference to the 2015 incident when she and then-husband Depp illegally brought their dogs into Australia and Joyce threatened to have the animals killed

Depp and Heard were then ordered to issue a public apology on camera for border security, which Sunrise hosts Edwina Bartholomew and Matt Shirvington brought up during their interview with Joyce.

'They look like two terrorists in a basement in Lebanon. They're crazy guys,' Joyce said of the now-infamous video.

The politician then went on the attack against Depp, who has been accused of verbal and physical abuse by Heard - claims he strongly denies and is fighting in court.

'I got Johnny right. You know, she was all "Johnny is lovely, Johnny is lovely". Johnny is a deads**t,' Joyce said.

'They look like two terrorists in a basement in Lebanon': Heard avoided a conviction for dog smuggling in 2016 but was issued a $1,000 fine. Depp and Heard were then ordered to issue a public apology on camera for border security (the video is seen above)

Bartholomew, Shirvington and co-hosts Natarsha Belling and Mark Beretta looked shocked by the comment then quickly wrapped up the interview.

'Well, the jury is still debating that one as well at the moment,' Shirvington said, in reference to the ongoing $50million defamation lawsuit filed by Depp against Heard.

Bartholomew added: 'Quite literally the jury is still debating that, so we'll leave that one there.'

Depp is suing his ex-wife through a court in Virginia over an op-ed article she wrote for the Washington Post in 2018 where she described how she was a victim of domestic violence.

She never referred to Depp by name but he believes that it was obvious Heard was referring to him as the abuser. Depp has denied any abuse towards her.

Dog drama: While they were still married in April 2015, Depp and Heard flew their dogs Pistol and Boo into Australia, where he was filming Pirates of the Caribbean. The transportation of their dogs violated bio-security laws as the couple had failed to declare and quarantine them

While they were still married in April 2015, Depp and Heard flew their dogs Pistol and Boo into Australia, where the actor was filming Pirates of the Caribbean.

The transportation of their Yorkshire Terriers violated Australia's bio-security laws as the couple had failed to declare and quarantine them.

Authorities only became aware of the presence of Pistol and Boo when their visit to a Gold Coast dog-grooming salon was made public on Facebook.

At the time, a fired-up Mr Joyce insisted that the dogs would be put down if they were not sent home to the U.S. immediately.

Sprung: Authorities only became aware of the presence of Pistol and Boo when their visit to a Gold Coast dog-grooming salon was made public on Facebook

'If we start letting movie stars - even though they've been the sexiest man alive twice - to come into our nation [and break the laws], then why don't we just break the laws for everybody,' he said during an infamous press conference.

'It's time that Pistol and Boo buggered off back to the United States.'

Depp promptly sent his dogs home and a year later insulted Joyce - whom he called 'Barnaby Jones' - by telling talk show host Jimmy Kimmel: 'He looks somehow, like, inbred with a tomato.'

'It's not a criticism. I was a little worried. He might explode,' he added.

Insults: Depp promptly sent his dogs home and a year later insulted Joyce - whom he called 'Barnaby Jones' - by telling Jimmy Kimmel: 'He looks somehow, like, inbred with a tomato'

Mr Joyce hit back: 'I think I'm turning into Johnny Depp's Hannibal Lecter.

'I'm inside his head, I'm pulling little strings and pulling little levers. Long after I've forgotten about Mr Depp, he's remembering me.'

Heard was charged with breaching Australian customs laws, but those charges were dropped after she and Depp issued a bizarre video apology.

She later filed for divorce from Depp and the pair became locked in a nasty court battle that played out this year.
The Bachelor's Jacinta 'Jay' Lal has become the fifth reality star to test positive for Covid-19 after she attended a potential super-spreader event in Sydney earlier this month.

The 31-year-old nutritionist revealed on Wednesday she decided to get tested after attending Believe Advertising's 20th birthday party at The Flamingo Lounge in Potts Point on December 17.

Four other guests have since tested positive for Covid, including stars from The Bachelorette and Married At First Sight.

Ms Lal explained that while she was still yet to receive her PCR test results, she had returned two positive rapid-antigen test readings.

The Bachelor's Jacinta 'Jay' Lal, 31, has become the fifth reality star to test positive for Covid-19 after she attended a potential super-spreader event in Sydney earlier this month

'I did two rapid tests because it got a bit of a cough now. Um, and they came back positive for Covid,' she said in a video on Instagram.

'I'm isolating at the moment and I think it's safe to say I will not be going to the Gold Coast,' she added in reference to her botched holiday plans.

'So instead of dancing on a super yacht with my best friends, I'll be hanging out on my couch.'

Ms Lal explained that while she was still yet to receive her PCR test results, she had returned two positive rapid-antigen test readings (shown here)

Social media photos from the event show Ms Lal cosying up to Bachelorette star Beau Tauwhara, who also tested positive after attending.

The 34-year-old photographer revealed on Wednesday he'd just finished self-isolating and was ready to celebrate New Year's Eve.

The party was also attended by Married At First Sight stars Gabrielle Bartlett and Melissa Lucarelli, and Big Brother's Tilly Whitfeld, all of whom have tested positive.

Ms Lal (far left) tested positive after attending the event with fellow franchise stars (L-R) Elena Wee, Steve Pliatsikas and Ryan Carmichael and Beau Tauwhara (right). Tauwhara later tested positive but has since received his medical clearance

Fears: Dozens of reality stars are now rushing to get tested amid fears the gathering will soon be identified by health authorities as an Omicron hotspot. Mellissa Lucarelli is pictured here with Big Brother stars Mary Kalifatidis and Tilly Whitfeld

Lucarelli, 41, announced she was Covid positive on Instagram on Tuesday after days of feeling like she 'wasn't human' and was 'unable to function'.

Dozens of reality stars are now rushing to get tested amid fears the gathering will soon be identified by health authorities as an Omicron hotspot.

It comes after fellow MAFS alum Bartlett told fans she had been 'really unwell' for five days after testing positive, having also attended the Believe Advertising party.

It comes after MAFS alum Gabrielle Bartlett told fans she had been 'really unwell' for five days after testing positive, having also attended the party. Pictured with her ex Nasser Sultan

Bartlett spent time at the event with Big Brother star Tilly Whitfeld - who has also since tested positive - and Mary Kalifatidis, the mother of former MAFS bride Martha Kalifatidis.



The marriage celebrant, 47, said on Instagram she'd lost her sense of taste and smell.

'Each night I went to bed with a fresh spray of perfume on my wrist and would periodically smell it throughout the night to see. It went from dull to cone to dull then back,' she wrote.

'I woke up with a horrendous headache, sore throat, fever and vomiting. It then morphed into heart pains.

The marriage celebrant, 47, said on Instagram she'd lost her sense of taste and smell

Bartlett spent time at the event with Big Brother's Tilly Whitfeld (left), who has also since tested positive, and Mary Kalifatidis (centre), the mother of former MAFS bride Martha Kalifatidis

'Actual pains in my heart but also nausea, fatigue and around we went again with one symptom switching off and another switching on. One word: Eww.'

The Flamingo Lounge required all patrons to be fully vaccinated and register their visit using the Service NSW app.

The Department of Health is yet to determine if the venue is considered 'high-risk' and issue an alert for attendees.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to all parties for comment.
Kris Jenner took to social media to thank fans for their support this past week.

The 66-year-old mogul's rendition of Jingle Bells landed at number five on Spotify's top debut songs list for North America.

Kim Kardashian, her sister Kourtney, and fiance Travis Barker each took to their own social accounts to support the 'mom-ager.'

Grateful: Kris Jenner took to social media to thank fans for their support this past week

On both Twitter and Instagram Jenner said, 'Happy Holidays everybody!! Thank you so much for all the love and support for my Jingle Bells!'

The sentiment was shared alongside a photo of the streaming platform's roundup of top music for December 24-26.

The matriarch gave a special shoutout to her firstborn and her future son-in-law.

'Thank you to @travisbarker and @kourtneykardash for the amazing song!!' she said before adding, 'This was so much fun!! Love you guys!'

Holiday fun: The 66-year-old mogul's rendition of Jingle Bells landed at number five on Spotify's top debut songs list for North America

Proud daughter: Kourtney took to Instagram Stories to repost the piece of content, as she drew purple lines around her mom's tune and tagged her fiance and mother

The list of top 10 songs was shared via the official Spotify Charts Instagram account.

Kourtney, 42, took to Instagram Stories to repost the piece of content, as she drew purple lines around her mom's tune and tagged her fiance and mother.

Travis, 46, reposted the chart as well. He wrote, 'Let's gooooo @kourtneykardash @krisjenner.'

He also thanked some of the track's collaborators, making sure to tag them at the bottom of the screen.

Kris' second-born Kim, 41, supported her mom via Twitter, reposting the chart and commenting: 'Wow @krisjenner being in the top 5 songs in the US was not on my bingo card for 2021!!! BUT Im living for it and its soooo [fire emojis].'

Excited: Travis reposted the chart as well. He wrote, 'Let's gooooo @kourtneykardash @krisjenner'

Jenner originally shared her cover of the Christmastime classic last Thursday night.

She showed off her singing skills while Travis backed her on the drums and Kourtney handled the bells.

The single artwork featured a throwback Christmas photo of Kris posing in front of a wall of stockings while looking fabulous in a red sequin dress.

Jenner's Jingle Bells is available for download on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube Music, and Tidal.
Chandler Powell shared a bonding moment with his nine-month-old daughter Grace Warrior on Wednesday.

The wakeboarder-turned-conservationist, 25, posted a photo to Instagram of himself crouching down next to Grace's pram with rosellas perched on his back and head.

'Birds of a feather,' he captioned the sweet photo, revealing his brother-in-law Robert Irwin had captured the memorable moment.

Doting dad: Chandler Powell shared a bonding moment with his nine-month-old daughter Grace Warrior on Wednesday as they found themselves surrounded by a flock of rosellas

Chandler and wife Bindi Irwin announced their daughter's birth on March 26, just a day after she was born on their first wedding anniversary.

The first-time parents were overjoyed to celebrate Grace's first Christmas this year, sharing an adorable photo of her sitting in front of a festive tree.

The beaming baby was dressed in a red dress with the words 'My First Christmas' embroidered across the front in gold font.

Little family: Chandler and wife Bindi Irwin announced their daughter's birth on March 26, just a day after she was born on their first wedding anniversary

'Celebrating nine months with this cutie on Christmas Day. There is so much happening in Grace Warrior's life,' they captioned the post.

They then listed off all of her accomplishments so far: 'Crawling, two teeth, getting herself from laying to sitting, waving, high fives, clapping...'

Bindi, 23, and Chandler also said their little girl was 'eating solids like a champion' and 'loves saying "Dada"'.

Plenty to celebrate: The first-time parents were overjoyed to celebrate Grace's first Christmas this year, sharing an adorable photo of her sitting in front of a festive tree

'Best friends are Fergo the cassowary chick and Igloo the tortoise. Also discovered that playing with wrapping paper is her favourite!' they added.

In an interview with ET in June, Robert, 18, spoke about seeing his sister become a mother, describing it as 'just amazing'.

'She's just the most kind, genuine person that you'll ever meet, and now to see her as a mum, it's just amazing. She is such a good mum,' he said.
Heather Rae Young and her new husband Tarek El Moussa are preparing to start a family.

The Selling Sunset star, 34, revealed she may begin freezing her eggs next week as she posted video from her doctor's office.

'I just did my ultrasound and she's checking to see how many follicles I have,' she told fans in a video posted to her TikTok account on Tuesday.

'Get me ready for the egg-freezing': Heather Rae Young and her new husband Tarek El Moussa are preparing to start a family

'I have six on one side and then on the other side I have a cyst, which is fine they just monitor it, but she could not find any follicles on that side so if we decide to move forward we will start the process next week to get me ready for the egg-freezing in January,' the masked-up reality star continued.

'Last time I did this, I got six healthy eggs, so I have six on ice right now.

'Now I'm going to do my blood to see where my egg count is and progesterone and just see where my levels are at.

'So that is up next, and once we get that information we'll find out how many eggs I have since in the past I had low fertility and low egg count.'

Beginning the process: 'I just did my ultrasound and she's checking to see how many follicles I have,' she told fans in a video posted to her TikTok account on Tuesday

'Hope this can help some of you ladies': Young wrote in the caption of the post

'Going to be sharing my fertility process on ig, hope this can help some of you ladies #fertility #fertilityjourney,' Heather captioned the post.

Heather and Tarek said 'I do' in October at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, and then traveled to the Maldives and Dubai for a lavish honeymoon.

In November, the couple revealed their plans to start a family together.

'We're going to freeze embryos first, go from there and then see what happens,' Heather said during an appearance on E! News Daily Pop.

Step by step: 'Now I'm going to do my blood to see where my egg count is and progesterone and just see where my levels are at,' she said

Man and wife! The Selling Sunset star tied the knot with Tarek El Moussa in October

While talking about their honeymoon, host Justin Sylvester said, 'There's nothing to do in the Maldives except drink'

'Make a baby?' Heather interjected.

Tarek then went on to say that newlyweds were 'having talks about having babies' and were 'practicing having babies.'

The Flip Or Flop star already has daughter Taylor, 11, and son Brayden, six, with ex-wife Christina Haack, 38.

Heather said, 'I'm more open to it because our life is already crazy.

'We're raising two kids. I'm already a mommy. So I'm like, well, why not have just one more?'

'Whatever she wants,' Tarek said. 'Happy wife, happy life!'
Miranda Tapsell and her husband James Colley welcomed their first child together, a girl named Grace, earlier this month.

And while the new parents are still in the baby bubble, the 34-year-old actress hasn't forgotten to celebrate her wedding anniversary.

Posting to Instagram on Tuesday, Miranda paid tribute to her spouse by sharing a sweet throwback photo from their nuptials.

Three years of bliss! Miranda Tapsell celebrated her three-year wedding anniversary with husband James Colley on Tuesday, after the couple welcomed their first child together

'Three golden years with this wonderful man,' she wrote in her caption.

The couple's anniversary comes only a week after Miranda announced her baby daughter's arrival.

'Christmas has come early for us as we welcome our Grace Birri-Pa Purnarrika Colley,' the Love Child star wrote on Instagram.

Baby joy! The couple's anniversary comes only a week after Miranda announced her baby daughter's arrival

'Birri-Pa is Larrakia for Butterfly, Purnarrika is Tiwi for Water Lily.

'Grace has entered the world adored by her mum and dad, as well as all her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and so many more.

'We are extremely grateful, overjoyed and so, so tired.'

How sweet! Miranda shared the announcement alongside a gorgeous picture of the newborn

Miracle: 'Grace has entered the world adored by her mum and dad, as well as all her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and so many more,' she wrote in the caption

Miranda shared the announcement alongside a picture of the newborn, who wore a cute reindeer outfit and gazed up at the camera.

The Sapphires star had announced her pregnancy in May.

'Our very exciting production due 2021,' she wrote on Instagram alongside a sonogram photo.

Overjoyed: The Sapphires star had announced her pregnancy in May

'Our very exciting production due 2021,' she wrote on Instagram alongside a sonogram photo

A few months ago, Miranda told The Daily Telegraph things were finally starting to 'sink in' ahead of her child's birth.

'I look down at my growing belly and think, "Oh wow, this is actually happening." It just feels right for us now. It's all falling into place  it's really lovely,' she said.

'Weve wanted a baby for some time now... Im really lucky that I found a loving partner like James, who I know is going to be a really great dad.'

Miranda and writer James met after several exchanges on Twitter.

Biggest role yet! 'I look down at my growing belly and think, "Oh wow, this is actually happening." It just feels right for us now. It's all falling into place  it's really lovely,' she said

The couple sparked up a romance via private messages, with Miranda admitting: 'There are so many things I take into consideration before I meet up with someone.

'Do our political views align? What kind of baggage does he have and is it something I can shoulder? Does he want a long-term relationship?'

After months of swapping DMs, they met for the first time in Melbourne when Sydney-based Miranda was booked on an acting job there and had some free time.

'My heart nearly burst out of my chest. I thought he was gorgeous, I was so nervous but I kept it together,' she later said.

Miranda and James tied the knot at Panorama House in Wollongong in late 2018.
Natalie Portman has joined the chorus of actors and filmmakers paying tribute to late director Jean-Marc Vallee on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old actress shared a photo of the filmmaker on her Instagram story along with a heartfelt message, revealing she was working with him on a project.

The filmmaker suddenly passed away at his cabin outside Quebec City, Quebec Canada at 58 years of age from a heart attack on Christmas Day.

Tribute: cNatalie Portman has joined the chorus of actors and filmmakers paying tribute to late director Jean-Marc Vallee on Tuesday

'Devastating to lose this great man,' Portman began in her heartfelt tribute on her Instagram story Tuesday afternoon.

'I've been lucky enough to work with him as a producer these past months, and was constantly moved by his kindness, thoughtfulness and soul,' she continued.

'A rare human. A massive loss. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones,' Portman concluded.

Loss: 'Devastating to lose this great man,' Portman began in her heartfelt tribute on her Instagram story Tuesday afternoon

The project Portman was working on with Vallee is a TV series entitled Lady In the Lake, which Portman was starring in and Vallee was producing for Apple TV Plus, which gave it a straight-to-series order in March.

Portman was attached to star in and executive produce alongside Vallee through his Crazyrose production company.

The story follows Maddie Schwartz (Portman), a housewife and mother in 1960s Baltimore, who reinvents herself as a journalist due to an unsolved murder.

Project: The project Portman was working on with Vallee is a TV series entitled Lady In the Lake, which Portman was starring in and Vallee was producing for Apple TV Plus, which gave it a straight-to-series order in March

Producer: Portman was attached to star in and executive produce alongside Vallee through his Crazyrose production company

She ends up clashing with Cleo Sherwood (Nyong'o), described as, 'a hard-working woman juggling motherhood, many jobs and a passionate commitment to advancing Baltimores Black progressive agenda.'

The show is the first major TV role for Portman, who started her career as a child actress in movies such as Leon: The Professional and Heat in the early 1990s.

Alma Harel (Honey Boy) co-created the series with Dre Ryan (The Man in the High Castle), with Har'el also set to direct the series.

TV role: The show is the first major TV role for Portman, who started her career as a child actress in movies such as Leon: The Professional and Heat in the early 1990s

Portman returns to the big screen next year in Marvel's highly-anticipated sequel Thor: Love and Thunder as Jane Foster, in theaters July 8.

She is also attached to star in director Todd Haynes' new film May December, starring alongside Julianne Moore.

The actress will also voice Ronnie in the upcoming animated movie Foxy Trotter.
Julia Morris has revealed she was once so broke she didn't eat for three days, only having a burger from McDonald's.

The comedian appeared on Will and Woody's podcast on Wednesday where she revealed she struggled financially in her early days.

Julia, who went on to become a successful comedian, was in London when a female pal invited her to Paris for a three-day trip.

Broke: Julia Morris, 53, (pictured) has revealed she 'was broke so didn't eat for three days' after agreeing to go on a mini-trip to Paris in her early days of comedy while living in London

On the budget trip, the star accidentally landed at the wrong airport which saw her have to spend money to get into Paris.

'My friend wanted stuff to do. She was like, ''Let's go up the Eiffel Tower'' but I literally had enough money to only get McDonald's,' she said.

The star said she pretended for three days she had a really bad tummy and didn't eat with her too embarrassed to say she didn't have any money.

Oh no! 'My friend wanted stuff to do. She was like, ''Let's go up the Eiffel Tower'' but I literally had enough money to only get McDonald's,' she said

'I ate nothing for three days except when she would go to bed after walking around Paris I would then [go] out to the McDonald's,' she said.

'I would eat it and shove it down and supposedly wake-up the next morning not feeling well [so I could skip breakfast].'

Julia said she had trouble getting back to the regional station to get home with her flagging down the police to get her to the airport.

Stories: 'I ate nothing for three days except when she would go to bed after walking around Paris I would then [go] out to the McDonald's,' she said.

'I make it just in time for the flight which drops me in Stansted Airport, which is still 90 minutes outside of London.'

Julia said she was forced to 'beg' outside the tube station where people recognised who she was when she was asking for money.

'It was so hardcore there were a lot of tears along the way,' she said.

Hope it's good! The forthcoming series has teased a beauty queen, reality star and comedian will be among those joining the line-up

Julia will return to screens in the New Year to host I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here Australia alongside Chris Brown

The forthcoming series has teased a beauty queen, reality star and comedian will be among those joining the line-up.

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here premieres January 3 on Channel 10
Golnesa 'GG' Gharachedaghi told Lala Kent to 'stop complaining' about her ex-fiance Randall Emmett on Tuesday in the comments section of an Instagram post.

The 40-year-old Shahs Of Sunset star chimed in on a Page Six video post on social media in which Lala, 31, detailed the 'red flags' in her relationship with Randall, 50.

'If someone (Randall) is being their authentic-self and it's all being referred to as "red flags", why does the person (Lala) wait until they've experienced so many of these "red flags" before they walk away? Just saying...,' GG posted in response to the video.

Stop complaining: Golnesa 'GG' Gharachedaghi, shown in February 2020 in New York City, told Lala Kent to 'stop complaining' about her ex-fiance Randall Emmett on Tuesday in the comments section of an Instagram post

'Walk away and stop complaining unless you're ready to take accountability for choosing to stay after the first "red flag" because all of this press/media sh*t ain't cute when it's about the father of your child,' she added.

GG later posted a group photo that included her and Lala on Instagram from Tuesday's episode of Vanderpump Rules, which focused on Lala's summer party for her Give Them Lala Beauty brand.

'When the Shahs come out to play with the Pumps. Congrats @lalakent you're doing a great job! But why did you unfollow me,' GG wrote in the caption for her nearly 900,000 followers.

Lala and Randall have nine-month-old daughter Ocean together.

Social media: The 40-year-old Shahs Of Sunset star chimed in on a Page Six video post on social media in which Lala, 31, detailed the 'red flags' in her relationship with Randall, 50

Group photo: GG later posted a group photo that included her and Lala on Instagram from Tuesday's episode of Vanderpump Rules, which focused on Lala's summer party for her Give Them Lala Beauty brand

They split in October amid accusations that he cheated on her during a trip to Nashville.

Lala in the Page Six video on Instagram blasted Randall for 'never' being around and constantly traveling.

She claimed that Randall said he was traveling to make movies, but went to locations where he wasn't making films.

Teaming up: Lala was shown in Tuesday's episode of Vanderpump Rules with GG

Reality stars: GG and fellow Shahs Of Sunset star Reza Farahan were at the party in support of Lala and her Give Them Lala Beauty brand

'The phone would never leave his hand. I mean whether he was in the bathroom, getting a massage, the phone was in his hand. If I got near the phone it was like he was in sheer panic and those all should have been red flags,' Lala said.

Lala in a podcast interview earlier this month also called Randall the 'worst thing to ever happen' to her.

In a talk with Amanda Hirsch on Dear Media's Not Skinny, Not Fat podcast, Lala shared a wide range of feelings toward Randall after years of being his staunchest supporter.

Former couple: Lala, shown in July with Randall in Los Angeles, blasted him in the Page Six video on Instagram for 'never' being around and constantly traveling

'I have to understand how the worst thing to ever happen or come into my life, how did they give me the best thing to ever happen in my life?,' she said, referring her baby Ocean. 'It is such a mind f***.'

The Utah native also recently revealed that her six-carat diamond ring from Randall was a fake and had been heavily treated to change the color of the stone.

Randall proposed to Lala during a romantic trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in September 2018 when they celebrated her 28th birthday.

He was previously married to actress Ambyr Childers, 33, from 2009 to 2017 and they have two daughters together.
Model Adut Akech is living it up in Mexico after celebrating her 22nd birthday this week.

And on Tuesday, the rest and relaxation continued for the Australian-raised stunner as she headed out to a beach in Tulum with her pals.

The 22-year-old was spotted with her friends walking along the sand of a resort in the idyllic coastal town.

Stylish: Australian model Adut Akech wore an oversized white top over her bikini as she headed to the beach with friends in Mexico on Tuesday

She wore a white oversized button-up shirt over her bikini and carried a large bottle of water in her arm and a small handbag.

Her top drew attention to her long and lithe legs as she sauntered across the sand.

The South Sudanese-born stunner accessorised her look with a pair of designer sunglasses and a $795 Prada bucket hat.

Adut and her pals appeared to enjoy an animated conversation with each other as they made their way to their spot on the sand.

Ready to soak up the sun: The 22-year-old's oversized top drew attention to her long and lithe legs as she sauntered across the sand alongside her pals. Pictured left is Adut, with her pals on the right

Adut's day at the beach comes after she shared a post on Monday thanking her friends and fans for all their birthday messages, revealing she'd been moved to tears.

'Thank you so much to everyone who took time to wish me a happy birthday, I appreciate every single message I got,' she wrote.

'Yesterday was blissful and so special. I ugly cried tears of joy, I laughed and got a reminder that I am so loved by many.

Chit chat: The South Sudanese-born stunner and her pals appeared to enjoy an animated conversation with each other as they made their way to their spot on the sand

'I spend [sic] it with some incredible people. Big shout to my baby @nyaguaa for making sure I had the best time, love you.'

In a separate post on Instagram on Sunday, Adut admitted that 21 had been a 'challenging' year, but said she had high hopes for 22.

'HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! Chapter 22. I woke up to the most amazing surprise and a heart filled with some much gratitude,' she wrote.

Special celebration: Adut's day at the beach comes after she shared a post on Monday thanking her friends and fans for all their birthday messages, revealing she'd been moved to tears

'I am so beyond blessed with the most incredible army of people in my life who will go to war and fight any battle for and with me.

'I LOVE my family and friends with all my heart and you guys are my reasoning and strength to keep going everyday.

'I'm so grateful for everyone and everything I have in this life. THANK YOU GOD!!'
She's currently busy shooting her latest movie Ticket to Paradise on the Gold Coast.

And Julia Roberts saved her energy on Wednesday, opting to get a ride across the set of the comedy rather than walking.

The 54-year-old hopped into the sidecar of a crew member's scooter to get around the location in the suburb of Jacob's Well.

Conserving her strength: Julia Roberts saved her energy on Wednesday, opting to get a ride across the set of the comedy rather than walking

The Erin Brockovich star looked elegant in a lilac blouse and matching pants as she hitched a ride.

The Academy Award winning actress shielded her famous visage from the Queensland sun with a wide-brimmed hat.

Later, she climbed into a waiting mini bus.

Hitching a ride: The 54-year-old hopped into the sidecar of a crew member's scooter to get around the location in the suburb of Jacob's Well

Biker chic! The Erin Brockovich star looked elegant in a lilac blouse and matching pants as she hitched a ride

Julia was later spotted leaving the set, much to the delight of her fans who spotted a glimpse of the A-lister as she headed home.

The actress - who was flanked by security - left filming as they wrapped for the day.

One elated fan waved her hands in the air after seeing Julia on the set, while another looked emotional as she hung around with friends.

Home time: Julia was later spotted leaving the set, much to the delight of her fans who spotted a glimpse of the A-lister as she headed home

Delighted: One elated fan waved her hands in the air after seeing Julia on the set

Overwhelmed: Another looked emotional as she hung around with friends

Excited: The fans appeared delighted to have caught Julia as she left set

Filming on the project commenced last month on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, before moving to The Whitsundays shortly afterwards.

It was revealed back in March that Julia and co-star George Clooney were heading to Australia to film the hotly anticipated project.

The film received a $6.4million grant from the federal government's Location Incentive Program.

George, 60, and Julia play a divorced couple who travel to Bali in a desperate bid to stop their daughter, played by Kaitlyn Dever, from getting married.

Sun smart: The Academy Award winning actress shielded her famous visage from the Queensland sun with a wide-brimmed hat

The movie also stars Billie Lourd as Dever's best friend, who travels with her to Bali, where she decides to marry a local.

The two-month project will be filmed entirely in Queensland, with the picturesque Whitsundays doubling for Bali.

The production is expected to generate $47million for the Australian economy and create more than 270 jobs.
She discovered her positive Covid result during a car trip to Queensland with fiance Matty 'J' Johnson and their two daughters just before Christmas.

And now The Bachelor's Laura Byrne has called out 'very confusing' information from NSW Health about when she's allowed to leave her at-home isolation.

The reality TV star, 37, seemed perplexed that she could leave isolation even though members of her own family still had Covid symptoms.

Mixed messages: The Bachelor's Laura Byrne (pictured) has called out 'very confusing' information from NSW Health about when she's allowed to leave her at-home isolation

Laura said she was on 'Day 10' of her isolation and had been 'symptom free' for two days.

She had also been told directly by health authorities she could leave her home.

'Even though I live with people who still have it... I'm still able to go out as of the tenth day,' explained the mother-of-two.

Puzzling: The reality TV star, 37, seemed perplexed that she could leave isolation even though members of her own family still had Covid symptoms

Byrne then asked any of her followers working with NSW Health to 'please call' her if she had been 'given misinformation'.

'But if you don't call me, I'm free! I'm going to go off the phone call I had, so yeah.'

Matty, 34, meanwhile still had several days to go until his release.

A family affair: Matty, 34, (pictured with the couple's two daughters) meanwhile still had several days to go until his release

According to the NSW Health website, those deemed positive Covid-19 cases 'can leave self-isolation when you are "medically cleared".'

'If you are self-managing you are able to leave self-isolation 10 days after your positive test, as long as you have had no symptoms for 72 hours  you will receive a SMS with this information,' the site added.

'If you are under the care of a clinical team, your team will tell you when you will be released from isolation.'

On Monday, Matty revealed his symptoms in a video shared to his Instagram as his family continue their isolation at home.

Diagnosis: Matty previously revealed his Covid symptoms while isolating at home with fiancee and their children

'My symptoms for Covid were...started off with a bit of a sore throat, bit of a blocked nose, and then just a bit of a head cold,' he told his followers in the clip.

'In the mornings, I'd have aches and pains...come good by the middle of the day, and by night time, I'd feel super exhausted.'

Matt explained that 'day five,' which was Christmas Day, was the 'worst day' for him as he was 'horizontal' by the end of the night and completely fatigued.

'Now I feel I've turned a corner,' the former reality TV star said on a lighter note.

Analysis: The former reality TV star listed his symptoms throughout the day, saying, 'In the mornings, I'd have aches and pains...come good by the middle of the day, and by night time, I'd feel super exhausted'

'I still have a bit of a blocked nose, bit congested, but overall I feel much, much better.'

Matt then pointed out that the main difference between his symptoms and his fiancee Laura Byrne's symptoms was that she has lost her sense of smell and he hadn't.

He also revealed that the 'biggest mystery' for them was that their 10-month-old daughter Lola doesn't have the virus and appears 'immune' to Covid, while their eldest daughter Marlie, two, had the virus.

Differences: Matt pointed out that the main difference between his symptoms and his fiancee Laura Byrne's (pictured) symptoms was that she has lost her sense of smell and he hadn't

Laura explained in a post on Christmas Eve that she discovered her positive Covid result during a car trip to Queensland with Matty and their two daughters.

Laura had driven the car six hours north from Sydney to see Matty's family for Christmas before finding out about her diagnosis, and was subsequently forced to turn the car around and head home.

'Guess who drove six hours in a car with two kids, a dog and Cocomelon on repeat only to find out that they have Covid...and then had to drive another six hours home?!!' the podcaster asked her followers on Instagram.

Boo! Just before Christmas, Laura explained she found out she tested positive during a car trip to Queensland with Matty and their two daughters

'WE DID!!!' she answered in a follow-up post with an unimpressed Matty J standing next to her. 'Merry Christmas to everyone, except Omicron you piece of s**t.'

The couple revealed that Laura was 'feeling fine' at the time of her diagnosis.

The Bachelor star added that she lost her sense of taste and smell on Friday and has to self-isolate with Matt for the next 10 days.
She is ending the year on a high.

And Gemma Collins, 40, has reportedly signed a 200,000 deal with social media platform, Tik Tok to collaborate on an undisclosed project.

The reality star who boasts 75,000 followers on the platform is said to have made enough cash to 'wrap her Christmas presents in 50 notes' this year.

Venture: Gemma Collins, 40, has reportedly signed a 200,000 deal with social media platform, Tik Tok to collaborate on an undisclosed project

Gemma, has previously held endorsement deals with beauty brands as well as becoming the brand ambassador for airline, Wizz Air, last year.

A source told The Sun: 'Gemma earned enough cash to wrap her Christmas presents with fifty pound notes this year.

'She knows how to hustle and works hard for her cash  and bagging over 200,000 for teaming up with TikTok was a nice way to round off the year.'

Wow! A source said: 'She knows how to hustle and works hard for her cash  and bagging over 200,000 for teaming up with TikTok was a nice way to round off the year'

The insider promised that Gemma has vowed to work even harder over the next year.

'After working her socks off over the past 12 months, Gemma has put her feet up over Christmas but come the New Year shell be back out there. In 2022 Gemma has vowed to work even harder  fans have much to look forward to.'

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Gemma posed in a dramatic sheer red dress with a flowing train and cape as she got ready to ring in the New Year.

Exciting! The insider promised that Gemma has vowed to work even harder over the next year as Gemma penned: 'Im ready for NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS ALREADY'

The former TOWIE star penned: Im ready for NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS ALREADY. Cant wait to have a brandy' followed by celebratory emojis.

MailOnline has reached out to Gemma's representatives for comment.

This comes after Gemma made an appearance on the Celebrity MasterChef Christmas special last week.

The reality TV star caused Gregg Wallace to shriek in alarm after he bit into her Sticky Figgy Pudding, in an hilarious blunder.

Gemma accidentally swapped cranberries for chillies in her dessert after admitting: 'I cant bear recipes. I like to be a free spirited cook.'

Hilarious: This comes as Gemma caused Gregg Wallace to shriek in alarm after he bit into her Sticky Figgy Pudding during the Celebrity MasterChef Christmas special last week

As the TV chef broke open her masterpiece during the judging stage, it wasn't long before he suspiciously asked: 'Have you put chillies on here as well?'

An adamant Gemma replied: 'No, they're cranberries.'

Gregg soon roared: 'Woah! That's a chilli,' before The GC covered her mouth as she burst into laughter: 'Maybe the brandy had got to me!'

Following the encounter, she said to the camera: 'Being in the MasterChef kitchen now, I'm a lot more confident. The mixer, the sticks kept falling off.

'This time, I'm just like, "It's Christmas huns, let's not stress. Sprinkle the glitter, what could go wrong?'
He's the ex-footy star who has gone on to establish a successful TV career after life on the field.

And on Wednesday, Beau Ryan enjoyed some well-deserved time off with his family at Little Lake in Shellharbour on the NSW South Coast.

The 36-year-old shared a collection of photos on his Instagram showing fans a glimpse of their trip.

Taking a break! Beau Ryan showed off his rippling abs alongside his stunning wife Kara in an Instagram post on Wednesday, as they enjoyed their family holiday at Little Lake in Shellharbour on the NSW South Coast

He flaunted his washboard abs in just shorts that hung off his hips.

Meanwhile, Kara showcased her trim and toned figure in a grey one-piece with a plunging neckline.

In the following photo, the former NRL star posed in the water with his arm around his daughter Remi as he carried a relative's baby.

He also included a photo of Kara showing off her swimsuit, alongside Beau's younger sister Carly and a friend.

Family: In the following photo, the former NRL star posed in the water with his arm around his daughter Remi as he carried a relative's baby

Beach babe: Beau also included a photo of Kara showing off her figure in her swimsuit

Bonding! Beau shared a photo of Kara with his younger sister Carly and a friend (left). His daughter Remi cuddled his sister's partner Tamara in the water (right) in another photo

Fun in the sun: Beau also included a picture of his four-year-old son Jesse (left) with a friend

The TV presenter also posted a photo of his daughter Remi cuddling his sister's partner Tamara in the water, and a picture of his four-year-old son Jesse with a friend.

Beau joked in the caption: 'Quick trip to Europe for our daughter's birthday.'

Earlier in the day, he marked his daughter Remi's ninth birthday with a series of selfies and a heartfelt caption dedicated to her.

Beau wrote: 'Happy Birthday to my princess Rem Rem. I'm so proud to be your Dad. I love you more than I can put into words.'

'I love you more than I can put into words': Earlier in the day, Beau marked his daughter Remi's ninth birthday with a series of selfies and a heartfelt caption dedicated to her. Beau wrote: 'Happy Birthday to my princess Rem Rem. I'm so proud to be your Dad'

'Keep being you and know that you'll ride shotgun with me forever. #DaddysGirl,' he added.

Since retiring from NRL in 2014, Beau has gone on to establish a successful transition into TV with presenting roles on The Footy Show and hosting The Amazing Race Australia.

Beau is rumoured to be starring in the upcoming season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! along with AFL great Nathan Buckley and Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil.

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! premieres Monday, January 3 on Channel 10
She's currently shooting a big budget Hollywood film in a tropical paradise largely untouched by the Covid-19 pandemic.

But if Julia Roberts was counting her blessings, she didn't show it on Wednesday, when the 54-year-old was pictured looking stressed on the Gold Coast set of Ticket to Paradise.

The Erin Brockovich star did not look pleased as she was escorted from her trailer for her next scene.

Pretty unhappy woman: Julia Roberts was pictured looking stressed on the Gold Coast set of Ticket to Paradise on Wednesday

By contrast, her co-star Kaitlyn Devers looked far more upbeat, enjoying a laugh with the crew before hopping into a waiting car.

Also enjoying themselves were Julia's fans, who waited behind a cordon for a glimpse of the Pretty Woman actress.

Upon seeing her, one mask-clad fan pumped her fists in the air in jubilation.

A lot on her mind: The Erin Brockovich star did not look pleased as she was escorted from her trailer for her next scene

Future's so bright: Julie hid her gaze behind a pair of tortoiseshell shades as she left her trailer

Filming on the project commenced last month on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, before moving to The Whitsundays shortly afterwards.

It was revealed back in March that Julia and co-star George Clooney were heading to Australia to film the hotly anticipated project.

The film received a $6.4million grant from the federal government's Location Incentive Program.

Loving it: By contrast, her co-star Kaitlyn Devers (pictured) looked far more upbeat, enjoying a laugh with the crew before hopping into a waiting car

Daughter role: George Clooney and Julia play a divorced couple who travel to Bali in a desperate bid to stop their daughter, played by Dever, from getting married

George, 60, and Julia play a divorced couple who travel to Bali in a desperate bid to stop their daughter, played by Dever, from getting married.

The movie also stars Billie Lourd as Dever's best friend, who travels with her to Bali, where she decides to marry a local.

The two-month project will be filmed entirely in Queensland, with the picturesque Whitsundays doubling for Bali.

Stargazing: Also enjoying themselves were Julia's fans, who waited behind a cordon for a glimpse of the Pretty Woman actress

Psyched: Upon seeing her, one mask-clad fan pumped her fists in the air in jubilation

The production is expected to generate $47million for the Australian economy and create more than 270 jobs.

Ticket to Paradise is written and directed by Ol Parker, who helmed The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Longtime friends Julia and George have starred in three films together - Oceans Eleven (2001), Oceans Twelve (2004) and Money Monster (2016).
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She launched her own swimwear brand Kimberley London back in 2013.

And Kimberley Garner was once again her own best advertisement as she strutted her stuff on the beach in the Carribean's St Barts during a sun-soaked post-Christmas getaway on Tuesday.

The swimwear designer, 30, sported one of her brand's signature strappy bikinis as she showcased her more than ample assets and tiny waist in the sizzling two-piece.

Wow! Kimberley Garner was once again her own best swimwear brand advertisement as she strutted her stuff on the beach in the Carribean's St Barts during a sun-soaked post-Christmas getaway on Tuesday

Kimberley styled her sexy bikini with a matching thigh-grazing sarong for her barefoot stroll along the sandy shores of the Carribean island.

The former Made In Chelsea cast member accessorised her beach look with gold jewellery, including a pendant necklace, bracelets and rings.

She appeared to go make-up free and wore her blonde tresses in beachy waves.

Phenomenal frame: Kimberley was later seen slipping into a similar two-piece, which was instead covered in a pretty pink floral pattern rather than the neutral tone she was seen sporting earlier in the day

Splish, splash! Kimberley appeared to be having a great time in the bright blue waters

Kimberley was later seen slipping into a similar two-piece, which was instead covered in a pretty pink floral pattern rather than the neutral tone she was seen sporting earlier in the day.

The reality personality could be seen dashing into the sea wearing the colourful swimwear and splashing around with her pals as they larked around in the water.

Her blonde locks were salt-kissed after diving under the water during a swim in the ocean.

Picturesque: Kimberley was holidaying in a stunning island setting

Hanging out: The reality personality could be seen dashing into the sea wearing the colourful swimwear and splashing around with her pals as they larked around in the water

Sizzling: Kimberley styled her sexy bikini with a matching thigh-grazing sarong for her barefoot stroll along the sandy shores of the Carribean island

Kimberley had a busy summer posing on beaches around the world in her own designs, including during the Cannes Film Festival in France in July.

She recently shared some snaps of herself in a black bikini as she posed on the white sandy beach of the Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel on the Caribbean island of Anguilla.

She could be seen wearing the dark swimwear which left her toned midriff on show.

Kimberley enjoyed the summer with her boyfriend, and is yet to reveal his identity.

Wavy baby! Kimberley and a pal floated about in the water together while having a chat

Watch out! She was hit by a big wave at one point

Strut! Kimberley looked flawless in the colourful two piece

Smouldering: Kimberley flashed a piecering stare

Details: The former Made In Chelsea cast member accessorised her beach look with gold jewellery, including a pendant necklace, bracelets and rings

Hot mama! The muted tones complemented Kimberley's English Rose complexion

The influencer previously surprised fans when she revealed she cancelled a secret wedding and ended a long-term relationship last summer.

Speaking to MailOnline in September 2019, Kimberley confirmed she had called it quits with her former boyfriend.

The businesswoman said: 'I ended the relationship recently. It was a really wonderful three years and we are still good friends today.'

Floating it out! Kimberley relaxed into the water

Over there! She pointed to something out in the distance

Can you see? She was seen showing her friend something in the water

Haha! The media personality laughed and jumped about in the water

Hanging out: The group of friends swam in th water
She's been soaking up the sun on a romantic getaway with her boyfriend Mark O'Connor.

And Montana Brown, 26, flaunted her toned physique in a skimpy black bikini as she strolled on the beach in Barbados, on Tuesday.

The former Love Islander could be seen soaking up the sun on the white sand beach before taking a dip in the crystal clear waters.

She's got a TEXT! Former Love Islander Montana Brown, 26, flaunted her toned physique in a skimpy black bikini as she took a stroll on the beach on Tuesday

Montana slipped into the matching set with featured a halterneck bikini top and metal silver square connecting pieces.

The reality TV star accessorised with a pair of rectangular Prada sunglasses as she shielded her eyes from the sun.

She enjoyed a refreshing smoothie as she chatted on her phone for her relaxing walk along the idyllic beach.

Stunning: Montana slipped into the matching set with featured a halterneck bikini top and metal silver square connecting pieces

Get away: The reality TV star accessorised with a pair of rectangular Prada sunglasses as she shielded her eyes from the sun

Relaxing: She enjoyed a refreshing smoothie as she chatted on her phone for her relaxing walk along the idyllic beach

On Monday, Montana was joined by her boyfriend Mark O'Connor for the fun-filled day trip, which saw them go snorkelling in the crystal clear sea and have drinks on the yacht.

Ex-rugby player Mark showcased his lean physique as he went shirtless for the day trip, soaking up the sun in a pair of black board shorts.

The couple were seen enjoying drinks together and relaxing on the yacht, while other snaps also showed them cuddling up together on the beach.

Romantic trip: On Monday, Montana was joined by her boyfriend Mark O'Connor for the fun-filled day trip

Soaking up the sun: The couple were seen enjoying drinks together and relaxing on the yacht, while other snaps also showed them cuddling up together on the beach

Mark is a real estate executive, having attended Cardiff University and Henly Business School, according to a pal.

In January, friends of Mark told MailOnline: 'He played rugby for Chiswick and Wales 1st Teams as a prop, and has a proprietary interest in Forge Gym London. That's likely how he met Montana.

'He used to be out of shape and is now very much in shape. He's a very wild bloke to go on a night out with, drinks a lot. Very good fun to be with.'

The source added: 'His father owns a huge development/construction firm which he will inherit.'

MailOnline approached Montana's representatives for comment at the time.
Darcy Vescio has become the second AFLW player to come out as non-binary.

The 28-year-old followed in the footsteps of Gold Coast's Tori Groves-Little on Wednesday, sharing a Tweet with her 8,300 followers.

'Just popping in to let you know that I am non-binary,' began Darcy's message.

Big news: AFLW player Darcy Vescio (pictured) came out as non-binary on Wednesday. The 28-year-old shared the news via Twitter

'Sharing this feels a bit daunting but brings me a lot of warmth and happiness,' they wrote.

'I am most comfortable with they/them pronouns and will always respond to Darcy unless in trouble.'

Darcy signed off, 'Thank you for reading'.

Promise: Vescio was signed as a marquee player by Carlton in July 2016, ahead of the league's inaugural 2017 season

Vescio was signed as a marquee player by Carlton in July 2016, ahead of the league's inaugural 2017 season.

They have gone on to selection in the league's All-Australian team in 2017 and 2021 and was Carlton's Best and Fairest in 2021.

They have scored 44 goals in 39 games.

Kicking goals: They have gone on to selection in the league's All-Australian team in 2017 and 2021 and was Carlton's Best and Fairest in 2021

Last week, Gold Coast Suns star Groves-Little opened up about their own journey to becoming the first non-binary athlete in the NAB AFL Women's competition.

Speaking to AFL Media, the 21-year-old utility said, 'It sucks medically when you've got to put male or female, it just doesn't feel right.'

'It's just gender-neutral, I guess. I don't like to identify as either.'
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Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker returned to the scene of their engagement by taking a short road trip to Montecito, California on Tuesday night.

The couple were seen on the beach at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel, which is where Barker got down on one knee and asked Kardashian to marry him on October 17.

Clearly reminiscing about the romantic proposal, Kourtney and Travis strolled along the shore with their arms wrapped around one another.

Lovebirds: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker returned to the scene of their engagement by taking a short road trip to Montecito, California on Tuesday night

They kept warm for the breezy occasion in coordinating all-black outerwear, with Kourtney opting for a leather trench coat and Travis choosing to layer a zip-up jacket over a hooded sweatshirt.

Kourtney, 42, completed her look with some some platform combat boots, while Travis, 46, slipped his feet into a pair of Dr Marten oxford shoes.

The POOSH founder's jaw-length raven hair was partially swept up in a claw clip and, like her fiance, she shielded her eyes from the rays with a pair of sunglasses.

Engagement: The couple were seen on the beach at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel, which is where Barker got down on one knee and asked Kardashian to marry him on October 17

The couple, who went public with their romance in February, carried drinks in their hands while walking on the sand together.

Kourtney documented their time in the celeb-loved coastal town - which is next to Santa Barbara and home to stars like Oprah, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - on her Instagram Story.

She first showed an image of her black and brown Goyard luggage in the trunk of a black SUV, before uploading a snapshot of his feet and her feet in the sand on the beach.

Reminiscing: Clearly reminiscing about the romantic proposal, Kourtney and Travis strolled along the shore with their arms wrapped around one another

Color coordinating: They kept warm for the breezy occasion in coordinating all-black outerwear, with Kourtney opting for a leather trench coat and Travis choosing to layer a zip-up jacket over a hooded sweatshirt

Relaxing: The couple, who went public with their romance in February, carried drinks in their hands while walking on the sand together

Making the occasion extra special, Kardashian gave a look at the ice cream and granola dessert they enjoyed at Oliver's in Montecito.

This comes after sources talked to media outlets about their love.

A source told People that they are 'madly in love' adding, 'She's over the moon. They're almost like high school sweethearts all over again. Neither of them ever thought they'd fall in love like this again.'

Another insider said Kardashian fell for Barker because he is such a great father.

Memories captured: Kourtney documented their time in the celeb-loved coastal town - which is next to Santa Barbara and home to stars like Oprah, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - on her Instagram Story

Our feet are in love too! The couple touched shoes as they sat in the sand looking at the ocean

Looks very yummy: The pinup shared what their dessert looked like on Tuesday evening when at Oliver's Of Montecito

The reality TV star and the 46-year-old drummer had been friends for years before they started dating this year and friends have revealed that Kourtney fell madly in love with Travis because she loved what a great father he is to his kids Alabama, 16, Landon, 18 and stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya, 22.

A source told People: 'She fell for Travis because he's such a there-for-his-kids father. He has a huge heart.'

And Travis is proving to be a great stepfather to Kourtney's children - Mason, 12, Penelope, nine, and Reign, seven - who she shares with former partner Scott Disick.

Traveling in style: Kourtney showed an image of her black and brown Goyard luggage in the trunk of a car

The night sky is dazzling: And Barker shared a look at the stars in the sky while on the beach

The insider said: 'Kourtney is not only head over heels in love with Travis because he's hot and attractive but also because he's so sweet and loving towards her and her children. Their families also blended easily and nicely, and they all get along so well.'

Travis and Kourtney got engaged in October in a romantic, beachside proposal at the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito, California and Kourtney's mother Kris Jenner revealed he asked her permission first.

She said: 'They're the cutest couple. They're so in love, and they let us know that they're so in love constantly.

With her mini-me daughter Penelope: Meanwhile, she seemed to have plenty of fun at home in Calabasas, California over Christmas

Snuggly at home: Travis shared this shot of pajamas and Santa slippers at home

A combined family: There were stockings for her kids - Mason, 12, Penelope, nine, and Reign, seven - and his too, Alabama, 16, Landon, 18 and stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya, 22

'He was really cute. He did that all on his own. He's a sweetheart, and they're so happy. They can't wait.'

Speaking of their constant public displays of affection, she added: 'Well, you feel like they're the only two people in the room, and we almost don't know what to do with ourselves, like, I'm looking for a closet to hide in, somewhere to go. But you know, they're in that stage, and it's really, really special. And I'm so excited.'

Meanwhile, she seemed to have plenty of fun at home in Calabasas, California over Christmas with her kids.
Kim Kardashian has posted a cryptic message weeks after filing to be single from Kanye 'Ye' West and as her romance with Pete Davidson heats up.

The 41-year-old SKIMS mogul took to her Instagram Story to share a message of being able to grow from fear.

The text read: 'A man won't know what he is really capable of until he FACES what SCARES him.

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Mysterious: Kim Kardashian (seen at Christmas Eve last week) has posted a cryptic message weeks after filing to be single from Kanye 'Ye' West and as her romance with Pete Davidson heats up

'Fear exists NOT to stop you. Fear exists to make you STRONGER and BRAVER.

'Approach every problem an challenge with the attitude that it's happening to help your GROW.'

The cryptic posts comes amid a transitional period in Kim's life as earlier this month she filed legal documents that would make her a single woman if signed off by a judge.

Kim has been married to 44-year-old Kanye West since 2014 as they have four children together: who has North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two.

'A man won't know what he is really capable of until he FACES what SCARES him': The 41-year-old SKIMS mogul took to her Instagram Story to share a message of being able to grow from fear

Bond: On the same day she posted a sweet snap of herself with daughter Chicago, three, at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco

Bond: She cuddled up with her second to youngest child in cute snaps

Perhaps the most interesting thing is that Kim wants her maiden name restored which means dropping West despite her businesses like KKW Beauty and KKW fragrance using her married initials.

The legal move is basically asking the judge to separate the issues of child custody, property, and financial implications from actual marital status.

As Kim has enlisted celebrity attorney Laura Wasser, the decision to separate marital status from other issues not out of the ordinary for the lawyer who has worked plenty of other celebrity clientele.

Moving on: The cryptic posts comes amid a transitional period in Kim's life as earlier this month she filed legal documents that would make her a single woman if signed off by a judge

Family matters: Kim has been married to 44-year-old Kanye West since 2014 as they have four children together: who has North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two, as the family are seen in 2019

More than anything it allows anyone who is in the process of getting divorced to get on with their lives in being single and hash out other issues at a different time.

Over the weekend it was reported that Kanye purchased a $4.5 million house across the street from his estranged wife.

The artist - who shares four children with his ex - has just closed on the 3651 square-foot, 5-bedroom home in LA's exclusive Hidden Hills.

The purchase comes two months after he listed his $3.7 million, 4,200 square-foot, former bachelor pad in the gated community and just two weeks after Kim filed to be declared legally single.

Keeping close: Kanye West, 44, has purchased a $4.5 million house across the street from his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, 41, in LA's Hidden Hills just two weeks after Kim filed to be declared legally single

Neighbours! Kanye's new home is adjacent to Kim's mega-mansion meaning the rapper will easily be able to reach his ex and their children

Kanye paid $4.5million for the property - a whopping $421,000 over the listed price - to ensure he wasn't outbid.

Kim and Kanye wed at the Forte di Belvedere in Florence in 2014, where Kim donned a fitted gown with delicate white lace, custom-made by Givenchy Haute Couture.

A source confirmed to DailyMail.com in February that Kim has filed for divorce. 'The split is amicable and there is no drama,' the insider shared at the time.

Kim is asking for joint legal and physical custody of their four young children. It was claimed that neither will contest their prenup.

Throwback: Kim and Kanye wed at the Forte di Belvedere in Florence in 2014, where Kim donned mermaid-silhouette gown that featuring delicate white lace was custom-made by Givenchy Haute Couture

Moving on: Kim officially filed for divorce in February following months of rumors surrounding the state of their marriage, as the former couple are seen at the Met Gala in May 2019

Uh oh: The tension reportedly started in July 2020 when Kanye decided to run for President of the United States and claimed he wanted North aborted but Kim refused. He also called Kim's mother Kris Jenner 'Kris Jong Un'

The tension reportedly started in July 2020 when Kanye decided to run for President of the United States and claimed he wanted North aborted but Kim refused. He also called Kim's mother Kris Jenner 'Kris Jong Un.'

A source previously told People that Kim and Kanye's marriage 'has been broken for a long time.'

'Kim feels like she has done everything she can to save it. Filing for divorce is something she has been thinking about for a long time. She has also been dreading it. She really, really has done everything to avoid filing.

'Last year, she hoped they could somehow work things out,' they added. 'In the past few weeks though, it has been clear that they are done. Although, there is still love, they are just too different and have different visions for the future.'

Hot new couple! Kim is romantically linked to Saturday Night Live funnyman Pete Davidson as they are seen together last month

More recently Kim has been romantically linked to Saturday Night Live funnyman Pete Davidson.

Her burgeoning romance with the 28-year-old lothario is showing no signs of slowing down as 2022 approaches.

'Kim is so into him. [Kim and Pete] are both really cuddly and affectionate with each other,' a source told People as another insider shared with UsWeekly that the unlikely pair are getting 'serious' with one another.
Now that Kim Kardashian is moving full steam ahead with her divorce from Kanye West, it seems the rapper is ready to date around.

Ye, 44, attended J Mulan's birthday bash in Houston, Texas, and was spotted by onlookers partying with Instagram models on Tuesday night, TMZ reported.

Kim, meanwhile, is reportedly 'getting more serious' with Pete Davidson and recently filed legal paperwork to have her marital status returned to single while her split from West works its way through the courts.

Moving on: Ye, 44, attended J Mulan's birthday bash in Houston, Texas, and was spotted by onlookers partying with Instagram models on Tuesday night, TMZ reported

Kanye with Instagram model Yasmine Lopez at a birthday party tonight in Houston. pic.twitter.com/6qJoyss5qg  Jenn (@_xmarissabee) December 29, 2021

Kanye hit up J Mulan's big soiree at James Harden's Thirteen restaurant with media personality Justin LaBoy.

Social media videos show the I Am a God rapper enjoying the festivities near a scantily clad Yasmine Lopez. However, sources told TMZ there was nothing romantic going on.

The billionaire rapper - who is rarely pictured smiling - seemed to be having a blast at the party, seen on social media tossing his head back in laughter.

West only recently split from model Vinetria amid his ongoing divorce from wife Kim Kardashian.

Good times: Kanye hit up J Mulan's big soiree at James Harden's Thirteen restaurant with media personality Justin LaBoy

Enjoying the single life: Social media videos show the I Am a God rapper enjoying the festivities near a scantily clad Yasmine Lopez. However, sources told TMZ there was nothing romantic going on

Kanye and Justin LaBoy pulled up to James Hardens Thirteen restaurant in Houston for J Mulans birthday tonight. pic.twitter.com/S8jCGpgEZZ  Jenn (@_xmarissabee) December 29, 2021

The SKIMS mogul made it clear that he has no intention of rekindling things with West, who just purchased the house across the street from her to stay near his kids.

Kim, 41, has asked a judge to return her marital status to single, officially, despite the divorce not yet being finalized.

She has publicly moved on romantically with SNL lothario Pete Davidson and sources say the pair are getting very close.

'Kim is so into him. [Kim and Pete] are both really cuddly and affectionate with each other,' a source told People as another insider shared with UsWeekly that the unlikely pair are getting 'serious' with one another.

Loving life: The billionaire rapper - who is rarely pictured smiling - seemed to be having a blast at the party, seen on social media tossing his head back in laughter

No attachments: Kim Kardashian made it clear that he has no intention of rekindling things with West when she recently filed legal paperwork to have a judge declare her single

The brunette beauty - who has North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two, with rap star Kanye West - and Pete are already very 'comfortable' with each other said the first source.

And Kim is visibly 'very happy' with she's with the comedian.

The insider told People: 'They seem more comfortable than couples who have been together a long time. Kim is obviously very happy with him.'

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star's friends think he's 'exactly what [ Kim] needed' after her split from Kanye.

Co-parents: Kanye - who has North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two, with Kim- just bought the mansion across from hers so he can be close to the family

The comedian - who has previously dated the Kate Beckinsale and Kaia Gerber - is helping the TV star to move on from her marriage.

An insider recently said: 'He's exactly what Kim needed after her divorce - someone to make her laugh and just have a fun time with.

'The end of her marriage was a very dark time for her and Pete has been the best antidote.'

Pete is determined to make their romance his priority.

The Saturday Night Live star has been making frequent trips between Los Angeles - where she lives - and New York - where he has a pad on Staten Island - over recent weeks, and he's constantly referring to Kim as 'my girl.'

New love: Kim, meanwhile, is reportedly 'getting more serious' with SNL lothario Pete Davidson

Speaking about their romance, the insider explained: 'He's flying back and forth and spending more time in LA when he can to see Kim. He's so into her and is always 'my girl' this and 'my girl' that.'

Meanwhile, a source told UsWeekly that Kim and Pete are getting serious.

'Things have definitely escalated quickly but in a healthy, fun way. Right now, they are just enjoying their time together and seeing where things go,' said the source.

Kim and Pete's Relationship: What to Know the makeup mogul 'doesnt want to rush into anything too serious' too soon with the comedian, 28, but she is enjoying the 'early stages' of their romance.

'They are super smitten over each other though, thats for sure,' the source also said.
Late star Avicii's diary entries have shed light on the heartbreaking demons he faced before taking his own life in April 2018.

His journal entries have been included in Mans Mosesson's upcoming book, Tim  The Official Biography of Avicii, which is due for release next month, and depict how the star, real name Tim Bergling, dealt with his substance abuse battles.

Mans spoke to his parents, Anki and Klas Bergling, family, friends, exes, peers and colleagues about the star to piece together his life story.

The diary entries come from his various rehab and hospital stints for drink and drug addiction, before he died by suicide during a holiday with friends in Oman on 20 April 2018, aged 28 - two years after stepping away from the spotlight.

Pained: Late star Avicii's diary entries have shed light on the heartbreaking demons he faced before taking his own life in April 2018 (pictured in 2013)

Wake Me Up artist Avicii shot to worldwide fame in 2011 with his song Levels yet he stopped touring in 2016 following a battle with alcohol and opioid addiction.

His prescription pain killer addiction stemmed from a then 22-year-old Avicii, being rushed to hospital in January 2012 after developing agonising pancreatitis - caused by excessive drinking and acne medication.

Doctors strongly advised he stay sober for at least six months and cut out junk food, otherwise his stomach would become inflamed again and not heal - leading to the possibility of suffering chronic pain for the rest of his life.

It was here he began writing his journals - admitting he enjoyed this time.

Pained: His journal entries have been included in Mans Mosesson's upcoming book, Tim  The Official Biography of Avicii, which is due for release next month, and depict how the star, real name Tim Bergling, dealt with his substance abuse battles

He penned: 'I had a hard time accepting never drinking again though strongly suggested from all doctors to wait at least a year before even having a beer...

'Of course, I didn't listen to the majority of the doctors, I listened to the couple who said it was ok if I was careful. I was ignorant and naive and touring the world, still on the never-ending tour  because once you've circled it once, guess what?...

'You start right back over again. Those days in hospital were the most anxiety and stress-free days I can remember the past 6 years, those were my true vacations, as depressing as it might sound...

'The relief of going from extreme pain to none, knowing that no one is expecting anything other than for you to wait it out (which is the only way of treating pancreatitis) and then recover was huge. It was an extreme relief considering the insane schedule I had kept up until that point.'

Shock: Wake Me Up artist Avicii shot to worldwide fame in 2011 with his song Levels yet he stopped touring in 2016 following a battle with alcohol and opioid addiction

AVICII: A timeline of his struggles HIGH SCHOOL: Tries his first joint and fears he has developed psychosis. A trip to a child psychologist quashes fears. January 2012: The star, then 22, is rushed to hospital after developing agonising pancreatitis - caused by excessive drinking and acne medication. February 2013: He is hospitalised again after flying to Australia and being left in serious pain when his pancreas became inflammed again and was told to have his gall bladder removed. He refused the operation in favour of honouring his jam-packed schedule. 2014: Avicii is hospitalised for a third time with a ruptured appendix. He is forced to undergo the gallbladder surgery. 2014: His family in Sweden attempt to wean him off his reliance on prescription painkillers spawning from his various hospitalisations. He escapes to LA and finds a private doctor to carry on prescribing the drugs. Winter 2014: Back to back hospitalisations come when he needs his stomach pumped for drinking alcohol and consuming pills, including muscle relaxants and panic attack medication. Summer 2015: His family stage an intervention after the DJ continues to fall into the grasps of crippling opioid addiction. A stay at the $13,400 per week Ibiza Calm rehab facility seems to work. Spring 2016: After performing at Miami's Ultra Music Festival in March, he decided his stage days were over and he will no longer perform live due to the strain of live performances exacerbating his problems. August 2016: Avicii performed his final ever stage show. 2017: In the documentary Avicii: True Stories, the musician admits he has grown reliant on alcohol - using substances to calm his nerves. April 2018: Avicii travels to Oman for a meditation retreat with a friend, however his mental state begins to deteriorate. He takes his own life. Advertisement

In 2015, after an intervention from his family, the star went to stay at the $13,400 per week Ibiza Calm rehab facility where he chronicled his time in his diary.

He wrote: 'It needed to be explained to me very logically and caveman-esque for me to truly understand its nature and how it was harming me. Ouch, pain. Why me pain now? Uncomfortable feeling...

'Future Tim deal with pain. Future Tim deal with pain better than present Tim because already there's too many present pains more urgent to deal with.'

In April 2018, Avicii travelled with a friend to to Oman, before which he messaged a friend discussing his ventures into meditation.

The DJ was only 21 when he shot to fame in 2011, and turned to drinking to cope with fame and the party lifestyle (pictured at the Summerburst festival in May 2015)

After battling against his demons, he turned to meditation, focusing heavily on the works of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - who teaches that one could reach the deepest state of consciousness, or enlightenment, and there would be no more suffering.

Maharishi's teachings state this level of 'cosmic consciousness' could be achieved in five to eight years', yet Avicii wanted to reach this level quicker so was meditating for hours at a time - rather than the suggested 20 minutes.

He wrote: 'It feels like I am in a new default mode of being which is very new and a little bit scary. It felt like the fears the last couple of days caused havoc in me, but I remember the tip to focus on my breathing.'

Pains: On April 19, a fellow traveller Avicii had met on the trip contacted his father to express concern over the star's meditation practices

On April 19, a fellow traveller Avicii had met on the trip contacted his father to express concern over the star's meditation practices.

He said the star was crying, not speaking, refusing to eat and sitting in the blistering sun. He later called Klas to tell him the star had taken his own life.

Final messages from the star saw his tortured outlook, including a message reading: 'The shedding of the soul is the last attachment, before it restarts!'

Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, visit samaritans.org for more information
They've yet to become an exclusive couple having only dated for a few months after meeting on a dating app in September.

But things seem to be taking a more serious turn as Braunwyn Windham-Burke's new girlfriend, Victoria Brito, is reportedly 'planning to meet' her seven children during a weekend of blended family fun over the New Year holiday.

The 44-year-old reality star  who came out as a lesbian last year and opted to stay married to husband Sean Burke  went public with her new relationship earlier this month when they were spotted making out on the beach in Miami.

Things seem to be taking a more serious turn as Braunwyn Windham-Burke's new girlfriend, Victoria Brito, is reportedly meeting her seven children during a weekend of blended family fun over the New Year holiday; seen on Nov. 30

Victoria was ready to travel as she touched down in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning in a story shared to Instagram.

'Just comfy in my comfort plus seat heading toooo? LA BABY,' she wrote in a selfie from the airplane.

Victoria already met Sean in November, according to TMZ, where they chatted about NFT's and the tech world.

Traveler: Victoria was ready to travel as she touched down in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning in a story shared to Instagram

Family forever: Braunwyn came out as a lesbian last year, and shares seven children with her husband of 21 years, Sean Burke

And Braunwyn's unconventional relationship with Sean seems to be going well, too, as she took to Instagram on Christmas Eve with a post dedicated to her husband.

And Braunwyn's unconventional relationship with Sean seems to be going well, too, as she took to Instagram on Christmas Eve with a post dedicated to her husband.

'When we started this journey last year, the main thing we heard "get divorced"- over and over again as if that would somehow "fix" anything,' she wrote. 'Our family didnt need fixing- it isnt broken, its just evolved.

'Just because we havent seen this done before in this specific way, doesnt mean its something we shouldnt try to. Make no mistake, it isnt always easy- divorcing would have been easier.'

'When we started this journey last year, the main thing we heard "get divorced"- over and over again as if that would somehow "fix" anything,' she wrote. 'Our family didnt need fixing- it isnt broken, its just evolved'

'However, both of us knew it was important to put our familys needs before our own, and we are reminded of that again this Christmas,' she added. 'We are attempting to do something different here, and so far, its working. Heres to our second Christmas in "modern family" style'

The pair have seven kids together: Bella, 20, Rowan, 18, Jacob, 15, twins Curran and Caden, eight, Koa, six, and Hazel, three.

'However, both of us knew it was important to put our familys needs before our own, and we are reminded of that again this Christmas,' she added. 'We are attempting to do something different here, and so far, its working. Heres to our second Christmas in "modern family" style.'

In the midst of her breakup with Fernanda Rocha, the former Real Housewives of Orange County star admitted that divorce probably wasn't on the table for her and Sean after more than two decades together.

'I don't think we're going to get divorced, honestly,' she recently told US Weekly. 'I truly don't think we're going to. 'We get along great, we have an open marriage  it's working for us. We're happy.'
Casey Affleck, 46, and his 23-year-old actress girlfriend Caylee Cowan were seen arriving for a Dave Chappelle comedy performance after the comedian was 'cancelled' after receiving plenty of backlash over his transgender comments.

The Oscar-winner and his partner who is half is age were seen leaving the Peppermint Club in West Hollywood early Tuesday morning after watching the controversial 48-year-old comedian on stage.

The two were not the only stars in attendance as Andrew Garfield, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., pregnant girlfriend Lauren Wood, and rapper Talib Kweli were all seen at the intimate gig.

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Casey Affleck, 46, and his 23-year-old actress girlfriend Caylee Cowan were seen arriving for a Dave Chappelle comedy performance after the comedian was 'cancelled' after receiving plenty of backlash over his transgender comments

Man with the plan: The 48-year-old comedian was also seen outside of the venue as he sported a striped sweater and leather pants as he puffed on a cigarette

Casey kept it comfortable in a flannel over grey hoodie, black trousers and white Nike Blazer high sneakers with a green Swoosh.

His short black locks were disheveled as he sported grizzled scruff.

Caylee donned a black wool coat over a charcoal grey knit sweater, black jeans, and brown leather lace-up boots.

Her raven-colored tresses were worn down as she accentuated her natural looks by wearing minimal make-up.

United front: The Oscar-winner and his partner who is half is age were seen leaving the Peppermint Club in West Hollywood arm-in-arm early Tuesday morning

Interesting: They seem to be aware of jokes made about their age gap as last month Caylee posted an image of the two of them with the funny caption 'calculating our age difference' along with a math equation

The new couple put on a united front as they walked arm-in-arm after the show.

The two have been romantically linked since last month as they were seen packing on the PDA on an outing in LA together.

They seem to be aware of jokes made about their age gap as Caylee posted an image of the two of them with the funny caption 'calculating our age difference' along with a math equation.

Comedian Chappelle was also seen outside of the venue as he sported a striped sweater and leather pants as he puffed on a cigarette.

Spidey sense tingling? Andrew Garfield was also in attendance

Bumping along: Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was seen with pregnant girlfriend Lauren Wood

Wordsmith: Rapper Talib Kweli was also seen exiting

This comes amid news that he is set to return to Netflix despite facing a huge backlash for his comments on transgender people in his special, The Closer, for the streaming giant.

Netlfix announced on December 6 that Chapelle will be headlining their Netflix Is a Joke festival at the Hollywood Bowl next year that will be partially filmed for an upcoming series.

It comes just a few months after Chappelle faced calls to be canceled over jokes made in his stand-up special which was almost entirely centered around members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The comedian courted controversy with his jokes in which he asserts 'gender is a fact,' and criticizes what he says is the thin skin of the trans community.

He's back! Chapelle will RETURN to Netflix despite being 'cancelled' after furious backlash over transgender comments in his special The Closer (Pictured, 2019)

His jokes were based upon earlier observations made by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's who in 2019 stated that transgender women were not actually women and were a threat to her identity.

The backlash grew so heated that transgender employees at Netflix staged a walkout to protest the streaming service for airing the special, and CEO Ted Sarandos apologized for his communications to staff about the special.

The 11-day comedy festival features over 130 artists performing at 25 venues across Los Angeles from April 28 through May 8, including the likes of Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, Wanda Sykes, Jerry Seinfeld, David Letterman, Chris Rock and Ali Wong.

Not cutting ties: Netlfix announced Monday that Chapelle will be headlining their Netflix Is a Joke festival at the Hollywood Bowl next year

Responding to backlash over The Closer at the time, Chappelle posted a one-minute video posted to Instagram, saying: 'To the transgender community, I am more than willing to give you an audience, but you will not summon me. I am not bending to anyone's demands, and if you want to meet with me, I am more than willing to, but I have some conditions...'

'First of all, you cannot come if you have not watched my special from beginning to end. You must come to a place of my choosing at a time of my choosing, and thirdly, you must admit that Hannah Gadsby is not funny.

'Am I cancelled or not? Then let's go!' Chappelle yelled at the end of the video.

Tough criticism: Comedian Hannah Gadsby was critical of both Chapelle and Netflix for his special

Earlier this month, Chappelle 's high school did a U-turn as it said it will now 'stand by' their decision to honor the comedian by naming its theater after him after he was cancelled.

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts initially postponed its hall renaming ceremony after Chappelle drew harsh criticism for crudely comparing the genitals of trans women to plant-based meat alternatives in his special, The Closer.

Claims of a potential walkout by students 'uncomfortable' with showing support for the 48-year-old then led to them seemingly to cancel the event altogether.

But the Washington DC high school has now backtracked and will 'stand behind our decision' to rename the theater after Chapelle.
Gemma Collins has revealed that she saved her ex-boyfriend James Argent from death 'three times' as he battled a cocaine addiction.

The former TOWIE star, 40, said she ended her on-and-off relationship with the TV personality, 34, last year after she saved him from overdosing and 'never got a thank you'.

The couple ended their relationship last year and Gemma has since reunited and got re-engaged to her former partner Rami Hawash.

Speaking of James' cocaine addiction, she told the Sunday Times: 'I saved him from death three times, never got a thank you.'

Exes: Gemma Collins said she ended her on-and-off relationship with the TV personality, 34, last year after she saved him from overdosing and 'never got a thank you'

Gemma said on one occasion while she was filming Dancing on Ice, she got a phone call as nobody had been able to get hold of James.

She said she knew 'instinctively' to call an ambulance and went to visit him at Whipps Cross Hospital in London, where he was 'in a state'.

'The next day he'd discharged himself. Thought he doesn't want the help,' she added.

'You can't go out with an addict.'

Last year, James revealed he has struggled with a cocaine addiction and had been heavily using the drug for the past seven years.

Addiction: Gemma said on one occasion while she was filming Dancing on Ice, she got a phone call as nobody had been able to get hold of James (both pictured in October 2018)

He began his recovery in 2020 after spending ten weeks at a Thailand boot camp, after calling his best friend and former TOWIE co-star Mark Wright for help when he reached rock bottom over Christmas 2019.

Speaking about his addiction earlier this year, Gemma said: 'I have been in this position myself, it will destroy lives, it will rip through your family, it will rip through your friendship groups, it is a really awful situation.

'I look back now and I did it from love but it really can break your heart in the end.'

MailOnline has contacted James' representatives for comments.

Cocaine: Last year, James (pictured with Gemma in January 2019) revealed he has struggled with a cocaine addiction and had been heavily using the drug for the past seven years

Her comments come after she confirmed her engagement after accepting a second marriage proposal from long-term boyfriend Rami Hawash.

The TV personality, 40, reunited with former fiance Hawash during lockdown, seven years after breaking off their original engagement.

But she admits they are now looking ahead to their wedding after he proposed for the second time, but is reluctant to make definite marriage plans with the businessman until his divorce from his first wife is finalised.

Second time lucky: Gemma Collins has confirmed her engagement after accepting a second marriage proposal from long-term boyfriend Rami Hawash

Confirming her engagement to The Times, she said: 'Yeah, but we cant really come out and say anything yet because Ram was married before and his paperwork has not come through, so until thats officially signed, weve not said anything.

'Theyve not been together for two years. I know her, shes got a partner, shes as good as gold. Theres a child involved, hes only three, obviously I love him to death.

'But until that paperworks signed I cant come out.'

The reality TV star had previously worn a diamond ring on her engagement finger in December, while featuring in a new campaign for supermarket chain Sainsburys.

All that glitters: The TV personality appeared to show off an engagement ring while featuring in a recent campaign for supermarket chain Sainsburys

Back then: Gemma and Rami are pictured in 2013, during their first romance before their split and subsequent reunion

Her relationship with Hawash rekindled last Christmas as Britain braced itself for a third national lockdown, months after her six-year stop-start romance with James Argent came to an end.

The businessman, who runs a car mechanical repairs company in Romford, dated Gemma for two years before he proposed in December 2013 by hiding an engagement ring in a Christmas pudding.

However the engagement was short-lived, with the couple confirming their separation the following year.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline in December, Gemma reflected on trying for a baby with Hawash, and admitted they frequently 'report back' to mother-of-two Amy Childs, a close friend of the couple.

She explained: 'I was with Amy Childs at the weekend and we had a friends wedding and shes like a guru at how to get pregnant.

'She was telling me that theres certain days in the month that youve got to do this. So I basically appointed her to be the head of my pregnancy.

Back together: Her relationship with Rami rekindled last Christmas as Britain braced itself for a third national lockdown

'Shes told Rami what days weve got do it on and all that. So were reporting back to Amy every time we do it!'

The TV personality already acts as an unofficial 'stepmother' to three-year old Tristan, Hawesh's son with his estranged wife.

She added: 'Ive got the greatest gift of all my partner gave me. I have a beautiful three-year-old stepson and have a very good relationship with his mum and its been so lovely that theyve let me be a part of their lives.

'Tristan, hes beautiful. I love him so much. Hes the apple of my eye. With Tristan, our family are just so obsessed with him. And my nephews Hayden and Kane are so good with him, hes like the new little baby on the scene.

'They just love him as much as I do and he loves them. He's just part of our family.'

Pals: Speaking to MailOnline in December, Gemma reflected on trying for a baby with partner Rami, and admitted they frequently 'report back' to mother-of-two Amy Childs

In February admitted she was ready to start a family after watching parents Alan and Joan struggle to recover from COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic.

She told The Sun: 'I feel very settled in my 40s. I think this is Gemmas year. Ive overcome a lot. I just feel I'm ready for a baby. Ive had an amazing career the last 10 years. I've now got my house. Im settled, so Im ready for action!'

Close relationship: The TV personality already acts as an unofficial 'stepmother' to three-year old Tristan (pictured), Rami's son with his estranged wife

Gemma revealed she had been having tarot card readings with a woman named Emma who appeared to foreshadow her engagement by predicting big things in the near future.

'She says I'm definitely going to have a baby this year and I'll definitely get a ring on my finger,' she revealed. 'It had better be a big one. I want a yellow diamond. A huge one. A gigantic one!

'I keep saying, "You're joking, I cant see it happening!" But let's see if her predictions come true. I hope so, I do hope so.'

The TV personality has previously suffered three miscarriages, with the third coming in July 2020 after she fell pregnant ex-boyfriend James Argent's baby.

She revealed the loss shortly after Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle announced she had lost what would been her second child with Prince Harry.

Gemma told The Sun: I've not talked about this before, but it was my third, each one a devastating loss on my longed-for journey to motherhood.

'I've been trying to have a baby for nearly a decade now, only to have my hopes dashed time and again by first one miscarriage, then another.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment.

The TV personality, 40, reunited with former fiance Hawash during lockdown, seven years after breaking off their original engagement.

But she admits they are now looking ahead to their wedding after he proposed for the second time, but is reluctant to make definite marriage plans with the businessman until his divorce from his first wife is finalised.

Second time lucky: Gemma Collins has confirmed her engagement after accepting a second marriage proposal from long-term boyfriend Rami Hawash

Confirming her engagement to The Times, she said: 'Yeah, but we cant really come out and say anything yet because Ram was married before and his paperwork has not come through, so until thats officially signed, weve not said anything.

'Theyve not been together for two years. I know her, shes got a partner, shes as good as gold. Theres a child involved, hes only three, obviously I love him to death.

'But until that paperworks signed I cant come out.'

The reality TV star had previously worn a diamond ring on her engagement finger in December, while featuring in a new campaign for supermarket chain Sainsburys.

All that glitters: The TV personality appeared to show off an engagement ring while featuring in a recent campaign for supermarket chain Sainsburys

Back then: Gemma and Rami are pictured in 2013, during their first romance before their split and subsequent reunion

Her relationship with Hawash rekindled last Christmas as Britain braced itself for a third national lockdown, months after her six-year stop-start romance with James Argent came to an end.

The businessman, who runs a car mechanical repairs company in Romford, dated Gemma for two years before he proposed in December 2013 by hiding an engagement ring in a Christmas pudding.

However the engagement was short-lived, with the couple confirming their separation the following year.

Old times: Gemma's former relationship with on-off boyfriend James Argent ended in 2020

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline in December, Gemma reflected on trying for a baby with Hawash, and admitted they frequently 'report back' to mother-of-two Amy Childs, a close friend of the couple.

She explained: 'I was with Amy Childs at the weekend and we had a friends wedding and shes like a guru at how to get pregnant.

'She was telling me that theres certain days in the month that youve got to do this. So I basically appointed her to be the head of my pregnancy.

Back together: Her relationship with Rami rekindled last Christmas as Britain braced itself for a third national lockdown

'Shes told Rami what days weve got do it on and all that. So were reporting back to Amy every time we do it!'

The TV personality already acts as an unofficial 'stepmother' to three-year old Tristan, Hawesh's son with his estranged wife.

She added: 'Ive got the greatest gift of all my partner gave me. I have a beautiful three-year-old stepson and have a very good relationship with his mum and its been so lovely that theyve let me be a part of their lives.

Pals: Speaking to MailOnline in December, Gemma reflected on trying for a baby with partner Rami, and admitted they frequently 'report back' to mother-of-two Amy Childs

'Tristan, hes beautiful. I love him so much. Hes the apple of my eye. With Tristan, our family are just so obsessed with him. And my nephews Hayden and Kane are so good with him, hes like the new little baby on the scene.

'They just love him as much as I do and he loves them. He's just part of our family.'

In February admitted she was ready to start a family after watching parents Alan and Joan struggle to recover from COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic.

Close relationship: The TV personality already acts as an unofficial 'stepmother' to three-year old Tristan (pictured), Rami's son with his estranged wife

She told The Sun: 'I feel very settled in my 40s. I think this is Gemmas year. Ive overcome a lot. I just feel I'm ready for a baby. Ive had an amazing career the last 10 years. I've now got my house. Im settled, so Im ready for action!'

Gemma revealed she had been having tarot card readings with a woman named Emma who appeared to foreshadow her engagement by predicting big things in the near future.

'She says I'm definitely going to have a baby this year and I'll definitely get a ring on my finger,' she revealed. 'It had better be a big one. I want a yellow diamond. A huge one. A gigantic one!

'I keep saying, "You're joking, I cant see it happening!" But let's see if her predictions come true. I hope so, I do hope so.'

The TV personality has previously suffered three miscarriages, with the third coming in July 2020 after she fell pregnant ex-boyfriend James Argent's baby.

She revealed the loss shortly after Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle announced she had lost what would been her second child with Prince Harry.

Gemma told The Sun: I've not talked about this before, but it was my third, each one a devastating loss on my longed-for journey to motherhood.

'I've been trying to have a baby for nearly a decade now, only to have my hopes dashed time and again by first one miscarriage, then another.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment.
Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon has revealed he thinks his character Uncle Bryn was gay in the much-loved show.

The Welsh actor, 56, said he would be 'surprised if he wasn't' but did not confirm his sexuality - after a fishing trip romance was teased with Stacey's brother Jason over the course of the three series.

He added the way Bryn stares at Larry Lamb's character Mick Shipman means his sexuality is 'not ambiguous' - even though producers never openly said he was gay.

Icon: Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon has revealed he thinks his character Uncle Bryn was gay in the much-loved show

The British sitcom written by James Corden and Ruth Jones ran for three seasons and starred Rob as Stacey's overbearing but hilarious uncle.

Speaking on the Table Manners podcast when asked if he thought his character was gay or not Rob said: 'There's a part of me that doesn't want to say anything because I think it should be in the mind of the audience.

'Obviously they've written it... It's not ambiguous, is it? I would be surprised if he wasn't.

'But I wonder perhaps if he's never acted on it. They've never said to me, it's just what is there in the script. But I mean, you know, the way he gazes at Larry lamb - at Mick.

Revelations: The Welsh actor, 56, said he would be 'surprised if he wasn't' - after a fishing trip romance was teased with Stacey's brother Jason (far right) over the course of the three series

'He is a lovely looking boy. But they've never sort of nailed it on the head. But I think it's for the audience to decide for themselves...'.

Bryn's sexuality is not directly addressed in the show, however a romance is teased several times with Stacey's brother Jason that is never fully explained.

Several references are made to a mysterious 'fishing trip' that the pair took together, with a brief dalliance alluded to.

It comes after earlier this year Rob gave desperate Gavin & Stacey fans hope after admitting one more episode could be in the works.

Popular: The British sitcom written by James Corden and Ruth Jones ran for three seasons and starred Rob (far left) as Stacey's overbearing but hilarious uncle

Having his say: Speaking on the Table Manners podcast when asked if he thought his character was gay or not Rob said: 'I would be surprised if he wasn't'

The hugely popular show, which aired from 2007 to 2010, originally returned with a one-off Christmas special in 2019 - but fans were distraught with an ambiguous ending that saw Nessa propose to Smithy.

Reflecting on the unresolved final scene - which cut to the credits before Smithy could respond - Rob admitted show writers James and Ruth, who play the couple, should press ahead a suitable resolution.

Speaking during his podcast, Brydon &, the actor told guest Sheridan Smith: 'I think they might do one more special because they left it hanging, didn't they, with the proposal?

'So it would seem strange if they didn't. But they should crack on if they are going to do it.'

What's Occurin'? Bryn's sexuality is not directly addressed in the show but is alluded to on several occasions

Sheridan, a former cast-member who featured as Ruth 'Rudi' Smith during its original three-run - added: 'They created this masterpiece sort of one-off Christmas special. Now everyone's asking for more, aren't they?

'What a cast and everyone was so lovely; the crew, everyone, was brilliant on that job. They wrote it so well and so to just be a small part of it was an honour.'

Rob's claim came after co-star Ruth seemingly dashed hopes during an appearance on This Morning as she admitted the show 'may never return to Barry'.

The Welsh actress and writer, 53, admitted she has no plans to start writing a new script for the programme, especially as co-writer James lives in the United States.

The final scene in the episode ended on a huge cliffhanger as Nessa got down on one knee and proposed to unlikely love interest Smithy, who she shares son Neil with following a night of passion in series one.

Speaking to hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford about likelihood of giving fans an answer to the question, Ruth said: 'There aren't any plans to write anything.

'Obviously James [Corden] is in America and I'm in Wales. The joy of our last special is that if we never go back to Barry, we'll always wonder what happened next.'

She added: 'I quite like leaving it hanging. I'm sorry I don't have any better news.'
Tupac Shakur's love poem to an old girlfriend, that was the genesis for the 1996 hit song All Eyez On Me, hits the market for $95,000.

The auction house Moments in Time features a range of historic documents, with their latest being a never-before-seen love poem hand written by the rap legend.

The poem is titled All Eye Was Lookin 4, where Tupac addresses the old girlfriend as Simi. The rapper signed the poem, '4 Simi from the heart of 2Pac.'

Tupac Shakur's love poem to an old girlfriend 'that is the genesis for All Eyez On Me' hits the market for $95,000

The love note: The poem is titled All Eye Was Lookin 4, where Tupac addresses the old girlfriend as Simi. The rapper signed the poem, '4 Simi from the heart of 2Pac'

According to TMZ, the auction house claims the poem ended up in a private collection and 26 years later is making its debut on the market.

'I prayed 4 someone I could care 4, someone 2 love a thug,' the Dear Mama artist poured his heart out in the handwritten note. Tupac used a lot of play on numbers in this piece, replacing every 'to' and 'for' with the number.

This isn't the first look into some of Tupac's private poems. Jada Pinkett Smith - who was a very close friend of Tupac in the 90's - posted a never-before-seen poem titled Lost Soulz in a video remember the rapper on his would-be 50th birthday.

Old friends: Notorious B.I.G., left, and Tupac, right, were pictured in the Biggie and Tupac documentary that was released in 2002

'Tupac Amaru Shakur would have been 50 midnight tonight! As we prepare to celebrate his legacy ... let's remember him for that which we loved most ... his way with words,' the Red Table Talk co-host said in a video she uploaded to her Instagram in June.

Tupac was only 25 when he was gunned down on a Las Vegas street and died from his injuries days later. 25 years later, the suspect that was driving the white Cadillac and fired four shots into the rappers chest at a stoplight is still unknown.

It's been a quarter century since the up-and-coming star was killed and his fan base has not dwindled. Many fans have credited the star in raising awareness in police brutality long before the Black Lives Matter movement was founded.

2 years before his death: Tupac performed at the Regal Theatre in Chicago in March 1994, just two years before he was gunned down at a stoplight in Las Vegas
Blonde bombshell Coco Austin - born Nicole Natalie Austin - has a younger sister who is a pinup as well.

On Tuesday the 42-year-old beauty - who is wed to Law & Order: SVU star Ice-T - shared several images to Instagram with her family members.

One of them was her sister Kristy Austin who stood out in a tight dress with a pretty design.

Mini me: Blonde bombshell Coco Austin has a younger sister who is a pinup as well

'So because of the Holidays I've been late on my posts ... Christmas eve is my dad's birthday we always have an annual family dinner,' said the model.

'There's alot of people in my family but I have 3 brothers and 1 sister (one brother not shown here).

'So thankful that I was blessed with the coolest loving dad. I always admired you growing up, dad. Love you sooooooooo much Happy belated birthday.'

She was seen hugging her dad and she also was with her siblings.

Kristy also posted to Instagram from the same event.

Twins: On Tuesday the beauty - who is wed to Law & Order: SVU star Ice-T - shared several images to Instagram with her family members. One of them was her sister Kristy Austin who stood out in a tight dress with a pretty design

Fam: 'So because of the Holidays I've been late on my posts ... Christmas eve is my dad's birthday we always have an annual family dinner,' said the model. 'There's alot of people in my family but I have 3 brothers and 1 sister (one brother not shown here)'

'Happiest Birthday to the best father ever. A man who loves his kids like no other and would truly do anything for his family... MY DAD!!! We love you so very much.  #FamilyTime #LoveLaughLive #Blessed #Greatful,' she wrote.

Kristy also says on her Instagram page that she is the sister of Coco.

'Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay. Sister to the amazing & bootyful Coco,' she wrote.

And she noted she is into yoga and has her own yoga website, kristyaustinyoga.com.

Daddy: 'So thankful that I was blessed with the coolest loving dad. I always admired you growing up, dad. Love you sooooooooo much Happy belated birthday,' she noted

According to wikipedia, Coco was born in Tarzana, California, and raised in nearby Palos Verdes.

She has Serbian ancestry through maternal grandparents born in Serbia.

Austin also has a younger sister named Kristy and three younger brothers.

Coco was in the news this summer for saying she won't stop breastfeeding her five-year-old daughter Chanel until she's ready to be weaned off her milk.

Her little angel: Here her daughter Chanel was seen in a Gucci dress with Mary Jane shoes

The 'Ice and Coco' star is continuing to nurse her little girl - whom she has with husband Ice-T - because the process is a source of comfort for her daughter, especially amid the current coronavirus crisis, which Coco previously described as feeling like the world is 'coming to an end'.

Speaking to Us Weekly, she said: 'Chanel still likes my boobs.

'It's a big bonding moment for a mother and your child.'

Another pal: Coco also posed with a female pal who was not identified

She added: 'Why take that away from her?  If she doesn't want it, all right, that's where you stop it. But I'm not just going to say no.'

In a previous breastfeeding update last year, the 42-year-old beauty said: 'At a time when the world feels like its coming to an end.. suck up as much love as you can!

'I know the moms out there will appreciate this pic! Ive been getting alot of props in the breasfeeding community and get tons of emails from woman/moms appreciating me bringing light to the subject .. I write a baby blog about my journey with Chanel and soon I will write about what it's like to continue boob time with a 4 year old.. I get tons and tons of requests that want me to speak on it! (sic)'

Family time: According to wikipedia, Coco was born in Tarzana, California, and raised in nearby Palos Verde

Bros: She has Serbian ancestry through maternal grandparents born in Serbia. Austin also has a younger sister named Kristy and three younger brothers

Coco insisted that Chanel does eat 'real food' and doesn't get all her nutrients from breast milk, but nurses her to help her relax.

She added: 'At this point in nursing its just for comfort and believe me the girl loves meat so its not like she isnt eating real food... Thank you to all that understand my view.. i see most of you are so eager to side with me and I too root for you in your journey as well.. Us moms are connected.'

Coco previously said she would be 'so sad' when she has to stop breastfeeding because she loves the 'special' bond she has with her daughter.

She said: 'A mothers calling.... I'm so blessed to have this unbelievable experience in this thing called Nursing..

'I had a hard time breastfeeding the 1st week of when Chanel was born, I almost gave up but my family told me to hang for another week.

'They told me I dont want to miss this special moment you have with your child.. health wise and bond wise..I hung in there and now almost 4 years later Chanel still wants the boob ..

'Its more of a comfort thing now and of course she eats regular but nap time and night time are our time and I'm lucky she hasn't grown out it yet because when that moment comes I will be so sad..its the best feeling and ALL mothers that nurse know.. (sic)'
Another reality TV star has tested positive for Covid-19 as case numbers grow exponentially across Sydney.

Aleks Markovic, who starred in season seven of Married at First Sight last year and was paired with Ivan Sarakula, revealed her positive Covid diagnosis on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old uploaded a picture of a pair of luxe Alexander Wang sandals she had received in the mail to her Instagram Stories when she divulged the news.

Diagnosis: Married At First Sight's Aleks Markovic is the latest reality TV star to test positive for coronavirus in Sydney

'Right after receiving these babies, I got a delivery from Mr Covid,' she captioned the post. 'Hope you're all having safe and happy holidays... see you soon.'

Aleks then posted a mirror selfie to thank her followers for their supportive messages before going into further detail about her symptoms.

'I'm so fine, thank you for all your messages. Please look after yourself and wear a mask especially in NSW,' she said.

'Right after receiving these babies, I got a delivery from Mr Covid': The 29-year-old uploaded a picture of a pair of luxe Alexander Wang sandals she had received in the mail to her Instagram Stories when she divulged the news

Covid signs: Aleks posted a mirror selfie to thank her followers for their supportive messages before going into further detail about her symptoms, saying, 'I am fully vaxxed and my experience was just like a really bad head cold'

'I am fully vaxxed and my experience was just like a really bad head cold but everyone is different,' she added.

Aleks is the latest reality TV star who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Five other reality stars from The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Married At First Sight recently contracted the virus at Believe Advertising's 20th birthday party at The Flamingo Lounge in Potts Point on December 17.

The Bachelor's Jacinta 'Jay' Lal revealed her positive diagnosis earlier on Wednesday.

The Bachelor's Jacinta 'Jay' Lal, 31, became the fifth reality star to test positive for Covid-19 after she attended a potential super-spreader event in Sydney earlier this month

The 31-year-old nutritionist explained that while she was still yet to receive her PCR test results, she had returned two positive rapid-antigen test readings.

'I did two rapid tests because it got a bit of a cough now. Um, and they came back positive for Covid,' she said in a video on Instagram.

'I'm isolating at the moment and I think it's safe to say I will not be going to the Gold Coast,' she added in reference to her botched holiday plans.

Positive: Ms Lal explained that while she was still yet to receive her PCR test results, she had returned two positive rapid-antigen test readings (shown here)

Social media photos from the event show Ms Lal cosying up to Bachelorette star Beau Tauwhara, who also tested positive after attending.

The 34-year-old photographer revealed on Wednesday he'd just finished self-isolating and was ready to celebrate New Year's Eve.

The party was also attended by Married At First Sight stars Gabrielle Bartlett and Melissa Lucarelli, and Big Brother's Tilly Whitfeld, all of whom have tested positive.
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Armie Hammer has been pictured for the first time after completing a reported nearly nine-month stay at a rehabilitation facility following allegations of rape and abuse.

The embattled actor, 35, was seen spending Christmas Eve with his children at the pool in the Cayman Islands. There was no sign of his estranged wife, Elizabeth Chambers.

Hammer checked into a facility for drugs, alcohol and sex issues back in May, according to Vanity Fair.

The actor has since left the treatment facility, and his attorney revealed earlier this month the actor was 'doing great' as he prepared to celebrate the holidays with his children.

Stepping out: Armie Hammer has been pictured for the first time after completing a nearly nine-month stay at a rehabilitation facility following allegations of rape and abuse

The Sun had reported earlier this month that Hammer had checked out of rehab after nine months of treatment and was 'looking forward to spending quality time with his children amid his divorce around Christmas and New Year.'

The Call Me By Your Name star has been off the grid since a number of sexual assault and abuse allegations came to light this past January.

The actor's lawyer Andrew Brettler gave a statement to PEOPLE where he confirmed his client had left a Florida treatment facility but did not disclose when exactly he checked out.

Additionally a separate source told the publication that his holiday plans involve his children.

'I can confirm that Mr. Hammer has left the treatment facility and is doing great,' Brettler said in his statement.

In good spirits: After a turbulent year, the actor looked healthy and happy as he spent the holidays with his children

The embattled actor, 35, was seen spending Christmas Eve with his children at the pool in the Cayman Islands

An additional source told PEOPLE that he 'will continue with outpatient treatments,' and 'takes it very seriously.'

'He will be celebrating the holidays with his kids and family,' it was added.

It was not specified outright if that includes his ex wife, Elizabeth Chambers, who filed for divorce in July 2020. They share daughter Harper, seven, and son Ford, four.

Family man: Hammer fussed over his son Ford, four, as they hung out by the lounge chairs

Low-key: Hammer was also strolling by the pool with a black cap over his dark brunette locks and a tote bag slung over his arm

'Armie is out of the treatment facility where he spent almost 9 months,' a source told The Sun, adding that he was 'back in the Cayman Islands' and 'doing really well' which was 'wonderful news for his family.'

It was said that he had kept in touch with his kids and new girlfriend, Lisa Perejma  a Cayman Islands based dental hygienist  via FaceTime while in treatment.

Hammer has been the subject of a rape investigation since March 2021 after his ex partner  a woman named Effie  went public with allegations of a 'violent incident' that occurred between them back in 2017.

The Los Angeles Police Department concluded the nine-month investigation into the claims, and sent its findings to the city's District Attorney's office, though sources say that 'charges appear unlikely,' as reported by TMZ on December 8.

Hammer shares daughter Harper and Ford with his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers

DailyMail.com reached out to the LAPD, but did not hear back. A representative for Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon said that the office had not yet received the findings of the case when the Daily Mail reached out for comment.

Her Instagram account @houseofeffie had previously aggregated messages alleged to have been sent by Hammer to numerous women that contained instances of BDSM style abuse, and even cannibalism.

One message read: 'I want to eat you...I am 100% a cannibal,' with others showing disturbing talk of eating a woman's ribs and cutting off their toes.

Those messages were never proven to have been sent by Hammer and no legal action was taken.

Additionally his ex Paige Lorenze spoke out about his 'dangerous, emotionally and psychologically damaging' actions, with her telling DailyMailTV that he carved an 'A' by her private parts using a knife.

Home for the holidays: The family posed by the Christmas tree as they celebrated the holidays in 2019

Hammer responded to the allegations by saying he was 'not responding to these bulls**t claims,' and called the DMs and chatter a 'vicious and spurious attack.'

His attorney Brettler maintained: 'All interactions between Mr. Hammer and his former partners were consensual. They were fully discussed, agreed upon in advance with his partners, and mutually participatory.

'The stories perpetuated on social media were designed to be salacious in an effort to harm Mr. Hammer, but that does not make them true.'

Despite his camp trying to quiet what they dubbed as chatter, he was dropped by his talent agency WME and his personal publicist, and was also fired from two high profile films - Shotgun Wedding and The Offer.

The new trailer for the upcoming film Death On The Nile, which stars Hammer, sparked outrage after the sneak peek was released last week.

Viewers ruthlessly mocked the sneak peek which appeared to have gone through great lengths in the editing suite to minimize Hammer's role in the film.

Chambers, the mother of his children, had released a statement that she was 'shocked, heartbroken, and devastated,' while speaking out in support of the victims, adding: 'I didn't realize how much I didn't know.'

Making a splash! Elizabeth wished her then-husband a happy father's day in 2020 with this sweet family snap

The new trailer for the upcoming film Death On The Nile, which stars Hammer, sparked outrage and mockery after the sneak peek was released last week
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Amelia Hamlin has been enjoying some down time from modeling this holiday season as she spends time with her mother Lisa Rinna, her father Harry Hamlin and her sister Delilah.

But on Wednesday the 20-year-old Vogue model let her Instagram followers know she had escaped to the hot weather for a little sunny weather beach vacation.

The brunette bombshell took to Instagram to share three new photos with her 1.1million followers as she captioned the images, 'Howdyyy.'

Model at ease: Amelia Hamlin has been enjoying some down time from modeling this holiday season as she spends time with her mother Lisa Rinna, her father Harry Hamlin and her sister Delilah. But on Wednesday the 20-year-old Vogue model let her Instagram followers know she had escaped to the hot weather for a little sunny weather beach vacation

And in her Instagram Stories the leggy lady shared photos of herself in the same string bikini.

Amelia looked to be in great shape as she showed off her toned tummy and lean legs while in the unknown location.

In one image she wore a yellow bikini with a pink tinted print scarf tied around her waist, adding brown cowgirl boots as she stood in front of an SUV.

Hamlin added black sunglasses and several bracelets. Her dark locks were worn down her back and unbrushed.

An eyeful: The brunette bombshell took to Instagram to share three new photos with her 1.1million followers as she captioned the images, 'Howdyyy'

Tightening her skirt: In this image the lingerie model pulled at the ends of her scarf that was tied around her waist

In another shot she is laying tummy down on a lounge chair on a balcony as she reads a book. A straw hat is on the floor.

And she also shared a video of waves rolling onto a beach as she wrote over the image, 'Morning glory.'

The star seems to be single these days.

She split from Scott Disick in September, after dating for 11 months.

And she appeared to throw shade at her 38-year-old ex boyfriend in a pointed Instagram caption she posted just before Christmas.

The model reflected on the year 2021, noting that it was the 'year that I completely lost my sense of self.'

Amelia shared several images and videos of herself from the past year, writing: '2021... the year of the bleached brow & dreams coming true... the year that I completely lose my sense of self... not knowing that I would reclaim it even more authentically.'

Looking wild in the wild: There was one long braid in her hair as she walked among the mature plants

A walk on the wild side: The top and briefs did not cover much skin, but she didn't seem to mind as she wore sunglasses

She continued: 'The year that I went to New York and never left. Thank you 2021... Thank you to everyone that made my dreams come true.. U know who u r!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!' with hearts and heart eye emojis.

Amelia shared images of her bleached brows process, which were originally done for the Richard Quinn runway show during London Fashion Week in September.

Her shade toward father of three Scott comes just days after he was seen enjoying a holiday to St.Barts with on/off fling model Bella Banos.

Amelia and Scott were first linked in October 2020 when they went to Kendall Jenner's birthday party.

They made their relationship Instagram official in February while on holiday in Miami after being seen out together on multiple occasions.

She 'wasn't playing around': Hamlin was also seen in this very small brown bikini top with her high waisted jeans

Reading time: In another shot she is laying tummy down on a lounge chair on a balcony as she reads a book. A straw hat is on the floor

Where could she be? And she also shared a video of waves rolling onto a beach as she wrote over the image, 'Morning glory'

In August 2021, their relationship hit a rocky patch when Scott appeared to blast his ex Kourtney Kardashian for her public PDA sessions with Travis Barker.

Scott allegedly set snide messages sent to her former love Younes Bendjima - who was less than pleased at the exchange - in August 2021.

The Flip It Like Disick star, who begrudgingly gave Kourtney and Travis his 'blessing' on their relationship months prior, hit out at steamy snaps of the mother of his kids and the Blink 182 star, in messages leaked by Younes on Instagram.

Younes put the Talentless designer on blast as he shared a screengrab of the alleged direct message he received, which read: 'Yo is this chick ok!????', accompanied by a DailyMail.com photo of Kourtney and Travis making out in Italy.

Interesting statement: She split from Scott Disick in September, after dating for 11 months. And Hamlin appeared to throw shade at her ex boyfriend just before Christmas

'Yo is this chick ok!??? Broo like what is this. In the middle of Italy,' he wrote as he sent a photo of Kourtney kissing and straddling the Blink-182 drummer on an inflatable boat.

Younes  despite being 10 years younger than Scott  exuded more maturity about his ex's happiness in the alleged private conversation as he responded back: 'Doesn't matter to me as long as she's happy PS: I ain't your bro.'

And as the duo do not follow each other on Instagram (per the screenshot) Scott would have had to go out of his way to message Younes about their shared ex's relationship.

Making it very clear that he and Scott were never on good terms, Younes continued to write: 'Keep the same energy you had about me publicly, privately.'

Kourtney dated model Younes on and off from 2016 until finally splitting in early 2018; she went on to date longtime pal Travis, 46.

Travis and Kourtney got engaged in October in Santa Barbara after a whirlwind 10 month romance; their love goes strength to strength.

Former: The 20-year-old model reflected on the year 2021, noting that it was the 'year that I completely lost my sense of self;' seen with Scott Disick - who has kids with Kourtney Kardashian - over the summer

At the time, a source said the public embarrassment of the alleged leaked DMs led to a 'rough patch' with Amelia not happy with him, per People.

One month later, Amelia called it quits with Scott after 11 months of dating.

Amelia posted a pointed quote after their split, with fans assuming she was talking about Scott and their relationship.

She shared the quote: 'Never settle for less. Not with your job, your friends, and especially not with your heart. Continue to seek what you are looking for and do not shrink

Amelia is reportedly ready to date someone new, three months after their romance came to an end.

The model is 'not opposed to dating someone in the spotlight. And age is not a problem for her. She can date someone younger for someone older. It's not a deal-breaker,' People's source revealed.

Prior to Amelia, Scott dated Sofia Richie, 23, for three years.
At least 100 mostly women and children aboard a sticken wooden vessel off Aceh province were denied refuge in Indonesia

Indonesia on Wednesday said it will let dozens of Rohingya refugees come ashore after protests from locals and the international community over its plan to push them into Malaysian waters.

At least 100 mostly women and children aboard a stricken wooden vessel off Aceh province were denied refuge in Indonesia, where authorities on Tuesday said they planned to push them into the neighbouring Southeast Asian country after fixing their boat.

After a day-long meeting on Wednesday between officials in the coastal town of Bireun, Jakarta backtracked and said the refugees' boat would be towed to shore on humanitarian grounds.

"The decision was taken after considering the emergency condition of the refugees on that boat," said Armed Wijaya, head of the national taskforce on refugees.

The Rohingya boat is now about 50 miles (80 kilometres) from Bireun and would be pulled ashore, he said without elaborating on the timing.

"As it is now in the middle of the pandemic, all refugees will undergo medical screening," he said, adding that the taskforce will coordinate with related stakeholders to provide shelter and logistics for the refugees.

Indonesia

Indonesian authorities first spotted the wooden boat two days ago, stranded about 70 nautical miles off the Indonesian coast, according to a local navy commander. Local fishermen had alerted them on December 25, one of them said.

On Tuesday, Amnesty International and the UNHCR called on the government to let the stranded group of Rohingya refugees land.

The earlier plan by authorities in Aceh to send the refugees into Malaysia also angered locals in Bireun, where a group of fishermen on Wednesday organised a protest demanding authorities to instead allow the Rohingya to disembark.

"We saw videos of their condition on social media. They need water and food. They must be treated with kindness as human beings," Bireun resident Wahyudi told AFP by telephone.

"We, Acehnese, used to have the same experience with the Rohingya. We were in a prolonged conflict. We fled crossing the sea and were helped by people from various countries such as Malaysia, Australia."

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They point out that smuggling of forest produce  be it sandalwood, red sanders or any other product, is an illegal activity. Portraying such an illegal activity in a heroic way purely to make money may corrupt the minds of youngsters. They may take to smuggling forest produce, seeing the act resulting in great success.  Twitter

VIJAYAWADA: Foresters of Andhra Pradesh have objected to movie Pushpa: The Rise portraying illegal smuggling of red sanders in a heroic way, as it may mislead especially young minds.

They point out that smuggling of forest produce  be it sandalwood, red sanders or any other product, is an illegal activity. Portraying such an illegal activity in a heroic way purely to make money may corrupt the minds of youngsters. They may take to smuggling forest produce, seeing the act resulting in great success.

Foresters point out that notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan destroyed sandalwood trees in forests of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He smuggled the wood and made huge money until he was killed. Subsequently, villagers from parts of Katpadi, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore in Tamil Nadu have started smuggling red sanders from Seshachalam forests in AP.

The forest officials point to several forest personnel losing their lives in attacks by smugglers while protecting forests. Under the circumstances, they wonder how such illegal act of smuggling can be portrayed in a heroic way in a film just to make money.

Tirupati-based Central Red Sanders Depot divisional forest officer K. Ashok Kumar said, I overheard some local youngsters talking about film Pushpa depicting smuggling of red sanders in a heroic way. I am afraid the film is sending a wrong message to youth.

Smuggling of red sanders leads to imprisonment up to seven years and confiscation of all illegal property.
Anish George, a native of Pettah in the heart of the city, was killed by Lalu, who also hails from the same place. (Representational image)

Thiruvananthapuram: A 19-year-old youth was stabbed to death allegedly by the owner of a house, which he broke into early on Wednesday, police said.

The accused later surrendered at the nearby police station and admitted that he killed the youth suspecting him to be a thief.

Anish George, a native of Pettah in the heart of the city, was killed by Lalu, who also hails from the same place.

According to the accused, the shocking incident took place by around 3.30 am.

Lalu said he woke up to some noise in one of the rooms on the first floor of the house and found George there.

Suspecting him to be a thief, he immediately attacked the person using a sharp weapon.

Later, he rushed to the nearby police station and narrated the entire incident and surrendered.

Though the youth was admitted to the medical college hospital he succumbed to injuries, police said.

A police officer said investigation is progressing and all aspects would be probed.

"It is a murder...The investigation is in preliminary stage. We suspect that some personal issues might have led to the crime. We can divulge the details only after a thorough inquiry," he told reporters.

Asked about the motive of the murder, he said it was too early or premature to confirm any aspect right now, he said adding that the accused is under police surveillance.
Udupi: Police Sub Inspector of Kota Station in Udupi district allegedly caned members of the Koraga tribal community who were attending a Mehendi (pre-wedding) function at a colony. The police inspector allegedly thrashed the people including the bridegroom at Kotatattu on Monday night.

As Kotatattu is the place from where Karnataka state social welfare minister Kota Srinivas Poojary hails, the video clippings of the incident went viral on social media.

Somebody complained to the police about the loud music and the officials came to the house. The people have assured that the music will be stopped by 11 PM. But the police Sub Inspector Santhosh lathi charged the people participating in the ritual. The wedding is on Wednesday and many have been injured during the police caning. It is usual to organize pre-wedding celebrations. Why did the Sub Inspector storm into the function and beaten up people. The SI and other police personnel should be immediately suspended, said Sunder Master, Dalit movement leader.

The leaders met senior police officials demanding action against the Sub Inspector.

Acting immediately the police department has ordered an inquiry into the incident. It will be led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Meanwhile, the Sub Inspector and six personnel have been shifted to the SP office.

SP Vishnuvardhan told reporters that the police received a complaint that the loud music continued even after 10 pm based on which the SI visited the spot.

If the allegations against the police officials are true, then we will take necessary action, SP assured.

Meanwhile, Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary has strongly condemned the incident. He demanded action against the police officials involved in the incident.

I know the family and the place. They are innocent. Strict action should be taken against the police who have unnecessarily harassed the people, he said.

The Minister spoke to the Inspector General of Police (Western Range) and other senior officials and said that the government cannot tolerate such incidents.
The judge found fault with the authorities and stayed the further proceedings in respect of the land acquisition. (Representational Image/ DC)

Hyderabad: Justice Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court has pulled up the state government and the land acquisition authorities for forcibly taking over agricultural lands from farmers without passing an award and not following the set land acquisition procedure.

The imperious attitude of the authorities came in for sharp criticism from the court, while it was dealing with a petition from Moku Venkat Reddy and another aggrieved. Their land admeasuring 6.15 acres in Ramaram Village of Gunal Manal in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district was proposed to be acquired for construction of the Main Canal of Nawabpet Reservoir under Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme. A preliminary notification was issued to this effect in 2018. But nothing happened by way of a follow-up.

The petitioners submitted to the court that they came to know recently their land records were suddenly changed and their lands thus came under the ambit of the irrigation project. Without awarding a compensation amount, how could the authorities change the records and take away the land, the petitioners asked in utter anguish.

The petitioners also said the preliminary notification is valid only for 12 months after it is issued. But, in this case, it was after a long time that the authorities relied on the old notification.

The judge found fault with the authorities and stayed the further proceedings in respect of the land acquisition.
Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday credited Rs 703 crore into the bank accounts of 9,30,809 eligible beneficiaries who were earlier not considered eligible for welfare schemes due to various reasons.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said earlier people used to wait and run from pillar to post to avail of welfare schemes, but now the situation has changed, where welfare benefits are being delivered to the doorstep of the beneficiaries.

As part of this initiative, Jagan Mohan Reddy said the state government will re-verify those who are eligible but have not availed of the benefits and they will be provided the welfare benefits in June and December every year. He further said that the intention is to take welfare schemes to every eligible person in the state.

Drawing comparison between the previous regime led by the Telugu Desam and the current YSRC regime, the Chief Minister said that the previous government had only tried to minimise the number of beneficiaries by providing welfare schemes to a select number through Janmabhoomi Committees and always took a back seat in delivering welfare schemes to the people, doing their best to exclude as many people as possible

He said the government had taken only eligibility as a criteria and has been providing welfare benefits in a transparent way, irrespective of their caste, religion, or political affiliations.

Going into further details, the Chief Minister said the number of beneficiaries and the amount being spent on them has increased vastly. He also added that the government has prioritised welfare even during Covid-19 times when the revenue was on the decline.

He explained that only 39 lakh people have received a pension of Rs 1000 per month during the TDP rule, incurring a monthly bill of Rs 400 crore. Under the YSRC government, he said the pension was increased to Rs 2,250 and has been providing pensions to over 61 lakh beneficiaries, incurring an expenditure of Rs 1,450 crore.

Through this initiative, the Chief Minister said Rs 470.40 crore will be credited to 2,50,929 beneficiaries under the YSR Cheyutha, Rs 7.67 crore to 1,136 people under YSR Aasara, Rs 53.51 crore to 59,661 people under YSR Sunna Vaddi Runalu (women), Rs 58.89 crore to 2,86,059 people under YSR Rythu Bharosa, Rs 19.92 crore to 31,940 people under Vidya Deevena, Rs 39.82 crore to 43,010 people under Vasathi Deevena, Rs 19.47 crore to 12,983 people under Kapu Nestam, Rs 8.09 crore to 8080 people under Vahana Mitra, Rs 3.79 crore to 3788 people under Matsakara Bharosa, and Rs 1.91 crore to 794 people under the Nethanna Nestam.

Apart from these, house pattas are being given to 1,10,986 people, pension cards to 1,51,562 people, rice cards to 3,07,599 people and Aarogyasri cards to 1,14,129 people.
During his stint as the leader of opposition, Stalin had many times stated that petroleum products should be brought under the purview of GST, Palaniswami said. (PTI Photo)

Chennai: AIADMK top leader K Palaniswami on Wednesday demanded that Chief Minister M K Stalin inform the people on what was preventing the DMK regime from not implementing the assurance made in the run up to the Assembly election on bringing petrol and diesel under the GST regime.

During his stint as the leader of opposition, Stalin had many times stated that petroleum products should be brought under the purview of GST, Palaniswami said.

Senior DMK leader and party treasurer T R Baalu, in an interview to a Tamil news channel, has said that bringing petrol and diesel under the GST was featured in his party's manifesto for the 2021 polls, the AIADMK leader, also the former Chief Minister said.

"Baalu has categorically said that the Central government should bring petrol and diesel under the GST. He has said that it would bring down the prices of petroleum products by Rs 40 to Rs 50," Palaniswami said in a statement.

When Baalu has himself recommended bringing petrol and diesel under the GST, Chief Minister M K Stalin should inform the people on what was preventing them from not implementing that assurance made in the run up to the Assembly election, he said.

News reports, quoting the Union Finance Ministry, said that only Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have opposed fuel to be brought under GST while most others, including union territories, have supported it, Palaniswami said.

The AIADMK leader alleged that the DMK regime has not even taken the 'first step' in fulfilling its assurances, including those that would bring economic benefits to the Tamil Nadu people.

The AIADMK government had provided a Pongal gift of Rs 2,500 to people (2021, January) and the DMK has not made a similar move so far, he said adding this has 'angered' the ordinary and poor people.
Hubballi: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday appealed to pro-Kannada organisations not to go ahead with the state-wide bandh called by them on December 31, demanding a complete ban on the activities of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi (MES).

He said the government has already taken action against "anti Kannada forces" and was examining their demand for the ban legally.

"I appeal to organisations... as per their wishes, we have already taken several decisions. We have taken strict action as per law against anti Kannada forces. On the demand for banning MES, we are examining it legally. So I appeal to them through the media not to go ahead with the bandh. Bandh is not an answer for everything," Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, the government would welcome it if organisations want to put pressure in any other peaceful way, other than bandh.

"So we earnestly appeal to the organisations to drop the bandh call," he added.

Several pro-Kannada organisations have called for a day-long state wide bandh on December 31, demanding a complete ban on the activities of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi in the state over its repeated involvement in "anti-Karnataka and anti-Kannada activities".

The demand follows the recent incidents of burning of the Kannada flag in Maharashtra's Kolhapur and defacement of the statue of historical icon Sangolli Rayanna in Belagavi, allegedly by MES activists.

The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), a Marathi outfit, has been campaigning for long to merge Marathi speaking regions in Belagavi with Maharashtra.

Asked whether MES can be banned as per law, Bommai said, "We are examining it. I'm not saying it will be banned, I had said the same thing in the assembly as well. We will have to look into it."

To a question if the orginsations try to implement the bandh forcefully, he said, " we will take action accordingly, as and when such a situation arise."

However, several organisations like the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association, Auto, schools and colleges associations, shopping malls association and several other commercial establishments have offered only moral support and said they will not participate in the band and function normally.

Business establishments have cited New Year brisk business for not physically supporting the bandh call.
Hyderabad: The annual southern sojourn of President Ram Nath Kovind at Hyderabad has been cancelled.

The President was to come to Hyderabad on December 29th and spend four days here till January 3. However, it was cancelled this year. Possibly due to the Omicron outbreak, a source from the city police said.

The President visits Hyderabad and stays at Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolaram in the Secunderabad Cantonment. Rashtrapati Bhavan had earlier communicated the President's tour programme, and the state government had made arrangements at RP Nilayam, including cleaning up the place.

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar had earlier held a meeting with officials of various departments on the arrangements to be made for the President. Kovinds five-year term ends in July 2022.
HYDERABAD: Telangana is on the verge of community transmission of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus with three cases of Omicron infection announced on Tuesday, about which the state health department said it could not trace the source of the infection.

All the three Omicron cases of which the sources could not be traced were found in Hyderabad. The infected patients are a pregnant woman, a techie, and a dialysis technician at a hospital. The department, however, did not say when these cases were discovered.

On Tuesday, the department said a total of 7 new cases of the variant were found in the state, of which three were international arrivals from at-risk countries, and four were from not-at-risk countries. Tuesdays addition to the Omicron cases took the tally of this variant to 62 in the state.

A senior health department official told Deccan Chronicle that these three cases could not be technically termed as community transmission of the variant, but sporadic cases. The official, however, added that these cases would see a spike in the days to come, and when they began occurring in hundreds, only it could be called community transmission.

Meanwhile, health minister T. Harish Rao said an analysis of the 62 cases had shown that 46 of those found infected with the Omicron variant from among the international travellers were not vaccinated. This goes to show that most of the Omicron cases are among the unvaccinated. This should give all of us further impetus to get vaccinated against Covid. Every one of us has a responsibility to get fully vaccinated, and encourage others to do the same, the minister told reporters at a press conference.

He said according to doctors at the Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS), all patients who tested Omicron positive were either asymptomatic, or had very mild symptoms. He also said so far, 13 of the Omicron positive patients had been discharged after recovery from the TIMS.

Harish Rao said there was no reason for any fear or worry on the Omicron front as the state was fully geared up to meet this challenge.
The authorities have now decided to conduct tests for all 300 students who were on the campus. (Representational Image/PTI)

HYDERABAD: As many as 38 students in Sri Chaitanya Junior College tested Covid-19 positive in Narsingi, Ranga Reddy district. The district medical authorities said 20 students tested positive on Tuesday and 18 on Wednesday after conducting a Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) for Covid-19. Officials said most students who had tested positive were living in hostels and were largely asymptomatic, barring a few with mild fever. They said all 38 samples were sent for the RT-PCR test of which the results would be out on Thursday.

Ranga Reddy district medical and health officer (DMHO) Dr. K.V. Swarajya Lakshmi said, "On Tuesday morning, we got a random call from one of the students that they were suffering from fever and sore throat. Upon receiving the information, we Immediately rushed our teams and conducted RAT tests where 20 students tested positive from 132 samples collected on Tuesday and 18 of them tested positive on Wednesday," the DMOH said.

Lakshmi said she had directed the college management to give mandatory holidays for seven days to stay away from potential super spreaders such as food handlers and warden boys apart from taking up the containment activities on the premises. She said RT-PCR results would be out on Thursday.

"We have ordered a three-day sanitisation drive and mandatory seven-day holiday after which we will take a call on whether to open the campus or not," she added.

According to the sources, students hailing from Warangal and other neighbouring districts came back after the Christmas holidays. The authorities have now decided to conduct tests for all 300 students who were on the campus. District authorities have already alerted parents to take their students for home isolation. So far, 132 samples were taken and remaining students have been tested. Most of the students studying here are from Warangal, Sangareddy, Nalgonda and Medak. Some of them went home for Christmas vacation. Sources said students might have got infected during their vacation.
The court declared that the AP cabinet decision dated 04-05-2021 handing over the APDDCF assets to GCMMF (Amul Dairy) was illegal, irrational, arbitrary and was in violation of the Article 14 of the Constitution .  DC Image

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the state government not to spend any amount pursuant to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it entered into with Amul Dairy.

A division bench comprising Justices Kongara Vijaya Lakshmi and D. Ramesh heard a petition on Thursday , filed by YSR Congress MP K. Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, stating that handing over of assets of AP Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Limited (APDDCF) to Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) Limited was illegal and that the MoU between both the parties was arbitrary.

The court declared that the AP cabinet decision dated 04-05-2021 handing over the APDDCF assets to GCMMF (Amul Dairy) was illegal, irrational, arbitrary and was in violation of the Article 14 of the Constitution. It declared Animal Husbandry Dairy Development and Fisheries department approving the MoU between state government and Amul Dairy and appointing the committee for fixation of lease rentals, for lease of assets of state government to Amul Dairy as illegal and arbitrary. The court also declared granting of loan of Rs 69 crore to Prakasam Milk Producers Company Limited was in derogation of law, contrary to the Companies Act, besides being irrational and arbitrary. Moreover, the court directed the state government and APDDCF not in any way utilise the funds of the state and its instrumentalities and for their employees for the business that is being proposed to be carried out by the Amul Dairy.

The court issued directions to serve notices to Amul Dairy and also to National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and posted the next hearing in the case to June 14. Senior counsel Adinarayana Rao argued on behalf of the petitioner.
A heavy police force was deployed around the Secretariat to prevent protests. Employees in batches tried to reach Secretariat premises from different sides  By arrangement

HYDERABAD: Allotment of state government employees and teachers to local cadres and transfers as per new zonal system which is based on creation of new districts and zones fuelled protests across the state.

Employees and teachers boycotted duties and staged protests in several districts alleging huge irregularities in allotment to local cadres and transfers. Several employees and teachers unions tried to lay siege to the Telangana Secretariat at BRKR Bhavan on Tuesday. However, the police foiled their attempts and took them into custody.

Tension prevailed on the Secretariat premises as scores of employees and teachers from the city as well as from districts tried to stage protests in front of BRKR Bhavan demanding scrapping of GO 317 issued for allotment of employees to local cadres and effect transfer of employees.

A heavy police force was deployed around the Secretariat to prevent protests.

Employees in batches tried to reach Secretariat premises from different sides. The police took them into custody and shifted them to police stations. The police had to resort to mild lathi-charge to disperse the protesters after they refused to go back and started raising slogans against the government.

Telangana Employees Association state president C. Sampat Kumara Swamy alleged that officials completely ignored the nativity of employees while allocating them to local cadres in districts. He said the officials were maintaining that seniority was being given preference in allotment to districts but the seniority lists prepared by officials were full of blunders. He demanded an inquiry against officials who resorted to irregularities in drafting seniority lists to favour persons of their choice to get postings at their preferred locations.

Upadhyaya Sanghala Porata Committee (UPSC), which is spearheading the teachers' agitation against ongoing transfers alleged that a few teachers with access to higher-ups were securing postings in cities and towns while those with higher seniority and nativity were forced to move out to remote areas. It accused the officials of completely ignoring the 'nativity' in transfers which is the main basis for the new zonal system brought by the Telangana government.
The Chief Minister held a high-level review meeting at Nalgonda collectorate to chalk out a comprehensive plan for the overall development of Nalgonda town on par with other major cities and towns in Telangana. (Photo: Twitter)

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday announced a slew of sops for the development of Nalgonda municipality on all fronts.

Rao visited Nalgonda to console Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) Thungathurthy MLA Gadari Kishore and his family members over the demise of Gadari Maraiah, the MLAs father who passed away on December 17.

He was accompanied by ministers T. Harish Rao, G. Jagadish Reddy, V. Srinivas Goud, MP Joginapalli Santhosh Kumar, party MLAs and MLCs from Nalgonda district.

The Chief Minister later held a high-level review meeting at Nalgonda collectorate to chalk out a comprehensive plan for the overall development of Nalgonda town on par with other major cities and towns in Telangana. He announced setting up of an IT hub in Nalgonda at a cost of Rs 110 crore.

He directed IT minister K. T. Rama Rao and R&B minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy to visit Nalgonda on December 31 and conduct padayatra in Nalgonda town to identify the development programmes that needed to be undertaken and also lay foundation for the proposed IT hub.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to set up two integrated vegetable and meat markets apart from devising plans to develop Panagal reservoir on the lines of Tank Bund and to set up Shilpakala Thoranam as was done in Hyderabad.

The Chief Minister inspected a few sites for the construction of a town hall in Nalgonda. He also announced setting up of a government degree college in Nalgonda at a cost of Rs 36 crore. Rao said the state government was ready to sanction any amount of funds for the overall development of Nalgonda and directed district minister G. Jagadish Reddy, Nalgonda MLA Kancharal Bhupal Reddy, district collector and higher officials to undertake padayatra in the town to identify the development programmes that needed to be launched.

The Chief Minister observed that there was an urgent need of a municipal commissioner for Nalgonda, who worked with commitment and directed Siddipet municipal commissioner Ramana Chary over phone to come and work in Nalgonda and develop it on par with Siddipet municipality.

Rao assured to fulfil the promise given to people in Nagarjunasagar and Nandikonda municipalities during Nagarjunasagar Assembly bypoll that the state government would give pattas to people who built houses lands owned by irrigation department. He directed officials to begin the process of issuing pattas to the people.

The Chief Minister enquired about the progress of construction of 2BHK houses for poor and Vaikuntadhamams (crematoriums). He directed officials to set up separate cemeteries for Muslims and Christians.
Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina): Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has been named as one of the most corrupt officials of the year by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a nonprofit investigative news reporting platform for independent media outlets around the world.

The list was topped by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Others included in the list were - Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan, and disgraced Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, reported OCCRP.

OCCRP said Ghani deserved an award because he "deserted his people leaving them to misery and death."

Drew Sullivan, a co-founder of OCCRP who served as a judge on the panel, said that Ashraf Ghani deserves such an award due to his corruption and incompetence.

"Ghani certainly deserves an award, too. He was breath-taking in both his corruption and his gross incompetence. He deserted his people, leaving them to misery and death so he could live among the corrupt former state officials in the moral cesspool that is the UAE," said Sullivan.

A panel of six journalists and scholars who study and report on corruption selected Lukashenko as the man of the year. It included Rawan Damen, Director General of Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ); Will Fitzgibbon, senior reporter with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ); Boyoung Lim, a senior editor at the Pulitzer Center; Louise Shelley, an author and endowed professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University; Paul Radu, award-winning cross-border investigative reporter, co-founder, and Director of OCCRP; and Drew Sullivan.

"It was a banner year for corruption, but Lukashenko stood out from the crowd," said Sullivan.

Lukashenko, 67, has clung to power in Minsk since 1993, rigging elections, torturing critics, and arresting and beating protesters, all with the aid and approval of the Kremlin, reported OCCRP.

Assad led Syria into a destructive civil war and has stolen hundreds of millions of dollars while clinging to power. Erdogan has overseen a corrupt government that has laundered Chinese funds for Iranian oil using state-owned banks. Kurz was the leader of the Austrian People's Party (OVP) who, along with nine other politicians and newspaper persons, was accused of embezzlement and bribery, added OCCRP.
Apple Inc has placed its supplier Foxconns factory in Tamil Nadu on probation after the parties found that some offsite dormitory facilities for employees did not meet the required standards.

The Taiwanese supplier, whose Sriperumbudur plant assembles high-end phones such as iPhone 11 and 12, has also decided to restructure its management team.

The news comes at a time India is pulling out all the stops to convince foreign firms to set up their factories in the country and laying the foundation to become a global manufacturing hub.

Also Read | Foxconns iPhone plant in TN to resume operations

Production at the Foxconn campus came to a halt on December 18 following protests by hundreds of workers demanding quality food. About 159 of their colleagues were hospitalised after they ate at a hostel managed by the firm.

An inspection by Apples independent auditors of facilities found some of the remote dormitory accommodations and dining rooms being used by employees did not meet its requirements.

We are working with the supplier to ensure a comprehensive set of corrective actions are rapidly implemented, an Apple spokesperson said, adding that it would ensure its strict standards are met before the facility reopens.

Local sources originally expected the factory to reopen on December 29 but they now see work resuming only after a few more days.

All employees will continue to be paid while the firm makes necessary improvements before restarting the operations, A Foxconn spokesperson told DH.

We are very sorry for the issue our employees experienced and are taking immediate steps to enhance the facilities and services we provide at the remote dormitory accommodations, the spokesperson added.

Also Read | Foxconn to restructure management at Tamil Nadu iPhone plant

Foxconns plants in Sriperumbudur manufacture mobiles phones and other electronic devices, including Amazon firestick. The Taiwanese firm has expanded its facility more than once and had in 2020 pledged to invest over Rs 7,000 crore in enhancing capacity at its plants there.

Last week, the Tamil Nadu government said it had advised Foxconn to improve the working and living conditions of contract employees. The iPhone assembler has assured the state government that it would urge its contractors to provide quality food to 15,000 employees working with the company.

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South Korean consumer electronics major Samsung on Wednesday announced top level organisational changes in India with an aim to generate more synergies amongst its various businesses.

The company has appointed CH Choi as the new Division Leader for the Consumer Electronics business while Jinsock Lee will be the Division Leader for the Network business and would be based in Mumbai, according to a statement.

Jongbum Park will continue to be the Division Leader for the Mobile business, it added.

"Mohandeep Singh will be new Head, Sales, Marketing & Operations for the Consumer Electronics business while Raju Pullan will be the new Head, Sales & Retail for the Mobile business," the statement said.

Aditya Babbar will lead Product Marketing for the Mobile business.

The move will help "its various businesses and deliver an enriching and meaningful experience for consumers, as the company further expands its footprint in India and takes new strides in innovations driven by future technologies."

Samsung's Chief Marketing Officer Asim Warsi will step down but will continue his association as an advisor with the company.

"Asim Warsi will be pursuing a different professional path and in that, he will continue to be engaged with Samsung India," the statement said.

Besides, Samsung is creating three new teams here -- India Customer Experience (ICX) and Business Strategy, Direct-To-Customer and Enterprise Business -- in order to improve operational synergies and consumer experiences.

Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore Managing Director Dipesh Shah will also head the new ICX and Business Strategy team to create multiple device experience for Indian consumers.

The new Direct-To-Customer team will be headed by Sumit Walia, who will also lead the Corporate Marketing team. Enterprise Business team will be headed by Akash Saxenna.

The South Korean tech giant reported a revenue of Rs 75,886.3 crore in FY21.

"These changes will help Samsung to continue to serve our consumers and partners in India as we have done in the past 25 years and achieve our vision of Powering Digital India," it said.

In FY21, about 72.65 per cent of the revenue came from phones while the remaining came from home appliances, audiovisual, network, software development and export and others.

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Minutes before the 10 pm to 5 am curfew came into effect on Tuesday, police started asking hotels, bars, pubs and other commercial establishments to shutter.

Police began setting up barricades and checkpoints at all main thoroughfares.

Using public address systems, police asked shops and other establishments to down the shutters. In many areas, beat constables made sure the establishments shut their doors. As per the instructions of the city police chief Kamal Pant, police inspectors also joined the rounds, asking members of the public to cooperate.

Also Read | Night curfew in Bengaluru from today: Here's what is exempted

Vehicle movement on several flyovers was restricted or barred. Police checks caused traffic snarls at some junctions. Those claiming to be working in the essential services sector were asked to show their identity cards to get through the barricades.

In several places, owners had closed the shops voluntarily around 9.30 pm. Police personnel were deployed in Majestic and the Mysuru Road Bus Station to ensure passengers safety.

On Tuesday evening, citizens dependent on private vehicles, auto-rickshaws and taxis scrambled to get home as the curfew restrictions allow only public transport.

The night curfew, aimed at checking the spread of Omicron, will remain in effect from December 28 to January 7.

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The emergence of two new Covid-19 clusters in Bengaluru has put municipal authorities on high alert even as the city braces for a potential rise in cases during the holiday season.

At an engineering college on Mysuru Road, students alleged that a cluster of cases had been found. Students alleged that 23 of them had developed a Covid-19 infection after some students attended a DJ concert on Christmas Day and subsequently began showing symptoms of the disease.

Some of the cases are being covered up by the college because its pressuring students to attend offline classes, a student claimed.

Speaking to DH, the college principal rejected the claims and specified that only four students from the third and fourth years had tested positive after attending the concert.

Also Read | Karnataka reports 356 new Covid cases, 2 deaths

None of the students is a hostel resident and they have not visited the campus since testing positive, he said, adding that the college will enlist the support of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to test students on campus.

He added that the college learned about the cases on Tuesday morning. The BBMP said that it had not yet been officially informed about the student cases.

BBMP officials said they are also grappling with a smattering of cases at a luxury apartment complex in Rajajinagar. The first cases started to be detected a week ago and every day, two to three cases are being found at the location. Now, the total number of cases is 23, said Dr K V Thrilok Chandra, Special Commissioner (Health), BBMP.

Also Read | Hostel in Manipal's MAHE declared as Covid cluster

Dr Deepak, the BBMPs Zonal Commissioner for West Zone, said that the cases were being found on different floors of this 30-odd-story apartment complex.

We suspect that the vector location was a badminton tournament which happened on December 19, he said, adding that it was not yet known if any of the infected have a travel history.

None of the cases has been hospitalised to date. Their samples have been sent for genomic sequencing, he added.

BBMP sources described it as the largest residential cluster to be found in weeks. The next largest active residential cluster comprises 12 cases at a gated community in Bellandur.

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Beijing on Tuesday accused the United States of irresponsible and unsafe conduct in space over two "close encounters" between the Chinese space station and satellites operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Tiangong, China's new space station, had to manoeuvre to avoid colliding with one Starlink satellite in July and with another in October, according to a note submitted by Beijing to the United Nations space agency this month.

The note said the incidents "constituted dangers to the life or health of astronauts aboard the China Space Station".

"The US... ignores its obligations under international treaties, posing a serious threat to the lives and safety of astronauts," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a routine briefing on Tuesday.

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, operates a constellation of close to 2,000 satellites that aims to provide internet access to most parts of Earth.

SpaceX is a private American company, independent of the US military and civilian space agency NASA.

But China said in its note to the UN that members of the Outer Space Treaty -- the foundation of international space law -- are also responsible for actions by their non-government entities.

Addressing reporters, US State Department spokesman Ned Price declined to respond specifically to the Chinese accusations.

"We have encouraged all countries with space programs to be responsible actors, to avoid acts that may put in danger astronauts, cosmonauts, others who are orbiting the Earth or who have the potential to," Price said.

SpaceX has not responded to a request for comment.

Evasive manoeuvres to reduce the risk of collisions in space are becoming more frequent as more objects enter Earth's orbit, said Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

"We've really noticed the increase in the number of close passes since Starlink started getting deployed," he told AFP.

Any collision would likely "completely demolish" the Chinese space station and kill everyone on board, McDowell added.

The core module of China's station Tiangong -- meaning "heavenly palace" -- entered orbit earlier this year, and it is expected to become fully operational next year.

Beijing's complaint about Starlink prompted criticism on Chinese social media of SpaceX's billionaire founder Musk, who is widely admired in China.

One hashtag about the topic on the Twitter-like Weibo platform racked up 90 million views Tuesday.

"How ironic that Chinese people buy Tesla, contributing large sums of money so Musk can launch Starlink, and then he (nearly) crashes into China's space station," one user commented.

Musk's electric car maker Tesla sells tens of thousands of vehicles in China each month, though the firm's reputation has taken a hit this year following a spate of crashes, scandals and data security concerns.

"Prepare to boycott Tesla," said another Weibo user, echoing a common response in China to foreign brands perceived to be acting contrary to national interests.

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Senior diplomat Anupam Ray has been appointed as India's next permanent representative to the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.

Ray, a 1994-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is currently serving as a joint secretary in the MEA's headquarters in Delhi.

"Anupam Ray (IFS:1994), presently joint secretary in the ministry, has been appointed as the next ambassador/PR (permanent representative) of India to the UN Conference on Disarmament, Geneva," the MEA said in a statement.

It said he is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

Ray will succeed Pankaj Sharma.

Sharma, a 1991-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, has been appointed as India's next ambassador to Mexico.

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While the Election Commission (EC) is yet to decide on holding the assembly elections in the five poll-bound states amid the rising cases of Covid, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said the BJP is prepared to hold virtual rallies.

Talking to the media, Shekhawat said that EC will decide guidelines for election rallies and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will follow them.

"The BJP is ready for virtual rallies. We held virtual rallies in West Bengal assembly polls. During the first and second wave of Covid when all the political parties went into hibernation, the BJP was active at booth level through virtual platforms," he said.

He pointed out that conducting election is the responsibility of EC and the poll body is in touch with health secretary and experts over the current situation of the pandemic.

Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur in February-March next year.

On Tuesday, the EC team met the representatives of all the political parties in Uttar Pradesh. It is learnt that some political parties in Uttar Pradesh urged the EC to not postpone the assembly polls.

Shekhawat, also party election in-charge for Punjab, slammed Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for accusing the BJP of creating panic over pandemic.

"The Union government has not issued any new guidelines but many states have done it on their own. Channi may be pointing towards AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. Delhi government has issued yellow alerts and closed schools and colleges but Kerjiwal is doing rallies in Punjab," he said.

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A total of 8,803 persons died in road accidents in Assam in the last three years among which 56 per cent belong to the most productive age group of 18 to 35 years.

Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary informed this at a meeting of the State Road Safety Council in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Patowary said the state reported 23,191 road accidents between 2018 and 2021, out of which 6,149 involved two-wheelers. Overspeeding was found to have caused about 75% of the mishaps, he added.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Assam police, State PWD, NHAI, NHIDCL, excise, health and education department in which the minister reviewed the action taken by the stakeholders on implementation of road safety laws in the state.

Patowary said taking into account the scenario, the state government launched a drive to check riding of motorcycles without helmets, over speeding and drink driving. "Since December 1, more than 11,000 cases of riding without helmet have been detected by the transport department," Patowary said.

He said the department set a target to ensure zero accidents on the night of December 31 this year. At least 29 persons died in road accidents between December 31 last year and January 1, 2021, in 69 road mishaps, he said.

As a part of the initiative to achieve the goal of zero accident on the last day of this year and overall reduction of accidents throughout the state, Patowary on Tuesday flagged off nine highly advanced Traffic Interceptor Vehicles (TIV).

The newly deployed TIVs will be operational in Baksa, Dhubri, Hojai, Karbi Anglong, Morigaon, Sivasagar, Kamrup, Lakhimpur districts and also will be used by the Central squad of the Commissioner of Transport.

Earlier 15 TIVs were deployed and 11 speed guns were distributed for effective enforcement of traffic regulations. The TIVs are fitted with Automatic Number Plate Recognition System (ANPR) camera, which may be used not just in detecting over-speeding cases, but also for other offences like non-wearing of helmet and seatbelt along with breath analyzers to enforce against drunken driving.

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Congress Lok Sabha MP Abdul Khaleque on Wednesday filed a police complaint against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly making a communal statement against the "Muslim community" while justifying September's bloody eviction drive at Gorukhuti in Darrang district.

Khaleque filed the complaint against Sarma at Dispur police station urging to register the FIR under Sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc.) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code.

A senior police officer told PTI that they have received the complaint, but have not registered a case yet as "it is at an inquiry stage".

The Congress leader alleged that the chief minister on December 10 had stated that the eviction drive at Gorukhuti was a "revenge" for the incidents of 1983 (killings of some youths there during Assam Agitation).

"Betraying his oath on the Constitution, the Hon'ble Chief Minister Dr Sarma has maliciously given a communal colour to what was supposed to be an executive exercise," the complaint said.

Around 1,200-1,400 houses were razed to the ground on September 20 and 23 in Dhalpur I, II and III villages in Gorukhuti, leaving over 7,000 people homeless. Village markets, mosques, cemeteries, madrassas and maktubs were also bulldozed.

The eviction drive, which passed off peacefully on the first day but was conducted amid stiff resistance by the local people on the second day, also left two dead in police firing on September 23, including a 12-year-old boy who had got his first identity proof, an Aadhaar card, just before he was shot dead. Over 20 people were injured, including policemen.

"By calling such horrendous acts as revenge, Sri Himanta Biswa Sarma has not only justified the killings and arson committed there, the legality of which is sub-judice before the Hon'ble Gauhati High Court, but he has gone far ahead and has communalised the whole exercise -- the target of which was the Muslim population living there," it added.

The "rampant human rights violations" at Gorukhuti were preceded by multiple utterances of Sarma, who targeted the particular community, Khaleque alleged.

"The hate created by the Hon'ble Chief Minister's constant denigration of the Muslim community manifested itself in the egregious acts of a civilian," he said.

The parliamentarian pointed out that a government photographer had stomped on the body of one of the deceased while he was taking his last breath after having been gunned down by the police.

"And by calling the unfortunate events at Gorukhuti an act of 'revenge' for 1983, the Hon'ble Chief Minister is giving wanton provocation to people to commit further acts of rioting against the particular community of the state.

"Through such malignant and provocative utterances, the Hon'ble Chief Minister is intending to cause disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will towards the Muslim population of Assam," he said.

Khaleque further said that the instances of religious enmity in India are numerous and with every passing day, such incidents of "communal flare ups" are on the rise.

He said that the chief minister's Constitutional duty is to protect all irrespective of caste, creed or religion and preserve the social fabric of the state.

"...Chief Minister is aggravating the situation through his vindictive hate mongering...Sarma has clearly committed offences under Sections 153, 153-A of the Indian Penal Code," the MP said in his complaint.

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Some doctors and senior officers of the Assam Rifles have conspired with a village teacher to con young job aspirants from Bihar offering them jobs in the paramilitary force after seeking bribes, the CBI has claimed.

An FIR has been registered on Tuesday against Yashwant Kumar, a village teacher, who is accused of bringing youths for Assam Rifles recruitment and delivering bribe money to the officers. Senior officers and doctors are not yet named in the FIR, as they are yet to be identified.

According to the CBI, Kumar is a teacher of Jenhada village in Bihars Vaishali district and witnesses and voice call records have shown him as a middleman/fixer in league with some Assam Rifles senior personnel, including doctors.

The FIR has claimed that the teacher used to allegedly collect the bribe money on behalf of the officers and doctors from short-listed candidates. Audio clips purportedly providing details of money transactions and false promises have been seized by investigators.

Kumar allegedly used to bring aspirants for recruitment at Assams Jorhat during recruitment rallies and deliver bribe money to the officers, who are yet to be named in the FIR.

The alleged criminal act came to light during a vigilance enquiry by Assam Rifles Chief Vigilance Officer.

Initially, an FIR was registered at the Jorhat Police Station on the basis of the complaint of CVO and Deputy Commandant Madanlal Shah on 4 November, 2019 and it has now been transferred to the CBI.

The Assam government had in August given the consent for the take over of the case by the CBI, which registered the case on Tuesday.

Kumar and unknown persons were booked under sections of Indian Penal Code related to cheating and conspiracy and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

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One more foreign returnee has tested positive for Omicron taking the tally of patients infected by the new variant of coronavirus to nine in Odisha, a senior health department official said.

Director of Health Service (DHS) Bijay Mohapatra said a 31-year-old man hailing from Keonjhar district had returned from Dubai to Bhubaneswar on December 16. His genome sequencing has given a positive result, the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, has informed the Health Department.

He has been admitted to a private hospital, the DHS said, adding that contact tracing of those who were exposed to him is on. His father and mother have tested negative for the infection and again their samples will be examined.

Also Read | 'Yellow' alert sounded in Delhi as Covid-19 cases rise

On December 26, four foreign returnees  2 from Nigeria and as many from UAE  had tested positive for the Omicron variant.

On December 23, two patients, aged 11 and 15, who recently returned from non at-risk country Nigeria, were also found infected.

Prior to that, two patients, aged 41 and 43, had tested positive for the Omicron variant on December 21, after returning to the state from Nigeria and Qatar. Meanwhile, health experts fear that the Omicron induced third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic may reach its peak in Odisha towards the end of January and the first week of February.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had also cautioned the people to follow the Covid-19 protocol as Omicron has been spreading across the country.

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The BJP has tasked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's rival within the party with the task of 'placating' the electorally influential Brahmin community ahead of the forthcoming Assembly polls in the state.

Senior BJP leader and MP Shiv Pratap Shukla, who also hails from Gorakhpur, Adityanath's home town, is head of the 16-member committee formed to 'douse' the perceived anger among the community and bring them back into the party fold.

The rivalry between Shukla and Adityanath is more than two decades old and its genesis is said to be attempts to control the local politics in Gorakhpur.

Read | For SP, it's 'A' for Apraadh, 'C' for Corruption: Shah

In fact, such was their rivalry that Adityanath had his own candidate contest from the Gorakhpur Sadar seat in 2002 Assembly polls in the state against Shukla, who was the official BJP nominee at the time. Adityanath backed the Hindu Mahasabha candidate Radhamohan Das Agarwal, who defeated Shukla in the poll.

After remaining in political oblivion for almost a decade, Shukla, who was considered to be close to prime minister Narendra Modi, was nominated to Rajya Sabha and later made a minister in the first NDA government at the Centre.

Although there were many Brahmin leaders in the state, who were ready to shoulder the responsibility of placating the community, the party choosing Shukla, a known rival of Adityanath, left many state saffron party leaders surprised.

A section of the state BJP leaders here felt that Shukla's selection was intended to give the message to Adityanath that the latter would not be allowed to dictate terms of leadership.

Read | Uttar Pradesh parties want elections to be on schedule

Adityanath had, in the run up to the Assembly polls, put his foot down when the central leadership of the party tried to get Modi's trusted former bureaucrat A K Sharma as the deputy chief minister of UP, fearing that he could emerge as a parallel power centre in the state.

Shukla, who was considered to be a well known Brahmin face of the party in the state, has suggested declaring public holiday on Parashuram Jayanti, installing his statues in different parts of the state and rechristening Shahjahanpur as 'Prashurampur' among other things to soothe the ruffled feathers of the Brahmins.

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Bangalore South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Monday withdrew statements that he said created an avoidable controversy.

"At a program held in Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt two days ago, I spoke on the subject of Hindu Revival in Bharat. Certain statements from my speech has regrettably created an avoidable controversy. I therefore unconditionally withdraw the statements," Surya said in a tweet.

The BJP Yuva Morcha president, however, did not specify which statement he is withdrawing from his hour-long speech.

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Around 70 per cent of the local youth who joined militant ranks this year were either killed or arrested while 165 ultras, including 75 foreigners, were still active in the Valley, official figures reveal.

In 85 encounters between security forces and ultras this year, 162 militants, including 145 locals and 17 foreigners were killed, it said. As many as 82 militants and their associates were also arrested during the year, out of which 28 were taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

During the same period, law enforcement agencies also arrested 594 overground workers (OGWs) of militants, out of which 250 were booked under Public Safety Act, the figures reveal.

About 438 cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were also registered in the year while 277 weapons, including 119 rifles and 160 pistols, were recovered from the militants.

Also read: Hyderpora killings: PAGD calls J&K police SIT probe a 'cover up'

The police categorise anybody who supports the militants as an OGW. A person providing a safe house, passage, information or acting as a messenger for suspected militants automatically comes under the radar of the police as an OGW.

During the year, police also registered 853 cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 1,465 persons allegedly involved in drug trafficking, the official data reveals. Seven cases under narco-terrorism were also reported during the year with 45 kilograms of heroin recovered.

According to inspector general police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, there has been a significant decrease in incidents of militancy, killings of civilians and security forces, and recruitment into militant ranks this year.

(Overall) the situation has improved, but unfortunately, some incidents occurred in Srinagar in October, when soft targets were killed. We have killed or arrested everyone involved in those killings except one, he said.

According to Kumar, terror is a crime and will remain as long as terrorists are there. This is a challenge and we are ready to handle it, he said, adding that they were apprehensive about the Taliban takeover of Kabul and that things might escalate here, but that didnt happen.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of 23 projects worth over Rs 17,500 crore in Haldwani, Uttarakhand on Thursday.

Among the 23 projects, 17 projects worth over Rs 14,100 crore cover a wide array of sectors/areas across the state including irrigation, road, housing, health infrastructure, industry, sanitation, drinking water supply among others.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate six projects, including multiple road widening projects, a hydropower project in Pithoragarh and projects to improve the sewerage network in Nainital.

Also Read | PM Modi to hold Council of Ministers meet on December 29; Omicron, polls on agenda

The cumulative cost of the projects being inaugurated is over Rs 3,400 crore.

Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project to be built at the cost of about Rs 5,750 crore. This project was first conceived in 1976 and had been pending for many years.

Modi's "vision to prioritise long-pending projects is the force behind the project's foundation stone being laid. This project of national importance will enable irrigation of about 34,000-hectare additional land, produce 300 MW hydro power and supply drinking water to the six states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan", the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.

To improve connectivity at far-flung places of the country, inauguration and foundation stone laying of multiple road sector projects worth about Rs 8,700 crore would be done.

Also Read | PM likely to address rally in Punjab on January 5, may share stage with Amarinder

Further, foundation stones of multiple road projects all across the state under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna would also be laid by the Prime Minister.

The projects include the laying of 133 rural roads with a total length of 1,157 km at a cost of more than Rs 625 crore and the construction of 151 bridges at a cost of about Rs 450 crores.

The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of AIIMS Rishikesh satellite centre in Udham Singh Nagar district and Jagjivan Ram Government Medical College at Pithoragarh. These two hospitals are being built at a cost of about Rs 500 crore and Rs 450 crore, respectively.

The improved medical infrastructure will not only help the people of the Kumaon and Terai regions but also the bordering areas of Uttar Pradesh.

The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of 'Aroma Park' at Kashipur and Plastic Industrial Park at Sitarganj and multiple other initiatives in housing, sanitation and drinking water supply across the state.

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Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a swipe at the Centre over India-China trade crossing the $100-billion mark despite a military standoff, saying the country is waiting to see the current dispensation step down.

He said in a tweet in Hindi, "Jumlo Ki sarkar hai, Jhoot Dhong Dikhawa apar hai, desh ko ab jhola uthne ka intezar hai."(This is a government of rhetoric, the pretence of falsehood is immense and the country is waiting for their bags to be packed).

Gandhi was commenting on India's trade with China as after the Chinese incursion, the Centre had banned Chinese apps as amidst repeated domestic boycotts of Made-in-China, trade volume between India and China hit a record high of $100 billion by November, the Global Times reported citing the latest data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs.

Chinese state media pointed out that while there are those in India who are concerned about the trade deficit advocating not to rely too much on trade with China, the data speaks for itself.

Also Read | Those who believe in Hindutva bow before anyone: Rahul Gandhi

"Whatever the political considerations of these people, seeing China as India's enemy should not be an option for India and one that India cannot afford to make. Further increasing cooperation is the right choice," the Global Times report said.

India has long hoped to reduce its trade deficit with China, but making bilateral trade more balanced cannot be done by curbing Chinese exports to India, which would only hurt the Indian economy. Further boosting China's imports from India is the right way to go, and there is room for coordination between the two sides in this regard, and it should be a joint effort, the report said.

The record two-way trade provides the best evidence of the two countries' economic complementarities and the strong resilience of bilateral economic relations. In particular, by importing Chinese products at relatively low prices, India has saved more foreign exchange reserves and improved capital efficiency, Global Times reported.

Also, India's large imports of machinery and electronics from China and Chinese investment in the country's smartphone sector have greatly served the needs of the Indian people and boosted Indian exports to third countries, it added.

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The optimism of a year that started with the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, seen as the beginning of the end of the pandemic, has petered out as 2021 winds to a close. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still around, and more infectious than earlier.

As the Omicron strain spreads across the globe and questions on vaccine inequity dominate discussions, scientists are still scrambling to learn more about emerging variants of the deadly virus that has claimed millions of lives and crippled economies.

The pandemic is very much still ongoing at the end of the year as it was at the beginning of the year, immunologist Satyajit Rath, formerly with the National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi, told PTI.

Also Read | WHO warns of Omicron overload as China, Europe impose new curbs

Discussing the Omicron variant, Rath said the emergence of newer virus strains is natural, normal, and familiar from the influenza example.

"That is one of the many reasons why expecting the pandemic to 'end' abruptly was and is unrealistic.

We have learnt how similar SARS-CoV-2 is to other viruses that cause respiratory diseases as well as are now understanding the ways in which it is different and can continue to surprise us, added Gautam Menon, professor, Departments of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University.

Menon said the Omicron variant is the end-of-year twist that will dominate the first several months of the new year.

That such a highly mutated variant could appear and turn out to be far more transmissible and immune evasive than Delta was always possible but thought of as unlikely, he added.

Covid-19 vaccines largely showed good efficacy against the variants that emerged in late 2020 and early this year. These included Alpha, Beta, and Gamma.

Also Read | Commit to making 2022 a year of recovery for everyone: Guterres

But then the Delta variant emerged.

In March, the variant caught India napping. The country at the time was yet to make much progress in its vaccination campaign, and the Delta variant overwhelmed hospitals and health systems, leaving a trail of deaths in its path.

The highly transmissible variant then spread across the world. Studies showed vaccines generally protect people infected with Delta against severe Covid-19, but are less protective against it than earlier variants.

"I hope we have learnt our lessons from the devastating second wave due to the Delta variant and will not see images again of desperate patients and their families trying to locate ICU beds and oxygen cylinders that we saw across May of this year, Menon said.

Just when the disease seemed under control, a variant more transmissible than others seen so far struck the world.

In November, Omicron, the latest variant of concern, was identified in Botswana and South Africa.

Also Read | Omicron risk remains 'very high': WHO

Early studies suggest Omicron evades vaccine immunity significantly but may be less severe than Delta, and a booster shot may provide considerable, if not absolute, protection.

Virologist Upasana Ray noted that viruses mutate continuously, so does SARS-COV-2. So, some variants were more transmissible and few were even escaped antibodies.

"However, we have seen that people who suffered from natural infection or were vaccinated mostly had reduced severity even if they experienced a second infection, Ray, a senior scientist at Kolkata's CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), told PTI.

In mid-2021, many countries began to seriously consider rolling out third doses of Covid-19 vaccines, leading to debates among researchers and public health experts whether such a step was warranted.

Data suggested that vaccine immunity was waning in the face of the highly transmissible Delta variant, but the preventives were still protecting people from hospitalisation and death.

How diseases unfold and affect individuals are as much a property of the host affected by the disease as well as the pathogen that causes the disease. There are vaccines that confer life-long immunity and there are others that offer only a temporary solution, Menon said.

"That we're understanding more about how our bodies respond to vaccinations against Covid-19 just speaks to the immense complexity of human immunology and the fact that we still need to understand much more about immune response at the individual level to a SARS-CoV-2 infection, he added.

Despite the researchers and the WHO advising wealthy nations to hold off boosters for everyone until more people in low-income countries get vaccinated with first doses, some went ahead anyway.

Israel was the first to roll out the third vaccine dose to its population in June.

With Omicron spreading far and wide, real-world data from the country and elsewhere showed that boosters lower peoples chances of getting sick with Covid-19.

Many experts are also now urging vaccinated adults to get booster shots, but have warned that new variants will continue to evolve in infected individuals when only a fraction of people in low-income countries have received a single dose.

The case in point is Africa where millions still are to be inoculated and have a huge population of immunocompromised people.

Rath noted it is quite true that rapid global vaccination would have led to the slower emergence of new variants and strains.

Global, equitable vaccination on the one hand and evidence-driven deployment of supplementary 'booster' vaccine doses, on the other hand, need not have been and should not have been an either-or issue, he said.

One reason for the emergence of Omicron, Menon concurred, is very likely vaccine inequity that led to large parts of the world having low levels of even one dose of vaccine currently, even as developed countries hoard vaccines and provide boosters to their own citizens.

Where cases can spread in populations, especially ones which contain some fraction of those who are immunocompromised, we run the risk of new variants, he added.

Ray noted that to prevent more variants that can escape antibodies, it is important that the transmission chain is blocked.

To achieve that, detection, isolation and rapid vaccination all are important irrespective of which nation we are talking about as we can't seal borders permanently, she added.

Experts are calling for an increase in vaccine supplies globally so that there is no need for a trade-off between boosters and equity.

"The ethics of vaccine equity should be discussed openly as an ethical and moral issue and governments must be called upon to explain their stands in these, and not commercial, terms, Menon noted.

As global leaders figure out these modalities and come up with new policies to fend off variants, the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to end sometime in the latter half of next year, unless we allow opportunities for new variants to arise.

In that case, the world might need entirely different vaccines and therapies as the current preventives and drugs may be rendered useless in the face of a more mutated virus.

I think the story of the beginning of next year will be very much focused on Omicron and the development of new vaccines and therapeutics for Covid-19 that may help specifically with multiple variants, Menon added.

In India, the government has given the nod to a third precaution shot for healthcare and frontline workers and those above 60 with co-morbidities.

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Describing the sudden zooming of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra as alarming, state public health and family welfare minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday hinted at further strengthening of the existing restrictions.

According to him, infections are multiplying and the positivity rate is shooting up.

Across Maharashtra, 20 December, there were 6,000 active cases, on 29 December, now, it is around 12,000since active cases are increasing it is matter of concern, Tope told reporters in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Also Read | Maharashtra Covid-19 cases see a massive jump

A few days ago, the per day cases was around 500 to 600 but now it is 2,000 plus, he said.

There are indications that by mid of next week, the active cases could be at the level of 20,000 which was nearly a couple of months ago.

However, he said that the daily testing numbers have been maintained and it was never brought down.

Tope said that stricter Covid-appropriate behaviour needs to be maintained and vaccination drives need to be stepped up.

About schools and colleges, he said the final call would be taken by the chief minister.

Meanwhile, state tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray, who is the guardian minister of Mumbai Suburban, held a meeting with top officials of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation including municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.

Last week, we were reporting 150 cases per day in Mumbai. Now, we are reporting around 2,000 cases everyday, said Thackeray.

Covid-19 Task Force member Dr Shashank Joshi said: Now we are near certain we have an Omicron outbreak in Mumbai. During the first wave - the jump was 706 to 1367 cases in 12 days, during the second wave, the jump was 683 to 1325 cases in 20 days, while during the third wave it was 683 to 1377 cases in 4 days.

It is a mild disease and beds are vacant, he said, adding that what was needed is Covid-appropriate behaviour.

Dr Ishwar Gilada, the secretary general of Organised Medicine Academic Guild, said: This surge is only and only due to the Omicron variant.

We also discussed covid appropriate behaviour guidelines and public place event issues, especially with the New Year being around the corner. As the cases rise rapidly, we urge everyone to not panic. However we all must exercise extreme caution and ensure that we are vaccinated, masked up. This is a time to protect ones self and thereby protect others, the junior Thackeray said.
A new year calendar produced by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, is drawing unusual attention, especially on social media. Claimed to have drawn facts from decades of research, the calendar offers a rebuttal to the Aryan invasion.

A certain challenge to history taught at large, a section of academics feel that it is an attempt to strengthen right-wing theories, discourages scientific temper, and is one more attempt at saffronising education. The IITs centre-concerned refutes.

The calendar puts forward three points - recognition of the secret of the Vedas, reinterpretation of the Indus Valley civilization, and rebuttal to the Aryan invasion myth - with twelve pieces of evidence. The opening page, Initial Evidences, states, The current chronology of Indian Civilization and history is dubious and questionable.

The calendars twelve pages cover pointers evaded or manipulated by colonial historians, puts forth evidences that bring Vedic Culture and the Indus Valley Civilization under one fold, and shares reasons why the colonial rulers were desperate to forge such a myth.

The September page asks Why an Aryan Invasion myth was forged?, and answers, The colonial invaders, from the Portuguese to the British, were shaken by the striking similarity between millions of words evident in Indian languages and others in the European Tree of Linguistics.

So they had to forge an Indo-European Language system, and further design a history of invading in-migration prior to Buddha, Plato and Lao-Tzu. They proposed that the superior Colonial rulers invaded the inferior India the second time in 17th century! it added.

Professor Joy Sen, chairperson, Centre of Excellence for Indian Knowledge Systems (CEIKS) (co-producer of the calendar), IIT-Kharagpur, talking to Deccan Herald, claimed that the calendar is the outcome of a great teamwork and reflects years of research. Scientific evidence goes against Aryan invasion theory. What was propagated by colonial historians is about race, backed by racial supremacy, Sen said.

Aryan is (representation) of quality of human mind, the quality of culture and human civilization. Aryan could be anywhere in the world, is not a race, is a noble human being with highest qualities, he added. Sen said that just like in the age of Galileo, many in the world of science are orthodox and work with older views.

Susanta Das, executive committee member, Indian History Congress, and a professor of history at Rabindra Bharati University, said that all leading historians agree on the Aryan advent. Das said that views contrary to whats accepted, are distortions usually propagated by the right wing.

Adhyapak Sanhati Mancha, a platform representing teachers of higher education institutions in West Bengal, on Wednesday, wrote to the IIT, demanding that CEIKS be closed. Citing its various activities, Mancha alleged that the Centre is a threat to the concept of scientific and secular education.

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An impression has gained ground that perhaps the entire Naga population is against India, the Indian army, and other security forces. The state of Nagaland is now in poll mode. The recent killing of the Konyak Naga mineworkers has revived the demand for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Elections are due in Nagaland in February 2023.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, heading a coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and another regional party, is under pressure and has backed the demand for the repeal of the AFSPA. Last week, he and his cabinet played the populist card and declared the formation of three new districts of Tseminyu, Chumuedima and Niuland. These are popular demands, and state minister Jacob Zhimomi described the announcement as the best Christmas gift.

However, December 4, 2021, indeed remains a black day, and the Naga population and, for that matter, other tribal communities in the northeast are against the AFSPA. The Naga people have faced enough brunt, so it is not without good reason that they oppose the AFSPA.

The Nagas or Khasis in Meghalaya could be anti-AFSPA. But it would be a big blunder of our time if in Delhi any ivory tower expert within the government apparatus or outside it labelled the entire Naga population and others as anti-India. Even to call them 'anti-Indian army' too would be erroneous. What is happening over the AFSPA is genuine, but the rest of it - taking the battle too far is part of politics.

The protests against the killings of Naga civilians could be part of a larger conspiracy to derail the peace talks between the Centre and Naga militant groups. The Naga National Political Groups, or NNPGs, an umbrella organisation of seven groups, still favour the early signing of the final Naga Peace Accord. So are a section of the Naga leaders.

"The Government of India and the central agencies will give the excuse that as long as the solution has not arrived, the AFSPA and the Disturbed Areas Act should be retained. As a Naga and as a politician working with various nationalist party leaders, I would like these black laws to go permanently from the Naga life. But to hope for this without the final solution may not help our struggle," former state minister N Thomas Lotha in The Nagaland Page, a local newspaper, recently wrote.

This journalist has spent many years with the Nagas and Mizos, and hence, I would not be wrong to suggest that for most Nagas and other communities in the region, there is a strong ethical and moral bond with the rest of the country. Hundreds of them are settled in Pune, New Delhi, Bengaluru and other Indian cities. People in the region have grievances against the army and the Centre, about which a former chief secretary of Nagaland, AM Gokhale, had once said, "New Delhi still thinks like Aurangzeb's Delhi."

But these simple tribal people, sometimes hot-headed, do not consider themselves out of tune with the Indian political system. If former prime minister Indira Gandhi was popular in Delhi and the cow belt states, she was popular in the northeast too. Naga and Mizo oldtimers still remember and hail her handling of the Bangladesh Independence struggle in 1971. If Narendra Modi is popular in the rest of India, people had received him with much enthusiasm when he visited Kohima in Naga attire.

To strengthen my argument, I will take the clock back to 1999 when Indian army jawans and officers laid down lives in the hills of Kargil. When Indian soldiers were fighting Pakistani intruders, the Nagas and Khasis had decided where they stood. The solidarity in the northeast with the Indian army is a proposition that many experts in Delhi and social media activists fail to appreciate.

The ultras had served warnings in many places asking locals to stay away from the Indian army's war efforts. Locals declined to oblige.

In the Kargil hills, among the martyred soldiers were Lieutenant Neikezhakuo (alias Neibu) Kengurusie, an Angami Naga from Nerhema village. He attained martyrdom on June 28, 1999, at Black Rock, Kargil, at the tender age of 24. The 2 Rajputana Rifles officer was later posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second-highest gallantry award. His funeral journey from Dimapur airport to Kohima left hundreds with moist eyes, and the gathering was huge.

"Nagaland has not seen anything like that since the death of its legendary leader Phizo in 1989," reported The Indian Express. However, this even though the Naga rebels have collaborated with Pakistani ISI elements and go-betweens from time to time. The same sense of pride pervaded in Meghalaya as well. Captain K Clifford Nongrum sacrificed his life in the difficult Batalik sector.

There was a wave of criticism when the ULFA announced its support to the "Kashmiri freedom fighters" in their newsletter 'Freedom' during the Kargil conflict. "No Assamese in the remotest part of the state will help or support Pakistan," Assam Sahitya Sabha's Chandra Prasad Saikia had said then. In Assam's Sibsagar district, one ULFA activist was killed when he stopped locals from raising funds for the army during the Kargil conflict.

In the final analysis, here is what Nagaland's only Christian governor, MM Thomas, who was from Kerala, as reported in Kohima's Weekly Journal on February 27, 1991, said: "You don't give a second thought to writing against the state (government) fully aware that the state will not retaliate to the extent these anti-national elements would."

(The author is a journalist and author based in New Delhi)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.

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Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday stated that BJP National General Secretary and party in-charge of Karnataka has reconfirmed the party high command's stand on him continuing as the CM. "The High Command had clarity about it since the beginning and Arun Singh reconfirmed that during the State BJP executive committee meeting," Bommai said.

"I thank the party's senior leaders and executive committee members for having confidence in our government and for encouraging us to go ahead. We would make united efforts to strengthen the party and to enhance government-party coordination to ably face next elections and other political developments, as per their expectations," he said.

He said that the cabinet expansion issue is not discussed here and no instruction on this issue has come from the high command.

When asked about former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi's visit to Delhi, Bommai said, "All have the freedom and they can go anywhere."

In the wake of speculation about MLA Arvind Bellad's move to quit from BJP Hubballi-Dharwad city district unit, Bommai expressed ignorance about the issue and said he would ask Bellad himself.

Clarifying that he had no plan to visit Delhi immediately, Bommai said he would focus on administrative works like holding meetings of ZP CEOs and deputy commissioners over the next couple of days.

In reply to a query over objection to night curfew, he said he is observing and would take a decision after going to Bengaluru.

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Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said his government will bring in a law to free Hindu temples from state control, which is a long-pending demand of Sangh Parivar groups.

Before the next budget session, our government will give shape to this law. We will free our temples, Bommai said at the state BJP executive committee meeting in Hubballi.

Bommai noted that the BJP government took just a weeks time to introduce a law to protect shrines illegally occupying public places. This is our ideological commitment.

I've been told by my seniors that prayer spaces belonging to different faiths are safe under various laws. They have freedom. But, our Hindu temples are subject to several regulations and government regimen. Temple revenues are to be used only after the permission of some officer sitting on top. We will free our temples. There will be only regulation and they will be free to run with complete freedom, he said, to which he was greeted with the Bharat Mata Ki Jai chant.

This move is seen as Bommai pushing the Hindutva plank further ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls, after bringing the anti-conversion bill.

Karnataka has 34,563 temples under the Muzrai department. Of them, 205 are in the A category with annual revenue of over Rs 25 lakh. There are 139 temples in the B category (Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh). The remaining 34,219 temples are in the C category.

The Banashankari temple in Bengaluru, the Kollur Mookambika temple in Udupi and the Kukke Subramanya temple in Dakshina Kannada temples are some famous temples under Muzrai.

Temples in the A and B categories earned Rs 1,383.63 crore between 2018 and 2020. A senior official in the chief ministers office said most of this money is used for development of the temples.

In 2008, the then chief minister BS Yediyurappa, who headed the first full-fledged BJP government in Karnataka, took the Mahabaleshwara temple in Gokarna out of Muzrai control and gave it to the Ramachandrapura Mutt, a move that ended up in litigation.

Terming Bommais announcement as extremely important, Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya said: It is paradoxical that a secular state involves itself in the business of running temples. Freeing up temples will further strengthen our traditional institutions. Temples can't be treated as sources of revenue, especially when those of other faiths are not seen that way.

But, former revenue minister RV Deshpande of the Congress is not convinced. There are many temples already free from government control. It's only the big temples that are monitored by the endowment department. Its better that it remains that way as administration is streamlined. Theres no harm in temples being under the control of the Muzrai department."

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Karnataka has a target of vaccinating 31,75,000 teenagers, aged 15 to 17 years, and jabbing 15,31,600 senior citizens, aged above 60 years with comorbidities.

After attending a detailed video conference with the Union government on Tuesday afternoon, Health Commissioner D Randeep said any student ID would suffice for pre-registration of adolescents on CoWIN portal and that the education department data would be used for ascertaining the number of dropouts.

He said decisions have not been taken on how to identify children who have never been a part of the education system. The target of vaccinating 31,75,000 children in the specified age group was arrived at by taking into account the census projections for 2021 and 2022, he explained.

The whole focus is to first kick start the vaccination drive for teens in conjunction with the education department. The department also has details of students who have dropped out. We are yet to take a call on those whove never been a part of the education net, Randeep said.

Also Read | Precaution dose: No prescription required for senior citizens

Initially, we will focus on doing on-site vaccinations where we will go to schools in the presence of the school principal and education department officials. Once we start with off-site vaccinations, we will need a larger endorsement that a particular child is a student of a particular institution, he added.

Asked about obtaining consent letters from parents for vaccinating kids, he said, Parent-teachers meetings will be held where the subject will be formally placed for discussion and dates will be fixed for vaccination. This will be considered deemed consent. There is no specific Government of India mandate that written consent should be taken from parents. If someone explicitly says he/she doesnt want to be vaccinated, he/she wont be.

He explained that the Centre arrived at the number of elderly with comorbidities by calculating 20 per cent of the fully vaccinated among senior citizens. As many as 60 lakh elderly have taken the second dose in the state. Twenty per cent of this is 12 lakh. This is the minimum target we have to achieve. They are eligible for the precautionary dose after nine months of having taken the second dose, he said.

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Mock drills at the states 192 newly commissioned oxygen generation plants turned out to be an eye-opener as several districts reported issues with inadequate oxygen purity, pressure and concentration.

At Jayanagar General Hospital in Bengaluru, the concentration of oxygen did not go up to the required levels till around 4 pm though the mock drill started at 11 am. The drill went on till 6 pm.

The old gas in the storage tank should be let out first and only after that, the tank should be filled up with oxygen. Our hospital staffer failed to do that. Ideally, concentration should be 93% to 96%, but now it has come up only to 90%. In the atmospheric air, oxygen is only 21%. The rest is nitrogen and other gases. Nitrogen is let out through a zeolite filter and oxygen is concentrated. This is then directed to the storage tank. Now it is picking up, Jayanagar General Hospital medical superintendent Dr Ramakrishnappa said.

Also Read | 34 O2 plants yet to be commissioned in Karnataka

He said the oxygen generator had a capacity of 1,000 litres per minute. The hospital had received the equipment two months ago and wasnt installed until now as civil works were going on. Patients were not affected as the hospital had liquid medical oxygen besides oxygen cylinders.

Patients shifted

Two oxygen-dependent in-patients were shifted to K C General Hospital beforehand as there will be a shut down of oxygen in the hospital on Wednesday for commissioning of their systems.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) oxygen connection will be given and we will be ready, he said.

Bengaluru District Health Officer Dr Srinivas G A, said, the oxygen generation plant at Yelahanka General Hospital did not work initially and showed varying readings of oxygen concentration.

Sometimes the reading says 93, then 58 and then 66. The oxygen concentration should ideally be 93%. The plant capacity is 500 litres per minute. A biomedical engineer in Hyderabad was later consulted online and it was rectified, Dr Srinivas said.

The hospital has two liquid oxygen storage tanks of two kilolitres each that will take care of oxygen-dependent in-patients, he said.

Scene at other places

In Ballari and Vijayanagara districts, out of seven oxygen plants, only four are ready to use.

District Health Officer Dr H L Janardhan said, In the district hospital, there were issues with oxygen purity. It wasnt coming up to 97%. In Hosapete taluk, there was inadequate oxygen pressure, which picked up later on. In Hoovinahadgalli of Vijayanagar district, there was inadequate pressure in the general hospital. There were issues with purity and saturation.

Hospitals are currently using liquid medical oxygen in storage tanks or cylinders. After the dry run on Tuesday, biomedical engineers will be called to fix the plants before hooking up patients to the medical gas pipeline system connected to the newly commissioned plants.

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Derry Great British Menu finalist, Phelim O'Hagan, has joined forces with Soda & Starch's, Ray Moran, to open their new restaurant, Artis.

Following the success of the outside dining concept at Soda & Starch this year, Ray, in collaboration with Phelim, decided it was time to introduce something new and revamp the existing interior space.

The new restaurant, situated in Derry's Craft village, has created a new dining experience and has a completely new look.

Artis -Latin for 'craft'-offers a new high end dining experience in the Craft Village.

The chefs describe the restaurant as a celebration of local produce, married to more than 43-years of Michelin Starred restaurant experience.

Phelim and Rays new venture will be a standalone restaurant that sits adjacent to its four-year-old sister establishment, Soda & Starch.

Chef and Business Owner Ray Moran said: Soda & Starch has generated a reputation for providing a seasonal menu for every palate and over lockdown it evolved into an outdoor offering that drew visitors from near and far.

"We are now complementing that offering by opening Artis by Phelim OHagan which we see transforming the interior of this venue into an autonomous food destination for those in search of exceptional food.

I am delighted to work with Phelim on this adventure having enjoyed watching his career mature to make him one of the best in the industry today.

Head Chef Phelim O'Hagan added: It is with pleasure, after all these years, to put my name to a restaurant in my hometown and work with Ray again.

"Every young chef's dream is to open their own restaurant.

Ray has been a mentor and a solid influence in my career and I know, together, we have created something magical for those with a penchant for good food.

We are confident Artis is going to leave a mark on the food trail here and make Derry a contender for one of the UKs greatest places to dine in."
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations to shorten isolation and quarantine periods for the general public, given what we know right now about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. Science shows that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission happens early in the illness, so CDC has shortened the recommended length of isolation from 10 days to five days for people with COVID-19 who do not have any COVID-19 symptoms, followed by five days of wearing a well-fitting mask to minimize the risk of infecting others.

If you are a person who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and you are unvaccinated, or are more than six months out from your second mRNA dose or more than two months after the J&J vaccine and have not yet gotten a booster, you should quarantine  stay home and completely away from others  for five days followed by strict mask use for an additional five days. However, people who are current with vaccine recommendations do not need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19, but should wear a well-fitting mask when around other people for 10 days.

Following an exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should get tested on day five after exposure, and if symptoms occur, quarantine immediately until a negative test confirms those symptoms are not due to COVID-19. Increased testing will help us identify any cases of Omicron quickly so that we can learn more about this latest variant and get an accurate picture of disease activity in our state.

We urge all Wisconsinites to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our state by getting vaccinated, getting boosted, continuing to wear masks in indoor public settings, and staying home when sick. This will help us all safely continue with our daily lives.


The Xiaomi 12 series supports upto 120Hz refresh rate display along with fast charging support of upto 120W

Xiaomi 12 series has officially launched in China as the latest flagship phones powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 chipset. The Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12X and Xiaomi 12 Pro have made their debut in China, bringing a slew of new features and upgrades over the previous generation. The Xiaomi 12 series supports upto 120Hz refresh rate display along with fast charging support of upto 120W. Heres everything you need to know about the latest Xiaomi 12 series phones.

Xiaomi 12 specifications and price

The Xiaomi 12 features a 6.28-inch Full HD+ OLED display that supports upto a 120Hz refresh rate with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ certification. The screen is also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus and has a punch-hole notch cutout in the centre for the 32MP selfie camera. The Xiaomi 12 measures 8.2mm in thickness and weighs around 180 grams.

Xiaomi 12 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 SoC with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 730 GPU. This is paired with upto 12GB RAM and upto 256GB storage options to choose from. It runs on the latest MIUI 13 which is based on Android 12 out-of-the-box.

There is a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.9 aperture, a 13MP ultra-wide camera with 123-degree FOV and a 5MP macro camera. The rear cameras can record in 4K UHD at upto 30FPS with HDR10+ and are backed by OIS and EIS stabilization systems.

The Xiaomi 12 has stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon with support for Hi-Fi audio playback. Theres an in-screen fingerprint reader and the phone comes equipped with a 4,500mAh battery that supports 67W fast wired charging and 50W fast wireless charging.

The Xiaomi 12 is priced starting at RMB 3699 (~Rs 43,000) for the base variant with 8GB+128GB, RMB 3999 (~Rs 46,900) for 256GB version and RMB 4399 (~Rs 51,600) for the 12GB+256GB variant.

Xiaomi 12 Pro specifications and price

The Xiaomi 12 Pro features a 10-bit 6.73-inch QHD+ (3200x1080 pixels) resolution AMOLED display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The screen is topped with a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus and has a centre punch-hole notch cutout. The Xiaomi 12 Pro measures 8.2mm in thickness and weighs around 205 grams.

Like the Xiaomi 12, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is also powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen1 chip and is paired with upto 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, running on MIUI 13.

There is a triple camera array on the back headlined by a 50MP camera with an f/1.9 aperture and OIS, a 50MP ultra-wide camera and a 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. On the front, there is a 32MP selfie camera.

The Xiaomi 12 Pro also has stereo speakers and comes equipped with a 4,600mAh battery that supports 120W fast wired charging and 50W fast wireless charging.

The Xiaomi 12 Pro is being offered in three variants- 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB and 12GB+256GB priced starting at RMB 4699 (~Rs 55,000), RMB 4999 (~Rs 58,600) and RMB 5399 (~Rs 63,000) respectively.

Xiaomi 12X specifications and price

The Xiaomi 12X shares some of its features with the Xiaomi 12. It measures 8.2mm in thickness and weighs 176 grams. The Xiaomi 12X features a 6.28-inch Full HD+ display that supports upto 120Hz refresh rate with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The screen is topped with Gorilla Glass Victus.

Xiaomi 12X is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 650 GPU which is paired with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It runs on MIUI 13 which is based on Android 12.

There is a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.9 aperture and OIS, a 13MP ultra-wide camera with 123-degree FOV and a 5MP macro camera. The rear camera is capable of recording in 8K at 24FPS and 4K UHD at upto 60FPS. On the front, there is a 32MP selfie camera.

The phone has stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon and has an in-screen fingerprint reader. The Xiaomi 12X is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery that supports 67W fast charging.

The Xiaomi 12X is priced starting at RMB 3199 (~Rs 37,500).
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SEATTLE  An apartment building at 5220 California Ave. S.W. in Seattle recently sold for $3 million, according to King County records. The sellers were married local investors who had owned the property for decades.

The buyer was 5220 West Seattle LLC, which is associated with an investor in the San Juan Islands. Public records indicate a loan from Alaska USA Federal Credit Union.





. . .
By the Staff of The News

The Family Dollar store in Tucumcari and an employee are being sued for negligence after a now-deceased woman tripped and was injured because the stores walkway allegedly was obstructed.

Sharon Valencia of Tucumcari filed the complaint Dec. 15...
 

13 million EBRD loan to back expansion of leading Ukrainian logistics service

Nova Poshta to build automated parcel sorting hub in south-central city of Dnipro

Optimised logistics to help reduce CO 2 emissions by around 1,570 tonnes per year

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Ukraines leading private provider of postal services, Nova Poshta, have signed a 13 million loan agreement to support the companys expansion.

The loan, available in euros and Ukrainian hryvnia, will be used to build an innovative, automated sorting hub in the south-central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. A state-of-the-art facility will feature a new smart system designed by Equinox, a Lithuanian provider of solutions for robotisation and the optimisation of logistics.

When the Dnipro hub becomes operational, the company will be able to double the number of processed parcels, use its fleet more efficiently and save energy. Making fewer trips and consuming less fuel will help save around 1,570 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent annually, comparable to removing about 800 passenger cars from the roads.

Petr Fokov, Chief Financial Officer of Nova Poshta, said: Receiving an EBRD loan is an indicator of Nova Poshtas good financial health and the Banks trust in the company. This inspires us to keep innovating. Every year we invest in infrastructure across the country to successfully manage the growing volume of parcels. We are pleased to continue our cooperation with the EBRD, delivering faster innovation so that our customers benefit.

The EBRD has already financed the construction of a similar sorting hub in Khmelnytskyi, in western Ukraine. Completed in 2019, it helped Nova Poshta improve efficiency and cut annual CO 2 emissions by approximately 1,200 tonnes.

A leader in logistics in Ukraine, Nova Poshta provides express delivery of documents, freight and parcels for individuals and businesses. It offers home, branch or locker delivery and operates 9,300 branches and 11,000 lockers, facilitating business for thousands of entrepreneurs in Ukraine and abroad.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Ukraine. To date, the Bank has invested almost 16 billion in 506 projects across the country, with a focus on assisting economic stabilisation, anchoring reforms, strengthening energy efficiency and energy security, and supporting agricultural and industrial projects as well as smaller businesses.
THIRTY years ago, while carrying out work as an architect at a three-storey house I had bought off Dominick Street in Cork city, I made a startling discovery.

There, lying under the building, unknown to anybody connected to it at the time, was a cavernous space which I felt sure had served as an ice house.

This was a building that was used to store ice throughout the year, before the invention of refrigeration in the mid-18th century.

Ice houses were introduced to Britain and Ireland in the late 1600s and various designs were used. The most common was a brick-lined, domed structure, with most of it underground for insulation purposes. There is a classic example of one in the grounds of Blarney Castle for all to see.

Ice houses were usually conical or rounded at the bottom to hold melted ice, and incorporated a drain to take away the water. The ice was generally imported from colder climes, a commercial activity that lasted right up to the 1920s.

Packed also with insulating materials such as straw or sawdust, the ice would remain frozen for months, often until the following winter. It could be used during the hot summer months, but the main purpose was for the storage of food, particularly meat, all year around.

The residential property I had bought off Dominick Street is likely an old merchants house constructed in the 18th century.

In 1993, when I first happened upon it, it was in very poor condition indeed. It was unoccupied and it appeared that neither the former owner, the auctioneer, the solicitors nor even the planning authority knew that there was a fourth level underground!

Trap door into the ice house in Dominick Street, Cork city

The renovating builder had completed the roof and the top two floors and informed me that, as his team was next preparing to lay a new concrete ground floor, part of the old floor had fallen in and disappeared down into a dark cellar.

A space was then discovered a metre and a bit under both street and ground floor levels. When I viewed this previously unknown subterranean layer, it struck me as having all the possibilities of having served as an icehouse.

Over the next few days, the builders and myself, armed with ladder, torches, camera and a tape measure, went down into this dank, dingy cavern to inspect and record what was there.

We recorded its lay-out and cross-section, took dimensions, and photographed as much of it as possible before the new ground floor was laid, and the entire three-storey house renovation completed.

For the record, the ice house is 7.5 metres (24ft 8in) long and 4.92 metres (18ft 2in) wide. The floor-to-ceiling height is 2.14 metres (7ft. 1/4in). The ceiling is brick-vaulted and supported by four brick walls which encompass the interior space.

The thickness of the floor between the ceiling and street/ground floor level is slightly in excess of a metre (3ft 6in), a major dimension for any floor, most likely for insulating purposes, to keep the ice house cold all year round.

There were many stalactites hanging down from the brick ceiling, some almost as long as half a metre.

The location of the structure near to Shandon suggested a connection to Corks thriving 18th and 19th century butter trade.

Cork in those times was no less than the largest butter market in the world. The product was exported throughout the British Empire and the world at large, as far as South America.

Indeed, at the peak of the trade, the name Cork was synonymous with the notion of quality and identified as such as much as with the place itself.

An ordinance decreed in 1722 that any butter passing though Cork city had to be brought to one of the weigh-houses at Church Street, near St Annes Church, and in North Main Street, Cork. In time, the Shandon area grew to be the epicentre of the trade and country people from farms small and large wended their way daily to it via the butter roads.

The house in Dominick Street where the ice house lies hidden underground.

Some of these started over 100 miles from the city and the most famous is the Old Kerry Road which shoots out from Blarney Street to Tower, Rylane, past the Kerrymans Table, onto Millstreet and into the Kingdom itself. Long sections were said to be as straight as the barrel of a gun.

During the reconstruction works at Dominick Street, I got to know a lovely elderly gentleman, William Dinan, who was, like myself, keeping an eye on the project. He lived three doors above the site and looked out for relations even more aged than himself next door to him.

I explained to Mr Dinan what was going on during the different phases of reconstruction and he came with me on walk-throughs of the site. He was always lovely company.

Near the completion of the works, I told him we had stumbled upon an old ice house below the level of the footpath. He immediately wanted to see where it was located, so I led him  with some torches  to the entrance. He was particularly curious, and as someone who had lived on the street all his life, had not known of any ice houses in the area.

But Mr Dinan did tell me that when the Black and Tans were on the rampage, Dominick Street was a safe place for Republicans on the run from crown forces.

He indicated that some of the men valued the safe houses on Dominick Street and if an unrecognised knock came to the door, the men staying over could open a trapdoor under the dining area table, and disappear within.

The householder would pull a piece of a rug over after closing the trap door, and those within would go completely undetected.

The front door could then be graciously opened for the Tans or soldiers, who could conduct their search to their hearts content of what appeared to be a three-storey house.

All the while, the lads on the run would be secure below, or even making good their escape by travelling through adjacent ice houses and exiting into a lane behind Dominick Street.

My friend lived a long life, dying several years ago now at the age of 101. At last, he believed he had the answer to something that had long puzzled him.

An 18th-century merchants concern for his merchandise led him to build a subterranean ice house that was later re-purposed and played its own unique, albeit minor, role in the struggle for an Irish Republic.

Since the renovation project was completed some time ago, and the house is private property, unfortunately no visitors or indeed tourists can access the building to view it.
A NUMBER of Cork City venues have had to close, while other businesses are dealing with a logistical nightmare as Covid-19 leads to employee absences and staff shortages.

Yesterday, HSE chief Paul Reid warned Covid-19 was running rife in communities in Ireland.

Speaking to The Echo, prominent publican Benny McCabe, who owns a number of popular establishments across the city centre, including The Oval, Crane Lane, Mutton Lane, Vicarstown Bar, and Rising Sons, The Bodega, and The Poor Relation, said a number of their staff are off and they are taking it day by day.

We have staff out, we have staff isolating, there are absences, but we have a large team and we are still opening our doors at the moment.

Mr McCabe said it was logistically difficult, but, for now, they were in a good position. We kept on all our staff during the lockdowns and we have a number of people to call on, so we are doing OK, but, like everyone else, we are taking it day by day.

The staff shortages are being felt across the urban hub of Cork, with prestigious restaurant The Glass Curtain announcing a temporary closure, due to staff illness.

Gastropub The Raven also had to close its doors because of an unfortunate string of positive antigen tests within the staff.

The Raven posted on social media, stating its intention to reopen by January 17, with The Glass Curtain aiming for January 6.

Dwyers of Cork, on Washington St, said it is working hard to keep its doors open, with all staff taking antigen tests at home daily prior to starting their shifts.

Speaking to The Echo, company director Tara Lyng said: Weve been extremely lucky, in that we havent been affected really. Were doing daily antigen testing for the staff and have communicated that anyone with any Covid-like symptoms stays at home.

All sectors impacted

Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy said the issue of staff shortages had impacted all sectors at various times across the past 20 months, in line with Covid-19 peaks. There is concern with the level of cases and its inevitable that there would be a knock-on effect.

Mr Healy said in retail, hospitality, and the office sector, the impact was across the board.

It is more obvious in public jobs, but across all sectors there has been an impact. The level and scale of cases has meant it has affected all industries, but the service sector is more visible and obvious.

Neil McDonnell, head of small business group Isme, said it is becoming increasingly difficult for some companies to keep their doors open.

It is becoming very difficult to get replacement staff... there are very significant levels of reporting of people who are isolating at the moment, and the current Omicron [variant] does appear to be spreading extremely quickly, he told Newstalk radio.

Yesterday, 9,006 cases of Covid-19 were reported.

Covid "rife" in community

HSE chief executive Paul Reid told RTEs This Morning that there is no doubt now that Covid-19 is absolutely running rife in our communities.

He said: If you think that you have Covid, its most likely that you have it.
By Dominic McGrath, PA

The historic visit of Bill Clinton to Northern Ireland in 1995 was nearly overshadowed by EU red tape, new documents reveal.

A communique between Irish officials in the days leading up to visit of the US president reveals that EU rules on plant health threatened to prevent the gifting of a 60ft Christmas tree to Belfast from sister city Nashville.

That tree, beside which Mr Clinton delivered a speech to the people of Belfast, became one of the key symbols of US commitment to the peace process.

Yet it nearly did not arrive in the Northern Ireland.

An official in the Anglo-Irish Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs warned a colleague in Washington: You may be aware that there is a problem with the proposed importation of the Belfast Christmas tree  a 60 foot high Tennessee white pine.

She goes on: EU plant health regulations prohibit the importation of such tree, due to the risk of importing the white pine nematode (a pest).

The Irish official suggests that talks are ongoing between with the Northern Ireland Office and the European Union in a bid to bypass the issue.

The Forestry Service in N.I has no problems with the derogations and the US are ready to certify that the tree is disease free.

The official warns: A main concern will be to ensure that the Canadians, who are currently in a trade dispute over timber products with the EU (especially the Nordic countries) , do not use this episode to open up the trade issue.

While the correspondence ends there, the issue appears to have been resolved.

During his visit in 1995, Mr Clinton was able to tell the people of Belfast: Today, of course, we are forging new and special bonds. Belfasts sister city in the United States, Nashville, Tennessee, was proud to send this Christmas tree to friends across the Atlantic.

The material can be found in the National Archives with file number 2021/49/103.
Kenneth Fox

Irish diplomats were left with a jumbo-sized problem over 40 years ago after president Patrick Hillery was given a gift of a real elephant while on a visit to Tanzania.

As the Irish Examiner reports, State papers reveal a diplomatic row broke out between Irish and Tanzanian officials over who should pay the costs of shipping the animal back to Ireland.

The incident arose after Mr Hillery travelled to the east African state as part of a goodwill trip to Africa in 1979.

The gift of a live elephant was presented to the Irish president during a visit to the then Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam.

Official documents show Tanzanian officials subsequently contacted the Irish embassy in Dar es Salaam in September 1980 to seek repayment of the shipping costs of the elephant.

However, embassy staff were unable to verify that any undertaking had ever been given that the Irish government would foot the bill.

The Tanzanian official sought payment of over Shs66,000 (Tanzanian shilling)  the equivalent of IR4,005 or 5,085  as the estimated cost of transporting the elephant to Dublin.

The Department of Foreign Affairs notified the Department of the Taoiseach in October 1980 over the issue with the warning that it did not have the funds to repay the Tanzanians.

While an official in the Department of Foreign Affairs said they were still unable to verify if an undertaking had been given to their Tanzanian counterparts about paying the shipping cost of the elephant, he observed that it in accordance with normal practice, it would be assumed that the cost of transport of any gifts from the host to the guest country would be the responsibility of the guest.

An official in the Department of the Taoiseach indicated that it was essentially a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs to sort out from its own budget.

I had forgotten about the elephant  its transport would seem to be a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs whose vote would seem to be the most appropriate one, the civil servant observed.

Dublin Zoos historian, Catherine De Courcy, confirmed that a three-year-old female elephant that had been presented to Dr Hillery by the president of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, was donated to the zoo on her arrival in Ireland in May 1980.

The animal, known as Mimi, was subsequently given to Southampton Zoo two years later.
Muireann Duffy

Staff at the Department of Foreign Affairs were said to have "let down their guard" with celebrations in June 2020 while Ireland was under restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following reports of a breach of Covid restrictions, the department confirmed "lessons have been learned" since the celebrations after Ireland secured its place on the United Nations Security Council.

A photo showing a number of officials from the department's UN Security Council campaign team huddled together while posing for the image was published across a number of outlets on Wednesday.

According to the Irish Examiner, the photo was a selfie taken by then-secretary general of the department, Niall Burgess.

Mr Burgess, who has since been appointed as ambassador to France, tweeted the image with the caption: "Now we're walking on air." The tweet was reportedly deleted a short time later.

A spokesperson for the department said the team had been "working in a large open plan area of Iveagh House" throughout the day [June 17th, 2020] adding that "had Ireland not won the Council seat on the first round of voting, the team would have had to work through the night to campaign for a second vote the next day".

"As it happened, we won in the first round and in a moment of happiness, as the result came in, we briefly let our guard down by celebrating together," the spokesperson said.

"It was 18 months ago and steps have been taken to ensure lessons have been learned."

At the time of the incident the country was at Phase Two of the reopening plan when a person could only meet people from up to six other households and working from home was advised.
2021 was a difficult year. Theres no doubt about it. Covid mutations, lockdowns, vaccination debates, and environmental catastrophies dominated the news, while confusion, fear and uncertainty permeated the polluted air around us like noxious gas.

But there were certainly glimmers of happiness, and of hope. Of lockdown babies, long evenings in the sun, and much longed for reunions. Esther Hicks once said: A happy life is just a string of happy moments.

So I asked the women of Cork to tell me about their happiest moments of 2021, and heres what they had to say.

Hearing my parents got vaccinated at the same time together.

Hugging a new friend for the first time six weeks after their vaccination. We started dating a few weeks later, so it was a really good hug!

Attending a burlesque show for the first time in 16 months, and my Queer family rallying around me with food and presents when I was sick.

Grace Ni Dhonnchu, Ballinhassig

Brenda Barry, from Friendly Call. Picture Denis Minihane.

Friendly Call Cork won the overall Lord Mayors Community and Voluntary Award this year, and I was so delighted that our team of volunteers received the acknowledgment that they deserved for giving so much time to Friendly Call.

Within the last year, we have had 110 volunteers giving their time to Friendly Call, ringing clients five days a week to check in on them and make sure that they are okay.

Currently, we have 67 volunteers making calls to our 369 clients.

For many of our clients, that phone call from a Friendly Call volunteer might be the only call they get; it might be the only time the phone rings.

I was so proud for all our volunteers when we received this award.

Brenda Barry, Churchfield

Jackie Carroll.

The day my first grandchild Reya was born.

Its unreal... the feeling. I just adore everything about her. She is a blessing.

Jackie Carroll, Grange

Eilish Hayes reunited with family in the UK

Being able to go see my family in England after 18 months of lockdown. Unfortunately, all my three children live there. But it was amazing to spend time with them.

I travelled last August by boat and spent a month there.

While I was there, my son Ryan got engaged to Joely, a fab girl. Theyve being school friends since they were seven or eight and are both now 27.

Eilish Hayes, Skibbereen

Daniela Maris.

The happiest moment this year for me was finding an apartment to rent in beautiful Cobh.

After years of sharing with strangers in Dublin, Id moved to Cork hoping to find a nice, quiet place where I could live and work stress-free.

That proved to be a very hard task and I have to admit I was pretty desperate when I received a call from an agency to view the apartment in Cobh.

In the end, I moved here with my partner and we are loving every moment of it!

Daniela Maras, Cobh

Favourite moments from 2021? DJ sets in the summer sun in Rebel Reads - a community bookshop set up in the Marina Commercial Park. Good people coming together to make a space for workshops, events, and organising - essential for the well- being and flourishing of our community. My first ever DJ set!

Dragon of Shandon 2021 was another favourite moment. It was my first time working on the festival. I wasnt prepared for the energy, enthusiasm and palpable pride felt by me and everyone I talked to. Its such an important event on Corks calendar, and I loved every minute of it!

Una Hennessy, Dennehys Cross

Karen Lunnon

When my daughter Alila smiled for the first time. To be honest, the first part...the first few weeks were really hard.

"I kinda struggled with the adjustment. But then she smiled, and it was my happiest moment.

Karen Lunnon, Wilton

My happiest moment was a perfect summers day at Barleycove beach in late August. It was Bahamas-like and gorgeous. I moved to Cork from Croatia in the summer of 2020, and by the spring of 2021, I missed Mediterranean beaches terribly. I couldnt believe my luck when it was warm enough to swim without a wet suit... for days!

Karmela Matesa, Mahon

My happiest moment was the birth of my son Ozzy, and after that every single moment with him.

Martina Ratkovic, Grange

Geraldine Emerson.

My favourite time was when we went to France to visit my family in July. In Ireland, we still could not even have a coffee indoors but everything was open in France, and it was then we realised how deprived we had been.

We totally unleashed ourselves and went out for coffee, lunch and dinner for the first week. We felt the need to do it just because we could and because we had missed it so much.

It had been a great family moment after months of privations on every front for us adults, our two teenage girls and our 11-year-old son.

Geraldine Emerson, Kinsale

Mine was being able to take the kids to soft play centres again. Seeing the joy on their little faces jumping into the ball pit and zooming down the slides.

Sarah Lanigan, Passage West

Michelle St Ledger.

For me, it was being able to get on a flight in October to Tenerife with friends. It was like being 18 again, going on your first holiday to Santa Ponsa!

But I suppose my absolute favourite moment was having all the family; my dad, my husband Richards mam and dad, my kids and grandkids, all in mine for Sunday dinner after being forced to stay away for months due to Covid.

When youre deprived of the normal things in life, you realise just how precious these things are, and how easily our freedom can be snatched away from us.

Michelle St Ledger, Blarney Street

One of the most positive moments that stands out for me in 2021 was hearing that Cork Traveller Womens Network won a national heritage award from the Heritage Council of Ireland for our work on Traveller history.

Celebrating our history is so important as part of having pride in the resilience of our culture and passing this on to the next generation.

Covid has been tough for everyone, and I know first hand that Travellers have had a particularly tough time, so the Heritage award was, for me, something positive that came out of a hard 18 months.

Brigid Carmody, Cork City

My favourite moment was when I had a beautiful dream which saw me laughing heartily with my beloved mum, Kathleen, who had recently passed away.

Carina McNally, Castletownbere

Sandra Carroll

My absolute favourite moment was when my sister was given the all-clear from her breast cancer. She is now cancer free and her hair has grown back. Not much gets better than that.

Sandra Carroll, Douglas
On December 29, 2021, Mongolia celebrates its 110th Independence Day. The East Asian country gained independence from the Qing dynasty on this day in 1911. With the fall of the Qing dynasty, Mongolia, under its ruler Bogd Khan, declared its independence.



However, the formation of the Republic of Mongolia took some time. Wonder why? At that time, the newly established Republic of China considered Mongolia to be part of its own territory. It was 13 years later, only in 1924 (after the death of Bogd Khan) that the country become a republic.



Incidentally, this is also the Constitution Day of Ireland. The current Constitution of Ireland came into force on December 29, 1937. The Constitution that asserts the national sovereignty of the Irish people has been the longest continuously in operation within the European Union.

READ ALSO : What happened on December 21: The crossword was born and the Mayans prediction of the world ending, bombed



Legendary Indian actor Rajesh Khanna was born on December 29, 1942. Regarded as the 'First Superstar of Bollywood', he was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour. He was laid to rest on July 18, 2012. Khanna's debut film, Aakhri Khat, was India's first official Oscar entry in 1967. Khanna was married to actor Dimple Kapadia and the couple had two daughters  former actor, producer and author Twinkle Khanna and former actor Rinkle Khanna.




Alaska, US aquaculture may get support from federal grants





Ocean farming and aquaculture in the coastal regions of Alaska, the United States, could get a boost from a federal grant programme.

The US Economic Development Administration is taking grant applications as part of the American Rescue Plan that provides pandemic relief funding.

A proposal from Alaska envisions the creation of a shellfish and aquatic plants industry, the Peninsula Clarion reported.

The application is among 60 finalists from a nationwide pool of more than 500. Up to 30 proposals will get funding of US$25-100 million.

Tim Dillon, executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, said the proposal has regional support and could increase jobs.

The proposal aims to turn Alaska's marine farming and aquaculture into a US$100 million per year industry.

"I honestly believe that is possible, especially if we're able to land this other US$50 million to be able to do the different things that we need to do to help and support the industry," Dillon said.

- Anchorage Daily News




Kaliningrad Region, Russia governor discusses expanding meat production with Cherkizovo





Anton Alikhanov, governor of the Kaliningrad Region, Russia, recently took a tour of the new patties production facility at Cherkizovo's Otechestvenny Product plant and discussed the prospects for expanding the region's meat production capacities with the group's head of investment projects department, Leonid Izmailov, Cherkizovo said.

Alikhanov's visit began with a tour of the production complex for manufacturing beef patties that are shipped to Burger King restaurants all across Russia. The project attracted over a billion rubles of investment and generated more than 100 jobs in the region, with its current production capacity boasting some 200 million patties (or more than 14,000 tonnes) a year.

During this tour, Alikhanov was able to see the entire cycle of the complex: from the production of ground meat to the packaging and shipment of finished products. The governor then visited the plant's lab that monitors the composition and quality of meat. The tour concluded with a tasting of patties freshly cooked in the oven.

The Otechestvenny Product plant was founded in 1999 and became part of Cherkizovo Group in 2010. It produces over 11,000 tonnes of ham under the Cherkizovo, Imperiya Vkusa, and METRO Chef (METRO's private label) brands. The plant's headcount stands at 328 employees. Otechestvenny Product is a resident of the Special Economic Zone in the Kaliningrad Region.

"I am delighted that Cherkizovo Group, the nation's largest meat producer, has chosen the Kaliningrad Region to implement its investment projects. Today, we discussed the plant's development prospects, including the construction of an additional line to ramp up the production," said Alikhanov. "It is important for us to see new jobs being created in agriculture and food processing, which is one of the key industries of today."

"On behalf of our company, I would like to extend gratitude to Mr. Alikhanov, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Kaliningrad Region administration for supporting this project," said Izmailov. "The construction of the beef patties production facility coincided with the stringiest COVID-related restrictions to date, but we have managed to pull through and deliver this project on time. Going forward, we will be able to double the production of beef burger patties and ramp up our ham volumes."

- Cherkizovo




Chilean Salmon Council releases first sustainable impact report



The Chilean Salmon Council  formed by AquaChile, Australis, Salmones Aysen, Cermaq and Mowi  has released its first-ever sustainable impact report.

The report reviews seven categories of the member companies' social, economic, and environmental impacts in 2020. The release of the report just 18 months after the Salmon Council was formed "demonstrates the transparency of the trade association and its member companies and our commitment to sustainability, the environment and the communities," said Salmon Council Board chair Fernando Villarroel said at the report's launch.

"We are convinced that it is possible for industry development with due protection of the environment," Villarroel said.

The seven areas reviewed  which the Salmon Council said are directly related to 11 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to mobilise the private sector's contribution to sustainability  include job growth and employment, local identity, local development, production chain and entrepreneurship, scientific contribution and innovation, transition to renewable energy and environmental impact control.

The event was attended by members companies of the council, the Sustenta+ general manager Pablo Vidal, AquaChile president Aguas Claras Union Miriam Chavez, Multisindical workers union general secretary Claudia Paredes, Canales executive director Josefina Moreno and Los Lagos regional governor Patricio Vallespin.

"We want the salmon industry to commit to practices that are 100% in tune with environmental stewardship," Vallespin said.

The report highlights a number of different factors, including Salmon Council member companies' job creation and employment. Member companies are present in 36 municipalities in Chile, employing 13,000 workers directly and another 57,000 indirectly. Together, the companies held nearly 8,000 training sessions and had 7,500 contracts with suppliers.

In addition to employment, the Salmon Council also developed 35 initiatives to support fishers and others that make use of the coastline. According to the report, those initiatives helped more than 1,000 people. A further 115 different initiatives were carried out with a focus on education, access to salmon and respect for indigenous peoples  initiatives which benefited nearly 130,000 people.

The companies also focused on additional scientific innovation. A total of 34 research initiatives to drive industry innovation  such as the remote fish-feeding project  were performed last year in conjunction with universities and research centers. Another 24 partnerships were signed with educational institutions.

Member companies also began to measure carbon impact by tracing the generation of carbon dioxide in the different stages of the supply chain. The companies have begun to implement emission-reduction initiatives such as the incorporation of renewable energies.

Among the companies, in 2020, a total of 104 salmon grow-out centers also voluntarily adhered to independent international certifications, such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council standard, thus increasing the availability of responsibly grown seafood that is certified in measuring the industry's main environmental and social impacts.

In the context of COVID-19, the report highlighted how five companies implemented protocols to protect the health of company employees, as well as the communities where they are located. Sanitary measures were reinforced, communities were supported with PCR tests, and all of the member companies' processing plants were accredited by external organisations, the council reported.

The companies that comprise the Chilean Salmon Council grouped together in May 2021, represent more than 50% of Chilean salmon production.

In a joint statement, they said they will "look to contribute new perspectives to the salmon farming of our country" in the future.

- SeafoodSource




Cherkizovo acquires turkey producer Krasnobor for US$25.8 billion

Cherkizovo Group has reached an agreement to acquire Russia's third largest turkey producer Krasnobor based in Tula, Russia, for 1.9 billion (US$25.8 million), including debt.

This acquisition is set to bolster Cherkizovo's position in the fast-growing market of turkey products and create strong synergies with the meat processing facilities that the group will build in the Tula Region.

AIC Mikhailovsky (part of Cherkizovo Group) has agreed with the owners of Krasnobor to acquire their stakes in the company. Russia Partners Fund will sell 57.7 %, Arkady Levin, the founder of Krasnobor  24.5 %, with the remaining 17.8 % to be bought from minority shareholders. The deal for a total consideration of 1.9 billion, including Krasnobor's debt of 600 million (US$8.1 million), has already been approved by the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and KPMG acted as Cherkizovo Group's advisers on the deal.

Founded back in 2000, Krasnobor owns turkey breeding and production facilities in the Leninsky and Novomoskovsky districts of the Tula Region. It offers a wide range of products under the Krasnobor brand and ranks third in the Russian turkey market, boasting output of 27.2 thousand tonnes of live-weight turkey meat last year.

Cherkizovo Group's Tambov Turkey (Pava Pava brand) holds the second place with 57 thousand tonnes produced in 2020 (2021 guidance is about 80 thousand tonnes).

"The acquisition of Krasnobor is in line with our strategy to ramp up production of turkey, which enjoys a steadily growing demand. We plan to increase our share in this promising market both organically and through M&A activities," said Sergey Mikhailov, chief executive officer of Cherkizovo Group.

"It is also important for us that Cherkizovo will be involved in turkey production in the Tula Region, whose role continues to grow in our business: in the next few years, we will build a large meat processing cluster there and expect synergies arising between the Krasnobor sites and our new facilities."

- Cherkizovo




Environmental groups question sustainability rating given to Cooke salmon farms in Nova Scotia, Canada

Cooke Aquaculture's salmon farms in Nova Scotia, Canada, have received an upgraded sustainability rating in an international assessment, but three environmental groups are wary of the findings.

California, US-based Seafood Watch said it's recognising reduced use of pesticides, low levels of sea lice and few escapes in Nova Scotia over the past five years, especially when compared to other provinces.

The assessment was part of a Seafood Watch report released this month evaluating salmon farming production areas around the world.

In Nova Scotia and Maine, where Cooke Aquaculture is the only operator, salmon farms were given a yellow light rating, indicating production is generally having a moderate impact to the ecosystem but can't be considered fully ecologically sustainable.

Seafood Watch said, for consumers, the scoring means the salmon is recommended as a "good alternative."

On the Atlantic coast of North America, Seafood Watch scored Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick as red' (avoid), meaning it believes the salmon farms are having significant impacts on the environment.

"Those were kind of the major impact areas that separated out Nova Scotia and Maine from Newfoundland and New Brunswick," said Taylor Voorhees, global aquaculture initiatives manager for the Seafood Watch programme at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.

Nova Scotia fish farms were rated red' in the last assessment in 2016.

Voorhees said fish farms across Canada need to do more work to achieve a green' rating, "which is our ultimate bar of environmental sustainability."

A decline in the use of chemicals earned Cooke's Nova Scotia salmon farms its highest score  eight out of 10  in the 10 criteria used to assess sustainability.

The report said there were no antimicrobial treatments in Nova Scotia in 2020 and no use of pesticides since 2016.

It said Nova Scotia salmon farms have reported 44 escaped fish in the past decade and sea lice levels are likely low.

Even so, it said the risk of escapes and diseases spreading to wild populations persists.

Overall, Nova Scotia scored 4.96 out of 10.

The report also repeatedly noted the limited amount of data available in the region.

In fact, Seafood Watch had to rely heavily on data from Cooke.

For example, there is no mandatory public reporting on sea lice in Nova Scotia.

Voorhees said the company provided the results of 12,000 fish sampled in 2020 showing very low levels.

Since chemicals are not used to treat sea lice, "that gives us a little bit more confidence that the sea lice counts data that we're given accurately represent what's happening on the water."

For New Brunswick-based Cooke, the results are awkward. It is not the only operator of salmon farms in New Brunswick and Newfoundland, but it remains the dominant player in both, said Voorhees.

Seafood Watch was critical of farms in both provinces for escapes and sea lice outbreaks. British Columbia also scored red'.

"While the marine environments are different in New Brunswick and Newfoundland, we employ consistent rearing techniques and comparable equipment, and we continue to work towards those provinces receiving improved Seafood Watch ratings in the future as well," Cooke spokesperson Joel Richardson said in an emailed response.

Results in Nova Scotia reflect "our commitment to best aquaculture practices to transform the industry to become more sustainably minded," he said.

Simon Ryder-Burbidge of the Ecology Action Centre said Seafood Watch is credible, but is critical of findings he disagreed with.

"We appreciate the work that they do. They're a great organisation," he said.

The Halifax NGO reviewed the scoring. It refused to support the improved result for Nova Scotia, but accepted the negative results for New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.

"There's a lot more data to work with in those places," he said, noting public reporting of sea lice.

The Ecology Action Centre is one of three Canadian environmental groups dismissing Nova Scotia's rating for its lack of public information and reliance on industry data they cannot verify. The other groups are the David Suzuki Foundation and Living Ocean.

Ryder-Burbidge said monitoring for escaped farmed salmon is almost non-existent in Nova Scotia where the wild population is in more serious trouble.

He said if impacts are lower in Nova Scotia, it is because the scale of farming is smaller.

"With huge open net pen salmon farming expansion plans on the horizon for Nova Scotia, it's something that we should expect to see a lot more of if new salmon farms are approved going forward," he said.

Voorhees said more data would definitely be beneficial to the assessment, but stands by the scoring.

Nova Scotia was rated 5.91 out of 10 for data availability, a yellow, the same as the other Atlantic provinces.

"We would agree that they can't be considered fully sustainable, but we are also very confident in the research that we've done and the ratings that we produced," he said.

The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture said the Seafood Watch report validates its efforts.

"We are encouraged by this independent recognition of our aquaculture industry's high standards. It shows that the province's efforts, with industry and stakeholders, to improve regulations and manage the industry have been working well," Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Steve Craig said in a statement.

- CBC




Tokio Marine & Nichido to launch insurance for land-based fish farming in Japan





Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. plans to sell an insurance policy for operators of land-based fish farming in Japan, starting in January next year.

The policy will cover losses and assist an affected business if fish cannot be shipped out. Tokio Marine & Nichido said that it will be the first such attempt in the nation.

Land-based fish farming involves raising fish in above-ground tanks in which freshwater or seawater is circulated.

Salmon, tiger puffer and shrimp have been farmed on land in this way.

Compared with farming in the sea, damage from natural phenomenon such as red tides and typhoons can be minimised, and thus farmers can expect stable production.

The policy for land-based fish farming will cover losses in such events as the fish becoming unable to be shipped due to infectious diseases, contamination of the water or changes in water temperature.

Losses in sea cultivation, which has been the primary form of fish farming in Japan, have been covered jointly by fisheries cooperatives through mutual aid schemes.

Until now, insurance policies for land-based fish farming have covered only damage to hardware as fire insurance, and thus there has not been a policy that covers loss of the fish themselves.

In Japan, an increasing number of major companies have been entering the land-based fish farming business.

Kyushu Electric Power Co. plans to build a salmon-farming facility inside the precincts of its Buzen electric power plant in Fukuoka Prefecture. The company will launch the business together with fish farmers in the next fiscal year at the earliest.

Mitsui & Co. has also invested in a startup which operates fish farms in Saitama and Chiba prefectures.

- The Japan News
Good news again from Europe. From Belgium this time, specifically from the Court of Appeal of Ghent, which maintained its refusal to extradite Majorcan rapper Josep Miquel Arenas, Valtonyc, sentenced by the Spanish Supreme Court to three and a half years in prison for criminal threats, glorification of terrorism and insults to the Crown. A new defeat of the Spanish judiciary in Europe, this time, not for issues related to Catalan independence but for a textbook case that affects freedom of expression: the lyrics of some songs of the Majorcan rapper. The lesson is always the same: while the Spanish judiciary condemns people for non-existent crimes, beyond the Pyrenees the result is very different. Spain's international shame is thus acquiring unthinkable dimensions, and what is most surprising is how the entire political, economic, judicial and media networks have accepted it a though it were perfectly normal. Furthermore, the self-proclaimed most progressive government in history, petrified, witnesses the shameful spectacle of degradation of basic values in any democracy without offering any kind of political or legislative solution.

Over a thousand days have passed since Valtonyc decided to internationalize his cause, to go into exile in Belgium and put himself at the disposal of the courts. In addition to an unjust exile, he had to deal with his mothers death in Mallorca in early 2021, whom he buried via Skype. From that decision, obviously hard as any kind of exile is, stemmed two more, that caused an important turnaround. Firstly, the Spanish Supreme Court's conviction for the lyrics of a song in which he said that Juan Carlos I was a thief raised an interesting legal debate in Belgium, about what was understood as an insult to the Crown in the 21st century. The conclusion was the deletion from the Belgian Criminal Code of the insults to the Crown crime, which dated back to 1847. Having overcome this obstacle, the court rejected the extradition requested by the Spanish Supreme Court.

No matter how many times it is said, it will never be enough: nothing would have been as obvious, nor would the actions of the Spanish judiciary have been so glaringly clear to international public opinion, were it not for the exile of a group of men and women who have shed light in the midst of the darkest night. The Spanish Supreme Court would not have been unmasked, and it would not be possible to affirm without any possible margin of error that what has taken place in Spain has been a full-fledged judicial persecution to put an end to any kind of dissidence. First it was political, against the Catalan independence movement, but from then on, the silence and weakness of the Spanish government has allowed the so-called deep state to take over the story, to play its own suicidal game in which anything goes in defence of the unity of Spain and the Crown.

This December 28th, once celebrated as April Fool's Day, when jokes in the media were the order of the day, would be a good time to remember that there were countless front pages published predicting that Valtonyc would end up in prison, since his conviction was firm. It was not an April Fools Joke when they said it in their first pages, it was glaringly obvious fake news. The fact that the ruling by the Court of Appeal of Ghent was passed in the midst of the debate on the return of the former king to Spain, which is now scheduled for mid-February, is still a malevolent trick of history. The fugitive king, on whom there is the most obvious evidence of corruption, will be able to return freely to Spain, among other things, due to of the apathy of the Spanish judiciary. On the other hand, Valtonyc will have to continue living abroad even though the Belgian court has denied his extradition.

It is not surprising that people feel alienated from Spanish institutions. Between the Spanish lefts ostentatious silence on a clear case of freedom of expression and the protection of the monarchy from any kind of political investigation, a most unpleasant panorama is emerging.
We're somehow just about to roll into 2022, which means Sony will soon refresh the lineup of games PlayStation Plus members can claim at no extra cost. Starting on January 4th, you'll be able to snag Persona 5 Strikers, Dirt 5 and Deep Rock Galactic.

Persona 5 Strikers follows the events of Persona 5 (which PS5 owners can snag through the PS Plus Collection). The action RPG, which was released in the West earlier this year, pulls in elements from the Dynasty Warriors series too. It's the only one of January's PS Plus games that doesn't have a native PS5 version.

Dirt 5 is the latest game in the long-running Dirt series. The off-road racing title, which emerged in November 2020, includes features like four-player splitscreen and the Playground creative mode. You can race across more than 70 routes in 10 global locations.

Deep Rock Galactic, meanwhile, is debuting on PlayStation as a PS Plus game. The co-op first-person shooter arrived on PC and Xbox in May 2020. You'll play as a space dwarf and there are four classes you can choose from: engineer, gunner, driller and scout. Players explore procedurally-generated destructible cave systems and take on waves of aliens as they search for resources.

PS Plus subscribers will until February 1st to claim those titles. Meanwhile, you have until January 3rd to snag the six games in the current lineup. You can snag Godfall: Challenger Edition, Lego DC Super Villains and Mortal Shell, as well as PS VR titles The Persistence (which you can also play without a headset), The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners and Until You Fall.
As usual, LG has unveiled its latest smart appliances for CES 2022, but this time they come with an unusual twist: a recipe service. The ThinQ Recipe app will let users choose from up to 10,000 recipes, with the app adding ingredients to your grocery list for delivery from Walmart or Amazon Fresh.

LG has partnered with SideChef on the app, letting you cook up anything from a single recipe to a weekly meal plan. It also uses the Scan and Cook feature from Foodspace Technology that scans a bar code on certain frozen and ready-to-cook meals, automatically sending cooking instructions to compatible LG ThinQ ovens.

LG

The new feature is designed to work with LG's latest InstaView Double Range oven and Over-the-range microwave. The former uses LG's InstaView tech that lets you see inside the appliance by knocking twice on the glass. It also uses LG's ProBake convection tech with Air Fry and Air Sous Vide modes, while the microwave offers LG's Steam Cook tech to keep foods moist when cooking.

The new appliances with ThinQ recipe will be shown at LG's virtual exhibition booth at CES 2022 starting on January 5th, though LG didn't say when the app and appliances would go on sale. CES 2022 is still scheduled to proceed next week in Las Vegas, with LG, Samsung and Sony still committed as of this writing. Other companies including Amazon, Google, Meta and Lenovo have backed out of real-world involvement, however.

Follow all of the latest news from CES 2022 right here!
People get very territorial over their fandoms. Once you declare your fervor for a specific genre, you will undoubtedly find yourself in the throws of a trap-filled conversation. One false step will have you careening down a pit-fall of, "OH YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THAT?! HOW CAN YOU EVEN CALL YOURSELF A FAN?!?!"

First and foremost, allow me to alleviate some of your stress; this statement is nonsense. Who is this arbiter of all things fan-based that declares you unworthy to hold the title?

People love things in different ways. Whether you've seen every rom-com ever made or you've only seen one that you have rewatched to the point of obsession, you are equally deserving to call yourself a fan.

via GIPHY

That being said, it is difficult not to feel some of the sway of societal pressure. When people challenge your standing, it may be hard to once again feel the full confidence of your convictions. There is no standard by which to compare the claims of the masses with your own fan-filled truth.

Until now.

If you really want to cement your unshakable standing as a rom-com fanatic, or just want textual, conclusive proof to bolster your entry into the fandom, here is the list for you. We did our best to cover every classic rom-com trope to ensure you're well versed for anything that comes your way.

Here is a list of eleven 'must-see' rom-coms (but, like, not actually MUST) that will ensure that no one can question your obsessive love of this hyphenate genre ever again!

1.When Harry Met Sally

When Harry Met Sally is one of the keystones of the rom-com as we know it today. No one will be able to question you when you have this absolutely classic in your back pocket.

After their car ride together where the two discuss how realistic the notion of men and women being platonic friends is, titular characters Harry and Sally run into each other ten years later. Hilariously beautiful romance continues. It is, without question, the quintessential friends-to-lovers story.

2. Bridget Jones's Diary

We know there simply had to be a love triangle on this list. Bridget Jones Diary, starring Renee Zellweger, is a 2001 film, based on Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice.

Set in the early 2000s, Bridget Jones is determined to find love and improve herself, but she keeps running into the condescending Mr. Darcy along the way. In the meantime, Jones strikes up a hot and heavy - but questionably responsible - relationship with her boss. If you are looking to put some geometry into your rom-com viewing experience, look no further than this three-sided affair.

3. Think Like a Man

An absolutley *unmissable* rom-com trope is men vs. women, a trope that is perfectly encapsulated in the phnomenal rom-com Think Like a Man.

This must-see shows what happens when Steve Harvey publishes a book called Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. When all of the women get their hands on this must read, they learn all of the men's tricks, giving them the upper hand in their relationships.

It's a perfect movie about love and competition - and it's also based on an actual book by Steve Harvey! If you've seen this status, no one will question your crown as rom-com queen (or king!).

4. 10 Things I Hate About You

The enemies-to-lovers Shakesperian classic The Tempest receives the rom-com make-over in the staple 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You. This epic tale of high school proportions follows the standoffish Kat Stratford, played by Julia Stiles, as Patrick Verona - played by Heath Ledger - is paid by Cameron (Joseph-Gordon Levitt), to take Kat out so that Cameron can date her sister.

Surprise! Patrick ends up getting a lot more than he bargained for in this one. It is a heartstring grabbing, hilariously unmissable adventure.

5. Hitch

Here comes the very-much-needed workaholic trope to add to the mix. Before his time as King Richard, Will Smith starred in an absolutely unmissable rom-com Hitch. This 2005 film follows - if not helps to create - one of the staple rom-com tropes.

Smith, who plays the title character, falls for a journalist (classic). At the same time, he is trying to help a shy accountant (Kevin James) woo an heiress. It is a rom-com of multi-faceted, epic proportions. If you see it, it will give you more than a leg to stand on! (Like, it'll give you at least two.)

6. Crazy Rich Asians

What would you do without a secret-billionaire movie in your arsenal? Crazy Rich Asians, based on of the popular book by Kevin Kwan, was one of the breakout hits of 2018. It received a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, so you know that it will fulfill your rom-com-fandom dreams AND be an ACTUAL GOOD MOVIE (which anyone who absolutely loves a rom-com knows that that is not always the case).

Rachel Chu travels with her boyfriend Nick to Singapore, where she discovers he is a member of the wealthiest family in the country. While the family disapproves of her, Rachel must fight to breach the divide between the two worlds and keep her relationship with Nick strong.

It is - and we mean this in no hyperbolic terms - SO GREAT!

7. The Princess Bride

While the status of The Princess Bride as a rom-com is often up for debate, the film is both hilarious and a romance, which means it is good enough for us!

This movie perfectly encapsulates the 'soul mates' trope. The wonderfully hilarious fairy tale proves that two lovers who are meant to be will find each other, no matter the odds. If anyone tries to question your rom-commery after seeing it, that would be INCONCEIVABLE!

8. Set it Up

Set it Up is not only an absolutely EXCELLENT, standard rom-com; it is also one of my personal favorites. (What would a fandom be without some subjectivity?)

Set it Up is the perfect blend of the workaholic trope combined with the friends to lovers trope. It is a rom-com that runs as if it opened a book called How to Make a Rom-Com and did exactly that.

Oh! And Pete Davidson is in it so, I mean...

9. To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Another rom-com must-have is a fake relationship that ultimately turns into a real one. (I'm sorry if that's a spoiler for anyone, but this is a post about romantic comedies. What did you THINK was going to happen?)

To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a new Netflix classic in which all Laura's (Lana Condor's) secret love letters to her crushes are mailed out. In an effort to keep one especially hidden, she strikes up a fake relationship with another letter recipient.

While we bet you can guess what happens, To All the Boys I've Loved Before is definitely worth the watch.

10. Love Jones

Much like The Princess Bride, the status of Love Jones as a rom-com is up for debate by many, several people throwing it into the romance/drama genre - but it deserves to be here! This film, starring Larenz Tate and Nia Long, is a story of persistance.

They meet in a club in Chicago by chance. After that, fate takes the wheel. There's something about a fate-trope rom-com that tends to err on the side of the rom! Love Jones is an absolute must-see for any rom-com obsessor.

11 . Clueless

AS IF you haven't already seen this CLASSIC! Clueless is another rom-com based off of a Jane Austen novel (the true rom-com queen). This 1990s adaptation of Emma follows Cher (Alicia Silverstone) as she tries to give one girl a make over and simultaneously navigate high school in LA, including her relationship with her step-brother, who is IMPORTANTLY NOT RELATED BY BLOOD, Josh (Paul Rudd!)

This movie is an absolute must see (and, if we are really trying to cover every trope, you COULD make an argument that this is a confined-spaces rom-com). This isn't even up for a whole lot of debate, everybody knows: It's a classic.

Also, did you hear us say PAUL RUDD?!

If you see every movie on this list, you can confidently laugh in the face of anyone who even casually attempts to question your rom-com expertise.However, like we said before, you can have seen all of these movies, none of these movies, or one of these movies! Maybe you've read this list and left thinking, "they didn't even have THESE ELEVEN OBVIOUS CHOICES on there!!"

You can see whatever you want to see and be a super fan in your own super way!

(Also, if you're a Known Gatekeeper do us all a favor and stop knocking other fans down! It's not a great look!)
Amit Malhotra, HBO Max Managing Director for Southeast Asia and India, has moved on from the WarnerMedia-owned video streaming platform. According to media reports, HBO Max International Head Johannes Larcher will be directly involved in the affairs of Southeast Asia and India markets following Malhotra's exit.



Malhotra had taken charge as MD of HBO Max for Southeast Asia and India in June. He reported to Larcher and was responsible for the rollout and management of WarnerMedias direct-to-consumer platform in Southeast Asia. He also had the responsibility for the management of WarnerMedias existing OTT streaming service HBO GO.



Under Malhotras leadership, WarnerMedia was expected to launch HBO Max in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam in the future. He was also responsible for exploring possible opportunities to launch HBO Max in new and fast-growing Asian streaming markets such as India.



Prior to joining HBO Max, Malhotra was Regional Lead for Disney+ in Southeast Asia, where he was responsible for overseeing the launch and operations of Disneys streaming services in the region, including Disney+, Disney+ Hotstar and Hotstar.



He also led the Content Sales and Distribution division as part of The Walt Disney Companys Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) business in South APAC and Middle East, pivoting Disneys linear business in the region to streaming by working closely with local telcos and MVPDs, creating localized payment strategies and developing deep content studio relationships throughout Southeast Asia.

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Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Commentary From Crisis Management Expert Edward Segal, Author of the Award-Winning Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways To Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies (Nicholas Brealey)

The supply chain crisis has not impacted the availability of crystal balls. Indeed, judging by the dozens of predictions I received from cybersecurity experts about possible cyberattacks in 2022, if any of their "guesses" come true, we could be in for a rough ride next year.

Fasten your seat belts. Here are some of their worst-case scenarios.

A Major Vaccine Maker Is Attacked

James Carder, the chief security officer at LogRhythm, has more than 20 years of experience working in corporate IT security and consulting for Fortune 500 companies and the U.S. government. He predicted that, "The supply chain of a major vaccine manufacturer will be halted by ransomware.

"In 2022, cybercriminals will set their sights on carrying out a ransomware attack against one of the pharmaceutical companies producing the Covid-19 vaccine. This will interrupt the production of critical booster shots and keep many other lifesaving drugs from reaching patients. The resulting fallout will fan the flame for foreign and domestic vaccine disinformation campaigns."

Olympic Athletes Are Blackmailed

Carder also thought that, "Hackers will blackmail Olympic athletes during the Beijing Olympics. [They] will breach various athletes' accounts and find incriminating email exchanges regarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs and insight into the individual's personal life.

"This will result in athletes being blackmailed into helping hackers carry out cyberattacks on their home countries or face the release of incriminating evidence," he said.

Cyberthreats Evolve And Fears Increase

Cyberthreat intelligence expert Ross Rustici, a managing director with StoneTurn, predicted that the threats in 2022 "are likely to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

"We are likely to see the continued expansion of syndicated and franchised criminal operations, increased dedication to ransom as a primary means of monetization, and continued adoption of new technologies such as deep fakes to make social engineering more effective.

"This will not only impact how business leaders must think about risk but will also be leveraged by threat actors to increase the sense of fear and urgency during an incident."

Malware Is Weaponized

Chris O'Ferrell is the chief threat officer of CodeHunter and a technology executive with over 35 years in the cybersecurity industry. He predicted that, "Extremely advanced, AI-driven, weaponized malware will emerge with the capability to circumvent most (if not all) of the defensive and detection security technologies used today.

'This malware will not be limited to any single type of exploit but rather have the ability to dynamically modify its code 'in the wild' to compromise a wide range of vulnerabilities that exist today."

Business Partners Receive Extortion Demands

Nick Rossmann is the global threat intelligence lead at IBM X-Force, a threat intelligence sharing platform. He said that, "In 2022, we'll see more and more triple extortion ransomware, whereby a ransomware attack experienced by one business, becomes an extortion threat for its business partner.

"Ransomware attackers won't stop at extorting the victim organization for ransom, they will extort its business partners whose data it holds or business partners who cannot afford the supply chain disruption.

"In other words, we will see certain businesses faced with the dilemma, do we pay our supplier's ransom, or can our operations afford and withstand our supplier's downtime? The ripple effect of triple extortion ransomware attacks will force businesses to scrutinize and audit their supply chains' access to their data and the security and policy controls surrounding their trusted relationships."

Scams Use Impersonators

Armen Najarian is the chief identity officer at Outseer, a company in Silicon Valley that's focused on stopping payment fraud. "In 2022, socially engineered scams will become even more lifelike. We've seen scammers get increasingly adept at impersonating C-level executives, colleagues, friends and family members.

"Their timing and writing style [are] improving dramatically, to the point where even sophisticated security industry experts can be fooled. As these fraudsters continue to improve their ability to impersonate and mimic real people, it will get harder and harder for real people to tell what's legitimate and what's a ruse."

The Remote Work Trend Is Exploited

Michael Gorelik is the threat officer and head of threat intelligence at breach prevention firm Morphisec. He said, "The shift to remote work has moved from a temporary measure to help curb the spread of the virus to a more permanent strategy for many businesses.

"This situation has reshaped the threat landscape and has created new opportunities for attackers to change their approach. And we expect this to only get worse in the New Year. With more attackers entering the market with malware-as-a-service campaigns, bad actors will continue to target the essential tools every distributed workforce is using.

"These include virtual private networks and their providers, which have a weak self-security posture, exposed servers, and exchange email services and web applications. Attackers will continue to exploit these servers and services or brute force them due to their inefficient hardening practices."

Attacks Are Launched By Nation-States

Mark Houpt is the chief information security officer DataBank. He said, "In 2022 we will have to be more vigilant for possible nation-state attacks. The rise in tensions between Russia (and aligned nations) and Eastern Europe are of considerable concern at this time, although they may be seasonal and limited in scope.

"Of more long-term concern are consistently rising tensions between China and the U.S., as well as in the Middle East with Iran. Each of these actors has a significant cyber capability. Commercial and critical infrastructure markets would be considerable targets, primarily through disruptive attacks like Ransomware or distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) events.

"With our supply chain currently in stress mode, an attack by a nation-state on this apparatus would further weaken an already crippled field and have a more significant impact on the economy. Most likely, before a warperhaps in Eastern Europegoes physical or kinetic, we will see cyber-attack actions increase. Russia is very good at utilizing proxy units to conduct this type of cyberwarfare."

Advice For Business Leaders

Lisa Sotto is the head of the global privacy and cybersecurity practice at law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth. "Every company, regardless of industry sector, will need to be laser-focused on strengthening their security measures.

"Boards of directors and C-suites alike have come to understand that the basic protections, such as multi-factor authentication, patching and access controls, are critical and that cybercrime could pose an existential risk."
Elon Musks plans for the first orbital launch of SpaceXs Starship early next year have been grounded.

The Federal Aviation Administration said this week it was delaying by two months the release of a planned environmental review of the companys plans to launch from South Texas.

The review is a final hurdle for a series of test launches in 2022, which Musk has said are a step toward a commercial launch schedule. SpaceX needs both an environmental permit and vehicle operator license from the FAA to launch the Starship and Super Heavy rocket booster from its launch site in Boca Chica.

On ExpressNews.com: Elon Musk says SpaceXs first Starship launch from Boca Chica expected in early 2022

In an announcement Tuesday, the FAA said that instead of issuing its Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment on Friday as planned, it was being pushed to Feb. 28. It blamed the high volume of comments submitted on the draft PEA, discussions and consultation efforts with consulting parties.

SpaceX, under the FAAs supervision, is drafting responses for more than 18,000 public comments and a final assessment for the agencys review. Meanwhile, the FAA said its consulting with state and federal agencies responsible for protecting endangered species and preserving historical sites.

Tuesdays announcement was the latest delay for SpaceX. In September, the FAA released a draft environmental review considering possible impacts of the launch, associated debris and road closures. It also extended public comment deadlines to Nov. 1.

Based on that timetable, Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, said last month he expected the first attempt to launch the Starship into orbit would occur in January or February.

Im not sure well get there on the first attempt, but Im comfortable well get there next year, he said during a teleconference with members of the National Academy of Sciences. Theres a lot of risk associated with the first launch, so I would say that its not likely to be successful.

Musk told the academy he planned a dozen more test flights in 2022 as SpaceX works toward reaching his dream of a fully reusable rocket system to carry cargo and human beings to the moon and then Mars.

The overarching goal of SpaceX has been to advance space technology such that humanity can become a multiplanet species and ultimately a spacefaring civilization and to make true the things that we read about in science fiction, he told the teleconference.

Before Thanksgiving, he warned employees that SpaceX could face bankruptcy if its unable to achieve a steady launch schedule for tests and commercial flights.

On ExpressNews.com: Elon Musk warns SpaceX faces genuine risk of bankruptcy if engine production troubles continue

Around Boca Chica, some residents support SpaceX as an economic engine and cheer its venture into the stars. Others have expressed concerns over the privately held companys expansion in the region and its impacts on the surrounding environment, which is rich with fish and wildlife and neighboring a national wildlife reserve.

SpaceX had its first successful launch of a Starship prototype May 5 after four failed tests. On March 30, the company launched a prototype, which exploded and rained chunks of steel and rocket parts across the Boca Chica marshlands  it was the companys fourth failed run since December 2020.

According to its filings with the FAA, SpaceX is aiming to lift its Starship into orbit from Boca Chicao atop its Super Heavy booster, which would separate nearly three minutes later and drop into the Gulf of Mexico about 20 miles off the Texas coast. The Starship would continue into orbit before returning to splash down 90 minutes later in the Pacific Ocean off the northwest coast of Hawaii.

eric.killelea@express-news.net
Ken Branca /Contributor

Two male teenagers were transported from Kingsborough Park to local hospitals with gunshot wounds in the middle of the night, San Antonio police said.

Both were found wounded at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday and were transported by EMS in stable but critical condition, according to a preliminary report. One was shot in the back of the head and the other was shot in the back, according to a sergeant on the scene.
San Antonio Board of Realtors

A nearly 100-year-old building along San Antonios River Walk that sits across the street from the historic Bexar County Courthouse is for sale.

The five-story, 54,662-square-foot Morris Hotel Apartments and retail building on 126 E. Main Plaza hit the market in November and is selling for $12.9 million.
The Bexar County Fire Marshals Office took to the grounds of its South Side office to demonstrate the harms of misusing fireworks and how to have a safe time with them this New Years holiday.

Deputy Chief John Ortega began Wednesdays display by warning people about common dangers posed by consumer pyrotechnics.

These include short fuses that burn faster than users anticipate, cardboard that burns quicker in some parts than in others, and  most deceptive of all  fireworks that dont ignite properly.

As a reminder, using fireworks within San Antonio city limits is a Class C misdemeanor that can carry a fine of up to $2,000.

If a firework is lit and does not go off as expected, leave it alone for 30 minutes before pouring water on it, Ortega said. Smoldering can still cause it to ignite at any time.

Jamie Johnson, owner of Pyrorific, a professional fireworks company, warned people not to look directly inside the barrel of a mortar. Instead, use a mirror with an extendable handle to check inside.

Packages used to contain and aim fireworks, such as a cardboard mortar barrel, should be doused with water. Firefighters said users must keep a 5-gallon bucket of water nearby.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios first freeze expected New Year's weekend

Packaging should also be watered down before throwing it in the trash.

Ortega said firefighters start seeing more calls for reports of house fires on New Years Day between 2 and 3 a.m., after people throw away debris from exploded fireworks and bring their trashcans in the garage.

The smoldering cardboard can start a fire that goes unseen and has plenty of time to spread.

Its such a common occurrence. You can almost set your clock by it, Ortega said. Everybody puts it in the trash can and goes to sleep.

Children should be supervised when using fireworks, including basic sparklers.

The popular display may seem small, but those flashes are more than 2,000 degrees. They are often the cause of rushing children to the hospital with severe burns, officials warn.

Fire Marshal Chris Lopez said another danger is posed by smoldering bits of exploded fireworks that rain down where people dont expect.

As people start buying fireworks from stands and using them in the county, the Fire Marshals Office sees a noticeable increase in 911 calls for grass, tree and brush fires, Lopez said.

From July 2-5, the Fire Marshals Office received more than 120 calls related to fireworks.

On ExpressNews.com: Fire Department reminds San Antonio: Fireworks illegal in city limits

The remains can land in heavy brush that contains dead grass underneath, perfect kindling for a grass fire when combined with wind and dry air.

It is illegal to use fireworks within 600 feet of a school, university, hospital or county office without permission.

Ortega said depending on the circumstances, people may face felony charges if they intentionally hurt someone with fireworks.

A nonemergency fireworks hotline is open that people may use to report illegal use at 210-335-FIRE (3473). People may also call if they see fireworks being sold illegally out of a house or vehicle.

Within city limits, people who see fireworks used recklessly may call the nonemergency number at 210-207-7273.

People injured by fireworks should call 911.

jbeltran@express-news.net
A judge has dismissed an election fraud case that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton brought earlier this year against a Medina County official.

Bandera County Judge Melvin Rex Emerson dismissed all charges on Dec. 21 against Tomas Tommy Ramirez, a justice of the peace in Medina County. Three days later, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct said Ramirez could return to his JP position. It had suspended him when he was indicted in February.

This case was politically motivated and was totally unjustified, Ramirez said.

He accused Paxton of pushing for an indictment just to get headlines and rile up his base.

My family and I have received anonymous hate mail and ugly social media attacks, Ramirez said. My law office was vandalized and I was even asked by the State Bar of Texas if I wanted to voluntarily surrender my law license.

Paxton did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment Tuesday.

The crux of Paxtons case appeared to stem from Ramirezs 2018 run in the Republican primary, which he won. He had no Democratic opponent. In a news release of the February indictment, Paxtons office said Ramirez and three women ran a vote harvesting operation that worked out of assisted living centers.

The dismissal followed a ruling by a separate court that struck down a law allowing the state attorney general to unilaterally prosecute election law cases.

In an 8-1 ruling, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said a provision of the law violates the separation of powers clause in the Texas Constitution. The state attorney general can only get involved in a case when asked to by a district or county attorney, the court determined.

That ruling was a blow for Texas Republicans who have promoted former President Donald Trumps discredited claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Paxton blasted the appeals court ruling at the time.

His office had provided no further details of the Ramirez case since he accused Ramirez with numerous election-related offenses, including engaging in organized election fraud, illegal voting, unlawful possession of a ballot or ballot envelope and enhanced election fraud for multiple offenses in the same election.

But Ramirez said he never engaged in any improper conduct, and that the allegations are false. He added that one of Paxtons investigators early on found no probable cause for pursuing the case, yet Paxton still pushed for an indictment.

The attorney general conducted an investigation that took a year, and their conclusions failed to find any probable cause of any law that I had violated, Ramirez said.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
If youre looking for a new apartment that could be in a flood zone, the landlord will have to tell you about the risk under a new law that starts Saturday.

A bill authored by Houston state Rep. Armando Walle and approved by state lawmakers this spring orders landlords to tell prospective tenants if their property is located inside a 100-year floodplain or if it was damaged by flooding within the last five years.

The new law brings renters in line with homebuyers after the Legislature enacted similar requirements for sellers in 2019.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

The imbalance in the law had created a scenario, criticized by housing advocates as inherently unfair, in which landlords would receive notice they were buying a flood-prone property, then could turn around and rent it out without giving the same notice to their tenants.

The 100-year floodplain is supposed to serve as a warning to home-buyers and renters who face the highest risk of flooding, covering areas that would be swamped by storms that, in theory, have a 1 percent chance of occurring each year.

MAP: Interactive San Antonio-area flood map

In recent storms, the majority of flood-damaged homes in Harris County have been located outside the 100-year floodplain, including more than three-quarters of the 204,000 homes and apartment buildings that flooded during Harvey, a Hearst Newspapers investigation found. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which approves locally designed flood maps, has estimated that only about 20 percent of those properties were covered by flood insurance.

Walle said the new disclosure law will apply to flood-prone homes that fall both inside and outside the 100-year floodplain, because landlords must also notify tenants if the property has been damaged by flooding within the last five years.

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I could walk to Greens Bayou from my house, Walle said. Im not in a floodplain, but a couple streets over, youre in a floodplain. So, its just common sense. You cant just take the 100-year floodplain as the end-all, be-all.

The law is largely aimed at encouraging renters to buy flood insurance, or at least notifying them of the option.

Renters live in nearly half of the occupied housing units in San Antonio.

In San Antonio and other parts of Texas, real estate and apartment associations started getting word out to landlords since at least early December, devoting sections of their websites to answering questions about the new law. Both the Texas Association of Realtors and Texas Apartment Association created an addendum or form that can be used by its members to satisfy the disclosure requirements.

Agents and brokers should not help landlords fill out the addendum because doing so can increase their liability, the Texas Association of Realtors said on its site. Also, brokers and agents have a duty to disclose material facts they know about the property but are not required to do additional research for the purpose of making disclosures on properties they represent.

Walles bill requires all landlords to provide tenants a standard flood notice that states, Even if the unit is not in a 100-year floodplain, the unit may still be susceptible to flooding. The notice must be sent in a document separate from the lease agreement.

It includes language notifying tenants that most renters insurance policies do not cover damages or loss incurred in a flood and encouraging them to seek insurance coverage that would cover losses caused by a flood.

The Texas Apartment Association said on its website that the flood disclosure must be made at or prior to the time a lease is executed, and the disclosure must be in writing and be a separate document from the lease agreement.

The law also gives the tenant a right to terminate the lease or get compensation from the landlord, but only after they have already suffered damage to over 50 percent of their property, said Genevieve Hebert Fajardo, a law professor at the Consumer Protection Clinic at St. Marys University School of Law in San Antonio. The new disclosure law is better than nothing, but it wont offer immediate relief to a tenant who is flooded out of their home.

Under the new law, renters can sever their lease if their landlord fails to provide the required flood notice and they subsequently incur substantial loss or damage to personal property from flooding.

Christina Rosales, the former deputy director of Texas Housers, a low-income housing advocacy nonprofit, said the group often works with renters in the lowest income brackets, many of whom are relegated to older housing units in flood-prone areas.

In some particularly low-lying areas, tenants have to flee from floods in waist-deep water, Rosales told a House committee earlier this year. Weve worked with tenants in Galveston and northeast Houston whove told us, if only we knew. And thats what this bill could do. It could put knowledge in the hands of tenants when they make that critical decision about where theyll live.

The law, which applies to leases signed or renewed starting Jan. 1, exempts properties inside the 100-year floodplain that have been elevated to certain federally regulated levels.

Staff writer Guillermo Contreras contributed reporting.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
Swayde Watson couldnt lose Wednesday night as the University of Oregon Ducks faced off against the University of Oklahoma Sooners at the 29th annual Valero Alamo Bowl.

The California native received a bachelors degree in chemistry and a masters degree in higher education from the University of Oklahoma in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and now manages the University of Oregon Alumni Associations student engagement program.

Obviously, at the end of the day, Im going to go home with a W under my belt, he said as he volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank hours before the Ducks and Sooners went head-to-head for the first time in the Alamo Bowls history.

Opposing fans from both universities set aside their rivalry the morning of the game to work toward one common goal: reducing food insecurity in San Antonio.

Tonight, theyll be fighting each other. But today, theyre fighting hunger, San Antonio Food Bank President Eric Cooper said.

Taking directions from food bank staff, students and alumni from each university worked side by side in the food banks enormous warehouse to sort food items into categories. Their respective allegiances were evident from the hue of their clothes and accessories.

Some, like Alfredo Varela, University of Oregon associate director for international recruitment, and Lauren Miller Stanfield, the universitys assistant vice president for student services and enrollment management, donned green and yellow  Oregons colors. Others, like graduate students Dawson Pressel and Addison Paxton, were decked out in cream and crimson  Oklahomas colors.

Pressel and Paxton actually owe their friendship to their shared interest in community service. The two women, who are studying adult and higher education, met through a volunteer organization during their undergrad years.

And weve been friends ever since, Paxton said.

Originally from San Antonio, Pressel even remembers volunteering at the food bank in high school.

And so its kind of been cool to come back and serve at the same place, she said. Very full circle.

While Oregon and Oklahoma had planned to send a combined 100 community members to volunteer at the food bank, between 50 and 75 actually showed because bad weather made air travel infeasible, according to San Antonio Food Bank President Eric Cooper. Snow began falling in the Pacific Northwest over the weekend as a winter storm ravaged the region, causing mass flight cancellations. Oregon President Mike Schill was one of those who couldnt make it.

However, the skeleton crew still managed to make a significant dent in the days workload. Sifting through enormous cardboard bins, they pulled out individual food itemstuna, pasta, chili, ramen, oatmeal, raisins, bananas, Froot Loops, Cheerios, Hamburger Helper  and tossed them into boxes that bore labels like Cereal or Canned Fruit or Dry Protein or Glass Condiments. By the end of their shift, they had sorted 10,300 pounds of food, an amount that translates to 8,046 meals, Cooper said.

The fact that folks were here today, it means that families will get food tomorrow and the next day, he said.

Shirking the traditional tailgate to help host citys food bank might strike an outside observer as a strange, if ennobling, way to spend the morning of the all-important game day, but Oregon Alumni Association Executive Director Raphe Beck said he feels it is important to remember food insecurity is a reality for many people wherever we go. Noting both Oregon and Oklahoma run campus food pantries, he added taking action to address the issue represents a real natural way for us to come together.

This city has been such a wonderful host to us, and we want to be more than just tourists coming through, he said. We want to really help to repay that generosity that the community has given us.

caroline.tien@hearst.com
A man who was killed during a Christmas Day encounter with a neighbor at a North Side apartment complex has been identified.

Trevor James Beeman, 24, was shot to death just before noon at the Summit Apartments, 1955 Larkspur Drive.

Mason Sayer Lubitz, 28, is charged with murder in Beemans death, according to court records.

Two witnesses told police the incident began as Beeman had just finished walking his dog at the apartment.

On ExpressNews.com: FBI seeks help filling 18-minute gap before girl disappeared from apartments near USAA

Beeman and one of the witnesses were walking up stairs to his unit when Lubitz opened his apartment door slightly, a police report states.

Witnesses told police that they heard Lubitz scream at Beeman, You ruined my life. I hate you.

Beeman turned and laughed at one of the witnesses as he continued up the stairs, and the witness thought Lubitz was joking, the report states.

Beeman, who was barefoot, then approached Lubitzs door and knocked.

At that point, Lubitz shot Beeman through the doorway, witnesses said. And as Beeman was on the ground, Lubitz stood over him, witnesses told police. Lubitz fired his rifle at Beeman two more times before going into his apartment, the report states.

The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office listed the cause of Beemans as gunshot wounds to his neck and torso.

The witnesses ran inside their apartment and hid in a back room until police arrived, afraid that Lubitz would try to enter their apartment, police said.

On ExpressNews.com: 2 teens hospitalized after shooting in Kingsborough Park; 3 unknown suspects not found

Officers arrested Lubitz in his apartment. He was screaming, shouting and behaving erratically as he was taken to a police vehicle, the report states.

Investigators found the AR-15 style rifle on a bed in one of the rooms.

As homicide detectives spoke with Lubitz, he told them, I just killed someone, the police report states.

Lubitz remains in the Bexar County Jail as of Tuesday with bail set at $200,000.

jbeltran@express-news.net
Before I retired in 2019 after 13 years as a state caseworker for Child Protective Services, I mainly dealt with difficult-to-place teens as a conservatorship worker. Through my experience, I am familiar with many of the challenges faced by CPS caseworkers in the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, or DFPS, system.

For months, the Texas State Employees Union, of which I am a member, has been trying to call attention to caring for children without placements, or CWOP  and caring for caseworkers.

Foster care facilities keep closing, and motels and hotels understandably are not welcoming to foster kids, who are often destructive and difficult to manage, and shouldnt be there, anyway.

Working as a CPS caseworker can be dangerous. One of my friends was badly beaten by a youth. Another friend has been quarantined three times because of exposure to COVID-19.

CPS caseworkers should be compensated with hazard pay for what they must endure, and leaders should do more to ensure it isnt so hazardous in the first place. But they dont, so caseworkers quit.

Attrition levels are up because family and personal lives are disrupted by the unacceptable burden of overtime, partly because of CWOP. Each time caseworkers leave, DFPS must hire new caseworkers and invest time and money into training them.

And the dysfunctional cycle continues.

Worst of all, the children continue to suffer. Texas needs state-of-the-art residential treatment centers and emergency shelters that can meet the needs of these youth before they end up in the juvenile justice system, a hospital or worse.

We need to keep these children close to home where they can heal. But DFPS hasnt been able to afford enough trauma-informed caseworkers and therapists or the well-equipped facilities that are necessary to care for foster children.

City, county and state leaders must examine their priorities regarding the urgent needs of our foster youth, caseworkers, foster parents and relatives who provide kinship placements. Its time they fix our broken system.

And the community must get involved. They must recognize the needs of the children who have been born into poverty, neglect and abuse. I challenge them to consider becoming foster parents and to vote for leaders who will better fund a more reliable safety net for children.

Mary Baird served 13 years with the Department of Family and Protective Services after a social work career dealing with homelessness, substance abuse, education and mental health services.
We are living in a troubling time. Our political parties are not working together. Talk has replaced action, anger has replaced harmony, and compromise has become a bad word. Our democracy has frayed.

This is not what our Founding Fathers had in mind, nor what our citizens want. Day by day, our country weakens.

Every citizen makes up the collective United States of America. There are so many of us, from so many different backgrounds, regions and religions that it is impossible to agree on everything. We never have completely agreed. Yet we have continued to move forward as a nation. Disagreement is built into the system, and so is dispute resolution through representative democracy, which ultimately depends on the ballot box.

Lets examine the name of our country: The United States of America. States of America is a geographical term: a group of political subdivisions on the American continent. The most important word in our countrys name, by far, is United. Because we are united, we have great strength.

Yet I see debilitating fear creeping into our society. Daily newspaper headlines, breathless TV announcers, social media posts, daily conversations and dystopian movies are tainted with fear of the future. We barricade our houses, buy guns like grocery staples, send the National Guard to our borders, demand more police protection, and spend unlimited amounts on sophisticated weapons. If we are the strongest nation in the world, where does this fear come from?

It comes from our distrust of each other  our fellow Americans. Fear is disabling.

There are terrorist groups that would harm us if they had a chance. China, Russia and North Korea are capable of doing serious damage. But we are not strangers to murder. We are killing each other at an alarming rate, including the 117 homicides in San Antonio through October of 2021. The Gun Violence Archive reports more than 680 mass shootings in the United States through late December. Education Week reported 34 school shootings.

The 9/11 terrorist attack reminded us how we must be a united people. Petty arguments and name-calling came to a brief halt, and we became a strong, united people. We were the United States I want us to be. United. A force economically, militarily and politically that no nation can defeat. Unfortunately, the unification of 9/11 was only temporary.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt said the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

I am not afraid of murderous zealots. I am not afraid of foreign powers. But I am afraid of the rupture of trust and the lack of faith in our fellow citizens. I am afraid of disunion of the American spirit. We cannot be defeated by others, but we can defeat ourselves.

As a nation, we are in a danger zone. We must learn the lessons of our history and forge unity. Our survival depends upon it.

Our power comes from within, from the faith that our fellow American also wants the best for this country.

Union or disunion?

Our country was new when our first disagreement arose. America gained its independence from Britain in 1783. The new nation and its member states had amassed a significant debt. In Order to form a more perfect Union, the Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution in 1787, creating a national government that had the power, among other things, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. Congress asked Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton to create a plan to settle the national debt.

In 1790, Hamilton published his Report on the Public Credit, in which he recommended full funding of the national debt and that the federal government assume the states debts. Underlying Hamiltons plan was his intention of strengthening the union. Some states were opposed, and their leaders argued those states that had not paid their debts were getting a free ride. Despite this opposition, Hamiltons report became the foundation for Congress Funding Act of 1790, which focused on funding the domestic debt of the states. This established that all states are protected by the federal government. A war debt of a state became a war debt of the nation.

The next test came when certain states came up with the theory of nullification. This doctrine opined that the sovereign states, which created the Constitution, have the right to nullify federal laws perceived unconstitutional.

The Kentucky Resolution of 1799 stated that the several states who formed that instrument, being sovereign and independent, have the unquestionable right to judge of its infraction: and, that a nullification, by those sovereignties, of all unauthorized acts done under color of that instrument, is the rightful remedy.

In 1828, Congress passed a tariff designed to protect industries in the Northern states from competition with foreign imports. The resulting tax harmed Southern states by making them pay higher prices on goods they did not produce, which increased the cost of living in the South.

Yuri Gripas /TNS

South Carolina Sen. John Calhoun encouraged nullification of the tariff in South Carolina. Calhoun had a strong personality, but he was about to clash with another South Carolina man who also had a strong personality: Andrew Jackson, who became president in 1829. Jackson ardently opposed the theory of nullification and wasnt about to let it happen.

In 1832, South Carolina adopted the Ordinance of Nullification, formally nullifying the 1828 and 1832 tariffs, and declaring any act by Congress to authorize the use of force against South Carolina would be inconsistent with the longer continuance of South Carolina in the Union. South Carolina had placed secession on the table, 30 years before the Civil War.

Jackson responded with his Proclamation Regarding Nullification wherein he condemned the nullification efforts in South Carolina. Jackson sent a stern message that nullification of the tariffs and the threat of secession violated the duty of citizens of the United States and was subversive of the Constitution. Their object is disunion. But be not deceived by names. Disunion by armed force is treason.

South Carolina eventually backed down. Tempers cooled, and the heated nullification debate eventually led to compromise and a fairer tariff. Jackson said, Without union, our independence and liberty would never have been achieved; without union they never can be maintained.

The theory of nullification died hard.

In 1958, Arkansas did not like the Supreme Courts ruling in Brown v. the Board of Education, which integrated public schools. The governor and Legislature did not want to integrate the schools  but the Supreme Court knocked this down.

Exceptionalism revisited

We Americans like to think of ourselves as exceptional.

Our country is exceptional in its ability to stay united since its formation in 1776. Unity is the source of all of our power: economically, militarily, politically and socially. The Civil War established there cannot be a political separation of our country. Our 50 states stand united against the world. And united, we shall prevail. Conflicts and struggles are the stuff of life, and we cannot avoid it. Terrorist groups dont target Republicans or Democrats. They care not one whit for our differences except to the degree they divide and make us weaker. No, they are targeting the United States and its citizens.

Massachusetts Sen. Daniel Webster, who fought any attempt at disunion, said in 1837: I apprehend no danger to our country from a foreign foe. Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter.

What quarter would that be? The worst possible quarter: Ourselves. Bob Lonsberry, a contemporary conservative journalist and talk show commentator, wrote: The only enemy to fear is the enemy within, the demon that speaks in your own voice, the assassin in the mirror. Even the comic strip character Pogo said: We have met the enemy and he is us.

The beauty of democracy is that it is expected we will have disagreements. The chambers of our state and national legislatures are set aside for arguments, and resolutions of those arguments through rules and votes. The guardians of freedom of speech and religion allow us to say and believe pretty much anything. We follow laws we dont agree with, but we also have the right to challenge them in our courts or through the ballot box. The president is the chief executive of our government, but he or she can be thrown out of office every four years, as can governors and mayors. Anyone can choose to run against anyone. No person has a vested right to an office, other than the duly elected term to which he or she has been elected.

I fear dissolution of the national spirit, division of our democratic goals and those who would destroy what it took us so many years and so much blood to build. I fear those who would tear our national fabric because of a single issue of the day, whatever that issue might be.

Restorative democracy

When I flew in the U.S. Air Force, we pilots were taught if the airplane is out of control, You must do something! Now! Inactivity or indecision can result in death.

The United States is reaching the point where destruction of our country could be the result. We must do something! Now!

It is time for a restorative democracy  one that respects the dignity of our fellow Americans and a return to the principles of our democracy. There may be citizens who believe they are patriots even while destroying the basic tenets of democracy and human dignity. They are wrong. Those who destroy what makes us the leading country of the world cannot wear the title of patriot. Destruction is not construction.

It is said the Roman Empire fell because of external pressure and internal division. We also have external pressure and internal division. The angry words, the attacks on the Capitol, the bizarre conspiracy rumors, the nonacceptance of a political defeat and endless killings are signs of a growing weakness.

It is not a weakness that can be remedied by adding more soldiers and building more nuclear weapons.

Looking through the mists of history, it may appear that our Founding Fathers were a strong, unified group who had no major disagreements. Indeed, their accomplishments were so massive and such a model to the rest of the world, from that day forward until today, it would seem they escaped all conflicts.

In reality, they had many disagreements. Yet these patriots built everything for our benefit: our court system, electoral process, Congress, the banking system, Bill of Rights, Constitution and our way of life.

Everything we enjoy today we owe to them. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin not only made a model government for the United States but for every democracy in the world.

How did they do it? They cooperated. They never lost sight of what they wanted to do: form a more perfect union. They listened; they compromised, each with their own gifts of writing, speaking and governing.

Our duty as American citizens is simple. Keep what they made for us. Keep it working  continue to be a model to the world of a truly advanced civilization. They gave our country the name the United States of America. Unity makes us impregnable.

That is what we are in danger of losing. If we lose that, we become a collection of weak, confused small states. We become prey to many countries and many strange ideologies. As President Abraham Lincoln said, A house divided against itself cannot stand.

We are in danger. We are beginning to self-destruct. Insurrectionists trash the Capitol, police are beaten and shot with regularity, and they shoot back with the same frequency. Respect and civility are quaint words of the past. This is not normal, nor is it safe. Intentionally or not, we are destroying what our Founding Fathers devoted their lives to: building a more perfect union.

We must not ignore this sea of symptoms.

7 steps to rebuilding

Let us go back to the basis upon which our country was built: duty to this nation, respect and civility to one another, compromise and calm consideration of other viewpoints, trust in one another, politics as secondary to a more perfect union, belief in democracy and acceptance of the vote, the sacrifice of time and money for the nation, love for one another.

I see seven steps to restore our democracy:

Teach mandatory civics classes in schools.

Teach the geography of the United States and the world. This is geography in the broad sense: location, culture, language, religion, economy, etc.

Teach the history of the United States with an emphasis on our democratic institutions, Founding Fathers and their contributions, and our duty as citizens to our country and each other.

Teach a moral standard of decency.

Reclaim, by example, our reputation as the moral leader of the world.

Require that every American citizen between 18 and 40 serve a minimum of one year of national service  in our armed forces or Peace Corps, or by teaching in rural or disadvantaged schools, or working in other designated groups as defined by the government.

Mandate that people desiring to become U.S. citizens serve two years as part of their citizenship requirement.

If we love our country, we must put aside our divisions and remember what our Founding Fathers gave us to protect and defend. But not only against hostile powers  against ourselves.

George Washington, in his later years, wrote to Thomas Jefferson: My earnest wish and my fondest hope is that instead of wounding suspicions and irritable charges, there may be mutual forbearance and temporizing yielding on all sides. Under the exercise of these, matters will go on smoothly and, if possible, more prosperously.

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox at the Civil Wars end, looked at the weary and wounded Union and Confederate soldiers, now assembled, after so much suffering and death. He thought the South fought for an evil cause, slavery. But despite the unworthy cause, he admitted the South had fought with courage and tenacity, as had the Northern soldiers. As a united people, we need not fear any foreign foe, he wrote.

The hour is late, though it is not too late. But the shadows grow longer, and we are off the path left us. We must unite and justify our hard-won name: the United States of America. Let no man or doctrine put us asunder.

Phil Hardberger was mayor of San Antonio from 2005 through 2009.
The best Christmas gift I ever received was the Santa portrait my father, Edward Williams, who was a U.S. Air Force major at the time, drew for me in 1961. He was assigned to Zaragoza Air Base, Spain. My mother, Hazel, brother Dick and I stayed behind in San Antonio because the Berlin Wall crisis of 1961 stopped all military families from traveling overseas.

I was a second-grade student at Schenck Elementary School. We were able to join my father in Spain in April 1962.

The portrait hangs in my kitchen now and I look to it for inspiration, a reminder of the challenges and hardships my parents faced. My husband has been very ill for over a year, and he now requires memory care. I hope to face my own challenges as bravely as my parents did.

Karen Williams Currie,

retired U.S. Air Force colonel

Honoring our hero

Re: Cherish memories, especially this time of year, Front Page, Saturday:

On Oct. 1, our son Robert Rodriguez, a U.S. Navy disabled veteran, suffering from severe PTSD, killed himself in front of my wife and me.

Thanks to Express-News columnist Elaine Ayala, we will pray the rosary and remember and honor the good things about our Navy Desert Storm hero.

Alberto L. Rodriguez

Grow our love

First, there was Gilbert Garcias moving column (More than ever, we must hang on to hope, Saturday) on hope and how it is a source of renewable energy that can sustain us through the darkest times.

Then, immediately below Garcias piece, the photo of young heart patient Kingston Murriel (Houston doctors help repair, grow Grinch heart, Saturday) shines like a beacon to illustrate Garcias point.

The joy of this little boy, who had his first heart surgery at 2 days of age, communicates everything that we need to remind ourselves that life, though it can be painful and challenging, is still worth living with love and gratitude.

Kingston loves the Grinch because of how his heart grows through love! May we all allow our hearts to grow in the coming year and beyond.

Susan Hull, Bandera
Plus One Robotics is still riding the wave of automation thats remaking warehouses and other logistics operations.

For the second time in less than a year, CEO and co-founder Erik Nieves is looking to expand the companys Port San Antonio headquarters.

In May, Plus One doubled its space by 15,000 square feet at the Southwest Side port. And now were still tight, Nieves said. Weve already started work on the next expansion.

Plus One makes software that increases the number of tasks that warehouse robots can perform, and its business is booming.

Apart from adding space, the tech firm has beefed up its staff count over the past year from 42 to 70 in the U.S. and Europe, increased its presence in Boulder, Colo., and established engineering, sales and support teams in the Netherlands.

Last spring, Plus One raised $33 million from investors and is working on a major deal with FedEx, one of its biggest customers.

William Luther, Staff / Staff

Plus One is one of San Antonios most successful technology startups ever, said Paco Felici, spokesman for Port San Antonio. Its become the standard of robotics innovation.

The 5-year-old company is one of a handful of San Antonio robotics firms  albeit the most prominent  that are booming amid the pandemic. Companies are increasingly turning to automation to deal with labor shortages, including workers sick with COVID-19, and to minimize the risk that the virus will invade their workplaces.

The fast spread of the omicron variant is expected to reinforce that trend.

The look ahead

Nieves declined to discuss details of Plus Ones new project with FedEx, except to say the logistics giant continues to invest in robotics.

Hes also looking to break into automation markets in Asia in the near future. He said two of Plus Ones investors, Translink Ventures of Silicon Valley and McRock Capital of Calgary, Canada, have the expertise to help the company enter the massive market.

Despite the success, the company didnt meet its goal of hiring 100 employees by the end of the year. Tech companies are battling for workers, especially as large companies such as Tesla, the electric vehicle maker co-founded and led by billionaire Elon Musk, move into the region.

Tesla is building a $1 billion Cybertruck plant in Austin and has moved its headquarter from Palo Alto, Calif., to the Texas capital.

People have options, Nieves said. Lots of people in Texas were excited for Tesla coming in, but for us as a technology company, thats just another big player that we have to compete in the market with for labor.

Still, Nieves expects to reach 100 employees in 2022.

It remains to be seen how many of them will be local, but the bulk will always be at the headquarters in San Antonio, he said.

Robots are here to stay

In 2016, Nieves teamed up with Shaun Edwards, a former research engineer at San Antonios Southwest Research Institute, to create Plus One Robotics. The following year, Paul Hvass, another one-time SwRI research engineer, came on board as the third co-founder of the startup.

The trios motto remains Robots work. People rule.

Plus One has developed supervisor software named Yonder to give robots the eye-hand coordination to pick and place objects in the warehouses and distribution centers using 3D and AI-powered perception, so robots get smarter over time, the company says on its website.

Essentially, the software enables robots to pick up packages, move them and set them down in a new location such as a pallet or a conveyor belt. Human workers can remotely manage up to 50 robots at a time.

Nieves said Plus One Robotics  which is privately held and doesnt publicly disclose its financial results  has generated consistent revenue growth, and theres no indication itll be slowing down. In a recent blog post on the companys website, he noted that customers took a wait-and-see position in the first half of 2021 but booked a giant wave of orders during the past six months.

They couldnt afford to sit and wait, regardless of the global situation, he wrote. They needed to get things moving, to keep warehouses pumping to meet the growing demands for e-commerce, the buying and selling of products over the internet.

The robots definitely didnt take a break, he wrote.

Xenex, the 13-year-old maker of germ-killing robots, also has increased sales significantly since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020  because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

On ExpressNews.com: For most businesses, coronavirus is a threat. For San Antonio robot makers, its an opening

Xenex CEO and co-founder Morris Miller said his company quadrupled revenue in 2020 from the year before, increasing it to just shy of $100 million. Xenex is privately owned and doesnt publicly disclose detailed financial results.

Hospitals and health care clinics, including the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, are among the biggest customers for its robots, which zap germs, including the coronavirus, with waves of ultraviolet light.

Weve sold a lot of robots, and the business continues to help hospitals, said Miller, a co-founder of Rackspace Technology, the homegrown cloud-computing company. We continue to see a lot of pull.

The governments of Italy and Japan also are Xenex customers.

Miller said the company has deployed thousands of robots to more than 900 health care facilities in 37 countries.

The CEO said clients who recently placed orders havent said whether its because of the rise in cases of omicron infections, a variant that spreads more easily than the original coronavirus.

But clearly, theres another uptick happening right now, he said.

Robots taking over?

Unlike humans, robots dont catch the flu or COVID-19, and they dont get health benefits or take vacations.

For employers  who are struggling with labor shortages and sick employees in the short term, and are looking to make their operations more efficient in the long term  bringing in robots or increasing their reliance on automation can be an attractive option.

About one-quarter of U.S. jobs will be at high risk of takeover by automation between now and 2030, according to a report by the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution. In the same time period, 36 percent of jobs will experience medium exposure to automation.

Yet Plus Ones Nieves said he doesnt believe robots will crowd out humans in the workplace. His company is landing a lot of deals, but that doesnt mean his clients will stop hiring people.

In fact, he sees a shortage in the U.S. labor market.

His company recently announced new research findings  from a commissioned study by England-based Interact Analysis, a marketing research firm  that estimated the number of warehouse workers will increase from 1.6 million in 2019 to 2 million in 2024. Europe is expected to increase its warehouse workforce from 2.5 million to 3.1 million over the same time.

Nieves said his company sees firsthand the challenges our customers are facing to meet labor shortages, and this research confirms that even with the forecast levels of automation, well need more humans in the loop.

The robots, he said, will perform repetitive tasks such as de-palletizing  the removal and placement of products on warehouse pallets. Its a job usually measured in tons.

So, where do humans fit into the largely automated warehouse? Itll be less about physical labor than about the know-how to oversee the robots work.

At Xenex, Miller said its disinfecting robots dont cut workers out of the picture. He cited hospitals as an example of how robots and employees work together.

There needs to be a human housekeeper to roll the robot into the rooms and move them to the beds and flip them, he said. A combination of humans and robots are the best way to get things down.

Housekeepers need robots. Theyve become part of the team.

eric.killelea@express-news.net
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) 

As the year draws to a close in politically divided North Carolina, hostilities have eased somewhat between the Democratic governor and majority-Republican lawmakers, both of whom recently agreed on a comprehensive budget more than three years after the last one was approved. But their relationship is still far from harmonious.

Last month, second-term Gov. Roy Cooper signed a two-year, $53 billion state budget bill penned by GOP legislative leaders that was 4 1/2 months late, and with lots inside for him to dislike, such as provisions that rein in his emergency powers and phase out corporate income taxes. And there are only plans to study the broad Medicaid expansion he's sought for years, with no promise for an actual vote.

Two years ago, Cooper vetoed the spending bill. But this year, there was enough in it to make him sign, including an avalanche of surplus funds that Republicans were happy to direct toward myriad projects across the state, including broadband expansion and water treatment plant repairs.

The good outweighed the bad, and it was time to move forward, Cooper said in an interview with The Associated Press. Theres been a long time since weve had a budget, and (vetoing) it would have at that time stopped everything.

North Carolina, the nation's ninth-largest state, was the last to enact a budget for 2021.

The governor's signature capped a year in which Cooper agreed with Republican House Speaker Tim Moore and Republican Senate leader Phil Berger that good-faith negotiations, rather than stalemate, was the path to take.

The two sides also passed compromise legislation requiring more students to return to in-person classes earlier this year when the coronavirus pandemic eased and data showed low transmission among young people; raising police accountability standards; and making North Carolina the first southeastern state to establish greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements. And they celebrated announcements that Apple will build its first East Coast campu s and Toyota its first North American battery plant in the state, thanks in part to approved incentives.

I think weve worked to try and make a difference, Cooper said, and weve come together on some historic legislation thats going to make this state better.

Conflict between Cooper and the General Assembly hasn't ebbed fully. The governor used his veto stamp on 16 bills this year, and none of the vetoes have been overturned. His fights with the Republicans began even before he was sworn in. Just two days before taking office in January 2017, the then-outgoing attorney general began suing GOP legislators for passing laws shifting gubernatorial powers to themselves.

In 2019, Cooper vetoed the budget bill, insisting that Medicaid expansion be negotiated. The GOP disagreed, and a conventional spending plan was never approved for the first time in recent state history. There was no government shutdown, yet many agencies operated at previous-year levels.

Then COVID-19 arrived, as did billions of dollars in federal relief. A 2020 election to determine control of state government didnt change a thing: Cooper won reelection, and Republicans maintained majorities that werent veto-proof.

Some Democratic legislators who were committed to upholding Coopers 2019 budget veto were determined this year to enact a plan. Massive amounts for building construction and other special projects sprinkled nearly everywhere in the budget appeared to give Republicans leverage, too.

We had funding in there to touch the lives of every North Carolinian, said Rep. Charles Graham, a Democrat who was one of the budget negotiators because he had voted for the original House plan. Failing to enact a budget, Graham added, would have not been ... good leadership.

Cooper managed enough concessions, particularly on education spending, to accept the final product.

To his credit, he really wanted to make sure that we had a budget, and he was willing to sign a budget, Berger said in a recent interview.

GOP Rep. Jason Saine, a top House budget writer, said that Cooper, who is term-limited from serving beyond 2024, may have felt pressure to sign a budget because he had never done so.

The (game) board has changed a little bit. And I think anybody that seeks that office, whether Republican or Democrat, theyve got to think about their legacy, too, Saine said.

More than 50 Democrats ended up voting for the bill after Cooper signaled he'd sign it. Criticism from Cooper's allies was muted or directed at Republicans.

After working for the past two years during the pandemic with no raises and no state budgets, educators have every reason to be disappointed, North Carolina Association of Educators President Tamika Walker Kelly said in a video. The 5% average pay raises for teachers, for example, was only half what Cooper had sought.

Mac McCorkle, a Duke University instructor and former adviser to North Carolina's two previous Democratic governors, said it was a close call" but believes Cooper did the right thing.

While the die-hard partisans want a bitter fight to the end  on both sides  a lot of other people, people who voted for Roy Cooper, think that the governor should be cooperative, and should collaborate, and that budgets should be signed, McCorkle said.

Cooper, who leads the Democratic Governors Association next year, is often held up as a model for the party, winning in a state that voted twice for Donald Trump. He could be weakened, however, should Republicans win enough seats next November to regain veto-proof control. Democrats and allies are suing GOP leaders to halt Republican redistricting maps that would help retain or expand GOP majorities.
PARIS (AP)  Frances government is forging ahead with efforts to increase pressure on unvaccinated people to get coronavirus shots, as the country reported 208,000 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday  a record fueled by the omicron variant.

Health Minister Olivier Veran on Wednesday defended a government plan to allow only the fully vaccinated to enjoy continued access to places such as restaurants, cinemas, theaters, museums, and sports arenas. The pass will also be required on inter-regional trains and buses and domestic flights.

Veran said at a parliamentary hearing that the record number of infections means that more than two French people are testing positive every second for COVID-19. Veran estimated that about 10% of the French population has been in contact recently with a person infected with the virus.

Speaking to those not vaccinated, he said: There is really little chance that this time you can escape (COVID-19): The virus is spreading too fast." Veran said that in Paris public hospitals, 70% of people hospitalized in intensive care units aren't vaccinated.

He also advised the most vulnerable people who didn't get the vaccine booster shot yet to protect yourself in the coming days. Don't take risks.

The speeded-up introduction of the so-called vaccine pass forms part of a government strategy to use vaccinations, rather than new lockdowns, to try to soften the impact of the fast-spreading omicron variant on already overburdened hospitals.

France has vaccinated 77% of its population and is rushing out booster shots, again to combat omicron. But more than 4 million adults remain unvaccinated, including more than 1 million people over age 65.

More than 3,400 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in intensive care units on Wednesday, an increase of 10% over the past week. The figure represents two thirds of ICU beds occupied by people infected with the virus. But the number is lower than during the previous peak in the spring, when about 6,000 COVID-19 patients needed intensive care.

About 170 people die every day from COVID-19 in the country.

The government wants the vaccine pass to be in place by mid-January.

The bill is likely to be voted on quickly in parliament, with President Emmanuel Macrons party holding a majority at the National Assembly, which has the final say.

If approved, its introduction will mean that unvaccinated people will no longer be able to use negative test results to access places where the vaccine pass is required.

The bill provides for an exception to the pass  notably to take trains and planes  for people with family or health emergencies on condition they are able to present a negative test.

Those who aren't vaccinated but have a proof of a recent COVID-19 recovery will be able to get a vaccine pass limited to a six-month period following infection.

The sports ministers office said all France-based athletes will need to be vaccinated to go into sports facilities, yet foreigners who come to the country to participate in an international competition are not subject to the rule.

Instead, they will need to comply with rules for crossing the French border, including daily tests and possibly an isolation period, also depending on their country of origin, the ministers office said. In addition, a bubble environment will be established during major sport events in France to prevent cross-infections between athletes and the outside world.

On Monday, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced a series of new measures to try to curb the spread of the virus. Yet the government stopped short of taking drastic restrictions, like curfews or lockdowns, appearing to be trying to strike a balance between measures needed to relieve hospitals and keep the economy running at the same time.

Starting from next week, big events will be limited to 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 people outdoors. Eating and drinking will be banned in cinemas, theaters, sport facilities and public transportation, including on long-distance routes. Working from home will be mandatory at least three days per week for employees whose job makes it possible.
STAMFORD  After demand for COVID-19 tests crushed providers ahead of Christmas, a nearly identical situation has unfolded in the days after.

Long lines and delays plagued the testing facility at Cove Island Park in Stamford throughout Monday, replicating the same patterns residents saw just before the holiday when officials had to close the site early on multiple occasions.

But in the days before New Years Eve, those in power have embraced a new strategy in ramping up Connecticuts testing capabilities: distributing as many rapid tests as possible.

The city and state expect to assuage the crippling need for more tests with a new influx of home tests in the coming days. Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday that Connecticut will distribute 500,000 home test kits through the National Guard starting Thursday, with 1 million more to arrive in January. Each kit includes two tests.

The mayors office said they expect to have information on the citys distribution plan Wednesday.

Stamford will receive 17,010 kits from that first batch, according to a list provided by the state. Only Bridgeport will obtain more rapid test kits  18,630  according to the document.

City health officials and care providers agree that at-home COVID tests must be part of the solution during this viral wave.

The home test can be useful for people who have symptoms, acting Director of Health Jody Bishop-Pullan said Monday evening. The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) say ... if you need to go to a gathering or something like that, they will tell you if youre infectious at that time.

More importantly, distributing rapid tests keeps people away from the long lines, like the ones that have plagued the Cove Island Park testing facility.

Multiple bouts of stop-and-go ended in Sema4, the company offering testing at Cove Island through a contract with the state, closing the waterfront to additional patients due to vehicle capacity, according to a tweet from the city. Though the location shuttered just after 4 p.m. Monday, it was initially slated to take additional patients until 7 p.m.

There has been a significant surge in demand for testing over the last two weeks, which is the primary challenge, a Sema4 spokesperson said in an email. Both our on-site team at Cove Island and our other teams supporting COVID-19 testing are working as expeditiously as possible to keep up with the high demand.

Despite the difficulties for the team at Cove Island, Sema4 said it plans to keep operating the site as-is, even given the massive traffic jams along Weed Avenue near the clinic. On top of that, the company will wind down its testing operations statewide starting in January.

We are supporting the state of Connecticut with COVID-19 testing until Jan. 31, the spokesperson said. We dont have a last day officially locked in for the Cove Island site but currently anticipate providing testing there through the latter part or very end of January.

The hurdles preventing residents from getting a test at the Sema4 drive-through typify the obstacles to getting a COVID diagnosis across the region. At pharmacies, at-home antigen tests are scarce as the masses search for alternatives. Likewise, appointments at doctors offices are few and far between as people try to beat back the holiday surge.

Despite the pending supply influx, the city isnt the only entity tasked with giving out COVID tests. Community Health Center, one of the states federally qualified health centers, received its second shipment of COVID tests Monday, which it will hand out to patients as needed, according to CHC Vice President Amy Taylor.

Our first delivery is fully distributed to our patients, Taylor said. And Im sure these will be gone within a day.

While both experts agree that at-home tests are vital for the current moment, they realize demand will still be high even with more tests in the marketplace.

Because of that, Bishop-Pullan emphasized that active communication with the state and federal government is necessary to create new testing options in Stamford, especially as Sema4s last day approaches.

Bishop-Pullan and Mayor Caroline Simmons suggested that the city could get another testing facility in the next month. However, the health director and mayor added that conversations about another high-capacity site are preliminary.

Were hopeful that they see that the demand is there and that people need it right now because of the infectiousness of omicron, Bishop-Pullan said.

veronica.delvalle@hearstmediact.com
East Haven Police / Contributed

EAST HAVEN  Authorities on Monday identified the victim of last weeks fatal crash as investigators continue to probe the crash and seek witnesses.

Capt. Joseph M. Murgo identified the person as 22-year-old Crystal Sedor, of Stannard Avenue in Branford.
Farmers could increase their profits and help to achieve sustainable goals for agriculture by adopting ecological management practices, new research has found.

Researchers at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) carried out an economic assessment of four different ecological practices on Scottish livestock farms.

They looked at farm level data collected from 31 livestock farms as part of a large-scale survey of Scottish farmers carried out between January and March 2020.

A farm level economic model, ScotFarm, was then used to analyse the economic impacts of several ecological farm management practices.

The aim of the study was to understand whether the economic feasibility of an ecological management practice would lead to better uptake by farmers.

They found that setting aside an ecological area on agricultural land and reducing farm inputs  both of which can be easily adopted by farmers - offer potential financial benefits of up to a 7% increase in farm profits.

However, changing from a conventional to an organic farming system and setting aside farmland to plant trees require capital investment,

The study said this made them a more challenging prospect for adoption by livestock farmers without provision of financial support.

Shailesh Shrestha, an economist at SRUC said: The Scottish government has put forward a long-term Climate Change Plan to achieve a cleaner, greener and healthier Scotland by 2032.

"Adaptation of agro-ecological management practices by farmers is a potential approach to support these plans. However, a critical issue is the economic impact of adoption of these practices.

Our research provided a snapshot of the economic impacts of a number of ecological management practices and economic challenges farmers face in adopting those practices on farms.

However, a better understanding of the economic feasibility of these agro-ecological management practices would be very useful in maximising the uptake of these management practices by the Scottish farming community.

The research was part of the EU project Low Input Farming and Territories (LIFT), funded under the European Commissions Horizon 2020 programme.
2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning --

4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS.

We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover.

We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come.
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Swara Bhasker is obsessed with skincare. She loves to splurge on new products and has an extensive routine. If youre someone who had made a resolution to take care of their skin in 2022, this is a must-read for yall.

What is your AM and PM skincare routine?

Oh my God! I'm going broke because I keep buying new products and those anti-ageing serums and creams. I am a huge product freak. I love skincare. This is one reason I never reach the airport before time. If I have any spare time, even five to ten minutes, I end up buying skin care products. Also, international airports are the worst because you don't get those brands in India and I end up spending a lot of money on those products. So I'm indisciplined about everything in life except for removing makeup. I'm very particular about that. I have a ritual and I make it a me-time thing with a cup of tea. I sit in front of the mirror, play music and then cleanse and remove my entire makeup. Then I use wipes followed by my rose water. These are random rituals I have devised for myself. Then I wash my face and moisturise. Finally, before I go to sleep, I apply a little bit of oil. It can be coconut, Aragon oil, lavender, pomegranate seed oil... whatever is available. It's quite elaborate, I know. Luckily I'm single so there's no man who has to feel all the grease on my face. If and when I have a boyfriend I'll change my routine. The mornings aren't as bad. I've hydrated myself so it's the basic CTM (cleanse, tone, moisturise) and sunscreen.

Five beauty essentials you can't live without...

Moisturiser, concealer, powder, kajal and eyeliner. I sometimes don't even use lipsticks and lip balms.

Three skincare hacks you'd like to share with us...

So an actor told me this, it's not my original n but when you want to party and drink, you want to be careful about your skin, so I learnt a trick. It's a drink called iSkinny Bitchi. It's Vodka or Gin, with lots of lemon and ice. Just fill it up with water. Just drink as much as you can because you're drinking a lot of water so the next morning you wake up, you may be trashed but your skin is radiant. Sleep is very important along with cleansing. Never sleep with makeup on. Eat right. And the biggest thing that no one discusses is your bowel movement. You have to have good bowel movement everyday. It's essential for good skin.
Radhika Madan is totally filmy, shes quirky, loves dancing to Himesh Reshammiya numbers, and makes reels on Instagram where shes swishing her pallu like a YRF heroine. Shes definitely a palate cleanser in an industry where stars offer the same kind of answers to every question. Maybe thatll change as she does more movies and becomes more aware of her stardom. Maybe it wont. But for now, Radhika Madan is a breath of fresh air. She talks nineteen-to-the-dozen about everything under the sun...I realised that Ray and Feels Like Ishq have very different audiences. Feels Like Ishq is a more commercial project, so to say and Ray comes into the artistic noir category. I think the people who like artistic projects have loved Ray and jo meri mom ki tarah hain, Delhi wale doston ki tarah hain, unko Feels Like Ishq bahut acchi lagi (Those who are like my mom, or those who are like my friends from Delhi, they liked Feels Like Ishq very much). So the response has been really overwhelming.The reason I did that role was to experience that power because Im an upcoming actor. I just wanted to feel how it feels to supersede the biggest superstar in the country, which Didi does in my film for Ray. I had a lot of fun and tried to play it with utmost honesty and uske baad kya hota hai (what happens after that) you really dont have any control over that. I try to not get my validation through these reactions. My validation is that if I can look into my directors eyes and know that yes, Ive delivered a good shot, Im okay with it.So, when I was starting, I had auditioned for a lot of films. A lot. I auditioned for Laila Majnu, Qaidi Band, Student Of The Year 2 but I think my auditions were really bad. I wouldnt say that Laila Majnu and Qaidi Band were so bad but for Student Of The Year 2, I psyched myself out because I thought that it was the dream debut and I also got sick the night before. Agar tum itna bakwas audition dete ho toh tum kuch aur expect bhi nahi karte (if you audition badly then you shouldnt expect anything out of it), to be honest. I took an oath that day that Im just going to have a blast at all my auditions. I took an oath that Im not going to psych myself out about whos making the film. After two weeks, I auditioned for Pataakha. When I started having fun in my auditions, things started working out for me. Sometimes, its the situation, sometimes youre not good, sometimes the character is not connecting with you. But ask yourself why and if that dream is still there and its still the driving force in your life, keep on going. Because nothing else matters at the end of the day.I know all the dialogue from Andaz Apna Apna. I used to watch some movie or the other every evening. So people called me filmy. Like if Im telling somebody that I love them, woh bhi bahut filmy style mein hota tha and pyaar dosti hai and whatnot (Id speak to people in a filmy style). Woh saare filmy aur cheesy dialogue maine maare hue hain (Ive used all the cheesy and filmy dialogue). So, I am that person. But when I came into the industry, I realised that it cannot be my life. Because life is really different. Earlier, youre in a comfortable zone in your parents house but here you start living alone and you start seeing life. And you realise that its not like ki Gaane baj rahein hain aur sab accha ho raha hai (everything is hunky dory). After joining the industry, I realised that life kuch aur hai aur ab Bollywood ko life dikhani shuru kar deni chahiye (Life is different and Bollywood should start showing what real life is). Because otherwise, well all be living in a delusional world. The story doesnt end at and they lived happily ever after. What happened after that? And Im glad that currently, that kind of content is being made. And thats why people relate to todays movies a lot more because its not black or white - its grey.I was really influenced by Bollywood films. I remember I saw Jaane Tu ...Ya Jaane Na with my best friend and I thought that Im Aditi and hes Jay. Right after that, I was like, we should date. He was like, Whaaat?! And then pyaar dosti hai (love is friendship) and all that shit happened. Now when I think about it, Im like, Radhika, nooo! I wish someone had told me at that point, No, Radhika, no! But your mind is impressionable at that age. For me, right now, pyaar dosti nahi hai (love is not friendship) but you know, you need to accept the person wholly. You need to accept their greys as well, not just the black and white. When you accept someone as a person completely, woh pyaar hota hai (thats love). So that definition for me has changed a lot. Earlier, it was a checklist of how they looked, what flowers they sent. When you learn from life, your definition changes.What should I say? (Laughs) Yes, my best friend is sick and tired of it because mai aise hoon, jo pandit ji nahi hote jo rishte leke aate hai (Im like that Pandit ji who gets proposals for you). Im very embarrassed to say this but I loooove doing it. I love when people fall in love and its something inside me that goes woohoo! But now, Ive realised that I shouldnt do that anymore. What if they break up and the person blames it on me? So Ive become cautious.Oh, chaat papdi ke counter pe (at the chaat counter). Thats it. Ill be eating all the chaat - tikki, gol gappe, papdi. Im also the kind of bridesmaid who will completely take care of you, take you to the loo and be with you till the end, taking out pins from your hair after the party.I met Sanya during Pataakha and we clicked right away. We started meditating together and our core is very similar. Now, she is like my family in Mumbai. Because shes also from Delhi like me. We live here alone. Shes a beautiful, beautiful soul. And I know that if something good happens to me, shell be happy for me which is tough to find in this industry. Like whenever Ive won an award, shes celebratedit with me as if shed won that award. And I feel the same way for her. So its something which is really special and Im so grateful for it.When I was in 8th grade, I got into dancing. I used to stand at the back in the class and look at the floor while dancing. One day, my instructor pulled me to the front and asked me to look at myself in the mirror. I was never the same person after that. It just gave me that confidence. Dancing made me realise that there is a light within me which nobody can extinguish and then I just carried on. I carried that with me to Mumbai and when people said stuff to me, I didnt believe it. I felt hurt because I contemplated whether it was true. But then I told myself that its not true. Just because they dont see something in me doesnt mean that I cant see it in myself. Im still talking about the light within. I dont care how I look superficially. Being beautiful doesnt mean beautiful skin or a hairdo. Its not about that. Its about how you feel about yourself and how you make other people feel. Thats where the magic lies.That Im fun and Im quirky and Im filmy but theres another side to me as well which is a little quiet and spiritual. I like my own space. So he should be aware of that.(Smiles) Not right now.
Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu expressed her desire to feature in the biopic of Priyanka Chopra. Harnaaz said that she would love to portray Priyanka Chopra in the actors biopic. She also added that Priyanka has been her inspiration throughout her journey.

Priyanka Chopra, too, had lauded Harnaaz for her victory in the beauty pageant. Harnaaz Sandhu represented India at the 70th Miss Universe pageant and clinched the title of Miss Universe, hence, bringing back the crown to India after 21 years. Before Harnaaz, Lara Dutta was crowned Miss Universe in 2000.

In an interview with a media portal, Harnaaz was asked in which actors biopic she would love to feature. To this Harnaaz replied, Priyanka Chopra. I would love to love to be part of that. I think she has inspired me throughout her journey and she will keep on inspiring millions of us.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Huntsman Corporation (HUN) Tuesday announced plans to review strategic options for its Textile Effects Division. The Board of Directors has authorized management to conduct a strategic review of the Textile Effects Division, which is headquartered in Singapore, including a possible sale of the division. The review will begin early in the first quarter of 2022. 'We have been transparent about our continued evaluation of divestment opportunities that are both in line with our strategic goals and in the best interests of our shareholders,' said Peter R. Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO. 'We believe now is the right time to explore options for Textile Effects. We expect that the division will generate close to $100 million of Adjusted EBITDA in 2021, recovering much of what was lost due to COVID-19. While its value-added portfolio of sustainable products is consistent with Huntsman's strategic direction, there may well be an external party that recognizes the value of these extremely attractive assets and will be a better owner for them.' 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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 28, 2021) - Karus Gold Corp. ("Karus Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that is has closed two financings with total gross proceeds of $237,270 (the "Offering"). The first offering was by way of a private placement issuing 281,400 units (a "Unit") at a price of C$0.55 per Unit for gross proceeds of C$154,770 in connection with an Offering Memorandum ("OM") that was filed on SEDAR under the profile of the Company, which can be viewed or downloaded at www.sedar.com. The second financing was a private placement for 150,000 Units at a price of C$0.55 per Unit for gross proceeds of $82,500. Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, where each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional common share for a period of 24 months at a price of $0.85 per common share.

In addition, the common share component of the Units includes an anti-dilution provision (the "Anti-Dilution Adjustment") whereby if at any time after the issue date until such date as the Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") (or other suitable exchange), the Company issues additional common shares for consideration per common share (the "Future Issuance Price") less than C$0.55, then the price per Unit shall be reduced concurrently with such issuance and the Company will issue additional common shares to the shareholder. The share warrant terms will not be impacted by the Anti-Dilution Adjustment.

Proceeds from the Offering will be used towards the Company's ongoing listing application with the TSXV and for general working capital purposes.

All securities issued in the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day from the closing date of the Offering. The Offering constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI-61-101") as insiders of the Company (consisting of directors and officers of the Company) subscribed for an aggregate C$90,750 (165,000 Units) pursuant to the Offering. The Company is relying on exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in section 5.5(b) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on a specified market and the fair market value of the participation in the Offering by insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Offering, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances in order to complete the Offering.

In addition to providing additional capital, the OM is expected to allow the Company to fulfill one of its requirements to be a "public company" as defined under subsection 89(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Listing Update

As previously disclosed in the September 23, 2021 news release, Karus Gold has filed an updated listing application in October 2021 and continues to work with the TSXV to complete the listing process.

About Karus Gold

Karus Gold is the 100% owner of the 1,000 km2 South Caribou Gold District that includes the drill-stage FG Gold and Gold Creek projects in British Columbia. Karus Gold is supported by strategic investor Eric Sprott; and insiders, together with the management and Board, own approximately 57% of the basic shares outstanding.

Further information on Karus Gold and its assets can be found on the Company's website at www.karusgold.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting us as info@karusgold.com or by telephone at (888) 455-7620.

On behalf of Karus Gold

"Andrew Kaip"

Chief Executive Officer

(647) 515-7858

Investor Relations

Victor Ostlund - Kin Communications

(604) 684-6730

KAR@kincommunications.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects", "suggests" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company, the successful listing on the TSXV, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith, and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.

Such factors include, among others: risks related to exploration and development activities at the Company's projects, and factors relating to whether or not mineralization extraction will be commercially viable; risks related to the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration of minerals, such as unusual and unexpected geological formations; uncertainties regarding regulatory matters, including obtaining permits and complying with laws and regulations governing exploration, development, production, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, site safety and other matters, and the potential for existing laws and regulations to be amended or more stringently implemented by the relevant authorities; risks related to title to the Company's properties, including the risk that the Company's title may be challenged or impugned by third parties; the ability of the Company to access necessary resources, including mining equipment and crews, on a timely basis and at reasonable cost; competition within the mining industry for the discovery and acquisition of properties from other mining companies, many of which have greater financial, technical and other resources than the Company, for, among other things, the acquisition of mineral claims, leases and other mineral interests as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and other personnel; access to suitable infrastructure, such as roads, energy and water supplies in the vicinity of the Company's properties; and risks related to the stage of the Company's development, including risks relating to limited financial resources, limited availability of additional financing and potential dilution to existing shareholders; reliance on its management and key personnel; inability to obtain adequate or any insurance; exposure to litigation or similar claims; currently unprofitable operations; risks regarding the ability of the Company and its management to manage growth; and potential conflicts of interest.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108604
Pattaya City, Thailand--(Newsfile Corp. - December 28, 2021) - Cryptocurrency payments are the reality of this decade. Thai Cryptocurrency Payment Service Provider Wanda.Exchange has recently announced its entry into the Sri Lankan gems industry. The major motto behind this seems to be the 5 Billion Dollar industry which has been greatly affected by the pandemic.

The company plans to start its operations in Sri Lanka from Q1 '22, with its marketing campaigns already in action throughout the country. The company's entry in the Sri Lankan gem industry is expected to impart enormous growth opportunities for the local merchants along with the introduction of cryptocurrency payments to the mainstream.

Sri Lankan Gem Industry

The Sri Lankan gem industry has always been a center of attraction in the international precious gem and luxury services marketplace. With an estimated annual turnover of 5 Billion Dollars, the industry serves some of the finest quality gems to the world.

With the rapidly changing global buyer persona, Wanda.Exchange is said to be stepping in this industry with the aim to introduce cryptocurrency payments. In a recent interview, officials from Wanda claimed that they see enormous growth opportunities in this industry and they see it growing multi-fold in the coming years.

Wanda's Interest in Sri Lanka

Over the frame of the past four to five years, the number of buyers interested in buying commodities and luxuries in exchange for crypto has increased exponentially. This can be easily understood from the fact that recently a 101-carat diamond sold for $12.3 million in crypto.

The increasing demand and the lustre of this industry has started attracting cryptocurrency firms from all around the world. The recent example being Wanda.Exchange who has recently announced their entry in the Sri Lankan gems industry. According to the senior officials from Wanda, their working principle in this industry would be to collaborate with the existing merchants instead of creating a new network.

Talking further about this, Mr. Diego, the Marketing Executive of Wanda, said that they would be focusing on working along with the local merchants to build a stronger network that benefits everyone. Adding further to it, he claimed that eliminating local merchants has never been a part of Wanda's strategies and they would always be open to collaborating with local merchants to grow together.

As stated by Mr. Darius, the CEO of Wanda, the modus operandi of Wanda would be to connect "non-traditional buyers" to the Sri Lankan marketplace. According to the analysts from Wanda, this can be a really huge opportunity for both the Sri Lankan gem industry and the crypto community. If Wanda succeeds in attaining their above mentioned goal, it would be a commendable step towards bringing cryptocurrencies to mainstream.

Wanda's Current Business Presence

Wanda Exchange is a Thailand based crypto payment service provider who enables merchants to exchange their commodities and services in exchange for crypto. Registered and working under the regulations of the Thai Government, Wanda enables merchants to accept crypto payments in a completely legal framework. The founding team of Wanda is already said to have developed their own ecosystem where they plan to link their various components to make a whole new decentralized financial ecosystem.

Summary

Wanda.Exchange is a crypto payment service provider based in Thailand that has recently announced its entry into the Sri Lankan gem industry. Wanda's entry in this industry is expected to bring growth opportunities for both the crypto community and the native gem industry. The major operations of Wanda will start from Colombo in the Q1'22, with marketing campaigns already active all through the country.

Media Details

Name: Wanda Exchange

Website: http://wanda.exchange

Email: diego@wanda.exchange

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108570
Locafrique

SAR - LOCAFRIQUE designated sacrificial lamb



29-Dec-2021 / 09:00 CET/CEST



SAR - LOCAFRIQUE designated sacrificial lamb Dakar, 28, December 2021: "He who wants to drown his dog accuses him of rabies". This assertion has never been more true than in the treatment of the shareholder LOCAFRIQUE (www.LocAfrique-sf.com) (34%) in the strong recapitalization of 420 billion CFA francs of the African Refining Company (SAR), which it considers unnecessary since the said company was created by the visionary President Leopold Sedar Senghor in 1961 has 440 million euros or 288 billion CFA francs to cope with the turbulence Petroleum - Summoned by the SAR and PETROSEN HOLDING SA majority shareholder of the SAR (46%) for a hearing before the judge of the Commercial Court this Wednesday, December 15, is a textbook case if we refer to the indiscretions made, both the treatment of the case and the inconsistencies noted leave whole questions about the management of the SAR. In view of the enormous losses noted, there is much to be said and said again about the management of this jewel that the first Senegalese president had the intelligence to put in place, when oil was barely discussed in Senegal. Senghor knew and had warned accordingly, leaving it to the succession to make good use of it. At a time when the exploitation of oil and gas is announced in the next two or three years, questions may arise about the appetites and conduct of the SAR. Agitated and desired by the majority shareholder, the recapitalization of the SAR at a cost of several hundred billion CFA francs is not justified insofar as there are faster and more effective ways to bail out the SAR and put its shareholders and the State at ease through the revaluation of assets, in accordance with the principles of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA). So why do you want this recapitalization at all costs? Another question is that, since the dispute is not about LOCAFRIQUE's opposition to the recapitalization of the SAR, why are they trying to exclude it from voting on the resolution of this recapitalization, by having it replaced by a third party or ad hoc representative to be more precise, in order to represent it at the next extraordinary general assembly on the grounds that it will have shown abuse of minority rights? This question can be understood, especially since if the State decides, as it is said behind the scenes, to inject 350 billion into the SAR even if it only needs 60 billion to recover, LOCAFRIQUE has decided to immediately and unconditionally fold. It cannot do otherwise in the face of the State's declared will after having done the most difficult thing, i.e. mobilizing nearly 300 million euros to finance the SAR's imports at a time when its coffers were in the red and therefore unable to benefit from the confidence of its financial partners and suppliers. It is even said that LOCAFRIQUE has largely contributed to cushioning the financial shocks in 2021 so that the African Refining Company can make profitable margins. Going back to SAR's losses and therefore its management, one might wonder whether the refining company is not suffering more from poor procurement practices. One still remembers the poor quality of fuel that had been strongly debated in the public arena. In any case, the debts are heavy, we are talking about 75 billion CFA francs and losses of about 59 billion CFA francs. Not to mention the order of white goods estimated at more than 300 million euros, or about 200 billion CFA francs placed without tenders and it is still said to be without the knowledge and authorization of the Board of Directors. Practices to say the least opaque that can only suggest that they are not without damaging consequences on the economic and financial plan of this SAR that was so dear to Senghor. end Distributed by APO Group on behalf of LocaAfrique

Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.






CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar appreciated against its major rivals in the Asian session on Wednesday, as a surge in Omicron cases across the globe and a tightening of restrictions dampened risk sentiment.



Coronavirus cases in France jumped to a record high of 179,807 on Tuesday, a day after the government announced new restrictions to contain infections.



Besides France, UK, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Cyprus reported record daily infections on Tuesday.



The U.S. reported a seven-day average of 254,496 new virus cases on Tuesday, breaking the previous record of about 251,989 daily cases seen on January 11.



The currency was also supported by Fed rate hike expectations, as investors predict at least three rate rises in 2022.



The greenback edged higher to 0.9179 against the franc and 114.93 against the yen, up from its early lows of 0.9163 and 114.74, respectively. The greenback is likely to find resistance around 0.93 against the franc and 116.00 against the yen.



The greenback was trading at 1.1296 against the euro, up from a low of 1.1314 seen at 6:30 pm ET. If the greenback rises further, it may challenge resistance around the 1.10 level.



The greenback advanced to a 2-day high of 1.2833 against the loonie from Tuesday's close of 1.2814. The greenback is seen facing resistance around the 1.30 level.



The greenback rose to a session's high of 0.6789 against the kiwi from yesterday's close of 0.6801. On the upside, 0.66 is possibly found as its next resistance level.



The greenback firmed to a 2-day high of 0.7213 against the aussie around 8:30 pm ET, but it has since retreated to 0.7237. The pair was worth 0.7224 at Tuesday's close.



Looking ahead, Swiss economic sentiment index for December is due in the European session.



U.S. pending home sales, wholesale inventories and advance goods trade balance for November will be out in the New York session.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks rose sharply on Wednesday as traders returned to their desks after the Christmas break. With Omicron being less severe inn terms of its symptoms, a number of scientists have said that the U.K. should follow in the footsteps of the U.S. and reduce the Covid self-isolation period to five days. The benchmark FTSE 100 jumped 78 points, or 1.1 percent, to 7,450, hovering near a 22-month high and recovering all its pandemic losses since the February 2020 crash. BP Plc and Royal Dutch Shell both rose about 1 percent on higher oil prices. AstraZeneca was also up 1 percent. Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a company focused on RNA-targeted therapies, has unveiled the closing of the previously announced collaboration deal with AstraZeneca to develop and commercialize eplontersen, following expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act. Mining giant Anglo American edged up slightly after confirming that the Group and Vale have had preliminary talks about the potential to jointly develop Vale's Serpentina iron ore resource that is contiguous to Anglo American's integrated Minas-Rio iron ore operation in Brazil. 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.
The Covid-19 confinement increased the number of low back pain conditions. -Most people had to improvise a work area in dining rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, or kitchens without ergonomic furniture

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - After the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, work at home, or more popularly called "home office," increased as did sedentary lifestyles. This situation has triggered the number of low back pain cases, which is one of the main causes of absenteeism from work.

The Covid-19 confinement increased the number of low back pain.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7838/108581_image1enhanced.jpg

Felipe Gomez Garcia, a Physician specialized in orthopedics and traumatology, said that since the beginning of the pandemic the balance is not very positive, because of the increase of low back pain cases. Most of the people did not have an optimal place to work and must make improvised work areas in dining rooms, bedrooms, or living rooms, where there is no ergonomic furniture so that workers can carry out their workday without pain.

For many workers, the consequences of spending several hours in front of computers, are problems with the back and neck. In the opinion of Gomez Garcia, sedentary lifestyles and home offices affected the physical state of people.

There was a closure of gyms and other physical activities during the Covid-19 peak days. So, playing board and video games or watching movies at home made it necessary to spend even more hours sitting incorrectly in front of a screen, leading to a worrying increase in muscle-skeletal conditions, including low back pain.

According to Dr. Gomez, lumbago is a pain in the lower back that can affect the vertebrae, the muscles, and even nerve structures that are around or crossing the vertebrae. This appears when people stay sitting incorrectly for more than 8 hours.

Dr. Gomez estimated that about 80% of people will have low back pain at least once in their life. Up to 80% of the population suffers from low back pain as a result of postural defects and sudden movements, with its highest prevalence between 40 and 60 years. The rate that you can live without the pain caused by low back pain is 54 to 90% per year, under medical supervision and rehabilitation.

To prevent that sedentary lifestyle continuing to affect the condition of the spine, several physical therapists and spinal specialists recommend relaxing with soft physical activities such as yoga or simple stretches. Other recommendations to complement these activities are the use of simple orthopedic tools such as balls or foam rollers, or more professional tools such as Cordus or Sacrus, as well as the application of self-massages to relax the muscles at the end of the workday.

Contact Details

Melek C

55 4792 2974

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108581
BIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2021 / Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE:DEC) ("Diversified" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its sale of certain predominantly undeveloped Haynesville acreage in Texas as first announced on November 12, 2021. Diversified and Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("Oaktree") divested their working interests in the acreage for a total cash consideration of approximately $67.4 million (net $34.6 million to Diversified) after closing price adjustments. A second closing under the transaction of up to approximately $4 million (net $2 million to Diversified) may be conducted at a date in the near future.

The sale of acreage represented approximately 1,700 net Mcf per day of production as of November, 2021, or just 2% of the production that Diversified originally acquired as part of the Tanos Energy Holdings III LLC ("Tanos") deal in August 2021. Consistent with previous acquisitions, Diversified ascribed no value to the undeveloped Haynesville leasehold though this divestiture effectively reduces the Company's investment in the Assets Diversified acquired from Tanos by 29% to $83 million from the original $118 million(a), net of purchase price adjustments. The Company's sale of the Assets reflects its proven ability to purchase predominantly PDP (proved, developed, producing) assets at low multiples and drive further value through the strategic monetization of undeveloped upside potential and non-strategic assets.

Rusty Hutson, Jr., CEO of the Company, commented:

"Monetizing a portion of the undeveloped Haynesville acreage we acquired in the Tanos transaction marks a strong finish to an exceptional year for Diversified and boosts our returns from that acquisition by reducing our purchase price by nearly 30%. Using the nearly $35 million of proceeds to reduce the borrowings on our revolving credit facility enhances our financial flexibility as we evaluate other value-accretive opportunities. We enter 2022 with momentum as we integrate our Central Region assets, progress our comprehensive ESG initiatives and remain ever focused on opportunities to expand our portfolio of producing assets."

Footnotes:

(a) Excludes certain below-market natural gas hedge contracts through 2023 assumed by Diversified, as previously announced via RNS on July 05, 2021

For Company-specific items, refer also to the Glossary of Terms and/or Alternative Performance Measures found in the Company's 2020 Annual Report and Interim Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

For further information, please contact:

Diversified Energy Company PLC +1 205 408 0909 Jim Sheehan www.div.energy ir@dgoc.com Buchanan +44 20 7466 5000 Financial Public Relations Ben Romney Chris Judd Jon Krinks James Husband dec@buchanan.uk.com





About Diversified Energy Company PLC

Diversified Energy Company PLC is an independent energy company engaged in the production, marketing and transportation of primarily natural gas related to its synergistic US onshore upstream and midstream assets.

SOURCE: Diversified Energy Company PLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/679957/Diversified-Closes-Sale-of-Haynesville-Undeveloped-Acreage


PRETORIA (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Government has decided to lift restrictions on travel from 8 southern African countries, imposed a month ago in the wake of the emergence of Omicron variant in that region.



As per Proclamation 10315 issued by President Joe Biden on November 26, non-U.S. citizens from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini and Malawi were barred from entering the United States if they had been in any of these countries in the past 14 days.



Biden said at that time that he took that action to slow the spread of the Omicron variant into the United States and to implement appropriate mitigation measures while new information emerged about the variant.



On Tuesday, Biden issued another proclamation saying that in light of the changed circumstances, and based on the recommendation of the CDC, he is revoking Proclamation 10315. He added that the travel restrictions imposed by that proclamation are no longer necessary to protect the public health, and the unrestricted entry of persons described in Proclamation 10315 into the United States is no longer detrimental to the interests of the country.



The travel restrictions from 8 southern African countries will be lifted on December 31.



Biden is easing travel restrictions even as Covid cases are surging in the U.S. significantly, driven by the more easily transmitted Omicron variant.



The Omicron variant replaced Delta as the predominant circulating strain.



On Monday, the United States reported the highest case number recorded in a single day since the pandemic broke out in the country.



The U.S. Government imposed new restrictions on travel from 8 southern African countries after Omicron was first reported in Botswana on November 11 and in South Africa three days later. Omicron infection, the fifth of the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, has been reported in 108 countries so far.



Last week, Canada had lifted travel restrictions imposed on travelers from 10 African countries.



The U.S. State Department said that Consular sections in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe will resume routine nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services. 'Applicants whose cases were refused solely due to their presence in a country covered by a regional COVID proclamation should contact the embassy or consulate where they made the application to request reconsideration,' it said in a press release.



The State Department also said that global vaccination requirement for all adult foreign national travelers remains in effect. All non-immigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the United States are required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the "Company" or "Atico") (TSX.V: ATY | OTCQX: ATCMF) announces it has entered into an agreement (the "Agreement") with the National Mining Agency ("NMA") in Colombia related to the ongoing royalty dispute covering the El Roble property. While the Company has maintained that it has been in good standing with the requirements for a new title, with this agreement the company has formally been brought into good standing by the NMA.



As a part of the Agreement, the NMA and the Company have also agreed to settle the dispute via binding arbitration at the Center for Arbitration and Conciliation of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce for the purposes of seeking an expedited resolution to the ongoing claim, which is currently being resolved in Colombian courts where the proceedings can last several years. In contrast, the arbitration rules state the final decision by the tribunal takes approximately six to twelve months from the commencement of the arbitration process. To the extent that a final ruling is made in favor of the Company, the Payment Plan will cease, and any amounts already paid will be offset against future royalty obligations. As advised by its Colombian legal counsel, the Company continues to believe that it has a strong case for a positive outcome in an upcoming arbitration.

The Agreement calls for the Company to enter into a five-year Payment Plan, payable in biannual instalments for a total amount of approximately US$21.9 million plus interest at a 6% annual rate. The Company will make an initial upfront payment of US$1 million, followed by US$3.2 million in year 1, US$3.3 million in year 2, US$3.4 million in year 3, US$5.8 million in year 4 and US$9.7 million in year 5. The total amount payable represents all outstanding royalty payments which the NMA has claimed through to the end of December 2021. The parties have agreed to this interim arrangement until a final arbitration decision is made.

For this arrangement to comply with Colombian law, a secured guarantee equal to the value of the agreed payment plan is required. The Company intends to provide the required guarantee by granting security over 9,700 wet metric tonnes of concentrate. The security and the guarantee will be released proportionally as payments are made in accordance with the payment schedule. The security may be substituted for another type at a later date.

The Company continues to work towards renewing the title to the El Roble property claims which are set to expire on January 23, 2022. If the Company is unable to obtain the new title on time, it will continue operating after the expiration date while the process for the new title continues, as pronounced by the NMA in response to a formal query made by the company. Although the process for the new title is progressing favorably, there is no assurance at this stage that the Company will obtain a new title.

About Atico Mining Corporation

Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the operation of the El Roble mine and is developing its high-grade La Plata VMS project in Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fernando E. Ganoza

CEO

Atico Mining Corporation

Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTCQX: ATCMF

Investor Relations

Igor Dutina

Tel: +1.604.633.9022

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act'), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act) unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation the terms of the payment plan, the timing of the arbitration proceedings, the belief that the Company has a strong case for a positive outcome in the royalty dispute, the intention to provide the required guarantee by granting security over 9,700 tonnes of concentrate, the potential for the guarantee of concentrate to be substituted for other security at a later date, the potential renewal of title to the claims comprising the El Roble property and the continuation of operations while a new contract is perfected and a new title is obtained , are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions.There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include uncertainties as to the timing and process for renewal of title to the El Roble claims; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs; the need to obtain additional financing to maintain its interest in and/or explore and develop the Company's mineral projects; uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for the Company's mineral projects; the world-wide economic and social impact of COVID-19 is managed and the duration and extent of the coronavirus pandemic is minimized or not long-term; disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other health and safety issues, or the responses of governments, communities, the Company and others to such pandemic or other issues; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the prospectus of the Company dated March 2, 2012 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The forward-looking statements contained in this release represent our expectations as of the date of this release. We disclaim any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.


Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - Gold79 Mines Ltd. (TSXV: AUU) (OTCQB: AUSVF) ("Gold79" or the "Company") announces that it has retained Dig Media Inc. dba Investing News Network ("INN") to provide investor relations services for the Company in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. INN is a private company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, dedicated to providing independent news and education to investors since 2007. Under the terms of the contract for this advertising and investor awareness campaign INN will provide various digital media advertising and related services to increase public awareness of the Company.

Derek Macpherson, President and CEO, stated, "We look forward to working with INN to increase market awareness of Gold79. With active exploration programs continuing at our Gold Chain, Arizona project and with drill permitting nearing completion at our Jefferson Canyon, Nevada project we anticipate an exciting year ahead for Gold79."

Under the terms of the agreement with INN, the Company has agreed to pay INN a cash fee of $4,167 per month, plus applicable taxes. The agreement has a term of 12 months commencing January 1, 2022. INN will not receive any securities of the Company as compensation for services under the agreement. INN currently holds 833,400 common shares and 416,700 warrants of the Company, representing approximately 0.86% of the Company's outstanding common shares on a partially-diluted basis. Gold79 and INN are unrelated and unaffiliated entities and INN is an arm's length party to the Company.

About Gold79 Mines Ltd.

Gold79 Mines Ltd. is a TSX Venture listed company focused on building ounces in the Southwest USA. Gold79 holds 100% earn-in option to purchase agreements on three gold projects: the Jefferson Canyon Gold Project and the Tip Top Gold Project both located in Nevada, USA, and, the Gold Chain Project located in Arizona, USA. In addition, Gold79 holds two projects with minority interest being a 36.6% interest in the Greyhound Project, Nunavut, Canada under JV by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and a 20% carried interest in the Taviche Project in Oaxaca, Mexico now under option to Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

For further information regarding this press release contact: Derek Macpherson, President and Chief Executive Officer by email at dm@gold79mines.com or by phone at 416-294-6713. Gold79's website is located at www.gold79mines.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are made as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties associated with our business including any future private placements, the uncertainty as to whether further exploration will result in the target(s) being delineated as a mineral resource, capital expenditures, operating costs, mineral resources, recovery rates, grades and prices, estimated goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, plans and references to the Company's future successes with its business and the economic environment in which the business operates. All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements contained herein that are statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Gold79 does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108580
The Company enters the rapidly growing tech-enabled energy optimization market for commercial real estate

BOISE, ID and NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2021 / Triccar, Inc. (OTCQB:TCCR) ("TRICCAR") is pleased to announce the completion of the acquisition of 100% of Correlate, Inc. ("Correlate") and Loyal Enterprises LLC dba Solar Site Design ("Solar Site Design"), creating a new data-driven platform designed for commercial & industrial real estate owners seeking to significantly improve net operating income. With the introduction of a true tech-enabled project development and finance platform, the Company provides portfolio energy optimization with sustainable profit growth for buildings nationwide.

Founded in 2015 by Todd Michaels CEO, Correlate is an innovator in tech-enabled clean energy sales solutions. Mr. Michaels served as a former Executive for Innovation at SunEdison and NRG (NRG) and has 16 years' experience in this industry. Solar Site Design, founded in 2013 by Jason Loyet, is an award-winning project development platform serving the commercial solar industry. Mr. Loyet has twenty-five years of diversified experience building software and energy platforms.

Currently, Correlate and the Solar Site Design platform have an opportunity pipeline of over $100 million in commercial projects with more than $20 million in awarded backlog. The Company believes its current rapid growth is due to the industry demand for actionable, cashflow positive energy programs and the underlying carbon reduction mandates taking effect globally. According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, portfolio energy optimization is a $290 billion market in the United States driving deep financial savings and energy efficiency across the commercial sector.

Todd Michaels, President and CEO of Correlate, stated, "Through this transaction, Correlate enters the public market at a key inflection point of its growth. The Company currently enjoys channel and sales partnerships with Fortune 250 companies and a strong, proven industry network. Our transparent, leading-edge model changes value delivery for both facility owners and proven solution providers seeking scale."

Matt Flemming, Chairman of Triccar Inc., stated "Todd Michaels and Jason Loyet are a part of a nationally recognized management team that has been active in the energy market since 2005. Through these platform acquisitions, the Company is entering a rapidly growing market with a unique offering to address a total market of more than 5.9 million commercial buildings in the domestic United States, according to EIA."

These two acquisitions closed on December 28, 2021, creating a premier net-zero carbon, smart building platform provider, allowing Correlate to expand its proprietary building health assessment offering to the commercial real estate industry. In connection with the acquisition of Correlate and Solar Site Design, Triccar issued an aggregate of 8.5 million shares of its common stock to the Correlate and Solar Site Design equity holders in exchange for one hundred percent (100%) of the equity interests of Correlate and Solar Site Design.

Additionally, at closing Todd Michaels became the President, CEO and a director of Triccar, while George R. Powell, Corey Hunt and Jason Loyet joined the board of directors of Triccar to fill the vacancies created by the resignation of Bernard O'Donnell and Frank Federer.

Triccar plans to file for a name change to more closely reflect its new platform and growth focus. Its shares will continue to trade on the OTCQB market under the current TCCR ticker symbol until further notice.

ABOUT TRICCAR:

Triccar, Inc., through its two subsidiaries, Correlate and Solar Site Design offers a complete suite of proprietary clean energy assessment solutions for the commercial real estate industry.

Correlate is a portfolio-scale development and finance platform offering commercial and industrial facilities access to clean electrification solutions focused on locally-sited solar, energy storage, EV infrastructure, and intelligent efficiency measures. Its unique data-driven approach is powered by proprietary analytics, concierge subscription services, and a highly scalable national fulfillment network to help building owners profit from fully-funded, turnkey decarbonization and facility health programs.

The Company's website is located at: https://www.correlateinc.com/

Solar Site Design is a U.S. Department of Energy Sunshot Catalyst winner that provides customer acquisition and project development tools for the commercial solar industry. Its commercial marketplace platform connects highly qualified project opportunities to leading solar construction companies nationwide.

The Company's website is located at: https://www.solarsitedesign.com/

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release may include "forward-looking statements" regarding Triccar, Inc., its subsidiaries, business, and project plans. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Where Triccar, Inc. expresses or implies an expectation or belief about future events or results, such expectation or belief is believed to have a reasonable basis. However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Triccar, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Investors may contact: Market Street Capital, Inc. at (832) 447-7592

SOURCE: Triccar Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/679991/Triccar-Inc-Closes-Acquisitions-of-Correlate-Inc-Solar-Site-Design
MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2021 / Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc. (OTCQB:OCEL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of regenerative therapies, is pleased to provide its stockholders and the investment community with the following updates regarding its approved Investigational New Drug Applications ("IND") and other clinical trial related activities surrounding Zofin, its principal product. Zofin (also known as Organicell Flow), is an acellular, biologic therapeutic derived from perinatal sources and is manufactured to retain naturally occurring microRNAs, without the addition or combination of any other substance or diluent. This product contains over 300 growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and 102 unique microRNAs as well as other exosomes/nanoparticles derived from perinatal tissues.

Background:

To date, the Company has obtained certain IND and emergency IND ("eIND") approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"), including applicable Institutional Review Board ("IRB") approvals which authorized the Company to commence clinical trials or treatments in connection with the use of Zofin and related treatment protocols.

In connection with the Company's approved eINDs, the approvals authorize physicians to treat their patients with Zofin under a specified protocol when there is no comparable or satisfactory therapy option available for an individual patient who has a serious or immediately life-threatening disease. These are not formal clinical trials and the Company is not given access to full patient data associated with such treatments. Following FDA's reporting requirements, the Company submitted an annual report for all of the eINDs to the FDA to formally close each of the eINDs. The annual report consists of a written summary of the results including any adverse effects.

For each of the Company's approved eIND's described below, the approved protocol consisted of administering three or four individual doses of Zofin over an 8-day period and monitoring the patient for a period of 21-days from the date of administering the initial dose.

The use of an eIND for "expanded access" is primarily to treat patients with the investigational drug and not to answer safety or efficacy questions about the drug.

With respect to the Company's approved INDs and ongoing clinical trials, until such time that the clinical trial is closed and the associated data is reviewed and analyzed by third parties, the Company is not privy to actual patient outcomes and is unable to provide updates on the results of such clinical trials.

To date, there has not been a severe adverse event that has been reported to be associated with the use of Zofin.

Summary Update:

The information provided below represents the Company's most up to date information regarding results from the Company's FDA approved and submitted eINDs and approved phase I/II INDs and other trial related activities:

For each of the patients that have been treated under the Company's approved eIND's described below, the Company had endeavored to obtain initial and follow-up patient information beginning with the initial date that Zofin was administered. As stated earlier, the collection of this information was not required by applicable FDA regulations, but the Company desired to obtain such information in an effort to support and improve its ongoing research and development activities. The patient outcome information provided below for each eIND identified is based on information provided by the patient's treating physicians, has not been audited and/or verified by the Company or by any independent third party for accuracy or completeness and the Company does not make any representations as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Furthermore, the Company is not making any claims and/or inferences as to any direct or indirect correlation of the reported patient outcomes and the use of Zofin by providing such information.

eIND#22370 approved on 05/11/2020 - Treatment for Acute hypoxic respiratory failure with ARDS secondary to COVID-19 infection for single patient. Patient required mechanical ventilation prior to treatment and developed acute metabolic encephalopathy with ICU delirium along with acute kidney injury and anemia. The patient was treated in May 2020. Patient's respiratory function at 21-days post treatment, transitioned from a 21% t-collar to room air PMV and decannulation on day 26. The physician reported that patient was discharged from hospital after 29-days post treatment. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#22371 approved on 05/11/2020 - Treatment for Acute hypoxic respiratory secondary to bilateral pneumonia secondary to COVID-19 with ARDS for single patient. Patient had also developed acute kidney failure due to sepsis and was placed on hemodialysis. The patient was treated in May 2020. During the course of the treatment, patient's respiratory function transitioned from CPAP 5 PS 10 30% ventilation to 30% T-Collar ventilation by day 28. The patient's acute delirium improved. During the observational 21-day period, the physician reported that the patient remained in the step-down unit and required regular hemodialysis treatment due to the kidney injury. The physician reported that the patient passed away 104 days after treatment. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#22897 approved on 05/29/2020 - Treatment for Acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, secondary to COVID-19 with ARDS for single patient. Patient had respiratory impairment due to ARDS and an acute kidney injury that required regular hemodialysis. The patient was treated in June 2020. After receiving the treatment, the patient's respiratory function improved with a complete decannulation from oxygen therapy by day 4. The patient had a complete recovery of renal function, with decreased creatinine concentration levels, and was removed from hemodialysis by day 17. The physician indicated that the patient was discharged 26-days post treatment initiation. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#25426 approved on 07/24/2020 - Treatment of COVID-19 positive for single patient. The patient was treated in July 2020. The patient was experiencing fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath at rest and upon exertion. At baseline, the patient's oxygen saturation was 94% with elevated inflammatory biomarkers TNF-a, IL-6, CRP, and D-dimer. Patient reported improvement in fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath by day 21. Furthermore, inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, CRP, and TNF-alpha all decreased into normal range within 21 days. The physician indicated that the patient reported returning to normal activity by day 28. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#25888 approved on 8/01/2020 - Treatment of post COVID-19 complication for single patient. The patient was treated in August 2020. Patient was experiencing shortness of breath, fevers, total malaise, arthropathies vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and loss of smell. At baseline, bilateral pneumonia with shortness of breath was the primary factor that lead to the long-hauler diagnosis. Blood oxygen saturation level was 95%. The patient began to experience improvements in shortness of breath complications early in the treatment protocol. By the conclusion of the study, the physician indicated that the patient returned to normal with no observation of impairments or respiratory distress. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26560 approved on 8/17/2020 - Treatment of post-COVID-19 complications for single patient. The patient was treated in August 2020. At baseline, the patient reported prolonged fatigue and shortness of breath. No abnormalities were found in chest x-ray images, oxygen saturation, or inflammatory biomarkers. 20 days post treatment, the physician indicated that the patient continued to experience post-COVID-19 fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and hair loss. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26561 approved on 8/17/2020 - Treatment of post-COVID-19 complications for single patient. The patient was treated in August 2020. At baseline, the patient reported prolonged fatigue, shortness of breath, body aches and headaches. Significant improvements in fatigue, mental fog, and shortness of breath with exertion were reported 3 days after the 3rd dose. The physician indicated that the patient refused to have further follow up 3 days after the 3rd dose. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26676 approved on 8/20/2020 - Treatment of respiratory failure due to COVID-19 infection for single patient. The patient was treated in August 2020. Patient was in ICU in severe critical condition prior to initiation of the treatment. The physician indicated that the patient passed away 5 days after initiation of the treatment, having received two of the three doses of Zofin as per the protocol. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting eIND#26700 approved on 8/21/2020 - Treatment for ARDS associated with COVID-19 for a single patient. The patient was treated in August 2020. Patient was in ICU in severe critical condition prior to initiation of the treatment. The physician indicated that the patient passed away 7 days after initiation of the treatment, having received two of the three doses of Zofin as per the protocol. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26776 approved on 8/25/2020 - Treatment of COVID-19 positive for single patient. The patient was treated in September 2020. Patient was experiencing significant fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath; inflammatory biomarker CRP was also elevated at baseline. Initial O2 saturation levels fluctuated from 88-95%. Significant improvements were first noted 2 days after the 2nd dose including a decrease in fever and overall improvement in wellbeing. At day 14, the physician reported that the patient returned to work, with a resolution of all reported symptoms. The patients O2 saturation returned to a stable 98% and CRP biomarker levels decreased to normal levels by day 14. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26777 approved on 8/25/2020 - Treatment of COVID-19 positive for single patient. The patient was treated in September 2020. At baseline, patient was experiencing symptoms of fever, fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath. Patient first reported 25% improvement after the first dose and 95% improvement 2 days after the second dose. At the day 8 time point, the only clinical feature still present was an occasional cough. The physician reported that the patient returned to work 24 hours after the 3rd dose. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26864 approved on 9/05/2020 - Treatment of COVID-19 positive for single patient. The patient was treated in September 2020. Patient was in ICU in severe critical condition, on ECMO, prior to initiation of the treatment. The patient received 4 doses of Zofin and the physician indicated that the patient remained stable on ECMO 21 days after the 1st dose. The physician reported that the patient passed away 41 days after treatment initiation. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26821 approved on 9/22/2020 - Treatment of post COVID-19 complications for single patient. The patient was treated in September 2020. At time of initiation of the treatment, the patient reported symptoms to include generalized myalgias, headaches and fatigue. On day 60, the physician indicated that the patient reported marked improvement with arthralgias and achiness but still had complaints of fatigue, headaches and shortness of breath.. The single IND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26964 approved on 10/10/2020 - Treatment for ARDS associated with COVID-19 for single patient. The patient was treated in October 2020. Patient was in ICU for 16 days and in severe critical condition receiving 100% FiO2, PC mode of ventilator and PEEP 10 prior to initiation of treatment. The physician reported that the patient passed away 1 day after treatment initiation (only 1 dose of the protocol was administered). The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26972 approved on 10/14/2020 - Treatment for ARDS associated with COVID-19 for single patient. The patient was treated in October 2020. Patient was in ICU in severe critical condition prior to initiation of the treatment. The physician reported that the patient passed away 13 days after initiation of the first dose and having only received 2 of the 4 doses as per the protocol. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#26978 approved on 10/16/2020 - Treatment for ARDS associated with COVID-19 for single patient. The patient was treated in October 2020. Patient was in ICU suffering with pneumonia and respiratory failure. Initiation of treatment was 6-days post hospital admission and the patient received a total of 4 doses of Zofin. Physician reported patient was discharged and reported to be in stable condition with complete respiratory improvement. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#27128 approved on 12/04/2020 - Treatment of mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 for a single patient. The patient was treated in December 2020. Clinical features prior to infusion included low-grade fever, chills, muscle and joint aches, severe headaches, dry cough, feeling slightly breathless and fatigue. Upon day 13, physician reported the patient had less muscle and joint aches and increased energy. The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. eIND#27165 approved on 12/15/2020 - Treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure with ARDS for a single patient. The patient was treated in December 2020. Patient had a severely debilitating medical situation following COVID-19. Prior to the use of Zofin, patient required use of 100% oxygen non-rebreather face mask. The physician reported that the patient passed away 75 days after only receiving the initial dose of the protocol (only 1 dose of Zofin was administered, the patient refused the second and third doses at day 4 and 8 as prescribed by the protocol). The single eIND was closed during FDA's annual reporting. Expanded Access to Zofin (Organicell Flow) approved on 09/24/2020 - Treatment of Patients with COVID-19 Outpatient and Inpatient Population. The IRB was approved by the Institute of Regenerative and Cellular Medicine on December 16, 2020 (approval number: IRCM-2020-269). The trial was conducted at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas. The study enrolled a total of 11 subjects: adults between the age of 35 to 69 who were fighting COVID-19 infection and presented respiratory fatigue with and without exertion, cough, and shortness of breath and met all inclusion/exclusion criteria. One patient withdrew before receiving any doses of Zofin. Two subjects withdrew at day 14 post treatment with Zofin. As a result, eight subjects completed the day 30 follow-up and are included in the data analysis. The administration of Zofin in the trial was well tolerated in all enrolled subjects, with no adverse events. Chest X-ray data demonstrated that 75% of subjects had bilateral opacities caused by COVID-19 infection at day 0 (baseline), prior to treatment with Zofin and thirty (30) days after Zofin treatment, chest X-ray data showed 83% of treated subjects had normal lung imaging, indicating complete recovery. Upon such time that Organicell enrolls and submits additional patient data from the above-mentioned study, Organicell intends to submit the updated results of the trial to the FDA for approval of an amendment to the Company's previously approved IND (NCT04384445) to perform a placebo-controlled Phase II clinical trial to confirm safety and efficacy in a randomized fashion. IND # 19881 approved on 04/30/2020 - A Phase I/II Randomized, Double Blinded, Placebo Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Potential Efficacy of Intravenous Infusion of Organicell Flow for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Related to COVID-19 Infection vs Placebo. IRB was approved by the Institute of Regenerative and Cellular Medicine ("IRCM") on 06/04/2020 (approval number: IRCM-2020-254). The clinical trial is currently in process. A total of ten patients have been enrolled to the study thus far and currently the clinical trial is not enrolling subjects due to the challenges of enrolling the remaining study population. IND #27378 approved on 06/24/21. A Phase I/II Randomized, Double Blinded, Placebo Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Potential Efficacy of Intravenous Infusion of Zofin (Organicell Flow) for the Treatment of Post COVID-19 Complications "Long Haulers" vs Placebo. The Company and the CRO are currently working to initiate the trial which the Company expects enrollment to begin during the quarter ending January 31, 2022, subject to the successful negotiation and execution of definitive agreements with the site facility where the study patients will be treated and the Company raising sufficient working capital to finance the trial, as to all of which no assurance can be given. IND # 23198 approved on 01/27/2021. A Phase I/II Double Blinded, Placebo Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Potential Efficacy of Intravenous Infusion of Zofin (Organicell Flow) for the Treatment of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Expected to start trial during the quarter ending April 30, 2022. The Company and the CRO are currently working to initiate the trial which the Company expects enrollment to begin during the quarter ending April 30, 2022, subject to the successful negotiation and execution of definitive agreements with the site facility where the study patients will be treated and the Company raising sufficient working capital to finance the trial, as to all of which no assurance can be given. IND # 23788 approved on 04/06/2021. A Phase I/II Randomized, Double Blinded, Placebo Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Potential Efficacy of Zofin Infused Intravenously in Patients Suffering with Knee Osteoarthritis vs Placebo. The Company and the CRO are currently working to initiate the trial which the Company expects enrollment to begin during the quarter ending July 31, 2022, subject to the successful negotiation and execution of definitive agreements with the site facility where the study patients will be treated and the Company raising sufficient working capital to finance the trial, as to all of which no assurance can be given. In April 2021, we announced that an initial trial of ten COVID -19 patients in India conducted by CWI India, our Indian partner, generated positive results. The trial had been conducted by CWI India, our Indian partner with whom we had entered a product testing and distribution agreement in February 2021, to collaborate on a study or studies to evaluate the effects of Zofin on moderate to severe COVID-19 patients in India. The ten patients in the initial trial were treated at hospitals in Bangalore, Kozhikode and Chennai, and all ten patients recovered from their symptoms and were discharged from the hospital. Based on the initial results of this trial, CWI India has since been seeking to obtain government approval to conduct an expanded trial of up to sixty-five patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, who were to be treated at these hospitals. To date, CWI India has not obtained the required approval and it is uncertain if they will ultimately be successful in doing so. If approval is eventually obtained, we anticipate that CWI India will conduct the trials in a timely manner. If the results of the expanded trial prove to be positive, Organicell and CWI India intend to file with the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) for Emergency Use Approval to use Zofin in India as a therapeutic for treating COVID-19. In May 2021, the Company announced that its Zofin therapy has been approved by Pakistani regulators to be used for a treatment of a single COVID-19 patient hospitalized at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences under compassionate grounds. In addition to this compassionate grounds authorization, Organicell received further indications to begin a broader trial of Zofin with up to 60 additional patients suffering from moderate to severe COVID-19. The Company has already shared data with Pakistani regulatory authorities in the country in support of this effort. To date, the Company and the Company's Pakistani partner for the proposed study have not obtained the required approvals and the Company is uncertain if they will ultimately be successful in doing so. If approval is eventually obtained, we anticipate that the trial will be conducted in a timely manner. In addition, in May 2021, Organicell also entered into a one-year exclusive distribution agreement with Apex Services Pakistan to import and distribute Zofin to hospitals and clinics in the country, subject to the issuance of all necessary approvals and licenses by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, which as previously stated, have not yet been obtained.

About Zofin

Zofin is an acellular biologic therapeutic derived from perinatal sources and is manufactured to retain naturally occurring microRNAs, without the addition or combination of any other substance or diluent. Zofin contains over 300 growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines as well as extracellular vesicles/nanoparticles.

About Organicell Regenerative Medicines, Inc.

Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc. (OTCQB:OCEL) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that harnesses the power of exosomes to develop innovative biological therapeutics for the treatment of degenerative diseases. The Company's proprietary products are derived from perinatal sources and manufactured to retain the naturally occurring exosomes, hyaluronic acid, and proteins without the addition or combination of any other substance or diluent. Based in South Florida, the company was founded by Albert Mitrani, Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Mari Mitrani, Chief Scientific Officer. To learn more, please visit https://organicell.com/ .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained in this press release should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "believes", "expects", "potential", or similar expressions, involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. We remind you that actual results could vary dramatically as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: potential issues related to our financial condition, competition, the ability to retain key personnel, product safety, efficacy and acceptance, the commercial success of any new products or technologies, success of clinical programs, ability to retain key customers, our inability to expand sales and distribution channels, legislation or regulations affecting our operations including product pricing, reimbursement or access, the ability to protect our patents and other intellectual property both domestically and internationally, and other known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the SEC and available on the SEC's website ( http://www.sec.gov ). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. Specific information included in this press release may change over time and may or may not be accurate after the date of the release. Organicell has no intention and specifically disclaims any duty to update the information in this press release.

Media Contact:

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua@CNAFinance.com

(503) 464-6502

PRESS RELEASE

SOURCE: Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/679982/Organicell-Regenerative-Medicine-Inc-Provides-Updates-of-Clinical-Trial-Activities
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - Endurance Gold Corporation (TSXV: EDG) (the "Company") is pleased to report further encouraging assay results from its 2021 diamond drilling program at the Reliance Gold Property (the "Property") in southern British Columbia. The road accessible property is located 4 kilometres ("km") east of the village of Gold Bridge, and 10 km north of the historic Bralorne-Pioneer Gold Mining Camp which has produced over 4 million ounces of gold.

Assay results have been received for three (3) additional diamond drill holes completed at the Eagle Zone. The maiden diamond drilling program at the Eagle Zone continues to report near-surface high-grade gold intervals that confirm the zone is open to expansion. Highlights include:

DDH21-006 intersected gold mineralization of 8.62 grams per tonne ("gpt") gold over 24.4 metres ("m") (est. true width) including 17.02 gpt gold over 4.3 m . The gold mineralized interval commenced at 25.6 m down hole.

(est. true width) including . The gold mineralized interval commenced at 25.6 m down hole. DDH21-005 intersected 2.39 gpt gold over of 14.8 m (est. true width). The gold mineralized interval commenced at 14.3 m down hole.

(est. true width). The gold mineralized interval commenced at 14.3 m down hole. DDH21-007 intersected two gold intervals, 2.67 gpt gold over 2.5 m and 2.08 gpt gold over 16.9 m which includes 6.28 gpt gold over 2.0 m and 5.28 gpt gold over 3.3 m. The gold mineralized intervals commenced at 30 m and 44.9 m down hole, respectively.

"We are pleased to see the Eagle Zone continue to deliver high-grade intervals over substantial widths as we expand the extent of this zone," commented Robert T. Boyd, CEO of Endurance Gold. "We have now delivered both RC and diamond drill gold intercepts that confirm a significant strike length at the Eagle Zone. We look forward to expanding that strike potential even further with pending results. With other high grade intersections, such as Imperial and Diplomat, our 2021 exploration program has already delivered a minimum 1.5 kilometre of exploration potential at the Reliance Property."

As announced on November 3, 2021, the Company completed twenty-two (22) drill holes at the Eagle and Imperial Zones. Assay results for the first four (4) of sixteen (16) holes completed at the Eagle Zone were reported on November 29, 2021 with intersections of 10.94 gpt gold over 5.4 m and 7.49 gpt gold over 9.0 m. Assay results for three (3) of six (6) holes drilled at the Imperial Zone were reported on December 9, 2021 with a highlight intersection of 8.47 gpt gold over 24.9 m including a higher grade core of 16.27 gpt gold over 10.5 m. The 2021 diamond drill results reported to date are summarized in Table 1 below. Assay results remain to be reported for an additional twelve (12) holes at Eagle and Imperial Zone with results expected to be reported through January and February 2022.

DDH21-006 was drilled east at minus 45 degrees to test the downdip and southeastern extension of the Eagle Zone and is the first entirely unoxidized Eagle Zone intersection. One of the sulphide-rich and silicified breccia intervals assayed 37.4 gpt gold over 1.3 m. The hole intersected the Eagle mineralized horizon approximately 25 m downdip from reverse circulation ("RC") drill hole RC21-040 (which returned 5.57 gpt gold over 22.86 m, including 9.87 gpt gold over 7.62 m), and extended the strike extent 25 m from hole RC21-039 (which returned 2.86 gpt gold over 21.34 m, including 7.51 gpt gold over 3.05 m). Both RC holes were previously reported on June 17, 2021 . The weighted average for these three drill holes in this area is 5.81 gpt gold over an estimated true width of 22.9 m.

DDH21-007 was drilled east at minus 70 degrees from the same setup as DDH21-006. The hole intersected the Eagle mineralized zone approximately 25 m downdip from the DDH21-006 intersection. The Eagle Zone is interpreted to be disrupted to the west by a wide melange zone related to the Royal Shear. These results indicate that the Eagle Zone continues to be open to expansion to the east and southeast. To the east, the up-dip extension of the Eagle Zone is interpreted to have been intersected in holes DDH21-018 and DDH 21-019, with assay results pending.

DDH21-005 was drilled east at minus 45 degrees with an approximate core recovery of 81% over this oxidized interval. This hole twinned an earlier RC drill hole, RC20-013, reported on February 18, 2021 which had 100% sample recovery and returned 3.53 gpt gold over 15.2 m starting at 10.7 m down hole depth.

The three reported holes are plotted on the Eagle drill plan attached as Figure 1 and the two relevant drill sections attached as Figure 2 and Figure 3. A photo of the DDH21-006 drill core intersection with the assay results is shown on Figure 4. A tabulation of assay results reported to date from the 2021 Reliance diamond drill program are summarized in Table 1.

Endurance Gold Corporation is a company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of highly prospective North American mineral properties with the potential to develop world-class deposits.

ENDURANCE GOLD CORPORATION

Robert T. Boyd

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Endurance Gold Corporation

(604) 682-2707, info@endurancegold.com

www.endurancegold.com

Diamond drill core was logged and evaluated on the Property and samples designated for collection under the supervision of a geologist at the property. Drilling was completed using a skid mounted Hydracore 2000 equipped with NQ size tools capable of collecting 4.76 cm diameter core. Diamond drill core was cut using a diamond drill saw with one half of the core sent for analysis and the remaining kept for future studies. Sample intervals were typically 2 metre core length and intervals were shortened for lithology or alteration changes. For drilled and sampled intervals of poor average core recovery, the complete core was sampled and sent to the laboratory for assay analysis. Reverse Circulation ("RC") samples were collected under the supervision of a geologist at the drilling rig. Drilling was completed using a 3.5 inch hammer bit and rock chip samples were collected using a cyclone. Sample size were reduced to 1/8th size with a riffle splitter at the drilling rig. A second duplicate split and coarse chips were collected for reference material and stored.. All RC chips and diamond drill core samples have been submitted to ALS Global in North Vancouver, BC, an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory, where they are crushed to 70% <2 mm then up to 250 gram pulverized to <75 microns. Samples are then submitted for four-acid digestion and analyzed for 48 element ICP-MS (ME-MS61) and gold 30g FA ICP-AES finish (AU-ICP21). Over limit samples returning greater than 10 ppm gold are re-analyzed by Au-GRA21 methodology and over limit antimony returning greater than 10,000 ppm Sb are re-analyzed by Sb-AA08 methodology. Endurance Gold monitors QA/QC by inserting blanks, certified standards and pulp duplicates into the sample stream.

The 2020 and 2021 work programs were supervised by Darren O'Brien, P.Geo., an independent consultant and qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. O'Brien has reviewed and approved this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain forward looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of factors beyond its control, and actual results may differ materially from the expected results.





Figure 1: Reliance Property, Eagle Zone - 2021 Drill Plan Map

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Figure 2: Reliance Property, Eagle Zone - Drill Section 5635735N (DDH21-006, 007)



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Figure 3: Reliance Property, Eagle Zone - Drill Section 5635768N (DDH21-005)

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Figure 4: Reliance Property, Eagle Zone - DDH21-006 Drill Intersection Photo

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Table 1: Reliance Property, Diamond Drill Assay Results to Date







Table 1: Reliance Property, Diamond Drill Assay Results to Date

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ATLANTA, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EverGrow Coin , a newly launched crypto on Binance Smart Chain, is rewriting DeFi tokenomics with its revolutionary smart contracts. After distributing $30 million in $BUSD as rewards, EverGrow recently passed the mark of 117,000 token holders. With a total supply of 1,000,000,000,000,000, EverGrow has already burned 52.25% of the total supply. According to Coinmarketcap , EverGrow was trading at $0.00000078 with a 24-hour trading volume of $1,684,308. EverGrow Coin holder earns an 8% reward through every transaction in $BUSD, which is sent automatically to the holder's wallet. The crypto is currently available to trade on the following exchanges:

PancakeSwap (V2)

BitMart

Coinsbit, Zt.com

Tokenomics of EverGrow

Every transaction between two ECG wallets is taxed at 14% including Buy/Sell transactions on decentralized exchanges like Pancakeswap. 8% of every buy/transfer/sell is distributed among the holders in $BUSD, which provides them with an additional opportunity of earning apart from capital gains. Furthermore, 2% of every transaction is used for strategic BuyBack & Burn, which ultimately means removing the purchased tokens permanently from the market circulation. Additionally, 1% of every transaction is transferred to the marketing wallet to fund marketing, utility & ecosystem development, and community development, which facilitates the growth and development of the platform.

Liquidity Pool

The Smart contract of EverGrow deposits 3% from every transaction as $EGC and $BNB in Pancakeswap liquidity pools and the deposited liquidity is locked for 1 year in certified lockers. It ensures all Buy & Sell transactions are executed with minimal slippage.

Anti-Whale Mechanism

The Anti-Whale Mechanism prevents price manipulations by blocking any single sell order worth more than 0.125% of the total supply of $EGC.

EverGrow Coin Roadmap includes platforms like Crator, a twitter-like social media where influencers can sell their premium content to their fans. Apart from Crator, NFT Marketplace and lending platforms are scheduled to be launched in Q1, 2022 followed by play-to-earn games and staking pools.

Company: EverGrow Coin

Email: contact@evergrowcoin.com

Website: https://evergrowcoin.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1717493/Evergrow_Coin_Logo.jpg
Furthermore, speaking about its joint venture with Trina Solar for the development of 15GW of ingot manufacturing and 15GW of wafer cutting projects, Tongwei said all work will be finished and put into production in H1 2022. PV prices are also seeing declines along the solar supply chain.Chinese PV company Risen announced on Monday plans to invest RMB44.65 billion (US$7 billion) in a capacity expansion of its entire supply chain from polysilicon to the execution of renewable energy power plants. The PV company signed an investment framework with the local government of Baotou City, Inner Mongolia ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the first closing of a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") by issuing a total of 3,666,666 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.30 per Unit for total gross proceeds of $1,010,000.

"On December 7th, 2021, the Company announced Prismo's intention to complete a private placement of up to $2 million. This remains our plan. Given the holiday season, we decided to proceed with two closings of $1 million. We expect the second closing of the private placement at the same terms and conditions to take place in the first half of January 2022," said Craig Gibson, President and CEO of the Company.

Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of C$0.45 for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering. The securities issued in the private placement are subject to a four-month hold period expiring on April 23, 2022.

As announced by the Company on December 13, 2021, Units were also offered to Prismo shareholders (the "Eligible Prismo Shareholders") of record as of the close of business on December 7, 2021 pursuant to the "Exemption from prospectus requirement for certain trades to existing security holders" of BC Instrument 45-534, and similar prospectus exemptions in other provinces of Canada. Subscriptions by Eligible Prismo Shareholders were subject to a number of conditions, including a limit of $15,000 unless such Eligible Prismo Shareholder had received advice regarding the suitability of an investment in the Units from a registered investment dealer.

The Company will use expected $2 million gross proceeds from the Units to complete a 4,000-meter drilling campaign on its Palos Verdes property (estimated at $1.0 million), conduct exploration on its Los Pavitos property with a view of identifying drilling targets (estimated at $400,000), the costs of the offering (estimated at $125,000 which includes payment of finders fees described below) and for general working capital.

An insider of the Company subscribed for 60,000 Units. As such, his participation constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Such participation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the Units acquired by the insider nor the consideration for the Units paid by such insider, exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing date of the Offering as details of the participation of such insider in the Offering was unknown at such time.

As a result of the closing of the private placement, there are now 21,228,723 common shares of the Company issued and outstanding. The private placement was carried out pursuant to prospectus exemptions of applicable securities laws and is subject to final acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange. In connection with the Closing, finder's fees equal to an aggregate amount of $43,050 in cash were paid, and 143,500 non-transferable finder's warrants were issued to arm's length third parties of the Company. Each finder's warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share of the Company for the price of $0.30 per common share for a period of two years following the closing.

About Prismo

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is junior mining company focused on precious metal exploration in Mexico.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Craig Gibson, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Prismo Metals Inc.

1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6

Contact Information:

Salvador Miranda, CFO

salvador.miranda@prismometals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OR DISTRIBUTION INTO THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: PEX) (OTCQB: PEXZF) ("Pacific Ridge" or the "Company") has agreed to amended payment terms to its agreement with BMC Minerals Ltd. ("BMC") for the option to purchase Pacific Ridge's Fyre Lake property, Yukon, as originally announced by the Company on December 28, 2016.

Previously, the final payment to Pacific Ridge of $1.0 million was due upon BMC obtaining production financing for its Kudz Ze Kayah project, but in any event no later than December 31, 2021. As renegotiated, BMC has paid $250,000 to Pacific Ridge and will pay $850,000 by December 31, 2022 or within 10 business days of BMC listing on an internationally recognized stock exchange, whichever comes first. BMC will continue to pay $75,000 to Pacific Ridge every six months until the final payment of $850,000 has been paid, with the next payment being due June 30, 2022. All other terms and conditions of the agreement remain the same, including the bonus payment of $1,000,000 that is due if and when BMC's Kudz Ze Kayah property has reached commercial production for one year.

About Pacific Ridge

Our goal is to become one of the leading copper-gold exploration companies in British Columbia. Pacific Ridge's flagship project is the Kliyul copper-gold project, located in the Quesnel Trough, approximately 50 km southeast of Centerra Gold Inc's Kemess mine. In addition to Kliyul, the Company's project portfolio includes the RDP copper-gold project and the Redton copper-gold project, both located in British Columbia. Pacific Ridge will continue to search for projects that offer discovery opportunity in our regions of expertise.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Blaine Monaghan"

Blaine Monaghan

President & CEO

Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.

Corporate Contact:

Blaine Monaghan

President & CEO

Tel: (604) 687-4951

www.pacificridgeexploration.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-ridge-exploration-ltd-pex-

https://twitter.com/PacRidge_PEX

Investor Contact:

G2 Consultants Corp.

Telephone: +1 778-678-9050

Email: ir@pacificridgeexploration.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The technical information contained within this News Release has been reviewed and approved by Gerald G. Carlson, Ph.D., P.Eng., Executive Chairman of Pacific Ridge and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 policy.

Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling and other activities and events or developments that Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. ("Pacific Ridge") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although Pacific Ridge believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions, that one of the options will be exercised, the ability of Pacific Ridge and other parties to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner, the availability of financing for Pacific Ridge's proposed programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Pacific Ridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108607
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - American CuMo Mining Corporation (TSXV: MLY) (OTC Pink: MLYCF) ("CuMoCo" or the "Company") announces that it is closing its oversubscribed private placement previously announced on December 7, 2022. Subscriptions were received for a total of 15,000,000 Units for proceeds of $750,000. The transaction closing requires TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant, with each warrant (a "Warrant") exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 60 months from the date of closing of the Private Placement (the "Expiry Date"), at a price of $0.075 per Warrant Share. If at any time prior to the Expiry Date, the Company's common shares trade at or above a price of $0.125 per share on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, the Company may, at its option, accelerate the Expiry Date by delivery of notice (the "Acceleration Notice") to the Holder and issuing a press release announcing such acceleration (the "Acceleration Press Release"), and, in such case, the Expiry Date shall be deemed to be the 20th day following the later of: (i) the date on which the Acceleration Notice is sent to the Holder, and (ii) the date of issuance of the Acceleration Press Release.

The following being insiders of the Company (as such term is defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")), have subscribed for a total of 350,000 units, as follows: Wayne Kettleson , director for 100,000 Units; John Moeller (Chairman, and a director of the Company) for 250,000 Units. The Company has relied upon the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 based on the fact that the fair market value of the related party participation in the CuMoCo Offering will not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization prior to the closing of the CuMoCo Offering. The Board of Directors approved the participation of insiders in the CuMoCo Offering with the individual insiders who are directors abstaining from voting on their participation.

The proceeds of the private placement will be used to make the final payment of Euros 235,000 under terms of the Bleiberg deal announced March 15, 2021 and for general corporate purposes.

Mr. Shaun M. Dykes, M.Sc. (Eng), P.Geo., President and CEO of the Company, is the designated qualified person for the CuMo and Bleiberg Projects and has prepared the technical information contained in this news release.

For further information, please contact:

American CuMo Mining Corporation

Shaun Dykes, President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (604) 689-7902

Email: info@cumoco.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this new release.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation including, but not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such the Company's ability to move its CuMo Project to feasibility and production, and to become one of the largest and lowest-cost molybdenum producers in the world as well as a significant producer of copper and silver. Forward-looking information is based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including the result of exploration activities, the ability of the Company to raise the financing for a feasibility study and to put the CuMo project into production, that no labor shortages or delays are experienced, that plant and equipment function as specified that the Court will not intervene with the Company's proposed exploration activities at the CuMo Project, and the ability of the Company to obtain all requisite permits and licenses to advance the CuMo Project and eventually bring it into production. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future prediction, projection or forecast expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of molybdenum, silver and copper; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents, including the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended September 30, 2021. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108600
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2021 / Trigon Metals Inc. (TSXV:TM) ("Trigon" or the "Company") today announces that it has appointed Paul Bozoki as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Bozoki is a Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business with over 25 years of accounting, tax and corporate finance experience working with development stage companies and has been involved with projects in Zimbabwe, Mali, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. From 2007 through September 2010, he was the Chief Financial Officer of CD Capital Partners, a privately held real estate development firm focused on developing mixed use retail and office real estate in Russia, Ukraine and Romania. Mr. Bozoki is experienced in matters of international taxation and foreign capital markets and began his career at Ernst & Young LLP where he spent six years auditing clients in mining and other industries in Canada, Australia and Hungary.

Paul Bozoki is a former CFO and CEO of Kombat Copper, having served as Company President and on its Board of Directors. Mr. Bozoki brings a wealth of financial and negotiating experience to the Company, which will greatly assist as the Kombat Mine moves forward to full production within the next year.

Jed Richardson, President, CEO and Director of Trigon Metals, commented: "The Board and Management of Trigon Metals are pleased to welcome Paul as our new CFO. Paul's track record of responsible financial management of junior companies, coupled with his extensive experience in project funding and M&A will play a key role in our continued progress toward becoming a full-scale copper producer and explorer in mine-friendly African jurisdictions."

Mr. Bozoki replaces Ms. Deborah Battiston, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The management and board of directors of the Company would like to thank Ms. Battiston for her past service and her continued support of the Company.

Trigon Metals Inc.

Trigon is a publicly traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core business focused on copper and silver holdings in mine-friendly African jurisdictions. Currently the company has operations in Namibia and Morocco. In Namibia, the Company holds an 80% interest in five mining licences in the Otavi Mountainlands, an area of Namibia widely recognized for its high-grade copper deposits, where the Company is focused on exploration and re-development of the previously producing Kombat mine. In Morocco, the Company is the holder of the Silver Hill project, a highly prospective copper and silver exploration project.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, contact:

Jed Richardson

+1 647 276 0002

jed.richardson@trigonmetals.com

Website: www.trigonmetals.com

Cautionary Notes

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the appointment of a new CFO and the Company's future plans and objectives. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

SOURCE: Trigon Metals, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/680024/Trigon-Metals-Announces-Appointment-of-Paul-Bozoki-as-Chief-Financial-Officer
The "Electric Aircraft Market Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Electric aircraft are powered by electricity via one or more electric motors which drive the propellers. In this type of aircraft, electricity is supplied via a variety of methods, the most common being batteries or solar cells. The electric aircraft industry is currently in the introduction stage of the industry life cycle and is expected to witness its growth stage during 2021-2030.

In the year 2020, the electric aircraft market witnessed a relatively negligible impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as the industry is still at the introduction stage. The electric aircraft market is likely to grow at a lucrative CAGR of 168% over the next five years to reach US$ 6.6 billion in 2026, owing to the ongoing efforts of governments and companies towards introducing Urban Air Mobility across countries/regions.

Based on the aircraft type, the electric aircraft market is segmented as ultralight aircraft and light aircraft. As of 2020, ultralight aircraft type was the only electric aircraft commercially available in the industry. It is projected to increase at a CAGR of more than 100% during 2020-2026, driven by increasing focus towards sustainable means of air travel.

Based on the technology type, the market is segmented as all-electric aircraft and hybrid aircraft. All-electric aircraft is expected to remain the dominant technology type in the market during the forecast period. A higher focus towards developing 100% emission-free and noise-free air mobility is the primary driver for the higher growth and adoption of all-electric aircraft as compared to hybrid aircraft.

Based on the range type, the electric aircraft market is segmented as less than 500 km and more than 500 km range. Less than 500 km range holds the major share of the electric aircraft market and is expected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period. Currently, all-electric aircraft are operating at less than 500 Km range with limited battery storage capacity and energy density.

In terms of regions, Asia-Pacific accounted for a majority of the share, primarily driven by EHang's AAV sales in China. Europe was another major market driven by Pipistrel electric aircraft sales in France, the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland. North America is expected to expand at the highest rate, driven by a strong roadmap for establishing UAM networks across different cities.

Key Players

Guangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd

Pipistrel Aircraft

Joby Aviation

Archer Aviation

Lilium GmbH

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Electric Aircraft Market Overview and Segmentation

2.1. Market Classification

2.1.1. By Aircraft Type

2.1.2. By Technology Type

2.1.3. By Range Type

2.1.4. By Region

2.2. Supply Chain Analysis

2.3. Industry Life Cycle Analysis

2.4. PEST Analysis

2.5. SWOT Analysis

3. Electric Aircraft Market The COVID-19 Impact Assessment

3.1. Electric Aircraft Market Trend and Forecast (US$ Million)

3.2. Electric Aircraft Market Growth Forecast

3.3. Market Scenario Analysis: Pessimistic, Most Likely, and Optimistic

3.4. Regional Analysis (US$ Million)

3.5. Market Drivers

3.6. Market Challenges

3.7. Expert Opinion

4. Competitive Analysis

4.1. Geographical Presence of Major Players

4.2. Leading Players in the Market

4.3. Market Share Analysis

4.4. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.4.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.4.2. Bargaining Power of Customers

4.4.3. Threat of New Entrants

4.4.4. Threat of Substitutes

4.4.5. Competitive Rivalry

5. Electric Aircraft Market Trend and Forecast by Aircraft Type (2015-2026)

5.1. Segment's Analysis

5.2. Ultralight Aircraft: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million)

5.3. Light Aircraft: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million)

6. Electric Aircraft Market Trend and Forecast by Technology Type (2015-2026)

6.1. Segment's Analysis

6.2. All-Electric Aircraft: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million)

6.3. Hybrid Aircraft: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million)

7. Electric Aircraft Market Trend and Forecast by Range Type (2015-2026)

7.1. Segment's Analysis

7.2. Less Than 500 Km: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million)

7.3. More Than 500 Km: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million)

8. Electric Aircraft Market Trend and Forecast by Region (2015-2026)

8.1. Region's Analysis

8.2. North American Electric Aircraft Market Trend and Forecast by Country (US$ Million)

8.3. European Electric Aircraft Market Trend and Forecast by Country (US$ Million)

8.4. Asia-Pacific's Electric Aircraft Market Trend and Forecast by Country (US$ Million)

8.5. Rest of World's Electric Aircraft Market Trend and Forecast by Sub-Region (US$ Million)

9. Strategic Growth Opportunities

9.1. Summary

9.2. Market Attractiveness by Region

9.3. Market Attractiveness by Country

9.4. Emerging Trends

9.5. Growth Matrix Analysis

9.6. Key Success Factors

10. Company Profile of Key Players

10.1. Archer Aviation

10.2. Guangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd

10.3. Joby Aviation

10.4. Lilium GmbH

10.5. Pipistrel Aircraft

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1p61k8

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211229005298/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Stockholm, Sweden--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - Mercobank, one of the world's leading digital banks, has announced the company's plans to enter the non-fungible token (NFT) market, while also taking a step into the future to determine how the banking sector will adopt the Metaverse. NFTs are tokens that can be used to claim or represent ownership in digital items. While DeFi and NFTs present "the most innovation" in the crypto space right now, it is not yet adopted by many companies.

No doubt the world has witnessed significant developments in all aspects of our lives; the results have continued to generate new transformations in different sectors around the globe most especially the banking sector.

Many of the transformations and developments have historically happened in the digital transformation landscape. With the growing interest in Blockchain and cryptocurrency, the issue of creating a digital presence and a digital asset has gained major importance for both individuals and businesses.

With the emergence of new innovative technologies "Metaverse" and its platforms, the demand for non-face-to-face environments will certainly be on the rise. Mercobank, being an innovative bank, has begun putting strategies to develop virtual environments to enable its customers to access banking services online like the real world.

Speaking at a virtual media roundtable on Dec. 15, Mercobank CEO Ramon Vicente de Vera said that the bank has a "Keen Interest" in digital art. "We as innovative banks are always interested in moving with the transformative changes in the digital space, NFTs' and Metaverse will rapidly dominate the digital space and most top companies have started jumping on the NFT train."

"The Bank is currently working alongside a top company that is not affiliated with the government to pilot its digital asset custody service. So far the bank has evolved very well in the digital space amidst the challenges that came as a result of the pandemic. The company will be diving into the Metaverse trend because it will definitely change the way we live, the way we travel, the way we interact with one another," and that the financial sector, too, would be forever changed," he concluded.

Metaverse will flourish in the future?

The hype surrounding Metaverse is already making waves in the digital space. In the Metaverse world, cryptocurrency and digital art, namely non-fungible tokens (NFT), are commonplace. So many experts are already making predictions of what it would look like to shop in the Meta universe. While the Metaverse technology still remains on the lips of tech fans, gaming platforms, and social media, the Mercobank team is currently busy looking for new ways to make money and the possibility of selling NFTs in the future.

Metaverse has been tipped to grow in importance as a digital financial platform for banking and financial transactions, as well as personal and business interactions. In order to make this new environment as immersive and realistic as possible, managing finances and transactions effectively will be critical.

One differentiating factor for Mercobank is its ability to manage financial transactions similar to real life. In this virtual world, anyone can buy and sell houses, products, clothing, land, and avatars just like in the real world.

About Mercobank

Mercobank is the perfect symbiosis of Technology, Blockchain, and Banking. The company is a leading digital bank with a mission to redefine finance for the new economy. The bank is building a pioneering technological bridge between the digital and traditional asset worlds.

The company orchestrates the entire account management process for our clients, while also providing excellent banking and investment solutions for clients. The company also provides the following services Long-Term Investment Time Horizon, Transparent and Open Research Ecosystem, Sole Focus on Disruptive Innovation, Experienced Investment Leadership and Real-time spending overview, Simple & Convenient, A Better Way to Save, Finance Planning, Stake and Share in One Account, Store Crypto-Currency Value, The Simplest Way to Invest in Crypto, Loans And Crypto Lending, Affiliates and partnerships, Agro Investments, and Investing in Real Estate

Media Contact

Merco Bank

connect@mercobank.com

https://mercobank.com/

Stockholm, Sweden

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108623
NOXXON Pharma N.V. (Euronext Growth Paris: ALNOX) (Paris:ALNOX), a biotechnology company focused on improving cancer treatments by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), announced today an expansion of the agreement with Atlas Special Opportunities, LLC (ASO) for the additional provision of up to 17 million in equity-linked securities. Additionally, today, NOXXON issued 2,419 convertible bonds (including 44 convertible bonds issued in relation to the transaction fee) for a total of 2.419 million nominal value.

"This capital increase further strengthens NOXXON's financial visibility and allows us to focus on achieving key operational goals including completion of the ongoing NOX-A12 GLORIA brain cancer Phase 1/2, advancement of the GLORIA expansion arms testing additional combinations and the launch of two new studies: a pivotal Phase 2/3 in glioblastoma and a Phase 2 in pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, the expanded capital facility, if fully utilized, provides financing capacity sufficient to fund operations for virtually all of 2022, according to the current business plan," said Bryan Jennings, CFO of NOXXON

The flexible convertible bond agreement with ASO, initially disclosed on April 23, 2020, and amended on October 14, 2020, has now been further amended to expand its capacity. A total of 17 additional tranches of 1 million nominal value each shall be added to the convertible bond facility upon drawdown by NOXXON of the nominal amount currently available. The total remaining nominal capacity of the vehicle before this expansion and today's issuance stands at 10.45 million. Availability under the amended facility, including the 17 million expansion, is 27.5 million prior to today's issuance.

The full characteristics, terms and conditions of the financing may be found in the April 23, and October 14, 2020 press releases pertaining to the agreement and the dilutive potential of this latest amendment in the Annex to this press release. NOXXON maintains an updated summary table of issued convertible bonds in the Investors' section of its website.

About NOXXON

NOXXON's oncology-focused pipeline acts on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the cancer immunity cycle by breaking the tumor protection barrier and blocking tumor repair. By neutralizing chemokines in the TME, NOXXON's approach works in combination with other forms of treatment to weaken tumor defenses against the immune system and enable greater therapeutic impact. NOXXON's lead program NOX-A12 has delivered final top-line data from a Keytruda combination trial in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer patients published at the ESMO conference in September 2020 and in July 2021 the company announced its Phase 2 study, OPTIMUS, to further evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in combination with Merck's Keytruda and two different chemotherapy regimens as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. NOXXON is also studying NOX-A12 in brain cancer in combination with radiotherapy which has been granted orphan drug status in the US and EU for the treatment of certain brain cancers. GLORIA, a trial of NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy in newly diagnosed brain cancer patients who will not benefit clinically from standard chemotherapy has delivered interim data from the first two cohorts showing consistent tumor reductions and objective tumor responses. The company's second clinical-stage asset NOX-E36 is a Phase 2 TME asset targeting the innate immune system. NOXXON plans to test NOX-E36 in patients with solid tumors. Further information can be found at: www.noxxon.com.

Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp Dohme Corp.

Visit NOXXON on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the GLORIA Study

GLORIA (NCT04121455) is NOXXON's dose-escalation, phase 1/2 study of NOX-A12 in combination with irradiation in first-line glioblastoma (brain cancer) patients with unmethylated MGMT promoter (resistant to standard chemotherapy).

About the OPTIMUS Study

OPTIMUS (NCT04901741) is NOXXON's open-label two-arm phase 2 study of NOX-A12 combined with pembrolizumab and nanoliposomal irinotecan/5-FU/leucovorin or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in microsatellite-stable metastatic pancreatic cancer patients.

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this communication contain formulations or terms referring to the future or future developments, as well as negations of such formulations or terms, or similar terminology. These are described as forward-looking statements. In addition, all information in this communication regarding planned or future results of business segments, financial indicators, developments of the financial situation or other financial or statistical data contains such forward-looking statements. The company cautions prospective investors not to rely on such forward-looking statements as certain prognoses of actual future events and developments. The company is neither responsible nor liable for updating such information, which only represents the state of affairs on the day of publication.

ANNEX

Table: Dilutive Potential of Convertible Bond Vehicle assuming conversion price of 0.27 per share Description Price per

share

paid No. Bonds

Converted Shares

Received Nominal Value

Converted to

Shares* Dilution Shareholder

starting with 1%

would then hold ** Middle Tranche existing vehicle 0.27 475 1,759,259 475,000 2.30% 0.98% New Tranche of EUR 1 million 0.27 1,000 3,703,703 1,000,000 4.73% 0.95% All 17 New Tranches 0.27 17,000 62,962,962 17,000,000 45.77% 0.54% Conversion of all

remaining uncalled

tranches and 17 New

Tranches 0.27 27,450 101,666,666 27,450,000 57.68% 0.42% Rounded up for simplicity of presentation for amounts not used due to fractional shares.

** The percentages shown each take into consideration only the dilutive effect of the transaction(s) specified in the Description column of the same row; these percentages are not cumulative with above rows.

1 Press release issued on December 29, 2021 incorrectly calculated and overstated the dilutive potential of the convertible bond vehicle included in the annex.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220103005296/en/

Contacts:

For more information, please contact:

NOXXON Pharma N.V.

Aram Mangasarian, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer

Tel. +49 (0) 30 726247 0

amangasarian@noxxon.com

Investor and Media Relations:

LifeSci Advisors

Guillaume van Renterghem

Tel. +41 (0) 76 735 01 31

gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com

NewCap

Arthur Rouille

Tel. +33 (0) 1 44 71 00 15

arouille@newcap.fr
BREA, Calif., Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solutions, leveraged its audiovisual expertise for an event held by the Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens in Turkey. By creating an outdoor theatre to play independent Taiwanese movies, the event fostered cultural exchange and learning.

The Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens is located in Turkey's Hatay province, which shares a border with Syria. This region has seen significant inflows of displaced people over the last decade. Funded by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in cooperation with the Municipality of Reyhanli, the Centre was established to provide education, training, and sociocultural exchange for Syrians and locals. It boasts 52 multipurpose rooms that serve a wide range of functions, including offices, classrooms, shops, coffee shops, and artists' workshops.

The event, which was entitled "Taiwan Films Illuminate the Border Between Turkey and Syria", sponsored by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, started at the Centre on November 13th for five consecutive weeks. The event showed a diverse selection of Taiwanese films three nights per week. Over the course of the event, audiences were transported to Taiwan to experience stories about the local indigenous culture, familial relationships, environmental conservation, and more.

"We established the Centre to be a place of empowerment and education - somewhere people could have opportunities to learn, to expand their understanding of the world, and to have fun while they do it," said Dr. Chen-Yu Chiu, Founding Director and Principal Architect of the Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens. "This event is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to get away from the daily grind and learn about Taiwanese culture through film - something they may not have had exposure to in the past. But more importantly, through these films exploring everything from youth to the environment, to family ties, there is a chance to reflect on some of the common themes that bind us all."

The films from Taiwan were projected outdoors on a 3 x 6 meter screen. For this demanding task, ViewSonic provided its commercial grade, high brightness LS850WU laser projectors, ensuring cinema grade projection in a semi-lit environment. Through this approach, the audiences were able to enjoy these films through rich visuals that truly bring Taiwanese culture to life. The projections allowed attendees to learn from and immerse themselves in another part of the world.

"It's a pleasure to work with the Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens to support this valuable cultural exchange initiative," said Dean Tsai, Dean Tsai, General Manager of Projector & LED Display Business Unit at ViewSonic. "We're committed to promoting education and helping people through our solutions. With the spirit of humane care, we are more than happy to assist Mr. Cho achieve his goals, help people get back to normal life, and inspire the world to see the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary."

Mehmet Hacioglu, Mayor of Reyhanli, said, "The Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens has already become an important resource for providing skills and training, and we're excited now to be opening up opportunities for exposure to diverse art and culture. I look forward to the Centre providing more exciting cultural experiences like this in the future."

About "Taiwan Films Illuminate the Border between Turkey and Syria"

Location: Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens, Hatay Province, Turkey

Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens, Hatay Province, About the Films

Hang in There, Kids!

Three village boys discover their teacher's musical audition tape, only to decide to take it to the city in hopes of finding someone to recognize her true talent. Official Selection of Taiwan for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film consideration. Nominated for 3 Golden Horse Awards (Best New Performer, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Song).

Long Time No Sea

A pair of new shoes, a cross-sea competition, and a tribesman of oceans interweave a story of a child's emotional courage in pursuit of dreams. Special Jury Prize, Seattle IFF; Best Young Actor, Minsk IFF; Best New Performer, Golden Horse Awards.

To My Dear Granny

A man looks back at his life by examining his relationship with his grandmother. Through this approach, the movie tells the story of how his grandmother supported his family and inspired people to treasure their own families. The Opening Film of the 2012 Golden Horse Film Festival. Nominated for 2 Golden Horse Awards (Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay).

Black Bear Forest

Dafen, the heart of Yushan National Park, is a place abundant in wildlife and indigenous culture. With the assistance of an indigenous hunter, a female ecologist started her journey searching for Formosan Black Bears in 1998. In the midst of this wilderness, they gradually developed a deep and sincere companionship. With deep research, the secret of the Taiwan Black Bear is revealed.

Wawa No Cidal

Panay worked in the city as a journalist. One day, she found her tribe had been overdeveloped and changed by tourism. They were losing their land and their culture, so she decided to return home to help. In this process, she found it's not only about the land, but also about who she really is.

About the Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens

Since 2016, Dr. Chen-Yu Chiu, Founding Director and Principal Architect of the Taiwan - Reyhanli Center for World Citizens, has worked voluntarily to establish a cooperative community that looks beyond one's nationality. It will allow every person to become better and more equal at Reyhanli. The 52 unit space at the Taiwan - Reyhanli Center for World Citizens is planned to feature offices, classrooms, shops, cafes, art studios, showrooms, children play areas, and mosques. Also, a cultural and creative design center and a factory for promoting local traditional handicrafts will be constructed. It will create a series of unique products with border cultural elements to provide a source of income for Turkish citizens and Syrian refugees.

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, digital signage, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 30 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1717144/Image_1_Scenario_Photo__Provided_by_Taiwan___Reyhanli_Centre.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1587181/Logo.jpg
Capelle aan den IJssel, the Netherlands, 29 December 2021 - GeoJunxion's (GOJXN.AS) Supervisory and Management Boards acknowledge to have received and analyzed the non-solicited bid on Company's shares from Nederlandse Paarden Registratie Maatschappij N.V. (NPRM N.V.).

Our analysis is based on limited details received or made available so far by NPRM N.V.:

The bid is indicative and non-binding and has the intent to acquire a minimum of 55% of the outstanding shares.

It is the bidder's intention not to pay in cash, but to pay in shares of NPRM N.V. at an exchange rate of 4 GeoJunxion shares per 1 NPRM share. Per 22 December 2021 this corresponded to a value of 1,25 for a GeoJunxion share. The NPRM share price per 28 December was 4,80. This means that the value offered per GeoJunxion share has decreased to 1,20 and is subject to further fluctuations (up or down) based on the NPRM share price on nxchange.

The most recent available financial information on NPRM N.V. is the 2020 Annual Accounts related to the accounting year ending on 31 December 2020. This provides no insights into the company's current financial position and recent operating results.

The GeoJunxion Boards believe that the offer shows limited premium to the current GeoJunxion's share price, in particular considering the recent growth and improved results realized by the company as published in the 2020-2021 annual accounts (released per 21 October 2021) and in the quarterly updates (latest released per 11 November 2021). Additionally, being an offer in shares and not in cash, it triggers the need to receive and study additional details about NPRM's business, financial position, and tradability of its shares.

The GeoJunxion Boards are looking forward to receiving additional, more exhaustive details about NPRM's financial position and business plans. Currently, the Boards consider the offer to be too low and not representing the real value of the Company, its current business and near-term outlook.

Ends

About GeoJunxion

GeoJunxion is the crossroads where fundamental, location-aware content connects with superior, customised intelligence and highly focused innovations to empower exceptional experiences. With an emphasis on safety and sustainability, we are constantly expanding our portfolio to meet the demands of a diverse and fast-evolving market. Building on decades of experience in mapping, the company focuses on high value, dynamic content and building environmentally conscious applications, which enrich safety in everyday life. With location-aware content at our core, we know where our strengths lie and have the know-how and technology needed to offer unrivalled, intelligent products and services.

GeoJunxion NV is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam, under the symbol GOJXN.AS.

GeoJunxion Press Contact

Tel: +31 (0)10 885 1200

Email: info@geojunxion.com
? Developed economies registered a threefold increase in FDIs in 1H21, reaching a total of $424 billion - The UAE is one of the world's top 20 economies, in terms of FDI - AIM 2022's FDI Pillar aims to explore pivotal themes, including mainstreaming ESG investments, GVCs Optimisation, IPAs as a favourable business environment, importance of SEZs, amongst other relevant topics

DUBAI, Arab Emirates, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eyeing the augmentation of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) flows worldwide, The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) - an initiative by the UAE's Ministry of Economy - expressed its keenness on continuing to create numerous investment opportunities and innovative economic and business strategies, whilst fully supporting the ensuing macro recovery and subsequent changes to the global economy.

AIM 29-31 March 2022 - global context and focus themes

The AIM's next edition - to be held from 29 to 31 March 2022, with the theme of "Investments in Sustainable Innovation for a Thriving Future" - will focus mainly on endorsing and boosting investments towards sustainability and innovation through key activities under the FDI Pillar.

Thanks to rising investors' confidence, FDI flows have rebounded, globally, in 1H21, as per the latest United Nations (UN) report. Developed economies' FDIs increased more than threefold in the first half of this year, hitting $424 billion. Contrary to previous forecasts, global FDI prospects for the full year have improved, the UNCTAD report indicated. This has also been evident in FDIs into East and Southeast Asian countries, which saw a rise of 25%.

The UAE is one of the world's top 20 economies, in terms of FDI, indicating the country's strong economic performance. In response to the pandemic, it was one of the first countries in the world to launch stimulus packages and initiatives to provide the necessary support to the economy's various sectors and adapt to pandemic-related challenges. The country's resilience and relentless pursuit of successful economic transformation and sustainability are clearly manifested in the high global rankings it has achieved.

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the UAE, said:

"With the world's greatest show, Expo 2020 Dubai, we are now looking forward to collaborating with other organizations and partnering with the best ideas in the world to shape the future. To achieve our goal of attracting foreign direct investment, we offer a number of incentives to investors, such as zero personal income tax, 100% foreign ownership, and a 10-year golden visa. Currently, the UAE is ranked 11th in the world for Ease of Doing Business and first in the region. Together, we will make the UAE the best investment destination in the world."

AIM 2022 activities are designed to boost investment opportunities extensively in various sectors. Participants can explore lucrative investment prospects and ideas under the FDI Pillar as global markets offer new investment opportunities to spur economic growth.

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi added that:

"For the past 10 years, the Annual Investment Meeting has played a crucial role in bringing in foreign investment to the UAE. Our focus is now on enhancing UAE's international reputation as an investment hub and mobilizing concrete investments, along with bringing in solutions for sustainable economic growth. I believe the next edition of the Annual Investment Meeting will bring positive economic change achieving new milestones in the FDI world."

AIM 2022 will recognize the best Investment Promotion Agencies across the globe through the AIM Awards, giving tribute to the best FDI projects in regions that have contributed significantly to their markets' growth and expansion.

AIM's FDI Pillar will present and discuss key topics. These include:

"Less than a decade away from SDGs 2030, where are we now, in terms of sustainable investments ?" will explore the concerns and action plans to foster inclusive economic development and resilient societies.

?" will explore the concerns and action plans to foster inclusive economic development and resilient societies. "How FDIs must drive change towards mainstreaming ESG investments": Experts from global investment agencies will provide their insights and engage in thought-provoking discussions.

investments": Experts from global investment agencies will provide their insights and engage in thought-provoking discussions. " Global Value Chains (GVCs) Optimisation " is also especially relevant, as developed and emerging economies are urged to reposition and optimize their supply chain systems, not only in terms of cost-effectiveness but, more importantly, from the perspective of logistical expertise and long-term regional stability. As GVCs are revisited, redesigned and transformed, this will be reflected in investors' preferences, in addition to all the complementary initiatives that are implemented by regulatory authorities.

" is also especially relevant, as developed and emerging economies are urged to reposition and optimize their supply chain systems, not only in terms of cost-effectiveness but, more importantly, from the perspective of logistical expertise and long-term regional stability. As GVCs are revisited, redesigned and transformed, this will be reflected in investors' preferences, in addition to all the complementary initiatives that are implemented by regulatory authorities. Establishing a digital competitive investment infrastructure has now become mandatory for positioning Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) as favourable business environments, which was evident in the global economic recovery pattern. This issue will be explored in the session "Accommodating Virtual FDIs: No Longer a Far-Fetched Concept, but a Requisite."

(IPAs) as favourable business environments, which was evident in the global economic recovery pattern. This issue will be explored in the session "Accommodating Virtual FDIs: No Longer a Far-Fetched Concept, but a Requisite." According to UNCTAD, only half of the IPAs worldwide acknowledge the impact of FDI attraction in their country zones. The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) session, "Walking the Talk Beyond Fiscal Incentives," will discuss the rationality of establishing SEZs: what makes them mutually prosperous and sustainable in today's business context; and how to best strategize their development through constructive partnerships.

session, "Walking the Talk Beyond Fiscal Incentives," will discuss the rationality of establishing SEZs: what makes them mutually prosperous and sustainable in today's business context; and how to best strategize their development through constructive partnerships. When selecting an FDI location, countries with higher-skilled and better-educated workforces tend to attract more greenfield FDI projects (UNCTAD, WIF). In the wake of workforce flexibility, countries are increasingly promoting diverse and digitally adept talent pools to leverage FDIs. The session "Seizing the Opportunity to Attract & Retain the Talent Pool" will present an opportunity where policymakers and employers will gather to tackle the issue of the remotely functional and resilient workforce in today's fragmented global economy.

tend to attract more greenfield FDI projects (UNCTAD, WIF). In the wake of workforce flexibility, countries are increasingly promoting diverse and digitally adept talent pools to leverage FDIs. The session "Seizing the Opportunity to Attract & Retain the Talent Pool" will present an opportunity where policymakers and employers will gather to tackle the issue of the remotely functional and resilient workforce in today's fragmented global economy. Focused on three regional topics that examine the economic landscapes of Africa, Asia and Latin America, Day 3 of the FDI Pillar's activities will explore the regions' risks, challenges and opportunities for growth that call for increased regional cooperation.

Mr. Dawood Al Shezawi, President of the AIM's Organising Committee, stated that:

"Since the global pandemic, the Annual Investment Meeting has undertaken several innovative and technologically driven initiatives to transform the economy towards an upward direction. The platform has continued to drive investments through smart solutions. It has also pushed for the development of several projects that add value to investors and the economy in general. AIM recognises the UAE's continued success and will serve as an instrument to further establish future economic developments and boost FDI flows worldwide."

The Annual Investment Meeting continues to gain support from several ministries and government departments, Special Economic Zones (SEZ), smart city solution providers, venture capitalists, angel investors and several financial institutions to provide SMEs and start-ups with an abundance of opportunities. Apart from AIM's FDI Pillar, the Annual Investment Meeting consists of five more pillars: i) the 50 Initiatives Pillar; ii) The Small Medium Enterprises (SME's) Pillar; iii) The Future Cities Pillar; iv) The Start-ups Pillar; and v) the FPI Pillar.

For more information on AIM 2022, please visit www.aimcongress.com.

About the Annual Investment Meeting

Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) is the world's leading platform for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), aimed at facilitating strategic networking and promoting investments. It is the largest gathering of the international investment community, policymakers, business leaders, regional and international investors, entrepreneurs, leading academics and experts showcasing up-to-date information and strategies on attracting FDI.

It convenes key decision-makers from around the world, bringing together businesses and countries willing to engage in sustainable partnerships with investors. It offers a variety of features aimed at facilitating strategic networking and promoting investments while providing a worthwhile learning experience.

For press inquiries, please contact Angie.Mahran@aimcongress.com.

Related Images











Image 1: Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi





Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention at Ministry Of Economy, UAE









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - Aardvark Capital Corp. (TSXV: ACCA.P) (the "Company") and 2766604 Ontario Ltd. ("GoldCo") are pleased to announce that GoldCo has closed its previously announced private placement of subscription receipts of GoldCo (the "Subscription Receipts"), consisting of the issuance of an aggregate of 7,457,514 Subscription Receipts at a price of C$2.10 per Subscription Receipt (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$15,660,779.40 (the "Offering"). The Offering was comprised of a brokered and non-brokered component, with the brokered portion completed in accordance with, among other things, the terms of an agency agreement dated December 29, 2021 (the "Agency Agreement") among the Company, GoldCo, Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood") as sole bookrunner and co-lead agent with Canaccord Genuity Corp., together with Cormark Securities Inc. and Sprott Capital Partners LP (collectively, the "Agents"). The Offering was completed in connection with the previously-announced arm's length Qualifying Transaction (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) (the "Qualifying Transaction") proposed to be completed by the Company and GoldCo, further details of which may be found in the prior news releases of the Company, including the most recent news release of the Company dated December 24, 2021.

The Subscription Receipts were created and issued pursuant to the terms of a subscription receipt agreement dated December 29, 2021 (the "Subscription Receipt Agreement") among GoldCo, Haywood, on behalf of the Agents, and TSX Trust Company (the "Subscription Receipt Agent"), as subscription receipt agent. Each Subscription Receipt will be deemed to be automatically converted, without payment of additional consideration or further action by the holder thereof, into one common share in the capital of GoldCo (each, a "GoldCo Share"), subject to adjustment in certain events, immediately before the closing of the Qualifying Transaction upon the satisfaction and/or waiver of certain escrow release conditions (the "Escrow Release Conditions") specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement at or before April 28, 2022 (the "Escrow Release Deadline"). Upon completion of the Qualifying Transaction, each GoldCo Share will be immediately exchanged for one common share of the Company (after giving effect to the Company's proposed 5 to 1 share consolidation), as the issuer resulting from the completion of the Qualifying Transaction (the "Resulting Issuer"), for no additional consideration and without any further action by the holders thereof, as more particularly described in the news releases of the Company dated December 24, 2021. The Company and GoldCo are currently aiming to close the Qualifying Transaction in calendar Q1, 2022, subject to the timely satisfaction of a number of customary closing conditions (including, receipt of the conditional approval of the TSXV), all as more particularly described in the news releases of the Company dated December 24, 2021.

In consideration for their services in connection with the brokered portion of the Offering, GoldCo paidto the Agents a cash fee (the "Agent's Fee") equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts. As additional consideration for the services of the Agents, GoldCo also issued to the Agents compensation options of GoldCo (the "Compensation Options") equal to 6.0% of the number of Subscription Receipts sold in the Offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agent's Fee and the number of Compensation Options were reduced to (i) 2.0%, on proceeds of an aggregate amount of approximately C$2.5 million from purchasers directly arranged by GoldCo through a president's list, and (ii) nil for purchases by directors, officers and employees of GoldCo and certain strategic advisors to GoldCo and their affiliates. Additionally as consideration for the advisory services rendered by the Agents in connection with the Qualifying Transaction, Goldco paid to the Agents a cash advisory fee equal to $140,000 plus applicable taxes (the "Advisory Fee"); and (ii) issued to the Agents an additional 75,000 Compensation Options.

On closing of the Offering, 50% of the Agent's Fee and 50% of the Advisory Fee was paid to the Agents, with the remaining 50% of the Agent's Fee and 50% of the Advisory Fee deposited in escrow with the Subscription Receipt Agent. Each Compensation Option will, upon completion of the Qualifying Transaction, be automatically exchanged for one compensation option of the Resulting Issuer (the "Resulting Compensation Options"), with each Resulting Compensation Option exercisable to acquire one common share of the Resulting Issuer, at a price of C$2.10 per Resulting Issuer share for a period of 24 months following the date of closing of the Qualifying Transaction.

Upon closing of the Offering, the gross proceeds of the Offering, less 50% of the Agent's Fee, 50% of the Advisory Fee and the Agents' estimated expenses, were deposited in escrow with the Subscription Receipt Agent pending satisfaction and/or waiver of the Escrow Release Conditions in accordance with the provisions of the Subscription Receipt Agreement. Unless the requisite approval is obtained pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement, if the Escrow Release Conditions are not satisfied and/or waived on or before the Escrow Release Deadline, each of the then issued and outstanding Subscription Receipts will be cancelled and the Subscription Receipt Agent will return to each holder of Subscription Receipts an amount equal to the aggregate Issue Price of the Subscription Receipts held by such holder plus an amount equal to the holder's pro rata share of any interest or other income earned on the escrowed funds (less applicable withholding tax, if any).

The proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used to fund (i) the exploration and other expenses relating to the FAD Property (as defined below), (ii) the expenses of the Qualifying Transaction and the Offering, and (iii) the working capital requirements of the Resulting Issuer.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States or in any other jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold in the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom.

About GoldCo

GoldCo is a private company incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement, GoldCo, through Golden Hill, has the option to acquire a 100% interest in the "FAD Property" (the "FAD Property") located on the Eureka-Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, USA. The FAD Property is host to the high-grade poly-metallic FAD Deposit that was partially delineated with surface and underground drilling in the 1940s and 1950s. Other than as disclosed in the news release of the Company of November 8, 2021, there has been no modern-day exploration or drilling completed on the FAD Property since the 1950s.

The FAD Property is located less than 3 miles from Eureka, Nevada and has established infrastructure, including a shaft, roads and old buildings.

About Aardvark Capital Corp.

The Company is a capital pool company (within the meaning of the Policy) incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on January 29, 2021. It is a reporting issuer in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with its registered and head office located in Toronto, Ontario. The Company has no commercial operations and no assets other than cash.

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Qualifying Transaction (including, without limitation, the anticipated timing of the completion thereof, the use of proceeds, and the satisfaction and/or waiver of the Escrow Release Conditions). Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Parties, including expectations and assumptions concerning (i) the Company, GoldCo, the Resulting Issuer, and the Qualifying Transaction, and (ii) the timely receipt of all required shareholder, court and regulatory approvals (as applicable), including the approval of the TSXV. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Parties. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the respective management of the Company and GoldCo at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, neither the Company nor GoldCo undertakes any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Further Information

All information contained in this news release with respect to the Company and GoldCo was supplied by the respective party for inclusion herein, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party. For certainty, all information in this release with respect to the FAD Property and the Offering was supplied by GoldCo for inclusion herein, and the Company and its directors and officers have relied on GoldCo for any information related thereto.

For further information please contact:

Aardvark Capital Corp.

Zachary Goldenberg

C.E.O, and Director

Telephone: 647-987-5083

Email: zach@libertyvp.co

2766604 Ontario Ltd.

Christina McCarthy

President, CEO, Director

Telephone: 416-712-6151

Email: Christina.mccarthy10@gmail.com



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108632


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Elon Musk has revealed that he also thinks that cryptocurrency expert Nick Szabo might be Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of digital currency Bitcoin.



During a podcast with artificial-intelligence researcher Lex Fridman, Musk was asked to guess who Nakamoto might really be.



'You can look at the evolution of ideas before the launch of Bitcoin and see who wrote about those ideas,' Musk told.



'It seems as though Nick Szabo is probably, more than anyone else, responsible for the evolution of those ideas,' he said. 'He claims not to be Nakamoto, but I'm not sure that's neither here nor there. But he seems to be the one more responsible for the ideas behind bitcoin than anyone else.'



Bitcoin was first proposed in October 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto, a pseudonym, which people believe could be a single person or several.



Nick Szabo graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in computer science. He later received a law degree from George Washington University Law School.



In 2014, a team of linguistic researchers studied Nakamoto's bitcoin whitepaper alongside the writing of Szabo and 10 other potential creators. The group reached a conclusion that Szabo was Nakamoto based on linguistic similarities.



'The number of linguistic similarities between Szabo's writing and the bitcoin whitepaper is uncanny,' the researchers said, adding that 'none of the other possible authors were anywhere near as good of a match.'



However, Szabo has dismissed the claims that he is the creator of Bitcoin. He said in 2014, 'I'm afraid you got it wrong doxing me as Satoshi, but I'm used to it.'



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

TESLA-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
CUPERTINO (dpa-AFX) - Tech giant Apple Inc. (AAPL) is reportedly giving stock bonuses to some engineers as an effort to prevent them from switching to other tech companies, like Meta. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple informed select engineers in silicon design, hardware, software, and operations that they would receive stock bonuses of between $50,000 and $180,000. The bonuses were presented by managers as a reward for high performers. The stock bonuses given out by Apple are not part of normal payment packages, which include a base salary, stock units and a cash bonus. The report says that Apple and Facebook-owner Meta are battling for top talent in the silicon valley. Meta poached nearly 100 engineers from Apple in the last few months, while Apple also recruited several key Meta employees. Meta is recruiting from Apple's augmented reality, AI, and engineering divisions, as the company plans to launch a smart watch in the coming years that will directly compete with the Apple Watch. Meanwhile, Apple is prepping to launch its own AR/VR headset, which will compete with the Meta-owned Oculus virtual reality headsets. In October, reports said that Meta was planning to hire 10,000 engineers to build Mark Zuckerberg's version of the metaverse. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - Green Environmental Technologies Inc. (the "Company") wishes to acknowledge for regulatory purposes that certain changes have previously occurred. Mr. McKenley Esnard, a former director, sadly passed away on June 23, 2016. As a result, Mr. Esnard ceased to be a director on June 23, 2016. Mr. Vito Monardo, a former director, also sadly passed away on March 4, 2020. As a result, Mr. Monardo ceased to be a director on March 4, 2020. The Company wishes to thank both gentleman for their service. Both vacancies to the board of directors were initially left vacant. On August 4, 2021, Mr. Steven Glaser was appointed to fill one of these seats. One seat presently remains vacant. Currently, the board of directors consists of Mr. Steven Glaser, Mr. Dominique Monardo, Mr. Jon Bridgman and Mr. Salvatore Monardo.

Mr. Dominique Monardo, CEO and director, of the Company, also reports that on July 12, 2021 he advanced $20,000 to the Company as well as $2,021 on various dates in June 2021 for the purpose of reviving the Company. The advances are non-interest bearing, non-convertible, unsecured and without specific repayment terms.

The Company has filed separate material change reports on SEDAR for each announcement.

For more information, please contact

Green Environmental Technologies Inc.

Dominique Monardo, CEO

sheriquestion@gmail.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108636
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2021 / Norse Gold Corp. (formerly Troy Energy Corp.) (the "Corporation" ) announces the results of its annual general meeting, held December 14, 2021.

At the meeting Raymond Hodgkinson, Thomas MacNeill and Carl Verley were appointed Directors of the Corporation for the ensuing year. Mr. Verley will serve as president and CEO. Davidson & Co. were appointed auditors, financial statements were approved, as was the Corporation's Stock Option Plan, and the special resolution that authorizes and approves the consolidation of the common shares of the Corporation on an up to one (1) for ten (10) basis.

The Corporation also announces that its CFO Mr. James Owen will be retiring at the end of December. The Board extends its thanks to Jim for his patient years of service to the Corporation and wishes him well in his future endeavors.

Mr. Jeffrey Sheppard, CPA, CA will be appointed to the CFO position commencing the beginning of 2022. Mr. Sheppard has worked in the Canadian junior resource industry for the last 10 years and has an in-depth understanding of the junior natural resource markets, corporate finance, financial reporting and corporate tax. Mr. Sheppard will receive a grant of stock options on 500,000 common shares. The options are exercisable at $0.06 per share and expire in five years. The grant of options is subject to regulatory approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Carl Verley, Norse Gold Corp.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (604-616-8299)

James Owen, Norse Gold Corp.

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: (250) 465-1806

About the Company

Norse Gold's main asset is it 100% interest in the 3,231 hectare Morris Lake Property, consisting of seven claims and three leases, 75 km north of Yellowknife. Gold on the property was discovered in 1945. Work conducted at the Viking zone included underground test work and diamond drilling. The Property saw additional drilling during the late 1980's and again during the period 2005 to 2008 when Viking Gold Exploration Inc. held the claims. A total of 117 holes totaling more than 14,000 metres of diamond drilling have been reported on the leases within which the Viking zone is situated. Highlights of the drilling on the Viking zone include an intercept of 12.34 g/t gold over 8.25 metres. At the Max zone, located south of the Viking zone a single hole collared in 1.5 metres that assayed 16.87 g/t gold with further gold intercepts down the hole including 1.50 metres assaying 9.29 g/t gold; no follow-up drilling was conducted at that site. Other gold zones have been located on the property, such as at the Greenlee and Lucky Lake occurrences. Each of these received initial drill testing in the 1940's and visible gold was reported in some of the drill holes. The geological model for the gold mineralization is that of an Archean lode gold deposit consisting of high grade shoots within a shear-vein system. The possibility that low-grade, large-tonnage deposits occur on the Property has not been tested.

Carl Verley, B.Sc., P.Geo., a Director of the Corporation is the qualified person (QP) as defined by the National Instrument 43-101, has prepared the technical information in this release.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Corporation, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the release.

SOURCE: Norse Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/680091/Norse-Gold-Corp-Announces-Results-of-Annual-General-Meeting-and-Appointment-of-New-Chief-Finanical-Officer-CFO
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - Glow LifeTech Corp. (CSE: GLOW) (OTCQB: GLWLF) (FSE: 9DO) ("Glow" or the "Company"), a biotech innovator producing next-generation, science-backed natural ingredients, is pleased to welcome scientific and regulatory experts Scott Sawler, Dr. Murray Berall and Dr. Melissa Lewis-Bakker and as the initial appointees to the Company's Technical Advisory Board.

The three advisors will provide counsel and guidance on the technical, regulatory and clinical aspects of Glow's product lines of advanced nutraceutical and cannabis ingredients. In brief: Scott Sawler is a regulatory expert and the former Director General of Natural Health Products (NHPs) at Health Canada. Dr. Murray Berall is a Physician, specializing in nephrology and sleep medicine and was the first Ortho Fellow in Renal Transplantation at the Toronto General Hospital. Dr. Melissa Lewi-Bakker is an Organic Chemist specializing in cannabis medicine, extractions and formulations and well respected for her research, patents, presentations and societies. The advisors will work collaboratively with the Company to identify strategies to advance Glow's scientific, clinical and commercial initiatives.

"Science and health are at the core of everything we do at Glow LifeTech, and the company is progressing through critical milestones in business operations and commercializing our MyCell Technology in Canada," said Tom Glawdel, COO of Glow LifeTech. "As we continue commercialization of several novel ingredients and products into the North American market, it is essential to have strong advisors involved with specialized expertise Glow can count on. We are very pleased to welcome advisors with such deep expertise and who share our passion for innovation and advancing healthcare."

Technical Advisory Board

Scott Sawler

Scott has 20+ years experience in the health regulatory industry and served for 5 years as Director General of the Natural Health Products and Marketed Health Products Directorates at Health Canada. He was accountable for developing and directing the implementation of legislative, regulatory, policy, scientific and medical evaluation frameworks for a national programme of post-market surveillance on the safety, efficacy and quality of health products available on the Canadian and United States market. He is currently the President, Canadian Regulatory Affairs for the Drug Safety Institute.

Dr. Murray Berall

Dr. Murray Berall is a Nephrologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist at the Vaughan Heart Institute and Humber River Hospital. Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he studied genetics at McGill University and attended medical school at Dalhousie University. He completed his postgraduate education in Internal Medicine and Nephrology at the University of Toronto. He was the first Director of Dialysis at HRH and helped oversee the creation of the initial program. He has helped develop teaching tools for specialists and family doctors on the management of CKD, Diabetes, Lipids and Hypertension, Hyponatremia, Gout and Atrial Fibrillation. Dr. Berall completed his training in sleep medicine, attending the Stanford School of Sleep Medicine in Paolo Alto, California. He is actively engaged in research in the field of sleep medicine, the impact of fluid shifts on OSA and the relationship to ESRD and CKD patients.

Dr. Melissa Lewis-Bakker

Dr. Melissa Lewis received her PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada. Currently, she is a Scientific Associate at the Center for Molecular Design and Pre-formulations at University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto. At UHN, Dr. Lewis engages in

the synthesis of potential drug molecules for various disease targets. Additionally, she conducts cannabis research involving extraction, characterization, biological evaluation and formulation of Canadian medical cannabis. Her cannabis research efforts have led to several publications and patent filings as well as licensure of the cannabis extraction technology.

Recent News

Glow recently announced the commencement of clinical study of Artemic Support featuring MyCell Technology on patients with Long COVID. Full story here: https://www.glowlifetech.com/news-blog/glow-lifetech-announces-commencement-of-clinical-study-of-artemic-support-featuring-mycell-technology-on-patients-with-long-covid

SUBSCRIBE: For more information on Glow or to subscribe to the Company's mail list visit: https://www.glowlifetech.com/news

About Glow LifeTech Corp.

Glow LifeTech is a Canadian-based biotechnology company focused on producing nutraceutical and cannabinoid-based products with dramatically enhanced bioavailability, absorption and effectiveness. Glow has North American rights to the groundbreaking, plant-based MyCell Technology delivery system, which transforms poorly absorbed natural compounds into enhanced water-compatible concentrates that unlock the full healing potential of the valuable compounds.

Website: www.glowlifetech.com

Contact:

James Van Staveren

Glow LifeTech Corp.

1-855-442-4569

ir@glowlifetech.com



Bernhard Langer

EU Investor Relations

+49 (0) 177 774 2314

blanger@glowlifetech.com

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the technology described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108640
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - Brascan Gold Inc. (CSE: BRAS) ("Brascan" or the "Company") is pleased to report that the due diligence site visit on the Alegre Gold Project (the "Project") in Brazil is complete. The site visit verified multiple recently active or active artisanal gold mines (garimpos) of significant scale, apparently recovering gold from the weathered saprolite zone within structurally controlled shear zones. These gold garimpos attest to Project's significant gold potential. Brascan believes the saprolite (weathered zone) gold mineralization is likely to extend into the bedrock below, and that will be a focus of the anticipated exploration program. This exploration program is expected to include geophysics (magnetics and electromagnetics), surface sampling and planning of the best cooperative ways forward working with the garimpeiros.





Gold garimpo of significant scale on the Alegre property.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7954/108644_d9aa9a7b045ce9a2_002full.jpg

The Project comprises a single exploration licence of 9,465 hectares, accessed by a 5 hour drive from Belem city located in Para State, northeastern Brazil. The Alegre Gold Project is accessible by highway from the city of Belem, which in turn is accessible by scheduled air services.

Brascan is using the due diligence period to evaluate the potential of the Alegre Gold Project and expects to announce its acceptance of the previously announced Mineral Property Option Agreement between Brascan and 100% claim owner Chapada Brasil Mineracao Ltda. ("CBM" or the "Optionor") in January of 2022.

CBM reports that the Project is located on the same gold mineralization trend as Goldmining Inc.'s advanced Cachoeira gold project 15 km to the north and Oz Minerals' Centrogold Project 30 km to the south (considered one of Brazil's largest undeveloped gold projects). CBM also reports that other adjacent neighbors to the Alegre Gold Project include Kinross Brasil Mineracao and IAM Gold Corp.

https://www.goldmining.com/projects/brazil/cachoeira/)

https://www.ozminerals.com/en/where-we-work/gurupi/centrogold





Location of the Alegre Gold Project property (yellow) between Goldmining's Cachoeira Gold Project (green) to the north, and OZ Minerals' CentroGold Project to the south, within the same structurally deformed volcaniclastic stratigraphic unit.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7954/108644_d9aa9a7b045ce9a2_003full.jpg

Brascan will earn a 100% interest in the Project upon the completion of the following over two and a half years (30 months) from the signing date (all figures expressed in Canadian Dollars): (A) Paying to CBM the amount of $400,000; (B) Issuing 750,000 common shares to CBM or its nominee; and (C) Completing an exploration program with a total cumulative expenditure of $1,000,000 within two and a half (2.5) years of the signing date of the Definitive Agreement. The share issuance, cash payments and exploration commitments all accelerate over the 2.5 year term of the earn-in option. CBM will retain a 2% net smelter royalty (NSR), 50% of which can be bought purchased by Brascan for $1 million, on or before a production decision. Brascan will pay a finder's fee as permitted by the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE).

Balbir Johal, Director, stated, "The positive findings of our site visit encourage Brascan to move forward with the Alegre Gold project. Brascan is very excited to carry out an exploration program in January to potentially discover an industrial size gold deposit in the bedrock"

Qualified person

Harrison Cookenboo Ph.D., P.Geo. and a QP by the standards of Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein.

For more information, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Contact Information

Balbir Johal

Director

Telephone: 604 812 1747

Email: bjohal75@gmail.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the terms of the consulting arrangement are "forward-looking information". These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108644
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2021) - American Aires Inc. (CSE: WIFI) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jacinto Vieira as a Director of the Company, effective December 24, 2021 and Mr. Christoffer Guajala as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective January 1, 2022.

In connection with the foregoing, the Company announces the resignation of Igor Serov as Director of the Company, effective immediately, and the resignation of Yan Namer as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective Janaury 1, 2022. Mr. Serov will continue to provide services to the Company upon request as a consultant. The Board of Directors and management team would like to thank Messrs. Serov and Namer for their contributions to the Company and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

Mr. Jacinto Vieira is a lawyer specializing in securities and corporate law. From 2016 to 2019, Mr. Vieira was Vice President, Corporate & Legal Affairs for Distinct Infrastructure Group Inc. Prior to joining Distinct Infrastructure Group Inc., Mr. Vieira was a partner at the law firm Blaney McMurtry LLP and Fogler Rubinoff LLP. Mr. Vieira was called to the Ontario Bar in 1999.

Mr. Vieira commented, "I am excited to join American Aires which has proven itself to be an innovator in transforming electromagnetic field haze into a more biologically-compatible form. Given the increase in the number of people working from home and the use of bluetooth technology, the products being manufactured by American Aires will become invaluable in ensuring the health of anyone using technology. I am looking forward to working with the talented people at American Aires and assisting them in helping the company reach its goal of becoming a household name."

Mr. Guajala commented, "My true passion for this technology and business started seven years ago as a wholesaler of American Aires products. I identified then, the unscratched potential this technology offers, more importantly the opportunity of building a mission driven company that serves a global need. I look to continue building and improving our current business initiatives, while exploring untapped market opportunities across all industries. I'm excited to be a part of this journey and grateful to all those who have supported us."

About American Aires Inc.

American Aires Inc. ("Aires") is Canadian-based nanotechnology company which has developed proprietary silicon-based microprocessors that reduce the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The technology was developed by a team of highly credited scientists and confirmed by independent third-party validation including peer reviewed studies and publications in scientific journals. Aires' Lifetune products specifically target EMR emitted by consumer electronic devices such as cellphones, computers, baby monitors, Wi-Fi radiation, including the rapidly expanding next-generation high-speed 5G networks. Aires is listed on the CSE under ticker 'WIFI'. Learn more at www.airestech.com .

On Behalf of the Board of Directors:



Company Contact:



Dimitry Serov, CEO

Email: dimitry@airestech.com

Telephone: (905) 482-4667

Website: www.airestech.com



For further information please contact:



Investor Cubed Inc.:

Neil Simon, CEO

Email: wifi@airestech.com

Telephone: (647) 258-3310

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Not intended for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of United States Securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108624
News

The party's on: Few cancellations headed into New Year's Eve in Galveston County

JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News A sign at Gators Bar & Grill in Dickinson wishes patrons a Happy 2022 on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Owners and staff soon will be setting up for their New Years celebration. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Vismay Patel, with Reserve Wine and Spirits in League City, straightens Champagne bottles Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. Patel plans to create a display with Champagne bottles at the front of the store for those looking for a bottle to celebrate New Years Eve at home. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Marjorie Morgan, one of the owners of Gators Bar & Grill in Dickinson, pulls out some New Years Eve decorations Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2021, she may use for the bars first New Years party Friday. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News New Years Eve party favors are displayed at The Party Store in Friendswood on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021.

DICKINSON

To be honest, Marjorie Morgan doesnt know what a normal New Years Eve looks like for a bar in Galveston County.

This year will be the first New Years Eve for Gators Bar & Grill in Dickinson, and co-owner Morgans expectations are high. The bar is holding a Dec. 31 whiskey tasting and karaoke party and is expecting regular patrons to show up, she said.

How many patrons will go to the party isnt clear yet, she said

Its going to be peoples personal decision, Morgan said.

But in the name of being prepared, she stocked up on two things: Champagne and rapid COVID tests.

As omicron cases grow around the world, big New Years Eve events are being reconfigured in some places in the name of lessening spread of the virus. New York officials have said the Times Square New Years event will be scaled back, while events in large cities from New Delhi to London have been canceled outright.

Morgan and her husband are both firefighters and regularly are briefed on the state of COVID in the county, she said.

In light of the recent rise in cases, theyve started requiring temperature checks and sometimes COVID tests from employees and are requiring staff members to wear masks at work. A limited number of tickets are being sold to the event, she said, and the karaoke party will take place outside on the patio.

But they havent really considered canceling. Being open means staying open, she said.

We are a new business and were pretty much day to day, Morgan said. Its not the best time to open up the restaurant, so were committed. Weve put all of our savings into this.

Galveston County doesnt have many mass public gatherings planned around New Years Eve. The largest public event, a concert and fireworks show at the Kemah Boardwalk, hasnt announced any changes to its schedule.

On a smaller level, small business owners hope peoples pandemic plans wouldnt put another bad business day in their books.

On New Years Eve 2020 and through the first few weeks of the year, bars were forced shut by state orders that required greater local restrictions when COVID-related hospitalizations reached a certain threshold.

This year, those mandates are gone, and although COVID cases are rising, theyve not caused hospitalizations to the point that once triggered a shutdown.

Business owners who spoke to The Daily News said they hoped people who arent feeling sick would consider going out, especially if they were vaccinated and willing to take other precautions. Theres growing evidence omicron poses little risk of severe illness to fully vaccinated people.

Although two shots are not as protective against omicron as they were against previous variants, vaccination and boosting seem to make a big difference in people with healthy immune systems, according to reports.

There wasnt any fear local or state governments would step in and kill the parties at the 11th hour.

Thats one reason planning for some New Years Eve events was going forward, said Brian Cohen, the owner of Mob Bar, Mangos Beach Club and Maze Nightclub, an interconnected venue on 26th Street in Galveston.

Cohen, who also owns clubs in Los Angeles and Iowa, opened his Galveston business in May.

Part of the reason I came to Texas and Iowa was because the regulations are less intense, Cohen said. I dont think the governor of Texas is going to shut down. I dont think thats going to happen.

But I have a brand-new lounge in Beverly Hills, he said. Its opening on New Years Eve, and Im very nervous the California governor is going to do that.

Some of his normal plans for a New Years Eve are changing, Cohen said. He isnt charging cover fees for people on Friday, didnt hire a promoter and was planning to promote social distancing inside the building.

Cohen expected the venues would draw only about half their maximum capacity because a lot of people will be avoiding crowds, he said.

Nightclubs and bars arent the only businesses hoping New Years Eve goes as planned. At The Party Store in Friendswood, owner Ray Allison hadnt had any cancellations on the event-rental side of his business, he said.

New Years usually is a big week for the 44-year-old store, Allison said. But the pandemic has caused him to revise any expectations he used to have.

COVID has changed everything, Allison said. You cant base things on the past anymore.

At least one business was taking an optimistic view of the business opportunity in a stay-at-home New Years Eve.

Nirav Patel, owner of Reserve Wine and Spirits, said it was a little too early when he spoke to The Daily News to tell whether his sales were up or down. Usually people wait until a day or two before the holiday to buy a bottle of Champagne.

But Patel said its possible people not going out would mean more sales for his store.

If youre with the family and staying home, youre saving so much money, he said. Maybe you can spend that money buying some good Champagne.
An Albany man was taken in to custody after the Albany Police Department and Linn Benton Regional SWAT team surrounded his home Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 28; police believe he is connected to a shooting on Christmas Day.

At about 5:30 Christmas morning, an Albany police officer made a traffic stop at the 2500 block of Eighth Avenue, according to APD Capt. Jerry Drum.

The driver, believed to be 51-year-old Robin Ray Gilliland, fled. He then allegedly fired a gun at the pursuing officers. Neither officer was hit by gunfire, but one officer sustained minor injuries from flying debris, according to a news release from APD.

The officers took cover and the suspect was not located, according to Albany police.

Through investigation, we discovered where the suspect was at and that caused what happened today with the SWAT team being activated and finding the suspect and taking him into custody, Drum said Tuesday.

The effort to arrest Gilliland on Tuesday started at 1:48 p.m., according to Drum. He was located at a residence at the 800 block of Fifth Avenue. The Linn County Sheriff's Office also assisted.

Drum said Gilliland was arrested for outstanding Linn County Circuit Court warrants, not for the Christmas incident.

According to the release issued Tuesday evening, Gilliland was arrested for outstanding felony warrants and on suspicion of two counts of attempted aggravated murder. He was arrested without incident and will be lodged at the Linn County Jail.

We are glad the arrest went without any use of force, APD Chief Marcia Harnden said in a statement. "This suspect was a significant threat to public safety after firing at Albany officers.

According to Oregon's online court system, Gilliland has three open cases in Linn County Circuit Court. Charges for these cases include suspicions of identity theft, being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, delivery of meth and more.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact APD detectives at 541-917-7686.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story said Gilliland was 52-years-old, but he is actually 51. The story has been corrected with Gilliland's correct age.

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PENDLETON  Before he can settle into his job leading one of the largest national park systems in the world, Chuck Sams still needs to pack.

Calling from his Riverside home, Sams said he has to clear out his soon-to-be-former house as he and his family look to complete the move to Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C., some 2,600 miles away.

Were going from 3,200 square feet to 1,100 square feet, he said. Its a challenge, but well figure it out.

In his first interview with East Oregon Media Group since he was confirmed and sworn in as the director of the National Park Service, Sams summarized the past four months, from the time President Joe Biden announced his nomination to the day U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland swore in Sams at the base of the Lincoln Memorial.

Its a front row seat to the U.S. Constitution, he said.

Sams said he already had built up a rapport with several senators through his previous nonprofit work, making it easier for him to build support for his confirmation. At a time when the U.S. Senate is starkly polarized, the only bump to a confirmation vote by unanimous voice vote was the attempt Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, made to delay the vote. But Sams quickly met with Sullivan and allayed his concerns enough to move forward with the vote.

Throughout the entire process, Sams received vocal support from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Sams, an enrolled member of the tribes, worked in tribal government through early March, and the tribes posted a series of congratulatory messages as Sams advanced through his nomination and confirmation. On Friday, Christmas Eve, the tribes hosted Sams once more at its annual celebration at the Mission Longhouse, honoring him with a song.

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Sams said he was grateful for the tribes support and started listing mentors such as Antone Minthorn, Les Minthorn and Frenchy Halfmoon who not only encouraged him to get an education and work his way through tribal government, but to look beyond it.

I recognize I didnt get to where I am on my own, he said. I stand on the shoulders of ancestors who came before me.

While Sams confirmation won many plaudits around the country, expectations also are high.

Many national parks intersect with land where American Indians were removed or excluded to establish the parks, and tribal leaders told High Country News they hope to work with Sams administration to secure access to those lands.

Sams said the Biden administration already has put in work in that effort, with the president signing an executive order meant to strengthen nation-to-nation relationships between the federal government and tribal nations. Sams added he and Haaland are open to continuing discussions with tribes on co-management agreements.

Many of these lands are not just (connected to) one particular tribe: There are a number of tribes who have usual and accustomed rights and privileges to the landscape, he said. So you have to go into these consultations with that understanding, figuring out how tribes can bring traditional ecological knowledge to the table and be able to implement that. The administration has been very clear that they want to use that.

One of the few areas where Sams faced public scrutiny from senators during his confirmation hearing was the issue of the backlog in deferred maintenance built up at the 423 of national parks, monuments and sites, with senators asking Sams what he would do about the park infrastructure in their home states.

Sams will have an extra $6.5 billion to use toward park maintenance created through the Great American Outdoors Act passed by Congress in 2020 in addition to additional funds expected through the recently passed infrastructure bill.

The staff at National Park Service have worked very hard to look at how we even calculate the number of projects we have to do, including the cost, he said. Therefore were able to really look at it strategically and (ensure) that money is distributed across the 50 states and U.S. territories so that we can tackle this issue.

Another issue Sams inherits is reports of harassment and discrimination within the services rank and file. A 2017 survey revealed 40% of park service staff reported experiencing harassment during the past year, according to High Country News. The service commissioned a follow-up report to investigate the issue further, called NPS Voices Report.

But in a November letter to Sams, a group called Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility accused the park service of burying the report and encouraged Sams to take action and remove toxic employees from the service.

Sams said the park service has been doing work in the past three years to address the issues raised in the report, but he promised to do more.

I want to be very clear: I hear what the field is saying, he said. Im looking forward to going out in the field this next year. The National Park Service staff are working hard to set up a number of opportunities for me to get to both large and small parks so that I can hear directly from the staff, and the rangers themselves, about whats going on and see what we can do to strengthen that. Morale is an extremely important issue.

On Christmas Eve, Sams celebrated his accomplishment with his tribes. In the days that follow, the country will expect him to make good on that accomplishment.

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Dimension arrived in New Zealand on December 16 slated to perform a run of summer shows including Rhythm & Alps.



Stuff reported that he returned three negative tests before testing positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on December 27.

On December 29 it was announced he and fellow English DJ Friction would no longer be performing at Rhythm & Alps due to 'the ongoing impacts of COVID-19'.

Friction played at Christchurch's Hidden Lakes Festival on December 28 and is currently isolating after returning a negative test.

Chris Hipkins is set to make an address at 11am Thursday, however Stuff report that there are no plans to change any settings at this point.

Below are the locations of interest the case visited in Auckland:
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lui Franciosi is pleased to announce that Franciosi Consulting Ltd. will be assessing the effects of the Omicron variant surge on seniors during this COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, online media reports and survey portals from various countries will be reviewed to determine the effects that seniors have been facing especially in terms of their healthcare and future planning. Lui Franciosi states, This has been another challenging year for seniors and their families, and now more recently with the Omicron variant surge. There is a need to better understand how they have been coping with care planning and end-of-life issues, especially those who are living in long term care, assisted living and independent housing. This information can be useful for senior housing administrators in developing better policies for future pandemics. These survey results will be also informative for seniors, families and the general public in due course.



For more information about Lui Franciosi and his company Franciosi Consulting Ltd., please visit https://franciosiconsulting.com/ or his YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7PSoeH8yN-HuLg5xFi5Qxw/. Dr. Franciosi advises on the operational and research needs of the pharmaceutical and senior care industries. He also discusses topics online such as running your own business, chronic pain, the importance of senior care, Lyme Disease, as well as COVID-19 & the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

About Lui Franciosi

Lui Franciosi is a consultant with over 20 years of executive experience collected in the pharmaceutical and senior care industries. He holds a Masters degree and a Doctorate from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He also studied business at the University of Warwick in the U.K. Lui Franciosi founded Franciosi Consulting Ltd. in 2015 and is the President and CEO.

Contact

lui@franciosiconsulting.com

+1.778.998.6260
Beverly Hills, CA, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. Max Porterfield has nearly two decades of experience in natural resources and capital markets. Callinex has thrived under Mr. Porterfields leadership and vision for creating sustainable growth in key Canadian mining jurisdictions. Through his efforts, Callinex has attracted top talent and capital which have collectively led to accretive acquisitions and discovery of significant base and precious metals rich deposits. This is aligned with and contributes to the companys long-term goal of lasting job creation in remote mining communities, with a strong focus on best practices in social and environmental standards.

He was previously with Gold Mining Inc, Uranium Energy Corp and US Global Investors where he was instrumental in attracting capital for each respective organization. Mr. Porterfield is a graduate of Texas Tech University, with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He currently resides in Vancouver, BC and is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada..

Listen to the full interview of Max Porterfield with Adam Torres on Mission Matters Money Podcast.

What Mission Matters to you?

Porterfield says Callinex Mines Inc.s mission is long-term and twofold: to find economic base metals among precious metals in Canada, and to help the community and environment by shifting away from hydrocarbons. He notes that the Canadian mining town of Flin Flon, for example, is facing a wave of joblessness in the next year, and Callinex wants to bolster its local economy by establishing a new base there for mines and metal extraction in a more environmentally friendly manner.

How did you get into the mining industry?

Porterfields career began in Texas at US Global Investors, dealing in natural resource investment. He immigrated to Canada in 2012, eventually becoming a Canadian citizen after working with a variety of mineral resource companies focusing on uranium and gold. In 2014, he joined Callinex, where he shifted his focus to discovering high-grade gold and copper.

Tell us more about Callinex Mines Inc.

Callinex has assets across Canada in key jurisdictions, Porterfield explains, and says the company focuses on mining camps with existing workforces and infrastructure. Being extremely remote is a high-risk business given the costs of transport, water and power supply, and more. Remaining within Canadian mining districts, however, reduces some of that risk and helps significantly upfront capital costs which in turn reduces the threshold for a deposit to be economically viable.

What made you decide to invest heavily in Callinex?

Callinex is growing tremendously, Porterfield notes, and says its expertise in discovering high-grade copper and gold in Manitoba is unmatched. He also says its shares have experienced significant momentum recently, and points to the track record of its technical experts, including founder and Canadian Mining Hall of Famer Mike Muzylowski, who was instrumental in discovering 12 VMS mines in Manitoba's Flin Flon area, as well as James Pickell and Alan Vowels, both of whom won the PDAC Bill Dennis Prospector of the Year Award for their role in discovering 777 Mine and Lalor Mine, respectively, in the Flin Flon mining district.

What is Callinex working on currently?

Porterfiled points to the rapidly expanding Rainbow deposit located in the Flin Flon mining district. Rainbow is a high-grade copper deposit which also hosts gold, silver and zinc and is located within 500m of a hydroelectric powerline, historic shaft. Rainbow is a newly discovered deposit located within thirty minutes by existing road access to processing facilities in Flin Flon, MB. The only currently operating mine, the 777 mine, is due to shut down next May and the facilities will be in need of new feed. Rainbow has the potential to provide a sustainable future for the town and clean supply of copper given its high-grades and access to clean low cost power.

To learn more, visit https://callinex.ca/

Media Communications

Inquiries: adamtorres@missionmatters.com

Publicist for Adam Torres and Mission Matters Media KISS PR Brand Story PressWire.

Brand Publicity Partners KissPR.com

For more details, visit Kisspr.com. KISS PR Digital PR & Marketing powers the Mission Matters Business podcast with brand storytelling. T: 972.437.8942





Attachment
New York, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Carrier Screening Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Type, Product, Carrier Screening Type, Technology, Indication, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2021-2031" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06193766/?utm_source=GNW

 Product (In Vitro Diagnostics And Laboratory Developed Tests)

 Carrier Screening Type (Prenatal Carrier Screening And Preconception Carrier Screening)

 Technology (Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Microarray, And Other Technologies)

 Indication (Fragile X Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Downs Syndrome, Thalassemia, Tay-Sachs Disease, Huntingtons Disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, Hemophilia, and Other Indications)



Regional Segmentation



 North America: U.S., Canada

 Europe: Germany, France, U.K, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland and Rest-of-Europe

 Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Rest-of-Asia-Pacific

 Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Rest-of-Latin America

 Rest-of-the-World



Market Growth Drivers



 Decreasing Cost of Sequencing

 Rising Emphasis on Early Detection and Prevention of Complex Genetic Disorders

 Increasing Maternal Age Leading to Pregnancy Complications

 Rising Funding and Innovation in the carrier Screening Ecosystem



Market Challenges



 Regulatory Challenges in the Field of Carrier Screening

 Lack of High Complexity Testing Centers

 Existing Diagnostic Confidence on Conventional Screening Methods



Market Opportunities



 Massive Scope for Adoption of Carrier Screening in Developing Nations



Key Companies Profiled



BGI Group, CENTOGENE N.V., Eurofins Scientific, Fulgent Genetics, Inc., Gene by Gene, Ltd., Illumina, Inc., Invitae Corporation, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Myriad Genetics, Inc., Natera, Inc., OPKO Health, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Sema4, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Yourgene Health Plc



Key Questions Answered in this Report:

 How is carrier screening revolutionizing the field of reproductive health?

 What are the major market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global carrier screening market?

 What are the underlying structures resulting in the emerging trends within the global carrier screening market?

 How is the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the global carrier screening ecosystem??

 What are the key development strategies that the major players are implementing in order to sustain themselves in the competitive market?

 What are the key regulatory implications in developed and developing regions pertaining to the use of carrier screening?

 What are the potential entry barriers expected to be faced by the companies willing to enter a particular region?



 How is each market segment expected to grow during the forecast period 2021-2031, and what is the anticipated revenue to be generated by each segment? Following are the segments:

o Type (expanded carrier screening and targeted carrier screening)

o Product (in vitro diagnostics and laboratory developed tests)

o Carrier Screening Type (prenatal carrier screening and preconception carrier screening)

o Technology (next-generation sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, microarray, and other technologies)

o Indication (fragile X syndrome, cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, Downs Syndrome, thalassemia, Tay-Sachs Disease, Huntingtons Disease, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, and other indications)

o Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest-of-the-World)

 What are the growth opportunities for the carrier screening companies in the region of their operation?

 Who are the leading players with significant offerings in the global carrier screening market?

 Which companies are anticipated to be highly disruptive in the future, and why?



Market Overview



The growth of the carrier screening market is expected to be driven by the decrease in the cost of sequencing, rising emphasis on early detection and prevention of complex genetic disorders, and increasing maternal age leading to pregnancy complications.However, there are significant challenges restraining the market growth, such as the regulatory challenges in the field of carrier screening, and the lack of high complexity testing centers.



Carrier screening is a hereditary test that gives information about whether a person carries a gene for certain genetic disorders.It is performed before or during pregnancy times.



Carrier screening allows a person to find out the chances of having a child with a genetic disorder.Carrier screening involves testing blood, saliva, or tissue extracted from inside the cheeks.



In cases of genetic disorders, a person should have two affected genes to have the disorder. A person who is a carrier has only one gene for a disorder and usually does not have symptoms or have only mild symptoms. The current market for carrier screening is majorly dominated by manufacturers and service providers such as BGI Group, CENTOGENE N.V., Eurofins Scientific, Fulgent Genetics, Inc., Gene by Gene, Ltd., Illumina, Inc., Invitae Corporation, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Myriad Genetics, Inc., Natera, Inc., OPKO Health, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Sema4, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and Yourgene Health Plc.



The global carrier screening market is projected to reach $4,479.0 million by 2031, growing from $1,187.4 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 12.67% during the forecast period 2021-2031.



The carrier screening market is an emerging market with huge growth potential.Recent technological advancements are facilitating the adoption of the technology at a rapid pace.



Carrier screening are genetic tests that are used for determining if a person is a potential carrier of genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis (CF), Downs syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, sickle cell anemia, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).Carrier screening tests are extensively used by couples considering becoming pregnant to determine the risks of passing genetic anomalies to the child.



This study aims at deciphering the potential of carrier screening and its larger role in bolstering the current era of precision medicine in the field of reproductive health.



Competitive Landscape



The growth of this market can be majorly attributed to the presence of well-established guidelines regarding carrier screening, presence of established companies undertaking key business strategies, decrease in the cost of sequencing, rising emphasis on early detection and prevention of complex genetic disorders, and increasing maternal age leading to pregnancy complications, among others. Further, increasing focus on research pertaining to carrier screening such as targeted carrier screening in spinal muscle atrophy and emerging application of preconcecption carrier screening is also expected to support the growth of the carrier screening market during the forecast period, 2021-2031.



The growth of other technologies, such as next-generation sequencing and PCR can be attributed to the increased clinical research to understand the involvement of molecular pathology in the diagnosis and prognosis of genetic disorders.Based on region, North America holds the largest share in the market, owing to improved healthcare infrastructure, rise in per capita income, and improvised reimbursement policies in the region.



However, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period 2021-2031.



Countries Covered

 North America

 U.S.

 Canada

 Europe

 Germany

 Italy

 France

 U.K.

 Spain

 Netherlands

 Switzerland

 Denmark

 Belgium

 Rest-of-Europe

 Asia-Pacific

 China

 India

 South Korea

 Singapore

 Japan

 Australia

 Rest-of-Asia-Pacific

 Latin America

 Brazil

 Mexico

 Rest-of-Latin America

 Rest-of-the-World

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06193766/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
Dublin, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Drug Eluting Implants Market - Forecasts from 2021 to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global drug-eluting implants market is expected to reach US$8.483 billion by the end of 2026, increasing from US$6.050 billion in 2019, growing at a CAGR of 6.28% during the forecast period.

Drug-eluting implants induce healing effects. This effect is achieved by the controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) into the surrounding tissue.

These implants carry drugs for on-site drug delivery which helps in improving the effectiveness of the treatment, minimizes side effects or damage to the healthy tissues.

The drug-eluting implants offer several advantages over conventional oral or parenteral drug delivery methods. These implants are proving to be a game-changer technology in the field of healthcare, especially with the arrival of Drug-Eluting Stents (DES).



The drug-eluting implants can be used for a variety of treatments such as diabetes management, contraception, HIV/AIDS prevention, chronic pain management, cardiology, oncology, and central nervous system health.

The key drivers of the market are the growing adoption of these devices by the patients and the increasing expenditure in the field of research and development, globally. In addition, the increase in the geriatric population worldwide is furthering projected to support the market growth.

According to the United Nations, in 2019, the geriatric population was 703 million persons, nationwide. The number of older persons is projected to double to 1.5 billion in 2050, this will fuel the market growth during the forecast period as the geriatric population is more likely to require drug-eluting implants.

Furthermore, drug-eluting implants are being actively adopted by diabetic patients, across the globe. More than 170 million people suffer from diabetes. This number has been continuously on the rise which in turn will drive the market growth of drug-eluting implants in the next few years.

Also, drug-eluting implants are playing a crucial role in cancer management which is further expected to spur market growth. The drug-eluting implants present a compelling parenteral route of administration for cancer chemotherapy. They have the potential for being minimally invasive and have image-guided placement, which is making them increasingly popular in chemotherapy, globally.



Recent Developments.



In June 2021, Glaukos Corporation announced that it has cleared the enrollment in Phase 3 clinical program for its iDose TR sustained release travoprost implant.



In June 2021, Elute, Inc., announced that the first clinical trial authorization by the FDA for the use of antibiotic eluting bone void filler products.



In March 2021, The Merck Group has announced the results from the Phase 1 trial evaluating investigational islatravir subdermal implant for the prevention of HIV-1 Infection at CROI 2021.



Geographically, North America and Europe held a dominant market share in 2019 due to the rapidly increasing adoption of drug-eluting implants in the region. Further, the Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period owing to the increasing geriatric population and the spurring number of diabetic and cancer patients in the region.



Growth Factors.

Increasing diabetic patients.

The continuous surge in the number of diabetic patients worldwide is expected to contribute majorly towards the market growth of the drug-eluting implants market during the next few years as the drug-eluting implants are being increasingly used in the treatment of diabetic patients due to their healing properties.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, people with diabetes in the age group 20-79 years were 4, 63,000 which is estimated to reach 7, 00,002 by 2045. The rise in number will increase the demand and adoption of drug-eluting implants in the market.

Rise in cancer incidence.

The rapidly increasing cancer patients are expected to accelerate the demand for drug-eluting implants during the forecast period. Drug-eluting implants are used in the chemotherapy treatment given to cancer patients, globally. According to the American Cancer Society, in the United States, in 2020, there were an estimated 1.8 million new cancer cases diagnosed and 606,520 cancer deaths in the country. The increasing cancer incidence will spur the market growth in the years to come as the number of chemotherapy sessions across the globe will rapidly rise, which, in turn, will support the market growth.



COVID-19 Impact On Drug-Eluting Implants Market.



The Covid-19 pandemic moderately impacted the drug-eluting implants market as due to the nationwide lockdown restrictions; many patients deferred their ongoing treatments to avoid public places which hampered the market growth. However, the patients who required the treatment on an urgent basis did go forward with the treatment kept the market growth stable. Also, diabetic patients regularly use drug-eluting implants in their diabetes treatment which balanced the market growth during the novel pandemic.



Competitive Insights.

Prominent/major key market players in the Global Drug-Eluting Implants Market include iVascular, ProMed Pharma, LLC, Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific Corporation, The Merck Group, Medtronic, Inc., Biosensors International Group, Abbott Laboratories, Elixir Medical Corporation, and Siemens Healthcare.

The players in the Global Drug-Eluting Implants Market are implementing various growth strategies to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors in this market. For Instance, in May 2021, iVascular has received CE mark approval for its balloon-expandable covered stent, iCover, which can adapt to any vessel due to its high flexibility and post-expansion capacity. In March 2019, ProMed Pharma and DSM Biomedical announced a business development partnership focused on polymeric drug delivery.



The collaboration is expected to combine ProMed's micro molding and extrusion capabilities along with DSM's biomedical polyurethanes, polyurethaneureas, and bioerodible amino-acid-based polyesteramides. Major market players in the market have been covered along with their relative competitive strategies in this report and the report mentions recent deals and investments of different market players over the last few years.

The company profiles section details the business overview, financial performance (public companies) for the past few years, key products and services being offered along with the recent deals and investments of these important players in the global drug-eluting implants market.



Companies Mentioned

iVascular

ProMed Pharma, LLC

Johnson & Johnson

Boston Scientific Corporation

The Merck Group

Medtronic, Inc.

Biosensors International Group

Abbott Laboratories

Elixir Medical Corporation

Siemens Healthcare

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9t51up
ATLANTA, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- There are two days left to donate to Rescue Me, a local animal shelter, or other pet rescue on or before December 31, 2021 to receive a 2021 tax deduction, as permitted by IRS rules. Rescue Me operates a rescue center for special needs dogs on 135-acres, along with the website RescueMe.org which is one of the worlds most visited pet charity websites, having helped save the lives over 1 million homeless pets.



Whether donating to Rescue Me or a local pet shelter, year-end tax deductions provide the funding nonprofit charities require to operate and save the most pets each year.

Be sure to verify any charity you donate to is listed as a tax-exempt organization on the IRS website. Look for a page like this IRS verification page for Rescue Me on the IRS site.

About Rescue Me

Rescue Me is an international 501c3 nonprofit charity based in Atlanta, Georgia.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0fdefd7b-27e3-4546-9345-3d61b05c0280
Dublin, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Machine Condition Monitoring Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021-2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Machine Condition Monitoring Market was valued at USD 3,092.2 million in 2020, and it is projected to be worth USD 5,246.8 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period of 2021-2026. All businesses across the world having crucial assets for manufacturing goods and services have been experiencing a rapid decline in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Industry Highlights

Operational equipment is responsive to many types of errors and faults, and it is, therefore, important to monitor minor and major changes in equipment by measuring parameters, such as vibration, temperature, voltage, current, pressure, flow, and many more.

This significance has pushed various verticals to take extra effort to protect their machinery. The main benefit of fault identification using condition monitoring includes; allowing personnel to take remedial action to avoid or reduce repair costs and increase machinery safety, thus increasing human safety.

The usage of predictive maintenance techniques in factories is expected to reduce the downtime by up to 50% and save between 10 to 40% on equipment maintenance expenses. Predictive Maintenance with reliance on condition monitoring offers measurement and analysis of physical characteristics, such as visual inspection, sound, temperature, or vibration.

Industries with well-maintained and reliable equipment are expected to be the ones that will be better positioned to respond to upcoming rise in demand of goods and services. Those companies that are using predictive maintenance in order to prepare for the recovery are expected to profit.

Multiple companies that have been shut down due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak need to adopt a condition monitoring equipment solution in place to prevent any failure of machinery when the operations resume and ensure any safety related concerns.

Industries with well-maintained and reliable equipment are expected to be the ones that will be better positioned to respond to upcoming rise in demand for goods and services. Those companies that are using predictive maintenance to prepare for the recovery are expected to profit.

However, the short-term investment is required and the equipment for condition monitoring is very expensive. Moreover, the sensors of condition monitoring may not survive depending upon the environment and the machine exhibits unpredictable maintenance periods. Such factors challenges the market growth.

Key Market Trends

Automotive Transportation to Witness Significant Growth

Europe to Occupy a Significant Share

Competitive Landscape

Machine Condition Monitoring Market is moderately competitive with no firm having a very large market share. The companies enter into strategic partnerships to gain market power and market dominance.

March 2021 - Emerson Electric launched Rosemount 4390 series corrosion and erosion monitoring wireless transmitters with digital capabilities and integration with Plantweb Digital ecosystem.

Key Topics Covered



1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Scope of the Study

1.2 Study Assumptions



2 RESEARCH APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY



3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



4 MARKET INSIGHTS

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis

4.3 Industry Attractiveness Porters Five Force Analysis

4.4 Impact of COVID-19 on the Market



5 MARKET DYNAMICS

5.1 Market Drivers

5.1.1 Increasing Equipment Performance and Productivity through Predictive Maintenance

5.1.2 Rising Predictive Maintenance Requirements

5.1.3 Industry 4.0 and Emerging Industrial Applications across Manufacturing and Process Industries

5.2 Market Challenges

5.2.1 Cost Implications in Line with Retrofits

5.2.2 Global Macroeconomic and Geopolitical Factors



6 MARKET SEGMENTATION

6.1 Machine Condition Monitoring

6.1.1 Type

6.1.1.1 Hardware

6.1.1.1.1 Vibration Condition Monitoring Equipment

6.1.1.1.2 Thermography Equipment

6.1.1.1.3 Lubricating Oil Analysis

6.1.1.1.4 Ultrasound Emission Monitoring

6.1.1.1.5 Other Types

6.1.1.2 Software

6.1.1.3 Services

6.1.1.3.1 Remote Monitoring Services

6.1.1.3.2 Instrumentation Maintenance Services

6.1.1.3.3 Machinery Diagnostics Services

6.2 Vibration Monitoring Equipment

6.2.1 End User Industry

6.2.1.1 Oil and Gas

6.2.1.2 Power Generation

6.2.1.3 Process and Manufacturing

6.2.1.4 Aerospace and Defense

6.2.1.5 Automotive and Transportation

6.2.1.6 Other End-user Industries (Marine, Mining, Metal, etc.)

6.2.2 Geography

6.2.2.1 North America

6.2.2.1.1 United States

6.2.2.1.2 Canada

6.2.2.2 Europe

6.2.2.2.1 Germany

6.2.2.2.2 United Kingdom

6.2.2.2.3 France

6.2.2.2.4 Rest of Europe

6.2.2.3 Asia Pacific

6.2.2.3.1 China

6.2.2.3.2 Japan

6.2.2.3.3 India

6.2.2.3.4 Rest of Asia Pacific

6.2.2.4 Rest of the World

6.2.3 Vendor Market Share Analysis

6.3 Thermography Equipment

6.3.1 End User Vertical

6.3.1.1 Oil and Gas

6.3.1.2 Power Generation

6.3.1.3 Process and Manufacturing

6.3.1.4 Aerospace and Defense

6.3.1.5 Automotive and Transportation

6.3.1.6 Other End-user Verticals (Marine, Mining, Metal, etc.)

6.3.2 Geography

6.3.2.1 North America

6.3.2.1.1 United States

6.3.2.1.2 Canada

6.3.2.2 Europe

6.3.2.2.1 Germany

6.3.2.2.2 United Kingdom

6.3.2.2.3 France

6.3.2.2.4 Rest of Europe (Eastern Europe and Other Western European Countries)

6.3.2.3 Asia Pacific

6.3.2.3.1 China

6.3.2.3.2 Japan

6.3.2.3.3 India

6.3.2.3.4 Rest of Asia Pacific

6.3.2.4 Rest of the World (Latin America and Middle East and Africa)

6.3.3 Vendor Market Share Analysis

6.4 Lubricating Oil Analysis Equipment

6.4.1 End User Vertical

6.4.1.1 Oil and Gas

6.4.1.2 Power Generation

6.4.1.3 Process and Manufacturing

6.4.1.4 Aerospace and Defense

6.4.1.5 Automotive and Transportation

6.4.1.6 Other End-user Verticals (Marine, Mining, Metal, etc.)

6.4.2 Geography

6.4.2.1 North America

6.4.2.1.1 United States

6.4.2.1.2 Canada

6.4.2.2 Europe

6.4.2.2.1 Germany

6.4.2.2.2 United Kingdom

6.4.2.2.3 France

6.4.2.2.4 Rest of Europe

6.4.2.3 Asia Pacific

6.4.2.3.1 China

6.4.2.3.2 Japan

6.4.2.3.3 India

6.4.2.3.4 Rest of Asia Pacific

6.4.2.4 Rest of the World (Latin America and Middle East and Africa)

6.4.3 Vendor Market Share Analysis



7 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

7.1 Company Profiles

7.1.1 Meggitt Sensing Systems (Meggitt PLC)

7.1.2 Rockwell Automation Inc.

7.1.3 GE Bently Nevada

7.1.4 Emerson Electric Co.

7.1.5 SKF AB

7.1.6 Bruel & Kjaer Vibro

7.1.7 FLIR Systems Inc.

7.1.8 Fluke Corporation

7.1.9 Nippon Avionics Co. Ltd.

7.1.10 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

7.1.11 Perkin Elmer Inc.

7.1.12 AMETEK Spectro Scientific

7.1.13 Parker Kittiwake (PARKER HANNIFIN CORP.)

7.1.14 Gastops Ltd.



8 INVESTMENT ANALYSIS



9 FUTURE OF THE MARKET

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bgn8az
New York, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Specialized Design Services Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06193735/?utm_source=GNW

Ltd., Perkins+Will, HOK Group, Arcadis NV, Martela Oyj and CPFL Energia S.A.



The global specialized design services market is expected to grow from $127.28 billion in 2021 to $142.92 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3%. The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $216.97 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 11.0%.



The specialized design services market consists of sales of specialized design services such as interior, industrial, graphic and fashion design services and related goods by entities (organizations, sole traders and partnerships) that plan, design and administer projects as required by client specifications.The specialized design services market does not include architectural, engineering and computer system design services.



Specialized design services undertake processes where human capital is the major input.They make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis, where an individual or team is responsible for the delivery of services to the client.



The specialized design services market is segmented into interior design services; graphic design services; industrial design services and fashion and other design services.



The main types of specialized design services are interior design services, graphic design services, and industrial design services.Graphic design is a visual communication art or profession that mixes images, words, and ideas to transmit information to an audience, with the goal of achieving a specific effect.



The services are available in various modes including online and offline mode. The different service providers include large enterprise, small and medium enterprise.



North America was the largest region in the specialized design services market in 2021.Asia Pacific was the second largest region in the specialized design services market.



The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.



Many design services companies are entering into new markets, or collaborating with foreign designers to offer a wide range of services, thereby eliminating boundaries on the geographic scope of design services.As overseas travel is becoming prevalent, awareness of the latest design trends is increasing.



Therefore, many companies have access to more globalized and advanced design services. For instance, Callison RTKL, a Batimore based design firm collaborated with HBS realtors, an Indian real estate company to design residential buildings in India.



Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies are being widely used by interior design service providers to provide customized design to customers and offer low cost design plans in a short time span.Virtual reality is the use of computer technology to create a computer stimulated visuals and augmented reality is a real environment objects supplemented with computer-generated information through sensory inputs.



These technologies aid in reducing rework, increase quality, lower labour costs, improve safety, streamline collaboration and aid in project management.For instance, Decorilla, an online interior design service provider, is providing AR and VR based technologies for interior designing.



Large companies such as Google, Facebook, and Samsung are also widely using these technologies to increase productivity and enhance quality associated with designing. Other companies using virtual reality and augmented reality for interior designs include roOmy and Vectorworks.



The outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has acted as a restraint on the specialized design services market in 2020 as governments globally imposed lockdowns and restricted trade, thereby limiting the need for professional services.COVID-19 is an infectious disease with flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing.



The virus was first identified in 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province of the Peoples Republic of China and spread globally including Western Europe, North America and Asia.Steps by national governments to contain the transmission have resulted in a decline in economic activity with countries entering a state of lock down and the outbreak had a negative impact on businesses throughout 2020 and into 2021.



However, it is expected that the specialized design services market will recover from the shock across the forecast period as it is a black swan event and not related to ongoing or fundamental weaknesses in the market or the global economy.



The countries covered in the specialized design services market are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06193735/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
TORONTO, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Labrador Gold Corp. (TSX.V:LAB | OTCQX:NKOSF | FNR: 2N6) (LabGold or the Company) is pleased to review its 2021 exploration success along the Appleton Fault Zone and to give an update on plans for 2022 at its 100% controlled Kingsway project near Gander, Newfoundland. The Kingsway project is located in the highly prospective central Newfoundland gold belt.



Drilling

In early April, 2021 LabGold began a 10,000-metre diamond drilling program began at Kingsway, testing the Big Vein target where visible gold in quartz vein boulders was found in late 2020. The drilling program was increased to 50,000 metres in June following completion of two private placements.

Between the start of drilling in April and the break for the festive season in December, a total of 26,767 metres were drilled in 116 holes primarily at Big Vein. Drilling at the new Pristine target began in November and nine holes totalling 2,229 metres have been drilled to date. Assays have been received for 56% of samples submitted to the laboratory or approximately 15,000 metres of core.

Highlights from the drilling program include high grade intersections of 276.56 g/t Au over 0.5m in hole K-21-31 and 75.86 g/t Au over 1m in hole K-21-49 from the Big Vein zone and 44.08 g/t Au over 4.28m in hole K-21-39, and 128.51 over 1.12g/t Au in hole K-21-47 from the HTC Zone.

Regional Exploration

LabGold continued its systematic exploration along the Appleton Fault Zone during 2021, using prospecting, mapping, geophysics, soil and till sampling to great effect with two significant results.

Prospecting following up coincident structures and geochemical anomalies led to the discovery of the Golden Glove occurrence on the east side of the Appleton Fault Zone approximately 3.4km southwest of Big Vein. The occurrence consists of an outcrop of quartz vein containing visible gold that assayed from 2.99 g/t Au to 338.08 g/t Au. Soil sampling, ground magnetics and VLF-EM have been carried out in the Golden Glove area to assist in drill targeting with results expected early in the new year.

Two till samples taken approximately 700 metres northeast (down ice) of Big Vein returned 165 and 311 gold grains of which 96% and 83%, respectively were pristine. The large number of pristine grains in these samples indicates a short transport distance suggesting a source other than Big Vein closer to the sample locations. Follow up work in the area immediately up ice of these samples found quartz veins containing pyrite and arsenopyrite. Diamond drilling at this Pristine target began in November and assays from the first holes are pending.

Numerous other gold anomalies were uncovered along the Appleton Fault Zone that will be aggressively followed up during 2022 to define additional targets for drilling.

Financings

During the year, the Company raised $24.8 million at an average price of $0.81 in two private placements with Mr. Eric Sprott and New Found Gold. As at December 24,2021, the Company had $30.8 million in cash and a market cap of $124.5 million.

Outlook for 2022

LabGold will continue to explore the entire 12km strike length of the Appleton Fault Zone during 2022 including:

Continued diamond drilling at Big Vein and the Pristine target testing along strike and at depth.

Initial drilling at Golden Glove following receipt of survey results and drill permit.

Upgrading of gold anomalies and generation of new targets using the same techniques that produced discoveries during 2020 and 2021.



2021 was an exciting year for us as the LabGold team built on the exploration success achieved in 2020. The drilling at Big Vein demonstrated the presence of high grade epizonal style gold mineralization at Kingsway and the discovery of visible gold at Golden Glove and pristine gold grains at the Pristine target reinforces the prospectivity of the Appleton Fault Zone, said Roger Moss, President and CEO of Labrador Gold. Given the number of gold anomalies we have uncovered along the 12km length of the Appleton Fault Zone 2022 is shaping up to be another year of discovery for LabGold. Many assays remain outstanding from 2021 which, together with our continued drilling, will result in a steady flow of news next year. With over $30 million in cash and no debt the Company is well capitalized for its planned exploration programs. I would like to express my thanks to the LabGold exploration team for their commitment to the project and to the Newfoundland government for their continued support and assistance. Finally, to our shareholders, we wouldnt be here without you, and we look forward to sharing with you what we expect to be another year of discovery in 2022.

QA/QC

True widths of the reported intersections have yet to be calculated. Assays are uncut. Samples of HQ and NQ split core are securely stored prior to shipping to Eastern Analytical Laboratory in Springdale, Newfoundland for assay. Eastern Analytical is an ISO/IEC17025 accredited laboratory. Samples are routinely analyzed for gold by standard 30g fire assay with ICP (inductively coupled plasma) finish with samples containing visible gold assayed by metallic screen/fire assay. The company submits blanks and certified reference standards at a rate of approximately 5% of the total samples in each batch.

Qualified Person

Roger Moss, PhD., P.Geo., President and CEO of LabGold, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this release.

The Company gratefully acknowledges the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Natural Resources Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) Program for its financial support for exploration of the Kingsway property.

About Labrador Gold

Labrador Gold is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of prospective gold projects in Eastern Canada.

In early 2020, Labrador Gold acquired the option to earn a 100% interest in the Kingsway project in the Gander area of Newfoundland. The three licenses comprising the Kingsway project cover approximately 12km of the Appleton Fault Zone which is associated with gold occurrences in the region, including those of New Found Gold immediately to the south of Kingsway. Infrastructure in the area is excellent located just 18km from the town of Gander with road access to the project, nearby electricity and abundant local water. LabGold is drilling a projected 50,000 metres targeting high-grade epizonal gold mineralization along the Appleton Fault Zone following encouraging early results. The Company has approximately $32 million in working capital and is well funded to carry out the planned program.

The Hopedale property covers much of the Florence Lake greenstone belts that stretches over 60 km. The belt is typical of greenstone belts around the world but has been underexplored by comparison. Work to date by Labrador Gold show gold anomalies in rocks, soils and lake sediments over a 3-kilometre section of the northern portion of the Florence Lake greenstone belt in the vicinity of the known Thurber Dog gold showing where grab samples assayed up to 7.8g/t gold. In addition, anomalous gold in soil and lake sediment samples occur over approximately 40 km along the southern section of the greenstone belt (see news release dated January 25th 2018 for more details). Labrador Gold now controls approximately 40km strike length of the Florence Lake Greenstone Belt.

The Company has 153,711,033 common shares issued and outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LAB.

For more information please contact:

Roger Moss, President and CEO Tel: 416-704-8291

Or visit our website at: www.labradorgold.com

Twitter @LabGoldCorp

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such as actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Running an e-commerce business is a great way to reach a huge audience of potential customers, but all online businesses have unique complications. Even someone with decades of experience may not know what to do when an unexpected bug pops up on their website. When this happens, e-commerce support teams like 1Digital Agency can help.

Since they first opened their doors in 2012, the 1Digital team has specialized in offering e-commerce businesses the services that they need. Over the years, they have expanded their agency to offer a variety of e-commerce services including custom design, development, digital marketing, and migration services. Because they have a team of experts for all things e-commerce, they also offer a wide variety of e-commerce support services and options for their customers.

One of the cornerstones of 1Digital Agency's e-commerce services is their extended care plans. Their team has worked on countless projects over the years and this means that they are no strangers to quickly and efficiently resolving online store issues. Knowing the inner workings of a variety of popular e-commerce platforms helps the 1Digital team address any bugs that their customers experience so that they can get back up and running, preserving the shopping experience.

Building an e-commerce website is a complicated process and even an amazing website can experience issues. A bug might cause difficulties or an unexpected update can crash apps that a site relies on without warning. Having a team of experts providing a long-term care plan to resolve these issues can help prevent a minor inconvenience from spiraling into a major headache.

The team at 1Digital can also handle any project that an e-commerce business might need. This includes custom design and development projects as well as great search engine optimization and PPC marketing campaigns. Many of the businesses that work with 1Digital end up continuing with their team in the form of a support package because their team specializes in getting things done right while keeping their customers in the loop every step of the way.

The team at 1Digital provides e-commerce website support by granting their clients access to their CRM workspace, Podio. If there is a bug that needs fixing or code that needs updating, clients can simply reach out to anyone on their team via Podio to get a quick response and start the process of resolving the issue.

1Digital Agency is a clear choice for businesses that need help with any facet of their website. Businesses in need of e-commerce website support can reach out to put together their own extended care support plan. Just give them a call at 888.982.8269 or send an email to info@1Digitalagency.com to reach out to one of their e-commerce experts.

Related Images











Image 1: E-Commerce Support Services help scale and support long term growth





1Digital Agency's extended care plans can help e-commerce merchants solve a variety of issues, both simple and complex.









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Pittsburgh, PA, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Executive Women In Bio (EWIB), a Women In Bio (WIB) initiative, celebrates a milestone year in 2021 with the 100th Boardroom Ready Alumnae appointment to a corporate board in the life science industry. This year alone, more than 40 appointments took place, totaling 112 placements since the programs inception. Boardroom Ready is an award-winning executive development platform designed to fuel womens participation on corporate boards.

Boardroom Ready is designed to identify and amplify C-suite women who are ready, willing and able to contribute and serve on corporate boards. The program works to ensure that boardrooms reflect the diverse world we live in, and we are proud to have made significant progress towards that mission with this years record-breaking number of appointments, said Lisa Iadicicco, Executive Director, WIB.

Boardroom Ready began in 2016 and saw three members of the inaugural Cohort appointed to corporate boards. Since then, the program has more than doubled the number of board appointments each year. The Boardroom Ready Alumnae community is the epitome of phenomenal women. As chair of EWIB, it is critical to have more women in the boardroom and I advocate for that at every opportunity. We know that real change occurs only when we change the culture of governance in boardrooms and we do that by advocating for these amazing women to receive director roles, said Shehnaaz Suliman.

If you or someone you know is interested in serving on a board, the 2022 Boardroom Application process is open. Applicants must have current WIB membership and an interest in continued involvement with WIB (e.g., either through Executive Women In Bio (EWIB), local chapter involvement, sponsorship or mentorship.

To learn more about WIB, EWIB and Boardroom Ready, visit www.womeninbio.org. Distinguished Alumnae are available for interviews upon request.

About Executive Women In Bio

Executive Women in Bio (EWIB) is a committee comprised of senior leaders in biopharma and the life sciences operating within the membership-based, national non-profit organization, Women in Bio (WIB). EWIB champions for greater diversity and is committed to supporting female leadership through professional development programs, including Boardroom Ready. EWIB strives to be a foundational resource for women in executive roles, by fostering achievement and empowering women to be the best leaders and influencers they can be through formal education, training, and structured networking. EWIB offers a competitive, intensive board competency-building curriculum held annually at George Washington University to refine skills and to increase preparedness for the responsibilities related to serving on both public and private boards. For more information, visit: https://www.womeninbio.org/Executives

About Women In Bio

Founded in 2002 to support all women employed in the field of life sciences from the classroom to the boardroom, Women In Bio (WIB) is a multifaceted organization with 14 chapters across North America and Montreal. It offers an array of professional educational programs, peer to peer learning, mentoring and networking opportunities, and is the only organization for women that integrates all career levels and life sciences fields. WIB is funded by sponsors and partners dedicated to supporting women of all ages in their lifelong journey in the life sciences and beyond. Please visit https://www.womeninbio.org.

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BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While it may sound exciting to start and run a business, it is a risky endeavor and even businesses based around a good idea can fail when there is a lack of understanding about the risks involved. In fact, the numbers are against any would-be entrepreneurs. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that, on average, two out of every 10 businesses fail within the first year. Only five of those remaining businesses will likely make it past five years and only two or three of them will make it past 10 years. The data shows that this has not changed much in the past 30 years and the failure rate is actually quite similar in most countries outside of the U.S. too.

Top-rated business consulting firm Success Financial Team has decided to weigh in on the topic and share some of what they know on the topic of why businesses fail and how to stop it.

Regardless of the risk of failure, hundreds of thousands of new businesses are started every year - many by those who had failed in the past and are trying again - by people who have an idea and want to be the owner of their very own business. The ability to independently control one's own destiny in the pursuit of a passion is just one of the reasons people pursue this path. However, even considering the high risk of failure, the challenges and stress that come from running a business are numerous and it is not likely to be an easy undertaking.

While this may seem a little intimidating, Success Financial Team emphasizes that one shouldn't let these worries kill their entrepreneurial spirit. Instead, try to understand the major reasons why many businesses fail to avoid their mistakes. The good news is that there tends to be a few common reasons as to why businesses fail so avoiding these can give a huge advantage. Also, despite the obstacles, the majority of business founders tend to self-report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction over their decision to start their own business.

According to Success Financial Team's experience, the most commonly cited problem for businesses that fail early is that they lacked a business plan. A solid and realistic business plan can make or break a business's early days and while disruptions happen, obstacles frequently arise, and plans can go in unplanned directions, having some kind of understanding and plan for the future to center a business around is crucial. Often, this problem stems from someone who comes up with some kind of product or service and then conducts inadequate market research. They do not properly investigate if there is a need in the market for what they have to offer or what kind of competition there might be, and this leads to bad or no planning.

Relatedly, another common problem is the failure to adapt to changes and make the relevant adjustments to a plan. The occurrence of daily problems is unavoidable and some will create larger shocks than others. This may be one of the reasons many entrepreneurs decide not to create a business plan, but this is too extreme of a response.

Rather, Success Financial Team suggests that business owners should create as detailed of a plan they can with short, medium, and long-term goals but be prepared to make adjustments along the way and expect some deviations. All of this is of course easier said than done, and it should be noted that many successful business owners find this out through trial and error with one or more failed businesses in the rear-view mirror. Luckily, experience does not always have to be gained in this way and business owners can learn many of these concepts through collaboration with other entrepreneurs or consultants who have the experience, expertise, and knowledge needed to start and run a successful business.

Success Financial Team is a nationally recognized consulting firm that helps business owners push past the obstacles that lead to failure and, instead, helps them establish a strong presence in local communities while creating sustainably growing revenue streams. Through Success Financial Team's services, business owners can learn to create a strong foundation of repeatable processes that are proven to work and keep a business growing. While Success Financial Team is not a franchise, the businesses processes they teach are similar to how franchise operations are successful - in that the head company hands down a set of processes for its franchisees to continuously follow.

However, while these franchise operations tend to get a leg-up with the use of a powerful brand, smaller local businesses that are still in the process of creating a brand will need to approach the problem differently. A key part of Success Financial Team's approach is to offer individually tailored solutions to its clients and provide exactly what they need in the circumstances they are in. The consultants and experts at Success Financial Team understand that there is no "one size fits all" solution for businesses and works with the clients to tackle problems and help them build a set of repeatable processes that work. With the help of Success Financial Team, business owners can comfortably expect to get the help they need and become one of the few businesses that achieves long-term success.

To know more about Success Financial Team and its services, please visit https://successfinancialteam.com/. For questions, suggestions, and other concerns, feel free to send an email to info@successfinancialteam.com at any time.

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ring Energy, Inc. (NYSE American: REI) (Ring or the Company) today announced that it has issued its Inaugural Sustainability Report, which is now available on the Companys website at www.ringenergy.com under the Sustainability tab.



The report provides detailed information about Rings Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives and related key performance indicators. In the creation of the document, the Company consulted the Sustainability Accounting Standards Boards (SASB) Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Sustainability Accounting Standard, the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promulgated by the United Nations, and other reporting guidance from industry frameworks and standards.

Paul D. McKinney, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, Rings Board of Directors and executive team share a commitment to providing greater transparency and more clearly communicating our ESG initiatives and practices. Equally committed to our efforts is what we view as a best-in-class employee team and together, we are focused on creating long-term value and financial sustainability for our stakeholders while fostering a culture that is steadfast on environmental stewardship, operational safety, social responsibility and sound corporate governance. We invite you to review our Inaugural Sustainability Report to learn more about our ESG performance and our plans to drive further alignment in the future with the various reporting frameworks as we continue our ESG reporting journey.

About Ring Energy, Inc.

Ring Energy, Inc. is an oil and gas exploration, development, and production company with current operations focused on the conventional development of its Permian Basin assets in West Texas and New Mexico. For additional information, please visit www.ringenergy.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements involve a wide variety of risks and uncertainties, and include, without limitations, statements with respect to the Companys strategy and prospects. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which are disclosed in the Companys reports filed with the SEC, including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and its other filings with the SEC. Readers and investors are cautioned that the Companys actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the Companys ability to acquire productive oil and/or gas properties or to successfully drill and complete oil and/or gas wells on such properties, general economic conditions both domestically and abroad, and the conduct of business by the Company, and other factors that may be more fully described in additional documents set forth by the Company.

Contact Information

Al Petrie Advisors

Al Petrie, Senior Partner

Phone: 281-975-2146

Email: apetrie@ringenergy.com
With 22 races in 2021, it was an intense and busy season. It should also be noted that two consecutive races were held in Austria, which meant that the teams did not have to travel, and for 2022 a record number of 23 Grands Prix are planned.

Concerns

Unlike this year, all races will be held at different circuits. Moreover, Formula 1 returns - at least if the corona pandemic allows it - to circuits in Canada, Singapore, Japan and Australia. Drivers and teams have to fly through many different time zones, and is a concern for many people's physical health.



Alain Prost is worried about the sheer number of races on the calendar. In the podcast 'The Fast Lane', the Alpine advisor indicates that a battle of attrition awaits for the staff and, also for the fans as so many races is not ideal. "[F1] also has to remain exceptional, 23 races is a lot. I remember, maybe not this year, but the first time we had three races in a row, even for me, I lost interest a little bit. There was too often a race."

Good balance

An important reason to hold 23 races is undoubtedly a commercial one: more Grands Prix means more income from sponsorships and fees from organisers. Prost says there has to be a good balance between the number of races, how often fans want to watch and how much money you can generate. "If you have more success and bring in more sponsors, maybe we can have some fewer races. It seems that this is not the way it goes."
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hosting the National Energy Storage SummitJumpstarting Americas Energy Storage Future on March 8-9, 2022 to discuss harnessing science, technology, and policy to accelerate energy storage solutions for the nation.

This virtual event will include significant focus on lithium recovery and development of a domestic battery supply chain. The summit is free and open to the public but registration is required.

Day 1 will focus on leveraging policy, science, and technical innovations across materials, supply chains, and production processes to revolutionize a domestic battery ecosystem and realize Americas full potential, including creating equitable clean-energy jobs in the US.

Day 2 will expand CalCharges annual Bay Area Battery Summit ecosystem to a national stage, with a focus on bridging the diverse stakeholders across science to systems to accelerate equitable national energy storage deployment in all relevant sectors: the evolving grid, manufacturing, resilience, transportation, and buildings. Like last year, the focus will broaden beyond batteries to energy storage at large.
The full New Jersey state Senate approved legislation Monday that would require the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to develop and implement an electric school bus program. The bill (S4077), of which Senator Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., D-Middlesex, is the primary sponsor, would fund for three years the purchase of new electric school buses and the necessary charging infrastructure in a minimum of 18 New Jersey school districts.

At least half of those districts would be located in a low-income, urban, or environmental justice community as defined pursuant to state law.

The Senate approved the measure 35-3 with two members of the upper house not voting.

On a typical school day, more than 800,000 New Jersey students ride to and from school on one of the states 15,000 diesel school buses.

The sticker price of a new electric school bus can be nearly triple that of a new diesel bus, making it difficult for school districts to afford making an immediate transition. However, electric school buses are believed to be cheaper to own over the life of the vehicles than diesel alternatives due to a combination of lower fuel and maintenance costs and because vehicle-to-grid capabilities would allow school districts to sell electric buses stored energy back to the utility.

A University of Delaware study estimates one electric school bus could save a district about $230,000 over its 14-year lifespan.

Diegnans legislation requires the NJDEP to develop and implement a three-year electric school bus program, designed to determine the operational reliability and cost effectiveness of replacing diesel-powered school buses with electric school buses for daily transportation of students.

The bill requires the NJDEP to select no less than six school districts and school bus contractors annually for participation in the program, so that during the third year of the program, no less than a total of 18 school districts or school bus contractors have been selected.

The NJDEP is to design a transparent outreach and application process to facilitate the selection of districts and bus contractors. The NJDEP is to use its best efforts to select an equal number of grantees from the states northern, central, and southern regions.

The NJDEP is to award grants to districts or bus contractors selected to participate in the program to purchase or lease electric school buses and to purchase or lease and install electric school bus charging infrastructure.

According to the bill, $45 million is to be made available for grants provided under the program. The NJDEP is to provide $15 million in grants for each year of the three-year program. The DEP may use available monies to provide grants from the Societal Benefits Charge revenues and the Global Warming Solutions Fund.

The bill requires the districts or bus contractors selected to participate in the program to submit reports to the NJDEP detailing the cost to operate electric school buses, including electric school bus maintenance records and transponder data, and details of any reliability issues related to the operation of the buses.

The NJDEP is to establish a committee, chaired by a representative of the NJDEP, which also includes a representative of the states Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and Economic Development Authority (EDA). The committee is to meet monthly to review the reports and recommend solutions to any issue raised in a quarterly report submitted by a program participant.

The committee is to require a recipient of any grant under any state agency-administered program for the provision of an electric school bus and electric school bus charging infrastructure to submit any additional information and data to the committee to complement any data received by the committee from program participants.

The bill requires the NJDEP, in collaboration with the BPU and the EDA, to submit reports to the governor and legislature within six months following the conclusion of the program.
In the weeks leading up to the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, a handful of Americans  well-known politicians, obscure local bureaucrats  stood up to block then-President Donald Trumps unprecedented attempt to overturn a free and fair vote of the American people.

In the year since, Trump-aligned Republicans have worked to clear the path for next time.

In battleground states and beyond, Republicans are taking hold of the once-overlooked machinery of elections. While the effort is incomplete and uneven, outside experts on democracy and Democrats are sounding alarms, warning that the United States is witnessing a slow-motion insurrection with a better chance of success than Trumps failed power grab last year.

They point to a mounting list of evidence: Several candidates who deny Trumps loss are running for offices that could have a key role in the election of the next president in 2024. In Michigan, the Republican Party is restocking members of obscure local boards that could block approval of an election. In Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, the GOP-controlled legislatures are backing open-ended reviews of the 2020 election, modeled on a deeply flawed look-back in Arizona. The efforts are poised to fuel disinformation and anger about the 2020 results for years to come.

All this comes as the Republican Party has become more aligned behind Trump, who has made denial of the 2020 results a litmus test for his support. Trump has praised the Jan. 6 rioters and backed primaries aimed at purging lawmakers who have crossed him. Sixteen GOP governors have signed laws making it more difficult to vote. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll showed that two-thirds of Republicans do not believe Democrat Joe Biden was legitimately elected as president.

Its not clear that the Republican Party is willing to accept defeat anymore, said Steven Levitsky, a Harvard political scientist and co-author of the book How Democracies Die. The party itself has become an anti-democratic force.

Republicans who sound alarms are struggling to be heard by their own party. GOP Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming or Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, members of a House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection, are often dismissed as party apostates.

Some local officials, the people closest to the process and its fragility, are pleading for change. At a recent news conference in Wisconsin, Kathleen Bernier, a GOP state senator and former elections clerk, denounced her partys efforts to seize control of the election process.

These made up things that people do to jazz up the base is just despicable and I dont believe any elected legislator should play that game, said Bernier.

In Georgia, an election bill signed this year by the GOP governor gave the Republican-controlled General Assembly new powers over the state board of elections, which controls its local counterparts.

The law is being used to launch a review of operations in solidly-Democratic Fulton County, home to most of Atlanta, which could lead to a state takeover. The legislature also passed measures allowing local officials to remove Democrats from election boards in six other counties.

In Pennsylvania, the GOP-controlled legislature is undertaking a review of the presidential election, subpoenaing voter information that Democrats contend is an unprecedented intrusion into voter privacy.

In Michigan, the GOP has focused on the states county boards of canvassers. The little-known committees power was briefly in the spotlight in November of 2020, when Trump urged the two Republican members of the board overseeing Wayne County, home to Democratic-bastion Detroit, to vote to block certification of the election.

Michigan officials say that if boards of canvassers dont certify an election they can be sued and compelled to do so. Still, that process could cause chaos and be used as a rallying cry behind election disputes.

Theyre laying the groundwork for a slow-motion insurrection, said Mark Brewer, an election lawyer and former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.

The most prominent Trump push is in Georgia, where the former president is backing U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, who voted against Bidens Electoral College victory on Jan. 6, in a primary race against the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger. He rejected Trumps pleas to find enough votes to declare him the winner.

Trump also encouraged former U.S. Sen. David Perdue to challenge Gov. Brian Kemp in the GOP primary. Kemp turned down Trumps entreaties to declare him the victor in the 2020 election.

In Nevada, multiple lawsuits seeking to overturn Bidens victory were thrown out by judges. A suit aimed at overturning his congressional loss was filed by Jim Marchant, a former GOP state lawmaker now running to be secretary of state, and it too was dismissed. The current Republican secretary of state, Barbara Cegavske, who is term limited, found there was no significant fraud in the contests.

In Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Democratic governors have been a major impediment to the GOPs effort to overhaul elections. Most significantly, they have vetoed new rules that Democrats argue are aimed at making it harder for people of color to vote.

Governors have a significant role in U.S. elections: They certify the winners in their states, clearing way for the appointment of Electoral College members. That raises fears that Trump-friendly governors could try to certify him  if he were to run in 2024 and be the GOP nominee  as the winner of their states electoral votes regardless of the vote count.

Additionally, some Republicans argue that state legislatures can name their own electors no matter what the vote tally says.

But Democrats have had little success in laying out the stakes in these races. Its difficult for voters to believe the system could be vulnerable, said Daniel Squadron of The States Project, a Democratic group that tries to win state legislatures.

The most motivated voters in America today are those who think the 2020 election was stolen, he said. Acknowledging this is afoot requires such a leap from any core American value system that any of us have lived through.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Jim Marchants lawsuit was aimed at overturning his own congressional loss; and to correct the spelling of Raffensperger.
GREENWICH  Of the 8,000 free at-home COVID-19 test kits earmarked for the town, Greenwich officials plan to set aside a portion of them for seniors.

Though the town initially expected to distribute tests Thursday afternoon, Gov. Ned Lamont announced widespread delays in the testing supply chain Wednesday evening, introducing uncertainty into the testing timeline.

Greenwich Police Capt. Mark E. Zuccerella said the hope was to proceed as planned, but said it was contingent on the state receiving the shipment by 5 a.m. Thursday.

If they get the shipment, we have a plan to go and get them so they can be distributed as planned, Zuccerella said.

If they arrive, the kits, which each contain two tests, will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday at two drive-thru locations: at the rear entrance of the Greenwich Senior Center on Bruce Place and at Grass Island Park on Shore Road.

The kits, which each contain two tests, will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday at two drive-thru locations: at the rear entrance of the Greenwich Senior Center on Bruce Place and at Grass Island Park on Shore Road.

The Senior Center will give out test kits only to residents age 60 and older. The Grass Island location will hand out test kits to residents of all ages.

Proof of Greenwich residency will be required by showing either a valid Connecticut drivers license or a 2021 Greenwich parks pass. There is a limit of two test kits per household.

With 8,010 at-home kits available from the state and 63,518 residents in town, it is imperative that there is prioritization for those most in need of tests, First Selectman Fred Camillo said Wednesday afternoon.

That includes the towns seniors and residents who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, Camillo said.

The goal was to distribute of test kits will start statewide on Thursday, with each municipality handing out its own supply.

The state is expecting to receive an initial batch of 500,000 test kits, which the Connecticut National Guard will divvy up for municipalities to hand out. One million more are expected to be sent out statewide in January, according to Lamont.

The states distribution of at-home tests aims to flatten the omicron curve as COVID cases have surged in the state, according to Lamont.

As of Dec. 28, there were 445 active COVID cases in Greenwich, an increase of 260 cases since Dec. 21, town officials said on Wednesday. Also, Greenwich Hospital reported it was treating 32 COVID-positive patients on Wednesday.

Town Director of Health Caroline Baisley said last week that the omicron variant of COVID-19 was raging in Greenwich, and she urged residents to wear masks.

The positivity rate hit 14.98 percent in Connecticut on Tuesday, a new high, as a surge of COVID-19 infections continued in the days after Christmas. That rate was about 4 percentage points higher than the previous record set since the state launched broad testing efforts.

Tests, vaccines

Greenwich Hospital continues to offer drive-through COVID testing by appointment only. Appointments can be made online at https://covidtesting2.ynhhs.org/. The appontments are limited to priority populations, including people who are having procedures at Greenwich Hospital, health care workers, first responders and anyone with symptoms of COVID who has an order from a licensed independent practitioner.

Camillo also urged residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to get booster shots when eligible.

With this surge in numbers, which we expect will continue through the New Years holiday and the return to school next week, I strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated and boosted, he said. Those COVID patients who are vaccinated experience much milder symptoms than the unvaccinated patients. Unvaccinated patients account for about three-quarters of all hospitalized patients.

Under recently revised guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Protection, if an at-home test for COVID yields a positive result, that person should isolate for five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. The CDC has also said there is no need to obtain a follow-up PCR test.

Last week, Camillo reinstituted a mask requirement in all town-owned buildings, including town hall, the civic centers and the libraries, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are also required in schools.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
Xiaomi launched three phones under the Redmi Note 11 family, followed by a Redmi Note 11T, and now another one is joining - Redmi Note 11S. The phone with model number 2201117SG appeared on multiple certification websites, including the NBTC in Singapore, BIS in India, and the Eurasian Economic Area (EEC).

There are no less than four more variations of the model number, which are likely for the different carrier configurations, as well as multiple storage options. Sadly, the listings give zero information on any actual specs, launch date, or pricing whatsoever.

The Redmi Note 10S arrived for the global market in March 2021, but its successor may well come earlier thatn that.

The Redmi Note 11S will be the fourth name in the family, but not the fourth one in all countries. The Note 11 Pro and Note 11 Pro+ are expected to launch in India as Xiaomi 11i and Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge (not to be confused with Mi 11i) as soon as next Thursday.

Via
Samsung is moving fast in the updates world. Just yesterday the company managed to restart its update to One UI 4 based on Android 12 for the Galaxy S21 family as well as the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 after having paused the rollout for a few days to fix some bugs.

And today, only one day later, the company is ready to send out One UI 4 to even more devices. We're talking about the entire Galaxy S20 family, including the S20 FE, as well as the Galaxy Note20 family. All of the devices in these ranges are now receiving the latest software, based on Android 12, at least in one place in the world, and that is Switzerland.

Presumably, the rollout will soon expand geographically in order to make it to as many other places as possible before the end of the year. Last week Samsung announced that it was done releasing betas for the S20 family and that the stable update would follow, and here we are.

Source
Local leaders must stop abetting criminal activity and support the enforcement of a federal cockfighting ban, said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, on Wednesday.

Pacelle and Animal Wellness Action, based out of Washington D.C., have been lobbying for a crackdown on cockfighting on the island. He acknowledged that the government of Guam itself was not responsible for enforcing the ban, but said that leaders who voiced opposition were in defiance of the law.

What I have asked is that they not abet criminal activities, that they not give some sort of comfort to people who are breaking the law by saying, Oh, this is just a cultural activity, Pacelle said.

Federal felony

This is a federal felony, the rule of law matters, elected officials take an oath, and part of that oath is to the United States Constitution, he said, adding that challenges to the ban were already struck down in court.

According to Animal Wellness Action animal fighting expert Eric Sakach, cockfighting bans were unlike the situation with the drug trade, especially marijuana. While multiple states are moving toward more lenient drug policies, in opposition to the federal war on drugs, drugs were a personal use issue and not one that harms other living beings, he said.

Guam law

Guam law dictates that enforcing the ban is not a priority for local law enforcement. With no local statute banning the practice, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has said that the unfunded ban is left to federal agencies.

But local laws cause moral confusion among citizens, Pacelle said. Not supporting the ban would give comfort to cockfighters, and put them at risk of facing up to five years of imprisonment and $250,000 in fines for violating the federal Animal Fighting Law. Despite lags, federal enforcement of the animal rights laws was increasing over time, he said.

We have more robust criminal enforcement of the animal fighting statute than weve ever had  and Congress has passed a number of appropriations bills to provide money specifically for this kind of enforcement, he said.

There was adequate federal law enforcement on Guam to crackdown on cockfighters, from the U.S. Marshalls to the FBI, and Animal Wellness Action will continue to push for stronger enforcement on the island.

Criminal prosecution

He warned against residents participating in what he said was an upcoming cockfighting derby at the Dededo Dome, as they could face criminal prosecution.

The group previously made public a secret schedule of the derby, which is meant to begin on New Years Day, he said. The AWA has no current knowledge about any federal law enforcement action, but would be documenting the derby whenever possible, Pacelle said.

We will be monitoring everything that goes on at the dome. And I dont think that any of this, if it does occur, is going to escape our gaze. And I urge the media to be present. And I urge other citizens to be present to make sure that we are showing that felony level, criminal conspiracies dont occur, he said.
A man and woman were allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine after a car without a front license plate was pulled over.

According to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam, officers noticed a car they thought belonged to an individual wanted for multiple drug arrests and pulled it over.

Officers identified the individuals as Britney Jean San Nicolas Duenas, 28, and Dustin Diron Matagolai Quinata, 20.

Duenas, who sat in the front passenger seat, told officers she was borrowing the car from the individual officers believed to be wanted for multiple drug arrests. Quinata, who did not have a drivers license, gave officers consent to search the car, the complaint stated.

Duenas initially refused to get out of the car but then presented a glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine to officers. A subsequent search of her purse found three small plastic bags with methamphetamine and one small plastic bag in the center console of the car.

Duenas then admitted the methamphetamine and pipe were hers, the complaint stated.

Duenas and Quinata were both charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance as a third-degree felony.

Quinata also was charged with operating a motor vehicle without a valid operators license as a violation.
A man was charged in connection with causing a two-car crash and attempting to leave the scene with a bottle of alcohol.

On Tuesday night John Louis, 50, was being restrained by another man who was told by a witness he crashed into a car in Yigo. According to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam, Louis was being restrained next to the crash and a clear bottle of alcohol was inches away from his body.

As officers attempted to restrain Louis, he began yelling profanities and had slurred speech, bloodshot, watery eyes and smelled like alcohol.

Louis also had difficulty keeping his balance, but kept trying to push officers off and continued to yell profanities before speaking another language.

Officers asked why Louis was driving and he said, Im sorry, according to the complaint.

A witness said Louis was seen trying to pass a vehicle by driving into the oncoming lane. Louis then hit a car, head-on, documents state.

Louis then allegedly tried to run away from the accident while holding a bottle of alcohol before being restrained by a man.

The occupants of the other car were a man and a woman, who was transported by a medic, the complaint stated.

Both cars in the crash had to be towed.

Louis was charged with:
Owners and corporate officers of a construction company were ruled to not be responsible for the death of an employee who died at a worksite in 2018.

Dae San Corporation

The Supreme Court of Guam Justices ruled in favor of corporate officers of Dae San Corporation, saying Kwang H. Kim and Pyung H. Kim were not responsible for the death of Jay Wasisang, who suffered a fatal accident while working as an equipment manager for the company in 2018.

Wasisangs wife, Nadia Ngirangesil, argued the Kims, who were officers but also landowners of the worksite, were supposed to maintain a safe workplace.

Although they were corporate officers and landowners, the Kims were found to not be responsible, as maintaining a safe workplace was outside of their job duties.

The Supreme Court also reiterated that the dual persona doctrine does not apply to negate immunity where defendants have indistinguishable, merged duties as landowners and corporate officers to maintain safe premises. The Kims had put forth sufficient evidence to show that they were entitled to protection under the exclusive remedy provision of the workers compensation statute, according to a press release sent by Judiciary of Guam Public Information Officer Mike Kilayko.

In 2018, Wasisang died as a result of a broken-down forklift accidentally hitting his head as he learned how to maintain and grease a backhoe.

The ruling comes as an appeal of a summary judgement made by Ngirangesil.

Ngirangesil had not carried her burden to show that the Kims had separate and unrelated duties as landowners and corporate officers, meaning that the dual persona doctrine was inapplicable to abrogate immunity. Accordingly, the court affirmed summary judgment in favor of the Kims, Kilayko added.
The former Waikiki Apartments behind the Acanta Malll before being demolished by the Department of Public Works March 13.




Haiti - FLASH : Haiti tries a second time, to extradite Palacios





After the failure of a first request for the extradition by Jamaica of Mario Palacios Palacios, a former Colombian military officer, arrested in Kingston and considered by Haitian justice as the number one suspect in the July 7, 2021 assassination of the President Jovenel Moise https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html , request formulated by the former Chancellor Claude Joseph https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35121-haiti-flash-haiti-requests-the-extradition-of-one-of-the-presumed-murderers-of-president-moise.html , rejected because it "did not meet legal requirements under Jamaican extradition law" did not discourage Haitian authorities from obtaining Palacios' extradition.



Haiti is now trying for the second time to obtain the extradition of Palacios, this time invoking an imperial treaty promulgated in 1874 between Haiti, the United Kingdom and Ireland as a legal basis. According to Haiti's interpretation of this treaty, the extradition of Palacios would be obvious.



However, Carolyn Cameron, one of Palacioss lawyers, points out that this document is "obsolete" recalling that this treaty was replaced in 1973 by the Convention on Extradition "Committal Procedures Acte Convention which has already been invoked in vain by Haiti during its first request and that there is no extradition treaty between the two countries https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35247-haiti-flash-the-suspect-1-of-the-murder-of-jovenel-moise-cannot-be-extradited-to-haiti.html



At the same time, Mario Antonio Palacios' lawyers demanded during a hearing at the Supreme Court of Jamaica the release of their client. The Jamaican Supreme Court magistrates have taken the petition under advisement.



If this second request fails, in the absence of an extradition treaty all that will remain for Haiti is the diplomatic channel to try to convince Jamaica to hand Palacios into the hands of Haitian justice a Colombian citizen...



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35587-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35247-haiti-flash-the-suspect-1-of-the-murder-of-jovenel-moise-cannot-be-extradited-to-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35054-haiti-flash-a-key-suspect-in-the-assassination-of-jovenel-moise-arrested.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35121-haiti-flash-haiti-requests-the-extradition-of-one-of-the-presumed-murderers-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35093-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34218-haiti-flash-wanted-notice-for-a-very-dangerous-colombian-mercenary.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - COVID-19 : The Omicron variant may already be in Haiti





The arrival of the Omicron variant in Haiti is more than likely, according to Laure Adrien, Director General of the Ministry of Health "We have learned that the Dominican authorities confirmed two imported cases of the Omicron variant on their territory, which logically means that its arrival here is more than probable and perhaps sooner than we think."



He underlines that despite the context in Haiti, marked by the almost general neglect of the Haitian population in the face of the covid-19 pandemic, the Haitian authorities are monitoring the possible arrival of Omicron "Since the announcement of the appearance of this new variant, the National Laboratory has selected samples for sequencing in one of the reference laboratories of the Pan American Health Organization [...] to date we have not received any results confirming the existence of the omicron variant in the submitted samples." Adding "[...] the precautionary measures with Omicron always remain the same, they deserve to be respected more strictly, since this variant is more contagious and more likely to be transmitted."



It is very possible that the Omicron variant is already present in Haiti but has not been detected due to the very low screening carried out in the country (149,525 tests since March 19, 2020 throughout the country Haitian, against nearly 2.6 million among our Dominican neighbors).



The Ministry of Public Health claims that there would have been only 2 new cases of Covid-10 (Delta) in 24 hours in Haiti on December 24, 2021. Note that the average of the last 14 days is slightly less than 8 new cases per day (7.92) nationally. (Latest data available). One shouldn't believe from reading these figures that there is no Covid epidemic in Haiti ? https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35586-haiti-diaspora-covid-19-daily-bulletin-648.html , many scientists agree that the numbers in Haiti are vastly underestimated and do not reflect reality.



In addition, in addition to non-compliance with all barrier measures, to prevent the spread of the virus, the population also refuses to be vaccinated https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34990-haiti-covid-vaccination-failure-haiti-will-his-exchange-expired-vaccines.html



As of December 17, 2021 (latest official data available from the Ministry) only 122,239 Haitians (1.05% of the population) received a 1st dose of "Spikevax" vaccine from the MODERNA Laboratory since July 16, 2021, date of the first injection to through 149 open vaccination centers https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35051-haiti-covid-19-list-of-149-vaccination-centers-open-in-the-country.html and 72,102 Haitians are fully vaccinated (2 doses, 0.62% of the population). Results that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) of the office of the Americas region finds unacceptable https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34766-haiti-covid-19-paho-considers-totally-unacceptable-the-low-vaccination-rate-in-haiti.html



Download the survey from "Safitek Research" : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Safitek-COVID-19-2021-EN.pdf



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34990-haiti-covid-vaccination-failure-haiti-will-his-exchange-expired-vaccines.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34237-haiti-covid-500-000-vaccines-in-haiti-75-of-haitians-do-not-want-to-be-vaccinated.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34766-haiti-covid-19-paho-considers-totally-unacceptable-the-low-vaccination-rate-in-haiti.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Mexico : Pilot program to regularize the situation of Haitian migrants





A pilot project to "generate alternatives for migratory regularization" has been set up in Mexico in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In the short term this program will benefit some 200 Haitian migrants to regularize their situation in the country, informed the Mexican Federal Government



The two UN agencies have been insisting for months on the urgent need to put in place alternative legal tools to the refuge to relieve the congestion of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR), which faced with the large flow of requests is saturated.



Although the Government statement does not say so, the plan would likely consist of offering temporary visas that will allow beneficiaries to work after being put in contact with companies that offer jobs.



However, the scope will be limited, if not broadened quickly, since so far this year Mexico according to official data has received more than 123,000 applications compared to more than 70,000 in 2019. Most of these applications have been submitted in the south of the country and more than 47,000 are from Haitians.



For this reason, since November 2021, the National Institute of Migration (INM) has started offering migrants who were in the south to be transferred to other States in Mexico and to issue them humanitarian visas "in a fast and orderly manner". However, the INM did not indicate how many people benefited from it.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35327-haiti-flash-the-mexican-government-is-preparing-a-decree-to-massively-regularize-haitians.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35319-haiti-migration-the-mexican-government-is-trying-to-cope-with-the-massive-influx-of-haitians.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35307-haiti-flash-thousands-of-haitians-in-tapachula-want-to-cross-mexico.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





The Monferrier Dorval file still not restored

The file of Batonnier Me Monferrier Dorval, assassinated on August 28th https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31905-haiti-flash-assassination-of-me-dorval-killers-and-accomplices-identified.htmlhttps://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-31661-icihaiti-pelerin-5-assassination-of-the-president-of-the-bar-of-port-au-prince.html including exhibits which had been stolen https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35209-haiti-flash-the-safe-of-the-general-registry-of-the-tpi-of-port-au-prince-has-disappeared.html is still not reconstituted denounces, the Batonniere of Port-au-Prince, Me Marie Suzie Legros, who also asks Dean Bernard Sainvil to replace the current investigating judge whose slowness in this case is flagrant.



22,000 Haitians intercepted at the border

The Dominican army during the Christmas period intercepted 504 Haitian nationals who attempted to enter Dominican territory illegally. Bringing to nearly 22,000 the number of Haitians who have been apprehended on the border by the Dominican army since the start of 2021.



Two illegal fuel depots destroyed by fire

At the beginning of the week in Les Cayes two houses located on Boulevard des 4 paths where fuel was illegally stored, were destroyed by fire.



Cap-Haitien : Christmas market

The Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism of the North and the Management Organization of the North Destination are organizing in Cap-Haitien from December 29 to 31 a Christmas Market to mark the holiday season.



PNH : Security for lawyers and courts

At the start of the week Frantz Elbe, Director General ai of the Haitian National Police (PNH), met with the Collective of Lawyers for the Defense of Human Rights (CADDHO) about the safety of lawyers and courts.



3.3 million Haitians do not have access to drinking water

In 2022, UNICEF to prevent the risks and spread of infectious and water-borne diseases, will provide access to drinking water and rehabilitate facilities damaged by the earthquake in the Great South.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Crews work on cleanup and inspection at the site of a Sept. 25 Amtrak derailment just west of Joplin.

In September of this year the area saw the derailment of an Amtrak train near Joplin that killed three and injured dozens of others. Though the story of the derailment itself was one of tragic loss and injury, the response to the accident and outpouring of support from the local communities was a story of hope.

Saturday, Sept. 25, around 4 p.m. an Empire Builder train derailed just outside of Joplin killing Marjorie and Donald Varnadoe of Georgia, 72 and 74 respectively, and Zach Schneider of Illinois, 28.

The westbound train, carrying 141 people including 16 Amtrak employees, consisted of two engines and 10 cars, eight of which derailed with some tipping over.

The cause of the accident is still unknown, as the National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating evidence documented at the scene, but several lawsuits have been filled against Amtrak and BNSF by passengers, including one from Schneider's wife and another from an Amtrak employee, alleging negligence on the part of the companies.

Aubrey Green of Portland, another one of the people on the train when it derailed, was in Havre tracking down a train-related mystery from his childhood before getting on the train.

In an interview a few days after the crash he said he was in the middle of the first car when he felt it tilt north slightly and before long he was looking out the window at dirt.

"I thought, 'Oh no,'" Green said. "... It was real quick. I heard a noise and all of a sudden I'm on my side."

He said he got a bump on the head which bled a little but he didn't even notice it until someone told him. He said the injury wasn't serious, but others weren't as lucky.

He said he stepped over three people on his way out of the car, one said they couldn't get up, one was laying on the ground clearly in a lot of pain, and another wasn't moving at all.

"I don't think he was dead," Green said, "just unconscious."

However, he said, the worst he saw was the last car, with one man clearly dead.

Green said he was taken to a local school gymnasium before being put on a small white school bus to Shelby, and was on his way home by the morning of Sept. 27.

The known details

While many have speculated about the cause of the accident little is known as investigators continue to study the incident.

A preliminary report released by NTSB in late October provided few clues, mostly confirming facts that were already reported, but that is typical of preliminary reports like this and NTSB has said as investigation continues the report will be supplemented or corrected.

The report says the area the train was traveling on had a speed limit of 79 mph and the train was going between 75 and 78 mph when emergency brakes were activated.

It says weather was clear with no precipitation at the time of the accident.

NTSB has inspected the track and equipment, reviewed signal and train control data logs, obtained data from from the lead locomotive's forward-facing image and event recorders, and conducted interviews with relevant parties, but the investigation is ongoing, the report says.

It says future investigation will focus on track and engineering equipment, survival factors and passenger railcar crashworthiness.

Damage is estimated by Amtrak to be more than $22 million.

BNSF Railway owns and operates the tracks The Empire Builder runs along across the Hi-Line on its route from Chicago to Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

At a press conference immediately after the derailment BNSF spokesperson Matt Jones said that the tracks where the derailment occurred had last been inspected the Thursday before the derailment on Saturday.

The area of train tracks near Joplin damaged by the deadly derailment were repaired by Sept. 28 and full service was restored by the 29th.

First responders leap into action

While the circumstances and cause of the derailment remain unclear, what is clear is that area first responders from across the Hi-Line and beyond responded to the derailment quickly, coordinating with each other to provide immediate assistance.

Liberty County Disaster and Emergency Services Manager Sarah Robbin said during a press conference after the derailment that it was a terrible accident, but this is what first responders are here for.

"It was an all-hands-on-deck situation that we talk about and train for," Robbin said.

Emergency responders and personnel from counties around the area responded to the scene as local residents helped at the site providing supplies and food as well as places for people to stay.

An incident command center was established in the Liberty Community and Senior Center.

Law enforcement from the region helped secure the scene and direct traffic, and various emergency responders including from the Havre Fire Department and rural fire and ambulance services responded.

Montana Highway Patrol reported shortly after the derailment that reduced lanes and traffic delays were caused by the derailment.

Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross said two of his deputies were at the scene for eight hours each.

Havre Fire Chief Mel Paulson said his department dispatched an ambulance with a crew and the command vehicle.

"We went over to help in any way we could," Paulson said.

Hill County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Amanda Frickel was also among those who responded.

In an interview the day after the derailment Frickel said she only spent 20 minutes on the scene before she needed to get to work in the triage center, but those 20 minutes were difficult, especially when seeing just how bad the accident was.

"Nothing prepares you for when you show up on a scene where the word casualties is being thrown around," she said.

She said it was difficult knowing that the derailment took three lives, but it's important to remember that more than 140 people were still alive even after a derailment that threw many train cars off the track onto their sides.

Frickel said if it had been winter, or even if the weather had been bad, the situation could have been a lot worse as there were a few people who needed to get to health care facilities immediately when first responders found them.

She said she wasn't able to spend time talking to people before they were taken elsewhere, but she heard a story about a family from Wolf Point who got on the train to Seattle to see a family member who was in really bad shape.

Frickel said first responders did a great job caring for them and getting them on their way as soon as possible, before it was too late.

She said she's proud of her colleagues, the counties that responded to the crisis and the larger Hi-Line community and all that they did.

"I'm proud to be a Montanan right now ... the entire Hi-Line came together." Frickel said.

She said triage ran like a well-oiled machine with everyone working insanely hard and fast, but also carefully and efficiently.

Frickel said the help of local nurses who took vitals and made sure everyone's health needs were met in this stressful time were especially crucial to the operation and they performed admirably.

She also said local doctors and pharmacists were on scene to help people who had been separated from their personal effects including medicine they need, a less-well-known aspect of first response.

Among them was Kelcey Diemert and his wife Nancy, pharmacists who split their time between pharmacies throughout the area.

Diemert said he and his wife got to town after first responders had saved everyone from immediate danger, but many passengers were left without the everyday medicine they needed, since many couldn't retrieve their personal effects, which is where the Diemerts came in.

"We got a call that several passengers didn't have access to their luggage and medication, and they were going to be in need," he said.

Diemert said he and his wife didn't really know what they were getting into when they first departed for Chester fearing the worst, but first responders had done their jobs well and the ongoing effort to keep everyone healthy and feeling safe was highly organized and well executed despite the circumstances.

"We thought, 'Well this is gonna be chaos,'" Diemert said. "But it wasn't."

Diemert said passengers were calm and thankful for the help, and for the most part all he and his wife ended up needing to do was interview people and make sure they had everything they needed, things like inhalers, heart medications and blood pressure medicine, which they provided free of charge.

He said it was inspiring to see everyone working together and coordinating as well as they did, professional and otherwise.

"It was a great community effort for sure," he said.

In the wake of the accident, the Hi-Line's first responders have been universally praised by everyone including Montana's governor and congressional delegation who all said their service was a testament to the area and the state's resilience and care for others.

Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn also thanked everyone for their support.

"We want to extend our deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Joplin and greater Liberty County communities and other Montana counties and their selfless first responders, hospital staff and law enforcement for their immediate and ongoing help to support of all those aboard the Empire Builder for responding with such urgency, compassion and patience," Flynn said.

Amtrak personnel responded to the incident, as well, but the passenger rail service still praised local first responders in the area and offered its assistance and condolences to people involved.

"We are in mourning today for the people who lost their lives due to the derailment of the Empire Builder train Saturday, near Joplin, Montana, on the BNSF Railway, as well as the many others who were injured," Flynn said in a statement released the day after the derailment. "We have no words that can adequately express our sorrow for those who lost a loved one or who were hurt in this horrible event. They are in our thoughts and prayers."

Amtrak sent an incident response team with emergency personnel and Amtrak leadership officials to the scene and created a family assistance center in Great Falls with family assistance liaisons to reach out to injured people and their families, Flynn said, as well as dispatching nurse case managers to help the people hospitalized.

"Amtrak's immediate and sustained focus is on doing everything we can to help our passengers and crew, especially the families of those who were injured or died, at this painful and difficult time," Flynn said.

Amtrak's praise of local first responders and medical professionals wasn't just in words, however.

Last month, Amtrak Executive Vice President/Chief Safety Officer Steve Predmore, Amtrak Senior Director Mary Carlson Bis and Amtrak Police Deputy Chief Joe Patterson were in Chester to show Amtrak's appreciation and to present pledges to the city of Chester and to The Red Cross, which also responded to the crash.

Predmore and Bis presented certificates of appreciation and an Amtrak pledge for $50,000 to the city of Chester and another to the Red Cross, also of $50,000.

Officials from BNSF Railway followed suit, awarding Liberty County and the Hi-Line Health Foundation grants from the BNSF Railroad Foundation.

BNSF Executive Director of Public Affairs Matt Jones, BNSF Ground Foreman of Montana West Havre Division Jack Murray and BNSF Havre Terminal Manager Luke Davi presented the contributions.

A grant for $50,000, presented to Liberty County commissioners Maureen "Morb" Wicks, Larry Hendrickson and Joette Woods along with Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, will be utilized to support the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, Liberty County EMS, Joplin Fire District and West Chester Fire District.

Hi-Line Health Foundation Chair Judy Tempel accepted a $25,000 grant that will be used to assist in the foundation's efforts at Liberty Medical Center.

Following the Amtrak derailment, BNSF had been in close contact with Liberty County commissioners and community members to coordinate assistance efforts and to thank all those involved in the response for timely and heartfelt outreach. BNSF was complimentary to the various north-central agencies that responded to the emergency.

"Our community is grateful to the BNSF Railroad Foundation for contributing to our county response resources," Commissioner Wicks said. "We have all appreciated the close working relationship we have developed over the past few months and are looking forward to using these funds to have a positive impact in the Golden Triangle Area."

Larger community efforts

While the contributions of first responders and medical professionals has been widely praised, everyday people in the area also provided aid in a communitywide effort to provide relief.

Local residents and businesses came together, coordinating the delivery of food and blankets, providing space for people to stay, and comforting those involved in the accident.

"Honestly it's hard to remember, it all happened so fast," said Jesse Anderson, manager of the MX Motel in Chester, which provided rooms to people involved in the crash.

While the prevailing feeling expressed by people in Chester and Joplin, Anderson included, has been pride in their community for their collective response, that Saturday evening was a frantic dash to get people help and some still didn't feel like they had processed what happened, even a few days on.

"It's hard to even know what your feelings are, because we're all so busy all the time. Like, there is so much to do and so few people," he said, "... I don't even know if it's sunk in, at least it hasn't for me."

He said the first thing he remembers hearing that evening was the town's emergency siren.

"The siren went off four times, and I never heard that before," he said. "Two, that's an ambulance call, three that's a fire call, four is supposed to be some major disaster."

He said he initially assumed that someone new at the sheriff's office had made a mistake, but not long after that he spoke to some customers who told him people were talking about a derailment.

He said learning exactly what happened and how bad it was was a surreal experience.

Anderson was born at Liberty County Hospital, delivered by the same doctor who delivered his father, he's lived here all his life, he said, but nothing quite like this had ever happened as far as he can remember.

He said he started getting calls that evening from the family members of people involved in the crash, trying to set them up in his motel, and he and his employees stayed late that night getting people into rooms and driving people to and from the school gymnasium where many of those people were being cared for by first responders and the area's health care specialists.

Anderson said he spoke to an older couple from Michigan who were traveling to visit their son in Seattle and finally meet their new grandchild, something they couldn't do last year due to the pandemic.

He said they told him they'd made this trip by train many times before, but this time the ride seemed a lot rougher, so much so, that they'd decided to get off in Shelby to find another way, just before the train derailed.

Anderson said those he spoke to had mostly gotten over the shock of the derailment, and they all appreciated the town's efforts to help them.

He said he spoke to a man traveling alone, who expressed a sentiment he thinks the community should hear.

"Something like this happens, you want it to happen in the middle of nowhere because the best people live in the middle of nowhere,' that's what he came away thinking," Anderson said. "I think people should be proud of that."

He said the area has few resources, but between a flawless and efficient response from the area's first responders and the community coordinating to help everyone, they did what they could to address this tragic accident.

"I was really proud of what people did, we all are," he said.

Anderson said the first responders of Liberty County, as well as most others in the region, are volunteers and did a great job that night.

Despite their pride in the community, few in Chester, Diemerts and Anderson included, claimed to have done all that much in the end, and that humility was shared by their fellows in Joplin.

Betty Wolery of the Bethel Lutheran Church Quilters said much the same, though many who received her group's blankets that night may disagree.

Wolery said her group has been making quilts since 1957, sending most to Lutheran World Relief to help people around the world, but when her daughter called her about the derailment, saying passengers were in need, she and her fellow quilters wasted no time in getting their surplus supplies out to them.

She said the group couldn't go out to the scene themselves, but were happy to do what ever they could.

"Our ages are between 72 and 92, so we wouldn't have been much help," she said.

Wolery said people like her daughter came from all over the area to help, and she's happy so many did.

Supplies were a big part of the community response to the derailment and a not insignificant amount of those supplies were provided by the family-owned Chester Supermarket.

Brothers Manjit and C.J. Maan said their family's supermarket provided all the supplies they could, which Manjit Maan said mostly consisted of water, ice, a whole lot of pizza and some bandages.

He said in 26 years of living in the U.S. he'd never seen anything quite like this derailment and he and his brother are glad they were able to help the community in their efforts to help people.

"Everyone from Chester was helping, they didn't care who the person was, they just want to feed people, get them blankets, water all that stuff," C.J. Maan said.

They also provided food to the people working on the track in the aftermath of the derailment, Maan said.

"We wanted to feed them, too, because they have to work all night," he said.

Among the many who praised the first responders and the community at large for their response to the accident was Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte.

"This was an all-of-the-Hi-Line effort," he said in a press conference the day after the derailment. "You made Montana proud."

Gianforte said it wasn't just the first responders, but everyday community members who came to help however they could.

"This town, community and, in fact the entire Hi-Line stepped up," he said.
Bedran Ciya Kurd's speech came during his participation in a special program through ANHA' agency, to talk about the most important political events that the Autonomous Administration witnessed during the year 2021 and the Administration's plans during 2022.

Ciya Kurd said: 2021 was a special year, especially in the politics and diplomacy sides, which took an important aspect for AANES.

He continued, "This expansion and political openness came as a result of the enormous sacrifices made by the peoples of the region, and what they have done in the struggle against terrorism, these have crowned the Administration's efforts also with political openness externally".

Certainly this year, the administration had more political achievements, have become alongside with its military forces a force to be reckoned with in securing the stability of the region and forming a foundation for a political solution in Syria.

There were extensive meetings and the women's leadership for the Administration project had an important impact

Ciya Kurd, also added: There were extensive meetings at governmental, people and civil levels, there was communication and engagement to introduce Autonomous Administration project and gain support for it, and what the Administration done has formed an important impression for the foreign countries, and that the Autonomous Administration is an experience and a project that can be relied upon and made into a project for a solution in Syria, especially that its basic principle is coexistence, and this is what is lacking in other regions of Syria and even in Middle East.

Vice co-chairmanship of Executive Council touched upon the participation of women in Autonomous Administration structure and their leadership of the project, which formed a great influence that led to more engagement with the international community, and said: womens leadership in this project, and their effectiveness and leadership, had a great impact that led to more involvement in several fields, Also this year, many reservations that many countries suffering from were overcome for their own interests with Turkey and Syrian regime.

He continued: We can say that the reality that was imposed through building the Autonomous Administration project led to direct interaction and by passing previous reservations, and this is what we witnessed in opening of representations of the Administration and issuance of the decision to recognize the Autonomous Administration by Catalan parliament, although it is not at the level of Spanish government, but it opens the way for wider support.

The solution of Syrian crisis is in the hands of the Syrians, and all international meetings have failed

When we asked him about the international meetings held to resolve the Syrian crisis, but they remained without desired results, Ciya Kurd added:

"We have been since the beginning of the Syrian crisis and until now emphasized one thing, which is that the Syrian solution is in the hands of Syrians, and any efforts aimed at finding a solution, if not all representatives of the Syrian society are shared, can't lead to results that satisfy everyone and will lead to failure, and this is what we see".

Where Geneva meetings regarding the constitution, have been blocked without result, and there are also political agendas that effect on these meetings and exclude the important parties, and all these discussions that are subject to these agendas do not serve the Syrian solution.

Regarding Astana meetings, he indicated that it is held between the countries that play a direct role in the Syrian file (Turkey, Iran and Russia), and each of them has interests that they are trying to preserve, and everyone knows that Astana, a lot of deals made on it, and in the end, Damascus government was the beneficiary of it, it did not produce anything reliable for a political solution, on the contrary, it led to a lot of displacement and new occupation operations in Syria, and made demographic change, especially in Afrin, which was also occupied as a result of Astana meeting.

He also stated that it has no agenda other than attacking the Autonomous Administration, and drawing attention to it and unifying hostile positions against it and at the end of each meeting, they come out with a statement accusing the Administration of being a separatist project that tries to create an entity independent of Syria.

He said, "In this matter, we affirmed that the project is based on the unity of Syrian lands, not division."

Many attempts during this year aimed at striking the social fabric in the region

Bedran Ciya Kurd explained that Damascus government, during the year 2021, tried a lot to strike the social cohesion and fabric in NES, especially between the Kurds and Arabs in the areas of Al-Shadadi, Deir al-Zor and Manbij, but all its attempts failed, as all components of the region have one opinion, which is that the stability of the region is guaranteed by Autonomous Administration institutions and the Syrian Democratic Forces are the only ones working to secure a better future for the peoples of the region.

He stated that this means that social cohesion has reached high levels and that Autonomous Administration's service and security institutions have become expressive of the hopes and aspirations of peoples of the region, We worked on this by holding seminars and conferences in all areas of Autonomous Administration to listen to the different opinions, criticisms and just demands.

Autonomous Administration considered many corruption cases and fell in the hands of justice

He added: These demands and opinions were important and valuable for Autonomous Administration, which reconsidered many corruption cases within its structure, and all the recommendations that came out of Sons of Jazera and Euphrates conference were and still under investigation and follow-up, and the Autonomous Administration is still carrying out follow-up the corruption files, many of which have fallen into the hands of justice.

Social contract is an urgent necessity and not a substitute for the Syrian constitution

Recently, the committee to reformulate the social contract met in the regions of NES, and about this, Ciya Kurd said, "The social contract came as an urgent necessity because the Autonomous Administration needs a broader contract and there should be social and political civil consensus, as it relied on a political charter in its work, But it now needs a broader participation process.

He stressed that it will be part of the future democratic constitution that we can agree on and not a substitute for the constitution as it is promoted, on the contrary, we will work to be part of the process of creating a future Syrian constitution, to form a legal Administration is embedded in the Syrian constitution and it will be one of our main tasks during the new year.

There will be an electoral process with wider participation, especially in the areas that have recently been liberated from ISIS, and in which civil councils have been formed in light of the great challenges.

Economic suffering was part of the general Syrian suffering

In addressing the economic realities in the north and east of Syria, Bedran Ciya Kurd explained that the year had seen great economic harassment, crises and challenges, there had been a systematic policy against the region, particularly the imposition of a blockade to submit the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, AANES, of the demands of hostile forces.

So the administration is taking this seriously to emerge from economic crises. Let's also say that this suffering was part of the overall suffering of the Syrian scene and part of the effects of Caesar's sanctions.

Bedran Ciya Kurd noted that the Tel Kocher Crossing is primarily a humanitarian issue. In 2021, the issue was discussed with representatives of the United Nations and all the parties concerned to open it.

He said, "These efforts continue, and there are views that support our position to open the crossing point. We say that the crossings should not be closed and the crossings opened for a political agenda that serves some sides and that the crossings must be neutral from the political agenda.

File of ISIS/Daesh detainees and their families stuck

Thousands of ISIS mercenaries are being held in detention centres in NE Syria. In addition to 11, 000 ISIS women and children are detained in the camps, AANES has

repeatedly called on the country that has citizens to return them to their countries, as well as to support AANES to prosecute mercenaries.

About this, Bedran Ciya Kurd said: This file is stuck and there's no international decision, no trial, no return, no change and no move to mention this year.

He said: We have stated and confirmed that we are ready to provide all facilities for the return of women and children to their countries, but States have not moved towards that. There have been very few returns by some countries

We hope that Kurdish parties will be supportive of ANNES and do not engage in hostile operations.

Since 16 December, the Faysh Khabour crossing has been closed by the KDP authorities, and days later al-Walid crossing has also been closed.

Bedran Ciya Kurd, during a question about the coordination between the forces hostile to AANES project and the increase in Turkish occupation attacks, mentioned: First of all, we hope that the Kurdish parties will be supportive and helpful to AANES, as they are considered a national gain for all components of the region and for all the Kurdish people. They must not be dragged into any hostile processes that do not serve the national best interests of the Kurdish people and the peoples of the region and must not engage in agendas that Turkey exercises with its mercenaries and the Damascus Government against us.

The Syrian scene has not undergone significant changes... Damascus Government imagined victory

Bedran Ciya Kurd, speaking on the Syrian scene, continued: In general, we can say that there have been no significant changes, but there have been changes in favour of some forces, particularly the Damascus Government, which has carried out reconciliation and settlement processes in the areas of Daraa and Deir ez - Zor, as well as some relations developed with Damascus by some Arab countries.

He said: This led the Damascus Government to fancy that it had returned as before, triumphed and resolved the issues, but that is not the case. After 10 years of murder and destruction, there can be no talking about victory in the ongoing crisis.

Dialogue between AANES and the Damascus Government.

On this subject, Vice co-chairmanship of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration and Damascus Government noted that a single meeting between the AANES and Damascus Government during 2021 had been initiated by Russia and had not produced any results and had not evolved as a result of the mindset of the Syrian regime.

But it can be said that the Russian initiative continues and acts as a guarantor in the dialogue, and discussions with Russia focus on what the future dialogue plan will be like.

We hope for more stability in the next year.. which is the year of Turkish fascism collapse

Vice co chairmanship of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, concluding with the New Year 2022 programe, said: "In the new year, we hope for more stability, progress and challenges. We hope that it will be a happy, supportive year around AANES project, which is a solution to the Syrian crisis and will overcome gaps through joint efforts. We also have a scheme that has been developed in the economic and service spheres to overcome the many problems we have experienced.

As we work towards providing prospects for political solutions, ensuring sustainable stability, developing Syrian dialogue both with the people at home and with the Damascus Government and developing national dialogues at the Kurdish level.

He continued: The new year will be of great changes, especially when we see the Turkish side, which is the strategic threat and the main reason for what we suffer, is living in decline and its fascist regime is heading towards collapse, so the new year will be a year for the collapse of Turkish fascism and comprehensive crises will live, and this will lead to important changes in Iraq And Syria and the other countries that interfere in it, then this should be an incentive to intensify our struggle at high levels.

Sh-S-TS

ANHA
The demonstration started from Al-Shaddadi Public Square, towards Commander Ocalans Square in the district, protesters raised banners

of Commander Ocalan's pictures and others denouncing the Turkish and its affiliated mercenaries' crimes in addition to flags of the Syrian Democratic Forces. After that demonstration turned into a vigil, included many speeches .

Where the co-chair of the Martyrs' Families Foundation in Al-Shaddadi district, Alaa Al-Salloum, condemned in the strongest terms the Turkish attacks on the safe citizens of Kobane and areas of Tal Tamr and Zarghan countryside, which led to martyrs among civilians."

He said: "These attacks will not discourage our resolve to continue the path of struggle, until we obtain absolute freedom, we are the second rank after our military forces, where all of us, martyrdom projects.

For her part, the member of Womens House in al-Shaddadi district, Umayyah al-Wardi, criticized the international silence about the Turkish violations and its mercenaries on NES, calling on human rights organizations and the international community to take a serious position, against Turkey to stop these crimes, and demanded the International Community for No - fly zone on North and East Syria to ensure that these crimes are not repeated.

In turn, the member of Awqaf Foundation in Al-Shadadi, Ahmed Al-Assaad, confirmed that these attacks aimed at weakening the Autonomous Administration in NES, pointing out components' solidarity is enough to repel these attacks".

The vigil concluded with stressing the need to liberate the occupied lands, and solidarity to defeat the Turkish occupation, and repel its attacks.

A.K

ANHA
3-year-old who shot herself accidentally has died

The 3-year-old girl accidentally shot herself on Christmas Day died on Tuesday night at Mission HCA Hospital, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office announced.

Aylee Gordon, the daughter of Anya Kizyaeva Gordon and retired sheriff's Capt. Tim Gordon, had undergone neurosurgery and had remained in grave condition since the shooting after Christmas afternoon when she picked up a loaded 9-mm handgun in the backseat of her father's pickup truck.

Sheriff Lowell Griffin, who served as a deputy alongside Gordon before Griffin left the department in 2014, turned the case over to the SBI because of their connection.

"Any charges in this case will be at the discretion of the NCSBI and the District Attorneys office once the investigation has been completed and submitted to the District Attorney for review," sheriff's spokesman Johnny Duncan said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Gordon, as his wife was holding the injured child in the backseat, was driving his Dodge Dakota pickup down Gilliam Mountain Road to the Edneyville Fire & Rescue station on U.S. 64 at 2:46 p.m. Saturday when he called 911.

She picked up a pistol and shot herself in the head by accident, he told the dispatcher. We didnt know the handgun was there. We had a visitor visiting for Christmas and he went in the car and I didnt know it and she picked it up and it went off.

Where, the dispatcher asked, did this happen?

In the truck right there on the side of the road because we stopped to let her ride her new bicycle, he said. She had a bike wreck  and she climbed in the truck and there was a gun there and there it went.

Griffin said: Its a tragic, tragic accident and incident I think once its all released, it was just several different circumstances that came together on this holiday to lead to this tragedy."




The Heat will sign big man Aric Holman to a 10-day contract using a hardship exception, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).

As Wojnarowski details, Holman had been playing for the Austin Spurs in the G League, which means hes within driving distance of San Antonio. The plan is for him to head there immediately to join the Heat in advance of Wednesdays game vs. the Spurs to help avoid a postponement.

Three more Heat players entered the health and safety protocols today, bringing the teams total to six. With four players also injured, the team is at risk of not having the required minimum of eight players for tonights contest. Holman and Kyle Guy, who has also agreed to a 10-day deal, should help Miami get there.

Holman, who went undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2019, played in Germany last season but has otherwise been in the G League since going pro. In 14 games (20.4 MPG) for Austin this season, the 24-year-old averaged 7.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.5 BPG on .463/.326/.250 shooting (that free-throw mark came on just four attempts).
Press Release

29 December 2021

The AHLA Foundation today announced it is awarding $175,000 in total to community-based organizations that help change the lives of Opportunity Youth by preparing them for future careers in hospitality. Through a combination of continued and newly started partnerships, the AHLA Foundation will join forces with organizations in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Orlando, and Washington DC to help train an estimated 370 youth for hotel jobs.

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These recently awarded grants are part of the reinvigorated Empowering Youth Program (EYP)  an effort focused on engaging, educating, and advancing new talent in hospitality.

Supporting our community youth by creating opportunities in the hotel industry is core to our mission at the AHLA Foundation, said Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of the AHLA Foundation. We are thrilled to partner with these organizations that work hard to uplift aspiring individuals. Together, we can provide them with a career path and help solve the work shortage in our industry.

By equipping participants with professional tools and trainings, EYP provides young people with the skills required to succeed and advance in the hotel industry. The below organizations received a grant from the AHLA Foundation:

Covenant House Greater Washington

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida andLos Angeles LGBT Center

Pathlight HOME, Orlando

Youth Build Compton

Libertys Kitchen, New Orleans

Cafe Reconcile, New Orleans

To learn more about EYP and our partnerships with community-based organizations, please visit www.ahlafoundation.com.
Press Release

29 December 2021

HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee - Canadas hotel industry reported slightly lower performance levels from the month prior, but indexed comparisons with 2019 were better, according to STRs November 2021 data.

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Occupancy: 49.7% (-18.4%)

Average daily rate (ADR): CAD138.52 (-6.3%)

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): CAD68.85 (-23.6%)

"Although levels were seasonally lower, Canada's metrics inched closer to pre-pandemic figures," said Laura Baxter, CoStar Group's director of hospitality analytics for Canada. CoStar Group is the parent company of STR.

The RevPAR level was the closest the metric came to pre-pandemic performance this year, Baxter said. Room rates continued to show recovery momentum, with less of a seasonal drop off than we typically see. When looking at weekday versus weekend performance, November room rates exceeded 2019 levels for the first time this year, demonstrating further strength from the leisure segment. Weekend occupancy was also closer to pre-pandemic levels, down only 6 percentage points against the comparable time period in 2019. Accelerations in weekday performance also took place, signaling strengthening corporate demand."

Group demand continued to rise in November, generating the highest amount of room nights sold since the pandemic began, further cementing the return of this segment. Given the low COVID-19 case counts in November, people were beginning to feel comfortable to meet in a group setting, with conferences and events starting to take place. Group demand also reached 50% of volume that would be expected prior to the pandemic  the strongest performance of this segment since the pandemic hit.

Among the provinces and territories, Ontario recorded the highest November occupancy level (53.6%), which was 19.5% below the pre-pandemic comparable.

Among the major markets, Vancouver saw the highest occupancy (56.4%), which was a 23.2% decline from 2019.

The lowest occupancy among provinces was reported in New Brunswick (37.0%), down 32.6% against 2019. At the market level, the lowest occupancy was reported in Calgary (-29.8% to 39.0%).

Although progress is being made, the Omicron variant presents another challenge for Canadas hotel industry and is a downside risk to the forecast in the near term, Baxter said. The federal government reinstated that all Canadians should avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada just a few months after lifting the advisory. Additionally, a negative PCR test for those entering Canada has also been reintroduced just weeks after the requirement was lifted for Canadian travelers who left the country for up to 72 hours. The added testing requirements and travel advisory will increase the burden of crossing the border and will likely have a negative impact on both inbound and outbound cross-border travel volumes."

Provincial governments across Canada have reinstated gathering restrictions to various degrees and the spiking case counts across the country will have a negative impact on holiday travel plans, which is expected to put downward pressure on hotel performance recovery. On a positive note, the booster rollout program is being implemented quicker than originally planned. Once we see a decline in COVID cases, this should play in favor of a quick return to where hotel performance recovery left off in November.

Additional Performance Data

STRs world-leading hotel performance sample comprises 70,000 properties and 9.3 million rooms around the globe. Members of the media should refer to the contacts listed below for additional data requests.
Long ago, but not so far away, I used to do an annual awards column, calling out what I thought were the best new tech products of the year. That schtick fell by the wayside around the turn of the century, but maybe its time to bring it back in more modest fashion.

When I was doing those awards - unfortunately called the Attaboys - they were mostly products I reviewed, but didnt necessarily own. For 2021, Im giving an unnamed nod to the gear I actually paid for, or use in everyday work and play. These arent items Ive tried out for two weeks and sent back  theyve withstood various tests of time. That I continue to be happy with them is the best endorsement I can give.

(Courtesy Readdle) / (Courtesy Readdle)

Free, with a premium version. iOS, Android, macOS

When I quit working for big corporations full-time, I lost access to Microsoft Office, and most notably Outlook, which I really liked as an email client (dont judge me!). Apples Mail app wasnt cutting it on my Macs, so I sought an alternative and found Spark, which is one of the best free email clients you can find on any platform. And while the desktop version is only for Macs at the moment, a Windows version is coming soon.

Sparks layout looks a lot like Outlook. As do many email apps, it uses artificial intelligence to guess what emails are most important, handling them accordingly. But if you prefer to see mail in chronological order, you can turn the AI off (which I have). Once you have it set up on your Mac, its drop-dead easy to install the mobile version on an iPhone or Android device. Just log into your main account, and any other additional email accounts are automatically logged in.

Free. Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux

Microsofts Edge web browser sits atop the same open-source foundation as Googles Chrome, and it can even use Chromes vast library of extensions. But Microsoft has added features that make it unique enough that its worth considering, even on platforms other than Windows.

I prefer Edge on my Macs and Windows systems mainly because of one feature: Vertical tabs. You can toggle Edge to show web page tabs running down the left edge of the browser. This has two benefits: If you have a lot of tabs open, as I usually do, you can always see the title of the page. And it gives you a little more real estate to show content, as the tab bar atop the page goes away. This feature works best on a notebook display, but I still appreciate it on my 27-inch iMac. Another benefit: Edge does not seem to be the memory hog that Chrome has become.

$15 monthly, $10 with ads

Smart cord cutters sign up for myriad streaming services when shows or movies call to them, and then cancel the subscription when the content has run its course. For me, HBO Max has become one of a very few that I stick with, because there is always something great there. (I also put Netflix and Apple TV+ in that category.)

HBO Max, which is a combined effort from HBO and its parent, WarnerMedia, includes content both new and old, including Warner Bros. films as they are released to theaters, such as The Matrix Resurrections. As HBO has always had, its got quality streaming shows such as the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That or the horror series Lovecraft Country. But it also has deep vault of classic content, from shows like The Sopranos to the films in the TCM collection. Its pricey, but for lovers of quality shows and movies, its worth it.

Dwight Silverman / Dwight Silverman

Starts at $1,999 for 14-inch model

As I wrote in my review last month, Apple has recovered well from the many flaws in the 2016 MacBook Pro redesign, which emphasized thinness to the detriment of, well, just about every other facet of a laptop. This is easily the best notebook computer Ive owned, for many reasons.

It uses Apples homegrown M1 Pro processor, which is based on the same powerful, energy-saving chips in iPhones. As a result, its incredibly fast with almost-unheard-of battery life  its not unusual for me to get 15 hours of power from a full charge. So far, compatibility has not been an issue; it runs all the apps I had on my older, Intel-based MacBook Pro. Its mini-OLED display is beautiful, and it has a full collection of ports, rather than just USB-C, as on the 2016 design. The only real negative, and its not much: The display has an iPhone-like notch top and center, but no Face ID.

(Courtesy Sony) / (Courtesy Sony)

$999

Some folks buy TVs every few years, but I tend to hold onto them for a while. My Samsung HD TV had served me well since 2011, but after a decade, it was time to move into the world of 4K television. After learning more than I probably needed to know about buying a new TV, I settled on a 55-inch version of Sonys Bravia X90J, a full-array LED set that sits just below Sonys higher-quality (and much higher prices) OLED products.

This model supports 4K TV - which is about four times the resolution of HD TVs - as well as the more advanced display features of HDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision. The picture is phenomenal, it has plenty of HDMI ports, and it comes with the latest version of Google TV (previously called Android TV) as the operating system. At the time I paid about $1,200 for it, but as it is no longer the latest-and-greatest, the price has come down by about $200. If you need a 4K TV, its a great buy at that price.

Dwight Silverman / Dwight Silverman

Free upgrade from Windows 10

Microsofts messaging had been that Windows 10 was the last version of Windows, meaning it likely wouldnt get a new version number. But at some point, the software giant changed its mind, and an update got a new version number along with a major face lift.

Ive got Windows 11 installed on a Dell G3 gaming laptop, as well as in a Parallels virtual machine I run on my iMac. While it has taken some criticism for its Mac-like design - most notably moving taskbar icons and the Start Menu to the center of the screen - I think it is the best-looking and most intuitive version of Windows yet. In addition, its remarkably compatible with anything that ran on Windows 10. While not all Windows 10 PCs can handle the upgrade due to more stringent hardware requirements, its worth the leap if you can make it.

(Courtesy Apple) / (Courtesy Apple)

Starts at $1,099

My iPhone is such a critical tool in both my work and personal lives that Im in Apples iPhone Upgrade Program, which lets me trade in for the latest model each year. Its a Captain Obvious statement to say the iPhone I now have, the 13 Pro Max, is the best iPhone Ive used. But the annual improvements, particularly in the devices camera system, are what keep me paying for it like a lease rather than buying it outright.

While the camera is indeed fantastic - and nearly rivaled in the Android world by the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - there are two other features that make it rock. Apple finally gave the display a 120-Hz refresh rate, but that rate varies based on what youre doing, which saves energy and extends battery life. And better battery life is another advantage of the 13 Pro Max. Typically, I have a charge of about 70-85% after a day of average use. I could easily go two days without charging, which is a big leap forward.

dsilverman@outlook.com

twitter.com/dsilverman
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction

Houston-based Satterfield & Pontikes Construction announced the acquisition of Eagle Contracting, a privately held Fort Worth-based general contractor specializing in the water and wastewater industry. Terms were not disclosed.

The company will continue to operate under the Eagle Contracting name and be led by Roy Ewen, president, and Billy Haynes, vice president, who will join the S&P executive team. Eagle Contracting was founded in 1987 and employs 150 people.
Restaurants openings continued even as the pandemic brought uncertainty. Here are some of the major restaurant openings of 2021 that proved not all was gloom and doom on the citys restaurant scene:

Cafe Leonelli and Le Jardinier, with some Michelin star power behind them, brought new excitement to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

In July, the owners of the perpetually packed Brasserie 19 made a big showing with the opening of Gratify in Rice Village.

Two James Beard Award-winning chefs opened new concepts: Chris Shepherds Georgia James Tavern downtown and Hugo Ortegas Urbe in Uptown Park.

Yelo, from Phat Eatery owner Alex Au-Yeung, opened in Katy Asian Town, invigorating the citys banh mi trade.

Houstons Four Seasons added some star power with Toro Toro, a pan-Latin steakhouse from global restaurateur Richard Sandoval.

The acclaimed Lao Sze Chuan in Chicago added to the thriving Asian dining scene with its new Katy location.

River Oaks got Lulus from the owners of Armandos. Restaurateur Benjamin Berg brought a new Italian concept Trattoria Sofia to the Heights. Maize, an upscale Mexican restaurant, took its bow in November. Gatsbys Prime Steakhouse made its March debut in Montrose. Common Bond Brasserie began service in a gleaming new home downtown.

Highline Park joined its sister concept Casa Nomad at MKT Heights. That Heights development also saw the opening of DaGama, a new Portuguese-Indian concept from the owners of Oporto.

Fegens, featuring Southern Italian-American fare, debuted in the Heights in the former Liberty Kitchen space.

Alba Ristorante, with chef Maurizio Ferrarese, opened at the Hotel Granduca. Maheshs Kitchen, an upscale Indian restaurant, came to Sugar Land at Town Square.

The New York Eatery, from the owners of NY Deli & Coffee Shop, bounded into Bellaire; Sushi Rebel, from the owners of Uptown Sushi, opened at CityPlace; Winnies brought Nola-inspired poboys and cocktails to Midtown; Bodega Bellaire bowed in Bellaire; and Shoot the Moon, billed as Houstons first self-service bar and restaurant, opened in Spring Branch.

Night Moves Hospitality might have made the biggest newbie footprint, unveiling four concepts in Houston in 2021, including Space Cowboy, Trash Panda Drinking Club, Live Oak Bar & Grill and Chivos.
Attorney General Ken Paxton will be the keynote speaker at the Fulshear-Katy Chamber of Commerce meeting on Jan. 12. The event is free and open to the public.

Paxton will be discussing a variety of current issues at the meeting, said Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce President Don McCoy.

Related: Katy Mayor Bill Hastings will not seek re-election

It's not going to be a political speech of any kind, but hell be talking about some of the issues his office is handling for the state of Texas, McCoy explained. There are so many legal ramifications to the things were facing as a state, whether its building our own wall, mask mandates, shutting down businesses or other legal challenges that were having to consider.

The issues facing the attorney generals office are often divisive, McCoy noted. Earlier this week, Paxton made headlines for his offices stance against using eminent domain for the Dallas-Houston bullet train.

These are really polarizing issues. Youve got people on both sides of the fence, McCoy said. This is an opportunity for our people to hear (Paxtons) stance directly from him.

All chamber meetings are free and open to the public, McCoy noted, as part of the chambers mission of serving the community.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Omicron is everywhere and seems milder. Here's why you still don't want to get it.

Anybody in the public is invited to attend because we think its important to keep the community informed on topics that are important to them and to help their business, McCoy said.

Previous notable speakers include Navy SEALs, state representatives and senators, members of Congress and U.S. Senators. The weekly meetings are attended by community leaders like constables, commissioners, mayors and constables, McCoy added.

Each meeting is an opportunity to shake hands with someone you might not meet otherwise, he said.

The chamber meeting will take place on Jan. 12 from 7:30 - 9 a.m. at Parkway Fellowship Church, located at 27043 Farm to Market 1093. The Fulshear-Katy Chamber of Commerce meets every second Wednesday of the month.

For more information visit www.fulshearkaty.com

claire.goodman@chron.com
PHOENIX (AP)  The pandemic continues to strain hospitals statewide so Arizonans should avoid large New Year's gatherings even if masked and fully vaccinated, a top official of the state's largest health care system said Tuesday.

I know this is difficult," said Dr. Marjorie Bessel, chief clinical officer of Phoenix-based Banner Health. We've been in this pandemic for two years."

Bessel told journalists during a news briefing that crowded Banner hospitals continue to postpone some non-emergency surgeries and that their clinical workers are exhausted, with many having to forego their own holiday gatherings to care for patients.

We remain very busy," Bessel said. We continue to see a lot of patients come into our emergency departments. Our ICUs are very full at this time.

She said people should get vaccinations and booster shots, wear masks in indoor public settings and get tested and stay home if feeling sick.

Right now we must do everything possible to mitigate omicron, Bessel said, referring to the fast-spreading virus variant.

Some Banner hospitals are at over 100% of capacity but the surge of hospitalizations is not expected to peak until mid-January, Bessel said.

The state's top public health official on Monday expressed concern in a blog post about possible adverse effects of omicron if the public doesn't take adequate precautions to combat the spread.

Even if suggestions that omicron will cause less severe illness than other variants turn out to be correct, it's contagious enough to fuel a spike in cases overall, meaning more people (are) hospitalized," said Don Herrington, interim director of the state Department of Health Services.

The state's coronavirus dashboard reported Tuesday that COVID-19-related hospitalizations inched upward early this week, with 2,344 virus patients occupying inpatient beds statewide as of Monday.

The dashboard also reported 1,976 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, a fraction of the over 7,600 reported Monday following reporting delays over the holiday weekend.

Arizona on Tuesday also reported 162 virus deaths as the state's pandemic totals increased to 1,364,669 cases and 24,144 deaths.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, Arizona's seven-day rolling averages of daily new cases and daily deaths both rose over the past two weeks.

The rolling average of daily new cases rose from 3,57.7 on Dec. 12 to 3,387.3 on Sunday while the rolling average deaths rose from 64.4 to 77.3 during the same period.

-

This story has been corrected to accurately spell Dr. Marjorie Bessel's last name.
Farah Diaz-Tello was a student at the University of Texas at Austin when she heard about a sex-discrimination course that was open to undergraduates and aligned with her interests.

The course, Diaz-Tello recalls, was chronically oversubscribed. And, at the time, she didnt actually know about the early career of its instructor, Sarah Weddington, who died this weekend at 76.

Nonetheless, she contacted the law professor, with good results. Weddington agreed to let her audit the course, treated her like all the other students, and wrote Diaz-Tello a letter of recommendation when she applied to law school herself. The letter, she said, was the kindest, most generous letter.

And, of course, Diaz-Tello  like thousands of other young Texans over the decadesgot to learn about Roe v Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, from the woman who successfully argued the case.

I cant say enough how formative it was, to see somebody in that position, to learn about the civil-rights aspects of gender justice, and to really see a woman as a role model, said Diaz-Tello, who is now senior counsel and legal director for If/When/How, a reproductive-justice organization.

GRIEDER OPINION: Read more of Erica Grieders columns.

Born and raised in Abilene, the daughter of a Methodist minister, Weddington presumably didnt set out to be a national political figure. Becoming an attorney was, in itself, an unusual accomplishment for a woman of her generation, and her early career was shaped by discrimination as well as by her own talent and achievements.

As an undergraduate student at McMurry College, for example, a dean scoffed at her stated ambition of going to law school, thereby cementing her resolve to do just that. After graduating from the University of Texas School of Law in 1967, she couldnt find a job at a law firm. It was a predicament other women also found themselves in, she would later explain, because firms werent ready to take such a bold step.

So many really unjust things stirred our passions, and we felt we had to change them, Weddington told journalist Pamela Colloff in a 2003 interview. We realized that the only way to get womens issues dealt with was to get women elected to the Legislature. Nobody else was going to do it, so we decided to do it ourselves.

MORE GRIEDER: Conservatives have a chance to overturn Roe v Wade, and may take it

In addition to being an attorney, Weddington served as a clerk in the Texas House in 1965. She also had $100 in her checking account, and was therefore able to pay the filing fee to become a candidate. Moreover, she had an appropriate sense of self-confidence, even if various gatekeepers were still skeptical of women.

I thought I could do it better because a lot of those legislators in 1965 were not, as they say, the brightest bulbs on the block, Weddington told Colloff.

It was in this context that Weddington was approached about the case that would become Roe.

Several like-minded women, including her law school classmate Linda Coffee, asked if she would be interested in helping challenge Texass laws on abortion. At the time, Texas criminalized the procedure, except to save the life of a pregnant woman. Many other states had similarly draconian restrictions.

Weddington was just 26 years old 26 years old! when she argued the case, in 1971. She had never tried a case before. But her limited experience didnt prove to be an impediment.

In 1973, the Supreme Court struck down several Texas laws, in a 7-2 ruling that also held similarly restrictive laws in other states to be unconstitutional: a landmark decision, and one for which Weddington will long be remembered.

Sarah was a warrior in the continuing struggle for equal rights for women, former President Jimmy Carter, for one, said in a statement.

In Texas, of course, Weddingtons death is a reminder of how things once were in this stateand how they still are, all too often.

She was part of that great Austin matriarchy, recalls another former student, attorney Susan Hays, who is now running as a Democrat for agriculture commissioner. Others in that matriarchy included former Gov. Ann Richards, journalist Molly Ivins, and writer Liz Carpenter, who advocated tirelessly for Texas women.

State Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Dallas, passed along a 1973 snapshot that had been sent to her by U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, also a Dallas Democrat, upon hearing of Weddingtons death. The photo shows Johnson, Weddington, and Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Republican who would go on to become the first woman to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. The three were, at the time, freshmen members of the Texas House.

This was half the women sworn into the Texas House, that year, said Crockett, now running to succeed Johnson who is retiring at the end of this term as the representative for Texass 30th Congressional District.

Women are still underrepresented in state government. Just think, these women two Democrats, one Republican, all three of them talented and committed to public servicesmight never have made it into elected office in the first place, if not for the misdeeds of men.

The 1972 election is remembered, in Texas, in part for the change it brought to state government in the wake of the Sharpstown fraud scandal. With allegations flying that state leaders including the governor had been doing favors for Houston banker Frank Sharp, voters that year booted dozens of incumbent state legislators, in most cases ousting conservative Democrats in lieu of moderate Democrats or Republicans.

Theres a certain painful irony to the fact that Weddington died at a moment when the reproductive rights she fought to defend are once again under assault, in Texas and elsewhere.

But she must have realized that progress isnt easy, and that change can be clawed back. Perhaps thats why so many Texans are remembering her mentorship this week, as well as her professional accomplishments.

It was very intentional, said Diaz-Tello, recalling how Weddington encouraged her ambitions years ago. She was building a generation of feminist leaders, and here we are.

erica.grieder@chron.com
OnScene.Tv

A man was fatally shot Tuesday in far northeast Houston, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The incident happened at the 5700 block of East Sam Houston Parkway North around 5:52 p.m. where authorities said a man was shot in the leg at a Murphy's gas station attached to a Walmart parking lot. The man was taken to Ben Taub Hospital where he was pronounced dead, homicide investigators said in a press conference Tuesday night.
Houston-area colleges and universities face upcoming weeks of uncertainty - and possible changes - as they reassess return-to-campus plans following a surge of COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant.

Rice University is the only area campus that has committed to a booster shot requirement for students and employees, as well as a two-week shift to online learning at the start of the spring semester. Other universities leaders said they are still monitoring the worsening situation but currently plan to start the semester as scheduled.

Universities are now entering the fifth long semester taking place during the coronavirus pandemic. While most higher education institutions had returned to more regular in-person procedures in the past year - the major exception being testing requirements depending on vaccination status - the new variant could force some to revisit the online learning practices first embraced at the end of the spring 2020 semester.

Rice will still begin courses on Jan. 10, but with modifications - including a shift to online learning for the first two weeks of classes, according to university officials. The school is encouraging students to stay home until Jan. 24, if possible, and asking employees to work remotely if they can, partly to give time for people to get their booster shots before a return to campus.

These booster shots are critical, because in light of the rapid spread of the omicron variant, it probably will not be possible to maintain the full quarantining policies we have previously implemented, university President David Leebron and Provost Reggie DesRoches said in a letter to students and employees on Sunday.

Prairie View A&M University in early December announced some changes for the next semester, including making meals grab-and-go for the first two weeks and limiting larger gatherings.

Baylor University is meanwhile contemplating a two-week switch to online learning, but plans to make a more final decision next week, President Linda A. Livingstone said in a Tuesday letter to students and employees. A health management team is considering other options, including requiring testing for students returning to residence halls within 24 hours of arrival, moving Panhellenic recruitment to a virtual format, or simply keeping plans the same for a regular semester start-date.

Obviously, our strong preference is to begin the spring semester and related activities as initially planned and as scheduled, Livingstone said.

Other schools - such as University of Houston, Texas A&M University and Texas Southern University - are still monitoring the variant, their leaders said in various statements.

A&M in early December was considering requiring testing before returning, according to its website. The University of Texas at Austin is requesting tests before the start of the semester. And TSU preemptively moved campus operations to a remote status before the holiday break but is planning to return to campus for the start of classes on Jan. 18, officials said in a statement.

TSU officials are also increasing testing capacity for the beginning of the semester, they said.

Most campuses have at least highly recommended their students and employees get vaccinated and continue wearing masks.

Universities have largely withheld from mandating masks and vaccines because of state orders that largely prohibit them. Rice is an exception, with changes beginning Jan. 10 including the requirement to receive a vaccine booster if it has been six months since finishing the two-shot Pfizer or Moderna series, according to the university. People who received Johnson & Johnson, no matter when, will be required to get their booster shot, all unless they have medical or religious exemptions.

Rice already instituted a vaccine requirement for all employees, citing President Joe Bidens vaccine mandate for government contractors. A federal judge temporarily blocked the mandate, but Rice officials said the policy would remain unchanged - even as Gov. Greg Abbott has an executive order banning public and private entities from enforcing vaccine mandates.

People who receive a booster shot are less likely to become infected with COVID-19 and are less likely to become seriously ill if a breakthrough does occur, according to federal guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Nov. 19, more than 90 percent of Rices 12,000-person campus was vaccinated. COVID-19 did not cause serious illness in Rices population over the past year, the universitys leaders said.

Since Aug. 13, at least 322 people tested positive out of more than 89,000 tests administered  a 0.36 percent positivity rate, according to university data.

Rice has counted numerous breakthrough infections on campus since the omicron variants emergence in Houston, Leebron and DesRoches said. At least 65 people tested positive in the last week, for a higher positivity rate of 4.12 percent, data shows.

Most courses will move online for the first two weeks of the semester - a requirement for classes with over 50 students, Leebron and DesRoches said. Any instructors with less than 50 people per class can teach in-person, but must provide online options for students who stay home.

Students are being encouraged to delay their return to campus, although research activities can continue.

Other indoor gatherings will be limited to 50 people through Jan. 24, and staff is also encouraged to work remotely - partly to accommodate people with childcare needs, according to the university.

Rices mask policy will remain in place, with face coverings required indoors.

The Rice community has demonstrated we can live with the virus in a relatively safe manner, and that will remain so with the omicron variant, the statement reads. For that reason, we will begin to shift our policies to a posture that recognizes COVID-19 as endemic and facilitates our ability to deliver the best education and opportunity to our students, while still taking reasonable precautions.
A Houston Police Department officer involved in a car crash that killed an elderly man has been relieved of duty pending an investigation, according to the agency.

Charles Payne, 75, died shortly after the Sunday crash near Independence Heights, authorities said.

The name of the officer involved in the crash has not yet been released to the public.

Around noon, a marked HPD cruiser was traveling north in the 4600 block of North Shepherd Drive as a brown Cadillac in the southbound lane turned east toward Thorton Road, according to police.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Elderly man killed in crash with Houston police officer in Heights area

The cruiser then struck the Cadillac as it attempted to turn across the northbound lanes of Shepherd, investigators said.

Payne, the driver of the Cadillac, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His family told KTRK-TV that Payne had just left church prior to the crash. He was a father of seven and a grandfather of 13.

The officer driving the cruiser was also taken to a hospital with minor injuries. He was on duty at the time of the crash, but was not responding to a call, police said.

In a news release issued Tuesday, police said the officer had been relieved of duty. The department did not respond to a request seeking more information about the crash and the status of the officer.

The officer is a member of the Houston Police Officers Union, and the organization is representing him as the department investigates the crash, said Ray Hunt, executive director of the union. Hunt said the union had no further comment on the matter until the investigation is complete.

HPDs Vehicular Crimes and Internal Affairs divisions are investigating the crash as well as the Harris County District Attorneys Office.

hannah.dellinger@chron.com

twitter.com/hdellingermedia
In 2016, when a Harris County deputy constable shot and killed Ashtian Barnes after pulling him over for unpaid tolls, the Houston community exploded. Activists protested. The family sued.

Mark Owens died more quietly. Pulled over in August 2018 by police in the East Texas city of Rice because his license plate light was too dim, he apparently panicked as police questioned him, sneaking his drugs into his mouth. Hours later, he died of a methamphetamine overdose, records show.

A traffic stop triggered Austin Cantus death, too. He fled when Big Spring police in June 2018 attempted to pull him over for a violation. Cantu hit speeds of over 100 mph before he crashed into a tree, killing himself and severely injuring his passenger.

Traffic stops that devolve into fatal shootings invite intense scrutiny. Yet police dont have to pull a trigger for a minor roadside interaction to turn deadly. A Houston Chronicle analysis of 118 fatal traffic stops since 2015 found a significant number of motorists died from panicky self-administered drug overdoses, high-speed pursuit crashes and, for reasons that may never be known, suicides.

In some cases the motorists actions played a clear and decisive role in his or her death. Yet, as illustrated by Sandra Blands 2015 jailhouse suicide  following a traffic stop for failing to use her turn signal  culpability in other fatal encounters was less clear-cut.

The fatalities raise questions about the human cost of investigative traffic stops, a policing strategy that has been accepted practice for decades yet which research shows often has minimal effect on public safety. Weve gotten to a point where much of the public does not wanting us making those types of stops, said J. Thomas Manger, former president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association. You have to weigh the damage done on a stop where someone has done nothing wrong  versus the small percentage of times where you may have actually prevented a crime.

In an ongoing series, the Chronicle has examined the under-reported costs of aggressive traffic enforcement. It identified police departments most likely to stop speeders for fine revenue, those that conduct the most discretionary vehicle searches and the agencies that commonly use non-moving vehicle violations  broken tail lights, license plate violations  that critics say are a pretext to look for contraband.

Citizens have been asked to tolerate occasional roadside stops and investigations as a small cost for the great public safety good. Yet studies have shown the stops and searches to be racially biased and do little to lower crime. Most discretionary searches turn up nothing.

And while both police and activists have long acknowledged that traffic stops can be dangerous, it is only more recently that experts have begun to examine how and when it happens. In a 2019 study, University of Arkansas law professor Jordan Blair Woods found that stops made clearly for traffic safety only  speeding, for example  overwhelmingly ended without incident.

But those that began as, or pivoted into, investigations could quickly turn volatile. A considerable amount of violence against the police during routine traffic stops occurs when the stops escalate after officers invoke their authority in a substantial way during the stop, for instance, ordering drivers or passengers out of cars, touching drivers or passengers, or searching them or their vehicles, Woods wrote.

Look at what happened to Sandra Bland, said state Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston), who promoted legislation after her death to overhaul and limit minor traffic stops. I think that there should be no doubt in everyones mind that if she hadnt been stopped that day she would still be alive.

A number of jurisdictions have begun limiting the traffic stops local law enforcement can make to only those imperiling public safety, such as speeding and erratic driving.

Is it critically important to stop and ticket people for having license plates improperly affixed to their car? said Nick Hudson, Policy Advocacy Strategist for the ACLU of Texas. We need to get off officers plates things that do not directly implicate public safety.

Pretextual stops

On a spring day in 1995, a Noble County, Okla., trooper spotted a yellow Mercury missing a registration tag and pulled it over. The driver turned out to be Timothy McVeigh, fleeing from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building hed blown up in Oklahoma City.

Police often point to the incident as a reminder that using traffic stops to keep an eye out for other wrongdoing is a crucial tactic in making communities safe.

The practice received an official stamp of approval in 1996, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled any traffic violation, no matter how minor, was sufficient reason to conduct a roadside investigation. Now, Pretextual traffic stops have become so commonplace that it is difficult for civilians to discern when they are being pulled over for just a traffic violation or something else  like their race, Woods, the Arkansas professor, wrote.

It has been an article of faith among police that traffic stops are among the professions most volatile and dangerous interactions. When we approach a vehicle, were out in the open. They are not, said Houston Police Officers Union President Douglas Griffith.

Since 2015, seven Texas officers have been fatally shot; two were killed by vehicles. But research suggests the perception of high danger is more lore than reality.

The actual danger it poses is very, very small and isolated, acknowledged Patrick OBurke, a former top official at the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Recent studies suggest stops most likely to turn volatile appear to occur when drivers are pulled over for reasons other than clear and understandable safety infractions such as speeding, and neither the officer nor the vehicles occupants know what is going to happen.

Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Our data show that the interaction between officer and driver is considerably more strained in investigatory stops than traffic-safety stops, wrote Charles Epp, a University of Kansas professor and author of Pulled Over: How Police Stops Define Race and Citizenship.

This heightened tension reflects the fact that officers are acting in ways regarded by most drivers as highly intrusive, invasive and basically unfair  and officers know this, are already suspicious of the driver and are prepared to use force to maintain control. They have converted a stop for a trivial violation into a deeply unsettling criminal investigation.

When a Gladewater police officer began closely following Patrick Wise on a November 2016 night in East Texas for what he later said was an obscured license plate, Wise and his passenger quickly became anxious. They discussed how Wise wasnt violating any traffic laws and the pickup truck was legal in every way, according to filings in a subsequent lawsuit.

Wise stopped when Officer Robert Carlsen turned on his lights, but then jumped out and ran, records show. After a brief foot chase, the two ended up corralled in a partially fenced lot, where they fought until Carlsen fatally shot him.

Traffic stops that are what they seem to be dont create bewilderment or fear because you know whats happening, said Frank Baumgartner, a University of North Carolina professor and expert on traffic stops and racial profiling.

If police are directed to engage in investigative stops a million times, Epp added in an interview, a certain number of motorists will be killed.

Fatal traffic encounters data

To examine fatal Texas traffic encounters, the Chronicle used a database of deadly police interactions compiled by the Texas Justice Initiative, as well as death-in-custody reports police departments must file with the Texas Attorney General. Reporters also reviewed a database of police shootings dating back to 2015.

The newspaper reviewed 118 fatal encounters. Drug overdoses were responsible for 16; suicides ended the lives of another 11 motorists. Nine people died in pursuits. A small number  including Gregory Barrett, who records show died in jail of COVID after fleeing a Houston police officer stopping him for running a red light  died of medical causes.

The vast majority of the traffic enforcement-related homicides  79  involved police gunfire. But not all.

When Williamson County sheriffs deputies tried to pull over Javier Ambler in March 2019 for failing to dim his headlights to on-coming traffic, he fled, leading police on a chase ending with a struggle and tasing. His death, from cardiac arrest in combination with forcible restraint was also ruled a homicide.

Other traffic-stop-related fatalities were classified as accidental.

Kristina Douglas was pulled over by Humble police this past May for expired registration tags; Victoria police stopped Alton Sparks in April 2017 for an unspecified traffic violation. Records show both died after swallowing drugs in their possession (presumably to avoid criminal charges) when the stops veered from simple traffic stops into criminal investigations.

James McGraws March 2017 death was also classified as an accident. When a Harris County sheriffs deputy tried to stop him for expired registration tags, he took off, leading police on a chase through Katy before fatally slamming into a tree. Police later reported finding a useable amount of heroin. That couldve been why he was running, a spokesman said.

Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Some high-speed chases are unavoidable. But pursuits are dangerous for participants and bystanders. Studies show about one person is killed every day in a police chase. A recent analysis found that Texas  led by Harris County  tops the nation in the fatalities. The Chronicle identified several incidents in which bystanders and passengers were injured during attempted traffic stops, including an elderly woman shot through a wall by errant gunfire and a police officer struck by friendly fire.

Sean Kelly, stopped by a Bexar County sheriffs deputy in May 2020 for having no front license plate, was among the nearly dozen drivers who ended their own lives during a traffic stop. After a short foot chase, he took out a small handgun and killed himself.

Coleman said such tragedies were why he sought to limit minor traffic stops as part of the 2017 Sandra Bland Act, a provision he said eventually was stripped out at the request of police organizations. You bring people together in a stressed out situation, somebody ends up hurt or dead, he said.

A small but growing number of places have begun trying. Berkeley, Calif., removed police from many traffic enforcement duties; an Austin task force has recommended similar reforms.

Oakland, Lansing, Mich., and Philadelphia ordered police to limit traffic stops to only those considered a matter of public safety. Last year, Virginia enacted legislation prohibiting traffic stops for minor vehicle violations unrelated to unsafe driving.

After Fayetteville, N.C., police reduced the minor stops, the department reported investigative stops all but disappeared and searches of black motorists dropped. Officers increased arrests of speeders and drunk drivers and were freed up to perform more community policing.

Unpaid tolls

Such a policy might have spared Ashtian Barness life.

Barnes was driving a rental car, which had a record of unpaid tolls  his girlfriends car was in the shop  on Beltway 8 in 2016 when Precinct 5 Dep. Constable Roberto Felix pulled him over for the outstanding bill. But the stop turned into a criminal investigation when the constable told Barnes he smelled marijuana and ordered him out of the car.

After a brief pause, Barnes put the car in gear to flee. Video shows Felix hopping onto the running board, and the vehicle barreling several dozen yards down the shoulder, the lawman clinging to the car. Seconds later, two shots rang out.

Janice Barnes described her oldest child as a jokester who adored his two sisters. Hed had several minor run-ins with the law, including arrests for small amounts of marijuana and criminal mischief, that Barnes thinks might have put him on edge during the stop.

My son was afraid, she said. He was just trying to leave.

OBurke, the former DPS commander, said the fault ultimately lay with Barnes. From a law enforcement perspective, if Barnes had surrendered, this wouldnt have happened, he said.

The family said Barnes death could have been prevented if the stop hadnt been made at all. It was a toll. It wasnt fleeing the scene of a crash. It wasnt reckless driving, said Texas Civil Rights Project attorney Liyah Brown, who is helping Barnes relatives sue Harris County. It wasnt the sort of thing that would put people in danger.

This story has been updated to reflect that the vehicle Barnes was driving was a rental, not his girlfriends.

Page design by Jordan Ray-Hart
Youve seen the videos: Parents frothing over how race or sexuality or history are taught in their kids schools, often spurred on by pundits and politicians determined to make education a wedge issue.

Hanging in the balance as the adults scream at each other? The successful education of our children.

This dynamic came home to Houston earlier this month when two candidates who had rallied supporters by hammering away at the phantom threat of critical race theory and the so-called tyranny of mask mandates won seats on the Houston ISD board of trustees in low-turnout, high-stakes runoffs. Pastor Kendall Baker won by less than 100 votes in District 6, and Bridget Wade ousted Trustee Anne Sung in District 7.

Elsewhere in the region and state this election cycle, conservatives won on similar platforms, including in Cy-Fair ISD.

Knocking on doors in District 7, it was pretty clear to me that the impression that voters have of public schools, if they dont themselves have children in public schools, is informed by Fox News and national news coverage that has nothing to do with what our kids are being taught, Sung told the Chronicle recently.

An election that ought to have been about teacher pay and student progress turned into a microcosm of the national battle over racism and mask use. Every school board candidate said they wanted to put students first, but actually doing so means listening to education and health experts over enraged partisans.

After a partisan, bitter campaign, how do we move forward and put the actual issues facing HISD first? Approximately 50 HISD schools have D or F state accountability ratings, and north of 95 percent of students at those schools are children of color. The district must continue navigating the possibility of a state takeover, and the pandemic has exacerbated learning gaps and other inequities in education that must be addressed.

And theres still the lingering aftermath of the 2018 debacle in which state officials contend multiple trustees violated the Texas Open Meetings Act by meeting with a former HISD superintendent  and subsequently voting with no public debate to install him as superintendent and oust the interim leader.

The new board  which will again include victorious incumbents Elizabeth Santos and Sue Deigaard, who won in HISD District I and District V, respectively  still has much work to do to regain the public trust after years of racial division, corruption and other forms of dysfunction. Federal authorities announced recently the indictments of several former HISD officials, including past board president Rhonda Skillern-Jones, in connection with an alleged bribery scheme.

Millard House II, the first permanent superintendent since 2018, is prepping the release of his anticipated full strategic action plan early next year.

The Republican Party of Texas announced earlier this month the formation of the Local Government Committee, which will work with county GOP organizations to support candidates in nonpartisan local elections. Increasingly, nonpartisan is a misnomer in local races. Gov. Greg Abbott, Rep. Dan Crenshaw and other high-profile Texas Republicans tweeted out their joy at the conservatives runoff victories.

Democrats, too, are mobilizing to bolster their preferred candidates chances in school board races. Our democracys on the line, and it starts at our most local level, Odus Evbagharu, chair of the Harris County Democratic Party, told the Texas Tribune recently.

Partisanship isnt inherently a bad thing, and reasonable people with a wide range of political perspectives can and do help students get a great education. And two new members does not a majority make on the nine-person board; it takes three members to get an item onto the boards formal agenda, unless the board president agrees.

Its critical that the two new conservatives and the seven returning trustees see each other as colleagues, and not as adversaries, in order to face down the recent history of corruption and help the districts struggling schools. Wade said some of the current members have reached out to her to offer their support as she adjusts.

Give me some time to show what I am about. People have jumped to conclusions about me, and thats fine, but at least give me time to see what Im capable of  and hold me accountable, too, Wade told the editorial board recently.

We didnt endorse Wade or Baker in either the general election or the runoff, and weve disagreed with them on masks. We support the superintendents call this week to require face coverings into 2022 as we navigate this omicron variant wave. But well take Wade up on her ask for a wait-and-see approach. As the trustees work to find solutions to HISDs entrenched problems, its key that they be willing to look beyond traditional partisan fault lines to do so.

People who continue to watch the school board will come to the realization that these partisan battles dont really come up very often, Jasmine Jenkins, executive director of Houstonians for Great Public Schools, told us earlier this month. Jenkins said shes cautiously optimistic the board can refocus on the key issues as the political parties shift their focus to next Marchs primaries.

As the new board prepares to get started early next month, members have struck tones suggesting they want to work with their new colleagues. Students, parents, teachers and the entire community are counting on House and the HISD board members to lead with a spirit of collaboration, and put the students first.
Regarding Opinion: Subsidies would worsen child care crisis, (Dec. 26): What these authors call onerous burdens (requiring degrees of lead pre-K teachers, matching salaries to those of unionized teachers, requiring specific student-teacher ratios) are actually considered best practices in the education world.

Another onerous burden is filing paperwork by at-home child care workers and their employers. These authors contend that it is too hard for people to complete required forms because they already face barriers. The authors do not specify what barriers. The implication is that people, especially marginalized people, do not have the intellectual capacity to fill out necessary paperwork.

Finally, the authors trashed the Head Start program, stating, Randomized controlled trials of Head Start find no evidence of academic improvement later in life. This program has been studied a great deal. I refer the authors to The Long-term Impact of the Head Start Program by the Brookings Institution. The study compared siblings who did and did not attend Head Start. The findings present a clear advantage to the siblings who attended the program.

Bellwether Education Partners has described how Head Start can improve upon the outcomes already achieved.

Head Start has done great things, but can achieve even more with the changes described in Build Back Better. These authors of The Heritage Foundation malign a program for children that has been a shining light in the darkness of poverty. Can it be improved and refined? Of course.

Ilona Thomson, Houston

John Schoof and Teresa Schuster use all the tropes to attack the child care subsidy programs found in the Build Back Better legislation package, from the old attack on Head Start to the fiction that employers will provide quality child care at scale for working mothers and two-earner families, and the standard conservative code word overregulation.

My grandson went to a well-qualified program. It started at a cost over $1,000 a month. It would be impossible for a family earning the median income for a family of four in America to afford that. Our collective family has been blessed in the lottery of life to be able to afford such a program. Many, many, many families are not so fortunate.

Walt Lind, Houston

By our actions, if not our words, all of us recognize the need for government to compensate for private sector inadequacies in the provision of necessities such as affordable, quality child care. So when I began reading this article, I was prepared to take exception to the usual complaint about too much government in the economy. However, burdening what is nominally a great idea, helping families obtain affordable child care, with unnecessary regulations such as an effort to have 4-year-olds instructed by college graduates hurts the credibility of the bills supporters.

Michael Douglas Gilbert, Houston

Manchin in the middle

Regarding Opinion: Joe Manchin has shown America how politics is supposed to work, (Dec. 24): Joe Manchins recent pronouncement on Fox News that he will not support President Bidens Build Back Better bill provided an ideal opportunity for Glenn Lowenstein to promote his No Labels group. Although the groups purpose in reducing partisanship is admirable, Lowensteins essay entirely fails to acknowledge that compromise is not always possible. A key provision of Build Back Better is the extension of the expanded Child Tax Credit. President Bidens American Rescue Plan increased the tax credit for 90 percent of U.S. children  more than 65 million  and provided monthly payments to their families. Although the payments are modest, they have enabled parents to pay for food, shelter, clothing, and much more, lowering childhood poverty in our country by more than 40 percent. Every Republican House member and Senator opposed the American Rescue Plan. Some issues cannot and should not be compromised.

Rand Nolen, Houston

Joe Manchin in no way represents the will of the American people, as Glenn Lowenstein would have us believe. He represents himself and other wealthy businessmen who do not want to pay the costs to society their businesses cause.

The American people have indicated their support for virtually everything in the Build Back Better bill in polling that shows even Republicans like most of the provisions. Investments dont cause inflation; they pay for themselves in the long run, as Manchin, an investor himself, knows.

The Democrats trying to pass legislation that helps the American people over Republican intransigence is not shoving legislation down a divided nations throat. Republicans are shoving minority rule down the majoritys throat.

Bruce Ellis, Houston

Regarding Opinion: Of course Joe Manchin opposes Bidens Build Back Better bill, (Dec. 23): I cant speak to Senator Manchins interests in coal. However, I do understand the good senators other problems with the bill as written. The main concern, as I understand it, is the overall cost. As presented, several items of entitlement in a large part of the bill would expire after the first year. Anyone who has been around for a while knows that entitlements dont expire once started. Without these provisions the bill is projected to double in cost from $2 trillion to somewhere north of $4 trillion. His other concern is who is to pay. Biden says that the ultrarich and corporations will pay and it will cost us nothing. Really? As to the ultrarich, it would take the entire wealth of two thousand billionaires to cover this massive spending. That cant happen so the bulk of the expense would be left to corporations. Corporations cant eat this extra expense either  and hope to remain in business. The answer to that is a raise in prices of everything that they make or furnish. And corporations make or furnish everything that we use, buy, ride in, eat, burn as fuel or watch and listen to as entertainment. So we end up footing the bill.

Kent Marshall, Sugar Land
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Snow showers early will become steadier snow overnight. Low near 25F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches..

Tonight

Snow showers early will become steadier snow overnight. Low near 25F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.
Father Cyr Named as Interim Administrator for Adams Parishes

ADAMS, Mass.  A veteran North Berkshire priest has been called from retirement to serve the Parish of St. John Paul II as well as St. Mary of Assumption in Cheshire.

The Rev. William Cyr will be the interim administrator after the current pastor, the Rev. Barrent Pease, was reassigned after outrage over a Mass intention for Christmas.

Midnight Mass at St. Stanislaus Church had included an intention "for the conversion of the Jewish people that they receive Jesus as their messiah." The intent is not line with Vatican's current teaching that condemns anti-Semitism and rejects proselytizing Jews.

As first reported in The Berkshire Eagle, a complaint was made to the bishop and the intention removed, to be replaced by "for the conversion of all non-Christians, that they receive Jesus as their messiah."

Bishop William Byrne of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, in a letter posted Dec. 23, said the "painful but necessary" decision was to remove Pease immediately.

"Father Pease feels badly for any misunderstanding or unintended offense he may have caused," Byrne wrote. "He honestly was trying to respond openly and act faithfully has your administrator."

He asked the parish include him in their prayers "as he reflects on and learns from this experience."

Local Jewish leaders said they planned to reach out to the diocese.

Pease had come to the parish last February, replacing the Rev. Steven Montesanti. He was raised in Montgomery, and was ordained in Springfield in 2017. His first assignment was at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Springfield.

Cyr and the Rev. Gary Dailey stepped in over the Christmas services. Cyr has been assisting at the Parish of John Paul II.

Cyr was most recently the pastor at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in North Adams for 13 years until his retirement in 2018. He was the pastor of the Parishes of Sts. Patrick and Raphael for 15 years until being transferred in 2002 to St. Catherine's Parish in Springfield. He served in several area parishes and taught at the former St. Joseph's High School for a few years.
Women of Color Giving Circle Virtual Kwanzaa Celebration

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Women of Color Giving Circle, Berkshire Branch of the NAACP, and the Rites of Passage and Empowerment Program (R.O.P.E.) will present its annual community Kwanzaa Celebration virtually at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29.

Kwanzaa is a non-religious celebration held Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. The holiday celebrates African and African-American culture, with an emphasis on seven principles geared towards uplift and empowerment.

This years theme, "Young, Gifted, and Black: Where Do We Go from Here?"

The keynote speaker will be Mayor Kamal Johnson of Hudson, N.Y. The event lineup will also include youth speaker, Sierra Boyd, and include performances by Wanda Houston and Samirah Evans.

The ceremony can be viewed via one of the following options:
Four Arrested After Shoplifting, Police Chase In South County

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  Four people were arrested on Shoplifting and other charges as part of joint investigation between the Lee, Stockbridge and Great Barrington Police Departments.

On Dec. 28 at approximately 7:30 p.m., three people entered Berkshire Liquors on Housatonic Street in Lee. They grabbed armfuls of alcohol products and immediately fled the store without paying. The suspects entered a dark colored SUV with unknown New York tags and fled the area prior to Lee Officers arriving on scene.

A Be On The Look Out (BOLO) with basic vehicle description was put out to area law enforcement agencies.

A short time later, a similar incident occurred at Domaney's Liqours on Main Street in Great Barrington, where three people again entered the store, grabbed armfuls of alcohol products and fled the store with-out paying. This time, a partial New York license plate was obtained by a witness as the same described SUV fled the scene.

Updated BOLO information was put out to area law enforcement. A short time later, an Officer from the Stockbridge Police Department observed a vehicle matching the description traveling east on East Main Street in Stockbridge. The Stockbridge Officer attempted to stop this vehicle.

The vehicle initially failed to stop and entered the town of Lee. The vehicle did eventually stop but only after reaching the dead-end section of Quarry Hill Road in Lee.

Officers from the Lee, Great Barrington, Lenox and Massachusetts State Police responded to the scene of the motor vehicle Stop. Investigators from the Stockbridge, Lee and Great Barrington Police Departments conducted immediate preliminary investigation on scene.

As a result, the Stockbridge Police Department arrested the vehicle operator, identified as Nyzaiah Williams, age 18, New York, N.Y. for; Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, Failure to stop for Police, Unlawful attachment of license plates, Negligent operation of a motor vehicle and Receiving Stolen Property.

Three additional vehicle occupants were arrested by the Great Barrington Police Department for Shoplifting over $250.00. Of these three; one individual was identified as a 16-year-old juvenile, one individual was identified as a 17-year-old juvenile and the third was is identified as Albert L Alexis, age 23 of New York, N.Y.

Two additional occupants in the vehicle were released without charges. Officers observed a large number of liquor bottles

and possibly other stolen items in the involved vehicle.

The investigation is still ongoing and being jointly conducted by Investigators from the three primary involved Agencies. The vehicle was impounded and a search warrant has been sought. In addition to the arrests and charges from the Stockbridge and Great Barrington Police Department, charges are also pending from the Lee Police Department.
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Alexa, play Raatan Lambiyaan!

Photographers at the Mumbai airport spotted Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra while they were heading out to catch a flight. The couple reportedly flew off to the Maldives to ring in the new year together.

Instagram

Twitter

As an onscreen couple, Sid-Kiara won the hearts of their fans as they played Dimple Cheema and Captain Vikram Batra in Shershaah.

Twitter

The couple has often been spotted at each other's houses in Mumbai and has been spotted hanging out with their families. Sid's appearance at Kiara's fam-jam birthday party had sparked solid dating rumors.

Twitter

As soon as videos and pictures from the airport went viral, fans started requesting the couple to make it official.

Kiara and Sid

Even though they have been tight-lipped about their relationship, things have been steady between the couple.

Their families have also given the nod to their relationship.

This is Sid and Kiara's second New Year vacay together, as they had also flown down to the Maldives in December 2019 to ring in their new year together.

Twitter

Well, Kiara and Sid should oblige their fans and make it official already!

(To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.)


The Bombay High Court has permitted a 12-year-old victim of rape and sexual assault to undergo medical termination of her pregnancy, which was a result of this assault, despite the pregnancy being beyond the permissible 20-week limit and the foetus having only minor abnormalities.

A vacation bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and Abhay Ahuja took note of the mental anguish and trauma the minor girl would have to undergo if forced to carry the pregnancy to full term.

It also cited an April 2019 order passed by another Bombay HC bench, which had held that if a pregnancy posed injury to a woman's mental health, then forcing her to continue with such pregnancy would be in breach of her fundamental right to life.

It said the 2019 order had "correctly held that in a situation where continuation of pregnancy poses grave injury to the physical and mental health of the mother, the pregnant mother could not be forced to continue with the pregnancy merely because it had extended beyond the ceiling of 20 weeks".

Representational Image

"The same would be a serious afront to fundamental rights of such mother to privacy, to exercise reproductive choices, and even to her bodily integrity as also dignity," Justice Kathawalla's bench quoted from the 2019 order. The vacation bench was presiding over a plea filed by the victim's father.

It noted the victim was currently admitted in the state-run JJ hospital in the city, and a panel of doctors there had examined her and concluded that while "only minor anomaly is detected in the foetus of the pregnant minor mother", she "is anguished with the pregnancy." The JJ hospital panel had also told HC that the continuation of the pregnancy was likely to have an adverse psychological impact on the minor.

The bench further noted, in the present case, the medical board had also clearly opined that the minor was anguished with the pregnancy and its continuation may lead to complications during labour. "It is further opined the continuation of such an unwanted pregnancy will have physical and mental stress to minor as well as have a psychological impact," HC said.

The court has directed JJ hospital authorities to provide counseling and requisite medical aid to the victim and to perform the MTP procedure.

Lack of violence doesn't imply consent

Lack of violent resistance by a victim does not amount to consent, the Madras High Court noted, confirming a rape conviction.

Twitter

The court, in its order, said mere absence of a valiant and violent effort on the part of the victim certainly does not amount to consent, as Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy explained that one must step into the shoes of the victim and see the entire episode from her perspective, Bar and Bench reported.

The court discussed the judgment of the Punjab & Haryana High Court in Rao Harnarain Singh and others vs. State where it was observed that, every consent involves a submission but the converse does not follow and a mere act of submission does not involve consent.
When debate didn't resolve issues during a discussion on controversial constitutional reforms, lawmakers in Jordan resorted to fistfights as brawl erupted the country's parliament.

The argument erupted during a debate on an amendment adding the female noun for a Jordanian citizen into the constitution section on equal rights, Middle East Eye reported.



Screengrab/Twitter

The heated debate soon escalated as a group of MPs engaged in fisticuffs, and an exchange of insults between House Speaker Abdul Karim Dughmi and Deputy Suleiman Abu Yahya, who accused Dughmi of an inability to run the show.



Jordan is a parliamentary monarchy, but the king wields the most power and has the final say on what becomes law in the country.

The kingdom's constitution was enacted in 1952 by King Abdullah's grandfather. It has been amended 29 times, in what many critics say are moves designed to increase the power of the king at the expense of the legislature.

Several deputies traded punches in a brawl in Jordan's parliament after a verbal row escalated when the assembly speaker called on a deputy to leave, witnesses said https://t.co/4WVq2L1Div pic.twitter.com/RqA04SZHeY  Reuters (@Reuters) December 28, 2021

With the session running out of control, Dughmi, the parliaments longest-serving lawmaker, had to adjourn the session for 30 minutes, as per Arab News.

The unruly scenes began when Tuesdays session opened with a discussion on proposed constitutional amendments, under which the term female Jordanians was added to the title of the second chapter of the constitution on Jordanians rights and duties.

The live footage on state media showed the MPs trading punches while one deputy fell to the ground as others shouted in chaotic scenes that lasted a few minutes, forcing the session to be adjourned until Thursday.

Screengrab/Twitter

It was reported that no one was injured during the brawl, which began after a member of parliament refused to apologise over remarks made when discussing the country's constitutional reforms during a debate on an amendment adding the female noun for a Jordanian citizen, to a chapter in the constitution guaranteeing equal rights of all citizens.

"There was a verbal shouting match that turned into a fist-fighting by several deputies. The behaviour is unacceptable to our people and harms our country's reputation," Reuters quoted Khalil Atiyeh, a member of parliament who witnessed the session, a saying.

Some MPs, especially women, claim that the amendment will create discrimination between Jordanians based on gender.

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As the world adapted to work from home orders and began operating in more distributed, remote teams over the past two years, one common refrain from software developers was the lack of a truly remote alternative to a whiteboard.

Whether it is the dreaded whiteboard test during a job interview, or Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverins apocryphal scribbling of the original Facebook algorithm on a dorm room window, the whiteboard has long been a key tool to help programmers understand and explain the complex systems they are designing and running.

Now, as developer teams continue to become more distributed, remote, and asynchronous, the virtual whiteboard is becoming a key tool for collaborating on technical problems, teaching sessions, and job interviews.

Getting that 1,000-feet view

For engineers, the whiteboard is a powerful tool to help visualize different pieces of an application, Jevin Maltais, engineering manager at fully-distributed automation software company Zapier, told InfoWorld. Developing technical solutions means there is a lot of interaction and communication between various pieces of a system, and the whiteboard is a good way to visualize that.

Kansas City-based software development agency Crema has been using the popular whiteboarding tool Miro for at least four years now (Miro is now a client of theirs), well before the pandemic forced employees and clients to work together remotely. But usage ticked up significantly during the pandemic.

We have a wonderful office with whiteboards everywhere for project planning, technical planning, and troubleshooting, Neal Dyrkacz, a senior application developer at Crema, told InfoWorld. Now, much of that work is done and stored within Miro. Understanding a high-level architecture, what we need, the third-party APIs we will hitgetting that 1,000 feet view is valuable for everyone, he added.

Lex Sanders, an application developer at Crema, found the Miro whiteboards hugely valuable during her early days at the company as an apprentice. I spent a lot of time whiteboarding and doing collaborative work with mentors, she said.

The shift from physical to virtual whiteboards is not seamless, however. One common problem is the simple logistics of adjusting from a physical environment, where it is always clear who is driving the session with a marker in their hand, to a virtual environment in which anyone can draw at any time. Maltais at Zapier admits this is still a challenge for engineering teams. Coming up with cultural norms of who can draw when is still weird, he admits.

Powering the asynchronous work revolution

AWS senior developer advocate Justin Garrison has worked in fully remote teams for a number of years now, but as a visual learner he often craved a simple way to explain things to colleagues visually.

As those teams have become more globally distributed, Garrison is looking for better ways to convey this information asynchronously, so that his colleagues in Tokyo or Rome can catch up when they wake up.

You cant schedule a meeting for everyone and doing something interactive is also difficult, Garrison said, noting that existing tools dont have out-of-the-box support for asynchronous recording and playback yet, something which is high on his 2022 wish list.

Maltais at Zapier has also been grappling with this issue over the past year or so. Some of the powerful, non-obvious ways we use virtual whiteboards here is working in an asynchronous way to leverage the whiteboard as the visual tool, but allow people to contribute in their own time asynchronously he said. Digital whiteboards can be very long running. We can record the meeting, allowing that person to contribute to that whiteboard while they watch that evolve.

Zapier has embraced asynchronous whiteboarding as it looks for better ways to engage engineers who only get to meet in person once or twice a year, pandemic allowing. I think it is really important for engineers to be heard, Maltais said. They often work solo and dont have the experience of being able to talk and ask questions, so finding ways to better collaborate and share ideas is really powerful.

Which virtual whiteboard is best for developers?

Garrison has done more trialing of virtual whiteboards than most developers, and his personal favorite is the very simple Whiteboard Online (WBO), paired with a tablet and stylus for drawing.

I like the ephemerality of it, its not documentation, he said. At a whiteboard you are having a conversation, 90% of the value is what you are saying and 10% is what is on the whiteboard.

He has also had some success with Zooms integrated whiteboard feature during meetings, but doesnt like how siloed the tool is. Miro was a key tool during his time at the Walt Disney Company, despite having some drawbacks. Its not meant for a pen, which means its not a whiteboard app for me, he said.

Zapier is also trialing Facebooks Horizon Workrooms VR tool for more immersive virtual whiteboarding sessions between developers. The whiteboarding experience is really impressive in that setting, Maltais said.

Hrafn Eiriksson, CTO at UK-based betting exchange Smarkets, uses three different whiteboards for different purposes. He likes a simple virtual whiteboard called Excalidraw for spur of the moment sessions, Miro for more formal meetings because of its full feature set, and HackerRanks whiteboards for conducting technical interviews.

While the virtual whiteboard appears to be an unavoidable part of the software developer experience, as we shift into whatever the next iteration of work will look like post-pandemic, there still is no clear consensus replacement for the simplicity of a dry erase marker on a physical whiteboard.

Weve probably tried about a dozen different services for whiteboarding over the last couple of years, Eiriksson said. What I would say is that no matter which tool we use, remote whiteboarding really does not beat an in-person session.
The state attorney generals office is investigating the shooting death of a man authorities say was driving a backhoe when he damaged vehicles and homes at a mobile home park in New Jersey this month.

Joshua Gonzalez, 20, of Millville was the man shot by a Vineland police officer in the early morning confrontation on Dec. 18 at the Penn Lincoln Mobile Home Park in Vineland, authorities said last week.

Officers were dispatched after a 911 caller reported someone operating a construction backhoe in an erratic manner, officials said. Several officers encountered Gonzalez operating the backhoe around 5 a.m. and tried to stop him for about half an hour, without success.

During that time, Gonzalez caused extensive damage to several residences and vehicles, including two police cars, an ambulance, and an occupied civilian vehicle, the attorney generals office said.

The officer fired his service weapon, and officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid before Gonzalez was pronounced dead at the scene less than 20 minutes later. Three Vineland officers were treated for minor injuries.

Theresa Jeffrey told KYW-TV that she was headed to work that Saturday morning when the piece of construction equipment barreled toward her and totaled her red sedan.

Im just so traumatized, and I cant stop crying about it, Jeffrey said shortly afterward. Like, its very scary when you see a bulldozer just like coming at you and hitting your car, Jeffrey said.

The attorney generals office is required to investigate deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Personal Auto New Jersey
An October 21, 2021, decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ordered UHS of Fuller Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc. to pay the U.S. Department of Labor $30, 515.63 in attorneys fees after failing to comply with an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) subpoena for documents.

OSHA issued the subpoena as part of a 2019 workplace violence inspection at an Attleboro, Massachusetts, behavioral health facility the companies operated. Among other things, the subpoena requested video footage of workplace violence incidents involving employees at the facility. After failing to comply, the departments Regional Office of the Solicitor petitioned the court to enforce the subpoena for the requested video.

The court found that the companies opposition was not substantially justified and ordered them to comply with the subpoena, and to pay the departments attorneys fees incurred responding to their arguments.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue subpoenas to request necessary documents as part of an OSHA inspection. If a recipient fails to comply, the department may then move to enforce the subpoena in federal district court.

The court made clear that there can be significant consequences for a recipient that opposes OSHA subpoena compliance without substantial justification, said Regional Solicitor of Labor Maia Fisher in Boston in a U.S. Department of Labor press release. The law makes a clear distinction between good faith arguments and those that lack merit. If a recipient chooses to engage in the latter, the recipient should expect to be held accountable.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHAs role is to ensure these conditions for Americas workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Topics Workers' Compensation Commercial Lines Business Insurance Massachusetts
Oil spills, port explosions, blockages in the Suez Canal and supply chain risks. These are just some of the events that global space company Skytek has analyzed over the past year for its insurance industry customers.

The company helps insurers manage their global positions, combining space technology, big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learningin a service called REACT. With REACT, Skytek tracks both mobile and fixed assets around the world, in real time, both before and after loss events, said Skyteks chief executive officer, Dr. Sarah Bourke, in an interview with Carrier Management.

We can now tell you, in near real time, where all your assets are, what your aggregations are, what your accumulations are. We can track what your assets are doing and where they are traveling to.

The system can count all the cars and the containers in ports across the globe that are in an insurers portfolio. Its a whole new way of looking at your risk and managing risks, she affirmed.

With its earth observation imagery, Skytek works with insurers and brokers during the U.S. windstorm season in America to provide pre- and post-event imagery to identify affected assets in a portfolio.

Despite such accurate and fast real-time analysis, Bourke does not think that this technology will replace risk and catastrophe models. She said this technology complements such models by providing more granular datacargo accumulation at ports and satellite imagery for pre- and post-loss assessment, for example.

Skytek can validate a model because we can tell you in real time where are your top five exposures in the world, she said.

Ever Given in the Suez

One example of Skyteks service involved the giant container ship Ever Given, which ran aground in the Suez Canal in high winds on March 23 this year, halting traffic for weeks in both directions and disrupting global trade. Skytek provided insurers with both satellite imagery and an analysis of exposed assets. (Related video: On the Ground: How Insurers Can Use Geospatial Information Systems)

The minute people realized there was a problem in the Suez Canal, the Skytek system was able to react and insurers could monitor their portfolios. She explained, Our insurance company clients have portfolios within our system. So, they knew immediately what assets were in the area at the time.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Skytek was asked to analyze the risk accumulation of cruise ships, given the fact that vessels were laid up and billions of dollars worth of risk were situated in one location. In just one of its findings, Skytek discovered that Englands Port of Southampton had gone from having no risk to $5 billion worth of cruise ship risk in the period from March to October 2020, Bourke explained.

Cargo accumulation and delays are a major news story for 2021. Using its latest earth observation and AI technology, Skytek can assist carriers to understand global supply chain issues. Indeed, a Skytek analysis of Los Angeles port in September showed the enormous scale of the problem.

Unmodeled and Modeled Catastrophes

Skyteks services also were used after the deadly Port of Beirut explosion on Aug. 4, 2020, when a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port exploded. Skytek was easily able to tell the insurance sector about the expected loss in Beirut by examining pre- and post-loss imagery.

There was relief provided for the sector in the wake of the event because Skytek was able to quickly confirm that several container vessels in the port were not destroyed. Bourke said insurers find it helpful to be able to access that kind of information quickly.

Skytek also tracks windstorms as part of its catastrophe toolkit. Were able to tell insurance companies where their assets are and whats the value of the assets in the cone of uncertainty.

Using its earth observation imagery, which employs satellite imagery, AI and machine learning, Skytek can determine the location of insurers assets and perform pre- and post-event comparisons. In other words, it analyzes images from all available external resources, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Skytek also tracks oil spills and leaks, detecting what vessels were in the affected area at the time and the likely candidates that committed the environmental issue, according to Bourke. Skytek has tracked the recent oil spill off the coast of California and is currently investigating the scale of the event using its satellite technology.

Space to Innovate: Front-End Underwriting

Skytek also can help insurers with their underwritingat the front end of a risk.

For example, with a marine portfolio, the system provides analysis at both vessel and portfolio level. Were able to tell the insurance companies all the details about the vessels, such as their flag, their classification and society. Were also able to give them a flavor of the voyages, so theyre able to see how many miles a vessel has sailed in a year, where did they go and what ports they called at.

Insurers can compare an individual ships data points to the global fleet. Is it underperforming or overperforming?

Skytek also provides risk scores for each asset tracked by its REACT platform. For example, we take things like the age of the vessel, the type of vessel, the flag it sails under, and then we assign a risk score, Bourke explained.

When underwriters log into the REACT system, they get a risk score for a vessel and for a portfolio.

While this information is publicly available from about four or five different sources, Skytek pulls it all together into one easily accessible platform, she said. Even though were very sophisticated in what we do, the user interface is really simple, so you dont need to be in any way technical. You just log in, get your information, and off you go. Thats really it.

ESG Risk Scores

In addition to natural catastrophes and manmade events, such as port explosions, Bourke said the company also helps customers analyze compliance with environmental, societal and governance (ESG) risks and impact assessments. Thats keeping an eye on things like CO2 emissions, deforestation and shipping activity in environmentally sensitive areas.

Last year, there was a lot of focus on sanctions compliance related to Iran, for example. This year, however, the focus of a lot of CEOs and boards of insurance companies is on ESG compliance.

Ships have a very heavy environmental footprint, and so now the focus is on monitoring and that kind of activity. As a result, Skytek also is providing ESG risk scores for vessels. You have to be able to pivot, depending on whats happening within the industry.

Above the Clouds

Skytek doesnt own or develop satellites; it has relationships with providers. The big challenge is tasking the satellite. We task the satellite, we get the images, and then we give them to the insurance companies, said Bourke.

Skytek has strategic partnerships with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) as well as leading European companies and organizations such as Airbus and EUMETSAT. It also has a long-term strategic relationship with insurance broker Aon, according to Skyteks website.

Dublin-headquartered Skytek was launched in 1997 as a software company, specializing in the space industry. It now has clients all over the world. One of its key projects was to develop the International Procedure Viewer (iPV) system, which has been used on the International Space Station (ISS) for more than a decade.

Like a very sophisticated technical manual, the iPV system contains more than 15,000 procedures used by the astronauts on the ISS to guide them through routine procedures and mission-critical events such as space walks and emergencies. Its iPV procedures also are employed on Elon Musks SpaceX missions to the ISS.

Skytek has won awards from NASA and the EU for outstanding innovation, so we do regard ourselves as being technology innovators, said Bourke. Thats the experience were bringing to the insurance industry.

In addition to insurance, Skytek has also developed intelligent software solutions for other industries, such as marine transportation, energy, aerospace and defense.

Our whole legacy has been with the space industry. We understand the industry; we understand all the technologies there. And thats the tried, tested and trusted expertise that were bringing to the insurance industry.

Edited by Mike Fitzgerald, CM Guest Editor.

Guest Editor Mike Fitzgerald described Skyteks analysis of the Ever Given incident in a related video, Seeing Through Clouds: CM Roundtable Highlights

(This article first was published in Carrier Managements fourth-quarter magazine. Click the Download Magazine button for a free PDF. To read and share individual articles more easily, become a Carrier Management member to unlock everything.)

Photo credit for top photograph: NIMEDIA/Shutterstock
SYDNEY/ROME  Global COVID-19 infections hit a record high over the past seven-day period, Reuters data showed on Wednesday, as the new Omicron variant raced out of control, keeping workers at home and overwhelming testing centers.

Almost 900,000 cases were detected on average each day around the world between Dec. 22-28, with myriad countries posting new all-time highs over the past 24 hours, including the United States, Australia and many European nations.

Almost two years after China first reported a cluster of viral pneumonia cases in the city of Wuhan, the regularly mutating coronavirus is still wreaking havoc, forcing numerous governments to rethink quarantine and test rules.

Although studies have suggested the Omicron variant is less deadly than some of its predecessors, the huge numbers of people testing positive mean that hospitals in some countries might soon be overwhelmed, while businesses might struggle to carry on operating because of workers having to quarantine.

France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta all registered a record number of new cases on Tuesday, while the average number of daily COVID-19 cases in the United States hit a record 258,312 over the past seven days, according to a Reuters tally on Wednesday. The previous peak was a figure of 250,141 registered in early January, this year.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that 90% of patients ending up in intensive care had not received booster vaccines, which medics say is the best protection against the infectious Omicron.

The Omicron variant continues to cause real problems, youre seeing cases rising in hospitals, but it is obviously milder than the Delta variant, Johnson said.

New daily infections in Australia spiked to nearly 18,300 on Wednesday, eclipsing the previous pandemic high of around 11,300 hit a day earlier.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his country needed a gear change to manage overburdened laboratories, with long walk-in and drive-in queues reported in a number of areas.

Testing bottlenecks have also built in European nations, including Spain where demand for free COVID-19 testing kits provided by Madrids regional government far outstripped, with long queues forming outside pharmacies.

I Just Want to Go Home

A number of governments were also increasingly worried by the huge numbers of people being forced into self-isolation because they had been in contact with a coronavirus sufferer.

We just cant have everybody just being taken out of circulation because they just happen to be at a particular place at a particular time, Australias Morrison told reporters.

Italy was expected to relax some of its quarantine rules on Wednesday over fears the country will soon grind to a halt given how many people are having to self-isolate protectively, with cases doubling on Tuesday from a day earlier to 78,313.

However, China showed no let-up in its policy of zero tolerance to outbreaks, keeping 13 million people in the city of Xian under rigid lockdown for a seventh day as new COVID-19 infections persisted, with 151 cases reported on Tuesday.

I just want to go home, said a 32-year-old mechanic, who was in Xian last week for a business trip when the city was effectively shut off from the outside world.

No cases of Omicron have been announced in Xian so far.

Many countries are still grappling with the earlier Delta variant, including Poland, which reported 794 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday  the highest number in the fourth wave of the pandemic.

Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska said more than 75% of those who died were unvaccinated.

Early data from Britain, South Africa and Denmark suggests there is a reduced risk of hospitalization for the Omicron compared with the Delta variant, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest epidemiological report.

However, the report said further data was needed to understand how severity of illness may be impacted by vaccination and, or, prior infection.

The surge in cases is coinciding with the New Year holidays, normally a period of parties and travel. Some countries, such as Italy, have canceled public celebrations, while authorities in Japan urged residents to keep end-of-year gatherings small.

The highest risk is meeting people without taking adequate measures to prevent infection, said Norio Ohmagari, director of the Disease Control and Prevention Center and a top health advisor to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; writing by Crispian Balmer; editing by Alex Richardson)

Topics COVID-19
A ruling by the Indiana Supreme Court has expanded the limited number of people who are eligible to recover damages in lawsuits alleging negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Indiana lawsuits seeking damages for emotional distress typically can only be pursued by a person who suffers a direct physical injury, suffers an injury that also injures or kills a third-party, or witnesses a relatives death or severe injury immediately after it occurs.

But in a 3-2 decision released Dec. 22, Indianas high court said it is also now allowing a parent or guardian to seek damages from a child caretaker when the parent or guardian discovers, with irrefutable certainty, that the caretaker sexually abused their child and that abuse severely impacted the parent or guardians emotional health, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported.

The new rule arose from a case involving the sexual assault of a profoundly disabled child in 2015 and 2016 by an instructional assistant responsible for her care at a school in the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township in Indianapolis.

According to court records, the perpetrator confessed to her actions two years later, then pleaded guilty to child molesting and received a 13-year sentence.

In 2019, the childs mother sued the woman, the school, and the school district claiming she suffered emotional distress because of the childs sexual assault. She alleged her distress ultimately compromised her ability to care for her daughter at home and forced her to incur expenses for the childs placement in a chronic care facility.

Court records show the mothers lawsuit was turned aside by lower courts because her claims didnt fit any of the categories for which damages for emotional distress can be pursued, chiefly because she did not witness the abuse and only learned of it years later.

But in the ruling, Supreme Court Justice Christopher Goff concluded that an expansion was necessary because the extraordinary circumstances here warrant a proper remedy.

Justice compels us to fashion a rule permitting a claim for damages limited to circumstances like those presented here, he wrote in an opinion joined by Chief Justice Loretta Rush and Justice Steven David.

Goff said the specific facts of the Marion County case perfectly align with the courts new rule and ordered that the mother be permitted to proceed to trial against the defendants in her emotional distress claim.

Justice Geoffrey Slaughter dissented from the courts ruling in an opinion joined by Justice Mark Massa. Slaughter suggested that any expansion of emotional distress liability is a task best left to the Legislature rather than the courts.

He wrote that the courts decision almost certainly opens the door to a significant number of additional emotional distress claims being filed in Indianas courts.

Only time will tell whether todays watershed rule is so narrow and fact-specific that it proves to be a one-way ticket for this ride only _ or whether, as I suspect, it is the proverbial camels nose under the tent, with the rest of the camel soon to follow, he wrote.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Indiana
Scores of people are wondering when they can return to their Milwaukee apartment building after a fire authorities say was deliberately set forced them to flee.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the fire broke out the morning of Sunday, Dec. 26. The blaze was contained to one unit, fire officials said, but other apartments suffered extensive water and smoke damage and nearly 140 people were forced to flee. No injuries were reported.

Officials havent given an update on when residents can return to their apartments. The American Red Cross of Wisconsin said the building had no power as of the night of Dec. 26 as many as 20 people from 15 apartments remained displaced.

Police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the fire. Prosecutors are expected to file charges against him in the coming days.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Arson
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has approved a 10.5% reduction in workers compensation rates for 2022. The decrease is set to take effect May 1, 2022.

Louisiana has seen workers compensation rates decrease in eight of the last nine years, counting the upcoming 2022 reduction. Rates have dropped 25% over the last five years and 38% over the last 10 years.

Workers compensation rates have been a great success story in our market, said Commissioner Donelon. Weve seen a strong downward trajectory in rates over the past two decades, including this years double-digit decrease. Our workers compensation market is thriving, and thats great news for Louisiana employers.

249 companies write workers compensation in Louisiana, which is estimated to have about $850 million in 2021 written premium.

Source: Louisiana Department of Insurance

Topics Trends Workers' Compensation Louisiana Pricing Trends
Endo International Plc has agreed to pay $63 million to resolve claims by the state of Texas and local governments that the drugmaker helped fuel the U.S. opioid epidemic, the states attorney general said on Thursday.

The deal announced by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton marked the latest in a series of settlements that Endo has struck in recent months with state and local governments to resolve similar cases.

More than 3,400 lawsuits largely by state and local governments have been filed nationally accusing the Dublin-based company of contributing to the drug abuse crisis by deceptively marketing pain medications including Opana ER, which it no longer sells.

This settlement is a necessary step in the right direction, and we will continue to fight to heal our state from this devastating crisis, Paxton said in a statement.

Endo did not admit wrongdoing. It said its goal remains to achieve a global opioid settlement but that it is also exploring strategic alternatives. Texas settlement includes clauses for a potential Endo bankruptcy.

Thousands of lawsuits have been filed seeking to hold drugmakers, drug distributors and pharmacy chains responsible for a drug abuse crisis the U.S. government says has led to hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths over two decades.

Drug distributors McKesson Corp, AmerisourceBergen Corp and Cardinal Health Inc and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson are pushing to finalize proposed settlements of up to $26 billion to resolve the cases against them.

Endo is not part of the proposed $26 billion deal, but previously agreed to settle lawsuits by states or counties in Alabama, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee for more than $136 million.

In November, a California judge following a trial found Endo and three other drugmakers not liable in a lawsuit by several large counties that accused them of fueling the opioid epidemic, saying they failed to prove their $50 billion case.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Mark Porter, Diane Craft and Jonathan Oatis)

Topics Texas
A Florida woman whose leg had to be amputated because of an infection after a pedicure has reached a $1.75 million settlement with the nail salon, her attorney said.

An employee at Tammys Nails 2 in Tampa cut Clara Shellmans foot during a pedicure in September 2018, the Tampa Bay Times and Associated Press reported. The cut became infected and spread quickly, partly because Shellman had severe peripheral arterial disease, a circulatory condition that causes narrowed blood vessels to reduce blood flow to the limbs, the newspaper said.

Shellman, 55, lost her home after being burdened by medical expenses from the amputation, the newspaper quoted her lawyer, Paul Fulmer, as saying. She needed help caring for herself and now is living with relatives, Fulmer said.

Court documents indicate the settlement was reached Dec. 16. The documents didnt list the amount of the settlement, but Fulmer disclosed the amount to the Times.

She was stunned, shocked, crying and giddy, all at the same time, Fulmer said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has apologised after a picture was published showing a celebration taking place in its offices in 2020.

The picture was posted on Twitter in June 2020 by then secretary-general of the department Niall Burgess after Ireland secured a seat on the UN Security Council. It was deleted shortly after.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, who was a minister of state at the Department of Foreign Affairs at the time of the champagne party at Iveagh House in June 2020, has said that she did not attend the celebration that breached Covid-19 guidelines.

The confirmation places additional pressure on Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, who has yet to state whether he attended the event at any point following Irelands election to the UN Security Council on June 17, 2020.

Earlier on Wednesday, the department refused to say whether Mr Coveney had taken part in the celebrations, which were blamed on a moment of happiness by a spokesman.

It is understood that he was in Government Buildings at the time of the UN Security Council vote. Government Buildings is located just over 1km from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Iveagh House.

A spokesman for Ms McEntee confirmed that she was not in Iveagh House on the evening of the champagne party, which the department has said: did not meet the standards expected of it.

A spokesperson for the department said steps had been taken after the team briefly let their guard down 18 months ago at the Iveagh House while celebrating Irelands election to the council. The team was working in a large open plan area of Iveagh House throughout the day.

Had Ireland not won the council seat on the first round of voting, the team would have had to work through the night to campaign for a second vote the next day, the statement said.

As it happened, we won in the first round and in a moment of happiness, as the result came in, we briefly let our guard down by celebrating together. It was 18 months ago and steps have been taken to ensure lessons have been learned, the department said.

The country was in phase two of reopening at that stage. Covid-19 regulations stipulated that people could only meet up to six others from outside their household in indoor and outdoor settings. People were also advised to work from home where possible.

The Iveagh House party has been compared to the Golfgate controversy by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, who said it undermined the public health effort. A statement yesterday said the department had not met the standards expected of it.

It said Mr Burgess had apologised the day after posting the tweet.

Throughout the pandemic, the Department of Foreign Affairs has maintained a limited presence of staff in our buildings to ensure that essential services are delivered in support of our citizens both in Ireland and worldwide. The UN Security Council campaign team was working in a large open plan area of Iveagh House throughout the day of June 17, 2020. When the result of the UN Security Council vote was announced and it became apparent that Ireland had won a seat in the first round, departmental guidelines were not followed.

The then secretary-general publicly apologised for the gathering the very next day on June 18, 2020. The department has implemented government and departmental guidance and further briefed staff to ensure rules are followed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The department did not meet the standards expected of it with this gathering and we are sorry that it happened.

The picture also features then deputy secretary-general Brendan Rogers, who is now Netherlands ambassador and John Concannon who was the head of Tanaiste Leo Varadkars controversial Strategic Communications Unit in 2017.
A senior UK civil servant suggested the creation of a commonwealth of Ireland as a new approach to solving difficult north-south relations, newly released archived papers have revealed.

The idea was floated in September 1997, while all-party political talks which would eventually lead to the Good Friday Agreement and the creation of the Stormont powersharing institutions were continuing.

The permanent secretary of the Central Secretariat, RB Spence, said that the north-south dimension between Northern Ireland the Republic was the most difficult aspect of the talks.

His internal memo states: The prospect for agreement on the critical North-South dimension seems at present to be very poor.

Unionists will find it difficult, if not impossible, to accept anything which is perceived as a stepping stone to a united Ireland. A Council of Ireland will be strongly resisted.

The alternative of strong cross-border bodies with executive powers, even if accepted by unionists, will not be sufficient for nationalists.

His memo states: The way forward may, therefore, need the use of different language and concepts, perhaps even inventing new concepts.

It might be possible for the two Governments and the main political parties to agree an approach to the North South dimension based on the existence of what might be called the commonwealth of Ireland.

This approach goes much further than acceptance of an Irish dimension, but without embracing a belief that Irish unity must come at some stage.

His memo added: One method of presenting this approach would be to devise a way whereby the talks participants could register their agreement or declare that a commonwealth of Ireland exists.

It could then provide a new umbrella within which actions of common benefit to the people living in the island could be advanced.

At the popular level, it could, for example, lead to acceptance of the commonwealth of Ireland description for all-Ireland sports teams and events; including, even in time, the design of a suitable flag and anthem for such occasions.

At the political level, ministers from the administrations based in Belfast and Dublin could meet, perhaps in time as the Council for the Commonwealth of Ireland.

Mr Spences memo features a cover note where he states: It is, by no means, a fully considered proposition and I dont want anyone to spend time listing all its weaknesses and explaining why it couldnt possibly work.

Rather, I hope that we can park this suggestion and mull it over during the coming weeks.

There is something in this approach which, I think may prove helpful as events unfold.
I punched the air when journalist Abigail Fix burst into the stuffy gentlemans Reform Club and berated the editor of The Daily Telegraph for putting a mans byline on her column in a gloriously boisterous scene in the BBC remake of Around the World in 80 Days.

If you are going to revisit a classic and broadcast it during peak festive viewing, you have to give it a modern twist.

It might have had Jules Verne purists choking on their turkey sandwiches, as reported by the Daily Mail, but transforming Detective Fix, the Scotland Yard

inspector of the 1872 novel, into a plucky female reporter is nearer the reality of the late 19th century than you might imagine.

Inspiration

I thought it must have been a nod to Nellie Bly, the real-life American journalist who took inspiration from the famous novel and went around the world in a record-breaking 72 days in 1889.

In fact, the scene where the fictional Abigail Fix (Leonie Benesch) is trying to persuade her editor (and father) to allow her chart Phileas Foggs journey around the world echoes the actual exchange between Nellie Bly and her editor at the New York World a decade and a half later.

Her editor was keen on the idea but after speaking with the newspapers business manager came back to Bly with the conclusion that it was impossible.

In the first place you are a woman and would need a protector, and even if it were possible for you to travel alone, you would need to carry so much baggage that it would detain you in making rapid changes, he said.

Furious, Bly told the editor to start a man on a round-the-world trip, she would start on the same day and report for another newspaper.

The project was shelved but, a year later, she was given the go-ahead, and off she went in a dress tailored to withstand three months of constant wear. Travelling by train, steamship, rickshaw, horse, and donkey, she sailed from New York to London in seven days and continued on through Europe to Egypt and the Suez Canal.

When passing through France, she even made a quick hop to Amiens in the north to meet author Jules Verne. He said he would applaud her with both hands if she beat Fogg.

In the first episode of the latest TV remake, we also went to Paris to gain an insight into the life and motivations of Jean Passepartout, Phileas Foggs faithful valet. Casting a black actor, Ibrahim Koma, in the role prompted another outburst from the purists who complained it was woke nonsense; a step too far in imposing inclusivity and diversity on the past.

Cue more choking on turkey sandwiches. In contrast, I was in TV-watching clover; there is nothing like a few good stunts and proxy adventures to take you through the in-between days of late December. And before you could say historical drama doesnt have to be faithful to the book, much less real life, we were in the middle of revolutionary Paris and a plot to kill the French president.

Gutsy girl

Better still, our gutsy girl reporter was right in the middle of the action. Mind you, (spoiler alert) she did manage to get the star of the show Phileas Fogg (David Tennant) shot, but whats a stray bullet when we have six more episodes and a sequel to go.

Ill be glued to the screen, but Ill also be wondering why TV producers insist on remaking the classics when there are so many real-life adventures that are far more dramatic? The story of Nellie Blys sensational round-the-world trip is certainly one.

That in itself would make a lively TV series, but the real story gets even better. Bly was unaware that she was competing with another

female reporter who was heading around the world in the opposite direction.

When the editor of Cosmopolitan got wind of Blys adventures, he commissioned journalist Elizabeth Bisland to race against her in an

attempt to woo readers from a rival publication, not to mention beat the fictional Fogg at his own game.

Bisland even passed through Cobh when she caught the steam passenger ship SS Bothnia there in January 1890.

Nellie Bly won out in the end, circumnavigating the globe in 72 days, six hours and 11 minutes, compared to Bislands 76 days and 12 hours, but both were ahead of the fictional Fogg. Both women also wrote books that include accounts of myriad adventures, fast trains, slow boats, bribes, false reports of victory  the stuff of any good TV drama. In fact, the story of those early female journalists would also make a cracking TV series. In the 1880s and 1890s, newspapers keen to boost circulation hired a new generation of girl stunt reporters who went undercover to expose corruption and appalling conditions in mental hospitals and factories. Nellie Bly, herself, was foremost among those pioneers of investigative journalism and famously faked mental illness so that she could expose the appalling conditions inside mental asylums.

In 1887, her series Inside the Madhouse, documenting the starvation and abuse of patients at Blackwells Island, was published in the New York World. It was a publishing sensation but it also shamed the authorities into investing $50,000 in the asylum system.

Her story and those of many others are told in fascinating detail in Kim Todds excellent book Sensational: The Hidden History of Americas Girl Stunt Reporters published earlier this year.

Stunt reporters, she wrote, put a new female character in the headlines  not a victim of assault or murder  but a protagonist. Bravery was their brand. It was like they stepped out of the adventure tales that flew off the bookstore shelves, except that they were real.

Todd dedicated her book to those ink-stained Amazons.

Irish ones

I can think of a few Irish ones who deserve much more attention, such as Kathleen Blake Kit Coleman (1856-1915). She was born in Galway and emigrated to Canada aged 28 after her husband, and sadly their two-year-old daughter died.

She went on to become the worlds first accredited woman war correspondent when she reported on the Spanish-American War in 1898. Later, while working on the Toronto Daily Mail, she complained about being desk-bound when she wanted to travel, and also skirmished with new management insisting that the womans page keep its intellectual content.

I detest fashion and think it is paying us women a poor compliment to imagine we cannot take an interest in the highest and very deepest challenges of the day, she once wrote.

Tara Giddens, researcher of Irish women journalists of the 19th and 20th century, also describes how she toyed with readers who were invited to guess her gender and identity.

Her readers  or her paper children as she called them  knew her as a forthright journalist, but she was also a single working mother caring for two children.

Now there is a TV adaptation crying out to be made.
The role of the Christian churches in the disuniting of Ireland was as significant as it was inglorious. Both the Catholic and Protestant clerical establishments helped to promote and reinforce green and orange versions of sectarianism.

The deep communal cleavage caused by this meant that even before the passing of the Government of Ireland Act in 1920 (providing for two parliaments in Ireland), the disunity was cemented even before the formal imposition of Partition.

As the historian Marianne Elliott has pointed out (in an article earlier this year in the Financial Times called The dividing line): Partition, was, in effect, a recognition of sectarian division.

On both sides race and religion were inextricably linked - unionism meant Protestantism, nationalism meant Catholicism. Religiously-fuelled tribalism came in two varieties - orange and green, and flourished. Unbridgeable divisions remain to this day.

As fear of Home Rule grew among unionists, the threat of violence intensified with the formation by Carson and Craig of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in January 1913. As Joe Lee, Emeritus Professor of Modern History in UCC, pointed out, the infuriated reaction of unionists to Home Rule unleashed violence into twentieth-century Irish politics.

This was especially so after April 1914 when, in the Larne gun-running, the UVF landed 24,000 rifles and 3,000,000 rounds of ammunition from Germany.

After the establishment of the UVF, the response from the South came with the founding of Irish Volunteers in Dublin in November 1913. This was followed by the Howth gun-running in July 1914 - a far less spectacular version of what had happened in Larne.

But whereas the British Army attempted to intervene in Dublin, no such intervention occurred in Belfast. And this despite the fact that unionists had issued the Proclamation of the Ulster Provisional Government in 1913 - a proclamation that foreshadowed the establishment of a Protestant parliament for a Protestant people.

What this demonstrated, of course, was that unionists had the support of the British establishment in London. Nothing better illustrated this than the Curragh Mutiny in March 1914.

A group of over 50 British officers based in the Curragh Military Camp offered their resignations rather than move against unionist opponents of Home Rule. Their decision was communicated to the War Office in London where it was sympathetically received.

Political religion

Meanwhile the church establishments - in the manner of Cardinal Francis Spellman, Archbishop of New York, blessing US tanks during the Vietnam War - bestowed blessings on the endeavours of the two recently-formed paramilitary groups and the politics of sectarianism they represented and propagated.

In these circumstances, the title of historian Marianne Elliotts 2009 book 'When God Took Sides' could hardly be more germane. The books subtitle is Religion and Identity in Ireland - Unfinished History.

In it she writes: Every people develops origin-myths, and the idea of a nation can be a benign solvent, bringing a common good out of diversity.

The problem in Ireland is that there were two peoples whose origin-myths have been based on extremely negative views of each other and, because these were religiously based, the clerics had far more power than they should have had.

The bitter divisions, the bloody conflict, the sectarianism, bigotry and pervasive mistrust that have been so much a part of the fabric of Northern Ireland since Partition, were fuelled to a significant degree by a phenomenon we have come to a new appreciation of in the post-9/11 age  political religion.

This might be best defined as the harnessing and exploitation of religion for political ends  the hijacking of religion to serve secular objectives and goals.

There may also of course be a reverse dimension  circumstances where you have religion or a church embracing or endorsing or aligning itself with a particular political system or political establishment where doing so advances its own aims.

The Catholic Churchs alliance with the Irish Free State is an obvious example. And despite the fact that the Free States 1922 Constitution is a secular document - there is no preamble invoking the blessing of the Most Holy Trinity, and no mention of God in any of its 83 articles - the newly-independent State quickly morphed into a Catholic State for a Catholic people.

In its crudest  and one of its deadliest forms  political religion in Ireland was best exemplified by the Rev. Ian Paisley and Paisleyism, especially during the period between the publication of the first edition of the scurrilous Protestant Telegraph in April 1966 and the Good Friday Agreement of April 1998.

But it also had its green variety, as Martin Dillon, a BBC reporter who covered Northern Ireland for 18 years, reminded us in his book 'God and the Gun: The Church and Irish Terrorism'.

Catholicism, nationalism and republicanism are inter-connected, he wrote in 1990.

The folk tradition of the gun in both communities, carries with it a moral crusade in defence of the respective traditions.

And throughout the 19th century, in the long struggle for independence from British rule, it was Catholic nationalism that sustained and legitimated the campaigns for Catholic Emancipation, land reform, and Home Rule.

Global examples

Outside of Ireland, there were other, later examples of religion being co-opted on the side of nationalist causes.

The success of religious nationalism since the latter part of the twentieth century has surprised many commentators who believed that religion no longer had political significance in an era of nation states, according to Linda Woodhead, Professor of Sociology of Religion at Lancaster University.

In 1979, for example, the increasingly secular state in Iran was overthrown by Islamic nationalists. Religious nationalism is also a potent force in many other Islamic countries, as well as in India (Hinduism), Israel (Orthodox Judaism) and the former Yugoslavia (Roman Catholic Christianity, Orthodox Christianity, Islam), she wrote in the introduction to Religions in the Modern World.

'Reflection' on the Partition of Ireland

Ireland had its own virulent forms of politico-religious nationalisms. And the complicity of the churches, especially since Partition and the creation of Northern Ireland in 1921, meant that there was bound to be reservations about an event in Belfast on 21 October, 2021, organised by the leaders of Irelands five main Christian churches.

The service, described as a service of reflection and hope marking the centenary of the foundation of Northern Ireland and the partition of Ireland, in St Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral, was never going to be controversy-free.

Thats simply because partition can never be depoliticised. Its not possible to discuss or reflect on partition in a politics-free zone. It was created by politics, sustained and entrenched by politics.

In its crudest  and one of its deadliest forms  political religion in Ireland was best exemplified by the Rev. Ian Paisley and Paisleyism. Photo: Paul Faith/PA

The real question for the churches is to what extent, by commission or omission, they helped to create the conditions in which partition became inevitable and its deleterious effects sustained. And it is worth reminding ourselves that 100 years on from partition, and 23 years after the Good Friday Agreement, the religion-political divisions in the North are just as real today as they were at the beginning of the Troubles.

Shows of unity by church leaders do not change the reality on the ground. These same church leaders are one of the main reasons why campaigns to have Protestant and Catholic children educated together have gained little traction in the North. This is because the church establishments have a vested interest in maintaining separate schools.

All the major churches in Northern Ireland bear a heavy responsibility for segregationist practices and the lack of contact, understanding, and tolerance that flows from the separation of young people, according to Liam Kennedy, emeritus professor of history at Queens University, and author of a 2020 book Who Was Responsible for the Troubles?

The 'awkward reality' of 'underlying sectarianism'

In his recently published book The Partition, Charles Townshend reminded readers that awkward realities remain - the peace walls in Belfast are still doing their work, and have if anything grown, in number and size. Most analysts find that polarisation has not receded during the peace process. Some indeed suggest it is sharper than ever, and more visible.

Writing in the Financial Times in May this year, the historian Marianne Elliott, who is from Belfast, said she was distressed at how underlying sectarianism continues to have the power to keep people apart, particularly in polarised working-class communities.

In the light of all of the above, a service of repentance in a Cathedral on 21 October, 2021, in Belfast would have been a far more appropriate (and less hypocritical) event than what actually occurred.

There was at least an oblique recognition of the churches inglorious role in a poisonously divided Northern Ireland in remarks made by the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh on Thursday. The Most Rev. John McDowell said he was sorry church leaders didnt do more to become peace makers, or at least speak peace in Northern Ireland.

Too often we allowed the attitudes of the societies around us which we serve to shape us rather than the other way round.

Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and the Primate of All Ireland, wears a face mask during holy communion at St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral in Armagh during the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Lockdown measures are being eased in Northern Ireland, allowing places of worship to reopen on Monday.

His sentiments were echoed by the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Eamon Martin. He said that as a church leader he had to face the difficult truth that perhaps we in the churches could have done more to deepen our understanding of each other and to bring healing and peace to our divided and wounded communities.

I covered the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in Fisherwick Place in Belfast (just around the corner from the City Hall) annually over a 12-year period during the height of the Troubles.

Over that same period and beyond, I also covered the General Synod of the Church of Ireland in Christchurch Place in Dublin, and later in the RDS. In addition, I covered the thrice-yearly meetings of the Irish Hierarchy in Maynooth, the inter-church summits at Ballymacscanlon, and the New Ireland Forum in Dublin Castle.

Those experiences, especially in Belfast, far from contradicting, invariably supported the observation by Marianne Elliott that if sectarianism had not been so deep-rooted, the Northern Ireland troubles would not have happened.

The Troubles were the legacy of partition, but the sectarianism that fuelled the conflict predated the Border. And that is a measure of the failure of the churches to wean their congregations away from it. Tragically, it was too often reinforced by the readiness of the churches to play to their respective tribes.

Individual clergy, on both sides of the denominational divide, were honourable exceptions in seeking to promote dialogue and heal divisions - but they were lone voices and, importantly, usually didnt have the support of church leaders.
China is calling on the United States to protect a Chinese space station and its three-member crew after Beijing complained that satellites launched by Elon Musks SpaceX nearly struck the station.

A foreign ministry spokesman accused Washington on Tuesday of ignoring its treaty obligations to protect the safety of the Tiangong stations three-member crew following the July 1 and October 21 incidents.
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On Dec. 16, a district court in Bago Region sentenced former Letpadan Township Students Union chairman Ko Aung Kaday Soe to three years in prison for incitement.

Non-Buddhists, LGBTQ people, student union members and National League for Democracy supporters often appear to be subjected to harsher torture during junta interrogation, prompting Ma Aye Nandar Soes family to worry for her life.

Ma Aye Nandar Soe, a fourth-year student from the Sagaing University of Education, was arrested at Sagaing Bridge.

She has not been sent to prison. We heard no charge has been filed against her and she has been kept in isolation at the interrogation camp at Mandalay Palace. She has been sick and the regime is not providing medical treatment, said a member of Mandalays Yadanabon University Students Union.

Ma Aye Nandar Soe, the chairwoman of the University of Education Students Union, has been held in military custody in Mandalay for more than three months since she was detained by the security forces on September 19.

Family members of a detained student activist have expressed concerns for her well-being after the sick student leader was reportedly denied medical treatment.

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187 new COVID-19 cases were reported over the past 24 hours in Myanmar with three new deaths from the disease.

Previous COVID-19 outbreaks since March 2020, when the virus was first detected in Myanmar, occurred under the now ousted civilian government and caused far fewer fatalities as the healthcare system was functioning and adequate drugs and care could be provided to COVID-19 patients.

Myanmar has already experienced a third wave of COVID-19, after the military regime relaxed restrictions to demonstrate to the outside world that the country is back to normal after the juntas February coup. With the public healthcare system in chaos following the military takeover, the last coronavirus outbreak saw daily record death tolls.

Only one of the four infected people showed symptoms and all are in good condition. All four were monitored at the treatment center and discharged from the treatment center due to good health, the ministrys statement said.

The ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday night that 30 laboratory samples from returnees infected with COVID-19 were tested using Omicron Real Time PCR Testing and Genome Sequencing Testing. Omicron was found in four of the samples, according to results obtained on Tuesday.

Myanmar confirmed its first four cases of the highly infectious Omicron variant of COVID-19 from returnees from Dubai, the junta-controlled Ministry of Health said on Tuesday, raising fears that the country is set to experience another devastating wave of coronavirus.

A health worker from the Department of Medical Research tests COVID-19 swabs from a quarantine center in Yangon on June 7, 2020. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy

A health worker from the Department of Medical Research tests COVID-19 swabs from a quarantine center in Yangon on June 7, 2020. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy

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Save the Children Confirms Two Workers Killed in Massacre by Myanmar Junta

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Burma Save the Children Confirms Two Workers Killed in Massacre by Myanmar Junta

The remains of vehicles burned out by junta soldiers in Hpruso Township, Kayah State, on Dec. 24 when 35 charred bodies were found after Myanmar regime troops arrested villagers, killed and burned them. / KNDF

The international humanitarian aid group Save the Children confirmed two members of its staff were among the 35 victims, including at least one child, who were killed and burned by the Myanmar military in Kayah States Hpruso Township on Christmas Eve.

The charity said the two male staff members aged 32 and 28 were both new fathers who were passionate about educating children.

The former, who had a 10-month-old son, worked at Save the Children for two years training teachers. The latter, with a three-month-old daughter, joined the charity six years ago.

The men were on their way back to their office after working on a humanitarian response in a nearby community when they were caught up in the attack.

The military forced people from their cars, arrested some, killed many and burnt the bodies, the group said in a statement on Tuesday.

The massacre happened after an hourlong battle between junta troops and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), an alliance of armed resistance groups fighting the regime in Kayah State. Junta soldiers detained villagers near Moso and killed and burned them along with seven vehicles and five motorbikes.

Inger Ashing, chief executive of Save the Children, said, This news is absolutely horrifying. Violence against innocent civilians including aid workers is intolerable, and this senseless attack is a breach of International Humanitarian Law. We are shaken by the violence carried out against civilians and our staff, who are dedicated humanitarians, supporting millions of children in need across Myanmar.

The charity said investigations into the nature of the incident are continuing.

It highlighted that the massacre in Kayah State last week was not an isolated event. The people of Myanmar continue to be targeted with increasing violence and these events demand an immediate response, the statement reads.

Save The Children said the UN Security Council must convene as soon as possible to set out the steps they will take to hold those responsible to account.

It urged UN member states to impose an arms embargo and take steps to limit the regimes ability to conduct air strikes, as were seen in recent days in Karen State and Sagaing Region. Following the massacre, a joint statement from 59 civil society organizations called on the international community to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court and to impose an arms embargo on the terrorist junta.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said following the incident he was horrified by the reports of massacred civilians.

He called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the massacre to bring the perpetrators to justice, saying attacks against civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law.

Including the killing and burning of civilians and those killed in air raids, the junta as of Tuesday had killed 1,380 people and detained 11,248 others since the Feb. 1 coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a group monitoring the regimes atrocities.

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Burma Student Activist Dies in Myanmar Junta Custody

Ko Aung Bone Kyaw

A student activist has died in Myanmar military custody, and the junta cremated his body without informing his relatives.

Ko Aung Bone Kyaw, a third year geology student at Yangon University, was detained on Sunday in Yangons Tamwe Township. He was taken to an interrogation center where he died the following day, according to the Yangon University Students Union. He was cremated at Yayway Cemetery the same day

The military council didnt inform [his family about the funeral]. His family found out from their contacts only just before the funeral. They rushed to Yayway, but were unable to see the body before it was cremated, said Ko Aung Kaung Hset, the chair of the Yangon University Students Union.

Ko Aung Bone Kyaws family declined to comment out of concerns for their safety when contacted by The Irrawaddy.

We heard that three other students were arrested along with Ko Aung Bone Kyaw. One of his classmates is now at the interrogation center, said Ko Aung Kaung Hset.

It remains unclear why the students were arrested and how Ko Aung Bone Kyaw died.

Yangon Unversitys Geology Department issued a letter of condolence over Ko Aung Bone Kyaws death, in which lecturers and students vowed to fight the dictatorship until the end.

His death in custody follows the jailing a few days ago of an executive member of the Yangon University Students Union. Ko Aung Phone Maw was sentenced to three years in prison by a junta court for incitement.

The military regime is harshly persecuting young political activists who oppose military rule. Student union members held in Insein Prison are subject to solitary confinement and torture. Those who were beaten for their participation in protests were denied medical treatment, said Yangon University Students Union chair Ko Aung Kaung Hset.

Political prisoners in Yangons Insein Prison joined the rest of the country in a silent strike on December 10 to mark International Human Rights Day. The Myanmar people stayed at home for the day to show their opposition to military rule.

Around 89 political prisoners and detainees, including members of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, were beaten and held in isolation for participating in the silent strike. Those injured have yet to receive medical treatment.

On December 19, freelance photojournalist Ko Zaw Lin Htut, and Ma Su Yee Lin from Yangon Eastern University Students Union were detained at a Yangon protest. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

1,380 people were killed by the junta between February 1 and December 28, according to rights group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.



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This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. Low 23F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. Low 23F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Partly cloudy skies. High 37F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Ajay Tyagi, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of India (SEBI), urged mutual funds to avoid investing in crypto-related assets when the government considers new cryptocurrency rules. At the press conference on Tuesday, Tyagi suggestion Until the policy and regulatory framework is clear, companies should not invest in funds related to crypto assets.

Those who invest in mutual funds  invest in companies or foreign companies related to crypto assets through funds in funds (FOF)  my thinking is that companies should not do so until we clarify their (crypto) policies. This type of investment, said the chairman of SEBI.

Although the regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in India is currently unclear, the countrys popularity has grown exponentially. It is unclear whether crypto investments have any tax liability in the country.

Tyagis remarks were made after a recent incident involving the asset management company (AMC) Invesco Mutual Fund.Although Seby Agree with, Due to legislative uncertainty, it postponed its blockchain fund last month.

During the recent winter meeting, the parliament discussed discussions on cryptocurrencies. After the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance held a meeting with cryptocurrency stakeholders, the negotiations gained further momentum to identify possible opportunities and challenges in crypto financing and investment.

related: Agency manager holds a record $72.3B cryptocurrency  CoinShares

The Indian government has officially planned to introduce the 2021 cryptocurrency and official digital currency regulation bill for parliamentary debate during this winter session.However, the bill did not appear in Bills to be considered by the Indian House of Commons At the end of the winter meeting.

at the same time, Indian Prime Minister Modi The voice about cryptocurrency in 2021 is getting louder and louder.In the recent Sydney Dialogue, Modi urged democracies to cooperate to take full advantage of Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. He also warned against using them maliciously.
Hwang In Yeop exudes chic charisma as he poses for the camera in collaboration with Dazed Korea magazine. He also politely sat down with Dazed and entertained some questions.

Hwang In Yeop as a 'Cold City Guy,' His Charismatic Point and More

Dazed Korea is graced by Hwang In Yeop in a new concept photo shoot. According to the actor, the main point of the shoot is his "eyes."

Hwang In Yeop shared that it focused on his gaze that was filled with icy yet heartwarming charms.

"When I started my acting career, I mostly played roles with a cold image," Hwang In Yeop revealed.

He added, "People only see the coldness in my eyes. But I'm really not cold. If you look at my eyes a little more, you'll see that they're not."

With that said, Hwang In Yeop improved and diversified his gaze in order to express the human's different emotions.

Hwang In Yeop on Developing a Positive Mind

When asked what Hwang In Yeop is like, the actor replied, "An optimist who doesn't doubt himself."

"I have a heart that believes in me. I don't doubt and compare myself to others," Hwang In Yeop shared. "That's how I live my life in this career."

The actor gave a piece of advice, saying that the mindset to trust one's self and to show, talk and act confidently without self-deprecation is one way to live one's life positively.

Hwang In Yeop to Work with Seo Hyun Jin in a Mystery-Romance Drama

While Hwang In Yeop lent his beauty to Dazed Korea, he's busy filming his upcoming mystery romance drama "Why Oh Soo Jae?" with actress Seo Hyun Jin.

The actress takes on the titular role of Oh Soo Jae, a prickly and coldhearted lawyer who grew up with an empty heart after only chasing success and not living her best life.

On the other hand, Hwang In Yeop portrays the role of the law student Gong Chan, a man with definite purpose and would do anything to protect Oh Soo Jae.

Apart from the duo, veterans Heo Jun Ho, Lee Geung Young, Ji Seung Hyun, Kim Chang Wan, Lee Jin Hyuk and Bae Hae Sun are also part of the drama.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: 'Moonshine' Stars Hyeri, Yoo Seung Ho and More Talk About Working Experiences in New Drama + Promise Fans with a Gift Once Ratings Reach 10%

"Why Oh Soo Jae?" is slated to premiere in March 2022 on SBS TV, and it will air every Friday and Saturday at 10:00 p.m. KST.

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Written by Elijah Mully.
Viewers enjoyed binge-watching Korean dramas on Netflix, especially during the lockdown. Interestingly as the world is slowly coming back to normal, the streaming giant continues to offer a wide array of series, may it be sci-fi, rom-com, thriller and more.

As we welcome the coming year, the platform teases fans with highly-anticipated series, including adaptations and new original dramas. From "All of Us Are Dead" to "Money Heist" Korean remake, check out the list of Kdramas coming to Netflix this 2022.

'Money Heist'

Probably one of the highly anticipated remakes in 2022 is none other than the Korean version of "Money Heist."

After a series of discussions between the streaming giant and the drama representative, Netflix formally announced the star-studded line up of cast including Jeon Jong Seo, Yoo Ji Tae, Park Hae Soo, Lee Won Jong, Kim Ji Hoon, Jang Yoon Ju, Lee Hyun Woo, Lee Gyu Ho, Kim Yoon Jin and more.

According to the streaming giant, the production began in September 2021 and was expected to air sometime in the second half of 2022.

Recently, the "Squid Game" star who is set to play Berlin in "Money Heist" teases fans with a short clip of him holding the iconic mask.

Over Park Hae Soo's Instagram, he mentioned how thrilled he is to headline the upcoming remake.

"We cannot wait to share the Korean adaptation of Money Heist with you, coming soon in 2022," the caption reads.

'All of Us are Dead'

From the "#Alive" to the period Kdrama "Kingdom," Netflix never fails to give the viewers reason to binge-watch the K-zombie series.

The streaming giant is about to unveil another zombie Kdrama, "All of Us are Dead," based on the webtoon of the same name.

Set to debut in January 2022, the upcoming series follows the story of a group of high school students who found themselves trapped as they tried to survive in a virus-stricken environment.

"All of Us are Dead" stars Park Ji Hoo, Park Solomon, Yoo In Soo, Yoon Chan Young, and "School 2021" star Jo Yi Hyun.

'Juvenile Justice'

Another Netflix original is Kim Hye Soo's comeback Kdrama "Juvenile Justice."

The actress will transform as the newly appointed judge who dislikes young offenders as she used to be a victim of a juvenile crime during her youth.

"Juvenile Justice" is expected to air in January 2022.

'Queen of the Scene'

Gong Hyo Jin is teaming up with Park Ha Sun for the soon-to-be-released Kdrama "Queen of the Scene."

The award-winning actress is returning to the small screen as she transforms into a Korean drama writer. However, she finds herself trapped in her own story.

'Remarriage & Desires'

Lee Hyun Wook, Jung Eugene, Cha Ji Yeon, Park Hoon and Kim Hee Seon will star in a new Kdrama, "Remarriage & Desires."

The eight-part drama series is reportedly in production and expected to air in the latter part of 2022.

It follows the story of upper members of the society who are members of an exclusive matchmaking agency.

The goal is to upgrade their social status by marrying an elite group known as the "Black" tier.

'Suriname'

Another Kdrama starring Park Hae Soo is "Suriname" alongside Hwang Jung Min, Ha Jung Woo, Jo Woo Jin and "Hospital Playlist" star Yoo Yeon Seok.

It depicts the journey of a Korean drug lord in the Republic of Suriname and a businessman who is involved in a top-secret operation with the NIS.

IN CASE YOU MISSED: 'Mouse' Actress Park Ju Hyun Talks About Upcoming Netflix Film With Yoo Ah In + Shares Important Advice She Received From Hwang Jung Min

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Written by Geca Wills
Four people were killed Monday evening when an airplane crashed in the El Cajon area of Southern California, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The victims were aboard a Learjet 35 business aircraft which departed from John Wayne Airport in Orange County and was headed to Gillespie Field in San Diego, FAA spokesman Rick Breitenfeldt told CNN on Tuesday.

The Learjet went down just after 7 p.m, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation, has a team responding to the scene. The first NTSB investigator is expected to arrive at the scene shortly and two more investigators are expected later today, according to agency spokesman Peter Knudson.

The plane was registered to Sterling Silver Flyers, LLC of Missoula, Montana.

Firefighters found no survivors at the scene, authorities said in a news release. No one was hurt on the ground, the sheriff's department said in a news release.

The medical examiner will investigate and identify the victims once family members have been notified.

The sheriff's department was initially uncertain how many people were on board, CNN affiliate KGTV reported. One home was damaged and power lines were knocked down in the area, the sheriff's department said.

"When firefighters arrived at the scene there was significant rain occurring and there was a large debris field that stretched about 200 feet," Lakeside Fire Protection District Chief Don Butz told CNN.

"The firefighters observed a significant fireball and smoke from the fire station -- the fire station is a half a mile away from the scene," Butz said.

The chief said a vehicle was also damaged.

There was rain in the area with breezy conditions, CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri reported. The El Cajon observation site showed light winds of 10-15 mph near the time of the crash, but gusts were much higher in the nearby foothills, peaking at 40-45 mph, Javaheri said.

Weather observations from Gillespie Field showed visibility dropped below 1 mile about 6:50 p.m., with cloud ceilings below 500 feet, which would have required the pilot to follow instrument flight rules, Javaheri noted. The conditions lasted until about 8 p.m. when visibility returned to 3 to 5 miles, he said.

El Cajon is about 16 miles east of San Diego.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the plane crash," the sheriff's department said.

The-CNN-Wire

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EUGENE, Ore.  A sergeant with the Klamath County Sheriff's Office was accused earlier this year of sex abuse and harassment after he allegedly touched a woman inappropriately and without her consent in Lane County.

The charges were filed in Lane County Circuit Court in April of 2021, according to court documents, resulting in an arrest warrant for 45-year-old KCSO sergeant Benjamin Scheen through the Eugene Police Department.

According to the Associated Press, the charges were filed after a woman engaged to a former Klamath County deputy alleged that Scheen touched her inappropriately at a bar in Eugene. The indictment alleges that this happened in July of 2020.

Scheen was arraigned on charges for third-degree sexual abuse and harassment, both misdemeanors. He entered an initial plea of not guilty to both charges and was immediately granted conditional release. He was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim.

In a statement to NewsWatch 12, KCSO spokesman Brandon Fowler said that the officer's duties "remain modified throughout the investigation."

"The Klamath County Sheriffs Office is aware of allegations which were made against a member of our office one year ago today by the acquaintance of a former member of our office. We have, and will continue to cooperate with the Eugene Police Department who received the original complaint," Fowler said. "When the case reaches a conclusion, the KCSO will conduct an internal investigation when all investigative documents and potential mitigating information becomes available for review."

Most recently, Scheen was granted an amendment to his release agreement, allowing him to travel internationally to Sweden. A six-person jury trial is set to begin in March 15 of 2022.
CORVALLIS, Ore.  Oregon State University will require coronavirus vaccine booster shots for students and staff when on-campus classes resume for winter quarter, the administration announced Tuesday. The University of Oregon made a similar announcement last week.

The booster announcement was accompanied by OSU's plan to continue in-person instruction and other university activities when the term begins January 3 at all campuses and locations.

Our decision is informed by federal, state and local health authority guidance and is buoyed by positive signs that Omicron, while highly transmissible, may be resulting in milder symptoms and fewer cases of severe illness, hospitalization and death, said Becky Johnson, OSUs interim president. The universitys decision is intentional. We are mindful that classrooms, where students and faculty are vaccinated and wear face coverings, have not been a significant source of virus spread. We seek to minimize disruption of student learning and experience and provide predictability for our faculty and university operations."

OSU said that its decision aligns with plans collaboratively announced by all of Oregon's public universities this week that on-site teaching should continue as the winter term begins.

According to the administration, there will be a series of COVID-19 countermeasures at OSU as the term begins. First, the university will strongly recommend that eligible students and employees get a booster and get the results of a COVID-19 test before the term. Boosters will then be required when eligible as part of OSU's vaccination program.

Students returning to university-managed residence halls will be required to take a COVID-19 test upon their return to the Corvallis or Bend campuses, and voluntary testing will be offered as well.

Finally, OSU says it plans to help local health authorities and agencies in promoting booster clinics and testing, while also reviewing and updating the university's COVID-19 practices and procedures for in-person events planned for winter term.

We believe we can guard against a surge in COVID-19 cases due to a vaccination rate of more than 93% among OSU students and employees; requiring booster shots when a person is eligible as part of OSUs vaccination program; the continuation of OSUs emphasis on targeted COVID-19 testing; and our communitys adherence to numerous other public health measures," Johnson concluded.
MEDFORD, Ore.  Medford Police arrested a man on Tuesday who allegedly used a BB gun that looked like a real handgun in order to rob two stores in as many days.

The first robbery happened Sunday shortly after 5 p.m. at the Walgreens location on Barnett Road. Officers arrived at the store to find the suspect gone.

Witnesses told Medford Police that a lone man came into the store, approached a clerk at the counter, produced a "handgun," and demanded money. The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect was described as wearing dark clothing with his face covered in a black ski mask.

Just before 11 a.m. on Tuesday, there was another robbery reported at Lumpey's restaurant on S Riverside Avenue. Once again, the suspect was gone before officers arrived, but his description matched the robbery at Walgreens  including the display of a gun. Medford Police said that investigators went over security video from both robberies.

Around 12:45 p.m. the same day, MPD said that an officer spotted a man walking on S Central Avenue "who matched the description." He was taken into custody and linked to the robbery by police. Investigators recovered a BB gun that looked similar to a real firearm which MPD believes was used in both robberies.

MPD identified the suspect as 59-year-old David Americus Hixon, who had been staying at a nearby motel. He was on parole for a second-degree assault charge.

Hixon was charged with two counts of second-degree robbery, with his bail set at $200,000.
MOUNT SHASTA, Calif.  A semi-truck driver was going too fast for the icy conditions along I-5 near Mt. Shasta on Tuesday, according to Caltrans  causing a crash that damaged a California Highway Patrol vehicle and at least one other.

Caltrans District 2 said that the crash happened on southbound I-5 near Mt. Shasta, and resulted in a closure that lasted an hour and a half while crews worked to clear the damaged vehicles from the roadway.

"No matter how much driving experience you have, or what kind of weather you're driving in, you should always remember one simple rule; never drive faster than what is safe for current road conditions," Caltrans said. "This big rig driver did not follow that one simple rule."

Photos from the scene show the badly-damaged rear end of a CHP vehicle, in addition to another vehicle with unknown damage. The truck ended up jack-knifed and crashed into a snow bank along the freeway.

"Thankfully everyone involved was okay but this is a powerful reminder of how quickly driving recklessly can lead to a bad situation," Caltrans said. "When driving in inclement weather, please slow down, pay attention, watch out for other drivers, and chain up when instructed."
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Doing side gigs is in vogue now. I want to tell you my story. It has to do with how one of the leading telemedicine companies ruined my career. I hope that my story will help many of you navigate this tough economy, especially those who are coming out of residency.

I started working as an independent contractor about ten years ago when it first came to the forefront. I worked with many telemedicine companies in this manner, and it was nice to have some side income. Most of the patients were pretty nice at the beginning. But, pretty rapidly, it turned into an antibiotic dispensary service, which is something that I didnt quite care for. All of these companies emphasize customer satisfaction. Patients were now customers, another thing I did not care for. Then, physician scorecards were introduced to curtail any kind of complaints that customers demanded. This was quite different from any other care setting that I practiced in before; now, the patients told the physicians what to do.

During the height of the pandemic, I noticed that there was increased usage of these platforms, leading to many glitches on the website. I pointed these out to the staff, who completely ignored me. Then, much to my surprise, I received a letter from the company that stated that I would be put on a performance plan because I was using templated notes. Coincidentally, this notice arrived after the company started accepting insurance for payment. Before this, they had been mostly a cash-based service. The letter stated that if I did not do the performance plan, I would be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). This was not a choice and rather was an ultimatum. The rules of the performance plan were quite vague, and I asked for clarification about this. I was limited to only ten consults per day over a 30-day period. I was told to not use any templated notes. At the end of this, I performed over 200 patient encounters. I was notified that I failed the plan because I did not work 30 days back to back. Thinking this was not reasonable, I wrote to the companys chief medical officer. He seemed unaware of any of this but quickly arranged a peer meeting which was supposed to be objective and review the whole process. Of course, it was anything but that. The report in the data bank remained in place.

Since I didnt know much about the data bank, my research revealed quite a bit. It was created by now Senator Wyden, who is in the news currently for his proposed tax on billionaires. Back in the 1980s, he created this bill to prevent physicians who were practicing bad medicine from going from state to state without being caught. This data bank was created as part of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act as proposed by Senator Wyden, and it allowed any health care entity to report any physician. The language is all legalese, and terms for which one could be reported are broad and vague. The NPDB also allowed for a dispute resolution process, which sounded equitable, except it did not look into anything aside from the spelling of the physicians name and other objective data such as date of birth and social security number. This was only to ensure that the physicians identity being reported was correct. It did not look into the veracity of any complaints and was prohibited, as dictated by this bill, from questioning or investigating the entity reporting the physician. In addition to this, the only way to remove the report would be for the physician to go back to the reporting entity and ask them to remove it.

So, faced with these choices, I was essentially left stranded, not only by a multi-billion dollar telemedicine company that chose to report me for using templated notes and not working 30 days back to back but by my own government who created such a system that would not allow anyone, including myself to challenge the veracity of the report. As I looked into other physicians who had been reported, I discovered a deep dark chasm where physicians who had been reported essentially had no way to challenge the reports, and some of them even tried to take their case to court. Unfortunately, for many physicians, the courts do not uphold the side of the reported ones and stick to the law as enacted by the NPDB.

I want to write this to increase awareness on the part of physicians, many of whom are graduating from training or looking to make side income to help make ends meet and pay off their debts. Unfortunately, these side gigs come at a cost, many of which are not discussed or made known to all of us. This one side gig managed to entirely ruin my career. It damaged my professional reputation, suffered financial devastation, and has been having a hard time securing work. I am facing a choice as to whether I should leave medicine entirely. The NPDB is a system that has been weaponized against physicians, even those who are advocating for patients.

As if this wasnt bad enough, I turned to position advocacy groups such as the American Medical Association and American College of Physicians. Both of these organizations said that there was absolutely nothing they could do. I also wrote to my local congressman and legislators, and none of them could do anything, aside from getting the same generic response I received from the data bank itself.

This pandemic has been very hard, but working with these side gigs has been a difficult experience. I fear that they are encouraging patients to demand inappropriate care only to assuage the companys profit margin. This will come at the cost of providing good medical care to patients. On top of that, I came upon more physician forums that pointed out these technical issues, which I had reported to tell several years ago, are still occurring and with more frequency. So, the problem remains on the telemedicine companys platform. In the meantime, I have an uncertain medical future.

The author is an anonymous physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The U.S. doesnt have enough faculty to train the next generation of nurses

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Despite a national nursing shortage in the United States, over 80,000 qualified applications were not accepted at U.S. nursing schools in 2020, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

This was due primarily to a shortage of nursing professors and a limited number of clinical placements where nursing students get practical job training. Additional constraints include a shortage of experienced practitioners to provide supervision during clinical training, insufficient classroom space, and inadequate financial resources.

Although the 80,000 may not account for students who apply to multiple nursing schools, it clearly suggests that not all qualified students are able to enroll in nursing school.

I am a nurse researcher, professor of nursing, and founding director of WIRES, an office at the University of South Florida that focuses on the well-being of the health care workforce. Ive found that the nursing shortage is a complex issue that involves many factors  but chief among them is the shortage of faculty to train future nurses.

Growing demand for nurses

There are not enough new nurses entering the U.S. health care system each year to meet the countrys growing demand. This can have serious consequences for patient safety and quality of care.

Nationally, the number of jobs for registered nurses is projected to increase by 9% between 2020 and 2030.

Some states project an even higher demand for registered nurses because of their population and their needs. Florida, for example, will need to increase its number of registered nurses by 16% over the next decade.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be about 194,500 openings for registered nurses each year over the next decade to meet the demands of the growing population, and also to replace nurses who retire or quit the profession. This means the U.S. will need about 2 million new registered nurses by 2030.

In addition to a shortage of registered nurses, there is also a shortage of nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioner is identified as the second fastest-growing occupation in the next decade, after wind turbine technicians, with a projected increase of 52.2%. Nurse practitioners have an advanced scope of practice compared with registered nurses. They must complete additional clinical hours, earn a masters or doctoral degree in nursing, and complete additional certifications to work with specific patient populations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the health and wellness problems of the nursing workforce. Despite these problems, student enrollment in nursing schools increased in 2020. The pandemic has not turned people away from wanting to pursue a career in nursing. However, without enough nursing faculty and clinical sites, there will not be enough new nurses to meet the health care demands of the nation.

Need for more nursing faculty

Currently, the national nurse faculty vacancy rate is 6.5%. This is slightly improved from the 2019 rate of 7.2%. More than half of all nursing schools report vacant full-time faculty positions. The highest need is in nursing programs in Western and Southern states.

Nursing education in clinical settings requires smaller student-to-faculty ratios than many other professions in order to maintain the safety of patients, students and faculty members. Regulatory agencies recommend at least one faculty member to no more than 10 students engaged in clinical learning.

The faculty shortage is also affected by the fact that many current nursing faculty members are reaching retirement age. The percentage of full-time nursing faculty members aged 60 and older increased from roughly 18% in 2006 to nearly 31% in 2015.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that the average ages of doctorally prepared nurse faculty members at professor, associate professor, and assistant professor were 62.6, 56.9, and 50.9 years, respectively.

Another factor that contributes to the nursing faculty shortage, and the most critical issue related to faculty recruitment, is compensation. The salary of a nurse with an advanced degree is much higher in clinical and private sectors than it is in academia.

According to a survey by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the median salary of a nurse practitioner, across settings and specialties, is $110,000. By contrast, the AACN reported in March 2020 that the average salary for masters-prepared assistant professors in nursing schools was just under $80,000.

Fixing the faculty shortage

Innovative strategies are needed to address the nursing faculty shortage. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019 was a start. The act provides funding for nursing faculty development, scholarships and loan repayment for nurses, and grants for advanced nursing education, nursing diversity initiatives, and other priorities.

The Build Back Better Act that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2021 includes funding to help nursing schools across the country recruit and retain diverse nursing faculty and enroll and retain nursing students. The act is now before the U.S. Senate.

In addition to national strategies, individual states are addressing the shortage at the local level. Maryland, for example, awarded over $29 million in grants to 14 higher education institutions with nursing programs in Maryland to expand and increase the number of qualified nurses.

Finally, offering faculty salaries comparable to those in clinical settings may attract more nurses to use their expertise to train and expand the next generation of health care workers.

Rayna M. Letourneau is an assistant professor of nursing. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- The Egan Warming Center could use extra helping hands as they open their doors on these cold nights to ensure everyone has a warm place to sleep.

Tim Black, the Winter Strategies and Emergency Response Coordinator for St. Vincent de Paul, said they need more volunteers with this snowstorm.

"Every night we look at all of the shifts that we have, where we need extra help and send out lots of texts and emails saying, 'Hey, we still need help,'" Black said.

He said all it takes to become a volunteer is a 90-minute Zoom call and a background check.

"With our volunteer orientations, we all know about Zoom now because of COVID, and we started doing our orientations on Zoom, and it's been really successful; we might even go back after COVID from the convenience of your own home, or wherever, you can participate," Black said.

But, if volunteering isn't your thing, he said donations of warm clothes will help.

"Right now, we can use some warm winter gloves and warm winter shoes; that's really hard. It can be even more dangerous to be wet and cold, and it's really hard on feet," Black said.

Black said you could potentially save someone's life by becoming a volunteer or donating winter clothing.

Dan Graham and his wife are fifth-year volunteers at the Youth Site at First United Methodist Church in Eugene. He said they could use a lot more volunteers.

"It's hard to imagine kids, these are 17 year-old's out on the street, having to sleep in the snow and huddle up. It's nice to know that at least when it's really bad, there's someplace here where it's safe, they have food, a warm place to sleep, coffee in the morning," Graham said.

He said the most challenging part about his shift is waking them up in the morning.

"They don't want to get up and leave, but that's the way it is," Graham said.

Graham said he feels good when he leaves his shift, knowing he helped keep the younger members of our community safe and warm.
A Kilkenny actor has been selected to receive an Actor As Creator Funding Award.

Aoibhin Murphy from Kilkenny was one of 32 actors nationally to receive the award.

The Actor as Creator is aimed specifically at supporting unique creative voices within the Irish screen acting community to create a diverse range of original new work.

Recipients of the first round of The Actor of Creator have gone on to have their work featured at a variety of Irish and international film festivals including the Galway Film Fleadh, Cork International Film Festival, and the Irish Film Festival London. A number have also gone on to win awards, including Best Short Film and Best Cinematography. The quality and volume of applications was extremely high, and the selection process has been incredibly competitive, with 33 successful recipients announced today. Screen Ireland Chief Executive, Desiree Finnegan, said, We are delighted to support Irish actors creating new original screen work which will be showcased to audiences around the world.

Shimmy Marcus, Artistic Director at Bow Street Academy said, We are thrilled to be able to give these talented actors a platform and support to showcase their unique skills and storytelling gifts.

The successful recipients were selected by a panel including casting director Louise Kiely (Normal People, The Last Duel), in addition to panel members from Screen Ireland.
A long line of artistic trailblazers have been cultivated from the land that sweeps the banks of the Nore over the years.

One artist all-too-often left on the margins is the prodigious talent of William John Hennessy.

Born in Thomastown in 1839, William John Hennessy was brought up in a household that valued Irish cultural traditions.

Williams father, John, was a Young Irelander. He advocated for the revival of the Irish language and for the study of Irish history from a young age to further the aims of Irish nationalism.

Fearing a rebellion, the British Government ruled in 1848 that Young Irelanders could be arrested without trial, putting the family at risk.

The danger of persecution forced John Hennessys hand and the patriarch fled the country alone, as an exile, landing in Canada in 1848 before settling down in New York City shortly after.

Back in Ireland, William, his mother Catherine and his brother summoned the funds to join their father in New York in 1849.

The United States offered a fresh start and fresh opportunities for young William, as it has for the many generations of Irish immigrants that have landed on its shores.

Pursuing his interests, he began drawing while still in his early teens.

At 15 he attended the National Academy of Design to study fine art painting, a feat illustrating his talent.

Hennessy exhibited at the National Academy in New York in 1857 and was elected as a full member only six years later in 1863.

The predominant medium of his work was painting (oil and watercolour) but he was also a very skilled sketch artist, woodcarver and illustrator.

He went on to win commissions to illustrate the literary works of many famous poets including Lord Tennyson, Henry Longfellow and John Whittier.

William would become lauded both in the art community and among the public for his slice of life painted scenes that synthesised the atmosphere of French Naturalism with the skilled precision of the Pre-Raphaelite artists.

Two famous examples of his work are The Pride of Dijon (1879), an iconic depiction of romance, and The Votive Offering' (1875).

The Pride of Dijon (1879)

Hennessy went on to co-found the Artists Fund Society in New York City. The society assisted members and their families in cases of illness, old age, and death and even assisted non-members in cases of great distress.

He became an honorary member of the American Society of Painters in Watercolours soon after.

William and his wife Charlotte eventually moved to London in 1870, joining a large expatriate community there, and he became a welcome member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1902.

The Royal Hibernian Academy displayed a number of his paintings between 1879 and 1907.

He passed away in Sussex, England in December, 1917.
Confidential records of meetings and phone conversations between Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair reveal the close relationship the pair had before and after the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

The records from the Irish state archives show how the Taoiseach and the British prime minister talked regularly, speaking candidly about everything from frustrations with political parties in Northern Ireland to inclement summer weather.

In the days leading up to the Good Friday Agreement, Mr Blair and Mr Ahern communicated constantly even as the Fianna Fail leader rushed between Dublin and Hillsborough following the death of his mother.

In one exchange that week, Mr Blair says: I know obviously you have got your mother's funeral tomorrow, havent you.

Mr Ahern says: Yes, well it actually goes to the Church tonight, this is our problem. But anyway when are you thinking, have you made up your mind what time you are going Tony, or have you made up your mind yet?

The prime minister responds: I wanted to talk to you frankly before I did it.

Later, Mr Ahern tells the Labour leader: Well lets have a crack Tony. It was always going to come down to this.

It was Im afraid and Im so sorry for you. You dont wan [sic] to be thinking about it tonight and tomorrow morning, Mr Blair replies.

Mr Ahern tells him: Its okay she, no better woman, she would want to see me trying to solve the problem.

One conversation in July between the pair sees Mr Blair tell the Taoiseach: Im fine but Im desperate for my holiday.

And we havent had a Summer here at all.

Mr Ahern responds: It is absolutely disastrous, this week its just been torrential rain here and its lashing rain now and the weather for the next four or five days is rain.

Mr Blair tells him he thinks people are blaming the government for the bad weather.

Mr Ahern tells him: Well its natural we get blamed anyway.

That conversation, one among dozens recorded as the Irish and British governments worked to deliver a peace settlement in Northern Ireland, reveals the level of co-operation and closeness between the two leaders.

During one call, Mr Ahern told Mr Blair: I am doing a European lunch of journalists today Tony, its a speech and then its a questions and answers so needless to say the whole bloody thing is going to be on the North, because its European journalists all your guys are there.

In terms of you know not saying anything wrong or being helpful, if I say I have been, you know we have been in touch again this morning at this stage, you would rather me not say that you are trying in any initiative.

On a call between the two leaders in 1998, Mr Ahern asks about a recent trip to China.

Yes, well I can tell you, Id say theres bugs everywhere. We had a very funny experience because I couldnt work the TV you see, so we were talking about trying to work this TV. So we went out said nothing to nobody, we came back and this guy was in there helping us to operate the TV.

In other exchanges, the leaders compared notes on how conversations were going with key figures in negotiations including former Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams.
The Freshford Wild Swimmers held a charity dip on St. Stephens Day in aid of The Alzheimers Society of Ireland and have raised almost 2,000 for the charity.

The group began swimming in the Millenium Park in October 2020 and has grown since with people enjoying the mental and physical benefits of cold water.

One of their members, Audrey Butler, created the fundraiser for the groups Christmas dip, in memory of her mother, Maura. There was a huge turnout on the day with more than 20 people braving the cold spring water of the Nuenna river, and twice as many on the bank cheering, and providing the post-dip mulled wine and mince pies.

"Cold water therapy is a great stress reliever. It does wonders not only for the mind but also the body. We not only choose this charity because its close to home particularly for me and my family but also because this disease like any other it has no boundaries.

"All monies raised helps people affected by dementia get the support they need today, and funds research that helps find a cure for tomorrow," Audrey said.

Alzheimers is such a sad disease that has touched so many of our lives so its just so uplifting to be part of this event to support The Alzheimers Society," said event organiser, Grainne Murphy.

The event raised over 1700 and donations are still welcome at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/audrey-butler
I'm currently a senior majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in political science. I'm a fan of all St. Louis sports, Oasis and pretty much any Kurt Russell film. Feel free to reach out to me at mgp89g@umsystem.edu or on Twitter @MattPasz2000.

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Here's what you need to know: Wednesday, Dec.29
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP)  A Missouri boarding school doctor accused of several child sex crimes has been taken into custody in Arkansas.

The Kansas City Star reports that 57-year-old David Smock was captured Tuesday night in Harrison, Arkansas, not far from the Missouri border.

He had been considered a fugitive for several days.

Smock has been the longtime physician for Agape Boarding School, a Christian school that remains under scrutiny after five staffers were charged in September with assaulting students.

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On Wednesday, eight new charges were filed by a special prosecutor, including one count of sexual misconduct, five counts of statutory sodomy, one count of child molestation, and a count of child enticement.

Smock also faces charges of second-degree statutory sodomy, third-degree child molestation of a child less than 14 years of age, and enticement or attempted enticement of a child less than 15 years of age in Greene County.

The investigation dates back to the summer of 2018.

Protecting the citizens of our state, especially our children, is of paramount importance to me as Missouris Attorney General, Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a press release. The details of the alleged crimes, in this case, are shocking and horrific, and I look forward to working with the Special Prosecutor for Cedar County to obtain justice in this case.
By Lee Hyo-jin



Police are investigating the owner of a factory in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, for allegedly illegally filming a female worker of foreign nationality there, but a suspicious fire in the facility has destroyed much of the evidence.



The man, whose identity was withheld, has been accused of filming the victim when she was taking a shower, through a two-way mirror he had installed earlier in the women's shower room at the worksite, according to Pocheon Police, Wednesday.





A factory owner in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, is under investigation for allegedly illegally filming a female employee of foreign nationality, according to the police, Wednesday. Korea Times file
U.S. Boeing's latest F-15EX fighter jet / Image captured from Boeing's homepage



By Kim Hyun-bin



Huneed Technologies has signed a contract with Boeing to supply parts for the latter's top-of-the-line F-15EX fighter jet.



Huneed will supply 50 different types of electrical panels for F-15EX fighter jets by 2024, valued at around 16 billion won ($13.5 million), which corresponds to the first chipsets, or total quantity of parts needed, for the production of 30 fighters.



The F-15EX is Boeing's new fourth-generation plus fighter jet, and the first F-15 introduced to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in more than 20 years. The USAF awarded Boeing a $22.8 billion contract to supply the F-15EX fighter jets in July 2020. Boeing will deliver from 144 up to 200 F-15EX combat aircrafts to the USAF.



As Huneed will be exclusively supplying electronic panels for the first batch of the F-15EX fighters that are to be introduced to the USAF by 2024, it is highly likely that the remaining batches will be awarded to Huneed as well.



"The F-15EX's characteristic is its reduced development costs by upgrading a version of the advanced F-15E model. Huneed has been supplying airborne electrical systems for the Saudi Arabian export type (F-15SA) and the Qatar export type (F-15QA) since 2013. This excellent supply track record and competitiveness has resulted in Huneed being awarded this contract," officials at Huneed said



With the introduction of the F-15EX, the USAF plans to operate F-15 jets up to 2040, which will make the F-15 one of the longest-running models in operation, for over 70 years. Accordingly, Huneed is also expected to consolidate its strategic partnership with Boeing based on long-term, trusted business relations.


Albion, IN (46701)

Today

Light snow this evening will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 8F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%..

Tonight

Light snow this evening will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 8F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 9F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 9F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low around 10F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low around 10F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 40%.
The information presented here is subject to change. To have an event appear in this column, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.

5 things to do this weekend

Polar plunge  Saturday, Jan. 1, noon, Williams Bay Beach, Geneva Street, Williams Bay, genevalakewest.com. Have a run into the icy waters of Geneva Lake at this New Years Day tradition.

Santa Cruise  Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 29-30, cruises depart at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., Gage Marine/Pier 290, 1 Liechty Drive, Williams Bay. Times vary. See santacruiselakegeneva.com.

A magical Christmas boat cruise across Geneva Lake to Santas Hideaway, past various light displays along the lake shore.

Santa Cruise ticket prices range from $20 to $28 adults, $18 to $26 seniors, $9 to $18 youth.

Christmas in the Country  Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Town of Lyons, grandgeneva.com.

While some of the activities under Christmas in the Country are for resort guests only, the 12 Days of Christmas drive-through light show and Gingerbread House Walk are open to the public.

Over 2 million lights are part of the drive-through light show at Grand Geneva.

At the Gingerbread House Walk, the public can tour over 45 gingerbread houses made by contestants of all ages. The houses are on display outside of Ristorante Brissago, which the public can view through Thursday, Dec. 30.

People can also vote for their favorites in the Peoples Choice Awards. Winners in various categories will receive prizes, including Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark birthday party packages and other stay packages at Grand Geneva.

Visit the Grand Geneva website to vote and for more information.

Parade of Trees  Friday through Monday, Dec. 31-Jan. 3; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Geneva Lake Museum, 255 Mill St., Lake Geneva, genevalakemuseum.org.

Trees decorated by local businesses and organizations turn the museums Main Street area into a magical, winter wonderland display.

People can view the trees, then vote for their favorite on Fridays through Sundays between now and Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

Admission $9 adults, $8 seniors and those with college IDs, free for children and active military.

East Troy Lights  Until Friday, Dec. 31, with light displays every hour from 5 to 8 p.m., East Troy Town Square, East Troy, easttroylights.com.

An interactive and imaginative light display experience in which the lights in all of Downtown East Troy sparkle in sync to holiday songs.

Through the website, people can try to make their own light show scripts for the East Troy Square.

Kishwauketoe Night hike, bonfire and smores  Jan. 1, meet between 5:306 p.m., hike begins at 6 p.m. Meet at 251 Elkhorn Road, Williams Bay.

Start the new year off right with a hike, followed by a bonfire. Dress for the weather and hope for clear skies.

Also happening

Sing-Along Movie  Thursday, Dec. 30, 1 to 3 p.m., Aram Public Library, 404 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan. To register, visit Arams Facebook page or aramlibrary.org, or call 262-728-3111.

The library will be screening Frozen 2 in which the audience can sing to the tunes in the film. Participants can dress up as favorite characters. There will also be snacks and a craft. Registration required.

Customer Appreciation Gathering  Saturday, Jan. 1, 2 to 5 p.m., The Bottle Shop, 617 W. Main St., Lake Geneva, the bottleshoplakegeneva.com.

The Nerd Auditions  Sunday, Jan. 2, 1 p.m.; and Tuesday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m., Sprague Theater, 15 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn, lakeland-players.org.

Lakeland Players of Elkhorn is holding auditions for the Ken Ludwig comedy. The community theater group seeks four adult men, two adult women and a boy age 10 to 12. Auditions will consist of reading from the script.

The Nerd will be performed Feb. 18-20 and 25-27. Adults required to be fully vaccinated and wear masks backstage. Call Mary Nugent at 262-470-8570 with questions.

Cookie Clean Up  Wednesday, Jan. 5, 5 p.m., Delavan Lake Store & Lounge, 2001 North Shore Drive, Delavan, 262-725-6747, delavanlakestore.com.

Trivia Night  Thursday, Jan. 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Rush Creek Distilling, 1501 W. Diggins St., Harvard, Illinois. Trivia is free. Weekly prizes are Rush Creek gift cards.

Card Games  Friday, Jan. 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Aram Public Library.

Bridge, gin rummy or poker. Part of the Aging Well Series at Aram. Participants are asked to stay 6 feet apart and regularly wash their hands. Masks required.

Mens Breakfast  Saturday, Jan. 8, 8 to 9:30 a.m., Trinity Church, W775 Geranium Road, Bloomfield. A meal with coffee and juice, plus fellowship with other men of all ages.

Line Dancing with Terri  Jan. 8, 11:30 a.m., Matheson Memorial Library, 101 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn.

Adults only class with Terri DellaMaria, a fitness trainer who works at the library. Learn the Cha Cha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle and more.

Kendras Birthday Luau/Hawaiian Party  Jan. 8, 6 p.m., Delavan Lake Store & Lounge, 262-725-6747, delavanlakestore.com.

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More space could be appearing at the Tristan Crist Magic Theatre in the near future.

A two-story, 25-foot addition is being planned for the theater building located at 100 N. Edwards Boulevard in Lake Geneva.

The addition is set to include more space to the backstage area, office space and storage space on the first floor and a 994 square-foot apartment unit for theater owner and performer Tristan Crist on the second floor.

Members of the Lake Geneva City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the addition, Dec. 28. The plan commission unanimously recommended the addition, Dec. 20.

Peter Juergens, agent for T.C. Productions, owners of the building, said the theater building currently is about 100-feet long and 50-feet wide and is designed to be 200-feet long and 50-feet wide.

We put in the infrastructure for the entire development  parking, water retention and utilities, Juergens said. Its all there ready to add on an additional 100 feet.

Juergens said Crist initially planned to construct a 100-foot addition that would include commercial tenants, but those plans have changed because of the coronavirus.

We had three different tenants that were going to lease out the space, Juergens said. That all fell apart.

Juergens said Crist plans to add 75 more feet to the building sometime in the future, but he is not certain how that space will be utilized.

Some day, in the future, it is his intent to add the additional 75 feet, Juergens said. But for now, we dont know what it would entail or what the use would be. So right now were just asking for the 25-foot addition.

The Tristan Crist Magic Theatre building was completed in 2019.

Crist had moved his magic theater business to that location from 617 W. Main St. in Downtown Lake Geneva for more performance and seating space and to include a parking lot area.

The current theater is able to seat about 156 people, three times the space of the previous venue.

The West Main Street location has since been leased by Beth Tumas, owner of the neighboring Bottle Shop, who has named the space the Grapevine Theatre to host musical, comedy and theater performances.

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RACINE  Tyler Bolton has ambition.

At 17, he is hoping to get a job, move out when he comes of age and potentially begin a career in technology. He is tinkering with the idea of becoming a YouTuber who reviews different video games, shining a light on obscure or independently made ones.

By around Thanksgiving, Bolton  who was recently diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum  had already crossed off No. 1 on his list by landing a job at Walmart, 3049 Oakes Road, as a cart pusher. He had acquired the position through the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Developments Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Within a week of starting that job, an incident occurred in which, Bolton alleges, his supervisor prohibited him from taking breaks and called him slow. At the end of his shift, he was nearly in tears when his father picked him up.

His mother, Rose Bolton, is seeking to file a discrimination case and as of late December had hired an attorney.

As a mom, I want justice to be served. I dont want another kid to walk in and have to deal with the same thing, and feel like theyre nobody, she said.

Walmart spokesperson Jimmy Carter told a reporter, via email, We dont tolerate discrimination of any kind. We have made several attempts to contact the mother of this associate to clear up the misunderstanding. We accommodated the associate by allowing him to go home early. At no point was he asked to leave our store. We look forward to resolving this.

Tylers story

According to Tyler, he started his shift at 8 a.m. that day working alone, meaning he had to manage carts throughout the entire parking lot; a job typically meant for at least two to handle.

It was one of his first-ever shifts on the job. Working alone as a new employee  along with the stress of the inclement weather that day, it had been an early December day plagued by hail and sleet  Tyler was making small mistakes.

In the middle of my shift, I was struggling really hard, he said. It was rush hour.

Tyler wasnt allowed a break because no one was available to cover for him, he said. When he did get a very small break, I was eating and working.

At the end, I was just having a panic attack, he said. At which point, he went inside the store, seeking a supervisor.

When he finally got hold of someone, he said she started yelling at me and stuff about, What are you doing? Why arent you outside?

Tyler said he couldnt remember the full scope of that day, but Rose said she remembers that Tyler told her he was called slow or stupid.

He said he was shut out of Walmart and his access to his employee app, through which he looks up his schedule on his cellphone, had been disabled. It felt like he had been fired without so much as a goodbye.

He came home from work that day, soaking wet from the weather, looking really upset. He resigned soon after.

Sharing the story

Rose made a Facebook post and a TikTok video about the incident, the latter of which has received more than 27,000 views. She said she hadnt heard back from anyone in Walmarts human resources department regarding the incident after making initial contact.

She wasnt happy with the spokespersons statement.

Rose said that the human resources representative at Walmart was aware of Tylers disability upon hiring him. He applied for the job through the DVR office in Racine, which helps people with disabilities find careers.

He needs extra time to process. He has anxiety, she said. I think they should pay for what theyve done to him, because he has to start all over.

What happened to Tyler has been a hard hit, she said. He has not had the same enthusiasm to work since then.

We almost feel like the reset button was hit for him, Rose said.

Joseph Olivares, spokesperson for the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, told a reporter I cant speak to this specific case  Discrimination of all kinds is illegal in the United States. Its wrong.

He noted there are protections against discrimination for every employee in the country, whether theyre a minor or an adult.

Tylers story has caught the attention of Wil Leverson, a podcaster and former state Assembly candidate, who went on Facebook Live to bring light to the situation. He said he recognized many commenters on Roses social media who wrote about having gone through similar incidents with the company.

This cant be isolated  This affects so many people, Leverson said.

He called on local leaders to bring awareness to Tylers situation, and potential discrimination cases across all workplaces in the area, especially Walmart. We have to get in the forefront of this cause.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 29 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Founded in 2014, Olymp Trade continues to strive to be the leading international online broker and build a community of successful traders.

The company has introduced Quickler, a unique platform asset that lets users make 5-second trade using the unique tool specially designed for traders, who can make quick decisions with laser focus.

Also Read | New Year's Financial Resolutions for 2022: From Creating Emergency Fund To Stand-Alone Health Plan, 5 Must-Keep Financial Goals.

Quickler comes with three rewarding features that benefit the users, it comprises a super short trading duration where one does not need to wait for the outcome of the trade.

Also, the platform has increased profitability level up to 80 per cent for all the traders, and the third advantage allows the user to access Quickler at any time of the day or night.

Also Read | Virat Kohli Puts on His Dancing Shoes, Breaks into Impromptu Dance During IND vs SA, 1st Test 2021 Day 3 (Watch Video).

Quickler is a perfect solution for several categories of traders in the market. It can be used by traders with irregular working hours and makes it easy to trade whenever they want to. This is a comfortable instrument for instant decision-makers. Traders are expected to find Quickler stimulating and fun to use, it enables users to think and take control of their trading activity.

Additionally, the new instrument is also good for traders who are constantly on the move. Depending on where and how one is travelling, internet connectivity can be a challenge at times, in this scenario, Quickler allows the user to complete as many trades while waiting to board a flight.

Quickler is a great addition to the other trading options that Olymp Trade offers on its platform. The broker allows one to take both short and long-term investments which helps one to earn profit from both quick trades and financial forecasts into the distant future. With Olymp Trade users can start trading instantly with a minimum investment and are free to withdraw their funds at any time.

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI) The left-affiliated All India Students' Association held a protest at the UGC headquarters against the alleged UGC-NET Hindi paper leak in Kurukshetra.

AISA activists and students gathered at the headquarters raising slogans for an immediate repeal of the National Testing Agency's tender on examinations.

Also Read | GST Annual Return Filing Deadline for FY 2020-21 Extended Till February 28, Says CBIC.

In a memorandum submitted to the Additional Secretary of UGC, they said, "All India Students' Association would like to stress the demand for an independent enquiry into the recent trend of paper leaks in general and the Hindi UGC NET paper that was leaked in Kurukshetra.

"The UGC NET examination that is being conducted by the private and autonomous NTA must be conducted by UGC once again under full answerability to the public. The examination of NET examination for Hindi must be conducted once again at the earliest possible date," it said.

Also Read | Gujarat Best Destination for Investment Due to Industry-Friendly Policies, Says CM Bhupendra Patel.

Meanwhile, students of various educational institutions including DU, condemned the alleged "brutal attack on doctors by Delhi Police"

An event was organised at Delhi University's Arts Faculty to express solitary with the resident doctors protesting over the delay in NEET PG counselling.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Varanasi, Dec 29 (PTI) The BJP will win more seats in western Uttar Pradesh compared to the last assembly polls, and the farmers' protest had no bearing on public sentiment in the region, Union minister Anurag Thakur has asserted.

Thakur, who is also the BJP's Uttar Pradesh election co-incharge, expressed confidence that the party will return to power in the state with more than 300 seats on the back of a positive public sentiment due to action against "gundaraj", "unprecedented" development and public welfare schemes under the Yogi Adityanath government.

Also Read | Kerala: Two Minor Girls Murder Relative For Sexually Assaulting Mother in Wayanad, Surrender.

"We brought the (farm) bills for the benefit of farmers. As (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji said maybe, due to some deficiency, we could not make the farmers understand. Even if the bills were repealed, it was done in national interest," he said when PTI asked if the withdrawal of the agri laws will benefit the BJP in western Uttar Pradesh.

"I had gone to Meerut and Saharanpur before the laws were repealed... The public sentiment was very positive then too," he said, adding that huge crowds can be seen in the BJP's rallies and there is a lot of enthusiasm.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi to Inaugurate and Lay Foundation Stones of 23 Projects Worth Over Rs 17,500 Crore in Uttarakhands Haldwani.

Western Uttar Pradesh accounts for 76 seats in the 403-member UP Assembly. In 2017, the BJP had bagged 66 of the 76 seats in the region, while the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress won four, three and two seats, respectively.

The Farm Laws Repeal Act repealed the three farm laws which were passed by Parliament in September last year with an objective to bring reforms in the agriculture sector, especially marketing of farm produce.

The three farm laws against which farmers were protesting were the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Thakur said the Adityanath government ended "gundaraj and mafiaraj" in Uttar Pradesh while the previous government allegedly gave protection to goons.

"People fled Uttar Pradesh to due to rampant gundaraj and mafiaraj in the state during the tenure of the previous Samajwadi Party government and now they are returning seeing the work of the Adityanath dispensation," he said.

While the previous Samajwadi Party allegedly inflicted atrocities on women, no one can dare look at women in Uttar Pradesh with a bad intention under the Adityanath government, he said.

Responding to a question on the Congress' women-centric approach for its Uttar Pradesh election campaign, Thakur said the Sonia Gandhi-led party had joined hands with those who inflicted atrocities against women in the last assembly elections.

"Won't Priyanka Gandhi concede that the SP supported goons like Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari?" he said.

Women in Uttar Pradesh can now step out of their home even in the dark and businessmen have developed confidence due to the Adityanath government's action against "gundaraj and mafiaraj", he said.

"We will return to power with more than 300 seats due to a positive public sentiment... we brought development to every nook and corner of the state despite Covid-induced problems in the last two years," he told reporters.

On reports about resentment in the Brahmin community, Thakur said the BJP government in the Centre and the state works on the principle of "sabka saath sabka vikas".

He said, "4.5 lakh youths got employment in the government sector and three lakh got contractual jobs without any differentiation on the basis on caste".

"It is the biggest factor along with the improvement in the law and order situation that jobs were given in a transparent manner," the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting added.

"There are lakhs of people who got a 'pucca' house, power connection, benefit under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and free ration ... the poor evaluate the benefit of even a rupee," he said.

"Social welfare schemes and the improvement in the law and order situation are two other major factors which will bring the BJP back in power," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kannauj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 29 (ANI): An official witness, accompanying the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) raid team at businessman Peeyush Jain's residence in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj, has claimed that the money was recovered from the two underground bunkers on the premises.

Speaking to the media, Amit Dubey, a witness who accompanied the DGGI team five-day raid, said, "The money was recovered from two underground bunkers after much difficulty. The family members also had no idea about the money."

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Earlier on Wednesday, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) concluded the raids at businessman Peeyush Jain's residence in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj.

The Kanpur-based businessman was arrested on Sunday under Section 67 of the CGST Act after the recovery of unaccounted cash, gold and sandalwood.

Also Read | Sensex Surges Over 100 Points in Early Trade; Nifty Tops 17,250.

Speaking to ANI, Zakir Hussain, Additional Director of DGGI said, "We have concluded our 'panchnama'. We have recovered gold, handed it over to DRI, but the probe is on. The gold which was recovered in Kanpur is separate...here, we recovered about Rs 19 crore cash. As per higher officials, this is the biggest cash recovery."

The DGGI which had allegedly seized Rs 194.45 crores of cash, 23 kg gold and 600 kg sandalwood from businessman Peeyush Jain's possession, on Monday informed that the accused has admitted that cash recovered was related to the sale of goods without payment of taxes.

The DGGI further alleged that it has seized more than 200 such fake invoices."The statement of Peeyush Jain has been recorded wherein he has accepted that the cash recovered from the residential premises is related to the sale of goods without payment of GST," it said.

"The evidence collected during the searches conducted in the last five days are being investigated thoroughly to unravel the tax evasion," it added.

The accused has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a Kanpur court in the matter. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Farrukhabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 29 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday accused Congress of filing false cases against Bharatiya Janata Party, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu leaders and nurturing terrorists.

"You must have seen Maharashtra ATS statement...you must have seen how at that time they used to put false cases on workers and leaders of BJP, RSS, Hindu leaders," said Adityanath.

Also Read | Bengaluru Shocker: Ex-Husband Allegedly Hacks Woman to Death In Front of Her Son.

"You must have seen this in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Congress should apologise to the people of this country for what they did," he said.

"When Congress was in power they used to inspire and nature terrorists, now when they are in opposition they protest against the work done for the development of people of this country," he added.

Also Read | Instagram Will Double Down on Video & Focus More on Reels In 2022, Says Head Adam Mosseri.

UP Chief Minister's comment comes a day after the 15th witness in 2008 Malegaon blast case turned hostile. The witness told the court today that ATS forced him to falsely take Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and five RSS members' names.

The Assembly election in the state is scheduled for next year.

In the 2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party bagged 312 seats out of the 403-seat Uttar Pradesh Assembly while Samajwadi Party (SP) bagged 47 seats, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) won 19 and Congress could manage to win only seven seats. The rest of the seats were bagged by other candidates. (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, Dec 29 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi claimed Wednesday that the night curfew imposed by the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi was just a ploy to get the Punjab assembly polls postponed by projecting that the Covid threat is serious.

Apart from Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress leader also accused the BJP of wanting to postpone the Punjab polls.

Also Read | Centre Alerts Consumers 'Not To Buy' Household Goods and Helmets Without ISI Mark.

The AAP, which is the main opposition in Punjab, dismissed the claim as baseless and immature.

Channi's remark came at an event where 58 new buses were inducted into the government fleet, with the chief minister himself driving one and also announcing free travel passes for college students.

Also Read | Vivo Y21T India Launch Likely To Take Place on January 3, 2022.

He told reporters that his government planned to soon address issues that concerned Anganwadi workers, ASHA health workers and truckers' unions.

But the AAP and the BJP want the elections postponed, he said.

The AAP has imposed a night curfew in Delhi to show that the situation is serious and these elections should not be held, he added. His own party, however, was ready for the elections today, the Congress leader said.

The Kejriwal government had announced a night curfew in capital from Monday amid rising Covid cases and the threat posed by the new Omicron variant.

Harpal Singh Cheema, who is the leader of opposition in the Punjab Assembly, said Kejriwal was concerned about the health of people.

The AAP leader termed Channi's remarks baseless and immature and said night curfew has been imposed in some other states as well, and not just in Delhi.

He said the Congress is scared of Kejriwal's popularity in Punjab and predicted that the AAP will form the next government there.

While no political parties in the states going to the polls early next year have called for their postponement, the Allahabad High recently suggested that the Election Commission should consider deferring them for a month or two because of the pandemic.

The HC had also suggested banning election rallies. The CM announced free passes for students from both government and private colleges.

The 58 new buses are part of 842 which are being added to the state's fleet at a cost of Rs 400 crore.

Thirty buses from the first batch will go to the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation and remaining 28 to PUNBUS.

Channi said 105 bus terminals are being constructed or renovated at a cost of Rs. 400 crore, 425 new bus routes being added and 1,406 new bus permits being given.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Election Commissioner meets officials in Lucknow to review UP Poll preparedness (Photo/ANI)

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 29 (ANI): A delegation of the Election Commission of India led by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra held a review meeting on Wednesday with the state's senior officials in Lucknow to asses the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly poll preparedness.

The Chief Secretary, District Magistrates, Police Commissioners, Deputy Inspector General of Police officers, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Additional Chief Secretary (Law and Order), among other officials were present in the meeting.

Also Read | Kerala: Two Minor Girls Murder Relative For Sexually Assaulting Mother in Wayanad, Surrender.

The Election Commission delegation is on a three-day visit to poll bound Uttar Pradesh.

The Assembly elections in the state are scheduled for next year.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi to Inaugurate and Lay Foundation Stones of 23 Projects Worth Over Rs 17,500 Crore in Uttarakhands Haldwani.

In the 2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party bagged 312 seats out of the 403-seat Uttar Pradesh Assembly while Samajwadi Party (SP) bagged 47 seats, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) won 19 and Congress could manage to win only seven seats. The rest of the seats were bagged by other candidates. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI): A day after the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) proposed three demands to end the protest over the delay in NEET-PG counselling and alleged manhandling of doctors by the police, it decided on Wednesday to continue the strike until the police issue a ''written apology for their behaviour'', according to FORDA President Dr Manish.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Dr Manish had said, "Firstly, we want the concerned authorities to ensure that we should get a date for counselling right after the Supreme Court's hearing on January 6 concludes. Secondly, we want an apology from the authorities as the police manhandled the doctors. Thirdly, we want the withdrawal of FIRs registered against protesters."

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Rains: Three Killed in Lightning Strike Amid Rains in Chhindwara District.

"The strike is still underway. We demand a written apology for police brutality during yesterday's protest of resident doctors at ITO. We will hold a meeting with all Resident Doctors Association (RDAs) at 8 pm today to decide the future course of action," he said.

Meanwhile, the patients continue to bear the brunt of the strike by the doctors.

Also Read | NEET-PG 2021 Counselling: Agitating Delhi Doctors to Continue Protest Till FIRs are Withdrawn Against Them.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, a patient's family member who had come to the RML Hospital said, "Due to this strike what I am getting is date after date but they have worked in a herculean manner throughout the pandemic. Their demand is very much appropriate, the government should accept it as soon as possible."

Another family member of a patient said that the doctors have asked them to return when their strike is over.

"We are visiting the hospital but people here say that the patients will not be treated as the doctors are on strike. We come and go back. We have come here to get our mother treated," said another patient's family member.

After resident doctors across the country continued their protest against the delay in NEET-PG counselling and warned of withdrawing "all healthcare services" from Wednesday, the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday had called an emergency meeting with a 12-member delegation of FORDA representatives.

Earlier, resident doctors of several hospitals staged a march near Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Monday evening in protest against the delay in holding NEET-PG counselling. AIIMS Resident Doctors Association said in its official statement that they "condemned the violent act of police today against the doctors, who were protesting peacefully for expediting NEET-PG counselling."

"By brutally thrashing and detaining the doctors, the Government and Police have reached a new low. The medical fraternity has shown exemplary sacrifice for the sake of this nation at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was running a carnage," it read.

On December 24, Indian Medical Association (IMA) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the NEET-PG counselling crisis and augment manpower to face a possible third wave of COVID-19 infections.

It is pertinent to note that the original NEET PG exam was scheduled in January 2021 but postponed in view of the first and second wave of COVID-19 and held on September 12, 2021, said the letter. However, due to the legal impediments of the Supreme Court now the Counselling is withheld resulting in a shortage of 45000 doctors in the frontline, added the letter. (ANI)

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Jaipur, Dec 29 (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said great men like Swami Vivekananda have emerged from discussion in Dharma Sansad held in Chicago in 1893 unlike the "unruly and wicked" people emerging from discussion held in Uttarakhand.

He said the people of the country should decide whether we need a great personality like Swami Vivekananda or those who talk about riots and genocide.

Also Read | Delhi Reports 923 New COVID-19 Cases in Past 24 Hours; Records 86% Jump in Daily Cases.

"Let us all think that a Dharma Sansad was held in Chicago in 1893 where great men like Swami Vivekananda emerged from the discussion. Unruly and wicked people are coming out of the religious parliaments being held here," Gehlot said in a tweet.

He said no arrest has been made in Uttarakhand yet, which is a mockery of law and order situation.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Says 'Parties That Ruled UP in Past Didn't Care for Health of Dalits, Minorities'.

"It is very shameful that even after more than a week of the controversial Dharma Sansad held in Uttarakhand, no arrest has been made. In a conversation with a media channel, the chief minister of Uttarakhand expressed ignorance about this issue, which is surprising when he himself holds the Home Department portfolio," he said.

The chief Minister said that in the BJP-ruled states, even artists, journalists and comedians were charged with sections of National Security Act (NSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, but despite speeches inciting genocide in Uttarakhand, no arrests have been made.

He said that in the name of Dharma Sansad, work is being done to incite people for genocide and abusing freedom fighters like Gandhiji and Nehru.

Provocative speeches inciting violence against Muslims were allegedly made by participants at the event held at Ved Niketan Dham in Uttarakhand's Haridwar from December 16 to 19.

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Srinagar, Dec 29 (PTI) It does not behove the Jammu and Kashmir police to be trying to threaten people into submission, NC vice president Omar Abdullah said Wednesday after the SIT probing the Hyderpora encounter threatened legal action against political leaders for making "speculative" statements about the investigation.

He said criticising the report, whether interim or final, is the right of any citizen.

Also Read | Delhi Reports 923 New COVID-19 Cases in Past 24 Hours; Records 86% Jump in Daily Cases.

"If the SIT wants people to believe the report it should report the truth, period," Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

"As to the "threat of penal action". Criticising the report, whether interim or final is the right of any citizen & it does not behove J&K police to be trying to threaten people in to submission, he said.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Says 'Parties That Ruled UP in Past Didn't Care for Health of Dalits, Minorities'.

In a statement here, the SIT said speculative statements from the political leaders have tendency to create provocation, rumour, fear and alarm among the general masses or particular section of society.

"This kind of approach is against the rule of law and may attract appropriate penal provisions as envisaged under law," the chairman of the SIT said.

The SIT said the government had ordered a magisterial probe into the incident and all such person making statements should have approached the inquiry officer with genuine evidences they have, for corroboration or contradiction.

"The SIT constituted in the instant case is still investigating the matter, all such persons are once again advised to provide any type of evidence if they have regarding the incident so that every aspect of investigation is covered and concluded on merits," the statement said.

Reacting to the statement, Abdullah further said if the SIT is still investigating the matter, then what was the need to rush to the press with a statement on Tuesday.

"I don't recall reading anywhere that yesterday's report was an interim one," the NC leader said.

CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami said the police warning of a penal action "is like diktat and crossing all the limits of brazen bizarre display of authoritative tendency.

"Political leaders have every right to ask questions. Threatening right to question is breach of law and duty police is supposed to uphold," Tarigami wrote on Twitter.

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New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI) Senior bureaucrat Manoj Joshi on Wednesday took charge as the new secretary of Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, an official said.

The official said that outgoing secretary Durga Shankar Mishra handed over the charge to Joshi, a 1989-batch Kerala cadre IAS officer.

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Mishra was on Wednesday repatriated to his parent cadre Uttar Pradesh as the Yogi Adityanath government proposes to appoint him as the new chief secretary, an order that comes barely two days before his retirement.

In an official order, the Personnel Ministry said that Mishra, a 1984-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre due to superannuate on Friday, was being repatriated to his parent cadre.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu Teacher Held for Marrying Her 17-Year-Old Minor Student in Perambalur.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his repatriation "for his proposed appointment as Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh", the order said.

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Mathura, Dec 29 (PTI) Six people including a 52-year-old man who returned from Uganda were found infected with COVID-19 in the district in random sampling, officials on Wednesday said.

Amit Jain who came from Uganda a week before was found infected with Covid-19, Dr Bhudeo Singh, the Rapid Response Team In-charge, said.

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Another two, Amit Pathak (38) and Deepika Chaturvedi (32), who returned from Singapore about two months ago were also found infected with the virus, the official said.

All the infected have been home quarantined and the areas they are living in have been converted into containment zones, he said.

Also Read | Gujarat Best Destination for Investment Due to Industry-Friendly Policies, Says CM Bhupendra Patel.

Some samples, including of those who came from foreign countries, have been sent for Genome sequencing, he added.

With the new additions, the total number of cases in the district has gone up to 17, the officials said.

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New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has left for a brief visit abroad, a day after the party celebrated its 137th foundation day.

Gandhi is learnt to be on a short visit to Italy.

Also Read | Gujarat Best Destination for Investment Due to Industry-Friendly Policies, Says CM Bhupendra Patel.

"Rahul Gandhi is on a brief personal visit. BJP and its friends in the media should not spread unnecessary rumours," AICC chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

Congress sources said Gandhi is scheduled to address an election rally in Moga in Punjab on January 3 and may return in time for the event.

Also Read | Delhi Reports 923 New COVID-19 Cases in Past 24 Hours; Records 86% Jump in Daily Cases.

Elections in five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur -- are expected to be announced by mid-January.

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Lachung (Sikkim) [India], December 29 (ANI): At least 300 tourists stranded in heavy snowfall in Lachung, North Sikkim were rescued by the Indian Army on Wednesday.

All the rescued tourists were provided with medical assistance and hot meals.

Also Read | Delhi Reports 923 New COVID-19 Cases in Past 24 Hours; Records 86% Jump in Daily Cases.

"Indian Army assisted 300 tourists stranded in heavy snowfall in Lachung, North Sikkim. Tourists were assisted through Road opening, medical aid, and hot meals," Eastern Command, Indian Army tweeted from its official account.

Earlier in the day, around 1,027 tourists who had been stuck in the upper reaches of East Sikkim near the China Border at Nathu La following heavy snow on Saturday were rescued by the Indian Army.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Says 'Parties That Ruled UP in Past Didn't Care for Health of Dalits, Minorities'.

Severe snowfall had occurred in areas of Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake, and adjoining areas on Saturday afternoon, bringing down the temperature to sub-zero levels. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI) Shares of multiplex chain operator PVR declined up to 2 per cent on Wednesday following an order to close cinemas in the national capital amid rising number of COVID cases.

PVR dipped 1.98 per cent to settle at Rs 1,260.55 on BSE. During the day, it declined 3.49 per cent to Rs 1,241.

Also Read | Centre Alerts Consumers 'Not To Buy' Household Goods and Helmets Without ISI Mark.

INOX Leisure, which tumbled 2.83 per cent to Rs 341.60 during the day, bounced back at the fag-end of trade and gained 0.91 per cent to close at Rs 354.75 on BSE.

Amid a spike in COVID cases, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, on Tuesday, ordered the closure of schools, colleges, cinemas and gyms with immediate effect and put various restrictions on the functioning of shops and public transport as a yellow alert was sounded under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Also Read | Vivo Y21T India Launch Likely To Take Place on January 3, 2022.

"Delhi government's decision to shut down theatres and multiplexes will certainly hit the revenues of these businesses. The greater concern is whether other governments too will follow suit as the Omicron variant spreads.

"There is a view gaining ground that the Omicron variant is less virulent, though fast-spreading, and therefore, might be indicating the imminent end of the pandemic. If this turns out to be true, the closure of theatres and multiplexes may be short-lived and stock prices will bounce back," V K Vijaykumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said.

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Kabul [Afghanistan], December 29 (ANI): Afghanistan Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund on Wednesday met with Ali Mohammad bin Hammad Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and discussed bilateral relations.

Mohammad Naeem, spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate political office said UAE is ready to invest in Helmand and Kandahar dry ports, and a railway and solar power system in Afghanistan, Tolo News reported.

Also Read | Taiwan Reports Another Incursion As 5 Chinese Warplanes Enter Its Air Defence Zone.

According to Naeem, PM Deputies Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Abdul Salam Hanafi as well as acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi were also present at the meeting.

On Tuesday, acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with a delegation led by the UAE Minister of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security Ali Mohammed bin Hammad Al Shamsi in Kabul.

Also Read | COVID-19 Surge in UK: '90% of Coronavirus Patients Admitted in ICU Have Not Taken Booster Shot', Says PM Boris Johnson.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Muttaqi discussed a range of issues including economic cooperation and bilateral relations with the UAE delegation.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said that during the meeting Muttaqi said the UAE was in a key location and could serve as a gateway for Afghanistan to increase Afghanistan's trade with the world.

"The UAE is in a key location that could serve as a door for Afghanistan to increase our exports," Tolo News quoted Muttaqi as saying. (ANI)

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Houston, Dec 29 (PTI) The Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) announced on Tuesday that Corbevax, a protein subunit Covid vaccine, has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch it in India.

The initial construct and production process of the vaccine antigen was developed at TCH's Centre for Vaccine Development, led by co-directors Maria Elena Bottazzi and Peter Hotez.

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"This announcement is an important first step in vaccinating the world and halting the pandemic. Our vaccine technology offers a path to address an unfolding humanitarian crisis, namely the vulnerability the low- and middle-income countries face against the delta variant," said Dr Peter Hotez, professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor and co-director of Texas Children's Hospital Centre for Vaccine Development.

TCH said the vaccine has been through phase three clinical trials with more than 3,000 subjects and was found to be safe and well-tolerated. The trials suggested a better immune response to the Ancestral-Wuhan strain of the virus as well as the delta variant compared to Covishield, developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca. None of the subjects showed severe adverse reactions to the vaccine; and adverse effects in the study were half of those from Covishield.

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"TCH does not plan to make money on this, it is a gift to the world. The vaccine uses a traditional recombinant protein yeast fermentation technology, similar to that used for the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, which has been around for 40 years. It was authorized based on superiority studies to another well- established Covid vaccine. This can be made locally all over the world, and we have now technology transferred our Texas Children's vaccine to producers in India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Dr Hotez said.

The vaccine relationship will also bring the two countries closer, according to Hotez.

"We have strong ties with the India community here in Houston and I spoke at the Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) gala recently, where I met Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian ambassador to the United States. I am very excited about the stronger US-India ties through this vaccine diplomacy. India is also very committed to developing vaccines for the world even beyond ours, we have known about India for many years, Hotez said.

Tweeting about the announcement, he mentioned that BioE has 150 million doses ready and will be making 100 million per month.

"We technology transferred our vaccine and helped in its co-development with no patent and no strings attached. As a result, it should be the least expensive Covid vaccine available yet," Hotez said.

The vaccine uses an older recombinant protein yeast fermentation technology similar to that used for the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine which has been around for 40 years. It was authorised based on superiority studies to another well- established Covid vaccine.

"This can be made locally all over the world, and we have now technology transferred our Texas Children's vaccine to producers in India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Botswana. TCH does not plan to make money on this, it is a gift to the world," Hotez said.

For nearly two years, Hotez has offered insights and interpretations regarding COVID-19.

The two doctors were well-suited for development of this particular vaccine, having spent a decade studying coronavirus vaccine prototypes.

Bottazzi said Corbevax will fill the access gap created by the more expensive, newer vaccine technologies and that today are still not able to be quickly scaled for global production.

Hotez recently described how the southern hemisphere is complicating efforts to combat the pandemic, referring to a disconnect regarding the scale of necessary vaccination.

"The Biden administration just announced that we've donated 300 million doses," he said.

"To me that's kind of tone deaf. We need nine billion doses on the African continent. We need a better understanding there," he added.

"Global vaccination could hinder subsequent new variants from emerging and spreading. Now is our chance to prevent a new global wave," Hotez said.

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Singapore, Dec 29 (PTI) Singapore is one of the earliest countries to accept that Omicron is not threatening nationally, because a large proportion of the population is vaccinated, said Professor Dale Fisher, senior consultant at the National University Hospital's Division of Infectious Diseases.

"Singapore is realising the strategy of Covid resilience, such that as new variants arise, they can be dealt with quite easily," The Straits Times said quoting Fisher in an assessment of the latest variant from a number of health experts here. Some countries are seeing overwhelmed hospitals again because Omicron is more transmissible and the baseline immunity of the population is still low, Fisher said.

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Professor Paul Tambyah, president of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, added, "Now that we know that the Omicron variant is probably a lot less virulent than the previous dominant strains, we can move closer back to treating Covid like other potentially deadly contagious respiratory infections such as tuberculosis or influenza."

But it was prudent and crucial to have strictly ring-fenced the Omicron cases over the past month, as it allowed the country to buy time and let the science catch up with the concerns about the new strain, Fisher added.

Also Read | Japan Held Drill in November Assuming Foreign Occupation of Senkakus Islands.

"Once a variant is identified, it will take some weeks to understand the outcomes. This was about slowing the entry and spread of Omicron until we knew the disease was not escaping the vaccine's protection and was not more severe," he said.

But having to deal with Omicron after a long and hard battle with Delta is damaging to people's mental and physical well being, the experts said.

As such, it makes sense to treat the Omicron variant as no different from other existing and past Covid variants since evidence has shown that the new strain is likely to be more transmissible but less severe than the Delta variant, they said.

Omicron infections were allowed to recover from home or in community care facilities from Monday, after about a month of strict measures to reduce and slow down the spread of Omicron in Singapore.

Over the past month, those infected with Omicron were either isolated at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases or at dedicated facilities. Close contacts were quarantined for 10 days at designated facilities, and full contact tracing was carried out.

"If Singapore still continued to treat the Omicron variant differently, (such as) hospitalise infected patients, then we will be at risk of scoring an 'own goal' in terms of filling up our healthcare facilities with relatively well patients," said associate professor Hsu Li Yang, an infectious diseases expert at the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

The school's vice-dean of research, associate professor Alex Cook, said, "I don't think we could maintain strict contact tracing and isolation for long for Omicron anyway, and we would want to avoid revisiting the situation a few months ago when we had to repeatedly revise the eligibility criteria for home isolation."

Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of NUS' Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, pointed out that the past month of containing Omicron allowed the country to roll out the boosters to more people and plan on expanding its ICU capacity.

It was announced on December 14 that Singapore is making plans to increase its ICU capacity to 500 beds, up from 280, to brace itself for an Omicron wave. Prof Teo said, "The costs are definitely economic, and the overall mental well-being of our people, since we saw a suspension of our VTLs (vaccinated travel lanes) as well as a constant shadow cast over the economy by Omicron."

With Omicron's higher transmissibility, it is likely that the Omicron wave would lead to more infections compared with the Delta wave over the past few months, said the experts.

But if severe disease, hospitalisations and ICU admissions do not escalate, transmissions of mild disease of any variant does not matter so much, Fisher said.

"We shouldn't panic just because we see more cases. I do expect this to occur with Omicron and indeed with future variants and even seasonal fluctuations, he said.

Cook said the country should take stricter action to arrest the growth of Omicron only if the number of severe cases rises.

Professor Hsu's main concern is about children below 12 who may be unvaccinated during the wave, given that the vaccination drive for upper primary students just started.

"School is due to start next week (after year end holidays) and the majority may not complete their vaccination by the time our own Omicron wave peaks. We may see more hospitalisations among this group, even though the variant is not as deadly as Delta," The Straits Times quoting Hsu said.

Meanwhile, Singapore reported 134 new Omicron infections on Tuesday, taking the tally to 885.

As for COVID-19, Singapore recorded 365 new cases, pushing the infection count to 278,409.

As of Monday, 91 per cent of Singapore's eligible population have completed their full vaccination regimen under the national vaccination programme. This figure has been updated to include children aged five to 11, after vaccination for this age group started on Monday.

About 38 per cent of the total population have received their vaccine booster (third) shots, according to the Channel report.

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Washington [US], December 29 (ANI/Sputnik): The Russian Embassy in Washington responded to the call of the US to release Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed from Russian prisons by reminding them that both Americans were arrested for committing serious crimes, unlike Russians, who are often detained and tried in the United States on far-fetched pretexts.

"Let us remind to @StateDeptSpox that unlike Russians, who are often detained and convicted by the United States under far-fetched pretext, P.Whelan and T.Reed were arrested while committing serious crimes," the embassy said on Twitter.

Also Read | Hyundai Engineering Completes Construction of Worlds 6th GTL Plant in Uzbekistan.

Earlier, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price marked the third anniversary of Whelan's detention with a statement that Russia must release him and Reed "unconditionally and immediately so they can be home with their families."

Whelan, who holds American, British, Canadian and Irish citizenship, is serving his sentence in Russia after a Moscow court sentenced him to 16 years in prison in June 2020 on charges of espionage. He denies the charges, but did not challenge the verdict in the hope of being part of a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia.

Also Read | Rapid Antigen Tests Less Sensitive for Detecting Omicron Variant Infections, Says US Food and Drug Administration.

Reed was sentenced to nine years in July 2020 for assaulting police officers who were called to respond during his drunken row with two women in a Moscow street. (ANI/Sputnik)

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New Delhi, December 28: The highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid, which has so far been detected in more than 100 countries so far, may help the world get rid of the Delta strain that claimed so many lives across the globe, said health experts on Tuesday. Omicron, first detected from southern Africa in late November, has become dominant in several countries including the US and the UK, outpacing the previously dominant Delta variant, which was considered to be the dominant strain in many countries until recently.

While Omicron is known to cause only mild disease, Delta has been more lethal leading to increased hospitalisation with drop in oxygen levels, pneumonia, and death. "Omicron is a milder wave and will replace Delta, and may be good for the world," Dr. Vasant Nagvekar, Covid task force member of Maharashtra government, told IANS. COVID-19 Infects Kidneys and Leads to Tissue Scarring, Says Study.

"Omicron is more transmissible, and it could also be immune-evasive (cause breakthrough infections in previously infected or vaccinated). But so far, there is no proof that it produces more severe infections," added Nagvekar, who is also Consultant, Infectious Diseases at Global Hospital, Mumbai. The early data from South Africa has shown that most patients are younger and the variant produces milder infections.

"For now the variant also appears to be stable, with high transmissibility but low virulence, which perhaps explains the lack of surge in hospitalisations and deaths where it was earlier reported," Nagvekar said. Meanwhile, what we need is vigilance, improving border surveillance, genomic sequencing, as well as vaccination cover, he noted.

"The best option for getting out of this phase of the pandemic is to ensure that people everywhere are fully vaccinated. As the virus continues to spread, there remain opportunities for new variants to emerge," Brian Wahl, Assistant Scientist, Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, US, told IANS.

"This is why it is so important to increase coverage of both doses in India and in countries where vaccine coverage is currently low, like in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa," he added.

Meanwhile, with more than 30 mutations on its spike protein, Omicron has the potential of evading vaccines as well as previous Covid infection induced immunity. Several studies have shown that two doses of existing Covid vaccines may not be effective against Omicron, while booster doses have shown promise. India has also announced the roll out of booster doses, starting with healthcare workers from January next year.

"The protection provided by many vaccines can be reduced over time. Booster doses can help bring protection back up. However, the frequency with which boosters might be required is not known," Wahl said.

However, Nagvekar stated that "a booster dose, even if it works, is just a temporary fix. "We can't keep on taking boosters every six months and for every variant of concern that emerges. Equitable vaccine distribution, especially a vaccine that covers the most recent variant of concern is a possible and practical solution in the long term."

India will also start vaccinating children aged 15-18 from January. While Covid as a whole has been mild for children, Omicron has raised concern with many kids being affected and hospitalised in the US, South Africa and the UK. "Vaccine for kids is necessary. If Omicron cases rise, it's going to be challenging due to its faster spread," Nagvekar said.

Besides vaccines and booster doses, monoclonal antibodies and anti-Covid pills have been a great aid in the fight against Covid. While India had already approved monoclonal antibodies therapy for treating severe Covid, the country on Tuesday also granted emergency approval for US-based pharma company Merck's Covid pill molunapiravir. The pill has shown efficacy in curbing hospitalisation and death by 30 per cent.

The antiviral drug will be manufactured in India by 13 companies for restricted use under emergency situations for treatment of adult patients with Covid-19 and who have a high risk of progression of the disease.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 28, 2021 07:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Akshay Kumar has given yet another special film to his fans. After the release of Atrangi Re on Disney+ Hotstar, the actor flew to the Maldives to spend some quality time with his wife. The vacation is even more special because Twinkle Khanna is also celebrating her birthday today. Sharing a picture from the vacation, Akshay wrote a sweet message for his wife. The two are giving the ultimate couple goals in this picture.

Take A Look At The Post Below:

With you by my side, even the blues are easy to take in my stride Happy birthday Tina  pic.twitter.com/7Foo6eWsR8  Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 29, 2021

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Saudi Arabian authorities are presenting the arrests of dozens of powerful princes government ministers, military officers and business leaders as part of an aggressive push to root out corruption that has long plagued the kingdom and hindered attempts at reform.

But the dramatic purge, announced late Saturday by the state-run Saudi Press Agency and the Saudi-owned news network Al Arabiya, is also viewed as the latest move by its young crown prince to cement his hold on power by eliminating potential rivals for the throne.

At least 11 princes, four sitting Cabinet members and tens of former ministers were arrested overnight on the orders of a new anti-corruption committee headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Al Arabiya reported.

No names were provided. But they reportedly include Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a billionaire investor with major stakes in top-name Western companies, and two of the late King Abdullahs sons.

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The moves sent shock waves through the kingdom and international business circles, among whom such high-profile individuals have for decades been seen as operating above the law.

Al Arabiya said the new committee was investigating the response to flooding in the city of Jeddah that killed more than 100 people in 2009, as well as an outbreak of the sometimes fatal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS. But the specific accusations against those detained were not immediately clear.

I think they are using corruption as a tool to further smooth the path towards the eventual succession of the crown prince, said Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a Middle East fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy.

The 32-year-old prince, popularly known as MBS, was propelled from relative obscurity when his father, King Salman, succeeded Abdullah in 2015.

In less than three years, he has acquired oversight of nearly every major aspect of the countrys economy, defense, internal security, social reforms and foreign policy, likely causing some resentment in a royal family unaccustomed to the concentration of so much power in the hands of one young prince.

But the princes many supporters have applauded his ambitious plan to modernize the ultraconservative kingdom, which is home to Islams holiest shrines, and reduce its historic dependence on oil.

His Saudi Vision 2030 calls for liberalizing the economy and easing social restrictions in order to preserve stability in the face of lower oil prices and a burgeoning youth population in need of employment.

MBS has talked about this vision as a matter of life and death for the Saudi economy, said Fawaz Gerges, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics. Anyone who doesnt subscribe to it is liable to be seen as a person who doesnt want the kingdom to move forward.

Saudi leaders said the launch of the corruption investigation heralds a new era of transparency and accountability, reforms that are needed to attract more foreign investment.

The state will never tolerate or condone any violations of local or international business standards, Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah pledged in a statement Sunday carried by the Saudi Press Agency. Nothing and no one will prevent us providing a world-class investment environment to accelerate the pace and momentum of national transformation.

Analysts, however, said the move is likely to rattle investors because so many of the people rounded up were key players in the Saudi business community for decades.

Prince Alwaleed, one of the worlds richest men, has major holdings in iconic Western brands such as Twitter, Apple and Citigroup. Shares in his investment firm, Kingdom Holding, tumbled 9.9% Sunday in the wake of the news of his arrest. (Saudi stocks have a 10% daily loss limit.)

People like him will have business networks that will now anxiously be re-examining whether or not the commercial interests they have will be safe, Ulrichsen said.

Others reported to have been swept up in the investigation include Adel Fakeih, minister of economy and planning; Ibrahim Assaf, a former finance minister; Amr Dabbagh, the former head of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority; Bakr Binladin, head of the Saudi Binladin Group, a major construction conglomerate; and Waleed Ibrahim, who runs the Arabic satellite group MBC.

Anti-corruption commissions in the past never targeted people that were this influential and this important, said Mohammed Khalid Alyahya, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. The message that was sent is this will no longer be tolerated.

The roundup follows another palace coup in June, when the current crown prince replaced his older cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef, as heir apparent and head of the interior ministry.

The latest purge cleared away another former rival for the throne, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, who was arrested and replaced as head of the elite National Guard. Prince Miteb was the last member of King Abdullahs branch of the family to retain high office. His brother, Prince Turki bin Abdullah, a former governor of Riyadh, was also believed to have been swept up in the investigation.

Reports suggested that a number of the detained princes were being held at the Ritz Carlton hotel and other five-star hotels in the capital, Riyadh. The hotel chain Marriott International said it was evaluating the situation, according to the Associated Press.

President Trump spoke to King Salman on Saturday, as the president headed to Japan, but did not mention the crackdown in remarks afterward.

In response to requests from reporters, the White House on Sunday released a detailed description of Trumps phone call with the king. Salman had called Trump to express his condolences following the terror attack in New York City that left eight people dead, the White House said.

The two also discussed the extremist group Islamic State, the successful interception of a missile attack against Riyadh from territory in neighboring Yemen, Saudi purchases of U.S. military equipment and the expected public offering of Aramco, the national oil company. The arrests were not mentioned in the White Houses description of the call.

News of the arrests came just hours after Salman ordered the establishment of the anti-corruption committee to counter what he described in a decree as exploitation by some of the weak souls who have put their own interests above the public interest in order to illicitly accrue money.

The new body was given the authority to issue arrest warrants and travel bans, freeze accounts and portfolios and seize assets to be returned to the state treasury.

But a statement from the attorney generals office stressed that no assets would be seized during the investigation.

Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and everyones legal rights will be preserved, the statement said.

The countrys top religious commission endorsed the corruption investigation, declaring that Islamic sharia commands that corruption be combatted  and fighting it is no less important than fighting terrorism.

The move also appeared to be popular among the countrys many Twitter users, who catapulted the phrase the king is fighting corruption to one of the top trending hashtags on Sunday morning, according to local reports.

Fighting corruption in Saudi Arabia has become a complete matrix strongly supported by the head of the state, tweeted Salman Dosary, a writer for the Saudi daily Sharq al-Awsat. The corrupt will not be able to trick it after today.

Special correspondent Bulos reported from Beirut and Times staff writer Zavis from Irbil, Iraq. Times staff writer Brian Bennett contributed to this report from Tokyo.

alexandra.zavis@latimes.com

Twitter: @alexzavis
Police identified the Denver shooting suspect that killed five people in his rampage in Colorado. The shooter was named 47-year-old Lyndon James McLeod.

McLeod was killed in a gunfight with police, according to a USA Today News report.

Some of the victims named were Alicia Cardenas, 44; Danny Schofield, 38; and Sarah Steck, 28. Meanwhile, the police did not name the fifth fatality.

Denver and Lakewood police said in a joint statement that two others, including a police officer whose identity has not yet been released, were injured in the shootings.

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said during a press conference that the "very violent series of events" across multiple locations started in Denver on Monday evening and ended in nearby Lakewood.

Pazen said that to have this type of incident during the holiday season is not normal for their community, according to The New York Times report.

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Denver Shooting Spree

The suspect shot two women and injured a man at 5 p.m., and shot and killed a man nearby.

Shots were fired at a third location, but no injuries were noted, according to Pazen.

A surveillance video from a nearby business owner showed that a dark-colored van pulled up outside Lucky 13 in Lakewood, which is one of five known shooting locations.

A man carrying what seems to be a firearm left the van, leaving the door open and the engine running. He then walked calmly into the tattoo shop and walked out 10 seconds later. He then drives away.

Pazen said officers identified a car associated with the suspect and exchanged gunfire at a fourth location when he disabled a police vehicle and fled to Lakewood, according to a Deseret News report.

The gunman then shot at the Lakewood police, left his car, and escaped on foot. McLeod entered a Hyatt Hotel, wherein he shot at a clerk. The clerk was among the injured and was taken to a hospital.

He left the hotel and was killed in Lakewood. However, it is unclear if a Lakewood police agent shot at him.

Pazen said they still need to dig in and find out the motivation behind the incident, but law enforcement said that the suspect had a history of harboring extremist views and had records of psychiatric episodes, according to an ABC News report.

Paul Osckel, a spokesman for the Lakewood Police Department, said that the wounded officer was undergoing surgery. No additional information about the officer's condition was released.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that he was "deeply disturbed" by the occurrences of violence.

Polis noted that his administration is working with local law enforcement to understand what happened and provide the needed support in the investigation.

Mass Shootings in Colorado

A mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado left 10 people dead in March.

Two months later, another shooting occurred at a birthday party in Colorado Springs, which took the lives of six people. The gunman had also taken his own life.

Since 1999, the state has seen a number of mass shootings, with the Columbine High School shooting that shocked the nation, with two students of the school being the gunmen.

Gun Violence Archive noted that this latest incident was the 13th mass shooting in Colorado this year. The group is a nonprofit that tracks gun violence nationally using police statistics and media reports.

READ MORE: Michigan School Mass Shooting: Parents of Ethan Crumbley, Who Killed 4 Fellow Students and Injured 7 Others, May Face Charges

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WATCH: Denver Officials Search For Motive In Shooting Spree That Left Four Dead - from MSNBC






The mother of the teenager from Chile who was shot by a Los Angeles police officer spoke on Tuesday, after the tragic incident that claimed the life of the teen.

Fourteen-year-old Valentina Orellana-Peralta was shot by a stray bullet fired by the police officer last week at a Burlington store for Christmas shopping, USA Today reported.

The Chilean teenager and her mom, Soledad Peralta, heard screams when they were in the store. The two then locked the doors to the dressing room, hugged each other tightly, closed their eyes, and then prayed.

Moments later, they heard three pops then Valentina started shaking. The mom noted that she screamed for help, but the help she sought did not arrive ahead of time.

Reports noted that a police officer offer from Los Angeles fired on a man that was seen in a video beating a woman with a metal bike lock. One of the bullets fired by the police pierced a hole in the wall behind the suspect and hit the teenager.

"When something impacted my daughter Valentina, it threw us on the floor, and she died in my arms, and there was nothing I could do," Soledad Peralta said. "To see a son or daughter die in your arms is one of the greatest pains and most profound pains that any human being can imagine," Valentina's mom added.

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Father of Chilean Teenager Says Daughter Claimed U.S. Was the 'Safest Country in the World'

Valentina's father, Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas, on Tuesday said that his daughter once assured him that the United States was the "safest country in the world," CNN reported.

The father of the Chilean teenager also claimed that his daughter wanted to become an American citizen, citing the opportunity the nation offers.

"I cannot sleep... All she wanted was to become an American citizen. I once told her, let's leave this country. 'No papa,' she said. 'This is the safest country in the world, a country of opportunity," Juan Pablo recalled, pointing out that her daughter died in the hands of the state.

Valentina came with her mother and sister to the United States from Chile about six months ago. Her father remained in Chile but planned to travel to California for the holidays and take his daughter to a Los Angeles Lakers game.

The 14-year-old from Chile dreamt of becoming a robot-designing engineer.

"My daughter was special... She had dreams, and tragically, those dreams have been overshadowed by this nightmare that prevents me from sleeping at night," Valentina's father said.

Parents or Chilean Teenager Shot by Los Angeles Police Demand Answers

On Monday, a 35-minute video released by the authorities revealed that the suspect, identified as Daniel Elena Lopez, was seen walking with what appeared to be a bike chain into a store and took an escalator to the second floor, ABC 7 reported.

Lopez was seen leaving the store and came back through the front door. The suspect was then seen grabbing a customer, knocking the person to the ground, and hitting them with the object he held.

The video also showed the moment when the officers opened fire. The video showed the area, which is near the dressing room where the Chilean teenager was hit by a bullet.

A coroner's record revealed that Valentina died over a gunshot wound in the chest. Meanwhile, the suspect was also killed in the shooting.

One of the attorneys representing Valentina's family said that their legal team wants "all-access" to all the evidence from the Los Angeles Police District Investigation. Valentina's lawyers are also seeking that officer who fired the bullet that hit Valentina be held accountable.

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WATCH: Video From Fatal LAPD Shooting at Burlington Shows Officer Open Fire Over Bloodied Victim - From Los Angeles Times
San Diego County Sheriff's Department announced that they were unable to locate any survivors following the crash of a small business jet near El Cajon County, California on Monday.

According to federal investigators, four people were aboard the aircraft when it took off from Orange County. However, more information about the passengers is yet to be gathered.

Cause of Crash Remains Unclear

At around 7:15 in the evening, the plane crashed around the Bostonia area, east of El Cajon. The cause of the crash is still unclear.

The plane was seen plummeting over the neighborhood in California on Monday evening. The crash was also caught on video by surveillance footage from a Nest security camera.

According to Kron4, around the moment of the impact, a flash of bright light was also seen on the footage.

On Tuesday morning, the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration started their investigation on the crash.

The investigating agencies deferred questions regarding the passengers' identity and whether there were survivors. They also mentioned that more details about the crash will be released as soon as possible.

READ ALSO: COVID Becomes the No. 1 Cop Killer in Florida: More Police Officers Died From Virus Than Gunfire in Last 2 Years

Probe on the Crash Begins

In the meantime, reports from the initial probe of the federal investigators are shedding light on the crash.

FAA investigator Rick Breitenfeldt stated that the business jet was a Learjet 35, which took off at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California. The flight was headed to San Diego County and was supposed to land at Gillespie Field Airport.

Breitenfeldt also stated that the NTSB is in charge of the probe and will be giving updates.

"Neither agency (FAA nor NTSB) identifies people involved in aircraft accidents," Breitenfeldt added.

Meanwhile, NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson stated on Tuesday that the NTSB was the first to arrive at the scene. Two more investigators are expected to come.

Authorities confirmed that there were no casualties on the ground; however, one home was damaged.

Also, power lines in the area were knocked down, affecting more than 2,500 consumers of San Diego Gas & Electric. The number of affected consumers has already decreased by Tuesday.

On the other hand, roads near the crash site were closed and are expected to remain closed until Wednesday.

The crash comes just two months following another crash in the San Diego County community, Santee. The crash was of a twin-engine Cessna, which killed both the plane's pilot and a UPS Delivery driver on the ground. It also severely damaged two homes and left a couple with severe burns.

As of the moment, there is still no information on whether investigators are still hoping to find survivors in the crash.

READ MORE: 2 Dead in Submerged Car as California Storm Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding

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Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Plane crashes in El Cajon-area neighborhood - ABC 10 News
Authorities have found the car that was involved in a fatal hit-and-run that killed two children and injured four individuals.

The crash took place in Wilton Manors at around 3:00 pm on Monday. According to Miranda Grossman, spokeswoman of Broward County Sheriff's Office, the crash site was just north of Fort Lauderdale.

Grossman added that four people were taken to hospitals with severe injuries and two kids were found dead on the scene.

The deceased children were identified by the sheriff's office as Kylie Jones, 5, and Andrea Fleming, 6. Meanwhile, the injured victims were Laziyah Stokes, 9; Johnathan Carter, 10; Draya Fleming, 9; and Audre Fleming, 2.

In a statement on Facebook by Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker, Wilton Manors Police Department extended their sympathy to the families of the victims.

Suspect Still At Large; Vehicle Found

According to NBC News, authorities stated on Tuesday that the 2009 Honda Accord sedan that was involved in the crash was found in Wilton Manors but the suspect is still at large.

Based on information from the sheriff's office, the Honda which was being driven by an unknown man, went around a Broward County Transit bus as the bus was trying to merge.

"At that time, the Honda approached the bus from behind. The driver of the Honda failed to allow the bus to merge and passed it, almost striking the front driver's side as it cut in front of the bus," the agency said.

In addition, the sheriff's office also stated that the Honda immediately went right and drove off on the sidewalk and driveway causing him to hit the victims.

READ ALSO: Officials Unable to Find Survivors in Deadly California Plane Crash; Cause of Crash Remains Unclear

Bystanders Witness Gruesome Crash

Bystanders immediately ran towards the crash site to help the children until first responders were able to reach the scene. He also added that the injuries that the surviving children sustained were from serious to minor.

Shaunta Adams, who was driving away from her apartment, saw the incident and stated that she jumped out of her car that was still running to help the children. However, she immediately saw the two dead kids.

As of the moment, authorities are still searching for the suspect. Several people have called out to the driver to resurface and face the consequences.

Wallene Johnson, who just lives across the street where the crash happened stated that she heard screaming, prompting her to go outside.

"How can you sleep?" she said to the Sun-Sentinel directed to the suspect.

According to Chief Steve Gollan of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion, families of the victims are currently being provided with support services, as well as those first responders who were at the scene.

Gollan dubbed the event horrific, especially as it is the holiday season.

READ MORE: 2 Dead in Submerged Car as California Storm Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding

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WATCH: South Florida hit-and-run kills 2 children, injures 4 others
A Border Patrol official's tweet that included a photo of a man determined as a "potential terrorist" was taken down as Customs and Border Protection noted that it contained "law enforcement sensitive information."

Border Patrol Yuma Sector Chief Chris Clem tweeted on December 20 about an unidentified 21-year-old man who was arrested near Yuma, Arizona the week before, according to a New York Post report.

Clem wrote in his tweet that the 21-year-old migrant was from Saudi Arabia and was connected to several Yemeni subjects of interest. He added hashtags such as #BorderSecurity and #NationalSecurity.

CBP spokesman Luis Miranda said in a statement that the posting was deleted as it violated agency protocols aside from the sensitive information.

Miranda noted that all individuals encountered at or between U.S. ports of entry are being vetted based on the intelligence information they have.

The spokesman added that it was done to determine if they pose a threat to the national security of public safety that is aligned with the law.

Miranda said that the investigation is ongoing and following its standard protocols. However, the agency did not state which of the information was considered sensitive.

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Border Patrol's Arrest of "Potential Terrorist"

The Saudi embassy in Washington tweeted that it had confirmed that the man in the picture was "not a Saudi citizen" hours after Clem's tweet about the arrest.

The migrant appears to have been wearing a jacket with an American flag patch and another patch that stated: "Central Oneida County Volunteer," according to a Fox 10 Phoenix report.

The Ambulance Corps Chief Thomas Meyers noted that the apprehended 21-year-old man is not connected to their group.

The group's chief added that he does not know who the man is or how he got one of the jackets. He noted that it was outdated from the version that the ambulance corps uses now.

Border Patrol has not released any more details about the "Yemeni subjects of interest," according to The Center Square report.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey directed a surge of resources to an area near Yuma, Arizona two weeks before the arrest of the Saudi man.

The governor blamed U.S. President Joe Biden's administration for the "December Disaster" at the state's border.

Ducey said that they cannot simply stand by and watch "this catastrophe unfold." He added that they are taking action to protect Arizonans and their communities.

Ducey ordered the Arizona National Guard to deploy additional 24 personnel. The governor also asked for six vehicles, four ATVs, and one light utility helicopter to aid law enforcement on the ground.

Meanwhile, Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee have been asking why certain information is being labeled "Law Enforcement Sensitive" by the Department of Homeland Security.

Reps. John Katko, R-NY, Clay Higgins, R-La., and August Pfluger, R-Texas, said in a letter that the true purpose of the sensitive label is to prevent harm from coming to law enforcement officers.

However, they added in their letter that the label is being used to protect the reputation of the current administration.

They sent the letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in November.

READ MORE: U.S. Pres. Joe Biden Returns Land to Texas Family After It Was Seized for Construction of Border Wall

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WATCH: 'Potential terrorist' nabbed at US-Mexico border; ties to Yemeni subjects of interest: feds - from Fox 10 Phoenix






Two men have been arrested in Spain in connection with the murder of a wealthy 42-year-old Florida man, who was a former CEO of a Spanish shipyard.

The victim was identified as Jose Rosado, and he was found dead at the luxurious Westin Palace Hotel in Madrid, Spain last October, The Daily Beast reported.

The hotel staff opened the door and found him dead after his Miami partner of nearly 13 years asked the hotel staff to check on him when he lost contact with him.

Based on the hotel surveillance footage, Rosado returned to his Madrid hotel room with "two or three" men on the night of October 29.

Police earlier told local media that the Florida man had died of natural causes and did not suspect foul play since there was no apparent violence or signs of suffocation.

It was discovered that fatal doses of psychotropic substances and alcohol were in his system. But Rosado was not suspected of being poisoned until it became apparent that he had also been robbed.

Scientific Police's investigation determined that some of the Florida man's belongings were missing after his partner, Nicholas Young, corroborated what he packed for the trip.

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Two Men Arrested in Madrid, Spain in Connection to Florida Man's Murder

A lengthy investigation discovered that Jose Rosado was likely killed in a "chemical submission" attempt.

A 39-year-old Romanian with nine previous arrests and a 29-year-old Moroccan with 17 arrests have been arrested early this week, according to News7h.

After killing Rosado, the two allegedly went shopping with the murdered Florida man's credit card. Police believe that Rosedo invited his alleged killers to his room to have sex after he met them at a party.

Police said the men likely lured Rosado with the intent of stealing from him after he was drugged. Police were also able to trace some DNA left at the scene, leading to the suspects' arrest.

The two men were found with a total of 2,500 in cash. They also had new mobile phones and other computer equipment.

There were also jewelry and documents that did not belong to them. Other suspicious items of value were also in their possession, Daily Mail reported.

Investigators said a combination of drugs and alcohol killed Rosado, adding that they believe the two men have used this scheme before. The two unnamed men have been charged with homicide, robbery with violence, and fraud.

Florida Man Jose Rosado

Jose Rosado was born in New Jersey and was raised in Puerto Rico. He has also lived in different countries, such as Argentina, England, and Spain. His career profile included working in various industries such as maritime, energy, and banking. He has also traveled to more than 50 countries.

The Florida man recently stepped down as CEO of Spain's biggest private shipbuilding and yacht-making company, Hijos de J. Barreras. The shipbuilding company noted that it generated roughly $29.49 million in revenue annually.

According to his obituary, Jose Rosado is remembered by his loved ones for his "zest for life," and passion for exploring the world. The Florida man was also known for being "bold, confident, and courageous with a quick wit," as well as the ability to develop the "deepest of relationships."

Rosado and Young did not have any children together.

READ MORE: Makeup Artist Gets Plastic Surgery in Dominican Republic, Dies of Infection

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WATCH: Explore The Westin Palace Madrid - From The Westin Palace, Madrid






President Joe Biden has been staying at his Delaware beach house Tuesday with no public events as the Omicron variant continues to ravage the country.

Republicans are criticizing the president for saying "there is no federal solution" to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during a virtual meeting with 25 governors.

According to Daily Mail, Biden, his wife Jill, and their new German Shepherd puppy named Commander arrived at the beach on Monday afternoon.

The president's public schedule for the day was blank, but it did not include any private meetings or phone calls he may hold during the day.

The White House reportedly announced a "lid" shortly after 10 a.m., meaning there will be no more public events with the president for the day. But the "lid" could be lifted anytime.

The president and the first lady will spend several days at their beach-side home.

Republicans Slam Joe Biden

The Republicans continued their attack against Joe Biden after he said there was "no federal solution" to combatting COVID-19.

The GOP noted a comment that Biden made in October 2020 and released a tweet insinuating that the president did retract his commitment to battling the pandemic.

The Republican National Committee tweeted, "BIDEN, TODAY: 'There is no federal solution' to COVID'." The committee added, "BIDEN, 2020: 'I'm going to shut down the virus'," and included footage of Biden from Monday's meeting with 25 governors.

Joe Biden had a meeting with 25 of the country's governors, both Republicans and Democrats, where he addressed the ongoing pandemic.

In his speech, the president told the governors that there was "no federal solution" to the Omicron variant that's causing COVID-19 cases to surge in the country. Biden noted that the solution was on the "state level."

The president then told the governors, "If you need something, say something." He said the federal government would support every state.

After his speech, the president asked White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients to open the floor to questions from the governors. However, Zients quickly said they were going to clear the press first.

READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Signs $768 Billion Defense Bill, but Complains It Won't Let Him Close Guantanamo Bay in Cuba

Biden Administration Amid Omicron Variant

Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he made a bit of progress regarding the mass distribution of COVID rapid tests, the New York Post reported. The president made the remark as he took his new puppy to the beach near the family's Delaware vacation home.

Biden noted that he was on the phone most of the day, discussing a plan to distribute 500 million at-home rapid tests available to the public via direct order. However, it remains unclear how many tests each household will be allowed to request or how quickly they would be mailed.

Meanwhile, a new study shows that people infected with the Omicron variant may have increased immune protection against Delta, CNBC News reported.

South African scientists released the findings this week, saying it could be of help to countries where Omicron infections are rising.

Khadija Khan at the Africa Health Research Institute, who led the study, noted that the results are consistent with Omicron displacing the Delta variant "since it can elicit immunity which neutralizes Delta making re-infection with Delta less likely."

Because of this, the incidence of COVID severe disease would be reduced, the findings also stated. According to the study, the infection may change into something less disruptive to individuals and society.

However, the study has yet to be peer-reviewed. The study followed 13 people, 11 of whom had been infected with the Omicron variant.

Seven of the participants were vaccinated. Scientists cautioned that it is unclear whether increased protection was due to Omicron-induced antibodies, vaccination, or immunity from having a COVID infection previously.

The U.S. has confirmed 8,333 cases of the Omicron variant as of Monday morning. The Omicron variant was first identified in Botswana and South Africa in November.

READ MORE: Kamala Harris Says 'Democracy' Is the Biggest National Security Threat Facing the U.S.

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WATCH: Biden Addresses Omicron Response With National Governors Association - From Fox News






Two Iowa teens were charged with murdering their high school Spanish teacher last month.

According to Daily Mail, Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and classmate Jeremy Everett Goodale, both 16, were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the killing of Nohema Graber in Fairfield, Iowa.

In a December 23 court documents, Jefferson County Attorney Chauncy Moulding said the teens surveilled Graber's everyday movement, ambushed her while on her daily walk, and dragged her into the woods before they allegedly killed her.

The teens, who attended Graber's Spanish class at Fairfield High School, later returned to the woods to hide her lifeless body under a wheelbarrow.

According to the Associated Press, the 66-year-old Spanish teacher, who has been teaching at Fairfield High School since 2012, was reported missing on November 2 at a park where she frequently took her daily walks. Her remains were found later that day.

The Iowa teens have both pleaded not guilty. They are being held at juvenile detention facilities with a $1 million cash bond set for each of them.

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Attorneys of Iowa Teens Request to Move Case at Juvenile Court

The attorneys of Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale requested to have their case tried in juvenile court. Both of the teens' attorneys asked Judge Joel Yates to transfer their case to juvenile court.

Earlier this month, Attorney Christine Branstad, Miller's lawyer, requested a report from juvenile court services be ordered as she asked the judge to set a hearing to find out whether the case should be moved to juvenile court. Hearings on the requests are set for January 27.

Moulding has been opposing the requests, arguing that trying the Iowa teens as adults is "appropriate." He noted that if the teens are tried and convicted in the juvenile court system, they could be released in less than 24 months, something that would not serve the community's interests or the suspect.

"This prosecuting attorney cannot fathom any combination of programming at any Iowa juvenile facility which could appropriately treat or rehabilitate the defendant if adjudicated as a juvenile," Moulding said.

Thus, Moulding charged the Iowa teens as adults with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. In Iowa, the sentence for first-degree murder as an adult would be life imprisonment. However, a 2016 Iowa Supreme Court ruling requires juveniles to have a chance of release after being sentenced to life sentences.

Spanish Teacher's Children Forgive Iowa Teens Despite Killing Their Mom

After the Iowa teens were charged, the son and daughter of the Spanish teacher both took to social media to say they forgave their mom's alleged killers.

"I'm sorry I can't respond to the all of the messages but I'll just say what I've been told. My mother passed away... As I understand it was pre attempted murder by two students. I forgive them and feel sorry that they had that anger in their hearts," Graber's son Christian wrote.

Her daughter Nohema Marie wrote: "To the two teenagers that so cruelly took her life... it is clear that they need more love and light in their hearts. But I agree with my oldest brother Christian, all we can do is forgive."

Authorities previously confirmed that the Spanish teacher sustained an "inflicted trauma to the head," and her body was found hidden under a tarp, wheelbarrow, and railroad ties in the Chautauqua Park. Investigators have not released a motive.

Police said the Iowa teens allegedly posted about the attack on social media. However, they did not provide specific details about these postings. The judge has set the teens' trial to begin on April 19.

READ MORE: Mom of Chile Teen Shot by a Los Angeles Police Says Daughter Died in Her Arms

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WATCH: High School Students Accused of Killing Spanish Teacher - From CBS News
An email from an unknown sender claimed that Brian Laundrie is still alive despite the autopsy result that certified the death of Gabby Petito's fiance.

According to The Sun, the email was part of the court filings in Laundrie's estate case, in which his parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, are trying to gain access to the $20,000 in their son's Bank of America account.

A copy of the email obtained by The Sun said that "Brian Laundrie is still alive." The unknown sender attached an extremely grainy image of Laundrie "running down from the street caught on CCTV on December 3, 2021."

The sender also alleged that Laundrie "is being helped by a friend and family member" without accusing his parents.

"So, I don't think you should not grant a cremate for Brian Christopher Laundrie, who is the son of Roberta and Christopher Laundrie," the wild note concluded.

According to The Sun, "no further action" was taken by the court after receiving the anonymous email. On December 8, the elder Laundries filed the petition to gain access to their son's estate. The couple asked to become the estate's administrators.

Records showed that Laundrie's parents submitted their son's death certificate in court together with the details about his bank accounts and property.

READ NEXT: Brian Laundrie Manipulated Gabby Petito to Deposit Vlogging Revenue to His Bank Account? Questions Pop up on How He Got the $20K He Left Behind

Gabby Petito's Mom Files Claim For Her Belongings at Brian Laundrie's Home

As Brian Laundrie's parents asked for control of their son's estate, Gabby Petito's mom, Nichole Schmidt, has filed a petition requesting all of her late daughter's possessions from Laundrie's home in North Port, Florida.

According to The Sun, Nichole's request comes as part of the elder Laundries' petition to collect access to their son's $20,000 estate following his suicide.

Court records showed Petito's mom filed a statement in Sarasota County, Florida on Tuesday regarding Laundrie's estate battle. However, it does not state any specific items of Petito's that she wanted to collect.

"The basis for the claim is possession or control of personal property of Gabby Petito," Nichole's claim reads. It added that "the amount of the claim is unknown and is both now due and will become due on the release of personal property."

The request stated that "the claim is contingent or unliquidated because it is unknown if the decedent's final photos, videos and words are contained in the property."

Meanwhile, the attorney for Laundrie's family, Steven Bertolino, told The Sun on Tuesday that the family will not challenge Nichole's claim.

"This is a mere formality. Mrs. Schmidt is seeking Gabby's possessions," the lawyer noted. According to Bertolino, Nichole requested to recover all of Petito's belongings from Laundrie's home.

The lawyer said arrangements would be made, and they would be given to Petito's family "without contest." Gabby Petito lived at the Florida home with Brian Laundrie for two years before taking off on their cross-country road trip.

Deaths of Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito

Gabby Petito disappeared on a cross-country road trip with Brian Laundrie. The couple was traveling to Oregon when the YouTuber stopped communicating with her family in Wyoming in late August.

Laundrie was named a person of interest by the North Port police after returning home alone on September 1 or 10 days before Petito was reported missing by her family.

A Teton County, Wyoming coroner said Petito was strangled to death by a "human being," and the manner of death was homicide.

After a month-long manhunt, the North Port police and the FBI agents found Laundrie's remains in a swampy area of Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on October 20.

The partial skeletal remains were confirmed to belong to him after a review of dental records. According to the autopsy report, Laundrie died of a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was suicide.

Brian Laundrie was never charged in connection with Gabby Petito's murder. But an arrest warrant was issued for him for allegedly using Petito's debit card after her death.

READ MORE: Gabby Petito Family to Celebrate First Christmas Without Her, Takes Action to Ensure No One Else Suffer the Same

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Is Brian Laundrie Alive? Why One Investigator Says Yes - Where He'd look for Gabby Petito's Fiance - From NBC New York
A cruise ship with a COVID-19 outbreak was allowed by Mexico to dock and disembark tourists after a promise from the Mexican government to keep the country open to these vessels as long as they follow sanitary precautions.

Carrying around 2,000 people aboard, the ship, MS Zuiderdam, dropped anchor in the northern state of Sonora, in the port of Guayaman.

Mexican Government Allows COVID-19 Carrying Cruise Ships to Dock

According to PVDN, the Mexican government vowed that it would let cruise ships carrying positive coronavirus cases that ask their permission to dock as long as they follow the rules set by the World Health Organization.

The decision by the government happened in the midst of the increasing restrictions in other countries due to the new Omicron variant. The Mexican government, however, mentioned that tourists from these ships who do not present symptoms will be able to normal tourism activities with respect to basic sanitary measures.

The announcement from the government followed the refusal of two Mexican ports to allow passengers to disembark because of coronavirus cases in their ships.

The Mexican government also emphasized that people aboard that are infected with COVID-19 will be able to receive medical attention, while milder or asymptomatic cases will also be isolated from other passengers.

READ ALSO: Mexico Says Fentanyl, Meth Seizures Soar as Mexican Drug Cartels Import From China

The company that operates MS Zuiderdam, Holland America Line, stated that there are a few passengers and crew who have been fully vaccinated that also tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the close contacts of those people have also been quarantined.

In a report by US News, Holland America Line stated that the cruise will be returning to San Diego on January 2, following their original schedule.

In addition, Jose Luis Alomia, Sonora health minister, announced in a news conference that 30 people aboard Zuiderdam tested positive for COVID-19. Twenty-eight out of the 30 positive cases were crew members while 2 are passengers.

After the ship docked, around 400 individuals came down the vessel and went through rigorous sanitary filtration to identify suspected cases.

Mexico Determined to Keep Country Open

The Mexican government has shown determination to keep the country open amid the coronavirus pandemic. The country imposed very few restrictions on tourism because their economy majorly relies on visitors from abroad.

It can be recalled that when the pandemic first hit, several cruise ships were stuck at sea without any ports that would allow them to dock when they are carrying coronavirus cases.

Mexico is only one of the few countries globally that has no strict restrictions on travel. There are no testing requirements and wearing facemasks on visitors is not mandatory. These measures were not in place because the government believes that it is counterproductive to the economy.

READ MORE: NBA Shortens Quarantine Requirement for Vaccinated Players From 10 Days to 6 Following New CDC Guidelines for Asymptomatic Cases

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Holland America cruise skips Mexico stop after 21 crew members tested positive for Covid-19 | WION
KEY TAKEAWAYS

On 17th and 19th December, two instances took place where hate speeches for targeting Muslims as well as calling for assassination and violence were made.

A letter was sent by 76 Supreme Court lawyers to Chief Justice of India NV Ramana regarding these occasions asking the Honble Supreme Court to take Suo moto cognizance.

Uttarakhand police stated that an FIR was filed under section 153 A against Waseem Rizvi and others.

INTRODUCTION

On 17th and 19th December, two separate events took place in Delhi (by Hindu Yuva Vahini) and Haridwar (by Yati Narsinghanand) where hate speeches invoking calls for genocide of Muslims were made for achieving ethnic cleansing.

On 26th December , 2021, a letter was sent by 76 Supreme Court lawyers to Chief Justice of India NV Ramana regarding these occasions asking the Honble Supreme Court to take Suo moto cognizance for this. It has also been requested to take action against the guilty persons under sections 120B, 121A, 124A, 153A, 153B, 295A and 298 of the IPC, 1860.

It has been pointed out in the letter that the speeches delivered during the event were not only hate speeches but were an open call for murder of an entire community. It was written that the speeches are not only a threat to the unity and integrity of our country but also there is a threat to lives of millions of Muslim citizens. It has been pointed out that similar situations have taken place before this but no action has been taken under the provisions of 153, 153A, 153B, 295A, 504, 506, 120B, 34 of IPC regarding the previous situation. Also few petitions under Article 32 of the Constitution of India are pending before Honble Supreme Court of India.

This was done in hopes that a prompt action will be taken by the CJI as the head of judicial wing in a state is written by the advocates.

FURTHER DETAILS

Narsinghanand is a head priest in a temple of Ghaziabad, has been accused for provoking communal tension as well as he has been known for targeting Muslims by making controversial statements. He has also being accused for making objectionable statements related to women leaders in BJP. He said that once India had been captured, Islamic Jihad will be very powerful. He urged Hindus to take action regardless of economic boycott and said that the ones with most powerful weapons will win.

The Dharam Sansad held in Haridwar was filled with hate speeches for targeting Muslims as well as calling for assassination and violence. Several FIRs are already filed against Yati Narsinghanand in UP. The event was held for making sure that no Muslim becomes a Prime Minister in 2029. They urged the Hindus to take up weapons and called for a war against them.

A copy of Constitution was presented by BJP spokesperson Ashwini Upadhyay who attended the meeting held from 17th to 19th December where many religious leaders were also present. He was asked about his presence in the event to which he replied that he was present on the stage for only 30 minutes where he talked about the Constitution and is not responsible what other said after or before him. He also gave the copies of Constitution to the ones present on the dais. A video statement was also issued by him to show that he was present for last ten minutes where his purpose was to highlight the parts of the constitution which were unaccomplished. Such as- illegal immigration control, population control, and control over religious conversions.

Asauddin Owaisi who is AIMIM president tweeted that is clearly a case of incitement to genocide also he has asked to file a police complaint to the party state.

Actions taken after the incident

On Thursday i.e. 23rd December, the Uttarakhand police stated that an FIR has been filed under section 153 A against Waseem Rizvi and others. Rizvi is the former chairman of the Shia Waqf Board. He got converted into Hinduism and also changed his name to Jitendra Narayan Tyagi. The police will be adding more names as soon as the investigation starts.

Subodh Uniyal (Uttarakhand government spokesperson) said, strict action will be taken against those who were involved in the event as it is very wrong.

Harish Rawat, who is Former Uttarakhand CM and Congress poll campaign head, pointed out that the meeting was unconstitutional and said that this is an example of a society we are building. He blamed BJP for inciting such elements.

Ashok Kumar( Uttarakhand DGP) informed The Indian Express about the FIR registered with a written complaint by a local resident. The person who filed the complaint gave only one name Rizvi as others were unknown for him. Ashok Kumar said that naming only one person is a conscious decision and that they will be adding further names as the investigation starts. He further added that the incident is totally wrong and illegal and strict actions will be taken against the persons accused.

BACKGROUND

Violence against Muslims in India

Since the partition in 1947, various incidents of attack on Muslims took place by the Hindu nationalists. From 1950 - 1984 over 10,000 people have been killed in a communal violence between Hindu and Muslims. There are many causes for the happening whose roots lie in Indian history. They are-

policies established during period of British rule by the colonial government,

resentment in the middle ages towards Islamic conquest of India,

partition of India into an Islamic country like Pakistan and minority of population within India,

There are many scholars who believe that thiskind of violence is supported politically by parties associated with Hindu nationalism like BJP. Whereas other believe that violence is limited to specific urban areas as a result of socio political environment.

Major instances of Muslim genocide in India

1. Kolkata riots 1964

Riots among Hindus and Muslims after disappearance of a priceless antique from the mosque.During the riot, more than hundred people were killed, 438 people were injured, over 7000 were arrested, 70,000 left their homes and 55,000 were provided protection by the Indian army.

2. Nellie massacre 1983

Took place in Assam where over 1,800 Muslim people from Bengali origin were killed by Lalung tribespeople ( ethnic group in Assam). It was the most severe massacre after World War II. Here majority of victims were children and women. The reason for this was Assam movement which demanded the illegal migrants who entered after 1951 should be deported.

3. 1969 to 1989 Gujarat riots

In 1969 Gujarat riots, 630 people lost their lives.

On 7th and 8th May, 1970 Bhiwandi riots took place, it was an anti- Muslim violence which took place in Bhiwandi, Mahad and Jalgaon (towns in India).

During 1980 in Moradabad, 2,500 people were killed. The local police were found to be involved for planning the violence.

In 1989, as result of Ayodhya dispute, over 1,000 lost their lives. Also a march was held for showing strength and as a warning to minority community.

4. Hashimpura Massacre 1987

Occurred on 22nd May, 1987 during Hindu  Muslim riots in UP in the city of Meerut. Here 42 Muslim youth were shot dead by 19 personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and their bodies were thrown in canals filled with water.

5. Bhagalpur riots 1989

On 24th October,11989 in Bihars Bhagalpur district the incidents took place for a continuous period of two months. Over 250 villages were affected by the violence. Nearly 1,000 people were killed and 50,000 were displaced. It was the worst violence in independent India.

6. 1992 Bombay riots

This was a result of destruction of Babri Mosque by Hindu nationalists. Over 900 people were killed as a result of mob rioting and firing by police whereas 2,036 were injured and thousands were displaced internally.

7. Gujarat violence 2002

Acts of violence were carried out by Hindu extremists against the minority Muslim population. It started when Godhra train was burned by the Muslims, here young girls were raped and murdered. Rapes were sanctioned by the BJP ruling. Over 2,00,000 people were displaced. Nearly 254 Hindus and 790 to 2000 Muslims were killed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who then was Chief Minister was also accused for initiating the violence.

8. Muzaffarnagar violence 2013

From August to September in the year 2013, a conflict occurs between the two communities in UP where 62 people died amongst which 42 were Muslims and 20 were Hindus. Here 200 were injured and 50,000 were displaced.

9. Delhi riots 2020

200 were injured and 53 dead. This was a protest against the citizenship law which was seen as an anti-Muslim by the critics.

CONCLUSION

Statement by Pinky Choudhary a leader of Hindu Raksha Dal  we will not let the Muslims rise up, no matter who comes up to power. We are trying to awaken the youth. We will finish the roots of mullahs by digging them out of graves. Wait until 2nd April and everyone will see that either the Muslims will have to convert to Hinduism or they will be forcefully sent to Pakistan.

We have always seen Hindu organisations protesting against Muslims. Sometimes it is love jihad sometimes cow slaughter and sometimes terror in name of Allah.

What happened in the event was violation of human rights. Hate speech becomes a violation of human rights if it incites hostility, violence or discrimination towards a group or person defined by their religion, race, ethnicity etc. Section 108 of IPC

World has always faced violence since time immemorial. Genocide is the worst form of violence. It destroys the whole population leaving empty spaces, empty countries, empty memories and also a huge health burden for the survivors. Genocides up till now have brought limitless sufferings to millions of people. It also affects the environment very badly.

Hence the event which took place on 17th and 19th of December was thoughtless. The idea of calling a genocide will completely destroy the country and will not be helping in any way. Moreover, lives of innocent individuals will be affected highly affected and the motive for which it was done will not achieved. Violence in any form is never the solution.



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People should only shop if they have to according to Dr Tony Holohan who has warned that crowded retail outlets are now 'high risk' locations for Covid-19 infections,

The Chief Medical Officer and head of the National Public Health Emergency Team, (NPHET), issued the warning about shopping on the day Ireland recorded its highest every number of Covid-19 infections.

If you are planning to visit retail environments in the coming days, please choose retailers that adhere strongly to the public health guidance and leave any environment that feels unsafe.

"The current levels of infection we are experiencing mean that shopping in crowded environments, where physical distancing is not possible, should be seen as a high-risk activity and should be avoided unless absolutely essential - especially by those who are not yet fully vaccinated and boosted, he said.

Dr Holohan had warned people to avoid shops in the week running up to Christmas because of the highly infections nature of the Omicron virus.
The plane which was last seen in public in Portlaoise over 100 years ago, when it was one of the first planes in Ireland to take to the skies, returned home to Portlaoise.

A huge gathering of well-wishers, heritage and aviation enthusiasts gathered in the spacious grounds of Laois Music Centre on Sunday, September 12 to view the newly restored plane, to hear the story of its journey so far and to hear music composed in honour of Portlaoises other great aviation hero, Col. James Fitzmaurice.

Addressing the gathering, Cllr Conor Bergin Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council said,

The Plane was designed and built in Aldritts Garage Portlaoise by Frank Aldritt and his sons with the help of master carpenter John Conroy  the first plane to be built and take to the air in what is now the Republic of Ireland and here today we celebrate the vision, creativity, imagination and originality of those Portlaoise men of the past.

But its also important for us to celebrate the achievement of the people who have rescued this priceless artefact from obscurity.

The Cathaoirleach continued, We must remember Joe Rogers, who first highlighted the continued existence of the plane in a private collection in England; Teddy Fennelly and Alan Phelan who pursued the plane and persuaded the owner to part with it and allow it to return home; Brendan ODonoghue and Johnny Molloy who painstakingly worked on the craft to restore it to its shining glory and Tim Costelloe who informed and inspired all those involved from the start of the project, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for all aspects of Irish aviation and in particular in designing the replica engine we see on display here today with the plane.

As well as being a valuable artefact on its own right, the Portlaoise Plane is linked to Portlaoises other major aviation story: A young James Fitzmaurice records in his memoirs that he witnessed the construction of the plane and was also present when it made its first short experimental flight.

This early exposure to the excitement of flight was credited by Fitzmaurice with inspiring him in his career as a pioneering aviator.

This links the Portlaoise Plane directly with the first east-west transatlantic flight  elevating the story and confirming the place of Portlaoise as the centre of Irish aviation history.

Chairman of the Heritage Council Michael Parsons also spoke at the event.

The Heritage Council encourages national and local exploration and appreciation of Irelands rich natural, built and cultural heritage.

The Portlaoise Plane tells a story of exploration, bravery and derring do, that should make the Aldritt, Conroy and Rogers families very proud of their ancestors.

"All of us in Laois and Ireland can join in celebrating this great story of these pioneers of Irish Aviation. The Heritage Council commends Laois County Council for its warm support of the Portlaoise Plane.

 I personally wish that the plane will soon be on permanent display where it belongs  here in Portlaoise, he said.

All speakers paid tribute to Teddy Fennelly, aviation enthusiast and author of the book Fitz and the Famous Flight.

John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council outlined his contribution.

Teddy has rescued both the aviation story and the plane for the people of Portlaoise.

He has motivated everyone with his selfless drive and enthusiasm and we all owe him a debt of gratitude for saving and helping to restore this vital part of our heritage, he said.

Speaking about the Plane and its restoration, Teddy Fennelly thanked the many people who had helped along the way, mentioning in particular the staff of Laois County Councils Portlaoise MD, who have generously assisted with the safe storage of the plane in Portlaoise for the past number of months.

He also paid tribute to the Management and Elected Members of Laois County Council who he said had always supported heritage projects in Laois and had been generous in their support of this project to date.

The Portlaoise Plane event was bookended by the performance of extracts from The Impossible Dream composed by Martin Tourish to commemorate the life and achievements of Col James Fitzmaurice.

The music which was commissioned by Music Generation Laois with funding from Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2017  2022, was performed by members of the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, accompanied by -Martin Tourish and Siobhan Buckley.

MC of the event Alan Phelan commended the young musicians and their tutors, paying special tribute to Rosa Flannery, coordinator of Music Generation Laois and the driving force behind many unique creative projects in the county.

At the end of the event, Alan asked Brendan O Donohue who spearheaded the restoration of the plane, and Tim Costelloe who carried out much of the research including the design of the replica engine also on display with the plane, to stand, and those gathered showed their appreciation of the two men with hearty applause.

The event was attended by representatives of the Irish Air Corps who paraded on at the start of proceedings and by members of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association Post 27 Portlaoise Branch, who provided a special guard of honour for the plane while it was in situ.

General Officer in Command of the Irish Air Corps Brigadier General Rory OConnor was an honoured and welcome guest.

A fly-past of light aircraft from the Lime Tree Airfield just outside Portlaoise lent a further special aviation flavour to the historic event.

Col Fitzmaurice Archive

In addition to restoring the Portlaoise Plane, Teddy Fennelly has been collecting original archive material relating to the flight and Fitzmaurice for many years - the first East West Transatlantic Flight was major international news both in Europe and the US, and was front page news on the New York Times for 19 days after the flight.

Now, with thanks to Heritage Council funding, much of the collection has now been conserved by specialist paper conservator and digitised, and the Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee has ensured that the newspapers will be made publicly available through the digital archive of the Laois County Library Service.

The archive project was brought about through the collaborative approach of the Laois County Council Culture Team  the piece of music commemorating James Fitzmaurice is another showcasing how the culture Team members from the Heritage, Libraries, Arts, Music Generation and Archives work together through the Creative Ireland programme, to become more than the sum of their parts, and producing truly imaginative, ground breaking work.

Col Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee

The Portlaoise Plane event on Sunday was the final event of the year for the Col Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee, which is made up of Teddy Fennelly, Alan Phelan, Michael Parsons, Louise Cahill, PJ Kavanagh, Sean Murray and Catherine Casey.

The work of the group continues and more on the projects and plans of the Committee can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ Fitzflight. More on the Portlaoise Plane Restoration Project is at https://portlaoiseplane.com
Volunteers from a range of organisations in Laois gathered last May to help launch the new Laois Volunteer Centre.

The launch of the independent service took place during what is National Volunteering Week which ran from May 18-23.

The Laois Volunteer Centre, fronted by Laois woman, Caitriona Ryan from Ballyfin, will help people who want to volunteer in their community to find suitable volunteer roles and will help local non-profit organisations to recruit volunteers.

Ms Ryan was appointed as the new manager of Laois Volunteer Centre and is looking forward to the Centre becoming a one-stop-shop for volunteerism in Laois.

Ms Ryan has extensive experience in the voluntary, charity and community sector having previously worked as Community Employment Supervisor & Manager of Clonaslee Community Centre as well as Community Employment Supervisor in the Michael Garry House for the Homeless in Newbridge, Co Kildare.

She has also assisted low-income rural people to access employment and/or training whilst working as a Training Development & Employment Officer with Laois Rural Employment Partnership Ltd. Caitriona holds qualifications in Social Care and Community Development & Leadership and is undergoing a masters degree in Adult Education & Development at NUI Galway.

I am so delighted to be the Manager of this new Laois Volunteer Centre, commented Ms Ryan.

This is a very exciting time for Laois and I greatly look forward to working with people and organisations who want to volunteer in Laois and connecting them to volunteering opportunities for the benefit of the individual and their communities.

I would urge people and community groups to get in touch with our centre by logging onto any of our social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram or at www.volunteerlaois.ie, she said.

Ms Ryan said that the Laois Volunteer Centre will provide advice, training, and consultancy to local organisations on a range of issues relating to best practice in volunteer management and delivers a Garda Vetting service for local non-profits.

The aims of Laois Volunteer Centre are:

- to promote the value of volunteering and civic responsibility and to increase the range and quality of volunteering;

- to increase access to volunteering by offering a support service to the public and volunteering involving organisations (VIOs);

- and to carry on these charitable purposes for the benefit of the inhabitants of Co Laois and its environs.

A volunteer application portal and database for Laois known as I-Vol has been established and therefore provides the following services to organisations:

Advertisement of organisations volunteering vacancies on Laois Volunteer Centres database (I-Vol) of volunteering roles

Free volunteer referral service.

Training to organisations on issues such as volunteer management.

Consultancy and advice around policy issues and governance in relation to your volunteer programmes.

Conor Ganly is the Chairperson of the Laois Volunteer Centre Board and commented that its great to see the months of work preparing for the set-up of this Centre coming to fruition.

Mr Ganly said the new centre has been made possible thanks to the invaluable funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development under an initiative spearheaded by Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development Joe OBrien.

He also played tribute to the vital contribution of Volunteer Ireland and in particular its Volunteer Centre Development Manager Zse Varga for their assistance.

Mr Ganly also thanked the board members for their work.

They are: Allan Boyle, Secretary, Catherine Corbett, Treasurer, Pauline Flanagan, Director and Georgina Ireland, Director.

If you are a volunteer or are an organisation who would like to register with Laois Volunteer Centre, please either download the I-Vol app on your phone or visit www.volunteerlaois.ie or check out Volunteer Laois on facebook and instagram to sign up today.
A Laois Offaly Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley says he is gravely concerned" about the pace of progress with the National Broadband Plan (NBP).

The TD made the comment in a statement following an update he received from the Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan TD that there has been no connections to date in Laois or Offaly in the so called intervention area under the Government's National Broadband Plan.

He said intervention areas are those parts of the country that are not serviced already by another broadband provider.

"The most recent update I have received from the Minister shows only 3,900 homes or premises have been connected in first 22 months of the NBP rollout. These are in another 11 counties.

Under this plan, which was to be completed in 2026, 115,000 homes and businesses were to be passed (broadband fibre cable passing the premises) by the end of this year. This plan is way behind schedule and the current situation is that there is only 27,000 passed.

"With the project way behind schedule, earlier in the year the Government agreed a remedial plan with NBP for to reduce the number of houses and businesses passed by year end to 60,000. However, less than half of that has now been achieved. The explanation that has been given for this is the Covid restrictions at the start of the year, however telecommunication works were exempt from these restrictions and were allowed to continue," he said.

Deputy Stanley flagged the situation in his own constituency.

According to the NBP website, parts of Laois and Offaly will not even be surveyed for connection until the end of 2026. This includes an area around Mountrath and parts of south Offaly near Birr. 12,562 homes and businesses are in the intervention area in Laois with 12,216 in Offaly.

"I am gravely concerned with the pace of progress of this plan. I am also concerned about the financing of the plan which will have a total cost of between 2.7 billion and 2.8 billion, with the taxpayer stumping up 2.5 billion of this, he said.

The Laois Offaly representative said that as Chair of the Dail Public Accounts Committee, he has requested that both National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and the Department of Communication to attend in the New Year so that the broad progress and spending can be examined.

NBI says the Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, farm and business in Ireland  regardless of how remote or rural  has access to high-speed broadband. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) to date has identified more than 554,000 premises across Ireland that require access to high-speed broadband.

It is claimed that the NBP is one of the biggest and most significant investments in rural Ireland ever stretching across 96% of Ireland.
Danish Police investigating a missing Co Meath man have released images of his clothes and backpack contents which included large chopping knives he used as a chef.

Peter Burns (29) from Dunboyne went missing in Aarhus city in the early hours of December 5 after a work night-out.

He is understood to have left a bar between midnight and 1am and then began walking home in the direction of the harbour.

East Jutland Police have circulated images of a number of special knives he used for work, one of which has his first name engraved on it.

A spokesperson added: "We would like to hear from citizens who may have seen Peter's backpack, or who may have seen some of the knives, clothes or other belongings that have been in the black backpack."

"It is possible that Peter may have left his backpack somewhere around Aarhus. Peter worked as a cook and with him in the backpack he therefore probably had a white chef's jacket, a pair of black chef's trousers,

a pair of black crocs shoes, one or more cookbooks in English, a large, heavy grindstone (for sharpening knives) and a series of special knives, one of which has his first name engraved on it."

Peter was wearing a khaki jacket, dark trousers and New Balance runners.

Peter, who worked at a French bistro, was living in Denmark for a number of months.

He was staying with his sister Katie but never arrived at her apartment.

He is described as around 5'9" in height, of strong build and with short brown hair and a short brown/reddish full beard.

Police said Peter was seen shortly before 3am on a surveillance camera as he walked around with his heavy backpack on his back.

A witness also said she believes she saw Peter sitting on a bench next to a lifebuoy around 3am.

Police have already searched nearby areas with sniffer dogs and local divers.
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Sharjah finished with a flourish to secure a historic fourth successive victory in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Only Istabraq and Hurricane Fly had previously won the Grade One contest on four occasions  and even that legendary pair did not manage to win four on the spin.

The Willie Mullins-trained Sharjah was not even favourite when triumphing in 2018, 2019 and 2020  but off the back of winning his second Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, the eight-year-old was the 5-6 market leader on his return to Foxrock.

Ridden with plenty of confidence by the trainers son Patrick, Sharjah began to make inroads racing down the back straight, but was still only fourth rounding the turn for home.

4 victories in a row in the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle for Sharjah 35 starts 10 wins 6 Grade 1 victories Absolute superstar@WillieMullinsNH | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/EcwTykRPIN  Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 29, 2021

He briefly had to be cajoled into contention, but soon came back on the bridle before throwing down his challenge to Zanahiyr after the dolled off final flight.

Zanahiyr refused to go down without a fight, but Sharjah eventually won the argument by a neck.

Willie Mullins said: That was not good for the heart!

Patrick said he wasnt as sharp as other years and then with the last hurdle missing, he got pushed out onto yesterdays ground and that just blunted his speed in the last furlong.

He managed to do it anyhow and it was a terrific race. He definitely wasnt as sharp as other years, but when you win a race four years running, you cant expect a horse to be improving.

Sharjah battles Zanahiyr at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

Hes been a spectacular horse  fantastic for Patrick and Rich and Susannah (Ricci, owners). I think Rich likes Patrick riding him and hes a special horse for that partnership.

In each of the past two seasons, Sharjah has gone on to disappoint in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in early February before bouncing back to finish second in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

On whether he could miss the Irish Champion Hurdle this time around, Mullins added: We might do that and go straight to Cheltenham, but Ill have a word with Rich and Susannah and see.

It might be the thing to do as it doesnt seem to work for him.

Coral cut Sharjah to 8-1 from 10-1 to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham at the fourth attempt, having been brought down in 2019 prior to chasing home Epatante in 2020 and Honeysuckle last season.
Speaking following the 49th anniversary of the Belturbet bombing, Fianna Fail TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Deputy Brendan Smith, has repeated his call for a full and comprehensive investigation into the Belturbet bombing which caused the deaths of two teenagers, Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley.

Deputy Smith commented, At my request, the Taoiseach has raised this very important issue with the British Government on the need to address our ongoing request for a full and comprehensive investigation.

We need answers and the very least the O'Reilly and Stanley families deserve is the truth having suffered decades of grief for the loss of their loved ones. Almost a half-century has passed since that fatal night in Belturbet. We must never forget that it is never too late to get the truth.

Deputy Smith has described the idea by the British Government to impose an amnesty for murderers from British state forces and paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland as appalling. The Cavan Monaghan TD added, The British Government has suggested we cut off forever the possibility of getting the truth and that we close down all avenues of investigation.

The Oireachtas must ensure the message continues to go back that we will never give up on seeking the truth. The very least the families, whom I know so well and who have suffered so much deserve is to get the truth and to be assured the agencies of both States and the Governments have their interests at heart and that they will leave no stone unturned to try to get to the truth of what happened on the night of 28 December 1972.

We cannot deal with the past without getting full co-operation from all relevant security agencies. I know many families who have lost loved ones, including the O'Reilly and Stanley families, who have not got the truth, but those families have acted over the decades with such grace and dignity. They want to get the truth and they fully realise that getting prosecutions will not be easy. Unfortunately, time is passing concluded Deputy Smith.
The following deaths have occurred in the wider Leitrim area:

Jan Wozniewski, San Rita, Clonfadbeg, Carrick-on-Shannon, Roscommon



The death has occurred of Jan Wozniewski, suddenly at Sligo University Hospital. Deeply regretted by his wife Ewa, daughter Aneta, son in-law Victor, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family and a wide circle of friends. Jan's Funeral Mass will take place this Thursday 30th December at 2pm in St. Michael's Church, Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath, followed by cremation at Lakelands Crematorium, Co. Cavan. Please adhere to Covid restrictions which are still in place, those attending the funeral are asked to refrain from shaking hands, to continue to wear face masks and to observe social distancing where necessary. The funeral mass can be viewed on https://castlepollard-church.click2stream.com/

Raymond Kenny, Church Lane, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim



Raymond Kenny, Church Lane, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, at Sligo University Hospital. (Formerly of Dept of Agriculture). Predeceased by his parents Patrick and Mary Kenny, his brothers Michael (Rossinver), Rev Fr Padraig (Washington DC), and his sister Rev Sr Mary Lucy, Presentation Sisters, Tuam. Sadly missed by his sisters Bernie (Doyle), Sligo, Rev Sr Evelyn RSM (Newry), nieces,extended family and friends. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 12 noon in St Clare's Church, Manorhamilton with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Mass can be viewed live on churchtv.ie/manorhamilton

Felix McGovern, Curraghglass, Glangevlin, Co Cavan



Felix McGovern, Curraghglass, Glangevlin, Co. Cavan. Peacefully at Our Lady's Hospital, Manorhamilton. Predeceased by his parents Terence and Mary, his sisters Vera, Annie and Josie.

Deeply regretted by his sister Margaret (USA), his brother Tommy (Bristol), nieces, nephews, relations, friends and neighbours. Funeral arrangements later.



May they all Rest in Peace.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has released an apologetic statement after an image of Covid-19 breach was published in a number of newspapers.

The image, which was published in the Irish Daily Star, Daily Mail and Irish Mirror newspapers today, shows around 20 officials from the Dept's UN Security Council campaign team gathered together with glasses of champagne while posing for a photograph indoors on June 17, 2020.

It has since been confirmed that it was a "selfie" taken by Niall Burgess, who was the secretary general of the Dept at the time but has since been appointed ambassador to France.

He tweeted the image with the caption "Now were walking on air", but deleted it soon afterwards.

During this time, people could only meet up to six others from outside their household in both indoor and outdoor settings.

A spokesperson for the Dept said that its members "briefly let their guard down" 18 months ago at Iveagh House, whilst celebrating Irelands election to the council.

They elaborated: "Had Ireland not won the Council seat on the first round of voting, the team would have had to work through the night to campaign for a second vote the next day."

The spokesperson added that "steps have been taken" to ensure that a similar incident does not happen again.

Despite these assurances, there has been an outcry on social media, with Irish writer Michael Nugent saying on Twitter: "It must have been a magical 'moment' during which champagne bottles and glasses suddenly appeared in the office without any planning."

The Department of Foreign Affairs is blaming its office celebration during lockdown on "a moment of happiness". It must have been a magical "moment" during which champagne bottles and glasses suddenly appeared in the office without any planning.https://t.co/D4MePGbxGQ  Michael Nugent (@micknugent) December 29, 2021

Another user referred to the response from the Dept as being "pretty casual, dismissive and contains no apology."

The response from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the 2020 photo is pretty casual, dismissive and contains no apology. "It was 18 months ago".

Compare and contrast with other events in June 2020.  Enda Fanning (@EFFanning) December 29, 2021

In addition to this controversy, the Dept of Foreign Affairs has also come under fire after files that were recently released by the National Archives have shown that unknown officials used black humour to create a list of interpretations of common responses to queries from members of the public about family members trapped in Kuwait and Iraq in late 1990.
The number of Covid-19 cases recorded worldwide increased by 11% last week compared with the previous week, with the biggest increase in the Americas, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

The gain followed a gradual increase since October this year.

The UN health agency said in its weekly epidemiological report that there were nearly 4.99 million newly reported cases around the world from December 20-26.

Europe accounted for more than half the total, with 2.84 million, though that amounted to only a 3% increase over the previous week.

It also had the highest infection rate of any region, with 304.6 new cases per 100,000 residents.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom, today thanked an Irish boy who drew a picture detailing his idea to defeat coronavirus by using spray and bullets.

Tweeting about the drawing and accompanying letter on Twitter, Adhanom said, "Thank you Senan for turning your mind & creativity to finding ways to defeat #COVID19. Innovation has been a cornerstone of the response to the pandemic and I urge you, & all other young people, to keep coming up with & sharing ideas for bringing this threat under control."

Ireland has experienced 731,000 cases of Coronavirus to date.

The WHO said that new cases in the Americas were up 39% to nearly 1.48 million, and the region had the second-highest infection rate with 144.4 new cases per 100,000 residents.

The US alone saw more than 1.18 million cases, a 34% increase.

Reported new cases in Africa were up 7% to nearly 275,000.

The agency said that the overall risk related to the new variant  Omicron remains very high.

It cited consistent evidence that it has a growth advantage over the Delta variant, which remains dominant in parts of the world.

The WHO noted that a decline in case incidence has been seen in South Africa (SA), and that early data from SA, the UK and Denmark suggests a reduced risk of hospital admission with Omicron.

But it said that more data is needed to understand the clinical markers of severity including the use of oxygen, mechanical ventilation and death, and how severity may be impacted by vaccination and/or prior  infection.

The WHO said that the number of newly reported deaths worldwide last week was down 4% to 44,680.
A MAN was taken to hospital after he was punched in the head while lying defenceless on the street on St Stephen's Day in County Limerick.

A video of the assault, which occurred in Kilfinane, has been widely shared on social media.

A garda spokesperson said they are investigating an assault that took place on Main Street, Kilfinane at approximately 9pm on Sunday, December 26.

"A man in his 20s was taken to University Hospital Limerick to be treated for his injuries. No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing," said a garda spokesperson.

A local who sent the video to the Leader said: "Horrible scenes in Kilfinane as things get out of control. I would appreciate you highlighting this please."

The clip shows a male - apparently lying defenceless on the ground. A number of people are around him trying to protect him when another male punches him in the head as people scream. As the camera pans around it shows others pushing and shoving each either.

Anybody with any information is asked to contact Bruff garda station on 061 382940.
THERE was plenty of head scratching in Limerick this Wednesday as people arrived at the doors of post offices and banks to find them locked.

One local arrived at the post office in Kilmallock shortly after midday to find the premises in darkness. And similar scenes have reportedly been playing out across other towns and villages in County Limerick and in the city itself.

I went to the local post office to send back a jacket to PrettyLittleThing only to find the door locked. I then went to my car and Googled to see if today is a Bank Holiday and there doesnt seem to be anything definitive online. One website says the banks are closed but it is not a Public Holiday but it doesnt say that its technically a Bank Holiday either. The local banks here are shut too. I saw four people arrive at the post office door while I was in the car Googling on my phone, said the person who contacted the Leader.

It is frustrating. I am running out of time as it is to get a refund for my jacket and now another day of no post isnt going to help, she added.

A Bank Holiday is a day on which the banks are closed, but to add to the confusion, not all Bank Holidays are Public Holidays. On a Public Holiday most businesses and schools close.

Other services (for example, public transport) still operate but often have restricted schedules.

According to the Citizens Information website, Christmas Day, Saint Stephens Day and New Years Day are all categorised as a Public Holiday. As a result of these special days falling on weekend days this year (Saturday, Sunday and Saturday), Monday and Tuesday of this week and next Monday are being referred to as substitute Bank Holidays but not Public Holidays.

The confusion is also being played out online with many people taking to Twitter in a bid to get some clarity on the official title of Wednesday, December 29, 2021.

Today isn't a bank holiday is it? Why isn't the bank open? I'm so confused! tweeted one person.

Is it Bank Holiday Wednesday today? tweeted another.

How Is Today (Wednesday 29th) A Bank Holiday, came another tweet.

In response to one query, a reply from the official Bank of Ireland Twitter account reads: Hi, as today is a Bank Holiday incoming payments would not be processed.
A FARM labourer who crashed into a pole while driving a car as a favour for a friend has avoided a driving ban.

Egnalo Santos, aged 35, who has an address at Main Street, Emly pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including driving without insurance, at Glenosheen, Ardpatrick on May 9, last.

At a court hearing before Christmas, Inspector Pat Brennan said no other vehicle was involved in the incident which happened in wet conditions at around 7.30pm.

He said Mr Santos had lost control of the vehicle and had struck the pole as he was travelling around a significant bend in the road.

There was no evidence that Mr Santos sustained any serious injuries as a result of the accident.

Solicitor Kevin Power said his client, who is originally from Portugal, was doing a favour for a friend on the night and was driving the 02-registered car to a scrap yard.

Seeking leniency on behalf of Mr Santos, he said he works as a farm labourer and that he requires his licence for work.

He is a hard working fella, he told Judge Patricia Harney adding that he has applied for Irish citizenship.

He added that he previously held a Portuguese driving licence but that it is out of date.

Noting there was no NCT and that Mr Santos did not have a driving licence, the judge commented that he could not have had less documentation.

She imposed fines totalling 550 but given the circumstances she said she would not impose a driving ban.
People will either need to be fully vaccinated or produce a Covid-19 negative report to attend parties or enter into restaurants in Goa, reported news agency PTI , quoting state Chief Minister Pramod Sawant , on Wednesday.

Sawant reportedly said that organisers of various events in the state would have to ensure that the guests carry these certificates.

A notification regarding this is likely to come out by Wednesday evening.

Sawant had said his government was monitoring the Covid-19 positivity rate and stringent decisions would be taken during the meeting of the task force scheduled to be held on 3 January in case the numbers surge.

The Goa government on Tuesday had decided against imposing a night curfew in the coastal state to safeguard the tourism business during the holiday season.

According to stakeholders of the industry, there is around 90% occupancy in hotels while beaches are already overcrowded ahead of the new year celebrations.

Chartered flights from the UK have started arriving in the state, after a nearly year-long gap due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Nilesh Shah said there have been five to seven per cent cancellations in hotel bookings, but the season is overall good".

The end of the year has always been a good season for the tourism industry. The hotel occupancy is around 90 per cent during these days, which will increase by the New Year," Shah told PTI.

It is a good sign that we are getting back to normalcy," Shah said, adding that the tourism industry has learnt to do business with Covid-19 protocols in place.

He said the commencement of the chartered flights has provided work to musicians, other artists and tourist guides in the state during the current tourist season.

Covid situation in state

On Tuesday, Goa reported a sudden spike in coronavirus cases with 112 people testing positive, the state health department said. On Monday the coastal state had recorded 67 cases.

The caseload on Tuesday rose to 1,80,229, while the death toll reached 3,520 with one patient dying due to the infection, as per official data.

With inputs from agencies.

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One of Hollywoods messiest divorces also will mark one of the industrys most costly.

Dr. Dre and ex-wife Nicole Young reached a massive divorce settlement Tuesday that will see Young walk away from their 24-year marriage with $100 million. Sources familiar with the settlement tell Rolling Stone that the two sides have finalized terms of their split, with the Death Row Records co-founder forking over more than one-fifth of his fortune and roughly half of his liquid assets. Young will be required to move out of their Malibu beach house by the end of the month but will keep a Rolls Royce, Range Rover, Escalade limousine, and Spyder motorcycle as well as all of her jewelry.

The $100 million settlement concludes an 18-month divorce proceeding that played out in the press following Youngs filing in June 2020 and Dres move to enforce a prenuptial agreement signed in 1996. But powerhouse attorney Samantha Spector fought the validity of the prenup, arguing that Young had signed it under duress. (The couple share two adult children, Truice and Truly.)

Over the past year and a half, the battle between the 56-year-old rapper and producer  whose real name is Andre Romelle Young  and Nicole Young, 51, aired plenty of dirty laundry. Nicole claimed in court papers that Dre kicked her out of their home in early April and plotted to secretly transfer their assets, to deny Nicole her equal share. She also accused him of multiple instances of domestic abuse, including holding a gun to her head twice and punching her in the head and face, all of which he denied. In April, Nicole won her bid to compel three of Dres alleged mistresses  Jillian Speer, Kili Anderson, and Crystal Rogers  to testify in the case. Likewise, Dre filed a separate lawsuit in September, claiming that Nicole stole $353,571.85 from the coffers of Recording One studio in Sherman Oaks.

Legal observers say the turning point in the case came earlier this year, when Spector successfully pushed for the removal of Laura Wasser, another superstar divorce attorney, from Dres team. Spector and Wasser have squared off in the past, most notably in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard divorce (Wasser represented Depp, while Spector was on Heards team). Likewise, Howard King, who had repped the couple on previous legal matters, was barred from representing Dre in the divorce. As a result, Anne Kiley, whose clients include Brad Pitt, took over as the point on Dres legal team.

With Wasser and King out, Nicole added more firepower to her legal team, bringing in attorneys Lisa Helfend Meyer and Bryan Freedman to untangle intellectual property issues given the record producers vast library of music created during the couples union. According to Tuesdays settlement, Wasser and King each agreed to pay Nicole $50,000 to put to bed any potential claims between them. Both Dre and Nicole have agreed not to appeal the agreement. A source close to the rapper tells Rolling Stone he is delighted with the settlement.

Although Dre is often dubbed the hip-hop worlds first billionaire, divorce papers filed with L.A. Superior Court on Nov. 18 place his net worth at $458.2 million, with $182.7 million of that sum in cash, $6.3 million in stocks, and $269.2 million in property and assets, including intellectual property. Dre was believed to be worth considerably more after Apple bought his Beats Electronics in 2014 for $3 billion; his stake was reportedly worth $800 million at the time. It is unclear what accounts for the discrepancy.
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The woman suing Prince Andrew with claims he sexually assaulted her at Jeffrey Epsteins Manhattan mansion when she was still a minor isnt fazed by his latest challenge to her lawsuit, her lawyer says.

Virginia Giuffre expects to move forward with her complaint against the Duke of York despite his claims Tuesday that she lacks the standing to sue him in federal court in New York because she now lives in Australia, her lawyer Sigrid S. McCawley said in a statement to Rolling Stone.

This is just another in a series of tired attempts by Prince Andrew to duck and dodge the legal merits of the case Virginia Giuffre has brought against him. All parties in litigation are subject to discovery, and Prince Andrew is no exception, despite what he may think, McCawley said late Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday Prince Andrews lawyers filed a motion claiming the complaint Giuffre filed against the British royal on Aug. 9 should be dismissed because Giuffre no longer lives in the U.S. and therefore isnt entitled to diversity jurisdiction in U.S. District Court.

In the new filing in the Southern District of New York, defense lawyer Andrew Brettler argued that recently discovered evidence proves Giuffre isnt a legal resident of Colorado, as her complaint alleges. He said Giuffre has lived in Australia during all but two of the last 19 years, and although she registered to vote in Colorado in February 2020 using her mothers address, she hasnt lived in the state since 2019.

Oral arguments related to the princes motion to dismiss Giuffres lawsuit are set for Jan. 4.

Giuffre, 38, is one of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwells chief accusers.

She alleges the disgraced financier, who died by suicide while awaiting trial in 2019, sexually abused her and trafficked her to his powerful friends, including Prince Andrew.

Prince Andrew, 61, has denied her claims, saying he doesnt recall ever meeting Giuffre and assumes the infamous photo showing him with his arm around Giuffres waist with a smiling Maxwell in the background must be doctored.

The prince has not faced any criminal charges related to Giuffres claims. He is asking the court to stop all discovery efforts in the case until the issue of jurisdiction is resolved.
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If the slacker movie moment happened in the U.S. in part as a new generations reaction against the economic boom  and growing income inequality  of the 1980s and 90s, its high time a similar indie movement emerged in China, where rampant economic expansion and its many casualties have been the ceaseless story of the past four decades. And perhaps it will, now that theres an unassumingly perfect foundational text in Wei Shujuns debut feature, .

Certainly, in terms of storyline, those touch points are more evident in Weis episodic, personal narrative than are Hou Hsiao-hsien or Wong Kar-wai or even Hong Sang-soo  the filmmakers overtly name-checked by Ming (Wang Xiaomu), the director of the film-within-a-film in this mischievously meta long-form doodle. Ming is making his thesis film  the semi-improvised story of a Mongolian herdswoman searching for her husband in a Beijing amusement park  and has hired fellow film student Kun (Zhou You) as his sound engineer. (Wei originally studied movie sound, and there is some rueful satire in how poorly sound guys are treated here, especially compared with director Mings borderline hero-worship of his films DP.)

Kun, a lanky fellow sporting a hipster mullet, has in turn recruited his chubby, good-natured but even more shambolic best friend Tong (Tong Linkai) as his boom operator. Together the two snigger through lectures on foley techniques in courses Kun has repeated rather too often. After-hours they try out quick make-a-buck schemes that inevitably come to naught: primping a local businessmans dreams of pop stardom; happening on a sideline in selling purloined exam papers. Kuns father is a police officer, his mother a schoolteacher, and he also has a girlfriend, Zhi (Zheng Yingchen), who works as a hostess at marketing events in malls and hotels. But perhaps his most meaningful relationship, and the one that gives this loose-limbed story whatever shape it has, is with his pre-owned Jeep.

Kun doesnt have a license and can barely cover the gas costs, let alone the upkeep, on a vehicle so frequently in need of replacement parts that by the end its a kind of Jeep of Theseus, its only remaining original feature being its tenacious coat of dirt. But without landing too heavily on the metaphor (the screenplay by Wei and Gao Linyang takes care to appear carefree), the clapped-out car also represents exactly the kind of rugged, adventurous individualism that Chinas conformist, money- and status-oriented new society makes little room for. The very first scene is of Kun flaming out spectacularly during a driving lesson in which a convoy of identical white hatchbacks weave obediently through a cramped obstacle course of traffic bollards. And toward the end, when Kun has lost not just his car but his mullet and is wearing the same bright orange jumpsuit as his fellow detainees, he looks out a window to where a squadron of prisoners are exercising in formation. From high above, they form the patterns of uplifting Chinese characters, every man in his place, each indistinguishable from his neighbor.

Scenes like these, and background details like the velvet-rope section in a high-rise car park or the peeling U.S. road-map decal on the Jeeps back windshield  tell us theres more under the hood of Weis disarmingly perceptive film. And Wang Jiehongs quietly excellent cinematography bears that out: Even when the pacing lags during yet another entertaining but unnecessary example of Kuns fecklessness, theres always an arresting shot or some inventive staging to make it worthwhile. Perhaps there is a little Hou Hsiao-hsien, after all, in the precise choreography of two glass elevators during a long take in a mall. And maybe there is a little lo-fi Wong Kar-wai in an unexpected nighttime tryst that occurs perfectly framed in a smear of light caught in the windscreens grime.

Eventually, Kun makes his oft-touted road trip to Inner Mongolia, to shoot pickup footage for Mings film and record authentic grassland ambience. But that journey, too, is a letdown: The local chief puts on a very ethnic minority-ish show for the visitors, and any other angle on the carefully dressed set  a small nomads tent  reveals electricity pylons and corrugated shacks nearby. Its a bittersweet last hurrah for this brief, doomed love affair between a young man and  age-gap critics take note  his distinctly elderly Jeep, and a strangely moving analogy for the fading hopes of even the most disaffected youth, realizing that the trap of adulthood is much bigger than previously imagined, and it has already been sprung.

Reviewed online, Dec. 28, 2021. Running time: 130 MIN. (Original title: Ye ma fen zong)

Running Time: Running time: 130 MIN.

Production

(China) An Alibaba Pictures and Breaker Studios presentation of a Cheng Cheng Films production. (World sales: Films Boutique, Berlin.) Producer: Liu Qingling.

Crew

Director: Wei Shujun. Screenplay: Wei Shujun, Gao Linyang. Camera: Wang Jiehong. Editor: Yan Tingting. Music: Emanuele Arnone.

With

Zhou You, Zheng Yingchen, Wang Xiaomu, Tong Linkai, Zhao Duona, Liu Yuting. (Mandarin dialogue)

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Uncredited/AP

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Twenty people were injured when a Greyhound bus headed to Las Vegas veered off a highway and rolled over in central Utah, officials said Tuesday.

The passengers who were hurt in the Monday night crash were taken to area hospitals with a range of minor to serious injuries, but all were expected to survive, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden said.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  A 22-year-old white supremacist was sentenced Tuesday to life in federal prison for killing a woman and injuring three others in a shooting at a Southern California synagogue in 2019, adding to the life term he received three months earlier in state court.

John T. Earnest declined to speak in a courtroom full of victims, families and congregants. In state court, his attorney said he wanted to speak but a judge refused, saying he didn't want to give a platform for his hate-filled speech.

Earnest's attorney, Ellis Johnston III, said his client acknowledged his actions were inappropriate, a statement that was greeted with skepticism by prosecutors. Peter Ko, a federal prosecutor, said Earnest's show of contrition came shortly after the shooting in a recorded phone call to someone else.

U.S. District Judge Anthony Battaglia said the federal and state life sentences would run one after the other instead of concurrently, acknowledging it was symbolic but that it was meant to send a strong message. The judge denied the defense attorney's request to have Earnest stay in state prison.

Obviously this is as serious as it gets, Battaglia said.

Earnest was tied to restraints and looked straight ahead without expression during the two-hour hearing, which marked the end of legal proceedings against him.

He pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes in September after the Justice Department said it wouldnt seek the death penalty. Defense attorneys and prosecutors recommended a life sentence, plus 30 years.

That same month, Earnest received another life term under a plea agreement with state charges that spared him the death penalty. His conviction for murder and attempted murder at the synagogue and arson for an earlier fire at a nearby mosque brought a life sentence without parole, plus 137 years in prison.

Minutes after the shooting on the last day of Passover, Earnest called a 911 dispatcher to say he shot up the synagogue to save white people. Im defending our nation against the Jewish people, who are trying to destroy all white people, he said.

The San Diego man was inspired by mass shootings at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh and two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, shortly before he attacked Chabad of Poway, a synagogue near San Diego, on April 27, 2019. He frequented 8chan, a dark corner of the internet, for those disaffected by mainstream social media sites to post extremist, racist and violent views.

Earnest legally bought a semi-automatic rifle in San Diego a day before the attack, according to a federal affidavit. He entered the synagogue with 10 bullets loaded and 50 more on his vest but fled after struggling to reload. Worshippers chased him to his car.

Earnest killed 60-year-old Lori Gilbert-Kaye, who was hit twice in the foyer, and wounded an 8-year-old girl, her uncle and Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was leading a service on the major Jewish holiday.

Family members and other congregants spoke of how Gilbert-Kaye brightened their lives with extraordinary kindness and called Earnest a coward, an evil animal and a monster. Gilbert-Kaye paid for medications for people who couldn't afford them. An Easter basket for a poor family she met was found in her trunk after she died.

Hannah Kaye, her daughter, said it was beyond comprehension how Earnest  an accomplished student, athlete and musician who was studying to be a nurse at California State University, San Marcos  traveled down the rabbit hole of violent anti-Semitism. She expressed willingness to meet with him at some point.

Earnest was also convicted of arson for setting fire to a mosque in the nearby suburb of Escondido about a month before he attacked the synagogue.

All people in this country should be able to freely exercise their religion without fear of being attacked, said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. This defendants horrific crime was an assault on fundamental principles of our nation."

Earnests parents issued a statement after the shooting expressing shock and sadness, calling their sons actions a terrifying mystery.

To our great shame, he is now part of the history of evil that has been perpetrated on Jewish people for centuries, they said.
Hannibal Hanschke/AP

BEIJING (AP)  China is calling on the United States to protect a Chinese space station and its three-member crew after Beijing complained that satellites launched by Elon Musks SpaceX nearly struck the station.

A foreign ministry spokesman accused Washington on Tuesday of ignoring its treaty obligations to protect the safety of the Tiangong stations three-member crew following the July 1 and Oct. 21 incidents.
NEW YORK (AP)  Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo won't face criminal charges stemming from allegations from two women  including a state trooper  that he planted unwanted kisses on their cheeks, a suburban prosecutor said Tuesday. It's the latest in a series of decisions about whether a raft of sexual assault and harassment claims against Cuomo will end up in criminal court.

Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that while there was evidence to conclude the conduct the women described did occur, she couldn't bring criminal cases over it.

In both instances, my office has determined that, although the allegations and witnesses were credible, and the conduct concerning, we cannot pursue criminal charges due to the statutory requirements of the criminal laws of New York, Rocah said in a statement.

Cuomo had no immediate comment on the decision. The Democrat has denied sexually harassing anyone or touching anyone inappropriately and has said he doesn't recall touching the trooper.

A number of prosecutors around the state launched investigations after state Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, chronicled accusations from 11 women against Cuomo. The August report led to his resignation from office, although he has attacked the findings as biased and inaccurate.

In October, the Albany County sheriffs office filed a misdemeanor groping complaint against Cuomo, but a week later the district attorney asked a judge for more time to evaluate the evidence.

The district attorney said the sheriffs one-page criminal complaint, based on allegations from a woman who said Cuomo slid his hand up her blouse and grabbed her breast at the governors mansion in late 2020, was potentially defective.

At the prosecutors request, a court delayed Cuomos scheduled arraignment until Jan. 7.

Last week, a Long Island prosecutor said Cuomo wouldnt face criminal charges after the same trooper as in the Westchester investigation said she felt completely violated by his unwanted touching at an event at Belmont Park in September 2019. Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce Smith said the allegations were credible and troubling but not criminal under state law.

The alleged Westchester County incident involving the trooper happened outside Cuomo's then-home in Mount Kisco, according to the district attorney's office. The trooper told investigators that while stationed in the driveway as part of Cuomo's security detail in summer 2019, she asked the governor if he needed anything, and he responded by asking her whether he could kiss her.

I remember just freezing, being  in the back of my head, Im like, Oh, how do I say no politely?' Because in my head, if I said no, hes going to take it out on the detail. And now Im on the bad list, she told investigators, according to James' report.

So, she said, she told him, Sure. He kissed her on the cheek, while saying something like Oh, Im not supposed to do that, or Unless thats against the rules, she told investigators.

A male colleague told investigators he witnessed the episode, the attorney general's report said.

The trooper hasn't been publicly identified. A message seeking comment was sent to a lawyer for her.

In the other incident that Westchester prosecutors examined, Cuomo allegedly greeted a woman by grabbing her arm, pulling her toward him and kissing her on the cheek without asking whether that was OK. She was attending a press conference he gave at White Plains High School in June 2018.

I smiled nervously afterward. I had to endure comments from people in attendance, the woman, Susan Iannucci, told reporters at a virtual news conference in August.

Iannucci, a school office manager, said she came forward because she was appalled to see Cuomo use a photo of the encounter in a compilation video that he released to argue that he commonly greeted people with kisses, touches and hugs to convey warmth.

Her lawyer, Gloria Allred, said Tuesday that Iannucci had spoken to the DA's office knowing that criminal charges weren't legally possible. Nonetheless, Iannucci was gratified that prosecutors found her and her allegation credible, her attorney said.

We thank the district attorney's office for their serious consideration of this matter," Allred said in a statement.
NEW YORK (AP)  The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted Wednesday of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by the American millionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

The verdict capped a monthlong trial featuring sordid accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14, told by four women who described being abused as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epsteins palatial homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico.

Jurors deliberated for five full days before finding Maxwell guilty of five of six counts. With the maximum prison terms for each charge ranging from five to 40 years in prison, Maxwell faces the likelihood of years behind bars  an outcome long sought by women who spent years fighting in civil courts to hold her accountable for her role in recruiting and grooming Epsteins teenage victims and sometimes joining in the sexual abuse.

As the verdict was read, Maxwell was largely stoic behind a black mask. Afterward, she could be seen pouring herself water as one of her attorneys patted her back. She stood with her hands folded as the jury filed out, and glanced at her siblings  faithfully in attendance each day of the trial  as she herself was led from the courtroom. She did not hug her lawyers on the way out, a marked change from previous days during which Maxwell and her team were often physically affectionate with one another.

One of her victims, Annie Farmer, said she was grateful the jury recognized Maxwell's pattern of predatory behavior.

She has caused hurt to many more women than the few of us who had the chance to testify in the courtroom, she said in a prepared statement. I hope that this verdict brings solace to all who need it and demonstrates that no one is above the law. Even those with great power and privilege will be held accountable when they sexually abuse and exploit the young.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams praised the victims who testified against Maxwell after experiencing what he called one of the worst crimes imaginable.

I want to commend the bravery of the girls  now grown women  who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom. Their courage and willingness to face their abuser made this case, and todays result, possible, he said in a statement.

Elizabeth Williams/AP

No sentencing date was set.

The defense had insisted Maxwell was a victim of a vindictive prosecution devised to deliver justice to women deprived of their main villain when Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial in 2019.

Her brother, Kevin Maxwell, said the family believes she will be vindicated on appeal. We firmly believe in our sister's innocence, he said in a written statement.

During the trial, prosecutors called 24 witnesses to give jurors a picture of life inside Epsteins homes  a subject of public fascination and speculation ever since his 2006 arrest in Florida in a child sex case.

A housekeeper testified he was expected to be blind, deaf and dumb about the private lives of Epstein, a financier who cultivated friendships with influential politicians and business tycoons, and Maxwell, who had led a jet-setting lifestyle as the favorite child of a media mogul.

Pilots took the witness stand and dropped the names of luminaries  Britains Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump  who flew on Epsteins private jets.

Jurors saw physical evidence like a folding massage table once used by Epstein and a black book that listed contact information for some of the victims under the heading massages.

There were bank records showing he had transferred $30.7 million to Maxwell, his longtime companion  onetime girlfriend, later employee.

But the core of the prosecution was the testimony of four women who said they were victimized by Maxwell and Epstein at tender ages.

Three testified using first names or pseudonyms to protect their privacy: Jane, a television actress; Kate, a former model from Great Britain; and Carolyn, now a mom recovering from drug addiction. The fourth was Farmer, who chose to use her real name after being vocal about her allegations in recent years.

They echoed one another in their descriptions of Maxwells behavior: She used charm and gifts to gain their trust, taking an interest in their adolescent challenges and giving them assurances that Epstein could use his wealth and connections to fulfill their dreams.

They said the script would darken when Maxwell coaxed them into giving massages to Epstein that turned sexual, encounters she played off as normal: After one sexual massage, Kate, then 17, said Maxwell asked her if shed had fun and told her: You are such a good girl.

Carolyn testified that she was one of several underprivileged teens who lived near Epsteins Florida home in the early 2000s and took up an offer to give massages in exchange for $100 bills, which prosecutors described as a pyramid of abuse.

Maxwell made all the arrangements, Carolyn told the jury, even though she knew the girl was only 14 at the time.

Jane said in 1994, when she was only 14, she was instructed to follow Epstein into a pool house at the Palm Beach estate, where he masturbated on her.

Two charges, including the lone count on which Maxwell was acquitted, applied only to Jane.

I was frozen in fear, she told the jury, adding that the assault was the first time she had ever seen a penis. She also directly accused Maxwell of participating in her abuse.

Maxwells lawyer asked Jane why it had taken so long to come forward.

I was scared, she said, choking back tears. I was embarrassed, ashamed. I didnt want anybody to know any of this about me.

The last to testify, Farmer described how Maxwell touched her breasts while giving her a massage at Epsteins New Mexico ranch and how Epstein unexpectedly crawled into bed and pressed himself against her.

Maxwell, who turned 60 on Christmas, vehemently denied the charges through her lawyers.

Still, she declined to take the risk of testifying, telling the judge: The government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt so there is no reason for me to testify.

The charges against Ghislaine Maxwell are for things that Jeffrey Epstein did, one of Maxwells lawyers, Bobbi Sternheim, emphasized to the jury. But she is not Jeffrey Epstein and she is not like Jeffrey Epstein.

Maxwells legal team questioned whether the accusers memories were faulty, or had been influenced by lawyers seeking big payouts from Maxwell and from Epsteins estate in civil court. During their two-day presentation, they called as a witness Elizabeth Loftus, a professor who has testified as a memory expert for defense lawyers at about 300 trials, including the rape trial of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Maxwells family complained she was under duress from harsh conditions at the Brooklyn jail where shes been held since her arrest in July 2020. She had repeatedly, and futilely, sought bail, arguing that she was unable to adequately contribute to her defense.

Before Maxwell was taken from the courtroom, Sternheim asked that arrangements be made to give her a coronavirus booster shot, saying infection rates were rising dramatically at the lockup. The recent surge threatened to derail the trial itself as U.S. District Court Judge Alison J. Nathan prodded jurors to work quickly to avoid the potential of a mistrial caused by sickened jurors.

The legal fights involving Epstein and Maxwell are not over.

Maxwell still awaits trial on two counts of perjury.

Lawsuits loom, including one in which a woman not involved in the trial, Virginia Giuffre, says she was coerced into sexual encounters with Prince Andrew when she was 17. Andrew has denied her account and that lawsuit is not expected to come to trial for many months.

Following the Maxwell verdict, Giuffre released a statement through her lawyers, saying, I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served.

___

AP journalist Ted Shaffrey in New York contributed to this report.
DENVER (AP)  A gunman who went on a shooting rampage in several locations around the Denver area, killing five people and wounding two, targeted his victims based on previous personal and business dealings, authorities said Tuesday.

Lyndon James McLeod, 47, was also killed Monday night after he shot a police officer who confronted him in a busy shopping district in the Denver suburb of Lakewood. The officer managed to fire back at McLeod, killing him, Lakewood police spokesperson John Romero said.

Matt Clark, commander of the Denver Police Departments Major Crimes Division, said the gunman knew most of his victims but not the last person he shot  a clerk in a hotel in Lakewood's Belmar shopping area. Sarah Steck, 28, who died of her injuries Tuesday, was apparently targeted because of a dispute with the hotel, not with her, Clark said.

McLeod once owned a business in Denver called Flat Black Ink Corp. at an address that is now World Tattoo Studio, according to records from the Colorado Secretary of States Office. A man who answered the phone at World Tattoo Studio hung up after he was asked about McLeod on Tuesday evening.

The first shooting took place at a tattoo shop less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from that address. Four of the victims, including three who died, were shot at two tattoo shops in the Denver area.

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said during a news conference that McLeod was on the radar of law enforcement and had been investigated in both 2020 and 2021. He declined to say what McLeod was investigated for but said charges were not filed against him.

The shootings started around 5:30 p.m. in central Denver along Broadway, a busy street lined with shops, bars and restaurants, where two women were killed and a man was injured but expected to survive, police said. Soon after, McLeod forced his way into a home that also housed a business nearby, pursued the occupants through the building and fired shots, but no one was injured, Clark said. Then a man was shot and killed in a home near Denver's Cheesman Park, he said.

Later, Denver police chased the vehicle believed to have been involved in the shootings, and an officer exchanged gunfire with McLeod, Clark said. McLeod was able to get away, fleeing into Lakewood, after gunfire disabled the officer's cruiser, he said.

Just before 6 p.m., the Lakewood Police Department received a report of shots fired at the Lucky 13 tattoo shop. Danny Schofield, 38, was killed there, Romero said.

When officers spotted the car suspected of being involved in the shooting at the Belmar shopping area  where shops line sidewalks in a modern version of a downtown  McLeod opened fire and officers shot back, Romero said. He ran away and allegedly threatened some people in a restaurant with a gun before going to the Hyatt House hotel, where he spoke briefly with Steck, the clerk, before shooting her, he said.

About a minute later, the Lakewood police officer saw McLeod and ordered him to drop his weapon. She was shot in the abdomen but fired back at him, Romero said.

The wounded officer, whose name has not been released, underwent surgery Monday night. She is expected to make a full recovery.

Family members identified one of the other victims Tuesday as Alicia Cardenas, 44, the owner of the Sol Tribe tattoo shop, where the first shooting happened.

Alfredo Cardenas told KMGH-TV that his only daughter owned her first tattoo shop when she was 19 and had worked in the Broadway location in Denver for 15 to 20 years.

Very gregarious, very friendly, but she was a very determined person, he said. She knew where she was going.

Alicia Cardenas is survived by her 12-year-old, Alfredo Cardenas said.

On Tuesday, candles, flower bouquets and some containers of fruit rested in the doorway of Cardenas' shop as people, including her fiance, Daniel Clelland, stopped by to remember a woman they said cared for so many.

I don't know why someone would do this, Clelland said.

___

Associated Press photographer David Zalubowski and writer Thomas Peipert contributed to this report.

___

This version has been updated to correct the spelling of the suspect's last name and the name of shooting victim Danny Schofield.
Anton Deev/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Come early January, it will be illegal for Texas dog owners to chain up their pets outside. Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law in October to help ensure more humane care for companion animals. Violations are considered a Class C misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $500, according to the bill.

The Safe Outdoor Dog Act (or Senate Bill No. 5) bans the use of chains for tethering dogs outside and mandates necessities such as shelter, shade, and clean water. Under the new law, dog owners may only use humane tethers such as trolley systems or ziplines and all allowable tethers must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness.
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

Vote

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An architect received a one-year disqualification for driving under the influence, after an unsuccessful challenge of the charge when he appeared before the recent sitting of Granard District Court.

Conor Boyle, Apt 33, Block E, Smithfield, Dublin 7 was charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant on August 14, 2019.

Garda Eanna Cuffe gave evidence of stopping the defendant at Minard, Longford, while on routine patrol.

The defendant had driven past him and was observed using a mobile phone while travelling on the N4 motorway.

After being stopped, the defendant produced his driving licence and Garda Cuffe detected a strong smell of cannabis and noticed the defendants eyes were bloodshot.

When Garda Cuffe asked the driver if he had been smoking cannabis, the defendant was co-operative and admitted he had a joint the night before.

The defendant had a small amount of cannabis in his possession, which he admitted was for his own use.

An oral sample from the defendant proved positive for cannabis and he was arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station where the defendant had a blood sample taken by a doctor.

This sample later tested positive for cannabis.

Despite a lengthy legal challenge by defence barrister Adrian McDonagh, the defendant was subsequently convicted.

Mr McDonagh had challenged a number of issues including whether or not the defendant was lawfully detained while waiting on roadside testing equipment and also a delay between results from testing of the blood sample for alcohol (which was negative) and also for presence of drugs, the results of which were received a number of weeks later.

Following the legal points raised by him, Mr McDonagh said the court had to ask itself if there was a reasonable doubt.

However, Judge Cephas Power said he was satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and he was recording a conviction.

The court heard the defendant is a native of Sligo and is in a relationship. He had no previous convictions and is a self-employed architect. His work takes him all over the country.

This is the first time ever for him to come before the court, Mr McDonagh said.

The defendant had been co-operative at all times with gardai. The drug possession charge was struck out after a payment of 350 to the court poor box.

A one year driving disqualification was imposed on the driving under the influence charge along with a fine of 400.

Recognisance was fixed should the defendant wish to appeal the conviction.
Christmas came a few days early for over 240 local employees of Longford business, Panelto Foods, with the grand opening of a new 1.5m staff amenities facility.

The new, state-of-the-art expansion was officially opened on December 22 last by Chief Executive Officer of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon, Leas Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Paraic Brady and Pat Connolly from St Vincent De Paul, to whom Panelto Foods gifted a sizable donation of 2,000.

The new amenities for staff include a beautiful employee canteen and office spaces to complement an expansion of the facility in 2018 which effectively doubled factory space and added over 100 new jobs to the 150 strong staff, validating the county as a place to do business.One of the biggest employers in Longford, Panelto Food was established in 2004 and has been a pillar of business in the county ever since, providing jobs to the local community and continuously investing in the Longford site.

In 2020, in the former Ledco building, the Innovation Centre at Panelto was established to research and develop next generation breads.

The local business produces artisan-style premium quality breads for in-store bakeries for the main retailers in Ireland and the UK and exports over 70% of its products to the UK market.

The recent opening of the new staff amenities building further demonstrates Paneltos commitment to its staff and to its investment in the county.

The continued support of over 240 Panelto loyal local staff, the wider Longford community, Enterprise Ireland and Longford County Council has been instrumental in Panelto Foods continuing to invest and grow the business in Longford, said a spokesperson for Panelto.

CEO of Longford County Council attended the opening last week and hailed the new amenities a vote of confidence in the county.

Longford County Council was delighted to attend the opening of the new facilities at Panelto Foods, he told the Longford Leader.

This extension is yet another vote of confidence in Longford as a great place in which to invest and create jobs. It is very welcome news for the county.
Conservationists in the UK have reintroduced a fish into the wild, which was previously extinct.

The tequila fish, which grows no longer than 70 millimetres, disappeared completely from the wild in 2003 following the introduction of invasive, exotic fish species and water pollution.

But more than 1,500 of the fish have now been returned to the Teuchitlan River, in the state of Jalisco in south-west Mexico, thanks to conservationists from Chester Zoo and the Michoacana University of Mexico.

Professor Omar Dominguez, from the university, said:

The tequila splitfin has, for many years, been used by scientists to study the evolution, biogeography and live bearing reproduction techniques of fishes and is a very important species.

We could not stand back and allow it to disappear.

Successfully reinstating this fish in the wild also offers a wider positive impact. Not only has the fish itself been saved, but the environment it lives in has been restored.

The springs are now healthy and the community that lives around them can now enjoy this beautiful place again, along with all of the benefits that a healthy freshwater habitat brings.

Meanwhile, local people, particularly schoolchildren, are fully embracing an ongoing education programme, which is changing the way that many act towards the freshwater environment that surrounds them  something thats absolutely vital if were to ensure long-term change.

The project started in 1998 when the university received five pairs of the fish from Chester Zoo and founded a new colony in a laboratory.

Experts maintained and expanded the fish population for the next 15 years, until 40 pairs were released into artificial ponds at the university.

After four years there were an estimated 10,000 fish in the semi-natural environment and the colony became the source for reintroduction into the wild.

Dr Gerardo Garcia, Chester Zoos curator of lower vertebrates and invertebrates, said:

It is a real privilege to have helped save this charismatic little fish and it just goes to show that with the skill and expertise of conservationists, and with local communities fully invested in a reintroduction project, species can make a comeback from environments where they were once lost.

This is also a great example of how good zoos can play a pivotal role in species conservation.



Conservationists from Michoacana University of Mexico return the tequila fish to the wild

Not only has Chester Zoo been involved technically and financially, the breeders, which became the founding population for the reintroduction of the tequila splitfin, originated at Chester Zoo.

Without the zoo population keeping the species alive for many years, this fish would have been lost forever.

Its humbling to think that a small population, being cared for by aquarists in Chester, has now led to their revival in the wild.

Experts say the wild population of fish is now thriving and the project has been cited as an International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) case study for successful global reintroductions.

It is hoped to lead to future reintroductions of other highly endangered fish species.

Dr Garcia added: With nature declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history  and the rate of extinction accelerating  this is a rare success story.

We now have a blueprint for what works in terms of recovering these delicate fish species in Mexico and already were on to the next one  a new rescue mission for the golden skiffia is already well under way.
(Alliance News) - Cadence Minerals PLC was the top performer on AIM on Wednesday as it cleared away the last big obstacle to its investment in the Amapa iron ore project in Brazil, calling this its "greatest achievement" as a company.

Shares in the London-based investor in mineral resources were 26% higher in London around midday Wednesday at 24.65 pence, easing a bit after jumping by more than 40% in morning trade. Cadence shares are up 70% so far in 2021.

Cadence said it has entered into a binding settlement agreement with the secured bank creditors of Dev Mineracao SA, the owner of the Amapa project. The agreement is the last major precondition for Cadence to vest its initial USD2.5 million for 20% of the Amapa iron ore mine, beneficiation plant, railway and private port.

As a result, Cadence and Indo Sino's joint venture has now secured 100% ownership of Amapa. Cadence has already begun work on the next investment phase to earn an additional 7% of Amapa for USD3.5 million.

Chief Executive Kiran Morzaria said the deal represents its "greatest achievement to date as a mining investment company".

The original credit facility provided to Dev Mineracao had a principle amount outstanding of USD135 million. The agreement settles all of the principle amount plus all interest, default interest, outstanding costs and fees, Cadence said. The new facility is secured over all of Dev Mineracao's equity and assets.

The agreement will see the total principle amounts owed to the creditors reduced to USD103 million from about USD231 million. This will be paid over two years and will come from the net profits from the sale of Dev Mineracao's iron ore stockpiles.

"We have already embarked on Phase 2, where Cadence will vest an additional USD3.5 million to take our holding to 27%. Given the rate of progress that I saw on visiting Amapa in October, I have every confidence that the day when our newly recommissioned mine re-commences production will come, at which point the nascent value in the project will be realised for the benefit of all our investors and shareholders," Morzaria added.

Non-Executive Chair Andrew Suckling said: "The opportunity is simply huge. Amapa was once owned by Anglo American PLC, and we fully intend to restore the mine and infrastructure to its former glory, and more besides given that we intend to produce a higher quality product mix. Even now, the value of this transaction is only starting to register with the markets, something I truly believe will change dramatically in the coming years."

Anglo impaired the asset in its 2012 accounts to USD462 million, holding a 70% stake in the mine at the time.

The project started operations in 2007, with production ramping up from 712,000 tonnes in 2008 to 6.1 million tonnes in 2012. Anglo sold out in 2012, and mining stopped in 2015. The current mineral resource estimate is 176.7 million tonnes at 39.7% iron in the indicated category and 8.7 million tonnes at 36.9% in the inferred category.

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com; and Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - James Fisher & Sons PLC on Wednesday said it has now received all outstanding funds related to a suspended liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique.

Shares in the marine services provider were 16% higher at 352.37 pence on Wednesday in London.

The funds received will go towards reducing net debt and providing further headroom against the company's year-end banking covenant tests. James Fisher said it expects to remain in compliance with its banking covenants.

James Fisher has settled all outstanding claims related to the suspended project and withdrawn its arbitration proceedings.

The settlement will cover the group's costs for the project through 2022 should it not resume in the short term.

James Fisher reiterated its guidance for underling operating profit to come between GBP27 million and GBP32 million for 2021, reflecting a 21% to 33% drop from the GBP40.5 million reported for 2020.

By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Sharecast News) - London stocks were still in the black by midday on Wednesday amid hopes that Omicron will be less severe than previous Covid variants, although volumes were thin as many traders remained away from their desks until after the new year.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.8% at 7,433.04, having hit a 22-month high.



Oanda market analyst Jeffrey Halley said: "Although omicron cases in the US and Europe amongst others, continue to surge, it has yet to make its presence felt negatively in economic data. Europe's restrictions will have a tail impact but, for now, markets are overwhelmingly pricing in the latest variant as a milder incarnation, despite its easier contractibility.



"With market activity much reduced for the holiday season, investors continue to tentatively price in a global recovery hitting a minor bump, and not a pothole."



Unsurprisingly, corporate news was sparse.



AstraZeneca gained after saying that it and California-based Ionis Pharmaceutical had closed a global development and commercialisation agreement for eplontersen, a medicine used in the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis.



Fresnillo was the worst performer on the FTSE 100 after it said mill commissioning at its Juanicipio joint venture in Mexico had been delayed by six months as the state electricity company said it could not give the go-ahead for connection to the national power grid due to the Covid-19 pandemic.



Anglo American edged lower after it and Brazil's Vale started preliminary talks on the potential to jointly develop Vale's Serpentina iron ore resource. The deposit neighbours Anglo American's integrated Minas-Rio iron ore operation in Brazil.







Market Movers



FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,433.04 0.83%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 23,555.75 1.23%

techMARK (TASX) 4,602.24 1.15%



FTSE 100 - Risers



Spirax-Sarco Engineering (SPX) 16,315.00p 3.88%

Experian (EXPN) 3,676.00p 2.91%

Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH) 5,220.00p 2.86%

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 2,250.00p 2.79%

Croda International (CRDA) 10,280.00p 2.70%

Electrocomponents (ECM) 1,236.00p 2.57%

SEGRO (SGRO) 1,427.00p 2.48%

Kingfisher (KGF) 350.90p 2.45%

Next (NXT) 8,132.00p 2.37%

Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,307.50p 2.23%



FTSE 100 - Fallers



Fresnillo (FRES) 878.80p -1.59%

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 144.82p -1.24%

Rio Tinto (RIO) 4,826.50p -0.82%

British American Tobacco (BATS) 2,737.00p -0.47%

Anglo American (AAL) 3,027.00p -0.44%

Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 1,639.20p -0.29%

Polymetal International (POLY) 1,288.50p -0.27%

Evraz (EVR) 604.40p -0.23%

BP (BP.) 337.20p -0.19%

Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 1,346.00p -0.19%



FTSE 250 - Risers



Trustpilot Group (TRST) 318.60p 6.20%

Auction Technology Group (ATG) 1,524.00p 5.25%

Darktrace (DARK) 431.20p 4.86%

Discoverie Group (DSCV) 1,016.00p 4.42%

Frasers Group (FRAS) 777.50p 4.29%

Computacenter (CCC) 2,928.00p 3.54%

Dr. Martens (DOCS) 428.20p 3.33%

Bodycote (BOY) 874.00p 3.19%

Kainos Group (KNOS) 1,922.00p 3.11%

NCC Group (NCC) 241.00p 2.99%



FTSE 250 - Fallers



Petropavlovsk (POG) 19.10p -4.98%

Carnival (CCL) 1,413.00p -3.38%

TUI AG Reg Shs (DI) (TUI) 239.60p -3.19%

Baltic Classifieds Group (BCG) 234.00p -2.90%

Hochschild Mining (HOC) 129.30p -2.78%

888 Holdings (888) 297.80p -2.36%

Harbour Energy (HBR) 357.60p -1.92%

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (USA) 313.00p -1.88%

Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited NPV (SONG) 125.60p -1.41%

VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd. (VOF) 515.00p -1.34%
(Sharecast News) - London stocks were set to rise at the open on Wednesday but volumes were expected to be thin as many traders remain away from their desks until after the new year.

The FTSE 100 was called to open up around 0.7%.



Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Ava Trade, said: "US and European futures are trading higher as investors continue to favour riskier assets. Having said that, investors are still monitoring the Omicron situation closely which has led to regional and national lockdowns around the globe.



"The optimism is that we are not going to see these restrictions staying in place for an extended period of time. Supply chain issues are already profound and no one wants to see them becoming more worse as it will hurt economic growth in the US and rest of the world.



"Today, investors will be looking at wholesale inventories data to see how businesses project economic activity will be like in the short term. Similarly, pending home sales data is also scheduled to be released today.



"Overall, market sentiment was mixed due to a rise in coronavirus cases in the United States. As a result, investors are weighing the risks of rapidly rising Covid-19 cases against aggressive monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve to determine what economic growth will look like in 2022."



In corporate news, Fresnillo said mill commissioning at its Juanicipio joint venture in Mexico had been delayed by six months after the state electricity company said it could not give the go-ahead for connection to the national power grid due to the Covid-19 pandemic.



The silver and gold project is operated with MAG Silver Corp. Mexico's Comision Federal de Electricidad said staff shortages meant it could not review the existing installation; supervise physical connection to the active power grid; and approve required blackout prevention devices.












Polyphor AG / Key word(s): Merger/Financing Polyphor to inform about the financing of its merger partner EnBiotix 29-Dec-2021 / 07:30 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LRAllschwil, Switzerland, December 29, 2021

Polyphor to inform about the financing of its merger partner EnBiotix

Polyphor AG (SIX: POLN) and EnBiotix Inc. today announced that EnBiotix has completed a convertible debenture raise of USD 11 million to finance its future operations. With this financing the last major step towards the closing of the merger between Polyphor and EnBiotix has been made and the closing is expected to take place before year end 2021. Upon completion of the merger transaction, Polyphor and EnBiotix will merge, whereby Polyphor will acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of EnBiotix in exchange for around 35.3 million shares of Polyphor common stock. The combined entity will be renamed Spexis AG. Additional information can be found via press release issued by EnBiotix (http://www.enbiotix.com/media/pressreleases/).

"We are very pleased that we have now completed this last and important step catalyzing the closing of the business combination of EnBiotix and Polyphor to create Spexis", said Jeffrey D. Wager, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EnBiotix. "We believe that Spexis will pursue a unique position as a rare disease and oncology company and look very much forward to generating a powerful platform for pipeline and corporate development."

For further information please contact:

For Investors: Hernan Levett Chief Financial Officer Polyphor Ltd. +41 61 567 16 00 IR@polyphor.com For Media: Dr. Stephan Feldhaus Feldhaus & Partner +41 79 865 92 56 feldhaus@feldhaus-partner.ch

About PolyphorPolyphor is a research-oriented Swiss biopharmaceutical company with a leading macrocyclic peptide technology platform. Polyphor is headquartered in Allschwil near Basel and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: POLN). www.polyphor.com.

About EnBiotixEnbiotix is a privately-held, rare disease company with an initial focus on chronic respiratory diseases. EnBiotix is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA with its affiliate, EnBiotix, GmbH based in Leipzig, Germany. www.enbiotix.com.

DisclaimerThis press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current assumptions and forecasts of the Polyphor management. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the forward-looking statements made here and the actual development, in particular Polyphor's results, financial situation, and performance. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only of the date of this communication. Polyphor disclaims any intention or obligation to update and revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
As we close out 2021, Manistee County Library would like to honor those who have passed this year. We will continue to enjoy their talent and stories. They will be truly missed.

Authors

 Eric Carle (6/25/1929-5/23/2021) was an author and illustrator of childrens books, including the beloved The Very Hungry Caterpillar. His books have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide.

 Jerry Pinkey (12/22/1939-10/20/202) wrote and illustrated childrens books. His most recent illustrations can be seen in Margaret Wise Browns book, A Home in the Barn. He was awarded the Randolph Caldecott Medal, and the Coretta Scott King and Laura Ingalls Wilder Awards many times.

 Lois Ehlert (11/9/34-5/25/2021) was best known for her childrens picture books including Chica Chica Boom Boom and The Color Zoo which received a Caldecott Honor.

 Patricia Reilly Giff (4/26/1935-6/22/2021) a childrens author who won a Newbery Honor for Pictures of Hollis Woods and Lilys Crossing wrote for middle grade readers.

 Beverly Cleary (4/12//1916-3/25/2021) wrote the beloved childrens book Ramona, the Pest. She went on to write over 49 books and Congress named her a Living Legend in 2000 for her writing achievements.

 Norton Juster (6/2/1929-3/8/2021) was primarily an architect. He began writing childrens stories while in the service and published his most famous title, The Phantom Tollbooth, after his discharge. His book The Dot and the Line: a Romance in Lower Mathematics was frequently used in classrooms.

 Joan Didion (12/5/1934-12/23/2021) wrote The Year of Magical Thinking and her memoir Blue Nights and many other titles.

 Rush Limbaugh (1/12/1951-2/17/2021) was a radio personality, TV host and author. The Way Things Ought to Be and See, I Told You So were the first titles he published. His childrens series Rush Revere featured time-travel through American history.

 Gary Paulsen (5/17/1939-10/13/2021) wrote childrens and young adult coming of age and wilderness survival stories. His love of writing and stories began when a librarian gave him a notebook and pencil to write down his thoughts.

 Wilbur Smith (1/9/1933-11/13/2021) published his first novel, When the Lion Feeds which led to a film contract and started his full-time writing career. His stories feature historical fiction set in South Africa.

 Larry McMurtrys (6/3/1936-3/25/202) novels were set in the west. Many were made into movies including Hud, adapted from The Horseman and Lonesome Dove, the television mini-series.

 Anne Rice (10/4/1941-12/11/2021) was best known for her novels in The Vampire Chronicles. Interview With a Vampire was adapted into the Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise movie of the same title.

 Lawrence Ferlinghetti (3/24/1919-2/22/2021) was a poet, painter, publisher and social activist. He was known for publishing the Beat poets and his own collection of poems A Coney Island of the Mind was so successful, it was translated into other languages and over a million copies were printed.

 Eric Jerome Dickey (7/7/1961-1/3/2021) wrote 15 crime novels. Friends and Lovers was made into a play.

Actors

 Christopher Plummer (12/13/1929-2/5/2021) Pulp Fiction, All the Money in the World, The Sound of Music and more.

 Cicely Tyson (12/18/1924- 1/28/2021) was an actress and author. Known for her roles in Because of Winn-Dixie (DVD) and The Help (DVD), she published her autobiography this year.

 Ed Asner (11/15/1929-8/29/2021) voiced Carl Fredericksen in the movie Up (DVD). Hes also known for his roles in Elf, Elephant Sighs and the television series The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

 Peter Scolari (9/12/1955-10/22/2021) had roles in the television series Bosom Buddies and Newhart, as well as the movies The Polar Express and Camp Nowhere.

 Michael K. Williams (11/22/1966-9/6/2021) starred in the HBO series The Wire and Boardwalk Empire.

 Clarence Williams III (8/21/1939-6/4/2021) was known for his roles in Mod Squad and Mystery Woman.

 Helen McCrory (8/17/1968-4/16/2021) played Narcissa Malfoy in Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows, Part 1 and 2, and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. She was cast in the movies The Queen and Skyfall and many more.

Manistee County Library carries many of these titles. Others are available online from our digital media platforms, Up North Digital and Hoopla. MeLCat is an option for titles the library does not own. Please visit our website, manisteelibrary.org/, for hours of operation, our online catalog,and links to digital platforms and MeL databases.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of the News Advocate's top stories of the year compilation (in no particular order) revisiting and recapping Manistee County's biggest news from 2021.

In late 2020 and early 2021, the merger of former North Flight EMS meant Saginaw-based Mobile Medical Response became the primary ambulance service in Manistee County instead.

The MMR transition came with its fair share of hurdles like peak COVID-19 hospitalizations, staffing turnover and shortages, and ambulance staging changes tied to the detour for the M-55 bridge project.

 FEBRUARY

At the February Manistee County Public Safety meeting, a list of county leaders pointed to looming problems in the area with emergency response services that several said did not start with the December merger, but also had not yet improved with MMR at the helm.

Paul Owens, operations manager with MMR in Manistee County and the former North Flight general manager, said some aspects went smoothly while other areas brought hurdles to overcome.

The move also coincided with the intersection of several events in the area: the start of a lengthy M-55 bridge project and detour that impacted ambulance routes, and peak COVID-19 hospitalizations in the region.

One of the weak parts of (the merger) hindsight always being 20/20 was the timing of the peak of COVID in there, which nobody could predict, Owens said. With COVID peaking at that very time, as we all vividly remember, we had a lot of frontline workers that were very anxious about working. We had some people quit as a result of it (who) just didnt want to take the risk of their family (and) coming to work.

He said a large part of that was due to the fear of COVID and the unknown timelines for vaccinations following the fall peak.

That was probably the most traumatic in (that) timeframe, Owens said. Even though we had been dealing with it, we saw a peak, went down, and then I dont think anybody predicted the spike that was going to happen in the fall again. From our perspective, it was worse than the first peak (in the region).

 SEPTEMBER

At the September public safety committee meeting, it was reported that about 12,000 licensed paramedics and EMTs across the state were expected to be receiving a flyer as the ambulance service provider hoped to bring much-needed staffing to Manistee County and several neighbors in the region.

Manistee County is considered the area of greatest need for Mobile Medical Response medical services that covers Manistee, Grand Traverse and Wexford counties in this region, plus about a dozen others outside of the region.

Owens said at the September Manistee County Public Safety Committee meeting that part of MMRs plans to address staffing shortages here is to use sign-on bonuses and stipends as incentives.

Its very expensive. Were putting a lot of money into this to hopefully combat the problem we have with being short, Owens said.

Owens reported at the meeting that Manistee County had the lowest staff numbers with the most job openings.

Owens unveiled 11 initiatives to the committee meeting that aim to alleviate the problems of not having enough health care workers who are desperately needed in the region and specifically in Manistee County.

The initiatives focus on efforts like enticing new staff through bonuses, as well as mass mailings to licensed EMTs and paramedics in Michigan, and stipends for some.

When we offer up jobs, we are going to increase our sign-on bonus and if we hire a paramedic here, they will get $7,500 sign-on bonus, Owens said, adding that it is an increase of $6,000 from the original bonus rate.

New full-time EMTs brought on staff for MMR could also expect a $1,000 sign-on bonus.

 DECEMBER

In December, Jason Sopha, supervisor with Mobile Medical Responses northwest region, noted at the public safety meeting that in October MMR changed the new configuration of advanced life support and basic life support vehicles in the county.

If we only have one ALS truck in the county  so one ALS truck (and) one BLS truck  that ALS truck does not go out of county unless it is a verified emergent transfer, he explained. What that does is that keeps that ALS truck available in the county.

Earlier this year, several people who are leaders in first response such as 911 and others noted that there were problems when the county was left without access to an advanced life support ambulance while MMR transferred patients outside of Manistee County.

Sopha said this new system has helped with that issue.

He said there have been times that MMR has needed to use the ALS truck for transfers.

However, working with the hospital, our sister organization with NorthFlight Aeromed, theyve answered the call, he said. They actually had a huge increase in the number of air transports out of Manistee hospital. That allows us to keep our ground units in county available for other 911 calls or even returning people home locally.

He said starting on Jan. 1, MMR will be covering the county a minimum of five out of seven days with two trucks staffed with advanced life support employees. The other two days of the week would mean one advanced life support and one basic life support staffed ambulances.

Thats a huge turnaround from a few months ago where we were having problems staffing two trucks just in general. Were definitely making progress, Sopha reported.
India's Harnaaz Sandhu made history on December 13, as she was crowned Miss Universe 2021 after competing with contestants from across 80 countries. She brought back the glorious crown in India after 21 years and has been getting appreciated for her poise and grace. She has been getting offers from brands and many media houses are getting in touch to know her side of the story.

When you are climbing the ladder of success, there will be people who will pin point your flaws. In her case, there were trolls who went on to say that she won the beauty pageant only because of her pretty face. Speaking with Mid-Day, Harnaaz said, There are a lot of people who say [I] won because [I] have a pretty face. But I know the amount of effort that went behind it. Instead of indulging in argument, Id rather work hard to make them realise [my worth]. This is the stereotype that I want to break. This [win] is a lot like an Olympic [win]. When we appreciate a sports-person who represents the country, why cant we [appreciate] beauty pageant winners? However, mindsets are changing, and I am happy to be breaking stereotypes already.

She also expressed her wish to pursue acting and break stereotype in the film industry as well. I dont want to be a normal actress. I want to be one of those who are very influential, and who break stereotypes by choosing strong characters, being wise, and inspirational, she added.

She recently revealed in an interview with Bollywood Hungama that she wants to play Priyanka Chopra in her biopic. In her earlier interactions with media houses, she has always revealed that PeeCee is her inspiration as the actor has created own brand with her acting skills and singing talent. Harnaaz also wishes to follow her footsteps and make the country proud.

Talking about her plans as Miss Universe for the coming year, she told Times Of India, My advocacy is regarding women empowerment and for this, For this, I have been focusing on my community because I have seen how my mother has dealt with a patriarchal system. I would like to talk about women empowerment all around the world, beginning with menstrual hygiene because it all starts from within. When you have a healthy body and mind that's when you can follow your purpose and passion. We need to take action now, then only can we look forward to the future.

She also added, I think we need to educate everyone about menstrual hygiene. Another thing that I have been vigorously focusing on is our constitutional rights - right to education, right to work and to choose your partner. You need to be your own voice, you have the power to change your life. Thirdly, is to make women realise their emotional power and the fact that we always have each other's back.

We wish she lives up to her words.

Source: Mid-Day
Jr NTR, also known as Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr. or Tarak, is one of the most successful and highest-paid actors down South. The actor, who owns a huge fan-following, is now gearing up for the release of his much-hyped film RRR. Co-starring Ram Charan, RRR is directed by Baahubali helmer SS Rajamouli and is slated to hit the big screens on January 7. Currently, he is busy promoting the much-awaited movie.

During an interview recently, Jr NTR recalled his initial days and talked about the time when he was depressed. He shared that he was confused as an actor when he initially entered the industry.



Calling himself an 'inexperienced baccha' who delivered a superhit film Student No. 1 when he was just 18 years old, Jr NTR asked, "But how long are you going to keep going up?" and added "There is definitely going to be a steep fall".

Talking to RJ Siddharth Kannan about facing failure during his initial days and how it hit him hard, the actor said, "There were films that werent working out, and I was depressed. Not because the films werent working out, but because I was confused as an actor. I didnt know what I should do".

This phase lasted till the actor's late-20s when he finally met Rajamouli who helped him 'introspect'. Since then, the actor's career is on a high and he's happy with his growth as a performer.

While the release date of Shahid Kapoor-starrer Jersey has been postponed amid the increase in coronavirus cases, RRR is still holding onto its release date. Made at a budget of Rs 400 crore, reportedly, the pan-India film also features Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt in pivotal roles.

RRR revolves around the fictional story of two revolutionaries named Komaram Bheem (Rama Rao) and Alluri Sitarama Raju (Charan), who reportedly fought against Nizam of Hyderabad and British Raj respectively.

Source: Indian Express
Low-carbon nickel has come into focus while the battery industry develops and production ramps up. End-users are seeking supply agreements with producers who can offer low-carbon material to support the green credentials of their electric vehicles.There is growing anxiety within the industry that producers who meet strict environmental criteria may not be able to compete with low-cost, high-carbon intensity producers in areas such as Indonesia and the Philippines.Mining companies that operate in western jurisdictions or [western] scrutiny such as the [European Union] or North America are severely handicapped compared to mining companies that are able to operate under less onerous oversight, Giga Metals president and director Martin Vydra told Fastmarkets.We need global standards, that every country has to adopt for mining, Vydra added.

This is largely due to the high capital intensity required to meet environmental and sustainability targets, alongside higher labor costs in regions like Australia...
Deals concluded involved volumes ranging from 500 tonnes per month to over 1,000 tonnes per month. Deals involving at least a total of 30,000 tonnes have been concluded by Wednesday.



That deals were being concluded at $177 per tonne after the initial producer offer was made at $195 per tonne caught several traders by surprise.



Deals were concluded at a much lower $177 per tonne after producers lowered their initial offer by $10 per tonne to $185 per tonne on December 21 to spur buying interest.



Some traders had previously expected producers to be unrelenting in the negotiations for the first quarter despite poor buying interest.



Most traders also expected a replay of the fourth-quarter negotiations, when talks slowed to an impasse after buyers proved unwilling to fork out $230 per tonne - the initial producer offer  for fourth-quarter supply. Negotiation deadlines during that quarter were pushed back at least three times before a producer deal was concluded.



For the first quarter, no deals had emerged in the nine days after the initial offer. But unlike those for the fourth quarter, buyers appeared to be wielding a hardline approach to negotiations.



Consumers who typically concluded deals earlier were reported to have not actively engaged in negotiations, with $195 per tonne deemed implausible in a quiet market. Among traders, quarterly negotiations were also perceptibly scarcer this quarter with fewer being involved in active negotiations with producers.



After the first producer deal was inked at $177 per tonne in the week to December 24, the hardline approach continued, with traders pressuring other producers to also lower their offers from $192 per tonne and $193 per tonne, to $177 per tonne.



Some Japanese buyers have told producers that they will only conclude deals at $177 per tonne and that producers should lower their offers to that level, a seasoned trader in Japan shared with Fastmarkets on Monday.



Two trading firms have also concluded quarterly deals, with one selling 500 tonnes per month to a Japanese buyer at $177 per tonne, Fastmarkets understands.



A veteran trader in Singapore, weighing in on current low buying interest and the protracted negotiations for the first quarter, said that the buyers may still be unhappy about what happened during the fourth-quarter negotiations, when deals were concluded at $220 per tonne, much higher than the spot market which was around $180 per tonne. That $220 per tonne did not hold in the spot market meant that everyone was left with high-priced cargoes that they could not sell.



Naturally market participants are more cautious now.



Fastmarkets later settled its fourth-quarter MJP premium at $215-220 per tonne over the London Metal Exchange cash price.
AG Nessel Joins Coalition Urging U.S. Senate to Strengthen Protections for Pregnant Individuals and Families

AG Nessel Joins Coalition Urging U.S. Senate to Strengthen Protections for Pregnant Individuals and Families

Attorney General

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746

Public inquiries: 517-335-7622

December 29, 2021

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general from around the nation in calling on the U.S. Senate to protect pregnant individuals and families by passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The PWFA, which received bipartisan support from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee earlier this year, secures the rights of pregnant individuals to be provided reasonable accommodations at work without fear of being pushed out of their jobs.

"This legislation provides proper protections for pregnant workers who all too often face choosing between paying bills and ensuring a safe pregnancy," Nessel said. "I join my colleagues in urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. We must not stand for discrimination related to bringing a child into this world."

Currently, despite both the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in place, pregnant workers are not fully protected under the law. Reasonable accommodations under the ADA are available only to qualified individuals living with disabilities, including those disabilities related to pregnancy. Reasonable accommodations can include, but are not limited to, sitting instead of standing, taking more regular breaks, and temporarily avoiding certain activities, like heavy lifting. Individuals in low-paying jobs are disproportionately people of color and those individuals are also more likely to be denied reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy due to the culture and demands of low-paying workplaces.

In the letter to U.S. Senate leadership, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the coalition strongly urges the Senate pass the PFWA because it is needed to prevent pregnant workers from being forced out of their jobs or forced into taking unwanted leave. The PWFA - which is closely modeled after the ADA - would prohibit employment practices that discriminate against employees making requests for reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, and would make it clear to both workers and employers what rights and obligations need to be fulfilled under the law. Additionally, the bill would not require a pregnant employee to prove that another employee in a similar situation had also received accommodations in order to obtain their own accommodation.

Joining Attorneys General Nessel and James in sending today's letter to Senate leadership are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
Gov. Whitmer solidifies anti-fraud measures to protect unemployed workers

Gov. Whitmer solidifies anti-fraud measures to protect unemployed workers

Executive order and directive formally establish Unemployment Fraud Response Team and UIA tools resulting in current 0.57% fraud rate - over 3 times lower than before the pandemic

December 29, 2021

Media Contact: Nick Assendelft, 517-388-3135

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2021-16 today permanently establishing the Unemployment Insurance Fraud Response Team which solidifies the coordination among state departments and law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals who steal jobless benefits intended for Michigan workers.

The governor also issued Executive Directive 2021-14 directing the Unemployment Insurance Agency to continue to use new technologies, integrate stakeholder expertise, partner with community organizations to educate potential UI claimants, and prioritize enforcement of UI fraud cases through the Response Team.

"It's extremely important that we continue to push back on bad actors who look to take advantage of a vital safety net resource for out-of-work Michiganders," said Gov. Whitmer. "While we are seeing increased success in identifying and stopping fraudulent claims, we cannot let up. We owe it to workers to make sure this jobs resource is available when they need it the most. Today's action ensures the Unemployment Insurance Fraud Response Team continues to have the expertise and tools necessary to ramp up our efforts to prevent bad actors from defrauding the system."

A new report prepared by Deloitte released today found UIA, now under new leadership, prevented nearly $43.7 billion in benefits in imposter fraud or intentional misrepresentation by the applicant. The report also determined between Oct. 3, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, UIA's anti-fraud efforts cut the rate of cases involving imposter fraud and intentional misrepresentation to only 0.57%. For comparison, the US Dept. of Labor (DOL) shows Michigan's average pre-pandemic fraud rate was 2.01% from July 2017 through July 2020 and the federal agency has estimated that the fraud rate during the pandemic could be much higher than the 3% national average.

"Our diligence in identifying fraudulent claims proves that we now have effective processes to identify criminals who steal benefits from unemployed workers and Michigan taxpayers," said Julia Dale, UIA director. "We will use all the sophisticated tools available to us - and pursue new opportunities and partnerships - to continue aggressively fighting unemployment insurance fraud."

Today's report looked at federal and state UI benefits programs launched to help workers affected by COVID-19. It defined likely imposter fraud as claims filed by an apparent bad actor to fraudulently extract funds. The report defined likely intentional misrepresentation as claims filed by a legitimate claimant who appeared to be misrepresenting their eligibility for benefits.

A November 2020 Deloitte report documented steps UIA had taken to enhance its fraud risk management capabilities to address identified vulnerabilities in the unemployment system. The report did not include cases of intentional misrepresentation. Many of those and subsequent measures to prevent fraud are solidified in today's executive directive:

Detect anomalies to identify questionable claims for additional review using UIA's Fraud Manager software. Fraud Manager analyzes claims at filing and certification, flagging irregularities or other suspicious patterns.

Continue using tools provided by the Integrity Data Hub to identify foreign IP addresses, suspicious email domains, multi-state claims and other tip-offs to fraud. Michigan was one of the first states to join the initiative.

Implement daily reviews of all claim activities and establishing procedures to resolve matters for victims of identity theft who need to file a new claim.

Continue implementing protocols that streamline workflows by detecting fraudulent claims activity in bulk.

Continue following procedures to resolve matters for victims of identity theft in real time. Identify theft victims must be empowered to file legitimate claims and access resources available to them to protect their identity.

Retain experts, as needed, to counter criminal attacks on the UI system, analyze fraudulent unemployment activity, and clear legitimate accounts.

Create partnerships with community organizations to educate potential UI claimants on eligibility requirements and improve accessibility for disadvantaged communities.

Prioritize enforcement of UI fraud cases through the Unemployment Insurance Fraud Response Team created by Executive Order 2021-16, which continues the work of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force created by Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Develop operational metrics to track objectives and key results.

In addition, the UIA will:

Modernize its current IT system. A new claims processing system that is agile, robust and secure will allow for quicker response to economic changes and provide more internal control over touchpoints with our customers.

Launch an aggressive staff training regimen to address knowledge and skills gaps to better allow the agency to pivot in times of crisis and move resources fluidly to address growing issues.

Identify opportunities for procedural changes or creating new procedures that will increase agency efficiency not only in current processes, but in recognizing emerging trends that need to be addressed.

Focus on a human-centered, plain language approach with customers by making sure correspondence isn't confusing, requests by the agency are clear, and missteps can be avoided when dealing with customers.

Marshall resources, processes and stakeholder partnerships to identify potential fraud cases and deploy new technologies to supplement existing identity proofing tools.

Plan for UIA's participation in the DOL's Tiger Teams anti-fraud initiative, tapping multi-discipline experts including fraud specialists.

Integrate the National Association of State Workforce Agencies' (NASWA) Integrity Data Hub, which identifies high risk claim indicators, into UI fraud detection and prevention processes.

Create partnerships with community organizations to educate potential UI claimants on eligibility requirements and improve accessibility for disadvantaged communities.

Collaborate with DOL and NASWA to track trends and emerging fraud schemes perpetrated by multi-state criminal enterprises.

UIA's What is Fraud webpage details its anti-fraud actions and how you can prevent fraud.

The creation of the Fraud Response Team builds on the efforts of Attorney General Nessel's previously established Michigan Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force. The work of the Task Force, which was first announced in June 2020, has resulted in 54 Michiganders being charged with UI fraud by either state or federal authorities - in some cases netting millions of dollars - with 37 cases pending. Nine people have pleaded guilty or been convicted and three have been sentenced. Those accused of facilitating fraud include five UIA employees or contract workers.

"I applaud Gov. Whitmer's action to ensure bad actors continue to be identified through the Unemployment Insurance Fraud Response Team," said Nessel. "Michiganders currently out of work should not have to worry that the benefits available are being exploited by criminals, which is why our task force has remained focused on rooting out fraud. I look forward to working with our agency partners to support this new endeavor."

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an extremely difficult period for the UIA as the agency faced enormous challenges beginning in March 2020. Despite these challenges, the UIA has paid over $39 billion in benefits to more than 3.3 million workers, with over 99% of eligible claimants receiving benefits. Besides organized fraud schemes, the agency also faced:

Unprecedented Number of Claims : The agency received 77 times more claims that it did in an average week before the pandemic. In the spring of 2020, the volume peaked with a high of over 388,000 claims in a single week, compared with just 5,000 claims before the pandemic and a previous all-time weekly high of 77,000 during the Great Recession.

: The agency received 77 times more claims that it did in an average week before the pandemic. In the spring of 2020, the volume peaked with a high of over 388,000 claims in a single week, compared with just 5,000 claims before the pandemic and a previous all-time weekly high of 77,000 during the Great Recession. Implementing New and Complex Federal Programs : In addition to traditional state unemployment benefits, the agency has had to quickly build and administer several new federal UI programs created by Congress that required the state to allow individual to self-certify their own qualification.

: In addition to traditional state unemployment benefits, the agency has had to quickly build and administer several new federal UI programs created by Congress that required the state to allow individual to self-certify their own qualification. Transitioning Staff to Remote Work: Under extremely difficult circumstances, nearly the entire 650+ UIA staff was quickly transitioned to remote work to ensure service to UIA customers continued during the worst global pandemic in over a century.

Incomparable levels of sophisticated, international criminal actors exploited the pandemic with new technology tools and previously stolen information to file fraudulent claims. In May 2020, the U.S. Secret Service warned of an international criminal ring committing large-scale fraud against state unemployment programs across the country. In June 2020, DOL warned that the pandemic created a perfect storm for criminal activity across the country and nearly every state has been a victim of fraud schemes. Emerging reports from states across the country reveal billions of dollars in fraudulent claims were lost to criminal activity.

Today's Deloitte report estimates that out of a potential $52.2 billion in attempted fraudulent claims between March 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021, an estimated $2.7 -$2.8 billion was paid to claims involving likely imposter fraud and an estimated $5.6 - $5.7 billion was paid to claims involving likely intentional misrepresentation fraud. The bulk of payments were federally funded through the various Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs.

The report also estimated that state-funded UI claims totaled only 2.9% of the total amount identified. With over 97% of imposter fraud and intentional misrepresentation claims coming from federal jobless programs, there was minimal impact to the state's unemployment trust fund.

"It's extremely disheartening that bad actors have defrauded the much-needed benefits intended for hard-working Michiganders and the scale of their actions is stunning," said UIA Director Dale. "We have been successful over the past year in limiting the percentage of cases that are fraudulent to less than 1 percent, but we will never stop fighting for our workers."

If you suspect you are a victim of fraud of identity theft, report it through Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM). Go to Michigan.gov/UIA for information on preventing fraud or identity theft.

Claimants with questions about their accounts can call UIA Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; employers can call 1-855-484-2636. Or go to Michigan.gov/UIA.
Department of Attorney General, Michigan State Police Prevail in Employment Lawsuits

Department of Attorney General, Michigan State Police Prevail in Employment Lawsuits

Attorney General

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746

Public inquiries: 517-335-7622

December 28, 2021

LANSING - A federal judge granted summary judgement in three civil lawsuits filed by white male police officers against Michigan State Police (MSP), alleging that they were discriminated and retaliated against because of their race and gender, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan Judge Robert J. Jonker dismissed the cases brought by Robert Hahn, Michael Caldwell and Michael McCormick in orders filed Monday.

The McCormick opinion notes, "In this case, Plaintiff Michael McCormick alleges he was passed over for the position of Post Commander in May 2019 in favor of a racial minority because of discriminatory and retaliatory animus due to his race, gender, and the complaints he had made in March 2018 after being passed over for a previous promotion in 2015. But it is uncontroverted that McCormick withdrew his application for Post Commander before it could be considered and his arguments for relief from this requirement of a prima facie case are unavailing. Moreover, McCormick admits he had an angry attitude and that this attitude affected his professional relationships, which is exactly the reasons superiors gave for concern about promoting him. This is fatal to any claim of pretext. Accordingly, and for the reasons set out more fully below, the Court grants the defense motion for summary judgment and dismisses this case."

The Hahn and Caldwell opinion states, "Plaintiffs plainly disagree as a policy matter with the priorities of the Michigan State Police. And at bottom, this is all they have shown. The main characters in this case are all white males. There is scant evidence that Director Gasper had any active involvement in Plaintiffs' disciplinary process. Moreover, Plaintiffs cannot point to a comparator to make out a prima facie case of reverse race and gender discrimination. Nor can they demonstrate the reasons underlying their respective disciplines were pretext for unlawful race and gender discrimination or that their discipline was retaliation for their complaints about the administration's diversity policies. Accordingly, for the reasons explained more fully below, the Court grants the defense motions and dismisses these two lawsuits."

"These dismissals are important not just for MSP's integrity as an employer, but for recognizing there is nothing inherently illegal about a diverse and inclusive work environment," Nessel said. "These suits were an attempt to undermine MSP's efforts to ensure the force properly represents the communities it serves. That doesn't amount to discrimination - it's responsible community policing. I appreciate that Judge Jonker's findings make clear the allegations laid out by these plaintiffs simply did not exist. I'm also proud of the AAGs who worked diligently to achieve this outcome for our client agency."

"This affirms what we have said from the beginning - the claims are false," MSP Director Col. Joe Gasper said. "There never was, or will be, employment, promotion, retention, or any other personnel practice decisions made motivated by bias or based on discrimination. We are pleased with this conclusion and remain committed to supporting a work environment with equal opportunity for all of our members."

You can read both opinions on the Department's website:
Michigan Department of Civil Rights: MICRC Maps Dilute Minority Voting Strength

Michigan Department of Civil Rights: MICRC Maps Dilute Minority Voting Strength

Vicki Levengood levengoodv@michigan.gov Civil Rights

December 29, 2021

LANSING, MI--John E. Johnson, Jr., Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, has issued the following statement in response to the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) vote on Tuesday, December 28, to adopt new electoral maps for Michigan.

"As the Michigan Civil Rights Commission detailed in their November 22 resolution, and as we outlined in our analysis and in our direct testimony at hearings across the state, the maps the Redistricting Commission developed and voted to adopt will dilute minority voting strength. It is deeply concerning that a public body in 2021, despite overwhelming input from experts, academics and the citizens who will be directly impacted by their decisions, endorsed maps that do not meet this vital legal and ethical test. The Commission will review this outcome and consider what next steps it will take."

At their November 22 meeting, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission passed a resolution calling upon the MICRC to ensure they do not dilute the minority vote in their adoption of new electoral maps. Read the resolution here: Michigan Civil Rights Commission Calls for Fair Maps, Opposes Minority Vote Dilution in Redistricting Process.

Find MDCR's memo to the MICRC on the proposed maps here.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission was created by the Michigan Constitution to safeguard constitutional and legal guarantees against discrimination. The Commission is charged with investigating alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or national origin, genetic information, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disability. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights serves as the operational arm of the Commission.

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2021 Accomplishments Countdown: Early Learning & Childcare

2021 Accomplishments Countdown: Early Learning & Childcare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 28, 2021

Contact: press@michigan.gov

2021 Accomplishments Countdown: Early Learning & Childcare

Governor Whitmer counts down to 2022 by highlighting administration's progress on 10 kitchen-table issues that makes a difference in people's lives

LANSING, Mich. - The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration is counting down the last 10 days of 2021 by celebrating Michigan's progress on 10 fundamental kitchen-table issues. Today we celebrate progress Michigan has made on early learning and childcare.

"Every family in Michigan deserves access to safe, quality, affordable childcare that meets their needs," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "Through the pandemic, few felt the strain more than Michigan's working families who juggled work and childcare amidst unprecedented circumstances. When we put our kids first, we can deliver meaningful change that makes a difference in their lives and help families get back to work. I am proud of the historic investments we have made to expand access to low- or no-cost childcare and free preschool in the latest state budget and I look forward to more progress."

Getting Things Done

Governor Whitmer has continued to put families and children first by prioritizing investments in our children's earliest years. She has expanded programs and made key investments to give every child in Michigan access to high-quality, affordable childcare and early learning opportunities. These actions put children on a path to success and strengthen our economy by helping parents return to work knowing their children are safe and learning.

Key Numbers

Signed a record $1.4 billion in childcare funding, expanding access to high-quality, affordable childcare-including $700 million in stabilization grants for childcare businesses.

Delivered $1,000 bonuses to childcare professionals.

Expanded access to free preschool for 22,000 more four-year olds through the high-quality, homegrown Great Start Readiness Program.

Created access to affordable childcare for 112,000 more children and their families. Families of four earning up $49,000 are now eligible for free or low-cost childcare under new criteria, boosting Michigan's economic momentum by helping parents go back to work knowing that their kids are cared for.

Invested $215 million to support over 7,000 childcare providers with emergency federal relief through the Child Care Relief Fund .

Signed a budget providing an additional $105 million in funding for childcare businesses that accept the childcare subsidy.

Launched the Mi Tri-share Child Care Pilot , an innovative public-private partnership that shares the cost of child care between the state, employers, and employees in five regions

Looking Ahead

Governor Whitmer knows a child's earliest years are critical and the administration will continue delivering on big investments in our littlest Michiganders.

She strives to connect all families with quality, affordable early learning opportunities that meet their needs, including childcare, home visiting, and preschool.

To reach every child, she knows we need skilled early educators, and she continues to fight for competitive wages and education opportunities for childcare professionals.

Additional early learning and childcare accomplishments can be found here.

"Finding affordable childcare for my four-year-old son has been a struggle. I've worried that I'd be in a similar situation when my newborn arrives this winter, especially since it's even harder to find care for infants," said Rachelle McKissick-Harris, mother of two with one on the way, Kent County, and Parent Leader with Think Babies Michigan. "However, I am feeling some relief and am grateful for the action taken by Governor Whitmer and Legislative leaders to invest in and make reforms that will help families like mine access affordable, high-quality childcare."

"Access to affordable childcare has been an obstacle for employers and employees in northern Michigan for far too long," said Warren Call, President and CEO of Traverse Connect. "Traverse Connect and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance are thankful to Gov. Whitmer and our legislative leaders for working to achieve crucial investments and policy changes to help make childcare more affordable in northern Michigan."

"I see the Mi Child Care TriShare program bringing education and opportunity to families. Employers and childcare centers to work together to overcome these labor uncertainties and get parents back into the workforce," said Heather Bauman, member of the Arenac County Economic Development Board. "It all starts with communication. When a parent comes to the interview knowing it's 'ok' to have children and that a company, like Vantage Plastics, will support the needs of their family by taking part in the Tri-Share program, it makes it easier to recruit. This program helps take away some uncertainty and gives them hope that stability is on the horizon. In essence, all obstacles can be worked through together with programs like TriShare and the people/organizations behind them."

"As child advocates working to ensure every Michigan child has fair access to the building blocks of a great childhood - reliable and safe childcare, an uplifting early education - we've appreciated Governor Whitmer's leadership in winning bipartisan support to invest $1.4 billion in the state's childcare system," said President & CEO Matt Gillard of Michigan's Children. "This is the kind of government reform we've called for and has been desperately needed by our hard-working families. Where some politicians offer platitudes about their love of family, the Governor has delivered, and that action will make all the difference in the future of Michigan's children."

"2021 will be remembered for a lot of reasons, but in the midst of these unprecedented challenges, we have had some rays of hope. Gov. Whitmer and policymakers stepped up with a $1.4 billion historic investment in childcare. Investing in childcare and early education is literally the gift that keeps on giving. It benefits parents, childcare workers and providers, businesses, and rural and urban communities alike, and by laying the foundation for success, childcare helps our kids now and in the future," said Monique Stanton, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. "We are also glad to see childcare workers and businesses receive additional support to help this vital industry weather these difficult times. We trust our childcare providers with our state's most precious resource, and we need to treat them accordingly."

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Michigan Schools Use New State Grant to Invest in Students' Mental and Physical Health, Recruit 560+ Nurses, Social Workers, Counselors

Michigan Schools Use New State Grant to Invest in Students' Mental and Physical Health, Recruit 560+ Nurses, Social Workers, Counselors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 28, 2021

Contact: press@michigan.gov

Michigan Schools Use New State Grant to Invest in Students' Mental and Physical Health, Recruit 560+ Nurses, Social Workers, Counselors

Hiring made possible by bipartisan, historic school budget signed by Governor Whitmer in July 2021, funding still available for districts to apply

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Whitmer today announced that schools are recruiting and in the process of hiring 560 more school psychologists, school social workers, school counselors, and school nurses with the help of funding from the FY22 State School Aid Act.

"The pandemic reminded us that school-based mental and physical health professionals are not luxuries. Healthy students-physically, mentally, and social-emotionally-are better learners," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "Having skilled professionals in school buildings helps our kids get the supports they need so they can thrive in the classroom and beyond."

"Our children require academic, social emotional, and physical supports, both in and out of schools," said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. "School communities across the state are appreciative of this critical new FY 22 budget investment negotiated between the governor and the state legislature. This $240 million begins the requisite school support for our children's mental health and physical needs."

"The health and well-being of Michigan's students continues to be a top priority for both MASA and our members," said Dr. Tina Kerr, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators. "Now, more than ever, our students need access to these services, and there's no better place than in our schools to provide them. We are very pleased to see this important funding going to districts across the state so they can hire the key staff needed to support our students."

Delivering for Students

In the FY2022 budget, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature worked together to appropriate $240 million to increase the number of school-based professionals support students' mental and physical health.

To date, 210 school districts have applied for grant funding to hire 562 staff members including 60 school psychologists, 226 school social workers, 146 school counselors, and 130 school nurses. Grant funds help districts hire staff and gradually transition from fully funding the position with state funds in year 1 to fully funding the position with local funds in year 4.

The application is still open, and all districts are eligible to apply. Districts can review frequently asked questions and submit their application by visiting Michigan.gov/MDE. Districts must hire staff by March 1, 2022 to qualify.

Budget

In September, the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2022 budget bill that includes game-changing investments in childcare and delivers on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to families, communities, and small business. The budget puts 167,000 Michiganders on a tuition-free path to higher-education or skills training, repairs or replaces 100 bridges while creating 2,500 jobs, and makes a $500 million deposit into our rainy day fund, the largest one-time ever, bringing its balance to nearly $1.4 billion, the highest ever.

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TRAVERSE CITY -- Honor Bank announced two promotions this month, along with the addition of a local banker as vice president of commercial lending.

Traverse City Union Street Branch Manager Jess Ashmore was promoted to vice president on Dec. 23.

Ashmore has been with Honor Bank since the fall 2018 after spending several years with other local financial institutions. She is a regular community volunteer and member of the Traverse City Optimist Club.

We are so grateful for the success at our Traverse City Union branch, thanks to Jesss investment of her heart, soul and professionalism the last several years," said Honor Bank Vice President of Retail and Marketing Dixie Hoeh in a news release. "She has thoughtfully grown relationships with customers, and built a solid team who is growing under her leadership.

Hoeh said Ashmore has taken on new responsibilities and "isnt afraid of new challenges. We cant wait to see where Jess will take Honor Bank next. Thank you and congratulations."

On Dec. 23, Help Center Manager Amanda Brown was promoted to assistant vice president, according to a news release.

Brown began her career with Honor Bank as a customer service representative in 2015, according to a news release. In late 2020, she was promoted from branch manager of the Lake Ann branch to help center manager, wherein she led the new team to both launch and establish the Honor Bank Help Center in 2021.

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Amanda Stacy to assistant vice president, help center manager," said Hoeh in a news release. "We are so pleased with the success of our new help center that launched earlier this year. Amanda has built an awesome team of customer-focused professionals. We are grateful for her leadership and tenacity through these challenging times.

On Dec. 9, Honor Bank announced the expansion of its Commercial Lending Team with the hiring of long-time local business lender, Cory VanBrocklin, vice president.

VanBrocklin joins Honor Bank with over 20 years of banking experience in northern Michigan.

We are excited to have Cory join Honor Bank. He brings tremendous experience to our already world-class team of commercial lenders. We value his strong commitment to the community, which dovetails perfectly with the banks culture, said Honor Bank President Norm Plumstead in a news release.

In addition to his banking experience, VanBrocklin has been involved in community service initiatives over the years, particularly in the areas of community youth support and education, according to a news release.

Honor Bank has been serving businesses and people in northwest Michigan since 1917, with offices in Bear Lake, Benzonia, Buckley, Copemish, Honor, Lake Ann and two in Traverse City.

For more information, visit myhonorbank.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP)  A Missouri boarding school doctor accused of several child sex crimes has been taken into custody in Arkansas.

The Kansas City Star reports that 57-year-old David Smock was arrested Tuesday night in Harrison, Arkansas, not far from the Missouri border. Authorities said they considered him a fugitive for several days.

However, Smock's attorney said Wednesday that his client had been returning to Missouri to turn himself in when he was arrested. He was visiting his son in Louisiana when he learned of the charges, attorney Craig Heidemann said.

Smock began feeling ill on his return to Missouri and tested positive for COVID-19 at the Arkansas jail, said Heidemann, who was representing Smock on charges filed in Cedar County.

Dr. Smocks concern is that law enforcement has wrongly painted him as a fugitive when in fact hes a COVID victim trying to get back to deal with these charges, Heidemann said.

Smock is the longtime physician for Agape Boarding School, a Christian school that remains under scrutiny after five other employees were charged in September with assaulting students, amounting to a total of 13 third-degree felony assault counts. The school is in Stockton, in Cedar County.

The Missouri Attorney Generals office last week filed eight felony charges against Smock in Cedar County, including four counts of statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy involving a child younger than 14; and one count of second-degree statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy. He also was charged with one count each of sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15, fourth-degree molestation of a child younger than 17, and first-degree stalking.

Smock was also charged Dec. 23 in Greene County with second-degree statutory sodomy, third-degree child molestation of a child less than 14 years of age and enticement or attempted enticement of a child less than 15 years of age, court records show. According to a probable cause affidavit, this charge related to Smocks alleged grooming and sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy at a rental home owned by the doctor in Springfield.
As delays and pandemic-related holiday week flight cancellations pile up across the country, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is turning up the heat on the airline industry to give full refunds for flights that dont take off.

The Connecticut Democrat said he is demanding that airlines do the right thing and expedite the return of money consumers spent on flights that were ultimately canceled, especially those that were nixed because of lack of crews. He said Monday that his office has already raised this issue in a letter sent to the airlines about 10 days ago, before thousands more flights were canceled nationwide over the long holiday weekend.

We are going to be on their backs, making sure that consumers are provided what they deserve, said Blumenthal, who was known for dogged consumer advocacy in his 20 years as state attorney general.

Officials of the airlines had not responded to his letter, he said. Its not beneficence. They owe it to consumers when they cancel flights.

The track record of the airline industry in pandemic-related refunds has not been a good one, he said.

Their past record provides scant assurance theyre going to do the right thing on their own, Blumenthal said. They failed to do it in the wake of the last lockdown when there were also numerous cancellations. They still owe money.

Officials with the International Air Transport Association, a trade group representing commercial airlines, did not respond to a request by Hearst Connecticut Media to comment on Blumenthals remarks.

FlightAware, an aviation data site, reported that 2,649 flights were canceled Monday and Tuesday within the United States or departing from or arriving to U.S. cities. Just over 2 million people flew Monday, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

The travel industry came into December buoyed by passenger counts during the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Air travel for that period was at 90 percent of 2019 levels and industry officials hoped for more of the same during the Christmas holiday weekend.

But instead 12 percent of JetBlue flights on Sunday were canceled, along with 6 percent of Delta Air Lines flights and 5 percent of United Airlines flights, according to FlightAware.

Among domestic airlines on Tuesday, United had the largest number of flights canceled with 136, FlightAware reported. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport had the largest number of flight cancellations at the orgination point of any place in the world with 119.

Ryan Tenney, a spokesman for the Connecticut Airport Authority, which operates Bradley International Airport, said 15 flights were canceled between last Wednesday and Monday of this week. That amounted to 2.5 percent of average total daily flights, except on Christmas, when it jumped to 5.5 percent.

Those figures appear to be lower than the national rate of cancellations in the same period. Tenney said the CAA had no way of telling how many of those cancellations were COVID-related.

The percentage on Christmas was higher because we had a reduced flight schedule that day, Tenney said.

Under normal circumstances, about 1 percent of an airlines total flights get canceled for a variety of reasons that arent related to COVID, said Michael Boyd, president of a Colorado-based airline industry consulting firm, Boyd Group International.

Its very uneven from airport to airport and airline to airline, he said. The day before Christmas, United Airlines had about 2.6 percent of its flights cancelled, mostly because of COVID.

Boyd said he agrees with Blumenthal when it comes to having the airlines expedite passenger refunds for flights that are canceled as a result of COVID.

Lets stop playing this game where the airlines offer vouchers or trips at some other time, Boyd said. If their crew cannot fly, the airline needs to offer a refund right away.

In addition to using the bully pulpit to trying to get airlines to refund ticket prices for flight that are canceled beause of COVID, Blumenthal is one of five U.S. Senators from New England to introduce legislation that would require major airlines and third-party ticket sellers to offer full cash refunds for all canceled tickets during the coronavirus pandemic, regardless of whether the airline canceled an entire flight or the passenger canceled their individual ticket.

Blumenthal also took part in a December 15 Senate hearing on the Oversight of the U.S. Airline Industry, in which lawmakers questioned airline chief executive officers and other industry leaders from American, Delta, Southwest and United, about COVID protocols, airline performance and refunds.

Airline passengers are entitled to a ticket price refund under certain circumstances, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Those circumstances include:

A flight that an airline cancels, regardless of the reason, and the passenger chooses not to travel.

When an airline makes a significant schedule change or significantly delays a flight and the passenger chooses not to travel although DOT rules dont specify just what makes a schedule change or travel delay significant.

Airlines were already facing a challenging situation prior to the latest COVID spike, Boyd said. During the early stages of the pandemic last year, the air carriers had to either furlough or layoff workers in order to remain afloat financially, according to Boyd.

They are trying to get people back to work, but airlines dont have the backup team they used to, he said. And they cant staff on an everyday basis for enormous call volumes they are seeing right now.

Blumenthal said the airlines have to be responsible in encouraging people who have been infected to stay home and quarantine....But whether they planned correctly, whether they are to blame for these cancellations, is a question for another day.

Dan Haar contributed reporting

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
NEW YORK (AP)  The jury weighing the fate Ghislaine Maxwell's fate said Tuesday they were making progress at the end of the fourth full day of deliberations at the closely watched sex trafficking trial where a judge expressed concern New York City's coronavirus surge could derail proceedings.

Judge Alison J. Nathan granted jurors' request to leave at 5 p.m.  an hour earlier than planned  but told them they were expected to work toward a verdict the rest of the week, if needed. Earlier Tuesday, Nathan told lawyers out of the presence of the jury that the astronomical spike in the number of coronavirus cases necessitated jurors working longer hours.

We now face a high and escalating risk that jurors and trial participants may need to quarantine, Nathan said. We are simply in a different place regarding the pandemic than we were a week ago.

In her explanation to the lawyers, Nathan voiced what had largely gone unmentioned in her previous requests to get the jury to work overtime: the fear that sickened jurors could force a mistrial.

We now face a high and escalating risk that jurors and trial participants may need to quarantine, Nathan said. We are simply in a different place regarding the pandemic than we were a week ago.

During the first week of deliberations, the jury stopped at 5 p.m., but Nathan told jurors late Monday that they should be prepared to stay until at least 6 p.m. moving forward. Despite that, the judge agreed to release them early after they assured her, in a note: Our deliberations are moving along and we are making progress."

The judge had told lawyers she was considering informing jurors she would require deliberations every day  including the New Year's weekend, if necessary  until they reach a verdict. But after defense lawyers pushed back, she chose Tuesday to not tell jurors that weekend deliberations were a possibility.

Fueled by the omicron variant, coronavirus cases in the city have rocketed from an average of about 3,400 a day in the week that ended Dec. 12 to 22,000 in the week that ended Sunday.

Laura Menninger, a defense lawyer, told Nathan on Monday that any suggestion that the jury stay later is beginning to sound like urging them to hurry up.

We would object to trying to urge them to stay later if they are not asking to do so and arent expressing any difficulty in proceeding with the deliberations that they are currently undertaking, Menninger said.

Menninger noted that the jury was continuing to request transcripts of trial testimony and other materials that indicate they are working diligently to decide six charges alleging Maxwell played a crucial role in Epstein's sexual abuse of teenage girls between 1994 and 2004.

Defense lawyers have said Maxwell, 60, is being used as a scapegoat by prosecutors after the U.S. government was embarrassed by Epstein's suicide at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited a sex trafficking trial.

Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 and has remained in jail after Nathan repeatedly rejected bail attempts, including a $28.5 million package with 24-hour armed guards to ensure she did not flee.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Presidents and former Senate colleagues are lauding longtime Majority Leader Harry Reid for a political legacy that included an expansion of health insurance coverage for millions of Americans and helping secure an economic aid package and banking overhaul following the 2008 financial crisis.

They are also recalling a politician whose blunt and combative words often antagonized his political rivals, and sometimes his allies. The Nevada Democrat's abrupt style was typified by his habit of unceremoniously hanging up the phone without saying goodbye.

Reid, 82, died Tuesday at home in Henderson, Nevada, of complications from pancreatic cancer, according to Landra Reid, his wife of 62 years.

President Joe Biden said in a proclamation that the U.S. flag will be flown at half-staff at the White House and other federal buildings on the day of Reid's internment. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a similar order for his state. The flag at the U.S. Capitol has already been lowered. Reid's family has not yet announced memorial service plans.

Biden called Reid one of the great Senate majority leaders in the country's history.

He was a man of action, and a man of his word  guided by faith, loyalty, and unshakeable resolve," Biden said in the proclamation.

Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling. He served as majority leader during the presidency of a Republican, George W. Bush, and a Democrat, Barack Obama, a chaotic period that included a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

Reid retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye. He announced in May 2018 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was being treated.

In many respects, his legacy is tied to Obama's. In a letter to Reid before Reid's death, Obama said he wouldn't have been president without Reid's support.

As different as we are, I think we both saw something of ourselves in each other  a couple of outsiders who had defied the odds and knew how to take a punch and cared about the little guy," Obama said.

Republicans cited Reid's toughness and tenacity, while also noting they disagreed with him on many issues.

The nature of Harrys and my jobs brought us into frequent and sometimes intense conflict over politics and policy, said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. But I never doubted that Harry was always doing what he earnestly, deeply felt was right for Nevada and our country."

Former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he and Reid "disagreed on many things, sometimes famously. But we were always honest with each other. In the years after we left public service, that honesty became a bond."

Reid was born in Searchlight, Nevada. His father was an alcoholic who died by suicide at 58. His mother was a laundress in a bordello, Reid grew up in a small cabin without indoor plumbing. He hitchhiked to Basic High School in Henderson about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from home, and that's where he met the wife. At Utah State University, the couple became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The future senator put himself through George Washington University law school in the District of Columbia by working nights as a U.S. Capitol police officer.

At 28, Reid was elected to the Nevada Assembly. At 30, he became the youngest lieutenant governor in Nevada history.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone in Nevada history.

After his election as Senate majority leader in 2007, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the states caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season.

Reid steered hundreds of millions of dollars to Nevada and was credited with almost single-handedly blocking construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain outside Las Vegas.

Reids moderation meant he was never politically secure in his home state or entirely trusted in the increasingly polarized Senate. Democrats grumbled about his votes for a ban on so-called partial-birth abortion and the Iraq War resolution in 2002, something Reid later said was his biggest regret in Congress.

He also voted against most gun control bills. In 2013, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Connecticut, he dropped a proposed ban on assault weapons from the Democrats gun control legislation. The package, he said, would not pass with the ban attached.

Reids Senate particularly irritated members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats. When then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., muscled Obamas health care overhaul through the House in 2009, a different version passed the Senate and the reconciliation process floundered long enough for Republicans to turn it into an election-year weapon. They used it to demonize Pelosi and cast the legislation as a big-government power grab. Obama signed the measure into law in March 2010.

But voters, angered by the recession and inspired by the small-government tea party, soon swept Democrats from their House majority.

Reid also took action in 2013 to change the Senate's filibuster rules and lower the threshold for advancement to 51 votes for most executive and judicial nominees, but not Supreme Court picks.

McConnell went further when Republicans were in the majority, lowering it to 51 votes for Supreme Court nominees too, and enabling Republicans to install three of President Donald Trumps high court choices over Democratic objections.

In his final months, Reid spoke in favor of eliminating the filibuster altogether, calling the Senate a legislative graveyard" and no longer a deliberative body.

The filibuster has become an anti-democratic weapon wielded by the minority to silence the will of the people," he wrote in the Las Vegas Sun.

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Kellman, an Associated Press writer now in Jerusalem, covered Congress for the AP during Reids time as Senate majority leader. Ritter reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price in New York and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report.
Desmond Tutu is being remembered for his passionate advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ people as well as his fight for racial justice. But the South African archbishops campaign against homophobia had limited impact in the rest of Africa, where same-sex marriage remains illegal and most countries criminalize gay sex.

Even within his own denomination, the Anglican Communion, there has been no continentwide embrace of LGBTQ rights. Leaders of Ghanas Anglican Church, for example, have joined other religious leaders there in endorsing a bill that would impose prison sentences on people who identify as LGBTQ or support that community.

Before Tutu died Sunday at age 90, most African religious leaders rejected his LGBTQ positions, and those who agreed with him often were cautious, said Kenya-based researcher Yvonne Wamari of Outright Action International, a global LGBTQ-rights organization.

Most of them are unwilling to offer their contrary views due to fear of reprisal and backlash for not conforming with African values, Wamari said via email. As long as the religious leaders are unwilling to interpret the Bible from the lens of love for all, as Tutu did, homophobia and transphobia will remain a part of our lives.

Homosexual activity remains outlawed in more than 30 of Africas 54 countries; in a few, it is punishable by death. Many LGBTQ Africans are subject to stigma and abuse, facing unemployment, homelessness and estrangement from their families.

Stephen Brown, a professor at the University of Ottawas School of Political Studies, described Tutu as a moral giant who held to his convictions  including support for LGBTQ people  no matter how risky or unpopular it could be.

For example, Tutu was mocked in 2013 by Robert Mugabe, then the repressive leader of Zimbabwe.

Tutu should just step down because he supports gays, something that is evil, Mugabe told a political rally.

That same year, Tutu uttered one of his most memorable comments about LGBTQ inclusion.

I would not worship a God who is homophobic, he said. I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say, Sorry, I would much rather go to the other place.'

South Africa is the only African country that has legalized same-sex marriage, and its constitution protects against anti-LGBTQ discrimination. Yet even there, violence against LGBTQ people remains common.

In Cape Town, where Tutu was the Anglican archbishop, members of the LGBTQ community reacted to his death with tributes.

Throughout his life, Tutu stuck to the ideas of promoting absolute love, absolute acceptance and absolute kindness, no matter who you are, no matter your sexuality or race, activist Saya Pierce-Jones said.

Daniel Jay, who works in the medical industry, said Tutus support for LGBTQ people was pivotal in South Africas decision to make HIV drugs available at no cost.

I love him to bits, Jay said.

Beyond South Africas borders, a few recent developments have encouraged LGBTQ-rights supporters.

 In Botswana, the Court of Appeal last month unanimously upheld a 2019 ruling that decriminalized consensual same-sex activities. Previously, gay sex was outlawed and offenders faced up to seven years in prison. A few other African countries also have decriminalized same-sex relationships in recent years, including Angola, Mozambique and the Seychelles.

 In Namibia, the LGBTQ community recently held its biggest Pride event  a weeklong celebration in Windhoek, the capital, that began Nov. 27. During the parade at the end of the week, some marchers urged repeal of a Namibian anti-sodomy law that remains on the books though is not enforced.

The winner of the 2021 Mr. Gay World pageant  Louw Breytenbach of South Africa  was the parades grand marshal. He later posted a tribute to Tutu on Facebook: RIP to one of the most amazing humans to ever walk this earth! A champion for human rights. A warrior for gay rights.

In many African countries, anti-LGBTQ violence is a persistent threat.

A prominent LGBTQ activist in Tunisia reported that two men, one in a police uniform, beat and kicked him during an assault in October they said was punishment for his attempts to file complaints against officers for previous mistreatment. The attack left Badr Baabou, president of the Tunisian Association for Justice and Equality, with extensive welts and bruises.

Last month, according to Human Rights Watch, a mob in Cameroon beat and sexually assaulted a 27-year-old intersex person. The perpetrators made videos of the prolonged attack that circulated on social media.

At the government level, Senegal and Ghana are under scrutiny from LGBTQ-rights supporters.

In Senegal, 13 opposition legislators recently introduced a bill to toughen penalties against homosexuality, doubling the maximum sentence to 10 years. Parliament members from the governing coalition say such a measure is unnecessary since homosexual acts are already illegal.

In Ghana, parliament members continue to work on a bill that has been condemned by LGBTQ-rights supporters in the West African country and abroad. Among other things, the bill seeks to criminalize the promotion and funding of LGBTQ activities, and disseminating information about LGBTQ people.

Alex Kofi Donkor, director of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, expressed regret that relatively few African faith leaders shared Tutus outlook.

A lot of African preachers hold a lot of prejudice, hate and disgust for the LGBTQ community, he said.

Controversy over the Ghana bill has highlighted the challenges facing the global Anglican Communion, which has taken LGBTQ-friendly positions not embraced by many Anglican leaders in Africa.

In October, Justin Welby, the Church of England's archbishop of Canterbury and the symbolic head of Anglicans worldwide, said he was gravely concerned about the bill and would discuss the Anglican Church of Ghanas response to the bill with Ghanas archbishop.

He issued a statement reminding Ghanas Anglican leaders that the global body of Anglican leaders had committed itself to opposing anti-LGBTQ discrimination and the criminalization of same-sex activity.

But in mid-November, Welby apologized for failing to speak to the Ghanaian church before issuing his statement of concern.

I have no authority over the Church of Ghana, nor would I want any, he said.

A few days later, he issued another ambivalent statement, referring to ongoing private conversations that would become useless or harmful if made public.

The Rev. Susan Russell, who is on the staff of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California, recalled a visit by Tutu to the church in 2005, shortly after the Episcopal Churchs ordination of its first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, touched off a controversy that still roils the Anglican Communion.

She recalled that Tutu talked about how all people are embraced by God, regardless of gender or race  and when he also included gays and lesbians in that list, there really was an audible gasp in the room of amazement and relief and delight.

When youre struggling on the margins, and the powers seem to be galvanizing against you, and you have Desmond Tutu on your side, almost anything seems possible, she said.

___

Associated Press writers Sylvia Hui in London; Farai Mutsaka in Harare, Zimbabwe; Wesley Fester in Cape Town, South Africa; Francis Kokutse in Accra, Ghana; Kwasi Asiedu in New York and Peter Smith in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The missing 15-year-old was considered a habitual runaway.

But that didnt stop Middletown Police Lt. Brian Hubbs from sending out a plea to the media, asking for coverage that could lead to her safe return.

Hubbs had already sought a Silver Alert from the Connecticut State Police Message Center, but he decided to hedge his bets by sending out a press release of his own since he knew the girl often hung out in high-crime areas.

I wanted to do it sooner rather than later to get her information out there, Hubbs said. I took the extra step because of her age.

A few hours later, Hubbs sent out a second release, indicating she had been found safely.

Most missing teens turn up in short order, Hubbs said. But like the state police, his department will investigate the case thoroughly, even if the youth has run away before.

We treat each case seriously, even if its a youth that runs away frequently, State Police Trooper First Class Pedro Muniz said. We make sure all of the steps are followed. If they are frequent runaways, we usually have some places where they might have been before. They tend to have a pattern.

Sgt. Sean Mahar manages the state police Message Center, which acts as a centralized hub for missing persons information and issues Silver Alerts, which are bulletins sent to the media with information about people who have gone missing in Connecticut.

In 2020, the state police issued 1,741 Silver Alerts  1,225 of them were for missing juveniles. In 2019, Mahars unit issued 2,266 Silver Alerts, including 1,831 for minors. As of Oct. 31, there were 1,367 Silver Alerts with 998 involving minors this year, Mahar said.

Most of the cases are resolved within hours, but each one is taken seriously and investigated with every tool possible, Mahar said.

Theres a whole host of reasons why you get called to these things, but you have to treat every one independently.

State police will investigate the missing persons reported to them in their jurisdictions throughout Connecticut, including towns covered by a state trooper. Municipalities investigate their own missing persons cases, but seek Mahars Message Center to put out a Silver Alert.

Municipalities or state police investigating a missing persons case can request that Mahars unit issue a Silver Alert based on certain criteria. The person must either be a minor or 65 and older, or an adult who is endangered by a medical, mental health or physical condition.

Silver Alerts are generally not issued for healthy missing adults between the ages of 18 to 64 unless there is a compelling reason that police believe the person is in danger. Due to the criteria, the number of Silver Alerts does not represent the amount of people reported missing in Connecticut in any given year, Mahar said.

The steps taken in each investigation depend on the circumstance, Mahar said. A police K-9 could help track the person if they are believed to be on foot, he said. Checking social media, cellphone locations and talking to friends and family may generate leads, Mahar said.

Many of the missing youths are habitual runaways like the 15-year-old Middletown girl whose disappearance prompted Hubbs to send out a press release. But officials said that doesnt change the way they approach those cases.

The reality is that some of these kids like to buck the system, said Hubbs, who said his department received a total of 27 missing persons reports between July 1 and Nov. 1. But when they go missing, it puts their loved ones on alert and they need to know where they are and that they are safe.

Mahar said when he was with state polices Troop H in Hartford, there was a teen who was reported missing 17 times in one month.

Sometimes it was three times a day, he recalled. Each time the case was investigated, he said.

If that kid goes missing 25 times, were going to do it 25 times, Mahar said.
The USS Milwaukee was sidelined this week in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, due to COVID-19, but the Navy's first reported ship outbreak since the early days of the pandemic may turn out to be a lesson in the value of vaccines rather than a repeat of past mistakes.

The ship's fully vaccinated crew could serve as a case study on how the shot can keep an outbreak brief and minimally disruptive, according to Bradley Martin, RAND Corporation researcher.

Martin analyzed a massive outbreak aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during the spring of 2020 that infected 1,271 sailors and forced the ship into a nearly two-month quarantine in Guam.

"Vaccines are a risk-mitigation tool, they're not intended to be perfectly effective ... but they do help," Martin, a retired Navy captain, told Military.com in an interview. "If Milwaukee's underway in a week because everybody feels better it would kind of prove the point."

Read Next: Biden Signs Defense Bill that Backs 2.7% Pay Raise for Troops

On Dec. 24, the Navy announced that the Milwaukee, a littoral combat ship, paused its deployment over the outbreak of coronavirus while making a port call at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Later reporting by the Associated Press said that about two dozen sailors -- roughly 25% of the crew -- tested positive for the virus.

Navy spokeswoman Cmdr. Kate Meadows said the Navy had no plans to swap out any of the crew, but she also added that there was no estimated date for the ship to get back to sea. Only a portion of those infected have exhibited mild symptoms, the service said.

Martin said the Navy response is an indication the service believes the outbreak can be dealt with readily.

"Given that the vaccine is effective in mitigating symptoms and given that there's no gigantic need to be somewhere, it seems like the most sensible course," Martin said.

The Navy said the crew of the Milwaukee is 100% vaccinated. But the outbreak is not a sign that vaccines are flawed, he said.

"If something is prone to spread, it's going to spread on a ship," Martin said. "That's just the nature of ships."

Martin was one of the authors of a study that shed light on what happened on the Roosevelt in the earliest months of the pandemic before any vaccines were available. A sailor died in the outbreak that began in March 2020 and others were quarantined in Guam hotel rooms while the ship was cleaned.

The Roosevelt wasn't able to return to sea until May, nearly two months later, and the incident led to the firing of Capt. Brett Crozier, the carrier's captain who clashed with leadership over the outbreak response. Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly was then forced to resign following widely criticized speech on the outbreak during a trip to the sidelined carrier.

One of the major factors in the Roosevelt disaster was an "inability to get clear guidance to the ship" from higher up in the Navy about how best to tackle widespread coronavirus infections.

The study also found that while the Navy did have plans to mitigate the spread of diseases such as the flu, a Department of Defense watchdog report found that the vast majority of naval commanders did not conduct the required biennial training on those methods.

The Milwaukee outbreak comes nearly two years after the carrier fiasco, with the vast majority of sailors already fully vaccinated and the Navy more adept at dealing with the disease.

"This is not a repeat of the Roosevelt," Martin said. "I think the Navy has learned something."

The Navy has offered sailors on the Milwaukee booster shots. "While we recommend boosters, they are not mandatory," Meadows said in an email.

The push for booster shots on the ship comes as the Pentagon has begun to recommend an additional vaccine shot to everyone eligible for one at the Department of Defense. Troops, civilians and dependents who have completed an initial vaccination against COVID-19 -- either one shot or two-shot series -- are eligible for a booster shot after 6 months.

On Dec. 20, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters that nearly 100,000 active-duty servicemembers had already received boosters.

The Navy has not said whether the outbreak on the Milwaukee is from the highly contagious Omicron variant of the virus, but Kirby has said that "given its rapid spread in the United States, we would expect Omicron cases will continue to rise within DoD in the near term."

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Pentagon Advises Booster Shots as COVID Cases Surge over Holidays
A South African court on Tuesday blocked Shell from using seismic waves to explore for oil and gas in the Indian Ocean, handing a landmark victory to environmentalists worried about the impact on whales and other species.

Backing a suit filed by conservationists and local groups, the High Court in the Eastern Cape town of Makhanda declared Shell was "interdicted from undertaking seismic survey operations", a decision that has immediate effect.

Consultations with coastal communities had been "substantially flawed", and this made Shell's survey application "unlawful and invalid", Judge Gerald Bloem said.

The fossil-fuel giant had planned to start exploration over more than 6,000 square kilometres (2,300 square miles) of ocean off South Africa's Wild Coast -- a 300-kilometre (185-mile) stretch of natural beauty dotted with marine and nature reserves.

The surveying technique entails using seismic blasts that bounce shockwaves off the sea bed. The return signal is turned into a 3D model to highlight locations with energy-bearing potential.

But the Anglo-Dutch giant ran into fierce opposition, as campaigners warned of potential harm to whales, dolphins and seals, which rely on hearing to survive, as well as to birds, fish stocks and microscopic plankton.

A Shell spokesperson said: "We respect the court's decision and have paused the survey while we review the judgment."

They did not say whether the corporation would file an appeal but reiterated that the operation was safe.

"Surveys of this nature have been conducted for over 50 years with more than 15 years of extensive peer-reviewed scientific research."

The company's area of interest is in the ocean floor 20 kilometres (12 miles) off the coast, in waters 700 to 3,000 meters deep (2,300 to 10,000 feet).

Exploration had been scheduled to start on December 1 and last up to five months.

'Huge victory'

As the legal battle played out this month, protests were staged at beaches around the country, gathering thousands of demonstrators.

Campaigners also blocked Shell petrol stations, urging drivers to boycott the company's products.

A petition gathered nearly 85,000 signatures.

Green groups were jubilant at Tuesday's ruling, but stressed that the relief may be only temporary.

"It's a huge victory," said Katherine Robinson of the NGO Natural Justice.

"But the struggle is not over -- this decision is just the interdict. We understand that the proceedings will continue."

Sinegugu Zukulu of an NGO called Sustaining the Wild Coast said: "The voices of the voiceless have been heard. The voices of the directly affected people have at last been heard, and the constitutional rights of indigenous people have been upheld."

Campaigners said the scheme would entail "one extremely loud shock wave every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, for five months at a time", dealing potentially crippling harm to whales and other species that depend on hearing to survive.

Shell had argued that it took "great care to prevent or minimise" the impact on wildlife, and promised that the work would strictly follow the guidelines of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, a British public body that advises the UK government on nature conservation.

The ruling is a temporary victory for green groups who said seismic exploration would harm whales, seals and other fragile species. By RODGER BOSCH (AFP)

On Tuesday, it chose to emphasise what it described as the benefits for South Africa if oil and gas were found.

"South Africa is highly reliant onaenergyaimports for many of its energy needs," the company's spokesperson said.

"If viable resourcesawere to be found offshore, this could significantly contribute toathe country's energy security and the government's economic development programmes."

South Africa's energy ministry had backed the scheme, and lashed those who opposed it as thwarting investment in the country's development.

Consultation

The High Court's ruling comes after a lower court rejected the conservationists' suit in early December.

Fishermen and local groups were also among the petitioners, and their objections were key to the High Court's decision.

In a detailed ruling seen by AFP, Judge Bloem took aim at what he called a "substantially flawed consultation process".

Shell had said that it had carried out a thorough "stakeholder analysis" to buttress the survey application.

But, said Bloem, the oil giant had failed to consult adequately with small-scale and subsistence communities on the coast where the operations would be carried out.

These communities not only depended on fishing to survive, but also had spiritual beliefs about the sea, including the conviction that their ancestors resided in the ocean, he said.

Their views had not been properly taken into account, said Bloem.

"Where conduct offends those practices and beliefs and impacts negatively on the environment, the court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment," he said in the ruling.
France has ordered the closure of a mosque in the north of the country because of the radical nature of its imam's preaching, regional authorities said on Tuesday.

The mosque in Beauvais, a town of 50,000 people some 100 kilometres north of Paris, will remain shut for six months, according to the prefecture of the Oise region where Beauvais is located.

It said the sermons there incite hatred, violence and "defend jihad".

The move comes two weeks after Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said he had triggered the procedure to close the site because the imam there "is targeting Christians, homosexuals and Jews" in his sermons. This, the minister said, was "unacceptable".

Local authorities were legally bound to launch a 10-day period of information-gathering before taking action, but told AFP on Tuesday that the mosque would now be shut within two days.

Local daily Courrier Picard reported this month that the mosque's imam was a recent convert to Islam.

The paper quoted a lawyer for the association managing the mosque as saying that his remarks had been "taken out of context", and said that the imam had been suspended from his duties following the prefecture's letter.

Samim Bolaky, the lawyer representing the organisation in charge of the mosque, known as 'Espoir et Fraternite' (Hope and Brotherhood), said he had filed an appeal against the government's decision.

Investigations

The French government announced earlier this year that it would step up checks on places of worship and associations suspected of spreading radical Islamic propaganda.

The crackdown came after the October 2020 murder of teacher Samuel Paty who was targeted following an online campaign against him for having shown controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published by the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo during a civics class.

The interior ministry said this month that around 100 mosques and Muslim prayer halls out of France's total number of more than 2,600 have been investigated over recent months because of suspicion that they were spreading "separatist" ideology.

Six sites were being probed with a view to closing them down for breaches of French laws on extremism and Islamist separatism, it said.

(with AFP)
The National Council on Persons with Disability has distributed food items and toiletries to some 469 members of the disability community in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

The items included milo, rice, milk, hand sanitizers, sugar, milk, soaps for washing and bathing, toilet rolls, diapers, oil and tin fish.

The items were donated by a philanthropist, Pastor Nana Ofosuhene, a Senior Pastor of the International Central Gospel Church to put smile on the faces of persons with disabilities during the Christmas festivities.

The beneficiaries included 114 females with disabilities, 104 males with disabilities, 6 children with disabilities, 28 personal assistants/ caregivers, 31 persons with hearing impairments / deaf, 82 persons with physical disabilities and 24 persons with visual impairments including the blind.

The others were 8 persons with cerebral palsy, 2 persons with Dwarfism, 4 persons with Autism, 8 persons with Psychosocial disabilities including mental health, 8 persons with Epilepsy, 3 persons with Downs syndrome, 12 children of parents with disabilities and 33 parents of children with disabilities.

The Executive Secretary of the National Council of Persons with Disability, Lawyer Esther Akua Gyamfi expressed her gratitude to Pastor Nana Ofosuhene, on behalf of the disability community, and appealed to him to consider giving scholarships to 10 children with disabilities.
Imam Iddrisu Yussif Yahaya is the Chief Imam of Maamobi and possibly the oldest serving Imam in Ghana. In Maamobi, he is popularly called Limann. He was born in January 1931 to Imam Yussif Yahaya and Hawawu Abudallah (Anasua) at Agona Nyakrom in the Central Region of Ghana. Imam is currently 90 years and has served as Chief Imam of Maamobi for 59 years (almost 60 years).

His father served as the Chief Imam of Maamobi for 33 years, and Limann took over as the second Chief Imam in 1962. He is still very strong, with clear eyesight, impeccable memory, in very good health, and walks around daily without any stick or support. He is very intelligent, who even follows current national and global politics. He also knows about Oxbridge and their histories.

At his age, and rightly so, Limann spends virtually all his time praying for the community, Accra, Ghana, Africa, and the world. And most especially, he prays for reformers to build the Maamobi community.

I have known Limann since I was a child in the 1980s. It was, however, during the late 1990s that I started getting close to him. But in terms of scholarship and my quest to know more about the history of Maamobi and Islam, it was in 2009 that I started getting very close and interviewing him.

Given my few academic sojourners from Maamobi as a result of education and work since 2012, Limann had hardly seen and heard from me. So, I narrowly missed participating in the celebration of his 50th anniversary as the Chief Imam of Maamobi.

In 2019, after spending a couple of years pursuing my doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge, England, I visited Ghana for my fieldwork. While home, because I was busy straddling all the major Akan Regions and some of the key chieftaincies in the country, and Accra  my ultimate base, I never, regrettably, visited Limann.

So, when I recently went home, I planned to visit Liman and inform him of the Lord's grace upon my life and to present my certificate to him for blessing. Given that he is advanced in age, I also wanted to get his fatherly, patriarchal blessings before the Lord calls him or me home.

Thus, on Sunday, December 12, 2021, after church service at the Maamobi English Assembly of the Church of Pentecost, I hurriedly visited Limann. Knowing the impact Limann has had on the lives of individuals and Ghana, I decided to go along with one of my former students, Mohammed Mansur Rayamah. I simply call my student Mansur.

Mansur is one of the young men in the Maamobi community, whom I provided free tuition in 2010, just when I was done with the course work for MPhil at the Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ghana. After senior high school education, Mansur and a few of his friends needed to re-sit a few papers to further their education at the tertiary level. It was for this reason that, as has often been my practice, I taught Mansur and his friends in the community.

Graciously, Mansur and his friends passed the re-sit papers, and because of my influence, he decided to go and read African Studies at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Mansur said he wanted to follow my steps in life  not a good idea, though. At the UCC, he worked so hard and graduated with a Second Class (Upper Division). Unfortunately, he couldnt break my record  even though I had prayed and passed on my baraka to him before he started the UCC.

However, after the UCC, Mansur decided to rather pursue law education instead of just undertaking any postgraduate programme. But admission to the law school eluded him for a few years  making him turn abroad for a postgraduate education. So, every now and then, he would get in touch with me, and I would write recommendation letters and guide him on proposals.

After all our failed attempts at getting Mansur abroad, last two years, he graciously got admission to the University of Ghana School of Law to begin his Bachelor of Laws (LLB). Because I had distantly (as I was in England) and graciously played a role in his preparation for the law entrance exams, I decided to meet him too when I was in Ghana last month.

So, upon meeting Mansur when I was in Ghana, I asked him to accompany me to Limann. I did not immediately tell him the main purpose of our visit, except to say that I wanted to interview Limann for further research.

Nevertheless, I knew that with the path Mansur and I have taken and our interest, as young men, to help Maamobi, we would meet several challenges. I was also aware that the challenges would need the prayer support and intervention of the sages and spiritual heads of the community.

As Limann, now more than ever, spends nearly all his time praying at the mosque, located about 5 minutes from his house, when Mansur and I arrived at his house, he was at the mosque praying. One of his daughters met us, and upon knowing about our visit, quickly said that, Limann is praying. Let me go and tell him he has visitors, else he would pray the entire day.

Upon hearing "else he would pray the entire day", I knew Limann was praying for everyone, including Mansur and me. In other to while away time and possibly allow Mansur to pray with him at the mosque, we decided to go with Limann's daughter to see Limann at the mosque. But by the time we were at the mosque, Limann, perceptively, was already rounding his prayer, as he later told us, he knew I was visiting.

Immediately Limann got up from his prayer mat and turned to see the Mansur and me, his first words directed at me, "I have not seen you for getting to twenty years. While my eyes could not readily see you, my heart was with you, and looking for you. Welcome home, my son". He, then hugged me.

At this point, Mansur was quite surprised. To interrupt Mansur, I quickly introduced Mansur to Limann. Limann, then led us to his house, once again.

Once we got to his house and entered his room, he had already prepared his prayer mat. So, upon entering his room, and after I had informed him about my journeys and the fact that I had completed the University of Cambridge and was home to receive his blessings, he simply said multiple times, "Allaahu Akbar". Out of excitement, tears welled in his eyes, as he embraced me.

I later told him about Mansur that, as a son of Maamobi, he had recently begun his law education at the University of Ghana and I wanted him (Limann) to pray for him as well. Limann shook hands with Mansur.

After our pleasantries, Limann went into about an hour of prayer for me, after which he prayed for Mansur. In all his prayers, which I recorded, Limann kept repeating,

You are a son of Zongo, you have become a light. You have brought me a story that I always wanted to hear, you have changed a bad story that we the people of Maamobi and the Zongos are only troublesome people.

Because of what you have achieved, and because it is such a piece of good news from one of the best universities in the world, enemies will come after you. The bad jinns will seek to ruin your life. Evil eyes will want to see your downfall. You will attract enemies. But, may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, who has always been with me and who has kept me this long and far, protect you. May any evil eye that sees you go blind soon after seeing you. May enemies never win over you.

He then recited/sang some chapters from the Quran, paused, recited the rosary, and continued:

And now, as the son of the soil of the Zongo, Prempeh, because of what you have achieved, may Maamobi and the Zongos progress. I pray that everyone will benefit from the knowledge you have acquired. May Allah bless you, may Allah bless you!

The prayer ended with another round of a summary of everything he had said in Arabic, after which I said a loud Ameen. Limann, then, turned and prayed for him, too. He blessed Mansur and invoked Gods protection over his life.

As Limann was praying for me, I became very sad and remembered my own late father. This was for two reasons, I promised my father, four days before his sudden death on December 13, 2008, that I would get a terminal degree. Second, I had gone through multiple challenges, including surgeries, and threats of liver damages, as I pursued education. And more recently, I have had a few spiritual attacks.

Unfortunately, the very people I have risked my life for are the very same people who turn against me. For the last five months, I had often told Josephine that I wanted to withdraw from public life to live a life of solitude. Initially, she thought my quest for solitude was a bad one.

Nevertheless, after several people, whom I had literally died for, had betrayed me, and after a church had also excommunicated me, not because of any known wrongdoing, other than expressing "informed" views about doctrines, Josephine corroborated that I should go into solitude life.

In all of this, I have never wanted to begrudge anyone, including those who offend me. In my own life, I have offended and betrayed several people, including close friends. But I am very sure that all those I have offended would admit that I have often apologised to them and severally tried to make restitution. For this reason, some of the persons I offended remain my friends.

On December 24, 2021, I wrote on Facebook apologising to all those who felt I had offended them. I had just two persons in mind. I had not offended any of two persons. If anything at all, they had taken my kindness for granted.

I wrote to one of them, and she was highly appreciative. The other one was rather cold towards me. Meanwhile, she is one person I have literally died for nearly a decade. Given this persons ingrate attitude, I did not want to renew any friendship with her, as I only wanted her to be at peace with herself and God. And to let her know that I am still always happy to help.

Instead of accepting my needless "apology", she sent me a private message, seeking to blackmail me. At that point, I was so shocked that I never responded directly to her accusations, but rather sought to appeal to her conscience. But because she had warned me to stay away and because I didn't know how far she may have spread malicious information about me, I decided to take my fight public.

Similarly, I decided to go public with my battle with her, because I am a public figure, as a Research Fellow of the second oldest public university in Ghana. And given the pernicious issues of cancel culture, I felt that I needed to put my life in public for judgment.

After taking to Facebook to clear my image, this very lady now wrote privately to say that I had shown immaturity by going public and I couldnt be trusted. At this point, I simply did not respond to her, but rather continued putting things on Facebook. Knowing she had touched the wrong meat for blackmailing, she quickly unfriended me, and blocked any possibility of me getting to see her page.

Unknown to her, I had gathered and saved every single conversation I have had with her since 2015/2016. Somehow, when she became my friend I knew she was a duplicitous character. A non-business fellow who owns about three different active phones, and communicated on all three simultaneously without completing a single communication one network, I knew I had met a senior dariga person.

In my own life, as a young Christian, I have fallen several times. I have offended several people. I have not always lived right. I regrettably disappointed several people. In all these, I have always regretted, apologised to such persons, fasted and prayed for forgiveness. Graciously, I have hardly re-offended any of my friends, at least not as l know.

I have always realised that whereas no one is a saint, the church and religious leaders and some holier-than-thou Christians have turned people to their graves because of a particular sin  fornication, adultery etc. We are all guilty and sinners, and yet, we are often too quick to descend the hammer of the merciful God on fellow sinners.

Usually, those who crash sinners are the worse sinners. Unfortunately, we are all sinners who judge other sinners differently. As Christians, we try and must continue to do so, to live a life beyond reproach. But our Christian calling and journey, is indeed a journey. It is a historical journey that involves real human beings in real lived social conditions.

It is a journey that involves saints whose sainthood is not based on anything they have done  since cannot even achieve it with all their supposed righteousness. It is sainthood that is imposed and given by the work and person of Jesus Christ. As Christians, therefore, we must always bounce back when and if we sin.

The accuser, Lucifer  operating through human beings, may want to always accuse us of the real or imagined sins we have committed. The accuser will always want to tell us that we are unworthy and, yes we aren't worthy on our own; the accuser would always want to point us to hell because of the sins we may have committed; the accuser would always want to keep us in a suicidal mood. Let them throw the stones, but know that your foundation is the Rock  Jesus Christ  that dwarfs every stone of accusation and judgment.

Nevertheless, if you are a Christian, do not give in to the accuser who speaks to you or through your conscience. In all things, if you have really offended someone or when someone feels offended because of you, sincerely ask for forgiveness and try not to repeat the offence  this I have always tried to sincerely do.

After that, whether the person accepts it or not, the person does not qualify to issue a final judgment on your fate and faith, because the person is equally a sinner. Take your prayer of penitence to the Lord, the ultimate judge. Fortunately, the ultimate judge, Jesus Christ, has paid the price already and He is always happy to forgive you.

Always remember that your accuser, human and the demons, and Lucifer cannot hold you guilty forever; they cannot execute judgment, because none of them qualifies to judge you. They can at best, accuse you, but they cannot judge you, for they are all guilty and fugitives  they are all under judgment. It is only the sinless saviour Jesus Christ, who can judge. And as I have said, He is merciful to forgive.

Jesus Christ is the only sinless person to suffer the ultimate betrayal of all friends, including being deserted by all the persons He healed, brought from the dead, fed, and died for. He died for us and yet we all continue to betray Him. Yes, He loves us, because He understands us and is able to comfort and forgive us.

To all men and women, be careful of demons and agents of the devil who come across as friends. Help people who come your way, regardless of how they treat you. But always be on your guard, for the same people will turn against you. Some of them are real agents of the Kingdom of Darkness whose smiles are hidden toxic to destroy. But in all this, do not live in fear: For our Triune God is our Saviour. There is, therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). Always bounce back (Philippians 3:13).

To all those I have offended and continue to offend (knowingly and unknowingly), forgive me; to those who feel they have offended me, I forgive. To all of us, lets love one another, and allow compassion, rather than condemnation to lead. We are pilgrims heading to our ultimate home  paradise restored. May God help me to continue to help others and to need help from others.

Blessings

Satyagraha

Prempeh Charles ([email protected]), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana
Salah Abdeslam, the main defendant in the trial of the 13 November 2015 attacks has tested positive for Covid-19, calling into question whether the court hearings will resume on schedule.

The only survivor of the jihadist grouop who killed 130 people in Paris and Saint-Denis in 2015, is being held for the duration of the hearing in the Fleury-Merogis prison south of the French capital.

Believed to be the largest prison in Europe, a total of 21 inmates have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 as of 24 December.

Nationwide, 370 of the estimated 70,000 prisoners have been infected with the coronavirus.

Unclear whether trial will resume on time

Salah Abdeslam has been incarcerated under a strict regime of isolation, alone in a cell equipped with a 24-hour video surveillance system.

The 2015 attacks trial, which opened last September, is due to resume on 4 January after a two-week break.

When asked whether a postponement of the hearing would be requested, one of Salah Abdeslam's lawyers, Olivia Ronen, could not immediately respond.

The special court is trying a total of 20 defendants, including 14 present at the hearing, suspected of varying degrees of involvement in the preparation of the deadliest jihadist attacks ever perpetrated in France.
The Founder of Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Christian Kwabena Andrews, popularly called Osofo Kyiri Abosom is advocating for an increase in the prison term for fake prophets.

Ahead of this years 31st December watch night service, the Ghana Police Service has issued a statement to caution religious leaders against prophecies intended to create panic and fear among Ghanaians.

According to the Police, there are laws governing religion in the country and a person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years.

Waving into the conversation, a 2020 presidential candidate for Ghana Union Movement (GUM) Osofo Kyiri Abosom has commended the Police Administration led by Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

Speaking in an interview with Starr FM, he said the caution will let people come out with the truth. We are all going to be watchdogs on this 31st December 2021. Because we need to know those who will come out with the false prophecy. Even when I hear it I will report it.

He added, Now that we are heading to 31st December and the Police Administration has brought this law to halt the issue of false prophecy that causes fear and panic. It will keep some peoples mouths shut. Most of what they say doesnt happen so what Dampare has instituted is good."

Meanwhile, Osofo Kyiri Abosom wants the five-year jail term to be increased to ten years.

However, whoever will come up with a false prophecy, the 5-years jail term is low, rather we can make it 10-years. So that people wouldnt joke with the minds of Ghanaians and God. Lets be alert and I support Dampare, the Founder of Ghana Union Movement added.
President Nana Akufo- Addo has been urged to protest the decision by Emirate to place a travel ban on selected African countries.

Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto appealed to Mr Akufo-Addo to suspend his planned trip to the Dubai Expo on March 18 2022 as part of the protest.

The opposition lawmaker described the travel ban as most discriminatory and senseless decision that has been taken which must be met with strong opposition from Africans.

Emirates has placed travel restrictions on selected African countries on entry and transit to Dubai following the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans, Emirates said in a statement.

Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused.

In order to receive the latest updates on their flights, customers are also advised to ensure that their contact details are updated by visiting Manage Your Booking .
Security Taskforce deployed by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) to various beaches in the Metropolis drove away revelers who stormed beaches in the area as part of the enforcement of the directive from the Greater Accra Regional Minister to close all beaches in the Region.

The Special Taskforce set up by the Metro Security Council with membership drawn from the Police, Navy, Army and NADMO to ensure compliance with the directive at the beaches.

Additionally, TMA Guards have also been deployed to the various markets and transport terminals to ensure compliance.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Yohane Amarh Ashitey had been leading a team to tour beaches within the Tema Metro Area and the Central Business District (CBD), Community One, Tema.

Mayor Ashiteys tour was part of the Assemblys drive to sustain public awareness on the need for members of the public to observe the COVID-19 Protocols at all times.

Security Personnel on duty at the Sakumono Beach couldnt hide their joy when the Mayor joined the Polaris Patrol vehicle to tour the entire stretch of the beach to ensure total compliance to the ban.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of TMA, Frank Asante, explained the deployment was to enforce the directives and also to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, These emergency interventions have become necessary to avert the recently reported upsurge in the COVID-19 cases across the country. After the Tema Metropolitan Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the general security situation in the Metropolis.

He noted the emergency meeting was called on the back of a directive issued by the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on the strict enforcement of the COVID-19 Safety protocols.

On December 24, 2021, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, after a REGSEC meeting, ordered the closure of all beaches from December 25 until further notice.

The Minister also ordered revellers to strictly obey the COVID-19 protocols and barred passengers without nose masks from boarding commercial vehicles.

DGN online
29.12.2021 LISTEN

The Founder and Leader of the Prophetic Chapel Hill, Prophet Nigel Gaisie has stressed that he is not a coward to be perturbed about the Polices caution against prophecies.

The Ghana Police Service early this week warned religious leaders to tread carefully in the manner and way they release prophecies about death of certain personalities during their 31st December watch night service.

The Police explained that there are laws that could land doom prophets in prison for up to five years.

We want to caution that under Ghanaian law, it is a crime for a person to publish or reproduce a statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, where that person has no evidence to prove that the statement, rumour or report is true,

A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years. a police statement issued Monday, December 27, warned.

Speaking to TV3 on the development ahead of the December 31st service, Prophet Nigel Gaisie says he is unfazed.

I read in somewhere that you have to bring material evidence when you prophesy. Who has ever dreamt and have material evidence of your dream? The greater component of prophecy is dream. What they are saying doesnt wash but for me, we will have a way.

We will cross, I will prophesy in all confidence, there will not be any shadow on that, I will speak the mind of God, the popular prophet who has been involved in controversial prophecies in the past emphasised.

He continued, Personally, I am not one of the cowards, I have been called by God, I have an assignment, and whoever is coming after the church is making a big mistake.

Meanwhile, the Founder of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Christian Kwabena Andrews, popularly called Osofo Kyiri Abosom wants the five-year jail term for doom prophets to be increased to ten years instead.
The Police in Begoro are on a manhunt for one Keanu Aboagye, who is suspected to have murdered his own sister, Gladys Agyeman at Begoro in the Fanteakwa North District of the Eastern Region.

Some neighbours who found Gladys Agyeman motionless in a pool of blood with multiple cutlass wounds rushed her to the Begoro Government Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, the Eastern Region Police Public Relations officer, said preliminary investigation indicated that he butchered the lady in almost every vital part of the body including the head and the stomach region.

In the meantime, police have declared the suspect wanted and have asked the public to assist with vital information about his whereabouts.

This case has some similarities with the gruesome killing of a woman stoned and stabbed to death at Parkoso in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The suspect, in that case, was almost lynched by a mob.

The young lady, who is in her twenties, was found dead in the house of the suspect at Parkoso in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, with blood oozing from parts of the body.


Government must prioritise fighting corruption in order to block the wastage in the system, President of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, has said.

He said Ghana loses huge monies through corruption, hence the menace must be nipped in the bud in order to generate revenue for national development.

Rev Frimpong Manso noted that each year, the Auditor General releases reports of wanton dissipation of resources and public funds.

The culprits, he said, should be held liable and be punished.

E-levy or not, it is the corruption because what E-levy is going to bring will be less than what goes down the drain in from the public accounts, report, the Auditor Generals report and we see these people walking chest out. so whether we bring this or not that is

Unless we tackle corruption and punish wrong deeds, E-levy or no e-levy we will stand at the same place.

The Finance Minister had announced in the budget statement a new levy to be charged by government in 2022 on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector.

It is becoming clear there exists enormous potential to increase tax revenues by bringing into the tax bracket, transactions that could be best defined as being undertaken in the 'informal economy', Mr Ofori-Atta observed on Wednesday, November 17 as he presented the 2022 budget statement in Parliament.

After considerable deliberations, government has decided to place a levy on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. This shall be known as the 'Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy'.

He explained that the new E-levy will be a 1.75 per cent charge on all electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments and inward remittances to be borne by the sender except inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient.

This will, however, not affect transactions that add up to GH100 pr less per day.

A portion of the proceeds from the E-Levy will be used to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cyber security, digital and road infrastructure among others.

This new levy is scheduled to start Saturday, January 1, 2022.

In 2020, total value of transactions was estimated to be over GH500 million with mobile money subscribers and users growing by 16 percent in 2019.

According to a Bank of Ghana report, Ghana saw an increase of over 120 percent in the value of digital transactions between February 2020 and February 2021 compared to 44 percent for the period February 2019 to February 2020 due to the convenience they offer.

This was definitely heightened by the advent of Covid-19 especially during the lockdown.

But the proposal has met resistance from the Minority in Parliament.

Minority Haruna Iddrisu said the E-levy is a disincentive to the growth of digital economy. To that end, he said, the Minority will not support it.

Speaking at a post budget workshop in Ho on Saturday November 20, he said Mr Speaker, understandably, we see that the Minister of Finance seeks to introduce some measures including the now popularly declared e-levy or digital levy as some have quite named it.

Mr Speaker, our concern is whether the e-levy itself is not and will not be a disincentive to the growth of digital economy in our country . We are convinced that the e-levy may as well even be a disincentive to investment and a disincentive to private sector development in our country. We in the minority may not and will not support government with the introduction of that particular e-levy . We are unable to build national consensus on that particular matter.

3news.com
France has this week given the green light to supermarkets to sell rapid home test kits for Covid-19. However, according to American authorities, rapid tests known as "antigen" tests are more likely to give a false negative with the Omicron variant compared to earlier strains. They warn that only a molecular test (PCR) can give an accurate result.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it was collaborating with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the performance of home tests, also known as "antigen" tests, against patient samples containing live versions of the Omicron variant.

The rapid antigen tests, based on a nasal sample, give results within 15-30 minutes and can be carried out at a pharmacy or at home. These tests are recommended primarily for people without symptoms.

"Early data suggests that antigen tests do detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity," the agency said.

Sensitivity is a measure of how likely a test is able to detect a positive.

Previous testing had focused on heat-inactivated virus samples, rather than live virus which is better, and a drop-off in performance hadn't been spotted until now, the statement added.

The FDA said it would continue to authorize the use of antigen tests -- which work by detecting surface proteins of the coronavirus -- and that individuals should continue to use them in accordance with the instructions.

Short supply

Some rapid tests, for example, instruct users to take two tests, a certain amount of time apart, in order to confirm a negative.

If a person tests negative with a rapid test but is thought likely to have Covid, either because of symptoms or because of likely exposure to the virus, they are still recommended to get a "gold standard" molecular test -- such as PCR.

These detect the genetic material of the virus. They are more accurate because they can make millions of copies of the virus' RNA, so even tiny amounts become detectable.

The news comes as the United States is facing a massive surge in cases that experts say is being under-captured as a result of a testing crunch, with long wait times for the more accurate PCR tests, and home kits in extremely short supply.

Last week, President Joe Biden announced that 500 millions rapid home tests would be available to order via a dedicated website as of the beginning of January.

In France, the sale of rapid antigen tests has now been extended to large supermarket chains, until the 31 January to cope with an increase in demand. Until now, these products had only been on sale in pharmacies.

French authorities have noted that although rapid home tests sold in France have a minimum sensitivity rate of 80 percent, their results may be less reliable if not carried out in the presence of a health professional.

Global spike in cases, but deaths down

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said Wednesday that the risk posed by the Omicron variant is still "very high", after Covid-19 case numbers shot up by 11 percent globally last week.

More than 935,000 cases of Covid-19 were detected across the globe each day on average between 22nd and 28h December according to official figures compiled by AFP. This largely surpasses the previous record between 23 and 29 April 2021 with 817,000 daily cases reported.

"Consistent evidence shows that the Omicron variant has a growth advantage over the Delta variant with a doubling time of two to three days and rapid increases in the incidence of cases is seen in a number of countries," including Britain and the United States, where it has become the dominant variant, the WHO said in its Covid-19 weekly epidemiological update.

"The rapid growth rate is likely to be a combination of both immune evasion and intrinsic increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant."

However, for the time being, the increase in the number of cases has not resulted in a global increase in the number of deaths, which has in fact gone down in the past three weeks.

Around 6,450 deaths per day were reported over the past week, the lowest level since October 2020.

(with AFP)
The chief of Mamponteng in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Nana Saase Ayeboafo II, has called for calm in the community.

This follows bloody clashes between the Ashanti and Zongo youth groups in the community.

About four people were severely injured while several others sustained minor injuries.

Properties were also destroyed.

A team of police personnel has been deployed to the community to ensure peace is restored.

The chief has, however, met with the Assembly members in the community as well as the Zongo chief and the police over the incident.

While describing the incident as unfortunate in an interview with Kumasi FM's Elisha Adarkwah, Nana Saase pleaded with the police to arrest members of the feuding groups.

Nana Saase also noted that some of the youth in the community and adjoining areas like Ahwiaa, Pankrono, Ntonso among others, have turned Mamponteng into a base for selling cocaine, weed, and tramadol.

He said he has decided to have a meeting with the police commander to find ways to eradicate crime from the community.

Nana Saase also advised the youth to stop peddling drugs and rather get decent jobs to do.

Meanwhile, the police has issued a statement saying it is investigating the clash and putting in place security measures to forestall reprisal attacks.

Read the full statement below:

POLICE INVESTIGATE CLASH BETWEEN THE ZONGO AND ASHANTI YOUTH IN MAMPONTENG

1. The Ashanti Regional Police Command is investigating a case involving some community members of Mamponteng regarding offensive conduct which occurred on December 27, 2021.

2. As a result, the Regional Police Command has intensified patrols and visibility at Mamponteng and its environs to avert any possible community-related violence.

3. Also, the Command is in contact with the chief of Mamponteng, opinion leaders as well as Assembly members for the Abenanse and Mamponteng Bronum electoral areas to assist the Police to help keep the peace and security as investigations are ongoing.

4. Meanwhile, the Regional Police Commander DCOP/Mr. Afful Boakye Yiadom, yesterday, December 28, 2021, paid a visit to one of the injured victims who is on admission at the Ankaase Methodist Faith Healing Hospital and responding to medical treatment. One other victim who is at the Peace Specialist Hospital, Mamponteng is also in stable condition and responding to treatment. Meanwhile, two victims have since been treated and discharged.

5. The Ashanti Regional Police Command urges the good people of Mamponteng to remain calm as we celebrate Christmas and to enjoy peace during this festive season.

---classfmonline.com
The Nananom of Kumawu-Bodomase, the entire natives of Bodomase and the planning committee of BRA FIE festival, on 26th December 2021 honoured Dr Aboagye Da Costa, the Team Leader of Risk Communication for Ghanas Covid-19 response and Director of Health Promotion at the Ghana Health Service with Golden Citizen Award for his philanthropic and humanitarian work.

The award according to Nananom and the planning committee of BRA FIE festival was given to Dr Aboagye Da Costa, a native son of Kumawu-Bodomase on his numerous contributions towards the Socio- Economic Development of Kumawu Bodomase and its environs.

The coordinator of the festival, Mr Kennedy Kwaku Antwi, speaking to the media narrated how proud the people of Bodomase are to the indigenous son, Dr Aboagye Da Costa for his achievements and contributions not only at the national front but to development of Bodomase. He said Nanamon and people of Bodomase believe Dr Aboagye Da Costa has inspire the youth of this country especially the youth of Bodomase and asked him to continue to serve his country and generation well.

It will be recalled that in September 2021, Dr Aboagye Da Costa together with Diaspora African Forum and Gee Medical Supplies of South Africa donated a state-of-the-arts high-capacity flow respiratory humidifier oxygenator and assorted Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, which is the main hospital for the people of Asante Akyem and Kumawu-Bodomase area.

More recently, Dr Aboagye Da Costa further donated many bags of Cement for the construction of a school at Bodomasi and a computer to assist ICT development.

Receiving the award on behalf of Dr Aboagye Da Costa, a representative from the Abromamu Aduna family of Bodomase said their family will continue to support the development of Kumawu Bodomase and promised more donations.

Nananom, though charged the Golden Citizens Award winner, Dr Aboagye Da Costa to use his influence in the health sector to encourage Government and Ministry of Health to complete the Kumawu Hospital.
29.12.2021 LISTEN

The National Elections Commission, an independent body is now being pressured by some high-ranking CDC officials and their top Ministers of government pretending to be the LACC fight against corruption. In true, these high-ranking CDC officials and their Ministers are bent on removing the current NEC Chair by bringing criminal charges against her and replace her with a puppet so as to rig the 2023 election.

Few weeks ago, the Liberian Daily Observer Newspaper reported that the National Elections Commission had rented 20 thermometers costing US$182,320.00 to be used in four counties for the just ended by-elections. The Newspaper further indicated that the Thermometers were rented from Tuma Enterprise and that this entity in question belongs to the brothers of Commissioner Davidetta Browne Lansanah. Due to the fact that there is a link between the owner of the Tuma Enterprise and that of NEC Boss, it has raised the question of Conflict of Interest as indicated by the paper.

Based on the foregoing, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission decided to probe into the matter to establish probable cause as to the allegation raised by the paper. After days of investigation, the LACC drew an indictment against the NEC Boss for Conflict of Interest, insider trading and Money laundering. A writ of arrest was subsequently issued and thereafter Commissioner Davidetta Browne Lansanah was brought before Criminal Court C by her lawyer.

A valid criminal appearance bond was secured by her lawyer to prevent her from going to jail especially during the festive season when the court itself has gone on break. This is the summary of the facts involving NEC and its Boss, Commissioner Davidetta Browne Lansanah.

Some high ranking Cdicians want to have control over the commission.

On April 9, 2020, President George M. Weah appointed Davidetta Browne Lansanah as Commissioner proper, National Elections Commission which many of us lauded the President. Some CDcians had the confidence that once they have constituted a new board of Commissioners every election would go their way and there was nothing to worry over. To test this false perception, the 2020 Senatorial Election was a classical lesson. The opposition Collaborating Political Party had a winning percentage of 40.27% of the total votes cast, while CDC obtained 28.02% of the total votes cast, a difference of 12.25% in favor of the opposition. That election saw the opposition winning six of the 15 counties, while CDC won only three of the 15 counties. The opposition won almost all the votes in rich counties, LOFA, BONG, MONTSERRADO, BASSA, RIVERGEE and GRAND CAPE MOUNT COUNTY. This was a severe defeat to CDC considering that if the narrative remains constant, it means CDC will find it difficult against an already falling apart CPP. It should also be noted that the President had toured the 15 counties a few months before the Senatorial election. The President's trip was intended to re-energize his bases across the country. Again in 2021, the National Elections Commissions under the stewardship of Davidetta Browne Lansanah conducted a by-election in four counties for the house of Representative, BONG, NIMBA, GRAND GEDEH, and., In the just ended by-election, CDC did not win a single seat amidst the huge campaign done by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs. With the latest election results, it is becoming clearer to the Liberian people that Commissioner Davidetta Browne Lansanah Commission is independent and not in any way intending to bend the rules. This has angered some top guys within the CDC.

In 2023, President George M. Weah will be contesting against the CPP that just handed him a massive senatorial defeat in 2020. 15 seats at the Senate will be up for reelection as well as the entire House of Representative. Going into the 2023 election with Davidetta Browne Lansanah serving as Commissioner, this is something that CDC has long been strategizing to deal with. They are aware that Commissioner Browne is not in bed with them, therefore they either create false corruption allegations to force her into submission to go their way in 2023 or she be removed. Those who are behind this political ploy are aware that the Commissioners at NEC serve on tenure basis and that Commissioner Davidetta does not fall within the meaning of Executive Agency, therefore Commissioner Davidetta can only be removed for CAUSE and it is that CAUSE theyre trying to establish in order to convince the President to dismiss Commissioner Lansanah to get her out of the way so as to have a controlling Commissioner to do the damage work in 2023. If nothing is done to remove Davidetta Browne Lansanah, many high-ranking CDC lawmakers may not return to the Capitol. Just to name a few: Senate Pro-Tempore, Albert Chea, Senator Saah H. Joseph. House Speaker Bhofal Chambers, Acarous Gray, Deputy Speaker Fonati Koffa, Ways, Means & Finance Chair, Thomas Fallah, Solomon George, Jimmy Smith, etc.

It has been gathered that criminal charges brought against Commissioner Lansanah and her summary arrest to put behind bars was meant to pressure her into resigning as chairperson of NEC. If Commissioner Lansanah should resign or be dismissed, so too must Bill Tweahway and Kanio Bai Gbala. That's the fair interpretation of Conflict of interest and application of the law thereof.

By August of 2021, the biggest corruption scandal in 2021 broke the internet when frontpage Africa reported that a bogus Company called Creative Developers Incorporated (CDI) has been defrauding government and private port users in the amount of approximately US$500,000.00. The Articles of Incorporation of this company shows that the current National Port Authority Managing Director eldest brother name Paul Tweahway maintains a 60% share in CDI, while Kanio Bai Gbala youngest sister, Zarylee Gbala who is a Student of the United Methodist University maintains a share of 10%, while Hamed Sidiki Fofana, the CEO of the Company owns 15% share and Christian Brownell, deputy Comptroller, National Port Authority had a share of 15%. On August 20, 2020, A formal Memorandum of Understanding was entered into by and between CDI and the National Port Authority under the signatures of Bill Tweahway and the current comptroller of the National Port Authority awarding handling contract to this company. There is no record to indicate whatsoever that the company was registered with the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC). No PPCC procedure was followed, yet Bill awarded a very lucrative contract to this bogus company owned by his brother and Kanio Bai Gbala sister as well as NPA deputy comptroller. If the LACC argument against the current NEC boss is on the basis of corruption, conflict of interest and insider trading, then what prevented the LACC from pressing further with Bill Tweahway and Kanio Bai Gbala? Are the facts not similar, of course they are.

In the Tuma Enterprise case, the two individuals listed are not shareholders in Company as opposed to Bill Tweahway whose brother is the majority shareholder in CDI as well as Kanios sister. Bill Tweahway knew or had reason to know that he should not have awarded contract to his CDI own by his brother. He knew or had reason to know that all government contracts should follow PPCC regulations and procedures. The action of both Bill Tweahway and Kanio Bai Gbala was not only, CORRUPTION, CONFLICT of INTEREST and INSIDER TRADING, it was also gross abuse of power. What has LACC done so far since the situation came to the public, absolutely nothing, although it is on the same conflict of interest and insider trading that the LACC has recommended the dismissal of Commissioner Lansanah and has even forwarded her to court. Why Kanio and Bill Tweahway still passing freely. If the LACC wants the public to believe that it is fighting against corruption and conflict of interest and not merely being used by some top CDC executives to dismantle NEC in order to have their will and free ride in 2023? It also means that the LACC is now being used as pseudo hand to get rid of those who stand for integrity and at the same time being used to cover up corruption for those top CDC executives and to witch-hunt. To even have Kanio serving at the Commission while it pretends to be fighting against conflict of interest and corruption, is a joke. During one of the LACC press conferences, it was indicated that the LACC was still investigating the CDI scandal involving Bill Tweahway, two questions come to mind: are there certain cases that take years to be investigated, while other cases are speedily done? What is the motive of LACC fast tracking the case with NEC but still dragging with Bill Tweahway? The LACC has lost its balance, fairness and integrity provided if it still had any left. This justifies the call by many Liberians that Cllr. Edward Martin should resign his post since he is more of a politician receiving instructions from Ministers Nathaniel McGill, Samuel Tweah and Cyrenus Cephas who thrashed the original LACC investigators report for the one developed by them and speared headed by Moses Kowo, the executive director of the LACC who is brother-in-law to PPCC director ROSELINE KOWO and brother to the comptroller general, Republic of Liberia, Janga Kowo. It's alleged that the Minister and the Solicitor General changed the original report and compelled the investigators to sign the report the LACC director wrote.

Clearly, the fight is not on the basis of conflict of interest or insider trading, the fight is to have the NEC in the pocket of McGill and his allies.

Liberia is at a crossroad. After civilian rule was restored in 2003 followed by a democratic election in 2005, 2011 and 2017, our democracy will once again be tested in 2023 and this early sign of trying to remove the Commission from its independent state is unhealthy for our fragile peace. It is expected that at this stage in our body politics, every well-meaning Liberians should condemn the current attack on the NEC and rally whatever support to help protect the NEC.

In 2017, our election nearly ended in conflict, it was due to farsightedness of the late Cllr. Brumskine and the wisdom of the Supreme Court that averted what couldve been a potential electoral conflict. Quite recently, we just witnessed the situation in Guinea, our next-door neighbor. In the Ivory Coast, we all saw what happened. The gains weve made cannot be eroded because of few individuals who are bend on having a subservient National Elections Commission by all means. Were still dealing with the situation in Lofa County, we cant afford to have the National Election Commission being heavily muzzle.

The future of this country and that of the younger generation depends on the 2023 election. Can we afford to have our people living in fear for another year? In a well-functioning democracy, it is expected that the National Elections Commission should be independent at all times and Commissioner Lansanah has been able to maintain that independence since taking over the Commission. It is about time that our international partners to include ECOWAS, African Union, Mano River Union, the American Embassy near Monrovia, the European Union, Council of Churches, the Muslim Community, Civil Society Organizations and the Liberian people be able to stand in one voice to reject the current political ploy navigated thru the LACC against the NEC Chair as we move into the 2023 general elections.
29.12.2021 LISTEN

The race for the chairmanship of the National Elections Commission has intensified since the LACC on 22 December announced an indictment of Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah on criminal charges. Scores of Cdicians on public radio and in various quarters and politicians in chat rooms have been calling for the resignation of Madam Browne -Lansanah. Inside the NEC, it is a known fact long running between Commissioner Floyd Sayor and the Cochair Cllr P. Teplah Reeves both of whom have been colluded by top Cdicians to have Madam Browne Lansanah removed as chairperson of the NEC.

While Commissioner Sayor is known to be providing information to his principals including promising them that he can rig the 2023 elections for CDC, the Co-chair Teplah Reeves has intensified her internal strategy to take control of NEC. A plan uncovered by some NEC staffers said a preliminary meeting she held with Commissioner Bassie Leo Kpangbai Finance and budget section  a place he longed to be for purposes best known to himself while many other staff are to be fired from their jobs and to be replaced by Cdicians.

In any case should Madam Reeves become Chairperson of NEC, it would be a smooth ride for top Cdicians including Minister Nathaniel McGill to control her since she lacks the knowledge of the workings of an election management body and capacity to run such an office she will be heavily reliant on Minister Mcgill who has taken charge of her and three other commissioners, will have a golden opportunity to not only run the commission but to also decide cases as we saw in the Gbarpolu case of the 2020 Special Senatorial Elections. Similarly, should Floyd Sayor become Chairperson of NEC, it may be certain that he will take charge of the Data Center to manipulate the Final Registration Roll and votes for the CDC as he was caught doing in the 2017 presidential and Legislative Elections.

What is more frustrating is the perpetual silence of the opposition in this entire ongoing political ploy against Commissioner Lansanah. CDC is positioning itself ahead of the 2023 elections by taking these violent steps, while the opposition seems not to be bothered. In 2017, the Liberian people witnessed what a compromised Election Commission nearly plunged this country into chaos based on influence and manipulation, this same menace is creeping its way back and this time it will be more devastating not only for the opposition but for Liberia at large. At the end of the 2020 senatorial election, for the first time we had almost all the counties election being contested by candidates who were dissatisfied by either the conduct of the election or they felt cheated. Taking into account that the current head of Commission has been independent, balanced and fair and yet we had several protests that were filed, think of 2023 when McGill, Tweah and their cronies take over the National Election Commission, this is a recipe for electoral conflict. The opposition will be heavily campaigning, while CDC will have less work to do because Commissioner Reeves and Sayor will be well positioned to rig the election for the ruling establishment. But the truth is that those multiple election protests were the making of McGill and Tweah intended to test the system to see whether Commissioner Lansanah could turn the results in their favor, she refused to be bent, so the next step which is currently ongoing is to connive with Commissioner Reeves and Sayor as well as the LACC to get rid of Commissioner Lansanah. Credible information has it that CDC is currently preparing to start removing electoral Magistrates that are assigned in the various counties to replace them with CDC loyalists. According to highly place source, the reason CDC is making this quick and early move is that Many of the magistrates top Cdicians claim are said not to be trustworthy, and their removal and replacement could work well for the CDC as we are hearing from out of their camp. As such they have embarked on removing all electoral magistrates to have them replaced.

Liberians should be on their guard. If for any reason Madam Lansanah is ousted from the chairmanship of NEC, whomever replaces her, it will be the responsibility of all well-meaning Liberians to raise the red flag on vices that may disrupt the 2023 General Elections and the Peace and stability of mama Liberia.

What has happened to NEC these few weeks is a bad reflection on a country going into election and the incumbent government opting for reelection and so far, there is no voice to stop the LACC nightmare. One wonders whether the silence is an acknowledgement of state of affairs created as a consequence of the LACC boss's action which has the proclivity to disgrace the entire government which has poorly handled the matter because they are behind the removal of the current NEC chair or are they so passive thinking that the situation will handle itself to a logical conclusion? There is no logical conclusion here but to save the anguish hanging over the NEC which is being ridiculed by many Liberians who lack understanding of the politics moreover, the fact that NEC now holds the Vice President position in the Ecowas Network of Electoral Commissions, and with this negative characterization the country may lose said position which is crucial in Liberia being represented and to be able to influence the work of ECONEC to the benefits of both our country and those of the sub region. Mr. President please act now to avoid embarrassment among your colleagues in ECOWAS who must equally be concerned about tarnishing the reputation of the continental body by you allowing this LACC nightmare to reach this far. Act now and save the state.
There was chaos in Kenyas Parliament on Wednesday afternoon 29 December 2021 as MPs engaged in a free for all fight during a debate on the controversial Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

The lawmakers were voting on amendments to clause Six by Kandara MP Alice Wahome.

Clause Six, which is at the centre of the Bill, seeks to, among others, provide for the procedure followed for the registration of a coalition political party.

The Bill is seen as part of the strategy to turn Azimio La Umoja, Opposition Chief Raila Odinga's 2022 machine into a coalition party.

The lawmakers resorted to physical confrontation, thus, disrupting the voting.

Others could be seen throwing water bottles in disapproval of the ongoing process.

The business of the house was paralysed for almost five minutes before the order was restored.

Sigowet-Soin MP Kipsengeret Koros suffered a cut in the face during the melee.

"We cannot accept to be injured in a House of Parliament. This can't happen Mr Speaker," said a visibly injured Koros.

Session chair, Luanda MP Chris Omulele suspended the sitting for 15 minutes following the chaos which paralysed the afternoon sitting.

A little over a week ago, there were similar scenes on the floor of Ghana's Parliament over a controversial electronic transaction levy.

Source: the-star.co.ke
The current impasse, hullaballoo or bone of contention in our national affairs is contingent on the 2022 budget and precisely so the E-levy that the Nana-Bawumia government are dead set to obtrude on Ghanaians regardless of the already untold hardship we are bedeviled with owing to their unschooled and unskilled Leadership.

Lets assume without admitting that we are not in normal times as this government attributes its failure to, all that Mr. President and his surrogates can do to assuage the hard knocks of economic hardship is to resort to the abnormal introduction of a repressive tax called E-levy, in the name of national development whiles having the impetus to live profligate lifestyles, chatting expensive flights and borrowing excessively without compunction and accountability.

Instead of taking proactive and adequate measures to alleviate the unwarranted suffering of Ghanaians, the government of the day rather thinks it prudent to rub our hard-earned monies as an incentive to their much-trumpeted digitization of the economy. If this is not insensitivity, then it is callous to say.

The vice president has his very words haunting him every now and then to an extent he is now desensitized of shame and guilt having earned a carved reputation as the E- LIAR. But he must be reminded that he is a preacher of virtue but a doer of vice. No wonder he is the vice President.

Needful to say it was for political gains he promised the good people of Ghana that his administration would move the economy from taxation to production and that taxes hurts the economy rather than growing it.

Taxes are one of the sources of revenue for every government to achieve its well-intended policies but not when they are objectionable, unfathomable, and irreconcilable, unworthy and seeks to dampen the financial prospects of the taxed.

The fight against the imposition of this inordinate E-levy tax is a national discourse but seem to be a lonely battle for the minority MPs in Parliament. Been as it is, well-meaning Ghanaians are solidly behind them as they are on the right trajectory since the motive is to nib this polemic E-levy into the mud.

Whereas the culture of silence of Civil organizations, the Council of State, House of Chiefs, National Peace Council and the likes in the midst of this scuffle and tussle emanating from this suffocative tax is worrisome, alarming and appalling. This is the time Ghanaians needs your intervention the most. The rasping consequences of this E-levy cannot be contained by the marginal and vulnerable and therefore calls for your timely response.

The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council are highly commended in this regards for been the voice of the voiceless by asking government not to hold Ghanaians to ransom by the E-levy. But to those calling the actions of the minority MPs as obstructing government business, the least said of them the better. The Christian Council of late asked for prayers as a remedy to parliamentary proceedings which is perplexing to reason with. Not all conflicts can be solved by prayer as the Bible rightly puts it the kingdom of God suffered violence and the violent took it by force.

It is worth reiterating that, it is ignorance that may inspire one to ascribe the gesture of the minority MPs as unparliamentarily, foregoing the fact that civility must not be sacrificed nor compromised for dictatorship.

The entrenched stead of this pachydermatous and soulless government on this obnoxious tax deserves an equally deadened but purpose driven people such as the Minority MPs to forestall it and they are rightly doing so. The DO or DIE activism as echoed by H.E John D Mahama going into election 2024 has been toned up in recent parliamentary business with respect to the Minority MPs unwillingness to subvert the will of Ghanaians. This is a clarion call for all well-intentioned Ghanaians to follow suit with vigilance, tact and persistence to ensure that democracy and justice prevails in this country as we gear up for the next election.

Just as the minority MPs have yielded to battering ram to see to it the rule of law reigns, Ghanaians must take a slight indication from them and act accordingly when the heat of the moment demands, so as to do away with oppressors' rule, discrimination and all manner of iniquity from this government. The Never Patriotic Party (NPP) led by Nana - Bawumia are democratic pretenders and have demonstrated so with utmost mischief. The resolve to inflict inauspicious hardship on Ghanaians through this E-levy is not in isolation.

The Never Patriotic Party (NPP) led by Nana-Bawumia through their hocus-pocus and skullduggery as many have come to discover, bamboozled Ghanaians into believing they were the saviors of our time.

Little did Ghanaians know they were good campaigners but bad leaders as pinpointed by - H.E John D Mahama. As we are downtrodden and been led to the ditch, we ought to rise up and confront a government that is visionless, corrupt and oligarchical in order to survive and make ends meet.

It is worth noting that not all conflicts must be eliminated nor feared but how better managed they are is what matters most. The minority MPs fight against this E-levy is noble and must continue on the 18th of January 2022 when Parliament resumes to bring it to a finality. Else, its passage will result to a downward spiral of the economy. NDC and for that matter the minority MPs intends to inherit a repairable economy come 2025 and been a watchdog to this failed government is what they are pressing on to do.

This Nana - Bawumia government has to eat the humble pie and withdraw the E-levy to let sleeping dogs lie. Any justification to its implementation would be meted with fierce resistance by thoughtful Ghanaians and more so the minority MPs.

Hope would be restored to Ghanaians when the baton is handed over to the incorruptible, visionary, honest, nation builder, trustworthy, humble and selfless leadership of H.E John D Mahama come 2025.

Until then, let us fight with our strength and might as our forefathers did to ensure the corrupt Nana Bawumia government misdeeds are checked and tamed. PHAROAH, LET THE E-LEVY GO OR IT REMAINS

DO or DIE!!!

BY: Aduku Matilda

CONCERNED DEMOCRAT.

0207831201

Walewale Constituency
29.12.2021 LISTEN

A youth activist of the National Democratic Congress in the Central Region, Mr. Godfred Onso Nyameyeh has charged the Branch Youth Organisers of the party in the Cape Coast North Constituency to be fully prepared for the Do or Die in 2024 general elections.

He pleaded with party youth in the constituency to work hard to ensure victory comes to the NDC in the 2024 elections. He asked the youth to take a clue from how the NDC Members of Parliament are preventing the insensitive government from passing the draconian E-Levy.

He also said the current government has failed to tackle corruption. But Akufo Addo/ Bawumia government has institutionalized corruption which is now attractive to every NPP politician. He added that well designed policies would been developed by the NDC to protect the countrys purse when assume power in January 2025.

The NDC is formidable and poised for victory in the 2024 general elections. We will leave no stone unturned as the Do-or-Die will guide us to vehemently fight against any obstacle that would come across our path for victory. Ghanaians will never forgive the NDC if we fail to rescue this nation from the insensitive NPP government, he reiterated.

He made these Statements during the breakfast meeting he organised for the Branch Youth Organisers of the NDC in the Cape Coast North Constituency on Saturday, 25th December, 2021 at Cape Coast based Samrit Hotel.

Mr. Godfred Onso Nyameyeh who is a Pharmacist by profession, a Manager of Cape Coast based Samrit Hotel and a Constituency Youth Organiser Hopeful extended his benevolent hands to invite hardworking NDC Branch Youth Organisers in Cape Coast North Constituency whom he worked with to rescue and wrestle the Cape Coast North Parliamentary seat from Hon. Barbara Asher Ayisi, then sitting MP and a Deputy Minister of Works and Housing during the 2020 elections.

He has recently been branded as the "Young Mosquito", flying around to donate and assist party supporters across the constituency.

He presented bags of rice, cooking oil, other food items to all the 88 Branch Youth Organisers who were present during the breakfast meeting and encounter on Saturday, 25th December, 2021.

The NDC Youth Wing in the Cape Coast North Constituency expressed their profound gratitude to the Young Mosquito for his kindness and commitment to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as he was one of the key contributors to the 2020 campaign.

They asked for blessings from God to the young man for the wonderful and selfless work done so far for the Constituency. They are committed to continue to pray for the Almighty to bestow unto him divine wisdom and knowledge.
29.12.2021 LISTEN

The Juaso Circuit court has remanded into police custody a 21-year-old man, Pius Osei Kankam, who stabbed another man for allegedly proposing to his girlfriend.

The suspect has been in the custody of police in Konongo since the incident on Sunday.

According to reports, the suspect confronted the victim, Lukeman Mensah, at a drinking spot at Dwease close to Konongo in the Ashanti Region, after his girlfriend informed him about a proposal from the victim.

In the process of the confrontation, Pius allegedly stabbed Lukeman resulting in his untimely death.

In an interview with Citi News, Konongo Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Shaibu Osei, explained why police had to resort to taking the suspect to the circuit court instead of the magistrate court.

The suspect was put before the circuit court, and he has been remanded into police custody to reappear on January 11. Under normal circumstances, he was supposed to be put before a magistrate court because this is a murder case but because the district court is not sitting and we have to get him into police custody that is why he was taken to the circuit court. So after the holidays, the case will be withdrawn from the Juaso Circuit to the Magistrate Court.

The suspect will still be in custody due to the closure of courts for the festive holidays.

---citinewsroom
Swiss-French photographer Sabine Weiss, who chronicled social change for nearly eight decades, has died aged 97 in her Paris home, her family said Wednesday. She was considered the last of the French 'humanist' photography school of post-World War II.

Born Sabine Weber on July 23, 1924, in Saint-Gingolph on the edge of Lake Geneva, she bought her first camera at the age of 12, and became an apprentice in a prestigious Geneva photo studio at 16.

She moved to Paris in 1946 and worked as an assistant to fashion and portrait photographer Willy Maywald. She became a French citizen in 1995.

She opened her own studio in 1950 in the 16th Arrondissement of the capital, finding work taking photographs for Le Printemps department store and for advertisments.

With her American husband, the painter Hugh Weiss, she spent time in artistic circles. She was commissioned for portraits of several well known artists of the time including Georges Braque, Alberto Giacometti and Niki de Saint Phalle.

There were writers, musicians and actresses too such as Francoise Sagan, Romy Schneider, Jeanne Moreau, Brigitte Bardot, and Charlie Parker.

Globe trotter

Later, Robert Doisneau brought her onto the team of the iconic fashion magazine Vogue and into the Rapho photo agency, which opened doors to many opportunities in the United States.

She met and photographed many of the celebrities of the time, and travelled extensively.

Apart from Vogue, her media clients included Newsweek, Time, Life, Esquire and Paris Match.

"I've done everything in photography," she told French news agency AFP in 2020.

"I went into morgues and into factories, I took pictures of rich people and I took pictures of fashion," she said.

Stolen moments

"But what remains are the pictures I took for myself, in stolen moments," referring to a large body of her personal work, taken in black and white over the years.

She adored capturing scenes in the street, in the working class areas of Paris, the homeless people, lovers, and in particular, children.

For one her last major exhibitions at the Centre Pompidou in 2018, she put an emphasis on a more formal, technical aspect of her work, focusing on composition and contrasts.

"A good picture must move you, have a good composition and be sober," she told French daily La Croix. "People's sensitiveness must jump out at you."

Her work has featured in 160 exhibits and is shown in permanent collections of several leading museums, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

In 2017, Sabine Weiss donated 200,000 negatives and 7,000 contact sheets to the Elysee museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Golden age

"Next to her peers, Robert Doisneau and Willy Ronis, Sabine Weiss forged a humanist image of the city in the 1950s. She captured the solitude and melancholy of the streets, the children's games, and chic fashions in the studio. Her death signals the loss of the last witness of the golden age of Parisien photography," the statement on the Centre Pompidou website said.

"Thanks to our collections of this era, we will always have her images of New York, Paris, Moscow, a trace of her benevolent gaze upon the world."

Sabine Weiss won the Women in Motion career award at the Rencontres d'Arles in November 2020 for her contribution to photography.

"I've had a very, very happy life, very satisfying," she told the press at this occasion. "I had an adorable husband for 58 years (Hugh Weiss passed away in 2007) and a profession I loved, it's wonderful," she said.
King Xi'an at the age of 29 years saw his Kingdom surrounded by seven other Kingdoms hostile to his own. He was convinced only a strong and vibrant Kingdom can achieve the impossible that would last for generations to come even shaping China we know today ready to overtake the USA and become the number one world economy.

His close advisor Li Si was not in support of the idea that foreigners from around the world should occupy key positions in the country, build dams and roads, determine the law system, have a decisive influence on the education of the people and many more. But the young King insisted that foreigners should come and do their work for the Kingdom regardless of colour, belief or nationality as only qualification mattered to him.

In 221 B.C. King Xi'an formed the new Qin Empire out of seven other Kingdoms at the age of thirty-eight by defeating the Kings around him. He knew that this great nation could have not been formed without the ideas and support foreigners had given his Kingdom.

Ghana's former President Busia that had kicked out all foreigners stands as a symbol of "failed wisdom". Dr Kwame Nkrumah refused to use personal and professional expertise including the motivation of individual White people to help Mother Ghana to blossom like the most beautiful rose in the world. Rather he complained about not having found enough qualified party members of his party to form a government paving the way for a one-party state. In the end, it ended up in his overthrow with devastating consequences the nation of Ghana suffers from till today.

If he would have been wise enough like Nelson Mandela to include White Experts to assist him and Ghana to prosper most likely Ghana would be seen as a great example of the transformation process from Colony to standing as a lighthouse in the darkness of Africa in pain.

Historic milestone missed, for sure! Condemned by history? Each nation is granted another chance to victory. It is entirely in the hands of that nation how much longer they are willing to suffer for nothing before waking up to do the right thing.
We had mentioned in Tuesdays closing report that Nifty and Sensex may continue to rally. On Wednesday, the indices opened flat, went higher and ended with loss. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 1,076 stocks advanced, 957 declined, and 46 remained unchanged with advance decline ratio of 1.12. Bank stocks were particularly weak.

The trend of the major indices on Wednesdays trading are given in the table below:

Bajaj Auto has announced Rs300 crore investment to set up new EV (electric vehicle) manufacturing unit in Pune with capacity of manufacturing 500,000 EVs per year. The first vehicle may roll out by June 2022.

Amara Raja Batteries has planned to invest in Ino Bat Auto, a European developer and manufacturer of premium innovative batteries for e-mobility.

Ola Electric is set to install more than 4000 EV charging points at key BPCL pumps and residential complexes. The installed points will be operational in 6 to 8 weeks and will be free to use till June 2022.

Supriya Lifesciences closed 18% higher today, after strong listing on Tuesday. It is up more than 70% compared to its issue price of Rs 274 per share.

Balrampur Chini Mills share closed 5% higher, it announced receiving orders for supplying 157,100 kilo liters of ethanol to OMCs (oil marketing companies) last week.

PG Electroplast shares closed 5.6% higher after it announced start of manufacturing of LED televisions for two customers in Greater Noida facility.

According to RBIs financial stability report, the gross NPA of banks was at 6.9% in September 2021 and provision coverage ratio at 68.1% The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below:

The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below:
Despite the MSME Development Act 2006, and the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package announced in the pandemic, the manufacturing micro and small enterprises (MSEs) continue to suffer in the areas of credit, supply chains and technologies. Mid-corporates or the medium enterprises, constituting just 2% of the total MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), get better attention than the MSEs under the law. If, after 15 years years, a law meant for them has not provided answers to their problems, it is better we seek a proper amendment to the law itself.

Credit Access Needs Correction

Access to credit continues to be difficult for the MSEs because lenders consider them high-risk and expensive supervised-credit. It is good to look at a 2004 report of a working group of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on flow of credit to SSI (small-scale industries) sector that suggested adoption of the 4-C approach: Customer focus, Cost control, Cross-sell and Contain risk. In the context of increasing pressure on banks to lend responsibly and adequately as also in time, banks would do well to extend credit in clusters and industrial estates or industrial parks and in special economic zones (SEZs), that would reduce information asymmetry, provide better inter-firm comparison, and render cost-effective monitoring of the credit.

The moratorium for term loans should be a minimum of 18 months and a maximum of 24 months or at least six months after commencing commercial production. Public sector banks (PSBs) in India open working capital accounts ahead of the units commencing commercial production. They debit quarterly interest on term loan to the working capital account instead of capitalising interest in the project cost, making the account irregular or non-performing assets (NPAs) even before those enterprises become productive.

Banks should be, therefore, mandated to operate the working capital only after the trial production starts and not before. Cash-flow-based lending for working capital, as recommended by the UK Sinha Committee in 2019, would be the best option for banks and this requires that banks should move their technologies and appraisals in this direction.

Why Separate Law?

Enactment of a separate law with a bias to manufacturing would help realise the broader goal of financial inclusion as part of national strategy, promote innovation in manufacturing and help employment generation. Focus on agro-industries and agri-businesses that would provide value addition at the farmgate level to the farmer and the resultant impetus to the MSEs in rural and semi-urban areas; separate Budget allocation for the MSE sector would be possible if they have a focused law.

Incentives can be redirected to MSEs that have a focus on local employment generation. Emphasis on skilling, re-skilling and upskilling in the manufacturing sector would generate employment of welders, mechanics, architects, carpenters etc. The proposed law that has employment as one of the criteria to define them would prevent labour from migrating to urban and metro areas.

The doctrine of proportionality in legal dispensation is imperative in this land of diversity both in demographics and geography.

District industrial centres (DICs), as delivery channels, need redirection, restructuring and resources. They should give a welcoming ambience for the investors, irrespective of the size and nature. They should have e-library access to update their knowledge in technologies and regulations. The DICs that have vacant space after leaving for green shoots should be enabled to monetise the asset. Newly set up DICs should be in specific production zones and their layout must be investor-friendly. Make labour participate from inception in the industrial parks and estatescreches, schools, playgrounds, retail complexes and housingto ensure their optimum use.

Most MSEs cannot build their own brand image as it is expensive and eats into the cost of the product. Several MSEs do not also know how to price the product and, therefore, pricing of a product to enhance competitiveness should be part of structured training programmes. Several manufacturing micro enterprises tend to cut costs at the expense of regulatory compliance  labour laws. If the medium and large enterprises are enabled to invest a portion of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) compliance costs in micro and smallthe MSE sector has the potential to be globally competitive.

Growth with equity would help the bottom of the pyramid in industry secure the intended benefits and become competitive.

This proposed law can seek disclosures that are essential for the sector overriding all the other enactments covering environment, minimum wages, insurance, and social protection. The 28 labour-related laws were brought under the Labour Code last year.

The other laws, financial (4), infrastructure (7), business structure (3) and five other central laws, apart from around seventy product control orders impact the functioning of MSEs.

MSME Development Act 2006 gave exemptions for only 12 of them to reduce the inspection burden. There were sixty-four (2004) inspections that were brought down to 12 in a few states  Andhra Pradesh (AP), Telangana, Tamil Nadu (TN), Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and the National Capital Region (NCR-New Delhi).

A single law and not so many should regulate the MSEs as above and facilitate collateral-free lending and revival and restructuring of every functioning manufacturing MSE within the regulatory oversight of the state governments.

Each state should enact an industrial facilitation act in the first six months after the new MSE law becomes effective and this law should have regulatory impact assessment as a key chapter with the proviso that the minister concerned, both at the Union government and state, should present the status report relating to the impact of the Act on its subjects.

Next-generation growth policies should target the MSEs and find ways to increase their productivity. The reality is that a few firms will grow to become national champions. But by offering a range of public services  help with technology, business plans, regulations, training for specific skills- governments can unlock the growth potential of the more entrepreneurial among them. The provision of such services can be conditioned by the government monitoring and soft-employment targets (Dani Rodrik 2020).

One implication is that growth policy and social policy will overlap enabling poverty reduction and enhanced economic security and make inclusive growth a reality.

(Dr B Yerram Raju is an economist and risk management specialist and author of The Story of Indian MSMEs  Despair to Dawn of Hope. The views are personal.)
MOSCOW (AP)  A court in Moscow on Wednesday granted a request to shut down another prominent human rights organization amid a sweeping crackdown on Russian rights groups, independent media and opposition supporters.

The Moscow City Court's decision to shut down the Memorial Human Rights Center came a day after Russia's Supreme Court revoked the legal status of its sister organization, Memorial, a human rights group that drew international acclaim for its studies of political repression in the Soviet Union.

Russian authorities previously declared both organizations as foreign agents  a designation that brings additional government scrutiny and carries strong pejorative connotations. Prosecutors petitioned to shut down the groups last month, arguing they had repeatedly violated regulations obliging them to identify themselves as foreign agents in all content they produce.

Memorial and the Memorial Human Rights Center rejected the accusations as politically motivated.

Weve been saying from the start that the foreign agents law -- and Im doing the air quotations again -- is not lawful, and its not to be amended but only abolished because it was designed with the aim of strangling civil society. Today, we received another proof of that, Alexander Cherkasov, board chairman of the Memorial Human Rights Center, said Wednesday.

The rulings to close them drew widespread public outrage, with crowds of supporters showing up at courthouses on Tuesday and Wednesday despite freezing weather.

Both Memorial organizations promised to appeal the rulings revoking their legal status. In a statement Tuesday, Memorial vowed to find legitimate ways to continue our work.

Several top U.S. and European officials condemned Tuesday's decision to shut down Memorial as an attack on Russia's civil society.

Amnesty International called Wednesday's ruling to close the Memorial Human Rights Center yet another blow to Russias civil society movement after years of relentless attacks.

In recent months, Russian authorities have mounted pressure on rights groups, media outlets and individual journalists, naming dozens as foreign agents. Some were declared undesirable  a label that outlaws organizations in Russia  or were accused of links to undesirable groups, and several were forced to shut down or disband themselves to prevent further prosecution.

On Saturday, the authorities blocked the website of OVD-Info  a prominent legal aid group that focuses on political arrests  and urged social media platforms to take down its accounts after a court ruled that the website contained materials that justify actions of extremist and terrorist groups. The group rejected the charges as politically driven.

Moscow city authorities served another prominent human rights group with an eviction notice on Tuesday. The Civic Assistance Committee, which assists refugees and migrants in Russia, said officials handed the organization a document voiding the agreement allowing the use of the space without compensation and ordered it to leave within a month.

The Civic Assistance will be fighting (this), the organization's chairwoman, Svetlana Gannushkina, said.

A number of Russian nongovernmental organizations switched to operating as informal entities in recent years to avoid being affected by restrictive laws.
JERUSALEM (AP)  An Israeli and three Palestinians were wounded on Wednesday in the first exchange of fire in months on the Gaza frontier. The violence came as Israel announced measures aimed at improving living conditions in the occupied West Bank after a rare meeting of top officials.

Israel has announced a number of measures in recent months it says are aimed at easing tensions, but they have had little visible impact on the ground, where attacks by both Israeli settlers and Palestinians are on the rise. There have been no peace talks in more than a decade.

The Israeli military said a civilian near the security fence was lightly wounded by gunfire from Gaza, and that it responded with tank fire at multiple military positions manned by the Hamas militant group, which has ruled the territory since 2007. The Gaza Health Ministry said three Palestinians were wounded, without saying if they were civilians or fighters.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz approved a series of measures aimed at improving relations with the Palestinians after hosting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his home in Israel late Tuesday.

It was the first time Abbas met an Israeli official inside the country since 2010. The two discussed security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the occupied West Bank.

Gantz's office said he approved confidence-building measures, including the transfer of tax payments to the Palestinian Authority, the authorization of hundreds of permits for Palestinian merchants and VIPs, and approving residency status for thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel collects hundreds of millions of dollars of taxes on behalf of the PA as part of the interim peace agreements signed in the 1990s.

The tax transfers are a key source of funding for the cash-strapped Palestinians, but Israel has withheld funds over the PA's payment of stipends to thousands of families that have had relatives killed, wounded or imprisoned in the conflict. Israel says the payments incentivize terrorism, while the Palestinians say they provide crucial support to needy families.

Israel approved residency for some 9,500 Palestinians. Israel controls the Palestinian population registry, and over the years its policies have left an estimated tens of thousands of Palestinians without legal status, severely limiting their freedom of movement, even within the occupied territories. Israel granted legal status to some 4,000 Palestinians in October.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is opposed to Palestinian statehood. His government has shown no interest in reviving peace talks but has said it wants to reduce tensions by improving living conditions in the West Bank.

Recent months have seen a surge in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as Palestinian attacks on Israelis in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Tuesday night's meeting was welcomed by the new American ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides. May this meaningful diplomacy lead to many more such confidence building measures for the New Year. It benefits us all! he tweeted.

But Hussein al Sheikh, a top aide to Abbas, said Israeli goodwill gestures must be accompanied by a political horizon leading to a peace agreement.

In a post on Twitter, he called the meeting the last chance before the explosion and said Abbas had taken a serious & bold attempt to a political path based on international legitimacy.

Gantzs meeting with Abbas  the second in the six months since Bennett's coalition government took office  also drew vocal criticism from Israeli opposition lawmakers, including those from former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party, the largest in parliament. They fear the new government is preparing to make broad concessions to the Palestinians.

The Palestinians seek an independent state that includes all of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, areas Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war.

Hamas seized Gaza from Abbas' forces in 2007, a year after the Islamic militant group won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections. Gaza has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since then.

The Gaza frontier has been mostly quiet since Israel and Hamas fought an 11-day war in May  their fourth since Hamas took over Gaza. Israel holds Hamas responsible for all attacks emanating from Gaza, even those claimed by other armed groups.
Midland Health

Another year has gone by in a world of uncertainty. This year, the community continued to show grace, support, and strength to our Midland Health employees. Midland Health continues to receive gifts, food donations and heartfelt notes encouraging us to fight the good fight.

With the community's continued generosity toward Midland Health, our staff couldn't help but return the love to our neighbors and friends.
The San Antonio Police Department is struggling to find new leads in the search for 3-year-old Lina Sadar Khil, who's been missing for eight days. Khil was last seen at a playground at her family's apartment complex on the 9400 block of Fredericksburg Road on December 20.

"It's disheartening that we haven't found anything that leads us closer to Lina," SAPD Police Chief William McManus said during a press briefing on Tuesday, December 28. "There's nothing that we haven't done to try to find her. It's frustrating and disheartening and disappointing that we haven't come up with something yet.

The FBI has also been tapped to help with the investigation. Justin Garris, acting special agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio office, continued to ask the public to give any tips or feedback information that would help find Lina.

SAPD initially set up a command center at its downtown headquarters and the USAA campus near the apartments where Lina went missing. However, McManus said they shut the command center down over the weekend after surveying the area multiple times. He added the shutdown doesn't mean SAPD has any less focus on the investigation.

Courtesy of SAPD

Lina was last seen wearing red dress, black jacket, and black shoes. Her mother told police she left Lina playing at the playground for a short time. When she returned, Lina was gone. Police said other adults and children were around when her mother left.

McManus said they are looking into some potential suspects, but still consider the case a missing person investigation. He says officers are leaving no stone unturned, checking dumpsters, green spaces, and utilizing K9 units to look for Lina.

Courtesy of SAPD

Lina's family are refugees from Afghanistan who arrived in San Antonio in 2019. Last week, the Islamic Center of San Antonio increased its reward to $100,000 for anyone who can provide information that successfully helps find Khil. Crime Stoppers of San Antonio is also now offering $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and the indictment of anyone involved in her disappearance.

Lina's case has received national attention. Popular gossip blogger Perez Hilton also aided in the search after he published a blog on his popular website PerezHilton.com to boost efforts to find the child.

SAPD is asking anyone with information about Lina's disappearance to call the Missing Persons Unit at 210-207-7660.
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP)  Indonesian authorities decided Wednesday to allow a boat carrying 120 Rohingya Muslims to land after drifting for days off the countrys northernmost province of Aceh.

The decision was made because of the severe conditions experienced by the passengers, who are overwhelmingly women and children, said Armed Wijaya, who heads a refugee task force at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Law and Security.

The Indonesian government has decided, in the name of humanity, to accommodate the Rohingya refugees currently adrift at sea near Bireuen district, Wijaya said in a statement.

Local authorities had earlier said they would push the boat back to international waters despite calls from the United Nations refugee agency and human rights groups that it be allowed to land.

The vessel is reportedly leaking and has a damaged engine, and is floating in the open sea in harsh weather and may be at risk of capsizing, the UNHCR said Tuesday.

The boat was first sighted by local fishermen on Sunday about 60 miles (96 kilometers) off the coast of Bireuen, said Badruddin Yunus, the leader of the local tribal fishing community. He said fishermen were unable to tow the broken-down wooden boat but provided food, water and clothes to the passengers, including 60 women, 51 children and nine men.

Their condition looks weak but fine, said Yunus, adding that the Rohingya said they wanted to go to Malaysia and had been at sea for 28 days before their boats engine broke down.

Local officials, supported by police and the navy, provided food, medicine, a new engine and a technician to help repair the boat, and earlier said they would push it back to international waters once it is fixed, said Bireuen district chief Muzakkar Gani, who also cited concerns that some of the people might have COVID-19.

The plan to push the boat back out to sea drew an outcry from human rights groups.

The Rohingya ethnic group is a vulnerable, stateless group of people that should be given protection, the Civil Society Coalition, a coalition of nine Indonesian rights groups, said in a statement. As a country that upholds human rights and a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council, Indonesia should set an example for other countries.

The UNHCR said it is ready to assist the government and local community in preparing for the Rohingya, including a quarantine process in line with international public health protocols.

More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Buddhist-majority Myanmar to refugee camps in Bangladesh since August 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a clearance operation in response to attacks by a rebel group. Myanmar security forces have been accused of mass rapes, killings and the burning of thousands of homes.

Groups of Rohingya have attempted to leave the crowded camps in Bangladesh and travel by sea in hazardous voyages to other Muslim-majority countries in the region.

Muslim-dominated Malaysia has been a common destination for the boats, and traffickers have promised the refugees a better life there. But many Rohingya refugees who land in Malaysia face detention.

Although Indonesia is not a signatory to the United Nations' 1951 Refugee Convention, the UNHCR said that a 2016 presidential regulation provides a national legal framework governing the treatment of refugees on boats in distress near Indonesia and to help them disembark.

These provisions have been implemented for years, most recently in June when 81 Rohingya refugees were rescued off the coast of East Aceh.

___

Associated Press writers Niniek Karmini and Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
Jacksonville Police

ACCIDENTS

 A pickup truck jumped the curve in the 1600 block of Mound Avenue and hit a sign about 9:42 a.m. Tuesday before the driver took off, according to police.

South Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Jacob J. Stroo, 31, of Sumrall, Mississippi, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 11:23 p.m. Saturday on a charge of driving while license is revoked or suspended.

Pike County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Brandi R. Cannam, 52, of Barry was booked into the Pike County Jail at 11:52 p.m. Saturday on a charge of aggravated battery of a peace officer and on a warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court.

 Amanda J. Johnson, 33, of Murrayville was booked into the Pike County Jail at 11:32 a.m. Dec. 21 on charges of possession of methamphetamine and criminal damage to property.

 Phillip L. Embree, 31, of Perry was booked into the Pike County Jail at 9:51 p.m. Dec. 20 on a delivery of methamphetamine charge.

 Jessica M. Lynch, 29, of Perry was booked into the Pike County Jail at 10 p.m. Dec. 20 on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance.

 Justin L. Lockhart, 33, of Pittsfield was booked into the Pike County Jail at 9:43 p.m. Dec. 20 on a possession of methamphetamine charge and a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

Pittsfield Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Dalton M. Hatcher, 31, of Pittsfield was booked into the Pike County Jail at 10:38 p.m. Sunday on a domestic battery charge.

State police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Shane M. Shurtleff, 35, of Hannibal, Missouri, was booked into the Pike County Jail at 7:27 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license is revoked or suspended and operating an uninsured vehicle.

Compiled by David C.L. Bauer
CAIRO (AP)  Sudanese authorities said Wednesday rescue workers retrieved at least 31 bodies from a collapsed gold mine in West Kordofan province.

The countrys state-run mining company said workers and villagers were still searching the Darsaya mine for more bodies or possible survivors. The mine is located in the Fuja village, around 700 kilometers (435 miles) south of the capital of Khartoum.

The defunct mine collapsed earlier this week, killing at least 38 people, the company said Tuesday. It posted images on Facebook showing villagers gathering at the site as at least two dredgers worked to find possible survivors and bodies.

The Sudanese Mineral Resources Limited Company said the mine was not functional but local miners returned to work there after security forces guarding the site left the area.

Collapses are common in Sudans gold mines, where safety standards are not widely in effect.

Sudan is a major gold producer with numerous mines scattered across the country. The industry, however, suffered from years of mismanagement and corruption.

The transitional government has begun regulating the industry during the past two years.

In nearby North Darfur province, an unidentified armed group late Tuesday attacked and looted a warehouse for the World Food Program in the provincial capital of el-Fasher, said Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan. Local authorities in North Darfur imposed a curfew across the province starting Wednesday.

As many as 1,900 metric tons of food had been stored at the warehouse, meant to be distributed to people in need in the area, the WFP said.

Such an attack severely impedes our ability to deliver to the people who need it the most, she said.

Sudan is one of the poorest counties in the world, with at least 14.3 million people in need humanitarian assistance, according to U.N. figures.

The attack on WFPs warehouse came after another one on a former base for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in el-Fasher last week. The base, handed over to Sudanese authorities on Dec. 21, was also looted, the U.N. said.
For years, its been black letter law in journalistic ethics: Never use your position, insight or knowledge to aid or advise public figures  particularly politicians  in return for something of value.

It was a bright line to be crossed at significant personal and professional peril.

Over the years the line had been blurred by some in the media who self-rationalize their actions, embracing a delusion their transgressions would escape discovery.

Today, the line is no longer blurry  its been erased altogether, expunged by self-aggrandizing journalists blinded to their ethical obligations by their exposure to power centers and taken in by the attention paid to them by those who occupy those centers.

CNN news anchor Chris Cuomo paid with his $6 million a year job for advising his New York Gov. brother, Andrew Cuomo, how to deal with the media over allegations of sexual harassment.

He was protected until revelations he used his position to gain knowledge from other reporters and sources to pass along to his brother  information valuable to the governors damage control efforts.

The backlash over the disclosures and the embarrassment it threatened proved more than CNN could tolerate. It was time to cut their losses. Cuomo was dismissed within days.

The recent disclosures of text messages sent by the hosts of two leading shows on Fox News Channel to the chief of staff to President Trump urging a speech to the nation at the height of the Jan. 6 assault on the U. S. Capitol has again raised ethical questions over personal involvement in presidential decision-making.

Both Sean Hannity and his colleague Laura Ingraham sent frantic messages to chief of staff Mark Meadows, imploring a presidential address urging the protesters to leave the Capitol.

Their messages warned the riot was inflicting major damage on Trump and would destroy his legacy.

Both justified their private messages as nothing different from what theyd already said repeatedly on the air. Why, then, did each feel it crucial to use private back channels to offer advice if not for a self-serving desire to play a significant role in a history-making  albeit disgraceful  event?

Granted, neither Hannity nor Ingraham went as far over the line as Cuomo, but their efforts to insert themselves into the center of the riveting events swirling around them smacked of personal aggrandizement and self-promotion.

That both were long time supporters of Trump and used their platforms to advance his agenda while belittling his opponents does not excuse privately serving in an advisory capacity to him.

Cuomo, Hannity, Ingraham, along with their colleagues at competing networks, would refer to themselves as journalists but they are not reporters in the traditional sense.

Rather, they are editorialists and polemicists who are paid handsomely  not to mention book deals and lecture fees  to deliver ideologically driven and frequently inflammatory dissertations to audiences receptive to their messages and who tune in faithfully as a form of validation for their rigidly held views.

There is no objectivity in their harangues, no recognition of valid contrary points of view, and no understanding that opinions different from theirs deserve attention.

In other words, none of the components traditionally present in news are found. It is opinion only, one individuals interpretation, ideologically right or left, of national and international events.

The communications revolution upended the media landscape, overwhelming the print press and driving much of the traditional news outlets into financial oblivion while hastening the arrival and dominance of opinion-based programing.

It created an environment for points of view to masquerade as news free of the obligations and responsibilities which historically governed the industry.

The line that had always separated the news media from involvement in the political universe was disparaged as a quaint notion no longer relevant. It produced the kind of entanglements that brought down Chris Cuomo and legitimized the actions of Hannity, Ingraham and others who see nothing untoward in adopting roles as advisors and strategists for political figures.

Public confidence in the news media is at an all time low and critics scornfully refer to journalistic ethics as an oxymoron.

It is time for many in the media to engage in self-reflection and cease contributing to the scorn.
COVID-19 has provided a best-of-times, worst-of-times experience for expertise. The science has been spectacular, but discourse on that science has often been abysmal.

The same-year development, testing, and approval of vaccines was remarkable. The mRNA platform behind the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines could become the Swiss army knife of therapeutics. Its already being mobilized against cancer and genetic illnesses.

Im no virologist or geneticist, but experts I respect persuaded me of the vaccines safety and efficacy. I got jabbed as soon as possible and regret that others chose not to. I wear masks in some situations, and not others. I see people socially but avoid large crowds. I favored lockdowns and school closings in early 2020 but think they lingered too long. My guess is that jurisdictions focused on the most vulnerable populations (elderly, immunocompromised, etc.) will seem wiser in hindsight than those that applied Draconian mitigation strategies over their entire populations.

I think Im right on these things, though I recognize that future evidence might say otherwise. Im grateful for the scientists who developed the vaccines but strive to maintain an open mind on all scientific matters, along with a sense of humility and a generous spirit toward those who disagree with me. A proper understanding of science demands no less.

The history of medicine offers ample reasons to avoid smug certitude which, unfortunately, is abundant on social and traditional media. Science is always about likelihood and never about certainty, though word apparently hasnt reached Twitter and TV news.

Then there is the flagrantly political demeanor of so many COVID-19 experts. Im not at all prepared to say whether red states or blue states were wiser in their public policies. Too many confounding variables. Ill make one exception, which is to say that the press and others besoiled themselves by relentlessly lionizing ex-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Today, few Democrats or Republicans quote his tweet from May 5, 2020: Look at the data. Follow the science. Listen to the experts.  Be smart.

Heres why they shouldnt. Science, like a chainsaw, is an exceedingly powerful and useful tool. But follow the science makes no more sense than follow the chainsaw. The chainsaw doesnt know the safest way to cut a tree, and science  let alone some anthropomorphic vision of it  cant weigh the tradeoffs between slowing COVID and shutting down schools and cancer surgeries.

Science informs individual and collective choices, which depend not only on those scientific findings but also on subjective preferences and ones degree of confidence in those scientific findings. As for listen to the experts, Cuomo wrote the book on COVID expertise, and that books fall has been as spectacular as its authors plummet.

Medical history is littered with experts who were spectacularly wrong. When Ignaz Semmelweis suggested that doctors employ antiseptic medical procedures (e.g., washing hands in maternity wards), medical experts were offended and conspired to destroy Semmelweis. When Stanley Prusiner suggested that misfolded proteins could cause mad cow disease and its human equivalent, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, he was pilloried as a heretic  a pejorative that didnt entirely vanish when he received a Nobel Prize for his work. As physicist Max Planck said, Science progresses one funeral at a time.

In October, novelist and essayist Ann Bauer wrote a poignant column, I Have Been Through This Before, on her discomfort with the parade of experts issuing ever-changing diktats and pronouncements. When vaccines didnt end the pandemic, she wrote, doctors and officials blamed their audience of 3 billion for the disease. The more the cures failed, the greater the fault of the public.

The title of her column referred to her personal experience as the mother of an autistic son born in the late 1980s. Psychologist Bruno Bettelheim had hypothesized that autism was caused by refrigerator mothers who failed to show their children sufficient love  a theory we now know to be nonsense. But for a time, Bettelheims ideas were gospel-truth, showering mothers of autistic children with guilt and opprobrium. Today, he is regarded as something of a charlatan, but back then, he was a pop icon and celebrity expert on television. One questioned Bettelheim at ones own peril.

During the pandemic, yard signs have sprouted with the message, Science Doesnt Care What You Believe. For what its worth, chainsaws dont care what you believe, either.
WHO chief worried about tsunami of omicron, delta cases View Photo

BERLIN (AP)  The head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday that hes worried about the omicron and delta variants of COVID-19 producing a tsunami of cases between them, but hes still hopeful that the world will put the worst of the pandemic behind it in 2022.

Two years after the coronavirus first emerged, top officials with the U.N. health agency cautioned that its still too early to be reassured by initial data suggesting that omicron, the latest variant, leads to milder disease. First reported last month in southern Africa, it is already the dominant variant in the United States and parts of Europe.

And after 92 of the WHOs 194 member countries missed a target to vaccinate 40% of their populations by the end of this year, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged everyone to make a new years resolution to get behind a campaign to vaccinate 70% of countries populations by the beginning of July.

According to WHOs figures, the number of COVID-19 cases recorded worldwide increased by 11% last week compared with the previous week, with nearly 4.99 million newly reported from Dec. 20-26. New cases in Europe  which accounted for more than half of the total  were up 3% while those in the Americas rose 39% and there was a 7% increase in Africa. The global gain followed a gradual increase since October.

Im highly concerned that omicron, being more transmissible (and) circulating at the same time as delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases, Tedros said at an online news conference. That, he said, will put immense pressure on exhausted health workers and health systems on the brink of collapse.

WHO said in its weekly epidemiological report that the overall risk related to omicron remains very high. It cited consistent evidence that it has a growth advantage over the delta variant.

It noted that a decline in case incidence has been seen in South Africa, and that early data from that country, the U.K. and Denmark suggest a reduced risk of hospitalization with omicron, but said that more data is needed.

WHOs emergencies chief, Dr. Michael Ryan, underlined that note of caution. He said it will be important in coming weeks to suppress transmission of both variants to the minimum that we can.

Ryan said that omicron infections began largely among young people, but what we havent seen is the omicron wave fully established in the broader population. And Im a little nervous to make positive predictions until we see how well the vaccine protection is going to work in those older and more vulnerable populations.

WHO officials didnt offer specific comments on decisions by the U.S. and other countries to reduce self-isolation periods. Ryan said these are judgement calls that countries make  taking into account scientific, economic and other factors. He noted that the average incubation period to date has been around five to six days.

We need to be careful about changing tactics and strategies immediately on the basis of what were seeing about omicron, Ryan said.

Tedros renewed longstanding warnings that ending health inequity remains the key to ending the pandemic. He said that missing the target of getting 40% of populations vaccinated this year is not only a moral shame  it cost lives and provided the virus with opportunities to circulate unchecked and mutate.

Countries largely missed the target because of limited supply to low-income nations for most of the year and then vaccines arriving close to their expiry date, without things such as syringes, he said.

All the same, I still remain optimistic that this can be the year we can not only end the acute stage of the pandemic, but we also chart a path to stronger health security, Tedros said.

___

Follow all AP stories on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

By GEIR MOULSON

Associated Press
Israel strikes Gaza after gunfire wounds civilian near fence View Photo

JERUSALEM (AP)  An Israeli and three Palestinians were wounded on Wednesday in the first exchange of fire in months on the Gaza frontier. The violence came as Israel announced measures aimed at improving living conditions in the occupied West Bank after a rare meeting of top officials.

Israel has announced a number of measures in recent months it says are aimed at easing tensions, but they have had little visible impact on the ground, where attacks by both Israeli settlers and Palestinians are on the rise. There have been no peace talks in more than a decade.

The Israeli military said a civilian near the security fence was lightly wounded by gunfire from Gaza, and that it responded with tank fire at multiple military positions manned by the Hamas militant group, which has ruled the territory since 2007. The Gaza Health Ministry said three Palestinians were wounded, without saying if they were civilians or fighters.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz approved a series of measures aimed at improving relations with the Palestinians after hosting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his home in Israel late Tuesday.

It was the first time Abbas met an Israeli official inside the country since 2010. The two discussed security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the occupied West Bank.

Gantzs office said he approved confidence-building measures, including the transfer of tax payments to the Palestinian Authority, the authorization of hundreds of permits for Palestinian merchants and VIPs, and approving residency status for thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel collects hundreds of millions of dollars of taxes on behalf of the PA as part of the interim peace agreements signed in the 1990s.

The tax transfers are a key source of funding for the cash-strapped Palestinians, but Israel has withheld funds over the PAs payment of stipends to thousands of families that have had relatives killed, wounded or imprisoned in the conflict. Israel says the payments incentivize terrorism, while the Palestinians say they provide crucial support to needy families.

Israel approved residency for some 9,500 Palestinians. Israel controls the Palestinian population registry, and over the years its policies have left an estimated tens of thousands of Palestinians without legal status, severely limiting their freedom of movement, even within the occupied territories. Israel granted legal status to some 4,000 Palestinians in October.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is opposed to Palestinian statehood. His government has shown no interest in reviving peace talks but has said it wants to reduce tensions by improving living conditions in the West Bank.

Recent months have seen a surge in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as Palestinian attacks on Israelis in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Tuesday nights meeting was welcomed by the new American ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides. May this meaningful diplomacy lead to many more such confidence building measures for the New Year. It benefits us all! he tweeted.

But Hussein al Sheikh, a top aide to Abbas, said Israeli goodwill gestures must be accompanied by a political horizon leading to a peace agreement.

In a post on Twitter, he called the meeting the last chance before the explosion and said Abbas had taken a serious & bold attempt to a political path based on international legitimacy.

Gantzs meeting with Abbas  the second in the six months since Bennetts coalition government took office  also drew vocal criticism from Israeli opposition lawmakers, including those from former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party, the largest in parliament. They fear the new government is preparing to make broad concessions to the Palestinians.

The Palestinians seek an independent state that includes all of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, areas Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war.

Hamas seized Gaza from Abbas forces in 2007, a year after the Islamic militant group won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections. Gaza has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since then.

The Gaza frontier has been mostly quiet since Israel and Hamas fought an 11-day war in May  their fourth since Hamas took over Gaza. Israel holds Hamas responsible for all attacks emanating from Gaza, even those claimed by other armed groups.

By ILAN BEN ZION

Associated Press
Decades of DOD efforts fail to stamp out bias, extremism View Photo

In February, with the images of the violent insurrection in Washington still fresh in the minds of Americans, newly confirmed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took the unprecedented step of signing a memo directing commanding officers across the military to institute a one-day stand-down to address extremism within the nations armed forces.

The stand-down came in response to the participation and the subsequent arrests of several veterans and at least one active duty service member, who along with thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, stormed the U.S. Capitol in a melee that sent lawmakers scrambling for safety, left one person fatally shot by Capitol Police and caused millions of dollars in damages to the building largely seen as the symbol of American democracy.

Austins order, which also came as America as a whole was grappling with how to address systemic racism, was the latest in a series of decades-long efforts by the military to purge its ranks of extremists and white supremacists. Last week, in response to the order the military issued new rules to deal with extremism that included social media usage policy updates where liking and reposting white nationalist and extremist content could result in disciplinary action. The DOD also updated its screening of recruits and is looking at how to prepare troops who are retiring from being targeted by extremist organizations.

But an AP investigation found that despite the new rules, racism and extremism remain an ongoing concern in the military.

The investigation shows the new guidelines do not address ongoing disparities in military justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the legal code that governs the U.S. armed forces. Numerous studies, including a report last year from the Government Accountability Office, show Black and Hispanic service members were disproportionately investigated and court-martialed. A recent Naval Postgraduate School study found that Black Marines were convicted and punished at courts-martial at a rate five times higher than other races across the Marine Corps.

The AP investigation also shows the militarys judicial system has no explicit category for bias-motivated crimes  something the federal government, at least 46 states, and the District of Columbia have on the books  making it difficult to quantify crimes prompted by prejudice.

As a result, investigative agencies such as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service or Army Criminal Investigative Division also dont have a specific hate crime category, which impacts how they investigate cases.

While its possible hate crimes have occurred, our investigations are not titled as such, the NCIS said in an email. For example, an assault on a person, regardless of the reason for the assault, would still be categorized as an assaultregardless of what motivated the crime.

The new National Defense Authorization Act signed into law by President Biden on Monday directs the Secretary of Defense to make a recommendation to Congress within 180 days if a new statute is needed to address violent extremism, but does not address hate crimes or racial disparities in military law.

The new Pentagon rules do not outright ban service members from being members of extremist organizations, such as the Ku Klux Klan, Oath Keepers, or other right-wing and white nationalist groups. The regulations, like the previous ones, only prohibit active participation, in such groups, a murky policy that civil rights organizations have raised concerns about for years. The military describes active participation as publicly demonstrating or rallying, fundraising, recruiting and training members, as well as organizing or leading organizations.

Experts interviewed by the AP say theres also ongoing concern over the military commanders ability to enact a wide range of administrative and disciplinary actions  including administrative separation or appropriate criminal action  against military personnel who engage in prohibited activities.

Commanders essentially have total discretion to determine how to address situations as they arise, which experts say has created non-uniform, scattershot enforcement, with some commanders establishing a no-tolerance approach and others employing weak enforcement of the rules.

The AP investigation also found that while the DOD says it considers racism and extremism within the military to be a security concern, it does not have funding that specifically supports efforts to address extremism. Instead, military officials said the Pentagon uses personnel vetting programs, training, and education programs, and the Insider Threat Program to positively contribute to countering extremism within the force.

The Pentagon did not respond to questions about how much money it has spent or budgeted for efforts solely related to diversity and inclusion, and how many employees are dedicated to it. Officials also did not respond to dozens of questions from the AP on how it plans to enforce its new guidelines on extremism.

Pentagon Spokesperson Maj. Cesar Santiago acknowledged in a statement to the AP that extremism and extremist ideology can have an outsized effect on the military force.

But he added: The vast majority of the women and men in uniform serve their nation with honor and integrity. He said since taking office in January, Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first African American to serve as Secretary of Defense, has taken immediate action to address extremism. In addition to the new guidelines on extremism, the Defense Department appointed an interim deputy inspector general for diversity and inclusion and military insider threats in April.

Susan Corke, the director of the Southern Poverty Law Centers Intelligence Project, commended the DOD for taking key steps this year, including the changes announced last week, to address extremism. She said the DOD sought the expertise of civil rights organizations, academics, and others who have sounded the alarm about the dangers of extremism in the ranks for years.

But Corke said its too soon to definitively say whether the updated policies will purge extremism from military ranks.

The devil will be in the details, she said.  I do appreciate that there is a commitment from the Defense Department to have much more consultation with outside partners and that theres much more focus on doing additional research. So, were going to hold their feet to the fire.

Corke said the SPLC is still pressing for additional reforms, including how the militarys command structure allows commanders to have virtually absolute command authority over subordinates, which might discourage members from reporting incidents or concerns of extremism.

Even some in the military agree that the armed forces need to do more. There needs to be a change in action and behaviors  elements that cant be so easily influenced by a change in military law,  said Maj. Tyrone Collier, a judge advocate in the Marine Corps Reserve, in an interview with the AP.

Even if some legislation is passed from the highest echelons of government that says you will do this and that, will it actually get done? Collier said.

DECADES OF REPEATED WARNINGS

Extremism and racism in the military are hardly new. Racist attitudes and discrimination against people of color in the military were official policies before President Harry Truman, on July 26, 1948, signed Executive Order 9981, which officially desegregated the armed forces. Still, many units remained segregated until late 1954.

In the 1960s, Black soldiers in Vietnam filed numerous complaints with the Pentagon about white soldiers flying Confederate flags. Following the death of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, white U.S. service members based at the Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam naval base, celebrated his death by parading around the base in Ku Klux Klan-style white sheets and hoisted a Confederate flag atop the headquarters building, according to the 1997 book Fighting on Two Fronts: African Americans and the Vietnam War.

In the 1970s, extremism in the military gained national attention when the Ku Klux Klan was found to be operating openly at Camp Pendleton, a U.S. Marine Corps base in southern California. White Marine klansmen openly distributed racist literature on the base, pasted KKK stickers on barracks doors, and hid illegal weapons in their rooms. The hate groups presence on the base came to light in 1976 when 14 Black Marines were charged with assault when they broke into the wrong room and attempted to break up what they thought was a party of klansmen.

In June of 1986, the Southern Poverty Law Centers Klanwatch Project issued one of the first of many warnings to the DOD about white supremacists in its ranks and urged then-Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger to bar active duty service members from belonging to Ku Klux Klan factions. The center at that time alleged it had evidence, including photos, of active-duty U.S. Marines who had participated in the Confederate Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a North Carolina-based Klan faction that changed its name last year to the White Patriot Party.

It is simply intolerable that members of the U.S. armed forces, sworn to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States, be allowed to hold membership in an organization which seeks to overthrow the federal government through violent means, the SPLC wrote.

The military responded by saying it found no evidence to support those allegations and while it strongly discouraged membership by military personnel in organizations which have clear racist objectives, we also realize that our military personnel do not forfeit their constitutional rights under the First Amendment upon entry into the military service. Thus DoD does not prohibit personnel from joining such organizations as the Ku Klux Klan.

Weinberger did issue a directive instructing service members to reject participation in white supremacy, neo-Nazi and other such groups which espouse or attempt to create overt discrimination.

But critics say the militarys response fell short and failed to meet the moment by not instituting new, stricter policies.

In 1995, extremism in the military was thrust into the national spotlight again when three white Army paratroopers at Fort Bragg in North Carolina were arrested in the murder of a Black couple, Michael James and Jackie Burden, who they shot and killed in downtown Fayetteville. Two of the paratroopers, James Burmeister and Malcolm Wright, were sentenced to life in prison. Another 19 Fort Bragg soldiers were discharged for taking part in neo-Nazi activities.

Burmeister had made no attempts to hide his beliefs: Police found a Nazi flag over his bed and white supremacist pamphlets and instructions for making bombs in a room he rented off base. Earlier that year, Army veteran Timothy McVeigh, an anti-government extremist who earned a Bronze Star in Operation Desert Storm, parked a truck with a homemade bomb in front of a federal building in Oklahoma, killing 168 people, including 19 children.

The Pentagon, again, pledged after the slayings to address extremism within its ranks. Congressional leaders held hearings and the Army formed an extremism task force. But military leadership said the task force found minimal evidence of extremist activity in the Army.

The SPLC has been writing to Defense Department officials about our concerns about white supremacy, white nationalism in the military since the mid-1980s, said Margaret Huang, the president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center. This has been an issue that weve talked about quite a number of times because it has been a significant problem in the U.S. military for many decades now.

A 2005 Defense Department report, Screening for Potential Terrorists in the Enlisted Military Accessions Process, noted that the Pentagon has established numerous policies defining and restricting participation in extremist organizations. But it also found that effectively, the military has a dont ask, dont tell policy pertaining to extremism.

If individuals can perform satisfactorily, without making their extremist opinions overt through words or actions that violate policy, reflect poorly on the Armed Forces, or disrupt the effectiveness and order of their units, they are likely to be able to complete their contracts, the report read. This reality demonstrates the balance the Armed Forces have achieved between screening for extremists while respecting privacy and preserving federally protected rights to freedom of speech, religion, and association.

In July 2009, civil rights organizations again wrote to the DOD. This time to then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urging the Obama Administration to take appropriate measures to deal with extremists in the ranks. No sweeping action was taken.

The guidelines last week represent a major step on guidance for troops social media usage. Retweeting or liking extremist content will now be viewed as advocating the content. The new rules do not provide a list of extremist organizations that troops should not actively participate in.

Retired Air Force Col. Don Christensen, who served as the chief prosecutor for the U.S. Air Force between 2010 and 2014, said the new policies are loosely defined, and lack guidance in terms of what organizations service members should not interact with.

He also said that the new policies are unclear on how commanders would enforce the social media rules.

I understand this stuff is hard, but the like button means so many different things to different people. My main takeaway is this isnt going to be enforceable. Theres a lot of subjectivity. Christensen said. I also think they (the Defense Department) are naive to think its a small number of service members who engage in extremist activity.

The DOD said it is commissioning a study to determine the extent of extremism in the military.

But in its report last week, the Pentagon said prohibited extremist activity among service members was rare.

The military itself doesnt know the extent of the problem, said Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League, who testified before Congress in February 2020 about the dangers of extremism within the military, one year before the insurrection.

Pitcavage told Congress in 2020 that the ADL had reported 72 suspected white supremacists to the various branches in a three-year span, including 38 in the Army, two in the Army National Guard, four in the Navy, 19 in the Marine Corps, two in the Air Force, and one in the Coast Guard, as well as six with an indeterminate service branch. The DOD said it found fewer than 100 military members who were involved in substantiated cases of extremist activity in the past year.

Theres no safe number of extremists in the military, Pitcavage said.

MORE CHANGES NEEDED

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, was one of the many members of Congress trapped in the House Chamber gallery on Jan. 6. as chaos erupted when a mob of insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol.

As the mob breached the outer security perimeter and began banging on the gallery doors in an attempt to break down the makeshift barricades, Crow urged other members amid the pandemonium to remove their congressional lapel pins because he worried that if the mob had broken through the door, they were going to try to kill members.

They were eventually rescued but Crow said a conversation from that day with a fellow Black Democratic congresswoman remains firm in his mind. He said the congresswoman thanked him for urging members to remove their pins in an effort to remain undetected by the mob but she told Crow that as a Black woman, she would have never been able to blend in, unlike her white counterparts.

That was the first time in my life that I was on the receiving end of the violence of racism and white supremacy in our nations history, Crow said in an AP interview earlier this year.

Crow, a former Army Ranger and Iraq War veteran, who is a member of Congress House Armed Services Committee, introduced legislation last year called the Realizing Efforts for Military Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Act. It would require and create a more rigorous diversity training program for troops, contractors, and civilian staff members at the Defense Department. The legislation was passed this month as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

Crow said last week its too soon to determine whether the Pentagons policy updates are enough to weed out extremism, but he believes Austin is the right person to tackle the decades-long issue.

But Crow said hes planning to have conversations with the Pentagon about its updated policies, including the fact that members are still allowed to be members of extremist organizations as long as it isnt active participation.

Membership in some of these groups does give me concern and it does potentially send the wrong message, Crow said. The military is all about trust. Its all about making sure that you trust the person on your right and your left. Membership in some of these extreme organizations go right to the core of undermining that trust.

Experts on extremism say the militarys efforts to address racism and white supremacy need to start before recruits actually join the various services. One key area: vetting recruits social media posts.

The Pentagon said it has a robust screening procedure, including a fingerprint check and an FBI background check. Recruits are also screened for offensive, racist, or supremacist tattoos.

But it doesnt currently have the capability to conduct social media screenings, DOD officials said in a statement.

During last weeks press conference announcing the new guidelines on extremism Kirby also emphasized that the DOD does not screen service members social media posts for extremist content: Theres no methodology in there. Theres no ability for the Department of Defense to monitor the personal social media accounts of every member of the armed forces. He said when commanders are notified of problems through various streams of reporting, they would be expected to speak to troops to determine whether further steps were needed.

Veteran groups and experts on hate groups said the military also needs to do more to address extremism in those separating from active duty. The modern white power movement was born out of the 1970s when disillusioned Vietnam War veterans began to be recruited by white power militia groups, according to research by Kathleen Belew, an assistant professor of History at the University of Chicago.

Under the new guidelines, the DOD said it would develop programs to prepare troops who are leaving the service from being targeted by extremist organizations. Numerous studies have shown that some veterans are much more likely to be targeted for recruitment in the white extremist fringe, compared to the civilian population, and they are disproportionately involved in acts of violence.

The most recent study, an October research brief by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, found that from 1990 through the first nine months of 2021, at least 458 criminal extremists with U.S. military backgrounds committed criminal acts that were motivated by their political, economic, social, or religious goals.

That figure includes 118 individuals who are facing charges for their involvement in the Capitol insurrection. Of the 458 people, 83.6%, or 383, were no longer serving when they were arrested for committing extremist crimes.

Overall, numerically, this is still a small but growing problem, said William Braniff, the director of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism and a University of Maryland professor, during a Brookings Institute panel on extremism in the military earlier this month.

Its a national security concern, Braniff said. So, this is really creating a soft underbelly in American society. So, its not just a numbers problem. I think this is a problem regarding American democracy. And its a problem for which we have to put a preventative ecosystem in place now before the numbers do get more concerning.

EVERYDAY RACISM

Veterans like Reuben Keith Green said its disheartening to see the military struggling decade after decade to deal with racism and extremism in its ranks.

Green, 64 and a retired Navy lieutenant commander, was part of generations of men in his family who joined the military. Both his father and grandfather served. But he grew disillusioned by the military and what he believed were broken promises that all servicemen and women were equal and would be treated the same regardless of race.

He said he endured and witnessed countless acts of racism through his time in the service from when he first enlisted on Valentines Day in 1975 to when he left in the mid-90s. Some fellow service members, he said, proudly displayed Confederate flags and expressed white supremacist views, with no retribution. Green wrote a book in 2017, Black Officer, White Navy, that detailed his personal experiences. Hes also penned several articles, demanding military accountability.

This year, he said he served as a guest speaker for a Pentagon program that was part of Secretary Lloyd Austins extremism stand-down.

But Green said while the stand-down was a step in the right direction, he believes the military has yet to address the everyday racism that is based on extremist views.

Green said he worries the policies released last week wont move the needle. He also questioned whether military officials will be able to uniformly enforce and establish intent behind a service members decision to like or share extremist views and posts on social media.

If my CO (commanding officer) is a member of the KKK, am I going to report discrimination or extremist behavior to him or her? Green said.

He also noted that none of the policies specifically address acts of discrimination or racism that are not violent in nature but could still have disastrous impacts on unit cohesion and service members of color.

The military has let this white supremacist, racist issue fester for so long, Green said. Theyve been trying to hide the actual truth and now its blowing up in their faces.

___

Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/

By KAT STAFFORD and JAMES LAPORTA

Associated Press
LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP)  A Southern California man who shot and killed a woman holding her 2-year-old son during an argument over the 2016 presidential election was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison.

John Kevin McVoy Jr., 40, of Corona, received the maximum sentence Monday after being convicted of murder last month, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported.

McVoy was in a garage band with Victor Garcia. During practice on Jan. 10, 2017, the two got into an argument over politics at Garcias home in North Long Beach, prosecutors said.

McVoy pulled a gun after he was teased for saying he had voted for Hillary Clinton and Garcia told him to leave, prosecutors said.

McVoy shot and wounded Garcia and a second shot fatally struck Garcias wife, Susan Garcia, 33, as she held their child on her lap.

The child wasnt hurt.

Garcia was shot in the head. He told the court on Monday that he was in a coma for months, underwent two brain surgeries and still has physical issues.

McVoy said he didnt intend to hurt anyone and apologized to the family.

As far as my remorse, I think about this every day, he said.

At trial, McVoys attorney argued that he shot Garcia in self-defense after being threatened but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Laura Laesekce said McVoy was at fault for bringing the loaded gun and aiming it at Garcia.

Theres no reason to be pointing a gun, she said. Mr. Garcia should not bear the weight of this crime.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  After years of looking abroad for answers, countries in the Middle East now appear to instead be talking to each other to find solutions following two decades defined by war and political upheaval.

The American withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq have played a part in that change. Once ostracized autocracies such as President Bashar Assad in Syria, and shunned former top figures such as Moammar Gadhafis son in Libya, are back in the political arena amid the still smoldering ruins of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

Much remains unsettled and this inward search may not provide the answers most want. There are no quick fixes to Lebanon's unprecedented economic free-fall, the plight of Afghans desperate to flee the country's new Taliban rulers and Iran's increasingly hard-line stance over its nuclear program.

But the diplomatic maneuvering signals a growing realization across the region that Americas interest is moving elsewhere and that now is the time for negotiations that were unthinkable just a year ago.

The United States still maintains a strong military presence, including bases across the wider Mideast. Tens of thousands of American troops operate tanks in Kuwait, sail through the Strait of Hormuz and fly missions across the Arabian Peninsula.

But its Arab allies also watched in stunned horror as desperate people clung to the sides of departing U.S. military cargo jets during America's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war and the Taliban takeover of the country. Decisions by both the Trump and Biden administrations led to that moment  and upended strategic thinking calcified by the Cold War and the conflicts that followed the Sept. 11 attacks.

American analysts now talk about the great powers competition and point at Russia's buildup of forces on Ukraine's borders and China's posture toward Taiwan. Those flashpoints, they say, need some of the personnel and equipment long stationed in the Mideast.

Meanwhile, talks in Vienna aimed at restoring Iran's nuclear deal with world powers appear to be floundering. With Iran's uranium enrichment at levels never seen before, threats of military action by Israel have rekindled tensions and fears that an ongoing shadow war in could escalate into open conflict.

And with the border-locking chaos of the coronavirus pandemic largely behind them, Mideast leaders are now shuffling, talking face-to-face amid a flurry of diplomatic meetings, seemingly eager to hedge their bets.

The United Arab Emirates sent its national security adviser on a rare trip to speak to Iran's hard-line president, likely hoping to head off any other maritime attacks off its coast. Saudi Arabia, which cut off ties to Iran in 2016 following attacks on their diplomatic posts sparked by the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, also has held talks with Tehran, hosted in Baghdad.

It's not just about Iran, however. An intra-Gulf feud that saw Qatar boycotted for years by four Arab countries ended in January. Years of recriminations gave way to an image of Qatar's ruling emir, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Emirati national security adviser, photographed smiling and relaxed, standing next to each other in board shorts.

Later in December, the Gulf Cooperation Council, which also includes Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, is to hold its first non-fractious meeting since the boycott. Prince Mohammed has embarked on a tour of the GCC states ahead of that summit, hoping to reassert his own influence after U.S. intelligence agencies said he likely approved the killing and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

While each of the Gulf Arab states conducts its own diplomacy, a unified GCC front could prove valuable if tensions rise further with Iran. There are also considerations farther afield. Turkey, long viewed with suspicion by the Emirates and Egypt over offering a haven to Islamists, has sought warmer ties as it tries to halt the collapse of its currency, the lira.

The closing of ranks also brought a return of realpolitik to the region, a decade after the Arab Spring movements that aimed to topple the region's autocrats.

Syrias Assad has clawed his way back from the precipice. Though the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib remains under the control of opposition forces, Assad controls the rest of the country. Now, he is slowly being brought back into the fold of the same Arab countries that once called for his ouster  even if America maintains both its opposition to his rule and a small troop presence in the country's east, near the border with Iraq.

Another figure back on the scene is Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son of Libya's slain dictator. Though still wanted by the International Criminal Court over the killing of Arab Spring protesters, Seif al-Islam has reemerged as a candidate in the country's upcoming presidential election.

In Tunisia, which saw the first of the Arab Spring's protests, President Kais Saied froze the countrys parliament and seized executive powers in July. That sidelined the country's Islamists in a move criticized by opponents as a coup.

And in Sudan, where a popular uprising and coup toppled longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019, another recent coup disrupted fragile plans for a transition to democracy.

This new Mideast reassessment however, appears to have limits on what it can resolve.

The Mideast hasn't rushed to embrace Taliban rule in Afghanistan and international recognition is still far off. The grinding civil war rages on in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition battles Iranian-backed rebels. In Lebanon, the Iran-Saudi rivalry threatens to tear the country apart even more as it faces what the World Bank described as the world's worst financial crisis in 150 years.

But the talking, for now, continues. And absent a major crisis that could draw America in again, those conversations likely will be where the deals get done.

___

EDITORS NOTE  Jon Gambrell, the news director for the Gulf and Iran for The Associated Press, has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the world since joining the AP in 2006. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
The ex-wife of U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez said Friday that she may run against him in the November election.

Becky Whetstone, a former newspaper columnist who divorced the three-term Democrat in October, says if she enters the race, it will be as an independent.

"As a man he lacks integrity," Whetstone said of Gonzalez, although she would not elaborate on that statement.

The pair's divorce after four years of marriage was public and acrimonious, with Whetstone accusing him of physical and emotional abuse.

Gonzalez was in San Antonio on Friday to support Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, a fellow San Antonio Democrat.

He told the San Antonio Express-News that Whetstone's action is part of her ongoing anger over their divorce.

"It demeans public service," he said. "This is beyond the pale and what I detect is a terrible degree of desperation.  It would be nice if all of this ended at some point in time and if Becky moved forward to maybe a healthier place."

Gonzalez has represented the 20th Congressional District, whose boundaries are entirely within Bexar County, since 1998. He succeeded his father, the late Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez, who held the seat for nearly four decades.

Gonzalez did not face major party opposition in his latest race in 2000. He won-re-election with 88 percent of the vote.

Whetstone said she does not have any key issues she would want to address in Washington.

"I will listen to what the people of the 20th Congressional District want," she said. "I wouldn't presume to know what they need."

Whetstone has until May 13 to formally file for the race with the Texas Secretary of State's office. She would need 500 signatures to get on the ballot.

She said, however, that she probably would not run if a well-qualified candidate enters the race. So far, Gonzalez is opposed by Roger Scott, a 29-year-old Republican making his first foray into politics.
On Dec. 30, 1847, eleven years after the death of Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas right-hand man opened the first real bank in independent Texas.

Samuel May Williams came from a distinguished Rhode Island clan that took root in New England a century before his birth in 1795. A long list of illustrious ancestors included a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a president of Yale College.

Leaving home at the age of 20, the young wanderer wound up in New Orleans. During his seven-year stay in the Crescent City, he picked up enough French and Spanish to become fluent in both tongues.

Williams language skills landed him a job as an interpreter right after his arrival in Texas in the spring of 1822. He soon met Austin, two years his senior at 29, and in 1824 accepted an offer of employment from the colonizer.

Assuming a multitude of varied and demanding responsibilities, Williams evolved into the empressarios indispensable right-hand man. Although his formal titles were restricted to official secretary and public recorder of the Anglo-American settlement, there was no limit to his actual duties. He did whatever had to be done, which regularly meant running the contentious colony during Austins prolonged absences.

The position was anything but cushy. Williams headquarters, the land office at San Felipe de Austin, was a ramshackle structure that provided minimal shelter against the whimsical weather. The sum total of furniture was two chairs and a whiskey barrel

converted into a desk.

Essential supplies were extremely scarce in the primitive province. Williams had to send off to Louisiana for a log to record land transactions, a routine request that took six months.

Austin was an exceptionally private person, who rarely confided in anybody. But his assistant gradually earned his trust and in time became his closest if not only true friend.

By 1834 the colony was a thriving community, and Williams finally felt free to pursue more personal goals after a decade of dedicated service. Austin grudgingly accepted the fact that his able aide needed to get on with his life, and the pair parted on amicable terms.

However, in a matter of months, the ex-employee managed to besmirch the reputation his mentor had labored so long to keep above reproach. Williams engaged in land speculations which, though technically legal, provoked harsh criticism from many colonists who jumped to the unfounded conclusion that Austin was involved in the shady deals.

The resultant rift wrecked the relationship both men treasured. For two years they did not exchange a single word.

In August 1836, four months after the Battle of San Jacinto, Williams broke the awkward silence. I am informed that you charge me with a want of regard for your standing and character, he wrote without a hint of an apology. All that I can do is to call upon you to reflect and examine the motives you think I could have for such a proceeding towards any man I esteemed as a friend, and more especially towards you.

Austin waited until early November to reply. Considering the fact that the land

speculation scandal had just cost him the presidency of the Republic, his response was remarkably charitable.

Williams, you have wounded me very deeply, but you are so deeply rooted in my affections that, with all your faults, you are at heart too much like a wild and heedless brother to be entirely banished.

That touching and generous letter may have been Austins last. Exhausted by his nation-building toil, he died seven weeks later at the tragically early age of 43.

Ever the shrewd though not always scrupulous entrepreneur, Williams went on to make a fortune in the shipping business. Using his political contacts to circumvent the constitutional ban on banks, he opened the Commercial and Agricultural Bank at the corner of Market and Twenty-Third Street in Galveston at the end of 1847.

The intense animosity of most Texans toward land speculators was surpassed only by their burning hatred of bankers. Opponents immediately filed suit to have Williams charter canceled and subjected him to a relentless campaign of public vilification while awaiting the verdict.

The Texas supreme court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in 1859. The justices ordered the Commercial and Agricultural Bank closed and its assets liquidated down to the last penny.

But Samuel May Williams was beyond caring. He died six months before the decision, the victim of what his doctor called a giving way mentally and physically.

Put another way, he lost interest in living. Austin tried to tell him there was more to life than money, but his right hand foolishly ignored that simple truth.
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Angela Angie Kukawski, a Los Angeles-based business manager who worked at Boulevard Management in Woodland Hills, has died, the Ventura County Coroners office confirmed to Variety. She was 55 and the cause of death appears to be homicide, according to sources who point to an incident on Dec. 22 in Van Nuys and in Simi Valley, Calif.

Los Angeles police have arrested a 49-year-old man, identified as Jason Barker, who who is being held on a $2 million bond, according to an L.A. County inmate intake filing.

According to a local report, a woman in her 50s was discovered deceased in the trunk of a car parked in Simi Valley, just north of Los Angeles. Sources confirm that Kukawski was the woman. The Simi Valley Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department have made an arrest of the alleged suspect, who appears to have transported the body from Van Nuys to the home of a relative in Simi Valley in the early morning hours of Dec. 23.

Little else is currently known about the circumstances of the crime.

Kukawski was the mother of five and, according to friends, was beloved in the industry. She is described as hard-working and a straight shooter by one music business associate who had liaised with her. Boulevard, where she was employed most recently, specializes in accounting and financial management services for entertainers, athletes and entrepreneurs and advises on asset management, tax preparation, insurance, and estate and retirement planning, among other offerings.

Kukawski worked with such clients as Nicki Minaj, rappers Kanye West and Offset and, for a time, the Kardashians as well as the estate of Tupac Shakur, according to government filings and past associates.

We are saddened and heartbroken by the loss of our colleague, Angie Kukawski, Boulevards Todd Bozick and Lester Knispel said in a statement to Variety. Angie was a kind, wonderful person, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Our deepest condolences go out to all of Angies family and friends.

This story is developing.

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Harry Colomby, who made the unusual career transition from high school teacher to talent manager at the invitation of jazz great Thelonious Monk, died Dec. 25 from multiple causes at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 92.

Although Monk was his first client, Colombys career expanded to film and television, managing both comedian John Byner and actor Michael Keaton.

He was the producer or executive producer of 13 film or TV projects, several of them Keaton movies, including Mr. Mom. The brother of Bobby Colomby, founding member of Blood, Sweat & Tears and, and jazz trumpeter Jules Colomby, Harry also had six screenwriting credits, including the Keaton feature Johnny Dangerously.

In an Instagram post, Keaton paid tribute to his business partner. Unlikeliest of matches, we thought the same, felt the same and laughed at the same things. He was kindhearted, curious, thoughtful and man, was he funny  I loved him and so did all who met him.

Colomby may have continued life as an educator had the jazz lover not booked Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers to perform at one of the New York schools where he taught. The night before the concert, Colomby went to the club where Blakey was playing to make sure he had the address, and it was there that Monk asked if he could give the pianist a ride home.

Out of nowhere, believing a high school teacher was most likely honest and smart, Monk asked Harry if he would have interest in managing him, says Bobby Colomby. He didnt promise wealth and fame, but he did say that he would make sure that Thelonious would be taken seriously as an artist.

Now considered a jazz great, the pianist and composers career was in limbo at the time with a suspended cabaret license preventing Monk from playing New York City clubs. Colomby appealed to the State Liquor authority, and the license was reinstated in May of 1957. That set the stage for a now-famous residency at The Five Spot that Colomby booked with John Coltrane on board as Monks saxophonist.

Colomby was Monks personal manager for 14 years, a relationship captured in the 1989 documentary film Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser, culled from footage shot in 1967 and 1968. During the time they worked together, Monk signed his 1962 contract with Columbia Records and in 1964 became one of only five jazz musicians to appear on the cover of Time in that magazines history.

Working with Byner prompted Colomby to move to Los Angeles, where he wrote and produced projects for his client, including the 1977 TV film McNamaras Band, in which the comedian had the title role.

Along with 88 film and TV acting roles, Byner was a frequent guest on variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, both of David Lettermans late night series and game shows like The Match Game and The Hollywood Squares.

Colomby discovered Keaton at the Comedy Store during the 70s, which began the comics transition to acting, starting with the CBS series Working Stiffs. The manager was a producer and writer for the show with a cast that included Jim Belushi and Allan Arbus.

Keatons breakout role came as Bill Blazejowski, the laugh magnet in the 1982 film Night Shift, starring Shelley Long and Henry Winkler. Other comedies, including Mr. Mom and Beetlejuice would follow, but to expand the actors range, Colomby steered Keaton to the 1998 drama Clean and Sober, opening a lane that would lead him to roles in the likes of Batman, The Paper, Spotlight, current Hulu series Dopesick and his Oscar-winning turn in the 2014 production Birdman.

A graduate of Columbia University, the middle Colomby son spent the first nine years of his life in Germany, hiding from Nazis, says brother Bobby, who adds that Harry learned English by memorizing a dictionary.

Colomby is survived by wife Lee, actor son Scott and younger brother Bobby. A memorial service is being planned to take place in January.

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Dutch Bros

The year is drawing to a close, and even if 2021 wasn't the year some of us might hoped it would be, it still did two things right: begin and end. What can we say  even a broken clock is right twice a day!

In all seriousness, there were still some outstanding moments, especially in San Antonio's food and beverage industry. Local business owners fought through a terribly tough time for restaurants and landed on the other side with business booming. We said goodbye to a few favorites, but welcomed even more.
Kolten Parker/San Antonio Express-News

New Braunfels will start the year with the addition of a Hawaiian restaurant. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is adding a Texas outpost to its network of more than 200 restaurants throughout the country.

The San Antonio location of L&L broke the news of the New Braunfels location on Saturday, December 25. The social media announcement shows the New Braunfels storefront just about ready to welcome customers.
Courtesy, Tilson PR

San Antonio's far Westside will soon be home to a new fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant. The Great Greek Grill will add an Alamo City location to a chain that dots the U.S., from California to Virginia. The introduction of The Great Greek Grill comes on the heels of Cava, a brand of assembly-line-style Mediterranean restaurants that opened in San Antonio earlier this year.

The San Antonio restaurant will be located at 11647 Culebra Road. An opening date has not been set yet, but representatives for the restaurant tell MySA that a spring 2022 opening is on the schedule.
ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia broke the state's record for the number of test-confirmed COVID-19 cases Tuesday, with an extremely rapid rise passing the peaks previously set in January.

The state recorded 13,670 positive tests, a combination of molecular PCR and rapid antigen tests, in its report released Tuesday. That boosted Georgias seven-day average of positive tests to 9,798. That seven-day average is a key measure because it smooths out normal daily variations.

Thats a huge escalation from a month ago, when Georgia was recording fewer than 1,000 positive tests a day. This fifth wave has passed both an early January peak as well as the delta wave that roared through Georgia as schools opened in August and September.

The rapid rise in cases has not yet resulted in hospitals being overrun, although the number of COVID-19 patients is climbing, rising about 10% Tuesday to nearly 2,200 statewide. Both infections and hospitalizations have been centered in the Atlanta area and some parts of north Georgia so far.

The climbing number of virus cases is forcing changes in plans. The city of Atlanta announced it was canceling the New Year's Eve Peach Drop at the Underground Atlanta complex downtown, the third year in a row that the event won't be held. Emory University said it will start its spring semester online, with in-person classes not starting until Jan. 31 at the earliest. And some public schools are saying students and employees must wear masks when their classes resume in early January, with the 1,100-student Dooly County district joining that group on Tuesday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 25 Atlanta-area emergency rooms were turning away ambulances, while only six ERs at hospitals caring for adults were receiving them, according to state data. Among those turning away emergency medical transports were the flagship hospitals of three of the areas four major hospital systems: Emory, Piedmont and Northside. Data showed emergency rooms in regions around Atlanta, Rome and Carrollton, Columbus and Augusta were exceeding 100% capacity.

Officials are urging people who need testing not to tie up emergency rooms but to instead seek out testing sites and pharmacies.

Katie Byrd, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp, said the state is working to increase testing capabilities and has 2,500 National Guard troops on standby who could be used to aid testing sites and hospitals. She said the state Department of Community Health would decide who to send where in coming days. She also said Kemp continues to communicate with hospital leaders and has five calls with hospitals planned Wednesday.

Byrd, though, reiterated that the Republican governor, who has joined a series of lawsuits against Biden administration vaccine mandates in recent weeks, wont  be implementing any measures that shutter businesses or divide the vaccinated from the unvaccinated or the masked from the unmasked.

Gov. Kemp is fully vaccinated and boosted, and he will continue to urge Georgians to talk with their doctors about the benefits of getting the vaccine or receiving their booster shot, Byrd said in a statement. Ultimately, he feels that we must trust our citizens to do whats right for themselves and their families.

Emory President Gregory Fenves said Tuesday that Georgia's largest private university is switching to virtual classes to start the spring semester because of a national surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the omicron variant. Fenves said Emory will transition back to in-person learning on Jan. 31 if conditions permit. The switch to remote learning applies to undergraduate, graduate and professional courses. Residence halls will remain open, though students are encouraged to delay their return to campus.

Fenves wrote in a letter that he knew that beginning the semester with remote learning and teaching is inconvenient."

But we must be adaptable during this surge so we can continue our important work  learning, teaching, creating, and discovering  in the face of this ever-evolving pandemic," Fenves wrote.

Emory students, faculty and staff are required to get a booster shot by Jan. 19.
NEW YORK (AP)  U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

The decision also was driven by a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, propelled by the omicron variant.

Early research suggests omicron may cause milder illnesses than earlier versions of the coronavirus. But the sheer number of people becoming infected  and therefore having to isolate or quarantine  threatens to crush the ability of hospitals, airlines and other businesses to stay open, experts say.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the country is about to see a lot of omicron cases.

"Not all of those cases are going to be severe. In fact many are going to be asymptomatic, she told The Associated Press on Monday. We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science."

Last week, the agency loosened rules that previously called on health care workers to stay out of work for 10 days if they test positive. The new recommendations said workers could go back to work after seven days if they test negative and dont have symptoms. And the agency said isolation time could be cut to five days, or even fewer, if there are severe staffing shortages.

Now, the CDC is changing the isolation and quarantine guidance for the general public to be even less stringent.

The change is aimed at people who are not experiencing symptoms. People with symptoms during isolation, or who develop symptoms during quarantine, are encouraged to stay home.

The CDCs isolation and quarantine guidance has confused the public, and the new recommendations are happening at a time when more people are testing positive for the first time and looking for guidance, said Lindsay Wiley, an American University public health law expert.

Nevertheless, the guidance continues to be complex.

ISOLATION

The isolation rules are for people who are infected. They are the same for people who are unvaccinated, partly vaccinated, fully vaccinated or boosted.

They say:

The clock starts the day you test positive.

An infected person should go into isolation for five days, instead of the previously recommended 10.

At the end of five days, if you have no symptoms, you can return to normal activities but must wear a mask everywhere  even at home around others  for at least five more days.

If you still have symptoms after isolating for five days, stay home until you feel better and then start your five days of wearing a mask at all times.

QUARANTINE

The quarantine rules are for people who were in close contact with an infected person but not infected themselves.

For quarantine, the clock starts the day someone is alerted they may have been exposed to the virus.

Previously, the CDC said people who were not fully vaccinated and who came in close contact with an infected person should stay home for at least 10 days.

Now the agency is saying only people who got booster shots can skip quarantine if they wear masks in all settings for at least 10 days.

Thats a change. Previously, people who were fully vaccinated  which the CDC has defined as having two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine  could be exempt from quarantine.

Now, people who got their initial shots but not boosters are in the same situation as those who are partly vaccinated or are not vaccinated at all: They can stop quarantine after five days if they wear masks in all settings for five days afterward.

FIVE DAYS

Suspending both isolation and quarantine after five days is not without risk.

A lot of people get tested when they first feel symptoms, but many Americans get tested for others reasons, like to see if they can visit family or for work. That means a positive test result may not reveal exactly when a person was infected or give a clear picture of when they are most contagious, experts say.

When people get infected, the risk of spread drops substantially after five days, but it does not disappear for everyone, said Dr. Aaron Glatt, a New York physician who is a spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

If you decrease it to five days, you're still going to have a small but significant number of people who are contagious, he said.

That's why wearing masks is a critical part of the CDC guidance, Walensky said.

VARYING RECOMMENDATIONS

The new CDC guidance is not a mandate; its a recommendation to employers and state and local officials. Last week, New York state said it would expand on the CDCs guidance for health care workers to include employees who have other critical jobs that are facing a severe staffing shortage.

Its possible other states will seek to shorten their isolation and quarantine policies, and CDC is trying to get out ahead of the shift. It would be helpful to have uniform CDC guidance that others could draw from, rather than a mishmash of policies, Walensky said.

Given the timing with surging case counts, the update is going to be perceived as coming in response to pressure from business interests, Wiley said. But some experts have been calling for the change for months, because shorter isolation and quarantine periods appeared to be sufficient to slow the spread, she said.

The move by CDC follows a decision last week by U.K. officials to reduce the self-isolation period for vaccinated people who test positive for COVID-19.

___

The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
KSAT

Months have passed since former San Antonio TV news personality Isis Romero appeared behind the KSAT desk. The longtime anchor shared in a social media post over the summer that her final day was July 12 after KSAT decided not to renew her contract. Her online presence has been mostly quiet since then, save a few family photos, but on Wednesday, December 29, she shared her latest win with fans.

The Lone Star Regional Emmys awarded Romero, her co-host Steve Spriester, and producer Laura Ramirez an Emmy for their coverage of The Day of the Dead River Parade, according to the awards website.
More recreational fun is coming to San Antonio in 2022. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department revealed updates on its upcoming projects in a YouTube video on Tuesday, December 28. The city will make improvements to several parks, including Woodlawn and Pearsall.

"2022 is shaping up to be a great year," the city said in its video that featured park employee Sandy Jenkins, who explained the moves the department has in store for its parks.

At Woodlawn Lake Park, at 1103 Cincinnati Avenue, Jenkins said the former site of the Berta Almaguer Dance Studio will become a new community center for dancing, meetings, recitals, and other events. Jenkins said they expect the project to open in late 2022.

Over at Pearsall Park, at 5102 Old Pearsall Road, Jenkins said they are going to install a new pump track and biking trails for cyclists, as well as a new restroom facility, picnic tables, and shaded areas. The department expects the new attractions to be open in the spring of 2022.

Next year, Jenkins said the city also plans on merging Lockwood and Dignowity parks on the city's Eastside, along Olive and Nolan streets. It will become one park with a new playground, dog park, parking, and lighting.

A brand-new splash pad is also coming in the summer to Martin Luther King Park at 3503 Martin Luther King Drive. The city is also building a new nature center, along with trails that will go along the Salado Creek Greenway.

Jenkins ended the video by reminding citizens about the upcoming $1.2 million bond they can vote on in the election held on May 7. The city is preparing to spend the bond money on projects that will improve sidewalks, neighborhoods, and trails, as well as impact COVID-19 response and housing. City staff members have recommended spending $274.3 million for parks, recreation, and open spaces (including $110 million for the greenway trails).
Forgive me for doing a cursory job on such an important and sorry set of Covid developments. But I had really intended this to be a holiday week and instead Im up to my eyeballs in family duties. But the raw facts are so bad that to a fair degree, they speak for themselves.

Its become painfully evident that the follow the science and Biden Administration campaign promise to act as the adults in the room are a sick joke. Policy all politics. Public health long ago left the barn and is now in the next county. Biden threw in the towel on Monday after having promised on the campaign trail to shut down the virus:

In case he doesnt remember, somebody please tell Biden the United States is not a country in which each state controls its borders and can therefore set up its own separate domestic public health policy solution. https://t.co/dYYfBTol21  Dan Kervick  (@DanMKervick) December 27, 2021

While constitutionally, public health is indeed a state and local responsibility, the Feds have the say over interstate commerce, and they also have many other powerful levers they can pull though their bully pulpit, data collection and dissemination, and their ability to fund nationwide programs. Weve instead had inconsistent, often inaccurate, and actively damaging messaging (if you are vaccinated, you are protected; the vaccinated can stop masking) but also making things worse by not understanding how poor the CDCs data is (something the agency has abjectly failed to address) made worse by officials apparently believing their own spin.

The latest is the CDC making horrendous decisions based on its own crap information. The agency admitted that its December 18 estimate, that Omicron represented 73% of all cases, was too high and the point estimate should have been 22.5%.

This CDC bad call, just like its 2020 fail on test kits, has real world implications. IM Doc had been complaining that his hospital could no longer get Regeneron when his patients were clamoring for it. He learned from his mafia that the CDC had believed its 73% Omicron estimate and based on monoclonal antibodies not being effective against Omicron, it wasnt cost justified. IM Doc is sure some of his patients have Delta and he now cant treat them properly.

Yet alarmingly, we are also seeing Saint Fauci and Rochelle Walenksy, despite their repeated abject failures, act as they are in running Covid policy, in defiance of Biden and the states. Fauci tried to assert authority over the airline industry during his Sunday talk show rounds by pumping for a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel. This was extremely presumptuous in light of:

The industry lobbying Congress during formal testimony for an end to masking, based on the claim that planes have super duper filtered air (yes, but what about the guy near you coughing or talking and his Covid cooties getting to you before a filter?) Delta [the airline] petitioning for reducing vaccine quarantines to five days for the fully vaccinateddespite evidence that for Delta [the variant], and even more so for Omicron, the vaccines do little if anything to reduce spread Many employers retreating from the >100 employee Federal vaccine mandate while it is in legal play, demonstrating they are not on board The real possibility that the Supreme Court will overturn or restrict the employer mandate, and that could have implications for other Federal vaccine schemes

On Monday, the Administration capitulated to Deltas request and reduced the recommended quarantine to five days, and Fauci reversed himself on a vaccine mandate for flights.

Even former Administration backers were gobsmacked. From the Financial Times:

Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, said: It seems pretty chaotic. You have an announcement yesterday on isolation guidance with no data, no evidence, nothing. And this is from an administration that says it wants to stick to the science.

Then today, we have the drastic changes to their genomic estimates. The last 24 hours show that the credibility of the agency is lower than it has been at any point during this administration.

Topol has even more unkind words in The very bad day at the CDC, which I strongly urge you to read in full. He makes clearer than the press does the degree of the CDCs data failure.

Scientist GMs take on the quarantine reduction:

So now if you work in, for example, retail or fast food, your boss can force you to come back to work on Day 6, where you will proceed to infect all customers you interact with. Also, people will die on the job because of this. How is that going to play out in practice? You test positive, then you go through the flu-like phase of COVID. A lot of people will not at all be in any shape to come back to work on day 6, many are still really sick at that time. But bigger problem comes later  you have come back to work, you start your shift, then the day-10 rapid deterioration kicks in, at which point you need to be in the hospital ASAP. But you just started your shift and will be fired if you leave so you try to carry on. One hypothesis about why we no longer see people randomly dropping on the street as was the case early on on in China, Iran, Italy, etc. is that everyone is aware of COVID now and has tested positive before it gets to that point and is thus either in hospital or isolating at tome. While those people randomly dropping dead were the rapid deterioration or heart attack/stroke cases that thought they had the flu at the time nobody was aware of COVID and were thus were freely walking around. We are about to test that hypothesis now P.S. This is straight up premeditated mass murder at this point

He added:

It includes HCWs [health care workers], but this is definitely not about them. They could have been handled with a specific provision. And that provision could have been temporary. And it could have been to the effect of if you test positive, you are assigned to the COVID ward, but you must absolutely not step foot in the oncology department next to the chemo patients. This is nothing of the sort  this is a permanent irreversible policy shift for everyone. So from now on wherever you go to buy anything you have to be aware that the people working there might be on their Day 6

IM Doc confirmed the management response:

The ERs and urgent cares in the affected areas are being cremated as we speak. The hospital units not so much  at least yet. You should hear some of the horror stories I am hearing from colleagues. It has indeed now risen to the level of a public health menace. After years of nurse mis-treatment, on top of COVID burnout, firing tons of staff over vaccine mandates  and now seeing whole units being quarantined  they see the writing on the wall. The only one of those issues that is readily fixable is changing the quarantine time. Calling in the National Guard is simply not going to do much at all  as they are finding out the hard way right now. So much for the whole argument that the vaccine people have had  I DO NOT WANT TO GET CARE FROM AN UNVACCINATED HCW  Well now you are going to get care from a HCW who may very well still be contagious. This is a clusterfuck of obscene proportions. I can scarcely believe what I am seeing. And if we are to hold Biden to his word  why would anyone listen to the CDC anymore  this is not a federal problem as of his speech today. Why is the CDC even making proclamations like this.

And he confirmed shortly that his hospitals personnel department had sent out a celebratory e-mail, for those coming off the new shortened quarantine to contact their supervisor pronto since there were many open shifts.

Other news tidbits are similarly damming if you have a modicum of the backstory. The Financial Times tells us Bidens promised 500 million home test kits are yet to materialize:

Last week, the US president announced that the federal government would respond by distributing 500m at-home tests. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Biden said his administration had a bit of progress on distributing the test kits.

In fact, the normally Democrat-friendly Vanity Fair broke the story that the Administration had nixed an October proposal of a mass home test program by Christmas. On top of that, Biden hadnt even signed a contract when he announced his scheme; a Johns Hopkins expert said it would likely be a year before the kits were distributed.

Walensky, like Fauci, is also operating well beyond her authority. She not only fell in line with Fauci on giving in to the airlines on the length of recommended quarantines, but she also appointed herself as arbiter of broad social policies:

You haven't answered the question as to why the CDC guidelines have changed. Walensky's argument "safely continue to keep society functioning" is very nice and convenient for US businesses, but her argument is not supported by scientific data, as the level of exhaled virion 1/  orion77 (@orion7710) December 28, 2021

Neither Fauci nor Walensky were subject to any democratic approval process. Decisions about non-health impacts are none of her business and should be left to those who are supposed to be in charge. Unfortunately, there appears to be a gaping power vacuum and shes all too willing to seize ground.

A final issue, which will get only brief treatment, is putative experts and the press are pushing every bit of Omicron hopium they can find, to the degree that they are baldly misrepresenting research.which even if the spin were accurate, should be treated with caution. We still dont know enough about Omicron to be certain of much save its very high level of transmission and resistance to vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. As Lambert put it:

If you believe in the precautionary principle, then you dont amplify emerging data where the policy implication is to do nothing.

One reader with a medical background sent a link to the hopium in question, a very small South African study where the title of the preprint, Omicron infection enhances neutralizing immunity against the Delta, flat out misrepresents what the data actually says. As GM said:

The PR spin is profoundly misleading and the opposite of what the data says, but unfortunately in this case the scientists themselves are to blame as they are pushing that narrative too. The data shows little actual cross immunity. I would not be surprised if Omicron burns through the whole world and then in mid-2022 it all starts again in some part of the world with a new strain. Here is the first Delta/Omicron cross-neutralization data: https://secureservercdn.net/50.62.198.70/1mx.c5c.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/MEDRXIV-2021-268439v1-Sigal.pdf There is some cross-neutralization, but if you look at the unvaccinated subjects, half of them were below the limit of detection at the follow up. Which was two weeks after the initial presentation. So they were infected with Omicron but are not showing appreciable neutralization against Delta. Overall, including the vaccinated, titers went up 14.4x against Omicron, but 4.4x against Delta. Which is touted as great protection against Delta, but it really is not, as titers are going down from there. This might be enough to push Delta down in the short term, though it will not be a fast displacement into oblivion. But it will do nothing against future variants a year from now. And yet what does the abstract of the paper say? The increase in Delta variant neutralization in individuals 39 infected with Omicron may result in decreased ability of Delta to re-infect those individuals. Along with emerging data indicating that Omicron, at this time in the pandemic, is less pathogenic than Delta, such an outcome may have positive implications in terms of decreasing the Covid-19 burden 42 of severe disease Which fits well with a very disturbing trend over the last few weeks  most of the top scientists in South Africa have come out in support of the governmental policy of abdicating completely from infection control and have given statements in the spirit of Omicron is mild and will end the pandemic. I have no information of why that is being done, but the suspicions are obvious and natural  this has all the hallmarks of political pressure from on top. Because those people do/should know better scientifically.

And even if the mild narrative were true (the UKs Imperial College is not on board, and the UK, between having an actual national public health service plus regular surveys of 100,000 people, has some of the best Covid data in the world), that is not necessarily good news. It appears if anything that more are getting symptomatic Omicron than Delta. In particular, note the relatively high level of symptomatic Omicron in children and young adults who have robust immune systems and showed a much lower level of symptomatic cases under Deltaand this with much more of the population, even young adults and teens, vaccinated than before.

The reason for concern is that a new, reasonable size study (n>500) found that 67% of those who had mild to moderate Covid developed long Covid. Theres no reason to think Omicron will be more forgiving.

Yet the CDC keeps digging its hole even deeper:

Hard to believe a public health agency is running a campaign to drive vaccination by scaring people about cost of seeking care. Is CDC unaware of gaps in our healthcare system that already leave many vulnerable Americans excessively exposed to the costs and consequences of Covid? https://t.co/iEmPxYP1uO  Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) December 27, 2021

The Administration can barely keep up its pretense of being in the business of protecting the public. Every man is now on his own, at least in the US.
Ecstatic Arkansas donkey is over the moon with his new jolly ball Christmas toy Daily Mail

You Have No Idea How Hard It Is to Get a Hamster Drunk The Atlantic

Inside the cult of crypto FT

The $900 Billion Cash Pile Inflating Startup Valuations WSJ

Climate

#COVID19

The very bad day at the CDC Etric Topol. Brutal. A must-read. Topol comments:

US officials recommend shorter COVID isolation, quarantine AP. Now five days, no test requirement to leave quarantine. Walensky, Monday: Not all of those cases are going to be severe. In fact many are going to be asymptomatic. We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science. Editorializing just a bit:

A more accurate portrayal of the CDC in zombie movies pic.twitter.com/JaTcFiJwAM  Ryan Ken (they/them) (@Ryan_Ken_Acts) December 28, 2021

Then on Tuesday

CDC sharply drops estimate of Omicron prevalence in U.S. Politico (Re Silc). The public health agencys previous estimate that the rapidly spreading variant accounted for 73.2 percent of cases nationwide on Dec. 18 is now revised down to 22.5 percent  a significant drop that falls outside the agencys earlier 95 percent prediction interval, or likely range where future analysis will fall, of 34 to 94.9 percent of all cases. Leaving aside the question of whether the CDC (or whoever we is) should be in the business of [making] sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning  I would have thought that was an issue for an elected official; say, the President  its curious that Tuesdays Omicron prevalence drop from 73.2% to 22.5% didnt seem to affect policy or messaging. Surely if Omicron is far less prevalent than first thought, theres not so much reason to shove people back into their infectious workplaces? Allow me to characterize this decision-making process visually:

Big if true:

New CDC isolation guidance seems to be a top down, corporate-driven, poorly coordinated decision. 1) Delta Airlines asked for this. 2) CDC staff I spoke with wasnt aware of this guidance change until it dropped, says staff is now being asked to write scientific justification.  Andrew Goldstein #EndVaccineApartheid (@AndrewMakeTweet) December 28, 2021

I repeat my hope that some CDC whistleblower will through some documents over the NC transom.

Flight attendants fume as CDC gives airlines what they want on quarantine change Politico

Nudge theory exemplified:

Hospital stays can be expensive, but COVID-19 vaccines are free. Help protect yourself from being hospitalized with #COVID19 by getting vaccinated. Find your vaccine: https://t.co/xbvNiaVJKV. pic.twitter.com/NEwqZqzAwI  CDC (@CDCgov) December 27, 2021

* * *

Uncounted: Inaccurate death certificates across the country hide the true toll of COVID-19 Missouri Independent

Experts say COVID-19 cases dont tell whole story The Hill (AM). [P]ublic health officials are debating whether the nation needs to shift its thinking. Many people are going to get omicron  but those that are vaccinated and boosted are unlikely to suffer dire symptoms. As a result, hospitalizations and deaths are the markers that government officials need to monitor carefully to ensure the safety of communities as the nation learns to live with COVID-19. That learn to live with Covid talking point is especially rich coming from a public health establishment that has systematically monkey-wrenched all the non-pharmaceutical interventions that would have helped the nation do exactly that.

If only there were some society-wide institution where these testing kits could have been dropped off! An office of some kind.

These are two FedEx Drop Boxes on the Southwest Side, sites where CPS families are expected to leave completed COVID testing kits. Because boxes are overflowing, families are scrambling to find safe and secure places to leave their kits. The deadline for return is today. pic.twitter.com/DAzOn7RgSe  ChicagoTeachersUnion (@CTULocal1) December 28, 2021

* * *

Omicron and Holiday Travel: How to Strategize NYT

Delta says flight to Shanghai turned back because of new Covid rules NBC

* * *

Ferret Study Reinforces Role of Aerosols in SARS-CoV-2 Spread The Scientist. From 2020, still germane. To study virus transmission, Herfst and his colleagues stacked two ferret containers on top of one another, connected only by a 15 cmwide duct made of PVC pipe with four 90-degree turns. Droplet goons need to explain how droplets spread infection around corners.

CDC Data Shows Two-Thirds of Cruise Ships Are Reporting COVID Cases Maritime Executive

* * *

10 lessons Ive learned from the Covid19 pandemic STAT News

Omicron Is Our Past Pandemic Mistakes on Fast-Forward The Atlantic. The deck: Weve been making the same errors for nearly two years now. If errors they are.

The head of the Council on Foreign Relations believes the vaccines provide sterilizing immunity:

Sorry, but vaccine mandate for domestic travel should have been considered & adopted 6 months ago. It should happen now. Everyone would win: travelers would have the right to be safe while those who refuse to get vaccinated would retain right not to board. https://t.co/7zmKIiPjwG  Richard N. Haass (@RichardHaass) December 28, 2021

Since both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated transmit, banning the unvaccinated does not achieve the right to be safe, by definition. Of course, such a ban does achieve the right to be safe from social inferiors. Perhaps that is what Haas wants.
My position with Nashville Post has evolved since 2000 when I began work with the now-defunct The City Paper. TCP became a Post sister pub in 2008 (when I began some Post work) and folded in 2013. I have worked mainly with the Post since late 2011.

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(Natural News) California lost one percent of its population over the last year as residents fled for other states, the United States Census Bureau revealed this week.

(Article by Amy Furr and John Binder republished from Breitbart.com)

While Californias population stands at more than 39.5 million, a record high, the state lost more than 367,000 residents over the last year. The states population decline is among the largest in the nation.

In 2021, 20 states and the District of Columbia lost residents via net domestic migration. Largest domestic migration losses were in California (-367,299), New York (-352,185), and Illinois (-122,460), Census Bureau experts wrote.

California lost ~1% of its entire population in 2021. These are net exodus numbers. pic.twitter.com/Wey4lWPVsh  Kumar ?Avalanche Will Surpass Solana (@datarade) December 24, 2021

In addition, blue states that repeatedly enforced mask mandates, vaccine requirements, and lockdowns over the past year lost population to red states that eliminated the policies, Breitbart News reported.

Meanwhile, Florida, Texas, and Arizona experienced the most growth thanks to domestic migration:

Out of the top 10 states and territories with the most population decline from July 2020 to July 2021, eight are run by either Democrat legislatures or Democrat governors, or both. Of the top 10 states with the most population growth in the last year, nine are run by Republican governors and Republican-majority legislatures.

Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area lost some of their populations amid the coronavirus pandemic, recent data found, according to the Associated Press (AP).

In May, the state reported its first annual population decline when officials said it lost 182,083 people last year. Most recently, the state reported losing 173,000 people between July 1st of last year and July 1st of this year.

The report continued:

The latest estimate confirms Californias once seemingly boundless population growth has ended. It also shows that, for the first time ever, Los Angeles County and the nine counties surrounding the San Francisco Bay simultaneously lost population in the same year. Together, those two areas account for more than 44% of the states nearly 40 million residents and have some of the most expensive housing prices in the nation.

Californians were leaving the state to search for affordable housing, better schools, and a more rural lifestyle. A significant percentage of them chose Austin, Texas, Breitbart News reported in June.

Read more at: Breitbart.com
(Natural News) John V. Lindsay East River Park in Manhattans Lower East Side just lost 1,000 trees thanks to climate fanatics who insisted that the greenery be cut down with chainsaws in order to protect the planet from global warming.

More than 70 species of mature trees at the popular 46-acre park were bulldozed, including 419 oaks, 284 London planes, 89 honeylocusts, and 81 cherry trees. The parks running track, ballfields, lawns, picnic areas, amphitheater, and composting center are also slated for destruction in order to stop climate change.

Jainey Bavishi, director of outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasios Office of Climate Resiliency, helped oversee the parks destruction as part of a $1.45 billion climate resilience project. Bavishi was nominated for a top job at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by none other than fake president Joe Biden.

Whats the point of paying a parks department that cuts down trees? asked Karen Kapnick, one of a small group of protesters who was forced to watch through a fence as the trees were cut down. Im just here because I care about the trees and the environment.

Climate fanaticism is a mental illness

De Blasio spent much of his tenure as mayor pushing all sorts of climate fanaticism. At one point, he suggested that banning hotdogs and bulldozing all of the Big Apples skyscrapers might help alleviate his hysteria about global warming.

Now, his regime has destroyed a New York City landmark in order to raise the former John V. Lindsay East River Park 8-10 feet. This will supposedly prevent ocean water from potentially spilling over into the city.

Some people apparently believe that the sea level is about to rise 3mm, so this is why the 1,000 trees were destroyed along with the park in which they grew. In their place will soon be a large concrete wall.

City officials claim that removing trees is necessary to stop global warming  and that this is only just the beginning in the fight against climate change.

Once all the work is finished  projected in about five years  the new park will be raised 8 to 10 feet higher, with new recreational facilities and 1,800 replacement trees representing more than 50 species more suited to survive occasional saltwater floods, reports explain.

Sarah Neilson, chief of policy and long-range planning for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, says that the impact of Superstorm Sandy is a big reason why it was decided to decimate John V. Lindsay East River Park.

Were the parks department, so we obviously are very fond of trees and plants, she said.

We also recognize that after Sandy we had to take out 250 trees that died just from that one intense saltwater inundation. Theyre not species that were designed for a coastal environment.

Eileen Myles, a poet and writer who has lived in a neighborhood near the park since 1977, told E&E News that she has been using the outdoor expanse and its trails as a source of recreation and exercise for much of her life.

When I was young and could not afford a gym, it was the only access to exercise I had, Myles said, expressing worry that the park may never come back as politicians are claiming.

Theres nothing green about de Blasio or the way theyre dealing with the city right now. Its a land grab. This is just development. Nobody believes this is resiliency. The joke we have is that if you can take it here, you can take it anywhere  its up to you, New York, New York.

More of the latest news about climate fanaticism can be found at Climate.news.

Sources for this article include:

ClimateDepot.com

NaturalNews.com

EENews.net
(Natural News) Worried about Omicron? Guess what? After 90 days, the vaccine they gave you is going to make you MORE likely to get infected from Omicron, not less. The longer you stay on the vaccine treadmill, the harder to get off in the future and the easier youll make it for the virus.

(Article by Steve Kirsch republished from SteveKirsch.Substack.com)

In short, weve been lied to about the vaccine. It is protecting you less and less over time. While you may get a benefit for earlier variants, the benefit for other variants (and likely other diseases) is going to be negative. In short, you are getting a short term benefit against Delta, but at the expense of a degradation of your overall immunity to everything else.

These vaccines may help you win the war against a variant that may soon be rare, but the price you pay is that you make your immunity to everything else worse. Its a dumb tradeoff (especially since early treatments work so well). But the people making the laws wont believe any of the science referenced in this article, so it will continue.

Alix Mayer alerted me to this game changing tweet about a study in Denmark which instantly went viral as you can see from the number of retweets:

Holy moly. This study shows that after three months the vaccine effectiveness of Pfizer & Moderna against Omicron is actually negative. Pfizer customers are 76.5% more likely and Moderna customers are 39.3% more likely to be infected than unvaxxed people. https://t.co/wPgAwG8BW3pic.twitter.com/3Oh3IJSVIk  Ezra Levant ? (@ezralevant) December 23, 2021

I want to tell you what this really means and how it is being attacked.

Summary: Refuse to comply with mandates. Now.

This paper means we will need to inject people every 30 days if we want to protect them. Based on the harm that the vaccines do to our immune system, its likely that the needed interval will shorten with each booster.

If people dont get boosted as required, they will be MORE vulnerable to Delta and Omicron than if they werent vaccinated. Thats what NEGATIVE vaccine efficacy means. It doesnt mean the protection wears off (like we were told). It means the OPPOSITE of what you were told: it means the vaccines helps the virus to infect you (by suppressing your immune system, probably permanently each time we are injected according to Dr. Ryan Cole). It means we were lied to.

In short, the vaccine is like a heroin addiction: once youve had a taste of it, you are hooked: you have to continue it for life if you want protection. If you stop it, youre a sitting duck for the virus.

Whats worse is our government is mandating this now. In light of this paper, they will change the vaccine mandates to force you to get vaccinated every month or you will be fired from your job. Their next move could well be to make it illegal not to be vaccinated. This seems like where things are headed based on what is happening in other countries where they are quickly stripping away your rights to do anything without a vaccination.

And we have no clue what monthly (and later weekly) vaccination will do to your body. This has never been tested.

My advice is simple. If you have been vaccinated, you need to stop now. Do not get the booster. My friend Dr. Robert Malone is fond of repeating the old adage, When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

Sadly, most people cannot afford to lose their jobs, so they will get vaccinated and medical professionals will not speak out since doing so will cause them to lose their license.

The faster, safer, lower cost way to end the pandemic

Everyone needs to stop listening to the CDC now and start listening to people who have been saying to ditch the vaccines and aggressively promote early treatment with repurposed drugs.

The entire pandemic will end as soon as the CDC stops ignoring the existing early treatment protocols which have been available since March 2020 (Fareed and Tyson protocol was first available back then). Masking, vaccines, mandates, lockdowns, and social distancing were never needed. We could have (and still can) end the hospitalization and death with just one thing: early treatment. Just like Japan has done. But the CDC refused to listen.

What the paper said in detail

First, the link in the tweet is to the outdated version of the paper. The current version can be found here.

Start at the comments, both from social media and also from medrxiv readers.

Check out the social media portion of the comments

Here are some comments (on old and new version of the paper):

So assume the results you like (high VE for recent vaccination) are causal, but hand wave confounders at results you dont like (negative VE for distant vaccination)? Science?

This is a superb paper, especially the careful approach to CNV calling and the Bayesian methods used throughout.

Looking at the graphs, I see both vaccines lose all effectiveness at 90 days, but worse, actually drop into strong negative effectiveness after that time.This would mean that these vaccines *increase* ones chances of infection after the initial 90 days honeymoon period.Am I getting this right?If so, why are governments pushing third doses as Omicron is becoming dominant?

The key material is in the full PDF:

The graphs above tell the story. Negative VE means the vaccine is helping the virus, not you.

So at 60 days, the protection is close to zero, so if you want to maintain protection, getting vaccinated every 30 days is required.

This isnt a vaccine at all. This is basically stimulating your immune system so it is already geared up to fight the virus. Thats not what a vaccine is supposed to do.

Furthermore, the negative VE after 90 days means you are hooked for life and I would guess (based on the mechanism of action), that we will need shorter and shorter dosing intervals for every booster you get (since it kills off your immune system every time).

So it could very well be monthly boosters after the 2nd dose, weekly boosters after the 3rd dose, and perhaps daily boosters after the 4th dose to maintain your immunity.

You cant stop after that because if you stop, youre in worse shape than if you never started.

The stunning conclusion of the paper

In light of the exponential rise in Omicron cases, these findings highlight the need for massive rollout of vaccinations and booster vaccinations.

All I can say is wow. The people who wrote this paper are clearly drinking the Kool-Aid on their interpretation of what their study means.

They also wrote this (which is purely speculative with no data behind it as noted in the italics were my addition):

The negative estimates in the final period arguably suggest different behaviour and/or exposure patterns in the vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts causing underestimation of the VE. This was likely the result of Omicron spreading rapidly initially through single (super-spreading) events causing many infections among young, vaccinated individuals.

This paper should be a wake up call: the vaccines do not work. Stop repeating the insanity.

Early treatments like the Fareed and Tyson protocol are 10X better than any new therapy, they dont hook you, and they dont cause disability or death.

If doctors started prescribing the Fareed and Tyson protocol, wed have virtually no deaths, and few hospitalizations. But they cant do that since medical board will take away the licenses of any physicians who prescribe ivermectin, etc. This is happening now.

We are in this mess because the NIH, CDC, FDA are corrupt and incompetent and they will not hold themselves accountable in an open debate. This has been going on for 20 years in the vaccine space its nothing new. The book Evidence of harm documents all of this. Kirby was deliberately neutral in his presentation (being non-judgmental like reporters are supposed to be), but any neutral thinking person will side against the authorities.

Why the paper went viral

So, the reason this paper went viral is because

It is well done, It was done by PhDs in infectious disease and epidemiology, The results show what is really happening, and Nobody has been able to attack the paper with a credible argument, even on Twitter. It confirms what my team of experts has been saying about negative VE

Here are some of the ridiculous attempts to discredit the paper:

The article says that its not peer reviewed and is not published in any scientific journals. So without verification there are all kinds of claims out there about all kinds of things. We go by those principles that have passed peer review to separate fact and fiction.  RobertNorton (@robertnorton_) December 23, 2021

It is impossible to have a negative VE. You cannot have a negative VE. The absolute lowest VE is zero, which infers no protection whatsoever. Your statement is completely false, including the data table that isnt even in the study you cited.  SwingTrader (@SwingTrader1114) December 23, 2021

Supporting evidence

The paper isnt a fluke. There is lots of other evidence in support of the negative VE (and not supporting their speculative explanation for it).

Heres the data from Canada which shows that we have it backwards. We should be mandating no vaccines in order to keep your job and fire all the vaccinated people because these people are the most risky.

In Ontario in the last few days, cases per capita among the vaccinated have skyrocketed above cases per capita among the unvaccinated. Clearly, mandates are nonsensical at this point, because the entire case for restricting vaccinated people is their presumed higher per capita infection rate.

Heres the UK data showing the same thing. We need to flip around the mandates ASAP.

It looks like the U.K. data may support the vaccine-enhanced infection issue both FDA and I have raised.https://t.co/ewFK0ByA4N  Robert W Malone, MD (@RWMaloneMD) December 22, 2021

Other supporting data:

Read more at: SteveKirsch.Substack.com
(Natural News) All Europeans are facing steep price increases this year thanks in large part to geopolitics and an overreliance on green energy like wind and solar, but the situation in the United Kingdom is becoming particularly dire.

The most recent increase in natural gas prices in the UK has been labeled a national crisis by several energy firms and industry organizations throughout the country, with many now asking for the government to shield consumers and suppliers as vital gas flows from Russia fall precipitously in light of Moscows threatening deployment of nearly 100,000 troops along Ukraines eastern border.

Add to those nuclear outages in France as well as a spike in cold weather, and they are enough to send gas prices sky-high.

This is a national crisis. Wholesale gas and power prices have increased to unprecedented levels over the last three weeks, creating an extremely difficult operating environment for every business in the industry, Nigel Pocklington, CEO of Good Energy, a small renewable energy supplier, in an interview with the Financial Times.

The Daily Mail notes further:

Energy bills could skyrocket more than 50% to 2,000 a year in the New Year as stratospheric wholesale gas prices threaten a national crisis, providers warned today  as former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith accused [Russian President Vladimir] Putin of holding Europe to ransom.

Good Energy, EDF and trade body Energy UK are calling on the Government to urgently intervene after the cost of gas in wholesale markets rose by more than 500 per cent in less than a year. It is currently at 4.50 a therm.

Emma Pinchbeck, chief executive of Energy UK, described the situation as a nationwide crisis, telling BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Domestic energy prices are going to go up 45% to 50% in the spring.

It is looking pretty serious for the spring. This is a system-wide issue now. We are asking for the Treasury in the UK to intervene as others have [in Europe], Pinchbeck noted further.

Other Treasuries in Europe have already responded to the crisis, but in the U.K., the energy sector is still asking if the chancellor knows that energy bills going up by over 50 percent in the new year is a problem for ordinary people, businesses, and the economy, Pinchbeck added.

According to FT, Investec, an investment bank, is predicting a 56 percent rise in energy bills since April, which has pushed them to recent record amounts for the year.

Smith, meanwhile, laid much of the blame on Putin, whom he accused of driving up prices as he restricted the supply of gas while adding that the fate of Europe is now in his hands.

Smith went on to insist that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson telling crusties who continue to object to Britain using its own oil and gas resources to become more self-sufficient to get lost.

The answer is very simple. We should be getting our own gas, he told DailyMail.com.

We are sitting on an island on top of gas and oil. We used to be net exporters, we are now net importers and its not because weve run out  its because successive governments stopped exploration and stopped development, he continued. So the result is now that we are reliant on dodgy regimes like Putin and others for our gas, and that may salve the conscience of a few fanatical environmentalists who dont want the UK to get gas.

But we still require gas, otherwise we shut down. And that means weve made ourselves reliant on these dodgy regimes, Smith continued. Why would we allow Putin and these other dangerous leaders to hold us to ransom when we have our own oil and gas?

Read more stories like this at Power.news.

Sources include:

FinancialTimes.com

DailyMail.co.uk
(Natural News) Steve Kirsch, the Executive Director for the Vaccine Safety Research Foundation, believes that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is hiding the true number of myocarditis cases in recently vaccinated teens. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. The CDC estimates that 1 in 13,000 people will experience myocarditis after taking any of the covid vaccines. The CDC claims this is a rare adverse event, while ignoring the sheer magnitude of heart damage that is occurring once the vaccine damage is extrapolated across the adolescent and young adult population. Emergency room visits for myocarditis have gone up tremendously in 2021, as tens of thousands of young people are damaged by the experimental mRNA vaccine program.

The lipid nano-particles from the vaccine infiltrate the heart and express spike proteins, causing the immune cells to attack the heart. When the kids get myocarditis after the vaccine, 90 percent have to be hospitalized. They have dramatic EKG changes, chest pain, early heart failure and need echo-cardiograms and medications to get through it. This is criminal, a form of modern-day child sacrifice. Even if the vaccine actually stopped viral infection and transmission, there is no medical necessity to damage tens of thousands of children to possibly save the life of one.

Covid vaccines cause HEART DAMAGE 100 times greater than officially reported

Kirsch thinks that the rate of myocarditis is 100 times greater than officially reported and is disproportionately affecting young boys. According to VAERS data, the heart damage is affecting young males TEN TIMES greater than young females. Regulatory agencies from Japan to Great Britain have warned that these experimental mRNA vaccines pose a very rare, but potential risk of myocarditis, especially in young people. Cardiologists are warning that vaccine-induced myocarditis is never mild.

After a thorough investigation into the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) earlier in the year, Steve Kirsch estimated that the rate of myocarditis is around 1 in 317 for teenage boys. Kirsch used the VAERS under-reporting factor of forty-one to get a rough estimate of the current rate of heart damage in teenagers. The under-reporting factor of forty-one is the average magnitude of under-reporting that occurs in the VAERS system for the most serious adverse events following vaccination.

Because the myocarditis cases are resolved through emergency medicine, this adverse event could be under-reported by a factor of eighty, which is the average magnitude of under-reporting that occurs in the VAERS system for non-deadly adverse events. Realistically, myocarditis could be occurring in 1 of every 150 teenage boys, Kirsch says.

Source claims 1 in 95 boys hospitalized with myocarditis at private school

There are examples of myocarditis happening to young boys in schools across the nation. At the Monte Vista Christian school, three children were diagnosed with myocarditis after they got the vaccine. Under the most conservative estimate, the rate of myocarditis among the boys in this school is 1 in 95. This conservative estimate is based off a 66 percent vaccination rate among the roughly 426 boys who attend the school.

These heart problems are NOT natural. This is not the new normal. Sending 1 in 95 young boys to the emergency room for HEART DAMAGE is not acceptable. This is child abuse and medical malpractice. Ignoring undiagnosed and/or mild heart inflammation in countless other young children is immoral as well. The CDC and the FDA have an obligation to pull these vaccines from the market. The Justice Department has an obligation to prosecute the vaccine makers for their relentless propaganda and child abuse. The Department of Health and Human Services must begin to prepare reparations for families of vaccine-injured children.

A closer look at VAERS data shows that heart damage is ubiquitous throughout the vaccinated population, and the damage is being diagnosed in multiple ways. Acute cardiac failure rates are now 475 times the normal baseline rate in VAERS. Tachycardia rates are 7,973 times the baseline rate! Acute myocardial infarction is 412 times the baseline rate! The rates of internal hemorrhage, peripheral artery thrombosis, coronary artery occlusion are all over 300 times the baseline rate. Fully vaccinated people are suffering like never before.

Children should not be abused, hospitalized, disabled or killed because adults are too afraid to speak up. Parents must not feel intimidated by the institutions they should trust; they should be given proper information and recourse. They should be comforted in their grief and given a platform to speak. Its time for parents to begin speaking out in doctors offices, school board meetings and with the press, to put an end to this wickedness.

Sources include:

SteveKirsch.substack.com

Brighteon.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) There is a wave of vaccine-induced illnesses sweeping Southern California hospitals, and a few brave nurses have come forward to talk about it.

In Ventura County, located to the north of Los Angeles, cases of unexplained heart problems, strokes and blood clotting are skyrocketing at area hospitals. And many local doctors are refusing to link these events to Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections.

A critical care nurse at a Ventura County ICU came forward to tell the Conejo Guardian that he is tired of all the B.S. thats going on as the medical establishment refuses to acknowledge the elephant in the room.

Its crazy how nobody questions anything anymore, this person, named Sam, is quoted as saying.

Sam says that there has been a noticeable surge in young people experiencing these types of severe health problems after they get needled with the injections from Operation Warp Speed.

Weve been having a lot of younger people come in, Sam added. Were seeing a lot of strokes, a lot of heart attacks.

In one case, a 38-year-old woman came to the emergency room with occlusions, or blockages of blood flow, in her brain.

They [doctors] were searching for everything under the sun and documenting this in the chart, but nowhere do you see if she was vaccinated or not, Sam added.

One thing the vaccine causes is thrombosis, clotting. Here you have a 38-year-old woman who was double-vaccinated and shes having strokes they cant explain. None of the doctors relates it to the vaccine. Its garbage. Its absolute garbage.

The vaccine-damaged are the ones flooding hospitals

In another instance, a 63-year-old woman with no previous cardiac history suffered a heart attack. Tests revealed that her coronary arteries were clean, however she had just taken a Moderna injection.

One doctor actually questioned the vaccine, but they didnt mention it in the chart because you cant prove it, Sam said.

Sam says that hospitals all around the area are seeing a significant spike in myocarditis, a well-known adverse effect caused by Chinese Flu shots.

Everyone wants to downplay it  Its rare, its rare,' Sam laments about how the medical establishment is not taking any of this seriously.

Doctors dont want to question it. We have these mass vaccinations happening and were seeing myocarditis more frequently and nobody wants to raise the red flag. When we discuss the case, they dont even discuss it. They dont mention it. They act like they dont have a reason, that its spontaneous.

Another ICU nurse by the name of Dana told the Conejo Guardian that her facility has never been this busy, and that none of it is Covid-19.

We dont normally see this amount of strokes, aneurysms and heart attacks all happening at once, Dana says.

Normally well see six to ten aortic dissections a year. Weve seen six in the last month. Its crazy. Those have very high rates of mortality.

Almost never do the doctors at Danas hospital ever even consider the fact that Wuhan Flu shots might be responsible for all this. Instead, they are blaming things like the holidays for this sudden uptick, which makes zero sense.

I dont understand how you can look at whats going on and come up with just, Yeah, its the holidays. Theres been a big change in everybodys life, and its the vaccine.

The vast majority of admitted patients are fully vaccinated, and yet an unprecedented number of them, Dana says, are on pressers to keep their blood pressure up, people on ventilators, clotting issues, so we have a lot of Heparin drips to make sure they dont stroke out.

More of the latest news about Fauci Flu injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

ConejoGuardian.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Everything you thought you knew about the infamous Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918 is probably wrong.

It turns out that one of the most well-known pandemics from recent history was actually caused by the vaccines that were supposedly introduced to stop it  much like how the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines of today are spreading more covid.

Dr. Sal Martingano, FICPA, explains that mass vaccination during the Spanish Flu is what actually caused people to die. In fact, the only people who ended up dying during the ordeal were those who got jabbed.

In her book Vaccination Condemned, Dr. Eleanor McBean, Ph.D., N.D., explains how she is an unvaccinated survivor of the 1918 Spanish Flu. She continues to urge people to revisit the historical event with a new lens, which she helps readers to do in her book.

McBean actually wrote a second book called Vaccination  The Silent Killer that expounds upon the revelations contained in her first book. The evidence she provides points to the vaccines, and not the flu itself (if there ever even was one) as the true culprit that resulted in tens of millions of deaths.

McBeans coverage of the 1918 Spanish Flu, as a reporter and an unvaccinated survivor, requires that the historical basis of the event needs to be revisited, not as a conspiracy theory but with evidence that will set your hair on fire,' writes Dr. Martingano.

McBean provides evidence that not only were the historical events of the 1918 Spanish Flu compromised, but also those of the Polio and Swine Flu epidemics.

The first case of Spanish Flu occurred at a military base in Kansas where vaccine experiments were taking place

Because Spain remained neutral during both the first and second world wars and did not censor its press like was occurring elsewhere, it would become the first country in the world to report a flu epidemic in 1918.

This would explain why Spain ended up being scapegoated for what would later be called the Spanish Flu. However, it turns out that that first real case of the deadly disease actually occurred in Kansas at a military base where vaccine experiments were taking place.

In preparation for World War I, military servicemen at Fort Riley, where numerous prior vaccines had been developed, conducted a massive vaccination experiment. This would lead to patient zero appearing in the United States rather than Spain.

If history was honest, it would actually be called the 1918 United States Military Flu. However, thanks to prolific influence from the likes of the Rockefeller family and other Big Pharma globalists, the blame got shifted to Spain.

The fledgling pharmaceutical industry, sponsored by the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, had something they never had before  a large supply of human test subjects, explains Martingano.

Supplied by the U.S. militarys first draft, the test pool of subjects ballooned to over 6 million men.

There was no Spanish Flu: it was bacterial meningitis caused by vaccines

It would take until long after the war for autopsies to show that the millions of people who died from the Spanish Flu actually died from vaccine-induced bacterial meningitis. (RELATED: The polio outbreaks of the past were similarly caused by man-made chemicals rather than an airborne disease.)

It was caused by random dosages of an experimental bacterial meningitis vaccine, which to this day mimics flu-like symptoms, Martingano explains. The massive, multiple assaults with additional vaccines on the unprepared immune systems of soldiers and civilians created a killing field.'

Interestingly, the only people who were not affected by the so-called Spanish Flu were those who avoided taking the injections. Those people, including McBean, would go on to live normal lives and even tell all about what they witnessed at that horrific time.

While it all started out with mostly soldiers getting the injections, a massive leftover cache of the shots would eventually be given to civilians. This resulted in mass death on a wide scale among the American civilian population.

Fearing that soldiers coming home would spread diseases to their families, the U.S. government pushed the largest vaccine fear campaign in history, Martingano writes.

They used the human population as a research and development lab to field test experimental vaccines  Tens of millions of civilians died in the same manner as did the soldiers.

Just like today, the doctors of that day mostly ignored what they were witnessing occur as a result of the mass injection campaign. Instead of stopping it in order to save lives, they actually proceeded to intensify the jab drive, resulting in many more deaths.

Seven men dropped dead in a doctors office after being vaccinated, McBean writes in her book about the propaganda that was being spread at the time. Letters were sent to their families that they had been killed in action.

In total, WWI soldiers from the U.S. were given anywhere from 14-25 untested, experimental injections, all within just a few days of one another. This triggered a cascade of intensified diseases all at once, which the medical system blamed on the Spanish Flu.

The doctors called it a new disease and proceeded to suppress the symptoms with additional drugs or vaccines, Martingano further explains.

This sobering account of what really happened during the so-called Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 explains a lot about what the world is currently facing with the latest fraudulent plandemic episode called covid. It was all a lie back then, and is still a lie today.

The latest news coverage about vaccines can be found at Vaccines.news.

Sources for this article include:

RightsFreedoms.wordpress.com

NaturalNews.com
MCKITTRICK, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 03: Some pumpjacks operate while others stand idle in the Belridge oil field on November 03, 2021 near McKittrick, California. The Biden administration pledged to cut methane emissions from oil and gas production yesterday. In California, 35,000 oil and gas wells sit idle, many of which are unplugged and could leak methane gas. Scientists estimate that one-third of human-induced global warming is caused by methane. (Photo : Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Scientists discovered that a microbe that dwells in an underground oil reservoir can convert crude oil to methane, and their genome analyses suggests that a special archaeon can do this all by itself.

In collaboration with a team from China, the researchers have succeeded in cultivating this microbe in the laboratory to enable them to describe exactly how the transformation goes and how these various petroleum compounds are degraded.

A 'Miracle Microbe'

While it is known that microorganisms are capable of converting oil into natural gas, it was only recently that scientists found this conversion is also possible through a previously unreported biochemical pathway.

Microorganisms typically use oil as food and energy source, while converting gas such as methane in the process. A recent discovery held that this conversion was not only possible through the cooperation of different organisms, but a special archaeon can do this all by itself.

It so happens that this 'miracle microbe' breaks down oil into methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Researchers managed to cultivate this archaeon called Methanoliparia from a settling tank of an oil production facility.

"Methanoliparia is a kind of hybrid creature that combines the properties of an oil degrader with those of a methanogen, i.e. a methane producer," explains study author Gunter Wegener from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and the MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen in the study.

Upon having succeeded in cultivating these microorganisms in the laboratory, the underlying processes it goes through exhibited unique capabilities in its genetic make-up. "In its genes it carries the blueprints for enzymes that can activate and decompose various hydrocarbons. In addition, it also has the complete gear kit of a methane producer," says Wegener.

"So far, we have only cultivated archaea that live on short-chain hydrocarbons such as ethane or butane. Methanoliparia, on the other hand, prefers heavy oil with its long-chain compounds," says co-author Rafael Laso-Perez, who now works at Spain's National Center for Biotechnology (CNB).

Also read: Warm Weather Expected to Occur in the Northeast Until the End of the Month

New pathway of methanogenesis

In the various methods used by researchers to examine and keep a close eye on the Methanoliparia and its underlying processes, it was particularly surprising to see was that this archaeon activated all the different hydrocarbons with one and the same enzyme.

"Methanogenic microbes that use long-chain hydrocarbons directly - we didn't know these existed until now. Even complicated hydrocarbons with ring-like or aromatic structures are not too bulky for Methanoliparia, at least if they are bound to at least one longer carbon chain. This means that besides our other exciting results we have also found a previously completely unknown pathway of methanogenesis."

Findings also showed that this microbe in particular prefers to eat rather bulky chunks of food. In addition, although Methanoliparia cells are cultured and originate from one of China's largest oil fields, the Shengli oil field, genetic analyses revealed that they are also distributed all over the world.

"Our results hold an entirely new understanding of oil exploitation in subsurface oil reservoirs. Both the wide distribution of these organisms and the potential industrial applications make this an exciting field of research in the coming years," Wegener concludes.

Also read: Australia's Great Barrier Reef May Face Another Mass Bleaching on January
Scientists have gained a greater understanding of how the Sun's activity affects Earth in the last few years, and this understanding will further improve owing to the victorious deployment NASA's Parker Solar Probe.

Our planet and life on Earth have already been affected in small to moderate ways by the Sun's activities. Researchers turned to other stars like the Sun to gain knowledge of evolution and its influence on our planet's future.

Yellow-dwarf (G2V) Star

The Sun is a main-sequence yellow-dwarf (G2V) star in the constellation of the Sun. It's 4.6 billion years old, which means it's halfway through its predicted 10-billion-year existence, according to News Break.

Neither a red dwarf nor a hypergiant-the biggest, most energetic, and most unpredictable star type in the cosmos-has the mass and burns so slowly that they may survive the universe itself.

As a result, stars like the sun are able to support planets in the so-called Goldilocks zone, where temperatures are just suitable for the emergence of life that resembles that of humans.

The center of the Sun is incredibly hot, with temperatures surpassing 27,000,000 degrees (or 15,000,000 degrees Celsius) being a reasonable estimate. The Sun's interior can support nuclear fusion at high temperatures and a large enough mass.

Lighter elements such as hydrogen are therefore transformed into heavier ones, all the way up to and including oxygen, which is crucial to our continuous existence on our planet.

Also Read: Meet The Blazing Star In The Milky Way That Just Won't Die

How Long Will it Take the Sun to Swallow Earth?

In spite of researcher's knowledge that the Sun will not engulf Earth for a long time, its behavior as the star matures will nevertheless have an impact on our planet.

Researchers are examining EK Draconis, which is situated roughly 111 light-years from Earth, to get insight into our Sun's history, present, and future. Like the Sun, it's a G-type yellow dwarf star. The age of the object is uncertain, and many people have put different numbers on it.

There have been some claims that it is older than the Sun, but most scientists believe it to be between 50 and 150 million years old, giving us a glimpse of what the Sun looked like 4.5 billion years ago.

The star seems to meet all the criteria for classification as a Sun-like star despite its apparent age mismatch.

The Sun and EK Draconis may not be as steady as originally assumed, according to a new study. A multinational team of astronomers spotted a massive coronal mass ejection coming from EK Draconis, which is far larger than anything our Sun has ever produced.

Astronomers' Observation on EK Draconis

It took more than 32 nights of observations throughout the winter and spring of 2020 to produce this research, which was published in Nature Astronomy on December 9th.

NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the SEIMEI Telescope of Kyoto University were targeted towards this system with the goal of seeing a CME, and they did!

A superflare was seen on April 5th, 2020, from the star. Within 30 minutes, a stunning CME was seen erupting from the star's surface at a speed of 994,194 miles per hour (1.6 million kilometers per hour), making it ten times bigger and ten times more powerful than any other CME scientists have seen originate from a Sun-like star.

Earth's sun, hypothetically, may see a superflare at some point in the future, although it's unlikely. The sun's superflares, according to Notsu, are far larger than the flares that were observed from the sun.

The results of the scientists suggest that the sun may also be capable of such severe extremes, which is bad news for life on Earth. Super coronal mass ejections aren't as common near the sun as superflares are, so don't expect to see one anytime soon.

Related Article: "Blinking Giant" Star Spotted by Astronomers Near the Center of the Milky Way Galaxy

For more news, updates about the star and similar topics dont forget to follow Nature World News!
After ten days with no lava flows, seismic activity, or major emissions of sulfur dioxide, officials on one of Spain's Canary Islands proclaimed a volcanic eruption that began in September officially over on Saturday.

La Palma Eruption Finally Ends

Although La Palma, the most northwest island in the Canary Islands archipelago, has been declared safe, the volcanic emergency committee's director indicated that La Palma's crisis is far from ending because of the massive devastation the eruption caused, according to Phys.org.

"It's not joy or satisfaction - how we can define what we feel? It's an emotional relief. And hope," Julio Perez, Pevolca director, said. "Because now, we can apply ourselves and focus completely on the reconstruction work."

Around 3,000 dwellings were destroyed, banana fields and vineyards were buried, irrigation systems were wrecked, and highways were shut off by molten lava. However, no one was hurt or killed as a result of the eruption.

Minister of public administration, law, and security Perez indicated that the archipelago's government has evaluated the destruction of buildings and infrastructure at over $1 billion.

In order to announce the apparent exhaustion of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, experts stated they needed to verify that major variables like gas, lava, and earthquakes had reduced for 10 days.

Also Read: Experts Debunked Fears of Mega-Tsunami Coming to East Coast Due to La Palma Volcanic Eruption

The Best Christmas Present

After erupting for 85 days and 8 hours, the volcano finally became quiet on December 14th, ending La Palma's longest-ever eruption.

Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Prime Minister said the eruption's end was "the best Christmas present."

"We will continue working together, all institutions, to relaunch the marvelous island of La Palma and repair the damage," he tweeted.

The Canary Islands, a favorite holiday spot for Europeans owing to their warm temperature, are mostly dependent on agriculture and tourism.

Evacuated Residents Returned Home

(Photo : Getty Images)

Most of the 7,000 individuals who were forced to flee their homes have already returned, but the ash damage to many of the buildings left behind has rendered them uninhabitable. Some plantations can only be reached by boat due to the fact that numerous roads have been closed.

German couple Jacqueline Rehm and Juergen Doelz had to leave their rented home in Todoque and move on a tiny sailboat for seven weeks as a result of the evacuation order.

Everything they owned, including Rehm's paintings and furnishings, was destroyed by the lava, Rehm's said, adding that they would be moving to Tenerife after the holidays.

Islanders may no longer have to carry umbrellas and goggles to shield themselves from ash, but a massive cleaning job is just beginning.

Some citizens and companies have complained that the government has committed more than 400 million euros ($453 million) for rehabilitation, but the money has been wasting time to arrive.

Related Article: La Palma Volcano: 'Real Lava Tsunami' Moved Towards Atlantic Coast as Earthquake Intensified Eruption

For more news, updates about volcanic eruptions and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Cold air from Canada is fueling a storm system headed for the Great Lakes. For many, this will make post-Christmas travel dangerous, but will Chicago's snowless run come to an end this time?

Snow Drought in Chicago

Chicagoans hoping for snow by new year may be disappointed.

Forecasters predict that the 290-day record set in 2012 will be shattered before the year 2022 even begins, rewriting the city's record for its longest snowless run.

It's been 286 days since Chicago has seen any significant snowfall, according to the National Weather Service.

However, so far this season, there have been just a few flakes seen in the region. This year has already surpassed last year's record for the latest date without detectable snowfall, which was established on Dec. 20, 2012.

A snowstorm is considered measurable if it results in an accumulation of at least 0.1 inch of snow, according to Accuweather.

Looking forward, despite the introduction of a stormy weather system in the area, persistent warmth will continue to dampen any snowfall aspirations.

There will be rain and snow across the Midwest and southern Canada until the middle of this week, according to forecasts. North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are among the states that are expected to be hit hardest by the winter weather early this week.

Also Read: Up to 10 Feet of Sierra Snow May Impact California, Disrupting Holiday Travel

Cities to Experience Accumulating Snowfall

On Sunday evening, the first storm moved into the Dakotas, and it will continue to move east over Lake Superior through Monday.

Cities including Green Bay, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Fargo, North Dakota; are predicted to see accumulations of snowfall until early Monday morning. When it comes to post-Christmas travel, the roadways might be icy.

However, the weather in Chicago may not be chilly enough to put an end to the city's snowless run.

On Monday morning, the Windy City is anticipated to have a low temperature of roughly 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

As of Wednesday, the weather in Chicago will begin to drop down and return to more typical December temperatures. For the rest of the week, temperatures are predicted to remain below freezing.

How Often Does Chicago Witness a White Christmas?

A typical first snowfall in Chicago often occurs around Halloween. The city's first measurable snowfall is typically reported by Nov. 18, while the usual first 1-inch snowfall happens by Dec. 7 on average.

Winter Christmases don't happen very frequently in the metropolis. These probabilities hover between 50 and 60 percent on an annual basis. The National Weather Service defines a white Christmas as one with at least one inch of snow on the ground when Santa Claus arrives on Christmas morning.

Due to the moderate weather, Chicago's prospects of seeing a white Christmas have diminished this year.

Prior to Christmas Eve on the 24th of last year, the Chicago O'Hare International Airport recorded a 0.2-inch snowfall. The daytime high was a brisk 22 degrees Fahrenheit, while the nighttime low was just 8 degrees.

This year, forecasts predict a high of 46 degrees Fahrenheit and a nighttime low of 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, the present weather pattern is being impacted by a weather phenomena called La Nia. However, the city's snow drought is expected to last into the new year, given the forecast's generally mild and above-average temperatures.

Related Article: Record Breaking Low Temperatures Continues as Snow Continues to Pile Up Across the West

For more news, updates about snow and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
A Bald Eagle is pictured at the British Falconry Fair, held at the National Centre for Birds of Prey at Duncombe Park in northern England on June 27, 2021. - The annual, two-day fair, which is the biggest falconry fair in Europe, is held on the Duncombe Park estate and features trade stalls, veterinary seminars and flying displays from a range of birds of prey. (Photo : Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

First of two anticipated newborn bald eagles conceived in Florida on Monday, and the incredibly touching scenes were captured on photograph for others to see.

Harriet and her mate M15 have been attentively protecting and gestating the eggs and scavenging across their sanctuary, which is situated on the Dick Pritchett Real Estate farmhouse, for further a month.

The New Born Bald Eagles

As per the homestead, a tiny tear that indicates the first sign of a newly hatched has been seen on one of eggs in the bald eagle enclosure on Sunday morning, and the newborn reared about 12:45 p.m. on Monday.

"The strong return of this prized bird reminds us of our nation's shared resilience, as well as the importance of being responsible stewards of the lands and waters that bind us together," the officials said.

Due to overhunting, habitat destruction, and use of DDT, a strong insecticide that earned bald eagle eggshells so vulnerable that they just cannot generate healthy children and bald eagle populaces in the reduced 48 states fallen significantly around 1870 and 1970.

The Pritchetts have implanted three sensors around the enclosure for the past ten years, allowing anybody in the universe to witness the eagles and their wonderful instances, from the period the eggs are arranged to the day eaglets are conceived.

In a public statement, Southwest Florida Eagle Cam stated, "Both guardians have tirelessly taken rotations gestating the eggs, preserving temperature embryos require for future growth."

Bald eagles were eliminated from the endangered species list in 2007 and are now kept safe by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Law. These eagles, which were once listed as threatened, nowadays are flourishing, as per a 2020 review.

Whereas audiences had all been eligible to observe as the couple cared for their eggs, regularly turning them and maintaining them comfortable, there were also some frightening occasions for the optimistic mom and dad.

"The bald eagle was always regarded a mystical lifeform by American Indian folks, and it is also precious to our country."

Also read: Teacher Sacked After Repeatedly Kicking, Slapping Horse in Viral Footage

The Decline of Population of The Bald Eagles

According to an article from the US Fish and Wildlife Facility, the volume of bald eagles has quadrupled since 2009.

The very first egg was settled on November 20, with the second egg placed shortly afterward.

As shown in the document, over 316,700 bald eagles and much more than 71,400 breeding pairs were prevalent in the decreased 48 states although 2019 mating period.

There have only been 417 mating pairs in 1963, and the national law prohibits the use of DDT in 1972 as part of a broader exertion that would save the legendary animal.

Harriet and M15 have now become online media phenomenon, with millions and millions of users around the globe anticipating their 24-hour telecast, which is hosted by the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam.

Because the cameras were assembled in 2012, Harriet has laid 23 eggs, along with the 2 additional infants.

Also read: 24 Rhinos Found Dead in South Africa After Being Killed by Poachers in the Last Two Weeks
In the last days of 2021, another round of severe weather might be delivered to parts of the central and southern United States, less than three weeks after a record tornado outbreak ravaged the areas.

Stormy Weather to Develop Across Central and Eastern US

AccuWeather meteorologists are keeping a close watch over a developing storm moving across Midwest. A vast region of the central and eastern United States is expected to be battered by storms in the coming days, according to Accuweather.

Despite the possibility of snow in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, a separate threat will begin to materialize in the southern United States on Tuesday night.

By midweek, an oversupply of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico is expected to reach the southern United States.

Matt Rinde, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, predicts that moisture will move northward into Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and maybe Tennessee on Wednesday and might extend farther into the southern Appalachian Mountains on Wednesday night.

Combined with extremely warm temperatures currently in place throughout most of the South, this copious moisture may lay the ground for some explosive growth.

Also Read: Suspected Tornadoes Leaves Oklahoma in Ruins, Prompting Power Outage in Some Region

Regions in the Path of Potentially Severe Storms

For many regions, numerous rounds of rain and thunderstorms are anticipated to begin Tuesday night and continue through Wednesday night.

Rinde warned that flash floods and severe winds would be the major dangers of these storms.

There will always be a threat of heavy rain as a thunderstorm approaches. Flash floods may be deadly for anybody caught in their path if too much rain falls too soon.

Locally severe gusts of 50-60 mph may accompany heavy rains in any storm that is powerful enough. Winds of this strength may destroy trees and even power lines. . As a result, midweek power interruptions cannot be ruled out.

Cities including Nashville, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Birmingham, Alabama; and Atlanta, Georgia are expected to be hit by these ferocious storms. From Tuesday night into Wednesday night, motorists on sections of Interstates 20, 40, 55, and 65 should be on the lookout for quickly shifting weather conditions.

This week, forecasters believe that the highest danger for extreme weather will be concentrated in parts of the Gulf Coast states. During Wednesday's severe weather, the bull's-eye is expected to be centered over Mississippi and Alabama, where atmospheric conditions may be the ripest.

Hail, devastating wind gusts of more than 60 mph, and torrential rain are all possibilities during a severe thunderstorm.

Impacts of Tornado Outbreak

At least 92 people were killed in a massive tornado outbreak just over two weeks ago, according to the AP. This fresh warning for severe weather arrives just in time.

At least 66 tornadoes were verified during the event, which took place on December 10 and 11. Dr. Joel N. Myers, founder and CEO of AccuWeather, estimates that the tornadoes would cause damage and economic loss of $18 billion.

Restoration work is ongoing, particularly in areas like Mayfield, Kentucky where the damage was substantial. Cleanup activities are ongoing. Many people lost their homes, businesses, and infrastructure to the most powerful storms that struck the area.

However, forecasters will keep an eye on a current storm track that might lead to a far more powerful system in the eastern United States as the year 2022 approaches, even after this storm has passed.

Related Article: Severe Thunderstorms Ripped Across Southern United States, Prompting Tornado Warnings

For more news, updates about storms and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
English Poet and Playwright TS Eliot said To make an end is to make a beginning. Considering that one of his most famous poems, The Waste Land, has a theme of the disillusionment of the post-war generation and sterility of the modern man, this particular Eliot quote seems very upbeat and positive to me.

When I lived at home, we celebrated Christmas Eve with a meatless menu of carp, herring, shrimp and homemade pierogi.

In my older days, NYE was a wild bacchanalia. At one party that I threw, a Cuban friend asked for a pot of water at midnight. Thats when I learned that throwing a bucket of water out the door is to signify renewal in washing away your problems.

In Germany, fireworks are very popular and every year Berlin hosts one of the largest New Years Eve celebrations in all of Europe, attended by over a million people. I was once one of those million.

When I was married and living in south Florida, my husband and I enjoyed celebrating at one of the large hotels. It was an interesting experience to dine, drink and dance with a group of strangers. Of course, when the clock rang midnight, we were no longer strangers. We could also take a limo home since the champagne flutes were always being filled.

I am not sure whose original idea it was, but my husband and I both got out a piece of lined paper and wrote down eight resolutions for the new year. We shared the lists, and then he filed it in his home office drawer.

Some of them were doomed from the start. Mine: I am going to take a course in learning German. (All I remember are curse words.) His: I will not gamble on the horses so much. (The so much clause really made me laugh.)

I now believe that when we end a year, we shouldnt burden ourselves with resolutions that are usually fairy wishes. Its more productive to offer gratitude for all the good that happened, the joy of friends and family, the sorrows we overcame and all the things we learned. Then we can welcome an unknown year bearing a shiny new beginning.

Two days before Christmas and eight days before New Years Day, I won a raffle  something I have never achieved before. It was a beautiful collaboration in a Christmas stocking filled with nostalgic candy and games. I know just the person I will be giving this to. No fireworks needed.
One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
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Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
Researchers in South Korea and France have conducted an analysis on individuals infected with Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to estimate the epidemic potential and long-term prospects of this virus in circulation. They have found that the basic reproduction number (R 0 ) for this variant is 1.90, while the mean serial interval is 2.22 days.

The observations from the current study on the Omicron variant, when compared to that reported for delta variant in a previous South Korean study, suggest that the Omicron variant is more transmissible and likely possesses faster spreading potential in the community.

Study: Serial interval and basic reproduction number of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in South Korea. Image Credit: Orpheus FX / Shutterstock.com

Basic reproduction number and serial interval

R 0 represents the average number of new cases generated directly from one infectious person in a completely susceptible population, i.e., in the absence of effective vaccines or control measures. It is an epidemiologic metric that indicates the transmission potential of infectious agents. If R 0 > 1, the epidemic will spread, and if R 0 < 1, the epidemic will not spread.

Serial interval refers to the time interval between successive cases. It is estimated from the time of symptom onset in primary/index case to the time of symptom onset in secondary case. Like R 0 , serial interval is another important epidemiological measure that serves as an important parameter in epidemic transmission models used to design infection control strategies.

A pre-print version of the study has been published on the medRxiv* server, while the article undergoes peer review.

Transmission chain (A) and epidemic curve (B) of laboratory-confirmed SARS- CoV-2 Omicron variant infection associated with the church (n=74) in South Korea.

Background

Towards the end of November 2021, World Health Organization (WHO) designated the new SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern and named it Omicron. While delta continues to be the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant prevalent worldwide, the emergence of the new variant Omicron (B.1.1.529 ) is causing serious concerns among the public health authorities due to the reports on its heavily mutated spike protein that could have unexpected consequences.

Nevertheless, the transmission potential of the Omicron variant in comparison to the Delta variant remains unclear. Therefore, to throw more light on the epidemiological transmission capacity of the new variant, the team conducted the present study in South Korea, which is currently experiencing the community transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529).

What did the researchers do?

The team aimed to estimate the serial interval and basic reproduction number (R 0 ), involved in the community transmission of the Omicron variant in South Korea.

The study was based on publicly available data on cases of the Omicron variant from the South Korean public health authorities. Data were collected from November 25, 2021  December 16, 2021, when the community transmission initiated in South Korea originating from the imported cases.

Contact tracing data and demographic characteristics of the cases, including age, the suspected source of infection, and date of symptom onset were collected. Serial interval distribution was estimated by fitting a normal distribution. To calculate R 0 , serial interval distribution acquired from the data was used as a proxy of generation time distribution.

Study findings

Of the total 131 cases associated with Omicron, 31% (n=23) of the cases had already received two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and were confirmed breakthrough coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection instances. Eighteen transmission pairs were identified with a known date of symptom onset for both primary and secondary cases.

Estimated serial interval distribution of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. The solid line indicates a fitted normal distribution.

The mean serial interval was estimated to be 2.22 days (95% Credible Interval [CrI], 1.482.97), and the standard deviation of the serial interval estimate was found to be 1.62 days (95% CrI, 0.872.37). The R 0 for the Omicron variant outbreak in South Korea was estimated to be 1.90 (95% CrI 1.502.43).

A previous Korean study on the Delta variant had observed the mean serial interval to be 3.3 days and R 0 to be 1.0. The comparison between the two studies indicated that the Omicron variant is much more transmissible. Therefore, strict COVID-19 specific control measures and COVID-19 vaccination remain essential elements to reduce the community transmission of the Omicron variant.

Limitations

As of early December 2021, eighty percent of the Korean population had received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination. However, the current study did not analyze the impact of COVID-19 vaccination against transmission. Therefore the results might not show the exact scenario that would occur in a completely susceptible population and would not be generalizable for resource-limited countries.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Breast cancer patients treated at hospitals and health systems that educate patients and provide integrative health services have a better chance of survival compared to those treated at institutions with few of these resources, according to a new study published in the Journal of Oncology. Integrative health services include complementary and lifestyle therapies, such as nutrition and exercise counseling, in addition to medical cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgery.

Access to basic integrative healthcare services in cancer care not only supports a higher quality of life, but this study also shows that these services increase a patient's chance of survival. These findings serve as a call to action for hospitals and oncologists to support a whole-person approach to cancer care." Wayne Jonas, MD, Study Co-Author and Executive Director for Integrative Health Programs, Samueli Foundation

For the study, researchers analyzed claims data for 4,815 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who were treated in 2013 and 2014. Treating oncologists were surveyed about their institutions' efforts to educate patients and to support 12 complementary and lifestyle approaches to treatment. Responses were received from 103 oncologists at 103 institutions involved in the treatment of 173 patients.

Scoring physician responses, the study identified institutions with low, low-mid, mid-high, or high levels of education and support for complementary and lifestyle therapies. Researchers found that patients treated at institutions that had crossed the threshold above the low integrative score into a low-mid score or higher were up to three times more likely to survive over the five-year period, compared to patients treated at institutions with a low score.

Institutional ratings were based on support for 12 types of complementary and lifestyle therapy consultations, programs, or services, including nutrition, exercise, patient support groups, spiritual services, psycho-oncology support, massage therapy, meditation or mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture or acupressure, music and art therapy, Reiki or healing touch, and tai chi or qi gong. All patients in the study also received conventional medical treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Institutions with higher levels of investment commonly offered a core set of six therapies: nutrition consultation, exercise consultation, patient support groups, spiritual services, meditation/ mindfulness, and psycho-oncology support.

"Patients can play an active role in their cancer treatment and outcomes  but they are much more likely to do it with approval and help from their health system," said Terri Crudup, lead author of the study and senior principal of Primary Intelligence at the global research and technology firm IQVIA. "Oncologists and institutions that treat these patients need to consider providing education, support, and funding for these complementary and lifestyle therapies."

The study authors enumerated ways that health care institutions can cross the threshold from low into higher integrative health involvement:

Using print materials, websites, and direct discussions to educate patients about six core complementary and lifestyle modalities.

Offering a path to access these types of therapies onsite, such as nutrition and exercise counselling and psycho-oncology support, and other therapies at a referred location, such as patient support groups, chaplain services and meditation.

Covering the costs of the therapies offered onsite.

Including on-site staffing of a nutritionist, exercise consultant/physical therapist, social worker, and psychologist.

The authors noted that their study is limited due to patient variables that can affect treatment outcomes that were not included in this study. Researchers also suggest the study should be replicated with a larger sample size, and additional research should validate the scoring system for integrative health care that was used.
A new study published in the preprint bioRxiv* server suggests the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant is not as infectious as scientists initially assumed.

Syrian hamsters who were exposed to Omicron showed significantly less viral replication, infectivity, and disease pathology in the lungs compared to the lungs of hamsters infected with an earlier ancestral strain.

In November 2021, the identification of the Omicron variant by South African scientists drew global concerns over its fast transmission and ability to infect vaccinated individuals as well as reinfect individuals with naturally acquired immunity. The increased infectiousness appeared to come from the multitude of spike protein mutations  nearly double the mutations than Delta.

For this reason, the World Health Organization labeled Omicron as the fifth variant of concern. The Omicron variant is currently reported in several countries worldwide and is the direct cause behind a surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and hospitalizations in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and many more.

The findings showed that the Omicron variant is not as efficient in replicating in the lower respiratory tract of Syrian hamsters compared to the D614G strain and other variants of concerns four days after infection. However, the researchers caution that more research explaining limited lung infectivity is needed to rule out the potential explanation that Omicron learned to adapt to human ACE2, making binding to hamster ACE2 receptors less efficient. Doing so will require measuring the viral loads in the lungs and tissues at different time points of the COVID-19 infection.

How they did it

The researchers had previously used Syrian hamsters to model infectivity in several variants of concern including, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta which confirmed strong viral replication in the lungs. They extended their model to compare Omicrons infectivity against an earlier severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain.

The researchers chose the D614G strain which has a spike D614G substitution found in early European SARS-CoV-2 variants. The D614G strain was dominant in early 2020 and is associated with efficient transmission.

Omicron samples were taken from a nasopharyngeal swab from a traveler who tested positive after returning to Belgium in late November 2021.

Female Syrian hamsters that were 6-8 weeks old were intranasally infected with either the D614G strain or the Omicron variant. Four days after infection, the animals were then sacrificed to collect lung samples.

The researchers measured significantly less  approximately 3 log 10 lower  viral RNA loads in the lungs of hamsters infected with the Omicron variant compared to the D614G strain (approximately 3x103 versus 4x106 RNA load).

Infectious virus titers were observed in the lungs of animals infected with the D614G strain. The researchers also note that the viral loads in the other four variants of concerns repeatedly showed high viral loads in the lungs after exposure. However, there were no infectious virus titers found in the lungs of animals infected with Omicron.

Another observation was differences in the weight of infected animals. On the day of euthanasia, Syrian hamsters infected with Omicron had more bodyweight than animals infected with the D614G strain.

Images of the lungs of D614G strain-infected Syrian hamsters showed significant signs of viral infection. These included peri-bronchial inflammation, bronchopneumonia in the

surrounding alveoli, and perivascular inflammation with perivascular oedema.

In contrast, the researchers did not detect any signs of inflammation or disease in the lungs of Syrian hamsters infected with Omicron. They compared the lungs to the lungs of unexposed and noninfected hamsters.

Taken together, these results clearly demonstrate that the omicron variant is not able to replicate 90 efficiently in the lower respiratory tract of Syrian hamsters compared to the anscetral D614G strain 91 and other variants of concerns when animals were euthanized at day 4 post-infection, concluded the study authors.

*Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
On November 24, researchers in South Africa became the first to report the B.1.1.529 variant of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated the variant Omicron and classed it as a variant of concern (VOC) two days later. The spike protein, which is the principal antigenic target of antibodies generated by infection or immunization, has 26 to 32 mutations in the Omicron variation.

Early reports imply that Omicron has higher transmissibility and immunological escape potential than earlier variants, while a neutralization investigation found that previously infected and vaccinated mice with the Omicron variant had decreased neutralization activity.

Despite the fact that several nations around the world have implemented travel restrictions to prevent the Omicron variant from spreading, the variant managed to spread swiftly inside Europe and beyond during the early weeks of December 2021. Because of the rapid spread, it is expected that the Omicron variant will become the dominant form in a short period of time, so monitoring the severity and transmissibility of the Omicron variant will be crucial in the coming weeks and months.

Even though all infected participants had been vaccinated three times and had a recent negative test, this paper from a team of researchers from the Faroe Islands describes a super-spreading incident in which 21 of 33 healthcare workers were infected with the Omicron variant after attending a social gathering in early December 2021.

A preprint version of this study, which is yet to undergo peer review, is available on the medRxiv* server.

The study

A private gathering of 33 people took place in early December 2021. Several people began to experience symptoms over the next few days and took a PCR test, which came out positive. Following that, the remaining individuals did PCR tests, with 21 of 33 participants testing positive, resulting in a 63.6% attack rate. The extremely high attack rate prompted the Faroese Chief Medical Officer to request virus genome sequencing, which resulted in the discovery of the first Omicron variant on December 8. Through targeted sequencing, 13 samples from the gathering and 4 more from the extended transmission chain have been confirmed as the Omicron variant. The Omicron variant is also suspected in the remaining cases. It has not been feasible to pinpoint the index case that started this transmission chain, but the variant was most likely imported from another country.

All affected subjects had received a third booster dose of the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Comirnaty; BioNTech, Mainz, Germany) within the last two and a half months, and none had previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Within 36 hours of the gathering, all affected persons had a negative test. The majority had done a PCR test, and five had done a lateral flow test. Symptoms appeared in all of the afflicted people. Muscle and joint discomfort, weariness, and fever were the most prevalent symptoms, whereas loss of taste and smell were the least common. There were no hospitalizations.

The incubation period was short, spanning from 2 to 6 days, with a mean incubation period of 3.24 days if the SARS-CoV-2 exposure occurred on the evening of the gathering. The time it took for symptoms to go away varied, and five people still had symptoms at the end of the study, while the remainder had symptoms for 1 to 9 days.

Implications

These findings suggest that the Omicron variant has potent immune-escape capabilities, putting even newly boosted patients at risk of infection. In this investigation, Omicron had a short incubation period. If the incubation period for Omicron is shorter than for prior versions, this could explain why infection rates are higher in people who have some immunity. This short study does not allow for the estimation of hospitalization or death rates. The chance of developing Long Covid after an Omicron infection is unknown at this time. Despite the fact that the individuals in this study mostly had moderate sickness, all of the reported cases had previously acquired immunity by vaccination.

It's worth noting that all infected people had symptoms, and that loss of taste and smell, in particular, appears to be less common in these instances than in prior outbreaks. Even if protection against infection has faded, vaccination is still likely to protect against severe disease with the Omicron variant, underscoring the value of vaccination. It's worth noting that the findings might not apply to SARS-CoV-2 naive people, thus more research in Omicron with SARS-CoV-2 naive people is needed.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, has developed a 'smart' food packaging material that is biodegradable, sustainable and kills microbes that are harmful to humans. It could also extend the shelf-life of fresh fruit by two to three days.

The water-proof food packaging is made from a type of corn protein called zein, starch and other naturally derived biopolymers, infused with a cocktail of natural antimicrobial compounds (see video). These include oil from thyme, a common herb used in cooking, and citric acid, which is commonly found in citrus fruits.

In lab experiments, when exposed to an increase in humidity or enzymes from harmful bacteria, the fibres in the packaging have been shown to release the natural antimicrobial compounds, killing common dangerous bacteria that contaminate food, such as E. Coli and Listeria, as well as fungi.

The packaging is designed to release the necessary miniscule amounts of antimicrobial compounds only in response to the presence of additional humidity or bacteria. This ensures that the packaging can endure several exposures, and last for months.

As the compounds combat any bacteria that grow on the surface of the packaging as well as on the food product itself, it has the potential to be used for a large variety of products, including ready-to-eat foods, raw meat, fruits, and vegetables.

In an experiment, strawberries that were wrapped in the packaging stayed fresh for seven days before developing mould, compared to counterparts that were kept in mainstream fruit plastic boxes, which only stayed fresh for four days.

The invention is the result of the collaboration by scientists from the NTU-Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Initiative for Sustainable Nanotechnology (NTU-Harvard SusNano), which brings together NTU and Harvard Chan School researchers to work on cutting edge applications in agriculture and food, with an emphasis on developing non-toxic and environmentally safe nanomaterials.

The development of this advanced food packaging material is part of the University's efforts to promote sustainable food tech solutions, that is aligned with the NTU 2025 strategic plan, which aims to develop sustainable solutions to address some of humanity's pressing grand challenges.

This invention would serve as a better option for packaging in the food industry, as it has demonstrated superior antimicrobial qualities in combatting a myriad of food-related bacteria and fungi that could be harmful to humans. The packaging can be applied to various produces such as fish, meat, vegetables, and fruits. The smart release of antimicrobials only when bacteria or high humidity is present, provides protection only when needed thus minimizing the use of chemicals and preserving the natural composition of foods packaged." Mary Chan, Study Co-Lead, Professor and Director, Center of Antimicrobial Bioengineering, Nanyang Technological University

Professor Philip Demokritou, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health at Harvard Chan School, who is also Director of Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology Center and Co-director of NTU-Harvard Initiative on Sustainable Nanotechnology, who co-led the study, said: "Food safety and waste have become a major societal challenge of our times with immense public health and economic impact which compromises food security. One of the most efficient ways to enhance food safety and reduce spoilage and waste is to develop efficient biodegradable non-toxic food packaging materials. In this study, we used nature-derived compounds including biopolymers, non-toxic solvents, and nature-inspired antimicrobials and develop scalable systems to synthesise smart antimicrobial materials which can be used not only to enhance food safety and quality but also to eliminate the harm to the environment and health and reduce the use of non-biodegradable plastics at global level and promote sustainable agri-food systems."

Providing an independent assessment of the work done by the NTU research team, Mr Peter Barber, CEO of ComCrop, a Singapore company that pioneered urban rooftop farming, said: "The NTU-Harvard Chan School food packaging material would serve as a sustainable solution for companies like us who want to cut down on the usage of plastic and embrace greener alternatives. As ComCrop looks to ramp up product to boost Singapore's food production capabilities, the volume of packaging we need will increase in sync, and switching to a material such as this would help us have double the impact. The wrapping's antimicrobial properties, which could potentially extend the shelf life of our vegetables, would serve us well. The packaging material holds promise to the industry, and we look forward to learning more about the wrapping and possibly adopting it for our usage someday."

The results of the study were published in the peer-reviewed academic journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces in October.

Cutting down on packaging waste

The packaging industry is the largest and growing consumer of synthetic plastics derived from fossil fuels, with food packaging plastics accounting for the bulk of plastic waste that are polluting the environment.

In Singapore, packaging is a major source of trash, with data from Singapore's National Environment Agency showing that out of the 1.76 million tonnes of waste disposed of by domestic sources in 2018, one third of it was packaging waste, and over half of it (55 per cent) was plastic.

The smart food package material, when scaled up, could serve as an alternative to cut down on the amount of plastic waste, as it is biodegradable. Its main ingredient, zein, is also produced from corn gluten meal, which is a waste by-product from using corn starch or oils in order to produce ethanol.

The food packaging material is produced by electrospinning the zein, the antimicrobial compounds with cellulose, a natural polymer starch that makes up plant cell walls, and acetic acid, which is commonly found in vinegar.

Prof Mary Chan added: "The sustainable and biodegradable active food packaging, which has inbuilt technology to keep bacteria and fungus at bay, is of great importance to the food industry. It could serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based polymers used in commercial food packaging, such as plastic, which have a significant negative environmental impact."

Prof Demokritou added: "Due to the globalisation of food supply and attitude shift towards a healthier lifestyle and environmentally friendly food packaging, there is a need to develop biodegradable, non-toxic and smart/responsive materials to enhance food safety and quality. Development of scalable synthesis platforms for developing food packaging materials that are composed of nature derived, biodegradable biopolymers and nature inspired antimicrobials, coupled with stimuli triggered approaches will meet the emerging societal needs to reduce food waste and enhance food safety and quality."

The team of NTU and Harvard Chan School researchers hope to scale up their technology with an industrial partner, with the aim of commercialisation within the next few years.

They are also currently working on developing other technologies to develop biopolymer-based smart food package materials to enhance food safety and quality.
B cells create antibodies to protect against viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). But SARS-CoV-2 is evolving with more mutations that make it harder for antibodies to identify  making the role of memory B cells that produce broader reactivity even more valuable.

New research recently published in the bioRxiv* preprint server suggests memory B cells play an essential role in the increased protection against variants of concern after vaccination. The study found increases in resting memory B cell subsets showed strong cross-reactivity against several variants, including Omicron.

The study

The research team enrolled 51 healthcare workers who were fully vaccinated with the two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine and were willing to donate blood samples. Blood samples were taken 31 days and 146.5 days after receiving the second dose to study antibody levels and the number of circulating memory B cells.

A separate cohort of 40 volunteers who previously recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and had naturally acquired immunity also donated their blood samples for research.

Neutralizing antibody protection against several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

In this study, the researchers studied the capabilities of vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies over time. Their focus was neutralizing antibodies identifying and binding to the receptor-binding domain as it contains many epitopes. Receptor binding domain proteins were created using several SARS-CoV-2 strains including the original one discovered in Wuhan, Beta, and Delta.

Against the Wuhan strain, two doses of the mRNA vaccine produced robust IgG antibody titers with over a 2000-fold increase one month after vaccination. Additionally, IgA titers rose 44-folds following vaccination. Given the greater boost in IgG antibody levels, the researchers suggest IgG antibodies play a significant role in neutralization.

There was a reduction in vaccine-induced IgG titers against Beta and Delta. The vaccines produced a 2.4-2.7 fold for Beta and 1.1-fold for Delta. Neutralizing antibodies had a challenging time against variants with mutations that allow them to escape detection. Nevertheless, IgG antibodies were modestly successful in binding to the variants receptor binding domain.

As time passed, vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies targeting Wuhan and the Delta variant decreased. But with Beta, other neutralizing antibodies beyond IgG increased over time resulting in a gradual increase in neutralizing potency.

There was a 1.1-fold increase in IgG levels against the Beta variant months after vaccination. Overall, the range of neutralizing antibodies increased two-fold against the Beta variant but decreased by 1.1-fold against Delta.

B memory cells against the variants

While IgG antibodies decreased over time following vaccination, the researchers found the opposite effect in receptor binding domain-binding IgG+ memory B cells. These memory B cells showed a 1.8-fold increase as time passed.

Four subsets of IgG+ memory B cells were studied. One month after vaccination produced the four subsets but after 4.9 months, the number of B memory cell subsets differed.

Resting memory B cell subsets increased by 3.5-fold, but atypical memory B cell subset decreased. This led to an expansion in resting memory B cells to compensate for the loss of the atypical subset.

The memory B cells showed strong cross-reactivity when exposed to the receptor-binding domains of Beta and Delta. Cross-reactivity against Beta ranged from 73.3% to 79% while there was 71.4% to 79.3% cross-reactivity against Delta.

Resting memory B cell subset showed increased cross-reactivity against both variants over time, suggesting increased variant-reactivity and cellularity.

Omicron drastically reduced the number of IgG antibodies that could bind to its receptor-binding domain. The decline in neutralization against Omicron persisted over time, suggesting the mutations on Omicron outweighed maturing neutralizing responses.

But to the researchers surprise, resting memory B cells produced similar neutralizing activities to the Beta and Omicron variants. About 59% produced antibodies with cross-neutralization against Beta and 27% produced cross-neutralization against Omicron.

Study limitations

Because booster shots have only recently been made available, the researchers could not study the third doses effect on memory B-cells over time. For this reason, it is difficult to measure the number of cross-neutralizing memory B-cells and how its linked to cross-neutralizing antibody responses after a third dose. Additionally, the current study focuses on neutralizing antibodies, but animal models have shown protection is also garnered from non-neutralizing antibodies.

*Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
(Newser)  Police have identified the gunman who killed five people in a shooting spree in Denver and nearby Lakewood Monday as Lyndon James McLeod. Police said Tuesday that McLeod, 47, apparently knew many of his victims and was already "on the radar" of law enforcement, the Denver Post reports. McLeod died during an exchange of gunfire with police in Lakewood but authorities haven't confirmed whether he was killed by a police bullet. A female Lakewood officer injured in the exchange of fire was in stable condition in an intensive care unit Tuesday, reports CBS Denver. Police say she was able to fire back at McLeod after she was hit.

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Four victims died Monday and the fifth, hotel clerk Sarah Steck, died from her injuries Tuesday, reports the AP. Law enforcement sources tell Denver7 News that McLeod had extremist views and a history of psychiatric episodes. Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen told reporters Tuesday that McLeod was investigated in 2020 and 2021, but no state or federal charges were filed. The Colorado Sun reports that four of the five people killed either worked at tattoo parlors or were killed near tattoo parlors.

According to state records, McLeod owned a tattoo business called Flat Black Ink, which was deemed delinquent by state authorities in 2017. The location is now home to a business called World Tattoo Studio, and police say McLeod chased and shot at two people in the area during Monday's rampage. Alfredo Cardenas tells the Denver Post that his daughter Alicia Cardenas, owner of Sol Tribe Custom Tattoo in Denver and mother of a 12-year-son, was killed when McLeod opened fire at the business at the start of the shooting spree. Relatives say fellow Sol Tribe tattoo artist Alyssa Gunn-Maldonado was also killed. (Read more Denver stories.)
(Newser)  During a Thanksgiving weekend flight from Florida to Nashville, a Tennessee woman is accused of getting so intoxicated the flight crew cut her off from alcoholic beverages and asked her to switch seats, at which point she allegedly became disruptive. Amanda Renee Henry has now been charged with interfering with a flight crew after allegedly assaulting two flight attendants Nov. 27 on the Spirit Airlines flight, CNN reports. The 43-year-old also allegedly made lewd sexual remarks to men aboard the flight and touched at least one of them, and was seen vaping on the plane.

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The alleged assault came after flight attendants asked her to switch seats, as she was in an emergency exit row, for safety reasons. Authorities say she screamed that she was getting off the plane and made for the cabin door, a flight attendant blocked her, and another one came to help restrain her. She allegedly kicked, hit, and pulled hair, but crew members were ultimately able to handcuff her and place her in a seat, Local 12 reports. An off-duty firefighter who happened to be on the plane then sat next to her to keep her calm. She was briefly detained upon landing on a public intoxication charge; the more serious federal charge came later. She faces up to 20 years behind bars. (Read more Spirit Airlines stories.)
(Newser)  Update: The Los Angeles Police Department officer who fired on an assault suspect at a North Hollywood department store and accidentally killed a 14-year-old girl has been identified. Two sources tell the Los Angeles Times that William Dorsey Jones Jr., who is currently on paid leave, is the officer. Journalist Cerise Castle says he has been with the department since at least 2011. Our original story from Wednesday follows:

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Valentina Orellana-Peralta was trying on dresses when the 14-year-old and her mom heard a disturbance outside the changing room at a Burlington store in North Hollywood. They locked the door, and then "we sat down and hugged and started praying," the teen's mom said at a press conference Tuesday, per NBC News. "When something impacted my daughter Valentina, it threw us on the floor, and she died in my arms, and there was nothing I could do." Her parents say their daughter was "collateral damage" from an LAPD shooting the day before Christmas Eve that could have been handled differently, their attorney, Benjamin Crump says. When an officer fired at the man assaulting customers in the store, a bullet went through the wall of the dressing room and struck Valentina, killing her.

The teen came to the US from Chile with her mother and sister just six months ago, CNN reports. Her father had planned a Christmas trip to the US, but instead came to mourn the death of a daughter who had dreamed of designing robots one day as an engineer. Her father held up the skateboard they had ordered her as a Christmas gift, which arrived in the mail the day after she died. "The pain of opening Christmas presents that have been delivered for Christmas Day cannot be articulated," he said. "All she wanted was to become a American citizen," he added, per the Hill. "I once told her, let's leave this country. 'No, papa,' she said. 'This is the safest country in the world, a country of opportunity.' Now my daughter is dead at the hands of the state."

The officer who fired the shot has been placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is carried out. In the moments before he started firing, other officers told him more than a dozen times to "slow down," USA Today reports. The LAPD has released video of the incident, and no officer can be heard giving a command to the suspect before shots were fired. Legal experts say the use of deadly force will need to be looked at, since the suspect was armed with nothing but a bike lock and did not appear to be moving toward a victim or police at the time, and the officers did have nonlethal weapons with them. Instead, the unnamed officer fired a patrol rifle. "If you're going to fire a (.223) round inside of a department store, those rounds can easily rip through a body and keep right on moving through dry wall," says one former cop. (Read more Los Angeles Police Department stories.)
(Newser)  Days after Cedric Lofton, 17, died at a Kansas juvenile centerhandcuffed, shackled at the ankles, and lying face downthe county sheriff said a preliminary autopsy showed the cause wasn't any injury suffered in custody. The chief medical examiner of Sedgwick County has now decided something different, the New York Times reports. "In my opinion, Cedric Lofton died as a result of complications of cardiopulmonary arrest sustained after physical struggle while restrained in the prone position," wrote Dr. Timothy Gorrill in a court filing. "The manner of death is homicide."

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Lofton had returned to his foster home in Wichita about midnight on Sept. 24, three days after running away. Police were called to the home because, a report said, Lofton was "exhibiting erratic and aggressive behavior" toward his foster family. Police intended to take him to a hospital's behavior unit until, the report said, he assaulted "one or more of the officers." Lofton instead was taken to the juvenile center and charged with four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer. He was taken from his cell after 4am, and the report said he became agitated and punched an officer. Lofton then was restrained and placed face down.

As long as 39 minutes passed before staff members realized Lofton had no pulse, per the Wichita Eagle. The district attorney is investigating the case, and corrections employees involved are on administrative leave pending the outcome. None has been charged. The family, which has been critical over the lack of answers and transparency from law enforcement, called Monday for criminal charges to be filed. "Theres no doubt whatsoever that excessive force was at play here," a lawyer for the family said. Lofton was a senior in high school who planned to move to California to build a music career after he graduated. (Read more inmate deaths stories.)
(Newser)  Podcaster Joe Rogan's sold-out April 20 show in Vancouver, BC, has been rescheduled, as predicted. In an episode that came out Dec. 24, Rogan told guest Tim Dillon that the show might be called off because of COVID restrictions in Canada, the Hill reports. "My 4/20 show that's sold out in VancouverI don't think that's happening," Rogan said. "I don't think I can even get into the country. I'm not vaccinated. I'm not gonna get vaccinated." Rogan, who recovered from a COVID infection in September, added: "I have antibodies, it doesn't make any sense."

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British Columbia does not require performers to be vaccinated, though the 18,910-capacity Rogers Arena, where Rogan was scheduled to perform, says it requires performers, staff, and fans to be vaccinated, the Globe and Mail reports. Unvaccinated visitors from the US are not banned from entering Canada, per the Globe, which notes British Columbia cut capacity limits on large venues to 50% days before Rogan's podcast aired. "Such a restriction might make an arena show economically unfeasible," it observes. Ticketmaster confirmed Wednesday that the event had been canceled. According to Rogan's Facebook page, it has been rescheduled for Oct. 24.

After he became infected in September, Rogan said he "threw the kitchen sink"including monoclonal antibody treatments and ivermectinat the virus. The 54-year-old has argued that "young, healthy" people don't need to be vaccinated. He says he doesn't need to be vaccinated now because of "natural immunity," though health authorities beg to differ, the Hill notes. In his Dec. 24 podcast, Rogan predicted that Michelle Obama would win if she ran for president in 2024, with Kamala Harris as running mate against a hypothetical Donald Trump/Ron DeSantis GOP ticket, the Wrap reports. Rogan, who predicted a win for Trump in 2020, said the only thing that could stop Obama would be if she "showed any support for lockdowns and mandates and all this craziness thats going on." (Read more Joe Rogan stories.)
(Newser)  A North Carolina police department is asking for prayers for the family of one of its own: a Jacksonville police officer who allegedly shot his teen son in the head in what was apparently an accident. Neither the officer nor the 15-year-old have been identified. The incident happened around 4:30pm Monday afternoon. A press release states that the teen "sustained a life-threatening injury from a single gunshot wound to the head." He is currently hospitalized at Vidant Medical Center in Pitt County and is in critical condition. NBC News reports it's not clear if the gun in question was one issued to the officer by his department.

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"This is a tragic event and this matter remains under investigation by the Onslow County Sheriffs Office," said District Attorney Ernie Lee. "The reports, statements, and other evidence from the investigation will be provided to this office to determine what actions, if any, will be taken." The News & Observer reports the Onslow County Sheriffs Office on Tuesday said "all preliminary indications are that the incident was an accidental shooting." The officer has been placed on administrative leave. (Read more accident stories.)
(Newser)  A day after Judge Alison Nathan warned the jury in Ghislaine Maxwell's trial that there was a high risk they would end up in quarantine, they returned with a verdict: Guilty on all but one charge. Maxwell, who turned 60 on Christmas Day, was found guilty of sex trafficking of minors and four other charges, but was acquitted on one count of enticing a minor to travel across state lines to engage in an illegal sexual act, the New York Times reports. Jurors deliberated for five full days following the British socialite's monthlong trial, in which witnesses said she recruited them as minors and groomed them for sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein, sometimes participating in the abuse herself.

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The sex trafficking charge carries a possible sentence of 40 years in prison. Maxwell was also convicted of conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. The AP reports that Maxwell was "largely stoic behind a black mask" as the verdict was read in a New York City courtroom Wednesday. In contrast to previous days, she did not hug her lawyers on her way out.

Damian Williams, the US attorney for the southern district of New York, praised the verdict, the Guardian reports. She was found guilty of "one of the worst crimes imaginable, facilitating and participating in the sexual abuse of children. Crimes that she committed with her long-time partner and co-conspirator Jeffrey Epstein," Williams said in a statement. "The road to justice has been far too long, but today justice has been done. I want to commend the bravery of the girls, now grown women, who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom." (Read more Ghislaine Maxwell stories.)
Another winter storm  the third in as many weeks  is expected to hit Interior Alaska starting Tuesday bringing with it more snow and high winds. Amanda Bohman/News-Miner
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer addresses graduates as the keynote speaker for 79 cadets graduating from the Alaska Military Youth Academy in June 2021. On Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, Meyer announced he would not seek re-election as lieutenant governor of Alaska.
Terry Dingbaum clears snow from the roof at his home just off Stampede Trail, near Healy, after the area received a record amount of snowfall in December. Photo courtesy Linda Dingbaum
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has signed an agreement with French-based company Valneva SE to supply one million doses of its coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine known as VLA2001. The announcement of the advance purchase agreement was made yesterday, said a company statement.

This is the second purchase agreement Valneva has secured for VLA2001 since reporting positive data for its Phase 3 clinical trial Cov-Compare. Valneva has initiated a rolling submission process with the Bahraini National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA).

Franck Grimaud, Chief Business Officer of Valneva, said: We are grateful to the Bahraini government for their trust and confidence in our vaccine and are eager to work with them to start helping to address the pandemic evolution in the Middle East.

Subject to regulatory review and approval, we plan to start deliveries in the first quarter of 2022. Last month, Valneva announced that the European Commission signed an advanced purchase agreement for up to 60 million doses of VLA20011.

In October, Valneva reported positive results from the Phase 3 trial Cov-Compare of its inactivated, adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine candidate, VLA2001. The trial recruited a total of 4,012 participants 18 and older across 26 trial sites in the UK.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

University of Technology (UTB) Bahrain believes that todays higher education institutions are not just places to get scientific degrees but incubators with the ability to create welcoming and dynamic campus environments and foster the kind of educational opportunities that translate into success, and therefore it is vital that to build such a university environment, a diversified culture is becoming important and effective for any institution.

Diversity in the classroom is also extremely important. Bringing together people from multiple cultures into one classroom could create a very lively and productive learning experience.

With this in mind, UTB has always extended its bridges of communications to students from neighbouring countries and expatriate communities within Bahrain and beyond, stressing the importance of cultural diversification in improving student learning and the environment.

For this reason, the university, during this academic year, made efforts to reach the Indian community in Bahrain with several activities.

On August 13, 2021, a webinar on Awareness in Higher Education was held in regional languages including Hindi, Urdu, Tamil and Malayalam.

It was followed by an activity organised by UTB along with Indian Ladies Association (ILA) on November 11, 2021, to showcase Indian culture on campus.

The event saw the participation of many Indian cultural organizations including Bahrain Odiya Samaj, Bahrain Kerala Samajam, Karnataka Club, Tamil Sanga, Punjabi Club, Andhra Club.

The event marked the collaboration between the university and many cultural associations with special emphasis on the Indian community, which is the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom. Meetings are ongoing between the ILA and UTB to organise the various activity.

Dr Hasan Almulla, President of the University of Technology Bahrain, valued the collaborations with the Indian community and pointed out the significance of holding such cultural events to enrich the diversification efforts exhibited by the university.

He assured that such an event will put smiles on the faces, motivate and inspire talents, and relive values of cultural diversity  something that the University of Technology Bahrain incorporates in its strategic direction.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

A strategic plan to combat the Combating Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been reviewed.

This came as Health Minister Faiqa bint Saeed Al Saleh chaired The National Committee for Combating Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) meeting virtually, in the presence of representatives of ministries and official bodies in the committee.

The meeting reviewed the committees agenda and approved the implementation of their plans.

The Vice-Chairperson, Dr Maryam Al Hajri, reviewed the strategic plan to combat AIDS, the work of the sub-committees and the implementation of their plans based on the committees objectives.

Chairperson of the Subcommittee for Information, Statistics and Scientific Research, Dr Najat Abu Al Fateh, presented a statistics report on the AIDS programme including the achievements, the history of AIDS, and the treatment status of AIDS patients in Bahrain.

Chairperson of the Subcommittee for Guidance and Education, Dr Shaikh Saqer bin Salman Al Khalifa, confirmed the implementation of a detailed media plan for the work of the committee.

Chairperson of the Subcommittee for Treatment and Rehabilitation Dr Jamila Al Salman highlighted the work of the committee and its achievements in the field of AIDS tests and examinations in coordination between the various concerned authorities, confirming the availability of medicines for patients, treatment protocols, noting that the committee will develop a vision for the annual conference to combat the disease with the formation of work teams to find out all the necessary preparations to organising it.

The minister expressed her appreciation to the committees members and called on exerting more efforts to protect the rights of people suffering from AIDs and prevent society from the disease.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received today, at Al Safriya Palace, Deputy Prime Minister, Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) Chairman, Chair of the 45th session of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO) Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by ARCO Secretary-General Dr Saleh bin Hamad Al Tuwaijri, Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SXCA) President Dr Jalal Mohammed Al Owaisi, Egyptian Red Crescent Chief Rami Jameel Al Nadher, Iraqi Red Crescent Society Chairman Yassine Ahmed Abbas and Palestinian Red Crescent Society Chairman Yunis Nimr Al-Khateeb.

ARCO Secretary-General Dr Saleh bin Hamad Al Tuwaijri presented HM the King with the Abu Bakr Al Siddique Medal  First Class, in recognition of his efforts to support humanitarian work in the Arab and international areas.

The Abu Bakr Al Siddique Medal  First Class, is the highest ARCO decoration conferred on kings and heads of states in recognition of their support to the international movement, Red Crescent and Red Cross.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Al Tuwaijeri hailed HM the Kings leading role in supporting humanitarian work, commending Bahrains dedication and noble stances on the local and international arenas.

He said that ARCO General Assembly decided, at its forty-third session, to bestow the Abu Bakr Al Siddique Medal  First Class on HM the King in recognition of Bahrains support to humanitarian work.

HM, the King thanked the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation (ARCO), praising its role in promoting Arab humanitarian work and supporting Arab national societies in the humanitarian and relief aid fields. He commended cooperation and coordination between ARCO and BRCS in this regard.

HM, the King highlighted Bahrains keenness on supporting charity, humanitarian and voluntary work, taking pride in the Kingdoms honourable standing in these fields. He praised Bahrainis firm belief in the values of goodness and solidarity which stem from the teachings of Islam and authentic national values. He valued BRCS- efforts, a noble mission and contributions to support humanitarian work and provide relief aid to refugees and disaster-stricken people to alleviate their suffering, in addition to fostering the culture of voluntary work which contributes to consolidating the values of solidarity, cooperation and giving in Bahraini society.

HM, the King underlined Bahrains firm approach based on cooperation and solidarity with peoples, especially in times of adversity, wishing ARCO chairman and members success in their noble and humanitarian mission.

Deputy Prime Minister and Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) Chairman, Chair of the 45th session of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation (ARCO) Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, expressed deepest thanks and gratitude to HM the King for receiving the delegation.

Dr Al Tuwaijiri also paid tribute to HM the King and hailed royal support to humanitarian and relief aid work, adding that charity work has flourished in the era of HM the King.
DANBURY  Roughly 100 cars lined Memorial Drive more than a hour before COVID-19 testing was scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Cars looped through the Rogers Park Middle School driveway, by the football and soccer fields, back onto Memorial Drive and into a parking lot where SEMA4 was set to test patients for COVID from 1 to 7 p.m. The site giving out about 700 tests ended up closing around 2:45 p.m., according to the health department. It closed over three hours early the day before, too.

It was a sign of the desperate need for COVID tests and came as officials in the Danbury area prepared to distribute thousands of at-home test kits in their communities.

The first 500,000 of three million kits  with two tests in each  are expected to arrive in the state as early as Thursday and be distributed in the Danbury area that day or the following days. Shipment to the state was delayed on Wednesday, making some leaders uncertain of their distribution plans.

And officials dont expect the at-home kits will meet the need for tests in the area.

I expect they will all be snapped up immediately, said Matt Knickerbocker, first selectman in Bethel, which expects to receive about 2,600 kits.

Danbury plans to distribute two kits and five KN95 masks per car at Western Connecticut State Universitys Westside campus at 43 Lake Ave. Extension. Residents will receive a flyer with basic instructions, written in English, Spanish and Portuguese, on what to do if they test positive.

The date and time remains uncertain until city officials, who said theyre in contact with the state, know when the kits will arrive in town.

It is our desire, our strong desire, to get the product out as soon as possible, said Matthew Cassavechia, the citys emergency management director.

He said he sees the at-home kits as a stop gap measure to address demand for testing, but the city is working with various stakeholders on a long-term plan to add testing.

Those discussions are ongoing so we can get a strategy that meets the needs of the community, he said.

About a half hour before testing began Wednesday, two rows of cars stretched Memorial Drive, with single lines of cars going into the side streets. Police directed traffic. The day before, a double row of cars extended from the site down Memorial to South Street and down Mountainville Avenue, police said.

One woman, who said she got there 2 1/2 hours before the 1 p.m. opening, brought popcorn, drinks and reading material for her wait. Some said they had been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID after holiday gatherings.

Demand for tests

New Milford Mayor Pete Bass said the at-home tests will not meet demand for testing in his town, where the local clinic has been overwhelmed these past two weeks.

We have 29,000 residents, they didnt give us 29,000 tests, Bass said Tuesday.

The clinic, which usually services New Milfords neighbors in addition to its own residents, changed tactics last week after a big wave of people from other towns started showing up to get tested. Only town residents and residents of Washington can get tested there for the time being.

Still, combined with the testing capabilities at its own local clinic, Bass said that the additional kits would be extremely helpful for our residents.

The Connecticut Institute for Communities in Danbury anticipates receiving 450 kits to distribute to its patients. Another 900 should come next week.

It is hard to tell if these kits will meet the demand, but we should have a better sense once we receive them and start distributing them, CEO Katie Curran said in an email.

Shes unsure how many patients and families will want the kits because schools, for example, dont accept at-home test results.

We do believe that the rapid tests have an important role to play in identifying illness more quickly, but these are some of the questions that we anticipate confronting/seeing as we start to distribute kits, Curran wrote.

New Fairfield expects to receive roughly 1,700 kits.

I dont know that it will fulfill all of the need, but it will certainly be a significant contribution, First Selectwoman Pat Del Monaco said. Were grateful to the state to be able to offer them to our residents.

How are towns distributing at-home kits?

Some towns will distribute kits on a first-come, first-served basis, while others offered sign-ups or are setting tests aside for first reponders.

WestConn will pick up the kits for Danbury, Cassavechia said. Health department staff and youth with the Police Explorers program will distribute them.

Esposito urged residents not to hang out the site, waiting for the kits to arrive.

Our biggest concern right now is that people dont go up tonight (Wednesday night) and get in line at that location, he said. Its a drive-thru. Its going to be fast and simple, but we dont want to have people waiting there eight hours before we actually have the product in hand.

The city is looking at alternate strategies to distribute future kits to vulnerable populations who dont have access to transportation, Cassavechia said. The health director is working with partners who plan to support these populations, he said.

Del Monaco said early Wednesday afternoon New Fairfield is pretty confident it will distribute the kits between 1 and 4 p.m. Thursday. But that could change due to the delayed shipment.

Were waiting to see what time well be slotted to pick up our test kits in Torrington (Thursday), she said.

Knickerbocker is waiting until the tests are in hand before he announces a distribution plan to Bethel residents. The majority of kits will be distributed to the public in a drive-thru, but a small number will be set aside for first responders, he said.

New Milford plans to distribute its about 3,600 kits on a first-come, first-served drive-thru basis at John Pettibone Community Center. Residents signed up for kits. The town separately ordered at-home test kits ahead of the states announcement Monday and expects a delivery early next week.

Health Director Lisa Morrissey said she requested substantially more than the state is providing. These tests will be distributed in the same way as the states kits.

CIFC in Danbury plans to prioritize distributing kits to patients in its Greater Danbury Community Health Center, which serves nearly 16,000 individuals, mainly Danbury residents, Curran said. Leftover kits would go to individuals and families served through the organizations various programs. The organization is working out the logistics, she said.

The challenge with these kits, of course, is ensuring that they are used in exact accordance with directions for accuracy, Curran said. This will be a big focus as we distribute kits to patients and other clients/families we serve through CIFC programming.

Currie Engel, Kendra Baker and H. John Voorhees contributed to this report.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  Connecticut on Wednesday topped 500,000 coronavirus infections since the start of the pandemic, as the omicron variant fueled new cases and pushed hospitalizations statewide over 1,100 for the first time since January.

The state reported 7,520 new cases since Tuesday's data was released, out of nearly 42,300 tests administered. The positive test rate was just under 18%  the highest daily rate since widespread testing began last year. Officials said some of Wednesday's data include test results from the the past several days to a week.
DANBURY  The city hopes a $295,000 federal grant will offset the cost of a project to repair a taxiway at Danbury Municipal Airport.

The pavement is cracking and outdated on the taxiway thats parallel to the airports main runway, said Mike Safranek, airport administrator. The taxiway runs east to west on the southern part of the airport and connects the fixed-base operators on the southern side to the main runway, he said.

Winter weather has caused the paving to deteriorate, he said. Safranek estimated the pavement hasnt been touched in 25 to 30 years.

The pavement is in bad shape, he said.

Fixing the taxiway is on the airports master plan. It would require addressing about 130,000-square-feet of pavement. About 1,000 feet of the more than half-mile taxiway were rehabilitated about five to six years ago and wont need to be redone, Safranek said.

Officials havent determined the full cost of the project yet because they dont know if the runway needs to be rehabilitated or reconstructed. Rehabilitation could cost half a million dollars, while reconstruction could be three times more expensive, Safranek said.

In the next few weeks, an engineering firm, Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, will bore into the ground to collect samples that should determine which type of project is needed, he said.

Were hoping the sub base is going to be in good shape, and we can go ahead with the rehabilitation and not the reconstruction, Safranek said.

He hopes construction could start in August or September. The airport works with the Federal Aviation Administration for approval.

Historically, the federal government paid 90 percent of the cost of airport projects, with the state covering 7.5 percent and the city taking on 2.5 percent, Safranek said. But a few years ago, Connecticut said it would cap funding at $40,000 for non-state-owned airports, putting an extra burden on the taxpayers, he said.

Safranek hopes to use the $295,000 grant from the federal infrastructure bill passed in November to take that burden off the city.

I want to use that money to offset the loss that the state will no longer give us, he said.

Danbury Municipal Airport is one of 11 airports in Connecticut expected to receive a combined $12.5 million from the Federal Aviation Administration in the first of a series of grants that will be distributed over the next five years.

The grants are expected to pay for various improvements to Bradley International Airport, which will get $45 million over five years, among other projects across the state.

Safranek hopes to get more federal money for this project and another in the future.

The airport aims to repave a secondary runway over the next couple years. This runway goes from north to south, while the primary runway goes from east to west.

The airport is in the middle of a study that could determine whether the project qualifies for funding from the FAA, Safranek said. That $180,000 study is paid for through grants, he said.

The study collects data on the force and direction of the wind, which determines how often planes take off from the runway, he said. The study also looks at trees or objects that obstruct the runway. The runway must meet certain criteria and usage to be eligible for the federal funding, Safranek said.

The FAA looks at this very carefully, he said.
NEW MILFORD  A local nursing home in town has reported 11 COVID-related resident deaths over the last two months, according to state data.

Candlewood Valley Health and Rehabilitation reported two deaths linked to COVID and two positive cases in April 2020, but had not reported further deaths until November 2021.

COVID has hit the facility hard since then, with an initial outbreak at Candlewood Valley midway through the month that led to 36 positive cases among residents and five deaths over just two weeks. Eight staff members tested positive during that same period.

During that span, only 12 total COVID-related deaths were reported at long-term care facilities across the state. The outbreak prompted a public response from New Milford Mayor Pete Bass.

Two weeks later, four more COVID-related deaths and six positive cases were recorded in the state data release. Another two deaths were reported between Dec. 8 and Dec. 23, bringing the total COVID-related death count during the pandemic to 13.

Data for the rest of December wont be reported until Jan. 6.

DPH spokesman Christopher Boyle confirmed via text on Monday that the department is aware of the situation at Candlewood Valley Health and our team is working with them on infection prevention practices.

We offer 5-star care and have been a staple in senior care and living for over 40 years in New Milford, wrote Melissa Marici, corporate director of community relations for Candlewood Valley in an email to Hearst Connecticut. Although our heart breaks for every loss of life, we have been fortunate that our loss has been comparatively very low throughout the life of this pandemic.

The nursing home has been working with the state Department of Public Health to ensure that all necessary precautions are being taken, Marici added.

The nursing home also had an on-site visit with members of the state Department of Public Health Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program who were satisfied with their mitigation efforts, according to Marici.

Candlewood Valley will continue to collaborate with DPH to ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep our residents safe, she said.

New Milford Health Director Lisa Morrissey echoed this information, and said that Candlewood Valley has been very communicative with her department and the state.

According to Morrissey, the facility was found to have appropriate mitigation strategies in place. Few families have reached out to her department with concerns about loved ones at the nursing home.

It is very unfortunate and my heart is broken and saddened for the families, she said.

Lower census numbers

As COVID continues to sweep through Connecticut, officials are trying to make sure the states most vulnerable residents are protected. On Tuesday, the state reported a positivity rate of just under 15 percent the highest number since the state began reporting positivity data.

On Tuesday, the facility reported that 76 residents are boosted  roughly 78 percent, based on census numbers. Another 20 other residents are not yet eligible because they received a monoclonal antibody treatment. These residents are expected to receive their boosters in February, Marici said.

Candlewood Valley did not provide information on the percentage of staff who have been boosted.

However, after the outbreak in November, Marici initially reported that all staff, except for two with medical exemptions, had been vaccinated. Neither had been a carrier of COVID-19 during that outbreak, she said at the time.

A report from the Connecticut Mirror suggests that less than 30 percent of long-term care staff across the state have been boosted. In mid-December, about 80 percent of long-term care residents across the state had been boosted, the state said at the time.

Along with the increase in positive cases and jump in deaths, Candlewood Valleys overall census has dipped slightly. Generally, the nursing home has somewhere between 100 to 130 residents at any given time. As of Dec. 23, there were just 97 residents at the facility, state data show. Candlewood Valley is licensed for 148 beds.

There have been times throughout this pandemic when we have stopped taking new admissions for the overall safety of our existing residents and staff. That has certainly resulted in a lower census than we would typically see, said Marici.

Whats more, when we are dealing with a breakout at our facility, we need to take the proper precautions and separate residents and patients. Thats another contributing factor.

Bass said the town was sending prayers to those affected and was ready to assist the nursing home should it need help.

Theyre residents of New Milford, Bass said. And were here to help in any way we can.
State officials have announced plans to distribute COVID-19 at-home testing kits as the demand for them surges and record high positivity rates are recorded.

Plans were still being finalized in some local towns for distribution Wednesday, while others had created signup sheets, hoping to distribute as early as Thursday.

But, those plans have hit a snag after Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday the shipment from California is delayed, leaving local officials unsure exactly when the tests would be arriving.

A total of 3 million at-home test kits are planned to be disseminated statewide, with the first distribution to include about 500,000. Each kit will include two tests.

The demand for the kits comes as stores rapidly sell out and as people have struggled booking PCR COVID-19 tests in a timely fashion. The COVID-19 omicron variant has also spiked cases throughout the state, with a 17.78% positivity rate recorded Wednesday and hospitalizations continued to climb.

Here is how local officials in the Danbury area are planning to distribute testing kits. Please note, some times and dates could change based on the shipment arrival time.

Danbury

The city will receive 10,890 COVID-19 test kits and plans to distribute them first-come, first-served. Local leaders said Wednesday they would distribute at Western Connecticut State Universitys Westside campus at 43 Lake Ave. Extension. Officials did not say what day or time yet, pending the arrival of the test kit shipment.

New Milford

The town expects to receive 3,600 test kits in its first delivery. Distribution will be at the John Pettibone Community Center when kits arrive, but for not it has been temporarily postponed as the state awaits a shipment. Residents can sign up online through the town website to receive priority and families with children can sign up for up to two test kits. Those receiving tests need to show proof of residency.

New Fairfield

The town was planning to distribute COVID test kits from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday in front of New Fairfield Middle School, according to a post on the towns website Monday night. The site had not been updated by the time of publication Wednesday night. Proof of residency will be required and those looking for tests will be asked to enter the campus driveway closest to Peerless Equipment and exit from the new westside driveway. No more than two kits will be distributed per household. The town expects to receive about 1,700 kits.

Ridgefield

There were no initial plans as of Wednesday evening to distribute the 3,150 COVID test kits to the general public. Instead, police and fire departments will be first priority, followed by critical people in town government. First Selectman Rudy Marconi said more than 2,000 of the kits will be distributed to residents through a public distribution process that has not yet been announced.

Redding

The town initially planned to distribute test kits Friday at the Redding Community Center on Lonetown Road from 12 to 3 p.m. With shipments delayed, the town has put the distribution on hold. Once they arrive, Redding plans to distribute its 1,170 kits and an ID will be required to receive two tests.

Newtown

The town, expected to receive 3,420 kits, will distribute by appointment. Residents are asked to make an appointment through the town website and pick the kits up at Reed School. Only two kits are allowed per household and proof of residency is required. Residents are also asked to bring their confirmation email that they receive once making an appointment.

Southbury

The town, expecting to receive 2,520 kits, was planning to distribute kits from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pomperaug High. The plan is on hold until the kits arrive, however. Proof of residency will be required.

Washington

Test kits will tentatively be available on a first-come, first-served basis Friday at 9 a.m. at the River Walk pavilion at 11 School St. A limited number of tests will be available to those 65 and older at the Senior Center at 6 Bryan Hall Plaza beginning Monday at 9 a.m. The town expects to receive 540 kits. Proof of residence will be required.

Brookfield

The town will distribute on a first-come, first-served basis, according to an automated message on the health departments voicemail. The town originally planned to distribute at 3 p.m. Thursday at Brookfield High School, but needed to postpone due to a delay in the shipment from the state, the message stated. The town expects to receive 2,250 kits. The town is now on standby for the possibility of a Friday distribution, but it is pending delivery.

Sherman

The town has postponed its distribution plan, which was scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday. The town is expected to receive 450 kits and was planning to distribute them att he Sherman School on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bethel

The town, which expects to receive 2,600 kits, did not release details with distribution plans Wednesday. Officials were planning to announce plans sometime Thursday. In the meantime, officials ask residents not call Town Hall.

Roxbury

Expecting about 360 kits in the first shipment, town officials plan to distribute kits to local schools with the remaining tests given primarily to first responders. It is expected some kits would be held at Town Hall for residents.

Bridgewater

The town expects to receive 270 kits and will reserve that shipment for ambulance and fire department staff.

This story has been updated to reflect changes following an announcement that the test kit shipment had been delayed.
The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) on Wednesday concluded the raids at businessman Peeyush Jains residence in Uttar Pradeshs Kannauj. The Kanpur-based businessman was arrested on Sunday under Section 67 of the CGST Act after the recovery of unaccounted cash, gold and sandalwood. Speaking to ANI, Zakir Hussain, Additional Director of DGGI said, We have concluded our panchnama. We have recovered gold, handed it over to DRI, but the probe is on. The gold which was recovered in Kanpur is separatehere, we recovered about Rs 19 crore cash. As per higher officials, this is the biggest cash recovery.

Meanwhile, the DGGI which seized Rs 194.45 crores of cash, 23 kg gold and 600 kg sandalwood from businessman Peeyush Jains possession, on Monday informed that the accused has admitted that cash recovered was related to the sale of goods without payment of taxes.

The DGGI further stated that it has seized more than 200 such fake invoices. The statement of Peeyush Jain has been recorded wherein he has accepted that the cash recovered from the residential premises is related to the sale of goods without payment of GST, it said. The evidence collected during the searches conducted in the last five days are being investigated thoroughly to unravel the tax evasion, it added. The accused has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a Kanpur court in the matter.
As the Omicron variant takes over the Delta variant across the globe, the big question is that is it for India to come up with an Omicron protocol?

Amid a rapid increase of Omicron cases in India, India is on a high alert. From a ban of new year gatherings to imposing night curfews, states are doing everything possible to avoid a third wave of the pandemic. However, one of the most prominent challenges in the fight against Omicron, has been the delay in its detection.

As the Omicron variant takes over the Delta variant across the globe, the big question is that is it for India to come up with an Omicron protocol? Should all Covid positive cases with an international travel history are Omicron cases? If so, should every Omicron positive patient be hospitalised or the Centre should now consider home isolation protocols.

The guidelines issues by the Union Health Ministry at present mandate separate isolation facility for those testing positive at airport, each positive sample to be sent for genomic testing for Omicron, immediate contacts of positive patients on flight traced, treatment protocols for Covid-19 delta to apply for Omicron.

But, what is happening is that those testing positive at airports are sent to isolate at home. Omicron detection takes 2-3 days due to lack of genomic testing facilities. The patient continues to be in home isolation until Omicron is detected. If Omicron is detected, even asymptomatic patients are shifted to hospital. The homes of Omicron patients are then sealed and all contacts are testing. The immediate contacts are then made to undergo testing and follow same protocol. All omicron patients, regardless of symptoms, are sent to hospital isolation.

Internationally, United Kingdom requires all arrivals to show negative Covid test taken 48 hours prior to departure. After arrival, re-test only with RT-PCR within 2 days. Unvaccinated travellers are to be tested within 2 and after 8 days of arrival. Compulsory self-isolation while tests is awaited. Omicron patients, not needing urgent care, to stay in 10 days home isolation. Isolation at healthcare facilities are for Omicron emergency cases. Contacts of positive patients are to self-isolate and get tested.

United States, on the other hand, mandates no separate protocol for omicron suspected or confirmed patients. Asymptomatic Covid-19 patients are to isolate at home for 5 days and wear masks for next 5 days. Exposed unvaccinated contacts are to quarantine for 5 days followed by 5 days of mask wearing. Exposed vaccinated and boosted contacts need not quarantine if they are asymptomatic. Symptomatic emergency cases to access healthcare facilities.

South Africa follows an easy line of treatment, as per Dr Angelique Coetzee who first identified Omicron. People who develop mild symptoms need to isolate for 8 days, while people with severe symptoms to isolate for 10 days. South Africas health ministry has scrapped institutional quarantine and contact tracing. Asymptomatic contacts of positive patients need not to test or self isolate.

Germany requires all travellers to produce negative Covid-19 report. Travellers from High-risk countries are to quarantine for 10 days and re-test on day 5. It follows standard treatment and isolation protocols to be followed.

For France, proof of vaccination, recovery or negative test report is mandatory for entry. The fully vaccinated tourists are required to provide negative Covid-19 report taken 48 hours prior. The non-EU arrivals are to provide negative Covid-19 report taken 48 hours prior. Arrivals from high-risk countries must isolate and quarantine for 10 days. France also follows standard treatment and isolation protocols.
NEW YORK (AP)  Bill de Blasio swept into the New York City mayors office eight years ago promising a liberal remolding of the nations largest city that would level deep inequities and reform police practices.

He had some successes, delivering on a promise to offer universal pre-kindergarten and curbing the police stop-and-frisk tactic. But the legacy of de Blasios two terms has also been shaped by strained relationships with both police and the police-reform activists who propelled him to office, public discord with the former governor and gaffes memorialized in skewering headlines.

As he closes out the final days of his term, de Blasio is contemplating a run for higher office, a bet that his early achievements and his steering the city of 8.8 million through the pandemic will stick with New Yorkers more than the flubs and conflicts, separating the substance from style.

I want people to remember that we needed to fight inequality and we did. And it can be done," de Blasio said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. We were able to do that in very tangible, real ways. I think that opens the door for a lot more going forward, but it can be done.

The mayor also acknowledged he had a strained relationship with the media, and made errors along the way, something he said hes been reflecting on a lot lately as he wound down his time in the mayor's office.

"I think I could have communicated better. I think I could have understood better what the media needed to do to their jobs, de Blasio said. "I tried to make adjustments over time. And its something Im going to keep working on as a public service.

He officially turns over the reins to Mayor-elect Eric Adams, a Democrat and former police captain, on Jan. 1.

De Blasios supporters and even some critics suggest his achievements will not be appreciated until he gives New Yorkers some space to miss him.

I think hes done some things that will last for generations and are so important and wont be appreciated until hes out of the limelight, out of the office, for a few years," said Sid Davidoff, a de Blasio supporter and advisor to several former mayors.

Even de Blasio himself thinks his legacy will take a while to solidify. A lot of what we were doing was not just for today. It was for tomorrow," he said.

___

WINS, REGRETS AND FAUX PAUS

After winning a landslide election in 2013, de Blasio became the first Democrat in two decades to serve as mayor of New York, a heavily Democratic metropolis that could serve as a laboratory for liberal policies, such as the $15 an hour minimum wage that he pushed to achieve.

His arrival marked a departure from the years of Michael Bloomberg  the billionaire former mayor who started as a Republican and ended as an independent  who boasted of the city as a luxury product and defended stop-and-frisk.

De Blasios progressive agenda and populist message were at times overshadowed by tabloid-delighting blunders, such as a culinary faux pas days into his first term, when he ate a slice of pizza with a knife and fork.

Other notable fumbles included showing up late to a memorial for plane crash victims and dropping a groundhog during a Groundhog Day celebration. The groundhog died a week later.

The mayor said he was not surprised New York City media was tough and that the tabloid headlines were colorful," such as a recent New York Post cover in which he was photoshopped to appear as a Santa Claus wearing a Fidel Castro hat under the headline, Santanista Claus."

I was surprised at sort of the intense coverage around some things I thought were small in the scheme of things but took up a lot of time and energy, he said.

De Blasio notched a victory in his first year by expanding public prekindergarten to every 4-year-old in the city. He built on that, expanding the program to more 3-year-olds with a plan to make it universal by fall of 2023.

___

TENSIONS WITH POLICE

Hes had a difficult relationship with the citys police force. De Blasio started his mayoralty pledging to overhaul the departments interactions with the public and curtailed the departments tactic of stopping, questioning and frisking mostly Black and Hispanic people on the street en masse.

His handling of the summer 2014 police killing of Eric Garner angered officers and many of the police reform advocates who worked to elect de Blasio.

He spoke critically of the officers but largely held off any department punishments until a lengthy federal civil rights investigation concluded. Later that year, when a disturbed gunman angry about police killings of unnamed Black men fatally shot two NYPD officers, the head of the citys largest police union said the mayor had blood on his hands and officers turned their backs on the mayor as he spoke at police funerals.

L. Joy Williams, a political strategist and president of the Brooklyn NAACP, said de Blasio seemed to approach the confrontation with the NYPD as a political crisis, rather than as a humanity crisis.

Williams said that was disappointing and the coalition of groups pushing for police reform who helped elected de Blasio expected him to be tougher against the officers and the union.

We expected that from him, because thats what he said he was going to do. And he didnt do it, she said.

De Blasio acknowledged the tension with some police union leaders and some police reform activists, saying he doesn't agree with all of them and thinks mainstream New Yorkers wanted something in the middle.

___ WHAT'S NEXT (AND WHAT'S NOT)

It wasn't just those corners of the city that had their qualms with the mayor. Some New Yorkers questioned de Blasio's focus on the job when he launched a muddling bid for president in 2019. He told The AP that while the experience was difficult" and unlikely, it made him realize he needed to communicate with people better.

He said his presidential ambitions are in the past. Not on my dance card," he quipped.

De Blasio admits he struggled to address intractable issues such as homelessness.

The population of single adults in shelters rose during his two terms despite a drop in the number of homeless families in shelters and his administration meeting a goal of building or preserving 200,000 affordable housing units.

His last year has been dogged with the slow closing the citys Rikers Island jail, which has been plagued by severe staffing shortages, prisoner deaths and violence amid the pandemic. There have been 16 deaths this year in the citys jail system, the most since 2013.

When New York City became the epicenter of the pandemic, de Blasios attempts to manage the response were frequently defined by the ongoing public feuding with then Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who fueled their long-simmering tense relationship by swatting down de Blasios plans for a shelter-in-place order and school closures.

When Cuomo resigned in August amid allegations he sexually harassed at least 11 women, de Blasio had wider latitude in his citys response. He rolled out a series of aggressive mandates, requiring every public employee to get vaccinated. The orders largely survived legal challenges and drove up vaccination rates of reluctant police officers, firefighters and other city workers, prompting de Blasio to extend the mandates to private-sector workers, the most sweeping vaccine mandate of any state or big city in the U.S.

Like Cuomo, de Blasio had his own near-daily televised briefings during the pandemic, but they took a variety-show flavor in recent months, with de Blasio decrying pineapple toppings on pizza as he explained ranked-choice voting and singing with funk music legend George Clinton.

So far, de Blasio has remained coy on his future plans when asked if he's going to run for governor. Equally vague is the Democrats path to the governors mansion. Gov. Kathy Hochul has been amassing campaign funds and Democratic endorsements, from upstate officials to leaders in the heart of de Blasios Brooklyn, leaving him to stitch together an unclear constituency.

I think Ive put plenty of breadcrumbs out there on the trail," he said. Im going to stay in public service. As to electoral politics, Ill give an update very, very soon."

___

This story has been updated to clarify that population of single adults in homeless shelters rose during de Blasio's two terms but the number of families in homeless shelters dropped.
Connecticuts infection rate set a new record Wednesday when 17.78 percent of new COVID-19 tests came back positive, topping the high set Tuesday by nearly three percentage points.

The state reported Wednesday that 7,520 new COVID-19 cases were identified from 42,295 tests and the positivity rate was the highest single-day measure since widespread testing started in the spring of 2020.

While state officials have often cautioned that the positivity rate of new COVID-19 tests is just one metric to weigh in the pandemic, hospitalizations also surged by a net of 150 patients for a total of 1,113, the highest single-day census since Jan. 13. Hospitalizations are nearing the peak seen during last winters surge, well before vaccines were broadly available to residents.

According to figures from the state, 73.9 percent of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated, down from 79.4 percent on Tuesday.

Both the single-day rise in cases and hospitalizations reported Wednesday were two of the highest recorded since the early onset of the pandemic, state data shows.

When asked about the latest metrics, Pedro Mendes, director of UConn Healths Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, said: This is really a big wave coming. My preliminary forecasts indicate that the peak of hospitalizations might be higher than January 2021, maybe getting close to April 2020. This is a good time for people to wear N95 masks indoors and get boosters.

Kevin Dieckhaus, chief of UConn Healths Division of Infectious Diseases, was in the middle of rounds Wednesday evening. Its going to be a long night, he said. This is kind of reminiscent of the bad old days.

Dieckhaus said the latest surge does have some elements of what we were dealing with early in the pandemic, though there are differences.

Its the same but different, he said. There is an echo of March 2020.

While there is the same sense of urgency about all of this in terms of the caseload, like we experienced back in March Dieckhaus said there are no PPE shortages, and less of a concern for the personal safety of doctors and nurses.

Im fully vaccinated so I do feel a level of protection seeing patients, he said.

But staffing issues are adding some pressure, Dieckhaus said: Were starting to have to move and be flexible with staffing to make sure everything is being covered.

At Stamford Hospital, the number of coronavirus patients has nearly doubled over the last week or so and numbered 50 on Wednesday afternoon, according to Director of Infectious Diseases Dr. Asha Shah.

About half of those patients are vaccinated, Shah said, though each of the hospitals four COVID patients on a ventilator in the intensive care unit were unvaccinated.

The good news is that many [of the hospitals patients] are not requiring ICU-level care, Shah said, adding that most patients are showing less acute symptoms and require shorter lengths of stay.

The sharp rise in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations despite broad vaccination efforts. As of Wednesday, 78.5 percent of Connecticuts eligible population was fully vaccinated. For those eligible for a booster, 41 percent had received an additional dose, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Though the positivity rate has spiked to record levels and hospitalizations are nearing highs seen last winter, Gov. Ned Lamont has been resistant to reinstate core mandates used early in the pandemic to limit the spread of the virus.

Lamont has said recently that he has no plans to reinstate a universal indoor mask mandate, leaving that discretion to local leaders, who he argues have a better understanding of COVID-19 in their community. The administration did not react to the high COVID numbers Wednesday.

Instead, the state has launched an effort to distribute 1.5 million at-home test kits, with two tests each, and 6 million N95 masks to Connecticut residents. On Wednesday, Lamonts office said the shipment of tests to the state had been delayed.

When asked to comment on the possible trajectory of the current wave, Dieckhaus said Looking in a crystal ball is potentially problematic but we do have some information that we can work from.

In South Africa, where the omicron variant was first identified, the increase in cases was very rapid but did not last as long as with previous variants.

It was a much more rapid increase than the delta wave or the alpha wave, then started to come down in a little more of a rapid fashion, Dieckhaus said. The wave, rather than a sustained wave is likely to be a high peak but a shorter duration.
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP)  Bosnia's rate of vaccination against the coronavirus is one of the lowest in Europe, but one population in the Balkan country has bucked the national trend: its prison inmates.

Over 80% of the 2,000 men and women serving sentences in Bosnias 13 prisons have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That compares to slightly over 27% for the nation as a whole, a rate that results from a lack of takers, not an absence of shots.

Bosnia and most of the rest of the Balkans struggled at the beginning of the year to secure vaccines but had a steady supply of jabs by late spring. While the public demand for shots quickly slowed, interest remained high inside correctional facilities, where authorities say getting vaccinated remains voluntary.

The countrys largest penal institution, the maximum-security prison in the city of Zenica, is a case in point. Over 90% of the prison's 600 inmates and over 60% of the staff have received two shots after an initial drive to encourage vaccine uptake.

We are pretty much done, warden Redzo Kahric said.

While the overall vaccination rate among all prison employees in Bosnia so far has been lower than among inmates, it is still more than twice as high than the rate in the general population.

Kahric said that getting vaccinated is voluntary for inmates at Zenica and Bosnia's other prisons. He thinks so many inmates submitted to shots as a matter of convenience; unlike the public at large, prisoners cannot bend or ignore anti-infection rules and must remain quarantined if they come into contact with an infected person.

Prisoners who are eligible for weekend leave also are tested before and after their trips outside. The spread of the virus appears to have generally been better controlled inside than outside Bosnian prisons. Since the start of the pandemic, no major prison outbreaks have been reported.

Many members of my family got infected, including my mother, so I think that masking up and getting vaccinated is the way to go, Fahro Kahriman, an inmate at Zanica, said.

In the early days of the pandemic, when most of the world faced shortages of personal protective equipment, Zenica prisoners were put to work sewing face masks as part of the prisons work program.

The prison produced over 10,000 masks, primarily for in-house use, but also for the Justice Ministry to distribute to other correctional facilities, Kahric said. The program has continued along with the pandemic.

In the past, Zenica prison was notorious for its poor human rights record, but substantial reforms were made in the decade it has been under regular monitoring by relevant European and Bosnian human rights bodies and officials.

Inside the prison's sewing shop earlier this month, inmates appeared to enjoy light banter while stitching together protective face masks. Most said they freely embraced getting vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as making and wearing face masks as added protection.

Sewing masks is a way to spend quality time in prison and, at the same time, to contribute to the society, Kahriman said.

Bosnia, which has a population of 3.3 million, has reported nearly 290,000 virus cases and more than 13,300 COVID-19 deaths in the pandemic, some of the worst infection and mortality rates in Europe.

___

Follow AP's pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP)  Law enforcement officers have arrested a Georgia woman in connection with the death of her 5-year-old daughter.

Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said Wednesday that Kristy Siple, who also goes by Kristy Hoskins, has been charged with murder in the course of kidnapping, murder during the course of rape and sodomy and human trafficking.
NEW HAVEN  Seven arrests have been made so far in connection with school threats in New Haven and officials are hopeful the incidents have subsided, they said at a press conference Wednesday.

Interim Police Chief Renee Dominguez said the New Haven schools received 19 threats in recent weeks, mostly through social media, largely between Dec. 6 and Dec. 8.

All of the seven people arrested so far are juveniles, the chief said, and all but one is from Connecticut. Other cases are pending, including two arrest warrants, she said Wednesday.

Dominguez credited the department, including Det. Elizabeth White and Det. Matthew Collier, for their efforts in investigating the school threats.

I do think that our quick action in these cases... (is) what has been able to make these threats subside. Were seeing that all over the state, said Dominguez. Unfortunately, the kids who were doing it realize that we were taking it seriously and we were making arrests on it, as we cannot have this type of behavior closing down our schools and traumatizing our children and our teachers.

Mayor Justin Elicker said the city did not care to arrest underage youths, noting the potential effects on their lives. But such threats warrant such a response, given the traumatic impact on the school community and the impact on police resources, he said.

None of us want to arrest a juvenile.... the consequences of that are significant, said Elicker. But when people call in and make these type of threats, the public safety impacts are very, very significant...We want to underscore that if you do this, you will be held accountable and there will be severe consequences.

A wave of threats on social media affected classes for thousands of students in Greater New Haven and beyond in early December, including in Hamden, New Haven, Danbury, Norwalk, North Haven and West Haven.

Experts said in the wake of the surge that the process of making a threat of violence online can seem divorced from reality for young people, but carries real-world ramifications that should be made clear.

Mike Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven and former undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning in the administration of then-Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, said Thursday that school shootings are in the zeitgeist, making it more likely that students would emulate the threat of such.

The copycat phenomenon is very real, said Lawlor. (School shootings and the response to them is) the type of thing thats in the consciousness.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
A man killed on Christmas night when he was struck by a vehicle has been identified as a retired U.S. Army Ranger who served 10 deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Prescott Valley police reported on Wednesday.

The pedestrian was identified as 38-year-old Samuel Robles of Prescott Valley. He had recently retired as a first sergeant and relocated to Yavapai County.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  Investigators are seeking witnesses to a deadly hit-and-run crash over the weekend that killed a city man, according to police.

Officers responded to the area of Farren Avenue between Ferry and Lancraft streets around 6:15 p.m. Sunday for a report of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle, Officer Scott Shumway said.
WARWICK, R.I. (AP)  A Rhode Island State Police trooper was taken to the hospital with what were described as moderate injuries after their cruiser was struck during a traffic stop by an allegedly impaired driver, the agency said in a statement Wednesday.

The trooper, whose name was not released, pulled over a Toyota sedan on Interstate 95 south in Warwick at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the statement. Both vehicles pulled into the breakdown lane and the cruiser's emergency lights were on.
Will school reopen after Christmas break?

I challenge anyone out there to Google that phrase more than I have in the past 24 hours.

Please note, there are many ways one can phrase this question. And when you put all those searches together, it looks like this:

Remote learning 2022 Omicron schools shut down Pandemic surge no school When exactly will I know if school shuts down Greenwich CT school status shut down Omicron now  and its a run-on sentence that speaks well to my current state of mind.

The thing is, I have complicated feelings about my kids going back to school right now. It feels like everyone I know is getting sick, regardless of their vaccination status. One friend tested herself five days in a row leading up to her 50th birthday, only to find she tested positive on day five despite the fact that she had all three jabs. She spent Christmas and her birthday alone, looking at takeout menus. Another friend tested positive on Christmas Day, weeks after getting her booster, and is having trouble getting out of bed.

We have been through COVID-19 surges before, but this one seems to have touched much closer to home. NPR reported that if you are in a room with 30 or more people, theres a 90 percent chance you will be exposed to the virus.

Do I really want my kids to go back to school? None of my kids is eligible for the booster, but all three have been fully vaccinated. Then again, my 10-year-old-has the sanitary habits of a wild animal. Then again, after last year we all know how important in-person learning is for both child and adult. Social/emotional health is the new mindfulness.

Ha! Remember all those kindergarten mindful moments with community-based play and connectivity? a friend told me. Now its like, Just stay behind your plastic desk shield, keep your mask over your face and shut up.

It takes a (Balkanized) village.

But this has been a long vacation, and once again we are terrified to go anywhere. My extended family met in the Adirondacks for three days for Christmas. We all tested every day for three days leading up to the trip, as well as every day during our trip, and then every day after the trip  which makes the trip itself almost incidental.

We brought all our food so we didnt have to stop at stores on the way up, and we spent three days together comparing nasal swabs while avoiding deep breathing. Nothing says Emmanuel like a negative iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test  which only work, by the way, if your viral load is high enough to register on the at-home kit (the concept of which must have a liturgical Christian corollary).

Rapid tests are less sensitive than a PCR lab test  which is why people often test negative for days leading up to a positive result (like my friend on her 50th birthday). But good luck finding any tests kits anymore, or PCR appointments for that matter.

My brother scored a bunch in Brooklyn, N.Y., when he learned that waiting on line for hours could score him freebies. And its nice that the rapid tests come in a bright shade of orange so they can pop out of the stockings hung by the chimneys with care just like the traditional Christmas Orange has in years past. (Coincidence? I think not.)

But when the milk ran out, we all returned home only to find COVID surging and all of our New Years plans canceled.

Our family had planned to attend a weeklong Renaissance festival in South Carolina, which even had the kids excited. This was an invite-only gathering that did not involve mead and mutton, but rather promised to build bridges among innovative leaders from diverse fields, to discuss urgent questions of today and essential issues of human experience. It was basically a think-tank forum, rife with breakout groups, thinkers, black tie and lots of champagne. Each family member was tasked with a topic of expertise to speak on, the idea being everyone invited was an expert on something.

But when the boys realized there would be no jousting, we got some push-back.

What the hell am I expert on, Mom? my 13-year-old Louie hollered, aghast.

But once Louie learned that he would be leading a seminar on the existential implications of the Multiverse, we were good to go.

Until the whole thing was canceled.

Instead, my husband, Ian, and I are currently biding endless hours on the couch watching piles of movies for BAFTAs elections, an activity that seems to be a one-way ticket to virulent debates as to why we have failed to raise the next Venus and Serena Williams  while our actual children lie comatose upstairs glued to their various devices.

But just then, as I fumble with how to end this column mere moments before my deadline, I get a districtwide email from Greenwich Public Schools. And like a bright star in the dark sky, it tells us of free test kits available.

Come one, come all, it seems to say, with hope and absolutely zero mention of remote learning, come ye (with an ID, face mask and remain in your vehicle).

After all, a New Year is upon us.

Claire Tisne Haft is a former publishing and film executive, raising her family in Greenwich while working on a freelance basis on books and films. She can be reached through her website at clairetisnehaft.com.
Veteran Nollywood actor and producer, Ugezu Jideofor, has reacted after a fan chided him for using a phone for more than a year. The...

Veteran Nollywood actor and producer, Ugezu Jideofor, has reacted after a fan chided him for using a phone for more than a year.

The bewildered actor took to his Instagram page on Wednesday to recount his experience with the fan who told him that it was not befitting of a celebrity to use one phone for a year.

According to the actor, the female fan sent him a direct message to ask him to change his phone.

Expressing shock over the message, the actor noted that his phone was over three years old and was serving him perfectly.

He wrote, So this lady actually came into my DM to say she noticed I have been using one phone for almost two years, that I should change the phone, that it is not befitting of a celebrity to use one phone for a year.

I am still shocked. I never told anyone I am a celebrity. I am actually a priest. The phone is even three years plus. Why must I change a phone still serving me perfectly? Wahala plenty for Nigeria.

Different people, different priorities, he added.
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike recently recalled a chieftaincy dispute which occurred in his community that led to the arrest and ...

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike recently recalled a chieftaincy dispute which occurred in his community that led to the arrest and detention of his father, uncle, brothers, and himself on trumped-up murder charge.

He stated this while eulogising the contributions of Emmanuel C. Ukala, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on the occasion of the latters 65th birthday party held on Tuesday night in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governors media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, and made available to newsmen.

Wike noted that it took the intervention of Ukala as their lead counsel for him and his family to be discharged and acquitted during the chieftaincy ordeal.

There was a time that the entire family was charged for murder. Every male was taken away. We only had women left in the house with children between the ages of one and five. As at that time, I was reading law at the then Rivers State University of Science and Technology, now Rivers State University, he stated.

Governor Wike disclosed that the legal luminary, in whose law firm he worked after leaving the Nigerian Law School, took his familys ordeal very personal and gave his best to ensure that they got justice.

Speaking on his initial chequered political history, Wike said when he declared his intention to contest for the office of the chairman, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area in 1998, some callous politicians in his constituency ganged up and conspired with the police to frame him up for armed robbery.

According to him, Ukala not only intervened and secured his release, but also defended him from the tribunal up to the Supreme Court when some vested interest in the council desperately attempted to deprive him to be sworn into office as Obio-Akpor council chairman.





The governor added, Throughout my chairmanship matter in 1998, when we had election down to April 4, 2000, when Supreme Court finally decided my matter, he (Ukala) never took a dime, one Naira.

Governor Wike stated that when the Rivers State election petition tribunal annulled the 2015 governorship poll which he won convincingly, he contacted some lawyers to defend him in the matter and they demanded as much as N300 to N600 million as their legal fee. But when he approached Ukala, whom he described as a mentor, he was offered free legal service.

Then my governorship election, most people may not believe it, from governorship tribunal down to Supreme Court, he never collected one dime, Wike stated.

Governor Wike, who described Ukala as a refined and disciplined lawyer, applauded the legal icon for being a worthy mentor to him and his wife when they started their legal practice in Port Harcourt.
Ex-Federal Commissioner for information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has taken a swipe at the Minister of Information, Alhaji...

Ex-Federal Commissioner for information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has taken a swipe at the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for saying that if not for President Muhammadu Buhari, terrorists would have declared Nigeria as an Islamic state.

Clark who warned Lai Mohammed against garbing himself with propagandists toga as if he was still the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, urged him to use his office to build bridges among Nigerians, adding that it is not true that President Buhari expelled Boko Haram of 14 Local Government Areas of Borno State.

According to the Elder statesman, it was former President Goodluck Jonathans administration that flushed out Boko Haram insurgents just before the 2015 general elections from the 14 local government areas they held in Borno state as against the claims by the Minister of information, adding that lies are being fabricated against the former President because he was President of Nigeria where some people think they alone have the exclusive right to be that position.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Clark who noted that it was Jonathans administrations action that enabled elections to hold in the areas, said that the ministers recent statement was fallacious and misleading when he declared that Nigeria would have been an Islamic state without President Mohammadu Buhari.





It is a blatant falsehood for Alhaji Lai Mohammed to claim that but for President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria would have been Islamised, that it was President Buhari government that sent Boko Haram out of the fourteen Local Government Areas in Borno State.





The Ijaw leader said that what gave Mohammed the impetus to make the statement is the fact that Nigerians have not dispelled this fraudulent and false claim that it was President Muhammadu Buharis government that expelled the Boko Haram group from the fourteen Local Government Areas of Borno State.

Clark who is the Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) quoted excerpts from Jonathans recent book where the former president narrated how the insurgents were flushed out saying: Anyhow, the six weeks served us well, we received the military equipment we were expecting within that period and our Armed Forces commendably, dealt a deserving blow on the terrorists and repossessed all territorial areas of Nigeria previously occupied by terrorists. Boko Haram was deflated up to the point of handing over to my successor on 29th May 2015. We concluded the elections peacefully, even if there were issues raised about the fairness, at least the nation was relieved that the election held peacefully and that there was no post-election violence.





According to Clark, no patriotic Nigerian will believe Mohammeds statement that it was President Buhari that prevented the takeover of Nigeria by Islam, rather, most Nigerians have the strong feeling that it is his government that has given or created the environment for the sect to return and be more daring. With all the menacing activities of this group, no armed herdsmen have been arrested. Is it by coincidence?





He said Mohammed therefore again, decided to garb himself with the propagandist toga, which he used to wear as the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), forgetting that he is today, the Information Minister of the country, a position which he should use to build bridges between the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, and across all divides in the country.





The Ijaw nationalist recalled that while negotiations were being suggested with the insurgents, they chose then Major Gen. Buhari ad their chief negotiator.





Clark added: Setting the records straight: It is pertinent to reiterate that Boko Haram was expelled from the fourteen Local Government Areas of Borno State by former President Goodluck Jonathans government through the engagement of combined forces who were assisted by hired mercenaries.





Prior to the period the sect was expelled, they were occupying fourteen Local Government Areas in the State. As a matter of fact, it was as a result of this that the elections could not be conducted at the initial scheduled date and had to be postponed.





It was this effrontery of making the state not to hold its functions that made the then government take the bull by the horn and flushed out the Boko Haram group out of Nigeria.





It is, therefore, not true that it was President Mohammadu Buhari that expelled Boko Haram out of 14 Local Government Areas of Borno State.





It must be remembered that some Nigerians believed that the Boko Haram sect will be used to harass and torment President Goodluck Jonathan, getting him out of office.





Even when it was suggested then that there should be a meeting to see the possibility of having negotiations between the Nigerian state and Boko Haram, the sect chose Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, rtd, as he then was, as their Chief Negotiator, even though a few days after the choice, he (Gen. Buhari), rejected the sects choice of him.





There were no accusations the APC did not level against President Jonathan then, including criticising him for killing innocent Northerners through the sponsor of Boko Haram.





Meanwhile all these were fabricated lies from the pit of hell, against an innocent man whose only offence is that he as the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Force of a country, where some people think they alone have the exclusive right to be in that position,





Recalling the exchange he had with three former northeast governors including Admiral Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, Kashim Shetima of Borno State and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State, on their accusations of Jonathan as the promoter of Boko Haram to kill northerners, he said it was a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.





Clark also recounted some of the statements made by Mohammed against Jonathan after the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram including accusing his government of being behind the insurgents and Jonathan trying to gain political capital from the release of the school girls.





Chief Clark argued: On the contrary, one can even adduce that it is Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his co-travellers on this voyage of destroying an innocent President Jonathan, that should be the prime suspects.





For instance, the attitude of both the then Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetima of not heeding to the advice of security experts and the Federal Ministry of Education which strongly objected, to relocate the Chibok schoolgirls to another school to write their West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) examinations based on security reasons, was bluntly rejected by the Governor, who rather stated that he would provide adequate security for the students, but which of course he deliberately he did not do.





Another worrisome aspect about the abduction is how did the abductors get the army uniforms they wore, with which they deceived about 200 school girls that they had come to rescue them. It was reported that the girls thought that the abductors were genuine soldiers because of the uniform they wore. They took away the girls in vehicles, unchallenged.





According to the elder statesman, the gang up against the former president started when former incumbent president Umaru Musa YarAdua fell ill in the office with Jonah as his vice.





Clark stated: The whole gang up against former President Goodluck Jonathan started when the late President Umaru Musa YarAdua took ill and eventually died on 9th May 2010. It was at this stage that some prominent persons from the North have vowed to themselves that they will not want Dr Jonathan to return to power in 2011, and allegedly started orchestrating all manners of evil, including the fuelling of the activities of the monster called Boko Haram.

According to him, the upsurge in Boko Harams activities especially their bombing campaign in the federal capital was the most trying time for the Jonathan administration, adding, During this period, the opposition, of which Alhaji Lai Mohammed was one of its arrowheads, as the spokesman, carried out all sorts of propaganda, name-calling, against a sitting President. They ensured that their false and malicious statements made headlines in the news; they had a field day with social media.





However, today, anyone who tries to do 1/100 of what they did or said then, will be guilty of hate speech.





President Goodluck Jonathan knew that people were out to get at him, in any way, by all means. He even openly stated that Boko Haram had infiltrated his government.





In contrast, however, those who never wanted him in office and those who never liked him were basking in joy because their handiwork was succeeding. And actually, nurtured the group to be more daring in any way possible including people who made statements that fanned the embers of their activities, like Alhaji Lai Mohammed.





But like the saying goes what goes around, comes around, they never knew they were raising what is like the proverbial Frankenstein monster. What they created became uncontrollable and returns to haunt them.





Today, part of Niger State in the North-Central geopolitical zone is occupied by Boko Haram. The Governor of the State, Dr Abubakar Sani Bello, has cried out several times about this. The insurgents have hoisted their flags in parts of the State, collecting levies and taxes from farmers before the latter will not only be allowed to go about their business but also enable them to live in peace.





Only recently, on 19th December 40 innocent persons were gruesomely murdered in Kaduna State by terrorists, in a state that has very major state security installations. These are not imaginary persons; they are sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, relatives of persons. In fact, the names of 29 of them were published, the rest were yet to be identified.





Just a few days ago, there were rocket explosions at different locations when the President visited Maiduguri. Yet, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Information Minister, is not seeing this; what he keeps seeing in his imagination is his warped images of 2015.





It is a blatant falsehood for Alhaji Lai Mohammed to claim that but for President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria would have been Islamised, that it was President Buhari government that sent Boko Haram out of the fourteen Local Government Areas in Borno State.





The leader of the Southern Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) who admonished President Buhari over the utterances of his spokesmen who he stated are the presidents albatross, said, I want to reiterate that the spokesmen of President Mohammadu Buhari, are his albatross. Their unwarranted attacks, insults, arrogance on opponents, behaving like Paul Joseph Goebbels, the chief propagandist of the Nazi Party of Germany, and one of the closest allies and spokesmen of Adolf Hitler during World War 2.





As Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed should be building bridges, instead of widening and expanding the gulf.
Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, says his government will support residents who are willing to procure weapons to defend themselves agai...

Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, says his government will support residents who are willing to procure weapons to defend themselves against attacks.





Katsina has recorded a surge in the activities of bandits which has led to kidnappings and killings of residents.

Speaking at a media parley in Katsina on Tuesday, Masari said it is unfortunate how criminals get guns but good people do not have the means to protect themselves.

The governor said the number of security operatives in the state is insufficient to protect the lives and properties of residents.





This security is for everyone and there is no political difference. What people should know is that in Katsina, you do not have 3,000 police [officers]. So, we call on anyone who can take up arms to defend themselves, himself and his family, BBC Hausa quoted Masari as saying.

Islamic law also allows a person to protect himself, his property and his family. If you die trying to protect yourself, you will be martyred.

It is also unfortunate how robbers can get guns but good people do not have the means to protect themselves and their families.

We will help those who want to import weapons because the people of Katsina need to support the security forces.

This is not the first time the governor has asked residents to defend themselves against attacks by armed bandits.

In August, the governor asked residents of the state to rise above meekness and defend themselves against bandits.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 19F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected..

Tonight

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 19F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
If you Google the two-level Victorian pavilion in the middle of Abita Springs, youll be told on website after website that it originally was built for the 1884 Worlds Fair in New Orleans.

If you visit it in person, youll see that assertion backed up with gold letters and numbers affixed to it declaring it the 1884 Pavilion.

But, as with everything, you should be careful what you read.

Mind you, the octagonal wooden structure indeed dates to the 1880s, before the St. Tammany Parish town was incorporated in 1903. It was also reportedly designed by a notable New Orleans architect. It is, undoubtedly, a historically significant structure.

In this case, however, the oft-repeated claim that the Abita Springs pavilion dates to the 1884 fair  formally the Worlds Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition  is questionable at best.

What is true is that Abita Springs originally was an old Choctaw village centered around a natural spring alongside what is now known as the Abita River. Federal Indian removal policies opened the land up to European settlers in 1820, and by the 1880s, Abita began its transformation into a health resort.

Until then, Abita was little more than a backwoods way station on the overland route from New Orleans to Covington. But amid New Orleans age of epidemics  including yellow fever, cholera and malaria  the north shore was seen as a haven by well-heeled New Orleanians eager to escape the bad air of the city, which many saw as the cause of diseases.

Not only did the piney woods of Abita offer clean air, but there were the mineral-rich, ostensibly healing waters bubbling from the spring after which the town was named.

The medicinal virtues of these Springs and the salubrity of the climate is unsurpassed, read an ad for the Bossier House resort published in the St. Tammany Farmer in January 1888.

It continued: Situated in the health belt of the world. Malaria and epidemic unknown.

The ad went on to note that stages connected the resort to the steamer New Camillia, the historic vessel that for years ferried well-heeled New Orleanians across the lake.

What really gave the town a boost, however, was the construction of the East Louisiana Railroad connecting New Orleans with Abita Springs  and later Covington  by lumbermen W.J. Poitevent and Joseph A. Favre, owners of the Poitevent and Favre Lumber Mill in Hancock County, just over the parish line in Mississippi.

(Thats the same line Homer Plessy climbed aboard in 1896 to kick off a chain of events resulting in the Supreme Courts regrettable affirmation of the racist separate but equal doctrine. But thats a story for another day.)

+5 Tad Gormley Stadium an enduring monument to sports, art and the Depression-era WPA It was the depth of the Great Depression, and with a national unemployment rate of nearly 25%, President Franklin D. Roosevelt needed to figur

The railroad was completed in 1887, followed shortly after by the towns first post office  and the publishing of the following ad in the Farmer:

Messrs. Poitevent & Favre will soon erect a handsome octagonal two-story pavilion over the Abita Springs, which will be an ornament to the town. Mr. Thos. O. Sully, son of G.W. Sully, of Covington, drew up the plans and specifications.

Yes, Thomas O. Sully, the same guy who would go on to become one of New Orleans more noteworthy architects of the era. In addition to the Abita pavilion, he had a hand in the designs of such structures as the Hennen Building, the original Whitney Bank Building and the former St. Charles Avenue residence that is now known as The Columns Hotel.

As a son of Covington, Sully also designed a building for the then-fledgling Dixon Academy, which would later be purchased by Benedictine monks and become St. Pauls School.

But back to the pavilion and that Farmer item announcing its construction, which was published on June 9, 1888  nearly four years after the opening of the Cotton Centennial.

Admittedly, the idea that it was originally built for the fair and then disassembled and rebuilt in Abita is certainly plausible. In true New Orleans fashion, the fair was slapped together fairly quickly. It included only seven main buildings upon its opening in December 1884, with scenic walkways winding throughout the remainder of the fairgrounds 249 acres, now part of Audubon Park.

Illustrations and photographs of the grounds include those walkways, but they dont appear to show a pavilion like the one in Abita, which measures a hard-to-miss 46 feet high and 52 feet in diameter. Newspaper articles and fair guidebooks contain no mention of such a structure, either.

Similarly, that 1888 article in the Farmer doesnt mention a connection to the fair, which likely would be trumpeted loudly if the move really was to draw tourists.

Perhaps most notably, the fair isnt mentioned in the eventually successful 1975 application to list the pavilion on the National Register of Historic Places.

Its also worth noting that lumber men like Poitevent and Favre would likely have preferred simply to ship in fresh lumber from their nearby mill and build a new pavilion rather than going through the trouble of dismantling and shipping a 4-year-old one from across the lake.

At one time, a long, wooden foot bridge led to the pavilions upper level. Thats since been removed. Aside from several rounds of repairs  as well as at least two relocations to move it farther from the river  the so-called 1884 Pavilion looks much the same as it did when it was built.

It is also undeniably one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Abita Springs.

But town leaders should probably think about adding a gold asterisk to the 1884 Pavilion affixed to its facade.

Sources: The Times-Picayune archives; St. Tammany Farmer archives; National Register of Historic Places; MSrailroads.com; The Worlds Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, New Orleans, 1884-1885, by Herbert S. Fairall

Know of a New Orleans building worth profiling in this column, or just curious about one? Contact Mike Scott at moviegoermike@gmail.com.
In an effort to provide consistency for visitors, the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas will have the same hours every day they are open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Officials have also switched up the days the zoo and aquarium are closed. The zoo and aquarium are now closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Previously, these facilities were closed Monday and Tuesday and had slightly shorter hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Audubon Nature Institute's Community Connect program, which offers free admission to Orleans Parish residents on monthly appreciation days, SNAP program benefits and library passes, returns in 2022.

"Our hope in 2022 is to engage and educate guests about the wonders of nature," said Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman. "We believe that each person has the power to impact the natural world for the better."
High quality N95 face masks will be handed out for free Wednesday at six New Orleans library branches. The event is happening amid a rise in coronavirus cases due to the new omicron variant.

New Orleans health officials are urging the public to use surgical masks, N95s and KN95s to stop the spread of the disease.

The giveaway is from noon to 6 p.m. or until supplies run out, according to a press release from the New Orleans Health Department. Each person can get up to two masks.

Locations for giveaway

The giveaway locations are:

 Main library, 219 Loyola Avenue

Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

 Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive

 East New Orleans Regional Library, 5641 Read Boulevard

 Milton H. Latter Memorial Library, 5120 St. Charles Avenue

 Robert E. Smith Library, 6301 Canal Boulevard

 Norman Mayer Library, 3001 Gentilly Boulevard
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopintos office has agreed to settle a pair of federal civil rights lawsuits over the 2018 death of Keeven Robinson, who was fatally choked in a struggle with undercover narcotics agents in the backyard of an Old Jefferson home.

The Sheriffs Office did not respond Tuesday to questions about the settlements with Robinsons widow, Wachelle Boutte, and his mother, Kiwanda Robinson. Court records show the agreements led to the dismissal of both suits in the past week, as a Jan. 10 trial date loomed.

Keeven Robinson, 22, died on May 10, 2018 after detectives, acting on a tip from a drug informant, tried to arrest him at a Shell gas station at Jefferson Highway and Labarre Place. He sped off, crashed, then ran through several backyards as deputies chased, authorities said.

Minutes later, Robinson was dead. An autopsy report classified it as a homicide, finding that Robinson died of compressional asphyxia after suffering significant injuries to the neck.

District Attorney Paul Connicks office investigated, then announced last year that it would not seek criminal charges against detectives Justin Brister, Gary Bordelon, David Lowe and Jason Spadoni. Connick said there wasnt enough evidence to prove the deputies committed a crime.

Our investigation determined that Robinsons death occurred while he was resisting a lawful arrest by JPSO agents who were acting in the course and scope of their employment as law enforcement officers and under circumstances where the force used to counter his resistance was legally justified, a report from Connicks office found.

The report said a panel of pathologists ruled out that deputies had used a lethal chokehold on Robinson, based on the neck injuries he suffered. A police use-of-force expert concluded that the force the deputies used on Robinson was not excessive.

Relatives of Robinson have demanded justice since 2018. Their cries grew louder last year following the police killing of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.

The lawsuits named Lopintos office and the four deputies, alleging excessive force and a failure to train or supervise. The settlements came a few weeks after U.S. District Court Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown issued rulings that kept alive some of the plaintiffs claims.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Bouttes attorney, Clarence Roby Jr., declined to specify the terms of the settlement for his client.

What is ever enough? he asked. Theres no amount of money thats going to ever replace a loved one. Its not going to bring them back. Its not going to fill the void of a young mother with a young child who lost a father.

Kiwanda Robinson came upon the gruesome scene of her sons death. Her lawsuit claimed damages for mental anguish and emotional distress. One of her attorneys, Michael Hall, also declined to discuss the settlement terms.

This doesnt replace the hole that she has for her deceased son, Hall said.

The settlements come as Lopintos office faces withering scrutiny over allegations of excessive force by deputies against Black people and failures to account for them.

Recent reporting by WWNO-FM and investigative news outlet ProPublica found that more than 70% of people who Jefferson Parish deputies shot during the past eight years were Black, as were 12 of 16 people who died after being shot or restrained by deputies. The parish population is 28% Black.

Robinsons death was among several deputy-involved killings of Black men that stirred protests last year.

Lopintos office, which only this year announced the purchase of body-worn cameras for deputies, also has faced questions over the deaths of Chris Joseph, Daviri Robertson, Leo Brooks and Modesto Reyes, among others.
Samsung Electronics has revealed that it will supply smart homes in a new smart city with several appliances. Eco Delta Smart City will be built in Korea, with an initial demonstration zone due to be finished in 2023.

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Samsung Electronics has announced that it will establish smart homes in a new smart city in Korea, the first city of its kind in the country. K-water is building the city, named Eco Delta Smart City, to be an integrated network of devices for a more convenient lifestyle. The city will comprise 30,000 houses, covering ~4.6 square miles (~11.8 square kilometres), and will be located in Gangseo-gu, Busan.

Smart Village will be the first demonstration complex built-in Eco Delta City, where Samsung will supply 56 homes with smart home appliances. You will be able to live in and experience a smart home in Smart Village, sampling the innovative technologies available in the city.

Samsung will provide numerous smart devices to the Village, including refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, air dressers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, QLED TVs, air monitors and Galaxy tablets. These gadgets will come with Samsung's SmartThings app, which you can use to control multiple appliances, such as turning on or off lighting and heating with your mobile.

On top of this, Samsung will supply services aiming to boost the quality of life for residents, such as air monitors, purifiers and ventilation devices, which will work together to provide cleaner air. The refrigerator will also suggest recipes for you based on the crops grown at local smart farms.

Samsung's SmartThings concept has previously been adopted in an apartment in Seocho, Seoul, with the company already providing smart home solutions to around 50,000 households. The new Smart Village demonstration zone will be built by 2023.

Buy the Samsung 3rd Generation SmartThings Hub on Amazon
Experts in Japan are urging people to exercise caution over the possibility that infection with the omicron variant of the coronavirus could spread rapidly.
The Indiana Department of Health tallied 5,815 new COVID-19 cases Monday, including 690 new infections in Lake County, 157 in Porter County and 75 in LaPorte County  not including positive results from home COVID-19 testing kits.

That was the highest statewide number of daily cases since Jan. 8, 2021. Though it may have been influenced by holiday reporting delays.

At the same time, data show 3,058 individuals were hospitalized Monday in Indiana with COVID-19  straining hospital capacity for all medical services.

For example, just 12 of the 208 intensive care unit hospital beds in Northwest Indiana were available Monday night, according to the state health agency.

Gov. Eric Holcomb is scheduled to speak about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Indiana at 1:30 p.m. Region time Wednesday. His presentation can be viewed live online at: in.gov/gov/live.

State and local health officials are continuing to recommend Hoosiers age 5 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible to minimize their risk of contracting, getting seriously ill or dying because of the virus.
GARY  A 1-year-old girl died early Christmas Day after being ejected during a rollover crash on a exit ramp from Cline Avenue, Lake County sheriff's police said.

Skylar Lloyd, of Lake Station, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near northbound Cline Avenue and Gary Avenue, according to a Lake County coroner's release.

The driver, a 49-year-old Lake Station woman who is the child's mother, was injured in the one-vehicle crash but was expected to survive, Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said.

Sheriff's police were dispatched to the area about 12:30 a.m. Saturday after an East Chicago police lieutenant driving north on a Cline Avenue service road north of Gary Avenue noticed a BMW SUV on its roof at the base of the hill leading to Cline Avenue, Martinez said.

A preliminary investigation showed the BMW was northbound on Cline Avenue when the driver suddenly attempted to exit onto the Gary Avenue ramp, police said.

The BMW missed the ramp, drove off the road, struck the end of a guardrail and cartwheeled, striking multiple sand-filled barriers and a tree branch, Martinez said.
MICHIGAN CITY  A Christmas Eve shooting caused one 20-year-old to lose his life, police said.

At 3:39 p.m. Friday officers heard the sounds of gunfire erupt and drove to find the source; however as they were en route, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center alerted them of a reported gunshot victim.

The gunshot victim was located lying on a sidewalk on the west side of Wabash Street, just north of 11th Street.

Michigan City officers, Indiana State Police, Michigan City firefighters and LaPorte County EMS converged at the scene, where the victim was found to be deceased.

Police found the victim's family, and the man was identified as 20-year-old London Lamonte Long, of Michigan City. Detectives launched an investigation, which is ongoing at this time. Currently, no suspects have been taken into custody as of Tuesday.

Michigan City police stated the shooting appears to be an isolated incident.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call Mark Galetti at 219-874-3221, extension 1088, or email him at mgaletti@emichigancity.com.
CROWN POINT  A Merrillville man gave police a story that conflicted with a statement they took from 8-year-old boy, who suffered a gunshot wound to his thigh while in the man's care Christmas Eve, court records state.

Devante J. McLaurin-McNutt, 26, is accused of telling police the boy was alone in a room that was typically locked when the child accidentally shot himself.

Merrillville police obtained permission from the boy's mother to speak with him, and the 8-year-old said he was playing in a room with other children when he grabbed a gun laying on a bed and it went off.

McLaurin-McNutt said he didn't know who owned the gun or where it was, so police asked for permission to search his home in the 5800 block of Van Buren Street in Merrillville, Lake Criminal Court records state.

McLaurin-McNutt consented to the search, and police found a firearm on the floor next to a bed and three people hiding in a crawlspace, according to court documents. Two of the men were wanted on warrants, Merrillville police said.

McLaurin-McNutt was charged Sunday with three felony counts of neglect of a dependent. He posted a $4,000 cash bond Tuesday, but he has not yet entered pleas to the charges.
VALPARAISO  A Chesterton man reportedly told police he was at his girlfriend's house Christmas night when another man he had problems with in the past showed up and a fight broke out.

"Montrell (Thornton) went on to say that at one point, he grabbed the machete that was inside (his girlfriend's) house by the front door," according to a charging document.

"Montrell advised that after he struck (the injured man) three times in the back/torso area with the machete, he realized what he did, backed up and threw the machete," police said.

Chesterton police said that when they arrived at the home in the 200 block of Locust Street shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, they found the injured 31-year-old local man slumped over in the driver's seat of a vehicle with a couple large cuts around his left upper shoulder blade and at the base of his neck that were bleeding heavily.

The injured man had to be revived by police before being taken to Northwest Health Porter and then airlifted to an Illinois hospital, where he underwent surgery and was reported to be in stable condition, police said.
CHESTERTON  Dan Johnston and Ann Howard recently met with Porter County Community Foundation President and CEO Bill Higbie to establish 34 new endowment funds.

Money for these new permanent endowments was generated through the sale of the Resale Shops building at 801 Broadway to Northshore Health Centers. The shop plans to reopen in a new location in 2022.

Duneland Resale has a long history of supporting many causes throughout the community with the proceeds from the sale of items in the shop. When the opportunity to sell their building arose, they knew this would give them the leverage they were looking for to establish a lasting gift.

Having previously started a scholarship fund at the Porter County Community Foundation, the Resale Board was well aware of the Foundations expertise in managing endowment funds for the long-term good of the community.

The Porter County Community Foundation has been an excellent resource for us, said Dan Johnston, president of the Resale Mission Board of Directors. Were thankful that the money we have invested with them will be here forever to help our community.
Four of the consolidated precincts are located in Hobart Township, three are in St. John Township, two each are in Calumet and North Townships, and one is in Ross Township, records show.

Voters living in most of those precincts likely still will cast their ballots at the same locations, now alongside voters from formerly separate precincts.

Only four consolidated precincts have a potential voting location change, according to the secretary of state.

The Lake County Board of Elections is expected to contact voters whose polling places are changing to let them know where to cast their ballot in the 2022 elections, if they opt against voting early or absentee and instead choose to vote in-person on Election Day.

Under Indiana law, the secretary of state is required to consider, in each year following a presidential election, whether any Lake County precincts with fewer than 600 active voters can be consolidated to reduce the costs of administering elections.
CROWN POINT Soon cars traveling through Crown Point may be spotted by the city's new license plate reader.

In September, the Crown Point Police Department applied for a grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. Because the application pool is usually crowded, Crown Point Police Chief Peter Land said he was "pleasantly surprised" when the department was awarded $44,895, covering the entire cost of purchasing and installing an LPR. The reader will be posted along the newly-renovated 109th Avenue and will likely be operational in the next few weeks, Land said.

"Ideally you want it [the LPR] on your main thoroughfares that have cars coming in and leaving your community, said Land, adding that the department hopes to add more LPRs along the Broadway corridor on the west side of town.
"There has been significant discussion" over the past three weeks about the project, and the council has heard from experts to clarify things, Sheeman said.

When Zemen made a motion for approval, Schocke countered with a motion to reduce the $4 million in bonds to just $1 million. That motion failed to gain a second.

Schocke then made two more similar motions that also failed to get a second.

When he tried again, by moving to reduce the bond issue to 98 cents, the motion was immediately rejected by Sheeman.

"You are wasting time," he told Schocke.

Schocke responded by saying the council has never asked Russell if it even needs the bond issue.

"This is a ridiculously bad decision that this board made. ... Those who voted yes should be ashamed of themselves."

Another controversial aspect of the agreement is for the town to use Tax Increment Financing revenue to help Russell repay the bonds and the related interest.

Under the development agreement, Russell is expected to start work within one year after receiving all permits and other required approvals.
He pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes in September after the Justice Department said it wouldnt seek the death penalty. Defense attorneys and prosecutors recommended a life sentence, plus 30 years.

That same month, Earnest received another life term under a plea agreement with state charges that spared him the death penalty. His conviction for murder and attempted murder at the synagogue and arson for an earlier fire at a nearby mosque brought a life sentence without parole, plus 137 years in prison.

Minutes after the shooting on the last day of Passover, Earnest called a 911 dispatcher to say he shot up the synagogue to save white people. Im defending our nation against the Jewish people, who are trying to destroy all white people, he said.

The San Diego man was inspired by mass shootings at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh and two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, shortly before he attacked Chabad of Poway, a synagogue near San Diego, on April 27, 2019. He frequented 8chan, a dark corner of the internet, for those disaffected by mainstream social media sites to post extremist, racist and violent views.
GARLAND, Texas (AP)  Dallas-area police have charged a 14-year-old with capital murder in a triple killing at a gas station and are warning that the boy is at large, armed and dangerous.

Police in Garland are seeking Abel Elias Acosta and said Wednesday that they have evidence showing he was the gunman who left three teens dead and wounded a fourth at the suburban gas station's convenience store Sunday.

Acosta is the son of Richard Acosta, 33, who turned himself into police Monday and is also charged with capital murder for allegedly acting as a get-away driver in the shooting, police said in a statement. A juvenile court has issued an order to take the younger Acosta into custody, police said, and authorized them to publicly release his name.

Prosecutors will determine whether the teen is charged as a minor or an adult, said Lt. Pedro Barineau.

The Associated Press does not typically name juveniles suspected of a crime but is doing so in this case because authorities said he is a threat to public safety. Police released a photo from social media Wednesday of a boy holding a gun who they said is Acosta.
I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Wayne County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Riley early this morning," Mendoza said in the release. "As the sister of a Chicago Police detective sergeant, any death of a first responder on duty hits close to home. My family and I will be praying for Deputy Rileys family as well as for the rest of the Wayne County Sheriffs Department. As the investigation into Deputy Rileys tragic death continues, I hope that the perpetrator will be caught, and Deputy Rileys family can feel some sense of justice. I ask that all Illinoisans lift up Deputy Rileys family in prayer in the days and weeks ahead.
Keri Hulme, the Maori writer who became the first New Zealander to win the prestigious Booker Prize with her luminous debut novel, The Bone People, securing her place in the countrys literary canon, died on Dec. 27 at a residential care home in Waimate, New Zealand. She was 74.

The cause was complications of dementia, said Bruce Harding, her friend and literary biographer.

When a British literary critic phoned her about her prize in 1985 from the award ceremony in London, which she did not attend, Ms. Hulme responded over a crackly connection. You are pulling my leg, arent you? she said. Then she concluded, Oh  bloody hell.

Published in 1984, The Bone People is the brutal, lyrical story of the friendship among a mute child, his abusive foster father and the Maori hermit and lapsed painter Kerewin Holmes, a character often taken to be loosely autobiographical.

Inspired by a series of dreams, the novel took 17 years to write, and it was rejected by multiple publishers. After a frenzied rewrite, it was ultimately published by the Spiral Collective, a feminist group that had never published a novel before. It sold more than 1.2 million copies.
Jesus Caicedo-Diaz climbs into bed most nights by 9. He eats raw garlic and onions to give his dulled taste buds a jolt. Four months after getting Covid-19, he is still wading through an interminable recovery. So when he thinks of his five employees at Skal, his restaurant in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, he cant imagine offering just five days off work when they get sick.

Some small-business owners, including Mr. Caicedo-Diaz, are perplexed by shifting messaging on how long people should isolate after testing positive for the coronavirus. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention halved to five days the recommended isolation period for those without symptoms and those without fevers whose other symptoms are resolving. Those leaving isolation should wear masks around others for an additional five days under the new guidelines.

Every few weeks theres a new rule, a new mandate, a new thing, Mr. Caicedo-Diaz, 36, said, adding that he plans to ask workers to continue taking at least 10 days when they get Covid. Its very confusing, he said.
Infected children remain far less likely to become ill, compared with adults. But across the country last week, an average of 1,200 children each day have been hospitalized with the coronavirus, up from 800 at the end of November, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. (Some of those children arrived at the hospital with other medical issues.)

Those numbers are well below the peaks reached last September, although experts also fear a wave of pediatric hospitalizations in the coming weeks, fueled by Omicrons spread, holiday gatherings and a return to classrooms after Jan. 1.

Were just holding our breath and bracing for a tsunami of impact, said Dr. Patricia Manning, chief of staff at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital.

In interviews, hospital leaders and critical care doctors said that nearly all the children hospitalized with Covid had one thing in common: They were unvaccinated or undervaccinated.

What were seeing in our I.C.U. makes it crystal clear that vaccination is the single most important thing you can do to protect your kid from getting sick with this virus, said Dr. James Schneider, the chief of pediatric critical care at Cohens Childrens Medical Center in New York, which serves nearly two dozen hospitals in the Northwell Health system.

In recent days, Dr. Schneider said, five to eight children with Covid were in the intensive care unit, compared with none or one in November.

It remains unclear to what degree the Omicron variant is responsible for rising hospitalizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday significantly lowered its estimates for Omicrons prevalence, to 59 percent from 73 percent of all Covid cases in the week ending Dec. 18.
The issue of how forcefully a jury should be encouraged to reach a verdict is always a delicate matter. Defense lawyers argue that unduly rushing a jury could pressure it to return a guilty verdict, while prosecutors do not want to provide the defense an issue on which to base an appeal.

As she laid out the expanded schedule to the jury on Tuesday, Judge Nathan repeated verbatim a phrase she said Monday: Of course, by this, I dont mean to pressure you in any way. You should take all the time that you need.

The discussion about the potential impact of the coronavirus on the trial came Tuesday as the judge and the parties continued to grapple with a perplexing jury note received Monday.

Most of the notes, which have been read aloud by the judge, have sought transcripts of a particular witnesss testimony or clarification of legal issues  the definition of enticement, for example. Others have pertained to scheduling or logistics  a request for an early lunch or departure or that a piece of testimony be presented in a binder. On Monday, the jurors also asked for a collection of study aids: multicolored Post-it notes, highlighters and a white paperboard.

While the notes bore no indication of discord or an impasse on the panel, the communication that arrived on Monday afternoon spurred a debate over precisely what the jurors were asking.

The note consisted of a single sentence of about 40 words that pertained to an accuser known as Jane. It appeared to ask whether Ms. Maxwell could be convicted on one of the counts if she aided in the transportation of Janes return flight from New Mexico, where Jane said she was abused.

We find it confusing, Alison Moe, an assistant U.S. attorney, said to Judge Nathan.

I dont find this note confusing, a defense lawyer, Christian Everdell, responded a few minutes later.
For more than two decades, the 1991 disappearance and subsequent death of 5-year-old Timothy Wiltsey was among New Jerseys most notorious cold cases. An autopsy at the time could not determine what killed him, but investigators treated his death as a homicide.

Then, in 2014, the authorities arrested the boys mother, Michelle Lodzinski, whose shifting accounts of the day her son was last seen had made her a suspect from the start. Two years later, a jury convicted her of murder despite a lack of physical evidence tying her to the death.

On Tuesday, in a startling turn, New Jerseys highest court vacated Ms. Lodzinskis conviction, ruling in a 4-to-3 decision that the absence of evidence was so significant that prosecutors could not prove she had intentionally killed her son.

After reviewing the entirety of the evidence and after giving the state the benefit of all its favorable testimony and all the favorable inferences drawn from that testimony, the courts majority wrote, no reasonable jury could find beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Lodzinski had purposefully or knowingly caused Timothys death.
Contemporary activists can benefit from Archbishop Tutus ideas about restorative justice and strengthen their quest for fundamental fairness. The goal of restorative justice, he said, is the healing of breaches, the redressing of imbalances, the restoration of broken relationships and rehabilitating the victim and the perpetrator, with the latter given the opportunity to be reintegrated into the community he has injured by his offense. Its not just about punishment.

And yet for some advocates of retributive justice, a wide array of circumstances warrant the greatest possible punishments these days.

Many Democratic officials thought that instead of remaining in office with a reprimand, Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia should have resigned or been forced out of office over a blackface controversy decades earlier. He ended up receiving restorative justice more by default than conscious choice  he refused to heed calls to resign  and did a great deal of good for Black folk in his remaining years in office: He increased focus on racial justice, paying especially close attention to maternal mortality, equity in transportation and funding for historically Black colleges. He changed how schools teach the history of race, got a Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond removed and restored the voting rights of tens of thousands of felons, a sizable share of them Black.

By contrast, take the case of Amy Cooper, a white woman who falsely claimed to the police that an amateur bird-watcher, Chris Cooper, who is Black, had threatened her. After a public outcry, she was fired from her job. Although she received some form of restorative justice, an even better approach would have been her keeping her job while her employer demanded that she read and study more about race, Black masculinity, white privilege and social injustice. The loss of her job as an act of retributive justice left all these structural issues aside and merely shamed her without transforming her or using her circumstances to throw light on similar cases.

On the surface, the demands for retribution for Governor Northam and Ms. Cooper may sound like racial justice, but in truth, they thwart the forgiveness that offers both substantive and strategic advantages.

If racists are willing to admit their wrong and do the work, the community is made stronger by their literal or symbolic return. Punishment may feel cathartic to those harmed by a wrong action, but it may not achieve real justice. The moral intent of restoration is to create a flourishing community that acknowledges the wrong done, holds wrongdoers accountable and invites them back into the community from which their offense estranged them. Thus, Black activists may gain an ally in the effort to combat racism. If white people forgiven their errors are welcomed back, the burden on Black people is by that measure lessened.

Archbishop Tutu was keen on white and Black folk getting along as justly and truthfully as possible. Contemporary movements are understandably eager to expose and confront the ugly truth of racism, whether it is the lie that critical race theory is being taught in elementary schools or the myth that Confederate monuments are more about Southern honor than Black contempt.
WASHINGTON  As House ethics investigators were examining four cases this fall detailing a sweeping array of improper financial conduct by lawmakers, they ran into an obstacle: Two of the lawmakers under scrutiny refused to meet with them or provide documents.

The investigators were not too surprised. Over the past decade, fewer and fewer House members have been willing to cooperate with congressional investigations, a development that ethics experts warn could reduce accountability for misdeeds and erode trust in the institution of Congress.

Omar Ashmawy, the staff director of the Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent entity that reviews allegations against House members and refers misconduct cases to the House Ethics Committee, acknowledged the growing resistance to his offices work, but said he was undeterred: It has never prevented us from being able to gather the facts and determine what happened and whether or not the subject was culpable.

Still, the trend is unmistakable.

In 2009 and 2010  the first Congress scrutinized by the Office of Congressional Ethics, which was created in 2008  three lawmakers refused to cooperate with the offices 68 investigations, a noncooperation rate of just 4 percent.
As the Omicron variant overtakes the country, and coronavirus cases reported for the last week in the capital region climbed to their highest number since the start of the pandemic, the Smithsonian Institution said this week that it would temporarily shutter five of its museums.

The biggest among them is the National Museum of Natural History, which will close Thursday and Friday and is scheduled to reopen Wednesday, Jan. 5. The museum is normally closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Linda St. Thomas, a spokesperson for the Smithsonian, said on Wednesday that the museum was experiencing a shortage of visitor services staff. The line to enter the museum was at least an hour long on Wednesday, she said.

The additional closure of the National Museum of Natural History will allow the Smithsonian to reallocate staff and keep all other museums open for the remainder of the week, the museum said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Smithsonian had previously announced that the National Museum of African Art, the National Postal Museum, the Anacostia Community Museum and the National Museum of Asian Art (Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery) would close Wednesday through Sunday and reopen Monday, Jan. 3.
No good choice for Myanmars refugees

Across Myanmar, hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, trying to escape violence since the military seized power in a coup on Feb. 1.

Many are living in tents in the jungles of Myanmar. Some have left their homeland entirely, pouring into neighboring countries.

For those who stay, it is a fight to survive. The junta has created a humanitarian crisis in Myanmar that is worsening by the day. Rights groups say soldiers are blocking aid convoys. Children are malnourished. And the military is deploying more troops to crush resistance.

For those who leave, it is a life in limbo. Many are struggling to adapt to a place they dont quite know, a government that doesnt quite welcome them, and a future with no certainty. India is cracking down to prevent the region bordering Myanmar from accepting many refugees.
Airlines canceled more than 900 flights in and out of U.S. airports on Wednesday, a sign of continuing stress for the industry and travelers ahead of the New Years holiday weekend.

The problems began to mount the day before Christmas as carriers contended with staffing shortages driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus, as well as foul winter weather. Cancellations peaked on Sunday, when more than 1,500 flights to, from or within the United States  more than 6 percent of scheduled flights  were scrubbed, according to FlightAware.

On Tuesday, airlines canceled nearly 1,300 flights, led by United Airlines, which grounded about 6 percent of its trips, and Delta Air Lines, which canceled 4 percent of its schedule.

The cancellations come during one of the busiest times for air travel and as the industry hopes to resume profitability after two brutal years for travel.
Discord, the online messaging platform, has long been popular with gamers. In recent years, it has begun to catch on with mainstream audiences, too, fueled in part by the coronavirus pandemic.

The site is particularly popular with young adults, teenagers and almost-teenagers. Here are five ways those young people are using Discord:

School

Because Naima Mortley, a 12-year-old in Bethesda, Md., goes to an online school, Discord is her main way of interacting with classmates.

Youre not talking in the hallways or forming friend groups  everyone is sharing emotes, she said, referring to Discords custom emojis.

When she talks with her classmates and friends on Discord, well use it for homework help, or letting them know a teacher is in a meeting or if we just want to play video games together, Naima said.
SAN JOSE, Calif.  Jurors ended a sixth day of deliberations without a verdict on Wednesday in the trial of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the blood testing start-up Theranos.

Ms. Holmes, 37, faces two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and nine counts of wire fraud on allegations that she deceived investors, patients and advertisers in search of money and fame. If convicted, she faces 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud.

Deliberations were scheduled to resume on Monday morning in federal court in San Jose, Calif.

The jury of eight men and four women has deliberated for six full days. In that time, they have asked only two questions of the court.
GREELEY, Colo.  Tin Aye died without ever laying hands on her newborn grandson.

Through her six decades of life, she endured a harrowing exodus from her homeland in Myanmar while pregnant with her only child, followed by 15 years in a refugee camp. She and her daughter, San Twin, managed to forge new lives in the United States.

But she could not survive her job inside a slaughterhouse run by the worlds largest meat processing company, JBS. She died last year, one of six people who succumbed to Covid while working at a plant in Greeley, Colo.

In crucial ways, much has changed for workers inside the long, low-slung slaughterhouse in Greeley, a city of roughly 100,000 people on the high plains of northern Colorado. In a new contract secured last summer, the union gained substantial raises from JBS, the Brazilian conglomerate that owns the plant. Colorado passed legislation mandating paid sick leave, after the state shut the plant for more than a week last year. Inside the slaughterhouse, dividers and partitions have been installed to help maintain social distancing.

But workers complain that many of the changes have been aimed at managing perceptions, while stubborn problems remain: not enough distance between people stationed at some parts of the assembly line, inadequate stocks of hand sanitizer, and subtle pressure to come to work even when they are ill.
Talk about an unlikely celebrity.

I didnt understand why people would be looking at me, I really didnt, Lee Kaufman told The New York Times in 2014, when she was 91 and about six months into her substantial splash of internet and television fame. I looked down. I thought my pants fell off.

Mrs. Kaufman and her husband, Morty, were at that moment something of a phenomenon, thanks to internet spots and television commercials in which they appeared for the Swiffer line of cleaning products. They were the pioneers in an advertising strategy for Swiffer built on ordinary people, rather than actors, and the public responded with adoration and a click count that soared into the millions.

There are few things in this world that are as precious as Lee and Morty Kaufman from the Swiffer commercials, read one typical post on Twitter at the time.

People, knowing that most commercials are illusions, wrote to newspapers about the Kaufmans, wanting assurance that they were what they seemed.
And there are more Brexit impacts to come. Starting Jan. 1, Britain will impose customs checks on goods being imported from the bloc. Also in the new year, companies will have to prove their products are sufficiently British-made to qualify for tariff-free trade. From the middle of next year, additional export border checks, including physical inspections of plant and animal products, will begin.

While the British government insisted on the success of its European trade deal, it was keen to shift companies focus to the promises of trading with countries farther afield. The real opportunities lie in the Indo-Pacific, officials have said.

Companies have sought out more distant customers, but out of necessity, not choice. Since the start of the year, Netherton Foundrys sales to the United States have increased, but they havent made up for the sales lost in Europe.

Some specialized retailers in Europe have remained customers, but the everyday cook shops havent, Mr. Currie said. A dedicated cohort of individual customers remain, too. Many of them are real Anglophiles, he added.

But we must be losing lots of people who are mildly indifferent to us, he said. Its those lost opportunities that we have at the moment, and those are hard to measure.
The year in climate news

Welcome to the final edition of Climate Fwd: for 2021! Despite the strange limbo status of this year (as our friends on the Styles desk described it), a lot happened this year on the topic of climate change and the environment. Weve rounded up the highlights of our coverage here.

It may seem hard to believe that the year started with a presidential transition, riots at the Capitol and a blackout in Texas  but that was indeed this year. Before summer had even begun, drought, heat and fires were already bearing down on the West. Its been a year of challenges to a new administrations climate agenda at home in the United States. And then fall brought the United Nations international climate conference in Glasgow. (Next years event is scheduled for November in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.)

Those are just a few big news stories. This year we also investigated, explained, debunked. Take a look at our roundup for anything you might have missed. Think we missed something? Let us know.
Im not sure Ill do that next time. I was on the jury at Cannes this year, probably two or three weeks after I finished my final mix. Looking at some really, really interesting films, I realized, oh, you can do whatever you want if youre following something truthful and I dont think I knew that.

What was the hardest part about adapting?

I found that adapting actually used a similar muscle to the one that I have used as an actress in terms of taking a text, whether its excellent or has got problems, and figuring out the essence of this piece of material. There are some things that are literal, but theyre so strange. Like the line, Im an unnatural mother. Thats just 100 percent Ferrante, a straight lift, but a lot of people told me, take that line out. I also really did do what [Ferrante permitted] and changed many, many things but I really believe that the script and the film are really in conversation with the book.

Leda is a writer, and showing her ambition in her early years is a big part of the movie. Did you see Bergman Island this year? Both movies wrestle with the question of whether you can fully be a woman and an artist at the same time.

I do believe theres such a thing as womens writing and womens filmmaking. There are really interesting feminist women who do not agree with me. I think that when women express themselves honestly, it looks differently than when men express themselves honestly. This is really dangerous to talk about. When I am let loose, given a little bit of money and space to tell the story I want to tell, its about motherhood. It is about the domestic, and it does include a lot of scenes in the kitchen. Can stories about the domestic really be seen as high art? Because to me its an opera. I do not come from women whose apron strings were tied to the kitchen. My mom is a professional person [Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal is a screenwriter and director], my grandmother was a pediatrician in the 40s and my great-aunt was a lawyer. Im educated and Ive got a professional life, and yet my identification as a mother is a massive part of me.

What was it like to work with Olivia Colman?

Olivia really didnt like to talk about much. I wonder, actually, if its because it was relatively recently that she got power as an actress, if she feels similarly to the way I feel as an actress, which is its very rare that somebody values my ideas. They will say they do, but people are irritated by actresses with a lot of ideas. Im not an idiot, and so I mostly keep them to myself. I remember asking Olivia if she likes to rehearse, and she said, I dont, actually, and I totally relate to that.
It has to end at some point, she said.

Chelsea is one of several Manhattan neighborhoods, including Murray Hill, the East Village, the Upper East Side and Greenwich Village, where a rapid exodus driven by the pandemic appears to have largely stopped, and is even slowly reversing in some cases. In one ZIP code in Chelsea, for example, data from the United States Postal Service shows more people moving in than out during several months of this year.

The population is still far from fully recovered and remote work is enabling many employees to live far from their Manhattan offices. The Omicron variant is feeding a resurgent wave of infections and anxiety, raising questions about how much longer office workers and tourists will stay away from New York and hobble its recovery.

And for many working-class parts of the city, the picture is more dire: unemployment remains high, thousands struggle to pay rent, and the expiration of New Yorks moratorium on evictions looms just weeks away.

But the resurgence in Chelsea reflects how many of the citys wealthier neighborhoods, which hollowed out as the pandemic began last year, are now slowly rebounding and showing the potential for a vibrant future anchored in what has long made New York attractive and resilient: an abundance of culture, entertainment and social attractions.

People want to be at the center of the action, said Kathryn Wylde, the president of the Partnership for New York City, an influential business organization. Work is one piece of that, but theres much more. They want to be where the ball drops on New Years Eve. They want to be where the art shows open, where fashion is defined, where there are limitless cultural opportunities.

The pandemic prompted many to abandon cities across the country for suburbs or rural areas. But the outflow appears to be slowing in many urban centers, as more people have gotten vaccinated and schools and businesses have reopened.
Also, there are serious concerns about the effect of remote learning on students academic progress and emotional well-being. Hochul on Tuesday called remote learning a failed experiment.

Have other school systems done something similar?

States including Illinois, Kansas, California and Massachusetts have sought to limit disruption and prevent outbreaks by increasing testing. That model, known as test to stay, was endorsed by the C.D.C. earlier this month. The United Kingdom has also loosened quarantine rules for exposed students.

In the Granite School District near Salt Lake City, which has about 90 schools and 63,000 students, the test-to-stay program has worked well, according to the districts spokesman, Ben Horsley. It is now being adopted across Utah.

Youd be in a situation, you might have 1,800 students in a high school and all 1,800 would be dismissed once the case count reached a certain threshold, Mr. Horsley said. As you can imagine, sending everybody home when only 10 to 12 other kids might be sick seemed pretty ridiculous.

Does the city have enough tests?

The new plan could require a lot more testing. Hochul said Monday that she would send one million rapid at-home test kits, each containing two tests, to New York City schools. The city expects to have roughly six million rapid tests on hand by the time school starts.

The school system has been conducting surveillance P.C.R. testing of random groups of students, aimed at catching positive cases before they turn into outbreaks. But following intense criticism that the city was conducting far too few tests, it plans to ramp up testing from 10 percent of consenting students in each school each week to 20 percent.

There are fears the plan wont go far enough.

Dr. Michael Mina, a former Harvard University epidemiologist and expert on rapid tests, said that by testing children only twice a week in classrooms where an infection was detected, youre very likely to miss when someone becomes infectious and potentially becomes a superspreader.
Of course, the pagan culture of Rome was no small achievement. It had its artists and intellectuals, along with its robust natural religions, and could not simply be scolded and shamed out of existence. Paganism has always exerted a subterranean tug on the thinking of the Christian West. The Renaissance, with its rediscovery of Epicurus and Lucretius, is a familiar example.

Pagans thought that the collapse of their beliefs would mean the collapse of Rome. Many 21st-century conservatives believe something similar about the erosion of Christian values: that the liberties of our open society are parasitical on our Christian inheritance and that when that inheritance collapses, civilization will, too.

Ms. Delsol does not see things quite that way. The ethics of the Christian age, she notes, were shot through with unacknowledged borrowings from the pagan values Christianity replaced. (Consider stoicism or the Hippocratic oath in medicine.) In the same way, todays post-Christian progressivism comes with a large helping of Christianity. Why use Christian matrimony to unite gay couples, for example, rather than a new institution less wrapped up in Christian values? Because that is just the piecemeal way that civilizational change happens.

So if another civilization comes to replace Christianity, it will not be a mere negation, such as atheism or nihilism. It will be a rival civilization with its own logic  or at least its own style of moralizing. It may resemble the present-day iconoclasm that French commentators refer to as le woke. (The term means basically what it does in English, except that French people see wokeness as a system imported wholesale from American universities and thus itself almost a religious doctrine.)

Christianity the religion has teachings about loving ones neighbor and turning the other cheek that are impressively clear. For Christianity the culture, though, these can be sources of ambivalence. Christianity has produced some hardened moralizers, to put it mildly. But there has always been a tension between its teachings and its quest for political power.

Ms. Delsol worries that le woke has no such hesitation. Speech codes, elementary school consciousness-raising, corporate public service advertising  in some ways our public order is coming to resemble that of pagan Rome, where religion and morality were separated. Religion was a matter for the household. Morality was determined and imposed by societys elites, with grim results for freedom of thought.

Whether or not a society is tolerant of rival ideas has less to do with its leaders idle ideological positioning and much more to do with their position in a historical cycle. When in A.D. 384 Christians succeeded in removing the pagan Altar of Victory from the Roman Senate, where it had stood for almost four centuries, the pagan statesman Symmachus understood that Romes tolerance would henceforth be denied to those who had built it. If we know Symmachus for one sentiment today, it is his condemnation of Christianitys dogmatic claims to truth as an affront against common sense. There cannot be only one path toward such a great mystery, he said.
When democratic governments seem incapable of delivering on their promises, this failure can lead to alienation, resignation, distrust and withdrawal among many citizens. It can also trigger demands for authoritarian leaders who promise to cut through messy politics. At an even greater extreme, it can lead people to question democracy itself and become open to anti-democratic systems of government.

The struggle of the Biden administration to deliver on its policy agenda offers a good example of the political fragmentation of politics taking place throughout Western democracies. It takes different forms in the multiparty systems of Europe and the two-party system of the United States. The European democracies are experiencing the unraveling of the traditionally dominant center-left and center-right major parties and coalitions that have governed since World War II. Support for these parties has splintered into new parties of the right and left, along with others with less-easily defined ideological elements. From 2015 to 2017, over 30 new political parties entered European parliaments. Across European democracies, the percentage of people who identify strongly with a political party or are members of one has declined precipitously.

The effects on the ability to govern have been dramatic. In Germany, the stable anchor of Europe since the 1950s, the two major parties regularly used to receive over 90 percent of the vote combined; in this falls elections, that plummeted to less than 50 percent. Support has hemorrhaged to green, anti-immigrant, free-market and other parties. After its 2017 elections, with support fragmented among many parties, it took Germany six months to cobble together a governing coalition, the longest time in the countrys history. The Netherlands, after its 2017 elections, needed a record 225 days to form a government.

The coalitional governments assembled amid this cacophony of parties are also more fragile. Spain, for example, was forced to hold four national elections between 2015 and 2019 to find a stable governing coalition. Spain had effectively been a two-party democracy until 2015, but mass protest movements spawned a proliferation of new parties that made forging stable governments difficult. In Sweden, the prime minister lost a vote of no confidence this summer  a first in the countrys modern political history. Digital pop-up parties, including anti-party parties, arise out of nowhere and radically disrupt politics, as the Brexit Party did in Britain and the Five Star Movement did in Italy.

The same forces driving fragmentation in other democracies are also roiling the United States, though our election structures make effective third parties highly unlikely. Here the forces of fragmentation get channeled within the two major parties. The most dramatic example on the Republican side is that when the party controlled the House from 2011 to 2019, it devoured two of its own speakers, John Boehner and Paul Ryan. Mr. Boehners memoir portrays a party caucus so internally fragmented as to be ungovernable.
Countless remembrances will mention that he was a boxer, but learning to throw a punch seemed less important to his career than learning to take one. Mr. Reid wasnt just unafraid of bad press; he saw it as a necessary part of achieving a goal. If he wasnt taking slings and arrows in service of some greater good, he figured, he wasnt doing his job.

When Republicans shut down the government in 2013 to try to defund the Affordable Care Act, Mr. Reid convinced Democrats to hold the line. In control of the House, Republicans began passing bills that funded popular parts of the government and sending them over to the Senate, daring Democrats to block them. They did, and headlines like Shutdown Blocks Kids With Cancer From Clinical Trials proliferated. Mr. Reid helped the caucus members steel themselves against the bad press. It passed, and Republicans surrendered, reopening the government after securing almost zero concessions and being dealt a humiliating defeat.

This foresight is probably why Social Security remains intact. In 2005, Mr. Reid refused to let Mr. Bush privatize the program at a time when conventional wisdom held that Democrats should either collaborate with Mr. Bush or offer their own plans. Mr. Reid rejected each change the president proposed, recognizing that as soon as the Democrats began considering reforms, they would lose their strategic advantage. He persuaded conservative Democrats like Max Baucus, who had helped write the 2001 Bush tax cuts and was tempted to compromise on Social Security, to hold the line. They did and won.

When many Washington insiders and commentators declared the Affordable Care Act dead after Scott Browns surprise victory in a Massachusetts Senate race in January 2010, Mr. Reid worked with a longtime collaborator, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to get it done.

Mr. Reid was willing to cross many other Democrats and call for reforming the filibuster for judicial nominees (other than Supreme Court justices) because he had a kind of foresight and pugnaciousness they didnt  and the perspective to see when they were wrong. In 2013 he secured the votes to eliminate the Senates filibuster-induced supermajority threshold for confirming nominees, a move that allowed President Obama to dramatically reshape the federal judiciary. Today that change has allowed President Biden to confirm the most judges of any first-year president since Ronald Reagan.

For people like me who worked in his Senate office, Mr. Reid put his commitment to family into action. He was ahead of his time in creating a family-friendly workplace.

Working for the Senate leader was a demanding, stressful job. In 2013, a few months after my first son was born, I was late to a morning staff meeting. I was told by the executive assistants and schedulers to wait outside. I was sure I was going to be fired. When the meeting was over, the staff filed out. I shuffled in, thinking, This is it. But instead of firing or even scolding me, Mr. Reid said, I can see youre having a hard time. What do you need? Flabbergasted, I blurted out the truth, which was that Id like to be able to be home most nights for dinner. He immediately assented, stuck to it and never stopped asking after my son.
Ms. Brown wrote that police investigators determined that Mr. Epstein had assembled and exploited a large, cultlike network of underage girls  mostly 13 to 16 years old, many from disadvantaged families  and coerced them into repeated sex acts.

Instead of pursuing federal charges, however, the U.S. attorney at the time agreed to a jaw-dropping deal that two experienced former prosecutors described as shockingly lenient. Mr. Epstein agreed to plead guilty in state court and serve 18 months in county jail. His victims were not told of the deal before it was reached. He was permitted to leave jail six days a week to go to the office, where he continued to run his hedge fund. This jail sentence, such as it was, ended five months early, when he was released in 2009.

A fund created by Mr. Epsteins estate to compensate his sexual assault victims has paid some $121 million to more than 135 people. The fund declined to say how many of the eligible claims were for the period since his 2009 release.

One reason prosecutions like Ms. Maxwells are so unusual and so difficult is that the law forbids only the most extreme enabling behaviors. Although criminal statutes vary, absent a specific legal duty to act, people are generally not held responsible for omissions that cause harm. But when a persons purposeful assistance is integral to anothers abuse, the outcome may be different, as it was for Ms. Maxwell. Under such narrow circumstances, criminal prosecution can play a part in dismantling a culture that protects abusers.

By the accusers accounts, Ms. Maxwell didnt just passively enable Mr. Epsteins abuse; she facilitated it. This depiction was the essence of the governments case.

Ms. Maxwell should be held accountable for the incalculable suffering she brought upon vulnerable girls. But her conviction should not obscure the reality that Mr. Epsteins enablers were many: employees who allegedly helped him capitalize on the desperation of marginalized girls and women, the influential friends who knew or should have known of his ongoing scheme, the Florida prosecutors who provided the sweetheart deal, the power brokers who by association legitimized his misconduct.

This litany of protectors generally operated within the bounds of the law; Ms. Maxwell did not. The promise of prosecution is that, like her, the most blameworthy enablers of abuse can be held to account. For those who survived Mr. Epsteins predations, this conviction is a long overdue measure of justice.
To ring in 2022, Ive collected my favorite parenting articles from the past year, stories that shine light on the highs and lows of another weird one. These are offered in no particular order, and this is in no way a complete list: My brain feels fully broken at this point, so Im sure there are many excellent articles that I forgot.

I found myself particularly drawn to coverage of two topics that helped explain the state we are in: education and misinformation. Even reading some of those articles could be daunting, but it wasnt all a bummer this year, I promise. I also found myself looking for stories that offered solutions to thorny, pandemic-specific parenting challenges, and others that just brought me joy or allowed me to reflect on my own parenting in helpful ways.

I love hearing from you, so please drop me a line if there are topics youd like to hear more about in the New Year. Thank you so much for reading!

***

How We Decided to Send Our Daughter Back to School, by Erica L. Green in The New York Times

Our children continue to experience an extraordinary disruption of their schooling, one whose full impact we wont know for years. In February, Green, a Times correspondent who covers education and education policy, wrote about how she decided to send her first grader back to in-person school. Its a sympathetic look at how difficult the decision-making has been for so many parents this year  even journalists who can ask all the tough questions are still worried moms and dads at the end of the day.
What happened in Murano, stayed in Murano.

So was the rigidly guarded way of life on the tiny island in the Venetian Lagoon, about a mile north of Venice, where, in the late 1200s, the Venetian government mandated that the furnaces used by local glassmakers, and the glassmakers themselves, be relocated from the city center.

Intended as a measure to protect central Venice from the fire hazard posed by the furnaces, the law also protected the secrets of the Murano glassblowers revered craft, which involves melting mineral sands at temperatures between 1,700 and 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit and adding in elements like cobalt and gold leaf to create vivid colors and glimmering finishes.

The Murano name encompasses various styles and techniques, including millefiori, which is characterized by psychedelically dense floral patterns, and filigrana, a technique developed in the 16th century, in which white or colored glass threads are embedded into clear glass canes that are used to create finished pieces with a pattern of delicate stripes.
In a holiday season of extreme weather events, this one stands out: a 67-degree Fahrenheit reading in Alaska the day after Christmas.

The reading on Sunday, from a tidal station on Kodiak Island, set a statewide temperature record for December, the National Weather Service reported.

The temperature at the station, in southern Alaska, reached the 60s again on Monday before falling to 55 degrees on Tuesday morning, Rick Thoman, a climate specialist with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy in Fairbanks, said on Twitter.

In late December, he added. I would not have thought such a thing possible.

It wasnt the only weather record to fall this month in towns along the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea. A 56-degree day on Dec. 25 in the town of Unalaska, Alaska, appeared to be the states highest-ever reliable temperature reading for Christmas Day, Mr. Thoman wrote.
But a moratorium is not likely, said Adria Berry, the director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, which oversees the industry and reported nearly $138 million in revenue from retail, state and local taxes this year, through November, on the sale of cannabis.

Ms. Berry, an early opponent of medical cannabis, says the industry is here to stay and that the states marijuana law effectively restrains her agency from limiting the number of new licenses it approves.

On the ground level, that means that the number of Oklahoma cannabis businesses keeps on surging.

Mr. Pederson, the transplant from Seattle, had served in the Army and was looking for a new career when he learned earlier this year about growing cannabis in Oklahoma. Despite being new to the industry, he moved on his own to Keota to supervise the small, five-person farm, which he said was supplying dispensaries in the state.

Theres culture shock for outsiders, Mr. Pederson said about moving to a tiny Oklahoma town. He said he plans to stay in the state for at least the next five years.

Signs of the explosive growth are hard to miss. There are now towns with far more dispensaries than food stores. And cannabis operations now outnumber wheat and cotton farms. The industry has also created thousands of jobs in a state that remains among the poorest in the country. Supporters of the industry also argue that the less punitive approach to possession of marijuana and other drugs, along with other sentencing reforms, has eased pressures on the states prisons.
More federally run test sites would open in the coming days, Mr. Zients said, including in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Those commitments were still unlikely to dull criticism from public health experts that the Biden administration had neglected the nations testing stockpile ahead of Omicrons arrival in the United States. Demand for tests has exploded this month, causing manufacturers to scramble to produce and distribute more of them.

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized an at-home test made by Siemens Healthineers, through a new accelerated review program, the Department of Health and Human Services said. And the Defense Department awarded a $136.7 million contract to MilliporeSigma, which manufactures a key ingredient in rapid tests. The contract allows a Wisconsin factory to support more than 83.3 million tests per month, the department said.

Mr. Zients said a contract that would allow the government to deliver 500 million rapid tests for free would be finalized by the end of next week. Deliveries from manufacturers were still set to begin in January.

Dr. Fauci said that the levels of mild infection suggested that the United States would have to transition to living comfortably with some amount of controlled spread of the virus. This is a highly, highly transmissible virus. We know that from the numbers were seeing, he said. Each individual person throughout this country is now seeing around them the high degree of transmissibility.

He said that while it was safe for vaccinated people to gather in small groups with family and friends over New Years weekend, Americans should be cautious about staging traditional indoor parties.

If your plans are to go to a 40- or 50-person New Years Eve party with all the bells and whistles and everybody hugging and kissing and wishing each other a happy New Year, I would strongly recommend that this year we do not do that, he said.

But he said that public health policy would gradually have to reflect more social and financial concerns.
Cincinnati declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to help the city deal with labor shortages within the citys Fire Department amid a spike in coronavirus cases and scheduled holiday vacations.

Mayor John Cranley said the surge in cases during the holiday season has led to staffing challenges for the department, which he called a public danger that would undermine the citys ability to respond to fire emergencies. In recent weeks, businesses have expressed concern over labor shortages as the highly contagious Omicron variant continues to tear across the nation, shattering case records and sidelining infected workers.

The 60-day emergency declaration will allow the Fire Department to ensure full quality fire service in the coming weeks, Mr. Cranley said in a statement. The move came after the mayor spoke with Michael A. Washington, the Fire Department chief, who requested the declaration. There are 27 firefighters out with Covid-19 and an additional 20 who are out sick, Yasmin Chilton, the mayors communications director, said in a statement. There are 774 firefighters total on staff.

The order temporarily suspends applicable city rules or personnel policies to address the public emergency, according to the declaration. That would allow the city manager to cancel vacations and implement mandatory overtime, Ms. Chilton said.
A sensation of greater chaos has been created compared to the severity that the clinical picture requires, he told the Spanish news media.

Portugal had one of the most successful vaccination campaigns in the world, reaching nearly every person eligible and driving down the toll wrought by the Delta variant. But infections are climbing again, with the health minister, Marta Temido, warning that the number of infections could double every eight days, given the current trend of Omicron cases.

Even in the Netherlands, which nearly two weeks ago reimposed a nationwide lockdown, Omicron is spreading, causing more than 50 percent of infections in the past week, replacing Delta as the dominant variant, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment.

The faster spread of this Omicron variant will lead to additional infections in the near future, which will also increase the number of hospital admissions, the institute said on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Dutch foreign ministry said all travelers from the United States  which is also setting daily records of infection  will have to quarantine for five days and have a negative coronavirus test to enter the country.
Together, the candidates account for what would be about a quarter of the vote, or about 20 points lower than the French left a decade ago. The chance that any unified candidate from the left would pick up enough votes to reach the next round of the two-part race  to most likely face the incumbent, Emmanuel Macron  seems low.

But the effort to hold a January primary does offer the hope of a path toward a revived sense of relevance for the left. And it could potentially further disrupt a presidential campaign that has already been upended by the entrance of Eric Zemmour, a polarizing far-right writer and television celebrity, into the race.

Were talking about the left again  theres some new pressure, said Mr. Lefebvre, the political science professor. But he added that it remained unclear whether the momentum behind the primary would be enough to overcome the parties deep-rooted divisions.

The French left was long dominated by the Socialist Party and its social-democratic politics, but Mr. Macrons victory in the 2017 presidential elections brought an end to the two-party system in which it had secured a comfortable spot.

The left is now an unruly mix, mainly divided between the Socialists, the Greens and the far-left France Unbowed  not to mention the constellation of small far-left parties that have emerged from the near collapse of the Communist Party.
MOSCOW  In 1990, the year before she died, Zipporah Rosenblatt Kahana spoke publicly for the first time about her imprisonment in Russian labor camps 50 years earlier. She did hard labor and worked as a seamstress, but the conditions were so severe that she lost her left eye. Her husband was executed as an enemy of the state. Her crime was being married to him.

Her account came in testimony to Memorial International, then a recently established human rights organization chronicling political repression in the Soviet Union.

For a long time after her release, she felt that this was some kind of dark side of her past that no one needs to know, said her great-grandson, Nikolai Dykhne. Memorials work collecting information about the labor camps, or gulag system, gave her the courage to finally tell her story completely, he said.

Memorial grew into the countrys most prominent human rights organization and an emblem of a fledgling democratic movement in post-Soviet Russia. But today, its archive of the traumatic events and victims of persecution makes the Kremlin uncomfortable. The countrys Supreme Court issued a ruling Tuesday to shut down Memorial International, the parent organization, and on Wednesday the Moscow City Court ordered Memorials Human Rights Center to close.
During a recent marathon session in the House, two Republican lawmakers from Georgia sat in full view of television cameras. Neither was wearing a mask.

It was the latest act of defiance by the pair, Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andrew Clyde, against a rule requiring legislators to wear masks on the House floor. Most Republican lawmakers, however grudgingly, have complied with the mandate, which can carry fines that quickly add up to hefty amounts. But Ms. Greene and Mr. Clyde have repeatedly, and proudly, flouted it.

To date, the two have incurred more than $100,000 combined in fines, which are taken directly from their paychecks.

A resolution approved by the House in January says that members will be fined $500 the first time they fail to wear a mask on the House floor, and $2,500 for subsequent violations. The House Ethics Committee notes each fine in a news release, but Ms. Greenes and Mr. Clydes violations were so numerous that the panel began announcing theirs in bunches.
Are there more extreme efforts?

Yes. In Arkansas, Republicans enacted new legislation that allows a state board of election commissioners  composed of six Republicans and one Democrat  to investigate and institute corrective action when issues arise at any stage of the voting process, from registration to the casting and counting of ballots to the certification of elections.

In Texas, Republicans tried to make it easier for the Legislature to overturn an election, but were held up when Democratic lawmakers staged a last-second walkout, and later dropped the effort.

Many of the most extreme bills have not made it past state legislatures, with Republicans often choosing to dial back their farthest-reaching proposals.

How are Democrats pushing back?

Through Congress and the courts, but with limited success.

In Congress, Democrats have focused their efforts on two sweeping bills, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. But Republicans in the 50-50 Senate have blocked both. That leaves many Democrats pressing for a change to the Senates filibuster rules, but some moderates, including Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, are opposed.

The Justice Department has filed lawsuits challenging Republican voting laws in Georgia and Texas, and has also doubled the size of its civil rights division, which oversees voting litigation.

Still, any major judicial ruling on a recently enacted voting law is unlikely to arrive before the 2022 elections.

Can the courts do anything about voting laws?

Yes  but far less than they once could.

The Supreme Court has greatly weakened the Voting Rights Act over the last decade, deeply cutting into the Justice Departments authority over voting and giving states new latitude to impose restrictions.
State Highlights

How broad was the Republican victory in the Lone Star State? The Houston Chronicle put it this way: In Texas, D meant defeat.

At the top of the ticket, Gov. Rick Perry won his third full term and continued a 25-year streak of electoral success that potentially puts him in position for a run for national office. While he defeated Bill White, a former Houston mayor, his hardest attacks were aimed at President Obama and Washington  themes he will continue promoting in the tour for his new book, Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America From Washington.

A lot of this is a dry run for a presidential campaign, said Paul Burka, the senior executive editor at Texas Monthly magazine. Mr. Perry portrayed himself as Sir Galahad of Texas, Mr. Burka said, working with the states attorney general, Greg Abbott, to sue the federal government over issues like the health care law and regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency.

In House races, two Democratic-held seats went to Republicans. Representative Chet Edwards, a 20-year veteran, lost to a Republican newcomer, Bill Flores, and Representative Ciro D. Rodriguez lost to Francisco Canseco.

In South Texas, Blake Farenthold, a Republican, declared victory over Representative Solomon P. Ortiz, who has been in office since 1983; Mr. Ortiz has not conceded.

With 21 Democratic-held seats in the State House lost to Republican challengers, The Texas Tribune said the election could only be described as a bloodbath that will greatly increase the Republican majority in the Legislature. Even in local races, longtime strongholds of the Democratic Party like Galveston County were swept by Republican victories.

JOHN SCHWARTZ
Opinion Tom Morello Striding the

corridors of power 

or at least answering

the phones nearby

When I moved to Hollywood in 1986 to follow my rock n roll dreams it was at the height of poofy-hair, pop-metal, spandex-clad escapist excess. My ad in the local music paper ran somewhat counter to that ethos: lead guitarist seeks band with neo-Marxist politics into rap and Black Sabbath.

My phone did not ring off the hook.

In Hollywood I was virtually unemployable, even with my Harvard degree. Since I had limited work experience  five summers dancing in tights and strumming pirate shanties at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin  I was turned down at Sears, and no one would even hire me to sell Iron Maiden T-shirts at Hollywood Boulevard head shops. I flopped at telemarketing garbage bags and lived every verse of  Maggies Farm  as a low-paid clerk for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. My flavorful stint as a bachelorette party exotic dancer was short lived, though to this day when the Commodores  Brick House  comes on I still feel the itch. I was just another broke, struggling Hollywood musician.

And so, of course, I took the next logical step, which was to become the scheduling secretary for a United States senator.

I rang up Senator Alan Cranstons local office straight out of the White Pages and asked if they were hiring. I was somewhat familiar with the senators generally progressive political positions, but what really intrigued me was that Cranston had been sued by Adolf Hitlers publisher. In 1939 Cranston, then a young journalist, published an unauthorized, comprehensive, annotated English translation of Mein Kampf so the public would know all about Hitlers antisemitic totalitarian plans, after the official English-language version cut out most of his worse ravings. I told Cranstons people that I liked the fact that the senator had sold half a million copies of his bootleg book, infuriated the Fuhrer, and then donated 100 percent of the proceeds to those escaping European fascism. They hired me on the spot.

While Senator Cranston, God rest his soul, was on the right side of some important issues, working in a politicians office cured me of ever wanting to follow a similar path. I saw firsthand how the sausage is made, and its worse than you imagine. The viselike grip of the moneyed oligarchy over our democracy was obvious every single day.

It's a topic I've ruminated on since, in songs like Save the Hammer for the Man.

Save the Hammer for the Man by Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman ft. Ben Harper

Most of what I was scheduling was time for the senator to milk rich guys for cash. Republicans, Democrats, it didnt matter. Id block off 10 pay phones in a hotel lobby and go down the donors list. Ten calls waiting at a time, can you hold for the senator? Each one gets the smooth pitch, the arm twist. And obviously none of that money comes free.

Eventually Cranston was implicated in the Keating Five corruption scandal where five senators, Democratic and Republican, intervened on behalf of a shady Mr. Burns-like villain named Charles Keating Jr. The senators, all recipients of Mr. Keatings very generous donations, intimidated regulators who were investigating his evildoing, which directly led to the disastrous savings-and-loan catastrophe of 1989 where many people lost their life savings.

The pressures were 24/7. My drill sergeant-like boss demanded a Devil Wears Prada echelon of time commitment and efficiency. Id stagger home boozy from a local gig at 2 a.m. and see a message from her on my machine: Call me when you get in.

Hi, whats up?

Theres been a change of plan. The senators landing at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Meet him at the gate with the files we discussed.

But the files are locked up in a building thats 120 miles away that doesnt open til 9 a.m.!

Your problem, not mine. Good night.

And so at a shingles-inducing stress level, Id have to just figure it out.

There were often visitors to the office, many of them veterans, many of them mentally ill. I became friends with some of them, occasionally taking them to lunch on my measly salary. This one nice older man came in once a week, wanting me to pass along to the senator that his apartment was still all smoked up. Smoked up like his foxhole in Vietnam. He could never rest there, never be at peace there. I couldnt help but think about all the minds and lives wrecked by the immoral wars these guys were sent to fight to enrich jackasses like Charles Keating Jr.

But the final straw for me was one afternoon when a lady called up with a complaint. She was mad as hell that Mexicans were moving into her neighborhood, and she demanded that the senator do something about it. Now Im not sure if she was suggesting an ethnic cleansing pogrom, but I let her have it. Maam, youre a damn racist and you can go to hell! And I hung up the phone confident that I had represented the senator well.

Or perhaps not.

I got yelled at for two weeks by everybody up and down the chain of command, and I realized clear as day that if I cant tell a damn racist to go to hell, Im in the wrong job. I quit soon thereafter and havent looked back.

Thankfully, in rock n roll Ive been proudly telling racists to go to hell for decades now, so I think I made the right choice.



Correction: Last weeks edition of this newsletter misspelled the first name of the guitarist Wayne Kramers wife. She is Margaret Saadi Kramer, not Margret.

Previous essays in this series can be found here.
Richard Edelman

The public relations business rebounded in 2021 from the chaos of pandemic 2020, which triggered a massive restructuring of the communications sector.

The big ad/PR holding companies reported robust earnings and mapped out plans for hybrid work models.

Omicron delayed implementing those new plans but the outlook for 2022 is bright due to mandatory vaccination policies and the hope that the COVID-19 pandemic will begin to become a manageable endemic illness.

Here are some of the highlights for 2021:

Richard Edelman says the U.S. is living in an era of information bankruptcy as leaders lie to the public, which views media outlets as politicized and biased. The Edelman CEO believes the Jan. 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol and the fact that only a third of Americans plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine highlight the dangers of misinformation.

Stephanie Grisham, who was White House press secretary and communications director, resigned as chief of staff for Melania Trump in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection inspired by the president.

Anita Dunn

Anita Dunn, a founding member of SKDKnickerbocker who returned to the firm after serving as a senior advisor to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris during the campaign, rejoined Team Biden to work on the transition. She took a leave of absence from the New York firm, which is part of Stagwell Group, and returned in the summer

Former US Senators Trent Lott and John Breaux signed on to represent TikTok, the social media platform that is owned by Chinas ByteDance.

Porter Novelli releases a survey showing the impact of cancel culture on brands. Nearly three-quarters of the respondents felt more empowered than ever before about expressing opinions about a companys action, leadership or spokespeople.

Teneo picked up a lucrative assignment to handle publicity for the Golden Jubilee of the United Arab Emirates to mark its accomplishments over the last 50 years, which included the launch of the Hope Probe that is currently orbiting Mars.

Software giant Cision inks a deal to acquire digital consumer intelligence company Brandwatch, a deal that is pegged in the $450M range.

W2O Group, a healthcare marketing and communications network rebrands as Real Chemistry. It says the move reflects the disruption facing the healthcare sector since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sara Carpenter, a former spokesperson for the New York City police department, was arrested March 23 for participating in the Jan. 6 storming of the US Capitol.

Former WPP chief Martin Sorrell takes a bow as his S4 Capital reported an outstandingly successful performance for 2020. He boasts that the creativity, adaptability, resilience and hard work of S4s employees proved the potency of our new age/era, digital, data-driven, unitary model.

MWWPR rebrands as MikeWorldWide, paying tribute to its founder Michael Kempner, who built the shop into a global brand with 2020 fees of $38.9M. Kempner says he built the agency on passion and agility, challenging industry convention and always prioritizing cultural needs and client service.

Lou Hammond Group books the Jamaica Tourist Board following a competitive pitch, replacing Finn Partners, which decided not to compete for the business.

Naomi Campbell, the British model and actor, hires Ballard Partners for guidance regarding the US visa process. The 50-year-old has faced problems obtaining work visas in the US due to a history of violence against associates, staffers and others from 1998 to 2009.

Meredith Webster

Meredith Webster, special assistant to President Biden and chief of staff at the Domestic Policy Council, joins Estee Lauder Cos. in the newly created executive VP, global communications and PA post. She replaces Alexandra Trower as global communications chief and Maria Cristina Gonzalez Noguera as PA head.

Ogilvy Government Relations picks up Avangrid sustainable energy company, which is building the nations first large-scale wind project, to lobby on offshore wind power and transmission matters. Avangrid's turbines off the coast of Marthas Vineyard will power 400K homes and businesses in Massachusetts.

Finn Partners buys back the investment stake that it sold to Mark Penns Stagwell Group, and the two companies have amicably separated. Our partnership with Stagwell, which started in 2017 and lasted more than four years, served us well, said CEO Peter Finn. Penn and Finn attended high school together and have known each other for about 50 years.

ExxonMobil suffered a massive PR blowout as shareholders voted in activist investors from Engine No. 1 hedge fund to the oil giants board, following one of the most expensive proxy fights in US corporate history. Gasthalter & Co.s Jonathan Gasthalter and Amanda Klein represent Engine No. 1.

Edward Reilly

Ed Reilly, who stepped down as leader of FTI Consulting Groups strategic communications unit in December 2017 after a seven-year run, becomes CEO of Dentons Global Advisors, which was launched by the worlds biggest law firm, Dentons. DGA services include capital markets transactions, geopolitical risk advisory, crisis/issues management, corporate positioning, commercial diplomacy and dispute resolution.

LLYC unveils plans to go public via a stock offering on the Spanish stock market via a transaction that raised about $12M. Founding partner Jose Antonio Llorente said the proceeds will bankroll LLYCs strategy, which is geared to expanding high-tech offerings; making acquisitions to differentiate it from competitors; establishing alliances to bolster geographic reach; and driving organic growth.

Ursula Burns

Teneo names Ursula Burns, senior advisor and former Xerox CEO, chairwoman in the aftermath of the Declan Kelly scandal and his June 29 exit from the firm. He was inebriated at a corporate event in May and engaged in inappropriate behavior.

Finn Partners promotes Kristie Kuhl to managing partner & global health practice leader, succeeding Gil Bashe, who remains chair of the $35M unit. She joined Finn in 2015 as US pharma & New York health head after executive VP stints at Cohn & Wolfe and Makovsky.

The Cleveland Indians announce plans to change their name and brand identity after the 2021 season. The team is now known as the Cleveland Guardians.

Karen van Bergen

Omnicom names Karen van Bergen, former Porter Novelli CEO and head of OMCs PR group, chief environmental sustainability officer, a new post.

Rich Bamberger and Josh Vlasto, former aides to disgraced and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, leave their managing director jobs at Kivvit. They were members of the governors inner circle of advisors that worked to fend off accusations of sexual misconduct, according to the report from New York attorney general Letitia James.

Rudy Giulianis PR guru Christianne Allen calls it quits, stepping down from her post at Giuliani Communications. The 22-year-old signed up for Team Rudy in August 2019 with the mission of updating the image of the former New York mayor and personal attorney to Donald Trump.

WPP agrees to pay $19M to settle Securities and Exchange Commission charges that it violated anti-bribery and internal accounting controls measures of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The company noted the activity occurred when Martin Sorrell helmed the firm. He stepped down in 2018.

Finsbury Glover Hering, which is majority-owned by WPP, merges with Sard Verbinnen & Co. to create a firm they say chalked up $330M in combined 2020 revenues and will have more than 1,000 staffers in 25 offices throughout the world. A new name for the combined entity will be unveiled in early 2022.

David Finn

David Finn, a founding father of modern PR who launched Ruder Finn in 1948 with Bill Ruder, dies at 100. As RF chairman and CEO for more than 70 years, Finn nurtured the growth of corporate communications. His 1969 book, The Corporate Oligarch, developed the groundwork for stakeholder capitalism by depicting corporations as the central institution in American life while underscoring the importance of public service.

Interpublic reports Q3 revenues rose 15.7 percent to $2.3B as it registered solid gains across all operating sectors. IPG DXTRA, the collective of 27 specialty marketing brands including Weber Shandwick, Golin, Revive, Powell Tate, Current Global and Rogers & Cowan PMK, posted an 18.5 percent surge to $319M in reported revenues. It was up 18.6 percent organically.

WPP CEO Mark Read also recorded a 15.7 percent growth in Q3 revenues (less pass-through costs) to $3.6B as clients across the board hiked investments in marketing, especially digital media and ecommerce services.

Omnicom Groups Q3 revenues grew 7.1 percent to $3.4B due to the moderation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its communications offerings. Net income surged 13.5 percent to $355.6M.

Crosby Marketing Communications lands a five-year brand strategy and integrated marketing communications contract from the Peace Corps worth an estimated $20M. Ogilvy had the business.

Finn Partners acquires Anthology Marketing Group, the 86-member Honolulu-based communications shop with a robust travel and tourism practice. It counts Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaiian Airlines, Guam Visitors Bureau, USS Missouri Memorial and Polynesian Cultural Center as clients.

5W Public Relations CEO Ronn Torossian organizes the victory celebration for incoming NYC mayor Eric Adams that was held at downtown Manhattans Zero Bond, a members-only club that charges an annual $3K membership and $1,000 initiation fee.

Martin Whittaker

Edelman names Martin Whittaker, founding CEO of Just Capital, as senior advisor to its newly launched Edelman Impact unit formed to advance the climate, purpose and ESG goals of clients. The firm also hires Robert Casamento its first-ever global head of climate. Casamento, a founding director of the World Economic Forums global climate change initiatives, worked on sustainability efforts at EY and Deloitte.

The country of Jordan retains Finn Partners to create a communications campaign that would transform the site, believed to be where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ, into the worlds leading spiritual pilgrimage destination.

Jim Weiss, founder of Real Chemistry, announces plan to step down as CEO at ODwyers No. 1 healthcare firm on Jan. 3. Shankar Narayanan, who led McKinsey & Co.s healthcare and pharma group before exiting the consultancy in 2012 after a nearly 16-year run, will take the helm.

The Battery Park City Authority, the non-profit that manages and oversees the financing, development, maintenance and operations of Battery Park City in Manhattans southernmost tip is seeking proposals from public relations firms.

Symone Sanders

Symone Sanders, chief spokesperson for VP Kamala Harris, leaves the White House. Sanders follows the high-profile exit of VP communications director, Ashley Etienne.

Walt Disney Co. taps former BP and Pentagon communications exec Geoff Morell to succeed Zenia Mucha, who is retiring at the end of the year, as its PR chief.

The Peoples Republic of China taps Vippi Media Inc. to handle a social media campaign to promote the 2022 Olympics and Paralympics slated for Beijing.

Jim Dowling, the former CEO of Burson-Marsteller who played a key role in handling Johnson & Johnsons Tylenol crisis, died Dec. 15. He was 90.

Terrence Thompson

Terrence Thompson, who was director of government relations at Dell Technologies, has joined Kyndryl, which is the spin-off of IBMs IT infrastructure unit, as VP-government affairs.

Public Policy Holding Co., a collection of US government affairs firms, goes public on the London Stock Exchange and raises more than $40M. Its units include Crossroads Strategies, Seven Letter, Alpine Group, Forbes Tate Partners and ONeill & Associates.

Texas launches search for a PR firm to educate Texans about new controversial voter identification requirements in the Lone Star State ahead of the key 2022 Congressional elections.
Fianna Fail TD Brendan Smith has renewed his call for a full investigation into the Belturbet bombings during which a teenager from Clara lost his life.

Paddy Stanley was only 16 when he was killed in a bomb blast in Belturbet, Co Cavan on December 28, 1972.

Paddy was working as an assistant, delivering gas cylinders to businesses. He and the driver had just one last stop to make but the shop they were due to make a delivery to was closed which meant they had to stay the night.

Paddy went across to a shop to phone his family to let them know he wouldn't be home until the next day. But the phone was busy so he walked to the post office.

Meanwhile a car had been left primed and waiting on the main street. The no warning explosion ripped through the town, killing Patrick and another teenager named Geraldine O'Reilly (15). Geraldine was buying chips at the time while her older brother waited for her in the car.

Meanwhile, at the Stanley home in Clara, the family believed Patrick was on his way home. They had been watching the television when they heard that three people had been injured in a bombing and the family knelt down to say a prayer for the victims and their relatives not knowing that their son and brother was one of the deceased. That was until the local priest knocked on the door to tell them the devastating news.

No one has ever been brought to justice for the bombings. Deputy Brendan Smith has renewed his call for a proper investigation into the crime.

''I repeat that I believe that there has not been an adequate or comprehensive investigation by the authorities in Northern Ireland into this bombing. I put on the record of this House, in September 2020, information that had come directly to me courtesy of the good work of Professor Edward Burke of the University of Nottingham. Professor Burke's detailed report on the activities of loyalist paramilitaries, particularly in the Cavan-Monaghan area, shows very clearly that there was collusion between some British state forces and loyalist paramilitaries in a series of attacks in Cavan and Monaghan.

One of the subheadings in Professor Burke's detailed article is: "Blowing up Belturbet: Loyalist operations in County Cavan". That article includes the following:

At approximately 9:00 p.m. on the night of December 28, a red ford escort with at least two passengers, a young man and a woman, crossed the bailey bridge at Aghalane and made its way to the nearby town of Belturbet in County Cavan. An hour and a half later, the same car exploded on Main Street, Belturbet, killing two teenagers, Geraldine OReilly (15) and Paddy Stanley (16). Twelve more people were injured, some seriously, including Geraldine OReillys brother.

At my request, the Taoiseach has raised this very important issue with the British Government on the need to address our ongoing request for a full and comprehensive investigation. We need answers and the very least the O'Reilly and Stanley families deserve is the truth having suffered decades of grief. Almost a half-century has passed since that fatal night in Belturbet. We must never forget that it is never too late to get the truth.

That bomb, with such devastating consequences, originated in our neighbouring county of Fermanagh. We talk in macro-terms about legacy issues and dealing with the past but what we are talking about here is life and death.

We cannot deal with the past without getting full cooperation from all relevant security agencies. I know many families who have lost loved ones, including the O'Reilly and Stanley families, who have not got the truth, but those families have acted over the decades with such grace and dignity. They want to get the truth and they fully realise that getting prosecutions will not be easy. Unfortunately, time is passing,'' said Deputy Smith.
EACH festive season you'll find me scouring the Twittersphere for information on Galway Bay Brewery's festive releases.

The reason being, that Galway Bay make a very small batch release for the month of December where they showcase some of their finest barrel aged and vintage beers that make perfect special beers for the Christmas period.

Last year they released a boxset of such beers along with a branded glass; this year they've separated the beers for singular purchase, meaning we get to pick and choose which we want to sample.

I picked up two, one a rum barrel aged scotch wee heavy and the other also a rum barrel aged beer but an imperial stout. Both were aged for a minimum of 25 months in their respective barrels and are both very unique in flavour and character.

Diving Bell 2021 is this week's beer for review, a scotch wee heavy, this particular style of beer is very heavily influenced by crystal malt used in its grain bill. Crystal malt is caramelised and this gives beers a distinct caramel and toffee flavour.

The beer pours a deep rich mahogany red and chestnut with ruby and garnet glimmering at the outer edges of the glass.

There's not much head retention left after sitting quietly in a barrel for over two years. The aromas are unmistakably caramel and boozy warming vapours lift from the glass also.

On first sip that warmth is confirmed, enveloped with a toasty, rich and decadent character that coats the palate and makes this a perfect fireside sipper, possibly to share.

Mountains of toffee and caramel lead the charge and the full bodiedness ensures this is sipped slowly. The Nicaraguan rum cask has added smooth, oily rum and and woody notes that bind perfectly with the beer.

The bottles moved fast out of Carryout in Tullamore. A truly great beer.



Brendan Sewell pens a weekly craft beer review for the Tullamore Tribune and Midland Tribune. A Tullamore-based chef, he is an award winning homebrewer, founder member of the Midlands Beer Club and creator of the YouTube channel Views on Brews.
A gaggle of geese enjoying the iced-over patches of the Okanogan River near Shellrock Point between Omak and Okanogan. Though the ice easily bears the weight of geese, it is not nearly strong or thick enough to support humans.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  U.S. health officials' decision to shorten the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period from 10 days to five is drawing criticism from some medical experts and could create confusion among many Americans.



The move has raised questions about how the guidance was crafted and why it was changed now, in the middle of another wintertime spike in cases, this one driven largely by the highly contagious omicron variant.



Monday's action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut in half the recommended isolation time for Americans who are infected with the coronavirus but have no symptoms. The CDC similarly shortened the amount of time people who have come into close contact with an infected person need to quarantine.



The new guidance was issued amid warnings from the business community that the spike in cases could soon cause widespread staffing shortages because of workers being forced to stay home. Already, thousands of airline flights have been canceled over the past few days in a mess blamed on omicron.



CDC officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the virus are most infectious in the first few days.



But other medical experts questioned why the agency's guidelines allow people to leave isolation without testing.



Its frankly, reckless to proceed like this, said Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. Using a rapid test or some type of test to validate that the person isnt infectious is vital.



Theres no evidence, no data to support this," he added.



Just last week, the CDC loosened rules that previously called on health care workers to stay off the job for 10 days if they test positive. The new recommendations said workers could go back after...
Sofia Vergara is wishing hubby Joe Manganiello a happy birthday! On Tuesday (December 28), the 49-year-old Modern Family actress took to social media to pen a sweet message to the True Blood actor in honor of his 45th birthday. Click inside to read more Happy bday to you my divino husband!!! I love you so [...]
More than 100 British tourists have been denied entry to Austria after COVID rules were not updated before they left for their holiday, it has been reported.
PSG striker Mbappe says he is not joining Real Madrid in January, Leeds United winger Raphinha will not push for a move, Newcastle United line up Umtiti, plus more.
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Following the ban on Memorial International, a Russian court is now due to decide the fate of sister organization Memorial Human Rights Centre. The group focuses on helping political prisoners.
Sky News 29 Dec 2021

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An ex-police officer who was jailed after being convicted of assaulting members of the public while on duty has been found dead.
Moscow's deputy envoy to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said US-Russian talks next month should be "serious" and not just some "blah blah "blah".
Indirect talks between the US & Iran resumed on Monday in Vienna, with Tehran focused on getting US sanctions lifted again despite scant progress on reining in its atomic activities.
A number of scientists have said that the UK should follow in the footsteps of the US and reduce the COVID self-isolation period to five days, in an effort to protect the NHS.
A New York prosecutor has declined to charge former Governor Andrew Cuomo on allegations that he kissed a female state trooper and a random woman against their will while he was in office.
Hong Kong (AFP) Dec 29, 2021



Asian markets were mixed in morning trade Wednesday, as a holiday "Santa Claus rally" showed signs of fatigue and continued fears over the Omicron variant as well as uncertainty about economic prospects for 2022 weighed on markets. Covid-19 cases have surged across the world, prompting governments to impose new measures to limit contagion while the travel industry faced thousands of flight c
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  It's not often that bacon leads a roundup of new laws taking effect with the New Year in California.



But even in progressive California, that's the headline-grabber.



It's among a host of other legislation designed to safeguard employees, shield those seeking abortions, protect protesters from police, spare children from gender influence in store displays, and further ease criminal penalties to reduce mass incarceration.



Several of the laws mark national firsts  first minimum wage to reach $15 an hour, first to protect warehouse workers from quotas, first to mandate hourly wages for garment workers, first to require the gender-neutral displays.



They are among hundreds of new laws also addressing everything from stealthily removing condoms to handing out disposable packages of condiments.



But first...



WHAT ABOUT THE BACON?



The sausage-making stems from a 2018 ballot measure where California voters set the nation's toughest living space standards for breeding pigs starting Jan. 1.



Industry lawsuits opposing the initiative failed, but grocers and restauranteurs are now suing to force a 28-month delay. Critics including some lawmakers of both parties have called for putting off enforcement until 2024 for fear prices will rise and jobs will be lost.



California is allowing the continued sale of pork processed under the old rules, which proponents say should blunt any shortage and price surge.



$15 MINIMUM WAGE



California becomes the first state to require a $15-an-hour minimum wage for businesses with more than 25 employees, though Washington, D.C., and many California cities in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas already reached that milestone.



The minimum for businesses with 25 or fewer employees bumps to $14 with the new year and will...
The First Minister will address MSPs in a virtual sitting of the Scottish Parliament about what measures may be taken to halt the spread of the Omicron variant.
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World number one Novak Djokovic withdraws from Serbia's ATP Cup team in Sydney amid uncertainty over his participation at the Australian Open.
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An Israeli was wounded in a shooting attack on the Gaza border on Wednesday, the military said, after a rare visit to Israel by Palestinian President drew condemnation from the enclave's Hamas rulers.
Congressman John Moolenaar, this week, announced he is running for re-election in the new Second Congressional District.

Moolenaar is a common sense leader who has fought for conservative policies and values in Congress, a press release from Moolenaar's campaign states.
The Pioneer is looking back at its Top 10 news stories of 2021. This is No. 3...

BIG RAPIDS  The greater Big Rapids area welcomed some new, and familiar, faces to public official and other community-oriented seats in 2021.

In November 2020, Mecosta County voters elected Brian Miller as the new sheriff of Mecosta County. Miller, a detective with the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety prior, shifted into his new role Jan. 1, 2021.

Miller, who replaced former Sheriff Todd Purcell, said hes learned some new things during his first year as sheriff. Hes also been transparent with his community on what he and his department are doing.

The better the public knows and is aware of what were doing, the more support well have, and the more involved, I think, they will feel, Miller told the Pioneer.

Elsewhere, Big Rapids voters elected a new mayor in 2021. At the polls in November, challengers Fred Guenther and Jennifer Cochran went head-to-head for the citys top government role.

Guenther defeated Cochran, 456 votes to 409 votes, and replaced former mayor Tom Hogenson, who was term limited.

Im ecstatic that I can serve the community and Im ready to get going, Guenther told the Pioneer following the election. I want to thank those people who voted for me, but I also know tons of people who voted for my opponent, theyre all good people and I hope to unite us all and move the city forward."

He was officially sworn in as mayor during a Big Rapids City Commission meeting Nov. 8.

Also at the polls, Big Rapids voters elected a new city commissioner. Newcomer Karen Simmon was the second highest vote-getter  behind incumbent Jonathan Eppley  to defeat challenger Amanda Johnson.

Theres a lot more that goes into (the Census) issue, but its definitely one thing that Im planning to focus on, Simmon told the Pioneer in November. As well as affordable housing  those are two things that are crucial right now for the city commission to be looking into.

In the Artworks community, the organization welcomed a new executive director in 2021 with the addition of Ric Underhile.

Underhile, of Canadian Lakes, stepped into his new role in August and replaced former director Matt Hildebrand, who departed in July.

Underhile has continued Artworks mission to vitalize the community through the arts and humanities, become the leading resource and creative force for the arts in Michigan.

"The things Im concerned about are that we arent as visible as Id like us to be, and Id like our artists to be more recognized and well-known, Underhile told the Pioneer in August. Id like to bring in more artists from different parts of the state to enjoy the environment and become known here.
Gavin Jacon Tetreau of Bad Axe was arraigned in Huron District Court Dec. 29 on charges related to the theft of a vehicle Dec. 24.

Bad Axe Police officers were dispatched to the Shell Station in Bad Axe Dec. 24 after a woman returned to her vehicle to find it missing. Police alerted other departments in nearby counties, which led to Tetreau's arrest in Lapeer County later in the day.

The Huron County case against Tetreau was heard by Magistrate Jessica L. Testolin-Reinke. Testolin-Reinke informed Tetreau, who appeared via Zoom, if convicted on his charges, he could face up to five years in prison.

Representing Tetreau was Defense Attorney Alona Sharon, who waived a formal reading of Tetreau's charges, informed the court her client was standing mute and asked the court to enter a plea of not guilty on her client's behalf. Sharon also asked the court for the opportunity to address bond, which Testolin-Reinke said customarily is addressed by the prosecution first.

"Your honor, in this matter the defendant is caught on store surveillance video in the city of Bad Axe stealing the automobile," Huron County Assistant Prosecutor Alexander Pahany said, rebutting the defense's request to address bond. "He eventually made his way to Lapeer County, where he got into a high-speed chase with the Michigan State Police, ultimately totaling the vehicle he stole here in Bad Axe."

Pahany went on to say Tetreau is charged in Lapeer County with receiving/concealing stolen property-motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon, assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, fleeing/eluding, and operating under the influence of a controlled substance, and argued bond should remain as it was set  at $50,000 cash.

"The defendant's behavior suggests he is a safety risk to the community," Pahany said.

Sharon said her client has a $10,000 personal bond in Lapeer County, where he faced more severe penalties. She also said he isn't a flight risk and doesn't pose a threat to the community.

"There are a lot of issues going on with Gavin right now involving substance abuse and some mental health issues," Sharon said. "He was enrolled in (Central Michigan University) in Mount Pleasant, but if given a personal bond or nominal bond the parents can pay, the plan is for him to return home."

Sharon said Tetreau's parents are long-time residents and pillars in the county and would supervise Gavin and seek treatment for him.

Testolin-Reinke agreed that Tetreau wasn't a flight risk, but she had reservations on addressing bond.

"My major concern is a danger to the community," the judge said.

The judge set bond at $50,000 personal recognizance, with several conditions including not being allowed on the premises of any establishment that serves alcohol. He is also required to wear a tether.

Tetreau is scheduled to appear for a probable cause conference Feb. 3 and preliminary examination Feb. 11 in Huron County District Court.
HONG KONG (AP)  As the days of 2021 dwindled, so did any remaining traces of democracy in Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, a vocal pro-democracy media outlet -- one of the last openly critical voices in the city -- closed after a police raid. Earlier in December, the opposition was shut out from elections under a new law that puts all candidates to a loyalty test. And monuments commemorating the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 were taken down.

Again and again throughout the year, the citys authorities and the central government in Beijing stamped out nearly everything the pro-democracy movement had stood for. Activists fled abroad or were locked up under the draconian National Security Law imposed on the city 18 months ago. Unions and other independent organizations closed down.

Where once Hong Kong allowed "open opposition and questioning of the governments core policies and legitimacy ... any meaningful policy debates will now take place among a small circle of government loyalists," said Kurt Tong, partner at The Asia Group and former U.S. consul general in Hong Kong and Macao.

The days when the former British colony was considered a bastion of freedom fade in memory. Returned to China in 1997, Hong Kong has endured an overhaul of its political system and a crackdown on political dissent. Authorities sought to suppress antigovernment sentiment that led to months of political strife in 2019.

The most recent example was Wednesdays raid by Hong Kong police on the online pro-democracy news outlet Stand News. Seven people were arrested  among them two current and former editors and four former board members, including a popular singer, Denise Ho  for alleged sedition under a colonial-era ordinance.

The outlet announced that afternoon that it would halt operations.

Stand News is the second media outlet to shut down after being targeted by Hong Kong authorities. The Apple Daily newspaper closed earlier in 2021 after authorities raided its offices for a second time and froze millions in assets.

Democracy has been under a sustained assault for well over a year in Hong Kong, said Luke de Pulford, a coordinator for the London-based Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, a group of legislators from democratic countries focused on relations with China. No democracy can function without a free press.

If no critical information is able to be published about the administration in Hong Kong or in China, then what last vestiges of democracy there were, I think we have to say, have been snuffed out.

In a string of tweets, Hong Kong activist Nathan Law called upon the world to publish about Hong Kong ... (and) about the brave journalists who risk so much. Law, who fled to London after the security law was implemented, said he feared a domino effect that would lead other outlets to close.

Little remains of Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement. More than 100 pro-democracy figures and others have been arrested under the security law, which penalizes actions seen as separatist or subverting the Hong Kong or Chinese governments.

That includes 47 people charged with subversion in February over their roles in an unofficial primary election held in 2020 to determine the best candidates to field in planned legislative elections.

Authorities accused the activists of subversion, saying they planned to win a majority and use it to paralyze the government and eventually force Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to step down.

The government postponed the 2020 elections, citing public health risks from COVID-19. Then, the central government in Beijing announced new election laws earlier this year that reduced the proportion of directly elected seats to less than a quarter and required all candidates to be loyal to Beijing.

The results were predictable: Earlier this month, when the election finally was held, pro-Beijing lawmakers won a landslide victory. The citys largest opposition party, the Democratic Party, fielded no candidates for the first time since the 1997 handover.

Several pro-democracy trade unions and organizations have also been dissolved this year. The citys largest teachers union disbanded in August due to the political climate, followed later by the citys largest independent trade union.

The Civil Human Rights Front, a pro-democracy group that organized some of the biggest protests in 2019, also disbanded following a police investigation under the National Security law.

Other pro-democracy activists have also been arrested for involvement in unauthorized protests and the annual Tiananmen candlelight vigil, which has been banned for two consecutive years. Most of the citys pro-democracy activists are behind bars or have fled abroad.

As the year drew to a close, several artworks were removed that commemorated the Tiananmen massacre.

Two days before Christmas, the University of Hong Kong cited legal risks in ordering the removal of the Pillar of Shame monument, which depicts a pile of torn and twisted bodies of Tiananmen victims. Several other universities followed suit, making away with pro-democracy and Tiananmen statues.

Chinas Communist Party has long sought to erase Tiananmen from the public consciousness in the mainland, forbidding any commemorative events. Now it seems determined to do the same in Hong Kong in the name of restoring stability to the city.

___

Wu reported from Taipei, Taiwan.
As frigid weather tightens its grip on Midland, there are local stops to help keep you warm and energized.

The city limits of Midland contain a plethora of coffee and tea shops for residents to either sample or make part of their daily routines. Here is a list of some local coffee and tea shops in Midland and what they have to offer right now.

Boomerang Coffee Lounge

Brunch, tea and coffee are all on the menu at Boomerang, located right in the middle of town at 128 Ashman Circle. One unique menu offering is the coffee and tea flights, which are four, six-once drinks of the customers choosing.

The shop also offers monthly specials, said co-owner Maegan Nowak, with two new lattes featured every month. A popular drink at the location is the Cafe Miel, which features espresso, honey, velvetized milk, cinnamon and vanilla.

Maegan Nowak and co-owner Brett Nowak are at the shop often and try to make the place as welcoming as possible.

Coffee Chaos

Located in the northern part of Midland at 6201 Jefferson Ave., Coffee Chaos has been giving Midland residents a morning pick-me-up for about 18 years. Customers are able to pick up their coffee in a drive-thru, or drink it inside with a breakfast snack.

Owner Kim Krantz said the shops signature drink is most likely the white chocolate-and-caramel Chaos Mocha, with the frozen hot chocolate also popular in the summer. Drinks can be ordered as hot, frozen-blended, or over ice.

I have people that have been coming to my coffee shop for 18 years, Krantz said. I really pride myself and really work hard on the consistency of the drinks and giving good customer service. I probably get just as many compliments on (my staff) as I do on the drinks.

The Coffee Grounds Shoppe

Customers are able to pick from the drive-thru or a cozy experience inside to enjoy coffee from this shop, located at 4951 Eastman Ave. People are able to buy baked goods, coffee grounds and fresh coffee.

Co-owner Sharon Crouterfield said one of the shops most popular coffee flavors is Jamaican Me Crazy, which can be bought as beans or by the cup. People are also able to buy pre-loaded cards for $25, and every time the card is reloaded, the customer gets a free drink.

We really pride ourselves on being a hometown, family coffee shop, Crouterfield said. When somebody walks through the door, we do not just want to know their name. We want to know what they drank, we want to know about their families.

Creation Coffee

Serving coffee is only one part of the Creation Coffee business. Located at 5023 Eastman Ave., the coffee shop also houses a coffee roasting operation that supplies beans to about 100 other businesses across the country.

The shops serves pour-overs, lattes, cappuccinos, and more, along with breakfast treats, beans and coffee making supplies. Co-owner Ben Marsh said the shop plans on expanding the shop aspect of the business, with two new locations opening in Mount Pleasant and Saginaw next year.

The (coffee is) roasted excellently; our staff of coffee professionals (baristas) does an excellent job of making the coffee, Marsh said.

Espresso Milano

Espresso Milano is a downtown, first-wave coffee house located at 137 Ashman St. The shop offers cappuccinos, lattes, mochas and drip coffee, along with numerous syrup flavors. Along with the drinks, the shop also serves bagels, oatmeal, pastries, cookies and biscotti in a relaxed atmosphere fit for studying, reading or sitting with friends.

Some of the shops signature drinks include the world-famous Mudslide, the Bradzilla and the White Rabbit. One special Espresso Milano has going right now is its special board, including the Milano's Bonfire Mocha - featuring coccoccino chocolate powder and toasted marshmallow syrup - with or without whipped cream.

We have enjoyed getting to know members of our community for the past 28 years and look forward to many more, said owner Bret Cousineau.

Grove Tea Lounge

For those looking for a more tea-focused experience, Grove is the place in Midland for them. Located at 2405 Abbott Road, the lounge offers botanical blends, black teas, green teas, and tea lattes, along with baked goods and a small coffee menu.

Manager Marissa Bourcier said the lounges popular drinks include its masala chai and a matcha latte. While the lounge has plenty of cold drinks, she said they offer many hot loose-leaf teas, tea lattes and espresso drinks.

We focus on creating an environment for people to come and feel like welcome, Bourcier said.

Live Oak Coffee House

A staple of Midtown is Live Oak, a gathering place that serves an array of espresso-based beverages that are hot, iced, or blended. Located at 711 Ashman St., the coffee house also specializes in filter coffee and pour-overs made from globally sourced coffees, roasted right in the same building.

People can also get tea, locally sourced kombuchas, bottled beverages, quiches, cinnamon rolls, and house-made "no-nonsense" granola bars.

Live Oak general manager Daniel Terhune said the coffee houses signature drink would vary from barista to barista, since the shops aim is to customize drinks to a customers liking. All syrups and sauces are made in-house, he added. There will be seasonal and food items added to the menu around the start of the new year.

We really strive to make it about the people: our amazing customers, our incredible staff, and our community, Terhune said. We spend an incredible amount of time roasting our coffee and preparing our drinks with care every time, but we spend just as much time building relationships with our team and our neighbors, supporting our non-profits and other businesses.
DETROIT (AP)  A Detroit man wanted in connection with the Christmas Day slayings of his 57-year-old wife and her 13-year-old daughter has been fatally shot by police searching for him.

Dwayne McDonald, 62, was killed Tuesday in an apartment a few miles north of downtown, Police Chief James White told reporters.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin.

Wednesday, Dec. 22:

9;12 p.m.  Deputies spoke with a 29-year-old Ingersoll Township male about Amazon delivering his package to the wrong address. Deputies spoke with the 51-year-old neighbor who received the package and he said it was received in error. The package was returned by the neighbor prior to the deputies making contact. No further assistance was requested.

7:07 p.m.  A deputy responded to a Lincoln Township business after a passerby reported hearing several car alarms sounding from the business. The deputy checked the vehicles at the business and they were all secure with no alarms sounding.

5:17 p.m.  Officers responded to a three-vehicle crash in the area of Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road.

4:36 p.m.  A Larkin Township business reported to the Sheriff's Office that one of their customer's vehicles had the catalytic converter stolen.

3:36 p.m.  A deputy was requested to transport an inmate by Michigan Department of Corrections to the Midland County Jail. They had arrested a 29-year-old male on a parole violation, so the deputy transported the suspect to the jail.

1:21 p.m.  Officers responded to a malicious destruction of property on Lee Street.

12:13 p.m.  A 55-year-old Larkin Township male reported his vehicle being entered during the nighttime hours. The male had approximately $100 taken from his unlocked vehicle.

11:25 a.m.  Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of North Saginaw Road and Wellness Drive.

11:21 a.m.  A 66-year-old Lee Township female wanted a 42-year-old female to be trespassed from her property after she deleted her from a Facebook group. The 42-year-old female advised she would block her and not go onto her property.

10:44 a.m.  Deputies responded to the Midland County Building in the City of Midland during a township official recall hearing.

10:27 a.m.  Officers responded to an injury crash in the area of West Buttles Street and Jerome Street.

10:17 a.m.  A deputy was dispatched to the Village of Sanford for a retail fraud complaint. The business did not wish to file a formal report regarding this incident. It obtained a license plate from the suspect vehicle, whose 32-year-old Midland female registered owner had a valid felony warrant out of Gladwin County. The female was arrested on that warrant at her apartment in the City of Midland and turned over to the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office without incident.

10:14 a.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a public parking lot in Homer Township about a vehicle that had been parked there for a few days. One of the owners, a 43-year-old Coleman woman, was contacted and she advised it belonged to her daughter, but it broke down. She was going to speak to her daughter about having it removed as soon as possible.

10:14 a.m.  The Sheriff's Office assisted the Medical Examiner in responding to the death of a 59-year-old male in Greendale Township. It was determined to be of natural causes and the body was released to the funeral home.

9:55 a.m.  A deputy assisted EMS with a 40-year-old male who was thought to be in cardiac arrest. The male had just drank too much alcohol and was transported by EMS to the ER.

8:19 a.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Jerome Township location for a vehicle in the roadway. The deputy contacted the 69-year-old female owner who advised her husband got the vehicle stuck when leaving the house. The female worked with her insurance and had the vehicle removed.

3:04 p.m.  A deputy and MyMichigan EMS responded to an Edenville Township residence after a 97-year-old woman reported her 40-year-old great-grandson was intoxicated and unresponsive. The deputy arrived and located the male, who was awake, breathing, and intoxicated. The man advised he did not need medical or law enforcement assistance. No crime was committed.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers are still trying to figure out what will happen with both the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 spreading simultaneously.

Now new lab-based data is suggesting that the newer variant, Omicron, might bring one silver lining: It could help folks who contract it defend against the prior variant, Delta.

Scientists in South Africa found that people who have recovered from an infection with Omicron produced antibodies that protected them against Delta. The reverse did not appear to be true, however.

Because Omicron appears to produce less severe illness than Delta, its overall effect might end up having a positive side, scientists said. While the Omicron variant is expected to strain health care systems and economies because if its extremely rapid spread, in the longer term -- if it continues to dominate -- there could be fewer hospitalizations and deaths than if Delta was to continue to lead.

"Omicron is likely to push Delta out," study lead author Alex Sigal told the New York Times. He's a virologist at the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, South Africa. "Maybe pushing Delta out is actually a good thing, and we're looking at something we can live with more easily and that will disrupt us less than the previous variants."

The study was posted Monday on the institutes website. It has not yet been published in a scientific journal and has yet to undergo peer review, the newspaper reported.

The Delta variant became prominent last summer with mutations that made it spread more easily than earlier variants. It was also moderately able to evade immune-system antibodies, including those produced by vaccines.

Omicron emerged in November, experts believe. It spreads even more quickly than Delta and can infect people who've experienced a previous COVID infection and/or have been vaccinated, though it tends to spur milder cases of illness. The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 59% of current U.S. cases of COVID-19 are caused by the Omicron variant.

Earlier studies, using blood from people who were vaccinated or had recovered from cases of COVID-19, confirmed that antibodies derived from a prior Delta infection offered little protection against Omicron.

But Sigal believes that as people contract Omicron, they may gain some immunity to both that variant and Delta.

If thats true, then Delta will gradually have fewer people it can successfully infect, leaving Omicron to outcompete it. While scientists arent sure why Omicron might provide immunity against the Delta variant, its possible that Omicron may do the same other variants, as well.

The study included blood drawn from only 13 volunteers, but independent scientists called it sound, according to the Times. The volunteers were a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, and Sigal's group tested the activity of the Delta and Omicron variants in the blood samples.

Two experts who spoke to the newspaper said the South African findings are consistent with patterns of current spread of SARS-CoV-2 being observed in England and in Connecticut.

Omicron arrives and grows rapidly, and the Delta trend switches to declining, said Carl Pearson, a British epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, we are seeing Omicron exponentially rise while Delta cases are falling," added Nathan Grubaugh, an epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health. "This suggests to me that Omicron is outcompeting Delta for susceptible individuals, leaving them less susceptible to Delta in the aftermath, and driving down Delta cases."

It's also possible that Omicron stimulated the volunteers' existing immunity from earlier infection or vaccination, the experts said. What it might do in unvaccinated people is still not entirely known.

Of course, Omicron's potential for dominating Delta doesn't mean that variants that can evade immunity won't arise again in the future.

There are still many unknowns. Speaking with the Times, Pearson offered three suggestions as to what could happen with the novel coronavirus going forward.

Every year there could be a different seasonal variant, similar to what happens with the flu, he said. Or several variants could coexist, evading different antibodies, similar to what happens now with Dengue fever, where people get sick every few years from one variant. Or -- in a best-case scenario -- one variant could dominate and make the virus much easier to manage, although Pearson believes this is least likely.

"I'd bet we can rule out that it's trending to a place where it locks into a single variety that's long-term immunizing and becomes a childhood infection like measles," he said. "But that's also still possible."

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.

SOURCE: New York Times
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It's being reported today that Foxconn's largest iPhone plant in Chennai India has been suspended since December 18 over worker issues. Employees and their families initiated protests, which once blocked a local expressway. Hon Hai, under pressure from Apple, stated that it will increase the dormitory area, replace bathing facilities, provide drinking water, and improve the working environment of the factory and the living environment of its employees. In addition, the Chennai plant will be expanded and more employees will be hired.

Earlier this month, protests erupted after more than 250 women who work at the Foxconn plant that makes iPhones in Sriperumbudur town, near Chennai, and live in one of the dormitories had to be treated for food poisoning.

Foxconn said earlier today that it was restructuring its local management team to ensure that it can achieve and maintain the standards needed, and was taking immediate steps to improve facilities. All employees would continue to be paid while it makes necessary improvements to restart operations.

An Apple spokesperson said it had dispatched independent auditors to assess conditions at the dormitories after it found that some of Foxconn's dormitories and restaurants in remote areas used by its supplier in southern India for employees did not meet its standards.

Hon Hai (Foxconn) recently decided to increase its investment of US$350 million in a subsidiary of Foxconn in India . According to market participants, this move is to expand the production capacity of Apple's iPhone. One of the sources for this report was the Economic Times of India.

It's a little difficult to understand how Apple doesn't inspect their main supplier factories independently ahead of time to discover the lack of standards for factory workers instead of after the fact. A year ago, riots broke out at a Wistron iPhone plant in India and Apple was once again found to be clueless of the worker conditions at that plant. Considering that Apple and other Silicon Valley companies are currently under investigation related to slave labor in China, you'd think that Apple would up their inspections of facilities and be ahead of problems that cause negative international headlines.
On Sunday we reported that Apple may have hired Meta's Director of Communications, Augmented Reality & Research at Reality Labs  though her LinkedIn profile doesn't reflect that at the moment. Yet the bigger story is that Meta wants to stay ahead of Apple with Oculus and mixed reality software and has poached upwards towards a hundred Apple engineers to do so in recent months, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Gurman reports that "Apple is waging a talent war with companies in Silicon Valley and beyond, with Meta emerging as a particular threat. Meta has hired about 100 engineers from Apple in the last few months, but it hasnt been a one-way street: Apple also has lured away key Meta employees.

The two companies are likely to become fierce rivals in augmented- and virtual-reality headsets and smartwatches, with both planning major hardware releases over the next two years.

Meta, meanwhile, has stepped up efforts to poach engineering talent from Apples augmented reality, artificial intelligence, software and hardware engineering divisions."

Gurman further reports that, in an unusual move, "Apple Inc. has issued significant stock bonuses to some engineers in an effort to retain talent, looking to stave off defections to tech rivals such as Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc.

The bonuses, which came as a surprise to those who received them, have ranged from about US$50,000 to as much as US$180,000 in some cases. Many of the engineers received amounts of roughly US$80,000, US$100,000 or US$120,000 in shares. The perk was presented by managers as a reward for high performers.

The bonuses that were given to about 10 per cent to 20 per cent of engineers in applicable divisions have irked some engineers who didnt receive the shares and believe the selection process is arbitrary. For more, read the full report from BNN Bloomberg.

While employee poaching isn't illegal, Apple Legal will be following the defections very carefully to ensure that Apple technology that the engineers worked on a Apple isn't used in future Meta or Oculus products which would be illegal.
Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana, Mrs. Abena Osei-Poku has dispelled the myth that the transition to digital technology is leading to perpetual job losses. She said whilst the tectonic shift to global digitalisation is affecting jobs, it is also creating new streams of employment for the benefit of the working population.



Speaking at the 21st Graduation ceremony of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Abena Osei-Poku charged the graduating students to make value-addition a non-negotiable aspect of their career lives. She said the transformative power of digitalisation is eroding labour intensive and repetitive jobs; however, new areas of responsibility and new industries are being discovered for cognitive non-routine tasks and creating several thousands of new and exciting opportunities.



"Digital technologies have introduced opportunities in Digital marketing, robotics, Mobile App development, Customer Experience, and the like. The model employee of the future is the one who gets out of their comfort zone, seizes the opportunity, and delivers value to their organisation. You may make mistakes but that is a part of it. Remember, however, to learn from them quickly, grow, remain relevant and add value wherever you find yourself," she said.



The graduation ceremony, which was on the theme, "Digitalisation and Employment in a changing world," was held at the forecourt of GIMPA's Greenhill campus. Using concrete examples and profound anecdotes, Abena Osei-Poku inspired and admonished the students to look beyond their degrees and pick up new skills, upgrade old ones and become lifelong learners if they want to thrive as employees or entrepreneurs.



"In the skills revolution, the ability to constantly evolve one's skillset will bring opportunities. Today, the average life span of a young graduate in most companies is less than 10 years. With the Hybrid working model made possible by technology, the blurring of locations opens opportunities to work from anywhere and for entrepreneurial activity. You only now require a handset and an Instagram account to be the model entrepreneur. So whilst I encourage you to look for jobs, explore the opportunity to innovate, create and start your own businesses and take advantage of the ability to scale quickly with technology," Abena Osei-Poku added.





The graduation ceremony was chaired by the Chairman of the GIMPA Council, Mr. Kofi Darko Asante and host of attendees including, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwaku Bonsu, Council Member, Professor Stanley Coffie and GIMPA Secretary, Mr. Julius Atikpui.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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My earliest memories of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutuare from newspaper clippings and video recordings of foreign news bulletins smuggled into South Africa by dissenters to evade censorship.



As an activist allied to the African National Congress, the archbishop was banned from the heavily policed media of the white minority government.



In the smuggled tapes, I would see the archbishop looking regal in his mauve robes praying at the funerals of activists and protesters killed by apartheid police, or pleading with people to end the violence.



As a young woman during this tumultuous time in my country, I saw him as a man of God fighting for our freedom, a man pleading with the world to end apartheid, an elder we hoped could one day help restore peace  even if we weren't always that confident it would ever happen.



Of course, I had no idea then that I would one day be making newspaper clippings of my own about "the Arch", as he is affectionately known here. As a photojournalist, I got to meet him regularly in the democracy he helped bring about.



Before all that, one memory stands out from 1985. I was nine years old, taking part in an anti-apartheid protest in our neighbourhood on the Cape Flats, an area designated as "non-white" under the segregationist Group Areas Act.



As a family of mostly Indian descent, our movements were restricted under the act and our schools were closed by the government under a state of emergency. The police fired tear gas at us  yes, at a bunch of primary school kids and their teachers!  and my eyes stung with the pain.



But the main protest was up the road at Alexander Sinton High School. My father was a teacher there; my sister a pupil. They staged a sit-in protest demanding schools be opened, and police fired tear gas and dragged students out of their classrooms. My dad and sister were arrested and released hours later.



The next day, Tutu visited the school to comfort the students. A black-and-white photo shows him in his tunic and glasses, a halo of white hair encircling his brow and both of his hands affectionately holding the cheeks of a student.



'THE HUMAN FAMILY'



On Feb. 11, 1990, I sat on the Grand Parade opposite the City Hall in Cape Town with my family waiting for the arrival of Nelson Mandela, who was to be released from prison after 27 years. The sun had already begun to set when Mandela emerged on the balcony with Archbishop Tutu by his side.



We were overjoyed. We knew the democracy my family had fought for was coming, but the joy was tainted with a sense of loss, of the sacrifices we had made and abuses we had suffered.



Nearly 20 years later, I had my first opportunity to photograph the archbishop at this house. Back then I was too painfully shy to interact with him much, but over the next decade I had the privilege of photographing him many times for Reuters and for his foundation, so I got to know him better.



His courage in defending social justice, even at great cost to himself, always shone through - and not just during apartheid. He often fell out with his erstwhile allies at the ruling ANC over their failures to address the poverty and inequalities that they promised to eradicate.



At St George's Cathedral in Cape Town on April 23, 2014, I photographed Tutu who was still angry and hurt four months after the ANC had tried to bar him from Mandela's funeral. The party had relented only after a public outcry.



"I will not vote for them," he said of the ANC.



"I say it with a very sore heart. We dreamt about a society that really made people feel they mattered. You can't do that in a society where you have people who go to bed hungry, where many of our children still attend classes under trees."



I was always taken by the way Tutu greeted people equally whether they were heads of state or homeless on the street. He regularly visited a home for the elderly, taking cake and treats for the residents. I looked on as he shook hands with around 40 of them.



When I had to cancel an appointment with him because my son was ill with an appendicitis back in 2016, Tutu had a gift box sent to the hospital.



His wife Leah told me a story over tea about how, when he was young, he gave up his jersey to another child accompanying a blind man, shivering in the cold, knowing he risked a scolding for returning home without it.



That was the Tutu we all knew and loved.



To me, all of these things show the Arch was sincere when he spoke of "Ubuntu", a Zulu word representing a belief that all human beings are connected by a universal bond that demands sharing and compassion.



"We have been intended to exist as members of one family, the human family," he once said, adding that when we fail to act accordingly, "we do so at great risk to ourselves".



Archbishop Tutu took many risks during his life, but that was not one of them.

Source: REUTERS









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The Ministry of Roads and Highways has denied an allegation that the sector Minister, Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta has usurped the role of the Road Fund Board, using his power and influence to single-handedly determine how contractors should be paid and who should be paid first.



A group, identified as Concerned Road Contractors had alleged in a press statement that the Minister was engaged in irregularities and was indulged in paying contractors at his own whims and caprices without any regard for due process and blatant disregard for the accepted practice of paying certificates in order of first-come, first-served basis."



But reacting to the allegations in a press statement, issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Ministry, it was explained that a Board of this structure cannot be controlled by the Hon Minister.



The Hon Minister is neither a member of the Board nor a Signatory to the Road Fund Account. At no point in time has the Board of the Road Fund or any member complained that Hon Minister has usurped or attempted to usurp the functions of the Board.



As a Management Board, there has been a perfect working relationship between the Hon Minister and the Board since 2017. It cannot, therefore, be suggested that the Hon. Minister can single-handedly usurp the role of the Board in paying contractors. The Ministry is not aware of the phenomenon of middlemen arranging payment for contractors. Suffice it to say that the challenges of delayed payments to contractors have severally been explained by the Hon. Minister at various public for an including on the floor of Parliament, during his vetting by the Appointment Committee of Parliament or in answer to questions from Hon members of Parliament and several press conferences.



It is illogical to suggest a staff of the Fund can be threatened with a sack merely because he/she reveals payment list to Contractors. This clearly cannot stand the test against the public service laws and regulations. It is not in doubt that contractors face lots of challenges relating to payment of their Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs). However, it is also worth mentioning that the Government has made great strides in addressing the payments challenges in the industry.



We strongly challenge the so-called group to come out with clear evidence to substantiate these allegations if they have any.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Omicron still poses 'very high' risk and could overwhelm healthcare systems, the WHO warned on Wednesday, as the highly transmissible coronavirus variant fuelled record outbreaks in many countries.



Case numbers have shot up 11 percent globally in the last week, forcing governments from China to Germany and France to find a difficult balance between anti-virus restrictions and the need to keep economies and societies open.



The Netherlands and Switzerland said Omicron had become the dominant strain in their countries, and while some studies suggested it causes milder Covid-19, the World Health Organization urged caution.



'The overall risk related to the new variant of concern Omicron remains very high,' the UN health agency said in its Covid-19 weekly epidemiological update.



'Consistent evidence shows that the Omicron variant has a growth advantage over the Delta variant with a doubling time of two to three days.'



The WHO said early data from Britain, South Africa, and Denmark - which currently has the world's highest rate of infection per person - suggested there was a reduced risk of hospitalization for Omicron compared with Delta.



But it added that further data was needed to understand Omicron's severity.



And despite those studies, Omicron's rapid growth 'will still result in large numbers of hospitalizations, particularly amongst unvaccinated groups, and cause widespread disruption to health systems and other critical services', warned WHO Europe's Covid Incident Manager Catherine Smallwood.



Painful restrictions



Europe was again one of the hotspots for the pandemic, which is known to have claimed more than 5.4 million lives around the world.



France, Britain, Greece and Portugal all reported record daily case numbers on Tuesday. France reported almost 180,000 infections over 24 hours.

Source: Dailymail









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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.
The Africa Centre for Health Policy (ACeHP) says government may not meet its timeline in completing health facilities under the Agenda 111 projects.



ACeHPs Executive Director, Ahmed Farhan, in an interview with Accra-based Citi News, revealed that checks across the country indicate no sign of progress at the project sites.



The ambitious Agenda 111 project includes 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals in the newly created regions, two specialised hospitals in the middle and northern belts, and a regional hospital in the Western Region and the renovation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.



Its objective is to provide quality healthcare delivery at the district level.



Government has so far secured a $100 million start-up fund through the Ghana Investment Infrastructure Fund (GIIF) for the commencement of the projects.



In August 2021, President Nana Akufo-Addo cut sod in the Ashanti Region to signal the beginning of hospital projects across the country.



However, Mr Farhan noted that although the project is well intended for the country, any delays will further worsen the countrys health care delivery system.



I doubt if we will be able to meet the set timelines. It will definitely affect the project lifecycle. The 12-month target that has been set, I presume, will not be to be met.



Currently, I think they have been faced with certain challenges that will not permit them to kickstart the physical construction of the hospitals, so I think the 12 months they have set will just not be possible.



He added that the delay in executing the project could be attributed to financial constraints.



What government needs to do is to make the commitment in constructing those hospitals and injecting the seed capital for the works to be done.



Most of the contractors we got in touch with do not want to disclose information, but the indication is that they do not have capital available to move to site, and that is what is delaying the start of the project.





Source: myjoyonline.com









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Popular Ghanaian Rapper Michael Owusu-Addo popularly known as Sarkodie has said his songs are not targeted at politicians as being speculated in some quarters.



The rapper has in recently come under critisms over his seeming silence over recent development in the country especially on the 2022 Budget statement.



Speaking on Asaase FM Friday(24 December) Sarkodie said his song relates to governance but not personalities.



The questions you are asking me Iam inspired , I feel like I want to do something, it is not because it is targeted at somebody When I said Aban (government) , in my head wether you believe or not , I know the political ears dont hear it like that, If I say Aban, it is anybody who is in governance, so at that point if it happens to be you my boss then it is going to be directed to you.



That some song relates today, .but then they want to play politics and go like Sarkodie you have to to speak about this person , I wasnt speaking about anybody , I was speaking about governance , I dont do music for clout, I play music because I feel like it.



I will not wake up because I want to trend, I dont do that , I dont need to do that, so a song like Happy Day, if you listen to what I was saying of course I wont rule out the fact that it was going to be controversial because it was election year, he said.

Source: asaaseradio.com









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Decorated Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie has nonchalantly fired back at his critics on social media. The popular Ghanaian rapper has recently come under intense criticism as Ghanaians feel disappointed by his behaviour as a sympathizer of the Akufo-Addo led government.



Musician Sarkodie is one of the celebrities who campaigned or endorsed President Akufo-Addo during the 2020 elections.



The musician featuring Kuami Eugene composed a campaign song for the NPP government to continue their supposed good governance.



However, things have gone sour following the 2020 elections. The government has failed Ghanaians woefully as theyre imposing heavy taxes on them amid the economic hardship.



Many social media users have hence called on Sarkodie to use his influence to advise the government that things have gone from bad to worse over the years under Akufo-Addos rule but King Sark has gone mute.



He cannot call a spade a spade. Recently he caused outrage as he noted that things have been hard always but the government should rather make things easy for people to hustle.



Ghanaians called him a hypocrite for failing to speak the truth and to call out Akufo-Addo to be sensitive to the plight of the people.



Reacting to all that backlashes, Sarkodie has said not all social media users are correct.



According to him, no one checks peoples mental fitness before they sign up on social media so there are a lot of mentally unstable people on the internet.





Sarkodie revealed during an interview on Asaase FM that he wont be sensible to pay heed to what is said about him on social media. He noted he doesnt care and he will continue to be himself and post whatever he wants.















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A customer walks away from the closed entrance to an Xfinity store Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Lakewood, Colo., one of the scenes in a shooting spree that left five people deadincluding the suspected shooter Monday eveningand left three more people wounded. The spree spread from the core of Denver to the western suburb of Lakewood where the suspect was shot and killed by police near a busy intersection in a bustling shopping district. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dimov Demolishes Super MILLION$ at GGPoker For $508,891

December 29, 2021 Matthew Pitt

Ognyan "fizoka" Dimov reached the final table of the GGPoker Super MILLION$ last week, but had to make do with a fourth-place finish. Dimov navigated his way to this weeks final table where he started fourth in chips, almost 60 big blinds behind the leader, Ravid Garbi. Dimov made amends for falling short previously, and came away with the $508,891 top prize and the title of champion.

Super MILLION$ Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Ognyan "fizoka" Dimov Russia $508,891 2 Joshua McCully New Zealand $392,409 3 Nenad "O O L" Djukic Croatia $302,588 4 Ravid Garbi Israel $233,327 5 Gytis Lazauninkas Poland $179,920 6 Stephen Chidwick Canada $138,737 7 Lukas "rustyhusky" Hafner Austria $106,981 8 Isaac Haxton Canada $82,493 9 Artur Martirosian Russia $63,611

Two-time Super MILLION$ champion Artur Martirosian was the first of the nine finalists to fall by the wayside. Martirosian came unstuck during the 60,000/120,000/15,000a level. He found himself down to five big blinds after a clash with Isaac Haxton did not go to plan. That short stack went into the middle with pocket nines after Nenad "O O L" Djukic min-raised with king-jack. Djukic flopped a king, and Martirosian was gone.

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Haxton busted a few hands later in what was a massive pot. Haxton min-raised to 240,000 with ace-queen of hearts, Garbi called in the button with king-queen of spades, only for Djukic to shove for 3,590,131 in the small blind with ace-king. Haxton called off the 2,600,000 or so he had behind, ad Garbi quickly folded. Both players caught an ace on the flop, but Haxton could not find a queen, and busted in eighth.

Lukas "rustyhusky" Hafner got his hands on $106,981, the tournaments first six-figure score, when he fell in seventh place. Joshua McCully made it 294,000 to go with the big blind costing 140,000. He then called when Hafner three-bet all-in for 1,975,809 from the small blind. It was pocket sevens for McCully, and ace-queen for Hafner. The king-high board missed Hafner, and he bowed out.

Stephen Chidwick

The much-fancied Stephen Chidwick was the final tables next casualty, who lost a coinflip during the 80,000/160,000/17,500a level. Chidwick opened to 352,000 in the cutoff with pocket jacks, McCully responded with a three-bet to 1,044,000 with king-queen on the button, before calling when Chidwick moved all-on for 2,212,064 in total. McCully caught a king on the flop, Chidwick busted, and collected $138,737.

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Fifth place and $179,920 went to Gytis Lazauninkas, and it was McCully who did the damage once again. The action folded to McCully in the small blind, and he raised all-in with seven-six of spades, putting Lazauninkas to the test for his nine big blinds. Lazauninkas called with ace-king, but lost courtesy of a six on the river.

Start-of-the-day chip leader Garbi was the next player heading for the exits. The Israeli lost a large pot, which left him nursing a 13 big blind stack. That went into the middle with pocket fives against the eights of Djukic. The all-spade flop left Garbi drawing to a single five, which did not land on the turn nor river.

Heads-up was set when Djukic ran out of steam in third a finish good for $302,588. Djukic opened to 352,000 on the button with king-queen, Dimov three-bet to 1,401,960 with jack-ten of diamonds in the small blind, and McCully folded his queen-nine. Djukic called, and the flop fell ten-jack-deuce. Dimov continued with an 846,698 continuation bet, which Djukic called. A jack on the turn gifted Dimov a full house, which he checked. Djukic fired a 1,211,329 bet, and was called. The six of spades on the river put a potential flush out there, and Dimov checked. Djukic took the bait and jammed for 5,518,387 into the 7,139,974 pot. Of course, Dimov called with his full house, leaving Djukic with 524,604 chips, or 3.5 big blinds.

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Djukic busted on the very next hand with king-jack against the nines of McCully.

Dimov held a 16,162,268 to 9,937,732 chip lead over McCully but it still took almost 30-minutes for him to get the job done. The final hand saw McCully rip it in for 12 big blinds with eight-seven of spades, and Dimov call with pocket deuces. McCully flopped an eight, turned trips, but lost to a brutal two on the river. McCully walked away with the $392,409 runner-up prize, leaving Dimov to bank a cool $508,891 and the title of champion.
Ramiro Petrone Crowned 2021 partypoker MILLIONS Online Main Event Champion

December 28, 2021 Calum Grant

After five Main Event flights and two more days of play, the 2021 partypoker Millions Online Main Event has concluded with Argentina's Ramiro Petrone being the eventual victor. He became the rightful owner of the $859,018 up top after defeating Spanish-Andorran player Juan Dominguez in heads up play.

The event had a combined 1,041 entries, which saw the tournament eclipse its $5 million guarantee, creating a final prize pool of $5,205,000. Just 156 players made the money with the min-cash being $10,653, notable names who walked away with a piece of the prize pool include Michael Addamo (117th - $11,834), Ali Imsirovic (69th - $15,462) and Adrian Mateos (10th - $52,714).

There were a host of partypoker ambassadors who also cashed the tournament; Mikita Badziakouski (140th - $10,653), Jamie Staples (137th - $10,653) and Joni Jouhkimainen (121st - $11,211) departed early when the money bubble burst. Yuri Dzivielevski (109th - $11,834), Patrick Leonard (72nd - $13,587) and Matthew Staples (41st - $18,318) faired slightly better than their colleagues.

Related: Kisacikoglu and Nemeth Make partypoker MILLIONS Online Main Event Final Table

Millions Online Main Event Final Table Recap

Andras Nemeth came onto the final table with a nine-figure stack but was the first player to leave the table. The Hungarian poker player shipped in his stack with ace-jack offsuit and was called by Petrone from the small blind with pocket tens. Nemeth hit his jack on the flop while his opponent had a gut-shot straight draw. Petrone made his straight on river to get the first elimination of the day and Nemeth collected $69,767 for his Main Event run.

There was then back-to-back bust outs as Igor Dunsel moved in preflop with ace-jack offsuit only to get called by Steven van Zadelhoff with ace-king. Dunsel failed to connect on the runout and picked up $88,327 for his eighth-place finish. Orpen Kisacikoglu was then on the wrong side of a flip against Dominguez, whose pair of threes remained best. Kisacikoglu, who finished eighth in last week's 2021 EPT Online Main Event, claimed the first six-figure prize of $111,313.

Orpen Kisacikoglu finishes in 7th place and wins $111,313 for his run in the #MILLIONSOnline Main Event!  partypoker (@partypoker)

Fabio Luongo was the next player who was all-in and at risk versus fellow Canadian Sebastian Sikorski. Luongo held the bogey-hand of the day, ace-jack, and was hoping it would be third time's. In a 200 million chip pot, Sikorski's ace-queen reigned supreme meaning his compatriot would have to settle for the $141,031 payout.

Petrone and Sikorksi got their second knockouts of the day after Petrone's aces held against the pocket fours of Christopher Brice.Sikorski would then make it three-handed play after outflopping Van Zadelhoff's pair of fives. Three became two after a blind on blind battle between Dominguez and Sikorski. The latter had the shorter stack and would need some assistance to leapfrog Dominguez's queens, no help arrived and Sikorksi pocketed $406,793 for his performance.

Heads up play was a close affair for much of it's duration but that all changed after Petrone rivered a better flush to have a 4:! chip lead over Dominguez. A few hands after Petrone would be crowned the winner after he made another flush while Dominguez flopped top pair. The Argentinian bet the flop and turn before putting his opponent all-in on the river to which Dominguez called-off the remainder of his stack. The runner-up took home $591,687, which comes just a few days after he won the WSOPC Series: $25,500 Sunday Million Super HR for $431,319.

Ramiro Petrone is your #MILLIONSOnline Main Event Champion! Congratulations to Ramiro who defeated Juan Pardo Domin https://t.co/OE64LGJdi4  partypoker (@partypoker)

It would also be another significant 2021 online tournament victory for Petrone who took down a GGPoker Super MILLION$ tournament in October for $267,285. Congratulations to Ramiro Petrone on becoming the He became the rightful owner of the 2021 partypoker Millions Online Main Event.

Millions Online Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize (USD) 1 Ramiro Petrone Argentina $859,018 2 Juan Dominguez Spain $591,687 3 Sebastian Sikorski Canada $406,793 4 Steven van Zadelhoff Netherlands $265,987 5 Christopher Brice United Kingdom $182,437 6 Fabio Luongo Canada $141,031 7 Orpen Kisacikoglu Turkey $111,313 8 Igor Dursel Malta $88,327 9 Andras Nemeth Hungary $69,767

Millions Online Main Event Day by Day Breakdown

Date Event Entries Progressed Chip Leader Sunday, December 12 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1a 383 57 Thomas Clack Sunday, December 19 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1b 221 33 Andras Nemeth Sunday, December 26 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1c 237 36 Jamie O'Connor Monday, December 27 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1d 132 20 Aleksandr Shepel Monday, December 27 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 1 Turbo 68 10 Jonathan Bussieres Monday, December 27 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 2 156 9 Sebastian Sikorski Tuesday, December 28 MILLIONS Online Main Event Day 3 9 - Ramiro Petrone (Winner)

Related: Jamie O'Connor Runaway Chip Leader in partypoker MILLIONS Main Event Day 1C

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Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 41F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 41F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Joe Pye speaks to the audience during the dedication of Joesph Pye Elementary School in 2011. The school was named after Pye to honor his long service to the district.
Lion Air's Boeing 737 Max 8 sits on the tarmac at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia on April 13, 2019. Indonesia said Wednesday it is lifting its ban on Boeings 737 Max aircraft, three years after one crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 189 people on board. AP Photo/Nicole Evatt/File
Charleston County School District Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait resigned from her position after a closed-door school board meeting on Dec. 29.

The Charleston County School Board voted 6-1 to accept Postlewait's resignation after an hour-and-a-half executive session. The board rarely holds meetings during school breaks, when all district offices are closed. Charleston County students are expected to return to school on Jan. 4.

Postlewait's resignation is effective Jan. 2, but she will continue to work for the school district through June 30. The board did not specify what her position will be. The board named Chief Financial Officer Don Kennedy as interim superintendent.

In a provided statement, Postlewait said she "will do everything she can to ensure a smooth transition of leadership."

I have enjoyed immensely the opportunity to serve Charleston County students, personnel, parents and the greater community over the past seven years, Postlewait said. I am heartened by the many accomplishments and accolades CCSD has received and am especially proud of the selfless service teachers, staff and leaders have provided during the Covid-19 pandemic."

Postlewait, who earned $237,248 in the 2020-21 school year, received a "good" rating from the board in her annual evaluation on Sept. 13.

The 6-1 vote was made by a school board with the majority of its members in their first year of their terms. Board members Lauren Herterich, Kristen French, Helen Frazier, Erica Cokley and Courtney Waters were all elected in November 2020.

Frazier was the only board member to vote against the measure. Cokley abstained from the vote and board member Cindy Bohn Coats was not present at the meeting.

Chairman Eric Mack and board members Kate Darby and Joyce Green make up the rest of the board.

Coats, who said she was working and unable to attend the meeting, said Postlewait's resignation came as a surprise to her. The board and public were notified of the meeting on Dec. 28. Board members are typically notified about special-called meetings days in advance, she said.

"Thank goodness Mr. Kennedy was able to meet on only one-day notice and was able to agree upon a contract in less than 80 minutes," Coats said.

Coats added she wishes Postlewait well in her future endeavors.

Frazier, who was the only dissenting vote on the measure, said she didn't agree with the terms of the resignation contract in a news release sent after the meeting. She wasn't specific on which terms she disagreed with, but said she hopes the new superintendent will focus on closing achievement gaps between White and minority student in the district.

"The search for a new Superintendent must focus on finding someone with a proven track record in closing achievement gaps and implementing systems where equity and Inclusion are reflected in results instead of merely lofty rhetoric," Frazier said in her statement. "Charleston County School District has some of the best schools in the country, so it is unacceptable that we tolerate test scores for Black and minority students that are so much lower than their white peers."

Other board members did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In 2015, the Charleston County school board appointed the West Virginia University graduate to replace Nancy McGinley, who resigned in October 2014. Postlewait started her career in education administration as superintendent of Wetzel County Schools in West Virginia.

Prior to coming to the district, Postlewait served as superintendent of Horry County Schools from 1996 to 2006. She was the chief K-12 officer for the Stupski Foundation, a San Francisco-based education reform nonprofit from 2006 to 2013, and she later worked for ACT, the college-entrance exam developer, a role she left to become CCSD's superintendent.

She's also served as the president of the South Carolina Board of Education and a member of the governing board of the American Association of School Administrators. In 2006, she was named superintendent of the year for her work in Horry County.

For the past two years, Postlewait has been at the helm of the district's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Every other week, she's reported on COVID-19 numbers at board meetings as cases rose, fell and rose again. She's listened as parents and community members protested the school board's decision to require masks, some of whom were escorted out of the district offices for shouting and refusing to leave when their allotted public comment time had passed.

With the board's support, she made the decision to open schools to nearly all students over the 2020-21 year, implementing mask requirements, social distancing and quarantine protocols. She also had teachers participate in dual-instruction, teaching students both in person and virtually as they were sent home to quarantine, a decision that frustrated many teachers in the district.

In the 2021-22 school year, she and the board faced criticism from parents who were left confused after the board voted to require masks in August and later clarified that the requirement wouldn't be enforced because of an S.C. budget rule prohibiting mask mandates. The board eventually reinstated the mask requirement after a federal judge ruled the prohibition violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The experience has taken a toll on everyone involved, and Postlewait has been the face of it all.

In August, the Charleston Teacher Alliance released survey results which rated Postlewait and the school board as "minimally effective." Over 600 teachers responded to the survey, which gave Postlewait a score of 2.23. The score was higher than the board's score of 2.05 and the highest score the superintendent received in the past four years.

In the survey, teachers rated Postlewait and the board as "ineffective" at seeking teacher input before making decisions. In comments submitted as part of the survey, teachers said they were pleased with Postlewait's decision to give control to school principals, Charleston Teacher Alliance Director Jody Stallings said in an August interview with The Post and Courier.

Even though Postlewait's rating has risen over the past four years, the district's handling of the pandemic has elicited criticism from teachers, parents and community members. A second Charleston Teacher Alliance survey sent out from Sept. 30 to Oct. 15 collected responses from over 850 teachers. Over 80 percent of the teachers said they feel more exhausted in the 2021-22 school year than they did last year, 66 percent have considered quitting and 76 percent feel burned out.

The teachers said they felt a lack of appreciation from the community and the district. Only 20 percent reported feeling that "CCSD values its teachers" and 13 percent said they felt supported by the district's school board. Broken down, it showed the district's educators are struggling with packed schedules, new curriculums, discipline issues, excessive assessments and trainings.

"The people making decisions for our classrooms are too far removed from the trenches. I would love to see them pull off what they are requiring of us," one teacher wrote in the anonymous survey.

With the approval of the school board, Postlewait added three eLearning days to the second semester of the school year to allow teachers time to get caught up on grading and plan for future lessons. The district also eliminated one of its assessments for elementary school students to relieve some of the burden put on teachers.
HARLEYVILLE  Conservation groups in South Carolina want to blanket the state with a network of wildlife tracking towers to aid in research and protection efforts for migratory birds. The recent installation of two more Motus towers in the Midlands and Lowcountry are pushing them closer to that goal.

A grant from Dominion Energy's Charitable Foundation funded the installation of two towers at the Audubon centers and sanctuaries within Francis Beidler Forest in Harleyville and Silver Bluff in Aiken.

The devices are essentially metal radio antennas attached to poles about 50 feet up in the air. Each one will track the migratory patterns of birds, insects and other animals. But for this to happen, researchers must tag species of interest with "nanotags," or small radio transmitters.

When the tagged animals are within a certain range of a tower, the device will ping and provide researchers with real-time info about their migratory journeys.

This is important for groups like Audubon South Carolina, as the information will reveal critical wintering, breeding and stopover locations for birds across the state and throughout the greater Atlantic Migratory Flyway.

Threats to migratory birds, including loss of habitat, are accelerating during all stages of their annual cycle.

"Motus data is helping us better understand birds' migratory pathways, so we can do more to protect them and the habitat they rely on throughout their fully lifecycles," said Angelina Ricci Eisenhauer, Audubon South Carolina's interim executive director.

The Motus tower network uses old VHF technology (very high frequency) but in a new way. Researchers have been able to figure out how to make the tags small enough to be placed on tiny birds. A lot of the tags are about half a gram or less.

Jennifer McCarthy Tyrrell, Audubon South Carolina's engagement manager, said the technology for the battery, energy storage and the weight of the tags have improved over time.

"And some people are even putting these tiny little tags on butterflies and dragonflies and bats," Tyrrell said. "So it's a really cool way to use an old technology."

The new towers in Harleyville and Aiken have already picked up a number of animals, most of which were tagged in places like Canada, Utah and New York, Tyrrell said. For some species, South Carolina is just a stop along their journey. And for others, the state is a wintering ground or final destination for their migration.

Most recently, Audubon has noticed tower pings from gray catbirds, Swainson's thrush and red-eyed vireos, among other species.

Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries in South Carolina provide habitats for some of the most vulnerable species. And through Motus, the staff is finding out just how connected and vital these areas are for birds across the hemisphere, according to Tyrrell.

She said Dominion Energy's contribution to the state's Motus tower network is an important investment in migration research, habitat conservation and the future of birds.

Keller Kissam, president of electric operations at Dominion Energy South Carolina, said the utility company normally erects towers and deploys technology to provide safe and reliable energy to customers. But this effort was different.

"What a privilege it is to erect towers in a collaborative effort with the Audubon Society to monitor, appreciate and learn more about the unique migratory species that repeatedly return to South Carolina and make it the natural wonder it is from the mountains to the sea," Kissam said in a news release.

A few more Motus towers, sponsored by other organizations and communities, are located along South Carolina's coast. The goal is to continue to expand the tower network across the state.
Typical Upstate business notebooks looks at news unfolding in a given week. The rapidly approaching new year, however, begs a look farther ahead.

The current year brought a number of notable development announcements, both large and small, and many planned projects will either break ground, finalize expansions or open new doors in 2022. Start and completion dates are subject to change for each project.

Continue to follow The Post and Courier Greenville as we track these projects, and many others, in the new year.

Greenville County

United Community Bank, construction to begin early 2022: The largest headquartered bank in South Carolina, United Community Bank, plans to break ground on its new home base next to the Grand Bohemian Hotel near Falls Park in downtown Greenville in January 2022. The bank will demolish the former Wyche Law Firm building in East Camperdown Way to make way.

The largest headquartered bank in South Carolina, United Community Bank, plans to break ground on its new home base next to the Grand Bohemian Hotel near Falls Park in downtown Greenville in January 2022. The bank will demolish the former Wyche Law Firm building in East Camperdown Way to make way. Gissing North America, production to begin early 2022: Joining the swath of Greenville Area Development Corporation announcements made this year, Gissing North America, an automotive acoustics manufacturer  with customers like BMW, Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota and Honda  will begin producing at its new Greenville County facility in early 2022. Located at the 200,000-square-foot "Building One" of the Fox Hill Business Park, the company will invest $18.7 million.

Joining the swath of Greenville Area Development Corporation announcements made this year, Gissing North America, an automotive acoustics manufacturer  with customers like BMW, Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota and Honda  will begin producing at its new Greenville County facility in early 2022. Located at the 200,000-square-foot "Building One" of the Fox Hill Business Park, the company will invest $18.7 million. Kiyatec, offices to open January 2022 and lab in April: The cancer diagnostics company Kiyatec will expand its clinical testing operations and drug development services to downtown Greenville with a $5 million investment into the county. The company will open its new offices at 2 N. Main St. in early 2022 and its lab in the spring. It is the first company announcement in the City of Greenville's "innovation district."

The cancer diagnostics company Kiyatec will expand its clinical testing operations and drug development services to downtown Greenville with a $5 million investment into the county. The company will open its new offices at 2 N. Main St. in early 2022 and its lab in the spring. It is the first company announcement in the City of Greenville's "innovation district." Transcom North America HQ, move employees in mid-February 2022: The Swedish global customer support provider will move its employees into its new North American HQ at Park 37 Office Park in Greenville in the first quarter of 2022 around mid-February. Greenville County beat out more than 120 locations considered for the headquarters.

Union Bleachery revitalization project, break ground in early 2022: About 150 acres of the 259-acre former Union Bleachery property in the Greenville County's Sans Souci community has been delisted as a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency. The planned development project going in its place will include offices, retail space, restaurants, hotels, townhouses, apartments open space and trails. The full project will take around 20 to 30 years to complete, according to developers Dean Warhaft and Warren Zinn. The developers hope to break ground in early 2022.

About 150 acres of the 259-acre former Union Bleachery property in the Greenville County's Sans Souci community has been delisted as a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency. The planned development project going in its place will include offices, retail space, restaurants, hotels, townhouses, apartments open space and trails. The full project will take around 20 to 30 years to complete, according to developers Dean Warhaft and Warren Zinn. The developers hope to break ground in early 2022. Swamp Rabbit Trail bridge over Interstate-385 in Mauldin, to begin in early 2022: Connecting to the BridgeWay Station project in Mauldin, the pedestrian bridge that will be built near Holland and Bridge roads and will connect the Swamp Rabbit Trail System to the Golden Strip is set to begin in the first half of 2022, as early as February. It is expected to take 18 months to complete.

Grand Bohemian Hotel, open mid-2022: The still-under-construction hotel that sits at the end of Liberty Bridge along East Camperdown Way and has drawn the attention of tourists and locals is expected to open sometime in mid-2022. Originally anticipated to opening this winter, the Grand Bohemian Hotel Greenville, like most developments, was impacted by labor and supply shortages. The hotel will include public access to a restaurant, bar, art exhibit and spa.

The still-under-construction hotel that sits at the end of Liberty Bridge along East Camperdown Way and has drawn the attention of tourists and locals is expected to open sometime in mid-2022. Originally anticipated to opening this winter, the Grand Bohemian Hotel Greenville, like most developments, was impacted by labor and supply shortages. The hotel will include public access to a restaurant, bar, art exhibit and spa. Canal Insurance Company HQ, move-in mid-2022: The Greenville-based commercial trucking and specialty transportation operations insurance company will be the new anchoring tenant of the 101 North Main building in downtown Greenville. Moving from its former headquarters location on Stone Avenue, the family-owned company Canal Insurance Company will relocate its employees to its new home in one-third of the building by the middle of 2022.

The Greenville-based commercial trucking and specialty transportation operations insurance company will be the new anchoring tenant of the 101 North Main building in downtown Greenville. Moving from its former headquarters location on Stone Avenue, the family-owned company Canal Insurance Company will relocate its employees to its new home in one-third of the building by the middle of 2022. Greenville's "Enclave Laurens," construction to begin second half of 2022: Replacing the former Laurens Road office of the state DMV, "Enclave Laurens" will include two buildings composed of 400 multifamily units, 88,000 square feet of commercial space and potential for a hotel or office space. Construction is set to begin in the second half of 2022 and be completed in 2025.

Spartanburg County

Clifton Mill Number Two site mixed-use development, construction to begin early 2022: The $60 million redevelopment project at the former Clifton Mill Number Two site near the Pacolet River east of Spartanburg will include 239 market residential units and a commercial space for a riverfront restaurant. Construction will start in early 2022.

The $60 million redevelopment project at the former Clifton Mill Number Two site near the Pacolet River east of Spartanburg will include 239 market residential units and a commercial space for a riverfront restaurant. Construction will start in early 2022. BMW logistics center, completed in mid-2022: The German automaker's only U.S. manufacturing plant in Greer will add a 1 million-square-foot logistics center on 120 acres off of Freeman Farm Road and two bridges over the road and Interstate 85. It is an additional $100 million investment in the Upstate.

The German automaker's only U.S. manufacturing plant in Greer will add a 1 million-square-foot logistics center on 120 acres off of Freeman Farm Road and two bridges over the road and Interstate 85. It is an additional $100 million investment in the Upstate. Agape Care Group, moving by May 1, 2022: The hospice and palliative care company will move its headquarters to the Montgomery Building in Spartanburg by May 1. Agape Care Group outgrew its former location in Landrum and now will lease 13,027 square feet on the second floor of the building at 187 N. Church St.

The hospice and palliative care company will move its headquarters to the Montgomery Building in Spartanburg by May 1. Agape Care Group outgrew its former location in Landrum and now will lease 13,027 square feet on the second floor of the building at 187 N. Church St. Lyman mixed-use development, completed summer 2022: The new $4 million development that began in November 2021 will include a two-story, 18,500-square-foot building with eight shops and a restaurant on the first floor and eight apartments on the second floor. It is planned to be completed in summer 2022.

The new $4 million development that began in November 2021 will include a two-story, 18,500-square-foot building with eight shops and a restaurant on the first floor and eight apartments on the second floor. It is planned to be completed in summer 2022. The Hub, completed summer 2022: The Hub, a 16,700-square-foot, multi-use development on the Northside of Spartanburg is set to open to tenants by the summer of 2022 with two future tenants pre-committed: Wofford Colleges new bookstore and Moes Original BBQ. About 7,600 square feet is still available for lease.

The Hub, a 16,700-square-foot, multi-use development on the Northside of Spartanburg is set to open to tenants by the summer of 2022 with two future tenants pre-committed: Wofford Colleges new bookstore and Moes Original BBQ. About 7,600 square feet is still available for lease. Proterra, electric battery systems production to begin second half of 2022: A manufacturer of commercial vehicle electrification technology, Proterra, will begin producing electric vehicle battery systems at the Carolina Commerce Center in the second half of 2022. The Spartanburg County Council approved a tax break agreement as long as the company invests a minimum of $76 million and creates more than 200 jobs at its new factory.

A manufacturer of commercial vehicle electrification technology, Proterra, will begin producing electric vehicle battery systems at the Carolina Commerce Center in the second half of 2022. The Spartanburg County Council approved a tax break agreement as long as the company invests a minimum of $76 million and creates more than 200 jobs at its new factory. Converse Mill redevelopment project, to be completed late 2022: After a rocky start, the $50 million redevelopment project of the Converse Mill on Highway 29 into 173 loft apartments began in late May 2021. The lofts project is set to be completed by December 2022. The project received historic tax credits.

Anna B. Mitchell, Eric Connor, Conor Hughes, Nathaniel Cary, Chris Lavender and Asia Rollins contributed to this reporting. Thats all for this week. Have a safe and happy holiday. Email your thoughts, tips, releases and newsy bits to smirah@postandcourier.com.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 38F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 38F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
A company that runs housing at military bases across the nation, including at the Naval Weapon Station in Goose Creek and Fort Jackson in Columbia, pleaded guilty last week to one count of major fraud against the government and has agreed to pay more than $65 million in fines and restitution.

Balfour Beatty Communities LLC, a Pennsylvania-based company that contracts with the government to provide on-base housing at 21 Air Force, 18 Navy and 16 Army bases across the country, settled with the government on Dec. 22 in a Washington, D.C., court.

The contractor falsified its performance data and destroyed resident comment cards so it could pocket performance incentive fees from the military branches, the U.S. Department of Justice stated in a news release.

Instead of promptly repairing housing for U.S. servicemembers as required, BBC lied about the repairs to pocket millions of dollars in performance bonuses, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. This pervasive fraud was a consequence of BBCs broken corporate culture, which valued profit over the welfare of servicemembers.

Balfour Beatty said in a statement the resolution made with the Department of Justice puts an end to all civil and criminal investigations into the performance data and incentives.

"In 2019, the Company undertook an in-depth review of operations at Communities and, as a result, a series of changes have been made to prevent this type of misconduct from occurring in the future," the company said. "Communities is committed to delivering a consistently high level of service to the military residents it serves and will continue to work closely and constructively with its military partners to achieve this."

U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan accepted the company's plea and ordered Balfour Beatty to pay over $33.6 million in criminal fines and over $31.8 million in restitution to the U.S. military, serve three years of probation and engage an independent compliance monitor for a period of three years.

The plea deal with the Department of Justice comes after housing woes at military bases throughout the country were reported on by watchdog journalists. The Post and Courier began reporting on housing woes at South Carolina's military bases in 2019.

In 1996, the military shifted ownership of more than 200,000 family housing units on bases to private real estate developers and property managers under 50-year contracts. Now, 99 percent of domestic military housing is privatized.

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Since then, complaints on South Carolina military bases have stacked up.

In a bombshell 2019 report from the nonprofit Military Family Advisory Network, 17,000 current and former military members who had lived in on-base housing in the past three years were surveyed. The poll, which was open for just a week, found that 55 percent of respondents had poor experiences with their corporate landlords and identified six main companies that were most cited for complaints.

Three of those companies provided housing in the Palmetto State, including Balfour Beatty. One respondent in the report who lived at the Naval Weapon Station detailed a lack of accountability for on-base housing.

They can treat us and maintain the housing however they want without consequences because theres no oversight, the Naval Weapon Station resident was quoted in the report. Repairs might be done right, or it can be a temporary cover up. The quality of the housing is shoddy and does not meet my standards to give up my entire (Basic Allowance for Housing).

Christin Streagle, a military spouse at Fort Jackson, lived on base for three years. She told The Post and Courier in 2019 she had issues with her stove fan, HVAC and even had her garage door unhinged. Many of her problems, she said, were not fixed in a timely manner.

After becoming frustrated with the quality of on-base housing, Streagle moved outside the Fort Jackson walls last year. She was optimistic some positive change was happening after last week's plea deal happened.

"I am happy about it," Streagle said on Dec. 28. "I hope this is the start of some change with privatized housing companies. They can't treat people like this."
NORTH CHARLESTON  Officials identified the two people who were found dead at the Filbin Creek apartment complex.

Jasmond Grant, 21, and Damarion Champagne, 17, died from gunshot wounds at the complex on Dec. 27, the Charleston County Coroners Office said on Dec. 29.

Both men were from the Charleston area.

Officers from the North Charleston Police Department went to the Filbin Creek Apartments at North Rhett and Sumner avenues about 6 p.m. that night after a 60-year-old woman heard a gunshot in a neighboring apartment and found her china cabinet had been damaged, according to an incident report.

The woman told police she stepped outside after she had heard the gunshot and saw an unidentified man wearing a mask run down the stairs.

Police determined a person shot the bullet through the wall behind the cabinet at her apartment, the report said.

The property manager for Filbin Creek Apartments let police into the adjacent apartment about 7:05 p.m., according to the report.

Police found Grant and Champagne dead on the floor side by side in the living room about 3 feet from the doorway.

Heat and smoke poured out as the property manager opened the front door, which was unlocked, the report said. Officers put out the fire with an extinguisher, the report said.

North Charleston police are investigating the case and have not announced any suspects.
A recently fired senior employee of Charleston County's troubled Register of Deeds office has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Michael Miller, the elected official in charge.

It's the second lawsuit filed against Miller since late November. The first asked a court to monitor the county office and order Miller to promptly filed real estate documents, which is the primary function of his office.

For more than two years, real estate professionals have complained about long delays at the Register of Deeds, and in early December, Miller announced public office hours would be restricted "until further notice" in the latest of many attempts to get caught up.

Minyon Gadsden worked in the office for 17 years, according to the new lawsuit, filed Dec. 24, and saw how things changed after Miller was elected in 2018.

She claims Miller "refused to assist with any of the responsibilities" of the office, sometimes worked instead at the West Ashley barbershop he owns, "shirked support requests from overworked employees" and used county employees to prepare training materials for barbers.

Miller could not be reached for comment on his cellphone or at his Michael & Co. Barber Shop, and denied interview requests for previous articles. Charleston County offices were closed Dec. 24, Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 for the holidays.

Miller has variously blamed a hurricane, COVID-19, staffing and funding, and a lack of electronic filing systems for the delays in recording deeds and other legal documents.

As an elected official, Miller does not answer to Charleston County Council. The county is among six in the state where the Register of Deeds is elected.

Gadsden claims Miller gave her the highest possible scores on her 2019/2020 annual evaluation and two raises during his time running the office but fired her on Nov. 29 and stated, "I do not have a reason. Your service is just no longer needed."

The lawsuit alleges that Gadsden's firing violated the South Carolina Whistleblower Protection Act because she had reported wrongdoing by Miller to management  Miller being the management.

For example: "Plaintiff (Gadsden) reported to Defendant (Miller) that his chronic and willful failure and/or neglect to timely record real estate documents under the date and in the order of time at which they are delivered to the Charleston ROD needed to be corrected immediately, and provided suggestions on how to overcome the backlog of documents," the lawsuit says.

Things came to a head in October and November.

In October, the suit claims, Miller "announced a new policy prohibiting paid sick leave during the months of November 2021 and December 2021, unless Charleston ROD employees provided ... a doctors note setting forth the date of the appointment, reason seen, and any medication prescribed."

Gadsden claims to have told Miller such a policy would violate federal law and compromise the confidentiality of medical information, but he responded that he could "do anything (he) wanted as an elected official."

Gadsden was fired on Nov. 29, the same day The Post and Courier reported on the earlier lawsuit filed against Miller.

Both lawsuits were filed by Magalie Creech, a lawyer with Finkel Law Firm LLC of North Charleston. Creech declined to comment on Dec. 28 on the lawsuits.

The November lawsuit sought no monetary award, other than legal fees, but was focused on getting the court to order Miller to end the long delays at his office.

That lawsuit is ongoing, and in December the court appointed a lawyer, J. Howard Yates Jr., as a liaison with access to Register of Deeds files, records and employees. He was directed to report to the court at least every two weeks while a trial is pending.

The Gadsden lawsuit seeks damages, lost wages and reinstatement to her position.
A plan to create more funding for beautification efforts on King Street is raising questions from some residents and business owners, who fear the shopping district's already pricey real estate will only become more exclusive.

"Our goal is to change the dialogue from, 'This is great, how can we implement this as quickly as possible,' to, 'Wait a minute, we need more community stakeholders at the table,' " said Joel Sadler, co-owner of Sightsee shop and cafe.

A proposed Business Improvement District making its way through Charleston City Council would place an additional tax on all commercial property owners on King between Broad and Line streets. Proponents of the district, referred to as a BID, stress that the proposed tax, called an assessment, is based on property value and will not increase the overall bill for a commercial business owner by more than 4 percent.

For a $1 million commercial property, which under South Carolina law is assessed on 6 percent of its value, the new tax would amount to $678 per year.

Out of the 467 properties included within the BID, about half will pay less than $500 per year, the nonprofit Charleston Downtown Alliance estimates. The Alliance would manage the BID's funds if approved.

"To do business on the most prominent street in the community, we believe a 4 percent cost there is negligible," said Doug Warner, vice president of Media and Innovation for Explore Charleston and a representative of the BID.

Any increase in taxes for property owners is cause for concern for businesses owners who rent their space, Sadler said.

Sadler was one of over 20 public speakers at the Dec. 21 council meeting who spoke or submitted comments online voicing concerns over the proposed taxing district. Council gave initial approval to the proposal, and it will be up for a final vote at the Jan. 11 meeting.

"Increased property value means displacement of people who cannot afford higher costs," he said.

Sadler also worries it will disproportionately affect Black business owners and residents.

Warner said the Charleston Downtown Alliance wants to improve diversity of business owners on the street, but they will need collaboration from government officials, as well.

If we want more minority-owned properties on King Street, then the city needs to work with us and maybe the state and other funding partners to find funds that are available to help minority-owned businesses invest on King Street," he said.

Sadler's coffee shop, which he co-owns with his wife Allyson Sutton, is located just off King Street, outside of the district's boundaries. While they are open to working with the BID organizers and other local businesses to influence the BID's budget priorities, they are concerned that rising property values will affect neighboring businesses like theirs.

BIDs in other cities across the U.S. have had that effect, said John Gaber, chair of the Department of City Planning and Real Estate Development at Clemson University.

"If it works successfully, property values within the BID as well as immediately next to a BID will go up," he said. "When were dealing with gentrification and growth, we need to realize there is a tremendous amount of spillover."

The improvements funded by a BID are aimed at keeping the street clean and attractive for both visitors and business owners, proponents say. But such efforts can also attract high-end chains that drive property values up and local businesses out.

"King Street is already uber expensive," said Stephen Buckman, an assistant professor of real estate development at Clemson. "A question that is begged out of this is will that levy, that extra tax, push people over the edge. There are already people operating on razor-thin margins."

If given final approval by City Council, the Charleston Downtown Alliance will gain control of this new tax revenue for initiatives specific to King Street such as street cleaning, decorations, event planning and security. Warner said the Alliance members know local businesses are part of the draw for residents and tourists alike.

We need to find a way to change the mix of property ownership," he said. "We need to find a good balance of local stores and chains that are identifiable.

BIDs are a nationwide phenomenon that gained momentum in the 1970s and '80s, Gaber said. Most of them can't be entirely blamed for the problems their cities face and they all have unique relationships with their respective cities.

"Since (Charleston) is already on an upward trend, this is not going to change that trend," Gaber said. "A Business Improvement District is not going to change Charlestons reality. What it will do is make things go faster than they would before.

If City Council approves the proposal, the Charleston Downtown Alliance will assume responsibility of all funds raised by the district. The nonprofit entity is made up of area business owners including Chris Price, president and owner of commercial real estate firm PrimeSouth Group; Lou Hammond, founder of public relations firm Lou Hammond Group; Rhett Outen, co-owner of Croghan's Jewel Box; and Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston.

A proposed budget from the Charleston Downtown Alliance shows an annual income of about $1 million to spend on services for the district. Roughly 60 percent of that, or $600,000, would come from a new tax on commercial property owners. The rest would come from contributions from the public sector, fundraising, grants and income from programs.

Organizers of the BID are required to gather support from property owners representing over 50 percent of the districts property value. The King Street BID has written support from owners representing 55 percent of the property value on the street, totaling 101 owners. They also have another support from owners representing another 10 percent of the districts property value.

One of the budget priorities touted by the Alliance and utilized by other BIDs, is the establishment of an ambassador program for the street. The ambassadors, hired by the Alliance, would walk along King Street offering direction and guidance to visitors. They can also assist with security concerns by notifying police of loitering and other concerns.

Warner said the ambassador program isn't intended to supersede the police or target homeless people, but it will intervene in safety and code enforcement issues when needed.

"Loitering  has been a problem. That doesnt mean we have to move people out, but it does mean we will have somebody on the street that is aware that resources are available," he said. "If someone is taking a leak in the bushes on Marion Square, that is something that needs intervention."

Aaron Comstock, founder of homeless advocacy nonprofit Uplift Charleston, said he hopes groups like his can find ways to work with the city, other nonprofits and the BID to ensure there is more funding to support the city's homeless population.

"If you don't want people who are homeless to be on King Street, then give them shelter or transition housing," Comstock said.

Jessica Nicoles, owner of King Street boutique J. Stark, said she is wary of the idea of added security.

"Further policing of people causing little to no harm starts to sound very scary when its being doled out by rich, white business owners," she wrote in a comment submitted to the Dec. 21 council public session. "As a Latinx business owner in the very area the BID plans to protect and improve, Im simply asking for more time and clarity on the issue before it becomes permanent."

If given final approval, the city and the Charleston Downtown Alliance will need to draft an agreement called a memorandum of understanding that will outline both parties goals and responsibilities for the district. It will see its first revenue from the tax in 2023.
North Augusta, SC (29841)

Today

Evening clouds will give way to clearing overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 36F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Evening clouds will give way to clearing overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 36F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
Three months after a federal judge blocked South Carolina's restrictions on school mask mandates, the battle is far from over between the right of children to attend school without undue risk of a deadly infection and the right of parents to send their unmasked children to school to infect other peoples children.

Even though the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals refused Gov. Henry McMasters request to temporarily stay District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis order while he appealed, a district court order is a tenuous thing, which could be overturned in the blink of an eye.

And few school districts have taken advantage of that order or an earlier S.C. Supreme Court order to reinstate mask requirements that were universal  and that met with practically no resistance  a year ago. Some districts that did act even rescinded their mask requirements in the fall after COVID-19 infections started dropping off  before they started skyrocketing again.

Yet even though COVID-19 infections are on the rise again and even though the main purpose of masks is to protect other people, a vocal minority of S.C. parents continues to insist that their children be allowed to attend public schools without them.

As a result, some legislators remain determined to do whatever they can to ensure that the rights of parents who favor infection trump the rights of parents who oppose it.

And with filing set to open in 11 weeks for elections in S.C. House seats that have been redrawn to make it even more likely that the winners will be selected in the primaries  where the most extreme voices traditionally hold sway  we can be pretty sure that the Legislature will debate mask requirements in the coming weeks.

That makes it important that everyone understand not only where we are right now but also how we got here.

The Post and Couriers Sara Gregory gave us a good start toward that understanding last week with her exhaustive report about the legislative debates (such as they were), the legal battles, DHECs unsuccessful efforts to engage the support of the governor and top legislative leaders for public health measures and the experience in the schools, where at least 238,867 students have been forced into quarantine since the start of the current school year because they came into close contact with infected students or teachers.

But some lawmakers have selective memories, so a few points need clarification:

Its true that Rep. Stewart Jones misstated what his state budget proviso limiting school mask mandates did (as he had done with his other anti-public-health amendments that day, and since). But unlike the proviso that Attorney General Alan Wilson tried to claim prohibited college mask mandates, House members knew very well what they were voting on when they restricted school districts; several House members spoke in opposition to it, explaining what it actually did and why that was dangerous.

Its true too that few if any senators were in the House chamber during the debate, and probably true that few watched the debate or read the House Journal that recapped the debate. But if any of them really werent aware of the House proviso in the weeks before they had to vote on a budget bill that included it, it was because they chose not to know about it.

Our June 15 editorial, Don't write anti-vaccine, anti-mask mandates into SC law, explained clearly what all three of Rep. Jones amendments did  and why the anti-mask proviso would prevent Gov. Henry McMaster from requiring masks in schools if we got a resurgence so powerful that even he believed that was necessary. You can bet that at least some House members who opposed the provisos warned senators about them, and that at least some supporters bragged about them on social media.

One other point is important to recall: what the S.C. Supreme Court said and didnt say about the proviso. The court never said school districts could not require students to wear masks.

Quite the opposite: The court was very careful  in its Aug. 28 ruling striking down Columbias masks-in-schools requirement and in its Sept. 30 ruling rejecting a broader constitutional attack on the proviso and in comments from the most supportive justices at oral arguments  to make it clear that the only thing the proviso did was to prohibit schools from using money the Legislature appropriated in the 2021-22 state budget to create or enforce mask requirements.

That's another way of saying that most school districts, flush with federal cash, have had a free hand since Aug. 28 to require all students and teachers to wear masks. And most havent done it, not because the Legislature prohibited it but because their school boards are subject to the same political forces as the legislators who keep voting against keeping us all safe.

Which makes you wonder why some legislators are so intent on passing a law that the state will have to spend money defending in federal court  well, besides helping them win their June primaries.
COLUMBIA  A state House proposal to redraw South Carolina's congressional lines was blasted Dec. 29 as gerrymandered along racial and partisan lines to make Rep. Nancy's Mace's coastal district a safe win for Republicans.

The hearing came a week after the House redistricting panel unexpectedly released a second proposal for the state's seven congressional seats, which civil rights advocates and residents condemned as taking a leap backward in voter fairness.

None of the people testifying supported the map released Dec. 22, labeled as an "alternative" to lines the subcommittee posted earlier this month, which kept Mace's 1st District competitive. It is the only seat among South Carolina's seven where someone in the opposing party has a shot at winning.

The second map closely aligns with a Senate plan put on hold after critics excoriated it as oddly chopping up Charleston County to benefit the GOP.

The House's initial, post-census attempt at redrawing the lines wasn't perfect, Zach Kronsberg, a College of Charleston political science student, said Dec. 29, noting it continued to carve out North Charleston for U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn's majority-Black 6th District. But he called it the far superior option for the people of the 1st District.

"We saw with the first House map that most of Charleston County can be put in the same congressional district, which is what Charleston residents have been calling for in this whole process," he continued. "Going from that first map to this alternative plan is clearly the wrong direction."

Lynn Teague, director of the League of Women Voters, was more direct.

"We believe it is an obvious racial and partisan gerrymander and should be rejected," she said.

Critics included at least one member of the subcommittee, who publicly questioned the surprise second map.

Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Columbia, said she, too, knew nothing about it until after its release.

"I dont know why we are even entertaining this," said Bernstein, noting it replicates a plan already widely criticized.

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Rep. Jay Jordan, the panel's chairman, said both House plans represent equal starting points for discussion. He said staff drew the alternative map after an outcry from Beaufort County residents upset with being drawn out of the 1st District.

The House's initial plan put all of Beaufort County into a reconfigured 2nd District, which moved U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's seat out of Richland County and down the state's southwestern border.

"It's for the committee to consider the pros and cons of where these lines need to be drawn," said Jordan, R-Florence. "We need to push out a starting point and give everyone an opportunity to weigh in."

That wasn't a sufficient answer for Bernstein.

"If the starting point was the first initial map, there was no reason to have an alternative map," she said.

The subcommittee of four Republicans and three Democrats took no vote. Jordan said he expects the panel to advance a plan to the full Judiciary Committee at the next meeting, potentially as early as next week.

It seems the panel will either upset Beaufort County voters or people in Charleston County, Jordan said.

But Teague said if the question comes down to whether it's more important to keep Charleston County together or carve it up to keep Beaufort County in the 1st District, "the answer is obvious."

She added that while Charleston and Beaufort counties are both coastal, they sometimes have competing economic interests.

In South Carolina, legislators are responsible for redrawing the voting lines for Statehouse and congressional seats following every census to account for population changes. But unlike the Statehouse seats, which were signed into law Dec. 10, both the House and Senate must agree on congressional lines.

Filing to run for state and U.S. House seats for the 2022 elections is supposed to start in mid-March. But a lawsuit may shift the timeline.

The NAACP, with assistance from the American Civil Liberties Union, re-sued last week, arguing the just-approved state House lines discriminate against Black people by diluting their voting power. Amending a lawsuit from October, the groups also repeated their complaint that legislators are taking too long to approve U.S. House lines.

Legislators have said the pandemic delayed the normal, decennial process. Detailed census data wasn't released until August.
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If something bad happens, there has to be someone around who can take the blame for the misfortune. To judge from the front page court cases w Read more
The estimable Henry Olsen thinks so. He writes:

Many anti-Trump Republicans long for the day when they can retake their party and expel the populist deviations from orthodoxy that vex them so. Evidence from around the world shows this is a pipe dream.

Olsen explains:

The same fissures in the old conservative coalition that plague the GOP appear in virtually every other modern democracy. Nationalist and populist parties have grown dramatically in the past decade, often gaining near parity with incumbent center-right parties. Urban and suburban moderate voters, meanwhile, have often swung to classically liberal or green parties that are comfortable aligning with left-wing governments.

Olsen cites polls and election results from Europe. He discusses the situation in Scandinavia, Estonia, Belgium, Austria, Holland, and Germany.

He doesnt mention France as an example, but arguably he could have. In the buildup to the last presidential election, Frances center-right party, Les Republicains (Republicans), was poised to take power. It failed to do so only because of a scandal involving its candidate, Francois Fillon. That opened the door for the relatively unknown Emanuel Macron, who ran to the left of Fillon.

Now, in the buildup to the upcoming presidential election, the Republicans seem considerably less formidable. They are squeezed by Macron, a bit to the left, and populist-rightists like Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour.

Macron clearly leads in the polls. Behind him, Valerie Pecresse, candidate of the Republicans, is neck-and-neck with Le Pen and Zemmour. Thus, support for the two populist right candidates is almost double that of the main center-right candidate, and roughly equal to Macrons.

Theres a big difference, of course, between the way we elect our president and the way most European countries do. Thus, Olsens comment that, in Europe, center-right parties that reject their populist counterparts must invariably form governments with centrists or even their traditional center-left opponents doesnt apply here. We dont have coalition governments.

But does a similar logic apply to America? Or could a center-right Republican party come to power without accommodating the populists to a major degree?

Almost anything is possible in a given American election. If the Democrats remain as unpopular as they are now, the GOP could elect a steadfast center-right president in 2024, assuming it somehow managed to nominate one.

But I think Olsens general point is valid. I agree, generally, that in the U.S., as elsewhere, coalitions built on 1980s-era Reagan-Thatcher conservative politics  free markets, globally minded, strong on defense  no longer win majorities. I also agree that the new conservative winning formula is extremely hard to pull off, as one must simultaneously satisfy the still significant Reaganite element while winning over nationalist populists and moderate suburbanites.

Yet, thats what will be required for long-term Republican success  a synthesis (or fusion) of traditional Republican conservatism and Trumpist ideology.

Ive said before that Trump himself actually pulled off something like that synthesis. But Trump cant win moderate suburbanites. And as long as hes around, he might well stand in the way of anyone not named Trump trying to fuse his populism with any other ideology.

So the task on the right and center right is daunting. Fortunately, so is the task on the left and what little remains of the center left.
The lead headline in todays Washington Post (paper edition) reads Societal function drove CDCs call to cut isolation time. The headline to the internet version of the story is even more explicit: New CDC guidelines were spurred by worries omicron surge could lead to breakdown in essential services.

The recommended isolation time no longer is ten days. It is now five. Based on comments by a senior official, the Post reports that the reduction was driven largely by the concern that essential services might be hobbled amid one of the worst infection surges of the pandemic.

Administration health officials worried the sheer volume of infections could mean that tens of thousands of police, firefighters, grocery workers and other essential workers would be out of work, making it challenging to keep society functioning, even though many of the infections would be mild or produce no symptoms.

In other words, officials balanced the health benefits of a ten-day quarantine against its societal costs (or at least some of them), taking into account that the new covid variant isnt all that dangerous.

This shouldnt be front-page news. It should be (and should have been) standard policymaking practice.

The Post notes that the administrations decision, a no-brainer as I see it, is being criticized by some public health experts and union leaders. They say it is based more on economic, than on health, considerations.

No. Its based on a balancing of the two sets of concerns. Theres no other rational way to approach the issue.

Even from a purely health point of view, the reduction in isolation time shouldnt be that disturbing. As noted, the new variant isnt anywhere near as threatening as its predecessors. In addition, people are most infectious in the one to two days before they develop symptoms and the two to three days thereafter. And most people dont get tested until they start to develop symptoms.

Therefore, the risk of transmission is greatly reduced by the time five days have elapsed from a positive test. To be sure, the risk isnt zero. Thus, if health (i.e. concern about the direct health effects of the virus) were the only consideration, isolation for ten days, and possibly more, would be the way to go. However, it would be irrational to make this the only consideration.

Rochelle Walensky cited another consideration that may have factored into the thinking behind the change in isolation policy. She said the public wont tolerate 10 days of isolation at this stage of the pandemic.

I think thats true, and that the public is right. However, if this had been a significant consideration, I doubt the administration would have changed its isolation policy. Many people would have adhered to the ten-day isolation period, even as the public at large began to disregard it.

The policy changed because the administration doesnt want workers to be out of commission that long just because they tested positive to a virus that isnt all that threatening. It understands that ten-day absences from work, and not just among essential workers, are bad for the country.

The administration is right. Its revision offers hope that 2022 will be the year in which we learn more rationally to live with covid.
Westchester District Attorney Miriam Rocah has decided not to prosecute former New York governor Andrew Cuomo for kissing two women allegedly against their will. Rocah says that credible evidence supports the womens complaints, but they dont meet the statutory requirements for bringing criminal charges.

In one case, a female state trooper says she was on duty in the security detail outside Cuomos home. She asked the governor if he needed anything. According to the trooper, Cuomo asked if he could kiss her. Fearing problems if she denied the governors request, she and answered: Sure.

The kiss, then, was consensual. I dont see how Cuomo reasonably could be prosecuted for it.

The same trooper has alleged that on a different occasion, Cuomo ran his finger down her back, from the top of her neck down her spine to the middle of her back. But this occurred outside of Westchester County.

She also alleges unwanted touchings by Cuomo at Belmont race track. A Nassau County prosecutor concluded that this incident didnt rise to the level of a crime.

In the second case, a female teacher says that, at a school event, Cuomo grabbed her arm, pulled her toward him and kissed her on the cheek without her consent. Even if this allegation meets the statutory requirements for bringing charges  and the district attorney says it doesnt  it would be silly to bring a criminal prosecution over something this trivial. Surely, there are better uses of prosecutorial resources.

Cuomo has been charged with a misdemeanor in a different jurisdiction for a different bad act. He allegedly groped a woman at the Executive Mansion. Groping is more serious than a kiss on the cheek.

Come 2024, the Democrats might be in the market for a new presidential candidate other than the current vice president. They probably will be, if the standing of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris doesnt improve.

The names people are starting to throw around in this regard include Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, and Cory Booker. Even Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is being mentioned though not seriously, I hope.

If not for Andrew Cuomos fall from grace due for serial sexual harassment, his name would tower above all of these. But as things stand, hes reduced to trying to dodge criminal prosecution.

Thats quite a fall. It is fully deserved and not just, or even primarily, because of sexual harassment.
Samuel Ajayi Crowther, Nigerias foremost clergyman, deserves to be declared a national hero, some researchers say.

The late cleric was the multi-linguist who translated the Holy Bible into Yoruba language.

He was born at Osogun in present-day Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State around 1807 and died in Lagos on Dec. 31, 1891.

His death predated Nigeria as a country.

Slave traders captured him alongside members of his family when he was 12 years old. He was later returned to Sierra Leone.

Pelumi Awofeso is one of the researchers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday about Mr Crowther.

He said it was imperative to look into the life and times of the cleric 130 years after his departure.

I started the research about Bishop Crowther after I stumbled on a tweet that talked about his death.

Looking at the date at which he died, I realised that it is a milestone to celebrate him and dig out more research about him and his activities as a priest, educator, linguist, nationalist and a peacemaker.

I thought it wise that something should be done in terms of having a documentary about him.

I do not know the plans of the Anglican Communion, a church where he served as a bishop, he said.

Mr Awofeso said what Mr Crowther stood for has not been fully appreciated adding that his life transcended the Bible translation to his nationalistic movement.

Bishop Crowther did not translate the entire Bible in one fell swoop, when he was in Badagry as he moved from place to place on other assignments.

It took him about 40 years to complete the translation.

All that he did would be exposed in the documentary and how he created national consciousness among the people he met and his impact as an evangelist, he said.

Findings

He also said the team of researchers has been able to unravel more about Mr Crowther after visiting 12 states.

The team found that there are more than a thousand things he did which are not in the peoples consciousness.

Bishop Crowther could be described as a man of passion who translated the Bible when there was no formal alphabetical order, no electricity, technology or other luxury that we enjoy these days.

The man was able to keep his sanity in spite of the harsh conditions around him; he was also a linguist of repute who could be regarded as a Professor Emeritus of languages in our time, he added.

Bishop Crowthers character and comportment had a lot to teach us in this 21st century. We have it on record that he was able to speak and teach 13 languages both foreign and local.

He was a self-taught linguist in Latin, Nupe, Igbo, Hausa and other languages. He was always keeping the journals of his travels across the globe.

Bishop Crowther also authored the Yoruba Primer and other books used in the Anglican Communion.

He was a man that appreciated western education and always made sure that he built schools anywhere he went to evangelise.

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Many did not know his profession as a carpenter aside from his ministerial work as a priest and also had a lot of empowerment programmes for the people, he stressed.

Funding

Mr Awofeso called for support for the project from Nigerians, noting that the documentary was a self- funded adventure running into millions of Naira.

A co-researcher, Sesede Simeon, also told NAN that Mr Crowther was well grounded educationally and had his education at the highest levels during his time.

After Bishop Crowther was resettled in Sierra Leone, he was schooled at the famous Fourah Bay College and later he studied Latin and Greek and other things he could learn.

He lived in different cities such as Ota, Abeokuta, Lokoja, Bonny Island, Freetown, Asaba and many more. He was also awarded an honorary Doctoral Degree at Oxford University.

I think the sage had been grossly undervalued and underappreciated in the scheme of things.

It takes a lot before a Blackman could rise to the level of a Bishop in a White-dominated setting.

We need to attach the requisite honour to this man because he was a hero by all standards, she said.

(NAN)
Kannywoods biggest threat in recent years is piracy.

The cancerous effect of piracy has not only negatively impacted the livelihood of the filmmakers and actors, but that of the production houses, cinema houses and auxiliary staff.

In separate interviews, insiders told PREMIUM TIMES that piracy had rendered the industry to a near comatose state until concerned parties began to devise clever strategies to beat pirates in their own game.

So bad are the activities of these pirates that Kannywood producers have stopped churning films in recent years.

Many actors have also become redundant and many who have produced movies that are yet to be released couldnt do so because of piracy.

Kannywood star, Umma Shehu, told this newspaper that she could not release her film Burin Duniya which was produced four years ago because of piracy.

She said: I couldnt release the film to the public because of piracy. I will just run at a loss. So maybe someday I will find a way of releasing it.

Zaharaddeen Sani, a producer/actor, also corroborated Ms Shehus claims and lamented the piracy issue.

I know what it is now in the industry. We are all not happy and surely, piracy was what destroyed us.

Since we cannot control the high level of piracy, only well-organised viewing centres and cinemas will help us. Its beyond providing the funds to some people and later they will use it for personal gains and not for the good of the industry.

In the past, a similar effort was done by the previous government. Only a few people that got the fund used it for personal gains, not for the good of the industry.

I produced a blockbuster movie, (Abu Hassan). It was a huge loss. After spending millions, I ended up selling it to DSTV at a way cheaper price. That is what we are all doing now. No show again, he said.

Alternatives

Checks by our correspondent show that Kannywood is gradually getting replaced by Indian, Chinese and American Hausa dubbed movies.

These films are readily available in Hausa cable televisions for a monthly subscription fee and sold for as cheap as N100 at some roadside vendors all over major markets in Northern Nigeria.

YouTube saves the day

YouTube has become the saving grace for many Kannywood film producers and actors.

Many movie actors who are not producers have become one because of the easy accessibility of the American online video sharing and social media platform.

Actors and producers now make films and host them on their dedicated YouTube channels for their followers to watch.

Because their YouTube channels are monetised, they are able to earn money from the digital platform.

In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, Kannywood star, Ali Nuhu, said his colleagues have resorted to using YouTube now to fight the issue of piracy, which he said is beyond their control.

According to Nuhu, YouTube is a safer platform that allows his colleagues to make their money quietly.

Money spinner

Again, checks by PREMIUM Times have revealed that a Kannywood movie hosted on YouTube gets as much as 1 million views in less than a month.

Fati SU, a Kannywood star, said, YouTube is free and accessible to all. No matter how small your phone is you can access YouTube and so people would rather watch films on YouTube.

And at the end of the day you get paid by YouTube and you wont be afraid of losing money.

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Popular among the YouTube channels that rocked in 2021 include Bakori TV owned by Producer/actor Lawal Ahmad.

The YouTube channel airs the popular series movie called Izzar So and has well over 700 thousand subscribers and more than 1 million views on some of the episodes on YouTube.

Saira movies is also another popular channel. It has about 347, 000 subscribers, but also has as much as over 1 million views on some episodes of his popular series Labarina.

Ali Nuhus YouTube channel, which has about 167,000 subscribers, hosts a popular series Alaqa which viewers never miss.

Zango TV channel owned by Adam Zango has about 447,000 subscribers. Zango hosts all his music videos and films on the channel and some of his music videos and films have garnered over 1 million views.

Other Kannywood actors like Tijjani Asase and Isah Alolo, also own a YouTube TV channel where they host their movies for their audience.

A Kannywood analyst, Hassana Dalhat said the YouTube route is a wise decision. He said the actors and producers have taken advantage of the digital platform to remain in business.

Let me tell you, I cannot see how Kannywood movies will ever make it into the competitive market as it used to be before now. Piracy has taken over the whole industry. Only YouTube can save them and make them get good returns, Mr Dalhat said.

Hitches

Mr Dalhat also listed some anticipated hitches they may encounter even though the YouTube platform is giving the players another chance to be relevant.

Not all players in Kannywood can be patient enough to work with YouTube as they also lack awareness of the digital platform. The educated and enlightened will take advantage of this opportunity and also those that are popular will use the advantage of their fan base to get viewership.

Again, there is the issue of buying data to watch the films. A good percentage of viewers will not be able to afford the data to watch on their phones, he said.

Meanwhile, a cross-section of Kannywood fans, who spoke with our correspondent, applauded Kannywood filmmakers who have resorted to YouTube to host their films.

Isah Musa said I know buying data to watch the films can be stressful but it is a better way to save the producers. It is not like you think; people are really watching on their phones. Even small Symbian phones can play YouTube and it does not consume data. Now, even Almajiris now beg to buy a phone so they can watch films.

Lawal Bala an almajiri, told PREMIUM TIMES that he saved money to buy a small smartphone to watch Hausa films after school.

After school, I used to work for people at their homes and they pay me. I will save money, use some to buy some clothes and I also bought a small smartphone to watch Hausa films from time to time.
The National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Oyo State, has received a new look with classical objects from across the country to attract more visitors.

The Ibadan National Museum of Unity is an ethnographic museum that is dedicated to the culture of the different ethnic groups of Nigeria.

The Museum Curator, Sikiru Adedoyin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Wednesday that the facelift included new syndicated modern galleries.

Mr Adedoyin said the galleries were furnished with air conditioners, new storylines and new theme to replace the age-long music, dance and Yoruba culture theme.

The new theme in the cooler is Our Cultural Heritage in Retrospect.

Great thanks to the new Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Prof. Abba Tijani, who is working tirelessly to reposition the commission.

Upon resumption, he visited the 48 museums across the country and his visitation was to evaluate modules to improve standards of museum delivery and performance for greater returns, he said.

Rebrand

Mr Adedoyin said the Ibadan Museum Childrens playground was also rebranded with modern equipment.

He said the museum vicinity had been provided with borehole facility to cater and ease water needs of both staff and visitors alike.

The ongoing projects are just a tip of the iceberg as more of such developmental projects have been enlisted to manifest in Ibadan and other museums in the country.

These are signs of readiness and preparedness for the retinue of repatriated objects which were at one time looted to the outside countries which the NCMM administration is on the prowl to acquire back.

This is the beginning of a new dawn, all these feats will in no doubt pave ways for greater successes next year.

Let me, therefore, use this medium to welcome our esteemed members of the public, friends and partners of museum in Ibadan and Nigeria in general, Adedoyin said.

According to him, a new dawn has come; so people should be culturally ready to visit and do business with the museum.

ALSO READ: Alaafin to establish museum for women

We assure them of a worthwhile experience and recreational achievements. More so, they will be glad they visited, he said.

Mr Adedoyin said that because Nigeria remained a cohesive unit, there was need for cohesion where people cohabit as one, even in cultural diversity.

He said that museum capacity training was given to a number of people this year.

Achievements

The curator said that in 2021, the museum had more inter-agency collaborations with stakeholders, sister agencies and the ministries of culture and education.

He said the commission would continue to do its best to sensitise people on the importance of museum and its visitation, preservation of cultural heritage/monuments.

We will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders and organisations to improve the state of the museum and attract more visitors, we hope for a better 2022, Adedoyin said.

National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, is the first museum of unity in Nigeria commissioned by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

The museum has beautiful artifacts and galleries that are educative and entertaining to both adults and children.

(NAN)

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Never in recent times has the issue of DNA testing and paternity fraud been as topical and controversial as it was in 2021.

The year witnessed a series of shocking unfolding events that threw many Nigerian men into the dilemma of either confirming the paternity of their wards or simply letting sleeping dogs lie!

But two landmark incidents gave rise to renewed patronage and a surge in DNA testing in Nigeria.

Adam Nuru Paternity Scandal

It all began in December 2020 but became a full-blown scandal in January 2021.

It was revealed that a lady, Moyo Thomas, allegedly had an affair with Adam Nuru, the then Managing Director of First City Monument Bank, resulting in two children.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how over 1900 people signed a petition asking the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sack Mr Nuru.

The petition alleged that the bank MD was responsible for the demise of his alleged lovers husband, Tunde Thomas.

Mr Thomas was said to have died of depression on December 16, 2020.

According to the petition, following the FCMB MDs alleged affair with Moyo, she informed her husband that she was leaving Nigeria for the United States with the kids only to call him upon arrival that the children do not belong to him.

The petition claimed the news initially caused the deceased to have a stroke but he later recovered and thereafter, met another lady whom he planned to marry.

He was, however, said to have suffered a cardiac arrest after returning from work about two days before his introduction to his already pregnant girlfriend.

FCMB was in the eye of the storm when the allegations of an unprofessional romantic affair between both parties were made public by friends of the deceased.

The bank would later appoint Yemisi Edun as its acting managing director.

The decision came amidst the scandal involving the managing director of the bank, Adam Nuru.

Mr Nuru proceeded on leave, to enable the bank to investigate the allegations against him.

Nedu comedians paternity scandal

Right months after the FCMB scandal, a popular radio presenter, Chinedu Emmanuel, popularly known as Nedu of Wazobia FM, revealed that their first son wasnt his..

Nedu made the claims when he responded to the domestic violence allegations levelled against him by his ex-wife, Uzoamaka Ohiri.

Ms Ohiri, accused him of battering her a few weeks after she was delivered of their child by a Cesarean section.

Nedu said: Our marriage was plagued with a lot of issues. One of which was continuous infidelity from her side that led to me conducting a paternity test on our kids which led to the revelation that our first son is not my biological son

Ms Ohiri responded by saying that she wasnt aware of the paternity of their first child until a DNA test was conducted.

Explaining the origin of the DNA scandal during her interview with Goldmyne, Ms Ohiri said I was seeing someone before Nedu, he was on the side disturbing me, he had invited me a couple of times. I turned him down after the relationship ended, Nedu and I met up.

Along the line, I found out that I was pregnant. Trust me, if I knew that my first child was not for him, I wouldnt have married him. I cant deliberately pick another mans child and give it to another man. If I knew, I wouldnt have gotten married to him. On my wedding day, I was pregnant, everybody saw it.

Speaking further, the mother-of-three, who insisted that she was faithful while she was married, said the comedian doesnt deserve her son.

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DNA testing boom

Paternity fraud has been in existence forever however these two major cases, fueled by social media, brought about renewed calls for DNA testing .

Other men who are victims of paternity fraud, also came forward to share their stories on social media.

To this end, this newspaper contacted Abiodun Salami, a senior geneticist with a DNA Centre for Paternity Test, Allen Avenue in Ikeja, Lagos, to shed light on the issue.

Mr Salami revealed that the statistics of paternity fraud in Nigeria was incredibly mind-blowing.

Salami noted that six out of every 10 paternity tests in Nigeria turn out negative. These statistics werent helping matters. He further stated that just this year, from conducting 100 DNA tests in a month, previously, it skyrocketed to over 400 paternity testings, monthly.

He also said from experience in DNA testing, most firstborns are not fathered by the husbands at home, because these ladies have a prior relationship before getting married. Most times, they continue with that relationship, they dont leave it after marriage.
In August 2018 when the birthday photo of a frail-looking 100-year-old Celestine Egbunuche, held on death row at the Enugu maximum prison, surfaced online, the debate around the death penalty and congestion of prisons was set in motion.

Accused of hiring people to kidnap and kill a man over an alleged land dispute in Imo State, his hometown, the centenarian was detained in June 2000. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to death in 2014 alongside his son, Paul, 41 at the time.

Through the campaign led by not-for-profit Global Society for Anti-corruption (GSAC), Pa Egbunuche was eventually freed a few weeks later. His son remained behind bars.

But underlying ailments and years of psychological and emotional torture would not let the older Egbunuche live past few more weeks.

Last year, his daughter, Chisom, cried out over the abandonment of her father at the mortuary one year after as she could not afford to pay the mortuary fees and conveying a corpse from Port Harcourt to Imo for burial.

Awaiting death

Pa Egbunuches situation is similar to that faced by thousands of other inmates, with correctional centres across Nigeria housing 3,602 death-row inmates, data obtained by this newspaper showed.

The data is as of December 14, 2020, and it was obtained in confidence through prison record officials. There is no real-time official database breakdown of the nations inmates, and so the exact figure as of the time of this report could not be established. However, the interior minister said at a public event that the figure was about 3,008 as of August.

Of the total number of death row inmates as of December 2020, about 2,755, which represents over 76 per cent, were in prisons in 10 states. This means that about eight in ten inmates on death row in the country were in these states.

At the summit of this list are prisons in Rivers which held 430 inmates on death row. This was followed by Lagos with 360 condemned to death. Neighbouring Ogun housed 344 inmates. Enugu where Paul Egbunuche is still being held on death row had 279. Delta had 252, Plateau 230, and Kano 153.

At the other end was Anambra with four inmates on death row and Nasarawa with three. All of Imo, Osun, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia and Ebonyi had one each, while Oyo, Ekiti and the borstals in Ilorin, Kaduna, Abeokuta had none.

Death penalty

Even though the death sentence is legal in Nigeria, executions are a rarity in the country. Still, judges continue to pronounce the death penalty for offences like treason, kidnapping, murder, armed robbery and involvement with militia groups.

Rights group Amnesty International had said Nigeria has the highest death-row population in sub-Saharan Africa, reporting that between 2007 and 2017, there were seven executions in the country with the last one taking place in 2016.

The group said the 621 death sentences the country imposed in 2017 accounted for 71 per cent of all confirmed death sentences ordered in sub-Saharan Africa that year.

Nigerian courts carried out three executions in 2016 and handed out 527 death sentences, three times more than the previous year.

Rights groups have called for the abolishment of the death sentence in the countrys statute.

While 110 countries in the world have abolished the death sentence for all crimes  Sierra Leone being the latest, according to the Death Penalty Project  54 countries, including Nigeria, retain the provision in their laws.

While the push to see Nigeria repeal the law continues, another matter of concern is the non-implementation of the existing law.

Many death row inmates, including those that have been condemned to death by the Supreme Court like the leader of the Christian Praying Assembly, Reverend (Chukuemeke Ezeugo) King, continue to languish in confinement for years, waiting to be executed.

The buck stops at the desk of state governors, some of whom dither in signing death warrants over humanitarian, political, religious, emotional and cultural sentiments. Yet, they lack the will to commute the provision to life imprisonment.

There are presently 3,008 condemned criminals waiting for their date with the executioners in our meagre custodial facilities. This consists of 2,952 males and 56 females, interior minister Rauf Aregbesola said in August.

In cases where an appeal has been exhausted and the convicts are not mounting any challenge to their conviction, the state should go ahead, to do the needful and bring closure to their cases, he added.

Mr Aregbesola was reproached by some lawyers for his calls. They argued that the call was against international laws.

Whether or not the death-row inmates are executed, what is certain is that, for as long as they are held in confinement, they suffer mental torture.

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Inmates who have spent ten years on death row live under the suspense and mental torture of death, the immediate past correctional service controller-general, Ahmed Jaafaru, reportedly said.

Out of the number, a greater percentage of them may have finished appeals and are still waiting for the determination of the approving authority to either approve their execution or commit them to life imprisonment, Mr Jaafaru said.

Paul Egbunuche maintained his innocence and that of his late father, yet he has spent 21 years in prison, a third of that on death row.

He recalled to the BBC how the confinement of his father dealt a great blow to his mind: There are some times when he will ask me: These people here [inmates], what are they doing here?'

Data contribution by Juliana Francis
The Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has called on residents of the state to arm themselves and confront bandits because security officials alone cannot tackle insecurity in the state.

Katsina, like other North-west states of Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi, has witnessed incessant attacks by terror groups.

Hundreds of people have been killed or kidnapped in Katsina this year with thousands more displaced from their homes.

Speaking during a media parley with journalists at the Muhammadu Buhari House in Katsina, Mr Masari said the number of security personnel is not enough to tackle the situation.

Its Islamically allowed for one to defend himself against attack. One must rise to defend himself, his family and assets. If you die while trying to defend yourself, youll be considered a martyr. Its surprising how a bandit would own a gun while a good man trying to defend himself and his family doesnt have one, the governor said.

Mr Masari said the state government would help those who plan to own arms with the view to help bring an end to banditry.

Well support those who come with the initiative to procure arms because residents need to also complement the efforts of security agencies. These people (security agents) dont have the number to protect the people. When President Buhari came, he even tried by increasing the number of our security agents but its inadequate. Count it yourself, how many policemen do we have in this country? How many soldiers do we have?

Even if we say every policeman should go back to his home state, itll still not be enough. So, if we fold arms and decide to do nothing, well be the ones to suffer most, he lamented.

Mr Masari said the police would register all guns bought by the residents to ensure they are put to the right use.

I support power shift

The governor also said that the next president of the country should come from the south.

Let me make my position very clear. This constitution is made for us, not us made for the constitution. Yes, constitution does not say we must shift power, but if you shift, have you violated any part of the constitution?

I still believe that, from my personal opinion as Aminu Bello Masari, until such a time when we have stable polity, I think rotation or shifting power from time to time will help consolidate our confederation. I support that and I still maintain my stand and I have the constitutional right to make such comment, he said.

Mr Masaris party, APC, has not adopted power shift or rotation of the presidency in its laws. While some leaders of the party support power shift, others are against it.

Should rotation of the presidents office be adopted, then President Buhari, who is from Katsina State, would be succeeded by someone from Southern Nigeria.
Armed persons, on Wednesday, attacked Gada community in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing its traditional ruler, Umaru Bawan-Allah, and three other residents.

The Secretary, Bungudu Emirate Council, Usman Ahmad, told PREMIUM TIMES that the attackers invaded the community around 1 a.m. and unleashed mayhem on the residents.

Mr Ahmad said the emirate council has announced 4 p.m. Wednesday for the burial rites of the traditional ruler and the other victims.

Gada community is about seven kilometres from Bungudu, the local council headquarters.

The development comes barely three months after the Emir of Bungudu, Hassan Attahiru, was kidnapped along the Kaduna-Abuja highway in September. He spent 32 days in captivity before he was released.

The Bungundu emir is considered of a higher rank than the traditional ruler of Gada who was killed in the Wednesday attack.

Residents said the gunmen operated for about four hours, killing, maiming and raping women at will.

They said the bandits set fire on the foodstuff and vehicles parked in the palace of the traditional ruler.

The phone contact of the police spokesperson in Zamfara, Muhammad Shehu, did not connect Wednesday morning when PREMIUM TIMES tried to get the reaction of the police.

Attacks by terror groups on communities in Zamfara have become rampant with hundreds of people killed or kidnapped in 2021. Apart from Zamfara, other Northwest states that witness similar attacks are Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna.

The attacks have continued despite the heavy deployment of security operatives to the area.

On Tuesday, the Katsina State Govenror, Aminu Masari, advised residents to arm themselves so as to defend themselves against the bandits.
There are at least 10 drafting errors contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill recently rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari.

These inaccuracies range from grammatical errors to cross-referencing gaps.

The errors were identified by a coalition of eight civic groups comprising the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre (IPC) and Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD).

Others are the Albino Foundation, CLEEN Foundation, Institute for Media and Society (IMS) and Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF).

Their discoveries were contained in a memo dated 29 December and addressed to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, notifying them of the errors.

Also copied are the Clerk to the National Assembly, the chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on INEC and the Director of Legal Services, National Assembly.

There are indications that the CSOs are yet to dispatch the memo to the addressees.

Mr Buhari had declined assent to the bill on December 21.

In a letter to both chambers of the National Assembly, he cited insecurity and high cost of conducting direct primaries as his reasons for declining assent to the legislation.

He also said it would infringe on the rights of Nigerians to participate in governance and democracy.

The president added that the bill will also stifle smaller parties without the enormous resources required to mobilise all party members for the primaries and it will pose huge security challenges as the security agencies will also be overstretched.

Although about 73 senators had indicated interest to override the presidents veto of the bill, the Senate resolved to consult with the House of Representatives before making a decision.

Drafting errors

In the memo obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, a few errors were identified from different clauses of the bill.

The groups also made recommendations as to how corrections can be effected.

One of the identified clauses with an error is Section 50(2) which deals with conduct of poll by open secret ballot.

This section states that Subject to Section 63 of this Act, voting at an election and transmission of results under this Act shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission.

The groups, however, noted that Section 63 was wrongly referenced in the subsection as there is no relationship between Section 50 and Section 63 of the bill.

Therefore, to reflect the correct cross-reference, they advised that Section 63 be replaced with Section 60 on counting of votes and forms.

Another error was identified in Section 64(7)and(8) which deals with endorsement on rejected ballot paper without official mark.

Section 64(7) states that if the disputed result under subsection (3) were otherwise found not to be correct, the Collation Officer or Returning Officer shall re-collate and announce a new result using the information in subsection (3)(a-d).

While Section 64(8) says where the dispute under subsection (3) arose at the level of collation and the Returning Officer has satisfied the provision of subsection (3), the Returning Officer shall accordingly declare the winner of the election.

The reference to subsection(3) in the section, according to the CSOs, is incorrect as subsection (3) does not relate to disputed result. Rather it relates to statement of rejected ballots.

For proper cross-referencing, they said the reference to subsection (3) should be changed to subsection (6a-d) which relates to procedure for determining the correctness of a disputed election result.

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In the memo, the groups urged the National Assembly to address these errors and gaps before re-submitting the bill for presidential assent to eliminate any form of ambiguity or legal complications in the application of the bill when it is enacted.

The president had in August 2018 premised his decision of declining assent to the 2018 Electoral (Amendment) Bill on certain drafting errors and cross-referencing gaps in the Bill.

The groups said it is therefore imperative for the National Assembly to ensure due diligence before transference of the bill back to the president for assent to prevent it from suffering the same fate.

They also urged the lawmakers to quickly conclude the process and re-transmit the bill 2021 to the president for assent within 30 days from 21st December 2021.

Any further delay in concluding the process of enacting the Electoral Bill 2021 will directly impact INECs preparations for the 2023 General Election.

Below are the identified drafting and cross-referencing errors and gaps in the Electoral Bill 2021:

S/N SECTION MARGINAL ANNOTATION PROVISION IN THE BILL ISSUE RECOMMENDATION 1 Section 24 (4) Conduct and postponement of election in emergency (4) Where the Commission appoints a substituted date in accordance with subsections (2), (3) and (4), there shall be no return for the election until polling has taken place in the area or areas affected. Subsection 1 of the section was omitted resulting to improper cross-referencing For proper cross-referencing, (2), (3) and (4) should be deleted in the Subsection 4 and replaced with (1), (2) and (3) 2. Section 50 (2) Conduct of poll by open secret ballot Subject to Section 63 of this Act, voting at an election and transmission of results under this Act shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission. Section 63 was wrongly referenced in the subsection. There is no relationship between Section 50 and Section 63 of the bill To reflect the correct cross reference, Section 63 should be replaced with Section 60 on counting of votes and forms 3 Section 64 (7) & (8) Endorsement on rejected ballot paper without official mark (7) If the disputed result under subsection (3) were otherwise found not to be correct, the Collation Officer or Returning Officer shall re-collate and announce a new result using the information in subsection (3) (a-d). The reference to subsection (3) in the section is incorrect. Subsection (3) does not relate to disputed result. It relates to statement of rejected ballots For proper cross-referencing, the reference to subsection (3) should be changed to subsection (6a-d) which relates to procedure for determining the correctness of a disputed election result. (8) Where the dispute under subsection (3) arose at the level of collation and the Returning Officer has satisfied the provision of subsection (3), the Returning Officer shall accordingly declare the winner of the election. 4 Section 91(2) Conduct at Political rallies, and processions Section 91(2)- For the purpose of Subsection (2), a person shall be deemed to be acting in pursuance of a lawful duty if he is acting in his capacity as a police officer as a member of a security agency authorized to carry arms and is specifically posted to be present at that political rally or procession. The reference to subsection (2) is a cross referencing error. The number (2) in the provision should be deleted and replaced with (1) 5 Section 107 (3) Death of Chairman before oath of office Section 107(3)- Where the persons duly elected as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of an Area Council dies before taking and subscribing the oath of allegiance and oath of office during which period the Area Council has not been inaugurated, the Commission shall within 21 days conduct an election to fill vacancies. Grammatical error The alphabet s should be deleted from the word dies to read die 6 Section 137 and 138 S. 137  Effect of non-participation in an election It shall not be necessary for a party who alleges non-compliance with the provisions of this Act for the conduct of elections to call oral evidence if originals or certified true copies manifestly disclose the non-compliance alleged. Although both sections have different marginal notations, Section 138 is a repetition of Section 137. Section 137 should be reviewed to align with the marginal note while Section 138 should be maintained because it reflects the intended content of the section. S. 138  Accelerated hearing of election petition SUB HEAD 7 Paragraphs 4 (5), (6), (7) and (8) Content of election petition Paragraph 4(5)- The election petition shall be accompanied by- Paragraphs 4 (5) and (7) are repetitive while Paragraphs 4 (6) and (8) contain similar provisions Paragraph 4(7) and 4(8) should be deleted (a) A list of the witnesses that the petitioner intends to call in proof of the petition; (b) Written statements on oath of the witnesses; and (c) Copies or list of every document to be relied on at the hearing of the petition. Paragraph 4(6)- A Petition which fails to comply with subparagraph (5) shall not be accepted for filing by the Secretary. Paragraph 4(7)- The election petition shall be accompanied by- (a) A list of the witnesses that the petitioner intends to call in proof of the petition; (b) Written statements on oath of the witnesses; and (c) Copies or list of every document to be relied on at the hearing of the petition. Paragraph 4(8)- A Petition which fails to comply with subparagraph (5) shall not be accepted for filing by the Secretary. 8 Paragraph 10(2)- Non-filling of Memorandum of Appearance The non-filling of a memorandum of appearance shall not bar the respondent from defending the election petition if the respondent files his reply to the election petition in the registry within a reasonable time, but, in any case, not later than 21 days from the receipt of the election petition. There is a grammatical error in the spelling of filing The word filling appearing in the sub-heading and sub-paragraph should be replaced with the word filing to address the grammatical error. 9 Paragraph 14(2) Amendment of Election Petition and reply 2. After the expiration of the time limited by- The provision contains a cross referencing error. The timeline provided for the filing of election petition is not contained in Section 134(1) of the bill. Section 134 provides grounds of petition The phrase Section 134(1) of the Act should be deleted and replaced with the phrase Section 285 (5) of the Constitution and Section 132(7) of this Act which provides the timeline for filing election petitions. (a) Section 134 (1) of this Act for presenting the election petition, no amendment shall be made-  10 Paragraph 16 (3) Petitioners Reply The petitioner in proving his case shall have 14 days to do so and the respondent shall have 14 days to reply. Paragraph 16(3) is in conflict with the provision of paragraph 41(10) which outlines comprehensive timelines for petitioners to prove their case and respondents to file a response. To address this conflict, Paragraph 16 (3) should be deleted.
An audit trail by the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAGF) has revealed that an agency lacking the authorisation of the president for its takeoff, served as a conduit for wiring N15.3 billion into the account of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), a unit of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment between 2017 and 2019.

The diversion came to light in the latest annual review by the auditor-generals office on the non-compliance and internal control failures of Ministries, Departments and Agencies for 2019. The report noted that NEPZA could not provide grounds for the movement of the money.

At the behest of the trade and investment ministry, NEPZA paid N1.3 million to facilitate the incorporation of Nigeria Special Economic Zones Company Limited (NZESCO), going against the grain of a provision of NEPZAs own law, which requires the assent of the president for such an agency to be set up, the document said.

The N15.3 billion, an expenditure described as lost fund, was incurred on the instruction of the Honourable Minister and it was charged to Project MINE Account which is under the control of the Honourable Minister.

Okechukwu Enelamah headed the ministry at the time.

While tracking the flow of the fund through a payment report from the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, the OAGF discovered that there was a series of transfers between the two and the N15.3 billion transaction was not a bulk payment.

A major part of the OAGFs findings is some striking similarities in the functions of NSEZCO and NEPZA, notably the overseeing of the authority and management of all the Export Processing Zones, an indication that the former could be replicating exactly all of NEPZAs duties.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment could not have initiated and/or established a company as a Special Economic Free Trade Zone which appeared to be a duplication or usurpation of the powers of NEPZA, the audit report said.

The promoters, directors and registered address of NSEZCO were not made available to the audit team for verification.

Meanwhile, the auditor-generals office has ordered NEPZAs head to provide the establishment approval of NSEZCO including its Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association to the National Assembly for vetting.

He will also supply NSEZCO account statements right from the start of operation to the parliament and prove with documentary facts that NEPZA originally owned the N15.3 billion, failing which the auditor-generals office will invoke relevant penalties from provisions of the Financial Regulations.
The Ekiti State government has postponed indefinitely the examination scheduled for Wednesday for thousands of job seekers in the state.

Adewumi Fawekun, director, Appointment and Posting, who signed for the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti Local Government Service Commission, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.

She said Governor Kayode Fayemi had also directed that the application forms fees be refunded to the applicants.

Mrs Fawekun said that the-three-day examination scheduled to commence on Wednesday would no longer hold.

This is to inform the general public, particularly candidates, who obtained employment forms at the Ekiti Local Government Service Commission that the examination earlier slated to commence on Wednesday, will no longer hold as scheduled.

Further information will be conveyed to candidates in due course. Meanwhile, Gov. Kayode Fayemi has directed that the employment forms be made free-of-charge to all candidates, she said.

ALSO READ: Another Fayemi appointee resigns to contest for Ekiti governorship

She said the date of refund of the application fees would be communicated to the affected candidates soon.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as of the time of filing this report, a new date for the examination had not been announced.

NAN recalls that the state government two months ago invited interested candidates to apply for vacancies in both junior and senior categories of its workforce. (NAN)
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) says only the driver and a woman survived the boat mishap that occurred on Sunday at Zhigiri village, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

Ahmed Inga, the Director-General of the agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Wednesday that the bodies of the seven victims of the mishap had also been recovered.

He said the mishap occurred while the boat was sailing to Dnaweto, a neighbouring village in the hinterland, for a naming ceremony.

Mr Inga said that the passengers of the boat were nine and they took off from Zhijigiri village to Dnaweto village.

He said that the boat sailed on the water from the ongoing construction of the Zungeru hydro electric power dam.

The boat driver and a lady survived while seven person lost their lives to the unfortunate incident.

The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and buried, he said. (NAN)
The Katsina State Government says it will lift the ban on telecommunication services in the remaining seven affected local government areas (LGAs) before January 2021.

The governor, who disclosed this during a media parley with journalists on Tuesday in Katsina, urged residents to do their best to protect their areas from bandit attacks.

Recently the state government lifted the ban on telecommunication services in 10 out of the 17 LGAs in the state which hitherto suffered from banditry.

He commended the efforts of all security agencies, especially vigilante groups, for fighting bandits.

Mr Masari noted that the vigilantes travel from one community to another with the aim of protecting the communities.

The governor also advised people to defend their communities and to also give the securities all the necessary support, especially by providing them with correct information on criminals.

The governor urged the people in the various communities to support the local vigilance groups with the necessary weapons so that they could defend them in the event of any attack.

NAN also recalls that recently the governor said that banditry must be defeated collectively across the affected northern states before 2023 when the tenure of the various administrations will come to an end.

The governor, who gave the assurance while signing the states 2022 approved appropriation bill, said no going back in the fight against bandits.

According to him, the bandits are well known in their communities and should be fished out.

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We must prepare to fight back as individuals, to fight the bandits because they are evil and they represent evil. We should not retreat in this fight.

We took over under serious threat of security in 2015, and by Gods grace we will not handover this country to the next generation of leaders under this condition. We must restore normalcy.

We inherited the government with the security challenges and we must end it and handover the state to our successors without the same problem.

We must control and dominate our environment.

There are two advantages that we have, numbers and technology. When you put the two together, we will restore normalcy. It is not beyond us to do that, Mr Masari said. (NAN)
A team of operatives from the State Security Service (SSS) on Monday allegedly laid siege to the office of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa, its executive director, has said.

This was disclosed in a letter Mr Musa wrote to the Director General of the Service Yusuf Bichi, and obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

CISLAC is a non governmental organisation that is actively participating in legislative advocacy. Its activities revolve mostly around the National Assembly.

Mr Musa, popularly known as Rafsanjani in the letter dated December 29, alleged that the operatives insisted on seeing the chief security officer (CSO) of the organisation.

In letter titled, Intimidation and profiling of civil society groups during Yuletide, the civil society described the action of the SSS operatives as unprofessional.

On Monday the 27th of December 2021, Operatives of your agency, the Department of State Security Services (DSS) stormed the premises of our office, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, the National Chapter of Transparency International, TI Nigeria at No 16 POW Mafemi Crescent, Off Solomon Lar Way, Jabi. Laying siege, the operatives demanded to see the Chief Security Officer of the building. On learning about this, our initial thought was that these were individuals masquerading as DSS agents considering the fact that this was not just during the holiday period, but it was on a day declared as a public holiday by the federal government of Nigeria.

This thought was further reinforced by the fact that was no prior notice, invitation or pending request from your office regarding any of such visit. However, when we put a call through to the number dropped with our office security personnel, an individual further confirmed that he was an agent of your agency providing details of his position.

Sir, considering recent activities of criminals using official security covers to perpetrate wanton criminalities in the recent past, we want you to use your good office to investigate those who carried out this visit and for what purpose(s). We will also request that you call these operatives to order and charge them to be civil in their approach and not militarize our nascent democracy.

At this point, we cannot jump into conclusion as to the exact reasons behind this gestapo approach; however, this kind of unprofessional visits clearly violates existential rights guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and puts the country on a global map of bad policing and seen shrinking voices of citizens demanding for good governance in the interest of all.

Visits like these further feed fears that the country is gradually snowballing into autocracy with the regular abuse of powers from those parading themselves as agents of the state.

As an organization, we believe in the rule of law. We have complied with all statutes and thereby have not violated any law. We urge you to use your good office to put an end to this trend of shrinking civic space and the ongoing attempt to weaken democratic institutions to which the civil society community represents an aspect, the letter partly read.

SSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, could not be reached for comments. He did not respond to calls and SMS from PREMIUM TIMES to him on Wednesday.

Intimidation by security agencies

The siege to the CSO office comes amidst alleged intimidation of critics of the federal government by security agencies.

For instance, in June, Operatives of the Service stormed the Adoration Ground, Enugu, allegedly to arrest its Spiritual Director, Ejike Mbaka, who lately became a critic of President Muhammadu Buhari. The cleric was reportedly invited by the Service afterwards.

In 2019, policemen and operatives of the SSS laid siege to the head office of DAAR Communications in Asokoro, Abuja.

Raymond Dokpesi, the proprietor of DAAR Communications, owners of the Africa Independent Television and Raypower, is a member of the countrys main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The SSS had in a statement in May this year, warned that it would no longer tolerate those aiming to throw the country into anarchy.

Mr Afunanya, who signed the statement, said among those threatening the federal government and Nigerias unity are some religious and past political leaders who have either called for a forceful change of government or mass action against it.
Former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has alleged that the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodinma, is sponsoring unknown gunmen carrying out the killings in the state.

He also alleged that the controversial arrest of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, by the police during a church service on Sunday, was actually an assassination attempt on Mr Nwosu.

The former governor made the allegations while appearing on Politics Today, a political programme on Channels TV on Tuesday.

But Mr Uzodinma denied the claim and challenged Mr Okorocha to provide evidence to back his allegation.

Mr Nwosu, the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the 2019 governorship election was arrested on December 26, during a service at the St Peters Anglican Church, Eziama Obaire in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.

According to reports, masked police officers fired gunshots in the air and reportedly assaulted Mr Nwosu, his wife (Okorochas daughter), and others before his arrest.

Photographs of Mr Nwosu in handcuffs trended on major social media platforms.

Mr Nwosu wore only a white singlet in the photographs, giving credence to the claim that he was assaulted and his clothes torn during his arrest.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the Anglican Church condemned the arrest of Mr Nwosu in the Church.

Mr Okorocha, who supported Mr Nwosu to succeed him during the governorship election, refuted the claim that Mr Nwosu was arrested for alleged links to armed groups.

He alleged that unknown gunmen are taking directives from the Imo State Government.

They took him out and cocked their guns to shoot him. What saved Nwosu was social media. When they realised it has gotten to social media, they panicked and the fact that he understands Hausa

Unknown gunmen have been unravelled in Imo State. As it stands now, these people are under the directive of the government of Imo State led by Hope Uzodinma.

It is obvious that the squad in the Government House are used for killing purposes or for the unholy act. The unknown gunmen in Imo State are gradually coming out. IPOB will claim that they are not the ones. Look at the way people are being killed, look at the way traditional leaders are being killed, he said.

Mr Okorocha, who is currently the senator for Imo West, said Mr Uzodinma has been manipulating the presidency on the deployment of the military to target political opponents in the state.

He, therefore, called for the intervention of the federal government to unravel the unknown gunmen in the state.

Okorocha notorious for lies, need medical examination  Imo State Government

The Imo State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, did not pick calls by this newspaper to his mobile telephone nor did he reply to a text message sent to him.

But when contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Imo State Governor, Oguike Nwachukwu, challenged Mr Okorocha to provide evidence to back his allegations.

He also accused Mr Okorocha of lying to garner public sympathy, adding that the former governor should be saved from himself.

These are allegations, and Okorocha is notorious for lies. For eight years, he told the Imo people lies. He is soliciting attention by going to television stations. All these are hearsay. If he has evidence, he should provide the same.

Okorocha should be saved from himself. He needs to be saved from himself. He needs some medical re-examination. Because he is muddling up issues, perhaps a psychiatric examination. It is not everyone that talks that is normal.

It is unfortunate that Imo State ended up with such a character for eight years as governor and again elected as a senator, Mr Nwachukwu said.

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Background

The enmity between Messrs Okorocha and Uzodinma could be traced to the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in 2018.

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The struggle for the state governorship ticket pitched the two political gladiators in the state against each other as the latter wanted Mr Nwosu, his son-in-law, to succeed him.

The battle for the ticket led to the decamping of Mr Nwosu to AA following his inability to secure the ticket in APC.

In 2020, Mr Uzodinma was declared governor of Imo State after the Supreme Court sacked Emeka Ihedioha, the PDP candidate, who had earlier been declared winner of the election in 2019.

The court had voided the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel 388 polling units during the election.

Mr Uzodinmas tenure has witnessed large-scale attacks by unknown gunmen, including the killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former presidential adviser from Adamawa State, during a visit to the South-east state.
The director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, has advised world leaders to shun what he described as the politics of populism and self-interest if the world would see the end of the coronavirus pandemic in 2022.

Mr Ghebreyesus gave this advice at the WHO last media briefing on COVID-19 on Wednesday.

This is the moment for leaders to banish the politics of populism and self-interest, which are derailing the COVID-19 response and threatening to undermine the response to the inevitable next disease, he said.

Speaking on the new WHO hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence based in Berlin, he assured that the global body would continue to support countries towards building strong health systems and ensure the distribution of health tools.

He said: In 2022, WHO will work with our member states to build well-financed health systems, strengthen preparedness and ensure the equitable distribution of health tools.

From the new WHO Bio Hub System which offers a reliable, safe and transparent mechanism for WHO 194-member-states to voluntarily share novel biological materials to the new WHO hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence based in Berlin, WHO will build mechanisms to enhance partnerships.

In this vein, the development of a new binding accord between nations on pandemic prevention preparedness and response will be a key pillar. I hope to see negotiations move swiftly and leaders to act with ambition.

New year resolution

The WHO boss also advised everyone to make a new year resolution to achieve the WHOs targets to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population of every country by mid-2022.

While 2021 has been hard, I ask everyone to make a New Years resolution to get behind the campaign to vaccinate 70 per cent by the middle of 2022, he said, adding; We have 185 days to finish the line of achieving 70 per cent by the start of July 2022, and the clock starts now.

If we drive this campaign together, we will all be in a much better place by this time next year, he said.

WHO had initially set a target to vaccinate 10 per cent of every country, economy and territory by the end of September but by that date 56 countries had not been able to do so, the vast majority of these are countries in Africa and the Middle East.

As a result of that, the WHO launched the Strategy to Achieve Global COVID-19 Vaccination by mid-2022, which outlines a plan for achieving its targets to vaccinate 40 per cent of the population of every country by the end of this year and 70 per cent by mid-2022.

COVID-19 variants

Speaking further about the existing COVID-19 variants, Mr Ghebreyesus confirmed that the delta and omicron variants are twin threats that are driving up cases to record numbers, which is leading to spikes in hospitalisations.

And theres a high concern that omicron, being more transmissible and circulating at the same time as delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases. This will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers and health systems on the brink of collapse.

The pressure on health systems is not only because of new COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalisation but also because a large number of health workers are getting sick themselves, the director-general said.

He noted that the unvaccinated are many times more at risk of dying from either the delta or omicron variant, which is moving so quickly.

On vaccination inequity, the WHO director-general emphasised the need for leaders and manufacturers to work on achieving 70 per cent vaccination coverage.

By ending global vaccine inequity, I want the government, industry and civil society to work with us on a campaign that targets 70 per cent vaccine coverage in every country by the start of July, he added.
Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law to a former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has narrated his ordeal in the hands police officers who arrested him inside a church on Sunday in Imo State.

The armed officers invaded the St Peters Anglican Church, Eziama Obaire in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State, fired gunshots and disrupted church service before arresting Mr Nwosu, a former governorship candidate in the state.

The leadership of the Anglican Church and other Nigerians have condemned the police invasion of the church.

Mr Nwosu, his wife and others were reportedly assaulted by the officers during the arrest which has renewed the acrimony between Mr Okorocha, the senator representing Imo West District, and Governor Hope Uzodinma.

The senator and his son-in-law are accusing the Imo State Governor, Mr Uzodinma of being behind the controversial arrest. The state government has denied the allegation.

My ordeal  Uche Nwosu

They manhandled me and bundled me into one of the vehicles they came in. One of them ordered me to lie down and one of them placed his leg on my head, said Mr Nwosu in a report by The Nation newspaper.

Mr Nwosu, according to the paper, narrated his ordeal to reporters in Owerri on Tuesday after returning from the police headquarters in Abuja where he said the police had flown him to in a chartered flight on Sunday.

The police said they arrested him based on a petition that he was sponsoring insecurity in Imo State, he said.

The former governorship candidate of the Action Alliance said over 15 hooded officers jumped into the church to arrest him.

When they drove off, they started making calls in the Hausa Language, and unknown to them, I understand the Hausa Language. They were telling one Shaba who is the chief security officer that they have got me.

At Umuaka, they stopped and ordered that I should get down. At that point, I thought they were to assassinate me. They bundled me into another vehicle and they drove off.

When we got to Owerri, three other vehicles drove straight to the Government House and the one carrying me drove towards Okigwe Road and I began to ask them where they were taking me to but they never responded to me. They drove towards Okigwe and stopped.

At that point, I thought they wanted to assassinate me. They asked me to remove my clothes, handcuffed me, snapped me, made a video, and sent it to the CSO.

We continued until we got to Enugu airport where we boarded a charted jet to Abuja. We moved to Force Headquarters and we did an interview. They accused me of sponsoring insecurity in Imo State, Mr Nwosu said.

He was released by the police after questioning.

The Imo State Government has continued to deny its involvement in the arrest.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, described Mr Nwosus claims as a malicious concoction by a drowning man.

The police are yet to issue a statement on Mr Nwosus arrest.
Iwo people are appreciative of the Oyetola governments stride in drawing enduring legacy to our land. They appreciate Governor Oyetola. They acknowledge his commitment towards the development and growth of Iwo. And by that strand, they shall reciprocate his effort with unalloyed support at the poll next year.

On June 16, 2016, one of Nigerias leading news outlets, Vanguard newspaper published a report titled Osun School Uniform Crisis: Religious battle enters physical, spiritual realm. The report captured the face-off that ensued between Christian and Muslim leaders as a result of the crisis over school uniform in the State. According to the newspaper,  the timely intervention of Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Adewale Akanbi, saved what could have snowballed into (a) major religious crisis as some Christian students of Baptist High School, Adeeke, Iwo for the second day appeared in church robes to attend classes for the day.

Inane news as the above was what characterised the tenure of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, because people were daily regalled with stories of how students would appear in schools in church robes and masquerade regalia in an attempt to register their religious identities. Such scenes were prevalent in our dear Iwoland that time because of the religious peculiarity of the town. Civil disobedience was the direct reaction to that governments unfriendly policy in the education sector. Graciously, such absurdities have since become history with the assumption into office of Governor Gboyega Oyetola. The policy rejig of this administration has sufficiently addressed some of the hitherto anomalies in the education sector.

So one would wonder why affiliates of the defunct government would make a disingenuous endeavour to recast events of our immediate past to awe activities of the present, just to earn cheap political leverage. Many of the active participants in the rested regime, who have refused to move on, continue to curate lies and make excuses for the failings of their government. One of them is an Iwo-born political spin writer, Semiu Okanlawon who was a Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to former Governor Aregbesola.

Okanlawons latest allegorical piece aimed at demarketing the electoral value of Governor Oyetola and his men in Iwoland, caught my attention. My current intervention is to address some of the unsavoury remarks contained in his opinion, particularly where he talked about his December 2019 meeting with Governor Oyetola, his storied 45-minute conversation with a cabinet member from Iwo, and events of this years Iwo Day, where he alleged the Governor was shooed off.

First: Whereas the writer had revelled his readers with tales of how, during his encounter in December 2019, he advised the governor against policy somersaults and importance of continuing with projects of his predecessor; expectedly, he failed to mention that his meeting with Governor Oyetola was actually self-serving, planned to warm himself to the heart of the governor for a media job he desperately needed and payment of his unpaid emoluments while working for Aregbesola. No need to go into further details of his pitch on that day. Okanlawons conscience houses the detail and he should be left to live with it.

On his claimed conversation with a cabinet member from Iwo who, he said, expressed fear about the capacity of the governor to guarantee electoral fortune for the party in next years election, the writer, no doubt, is living up to the billing of a master maligner and an irritating fabulist and blackmailer. On the strength of plaucibility and reasonableness, can any supporter, much more a cabinet member, of Oyetola, tell a trusted ally of Aregbesola, that Okanlawon is, that  Governor yi o le win election bayi? Can any naive politician, let alone politicans of standing of those that make up Oyetolas cabinet, say that to a known adversary of their government?

I have an idea that the cabinet member mentioned by the author is me. The description seated well on me. Of the cabinet members from Iwo, only I address Okanlawon as Semiu. The other cabinet member, out of respect for him on the account of age difference, does not call him by his first name. So it is imperative I address the issue the way I understand it.

Around September this year, there was a quick tete-a-tete between myself and Semiu Okanlawon. The meeting point was Mogajis farm in Asamu on Osogbo/Iwo Road. After the exchange of greetings, the first question I asked him was the reason for his continued absence from our local stakeholders meetings and his non-participation at the then ongoing Party Congress. His simple reply that day was that: Your people didnt want me in your midst. I asked, how? He then complained of being owed by the State Government and I promised him that I would speak to my principal on his behalf and he asked me to invite him to any stakeholders meeting, which I did. I am surprised about his erroneous claims that I demanded ways and manners by which the crisis within the party could be managed and by extension how to broker a truce between the two principals; Oyetola and Aregbesola.

Contrary to the claim of Okanlawon, there was no time I told him the governor, appointee of whom I am, would not win his re-election sans the former governor and his lieutenants. Nothing in my remarks or discussion with him was expressive or suggestive of his claim. It is a blatant and shameful blackmail to wedge my relationship with the governor and cause disaffection in the cabinet. The statement, absolutely, is a figment of the imagination of the author. It is like one of those lies often told by him to defend the inadaquacies of their government. I reiterate: there was never a point during our conversation where I said that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola could not win re-election. It would be absurd and highly disgusting that I would disparage the personality of the governor and government that I am genuinely serving and which I am sworn to preserve its integrity.

Every responsible person should take Okanlawons statement with a pinch of salt, for that is what it is worth. Every team member of the Oyetola government is working assiduously and confidently to ensure our hardworking principal wins re-election, so as for him to consolidate on the developmental projects and programmes he has initiated in the State.

The government of Oyetola is etching his name in Iwo through various laudable projects he is imprinting in the ancient land. As big and important as Iwo is, we only have a Federal College of Education that was facilitated by Oyetolas administration; not only that, it takes forty-five minutes to drive from Iwo to Osogbo and vice versa, whereas till the late end of 2018, it was highly suicidal to attempt driving to Osogbo from Iwo through this road; rather we either choose to drive first to Gbongan, in Ayedaade Local Government, or through Ibadan to Ikire, Gbongan. The government has started the Lawyer Atanda road project. The construction of Odoori to Adeeke road and two other major roads in the city is also in the pipeline.

The contract for rehabilitation of the Dam at Iwo Water works, which was established in 1952, has since been awarded by Oyetolas administration.

No matter how hard Okanlawon tries to burnish the image of his benefactor, it will not change the fact that Aregbesola has no imprint in Iwo beyond strife and religious animosity. It is on record that the road project he struggles to attach to his name was done by Kamorudeen Alaos local government administration. Where was Okanlawon when his principal, for eight years in office, shunned all entreaties to fix the deplorable Osogbo-Iwo road? Where was he when the government he served refused to finish the mega school in Iwo, even when ten others were completed in other towns? Was Reality Radio-Vision Service in Iwo not in shambles before Oyetola set up a Revitalisation Committee in February 2019, just three months into the life of his administration, to re-engineer and reposition the station to achieve its objectives in the 21st century broadcasting world, in which quality service is the hallmark? Even as a media practitioner, was Okanlawon not part of a band of rabble rousers and hallelujah boys of the government that rationalised the inability of the government to embark on the project? What was the condition of the General Hospital in Iwo during Aregbesolas administration? Terrible !

Oyetola has become a household name in Iwo. The warm reception accorded him at this years Iwo Odidere Day validates this claim. The governor was the cynosure of all eyes who, deservedly though, stole the show from political almajiris and scavengers lined up by his detractors to impugn his honour. What more honour can be conferred on a guest than an endorsement of a paramount ruler of the town? Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu 1 did not withhold his admiration for the governor on the particular day. Oluwo showered encomiums on Oyetola and commended him for prudently managing the meagre resources of the State.

According to the traditional ruler, Oyetola is doing excellently well. Oyetola is doing wonders and great things as in the prompt payment of full salaries and pensions among other socio-economic and infrastructural developments.

The honour received by Oyetola in Iwo was grande. It was so grande that he left some of the leading critics of his government no other option than to pay the traditional obeisance to him. People have seen videos and pictures of how Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Alhaji Rasaq Salinsile, arrowheads of warring group in Osun APC, embraced the governor on that day. So, nobody should be left in doubt about the respect and popularity IleriOluwa enjoys in the homestead of the progressives. Only embittered minds would want to foist on the people the narration of handful scoundrels mobilised and sponsored by rebellious and spent forces in the State. The video referenced by Semiu Okanlawon as evidence of nerdiness of the governor in Iwo was a hatchet job of the disgruntled minority aimed at embarrassing a raving governor. The governors achievements in the last 36 months will speak loudly for him at the poll in Iwo and in the entire state, come July 2022.

I know the writer has been a bit away from home, hence the reason for his jaundiced opinion about the chances of the governor in the coming election. For example in lwo East LCDA, from where both of us come from, Oyetola is a candidate to beat. Specifically, Isale Oba Ward 1, which is Semius acclaimed political base, is a stronghold of IleriOluwa. And membership keeps increasing daily. The current Chairman of the ward also served as the chairman during Aregbesolas administration. This is contrary to lies that Oyetola tweaked the structure of the party.

Aburo mi is well aware that ota eni ki pa odu oya (ones enemy never appreciates ones achievement), unless the entire World is convinced that the only RED PEN available during Ogbeni Aregbesolas administration was used by Mr Gboyega Oyetola can the failure of that period be tied to our administrations neck. The performance of the present administration in view of the paucity of fund at its disposal is an opportunity for us all to heal the wounds of the past. The so called anti-Aregbesola sentiment is unnecessary and negative diversion, omo osan lo n ko ponporo ba iya re (a bad ward brings disgrace to his parents). Osun State is too enlightened and highly educated to be taken for a ride, please I strongly advise you stop the insults.

Finally, I will advise the writer to desist from such ignoble act and focus on his ethical profession, which harps on nothing but the reportage of the absolute truth not distorted account to misinform and mislead the public.

Iwo people are appreciative of the Oyetola governments stride in drawing enduring legacy to our land. They appreciate Governor Oyetola. They acknowledge his commitment towards the development and growth of Iwo. And by that strand, they shall reciprocate his effort with unalloyed support at the poll next year.

Amidu Tadese Raheem, the first Chief Whip of Osun State House of Assembly in 1992, is Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy in the State of Osun.
Since President Muhammadu Buhari has failed in this all important, pivotal and epochal exercise of simply appending his signature to the electoral reform bill, let the Senate take up this responsibility by overriding this obnoxious presidential veto.

What touches us ourself shall be last served.

Julius Caesar

(Shakespeare)

So President Muhammadu Buhari, who says he is terrified of a condemnatory verdict of history on his presidency is now so incapable, so unable to help himself achieve some form of immortality in the area of electoral reform. He has refused to sign the electoral reform bill sent to him by the National Assembly.

Please clap for a president who benefitted from the electoral reforms of his predecessors, Presidents Shehu Musa YarAdua and Goodluck Jonathan but has refused to bequeath a similar legacy to his successor in 2023. Somebody says that this is the ultimate exercise or exhibition of selfishness and crass parochialism that exults personal or group preferences over the general public good.

Let us cheer our president endlessly for his Marchiavellan dictum of the end justifies the means.

The presidents action is reminiscent of the story of three people who sought to escape from an unpleasant and dangerous situation. With their traducers hot on their heels, they began to scramble up a mounted ladder on a wall. The first person succeeded in ascending the ladder and quickly jumped over the wall. The second also had a measure of success. But as soon as he ascended the summit, he pushed the ladder away and put his accompanying comrade at arms in a precarious situation with those after them. This is what our president has just done.

Let us praise President Muhammadu Buhari for no longer believing that a mans words should be his bond. Like Shakespeares Julius Caesar of ancient Rome, who was thrice presented with a kingly crown and who thrice refused, President Muhammadu Buhari had on three different occasions turned down the opportunity to sign the electoral reform bill into law in March 2018, September 2018, and December 2018. Citing the closeness of the election in 2019 as his reason for not signing it December 2018, he promised a disappointed nation that he would sign it into law for the next election.

So much for the words of the president!

We sometimes forget that politicians are strange creatures  except for those in the moulds of Nelson Mandela and Julius Nyerere.

Now, those were men! They thought about their people, nationhood, posterity and eternal values that lead to growth, progress, justice, equity, and peace. Today, their legacies in South Africa, Tanzania, and, indeed Africa, have been established and are unassailable.

President Buhari is no Nelson Mandela, nor Julius Nyerere. We know that! There is an old time advertising slogan that goes thus:

If e no be Panadol, e no fit be like Panadol

As brilliant as this catch phrase is, I beg to disagree slightly.

President Muhammadu Buhari might not be Nelson Mandela and Julius Nyerere, but he can pretend to be, by imitating some of their virtues by rethinking his possible place in history. On so many fronts, he has already defecated in the church, as local idiomatic parlance would describe his many failures in the economy, fight against corruption, and insecurity. History would flog him mercilessly on those fronts. And it is doubtful if he can turn these failures around in his remaining 16 months in office, when he could not in over six years in office.

The only path now to some form of immortality for himself is the path he seems to have closed for himself by vetoing the electoral bill.

Forget the arguments that accompanied the decline of his presidential assent. They were mere semantics rooted in sophism. The president spoke copiously about why he vetoed the entire bill because of his disagreements with the direct primaries elections for political parties. But direct primaries is just one of many essential ingredients in the bill. What of the provisions for electronic voting, collation, and transmission? What of issues having to do with people living with disabilities addressed by the bill, etc.?

Perhaps President Muhammadu Buhari is better than our perception of him. But what we know of him are through his policies and actions, and in the last six years, they have been deleterious to our welfare as Nigerians. President Buhari, by his latest unpopular action is just being the typical Nigerian politician. But the way new dynamics are playing out in our country, we no longer need such politicians. Their constant tomfoolery sometimes bestow upon them, vices that the devil would be envious of. These, perhaps makes them even more dangerous than the ordinary felons and malcontents who constantly disturb our peace, for the simple reason that while the debilitating actions of the scoundrel disturbs the peace of some, the consequences of unwholesome political action by political scoundrels affect millions and creates the environment for the scoundrel to thrive.

Lastly, there is an African saying; Let his place be taken by another

Since President Muhammadu Buhari has failed in this all important, pivotal and epochal exercise of simply appending his signature to the electoral reform bill, let the Senate take up this responsibility by overriding this obnoxious presidential veto.

And just like Esau sold his birthright for a plate of porridge and lost his inheritance, the National Assembly can complete the work that they began and achieve full immortality that the president would also have benefited from had he done the right thing.

OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO NOW!

Achike Chude is a public affairs analyst.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has dismissed the purported report that his hometown, Garha, and other surrounding villages in Adamawa State were attacked by Boko Haram terrorists and bandits.

Mr Mustapha made the reaction in an interview with journalists shortly after the Hong Secondary School Old Boys Association meeting held in Hong, the headquarters of Hong local government area (LGA) on Wednesday.

Mr Mustapha, who expressed dismay over the report, said that there was nothing similar to that.

There was nothing like that (attack on my hometown). It is just some peoples mischievous imagination.

I was in my hometown attending weddings when my attention was drawn to a report by some mischievous persons.

There was a consistent marriage ceremony in my village even before and after Christmas.

I didnt only go to my village, I went to several neighbouring villages where people were getting married and rejoicing, Mr Mustapha said.

He said the report was out to portray the government in a bad light.

Why associating the report with the village of SGF?

If theres general insecurity, theres general insecurity and SGF village will not be spared from the insecurity, he said.

He said the government is doing what it can to ensure that insurgency, banditry and other insecurity challenges are curtailed and brought to order.

On the meeting of the old boys, he expressed happiness for gathering with his classmates from the 1970 set.

He said the association has made a modest attempt to transform the school by renovating many structures, and providing water supply in the school.

(NAN)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday, denied allegations by Edwin Clark that he (Obasanjo) bore resentment against the people of the Niger Delta region.

Mr Obasanjo, in a letter addressed to Mr Clark, a copy of which was made available to reporters in Abeokuta, insisted that he had been an advocate of Nigerias unity and had never hated the people of the region or any part of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Mr Clark had accused Mr Obasanjo of displaying hatred against the people of Niger Delta during a peace and security meeting convened by the Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa recently in Abuja.

Mr Clarks allegations are contained in his recent letter to Obasanjo, titled: Outburst Against The People of Niger Delta Region.

The former president, in his reply on Tuesday, insisted that it was wrong and unconstitutional for Mr Clark or the people of Niger Delta region to lay claim to crude oil or any mineral resources found in the area.

No territory in Nigeria, including the minerals found therein, belongs to the area of location and this remains so until the federation is dissolved, he said.

Mr Obasanjo, in the six-page letter, expressed disappointment in Mr Clark for using bad, imprudent, unwise and immature words to describe him (Obasanjo), adding that such language should not be used by a leader of Mr Clarks nature.

Some of the words you have deployed to describe me in your letter are offensive, uncouth and I totally and completely reject them. I am not inconsistent, hypocritical, unstatesman nor am I anybodys lackey.

You use your own yardstick to judge others. I fear God and I respect those who respect themselves and I hope it is about time you changed from a tribesman to a statesman in character.

That is what Nigeria and indeed, the Region, you profess to love demands of you at this stage.

I believe one lesson that we all must appreciate that we have all learned in the last 61 years of our independence is that we all need to be civil to ourselves and occasionally put ourselves in the position of others.

Bad language does not show prudence, wisdom and maturity. I hope you will think and adjust.

Negotiation achieves better results than dictation. I believe that we should be reformists rather than being pedantic with a leave-it or take-it attitude, Mr Obasanjo said.

For me, I have never shown any anger or distraught with the Niger Delta Region or with any part or region of Nigeria. Rather, I have always picked points on leadership performance or policies and I will continue to do so.

My records before, during and after the civil war in Nigeria and Delta Region is without blemish.

It was all goodwill to all the people of Nigeria and especially the people of the Niger Delta Region which was my theatre of operation during the Nigerian civil war.

I have always stood for equity and justice in our federation and for me, tribe has to be suppressed for the state to emerge.

Until the State emerges, Nigeria will not make the desired progress as tribesmen will always sacrifice state for tribe. This has always been my position and it will remain my position until I breathe my last, Mr Obasanjo said.

On mining of gold deposits in Zamfara

Reacting to Mr Clarks allegation of double standard over resource control in the country, Mr Obasanjo said: you cannot have two sovereign entities within a State, which is what your position of Niger Deltas ownership claim of the crude oil found in that location amounts to.

The territory of Nigeria is indivisible and inclusive of the resources found therein. No territory in Nigeria, including the minerals found therein, belong to the area of location and this remains so until the federation is dissolved.

This is the position of the Nigerian Constitution and international law.

If there is a threat of violence to any part of Nigeria today, including the Niger Delta, it is the Nigerian Military, backed by any other machinery that can be procured or established at the federal level, that will respond to any such threat.

In principle and practice, the position I have taken on the location of mineral resources in any part of Nigeria, is the legal and constitutional position.

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The former president, however, recalled his proposed position that equity and justice demand that those domiciled in the locations are entitled to more of the material benefits accruing from the crude oil or other minerals.

At the end of the day, it may transpire that our linguistic differences on this matter are no more than semantics.

And we stand on the same logic with respect to the criminal mining of gold deposits in Zamfara state today or any other state in Nigeria or any other part of Nigeria, he said.

(NAN)
Development bank established by BRICS further expands membership

SHANGHAI, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Development Bank (NDB)  established by BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in 2015  has admitted Egypt as a new member.

NDB's Board of Governors authorized the Bank to conduct formal negotiations with prospective members in late 2020. After a round of successful negotiations, NDB started expanding its membership in September 2021 with the admission of Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay. Egypt is the fourth new member admitted into NDB, further expanding the Bank's global outreach.

"We are delighted to welcome Egypt into NDB's family. Egypt is one of the world's fastest growing countries, a major economy in the African continent and the Middle East region as well as a key player in development finance institutions. We look forward to supporting its investment needs in infrastructure and sustainable development", said Mr. Marcos Troyjo, President of NDB.

"Egypt is a firm believer and supporter of multilateralism. The NDB has established itself as one of the premier Multilateral Development Banks for Emerging Markets and Developing countries. Egypt fully embraces the decision to join the NDB family and looks forward to building a strong partnership and engagement with the Bank over the coming years. Egypt is reaping the fruits of its consistent efforts to enhance its economy's resilience and to diversify its funding sources. NDB's strong financing capabilities and relevant expertise would help Egypt meet its financing needs and enhance its efforts to upgrade its infrastructure base while also meeting its ambitious SDG goals." said Dr. Mohamed Maait, Minister of Finance of Egypt.

Egypt will have in NDB a new platform to foster cooperation in infrastructure and sustainable development with BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries. Membership to NDB becomes effective once the admitted country completes its domestic processes and deposits the instrument of accession.

Since its establishment six years ago, NDB has approved about 80 projects in all of its member countries, totaling a portfolio of US$ 30 billion. Projects in areas such as transport, water and sanitation, clean energy, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure and urban development are within the scope of the Bank.

NDB's membership expansion is in line with the Bank's strategy to become the premier development institution for emerging economies and developing countries.

Background information

NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development. NDB has an authorized capital of US$ 100 billion, which is open for subscription by members of the United Nations.

SOURCE NDB
STOCKHOLM, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Polygon in Finland has signed an agreement to acquire Saneeraustekniikka Sartek Oy ("Sartek") in the Northern part of Finland. Sartek is a property damage restoration company with specialties within Water damage restoration, Indoor air Quality, Reconditioning and Asbestos.

Sartek was founded in 1989 and is based in Kajaani. Service footprint will reach to Kuhmo, Kuusamo and a large area in the Northern Part of Finland.

"I am very impressed with what Seppo and his team have built up over the years and we share the same people first culture and strong customer focus. Sartek represents a great opportunity for us to expand our geographic footprint in the Northern part of Finland, to the benefit of our customers," says Tom Jaatinen Country President of Polygon in Finland.

"We are a growing family, and we are following our strategic agenda to be the global leader in property damage control. This acquisition will strengthen our market position in Finland and enable us to be the first choice for all our customers in Finland. I'm happy to welcome yet another member to our Polygon family," says Axel Granitz, President & CEO of Polygon Group.

"Both Polygon and Sartek have a strong people culture. We care about our people and believe it is the employees in the company that makes a business successful. Polygon is the clear market leader and I feel confident in handing over my life's work to Polygon to offer the best conditions to continue to grow and prosper," says Seppo Heikkinen, owner of Sartek Oy.

CONTACT:

For more information, please visit www.polygongroup.com or contact Martin Hamner, Chief Financial Officer, martin.hamner@polygongroup.com, +46 70 607 85 79

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/polygon/r/polygon-expands-its-geographical-presence-in-finland,c3479273

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Polygon
CHICAGO, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CT7 Mexican Sweet Hard Seltzer known in Guadalajara, Mexico for its sweet yet crisp clean taste with a blast of lime flavor announced today that it will enter the USA market by being part of the first-ever all Latin music room at the iconic Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL on New Year's Eve night! The night will be headlined by CT7 brand ambassador DJ Mauricio spinning Latin beats. CT7's bold flavor profile led to the tagline "Fearless With Flavor" which has shown early support in market research.

"CT7 has a passionate following in Guadalajara because of its bold flavor and citrusy notes. Staying true to its Mexican heritage we are excited to launch in Chicago at the Drake Hotel on New Year's Eve on the Drake's 100-year anniversary," says Pep Katcher President of CT7 USA LLC. "Since Chicago has the largest population of people from Guadalajara in the world outside of Guadalajara itself, we knew Chicago would embrace CT7's brand ethos and culture. CT7's high-quality ingredients, bold lime taste, and 7.0% ABV is great over ice with a lime, as a mixer or straight from the can."

There are few cities that fit CT7's tagline "Fearless With Flavor" more than Chicago, boasting 820,000 Latinos who work hard and play in over 8,000 bars and restaurants throughout the city. Chicago also has over 26 miles of lakefront beaches making it one of the few cities in the United States where you can go from the "beach" to the "club" within minutes, which is very similar to many coastal towns in Mexico. Named by Forbes as one of the "coolest neighborhoods around the world," and heavily populated by Mexican's, areas like Pilsen and Little Village in Chicago have already shown strong interest in CT7's brand heritage and bold flavor profile.

FLAVORS

CT7 will launch with a Limon Chingon flavor and then quickly expand its product line into Berri Sexi and Mucho Mango flavors. These citrusy notes are true to CT7's Mexican heritage, and culture but also found to garner interest by even broader audiences of the legal drinking age throughout the United States.

For Tickets:

https://www.thedrakehotel.com/dining/NewYearCelebrations/ChicagoSceneNewYear%27sEveParty

www.CT7usa.com

Instagram: @CT7usa

Sales Contact: [email protected]

Marketing & PR Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Juice Ltd.
DALLAS, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Puration, Inc. (USOTC: PURA) today highlighted the recent Bloomberg article reporting on the investment outlook for the hemp market in 2022.

Hemp Is Ready to Shine, Thanks to Plastic Bans and Carbon Caps

Article highlights include:

"Demand is poised to rise for hemp  the staid sister to the mood-altering forms of cannabis  as it's increasingly adopted for a wide range of uses, including concrete blocks, clothing and even car parts. The shift is driven by environmental incentives such as carbon caps and single-use plastic bans, which are making some natural materials preferable to those made from petrochemicals."

"Industrial hemp is the biggest opportunity in the cannabis sector as a whole," said Mina Mishrikey, a partner at Merida Capital Partners.

PURA has established a new business model to build an industrial hemp business with three sources of revenue  education, branding and partnerships.

PURA recently announced signing its first Farmersville Hemp clients that will in turn contribute to the company's 2022 revenue objectives.

The company has forecasted $1 million in revenue for 2022 with the potential for revenue to reach $10 million.

The initial $1 million in revenue forecasted for next year conservatively only encompasses revenue coming from its education line of business which is designed to ignite the revenue potential of the branding and partnership business lines.

Management indicates the branding and particularly the partnership lines of business also have a high potential of contributing revenue next year. Accordingly, management has indicated the possibility that the initial revenue forecast maybe revised upward more than once in the course of 2022.

PURA has engaged its first three Farmersville Hemp Brand customers. The customers announced today have signed up for PURA's education services. The education services consist of a consultative curriculum customized for each client to design specific strategies for hemp to be incorporated into the client's products and services to enhance their offering with more sustainable, durable and efficient products and services.

For more information on Puration, visit http://www.purationinc.com

Disclaimer:

This News Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any these statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any those forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this news release. None of such forward-looking statements should be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the objectives and plans set forth in this News Release will be achieved or be executed.

For More Information Contact:

Puration, Inc.

Brian Shibley,

[email protected]

(800) 861-1350

SOURCE Puration, Inc.
NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Cloopen Group Holding Limited (NYSE: RAAS): (i) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with the Company's February 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"); and/or (ii) between February 9, 2021 and May 10, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important February 8, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Cloopen securities 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 Cloopen class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2223.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 February 8, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the Registration Statement was false and misleading and defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Cloopen's growth strategy was not working; (2) Cloopen's existing customers were abandoning the Company; (3) an increasing number of Cloopen's customers were refusing to pay; (4) as a result, the Company was forced to record massive increases in its accounts receivables and allowance for doubtful accounts; (5) Cloopen was weighed down by huge liabilities related to the fair value of certain recently-granted warrants; (6) defendants continued to misrepresent the Company's expansion strategy; and (7) Cloopen's dollar-based net retention rate had tumbled in 4Q 2020. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Cloopen class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2223.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.
TOKYO, Dec. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Short Shorts Film Festival and Asia (SSFF & ASIA) is collaborating with Japan Cultural Expo on a project about Experiencing the beauty of Japanese countryside.

As a part of this project, SSFF & ASIA is proud to present you "Achi Village Promotional Video" series filmed in Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture.

Achi Village PR movie Thumnail Filmed throughout Spring, Summer and Fall seasons, the film guides the audience through the beauty of Achi Village. The beautiful and delicate guide represents our curiosity and our respect as guests to the village. Through her, we will see, touch, pray, feel, and celebrate both the natural elements and spirituality of Achi Village.

This video was produced as a project sponsored and co-sponsored by the 2021 Japan Cultural Expo to explore "The Beauty of Japan" together with filmmakers, directors, and artists from Japan and overseas.

As a second part of the series, this film presents Achi Village with a cinematic touch, portraying its Nature, Culture, and Humanity; embraced by its spirituality.

Filmed throughout Spring, Summer and Fall seasons, the film guides the audience through the beauty of Achi Village. The beautiful and delicate guide represents our curiosity and our respect as guests to the village.

The "Cinematic" video spans 3 different seasons, but it trajects like a full day from sunrise to night.

The film will conclude with the annual ritual of the fireworks' cleansing, which is visually striking and is a great ending for our journey of Achi Village. Please enjoy the splendor and beauty of Achi Village.

This work was edited by Salvatore D'Alia who lives in New York. He conceived the concept of the remotely produced "Cinematic" video during the pandemic. Based on his creative direction, the Japanese production team went to Achi Village to film the images.

The post-production including editing was done in New York City by Salvatore D'Alia, in coordination with a sound engineer based in Japan.

"Beauty of Achi Village (Nagano Prefecture), Beauty of Japan : Cinematic Edition"

https://www.shortshorts.org/japanculturalexpo/en/experiencing-the-beauty-of-japanese-countryside/

623/Japan/2021 / Creative Director & EditorSalvatore D'Alia /

Cinematographer: Toshinori Maenaka Creative Production3minute

Media contact:

Fuyumi Tanaka

[email protected]

81-354748201

SOURCE Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia
DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Public Safety Analytics Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Public Safety Analytics Market is expected to witness a CAGR of over 29.39% during the forecast period (2021 - 2026).

Owing to the increasing security threats, it has become imperative for public safety agencies to collaborate and share information regarding possible threats to work towards a preventive mechanism to ensure optimal safety.

Key Highlights

Governments are increasingly developing mitigation plans to reduce the response time and damage caused by natural and artificial disasters and save more lives than ever before. There has been a drastic increase in the number of mass shootings across the world. For instance, the Boston Police Department (BPD) invested in the full spectrum of public safety, accounting for almost 3.8% or USD 14.6 million increase over the previous fiscal year.

Police Department (BPD) invested in the full spectrum of public safety, accounting for almost 3.8% or increase over the previous fiscal year. Countries across the world are investing in enhancing their surveillance and communication systems. For instance, the Ipswich City Council ( Australia ) is adopting new technologies such as video analytics. The video analytics platform has enabled this city to become more innovative, supporting law enforcement, optimizing municipal operations, and transforming the video into actionable intelligence for the benefit of the residents.

) is adopting new technologies such as video analytics. The video analytics platform has enabled this city to become more innovative, supporting law enforcement, optimizing municipal operations, and transforming the video into actionable intelligence for the benefit of the residents. Law enforcement agencies are always facing complex and continuously evolving crimes. To decrease the rate of crime and increase the speed of response, countries worldwide are adopting technologies such as data collation and analysis. For this, the Indian Police force has started taking an increasing interest in analytics. They are also using predictive analytics to know which areas are most prone to crimes.

Apart from law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services have also embraced analytics. For instance, the Boston Fire Department adopted analytics to manage its operations while preventing fires. This has helped the fire department make better decisions on making personnel or equipment adjustments according to the situation.

Fire Department adopted analytics to manage its operations while preventing fires. This has helped the fire department make better decisions on making personnel or equipment adjustments according to the situation. Given the criticality of the roles of first responders and public servants, being the frontlines of responding to an unprecedented public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 outbreak, attracted considerable attention toward public safety. To protect first responders, multiple departments are observed handling calls over the phone. On the other hand, agencies have been struggling with keeping workforces productive as more are quarantined at home and protecting officers from handling contaminated evidence.

Key Market Trends

Law Enforcement Expected to Hold a Significant Share

High risks from growing incidences of terrorist attacks are major trigger points that lead to digital spending across public safety. With solutions aiming at digital technology, police officers are kept ahead of criminals.

Government and law enforcement agencies are transitioning toward advanced public safety technologies. The primary stakeholders are improving intelligence gathering while strengthening community and policing by spending on public safety solutions. Access to real-time data is expected to enhance global public safety.

The innovative public safety technologies utilize gunshot detection systems, crime-mapping platforms, license-plate readers, and facial recognition software to combat crime. As terrorists have expanded from causing physical harm to include the digital world, the stakeholders should also be equipped with necessary technologies.

Basic penetration of AI and ML has offered an innovative outlook on addressing crime by identifying and correlating data points and transform them into actionable insights. Multiple vendors have been banking on the same, enabling people and resources to provide safer responses and reduced risk.

Police departments have adopted machine learning and artificial intelligence to make informed policing decisions. The New York Police Department saw significant potential in pattern recognition algorithms, AI, and unstructured data into structured data. By using Patternizr, multiple law enforcement agencies have deployed machine learning and pattern recognition analytics to spot similarities in crime and help improve public safety against accidents and terrorism outbreaks.

North America is Expected to Hold the Largest Share

North America has traditionally been the most proactive and a leading spender towards public safety initiatives. The United States is facing lots of challenges that have threatened the safety of its citizen. The issues range from Terrorism, mass shooting, Prison management, natural calamities, migration, and many more. With the growing rate of crimes, the demand for the public safety analytics market is likely to grow over the forecast period.

has traditionally been the most proactive and a leading spender towards public safety initiatives. is facing lots of challenges that have threatened the safety of its citizen. The issues range from Terrorism, mass shooting, Prison management, natural calamities, migration, and many more. With the growing rate of crimes, the demand for the public safety analytics market is likely to grow over the forecast period. Louisville MetroSafe deployed Intergraph Business Intelligence for Public Safety software from Hexagon to help in analysis and performance monitoring. The software allows MetroSafe to measure and evaluate response, determine where response times are distributed, and collect and report vital information in real-time.

The stringent governmental regulations for industrial safety are factors driving the demand for public safety in the United States . The Patriot Act of 2001 identified several locations and areas requiring security, such as agriculture and food, emergency services, defense, IT, energy and power, transportation and shipping, banking, chemical and hazardous manufacturing industry, and national monuments.

. The Patriot Act of 2001 identified several locations and areas requiring security, such as agriculture and food, emergency services, defense, IT, energy and power, transportation and shipping, banking, chemical and hazardous manufacturing industry, and national monuments. Moreover, the crime rate in the United States is a more severe issue, which the government is trying to address through public safety. Traditionally, the crime rate has decreased drastically since 1992, when the government first introduced digital initiatives in law and order. However, there has been a slight increase in the crimes committed in recent years, since 2014.

is a more severe issue, which the government is trying to address through public safety. Traditionally, the crime rate has decreased drastically since 1992, when the government first introduced digital initiatives in law and order. However, there has been a slight increase in the crimes committed in recent years, since 2014. A study conducted and released by Zebra Technologies Corp. (2020) advocated that public safety agencies need to speed up the adoption of technologies in order to overcome some of the most significant operational challenges in the wake of pandemic situations such as COVID-19 to safeguard public safety professionals such as the firefighters, police officers and the emergency medical technicians (EMT) as they remain on the front lines and take extreme personal risks to serve the communities.

Governments across regions are investing in enhancing their surveillance and communication systems. For instance, the Boston Police Department(BPD) invested in the full spectrum of public safety, accounting for almost 3.8% or USD 14.6 million increase over the previous fiscal year. BPD was reported to focus on new technological improvements as part of their mission to safeguard the citizens, including the rollout of additional mobile devices, security upgrades at the evidence storage facility, additional automatic license plate recognition cameras, and the department-wide USD 56 million radio replacement project. Such investments are evident across regions and are indicative of the increasing reliance on technology solutions.

Companies Mentioned

Cisco Systems Inc.

General Dynamics Corporation

IBM Corporation

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

L3Harris Technologies Inc.

NEC Corporation

Atos SE

Motorola Solutions Inc.

CentralSquare Technologies

Hexagon AB

Esri Inc.

Sun Ridge Systems Inc.

Telstra Corporation Limited

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jpvbey

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SINGAPORE, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tranchess, the yield-enhancing asset tracker protocol on Binance Smart Chain (BSC) , is bringing its yield-enhancing feature to the next level. Being a validator on BSC will allow Tranchess to add an exciting layer of alpha-enhancement to its BNB fund - Scheduled for launch before mid-January 2022.



Binance Smart Chain is the top leading POS (Proof-Of-Stake) chain providing one of the most active and robust blockchain networks. The fast and continuous growth of the ecosystem translates directly to the strong need and support of validator nodes, which in turn reflects a consistent and significant yield return to the validator node.





Launched and operating smoothly on BSC since June 2021, acting as a validator is also Tranchess way of expressing gratitude and giving back to the BSC community for their strong support and enthusiasm towards the protocol. With the alpha-enhanced BNB fund as its first product in 2022, Tranchess continues to provide diversified solutions to its users and to help improve users' yield return on crypto assets.

How Does the Validator Node Help Enhance Yield for Users

With Tranchess, users can enhance their yield by creating Tranchess native tokens QUEEN, BISHOP and ROOK with the preferred tracked-underlying assets. The three tokens are designed with different characteristics to cater to varied risk-return capacities; users enjoy yield returns by staking these tokens and farming CHESS, the protocol governance token.

Fundamentally, the new BNB fund has a similar product structure, but with a validator node bonded together. With this symbiotic relationship, Tranchess will be able to stake the collected BNBs into the node to receive added APR rewards from the BSC network. The rewards are then distributed back to Tranchess BNB fund users who have created and staked QUEEN with their BNBs.

"Validators are a critical part of BSC decentralization as they guarantee the integrity of the blockchain and secure the network. As the BSC ecosystem grows, we are committed to ensuring the BSC community continues to have a seamless experience. We are thrilled to have Tranchess as a validator on BSC." said Gwendolyn Regina, Investment Director at Binance Smart Chain.

The criteria for becoming a BSC validator are stringent. A node needs to have a steady, robust and secure technical infrastructure to start. It also needs to hold a fairly large amount of BNBs to be considered eligible for reward collection. With the new BNB fund, Tranchess hopes to aid more users in benefiting across the crypto world - whether you are a "whale" or a "common supporter" of BSC with just one or two BNBs, you too can now enjoy even greater DeFi rewards and the blockchain world has to offer.

"We are both proud and excited to be a validator on BSC, especially at the beginning of a brand new year. This reflects Tranchess' continuous commitment to providing a wider range of products to users in 2022 and beyond, which is in line with our roadmap. We are unveiling a new chapter in our journey with this launch, and we are off to a great start - This development marks a significant milestone to Tranchess continuous goal of generating sustainable and diverse returns for our users," says Danny Chong, Co-Founder of Tranchess.

About Binance Smart Chain

Binance Smart Chain is a fast, secure and low-cost EVM compatible blockchain. The sovereign smart contract chain delivers compatible programmability for an interoperable ecosystem. Designed to run in parallel with Binance Chain, BSC is a highly scalable infrastructure capable of catering to 1 billion users. For more information, visit - https://www.binance.org

SOURCE Binance Smart Chain
DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Regenerative Medicine Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product (Cell-based Immunotherapies, Gene Therapies), by Therapeutic Category (Cardiovascular, Oncology), and Segment Forecasts, 2021-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global regenerative medicine market size is expected to reach USD 57.08 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 11.27% over the forecast period.

Recent advancements in biological therapies have resulted in a gradual shift in preference toward personalized medicinal strategies over the conventional treatment approach. This has resulted in rising R&D activities in the regenerative medicine arena for the development of novel regenerative therapies.



Furthermore, advancements in cell biology, genomics research, and gene-editing technology are anticipated to fuel the growth of the industry. Stem cell-based regenerative therapies are in clinical trials, which may help restore damaged specialized cells in many serious and fatal diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer's, neurodegenerative diseases, and spinal cord injuries.

For instance, various research institutes have adopted Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) to develop a treatment for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).



Constant advancements in molecular medicines have led to the development of gene-based therapy, which utilizes targeted delivery of DNA as a medicine to fight against various disorders.

Gene therapy developments are high in oncology due to the rising prevalence and genetically driven pathophysiology of cancer. The steady commercial success of gene therapies is expected to accelerate the growth of the global market over the forecast period.



Regenerative Medicine Market Report Highlights

The number of companies engaged in the development of advanced therapies is continuously increasing over the past few years. This is anticipated to increase the competition among companies to create a specific and efficient pipeline

The therapeutics segment dominated the market in 2020 due to the high usage of primary cell-based therapies along with advances in stem cell and progenitor cell therapies. The implementation of these therapies in dermatological, musculoskeletal, and dental application results in the highest share of this segment

Stem cell and progenitor cell-based therapies are anticipated to witness rapid growth due to high investments in this research space and an increasing number of stem cell banks

With the rise in R&D and clinical trials of regenerative medicines, key players are offering several consulting services leading to lucrative growth of the services segment

The oncology segment is estimated to account for the largest revenue share by 2027 owing to the high prevalence of cancer indications, which drives the demand for better solutions. The presence of a strong pipeline of regenerative medicines for cancer treatment also supplements the segment growth

North America dominated the market in 2020 and is projected to continue its dominance over the forecast period. A significant number of universities and research organizations investigating various stem cell-based approaches for regenerative apposition in the U.S. propels the region's growth

dominated the market in 2020 and is projected to continue its dominance over the forecast period. A significant number of universities and research organizations investigating various stem cell-based approaches for regenerative apposition in the U.S. propels the region's growth Asia Pacific is projected to witness the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to the emergence of key players and rapid adoption of cell-based approaches in the healthcare

Key Topics Covered:

Market Variables, Trends, & Scope

Market Driver Analysis

Presence of a strong pipeline and a large number of clinical trials

High economic impact of regenerative medicine

Emerging applications of gene therapy in regenerative medicine

Increasing government & private funding to support the development of regenerative medicine

Technological advancements in regenerative medicine (stem cell, tissue engineering, and nanotechnology)

Increase in strategic partnerships to accelerate development & commercialization of regenerative medicines

Rising prevalence of chronic diseases & genetic disorders, degenerative diseases, and bone & joint diseases leading to rise in demand for regenerative treatments

Market Restraint Analysis

High cost of treatment

Regulatory issues pertaining to stem cells, tissues engineering, and regenerative medicines

Market Challenge Analysis

Current challenges of on-market gene therapies

Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping for Therapeutic Category, 2020

Reimbursement Framework

Reimbursement Framework & Clinical Translation of RM

Reimbursement Framework for RM: Europe

Reimbursement Framework for RM: South Korea

Technology Overview

Autologous Cell Transplantation

Next-Generation Cell-Based Therapies

CAR-T Cell Technologies

Cost Structure Analysis

User Perspective Analysis

Market Influencer Analysis

Consumer Behavior Analysis

Regenerative Medicine Market - SWOT Analysis, by Factor (Political & Legal, Economic, and Technological)

Industry Analysis - Porter's

Regenerative Medicine Market Analysis Tools

Major Deals & Strategic Alliances Analysis

Merger & Acquisition Deals

Collaboration & Partnerships

Business Expansion

Market Entry Strategies

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies

Raw material supplier

Contract Service Provider

Distributor

Companion Diagnostics companies:

Case Studies

MACI (Vericel Corporation):

LAVIV (Azficel-T) (Fibrocell Technologies):

Competitive Analysis

Covid-19 Impact Analysis

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Challenges Analysis

Manufacturing & Supply Challenges

Opportunities analysis

Need For Development Of New Therapies Against SARS-COV-2

T-cell Therapy

Cell Therapy

Gene Therapy

Tissue engineering

Rise In Demand For Supply Chain Management Solutions

Challenges in Manufacturing T-cell Therapies Against COVID-19

Clinical Trial Analysis

Regenerative Medicine Market: Product Business Analysis

Regenerative Medicine Market: Therapeutic Category Business Analysis

Regenerative Medicine Market: Regional Business Analysis

Companies Mentioned

Integra Lifesciences Corporation

Astellas Pharma Inc.

Cook Biotech, Inc.

Bayer AG

Astrazeneca plc

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Pfizer, Inc.

Merck Kgaa

Abbott

Vericel Corporation

Novartis AG

GlaxoSmithKline plc.

Baxter International Inc.

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH

Amgen Inc.

Cesca Therapeutics Inc. / Thermogenesis Holdings Inc.

U.S Stem Cell, Inc.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Eli Lilly and Company

Nuvasive, Inc.

Organogenesis, Inc.

Mimedx Group, Inc.

Takara Bio Inc.

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.

Corline Biomedical Ab

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ma7vcs

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As we enter the final days of the year, the National Park Foundation (NPF) is reflecting on how it supported national parks throughout 2021. Thanks to a growing community of park champions, including donors, foundations, corporate partners, National Park Service (NPS) staff, philanthropic organizations (often called Friends Groups), volunteers, visitors, and more, we achieved a lot together for national parks.

We hope that this summary of some of NPF's 2021 highlights will inspire you to connect with and support national parks in 2022:

Thanks to a growing community of park champions, we achieved a lot together for national parks. Tweet this Elk in the grasslands of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Photo credit: NPS/Patrick Myers

Protected Wildlife and Natural Resources

NPF helped care for the magnificent species and ecosystems that reside within national parks.

For example, with the help of NPF, Redwood National and State Parks is restoring land adjacent to Prairie Creek, which has become overrun by invasive species such as reed canary grass. A multi-year project in partnership with Save the Redwoods League and the Arbor Day Foundation will plant native species along the site's floodplains, including Sitka spruce, coast redwood, bigleaf maple, branching willow, red alder, and black cottonwood. The restoration of native vegetation will enhance tributaries that sustain species like salmon and rainbow trout.

At Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, NPF continued to support a project which helps replenish populations of Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the site's creeks and lakes. Funding from NPF will also help the park to manage its elk population, monitor its amphibians and plants, and determine the health of various ecosystems.

Preserved History and Culture

NPF helped preserve and restore sites that commemorate pivotal moments in our nation's history.

For example, NPF continued its support of the restoration of the homes where Dr. King was born and where he and Coretta Scott King raised their family and launched the civil rights movement. NPF funding is helping to preserve the integrity of the buildings and the artifacts inside as part of Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. The project helps ensure that future visitors will get a first-hand glimpse of the lives and legacies of Dr. King and Coretta Scott King. These efforts were made possible by NPF's African American Experience Fund, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021 and helps connect all people to the role of African Americans in U.S. history through national parks.

Connected Students to the Power of Parks as Classrooms

NPF's signature Open OutDoors for Kids field trip program continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of students and teachers. In 2021, NPF provided funding to help educators adapt to new distance learning expectations, so students can access parks as classrooms, whether it be an in-person, virtual, or hybrid visit.

These grants support the specific needs of each park site and its educational partners, with a special focus on students' social and emotional learning development. This year's hybrid programs included Cumberland Island National Seashore's virtual nature exploration summer camp and Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve's Salt Marsh Superheroes program, which utilizes videos, discussion, virtual field trips, student research and observation to teach about the "superheroes" of NPS.

NPF's support of NPS' Junior Ranger Angler program inspires kids to catch their first fish at the nearly 200 parks that allow recreational fishing. As part of the program, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site led a day camp that taught participants about modern day fishing techniques, as well as the traditional fishing methods of the Hidatsa people, who lived in earth lodge villages on this land for nearly 500 years.

Invested in the Next Generation of Park Stewards

NPF continued to provide financial support to service corps programs at national parks across the country. Service corps projects ranged from invasive species removal to historical preservation to trail restoration. These service corps programs also provide on-the-job training for members and inspire belonging, enabling people to build camaraderie, gain new skills, and learn about public lands careers.

For example, NPF funded an all-women's fire corps pilot program at Grand Teton and Yosemite National Parks in Wyoming and California, respectively. The crews focused on fuels management (e.g., planned prescribed burns and other treatments that change or reduce wildland fuels and therefore decrease the risk of severe wildland fire to local communities and helps maintain healthy park ecosystems) and fire response. This pilot program is helping NPS increase diversity within the ranks of its wildland fire workforce.

NPF's Latino Heritage Fund, which celebrated its 10th anniversary throughout 2021, collaborated with the NPS, Mission Heritage Partners, and American YouthWorks' Texas Conservation Corps on the Cultural Landscape Apprentice Program at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. This program matches local Hispanic and Latino young adults with opportunities to learn about cultural landscape management alongside NPS employees.

Enhanced the Visitor Experience

NPF worked to ensure NPS was equipped to welcome increasing numbers of visitors and provide people of all abilities with a memorable experience.

For example, NPF continued to provide support for major upgrades to the lower level of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, including the installation of accessible, state-of-the-art exhibits that incorporate both tactile and audio elements. These updates help ensure that all visitors can learn about Thomas Jefferson's multifaceted story.

NPF, the Friends of the Smokies, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated the completion of a new trail that provides access for visitors of all ability levels to one of Cades Cove's most popular historic homesites, the John Oliver Cabin. The half-mile, paved trail is approximately eight feet wide to provide adequate space for wheelchairs or other mobility devices to pass one another. NPF and the Friends of the Smokies provided the funding for the project.

Established Strong Partnerships

NPF continued investing in philanthropic park partners, also known as Friends Groups, which raise funds, implement volunteer programs, develop connections with nearby communities, and more. These partners consist of organizations of all sizes, and include partners to sites that preserve battlefields, rivers and trails, and heritage areas.

For example, NPF's Strong Parks, Strong Communities initiative helped build the capacity of 36 such groups to serve their NPS partners. NPF provided over $670,000 in grants to help these groups undertake projects like redesigning their websites, developing new education or volunteer programs, enhancing accessibility at their partner parks, and so much more.

Learn more here about how NPF works with partners to protect and enhance national parks for present and future generations.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.

SOURCE National Park Foundation
The quantum sensors market size is expected to increase by USD 362.79 million from 2020 to 2025, registering a CAGR of 12.70% , according to the latest research report from Technavio.



For more insights on the quantum sensors market - Request a Free Sample Report !

The quantum sensors market covers the following areas:

Quantum Sensors Market - Driver & Challenge

The thriving quantum sensors market is attracting significant investments from market participants. Market players are increasing their focus on the development of new products to explore the potential applications of quantum sensors. Many governments across the world are providing grants to help vendors increase their R&D efforts. For instance, the US Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced to provide financial assistance for research in Quantum Information Science (QIS) related to both particle physics and fusion energy sciences. The funding is expected to support the development of highly sensitive quantum sensors for the detection of rare particles.

However, the slow process for the commercialization of any new product in the market is a major challenge. Market participants are undertaking many research projects and developing new products, but the commercialization of products is very slow. For instance, researchers have successfully achieved the manufacturing of quantum sensors by NV color center; however, the market is yet to witness any commercial impact of this discovery in any application.

Quantum Sensors Market - Segmentation & Revenue Generating Segment

Technavio analyzes the quantum sensors market by Product (atomic clocks, PAR quantum sensors, gravity sensors, magnetic sensors, and others), Application (military and defense, agriculture, oil and gas, automotive, and others), and Geography (Europe, North America, APAC, MEA, and South America).

The quantum sensors market share growth by the segment of the atomic clock will be significant for revenue generation. As quantum sensors make use of supercooled or ultracold rubidium atoms, they can be integrated within atomic clocks to provide a high combinatorial level of accuracy. Atomic clocks are used in a wide range of applications that require effective measurement of time. The global quantum sensors market is still in the development stage, and constant R&D has led to the adoption of quantum-based atomic clocks in new emerging applications. This is driving the growth of the market.

Companies Mentioned

The quantum sensors market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market.

ADVA Optical Networking SE

AOSense Inc.

Apogee Instruments Inc.

GWR Instruments Inc.

Kipp and Zonen BV

LI-COR Inc.

Microchip Technology Inc.

M-Squared Lasers Ltd.

Muquans

Skye Instruments Ltd.

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Quantum Sensors Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 12.70% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 362.79 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 12.25 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution Europe at 38% Key consumer countries US, UK, China, Germany, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled ADVA Optical Networking SE, AOSense Inc., Apogee Instruments Inc., GWR Instruments Inc., Kipp and Zonen BV, LI-COR Inc., Microchip Technology Inc., M-Squared Lasers Ltd., Muquans, and Skye Instruments Ltd. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.



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Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio

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NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Atento S.A. (NYSE: ATTO, "Atento"), one of the world's five largest providers of customer relationship and business process outsourcing (CRM / BPO) services and sector leader in Latin America, announced today that it entered on December 23, 2021 a new super senior revolving credit facility with IDB Invest, the private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank.

The new credit facility will initially provide total financing commitments of up to $43.0 million. A further $7.0 million may be committed if Atento exceeds a net worth test. The new credit facility has a five-year term to December 23, 2026 and will replace Atento's existing $50 million super senior revolving credit facility, which matures on February 10, 2022. Atento intends to draw the new credit facility to repay the $25.0 million outstanding under the existing revolving credit facility, and to use the remainder of the funding for its working capital and capital expenditure needs in Latin America.

With this financial milestone and following the refinancing of Atento's senior secured notes in February 2021, Atento has successfully completed its refinancing strategy to extend the maturity date of its main debt instruments until 2026. At the same time, the new revolving credit facility lowers Atento's cost of debt.

Under the terms of the IDB financing, Atento must work closely with IDB to promote certain environmental and social standards, including gender diversity commitments, and shall be subject to certain ESG and sanctions related provisions in addition to customary lending covenants, events of default and reporting obligations.

Jose Azevedo, Atento's Chief Financial Officer, said, "As part of our goal to deliver long-term value creation for shareholders, we have been refinancing and de-risking Atento's capital structure. Following the refinancing of $500 million of senior secured notes earlier this year, which extended the average life of Atento's debt to 4.3 years from 1.5 years, our new revolving credit facility through IDB Invest further strengthens our capital structure while providing additional financial flexibility and reducing Atento's financing costs." Mr. Azevedo added, "The advantageous financing was made possible by Atento's ESG alignment with IDB Invest, as well as effective management of our balance sheet."

About Atento

Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing ("CRM BPO") services in Latin America, and among the top five providers globally. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM BPO services to companies that carry out their activities in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 14 countries where it employs approximately 139,800 people. Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM BPO services through multiple channels. Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. Atento's shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2019, Atento was named one of the World's 25 Best Multinational Workplaces and one of the Best Multinationals to Work for in Latin America by Great Place to Work. Also, in 2021 Everest named Atento as a star performer Gartner named the company as a leader in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant. For more information visit www.atento.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "intends," "continue" or similar terminology. In particular, these forward-looking statements include those about the refinancing of Atento's existing super senior revolving credit facility with its new super senior credit facility. These statements reflect only Atento's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance, results or outcomes. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, competition in Atento's highly competitive industries; increases in the cost of voice and data services or significant interruptions in these services; Atento's ability to keep pace with its clients' needs for rapid technological change and systems availability; the continued deployment and adoption of emerging technologies; the loss, financial difficulties or bankruptcy of any key clients; the effects of global economic trends on the businesses of Atento's clients; the non-exclusive nature of Atento's client contracts and the absence of revenue commitments; security and privacy breaches of the systems Atento uses to protect personal data; the cost of pending and future litigation; the cost of defending Atento against intellectual property infringement claims; extensive regulation affecting many of Atento's businesses; Atento's ability to protect its proprietary information or technology; service interruptions to Atento's data and operation centers; Atento's ability to retain key personnel and attract a sufficient number of qualified employees; increases in labor costs and turnover rates; the political, economic and other conditions in the countries where Atento operates; changes in foreign exchange rates; Atento's ability to complete future acquisitions and integrate or achieve the objectives of its recent and future acquisitions; future impairments of our substantial goodwill, intangible assets, or other long-lived assets; Atento's ability to recover consumer receivables on behalf of its clients; and the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Atento is also subject to other risk factors described in documents filed by Atento with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. Atento undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media inquiries

[email protected]

Investor relations inquiries

Ivan Peill

InspIR Group

[email protected]

SOURCE Atento S.A.

Related Links

http://www.atento.com


Atmofizer to unveil latest "back to work" air purification solution and video produced by Planet Grande

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Atmofizer Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "Atmofizer") (CSE: ATMO) (Frankfurt: J3K) is pleased to announce that it will attend the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show ("CES") in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company will be located at booth #52946 in The Venetian Convention and Expo Center from January 4, 2022 until January 8, 2022. Atmofizer intends to use the CES stage to release its latest "back-to-work" product solution, connect with new distributors and collaborate with integrators, including some of the world's largest appliance manufacturers.

"We are excited to launch a new form factor in air purification intended to give businesses the confidence to bring their staff back to work," said Atmofizer CEO, Olivier Centner. "Companies want to create a clean-air environment to accommodate a return-to-the-workplace and our new solution can help achieve that, whether it be the office, cubicle or conference room."

"The impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic demands that we change the paradigm of how we look at stopping dangerous microscopic airborne particles, viruses and bacteria altogether," said Atmofizer board member, Dr. Joshua Helman. "Our solution is to make the particles larger through agglomeration technology. We cannot rely on the traditional approach of conventional filters."

Atmofizer will also release a video entitled "The Air We Breathe", created by seven-time Emmy Award winning Planet Grande Pictures.

Watch the video HERE: https://vimeo.com/641646057/c4b31074d0

"The Air We Breathe aims to explain the environmental challenge of air quality and our technological breakthrough," said Atmofizer CEO, Olivier Centner. "We are excited to share more videos soon."

"The subject of air quality is finally getting the attention it deserves alongside water and food." Said John Watkin of Planet Grande Pictures. "When Atmofizer introduced us to their technology, we immediately recognized the opportunity. We could have made a full-length documentary. We're honored to be a part of this project."

Corporate Update

The Company has retained Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC ("EMC") to provide investor and public relations services including content creation, web development, and webcasting for the Company in North America. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreement, EMC will provide these services for a period of two months for an aggregate cash fee of US$300,000. Certain functions of EMC may include "investor relations activities" under the policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws.

For additional information, please visit https://atmofizer.com/ .

About Atmofizer Technologies Inc.

Atmofizer's consumer and industrial solutions are based on its patent-protected and patent-pending technology for ultrafine particle agglomeration and neutralization. This capability creates a revolutionary and more efficient method for addressing the wide range of dangerous nano-scale particles, viruses and bacteria that are too small to be effectively managed by conventional HEPA filters and ultraviolet lights. Atmofizer plans to disrupt the air treatment industry by improving air safety and purification efficiency while lowering customers' operational costs.

Atmofizing air refers to the process of using ultrasonic acoustic waves to agglomerate (cluster together) small particles into a larger target that is then radiated by ultraviolet light to neutralize their harmful properties, making the air you breathe less hazardous to your health. Using units that atmofize air in tandem with HEPA filters can make the HEPA filters work more efficiently, enable the use of a less-powerful filter and result in a cleaner and longer-lasting filter that reduces operating costs and is less of a health hazard to clean or replace.

Atmofizer is patent-pending and patent-protected sole source of technology to atmofize air and is applying its proprietary technology in consumer and industrial air purification products currently manufactured under the Atmofizer brand, as well as in retail and commercial devices produced by other companies that integrate Atmofizer technology into their own products under license. Atmofizer's owned and licensed product lines include wearable, portable and mobile use for personal air treatment, as well as larger systems to handle higher air volumes for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential applications

About Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC

EMC is an international investor relations firm based in Orlando, Florida that specializes in helping small and mid-sized public companies establish brand awareness and improved visibility to the institutional and retail investment community. EMC is not a "related person" (as defined under the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) of the Company.

Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC

390 North Orange Avenue, Suite 2300

Orlando, Florida

32801

[email protected]

Tel: (321)-206-6682

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. The forward-looking information contained herein includes, without limitation, the Company attending CES 2022, the release of the Company's latest back-to-work product solution, the release of "The Air We Breathe" video and other future videos regarding the Company's products and the business and strategic plans of the Company.

By their nature, forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this press release including, without limitation: the Company's ability to comply with all applicable governmental regulations including all applicable laws and regulations; impacts to the business and operations of the Company due to the COVID-19 pandemic; a limited operating history, the ability of the Company to access capital to meet future financing needs; the Company's reliance on management and key personnel; competition; changes in consumer trends; foreign currency fluctuations; and general economic, market or business conditions.

Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's continuous disclosure documents which have been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward-looking information is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Atmofizer Technologies Inc.
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Luminar Technologies CEO and Founder Austin Russell has personally partnered with the Central Florida Foundation, the Orlando-region's community foundation.

"I established Luminar's HQ in Orlando after seeing its incredible yet underrated potential, specialized talent, community, and opportunity to become a premier global technology center," said Austin Russell. "I'm glad to be playing a role in realizing that vision  with Luminar for the local economy, and now with Central Florida Foundation in helping the local community and beyond."

Russell has previously experienced firsthand how an initial philanthropic grant for innovative thinking can result in long-term systemic change as a recipient of the Thiel Fellowship. His early passion for physics has developed into laser LiDAR technology and software that is changing the future of transportation safety across the globe. The efforts of this partnership will collaboratively focus on high-impact efforts for local and system-level improvements here in Florida, as well as bolder bets on a broader scale that Russell sees as underinvested opportunities.

"The Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy that connects innovation to capital and capital to innovation with having already made more than $80 million in high-impact charitable investments focused on making sustainable change," said Mark Brewer, President/CEO of Central Florida Foundation. "This contribution will have an incredible positive impact on our community, and we're honored to work with a passionate and visionary individual like Austin to build a transformative and inspiring partnership."

Since 1994, Central Florida Foundation has invested in philanthropic efforts thanks to generous fund holders committed to improving the region. The Foundation continually challenges the status-quo when it comes to addressing complex social issues like attainable housing, early childhood education, poverty and beyond. With a special focus on systems-level solutions and community-wide collaboration, the Foundation has a proven track record of addressing the region's challenges and creating measurable, sustainable change.

In its commitment to excellence and accountability, the Central Florida Foundation is accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations.

About Central Florida Foundation

Central Florida Foundation stewards philanthropic dollars on behalf of individuals, families, and nonprofits. We partner with people who are determined to make a difference in their community. Knowing that true change demands more than dollars and cents, we foster collaboration, fuel ideas, and spearhead the innovation that will transform our region for good. Learn more at cffound.org .

SOURCE Central Florida Foundation
ATLANTA, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New-vehicles sales in December are expected to reach 1.10 million units, a drop of 32% compared to December 2020, according to a forecast released today by Cox Automotive. The December pace of auto sales, or seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), is expected to finish near 11.4 million, down 30% from the 16.3 million sales pace a year ago. December 2021 will be the slowest pace since May 2020, when the country remained mostly closed during the first wave of the COVID pandemic.

New-vehicle sales in 2021 are now expected to finish near 14.9 million, according to Kelley Blue Book vehicle counts, up 2.5% from the 14.5 million in 2020 but well below the five-year average of 17.3 million the industry recorded from 2015-2019, a historic run of robust sales.

"While sales in the first half of 2021 were relatively strong, the industry ran out of vehicles, and sales stalled in the second half," noted Cox Automotive Senior Economist Charlie Chesbrough. "Total sales in the second-half of 2021 were the slowest in a decade. Demand is healthy, but supply and production disruptions kept the industry in check. You can't sell what you don't have."

Typically, according to Cox Automotive vAuto Available Inventory data, new-vehicle inventory across the U.S. would be close to 3.5 million units, providing shoppers a wide variety of choice and competitive pricing. Since August, however, inventory has been holding steady at approximately 1 million units, limiting choice and driving prices higher. Average transaction prices in November set a record for the eighth consecutive month. Auto sales in the first half totaled 8.35 million units, a strong pace that the left the industry unable to refill the pipeline. Sales in the second half of 2021 will finish closer to 6.59 million.

"Heading into 2022, we believe the supply situation will improve but it will take time to restock the shelves at dealerships," added Chesbrough. "We expect modest gains in new-vehicle sales in the first quarter, and by the second half of the year a much more robust market should emerge."

2021 will be the year Toyota Motor Company takes the crown as the best-selling automaker in the U.S. Toyota has successfully managed tight inventory all year. With solid sales for both its Toyota and Lexus brands, Toyota will pass General Motors to become the largest seller of automobiles in the U.S., a historic achievement to say the least. G.M. has annually been the top automaker in the U.S. dating back earlier than any available Cox Automotive data set.

December 2021 Sales Forecast Highlights

New-vehicle sales are forecast to fall by more than 500,000 units from last December, but increase nearly 80,000 from November 2021 .

. The SAAR is forecast to be 11.4 million, down from November's 12.9 million, and down significantly from last December's 16.3 million pace.

December 2021 New-Vehicle Sales Forecast



Sales Forecast1 Market Share

Segment Dec-21 Dec-20 Nov-21 YOY% MOM% Dec-21 Nov-21 MOM

Mid-Size Car 65,000 100,249 59,633 -35.2% 9.0% 5.9% 5.8% 0.1%

Compact Car 55,000 99,239 52,050 -44.6% 5.7% 5.0% 5.1% -0.1%

Compact SUV/Crossover 140,000 260,316 131,455 -46.2% 6.5% 12.7% 12.9% -0.2%

Full-Size Pickup Truck 170,000 261,744 162,088 -35.1% 4.9% 15.5% 15.9% -0.4%

Mid-Size SUV/Crossover 200,000 277,381 195,521 -27.9% 2.3% 18.2% 19.2% -1.0%

Grand Total2 1,100,000 1,621,000 1,020,335 -32.1% 7.8%









Full-Year 2021 Sales Forecast Highlights

New-vehicle sales are forecast to increase 2.5% from 2020 and reach 14.9 million units.

Auto Sales in Q4 will be down 24% from last year, holding full-year sales below 15 million.

Toyota Motor Company, with its Toyota and Lexus brands, will be the top seller in 2021.

Q4 2021 Sales and Year-to-Date Forecast1

OEM Q4 2021 vs Q4

2020 vs Q4

2019 CY 2021 vs

CY2020 vs

CY2019 2021

Share Difference

from 2020 Toyota 459,329 -30.5% -24.0% 2,317,213 9.7% -2.8% 15.5% 1.0% GM 414,544 -46.0% -43.4% 2,180,763 -14.0% -24.2% 14.6% -2.8% Ford 507,695 -5.7% -15.2% 1,895,310 -6.9% -21.2% 12.7% -1.3% Stellantis 395,605 -20.8% -27.1% 1,761,485 -3.2% -20.1% 11.8% -0.7% Hyundai / Kia 319,401 -6.5% -6.2% 1,494,881 22.1% 12.8% 10.0% 1.6% Honda 278,625 -23.9% -30.7% 1,458,049 8.3% -9.3% 9.8% 0.5% Ren-Nissan-Mitsu 204,188 -20.8% -37.5% 1,064,020 7.8% -27.5% 7.1% 0.4% VW 130,035 -25.4% -22.3% 635,207 11.5% -2.1% 4.3% 0.3% Subaru 106,871 -39.1% -38.9% 569,673 -6.9% -18.6% 3.8% -0.4% BMW 89,414 -16.7% -11.2% 355,097 15.7% -1.6% 2.4% 0.3% Mazda 61,375 -19.0% -12.8% 334,588 19.9% 20.1% 2.2% 0.3% Tesla 93,494 37.1% 73.9% 330,717 60.9% 72.0% 2.2% 0.8% Daimler 69,117 -27.5% -34.0% 322,660 -1.0% -10.0% 2.2% -0.1% Geeley 28,147 -22.9% -8.6% 124,603 13.1% 15.3% 0.8% 0.1% Tata 17,863 -41.2% -51.3% 93,142 -4.4% -26.0% 0.6% 0.0% NATION2 3,176,455 -24.3% -25.9% 14,938,161 2.5% -12.4% 100.0%



1 Cox Automotive Industry Insights data

2 Totals include segments and makers not shown

All percentages are based on raw volume, not daily selling rate. There were 27 selling days in December 2021 and 28 selling days in December 2020.

Cox Automotive Industry Insights Webcast: January 13th, 2022

Join the Cox Automotive Industry Insights Webcast hosted by Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke and the Industry Insights team on Thursday, January 13, 2 p.m. EST. During this 90-minute session, the team will review how the auto industry performed in 2021 and how the Cox Automotive team sees the industry progressing in the new year.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company's more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader, Dealer.com, Dealertrack, Dickinson Fleet Services, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital, VinSolutions, vAuto and Xtime, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

SOURCE Cox Automotive
Selection as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation is restricted to members of the State Bar of Texas. Each year one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys are invited to become Fellows. Once nominees are selected, they must be elected by the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. Membership has grown from an initial 255 Charter Members in 1965 to more than 10,000 Fellows throughout Texas today.

The Texas Bar Foundation is the largest charitably funded bar foundation in the country. Founded in 1965 by lawyers determined to assist the public and improve the profession of law, the Texas Bar Foundation has maintained its mission of using the financial contributions of its membership to build a strong justice system for all Texans. To date, the Texas Bar Foundation has distributed more than $23 million throughout Texas to assist nonprofit organizations with a wide range of justice-related programs and services. For more information, contact the Texas Bar Foundation at www.txbf.org.

SOURCE Rob Wiley, P.C.
DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Diagnostic Enzyme Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Growth and Change to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global diagnostic enzymes market.



This report focuses on the diagnostic enzymes market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the diagnostic enzymes market which will be shaping and changing our lives over the next ten years and beyond, including the market's response to the challenge of the global pandemic.



Reasons to Purchase

Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 12+ geographies.

Understand how the market is being affected by the coronavirus and how it is likely to emerge and grow as the impact of the virus abates.

Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.

Identify growth segments for investment.

Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.

Understand customers based on the latest market research findings.

Benchmark performance against key competitors.

Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing.

Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis

Where is the largest and fastest growing market for diagnostic enzymes? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The Diagnostic Enzymes market global report answers all these questions and many more.



The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider diagnostic enzymes market, and compares it with other markets.

The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.

The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, the influence of the COVID-19 virus and forecasting its growth.

Market segmentations break down market into sub markets.

The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.

Competitive landscape gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.

The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

The diagnostic enzymes market section of the report gives context. It compares the diagnostic enzymes market with other segments of the diagnostic enzymes market by size and growth, historic and forecast. It analyses GDP proportion, expenditure per capita, diagnostic enzymes indicators comparison.

Major players in the diagnostic enzymes market are Genzyme, Roche, Codexis, Aldevron, Kaneka Eurogentec, Vigene Biosciences, Amano Enzymes, Advanced Enzymes Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and EKF Diagnostic.



The global diagnostic enzyme market is expected to grow from $3.23 billion in 2020 to $3.53 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The growth is mainly due to the companies resuming their operations and adapting to the new normal while recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $4.44 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 6%.



The diagnostic enzymes market consists of the sales of diagnostic enzymes and related services by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that manufacture diagnostic enzymes. Enzymes are extensively used in the diagnosis of various diseases as they have remarkable biocatalytic properties. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.



The diagnostic enzymes market covered in this report is segmented by product type into carbohydrases, polymerases and nucleases, protease, others and by source into animals, microorganisms, plants.



The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The high sensitivity of enzymes to temperature & pH levels is expected to limit the diagnostic enzymes market. Enzymes need to be stored at optimum temperatures and are generally stored at -20 degree Celsius. According to the Worthington Biochemical Corporation, variations in the reaction by one or two degrees in temperature may have a change of 10 to 20% in the result. In enzymatic reactions, this is complicated as enzymes are adversely affected by high temperatures, and enzymes are expected to be deactivated at even moderate temperatures. Enzymes are affected by changes in pH as pH is also a factor in the stability of the enzymes. The changes in temperature and pH levels may decrease the efficiency of the diagnostic enzymes that, in turn, hampers the growth of the diagnostic enzymes market.



In June 2020, Codexis, Inc., a US-based protein engineering company and developer of high-performance enzymes, and Alphazyme LLC, a US-based company in the development and manufacture of nucleic acid metabolizing enzymes, announced a co-marketing enzyme supply collaboration agreement for the production and co-marketing of enzymes for life science applications, including diagnostics. This collaboration is expected to leverage the experience and industry knowledge of Alphazyme to accelerate the market introduction of Codexis' portfolio of high-performing life science and diagnostic enzymes while providing Alphazyme exclusive manufacturing and co-marketing rights to CodeEvolver-improved enzymes. This partnership will allow both companies to jointly promote and sell these enzymes to innovators in life science and diagnostic markets.



The rise in the geriatric population that increases the patient pool for the diagnosis of chronic diseases contributed to the growth of the diagnostic enzymes market. The proportion of people above the age of 65 years increased globally and age-related chronic ailments also increased. For example, the percentage of seniors is expected to grow from 28% in 2019 to 38% by 2050 in Japan.

The increase in the aging population has increased the patient pool of many chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, diabetes and cancer. People suffering from these diseases are expected to be more vulnerable to chronic diseases, thus significantly influencing market growth during this period. According to a 2018 study by the National Council on Aging, around 80% of the older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have at least two. Thus, the rise in the geriatric population increases patients for the diagnosis of chronic diseases and this, in turn, drives the diagnostic enzymes market.



The use of machine learning and artificial intelligence is gradually gaining popularity in the enzyme diagnostic market. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines and is programmed to display their natural intelligence. Machine learning is a part of AI.

Machine learning and AI help companies in the enzyme diagnostic market to conduct a detailed analysis of all relevant data, provide insights about the function of enzymes and allow physicians to understand the key determinants of the relationship between protein structure, function and evolution, in terms of catalysis of reaction steps of an enzyme. For instance, companies such as BioMarker have invested in AI and machine learning for enzyme diagnostics.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Diagnostic Enzymes Market Characteristics



3. Diagnostic Enzymes Market Trends and Strategies



4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Diagnostic Enzymes



5. Diagnostic Enzymes Market Size and Growth

5.1. Global Diagnostic Enzymes Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers Of the Market

5.1.2. Restraints On the Market

5.2. Global Diagnostic Enzymes Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers Of the Market

5.2.2. Restraints On the Market



6. Diagnostic Enzymes Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Diagnostic Enzymes Market, Segmentation by Product Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Carbohydrases

Polymerases and Nucleases

Protease

Others

6.2. Global Diagnostic Enzymes Market, Segmentation by Source, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Animals

Microorganisms

Plants

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tmsset

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va., Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy Services of America Corporation (the "Company" or "Energy Services") (OTCQB: ESOA), generated revenues of $122.5 million, adjusted EBITDA of $3.8 million, net income available to common shareholders of $8.8 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.52 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The Company had backlog of $72.2 million at September 30, 2021.

Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year, the Company was awarded a $5.8 million verdict in a previously disclosed lawsuit against a former customer. The Company anticipates that a final judgement order will be issued during the first calendar quarter of 2022, which can be appealed up to thirty days after the judgement is entered. To date, the Company has not recognized the award in its financial statements.

Douglas Reynolds, President, commented on the announcement. "I am pleased with the progress we made during fiscal 2021 as we continue to build the foundation for future growth. During the year we expanded our gas and water distribution business geographically via acquisition and moved into both general contracting and solar installation in our core geographic markets. At the same time our balance sheet was strengthened with the forgiveness of the PPP loans, and we were able to simplify our capital structure by converting our preferred stock." Reynolds continued, "Looking ahead we will continue to invest in the business and add talented people and business lines to grow the company and we anticipate that fiscal year 2022 will result in increased growth and profitability."

Below is a comparison of the Company's operating results for fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020:







Year Ended

Year Ended





September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020











Revenue $ 122,465,826

$ 119,194,440











Cost of revenues 109,544,804

105,693,209













Gross profit 12,921,022

13,501,231











Selling and administrative expenses 13,813,644

9,831,578

Income from operations (892,622)

3,669,653











Other income (expense)







Interest income 286,645

53,332

Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness 9,839,100

-

Other nonoperating expense (289,330)

(239,862)

Interest expense (557,320)

(486,246)

Gain on sale of equipment 681,653

579,326





9,960,748

(93,450)













Income before income taxes 9,068,126

3,576,203













Income tax (benefit) expense (29,129)

1,143,186













Net income 9,097,255

2,433,017













Dividends on preferred stock 284,238

309,000













Net income available to common shareholders $ 8,813,017

$ 2,124,017

























Weighted average shares outstanding-basic 13,621,406

13,804,835













Weighted average shares-diluted 16,988,424

17,238,168













Earnings per share









available to common shareholders $ 0.647

$ 0.154













Earnings per share-diluted









available to common shareholders $ 0.519

$ 0.123

Please refer to the table below that reconciles adjusted EBITDA with net income available to common shareholders:





Year Ended

Year Ended



September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020



















Net income available to







common shareholders

$ 8,813,017

$ 2,124,017









Add: Income tax (benefit) expense

(29,129)

1,143,186









Add: Dividends on preferred stock

284,238

309,000









Add: Interest expense

557,320

486,246









Less: Non-operating income

(10,518,068)

(392,796)









Add: Depreciation expense

4,661,789

4,395,362









Adjusted EBITDA

$ 3,769,167

$ 8,065,015

Certain statements contained in the release, including without limitation statements including the words "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "expects" or words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general economic and business conditions, changes in business strategy or development plans and other factors referenced in this release. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

SOURCE Energy Services of America Corporation

Related Links

http://esa-c.com


PHOENIX, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- eVisit, the leading Virtual Care platform for large healthcare providers, today announced that Juli Stover has joined its leadership team as Chief Strategy Officer. Stover most recently served as Vice President of Virtual Health Strategies at Envision Healthcare, a national hospital-based physician group headquartered in Nashville.

To download a headshot of Juli Stover, click here.

Stover will oversee eVisit's growth initiatives by contributing to the product roadmap based on customer and market trends, as well as securing strategic partnerships. Stover joins just after eVisit announced its closure of a $45 million Series B financing round led by the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

Prior to her time at Envision, Stover served as Vice President of Healthcare Alliances at Vidyo, a software-based technology platform located in Hackensack, New Jersey. In that role, Stover developed strategic partnerships to drive organizational growth while also collaborating on partner enablement plans to scale adoption.

Stover's other leadership roles included Vice President of Telehealth and Innovative Health Solutions at Corizon Health, multiple leadership positions at InTouch Health (now part of Teladoc), and HCA Healthcare.

"I'm thrilled to be joining eVisit at a pivotal time when patients and clinicians alike have come to value and rely on the model of virtual care," said Stover. "I've been working in the healthcare industry for many years and view this new role as an opportunity to advance patient care through telehealth and data analytics."

Stover attended Auburn University and graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services and Marketing.

"We are excited to welcome Juli Stover to eVisit's C-suite," said Bret Larsen, CEO of eVisit. "Her robust healthcare experience means she is exactly the caliber of talent we need to support our customers and advance our vision for the future of healthcare. As we head into 2022, we are eager to add Juli's expertise to eVisit's incredible momentum."

About eVisit

eVisit is the only end-to-end, fully integrated, enterprise care delivery platform built for modern health systems and hospitals, simplifying healthcare delivery with its market-leading Virtual Care platform. With eVisit, healthcare organizations can deliver faster, more accessible Virtual Care using their own network of providers, regardless of specialty, to deliver a holistic patient experience. eVisit works seamlessly across enterprise service lines and departments to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and boost revenue. Based in Phoenix, Ariz., eVisit helps healthcare organizations, including the largest health systems in the U.S., innovate and succeed in today's changing healthcare market. Its unique operational excellence program, the eVisit Virtual Care Maturity Model, includes a benchmarking system and educational workshops across six foundational areas to help ensure customer success. eVisit is the only Leader in the Forrester Wave: Virtual Care Platforms in Digital Health, Q1 2021, and is a Representative Vendor in the Gartner 2020 Market Guide for Virtual Care. Get your complimentary copy of the Forrester Report here and the Gartner Report here . For more information, visit evisit.com .

eVisit Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE eVisit
HOUSTON, Dec. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A Harris County district judge has ordered ExxonMobil Corporation to preserve evidence from a December 23 explosion at its Baytown refinery and grant access to the Potts Law Firm for an investigation on behalf of a Baytown woman and other clients of the firm who suffered injuries following the incident.

The temporary restraining order was granted Tuesday in response to a request by Potts Law Firm trial lawyers, who plan to perform a thorough independent investigation on behalf of plaintiff Tona Credit and any other nearby residents the firm represents who suffered injuries from the blast and exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals.

According to a lawsuit filed by the firm, the concussive force of the explosion at the gasoline-producing refinery unit resulted in hearing loss and related balance issues for Ms. Credit. In addition, residents near the refinery may have been exposed to potentially harmful chemicals released in the air.

"We know from experience that explosions like this one are the result of safety failures," says Derek Potts of the Potts Law Firm in Houston. "These residents deserve answers, and this restraining order is a critical first step to preserve evidence and provide access to the grounds so our investigators can determine what happened and why."

The lawsuit seeks damages on behalf of Ms. Credit, as well as a temporary restraining order to preserve all company documents, video and other materials related to the early morning blast.

Media Contact:

Robert Tharp

214-420-6011

[email protected]

SOURCE Potts Law Firm
DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Healthcare CRM Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global healthcare CRM market reached a value of US$ 10 Billion in 2020. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to grow at a CAGR of 13.8% during 2021-2026.

Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Healthcare customer relationship management (HCRM) refers to a specialized software-based solution designed for medical institutions to manage customer-related processes. It is usually deployed on cloud or on-premises in the form of operational, analytical and collaborative CRM.]

It includes comprehensive patient management, dashboard and reporting, caregiver management and communication tools. HCRM records the patient's information, such as medical history, visits, prescriptions and medical bills, into a holistic profile and is also used for scheduling and tracking medical appointments.

It aids in maintaining an updated database about the patients with valuable insights and offer quality support to the customers. As a result, they are widely used across hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers.



Healthcare CRM Market Trends:

Significant growth in the healthcare industry across the globe is one of the key factors creating a positive outlook for the market. Moreover, the increasing requirement for effective solutions to improve patient's treatment and healthcare experience is providing a thrust to the market growth.

As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe, there has been a significant increase in the demand for efficient HCRM solutions in the healthcare centers for efficient patient monitoring.

Additionally, various technological advancements, such as the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and cloud-computing solutions with the HCRM platforms, are acting as other growth-inducing factors. These solutions provide high-quality virtual care, home care and remote disease monitoring services to the patient through chatbots and real-time interactions.

These tools also assist in minimizing the human effort that results in enhanced cost efficiency, minimal risk of errors and optimized communications. Other factors, including rising healthcare expenditures of the masses, along with extensive research and development (R&D) activities, are anticipated to drive the market growth.

Key Market Segmentation

The publisher provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global healthcare CRM market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2021-2026. Our report has categorized the market based on product, application, technology and end use.

Breakup by Product:

Individual

Referral

Individual and Referral

Breakup by Application:

Community Outreach

Case Coordination

Case Management

Relationship Management

Breakup by Technology:

Cloud-based

Mobile

Social

Collaborative

Predictive

Breakup by End Use:

Payers

Providers

Life Science Companies

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being:

Accenture Plc

AllScripts Healthcare Solutions Inc

Amdocs

Aspect Software Inc

International Business Machines Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Oracle Corporation

Salesforce.com inc

SAP SE

Siemens Healthineers AG (Siemens AG).

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global healthcare CRM market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global healthcare CRM market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end use?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global healthcare CRM market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5h2c28

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Military Robots Market Research Report by Type, Operation, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Military Robots Market size was estimated at USD 16.08 billion in 2020, is expected to reach USD 18.13 billion in 2021, and projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.09% reaching USD 33.65 billion by 2026.



Market Statistics

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2018 and 2019 are considered historical years, 2020 as the base year, 2021 as the estimated year, and years from 2022 to 2026 are considered the forecast period.

Competitive Strategic Window

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.



FPNV Positioning Matrix

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Military Robots Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Market Share Analysis

The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.



Company Usability Profiles

The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Military Robots Market, including AeroVironment, Inc., BAE Systems PLC, Cobham PLC, Endeavor Robotics, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, QinetiQ Limited, Saab AB, and Thales S.A.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Military Robots Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Military Robots Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Military Robots Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Military Robots Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Military Robots Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Military Robots Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Military Robots Market?



Key Topics Covered:



1. Preface



2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Overview

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19



5. Market Dynamics

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Drivers

5.2.1. Increased use of military robots for today's warfields

5.2.2. Declines in human casualties due to robots playing an active role in maintaining border security

5.2.3. Increasing defense expenditure in research and development of military robots

5.2.4. Specialized To deal with Hazardous and Extreme Environments

5.3. Restraints

5.3.1. Concentration of demand from Europe and North America

5.3.2. Rising skepticism for automated weaponized robots

5.4. Opportunities

5.4.1. Integration with artificial intelligence

5.4.2. Continuous innovation to improve intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition capabilities

5.5. Challenges

5.5.1. Political acceptability

5.5.2. Critical hardware and system failure



6. Military Robots Market, by Type

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Military Airborne Robots

6.3. Military Land Robots

6.4. Military Marine Robots



7. Military Robots Market, by Operation

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Autonomous Robots

7.3. Mobile Robots



8. Americas Military Robots Market

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Argentina

8.3. Brazil

8.4. Canada

8.5. Mexico

8.6. United States



9. Asia-Pacific Military Robots Market

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Australia

9.3. China

9.4. India

9.5. Indonesia

9.6. Japan

9.7. Malaysia

9.8. Philippines

9.9. Singapore

9.10. South Korea

9.11. Taiwan

9.12. Thailand



10. Europe, Middle East & Africa Military Robots Market

10.1. Introduction

10.2. France

10.3. Germany

10.4. Italy

10.5. Netherlands

10.6. Qatar

10.7. Russia

10.8. Saudi Arabia

10.9. South Africa

10.10. Spain

10.11. United Arab Emirates

10.12. United Kingdom



11. Competitive Landscape

11.1. FPNV Positioning Matrix

11.1.1. Quadrants

11.1.2. Business Strategy

11.1.3. Product Satisfaction

11.2. Market Ranking Analysis

11.3. Market Share Analysis, by Key Player

11.4. Competitive Scenario

11.4.1. Merger & Acquisition

11.4.2. Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership

11.4.3. New Product Launch & Enhancement

11.4.4. Investment & Funding

11.4.5. Award, Recognition, & Expansion



12. Company Usability Profiles

12.1. AeroVironment, Inc.

12.2. BAE Systems PLC

12.3. Cobham PLC

12.4. Endeavor Robotics

12.5. Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

12.6. Lockheed Martin Corporation

12.7. Northrop Grumman Corporation

12.8. QinetiQ Limited

12.9. Saab AB

12.10. Thales S.A.



13. Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nqes5a

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

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SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Teleradiology Services Market, Distribution by Type of Image Processed, End User, Business Model, and by Key Geographical Regions: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2021-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report features an extensive study of the current landscape, offering an informed opinion on the likely adoption of teleradiology solutions in the diagnostic imaging industry, till 2030. The report features an in-depth analysis, highlighting the capabilities of various stakeholders engaged in this domain.

Amongst other elements, the report includes:

A detailed overview of the current market landscape of teleradiology service providers, including information on the year of establishment, company size, target market, type of business model, location of headquarters, type of image processed, type of subspecialty offered, type of end user, type of software and additional capabilities.

An in-depth company competitiveness analysis of teleradiology service providers, taking into consideration various relevant parameters, such as years of experience, portfolio strength, partnerships activity and funding activity.

Elaborate profiles of various prominent players that are currently engaged in offering teleradiology services for interpretation of diagnostic imaging, featuring a brief overview of the company, recent developments and an informed future outlook.

An analysis of the partnerships that have been inked between various stakeholders in this domain, during the period 2015-2021, covering acquisitions, mergers, product launch agreements, service agreements, service alliances, technology integration agreements and technology utilization agreements, along with analysis on recent investments, including venture series, initial public offering and private equity.

A detailed analysis of the current and future market based on blue ocean strategy, covering a strategic plan/guide for emerging teleradiology players to help unlock an uncontested market, featuring thirteen strategic tools, modified in context to teleradiology services that can help service providers shift towards a blue ocean strategic market.

An elaborate analysis on the cost saving potential associated with the implementation of teleradiology in interpretation of diagnostic imaging, by taking into consideration several relevant parameters, such as number of radiologists in a region/country, annual remuneration of radiologists, number of scans performed in each region and increase in efficiency achieved through adoption of teleradiology services.

One of the key objectives of the report was to estimate the existing market size and future opportunities associated with teleradiology services over the next decade. Based on multiple parameters, such as likely adoption trends, revenues of service providers, and expected price variations for these services, an informed estimate has been provided on the evolution of the market for the period 2021-2030.

The report also features the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunity within teleradiology services market across

type of image processed (CT, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, and others),

type of end user (hospitals, diagnostic/imaging centers, patients, and others),

type of business model (B2B, and B2C), and

key geographical regions

Key Questions Answered

Who are the leading players engaged in providing teleradiology services?

Which types of end users are primarily employing teleradiology services in their workflow?

Which are key image processing and subspecialty services offered by industry players?

What kind of partnership models are most commonly adopted by stakeholders engaged in this domain?

What is the trend for capital investments in the teleradiology services market?

What are the key strategies that can be implemented by emerging players/start-ups to enter into this highly competitive market?

How has the recent COVID-19 pandemic impacted the overall teleradiology services market?

How is the current and future opportunity likely to be distributed across key market segments?

What are the anticipated future trends related to teleradiology services market?

A Selection of Companies Mentioned Include:

Accel

Agility Trains

Aidoc

AI-Rad Companion

All-American Teleradiology

Alliance Medical

Arkan United

Athaal

Atrys

Ayuj Tele

BalticRAD

Bitfury Group

Brightview Radiology

BT Cloud Work

CareDoctors

CASER

CGTR

Client Outlook

Cloudex Radiology

DiagRad

Fidelity

Flywheel

GE Healthcare

GIC

GrupoMelca

Hera-MI

HIMangel

Hospi-Net

HTeleRad

icometrix

IDXt Teleradiology

I-MED Radiology

ImmersiveTouch

InHealth

InnoVision Imaging

I-TeleRAD

Kooth

Krsnaa Diagnostics

L2P

Longenesis

Medica

Mediprint

MIM Software

Nanox

Nano-X Imaging

NexxRad

NHS

Olea Medical

Omphalos Venture Partners

Onchena

Prabhat Telesolutions

Pro Medicus

Prudent Rad

Quality Nighthawk

Quantum

Qure.ai

Rad AI

RAD365

RAD-AID

Radiology Now

Radiopaedia

Radiserve

RadLink

RadMD

RADMEDIC Group

RadNest Teleradiology

RadPro Teleradiology

Raji Teleradiology

Real Radiology

Real Time Medical

Rology

RSU Bunda Jakarta

Savivas Teleradiology

Sectra

Selecta Biosciences

Siemens Healthineers

SincroMed

Skype Telemedicine

Smart Teleradiology

Stama Healthcare

Star Radiology

STATdx

StatRad

TeleDiag

TeleDiagnosys

Telelaudo

Telerad India

Telerad Tech

TRA Medical Imaging

Trakai Hospital

Upright MRI

USARAD Holdings

UVA Health

Vesta Teleradiology

vRad

WebRad

Wide Heart Solutions

Xbert

XMRI.com

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/numrjn

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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In addition to overseeing one of the most highly-acclaimed real estate practices in the country, Gewurz has a large practice representing real estate developers, institutional and private equity lenders, and U.S. and foreign investors in their diverse and complicated real estate matters. He is known for his skill at creating teams where everyone's talents can be utilized to achieve the best results for the client.

The award highlighted several of Gewurz's many successful projects, including his representation of a privately owned real estate investment firm in connection with all aspects of the purchase and development of Cambridge Crossing, a 42-acre master-planned development project in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, MA  one of the area's single largest development projects. To date, Gewurz and his team have helped secure over $1.5 billion in construction financing for Cambridge Crossing. Additionally, for a long-time Canadian client, Gewurz and his team have worked with the company to invest over $22 billion in U.S. real estate over the past 18 years. Currently, Gewurz is helping the client become a leader in the build-to-rent, single-family housing market, using innovative structures and financing transactions for this fast-emerging asset class.

Gewurz received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1996; his M.Sc., with distinction, from The London School of Economics and Political Science in 1993; and his B.A., summa cum laude, from McGill University in 1992.

About Goulston & Storrs

Collaboration is not just a pillar of our strategy; it is the key to our competitive advantage and approach to clients, community, and each other. At Goulston & Storrs, we practice law with excellence and integrity. We are a place where mutual respect and collaboration drive open discussion, transparency, creativity and optimal results for our clients. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where sophisticated business is conducted with genuine camaraderie. To learn more about us, visit www.goulstonstorrs.com.

Contact:

Leigh Herzog Amy Blumenthal Goulston & Storrs PC Blumenthal & Associates PR (617) 574-2259 (617) 879-1511 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Goulston & Storrs PC
SAN FRANCISCO, and LONDON, and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hydro Wind Energy has announced today that it has signed an agreement with GEM Global Yield LLC SCS ("GEM"), a private investment group, for a EUR 50 million capital commitment. The agreement will help Hydro Wind Energy to disrupt the global Energy and Desalination Markets.

Figure 1: SubSea RO Wind - technology to desalinate seawater into freshwater Figure 2: OceanHydro Omni - power generation and energy storage (offshore wind)

Under the agreement, GEM commits to provide Hydro Wind Energy with a share subscription facility of EUR 50 million for a 36-month term following the public listing of the company shares on a European or American Stock Exchange. Hydro Wind Energy will control the timing and maximum amount of drawdown under the facility and has no minimum drawdown obligation. Concurrent to the public listing of Hydro Wind Energy's shares, GEM will receive warrants to purchase shares in the company.

Hydro Wind Energy based out of London, San Francisco and Dubai is a tech startup developing a disruptive technology to solve three of the biggest challenges of the 21st century, low-cost clean electricity, grid scale energy storage, and water scarcity. All three solutions ultimately harness offshore wind using vertical axis wind rotors and offshore based kite systems. They have also developed and commercialized the world's only low-cost handheld seawater desalination device for humanitarian purposes and the marine sector.

In 2020 the company was selected as one of the top 100 startups shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution by the World Economic Forum. The company is backed by Techstars, one of the largest VC and tech accelerators in the world.

The finance raised from GEM will go towards developing technologies for power generation (OceanHydro Wind) and water desalination (SubSea RO Wind), as well as scaling QuenchSea (portable seawater desalination device) globally.

Both OceanHydro Wind and SubSea RO Wind are powered by high altitude, ocean-based kites and vertical axis wind rotors rather than turbines. The technology ultimately uses wind for mechanical lift rather than converting directly to electricity. This reduces the cost of desalination by 90% compared to all other technologies. It also enables a far more efficient method of power generation, storage and dispatch, compared to conventional wind turbines which are unable to either store or dispatch on-demand electricity. The technology also opens up access to offshore wind in deep waters where 80% of the world's wind resource exists and provides ancillary services for grid resiliency.

The company is currently in the midst of a project building and testing a subscale system of both technologies off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates with several offshore engineering firms and strategic partners. A project that will build the foundations for building a larger scale demonstrator. The company plans to have both scale prototypes completed by the end of 2022, with full scale commercialization planned for 2023. Annual revenues are forecast to reach at least $300 million by 2025.

Water scarcity, energy storage, and low-cost clean electricity are three of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. Around two billion people live in areas plagued by water scarcity, one billion have no access to electricity, and the global transition to renewables requires cost effective grid scale energy storage solutions. The value of the energy market is expected to double from $9 trillion today, to $18 trillion by 2050.

Lee King, CEO and co-founder of Hydro Wind Energy commented, "Having GEM onboard is a huge foundational step in realizing our vision to play a major role in the global transition. Our technology is ultimately about structural design, systems integration and automation rather than making quantum leaps in technology development. It's in essence a simple technology with immense potential for impact in the shortest possible time. What we are doing is combining existing and proven technologies in a novel way to solve some very big challenges while simultaneously reducing costs.

"The financial commitment from GEM and the parallel public listing will provide us with the ability to accelerate scale testing and commercialization"

About Hydro Wind Energy

Based in San Francisco, London, and Dubai, Hydro Wind Energy, backed by Techstars, is a tech startup developing disruptive technologies to help solve three of the biggest challenges of the 21st century: low-cost clean electricity, grid-scale energy storage and water desalination at small and large scale.

About Global Emerging Markets (GEM)

Global Emerging Markets (GEM) is a $3.4 Billion alternative investment group with operations in Paris, New York and Los Angeles. GEM manages a diverse set of investment vehicles focused on emerging markets and has completed 400 transactions in 70 countries. Each investment vehicle has different sets of operational concepts of risk adjusted return and liquidity profile. The family of funds and investment vehicles provide GEM and its partners with exposure to: Small-Mid Cap Management Buyouts, Private Investments in Public Equities and select venture investments. For more information: www.gemny.com

Contact Details:

Contact Name: Mo Helmy

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 408-475-0925

Country: United States

Website: www.hw.energy

Company: Hydro Wind Energy

SOURCE Hydro Wind Energy
They are launching their first therapeutic device  iSyncWave, which integrates both EEG brain mapping and LED therapy at 2022 CES Las Vegas. An open-to-public CES Show Day press conference will take place on Jan 6th at the CES provided conference room.

iSyncWave is an innovative brain-scanning device with high-quality dry EEG sensors that autofit to various sizes and shapes, keeping 10 to 20 system locations and equipped with matching sex/age Norm DB.

As the company slogan states, "Overcome mental pandemic in just 10 minutes, "press and visitors can expect a complete analysis report of EEG (brainwave) and HRV (Heart rate variability) operated by AI deep learning algorithms in just 10 minutes to assess the condition of brain and dysfunctionality including the early diagnostic insights which could play a major role in discovering a neuro-related diseases in early stages.

Recently with the addition of software upgrades, and an FCC approval allowed the iSyncWave to be exported to the EU, Asia, and Australia already use for research and diagnostics.

"We will provide life-changing mental healthcare experience to introduce neuro-mental illness biomarker and the patent EEG/HRV technology," says CEO Dr. Seung Wan Kang. "iMediSync takes its leap to be a trend leader in the field of telemedicine, and AI medicine, digital therapy will take place in a post-Covid-19 era as an optimized individual mental healthcare service provider."

iMediSync proposes an EEG-centric global vision of integrated telemental health care & CNS drug development platform while cooperating with various neurologists, hospitals in South Korea in the field of Clinical Depression, Parkinson's Disease, and other neuro-related diseases to expand the biomarker R&D pipeline. Active communication with global pharmaceutical companies are ongoing as well.

iMediSync has been selected as a part of the CTA VIP Tour Program and will operate an island booth in the Health & Wellness zone, Tech East-North Hall of Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #8455.

iMediSync, Inc.

Tel: 02-747-7422

Website: www.imedisync.com

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE iMediSync

Related Links

https://www.imedisync.com/


RAIPUR, India, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Industrial Power Transmission Market by Transmission Type (Belt and Chain), by Application Type (General Industries, Energy & Others, Construction Materials, Food & Beverage, Warehouse & Distribution, Lumber & Aggregates, and Agriculture), by End-User (OE and Aftermarket), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2022-2027.

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's industrial power transmission market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2022 to 2027. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as formulate growth strategies.

Industrial Power Transmission Market: Highlights from the Report

Industrial power transmission means transfer of energy so that it can be transmitted to the desired application with the appropriate power, speed, and torque. Due to the increasing modernization of existing infrastructure all over the world, the industrial power transmission market is expected to grow significantly. Moreover, considerable R&D investments are pushing the global use of technologically advanced equipment.

Due to increased awareness regarding the reduction of energy loss, manufacturers are focussing on cost-effective and energy-efficient equipment. A favorable business environment has also been created by increased manufacturing operations, especially in developing economies. In 2020, with the abrupt breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market for industrial power transmission suffered a considerable fall of -7.2%. Companies have suffered significant losses because of the lockdown paired with a labor shortage and temporary shutdown of manufacturing plants.

The market is predicted to progressively improve in the coming years, primarily due to rising consumer acceptance. Product demand will be boosted even more by rising investments for technological advancements. Furthermore, favorable regulatory changes and supporting industrial reforms will drive market growth. Overall, in the long run, the industrial power transmission market is expected to grow at a respectable CAGR of 3.4% and reach a value of US$ 11.0 billion in 2027.

Click Here and Run Through the TOC of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/2377/industrial-power-transmission-market.html

Based on the transmission type, chain is expected to remain the larger transmission type in the market during the forecast period. The wide usage of transmission chains in the chemical, agriculture, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, mining, and construction industries is one of the primary drivers of market expansion. Material handling, manufacturing, and agricultural & food processing equipment are just a few of the applications for industrial roller chains. Roller chains provide machine-driven power to a variety of industrial machinery. It is observed that industrial belts are replacing industrial chains in some applications, owing to certain advantages of belts over chains, such as no requirement of frequent lubrication and reduced noise.

Based on the application type, the market is segmented as general industries, energy & others, construction materials, food & beverage, warehouse & distribution, lumber & aggregates, and agriculture. Warehouse & distribution is expected to be the fastest-growing application type in the market during the forecast period. The warehousing & distribution business is anticipated to grow significantly due to the development of new technologies, increasing imports & exports, and the rapidly expanding e-commerce industry. A boom in commercial activity in rising economies, such as China, India, Indonesia, Russia, and Brazil, is further substantiating the warehousing & storage business.

Based on the end-user type, aftermarket is expected to be the dominant segment of the market during the forecast period. Old chains and belts must be replaced to smooth operations as well as to save manpower, energy, and cost. Manufacturers are switching to new and technologically advanced products.

Register Here for a Free Sample of the Detailed Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/2377/industrial-power-transmission-market.html#form

In terms of regions, Asia-Pacific is expected to remain the largest as well as the fastest-growing market for industrial power transmission during the forecast period. The market of industrial power transmission will grow significantly due to rapid industrialization in developing nations like China, India, and other South-East Asian countries. Rising energy consumption in emerging economies as well as rising investments to incorporate sustainable and efficient infrastructure are the key factors responsible for the market growth.

Following are the key players in the industrial power transmission market:

AB SKF

Bando Group

Continental AG

Dayco Corporate

Gates Corporation

Optibelt GmbH

Regal Rexnord

Regina Catene Calibrate Spa

Schaeffler Group

The Morse Chain

The Timken Company

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors.

This report studies the industrial power transmission market and has segmented the market in four ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the four ways in which the market is segmented:

Industrial Power Transmission Market, by Transmission Type

Belt (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Chain (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Industrial Power Transmission Market, by Application Type

General Industries (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Energy & Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Construction Materials (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Food & Beverage (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Warehouse & Distribution (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Lumber & Aggregates (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Agriculture (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Industrial Power Transmission Market, by End User Type

OE (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Aftermarket (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Industrial Power Transmission Market, by Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA , Canada , and Mexico )

Europe (Country Analysis: Germany , France , the UK, Russia , and Rest of Europe )

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan , China , India , and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil , Saudi Arabia , and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the engineering industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/engineering.html

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research, and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making.

For enquiries, please contact:

Stratview Research

E-mail: [email protected]

Direct: +1-313-307-4176

SOURCE Stratview Research
DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Ultrasound Device Market Size, Global Forecast 2021-2027, Industry Trends, Growth, Impact of COVID-19, Opportunity Company Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Over the decades, ultrasound use has expanded beyond radiology, OB/GYN and cardiology to a wide range of clinical specialties, including surgery, gastroenterology and musculoskeletal.

Ultrasound is one of the medical industry's various medical imaging modalities; it has recently experienced a revolution due to modern electronics' increasing computer power. It is described as a device that captures the internal organ images using high-frequency sound waves. Ultrasound devices consist of an ultrasound detector or probe and transducer. According to the publisher, The Ultrasound Device Market will reach US$ 9.5 Billion by 2027.



Factors Driving Worldwide Ultrasound Device Industry

Remarkably, the growth of the global ultrasound devices is majorly driven by the rise in prevalence of chronic disorders such as cancer tumors, gallstones, fatty liver disease, and high spending on the healthcare industry. The increase in awareness toward early disease diagnosis and technological advancement in ultrasound imaging devices are driving the growth of the ultrasound devices industry worldwide.



The Ultrasound Devices Industry is expected to grow with a CAGR of 4.73% from 2021 to 2027

The increasing number of pregnancies has generated demand for diagnostic ultrasound systems. It is one of the standard effective and dynamic imaging technologies used in pregnancy to monitor the growth and development of the fetus. Still, there are many other uses, including blood vessels, imaging the heart, eyes, thyroid, brain, breast, abdominal organs, skin, and muscles.



Ultrasound Image display further sub-divided into Color and Black & White (B/W). The color ultrasound devices held the highest market. An increase in advancements in technology, the incidence of chronic diseases, the surge in the number of diagnostic ultrasound devices in the obstetrics and gynecology field, and an increase in awareness for early disease diagnosis drive the Color ultrasound devices industry.



Ultrasound Market Size was US$ 7.2 Billion in 2021

Based on application, ultrasound devices are segmented into Cardiology/Obstetrics, Musculoskeletal, Radiology, Critical Care, etc. Critical Care holds the largest market share due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. The number of patients needing emergency care due to various health ailments such as urology problems, acute abdominal pain and immense chest pain would surge the demand for critical care devices. Further, the radiology application is one of the leading segments, owing to the increasing number of radiology centres and increasing adoption of this technology in general imaging and diagnosis of medical complications.



North America is the Leader in the Ultrasound Device Industry

North American has a large number of healthcare providers, the government and private funding for R&D in ultrasound imaging, the rising geriatric population, and the expanding incidence of chronic diseases increases the demand for ultrasound devices in this region.



In 2020, as per National Health Council, chronic diseases had affected 157 million Americans, with 81 Million having multiple conditions. Owing to the high prevalence of the disorders, this region has become the centre of the major players. Market Players have been making product improvements in North America to increase their market share in the ultrasound devices industry. Moreover, ultrasound is gaining acceptance in acute and primary care settings, both as a screening and diagnostic tool and for procedure guidance. With handheld ultrasound gaining pace, this will accelerate in the coming years.



COVID-19 impact on the Global Ultrasound Devices Market

The pandemic has negatively impacted the ultrasound market; unfavorable changes in regulations and guidelines hamper the growth of this market. The closing down of production facilities due to lockdowns, recruitment challenges for clinical trials and interruptions in supply chains have further affected the development of the overall ultrasound market.



Key Industry Players

Some of the companies investing in ultrasound devices are GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare, and Philips - Healthcare Sales, Hologic, Inc. These companies are investing in R&D to advance their technologies in ultrasound imaging, as it is becoming one of the fundamental aspects of healthcare. Globally, portable technological devices are praised, and these key companies have a wide presence across the developed and emerging markets.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Research & Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenges



5. Global Ultrasound Device Market



6. Screening Share - Global Lung Cancer Analysis

6.1 Products Type

6.2 Display

6.3 Application

6.4 By Regions



7. Product Type - Global Ultrasound Device Market

7.1 Diagnostics Ultrasound Systems

7.2 Therapeutic Ultrasound Systems



8. Display Type - Global Ultrasound Device Market

8.1 Color Ultrasound Devices

8.2 Black & White (B/W) Ultrasound Device



9. Application - Global Ultrasound Device Market

9.1 Cardiology/Obstetrics

9.2 Musculoskeletal

9.3 Radiology

9.4 Critical Care

9.5 Others Applications



10. Regions - Global Ultrasound Device Market

10.1 North America

10.2 Europe

10.3 Asia Pacific

10.4 South America

10.5 Middle East and Africa



11. Porters Five Forces

11.1 Overview

11.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

11.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

11.4 Degree of Competition

11.5 Threat of New Entrants

11.6 Threat of Substitutes



12. Company Analysis

12.1 GE Healthcare

12.1.1 Overview

12.1.2 Recent Development

12.1.3 Sale Analysis

12.2 Siemens Healthcare

12.2.1 Overview

12.2.2 Recent Development

12.2.3 Sale Analysis

12.3 Philips - Healthcare Sales

12.3.1 Overview

12.3.2 Recent Development

12.3.3 Sale Analysis

12.4 HOLOGIC, INC.

12.4.1 Overview

12.4.2 Recent Development

12.4.3 Sale Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bn109f

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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MILPITAS, Calif., Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Joan, the world's smartest and most sustainable meeting room booking device, will attend in January 5-8th 2022 the CES in Las Vegas and will present its latest device, Joan 6 Pro at E Ink's private meeting space. This will highlight the longstanding collaboration with E Ink, the ePaper pioneer, and celebrate the successful result that their technology combined with Joan's product innovation achieved.

Joan 6 Pro - the next generation meeting room scheduler Joan 6 Pro could be attached without wiring or cabling, just with the help of a smart magnetic mount

Joan 6 Pro was designed in response to the pandemic and to react to the ongoing challenges that the workplace is facing in its shift towards more flexible office dynamics. Based on first hand feedback from customers, Joan 6 Pro device is an efficiency enabler, enterprise grade solution for businesses.

Capable of handling more than 100 meeting rooms and conference spaces, Joan 6 Pro is the perfect solution for enterprise that allows employees to know beforehand where meetings will be held and to check a meeting room's timetable directly on the device, virtually eliminating double bookings or cancelled meetings that tie up room space because someone forgot to unbook.

"Our goal with Joan 6 Pro was to create the perfect solution for the workplace of the future. The office is changing rapidly and its core function is being reshaped, so we need to be ahead of the curve. Our device integrates seamlessly in big office spaces and its software solutions follow the most recent workplace dynamics. People are slowly going back to the office and now more than ever companies will need tools that help them keep this safe and efficient. That is why we created Joan 6 Pro," said Matej Zalar, Co-Founder.



With a quiet and elegant design, the device has a 6" interactive, touch and E Ink electronic paper screen. It adheres to the highest levels of security (TLS 1.3 encryption) and integrates seamlessly with Google workspace, Office 365, Microsoft Exchange, Accruent EMS and iCalendar.

The extra features included in the Pro device offer both new hardware and software enhancements over the standard Joan devices. To offer more flexibility Joan 6 Pro can be configured with either Power over Ethernet (PoE) or via Smart Magnet. PoE guarantees strict security protocols and ensures constant power to the device while eliminating the eventuality for the device to wander off. It also allows for dual LEDs (green and red) to communicate room occupancy at all times. Instead, for a more dynamic use, Joan 6 Pro can also be outfitted with its own Smart Magnet which acts both as a support and as a location tag thanks to the device's 2.4 or 5 ghz Wi-Fi connectivity. The system is designed so that as soon as a Joan 6 Pro device is attached to the magnet, it automatically reconfigures to display the room's dedicated information. This allows devices to be interchanged without any loss of information or synchronization to the room's schedule.

"We listened to our Enterprise Clients and developed this next generation Joan 6 Pro based on their feedback. Two years in the making, Joan 6 Pro is now being evaluated and sought after by some of the biggest global Enterprise clients. Addressing our customers' requirements of sustainability, energy efficiency and technology innovation is at the core of the new generation of Joan devices," says Martin E. Fishman, Director of Enterprises and Strategic Alliances.

For all Joan devices, sustainability is one of the top priorities and the experience acquired over more than a decade of operating in the sector, allowed this Pro device to proudly continue this tradition. Made with recyclable materials and engineered with an ultra-low power architecture, Joan 6 Pro allows for six months of battery on a single charge resulting in extremely low electricity costs, making it 100 times more efficient than competing solutions and over 500 times more efficient than a regular consumer's tablet. Also, to further Joan's testament to sustainability, we decided to share with our customers our commitment through our latest initiative where we pledged to plant one tree in Indonesia for every device sold.

Joan is designed for anyone who strives to achieve efficiency and nurture sustainability in the workplace. We welcome you to learn more about us at CES 2022 and encourage you to contact Martin E. Fishman to schedule a meeting since access to the area is by invite only. Find his contacts at the end.

For more detailed information on Joan 6 Pro specs Click here.

About Joan:

A product of Visionect, Joan is a centrally-managed workplace management system that designs devices and solutions for smooth scheduling and management of the hybrid workspace. Joan proprietary e-paper displays are used by many leading companies across the globe such as Microsoft, NASA, Samsung and Amazon. Learn more at: www.GetJoan.com.

About Visionect:

Visionect is the world's premier designer and developer of e-paper solutions for low power displays in digital signage. As a result of more than a decade of market-leading expertise, Visionect technology is unparalleled in versatility, ultra-low power consumption, easy installation, and simplicity of use. Learn more at: www.Visionect.com.

Media package: HERE



For meetings at CES 2022:

Martin E. Fishman

Director Strategic Alliances & Enterprise

[email protected]

+1 925 989 8646

For PR & Press requests:

Federico Ercoli

PR representative

[email protected]

+386 40 604 269

SOURCE Joan by Visionect
"It has been impressive how the KORE team has stayed focused on our transformation despite the pandemic and our 'go public' effort," said Romil Bahl, President and CEO of KORE. "In 2021, we launched our first two industry practices, Connected Health and Fleet Management, and continued our leadership in IoT Connectivity with our modern technology platform, KORE One, and best-in-class IP in the areas of eSIM and core networks."

New Enablement Solutions Help Propel IoT

KORE is a diversified enabler of end-to-end IoT Solutions and is investing in a series of pre-configured solutions to accelerate the deployment of customers' IoT Applications.

Connected Health Telemetry SolutionTM

KORE has recently launched its Connected Health Telemetry SolutionTM (CHTS) to help simplify IoT deployments in key health care and life sciences segments, which is KORE's largest industry sector. Target use cases for CHTS include remote patient monitoring, enabling decentralized clinical trials for contract research organizations, medical equipment diagnostics, and medical alert monitoring. CHTS allows healthcare solution providers and developers to easily leverage data telemetry services, while hiding the complexities associated with managing peripherals/gateways, pairing them and securely transmitting the data, which have previously been a significant roadblock in bringing solutions to market.

KORE Fleet: In-Vehicle Video

KORE introduced an innovative in-vehicle video solution with embedded artificial intelligence. The solution brings together a robust set of hardware options, device management tools, and API access  making it easier than ever for customers to deploy video-based fleet solutions. According to Automotive Fleet, 20 percent of a fleet's vehicles experience unplanned downtime due to accidents. The combination of live-streaming video and active audible alerts reduces risky driver behavior, reduce accidents and serve as an excellent training tool for fleet managers.

OmniSIMTM

KORE has transformed the IoT connectivity landscape with its launch of KORE OmniSIMTM. With advanced eSIM and multi-IMSI capabilities customers can leverage global connectivity for out-of-the-box, "anywhere" connectivity that can be remotely and natively provisioned. Within the OmniSIM product suite, KORE released access to OmniSIM Reach  offering extensive access to nearly 600 networks in 198 countries through a centralized, multi-IMSI design, and OmniSIM Rush  providing a powerful eSIM profile designed for high bandwidth performance. In 2022 KORE will release more customized and localized offerings within its OmniSIM product.

KORE Developer Portal

Launched in late 2021, KORE Developer Portal enhances the ability of solution providers to integrate development resources and tools quickly and efficiently in a self-service environment. The platform will not only provide a rich suite of Connectivity, Security and Location-Based Services APIs, it also boasts streaming services that allow developers to directly enable feeds of any event inside of the KORE ecosystem.

The Industry Takes Note of KORE's Impact

Throughout 2021, KORE has generated acclaim from several third-party organizations.

KORE was awarded an IoT Global Award in the Connected Health category honoring KORE's enablement of Australia-based drone logistics company Swoop Aero to deliver critical medical supplies  notably COVID-19 testing supplies  to remote areas across the globe. KORE demonstrated this solution in the summer to the King of Spain in a private presentation at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona.

KORE was also honored with the Beyond Connectivity Award from the World Communication Awards for its Remote Patient Monitoring solutions.

Other recognitions KORE has received this year include:

NYSE Listing Has Reinforced Interest in Company and Category

KORE debuted on the New York Stock Exchange on October 1, 2021. Founded nearly two decades ago, KORE has long been recognized as a pioneer and growth catalyst for the IoT industry. The Company enjoys a leadership position in the global IoT marketplace, which is expected to grow from 12 billion IoT devices at the end of 2020 to 75 billion devices by 2030.

"Simply put, this has been an incredible year for KORE," added Bahl. "We are excited to see how the additional exposure from being a publicly traded company will help us as we position ourselves to compete effectively in this decade of IoT. Being recognized for our collaborative work with customers and partners is an honor, and we are very fortunate to work with so many innovative companies."

About KORE

KORE is a pioneer, leader, and trusted advisor delivering mission critical IoT solutions and services. We empower organizations of all sizes to improve operational and business results by simplifying the complexity of IoT. Our deep IoT knowledge and experience, global reach, purpose-built solutions, and deployment agility accelerate and materially impact our customers' business outcomes. For more information, visit www.korewireless.com.

KORE Investor and Media Contact:

Alisa Moloney

KORE

Email: [email protected]

Investors:

[email protected]

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projections of market opportunity and related expectations and statements regarding KORE's competitive position. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of KORE's management. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor or other person as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of KORE. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the potential effects of COVID-19; risks related to the rollout of KORE's business and the timing of expected business milestones; changes in the assumptions underlying KORE's expectations regarding its future business; the effects of competition on KORE's future business; and the outcome of judicial proceedings to which KORE is, or may become a party. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that KORE presently does not know or that KORE currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect KORE's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. KORE anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause these assessments to change. However, while KORE may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, KORE specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing KORE's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE KORE
The OLED EX name is an acronym of 'Evolution' and 'eXperience', which represents the company's goal of providing customers with new experiences through its ever-evolving OLED technology.



OLED displays are self-emissive by nature with their multiple millions of pixels emitting light independently without a separate backlight source. This distinctive characteristic lets OLED EX achieve the perfect black, rich and accurate color expression as well as an extremely fast response time.

Since 2013, the year it became the first to mass produce OLED TV displays, LG Display has been consistently improving its leading OLED technology. OLED EX is the result of the unparalleled knowledge and knowhow the company has gained over nearly ten years of developing OLED displays, created to deliver the most lifelike images that transcend the limitations of a conventional display.

The EX Technology applied to the OLED EX displays combines deuterium compounds and personalized algorithms to enhance the stability and efficiency of the organic light emitting diode, thereby improving the overall display performance.



Thanks to EX Technology, OLED EX displays unlock new levels of picture accuracy and brightness to accurately deliver exquisite, realistic details and colors without any distortion  such as the reflection of sunlight on a river or each individual vein of a tree leaf.

Deuterium compounds are used to make highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes that emit stronger light. LG Display has successfully converted the hydrogen elements present in organic light emitting elements into stable deuterium and managed to apply the compounds to OLED EX for the first time.

Deuterium is twice as heavy as normal Hydrogen, and only a small amount exists in the natural world  as only one atom of Deuterium is found in about 6,000 ordinary Hydrogen atoms. LG Display has worked out how to extract deuterium from water and apply it to organic light-emitting devices. When stabilized, the Deuterium compounds allow the display to emit brighter light while maintaining high efficiency for a long time.



In addition, thanks to LG Display's very own 'personalized algorithm' based on machine learning technology, OLED EX is more in control of its own device. The algorithm predicts the usage amount of up to 33 million organic light-emitting diodes based on 8K OLED displays after learning individual viewing patterns, and precisely controls the display's energy input to more accurately express the details and colors of the video content being played.

LG Display has also upgraded its designs through the new OLED EX technology. By utilizing its innovative EX Technology, the company reduced bezel thickness from the original 6 mm to 4 mm based on 65-inch OLED displays. By reducing the thickness by 30 percent compared to existing OLED displays, the OLED EX display creates an even more immersive viewing experience all the while delivering a sleeker and premium design.

LG Display plans to strengthen its leadership and product competitiveness in the large-sized OLED business by integrating OLED EX technology into all OLED TV displays manufactured at its OLED production plants in Paju, South Korea, and in Guangzhou, China, starting from the second quarter of 2022.

In 2013, LG Display's first year of starting mass-production of OLED TV displays, the company sold 200,000 units and by early last year recorded accumulated sales of 10 million units. In the two years since then, the company's accumulated sales have doubled to surpass 20 million units globally.

"Despite the global TV market experiencing a 12 percent decline this year, we still observed a 70 percent growth in OLED sales," said Dr. Oh Chang-ho, Executive Vice President & Head of the TV Business Unit at LG Display. "With our new OLED EX technology, we aim to provide even more innovative, high-end customer experiences through the evolution of our OLED technology, algorithms and designs."

About LG Display

LG Display Co., Ltd. [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220] is the world's leading innovator of display technologies, including thin-film transistor liquid crystal and OLED displays. The company manufactures display panels in a broad range of sizes and specifications primarily for use in TVs, notebook computers, desktop monitors, and various other applications, including tablets and mobile devices. LG Display currently operates manufacturing facilities in Korea and China, and back-end assembly facilities in Korea, China, and Vietnam. The company has approximately 63,360 employees operating worldwide. For more news and information about LG Display, please visit www.lgdisplay.com .

Media Contact:

Jean Lee, Senior Manager, Global Communications

Tel: +822-3777-1689

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE LG Display
DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "LTE IoT Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

LTE IoT Market is expected to register a healthy CAGR of over 28% during the forecast period (2021 - 2026). The growth of connected devices and the need for unique and defined network qualities are fueling the growth of the LTE IoT market.

Key Highlights

The managed service provider offers customers comprehensive and cost-effective solutions thereby delivering their expertise in managing various operating activities (including infrastructure management, security operations, and cloud operations) to clients, enabling them to launch various Machine-to-Machine (M2M) offerings.

Due to the delicate nature of manufacturing operations, manufacturers are adopting IoT solutions, sensors, and IoT wireless connectivity platforms to increase their productivity, thereby transforming their operations into smart manufacturing.

Many software and solution providers are offering industries smart manufacturing applications that include proactive and automatic analytics capabilities, making industrial manufacturing an intelligent and self-manageable environment. The LTE technology is availed to establish stable connectivity among various devices in a factory for data transmission, to enable industries to tackle the issues related to predictive maintenance and autonomous production.

However, the market observed challenges that are highly region-specific. The enterprises demanding to deploy an IoT project within the United States have to be based on the LTE-M network due to the predominant presence of LTE radios. Alternatively, LTE CAT M1 devices' presence in Asia , Africa , and Eastern Europe is due to the fact that mobile network operators are still using 3G connectivity. However, NB-IoT devices can be found in abundance across Asia , especially China , due to the presence of low-cost device manufacturers.

have to be based on the LTE-M network due to the predominant presence of LTE radios. Alternatively, LTE CAT M1 devices' presence in , , and is due to the fact that mobile network operators are still using 3G connectivity. However, NB-IoT devices can be found in abundance across , especially , due to the presence of low-cost device manufacturers. The spread of COVID-19 has impacted many sectors that are the main markets for LTE IoT technology. For example, the construction sector is witnessing a slower growth rate due to COVID; many of the running projects are either stalled or canceled. This stops the further installation of IoT devices, such as smart street lights, meters, and parking meters. Moreover, the pandemic also affected the consumer and retail market as well; smart devices, smart appliances sales also declined due to this. All these devices actively use NB-IoT Chipset.

Key Market Trends

Industrial Sector is Expected to Grow at a Significant Rate

The IoT is transforming the way the approach of the organizations communicating and regulating their everyday businesses and industrial processes. Its widespread adoption across the industries has proven to be well suited for sectors that have to manage a large number of assets and coordinate complex and distributed operations.

Due to the complexity and diversity of industrial requirements, there are numerous types of communication systems required. With new technologies in place, current warfare is now being referred to as network-centric warfare wherein a robustly networked architecture improves information sharing that enhanced the quality of information and shared situational awareness. Such an extended applications and servicability of the market type has helped it to creat a demand specific to market and end users need.

Flexibility, interoperability, and longevity are key characteristics of networked communications for the LTE applications, that are helpeing to craete demand for the end users, to maintain close coordination within the team as well as across adjacent and higher operating units in industries. With the advancement in the LTE along with the development in IoT, the future of the market holds a lot of promise for enhanced situational awareness via voice, video, and data delivered not only limited to the emergency operations/dispatch of services but also to first responders in the field.

The rapid automation and development of IoT devices to be used in a harsh and dangerous environment such as oil rigs, underwater pipelines, off-shore platforms, blast furnaces, etc., will boost the demand for LTE IoT devices and sensors.

Europe holds a Significant Market Share

Europe is gaining the LTE IoT market presence owing to the widespread adoption of the LTE technology for enterprises' IoT applications. The well-established presence of some of the prominent players across the region such as Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Halberd Bastion Pty Ltd, u-blox AG among others is expected to further assit the regional market in the overall growth.

is gaining the LTE IoT market presence owing to the widespread adoption of the LTE technology for enterprises' IoT applications. The well-established presence of some of the prominent players across the region such as Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Halberd Bastion Pty Ltd, u-blox AG among others is expected to further assit the regional market in the overall growth. The region is leading in terms of LTE IoT coverage area, with some of the ongoing development by the prominent players across the region, fueling the demand across the region. For instances, Huawei and Vodafone opened an open lab in Newbury, UK , for R&D of LTE IoT technologies and applications.

, for R&D of LTE IoT technologies and applications. European Commission and European Union member states are committed to developing strategies to support experiments and the deployment of IoT telecom and allied services. Various cellular operators are also set for the widespread deployment of LTE IoT in the UK and rest of Europe where, Germany , UK, and France are the top 3 contributors to the LTE IoT market in Europe . Further, several pre-commercial trials and plots have also been deployed by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) across Europe .

where, , UK, and are the top 3 contributors to the LTE IoT market in . Further, several pre-commercial trials and plots have also been deployed by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) across . The European country's reliance on the latest technology in order to maintain their competitiveness and business efficiency are the major reasons for the rapid acceptance of LTE IoT in European Industries. These devices find their wide applications in industries such as construction, logistics and fleet management, energy, manufacturing, etc. For instance, the construction industry finds wide applications for Temperature, Humidity, motion, and light sensors.

Deutsche Telekom NarrowBand IoT is broadcasting in Europe since 2019, and LTE-M was activated in 2020. Deutsche Telekom NarrowBand IoT roaming is available in 20 countries, including the USA , and has partnered with companies like Vodafone, Telia, Orange and Telenet ( Belgium ), Swisscom, and Telecom Italia.

Companies Mentioned

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc

Gemalto N.V.

u-blox AG

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

Cisco Syatem Inc. (Jasper)

Cradlepoint Inc.

Sequans Communications S.A.

PureSoftware

TELUS Corporation

MediaTek Inc.

Verizon Communications

AT&T Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/obf3fa

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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Wondershare's recognitions for the year begin with a record-breaking 100 million software downloads and 1200+ product upgrades, while the acquisition and integration of Ufoto into its fold deepened its penetration into the fast-growing photo and video editing segment.

2021 also saw Wondershare collaborate with key players such as ISIC Canada in the education domain and with Microsoft to bring Windows 11 compatible versions of Filmora, PDFelement, InClowdz, EdrawMax, EdrawMind, Anireel, and UniConverter to the Windows Store.

Underlining Wondershare's commitment to championing creativity and productivity were several social media events such as the Back-to-School campaign to engage students and educators, #WondershareBFF to incentivize creators to showcase their most precious friendship moments, and the explosively viral #WondershareChallenge that garnered 2.8 million impressions and 20,000 engagements.

Topping off a very successful year were awards and special recognition from respected consumer brands, such as the "Future Tech Award" for "Best Creative Software Suite" from CES 2021, the Shorty Award for Wondershare Filmora X - Winner and Audience Honoree for Best in Photo and Video, and recognition as a "Leader" and "High Performer" at the G2 Crowd Fall 2021 Awards.

Key growth drivers across Wondershare product lines

Video Creativity

Wondershare Filmora - A user-friendly video editing software that is hugely popular with the new generation of social media video creators and professionals alike.

Diagram & Graphics

Wondershare EdrawMax - The perfect drawing tool for everything from project planning to electrical engineering diagrams and industrial drawings. Used by over 25 million professionals and several Fortune 500 companies.

Productivity

Wondershare PDFelement - A powerful document management tool serving multiple platforms. Available on desktop and mobile with cloud integration.

Software Utilities

Wondershare Recoverit - The one-click solution for all your data recovery needs. Over 1000 file formats can be recovered with an industry-leading 95% recovery rate.

From the Desk of the CEO

"It's been a fantastic year for the Wondershare brand, and we're honored that our work is being recognized and appreciated by individual users and enterprise organizations alike," said Wondershare CEO Tobee Wu.

"Our achievements in 2021 stand as a testament to our team's ability to perform on a global scale and at the world-class level that users of our products have come to expect."

To learn more about Wondershare product lines, please visit: https://www.wondershare.com/, or follow the official social media accounts on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

About Wondershare

Founded in 2003, Wondershare is a global leader in software development and a pioneer in the field of digital creativity. Our technology is powerful, and the solutions we provide are simple and convenient. That's why we're trusted by millions of people in over 150 countries worldwide. We help our users pursue their passions so that, together, we can build a more creative world.

www.wondershare.com

Media Contact

Shearer Wang

Wondershare

[email protected]

SOURCE Wondershare
"With this agreement, MilliporeSigma will construct a state-of-the-art lateral flow membrane production facility that will give our in vitro diagnostic (IVD) manufacturing customers greater flexibility and security of supply of our Hi-Flow Plus lateral flow membranes," said Matthias Heinzel, Member of the Executive Board and CEO, Life Science, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

"Our lateral flow membranes have earned a reputation for high consistency among rapid diagnostic manufacturers and the already robust demand for this membrane has significantly increased since the onset of the pandemic. With this critical investment, we are expanding much-needed access to essential diagnostic testing as a trusted partner to the world's most sophisticated diagnostic manufacturers," said Jean-Charles Wirth, head of Applied Solutions, Life Science.

Building this new facility supports the overall Life Science business sector's strategy to add physical capacity and expand its regional network to enable further growth of its key portfolios.

Hi-Flow Plus Lateral flow membrane is used in rapid diagnostic test kit manufacturing by the Life Science business' customers, enabling reproducible results due to its consistent quality and optimized properties. The rapid test kits are used for a variety of applications, including Infectious Disease testing (Covid-19, HIV, Influenza, Malaria, etc.), as well as in women's health, biomarker detection, drug testing, food safety and animal health. Due to continuously increasing demand for lateral flow membrane, the Life Science business had already invested in a second membrane casting line in Cork, Ireland, which was recently completed, and expanded the range of other critical reagents (antibodies, beads, blockers, buffers) utilized to develop lateral flow rapid test kits. These strategic investments position the Life Science business as an important critical raw material supplier for the Diagnostic market, especially as the company prepares for IVD Regulation and Medical Device Regulation.

The Life Science business is undertaking an ambitious, multi-year program to increase production capacity and capabilities to support the growing global demand for lifesaving vaccines, therapies and diagnostics. Within the last year, the company has accelerated investments to expand capacity to produce its support Mobius single-use assemblies in both the U.S. and France, as well as increased capacity for the production of cell culture media in the U.S. and UK, among others. Additionally, several expansion projects continue to advance across the company's manufacturing and distribution global network.

Follow MilliporeSigma on Twitter @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn.

About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 23,000 employees and 59 manufacturing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics.

Around 58,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene-editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices  the company is everywhere. In 2020, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany generated sales of  17.5 billion in 66 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics. Since its founding 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com.

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service.

SOURCE MilliporeSigma
Alina, from Germany currently studying at Beijing Foreign Studies University, is enjoying her winter here in Chongli. Come and explore more about the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing!

SOURCE China Daily
DALLAS, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Perpetual and Barrow Hanley Global Investors (Barrow Hanley), subsidiary of Perpetual Limited (ASX:PPT), today announced the launch of the Barrow Hanley International Value Fund (I Shares  BNIVX, Y Shares  BNIYX) and the Barrow Hanley Emerging Markets Value Fund (I Shares  BEMVX, Y Shares  BEMYX).

Along with the launch of the funds, this marks the entry for Perpetual as an SEC Registered Investment Advisor in the US, allowing the firm to deliver future mutual funds, model delivery, and separately managed accounts to US advisors seeking first-class investment solutions for their clients.

As a dedicated value manager focused on fundamental analysis, Barrow Hanley pursues a valuation-centric strategy and strives to construct a portfolio of securities, selected on a bottom-up basis, that trade at levels below certain metrics, such as price/earnings (on normalized earnings), price-to-book, enterprise value to free cash flow, and enterprise value to sales ratios. The investment teams of both Funds employ a two-stage research process incorporating both quantitative and qualitative elements.

Chuck Thompson, Perpetual Head of Distribution & Corporate Strategy - Americas said - "The launch of these funds accomplishes two major goals. It gives Perpetual our first US registered mutual funds and creates the foundation to launch additional vehicles for our affiliates as we broaden distribution channels."

Cory Martin, Chief Executive Officer and Equity Portfolio Manager of Barrow Hanley said - "The launch reflects a productive step in our partnership with Perpetual as we focus on building world-class investment capability. The initiative extends Barrow Hanley's reach to broader distribution channels and partners, and by leveraging Perpetual's growing distribution capabilities, provides investment strategies with tenured performance and added benefits to the marketplace and client base."

The Barrow Hanley International Value Fund seeks to obtain higher returns compared to the MSCI EAFE Index, while maintaining lower risk by utilizing a consistent, repeatable process to identify international companies across the market-cap spectrum to exploit inefficiencies resulting in a diversified portfolio. The Fund invests principally in common stock and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and will be managed by Rand Wrighton, Jr., CFA, Senior Managing Director, Equity Portfolio Manager and Analyst, TJ Carter, CFA, CPA, Managing Director, Equity Portfolio Manager and Analyst, and Patrik Wibom, Director, Portfolio Manager and Analyst.

The Barrow Hanley Emerging Markets Value Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and consistent income from dividends. The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in securities of companies based in emerging market countries. The Fund is managed by Rand Wrighton, Jr., CFA, Senior Managing Director, Equity Portfolio Manager and Analyst, Sherry Zhang, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Portfolio Manager and Analyst, and David Feygenson, Director, Equity Portfolio Manager and Analyst.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Perpetual US Services LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Barrow Hanley serves as investment sub-adviser to the Fund and is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio of securities.

The Emerging Markets Value Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be appropriate for everyone. The Funds' returns will vary, and you could lose money by investing in the Funds. International investing involves special risk considerations, including currency fluctuations, lower liquidity, economic and political risk. Investing in emerging markets can increase these risks, including higher volatility and lower liquidity. The securities of emerging market companies may be subject to greater volatility and less liquidity than companies in more developed markets. Investing in smaller and medium capitalization companies involves special risks, including higher volatility and lower liquidity. Small and mid-cap stocks are also more sensitive to purchase/sale transactions and changes in the issuer's financial condition. The International Value Fund invests most of its assets in equity securities of international value companies where the primary risk is that securities may be unprofitable if the market fails to recognize their intrinsic worth or the portfolio manager misgauged that worth. Currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time and may reduce the returns of a portfolio. Diversification does not ensure against loss.

Please carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information is contained in the Fund's prospectus and summary prospectus, which you may obtain by calling +1-866-778-6397. Read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing. Investing includes the risk of loss.

Distributed by SEI Investment Distribution Co., member FINRA/SIPC; not affiliated with Perpetual Asset Management (Americas) or Barrow Hanley Global Investors.

About Barrow Hanley

Barrow Hanley is a diversified investment management firm offering value-focused investment strategies spanning global equities and fixed income. Recognized as one of the few remaining firms dedicated exclusively to value investing, Barrow Hanley enjoys a boutique culture with a singular focus to assist clients in meeting their investment objectives. Today, Barrow Hanley has approximately 100 employees, over half of which are investment professionals managing approximately $50B in assets for our valued clients. Barrow Hanley stewards the capital of corporate, public, multi-employer pension plans, mutual funds, endowments and foundations, and sovereign wealth funds across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. For further information, please visit www.barrowhanley.com.

About Perpetual

Perpetual Limited (ASX:PPT) is an ASX-listed, diversified financial services company, which has been serving clients since 1886. Across our four businesses: Perpetual Asset Management Australia, Perpetual Asset Management International, Perpetual Corporate Trust and Perpetual Private, we aim to protect and grow our clients' wealth, knowing that by doing so we can make a difference in their lives.

Our origin as a trustee company, coupled with our strong track record of investment performance, has created our reputation as one of the strongest brands in financial services in Australia.

Perpetual Asset Management International is growing international division with a presence in Hong Kong, the UK, Europe and the US. The division includes the operations of Trillium Asset Management (Trillium), a pioneering US ESG investment specialist, as well as Barrow Hanley Global Investors (Barrow Hanley), a diversified investment management firm that offers value-focused investment strategies spanning global equities, US equities and US fixed income.

For further information, visit www.perpetual.com.au.

Contact:

James Doyle

973-944-8105

[email protected]

SOURCE Barrow Hanley Global Investors
"Leon Bankier hand-picked each property in this portfolio during his long career as an investor," said Matt Garrison, CEO of R2 Companies. "This is the epitome of a generational investment opportunity. Anyone who attended U of I understand that Green Street is the center of campus, and that the location and scale of our assets is irreplaceable."

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. Enrolling over 55,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the University of Illinois is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the nation, and ranked as a Top #15 Public University with the #6 ranked Engineering program (U.S. News & World Report). Champaign was ranked a Top Ten College Town by Livability magazine.

"As we continue to expand our investment platform, the acquisition of the Bankier Portfolio represents a unique opportunity to acquire a large-scale, impeccably maintained student housing portfolio situated within close proximity of a 55,000 student, Big-10, University campus," said Reuben Robin, CEO of Concord Capital Partners. "The portfolio offers significant value-add potential and mark-to-market opportunity, given the Seller's recent renovation campaign, U of I students' return to campus, the ability to optimize operations through institutional-grade management implementations, and the various credit enhancement opportunities for the Green Street retail locations. We are pleased to once again partner with the R2 team given their presence in Illinois and strong ties to the University of Illinois."

This is the second acquisition between R2 Companies and Concord Capital Partners.

ABOUT R2 COMPANIES

R2 Companies is a fully integrated, private equity real estate firm with offices in Chicago, Austin, Nashville, Milwaukee & Minneapolis. R2's investments have generated impressive risk-adjusted returns having acquired over 50 properties since 2006, with an active portfolio of +$800M in AUM and 6.2 Million square feet. For additional information, visit R2.me.

ABOUT CONCORD PARTNERS

Concord Capital Partners is a Real Estate Investment and Development firm founded in 2003. CCP has acquired over $1 Billion in real estate including over 500,000+ sq. ft. of commercial space and over 6,500+ residential and student housing units throughout the United States. For additional information, visit concord-cp.com.

For media inquiries contact [email protected].

SOURCE R2 Companies
On December 29 , Seegene to deliver Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Master Assay that can preemptively detect the Omicron variant at the primary screening stage

, Seegene to deliver Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Master Assay that can preemptively detect the Omicron variant at the primary screening stage Earlier this month, the company has hired a private plane to deliver 2.8 million COVID-19 diagnostic tests to European countries including Italy , Spain , Belgium , Czechia, and Lithuania

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Seegene Inc. (KQ 096530), South Korea's leading molecular diagnostics company, today announced it will deliver COVID-19 testing reagents by a private plane to Israel that is experiencing acute shortages related to the resurgence of new cases due to the Omicron variant. A total of 1.7 million Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Master Assays and associated consumables will be sent on December 29.

Seegene's Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Master Assay can determine whether a person is infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and if he/she has contracted the Omicron variant. It targets four genes (E, RdRP, N, and S), along with five mutations: HV69/70 deletion, Y144 deletion, E484K, N501Y, P681H. Among these, HV69/70, N501Y, and P681H signal the presence of Omicron, based on the variants circulating right now. According to clinical research in a South African lab, the test results using Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Master Assay matched 100% with the results drawn out from additional sequencing, confirming that the test can accurately detect Omicron.

This is the second emergency shipment to Israel; the first was in April 2020. This time, the plane was hired Seegene's Israeli partner, HY Laboratories, as they look to support the country's current demand.

On December 19, the company also hired a private plane to deliver 2.8 million COVID-19 tests to European countries including Italy, Spain, Belgium, Czechia, and Lithuania as the number of new infections has surged due to the emergence of Omicron.

"Demand for tests has soared dramatically following the emergence and rapid spread of the Omicron variant," said Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, Seegene Founder and CEO. "Although the expense and effort of the charter planes may seem extreme, we believe it's both a priority and our responsibility to support the global fight against the pandemic. We hope we can be of help to all of these countries."

Seegene Inc.

Jessica Park

P: +82-2-2240-0

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Seegene Inc.
PARIS, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SelfCareOne, a division of Family Self Care, will be participating at CES 2022, January 5-8 2022, and is proud to present the first automated & personalized natural care system in the world. SelfCareOne, last month, announced that it has been named CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree in the Health & Wellness category. Its intelligent herbal oils care system, SelfCare1, changes the way we take care of ourselves. The connected device and daily wellness cartridge work with eight organic botanical oils that can be used for real-time personalized formulation and up to fifty programs on beauty, care, vitality, and balance. The eight oils were chosen by an international scientific committee made up of doctors, aromatherapists, pharmacists, and scientists.

The team is very proud to participate in this exhibition: "After three years of research and development conducted by engineers and doctors, SelfCare1 was introduced this year to the public. We are very proud to represent this sustainable care technology, and France, to the world. Our presence at CES will give us the opportunity to introduce ourselves to a global tech-savvy audience, connect with investors, customers and potential partners." Brigitte Thito, founder and CEO of Family Self Care.

CES is one of the most important trade fairs for consumer electronics and is held annually in Las Vegas (USA). Due to the pandemic, the fair in 2021 was completely digital. CES 2022 will be held as a physical event once again along with a digital version.

Meet SelfCareOne at :

Unveil Las Vegas Exhibition Jan 3 - Mandalay Bay Exhibit Hall

- Mandalay Bay Exhibit Hall Eureka Park Jan 5 -8 - Booth #61013

- Booth #61013 Innovation Awards Showcase Jan 5-8 - Venetian Expo Halls A-C, Booth #52952.

About SelfCareOne

Founded in 2018 by Brigitte Thito, a family health expert, SelfCareOne, a division of Family Self Care, offers a preventive, natural, innovative and connected approach to daily well-being with the use of plants. A new use of essential oils due to its personalization and safe precision that allows consumers to take care of themselves and their loved ones.

SelfCare1 Gift Box Price: $429. This includes the SelfCare1 connected device, a smart cartridge pre-filled with eight selected, pure and organic essential oils (40ml), 1 bottle of pure and organic jojoba vegetable oil (50ml), 2 containers (15ml x 2) that allow customers to carry their mixtures with them. The SelfCare1 app is available on Google play and the App Store.

About the CES 2022 Innovation Awards

The CES 2022 Innovation Awards honorees, including product descriptions and photos, can be found at CES.tech/innovation. More will be revealed in January. Many honorees will showcase their winning products in the Innovation Awards Showcase at CES 2022.

Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2022, the global stage for innovation, will convene the tech industry in person and digitally, giving global audiences access to major brands and startups, as well as the world's most-influential leaders and industry advocates.

Visit CES.tech for all CES 2022 updates, including health protocols and registration.

More informations

https://FamilySelfCare/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmismPHJh4A

SOURCE SelfCareOne
PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "With COVID hospitalizations increasing 47 percent in just one week, hospitals in all regions of New Jersey have entered 'level red' in their visitation precautions. Level red generally restricts visitors, except under certain circumstances. That's a necessary precaution as the daily increase in COVID-19 cases reaches a new high in New Jersey. We are sympathetic to patients and their loved ones that want to visit in the hospital. We know that support is very important. These guidelines aim to balance that with our overarching priority  and that is to protect our patients, visitors and healthcare workers from COVID transmission. Additional information, including details of hospitals' visitation precautions, are available at https://www.njha.com/coronavirus/hospital-visitation-codes/ or on hospitals' websites."

"We also have an important ask for the people of New Jersey: Help our healthcare teams so that they can help you. Get vaccinated or boosted, and please continue to follow transmission precautions like face masking and hand washing."

SOURCE New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA)
SyMap is focused on developing revolutionary device therapies for the unmet clinical needs of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, including hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmia, asthma and early-stage lung cancer. The company, co-founded by Dr. Jie Wang and Mr. Kewen Jin, is based in bioBAY, located in Suzhou, China. Dr. Wang has a long track record of academic research and entrepreneurship. He is a faculty member of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, professor at the Jiangsu Province Hospital and is the former Dean of Nanjing University's medical school. He has participated in the development of RDN since the technology's infant stages via Ardian Inc.

SyMap is conducting two pivotal trials in China: the first is the SMART Study (NCT02761811) using the SyMapCath I Catheter/SYMPIONEER S1 RF system for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension. This system is based on proprietary technology and is able to map renal nerves for selective renal sympathetic denervation as well as provide feedback for physicians before, during, and after the procedure. The second trial is the BATA Study (NCT03765307) which assesses the efficacy and safety of the Elation system to treat severe asthma via bronchial radiofrequency ablations. Both studies are executed by leading clinical investigators and are guided by well-known international experts who serve on the company's Scientific Advisory Boards. Both systems have been granted "Green Channel Device" status by China's regulatory agency.

Pythagoras Medical is a cutting-edge medical device company established by Rainbow Medical, Israel's premier medical device investment group. The company is developing a platform for intra-arterial nerve mapping using an electrical stimulation approach for hypertension. Its ConfidenHT System has received CE Mark in EU countries.

SOURCE SyMap Medical Ltd.
DUBAI, EAU, Dec. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Best Places to Work organization announced today the top 17 Best Places to Work in Middle East for 2021. Topping this year's ranking was Novo Nordisk, the global healthcare company followed by AstraZeneca, the multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company. Edenred, a leading provider of prepaid corporate services, secured the third position. To be considered, companies must be identified as outstanding employers at least in one of the countries across the region.

The program recently compiled its annual list of the top 17 Best Places to Work in Middle East ranking based on the assessment of over 250 organizations across the region. Findings from this year program show how well companies have succeeded in maintaining great workplaces and positively impacting their people and their communities fostering change and accelerating success. 90% of employees said they have a sense of pride in their work, that the leadership team is inspiring, and that they feel good about the ways the company contributes to the local community.

For the past couple of years, the Best Places to Work program has recognized leading employers across the world, backed by several years of workplace culture assessment and a global database of over 25 million employees.

The list of the top 17 Best Places to Work in Middle East for 2021:

Novo Nordisk

AstraZeneca

Edenred

BSH

IHS Towers

Meridiam

Blue Ocean Global

Schneider Electric

Roche

Manga Productions

Foodics

Ooredoo

IACC Holdings

Tamkeen Technologies

Roshn

International Maritime Industries

Sapin

Best Places to Work is an international certification program, considered as the 'Platinum Standard' in identifying and recognizing top workplaces around the world, providing employers the opportunity to learn more about the engagement and the satisfaction of their employees and honour those who deliver an outstanding work experience with the highest standards in regards to working conditions.

Every year in Middle East, the program partners with over 250 organizations, across different industries, to help them measure, benchmark, improve their HR practices and have access to the tools and expertise they need to deliver effective and sustainable change in their organizations.

For more information about the program, please visit www.bestplacestoworkfor.org. Join our community on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook .

Contacts : Hamza Idrissi | [email protected] | + +44 208 895 6562

SOURCE Best Places To Work
"Excited to add the Malibu portfolio of products to our line-up in the greater Chattanooga market, we are honored to have worked with Malibu Boats and the Curtis/McPhail family to continue their legacy in the community. Looking forward to becoming even more entrenched with our Tennessee customers and business partners alike, this move fits perfectly into our continued expansion efforts nationally." Mason Koffman, President, Tommy's Boats LLC.

Since 1981, Tommy's has been a staple in the towboat industry. With roots in Colorado, starting as a ski and slalom shop, Tommy's has grown to over 14 locations across the U.S. and is the world's largest Malibu and Axis dealer. For over 40 years, Tommy's dealership teams work diligently to serve thousands of boat owners and strive to be strong partners in each of their communities.

Tommy's welcomes all Marine Outfitters customers, as it continues to bring the absolute best products and services to the families of each community while striving to exceed all their expectations.

We invite all Marine Outfitters customers to Tommy's Chattanooga for all boating and watersports needs.

Tommy's Chattanooga

6200 SR-58

Harrison, TN 37341

Direct any questions pertaining to the Marine Outfitters addition to [email protected].

SOURCE Tommy's
While Tuya Smart is returning to CES for an in-person booth display, the Company is conscious of the health and safety of employees and CES attendees. Tuya Smart is committed to supporting the strong safety measures of the CES organizers, which include but are not limited to vaccination requirements, masking, onsite testing, social distancing measures, as well as actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation.

As a neutral and open IoT development platform service provider, Tuya will showcase how it is strengthening connectivity and improving support of enterprise solutions at CES. A key advantage of Tuya Smart's IoT development platform service to developers is that it offers neutral and highly compatible infrastructure, interoperability, and supports a wide variety of connectivity standards. The company plans to showcase new connectivity features at CES.

On enterprise solutions, Tuya's vertical-focused software solutions enable businesses to easily and securely deploy, connect, and manage large numbers and different types of smart devices. The company will showcase its industry-leading enterprise solutions and value-added solutions at the booth as well. Based on the underlying technology support of the Tuya IoT development platform, SaaS smart solutions have been fostered in industries including residential, community, hotel, security, commercial lighting and self-service, entering more than 10,000 business scenarios to realize smart living in all kinds of fields.

Tuya has continued to support its customers as they expand with new IoT products in 2022. As such, another focus of the booth will be new IoT products and partnerships with key customers. Tuya enables its brand and OEM customers to quickly and cost-effectively develop, launch, manage and monetize smart devices and services. Tuya's IoT PaaS empowers over 3,800 brands to develop their smart devices including leading and Fortune 500 brands. AT CES Tuya will showcase case studies in Tuya's customer partnerships, as well as discuss new partnerships with customers.

Similar to most companies in the IoT and technology industry, security is a key topic for Tuya in 2022. As a leader in the global IoT industry, Tuya is committed to offering solutions that empower customers and developers to ensure the security and reliability of their devices. The Company plans on showcasing the newest solutions that support business customers in delivering state-of-the-art security services to consumers. This year's CES booth is set to feature information on Tuya's focus on data security, its newest security products and services, and updates on various third party verifications and comprehensive security testing systems Tuya holds and partners on.

Lastly, Tuya's CES booth will showcase the Company's newest supported IoT categories and products. Tuya's IoT PaaS enables businesses and developers to create smart devices in more than 1,100 categories sold across over 200 countries and regions globally. The Company continues to expand these categories and seek new opportunities for IoT to add value to end customers. By offering no or low-code development, Tuya's IoT cloud development platform service enables developers to build an IoT app interface in one minute, create an OEM app in 10 minutes, and develop smart devices for mass production in only 15 days. As Tuya expands into new categories, it will continue to help developers and brands disrupt product categories and swiftly launch innovative smart products. With CES marking the beginning of events calendar for the new year, Tuya looks forward to supporting its business partners and customers in 2022 as they continue to build a diverse IoT product world.

To virtually visit the Tuya CES booth and learn more about the Company's activities at the trade show, click here: (Live Streaming: Jan. 6, 2022. 11am GMT-8)

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tuya-smart_join-us-live-from-the-show-floor-at-ces-2022-activity-6881452384082636800-f8ke

About Tuya Smart

Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA) is a leading technology company focused on making our lives smarter. Tuya does this through offering a cloud platform that connects a range of devices via the IoT. By building interconnectivity standards, Tuya bridges the intelligent needs of brands, OEMs, developers, and retail chains across a broad range of smart devices and industries. Tuya solutions empower partners and customers by improving the value of their products while making consumers' lives more convenient through the application of technology. Through its growing commercial SaaS business, Tuya offers intelligent business solutions for a wide range of verticals. The Company's platform is backed by industry-leading technology complete with rigorous data protection and security. Tuya partners with leading Fortune 500 companies from around the world to make things smarter, including Philips, Schneider Electric, Lenovo and many others.

SOURCE Tuya Smart
The Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens is located in Turkey's Hatay province, which shares a border with Syria. This region has seen significant inflows of displaced people over the last decade. Funded by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in cooperation with the Municipality of Reyhanli, the Centre was established to provide education, training, and sociocultural exchange for Syrians and locals. It boasts 52 multipurpose rooms that serve a wide range of functions, including offices, classrooms, shops, coffee shops, and artists' workshops.

The event, which was entitled "Taiwan Films Illuminate the Border Between Turkey and Syria", sponsored by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, started at the Centre on November 13th for five consecutive weeks. The event showed a diverse selection of Taiwanese films three nights per week. Over the course of the event, audiences were transported to Taiwan to experience stories about the local indigenous culture, familial relationships, environmental conservation, and more.

"We established the Centre to be a place of empowerment and education - somewhere people could have opportunities to learn, to expand their understanding of the world, and to have fun while they do it," said Dr. Chen-Yu Chiu, Founding Director and Principal Architect of the Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens. "This event is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to get away from the daily grind and learn about Taiwanese culture through film - something they may not have had exposure to in the past. But more importantly, through these films exploring everything from youth to the environment, to family ties, there is a chance to reflect on some of the common themes that bind us all."

The films from Taiwan were projected outdoors on a 3 x 6 meter screen. For this demanding task, ViewSonic provided its commercial grade, high brightness LS850WU laser projectors, ensuring cinema grade projection in a semi-lit environment. Through this approach, the audiences were able to enjoy these films through rich visuals that truly bring Taiwanese culture to life. The projections allowed attendees to learn from and immerse themselves in another part of the world.

"It's a pleasure to work with the Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens to support this valuable cultural exchange initiative," said Dean Tsai, Dean Tsai, General Manager of Projector & LED Display Business Unit at ViewSonic. "We're committed to promoting education and helping people through our solutions. With the spirit of humane care, we are more than happy to assist Mr. Cho achieve his goals, help people get back to normal life, and inspire the world to see the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary."

Mehmet Hacioglu, Mayor of Reyhanli, said, "The Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens has already become an important resource for providing skills and training, and we're excited now to be opening up opportunities for exposure to diverse art and culture. I look forward to the Centre providing more exciting cultural experiences like this in the future."

About "Taiwan Films Illuminate the Border between Turkey and Syria"

Location: Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens, Hatay Province, Turkey

Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens, Hatay Province, About the Films

Hang in There, Kids!

Three village boys discover their teacher's musical audition tape, only to decide to take it to the city in hopes of finding someone to recognize her true talent. Official Selection of Taiwan for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film consideration. Nominated for 3 Golden Horse Awards (Best New Performer, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Song).

Long Time No Sea

A pair of new shoes, a cross-sea competition, and a tribesman of oceans interweave a story of a child's emotional courage in pursuit of dreams. Special Jury Prize, Seattle IFF; Best Young Actor, Minsk IFF; Best New Performer, Golden Horse Awards.

To My Dear Granny

A man looks back at his life by examining his relationship with his grandmother. Through this approach, the movie tells the story of how his grandmother supported his family and inspired people to treasure their own families. The Opening Film of the 2012 Golden Horse Film Festival. Nominated for 2 Golden Horse Awards (Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay).

Black Bear Forest

Dafen, the heart of Yushan National Park, is a place abundant in wildlife and indigenous culture. With the assistance of an indigenous hunter, a female ecologist started her journey searching for Formosan Black Bears in 1998. In the midst of this wilderness, they gradually developed a deep and sincere companionship. With deep research, the secret of the Taiwan Black Bear is revealed.

Wawa No Cidal

Panay worked in the city as a journalist. One day, she found her tribe had been overdeveloped and changed by tourism. They were losing their land and their culture, so she decided to return home to help. In this process, she found it's not only about the land, but also about who she really is.

About the Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens

Since 2016, Dr. Chen-Yu Chiu, Founding Director and Principal Architect of the Taiwan - Reyhanli Center for World Citizens, has worked voluntarily to establish a cooperative community that looks beyond one's nationality. It will allow every person to become better and more equal at Reyhanli. The 52 unit space at the Taiwan - Reyhanli Center for World Citizens is planned to feature offices, classrooms, shops, cafes, art studios, showrooms, children play areas, and mosques. Also, a cultural and creative design center and a factory for promoting local traditional handicrafts will be constructed. It will create a series of unique products with border cultural elements to provide a source of income for Turkish citizens and Syrian refugees.

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, digital signage, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 30 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

SOURCE ViewSonic
DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "World Market for Cancer Diagnostics, 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Cancer testing is maturing from personalized medicine to precision medicine, where protein and molecular biomarkers are essential for precise diagnosis, therapy selection, therapy monitoring and early detection of cancer recurrence. The World Market for Cancer Diagnostics, as well as relevant industry merger data, provides an authoritative and complete analysis of the cancer testing industry, with expert market sizing and opportunity assessment.

The report contains detailed market data on the following IVD segments for their use in cancer diagnostics:

Immunoassay - tumor markers

Molecular - cancer assays

Molecular - histology

Molecular - HPV

CTCs

This report contains

Investments and Financing Agreements For Cancer Diagnostics Companies

Selected Agreements Between Cancer Diagnostic Companies

Selected Agreements Between Cancer Diagnostic Companies and Other Diagnostic Companies

Selected Agreements Between Cancer Diagnostic Companies and Pharmaceutical or Biopharmaceutical Companies

Selected Cancer Diagnostic Company Agreements with Academic or Other Non-Profit Organizations

Selected Acquisitions of Cancer Diagnostic Companies

Complete Market and Trend Analysis

The phenomenon of test personalization comes under many guises as pharmacogenomic, pharmacogenetic, companion tests, and represents one of the fastest-growing segments of the market for cancer tests. It has emerged fully from research into clinical practice. Instrumentation now automates many of the sample preparation and assay steps that were formerly labor intensive.

New tests are being launched all the time. Some personalized cancer tests are CE Marked and FDA-cleared and many more are in development. More and more laboratories offer complex panels of tests that help physicians evaluate disease risk and make therapeutic decisions. Government and private healthcare payers have recognized the value of new molecular tools and are agreeing to pay for them.

Unparalleled Review of Cancer Testing Competitors: Top Tier IVD Companies And Specialist Companies

This report is written from the point of view of diagnostic modalities for the detection and management of cancer and in particular solid tumors. The technology to detect cancers of the blood - lymphomas, myelomas and leukemia - is mature and well established. The routine complete blood count screens for blood cell abnormalities and is followed by bone marrow analysis and flow cytometric studies of the blood cell surface markers. These to arrive at a more specific diagnosis.

The emphasis is on in vitro diagnostic tests, however, a discussion of the role of diagnostics in cancer management must include in vitro and in vivo tests. The two are inextricably linked. The same cell markers used in flow cytometry and antibodies used for immunoassays to detect elements of the immunity process are used as vectors for imaging agents to detect tumors and to monitor the extent of cancer metastasis.



Key Topics Covered:





CHAPTER ONE: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

Histology And Cytology In Situ Hybridization (ISH)

Immunoassays

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Companion Diagnostics

Predictive Biomarker Tests For Drug-Gene Match

DNA And RNA Variants

Molecular Diagnostics In Hereditary Cancer Diagnosis

Cancer Markers In Widespread Usage

CHAPTER 3: MARKET TRENDS

Growth In Precision Medicine, Companion Diagnostics, Related Applications

Pharmacodiagnostic Tests

Companies Offering Liquid Biopsy-Based Molecular Cancer Assays

Liquid Biopsy-Based Non-Invasive Cancer Molecular Diagnostics

Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Tests

Sample Collection Products

Exosome Sequencing

Next-Generation Sequencing Tests

Whole-Genome Sequencing

Exome Sequencing

RNA Sequencing

Regulatory Influences

Advanced Histology Techniques

Automation Of Histology

Artificial Intelligence

Mass Spectrometry

Regulatory And Reimbursement Trends

Reimbursement Breakthroughs And Challenges

Next Generation Sequencing Coverage

Companion Diagnostics Seeing Development In Regulations

Food And Drug Administration

Directive 98/79/EC

Health Canada Changes And Forecasted Action

International Growth Opportunities

CHAPTER 4: MARKET REVENUES AND FORECAST

Molecular Cancer Test Regional Distribution

Histology and Cytology

Histology Regional Distribution

Molecular Cancer Diagnostics Segment By Technology/Method

HPV Regional Distribution

Drivers And Challenges

Clinical Utility of Molecular Diagnostics

Technological Advancements Including NGS Adopted Incrementally

CHAPTER 5: COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

Immunoassay Competitive Trends

IHC Market

Competition in ISH

Molecular Cancer Diagnostics Landscape

HPV

Liquid Biopsy And CTCs

Recent Deals And Collaborations

CHAPTER 6: COVID-19 IMPACT

Minimal Ongoing Significant Disruptions

CHAPTER 7: CORPORATE PROFILES

Abbott Diagnostics

Agendia BV

Agilent Technologies

ARUP Laboratories

Asuragen Inc.

Beckman Coulter (Danaher)

(Danaher) Becton, Dickinson and Company

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Biocartis

Biocept, Inc.

Biodesix

bioMerieux Inc.

BioReference Laboratories

Biotheranostics, Inc. (Hologic)

Danaher Corporation

DiaSorin S.p.A

Enzo Biochem Inc.

Epic Sciences

Epigenomics AG

Exact Sciences Corp.

Exosome Diagnostics, Inc

Foundation Medicine, Inc.

Guardant Health, Inc.

Helomics Corporation

Hologic, Inc.

Illumina, Inc.

LabCorp

Leica Biosystems (Danaher)

LungLife AI

Mayo Medical Laboratories

MDxHealth SA

Menarini-Silicon Biosystems

Myriad Genetics, Inc.

Natera

NeoGenomics

OPKO Health, Inc.

Pacific Biosciences

Qiagen N.V.

Quest Diagnostics

Roche Diagnostics

Sysmex Corp.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Trovagene, Inc.

Ventana Medical Systems (Roche)

Veracyte



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/falpn9

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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DUBLIN, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Smart Syringe Market - Forecasts from 2021 to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The smart syringe market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.77% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$17.123 billion in 2026 from US$6.940 billion in 2019.



Smart syringes are engineered in such a way that prevents their reutilization, thus, regulating unsafe injection practices. These syringes cater to a wide range of applications including vaccination, drug delivery, and body fluid specimen collection.

The rise in the incidences of diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C, and other infections due to unsafe injection practices is driving the market for smart syringes.

Major companies have been making significant developments in the market, in the past few years. For instance, PAL Systems, one of the key players in the market, provides a smart syringe that contains electronic data storage for process safety and the highest precision. The company's consistent quality of every syringe had been guaranteed by CTC Analytics.

Other players have also been making a considerable impact in the market. AccPoint, a division of AdvaCare Pharma USA, provides auto-disable syringes, which had been made of a plethora of materials, and medical-grade PVC for the plunger and barrel, that ensures reliability regarding the precision needle and syringe's seal.



Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic.



The COVID-19 pandemic had been expected to accelerate the demand for smart syringes, because of the rise in the covid vaccination process. Countries, worldwide, have been spending a significant sum of capital to purchase vaccines and medical equipment, to vaccinate their population.

Major companies have been making a significant impact in the market. For instance, in June 2021, IHDLife, one of the key players in the market, announced that it had been shipping two million auto-disable syringes to the United States government, intending to ensure vaccination against the covid virus.

There are other developments in the market. For instance, in November 2020, Hindustan Syringes & Medical Devices Ltd., announced that it had shipped over 100 million pieces of KOJAK auto-disable syringes to COVAX, the global vaccination organization's stockpile facility. The company had also stated that they had been planning to allocate 50% of the total 0.5 ML auto-disable syringes for export and the rest 50% for the government of India.

In February 2021, UNICEF announced that it had sent 100,000 syringes to the Maldives for COVID-19 vaccination. The organization had also stated that they would ship over 14.5 million auto-disable syringes to more than 30 nations, globally. been These trends are expected to have a positive impact on the market, in the coming period.



Latest Developments.

In June 2021, The Odisha Drug Controller Directorate in India had announced that it had given Nobel Pharmacare Limited the license to produce and manufacture 0.5 ml Auto Disable syringes. This development is expected to have a positive impact on the market, in the coming years.



In January 2021, The Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices announced that it had received the WHO-performance, quality, and safety certification for its major flagship 0.3 ML KOJAK auto-disposal syringes. The company had stated that these syringes would be required for Pfizer's Corona vaccine. The company had also been accelerating its production capacity to manufacture a 0.5 ML auto disposal syringe.



In December 2020, Becton, Dickinson and Company, a key player in the market, announced that it had been planning to invest around US$1.2 billion over the next years to upgrade and expand manufacturing technology and capacity for advanced drug delivery systems and pre-fillable syringes, across its six major manufacturing locations. The company had also been planning to add a novel production facility in Europe.



Increasing cases of Hepatitis.



Hepatitis is known as an inflammation of the liver that causes a wider range of health problems. There are mainly five strains of the hepatitis virus, which are referred to as A, B, C, D, and E.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated number of 325 million people, globally, live with hepatitis type B or C. The WHO had stated that around 7,134 deaths, globally, had been due to hepatitis A, in the year 2016. In the year 2019, over 250 million were living with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Globally, around 71 million people have been living with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The increasing rate of hepatitis virus is expected to accelerate the demand for smart syringes, globally. Millions of people, worldwide, could be protected from certain infections caused due to unsafe and lower quality injections.

The World Health Organization had recommended that there should be an acceleration in the adoption of smart syringes, that cannot be used more than once.

The International Health Body had also launched a policy of global and injection safety with the support from some of the reputed organizations, such as the Vaccine Alliance, IKEA Foundation, and Gavi. These trends are expected to have a positive impact on the market, in the coming years.



Companies Mentioned

BD

PAL System

VOGT Medical

L.O.M. Medical International

Credence MedSystems Inc.

Retractable Technologies Inc.

PRICON

Dali Medical Devices

AlShifa Medical Products

Advacare Pharma USA

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/z7gc6l

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

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SOURCE Research and Markets

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wright National Flood Insurance Company, the nation's leading provider of federal flood insurance, has announced an agreement to acquire the flood insurance policy book from Westfield Insurance Company ("Westfield").

Wright Flood will service, administer and issue flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program for Westfield policyholders and agents. Additionally, Wright will also assume the servicing of Westfield's private flood business.

Wright Flood has more than 40 years of experience exclusively in the flood insurance industry. It is widely recognized for its experience, claims response and long-standing commitment to partner with agents and policyholders, especially at the time of a flood loss. Wright Flood takes pride in user-friendly technology, exceptional claims reputation and providing service clients deserve.

Patricia Templeton-Jones, the president of Wright National Flood Insurance Services, said she is excited about the partnership with Westfield agents.

"Westfield has provided flood coverage solutions for the past 20 years for its agent partners and policyholders. We look forward to continuing their long history and providing their agents with our experience in the flood insurance industry," said Templeton-Jones. "Since the inception of the National Flood Insurance Program, Wright Flood has been a premier provider of NFIP flood coverage and private flood options for homeowners and business owners."

"Wright has a well-established reputation of providing excellent service to customers and agents, especially at the time of a flood loss. We are confident customers will continue appreciating the peace of mind that comes with having flood coverage," commented Craig Welsh, Westfield's chief distribution officer.

Beginning in early 2022, Wright Flood will manage Westfield's NFIP flood placements. All new policies and renewals will be issued by Wright National Flood Insurance Company, which is A.M. Best rated as A- (Excellent) for financial strength. For retail agents accessing flood coverage through Westfield, there will be minimal change in the process to continue to provide NFIP flood insurance coverage for policyholders. Wright and Westfield representatives together will be in contact with their agents.

About Wright National Flood Insurance Company

Wright National Flood Insurance Company, the largest flood insurance provider in the nation, offers federal, excess and private flood insurance with leading industry expertise, rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Wright Flood takes pride in user-friendly technology, exceptional claims reputation and providing service clients deserve. Agents and consumers may visit us at www.wrightflood.com and wrightfloodadvice.org. To find an agent, call (866) 373-5663.

About Westfield

Westfield was founded in 1848 by a small group of hard-working farmers who believed in the promise of the future and the power of the individual. Today, as one of the nation's leading property and casualty (P&C) companies, we remain true to their vision and are dedicated to making a positive difference in our customers' lives. Learn more about Westfield at www.westfieldinsurance.com.

Contact:

Rob Langrell

Senior Communications Manager, Wright Flood

[email protected]

(727) 422-8854

SOURCE Wright National Flood Insurance Services, LLC
HELSINKI, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This is further to the Stock Release published by Tecnotree on 18th October 2021 at 9:45 EET.

Tecnotree, a global provider of Digital Business Support Systems (BSS), has been selected by Zain Bahrain, a telecommunications industry innovator in the Kingdom, for the delivery of digital BSS transformation.

Zain aims to become a leading ICT and digital lifestyle provider in Bahrain and has profound commitment to customers that drives Zain to reinvent, transform and to lead the kingdom in the creation of a prosperous digital future. Tecnotree's partnership with Zain is intended to firm up the company's focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience while improving time-to-market. Through a multi-speed digital architecture, the project will transform Zain's BSS infrastructure into an open ecosystem capable of supporting Zain's vision.

Commenting on the partnership, Ali Al-Yaham, Director, Technology at Zain Bahrain said, "Choosing Tecnotree as a strategic partner for transforming our legacy BSS infrastructure is a significant milestone in our vision of building a digital future. Innovation is in the DNA of Zain, and Tecnotree's Finnish innovation will form the cornerstone of our digital transformation journey. This is going to empower our customers with enhanced digital experiences, and will enable us to become more agile, efficient and customer centric in this rapidly evolving telecom market."

Multi-year engagement between Zain Bahrain and Tecnotree covers the entire journey of deployment and the management of the Digital BSS 5 products, which includes commissioning, integration as well as support. The first phase will involve transforming Enterprise business line while the subsequent phases will cover Retail and Wholesale business.

Tecnotree will deploy its 5G-ready Digital BSS Suite 5 which recently earned Platinum Badge from TM Forum for Open API Conformance and was recognized in Gartner's Market-Guide for Revenue Management & Monetization. With industry-recognized products from the Tecnotree's BSS stack such as Customer Lifecycle Manager, Catalog Manager, Convergent Billing System, as well as Tecnotree Surge Digital Accelerator Platform, Zain will provide its customers with superior omnichannel experience while enabling new business models to drive evolution into a new-age service provider.

"We are excited about our award-winning Digital BSS Suite being selected by Zain to support their digital transformation journey and are confident that this strategic partnership will enable an enhanced value proposition for their customers." shares Tecnotree CEO, Padma Ravichander, "We look forward to using our market-proven framework, products, and experiences to fuel Zain's goal of becoming a trendsetter in the digital revolution and provide a world-class customer experience."

CONTACT:

Contact Tecnotree at [email protected] to know more.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/tecnotree/r/zain-bahrain-selects-tecnotree-for-digital-transformation,c3479416

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/15858/3479416/1515466.pdf Zain Bahrain Selects Tecnotree for Digital Transformation https://news.cision.com/tecnotree/i/zain-deal-cision-post,c2996383 Zain Deal Cision post

SOURCE Tecnotree
Mexico City, Dec 29 : Mexico's state-owned oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) is looking to suspend its crude exports by 2023 to allocate all of its output toward domestic consumption, CEO Octavio Romero has said.

During the presentation of a program to achieve energy self-sufficiency, Romero added that the strategy calls for first reducing Mexico's crude exports in 2022 to 435,000 barrels per day, Xinhua news agency reported.

"By 2023 and by 2024, practically all of Pemex's production is going to be processed and refined" for the domestic market, said Pemex CEO, who was accompanied by Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Pemex's refining capacity will be expanded once the Dos Bocas refinery begins operating. Starting December 2018, the refinery has been the most important infrastructure project of the Lopez Obrador administration.

Refining will also get a boost from the rehabilitation of Mexico's six existing refineries and acquisition of the Deer Park refinery based in Houston of US state of Texas.

"Practically 100 per cent of Mexican crude is going to be refined in our country to guarantee fuel supplies," Romero said.

Lopez Obrador's administration is working to strengthen Pemex, whose finances were depleted in recent years by constant transfers of funds to government coffers amid a decline in its crude output.

International credit rating agencies have even threatened to lower the country's investment grade rating if the state company's finances do not improve.
Lucknow, Dec 29 : As new cases have continued to surge, Uttar Pradesh has been declared as Covid-19-affected state.

Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said that an order has been issued after assessing the situation.

He said that under Section 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Public Health and Epidemic Control Act, 2020, the entire state has been declared as Covid-affected.

The Governor has issued an announcement in this regard which will be in effect till March 31, 2022 or till further orders are given, whichever is earlier.

The state registered 80 fresh cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, while 11 people recovered from the virus in the same time period.

Meanwhile, amid a spike in cases and concerns over the new Omicron variant, several states have imposed fresh restrictions to curb the spread of infection.

The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed a night curfew from 11 p.m to 5 a.m from December 25. Also, the number of people allowed at weddings has been capped at 200.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed that Covid protocols will have to be followed at all times at events.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Ahead of the UP Assembly polls, the politics over the perfume and recovery of huge illegal cash from a manufacturer have heated up and has taken the center stage. While the BJP is linking the money with the Samajwadi party (SP), the SP is alleging that the businessman Piyush Jain has links with the BJP.

Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party President, alleged that the recovery of unaccounted cash belongs to the BJP. He claimed that the raid at Piyush Jain's house was a case of mistaken identity as his name is similar to Pushparaj Jain, an SP MLC.Yadav said that the demonitisation has failed as exposed by the recovery of the cash.

The BJP is linking the money with the SP and refers to the 'Samajwadi perfume' launched recently. The SP denies this saying that the perfume was launched by a person, who is the brother of MLC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah both on Tuesday attacked the Samajwadi Party on this issue. Modi in his speech referred to the Piyush Jain episode and said that some people always want to take credit for all that is being done.

"Now when suitcases full of cash are coming out one after another, will they take credit for this too? They have spread the 'itr' of corruption," he said while speaking at a rally in Kanpur.

The reference to 'itr' was the launch of 'Samajwadi 'itr' -- a perfume launched by perfumer Pampi Jain last month.

The Prime Minister said that the people of Uttar Pradesh now know the truth and are watching every incident very minutely.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also mounted a blistering attack on the Samajwadi Party when he said that ABCD for SP meant -- A for 'apradh', B for 'bhai-bhatija', C for corruption and D for 'danga'.

"BJP has wiped off this ABCD. When Piyush Jain was raided, it was Akhilesh Yadav who felt uneasy. Who does this money belong to?" he asked while addressing a rally in Hardoi.

The raids of multiple financial agencies were underway at the different premises of Kanpur-based businessman Piyush Jain who was arrested by DGGI under the GST Act. Cash around Rs 200 crore and gold bars, sandalwood oil has been found from his premises. The DGCI officials have so far recovered 23 kg gold, sandalwood oil worth Rs 6 crore, 500 keys, 109 locks and 18 lockers.
Prayagraj : , Dec 29 (IANS) The death of three men, including two brothers, whose bodies were found lying on the Belan River bridge has led to tension in the area.

The bodies were found late on Monday night. While the police claimed that the three men were run over by an unidentified speeding vehicle on the bridge at the Gajodharpur village amid heavy fog, families of the deceased and locals have refused to accept the police claim and are demanding a high-level probe into the incident.

The locals are also seeking compensation for the families of the deceased.

Their family members claim that all the three persons, who had left their houses on Monday evening to collect money for their crops, were murdered and their bodies were thrown on the bridge.

The locals initially did not allow the police to take bodies for post-mortem on Tuesday.

However, when senior police officers assured them that only a post-mortem will reveal the exact cause of the deaths and assured their family members of action, they allowed the bodies to be taken.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Saurabh Dixit said, "The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The families of the deceased along with some locals blocked traffic on the Belan bridge for a few hours. They were seeking economic assistance to the kin of the deceased and a joint team of police and district authorities are looking into their demand." Talking about the incident, the SP said, "When the local police reached the incident site along with some locals, they found a dense layer of fog enveloping the area which might have resulted in the road accident that killed three persons." The incident, as per the police, took place when two brothers -- Vikas Kesarwani, 25, and Akash Kesarwani, 22 -- along with one Kalwa Kol, 20, were going to Daramandganj to collect money for their sold crops.

Their family members told the police that all the three had gone to Daramandganj on a bike to collect around Rs 3 lakh. When they did not return till late night hours, the family members started searching for them and found their bodies in the wee hours on Tuesday.

Police said that a probe was being conducted into the incident and the CCTV footage was also being examined.
Kabul, Dec 29 : In the wake of several new restrictions imposed by the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, several women staged a protest in Kabul calling for their right to education, employment and social freedom to be honored, the media reported.

In recent days, the Taliban's Ministry of Virtue and Vice issued a new directive that orders for women who are travelling long distances by road should be accompanied by a male relative, and they should wear a hijab, to cover their head and face, reports TOLO News.

The directive also banned playing music in the vehicles.

It also ordered shops not to show the heads of female mannequins as it is against the Islamic Sharia law.

During the protest on Tuesday, the participants raised slogans such as "we are the voice of hungry people" and "we are awake, we hate discrimination".

The protesters said that the Taliban are keeping women away from society by imposing such restrictions.

"How can we find a relative to go outside with in urgent moments? They said 'we are not responsible for your food', so pay our salaries and we can eat, we are not the women of two decades ago, we will not be silent," TOLO News quoted Wida, a protester, as saying.

"We gathered to raise voices against restrictions imposed on women; our schools are closed, they took away working opportunities, now they ordered us not to go out of our homes alone, they are talking about the rights described by Islam. Does Islam order that a nation should be hungry, does Islam say to forbid girls from education?" Shayesta, another protester, said.

The protesters also urged the international community not to ignore Afghan women.

"We are half of the society, we are human, we have the right to education and to work, I ask the international community to not recognise this government," Zahra, also a protestor, told TOLO News.

The protest however did not last long as Taliban forces fired in the air to disperse the demonstrators.
Prayagraj : , Dec 29 (IANS) With the countdown to the annual Magh Mela on, the Yogi Adityanath government has issued an advisory to seers, saints and devotees arriving at the Mela township to come with a complete vaccination certificate.

The Mela administration has also made wearing of masks mandatory during their stay in the township.

According to Mela officials, medical teams are being deployed at all 15 entry points for ensuring Covid protocols. There would be vaccination and Covid testing centres at all first aid posts in the township. Besides, there would be regular testing and checking at the camps.

District Magistrate (Magh Mela), Shesh Mani Pandey, said that the Mela administration has held a meeting with prominent seers, saints and spiritual organisations, regarding the necessity for vaccination.

He said that visitors can come with negative 72 hours RT-PCR reports and fully vaccination certificates if they wish to stay at the township.

The Magh Mela health authorities have drafted the blueprint for ramping up vaccination and curbing spread of Covid during the 47-day religious congregation from January 14 to March 1, 2022.

Strict measures are being planned after seeing the surge in the Covid cases across the nation and people from all across the country are expected to arrive for the Mela.

While the health authorities have already set up a Covid-19 control room that would function round-the-clock, half a dozen static booths are being set up in the area for collection of samples for antigen and RT-PCR tests.

The Mela authorities have urged all visitors not to let down their guard in the wake of changing Covid scenario and to bring a verifiable RT-PCR report of not more than 72 hours, along with a vaccination certificate.

The Mela health authorities have also roped in a total of 20 Mobile Medical Unit teams for sample collection. These teams would be visiting camps of different religious, social and spiritual camps on frequent intervals to collect samples. Random sampling will also be done on entry gates as well. The test reports will be compiled and maintained by Mela authorities.

Plans are also afoot to rope in a total of 12 Rapid Response Teams to take care of the Covid patients and to ensure their proper treatment at hospital after consultation with the district surveillance officer.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Dec 29 : The Covid-19 pandemic that began in December 2019 continues to rage like wildfire, threatening human lives, mental peace as well as the economy.

Official figures note that nearly 5.5 million people have died worldwide so far due to Covid, although the actual toll could likely be several notches higher.

In the last two years, the world has witnessed a consistent pattern of various strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the Covid-19 disease, hitting just when life starts limping back.

Science explains it as the evolution of the Covid virus - changes in the genetic code (genetic mutations) in response to innate and acquired immune responses of hosts as well as vaccines and therapeutic treatments.

Beginning with the wild type virus in China, SARS-CoV-2 swiftly mutated majorly into Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta strains, besides many others. The current variant in circulation around the globe is the Omicron variant -- touted as more transmissible than all other variants and with the potential of evading treatment.

Two years on, is the end of Covid in sight? The Omicron variant, detected first in South Africa and Botswana in late November, presents a different picture though.

In barely a month, the variant, with more than 30 mutations in its spike protein, has spread to over 100 countries as well as outpaced the Delta variant in many nations, including the US, the UK, Portugal and Ireland to become the dominant strain.

"The emergence of the Omicron variant shows that the virus is not done just yet," Shahid Jameel, visiting professor at Ashoka University, told IANS.

At the same time, Omicron also "shows that the virus is going towards increased transmission and milder disease. This is an indication of heading towards becoming an endemic," added Jameel, who is also a senior research fellow at Green Templeton College, Oxford University.

According to Pavithra Venkatagopalan, Director, Covid Task Force, Rotary Club of Madras Next Gen, going forward the pandemic will transform into an epidemic, like flu, requiring annual shots.

"It is likely that Covid-19 is well in course to be a seasonal disease, with periodic yearly surges around the globe and the world reacting to the same with an annual shot of vaccine to prevent the burden of disease among the population, much like that of seasonal influenza," Kiran G. Kulirankal, infectious disease physician, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, told IANS.

While according to Kulirankal, the disease is unlikely to be "wiped out from the face of the earth permanently", an end to the pandemic also depends on vaccination rates across the world.

"The unvaccinated are at a higher risk than the vaccinated population," Venkatagopalan told IANS.

"Everytime, an unvaccinated person is infected, the virus can grow to higher quantities and stay in the body for a longer period. The longer it grows, the higher is the chance for replicating and possibly introducing more mutations. This might give the virus an advantage to spread," she explained.

Although scientists worldwide brought out vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in an unprecedented speed, rich nations raced to pre-order vaccines and stockpile them -- many of which turned waste as they expired.

While the rich countries hoarded onto every single medical facility -- from vaccines to booster doses to antibody treatments and other healthcare equipment -- the poor nations scrambled to get vaccines, storage capacities as well as medical equipment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has since the beginning of the pandemic called out on wealthy nations against vaccine hoarding, warning that the behaviour may only "prolong" the pandemic, rather than "ending" it.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently issued a stern warning that "we must end the Covid pandemic in 2022".

So far, about 67 per cent of people in high-income countries have been administered at least one vaccine dose, but not even 10 per cent in the low-income countries have received the first shot.

"The pandemic will end when there is no further transmission," Jameel said, adding, "And that is unlikely to happen in the near future." Poorly vaccinated parts of the world will continue to show increased transmissions, giving more opportunities to the virus to mutate and novel variants to emerge, prolonging the pandemic.

In such a scenario, Jameel predicts that "infection spikes will continue across the world, including in India" in 2022.

"We will have to continue to protect ourselves using a mix of vaccines, masks, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, etc." Nevertheless, the world seems to be better prepared than what it was during the Delta and other outbreaks. Besides several vaccines -- both jabs and nasal sprays -- there are booster doses; antibody therapies as well as the recent anti-Covid pills by US drug makers Merck and Pfizer which are well able to deter the onslaught of yet another wave or variant of Covid-19.

However, only time will tell whether the virus will outplay human efforts or humans will learn to live with it.

(Rachel V. Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Lucknow, Dec 29 : All major political parties in Uttar Pradesh have urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) not to delay the 2022 assembly polls in the state, following concerns of over the new Omicron Covid-19 variant.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey and other senior officers of the ECI held meetings with representatives of national and recognised political parties in Lucknow till late Tuesday evening.

The ECI is on a three-day visit to Lucknow to assess the ground situation.

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation led by J.P.S. Rathore, Samajwadi Party (SP) delegation led by Naresh Uttam Patel, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) delegation led by Mewalal Gautam, Congress delegation led by Onkar Nath Singh and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) delegation led by Anil Dubey urged the ECI to hold the polls as scheduled amid strict Covid-19 protocols.

After the meeting, SP state unit president Naresh Uttam Patel said: "The SP urged the ECI to hold assembly polls as per schedule with strict implementation of Covid appropriate behaviour to check surge of Covid cases. The ECI should clear doubts over the assembly election with the announcement of the poll schedule." BJP state unit vice-president Rathore said the Assembly elections should be held as per schedule, but the final decision rests with the ECI.

"The BJP told the poll panel that in view of the possible third wave, adequate arrangements should be made at the polling stations.

"We raised three demands. First, to prevent multiple voting by an individual, we demanded proper verification of burqa clad women voters at polling stations and deployment of women constables at every booth for this. Our second demand was to ensure one polling booth for all members of a family. And thirdly, relocation of any cluster of polling booths in densely-populated areas to avoid mass gathering considering the corona pandemic," he added.

The Congress, meanwhile, demanded the removal of Additional Chief Secretary (Home) from the post before the polls.

"ACS home Avanish Kumar Awasthi should not be part of election management, he should be transferred before the model code of conduct. It is in public domain that despite being a government officer, he retweets the tweets of Union ministers. He continues to hail PM's programmes and government schemes by retweeting them," the Congress said in a letter to ECI signed by Onkar Nath Singh, Virender Madan and Mohammad Anas Khan.

RLD national secretary Anil Dubey said: "The ECI must provide a list of voters above 80 years and specially challenged to all parties." The SP has claimed there are 40 lakh voters in the state who are above 80 years or are specially challenged.

The BSP demanded strict implementation of the model code of conduct.
Bengaluru, Dec 29 : Karnataka is all set to witness high-voltage political slugfest in 2022 as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition Congress have already locked horns over the controversial Anti-Conversion Bill, Cow Slaughter Bill and the National Education Policy (NEP).

The battle for power is only expected to grow fierce as the year 2022 becomes crucial in the run-up to the 2023 state Assembly elections.

Political pandits are predicting that Karnataka is going to witness high drama in the socio-political scenarios as there is a stiff competition between the national parties -- BJP and the Congress. There is an equal rift among leaders within the party circles for the coveted post of Chief Minister.

The next state Assembly elections could also be a gamechanger in terms of the political careers of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, the old warhorse of BJP in the state, as well as the Opposition leader Siddaramaiah.

With Congress taking a pledge before the people that all controversial laws such as the Cow Slaughter Bill, the Anti-Conversion Bill and the NEP will be rolled back, the Assembly poll results would also have a reasonable impact on the people of the state.

The Congress has alleged that the ruling BJP is encouraging moral policing in the state. On the other hand, the BJP has refused to respond to such charges.

The 2023 state Assembly elections would be the second time for the BJP since its inception in the state to shun the leadership of party veteran Yediyurappa and face elections.

The first time BJP in the state got decimated was in 2013 as Yediyurappa was estranged with the party and had formed his own -- Karnataka Janata Party and the Congress got a majority enabling the coronation of Siddaramaiah to the coveted Chief Ministerial post. However, this time the BJP has taken the baton from him and handed it over to the present Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Though, everything seems to be fine from outside, but BJP sources claim that all is not well within the party. The party leadership has decided not to be under the mercy of Yediyurappa anymore and it wants to attain power through a fierce Hindutva agenda in the state. Fingers are crossed over the moves of the veteran leader and the BJP seems to be okay to take on the challenge.

Basavaraj Bommai, the blue-eyed boy, who was powered to the post by Yediyurappa and RSS leaders, has to go a long way in establishing himself as a mass leader to match the charisma of Yediyurappa. After taking oath as 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka on July 28, he made a good beginning and it seemed that he could emerge as a mass leader with support of the BJP high command.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the BJP would fight the 2023 state Assembly elections under Chief Minister Bommai's leadership. When everything was going smoothly for him, the allegations of the Bitcoin scandal and corruption charges by the contractor's association seemed to 'upset his cart' (spoil everything). On both the occasions, letters were written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress, however, raised the issue in New Delhi and questioned Prime Minister Modi over the Bitcoin scandal. The defeat of Hangal bypoll at Bommai's native district Haveri and losing the MLC seat in Belagavi seems to have affected his political image.

Soon the change of leadership talks surfaced in state politics after the debacle faced by the BJP in the Hangal bypoll. However, the BJP seems to be backing Bommai, as the state party in-charge Arun Singh declared that the next state Assembly elections would be fought under the former's leadership. The list of aspirants for the Chief Ministerial post in the BJP camp is long and it is to be seen how the party is going to balance the situation.

On the other hand, the Congress is clearly divided into two factions in Karnataka. Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, who angered the BJP central leadership is time and again proving his loyalty to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and his son Rahul Gandhi and even went to jail. He is on a mission to attain the Chief Minister's chair.

Shivakumar is highly resourceful and hails from the dominant Vokkaliga community. He is touted to be capable of turning things around for the Congress.

Siddaramaiah, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister, is clearly aiming at the coveted CM post and doing everything to prove his abilities over Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah, presently though has a commendable hold over the Congress MLAs, suffered a humiliating defeat in the Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency during 2018 state Assembly elections and managed to win by a thin margin in the Badami Assembly constituency.

The local candidate B.B. Chimmanakatti had directly asked Siddaramaiah to lookout for a new constituency. He is said to be considering the option of contesting from the Chamarajpet constituency in Bengaluru, presently represented by his close associate B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan.

Siddaramaiah, a fierce critic of the RSS and Hindutva philosophy, takes on Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah boldly. According to sources, if the Congress high command fails to find a solution to counter the infighting within the party, it is going to have disastrous poll implications for the party in Karnataka.

Instead of infighting, the Congress has received a major boost in the state after the Bitcoin allegations against the ruling BJP leaders surfaced. Both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have undertaken 10-day 'padayatra' demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project. The campaign was planned to reach out to the people of all 26 Assembly constituencies of Bengaluru and surrounding districts as well.

The regional party JD(S) has given a clarion call to fight the elections independently, maintaining distance from the BJP as well as the Congress.

Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy rejected the offer of a poll alliance during the recent MLC elections. With its legislators jumping into the fold of national parties in the state, the party is facing a huge challenge in terms of its appeal within the people. The party candidates in Hangal and Sindgi have lost their deposits. The JD(S) wants a situation of hung Assembly and wants to play the role of a kingmaker. Senior leaders of both national parties -- BJP and the Congress -- agree to this possibility.

Prithvi Reddy, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) State President, said his party has captured a political narrative which is reflected in the recent Chandigarh and Surat local body elections.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah ridiculed the AAP, but promised free electricity and water in Hyderabad. People are bound to ask what they are doing in Karnataka where the BJP is in power, Reddy added.

The three parties -- BJP, Congress and the JD(S) -- in the state have no difference in terms of corruption and candidates with criminal backgrounds, the AAP leader said.

"I am very positive about the upcoming elections to the BBMP (Bengaluru local body). Even the hardcore BJP worker is saying the party has let them down in terms of infrastructure, condition of roads and drains in the city. If BBMP elections are to be held after the results of the Punjab and Goa Assembly elections, the scenario is going to be totally different in Bengaluru," he added.

"As 2021 is closing and 2022 is coming closer, we (Congress) hope the state and the country will see better days. Covid-19 crisis ends and people are financially able to pick themselves up. Yes, the Congress is super confident about winning the 2023 state Assembly elections. The way BJP is mismanaging the state administration and the way people are fed up with its misrule is a clear indication that the Congress under the guidance of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar will win the elections.

"The Congress workers are in an upbeat mood and they are very hardworking. If you have noticed the Covid crisis, the Congress workers were everywhere going door-to-door helping people. The people will remember all of this while they are voting," says Lavanya Ballal, AICC Spokesperson and party's Social Media Coordinator.

Tanveer Ahmed, the JD(S) National Spokesperson, said that JD(S) is not a kingmaker party and regional parties are very important for the country. "When the Kannada flag was burnt and Maharashtra Ekikarana Samithi (MES) activists resorted to violence in Belagavi, the BJP was hesitant as they had to go to the polls in Maharashtra and Congress was even more hesitant as it is preparing for the polls in Goa.

"If at all there is any party which deserves to fight for local Kannadigas, it is the JD(S). How the BJP is bringing 'Indianism' and Congress pursuing 'Congressism', JD(S) will always have local identity," he added.

"As many as 23,000 bank jobs have gone to the Hindi-speaking people in the rural areas of the state. In railways and other avenues, the local people are totally neglected. People are observing these developments and know only JD(S) can vouch for them without fear or favour," he said.

Anwar Manappadi, a senior BJP leader, told IANS: "BJP government has totally failed in the concept of 'Sab ke Saath, Sabka Vikas' coined by Prime Minister Modi. The concept is not happening at all. It's a joke, such a good concept has gone to waste. In fact, they are going against it by neglecting the minorities, especially the Muslims."
San Francisco, Dec 29 : US-based semiconductor company AMD, gaming PC maker MSI and smartphone maker OnePlus have joined the growing list of tech companies who have decided not to attend the 'CES 2022' in-person in Las Vegas, as cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant have have continued to surge.

While Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the governing body on CES, plans to go ahead with the show, several tech companies like Google, Intel, Microsoft, Lenovo, T-Mobile, AT&T, Meta, Twitter, Amazon, TikTok, Pinterest, Alphabet-owned Waymo, along with several media outlets, will not attend the consumer electronics show.

"AMD has decided to cancel our in-person presence at CES 2022 in Las Vegas and will instead transition to a virtual experience. While the AMD 2022 Product Premiere was always planned as a digital-only livestream, our in-person engagements will now transition to virtual in the best interest of the health and safety of our employees, partners and communities. We look forward to sharing all our exciting news as scheduled on January 4," a company spokesperson said in a statement.

Although OnePlus did not have an official presence in Las Vegas planned, the company is scrapping its in-person plans.

The smartphone maker had said it would introduce the OnePlus 10 Pro in January and was rumoured to unveil the phone at CES, reports CNET.

The CTA told TechCrunch that over 2,200 companies are confirmed to participate in-person at 'CES 2022' in Las Vegas.

"Since December, the rapidly spreading Omicron variant has brought the US a surge of Covid-19 cases. The health and well-being of our employees, customers and fans are our top priority. Hence, we have decided not to participate in-person at CES 2022 and will join the show virtually with our online product launch," MSI said in a post on its website.

In an earlier tweet, Lenovo had said: "After closely monitoring the current trends surrounding Covid, it is in the best interest of the health and safety of our employees, customers, partners, and our communities to suspend all on-site activity in Las Vegas." T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert, one of the CES 2022's featured speakers, announced that his company won't be attending the world's largest electronics show next month.

The world's most influential tech event is slated to showcase some first-time innovations around Blockchain-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs), remote health solutions, self-driving cars, gaming, food and space tech.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : A 34-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped in the national capital and two people have been arrested, police said on Wednesday.

According to the official, the incident took place in the early hours of Monday when the victim woman had asked for a lift from an unknown car in western Delhi. "The woman was picked from Sagarpur around 3.00 a.m. and then left in Nihal Vihar," the official said.

The two accused, who were in the car, took the victim woman to a secluded place in the Nihal Vihar area and committed the crime.

Based on the woman's complaint, the police registered an FIR under sections 376 D and 342 of the Indian Penal Code and nabbed the accused from the Hari Nagar area of the city after examining several CCTV footage.

Sources in the police department informed that of the two accused, one had turned 18 on the day of incident and both the accused were celebrating his birthday.

IANS learnt from sources that there was a delay in registering the FIR. However, a senior official informed that the issue was resolved immediately.

"Issue came up because of multiple jurisdiction of the police station where the car moved," he said. The police have also seized the car which was involved in the crime.

The crime against women in the national capital continues to show an upward trajectory, compared to last year's data.

Notably, as per data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) two months ago, the national capital recorded the highest number of crimes against women among all the metropolitan cities of the country.

According to the data compiled by the Delhi Police, 1,725 women have been allegedly raped in the current year till October 31 in the city. In 2020, 1429 women had to face the heinous crime. Comparing the data with the last year, there has been an increase of 20 per cent.

In 2020, the total number of crimes against women stood at 7,948 which this year has increased to 11,527. In total, the crime against women has increased by a massive 45 per cent in the national capital in just (past) 10 months.
Hyderabad, Dec 29 : Telugu star Allu Arjun, who is buoyed by the success of 'Pushpa: The Rise', broke down in tears at a post-release event as he expressed gratitude to the film's director Sukumar.

As the 'Ala Vaikuntapuramlo' actor described his early career, he said that Sukumar's directorial 'Arya' marked a turning point in his filmography.

"I am nothing without 'Arya'. I am no one without Sukumar," Allu Arjun said repeatedly, as he turned emotional during his speech at the event.

As he discussed how his career as a movie actor began, Allu Arjun recalled buying his first car.

"After 'Arya', I had purchased my first car, which cost me close to Rs 85 lakh. I sat in the driver's seat and started thinking about those who supported me in achieving my dream," he said.

Allu Arjun broke down into tears, as he continued, "The first person who came into my mind is Sukumar. Sukku!! I am nothing without you. I am no one without 'Arya'. I did not want to become emotional. But, cannot help." In the course of Allu Arjun's speech, director Sukumar was also seen getting emotional. Sukumar also broke down as his Devi Sri Prasad tried to comfort him.

Allu Arjun and Sukumar have collaborated for three hit movies - 'Arya', 'Arya 2', and 'Pushpa'.

'Pushpa: The Rise' was released a few ago, performing well at the box-office.
Seoul, Dec 29 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has presided over the second-day session of a key party plenary to discuss rural development measures amid the country's drive to tackle economic woes, Pyongyang's state media reported on Wednesday.

During the meeting on Tuesday, Kim "set forth medium- and long-term development strategies and major tasks for attaining the grand goal of rural development in line with the realistic conditions and the requirement of the times", according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea opened the 4th Plenary Meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's 8th Central Committee on Monday amid expectations Pyongyang could unveil its new policy directions on the economy and foreign affairs for the new year.

Tuesday's meeting dealt with "rural questions" to which Kim took "important revolutionary measures", the KCNA said without elaborating on what they were.

"The new program on socialist rural construction won full support and approval by the participants in the meeting," the report said.

North Korea has been calling for the "face-lifting" of local areas as a first step of "building a powerful country".

In November, Kim visited the northwestern city of Samjiyon, where a major development project is underway, and called it a "picturesque model unit in rural buildup" and a starting point "in making the people in local areas witness a leaping progress to a highly civilized material and cultural life".

The North's emphasis on rural development comes as the country struggles from crippling sanctions and protracted pandemic-driven border closures.

Its economy is estimated to have shrunk 4.5 per cent on-year in 2020, from 0.4 per cent growth a year earlier, government data showed.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : GlobalBees, a leading roll-up e-commerce company, has secured $ 111.5 million in series B funding led by Premji Invest.

The round also saw participation from existing investors, including SoftBank and FirstCry, while Steadview Capital became the latest investor to back the company.

With this latest investment, GlobalBees' valuation stands at $ 1.1 billion.

The company plans to use the proceeds to further strengthen its product portfolio and expedite its efforts towards product innovation, customer experience, hiring talent and scaling companies.

The company is now 100 plus people strong. The company is in advanced talks with 20 plus companies to strengthen its portfolio of digital first brands.

Speaking on the development, Nitin Agarwal, GlobalBees CEO said, "With this investment, we are well set up to become India's largest brand platform." GlobalBees was founded in May 2021 and has a diverse portfolio of companies across categories such as Homecare, Beauty and Personal Care, Nutrition & Wellness, Fashion Jewellery, and Eyewear in just 7 months. GlobalBees plans to invest in 100 plus brands across verticals over the next three years, including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), sports, home organisation, and lifestyle.

The company has offices in Delhi and Bengaluru and has developed assets and expertise in marketing, technology, supply-chain & logistics and product innovation and more. In July 2021, the company raised $150 million in a mix of equity and debt in a Series A, led by FirstCry and other investors.

GlobalBees is an aggregator of digital brands that transforms marketplace sellers into international brands.
December 29 : Many Bollywood actors are flying out of the city to undisclosed destinations to ring in the New Year. On Tuesday morning, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani left for their New Year vacay, now Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have been spotted at the airport. The couple jetted off to an undisclosed destination to ring in the New Year.

A paparazzo account shared a video of Ranbir and Alia at the departure gate of the international airport in Mumbai. In the video, Ranbir and Alia can be seen coming out of the their car and walking towards the airport terminal. Before walking in, they turned around and waved at the people who were gathered to take their pictures. The shutterbugs also wished them happy New Year and a happy journey.

Fans dropped several comments on the post, speculating their marriage soon. One of them wrote, "Bollywood me agli shadi inki hi hone wali hai ab (Theirs will be the next wedding in Bollywood)." Another fan called them the "hottest couple" of Bollywood. Many fans also speculated that the couple was flying off to the Maldives. "Sab saamaan baandhke Maldives jaa rahe hai (Everyone is packing their bags and going to the Maldives)," a netizen wrote.

Many other Bollywood celebs are in the island nation including Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, Hrithik Roshan with his family, Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani, as well as Sidharth and Kiara, who are also speculated to be in the island.

Alia and Ranbir also celebrated Christmas together with their families. Alia hosted a Christmas dinner for Ranbir and his mother Neetu Kapoor at her home. Her mom Soni Razdan and sister Shaheen Bhatt were also a part of the Christmas celebrations.

It was speculated that the couple will tie the knot this December. But at an event to launch the motion poster of their upcoming film Brahmastra, the director of the film, Ayan Mukherji clarified on their behalf. When people from the audience asked Alia and Ranbir when they will get married, Ayan revealed that a lot of delays in the couple's life happened because of him. Alia and Ranbir started dating in 2017 when the actors started filming for Brahmastra.

At the event, Ayan revealed that he has been stopping the couple from stepping out together. "To be honest when we started our film, I thought this is the best castingRanbir and Alia, powerhouses. It was just too good. Then Ranbir and Alia became very good friends, then very very very good friends in life, then more than friends. So then, I didn't want the whole world to see them for these 4 years. I didn't want anyone to see them till my film had not come out. So, lots of things haven't happened in their lives because of me." Adding to Ayan's statement, Karan Johar said, "Ayan is very protective about this pair. But, I think he has lost leverage.... Unfortunately, you can't curb love that long. At its heart, it's a love story."
Mumbai, Dec 29 : Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who was recently seen in 'Atrangi Re', wished his wife Twinkle Khanna on her birthday with a special social media post on Wednesday.

The actor took to his Instagram and shared a picture of himself chilling with his wife in the Maldives.

He wrote in the caption, "With you by my side, even the blues are easy to take in my stride... Happy birthday Tina." In the picture, both Akshay and Twinkle can be seen resting on a hammock above the turquoise waters of the Maldives. While Akshay wore a dark blue coloured shirt and pants rounded with dark sunglasses, Twinkle sported a blue denim shirt, shorts and sunglasses of the same palette.

Twinkle shares her birthday with her late father Rajesh Khanna, who is regarded as the first superstar of Bollywood. Recently a biopic of the actor was announced by actor-producer Nikhil Dwivedi, who is currently in talks with Farah Khan to adapt Gautam Chintamani's book 'Dark Star: The Loneliness Of Being Rajesh Khanna' for the screen.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : A city-based lawyer on Wednesday wrote a letter petition to Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana seeking preponement of the hearing in matters related to the economic reservation in NEET-PG course in the apex court and initiate day to day hearing.

Highlighting the ongoing protests of the resident doctors for the last several days led by the Federation of Resident Doctors Association of India (FORDA) and threat for mass resignation, the letter petition by Adv Vineet Jindal stated that the mass protest has resulted because the Union Health Ministry has not taken any concrete steps to expedite NEET-PG counselling.

The plea also sought directions to the Centre to form a committee to address the issues related to doctors concerned and the Delhi Police Commissioner to initiate an enquiry and take stern action on culprits into the incident of physical assault on the protesting doctors by the cops.

"With doctors as our frontline warriors against this war with Covid, it is imperative to address the issues of resident doctors at the earliest to resolve their demands and to call off the strike as soon as possible," Jindal pointed out.

"Already, the second wave of Covid-19 has left an indelible impact on lives of people due to the massive death toll, and now we are again facing a crisis of the third wave and are in extreme need of best health care services owing to the current situation of the outbreak of omicron virus," he added.

Abiding by the constitution of India under Article 19 and 21, the responsibility of securing the life and liberty of the protesting doctors and every citizen of this country, lies in the hand of the apex court, the plea read said.

Recently, the protest against delayed NEET PG counselling has been supported by doctors from five states -Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

The doctors have been striking work over delays in NEET-2021 PG counselling, which is now pending the outcome of a batch of petitions over economic reservations, being heard in the Supreme Court will take up on January 6, 2022 by the apex court.

The strike started with doctors boycotting work in out-patient clinics, which was later escalated to boycotting of all routine work such as care of admitted patients and routine surgeries when they didn't receive any assurances from the Union health minister.

Initially, the delay of NEET-2021 PG examinations was due to the second wave of Covid-19 and it was further delayed due to the petitions filed and pending for hearing before this court over reservation issue, it said.

The FORDA has pointed out the "acute shortage" of resident doctors across the country as the counselling of NEET-PG 2021 batch has already been delayed by eight months. On December 9, the agitation was suspended by the resident doctors called by the FORDA for a week following the health ministry's assurance to expedite court hearing and subsequently fast-track the counselling process.

However, FORDA wrote to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, informing him that it was resuming the strike from December 17, the plea added.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum Director General (DG) of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has asked all concerned authorities not to release his picture or video footage to the media made during any official meeting, The News International reported.

A federal minister said for the same reason, the government did not release any of his picture or video footage.

The National Security Committee met on Monday which was attended by the DG ISI. However, the picture and video footage, released to the media by the government, showed almost everyone else except for the top spymaster of the country, The News International reported.

When asked for the reason, the Minister said that it was a standing instruction for all concerned from the incumbent DG ISI not to release any of his pictures or video footage of any official meeting that he attends.

Ever since his appointment as the DG ISI, none of his picture or video footage has been released to the media, the Minister added.

Lt-Gen (retd) Amjad Shoaib, while commenting on it, said the basic principle of intelligence services is to stay away from the media's eye.

He said there have been violations of the principle in the past and a number of times the governments had been releasing to the media picture and video footage of the intelligence chiefs, The News International reported.

Shoaib said the intelligence chiefs should not be shown on the media and TV screens. Generally, he explained, the spymasters are not recognised in the public all over the world for the same reason. He said this basic principle got compromised during the Afghan war when Gen Hameed Gul and General Javed Nasir were heading the ISI, the report said.

He said he was not part of any intelligence network but even then when he was promoted and posted as GOC Quetta, the then Army Chief General Abdul Waheed Kakar advised him to stay away from the media.

Maj Gen (retd) Ejaz Awan, who also served in the ISI in the past, told The News that the new DG ISI seems to be following the pattern of doing his work without being publicised in the media.

Awan recalled that when he was appointed as ISI Sector Commander Lahore, he was told by his DG ISI General (retd) Ahsan that "you would be a good intelligence operator if you roam around Lahore and no one notices you and no one recognises that here the ISI Sector Commander is going".
December 29 : Shah Rukh Khan has reportedly resumed work and some time back, the superstar was spotted and clicked while he was entering the set. Today, a picture of the actor surfaced on social media, wherein he can be seen at the sets.

Shah Rukh had taken a break from work when his son Aryan Khan was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in a drugs case. Even after Aryan was released from the jail on bail, Shah Rukh didn't return to work, as it appeared that he wanted to spend some time with his son.

Today, a picture surfaced online, where the actor can be seen posing for the camera on the sets. The picture has been shared by model-actor Diganta Hazarika on his Instagram page. The actor was seen in the film Mohenjo Daro. He geo-tagged the picture's location as Mumbai. In the picture, Shah Rukh wore a black T-shirt and teamed it with a pair of sunglasses. He tied his hair back. Fans speculated that the picture was taken on the sets of his upcoming film Pathan. Sharing the picture, Diganta Hazarika praised Shah Rukh and wrote, "Success is not a good teacher, failure makes you humble. SRK @iamsrk The most successful actor of India Cinema yet the most humble human being."

Shah Rukh Khan had resumed work last week as he was spotted coming to the sets in Mumbai. The superstar was on a break from work for more than three months after Aryan Khan was arrested in the cruise drug bust case.

Shah Rukh resumed work for a TV commercial. The actor was clicked while he was entering the set dressed in a black T-shirt. He had tied his hair in a bun and wore dark glasses. The actor was spotted outdoors for the first time since Aryan Khan was granted bail by the Bombay High Court.

Few days back, Shah Rukh's wife Gauri Khan had also resumed work at her design studio. Gauri had shared pictures while she was working with her team. Netizens as well as her Bollywood friends overwhelmingly welcomed her back on social media. Both Shah Rukh and Gauri were away from the social media ever since Aryan was arrested in the drug case in October.

Before taking a break in October, Shah Rukh was working on Yash Raj Films Pathan. The forthcoming film also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. It is helmed by Siddharth Anand.
Seoul, Dec 29 : South Korea and the US have "effectively" agreed on the draft text of the proposed declaration of a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War, amid their continued push to resume dialogue with North Korea, Seoul's top diplomat said on Wednesda .

Chung Eui-yong made the remarks during a press conference, noting he and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the progress in the allies' consultations over the declaration when they met on the sidelines of a G7 session in Liverpool earlier this month, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"Regarding the end-of-war declaration, South Korea and the US have already shared the understanding on its importance, and the two sides have effectively reached an agreement on its draft text," Chung said.

Though Seoul and Washington have made considerable progress over the declaration, its fate remains uncertain as Pyongyang has been unresponsive to their overtures for dialogue, with the five-year term of the Moon Jae-in administration set to end in May.

"Although North Korea showed a set of prompt, positive responses to the end-of-war declaration, we hope (it) will show a more concrete reaction," Chung said. "We are considering various ways on how to advance discussions with North Korea." In September, Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, called the declaration an "interesting" and "admirable" idea but urged Seoul to drop what she called "hostile" policy toward Pyongyang in order to start relevant discussions.

Denuclearization negotiations between the US and the North have remained stalled since the two countries' no-deal Hanoi summit in 2019.
Mumbai, Dec 29 : The youth-oriented drama 'Ziddi Dil-Maane Na' completed 100 episodes on December 29. It turned out to be indeed a great moment for the actors and they thanked the entire team and audience for their support.

The show features Kaveri Priyam, Shaalien Malhotra, Diljot Chabbra, Kunal Karan Kapoor, Simple Kaul and Aditya Deshmukh in lead roles.

Kaveri Priyam, essaying the role of Monami, said: "There is always a feeling of immense pride to see your show and character get so much love and appreciation by the viewers. For us, completing 100 episodes is a proud and wholesome moment. We as a team couldn't be more grateful for all the love and support and we hope to continue the audiences with our work. 'Ziddi Dil Maane Na' has taught me so much, and I'm really happy to be a part of this journey." Diljot Chhabra, who is seen as Sanjana is all delighted and called it a proud moment for her that the show continues to be loved by viewers.

She shared: "I am immensely excited and somewhat at a loss of words to describe my happiness because it still feels like yesterday when I just started shooting for 'Ziddi Dil Maane Na', and now the show has completed 100 successful episodes. It feels even more special because we reached this milestone almost while the year ends and promise to keep entertaining you guys with more exciting twists and turns in the coming year." Shaalien Malhotra mentioned that they have received positive feedback for the show and their respective characters from the audience.

He added: "I cannot describe how happy I am that 'Ziddi Dil Maane Na' has finally hit a century. I would take this opportunity to thank my loving cast and crew, without them, this wouldn't have been possible at all! It is amazing to watch our fans get attached to our characters so much, and there is nothing more satisfying than entertaining people, I hope we can continue to do just that with this show for years to come." 'Ziddi Dil Maane Na' airs on Sony SAB.
New Delhi/Srinagar, Dec 29 : Jammu and Kashmir is riding on the high tide of development and is expected to rise as a model for the rest of the country by 2023. LG Manoj Sinha has made it clear that he is there to build concrete developmental foundations in the union territory following the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in letter and spirit to make J&K a one-of-its-kind Smart City.

The work is being carried out in silence without much media fanfare, though the results are making much noise locally. The Central government has wholeheartedly taken the task of remodeling JKUT for its holistic development.

Long lists of parallel projects are being implemented in the UT. The youth is being motivated to come forward with ideas to the government, encouraging maximum participation from the people at all levels. The sky is the limit with the government's help, and it is up to the youth to take charge for what they have during the past several decades.

Several projects for development of Smart Schools and modernisation of school infrastructure like the creation of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) facilities in high schools with technology based education as future classrooms have been approved. Along with that, the government is advertising more government job posts for the youth of J&K, with an increase in seats of the general quota for state dwellers and an increase in the upper age limit for the applicants. With the expanding economic and social front, job creation and availability is at its all time high.

The inauguration of Parliamentary Outreach Programme for the empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions of the UT on 31st August is another achievement in the direction of decentralisation with impetus on self-governance. It is a unique initiative of the Lok Sabha speaker Shri Om Birla who intended to strengthen governance at the grass root level.

On the National Highways and tunnels as announced by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways is translating into reality at an early date. Proposed tunnels are being erected at a cost of Rs 50,000 crore and other road transport work at Rs one Lakh crore in 2022-23, which would have a catalytic effect on employment opportunities.

The quality standards of the construction are unmistakably at par with European road construction. The high setting-up cost will minimise the repair needs in the future, saving funds and building reliance of the population.

District Administration Srinagar along with the enforcement wing of the Revenue Department recently launched a massive anti-encroachment drive across the city. 40 kanals worth of land was seized from prime locations, including Saidpora Eidgah, Ali Jan Road, Shiv Pora, Sonwar, Pantha Chowk, and Chanpora. In the same news, an initiative for the land record system known as "Aap ki Zameen, Aap ki Nigrani" is being implemented which will allow for digitalisation of land records.

A month-long awareness campaign on land records information was also delivered in the region. The Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), formerly launched in the Doda district of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and subsequently administered in other districts, has achieved an important milestone by providing the most transparent and accountable services to the common man. Users can search any land related documents online and view scanned document copies for any detail they wish to know on the web portal.

Public Outreach Programmes and various welfare schemes like the Ujjwala Scheme (ensures LPG connections to people), Mumkin Scheme (easy loans and subsidies to unemployed youth to create livelihood in the transportation sector), e-shram cards (for the labourers in the unorganised sector), Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (for facilitating farmers by issuing weather advisories), scooters to handicapped (J&K Rehabilitation Council), are running their full potential. Feedback of these programmes and initiatives are directly taken from people through the representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) who assure quick response to issues.

To instill a sense of ownership in the developmental process, on the subject of piped water supply in the community, J&K Jal Shakti Department under the banner of Jal Jeevan Mission is on an operation to constitute Paani Samiti in every village. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a centrally sponsored program in J&K to provide functional tap water connection to every rural home by 2022. It is aiming for decentralisation of power to involve people at all levels, including 50 per cent female representation. It envisions an increased sense of community through total contribution in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of supply streams. To ensure transparency in budgets and expenditures JJM funds are open to public scrutiny.

Public grievances are being taken up at doorstep. The 3-tier system of governance is strengthening the democracy at grassroots level as the locals have started formulating plans as per the needs of their area. These are indications of the administration's concerns for the welfare of the common citizens. It has been two years since the bottlenecks of Article 370 were removed and one can only witness J&K rise since then! The region is speeding towards self-reliance.

Good governance in the JKUT is visible to the common man on all fronts. The government has been following up with suggestions and recommendations of the local authorities rather than delivering a mere lip service. Officials are visiting the far flung places which never saw the face of the day to include every community in this wave. This friendly, interactive governance has narrowed the gap between people and government and will go a long way in boosting self sufficiency through tourism and raising the economic profile of JKUT.
Chennai, Dec 29 : The Tamil Nadu health department is gearing up for the possibility of an Omicron surge in the state with 45 confirmed cases and 118 samples of Covid-19 positive people showing presence of S-gene drop.

State health minister Ma Subramanian has already directed the health department to create awareness among people and strictly abide by Covid protocols as studies have shown less mask compliance in the state.

He also instructed the health officials to jack up infrastructure for all eventuality. Sources in the health department told IANS, with schools and colleges functioning, the concerned corporations, municipalities, and village panchayats have been directed to convert wedding halls, theatres and convention halls to health camps if need arises.

Subramanian told IANS: "There is a possibility of rise in cases but the state health department and the administration is ready for that. The Chief Minister has already given us directions in this regard and we are in direct communication with the Union health ministry to tackle any untoward situation." The minister also urged the people to conduct parties at their homes on New Year eve rather than venturing out given the situation related to the surge in Omicron cases.

However, hotel and restaurant owners of Chennai said that most of the hotels are fully booked and a large number of people from Bengaluru, other towns of Karnataka and all other South Indian states, have arrived in large numbers in Chennai and Coimbatore to celebrate New Year.

Most of the Five-star hotels in Chennai have announced unlimited liquor and performance by various national and international bands as part of the New Year celebrations.

A hotelier on condition of anonymity told IANS: "We will comply by the December 15 directive of the state government wherein there were no restrictions and we had taken bookings and made all arrangements for the big event and almost all the guests have arrived. How can we now go back on this? We will adhere to strict Covid-19 restrictions and move ahead unless the government issues an order against the same. If the government issues an order then we will immediately put a full stop to the celebrations."
Jaipur, Dec 29 : After hailstorm and rain lashed Jaisalmer's Pokhran region, the mercury in Rajasthan recorded a dip.

Though farmers hailed the rain which is good for crops, they are worried for the hailstorm as it can damage standing crops of cumin, isabgol, wheat and gram.

Many villages wore a thin white sheet after heavy hailstorm lashed the area accompanied by rains on Tuesday afternoon.

Hailstorm was reported in the Pokhran region of Jailsalmer which included villages such as Chhaya, Ajasar and Bodana.

Almost all districts shivered with under 15 degrees Celsius minimum temperature.

Jaipur recorded a minimum of 9 degree Celsius, Pilani 5.8 degrees Celsius, Churu 4.3 degrees, Hanumangarh 4.8 degrees and Fatahpur 2.2 degrees Celsius.

Dholpur registered 15.7 degree Celsius as maximum temperature while Phalodi 15.9 degrees Celsius, Chittorgarh 17.3, Sawai Madhopur 17.8 degrees, Alwar 17.6 degrees, Jaipur 18 degrees, Kota 17.2 degrees and Bhilwara 17.6 degrees Celsius.
Chennai, Dec 29 : The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, which will hold its next session from January 5, will have live telecast of the question hours.

The live telecast of Assembly proceedings was an electoral promise of the DMK.

The Assembly session will be held at St. George Fort, for the first time since September 2020 when the session was held at Kalaivanar Arangam due to Covid-19.

M.K Stalin,the Chief Minister, had already told the Assembly during the budget session that live telecast would take place during its January session.

Live telecast of Assembly proceedings, 100 days of session in a year and reviving the Legislative council were the key promises of the DMK during the elections as far as the Assembly was concerned.

Arrangements are being made at the Assembly hall for live feed to television channels. Sources in the Tamil Nadu Assembly told IANS that to begin with, the proceedings of the question hour would be telecast live from January 5 onwards.

The Tamil Nadu films division officials had recently visited the Parliament House as the proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are live streamed from Parliament. The team also visited Assembly halls of Kerala, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to have a first-hand live experience of the proceedings.

Officials of the Tamil Nadu Assembly told IANS that the last day of the session would also be telecast live.

Interestingly, the telecast would increase the responsibility of legislators as people will be watching the performance of their representatives in he Assembly. The Chief Minister had told media that this is exactly was what he wanted as this would lead to legislators reaching the house with more research and preparations and would answer only after proper studies.
Tel Aviv, Dec 29 : Israel is facing an "unprecedented" wave of the Covid-19 pandemic triggered by the new Omicron variant, said Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

"We are going to see very high levels of infections, which have not seen in Israel before," Xinhua news agency quoted Bennett as saying to the state-owned Kan Bet Radio.

The Omicron variant is "unusually contagious, he added.

"We are a moment away from a blizzard of infections, it will happen and we cannot prevent it," the Prime Minister said.

The remarks came as the cabinet has implemented tighter restrictions, including imposing the "green pass" scheme on large shops.

The scheme only allows vaccinated people to enter certain public venues.

Israel, a country with a population of 9.2 million, is reportedly facing the fifth wave of the pandemic caused by the Omicron variant.

In the last 24 hours, Israel reported 623 new Omicron cases, according to the Health Ministry.

The overall number of Omicron cases in Israel now stands at 1,741, with 1,004 of them being passengers from abroad, the ministry said.

Eight of the people infected by Omicron are currently hospitalised, and one of them is in critical condition since he was not vaccinated, it added.

The Ministry also announced the death of an 84-year-old woman who had received three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. She was suspected of being infected with Omicron.

In addition, the Omicron variant was detected in sewage sampling at 19 locations throughout Israel.

Since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, Israel has reported a total of 1,371,007 Covid cases and 8,243 deaths.
Seoul, Dec 29 : The number of babies born in South Korea plunged in October, the lowest tally since 1981, highlighting the country's bleak demographic situation with the chronically low birth rate, data showed on Wednesday.

A total of 20,736 babies were born in the country in October, down 5.2 per cent from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.

The October figure was also down from 21,920 newborns recorded in September.

In the first 10 months of 2021, 224,216 babies were born in the country, down 3.6 per cent from the previous year.

South Korea is grappling with a chronic decline in childbirths as many young people delay and give up on getting married or having babies amid a prolonged economic slowdown and high housing prices.

South Korea's total fertility rate -- the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime -- hit a record low of 0.84 last year. It marked the third straight year that the rate was below 1 per cent.

The number of deaths, meanwhile, gained for the eighth consecutive month in October amid rapid population aging.

The number of deaths came to 27,783 in the month, up 4.9 per cent from a year earlier.

In the January-October period, the number of deaths rose 2 per cent on-year to 257,466.

Accordingly, the country's population decreased by 7,046 in October, marking the 24th straight month of decline. In the first 10 months of the year, the country reported a natural population fall of 33,250.

South Korea posted the first natural decline in population in 2020 as the number of deaths outpaced that of newborns.

Policymakers have warned the country may face an "age quake" in 2030-40, an earthquake-like demographic shock from a fall in population and aging of the population, if it does not address demographic challenges in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, the number of people getting married shrank 7.7 per cent on-year to 15,203 in October. It was also the lowest figure for any October.

On top of the downtrend of marriages, more people postponed their weddings due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the statistics office.

The country's divorces tumbled 17.6 per cent on-year to 7,703 in October, the lowest for any October, the data also showed.
Thiruuvananthapuram, Dec 29 : The Congress has slammed Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for opposing Mumbai-Ahmadabad bullet train, but batting fiercely for the proposed Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod K-Rail project. The Congress has said, it is nothing but CPI-M's double standard.

If completed the K-Rail will set up a 529.45 km corridor connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod and the high speed train will complete the distance in around four hours.

Leader of Opposition and Congress leader V.D. Satheesan is spearheading the protests against K-Rail.

"When Vijayan, a politburo member of the CPI-M floated the high speed rail, there were no studies done, no discussions and no answers to questions raised and the only word what we hear, is the K-Rail project will be implemented in Kerala," wrote Satheesan in his Facebook post on Wednesday.

"They (CPI-M) say they are against capitalism but will shake hands with monopolists, then they say they are totally opposed to globalisation, but will take loans from multinational giants. Their standard statement is they are with the people but will chase away the poor from their land. They claim they are for freedom and democracy but if anyone opposes then they are branded as anti-nationals. I wish to find out and ask them if this is what's meant by the terminology dialectical materialism," wrote Satheesan.

The Congress led UDF and the BJP led NDA in Kerala are strongly opposing this project and have said at no cost will they allow this project to take wings.

Meanwhile CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Wednesday said, it's strange that the Congress, BJP and the Jamaat-e-Islami are hand in glove against this project.

"The latest is all these groups have joined hands together and have announced a Nandigram type of protest," said Balakrishnan.

Veteran legislator of the Indian Union Muslim League -- P.K. Kunhalikutty on Wednesday said the UDF is now soon coming out with its third stage of protest against the K-Rail.

Meanwhile, the social media is flooded with numerous trolls on the issue with pictures of the appalling conditions of Kerala roads and it's at that time the government is planning a project which will cost in excess of Rs one lakh crore according to a study by Niti Aayog.

Another troll points out the numerous mega projects which the CPI-M when in opposition had opposed and are now operative in the state.

Since Vijayan currently is the biggest ambassador of this project, for fear of any backlash, the student, youth or the women wings of the CPI-M have not uttered a word and are seen backing this project, while many point out that had this project been showcased by the Congress led UDF, it would have been mayhem and massive protest which the CPI-M in the past had launched against computers, tractors, Smart City Kochi, Cochin airport to name a few.
London, Dec 29 : South Africa -- one of the epicentres of the Omicron variant -- has seen a drop of about 40 per cent in new cases of Covid infection, suggesting that the new variant could be less severe than Delta.

The seven day rolling average for new infections plummeted by 35 per cent from an all-time high of 23,000 cases nine days ago to 15,000 on Monday, The Telegraph reported.

While the new data must be taken with caution, experts assert that it is clear that the country has passed its Omicron peak with "substantially lower" death rates than with the Delta variant.

However, experts also warned against applying South Africa's data to other countries. It is because the South African population suffered devastating Beta and Delta variant waves, which has given them high levels of immunity.

"We should interpret the data from South Africa with a lot of caution. This is early days and public health practice is local," John Nkengasong, director of the Africa CDC, was quoted as saying.

"This data confirms what the scientists in South Africa have been saying for a few weeks, that this is a variant which is more transmissible, making people more likely to catch it, but that the symptoms and the impact of it are less severe," Jamie Jenkins, former head of health analysis at the UK's Office for National Statistics, was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.

"We are seeing far fewer deaths than we have in the past," Jenkins added.

Last week new data from South Africa showed nine in 10 deaths from Omicron were in unvaccinated patients.

Among the country's 309 deaths from the variant, just 40 were found to be in people given two vaccine doses, illustrating the crucial protection provided by being jabbed, the report said.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO), in its latest weekly epidemiological update on Tuesday, warned that the overall risk associated with the Omicron variant remains 'very high' which could cause widespread disruption to health systems and other critical services.

"Consistent evidence shows that the Omicron variant has a growth advantage over the Delta variant with a doubling time of two to three days," the WHO said.

The warning comes as the new Omicron variant in the US has driven daily Covid-19 new cases to a record high of over 510,000.

It is the highest single-day increase of cases since the onset of the pandemic in the country, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University.

Besides, the variant has also soared Covid cases in a number of European countries such as the UK, France, Portugal and Ireland, as well in India.
San Francisco, Dec 29 : Four people were killed after a small plane crashed in California, according to authorities.

"A Learjet 35 business jet crashed in a residential San Diego neighbourhood around 7:15 p.m. local time Monday. Four people were aboard," said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a statement on Tuesday.

It added that the flight departed John Wayne Airport in Orange County and was headed to Gillespie Field Airport in San Diego, reports Xinhua news agency.

Police and firefighters responded to the scene after the crash.

Firefighters were not able to find any survivors at the crash scene, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The Learjet 35, which could carry up to eight passengers, is a type of multi-role twin-engine business jet manufactured by Learjet.

The plane was scheduled to land at Gillespie Field Airport when the accident happened.

No one was hurt on the ground, but one home was damaged and power lines were knocked down in the area, said the department in a news release.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the accident.
Patna, Dec 29 : Hours before Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's address in MIT Muzaffarpur under his social reform campaign, the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Wednesday accused the Kumar government of harbouring the accused involved in the mass gang-rape in a shelter home.

Taking to Twitter, the RJP pointed out that the accused of Muzaffarpur girls shelter home gang-rape case are still not convicted. The Samaj Sudhar Abhiyan (Social Reform Campaign) of Nitish Kumar is nothing more than mocking the patience and intelligence of the people of the state, it added.

The rape, gang-rape and other crimes against women are on a rise in Bihar, it said. Moreover, this government has given protection to the accused involved in the mass gang-rape in a shelter home.

Muzaffarpur shelter home gang-rape case came to light in May 2018 and the first FIR was registered on May 31,2018. The minor girls lodged in a shelter home called 'Sewa Sankalp evam Vikas Samiti' alleged gang-rape by visitors. Of the 42 minor girls, 34 alleged that they were sexually abused and assaulted by visitors. They alleged that the NGO founder Brajesh Thakur was involved in the incident.

During investigation, Brajesh Thakur's political links also surfaced. A woman cabinet minister of the Nitish government had also resigned from her post after her name figured in the case.
Kolkata, Dec 29 : West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar continued his tirade against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress in general. Uploading a video of a speech of Mamata Banerjee, Dhankhar accused the chief minister of using utmost foul 'vituperative language' defaming and insulting the Governor and being autocratic.

Posting a video of the chief minister's rally in Goa on December 16, Dhankhar said, "Your stance 'Raj Bhawan Mein Eik Raja', while being on a political trip to Goa, is hurtful and not in sync with constitutional norms or fact scenario. Seek to engage with you on this count as we both constitutional functionaries must act in harmony to serve people in dire need. Am sure you will accord priority to this and spare time for urgent interaction." The Governor was referring to the chief minister's speech where she without taking the name said, "Raj Bhawan mein ek raja baitha hai. Kiya nehi bolta hain. BJP ka president se bhi bada. All India President BJP ka - aisa baat karta hain (There is a king who sits at Raj Bhawan. What doesn't he say? He is even bigger than the President of BJP. He speaks as if he is the All-India President of BJP.) The Governor on his Twitter handle wrote: "Stunned @MamataOfficial 'Raj Bhawan mein ek raja baitha hai' stance, while on a political visit to Goa- unexpected act of impropriety. On Dec 16 urged CM for interaction as constitutional functionaries must act in harmony to serve people".

In a separate message, the Governor wrote: "Neither "law unto oneself" nor 'state within state' governance @MamataOfficial can be constitutionally sanctified. CM continually in breach of "duty" under Article 167 & politicized bureaucracy under Article 166".

"Functionaries @AITCofficial and Ministers @MamataOfficial have publicly used the most foul vituperative language defaming & insulting the Governor. Undeterred by these would continue to earnestly work to secure governance as per constitution & law. Present scenario alarmingly worrisome," he added.

However, there was no reaction available from Trinamool Congress.
Bengaluru, Dec 29 : Karnataka police on Wednesday said they have busted a major drug racket in Bengaluru. The police claims to have arrested three Nigerian nationals and seized drugs worth Rs 80 lakh from their possession.

The police said they seized MDMA, Cocaine, hasish from the accused persons. The accused have told cops that the drugs were smuggled into Bengaluru for peddling and distribution to elite customers during new year celebrations.

The sleuths of Narcotics wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) kept vigil on the suspected activity of drug peddlers in the city. After gathering inputs on activities of accused Nigerians in Bagalur police station limits, special operation was planned and executed.

Investigations revealed that the accused brought drugs from Mumbai in costly soap boxes and kept them at their residence.

The cops conducted raids at the residence and seized 400 grams of MDMA, 40 grams of cocaine, 400 grams of hasish, hidden in 5 soap boxes. The police also seized measuring instruments and five mobile phones used to contact customers.

The accused came to India on business Visa. They procured drugs from Mumbai and sold it in Bengaluru and established a good network. The accused have been booked under NDPS Act and Foreigners Act.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : A name synonymous with luxurious designs and innovative silhouettes, brand Ridhi Mehra has found a comfortable space in the fashion sphere. From opulent Indian wear to striking jumpsuits and chic separates, there is something for everyone.

Nimerta C Sharan New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANSlife) A name synonymous with luxurious designs and innovative silhouettes, brand Ridhi Mehra has found a comfortable space in the fashion sphere. From opulent Indian wear to striking jumpsuits and chic separates, there is something for everyone.

In an industry where newcomers struggle to shine and sustain, Mehra has hit the right notes with her exquisite ensembles, hard work and impressive marketing. We got to speak to the design genius on her Winter/Festive collection 'Raeza' and all things relevant.

What's the idea behind this collection? Mehra: This collection is majorly a power play of placement embroideries. We've taken inspiration from florals and have played around with size and colours. The idea was to explore different motifs and use them with traditional embroideries.

Where do you look for inspiration? Mehra: Everything inspires me - people, places, nature and emotions. It's about striking the right chord at the right time.

How is this collection different from the previous ones? Mehra: We have used different types of antique materials combined with multi-coloured resham hand-embroidery. There are big florals in pure organza appliquA work and each outfit stands out for its delicate detailing and bohemian charm. The dark colour palette acts as the perfect base and backdrop for the vibrant embroidery that we've used.

What's your take on sustainable fashion? As a brand, how are you keeping up with it? Mehra: It's high time that the dialogue be changed from fashion vs earth to fashion and earth. Fashion may not always come to mind when one thinks of curbing climate change but this dynamic industry has a lot to do with it. As a brand, we associate with manufacturers and fabric producers who prioritise decarbonising and minimising waste from production. We use high-quality, durable fabrics that last. Also, we've gone completely paperless and all our operations are digital.

Three best-dressed celebrities? Mehra: Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.

What do you love most about your work? Mehra: The fact that every day I get to engage directly with my creativity and take on different challenges. The process of innovating, progressing and crafting is beautiful.

How has work changed post-pandemic? Mehra: We've observed a slight shift in trends. When it comes to occasion wear, people are opting for really light outfits or the complete opposite - there's no in between as such. The wedding scenario has undergone a big transformation where celebrations might have become intimate but the demand for statement pieces hasn't changed. Due to this, there's been a rearrangement in the supply and demand chain. However, I'm positive about these changes and believe them to be progressive.

What's the one thing you'd like to change in the current fashion scene? Mehra: I'd want to see a mass inclination towards slow fashion. Fast fashion, as we know, is appealing with appalling consequences. I'd like that to change. I believe in the potential of slow fashion and that something new every season doesn't have to come at the cost of exploiting nature.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Today, many homeowners are developing a strong preference for local furniture rather than imported products, and noticeable shifts can be observed in consumer buying habits, with decor brands that promote regional craft and local skills and materials.

Moreover, with people and businesses beginning to look inward to enhance comfort and well-being, there has been a marked increase in the demand for bespoke, crafted products. This newfound admiration for homegrown brands, partially fueled by the pandemic, has propelled furniture designers to up the ante and offer designs whose quality, details, and ergonomic comfort are at par with international standards.

These developments in the furniture industry have also led to multiple textile and soft furnishing companies conducting business abroad to establish retail outlets in India for a consumer base that is well-travelled.

Suman Sharma, Principal and Head of Business, Mangrove Collective says, "The act of furniture-making calls for a striking balance between ergonomics (comfort), joinery details (craft), functionality, and beauty. We believe that products have an emotional connection with the owners, and hence, they must add value. The power of both hand-craft and technology must be utilised if necessary, and products must be made using responsibly chosen and procured materials. Though one is limited only by their imagination, by looking at products and processes in new ways, designers all over the country can develop products that celebrate craft-to bring joy to whichever space they inhabit." Infuse character: It is easy enough to create a Pinterest version of what a space should look like, but how does one infuse character into it? A lookalike version is easy but what really lends depth to a space is its character and how it resonates with its surroundings. Customisation of a product becomes an extension to the client's personality and taste, thus offering a new window of possibilities. More importantly, it speaks to the synergy in vision amongst the designer, the furniture maker or craftsperson, and the owner in co-creating the object, which results in a masterfully crafted, high-quality piece. For a country like India, which is home to a wellspring of crafts traditions, we have at our disposal a tremendous opportunity to integrate indigenous expertise with modern engineering-to develop ergonomic and beautiful pieces of furniture. By reclaiming indigenous and obscure crafts, local brands give them a new lease of life, reinterpreting and adapting these skill-sets for contemporary living.

Quality: The knowledge of making a quality piece of furniture also requires an in-depth exploration of what raw materials can be used and how they can be integrated with our traditional crafts and techniques. For instance, cane weaving is a venerated tradition that goes back for centuries, but in recent times the craft is witnessing a resurgence in its application. With the integration of modern technology, cane weaving can be harnessed today to develop comfortable and highly durable furniture suited to our tropical climate and context.

(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in)
Bhubaneswar, Dec 29 : One more person has tested Omicron positive in Odisha, taking the total number of cases in the state to nine, officials said here on Wednesday.

A 31-year-old man, who has returned from Dubai, tested positive for Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The infected man's health condition is stable and is now under treatment in a hospital, said State Director, Health Services, Bijay Mohapatra.

He returned to Odisha from Dubai via Kolkata on December 16. At that time, he had tested Covid negative, Mohapatra informed.

However, after one day, he got a fever and tested RT-PCR positive. So, his sample was sent for genome sequencing, where he was found Omicron positive, Mohapatra said.

Mohapatra suspected that the person might have been exposed to the virus during the travel period.

"Close contact of the person, his parents, have tested negative. However, we will again test them during the incubation period. If they test Covid positive, we will conduct genome sequencing of their samples," the director further informed.

So far, nine Omicron cases have been detected in Odisha. All are foreign returnees and one of them has already tested negative.

Meanwhile, Odisha reported 221 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the total number of cases to 10,54,381. With this, the State's active caseload rose to 1,593.

The State government has also confirmed two more deaths due to Covid after an audit. So far, 8,457 persons have died due to the virus in the state.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Hasnain Soomar's show "The Meeting Point" is a multi-dimensional confluence of memories, dualism, reality, and simple pleasures presented via his lens.

Hasnain, who is influenced by Raghu Rai's coffee table novels, uses his highly personal and idiosyncratic style to rediscover India.

He imagines mystical beauty and presents us with these powerful visuals that speak to the true essence of our many religions, as well as the human coexistence of love and compassion.

He visits a few ashrams, ghats, mosques, and Mughal sites frequently in pursuit of a connection between the human spirit and inner serenity.

With the help of written walls, Hindu and Islamic architecture, numerous facets of light and pattern, sometimes juxtaposing these with a sense of human existence, the photographer appears to peer inconspicuously into the world of astonishing symbolism, while remaining a silent distant observer.

The photographs taken during the current pandemic transport us to a time when individuals suddenly discovered the value of personal space and solitude. As we explore the succession of photographs, we may have a sense of uneasy solitude and human alienation. On the other hand, one can see things through the eyes of a new era of peace, spirituality, hope, humanity, harmony, wellness, and, most importantly, inner and personal happiness. This contradiction is enthralling and leaves the observer perplexed.

Soomar said, "Meeting Point expresses my spiritual explorations and learnings over the years. Photographed during and before the pandemic, this series of photographs is evocative of the times we have been living in. The jaalis are symbolic of the filters we use in the age of social media. While we are caught up in portrayals, our ultimate spiritual freedom is also bound to come through the crutches we use to stay in the material world. Sometimes, they become symbols of the inevitable change we are meant to go through when we are done with it all." Adding, "The jaalis also symbolise my attempt to filter the fear within and without, allowing light to travel through the core of our being. As Rumi puts it, "The wound is (indeed) the place from where the light enters." The other photographs in the series also come from a deep spiritual space. They look like mun-danes on the surface, but capturing these with my lens was a meditative experience by itself." Hasnain, "A man at the mosque performing the Wazu (cleansing ritual before offering a prayer) is an image that ad-dresses the present and the future, holding time in a delicate balance, creating a meeting point between what is and what is to be. The birds dancing around the water is a moment of discovering unbridled joy in per-forming a routine task that holds the mundane and extraordinary all in one go! When I photographed the two boys jumping in the river, it was a reminder of the ultimate taste of freedom from all fears and limitations.

For me, the meeting point is where the opposites unite and merge in such a way that the dark-ness gives way to light, fear to hope, and movement to stillness." Dhoomimal Gallery organised a Solo show "Meeting Point" by Hasnain Soomar from December 10th till February 10th 2022 from 11am to 7pm at Dhoomimal Gallery 8-A, Block A, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
Seoul, Dec 29 : South Korea conducted regular military drills to strengthen the defence of its easternmost islets of Dokdo last week, multiple sources said on Wednesday, amid lingering tensions caused by Japan's persistent claims to the East Sea outcroppings.

The country's military staged the drills to ensure their readiness to fend off potential foreign infiltrations to the rocky outcroppings, the source said without elaborating on the exact date and the size of the participating troops.

"(The military) held the exercise last week," a source told Yonhap News Agency.

South Korea is said to have not carried out any landing drills on the islets, with the manoeuvers having proceeded in waters and through computer simulation.

Seoul's Defence Ministry and the Navy refused to confirm whether the drills took place.

The latest drills came as Washington has been steadily striving to bring its key Asian allies, Seoul and Tokyo, closer together amid its drive to counter China's growing assertiveness.

In particular, the three countries have been coordinating over the idea of holding trilateral defence ministerial talks likely next month to reinforce their security cooperation.

South Korea launched the Dokdo drills in 1986. Since 2003, it has conducted them twice a year.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : The resident doctors on Wednesday continued their protest in support of their demands, including the withdrawal of the FIRs filed against them.

The meeting between a delegation of the protesting doctors and the Union Health Minister on Tuesday had failed to make any headway.

The resident doctors have been protesting for the past 13 days over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling.

In a statement, the Federation of Resident Doctors Association of India (FORDA), which is leading the protest nationwide, said that the FIR has been filed by the police against the protesting resident doctors. "After discussion with the RDA representatives, it has been decided to continue the agitation till our demands are met," said the doctors' association.

A source in the RDA meeting said that all RDAs agreed to call off the strike as the Union Health Minister assured the meeting that the report will be submitted in the court on the next hearing on January 6 and he was hopeful that soon the counselling dates will be announced. But, some of RDA representatives were determined to stretch the protest till the FIRs are withdrawn by the Delhi Police and an apology submitted for their action during Monday's protest. "However, we all agreed to continue the protest till all our demands are met," he added.

As the protest, including the withdrawal of all medical and emergency services, entered into 13th day, the patient care has largely been affected across the hospitals in Delhi.

City's Safdarjung Hospital, which has emerged as the main centre of protest, is running with only senior doctors in the OPD and Emergency services. Amid heavy security personnel deployed in the hospital, junior doctors are boycotting the services. However, doctors are planning to take the protest forward with Covid norms as Delhi has been placed under yellow alert after the Covid spike.
Kochi, Dec 29 : The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI investigation into an alleged financial scam of over Rs 7.5 crores in a period of ten years from the Kerala Advocates Welfare Fund.

The court ordered the CBI probe after looking into petitions filed by lawyers practising before various courts and members of the Kerala Bar Council.

Justice Sunil Thomas heard the case and said that the fraud should be probed by the CBI given the gravity of the offence.

"After considering the complexity of the case and the fact that the matter is of a general importance, applicable to interest of all the lawyers as a community who have a right to know how their contribution was misused, to sustain the faith of the public in the Bar Council as well as the Advocate's Welfare Fund Trust, the deep and pervasive nature of the crime involved, the matter needs investigation by a specialised agency," he said.

He added that what shocks the conscience of everybody is that during the long period of ten years, no records were maintained or retained.

"Shockingly, nobody verified the records and that during this long period, the records were not even audited, even though Trustee Committee was under an obligation to get the records audited. This indifference from the Trustee Committee has led to this enormous squandering of money." This fund was set up to give retirement benefits and social security to advocates in Kerala.

The source of the fund includes voluntary donations or contributions made by the Bar Council of India or by any other Bar Associations besides all sums by way of sale of stamps under Section 22 of the Kerala Court Fees and Suit Valuation Act.
Kanpur : , Dec 29 (IANS) The Kanpur police have lodged an FIR at the Naubasta police station against Samajwadi Party members for conspiring to create ruckus during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kanpur.

Modi was in Kanpur on Tuesday.

The action was taken after the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday shared a video that shows Samajwadi Party (SP) members burning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy.

In the video, a group of SP workers are seen burning the PM's effigy on a roadside in Kanpur. The group also vandalised cars parked nearby causing the police to interfere.

With the video tweeted by the BJP, the party alleged that the SP workers were seen burning the Prime Minister's effigy and the group also attacked and vandalised a car after being confronted by a passer-by about the havoc being caused.

The BJP also alleged that the SP workers attacked the car because it carried posters of Modi over it.

Following the incident, Uttar Pradesh deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya assured strict action against the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the UP Police have said that it will further investigate the matter before taking any action.

The Kanpur police officials informed that the vandalisers would be identified and arrested.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : The Indian Army with the help of National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has established a Quantum and Artificial Intelligence Lab at Military College of Telecommunication Engineering in Madhya Pradesh's Mhow to spearhead research and training in this key developing field.

Key thrust areas are Quantum Key Distribution, Quantum Communication, Quantum Computing and Post Quantum Cryptography, the force said.

Indian Army chief General M.M. Naravane visited the facility to take stock of the situation and see technological research being taken by the labs.

Indian Army has established an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre at the same institution with over 140 deployments in forward areas and active support of the industry and academia.

Training on cyber warfare is being imparted through a state of art cyber range, and cyber security labs. Ideation for Army's involvement in Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations was done in a seminar on Electromagnetic Spectrum and National Security organised in October last year.

Since then, an impetus has been given to the Indian Army's Technology Institutions for investing in AI, Quantum and Cyber.

Research undertaken by the Indian Army in the field of Quantum Technology will help leapfrog into next generation communication and transform the current system of cryptography in the Indian Armed Forces to Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

By undertaking a multi-stakeholder approach incorporating Academia (such as IITs), DRDO organisations, Research Institutes, corporate firms, startups and industry players, this initiative is an apt example of Civil Military fusion with Atmanirbhar Bharat a key driving factor.

Requisite timelines based objectives with adequate funding have been worked out for projects and progressive fielding of solutions in the Indian Army is expected on a fast track basis.
Chennai, Dec 29 : Tamil Director Arun Vaidyanathan, who is known for having made thrillers such as 'Achamundu Achamundu' and Mohanlal's 'Peruchazli', has tested positive for the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The director, who is known to travel frequently to the US, took to social media to share the news.

He said: "I went to Kumbh Mela and shot for 28 days with 160 ppl on sets ... went to Varanasi and Bodh Gaya ... but once I came to the US, I tested positive. Covid is like a masala film - no logic!" Vaidyanathan went on to add that he had tested positive for the Omicron variant of Covid-19. In his usual tongue-in-cheek way, he said: "I have a new visitor at home and I think his name is Omicron. He has been kind and not demanding much as of now." He concluded on a reassuring note: "People who stayed in touch with me through WhatsApp, Messenger and other social media ... Relax. God bless everyone."
Lucknow, Dec 29 : Election Commission of India (ECI) officials led by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra on Wednesday held a meeting with senior officials in Lucknow to assess the preparedness for the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

The UP chief secretary, district magistrates, police commissioners, deputy Inspector Generals of Police, additional chief secretary (Home), among other officials, were present at the meeting.

The Election Commission delegation is on a three-day visit to the poll-bound state.

The poll body on Tuesday evening had met delegations of major political parties. All the parties favoured elections on schedule and were against any postponement of polls.

In the 2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party had won 312 seats in the 403-member assembly while the Samajwadi Party (SP) got 47 seats, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won 19. The Congress could manage to win only seven seats.
Mumbai, Dec. Dec 29 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday filed a supplementary charge sheet against former state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and has named his two sons, Hrishikesh and Salil, in the alleged bribery case lodged against him, officials said here.

The supplementary charge sheet running into several thousands pages was filed before the Special PMLA Court and among other things, has accused Deshmukh of corruption and money-laundering.

A senior Nationalist Congress Party leader, Deshmukh was arrested on November 2, a day after he appeared before the ED offices in Mumbai, and has remained in custody since then.

The ED has claimed that Deshmukh was the prime beneficiary of the laundering of the bribe monies allegedly collected by dismissed policeman Sachin Vaze, who is also an accused in the same case.

In the earlier charge sheet filed in August, the ED had named 14 accused, including Deshmukh's private secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde, a trust run by the Deshmukh family in Nagpur, and others.

The ED has contended that the Desmhmukh family was controlling or managing the activities of over two dozen companies that were used to launder the bribe money by showing them as donations for CSR activities.

Denying the allegations, Deshmukh has countered the ED claiming that the money was loans and CSR funds received from various companies.

The supplementary charge sheet includes statements of Deshmukh, former Mumbai police commissioner Parambir Singh, ex-Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, certain IPS officers, police officials and other witnesses in the case, besides various documents and other evidence that came up during the probe.

The ED probe started after this the Central Bureau of Investigation filed its FIR against Deshmukh on April 21 accusing him of graft and misusing his official position as minister, but he has consistently refuted all the allegations against him.

The central agencies said that as the Home Minister, Deshmukh had allegedly directed Vaze to collect Rs 100 crore per month from hoteliers and had collected Rs 4.70 crore from various bar owners in Mumbai which was then laundered through his trusts.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday urged the Centre to expedite the NEET-PG Counselling to avoid medical staff crisis in hospitals as Covid surges. He said that doctors' representatives met Union Health Minister on Tuesday and is hopeful that they will call off the strike soon.

Jain underlined that Delhi is ready for children's vaccination as the drive is going to start from January 3. He said that there is no need to make separate vaccination centre for children as the city has already completed the first dose. "We will use the same centres for children too as people due for second dose visit the centre only when their time comes," said the Delhi Health Minister, adding that now only children will visit those centres for their first dose.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Jain said that the GRAP stage one has been implemented in the city which means that Delhi is under 'Yellow Alert'. "Further discussion on the current Covid situation will take place in today's DDMA meeting," he added.

Terming the Omicron outbreak an important factor for spike in Delhi's daily Covid caseload, he said that Covid-19 positivity rate is around 1 per cent with 496 new cases reported on Tuesday. The cases have increased with the arrival of international flights.

There is no need to create panic as not a single Omicron patient has required oxygen support so far, he added further.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hubballi, Dec 29 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday thanked the BJP leaders and the state office bearers for reposing faith in him and appreciating his government.

Speaking to reporters here, Bommai said: "They have given a clear message for our government to go ahead and continue the good work. Their expectations will be met and we will strive hard in future also." He stated that the high command has always been supportive of him and his government.

"The party high command always had clarity on the issue of state leadership. The stand of the high command had been made clear by the party's state in-charge Arun Singh," he said.

Bommai said that the party would put up a united front in elections and facing political situations.

Arun Singh and state BJP Chief Nalin Kumar Kateel on Tuesday clarified that there was no question of a change of leadership in the state and the next elections will be fought under Bommai.

These announcements by the senior leaders on the question of a change of leadership in the state has dampened the spirits of many BJP state leaders who are nursing the hope of becoming chief minister.
Vijayawada, Dec 29 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that if any harm was caused to party leader Vangaveeti Radha, the YSR Congress Party government will be held responsible.

The leader of opposition alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to assassinate Vangaveeti Radha. In a letter to Director General of Police Gautam Sawang, Naidu demanded a transparent investigation into the latest recce conducted on Vangaveeti Radha in Vijayawada.

Radha while participating in the death anniversary of his father Vengaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao on December 26 had claimed that he was facing threat to his life. He said some politically motivated persons did a recce near his house and office.

Ranga, who was a Congress legislator and a powerful leader of Kapu community, was hacked to death while he was on a fast in Vijayawada on December 26, 1988.

Following Radha's allegation, the state government offered him security but he turned down the same saying that his followers and well-wishers would protect him better.

Chandrababu Naidu, in his letter to the DGP, demanded that stringent action should be taken against those who held the recce with an intention to kill Radha. It was appalling that the law and order situation was deteriorating under the YSRCP's 'Goonda Raj' in Andhra Pradesh, he said.

Naidu said that as stated by Radha, a group of people have been observing his movements and following him everywhere to conduct recce and to attack him. Such illegal acts carried out during broad daylight became the hallmark of the reign of jungle and goonda raj in Andhra Pradesh in the past two and half years, the TDP chief said.

Mohana Ranga was murdered in 1988 when he was on hunger strike, sparking unprecedented violence in Vijayawada and other parts of Krishna as well as neighbouring districts. More than 40 people were killed and property worth over Rs 100 crore was damaged.

The violence abated after then chief minister N.T. Rama Rao made Ranga's rival and TDP legislator Devineni 'Nehru' Rajasekhar surrender. Then home minister Kodela Sivaprasada Rao also had to resign.

Incidentally, Ranga had also alleged a threat to his life and went on a fast demanding security when he was hacked to death.

In 2016, filmmaker Ramgopal Verma had made a Telugu movie "Vangaveeti" -- based on the feud between the families of Radha and Deveneni 'Nehru' Rajasekhar belonging to two different castes and political parties.

Radha had quit YSRCP in 2019 after he was denied ticket from Vijayawada Central Assembly constituency. He later joined TDP.
San Francisco, Dec 29 : San Francisco has announced the cancellation of the city's annual New Year's Eve fireworks show as holiday gatherings and travel have expedited the spread of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant.

The event would draw tens of thousands to the waterfront, creating a hotbed for viral infections, public health officials said Tuesday, adding that another big worry is a shortage of staff to handle large events, reports Xinhua news agency.

New Year's Eve already presents challenges for San Francisco's police and fire departments, given the number of parties and revellers, according to a report by San Francisco Chronicle.

So far, 84 per cent of eligible San Francisco residents are fully vaccinated against the virus and 55 per cent have received a booster shot, according to health authorities.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Smartphones have evolved substantially in the last decade to meet the changing demands and expectations of the consumers. With the current momentum, foldable smartphones are set to witness a massive 638 per cent jump in sales in India in 2021, and are expected to touch a record 3 lakh units sales in 2022.

The foldable smartphone revenues are expected to grow by 60 per cent next year, translating to Rs 3,200 crore for the industry that will include Samsung and a few more original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) which are expected to launch their foldable smartphones in 2022, according to data provided by market research firm Techarc.

"In the luxe category (above Rs 50,000), the intent of purchase is not just utility but it's also about statement. Foldable smartphones make the right balance of utility and style in the luxe segment and definitely increase the return on investment for the segment," Faisal Kawoosa, founder and chief analyst, Techarc, told IANS.

Samsung is the only OEM offering commercially available foldable smartphones for the past three years. It launched the third generation Samsung Galaxy Z Fold as well as Samsung Galaxy Z Flip in 2021. Both have seen good response from the market, though the foldable form factor sells more than the flip form factor.

Now, smartphone manufacturer OPPO has unveiled its first foldable phone, 'Find N'.

According to Tasleem Arif, Vice President and Head of R&D at OPPO India, smartphone technology has entered an era of limitless innovation with folding phones.

"Previously, the focus of smartphone evolution was on the display panel; however, in an age where everyone has a phone with the same features, manufacturers are finding a way to break through the bottleneck of smartphone displays," said Arif.

India's ever-growing community of tech enthusiasts is also actively experiencing and talking about new form factors like rollable and foldable, he added.

In 2022, one can see the launch of at least a few innovative foldable phones. Apart from Samsung, Huawei and OPPO, Apple is also reportedly working on a foldable iPhone.

"Recent industry reports indicate that foldable smartphone shipments will grow 10 times by 2023. Dual-purpose smartphones are expected to expand their customer base in India, especially among the millennials," said Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India.

Consumers in the premium smartphone segment look at their smartphones as lifestyle statements.

"They seek to be seen with the latest and best tech, including foldables. This shift in consumer mindset is primarily driven by the mainstreaming of foldable form factors, mainly in terms of device durability, water resistance and more affordable pricing," said Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR.

"In 2022 and beyond, with new market players entering the fray with their foldable phones, we believe the premium smartphone segment in India will witness a boom," Ram told IANS.

OEMs are now trying to create something new to intrigue the customers constantly.

"With this, many key smartphone players are also planning to launch foldable phones backed by the latest technologies in the near future. Smartphones are a part of the high-end competition, and the future of foldable smartphones looks great, not just in India but globally," said Sanjay Gupta, VP, Managing Director, NXP Semiconductors.

(Md Waquar Haider can be reached at waquar.h@ians.in)
Chennai, Dec 29 : The Sri Perumbudur facility of technical company Foxconn that assembles Apple iPhones has been put on probation after 250 women employees of the facility were affected by food poisoning in their dormitory.

A statement from Apple on Wednesday said that the company would ensure that strict standards are ensured at Foxconn facility before the company is allowed to reopen.

The company also said that it holds suppliers accountable to the highest standards in the industry.

There were protests against the Foxconn company facilities after 250 women employees reportedly fell ill due to food poisoning at the Sri Perumbudur facility of the company.

Meanwhile, Foxconn on Wednesday said that it was restructuring the local management team and added that it was taking immediate steps to improve the facilities. The company also said that it will ensure that it will maintain the standards required.

Apple company said that it has already sent independent auditors to check the dormitory facilities of Foxconn after complaints on the living conditions in the dormitories. The company also said that it was working with the supplier company to improve the living conditions in the dormitories as well as the dining rooms there. It also said that corrective actions will be implemented at the earliest in the supplier company.
Hyderabad, Dec 29 : 'Pushpa: The Rise' has been making waves for a lot of reasons. And one of them is the intense role of the antagonist Shekhawat essayed flawlessly by Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil.

'Pushpa' lead star Allu Arjun said that he was really wishing that Fahadh would come on board the project.

"I was wishing that he did this character because it needs a very powerful antagonist. Someone who has got a star presence. The moment he agreed and came on board it was wonderful. To see him perform in live was very nice. Because I have seen his work on screen but still there's a loss of generation. When you see the actor perform live, it's a different experience altogether," Allu Arjun told IANS.

Director Sukumar prefers casting Telugu-speaking actors in the main roles of his movies. When it came to casting for 'Pushpa' too, he largely stuck to his practice. The reason although is based on practicality for Sukumar.

"What happens with me is I keep changing dialogues on set. Scene will remain but I often improvise on dialogue. That's why I prefer actors who know Telugu. Even Dhananjay from Kannada, he knows Telugu very well. He speaks Telugu. Rashmika she speaks Telugu. Even if you give her the dialogue on the spot. It becomes easy." Sukumar told IANS.

But Sukumar made an exception in case of Fahadh. Although he doesn't speak Telugu, the director was eager cast him in 'Pushpa: The Rise'. "Im a big fan of his from the beginning. I liked his performance in 'Maheshinte prateekaram'. Allu Arjun is capable of delivering his performance. I wanted to see them on one screen. I wanted to create electricity between them. Not fight or violence. When they talk, it should like a fight. people should feel the tension through their emotions." Sukumar elaborated.

Going by the audience reactions, and movie collections, the casting seems to have worked out well, especially in Kerala where Allu Arjun's movies dubbed in Malayalam have a very good following.

'Pushpa: The Rise' released in five languages has been having a good run at the box-office ever since its release on December 17. The movie is set against the backdrop of red sandalwood smuggling in Andhra Pradesh.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : The Income Tax Department on Wednesday carried out searches at 35 locations connected to two prominent business groups of Raipur and Korba in Chhattisgarh and seized cash and jewellery worth Rs 3 crore.

According to officials, these private firms that deal with iron and steel products, coal washery and transportation, were concealing unaccounted cash of over Rs 200 crore.

The searches covered more than 35 premises spread over Raipur, Korba, Bilaspur and Raigarh districts of Chhattisgarh.

Various incriminating documents and digital evidence including a parallel set of cash books were found, in one of the firms.

The preliminary analysis of these parallel set of cash books revealed that it contained a systematic record of unaccounted transactions of over Rs 200 crore.

Evidence collected also suggests that certain entities of this group were indulging in suppression of actual production and subsequent unaccounted sales made in cash, which were not recorded in the regular account books.

In the case of one such entity, a parallel set of records of transactions of around Rs 50 crore were recovered which were not reflected in the regular accounts books.

"The search team has also found that this group is evading their taxable income by obtaining bogus purchase invoices from related group entities engaged in transportation as well as from entry providers," an official said.

He added that the other group also indulged in various malpractices.

"It was being done to evade taxes on its income by resorting to obtaining of share capital with unsubstantiated share premium and claim of expenses on bogus purchases. The key person of this group has admitted an undisclosed income of Rs 20 crore," he said.
Srinagar, Dec 29 : The findings of the special investigation team (SIT) of the Jammu and Kashmir police probing the November 15 Hyderpora encounter have been largely criticised by the mainstream politicians of Kashmir.

Peoples' Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Wednesday said the J&K police's statement on the Hyderpora encounter was a concocted and a cover-up story.

In a statement, the PAGD said: "Today's press briefing of J&K Police about last month's Hyderpora tragic incident is only a repetition of the old story. It does not even slightly give any objective picture of this shocking incident.

"There was a strong public perception that the civilians killed in the incident were made human shields by the security forces and the latest statement of the Police seemed to be a concocted, cover-up story.

"It will not suffice the legitimate concerns of the people at large and family of the slain victims".

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM, and chief of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti dismissed the findings of the SIT.

"SIT's clear chit to armed forces in Hyderpora encounter isn't surprising. It was purely a charade to cover up a botched up operation & absolve those culpable for killing innocent civilians. How can one expect justice when they themselves are judge, jury & executioner?" she tweeted in her reaction to the findings.

Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Lone, while reacting to the SIT's report on the Hyderpora encounter, said it was on expected lines and that it was one more addition to hundreds of 'ornamental probes.' In a tweet, Lone said: "Hyderpora probe on expected lines. One more addition to hundreds of ornamental probes, Any victims of the past or of the future better ensure that they are not caught up in wrong place at the wrong time or even right place at the wrong time. Onus to save oneself is on the self." The SIT ordered by the police to probe the Hyderpora encounter has given clean chit to the security forces in the encounter that took place in Hyderpora area of Srinagar city on November 15.

Four persons including three local residents and a Pakistani terrorist were killed in that encounter.

While families said that all the three -- Altaf Bhat, the owner of the building where the encounter took place, Mudasir Gul, a tenant of the building and Amir Magray another tenant, were innocent and killed by the security forces, the SIT has dismissed any involvement of the security forces.

Sujit Kumar, DIG (central Kashmir) told the media on Tuesday that Altaf Bhat was killed in cross firing by the militant fire. Mudasir Gul was deliberately shot and killed by the Pakistani terrorist while Amir Margray was an associate of the slain terrorist.

Bodies of Bhat and Mudasir have been handed over to the families while that of Amir Magray has still not been exhumed.
Puducherry, Dec 29 : The Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) moved a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Madras High Court on Wednesday against the decision of the Puducherry administration to go ahead with New Year celebrations inspite of the Omicron threat looming large over the territory.

An octogenarian and a 21-year-old woman were diagnosed with the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus in Puducherry on Tuesday.

TVK Puducherry state organising secretary, R. Sridhar moved the PIL in the Madras High Court for directing the Puducherry government to ban the New Year celebrations.

The litigant said that states like neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala have put restrictions on the New Year celebrations in the wake of the Omicron threat and that Puducherry moving ahead with the celebrations would lead to a spike in cases.

The TVK leader in his petition pointed out that even after the possibility of Omicron cases rising, the Union Territory has allowed New Year celebrations to take place at 45 places in the territory.

He said that people from several parts of the country are arriving in the Union Territory for the New Year celebrations and mentioned in the petition that this would lead to the spread of Omicron.
Bhopal, Dec 29 : Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday reported 48 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, out of which 32 new infections were registered in Indore alone, while capital city Bhopal reported in single digit (6).

The remaining 10 cases were reported in districts -- Ujjain, Jhabua and Jabalpur each reporting two cases, while Narsinghpur, Gwalior, Khargone and Ratlam reported one case each.

As the state government reviewed the situation on Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh's commercial capital -- Indore witnessed a slight surge in new cases, especially in the last one week.

As per the official data, in the last one week (between December 22 and December 28), a total of 139 Covid cases were registered in Indore and 65 in Bhopal. Similarly, in the month of December so far, a total of 631 people were found infected with Covid-19, of which 279 were reported in Indore and 211 in Bhopal.

As per official information, nine cases of new variant, Omicron were reported alone in Indore, of which 7 are reported to have recovered so far. On Tuesday, the state reported 42 new cases, of them 27 were in Indore.

The total active cases of Covid-19 in Madhya Pradesh has risen to 307, so far, as per the state government's data.

Since the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, a total of 7,98,809 people were found infected with the Coronavirus out of which 7,82,969 have recovered, till date. A total of 10,533 people have lost their lives due to Covid in the state so far.

The government has imposed a night curfew (between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.) on December 23.

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New Delhi, Dec 29 : The special investigation team probing killing of locals in Nagaland grilled 14 Indian Army personnel and a few locals, sources said on Wednesday.

The SIT, comprising of local police and Army officers also held meeting with Konyak Union and Konyak Students Union along with relatives of the deceased and village representatives.

The team reached Oting village of Nagaland where the incident took place for forensic details.

Last week, the Indian Army said its inquiry into the December 4 incident of Civilian killings in Nagaland is progressing expeditiously and all efforts are being made to conclude it at the earliest.

"We have taken out notices for people to come forward and assist us in the inquiry by providing any information including videos, photos or any other material from original sources and will be grateful for the same. This can be conveyed on WhatsApp Messenger at +916026930283 or Army Exchange Helpline +913742388456", the Army had said in a statement.

The Indian Army is also said that they are fully cooperating with the Special Investigation Team(SIT) inquiry ordered by State Govt and required details are being shared in timely manner.

"The people of Nagaland have always cooperated and assisted the security forces in maintaining peace and tranquillity over the last many decades. We share a deep bond of brotherhood, trust and friendship with you. Let us work together for a brighter & better future," the Indian Army said.

On December 4, Saturday around 4.00-4.30 p.m., a unit of the '21 Para Special Forces' organised an ambush on suspected NSCN (K) Yung Aung faction cadre near Tiru village, Mon district, and instead of gunning down the suspected militants, killed eight civilian miners belonging to Oting village who were returning home in a pickup truck when the attack took place.

Out of the 8 (eight) miners, 6 (six) were immediately killed as a result of the ambush and 2 (two) were severely injured. The villagers on searching for the missing miners and discovering their bodies retaliated in anger on the local armed forces and in the ensuing firefight 7 (seven) more civilians and one jawan were killed.

On December 5 (Sunday) agitated crowd burned down the Konyak Students Union Office and in the police firing that ensued one more civilian was killed. In total, as a result of the unfortunate incidents, 14 (fourteen) civilians and 1 (one) jawan were killed.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Highlighting the opportunities for higher education institutions to play a key role in innovation and the start-up ecosystem, Union Minister of State for Education Dr Subhas Sarkar on Wednesday said it could bring a revolution not only at the economic level but also on the social and environmental front.

While virtually inaugurating the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2021, he said the New Education Policy 2020 will make these efforts more effective and impactful in the long run.

According to him, the ARIIA ranking will inspire Indian institutions to reorient their mindset and build ecosystems to encourage high-quality research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in their campuses.

Emphasizing on promoting innovation to achieve a $5 trillion economy by 2025, Sarkar said that more than quantity, the institute should focus on quality of innovations and research.

This will help us achieve 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in the true sense, he said, adding that 'Emphasis on Innovation' is one of the three vows taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Kashi. The other two vows were for 'Swachh Bharat' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

Considering all these three vows, innovation is the only path for their fulfilment. Hence, we need to give a huge push to innovation and entrepreneurship within our educational institutions and ARIIA is one major initiative in that direction, he said.

While referring to India's consistent growth in innovation and start-ups, Sarkar said that India has one of the largest higher educational systems in the world. A concerted effort by our higher educational institutions is, therefore, required towards inculcating the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among our students and to prepare faculty as innovators, out-of-the-box thinkers, creative problem solvers, entrepreneurs and job creators.

The Union Minister also appreciated the efforts by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and MoE's Innovation Cell in planning and implementing ARIIA and its two editions successfully. He also launched the fourth edition of ARIIA and urged all the higher educational institutions to participate.

The ARIIA is an initiative of the Ministry of Education (MoE) to systematically rank all major higher educational institutions in India on indicators related to innovation, start-up and entrepreneurship development amongst students and faculty.

The ARIIA-2021 ranking has been announced in various categories which include centrally funded technical institutions -- IITs, NITs, state universities, state standalone technical colleges, private universities, private standalone technical colleges, non-technical government and private universities and institutions. This year the participation has almost doubled to 1,438 institutes and has quadrupled over the first edition.
Kanpur : , Dec 29 (IANS) Five Samajwadi Party workers have been arrested in connection with the Tuesday's violence in Kanpur.

According to an FIR, one SP worker, identified as Sachin Kesarwani has been arrested. Sachin Kesarwani is a worker of the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha.

The others arrested include Ankur Patel, Nikesh Kumar, Shukant Sharma and Abhishek Rawat.

According to police, a conspiracy was being hatched to create unrest in Kanpur ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Tuesday. Police said that SP workers vandalised a car that had flags of the BJP and a poster of PM Modi. They also burnt an effigy of PM Modi on a roadside in the city.

The video was then widely circulated on social media platforms with an intention to irk BJP workers and create unrest at the Prime Minister's event.

However, during the investigation, it was revealed that the SP workers vandalised their own car after decorating it as a BJP car. Police said that further investigation into the matter will continue and those behind the violence will face action.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Under Phase-2 of the nationwide Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), 25,000 villages have declared themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF).

In a tweet, the SBM team said that villages across India are working actively to ensure safe sanitation, solid and liquid waste management arrangements and visual cleanliness for achieving ODF plus status.

A financial outlay of Rs 1,41,600 crore has been finalised for SBM-U 2.0, including a central share of Rs 36,465 crore, which is over 2.5 times the financial outlay of Rs 62,009 crore in the last phase of the mission, the government had said in a statement in October.

The statement said the second phase of SBM focuses on the sustainability of ODF outcomes, achieving scientific processing of solid waste in all cities, and managing wastewater in cities with less than one lakh population as per Census 2011.

The SBM was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2, 2014, to accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put the focus on sanitation.

The government had said that the implementation of the mission components will be done in a structured and time-bound manner, with a thorough gap analysis of required infrastructure, detailed five-year action plans, and annual action plans with timelines.
Chennai, Dec 29 : A woman was arrested under POCSO for marrying her 17-year-old student at Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu.

The Perambalur police arrested the woman from her residence on Monday night.

According to the prosecution, the woman as part of her teacher training course had gone to to a Government High School at Vickramangalam two years ago where she fell in love with a 15-year-old student.

Even after she went back, the duo continued their relationship and on October 22, 2021, they got married at Gangaikondacholapuram without their parents knowledge.

The boy later took his new bride to his grandmother's home at Moongilapadi which was lying vacant. Though the house was closed, the boy knew where his grandmother hid the keys and entered the home and spent time there.

When the boy failed to return home by sunset, his mother called him up on his phone. The boy confided in his mother that he was in love0 with a woman and had taken her to his grandmother's place.

At this, the she reprimanded him and told him that his family will not allow them to live together.

Perturbed by the conversation, the duo decided to end their lives and consumed poison. However, the boy showed presence of mind and rode to a PHC at Kunnam in a two-wheeler with the woman. Following a fortnight's treatment, they recovered and went back to their respective homes.

After the boy reached home, his father filed a police complaint against the woman for luring his underaged son and marrying him while he had not attained the marriageable age.

The woman was arrested and a POCSO court in Chennai remanded her in judicial custody.
December 29 : With Covid-19 cases rising in the country once again, Delhi recorded 331 new cases on Monday, the highest single day increase in 201 days. One Covid-19 fatal case was also reported in the day. To control the situation, Delhi government announced yellow alert and took several strict restrictions including night curfew and shut down of cinema halls.

This has become a major cause of concern for the film industry, which was on its way to bounce back from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic last year and in the beginning of this year. Now, the Delhi government ordered to shut down cinema halls have impacted the multiplex owners in the national capital. The concerned owners wrote to the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to reconsider the new rules and allow the theatres to operate with proper guidelines and protocols.

Several Bollywood actors including Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon have supported the multiplex association, who have issued a plea for the Delhi government. Varun and Kriti, who will share screen space in their forthcoming film Bhediya, have extended their support to the plea of the multiplex owners. The actors have share the Multiplex Association of India's (MAI) statement on their Instagram stories, and urged their fans to read and spread it. They have also urged the government to consider it.

MAI's letter stated that the Delhi government's decision will have immense impact and could also lead to "irreparable damage" to the film industry, as 2020 was most challenging for the industry. "Not a single outbreak of Covid-19 anywhere around the world has been traced to a cinema," MAI stated.

Image Source: Instagram

It also pointed that that the cinema industry should be treated in the same way as other industries and institutions. MAI urged Delhi government to introduce double vaccination requirement to enter cinemas like in Maharashtra and apply a 50 per cent capacity in each hall.

After a long gap, cinema halls started operating at 100 per cent capacity in October. In July, Delhi government had allowed to operate the cinema halls at 50 per cent seating capacity. Movie halls were closed in April to control the second wave of Covid-19.

The government decision to shut cinema halls has immediately affected the movies which have been recently released like 83, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Pushpa: The Rise - Part I. The announcement came as a big blow to filmmakers, theatre owners, exhibitors, and distributors. The theatres were just reviving with films like Sooryavanshi, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Pushpa, bringing people back to the theatres despite the 50 per cent capacity rule in some states.

Amid the rise in Covid-19 cases, the first film to postpone its release is Shahid Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur starrer Jersey, which was slated to release on December 31 this year.

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Patna, Dec 29 : Taking a dig at the Bihar Chief Minister over his "Samaj Sudhar Abhiyan" (social reform campaign) in the state, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Vice President Shivanand Tiwari on Wednesday said that an inebriated Nitish Kumar is worse than liquor addiction.

"Nitish Kumar is touring the state to seize liquor bottles these days. People are laughing after liquor bottles were found in the state Assembly with the DGP and Nitish Babu searching for it," Tiwari quipped.

"It is a kind of mental disease and I believe that inebriation of Nitish Kumar is worse and dangerous than the addiction of liquor," Tiwari said.

"Bihar is poor and he has put a huge burden on the state exchequer. He has also pressured bureaucrats to such an extent that they are running behind him," he said.

Echoing Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana's views that the liquor ban decision of Bihar government in 2016 had a "put huge burden" on courts, he said: "There are three lakh cases pending in the courts of Bihar. People are waiting for justice for a long time and now the excessive cases related to liquor violations put additional burden on courts," he said.

On Monday, the Chief Justice was in Sidhartha law college in Vijayawada where he shared his views on futuristic challenges in the Indian judiciary system.

Ramana pointed out that every policy needs to be addressed with futuristic planning, its evaluation and constitutionality before its implementation on ground. After the liquor ban decision of Nitish Kumar government in 2016, a large number of cases were pending in the courts. Even hearing for bail in simple cases is taking one year time in the courts.

"The applications pertaining to bails in liquor prohibition act are submitted in large numbers in the high court. Due to shortsighted policies implemented by different governments, it is affecting the works of courts in the country. Every law needs to be discussed thoroughly and with solid points before implementation," Ramana said.

"A young couple was arrested in the hotel of Patna on the charge of liquor violation and put them in jail without thinking that their future will be ruined after that. The act of a couple may be a violation of existing law but it is more of a case of counselling rather than a crime," Tiwari said.

"In majority of the cases of liquor ban, only poor people are being arrested in Bihar," Tiwari further said.
Bhopal, Dec 29 : The pandemic has resulted in millions of casualties worldwide, while in the Indian heartland it has brought death to the dreams of education nursed by thousands of children, and especially young girls.

"I do not know what to do anymore," sobbed one former student, who at the tender age of 16, had to give up her education in exchange for childbirth and an abusive marriage.

She was a bright student who scored 85 per cent marks in her Class 10 Board exams. But the girl's mother, a single parent, took advantage of the lockdown and the lull in her education to get her married off to a much older man last year.

"The man soon started harassing the girl, physically and sexually, and she conceived," Archana Sahaye, director of Childline, Bhopal, told 101Reporters.

"She is a teenager, and her body is still developing, but despite this, she was forced to have a baby, and her in-laws did not even give her food during her pregnancy. She became highly anaemic. It was then that someone informed her mother of her plight. She came to us for help but by the time we rescued the girl, she was in her seventh month of pregnancy, and very fragile. Had there been a further delay, the doctors said they wouldn't have been able to save her," she added.

The teenager gave birth to a daughter in July and is now trying to get her marriage annulled with the help of Childline and the Women and Child Development Department. "We have filed an application in court and the procedure has started. Had she been allowed to continue her studies, the girl would have had a brighter future," Sahaye added, explaining that the girl's former school principal has assured her that she will be given admission once she recovers from her delivery.

Such is the condition of many girls even in the capital city of Bhopal. The girl students have had it worse, as the parents refuse to prioritise their education for want of smartphones and an internet connection for online classes. They choose the easier option of grooming the girls for domesticity and marrying them off in order to have one less mouth to feed.

Safeena Husain, the founder of Educate Girls, explains, "With families staying at home amid economic hardships, incidences of domestic violence, drunk behaviour and child abuse have increased. If this persists, the risks of child marriage, physical and sexual exploitation of girls, trafficking, unhygienic and unhealthy lifestyle will continue to drastically surge. Stuck in this situation, girls will continue to lose confidence and feel demotivated to return to mainstream education, further pushing them into deeper vulnerability. It is now critical to have measures in place to get them back to school." Experts fear that the social transformation that has been happening in these two decades leading to an increase in female literacy will be reversed as girls drop out of school. The literacy rate of women in MP had increased to 59.24 per cent in the 2011 census from 50.29 in 2001.

While the school dropout rate of girls in MP was 24.4 per cent in the year 2017-18, experts suspect a sharp rise in the dropout rate for 2020-21, as scores of girls were forced out of schools to help their families with domestic chores, sent to work for financial support, or married off as minors.

"School was a socially acceptable reason for parents from marginalised and financially weaker sections of the society to send their daughters out of the home. In the absence of this, while boys continue to be exposed by going out to play with their friends, girls are getting left behind. If this continues for longer, the progress that has happened, will get reversed as social transformation of girls will take a back-seat and maintaining the status quo will become the norm, pushing them further into illiteracy," said Gourav Jaiswal, core team member of Shiksha Satyagrah in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh.

This is reflected in the sharp rise in the rate of child marriages in the state - to the tune of 26 per cent - in the aftermath of Covid. The Women and Child Department had stopped 196 child marriages in the 2019-20 period, while the number rose to 720 in 2020-21.

According to a report released by Child Rights and You (CRY) in October 2020, compiled with help from Census 1991, 2001 and 2011, and the latest National Family Health Survey (2015-16), as many as 11,93,171 children in MP, aged 10-19, were married off in 16 years. Of these, 8,60,332 were girls.

Starting from scratch Haseen Ali, who works as a driver in a car dealership, revealed he has been out of work since March and had to quietly discontinue his daughter's education. "I have no money to buy food for my family, how can I afford books and a smartphone? I myself use a second-hand keypad phone given to me by another employee," he explained sadly.

His daughter is disheartened. "All my friends who passed Class 8 with me are now attending online classes for Class 9. I am sitting at home, doing nothing. I feel wretched," she said. "I hope my father's situation gets better soon. I want to study so that I can get a good job," she added.

A 13-year-old daughter of a ragpicker enrolled in Class 1 in 2019 at the age of 11. She had just begun her studies when the pandemic struck and she was forced to quit. Her mother is worried that the stroke of luck that gave her daughter a chance at education has now run out. "My husband and I are ragpickers and our children used to beg for alms. But two years ago, the local administration started a programme 'Khushal Naunihal' and got all such children enrolled in school. I was happy that my daughter was going to get an education, but now just after a year, she is right back where she started. She learnt to read at the age of 11, and now at 13 she is no further," said Mangi, her mother.

The 'Khushal Naunihal' programme began in 2019 under the leadership of the then Commissioner Bhopal Kalpana Shrivastav. The city administration along with seven other NGOs had identified around 400 children from six hotspots of the city where begging by children was most prevalent. They gathered these children and helped them enrol in government schools. But due to the pandemic, the initiative has run cold.

"The positive results of the programme have been reversed and since Kalpana Madam has also been transferred, we will now have to start from scratch to form a new team. The children who had been enrolled in schools have started begging again as the schools were closed for almost two years, and their parents lost their jobs. We tried to ensure continuity of their education with volunteers from the NGOs visiting designated areas and teaching the children. But ultimately all of us realised that the safety, health and food security of these children needed to be addressed immediately so most of the NGOs and the CWC Bhopal started concentrating on providing them ration and medicines," said Kripashankar Choubey, member of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Bhopal. The CWC played an important role in identifying child beggars in Bhopal under the Khushal Naunihal Programme.

"We are now planning to form a new team to start this programme again as soon as the pandemic ends," he added.

This has been the case with others who have been trying to bring the focus back to education. They have had to confront the harsh reality of life during the pandemic and move back to square one. For example, the Madhya Pradesh Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Childline tried to keep students in touch with the practice of learning and keep them from forgetting what they studied so far. They purchased the books and notebooks for the students and the staff, along with a few volunteers, used to teach them over short periods of time at Bhopal Childline's TT Nagar headquarters. "We distributed books to the children who live in the nearby slums and told them to come to us if they find something difficult to understand. We just want to ensure they do not go blank when they start school again," said Sahaye.

They expected schools would reopen soon and wanted to institute a stop-gap measure. But as days passed more challenges arose and they had to start channelling their funds and resources into ensuring food security of children in slum areas and in financially weaker families. The initiative had to be sidelined.

Now that schools have started again, many of these NGOs and government bodies are having to go back to the drawing board about how to bring back the children who have once again been left behind.

(The author is a Bhopal-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters)
Chennai, Dec 29 : The Madras High Court on Wednesday sought a status report from the Centre on the 68 Tamil Nadu fishermen who are under judicial custody in Sri Lanka for allegedly violating the International waters.

A division bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and S. Srimathy sought a report from the central government on December 31 after taking note of the fact that it had intervened and taken up the matter with the Sri Lankan authorities.

Petitioner G. Thirumurugan, Coordinator of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Paadhugaapu Urimayi Iyyakam based out of Ramanathapuram, in his petition pleaded before the court to direct the central government and the state government to take immediate steps for the release of 68 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu from the custody of Sri Lanka. He also mentioned in the plea for the release of the fishing boat of these fishermen.

Advocate General R. Shanmugasundaram in his reply said that the Sri Lankan authorities had charged that the Indian fishermen had poached into Lankan waters crossing the International marine border while fishing. He also submitted before the court that the fishermen were remanded in judicial custody by local courts in Sri Lanka.

He also submitted the communication made by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin with the central government regarding their release.

The Assistant Solicitor General L. Victoria Gowri told the court that the Indian authorities were in talks with their Sri Lankan counterparts and that Diplomatic channels have been opened.

After hearing the Advocate General and the Assistant Solicitor general, the court called upon the authorities concerned to put a time frame to get the fishermen back.

It may be noted that 43 fishermen were taken into custody by Sri Lankan authorities on December 18, as many as 12 were taken into custody on December 19, and the next day, 13 more were arrested taking the total to 68 fishermen from Tamil Nadu.

Eight boats of the fishermen are also under the custody of Sri Lankan authorities. A single fishing boat costs a minimum of 30 to 45 lakh rupees and this is the livelihood of the fishermen and the associations have taken up this matter also before the authorities as well as before the court.
Mumbai, Dec 29 : Terming the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra "alarming", Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said that the infections are multiplying with the positivity rate also shooting up, with the added complications of Omicron.

"On December 20, there were around 6,000 active cases in the state, now it has doubled, and is likely to touch 20,000 today or so. Increasing number of active cases is a matter of concern," he said.

Tope said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will hold a top-level review meeting with the Covid-19 Task Force either Wednesday evening or on Thursday to chalk out future action plans.

The minister added that barely a week ago, the number of daily infections recorded was less than 1,000 (December 21, 825 cases), which has now shot upto over 2,000 (December 28, 2,172 cases).

"We have maintained the daily testing levels, but stricter Covid Appropriate Behaviour like wearing masks, sanitisation, hygiene, no overcrowding, etc, must be adhered to and the vaccination drive needs to be enhanced," Tope urged.

In this context, he said the state plans to take up the vaccination drive to schools for inoculating children in the 15-18 age group, as approved by the Centre last week.

Presently, the state has recorded 167 Omicron cases and now the government is contemplating stricter restrictions to control crowds in public transport, weddings, events, etc, the Minister said.

--IANS qn/vd

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Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Darjeeling: An area covered with a white blanket of snow in Darjeeling as the city witnessed season's first snowfall on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Darjeeling: An area covered with a white blanket of snow in Darjeeling as the city witnessed season's first snowfall on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, Dec 29 : The Tiger Hill -- a popular tourist attraction in Darjeeling, witnessed the first snowfall of the year on Wednesday as the temperature in the northern part of West Bengal plummeted due to strong wind and sporadic drizzles.

According to the Met Office, the temperature started to slide in Dooars and Terai region from Tuesday night.

"Places such as Tiger Hill, one of the most popular places in Darjeeling to watch the sunrise, and Mt. Kanchenjunga receive snowfall. But Wednesday's snowfall was massive. The entire Tiger Hill has come under a blanket of snow," said a resident of Ghoom Jorebunglow, around 9 km from Darjeeling.

The average temperature in the northern part of the state was around 3.4 degrees Celsius which is nearly three degrees below the normal.

On Wednesday morning, there was a huge snowfall on the Tiger Hills in Darjeeling. Though there has been continuous snowfall in the neighbouring Sikkim since Sunday, this is the first snowfall in the state this season.

As usual it is expected that there would be a huge tourist flow but the recent Covid surge in the state is keeping the administration on the tenterhooks.

Tourist vehicles were stranded in many areas as Darjeeling in West Bengal and the neighbouring state of Sikkim received heavy snowfall early on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the administration has asked the tourists to resist themselves from the high-altitude areas of Sikkim such as Lachung and Lachen until the weather improves.

The snow disrupted normal life in parts of Sikkim as electricity and mobile networks were cut off.

The army earlier rescued over 1,000 tourists stranded near the India-China border in eastern Sikkim on Sunday.

Residents said roads leading to tourist destinations such as Nathu La, Gurudongmar, Yumthang and Tsomgo lake were covered with snow and became slippery and dangerous to drive.

In Sandakphu, the highest point in West Bengal, the temperature dropped below zero degree Celsius.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continues to remain active in its image projection and narrative building especially in areas with potential scope for recruitment of cadres in Pakistan, even though the organization and its leaders remain low profile and underground.

The TTP media released (Dec 8) a 52-minute video in Pashto (with Urdu subtitles), showing TTP Chief Noor Ali Mehsud visiting along with his associates various districts of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Malakand, Bajaur, Mardan, Peshawar, Khyber, Dara Adamkhel and Hazara.

The high quality videos prepared by the organisation are aimed at creating significant impact and are aimed at portraying the organisation's ability to sustain itself in the face of various challenges faced. TTP's association with the Taliban has been deep rooted and firm even though the Taliban might not highlight this aspect so blatantly. However, at the functional level, TTP's relationship with Taliban remains strong, and the TTP has continued to highlight this issue without any ambiguity.

In his recent speeches, Noor Ali has been praising the Taliban regularly and has specified that his group is a branch of the 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan' (Taliban). He further said that the TTP would take all measures which may result in strengthening of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Noor Ali specified that the ultimate aim of TTP was to establish Sharia in Pakistan and the group would fight until Pakistan comes under Sharia.

The TTP has also come up with their stand on the issue raised by Prime Minister Imran Khan recently wherein he had mentioned that Pakistan faces onslaught from the TTP based out of Afghanistan. However, in order to prevent any misunderstanding with the Taliban and to reiterate its position on the matter, TTP leader Noor Ali stated recently that the group is not interested in conducting activities outside Pakistan, thus emphasizing the fact that they have been attacking targets in Pakistan from within Pakistan. Calling for unity among the fighters/groups, the TTP Chief claimed that the group got weakened in the past due to intra-factional disputes.

The TTP also does not lose the opportunity to remind the Taliban of the close cooperation between the two. Projections are often made by the TTP on their contribution to the Taliban's activities in Afghanistan. In this connection, lauding the contribution of the TTP in the conflict in Afghanistan, Noor Ali mentioned that over 10,000 fighters from Swat Valley and around 18,000 people of Mehsud tribe including over 1,000 suicide bombers went to Afghanistan to help the Taliban. Interestingly, in a video he showcased several vehicles belonging to the former Afghan Army and Police Forces, transporting TTP members in a convoy.

TTP's relations with the Taliban remain firm and there is discrete back channels functioning between the two sides. The TTP Chief has already renewed (Aug 18) his allegiance to the Taliban Chief Haibatullah Akhundzada following the Taliban's take-over of Afghanistan. Pertinently, the Taliban has never rejected Noor Ali's oath of allegiance.

Pakistan is increasingly realizing that given the close association between the Pakistani establishment and the Taliban, there could yet be challenges for Pakistan to control or calibrate the activities of the TTP. Elements within the Taliban, buoyed by the Taliban's victory against the US and earlier the Soviet Union, might not entirely want to remain subjugated to Pakistan and would instead prefer an anti-Pakistani narrative being built consistently.
Bhopal, Dec 29 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday recommended a CBI inquiry in the 'Nemawar massacre' case in which five persons of a Dalit tribal family were killed in Dewas district in May this year.

The recommendation for the CBI probe came more than six months after the skeletons of all the five persons who were murdered by strangulation were exhumed from a 10-feet-deep pit in Nemawar town of Dewas district. The police had to employ a JCB machine to dig out the bodies.

The incident had then not only shaken the entire tribal dominated areas in the state but led to political barbs between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. The Congress had been demanding a CBI probe in the case. So far, the case was being handled by the state police.

The decision to hand over the case to the CBI has come at a time when the lone survivor from the victims' family, Bharti Kasde has announced a 'Nyay Yatra' (March for justice) from January 1. "A CBI inquiry has been recommended in the matter but it is only half justice to my family. Nyay Yatra to be launched from January 1," said Bharti Kasde.

The five persons whose skeletons were recovered from a pit were identified as Mamta Bai Kaste (45), her daughters Rupali (21) and Divya (14) along with relatives Puja Oswal (15) and Pawan Oswal (14).

The police had arrested six persons in the case. The state government has given Rs 41 lakh as compensation to the family of the victims.

As per the police, prime accused Surendra Chauhan had an affair with Rupali and he also used to visit their home in Nemawar. Chauhan convinced Pawan to get Rupali and his family members to the spot where they were stripped, killed and buried inside a pit. The police said the killers covered the bodies of the accused with salt and urea to ensure they decomposed at the earliest.

"Surendra had an affair with Rupali but he was about to marry someone else. When Rupali came to know about it, she posted a picture of Surendra's fiancee on a social networking site along with her number, which infuriated Surendra. He then planned to eliminate her and others as he suspected that all of them were conspiring to break his engagement," the police had stated earlier.
Kochi, Dec 29 : Popular actor Dileep, who is an accused in the infamous actress abduction case, on Wednesday suffered a jolt when the police approached the trial court seeking a further probe in the case in the light of new revelations.

This development came at a time when the trial in the case before a special court here was all set to end shortly.

The actress was abducted and assaulted in a moving car in Kochi on February 17, 2017, and Dileep was arrested in July 2017 in connection with the case, spending several weeks in jail before securing bail.

He has been named as a conspirator in the case, being charged with "revenge crime".

The police filed the petition before the court after film director Balachandra Kumar's disclosure when he said soon after Dileep was released on bail, he saw the visuals of the assault on the actress in the car.

Kumar also claimed that the visuals were handed over to the actor by a VIP and he was privy to all this.

Incidentally till now, it is only the trial court which has seen these visuals and if the statement of Kumar is true, then it is going to be a serious issue.
Jerusalem, Dec 29 : Israel's army said on Wednesday that its tanks struck Hamas' military targets in the Gaza Strip after gunfire from the Palestinian enclave injured a worker at the security fence.

Tanks struck "multiple military posts" belonging to Hamas, an Islamist Palestinian group that runs Gaza, the army said in a statement.

The attack was a "response" to the fire opened earlier from Gaza, which injured an Israeli civilian employee of the defense ministry. He was carrying out "maintenance work" at the fence between Israel and Gaza when the fire began, according to a statement issued by the defense ministry.

Xinhua news agency reported citing Israel's state-owned Kan TV news that at least three Palestinians were injured by the Israeli tank fire.

The abrupt escalation came a day after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas travelled to Israel to meet Defence Minister Benny Gantz at his home, in a move condemned by Hamas.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Senators belonging to the Opposition parties in Pakistan resorted to protest on Wednesday over the governments decision to bypass the Parliament in the making of the National Security Policy (NSP) approved earlier this week, Express Tribune reported.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman said the government did not present the draft of the security policy in the House. The PPP leader said the policy that has been approved is nothing but a piece of paper that is contrary to the ground realities, the report said.

She further criticised the government over a Bill that provides complete autonomy to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in line with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) demands. Sherry asked what sort of security is the government talking about when the IMF is dictating the economy, and the SBP is being sublet.

The PPP Senator's speech was interrupted by a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator, Mohsin Aziz, who advised her to get straight to the point instead of making a speech. Rehman took offence to the remarks and staged a walkout in protest.

National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf had announced on Tuesday that the federal cabinet has approved Pakistan's first-ever National Security Policy (NSP).

"It is a truly historic achievement; a citizen-centric comprehensive National Security policy with economic security at the core will now be pursued in earnest," the NSA said in a tweet.

A day earlier, it was reported that the National Security Committee (NSC) approved the NSP 2022-2026, which aims at bolstering the country's economic security and tackling external as well as internal challenges.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Jaswinder Singh Multani who has alleged links with Sikh For Justice (SFJ) was detained in Germany by the concerned authorities on the request of Indian agencies. The German authorities were given enough proof that Multani is wanted in India and is a part of larger conspiracy.

Through diplomatic channel he was finally detained in Berlin. Now, there are possibilities that he will be brought to India to face trial.

The intelligence agencies have claimed that Multani wanted to create anarchy like situation all over India. Earlier, many farmer leaders including Balbir Singh Rajewal was on his hit list. He wanted to get them killed so that it could lead to massacre across the country.

As per Punjab Police dossier, he is an expert in radicalising youths against India. The intelligence agencies have claimed that Pakistan's ISI is financially supporting him to recruit people in India.

Multani is a suspect in Ludhiana District and Sessions Court blast case. He was reportedly in close touch with dismissed Punjab Police Constable Gagandeep Singh who planted the bomb and got killed as the bomb suddenly went off.

The Indian intelligence agencies gathered information and found an international angle in the blast. They came to know that Gagandeep used to contact Multani frequently. This input was shared with concerned authorities in Berlin to nab Multani.

The intelligence agencies have claimed that Multani had been operating many anti-India operations including of terror.

Two FIRs have been filed against Multani in Punjab. He has been accused of spreading terrorism in India.

On February 7, the first case was registered against him in Amritsar. The police had arrested four persons from Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Ferozepur with arms and ammunition and during investigation Multani's name cropped up. Multani allegedly sent money to one accused Jeewan Singh and gave him task to kill farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal to create riot like situation.

Second FIR against Multani was filed in August this year at Taran Taran Police Station. He was accused of supplying hand grenades.

On December 23, a blast took place at District and Sessions Court in Ludhiana. Gagandeep Singh who allegedly planted bomb was killed on the spot. He was fixing the bomb when it suddenly exploded killing him on the spot and injuring six others.

The sources said that Gagandeep was in touch with international handlers including Multani. It was Multani who had been provoking Gagandeep to carry out terror strikes through a handler.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Air pollutants influence pollen concentration and different types of pollens have a unique response to weather conditions, shows a study by Indian scientists.

Pollens remain suspended in the air and form part of the air we breathe. When inhaled, they put a strain on our upper respiratory system, and cause widespread upper respiratory tract and naso-bronchial allergy with manifestations like asthma, seasonal rhinitis, and bronchial irritation.

Airborne pollen varies in character from place to place due to diverse meteorological or environmental conditions. There is growing evidence that airborne pollen plays a crucial role in increasing allergic diseases in the urban environment. As pollen, climatic variables, and air pollutants coexist in nature, they have the potential to interact with one another and exacerbate their adverse effects on human health.

In light of this, Prof Ravindra Khaiwal from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, along with Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, Dr Suman Mor and PhD scholar Akshi Goyal, studied the influence of meteorology and air pollutants on the airborne pollen of Chandigarh.

In the study, financially supported by the Department of Science and Technology, and one of the first in India trying to understand the impact of air pollutants and meteorological variables on airborne pollen, they explored the relationships of temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind speed, direction, and ambient air pollutants mainly, particulate matter and nitrogen oxide to the airborne pollen, a release said.

The study, recently published in Science of the Total Environment, suggests that each pollen type studied had a unique response to weather conditions and air pollutants.

The majority of pollen types were reported in the spring and autumn flowering period. Distinct peaks of airborne pollen were observed during favourable weather conditions, like moderate temperature, low humidity, and low precipitation. It was observed that moderate temperature plays a significant role in flowering, inflorescence, maturation, pollen release, and dispersal. In contrast, pollen grains were eliminated from the atmosphere during precipitation and high relative humidity.

A complex and obscure relationship of airborne pollen was indicated with air pollutants. The scientists plan to examine long-term data sets to establish the trends in the relationship.

Khaiwal highlighted that in terms of the climatic future, it is expected that the urban environment will significantly impact plant biological and phenollogical parameters.

"Therefore, the study's findings generate useful hypotheses that air pollutants influence pollen concentration and can be further explored as the data set expands in the future," the release added.

The current study's findings could help to improve the understanding of complex interactions between airborne pollen, air pollutants, and climatic variables to aid in formulating suitable mitigation policies and minimising the burden of pollinosis in the Indo-Gangetic Plain region - identified as a hotspot of air pollution, specifically during October and November.
Beijing, Dec 29 : Smartphone brand Xiaomi has announced that it is planning to invest over $15 billion into research and development (R&D) over the next five years, media reports said.

According to GizmoChina, Xiaomi Chairman and founder Lei Jun said that the company's goals for investment into R&D in the next 5 years have been increased to 100 billion Yuan (around $15 billion).

The company's previous announcement from a couple of years back had set the amount at 50 billion Yuan, so the upgraded plans impart a perfect two-fold increase, the report said.

The CEO further revealed under the same post that 22 billion Yuan had already been invested over the past two years and that Xiaomi now has 16,000 engineers, meaning things have been going smoothly and in accordance with plans, it added.

He said that all of it is being done to "live up to the expectations of Mi Fans".

As per the report, the investment also very likely has a major role to play in getting the company to diverge into other businesses including smart home products and even electric vehicles.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : This is the third December in a row that the government is facing protests in the country specially in the national capital with resident doctors on strike over the issue of NEET PG counselling. The doctors strike comes at a time when the threat of a third wave of Covid-19, especially the Omicron variant, looms over the country.

In 2020 it was the farmers' agitation which had made the government uneasy and in 2019 it was the countrywide agitation over NRC-CAA in which Delhi's Shaheen Bagh became the epicentre of the protest with protests erupting from Assam to Kerala. It was the biggest after the Anna Hazare movement in the country.

The government this year resolved the farmers' protest by withdrawing the contentious farm laws but now it has to tackle the resident doctors' protest over NEET. The Health Minister and the Resident Doctors Association could not reach a consensus on Tuesday over the issue.

The resident doctors on Wednesday continued their protest in support of their demands, including the withdrawal of the FIRs filed against them.

The meeting between a delegation of the protesting doctors and the Union Health Minister on Tuesday had failed to make any headway.

The resident doctors have been protesting for the past 13 days over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling.

The government did not focus on the issue initially and now the agitation has spread from Delhi to other parts of the country.

The 15-month-long farmers agitation started against the three contentious farm laws after they were passed in 2020. The agitation petered off after the three laws -- the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020 -- were repealed by Parliament.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) was notified on December 12, 2019 and came into force on January 10, 2020. The persons covered under the CAA may apply for citizenship after the rules are notified under the CAA. There were huge protests in several parts of the country following the government's announcement that the nationwide NRC will be done in late 2019 and early 2020. Many states, especially the opposition ruled states, refused to implement the NRC.
London, Dec 29 : In 2012, two years into his premiership, David Cameron had said that his Conservative party will be the first in Britain to have a Prime Minister of Indian-origin.

"We were the first party to have a woman Prime Minister (Margaret Thatcher) - (there has been a second one since in Theresa May) - we were the first party to have a Jewish Prime Minister in (Benjamin) Disraeli, and when I look at the talent behind me, I think we are going to be the first party to have a British Indian Prime Minister," Cameron had said.

In fact, historically persons of Indian origin in the United Kingdom felt more at home with the Labour party and virtually voted en mass for it. Beginning with giving Keith Vaz a ticket in 1987, the Labour party had steadily increased its number of MPs of Indian descent by 2010, at which point Cameron, an Indophile, decided to correct the imbalance by making two of the current cabinet ministers in the British government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- Priti Patel and Alok Sharma -- first-time MPs.

Five years later, he awarded a seat to Rishi Sunak, now Chancellor of the exchequer.

Speculation is mounting about the future of Johnson - he having condoned sleaze among his colleagues, been allegedly corrupt himself, and 10 Downing Street, his office-cum-residence, apparently serially breaching Covid lockdown rules (which were legislated in Parliament and were therefore law) by having not exactly work gatherings in the premises last winter.

These included at least one in which the Prime Minster himself participated on-screen from his private flat in the building, so seemingly with his knowledge and approval. Ordinary citizens have been prosecuted and punished for similar violations during the same period.

The pro-Conservative Daily Mail reported: "Boris Johnson has slumped to his lowest ever popularity rating among Tory members, a poll has found." It added: "The Prime Minister is the most unpopular member of the Cabinet, according to the Conservative Home survey, with a net approval score of minus 34 per cent." The British public is clearly livid. Another quite comprehensive opinion poll indicated that if a general election is held now, the Conservatives would lose 111 seats in the House of Commons, including Johnson's. And the Labour party would emerge as the largest single party, within striking distance of an absolute majority.

In such a climate, discussion is rife as to who could succeed Johnson in the event he is ousted by his party.

The Daily Mail again provided an indication. It published that until recently, Sunak was leading the pack within the party. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has, however, according to the Daily Mail quoting Conservative Home, "leapfrogged the Chancellor". But it's close. Truss is preferred by about 23 per cent and Sunak by around 20 per cent.

Redfield & Wilton Strategies found that 35 per cent of Conservative voters 'strongly support' removing Johnson and another 25 per cent 'support' this. A total of 20 per cent were neutral.

The same research also received a feedback that suggested "Rishi Sunak would be the preferred replacement in No 10".

It detailed: "Some 29 per cent thought that he would be better and a further 14 per cent saw him as a 'significant' upgrade - superior figures to both Truss and Sajid Javid (the Health Secretary)." Sunak did himself no disfavour by adopting a Keynesian, rather an un-Conservative approach to massive borrowing and spending on furloughs and grants to the tune of hundreds of billions of pounds to alleviate distress for businesses and people amid the Covid crisis.

Thus, Cameron's forecast that the Conservatives will produce the first British Prime Minister of Indian extraction appears to be in the mix, even if this doesn't happen in the short term.

It would be a considerable leap of faith for the rank and file of the right-wing Conservative party, which, until 15 years ago, was quite white dominated, to rally around a non-white as party leader and Prime Minister.

Tom Tugendhat, with a little over 5 per cent support in Conservative Home's survey, is eyed as a dark horse. He is presently Chairman of the House of Commons' select committee on foreign affairs, with a military background and a record of distinguished service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But a backbench MP, with no experience in government, is normally not catapulted from the back benches to the top job.
Patna, Dec 29 : Janata Dal United (JD-U) spokesperson Ajay Alok has said that Chief Justice of India NV Ramana's remark on Nitish Kumar's liquor ban in Bihar has a little injustice to it.

"I firmly believe that a law was passed unanimously by 243 MLAs and 75 MLCs of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha followed which it was also accepted by the governor of Bihar and the President of India. Still CJI had said short-sighted decision, it is a little injustice to it," Alok said while interacting with media persons in Patna on Wednesday.

"I also believe that if legislators would do their work under the limits of the Constitution, the comment of the judiciary is not right. When it comes to pending cases, I must say that pending cases were there in the court before the implementation of the liquor ban in Bihar," Alok said.

"We should pay attention to how the hearing of the cases and their decisions would come in quick time. There is a phrase in English called justice delayed is justice denied. There are 4 lakh cases pending in the courts of the country," he said.

"If bureaucracy, judiciary and legislature comment on each other, it would create confusion in society. The Chief Justice of India is an institution which is respected by everyone in the country. If my point is wrong by any means, I am also apologizing for it," he said.

"As a citizen of the country, I firmly believe that bureaucracy, judiciary and legislature should not interfere in their respective work and avoid commenting on each other," Alok said.

The Chief Justice of India had said that decisions like the liquor ban in Bihar in 2016 "put a huge burden on courts.

"There are three lakh cases pending in the courts. People are waiting for justice for a long time and now the excessive cases related to liquor violations put additional burden on courts," he said.

The Chief Justice was at Sidhartha law college in Vijayawada on December 27 and put forth his point of view during a discussion on the subject of futuristic challenges in the Indian judicial system.

Ramana pointed out that every policy needs to be addressed with futuristic planning, its evaluation and constitutionality before its implementation on the ground.

"The applications pertaining to bails in liquor prohibition act are submitted in large numbers in the high court. Due to short-sighted policies implemented by different governments, it is affecting the work of courts in the country. Every law needs to be discussed thoroughly and with solid points before implementation," Ramana said.
Hyderabad, Dec 29 : In what could be termed as an anti-climax, Allu Arjun, star of 'Pushpa: The Rise' made it amply clear that the supposed nude confrontation scene between the protagonist and antagonist in the movie's climax was never there in the first place.

"It was never on the cards," Allu Arjun told IANS in very unambiguous terms.

The issue has its roots in a media interaction where the movie's director Sukumar had been quoted as stating that the climax scene of 'Pushpa' was originally envisaged as a face-off between actors Allu Arjun and Fahad Faasil, in the nude.

But wary of the Telugu audience's sensitivities, the makers had apparently backed off. Speaking to IANS, Sukumar acknowledged that he had indeed made a statement on those lines. But in hindsight, it appears to have been a classic case of 'lost in translation'.

Speaking to IANS, Sukumar said he had actually meant to explain the creative origins of the scene in which emotions are supposed to be strung high and nerves on edge.

"It was something that dropped out in a moment of enthusiasm as a first thought. When giving so many interviews, sometimes something like this rolls out unintentionally. What I wanted to say about the naked emotions at play was about the creative origins behind the scene. I tried to explain that but it came out differently," he told IANS.

"Everyone is trolling me." he ended with a rueful smile on his face.

Meanwhile, Allu Arjun made it amply clear about his stance on acting out such a scene if the director is okay canning it.

"No, no. We're all commercial films actors. We want people to come and enjoy the film. I do mass films. I'm a mass hero," he laughed and said in response to the question.

'Pushpa: The Rise' released on December 17, to Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi audiences. The film stars Allu Arjun, with Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, and Dhananjay essaying important roles.

The film directed by Sukumar revolves around red sandalwood smuggling activities in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. The movie has successfully garnered audiences in most of the markets it was screened in.
Srinagar, Dec 29 : A policeman was injured in an encounter that started between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Wednesday, officials said.

"Encounter has started at Nowgam Shahabad Dooru area of Anantnag. In the initial firing, one police personnel got injured and was shifted to hospital. Police and security forces are on the job," police said.

The firefight between terrorists and security forces took place after a joint team of security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of specific information about presence of terrorists. As they zeroed in on the spot where terrorists were hiding, they came under a heavy volume of fire and retaliated, triggering the encounter.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) will be sending teams to the places where the churches were attacked recently. The Commission has also taken suo motu cognizance of attacks on churches in different parts of the country and will be sending teams to enquire into the matter as well.

"Appropriate action will be taken by the NCM and the Chairman has proposed to visit the site in Ambala where the church was vandalised," the NCM said in a statement.

The decision was taken after Minorities Commission chairman, Iqbal Singh Lalpura on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the members of the Commission. The Commission discussed various issues related to the NCM as well as welfare of the minorities.

The recent attack in Ambala and different parts of the country has been reported widely and the government has been on the receiving end. In Karnataka and Haryana, churches were vandalised during Christmas celebrations and a church priest was attacked with a sword in Belagavi district of Karnataka, this month.

The Congress has slammed the Centre over attacks on churches in BJP-ruled states and questioned the silence of the Prime Minister. Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said: "Haridwar hate speeches, attacks on churches, murders in the name of religion, are all advanced symptoms of a society and polity in free fall. Hindutvawadis are unleashing barbarism. India is becoming an example of how quickly a democracy can collapse when institutions fail." Referring to hate speeches in Haridwar, former home minister P. Chidambaram too questioned the silence of the Prime Minister. "On a day when the PM exhorted people to recall the teachings of Jesus Christ, miscreants disrupted a Christmas programme in a private school in Haryana, who are these miscreants? Reports say they shouted 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.
Mumbai : 2 Masked robbers killed a staffer and looted arround Rs.2.50 lakhs in a broad daylight hiest at the State Bank of India Dahisar branch, here. Police are scanning CCTV footage and launched a manhunt for the killer-robbers. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai : 2 Masked robbers killed a staffer and looted arround Rs.2.50 lakhs in a broad daylight hiest at the State Bank of India Dahisar branch, here. Police are scanning CCTV footage and launched a manhunt for the killer-robbers. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai : 2 Masked robbers killed a staffer and looted arround Rs.2.50 lakhs in a broad daylight hiest at the State Bank of India Dahisar branch, here. Police are scanning CCTV footage and launched a manhunt for the killer-robbers. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Dec 29 : A staffer of State Bank of India was shot dead when he attempted to foil a daylight heist at its Dahisar branch and the two robbers grabbed around Rs 2.50 lakh and fled, police said.

According to the MHB Colony Police, the incident occurred just after 3.30 p.m. when the staffer, Sandesh Gomare, 25, was sitting outside the branch and noticed two suspicious-looking masked men entering the bank.

Sending something amiss, Gomare demanded their identity cards at which one of the robbers shot at the official in his chest with a country-made revolver.

As panic spread among the 8-9 staffers inside the branch, the robbers threatened them at gunpoint, grabbed all the cash they could manage on the premises, and fled the scene within a matter of a couple of minutes before an alarm could be raised.

Bank staffers summoned the police and also rushed the bleeding Gomare to Shatabdi Hospital where he was declared dead on admission.

Gomare is said to be a resident of Virar town in Palghar district and worked as a contract staffer with the SBI branch.

Police surmise that the robbers had planned the strike well as it was nearing closing hours with limited staff on duty and less surveillance outside as the bank is in a relatively non-crowded area of the suburb.

The police have managed to collect CCTV grabs of the robbers and have deployed roadblocks in the different parts and the highway besides the district border checkpost at Dahisar to nab the culprits.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Like in West Bengal, the Centre has accorded 'Z' category security cover to Punjab politician and former Congress leader Rana Gurjit Singh Sodhi after he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Sodhi, who joined the BJP on December 21, will be getting this security cover both in Delhi and Punjab by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), sources in the security set up said here on Wednesday.

A four-time MLA who won the last assembly election from Guruhar Sarai, he is said to be close to former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh. He has already announced his resignation from the Congress party on the social media where he posted his resignation letter addressed to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The Union government had provided central security cover to 79 BJP leaders in West Bengal including the TMC turncoats and the new joinees during the West Bengal assembly elections in February-March this year. The VIP security of many of them was withdrawn immediately after they returned to the TMC.

The Central government withdrew the 'Z' category security of former West Bengal minister Rajib Banerjee on December 22, after he returned to the TMC fold following a brief stay in the BJP. Banerjee had contested the last West Bengal assembly elections on a BJP ticket from Domjur in Howrah district but lost to Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Ghosh. He was accorded 'Z' category security in West Bengal and 'Y' category cover across India.
Agartala, Dec 29 : Protests that began on Tuesday in Tripura after the announcement of candidates selected for recruitment to various posts including riflemen in the Tripura State Rifles (TSR), continued on Wednesday as individuals whose name did not appear in the list of selected ones attacked the BJP offices in different parts of the state.

A large number of rejected candidates attacked party offices of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state's different districts on Tuesday and Wednesday, apart from holding agitation in various districts and sub-divisions.

The angry candidates ransacked BJP party offices and engaged in squabbles against the local leaders in several places of Gomati and South Tripura districts for not getting selected in the TSR jobs.

The agitated candidates including women threatened to file cases in the Tripura High Court.

A BJP legislator from northern Tripura had openly expressed his anger on the social media over the selection list. However, on Wednesday the legislator withdrew his post on Facebook.

A senior police officer said the Tripura police headquarters on Monday published the names of the 1,443 selected candidates including 138 women to the post of Riflemen and Riflemen (tradesmen) to raise two new battalions of TSR under the Indian Reserve (IR) battalion category. Of the 1,443 selected candidates, 357 are from different states of the country.

Tripura currently has 12 battalions of TSR.

Following the request of the Union Home Ministry, one battalion was deployed in Delhi and another battalion posted under Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, while another battalion would soon be deployed under South Eastern Coal Fields Limited in Chhattisgarh.

Trained in counter-insurgency operations, the TSR was raised in March 1984 to deal with terrorism.

Seventy-five per cent of its personnel are from Tripura, while the remaining are from across the country. Of the 12 TSR battalions, nine are IR battalions that can be deployed anywhere in the country as and when the Union Home Ministry desires.

The Union Home Ministry has earlier sanctioned two more IR battalions of the TSR and the Tripura government has started the process to recruit personnel for the two fresh TSR battalions sanctioned.

Besides providing security during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the IR battalions of TSR had earlier performed election duties in more than 16 states including Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Jharkhand, Haryana and to the northeastern states, to provide security during the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

The TSR has also demonstrated an excellent performance in Tripura in taming the terrorism.
Patna, Dec 29 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar lost his cool during a Samaj Sudhar Abhiyan (social reforms campaign) rally in Muzaffarpur on Wednesday.

When the Chief Minister was addressing the rally on the campus of Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology, some people created a ruckus, which attracted the attention of the mediapersons present at the venue.

When the mediapersons turned their cameras toward the people making noise, the Chief Minister asked them to leave the venue.

"Those who are making noise here should listen to what women are saying about social reforms. Where are the mediapersons going? Do they hate social reforms? If yes, then can go from here," Nitish Kumar said.

The Chief Minister pointed out that just like the women of the state, the men too should realise the consequences of liquor consumption.

"If I am making some valuable points for the betterment of the society, please pay attention to them. If you have any problem, meet me in Patna during the 'Janta Darbar' programme. Now please listen carefully to what I am saying," the Chief Minister said.

This is not the first time that Nitish Kumar lost his cool during a public meeting. In the run-up to the 2020 Assembly polls in Bhiar, he had shouted at people in rallies as well.
Belagavi : , Dec 29 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP chief and former IPS officer K. Annamalai on Wednesday recorded his statement in a murder case against underworld don Bannanje Raja in a special court in Karnataka's Belgavi.

Annamalai was a witness in the case, being heard by the Special Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) Court, of the sensational murder of industrialist R.N. Nayak in Ankola town of Uttara Kannada district on Dec 21, 2013.

This, incidentally, is the first case under KCOCA being heard in the state.

Annmalai, while serving as an IPS officer in Karnataka, was the investigation officer in the murder case. He came down to Belagavi on Tuesday and stayed in the city till he recorded his statement on Wednesday.

Senior IPS officers, ADGP Pratap Reddy, and former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao also attended the court proceedings and recorded their witness statements.

Karnataka Police department has filed a case against Raja and 15 others in connection with Nayak's murder.

The state police had taken Raja, who was hiding in a foreign location, into custody in August 2016.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Attacking the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party for not fulfilling its promise of appointing an anti-corruption ombudsman, i.e., Lokpal, for the past eight years, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta said on Wednesday that December 29 should be celebrated as 'Vada Khilaafi' (breach of promise) day.

"Several promises were made by the Kejriwal government, and appointing a Lokpal to keep a check on corruption was on top on that list. Eight years have passed since then, but the bill continues to be missing. It is a classic example of breach of promise," Gupta said during a press conference here.

Kejriwal had also promised 11,000 Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, cleaning the Yamuna, setting up 500 schools and 20 colleges etc., but he failed to fulfil even a single promise, Gupta said, as he asked the AAP national convener as to when will he fulfil his promises.

Gupta further pointed out that the Delhi government has not even appointed a Lokayukta, or civil commissioner.

"It might be because 24 AAP MLA have 87 corruption charges against them," he alleged.

Gupta added that it was Kejriwal who had played a prominent role in the Anna Hazare led anti-corruption movement in 2011 that paved the way for his entry into politics, and "he should keep the promises he made to the people of Delhi".

Having jurisdiction over the Central government to look into allegations of corruption against its public functionaries and for matters connected to corruption, the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act was passed in 2013 following the Jan Lokpal movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011.

The Lokpal is responsible for enquiring into corruption charges at the national level, while the Lokayukta performs the same function at the state level.

The Lokpal Bill was a big-ticket promise made by Kejriwal. However, as per a 2018 RTI query, the bill is still pending before the Delhi government with AAP continuing to maintain silence over the subject.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Amid the ongoing doctors protest, the RML Hospital administration on Wednesday warned its resident doctors of action if they don't resume their duties.

In a circular issued, the administration said that in the continuation of the order dated December 27 and the yellow alert being announced in Delhi regarding Covid-19 and Omicron case upsurge, all the resident doctors are hereby directed to resume their duty from the ongoing strike in the interest of patient care services.

Appropriate action will be taken against resident doctors not reporting for duty, it said.

However, the RDA representative told IANS that there is no question of resuming the duty as "our protest is still going on and will continue till our demands are met".

Federation of Resident Doctors Associations President, Dr Manish Nigam, said: "We held a meeting with all RDAs today (Wednesday) also and have agreed to continue the protest till our demands are met.

"Along with our NEET PG counselling demand, we are also waiting for written apology for the action taken by police against us on Monday and the withdrawal of FIR." On the same pattern, the Maulana Azad Medical College has also directed protesting doctors to resume the duties with immediate effect.

"In view of ongoing strike of Resident Doctors, it is mandatory for all interns, non-PG JRs, SRs to report for work immediately failing which suitable administrative action will be initiated," it said in a circular.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : The NIA on Wednesday conducted searches at 12 locations in Dhanbad, Saraikela Kharsaawaa and Ranchi districts of Jharkhand, Patna, Chapra, Gaya districts of Bihar, Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh and Bardhman district of West Bengal.

A NIA official said that the case relates to stealing arms and ammunition from armouries of CAPFs and their supply to senior leaders of the CPI (Maoist) and other terrorist groups in Jharkhand.

Initially the case was lodged in a Jharkhand police station on November 11 this year. Later on December 19 the case was taken over by the NIA.

After taking over the case the anti terror agency on Wednesday conducted searches at 12 locations to gather evidence against the accused persons.

"We have recovered unaccounted cash to the tune of Rs 1,46,000, digital devices including laptop, cell phones , computer and digital storage devices, incriminating documents, pilfered ammunition boxes and other incriminating material," said a NIA official.

He said that further investigation in the case was on.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : While the Election Commission (EC) is yet to decide on holding the assembly elections in the five poll-bound states amid the rising cases of Covid, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said the BJP is prepared to hold virtual rallies.

Talking to the media, Shekhawat said that EC will decide guidelines for election rallies and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will follow them.

"The BJP is ready for virtual rallies. We held virtual rallies in West Bengal assembly polls. During the first and second wave of Covid when all the political parties went into hibernation, the BJP was active at booth level through virtual platforms," he said.

He pointed out that conducting election is the responsibility of EC and the poll body is in touch with health secretary and experts over the current situation of the pandemic.

Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur in February-March next year.

On Tuesday, the EC team met the representatives of all the political parties in Uttar Pradesh. It is learnt that some political parties in Uttar Pradesh urged the EC to not postpone the assembly polls.

Shekhawat, also party election in-charge for Punjab, slammed Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for accusing the BJP of creating panic over pandemic.

"The Union government has not issued any new guidelines but many states have done it on their own. Channi may be pointing towards AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. Delhi government has issued yellow alerts and closed schools and colleges but Kerjiwal is doing rallies in Punjab," he said.
Amaravati, Dec 29 : A war of words broke out between Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress Party and opposition BJP, a day after the latter held a public meeting in Vijayawada to target the state government.

Government Advisor (Public Affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said on Wednesday that there is no significance in the meeting and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is merely implementing the agenda of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Sajjala said the BJP has become the subsidiary party of TDP and BJP leader Somu Veerraju has been parroting the script prepared in NTR Trust Bhavan (the TDP headquarters).

He alleged that the leaders of Congress, BJP, CPI and Janasena have turned into puppets in the hands of Naidu and are targeting Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy by making false allegations. The YSRCP leader said it was a pity that BJP is to the tunes of Naidu despite being a national party.

At the BJP meeting titled "Praja Agraha Sabha" (meeting to express people's anger) party leader and former union minister Prakash Javadekar urged the people to 'put an end to the corrupt and destructive rule of Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government' in 2024. He described the TDP and YSRCP as family-dominated parties, and alleged that both indulged in massive corruption.

Without naming the chief minister or YSRCP MP V. Vijayasai Reddy, Javadekar said many leaders in the state are on bail and may go to jail any time, and hence, the people of the state should think of an alternative.

Stating that people have seen the governments of both TDP and YSRCP, he appealed to them to give a chance to BJP.

Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy flayed BJP leaders for promising to provide cheap liquor at Rs 50 per bottle and complete Amaravati capital in three years if voted to power.

He recalled that BJP leaders have been demanding High Court in Kurnool and capital in Amaravati. He demanded that they reveal their stand on Visakhapatnam.

He said the BJP had demanded special category status while in opposition and but offered a mere special package after coming into power at the Centre. He slammed the saffron party for politicising special category status and privatisation of Vizag Steel Plant despite having the power to take decision on the issues.

Meanwhile, BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao claimed that the success of the Vijayawada meeting shows which way the wind is blowing the state. He said it was evident from the words of Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy that YSRCP is afraid of BJP.

Narasimha Rao dismissed the allegation that BJP is talking the language of others. He said the YSRCP leaders knew that if BJP focuses on Andhra Pradesh, they will be nowhere and hence they were calling BJP a farce.

Earlier, state minister Perni Nani had remarked that BJP's state unit has been given on lease to MPs Sujana Chowdary and C.M. Ramesh who defected to the saffron party from the TDP.

Reacting to this, BJP state president Somu Veerraju advised Nani to think twice before opening his mouth.

A war of words also ensued between YSRCP and BJP after YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy on Tuesday shared on social media a photograph with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Revealing that he met Bhagwat on a train in Narsapuram, the Rajya Sabha member wrote that he had the wonderful opportunity of seeking his blessings and listening to his words of guidance.

The BJP leaders, however, said the YSRCP MP was playing mind games by using the photograph. He pointed out that not just YSRCP but parties like TDP and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) were also supporting the BJP-led government at the Centre on several issues of national importance.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Like in West Bengal, the Centre has accorded 'Z' category security cover to Punjab politician and former Congress leader Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi after he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party recently.

Sodhi, who joined the BJP on December 21, will be getting this security cover both in Delhi and Punjab, to be provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), sources in the security set up said here on Wednesday.

A four-time MLA who won the last Assembly elections from Guruhar Sarai, Sodhi is said to be close to former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. He has already announced his resignation from the Congress on social media, where he posted his resignation letter addressed to interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The Union government had provided central security cover to 79 BJP leaders in West Bengal including Trinamool turncoats and the new joinees during the West Bengal assembly elections in February-March this year. The VIP security of many of them was withdrawn immediately after they returned to the TMC.

The Central government withdrew the 'Z' category security of former West Bengal minister Rajib Banerjee on December 22, after he returned to the TMC fold following a brief stay in the BJP. Banerjee had contested the last West Bengal assembly elections on a BJP ticket from Domjur in Howrah district but lost to Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Ghosh. He was accorded 'Z' category security in West Bengal and 'Y' category cover across India.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : The West is "sleepwalking into the biggest humanitarian crisis of our times" in Afghanistan, former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has warned, as he called for a support package to save the war-torn nation from economic and social collapse after the Talibans takeover, The Guardian reported.

Four months after the western-backed government was overthrown following a mass military withdrawal, the former UK Prime Minister said the case for action is not based only on morals but also "in our self-interest", the report said.

He said more than half the Afghan population is facing extreme hunger, including 1 million children at risk of starving to death, citing International Monetary Fund predictions that the country's economy would contract by 20-30 per cent in the next year.

"No country in recent times has suffered from such 'universal poverty' in the way that Afghanistan may do," Brown wrote in an article for the Times.

"It is ironic that when the whole international community is pledged to achieve the sustainable development goals - to free all the world from absolute poverty this decade - almost every citizen of Afghanistan will be condemned to that dire fate," the report said quoting Brown.

"Instead of no absolute poverty in any country, we will have the horror of practically an entire country living in absolute poverty," he added.

Brown stressed that the effects may be felt within Europe, given that thousands of Afghans would be faced with the choice of starving or emigrating, the report said.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : Ahead of the Assembly election early next year, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, an official statement said.

He will be taking charge on December 31 following superannuation of incumbent Rajendra Kumar Tiwari.

According to the notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Mishra, a UP cadre IAS officer of the 1984 batch, has been repatriated to his home cadre, after central deputation.

"The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved repatriation of Durga Shankar Mishra, IAS (UP: 1984) to his cadre for his proposed appointment as Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh," the order reads.

Mishra has served in various key positions for both at Centre and the UP government during his career.

In the state, he was Principal Secretary, Appointment and Personnel, Secretary, Tax and Registration, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Managing Director of the Uttar Pradesh Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation (SDCFC), District Magistrate of Agra and Sonbhadra, Vice Chairman of the Kanpur Development Authority and Municipal Commissioner, Kanpur.

At the Centre, prior to his appointment as Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary, he served as Aadditional Secretary in the same ministry, as Joint Secretary in the Ministries of Mines, and Home Affairs and as the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Airports Authority of India.
Gurugram, Dec 29 : The police in Gurugram on Wednesday busted a honey-trap racket and arrested a 25-year-old woman.

Two of her associates, however, are still at large, the police said.

A police officer said one Sanyam had complained against the woman, saying she had threatened to file a fake rape case against him.

According to police, the woman had befriended Sanyam -- a native of Karnal, and persuaded him to call her.

After a few days of conversation, the woman had asked him to marry her or else she will file a fake rape case against him.

Later, Sanyam told his elder brother Kush about the woman.

When his brother later called the woman's mother, she told him to talk to one Narender Yadav -- their relative, in connection with the matter, the police said.

"We told the woman's family that to hold discussions on marriage, they need to meet. On October 24, we met at Leisure Valley park in Sector 29. There, the woman, her mother and Narender Yadav threatened to implicate Sanyam in a fake case if we did not settle the matter as the accused woman has already filed 8 such cases in different police stations in Gurugram. Later, she filed a case against Sanyam at New Colony police station on the same day," Kush told the police.

Thereafter, his mother reported the matter on December 23 at New Colony police station in Gurugram where a case under various sections of the IPC was registered against the accused woman and her associates, the police said.

"Following the complaint, the woman has been arrested from the Inderpuri area in Gurugram, and a search is underway to nab her associates. The arrested woman had filed eight cases of similar nature in different police stations of Gurugram. Four cases have been cancelled by her while four others are still under investigation," Subhash Boken, spokesperson of Gurugram police, told IANS.
Kolkata, Dec 29 : Considering the rise in Omicron cases in the state as well as in the country, the West Bengal government is mulling to impose total restrictions all over again.

Speaking at an administrative meeting in South 24 Parganas district, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dropped broad hints that the state government might impose restrictions on schools and local trains to contain the spread of the virus.

Speaking at meeting on Wednesday, Banerjee said, "The cases are increasing, so we might declare school holidays for some days, and if necessary, we might have to close schools and colleges." Asking the officials to review the current pandemic situation in the state and also begin identifying containment zones in Kolkata given the high rate of infection in the city, the Chief Minister said, "People arriving from outside are coming with the virus and so the infection rate is high in the city. Many people come to the city from outside. There is nothing to get scared of, but we should be cautious." Bengal is also one of the top 10 worst-hit states in India by the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The state has so far reported 11 cases, of which, only one patient has recovered till now, according to the data shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Bengal on Tuesday witnessed a massive jump in single-day Covid cases, logging 752 infections, up from 439 reported on the preceding day. Of the 752 fresh cases reported on Tuesday, Kolkata accounted for 382 infections, followed by North 24 Parganas at 102. On Monday, Kolkata had recorded 204 infections, the state health bulletin data showed.

Though local trains might be a strong platform for the spread of the virus, according to the Chief Minister, they cannot be stopped immediately.

"Lots of people depend on local trains and so they cannot be stopped at this moment. Wear masks and take preparations before boarding the train," Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister, who is on a three-day visit to Gangasagar, also suggested work from home and asked the organisations to operate with 50 per cent workforce.

"Those who want to come to Gangasagar will have to follow all the precautions," the Chief Minister said.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : The traffic police in the national capital on Wednesday issued an advisory for the smooth flow and regulation of traffic on the eve of New Year.

The police said that strict compliance of recent orders issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will be implemented in the city.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Vivek Kishore, said in the advisory that strict action will be taken against drunken driving, stunt biking, over-speeding, reckless driving etc.

The Joint CP said that special arrangements have been made for areas in the vicinity of Connaught Place.

"No vehicle shall be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place beyond the roundabout near Mandi House, Bengali Market, Barakhamba Road-Tolstoy Marg crossing, Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhaya Marg crossing, Chelmsford Road near Munje Chowk, R.K. Ashram Marg-Chitragupta Marg crossing, Gole Market, G.P.O., Patel Chowk, Kasturba Gandhi Marg-Ferozshah Road crossing, Jai Singh Road-Bangla Sahib Lane, Pachkuian Road-Bangla Sahib Lane, Windsor Place, and Buta Singh Marg," the advisory read.

The restrictions shall be imposed from 8 p.m. onwards on December 31 in the vicinity of Connaught Place till the conclusion of New Year celebrations. It will be applicable to all private and public vehicles.

The New Year celebrations in the national capital are likely to be subdued this time owing to the fear of the spread of Omicron.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced to impose restrictions under Level 1 of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP) in Delhi as Covid-19 positivity rate continued to be over 0.5 per cent for the last few days.

On Wednesday, the DDMA decided not to impose restrictions under 'amber alert' as of now and continue with the guidelines under 'yellow alert'. The decision was taken after Lt Governor Anil Baijal chaired a virtual review meeting of the DDMA, which was also attended by Kejriwal.
New Delhi, Dec 29 : The police in the national capital have rolled up their sleeves to fight a possible battle against the new strain of novel coronavirus, Omicron.

Sepcial CP (Welfare), Shalini Singh, on Wednesday held a meeting with all the district and unit heads and other stakeholders to check the overall preparedness in the wake of a possible community spread of Omicron.

The official emphasised on strict adherence to the revised SOPs issued recently by Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Ashana on health welfare of police personnel.

Under the revised SOP, DCPs and unit heads have been designated as nodal health officers (NHOs).

The NHOs have been directed to ensure that an officer of the rank of inspector or above personally meets the hospitalised personnel or their kin on a regular basis till he/she gets fit. In case of outstation case, video conferencing with the ailing person or his/her family members should be ensured.

Sharing details about the latest directions, Delhi Police PRO Chinmoy Biswal said that all the eight wellness centres and two Covid care centres in Rohini and Shahdara will be activated for any medical emergency.

"District/unit heads should take stock of oxygen cylinders, concentrators, sanitisers, masks, preventive medicine etc., and keep all equipment in ready condition. They should also liaise with the doctors for counselling the personnel in prevention and cure of infection," the directions read.
Kohima, Dec 29 : An influential Naga body on Wednesday sought "immediate punishment" for the security personnel "involved in the incident of killing of 14 civilians" in Nagaland's Mon district earlier this month.

The Konyak Union, in a strongly worded statement, said the "Central government must immediately sanction order for prosecution of those Indian Army and officers involved in the killing of the 14 innocent Konyak youth".

"The Konyak CSO also warns any move to distort the truth shall be considered as an act against the Konyak. Hence, the onus lies on the Central government to prove whether the Konyaks are its citizens or not," read the statement, signed by Konyak Union President S. Howing Konyak and other leaders.

Konyaks are one of the prominent communities among the 16 tribes in Nagaland, where over 86 per cent of the two million population is from the tribal community.

Expressing its dismay over the "snail-pace Indian judicial system", the Konyak Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) warned that all those agencies involved should not take advantage of the so-called existing laws as implied under the Indian judiciary system.

Referring to the visit of the Indian Army inquiry team at Oting village on Wednesday, the statement said that Konyak CSOs have doubts on the credibility of the Indian Army enquiry team.

"The Konyak CSOs are also not happy with the questions and interrogations made from those witnesses who were present at ground zero on December 4. Its credibility is being questioned upon," said the statement, also signed by Konyak women wing president Ponglem Konyak, and Konyak student wing president Noklem Konyak.

It said that Oting village has been declared as the "Genocide Site" during a meeting of the Konyak CSOs on Monday.

"Moreover, the actual incident site should be manned by the state security forces. Hence, it has declared that no remains of the December 4 incident should be moved out from the original place where it still stands," the statement said.

Meanwhile, a defence statement said that the court of inquiry constituted by the Indian Army to investigate the Mon incident visited the site at Oting village on Wednesday.

The inquiry team, headed by a senior rank Army officer, a Major General, inspected the site to understand the circumstances in which the incident could have happened.

The team also took along the witnesses for better understanding of the situation and how events would have unfolded.

"Subsequently, the team was also present at Tizit Police Station of Mon district to meet the cross section of the society including the civilians, police personnel and doctors who treated injured for obtaining valuable information pertaining to the incident," the defence statement said.

As per the Indian Army, the court of inquiry is progressing expeditiously and all efforts are being made to conclude it at the earliest, the statement said.
Srinagar, Dec 29 : One terrorist has been killed in an ongoing encounter with the security forces at Mirhama area in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday, officials said.

"One unidentified terrorist killed. Operation going on," police said.

The firefight between terrorists and security forces began after a joint team of the police and the security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of a specific information about the presence of terrorists.

As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where the terrorists were hiding, they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter.
Bengaluru, Dec 29 : Covid cases saw a surge in Karnataka on Wednesday with 566 new infections reported across the state on Wednesday, along with six deaths.

With the new cases, the number of infected persons has increased to 30,05,798, and the fresh fatalities have taken the death toll to 38,324, according to the Health Department.

Meanwhile, 245 people were cured and discharged from hospitals, taking the total to 29,59,674.

The number of active cases stood at 7,771 taking the infection rate to 0.52 per cent. The death rate stood at 1.06 per cent.

The number of Covid positive cases in Bengaluru also seen a sudden spike with 400 cases being reported on Wednesday. The number of positive cases all these days stood within 300. There are now 6,388 positive cases in the city.

According to statistics, 2,569 Delta variant cases are active and 38 persons are affected with Omicron variant in the state.

The state government has imposed night curfew during the New Year celebrations as a preventive measure to contain the spread of Omicron variant. However, traders, businessmen, pub, bar owners and opposition Congress as well as some of leaders in ruling BJP have expressed their displeasure over the measure.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has stated that he will rethink about the night curfew in view of the growing demand.
Baghdad, Dec 30 : Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has confirmed the end of the US-led coalition forces' combat mission in Iraq after the withdrawal of the forces from the country.

"The combat mission of the international coalition has ended and all the combat equipment withdrew outside Iraq," al-Kadhimi said on Wednesday in a tweet posted on the official Twitter page of his media office.

"The role of the coalition has become limited to advise and support according to the strategic dialogue," the Iraqi Prime Minister added.

On January 5, 2020, the Iraqi Parliament passed a resolution requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

In July 2021, the US and Iraq held a session of strategic dialogue during which the two countries agreed on withdrawing all US combat troops from Iraq by December 31.
Srinagar, Dec 30 : Three JeM terrorists have been killed in an encounter between terrorists and security forces at Mirhama area in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday, officials said.

"Two local terrorists and one Pakistani terrorist affiliated with proscribed terror outfit JeM killed. Search still going on. One M4 and two AK 47 rifles recovered. A big success," J&K police quoting IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar tweeted.

The firefight between terrorists and security forces took place after a joint team of the police and the security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of specific information about presence of terrorists.

As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where terrorists were hiding, they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter.
Patna, Dec 30 : A day after BJP legislator Lakhendra Kumar Raushan faced heat of residents of his home village in Vaishali over the gang rape and murder of a Dalit woman, Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas President Chirag Paswan on Wednesday asked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to order a high-level inquiry and ensure speedy justice to the victim's family.

"The incident that happened with a 20-year-old Dalit girl in Vaishali district is heart-breaking. The state government and administration should take strong action against the culprits and also provide protection to the family members," he said in a letter to the Chief Minister.

"We have witnessed many cases of Dalit persecution in Bihar recently. It should be of concern for the Chief Minister of Bihar. Still, his government has failed to take action against the culprits and its negligent attitudes resultant in Vaishali where a Dalit girl was brutally gang raped and murdered by the strongman of the village," Paswan added.

The Dalit woman was kidnapped, gang raped and murdered in Shahpur Bijrauli village coming under Patepur Assembly constituency (reserved for SC).

The victim was kidnapped from her native place by the strongman of the village a week ago. When she was kidnapped, her mother tried to save her but she was warned to stay silent and told that her daughter would be released after two days.

As the accused did not release the victim, her mother went to them and requested her daughter's release but they abused her and forced her to leave. The semi-naked body of the kidnapped woman was then found near the pond of the village four days ago.

Following the incident, the villagers conducted a candle march in the village and also demanded the local administration take action against the accused.

When Raushan, who is a native of Shahpur Bijrauli village, went there to console the family of the victim, he faced the anger of villagers.

The villagers said that Raushan is a native of this village, but did not come till three days after the incident. A video of the incident went viral on social media showing villagers shouting "go back" to the MLA and forced his convoy to return. There is no place for him in the village, they shouted.

Meanwhile, Janata Dal-United Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha met the family members of the victim and assured a probe, arrest of the accused, and action against them.
Bengaluru, Dec 30 : Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta on Wednesday instructed the concerned officials to take necessary measures to control the spread of Covid-19 and its latest variant Omicron in BBMP limits by taking up joint operations with the police, ensuring strict enforcement of the regulations issued by the state government on Wednesday.

Addressing a virtual joint meeting of BBMP and the police department, Gupta said that on an average, 150-200 Covid cases are being reported from within the BBMP limits everyday.

"In the past three days, the number of cases has gone up to 250. So it is necessarary to check the virus spread. For this, BBMP officials and police personnel will have to take up joint operations," he said.

Gupta said that the regulations issued by the state government must be enforced strictly. Restaurants, pubs and clubs should only be allowed to operate with 50 per cent seating capacity. The personnel working there must have RT-PCR negative certificate and they must be double vaccinated. Only those customers should be allowed who have taken both doses of the vaccine, he said.

As per the guidelines, New Year celebrations would not be allowed anywhere in the city after 10 pm. Actions would be taken if any such cases are found, Gupta said.

Speaking at the meeting, city police commissioner Kamal Pant said, "Night curfew after 10 pm is being enforced strictly in the city to control the spread of Covid-19. Regulations issued by the government should be enforced strictly. Measures should be taken to avoid public gatherings."
Brussels, Dec 30 : From the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan to the "backstabbing" AUKUS deal, the US' unilateral moves have prompted the European Union (EU) to step up its debate and action on strategic autonomy in an eventful year.

As France, the concept's staunch European advocate, takes over the half-year rotating presidency of the Council of the EU at the start of 2022, the bloc's drive for strategic autonomy at least in security and defense, is expected to get a fresh boost, though tangible results may not be immediately forthcoming, Xinhua news agency reported.

When the newly-elected US President Joe Biden said at February's virtual Munich Security Conference that "America is back," European politicians reacted by calling it a "historic opportunity" for the US and Europe to rebuild trust and reinforce unity after bilateral relations turned sour during former President Donald Trump's administration.

In June, Biden repeated the slogan "America is back" several times during his first trip to Europe as US President, trying to repair some of the damages the transatlantic partnership had suffered in the past four years.

However, soon in July, the US President announced that the country's military mission in Afghanistan would conclude on August 31, ahead of the original September 11 deadline. The hasty move left its European allies dazed as they scrambled to leave the war-torn country using their own meagre resources.

Then in September, with the announcement of the AUKUS deal, the US dealt yet another blow to the Europeans still frustrated with the exit from Afghanistan. France, which lost a multibillion-dollar contract due to the nuclear submarine pact, said it felt "betrayed" and "stabbed in the back." During the time, some European politicians repeatedly called for the EU to reassess the transatlantic partnership and reposition itself with increased autonomy. In October, EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said that "major geopolitical shifts are taking place," which put into question Europe's ability to defend itself.

To move forward, he added that the EU "must focus on action" and presented in November the draft Strategic Compass, which sets out "concrete steps" towards building a common strategic vision for EU security and defense over the next five to 10 years.

Described as a "guide for action," the document includes operational guidelines to help the bloc become more secure when it comes to responding to external crises, capacity building and protecting its citizens.

The blueprint foresees the creation of a so-called "European army". It proposes the development by 2025 of an EU Rapid Deployment capacity of up to 5,000 troops made up of land, air and maritime components.

The aim is to improve the bloc's readiness for future crises such as rescue and evacuation missions as well as maritime or air operations.

It is not the first time that the Europeans have come up with a new defense cooperation initiative nor is it the first proposal for the creation of a rapid reaction force.

Since 2007, the EU has maintained multinational battlegroups composed of 1,500 troops but their deployment has been hampered by a lack of political will and money.

This time, the military force proposed in the blueprint has again become a sticking point for the EU countries and the reactions were mixed.

While the bloc's major military powers such as France and Italy reportedly welcomed the proposal, Poland and Lithuania have voiced reservations arguing that the EU's existing battlegroups have never been used and any new EU military idea should not be at the expense of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said his organisation supports the EU's plan but cautioned that this "can't replace" and "should not duplicate" NATO. He added that the EU and NATO should avoid creating "parallel structures" that would compete for the same limited resources.

The history of European integration, according to Borrell, has seen many initiatives to strengthen security and defense ties but "most have come and gone".

France, however, has vowed to make developing an EU security strategy a priority when it assumes the bloc's presidency in January.

Outlining his country's presidency agenda in December, French President Emmanuel Macron, who has described the NATO as "brain dead," said that France plans to move towards "a Europe that is powerful in the world, fully sovereign, free in its choices and in charge of its own destiny." For years, the concept of strategic autonomy born in the defense industry has been part of the EU's agreed language. However, not all the bloc's 27 member states have the same strategic perceptions due to differences in history, geography and national conditions.

Any meaningful effort on defense capabilities will require further expenditure. Of the 27 EU countries, 21 are NATO members. Up till now, most of these EU states have failed to meet the US-dominated alliance's target of 2 per cent of GDP spending on defense.

Moreover, unlike other areas where the EU can make decisions with a qualified majority, foreign and security policy remains the "exclusive competence" of member states. Decisions in the area must be made unanimously and each country has a veto power which often results in blockages.

Nevertheless, the Strategic Compass, one of the EU's most ambitious security and defense initiatives, is set to be adopted in March and a summit on European defense is also on next year's agenda. The EU has declared 2022 "the year of European defense".

Borrell has stressed that the draft plan aims to nurture a common strategic culture. He called on member states to avoid treating it "as yet another EU paper with limited buy in and follow up" and work together towards its adoption.

In today's multi-polar world, how far will the EU go on its path to strategic autonomy? Will the Strategic Compass start a new chapter in European security and defense? These remain to be seen.
Patna, Dec 30 : Rajasthan-based dreaded gangster, Lawrence Bishnoi has reportedly demanded extortion money from the owner of a marriage hall at Gopalganj in Bihar.

Bishnoi demanded extortion money from the owner of a marriage hall on Wednesday evening. According to police, two bike-borne assailants opened fire in the air when the mother of marriage hall owner, Pradeep Kumar, was seated near the gate of her residence. They threw a letter inside the premises and fled.

Kumar's house is located in Hathua locality of Gopalganj.

"When we opened the letter of the assailants, the name of Lawrence Bishnoi was mentioned on it. It was further mentioned that if you do not know the name of Lawrence Bishnoi, search Google and YouTube, you will get to know him. We are the members of Lawrence Bishnoi gang. If you want to live a long life, make an arrangement of Rs 20 lakh. If you do not give us the said amount, you will be responsible for your own murder," said Sujeet Kumar, son of Pradeep Kumar, while referring to the letter.

B.K. Singh, the Station House Officer of Hathua police station, confirmed the incident.

"An FIR under the IPC sections of extortion and creating fear is registered in the police station soon after it comes to our knowledge. We have recovered two dead cartridges from the spot," he said.

"During preliminary investigation, we believe that it could be the handiwork of a local gang which is using the name of Bishnoi. Though, we are investigating it with all angles," Singh added.

Lawrence Bishnoi came in the limelight in the first week of January 2018 when he openly threatened to kill Bollywood superstar Salman Khan during the latter's court appearance in Jodhpur.

Salman Khan appeared in the 1998 black buck poaching case in the Jodhpur district court.

The Bishnoi community worships black buck and Lawrence Bishnoi and the entire community believe that Khan had killed the animal which is considered as part of their religious tradition.

Bishnoi is facing alleged charges in more than 20 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion, carjacking, loot, among others in Rajashthan, Haryana and Punjab.
Moscow, Dec 30 : Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline is ready for operation amid an energy crunch in Europe, Alexei Miller, the CEO of Russia's gas industry giant Gazprom, reported to President Vladimir Putin during a meeting.

Gazprom has completed filling the second string of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline with gas, and both strings with sufficient pressure are fully ready for use, Miller said on Wednesday.

"Now, of course, everything depends on our partners, consumers in Europe. As soon as they agree, large additional volumes of Russian gas will immediately begin to flow to Europe," Putin said.

The launch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will lower gas prices on the spot market, he predicted.

The 1,234-km pipeline, the longest offshore gas pipeline in the world, is expected to transport 55 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea, Xinhua news agency reported.

The pipeline, however, has been lying idle, pending a go-ahead from Germany and the European Union.

On November 16, Germany's network regulator said that it had suspended the pipeline's certification amid speculations that the project would turn into a powerful geopolitical leverage for Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly said that the pipeline is purely economical and beneficial to Europe.
Jerusalem, Dec 30 : Israel has approved a series of measures intended to improve ties with the Palestinian authority.

Israeli Defence Minister, Benny Gantz announced the move on Wednesday in a statement, a day after a rare meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in former's home in Rosh Ha'Ayin, northeast of Tel Aviv.

Gantz said in the statement that he authorised "a number of confidence-building measures," including the transfer of 100 million new shekels' ($32 million) worth of tax payments that Israel has been collecting on behalf of the Palestinian authority.

The package also includes travel permits to hundreds of VIP Palestinian businesspersons and the approval of residency status to about 9,500 Palestinians in the Israel-occupied West Bank and the Gaza strip, Xinhua news agency reported.

Israel has withheld Palestinian tax funds, citing stipends the Palestinian authority pays to families of the Palestinians imprisoned for their involvement in attacks against Israelis, although the Palestinian authority describe them as welfare stipends used to support needy families.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Gaza, Dec 30 : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has accused Israel of tightening the security measures on the border with the Gaza strip.

Ayman Noufal, a leader of the Hamas armed wing, known as al-Qassam Brigades, on Wednesday told a news briefing in Gaza city that the security measures the Israeli Army is tightening on the borders with the Gaza strip "will not protect it in the future." Three weeks ago, the Israeli Army had announced completing the construction of the smart barrier around the Gaza strip after three and a half years of work, at the cost of 3.5 billion Israeli shekels (about $1.109 billion), Xinhua news agency reported.

The barrier is about 65 km, including an underground wall equipped with detectors, an upper fence, a sea barrier, a detection system and shooting observatories.

Also on Wednesday, around 12 militant groups, including al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wings of the militant group of the Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine held a joint military maneuver in the Gaza strip.
Postmarks letter openers complement our current line of letter openers perfectly while the inkjet printer products align with our recent efforts to penetrate the packaging and labeling sales verticals, said Greg German, President, Martin Yale.

Martin Yale Industries LLC is announcing the acquisition of Postmark, a San Luis Obispo, California based company.

Postmark is a prominent provider of mailroom solutions with their world class letter openers and their inkjet printer solutions targeted for the packaging, printing, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and automation markets. This strategic acquisition will emphasize Martin Yales commitment to bring innovation and quality to the mail, print, labeling, and packaging industries.

Postmarks letter openers complement our current line of letter openers perfectly while the inkjet printer products align with our recent efforts to penetrate the packaging and labeling sales verticals, said Greg German, President, Martin Yale. It is exciting to add these state-of-the-art solutions to our expanding product portfolio. This acquisition also enables us to leverage already existing relationships of the two companies, introducing Postmark customers and dealers to the Martin Yale family of products while at the same time giving the Martin Yale Dealer and Strategic Partner network an opportunity to expand their offerings, German adds.

The acquisition of Postmark positions Martin Yale Industries to expand their footprint in the market by providing high speed ink jet printers and high-performance letter openers with turnkey solutions to customers in the United States and worldwide.

As part of the acquisition, Postmarks manufacturing operations will be relocated to Martin Yales facility in Wabash, Indiana. This move will increase manufacturing capacity and efficiency for the Postmark products, as well as ensure that all Postmark customers will receive the high standard of customer service and technical support that is synonymous with the Martin Yale brand.

ABOUT Martin Yale Industries, LLC

Martin Yale Industries, LLC, is a United States based manufacturer of print finishing, office, and mailroom equipment designed to make work life more productive. Founded in 1940, Martin Yale has over 80 years of experience designing, engineering, and manufacturing quality products for print shops and office environments. The Martin Yale family of brands include Dry-Lam laminating equipment and film; Count print finishing equipment, MY Office Products and Dyna-Cut rotary die cutting machines. For more information, see contact information.
Depending on the application need, this can also eliminate the need for a desktop phone for remote users. This combination of features and simplicity makes it an easy choice for businesses already invested in the Microsoft suite.

Altaworx announces Teams Voice Integration. With the explosive growth of Microsoft Teams, Altaworx has officially added our voice features into Teams. Users with Teams Voice can make and receive phone calls from their computer or app on their cell phone using their company assigned direct telephone number.

This integration creates a uniform and seamless tool to communicate with people outside their network, without the need for the recipient to also have Teams running. Depending on the application need, this can also eliminate the need for a desktop phone for remote users. This combination of features and simplicity makes it an easy choice for businesses already invested in the Microsoft suite.

Contact us to learn more about how Altaworx can help your organization with implementation and ongoing management of Microsoft Teams Voice integration. http://www.altaworx.com

About Altaworx

Altaworx, LLC located in Fairhope, AL, was founded in 2003 by Rickie Richey, with hopes of addressing the emerging demand for Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) business telephone systems. His vision was to build a company that not only provided leading-edge technology, but truly focused on helping customers drive revenue, control expenses, increase their productivity, and operate more efficiently. In 2011, Altaworx continued to focus on customer impact through emerging technologies becoming an internet telephony service provider (ITSP). The company began selling Altaworx branded SIP trunks and Hosted PBX to business customers in the 22 state AT&T footprint. Today, the company operates its cloud-based solutions from two AT&T data centers located in Dallas, TX, Atlanta, GA, and Los Angeles, CA. With a focus on empowering resellers to build equity value in their business, Altaworx continues to grow and now has a presence in 46 states.
Catherine Willett, author of His Savage Sanctuary, has completed her new book Once Loved, Twice Lost: a gripping and potent novel about an unlikely pair of friends who developed a strong connection despite their different upbringings. Difficulty and disaster come swiftly when terrible damage is done to Eli in their teen years, separating the friends, possibly for a lifetime.

Author Catherine Willett takes readers into her story, writing, The sunlight filtered through the newly budding trees turning their immature leaves a golden hue. Although there was beauty all around her in the descending daylight, the woman barely noticed it. The drive was lonely and a bit frightening. Steep drop-offs on the sides of the road caught her attention for brief seconds as light filtered onto her pale face. However, her mind wasnt focused on the natural beauty of the passing scenery or the danger precipitated by the tumbling road sidesat least not at that precise moment. Her mind was seesawing back and forth between the two miserable mistakes that she had made. She was lost somewhere in northern Arkansas. Perhaps she had followed the wrong cutoff; perhaps, she was even now traveling in circles.

Published by Page Publishing, Catherine Willetts enthralling tale follows the pair as they meet again after many years and are instantly attracted to each other. However, the harm of the past comes back and endeavors to keep them apart. Is there time enough to heal from the past? Is there room in Elis heart for forgiveness?

Readers who wish to experience this mesmerizing work can purchase Once Loved, Twice Lost at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Lori Sperling, daughter of the late M.J. Sperling, an Oregon native with a lifelong passion for writing, has published her mothers book Pipeline: a gripping and potent story that keeps the pages turning until the stunning conclusion.

Pipeline takes place in Alaska and depicts the conflicts between dedicated environmentalists concerned with Alaskas future and the opportunistic oilmen who care only about constructing a nine-hundred-mile pipeline through Alaskas beautiful unsurpassed wilderness.

The novel is centered on a beautiful young woman named Laura and the two men who love her: Matt and Seth. The three are cast against the problems and consequences of Alaska, the last wilderness state.

Matt is ruggedly handsome, a forty-year-old tough-minded individualist working as a troubleshooter for the oilmen. Women are sensually drawn to him, and men tend to respect his authority.

Seth is a newspaper reporter and a native Alaskan, a Ralph Nader-esque character, about twenty-five years old. Wealthy, intelligent, and the leader of the Pikes, a dedicated environmentalist group who are concerned with the future of Alaska.

Laura is the young beauty. Troubled in youth, she leaves her hometown in Montana to seek romanticism in Alaska.

The narrative drive of this novel is the antagonistic personalities of Matt and Seth, as different in makeup and character as their perceptions of Alaska. Seth is a preservationist in his ideals, wanting to protect Alaska, her beauty, and her natural resources. Matt has excelled through life by his wits and sheer gut-level ambitions. He sees the chance of the state opening up to the oilmen and is determined to gain the power and wealth involved in the operation of building the Alaskan pipeline.

A power struggle mounts between the Pikes and the opportunists over the infamy of the pipeline, the infiltration of outsiders, and the aversion to the specter of Alaska becoming a concrete domain laden with billboards and litter.

Published by Page Publishing, M.J. Sperlings engrossing book is a superb choice for avid realistic fiction readers.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Pipeline at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Maggie Washburn, Founder of Bevy Homes Nobody knows the Bay Area like Bevy Homes, and we're excited to scale up and provide more clients with more options for apartment leasing

Bevy Homes today announced its partnership with Side, the only real estate technology company that exclusively partners with high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages to transform them into market-leading boutique brands and businesses. The alliance will ensure that Bevy Homes, a company set to disrupt the traditional leasing experience with its all-encompassing business model, is powered by the industry's most advanced platform.

Bevy Homes is headed up by real estate industry veteran Maggie Washburn. Maggie has over a decade of experience in the residential real estate leasing and property management space, and she has proven herself as an asset by implementing successful sales strategies and deftly managing diverse teams. Maggie is a lifelong resident of the Bay Area and brings a wealth of local market knowledge to Bevy Homes.

Bevy Homes is the premier destination for apartment leasing in San Francisco. The company partners clients with reputable agents who introduce them to the community and serve as their point of contact throughout the leasing process. It empowers its network of agents to nurture the client journey and facilitate high-touch, personalized transactions. Bevy Homes maintains a large verified inventory of units, and the firm specializes in helping young professionals relocate to the Bay Area.

Partnering with Side will ensure Bevy Homes remains on the cutting edge of the evolving real estate market while continuing to deliver premium services to its clients. Side works behind the scenes, supporting Bevy Homes with a one-of-a-kind brokerage platform that includes proprietary technology, transaction management, branding and marketing services, public relations, legal support, lead generation, vendor management, infrastructure solutions, and more. Additionally, Bevy Homes will join an exclusive group of Side partners, tapping into an expansive network from coast to coast.

"Nobody knows the Bay Area like Bevy Homes, and we're excited to scale up and provide more clients with more options for apartment leasing," Washburn said. "By partnering with Side, we'll be able to access its state-of-the-art marketing, technology, administrative, and legal services, which will propel us toward even greater client success."

Side is led by experienced industry professionals and world-class engineers who develop technology designed to improve agent productivity and enhance the client experience. Based on its belief that homeownership is a fundamental human right, Side is on a mission to improve the public good by providing top-performing real estate agents, teams, and indie brokerages with the best system, support, service, experience, and results.

About Bevy Homes

Bevy Homes is a residential real estate leasing firm offering end-to-end services for apartment seekers in the Bay Area. Its dedicated agents help individuals relocate to San Francisco, and the company offers a sleek, user-friendly platform for searching its extensive inventory of units. To learn more about Bevy Homes, visit http://www.bevyhomesca.com.

About Side

Side transforms high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages into successful businesses and boutique brands that are 100% agent-owned. Side exclusively partners with the best agents, empowering them with proprietary technology and a premier support team so they can be more productive, grow their business, and focus on serving their clients. Side is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit http://www.sideinc.com.
CGTN America releases China Media Groups Top 10 Global News Stories of 2021

China Media Group (CMG) has released its Top 10 international stories of 2021  headlines dominated by the worlds two largest economies. As the world enters its third decade of the 21st century, where is our planet headed?

CMGs Top 10 stories offer clues. They include a once-in-a-century pandemic that engulfed the world, a 20-year U.S. war in Afghanistan that ended where it started  with the Taliban in power; and, at the beginning of a tumultuous year, an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that left five people dead and the worlds oldest democracy struggling to redefine itself.

In July, the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrated its 100th anniversary, while at the United Nations Chinese President Xi Jinping charted a course for development, not just for China but for the world  as global warming poses an existential threat to all of Earths inhabitants.

Please find more on this link: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-27/China-Media-Group-s-top-10-world-stories-of-2021-16l7D9ASKn6/

(This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.)
The Foundation: a potent argument for the importance of understanding the knowledge available within the Bible. The Foundation is the creation of published author Daniel Hawkins.

Hawkins shares, The Foundation contains the basic foundational truths in the Word of God that every Christian should have knowledge and understanding of and thereby be able to rightly divide the word of truth.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Jesus is the word; therefore, our foundation has to be built upon the Word of God (John 1:14).

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

As we obtain the knowledge and understanding of the Word, we can then establish a more intimate personal relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit and thereby be fully persuaded that what God has promised, he is also able to perform.

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (Romans 4:21)

For God has given us great and precious promises in the Word that we may be partakers of his divine nature.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4)

And thereby have faith to believe that if God has promised it in his word, then its a done deal, for all the promises in the Word of God are always yes and in him. Amen!

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Daniel Hawkinss new book will encourage readers to reflect and build a stronger relationship with God.

Hawkins presents a compelling series of reflections based on familiar scripture for the benefit of new and established believers.

Consumers can purchase The Foundation at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Foundation, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
"When employees are valued and supported, employers will spend less time resolving to make their next hire, and more time working with their top talent to thrive as a business." - Express CEO Bill Stoller

Sitting down to reflect on 2021 and create goals, personally and professionally for 2022, Im struck by just how much the world has changed over the past two years.

Before the pandemic, the majority of Express Employment Professionals International Headquarters employees were in the office every day. But with safety at the forefront of our decision making, we did what was right and pivoted to remote operations at the first signs of the virus. Not only was it in the best interest of our companyit was in the best interest of our people.

When people are at the forefront of decision making, companies excel.

Opportunities present themselves in often unexpected ways. Since that transition, the Express leadership team decided to adopt more flexible workplace attendance policies for our people. In planning for the future, Im excited to say we plan to phase employees back into the building starting in 2022 for a well-received hybrid remote-work schedule.

Across the country, companies are hemorrhaging employees in what has been dubbed The Great Resignation. The pandemic forced many to re-evaluate situations, and employment is no exception. Businesses are in dire need of workers and employees have the luxury of a multitude of job offers.

Hiring is critical.

But what about retaining the workers you already have? While most of the focus is on hiring, failure to retain employees, who are the core of business, creates an even more dire situation.

A recent survey from The Harris Poll, commissioned by Express, found that 42% of U.S. companies say turnover has increased this year, costing an overall average of $26,511 annually. In addition to the financial strain, 68% say it also places a heavy burden on existing employees.

Thats why this new year, companies must resolve to recognize their top talent and the value they bring. For better or for worse, it is a job seekers market and if businesses arent careful, longtime employees will jump ship for more lucrative opportunities.

One of the most popular perks right now is workplace flexibility. A survey featured on CNBC by The Harris Poll found that 50% of those surveyed wanted to leave their job because they desired more schedule flexibility and would leave if not provided. Seventy-six percent, overall, say they want their company to make work permanently flexible in terms of schedule and/or location.

I personally highly value the level of collaboration in-person environments offer, but also recognize the changing employment landscape.

Whether in-person, remote or hybrid, at Express, we will continue striving to make our company one where our people feel valued to stay and can see themselves building a successful career path. While the definition of how we work continues to evolve, the purpose that drives many employees will stay the same. When employees are valued and supported, employers will spend less time resolving to make their next hire, and more time working with their top talent to thrive as a business.

May you have a very happy new year and much success in 2022!

About Bill Stoller

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing company has more than 830 franchises in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Since inception, Express has put more than 9 million people to work worldwide.

About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, were in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 526,000 people globally in 2020. For more information, visit http://www.ExpressPros.com.
Regardless of the manufacturing process, cigars all go through the same basic steps to be turned into a finished product.

Florida Tobacco Shop has announced the release of their latest resource How are Cigars Made?. This resource explores the cigar making process by providing information on the art of rolling a cigar, the manufacturing process, the fermentation process, and manual and mechanical preparation.

When tobacco is ready to be rolled into cigars, the tobacco leaves are sorted into three different categories. The filler is comprised of the most delicate tobacco leaves and takes up the center of the cigar. The binder is the leaf that attaches the filler to the wrapper and assists in maintaining the cigars shape. The wrapper is where the cigar receives its flavor and is applied to the binder part of the cigar.

Cigars are rolled either by hand (manual) or by machine (mechanical). Cigars rolled by hand are soft and vary by thickness and density. Cigars rolled by machine are less expensive and have more consistent flavoring and size. According to Florida Tobacco Shop, Regardless of the manufacturing process, cigars all go through the same basic steps to be turned into a finished product.

To learn more about how cigars are made, please visit Florida Tobacco Shop here.

About Florida Tobacco Shop:

FloridaTobaccoShop.com is an online retail store with years of experience in the tobacco industry, our main goal is to provide our clients with the lowest prices, and best service possible. We carry all major brands like Swisher Sweets, Black & Mild, White Owl, Wrangler, and much more. We also specialize in Little Cigars and Filtered Cigars as well as Cigarette Papers. We ship via USPS and UPS to all states including Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska.


Harris Teeter announced today the launch of its Backpack Boosters Round Up Campaign to help provide nutritious meals and school supplies to children-in-need.

Now through Jan. 25., shoppers are invited to round up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar to support this effort. The funds collected through Backpack Boosters will benefit local food bank backpack programs which provide nutritious meals and snacks to families-in-need across Harris Teeters operating area.

While many families look forward to weekends, there are many children who leave school on Friday afternoon not knowing when theyll receive their next meal, said Danna Robinson, communication manager for Harris Teeter. With generous contributions from our associates and shoppers to support our local food bank partners backpack programs, we can help those children and their families who are facing food insecurity.

100% of funds collected through this campaign will benefit the local community in which the donation was made.

http://www.harristeeter.com

Harris Teeter, with headquarters in Matthews, N.C., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR). The regional grocery chain employs approximately 35,000 associates and operates stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.
Jensen partnered with Feeding San Diego by donating plant-based product this holiday season Our plants are located in San Diego County, which is where our employees live, our plant-based partners, and our friends and relatives, said Abel Olivera, CEO of Jensen Meat. Through our longstanding partnership with Feeding San Diego, we can help a community that is close to our hearts.

Jensen Meat, a Southern California-based processor of ground beef and plant-based beef alternatives, announces a major donation to Feeding San Diego, which helps provide families and children with healthy meals in San Diego County, California. The December initiative collaborates with Jensens plant-based partners such as Before the Butcher, Everything Legendary, and others that wish to remain anonymous, which donated one pound of plant-based patties for every ten pounds of production. Jensens donation of 500,000 pounds, or two million individual plant-based patties, will benefit multiple communities through Feeding San Diegos distribution network.

Our plants are located in San Diego County, which is where our employees live, our plant-based partners, and our friends and relatives, said Abel Olivera, CEO of Jensen Meat. Through our longstanding partnership with Feeding San Diego, we can help a community that is close to our hearts.

According to the USDA, more than 38 million people in the United States, including 12 million children, experience food insecurity. This includes communities of color and families with children who already faced hunger at higher rates before the pandemic.

Jensen wants to be a part of the solution to end world hunger, added Olivera. Worldwide hunger is a pressing, serious concern, and we want to do our part starting in our community. With multiple motivated partners and an ever-growing reach, we believe that this movement will continue to grow and expand globally.

Additional details about Jensen Meats nonprofit initiatives are available upon request. To schedule an interview, please contact Trisha Lavigne at (619) 754-6400 or media@designapolis.com. For more information about Jensen, visit http://www.jensenmeat.com or find Jensen Meat at http://www.facebook.com/jensenmeat.

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About Jensen Meat, Company

Jensen Meat, Co. is a privately held, leading processor and marketer of high-quality ground beef and plant-based products. Located in the Otay Mesa area of San Diego, CA, the company has strong branded products sold under Fat Burger, Great Value, Kroger, Sams Choice, and Sysco, as well as other licensed product extensions. Jensen Meat products are sold through retail, foodservice, and club store channels throughout the United States.

About Feeding San Diego

Feeding San Diego is a non-profit organization on a mission to end hunger through food rescue. Established in 2007, Feeding San Diego is the leading hunger-relief and food rescue organization in San Diego County and the only Feeding America affiliate in the region. Our organization provides more than 40.3 million meals every year to children, families, seniors, college students, military families, and veterans in partnership with a network of 292 local charities, schools, faith communities, meal sites, and food pantries. Last year, more than 70 percent of the food provided to the community was rescued from local and national food donors. By diverting high-quality food from the landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Feeding San Diego protects people and the planet. To get involved with Feeding San Diego and learn more about its mission, visit feedingsandiego.org. Get daily updates on social media at facebook.com/feedingsandiego, twitter.com/FeedingSanDiego or follow us on Instagram @feedingsandiego.
Mediaplanet today announces the launch of its cross-platform campaign Future of Work. Over the past year, businesses have learned a lot. For the first time in the modern age, organizations worldwide have battled a global pandemic that has left a deep impact on how and where people will work for years to come. However, while COVID-19 caused a rapid shift to full-time remote work for many U.S. employees, due to the successful vaccine rollout and lifted restrictions, 81 percent of companies said their teams will move to at least a hybrid model in the next six months.

Unfortunately, while employers may be eager to see employees back in the office, surging COVID-19 cases tied to the Omicron variant are igniting safety and emotional concerns, and employers must be flexible and react now. Sixty-seven percent of employers considering returning to the office in any capacity noted that enhanced health and safety protocols are a top priority for hybrid work. After a mass exodus from offices, returning to work is proving to be more complicated than anticipated.

In a hybrid work environment of the future, the on-site experience is more important than ever before. Thus, this campaign will lay the educational guidebook for modern business owners, HR leaders, facility management professionals, and building managers for how to create a workplace that ensures that employees feel safe, empowered, and excited to work. The campaign leans on expert insights to shed light on the available technologies, resources, and information that can help companies return to the workplace successfully and effectively. This includes tips on how to enhance employee well-being, improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, mitigate risk, boost company culture, and grow the organizations bottom line.

The print component of Future of Work is distributed within todays edition of USA Today in select markets, with a circulation of approximately 150,000 copies and an estimated readership of 450,000. The digital component is distributed nationally through a vast social media strategy, and across a network of top news sites and partner outlets. To explore the digital version of the campaign, visit futureofbusinessandtech.com/campaign/future-of-work.

Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post and Thrive Global, is featured on the cover of the print version of the campaign. In an exclusive interview, she talks about the incident that led her to realize workplace burnout and stress were not things to take lightly, and how she built a business that put employee well-being at the forefront. Well-being isnt just a perk, its a competitive advantage, Huffington says. And theres a direct connection between the health of a companys bottom line, and the health and well-being of every companys most important resource  its people.

This campaign was made possible with the support of OSHA, International Facility Management Association, Society for Human Resources Management, Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, Laura Putnam, Jen Arnold, Arianna Huffington, Michelle Reyman, and more!

About Mediaplanet

Mediaplanet specializes in the creation of content marketing campaigns covering a variety of industries. We tell meaningful stories that educate our audience and position our clients as solution providers. Our unique ability to pair the right leaders with the right readers, through the right platforms, has made Mediaplanet a global content marketing powerhouse. Our award-winning stories have won the hearts of countless readers while serving as a valuable platform for brands and their missions. Just call us storytellers with a purpose. Please visit http://www.mediaplanet.com for more on who we are and what we do.

Press Contact:

Ellie Gouvia

ellie.gouvia@mediaplanet.com


PR OZ Fund Managing Partner Jose A. Torres and his team at MCP see a perfect fit between PROZs mission and Fusions Farms business model that bring sustainability, food security and resiliency to the people of Puerto Rico.

Monllor Capital Partners LLC (MCP), announced today that the Puerto Rico Opportunity Zone Fund, LP (PROZ), the first private equity fund focused on ESG investing in Opportunity Zones throughout Puerto Rico, made an investment in Fusion Farms, a company leading Controlled Environment Aquaponics (CEAq) agricultural technology innovation in Puerto Rico.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which destroyed 80% of Puerto Ricos farms, many farmers today are forced to leave the island for work, while more than 90% of the islands food is imported. Food access in Puerto Rico has become increasingly limited, expensive, and precariously reliant on mainland economies. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic, has exposed a broken food supply chain and highlighted the need for hyper-local food production. The demand for high quality, fresh and highly nutritious produce has increased significantly, which has led Fusion Farms to expand its operation in Mayaguez and to evaluate locations in other industrial parks throughout the island. Fusion Farms is building and managing modern, sustainable, and hurricane-protected indoor agricultural solutions for Puerto Rico, creating production ecosystems of CEAq-grown, non-GMO, leafy greens that are fueled by chemical-free and hormone-free fish, using collected rainwater and renewable energy sources.

Managing Partner Jose A. Torres and his team at MCP see a perfect fit between PROZs mission and Fusions Farms business model that bring sustainability, food security and resiliency to the people of Puerto Rico.

Dr. Anabelle Morales Droz and the team at Fusion Farms can grow 9-12 times the annual yield of traditional farming with only 10% of the water usage, paving the way for a more sustainable agriculture model in Puerto Rico. In addition, the hurricane-protected indoor facilities provide food security and resiliency for the people of Puerto Rico said Jose Torres, whose fund seeks to make ESG investments in qualified opportunity zone businesses throughout Puerto Rico.

At Fusion Farms, we are paving the way for repeatable, scalable food production while pushing forward extensive scientific research on closed-loop aquaponic ecosystems. This kind of agricultural innovation is becoming increasingly critical for sustaining the food supply of large populations of at-risk communities in the face of uncertain economies and climatic challenges. Said Dr. Anabelle Morales Droz President and Chief Science Officer at Fusion Farms.

Since the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, investors can invest capital gains in a Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) and receive significant tax incentives. The tax incentives include the deferral of the capital gain tax through 2026 tax year and more importantly, no capital gain tax on profits made after a minimum 10-year hold period. In the case of Puerto Rico, where nearly the whole island is a QOZ, investors can achieve these attractive tax benefits while helping the recovery and resilience of the Puerto Rican people and economy.

About Monllor Capital Partners LLC

Monllor Capital Partners (MCP) was founded in late 2018 by Jose A. Torres, an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in private equity and investment banking. MCP, a minority-owned alternative asset management and advisory firm based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, focuses on making and facilitating tax advantaged ESG investing in renewable energy, sustainable business, and infrastructure in Puerto Rico. As general partner, MCP organized the Puerto Rico Opportunity Zone Fund, LP, a Qualified Opportunity Fund.

For additional information, visit https://www.monllorcapital.com/

About Puerto Rico Opportunity Zone Fund, LP

Puerto Rico Opportunity Zone Fund, LP (PROZ) is the first private equity fund focused on ESG investing in Opportunity Zones throughout Puerto Rico. PROZ will invest in a diversified portfolio of renewable energy, sustainable businesses, and infrastructure in Puerto Rico Opportunity Zones to take advantage of U.S. and Puerto Rico tax incentives and help accelerate impact investing in Puerto Rico. By only investing in Puerto Rico Opportunity Zones, PROZ will allow Puerto Rico resident taxpayers to benefit from the Puerto Rico Opportunity Zone tax benefits. PROZ is committed to Puerto Rico, Opportunity Zones and ESG.

For additional information, visit https://proz.fund/

PROZ Contact:

Jose A. Torres

(303) 263-5331

Email: info@monllorcapital.com

Website: https://www.monllorcapital.com

For more information on Monllor Capital, please visit https://www.monllorcapital.com.

About Fusion Farms

Fusion Farms builds and manages modern farming solutions using sustainable, controlled aquaponic environments for communities that face environmental, climatic and economic challenges. Taking advantage of the natural relationship between plants and fish, Fusion Farms can regularly and reliably produce a wide variety of green leafy vegetables, herbs, spices, microgreens, fruits and fish for Puerto Rican communities. Its portfolio of products can be purchased in various supermarkets including Econo Supermarkets and other local stores.

For additional information on Fusion Farms, visit https://www.FusionFarms.AG

Fusion Farms Contact:

Dr. Anabelle Morales Droz

(787) 220-4505

Email: info@FusionFarms.AG

Website: https://www.FusionFarms.AG
"This end of the year event is unique in that teams can come together to choose which organization to give to directly and add more money if they wish. Amanda Merz, SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Manager

SAFE Credit Union employees collectively donated $20,000 to nonprofits serving the Greater Sacramento region during its Joy & Kindness Campaign.

Each team at SAFE was provided with $300 to give to select nonprofits as cash grants or to purchase in-kind donations to support holiday gift drives and other services. This is the second year SAFE Credit Union has held the program, doubling its budget from last year.

SAFE employees love to support our community, says SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Manager Amanda Merz. They give in so many ways throughout the year through volunteer opportunities, participating in Big Day of Giving, and serving on nonprofit boards. This end of the year event is unique in that teams can come together to choose which organization to give to directly and add more money if they wish.

SAFE employees could choose from among dozens of nonprofits, including food banks, groups providing support to families battling cancer, organizations assisting Afghan refugees, and other organizations providing services to women, LGBTQ+, and underserved populations.

Other teams volunteered to stuff stockings for children and sort food at food banks.

SAFE provides $400,000 in philanthropy, grants, scholarships, and direct donations each year to nonprofits and students. SAFE focuses its giving on three pillars: health; financial education; and current and former military personnel.

Learn more about SAFEs commitment to the community at safecu.org/community.

SAFE Credit Union is a leading financial institution in Northern California with over $4 billion in assets and more than 240,000 members. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA. http://www.safecu.org
Theres a lot of hype around elderberry, so choosing a reputable brand with transparent labeling is even more important. Not all elderberry is created equal. You know youre getting quality when you choose Sambucol.  Art Rowe-Cerveny, Vice President of Marketing, PharmaCare US

Nutritionists have long known about the wellness benets of antioxidant-rich black elderberries, but the true potential of these berries has mostly gone untapped because theyre unsafe to consume if not prepared properly, making them impractical. With its line of gummies, syrups, supplements, and more, Sambucol Black Elderberry is helping people around the world easily access this superfood.

Trusted since 1991, Sambucol Black Elderberry products come precooked, so theyre safe to eat right out of the packaging  no messy preparation or clean-up, or second-guessing whether theyre toxic. The products are developed by a virologist and made using only premium Haschberg black elderberries, which grow in the mountainous regions of Central Europe. This particular type of black elderberry is coveted because of its deep-black pigment, indicating theyre rich in anthocyanins and flavanoids, which help fight free radicals in our bodies.

Sambucol uses a proprietary extraction process when creating its syrups that preserves as much of the benefits as possible. And the syrups arent just healthy  they add a delicious berry flavor to a range of foods. You can use them to create an immunity-supporting black elderberry smoothie; add them to maple syrup and pour them over pancakes; put them in your overnight oats for a delicious, fortifying breakfast; and so much more.

Theres a lot of hype around elderberry, so choosing a reputable brand with transparent labeling is even more important, said Art Rowe-Cerveny, vice president of marketing for PharmaCare US, which owns Sambucol. Not all elderberry is created equal. You know youre getting quality when you choose Sambucol.

Whether youre looking to add syrups to dishes to make immune-supporting meals, or are just looking for an immune support supplement, Sambucol Black Elderberry can help keep your family members feeling their best and doing what they love to do. Get recipe ideas and shop the full line of Sambucol Black Elderberry products online at sambucolusa.com.

To raise awareness of the immunity-supporting power of Sambucol Black Elderberry, PharmaCare US has partnered with Mediaplanet for its cross-platform campaign Future of Personal Health, which was published in todays edition of USA TODAY. Learn more about Sambucol by reading the article online here: https://bit.ly/3H8O7kh

About Sambucol USA

Sambucol is The Original Black Elderberry Brand, developed initially by a virologist after years of research. Since the 1990s, we have earned the trust of experts and our customers as a leader in the black elderberry category. We offer a range of award-winning immune support products to help support your health all year round. Learn more about what makes us unique at SambucolUSA.com.

About PharmaCare US

PharmaCare US is a subsidiary of PharmaCare Australia, owners of the Sambucol brand of immune support supplements, the Real Health Laboratories brand of nutritional supplements, and the Bioglan brand of nutraceutical remedies. Since our beginnings in 1985, our focus has been to develop and market personal products that support the health and well-being of our consumers.

Press contact:

Melissa Beltz

Brand Marketing Coordinator

E: melissa.beltz@pharmacareus.com


Brandon Ford in Tampa, Florida, has added the 2022 Ford Super Duty F-350 to its showroom lineup. This Ford dealership has a reputation for housing an eclectic range of new Ford models and several preowned vehicles at the best prices. Interested shoppers can head over to the dealerships official website to find more information on the Ford of their choice and make an informed purchase decision. The dealership is also known to offer lucrative deals on its inventory to help the customers make a frugal purchase.

Interested individuals can also visit the dealership for a year-end sales event and find their favorite models at a price that is a steal. The recent addition to the dealerships lineup, the 2022 Ford Super Duty F-350, comes in six spectacular trim levelsXL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. Each of these trims is packed with innumerable safety, technology and performance features, much to every automobile enthusiasts delight. It is equipped with a diesel, V8 engine capable of generating immense power and torque. Interested shoppers are advised to check the inventory of the dealership to find the available trims before heading over to make a purchase.

Brandon Ford is located at 9090 Adamo Drive, Tampa, Florida 33619. Those interested in making a purchase can visit the dealership for a test drive of their favorite Ford models. Customers can also call (813) 246-3673 for a quick chat with the sales representatives and learn more about the myriad offers that the dealership has.
Creating a plan will help you to get organized and ready for the upcoming finals.

Unemployed Professors has announced the release of their latest resource, Ways to Prevent Burnout During College Finals. This resource provides information on ways to prevent burnout during college finals by providing helpful tips on how to reduce anxiety and stress during finals and how to maximize study time.

When studying and taking finals, its ideal for college students to receive a proper nights sleep, eat healthy meals, and exercise regularly. Starting the studying process early will help in avoiding procrastination and burnout. College students should also avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and studying all night as these could lead to anxiety or a loss of sleep. Its important for college students to ask professors and fellow students for help and feedback when needed.

According to Unemployed Professors, Creating a plan will help you to get organized and ready for the upcoming finals. Having a plan allows students to create a schedule to stay on top of their studies and also make time for study breaks with friends and basic necessities like eating and sleeping. Its important to avoid being overworked, and students can solve this problem by taking small breaks when studying and limiting other activities.

To learn more about ways to prevent burnout during college finals, please visit Unemployed Professors here.

About Unemployed Professors:

Unemployed Professors is an essay support service geared toward college students. For over ten years, Unemployed Professors has been a leader in the academic field for analytical essay writing, essay formatting, and informative essay writing services.


Vusama Kariba, a writer with over seventeen years of experience instructing general science and biology, has completed their new book Exploring Concepts in SCIENCE for Future Discovery: a detailed and relevant work that discusses important concepts in science to help build foundation for a learner interested to dive into the field.

Kariba shares, The purpose of this textbook is to provide a basic understanding of scientific principles to help people and students who are interested in entering various professions and occupations involving chemistry and biology, scientific method, atomic theory, molecules and moles, the periodic table of elements, pH in terms of acids and bases, and organic chemistry. We shall also look at living things, cells, cell division, anatomy, and physiology (with particular emphasis on the cardiovascular system, circulatory system, the central nervous system, respiratory system, and the lymphatic system as it relates to immunology). There will be some discussion about nutrition, as well as a survey of genetics including the structures of DNA, duplication of DNA, RNA structure, and protein synthesis. There will be a very brief discussion of basic physics, optics, sound, astronomy, geology, and meteorology (which will help us understand how weather forecasters determine our weather from day to day).

Some mention of African American men and women who made major contributions to math and science is included to let people know that regardless of ones color, we all have the ability to handle various professions and occupations in science or math at any level. High school students, community college students, and people who desire a basic understanding of science, as it relates to our everyday living, are encouraged to read this book. Thank you for your time.

Published by Page Publishing, Vusama Karibas is an essential for every student and average person as they seek a deeper understanding of science. Throughout pages of information, the reader will be immersed in an experience that gives them clarity and greater interest in the subject.

The author is happy to offer this book to learners and educators who wish to enhance their skills in mathematics and science.

Readers who wish to experience this comprehensive work can purchase Exploring Concepts in SCIENCE for Future Discovery at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
We are excited to offer more kids the opportunity to grow and develop into responsible citizens, leaders of tomorrow, and to actively promote a healthy drug-free lifestyle, said Michael Zeliff, national executive director of the Young Marines National Foundation.

The Young Marines, a national youth organization, received a $25,000 donation from the Young Marines National Foundation (YMNF) to support registrations for Young Marines who are qualified to attend 2022s National Leadership Academy (NLA), which takes place in June of 2022 in Warrenton, Oregon.

Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines, accepted the check at Headquarters Young Marines on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in Dumfries, Virginia. It was presented by MajGen James Kessler USMC (Ret.) a member of the Board of Directors of the Young Marines National Foundation.

The generous donation by the Young Marines National Foundation will help send more than 160 youth members to the National Leadership Academy, said Bill Davis. Our leadership training is a primary strength of the Young Marines. The more kids who are able to participate in advanced leadership training, the stronger our program and community impact can be.

Youth members of the Young Marines from across the country will train for two weeks to become better leaders. Practical classes were designed to promote a high level of student morale, teamwork, and decisive thinking. After leadership classes, physical and written tests, and close order drill, Young Marines learn to lead other Young Marines.

NLA objectives include:

a. examine leadership styles to which students aspire

b. display qualities of two to three leadership styles

c. develop a plan to build leadership skills

d. display basic understanding of event planning and organization including lesson development and encampment planning

e. recognize others differences and create a plan for working with diverse groups

f. develop communication skills with superiors, peers, and subordinates

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, and especially those Young Marines attending the National Leadership Academy next summer, we thank the Young Marines National Foundation for this generous donation, said William L. Smith, chair of the board of directors of the Young Marines.

The YMNF was formed in 2014 with goals to financially support the mission, values, and programs of the Young Marines. This is accomplished by the solicitation, preservation and distribution of gifts, grants, and matching funds from individuals, corporations, and foundations committed to the development of boys and girls into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

"This is only the first of many monetary contributions that the Foundation hopes to forward to the Young Marines to enhance opportunities for their members," said Michael B. Kessler, chair of the board of directors of the Young Marines National Foundation.

Today there are young people who need leadership more than ever before, said Michael Zeliff, national executive director of the Young Marines National Foundation. We are excited to offer more kids the opportunity to grow and develop into responsible citizens, leaders of tomorrow, and to actively promote a healthy drug-free lifestyle.

The Young Marines

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501 (c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 235 units with 7,500 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and affiliates in a host of other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at: https://youngmarines.org/public/page.
LG Electronics has implemented DSP Concepts TalkTo audio front end for improved voice pick-up and speech recognition on its new LG Objet TV, the 65ART90.

DSP Concepts used the Audio Weaver design platform to create a custom solution for LG based on the TalkTo audio front end.

The LG 65ART90 features two microphones arranged with a front-facing linear geometry. For user commands, the TV uses the keywords "Hi LG". It will initially be available in South Korea, using LGs proprietary automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology to recognise commands in Korean.

Hojun Nam, head of HE R&D Lab at LG Electronics, said: Consumers expect their voice-enabled devices to understand their commands, despite the presence of background noise. With a visually stunning design featuring a moveable fabric cover, the 65ART90 is meant to entertain from a comfortable distance and can be paired with LG soundbars or multi-channel home theater systems. The TalkTo solution was the perfect choice for high accuracy voice pickup together with noise interference reduction.

Added Chin Beckmann, CEO and co-founder of DSP Concepts: TalkTo combines advanced signal processing techniques that accurately filter the audio signal detected by the TVs microphones. This significantly improves accuracy and makes for a much more reliable and satisfying user experience. The key feature is that a viewer can sit in front of a loud television and speak their commands without having to raise their voice.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 12/29/2021



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Which couples are still together and which MAFS couples have split up and divorced? And where are they now?

's first thirteen seasons featured 49 different couples getting married at first sight -- so which couples are still together, who has split up and divorced, and where are they all now?Each season of -- which premiered in the United States seven years ago and is based on a Danish series -- features couples (previously three couples, but four couples on Seasons 8 and 9, and five couples beginning with Season 10) being matched together by relationship experts and agree to marry when they first meet.Complete strangers become husband and wife in a matter of minutes, and the couples' lives are then documented by TV cameras over the course of the next four to eight weeks (eight weeks, in the case of 's most recent seasons).The couples typically enjoy their first night together in a hotel after exchanging vows -- with some couples deciding to consummate their marriage immediately -- and then embark on a honeymoon, move in together, and simply attempt to deal with the struggles of daily life as man and wife.At the end of the extreme marriage experiment, each couple must decide whether they'd like to stay married or get a divorce on "Decision Day."has experienced very mixed results over the years. While a significant number of couples decide to stay together and continue their new marriage at the end of their season, the real world seems to hit them hard after the cameras leave, resulting in the couple splitting up only months later.Do cast members see a different side of their spouses once cameras are gone, or do the romances naturally fizzle over time?Some couples are still together to this day and are extremely happy. Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner from Season 1, for example, have had two children.Several other couples have also had children -- including Ashley Petta and Anthony D'Amico Shawniece Jackson and Jephte Pierre Danielle Bergman and Bobby Dodd Deonna McNeill and Greg Okotie , and Jessica Studer and Austin Hurd However, there are also relationships that ended badly. Jessica Castro from Season 2, for instance, accused Ryan De Nino of alleged death threats, and she went on to file a restraining order and lawsuit against him.Some couples have also never even made it to "Decision Day" and ended their marriage prematurely, including Season 4 couple Heather Seidel and Derek Schwartz as well as Season 6 couple Molly Duff and Jonathan Francetic Are the remaining couples now lovers, friends or enemies?! What about early season couples like Cortney Hendrix and Jason Carrion, Jaclyn Methuen and Ryan Ranellone, Vanessa Nelson and Tres Russell, Sonia Granados and Nick Pendergrast, and Lillian Vilchez and Tom Wilson?And how about more recent season couples like Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon Jaclyn Schwartzberg and Ryan Buckley Dave Flaherty and Amber Martorana , and Tristan Thompson and Mia Bally Keith Dewar and Kristine Killingsworth , and AJ Vollmoeller and Stephanie Sersen Click thelink below to see photos of each couple and find out!

BEGIN GALLERY >>

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.
Firefighters in Oregon rescued a woman who slipped from a trail and was left clinging to a tree root atop a 300-foot cliff.

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Corbett Fire District 14 said reports came in about 3 p.m. Monday that a woman had slipped from the Multnomah Falls trail, the Columbia River Gorge area, and had fallen about 30 feet down.

Firefighters arrived to find the woman clinging to a tree root hanging over a 300-foot cliff.

The rescuers were able to reach the woman and bring her back to solid ground. Corbett Fire said the woman was evaluated by medics at the scene and found to be uninjured.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy with snow developing after midnight. Low 24F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow developing after midnight. Low 24F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
HAMDEN  A new Hamden restaurant is dishing up sushi, poke bowls and bubble tea.

Located on Whitney Avenue near Memorial Town Hall, Yummy Poke Sushi Bubble Tea opened its doors in late October, according to owner Jing Chen.

Chen has a lot of experience in the food industry. She used to live in Hartford, where she worked for ten years at a restaurant her family owned, she said.

Recently, she and some friends opened their own Japanese and poke restaurant in Florida, but Chen decided she wanted to branch out on her own.

She knew how to make poke, she said, and her husband knew how to make sushi. They found a spot in Hamden and decided to return to Connecticut to be closer to family.

Business is picking up as more people learn about the new spot, Chen said. She hopes the restaurant does well enough that she can bring her two 5-year-old sons to the United States from China. Chen said she moved to the U.S. in the early 2000s, but her sons currently live overseas.

In the meantime, shes developing a small community around her restaurant.

According to Chen, some customers drop by every day, while others visit multiple times a week. Many work at nearby businesses, like the Walgreens she can see from the restaurant window. She likes to make extra treats for the staff there when she can, she said.

Recently, Chen baked a tray of cookies, sent a photo of them to one of her regulars and wondered: did she have time to come try some?

That the restaurant already has won loyal customers was evident Tuesday morning when Alyssa Ciccarini and her sister walked in the door.

They arrived at 11 a.m. sharp  the moment the restaurant opened  and perused the wide selection of milk teas, with Ciccarini listing off the many flavors she had tried. Her favorite, she said, is strawberry.

Other choices include pineapple, coconut and banana. The taro milk tea is the most popular, according to Chen.

Customers can choose from fruit-flavored jellies to give the tea some tang, or they can add boba, the tapioca pearls that give bubble tea its name.

Lunch specials offer customers multiple sushi rolls and a drink for under $13.

Ciccarini visits the restaurant about once a week, she said.

Its like our treat to ourselves, she said.

Having previously worked at a poke restaurant, Ciccarini said, Yummy Poke Sushi Bubble Tea is comfortingly familiar. She likes to build her own poke bowl, a Hawaiian dish of raw fish atop rice that often features other toppings.

Ciccarinis go-to combination features rice, avocado, spicy salmon and tuna, edamame, cilantro and mango.

Its really good, she said.

As Chen worked behind the counter to prepare Ciccarinis order, the phone rang.

Though early in the day, the restaurant was beginning to bustle.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  Theres always an event at Jazzys Cabaret  and thats how owner Jason Watts planned it.

Watts signed a lease in April 2021 for the Orange Street location of the former Thali restaurant and officially opened his restaurant on Oct. 1, although he is planning a grand opening in the spring when the warmer weather can make way for more of a party atmosphere.

Watts, 40, has spent much of his career thus far in marketing and event production. He founded the Urban Professionals Network in 2005, a networking group, through which he partnered with various city institutions such as the Shubert Theater and the Yale Repertory Theatre, who were looking to attract more city residents to shows and events.

They were having trouble reaching the urban demographic, he said.

Watts has been planning and hosting events for years, and has found venues all over the state. He said Jazzys Cabaret is intended as a permanent, reliable hosting space. Walking inside is like taking a step out of time  the venue includes vintage furniture and flowers provided by Watts mother Sandra, owner of Remember the Lilies florist.

Im an old soul and I like the Harlem Renaissance feel, the 1920s. Its like Bohemian-meets-Victorian, he said.

In addition to vinyl record covers adorning the walls, including Stevie Wonder, New Edition, Patti LaBelle, Bell Biv DeVoe, Diana Ross and the Pointer Sisters, are framed Victorian-style portraits of musical icons from the last century, such as Beyonce, Snoop Dogg and Rihanna.

With the events Watts has planned for the 180-seat capacity space, seven days in the week may not be enough. Live R&B and soul music is Saturday nights, live jazz music is Fridays and he is leaning towards Thursdays for live comedy. He is planning on adding karaoke to the weekly roster, as well.

When thinking of a menu, Watts said he wanted to draw from his travels, blending international comfort cuisine from the African diaspora. He said diners can expect dishes such as griot, the pork dish that is the national dish of Haiti, as well as a Caribbean barbecue jerk chicken, a Creole blackened shrimp dish and a Southern fried chicken dish.

Its meant to allow folks to try something they wouldnt be able to try elsewhere in New Haven, he said.

Jazzys Executive Chef Stephen Ross said the intention is to represent the African diaspora through food and make a connection thats authentic.

Were pressing hard for authenticity: very, very close to what your grandma would make, he said. We wanted to create a cool place where people can eat some cool food that represents themselves and represents unity and a place where they can vibe out with great live music. Even if its not a live band, Jason has cool music playing over the speakers.

Ross is a veteran of Sandras Next Generation as well as the Anchor Spa. He opened Cast Iron Soul in Hamden in 2010, which he owned and operated for seven years.

Watts said patrons can also expect pop-up events, sch as a planned six-course Senegalese dinner in February prepared by a guest chef.

Were always open to working with local musicians, artists and creatives, he said. We want to share our culture with the masses.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
TORRINGTON  City officials learned Tuesday that they are to receive 4,500 COVID-19 test kits, an allocation based on a towns population, and are now discussing how to distribute them. The kits are being distributed by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

The expected initial distribution is as follows: Barkhamsted: 540, Burlington: 1,260, Canaan: 180, Colebrook: 180, Cornwall: 270, Goshen: 450, Harwinton: 720, Litchfield: 1,080, Morris: 360, New Hartford: 900, Norfolk: 270, North Canaan: 450, Salisbury: 540, Sharon: 360, Torrington: 4,500, Winchester: 1,350.

Mayor Elinor Carbone said the kits are a short-term solution to bridge the surge in demand for testing.

Always, our goal is to connect our residents to the most sustainable testing opportunities that already exist within our community and that will be expanded in the coming weeks, she said. In Torrington, we are fortunate to have several health care partners in our Community Health and Wellness Center, Torrington Area Health and Hartford Healthcare, all of which provide testing clinics.

Carbone said the city will work with its partners over the next several weeks to increase accessibility to testing and vaccinations and promote testing sites and schedules.

We are planning to set aside test kits for our essential workers (police, fire, public works), Friendly Hands Food Bank, the Community Soup Kitchen, FISH, Gathering Place, the Sullivan Senior Center, United Way (for use at the overflow shelter) and for residents in the Torrington Housing Authority complexes, Carbone said. (Out of 4,500 kits), that would leave approximately 3,600 for distribution to the general public. We are proposing to do three distribution sites so we can target the most vulnerable population and the general population.

The city plans to have a drive-up location, a walk-up and a separate site for senior citizens. Carbone said she is meeting with health care partners Wednesday to decide on the dates, times and locations.

DEMAS is letting each town or city decide how to use the test kits, said Robert Rubbo, health director for the Torrington Area Health District.

Theres a limited supply; were getting 4,500, and we have about 33-34,000 residents, he said. This distribution is intended to alleviate some of the lines youre seeing at the urgent care center on East Main Street, and at the local pharmacies. People want to get tested before they travel or go to a family gathering, for example.

Winsted Town Manager Josh Kelly has also developed a plan to distribute the test kits from DEMAS, with a focus on Winsteds at-risk population and how to best serve them.

Were making decisions in consultation with Hartford Healthcare and Community Health & Wellness officials to ensure that our distribution methods have as much focus on increasing public health benefits as possible, Kelly said.

We decided after consulting with health care partners that we want to target our vulnerable population, so were saving a portion of the kits, 400, for our senior housing developments, he said. Were giving 250 kits to the Salvation Army at the food pantry, 75 kits to the soup kitchen, 100 to the YMCA, 200 to the Winsted Senior Center, and 50 to Winsted Area Child Care. That will leave us with 275 more kits, and were not going to give those out this week. We want to see how this goes first.

Kelly agreed that the distribution is meant to supplement testing thats already available around the state.

The messaging Ive seen out in the community so far has not stressed these facts enough, from my perspective, he said. I want to make sure we dont have 9,000 upset residents on Thursday who thought they would easily get a test kit from the town.

Barkhamsted First Selectman Don Stein has already decided that his towns 540 kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from town hall, on Thursday afternoon.

The town will distribute these at-home tests kits to residents to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its variants, and to supplement existing testing, Stein wrote in a mass email.

He said each will be available to residents, one kit per household member, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The kits will be distributed at Barkhamsted Town Hall starting at noon on Thursday and continue to 4 p.m. or until supplies run out. Another distribution will be held starting at 4 p.m. at the towns two firehouses, in a drive-thru system, Stein said.

Stein also reminded people that they can be tested at local health centers and pharmacies.

An additional 1 million kits will be distributed to schools statewide beginning in January.

President Joe Biden said earlier this month that he will be securing 500 million tests, but contracts to buy the tests havent been finalized, according to Whitehouse.gov.
Norwalk Police / Contributed Photo

NORWALK  A car hit a home on Van Buren Avenue Tuesday afternoon and then fled the scene, according to the Norwalk Police Departmnet.

The vehicle, described as a dark colored Honda, struck the home around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Sgt. Sofia Gulino.
TORRINGTON  The Northwest CT Community Foundation has awarded grants to 19 area nonprofit organizations, totaling $147,250 during its third grant cycle of 2021. The Community Foundation awards discretionary grants to Northwest Connecticut charities three times a year: early spring, late June and November.

Noteworthy among the recent awards include $15,000 to Beardsley & Memorial Library to support the purchase of an outreach vehicle to increase home deliveries and off-site programming; and $10,000 to Family & Childrens Aid, Inc. to support the Torrington In-Home Intensive Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services (IICAPS) program.

2021 Third Cycle Grant recipients:

AHA - AfterSchool Program, $5,000 to support general operating expenses (from the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund with an additional $5,000 from Northwest Corner Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation)

Barkhamsted Historical Society, $12,000 to support roof repairs for Squires Tavern, an historic building that serves as a museum and the historical society headquarters (from the Douglas and Janet Roberts Fund)

Beardsley & Memorial Library, $15,000 to support the purchase of an outreach vehicle to increase home deliveries and off-site programming (from the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund)

Canaan Child Care Center, Inc., $25,000 to support a playground structure for the child care center (from the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund)

Chore Service, Inc., $3,000 to support the cost of pre-service health screenings for Chore Workers and clients at the time of service delivery (from the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund)

Community Kitchen of Torrington, $7,850 to support general operating expenses (from the Miriam Mason Cable Trust Fund)

Connecticut Association for Human Services, $3,000 to support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in NW CT (from the Miriam Mason Cable Trust Fund)

Family & Childrens Aid, Inc., $10,000 to support the Torrington In-Home Intensive Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services program (from the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund)

Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry, $5,000 to support general operating expenses (from the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund and the Northwest Connecticut Philanthropy Fund with an additional $2,500 from the Northwest Corner Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation)

Food Rescue US, $15,000 to support general operating expenses and to expand the milk delivery and gleaning programs in Northwest CT (from the Keroden Endowed Fund)

Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals Inc., $10,000 to support the addition of a staff psychiatrist for 10 hours per week (from the Marion Wm. & Alice Edwards Fund )

Helping Hands Chore Service, $3,000 to support the purchase of PPE and client transportation to medical appointments (from the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund)

Housatonic Valley Association, $3,250 to support wages for four seasonal multilingual River Information & Outreach interns in 2022 (from the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund with an additional $3,250 from the Northwest Corner Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation)

LARC, Inc., $7,250 to support a replacement generator for one of LARCs group homes (from the Eva M. Coty Fund)

Little Guild of Saint Francis, $10,000 to support the purchase of equipment for facility maintenance, enhanced cleaning and sanitation (from the Karen M. OConnor Fund)

McCall Center for Behavioral Health, $2,500 to support a speaker program for people in early recovery in McCall's residential homes (from the Northwest Corner Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation)

Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra, $1,900 to support the purchase of a video camera and microphones, and musician costs for an internet chamber music concert (from the Carlton D. Fyler and Jenny R. Fyler Fund and the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund)

Washington Art Association, Inc., $10,000 to support general operating expenses (from the Marion Wm. & Alice Edwards Fund)

The Woodhall School, $1,000 to support a replacement lighting console for their theater, arts, and speaker programs, which are open to the public (from the Eva M. Coty Fund)

Established in 1969, the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation serves 20 towns in Northwest Connecticut. Its total endowment, comprised of more than 280 funds, has grown from initial assets of $15,000 to more than $125 million. Last year, combined grants and scholarships totaled in excess of $5 million.
FAIRFIELD  A local gas station was robbed Monday night at gunpoint, according to police officials.

Officers responded to the Shell gas station at 1139 Post Road around 7:45 p.m., Lt. Edward Weihe said.

He said investigating officers learned that an individual went into the store, held the clerk at gunpoint and demanded cash from the register before he fled the area.

There were no injuries reported, Weihe said.

Officers canvassed the area, with police dogs, to search for the alleged suspect. Weihe said police do not believe there is any further threat to the public.

The investigation is ongoing.
Even though one judge rejected OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's sweeping settlement of thousands of lawsuits over the opioid crisis, another refused Wednesday to allow litigation to move ahead just yet against members of the Sackler family who own the company  but also ordered negotiations for a reworked settlement.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain on Wednesday granted Purdue's request to extend an injunction until Feb. 1 protecting the company and the Sacklers from litigation. He also ordered Purdue, the Sacklers, the states and other parties to negotiate a new settlement.

In a hearing conducted Wednesday via video conference, the White Plains, New York-based judge warned the family and others that he would end the protections early if there are not serious talks toward a new settlement. If the parties do not negotiate in good faith, he said, they will face the consequences of the injunction unraveling.

Drain is the same judge who approved the company's settlement in September.

The deal had been hashed out over two years of negotiations and mediation in bankruptcy court. Eventually, lawyers for the overwhelming majority of local governments and states signed on. The plan called for members of the Sackler family to give up ownership of Purdue, which would be transformed into a new company whose profits would be used to fight the opioid crisis.

Sackler family members would also contribute $4.5 billion in cash and charitable assets, with the money to go to victims of the crisis and efforts to end the crisis, which has been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. since 2000, counting overdoses of both prescription opioids and illicit ones, such as heroin and illegally produced fentanyl.

In exchange for the contributions, Sackler family members were also granted protections from lawsuits over opioids.

But eight states and one office in the U.S. Department of Justice objected. They said it was improper for them to be forced to give up their right to sue members of the Sackler family, who themselves were not seeking bankruptcy protection. The holdout states argued that the $4.5 billion does not properly hold the family members accountable.

In December, U.S District Judge Colleen McMahon ruled in favor of those states, finding that judges do not have authority to grant third-party releases as Drain did.

Purdue said it would appeal that ruling while also trying again to strike a settlement deal that all the states would be willing to join. The Stamford, Connecticut-based company also asked Drain to protect it and the family from lawsuits while that's sorted out. A injunction previously in place was to expire Thursday.

Two states  Connecticut and Washington  argued that suits against the Sacklers should be allowed to move ahead immediately. Those states said they would not move ahead now with litigation against the company.

Irve Goldman, a lawyer for Connecticut, said in court Wednesday that their suits against the Sacklers wont be resumed immediately if the family members are in good-faith settlement negotiations. He also said that the Sacklers have not been in such talks so far since the settlement was dissolved on Dec. 16.

Lawyers for Sackler family did not speak at Wednesdays hearing. Representatives of the family did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press.

Connecticut and Washington said in a filing that the Sacklers would agree to an appropriate settlement only if lawsuits can move ahead and they are then forced to come to grips with the prospect of continued litigation against them.

But Benjamin Kaminetzky, a lawyer for Purdue, told Drain in court that the opposite was true. If the stay is lifted, everyone will be scrambling to get their claims on file as quickly as possible, he said. In this environment, negotiations would be an afterthought at best, likely a no-thought.

Still, he said that if the Sackler family does not negotiate in January, Purdue would not seek further injunctions to protect the family from lawsuits.
Three African students of Assam's Dibrugarh University have tested positive for COVID-19, and their samples have been sent for whole genome sequencing, officials said on Wednesday.

Two samples tested positive for the Omicron strain in a kit developed by the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), NE of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Dibrugarh, while the third result is awaited.

"After the samples tested Omicron positive in our kit on Tuesday, we then carried out 'targeted sequencing', which confirmed the test results," an ICMR source told PTI.

The samples have been sent to the CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) in Jorhat for whole genome sequencing.

Dibrugarh University International Affairs Executive Officer Arinjit Hazarika said an M Com student from Comoros recently returned from his country and tested positive for COVID-19.

"His two roommates, hailing from Nigeria and Lesotho, in the international hostel also tested positive for COVID-19, and the trio was isolated in the hostel itself, which houses 22 foreign students," he said.

The ICMR source said that the students from Comoros and Lesotho tested positive for Omicron in their kit.

On Sunday, a 57-year-old man returning from Nigeria, his four family members and their domestic help tested Omicron positive in the RMRC kit, and their samples were sent for whole genome sequencing, the results of which are awaited.

The RMRC kit can detect the Omicron strain in just two hours. The development is significant as a minimum of 36 hours is required for targeted sequencing and 4-5 days for whole genome sequencing to detect the variant.

The kit is now being produced in bulk by a Kolkata-based firm in a public-private partnership mode.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Mounting trouble for controversial monk Kalicharan Maharaj, Pune police have filed an FIR against him on Wednesday, for hate speech he allegedly delivered on 19 December at the Shivpratap Din programme. Police stated that Kalicharan and three others had allegedly made provocative speeches at the event organised by Samast Hindu Aghadi organisation to celebrate the killing of Adil Shah's general Afzal Khan by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Akola-based monk has already been booked in Raipur for his insults against Mahatma Gandhi.

Pune police book Kalicharan Maharaj

Police alleged that at the event, Kalicharan and the other accused - Milind Ekbote, Nandakishor Ekbote, Mohan Shete, Dipak Nagpure, and Captain Digendra Kumar made provocative speeches hurting religious sentiments. The leaders allegedly made comments against the Christian and Muslim communities in a bid to provoke violence. Police have filed an FIR under sections 295 (a) (outrage religious feelings), 298, 505 (2) (provoke in place of worship), 34 (common intention) of the IPC.

Dharam Sansad in Raipur abuses Gandhi

In the Dharam Sansad in Raipur, Akola-based Kalicharan Maharaj claimed that Muslims captured Pakistan and Bangladesh via politics and were aided by Gandhi. Thanking Godse, Kalicharan blames the administration for being mere puppets (of the Muslims). He also stated that Hindus were not prepared to do riots as police were slaves of the administration, govts, politicians.

"Islam captured nation via politics. They captured Pakistan and Bangladesh in front of our eyes. That *expletive* Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi destroyed everything. My salutations to Nathuram Godse ji fro klling him. Oppression is necessary to control these people (Muslims), otherwise, they become cancer," said Kalicharan.

Aggrieved at Kalicharan's blatantly communal speech, another Hindu leader Mahant Ram Sunder Das boycotted the event, walking off the stage. Questioning the audience as to why they clapped for Kalicharan's speech, has asked 'Was Gandhi really a traitor?' to low murmurs of 'No'. Stating that this was not the agenda of Dharam Sansad, he distanced himself from the event. The organisers of the event have also distanced themselves from Kalicharan Maharaj.

Unabashed, the provoking seer took to his Youtube channel on Tuesday, to insult the Father of the nation again. In his 8-minute video, the Akola-based godman once again claimed that he hated Gandhi and offered his salutations to his assassin Nathuram Godse. He also alleged that due to Gandhi, Sardar Patel did not become PM. "If I am to be punished for telling the truth, let me be hanged for it," he concluded. An FIR has been registered at Tikrapara police station on the complaint of Pramod Dubey against Kalicharan Maharaj for his abuse against Gandhi.
One more foreign returnee has tested positive for Omicron taking the tally of patients infected by the new variant of coronavirus to nine in Odisha, a senior health department official said.

Director of Health Service (DHS) Bijay Mohapatra said a 31-year-old man hailing from Keonjhar district had returned from Dubai to Bhubaneswar on December 16. His genome sequencing has given a positive result, the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, has informed the Health department.

He has been admitted to a private hospital, the DHS said, adding that contact tracing of those who were exposed to him is on. His father and mother have tested negative for the infection and again their samples will be examined.

On December 26, four foreign returnees  2 from Nigeria and as many from UAE  had tested positive for the Omicron variant.

On December 23, two patients, aged 11 and 15, who recently returned from non at-risk country Nigeria, were also found infected.

Prior to that, two patients, aged 41 and 43, had tested positive for the Omicron variant on December 21, after returning to the state from Nigeria and Qatar.

Meanwhile, health experts fear that the Omicron induced third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, may reach its peak in Odisha towards the end of January and first week of February.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had also cautioned the people to follow the COVID-19 protocol as Omicron has been spreading across the country.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been postponed amid the surge of Omicron cases in India. The visit was scheduled to take place on January 6, 2022. The visit is likely to be rescheduled now, according to sources.

The ties between India and UAE has grown since PM Modi's visit to the UAE n 2015. In 2016, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, visited India. He again visited India in January 2017 as the Redupic Day chief guest. At that time, the bilateral relations were upgraded to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'.

In February 2018, PM Modi visited UAE for the sixth World Government Summit in Dubai, where India was the guest of honour. The Prime Minister visited again in August 2019 to receive 'the Order of Zayed, UAE's highest civilian award.

Over 3.3 million Indian working in UAE has played a key in overall cultural and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Omicron spreads across the world

The Omicron variant, which was first reported in South Africa, has created havoc across the world, especially Europe and the United States. The COVID-19 cases have also seen a surge due to fast-spreading Omicron. On Monday, UAE had reported 1,732 fresh COVID-19 cases and one death.

In India, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's Wednesday morning update, there are 781 cases of Variant of Concern (Omicron) in India. Delhi accounted for the highest number of cases (283), followed by Maharashtra (167), Gujarat (73), Kerala (65), Telangana (62), Rajasthan (46), Karnataka (34), Tamil Nadu (34), Haryana (12), West Bengal (11), Madhya Pradesh (9), Odisha (8), Andhra Pradesh (6), Uttarakhand (6), Chandigarh (3), Jammu and Kashmir (3), Uttar Pradesh (2) and one each case in Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Ladakh respectively.

Image: PTI
Punjab has reported its first Omicron case with a 36-year-old man, who returned from Spain earlier this month, testing positive for the new variant of coronavirus.

The man, who arrived in India on December 4, visited his relatives in Nawanshahr in Punjab, a health official said.

The man tested negative for coronavirus upon his arrival. However, he tested positive on December 12, he said.

He was then admitted to a hospital and his samples were sent for genome sequencing at a facility set up at the Government Medical College, Patiala, the official added.

"The genome sequencing report declaring him positive for the Omicron variant came on December 28," said Dr Rajiv Bhaskar, state nodal officer for COVID-19.

The man was tested again on December 25 and his report came back negative, following which he was discharged from the hospital, the officer said.

Meanwhile, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister O P Soni directed officials to ramp up Covid testing and vaccination in the state.

Presiding over a meeting of the health department, Soni, who also holds the health portfolio, took stock of the prevailing Covid situation in the state.

According to officials, Punjab's positivity rate stands at 0.3 per cent and has increased slightly over the past few days.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Amid the furore over the Dharam Sansad in Raipur, orgnaisers of the event have asserted that they will hold the event again after it was cut short due to Kalicharan's comments. Addressing the media on Tuesday, Neelkanth Seva Sansthan founder Neelkanth Tripathi condemned Kalicharan Maharaj's words against Mahatma Gandhi. He urged the administration to take action on the controversial godman.

Dharam Sansad organisers slam Kalicharan

Tripathi added that all seers were instructed that they must talk only about Sanatan Dharma on stage, but Kalicharan made political remarks. "When I tried to stop him (Kalicharan) he scolded me from the stage and told me sit down. Whatever he said after that is his personal opinion. What is our fault if some guest misbehaves? But we are giving full co-operation to govt," said Tripathi.

He added, "We had seen videos of his (Kalicharan) songs and thought youth will get motivated by it, hence we invited him. After his (controversial) speech, Kalicharan left on the same day at 8 PM, without informing. I don't know where he went as I am not in contact with him".

Dharam Sansad in Raipur abuses Gandhi

In the Dharam Sansad in Raipur, Akola-based Kalicharan Maharaj claimed that Muslims captured Pakistan and Bangladesh via politcs and were aided by Gandhi. Thanking Godse, Kalicharan blames the administration for being mere puppets (of the Muslims). He also stated that Hindus were not prepared to do riots as police were slaves of the administration, govts, politicians.

"Islam captured nation via politics. They captured Pakistan and Bangladesh in front of our eyes. That *expletive* Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi destroyed everything. My salutations to Nathuram Godse ji fro killing him. Oppression is necessary to control these people (Muslims), otherwise, they become cancer," said Kalicharan.

Aggrieved at Kalicharan's blatantly communal speech, another Hindu leader Mahant Ram Sunder Das boycotted the event, walking off the stage. Questioning the audience as to why they clapped for Kalicharan's speech, has asked 'Was Gandhi really a traitor?' to low murmurs of 'No'. Stating that this was not the agenda of Dharam Sansad, he distanced himself from the event.

Slamming the communal speech, AAP MP Sanjay Singh expressed shock at the insult to the Father of our nation. Similarly, Congress too stated that one may have ideological differences with Gandhiji, but no one has the right to insult him. The party's leaders lauded Das for standing up to Kalicharan stating 'A Hindu cannot remain silent at insult of Gandhi'. An FIR has been registered at Tikrapara police station on the complaint of Pramod Dubey against Kalicharan Maharaj for his abuse against Gandhi.
Defence Ministry Puts Restrictions On Import Of 351 Items Under Staggered Timeline

The Defence Ministry on Wednesday announced a fresh list of 351 sub-systems and components that will not be allowed to be imported under a staggered timeline beginning December next year. It is the third list released by the ministry in the last 16 months and it comes as part of the government's overall aim to make India a hub of manufacturing of military platforms and equipment. The ministry said the new initiative will save foreign exchange equivalent to around Rs 3,000 crore annually.

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Samajwadi Party Admits To Hooliganism At PM's Rally; Raises Lakhimpur Violence As Counter

Samajwadi Party (SP) workers on Wednesday openly created havoc in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur by burning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy and vandalising a vehicle parked nearby. Reacting to the development, SP spokesperson Anurag Bhadouria spoke to Republic TV stating that, unlike BJP, there was no place for 'culprits and rioters' in the Akhilesh Yadav-led party. Promising action against workers responsible for the incident, Bhadouria stated that SP 'respected' the Constitution and law and order of the state.

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Piyush Jain's Arrest Memo Accessed; Rs 177 Cr Clandestine Material Supply Exposed

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) team arrested Kanpur businessman Piyush Jain, after unaccounted cash, gold and other valuables worth crores was seized from his premises. In the arrest memo of Jain accessed exclusively by Republic Media Network on Wednesday, it is said the businessman, as is evident from the statement tendered by him, was 'evasive in his submission'

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PM Modi's January 2022 Visit To UAE Postponed Amid Omicron Surge In India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been postponed amid the surge of Omicron cases in India. The visit was scheduled to take place on January 6, 2022. The visit is likely to be rescheduled now, according to sources. In February 2018, PM Modi visited UAE for the sixth World Government Summit in Dubai, where India was the guest of honour. The Prime Minister visited again in August 2019 to receive 'the Order of Zayed, UAE's highest civilian award.

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Amid Omicron Surge, Will India Witness Delmicron Third COVID Wave? Experts Opine

With the Omicron cases ratcheting across the country, a massive upsurge in the daily new COVID-19 infections has been observed across the states. Amid the scare of the Omicron spread, stringent measures have been announced by the governments and the officials have been alarmed to ensure implementation of COVID protocols.

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Owaisi Predicts Malegaon Blast Case Will Be Closed After Witness' Claims; 'who To Blame?'

A day after another witness in the Malegaon blast turned hostile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday predicted that the case may be closed. Speaking exclusively to Republic, Owaisi put forth multiple questions like- 'Then, who exactly is behind the Malegaon blast? Who will give answers to the families?

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Yogi Adityanath Breaks Silence On Malegaon Case Twist; Says 'Congress Nurtures Terrorists'

After a prosecution witness claimed that he was pressurised to implicate Yogi Adityanath in the Malegaon case, the Uttar Pradesh CM tore into Congress. Speaking during the foundation stone laying and inauguration of 174 projects worth Rs.196 crore in Farrukhabad on Wednesday, he alleged that false cases were registered against BJP and RSS leaders during the UPA regime. Contending that Congress is inspiring and nurturing terrorists, he called upon the Sonia Gandhi-led party to issue an apology to the people.

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President Putin Concerned By Situation On Afghan-Tajikistan Border, Taliban Dismisses It

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the situation on the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border is a prime concern for his country. Speaking during a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in the city of St. Petersberg, Putin said that the situation on the border with Afghanistan now causes some alarm and concern. For decades, Russia has used the Central Asian nations as a buffer but with the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, it is now threatened by potential cross border terrorism and extremism.

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Arjun Kapoor, Anshula, Rhea Kapoor And Karan Boolani Test Positive For COVID-19

After actors, Kareena Kapoor and Amrita Arora, actor Arjun Kapoor along with sister Anshula, Rhea Kapoor, and her husband Karan Boolani have all tested COVID-19 positive. According to sources of Republic Media Network, the stars are currently under home quarantine and have been taking utmost care and precautions under the supervision of their doctors and medical team.

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Omicron Scare: Australian PM Morrison Calls Emergency Meeting To Discuss New COVID Variant

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will call an emergency national cabinet meeting to discuss the concerns of the Omicron variant for Thursday. The COVID cases are on the rise in the country as on Wednesday, more than 11,000 new infections were reported in Sydney and adjacent areas of New South Wales. Victoria recorded 3,700 cases. More than 1,500 new infections were found in Queensland, 1,400 in South Australia, 138 in the Australian Capital Territory, and 55 in Tasmania. Queensland health experts stated the Omicron variant was responsible for around 80% of the illnesses.

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Image: RepublicWorld
Shocked at the communal vitriol against the Father of Nation, ex-Congress chief Rahul Gandhi quoted Mahatma Gandhi that 'his ideas cannot be imprisoned'. Gandhi was referring to the Dharam Sansad held in Chhattisgarh's Raipur on Sunday, where a Hindu leader Kalicharan Maharaj used insulting language against Mahatma Gandhi, hailing his assassin Nathuram Godse. An FIR has been registered at Tikrapara police station on the complaint of Pramod Dubey against Kalicharan Maharaj for his abuse against Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi: 'Cannot imprison Gandhi's thoughts'

      ,    ,         ,         



-  #GandhiForever  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 27, 2021

Dharam Sansad in Raipur abuses Gandhi

In the Dharam Sansad in Raipur, Kalicharan claimed that Muslims captured Pakistan and Bangladesh via politcs and were aided by Gandhi. Thanking Godse, Kalicharan blames the administration for being mere puppets (of the Muslims). He also stated that Hindus were not prepared to do riots as police were slaves of the administration, govts, politicians.

"Islam captured nation via politics. They captured Pakistan and Bangladesh in front of our eyes. That *expletive* Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi destroyed everything. My salutations to Nathuram Godse ji fro klling him. Oppression is necessary to control these people (Muslims), otherwise, they become cancer," said Kalicharan.

He added, "No one is telling you to do riots. You are not prepared, Muslims are very well-prepared. Even police warn us not to take out saffron rallies in Muslim areas. Police are slaves of administration, administration are slaves of govt, govt are slaves of politicians".

Aggrieved at Kalicharan's blatantly communal speech, another Hindu leader Mahant Ram Sunder Das boycotted the event, walking off the stage. Questioning the audience as to why they clapped for Kalicharan's speech, has asked 'Was Gandhi really a traitor?' to low murmurs of 'No'. Stating that this was not the agenda of Dharam Sansad, he distanced himself from the event.

Slamming the communal speech, AAP MP Sanjay Singh expressed shock at the insult to the Father of our nation. Similarly, Congress too stated that one may have ideological differences with Gandhiji, but no one has the right to insult him. The party's leaders lauded Das for standing up to Kalicharan stating 'A Hindu cannot remain silent at insult of Gandhi'.

This event comes close at the heels of the 'Dharam Sansad' in Haridwar organised by controversial monk Yati Narasinghanand, where many hardline monks called for 'genocide against Muslims', among a few other call to action in the event. Other leaders like Annapurna Maa - General secretary of Hindu Mahasabha, claimed that she will use 'weapons' to defend Hindu Sanatan Dharm from those threatening it. Most leaders also vowed to emulate Nathuram Godse and kill anyone who hurt religious sentiments. An FIR has been filed by Uttarakhand police against Wasim Rizvi aka Jitendra Tyagi and others under Section 153A.
An Israeli study published in The Lancet suggests that in cancer patients, COVID-19 vaccines diminish faster but booster shots can swiftly boost their antibodies level. As per the reports of Times of Israel, Dr Hagai Ligumsky, who is an oncologist at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the author of the study stated that his study supports the case for providing cancer patients with a third vaccine dosage. The study discovered that when cancer patients arrived for their third Pfizer dose, they had much lower antibody levels than healthy people of the same age who had had their first shots at a comparable time.

Low antibody levels were thought to have lost the vaccination protection from 28.2% of cancer patients, while just 1.4% of healthy people were believed to have lost vaccine protection. The average cancer patient was only marginally protected by their initial doses, whereas some were still in the positive range.

Boosters make sense for cancer patients

Ligumsky also stated that these findings support the notion that cancer patients undergoing active treatment see their antibodies reduce faster than others, implying that regular boosters make sense for them, according to Times of Israel. When the study participants at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre received their third vaccine dosage, their antibodies immediately increased. A month after booster doses, cancer patients averaged 1887 AU/ml, which is considered strong protection. 69 of the 72 cancer patients tested positive for antibodies, indicating that they were protected by their booster dose.

All of the cancer patients in the research had solid tumours, and the majority were taking chemotherapy. The control group included fully vaccinated healthcare personnel. The authors stated that the study's sample size of 72 cancer patients and 144 healthy people are just a small sample but give a decent understanding, according to the Times of Israel.

Study backs up plans to provide four doses

Ligumsky's team will next retest individuals to evaluate how their levels hold up five to six months following boosters. He stated that the study backs up plans to provide four doses to cancer patients, according to the Times of Israel. Initially, health officials permitted fourth doses to people over the age of 60, health workers and others deemed at risk.

Image: Unsplash/ Representative/ PTI
The era of space exploration experienced new dawn in 2021 as the year allowed us humans to leave our mark on the farthest of planets and even asteroids. The passing year is the one when humans flew the first spacecraft on Mars, launched the Hubble Space Telescope, and touched the sun for the first time ever. So, as we head towards 2022, heres a look at major missions conducted by NASA that made this year memorable.

Perseverance rover lands on Mars

In NASAs own words, the early part of the year was all about the Red Planet, as the Perseverance rover made its landing on Mars and engineers conducted the first-ever helicopter flight on another world. Perseverance touched down on the red planet on February 18 while the people of Earth held their breath as the rover descended through a parachute to begin its exploration of Mars.

Ingenuitys first flight on Mars

As mentioned above, Ingenuitys flight on Mars was a big deal as it was the first object made on Earth that flew in an alien world on April 19. Originally designed to test the feasibility of flying in Mars thin atmosphere, it has now transformed into a project to test the collaborative working of rovers and aerial vehicles to explore the Martian terrain. The video shared below shows Ingenuitys first flight that NASA scientists received on April 25. The helicopter flew a total of 50 meters from its original spot and fast forward eight months; it so far has had 18 successful flights.

NASAs OSIRIS-REx Departs Bennu asteroid with samples

It was in 2021 when NASAs OSIRIS-REx spacecraft departed the Bennu asteroid which it was orbiting for two years. According to NASA, the spacecraft had descended onto the asteroid surface in October 2020 to collect asteroid samples, which are expected to reach Earth by 2023.

NASAs Juno spacecraft makes the closest approach to Ganymede

The Juno spacecraft, which was launched to explore Jupiter, its features and its surroundings came closest to Ganymede, Jupiters largest Moon, on July 7. NASA revealed that the spacecraft was just 1,038 kilometers from Ganymedes surface, making it the closest approach of any natural satellite by a spacecraft since the Galileo mission in 2000. Needless to say, the pictures sent by the spacecraft during its flyby are something to behold.

NASA launches mission Lucy

NASA launched its mission to study Jupiters Trojan asteroids to extract important information about the beginnings of our solar system. Named Lucy, the mission spacecraft will travel for six years before it reaches its destination. According to NASA, these asteroids are planetary building blocks that have been trapped within Jupiters orbit for 4.5 billion years.

 Our #LucyMission launched to explore the Trojan asteroids, which are like ancient time capsules from our early solar system. Plus, @NASA_Orion's stage adapter was added to our @NASA_SLS rocket for the #Artemis I launch. More stories this week at NASA: https://t.co/MclRPuo0wz pic.twitter.com/667KKSaqco  NASA (@NASA) October 16, 2021

NASAs mission to save Earth from killer asteroids

Definitely among NASAs most exciting missions this year was the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) which aims to test technologies to protect our planet in case an asteroid is on a collision course. Launched on November 24, DART will travel to a distant asteroid named Didymos, and intentionally collide with its moonlet Dimorphos, which is about 530 feet (160 meters) wide.

Asteroid Dimorphos: we're coming for you!



Riding a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, our #DARTMission blasted off at 1:21am EST (06:21 UTC), launching the world's first mission to test asteroid-deflecting technology. pic.twitter.com/FRj1hMyzgH  NASA (@NASA) November 24, 2021

Launch of the most powerful telescope

Jointly built by NASA, ESA and the CSA, the James Webb Space Telescope was launched on December 25 from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. Launched aboard the Ariane 5 rocket, Webb has now crossed the Moon and is heading towards its destination, the second Lagrange point (L2) which is 1.5 kilometres from Earth.

We have LIFTOFF of the @NASAWebb Space Telescope!



At 7:20am ET (12:20 UTC), the beginning of a new, exciting decade of science climbed to the sky. Webbs mission to #UnfoldTheUniverse will change our understanding of space as we know it. pic.twitter.com/Al8Wi5c0K6  NASA (@NASA) December 25, 2021

Image: Twitter/@NASA
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the advent of the Omicron variant has prompted a new wave of panic across the globe. While several countries around the world are closing borders and re-imposing lockdowns, health experts have, however, said that the highly transmissible COVID-19 strain is less harmful than the previously dominant Delta variant. Thus, it is to mention that long before Omicron had even appeared in South Africa, virologists had predicted that the COVID-19 would eventually evolve into a near-harmless form, which would ironically give it a selective advantage over previous strains.

Now, the question arises of how viruses mutate into a much milder form, indistinguishable from other seasonal flu bugs, and will COVID-19 go the same way the novel strain of H1N1 influenza did back in the 1920s.

According to Sputnik, health experts have explained the basic concept. They said that in order to thrive and continue its genetic line, a virus must spread from organism to organism. They added that a virus that rapidly kills its host will have fewer opportunities to infect new ones. Viruses cannot live and multiply freely in the wild.

"I believe that viruses tend to become less pathogenic," Burtram Fielding, a coronavirologist at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa told Knowable magazine last year. "The ultimate aim of a pathogen is to reproduce, to make more of itself. Any pathogen that kills the host too fast will not give itself enough time to reproduce, Fielding added.

5% of mutations actually beneficial to virus

Further, scientists explained that another factor working to neuter new pandemic viruses is the very thing that causes them to arise in the first place. They said that like COVID-19, the viruses often jump from one species to another, therefore, they have the ability to mutate and evolve in a short timeframe. While using COVID-19 as an example, the health experts said that coronavirus is one of many viruses whose genetic information is carried on a single strand of RNA, which is a long-chain molecule used to translate the DNA of living cells into the proteins they code for.

These kinds of viruses are known to have very high mutation rates. Edward Holmes of Pennsylvania State University said that RNA virus evolution is so rapid that it can often be observed in real-time. While referring to previous research, Holmes said that 40% of mutations cause the line of the pathogen to go extinct. Another 30% is generally harmful to its survival and over 25% were of neutral effect. Therefore, just 5% of mutations are actually beneficial to the virus, which then improves its fitness to survive.

Holmes went on to discuss how a high rate of mutations can give a selective advantage by creating beneficial new traits more rapidly. However, he also added that too much mutation can be counter-productive as well if it prevents good mutations from stabilising in the population. Holmes said that the fittest genotype can find itself wiped out by a harmful random mutation cropping up - an event known as error catastrophe. He also went on to say that another phenomenon is when a population crosses the extinction threshold where bad mutations accumulate faster than natural selection can weed them out.

COVID-19 headed straight toward natural extinction

Health experts noted that while the Delta variant sparked concerns about its supposed ability to break through existing immunity, a strange thing happened in Japan. They said that in late summer, after peaking, the Delta strain mysteriously began to fade away. By November, the daily cases, which exceeded 26,000, were down to 200 cases. National Institute of Genetics and Niigata University then proposed that the virus had mutated itself into self-destruction. Professor Ituro Inoue believes that the virus had acquired too many mutations in its gene for an error-correcting protein called nsp14.

We were literally shocked to see the findings, Inoue told The Japan Times. The delta variant in Japan was highly transmissible and keeping other variants out. But as the mutations piled up, we believe it eventually became a faulty virus and it was unable to make copies of itself."

"Considering that the cases havent been increasing, we think that at some point during such mutations it headed straight toward its natural extinction," the professor concluded.

(Image: Pixabay)


As countries throughout Europe have been struggling to curb the 'highly mutated' Omicron strain, France has recorded the largest number of new daily COVID-19 instances ever. The number of coronavirus infections in Europe has reached a new high, with 1,79,807 COVID cases reported in France in the last 24 hours. However, France was not alone in hitting records on Tuesday, Italy, Greece, Portugal, as well as the United Kingdom also recorded new highs. Countries have also been reporting spikes in the number of cases during the festive season, due to the more infectious Omicron type, BBC reported.

Amid the high number of cases in France, On Monday, French health minister Olivier Veran cautioned that "everything suggests" that by the beginning of January, the nation might be seeing as many as 250,000 instances per day, whereas the French Hospital Federation cautioned that the "most difficult weeks are yet to come."

Furthermore, French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, announced further limitations earlier this week, which include mandatory work from home for individuals who can for at least three days per week starting in early January. According to Xinhua, 77% of French people had been properly vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Monday.

COVID cases in Europe

Apart from France, infections in Italy have surpassed 78,000 cases, a new high since the COVID-19 outbreak. It also reported 202 fatalities, bringing the country's overall death toll to 136,753. On Tuesday, Portugal recorded a new tally of 17,172 instances, up from the previous day's total. After the government recorded 21,657 instances, Greece's Health Minister, Thanos Plevris, appealed to the citizens to be calm during this crisis situation.

Further, Cyprus also set a new record for the number of illnesses in a single day, with 2,241 new cases. Meanwhile, health officials in England recorded a total of 117,093 cases, which is a new high in the nation. Over the Christmas season, full UK-wide COVID data was unavailable, according to BBC.

While certain cities, such as Paris, London, as well as Berlin, have cancelled formal New Year's festivities, some administrations have been less prepared to impose nationwide limitations. Meanwhile, outdoor events and closed nightclubs have been prohibited in Italy, but there are no limitations on private meetings.

(Image: AP/ Shutterstock)
In the latest incident showing the stark contrast of the Talibans public rhetoric and the actual atrocities since taking over Afghanistan, a heart-wrenching video of militants torturing a military officer of the former Afghan government has emerged on social media. Triggering sharp reactions from across the globe, the video showed the former governments employee, who was arrested, being harassed as his hands were tied by two members of the Taliban.

It is to note that publicly, the Taliban claim to be considerate to former Afghan governments employees after they announced a general amnesty in the first few days of coming into power. Talibans torture of military officer is a clear contradiction of their own assurance. According to Tolo News, Hekmatullah Mirzada, a university lecturer said, They have announced a general amnesty and it is expected that they should uphold it because upholding promises will strengthen trust between the government and the people.

How long do we have to endure? 

This video shoes that the Taliban torture a former army officer ... pic.twitter.com/5z2lo4EIsQ  Hamida Shabae (@HShabae) December 27, 2021

Top Taliban member said amnesty should be respected

Taliban "should enforce the general amnesty among its low-level ranks and in the provinces through provincial governors and heads of security departments," said Rahmatullah Andar, a former military officer, as per the report. Even one of the Talibans senior members, Anas Haqqani had denounced taking personnel revenge and said that general amnesty should be respected. Haqqani said, "Now that a general amnesty has been announced, it is better that all the people should be treated properly, and taking personal revenge should be avoided.

The video showing Taliban members slapping the ex-Afghan military official came after previously, reports were released by international organisations including Human Rights Watch, on the killings and arrests of former government security members. However, the Taliban has repeatedly dismissed such reports and claimed innocence. Sayed Baqir Mohsini, a political analyst was quoted by the media outlet as saying, Detaining and interrogating people due to their relations with the former government will increase social inferiority and problems which can change into a threat to security and stability in the future.

(IMAGE: AP)


As the 8th round of talks on the JCPOA ended on Monday, Israel warned that Iran is undeterred in its intentions about the nuclear program. Speaking to the New Yorker, Israel Defence Ministry's political-military bureau chief, Zohar Palti highlighted that with no credible diplomatic mechanism, it is unlikely that Iran will bend as it is "no longer afraid." Palti's remarks come after Iran at the Vienna Talks on Monday insisted the US revoke economic sanctions in order to ensure petroleum export from the Middle East "without hindrance."

"The problem with Iran's nuclear program is that, for the time being, there is no diplomatic mechanism to make them stop. There is no deterrent. Iran is no longer afraid," Zohar Palti, head of Israel Defence Ministry's political-military bureau, told The New Yorker.

It is pertinent to mention that the 8th round of Vienna Talks that encompass the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, on Iran nukes program, reached between P5+1 countries, including China, Russia, UK, US and Germany together with the European Union concluded on Monday. The deal signed in 2015 in Vienna between Iran and the P5+1, saw Washington lift economic sanctions against Tehran in return for Iran to bring down its uranium enrichment program.

Since US exit the deal under ex-president Donald Trump's tenure in 2018, there have been questions over Iran's intentions to act in compliance with the nuclear deal as it continued to up its uranium accumulation to 60%, which is far beyond the limits of the accord. "We do not want to reach a point where we will have to ask ourselves how Iran was allowed to enrich 90%," Palti stressed. Meanwhile, Iran has argued that the store is only for "civilian purposes", saying that it will not aim for 90% even if Vienna Talks fail.

JCPOA must be revived before it becomes "corpse": US special envoy

As the US reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil sales after the former withdrew from the negotiations citing Iran's "disinterest" for a mutual solution. On the other hand, the Iranian ambassador to the UN Majid Takht Ravanchi complained that Tehran has been "completely deprived" of its rights and benefits under the said deal for almost four years. Meanwhile, US Special Envoy to Iran, Rov Malley emphasised that the JCPOA negotiators must address and restore the deal before it becomes a "dead corpse."

"We have seen Iran's nuclear program expand and we have seen Tera and become more belligerent, more bellicose in his regional activities. They are miss calculating and playing with fire," Malley was quoted as saying by Sputnik.

Israel is one of the country's which has strongly opposed Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. "We have told everyone clearly that Israel will not let it can become a nuclear threshold state. Of course, we prefer to action international cooperation but if necessary we will act alone for our security," Israeli FM Yair Lapid said on Monday. He also added that his country's "main foreign policy" is to stall threats from Iran nuclear program.

(Image: @IsraelDefenceMinistry/Twitter/AP)
Japanese law enforcement officers have decided not to indict former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over a political scandal where members of his party paid for a high-profile dinner for his supporters. Reinvestigation of the matter started after the Tokyo No. 1 Committee demanded prosection over the dinner party scandal. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad stated that they did not find any proof in the investigation and judged that Abe was not found guilty anywhere, and the reinvestigation has now ended against the former PM, reported Kyodo News.

Earlier, in July this year, the inquest committee had accused Abe of violations of the election law and the Political Fund Control Law as his office covered shortfalls in a dinner party. The inquest panel committee found that prosecutors' decision to not indict Abe was wrong, a reinvestigation into the matter started. According to Kyodo News, the dinner party cost around 23 million yen ($200,000) over a five-year period. The amount spent on a lavish dinner party that was held in a Tokyo hotel was much more than the amount collected from attendees, including the voters of Abe's constituency in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan.

Japan: Ex-PM Shinzo Abe will not be indicted over dinner party scandal

As per the charge against Abe, the guests who attended the dinner party paid 5000 yen ($43.52) as an entrance fee, but the rest of the amount was paid by Abe's office. Earlier, in December last year, the prosecution team decided to indict Abe's former first secretary, who was a popular leader in his party. Abe's administration was accused of not showing a large number of expenses in the yearly political fund reports between 2016 and 2019. However, due to a lack of evidence, Abe will not be indicted over the accusations.

Notably, there is one point that raises concern in regard to violations of the Public Offices Election Law that includes a donation to voters that is prohibited under the law. The panel decided that covering the cost of the dinner party should be treated as a violation. While Another point that concerned Abe's failure is the lack of supervision over the finances of the political organization that Abe heads, which would constitute a clear violation of the Political Fund Control Law.

The panel stated that the investigation had not been done thoroughly after the prosecutors again questioned the attendees and even reviewed the documents again. But participants said that they did not receive any donations.

Image: AP
American advisers played an active role in the trial of Saddam Hussein, as they instructed the judges on which judgments to make and put pressure on the lawyers, the defence team of the executed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein stated. As per a report by Sputnik, one of Hussein's lawyers, Muhammad Munib, stated that he believe there were American advisers in the same room as the judge, separated by a door and advised him on what he should look for and what he should avoid. Munib further stated that the judge appeared to be taking directions, as he occasionally returned and reversed previous decisions.

Munib also said that the defence counsel was not aware of the US's direct involvement at the outset of the trial until an American lawyer informed them, according to Sputnik. When the truth was revealed, the defence attempted to bring it up in court, but the opposing party disputed everything. Munib claims that the trial was conducted in a manner that violates basic norms of international law and everyone was aware of the outcome from the start.

The defendant was stopped from speaking out

He also said that the defendant was stopped from speaking out, and he was not even granted the right to final remarks, and the tribunal was held in Iraq so that the court could legally inflict the death punishment, according to Sputnik. He stated that there is no doubt that this was not a trial in the traditional or academic sense as all of the fundamentals of justice were missing.

Bushra Khalil, another defence lawyer stated that the American side put a lot of pressure. She stated that she was afraid that they would kill her because other lawyers had been assassinated. She claims that the judge removed her from the room several times. The first head judge in Saddam's trial, Rizgar Mohammed Amin, who had to stand down owing to government influence, confirmed that the trial was overseen by the US, but added that it was the Iraqi side that put the most pressure on individuals involved, according to Sputnik.

Tribunal against Saddam Hussein held its first session in July 2004

The special tribunal against Saddam Hussein held its first session in July 2004. On November 5, 2006, Saddam Hussein was convicted guilty of crimes against humanity by a court of law and condemned to death by hanging. On December 30, 2006, Hussein was executed.

Image: AP
As the world is witnessing a huge surge in cases from the new COVID-19 strain Omicron, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Wednesday that the total risk associated with the concerned variation remains "very high". According to WHO's weekly epidemiological update, the worldwide number of new COVID-19 infections has increased by 11% during the period of December 20 to 26 from the previous week.

Referring to the COVID-19 cases spike in the United States and the United Kingdom, WHO update revealed, Consistent evidence shows that the Omicron has a growth advantage over the Delta with a doubling time of 2-3 days and rapid increases in the incidence of cases are seen in a number of countries, including those where the variant has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant," ANI reported. Meanwhile, South Africa, where the newest variant was discovered, has seen a decrease in the number of cases, the update added.

More data is required to understand the clinical markers of Omicron's intensity

According to the WHO, the rapid expansion is likely due to a combination of immune evasion as well as the Omicron strain's intrinsic enhanced transmissibility. In addition to this, the WHO weekly update said that initial data from the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Denmark suggests that the Omicron strain has a lower risk of hospitalisation than the Delta variant. Further, the update added that more data is required to understand the clinical markers of intensity, such as oxygen use, ventilators, and death, as well as how severity may be influenced by vaccination. The Omicron form, according to South African health officials as well as health specialists from other nations, is much more communicable yet generates mild instances.

In addition to this, on Tuesday, WHO has even warned that Omicron might overburden healthcare systems. Even while preliminary data showed that Omicron might render milder illnesses, Catherine Smallwood, WHO Europe COVID incident manager, told The Guardian that it would still lead to a substantial number of hospitalisations. It is worth noting that the alert came on the time when there has been a 53% increase in hospital admissions in London on Tuesday. She further added that hospitalizations can be seen particularly among unvaccinated groups.

(Image: AP/ Pixabay)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the situation on the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border is a prime concern for his country. Speaking during a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in the city of St. Petersberg, Putin said that the situation on the border with Afghanistan now causes some alarm and concern. For decades, Russia has used the Central Asian nations as a buffer but with the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, it is now threatened by potential cross border terrorism and extremism.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Putin said that to counter emerging regional threats, both Dushanbe and Moscow have been bolstering cooperation in military and other fields. Substantiating the point further, he said that his administration has already provided some weapons and equipment to the Tajikistani armed forces. The aim, he said, was to counter threats from outside, especially those from Afghanistan. The same was reiterated by Rahmon who said that he was willing to discuss regional and international threats with Putin.

Taliban calls it 'unwarranted'

Putins comments excoriated a response from the Taliban, which said that the Russian Presidents concern was unwarranted. Addressing media reporters on Tuesday, spokesperson Enamullah Samangani said that he did not see any "actual and potential threat" from Afghanistan to neighbouring countries and the region.

Russia reinforces Tajik military bases

In September, the Russian Federation reinforced its military bases in Tajikistan with new machine guns. According to a report by The Frontier Post, a fresh batch of 12.7 mm heavy machine guns NSV Utyos recently entered service with the 201st Russian military base to enhance its combat capabilities. Located in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar, Tajikistan holds Russia's largest international military base. Notably, the arms are specifically designed to destroy manpower, lightly armoured targets, fortified firing points, and enemy air assets.

Although Russian President Vladimir Putin had opened talks with the Taliban, Moscow has expressed clear apprehensions against the Islamist ideology destabilising international borders. Meanwhile, Moscow and New Delhi joined hands to firewall Central Asian countries bordering the conflict-hit Afghanistan. Notably, conflict and violence have escalated manifold in Afghanistan since the Taliban took complete charge of the country, forming a government encompassing internationally wanted terrorists. Additionally, the fall of Kabul to the insurgents has also triggered fears that neighbouring countries including Tajikistan, which shares an 843 miles long border with Afghanistan, could be used to launch terror operations.

(With inputs from agencies)

(IMAGE: AP)
In a show of solidarity with people in Tibet's Kham Drago, Tibetan activists in Himachal's Dharamshala on Tuesday carried out a candlelight vigil, calling out China to end its "repressive policies" in Tibet. This comes after Beijing ordered a widespread crackdown on citizens of Kham Drago, a province in Central Tibet, demolishing schools, Buddhist statues and monasteries, in an attempt to "Sinicise" entire China-occupied countries, an activist from the Tibetan communities who took part in the vigil told ANI.

"Today Tibetan youth Congress and students for Free Tibet organised a candlelight vigil to share solidarity with Tibetans in Kham Drago when the situation is very critical. The Chinese government has implemented repressive policies the monasteries a demolished and schools are destroyed," a participant in the vigil said.

The candlelight march came after the Chinese government mowed down a giant 600 feet Buddha statue in Tibet and bulldozed a monastery earlier in the week. The vigil was a sign of China's rising "repression of Tibetan practice of Buddhism inside Tibet". Emphasising Kham Drago is not the only region that faces Chinese oppression, another member from the vigil told ANI that "it is happening in many other places, and we got to know recently."

"China's attempt is to destroy aspects of Tibetan Buddhism culture. It is a way of homigenising and criticising the entire Tibet. In addition, it also subdues East Turkistan and Southern Mongolia. This is also an attempt to sinicize and tired China and Chinese occupied country," he added.

Highlighting that China's acts are a threat to Tibet's peace and security, another protestor stated that "search acts are contradictory to Beijing's promise of autonomy of rights for what is called minorities to practice their religion and culture." Infuriated over Beijing's lack of accountability and transparency, the protestors also said that "China is doing this even when the Winter Olympics are knocking at the door."

According to a Center for Democracy, Pluralism and Human Rights (CDPHR) report published in May, arbitrary arrests, maltreatment in custody, torture, sterilisation and forced abortion are frequently opted repressive strategies against Tibetans by Beijing. "The communist Chinese policies of crushing any political dissident have critically threatened Tibetan politics and cultural identity as the disregard to the international condemnation of the Human Rights situation in Tibet," the report had said.

China calls for crackdown on "separatism"

As China marked 70 years of control of Tibet in May this year, Communist Party of China (CCP) party secretary Wu Yingjie had stated that China will pursue "Sinicization of religion" and a stronger role for the party's leadership in Tibet, ANI had reported. He also added that in a bid to "nip separatist" Beijing must launch a crackdown on all kinds of infiltration and separatist activities. It is pertinent to mention that the Chinese government occupied Tibet in 1950 and ever since has tried to grip the region under its control. In recent years, Beijing has repeatedly made efforts to eradicate the Dalai Lama (spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism), with former President of China Mao Zedong saying "religion is poison."

(With inputs from ANI)

(Image: AP)
The worldwide COVID-19 cases increased by 11% last week, as the United Nations Health Organization, World Health Organisation (WHO) suggest. As per AP reports, it stated that WHO also stated that the number of COVID-19 cases documented worldwide climbed by 11% last week compared to the previous week. Around 4.99 million newly recorded cases were documented worldwide from December 20 to 26, according to a WHO's weekly epidemiological report, which was released late Tuesday.

Europe accounted for more than half of the total, with 2.84 million, which is a 3% rise over the previous week. It also had the greatest infection rate of any region, with 304.6 new cases per 100,000 population. WHO also claims that new cases in the Americas increased by 39% to roughly 1.48 million, and the region had the second-highest infection rate, with 144.4 new cases per 100,000 population. The United States saw more than 1.18 million instances. Africa, on the other hand, reported an increase of 7% to approximately 275,000 cases.

The overall danger associated with the new variant

WHO also stated that the overall danger associated with the new variant Omicron remains quite high. It further stated that there is consistent evidence that it has a growth advantage over the delta variant, which is still dominant in some regions of the world, according to AP News. It was reported that there has been a decrease in cases in South Africa and that preliminary data from that country, the United Kingdom and Denmark indicate a lower risk of hospitalisation with Omicron.

Many health officials have claimed that despite the fact that Omicron is more contagious, it is less severe. However, the WHO believed that more evidence is needed to understand the clinical markers of severity, including the need for oxygen, mechanical ventilation and mortality, and how severity may be altered by vaccination or past infection, according to AP News.

WHO chief condemned COVID-19 booster programmes

WHO's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has condemned COVID-19 booster programmes that are being undertaken in wealthy developed nations. He stated that no country can boost its way out of the pandemic, adding that such schemes would most likely prolong the pandemic by depriving poorer countries of the opportunity to vaccinate their citizens.

(Inputs from AP News)
As the world is witnessing a huge spike in infections from the new COVID-19 strain Omicron particularly in Europe and the US, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday warned that the new variant could lead to overwhelming healthcare systems. Speaking to The Guardian, WHO Europe COVID incident manager, Catherine Smallwood informed that even though preliminary findings suggested that Omicron could render milder infections, it would still result in a large number of hospitalisations. It is to mention that the warning comes as London on Tuesday recorded a 53% rise in hospital admissions.

"A rapid growth of Omicron... Even if combined with slightly milder disease, will still result in a large number of hospitalizations, particularly among unvaccinated groups and cause widespread destruction to health systems and other critical services," said Catherine Smallwood, WHO Europe COVID incident manager, as quoted by The Guardian.

Similar concerns were also raised by US President Joe Biden on Monday. Speaking at a virtual meeting with National Governors Association, he noted that American hospitals could be "overrun" by COVID-19 patients as the fast-spreading Omicron variant comprised nearly 73% of all new infections in the country. Such warnings come as a number of infections see a daily rising graph due to large pockets of unvaccinated citizens and lack of quick and easy testing.

Nations step up measures to curb spread of Omicron

Facing high infection rates, France on Monday ordered new measures ahead of the New Year weekend to curb the spread of the virus. The country last week topped the 1,00,000 threshold in COVID infections for the first time since the outbreak began in late 2019. French PM Jean Castex ordered companies to allow three-day work from home for employees, further adding limitations on public and private gatherings. China on Tuesday also pushed hundreds of thousands into strict lockdown as it's Xi'an province recorded 800 cases since December 8. Greece on Tuesday also recorded 21,657 cases in a single day, with health authorities linking those to rise in Omicron.

In addition, Britain has been the worst hit with the total death toll, since the inception of the pandemic, reaching 1,50,000. It is worth mentioning that beyond the social strife, the pandemic has levied a heavy impact on the travel sector with some 11,500 flights cancelled during one of the busiest tourism periods. Meanwhile, in a positive development, South Africa, where the immune-evasive, fast-spreading Omicron variant was first reported on November 24, has seen a 29% drop in the incidence of cases, the WHO reported.

(Image: AP)
The year 2021 became another important year in the field of medicine and science as the novel Coronavirus variant was outdone by its Delta variant followed by its newest strain Omicron, which has yet again sparked fear. However, as the world gears to battle this massive problem, there were smaller yet impactful outbreaks encountered around major regions. Here is a list of 6 impactful infectious diseases that were reported in 2021.

Year-Ender 2021: Top 6 infectious diseases of 2021

1. COVID-19 and Omicron strain - over 28 crore cases worldwide

Researchers in South Africa detected a B.1.1.529 variant of concern on November 9. It was named as 'Omicron' by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on November 26, on the advice of the Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution. While it is not yet clear whether the infection with Omicron is more severe compares to other variants, including Delta.

Preliminary data suggests that it has caused an increase in hospitalisation among unvaccinated population in the UK, US and South Africa. As of now, 89 countries in the world have reported cases linked to the Omicron variant, with more than 17,000 cases in UK. Additionally, 73% of the total cases from December 9 to 13 were linked to the Omicron variant in the US.

#OmicronVariant latest information 17,269 additional confirmed cases of the #Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across England and Northern Ireland.



Confirmed Omicron cases in the UK now total 177,201. pic.twitter.com/qeFU5UEVXy  UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) December 28, 2021

2. Cholera

The cholera pandemic is not a recent occurrence. The impact of Cholera has remained from severe to moderate since 1961 after its outbreak was reported from South Asia. Cholera has remained a pandemic for over 55 years now. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (EUCDC) monitors Cholera outbreaks globally.

While several countries in Africa and Asia have reported cholera outbreaks in 2021, most recent outbreaks were reported in Bangladesh, Nigeria and Niger. In October, there were approximately 26,648 suspected Cholera cases, including 346 deaths reported worldwide. In Nigeria alone, they were reports of 2,323 people dying from suspected Cholera this year.

3. Ebola virus

In February, May, and October, the Ebola virus outbreak was confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, WHO said. The infected individuals demonstrated symptoms of physical weakness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, breathing difficulty and vomit in their blood.

A total of 21,960 knowledge were reported from 9 held zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the outbreak period between October to December, 3 cases were reported in Beni, 6 in Butsili, 1 in Bundji and 1 in Ngilinga. Around June, in Guinea, Nzerekore Prefecture reported an Ebola outbreak.

4. Monkeypox

Monkeypox persisted throughout the covid-19 pandemic. Signs and symptoms of this disease are similar to those of smallpox. It was reported in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland in June and July.

Around July, the same was also reported in United States. The rates of monkeypox have remained low since the smallpox vaccination is widely used. However, those infected show symptoms like prodrome of fever, headache, myalgia and back pain. The Democratic Republic of Congo reported a total of 4,494 cases between 2011 to 2020.

5. Dengue - more than 2.5 million cases worldwide

A mosquito-borne disease, Dengue, causes a distinctive rash on the skin, including high fever and severe joint and muscle pains. It has been a cause of concern since World War II and is very common in Asia and South America, with an average of 3.9 million infections and more than 40,000 deaths each year, health monitoring site Gideon reported.

From January to November in 2021, a total of 48,906 cases, including 180 deaths, have been reported in provinces including Punjab, Khyber, Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan and Islamabad. The disease is seasonal and causes serious complications if not treated promptly and correctly.

6. Black Fungus

Immediately as the deadly second wave of covid-19 travelled through India, doctors detected cases of black fungus, an infection observed in recovering COVID patients. Scientifically called Mucormycosis, the disease is caused by exposure to mucor molds, commonly found in soil, plant, manure and decaying fruits and vegetables.

Individuals infected with the disease had a stuffy or bleeding nose, swelling and pain in the eye and drooping eyelids. As many as 45,432 cases of mucormycosis were reported in India.

(With inputs from WHO, CDC, EUCDC, AP)

(Image: AP)
As we step into the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, world leaders have undertaken robust efforts to ensure citizens are protected. However, the pandemic has also starkly and painfully reminded that nobody is safe until everyone is safe. Over 28 crore COVID-19 cases have been reported this year so far, including the vaccine-evasive new "variant of concern" Omicron, and some world leaders have been unable to escape the virus. Nevertheless, it is imperative to say that despite testing positive, these personalities have battled and emerged stronger.

Year-ender 2021: List of 8 leaders who contracted COVID-19 on 2021

1. Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh tested positive for COVID-19 in April. The 88-year-old politician was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. He was having a mild fever and later tested positive despite being fully vaccinated. Dr. Singh was declared to be "hemodynamically stable" a week after he was admitted to the hospital.

2. French PM Jean Castex

French Prime Minister Jean Castex tested positive for COVID-19 in November, hours after he returned from Belgium while France was seeing a nationwide resurgence of infection. The 56-year-old Prime Minister had received both the COVID doses last spring. As per reports, he was exposed to the virus three times earlier but never contracted it himself. The PM remained under 10 days of isolation.

3. US Senator Elizabeth Warren

The United States Senator Elizabeth Warren tested positive for COVID-19 in December. A Democrat from Massachusetts, Warren took to Twitter to announce that she was experiencing mild symptoms in the breakthrough case of the virus even though she was "vaccinated and boosted."

I regularly test for COVID & while I tested negative earlier this week, today I tested positive with a breakthrough case. Thankfully, I am only experiencing mild symptoms & am grateful for the protection provided against serious illness that comes from being vaccinated & boosted.  Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 19, 2021

4. UNGA President Abdulla Shahid

The president of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid, tested positive for COVID-19 on December 23. Shahid took to Twitter to inform about his test subsequent report. Shahid added that "he was isolating at home with the mild symptom."

I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I am isolating at home with mild symptoms.



I was privileged to have been fully vaccinated including a booster. My prayers are with the millions suffering from Covid and the billions without access to vaccine! I Stand for #VaccineEquity  Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) December 22, 2021

5. President Cyril Ramaphosa

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for COVID-19 on December 13. The 69-year-old, fully vaccinated president, "started feeling unwell" after leaving the State Memorial service, PTI reported. He was being monitored by the South African Military Health Services of the South African National Defence Force.

6. UN Secy-General spox Stephane Dujarric

The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric on December 16 tested positive for COVID-19. Dujarric had obtained a booster dose and was completely inoculated. As per reports, he was having "very mild" COVID symptoms and remained under quarantine, adhering to the medical procedures.

7. Australian Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce

Deputy prime minister of Australia Barnaby Joyce tested positive for COVID-19 after he reached Washington after flying from London on December 8. He underwent a test and was reported to be positive after experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. While in the UK, Joyce met Dominic Raab and Grant Shapps, who was forced to self-isolate on being exposed to the virus.

8. Bridgette Macron

Bridgette Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, test positive for Covid-19 on December 24. She presented no major symptoms and underwent two subsequent tests on December 30 and 31st. On being tested negative both times, Brigitte Macron resumed normal activities.

(Image: AP/PTI/@JeanCastex/Facebook)
From protesters forcefully entering one of the most secure federal buildings in the US to the Taliban reconquering Afghanistan after nearly two decades, the world witnessed several significant moments in 2021, which was also the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On one hand, the main focus remained on fully vaccinating the entire population against Coronavirus, but on the other, the political turmoil in the nations barred the process of immunisation as the focus shifted on tackling the humanitarian crisis such as in Myanmar. It is to note that the hope of new normal with COVID-19 at the beginning of 2021 is now again shaken with the emergence of the Omicron variant with governments scrambling efforts to roll out COVID-19 booster shots.

Most significant world events of 2021:

US Capitol attack

At the beginning of 2021, when the world was only appearing to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, shocking scenes were recorded in the United States on January 6. In order to hinder Congress from certifying the victory of now US President Joe Biden, the supporters of former US President Donald Trump stormed through the US Capitol, destroyed the federal property and even chanted death threats to US lawmakers including then-Vice President Mike Pence. The pro-Trump protesters were fuelled by baseless claims of election fraud that the ex-US President reiterated in his speech on that same day. Several demonstrators have now been charged or fined for their role in the riot that claimed at least one life due to a gunshot.

Myanmar coup

In Myanmar, the decades-long struggle for democracy suffered a blow as the military seized power and put the civilian leaders of the country under house arrest including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. On February 1, Myanmars military seized power February 1 in a coup against the democratically elected government of Suu Kyi, who is now sentenced to two years and was recently spotted in a prison uniform. Military-owned Myuawaddy TV had announced the takeover while citing a section of the military-drafted constitution that allows the armed forces to take control at the time of national emergency. It budded from the militarys claims of voter fraud in November 2020s election. Myanmar has now endured 10 months of junta rule.

Taliban takeover

In another shocking world event, the Taliban reconquered Afghanistan after two decades in August 2021 as the US and other western troops left the foreign soil. The extremists not only changed the name of the country but their takeover pushed thousands of Afghan citizens into uncertainty. The US and other nations scrambled efforts to take out their troops, officials and other people who worked with the former government under Ashraf Ghani. Now, the Taliban has assembled its own administration and fighting for international recognition. The leadership of the country has no women, and girls and females in Afghanistan continue to dread their safety considering the previous iron-fist rule of the extremists.

Ukraine-Russia tensions

Russias armed aggression against Ukraine in 2014 resulted in Moscows annexation of Crimea - a part of Ukrainian territory. The tensions between both countries witnessed a fresh escalation this year triggering fears of Moscow invading Kyiv. Even though Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters, Russia is not going to attack anyone. After that reports have continued to emerge stating military buildup near its borders with Ukraine.

While Moscow made the development in the recent weeks, it stoked fears among the Western nations and in Kyiv that Russia might start a new war with its neighbour. Ukraine is Russias former province that chose to break away from the Kremlin's political orbit. Earlier this month, Russia revealed its security proposals to the West precluding the eastward expansion of NATO.

Recently, on 17 December, Russias Foreign Ministry published two draft agreements regarding the security guarantees between Moscow, the United States and the alliance. Amid tensions over its border with Ukraine, the Kremlin suggested that NATO would not expand further into Eastern Europe and stop Washington and Moscow from deploying medium to short-range missiles within striking distance of each others territory. The proposal also limits the troop, warship and aircraft deployment for both sides.

Belarus-Poland migration crisis

Thousands of migrants were stranded between 398 km long border between Poland and Belarus. The migrant crisis escalated this year and people found themselves stuck at the centre of an escalating geopolitical dispute pitying the European Union, the US and NATO against the Belarusian government.

The West accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of manufacturing a migrant crisis on the EUs eastern border in a bid to destabilise the bloc as a retaliation to the sanctions over human rights abuses. However, his government has denied all the allegations and blamed the West for dangerous, fatal, border crossings and even poor treatment of migrants.

According to the media reports, the Polish border guard said in November that it recorded more than 1,000 crossing attempts in just two days. These attempts reportedly included some of the large-scale efforts with around 100 people trying to breach the fence. Migrants who have flocked the Belarus border with Poland, are hoping to get to Western Europe but since many of them are left stranded, they have started building makeshift camps in the area.

Iran nuclear program advanced

As tensions continue to escalate between the United States and Iran over Islamic Republics nuclear program and Washingtons sanctions, Tehran continued to develop its facilities this year. The Iran nuclear deal of 2015 had granted Tehran relief from sanctions by the rest of the world to limit Islamic Republics nuclear program. However, Iran was pushed into a fresh crisis after the United States under then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord and reimposed the crippling sanctions on Iran. In retaliation, Tehran geared up its nuclear program and is now spinning a stock of uranium enriched to 60% purity, the AP report stated. Iran now remains a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels.

AUKUS deal signed

Signalling a major paradigm shift in the strategy and policy across the region, the new security partnership in the Asia-Pacific called AUKUS was unveiled this month between the US, UK and Australia. One of the most significant features of this alliance is that it will witness the UK and the US provide Australia with both the technology and capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines.

It is pertinent to note that once the plan is carried out, it would be the first time when a non-nuclear weapons state would acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

Under the defence strategic deal, Australia would get eight nuclear-powered submarines that are capable of stealthy, long-range missions. The trilateral defence alliance also provides for sharing of cyber, artificial intelligence, quantum and unspecified undersea capabilities. However, AUKUS drew criticism from France and anger from China. Beijing described the pack as an extremely irresponsible threat to stability in the region.

(IMAGE: AP)


In the wake of massive forest fires in the commune of Quillon, in the Nuble region, south of Santiago, Chilean Agriculture Minister Maria Emilia Undurraga decclared an agricultural emergency on Tuesday. Local authorities reported that several regions face an extreme crisis of water due to a lack of rainfall, resulting in the rapid spread of forest fires. Undurraga said the country is affected by 179 forest fires which have ruined over 20,000 hectares of land between the center and southern part of the nation.

"After consulting with the Emergency Operational Committee, we have decided to decree an agricultural emergency for the Quillon commune, which has 2,100 hectares affected as a result of the forest fires that have affected the area, "Undurraga tweeted.

Tras Comite Operativo de Emergencia hemos decidido decretar emergencia agricola para la comuna de #Quillon que lleva 2.100 hectareas afectadas producto de los incendios forestales que afectan a la zona. pic.twitter.com/laWb0g4qn9  M. Emilia Undurraga (@meryundurraga) December 28, 2021

Chile govt declares emergency as forest fires spread to central & southern parts

Minister of the Interior Rodrigo Delgado, also arrived in Quillon on Tuesday morning to take stock of the situation and lead an Emergency Committee formed to deal with forest fires. It is necessary to mention here that due to the possibility of disasters, several regions across the country are under different types of alert and many other regions have been marked at the maximum alert level. Most fire incidents occur in sparsely populated wooded areas, putting the urban area at risk as fire can quickly expand to nearby regions if preventive measures are not applied.

According to the government, the main causes of forest fires are low humidity and high temperatures. In the forest fire, 2100 hectares and five houses were consumed in Quillon, and in La Araucana, the fire-ravaged another 12,000 hectares of forest and destroyed small farmers' crops in their area. This year, the country has reported 49 forest fires so far, and 20 of them are still active.

(With Inputs from AP)
South America is witnessing surge in COVID-19 cases at an alarming rate this year, with the number of fatalities in Latin America and the Caribbean has crossed one million in the month of May, as per the Pan American Health Organization. A research by Johns Hopkins University's COVID-19 resource centre stated that Peru has the highest fatality rate per capita of any country in the world with over 600 COVID-related deaths per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the study has also found that there are 242 COVID fatalities per 100,000 persons in the United States.

In spite of having tight borders and statewide lockdowns, patients swamped the healthcare system, and the poverty situation in Peru worsened as millions more are facing famine due to rising poverty and hunger, ABC News reported. As per local data, poverty afflicted 30.1% of the Peruvian population in 2020, a rise of 9.9 percent from 2019.

Hunger crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean

In addition to this, a study published by the United Nation in 2021 reveals that the percentage of starvation in Latin America and the Caribbean has reached 9.1% which is considered to be the highest level in 15 years. According to the UN study, hunger grew by 2% in Latin America and the Caribbean between the time period of 2019 and 2020, with 59.7 million individuals in the area suffering from starvation.

Furthermore, former Peruvian health minister Victor Zamora told ABC News that even though the vaccine effort has eased the crisis in the nation, however, many have yet to recover financially. "I hope our leaders in Peru; economic and political, social leaders will find a way to lead the country out of this very poor situation," ABC News reported, citing Zamora.

As there is a rise in poverty in Peru, food distribution facilities such as Olla Comun, which translates to "community pot," have become crucial for some Peruvians to stay alive. According to ABC news, a staff member at Olla Comun said, Sometimes we only think about kids but older adults need to be fed also to have a better quality of life."

COVID cases in Peru

Meanwhile, Olinda Huamani, a single mother of three children, living in a rural area outside of Lima, Peru, has battled to feed her children during COVID-19 pandemic. Huamani stated that she used to clean houses for a living but had lost her job due to the lockdowns. Further, as per Worldometers, over 2,251,027 individuals have been affected by the disease in the nation since the outbreak, and more than 201,650 Peruvians have lost their lives due to Coronavirus.
A total of 116 cities in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia were in a state of emergency because of flooding on Tuesday due to heavy rains that have been pounding the region since the end of November.

Cities in at least five other states in Brazil's north and southeast have also been flooded in recent days.

In Bahia, flooding has affected more than 470,000 people. In at least 50 cities, water surged into homes and businesses, and people were forced to abandon their belongings.

Official data from the state government say 34,163 people have been made homeless and almost 43,000 are displaced.

There have been a total of 21 deaths and 358 people injured since the beginning of the month.

This is the heaviest period of rainfall for Bahia in the last 32 years, according to the website of the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters, a government agency.

In southern Bahia, it rained more than five times the normal amount for this time of the year.

On Tuesday, the population of at least four municipalities in Bahia received warnings to leave their homes because of the increased flow of the Pardo River due to the opening of the Machado Mineiro dam's sluice gates in neighboring Minas Gerais state, according to the state government's advisory office.

Bahia's Civil Defense superintendent, Col. Miguel Filho, told The Associated Press that there are still flooded and isolated cities, and rains are still ongoing.

The federal government has authorized emergency spending totaling 80 million reais ($14.2 million) for Bahia alone.

Additional funds will be directed to other regions also affected by the rains in recent weeks, and which are still suffering the consequences.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Referring to Afghanistan's crisis following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in mid-August, Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, on Wednesday, stated that the West is "sleepwalking" into the biggest humanitarian crisis of recent times. He urged the international community to contribute to the "largest humanitarian response ever agreed upon for a single country," warning that the country is "on the verge of economic and social collapse."

According to Brown, more than half of the Afghan population is facing acute hunger, including a million children who are on the verge of dying due to hunger.

Brown cited the United Nations and International Monetary Fund (IMF) predictions that Afghanistan's economy will shrink by 20-30% in the coming year, a figure he described as "unprecedented."

"Afghanistan may be the only country in modern history to suffer from such universal poverty. It's ironic that, as the international community commits to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals - to lift everyone out of poverty by the end of the decade - practically every Afghan citizen would be consigned to the dire fate," he wrote in an article for The Times, as reported by Daily Mail.

The people in the war-torn country are unable to withdraw cash from ATMs, and the cash problem has been compounded by the Taliban's prohibition on foreign currency, despite the fact that the Afghan economy is mostly based on dollars, Brown said. All of these issues have been exacerbated by one of the most severe droughts in recent memory, he added. As thousands of Afghans face starvation or emigration, Brown warned the impact of Afghanistan's poverty problem could be seen as far away as Europe. He also cautioned that by "standing aside" since August's withdrawal, the West was encouraging the "exploitation of grievances and anti-western animosity, which might come back to haunt us."

Brown seeks $4.5 billion support for Afghanistan

Brown also appealed for global support for a $4.5 billion proposal from the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to help 22 million of Afghanistan's most vulnerable people. "The war in Afghanistan cost the United States trillions of dollars. We have the ability to find 4 billion dollars to avert starvation in the midst of this crisis. This foretold tragedy cannot remain unresolved," he added in the article.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report, published last month, around 55% of the Afghan population is likely to be in a state of crisis or emergency food insecurity between now to March next year. The UN agency raised alarm in its situation report about 'conditional humanitarianism,' or attempts to use humanitarian aid for political gain.

(Image: AP)
After Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo attempted to depose Prime Minister Mohamed Roble ahead of elections, the United States sent an ultimatum to President Farmaajo. The US State Department's Bureau of African Affairs issued a statement on Twitter stating that the United States is prepared to act against those who hinder Somalia's path to peace. It described the suspension of Roble as alarming.

The Bureau of American Affairs also said that they support his efforts for speedy and credible elections. The US embassy urged all parties to de-escalate tensions for the National Consultative Council to convene quickly to accelerate and strengthen the electoral process and bring the polls to a rapid and credible finish.

US criticised for interfering in Somalia's political affairs

The US' decision to comment on the Somalia situation prompted some analysts to criticise the US. Fadumo Qasim Dayib, who is a Somali politician who ran for president for the first time in 2016 criticised the US for their interference in a Tweet, stating that first and foremost, they put one Somali politician against the other and secondly, they published comments pleading with the parties to de-escalate the situation. Thirdly, Dayib said, they give their subordinates airtime and fourthly, he accused the US of defaming the country's image. Further criticising the US, Dayib said, "Fifth, they tighten their noose and show why they're needed in Somalia."

1st, they pit one Somali politician against the other. 2nd, they issue statements urging the parties to de-escalate. 3rd, they give airtime to their minion(s). 4th, they malign the reputation of the country. 5th, they tighten their noose & show why they're needed in #Somalia. https://t.co/HUD2CXRVQH  Fadumo Qasim Dayib (@fqdayib) December 27, 2021

Farmaajo suspending Roble because of 'corruption'

Farmaajo declared on Monday that he was suspending Roble from office because of corruption, Sputnik reported. Farmaajo accused Roble of interfering in an investigation into allegations that he stole a piece of coastal property belonging to the Somali Army by reorganising the Justice and Defense ministries and suspending the Somali Coast Guard commander, General Abdihamid Mohamed Dirir, who brought the allegations against him.

In response, Roble accused Farmaajo of attempting to destroy government institutions and ordered all Somali national forces to work under the leadership of the prime minister's office, according to the Sputnik report. Farmaajo has long been a US partner in the region, collaborating with US Africa Command to combat al-Shabaab, a terrorist group that is associated with al-Qaeda.

Farmaajo was elected President after winning 1st democratic poll since 1967

Farmaajo was elected president in 2017 after winning the country's first democratic election since 1967. In 2010 and 2011, he served as Prime Minister of Somalia for six months. According to the Sputnik report, despite his administration's tight relationship with Washington, Farmaajo defied convention by signing a Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Cooperation in 2018 with Ethiopia and Eritrea.

(Image: AP)
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday acknowledged the possibility of holding a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin early next year. Well see, Biden said in response to a question about a possible meeting with his Russian counterpart on January 10, according to the White House. If the meeting does take place, the two leaders are expected to hold talks on arms control and the situation in Ukraine.

According to the White House, the January 10 meeting would take place days before a reported Russia-NATO meeting on January 12 and a Russia-Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on January 13. It is to mention that earlier this month, following a virtual meeting with Biden, Putin had said that he and his American counterpart will have to meet again, possibly in a video format. During the two-hour virtual talks, the two leaders had discussed Ukraine tensions and other disputes but did not make any breakthroughs.

The relations between the US and Russia have sunk to their lowest since the end of the Cold War. In recent months, the tensions between the two sides have also heightened especially as officials warned that Moscow is planning to invade Ukraine. During their virtual conversation, Biden had warned that if Russia acted militarily against Ukraine, the US and its allies would retaliate with severe economic as well as other actions.

Russia-US tensions over Ukraine

Biden has repeatedly highlighted concerns of the US and its European allies about the increase in deployment of Russian forces surrounding Ukraine. Putin, on the other hand, has voiced rising vexation over Western military aid to Ukraine, a fellow former USSR that has tilted towards the West since a revolt toppled a pro-Russian president in 2014, and what it calls creeping NATO expansion. Moscow has even questioned Ukrainian intentions and has said that it wants guarantees that Kyiv will not use force to try to retake territory lost in 2014 to Russia-backed separatists.

Meanwhile, the US has shared intelligence about Russian military movements along the border with allies. They have discussed crippling financial sanctions as a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this month, during the G7 meeting in the UK, the US and other members of the group also echoed to exert pressure on Russia against any possible action that could hamper the existence of Ukraine. The group had even tabled a proposal to impose economic sanctions on Moscow.

(Image: AP)
Authorities in the northeastern Chinese city of Hegang have announced a hiring freeze as the city faces massive debt, amid an inability to fully pay those already on its payroll.



"Due to the Hegang municipal government's fiscal readjustment in the face of major changes in the fiscal situation ... [we are] canceling grass-roots recruitment of employees for government departments," the city government's human resources department said in a social media post last week.



The post was deleted over the weekend after it prompted massive comment and speculation on Chinese social media platforms,



Hegang's finances have been in severe difficulty for some time, with spending cuts introduced in in a bid to contain the problem, which has been exacerbated by the recent closures of coal mines, the city's former industrial base.



The news comes amid growing interest in civil service jobs in China, with an increase of nearly a quarter in national civil service examination registrations in 2021, compared with last year.



And Hegang isn't the only local government in potential trouble. Every province except Shaanxi had seen a rise in its debt-to-GDP ratio by , the South China Morning Post cited official figures as saying.



Last September, a Goldman Sachs report said local government debt had risen to some 52 percent of GDP, with 53 trillion yuan owed via local government financing vehicles at the end of 2020.



Chinese current affairs commentator Li Li said Hegang has also had to contend with falling property prices and high unemployment in the past year, while the government has already cut civil service salaries in a bid to keep existing staff.



"Civil servant salary cuts are happening everywhere this year," Li said. "Hegang is remote and the economy underdeveloped, and property is going for a song; you can barely give it away."



Coal fields are seen in Hegang, Heilongjiang Province, China, March 16, 2016. Credit: Reuters 'Tip of the iceberg'

Li warned: "Hegang is just the tip of the iceberg; the economy is doing so badly across the whole country right now; it's unbelievable."



Current affairs commentator Xiang Wei said Hegang is likely on the verge of bankruptcy.



"There's been the decline in housing prices, the civil servant hiring freeze, and even cuts in the number of existing civil servants," Xiang told RFA. "This all indicates financial difficulties."



"Hegang is on the verge of bankruptcy right now."



Hegang currently has a population of 980,000, with debts amounting to more than 13.1 billion yuan last year, an increase of more than 1.5 billion yuan over the previous year, making a per capita debt of 13,000 yuan.



Wang Jing, a resident of the northeastern province of Jilin, said the region's retail and service industries have been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing local government tax revenues to plummet.



"The economy has been in recession since the pandemic, as everything started to shut down, and employers have been unable to pay wages," Wang said. "The real estate market is collapsing, and local governments are in deficit, hence the layoffs."



Hegang's difficulties come amid civil servant wage cuts in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Shanghai. with the salary of a Shanghai police station chief slashed from 350,000 yuan per annum to 200,000 yuan this year.



Social media posts have reported that Shanghai, Jiangxi, Henan, Shandong, Chongqing, Hubei and Guangdong have all suspended civil servant bonuses or asked employees to repay them, while housing subsidies and performance bonuses were rolled back in Guangdong's Chaozhou and Shanwei cities.



A mineworker stands near a gas explosion site at the Xinxing Coal Mine in Hegang, Heilongjiang Province, Nov. 23, 2009. Credit: Reuters Tight finances after pandemic
Police in Hong Kong on arrested seven people linked to a major pro-democracy news website for "sedition" under a national security crackdown ordered by Beijing, and froze its assets, prompting one of the last independent media outlets to shut down on the same day.



Police arrested a former chief editor of Stand News, Chung Pui-kuen, and acting chief editor Patrick Lam, as well as former pro-democracy lawmaker Margaret Ng, Cantopop star Denise Ho, Chow Tat-chi and Christine Fang, all of whom have served on the board of directors.



In an operation involving more than 200 plainclothes and uniformed police, officers also searched the home of Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) president Ronson Chan, who also worked as a senior editor at Stand News, although he wasn't arrested.



"Police arrested a number of senior and former senior officers of the company , took a number of people in to help with enquiries, and seized a number of computers and some documents from the newsroom," Stand News said in a statement on .



"Given the circumstances, Stand News is ceasing operations with immediate effect, with all online and social media content ... to be removed within the next few days," it said. "Acting editor in chief Lam has resigned and all staff will be laid off with immediate effect."



"Stand News has always been committed to protecting the core Hong Kong values of freedom and democracy, human rights, justice and the rule of law," it said. "Thank you to our readers for all of their support."



A Hong Kong national security police officer (L) and a worker carry boxes of evidence from the offices of Stand News in Hong Kong after police raided the office of the local media outlet and arrested six current and former staff, Dec. 29, 2021. Credit: AFP 'Seditious publication'

The raid drew swift responses from the U.N. rights Office and the European Union.

"We are alarmed by continued crackdown on civic space, incl. todays arrest of 6 media workers at Stand News. We urge the authorities to ensure that further proceedings fully respect rights to freedom of information, expression & association, as well as due process," the office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights tweeted.

EU spokesman Peter Stano tweeted that the raid and arrests mark a further deterioration in #PressFreedom in (Hong Kong)."

"Respect for human rights & fundamental freedoms are central to the Basic Law & the '1 country, 2 systems' principle," he wrote.

The HKJA expressed "deep concern over police arrests at a prominent media organization and raids of its offices, the latest of several within the past year."



"[We] call on the government to protect press freedom in accordance with the Basic Law," it said in a reference to the city's mini-constitution which enshrines Beijing's promises to preserve Hong Kong's traditional freedoms.



Police said all seven arrestees were being held for "conspiracy to publish seditious publication," a colonial-era charges under the city's Crimes Ordinance, while Stand News' assets were frozen under a draconian national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from , 2020.



"A total of three men and four women, aged 34 to 73, were arrested in the operation so far," a police statement said. "Searches of their respective residences are under way."



Ronson Chan said police confiscated his computer, mobile, tablet, press pass and bank records during an early morning search of his home.



The raid on Stand News came after the website and its journalists were denounced by a number of CCP-backed news organizations and high-ranking Hong Kong officials.



Secretary for Security Chris Tang, a former police chief, had taken issue with its criticism of conditions at the Tai Tam Gorge Correctional Institution, as well as "inciting hatred of the police."

Already tattered press freedom'

Margaret Ng and Denise Ho have been repeatedly targeted by pro-China media after they set up the "612 Humanitarian Relief Fund" to fund bail payments for people arrested in connection with the 2019 pro-democracy protests.



The fund announced its dissolution in in spite of receiving high levels of public donations.



"Conspiracy to publish seditious publications" carries a maximum jail term of two years for the first conviction.

Ho, a popular Cantopop singer-turned-activist, holds citizenship in Canada, whose foreign ministry said that it was "deeply concerned" by the arrest of Ho and the others. and that consular officials were ready to help her..

"Canada will always stand up to support democracy and freedom of the press," said Jason Kung, a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada.

"Freedom of media and expression remain cornerstones of democracy and essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We will continue to speak out and denounce violations of these freedoms, in partnership with our international allies," he added.
The U.S. is Taiwans largest arms supplier with agreed deals worth more than $23 billion since 2010.

A file photo showing a Taiwan navy S70 helicopter taking off from a Perry-class frigate during a naval exercise off eastern Taiwan on May 22, 2019.

U.S. President Joe Biden has signed a defense policy bill for fiscal year 2022 that would help boost Taiwans defense capabilities and permit the island to be invited to the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercise this summer.

Both chambers of the U.S. Congress earlier voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which defines the countrys defense policy and budget. Biden signed the US$768.2 billion-act into law on Monday.

The bill contains specific sections on defense relations with Taiwan and suggests conducting practical training and military exercises with Taiwan, including, as appropriate, inviting Taiwan to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise conducted in 2022.

RIMPAC is the worlds largest multi-national maritime warfare exercise held every two years since 1974. Before that it was held annually. The exercise is hosted by the U.S. Navys Indo-Pacific Command and joined by navies from about two dozen countries.

A number of Southeast Asian countries have been invited. China took part in 2014 and 2016, when U.S.-China relations were more cordial.

Taiwan has yet to comment on the prospect of joining RIMPAC  a step that would rile China. Earlier in December, before the NDAA became law, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng indicated that Taiwan needed to have an internal discussion on the applicability of the bill to Taiwan. He said Taiwan would utilize and evaluate what it could benefit from.

Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, said an invitation to Taiwan to attend RIMPAC would bear a great significance, and not only in the defense terms.

Unlike visits to Taiwan by U.S. policymakers, and vice versa, as well as the defense exchanges that take place much behind the scenes, RIMPAC is a high-profile international naval exercise thatll significantly raise Taiwans profile, Koh said.

If its allowed to send not just observers but take part as a full participant - meaning sending ships, and this will become a major show of flag opportunity for Taiwan, he added.

But Koh warned that if Taiwan is invited as a full participant, some other countries may decide not to participate out of fear of offending Beijing. So the talk about having Taiwan in RIMPAC is more complicated than we imagine.

Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner told Congress this month that bolstering Taiwan's self-defense is an urgent task and an essential feature of deterrence. Credit: U.S. Department of Defense Bolstering Taiwan self-defense

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and vows to reunite it with the mainland, by force if necessary. Chinese military activity in the Taiwan Strait has intensified in recent months, with hundreds of military aircraft sorties into Taiwans air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in what observers see as an intimidation campaign.

Ely Ratner, U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing earlier this month that bolstering Taiwan's self-defenses is an urgent task and an essential feature of deterrence.

Some other sections in the newly signed bill recommend building up Taiwan's asymmetric defenses, including "coastal defense missiles, naval mines, anti-aircraft capabilities, cyber defenses, and special operations forces." Asymmetric defense refers to the ability to defend against a more powerful adversary.

The bill says it shall be the policy of the United States to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist a fait accompli that would jeopardize the security of the people on Taiwan.

The term ``fait accompli'' refers to the resort to force by China to invade and seize control of Taiwan before the United States can respond effectively.

The U.S. secretary of defense is requested to submit a report by Feb. 15, 2022, on the "feasibility and advisability" of enhanced cooperation between the U.S. National Guard and Taiwan.

Until now, the U.S. military hasnt conducted any bilateral and joint exercise with Taiwan but it was reported in October that a number of U.S. military trainers have been deployed in the island for at least a year.

U.S. troops have not been permanently based on the island since Washington established diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1979.

The U.S. is Taiwans largest arms supplier with agreed deals worth more than $23 billion since 2010.
The U.K. aid group calls for an arms embargo on Myanmar after Christmas eve slaughter of 35 civilians.

Save the Children confirmed Tuesday that two of its staff were killed in a Christmas Eve massacre in eastern Myanmar blamed on junta troops who forced 35 people from their vehicles, killed them and burned their bodies in an incident that drew U.N. and U.S. condemnation.

Save the Children, a U.K.-based aid organization with 900 staff operating in Myanmar, had confirmed over the weekend that a car used by their group was found burned near Moso village in Kayah state. On Tuesday they said two aid workers, fathers of infant children, were among the massacre victims.

It is with profound sadness that we are confirming today that two members of Save the Childrens staff were among at least 35 people, including women and children, who were killed on Friday 24th December in an attack by the Myanmar military in Kayah State, in the east of the country, the charity said in a statement.

The men were on their way back to their office after working on a humanitarian response in a nearby community when they were caught up in the attack. The military forced people from their cars, arrested some, killed many and burnt the bodies, it added.

The men were not named for security reasons, said Save the Children.

The group has temporarily suspended operations in Kayah, Chin, and parts of Magway and Kayin, said Inger Ashing, chief executive of Save the Children.

This news is absolutely horrifying. Violence against innocent civilians including aid workers is intolerable, and this senseless attack is a breach of International Humanitarian Law, said Ashing, who called for an arms embargo on Myanmar and action by the U.N. Security Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Members of the ethnic Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), an armed group fighting the junta, told RFAs Myanmar Service Monday that women and children were among those slaughtered along a highway near Moso village in Kayahs Hpruso township.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken condemned the attack and called for an end to the sale of arms and dual-use technology to the junta that took over the country in a coup on Feb. 1.

We are alarmed by the military regimes brutality across much of Burma, including most recently in Kayah and Karen States, he said a statement.

The targeting of innocent people and humanitarian actors is unacceptable, and the militarys widespread atrocities against the people of Burma underscore the urgency of holding its members accountable, Blinken added.

The top U.S. diplomats remarks followed a statement of condemnation on Sunday from Martin Griffiths, the U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, who said he was horrified by the reports and demanded a probe into the attack.

I condemn this grievous incident and all attacks against civilians throughout the country, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law, he said in a statement.

I call upon the authorities to immediately commence a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident so that perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice, said Griffiths.

Junta spokesman and Deputy Information Minister Zaw Min Tun said on Monday that an incident had occurred in the area involving people killed in the crossfire between the military and unidentified gunmen.

Our security forces encountered seven vehicles in the area, so they asked the vehicles to stop, but they refused and started to drive away. When our forces opened fire with small arms, they fired back at us, he said.

Myanmar, which has endured five decades of harsh military rule since its independence from Britain in 1948, was thrown into political crisis on Feb. 1 when the military seized power from the countrys democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government.

In the more than 10 months since, the military has killed at least 1,377 civilians and arrested nearly 8,300 others, mostly during widespread peaceful protests of the junta. The military has also launched offensives against several armed ethnic groups and prodemocracy Peoples Defense Force militias in the countrys remote border regions.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Written in English by Paul Eckert.
Aid supplies including food, clothing and medicines have been delivered to boat drifting near Aceh province.

A boat carrying Rohingya including women and children is seen stranded in waters off the coast of Bireuen regency, Aceh province, Indonesia, Dec. 27, 2021.

Indonesia agreed to allow about 120 Rohingya stranded on a boat near Aceh province to come ashore, officials said Wednesday, after two days of pressure from locals, human rights groups and the United Nations refugee agency.

Spotted by local fishermen on Sunday, the Rohingya were being allowed in because it was an emergency situation, officials said, after the UNHCR said their boat had engine trouble.

The Indonesian government has decided today, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, on humanitarian grounds, to accommodate the Rohingya refugees who are currently drifting on a ship in the sea near Bireuen regency, Aceh, said Armed Wijaya, chairman of the governments Task Force for Handling Refugees from Overseas.

This decision was made after considering the emergency situation experienced by the refugees on the ship, he said in a statement.

The vessel was drifting about 50 nautical miles off the coast of Bireuen and will be towed ashore, Armed said. Its passengers were mostly women and children but the exact number was not immediately known.

All on the boat will undergo health screening for data collection and implementation of health protocols amid the pandemic, he said.

On Tuesday, an Indonesian official had said the Rohingya would be provided with food and fuel so they could continue their journey to Malaysia, their original destination. Local officials said they had limited resources to care for the refugees as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Armed said the migrants should have been brought to land when their boat was stranded on Sunday.

They should have been allowed [to come ashore] from the start because all the elements of an emergency are fulfilled. After this, the government must not be late in taking action and must be responsive, he said.

Reza Maulana, chairman of the humanitarian organization Geutanyoe Foundation, said representatives of the fishing community were pushing for the Rohingya to be taken to shore on Wednesday.

As we speak the boat has not been towed, but it will likely be pulled to the coast today. Maybe tonight if possible, he told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.

Reza said contrary to previous reports, the boat did not have a leak, but its engine stalled. Bad weather including thunderstorms had caused the boat to take on water, creating a danger of capsizing.

The Rohingya will be under the care of the UNHCR pending verification of their refugee status, according to Reza.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) said aid supplies including food, fuel, clothing and medicines had been delivered to the boat.

The assistance was delivered directly to the Lhokseumawe naval base commander and the police, Bakamla said in a written statement.

Indonesian sailors deliver supplies to a ship destined for the Rohingya boat stranded in waters off Bireuen, Aceh province, Dec. 29, 2021. Credit: AFP/Indonesian Navy Matter of life and death

Amnesty International welcomed the governments decision to take in the Rohingya, saying it was in line with the countrys international obligations.

We really hope that the refugees will immediately get basic services after going through dangerous and exhausting conditions while at sea, including health, food and psychological counseling, Usman Hamid, Amnestys executive director in Indonesia, told BenarNews.

Based on a 2016 presidential regulation, the Indonesian government has an obligation to rescue refugees who are in distress, Armed said.

Usman said the government should have taken swifter action.

Every hour is a matter of life and death at sea, he said.

Since a brutal crackdown by security forces in Myanmars Rakhine state against the Rohingya in 2017, hundreds have paid traffickers to transport them to Thailand and Malaysia. The Rohingya hope to find work away from Myanmar or crowded refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh.

Since the 2017 crackdown, about 740,000 Rohingya who fled Myanmar settled in camps in and around Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar, now home to about 1 million of the refugees.

Over the years, groups of Rohingya have packed into boats and sailed off in search of asylum in other countries, but have often been refused entry.

As of October, at least 665 Rohingya ended up stranded in Indonesia on their way to third countries including Malaysia and Australia, according to UNHCR.

Indonesia is not a party to the U.N.s 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. It prohibits refugees from obtaining jobs and attending formal schools.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
But authorities in a regency in Aceh province are refusing to allow the refugees in.

Officers in Bireuen regency prepare to send supplies to Rohingya refugees stranded in a boat off the coast of Indonesia's Aceh province, Dec. 28, 2021.

The United Nations on Tuesday urged Indonesia to allow 120 Rohingya stranded aboard a boat near Aceh province to come ashore, but local officials said they had limited resources to care for the refugees, and so were turning them away.

The Indonesian office of U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said the boat, anchored to a fishing device about 50 miles off Aceh, could sink because it was reportedly leaking with its engine broken.

The UNHCR is extremely concerned about the safety of the refugees on board, Mitra Suryono, a spokeswoman for the agencys local office, said in a statement.

To prevent loss of life, UNHCR urges the Indonesian government to immediately allow the ship come ashore safely, Mitra said.

Amnesty International made a similar appeal.

Sending them back to the high seas is tantamount to Indonesia shirking its international obligation, Usman Hamid, Amnestys country director, said in a statement.

On Tuesday, foreign ministry officials in Jakarta declined to comment on what Indonesia planned to do with the boatload of Rohingya refugees.

In Aceh, a local official said the Rohingya on the boat would be supplied with necessities so they could go on by sea to Malaysia, their intended destination.

They wanted to go to Malaysia, so we will help with fuel and food so that they can continue their journey, Bireuen regency chief Muzakkar A. Gani told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, citing information from the police.

He did not comment on reports that the boat was leaking and its engine was damaged.

Local fishermen first spotted the boat in the waters off Bireuen on Sunday, but Indonesian security forces prevented locals from helping the refugees come ashore, according to a community leader and a human rights activist.

On Tuesday, fishermen in Bireuen said they were determined to bring the Rohingya refugees to shore if the authorities failed to do so.

Badruddin Yunus, the leader of the fishing community in the regency, said the government had not taken any action other than promising to send food to the refugees on the boat.

We are concerned about the welfare of the children. They are human beings. Where is our humanity? Badruddin told BenarNews.

At least 51 children were among the group, he said.

Whatever it takes [we will bring them ashore], said Badruddin, adding that the local community had collected food and supplies to be sent to the boat.

Nasir Jamil, a national lawmaker from Aceh, urged immigration authorities to allow the boat to land by coordinating with security forces.

We have not ratified the U.N. convention on refugees, but we have regulations that provide for sheltering refugees who come to Indonesia, said Nasir, adding that he would reach out to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights so the Rohingya could be sheltered in Aceh.

Fishermen have nothing to fear if they are not part of a people smuggling ring, he added.

Since a brutal crackdown by Burmese security forces in Rakhine state against the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017, hundreds have paid traffickers to transport them to Thailand and Malaysia, where they can find work, and away from Myanmar or the crowded camps in neighboring Bangladesh to which they fled that year.

Groups of Rohingya have also packed into boats and sailed off in search of asylum in other countries, but have often been refused entry.

As of October, at least 665 Rohingya migrants have ended up stranded in Indonesia on their way to third countries including Malaysia and Australia, according to UNHCR.

Indonesia is not a party to the U.N.s 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. The nation prohibits refugees from obtaining jobs and attending formal schools.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
A gender equality group says the women died during protests, interrogations, and in troop offensives.

Family and relatives pray next to the body of a Muslim woman whose family said was killed by the army during her funeral service in Mandalay, March 1, 2021.

Nearly 100 women have been killed by security forces loyal to Myanmars junta since the military orchestrated a power grab nearly 11 months ago, a group promoting gender equality in the country said Tuesday as former female prisoners said sexual abuse of inmates was routine.

According to the Womens League of Burma (WLB), a total of 94 women were killed by police or soldiers during anti-junta protests, interrogations, and troop offensives since Feb. 1, when the military deposed the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government in a coup.

In the months that followed, the military has killed at least 1,380 civilians and arrested nearly 8,300 others, mostly during widespread peaceful demonstrations, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). The military has also launched offensives against multiple armed ethnic groups and prodemocracy militias in the countrys remote border regions.

Among the women killed was Chin Chin, a 23-year-old woman with the anti-junta Peoples Defense Force (PDF) militia in Sagaing regions Kalay township who was shot in the head during a military raid on Nov. 18.

Chin Chins father told RFAs Myanmar Service he was devastated by the sudden death of his daughter, a university student.

We couldnt think of anything to do [at the time] and held out hope that she must be still alive, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

We didnt know where to go to get the body or who to turn to for help. We just hope to collect her remains one day when we get back our freedom and bury her properly.

Fighting between the military and the PDF continues in and around Kalay, preventing the recovery of her body, and Chin Chins father said he hopes to one day hold a funeral for her in accordance with ethnic Chin tradition.

According to the WLB, some of the 94 women were killed during the brutal suppression of anti-coup protests. Young women such as Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing and Kyai Zin were shot in the head during such crackdowns in the capital Naypyidaw and Mandalay in the early weeks of the political crisis.

Junta spokesman Deputy Information Minister Zaw Min Tun on Tuesday called the WLBs figures false.

We have issued statements in most cases, regardless of whether it was the death of a woman or the death of a man who were carrying out acts of violence, he said.

Some organizations have made all these allegations, but they are not true. They are baseless. They have no evidence.

A woman is reunited with her waiting mother outside Insein Prison in Yangon following her release as part of a general amnesty, Oct. 18, 2021. AFP At risk in captivity

The AAPP says that the military has arrested more than 2,000 women since the coup and that some of the 94 deaths documented by the WLB include those killed in captivity.

Ma Myo, who was released from detention after 45 days in solitary confinement in Yangons Insein Prison, told RFA that all women who are arrested must first pass through interrogation centers, which she called a living hell because of the treatment she received.

Ma Myo said that after arriving in prison, she was subjected to torture and sexual abuse, which she said staff seemed to believe they had the right to inflict on detainees.

The way they treat women prisoners is not right. I always told them whenever I spoke with them  even while I was in solitary confinement  that their actions were in violation of womens rights  and they would say we couldnt talk about human rights in a prison, she said.

They said we were under their jurisdiction and that we could not look back or talk back to them like that. I think they have an inferiority complex, and they think they have the right to hit anyone in a prison uniform.

She said that among the female prisoners arrested for protesting the coup were girls as young as four and as old as 60.

Other women released from detention as part of a Sept. 28 general amnesty told RFA that police and army officers who carry out interrogations are regularly under the influence of alcohol and are known to sexually abuse female detainees.

WLB Joint Secretary General Nang Moe Moe said that one day, members of the security forces must be held accountable for the violence they have committed against women in Myanmar.

The military is committing truly heinous crimes against humanity  and horrible war crimes, she said.

The world is witnessing all of these crimes and the situation is unacceptable. There must be accountability.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Buildings at the Artux City Vocational Skills Education Training Service Center, believed to be a re-education camp where Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained, are seen north of Kashgar in northwestern China's Xinjiang region, June 2, 2019.

A Uyghur woman who had been interned in a detention camp in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region died of a stomach ailment in September 2020 while performing forced labor at a sock factory adjacent to the internment facility, RFA has learned.

Shazadigul Tomur, 45, was taken from her home to Zhongtai internment camp in Toksun (in Chinese, Tuokesun) county, Turpan (Tulufan) prefecture, in mid-2018 and developed a stomach pain a year later, a source with knowledge of the situation and local officials said.

Shazadigul, a native of Toksuns Bostan township, is one of thousands of Uyghurs who have perished in Chinas network of re-education camps believed to have held up to 1.8 million members of the mostly Muslim minority group and other Turkic minorities since 2017. Many detainees are forced to work in factories in Xinjiang or elsewhere in China.

Forced labor in Xinjiang has become a major point of friction between China and Western countries and corporations, drawing sanctions and import curbs from the U.S. and other states, and contributing to calls to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics.

On Dec. 23, U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, blocking the import of goods into the U.S. from Xinjiang without clear and convincing evidence that they were not made with Uyghur forced labor. China has angrily rejected the forced labor assertions as aimed at smearing the country.

Shazadiguls story first came to RFAs attention through an anonymous letter summarizing her detention and death. Local officials confirmed the details of her incarceration and death in telephone interviews.

The letter writer, who declined to be named out of fear of reprisal from Chinese authorities, told RFA that Shazadigul was taken to an internment camp in mid-2018 and that she had died in September 2020.

At the time of her death, Shazadigul was forced to work with a large group of internment camp detainees at a sock factory in Toksuns Alghuy village, the letter said.

When the woman reported her health condition to camp officials, they ignored her pleas, saying it was not the first time that she had told them she was suffering.

Shazadiguls abdominal pain had grown worse, and by September 2020, she was vomiting blood while still working at the factory, according to the letter. One day she lost consciousness at the factory and later died.

Prior to her death, Shazadigul had pre-existing food allergies and had not been able to eat for a long time, the letter said. Camp staff considered her inability to eat as a voluntary hunger strike by the camp staff, prompting more severe interrogations and torture without giving her an opportunity to explain her food allergies.

A Bostan township official contacted by RFA confirmed Shazadigul worked at the factory at the Zhongtai camp, and that she had died. The official did not comment on the womans health condition before and during her detention.

She died at the county peoples hospital, the township official said.

After Shazadigul was questioned and tortured, she appeared to grow accustomed to the camps food, though her stomach continued to feel uncomfortable, and she later experienced severe pain, the letter said.

Though she did not report her deteriorating health to the camp staff, they were aware of her vomiting but remained skeptical of her health condition.

The last time Shazadigul went to the factory, she had told camp staff she felt dizzy and unwell, but they made her line up with thousands of other Uyghur forced laborers and took her to the work site, said the letter.

Shazadigul lost consciousness after two hours and collapsed while vomiting blood. Officials rushed her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead after medical personnel were unable to revive her.

A Toksun county police officer told RFA that Shazadigul had been taken from the camp to the hospital, returned to her home instead of to the camp after medical treatment was ineffective, and then died.

She died in her home after she was released from the hospital, he said.

The officer also confirmed that the woman worked at the sock factory.

Its called the No. 4 [re-education] school, he said. Now theres also a factory in that re-education school. They make socks and stuff like that in those factories inside those re-education schools.

The officer said he had heard that Shazadigul had problems with her lungs, though he had not seen any medical reports, and that he was unaware that she had what appeared to be gastritis.

A police officer who works in Bostan township about 40 miles away from the Zhongtai camp, told RFA earlier that detainees could not choose their own food and had to eat whatever they were given, and that camp officials did not care if the food impacted their health.

Translated by the Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Vietnam's one-party rule and jailing of dissidents contradict its claims, many say.

Vietnamese rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai (C) stands in a courtroom during his trial with other political activists in Hanoi, April 5, 2018.

Activists calling for political reform in Vietnam disagreed this week with official claims that the country is a functioning democracy under one-party rule, saying the government relies on rhetoric and deceptions to mask its true nature.

Writing on Monday in its online newspaper, Vietnams Public Security Ministry called the Southeast Asian nation a Socialist-Oriented Peoples Democracy that meets the peoples needs.

Vietnam doesnt need a multi-party system, as democracy in Vietnam under Communist Party rule is guaranteed and can play its full role in reality, wrote the articles author Phan Duong in a piece published just before the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union.

Speaking to RFA from exile in Germany, Vietnamese human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai noted that Duongs article was published also on the day the Public Security Ministry held a national conference, a very important event.

Through this article, they sent out a very clear message that the police and security forces must always protect the Communist Party regime, said Dai, founder of Vietnams online Brotherhood for Democracy, an organization advocating democracy in Vietnam whose members are now mostly in prison.

Security forces always play a crucial role in protecting dictatorships, Dai said.

Yesterday, while attending the conference marking the 77th anniversary of the public security forces, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that these forces should always have sharp swords and strong shields ready to protect the Party and the regime at all costs, he said.

Vietnams actions contradict its claims to be a democracy, said Nguyen Tien Trung, a former political prisoner now living in Ho Chi Minh City. They must assert that Vietnam has a democratic regime in order to continue to deceive those who still believe in the socialist democracy theory, Trung said.

This justification is vital to the existing regime, as all political regimes need to maintain their legitimacy in the eyes of their people and the international community he said.

True democracy comes from multi-party elections in which people can choose their preferred leaders and parties to govern the country for limited periods of time, Trung said, adding that anyone who points out this simple and obvious truth will be a thorn in the authorities eyes.

The authorities will suppress, assault and arrest anyone who fights for democracy so they can stop their voices and messages from reaching the majority of the people, and this crackdown also acts as a deterrent to anyone who plans to speak honestly and bravely about the current political regime, he said.

China's own claims ridiculed

Vietnams fellow one-party Communist neighbor China has also recently branded itself a democracy, issuing a white paper and running a state media campaign ahead of the Dec. 9 U.S.-sponsored Summit for Democracy, a virtual summit of more than 100 countries in Europe, North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

Chinas claim was ridiculed on social media, while independent scholars said Beijing has failed to meet accepted attributes of democracy.

Vietnams government this year arrested around 40 bloggers and other writers or activists on charges of disseminating materials against the State or abusing freedom and democratic rights to violate the States interests, according to RFA and other reports.

In December alone, Vietnamese courts sentenced four journalists and activists to a total of 35 years in prison after trials in Hanoi and Nam Dinh city.

And in March, Facebook user Vu Tien Chi was sentenced in the central highlands province of Lam Dong to a prison term of 10 years for defaming the peoples government and senior leaders of the Party in posts calling for the establishment of a National Congress to replace the National Assembly controlled by the Communist Party.

Citizen journalist Le Trong Hung is meanwhile set to be tried on Dec. 31 for nominating himself as a candidate for election to the National Assembly earlier this year.

Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Richard Finney.
A group of journalists gathered outside Azerbaijan's parliament in Baku on December 28 to protest a new media law that they say will further limit independent journalism in the country. Police prevented the protesters from displaying their signs. The proposed law, which sets up a database for media organizations and requires journalists to be registered with the state, is expected to be adopted on December 30.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is "convinced" there can be effective dialogue between Washington and Moscow ahead of talks with U.S. President Joe Biden amid rising tensions over a buildup of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine and the Kremlin's demands for sweeping security guarantees from NATO.



The two leaders are set to hold a phone call on December 30 to "discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia," according to White House National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne.



According to a Kremlin readout of Putin's holiday messages to world leaders, released on December 30, the Russian president said he was "convinced that...we can move forward and establish an effective Russian-American dialogue based on mutual respect and consideration of each other's national interests."

The December 30 phone call comes as U.S. and Russian officials prepare to meet on January 10 in Geneva to discuss arms control and mounting tensions over Ukraine.

Putin, who initiated the call, according to the Kremlin, has been pressing Biden to attend the talks in person, though the White House has so far rejected such a meeting.



That meeting may be followed by separate talks between Russia and NATO on January 12, while Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which includes the United States and its European allies, will meet on January 13.

Biden will tell Putin the United States is "prepared for diplomacy and for a diplomatic path forward," a senior administration official told reporters. "But we are also prepared to respond if Russia advances with a further invasion of Ukraine," Biden will tell Putin, the official said.

It will be the second call between the two leaders in December, with Biden earlier this month warning his counterpart of "severe consequences" if Russian troops were to attack Ukraine.



Since the last call between the leaders, the Kremlin has publicly issued a list of demands that are almost certain to be rejected by the United States and its allies.

They include a call for NATO to commit to not accepting new member states that were once part of the Soviet Union, such as Ukraine and Georgia. Among other demands, Moscow wants NATO to halt military drills near its borders and roll back military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.

However, U.S. officials say there may be room to negotiate some of the other proposals that fall under the arms-control agenda between Washington and Moscow.

In an interview broadcast on Russian state TV on December 26, Putin said that he would consider various options if the West failed to meet his demands.



Russia's response "could be diverse," he said, adding it would depend on proposals offered by his military commanders.



The Biden administration has dismissed some of Russia's demands as "unacceptable," standing firm in the position that countries such as Ukraine have the right to choose their own foreign and security policy.

However, the U.S. administration has said it is willing to engage in diplomacy with Russia and plans to use the upcoming talks to lay out its concerns over the Kremlin's actions.



Russia has amassed about 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine in what Western capitals worry could be a prelude to an invasion.



Russia denies it intends to launch an invasion, instead accusing Ukraine and NATO of provocations. Russia invaded and annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backs separatists in eastern Ukraine fighting a nearly eight-year war against Kyiv's forces.

The military buildup has sparked a flurry of transatlantic diplomacy this month, as Biden and top administration officials seek to coordinate policy with European allies and Ukraine, including the threat of severe economic sanctions if Russia were to invade Ukraine.



Further Russian aggression against Ukraine could also be met by bolstering NATO forces on the alliance's eastern flank, something the Kremlin wants to avoid.



U.S. officials have emphasized that no decisions about Europe's security architecture will be made without agreement from Ukraine and European allies.

"We have heard very clearly from our partner, and we hear constantly that all issues related to Ukraine will be resolved together with Ukraine, all issues regarding our Euro-Atlantic choice, our desire to become a member of the EU, our desire to become a member of NATO will be decided solely between us and the countries of the alliance, for example, if we are talking about NATO," Ukraine's ambassador to Washington, Oksana Markarova, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service in an interview to be aired on January 1 .

Horne said the administration continues to consult and coordinate with European allies and partners "on a common approach" to Russia's military buildup.



Earlier on December 29, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.



Blinken reiterated Washington's "unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the face of Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's borders," the State Department said in a statement.



Biden plans to speak with Zelenskiy soon after the call with Putin, but no date has been set, the senior administration official told media.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Some of the photos compiled over decades of work by Russia's Memorial International, which was ordered to be "liquidated" by the country's Supreme Court on December 28.

This haunting 1990 photo of human remains near a Soviet labor camp is one of more than 800 images published online by Memorial International, an organization dedicated to preserving the memory of the countless innocents who were repressed during the Soviet era. On December 28, Russia's Supreme Court ordered the closure of Memorial International, citing its alleged failure to mark several social-media posts with an official "foreign agent" status. Authorities in 2016 flagged Memorial for receiving funding from abroad. The ruling caused widespread anger within Russia over what many see as an attempt to silence those who speak out about the atrocities carried out during their country's Soviet past.

The photo archive began at the inception of Memorial in 1989, when victims of the Soviet regime and their relatives began to donate images to the organization. The stated goal of the archive is to "preserve the memory of the tragic pages in the history of our country, to collect historical evidence of the state terror and its victims, the resistance to the regime, and the difficult everyday life of the Soviet people."
SKOPJE -- The president of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, has handed Social Democratic Union (SDSM) leader Dimitar Kovachevski a mandate to form a new government.

Kovachevski, the new leader of the ruling SDSM, received the mandate after the SDSM announced that it had secured a majority in parliament. He is expected to be the party's nominee to become the next prime minister.

"From today, I am starting to form a new team with people who must respond to the serious challenges that await us from the beginning of the new year," Kovachevski said on December 29. "The new government will have a clear goal -- to provide security, a better life, and a bright future for our citizens."

He said his personal commitment would be to restore trust in the country's politics and institutions.

Kovachevski, 47, a former deputy finance minister, will have 20 days to submit the composition of the new government to parliament for ratification.

The SDSM has allied with a small ethnic Albanian party to create a new coalition with 64 seats in the 120-member parliament.

Kovachevski succeeded Zoran Zaev as the president of the SDSM after Zaev resigned as party leader on November 27. He announced the move after a poor showing by the SDSM in local elections in October. Last month, he stepped down as head of the party.

During an address to parliament on December 22, Pendarovski praised Zaev's resignation as a democratically minded act that he performed even though his party was in power.

Zaev served as prime minister from May 2017 to January 2020 and again since August 2020. He oversaw the resolution of his country's long-standing dispute with Greece over the name "Macedonia," paving the way to advance its European Union accession bid.

However, Bulgaria objects to that because of disputes over history and linguistics. Kovachevski has promised to invite Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov for talks in a bid to ease tensions over the name.

Zaev also secured North Macedonia's membership in NATO in March 2020.

The conservative opposition on December 29 renewed its calls for early national legislative elections. North Macedonia is currently expected to hold elections in 2024.

With reporting by AP and dpa
On December 28 and 29, Russian courts ordered the closure of International Memorial and the Memorial Human Rights Center, pushing ahead with an intense clampdown on civil society by seeking to shutter an organization that has worked with dogged determination to expose the Soviet states crimes against the people and shine a light on abuses in Russia today.

RFE/RL looks at seven people whose work displays the breadth, depth, and impact of the organization the state is shutting down.

Arseny Roginsky: Memory And The State

Historian and human rights activist Arseny Roginsky was born in the town of Velsk, Arkhangelsk Oblast, where his father, a Soviet engineer, had been exiled during Stalins purges.

In the 1970s, the younger Roginsky published samizdat materials; in the 1980s, he served four years in prison for his dissident activities. The official charge was falsification of documents. He was rehabilitated in 1992.

He became a founding member of Memorial in 1989, when he joined a grouping that was looking for ways to record the oral histories of those who had survived the purges. He became chairman of Memorial in 1998, and he worked there until his death in 2017.

Here is what Roginsky said about Memorials role in preserving the memory of the purges:

Everyone feels for the victims of terror. Some mayor, or even some governor, feels for the victims of terror. President [Vladimir] Putin feels for innocent victims. Ordinary people also feel for innocent victims. Its like when everyone lights candles in church. But whose terror was it? Who committed it? If we dont understand that, nothing will go beyond the mourning ribbon of sympathy.

"This is what neither ordinary people, nor governors, nor presidents think about. So, who was behind the terror in our view? And who was behind the terror from the point of view of all those people expressing their sympathy?

'Its not clear if you look at it through their eyes. Its like an epidemic in the Middle Ages. The mass consciousness perceives the source of terror as if it were an epidemic: We were living our lives and then a plague came, and many people died -- and then the plague left, and we lived on. But it wasnt like that. Memorial gives a simple answer: It was terror committed by the state against the people.

Sergei Kovalyov: 'Their Lives Were Important To Us'

A Soviet dissident who later became a Russian lawmaker, Sergei Kovalyov was a speaker at a rally of the victims of political terror in the Druzhba park on Moscows outskirts in 1988. That rally, followed by a petition to erect a monument to the victims of Stalins terror, marked the start of Memorial.

Kovalyov was its head for a while; in 1994, he became Russias first human rights commissioner. Before that, he wrote Article 2 of the Russian Constitution -- on the rights and freedom of man and citizen -- as well as the law On Rehabilitation of Victims of Political Repression. In 1993, he was elected to the State Duma and was a lawmaker for 10 years. He pointedly quit the post of human rights commissioner in 1996, in protest against the use of the Russian Army in Chechnya and President Boris Yeltsin's policies of force.

Kovalyov died in 2021. Current Time filmed him talking in 2020 about the events of 1995 in a hospital in Budyonnovsk where he, together with other rights activists, voluntarily traded himself for 1,500 hostages taken by Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev.

The main official objective [of the authorities] was to defeat Basayevs gang at all costs; that was the only thing that mattered to them. This meant winning by assault. Assault, whatever the cost. The fate of a huge number of hostages was not taken into consideration -- thats the standard Soviet way.

"Our reasoning was different. To us, the lives of the hostages were important. But what to do? The idea was to reach a coordinated decision that would value the lives of hostages. There were three sides taking this decision: [Prime Minister] Viktor Chernomyrdin, Shamil Basayev, and Sergei Kovalyov. Obviously, each one had a team behind them.

We needed to reach a compromise to save the lives of hostages, and for that a big price had to be paid: letting Basayev and his troops leave intact. If you prioritize the lives of hostages, its a natural plan, and I think the only reasonable and humane one -- because there were many hostages and there would have been many victims in case of military assault on the hospital. There was no other peaceful solution. No other bloodless solution.

[The hostage crisis in Budyonnovsk] is rarely remembered today. The reliability of memories depends on many factors. The biggest one is the atmosphere in the country. Lets be straightforward about it: This government is not just far from democratic principles, its the opposite of them. It deliberately resists them.

Oleg Orlov: Work In The Caucasus

Oleg Orlov became a rights activist at the end of the 1970s, making leaflets protesting the war in Afghanistan. In 1995, he accompanied Sergei Kovalyov in Budyonnovsk during the negotiations, and later on the bus with the volunteer hostages.

When the second Chechen war began in 1999, Orlov became head of Memorial in the North Caucasus. From that moment on, for over two decades, the main direction of the work of rights activists in the region, particularly in Chechnya, has been the struggle against extrajudicial executions and abductions.

In 2006, Orlov left his seat on the human rights commission to protest Putins remark that the murder of Novaya gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya had damaged Russia more than her publications did. In 2007, Orlov and three REN-TV journalists were kidnapped in Ingushetia; they were taken to a field and threatened with death. In 2011, the investigation into this case was closed.

Since 2009, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has been engaged in a legal battle with Orlov, who publicly held him responsible for the murder of rights activist Natalya Estemirova. Orlov lost his case in civil court (although the European Court of Human Rights ruled that his right to freedom of speech was infringed upon) but was acquitted of a libel charge in criminal court. Kadyrov has appealed the verdict.

Recently, Orlov has been helping the suspects in the Ingushetia protests case. He helped defend Zarifa Sautiyeva, who has been sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison. (Male defendants received sentences of up to 10 years.) Orlov maintains that those convicted in the case were trying to stop the violence after police began disbanding a peaceful rally against giving away land to Chechnya.

The federal government has clearly decided that there should be no more games of democracy in Ingushetia, Orlov said. [In 2019] big rallies were held peacefully without any disruption. At the same time, similar rallies in Moscow and St. Petersburg were violently suppressed. So why allow democracy and freedom in Ingushetia? It should be suppressed, too. And then what happened, happened. The situation was clearly used to destroy any opposition.

But it was the opposition leaders on the square [in Ingushetias capital, Magas] who persuaded the young men to stop resisting and leave. Yet, this event became an excuse for starting political repressions in the region. Opposition leaders have been framed. Theres a list of names in almost every paragraph of the charges: Barakhoyev, Sautiyeva, Pogorov, and so forth. Allegedly, they called for violence and were guided by political hatred toward the authorities of Ingushetia. But their actions were nothing but a legitimate public and political activity. What they did on the square in Magas was stop the escalation of violence.

Natalya Estemirova: Death In The Caucasus

A schoolteacher from Grozny, Natalya Estemirova became a rights activist shortly before the second Chechen war. In 2000, she joined Memorial. Shed go to villages and gather information about kidnappings, killings, accidental victims of counterterrorism operations. She demanded access to detention facilities and fought for the rights of inmates. She collaborated closely with Anna Politkovskaya and accompanied her in 2005 when she visited Ramzan Kadyrov at his residence for an interview for Novaya gazeta.

After Politkovskaya was murdered in 2006, Estemirova started reporting for Novaya gazeta about the events in Chechnya; those reports were bylined Memorial. She was killed in the summer of 2009. She was kidnapped outside her home in Grozny, and later that night her body was found in Ingushetia. Her 15-year-old daughter, Lana, became an orphan.

Here is what Natalya Estemirova said about the changing conditions for women in Chechnya in one of her rare, filmed interviews, in 2009:

There is a new problem, the situation of women. Previously, the conditions were hard for everyone, but now the regime takes advantage of women by humiliating them. Females must now wear head scarves in all state institutions, from a primary school to a public office. We are told its a way to preserve traditions. Thats a lie. Traditionally, both men and women must have their heads covered, but we dont see men forced to do it, only women. Young security guards are eager to reprimand women [for not wearing a head scarf] even if the women are older, which contradicts Chechen traditions. If anything, you cannot reprove a woman who is not [a relative].

"So instead of preserving Chechen traditions, we see them being destroyed and inequality introduced in the society. This enables some men, particularly those with confidence issues, to take it out on successful women who can provide for their families and make a career: These men say that women are inferior, that they can be told, Do that and not that, and no one will argue with that.

Yury Dmitriyev: 'The Goal Was Simple: To Bury Them Like Human Beings'

At the end of the 1980s, regional offices of Memorial appeared across the U.S.S.R., many of them in Russia. These were not official branches of some legal body, but rather associations of like-minded people who wanted to talk about the terror, restore the memory of repressions, and rehabilitate the victims.

The office of Memorial in the Karelia Oblast capital of Petrozavodsk was established by a former police investigator, Ivan Chukhin. He was soon joined by his friend Yury Dmitriyev. They started making the list of terror victims in Karelia and looked for the burial sites.

In 1997, Dmitriyev found the bodies of people executed by firing squad in Sandarmokh. Not only did he find their mass grave, exhume the remains, and rebury them, but he also restored the name of each one of the 6,241 people killed. After days spent in archives and in the woods with a spade in his hands, Dmitriyev, a factory worker, turned into a local history expert and a public figure.

This is his recollection of the first excavation and reburial:

What we saw was an excavator that had stopped, guys from the prosecution office, a police investigator, and municipal officers of all ranks. There were about 15 of us there standing around, not knowing what to do about the discovery. Id gone to medical school and knew some anatomy, so judging by bone pattern, I concluded where the head was. I took a skull out, brushed it, and saw a hole in the back. Those people had been shot.

"So, what do we do? [Someone said:] Lets dig them back in! Who cares? I said: Guys, what do you mean "dig them back in"? What about burying them? Its none of our business. They were just standing there, looking at each other. Its a common state for some men: idling about, not wanting to take up any additional work. [So I said:] If you dont give a damn, Ill do it.

I went there for several weekends, collecting the bones, putting them in bags, and taking them to garages. I made friends with a tractor driver, and once he called me and said, There are more bones uncovered in a quarry. I went to pick them up. I found some more things: mugs, glasses, underwear, and so forth. I got covered by landslides a couple of times -- and digging out was not easy. The idea of finding out who these people were and why they were executed came later. At first, there was a simple goal: to bury them like human beings.

"Once I found a shoe with a loose galosh. There was a piece of newspaper shoved behind the heel to stop the galosh from squishing. I took that piece of evidence to the prosecutors office, but they said: Its illegible. I took a sable brush and baby soap and spent two weeks over that piece of paper before the text reappeared. Then I went to the library to identify the newspaper. It was Krasnaya Karelia from September 1937.

Dmitriyev made Sandarmokh an international memorial site visited by people from Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania. According to one theory, the criminal case lodged against him had something to do with the fact that, despite all warnings, he kept looking for the names of executioners in the archives and invited Western politicians to Sandarmokh.

In 2016, Dmitriyev was charged with taking pornographic images of his 11-year-old foster daughter. He denies it, saying that the photographs were taken at the insistence of social workers in order to monitor the girls development. Neither his relatives nor his colleagues believe he is guilty.

In 2018, he was acquitted and freed for a short period of time before the prosecutors appeal was supported by a court. Dmitriyev was additionally charged with sexual violence, sentenced to 3 1/2 years of prison, and then charged again with producing child pornography and sentenced on December 27 to 15 years in total. As the alleged victim was a minor, all the court hearings were closed. Only Dmitriyevs lawyer was allowed to study the case. So far, Yury Dmitriyev has spent five years in jail.

Nikita Petrov: Biographer Of Executioners

A holder of a degree in chemistry, Nikita Petrov took part in the seminars of the recently established Memorial at the end of the 1980s. In 1990, he became deputy head of the Memorial research and education center. Petrov visited archives and researched periodicals before becoming a professional historian. He was invited as an expert on the Communist Party case at the Constitutional Court and supervised the filing of KGB and Communist Party archives after the collapse of Soviet Union.

As a historian, he specializes in the security services, particularly the Soviet NKVD and KGB, and is regarded as a leading expert in that sphere by his colleagues. In 2008, he received a PhD in history from the University of Amsterdam. Based on his archive findings, he writes biographies of the executioners, saying that negative information is something you should share with people.

His most renowned books include Stalin's Loyal Executioner: People's Commissar Nikolai Yezhov and The Executioners: They Followed Stalins Orders.

Petrov fights for declassifying some archive cases. This is how he described the position of the Federal Security Service (FSB) on classified documents in an interview with Mediazona in 2016:

We still dont have access to the internal documents and reports about mass arrests. They are stored in the state security service archives, so now they are FSB archives. Under Yeltsins 1992 decree on the declassification of documents related to mass repressions and human rights violations, these documents must be declassified. But, in fact, only a small portion of them have been declassified.

Without those documents, you cannot tell a consistent story of the mass repressions and violations of human rights. There are isolated facts and documents, but not the full picture.

"Everything related to the work of agents is classified to avoid disclosing their code names and real names. The FSB also classifies everything related to foreign-policy activities and intelligence. Operational materials are classified, too. You can study those that remained in Ukraine. But the FSB thinks that researchers shouldnt know the methods of security services. They dont even hide it. They say, 'Not much has changed there.' It sounds wild, barbarous, and contrary to our laws -- but its still being said.

Irina Shcherbakova: 'Hear Their Lives Out'

A founding member of Memorial, Irina Shcherbakova is responsible for the educational activities of the foundation. She is one of the curators of the current exhibition Womens Memories Of The Gulag. She designed a school course -- called Man In History. Russia 20th Century -- that teaches teenagers to work with sources, analyze the past, and talk about the events of the past.

Shcherbakova is a historian and philologist. In 2017, she was awarded the Enlightener Prize for her book The Sign Wont Wear Off about the people who were brought to Germany in the 1940s as forced workers and were afraid to talk about their experiences for decades after the end of World War II.

Impressed by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyns The Gulag Archipelago and Yevgenia Ginzburgs Journey Into The Whirlwind, Shcherbakova started recording the memories of repressed women in the late 1970s, years before Memorial was founded.

I had an instinctive understanding that I needed to hear their lives out, she said. I started with women from the Kolyma labor camp. It was particularly interesting because of Ginzburgs text. They all referred to that text. Id ask: What do they remember about her? What kind of relations did they have? Kolyma is the scariest place of all: hell. Shalamovs camp prose was less well known then, but those women understood it very well.

There were recurring scenes from the investigation stage [of their ordeals] in their stories. I remember some extraordinary cases: The wife of a Kazakh prosecutor was let out of prison and given clothes and makeup to have a date with him. She was supposed to pretend that she hadnt been arrested so he would believe her and testify.

Many stories were similar, so sometimes you felt like a spectator watching a children's play and knowing whats going to happen next. Its not your granny, its a wolf! Dont go there, hell eat you! They would tell their stories, and I already knew what would await them as the wives of enemies of the people.

Translations by Petr Serebrianyi
A controversial new law requiring foreigners in Russia to undergo health checks every three months, including for sexually transmitted diseases, has gone into effect.

As of December 29, nearly all foreigners in the country must pass medical exams for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, among other diseases.

Their blood will also be tested for the presence of illegal drugs, and they must submit fingerprints and other biometric data. Some will be subjected to X-rays and CT scans.

Those who refuse to comply could have their work permits revoked, while Belarusian citizens, children under the age of 6, and diplomats are among those exempt from the new requirements.

The foreign business community has warned that the new measures could prompt an exodus of managers and other business representatives.

In mid-December, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov played down such concerns and offered assurances that President Vladimir Putin "is in favor of creating the most comfortable conditions for foreign businesses here -- for investors and foreign specialists."

The Health Ministry has also suggested that the health checks would not actually have to be completed every three months, despite wording stating otherwise.

Critics also warn that the new measures will allow the Russian government to expand its data collection on foreigners and could negatively affect the country's hundreds of thousands of migrant workers.

Based on reporting by dpa, The Moscow Times, and AFP
The year in Russia is winding down with a spate of events that have alarmed many observers about the intentions of President Vladimir Putin and his government.

First, the state media-monitoring agency Roskomnadzor blocked the website of OVD-Info, which among other things has served as a clearinghouse connecting detained protesters with defense attorneys.

Then, a court in the northern city of Petrozavodsk sentenced prominent historian Yury Dmitriyev to 15 years in prison on indecency charges that supporters say were fabricated in retribution for his research into the crimes of dictator Josef Stalin and the Soviet government.

Next, the Russian Supreme Court ordered the shutdown of Memorial International, an umbrella human rights and historical research NGO that has played a prominent civil society role since the days of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachevs policy of glasnost, or openness.

The same day, police in Irkutsk, Tomsk, Arkhangelsk, Barnaul, and Saratov detained and questioned former local coordinators for imprisoned opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.

It is, in fact, simply returning to totalitarianism and taking a bulldozer to all living things.

One day later, on December 29, the Moscow City Court ordered the closure of the Moscow Memorial Human Rights Center, the flagship project of Memorial International in Russia.

Writing specifically about the Memorial International closure, longtime liberal politician Grigory Yavlinsky argued that it marked the transition from an authoritarian regime to a totalitarian one. The decision, he added, shows that Putins government has proclaimed itself the successor of the Stalinist and Soviet regime.

Journalist Kristina Astafurova wrote: We enter 2022 without Memorial, with hundreds of political prisoners, with torture in our prisons, with dozens of people forced to emigrate just in the last year (and how many more will leave?).

The Russian governments intense, yearlong crackdown on dissent, independent journalism, and public activism comes amid speculation about the future as Putins current presidential term approaches its conclusion in 2024. Last year, the government pushed through a massive raft of constitutional amendments, the most important of which allows Putin to seek two more six-year terms and possibly remain in office until 2036.

Last September, the ruling United Russia party was awarded a constitutional majority in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, in controversial elections that saw genuine opposition almost entirely sidelined.

Navalny was detained upon his return to Russia in January after weeks of medical treatment in Germany for a near-fatal nerve-agent poisoning in August 2020 that he blames on Russian security agents acting at Putins behest. Two weeks later, he was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for a parole violation that he denies.

When a state tries to ban working on the memory [of state terror] and glorifies the organizer of that terror, it is clear in what direction it is moving.

Navalnys regional offices and his Anti-Corruption Foundation were branded extremist and shuttered, and his followers have been facing intensified persecution, pushing many of them to flee Russia.

It is a fitting end to a year that began with Navalnys imprisonment, wrote journalist Dmitry Kolezev, who noted that Gorbachev had helped open Memorial, President Boris Yeltsin had been a member, and now Putin has shut it down. Now it ends with this -- the destruction of Memorial. When a state tries to ban working on the memory [of state terror] and glorifies the organizer of that terror, it is clear in what direction it is moving.

Journalist and activist Zoya Svetova similarly wrote, in reaction to the decision to close Memorial International, that Putins government has decided to untether itself and to stop imitating democracy.

The technology of Russias future has been turned into the technology of Russias death.

It is, in fact, simply returning to totalitarianism and taking a bulldozer to all living things, she wrote.

The Russian states assault on dissent has brought about collateral damage as well by co-opting institutions that should be dispensing justice and protecting democracy into the crackdown, observers said. Author and journalist Aleksandr Minkin argued that it was not just true that the Supreme Court liquidated Memorial, but also that Putin liquidated the Supreme Court.

Likewise, the Grani.ru human rights website posted on Twitter that the judge read out Putins verdict on closing the Memorial Human Rights Center.

In regard to the governments order to block the OVD-Info website, some observers saved their harshest criticism for Russian Internet giant Yandex for carrying out the state's order to block the site.

Yandex was once a brilliant Russian company" and "a source of national pride, blogger and activist Roman Popkov wrote, arguing that it has been transformed into an instrument of censorship.

The technology of Russias future has been turned into the technology of Russias death, he added.

Opposition activist Denis Bilunov called the liquidation of Memorial International a strong signal.

It is like nailing down the lid of a coffin, he wrote on Facebook. I have the feeling that Putins steam engine cannot be diverted or stopped.

With reporting by RFE/RLs Russian Service and Current Time
A Moscow court has ordered the closure of the Memorial Human Rights Center, one day after another court shut down the group's main parent organization, capping a year of administrative moves by the state to throttle civil society across the country.

The widely expected ruling on December 29 by the Moscow City Court was based on the finding that the organization had violated the countrys draconian "foreign agent" law, which has been used with growing frequency against rights groups, journalists, lawyers, civil society activists, and others.

Among other things, the law requires organizations deemed to be "foreign agents" to include an intrusive label on everything they publish or broadcast.

Outside the court building, a crowd of several dozen stood in freezing temperatures chanting "Shame! Shame!" after the ruling was announced.

The day before, the Supreme Court ordered the closure of Memorial International, a venerable rights group that was set up just prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union to try and catalog the breadth of Stalin-era repressions.

During that hearing, one prosecutor accused Memorial of creating "a false image of the U.S.S.R. as a terrorist state and [denigrating] the memory of World War II." Memorial officials have denied the accusation.

Memorial International is both a stand-alone group and the umbrella organization for many regional branches and the Memorial Human Rights Center, which is the main domestic entity for Memorial within Russia.

Rights activists argued there were no legal grounds to liquidate the organization, which counts Nobel Peace Prize winner Andrei Sakharov as one of its founders.

"Today we heard that the filing of the claims against the Memorial International and the Human Rights Center on the same day was just a coincidence. I don't think anyone in the audience believes it. This indicates that the goals are political. The state does not like what [Memorial] is doing and saying," lawyer Ilya Novikov was quoted as telling the court.

"Whether a ship sinks to the bottom with its flag raised or lowers it voluntarily is extremely important," Novikov was quoted as saying. "Memorial is going to the bottom with its flag raised, it will not be lowered."

Memorial initially focused on trying to document Soviet repression, documenting thousands of victims who ended up in the gulag network of labor camps or were summarily executed by Soviet secret police.

In the decades since, the group has produced hallmark indicators of the countrys rights situation and documented more contemporary injustices.

By closing the organization, the government "is trying to break the red flashing light that signals that something is wrong, and not to solve the problem itself," said Vitaly Cherkasov, a lawyer who was not part of the Memorial legal team.

During the Moscow court hearing, prosecutors suggested Memorial's support for public protests was aimed at destabilizing the country, and that its running list of people and organizations it considers to be political prisoners created "a negative perception of the Russian judicial system and disinformation of citizens."

That list includes well-known political figures such as corruption crusader Aleksei Navalny.

It also includes many religious groups and believers who have been labeled extremist under a separate, similarly draconian law. Those include Jehovah's Witnesses, a denomination that has been relentlessly targeted by the Russian authorities, and Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamic organization. Both are outlawed in Russia.

President Vladimir Putin has suggested the group was advocating for "terrorist and extremist organizations."

The two court decisions have been met with condemnation by Western governments and human rights activists.

"Memorial has worked tirelessly for decades to ensure abuses of Soviet era are never forgotten. Its closure is another chilling blow to freedom of expression in Russia," British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a post to Twitter.

The European Court for Human Rights, meanwhile, called on Russia to suspend enforcement of the ruling pending an appeal from both Memorial organizations. It's unclear whether Moscow would comply with the request. Russia routinely ignores rulings from the court, which is the continent's main rights court.

The court "decided to indicate to the government of Russia...that in the interests of parties and the proper conduct of the proceedings before it, the enforcement of the decision to dissolve the applicant organizations [Memorial International and Memorial Human Rights Center] should be suspended for a period that would be necessary for the court to consider" Memorial's case at the ECHR.

The "foreign agent" law was adopted initially in 2012 and has been modified repeatedly.

It requires nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign assistance, and that the government deems to be engaged in political activity to be registered, to identify themselves as "foreign agents," and to submit to audits. More recent amendments have targeted media organizations, individual journalists, and even defense lawyers.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was among the first media organizations deemed to be a "foreign agent."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service
Three of the five associates of imprisoned Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny who were detained by police in raids across the country on December 28 have been released.

The five former directors of headquarters for Navalny's network of regional campaign groups were detained and interrogated in relation to possibly abusing their official position in the organization of an extremist group, infringing on the rights of citizens, or both.

Each charge, if applied, would carry a possible prison sentence.

Vadim Ostanin, who headed the Navalny movement's office in the southern Siberian city of Barnaul, was released on the morning of December 29 after questioning, according to OVD-Info, a nonprofit that monitors police arrests nationwide. His case relating to possible violations on each count remains open, according to OVD-Info.

Vadim Butakov, who headed Navalny's office in the northwestern city of Arkhangelsk, was reportedly released on December 28 after being questioned in relation to possible crimes relating to participation in the activities of an NGO that infringes on the rights of citizens.

If charged, Butakov could face up to four years in prison.

Andrei Gorodetsky, the regional coordinator in the southwestern Saratov region, was also questioned and released on December 28. He could face charges relating to abuse of his official position to create or participate in an extremist group, which is punishable by prison.

The fate of two others detained on December 28 for questioning -- Zakhar Sarapulov, who headed Navalny's headquarters in the eastern city of Irkutsk, and Ksenia Fadeyeva, coordinator of the office in the southern Siberian city of Tomsk -- are unknown.

Tomsk's TV2 information agency earlier reported that Fadeyeva, a member of Tomsk's city council, was likely to be transferred to Moscow for interrogation by the federal Investigative Committee.

She is reportedly being interrogated on suspicion of abusing her official position and infringing on the rights of citizens.

Sarapulov was being questioned in relation to abuse of his official position and was reportedly being detained for a period of 48 hours.

Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation and his political movement were declared extremist organizations by the Russian authorities in June and disbanded.

In November, a criminal case was opened against the head of Team Navalny's Ufa regional office, Lilia Chanysheva, who was charged with the creation and management of an extremist community.

Chanysheva was ordered last week to remain in pretrial detention until April 9, 2022.

Navalny himself has been in prison since February, after he was arrested the month prior upon returning to Russia from Germany, where he had been undergoing treatment for a near-fatal poisoning with a Novichok-type nerve agent that he says was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Kremlin has denied any role in Navalny's poisoning.

Several of the opposition leader and Kremlin critic's associates have been charged with establishing an extremist group. Many of his close associates, including lawyer Lyubov Sobol, have fled the country amid pressure from the Russian authorities.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, Current Time, TV2, Irkutsk Insider, and OVD-Info
The operator of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany said it has filled the new pipeline with natural gas and is ready to begin deliveries.

"As of December 29, the gas-in procedure for the second string of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been completed," operating company Nord Stream 2 AG said in a statement quoted by AFP.

"This pressure is sufficient to start gas transportation in the future," the Switzerland-based company added.

The new pipeline, which runs under the Baltic Sea, consists of two parallel strings capable of transporting a total of 55 billion cubic meters of gas a year.

Nord Stream 2 AG said in a statement in early October that the first string of the pipeline would be gradually filled to build inventory and pressure.

The new pipeline was completed in September after years of controversy but has not yet received regulatory approval from Germany. The regulator has said the approval process is likely to drag into the second half of 2022.

The pipeline is controlled by Gazprom, Russias state-owned gas giant. Gazprom CEO Aleksei Miller also said on December 29 that the second line of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline had been filled with gas and that the link is ready for gas exports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told a government meeting that Miller attended that the addition of the pipeline will help stabilize prices on European markets.

"As soon as they decide to start work, large volumes -- additional volumes -- of Russian gas will immediately begin to flow to Europe," Putin told the meeting. "It would undoubtedly impact prices on the spot market, and consumers in the countries that use the Russian gas will immediately feel it.

Western countries have for weeks accused Russia of limiting gas deliveries to put pressure on Europe to complete the regulatory process amid tensions over Ukraine.

Putin and Gazprom have rejected the accusations and say Nord Stream 2 is a purely commercial project.

The Baltic Sea pipeline has been controversial for years. Germany says it needs the natural gas to help its transition away from coal and nuclear energy, while critics say the project will increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas and could be used to apply political pressure.

Poland and Ukraine have been particularly vocal in their opposition, with Ukraine saying it will deprive it of transit fees. The United States has also opposed it, and some U.S. lawmakers have suggested sanctions targeting Nord Stream 2 to counter any new Russian military move against Ukraine.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, and TASS
The deputy director of Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) has been dismissed in the latest firing of senior officials amid a growing prison-abuse scandal.

Anatoly Yakunin, who has worked in the FSIN since 2019 and was appointed its deputy director in August 2020, was dismissed by President Vladimir Putin on December 28.

No reason was given for the dismissal of Yakunin, who previously served in the Interior Ministry. But the Russian rights group Gulagu.net, which has been publishing videos of torture and sexual assault that took place in Russian prisons, suggested Yakunin was pushed out at the suggestion of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Yakunin's brings to six the number of senior prison officials who have been relieved of their duties since Gulagu.net began publishing videos of prisoner abuse in penitentiary facilities across the country.

Aleksandr Kalashnikov, who was the FSIN's director, is the highest-ranking official to have lost his job amid the scandal, which has resulted in a slew of criminal investigations into prisoner abuse. Kalashnikov, an FSB general, was replaced by Arkady Gostov, who previously served as the deputy head of the Interior Ministry.

Putin acknowledged during his annual news conference on December 23 that prisoner abuse is a problem in Russia.

The long-standing issue has received more exposure after the website Gulagu.net in October began publishing excerpts from a large batch of videos it received documenting prisoner abuse.

The first batch of videos, which showed sexual abuse at an FSIN medical facility in Saratov, led to the resignation of the FSIN's director and several prison officials in the southwestern city.

The whistle-blower site has also published videos of abuse that took place in the Krasnoyarsk region from 2016-19, as well as in the territories of Transbaikal and Primorsk.

After Gulagu.net published a second batch of videos in November, the organization's founder, Vladimir Osechkin, was added to the Interior Ministry's most wanted list. Osechkin, who currently lives in France, has said the videos were provided by a former Saratov prison inmate and IT expert, Belarusian national Syarhey Savelyeu.

Savelyeu fled to France in October, where he applied for political asylum.

Russia issued an arrest warrant, accusing Savelyeu of "illegal access to digital information." But on November 11, prosecutors withdrew the charges and stopped the probe against him.

In a recent interview with RFE/RL's Russian Service, Savelyeu said he was "astonished" by the number of Russian officials who were aware of the torture going on in prison facilities.

"A huge number of state bodies support and 'protect' [the abuse], create a shield around this torture conveyor -- so long as it continues to function," he said.

Savelyeu was arrested on drug charges while visiting the southern Russian region of Krasnodar in 2015 and served time at a prison in Saratov, in Russia's Volga region.

The 31-year-old has said he was asked to help operate the prison's local computer network, including uploading videos and distributing them to prison staff. He secretly copied the videos of abuse to a flash drive and turned it over to Gulag.net shortly after his release in February.
Indian state Andhra Pradesh to launch hunt for diamonds

29 december 2021 News

The South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh (AP) is now set to launch a massive search for gemstones. The move comes after a preliminary survey by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) hinted at the presence of diamonds, according to a report in the Times of India.

One of the blocks in APs Upparapalle spread over 37.5 sq km would be taken up for a detailed study to zero in on the area where the diamonds are present. The AP state government has decided to grant a composite licence through competitive bidding to explore the area.

A high-level committee comprising special chief secretary (industries) Karikal Valaven, principal secretaries of mines and geology and finance and senior officials from the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and the GSI sanctioned permission for the survey in Upparapalle.

The successful bidder will take up the survey of the area. Once the survey pinpoints the regions where diamonds are present in abundance, the government will go for the next step -- an exploration of the gemstones.

Andhra Pradesh is known for its now-defunct diamond mines. The river basins of Penna and Krishna once harboured large diamond mines. But overexploitation had led to their extinction. However, several research studies in recent times revealed the presence of diamonds deep inside the earth. And the government has big plans to unearth the diamonds bringing back the old glory to the state. Nearly three centuries ago some of the worlds most famous diamonds, including the Kohinoor, were discovered in the Krishna river basin.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished






On their first date in 2013, Caroline and Andrew Vaught felt a spark right away. Maybe it was their shared backgrounds in business or perhaps it was the wine. But Caroline thinks something else sealed the deal.

Andrew told me he owned a cat and I already had two cats at home, she said. Right away, I thought, well this has potential. 

On Saturday, the now-married Carlsbad couple combined their shared passions for cats and business by opening North Countys first cat cafe, Cat & Craft, in a Vista shopping center.

The 1,500-square-foot enterprise is essentially two side-by-side businesses. On the left is a full-service coffeehouse with gourmet drinks, pastries and artisan toasts. On the right is the cat lounge, where visitors can cuddle, play and relax with up to 15 adoptable felines for $12 an hour.

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1 / 12 In the cat visiting lounge at Cat & Craft, a cat explores the room from one of many shelves on the centers wall. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 12 Andrew Vaught, 39, and Caroline Vaught, 40, of Carlsbad, are the co-owners of newly opened Cat & Craft, a coffeehouse and cat cafe that opened Jan. 12 in Vista. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 12 Coffeehouse visitors, left, watch the action inside the cat lounge, right, at Cat & Craft, a cat cafe that opened Jan. 12 in Vista. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 12 A cat watches the action in the room from an elevated viewing shelf at Cat & Craft, a cat cafe that opened Jan. 12 in Vista. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 12 Visitors line up to buy coffee drinks and check in for reservations in the cat lounge at Cat & Craft in Vista. Visitors who come to watch the action in the cat lounge can sit at a viewing bar at right. The cat cafe opened on Jan. 12. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 12 Sadie Goldberg, 7, and Marissa Cones, at right, ineract with kitties in the cat lounge at Cat & Craft, which opened Jan. 12 in Vista. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 12 A cat named Marilyn plays with a fishing lure-like cat toy at Cat & Craft, a cat cafe that opened Jan. 12 in Vista. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 12 Kimmi Bitter and her boyfriend, Willis Farnsworth, get acquainted with a cat named Muffins inside the cat lounge at Cat & Craft cat cafe in Vista. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 12 In the cat visiting area at Cat &Craft, owner Caroline Vaught holds a cat named Muffins. She and her husband Andrew own the business, which opened Jan. 12 in Vista. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 12 In the cat visiting area at Cat &Craft, owner Caroline Vaught holds a cat named Muffins. She and her husband Andrew own the business, which opened Jan. 12 in Vista. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 12 A visitor to the cat lounge at Cat & Craft tries to get the attention of a napping kitty. North Countys first cat cafe opened Jan. 12 in Vista. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 12 The sign for Cat & Craft, a new coffeehouse and cat cafe located in a strip mall near Palomar Airport Road and Business Park Drive in Vista. It opened Jan. 12. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Despite a steady downpour on Saturday, it was standing-room-only at Cat & Craft. The cat lounge was booked all day with advance reservations, so most latte-sipping visitors just enjoyed kitty-watching from stools at viewing windows in the coffeehouse.

Inside the lounge, Brent Bystedt was using a fishing lure-style toy to play with Marilyn, a friendly black-and-white domestic shorthair. Hed reserved a spot that morning with his wife and said they are currently between cats at their Escondido home and looking to adopt another.

Were cat lovers, he said. I like cats because theyre playful, loving and cute.

Cat & Craft is one of about 230 cat cafes in the United States. The first one opened in Taiwan in 1998 and the concept began spreading internationally in 2005. Most of these businesses in the U.S., including Cat Cafe on Third Avenue in downtown San Diego, are independent mom-and-pop businesses run by avid feline fans like the Vaughts.

The cafes arent just tourist attractions. They function as hands-on adoption shelters. All money raised in Cat & Crafts lounge goes toward the care and feeding of the cats as well as rent on the room and its separate air-conditioning system (so theres no chance coffeehouse visitors with allergies will inhale any sneeze-inducing cat dander).

The Vaughts said opening Cat & Craft wasnt easy. It took 18 months to find the right location. Some cities and many shopping centers turned down the venue because its such an unusual business model.

All of the kittens and cats at the Vista business were rescued from euthenasia lists at high-kill shelters by locally based Love Your Feral Felines (LYFF) organization. The adoption fee is $100.

Our goal is to adopt out 500 cats each year, which in effect saves 1,000 lives because every cat we remove from a shelter makes room for another, Caroline said.

The Vaughts have three cats at home, and Caroline admits she may not be able to resist the temptation to adopting one more. They are also regular caregivers for a community of homeless cats that live outdoors in Carlsbad Village.

The Vaughts became interested in cat rescue back in 2015, when a pregnant feral cat they nicknamed Callie took up residence on the back porch of their home in Atlanta. After months of trying to earn Callies trust, the cat finally allowed Caroline to interact with her kittens.

Theres nothing that has happened in my life thats more meaningful than that moment, Caroline said.

The Vaughts moved to Carlsbad in fall 2016, but Callie stayed behind. Shes now in the care of the couples former next-door neighbor.

In Atlanta, Caroline spent 15 years in marketing, sponsorship and branding for companies including NASCAR, Porsche and Verizon Wireless. Andrew worked as a software product manager in the health and wellness field before starting his own company, Stay Roasted, which home-delivers single-origin coffee beans from more than 50 independent roasters nationwide.

Because of Andrews background, the coffee side of the business is more than just a backdrop for cat-watching. He uses beans from Manzanita Roasting Co. in Rancho Bernardo and is creating a rotating program for its pour-over coffees featuring beans from several local roasters including Dark Horse, Ironsmith and Common Good. The cafe also serves pastries from A Delight of France in Escondido and avocado and other toasts with bread from Bread & Cie.

The cat lounge, decorated with an eye-catching hand-painted mural by San Diego artist Carly Ealey, is filled with couches, chairs, toys and platforms for the cats to crawl, play and sleep on. There are high shelves and ramps to a getaway room for those cats who want some alone time. But on Saturday, most of the cats were quite interested in interacting with visitors.

The cats now available at Cat & Craft range in age from 6 months to 12 years. LYFF senior director Melissa Dunaj said the cats in the lounge were chosen for their comfort level with humans. Dunaj said her group is always seeking foster and forever homes for very young and senior cats. High-kill shelters often euthanize elderly cats because theyre not popular for adoptions and low-weight kittens are euthanized because of their high care needs.

Longtime friends Geri Sterling of Vista and Cindy DiPiero of Escondido met at Cat & Craft Saturday to cuddle cats over cappucinos and pastries, which are allowed in the lounge. Sterling wasnt sure if it was her or her croissant that was getting the most attention from Saffron, a curious orange tabby kitten.

Sterling, who owns three cats, said she wanted to support the lounge because she donates regularly to pet organizations, including Dog n Cat Rescue Spot and animal rescue programs in Baja.

The lounge staff is supplemented with volunteers from LYFF, like schoolteacher Heather Thomas of Temecula and her 13-year-old daughter, Keely. Over the past year, the Thomases have fostered 41 kittens and cats. Keely shares photos and videos of her foster kitties on her Instagram channel @KeelyFostersX , which has 9,500 followers.

The Vaughts said that so far theyve been pleased with early response, reservations and the turnout on opening day.

Its been overwhelmingly positive, Andrew said. We cant believe how well its been received. There are so many smiling faces.

Cat & Craft

Coffeehouse hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Cat lounge: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays.

Where: Vista Palomar Park center, 3211-3B Business Park Drive, Vista

Cost: Cat lounge reservations are $12 an hour (all proceeds go to cat care)

Phone: (760) 295-1181

Online: catandcraftcafe.com

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com


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Did you know that only 7% of people keep their New Years resolutions? 93% of Americans will make a New Years resolution for its own sake without making any real effort to manifest it. Its why I just see New Years as any other day. Except it isnt. New Years Day is actually a federal holiday. But since New Years Day occurs on a Saturday, many government offices and some retailers will observe the holiday on December 21, 2021. So, whats open/closed on New Years Eve 2021?

Since New Years Eve is not a federal holiday, many retailers will be open with modified hours. And some government offices will be closed.

And if you plan on visiting any retailers, you should patronize your local stores as early as possible.

Whats Open/Closed on New Years Eve 2021?

Whats open/closed on New Years Eve 2021 depends on where you live.

Lets start out by explaining what will be closed. If you do venture out to run errands or do business on New Years Eve, do yourself a favor and call ahead. Or wait until Monday if you can.

However, what is likely certain is that local municipal and federal. Some state offices may be open on New Years Day  check your official state websites before going out.

Most banks will be open on New Years Eve, but they may close their branch doors earlier than usual.

Stock markets should be open but may close earlier than usual.

Most courts of law should be closed on New Years Eve and New Years Day as well.

Your local post office should be open on New Years Eve. But you should count on it closing earlier than usual, so get there as early as possible.

And all schools should be closed on Winter break.

So, what will be open on New Years Eve?

What is Open on New Years Eve?

Most stores should be operating business as usual on New Years Eve.

Almost every major retailer, supermarket, and restaurant will be open on New Years Eve. Here is a major list of national retailers and businesses that should be open on New Years Eve.

Keep in mind that due to coronavirus mandates most places of business will limit how many patrons can be inside the premises at once time.

And all of these businesses will close earlier than usual. So, call ahead or check official business websites to verify business hours on New Years Eve.

And again, do yourself a favor  if you plan on shopping on New Years Eve, then get an early start.

Every major retailer in every large city will close their doors early ahead of public and local New Years celebrations.

Unless you need to stock up on supplies, you are better off waiting until Monday to go shopping or run errands.

Now that you know whats open/closed on New Years Eve 2021, here are some interesting facts about the tradition of celebrating New Years.

Celebrating New Years is Probably a 4,000-Year-Old Tradition

The idea of celebrating New Years Day probably goes back over 4,000 years.

According to legend, Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was the first official to declare January 1 as a national holiday. Caesar supposedly named the month of January after the Roman god of gates and doors, Janus.

The idea is that since Janus has a head with a face on the front and back, the god was always looking forward and backward. So, people should similarly reflect on the last year and how things may go in the new year.

Baby New Year May Have Once Been Real

In ancient Greece, sometime around the year 600 B.C.E., ancient Greeks would have celebrated the coming of a new year by parading a small baby in a basket in celebratory crowds.

The ancient Greeks were paying respect to the god of wine and fertility, Dionysus, by holding babies in baskets aloft in celebratory crowds. The idea of the celebration was that the baby in the basket was a representation of a yearly reset or a rebirth of a new year.

New Years Ball Drops Were Invented to Aid Seafaring Mariners

The first ceremonial ball drops occurred in 1833 on a structure at the tip of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. Every day at around 1 PM Greenwich time, the ball was dropped to assist any nearby ship in coordinating and synching their navigation equipment.

The concept of the ball drop to designate an official time was adopted for use in New Years ceremonies later.

The first New Years party occurred in 1904 in Times Squares, New York City. The 200,000 strong crowd was also there to celebrate the opening of the New York Times building as well.

And the first official ball drop celebration in Times Square did not occur until 1907.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from Savings Advice!

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Veteran Spotlight

Tech Sergeant Howard Montgomery receives a medal from the colonel at Offutt AFB. Montgomery said he can't remember which medal it was. He said, "I have a whole drawer full of them."

SEELEY LAKE  Howard Montgomery, more familiarly known in the Seeley Lake area as Monty, served 22 years in the military, first in the United States Navy and later in the United States Air Force.

Montgomery said he signed up with the Navy in 1954 because he wanted to see the world. The Navy trained him as a storekeeper where he learned about ordering, stocking, issuing and tracking supplies. He spent the next two years aboard the cargo ship U.S.S. Warrick whose homeport was Oakland, California with an overseas base at Sasabo, Japan. The ship serviced areas from Alaska's Aleutian Islands to Australia, so he got to see many different ports including Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and all the islands where World War II battles had been fought.

"Most of [the cities] we spent enough time that we would get a day or two days off that we could go and tour," Montgomery said. Then added, "If that's what you want to call it. I think more of it was drinking beer."

He was next transferred to the Naval Training Center at Bainbridge, Maryland, where he was put in charge of reclaimed clothing. The job included sorting and salvaging Navy issued clothing returned from honorably discharged recruits who for some legitimate reason did not complete their training.

Montgomery was discharged from the Navy in 1958 and moved to his new bride's hometown of Missoula, Montana. It took him less than a month to realize the only jobs available in the area were for mill workers or lumberjacks. Not wanting to become either, he decided to re-enlist, but the Navy no longer looked like a good option to the newly married Montgomery. He would be home based either on the east or the west coast and would spend months at sea. So he joined the Air Force instead.

The Air Force sent him to Larson AFB in Moses Lake, Washington and designated him Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the base commissary. Two years later he was stationed in Puerto Rico and put in charge of the cold storage warehouse which supplied frozen meats to the enlisted personnel mess hall, the officers mess hall and the commissary. Montgomery said on an average payday the commissary sold over a million dollars' worth of food.

Montgomery's time in Puerto Rico coincided with the period of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He said the Army's 82nd Airborne Division was deployed to Ramey Air Force Base and put on stand-by in case the United States needed to invade Cuba. They were added to Montgomery's list of people who needed food and supplies and were given top priority. He recalls the troops were literally fenced in so they could not leave the base until the crisis was resolved.

Montgomery accrued more and more responsibility as an NCOIC at each base where he was transferred. In 1968 he was in Cheyenne, Wyoming in charge of Recreation Service Supply. He oversaw one-quarter million dollars' worth of nonexpendable property and $60,000 of base supply equipment. Stationed in Utapao, Thailand, while the Vietnam War raged on, he saw to it that two wings of B-52 bombers were supplied with whatever spare parts they needed to keep their planes in service.

In 1971 he was sent to Korea where he served as part of the Joint United States Military Advisors Group to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. A supersized version of his earlier task of salvaging Naval recruit clothing, Montgomery's job now consisted of distributing excess military property-surplus equipment and supplies no longer of use to the U.S. military but of possible use to other countries or entities. He helped make sure the South Korean Army got the equipment they needed and arranged for transportation of the various items.

Montgomery said of the South Koreans, "They were good people to work with." Meetings in Panmunjom between the North Koreans, the South Koreans and the Americans, on the other hand, were fraught with problems.

According to Montgomery, "About 90% of the time the meetings were called off because of instances like the American flag was two inches taller than the Korean flag, or their chairs were bigger than the Korean's or their table was longer. One of the biggest things was the honor guard."

Each contingent had its own honor guard but, as Montgomery explained, in the United States military, to be considered for the role of honor guard a candidate had to be at least 6-foot-5. Koreans tend to be shorter than that and Montgomery said they always complained about the American honor guards being taller.

By 1975 Montgomery was back in the States at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, where he was responsible for supply operations and management. A year later he was transferred from the base to the Strategic Air Command (SAC), located in the same area, where he was appointed Major Air Command Inventory Management Supervisor. That position put him in charge of servicing the supply and equipment needs of 825 personnel ranging from officers to civilians. He was directly responsible for an account in excess of $200,000.

Montgomery received his honorable discharge in 1977 and started settling into retired life. However, in 1978 he got a call from The Boeing Company. Because of his military training, he was the perfect person for the job they had in mind. For the next 13 years he was assigned to the U.S. President's airplanes. He supplied whatever spare parts were needed for their repair. Montgomery said the warehouse carried 600,000 line items-everything the plane might require except the wings and those could be obtained within 24 hours.

Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder Monty Montgomery, a familiar sight at the Seeley Lake Sunday Market where he sells his handmade agate lamps.

Asked what the planes looked like, Montgomery said, "No comment." But he added, "They were very luxurious." He said there were four planes, all 747s. Two of them were in maintenance at Offutt, one was stationed at Washington D.C., and the spare was at an airbase close to it in case emergency evacuation was required.

Montgomery retired  again  in 1991. Four years later he married his current wife, Karen and they moved to Seeley Lake to be closer to family.

Karen said, "Between us we have six kids, nine grandkids, six great-grands and two more on the way."

Montgomery got interested in rock collecting during his military career. For the last 26 years he has been making agate lamps, which he sells at the Seeley Lake Sunday Market and a few other local art markets.

He has been active in other Seeley Lake activities such as the Lion's Club, the Veteran and Families of Seeley Lake and is a life member of the American Foreign Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.
Marin Countys chief prosecutor said this week she will not file criminal charges against a freelance photojournalist who was arrested during a disturbance at a homeless encampment in Sausalito. The decision apparently avoids a legal clash over police seizure of the mans camera, cell phone and unpublished material.

Jeremy Portje, who has been a Bay Area staff photographer and freelancer for nearly 25 years, was arrested Nov. 30 on suspicion of battery of a police officer and obstructing an officer at the encampment in Marinship Park, where he was reportedly working on a documentary about homelessness.

Police said Portje struck an officer in the face during a struggle over his camera, although the Pacific Sun weekly, which first reported the arrest, quoted witnesses who said an officer accidentally hit himself with the camera, then punched Portje while others handcuffed him. He was released on $15,000 bail the next day.

The Sausalito Police Department then obtained a judicial warrant from Superior Court Judge Mark Talamantes to search Portjes camera, cell phone and memory cards, saying they might contain information about plans to confront or attack officers. The First Amendment Coalition, a media advocacy organization, said any such searches would be illegal, and Portjes lawyer, Charles Dresow, said in a court filing Tuesday that the confiscation of his materials violated state and federal laws protecting journalists from police interference and harassment.

Shortly afterward, District Attorney Lori Frugoli, who had directed police on Dec. 21 to put the case on hold and conduct no further inspection of Portjes property, announced that her office was dropping the case.

While we take all allegations of assault on a police officer seriously, in this case a team of veteran prosecutors who reviewed the case found that the evidence did not show beyond a reasonable doubt that Portje intended to injure the officer, Frugoli said in a statement.

That means Portjes camera and other items will be returned to him without being searched, Police Chief John Rohrbacher told The Chronicle in an email. He said later that he was disappointed the district attorney decided not to file charges against a man accused of striking a police officer with his camera, but would respect her decision.

At a court hearing Wednesday, Frugolis office and the police agreed to return Portjes property to him and assured the judge that nothing had been searched, said David Snyder, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition. He said the items should be returned promptly.

The police should never have had this material in the first place and should never have been able to get a search warrant to search it, Snyder said.

The seizure had appeared to signal a clash over the scope of Californias shield law, which allows journalists to refuse to disclose the sources of their information and withhold unpublished materials. It also protects journalists from police search warrants and instead requires an officer to obtain a subpoena to summon the journalist to court, where a judge can decide whether the material is covered by the law.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In their successful application for the search warrant Dec. 9, police said Portje is known to be actively anti-police. They quoted one officer at the scene, Nick White, as saying Portje was an instigator of negative law enforcement interactions and not a true objective journalist.

But Dresow, Portjes lawyer, said in Tuesdays court filing that police have no authority to decide who is a legitimate journalist covered by the shield law.

Law enforcement may not dictate who is and is not a journalist because they dont like their politics or reporting, the attorney said.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Theres new thinking on why extraordinary numbers of trees have died in the Sierra Nevada over the past decade, leaving vast swaths of evergreen forest a dingy orange and brown.

Some scientists believe that on top of drought conditions putting stress on the trees, which allowed bark beetles to move in and chew up the forest, the beetles were reproducing faster because of the warming climate.

A recent study published in the journal Global Change Biology suggests that 30% more ponderosa pines died in the Sierra during last decades drought as result of the hastened rate of beetle development. According to the paper, the western pine beetle matured more quickly amid higher temperatures, shortening the time it took to produce offspring and spawn new generations - a population boom that amounted to unprecedented carnage in the trees.

The finding, which quantifies earlier notions that climate change has supercharged the bark beetle, bodes poorly for the future of Californias forests. Since 2010, at least 163 million trees have died statewide due to a combination of drought and beetles, according to the U.S. Forest Service. More insect infestation would only bring greater hardship.

Michael Macor/The Chronicle

In some places, scientists say, tree conditions have gotten so bad that forests arent likely to recover and, as a result, woodlands will be increasingly replaced by shrubs and grassland. The threat is clear in the southern Sierra, where tree mortality was greatest during the 2012-2016 drought and new trees have struggled to gain a foothold.

Having that extra generation allows more beetles to go out and kill more trees, said Zachary Robbins, a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and graduate student at North Carolina State University, who was lead author of the recent study. Theres been a lot of concern about how climate might be at work here, but one thing that seemed to be lacking was coming up with  how the beetles are benefiting from the warmer climate.

To answer that question, Robbins and the studys co-authors, which include more than a dozen scientists from nine universities and research institutions across the country, developed a computer model showing how climate affects western pine beetles during periods of drought. The data for their model came from prior research on the beetles. The modeling was validated by comparing the results with field studies.

While drought itself kills trees, the weakened state of the trees in dry times makes them less able to ward off the one-eighth-of-an-inch insects and puts them at heightened risk of dying from the attacks. Many species of beetles, including the western pine beetle, are native to California and are usually around but are only a problem during droughts.

The model created by the researchers found that for every Celsius degree of warming, or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit increase, 35% to 40% more ponderosa pines die because of beetles during droughts. The researchers say 15% to 20% more deaths are due to the trees weakened defenses and 20% are due to increased beetle numbers.

The reason for the boost in beetle numbers, the researchers conclude, is partly because the insects live longer during winters, which are becoming warmer and less deadly, but mostly because of their shorter generation times.

In the Sierra, the beetles produced about one-third of a generation more each year during the drought, according to the study. The figure may seem small, the researchers acknowledge, but the number of new beetles that emerged was not.

One (additional) generation every three years can really do a lot of damage, particularly in a drought when they have free range of trees they can kill, Robbins said.

Leah Millis/The Chronicle

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.

Historically, the western pine beetle population in the Sierra has yielded, on average, 2 generations per year.

The western pine beetle is responsible for much of the toll during the drought on ponderosa pines, the hardest hit of the trees, though other species of beetle caused losses to other trees, too. While the study looked only at western pine beetles, the research suggests that other beetle species could be affected by warming temperatures.

Tom Smith, a senior environmental scientist who works in the forest entomology and pathology program at Californias Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said beetle populations have certainly been a much greater concern in recent decades. He is not affiliated with the recent study.

Leah Millis/The Chronicle

Thats always been my fear: If things get going enough, can we get more generations of beetles per year, Smith said.

Hes particularly worried because droughts have become more frequent and more severe, making the trees increasingly vulnerable to the insect.

Im hoping the rainfall this year will help the trees fight back, he said. But the trees have been under stress for years, and that really makes it difficult for them.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
With concerns mounting as omicron sweeps San Francisco, Mayor London Breed and public health officials on Tuesday canceled the citys annual New Years Eve fireworks show on the Embarcadero.

As of Tuesday, 84% of eligible San Francisco residents are vaccinated, officials said in a news release, adding that 55% of residents have received a booster shot. Nonetheless, they warned, holiday gatherings and travel caused the omicron variant to spread quickly, and city leaders are scrambling to manage this incredibly contagious virus and still unfamiliar COVID-19 phase.

But the bigger worry is the shortage of staff to handle large events, given the number of people currently under quarantine because they have tested positive for COVID-19. New Years Eve already presents challenges for San Franciscos police and fire departments, given the number of parties and revelers.

An event that could draw tens of thousands to the waterfront would put additional strain on these agencies, while creating a hotbed for viral infections.

While we are all understandably eager to ring in a new year with San Franciscos customary New Years Eve fireworks show, we must remain vigilant in doing all we can to stop the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, Breed said in the release.

Police Chief Bill Scott called the decision to cancel the fireworks yet another smart, prudent and necessary step in San Franciscos effort to curb the Omicron variant.

Minimizing needless exposures among our officers and professional staff is key to maintaining the police staffing levels San Franciscans expect of us, and its important that we all do our part as San Franciscans to help reduce community transmission citywide, Scott said in the release.

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.

Robert Siegel, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University, praised the city for playing it safe. Although San Francisco has a high vaccination rate compared to other places, infections are still surging, he said, and even people who have been inoculated are falling ill.

Ive talked to people who range from asymptomatic to feeling pretty miserable even though theyve been vaccinated, Siegel said, pointing to another issue: As this virus continues to replicate, we can be pretty certain well be confronting the next variant some time soon.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
As COVID-19 cases continued their sharp vertical ascent due to the hugely contagious omicron variant, Bay Area counties said that everyone must wear masks in all non-household indoor spaces  revoking previous exemptions for vaccinated people.

Until now, San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma and Alameda counties had allowed people to take their masks off in offices, gyms and religious gathering spaces like churches, provided everyone was fully vaccinated.

The counties had negotiated with the state to preserve those exemptions after Californias reinstatement of a universal mask mandate earlier this month.

But with data clearly showing that omicron is infecting vaccinated people in significant numbers, the exemptions are now gone. The counties new orders take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday.

When we see numbers like this, its time to respond, said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County public health officer.

Contra Costa County made a similar move to revoke mask exemptions on Tuesday. All nine Bay Area counties now are fully aligned with Californias indoor mandate.

Fully vaccinated people are at greater risk of infection than ever before in the pandemic. In California, case counts for fully vaccinated people stood at 13.6 cases per 100,000 and 70.5 cases per 100,000 unvaccinated for the week ending Dec. 19. Just one month earlier, the weekly average figures were 5.4 per 100,000 for vaccinated and 38.4 per 100,000 for unvaccinated.

And the latest rates are before omicron slipped into Christmas gatherings and sent infection rates even higher. In Sonoma County, holiday gatherings are the cause of 40% of new cases where the source of infection is known, according to county health officer Dr. Sundari Mase.

San Francisco reported its highest single-day case total ever on Tuesday  805, according to state data and Chronicle analysis, which tends to differ slightly from the citys official figures.

Actual numbers are certain to be higher because many people are taking home antigen tests and not reporting the results.

Hospitals are not overwhelmed yet, according to Contra Costa County Director of Public Health Dr. Ori Tzvieli, but they are getting more calls.

What Im concerned about is two to three weeks down the road when even more people have COVID, he said.

Dr. Karen Relucio, the Napa County health officer, said hospitalizations remain stable and manageable so far.

We have good capacity. Were not at the highest level weve seen before, she said.

Dr. Caesar Djavaherian, co-founder of the San Francisco-based care provider Carbon Health, said his companys clinics typically see 40 to 50 patients a day but are now seeing roughly double that  and most of it is COVID.

Clinics are getting overrun, he said. The wave is real.

Asked about the mood among health care providers in the Bay Area, he said, Its 100% exhaustion. Not only are care providers coping with potential exposures or infections in their own families, but on top of that they are seeing a flood of patients.

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.

Health workers are trained to prioritize patients, but it wears you down as a provider, Djavaherian said, adding, The degree of stress out there, especially for health care workers, is incredibly high.

Experts urged people to take as many precautions as possible  get vaccinated, boosted, wear masks, gather only in small groups and do rapid tests beforehand  though a testing shortage obviously makes that difficult, and the tests are also not foolproof in terms of accurately detecting positive cases.

At this point with omicron surging the way that it is, I would not recommend New Years celebrations unless they are small, said Dr. Sara Cody, the Santa Clara County health officer. Small, intimate gatherings are the way to gather this New Year. Its not the time to go to a large gathering.

Mase, of Sonoma County, went further. She recommended that those who are not vaccinated avoid holiday gatherings and travel. For those, vaccinated and unvaccinated, who choose to gather, she recommended well-fitting masks for everyone  and not cloth masks.

Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of the department of medicine at UCSF, said in a Twitter thread Wednesday that while things are hard now, significant improvements could be around the corner.

By early February, we could be in a place where COVID is, in fact, like the flu - with the vast majority of the U.S. protected through vaccines or recent infections, folks at higher risk having ready access to an oral treatment that markedly lowers their risk, he wrote  though he added that this was by no means a certainty.

Chronicle staff writers Erin Allday and Nami Sumida contributed to this report.

Kate Galbraith is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kgalbraith@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kategalbraith
Not long after Bob Mainardi opened the Magazine as a Larkin Street storefront dealing in collectible back-issue glossy magazines, two construction workers passed by to look at his ever-inventive window display.

How do places like this stay in business? Mainardi heard one say to the other. Beats me, his companion said.

Mainardi told that story for the next 50 years as he stood behind the counter enthusing over the illustrators, art directors, photographers and writers who put their talents into the periodicals delivered by mail and sold at newsstands.

When there were no customers, Mainardi was happy enough just thumbing through his stock, admiring the illustrations in the vintage glossies.

The store, which opened in April 1973, was still going on Dec. 11, 2021, when Mainardi left the shop and went home for an afternoon nap.

Four hours later his longtime partner, Trent Dunphy, went to check on him. Mainardi died in his sleep with his trademark suspenders still on, his owl rim glasses on the side table. His cat, Kicius, was at the foot of the bed. Mainardi was 75, and the cause of death was heart failure, Dunphy said.

The Magazine opened as always the next Tuesday, as Mainardi would have wanted it. Throughout its history, the Magazine was closed for just three business days, and that was because of power failures caused by the Loma Prieta earthquake.

Mainardi never missed a days work, even after he tested positive for HIV in 1986. He started taking the experimental drug AZT as soon as it became available in 1989. He was a longtime survivor who never developed any symptoms of AIDS.

Robert Thomas Mainardi was born Feb. 2, 1946, in Paterson, N.J., where he grew up. His father, Marcus Mainardi, taught college mathematics, and his mother was a homemaker.

Mainardi came west to attend Whittier College, graduating with a bachelors degree in 1968. A college buddy had been accepted at UC Hastings College of the Law, and Bob tagged along because he though it might be fun, Dunphy said.

After renting a flat at California and Polk streets, Mainardi got a job at Bonanza Inn Bookshop across Market Street from the Palace Hotel. Mainardi was a book buyer who specialized in remainders  texts no longer selling well  but his love was always magazines. He collected copies of the Saturday Evening Post for the illustrations by Norman Rockwell and J.C. Leyendecker going back to the 1910s.

Mainardis own collection formed the Magazines original stock when he and Dunphy opened the store at 839 Larkin St., conveniently located next to the Gangway, one of the oldest gay bars in Polk Gulch.

At its peak around 1980, the Magazine had more than a hundred regulars, mostly collectors looking for backdate issues of Time and Life. People was a steady seller starting with its premiere issue, March 4, 1974, with Mia Farrow on the cover from the film The Great Gatsby. Back issues of Holiday, Look and Colliers also sold well.

Those were the front of the store books. In back were skin magazines and erotica in bins, sorted according to fetish preferences.

The funny thing about the Magazine is that it wasnt like going into a dirty bookstore, because it was so classy and looked so vintage, said Kevin Bentley, a former book editor at HarperCollins.

Everything was treated with an appreciation for the preservation of all things on paper. You never felt embarrassed there, Bentley said.

Bentley can recall being in the Magazine looking for the last issue of Playgirl or Blueboy, with a straight collector next to him looking for a specific vintage issue of Playboy. Whether you came in there asking for a magazine on surfers or one on spanking, you always got a respectful answer from Bob, Bentley said.

When the store was open, either Mainardi or Dunphy was behind the counter. They met at a Sunday brunch given by a mutual friend in 1969 and were partners in life and business ever since.

We loved magazines, the both of us, Dunphy said. We always believed that if it was legal, we would sell it.

They also believed in the power of the window display. Thats how Bob expressed himself, Dunphy said. His first memorable display was the day Nixon resigned. He gathered together every magazine we had with Nixon on the cover. There was no comment from us, just the covers.

A passerby who was stunned at the display was photographed in front of the windows. The picture made the morning Chronicle.

By 1986, the Magazine needed more space and a wider storefront for Mainardis creative window displays. So it moved a block south to combine two storefronts at 731 Larkin. Theyd barely moved in when a friend who was in real estate gave Mainardi an important piece of advice.

He said, If you dont buy a building, youre going to be out of business in 10 years, Dunphy said. They purchased 920-924 Larkin, an abandoned three-story building, for $450,000. They mortgaged Dunphys house in the Mission District, and Mainardi contributed an inheritance from his parents to pay cash.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

It took four years to renovate the storefront and the two upstairs apartments. The final location opened in 1993. Among the people drawn in was the illustrator R. Crumb, who designed an advertising poster for the store. He took payment in copies of Time that featured World War II propaganda drawings.

Mainardi never stopped collecting. There are some 5,000 postcards of New York imagery and boxes and boxes of magazine covers in the old Victorian he and Dunphy owned in the Mission. Mainardi would spend his workday organizing and studying his magazines.

Hed spend hours perusing them, Dunphy said. He was always delving into his collection, straightening and organizing.

He was also a collector of physique photography and illustrations, mostly of male bodybuilders. These were included in three books he wrote or edited.

Mainardis last window display, Christmas scenes featuring covers from the New Yorker and the Saturday Evening Post, was still standing, even as New Years Eve approached.

People still come by and stick their heads in and say, Love these windows  keep them coming, Dunphy said.

The fate of Mainardis personal collection has not been determined, but the store will live on, at least as long as Dunphy does. He is 84.

The store was Bobs life, said Dunphy. He loved coming here every day, and working on his windows or shrink-wrapping magazine covers. He was something out of a another time.

A memorial service is pending. Survivors include his partner of 50 years, Trent Dunphy of San Francisco; brother, Mark Mainardi of San Francisco; and cousins, Jesse Mainardi of San Francisco and Paul Mainardi of Philadelphia.

Donations in his name may be made to the Tyler Clementi Foundation (which focuses on fighting harassment and bullying of gay kids), P.O. Box 345, Harrison, NJ 07029; and Larkin Street Youth Services, 134 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @swhitingsf
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and her husband Jason Hodge have a difficult time getting their three dogs to sit down for photos.

They also thought their Christmas cards were getting a bit stale.

"We've been making Christmas cards mostly for [California Democratic Party] delegates for 10 to 15 years, and we wanted to do something different this year," Ma explained to SFGATE. "We purposely tried to make something that stayed on peoples refrigerator all year long."

The end result was, well, something that more than accomplished its goal of not looking like your typical Christmas card.

"Did anyone else get a Christmas card from Fiona Ma because this is wild st," California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus member Brandon Sedai tweeted with an image of the card, which is somewhat difficult to describe succinctly.

Ma's 3-year tenure as state treasurer has included lots of bond selling, support for a high speed rail from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and a lawsuit from a former staffer accusing her of sexual harassment. (Ma, who is being defended by the state Attorney General's Office in addition to her personal attorneys, has strongly denied the accusations and said the former staffer has failed to show up for the two depositions held to this point.)

State treasurer is a position that seldom receives attention, so Ma said she was happy to see that party delegates felt compelled to share images of her card on social media. Hodge, who worked with a friend in the photo editing process, said he was trying to make something "quintessentially '80s."

"We were trying to make something that looked like a Sears family photo from the '80s, so I pitched it and said, 'Its going to be weird, but gloriously weird,'" Hodge said. "The editing process was more fun than I thought, and before we knew it, we made something you look twice at."

The large spherical object in the middle of the photo is supposed to be the moon, and the white specks are (you guessed it) snow. Above Ma and Hodge are the couple's three dogs, all of which were rescued.

On the left is Pepper, a terrier Hodge found at a fire camp while battling the KNP Complex Fire near Fresno in October. Hodge is a Ventura County firefighter and is often deployed to large blazes across the state.

In the middle is Nika, a 10-year-old chihuahua the couple adopted from San Francisco Animal Care and Control. Ma described Nika as the "smartest dog you'll ever meet" and a "poser" who "loves to wear her outfits." She has a Facebook page where she can be seen in these many outfits.

Finally, on the right is Henry, a poodle who was adopted from actress Linda Blair in November of last year. Henry was previously in a shelter before being adopted by Blair, and lost an eye at the shelter. Ma said that Henry is overweight and that Pepper was brought in to be a personal trainer of sorts, as the two dogs are constantly wrestling.

Hodge has done photography and photo editing in the past, but is uniquely proud of this particular creation.

"I got over postmodernism over the past few years because of its cynicism," he said. "So I'm trying to do stuff that makes people smile, and thanks to Fiona for putting up with me."
At the height of the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, veteran journalist Ted Koppel was working out on the treadmill when he came across an episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" - it caught his attention because of something he heard earlier that day while listening to WMAL, a Virginia-based conservative talk radio station. A listener had called in to explain that they used to live in the Washington area, but couldn't stand how "woke" it had become, so they fled to the South. They said something along the lines of, "We moved down here to the Carolinas, and boy, life is just wonderful. People are so lovely. They're so neighborly. Everything is so nice."

Koppel, 81, started thinking about how "The Andy Griffith Show" was also set in the Carolinas, in the fictional town of Mayberry, N.C. After his workout, he went online and discovered that the CBS comedy was an even bigger hit than he remembered; the series, starring Griffith as the good-natured sheriff and Ron Howard as his adorable young son, was one of the most-watched shows from its debut in 1960 until it went off the air in 1968. And, more intriguingly, while Mayberry was not real, the city of Mount Airy, N.C., claims to be the prototype on which it was based, and still draws thousands of tourists every year looking to relive their beloved show.

So Koppel, the former ABC "Nightline" host and now a senior contributor to "CBS Sunday Morning," called his producer, Dustin Stephens, and suggested that they travel down to Mount Airy. Koppel was curious: What made the show so popular? And what was it about this community that makes people want to come visit decades later?

What started with those general questions wound up evolving into one of the most striking TV segments of the year, as Koppel was visibly taken aback by the fierce nostalgia for a time and place that literally never existed - and how it connects to the misinformation that has infiltrated America's politics.

"People looking back at that program seem to confuse the program with what reality was like in those days, wishing that we could only restore some of the good feelings, some of the kindness, some of the decency," Koppel said in an interview. "But what they're really reflecting on is not what was going on in a particular North Carolina community. What they're reflecting on is what was going on in the creative minds of a bunch of scriptwriters out in Hollywood."

On a base level, Koppel understands why people connect - and cling to - the show about a friendly small town where any minor issue was resolved in 30 minutes with commercial breaks. It's the same reason people now repeatedly binge-watch "The Office" and "Friends" and "Seinfeld": When life is a nightmare, TV comedy is an excellent escape.

Similarly, "The Andy Griffith Show," a viewing experience that Koppel compared to "chomping down on a marshmallow," was an antidote to everything going on in the world at the time, which never showed up on the sunny series: Tens of thousands of American troops killed in Vietnam War. Race riots throughout the country. Assassinations.

"If there's any period that matches our current period in terms of how terrible things were and how difficult things were, the 1960s were it," Koppel said.

Koppel's 13-minute segment, which filmed in June and aired in September on "CBS Sunday Morning," starts out looking like a pleasant feature about Mount Airy embracing its role as a stand-in for Mayberry, even though its only connection to "The Andy Griffith Show" is that Mount Airy was the real-life Griffith's hometown. (It is debated whether Mount Airy was the inspiration for Mayberry, as many fans claim.) Randy Collins, president of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, explains to Koppel the origins of re-creating Mayberry: When the North Carolina tobacco and textile industries faltered, business owners needed another way to bring in revenue.

Kicking off with the cheerful, whistled theme song, cameras show the Andy Griffith Museum and a vintage police car and other replica hot spots from the series, including Wally's Filling Station, the Snappy Lunch and Floyd's Barber Shop - all packed with tourists. The piece takes its first hint of a darker, more serious turn as Koppel interviews one man who says our "Godless society" could use a dose of the good old days. "Back when neighbors were neighbors, and they provided for everybody else," the man explained.

"What you're saying is true of certain people," Koppel tells him. "If you were Black in the '60s, things were not all that good."

"That's true," the man admits. (The segment notes that in the entirety of the show's eight-season run, only one Black actor had a speaking role.)

Koppel also interviews a Black family who had lived in Mount Airy for decades, and as of the early 1970s, were turned away from eating in certain restaurants. Yet the siblings had all returned to their hometown. "Somehow Mount Airy becomes more complex with each conversation," Koppel said, adding that the town "is a place where fantasy and reality intersect."

This segues into the segment's defining scene, on a tourist trolley: Koppel decides to "wave the political thermometer across the forehead of Mount Airy" and asks how many people there thought the 2020 presidential election was a fair one. Only two out of about a dozen people raise their hands.

"I think there was a lot of voter fraud," one tourist says. "I think it's more the mail-in ballots. You don't know how much of those were duplicated, triplicated, the whole bit."

"Look how many dead people voted for Biden," another adds, referring to a false and debunked conspiracy theory.

The discussion continues as one person claims the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was a "staged" event with "BLM people." ("I don't understand why they're focusing so much on that one issue, when there are so many cities being burned down every day by protesters.") Others chime in to call the media the enemy of the people and profess their love for Donald Trump.

Koppel and his producers just let the scene speak for itself. At one point, a tour guide jumps in: "This conversation about politics and division is what people come here to get away from. We don't care what color you are. We don't even care what your politics are. We just want to be good neighbors and treat everybody alike. And that's why they're coming here." The tourists yell "Amen!" and applaud. "That's what America should be," one says. Koppel's voice-over concludes the segment: "And when the script was written in Hollywood, that's the way it was."

After it aired, Koppel heard lots of positive feedback from those who loved that he dug deeper - although some residents in Mount Airy and viewers in Southern states took issue with how the town was portrayed. Koppel had a phone conversation with Collins, the Chamber of Commerce president; while Collins was very nice and didn't "actively complain" (Mount Airy did get an enormous infusion of publicity with millions of "CBS Sunday Morning" viewers), Koppel got the impression that plenty of folks in town did.

"Speaking nationally, people either loved it or hated it," Koppel said, though he pushed back on viewers who called it a "hit job." "To the degree that it was critical, it was not critical of the show. It was not critical of the community. It was simply saying, 'You do need to understand that what you're looking at here is not the original community that the show was - the show was not shot here. It wasn't about this place.'"

Ultimately, Koppel emphasized that was the point: It's fine if you want to escape reality on television. But conflating it with the real world can produce damaging results. One part that stuck out in his mind from the segment was one of the tourists at the end who said, "I just hope when this airs it won't show Southerners as a bunch of dumb idiots."

"That truly was never the intent," Koppel said. "It was just - to the extent that people go to Disneyland and confuse Disneyland with reality, they need to be reminded of the fact that it's a place that was created to sell tickets to a lot of rides and to make money. ... There's nothing evil about that. There's nothing wrong with that. But people shouldn't be hurt if somebody reminds them that they're not dealing with reality."
BERLIN (AP)  Six men will go on trial in Germany next month over their alleged role in the spectacular theft of 18th-century jewels from a Dresden museum in 2019, a court said Wednesday.

The Dresden state court said that the trial will open on Jan. 28, German news agency dpa reported. The suspects, German nationals aged 22 to 28, are accused of organized robbery and arson. Court dates are scheduled through the end of March.
George Rose/Getty Images

Two surfers were recently chased by a shark while surfing along North Salmon Creek Beach, just north of Bodega Bay, the Press Democrat reported. The incident took place Dec. 22, just a few days before the fatal shark attack that happened off the coast of central California on Christmas Eve.

Holy crap, we were terrified because it was not backing off, Sebastopol resident Timothy Reck told the newspaper. He says he and the other surfer escaped the shark aggressively pursuing them, but only after it bit onto the leash of one of their surfboards.
Old San Francisco homes have all kinds of oddities. From split baths to push-button lights to picture rails, the citys aged spaces add plenty of character to the place you call home.

A popular feature of late 19th century Victorian to early 20th century Edwardian buildings with two to three units is levers at the top of a tall set of stairs that, when pulled, open the front door. Presumably, even those ancient San Franciscans didnt want to walk all the way downstairs to let guests in and then have to climb back up.

The middle class was coming into its own. They wanted the same luxuries as the upper class, and the industrial revolution helped the middle class live a better, simpler life, said Bonnie Spindler, a real estate agent and "the Victorian Specialist" of San Francisco. You didnt have servants who would answer your door, but you could use this.

Rob Thomson, president of the Victorian Alliance, said a lot of the buildings that were built between 1880 and 1930 were constructed for the middle-class family. These multi-unit, wood-framed homes included large staircases for the upper apartments, and if you couldnt afford servants to open the door for you, these levers were the next best thing.

There are a few patents for door opening systems filed in the 1890s and 1900s, the first of which is from 1890. As most of them were patented in San Francisco, it leads historians to believe these levers were especially common in the Bay Area. Since the area has few brick or other masonry homes, these were easier to install within the wood walls. The bellcrank levers, as theyre formally called, were connected with a long wire to a mechanism that opened the door.

One such patent was filed by D.B. Akard of San Francisco, who patented a door opening lever system in 1897 (US586375A and US590290A). He founded the Akard Door Opener Company, which operated from a shop in the Mission District until about the 1920s. Former San Francisco resident Randall Stevens later lived in the Akard home that also housed the shop and he said his unit, of course, had a lever, though it didnt function.

While many no longer function, most people dont remove them entirely because theyd have to tear out the entire wall to do so. Steve Smith, who runs Ohmega Salvage in Berkeley, said that most of the levers no longer work because the rods were so long and had to be routed through a lot of studs that needed to stay straight and align with each other. As houses settle over time and succumb to weather fluctuations, the rods could fall out of alignment and bend. Rust could also be a culprit, as the majority of the mechanisms were steel or iron. Lastly, if the door started to not hang or swing or close properly it would put more stress on the mechanism.

Smith said he currently has just one handle in stock and no other parts or pieces to go with it. The last working lever he encountered was in Oakland more than 10 years ago.

If you have a lever in your home, you may also have a speaking tube, which was a hole in the wall at the top of the stairs that you could talk to your incoming guests through. Pre-intercom, these were perhaps just as integral as the lever themselves.

David Dreyfus

The bellcrank levers have even popped up in popular films. In the 1968 film "Bullitt" Steve McQueen uses a lever to open the front door for a visitor to his apartment building in San Francisco. Pay attention in "Pursuit of Happyness," and you'll notice that while Will Smith may not let anyone in with the lever, his San Francisco home had one.

Sheila Tenney, a lifelong S.F. resident, lives in a Castro building erected sometime around 1902. Her grandmother and great aunt bought the property in the 1930s after they immigrated from Ireland. She said their lever broke sometime in the '50s: My mom and grandfather broke it while playing peekaboo when she was a child ... According to my mother, my grandmother hated the thing. My mother and her brother would just use the lever every time someone came to the door. The next thing you knew, you had every door-to-door salesman in your house, Tenney said. Mom thinks my grandmother was relieved when they broke it.

Thompson owns his home in the Mission and he noticed that while his upstairs neighbor had a lever, his had been removed. After finding a replacement at Ohmega Salvage, he reconnected the lever, and though the mechanism sprang back into function (it works just as well as the day it was installed), as the door had been replaced in recent years, it doesnt actually open the door. Instead, his children put a pom-pom on the device that pops out of the wall when the lever is turned, making it a fun feature for kids and guests to enjoy.

North Beach resident George Horsfall has owned his home since 1994 and he said the door-opening lever is one of his favorite things about it. It works as good as the day it was made, he said. There are 39 stairs from my street to the apartment ... it saves me from going down so many stairs.

The building was built between 1906 and 1911, and his version even unlocks the door handle. He said its also still good for the occasional prank. He said hell yell down to guests to shut the door after theyre in, only to open it after they close it to see their bewildered faces. They say, Your house is haunted! and we get a big laugh.
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Alert: Hong Kong police arrest six members of online news outlet for sedition in continuing crackdown on dissent
DELHI, La. (AP)  Louisiana State Police and other agencies arrested an 18-year-old on Tuesday in the first of two fatal shootings at Grambling State University within four days in October.

Jatavious Rabbit Carroll was arrested Tuesday at a home in Delhi, about 75 miles east of Grambling, Master Trooper Michael Reichardt said in a news release.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Attorneys for inmates praised a sweeping ruling issued Monday by a federal judge that will require Alabama's prison system to make changes in inmate mental health care.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson issued a sometimes scathing 600-page opinion that often focused on the prison systems lack of progress in meeting an earlier directive to boost staffing and also on the number of suicides that have occurred behind bars. The Monday order spelled out corrective measures and comes after Thompson in 2017 ruled that Alabamas horrendously inadequate care of mentally ill inmates violated the U.S. Constitutions ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

The ruling came after a two-month trial in which attorneys for inmates argued the state continued to fail to provide adequate care.

Judge Thompsons decision requires ADOC to finally remedy the unconstitutional mental health care identified more than four years ago. This will ensure that the individuals held by ADOC will receive the mental health care they need  and are entitled to  as protected by the Eighth Amendment," Ashley Austin, an attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center, said in a statement.

Austin said if the prison system is unable to "operate adequately with the current staff and funds allotted to it by the state, population reduction must be the consideration  not denial of adequate services.

Thompson sharply criticized the state's lack of progress in meeting a 2022 deadline. He said staffing has barely increased in three years, and the system has filled less than half of the positions necessary to meet the requirement of 3,826 full-time-equivalent officers. The judge had previously directed the state to meet staffing targets by Feb. 20, 2022, but wrote Monday that its become clear that is out of reach.

Thompson extended the deadline to July 1, 2025 for the state to fill all mandatory and essential posts, but he also ordered the creation of yearly benchmarks to measure progress.

As Judge Thompson reminds all Alabamians, once our state chooses to put a person in prison the state must provide a safe environment and adequate mental health care. Here, the state has failed to do so. Too many individuals have died because of the states failures," James Tucker, director of the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, said in a statement.

The two organizations filed a lawsuit against the prison system in 2014 on behalf of incarcerated inmates.

Thompson ordered the state to make numerous other changes to mental health care including ensuring that inmates get some time out of their cells, that security checks are regularly conducted, that assessments are properly done, that inmates who require hospital-level care receive it within a reasonable period of time and that staff conduct regular drills on how to respond to suicide attempts. Thompson also ordered that before being discharged from suicide watch, an inmate must receive a confidential, out-of-cell evaluation by a mental health professional and then follow-up examinations for three days.

In the four years since his initial ruling, Thompson said at least 27 more prisoners have died by suicide, and he described some of the incidents.

Thompson said the state has a mixed track record in making other improvements in the care of mentally ill inmates. He noted the state had made improvements in the number of mental health workers.

A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Corrections said the department could not immediately respond.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Burglars broke into more than a dozen offices of lobbying firms, nonprofits and a union a block from the state Capitol last week and stole computers and files with identity information, it was reported Tuesday.

The thefts discovered Thursday morning at the 10-story Forum Building remain under investigation, police told the Sacramento Bee.

Rubicon Property Management, the building's manager, said in an email to tenants Monday that investigators collected fingerprints from the offices and that the company will install more cameras and provide security guards around the clock, the Bee said.

The Bee said the tenants affected included the California Federation of Teachers; California Strategic Advisors; Reeb; EdVoice; California Association for Adult Day Services; the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association; the California Association of Councils of Governments; the California Solar and Storage Association; Hispanic League of Colleges and Universities; Corbin & Kaiser; the Planning and Conservation League and Houston Magnani and Associates.

Corbin & Kaiser CEO Samantha Corbin said the thieves broke door handles, locks and door frames and stole new computer equipment, banking and routing information, and employee payroll information such as Social Security numbers from filing cabinets.

Tenants say the rundown K Street area is contributing to crime.

Sacramento leaders should take action to clean up the downtown area, said Ron Kingston, president of California Strategic Advisors.

Kingston said officials should promise tenants that we are going to devote resources to cleaning up the area and providing security and making it safe again, making it a jewel of Sacramento.
CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago will host its largest New Years fireworks display in city history after canceling last years celebrations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters Wednesday that the celebration after last year's hiatus was planned with COVID-19 safety in mind, including multiple opportunities to watch the show outside or at home.

The free 1.5-mile long display will be synchronized to music at eight sites along Lake Michigan and the Chicago River starting at midnight. For those who don't want to brave the cold or don't have city or lakefront views at home, the show will be broadcast live on WGN-TV.

Indoor viewing venues like Navy Pier will require proof of vaccination or negative test results. The popular tourist site will also offer free rapid tests onsite.

Masks are already required indoors under Chicago's mandate. Starting Monday, Chicago will require proof of vaccination at restaurants and other indoor venues.

The holiday comes amid a worldwide COVID-19 surge fueled by the omicron variant.

People have to be smart and recognize that the pandemic is still with us, that the omicron variant is real and that they ought to do everything they can to protect themselves," Lightfoot said.

Also making a return are free train and bus rides on public transportation from 10 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Saturday. The Chicago Transit Authority's holiday tradition was scrapped last year.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Lou Barletta, an illegal-immigration hawk and former congressman running for governor, said Wednesday he would take a harder line against the federal government's yearslong practice of bringing unaccompanied minors found by the Border Patrol to various facilities in Pennsylvania and other states.

Some Republican governors have protested the practice this year and are looking for ways to block it in their states.

In the past decade, the number of unaccompanied children found at the border has jumped dramatically, expanding the need for the federal government to place the children throughout the United States while they pursue their cases in backlogged immigration courts.

Barletta, a Republican vying for the partys nomination in a big primary field, said he would stop the practice in cases where the state doesn't know the medical and criminal backgrounds of the minors, who must be 17 or under to be in the resettlement program.

It would stop when Im governor of Pennsylvania because I also recognize the danger and the risks of putting people into our schools without having any idea what the background of that person is, Barletta said in an interview.

Barletta pointed to a newly unveiled platform by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as something he supports.

One aspect is legislation to prohibit state and local agencies from doing business with any private entities that facilitate the resettlement of illegal aliens from the southern border. Another is a regulation that prohibits the licensing of agencies that provide services to unaccompanied migrant children unless the state consents to it.

Weeks earlier, DeSantis highlighted reports that the 24-year-old suspect in a stabbing death posed as a teenager at the border in order to cross as an unaccompanied minor.

Barletta also said he would refuse to allow the migrant children into Pennsylvania schools, unless they met vaccine requirements that apply to all students.

In recent weeks, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services flew migrant children into Wilkes-Barre-Scranton International Airport, the agency said late Tuesday. Its statement followed days of inaccurate reports by local politicians and others about the flights.

The department has released little other information about the minors, prompting protests from Barletta about the department's lack of disclosure and silence about it from Gov. Tom Wolf.

More flights are scheduled to arrive at the airport Thursday and Friday, Barletta said.

Wolf, a Democrat who's constitutionally barred from running for another term, hasn't objected to the flights or the department's practices. In a statement, Wolf's office said immigration questions should be directed to the federal government and suggested that Barletta and others are pulling a political PR stunt.

Still, the flights are not unusual.

The department's Office of Refugee Resettlement has housed more than 350,000 of the migrant children across the country and in every state in the past seven years, according to its figures.

More than 5,800 of them came to Pennsylvania, spanning the presidential administrations of Democrat Barack Obama, Republican Donald Trump and now Democrat Joe Biden.

In South Carolina, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster banned foster care and group homes there from taking in migrant children.

One of Barletta's complaints  that states dont know enough about the migrant children being brought there  echo those of DeSantis and Republican officeholders in Tennessee. There, Republican Gov. Bill Lee refused a request by the Biden administration to house migrant children in Tennessee National Guard facilities.

Children are typically released to sponsors, usually parents or close relatives, and aided by local charitable organizations.

While in the department's custody, the children receive vaccinations under a catch-up schedule for those who are behind and sponsors are given a copy of the childs medical and immunization records compiled during their time in custody, the department said. They are tested and vaccinated for COVID-19, it said.

As mayor of Hazleton for more than a decade, Barletta gained national prominence for accusing the federal government of failing to enforce immigration laws.

Barletta said his experience on the House Homeland Security Committee taught him that U.S. border authorities dont have the time or resources to thoroughly investigate migrant children's backgrounds.

"You literally do not know who that person is or what their background is, or their age, so if they say theyre a minor, we don't really know if theyre a minor, Barletta said.

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Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/timelywriter.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Commotion in some school districts over topics ranging from COVID-19 mask mandates to teaching about racial injustice has Indiana Republican lawmakers looking at steps they argue will give parents more sway over what happens in classrooms.

Legislative leaders are touting actions that would increase transparency with parental access to classroom materials and possibly add political party identifications to what are now nonpartisan school board elections.

The issues poised for Indianas legislative session that starts Jan. 4 come amid complaints among conservatives across the country about public schools. Critics argue such steps would needlessly further insert politics into local school decisions.

Indiana is among 42 states where local school board elections are held without any party identification on the ballot for candidates. Although House Education Committee Chairman Bob Behning said one change being considered would give candidates the option of identifying as a Republican or Democrat.

I would argue that putting an R or D behind your name does not necessarily identify exactly where youre going to be in terms of school policy, said Behning, an Indianapolis Republican. I do see some value, maybe, in allowing candidates to self identify.

Others in the Republican-dominated Legislature, however, want to go further.

Republican Rep. Bob Morris of Fort Wayne said he has heard many complaints about closed school board meetings and limited opportunities for the public to engage in school decisions.

Many constituents have told me they have no idea what these school board members stand for, who theyre with, where theyre at, Morris said. If they have a party affiliation and theyre registered in a certain party, then that needs to be behind their name. Looking at the politics involved on these school boards, politics are everywhere. We should have partisan races.

Former state schools Superintendent Jennifer McCormick, who was elected to the position as a Republican in 2016 but has since switched parties, said further inserting politics into local school boards is a really bad idea that came as a reaction to heated exchanges at scattered meetings.

I think the people who will be encouraged to run are those that are going to be good soldiers for these political agendas, McCormick said. Its hard to find good people who want to do it for the right reason, and theyre out there, but its tough. And then you layer this on  its a whole other layer of difficulty.

Republican lawmakers in other states are pushing legislation to ban the teaching of critical race theory, which has become a catch-all term for efforts to teach that systemic racism remains a persistent problem in the U.S.

Indiana legislative leaders dont appear set to go that far.

Republican House Speaker Todd Huston has said he expects a bill ensuring that parents have more insight and input into the curricular materials and surveys being used in their schools.

GOP state senators agree that it isnt appropriate to teach that one race is superior to another or inferior from another, but it is difficult to know whether any schools are teaching such concepts, Republican Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said.

If you go out amongst the schools in the state of Indiana, that definition is really, really nebulous and difficult to pin down, Bray said. So youd have to speak to what it is exactly that youre trying to stop, rather than just using the words critical race theory.

Tom Simpson, a Yorktown School Board member who is president of the Indiana School Board Association, said he believed most school board meetings have remained civil as meeting attendance and participation has increased during the pandemic.

In my opinion, creating potential partisan divides or putting political ideology ahead of sound educational decisions is not wise, Simpson said. Electing the best qualified people is vastly more important than their political affiliation and with few exceptions, the people have gotten it right. If voters choose to oust an incumbent and select new leadership, that process happens today without partisan elections.

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Associated Press writer Tom Davies contributed to this report.

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Casey Smith 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.
ENIWA, Japan (AP)  The dozens of Type 90, or Kyumaru, tanks rumbling through recent shooting drills on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido exemplify the challenge its arms makers face both at home and overseas as the country fortifies its defenses against strategic threats.

The Self Defense Force needs the more advanced aircraft and weaponry sold by U.S. arms manufacturers as Japans strategic focus shifts from Russia in the north to the south, where it faces incursions by Chinese fighter jets and naval vessels and North Korean missile launches.

Big Japanese defense manufacturers like Mitsubishi, IHI Corp. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are struggling to sell 20th century tanks, aircraft and warships. They need to develop better technology to serve a military in the market for unmanned aircraft like Tritons made by Northrop Grumman and Boeings undersea Echo Voyager.

Likewise, Japan's international arms sales never really have taken off. Uncompetitive, with high prices, aging technology and scant government support, arms makers in Japan increasingly are just withdrawing from the business.

The hefty Kyumaru tanks built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries debuted 30 years ago and are being replaced with lighter and more mobile armored vehicles that can travel on public roads and or have amphibious capabilities, including American amphibious assault vehicles.

People may think Japan has advanced technology and it can quickly catch up with others and start selling equipment if it only gets serious, but I think thats wrong, said Heigo Sato, an expert on defense issues and professor at Hokkaido's Takushoku University.

The problem is, Japans defense products are not first grade. Nobody is interested in buying second- or third-grade products at higher prices, he said.

Japan created its own Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency in 2015 to try to energize the sluggish domestic defense industry and promote joint technology research, development and sales with friendly nations. But profits have dwindled at home, as the government, instead of promoting sales, increased big-ticket purchases from the United States.

Japan is the worlds 12th largest arms importer, with a 2.2% global share. Most purchases are from its ally the United States, according to the latest survey by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a global research organization.

A large and growing share of the 2 trillion yen ($17.7 billion) annually in equipment purchases by the Defense Ministry are made through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. They more than tripled from 190.6 billion yen ($1.7 billion) in 2014 to 701.3 billion yen ($6.2 billion ) in 2019, when Japan placed orders for F-35 stealth fighters, missile interceptors and other expensive equipment to reinforce its defenses against China and North Korea.

Haggling over expensive American jets and other equipment has slowed progress on revamping the nations defenses, Defense Ministry officials said.

Japan has negotiated the cost of upgrading dozens of F-15 fighter jets, which had doubled from the initial U.S. estimate, down to 397 billion yen ($3.5 billion) from 552 billion yen ($4.8 billion), they said. To cut costs, Japan switched to domestic-made shorter-range air-to-surface standoff missiles from the initial plan to use U.S. long-range anti-ship cruise missiles, among other revisions, they said.

Army officials at the Hokkaido drills said they'd take whatever equipment they can get. One official joked that his camouflage uniforms were surely still Japanese made.

Japan's total defeat in World War II, when it tried to conquer much of Asia, has left many Japanese wary of military buildups. The postwar constitution limits use of force to self-defense, and a ban on arms exports was only lifted in 2014.

Moreover, Japanese scientists tend to be reluctant to engage in research and development of technologies that can be used for military purposes.

Since the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency was launched, Japan has sold just one finished product  a surveillance radar  to the Philippines. It first gave away five used TC-90 training aircraft along with pilot training and 40,000 items of parts for UH-1H multipurpose helicopters.

In 2016, a possible breakthrough sale of Soryu-class submarine technology fell through when Australia chose France to develop 12 diesel submarines. That $65 billion contract recently was scuttled when Australia switched to nuclear submarines under the AUKUS pact with Britain and the United Sates.

Negotiations to sell about a dozen US-2 ShinMaywa Industries sea planes to India have been held up by pricing disagreements. Japan's attempts to export a radar to Thailand and frigates to Indonesia also ended unsuccessfully.

As a latecomer, Japan lacks the marketing and technology transfer expertise of the U.S., with its FMS program, and other major exporters.

Japan needs to be more competitive, more assertive and also be more willing to engage with customers in the marketing and promotion of defense platforms, Jon Grevatt, principal of Indo-Pacific research and analysis at the Janes, told a recent online event.

The government and the industry haven't entirely given up. Japan is developing its own long-range surface-to-air cruise missile, and as Chinas military buildup now extends to cyberspace and outer space, the Defense Ministry has begun pushing for research and development of artificial intelligence-operated autonomous vehicles, supersonic flight and other game-changing technologies.

Experts say Japan should accelerate work on drones, satellite constellations and technology against electronic attacks. To fund such research, the ministry requested a record 291 billion yen ($2.55 billion) budget for the year beginning in April 2022, up 38% from this year.

Japan is also pursuing joint development of its next-generation F-X fighter jet with the United States and Britain to replace its aging fleet of F-2s by around 2035. Japan and Britain recently announced plans to jointly develop a future fighter aircraft engine demonstrator and to explore work on other air combat technologies and subsystems. The project includes Japan's Mitsubishi and IHI and Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems in the UK.

It's a race against time as defense contractors drop out.

Yu Yamada, a Japan Business Federation senior manager for the defense industry, said it has 60-plus member companies with defense-related operations, down by about 10 in recent years.

Komatsu Ltd., a leading construction equipment manufacturer, stopped developing and making armored vehicles after upgrades failed to meet Defense Ministry requirements. Komatsu, once the 7th largest supplier, now only maintains existing fleets it supplied. It still makes ammunition.

In March, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co. sold its warship unit to Japans top contractor Mitsubishi. Daicel Corp., a major electronic and chemical material maker and supplier of warplane ejection seats, is dropping its unprofitable defense business to put resources elsewhere.

Sumitomo Heavy Industries stopped making 5.56 millimeter machine guns, citing a bleak long-term outlook.

If the trend continues, both the military and the defense industry could face supply problems, higher costs or quality concerns, Yamada said. Supply chains cannot be reconstructed in just one to two years. The industry is facing a rather difficult situation," he said.

In an emailed statement, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency acknowledged that keeping a domestic defense industry base was a challenge" as companies withdraw. We must ensure businesses are succeeded smoothly so that the technology of key suppliers wont be lost in case of withdrawals.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Ethiopian lawmakers have approved a bill to establish a commission for national dialogue, amid international pressure for negotiations to end the 13-month conflict in the Tigray region.

The Federal Parliamentary Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor on Wednesday with 287 votes for, 13 votes against and one abstention.

The commissions establishment will pave the way for national consensus and keep the integrity of the country, the bill states.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government has promised to create such a commission to establish a common ground on contentious issues.

The commission, however, will not at this stage engage with the Tigray Peoples' Liberation Front or the Oromo Liberation Army, both of which are fighting the federal army and have been declared terrorist organizations by the government of the East African nation.

Some government officials have said specifically that the new commission will not be engaging in talks with the Tigray organization.

But the commission's creation may be an effort to respond to the international community's persistent calls for a cease-fire and inclusive dialogue to resolve the conflict, said Tsedale Lemma, CEO of Jakenn Publishing, publisher of the prominent Addis Standard media outlet.

When the international community requested holding inclusive dialogue to address Ethiopias deepening crisis, there is no ambiguity on the need for such dialogue to be truly inclusive by having various stakeholders, including armed groups, be a part of the process, Tsedale told The Associated Press.

The government so far has a strict policy of no negotiations with the armed groups, she said.

With this as a background, its safe to say that the National Dialogue Commission is just an extension of the governments inadequate attempt at scratching the thick surface in Ethiopias otherwise multi-layered and complex political crisis, she said.

The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia continues to urge its citizens wishing to leave the country to do so by taking commercial flights.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on the situation in Ethiopia, spokesman for the U.S. State Department, Ned Price, said on Wednesday.

"They agreed on the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities, unhindered humanitarian access, an end to human rights abuses and violations, and a negotiated resolution to the conflict, Price said.

But Ethiopian officials have continued to protest that the U.S. and other Western countries are interfering in the countrys internal affairs.

These (Western) countries, especially the U.S., are supporting the Tigray Peoples' Liberation Front in addition to putting various pressures on Ethiopia, Zadig Abrha, an official within the Ethiopian Prime Minister's office, said on Wednesday.

Ethiopias federal army and its allied forces recaptured swathes of areas in the Amhara and Afar region in recent weeks that were in the hands of Tigray forces since July.

Ethiopias devastating war is believed to have caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people and displaced millions of others, pushing hundreds of thousands into famine-like conditions in the Tigray region, according to aid groups.

Both sides in the conflict have been accused of committing widespread abuses, killings and sexual violence.
OLYMPIA (AP)  Former Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst, who had been fighting cancer, has died. She was 64.

In a statement Washington Courts said Fairhurst died Tuesday surrounded by her family in Olympia. In January of 2020 she retired due to health reasons.

Chief Justice Fairhurst was an inspiration to everyone. She was always positive yet with both feet on the ground, Chief Justice Steven Gonzalez said in a statement. We are grateful for her leadership and for the time she shared so generously with all of us and send our condolences to her entire family.

Fairhurst was first diagnosed with colon cancer in late 2008 and it later spread to a lung. After a final treatment in 2011 and several years of no evidence of disease, Fairhurst said that the cancer returned in 2018  appearing in her lungs, liver, thyroid and spleen. She had continued to work while undergoing chemotherapy before opting to step down.

She was first elected to the court in 2002, and was elected chief justice by her colleagues in 2016.

In 2018, when the high court unanimously struck down the states death penalty as arbitrary and racially biased, Fairhurst wrote the lead opinion.

Fairhurst was a magna cum laude graduate of Gonzaga Law School and the youngest president of the Washington State Bar Association.

I am deeply saddened about the loss of Justice Mary Fairhurst," Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement Wednesday. She was a talented legal mind, a wonderful, thoughtful person and a dedicated public servant. Mary was deeply committed to her community and was always trying to find ways to support those most in need.

When Fairhurst decided to step down she emailed colleagues and said the decision to retire was difficult.

Everything is a miracle. Every day is a miracle, she wrote. Lets not waste the days we have.
CHICAGO (AP)  Authorities are investigating the death of a 5-year-old who was pronounced dead at a hospital after being found unresponsive in a Chicago hotel's swimming pool.

The girl was discovered unresponsive Tuesday afternoon in the pool at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Water Tower Place on the city's near North Side, police and fire officials said.
A gunman killed four people and wounded at least three others, including a police officer, during a series of shootings in the Denver area Monday, police said.

The suspect, whom authorities did not immediately identify, died during a shootout.

The authorities were seeking a motive after the shootings, which occurred across several locations in and near Denver, Colorados capital. Paul M. Pazen, the Denver police chief, told reporters during a news conference: This is the holiday season. To have this type of spree take place is not normal for our community.

The shootings started shortly after 5 p.m. in central Denver, where two women were killed and a man was injured, Pazen said.

Shortly afterward, a man was fatally shot several blocks away, the chief said, and police officers exchanged gunfire with a suspect during a pursuit.

The suspect then fled to the nearby city of Lakewood, Pazen said.

Just before 6 p.m., the Lakewood Police Department received a report of shots fired at a business, John Romero, a spokesman for that department, told reporters during a joint news conference with Pazen. A gunshot victim was later found and pronounced dead at the scene, Romero said, adding that police officers identified the car and the shooting suspect. They did not reveal his name.

When the officers found the car, the gunman opened fire and officers shot back, Romero said. The gunman then fled on foot to a Hyatt hotel, where he is believed to have shot a clerk. He also shot and wounded a Lakewood police officer after he left the hotel.

The wounded officer was undergoing surgery, Romero said. Paul Osckel, a spokesman for the Lakewood Police Department, said that he had no further information on the officers condition. The hotel clerks condition was not immediately clear as of Monday night.

Romero said the suspect was later shot in Lakewood and pronounced dead at the scene. It was not immediately clear if police officers had shot him.

Pazen said that, based on preliminary information, the Denver Police Department believed that the same person was responsible for the shootings and the earlier shootout with the police.

A number of mass shootings have taken place in Colorado since two students at Columbine High School shocked the nation in 1999 by killing a teacher and 12 classmates. In March, a gunman killed 10 people at a Boulder grocery store, including a police officer. About two months later, a gunman opened fire at a birthday party in Colorado Springs, killing six people before taking his own life. And last month, six teenagers were wounded in a drive-by shooting at a park in the Denver suburb of Aurora.

The Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as one with four or more people injured or killed, not including the perpetrator, has counted 687 such shootings in the United States this year.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP)  An audit by the Department of Energys Office of Inspector General has found that the Hanford sites occupational medicine contractor submitted inappropriate bills to the Department of Energy.

The Tri-City Herald reported the audit found that DOE reimbursed contractor HPM Corp. for work without reasonable assurance that the costs met reimbursement requirements.

HPMC, based in Kennewick, has held contracts since 2012 to provide occupational medicine services at the nuclear reservation to ensure the health and safety of some 9,000 workers managing the site and cleaning up radioactive and hazardous chemical waste and contamination.

The Department of Energy already resolved $1.3 million of what the Office of the Inspector General deemed misallocated costs after ramping up oversight since 2016.

But in a sampling of records the audit found an additional $44,100 of inappropriately billed costs from 2013 to 2020 and said a review of the remaining billed costs should still be done.

HPMC made no comment on the audit report. Its current seven-year contract is valued at up to $152 million.

The Hanford site next to the Tri-Cities in Eastern Washington was used from World War II through the Cold War to produce about two-thirds of the plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program.

The audit report also found that HPMC did not always follow federal requirements to determine the best value for taxpayers when it awarded subcontracts by seeking bids when possible.

The Office of Inspector General also recommended another look at existing policies and making sure oversight was sufficient.

DOE said it had already implemented some of the recommendations and will complete all actions recommended in the report by October 2022.
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  One person died and another was injured Wednesday afternoon when a helicopter crashed in rural eastern Tennessee, officials said.

The Sevier County Sheriffs Office was alerted to the crash by a bystander who saw and heard the craft going down about 3 p.m., WBIR-TV reported. The crash happened near the Cocke County line and officials from both counties responded. They did not immediately release the names of those involved in the crash.
HONG KONG (AP)  A vocal pro-democracy website in Hong Kong shut down Wednesday after police raided its office and arrested seven current and former editors, board members and a journalist in a continuing crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

Stand News said in a statement that its website and social media are no longer being updated and will be taken down. It said all employees have been dismissed.

The outlet was one of the last remaining openly critical voices in Hong Kong following the shuttering of the Apple Daily newspaper, which closed after its publisher, Jimmy Lai, and top editors were arrested and its assets frozen.

Police raided Stand News' office earlier in the day after arresting the six, including popular singer and activist Denise Ho, a former board member, on charges of conspiracy to publish a seditious publication.

They later also arrested a seventh person, a former Apple Daily editor who is married to the arrested former Stand News editor.

More than 200 officers were involved in the search, police said. They had a warrant to seize relevant journalistic materials under a national security law enacted last year.

The seven were arrested under a crime ordinance that dates from Hong Kong's days as a British colony before 1997, when it was returned to China. Those convicted could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($640).

Police did not identify who was arrested, but Hong Kongs South China Morning Post newspaper reported they were one current and one former editor of Stand News, and four former board members including Ho and former lawmaker Margaret Ng.

A Facebook post early Wednesday morning on Ho's account confirmed that she was being arrested. A subsequent message posted on her behalf said she was OK and urged friends and supporters not to worry about her.

That post drew nearly 40,000 likes and 2,700 comments, mostly from supporters.

Early Wednesday, Stand News posted a video on Facebook of police officers at the home of a deputy editor, Ronson Chan. Chan, who is also chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, was taken away for questioning, the organization confirmed in a statement.

Chan, who was later released, told media the police seized his electronic devices, bank cards and press card.

The arrests come as authorities crack down on dissent in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. Hong Kong police previously raided the offices of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, seizing boxes of materials and computer hard drives to assist in their investigation and freezing millions in assets that later forced the newspaper to cease operations.

Police charged the Apple Daily's Lai, who is already jailed on other charges, with sedition on Tuesday.

We are not targeting reporters, we are not targeting the media, we just targeted national security offenses," said Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the police National Security Department. "If you only report, I dont think this is a problem.

He said at a news conference that those arrested had to account for their actions even if they had resigned from Stand News.

Asked what advice he had for the media, Li replied, Dont be biased. You know well how to report, how to be a responsible reporter, how to make a non-biased report to your readers. Thats all I can give you."

Stand News earlier this year said it would suspend subscriptions and remove most opinion pieces and columns from its website due to the national security law. Six board members also resigned from the company.

The journalists' association urged the city's government to protect press freedom in accordance with Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) is deeply concerned that the police have repeatedly arrested senior members of the media and searched the offices of news organizations containing large quantities of journalistic materials within a year, it said in a statement.

Benedict Rogers, co-founder and CEO of the non-governmental organization Hong Kong Watch, said the arrests are nothing short of an all-out assault on the freedom of the press in Hong Kong.

When a free press guaranteed by Hong Kongs Basic Law is labeled seditious, it is a symbol of the speed at which this once great, open, international city has descended into little more than a police state, he said.

Wednesday's arrests also followed the removal of sculptures and other artwork from university campuses last week. The works supported democracy and memorialized the victims of China's crackdown on democracy protesters at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989.
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (AP)  A northeastern Indiana priest has agreed to plead guilty to child solicitation and sexual battery charges for allegedly sexually abusing a teenage girl and a young woman.

Father David Huneck was charged in October with felony child solicitation and sexual battery and misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, furnishing alcohol to a minor and two counts of battery.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Iowa has reached a milestone  175 years as a state.

WHO-TV reports that Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation on Tuesday declaring Iowa Statehood Day.

President James Polk signed the bill that made Iowa the 29th state on Dec. 28, 1846. Fewer than 100,000 people lived in Iowa at the time. Now, the state has nearly 3.2 million residents.

Iowa became part of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and became its own territory in 1838, separating from the Wisconsin Territory.
ROME (AP)  An Italian court has ordered Costa Crociere cruise line to pay 92,700 euros ($105,000) to a passenger who was aboard the Costa Concordia when it crashed and capsized off Tuscany in 2012, in one of the few civil lawsuits to have reached a verdict against the company.

The Genoa court recognized that passenger Ernesto Carusotti suffered post-traumatic stress as a result of the disaster, which killed 32 people, according to the Codacons consumer group which represented him.

Costa, which is part of the U.S.-based Carnival Corp., declined to comment Wednesday. In a statement to The Associated Press, Costa said it reserved the right to respond through the most appropriate channels."

Some 4,200 passengers and crew were aboard the Concordia when it slammed into a reef Jan. 13, 2012, off Tuscanys Giglio island. The captain, Francesco Schettino, is serving a 16-year prison sentence after he was convicted of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck and abandoning the vessel. Prosecutors say Schettino intentionally brought the ship too close to shore in a stunt, and then abandoned the listing liner while passengers and crew were still aboard.

During Schettinos trial, Costa told the Florence court it had paid out 84 million euros in compensation to passengers, crew and relatives of the 32 dead, according to Italian media reports at the time. But a small percentage of people refused the compensation package and pursued lawsuits.

According to Codacons, Genoa Judge Paolo Gibelli ruled that Costa Crociere was liable not only for the shipwreck itself but for the traumatic experience that Carusotti suffered. It ordered Costa pay Carusotti 77,000 euros in damages plus 15,692 euros in legal fees.

In a statement, Codacons said the award was a very important victory since it showed the total incongruity of Costas compensation package to most of the victims.

The capsized Concordia was eventual righted from the reef and then floated to the mainland where it was turned into scrap.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A Las Vegas judge who let a convicted felon out of jail last month in a separate case ordered him held without bail on Tuesday while he faces new charges in the shooting of a waiter at a restaurant in the citys Chinatown district.

Rashawn Gaston-Anderson, 23, refused to leave jail for an initial court hearing following his Monday arrest, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. A court officer said Gaston-Anderson cited medical reasons.

Across town, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and others gathered with members of the Asian Community Development Council at the retail complex where ShangHai Taste waiter Chengyan Wang was shot multiple times early Dec. 20 in what police characterized as a botched after-hours burglary.

The event was to show support and raise funds for Wang, who moved to Las Vegas earlier this year and remains hospitalized in intensive care. His family lives in China.

Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure noted in court that he let Gaston-Anderson out of jail in early November with conditions including a ban on visiting the citys resort corridor while he faced pandering and weapon charges.

Bonaventure said Gaston-Anderson, who police said had no known home address, was arrested less than two days later on burglary and theft charges and another judge allowed him to be freed on $3,000 cash bail.

Court records show that Gaston-Anderson previously pleaded guilty to felony attempted grand larceny in 2018 and was sentenced to up to 18 months of probation.

An online GoFundMe account hosted by the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce raised nearly $35,000 for Wang by Tuesday. Another fund by the Asian Community Development Council collected almost $15,000.

ShangHai Taste restaurant co-owner Joe Muscaglione told the Review-Journal last week that Wang was shot seven times. Initial reports said he was shot 11 times.

Police said there was no evidence the shooting was a hate crime or that the shooter specifically targeted the Asian community.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP)  A man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for throwing a lit explosive device last year outside a northwest Indiana courthouse, causing a blast that scattered a group of people protesting George Floyds death in police custody.

A judge sentenced Robert Lee Perkins to a four-year sentence on Tuesday, with 18 months in prison followed by 30 months on probation, the Journal & Courier reported. He had pleaded guilty in October to rioting and intimidation.
LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP)  A Southern California man who shot and killed a woman holding her 2-year-old son during an argument over the 2016 presidential election was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison.

John Kevin McVoy Jr., 40, of Corona, received the maximum sentence Monday after being convicted of murder last month, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported.

McVoy was in a garage band with Victor Garcia. During practice on Jan. 10, 2017, the two got into an argument over politics at Garcia's home in North Long Beach, prosecutors said.

McVoy pulled a gun after he was teased for saying he had voted for Hillary Clinton and Garcia told him to leave, prosecutors said.

McVoy shot and wounded Garcia and a second shot fatally struck Garcia's wife, Susan Garcia, 33, as she held their child on her lap.

The child wasn't hurt.

Garcia was shot in the head. He told the court on Monday that he was in a coma for months, underwent two brain surgeries and still has physical issues.

McVoy said he didn't intend to hurt anyone and apologized to the family.

As far as my remorse, I think about this every day, he said.

At trial, McVoy's attorney argued that he shot Garcia in self-defense after being threatened but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Laura Laesekce said McVoy was at fault for bringing the loaded gun and aiming it at Garcia.

Theres no reason to be pointing a gun, she said. Mr. Garcia should not bear the weight of this crime.
WYOMING, Mich. (AP)  A man has pleaded guilty in the death of another man who was struck by a vehicle and killed in western Michigan.

Adam Grego's plea to accidental failure to stop resulting in death or serious impairment came Wednesday in Grand Rapids District Court, according to WOOD-TV.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP)  An intruder suffered a gunshot wound after trying to break into the home of an off-duty Great Falls Police officer, the police department said.

The incident just before 4:30 a.m. Monday "evolved to the point the officer fired a gun and the male was shot, the Great Falls Police Department said in a statement Tuesday evening.
BALTIMORE (AP)  Staffing and capacity challenges at several Maryland hospitals due to a surge of COVID-19 cases should prompt Gov. Larry Hogan to reinstate a public health emergency, the industrys top advocate said on Tuesday.

Bob Atlas, president and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association, said Tuesday that such a declaration would make plain to everyone how serious the situation is right now.

Maryland hospitals are nearly full, emergency departments are stretched thin and nursing shortages are exacerbating issues, Atlas told The Baltimore Sun.

Hospitals are seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases, and hospitals have fewer clinicians ready to care for all patients who need hospital care, Atlas said in an email. Despite these challenges, hospitals are doing everything they can to ensure all Marylanders receive the best possible care.

A health emergency declaration would apply only to health care, health care services, and health care staffing, Atlas said, while providing more protections and flexibility.

The state had a public health emergency in place for a year and a half. That and a broader COVID-19 state of emergency expired in August.

Hogan spokesperson Mike Ricci said the administration already has taken a series of immediate, proactive actions to help hospitals. They include more funds for staff, licensing flexibilities and utilizing alternate care centers more.

There are also new thresholds for when to make more hospital bed capacity available and expanded testing operations, Ricci said.

Additional actions will be taken, as needed, in line with the data and the science, Ricci said in an email.

Maryland Department of Health representatives declined to comment. The department said separately Tuesday that more than 1,800 people with COVID-19 were hospitalized in Maryland, which is nearly three times the number a month earlier.

More Maryland hospitals are using emergency standards of care, which means some surgical procedures are being postponed and documentation is being reduced.

University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital said Tuesday it would implement crisis standards of care in response to the substantial increase of COVID-19 positive patients over the past month, according to a news release.
The fuel storage facility at the heart of the water contamination fiasco at Pearl Harbor is a "ticking time bomb" that the U.S. military is unable to manage, David Day, Hawaii's deputy attorney general, said Monday, upholding a state emergency order compelling the Navy to empty massive storage tanks and make needed repairs.

A November leak of 14,000 gallons of jet fuel at the long-troubled Red Hill underground fuel-storage facility contaminated a Navy-operated well, sickening scores of people and driving about 3,500 military families from their homes.

The Hawaii Department of Health on Dec. 6 ordered the Navy to suspend operations at Red Hill, which officials have described as the most important fuel depot in the Pacific. The Navy fought the order, saying in testimony last week that its decision to pause operations, rush water-filtration systems to the island and investigate the leak was an adequate response.

Day dismissed the Navy's appeal in a court filing, saying after two days of testimony from military leaders, state officials and environmental advocates that the Navy "lacks the ability to control the substantial risks" at Red Hill and suggested the issues there are deeper than the military has disclosed.

"The evidence shows that the Red Hill Facility is simply too old, too poorly designed, too difficult to maintain, too difficult to inspect, along with being too large to prevent future releases," Day wrote in his recommendation to uphold the order in full.

Pearl Harbor's strategic location and the storage capacity of 250 million gallons makes Red Hill an "incredibly important" linchpin fuel operation for the Pacific region that serves every military service branch, a defense official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. The facility, which serves the National Guard and has the ability to fuel state emergency response efforts, would be a vital strategic reserve in conflict, officials have said.

The Navy and other parties have until the end of Wednesday to submit exceptions or objections, the Health Department said. Those would be considered during the agency's final decision about the order.

"We are aware of the proposed decision and have no further statement at this time," Rear Adm. Charles Brown, a Navy spokesman, said in a statement.

It is unclear how the Navy would readjust its fuel operations if the tanks were emptied, but a disruption is poised to cause some logistical headaches, said Chris Dougherty, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington think tank.

"Removing 250 million gallons' worth of secure underground storage would exacerbate an already limited supply," he said. "They'd have to find some other way to store the vast quantities of fuel needed to support operations through the Pacific."

The Navy's water system serves about 93,000 people at and near Pearl Harbor. The Red Hill water shaft, the site of the November contamination, is near the huge facility of 20 underground steel fuel tanks encased in concrete, each about 20 stories tall. The tanks were carved into the basalt rock after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, following concerns that aboveground fuel depots would be targets for subsequent strikes.

Red Hill was chosen in part to allow gravity to pipe the fuel down to piers and other holding tanks, but it was also constructed about 100 feet above Oahu's sole drinking-water aquifer. Leaks and contamination issues have plagued the facility for years, culminating in a November spill that percolated into a well used by military families and civilians near the base.

Families began reporting foul odors from water taps and symptoms like vomiting, headaches and dizziness on Nov. 28. Nearly a dozen families told The Washington Post that they had experienced similar symptoms as early as spring, leading to suspicions that there was more extensive contamination than the Navy has disclosed.

Capt. James Meyer, commanding officer of Naval Facilities Hawaii, testified in a hearing on the emergency order last week that his "working theory" is a fuel leak from May eventually migrated into access tunnels and fire-suppression lines, prompting the November spill into the water shaft. The Navy said initially that the leak amounted to about 1,600 gallons of jet fuel, but an internal review obtained by The Post showed one fuel tank emptied as much as 473 barrels - roughly 19,000 gallons - in less than a minute.

Navy spokeswoman Lydia Robertson declined to discuss the link between the incidents, saying the matter is under investigation.

Day said problems at Red Hill threaten more than the Navy water supply, given the aquifer's role serving Oahu. The 76 spills since World War II, resulting in leaks of nearly 200,000 gallons of fuel, probably constitute an undercount, he wrote, adding the Navy's oversight has failed to keep up with the aging infrastructure.

The tanks, he said, "have a serious corrosion problem that the Navy will be unable to address over time."

In the hearing, senior Navy official James Balocki played down the issue, denying the contamination was a crisis and claiming he wasn't aware of anyone who was sickened by the water.

His comments - which came after military families testified they were ill from the water - drew a rebuke from Rep. Kaiali'i Kahele, D-Hawaii, and led to an apology from the Navy.

"Jim fully appreciates the pain his words have caused, and he regrets that he did not reflect empathy or understanding for the substantial impact of this situation on both people and the environment," Navy assistant secretary Meredith Berger wrote in a Dec. 24 response to Kahele.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  New Hampshire began making public Wednesday its long-secret list of police officers with possible credibility issues.

The Laurie List tracks officers whose credibility may be called into question during a trial because of something in their personnel records.

Prosecutors are required to turn the information over to defendants before trial, but public access has been limited to heavily redacted versions of the list. But under a new state law, the Department of Justice is required to gradually release the list after a period during which officers can contest their placement on it.

The first batch of 80 names was made public Wednesday, along with brief descriptions of the officers' alleged wrongdoing. Truthfulness was listed for 53 of the officers. Eleven were cited for criminal conduct, with smaller numbers cited for excessive force, falsification of records or dereliction of duty. The list initially included 90 names but was updated later in the day with 10 removed.

The list includes officers from more than 50 different agencies, including four county sheriff's offices and the state police. The attorney general's office noted that some of the officers may no longer be employed by the agencies listed, and some may have died.

The new law's provisions match a recommendation by the Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency that was established in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The lists official title is the exculpatory evidence schedule. It is often called the Laurie List after Carl Laurie, whose murder conviction was overturned in 1995 after a court determined that defense attorneys were not told about poor behavior by a detective involved in his confession.

Several media outlets and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire sued seeking access to the list in 2018.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico Indigenous leaders are concerned about a proposed multimillion-dollar transmission line that would cross what they consider sacred lands.

The transmission line planned by the U.S. government would bring more electricity to Los Alamos National Laboratory as it looks to power ongoing operations and future missions at the northern New Mexico complex that include manufacturing key components for the nation's nuclear arsenal.

The proposed transmission line would stretch more than 12 miles (19 kilometers), crossing national forest land in an area known as the Caja del Rio and spanning the Rio Grande at White Rock Canyon. New structural towers would need to be built on both sides of the canyon.

The All Pueblo Council of Governors  which represents 20 pueblos in New Mexico and Texas  recently adopted a resolution to support the preservation of the Caja del Rio. The organization says the area has a dense concentration of petroglyphs, ancestral homes, ceremonial kivas, roads, irrigation structures and other cultural resources.

The tribes say longstanding mismanagement by the federal government has resulted in desecration to sacred sites on the Caja del Rio.

The U.S. Energy Departments National Nuclear Security Administration announced in April that it would be working with federal land managers to assess the projects potential environmental effects. But pueblo leaders claim there has not been adequate tribal consultation on the proposed project.

All Pueblo Council of Governors Chairman Wilfred Herrera submitted a letter to the Santa Fe National Forest on Dec. 17, requesting that forest officials comply with consultation requirements.

Herrera, a former governor of Laguna Pueblo, said preservation of the Caja Del Rio's sacred landscape is a collective priority for the council as it works to protect ancestral homelands around the region. He said Caja del Rio is home to pueblo ancestors and spirits.

"We encourage the federal government to understand that to fully engage with the pueblos, we need your commitment and cooperation, especially during this time of year marked by transition and rest. APCG stands ready to support decision-making that protects pueblo cultural resources in perpetuity, he said in a statement issued last week.

Federal officials have said they will try to avoid known biological, recreational, cultural and historical resources, such as El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. Another goal would be minimizing visibility of the transmission line from residential areas.

The project  which could cost up to $300 million  calls for new overhead poles with an average span of 800 feet (244 meters), access roads for construction and maintenance and staging areas where materials can be stored.

Part of the line would be built along an existing utility corridor, but a new path would have to be cut through forest land to reach an electrical substation.

Environmentalists, residents and others already have voiced concerns about potential effects, saying the area encompasses wide Indigenous landscapes and is a scenic gateway to northern New Mexico.

The area has seen an increase in outdoor recreational use and it serves as a migration corridor for wildlife.

The Los Alamos Study Group, a watchdog group that has been critical of Los Alamos labs expansion plans, has said the lack of an overall analysis of the cumulative effects that plutonium core production and more weapons work could have on the surrounding communities is another concern.

___

This story has been updated to correct the name of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  North Dakota spent $8.4 million this year on bonuses for some state workers, a record sum that was more than double paid out in 2020.

A little more than a third of the nearly 9,300 state employees received the bonuses, including several from Republican Gov. Doug Burgums office, according to records obtained by The Associated Press. The bonuses, which grew from $3.5 million last year, helped push total employee compensation to $582 million for 2021, up $40 million from 2020.

The bulk of bonuses paid to employees comes from agencies in the governors cabinet, records show. Burgum, who approved $7,100 in bonuses to six of his staffers, defends the program. In a statement, he called the bonuses a tool authorized by the Legislature to reward performance and help retain team members in a competitive labor market.

State Office of Management and Budget Director Joe Morrissette, the states top budget writer, said the bonus money must come from an agencys existing salary budget and agency heads are given discretion on how to spend it.

North Dakota agencies turned back $338 million in unspent money to the state general fund in past year, Morrissette said.

The Legislature approved the program in 1999 in an effort to reward, recruit and retain employees for hard-to-fill state jobs. The program is drawing increased criticism from lawmakers and the union that represents state employees because not all agencies choose or are able to give out the bonuses.

John Bjornson, the Legislatures top attorney, said the bonuses his agency doesnt give them out because they have a sense of unfairness to them. Instead, he said, the agency attempts to hire its employees at salaries that are competitive without the bonuses.

The bonuses are a thorny subject, and not many lawmakers are even aware of the practice, Republican House Majority Leader Chet Pollert said. Information on the bonuses are not readily available to the public without an open records request.

Perhaps a more specific report could be provided to the Legislature to make (bonuses) more transparent, said Bjornson, who heads the Legislative Council, the Legislatures nonpartisan research arm that includes accountants and attorneys.

No legislation has surfaced to stop or amend the legislation that authorizes them. No similar bonus programs are offered in neighboring Minnesota or South Dakota.

Republican state Rep. Rick Becker, of Bismarck, a former gubernatorial candidate, has been a leading critic of the program that has come to light largely from news reports.

Its easy and awesome to be so generous and hand out bonuses when its not your money, Becker said.
SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP)  North Macedonias president Wednesday nominated Social Democrat party leader Dimitar Kovachevski to become the next prime minister.

The move follows the formal resignation last week of the countrys center-left government to pave the way for new coalition talks. Kovachevski is set to replace Zoran Zaev, who stepped down as prime minister and party leader in the wake of multiple defeats in October in mayoral and local government elections.

A former deputy finance minister, the 47-year-old Kovachevski has allied with the small ethnic Albanian party, Alternative, to create a new coalition which would have 64 seats in the 120-member parliament.

He now has 20 days to formally propose a new government to parliament for ratification. The countrys conservative opposition renewed calls Wednesday for an early general election.

Kovachevski vowed to make efforts to deal with economic insecurity exacerbated by the pandemic the priority of his new government.

He has also promised to invite Bulgarian Prime minister Kiril Petkov in a bid to ease tensions in bilateral relations that have held up North Macedonias bid to join the European Union.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to decide how long prosecutors have to charge someone for the crime of attempted murder or attempted aggravated murder.

There is no statute of limitations on the prosecution of murder or aggravated murder under Ohio law. At issue before the court is whether the same law also covers unsuccessful attempts at murder.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  Police officers shot a man who had been acting erratically as he ran toward a vehicle entering an Orlando apartment complex early Wednesday, officials said.

Multiple residents called 911 just before 1 a.m. Wednesday about a man who was knocking on windows at the Vista Verde Apartments, Deputy Chief Eric Smith said during a news conference.
NEW YORK (AP)  A lawsuit by an American who claims Prince Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17 might have to be thrown out because she no longer lives in the U.S., lawyers for the Prince said in a court filing Tuesday.

Attorneys Andrew Brettler and Melissa Lerner wrote that they recently discovered Virginia Giuffre has lived in Australia all but two of the last 19 years and cannot claim she's a resident of Colorado, where she hasn't lived since at least 2019.

In an August lawsuit, Virginia Giuffre claimed that the prince abused her on multiple occasions in 2001.

The prince's lawyers in October asked Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to throw out the lawsuit, saying the prince never sexually abused or assaulted Giuffre and they believed she sued Andrew to achieve another payday at his expense and at the expense of those closest to him. The lawyers acknowledged that Giuffre may well be a victim of sexual abuse by financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting a sex trafficking trial.

Last month, Kaplan said a trial in Giuffre's lawsuit against the prince could occur between September and December 2022.

But the prince's lawyers say the new information about Giuffre's residence should result in the suspension of any further progress in the lawsuit toward trial, which would include depositions of Andrew and Giuffre, until the issue is settled as to whether her foreign residence disqualifies her from suing Andrew in the U.S.

They asked the judge to order Giuffre to respond to written legal requests about her residency and submit to a two-hour deposition on the issue.

An attorney for Giuffre, Sigrid McCawley, called the request to toss out the case just another in a series of tired attempts by Prince Andrew to duck and dodge the legal merits of the case Virginia Giuffre has brought against him. All parties in litigation are subject to discovery and Prince Andrew is no exception.

The prince's attorneys wrote that Giuffre has an Australian driver's license and was living in a $1.9 million home in Perth, Western Australia, where she has been raising three children with her husband, who is Australian.

Even if Ms. Giuffres Australian domicile could not be established as early as October 2015, there can be no real dispute that she was permanently living there with an intent to remain there as of 2019  still two years before she filed this action against Prince Andrew, the lawyers wrote.

They said the timing of Giuffre's registration to vote in Colorado prior to filing the lawsuit against the prince was suspicious and appears to be a calculated move in an effort to support her specious claim of citizenship in Colorado despite having moved to Australia at least a year (if not four years) earlier.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they choose to come forward publicly, as Giuffre has.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  South Carolina lawmakers heard public testimony Wednesday over a proposal to redraw the state's U.S. House districts that scales back the sweeping changes suggested in an earlier map.

The South Carolina House released the new proposal for the state's seven districts last week.

The 2020 U.S. Census saw more than 500,000 people added to the state. But that growth was uneven, as people flocked to coastal areas and rural areas saw populations drop, so lawmakers now have to retool district boundaries.

The House's suggested map doesn't significantly redraw the boundaries of the state's existing districts and resembles a proposal put forth by a Senate committee last month. Early analysis shows the state would likely continue to elect six Republicans and one Democrat to the U.S. House with those districts.

But the map is a marked departure from the House's initial proposal, released earlier this month. That first map extended Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's inland 2nd District east to encompass coastal Beaufort County and shifted boundaries for several other districts. Those changes would ultimately make the coastal 1st District more competitive between Democrats and Republicans.

House Redistricting Committee Chairman Jay Jordan said Wednesday that both suggested House maps are still in consideration. Jordan said committee staff drew the second map after people giving public input over the first map expressed concerns that Beaufort County had been separated from other coastal communities.

Democrats have opposed both the Senate map and its similar House counterpart that would put more likely Republican voters into the 1st District  the only one in South Carolina where a Democrat has flipped a seat from Republicans since 1986.

There is no ambiguity surrounding this maps clear objective: to make it impossible for a Democrat to win any congressional seats outside of the 6th District, said Joe Cunningham, the Democrat who flipped the 1st District seat in 2018 before losing it to Republican Nancy Mace in 2020, in written testimony to the House committee.

The 6th District is currently represented by the delegations lone Democrat, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, and is the state's only majority-minority district. Under the new House proposal, it trades some areas with the 1st District.

That change would divide parts of Charleston County and the city of Charleston, said Lynn Teague with the the League of Women Voters of South Carolina. The ultimate effect would be to put more white residents in the surrounding Charleston areas to dominate the 1st District, she said.

Teague said the new House proposal also splits up Black communities in other parts of the state, including Richland County. It also makes more sense to draw a map to keep the cities of North Charleston and Charleston together over Beaufort and Charleston, Teague said, noting the first two share more economic and social interests than the latter two.

We believe that it is an obvious racial and partisan gerrymander and should be rejected, Teague said of the new map.

The committee didn't vote on either map Wednesday. Jordan said the committee plans to send a proposal to the full House sometime in the next two weeks.

We have been criticized both for taking too long and also for moving too fast," Jordan said. But I again remind everyone this is a monumental task, and that we have been diligent and careful to get this right.

The Senate has yet to approve its congressional map. Lawmakers from both chambers still have to get together to hash out what the districts will eventually look like, and those boundaries must also withstand any legal challenges.

Two civil rights groups have already sued the state, saying lawmakers are taking too long to approve the U.S. House maps. The groups want a court to set a Feb. 15 deadline for the U.S. House maps to be finished.
BOSTON (AP)  Massachusetts has purchased 200,000 at-home testing kits that will be distributed to school districts throughout the state so teachers and staff can test for COVID-19 before they return to work after the holiday break, school officials said Wednesday.

Every district will receive enough tests to ensure that two can be distributed to each staff member, one of which should be taken no more than 24 hours before they return to work, with the second kept to be used at the staffer's discretion, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said in a statement.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The Biden administration has affirmed a Trump administration interpretation of high-level radioactive waste that is based on the wastes radioactivity rather than how it was produced.

The U.S. Department of Energy announcement last week means some radioactive waste from nuclear weapons production stored in Idaho, Washington and South Carolina could be reclassified and moved for permanent storage elsewhere.

After extensive policy and legal assessment, DOE affirmed that the interpretation is consistent with the law, guided by the best available science and data, and that the views of members of the public and the scientific community were considered in its adoption, the agency said in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The Biden administration's affirmation of the new interpretation came after various groups offered letters of support and opposition to the agency after Biden became president, leading to the notice in the Federal Register making clear where the administration stood. Biden has reversed Trump policy in other areas.

The policy has to do with nuclear waste generated from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel to build nuclear bombs. Such waste previously has been characterized as high level. The new interpretation applies to waste that includes such things as sludge, slurry, liquid, debris and contaminated equipment.

The agency said making disposal decisions based on radioactivity characteristics rather than how it became radioactive could allow the Energy Department to focus on other high-priority cleanup projects, reduce how long radioactive waste is stored at Energy Department facilities, and increase safety for workers, communities and the environment.

The department noted that the approach is supported by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Americas Nuclear Future, formed during the Obama administration.

The department identified three sites where waste is being stored that will be affected by the new interpretation.

In Idaho, it's stored at an 890-square-mile (2,300-square-kilometer) Energy Department site in the southeastern part of the state that includes the Idaho National Laboratory. In Washington, the waste is stored at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, a decommissioned nuclear site in the south-central part of the state that produced plutonium for nuclear bombs. In South Carolina, it's stored at the 310-square-mile (800-square-kilometer) Savannah River Site, home of the Savannah River National Laboratory.

The department, in the statement to the AP, said it is committed to utilizing science-driven solutions to continue to achieve success in tackling the environmental legacy of decades of nuclear weapons production and government-sponsored nuclear energy research.

The agency also last week made public a draft environmental assessment based on the new interpretation to move some contaminated equipment from the Savannah River Site to a commercial low-level radioactive waste disposal facility located outside South Carolina. Potential storage sites are located in Andrews County, Texas, and in Clive, Utah.

Previously, the agency through a public process and using the new interpretation, approved moving up to 10000 gallons (37,854 liters) of wastewater from the Savannah River Site, with some going to Texas.

A similar public process would be used concerning additional waste at the Savannah River Site or in the other two states.

The nation has no permanent storage for high-level radioactive waste. Reclassifying some of the high-level waste under the new interpretation means it can legally be sent to commercial facilities for storing waste deemed less radioactive.

Edwin Lyman, director of Nuclear Power Safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit, said his group agreed that radioactive waste should be classified using technical analysis rather than a legal definition.

But he also said any decision made under this new interpretation has to be backed up by solid analysis and a strong commitment to public health and safety and environmental protection.

He also said he was concerned that the new interpretation could hinder development of permanent storage for high-level radioactive waste, which mostly sits above ground at sites where it was produced.

It shouldn't be used as an excuse not to move forward with a repository, Lyman said. That's the danger.

The Energy Department was shipping high-level waste to Idaho until a series of lawsuits between the state and the federal government in the 1990s led to a settlement agreement. The agreement is seen as preventing the state from becoming a high-level nuclear waste repository.

The Idaho site sits above a giant aquifer that supplies water to cities and farms in the region.
EDNEYVILLE, N.C. (AP)  A 3-year-old girl flown to a western North Carolina hospital on Christmas Day for treatment of what officials described as an accidental self-inflicted shooting has died, authorities announced on Wednesday.

Aylee Gordon died late Tuesday at Mission Hospital in Asheville, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
On Nov. 22, San Francisco police Chief Bill Scott was interviewed by KGO to discuss retail theft. Scott stated that the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) could not view camera footage due to city county ordinances.

When asked by the interviewer to confirm his statement, Scott again stated, That is correct. We cannot because of local laws. That is correct. Scott also claimed to have had many conversations and that there had been no results. On Dec. 14, San Francisco Mayor London Breed stated that amendments to the surveillance technology vetting ordinance were needed, claiming that that policy is out of balance.

None of these statements are true.

The Board of Supervisors supported creation of an ordinance to vet surveillance technology used by city departments. It was enacted in June 2019. I helped co-author this ordinance, as Ive done for five other jurisdictions in California to date. Across the country, 22 municipalities have enacted such common sense legislation, and I regularly consult with municipal staff as they navigate such frameworks.

The ordinance requires that an impact analysis be conducted to highlight any red flags from use. This analysis is conducted by staff proposing to use the technology and requires that certain questions be addressed  what third parties might receive data? What data is collected and how long will it be retained? What are the proposed uses of the technology, and what public safety goal will be achieved? How much does it cost?

A proposed use policy is brought forth at the same time, and ideally, guardrails are built into the policy that would mitigate any of the concerns raised in the analysis. The framework facilitates appropriate uses of technology such as responding to violent crimes, while mitigating the negative impacts from use such as racial profiling, an ongoing problem for SFPD. The ordinance also expressly allows use of technologies that have not yet been approved in exigent circumstances  that is, if there is an imminent threat to someones life or risk of serious physical injury, SFPD has always had the authority to act.

On July 20, the board unanimously approved 32 separate use policies and use of such technologies throughout the city. The policies were submitted by various city departments. Nineteen of the policies were for cameras. Notably, SFPD refused to submit such a camera policy. According to its own survey, SFPD is presently using 44 surveillance technologies.

In a Dec. 14 blog post, Breed deliberately misleads the public by claiming that SFPD is barred from preventing and interrupting crime in real time, and by mischaracterizing the ordinances requirements. Although true that any new technology must receive Board of Supervisors approval prior to acquisition or use, this is not true for existing technology. Section 19.B.5 (d) specifically authorizes continued use of existing tech, including data sharing. Mayor Breed claims that the ordinance has created barriers for law enforcement when responding to public safety emergencies. It hobbled law enforcement when confronting life-threatening incidents like active shooters, suspected terrorist events, hostage taking, kidnapping, natural disasters, or looting. It also created a significant delay in the approval process to establish a policy to use the equipment.

These are blatant lies. As stated above, SFPD has always had authority to act in life-threatening scenarios.

When Scott claimed that he was prevented from accessing camera footage that a merchant might have, that was also an inaccurate claim. Section 19.B.2 (k) expressly authorizes receipt, access to, or use of information provided by a non-city entity, such as business improvement districts or private citizens, without needing to first obtain board approval. If Chief Scott is claiming that his hands are tied, its his fingerprints on the rope.

There is no bureaucratic delay as claimed by the mayor, when SFPD has had over two years to submit required use policies for its existing surveillance technology. Dozens of departments have successfully navigated the ordinance. SFPD itself submitted two use policies, for automated license plate readers and an acoustic gunshot detecting technology. Each was approved unanimously by the board, demonstrating that the ordinance is a pragmatic approach to facilitating appropriate uses of technology to increase public safety, and that SFPD knows how to comply. If SFPD desires expanded or new uses, ask for them. The mayor and chief are skipping class, yet blaming the school for their failing grades.

The drug-warrior rhetoric recently espoused by Breed will cause harm. I hate to break it to you, mayor, but the War on Drugs is over. Drugs won. We have decades of data to demonstrate that increased police presence and mass surveillance will have no positive impact on what is occurring in the Tenderloin. In a review of over 500 studies on crime prevention, a National Institute of Justice report stated that "increased arrests or raids on drug market locations does not work.

As the police officers association lies to the public about District Attorney Chesa Boudin, claiming that his policies and laws like Proposition 47 are the root of all evil, their own statistics show that SFPD solves larceny theft at a less than 3% rate this year. The burglary clearance rate is 10%. Despite the use of automated license plate readers, auto theft recovery is less than 8%. No district attorney can prosecute a case that isnt brought to them. This also raises the question as to why SFPD is not more effective at solving crimes, when they have 44 surveillance technologies at their disposal.

Arresting folks in the Tenderloin will not eliminate the root causes of these harms. These folks cant afford to pay court or probation fees, they wont show up to court appearances, and if incarcerated, taxpayers will spend triple the amount to keep a human in a cage, rather than provide preventative help and wrap-around services that have shown a far greater effectiveness than increased punitive action.

San Francisco suffers from a failure of leadership, not a cumbersome surveillance ordinance. Its a lack of vision, a knee-jerk reaction that leads to the further and constant erosion of civil liberties protections, in return for an illusion of greater public safety.

Brian Hofer is the Executive Director of Secure Justice, and Chair of the City of Oaklands Privacy Advisory Commission. He co-authored San Franciscos surveillance ordinance, and continues to engage with city staff as they navigate the ordinance framework.
After 25 years of spreading vitriol on Infowars, Alex Jones media empire has rarely been more volatile  and disastrous  than it is right now. The far-right media personality faces a slew of personal and professional catastrophes, from a relentless parade of self-inflicted legal trouble to a laughable partnership with an internet hypnotist.

For much of his career, Jones has been able to evade financial consequences for spreading lies on his network. Up until now, the most severe penalty has been two public humiliations in 2017. That year, he was forced to apologize for and retract statements about James Alefantis, the owner of the pizzeria at the center of the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, and  believe it or not  the Chobani yogurt company. Jones claimed on-air that Chobani was linked to a sexual assault case involving children.

But consequences, potentially of a dire financial nature, are finally coming home to roost at Infowars. In late September, a Texas judge ruled that by failing to produce court-ordered evidence, Jones had by default lost a lawsuit filed by family members of Sandy Hook victims. The rare default judgment means the trial now skips straight to the penalty phase. Jones must pay damages in multiple lawsuits that allege he defamed victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting; Jones repeatedly claimed children didnt die  26 people, including 20 children, were killed at the school  and even baselessly speculated the school had been closed for years prior to the shooting as evidence the tragedy was staged. Since the lawsuits were filed, however, Jones has tried to minimize his earlier statements and now says he acknowledges people died at Sandy Hook.

In November, a judge in Connecticut, where a separate defamation suit was filed, handed down another default judgment against Jones. Although Jones has ranted on-air that these default judgments are depriving him of his right to due process, he was given years to produce documents related to the cases and failed to do so. The Texas judge said his actions showed "flagrant bad faith and callous disregard for the responsibilities of discovery under the rules."

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Jones doesnt yet know how much hell be ordered to pay in each suit  juries will hear evidence and determine damages in the upcoming penalty phase  but the sum could threaten his livelihood. No one outside the company knows Infowars yearly earnings, but its clear Jones reach has waned significantly since he was banned from most major social media platforms in 2018. In what appears to be a flagrant attempt to raise funds for his legal woes, Jones recently launched Reset Wars, which hes billed as the culmination of his decades of work.

A look at the Reset Wars website shows a long, rambling letter from Jones that mixes New Age self-help and Jones usual brand of angry paranoia.

Right now, theres an all-out war that the elites are taking part in to gain control over the entire world, the site reads. First, it will start with creating a global government in order to create a society that has zero choice but to listen to the power in charge. Then, it will move into an all-out assault on our minds, controlling what we think, say, and do. And finally, it will end with a war on our soul, to keep us separated from the power we can find within god.

In exchange for the information to fight this imaginary war  which Jones writes hes risking my life  to share with you  customers must pay $222. The content was created in partnership with Jake Ducey, an internet hypnotist who charges hundreds of dollars for programs that claim to attract better health, abundant wealth, more love and everlasting gratitude through manifesting of positive thoughts.

WARNING, Duceys site reads, Advertisers, schools, and many religious institutions don't want you to know these secrets because you'll no longer need their products or beliefs that continue to keep you feeling in lack.

The partnership is particularly odd  and perhaps indicative of Jones desperation for any financial windfall  given Jones religious beliefs. Although he made his career as an anti-establishment political agitator, Jones diatribes are now more consistent with fundamentalist Christian extremism than any particular political ideology. On a recent episode of his show, Jones ranted about how vaccinating children allows the Christian devil to gain influence in the world. When we societally allow the mass murder and maiming of our children, now happening, God will curse us and remove even more of Gods protection, Jones said.

Jones regularly refers to battling the devil  and not in a metaphorical sense. He calls his perceived enemies demons and after news broke about the Sandy Hook default judgments, he told his listeners he was high as a kite fighting Satan.

Among his current roster of foes is the House select committee tasked with investigating the Jan. 6 riots. On Dec. 20, Jones filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the committee from subpoenaing him. The suit, in part, is attempting to stop phone records from being sent to the committee, but AT&T informed Jones they were sending those records on Dec. 16, four days before his lawsuit was filed. A similar filing from Michael Flynn was recently thrown out by a judge.

Despite all the turmoil, the Infowars misinformation machine rolls on: On Tuesday, the website touted stories about an alien invasion meant to usher in the final phase of the COVID scam and Jeffrey Epstein running baby blood farms.
The line of cars leading to the entrance to Mount Diablo State Park grew long on Tuesday afternoon, as many Bay Area residents sought out one of the few areas in the region that had snow. The East Bay peak, which normally has snow three to five times per year at its 3,800-foot elevation, got snow at its summit on Monday, drawing a steady stream of visitors ever since.

"It's probably an inch," Cameron Morrison, supervising ranger on Mount Diablo, told SFGATE on Tuesday. "Since it's only 32 degrees and was 23 this morning, it hasn't had a chance to melt."

Even as the lingering conditions were favorable, snow seekers had to work hard via a two-mile uphill hike for their chance to build a snowman. With the route up to the peak closed at Summit Road near Juniper Campground, many families traversed the ascent with kids who were soon wondering aloud if the climb was worth it.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

We did not anticipate that wed have to walk, said Frank Long of Sacramento who made the trip up to the summit with his 3-year-old great niece. But its been fine, and its just really beautiful up here.

At the summit, hikers were met with a snowy landscape that, although visibly diminishing, filled the parking lot outside the visitor center and the hillside leading up to it. Snowmen construction, snowball fights and selfie sessions were in abundance as hikers reached the top.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

It is busy, said Morrison. Its the week following Christmas, and a lot of schools are out. We tend to get a lot of school-aged children with their parents. And people visiting from out of the area.

By 3 p.m. Tuesday, the crowds appeared to only be growing larger, with the parking lot at the Diablo Valley Overlook at capacity, and more than two dozen cars in line for the ranger station at the parks entrance.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

[The snow] creates its own challenges, because we have a lot of people who aren't regular visitors, Morrison said. Theyll be building a snowman and use poison oak branches for the arms.

Mondays storm was the second time in the past two weeks that Mount Diablo got snow, and the forecast in the next 24 hours shows the possibility of more to come.

We're planning for a snow day tomorrow, but you just never know," Morrison said.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

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State-run power producer NTPC has sought complete control over the two public-sector hydroelectric power firms it acquired last year under the Centre's disinvestment programme, and suggested discontinuation of the posts of managing director and directors in these firms after the current incumbents' tenures are over, an official said.

The Maharatna company, as per the official cited earlier, told the government its investors are worried that the company is investing Rs 11,500 crore in these companies without getting management control.

It also said the two PSUs--North Eastern Electric Power Corp (NEEPCO) and THDC India--can leverage NTPC's financial strength for cheaper finance.

"A transition roadmap is being prepared to explore synergies," the official said. NTPC is also mulling listing of NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd, NEEPCO and THDC, he added.

As per the proposal, after the expiry of the term of the current chairmen and whole time directors of the two companies, NTPC's chairman and managing director, Gurdeep Singh, or any other nominated director, will take charge as the non-executive chairman of the two PSUs.

Chief executives for the two PSUs may be appointed, the official said, adding that NTPC seeks to appoint two functional directors each on the board of the two PSUs, signifying a complete board restructuring and takeover.

The official said the Centre has not yet drawn a merger roadmap for Power Finance Corp (PFC) and REC Ltd, after the former acquired REC in 2019 in a Rs14,000-crore deal. The two power sector-dedicated infrastructure finance companies are expected to continue operations as separate entities in the near term on apprehensions that their consolidation may lead to financing issues in the segment.








Partnerships have been the cornerstone of growing Alvernia University into a regional comprehensive university and the linchpin to our entry into downtown Pottsville as we begin Pottsville CollegeTowne, said Alvernia University President John R. Loyack. We are grateful for all the community support and enthusiasm for our CollegeTowne initiative and we owe a special thanks to PA Senator Argall, U.S. House Representative Meuser, PA Speaker of the House Cutler, Governor Wolf and their respective teams for their vision and commitment to provide the spark that will bring Pottsville CollegeTowne to life.





On July 1st, 2021, Alvernia held a news conference where they officially announced they would be purchasing the former grocery store and turn it into Pottsville Collegetown, just like their the Wilkes Barre and Reading Collegetown.



The Collegetown Strategy, which Alvernia first successfully implemented in Wilkes Barre 8 years prior, and also Reading, not only allows students to attend and earn degrees locally but also helps in the community's revitalization.



Alvernias OPake Institute will partner Schuylkill Campus students with regional entrepreneurs, small-business owners, faculty researchers and industry leaders to enhance economic development in the region.



This new branch campus of Alvernia University is the keystone of dedicated community efforts to revitalize downtown Pottsville, said Senator David Argall (R-Berks/Schuylkill). Thousands of communities across Pennsylvania applied for this highly competitive funding. Receiving this investment from the state would not have been possible without bipartisan cooperation between city, county, state, and federal officials and community leaders. Thank you to Alvernia University for helping to breathe new life into Schuylkill County.







In July, Alvernia said the project is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2022.









@AlverniaUniv was awarded a $3M grant to turn a vacant, blighted building in the heart of Pottsville into the newest CollegeTowne branch campus. The project will redesign and rebuild the property at 500 Progress Avenue, the site of the former Giant grocery store. pic.twitter.com/Kdbz6E7KE0  Senator David Argall (@SenatorArgall) December 29, 2021





Alvernia University announced on Wednesday that the college has received a $3 million grant from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to renovate its newly secured downtown Pottsville location at 500 Progress Avenue, for their Pottsville CollegeTowne strategy.This hefty financial investment into our area will greatly assist with improving the Pottsville area as well as further expanding access to education for local and commuting students,  said Rep. Joe Kerwin (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin). This revitalization project is meant to bring new life to our communities while simultaneously allowing for Alvernia University to offer more opportunities for students with a growing interest in nursing and healthcare. I am pleased that I could assist in this process and look forward to the completion of this project.Alvernia Universitys new branch campus in Pottsville has the potential to develop the next generation of business leaders and health care professionals to live and work in and around the Pottsville community, said Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill). This project is the result of a combined effort between the university, various levels of government and community leaders, which shows what can happen when people work together. Im excited about this project and the future benefits it can deliver for the people in Pottsville and the surrounding area.This is exciting news for Pottsville as this new CollegeTowne hub will transform a once blighted area in our community into something that will attract the masses and offer a place for the younger population to gather, learn and grow, said Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill). Not to mention this allows the university to reach additional students as well as expand their nursing and healthcare programs for our students, who are investing their money and time, to have better access, especially during a time where we are seeing a shortage in this particular line of work.
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She was born George Jamieson in Liverpool on April 29, 1935, one of six children of a cook in the Merchant Navy. Young George suffered from a calcium deficiency and his frail health was not improved by the regular beatings his mother gave him whenever he wet the bed. After one particularly savage onslaught, the doctor who had been called in to examine his wounds warned Ada Jamieson that if she ever laid hands on her son again, he would have her arrested. April Ashley signs the marriage register with her husband Arthur Corbett September 11, 1963. Credit:Getty Ada Jamieson would later claim that our Georgie had been a normal boy at school. This was not how April Ashley recalled her school days: I was emaciated and very shy. I felt like a total freak. I never grew up as I was supposed to. There were no whiskers, my voice didnt break and I sprouted breasts. I hated myself and there was no one I could look to. She was, she said, frequently beaten up in the street. At the age of 15, George knew he wanted to be a girl, but joined the Merchant Navy instead. But in the middle of his second voyage in the Furnace Withy liner Pacific Fortune, he made a suicide attempt and was put ashore at San Francisco. Back in England, he was treated in Walton Hospitals psychiatric unit with male hormones and ECT, though the doctor noted there was nothing wrong with him except a womanish appearance.

Discharged from hospital, George moved to London, where he found work as a cleaner in Soho. There, at the Quo Vadis restaurant, he met Albert Einstein, who remarked on his long eyelashes: Why do you keep calling me Madame Butterfly, Mr Einstein? George asked. On a visit to the South of France in 1956, George met a troupe of female impersonators who suggested he might like to work at the Le Caroussel nightclub in Paris which was famous for its drag acts. He joined the troupe and stayed with them for four years. The club put George on a course of oestrogen injections which helped to develop his bosom and hips. She moved to a modest rented apartment in San Diego which she shared with her cat, Lily Ashley John Wayne Bobbitt Tonya Harding. He became a close friend of Coccinelle, a French transwoman famed for her outrageous mink coats. It was through Coccinelle that George met a Casablanca surgeon named Dr Burou who specialised in transition surgery. Coccinelle herself had been treated by Dr Burou and had returned in triumph to France to get married in Notre Dame Cathedral. In May 1960, aged 25, George presented himself at Dr Burous clinic and, having paid 2,000, underwent surgery. The process was an excruciating one and the side-effects  dizziness, nausea and swelling  lasted for two years.

She took the name April, after the month of her birth, and Ashley after Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind: I knew the pinnacle of happiness, a joy beyond words that few others would know, she recalled. Back in England, the Ministry of National Insurance issued April with a womans card and she obtained a passport and driving licence which described her as female. Within six months of the operation, she was asked to model furs at a show at the Dorchester attended by the Duchess of Gloucester and from then on, there was no looking back. I was exquisite, darling, she recalled. I was considered a desirable woman. As well as modelling, she appeared in the film comedy Road to Hong Kong (1962) with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Joan Collins, and later in the 1976 Mexican drama Human. After the humiliation of the court case, April Ashley rallied and opened a restaurant, April & Desmonds, or AD8, in Knightsbridge. During that time, her birthday came round and no one asked her out. So, she went down to the restaurant, as was her habit, only to find that all her friends had booked tables under assumed names. They sang to her, and she then took the microphone and thanked them, adding: But I really wont forgive anyone who sings For shes a jolly good fellow.

Magazines interviewed her about her 22-inch waist, her taste in clothes, her beehive hair-do and her sequinned Biba dresses. She proclaimed her intention to marry again: I know I will be a good wife because I am very understanding where men are concerned. And I am a super cook, especially with Spanish fish dishes. April Ashley, one of Britains most celebrated sex-change people, 1982. Credit:Getty But following the court case, in her own mind she felt she had been knocked back to Liverpool, and she began drinking heavily and taking antidepressants. Life was full of countless indignities: in the streets, people would poke her breasts and tweak her hair. In 1975, after suffering a heart attack, she retreated to Hay-on-Wye, where she lived for 11 years until two legacies from locals allowed her to move to France, Spain and finally Americas west coast. Eventually, she moved to a modest rented apartment in San Diego which she shared with her cat, Lily Ashley John Wayne Bobbitt Tonya Harding. In the 1980s she married Jeffrey West, on board the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. They parted but remained friends. In the early 1990s, she worked for Greenpeace before taking a job in an art gallery.
Sydneys famous New Years Eve fireworks display will go ahead with fewer spectators expected and mostly ticketed events around the harbour, as soaring coronavirus cases constrain celebrations throughout the city.

The state government and the City of Sydney are pushing ahead with firework displays at 9pm and midnight.

Sydneys New Years Eve celebrations typically draw more than one million spectators to the harbour. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Authorities across the world are grappling with a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant going into 2022. NSW recorded 11,201 infections on Wednesday, up from 6062 on Tuesday.

The City of Sydneys New Years Eve executive producer Stephen Gilby said spectators would need to book a ticket for the vast majority of viewing areas around the city centre.
They had been waiting all morning and endured several scuds of rain when word came down the line: the clinic would soon be closing. No more tests today.

They wore bright skirts, blue jeans, black activewear and ear pods. They carried umbrellas and books. During the hours they had been shuffling up Albion Street towards the Laverty clinic in Surry Hills, there had been a small exodus from the queue when news sites reported that Queensland would not require negative PCR tests from travellers from Saturday.

A moment of tension on the Laverty pop-up clinic on Crown Street, Surry Hills, when those in the queue were told that no more testing would be performed. Credit:Flavio Brancaleone

But when the clinic shut and the poster suggesting nearby testing centres appeared on the back of the door, things started to turn testy. Many of those in the queue had already been turned away from several other clinics. The weary trudged away, but the desperate milled around the door.

What am I going to do? asked Alex Bloch, his voice rising. Im caring for an 83-year-old lady. I need to put medication for her in those little boxes for the week. She cant manage on her own.
The number of Queenslanders fronting up for COVID-19 tests continues to escalate by the thousands, sparking fears for vulnerable people stuck in queues as case numbers surge.

After announcing a record 1589 cases on Wednesday, Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said an unexpected rise in tests suggested more people were developing symptoms.

Dr Gerrard said 35,002 tests were conducted in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning, which was an increase of more than 3000 compared with the previous 24 hours.

[This is] despite the fact we removed the five-day testing requirement for people returning from interstate, he said.
Victorians were told to expect these kinds of numbers, yet Wednesdays 3767 new COVID-19 cases arrived as a jolt  a 35 per cent increase in a single day.

In what is normally one of the most relaxing and social times of the year, the states new case numbers are now soaring.

Victorias Health Minister Martin Foley said that while Victorias caseload modelling had accurately predicted a stark increase over the festive season, the rising numbers still registered as a shock to the public.

Melburnians wear face masks as they shop at the Queen Victoria Market. Credit:Getty Images

The Burnet Institute modelling, which underpinned Victorias road map to reopening, predicted the seven-day average of new cases would peak between 2778 and 6761 on December 15.
Western Australia continues to ban rapid antigen tests as the rest of the nation clamours for more COVID-19 self-testing, with clinics buckling under the weight of Omicron.

Since November, the WA branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia has been calling for the removal of state restrictions that prohibits local companies and the public to undertake rapid antigen tests  except for interstate truck drivers and freight companies.

Rapid antigen testing is about to take centre stage.

Currently, West Australians can be fined $20,000 or companies $100,000 for undertaking a rapid antigen test for COVID-19. Only the chief health officer, Andy Robertson, can revoke the legislated penalties under his emergency powers.

Premier Mark McGowan said Dr Robertson was working on a timeframe with WA Health for when the tests will be allowed, with an announcement expected next month.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan wants other states and territories to keep providing pre-departure COVID-19 PCR tests for the limited number of people able to enter his state.

His call came as South Australian Premier Steven Marshall declared on Wednesday that his state would no longer provide such tests for travel as cases of the Omicron variant in his jurisdiction continued to grow.

WA Premier Mark McGowan. Credit:Peter de Kruijff

The rule change could prevent a small number of people from SA entering WA, which considers the neighbouring jurisdiction a high risk with few travel exemptions approved.

Recent rules imposed by WA, Tasmania, Queensland, SA and the Northern Territory had required travellers to their regions to provide 72 hours before arrival a negative PCR test result.
Only people living with confirmed coronavirus cases will be considered close contacts as the country goes through a gear change to deal with the surging Omicron outbreaks across most states and territories.

National cabinet will also urgently discuss coronavirus testing requirements on Thursday as Australia moves away from its reliance on PCR tests towards widespread rapid antigen test use - but the responsibility for purchasing the tests will remain with state governments.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison holds a press conference at Kirribilli House on Wednesday. Credit:Cole Bennetts

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was important to adjust the countrys approach to the pandemic as Omicron takes hold.

Were going through a gear change when it comes to how we manage testing arrangements, the definition of close contacts, how we furlough staff and isolate people who are impacted by cases, he told reporters on Wednesday.
Data breaches at Australias premier criminal intelligence agency have risen by more than 50 per cent in a year, with employees sending documents to the wrong email addresses, sharing passwords and accidentally mishandling classified information.

The increase in breaches has prompted the federal Opposition to call on security agencies to be more transparent in reporting security incidents after many reduced their reporting of breaches in recent years.

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission CEO Michael Phelan said reporting breaches without any context can be problematic. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission recorded 87 breaches in 2021-21, compared to 53 in 2019-20, but they were not disclosed in the agencys annual reports.

Over a third of the incidents at the commission were considered medium or high security risk.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Washington: The year 2021 will probably go down in the annals of space history as a turning point, a moment when ordinary citizens started leaving Earth regularly. Multiple crews lifted off on several spacecraft, and for a moment this month, there were a record 19 people in the weightless environment of space  eight of them were private citizens. But for all the achievements of 2021  which include a rover landing on Mars, a small drone called Ingenuity flying in that planets thin atmosphere and the launch of the James Webb Space telescope, the most powerful space telescope ever  2022 could hold just as much promise, if not more. NASAs James Webb Space Telescope was released about 1400 kilometres above the Earth after a 27-minute hypersonic ride. Credit:NASA If 2021 was the year of the private space tourist, 2022 could be marked by the first steps towards a return to the moon, as NASA and the growing space industry seek to maintain the momentum that has been building over the past several years in what has amounted to a renaissance of exploration. A pair of massive rockets, both more powerful than the Saturn V that flew the Apollo astronauts to the moon, are getting ready to fly in 2022. Those launches would mark the first significant steps in NASAs Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2025 and create a campaign that would allow a permanent presence on and around the moon. After years of development, and billions of dollars spent, NASA is finally gearing up to launch its Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule, which are designed to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since Apollo. The first mission, known as Artemis I, is scheduled for March or April and would send Orion, without any crew on board, to orbit around the moon. If all goes well, it would be followed by Artemis II, in May 2024, which would again send Orion to orbit the moon, but this time with astronauts on board. NASA hopes a crew would be able to land on the moon by 2025, but that would depend on the success of previous flight tests and SpaceXs ability to get its Starship spacecraft up and running.

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One of SpaceXs Starship during a test in Texas in March. Credit:AP Over the past year, Elon Musks SpaceX has been moving feverishly towards the first orbital launch of Starship, the vehicle that won a $US3 billion ($.1 billion) NASA contract this year to rendezvous with the Orion and transport NASAs astronauts to the lunar surface. Musk has said the company could attempt a launch in early 2022. Unlike the SLS, which would ditch its massive booster stage into the ocean after launch, Starship is designed to be fully reusable. After putting the Starship spacecraft into orbit, the Super Heavy booster would fly back to its launchpad where it would be caught by a pair of arms extended like chopsticks. Earlier this year, the company attempted suborbital hops, where the spacecraft launched to an altitude of about 9 kilometres, belly flopped back to Earth horizontally, then righted itself and refired its engines before touching down. Several of the landing attempts ended in fireballs. But in May, the company pulled off a successful landing, fuelling Musks hope that the rocket could be used to transport people and cargo across the solar system. SpaceX's Starship explodes as it lands. The overarching goal of Starship is to be able to transport enough tonnage to the moon and Mars, he said in an interview with The Washington Post earlier this year. And to have a self-sustaining base on the moon and ultimately a self-sustaining city on Mars.

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Ahead of an astronaut landing, NASA is planning to send science missions to the lunar surface. Those missions would also be carried out by contractors, hired by the space agency to deliver science experiments and technology demonstrations that NASA says would help the agency study Earths nearest neighbour and prepare for human landing missions. The first would be by Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based company that is aiming to deliver science experiments in early 2022 and again later in the year. That second mission, to the south pole of the moon, would have a drill that would probe the lunar regolith for ice. Astrobotic, based in Pittsburgh, is also planning to deliver payloads to the lunar surface under the NASA contract. One of Rocket Labs rockets. Credit:Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is also scheduled to launch a small satellite to the moon to serve as a precursor for human missions by testing the orbit for the space station, known as Gateway, that NASA hopes to send to the moon. Rocket Lab, which launches from its site in New Zealand, hopes to have its first launch from the United States in 2022 from the pad it uses at NASAs facility on Wallops Island, on Virginias Eastern Shore. It also plans to attempt to recover a booster next year. But unlike SpaceX, which flies the first stages of its rockets back to landing sites on the ground or ships at sea, Rocket Lab intends to catch its relatively small booster under a parachute with a helicopter. 2022 should also see the debut of a number of new rockets, including the United Launch Alliances Vulcan rocket, which would be used by the Pentagon to launch national security satellites. Relativity Space, which uses a 3D printer to manufacture its rockets, plans to first launch of its Terran 1 vehicle from Cape Canaveral in the coming months as well. Boeing also is looking to get back on track. 2021 was supposed to be the year it finally completed a test flight of its Starliner spacecraft, which is being designed to ferry NASAs astronauts to and from the International Space Station. But once again it ran into trouble. At the end of 2019, the spacecraft suffered software problems, forcing the aviation behemoth to cut the test flight short. The spacecraft finally returned to the launchpad mid-year, but never got off the ground.

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In this long exposure photo, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Boeing Starliner crew capsule lifts off on an orbital flight test to the International Space Station at Cape Canaveral Air Force station in Florida. Credit:AP This time, the company said the issue was hardware: 13 valves in the service module got stuck, forcing it to bring the spacecraft back into its manufacturing facility. It recently announced it would have to swap out the service module. Its now looking to attempt to launch again sometime in May. If that goes well, a launch with astronauts on board would follow. The space station could see another new vehicle visit in 2022: Sierra Spaces Dream Chaser, a spaceplane that looks like a miniature version of the space shuttle. The company has been developing the winged vehicle for years with the hopes of one day flying astronauts. But for now, it has a contract from NASA to use it to deliver cargo and supplies to the space station. And it recently announced it received a $US1.4 billion investment that it said would help accelerate the program. SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft, which delivered two crews of astronauts to the space station in 2021, is slated to continue flying crews there in 2022. It also would fly at least one mission, chartered by Axiom Space, in which private astronauts who are paying $US55 million apiece would spend a little more than a week on the station. Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, which flew three trips to the edge of space in 2021, plans to fly six or more suborbital flights in 2022. (Bezos owns The Washington Post.) And Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic is hoping to complete its test campaign and start offering commercial service on its suborbital spaceplane for paying space tourists. From left: Oliver Daemen, Jeff Bezos, Wally Funk and Bezos brother Mark in front of the New Shepard rocket in Texas, flew to the edge of space. Credit:AP While those flights go just past the edge of space to a few dozen miles high, NASAs scientists and engineers will be focused on a far more distant destination, a million miles from Earth. There, the James Webb Space Telescope would begin to unfurl itself in delicate manoeuvres after it was launched on Christmas Day on an Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket. NASA says there are 344 potential single-point failures and if anything goes wrong there is no way to send a repair crew.

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The witnesses During the trial, prosecutors called 24 witnesses to give jurors a picture of life inside Epsteins homes  a subject of public fascination and speculation ever since his 2006 arrest in Florida in a child sex case. Loading A housekeeper testified he was expected to be blind, deaf and dumb about the private lives of Epstein, a financier who cultivated friendships with influential politicians and business tycoons, and Maxwell, who had led a jet-setting lifestyle as the favourite child of a media mogul. Pilots took the witness stand and dropped the names of luminaries  Britains Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump  who flew on Epsteins private jets.

Jurors saw physical evidence such as a folding massage table once used by Epstein and a black book that listed contact information for some of the victims under the heading massages. There were bank records showing he had transferred $US30.7 million ($42.3 million) to Maxwell, his longtime companion, one-time girlfriend, later employee. But the core of the prosecution was the testimony of four women who said they were victimised by Maxwell and Epstein at tender ages. Three testified using first names or pseudonyms to protect their privacy: Jane, a television actress; Kate, a former model from Great Britain; and Carolyn, now a mother recovering from drug addiction. The fourth was Annie Farmer, a psychologist who chose to use her real name after being vocal about her allegations in recent years.

They echoed one another in their descriptions of Maxwells behaviour: she used charm and gifts to gain their trust, taking an interest in their adolescent challenges and giving them assurances that Epstein could use his wealth and connections to fulfil their dreams. Loading They said the script would darken when Maxwell coaxed them into giving massages to Epstein that turned sexual, encounters she played off as normal. After one sexual massage, Kate, then 17, said Maxwell asked her if shed had fun and told her: You are such a good girl. Carolyn testified that she was one of several underprivileged teens who lived near Epsteins Florida home in the early 2000s and took up an offer to give massages in exchange for $US100 bills, which prosecutors described as a pyramid of abuse. Maxwell made all the arrangements, Carolyn told the jury, even though she knew the girl was only 14 at the time.

Jane said in 1994, when she was only 14, she was instructed to follow Epstein into a pool house at his Palm Beach estate, where he masturbated on her. I was frozen in fear, she told the jury, adding that assault was the first time she had ever seen a penis. She also directly accused Maxwell of participating in her abuse. Maxwells lawyer asked Jane why it had taken so long to come forward. I was scared, she said, choking back tears. I was embarrassed, ashamed. I didnt want anybody to know any of this about me. Christine Maxwell, left, Isabel Maxwell, center, and Kevin Maxwell, siblings of Ghislaine Maxwell, leave the courthouse after the verdict was read out. Credit:AP

The last to testify, Farmer described how Maxwell touched her breasts while giving her a massage at Epsteins New Mexico ranch and how Epstein unexpectedly crawled into bed and pressed himself against her. The defence Maxwell, 60, vehemently denied the charges through her lawyers. Still, she declined to take the risk of testifying, telling the judge: The government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt so there is no reason for me to testify. The charges against Ghislaine Maxwell are for things that Jeffrey Epstein did, one of Maxwells lawyers, Bobbi Sternheim, emphasised to the jury. But she is not Jeffrey Epstein and she is not like Jeffrey Epstein.

Maxwells legal team questioned whether the accusers memories were faulty, or had been influenced by lawyers seeking big payouts from Maxwell and from Epsteins estate in civil court. During their two-day presentation, they called as a witness Elizabeth Loftus, a University of California Irvine professor who has testified as a memory expert for defence lawyers at about 300 trials, including the rape trial of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. She said memory could be contaminated by suggestions made by an interviewer, particularly law enforcement or the media. Ghislaine Maxwell, pictured here with Jeffrey Epstein at the Queens Balmoral cabin in 1999, recruited and encouraged teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, her then-boyfriend. Credit:US District Attorneys Office Maxwells family complained she was under duress from harsh conditions at the Brooklyn jail where shes been held since her arrest in July 2020. She had repeatedly, and futilely, sought bail, arguing that she was unable to adequately contribute to her defence.

Maxwell still awaits trial on two counts of perjury. The response Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein victim not involved in the Maxwell trial, said she would remember this day always. I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served. Maxwell did not act alone. Others must be held accountable. I have faith that they will be. Giuffres lawsuit against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, will be heard next year in a Californian court. Giuffre maintains she was sexually exploited by the Duke after she was sent to him by Epstein. The Dukes lawyers have argued she cannot bring the case as she now lives in Perth, Western Australia. Papers from a case Giuffre settled with Epstein in 2009 will be unsealed in the new year.
Seoul: A moderator who reviewed videos for TikTok is suing the social media company, alleging that it did not protect her from suffering psychological trauma after constant exposure to violent videos that showed sexual assault, beheadings, suicide and other graphic scenes.

For as long as 12 hours each day, Candie Frazier and other moderators reviewed extreme and graphic violence, including videos of genocide in Myanmar, mass shootings, children being raped, and animals being mutilated in an effort to filter out such content from being viewed by TikTok users, according to the lawsuit. The legal action was filed in federal court in California last week against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance.

The content moderation lawsuit aimed at TikTok follows others from employees paid to filter videos for Facebook and Youtube. Credit:NurPhoto

Frazier developed significant psychological trauma including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of her exposure to the videos, according to the lawsuit, which is seeking class-action status. The legal challenge, which alleges that TikTok violated California labour law by failing to provide a safe work environment, requests compensation for moderators who were exposed to the material. It also asks that TikTok and ByteDance provide mental health support and treatment to former and current moderators.

Frazier is not a TikTok employee - she works for Telus International, a firm that provides workers to other businesses - but the lawsuit alleges that ByteDance and TikTok control the means and manner in which content moderation occurred.
~ Is Michel Hyman being made a scapegoat for Dutch Takeover~



PHILIPSBURG:--- The Princess Juliana International Airport Holding Company has ordered an independent audit after a shareholders meeting was held on December 23rd, 2021, and suspended Chief Operations Officer Michel Hyman was heard.

SMN News learned in that meeting Hyman agreed to remain on two months administrative leave pending the outcome of the audit. The SBOD of PJIAE wanted to dismiss Hyman since he was arrested on October 22nd in the Mitte Investigation which is related to fraud post-Irma.

Questions are now being raised by many since the arrest and release of Michel Hyman, they said that Hyman is being made a scapegoat five years after Hurricane Irma and the cleaning of the Princess Juliana International Airport. The concerned citizens that have contacted SMN News said that they believe the arrest of Michel Hyman is a distraction to the alleged cover-up of other misdeeds.

With the passing of hurricanes Irma and Maria, it is no secret that all prices in construction skyrocketed simply because demand for labor and material grew tremendously in all territories that were hit, including Puerto Rico, Florida, Antigua, Dominica, BVI, Anguilla.

It should therefore not come as a surprise that as the key gateway to St. Maarten PJIAE had significant pressure to demand clean-up and reconstruction services. Hyman was the interim CEO but was always functioning under the strict supervision of an SBOD while a CFO was hired shortly after the hurricanes in 2017.

One cannot make the argument that Supervisory board members were off-island or otherwise occupied with pressing matters since the only pressing point for the following 4 years and counting was the reconstruction of PJIAE.

The arrest and detention of Hyman in isolation of a broader investigation can only make one wonder how big a conspiracy it really is to have Schiphol get its way in taking control of this countrys biggest economic asset.

We simply cannot ignore the information out there about the numerous consultants and their high fees, the long drawn out insurance claim and the perceived willful neglect with speedy cleanup and recovery efforts, the change of multiple supervisory board members, the sudden departure of Ravi Daryanani, the firing of Brian Mingo, the firing of Dexter Doncher, the hiring of Leo van der Meiden as CFO instead of Ms. Lake who worked for many years on-the-job and specifically trained to become the next CFO, the new hiring of yet another CFO are just a few reasons the public begs for clarity and transparency in what is really happening at PJIAE.

If the real intention was to facilitate Schiphol and those in a subjective position, where no resistance is given to the takeover, then it can be logically concluded that while Hyman is out battling his allegations all skeletons can now disappear with the co-signing authorities of the new COO also from Schiphol.

The public is looking critically at these developments and has lost the belief that the Government of Sint Maarten has any factual influence at PJIAE.

PJIAE management clarified that Mr. Flores Tammes is not employed as the Chief Operations Officer of PJIAE but was hired as a trainer from Rotterdam, The Hague Airport. CEO Brian Mingo said that Tammes left a director's position in the Netherlands to take up a six month contract to train some much needed staff at PJIAE. Mingo also assured that Tammes is not from Schipol and he is certainly not a COO at PJIAE because that position is not vacant.
PHILIPSBURG:--- An Air Caraibe Airbus A 330-323 lost one of its engines as it took off from the Princess Juliana International Airport on Tuesday evening. The flight departed St. Maarten to Paris Orly when one of its engines caught fire in the air.

Chief Executive Officer Brian Mingo confirmed the incident and said that the aircraft was not filled to capacity and that it landed safely as it turned around after losing its engine.

Mingo said all passengers are safe. PJIAE CEO said that the flight took off at 7:14 pm with 46 passengers on board and 42 tonnes of fuel (42,000 kilos).

Mingo further explained that the captain heard a loud bang and issued a Mayday and at 7:30 pm the aircraft landed safely at PJIAE. Further investigations at the Airport show that the aircraft was 15 minutes in flight when the loud band was heard even in the Cole Bay area, it turned out that the Airbus 330 had lost engine one and returned to the tarmac with one engine.

Bystanders who saw the aircraft in the air told SMN News that they saw flames coming from the aircraft while in the air.

Air Caraibes flight arrives safely at PJIAE after emergency landing

SIMPSON BAY:--- Air Caraibes departed from the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) in St. Maarten with a destination to Orly, France at approximately 7:14 pm. A total of 46 passengers and 11 crew members were on board.

Following the takeoff, the pilot reported an engine failure to the Air Traffic Services (ATS) on St. Maarten. After further communication with the pilot, a code red emergency was declared, which indicated a high-level emergency. The aircraft made an emergency landing at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) at approximately 7:29 pm, carrying 42 tons of fuel.

According to the Director of Operations, Mr. Emile Levons, the Air Caraibes aircraft landed safely, and there were no further incidents. In addition, there were no reported injuries among the passengers and crew.

PJIAE Press Release.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications (Minister of TEATT) Hon. Roger Lawrence would like to inform the public that business hours will be maintained within current protocols with opening hours allowed up until 3:00 am and further extension will not be granted.

In order to stimulate economic activity, all businesses will be permitted to open to the public on New Years Day, January 1st, 2022, as was already announced by the Minister last week.

Businesses choosing to open New Years Day, January 1st, must adhere to stipulations on the relevant business and operational licenses, as well as all applicable labor regulations. Additionally, to reduce the risk from the COVID-19 with the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic, businesses are expected to strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

Presently, all indications show the country is on the right path to economic recovery thanks to our collective continued efforts.

Minister Lawrence would like to remind all members of the community to remain vigilant during this holiday season, and to follow all public health advice on precautionary measures and guidance by the Collective Prevention Service (CPS): wear your mask, wash your hands and practice social distancing.

While understanding that this is a festive time where families and friends will gather to ring in the New Year 2022, let us continue to be mindful and to do all we can to keep everyone safe.
3 1 of 3 Middletown Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Contributed Photo / Middletown Police Department / Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





MIDDLETOWN  Police said they are looking for a 59-year-old man accused of a domestic assault Christmas morning.

The man, identified as Abdias Cortes, allegedly forced a woman out of her parked car around 6:30 a.m. Saturday. He also repeatedly punched her in the face and threatened to kill her, police said.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  The big waves are returning to Walt Disney World.

The theme park resort said Tuesday that it will reopen its Typhoon Lagoon water park after an almost two-year hiatus.

The water park closed in March 2020 as the coronavirus started spreading throughout the U.S. While Disney World's other theme parks reopened in summer 2020 with virus safety protocols in place, the water park stayed closed.

Visitors to Typhoon Lagoon will be able to swim in its massive wave pool, slide down its water coaster and meander down its lazy river starting on Sunday.
NEW CANAAN  Shortly after First Selectman Kevin Moynihan announced the distribution of over 2,600 at-home COVID-19 test kits on Wednesday afternoon, all of the registration slots were filled.

In an email blast to the town Wednesday, Moynihan explained the state had allocated only enough test kits for a small percentage of the New Canaan population, so the target for these test kits are individuals and families who plan to attend holiday weekend gatherings, he said. Those planning to remain at home for the weekend should not seek tests in this distribution.

The at-home tests will be limited to four per family. The tests were allocated on a first-come, first-served basis for residents, using the same Sign-up Genius app the town has been using for community vaccination clinics.

On Wednesday evening, Moynihan said the state hoped to receive air delivery of the at-home test kits by 5 a.m. at Bradley Airport, north of Hartford, and the town to receive them Thursday morning in Fairfield. Once the town receives the kits, residents who have registered will pick them up via car at New Canaan High School.

Moynihan said if delivery to Bradley Airport is not received as expected, the first selectman will update residents Thursday at 8 a.m. on a new procedure.

The distribution on Thursday evening and the kits will be handed through the rear window. No walk-ups will be allowed and residents are asked not to bring pets in the car.

Gov. Ned Lamont and the State of Connecticut procured the kits for distribution to the public because the demand for tests has outpaced the current supply for testing in many parts of the state, Moynihan said.

In his update, the first selectman said that the objective is to get test kits into the hands of families prior to the coming holiday weekend to help reduce the current surge in COVID-19 by allowing individuals to identify COVID-19 cases quickly and take steps to isolate appropriately.

Those who get a positive test result are asked to stay at home, avoid attending gatherings and follow updated five-day CDC guidelines for isolation.

Twice-weekly testing at Irwin Park by the town and nearby pharmacies will continue into the new year.

We urge all residents to use caution this holiday weekend and follow COVID protocols of wearing masks indoors, social distancing and avoiding large public gatherings where possible, the Moynihan said.

While he urges residents to use their own discretion, Moynihan said earlier in the day that he is not expecting to need to mandate mask use in the village or in municipal buildings despite last weeks climb in positive cases to 255.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California became the first state to record more than 5 million known coronavirus infections, according to the state dashboard Tuesday, which was delayed by the holiday weekend.

The grim milestone, as reported by the California Department of Public Health, wasnt entirely unexpected in a state with 40 million residents poised for a surge in new infections amid holiday parties and family gatherings forced indoors by a series of winter storms.

The first coronavirus case in California was confirmed Jan. 25, 2020. It took 292 days to get to 1 million infections on Nov. 11 of that year, and 44 days from then to top 2 million.

Californias caseload is also ahead of other large states. Texas had more than 4.4 million and Florida topped 3.9 million as of Sunday.

California has recorded more than 75,500 deaths related to COVID-19.

The state has fared far better than many other states that are dealing with a coronavirus surge, with areas in the Midwest and Northeast seeing the biggest jump in cases and hospitalizations amid frigid temperatures that have kept people indoors.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists California as a place with high transmission of the virus, along with nearly everywhere else in the country. But in the last week California averaged 16.4 new cases per 100,000 people, less than a third of the national rate.

Meanwhile, coronavirus related hospitalizations have been rising slowly in California, up about 12% in the last 7 days to 4,401. Thats less than half as many as during the late summer peak and one-fifth of a year ago, before vaccines were widely available.

On Tuesday, San Francisco announced it was canceling its New Year's Eve fireworks show because of the rising caseload, while Contra Costa County in the Bay Area announced that it would require masks to be worn in all public indoor places as of Wednesday. Previously, some vaccinated people had been allowed to remove them.

The timeline of COVID-19 in America often comes back to California. It had some of the earliest known cases among travelers from China, where the outbreak began.

The Feb. 6, 2020, death of a San Jose woman was the first known coronavirus fatality in the U.S. That same month, California recorded the first U.S. case not related to travel and the first infection spread within the community.

On March 19, 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued the nations first statewide stay-at-home order, shuttering businesses and schools to try to prevent hospital overcrowding.

It is unclear how many of the newly reported cases were attributed to the omicron coronavirus variant. Much about omicron remains unknown, including whether it causes more or less severe illness.

Scientists say omicron spreads even easier than other coronavirus strains, including delta, and it is expected to become dominant in the U.S. by early next year. Early studies suggest the vaccinated will need a booster shot for the best chance at preventing an omicron infection but even without the extra dose, vaccination still should offer strong protection against severe illness and death.

With cases surging, the nations largest state-based health insurance marketplace urged more than 1.1 million uninsured Californians to sign up by Friday for subsidized coverage that would then start with the new year.

Covered California said the average cost of an intensive care coronavirus hospitalization is $127,000, but estimated that 85% of those eligible for the state-brokered health insurance can get coverage free of charge, with government assistance.

Those who sign up after Friday will have their coverage start on Feb. 1.
FAIRFIELD  Town officials will be distributing more than 7,000 COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits on Thursday.

In a message to residents, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said Fairfield will be receiving about 7,710 kits to distribute to residents, with two tests per kit. She said officials were told the kits would come in on Thursday morning.

With Fairfields population at 61,000 residents, the amount the state is providing doesnt allow for all our residents to receive a test kit, Kupchick said. Therefore the Emergency Management Team felt it was important to prioritize the distribution for residents that are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone who tested positive.

Kupchick said the kits would be distributed on Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., or until supplies last, at Roger Ludlowe Middle School. She said all traffic has to enter at 440 Mill Plain Rd., which is adjacent to Sturges Park.

Residents must enter the site from Mill Plain Road. The Fairfield Police Department will be managing traffic, and I ask that you please follow the directional signs and cones to keep the flow of traffic moving quickly, she said.

She said proof of residency can be shown with a drivers license or a valid 2021 Fairfield beach or dump sticker. Two kits, meaning four tests total, will be distributed per household.

The news about the testing kits comes after Gov. Ned Lamont announced plans to distribute 3 million of these tests and 6 million N95 masks on Monday. It comes as part of an effort in Connecticut to help curb the spread of the virus during this heavy travel and holiday season.

The test kits, bought by the state using approximately $18.5 million in federal dollars, will go out to cities and towns beginning this week, Lamont said in a press conference Monday as state agencies scrambled to secure the purchases.

An additional 1 million test kits, each with two tests per kit, will be distributed to schools statewide beginning in January. Lamont said his strategy was to keep our schools open safely. His office said distribution of those kits, which will also include a supply of N95 masks, will begin in January and continue through the school year as supplies last.

joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com
Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday he is ordering the state Department of Revenue Services to raise the states 2020 Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and moderate-income workers retroactively, boosting the benefit from 23 percent of the federal credit to 41.5 percent.

The additional state tax refund will benefit 198,708 households that earned up to $56,844 in 2020 and filed for the EITC for 2020. The cost is $75 million, with the money coming from the first round of federal pandemic relief.

Lamonts action was done without legislative approval. Changes in the EITC credit are typically adopted as part of the state budget  including a permanent increase to 30.5 percent of the federal benefit that was adopted earlier this year and is set to take effect in 2022.

Lamonts one-time change is intended to provide economic support to workers and their families who were hurt by COVID-19 and its negative economic impacts.

The amount of each households enhanced credit varies based on a taxpayers income, marital status, and number of dependent children. Refunds are given in cash if a taxpayer paid a smaller amount in state or federal taxes.

A single parent of two at the federal poverty level, for example, who received a $1,246 state credit in the spring will now receive an additional $1,002 in a check the state will send out soon. As a result, that single parent would receive a total state credit of $2,248  in addition to the federal benefit of $5,417 he or she already received.

Money for the one-time credit bump-up is the last of the states $1.38 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund allotment from 2020, from the first federal CARES Act. Under federal rules, it had to be spent by Friday, the end of 2021. The state Department of Revenue Services expects to issue the checks by the end of February.

State officials had previously spent the bulk of the Coronavirus Relief Fund to purchase personal protection equipment, expand access to testing, and support schools, small businesses, municipalities and other groups dealing with COVID-19. A later allocation from March of this year gives the state $2.8 billion.

Lamont said in a written statement that enhancing the 2020 Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit provides direct relief to workers doing their best to provide for their families while confronting pandemic-related costs from masks and tests to childcare and internet access.

The recent bipartisan budget increased this credit going forward because numerous studies show its one of the best anti-poverty tools we have, the governor said. The EITC encourages work, boosts economic stability, and uplifts generations to come. Ultimately, these tax credits improve entire communities because these dollars are being invested right back into our local economy.

Melissa McCaw, the states Office of Policy and Management Secretary, said strong fiscal stewardship is allowing state officials to leverage remaining Coronavirus Relief Funds to put more money in the pockets of those who have been deeply impacted by the pandemic and could really use our support.

The EITC is one of the most effective programs for getting support to hard-working families who have experienced tremendous economic uncertainty, many of whom have done the work that kept our state and its economy churning throughout this public health crisis, McCaw said.

House Minority Leader Vin Candelora, R-North Branford, said the legislatures GOP leadership found out about Lamonts plan five minutes before the announcement was made.

Im a little shocked the Governor would do this without consulting our legislative leaders, Candelora said. This is a blatant abuse of power; hes changing tax policy and thats supposed to be done legislatively. This is blatantly political; its the Governor beginning his re-election campaign.

Candelora said use of tax credits is something that has traditionally been supported by both sides of aisle.

But he said, There's a lot of other priorities out there that need to be addressed. ...This money could be focused on those other critical needs.

Lamont credited Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, for leading the fight to create and increase the Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit as a way of making the states tax system more progressive. It was created in 2011 and has had varying rates over the last decade, ranging from 30 percent in 2011 and 2012 to 23 perdent from 2017 to 2020.

The governors expansion of the EITC will result in lifting more working people out of poverty and putting more money back into our local and state economies, Looney said in the governors release.

The increase to 30.5 percent adopted by the General Assembly and signed by Lamont brought Connecticuts rate higher than that of Massachusetts and New York, which have a rate at 30 percent. The 30.5 percent increase had been scheduled to go into effect in 2022, accordig to Candelora.

Democrats on the tax-writing Finance Committee of the General Assembly had proposed an increase to 40 percent. Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, co-chairman of the Finance Committee, said that while the increase to 41.5 percent was ultimately the Governors decision, Im grateful that he did it and that ultimately he made te right decision.

Lets remember that this is not the end of the story, a one-time thing, Scanlon said. This is a number that gets adjusted all the time and I have every confidence the legislature will take a further look at again in the coming year.

Brian Marks, senior lecturer in the economics and business analytics department at the University of New Haven, said any increase in tax credits needs to be viewed within the context of individuals and families being confronted with price increases in energy and food.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
Two members of the Fairfield-based nonprofit Save the Children were among the 35 people killed in the attack in Myanmar on Christmas Eve, the international humanitarian group said Tuesday.

One of the staff members was a 32-year-old man with a 10-month-old son. He had worked at the nonprofit for two years training teachers. The other staff member, a 28-year-old man, had a 3-month-old daughter and joined the nonprofit six years ago.

The two staff members were both new fathers who were passionate about educating children, Save the Children said in a press release.

The organization said it will not identify the men for security reasons. It has not said if the two staff members are from Connecticut.

At least 35 people, including women and children, were killed Dec. 24 in an attack by the Myanmar military in the eastern part of the country at Kayah State. The nonprofit said the military forced people from their cars, arrested some, killed many and burnt the bodies.

At the time of the attack, the two staff members were making their way back to their office after working on a humanitarian response in a nearby community. The nonprofit said the staff members were caught up in the attack.

We have confirmation that their private vehicle was attacked and burned out, Save the Children said in a press release Christmas day.

Inger Ashing, the CEO of Save the Children, called the news absolutely horrifying.

Violence against innocent civilians including aid workers is intolerable, and this senseless attack is a breach of International Humanitarian Law, Ashing said. We are shaken by the violence carried out against civilians and our staff, who are dedicated humanitarians, supporting millions of children in need across Myanmar.

The nonprofit has been working in Myanmar since 1995, providing healthcare, food, education and child protection programs across the country. After the incident, Save the Children is temporarily suspending its operations in portions of the country including Kayah, Chin and parts of Magway and Kayin.

However, we remain fully committed to helping the most vulnerable children in Myanmar, especially during this time of conflict and crisis, the nonprofit said in a press release.

Save the Children is a Fairfield-based nonprofit that provides health, education and protection programs for kids around the world. The organization also advocates for childrens needs during disasters and delivers emergency care during these crises, according to its website.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the attack was horrifying and a blatant breach of international law and humanitarian standards.

The senseless, tragic murders of these innocent civilians are only the most recent tragedies among horrific waves of violence and human rights abuse in the region, he said.

Blumenthal also said he will demand that the culprits be held accountable by international officials like the United Nations Security Council, as well as the United States.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  U.S. health officials' decision to shorten the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period from 10 days to five is drawing criticism from some medical experts and could create more confusion and fear among Americans.

To the dismay of some authorities, the new guidelines allow people to leave isolation without getting tested to see if they are still infectious.

The guidance has raised questions about how it was crafted and why it was changed now, in the middle of another wintertime spike in cases, this one driven largely by the highly contagious omicron variant.

Monday's action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut in half the recommended isolation time for Americans who are infected with the coronavirus but have no symptoms. The CDC similarly shortened the amount of time people who have come into close contact with an infected person need to quarantine.

The CDC has been under pressure from the public and the private sector, including the airline industry, to shorten the isolation time and reduce the risk of severe staffing shortages amid the omicron surge. Thousands of flights have been canceled over the past few days in a mess blamed on omicron.

Not all of those cases are going to be severe. In fact, many are going to be asymptomatic, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Monday. We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science.

CDC officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the virus are most infectious in the first few days.

Louis Mansky, director of the Institute for Molecular Virology at the University of Minnesota, agreed there is a scientific basis to the CDCs recommendations.

When somebody gets infected, when are they most likely to transmit the virus to another person? he said. Its usually in the earlier course of the illness, which is typically a day or two before they actually develop symptoms and then a couple of days to three days after that.

Research, including a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine in August, backs that up, though medical experts cautioned that nearly all of the data predates omicron.

The CDC released a report Tuesday on a cluster of six omicron cases in a Nebraska household and found the median incubation period  the time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms  was about three days, versus the five days or more documented earlier in the pandemic. The six people also experienced relatively mild illness.

But other experts questioned why the CDC guidelines allow people to leave isolation without testing.

Its frankly reckless to proceed like this, said Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. Using a rapid test or some type of test to validate that the person isnt infectious is vital.

Theres no evidence, no data to support this," he added.

Mansky said CDC probably didnt include exit testing in its guidelines for logistical reasons: There is a run on COVID-19 rapid tests amid the spike in cases and the busy holiday travel season. In many places, at-home tests are difficult or impossible to find.

The CDC is driven by the science, but they also have to be cognizant of the fact of, you know, what are they going to tell the public that theyll do, Mansky said. That would undermine CDC if they had guidance that everybody was ignoring.

Qamara Edwards, director of business and events for Sojourn Philly, which owns four restaurants in Philadelphia, said about 15% of its employees are out sick with COVID-19, and staffing is tight.

The CDC changes are great for businesses, they do allow people to return to work sooner than theyve expected, Edwards said, though she understands why workers might be resistant and worried about their safety.

In Los Angeles, King Holder, who runs the StretchLab Beverly fitness business, likewise said omicron has caused ample disruption to his company, and he welcomed the more relaxed guidelines.

The possibility of five days compared to 10-14 days is huge for our business and allows us to stay afloat, he said.

But Dana Martin, a 38-year-old Philadelphia teacher and educational consultant, said: The looser COVID guidelines make me nervous. Im more hesitant to participate in holiday activities because of the omicron variant and the seemingly more lax protocols.

Marshall Hatch, senior pastor of New Mount Pilgrim Church on Chicagos West Side, said he is bracing for some confusion in his congregation. The church has been a strong advocate for testing, vaccinations and booster shots.

Hatch said the CDCs latest guidance is confusing and a little incongruous.

Either were in a surge that we need to take very seriously or are we winding down the pandemic and thats why were shortening the isolation and quarantine times, he said Tuesday. They might want to give us a little more information to go with.

Hatch said some members of the largely Black congregation, particularly senior citizens, are skeptical of information from government.

The CDC move follows global efforts to adjust isolation rules, with policies differing from country to country.

England last week trimmed its self-isolation period for vaccinated people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to seven days in many cases, provided two negative lateral flow tests are taken a day apart.

The French government said Monday that it will soon relax its isolation rules, although by exactly how much isnt yet clear.

Health Minister Olivier Veran said the rule changes will be aimed at warding off paralysis of public and private services. By some estimates, France could be registering more than 250,000 new infections per day by January.

Italy, meanwhile, is considering doing away with a quarantine altogether for those who have had close contact with an infected person as long they have had a booster shot. Projections indicate as many as 2 million Italians could be put in quarantine over the next two weeks as the virus spreads.

The U.S. airline industry applauded the CDC move.

The decision is the right one based upon science, said the lobbying group Airlines for America.

But the head of a flight attendants union criticized the change, saying it could lead businesses to pressure sick employees to come back before they are well.

If that happens, we will make clear it is an unsafe work environment, which will cause a much greater disruption than any staffing shortages, warned Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International.

___

Associated Press writers Laura Ungar in Louisville, Kentucky; Colleen Barry in Milan, Italy; Paul Wiseman in Washington; and Tali Arbel and Mike Stobbe in New York contributed.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike group to stay in the Mediterranean Sea region rather than move on to the Middle East, amid worries about the buildup of thousands of Russian troops near the Ukraine border.

A defense official said Tuesday that the change in the schedule of the USS Harry S. Truman, and the five American warships accompanying it, reflects the need for a persistent presence in Europe. It is necessary in order to reassure U.S. allies and partners in the region, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military deployment details.
DoorDash, the food delivery app based out of San Francisco, is requiring all its nondelivery employees, including CEO Tony Xu, to do a dash once a month  and some employees are seemingly furious.

MarketWatch first reported that the WeDash program, which was launched when the service was founded, is making its return in January after being paused during the pandemic. A spokesperson for DoorDash confirmed its return to SFGATE.

But a 1,500-comment thread on Blind, the anonymous social media platform for techies and other white-collar types, was started last week by one disgruntled DoorDash worker.

An engineer with a reported total compensation, or TC, of $400,000 a year griped about the responsibility of having to do a once-a-month delivery. What the actual fk? the engineer wrote on the platform. I didnt sign up for this, there was nothing in the offer letter/job description about this.

(Blind requires all users to register using an email for the company theyre employed with, meaning the likelihood of this post being falsified are slim.)

While some people replied to the original post to say it would be a helpful opportunity to develop empathy and learn about the myriad frustrations of delivery workers, others sided with the original poster.

Not acceptable in anyway! said one.

For employees unable to do deliveries, there are other programs in place to work with service employees and businesses. The program was launched, a spokesperson said, to "learn first-hand how the technology products we build empower local economies, which in turn helps us build a better product." Employees then gain "credits" through these services, which are reportedly built into an annual review.

The money employees make during deliveries will be donated to a nonprofit, the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for DoorDash told MarketWatch that this employee's post did not represent the views of the company.


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Approximately 75,000 tourists visited this year the Dacian fortress Sarmizegetusa Regia, in the Orastiei Mountains, 5,000 people more compared to 2020, according to the Hunedoara General Directorate of Monuments Administration and Tourist Promotion (DGAMPT).

"This year, the former capital of Dacia was visited by about 75,000 people, a context in which we managed to obtain revenues round 1.1 million lei capitalising on the tourist potential of this UNESCO monument. The collections are the highest since Sarmizegetusa Regia has been taken over under the administration of Hunedoara County Council," Hunedoara DGAMPT Director General Radu Barb told AGERPRES.

Most visitors to the historic monument were registered in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, when 77,000 tourists entered the fortress gate, Agerpres.ro informs.

Sarmizegetusa Regia can be visited throughout the year, and in winter (December 1-February 28) the opening hours are between 10.00-15.00, with the last entry of visitors to the site at 14:30.

The Dacian fortress Sarmizegetusa Regia was taken over by the Hunedoara County Council in 2013, and since then several measures have been instituted to protect and enhance the UNESCO monument's tourist value. The site now has visiting regulations, the access road has been rebuilt and a security service with video surveillance equipment is provided.
Health Minister Alexandru Rafila announced that the quarantine and isolation period for COVID patients would be reduced to 10 days, same as in many EU countries, agerpres reports.

"We'll solve these days the quarantine and isolation period. In Romania, it will also last 10 days, same as in most European Union countries," Rafila told a press conference on Wednesday.The head of the National Centre for the Transmissible Diseases Supervision and Control, Adriana Pistol, has urged to vaccination, in the context of the upcoming Omicron strain generated pandemic wave."If you have got the initial vaccination scheme, please get the booster as well, as it is important in this context of the Omicron strain, and not only for travels or having access to shopping malls. Those who haven't gotten the vaccine, please get vaccinated, again in the Omicron context, not necessarily to be able to enter the shopping mall. Vaccination is a prevention manner of a severe form of illness that is more frequent in elderly persons or those suffering from chronic diseases, nonetheless these [severe forms] appear in young persons as well. Many of us might have a chronic disease and not even be aware of it. Please get vaccinated so you don't develop a serious form of the illness," Pistol said.She explained that the other EU states can afford the reduction of the quarantine period to even less than ten days, as they have a higher degree of vaccination among the population."They can reduce even more the isolation period, as transmissibility to a vaccinated person is much more reduced than to an unvaccinated one. (...) Here, the problem is the high number of unvaccinated persons and expectations are not quite optimistic," Pistol added.
President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday signed the decree on the accreditation of Iulia-Raluca Matei as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, head of Romania's Permanent Representation to the European Union, the Presidential Administration announces, agerpres reports.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), Iulia-Raluca Matei has been a career diplomat since 2003 and has covered all professional stages to the currently held diplomatic rank of ambassador. Her diplomatic career has been constantly associated with the relations with the European Union and Romania's status as EU member state.She was appointed on November 8, 2019, as secretary of state, starting April 2013 she had been deputy director general and then as of 2016 director general with the European Union Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. In this capacity, she was in charge of managing EU matters. She coordinated the activity of the European Union Department during the preparation and exercise of Romania's first presidency of the EU Council, in the interval January 1 - June 30, 2019.After Romania's accession to the European Union, from April 2007 until July 2012, she carried out her activity within Romania's Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels, and over 2003-2007 she was part of the team of MAE's European Union Department.Iulia-Raluca Matei graduated in 2001 the Faculty of Political and Administrative Sciences, the French section, within the Bucharest University, and subsequently got a Master's degree in EU institutions and policies, from the Institute of European Studies within the Free University of Brussels.
The Ministry of Justice stated on Wednesday that it had not been officially announced by counterparts in the Republic of Moldova regarding the updated legal situation of former deputy Cristian Rizea, adding that it had sent a new address requesting information on the status of the extradition request made by the Romanian authorities.

"Regarding the information published in the media in the Republic of Moldova on Cristian Rizea, the Ministry of Justice makes the following clarifications: the Romanian side has fulfilled its duties provided by law and sent the extradition request to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Moldova as early as November 5, 2020. The request submitted to the Ministry of Justice of Moldova is still in effect," reads a release sent to AGERPRES.

According to the release, until now, the Ministry of Justice has not been officially informed by the Moldovan Ministry of Justice about the updated legal situation of Cristian Rizea, Agerpres.ro informs.

"On Wednesday, the Romanian Ministry of Justice submitted a new address to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Moldova in which it requested information on the status of the extradition request made by the Romanian authorities," the statement read.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the next deadline set by the Moldovan authorities in the extradition case of Cristian Rizea is January 28, 2022, the information being obtained from open sources.

Cristian Rizea left for the Republic of Moldova, after he received a final sentence in March 2019 by the High Court of Cassation and Justice to 4 years and 8 months in prison influence peddling, money laundering and influence of statements.
The non-resident tourists who arrived in Romania spent, in the first nine months of this year, 1.432 billion RON, the expenses of those who came for business interest amounting to 791.5 million RON, according to the data centralized by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), agerpres reports.

Business (including participation in congresses, lectures, courses, fairs and exhibitions) was the main reason for the stay spent by 51.5 pct of non-resident tourists arriving in Romania between January 1 and September 30, 2021, their expenses representing 55.3 pct of the total expenses.The largest share of the total business expenses was represented by those for accommodation (49 pct), being preferred especially accommodation with breakfast included (90 pct of the total expenses for accommodation). Spending in restaurants and bars accounted for 18.5 pct of the total, and 15.1 pct for shopping. Of the total expenditures for shopping, 48.3 pct were for the purchase of food and drinking, and 29.8 pct for the purchase of gifts and souvenirs. Expenditures for car rental had a share of 64.9 pct of the total expenditures for transport, and the expenses for access to amusement parks, fairs, casinos, slot machines accounted for 41.2 pct of the total expenditures for leisure.
More than 90 calls requesting emergency intervention of mountain rescuers were received in the last 24 hours, most of them for the central Brasov area, agerpres reports.

In the past 24 hours, 91 calls were received at the Mountain Rescue National Dispatch Salvamont: 12 calls for the Brasov City Mountain Rescue, 11 for Voineasa mountain rescue, 8 calls for Prahova - Busteni Mountain Rescue, 7 for Lupeni Mountain Rescue, 6 each for the mountain rescuers in Cluj, Suceava, Sibiu, 5 each for the Mountain Rescue Caras Severin-Muntele Mic, Sinaia Vatra Dornei, Gorj and Maramures, 4 calls for Mountain Rescue Predeal and 2 for Mountain Rescue Borsa.According to Salvamont, one call was registered for the Mountain Rescue Caras Severin-Semenic, Alba, Harghita and Buzau.In the case of these interventions, 93 people were rescued, 36 having been handed over to the Ambulance or SMURD (Mobile Emergency Service for Resuscitation and Extrication) to be rushed to the hospital.There were also 54 calls asking for advice and information about ski areas and tourist routes in the mountain area.
An employee of the Representation of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for the commemorative activity in honour of heroes in Romania notified the Police about the disappearance of a sum of money from the institution's safe, police sources told AGERPRES.

"On December 27, Police Station 4 was notified directly by a man, an employee of a foreign representative office, that a sum of money had disappeared from the institution's safe. The search was carried out on the spot and pieces of evidence in the case are being investigated," the Capital Police Press Office reported on Wednesday, Agerpres.ro informs.

Police Station 4 is continuing the investigations into aggravated theft, under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the District 1 Court.
Bolden advised patience to other residents seeking testing.

Dress warm, Bolden said. Fill up on gas if youre going to wait in line.

Before Halloween, Affinia Healthcares testing site was seeing about 20 to 30 people per day. On Tuesday, it saw 200 people.

Holmes, the chief operating officer, said most of the people she spoke to in line that morning werent getting tested because they were preparing to travel, or because of an exposure.

They are actually symptomatic, Holmes said. People are sick.

When the regions case rates were lower, as little as 3% of the COVID-19 tests conducted by Affinia were returning positive. Last week, it was 12%. And because so many people in line had symptoms, Holmes said, she expects the percentage this week will be even higher.

Affinia Healthcare offers COVID-19 tests on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 to 11 a.m. at 2125 Bissell Street, although testing will not be available this Thursday. Staff are trying to avoid turning people away, Holmes said, so as long as someone is in line by 11 a.m., they should be able to get a test.

Case rates rising
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said 90% of patients ending up in intensive care had not received booster vaccines, which medical experts say is the best protection against omicron.

Australia registered almost 18,300 new cases, eclipsing Tuesdays previous pandemic high of around 11,300.

In Spain, demand for free testing kits from the Madrid regional government far outstripped supply, with long queues forming outside pharmacies.

Early data from Britain, South Africa and Denmark suggests the risk of hospitalization from omicron is lower than from delta, the WHO said in its latest epidemiological report.

However, the WHOs top emergencies expert, Mike Ryan, said it was too soon to draw definitive conclusions because omicron was so far circulating largely among younger, less vulnerable age groups.

I just want to go home

A number of governments were also increasingly worried by the huge numbers being forced into self-isolation because they had been in contact with a coronavirus sufferer.
The courts haven't closed, I tell them. They've just slowed down and have been forced to adapt like so much else since March 2020. Many pretrial hearings have gone virtual. The courthouses have fewer trials and are less crowded by design. People have to wear masks all the time and space out in the courtroom for safety.

Throughout the year, I've still had the chance to cover some major court cases in St. Louis. One that has dominated my time has been the relocation lawsuit against the Los Angeles Rams, the National Football League and all of its owners. It had been set for trial this coming January but recently ended in a $790 million settlement for St. Louis and St. Louis County. One scoop in that case came in June when the NFL filed their motion to throw out the case in St. Louis Circuit Court. Most of the filings in this case have been under a 2018 protective order but either the Rams and NFL neglected to file this one under seal or the court inadvertently allowed public access to the documents, allowing me to read them before the court sealed them again. The records provided an illuminating glimpse into how the NFL sought to defend the lawsuit. Read that story on the case here.
Public safety agencies, including a fire department in Madison County and the Clinton County Sheriffs Department, posted warnings on Facebook for residents to remain inside and lock their doors as Tate was headed in their direction.

Police eventually caught up to Tate at a home in rural Carlyle in Clinton County, roughly an hour east of St. Louis. Police said Tate broke into the home and took the homeowner and another kidnapped person hostage.

Just before 1:45 p.m., the Illinois State Police SWAT team entered the home and arrested Tate. Nobody was injured.

Tate was being held in the Clinton County jail, state police said.

The man who was shot and carjacked in St. Peters was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, police said. It is unclear who else may have been shot during the course of the day.

Area agencies, including Indiana troopers, escorted the Illinois deputys body to the morgue in Evansville, Indiana, around 9:30 a.m.
ST. LOUIS  Vernon Mitchell, a University of South Carolina assistant professor, was appointed Wednesday as the citys chief equity and inclusion officer by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.

Jones in a statement said Mitchell will help the city bring all communities to the table to address the collective problems our city faces and to help ensure that city government is more equitable across racial lines.

Mitchell, who will work in the mayors office, has been a research assistant professor and instructor at the South Carolina schools Department of History and African American studies.

Previously he worked at Washington University, where he was curator of popular American arts and culture for the universitys libraries and also was academic engagement programs manager.

Mitchell has a Ph.D degree in history from Cornell University and masters degrees from Cornell and the University of Missouri.
Customer service is also king at the Department of Revenue, Wallingford said.

During the press conference, Parson also welcomed Valerie Huhn as the next director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Valerie has extensive knowledge and experience in state government and has been a key leader at DMH for nearly eight years, Parson said.

Huhn has served as the agencys deputy director since 2020 and has been a part of the departments senior management team since 2014. She began her career in state government in 2020 in the governors budget office.

She said her top priority is boosting the pay of employees in order to address high turnover levels.

The new members of Parsons cabinet come after a number of top level departures earlier this year. Wallingford fills a slot after former Revenue director Ken Zellers was tapped as the commissioner of Parsons Office of Administration, following the forced resignation of Sarah Steelman.

Huhn takes over for Mark Stringer, who retired.

Wallingfords appointment follows a trend of Parson choosing former colleagues to serve in top management positions.
Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Happy holidays are made with friends, family and food, so what better way to celebrate than with healthy recipes everyone can enjoy? Not only will these tomato-based recipes be delicious, but they offer a wealth of health benefits. Tomatoes are naturally low in sugars and fats, but rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, minerals, fiber and antioxidants like lycopene, making them a concentrated burst of beneficial substances. Everyone wants to keep their immune system at its peak during this time, and tomatoes offer a whopping 20% of Vitamin C, one of the healthiest components due to its anti-infective properties.

Get a head start on the new year by adding tomatoes and recipes from The Greatest Tomatoes from Europe to your menu! https://greatesttomatoesfromeurope.com/recipes

Here's a few to get you started:

Mini Apple Pies with Brandy and Cherry Tomato Jam - A perfect dessert for New Year's Eve, give these mini apple pies a try, and enjoy rave reviews from this show-stopping dessert! https://greatesttomatoesfromeurope.com/recipes/mini-apple-pies-with-brandy-and-cherry-tomato-jam/

- A perfect dessert for New Year's Eve, give these mini apple pies a try, and enjoy rave reviews from this show-stopping dessert! https://greatesttomatoesfromeurope.com/recipes/mini-apple-pies-with-brandy-and-cherry-tomato-jam/ Bloody Mary - Perfect for New Year's morning, this Italian twist on a Bloody Mary will start things the year off with a kick. https://greatesttomatoesfromeurope.com/recipes/bloody-massimo/

- Perfect for New Year's morning, this Italian twist on a Bloody Mary will start things the year off with a kick. https://greatesttomatoesfromeurope.com/recipes/bloody-massimo/ Pasta and Lentils - Lentils are lucky to ring in the new year in Italy. This pasta and lentil dish will set you on the right path for healthy eating in 2022. https://greatesttomatoesfromeurope.com/recipes/pasta-lentils/

Greatest Tomatoes from Europe is not a specific brand, rather, it is a campaign by ANICAV - The Italian Association of Canned Tomatoes Producers, co-financed by the European Commission - promoting European preserved (canned) tomatoes. www.greatesttomatoesfromeurope.com

@greatesttomatoesfromeurope #greatesttomatoesfromeuropeEnjoy - It's From Europe!

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/recipes-for-staying-healthy-in-the-new-year-from-the-greatest-tomatoes-from-europe-301451624.html

SOURCE Greatest Tomatoes from Europe
FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen on the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship by Cunard Line, owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. as it is docked at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Brooklyn, New York City, U.S., December 20, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

By Praveen Paramasivam and Ananya Mariam Rajesh

(Reuters) -Carnival Corp's Cunard cruise line said on Wednesday its Queen Mary 2 ship would skip a scheduled stop at New York and instead extend its stay in Barbados until Jan. 2 to bring in more staffers.

Cunard said its decision to add more crew members was a precautionary measure, but it did not detail why it needed more workers.

The ship, Cunard's flagship liner named by Queen Elizabeth, is among the more than 85 vessels the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating for COVID-19 cases.

The CDC starts an investigation if 0.10% or more of passengers on guest voyages test positive for COVID-19.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has sparked fears that the CDC may reintroduce a temporary ban on cruising, months after cruise operators resumed operations.

Queen Mary 2, the only ocean liner from Southampton to New York, left the British port city on Dec. 13 and will sail back to the United Kingdom from Barbados to ensure it reaches Southampton on Jan. 10 as planned.

"The trip started out well. The entire ship was tested on our fourth day out of the Brooklyn Red Hook port. As far as we could tell there were five or six cabins affected," retired architect Sandy Weinberg Benjamin, who is cruising with her husband, said.

Few passengers on the 28-night voyage said the mood on Queen Mary 2 had been largely upbeat, although family members of a few guests were concerned due to connectivity issues on the liner.

Cunard said it would arrange flights for guests due to disembark in New York on Jan. 3, but Benjamin said she could not figure out how the cruise line would find flights for more than thousand guests out of Barbados.

Carnival, whose shares fell marginally, said its other brands are not canceling any cruises.

(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh and Praveen Paramasivam in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya Soni and Maju Samuel)
(U.S. Air Force)

DAYTON, Ohio (Tribune News Service)  The $768 billion National Defense Authorization Act, signed by President Joe Biden on Monday, will bring millions to military facilities in the Dayton region.

Much of that money is going to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for two projects: $24 million for a child development center and $19 million for an Army Reserve training center.

The Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, home to the 178th Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard, won't be left out. It's getting $4.7 million for a base-wide "microgrid" backup power system.

Construction dates haven't been finalized for the child development center at Wright-Patt, according to Stacey Geiger, chief of engagements for the 88th Air Base Wing public affairs office. The one-story building will accommodate 304 children, from infants through 5-year-olds, she said via email.

"The primary parent customers will be active-duty service members assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB with full-day, part-day, and hourly childcare services available," Geiger wrote. "The center will be state-of-the-art childcare facility with child learning spaces, play spaces, sleeping spaces, administrative support areas, a kitchen area, playgrounds and supporting infrastructure (restrooms etc.)."

It will employ about 90 full- and part-time workers.

The child development center was one of the Air Force's top unfunded priorities. U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, said in September that construction would take several years.

An off-base childcare facility in Riverside, which currently serves Wright-Patt, has been deteriorating and infested with "vermin," according to military documents. The 88th Air Base Wing, which serves as landlord for Wright-Patt, has said children were not at risk at any of the base's childcare centers.

Geiger said the Army Reserve training center will be built on the base's property, but referred detailed questions on the project to the Army Corps of Engineers.

The Springfield airport "microgrid" project includes a battery system, generator and solar installation to guarantee backup power for the base. Representatives of the 178th Wing of OANG, based at the airport, were not available Tuesday for detailed comment on the project.

The defense spending bill also includes a 2.7% pay increase for service members in fiscal 2022, extends military recruitment and retention bonuses and special pay authorities, increases parental leave, expands the in-home childcare pilot program, improves support for military families with special-needs children, mandates a review of suicide prevention efforts at military bases, and requires oversight of privatized military housing as part of performance evaluations, according to a news release from Turner's office.

Turner, ranking member on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, said the bill includes a list of his priorities such as high-tech research, nuclear missile retention and development, and improvements to the military justice system.

(c)2021 Springfield News-Sun, Ohio

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MV-22 Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 fly back to Aviano Air Base, Italy, on Dec. 7, 2021. The squadron was recently assigned to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily. (Michael Cossaboom/U.S. Air Force)

NAPLES, Italy  A U.S. Marine Corps tilt-rotor squadron has been assigned to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily to provide air support for military operations in Africa.

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 arrived in November and is operating as part of Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africas north and west Africa response force, according to a statement Tuesday.

The squadron flies MV-22 Ospreys as the air combat element of a crisis response force. It has aircraft on alert and ready to assist with a variety of needs, said Maj. Thomas Gruber, operations officer for the squadron.

A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 lands to pick up Army paratroopers during an exercise Dec. 7, 2021, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. (Michael Cossaboom/U.S. Air Force)

The statement did not say how many Ospreys were involved in the move. Normally, a Marine Osprey squadron consists of 12 aircraft.

MARFOREURAF said Wednesday the squadron is the north Africa ACE while another unit assigned to Combined Joint Task Force  Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti will be the east Africa ACE. There are no plans to provide additional tilt-rotor capability at this time, MARFOREURAF said.

NARF-ACE operations also include C-130 aircraft, the statement said.

Earlier this month, the detachment participated in an air-to-ground training exercise with the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) and the U.S. Air Force at Aviano Air Base, in northeastern Italy.

A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 carries Army paratroopers during an exercise Dec. 7, 2021, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily is now the home base of the squadron. (Michael Cossaboom/U.S. Air Force)

In November, the squadron flew NATO ambassadors to the British navys HMS Queen Elizabeth off the coast of Italy to view U.K. and U.S. F-35 Lightning jets take off and land.

Were always flying training events, including integration with the (NARF) ground combat element based in northern Italy, said Gruber, adding that the unit previously was based in Rota, Spain.

The unit is the newest to make NAS Sigonella its home, the release stated.

The Navys Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (Detachment 1), which flies MH-60S armed helicopters, arrived in August with about 25 officers and enlisted members.

Alison Bath Alison Bath reports on the U.S. Navy, including U.S. 6th Fleet, in Europe and Africa. She has reported for a variety of publications in Montana, Nevada and Louisiana, and served as editor of newspapers in Louisiana, Oregon and Washington.
The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman transits the Strait of Gibraltar on Dec. 14, 2021. (Bela Chambers/U.S. Navy)

WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike group to stay in the Mediterranean Sea region rather than move on to the Middle East, amid worries about the buildup of thousands of Russian troops near the Ukraine border.

A defense official said Tuesday that the change in the schedule of the USS Harry S. Truman, and the five American warships accompanying it, reflects the need for a persistent presence in Europe. It is necessary in order to reassure U.S. allies and partners in the region, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military deployment details.

The U.S. and Western allies have watched as the buildup of Russian troops near the border grew to a peak of an estimated 100,000, fueling fears that Moscow was preparing to invade Ukraine.

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and shortly after threw its support behind a separatist rebellion in the country's east. Over more than seven years, the fighting has killed over 14,000 people and devastated Ukraine's industrial heartland, known as the Donbas.

Russia has denied any intention of launching a new invasion and instead has accused Ukraine of hatching plans to try to use force to reclaim control of the territories held by Moscow-backed rebels. Ukraine has rejected that claim.

The Truman strike group includes five U.S. ships - the cruiser USS San Jacinto and the guided missile destroyers USS Cole, USS Bainbridge, USS Gravely and USS Jason Dunham. Also with them is the Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen.

The Truman left its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, on Dec. 1, and entered the Mediterranean Sea on Dec. 14. It had been scheduled to continue on into the Gulf region.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Chastain apprehends a suspect during an exercise near Naples, Italy, on Jan. 25, 2021. Naval Support Activity Naples went into lockdown Dec. 16 after gunfire was reported on base, and security took a man and an airsoft rifle into custody. (Donavan K. Patubo/U.S. Navy)

NAPLES, Italy  Two weeks after reports of a possible active shooter triggered a lockdown at Naval Support Activity Naples and a search for a gunman, Navy officials have yet to explain what happened.

Nor has the base identified the man who was taken into custody as a person of interest in the Dec. 16 incident. It also hasnt said whether he is still in custody or will face any charges.

Investigators determined that the shots had come from an airsoft gun, and base police seized one from the man they apprehended.

Lt. Jamie Moroney, a base spokeswoman, declined to comment Wednesday, citing the ongoing investigation. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is handling the investigation, Moroney said.

An NCIS spokesman in Quantico, Va., Julio Burgos, confirmed Wednesday that agents had responded and were investigating, but he refused further comment.

About 6 p.m. on Dec. 16, what sounded like gunfire was reported near the bases combined middle school and high school.

That caused a lockdown of the bases Gricignano di Aversa site while security forces searched for a man thought to be carrying an airsoft rifle.

About two hours later, the base said it had taken a man into custody and confiscated the weapon.

Personal weapons, including airsoft rifles, are prohibited on base, Moroney said earlier this month.

The Gricignano di Aversa site includes schools, housing, a commercial center, a hospital and a hotel. It is about 13 miles from the bases Capodichino site, which includes administrative and support services and is home to the U.S. 6th Fleet.

Approximately 8,500 people are assigned to the base, according to its website.
Soldiers of the Ohio National Guards 237th Support Battalion and 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment prepare to distribute food April 2, 2020, in Kenton, Ohio. About 40 Ohio National Guard members will respond to Dayton to help with hospital staffing shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Caroline Pirchner/Ohio National Guard)

DAYTON, Ohio (Tribune News Service)  About 40 Ohio National Guard members will respond to Dayton to help with hospital staffing shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ohio National Guard Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. made the announcement Wednesday shortly after Gov. Mike DeWine shared that an additional 1,250 guard members would be deployed to help hospitals.

Miami Valley Hospital officials are expected to offer details of the guard deployment later today.

Earlier this month 1,050 guard members were activated as Ohio's hospitals continued to battle staffing shortages and a high amount of COVID-19 patients. Of those initially deployed, 150 members are medical personnel or EMTS and the remaining 900 will help in nonmedical capacities.

The first wave of Ohio National Guard members was sent to Mahoning, Trumbull, Summit, Stark and Lucas counties. Harris said about 460 members are in Cleveland, 160 in Toledo and 100 in Columbus.

Harris added the 40 guard members will arrive in the next couple of days. Dayton is the only city in Southwest Ohio where members are responding. The Ohio National Guard is working with the Ohio Hospital Association and state health department to determine where members are needed the most.

Dr. Richard Lofgren, president and CEO of UC Health, noted that while hospitals in Southwest Ohio are overwhelmed, they're not experiencing the same crisis as those in Northern Ohio.

He added that hospitals are constantly in contact with each other to determine who needs the most help. As the pandemic continues, the demands will likely shift and Ohio National Guard members may be called to a different region.

(c)2021 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

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The author models the Initium watch he made in Geneva, Switzerland. (Alan Behr/TNS)

The Jet dEau, the grand fountain in Lake Geneva, sprayed upward, an aquatic unicorn horn arching high, cascading as white mist into blue autumnal water. The lake spread outside the windows of my suite at the Beau-Rivage. The mouettes, narrow boats in banana yellow and trimmed in fire-engine red, shuttled passengers from the near bank to the Old Town opposite.

Lake Geneva, the Jet dEau fountain and a mouette, or yellow shuttle boats. (Alan Behr/TNS)

I had come to visit my firms office in Geneva to catch up with colleagues but also to complete the journey left undone by the pandemic. I had been booked to build my own Swiss watch just as everything had shut down, and I was finally back, ready to complete what I had set out to do seemingly a lifetime ago.

The Beau-Rivage could be a metaphor for what I think of Switzerland: sophisticated but unpretentious, fully equipped but not overdone  and everything works just as you would hope. Courtesy of an upgrade available to members of the Leaders Club (of The Leading Hotels of the World), I was rewarded with a full suite. It looked freshly renovated, and yet it had that old-world look that invites you home after a days work to take off your shoes, open a bottle of Valais wine and quietly iPad the night away. A button by my huge bed, which lorded over the suite from its mezzanine, opened and closed the skylight like the sunroof of a limousine.

When you stay at the right hotel, meetings come to you, and I spent the next three days holding court and offering coffee and drinks to a succession of local dignitaries with whom my firm has a working relationship. One, a well-traveled professional who delights in spa treatments as much as I enjoy tinkering with gadgets, wished me luck with the impending watchmaking, then added that she would remain at the hotel for a facial at what she reported, in her elegant French, to be La Suite Beaute Bellefontaine. Mme. S., as she wished to be known here, had wavy blond hair and expressive eyes, and she bore herself with that professional yet engaging rectitude that skilled European women will manage so well. She agreed to trade notes with me later in the evening for a he said/she said on Swiss knowhow.

A shuttle boat and a short walk later and I was at the small Initium Geneva branch, in the Old Town. Tamara Aziz, the general manager, introduced me to Fabiano Pericles, a master watchmaker originally from Brazil. Tamara was young, with long, dark hair. Part hostess, part supervisor, she was ready to serve as mom for this lets-build-something-together playdate. Fabiano had black, curly hair and a close-cropped beard. Standing with his hands in the patch pockets of his white smock, he looked at me with patient eyes, giving the appearance of a surgical resident with a good bedside manner.

At Initium, Fabiano Pericles instructs with a working model of a watch movement. (Alan Behr/TNS)

The movement we would be using today as the ticking heart of my watch was the simple, 17-jewel ETA/Unitas caliber 6497. Swiss made and famously robust, its origins lie in a movement for pocket watches; it is today found within wristwatches from a variety of brands, including Tissot and Hamilton.

Fabiano introduced me to the history and practice of watchmaking and then opened numerous drawers to display more wristwatch components than there are grains of rice in a bento box. It was up to me to mix and match, with Tamara adding that no two watches made here have ever looked exactly alike.

My experience as the head of my firms Fashion and Luxury Goods Practice now kicked in, as I traced my eyes across the options, recognizing styles from Swiss watchmaking history. With what I was told was laudable decisiveness, I chose a relatively modest 42mm diameter case, a classic dial with black numerals on enameled white (in the style of the Patek Philippe Calatrava Officier series, such as Ref. 3960) and coordinating black Breguet-style hands (as used on that brands current Tradition, Classique and Heritage collections). After examining dozens of bands, I adventurously chose a crocodile-style leather one in black that was almost identical those on a half-dozen other watches I own.

That was easy enough, except at Initium there is a small hurdle in the fact that you actually have to assemble the thing yourself. As a boy, I built numerous model ships, and I assumed this would not be all that different  just more precise and, this time, I could not get away with having parts left over.

Back at the Beau Rivage, Mme S. readied herself for her facial in a purple-accented room bearing the whiff of candle wax by appearing in a bathrobe before Margarita, who was originally from Kiev. The multilingual Mme S. obliged by conversing with her in Russian, and they got on rather well. Once Margarita had gently broken it to Mme S. that she was challenged by dry skin, she set to work on her customer with a cocktail of cleansers, toners, moisturizers, scrubs and hyaluronic acid, each applied to the dial with careful massaging motions.

Back at Initium, Fabiano pressed us forward, his relaxed bearing fortified by the contemplative patience of the tutor who has already seen every form of ineptitude pass before him. We had now arrived at the phase where you have to calibrate the nascent timepiece. That involved connecting it to a hulking box known as a chromocomparator.

A signature virtue of the caliber 6497 movement is that it can be manually adjusted to a high level of accuracy. My task was now was to tap the index (regulator)  an arrow-shaped prong over the balance spring ever so gently with a stick. It was tap, tap on one side to make the movement go faster, tap, tap on the other to make it go slower, each time only to generate censorious readings on an electronic screen. So I went, back and forth, tapping this way until the movement went too fast and the other way until it went too slow. With kind intervention by Fabiano, I at last got it to operate within acceptable tolerances. This precision work was proving  how should I describe it? Exceedingly precise.

Over at the Beau Rivage, Mme S. was not exactly fretting under her peeling mask, which was applied for an Alpine, fresh-off the mountains look (rumored to be a particular favorite of Arab princesses staying at the hotel). The final step was a firming effect delivered by a caviar extract, which Mme S. said had the intended result of making her now soft and moist facial skin feel more taunt.

Not long after that, back in the Old Town, my watch was looking like it could keep time in style, at least after Fabiano replaced the dial I had somehow managed to scratch. I held my own fairly well during the cleaning phase, which I more or less aced by using similar tools and techniques as those I employ when cleaning my collection of similarly precise Leica lenses. That is: Be careful  really, really careful.

Initiums Fabiano Pericles examines a case for scratches and dust. (Alan Behr/TNS) Initiums Fabiano Pericles prepares to adjust a watch under assembly. (Alan Behr/TNS)

The task now was to file the winding stem down to 13.70 millimeters before inserting it into the watch and attaching the crown. It can be as long as 13.73mm, but 13.69 is too short, cautioned Fabiano.

Armed with a micrometer, wire cutters and declining self-confidence, I snipped the stem down to just over 14 millimeters. Fabiano gave me an India abrasive benchstone, which you use as a timepiece emery board. Every a few strokes, I would measure the length of the stem as it declined by fractions of a millimeter to 13.72mm. With one final effort, I resolved to apply exactly six more strokes, paused, then gave it my best.

I think it is too short, Fabiano speculated.

Undaunted, I put the stem into the micrometer: 13.70mm on the dot. The model ship builder had been vindicated at last.

My new watch looked terrific, and Tamara, Fabiano and I toasted this fine product of my marginal competence with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc by Domain la Printaniere, a producer in the Geneva wine region.

The celebration continued that evening over dinner at Le Chat-Botte, the main restaurant at the Beau Rivage. It holds a Michelin star, and this evening, we were offered a seasonal menu chasse (game menu). You know you are getting authentic game meat when it includes a shotgun pellet. Restauranteurs may disagree, but I consider such a discovery, which I made in my serving of Irish woodcock breast (and carefully saved as a souvenir), to be reassuring as to authenticity. French game hare a la royale (with truffle sauce) followed. By the time Chef Dominique Gauthier paid his respects to our table, my party could only offer unanimous praise.

Le Chat-Botte, Michelin star restaurant at the Beau Rivage, pouring sauce over a selection from the game menu. (Alan Behr/TNS)

Mme S., seated opposite and looking radiant after her treatment, asked, Was making the watch difficult?

A fun challenge, I assured her, displaying it proudly. Four hours on and its still ticking.

I am now pleased to report, from my desk back in New York City, that it has earned a noble seat in my personal watch collection.
Buy Photo Taco Maria near Camp Foster, Okinawa, offers more than 20 entrees ranging from street tacos, quesadillas, Mexican rice bowls, nachos and desserts. (Frank Andrews/Stars and Stripes)

I recently quenched my craving for Mexican food done Southern California style at a hidden taco stand on Okinawa that serves flavors youd expect in Los Angeles or San Diego.

With SoCal a distant 6,439 miles away, Taco Maria cuts travel time to just a four-minute drive from Camp Fosters Gate 5.

I've loved lowriders and California street culture since I was a teenager and I used to go there every year before COVID-19, said Okinawa-native and Taco Maria owner Kota Shikanai via Instagram to Stars and Stripes.

There are a lot of Americans in Okinawa, so I opened it in Okinawa so that they could be happy with it, Shikanai wrote.

The dining room is right next to the kitchen and the grill was going full blast during my recent visit. The mingled fragrances of seasoned meats and vegetables sizzle up and out of the open kitchen and joined the soundtrack of funk, hip-hop and oldies with a side of American customer chatter.

The walls are adorned with Mexican-American artwork, including a mural celebrating the Day of the Dead. If Taco Maria doesnt get your senses going, you better check your pulse.

Buy Photo The walls at Taco Maria on Okinawa are adorned with Mexican-American artwork, including a mural celebrating the Day of the Dead. (Frank Andrews/Stars and Stripes)

I sat down and ordered while sipping a horchata. This sweet, plant-based beverage is made from nuts and grain and has a white, creamy appearance. Its seasoned with cinnamon powder.

Buy Photo A horchata from Taco Maria near Camp Foster, Okinawa. This sweet, plant-based beverage is made from nuts and grain and has a white, creamy appearance. Its seasoned with cinnamon powder. (Frank Andrews/Stars and Stripes)

My meal arrived on a platter, four tacos each bedded on a 5-inch-diameter corn tortilla.

First, I tried the Baja fish taco and found it first-rate. Next, the chorizo potato taco; it was the tastiest. The bulgogi taco was just fair; seasoned meat and cabbage flavors were about all I could taste.

The carne asada taco came generously piled and was the most satisfying.

You can eat each taco in two or three bites. All were warm, moist and full of flavor. The menu has more than 20 entrees ranging from street tacos, quesadillas, Mexican rice bowls, nachos and desserts.

The horchata was 580 yen, or $5.11. Add the four tacos and my bill reached a grand total of 2,300 yen. You can pay in yen, credit or debit cards.

I did not drink, but the menu boasts a huge selection of Mexican-style cocktails, frozen margaritas, tequilas and Mexican beers.

There are six tables and a bar with seven stools. The place is comfortable, approximately 500 square feet. The staff members are friendly and can speak some English. Theres also an English menu.

Buy Photo Quench your cravings for Mexican food done Southern California style at Taco Maria, a hidden taco stand on Okinawa that serves flavors youd expect in Los Angeles or San Diego. (Frank Andrews/Stars and Stripes)

Taco Maria

Location: 2-20-5 Isa, Ginowan, Okinawa 901-2221

Directions: A short drive from Camp Fosters Gate 5.

Hours: Open daily, except Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Prices: From 350 yen to 880 yen per entree.

Dress: Casual

Information: Phone: 098-975-5539; Tacomaria_Okinawa on Instagram
Authorities show support for the Ethiopian National Defense Force, at Meskel square in downtown Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Nov. 7, 2021. Ethiopian lawmakers voted on Wednesday, Dec. 29, to establish a commission for national dialogue after 13 months of conflict in the Tigray region. (AP)

NAIROBI, Kenya  Ethiopian lawmakers have approved a bill to establish a commission for national dialogue, amid international pressure for negotiations to end the 13-month conflict in the Tigray region.

The Federal Parliamentary Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor on Wednesday with 287 votes for, 13 votes against and one abstention.

"The commission's establishment will pave the way for national consensus and keep the integrity of the country," the bill states.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government has promised to create such a commission to establish a common ground on contentious issues.

The commission, however, will not at this stage engage with the Tigray Peoples' Liberation Front or the Oromo Liberation Army, both of which are fighting the federal army and have been declared terrorist organizations by the government of the East African nation.

Some government officials have said specifically that the new commission will not be engaging in talks with the Tigray organization.

But the commission's creation may be an effort to respond to the international community's persistent calls for a cease-fire and inclusive dialogue to resolve the conflict, said Tsedale Lemma, CEO of Jakenn Publishing, publisher of the prominent Addis Standard media outlet.

"When the international community requested holding inclusive dialogue to address Ethiopia's deepening crisis, there is no ambiguity on the need for such dialogue to be truly inclusive by having various stakeholders, including armed groups, be a part of the process," Tsedale told The Associated Press.

The government so far has a strict policy of no negotiations with the armed groups, she said.

"With this as a background, it's safe to say that the National Dialogue Commission is just an extension of the government's inadequate attempt at scratching the thick surface in Ethiopia's otherwise multi-layered and complex political crisis," she said.

The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia continues to urge its citizens wishing to leave the country to do so by taking commercial flights.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on the situation in Ethiopia, spokesman for the U.S. State Department, Ned Price, said on Wednesday.

"They agreed on the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities, unhindered humanitarian access, an end to human rights abuses and violations, and a negotiated resolution to the conflict," Price said.

But Ethiopian officials have continued to protest that the U.S. and other Western countries are interfering in the country's internal affairs.

"These (Western) countries, especially the U.S., are supporting the Tigray Peoples' Liberation Front in addition to putting various pressures on Ethiopia," Zadig Abrha, an official within the Ethiopian Prime Minister's office, said on Wednesday.

Ethiopia's federal army and its allied forces recaptured swathes of areas in the Amhara and Afar region in recent weeks that were in the hands of Tigray forces since July.

Ethiopia's devastating war is believed to have caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people and displaced millions of others, pushing hundreds of thousands into famine-like conditions in the Tigray region, according to aid groups.

Both sides in the conflict have been accused of committing widespread abuses, killings and sexual violence.
Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, left, the son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, sits in an office in Sabha, Libya, on Nov. 14, 2021, as he registers his candidacy for the countrys presidential elections. (Libyan High National Elections Commission via AP)

CAIRO  Libya failed to hold its first presidential election as planned this month, a major blow to international efforts to end a decade of chaos in the oil-rich Mediterranean country.

The postponement of the Dec. 24 vote has opened up uncertainty over what comes next in the tenuous peace process, raising worries Libya could slide into new round of violence after more than a year of relative calm.

The planned vote was the lynchpin of international peace efforts, and major regional and international powers had for months pushed for it to take place as scheduled.

But many inside and outside Libya doubted the election would proceed as planned. Some warned that holding the vote could destabilize the country, given the continued polarization.

Libya descended into chaos following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted and then killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Since then, armed groups have proliferated, including local and tribal militias, nationalist and mainstream Islamist groups, al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

Since parliamentary elections in 2014, the country has been divided between two main rival administrations: one in the east backed by military commander Khalifa Hifter, and another in the west - an array of militias loosely allied with a weak, U.N.-recognized government in the capital Tripoli.

WHAT WAS THE PLAN?

Hifter, who was senior officer under Gadhafi but defected in the 1980s, is based in the eastern city of Benghazi, the epicenter of the 2011 uprising. His forces, the self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces, control much of eastern and southern Libya, including its oil fields and terminals. He is backed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

In April 2019, Hifter and his forces launched an offensive on Tripoli, but Turkey and Qatar stepped up their military support for his Tripoli-based rivals, including deploying troops and Syrian mercenaries. The offensive failed after 14 months of fighting.

An internationally brokered October 2020 cease-fire has kept a relative peace since. But some its main provisions  the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries within three months and adherence to a U.N. arms embargo  have not been met.

After the cease-fire deal, the U.N. led a political process called the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, which includes 75 delegates from across the country.

The forum set presidential and parliamentary elections for Dec. 24. It also appointed an interim government that included a three-member Presidential Council led by an eastern figure, and a Cabinet led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, a powerful businessman from the western city of Misrata.

The interim government's main task was to prepare the country for the elections.

WHAT HAPPENED?

From the beginning, the process was hampered by disputes.

The main leadership body in the west, the Tripoli-based Supreme Council of State, denounced the rules governing the election, drawn up by the eastern-based parliament. Dbeibeh joined the criticism. With legal challenges over the rules still unresolved, the Council of State persistently called for the vote to be delayed.

Mistrust deepened when lawmakers decided to hold parliamentary elections a month after the planned Dec. 24 presidential vote, rather than simultaneously.

The presidential election became sharply polarized when several figures who were considered intolerable by their opponents declared their intention to run  particularly Hifter and Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the ousted dictator's son and one-time heir apparent.

Khalid al-Mishri, the head of the Supreme Council of State, threatened violence to prevent Hifter from taking office if he is elected.

Seif al-Islam's declaration of his candidacy prompted vows from opponents never to allow a return of Gadhafi family rule. The election commission disqualified him along with two dozen other would-be candidates. But on appeal, courts restored most of them, including Seif al-Islam.

Dbeibeh also declared his candidacy, causing outrage because when he was appointed to the head the transitional government, he had promised not to run.

Around 100 people submitted documents to run for president, but with legal disputes still roiling, the election commission was unable to declare a final list of candidates.

It was also never clear what would happen after the elections. All sides agree the constitution needs to be rewritten, but there has been no agreement on who will do so or when.

With so much at stake and so much still unresolved, militias showed their discontent. Militias demanding a postponement blocked roads in parts of Tripoli, raising warnings from the U.N. mission in Libya that the tensions could explode into violence.

And each side in the country's main east-west split remains ready for a fight, bolstered by mercenaries provided by their foreign backers who have not withdrawn. The current number of mercenaries is not known, but according to the U.N., they have numbered as high as 20,000, including Syrians, Russians, and Sudanese in the country.

WHAT IS NEXT?

The failure to hold the vote as planned threatens to open a political vacuum.

Lawmakers have argued that the interim government's mandate ended on Dec. 24. They say the government failed in its main tasks, preparing the country for the vote, unifying its institutions, and dismantling militias or integrating them into regular security forces.

Dbeibeh, the interim prime minister, said in a televised address Tuesday that he and his administration would remain until "real elections" are held. He said the election laws were "flawed" and called for the vote to be based on a newly crafted constitution.

Major Western governments have called for the government to remain in power until "prompt" parliamentary and presidential elections are held.

The election commission proposed Jan. 24 as a new date.

But it's not clear when or if the factions can resolve the disputes that led to the failure to hold the vote as planned. Stephanie Williams, the U.N. special adviser on Libya, has for two weeks shuttled between major Libyan players.

A legislative committee for the election blamed militias that it said wanted "to craft a distorted electoral process," an apparent reference to complaints from Tripoli over the election rules.

The committee suggested drawing a "practical roadmap" for elections and restructuring the interim government to "achieve stability," without specifying dates.

More than 100 lawmakers held two days of deliberations this week in the eastern city of Tobruk over the future of the electoral process and the interim government. The session ended without a decision and is expected to continue next week.
Residents clean out their flooded homes in Itapetinga, Bahia state, Brazil, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. Two dams broke Sunday in northeastern Brazil, threatening worse flooding in a rain-drenched region that has already seen thousands of forced to flee their homes. (Raphael Muller/AP)

BRASILIA, Brazil  A total of 116 cities in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia were in a state of emergency because of flooding on Tuesday due to heavy rains that have been pounding the region since the end of November.

Cities in at least five other states in Brazil's north and southeast have also been flooded in recent days.

In Bahia, flooding has affected more than 470,000 people. In at least 50 cities, water surged into homes and businesses, and people were forced to abandon their belongings. Official data from the state government say 34,163 people have been made homeless and almost 43,000 are displaced. There have been a total of 21 deaths and 358 people injured since the beginning of the month.

This is the heaviest period of rainfall for Bahia in the last 32 years, according to the website of the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters, a government agency. In southern Bahia, it rained more than five times the normal amount for this time of the year.

In an interview with local radio stations Tuesday morning, Bahia Gov. Rui Costa compared the situation to a "bombardment." He also said that coronavirus vaccines were lost in the floods of some cities.

"Some municipal health offices and medicine depots were completely under water," he said.

On Tuesday, the population of at least four municipalities in Bahia received warnings to leave their homes because of the increased flow of the Pardo River due to the opening of the Machado Mineiro dam's sluice gates in neighboring Minas Gerais state, according to the state government's advisory office.

Bahia's Civil Defense superintendent, Col. Miguel Filho, told The Associated Press that there are still flooded and isolated cities, and rains are still ongoing.

"Our first response is to help, then to shelter, to care for the population in the shelters by giving humanitarian aid, with sheets, blankets, food," he said.

He added that at least five dams in Bahia are at risk of bursting. Bridges and federal and state roads in the state were destroyed and have been provisionally rebuilt to allow food and other items to be brought to people in need.

"We still don't have a complete list of all the damage caused, the amount of structures that will need to be replaced," Gov. Costa said. "It isn't possible to stipulate a timeframe for recovery, because we don't have that dimension. We're guaranteeing accessibility, the detour, the temporary structure so that people can come and go."

The above-average rainfall is due to the La Nina atmospheric phenomenon, which increases precipitation in some areas of Brazil, including Bahia, the government's science ministry said in a statement last week.

Carlos Nobre, a prominent climatologist, explained to the Associated Press that the intensity of rains observed in Bahia are due to global warming. "We have to expect that these kinds of phenomena become more and more common. It's how the planet responds. The evaporation of the oceans is greater and, with more water vapor in the atmosphere, there are more conditions for more intense rains, as we saw in Europe and China months ago," said the expert, who also mentioned other climatic phenomena that are becoming more intense and frequent, such as droughts, hurricanes and fires.

The federal government has authorized emergency spending totaling 80 million reais ($14.2 million) for Bahia alone. Additional funds will be directed to other regions also affected by the rains in recent weeks, and which are still suffering the consequences.

In Tocantins state, which is adjacent to Bahia in Brazil's northern region, 22 municipalities were affected by the rains by early Tuesday afternoon. The executive director of the state's civil defense authority, Maj, Alex Matos, told the AP this number is expected to grow in the coming hours.

"We're predicting an increase in the volume of the Araguaia River, which will fill the Tocantins River even more," he said.
In this Wednesday, April 17, 2019 file photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, the control tower is seen through the razor wire inside the Camp VI detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. The annual Pentagon policy bill President Joe Biden signed into law this week bars him from taking steps toward closing the controversial detention facility. (Alex Brandon/AP)

The annual Pentagon policy bill President Joe Biden signed into law this week bars him from taking steps toward closing the controversial detention facility at the United States Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

Biden, in a statement issued after signing the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act on Monday, criticized the language included in the bill, which precludes him from sending law of war detainees to certain countries or transferring them to prisons on U.S. soil. The Guantanamo Bay facility currently houses 39 detainees  all captured early in the American war on terror launched in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

It is the longstanding position of the executive branch that these provisions unduly impair the ability of the executive branch to determine when and where to prosecute Guantanamo Bay detainees and where to send them upon release, Biden said in the statement. In some circumstances these provisions could make it difficult to comply with the final judgment of a court that has directed the release of a detainee on a writ of habeas corpus.

The NDAA extended language included in previous versions of the bill which bar the White House from spending money toward shuttering the naval base in southeastern Cuba, which is secluded from the rest of the Cuban mainland, or closing the sprawling detention facilities built there after 9/11. Biden  as President Barack Obama before him  has said his administration is committed to closing those facilities.

Biden in July transferred one detainee, Abdul Latif Nasser, to his home country Morocco after he had been held without charges since 2002. It was the first transfer of a detainee from Guantanamo Bay since the Trump administration sent a man in May 2018 to his native Saudi Arabia to complete a 13-year sentence for terrorism-related charges to which he had pleaded guilty.

That man, Ahmed Muhammed Haza al-Darbi, was the lone Guantanamo detainee transferred during Trumps presidency. Obama transferred more than 170 detainees during his eight years in office, but failed to close the facility, which he had made a central promise of his campaigns in 2008 and 2012.

Republican lawmakers have long worked to block efforts aimed at closing the facility, largely asserting that returning detainees to their home countries or to stand trial in U.S. courts posed national security risks. Language included in the NDAA since at least 2010 has barred presidents from taking steps toward closing the facilities.

Of the 39 detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay, only 11 have been formally charged with crimes, and 10 of those held without charges have been cleared by parole-like panel for transfer to other countries. U.S. officials have said the detention facility costs about $540 million per year to run  more than $13.8 million for each remaining detainee.
The United Nations called for an investigation following reports that at least 35 people, including a child, were killed in a massacre by Myanmars military on Christmas Eve. Two workers for Save the Children, a humanitarian organization, were among those killed, the London-based organization said Tuesday.

Photos of the charred remains of victims in torched vehicles circulated on social media in Myanmar, where activists say more than 1,300 people have died amid unrest since the military seized power on Feb. 1 and ousted the countrys civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

I condemn this grievous incident and all attacks against civilians throughout the country, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law, U.N. humanitarian affairs chief Martin Griffiths said in a statement Sunday.

He called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident so that perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice, at a time when millions of people in Myanmar remain in dire need of humanitarian support.

The U.S. Embassy in Myanmar, in a statement Sunday, called the killings a barbaric attack and said it would continue to press for accountability for the perpetrators of the ongoing campaign of violence against the people.

In Fridays attack, security forces reportedly rounded up civilians in Mo So, a village in the eastern state of Kayah, where people have been displaced by military offensives and clashes with armed groups.

A villager who visited the scene told the Associated Press that the occupants of three vehicles had been arrested, shot and burned in the vehicles. They had been en route to camps for internally displaced people in the western part of nearby Hpruso township, he said.

Save the Children said the military had attacked a car carrying two workers for the organization. They were initially reported missing.

Two of our staff, who were on the way back to the office after conducting humanitarian response work in a nearby community, were caught up in the incident, the aid organization said in a statement Saturday. We have confirmation that their private vehicle was attacked and burned out. The military reportedly forced people from their cars, arrested some, killed others and burned their bodies.

The aid agency, which placed an early death toll at 38, said it was horrified at the violence carried out against innocent civilians and our staff. It said its own investigation was underway.

On Tuesday, the group confirmed the death of two staff members, age 32 and 28. Save the Children withheld their names for security reasons but said both had recently become fathers.

Save the Children has been working in Myanmar since 1995. It said Saturday that it had suspended its work in the area and in parts of nearby Magway and Kayin.

Myanmars government has not commented on the allegations, the AP reported. But the countrys state-run Myanma Alinn daily newspaper reported Saturday that the military torched seven cars in fighting with guerrilla forces in Mo So on Friday, according to the AP.

A Washington Post investigation published in December reported that Myanmars military has carried out a premeditated campaign of arson and killing targeting civilians in western Chin state since September.

By analyzing more than 300 videos and photos, satellite imagery, eyewitness accounts and military planning documents, The Post found that the attacks were planned as early as June and that soldiers were given orders to clear the region, similar to the militarys 2017 operation against Rohingya Muslims.
Police officers escort suspected militant Zulkarnaen, center, who is also known as Aris Sumarsono, upon arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. (Achmad Ibrahim/AP)

JAKARTA, Indonesia  Indonesian prosecutors postponed their sentencing demand Wednesday for a top terror suspect who eluded capture for 18 years and is accused of masterminding deadly attacks and sectarian conflict in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Aris Sumarsono, 58, better known as Zulkarnaen, is the former military commander of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian militant group with ties to al-Qaida which the U.S. has designated a terrorist group. The group is widely blamed for attacks including the 2002 bombings on the Indonesian resort island of Bali that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, as well as attacks in the Philippines.

Prosecutors were scheduled to issue their sentencing demand on Wednesday, but said they have not finished preparing it.

"We need time to study this case before we issue our demand," prosecutor Teguh Suhendro said in a hearing at East Jakarta District Court held remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The demand was initially scheduled for Nov. 24, but has been postponed several times. Presiding Judge Alex Adam Faisal ordered prosecutors to present their demand on Jan. 5.

Zulkarnaen had eluded capture since being named a suspect in the October 2002 suicide bombings at Paddy's Pub and the Sari Club in Bali. He was arrested last year in Lampung, the same southern town on Sumatra island where Jemmaah Islamiyah bombmaker Upik Lawanga was arrested a week earlier. The two were tried separately at the same court. Lawanga, who was on the police wanted list for 16 years, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Dec. 8.

Police were tipped off to his hideout after interrogating several suspected militants arrested earlier.

Since May 2005, Zulkarnaen has been listed on an al-Qaida sanctions list by the U.N. Security Council for being associated with Osama bin Laden or the Taliban.

He became operations chief for Jemaah Islamiyah after the arrest of his predecessor, Encep Nurjaman, also known as Hambali, in Thailand in 2003.

The United States' "Rewards for Justice" program had offered a bounty of up to $5 million for his capture. He was the only Indonesian on the list.

Zulkarnaen argued that he was a leader of the network's military wing but was not involved at all levels of operation in the Bali bombings because he was focusing on organizing followers in sectarian conflicts in Ambon and Poso and in the southern Philippines.

During his trial that began in September, other convicted militants in the 2002 Bali bombings, including Umar Patek and Ali Imron, who were sentenced to 20 years and life in jail respectively, supported Zulkarnaen's argument, saying he knew about the plot but did not play a role in its operation.

An Indonesian court banned Jemaah Islamiyah in 2008, and a sustained crackdown by security forces with support from the U.S. and Australia helped weaken the militant network.

Militant attacks on foreigners in Indonesia have largely been replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, mainly police and security forces, inspired by Islamic State group tactics abroad.

Indonesia's police counterterrorism unit, known as Densus 88, has arrested more than 500 suspected Jemaah Islamiyah members in the past two years, including a member of the Indonesia Ulema Council, the country's highest Islamic body, who was arrested last month.

Authorities estimate the group has more than 6,000 members.
German troops attend a ceremony in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin on Oct. 13, 2021, as they mark the end of the Afghanistan Mission. Two Afghan brothers on Tuesday, Dec. 28, were charged with murder over the killing of their sister whom they wanted to punish for her Western way of life, prosecutors in Berlin allege. (Markus Schreiber/AP)

BERLIN  German prosecutors said Tuesday they have charged two Afghan brothers with murder over the July killing of their sister, whom they allegedly wanted to punish for her Western way of life.

The men, aged 26 and 22 and identified only as Sayed H. and Seyed H. in line with German privacy rules, are accused of luring their 34-year-old sister to a meeting in Berlin on July 13, then choking and strangling her and cutting her throat.

Prosecutors in the capital charged that they took a taxi to a station later that day with her body in a suitcase, then traveled to Bavaria by train and drove to a site near the elder brother's home, where they buried her.

The indictment states that the men wanted to punish their sister "for her Western-oriented way of life, which did not correspond to their archaic ideas of honor and morals and their image of women," prosecutors said in a statement.

In particular, prosecutors added, they weren't prepared to accept that she had divorced her husband, to whom she was married when she was 16, after violent incidents and had a new relationship.

The two brothers have been in custody since Aug. 3.
An RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft takes off at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., on June 9, 2021. A Rivet Joint from Souda Bay in Greece flew over eastern Ukraine this week. (William R Lewis/Air Force)

A pair of Air Force spy planes flew over eastern Ukraine this week, even as Washington and Moscow prepare for talks intended to allay fears of a new Russian invasion of its southwestern neighbor.

Watchers of flight-tracking data reported the mission Monday near Russian-occupied territory. It involved an E-8C battlefield surveillance plane and an RC-135V Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft, data showed.

The flight marks the first time an E-8C has operated in Ukrainian airspace, U.S. Air Forces in Europe said in an emailed response to a query late Wednesday. The command declined to give specifics about the mission or what prompted it. It did, however, say it routinely conducts such flights with European allies and partners and uses its platforms to promote peace throughout the region.

Two United States Air Force ISR aircraft, an E-8C JSTARS and an RC-135V Rivet Joint, are currently up over the eastern half of Ukraine:



01-2005 #REDEYE6

63-9792 #HOMER19



Also shown: Ukraine Air Force Ilyushin Il-76MD reg. 76697. https://t.co/HZv2krRoFp pic.twitter.com/E8uwXVePq5  Gerjon |  (@Gerjon_) December 27, 2021

Public flight data indicated that the surveillance plane flew out of Ramstein Air Base in Germany, while the Rivet Joint took off from Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete. That means they flew with their transponders on.

The flights come amid heightened tensions over a Russian military buildup along the Ukrainian border. Some estimates said the Kremlin had amassed 100,000 troops at the peak of the buildup.

U.S. officials and others have warned that Moscow was planning an attack on Ukraine, which Russia denies. Last week, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby repeated calls for Russia to pull back its forces from the border to de-escalate tensions.

Russian officials said Saturday that thousands of troops had returned to their home bases. The surveillance mission may have been aimed at assessing the latest situation on the ground.

The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or JSTARS, is a heavily modified Boeing 707-300 jet whose most prominent feature is a 24-foot radar antenna that can cover an area over 30,000 square miles, the Air Force has said.

A U.S. Air Force E-8C receives fuel over Poland on Sept. 29, 2021. An E-8C from Germanys Ramstein Air Base did a surveillance flight Monday in the eastern part of Ukraine. (Joseph Barron/Air Force)

It can detect ground targets up to 150 miles away as well as some low-flying aircraft. Its mission crew, typically 15 airmen and three Army specialists, primarily feeds information to ground commanders for targeting and attack planning.

Flight-tracking data suggest that it may have flown within 40 miles of Russian-occupied areas, though such data is not always accurate.

The Rivet Joint, based on a Boeing C-135, is equipped with various sensors to detect, identify and track electromagnetic signals, such as radar emissions and radio transmissions.

On top of its five-member flight crew, it typically carries at least three electronic warfare officers, 14 intelligence operators and four maintainers. Their mission is to provide on-scene intelligence collection and analysis.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has pledged nearly $25 million in aid to bolster Ukraines border security with added surveillance capabilities on the ground.

The Ukrainian border service said Tuesday that it had agreed to use the funding for video surveillance equipment, unmanned systems and remote monitoring systems.

The Defense Department also sent a small team earlier this month to assess Ukraines air defenses, Kirby said last week. He did not disclose any further details.

The U.S. has provided billions of dollars in assistance to Ukraine, including weapons and training, since Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backed separatist rebels in the countrys east. The seven-year conflict has left over 14,000 people dead.

The Army has also been rotating units to Europe to bolster NATOs eastern flank and train with alliance members and other countries, including Ukraine.

But Russia is wary of NATO expansion. It demands a guarantee that Ukraine will never become a member of the alliance and a pullback of NATO military assets in central and Eastern Europe.

Washington and Moscow are set to meet Jan. 10 to discuss stability concerns, and a NATO-Russia meeting is expected to follow on Jan. 12.
French troops cross a body of water in an undated file photo. France will take command of NATOs Very High Readiness Joint Task Force in 2022, at a time of heightened wariness in the alliance over Russian assertiveness in Europe. (James Gil-Sanz/NATO)

STUTTGART, Germany  France is set to assume command of NATOs quick-reaction spearhead force in the year ahead, replacing Turkey at the helm of a unit that could reinforce the alliances eastern flank if Russia attacks Ukraine.

The core of the unit, formally known as the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, includes a multinational contingent of several thousand troops and a French-German brigade, NATO said Wednesday. The changeover takes place Jan. 1.

At a time of unprecedented security challenges, there must be no misunderstanding about NATOs resolve. We stand together to defend and protect all allies, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement.

The spearhead force was created in 2014 in response to Moscows initial military intervention in Ukraine and was hailed as a hallmark in NATOs efforts to adapt in response to a more assertive Russia.

The unit operates on high readiness status and is designed to deploy in a matter of days. The 5,000-strong unit is carved out of NATOs 40,000-member Response Force but has been little-used in the years since it was formed.

However, it and other elements of NATOs response force could be called upon if a Russian military buildup turns into a full-blown invasion of Ukraine.

NATO hasnt detailed how it will reinforce its eastern flank, including countries like the Baltic states, Poland and Romania, if tensions escalate further with Russia.

But both NATO and the United States have stated that measures will be taken to reassure its eastern members should Russian forces invade Ukraine.

Some security analysts have said NATOs high-readiness force would be the ideal unit to carry out a rapid reinforcement. However, any decision on whether to mobilize the force would require agreement among allies.

A failure to reach a consensus on such a deployment would be a blow to allied solidarity, experts have warned.

The Very High Readiness Joint Task Force is a substantial contribution to our collective defense, and Frances leadership is a strong display of commitment and capabilities, Stoltenberg said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during their meeting at Konstantin Palace in Strelna, outside St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia and Belarus will hold joint war games early next year.

Putin welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's proposal to hold another round of military drills, saying that they could be held in February or March. Speaking during a meeting with Lukashenko in St. Petersburg, he added that military officials will coordinate details.

Putin's announcement comes amid a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine that raised Western fears of an invasion. Some officials in Ukraine have voiced concern that Russia may attack the country from Belarusian territory.

Russia has denied having plans to attack its neighbor, but urged the U.S. and its allies to provide guarantees that NATO doesn't expand to Ukraine or deploy its weapons there  demands the West has rejected.

Russia and Belarus have a union agreement envisaging close political, economic and military ties, and Moscow has staunchly backed Lukashenko amid Western pressure. That pressure intensified after a brutal crackdown on domestic protests fueled by Lukashenko's reelection to a sixth term in an August 2020 vote that the opposition and the West say was rigged.

Tensions have escalated further since the summer over the arrival of thousands of migrants and refugees on Belarus' border with EU member Poland. The EU has accused Lukashenko of retaliating for its sanctions by using desperate asylum-seekers as pawns and tricking them into trying to enter Poland.

In a show of support for Lukashenko, Russia conducted massive war games with Belarus in September that involved 200,000 troops. In recent week, Moscow has repeatedly sent its nuclear capable bombers on patrol over Belarus in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, Russian and Belarusian fighter jets jointly patrolled Belarus' air space.

Last month, Lukashenko said that Belarus would be ready to host Russian nuclear weapons.

The Belarusian leader hasn't elaborated on what kind of Russian atomic weapons Belarus would be willing to accommodate, but noted that the ex-Soviet nation has carefully preserved the necessary military infrastructure dating back to the time of the USSR.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described Lukashenko's offer as a "serious warning prompted by reckless Western policy."

___

Yuras Karmanau contributed to this report from in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A man waves the national flag during celebrations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 2, 2021. The multibillion-dollar worlds fair in Dubai warned Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, that some venues on site may shut down temporarily as coronavirus cases rapidly rise after the arrival of the omicron variant. (Kamran Jebreili/AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The multibillion-dollar world's fair in Dubai has warned that some venues on site may shut down as coronavirus cases rapidly rise in the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai's Expo 2020 said that virus outbreaks among staff may force some parts of the fair to "close temporarily for deep cleaning and sanitization," without elaborating on the scope or the location of the infections.

The UAE's daily virus caseload has skyrocketed by a multiple of 37 in just the last three weeks after the arrival of the omicron variant.

The vague statement from Dubai's government-run media office on Monday underscores the daunting challenges of hosting among the world's first major in-person events amid a still-raging pandemic. The fair opened in October after a year's delay as the UAE bet that its rapid vaccine rollout would allow its economy to avoid the closures that have paralyzed much of the West.

Expo tries to enforce various virus precautions, with face masks mandatory on the fairgrounds and a vaccination certificate or recent negative virus test needed for entry. But the highly transmissible omicron variant, which is thought to evade immunity from vaccination, poses a new test.

There have been no visible social distancing requirements at Expo's massive concerts in recent weeks where revelers have rammed up against each other, waving their hands to the music.

With Dubai's peak winter tourism season in full swing, the world's fair has vaulted into the spotlight. Millions of tourists from around the world are flocking to the sprawling site packed with scores of national pavilions, restaurants, shops and performance stages. Christmas parades drew crowds last week and Expo is now gearing up for big concerts to attract party-goers on New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve bashes last year in Dubai helped drive a drastic surge in virus cases in the Emirates as tourists escaped lockdowns at home. Infections now hover below those heights but are climbing fast. The daily infection toll exceeded 1,840 on Tuesday, the highest in six months.

The more conservative capital of Abu Dhabi on Tuesday ramped up virus checks on the highway from Dubai to make sure all vaccinated drivers also had tested negative within the last two weeks. The city capped house parties at 30 people and announced all schools would switch to remote learning for the first half of January.

Emirati authorities have reported few daily hospitalizations and deaths among the UAE's nearly 10 million people, of which over 90% are fully vaccinated.
Israeli soldiers deploy on the Israel and Gaza border, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. The Israeli military said a civilian was injured by gunfire from the Gaza Strip, the first instance of cross-border violence along the border of the Palestinian enclave in months. The military said it responded with tank fire at multiple Hamas militant positions in the Gaza Strip. (Tsafrir Abayov/AP)

JERUSALEM  An Israeli and three Palestinians were wounded on Wednesday in the first exchange of fire in months on the Gaza frontier. The violence came as Israel announced measures aimed at improving living conditions in the occupied West Bank after a rare meeting of top officials.

Israel has announced a number of measures in recent months it says are aimed at easing tensions, but they have had little visible impact on the ground, where attacks by both Israeli settlers and Palestinians are on the rise. There have been no peace talks in more than a decade.

The Israeli military said a civilian near the security fence was lightly wounded by gunfire from Gaza, and that it responded with tank fire at multiple military positions manned by the Hamas militant group, which has ruled the territory since 2007. The Gaza Health Ministry said three Palestinians were wounded, without saying if they were civilians or fighters.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz approved a series of measures aimed at improving relations with the Palestinians after hosting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his home in Israel late Tuesday.

It was the first time Abbas met an Israeli official inside the country since 2010. The two discussed security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the occupied West Bank.

Gantz's office said he approved "confidence-building measures," including the transfer of tax payments to the Palestinian Authority, the authorization of hundreds of permits for Palestinian merchants and VIPs, and approving residency status for thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel collects hundreds of millions of dollars of taxes on behalf of the PA as part of the interim peace agreements signed in the 1990s.

The tax transfers are a key source of funding for the cash-strapped Palestinians, but Israel has withheld funds over the PA's payment of stipends to thousands of families that have had relatives killed, wounded or imprisoned in the conflict. Israel says the payments incentivize terrorism, while the Palestinians say they provide crucial support to needy families.

Israel approved residency for some 9,500 Palestinians. Israel controls the Palestinian population registry, and over the years its policies have left an estimated tens of thousands of Palestinians without legal status, severely limiting their freedom of movement, even within the occupied territories. Israel granted legal status to some 4,000 Palestinians in October.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is opposed to Palestinian statehood. His government has shown no interest in reviving peace talks but has said it wants to reduce tensions by improving living conditions in the West Bank.

Recent months have seen a surge in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as Palestinian attacks on Israelis in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Tuesday night's meeting was welcomed by the new American ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides. "May this meaningful diplomacy lead to many more such confidence building measures for the New Year. It benefits us all!" he tweeted.

But Hussein al Sheikh, a top aide to Abbas, said Israeli goodwill gestures must be accompanied by a political horizon leading to a peace agreement.

In a post on Twitter, he called the meeting "the last chance before the explosion" and said Abbas had taken a "serious & bold attempt to a political path based on international legitimacy."

Gantz's meeting with Abbas  the second in the six months since Bennett's coalition government took office  also drew vocal criticism from Israeli opposition lawmakers, including those from former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, the largest in parliament. They fear the new government is preparing to make broad concessions to the Palestinians.

The Palestinians seek an independent state that includes all of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, areas Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war.

Hamas seized Gaza from Abbas' forces in 2007, a year after the Islamic militant group won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections. Gaza has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since then.

The Gaza frontier has been mostly quiet since Israel and Hamas fought an 11-day war in May  their fourth since Hamas took over Gaza. Israel holds Hamas responsible for all attacks emanating from Gaza, even those claimed by other armed groups.
Gretchen Guidess holds up a ribbon with the likeness of Robert E. Lee, which was one of the artifacts inside the copper box time capsule recovered from the base of the Robert E. Lee monument, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at the Virginia Department of Historical Resources lab in Richmond, Va. (Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)

RICHMOND, Va.  Conservation experts in Virginia's capital Tuesday pulled books, money, ammunition, documents and other artifacts from a time capsule found in the remnants of a pedestal that once held a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

The lead conservator for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Kate Ridgway, said the measurements and material of the box, copper, match historical accounts. As the contents inside were unpacked, they appeared to match the description of the 1887 time capsule they had been looking for.

"It does appear that this is the box we expected," she told reporters.

Records maintained by the Library of Virginia suggest that dozens of Richmond residents, organizations and businesses contributed about 60 objects to the capsule, including Confederate memorabilia.

The box was discovered and carefully extracted from the monument site a day earlier, marking the end of a long search for the elusive capsule. Ridgway said the box, which weighed 36 pounds, was found in water in a little alcove of the pedestal. The contents were damp, but "it's not soup," Ridgway said.

"I think it's in better shape than we expected," she said.

Historical records had led to some speculation that the capsule might contain a rare and historically significant photo of deceased President Abraham Lincoln. One line from a newspaper article listed among the contents a "picture of Lincoln lying in his coffin."

Sue Donovan pulls a book from the artifacts inside a copper box time capsule recovered from the base of a Robert E. Lee monument, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at the Virginia Department of Historical Resources lab in Richmond, Va. (Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)) Kate Ridgeway holds a pamphlet titled The Immigrants Friend one of the artifacts inside a copper box time capsule recovered from the base of a Robert E. Lee monument, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at the Virginia Department of Historical Resources lab in Richmond, Va. (Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)) A Richmond City Directory was one of the artifacts inside a copper box time capsule recovered from the base of a Robert E. Lee monument, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at the Virginia Department of Historical Resources lab in Richmond, Va. (Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)) A Minie ball, a type of bullet, was one of the artifacts inside a copper box time capsule recovered from the base of a Robert E. Lee monument, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at the Virginia Department of Historical Resources lab in Richmond, Va. (Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)) A block of wood with a bullet imbedded was one of the artifacts inside a copper box time capsule recovered from the base of a Robert E. Lee monument, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at the Virginia Department of Historical Resources lab in Richmond, Va. (Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP))

On Tuesday, conservators found a printed image from an 1865 issue of Harper's Weekly in the time capsule that Ridgway said seemed to show a figure grieving over Lincoln's grave  but did not appear to be the much-anticipated photo.

Harold Holzer, a historian and Lincoln scholar, had previously told The Associated Press he believed it highly unlikely that the time capsule contained an actual photograph of Lincoln in his coffin because the only known photo of Lincoln in death was taken by photographer Jeremiah Gurney in City Hall in New York on April 24, 1865.

The contents of the tightly packed box had expanded from the damp and stuck together, making unpacking difficult, so conservators decided to relieve pressure by cutting down one side.

"Not ideal, but it's the way it is," Ridgway said.

After Ridgway and other team members meticulously extracted each object, other conservators would then cart the pieces to the back of the lab for further study and cataloging. The team made sure to photograph each object in the box before manipulating it.

Many of the paper items were damaged from water and time but still at least partly legible.

Along with several waterlogged books, pamphlets and newspapers, the box contained an envelope of Confederate money, which conservators carefully separated, and two carved artifacts  a Masonic symbol and a Confederate flag said to have be made from the tree that grew over Gen. Stonewall Jackson's original grave.

Conservators also pulled buttons, coins and Minie balls, a type of bullet used in the Civil War, from the box. A bomb squad had checked the capsule Monday, partly to make sure there was no live ammunition.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ordered the enormous equestrian statue of Lee removed in 2020, amid the global protest movement sparked by the police killing of George Floyd. Litigation pushed back his plans, and the statue was not removed until September, after a court cleared the way.

Contemporaneous news accounts from the late 1800s detailed the placement of the time capsule in the foundation of the pedestal, and imaging tests conducted earlier this year appeared to confirm its existence. But a lengthy search during the September statue removal came up empty.

Earlier this month, Northam ordered the pedestal removed as well, and crews working on the project again started to search for the artifact. A time capsule was discovered two weeks ago, generating excitement, but hours of painstaking and ultimately anti-climactic examination suggested that artifact was placed by someone else, perhaps someone involved with the construction.
By tradition, the communique at the end of every Gulf Cooperation Council summit meeting is a bromide about friendship among the member states - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. The joint declaration is usually long on promise but short on any real purpose beyond concealing discord.

Even by that low standard, the document released at the end of the latest gathering of Gulf leaders in Riyadh on Dec. 14 was the wispiest of fig leaves. The usual invocation of unity did little to hide the growing rivalry between the groups two most important members, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

For me, the widening divergence of economic, security and foreign-policy interests between the kingdom and the confederation of emirates was one of the most important stories of 2021. How the contest plays out will have a large bearing not only on the affairs of the Arabian Peninsula but on the geopolitics of the wider Middle East. In particular, it poses a challenge for the U.S., which has long relied on the friendship between the two states as a bulwark against Iran.

Some of the differences between Saudi Arabia and the UAE stem from economic choices made by their leaders, others from contrasting security calculations and still others from ideological considerations. These havent yet added up to open antagonism between them, certainly nothing in the nature of the naked hostility they jointly directed at Qatar during a three-year economic embargo that ended at the start of 2021.

The Saudi-Emirati rivalry is certain to sharpen, however. Eventually, the deepening tensions will put businesses and investors in the awkward position of having to choose between them for political rather than economic reasons.

The two countries, which share a 300-mile border, have a long history of amity. They drew exceptionally close to each other after the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, when monarchs on both sides recognized the threat posed by popular pro-democracy movements.

The bonds deepened in the middle of the decade, with the emergence of Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the power behind the throne in Riyadh. MBS, as he is commonly known, developed a close friendship with his opposite number, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi, known as MBZ. The Emirati, arguably the Arab worlds most influential leader, became a mentor to the young Saudi. By 2017, when MBS was formally named crown prince, their two countries were allies in a war in Yemen as well as the embargo of Qatar.

In both conflicts, it was widely assumed that the older man had guided the hand of his protege. MBZ had persuaded MBS that their countries were imperiled by Dohas support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement that regards the Saudi and Emirati royal families as enemies. He had also brought the Saudi prince around to the view that Iran and its network of proxy militias, including the Houthis in Yemen, represented the greatest threat to them both.

Together, the Saudis and Emiratis lobbied the Trump administration to ratchet up its so-called maximum pressure campaign of economic sanctions against the regime in Tehran and welcomed the 2018 American withdrawal from the nuclear deal the Islamic Republic had struck with the world powers.

To a lesser degree, the two countries were wary of Turkeys growing influence in the Muslim world. When President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested MBS had been behind the assassination of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, the UAE endorsed the Saudi explanation for the death.

There were other signs of Emirati influence on the Saudi crown prince. MBSs ambitious plans for social reform, including some freedoms for women and curbs on religious authority, seemed designed to bring the conservative kingdom closer in its mores to the relatively liberal UAE. His Vision 2030 project to wean the Saudi economy from its dependence on oil revenue was inspired at least in part by the UAEs successful diversification into areas like tourism and transportation logistics.

But the two princes couldnt remain joined at the hip forever. By 2019, MBZs security calculus was turning away from a confrontation with Tehran and its proxies. The UAE began to pull out of the war in Yemen, where the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels had proved impossible to defeat. The Saudis were unhappy to be left carrying the can, but MBS didnt publicly criticize his mentor.

The following year, when the UAE broke from the Arab boycott of Israel and signed the Abraham Accords, inspiring three other countries to follow suit, the Saudis made it clear they wouldnt be joining the pack. Then it was Riyadhs turn to withdraw from a common effort: Toward the end of 2020, MBS decided unilaterally to end the embargo of Qatar. The Emiratis grumbled, but went along.

In 2021, it was the economic competition between them that took centerstage. MBZ accelerated the process of ending the UAEs geopolitical disputes - notably with Turkey and Syria - to focus on economic challenges at home. MBS, likewise, stepped up his quest to make Saudi Arabia the Arab Peninsulas leading destination for business and investment.

The two sides then broke long tradition by openly bickering over oil production quotas in July; the UAE demanded the right to sell more even as the Saudi-led OPEC+ cartel wanted to curb output. A compromise was eventually reached, but a miffed Riyadh banned flights to the UAE - the Covid pandemic was cited as the reason, but nobody was fooled.

The Saudis ratcheted up the tension by challenging GCCs preferential tariff arrangements. Hardest hit were the companies operating in the UAEs free zones, which use their proximity to the much larger Saudi market to attract businesses. Riyadh was already pressuring foreign companies to move their regional headquarters to the kingdom, threatening to cut off state contracts for those that failed to relocate. The Saudis also approached thousands of companies around the world with tax breaks and other incentives to use their desert capital as a global business hub.

Acutely aware that its own market is much smaller, the UAE responded to the Saudi challenge by playing up its strengths, such as the relatively liberal lifestyle foreigners can enjoy in cosmopolitan cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It introduced new visa rules to attract foreign talent. And for good measure, the UAE announced it would switch to a Monday-Friday work week to bring its economy in line with international norms.

The intensifying economic competition coincided with a diplomatic surge from both MBS and MBZ. Ahead of the GCC summit, the Saudi prince conducted a whirlwind tour of the member states; among other things, he was reportedly seeking a consensus on how to deal with Iran. Although they have held some backchannel talks with the Iranians, brokered by Iraq, the Saudis remain anxious that Tehrans accelerated uranium enrichment program is bringing it ever closer to nuclear weapons capability.

The Emiratis, meanwhile, are pursuing more open diplomacy with the Islamic Republic. MBZ sent his brother and national security adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, to Tehran in early December. Irans hardline President Ebrahim Raisi is expected to visit the UAE, possibly in early 2022.

The Emiratis seem to have decided they can no longer depend on the U.S. for protection against Iran. Among other things, this calculation may have informed the UAEs recent decision to suspend talks with the Biden administration over the purchase of F-35 jets and other weaponry. And they arent persuaded that their deepening friendship with Israel will make up for the loss of the American security umbrella. The Iranians will play on these anxieties to try to widen the gap between the UAE and its allies, both next door and further West.

The regime in Tehran will have been delighted to hear a top Emirati diplomat advocating against more economic sanctions even as the U.S. was warning of tighter restraints if the nuclear program isnt reversed. But the change in the UAEs tone wont have been welcome in Riyadh; Saudi cities and oil installations remain under constant threat of Iranian-made missiles fired from Houthi positions in Yemen. The latest round of talks between the world powers and Iran began on Monday, but arent likely to roll back Tehrans nuclear program.

For the Biden administration, any deepening of divisions between the Arab Gulf allies potentially weakens American pressure on Iran, as well as presenting a diplomatic headache in and of itself. And it would bode ill for the next GCC summit, in Oman, next year.

Not that you would be able to tell from the communique, of course.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and Africa.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 26, 2007. Reid, the former Senate majority leader and Nevadas longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82. (Dennis Cook/AP)

LAS VEGAS  Harry Reid, the former U.S. Senate majority leader and Nevada's longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82.

Reid died Tuesday, "peacefully" and surrounded by friends at home in suburban Henderson, "following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer," according to family members and a statement from Landra Reid, his wife of 62 years.

"Harry was a devout family man and deeply loyal friend," she said. "We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from so many over these past few years. We are especially grateful for the doctors and nurses that cared for him. Please know that meant the world to him," Landra Reid said.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in coming days, she said.

Harry Mason Reid, a combative former boxer-turned-lawyer, was widely acknowledged as one of toughest dealmakers in Congress, a conservative Democrat in an increasingly polarized chamber who vexed lawmakers of both parties with a brusque manner and this motto: "I would rather dance than fight, but I know how to fight."

Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

He retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye, and revealed in May 2018 that he'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.

Less than two weeks ago, officials and one of his sons, Rory Reid, marked the renaming of the busy Las Vegas airport as Harry Reid International Airport. Rory Reid is a former Clark County Commission chairman and Democratic Nevada gubernatorial candidate.

Neither Harry nor Landra Reid attended the Dec. 14 ceremony held at the facility that had been known since 1948 as McCarran International Airport, after a former U.S. senator from Nevada, Pat McCarran.

Reid was known in Washington for his abrupt style, typified by his habit of unceremoniously hanging up the phone without saying goodbye.

"Even when I was president, he would hang up on me," Obama said in a 2019 tribute video to Reid.

Reid was frequently underestimated, most recently in the 2010 elections when he looked like the underdog to tea party favorite Sharron Angle. Ambitious Democrats, assuming his defeat, began angling for his leadership post. But Reid defeated Angle, 50% to 45%, and returned to the pinnacle of his power. For Reid, it was legacy time.

"I don't have people saying 'he's the greatest speaker,' 'he's handsome,' 'he's a man about town,'" Reid told The New York Times in December that year. "But I don't really care. I feel very comfortable with my place in history."

Born in Searchlight, Nevada, to an alcoholic father who killed himself at 58 and a mother who served as a laundress in a bordello, Reid grew up in a small cabin without indoor plumbing and swam with other children at a pool at a local brothel. He hitchhiked to Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada, 40 miles from home, where he met the wife he would marry in 1959, Landra Gould. At Utah State University, the couple became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The future senator put himself through George Washington University law school by working nights as a U.S. Capitol police officer.

At age 28, Reid was elected to the Nevada Assembly and at age 30 became the youngest lieutenant governor in Nevada history as Gov. Mike O'Callaghan's running mate in 1970.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone else in Nevada history. He narrowly avoided defeat in a 1998 Senate race when he held off Republican John Ensign, then a House member, by 428 votes in a recount that stretched into January.

After his election as Senate majority leader in 2007, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the state's caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season. That forced each national party to pour resources into a state that, while home to the country's fastest growth over the past two decades, still only had six votes in the Electoral College. Reid's extensive network of campaign workers and volunteers twice helped deliver the state for Obama.

Obama in 2016 lauded Reid for his work in the Senate, declaring, "I could not have accomplished what I accomplished without him being at my side."

The most influential politician in Nevada for more than a decade, Reid steered hundreds of millions of dollars to the state and was credited with almost single-handedly blocking construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain outside Las Vegas. He often went out of his way to defend social programs that make easy political targets, calling Social Security "one of the great government programs in history."

Reid championed suicide prevention, often telling the story of his father, a hard-rock miner who took his own life. He stirred controversy in 2010 when he said in a speech on the floor of the Nevada legislature it was time to end legal prostitution in the state.

Reid's political moderation meant he was never politically secure in his home state, or entirely trusted in the increasingly polarized Senate. Democrats grumbled about his votes for a ban on so-called partial-birth abortion and the Iraq war resolution in 2002, something Reid later said it was his biggest regret in Congress.

He voted against most gun control bills and in 2013 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, dropped a proposed ban on assault weapons from the Democrats' gun control legislation. The package, he said, would not pass with the ban attached.

Reid's Senate particularly chafed members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats. When then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, muscled Obama's health care overhaul through the House in 2009, a different version passed the Senate and the reconciliation process floundered long enough for Republicans to turn it into an election-year weapon they used to demonize the California Democrat and cast the legislation as a big-government power grab. Obama signed the measure into law in March 2010. But angered by the recession and inspired by the small-government tea party, voters the next year swept Democrats from the House majority.

Reid hand-picked a Democratic candidate who won the election to replace him in 2016, former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, and built a political machine in the state that helped Democrats win a series of key elections in 2016 and 2018.

On his way out of office, Reid repeatedly lambasted President Donald Trump, calling him at one point "a sociopath" and "a sexual predator who lost the popular vote and fueled his campaign with bigotry and hate."

Reid, who brushed off verbal tussles with the seen-it-all calm of a political veteran, was known to tell his staff they weren't life-or-death situations.

Reid, after all, had faced one of those before he ever got to Washington. Then head of the Nevada Gaming Commission investigating organized crime, Reid became the target of a car bomb in 1980. Police called it an attempted homicide. Reid blamed Jack Gordon, who went to prison for trying to bribe him in a sting operation Reid participated in over illegal efforts to bring new games to casinos in 1978.

Following Reid's lengthy farewell address on the Senate floor in 2016, his Nevada colleague, Republican Sen. Dean Heller, declared: "It's been said that it's better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. And as me and my colleagues here today and those in the gallery probably agree with me, no individual in American politics embodies that sentiment today more than my colleague from Nevada, Harry Mason Reid."

___

Kellman, an Associated Press writer in Jerusalem, covered Congress for the AP during Reid's time as Senate majority leader. Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in New York and correspondent Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report.
President Biden delivers remarks about the coronavirus at the White House on Tuesday. (Demetrius Freeman/Washington Post)

President Joe Biden plans to talk by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday as the U.S. and its allies raise alarm about Russias troop buildup on the Ukraine border.

The leaders will discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia, National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement.

The talks follow a Dec. 7 Biden-Putin phone call in which the U.S. president affirmed a commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and warned that Russian aggression would be met with unprecedented economic penalties.

The U.S. has told European allies that the massive Russian military buildup near Ukraine since November may be preparation for an invasion as early as next month. Russia denies plans for a military operation but has warned NATO against crossing red lines by stationing offensive weapons in Ukraine.

Russia will start talks with the U.S. on its demands for guarantees of an end to NATOs eastward expansion before a proposed Jan. 12 meeting between the military alliance and Moscow, according to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

We will hold the main round of negotiations with the U.S. which will take place immediately after the end of the New Year holidays, Lavrov said in a YouTube interview Monday with the Soloviev Live channel.

Russias top diplomat said his country isnt presenting the U.S. with any ultimatums, but also wont accept endless talks on its demands for legally binding pledges that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will halt further expansion and withdraw forces to the positions they held in 1997.

State Department spokesman Ned Price repeated on Tuesday whats becoming the standard U.S. response to concern that the Biden administration may cut its own deal with Russia while shortchanging the concerns of Ukraine and the European allies. The principle is inviolable -- nothing about them without them, he said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Wednesday about efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine and upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia, the State Department said in a statement.
The planned call will be the second this month amid Russias military buildup on the border with Ukraine. In a Dec. 7 video call, Biden warned Putin not to mount a new invasion and laid out the economic and security costs that Russia would face if the Kremlin chooses to go down that path. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

President Joe Biden will hold another phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday afternoon to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia, a National Security Council spokeswoman said Wednesday.

The planned call will be the second this month amid Russias military buildup on the border with Ukraine. In a Dec. 7 video call, Biden warned Putin not to mount a new invasion and laid out the economic and security costs that Russia would face if the Kremlin chooses to go down that path.

In Wednesdays statement announcing the second call, National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne noted that the Biden administration continues to engage in extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners, consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russias military build-up.

President Biden has spoken with leaders across Europe, and Biden Administration officials have engaged multilaterally with NATO, the [European Union], and the [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe], she added. Officials have also held numerous consultations with their counterparts, including those from eastern flank countries bilaterally and in the [Bucharest Nine] format as well as Ukraine.

The Bucharest Nine is a reference to nine European nations that form the eastern edge of NATO: Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
A federal court on Tuesday denied a lawsuit filed by Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt that challenged the Pentagons military-wide coronavirus vaccination mandate by asking that the requirement be suspended for his states National Guard members. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

A federal court on Tuesday denied a lawsuit filed by Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt that challenged the Pentagons military-wide coronavirus vaccination mandate by asking that the requirement be suspended for his states National Guard members.

Judge Stephen P. Friot sided with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who has said the mandate is needed to maintain a healthy force that is ready to act quickly. Friot also disagreed with Stitts assertion that the Pentagon was overstepping its constitutional authority, noting that Guard members are already required to receive nine immunizations.

Adding a tenth ... vaccine to the list of nine that all service members are already required to take would hardly amount to an enormous and transformative expansion [of the] regulatory authority the Secretary of Defense already possesses, he wrote in his ruling.

The ruling boosts the legal standing of the military vaccine mandate as the Biden administration struggles to increase vaccination rates among Americans.

A spokesman for Stitt referred questions to the Oklahoma National Guard, which declined to comment. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby declined to comment on the litigation, pointing to comments made last week.The mandatory vaccine policy remains in effect, and that does include the National Guard, he told reporters in a briefing.

Tuesdays decision comes a few weeks after the Republican governors of Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska and Wyoming urged the Pentagon to reconsider vaccination requirements for their National Guard contingents in a joint letter.

They argued - just as Stitt has done - that the National Guard is under the authority of each states governor unless activated by the president. This means, they said, that coronavirus vaccination requirements cannot be imposed by the defense secretary on their states National Guard members so long as the troops are not mobilized by the federal government.

Friots ruling Tuesday served as a de facto disagreement with that argument. It also rejected Stitts legal motion to suspend the Pentagon mandate in Oklahoma until the court could complete a fuller review of the military mandate.

It is unmistakably clear that the intent of Congress ... is that the Guard and its members will at all events be prepared, conformably to federal military standards, to be ordered into federal service ... on little or no notice, said Friot, who was nominated to his post by President George W. Bush in 2001.

The Biden administration is acting well within the authority granted by the Constitution and laws of the United States, Friot added.

In an appeal to the administration, Friot urged leaders to implement a grace period for Oklahoma Guard members who have so far refused the vaccine after their chain of command said they would not punish them for doing so. Those troops did not have the benefit of well-informed leadership at the highest level of the Oklahoma Guard, Friot said.

Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino, commander of the Oklahoma National Guard, clarified the stakes and consequences for vaccination refusal this month.Anyone exercising their personal responsibility and deciding not to take the vaccine must realize that the potential for career-ending federal action - barring a favorable court ruling, legislative intervention or a change in policy - is present, Mancino said in a message to the force.

Many states - sometimes successfully - have sought to convince courts to halt the Biden administrations vaccination mandates. These have aimed to compel federal contractors, federal agencies, private businesses with 100 or more workers, and health-care facilities covered by Medicaid and Medicare to vaccinate their employees, minus those who have qualified for medical or religious exemptions.

Those states leaders, many of them Republicans, have said that the mandates infringe upon citizens rights to make their own medical decisions.

Stitt argued that the same logic applied to his states National Guard members. In a Nov. 2 letter to Austin, Stitt wrote that the mandate violates the personal freedoms of many Oklahomans. The defense secretary replied later that month: The concerns raised in your letter do not negate the need for this important military readiness requirement.

All members of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard, regardless of duty status, must follow ... COVID-19 vaccine compliance ... requirements, Austin wrote Nov. 29. The mandate is needed to fight the coronavirus, which jeopardizes our ability to meet mission requirements, he said.

The deadlines for the militarys coronavirus vaccination requirement differ depending on branch and active-duty status. For the Air National Guard, the mandate took effect early this month but last week was extended to this coming Friday. For the Army National Guard, the deadline is June.

Troops who do not meet the vaccination requirement and do not qualify for an exemption are subject to penalties that may include forfeiture of pay or forcible separation from the military.

The U.S. military has received thousands of religious exemption requests but has yet to approve any. Air Force members who have their exemptions denied, including those in the Air Guard, must start a vaccination regimen within five days of the rejection, file an appeal or request separation from the service. Continued refusal will lead to dismissal, the Air Force said.
The Pentagon building in Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden signed the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act into law Tuesday, including a proposal from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, that mandates certain oversight requirements with strict enforcement. (AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

BRADENTON, Fla. (Tribune News Service)  For the second year in a row, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan led a successful push to update military training protocols in response to the death of a young Bradenton soldier.

In 2019, Army Spc. Nicholas Panipinto died in a vehicle crash during a military training exercise. Since then, Buchanan has worked with his family to seek answers and enact training reform.

President Joe Biden signed the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act into law Tuesday, including a proposal from Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, that mandates certain oversight requirements with strict enforcement. Buchanan was also able to secure emergency medical response requirements for military training in last year's military spending bill.

"The death of Spc. Panipinto is a tragedy that never should have happened. That's why I'm committed to doing everything I can make to make sure that no other family has to endure similar heartache," Buchanan said in a statement. "The greatest tribute we can pay to Nick is to ensure that future and entirely preventable military training accidents never happen again."

A 2017 graduate of Manatee High School, Panipinto died while driving a military vehicle in South Korea. According to his mother, Kimberly Weaver, he did not have a license or the necessary training hours to operate the vehicle before the crash.

Hundreds of Manatee County residents lined the streets to welcome Panipinto's body back home following his fatal accident. Several veterans attended the tribute, thanking the young man for putting his life on the line to defend the country.

"The devastating loss of Nicholas was compounded by the fact that it was totally preventable. I am hopeful that, when implemented, these reforms will help prevent another tragic loss," Weaver said. "In the meantime, I am forever grateful to Congressman Buchanan for continuing to push for necessary military training reforms to protect service members."

The U.S. Government Accountability Office also found that the Army and the Marine Corps were in need of updated protocols, pointing to an average of 34 training-related deaths per year between 2010 and 2019. The government watchdog released a report in July that said both branches struggled to keep track of drivers' skills under different conditions and to provide adequate emergency response in the event of an accident.

Buchanan's addition to the military spending bill will require the Pentagon to ensure oversight, create strict standards for enforcement and develop more realistic training programs.

(c)2021 The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.)

Visit The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.) at www.bradenton.com

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In this May 26, 2021, photo, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington. Each military service branch must conduct a review of how it handles missing persons reports as part of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Cornyn said he introduced the legislation to prevent future tragedies by requiring updates to military installation security procedures and by focusing on stronger partnerships between installations and law enforcement. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Each military service branch must conduct a review of how it handles missing persons reports as part of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. The call for the review stems from missing soldier cases and deaths that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2020 and exposed faults in existing policy.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he introduced the legislation to prevent future tragedies by requiring updates to military installation security procedures and by focusing on stronger partnerships between installations and law enforcement.

The legislation, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Monday, puts the reviews down at the local base level where the picture and need is most clear, according to the senators office.

We must defend the brave men and women who put their lives on the line for our safety at home and abroad, Cornyn said in a statement. As a parent and the son of a veteran, Im grateful to my colleagues and the administration for partnering with me in protecting our nations servicemembers.

The statement cited the deaths of Spc. Vanessa Guillen and Sgt. Elder Fernandes as examples that show the need for improvement. Both soldiers were reported missing out of Fort Hood and later found dead.

Guillen, 20, went missing from Fort Hood on April 22, 2020, while working in an arms room. Her remains were found more than two months later alongside a river about 30 miles from the base. Investigators determined she was killed by a fellow soldier who later killed himself.

Fernandes, 23, was found dead Aug. 25, 2020, in Temple, Texas, after a weeklong search for him. Records from Army Criminal Investigation Division revealed Fernandes had been missing for 48 hours before anyone contacted investigators.

They were just two of 35 soldiers who died while assigned to Fort Hood in 2020. Of those soldiers, five died by homicide and 12 died by suicide. Its unclear how many of those soldiers were also considered missing before they died.

For its part, the Army has already undergone an in-depth review and made changes to the way it handles reports of missing soldiers. It announced in December 2020 that it created a new category for soldiers who do not show up for duty. Instead of immediately being classified AWOL, they are classified as absent-unknown, and commanders must launch an immediate effort to find the missing soldier.

The policy can already be seen in effect with Army bases releasing public calls to help find missing soldiers more often. In at least two instances in the past year at Fort Hood, the releases brought soldiers back safely to base.

Cornyns legislation will ensure all service branches are doing the same work.

It also calls on the base commanders to review procedures to improve force protection and coordination with local and federal law enforcement. Commanders must create or update protocols for information sharing with local and federal law enforcement agencies in their area of operation.

All reviews are due back to the services installation command, which will give the Pentagon a better understanding of some best practices that could be expanded, according to Cornyns office. From there, defense officials could begin to develop policies and implement methods to strengthen coordination efforts.

There is no timeline included for the reviews, but Congress could require one, if necessary, according to Cornyns office.

Rose Thayer Rose L. Thayer is based in Austin, Texas, and she has been covering the western region of the continental U.S. for Stars and Stripes since 2018. Before that she was a reporter for Killeen Daily Herald and a freelance journalist for publications including The Alcalde, Texas Highways and the Austin American-Statesman. She is the spouse of an Army veteran and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in journalism. Her awards include a 2021 Society of Professional Journalists Washington Dateline Award and an Honorable Mention from the Military Reporters and Editors Association for her coverage of crime at Fort Hood.
In this March 20, 2021, file photo, Navy veteran Ronnie Jackson, of Blakeslee, Pa., receives a COVID-19 vaccine from nurse Fran McLean at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center in Plains Township, Pa. The Department of Veterans Affairs reported nearly 23,000 active cases of the coronavirus Wednesday  more than at any other point during the pandemic. (Sean McKeag/The Citizens Voice via AP)

WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs reported nearly 23,000 active cases of the coronavirus Wednesday  more than at any other point during the pandemic.

The active case count reached 22,911 Wednesday, surpassing a high set in January. The record-breaking number of cases among VA patients reflects trends nationwide. The United States hit an all-time high this week of more than 265,000 new coronavirus cases per day on average, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Experts blame the rapid spread on the newest coronavirus variant, Omicron, which scientists say is the most contagious strain yet. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser to the president, warned Tuesday that the surge is expected to continue well into January.

Were certainly going to continue to see a surge for a while, Fauci said on CNN.

Hospitals across the country have reported increases this week in patients admitted with coronavirus infections. As of Wednesday, 1,218 veterans had been hospitalized with the virus  an increase of 347 veterans, or 40%, in the last five days.

Active cases in the VA system have more than doubled since mid-December and increased more than 80% in the past week.

The Cleveland VA hospital in Ohio reported the most active cases Wednesday, with 1,406 veterans testing positive for the virus. The Houston VA hospital had the second-most cases with 733, and Washington, D.C., had the third highest number, with 732.

Of the 139 VA hospitals included in the departments database, 80 of them reported at least 100 active cases.

In total, the VA has reported more than 405,000 positive cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began. During that time, 17,693 VA patients have died, as well as 237 agency employees.

Nearly 4 million veterans  about 64.5% of all VA patients  are vaccinated, according to VA data. Less than half of vaccinated veterans, about 1.2 million, have received a booster shot. Public health officials have recommended the booster shots as the best protection against the omicron variant.

The bottom-line message here is that boosters bring back up that degree of protection, Fauci said Wednesday during a news briefing. Boosters are critical.

Nikki Wentling Nikki Wentling has worked for Stars and Stripes since 2016. She reports from Congress, the White House, the Department of Veterans Affairs and throughout the country about issues affecting veterans, service members and their families. Wentling, a graduate of the University of Kansas, previously worked at the Lawrence Journal-World and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The National Coalition of Homeless Veterans awarded Stars and Stripes the Meritorious Service Award in 2020 for Wentlings reporting on homeless veterans during the coronavirus pandemic. In 2018, she was named by the nonprofit HillVets as one of the 100 most influential people in regard to veterans policymaking.

previous coverage Providence VA Medical Center in RI suspends visitation over omicron concerns
There are no new Covid community cases in the Bay of Plenty today.

The latest numbers from the Ministry of Health show there are 46 new community cases throughout New Zealand - three in Northland, 30 in Auckland, six in Waikato, four in the Lakes District, two in Tairawhiti and one in Canterbury.

A total of 71 new Omicron cases have now been identified at the border.

"Were asking everyone to play their part to reduce the spread of the virus over the break," says the Ministry of Health in a statement released this afternoon.

"The Ministry urges anyone with any symptoms that could be Covid-19, even if theyre away on holiday, to get a test and remain where they are until they receive a negative result and are feeling better.

"This applies as well to vaccinated people with even mild symptoms. For those away on holiday who test positive you will be contacted regarding your ongoing care."

Testing locations nationwide can be found on the Healthpoint website.

People who are out and about are asked to wear a mask and maintain physical distance in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor spaces and scan in using the Covid-19 Tracer app.

The Ministry says the vaccine remains a key defence against all variants of Covid-19, including Omicron.

"We continue to ask everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, including people who are now eligible for a booster dose."

Covid-19 vaccine update

Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 3,972,323 first doses (94%); 3,839,131 second doses (91%); 28,043 third primary doses; 279,853 booster doses.

Vaccines administered yesterday: 279 first doses; 1,917 second doses; 43 third primary doses and 2,888 booster doses.

Maori (percentage of eligible people): 499,157 first doses (87%); 455,867 second doses (80%)

Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people): 269,266 first doses (94%); 256,300 second doses (89%)

Vaccination rates by DHB with active cases (percentage of eligible people)

Northland DHB: First doses (88%); second doses (84%)

Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (96%); second doses (93%)

Waikato DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (90%)

Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (89%)

Lakes DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (87%)

Tairawhiti DHB: First doses (91%); second doses (85%)

Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (92%)

Canterbury DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (95%)

Hospitalisations

Cases in hospital: 48; Auckland: 15; North Shore: 6; Middlemore: 21; Tauranga: 3; Rotorua: 2; Waikato: 1.

Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (18 cases / 45%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (8 cases / 20%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (14 cases/ 35%); unknown (0 cases / 0%).

Average age of current hospitalisations: 52.

Cases in ICU or HDU: 7 (2 in Auckland; 3 in Middlemore; 2 in Tauranga.

Cases

Seven day rolling average of community cases: 47

Number of new community cases: 46

Number of new cases identified at the border: 8

Number of Omicron cases identified at the border (total): 71

Location of new community cases: Northland (3), Auckland (30), Waikato (6), Lakes (4), Tairawhiti* (2) and Canterbury (1).

Number of community cases (current community outbreak total): 10,716

Number of active cases (total cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classed as recovered): 1,272

Confirmed cases (total): 13,616

Contacts

Number of active contacts being managed (total): 6,121

Percentage who have received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 84%

Percentage who have returned at least one result: 76%

Tests

Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 8,773

Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 12,969

Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 3,886

Testing numbers remain lower than usual in the holiday period.

Wastewater

No unexpected wastewater detections to report.

NZ COVID Tracer

Poster scans in 24 hours to midday yesterday: 1,442,634

Manual diary entries in 24 hours to midday: 32,920

My Vaccine Pass

My vaccine passes issued total: 4,563,219

My vaccine passes issued yesterday: 9,925

Todays cases

Today, the MOH is reporting new community cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, and Canterbury DHB areas.

The two cases in Tairawhiti were publicly reported on 26 December; however, they have not been added to official numbers until today due to data reporting issues.

Northland

There are three new cases of COVID-19 to report in the Hokianga area today. All are from the same household and are linked to an existing case.

Auckland

There are 30 new cases being reported in Auckland over the past 24 hours.

Health and welfare providers are now supporting 1,417 people to isolate at home, including 406 cases.

Waikato

There are six new cases in the Waikato today with five in Te Kuiti and one with a Palmerston North residential address. All are linked to previous cases.

Health and welfare providers are currently supporting 61 cases to isolate at home.

Lakes

There are four new cases in the Lakes DHB area today. All are in Rotorua.

Three of the new cases are close contacts of known cases and investigations are underway to determine how the other case is linked to the current outbreak.

Canterbury

There is one new case to report in Canterbury today. They are a close contact of another case and are currently isolating in the community.
A Papamoa man is wanting to share his rescue story with the aim of warning people about the potential dangers when swimming in the ocean.

Brent Phillips was down on the beach near Rabbit Island in Mount Maunganui at about 10.30am today, when he jumped into the water for a swim.

About 50m away from him, he noticed a couple of people calling out and splashing around.

Brent swam over and saw a man and woman were struggling and needed help.

The woman yelled and said the man couldnt swim. She wasnt strong enough to keep him up.

Slowly, I swam and dragged him back to the shore to where he could stand on the sand.

She swam in behind us.

Brent, who is a professional engineer by trade, says it was a scary situation.

I have lifesaving experience from the West Coast. It was scary to do it by myself and without any equipment, like a rescue tube or something, but I just needed to help.

The 43-year-old is hoping sharing the events of this morning will serve as a warning to anyone entering the waters around the region.

While it may look beautiful out there, things could change in an instant.

He says it is a good idea for people to speak to local lifeguards and get advice on the safest places to swim and what the conditions are like before they head out.

If I wasnt there, wasnt in the water and was up on the beach with my family, it could have been a drowning.

When I got to them, he appeared to be in bad shape and I am not sure she could have supported him for much longer.

Brent says where it all happened, local lifeguards were probably not in a position to see the couple.

When we got back to the beach, I advised him to see a doctor if he started to feel unwell. When you take on salt water like that, you can feel unwell hours later.

Eastern Region manager at Surf Lifesaver New Zealand, Avan Polo says the best way to stay safe this summer is to go to a lifeguarded beach and swim between the flags, as this area is always monitored by lifeguards.

He also makes it clear that beachgoers should not feel like they are overreacting by reporting anything untoward to lifeguards, no matter how big or small.

Avan has detailed the following beach safety messages for Bay of Plenty residents looking to cool off at the beach this summer.

-Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the flags

-Read and understand the safety signs  ask a surf lifeguard for advice as conditions can change regularly

-Dont overestimate your ability or your childrens ability to cope in the conditions

-Always keep a close eye on very young children in or near the water  always keep them within arms reach

-Get a friend to swim with you  never swim or surf alone

-Watch out for rip currents, they can carry you away from shore. If caught in a rip current remember the 3Rs: *Relax and float, *Raise your hand and *Ride the rip

-Be smart around rocks: When fishing never turn your back towards the sea and always wear a lifejacket

-If in doubt, stay out!

-If you see someone in trouble, call 111 and ask for the Police

-Be sun smart  slip, slop, slap and wrap to protect your skin and eyes from the suns damaging rays.

Click here for more beach safety information.
UPDATED: A British DJ who has tested positive for the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in New Zealand says he is devastated by the development.

In a late-night social media post, Robert Etheridge, who goes by the name DJ Dimension, said he tested positive two days after his 10-day period of isolation. Etheridge said he was in managed isolation for seven days from 16 December, followed by three days of home isolation. He said he tested negative to the virus three times and had no symptoms, but returned a positive test result on day 12. Etheridge spent time in Auckland on Boxing Day, where he visited a nightclub and bar, restaurants and a jewellers. He had been due to perform at the Rhythm and Alps festival in Wanaka, but has now withdrawn from the event. There are four casual locations of interest and one close - the Impala nightclub in Shortland Street, between 11pm on 26 December and 3am on 27 December. The news comes as areas currently in the red setting under the government's Covid-19 traffic light system are due to move to orange at midnight tonight, apart from Northland. The areas are Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua Lakes, Kawerau, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu districts. More details are expected to be given by the Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins later today. -RNZ.

EARLIER:

The border-related Omicron case who has been active in the community in Auckland is a chart topping international DJ who recently arrived in New Zealand.

The DJ is Dimension, aka Robert Etheridge, a UK electronic music artist.

He arrived in New Zealand on December 16, and returned three negative tests before testing positive on December 27  the result of a day nine test.

Dimension was due to headline the Rhythm & Alps music festival, but was pulled from the line-up, along with DJ Friction, on Wednesday night due to the ongoing impacts of Covid-19.

DJ Friction, who played at Hidden Lakes Festival in Christchurchs Hagley Park on Tuesday night, is a close contact and is isolating.

UK DJ Friction posted an update on his Instagram story on Wednesday evening.

Four days ago, Dimension posted a photo of himself by the sea, saying Merry Christmas from New Zealand.

He thanked his followers for an amazing year" that saw his album top the UK dance charts.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins will address the country on the situation at 11am on Thursday, however, there are no plans to change any settings at this point, says a government spokesperson.

This comes after the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday that a case detected at the border with the variant had briefly been active in the community.

The case arrived from the United Kingdom via Doha on December 16 and tested positive on day nine in their self-isolation period.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the case is not a New Zealand citizen but is fully vaccinated.

The person received their day nine test result on December 27 and was immediately transferred to an Auckland MIQ facility.

They were active between December 26 and 27, visiting five locations of interest in Auckland, including central city nightclub Impala and Commercial Bay Precinct.

International travellers arriving into New Zealand are required to isolate in managed isolation for seven days before self-isolating for three days at their home.

The Ministry of Health is now investigating the source of the infection and identifying close contacts.

Close contacts who have been identified and tested have returned a negative result for the virus and is isolating.

We are taking this situation seriously and taking a precautionary approach, says a Ministry of Health spokeswoman.

However, we do not believe that the individual was highly infectious at the time of the above exposure events, they say.

The Ministry of Health is advising Aucklanders to check the locations of interest regularly and follow the advice given.

Locations of interest in Auckland

Impala, December 26-27, 11pm-3am

Commercial Bay Precinct, December 26, 2.30-4.30pm and 6.30-8pm

Sunny Town restaurant, December 26, 2.30-4.30pm

Partridge Jewellers, Queen St, December 26, 3.30-6pm

Ahi Restaurant, December 26, 6.30-8pm

Soul Bar, December 26-27, 9.30pm-3am
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Joshua_Ray Newbie



Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 16 Thanked: 133 Times

Life with a 2005 Ford Ikon 1.3 Flair - Lessons after 6 years and 25,000 km of use (and abuse!)



There are now 3 cars in the garage, my 2005 Ford Ikon, a 2009 Honda City AT and a tuned 2010 Skoda Laura 1.9PD TDI MT. I will make dedicated threads for the others, but I wanted to start with the Ikon, as it was the car in which I perfected my driving skills, made many rookie mistakes & done some crazy experiments - which we will cover in this thread, with as much detail as possible. The main aim of this thread is to cover my Ownership experience of the Ikon - the buying, driving experience, maintenance and servicing, handling the December floods, crazy experiments and everything in between!



The beginning:

The story with my Ford Ikon started on an unassuming evening in February 2015. I was a fresher in college and reached home to find out that my dad had 'gone to see a car for me'. I had just turned 18, in December of 2014 and I was super excited on hearing this! (Yes, I got my LLR on my birthday and got my proper Driver's license in Jan of 2015)

Fun Fact: I was crazy (and still am) about the mk1 Skoda Octavia vRS and dreamt of having that special car (in red or yellow) as my first car!

I was hoping that my dad had gone to see a vRS, as I had shown him a few on OLX the previous day. However, my dad had other ideas...

Like any sensible person, my dad knew that a vRS in the hands of an 18 year old enthusiast, is an excellent recipe for disaster - hence, he had gone to see a 2005 Ford Ikon, which he thought would be a good starting point for me to learn driving - in a safe and controlled manner.



I was a bit disappointed, and the fact that it was an Ikon with the 1.3 ROCAM and not the coveted 1.6, made matters worse. However, the car looked sinister in black, came with an aftermarket end-can and a massive subwoofer, which did help boost the 'flair' of this pretty boring Ford. After a short drive, and a promise that I would get a vRS 'soon' if I could prove that I am a safe driver, negotiations were done and on 6th Feb 2015, we took delivery of what I call 'Black Panther' - my 2005 Ford Ikon Flair in Panther Black! It was a 2nd owner car and had 50,750 km on the Odo! Attaching a few photographs from my early days of Ownership.





En route to an International Conference



With the custom end-can exhaust



Photoshoot after college



Driving Experience:

My initial driving days were focused on perfecting the mystery of the Manual transmission! Yes, I was determined to drive an MT, but was forced to practice only on Automatic cars (the City was automatic and we previously had an automatic Santro).

Days went by and as I got more comfortable with the car and its driving characteristics, I started exploring the limits of the massive 70 BHP and colossal 90 NM of torque

'A wheelspin a day, keeps the problems away' became a motto with this car and I spent the next few months red-lining at 6000 RPM, launching, cornering, pushing the boundaries and understanding the limits of the car and myself. The car was an absolute riot and fuel efficiency was abysmal, lol. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction - this was a statement waiting to prove itself.

The motto was a really important part of my misery in future, as we will cover soon.

So far on the maintenance side, new spark plugs, engine oil and a new air filter was all that was needed.

My free flow end-can was replaced back to stock, as my college authorities were not pleased with my loud car. This incident triggered a thought to make my car, the loudest Ikon in Chennai, and this is something which I accomplished in 2021!

Anyway, back to 2015 and sadly the December floods trapped both my cars. The water level was luckily not that high, but had risen up to almost 3/4th height of the wheels. Luckily, apart from wet carpets, both cars escaped with minor repairs, but that is where things started to go south with the Ikon...

Attaching a picture after the water level had reduced a bit.





The water level reached the seat bolts



Post Flood problems:

The City had escaped pretty much unscathed, the only thing that needed fixing was some brake cylinders in the rear drums and the AC Compressor whines when switched on (till date, it works like a charm, but is a bit noisy) - but this is for another day and another thread.

The floods had not been kind to my Black Panther and one by one issues started cropping up.

Firstly, it was the rear wheel bearings that were groaning, a few months later the starter motor failed and next was the steering rack! All these issues were fixed (either replaced or repaired) with the help of my local mechanic. We also replaced the brake pads and rear brake shoes.



For a few months, all was good until one fine day, I entered college with my car puffing white smoke from the engine bay! A coolant pipe had broken and turned my engine bay into a dry ice machine! The culprit was an elbow hose on the side of the engine, which is apparently a common failure point on these engines.



After this incident, things were good for a while, we replaced the suspension at all 4 corners and that transformed the ride quality of the car. By this time, I had the car for over 3 years, but there was still no vRS to be seen on the horizon...





Trying to look cool at college



Few months passed by and then I started hearing a groaning sound from the front of the car, I assumed it was the front wheel bearings and kept on driving, but the sound kept getting louder. A visit to my mechanic revealed that my front wheel bearings had gone, and so had my driveshaft! Yes, remember my motto... well it had finally taken its toll and the effect was accelerated by the floods. Anyway, with a chunk of money already spent on the car and no vRS in sight, this too was fixed.



The year was now 2019, I had graduated from college and had been working for 1 year. Over these years, the car had been fairly reliable (obviously, with all parts changed) and apart from that pesky elbow hose, which gave up another time, all was good. Black Panther was now at 70,000 km and was running well.



The Major repair:

The car which was meant to be my 'learner' had now been with me for 4 years and while a vRS would have definitely been nice, I had grown to like the Ikon for its compact size, nimble handling and the fact that I could take it anywhere and park it anywhere without bothering too much.

In 2019, the 'perfect' Skoda came for sale, a 2010 Laura TDI with only 34k on the odo! We jumped at it and the Ikon was supposed to be sold in exchange... however, the dealer offered us INR 40,000 and also suggested that we keep the Ikon as a 3rd car, a decision that I was overjoyed to make!



Exactly 1 month after taking delivery of the Laura, the clutch in the Ikon had become quite hard and the vehicle would start juddering after just a 15 minute drive in traffic (Yes, the motto was to blame again). Also, to make matters worse, the engine started to overheat (again) and I thought it was the elbow hose (again). To our shock, it was apparently a coolant line inside the engine that had failed.

This was bad news for any car, but especially for a car worth so little, as the cost of repairs could not be justified. The Ikon had become more of a family member (to me, lol) and after a lot of discussion at home, I ended up paying INR 40,000 to my dad and officially bought the car! The go ahead was then given for the repairs (thank God for depreciation!)

A long list of parts had to be changed and the total bill came to... drum roll please... INR 21,550!





The car equivalent of heart-out surgery



The work needed the engine to come out and a week later, the car was ready! Among the parts changed was the clutch, a new battery (3rd one since I got it), a complete fluid flush and a few other odds and ends.

By this time, we had changed/refurbished the suspension, brakes, steering rack, power steering pump, driveshaft and the clutch!

Special mention to my Black Panther, for waiting till I got another car, before requiring the engine out repairs!

From that day, till now, the only other replacement was the AC Evaporator coil and touch wood, the car has been running fine since then!



Experiments:

This is where things get interesting. So, I too fell prey to the Covid game, as I lost my job due to the virus. I used this as an opportunity to start my YouTube channel to document life with these cars as well as review new & used cars in an un-biased fashion.

Now, the thing about YouTube is that to reach success or fame on the platform, especially as an automobile vlogger, you either need to drive a like a maniac, buy the cheapest worst version of an exotic car, have a girl accompany you on reviews or do some stupid experiment to gain views.

The latter was my only option and not wanting to risk the Laura or the City, the task fell on my Ikon.

Now after the flood, I had removed the cat-con and mid-muffler from the exhaust due to corrosion. So, the car was basically straight-piped with a stock back box. Inspired by the chapri boys, I wanted to install a bike silencer on my car, but not just any bike, an aftermarket Royal Enfield Goldstar silencer!





At the welder's place



The dimensions matched and the next thing I knew, my car could be heard at least 300m away on a cold start!

It was extremely loud and after a few weeks of driving like a moron, I had made a few videos and went back to stock.

The experiment had served its purpose and my video was featured on Cartoq - a google search on Chennai's loudest Ford Ikon will bring up the video.





Looks surprisingly stock, but makes an unholy racket!



Now, my next experiment is using 195/60 R15 wheels on the car. I have just done the 'mod' but will probably make a few videos and revert back to my R14 setup, as there is only a few mm of clearance between the arches and the bumper - YouTuber life is fun!





Yes, it is too big!



Conclusion:

6 years and 25,000+ km is pretty long enough to understand a car quite well and the words that I use here are a culmination of all the experiences over an eventful history.

From perfecting my driving skills, understanding and pushing boundaries, to fun drives with friends and family, to taking me to college and to work, the Ikon has seen it all. The journey was not smooth, with almost every mechanical component changed or repaired due to my early driving experiments, the 'wheelspin a day' motto and general crazy things we enthusiasts try. As I enter my 7th year of Ownership, the 'josh' machine still ticks all the right boxes as a cheap and practical car.



With most Ikon's in miserable condition due to negligence, it is rare to find an Ikon in good running condition. We bought the car for 1.2 lakhs and have easily spent over 2 lakhs in maintenance, servicing and up-keep. The fact that my car is still running in good condition (despite all the use and abuse, from my side and 10 years from the previous 2 owners), is a testament to the build quality of these old Ford's and I am glad I got my initiation into the driving world, with this machine!

And yes, when I look back, my dad probably did the correct thing in getting me this car, a vRS would have costed 5x more to fix considering all the craziness of an 18 year old or I'm sure I would have binned it somewhere while exploring the limits!



Moral of the story: Always start small, then the experience & growth will be appreciated better!



Attaching a few more pictures to sum up my extended ownership!





At work





During my final year at college





At night with the upgraded lights





Looks much better than today's horrendous compact sedans! Hello everyone! Welcome to my first ownership thread on this esteemed forum. As a 25 year old enthusiast, I consider this as a great opportunity, to share my love and passion for cars, as well as share my experience. This forum has been a source of invaluable information to me and I hope my contribution will help many others with their car queries.There are now 3 cars in the garage, my 2005 Ford Ikon, a 2009 Honda City AT and a tuned 2010 Skoda Laura 1.9PD TDI MT. I will make dedicated threads for the others, but I wanted to start with the Ikon, as it was the car in which I perfected my driving skills, made many rookie mistakes & done some crazy experiments - which we will cover in this thread, with as much detail as possible. The main aim of this thread is to cover my Ownership experience of the Ikon - the buying, driving experience, maintenance and servicing, handling the December floods, crazy experiments and everything in between!The story with my Ford Ikon started on an unassuming evening in February 2015. I was a fresher in college and reached home to find out that my dad had 'gone to see a car for me'. I had just turned 18, in December of 2014 and I was super excited on hearing this! (Yes, I got my LLR on my birthday and got my proper Driver's license in Jan of 2015)I was crazy (and still am) about the mk1 Skoda Octavia vRS and dreamt of having that special car (in red or yellow) as my first car!I was hoping that my dad had gone to see a vRS, as I had shown him a few on OLX the previous day. However, my dad had other ideas...Like any sensible person, my dad knew that a vRS in the hands of an 18 year old enthusiast, is an excellent recipe for disaster - hence, he had gone to see a 2005 Ford Ikon, which he thought would be a good starting point for me to learn driving - in a safe and controlled manner.I was a bit disappointed, and the fact that it was an Ikon with the 1.3 ROCAM and not the coveted 1.6, made matters worse. However, the car looked sinister in black, came with an aftermarket end-can and a massive subwoofer, which did help boost the 'flair' of this pretty boring Ford. After a short drive, and a promise that I would get a vRS 'soon' if I could prove that I am a safe driver, negotiations were done and on 6th Feb 2015, we took delivery of what I call 'Black Panther' - my 2005 Ford Ikon Flair in Panther Black! It was a 2nd owner car and had 50,750 km on the Odo! Attaching a few photographs from my early days of Ownership.My initial driving days were focused on perfecting the mystery of the Manual transmission! Yes, I was determined to drive an MT, but was forced to practice only on Automatic cars (the City was automatic and we previously had an automatic Santro).Days went by and as I got more comfortable with the car and its driving characteristics, I started exploring the limits of the massive 70 BHP and colossal 90 NM of torquebecame awith this car and I spent the next few months red-lining at 6000 RPM, launching, cornering, pushing the boundaries and understanding the limits of the car and myself. The car was an absolute riot and fuel efficiency was abysmal, lol.- this was a statement waiting to prove itself.Thewas a really important part of myin future, as we will cover soon.So far on the maintenance side, new spark plugs, engine oil and a new air filter was all that was needed.My free flow end-can was replaced back to stock, as my college authorities were not pleased with my loud car. This incident triggered a thought to make my car, the loudest Ikon in Chennai, and this is something which I accomplished in 2021!Anyway, back to 2015 and sadly the December floods trapped both my cars. The water level was luckily not that high, but had risen up to almost 3/4th height of the wheels. Luckily, apart from wet carpets, both cars escaped with minor repairs, but that is where things started to go south with the Ikon...Attaching a picture after the water level had reduced a bit.The City had escaped pretty much unscathed, the only thing that needed fixing was some brake cylinders in the rear drums and the AC Compressor whines when switched on (till date, it works like a charm, but is a bit noisy) - but this is for another day and another thread.The floods had not been kind to myand one by one issues started cropping up.Firstly, it was the rear wheel bearings that were groaning, a few months later the starter motor failed and next was the steering rack! All these issues were fixed (either replaced or repaired) with the help of my local mechanic. We also replaced the brake pads and rear brake shoes.For a few months, all was good until one fine day, I entered college with my car puffing white smoke from the engine bay! A coolant pipe had broken and turned my engine bay into a dry ice machine! The culprit was an elbow hose on the side of the engine, which is apparently a common failure point on these engines.After this incident, things were good for a while, we replaced the suspension at all 4 corners and that transformed the ride quality of the car. By this time, I had the car for over 3 years, but there was still no vRS to be seen on the horizon...Few months passed by and then I started hearing a groaning sound from the front of the car, I assumed it was the front wheel bearings and kept on driving, but the sound kept getting louder. A visit to my mechanic revealed that my front wheel bearings had gone, and so had my driveshaft! Yes, remember my... well it had finally taken its toll and the effect was accelerated by the floods. Anyway, with a chunk of money already spent on the car and no vRS in sight, this too was fixed.The year was now 2019, I had graduated from college and had been working for 1 year. Over these years, the car had been fairly reliable (obviously, with all parts changed) and apart from that pesky elbow hose, which gave up another time, all was good.was now at 70,000 km and was running well.The car which was meant to be my 'learner' had now been with me for 4 years and while a vRS would have definitely been nice, I had grown to like the Ikon for its compact size, nimble handling and the fact that I could take it anywhere and park it anywhere without bothering too much.In 2019, the 'perfect' Skoda came for sale, a 2010 Laura TDI with only 34k on the odo! We jumped at it and the Ikon was supposed to be sold in exchange... however, the dealer offered us INR 40,000 and also suggested that we keep the Ikon as a 3rd car, a decision that I was overjoyed to make!Exactly 1 month after taking delivery of the Laura, the clutch in the Ikon had become quite hard and the vehicle would start juddering after just a 15 minute drive in traffic (Yes, thewas to blame again). Also, to make matters worse, the engine started to overheat (again) and I thought it was the elbow hose (again). To our shock, it was apparently a coolant line inside the engine that had failed.This was bad news for any car, but especially for a car worth so little, as the cost of repairs could not be justified. The Ikon had become more of a family member (to me, lol) and after a lot of discussion at home, I ended up paying INR 40,000 to my dad and officially bought the car! The go ahead was then given for the repairs (thank God for depreciation!)A long list of parts had to be changed and the total bill came to... drum roll please... INR 21,550!The work needed the engine to come out and a week later, the car was ready! Among the parts changed was the clutch, a new battery (3rd one since I got it), a complete fluid flush and a few other odds and ends.By this time, we had changed/refurbished the suspension, brakes, steering rack, power steering pump, driveshaft and the clutch!Special mention to my, for waiting till I got another car, before requiring the engine out repairs!From that day, till now, the only other replacement was the AC Evaporator coil and touch wood, the car has been running fine since then!This is where things get interesting. So, I too fell prey to the Covid game, as I lost my job due to the virus. I used this as an opportunity to start my YouTube channel to document life with these cars as well as review new & used cars in an un-biased fashion.Now, the thing about YouTube is that to reach success or fame on the platform, especially as an automobile vlogger, you either need to drive a like a maniac, buy the cheapest worst version of an exotic car, have a girl accompany you on reviews or do some stupid experimentto gain views.The latter was my only option and not wanting to risk the Laura or the City, the task fell on my Ikon.Now after the flood, I had removed the cat-con and mid-muffler from the exhaust due to corrosion. So, the car was basically straight-piped with a stock back box. Inspired by theboys, I wanted to install a bike silencer on my car, but not just any bike, an aftermarket Royal Enfield Goldstar silencer!The dimensions matched and the next thing I knew, my car could be heard at least 300m away on a cold start!It was extremely loud and after a few weeks of driving like a moron, I had made a few videos and went back to stock.Thehad served its purpose and my video was featured on Cartoq - a google search onwill bring up the video.Now, my next experiment is using 195/60 R15 wheels on the car. I have just done the 'mod' but will probably make a few videos and revert back to my R14 setup, as there is only a few mm of clearance between the arches and the bumper - YouTuber life is fun!6 years and 25,000+ km is pretty long enough to understand a car quite well and the words that I use here are a culmination of all the experiences over an eventful history.From perfecting my driving skills, understanding and pushing boundaries, to fun drives with friends and family, to taking me to college and to work, the Ikon has seen it all. The journey was not smooth, with almost every mechanical component changed or repaired due to my early driving experiments, the 'wheelspin a day' motto and general crazy things we enthusiasts try. As I enter my 7th year of Ownership, the 'josh' machine still ticks all the right boxes as a cheap and practical car.With most Ikon's in miserable condition due to negligence, it is rare to find an Ikon in good running condition. We bought the car for 1.2 lakhs and have easily spent over 2 lakhs in maintenance, servicing and up-keep. The fact that my car is still running in good condition (despite all the use and abuse, from my side and 10 years from the previous 2 owners), is a testament to the build quality of these old Ford's and I am glad I got my initiation into the driving world, with this machine!And yes, when I look back, my dad probably did the correct thing in getting me this car, a vRS would have costed 5x more to fix considering all the craziness of an 18 year old or I'm sure I would have binned it somewhere while exploring the limits!Moral of the story: Always start small, then the experience & growth will be appreciated better!Attaching a few more pictures to sum up my extended ownership!
Bravo: NASA has taken tons of flak for the numerous delays and cost overruns that plagued the James Webb Space Telescope over the past decade, but things have been going swimmingly ever since its Christmas Day launch. In fact, a recent analysis revealed the mission is progressing better than anticipated.

The observatory should now have enough propellant to support science operations well past its 10-year science lifetime. The space agency said the precision of the Arianespace Ariane 5 launch resulted in less propellant being used than anticipated. A smooth mid-course correction maneuver after launch, which added approximately 45 mph to the crafts speed, also helped conserve fuel.

A second correction burn occurred on December 27, speeding up Webb by 6.3 mph.

NASA said that from this point on, all scheduled deployments on Webb will be controlled by humans. This means their deployment, or even their order, could change. Webb at this point is a little over a day into a six-day process to unfold its sunshield.

Webb enthusiasts may also be excited to learn that temperature data from the spacecraft is now available to view online in real time. As of this writing, the hot side of Webb is at 49 F and the cold side is a chilly -244 F.

Interested parties can learn more about upcoming deployments and follow Webbs location in space over on NASAs website. Should everything go according to plan, the observatory will reach its destination - the second Lagrange point - in less than a month.
NASA gave Axiom Crew a green light for the first-ever private mission of the latter to the ISS or the International Space Station in 2022.

NASA Clears Axiom Crew for First Private Mission to ISS

As per the news story by Space.com, the astronauts from the Axiom crew have already passed all of their medical evaluations ahead of their flight to the orbiting space station.

On top of that, NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, along with other international partners, cleared the Axiom crew for their liftoff to the ISS on Feb. 28, 2022.

In fact, both the United States space agency and the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel, which includes five other international space agencies that also have jurisdiction on the ISS, have already given the four-man private crew a go signal for their upcoming mission.

The private crew mission is composed of four astronauts, including Larry Connor, Eytan Stibbe, Mark Pathy, and Michael Lopez-Alegria.

The associate administrator of the NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate, Kathy Lueders, announced in a tweet that the first private astronaut mission to the space station has "made great progress."

The NASA associate administrator further revealed that the four-man crew has already passed all of their medical evaluations.

On top of that, the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel has also given them a go signal for the ISS mission.

NASA further said in a separate statement that the approval of its international space agency partners, as well as the medical evaluation clearance, is a significant milestone for the first-ever private ISS crew mission.

Read Also: China Space Program to Use Powerful Nuclear Reactor for Mars Missions! 100x More Efficient Than NASA's

Axiom Crew: First Private ISS Mission

The earliest private crew mission to the orbiting space station will be conducting a total of 25 experiments, which will be focusing on various topics, such as space travel, science, and education.

Not to mention that the research will also specifically look into the effect of traveling to space on both the heart and senescent cells of a human person.

Two out of the four crew members, Pathy and Stibbe, will serve as the mission specialist.

On the other hand, Connor is joining the flight as the Ax-1 pilot. Meanwhile, Lopez-Alegria will take the role of the mission commander.

It is interesting to note that Lopez-Alegria also currently serves as the vice president of Axiom Space. Aside from that, he was also previously a NASA astronaut, wherein he flew to space in four instances.

Elsewhere, according to the new release of NASA, it has previously selected Axiom Space once again to lead its second private astronaut mission to ISS.

Related Article: NASA's James Webb Telescope Reached Space, But Will it Replace the Hubble In Its Deep Space Scans?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
As the coronaviruss highly-virulent Omicron variant drives a fresh spike in infections and snarls year-end plans, many are turning to at-home rapid tests to decide what they can and can't do.

Though the surge has led to shortages of the tests in some places, they are now far easier to find than in past COVID-19 waves. Theyre easy to administer and fairly accessible  though they usually cost about $20 for a two-pack  offering a quick way for people to gauge risk during another holiday season marred by the virus.

For all their convenience, however, at-home rapid tests have also posed plenty of new questions: Should a more-accurate PCR test follow a positive take-home result? And if the second test comes back negative, which result wins out?

As Omicron spreads, CDC's shortened quarantine rules prompt concern, cautious optimism Following the CDCs announcement Monday that people who test positive for the coronavirus only need to quarantine for five days instead of the

As has often been the case since the pandemic began, answers to those questions require a dose of nuance.

It all depends on the context and the situation, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco. And its hard for people to make that judgement call.

Rapid take-home tests and PCR tests use different science to determine whether someone has COVID-19. PCR tests are more precise and accurate, but the take-home tests are faster and more convenient.

(Rapid tests) have a different utility than the PCR test, which was designed to be clinically diagnostic of infection no matter what the level, said Dr. Susan Hassig, an epidemiologist at Tulane University. But the antigen tests, which are the rapid tests, are more useful from a public health perspective in terms of identifying when you are most likely to be infectious.

In an ideal world, everyone who gets a positive at-home test result would be able to confirm that result with a more-accurate PCR exam at their local doctors office or urgent care clinic, said Dr. Katie Taylor.

But a recent testing bottleneck, stretching from Louisiana to New York City, means that might not be be a feasible option for many people, according to Taylor, an infectious disease doctor at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge.

Some public health agencies outside Louisiana have met the testing shortage by telling people who get a positive at-home test to isolate without seeking out a second result.

In that scenario, Taylor said, Louisianans should call their doctors. And if theyre having a test shortage at their clinic, theyre going to say, just stay home, Taylor said. But if you can, you should get a PCR test after a positive at-home test.

Some people who are able to find a second testing appointment will end up with discordant results: A positive take-home test and a negative PCR test.

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Taylor, who said she recently ended up with discordant results herself, said its safe to trust a negative PCR result if the person taking the test has no symptoms. Thats particularly true for people who take care to begin with, Chin-Hong explained  those who avoid public places, wear durable masks around others and have all of their eligible COVID-19 vaccines.

As Omicron surges across the country, however, people who find themselves with a sore throat, runny nose or other symptoms probably shouldn't assume a positive take-home result is a false-positive.

That was far more likely when cases were low, Chin-Hong said.

+13 Trying to get tested as COVID surges again, some in Louisiana face long lines, shortages The omicron variant of the coronavirus is driving a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in Louisiana, and some people trying to get tested have face

When cases are really high in the community, like right now, your rapid test being positive is generally going to be a true-positive, Chin-Hong said. When cases are really low, like before Delta, youre more likely to have a false positive.

The Centers for Disease Control on Monday adjusted its quarantine and isolation guidance for people who test positive. People with COVID-19 can now exit their isolation after five days instead of the previous ten if they have no symptoms and continue to wear a mask near others.

That same day, after several days of continued high case growth in Louisiana and across the country, long lines formed outside COVID-19 testing sites in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette.

The demand for testing was so high that some people arrived at emergency rooms seeking tests or advice on COVID-like symptoms. But hospital doctors urged people to leave the ER to serious illnesses and injuries.

"The ER should only be used if you feel like you need to be admitted to a hospital," Taylor said. "You should not be using the ER as an urgent-care clinic setting, especially during these times."

Calling a doctor first is the best way to gauge whether someone might need hospital care for a COVID-19 case, Taylor said. A phone call to a physician can also help people find tests if they're unsure where to go for one.
Louisiana's maximum weekly unemployment benefit is set to go up by 11% Sunday, the first increase in more than a decade.

The new payments, which stem from a deal that sparked a lawsuit, means the maximum weekly rate will be $275 for those who qualify, a hike of $28.

"We have one of the lowest benefit amounts in the country and it's been more than 10 years since we've raised the amount of money people can collect," Ava Cates, secretary for the Louisiana Workforce Commission, said in a statement Wednesday.

"In that time, the cost of everything from gas to groceries has gone up," Cates noted. "This raise in benefits has been a long time coming for folks in Louisiana."

While the law takes effect Saturday, the boost will apply to those who file a claim on or after Sunday.

A potential complication is that the first Sunday in every calendar quarter marks a change in the period of time used to determine eligibility for unemployment benefits based on wages.

The commission's system will prompt some applicants to file a new claim Sunday or during a future quarter change to see if they qualify for benefits based on the new base period's wages.

The bill that paved the way for the higher benefits won approval on June 10 during the final moments of the 2021 regular legislative session.

It cleared the Senate 32-5 and the House 74-27.

The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the $28 weekly benefit hike in exchange for Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards agreeing to pull out of the federal government's $300 weekly supplemental benefit by the end of July  five weeks before the scheduled expiration time.

Business groups and other critics said the federal payment, on top of the state benefit, discouraged residents from hunting for jobs.

Others said the extra aid was justified during the coronavirus pandemic and that the end of the federal aid on Sept. 6 failed to spark any dash for jobs.

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A group of unemployed Louisiana residents filed a lawsuit challenging Edwards' decision to stop the $300 per week federal payments.

Lawsuit seeks to force Louisiana to keep paying $300 federal unemployment benefits A group of unemployed Louisiana residents filed a lawsuit Friday night challenging Gov. John Bel Edwards decision to stop accepting the feder

On Aug. 11 Judge Timothy Kelley, of the 19th Judicial District, rejected a request for a preliminary injunction that would have ordered the state to resume participation in several federal pandemic unemployment programs.

Louisiana judge rejects request to resume $300-a-week federal benefits for jobless residents A Louisiana judge on Thursday rejected a request for a preliminary injunction that would have required the state to resume participation in se

Wendy Manard, a New Orleans attorney who represents plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said Wednesday an appeal hearing on that ruling is set for Jan. 18 at the Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit.

A full trial on the issue is set for Jan. 20-21 in Kelley's courtroom.

Edwards' decision to end the federal benefits five weeks early curtailed jobless benefits for about 150,000 resident and sliced them in half for another 35,000.

He noted earlier this year that Louisiana's weekly benefit was unchanged for years.

"Everything is a tradeoff," said Edwards, a former House member.

The lawsuit, which is similar to those filed in other states, claims the governor violated state unemployment laws that compel state officials to secure available federal unemployment compensation for their jobless residents.

Manard said she is confident the Biden administration would go along with the retroactive payments if her side wins in court. She said a veteran Louisiana economist has said those payments could total $220 million.

"It would help Louisiana business owners just as much as it would the recipients of the unemployment benefits," Manard said.
The Rescue 

Disney+, from Friday

Some documentaries exacerbate the risk facing their subjects, to explicitly heighten the tension. The Rescue, a detailed recounting of the remarkable extraction of a teenage soccer team from a flooded Thai cave system in 2018, has no need to resort to this tactic. At every turn in this National Geographic production, the scale of risk facing the rescuers is ludicrously obvious and the possible fate of the boys and their coach is worryingly obvious. Theres a reason body bags were procured early on.

Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin previously terrified viewers with the Academy Award-winning documentary Free Solo, a vertigo-inducing portrait of elite mountain climbing without safety equipment. Now they plunge underground, into the labyrinthine Tham Luang cave system in northern Thailand. With heavy rain, the tunnels are completely dark, filled with raging waters, and dangerously tight throughout.

A photo released by Tham Luang Rescue Operation Centre during the rescue mission that shows the boys and their soccer coach as they were found in a partially flooded cave in Thailand. Credit:Tham Luang Rescue Operation Center via AP

Its like being in space, says one cave diver of the sport. Probably the purest experience you could have. Respectfully, that was not the conclusion I came away with.
Interstate travellers coming to Queensland will be able to use a negative rapid antigen test instead of a PCR test from January 1, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced, as other states struggle with demand at testing sites.

On Wednesday, Ms Palaszczuk said a negative rapid antigen test would satisfy border pass requirements.

A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test will no longer be required. More details in our morning media conference, she wrote on Twitter.

Queensland recorded 1589 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.
The name of a new retail outlet, at the top of Bourke Street in Melbournes CBD, is The Anxiety Shop. It does grab you, and so its common for passers-by to pop in out of sheer curiosity.

Recently, a man entered with a little girl, and he wasnt there just to browse the quirky mugs, tea towels and artwork with slogans and drawings on mental health themes.

There for art and a chat: The Anxiety Shop proprietor and artist Arie Rain Glorie with his cartoons. Credit:Justin McManus

The customer chatted frankly to proprietor Arie Rain Glorie about his struggles with anxiety.

He said hed been feeling chronically anxious for the last three months, Mr Glorie said.
It might not be the #hotvaxsummer that we dreamed about, but Victoria is certainly in for a run of hot days.

With heatwave conditions across much of the state, central Melbourne is set to top 33 degrees on Thursday, before reaching a scorching 38 degrees on New Years Eve.

The heat was building at St Kilda beach on Wednesday ahead of a hot New Years Eve. Credit:Paul Jeffers

It should be a good day for those headed to the beach (and lucky enough not to be in isolation), with clear and sunny skies over the city, and winds of between 20 and 30km/h, becoming light in the evening.

Forecasters say Melburnians will be waking up to a mostly sunny New Years Day, with a 5 per cent chance of rain and an expected high of 36 degrees. Clouds are expected to return to the city from Sunday, when the peak temperature will be 29.
Vintage furniture restorer Kate Hopkins said she saw a joke on Twitter by comedian Kirsty Webeck suggesting we should all agree to ignore 2022 until it showed us it had learnt from the two previous years. I just thought yeah, thats how I feel, she said. When it was 2020 there was that real sense of hope [for 2021] and then, of course, it didnt take long for that to fall in a heap. The Brunswick West single mother said she had been left exhausted by the last two years, which included home-schooling her 11-year-old son Jasper, and had accepted that the pandemic might continue to affect life in the coming years. Kate Hopkins and her son Jasper had a tough year home-schooling. Credit:Chris Hopkins Im just trying not to have any expectations and I feel like were just going to have to ride it out, she said.

I really hope that its with minimal pain and suffering to people and pressure on the healthcare system. Melbourne University psychologist Lisa Phillips said feelings of apprehension were appropriate and a reflection of the uncertainty most of us were facing during this time. Many people are facing 2022 with a bit of trepidation and weariness, she said. Its probably likely to be a reflection of fatigue with the situation and being knocked down over and over again.

To combat feelings of helplessness, Professor Phillips said it was important to remind ourselves of the progress we had made in living with COVID-19, such as the imminent vaccination of children and our increased knowledge of how to mitigate our personal risk. She said instead of focusing on long-term goals, we could plan for the near future and be flexible if something came along to get in the way. International nursing student Divyangana Sharma, who also works at a COVID-19 testing centre, said this mindset was exactly what she had gained through the previous two years. Frontline worker Divyangana Sharma says she has become more flexible as a result of 2021 and has learnt not to set too high expectations for 2022. Credit: The 22-year-old, who arrived in Tarneit, in Melbournes west, from India in February 2020, struggled living in a new country, unable to make friends or experience student life as the world locked down.

But she learnt to adapt, finding new ways to meet friends and forging strong connections with a smaller number of people than she had anticipated. She rediscovered her love for writing and was motivated to get support for her mental health. 2021, I had huge expectations, but Im going to keep it simple in 2022, she said. We might have to change our thinking and start living with [the virus]. We cant hope to get back into 2018/2019 life. 2021 taught me that no matter what, youll always find a way to live life. Even if we have lockdowns, I have no complaints.

Ms Liversidge, who lives in the CBD, said she tried to focus on positives, such as the availability of booster shots and the apparent mildness of new variant Omicron. Ms Hopkins said the states high vaccination levels gave her hope for the prevention of serious disease in 2022. To help cope with our precarious times, RMIT University psychology lecturer James Collett suggested that in lieu of making resolutions this New Years Eve, write down what worked during lockdown to draw on in the case of another. He advised planning how to adapt if faced with further restrictions or hardships while in a good mental state.

Dominique Yohanes, who moved Christmas to December 27 after her family was forced to isolate after visiting an exposure site, said she had also learnt to roll with the virus after the past two years. The 23-year-old project editor at international student centre Study Melbourne, who lives in Lysterfield in the citys south-east, has planned a move to Singapore in the new year. She insists she would accept the news if her trip was cancelled due to COVID. Dominique Yohanes says she has learnt to roll with the virus. Credit: Id like to think I would still be optimistic, she said. If its not going to happen now, then its going to happen sometime soon. Its just the ups and downs. We just go with it.
When a waterfront house in Palm Beach sold in November for about $27 million it excited locals, and shocked property watchers, given it was the most expensive house sale in the state outside the eastern suburbs.

Two weeks later, when BigCommerce co-founder Eddie Machaalani bought a waterfront house in Abbotsford for $25 million, experts started to wonder if the gap was finally closing between trophy home values in the eastern suburbs and prestige areas across the rest of Sydney.

The Palm Beach house sold for about $27 million, making it the most expensive sale on the North Shore.

Meanwhile, Mosman has lost its traditional hold on the North Shores top sales result, set at $25 million since 2018, leaving it far behind the eastern suburbs market, where the top six house sales range from $51 million for Point Pipers Routala mansion to $100 million for the beachfront estate known as Fairwater.

It just doesnt make sense, said Christies Internationals Ken Jacobs. It might have made sense before the Harbour Bridge was built, but it doesnt make sense now.
New York: Jurors deliberating the fate of Ghislaine Maxwell at her sex trafficking trial were told they would have to work through the New Years holiday after they inquired about that possibility  the latest sign that a verdict was not near in the month-long trial.

On Tuesday, US District Judge Alison J Nathan cited an astronomical spike in the number of coronavirus cases in New York City as she explained to lawyers out of the jurys presence why she was asking jurors to work at least an extra hour each day and every day through the week.

A courtroom sketch of Ghislaine Maxwell, who is on trial for alleged sex trafficking. Credit:AP

Minutes after arriving to begin deliberations on Wednesday, the jury sent the judge a note asking if they were also required to work on New Years Eve and New Years Day, with the latter falling on a Saturday. Nathan sent them a note saying that they were, unless any of them faced a substantial hardship because of immovable commitments.

The jury also asked for transcripts of testimony from five trial witnesses as it weighs the evidence prosecutors presented to try to prove allegations that Maxwell recruited and groomed teenage girls from 1994 to 2004 for financier Jeffrey Epstein  and herself  to sexually abuse.
Wellington: The chart-topping international DJ who tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 while in the Auckland community says, I cannot put into words how extremely sorry I am to everyone who will be impacted.

Dimension, aka Robert Etheridge, a UK electronic artist, flew to New Zealand on December 16, and completed seven days in hotel quarantine, to be followed by three days of home isolation.

The musician returned three negative tests before testing positive on December 27  the result of a test taken on day nine, which fell on December 25.

Robert Etheridge, who performs as DJ Dimension, said on Instagram that he had no symptoms before his positive diagnosis. Credit:Facebook/Dimension

On December 26 and 27 he visited several locations in Auckland, including central city nightclub Impala.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low near 20F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snowfall around one inch..

Tonight

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low near 20F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snowfall around one inch.
10 Actionable Employee-Retention Strategies for 2022

Here's how you can hang on to your most valuable team members and strengthen your company in the process

Employees add a considerable amount of value to your business processes and help you attain your organizational goals. While it is crucial to hire fresh talent regularly, it is equally important to retain the valuable talent you already possess.

As we head into 2022, the competition in all major industries is getting increasingly intense. Businesses across the board are recovering from the Covid-19 crisis, and they are willing to hire skilled and dedicated employees to get them back on track. This implies that your employees have more options apart from working for your organization. If you cannot keep your employees engaged, they are likely to switch to another company that provides them with more benefits.

Why Is Employee Retention Important?

Cost-Effective Management

If you lose your employees, you will need to spend a fortune on hiring their replacements. This will add to the burden on your budget as you spend on advertising, screening, interviewing, and onboarding new employees. On the contrary, managing existing employees is a far more cost-effective activity.

High Employee Engagement

When you lose your employees and make new hires, the remaining employees will shoulder greater responsibilities and take up heavier workloads. This may result in their morale and motivation taking a hit. Retaining your valuable employees allows you to maintain an ideal level of engagement within your organization.

More Experienced Employees

Employee retention provides you with many loyal employees with a considerable amount of experience working with your organization. Over time, employees tend to learn the culture, ethics and values of an organization. Moreover, they tend to get better and find an ideal rhythm of work with the years they spend working in an organization. This experience helps you build a team of skilled and capable employees, adding to the overall productivity of your organization.

Better Customer Relations

If your employees have a customer-facing job, retaining them will result in better relations with your customers. Over time, customers tend to bond with the employees as they are the single-point contacts between them and the organization that they are engaging with. Thus, hiring new employees will result in taking time for new employees to form healthy relationships with your customer base.

Better Corporate Culture

The corporate culture is formed out of the companys preferences, perceptions and behaviors. This plays a vital role in hiring and retaining valuable employees within an organization. Employee retention allows you to build a more wholesome company culture, ultimately improving the brand value of your business. Moreover, a better company culture allows you to attract skilled and dedicated employees to work in your organization.

Related: Why Employee Retention Is More Important Than Ever Before

Actionable Employee Retention Strategies To Implement in 2022

Before you venture into 2022, it is crucial to ensure a team of loyal, dedicated and engaged employees to work with. Here are some of the most effective employee retention strategies that you should implement in 2022.

Providing Personalized Employee Support

One of the most effective ways to leverage employee retention is by providing personalized support to your employees. The needs of employees across the board have significantly changed. They can no longer work effectively with generic support across multiple platforms. When you understand the context of issues faced by all your employees and tailor support based on their requirements, their engagement and productivity increase.

It is advisable to switch from the traditional employee-service desks to their modern counterparts. Modern service desks are equipped with AI and machine-learning technologies to provide personalized assistance to your employees. These platforms help you centralize the support provided to all your employees, avoiding any scope for confusion or chaos.

The AI-based service desks make use of conversational AI, making your employees interact with AI chatbots. This helps you reduce dependence on support agents for providing primary support to your employees. Based on the issues faced by your employees, these chatbots scan your knowledge base and return with personalized solutions to their issues.

Related: Improve Employee Retention By Taking a People-First Approach

Effective Employee Onboarding

The first few weeks of an employees time with an organization are crucial for they and the management. If you fail to onboard your employees effectively, they would not be comfortable with the new work environment, increasing their chances of switching companies. If you are willing to retain your employees, it is always important to focus on effective onboarding.

This is especially the case when it comes to remote employees. HR managers need to tackle several challenges to onboard the employees successfully. The lack of physical interactions often makes it difficult for the managers to track the onboarding processes.

In such cases, it is advisable to automate and streamline the onboarding processes with the help of a modern HR help desk. You can send personalized emails to the new employees through these service desks, providing them with all the required resources.

When an employee joins your organization, you can provide them with a personalized welcome letter, contact details of their peers, details about their roles and responsibilities, and other relevant information that facilitates smooth and effective onboarding. If you successfully make your new employees feel comfortable during their first few weeks, they will likely stick around for a more extended period.

Setting Up Mentorship Programs

New employees are likely to have queries, doubtsand confusion regarding their roles and routine tasks. If these issues are ignored, you stand a chance of losing your employees.

Effective mentorship programs allow you to pair your employees with dedicated mentors to guide them and act as a sounding board during their initial days. When they have someone to listen to their problems and provide them with seamless assistance, employees work better during their first few weeks in a new organization. This helps you provide a conducive work environment for your employees, thereby improving employee retention.

Paying Competitive Compensation

The remuneration you pay to your employees plays a vital role in the morale and motivation of your employees. If your employees feel that they are not paid enough for their efforts, they tend to lose interest in their work, leading to reduced engagement and productivity. Over time, they will prefer switching to a new organization that provides them with better compensation.

It is essential to pay competitive compensation to your employees based on the efforts they put in and their role in your organization. Make sure you prove them with a raise if they have been associated with you for a more extended period. This makes them feel more connected to the organization as their efforts are recognized, allowing you to retain them effectively.

Having Flexible Schedules

Employees are no longer willing to work following the conventional time clock approach. Employees and employers in all major industries are more comfortable with flexible work schedules. This provides greater comfort and facilitates a free flow of thoughts and ideas. As long as your work is not affected, it is always advisable to have flexible work schedules to provide an ideal working environment.

Since the Covid-19 crisis began, more and more employees are volunteering to work from home. Now that offices have started opening up, many employees are still willing to work remotely as it helps them balance their personal and professional lives effectively.

In such cases, it is advisable to have a hybrid workplace where employees have a choice to work remotely and on-premise.

Focusing on Mental Health

The pandemic has made it vital for an organization to look after the mental well-being of its employees. Professionals across the board have gone through tough times and have faced professional and personal losses over the last two years.

Make sure you focus on the mental health of your employees, especially those working remotely. Remote employees often tend to work beyond the dedicated work hours, leading to exhaustion. Encourage your employees to avoid taking work-related calls beyond work hours. Also, keep checking how your employees are feeling and what they are going through by having friendly conversations with them. When your employees realize that their managers have got their backs, it makes them feel as if they are a part of a big family.
An employee of McDonald's Japan serves the new menu "Vegetable Chicken Burger" as the company president Sarah Casanova announces the new business strategy at a restaurant in Tokyo on May 21, 2015. (Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images)

747 Flights With Potatoes En Route to McDonalds Japan to Ease Fry Shortages

Planes are being loaded with potatoes for Japan, according to a recent tweet by a U.S. freight forwarder, as the country faces potato shortages leading McDonalds Japan to ration fries and sell them in smaller portions.

Flexport just contracted to fly three 747 loads of potatoes to Japan to help with the French fry shortage, Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen wrote in a Dec. 29 tweet. We considered involving Flexport.org for this humanitarian relief operation but in the end decided that the for profit side was a better fit.

A Twitter user replied, Thank you very very much!!! You are a hero for Japan, while many others lamented the current situation where people can only purchase small portions.

Last week, Petersen had commented on the social media platform that he learned about the Japanese situation. One of the fun things about working at Flexport is that for any company in the world you want to learn about, someone at Flexport understands their operations at an incredibly granular level. This morning Im learning about McDonalds french fry shortages in Japan.

When user HumboldtProject asked the reason for the shortages, Petersen replied, They come from the U.S. and our ports are screwed up.

McDonalds Japan said in a Dec. 21 statement that its supply shipment was disrupted due to flood damages in Vancouver, Canada. Plus, there is the issue of disruptions in global supply chains affecting raw materials and deliveries worldwide following the economic recovery from the pandemic.

The company halted the sale of medium- and large-sized orders of fries in its outlets across Japan starting Dec. 24. McDonalds fries are first processed in the United States and Canada before being shipped out to Japan.

While it is difficult to procure raw materials in a stable manner, we have cooperated with importers and suppliers to proactively take alternative measures, the company stated. As they work to resolve the crisis, customers are offered a 50 yen (44 cent) discount to reflect smaller portions.

Media footage revealed long lines in front of stores by customers waiting to get their hands on large size orders of fries before the start of the ration.

The company was said to be considering airlifting supplies to the country. Normal sales are expected to resume by Dec. 31, based on a telephone conversation with a spokeswoman by Bloomberg.

In October, KFC faced a similar situation in Japan, mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Owing to supply chain constraints, the company could not serve fries at a fifth of its outlets, even with suppliers based in Europe. KFC Fried Chicken is an extremely popular Christmas treat in the country.

Flexport did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times.
The Amazon logo is seen outside its JFK8 distribution center in Staten Island, N.Y., on Nov. 25, 2020. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Amazons Alexa Told 10-Year-Old to Do Hazardous Challenge

Company says 'error' has been fixed

Amazon Alexas recent reply to a young girl who asked it to present a challenge left the girls mother shocked.

Kristin Livdahl, a writer, said her 10-year-old girl just asked Alexa on our Echo for a challenge.

Alexa came back with something it said it found on the internet.

According to ourcommunitynow.com: The challenge is simple: plug in a phone charger about halfway into a wall outlet, then touch a penny to the exposed prongs, it said.

Alexa set a timer for 20 minutes to complete the challenge, which could have electrocuted the girl if it was actually done.

Livdahl, though, said she intervened.

I was right there and yelled, No, Alexa, no! like it was a dog. My daughter says she is too smart to do something like that anyway, she said on Twitter.

We were doing some physical challenges, like laying down and rolling over holding a shoe on your foot, from a Phy Ed teacher on YouTube earlier. Bad weather outside. She just wanted another one, she added.

An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to The Epoch Times in an email that the incident took place.

Customer trust is at the center of everything we do and Alexa is designed to provide accurate, relevant, and helpful information to customers. As soon as we became aware of this error, we quickly fixed it, and will continue to advance our systems to help prevent similar responses in the future, the spokesperson said.

Livdahl, meanwhile, was alerted that theres a kids mode for Alexa, and said she would be setting it up.

It was a good moment to go through internet safety and not trusting things you read without research and verification again. We thought the cesspool of YouTube was what we needed to worry about at this agewith limited internet and social media accessbut not the only thing, she said.
America the Faithful

Commentary

On Aug. 23, 1984, at an ecumenical prayer breakfast in Dallas, then-President Ronald Reagan said (pdf), Without God, there is no virtue because there is no prompting of the conscience.  Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.

For decades, secularists have been eagerly waiting for the day when America no longer acknowledges God and becomes a country that has lost its founding ideals and collective soul. They trot out polls showing diminishing church attendance, growing disinterest from youth, and increased rejection of moral absolutes as evidence that America is turning its back on God.

Yes, you can see the manifestations of a culture that no longer takes God seriously all around usthe decline of the family, the taking of innocent human life, and continued attacks on religious freedom. But, despite these celebrations of these tragic manifestations by certain members of our society, a substantial number of Americans still put their trust in God, strive to live in accordance with the teachings of Scripture, and participate in faith communities.

John DiIulio, in a recent article in The Claremont Review of Books, writes that in their book, Secular Surge: A New Fault Line in American Politics, authors David Campbell, Geoffrey Layman, and John Green assert that the faith of Americans is not withering. Instead, its the gap between those who believe and those who dont believe thats expanding.

They report that while 28 percent of Americans claim theyre secularists, only a third of that number are openly hostile to religious faith. But that third has gained control of many of Americas institutionssuch as our universities and media organizationsand thus have an outsized influence over our nations culture and politics.

But, regardless of their determination to demonize, silence, and eventually stamp out faith, these secularists will discover what the communists learned when Pope John Paul II visited Poland in 1979. Those people, whose spirits the Soviet atheists thought they had crushed, started to chant We want God repeatedlyand that longing shook the Kremlin to its core.

Unfortunately, the secularist elite in America havent learned from the lesson that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. In their relentless drive to strip our nation of its spiritual foundations, theyre doing the church a favor: theyre helping to separate the wheat from the chaff (those who say theyre religious but really arent) while strengthening the faith of those who believe God plays a significant role in every aspect of their life.

Statistics document this. A recent Pew Research poll found that the percentage of Americans who identify as Christians has fallen to 63 percent compared to 78 percent in 2007, while the number of Americans who say they have no religion has risen by 13 percentage points in roughly the same period. However, a Pew survey earlier this year found that almost one-third of Americans said their faith had grown stronger over the past year and a half (coinciding with COVID-19)the largest share of any developed country.

So, its true religious faith that is expanding. Those committed to faith realize that their faith comes with a price theyre willing to pay to stand for God and for freedom, while those who were content with a in name only faith are the ones falling away. I would assert that is a good thing for America.

In a September 1982 speech, then-President Reagan said, We cant expect God to protect us in a crisis and just leave Him over there on a shelf in our day-to-day living. I wonder if sometimes He isnt waiting for us to wake up.

As a country, we dont need more people who put God on a shelf and only turn to Him in a crisis. We need people who turn to Him daily for guidance, comfort, and strength.

Thats why Im encouraged that more Americans are realizing that they cant just leave God on a shelf in their day-to-day living. While secularists point to the so-called numbers and claim that our faith is waning, theyre missing that the truly faithful, like the people in Poland, want God. And, if thats the case, it will be those who are truly committed to the faith who will restore our nations virtue, conscience, and collective souland will remain one nation under God.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
In the 20th century, intellectual trends in classical music clashed with popular demand, pushing composers in one direction and audiences in another. This had never happened before.

The move away from baroque intricacies toward clean classical lines in the late 18th century was accompanied by the popularity of Haydn and Mozart. The arrival of Romanticism in Western intellectual circles was embraced by composers and their listeners alike. In the 20th century, by contrast, composers and listeners sharply diverged, as if a committee had decided that music must be X, even if audiences expected and desired Y.

Consider: What is the reason youve heard the music of Mozart and Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, even if you dont listen to classical music, but not (unless you are a music student or one of a tiny group of aficionados) that of Pierre Boulez or Karlheinz Stockhausen? The latter pair were hugely esteemed in the academy, and their principles were elevated to dogma, yet chances are good that you will never hear their music, nor the music of most classical composers born in the 20th century, even if you live to 80.

An Exceptional Adagio

There are exceptions, of course, and one of them, Samuel Barber (19101981), composed a piece nearly as ubiquitous as the Ode to Joy and as popular as anything Tchaikovsky ever penned: his Adagio for Strings, composed in 1936 as the second movement of his sole String Quartet and later adapted for string orchestra.

Barbers mournfully beautiful piece is among the most frequently programmed symphonic pieces of music of any era. As late as 2006, a recording of it was the No. 1 classical music seller on iTunes, beating out Beethoven and company. It has been heard in films (The Elephant Man, Platoon, Lorenzos Oil); played at the funerals of notables, from Albert Einstein and Princess Grace of Monaco to Mary Travers of the 1960s group Peter, Paul, and Mary; and used to commemorate public tragedies, including the 2015 terrorist attack on the French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo, the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, and most notably, the 9/11 attacks of 2001.

In Absolute Beauty, a 2017, PBS-produced film about Barbers life (available for rent or sale at SamuelBarberFilm.com), American conductor Leonard Slatkin recalls leading a concert in London just days after 9/11. In observance of the tragedy, Slatkin had added the Adagio for Strings to a previously planned program, with devastating results. After the performance, he says, I collapsed in the dressing room. It got to me in a way no other piece of music ever had.

Whys and Wherefores

How did Barber manage to compose a piece that transcends time to be one of the most listened-to classical pieces ever written, while most other music from the 1930s has been forgotten? The same way Bach, Mozart, and the others did itby being honest.

The Adagio for Strings does everything a 20th-century piece of music should not do according to dictates of the time. It clearly and unashamedly conveys an emotionin this case, deep sorrowin a musical language that would have been comfortable for Brahms and Mahler, structured so as to build to a climax overwhelmingly Romantic in nature.

Most of all, its language is that of tonalitythe system of 24 major and minor keys that had defined Western music for centuries, but which intellectuals claimed was halfway out the door by 1936.

In other words, Barber was honestly saying in music something important to him, without a care for the anti-tonal trends of the day. Even The New York Times noticed this: We have here honest music, by an honest musician, not striving for pretentious effect, wrote Times critic Olin Downes after the works premiere.

Looking to the Future

Its darkly amusing to hear some of the interviewees in Absolute Beauty try to make Barber out to be modern in some obscure way. One commentator even calls the Adagio minimalist, comparing it to the work of Philip Glass, which means that he cant hear the difference between repetition that evolves and mere static.

One bright light in the film are the words of young composer Jordan Kuspa, who sees in Barber a model for composers who wish to pursue their own modes of expression. Says Kuspa: The legacy of Barbers music is that he was a composer who said, I will do what I want. I will be honest, and honesty in music almost always leads back to tonality.

The title of Absolute Beauty comes from a statement made by conductor Leonard Bernstein about Barbers music. Bernstein compared it to the Platonic ideal of beauty.

In truth, all real musical beauty is absolute, expressing honest emotions common to everyone. Do that today, and you just might compose the 21st centurys Adagio for Strings.
Arizona Drug Bust Nets 1.7 Million Deadly Fentanyl Tablets, Fake Pills

A joint federal and local drug task force seized a record 1.7 million fentanyl pills in mid-December in a sweeping crackdown on illegal drugs entering the United States from Mexico.

As U.S. overdose deaths reach a devastating new height, claiming a new victim every five minutes, the [federal] Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has revealed a direct link between fentanyl-related overdose deaths and criminal drug networks in Mexico, the DEA said in a statement.

The DEA said that these criminal networks are using social media and smartphones to market fake drugs laced with fentanyl.

On Dec. 14, 2021, the DEA, working with the Scottsdale, Arizona, Police Department and that states Attorney Generals Office, seized a record 1.7 million fentanyl pills. At least 10 kilograms of fentanyl powder was also confiscated in a single investigation in Arizona.

Further details about the location of the sting operation and any arrests were unavailable at press time.

The synthetic drug fentanyl is considered to be many times more potent than heroin or morphine. Its responsible for thousands of deaths each year in the United States.

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, speaking at a press conference on Dec. 16, said that drug cartels and traffickers from Mexico have found the perfect tool in social media to sell their products and pump this poison into the U.S., and they are killing tens of thousands of Americans.

In 2021, more than 100,000 opioid deaths were reported involving people of all ages.

This is an existential threat to our communities, Milgram said, noting that theres enough fentanyl in the country to kill every single American.

Milgram said there are currently 280 million smartphone users in the United States, many of whom are duped by drug traffickers who promote fake pills as legitimate pharmaceuticals.

This investigation is an example of what we are seeing across the country, she added.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were an estimated 93,331 drug overdoses in the United States in 2020. Overdose deaths from opioids have skyrocketed, from 50,963 in 2019 to 69,710 in 2020.

During the two-month public safety surge, the DEAs Phoenix Field Division seized more than 3 million fentanyl pills, 45 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 35 firearms, and made over 40 arrests.

The operation took place between Sept. 29 through Dec. 14.

The DEA surge targeted criminal drug networks that are harnessing the anonymity and accessibility of social media apps to push deadly drugs into American communities, according to the DEA.

Border communities in southern Arizona continue to be a gateway for drugs entering the country from Mexico for eventual distribution and sale across the United States.

Mexican criminal drug networks are harnessing the perfect drug trafficking tool: social media applications that are available on every smartphone, Milgram said.

Social media platforms used by drug traffickers include Snapchat, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

They are using these platforms to flood our country with fentanyl. The ease with which drug dealers can operate on social media and other popular smartphone apps is fueling our nations unprecedented overdose epidemic, Milgram said.

This holiday season, every parent, family member, and friend should take a few minutes to share a simple message: One Pill Can Kill. Know that DEA remains relentless in our commitment to take down the criminal drug networks that threaten the safety and health of American communities.

Since January, the DEAs Phoenix Field Division has confiscated more than 9.5 million counterfeit pills in Arizona.

DEA officials warn that drug cartels in Mexico are mass-producing fentanyl, as well as fake pills that are laced with fentanyl. Chemicals used in the drugs production are largely imported from China.

The fake prescription pills are designed to appear the same as legitimate trademarked prescriptions, such as Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, Adderall, Xanax, and other regulated medicines. They have been found in every state in the country, the DEA said.

In September of 2021, the DEA issued a Public Safety Alert to warn people about the alarming increase of fake prescription pills.

These fake prescription pills often contain deadly doses of fentanyl. DEA has determined that four out of 10 DEA-tested, fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills contain at least two milligrams of fentanylan amount that is considered to be a lethal dose, the agency said.

In response, the DEA launched the One Pill Can Kill public relations campaign to inform people of the dangers associated with fake prescription pills and fentanyl.

Arizona state Rep. Mark Finchem, a Republican, said the ease with which fentanyl and other drugs enter the country illustrates a border policy failure of the current administration.

Had this poison not been intercepted, it no doubt wouldve been responsible for many deaths in our community and around the country. The fact that this poison made it so far into the state of Arizona and was not interdicted at the border is a direct effect of the failed Biden border policy, Finchem told The Epoch Times.
A male Saudi Arabian national poses after he was arrested for illegally entering the United States, in Arizona on Dec. 16, 2021. (U.S. Border Patrol)

Biden Administration Takes Down Post on Potential Terrorist Apprehended at Southern Border

President Joe Bidens administration has deleted a social media post that informed the public that a potential terrorist had been apprehended this month at the U.S.Mexico border.

Chris Clem, a top Border Patrol agent, posted pictures on Twitter last week showing the man who was apprehended.

Clem included the mans age (21), his country of origin (Saudi Arabia), and said the male was linked to several Yemeni subjects of interest.

But Clems post was taken down recently, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which includes Border Patrol, confirmed to The Epoch Times on Dec. 29.

All individuals encountered at or between U.S. ports of entry are screened and vetted against a broad range of law enforcement and intelligence information to determine if they pose a threat to national security or public safety, consistent with the law. CBP is continuing to investigate the matter following its standard protocols. This may include referral, if appropriate, to other relevant law enforcement entities for further investigation and a custody determination, Luis Miranda, CBPs public affairs assistant commissioner, said in an emailed statement.

A December 20, 2021, tweet on the matter has since been deleted as it contained law enforcement sensitive information, violating agency protocols, he added.

A similar situation played out in April when CBP announced that two Yemeni nationals on the FBIs Terrorism Watch List were apprehended at the border. In that case, the agency issued a statement detailing the arrests.

That release was pulled within days.

The news release in question was not properly reviewed and contained certain disclosure and policy information related to national security that required CBP to remove it from our website, the agency said at the time.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) took notice of the more recent scrub.

The American people deserve to know that suspected terrorists are coming through our broken border system. We need to get to the bottom of this, he wrote on Twitter.

The Biden administration is presiding over the worst illegal immigration surge in U.S. history and Republicans say the crisis involves terrorists and people with terror links.

I am deeply troubled by reports of a Saudi national apprehended at the southwest border with potential ties to terrorism and found wearing a jacket emblazoned with a Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps emblem, Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee, told The Epoch Times in an email.

As I and many of my colleagues have been saying for months, the impact and relevancy of the Biden Border Crisis are not limited to communities along the southwest border. Migrants are entering the United States illegally in record numbers from a litany of countries. We are undoubtedly experiencing a nationwide crisis.

While I continue to seek additional details from the Department of Homeland Security about this specific instance, the reality is our nation faces a serious crisis at the southwest border and this Administration still refuses to address it. With this report, as well as documented increases in fentanyl and other drugs crossing the border, its clear the security failures on the border are having an adverse impact on Central New York and communities across the United States. Thats why I remain committed to advocating for strong border security, he added.

Katko and other lawmakers have unsuccessfully urged Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to make public the number of suspected or confirmed terrorists caught by border agents this year.
President Joe Biden walks with his dog in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Dec. 28, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Says Hell Decide on Vaccine Requirement for Domestic Travel When Medical Team Recommends It

President Joe Biden will decide whether to require COVID-19 vaccination for people traveling within the United States when he gets a recommendation from his medical team to impose such a requirement.

Asked about the possibility of a mandate to travel inside the country, Biden told reporters on Dec. 28 in Delaware that hed decide when I get a recommendation from the medical team.

A day earlier, Biden declined to say whether he supported requiring vaccination to travel within the United States. During the first week of December, Biden said there wouldnt be a mandate for domestic travel at this point. He has recently said that his team advised him that such a requirement wasnt necessary.

But Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bidens top medical adviser, said this week that the government should consider requiring vaccination for domestic air travel.

When you make vaccination a requirement, thats another incentive to get more people vaccinated. If you want to do that with domestic flights, I think thats something that seriously should be considered, Fauci, the longtime head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during an appearance on MSNBC.

However, another top adviser to Biden said on Dec. 28 that officials werent revisiting the matter.

Right now, what were talking about is ways to get people vaccinated. Certainly, domestic flights has been a topic of conversation, but that is not something were revisiting right now, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told NPR.

U.S. officials have repeatedly imposed restrictions during the pandemic that they initially said werent needed, including masking requirements and vaccine mandates.

Fauci said during an appearance on CNN on Dec. 27 that people shouldnt expect a vaccination requirement for domestic air travel, at least for now.

When I was asked that question, I gave an honest answer. Its on the table, and we consider it. But that doesnt mean its going to happen. I doubt if were going to see something like that in the reasonably foreseeable future, he said.

The proposed requirement has drawn criticism from civil liberties groups and others. Matt Welch, editor at large at Reason, a libertarian magazine, wrote that mandating vaccination for domestic travel would almost certainly necessitate the creation of a single national vaccine database and would likely lead to more flight delays and cancellations.
Black Jack, owned by Peter Harburg, skippered by Mark Bradford, designed by Reichel/Pugh 100, sails during the 2021 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, in Hobart, Australia, on Dec. 28 2021. (Andrew Francolini/ROLEX via Cruising Yacht Club of Australia/Getty Images).

Black Jack Takes Line Honours in Gruelling Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Black Jack has won line honours in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race early Wednesday morning after howling southerly winds and heavy seas thinned out the fleet early in the race.

The 100-foot supermaxi crossed the finish line on Hobarts Derwent River at 1.37 a.m. in a time of 2 days 12 hours 37 minutes 17 seconds, the official race website reported.

The win involved a tight tussle with two other 100 footers, LawConnect and SHK Scallywag, and even up until late on Tuesday evening it was uncertain which of the three would triumph.

Black Jack was the favourite to take out the race when lighter conditions prevailed near the end of the race, and when she began the final 11 nautical mile stretch up the Derwent River in first place, she was able to maintain a speed of 6 knots to claim victory.

This comes after a gruelling first night of strong southerly winds and rough seas took its toll on the field, forcing 24 boats to retire by the next morning.

Among the first forced to withdraw on Sunday was 69 Moneypenny, due to a broken forestay; Blink, one of seven Beneteau 40s in the race, with a torn main; and Mako, a Sydney 40, with a damaged main.

Adrienne Cahalan, navigator of the Hoek TC78, Oroton Drumfire, and racing in her 29th Sydney to Hobart, said on Monday morning that as part of a crew of 16, she really felt for those around her, especially crews in the Two-Handed Division.

I just cant imagine how tough it would have been that first night to have only two people dealing with all the different issues that arise, she said.

So many things happen when you get a big storm like that.

She said the first night had been furious, with a lot of boats, including her own, needing to protect their equipment and everything on board.

Fortunately, yesterday [27th], the wind moderated to sort of 20 knots from the south-east; but mostly south to south-east, she said.

Black Jacks victory was sweet after she had come close previously in 2018 and 2017, with second and third place finishes respectively.

This was the first time Black Jacks owner Peter Harburg hadnt been onboard in a Sydney to Hobart race since purchasing the vessel in 2017. He instead opted to watch the race on the ground via live tracker.

An emotional Harburg said, Weve beaten every other yacht on the coast of Australia at different times in different races.

This is the prize that has eluded us all along and to get it is the complete set.

Skipper Mark Bradford said the win came down to the team. Harburg elaborated, saying The effort they put in. On paper, LawConnect should have been faster upwind [on day one]. To hold them and then pass them and to be down here.

These guys have just sailed so well. Weve got a good boat too, he said.

Bradford also praised Harburg for his commitment to the Black Jack project.

Its great to get the win. Pete and Ive been working on this for 14 years, so it means a lot.
The Royal Caribbeans Odyssey of The Seas arrives at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on June 10, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

CDC Investigates 86 Cruise Ships With COVID-19 Outbreaks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cruise ships under investigation with COVID-19 outbreaks has risen to 86 on Tuesday, up from 68 a day earlier.

The CDC is currently investigating 38 ships, with 48 additional vessels having already undergone investigation but remaining under observation. Another 22 ships havent reported any cases. Three ships reported COVID-19 cases below the investigation threshold.

The most affected cruise ships belong to Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Norwegian.

While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, CDC is committed to working with cruise ship operators to ensure that cruise ship passenger operations are conducted in a way that reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission among crew members, passengers, and port personnel, the CDC stated on its website.

The CDCs investigation threshold for restricted voyages is 0.10 percent or more of reported COVID-19 cases in passengers or one or more cases reported in the crew. A restricted voyage is a cruise with a CDC-issued Conditional Sailing Certificate and paying passengers.

In late October 2020, after shutting down all cruises for seven months, the CDC issued the Conditional Sail Order, which imposes a series of strict conditions that cruise lines must meet to resume operations.

The order requires 95 percent of passengers and nearly all crew to be vaccinated, in combination with testing, mask-wearing, sanitation, and more.

However, a growing number of cruise ships have reported COVID-19 outbreaks during the past few weeks, despite the extremely high vaccination rate. Some cruises have been denied disembarking passengers and some have been forced to alter stops.

A spokesperson from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the worlds largest cruise industry trade association, told The Epoch Times via email that health and safety is the cruise industrys highest priority.

In fact, the latest data show that cases have occurred less frequently on cruise ships than on land, with a greater proportion of asymptomatic or mild cases. This is due to the cruise industrys robust protocols, including extremely high rates of vaccinationfar higher than the general population, the spokesperson stated.

Its unclear whether these outbreaks are caused by the newest variant Omicron. The CDC hasnt responded to a request for comment. The Epoch Times has also contacted Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Last week, Royal Caribbean said 48 passengers tested positive for the Omicron variant on one of its ships.

Notably, the CDCs Conditional Sail Order and accompanying measures are not binding for cruise ships coming in or departing from Florida from July 23. On that day, a federal appeals court decided to lift the COVID-19 restrictions on cruise ships in Florida. Florida sued the Biden administration in April over CDCs prolonged shut down of cruise business.

CDC has extended the order till Jan. 15, 2022, and intends to transition the requirements to be voluntary afterward.

The CDC estimated that Omicron made up 58.6 percent of sequenced COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday. Recent studies have signaled that the new CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus strain causes milder symptoms and has resulted in far fewer hospitalizations worldwide.

Jack Phillips and Mimi Nguyen Ly contributed to this report.
Chicagos Mayor Celebrates Kwanzaa While City Suffers Violence

Commentary

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot wished the inhabitants of her city a happy Kwanzaa, the wholly invented African American festival thats about as African as Sen. Elizabeth Warrens (D-Mass.) descent is Amerindian.

Lightfoot made reference in her greeting to the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa while her city was suffering yet more violence. If applied, those principles would allegedly lead to a better worldeven a better Chicago. The names of the festival and its seven associated principles are Swahili words, Swahili being the beautiful language of much of East Africa and the lingua franca of extensive parts of Central Africa.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa owe much to the ideology of Julius Nyerere, the man who served as president of Tanzania for a quarter-century after it gained independence from Britain. Nyerere was the darling of the European left for a long time. He also reduced his country to an incredible state of beggary such that, although 90 percent of the population worked on the land, it couldnt feed itself without foreign aidmore foreign aid than was received by any other country in Africa. I lived there for three years and then left to cross Africa from Zanzibar, Tanzania, to Timbuktu, Mali, by public transport.

To be fair (which I dont always find it easy to be), Nyerere wasnt the worst of the first generation of African dictators. Although he was ruthless in suppressing opposition and introduced an oppressive and economically disastrous totalitarian system, he wasnt a tribalist (which would have been impossible in any case because there were no would-be dominant tribes in his country), and he didnt indulge in any of the more bizarre and terrible activities of Africa dictators such as Idi Amin, Sekou Toure, or Jean-Bedel Bokassa.

Nyerere learned his socialism of the Fabian variety at Edinburgh University. Thenaccording to Oscar Kambona, his exiled former associate and foreign minister, who fell out with him over the imposition of a one-party state with which he strongly disagreedhe became a Maoist on an official visit to China, where he was welcomed by vast dragooned crowds chanting his praises. This turned his head.

At any rate, he began to herd the peasantry of Tanzania into collective villages, known as ujamaa (brotherhood) villages. The results were catastrophic: Not only were about 70 percent of the population moved by various degrees of force and coercion from where they had been living, but agricultural production in the country began its long decline.

Practically all commercial farming, the countrys only source of foreign currency to pay for imports, was abandoned, and famine was averted only by foreign aid, principally from Scandinavian countries, which subsequently recognized that they had, in effect, subsidized a great crime.

In ujamaa villages, Nyerere instigated the 10-cell system. Every 10th household had a party member (the party of the Revolution) whose permission was needed for any small privilege to be wrested from the authorities and who, in effect, acted as a government spy.

Needless to say, this resulted in a swamp of corruption and blackmail, such that, in a country never far from hunger, party members could be recognized by their girth. The whole system was prevented from being horrific only by incompetence and the generally delightful and pacific nature of the Tanzanian population.

Ujamaa is one of the principles lauded by Lightfoot. Its a moot question whether it would be worse before doing so if she knew what ujamaa meant in reality than if she didnt.

Another of the principles of Kwanzaa is uhuru, or freedom. Freedom in Tanzania had little recognizable meaning. Only governmental incapacity or incompetence, and a certain laudable lack of ruthlessness by comparison with other dictatorships, prevented freedom from being extinguished altogether.

It was certainly not from any official attachment to freedom that there were worse places in this respect than Tanzania. Nevertheless, Nyerere imprisoned thousands of people without trial for political reasons.

Umoja, unity, is another of the Kwanzaa principles that Lightfoot lauded as a peculiarly African virtue. Let me recall a few things about my journey across Africa, during which I saw the continent from the bottom up.

In Rwanda, every person was a member of the sole political party from birth. A few years later, there was to be a genocide in which about 800,000 people were slaughtered by their neighbors, among others.

Naturally, some people blame the colonial legacy for this, even though the country had been independent for a third of a century. Moreover, you can lead a man to a machete without making him use it to commit genocide.

South of Rwandaand in many respects, a mirror-image of that countrywas Burundi, where, in 1972, every Hutu with a secondary education or above was massacred, totaling between 100,000 and 200,000 people.

In Equatorial Guinea, the first president, who was elected democratically, had caused a third of the population either to be killed or to flee into exile. And 30 years later, much of my journey would have been too dangerous to make because of civil wars.

The war in the eastern Congo is estimated to have caused 3 million deaths. Northeastern Nigeria has been made impassable by the Islamist terrorist movement Boko Haram (which has since been succeeded by the Islamic insurgency in West Africa), though at the time I had no inkling of the future. Mali has likewise become impassable because of such factional fighting. So much for umoja.

I draw attention to all of this not because I think Africa is worse than anywhere else. Alas, similar things could be recounted about most regions of the planet. I wish to merely point out the fatuity of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, which are supposedly characteristic of something called African culture.

But even to use the term African culture is indicative of a complete absence of real interest in Africa. Africans of East and West Africa are no more alike than are, say, Albanians and Swedes; indeed, West Africans arent all alike in culture or philosophy of life.

Lightfoots use of Kwanzaa and its supposed seven principles deriving from African culture is purely demagogic, a tool of political entrepreneurism and rent-seekinga tool that shes using while ignoring problems such as the drive-by shootings that are her responsibility to solve.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
An excavator sifts through dunes of low-grade coal near a coal mine in Pingdingshan of Henan province, China, on Nov. 5, 2021. (Aly Song/Reuters)

China Fires Up New Giant Coal Power Plant in Face of Calls for Cuts

As the world seeks to phase down use of coal, Chinas biggest coal-fired power plant has just finished construction and entered operation on Dec. 28.

The Shanghaimiao plant, located in the countrys top coal-producing region of Inner Mongolia, said on Tuesday that its first of four 1,000-megawatt units was online after passing a 168 hour period of trials.

The plant will supply power to Chinas eastern coastal Shandong Province.

The thermal power plant is operated by the Guodian Power Shanghaimiao Corporation, a subsidiary of the centrally-owned China Energy Investment Corporation.

China, where coal-fired plants generate more than two-thirds of its electricity, pledged to reduce its reliance on coal as part of global efforts to tackle climate change, but to do so only after 2025.

A Chinese resident looks out the window of her house next to a coal-fired power plant in Shanxi Province, China, on Nov. 26, 2015. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

The power crunch engulfing the country this year has disrupted the daily lives of tens of millions of people, crippled industrial output, and wreaked havoc on global supply chains. As a result, the authorities ordered the mining and burning of more coal to stave off a prolonged energy crisis over the winter.

Chinas power generation accounts for one-third of global coal consumption, and the countrys dependence is anticipated to grow by nine percent in 2021, the International Energy Agency said in a report published this month.

Chinas State Grid Corporation said in a December report that energy security concerns mean the country is likely to build as much as 150 gigawatts (GW) of new coal-fired power capacity over the 2021-2025 period, bringing its total to 1,230 GW ahead of its 2025 deadline.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A chip by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is seen at the 2020 World Semiconductor Conference in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China, on Aug. 26, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

China Is Hoarding Strategic Commodities, Many Supplied by US

China seems to be on a hoarding spree, stockpiling strategic commodities from chips to minerals to grains to cotton. In its global purchases, the United States has been one of its largest suppliers.

Beijing has been hoarding chips. Industry experts believe Chinas nationwide hoarding played a role in the global chip shortage. In fact, Chinas State Administration for Market Regulation launched a probe into hoarding and other speculative practices in August 2021, as the regime found that it had disrupted its own market.

It also prompted the U.S. Commerce Department to request global major semiconductor manufacturers to provide their sales data in September 2021. The information it sought included the names of the top three buyers of the firms products in each of the past three years. Some analysts said Washington needed the data to figure out to what extent Chinas hoarding caused the chip scarcity.

China began hoarding chips in 2019, when the Trump administration imposed sanctions on its telecom giant Huawei. Fearing that they could be next, Chinese companies, many of which are state-run, purchased a large number of chipsenough to cover their needs for the next few years.

As the leading country in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, China is aggressively sourcing cobalt, a key metal in making EV batteries, from overseas. In the past five years, the second-largest economy has acquired most of Congos cobalt-producing mines, which produces two-thirds of the worlds cobalt supply.

As of 2020, 15 of the 19 mines in Congo were owned or financed by Chinese companies, according to a recent New York Times report. Beijing funded the gluttony.

The companies had received at least $12 billion in loans and other financing from state-backed institutions, and are likely to have drawn billions more, the report reads.

Chinas buying spree of cobalt started when U.S.-owned mining giant Freeport-McMoRan sold its two large cobalt reserves in Congo to a government-backed Chinese conglomerate. The sale marked the end of any major U.S. mining presence in cobalt in the country, according to the report.

General view of the copper and cobalt mine of Kolwezi, Congo, on Feb. 14, 2018. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the leading cobalt producer in the world, providing 67 percent of the increasing global demand. (Samir Tounsi/AFP via Getty Images)

In the field of agricultural commodities, Chinas stockpile is equally as stunning. U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show that China currently holds nearly half of the global reserves of corn and other major grains.

Chinas grain purchases surged in 2021. Corn and sorghum imports for the country jumped four and five times respectively from 2020. Chinas reserves of corn, rice, and wheat are expected to reach 69 percent, 60 percent, and 51 percent respectively by the first half of 2022.

The United States and Brazil have sold a significant amount of agricultural commodities to China. U.S. exports of soybeans and soy-based products during the 202021 season reached an all-time high of 74.76 million metric tons, with two-thirds of them shipped to China.

China is also buying U.S. cotton on a large scale. Weekly exports of U.S. cotton to China in October 2021 increased by one-third from 2020, pulling U.S. cotton reserves down to their lowest point of 2021. Although its expected that the United States will see a cotton harvest in 2022, it could come much later than usual because of lower temperatures. Cotton prices have thus soared.

At Chinas Central Economic Working Conference in December 2021, Beijing identified securing the supply of primary goods such as agricultural products and minerals as one of five significant issues to prepare for amid global challenges.

Xi Jinping, leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), said at the conference that China must establish a strategic baseline to ensure self-sufficiency in key commodities, as securing the supply of primary products will help advance the countrys long-term agenda.

Analysts say that tensions with the United States and its allies, such as Australia, another major food exporter to China, could prod the communist regime to dramatically raise food reserves.

In recent times, Beijing has increasingly emphasized food security. But Andrea Durkin, senior fellow of global food and agriculture at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, wrote in an August 2021 note that the enormous food quantities in Chinas control translates to thinner reserves available for broader global food security.

The opacity surrounding the size and quality of the reserves also leaves open questions about how much China needs to maintain adequate stocks, Durkin wrote.

The CCP isnt transparent in reporting its strategic reserves, and international purchase records and trade group estimates can only provide a partial picture of the precise contents of the regimes stockpile.

Some experts have warned that the Chinese regime could weaponize its enormous stockpiles.

Beijing wants to supervise the market forces that threaten the power of the strategic stockpile, Christopher Vassallo, of the Center for the National Interests China and the Pacific program, wrote in November 2021.

If the size of Chinas market enables its commodity traders to have global sway, and the top-down management of the stockpile augments that buying power, regulatory supervision works to ensure it strives for state goals, Vassallo wrote.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The manned Shenzhou-12 spacecraft from China's Manned Space Agency onboard the Long March-2F rocket launches with three Chinese astronauts onboard at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, China, on June 17, 2021. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Beijing Capitalizes on Elon Musk Satellite Incident for Propaganda Purposes

The Chinese regime urged the United States to act responsibly in space on Dec. 28, after its space station was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision with satellites launched by Elon Musks SpaceX Starlink program.

Earlier on the same day, the Chinese state-run Global Times criticized the Starlink program and claimed that the Pentagon had tried to test the Chinese space stations capability of detecting a potential collision.

Theres a huge amount of debris in space. All space stations and satellites need to maneuver themselves to avoid collisions, which is not a big matter. The Chinese regime had its agenda by enlarging this tiny issue, Wang He, a columnist for The Epoch Times, said on Dec. 28.

Wang pointed out that the foreign ministrys spokesperson spoke about the complaint on Dec. 28 because of a question asked by a reporter from regime mouthpiece China National Radio.

This is an arrangement by the Chinese regimes propaganda system, he said.

The Chinese regime wants to claim supremacy in space. It wants to show the world that its space station is advanced and can detect a potential collision. It wants to give the impression to the world that China is strong in space and the United States didnt behave correctly.

Another agenda is that [the Chinese regime] wants to know the cooperation between Musks SpaceX and the Pentagon. It wanted to know the details of the cooperation and how the cooperation progresses. So far, neither SpaceX nor the Pentagon responded to Chinas criticism. It means Beijings plan to know the business secret has failed.

A Long March 5B rocket lifts off from the Wenchang launch site on Chinas southern Hainan island on May 5, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinas Complaint

Chinas permanent mission to the United Nations (Vienna) sent a note verbale to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Dec. 3 about two incidents between the Chinese space station and the Starlink program, according to the U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

The Chinese space station, which was launched on April 29, orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 242 miles. SpaceXs Starlink program has planned to set up satellite-based internet services around the world by launching 12,000 satellites. So far, the program has 1,740 satellites in orbit.

The Chinese regime has claimed that Starlink-1095 used to orbit at an altitude of 344 miles, but was lowered to 237 miles in May and June. The regime complained that the Starlink-1095 lowered more on July 1, which unnerved astronauts aboard the Chinese space station, which had to be maneuvered to avoid a potential collision. The regime clarified that the Starlink-1095 was out of orbit on Sept. 20 and had been dropped to the atmosphere. The previous reduction of its altitude was part of the process of its decommissioning.

On Oct. 21, Starlink-2035 reduced its orbit by about 62 miles to 344 miles, the regime claimed. To avoid a potential collision, the Chinese space station again was maneuvered. Global Times quoted Chinese space experts saying that Starlink-2035 might have adjusted its altitude to test its telecommunication performance. But the report also questioned whether the Pentagon could have been behind the test.

Students watch a lesson by Chinese astronauts from Chinas Tiangong space station, at a school in Danzhai, Guizhou Province, China, as the regimes patriotism education on Dec. 9, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

The Ambition

The Chinese foreign ministry and state-run media reports mentioned only two incidents. In fact, the Chinese regime has increased the risk for all parties in space by unnecessarily producing a large amount of debris in the past couple of decades.

Chinas Fengyun-1C, a weather satellite that was launched in May 1999, is a good example.

In 2002, the Chinese regime decommissioned the Fengyun-1C, which worked for only two years, but left it in orbit at 536 miles. In 2007, China fired a ballistic missile targeting the defunct satellite, which created a large debris field with more than 3,000 pieces. This debris is still orbiting in space and presents an increased risk to spacefarers to this day.

On Nov. 10, the International Space Station had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with a piece of debris from this field.

Not only the space debris, the rockets that the Chinese regime has launched have also caused a lot of damage and trouble. A recent example includes the Long March 5 [CZ-5 or LM-5] launching the Chinese space station on April 29, but the rocket stage lost control in space and fell into the Indian Ocean on May 8. People around the world watched and worried about the fiery [uncontrolled] reentry, Wang said.

The Chinese regime has spent all the countrys resources to develop its space technology, and wanted to compete with the United States in space. The regimes ambition is clearly exposed in front of the public: It wants to own supremacy in space.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The CNN center is seen in downtown Atlanta, Ga., on Oct. 16, 2021. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

CNN Says Producer Resigned Same Day Allegations of Potential Child Abuse Surfaced

Second CNN producer accused of deviancy

CNN producer Rick Saleeby resigned on Dec. 15, the same day CNN was made aware of allegations that he fantasized about abusing a minor girl, the network said Wednesday.

Rick Saleeby does not work for CNN. He resigned from his position two weeks ago, a CNN spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email.

The spokesman declined to answer follow-up questions.

According to text messages released by Project Veritas, Saleeby fantasized about getting sexually involved with the minor daughter of his fiancee.

Project Veritas said it contacted the mother of the child and CNN after obtaining the messages.

The Fairfax County Police Department told the journalism nonprofit that it has launched an investigation into serious allegations involving potential juvenile victims.

While we will eventually be transparent about our findings, safeguarding the personal privacy and safety of victims and witnesses as well as maintaining the integrity of our criminal investigation are of paramount importance. At this time, we are not in a position to provide additional detail on the scope or nature of this investigation, the agency added.

The department did not respond to questions about the situation.

Saleeby did not respond to a request for comment sent to his lawyer.

Saleeby appeared at court in Fairfax County in an unrelated matter on Tuesday. He did not answer questions outside the courthouse.

Another CNN producer was fired earlier this month after being charged with three counts of using a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity.

John Griffin, a longtime producer for CNNs New Day, is alleged to have pressured parents to bring their daughters to a home he acquired in Vermont to engage in illegal sexual acts.

The pressure worked in one case, according to charging documents filed in Vermont and Nevada.

Griffin convinced a mother to fly with her daughter from the latter state and they spent time together at the Vermont home.

Griffin and the woman are accused of engaging in sexual acts with the girl, 9.

Griffin, who pleaded not guilty last week, told law enforcement he was ashamed following his arrest.

Griffins lawyer has declined to comment.

Griffin faces up to life in prison if convicted of a single count.
Colombia Captures 5 People Over Airport Bombing

BOGOTAColombias police captured five people during raids in the Andean countrys second city Medellin and surrounding areas in connection with a bombing earlier this month at an airport in the northern city of Cucuta, it said on Tuesday.

Three people, including two police officers, were killed on Dec. 14 after bombs exploded at the airport, which is located in Colombias Norte de Santander province.

The province, which shares a border with Venezuela, has become the new epicenter of Colombias long internal conflict as security forces fight crime gangs dedicated to drug trafficking and rebel groups amid the growing output of coca, the chief ingredient in cocaine.

A bombing at a military base in Norte de Santander in June injured 44 people including two U.S. military advisers. In an incident later that month, shots were fired at a helicopter carrying President Ivan Duque as he traveled to Cucuta, the provinces capital.

Officials captured three men and two women during the raids, Colombias police said in a statement, adding that they were taken to Cucuta in the early morning to face multiple charges, including for terrorism and aggravated homicide.

The investigation continues, the police said.

By Oliver Griffin
Officers gather in the street in Lakewood, Colo., on Dec. 27, 2021, in this still image taken from a social media video. (Hawk Hawkins/via Reuters)

Colorado Police Identify Shooter Who Opened Fire Across Denver and Lakewood, Killing Five

Authorities have identified the man who killed five people in a series of shootings in Denver and Lakewood, Colorado, on Monday night.

The suspect, Lyndon McLeod, 47, was killed by police at the Belmar shopping center in Lakewood after he carried out a series of shootings in at least six locations across the two areas.

McLeod was known by law enforcement, authorities said in a press conference on Tuesday.

This individual was on the radar of law enforcement, there were two previous investigations into this individuals actions. Neither of those investigations resulted in state or federal criminal charges, Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said.

The previous investigations took place in 2020, and early 2021 and will be part of the ongoing investigation regarding Mondays shooting. Witnesses are still being interviewed by police, who also urged others to come forward if they have further information regarding Mondays events.

Mcleod held extremist views and had a history of psychiatric episodes, multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News.

Authorities said they believe McLeod had targeted the specific individuals in Mondays shooting and that the victims were known to him.

Officials said the incident initially began in Denver, around 5:25 p.m. when three people were shot, leaving two adult women dead and one adult male injured. The injured male was transported to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition but is expected to survive. Police did not identify the three victims.

Reporting by KMGH-TV identified one of the women as Alicia Cardenas, 44, owner of Denver tattoo shop Sol Tribe, and another as Alyssa Gunn-Maldonado.

At 5:31, Denver police were notified of a burglary at a second location on Bannock Street and Sixth Avenue, where McLeod was attempting to break into a building. McLeod got into the building and persued the occupants through the residence, which is also part of a business, and fired shots. However, no one was injured at that location, authorities said.

A van was also set on fire just behind the building and police said it appears that McLeod was responsible for starting the fire but they are still investigating that incident.

At roughly 5:45, police received a call about a third shooting nearby, where one adult male was killed inside of his residence there, police said.

Minutes later, Denver police officers who were driving an unmarked vehicle located McLeods vehicle, a black, early 2000s model 4 Econoline van.

Police pursued the vehicle after McLeod failed to surrender and gunfire was exchanged between the suspect and one officer, who was not injured. However, McLeod fled again, traveling into Lakewood where he continued his violent series of crimes.

Lakewood Police spokesman John Romero said Lakewood police received a call of shots fired at The Lucky 13 tattoo shop just before 6 p.m.

We got reports of one male, getting out of a similar van to the one that was described. The male then went inside, shot another adult male. That male was shot at the scene, Romero said. Police have identified the victim as 38-year-old Danny Scofield.

Minutes later at 6:04 p.m., police were able to identify the van near the Wells Fargo in the Belmar shopping center, and attempted to make contact with McLeod who opened fire on officers. Agents returned fire but he was able to flee to the Hyatt Place where he shot a front desk worker, a female, several times. The victim, identified by police as Sarah Steck, 28, was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later.

After leaving the hotel, the suspect allegedly came up against a Lakewood police officer who ordered him to drop his weapon. However, McLeod shot and wounded the female police officer, authorities said.

That agent, courageously, after being shot was able to somehow compose herself and return fire on the suspect, striking him, and eventually, he was also pronounced dead at the scene, Romero said.

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the officer who shot McLeod but Romero said she is a three-year veteran of the police department and has had surgery at a local hospital for her injuries. She is currently in a stable condition but will need more surgeries in the future.

Police have not publicly identified a motive in the deadly shooting spree.

This is the holiday season. To have this type of spree take place is not normal for our community, Pazen said on Tuesday. We cannot lose sight of the victims in this, the people who are still fighting for their lives, including a Lakewood agent.
Andrew Cuomo, then New York governor, speaks during a news conference in New York on May 10, 2021. (Mary Altaffer-Pool/Getty Images)

Cuomo Wont Face Criminal Charges Over 2 Harassment Complaints: District Attorney

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wont face criminal charges over accusations that he kissed two women against their will, a prosecutor in Westchester County announced on Dec. 28.

District Attorney Mimi Rocah said in a statement that although her offices investigation found credible evidence to conclude that the alleged conduct in both cases did occur, she wouldnt be pursuing criminal charges against the Democrat.

Rocah said her office conducted a thorough investigation into allegations against Cuomo, and has determined that, although the allegations and witnesses were credible, and the conduct concerning, we cannot pursue criminal charges due to the statutory requirements of the criminal laws of New York.

Cuomo, who served as governor of New York for a decade, resigned in August following a slew of accusations from multiple women who accused him of unwanted sexual advances and contact. He has denied sexually harassing anyone or touching anyone inappropriately and said some of his behavior toward others could be misconstrued.

In one of the encounters investigated by Westchester County, a female state trooper said she was on duty in the security detail outside of Cuomos home in Mount Kisco, New York, when she asked the governor if he needed anything while he was in the driveway.

She said Cuomo responded by asking her if he could kiss her, and said she feared ramifications if she denied his request, and answered, Sure.

Cuomo then said something to the effect of, Oh, Im not supposed to do that or unless thats against the rules, Rocah said in her statement.

The second allegation involved a woman who said Cuomo grabbed her arm, pulled her toward him, and kissed her on the cheek without her consent while the pair were at an event at White Plains High School.

Rocahs statement noted that the decision not to pursue criminal charges against Cuomo is unrelated to potential civil liability, which would be beyond her jurisdiction.

Rocah said in a statement that her office will continue to recognize the bravery of the women and witnesses who have cooperated with law enforcement.

We remain committed to supporting them and all survivors, she said. As in all cases of alleged misconduct, my office will investigate such claims irrespective of the position or status of the accusers or the accused.

Rocah is the second New York prosecutor to decide against pursuing criminal charges against Cuomo. Days earlier, Joyce Smith, the acting district attorney in Nassau County, investigated a separate allegation and concluded that it was deeply troubling, but not criminal under New York law.

Cuomo resigned after the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a damning report that concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. Several county prosecutors said they would investigate complaints in their jurisdictions.

The former governor also faced investigations over his offices efforts to shield from lawmakers the extent of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. A state ethics board later concluded that he had improperly used state employees to help write a book about his leadership skills, for which he received a $5.1 million advance.

The U.S. Department of Justice also opened an investigation into the complaints of workplace sexual harassment by Cuomo, according to records released by state lawmakers this month.

Reuters contributed to this report.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepares to board a helicopter after announcing his resignation, in New York, on Aug. 10, 2021. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)

DA: No Charges for Cuomo From Allegations by 2 Women

NEW YORKFormer New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wont face criminal charges stemming from allegations from two womenincluding a state trooperthat he planted unwanted kisses on their cheeks, a suburban prosecutor said Tuesday. Its the latest in a series of decisions about whether a raft of sexual assault and harassment claims against Cuomo will end up in criminal court.

Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that while there was evidence to conclude the conduct the women described did occur, she couldnt bring criminal cases over it.

In both instances, my office has determined that, although the allegations and witnesses were credible, and the conduct concerning, we cannot pursue criminal charges due to the statutory requirements of the criminal laws of New York, Rocah said in a statement.

Cuomo had no immediate comment on the decision. The Democrat has denied sexually harassing anyone or touching anyone inappropriately and has said he doesnt recall touching the trooper.

A number of prosecutors around the state launched investigations after state Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, chronicled accusations from 11 women against Cuomo. The August report led to his resignation from office, although he has attacked the findings as biased and inaccurate.

In October, the Albany County sheriffs office filed a misdemeanor groping complaint against Cuomo, but a week later the district attorney asked a judge for more time to evaluate the evidence.

The district attorney said the sheriffs one-page criminal complaint, based on allegations from a woman who said Cuomo slid his hand up her blouse and grabbed her breast at the governors mansion in late 2020, was potentially defective.

At the prosecutors request, a court delayed Cuomos scheduled arraignment until Jan. 7.

Last week, a Long Island prosecutor said Cuomo wouldnt face criminal charges after the same trooper as in the Westchester investigation said she felt completely violated by his unwanted touching at an event at Belmont Park in September 2019. Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce Smith said the allegations were credible and troubling but not criminal under state law.

The alleged Westchester County incident involving the trooper happened outside Cuomos then-home in Mount Kisco, according to the district attorneys office. The trooper told investigators that while stationed in the driveway as part of Cuomos security detail in summer 2019, she asked the governor if he needed anything, and he responded by asking her whether he could kiss her.

I remember just freezing, being  in the back of my head, Im like, Oh, how do I say no politely? Because in my head, if I said no, hes going to take it out on the detail. And now Im on the bad list, she told investigators, according to James report.

So, she said, she told him, Sure. He kissed her on the cheek, while saying something like Oh, Im not supposed to do that or Unless thats against the rules, she told investigators.

A male colleague told investigators he witnessed the episode, the attorney generals report said.

The trooper hasnt been publicly identified. A message seeking comment was sent to a lawyer for her.

In the other incident that Westchester prosecutors examined, Cuomo allegedly greeted a woman by grabbing her arm, pulling her toward him, and kissing her on the cheek without asking whether that was OK. She was attending a press conference he gave at White Plains High School in June 2018.

I smiled nervously afterward. I had to endure comments from people in attendance, the woman, Susan Iannucci, told reporters at a virtual news conference in August.

Iannucci, a school office manager, said she came forward because she was appalled to see Cuomo use a photo of the encounter in a compilation video that he released to argue that he commonly greeted people with kisses, touches, and hugs to convey warmth.

A message was sent Tuesday to a lawyer for her.

The Associated Press does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they decide to tell their stories publicly.

By David Porter and Jennifer Peltz
A tractor trailer is stopped behind police tape as law enforcement investigate the scene of a carjacking and shooting at a QuikTrip in St. Peters, Mo., on Dec. 29, 2021. (Hillary Levin/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Deputy Shot to Death in Illinois; Gunman at Large

MILL SHOALS, Ill.Authorities in two states are searching for a gunman who killed an eastern Illinois deputy early Wednesday and is suspected in a carjacking in neighboring Missouri a couple of hours later.

The Wayne County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post that Deputy Sean Riley responded to a motorist assist call on Interstate 64 near Mill Shoals around 5 a.m. Wednesday. A second officer who arrived at the scene found Riley dead. The deputys squad car was later found abandoned on I-64.

The search for the suspect extended to St. Peters, Missouri, where police believe a man involved in a shooting and carjacking shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday at a QuikTrip convenience store was the same person who killed the deputy.

St. Peters police spokeswoman Melissa Doss said in an email that there was evidence at the QuikTrip scene which indicates the suspect was also involved in the series of crimes which occurred in Illinois earlier this morning. She declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

St. Peters police said the man drove away from the convenience store in a car that was later found near Interstate 70 in nearby OFallon, Missouri. The suspect then stole a white pickup truck, police said.

The Missouri carjacking victim was hospitalized with injuries police described as not life-threatening.

Mill Shoals is about 115 miles east of St. Louis.
A dog keeps an eye on the presses as a woman has a swab taken at a drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Dr. Peter McCullough: Vaccine Mandates Should Be Repealed

COVID-19 vaccine mandates have to be repealed as the vaccines are still in research and people cannot be mandated to participate in research, says Dr. Peter McCullough.

McCullough, a cardiologist, epidemiologist, and internist who manages COVID-19 patients with heart-related complications and patients who become ill after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, contends that COVID-19 vaccine mandates violate the Nuremberg Code.

When it comes to research, research can only be voluntary. And under no circumstances can anyone receive any pressure, coercion, or threat of reprisalcannot. It violates the cornerstone of ethics; its unethical, its immoral to do that, he says.

McCullough notes that the CDC and FDA have yet to publish their first monthly safety report on the vaccines, and that as of Dec. 17, the CDCs VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System) has reported 20,622 deaths post-vaccination and over 983,000 adverse events.

While VAERS has issued a disclaimer discouraging the interpretation of its data to reach conclusions about existence, severity, frequency, or rates of problems associated with vaccines, McCullough says that the systems death reports deserve serious attention.

He cites a June 2021 analysis of VAERS COVID-19 vaccine death reports led by the University of Londons Scott Mclachlan. Mclachlan found that contrary to claims that most of these reports are made by lay-people and are hence clinically unreliable, health service employees were the reporters at least 67 percent of the time, and there were only 14 percent of the cases for which a vaccine reaction could be ruled out as a contributing factor in their death.

COVID-19 vaccines commonly used in the United States use genetic mechanisms to install genetic material into cells, and then the cells produce the spike protein of the virus, says McCullough. Thats the mechanism of the spike protein, its the dangerous and lethal part of the virus.

The uncontrolled quantity and duration of spike protein produced by the vaccine in the human body almost certainly is the proximate cause of death, according to McCullough.

McCullough said that the data satisfy all five of the Bradford Hill criteria, a framework scientists use to work out whether one thing is causing another. In this case, because COVID-19 vaccination data satisfies the Bradford Hill principles, McCullough says that reported deaths are highly likely caused by COVID-19 vaccinations.

McCullough also mentioned the non-fatal events that just go right along with COVID-19 deaths which makes it more plausible that the vaccines are causing adverse reactions and in turn, deaths.

VAERS has recorded more than 20,000 reports of death post-vaccination according to its database. Between January 2021 and October 2021, more than 1,000 deaths were reported per month, with over 3,000 deaths reported as having occurred on an unknown date.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported 10,483 deaths to VAERS between Dec. 14, 2020, and Dec. 13, 2021.

A lawsuit was recently filed against the FDA by a medical transparency group, Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency (PHMPT) formed by a group of doctors and scientists, including Harvey Risch, a professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health.

The FDA has asked a judge to grant it 75 years to fully release the documents in its possession tied to the approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Aaron Siri, a lawyer working on the case, on Dec. 8 wrote, If you find what you are reading difficult to believethat is because it is dystopian for the government to give Pfizer billions, mandate Americans to take its product, prohibit Americans from suing for harms, but yet refuse to let Americans see the data underlying its licensure.

Since its initial announcement of vaccine mandates in both the federal and private sectors, the Biden administration has emphasized that vaccines are safe, free, and the most effective way for workers to be protected from COVID-19 transmission at work.

CDC Spokesperson Curtis Gill told the Epoch Times on Jan. 4: To date, CDC has not detected any unusual or unexpected patterns for deaths following immunization that would indicate that COVID vaccines are causing or contributing to deaths, outside of the 9 confirmed deaths following the Janssen vaccine. These 9 deaths were the result of complications of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which is a rare and serious adverse reaction following the J & J Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

The Epoch Times reached out to the White House for comment.
Dumbing Down Education Key to Dismantling America: Alex Newman

Critical race theory together with gender ideology and the manmade global warming hypothesis thats now being taught to young children, all have the goal of dismantling the United States as a free society, said Alex Newman, investigative journalist and Epoch Times contributor.

There is a global effort coming from the United Nations and from China to build a single world system, where individual liberty will be abolished, Newman told EpochTVs Crossroads program.

This new system is described as a multipolar world order as opposed to the current unipolar world order where the United States is the undisputed sole superpower and the hegemonic force in world affairs today, Newman explained. To achieve this goal the United States must be undermined not just economically, but also intellectually and militarily.

[This will] allow other nations to be built up, other governments, especially the Communist Chinese government, to grow in prestige and influence in economic prowess for the purpose of really drastically reshaping the world order into this, what they call the multipolar order, where Russia and China and the so-called BRICS [five countries] like Brazil and India will be kind of on an equal standing with the United States.

But America, at least the ideas and the essence of what America is, has stood as an obstacle to that agenda. So if you want to make this agenda possible,  youre going to have to undermine the principles that the United States was founded on.

According to the World Economic Forums (WEF) 8 predictions for the world in 2030, which are summarized in a video posted on Twitter, the United States will no longer be the leading superpower, but the world will be dominated by a handful of countries.

This is how our world could change by 2030. Read more: https://t.co/rkhF5AdSZ3 pic.twitter.com/9jf3XcmRG2  World Economic Forum (@wef) February 6, 2017

Promotion of CRT in US

The Chinese regime is promoting critical race theory through its state-run media, right here in the United Statesraising big questions about why this is happening.

Promotion of critical race theory in America is just a continuation of the Marxist tactic that divides society up into opposing camps to create a conflict between them, Newman said, and then use that conflictthat typically Marxists will instigateas a vehicle to bring about a revolution; to bring about the discontent that will finally result in the overthrow of the old system.

When Mao took over China,  [he] divided people up into the red classes and the black classes. The black classes, of course, were the evil classes: the business owners, the Christians, the counter-revolutionaries, the landowners, etc. Whereas the red classes, those were the oppressed; the victimsand they were the workers, the landless peasants, and so on.

The same tactic, dividing America up into oppressor and oppressed, is used to instigate revolution in the country, Newman explained, but to try to tell an American worker that hes oppressed is less compelling.

It is simply not plausible to tell an American worker who makes $60,000 a year, gets three weeks paid vacation, has a 2,500 square foot air-conditioned home, two nice cars, and four color TVs, that theyre being oppressed by their employer, Newman continued.

Therefore, race was exploited to divide America and conquer the society, Newman said.

America is almost unique in the world; it is not really like a lot of other nations that have the same ethnicity, the same history, the same background, Newman noted.

America was different. America was founded on ideas: the idea that God created everyone equally, the idea that God gave everyone rights, the idea that government exists for the purpose of protecting these rights. That is the foundational principle that America was founded on.

Liberty and the fruit that came from that such as the incredible prosperity, the innovation, the living standards, or even the equality, the safety, and the reduction in human misery were unprecedented in human history, Newman said.

So to overthrow that old order, you need some kind of very powerful, very seductive mechanism.

Now children in school are taught: If your ancestors came from Europe, youre automatically part of the oppressor class. If your ancestors came from, say, Africa, youre automatically part of the oppressed class, he continued.

Newman pointed out that not only race is used to divide American society but also gender. Those who are heterosexual or identify with their birth gender are also considered oppressors.

He believes that the only way [such tactics are] possible is to have an uneducated population. A well-educated people never would have fallen for these tricks.

Remaking Education

Traditionally throughout Western history, training the mind to be able to think, understand things, and acquire additional knowledge was at the core of education, Newman said.

Education used to focus on understanding and gaining a better knowledge of God, and the nature of good and evil, the purpose in life, he explained. Institutions such as Harvard University, Princeton, and Yale were founded as Christian institutions.

The departure from traditional education started more than a century ago and was led by John Dewey, who was also a professor at Columbia University and is called the father of American progressive education.

According to Dewey, who was influenced by Darwins theory of evolution, children should be weaned from the traditional tutelage of parents, religion, and culture, and given free rein to adapt to their environments. Dewey was a pragmatist and moral relativist. He believed that there was no unchanging morality and that people were free to act and behave as they saw fit.

In 1929, the rector of the Second State University of Moscow, Albert P. Pinkevichas quoted by Robin S. Eubankswrote favorably of Dewey, saying that his ideas were very close to those of Marx and the Russian Communists. Biographer Alan Ryan, also quoted by Eubanks, wrote that Dewey supplied the intellectual weapons for a decently social democratic, non-totalitarian Marxism.

Newman noted that Dewey advocated in his writings for a system that in reality would dumb down the population but Dewey didnt say it explicitly.

According to Newman, Dewey asserted that there is no need to teach kids how to read, write, and do the math. Instead, Dewey recommended that what kids really need is to be properly socialized. They need to be just totally immersed in this collectivism, so that they will understand that they need to work for the good of the wholethe good of the collectiveas opposed to their own individual benefit or the benefit of their family.

Newman cited Adam Smith, a Scottish economist and philosopher, to argue that in a free market system based on private property, the individuals own pursuit of his rational self-interest ends up benefiting society more than if he was actually going out and consciously trying to observe and benefit society.

He provided an example of a baker who makes cheaper, better tasting bread than his competitors in order to make money thus benefitting his community.

As an example of Deweys approach, Newman cited the state of Oregon where testing for proficiency requirements to graduate from high school have been discontinued. So a student who is unable to read, write, or do any math can get a high school diploma.

Newman pointed to National Assessment of Educational Progress data, which shows that less than 1/3 of public school students are proficient in reading, writing, arithmetic, or any other core subject.

Mark Bauerlein, a professor at Emory University, wrote in his book that on the history exam of the 2001 National Assessment of Educational Progress, 57 percent of students scored below basic and only 1 percent achieved an advanced score.

John Taylor Gatto, a senior teacher and educational researcher in New York City, said in his book, Pick up a fifth-grade math or rhetoric textbook from 1850 and youll see that the texts were pitched then on what would today be considered college level.

Thomas Sowell, an American scholar and a senior fellow of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University observed: It is not merely that Johnny cant read, or even that Johnny cant think. Johnny doesnt know what thinking is because thinking is so often confused with feeling in many public schools.

Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt, a former senior policy adviser to the U.S. Department of Education, wrote in 1999: The reason Americans do not understand this war is because it has been fought in secret  in the schools of our nation, targeting our children who are captive in classrooms. The wagers of the war are using very sophisticated and effective tools.

Instead of learning basic skills, children are taught in schools critical race theory. Children in kindergarten are taught that they may have been born in the wrong body and they can take pills or undergo a surgical procedure to reflect their true selves, Newman said.

They are also being taught a distorted version of American history and world history, he continued.

They dont teach the children almost anything about the history of communism, the history of socialism, the history of collectivism, because if the children understood what has happened where these ideas have been implemented, they would recoil in horror when they saw them being implemented here.

Considering the unprecedented scale of attacks on parents trying to be involved in the public school system, Newman advises concerned parents to remove their children from the public school despite the hardship and sacrifices that such a move may imply.

I tell parents at this point: if you love your children, if you want them to be successful, well adjusted, sensible, well educated, clear thinking individuals, your only option is to remove them from the public school system.  You will not be able to get your children a decent education at a public school anymore, Newman concluded.

Ella Kietlinska Reporter Follow Ella Kietlinska is a New York-based reporter for The Epoch Times.
A judge of the Russian Supreme Court delivers the verdict during a hearing to consider the closure of the human rights group International Memorial in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 28, 2021. (Evgenia Novozhenina)

Erasing History: Russia Closes Top Rights Group, Capping Year of Crackdowns

MOSCOWRussias Supreme Court ordered the countrys oldest human rights group to disband on Dec. 28 for breaking a law requiring it to act as a foreign agent, capping a year of crackdowns on Kremlin critics unseen since the Soviet era.

The closure of Memorial International bookmarks a year in which Alexei Navalny, the Kremlins top critic, was jailed, his movement banned, and many of his allies forced to flee. Moscow says it is simply enforcing laws to thwart extremism and shield the country from what it says is malign foreign influence.

Critics say that Vladimir Putin, in power as president or prime minister since 1999, is turning back the clock to the Soviet era when there was zero tolerance of dissent. The Kremlin, at odds with the West on everything from Ukraine to Syria, says its impossible to recreate the Soviet Union.

The legal assault on Memorial, which documents and keeps alive the memory of Josef Stalins 193738 Great Terror among other episodes, is an attempt to whitewash Soviet Russias darkest chapters that dont follow the Kremlins narrative of a resurgent country with nothing to be ashamed of, they say.

Memorial is a special organization with its own ideology. We combine whats called relevant human rights activities with historical studies and comprehending the historical path of Russia in the 20th century. It seems that such a union does not please someone in the Russian leadership, Oleg Orlov, a Memorial board member, said outside the court.

As the court heard the case against Memorial, which said it was a force for good even if it sometimes made minor bureaucratic errors, four policemen clad in fur hats carried away a bearded protester after he shouted: There are no laws, there is no property, there are no rights, there are no choices.

As the man was carried away, he shouted: Russians love the son of a [expletive] Stalin.

Police officers restrain a supporter of the human rights group International Memorial outside a court building during a hearing of the Russian Supreme Court to consider the closure of Memorial International in Moscow, on Dec. 28, 2021. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters)

A state prosecutor told the court that Memorial had promoted what he called a false image of the USSR as a terrorist state and blackened the memory of the communist states behavior during World War II. He said someone was paying Memorial for such treachery.

Memorial is open about the fact that it receives funding from abroad, one of the main reasons the authorities have labeled it a foreign agent. Its website lists funding from Poland, Germany, Canada, and the Czech Republic.

Though Putin has made clear he is no fan of communism, modern school textbooks have praised Stalins role as a modernizer and as the man who helped the Soviet Union defeat the Nazis in World War II, one of the cornerstones of the image which Putin has tried to forge for modern Russia.

Memorial said in a statement that the ruling showed the modern Russian state objected to its interpretation of Soviet history.

The decision  confirmed that the history of political terror  does not remain an academic theme for Russia of interest for just specialists but an acute problem for modern Russia. Our country needs an honest and scrupulous reflection on its Soviet past, it said.

Memorial will find legal ways to continue its work because it wasnt an organization or even a movement, it said.

Memorial is the need for Russias citizens to know the truth. Nobody will succeed in liquidating this need.

International rights groups and the U.S. State Department condemned the ruling.

We urge Russian authorities to end their harassment of independent voices and human rights defenders and stand in solidarity with those who have been targeted for repression for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

Established in the glasnost era of Soviet liberalization by prominent dissidents including Nobel Peace Prize-winner and nuclear physicist Andrei Sakharov, Memorial served as Russias main rights group through two wars in Chechnya in the 1990s.

More recently, it has spoken out against repression of critics under Putin and has published lists of people it regards as political prisoners.

The authorities placed the group on an official list of foreign agents in 2015, a move that entailed numerous restrictions on its activities.

Prosecutors last month accused the Memorial Human Rights Center and Memorial International, its parent structure, of violating the foreign agent law.

Prosecutors said Memorial International breached the regulations by not marking all its publications, including social media posts, with the label. They accused the Moscow-based center of condoning terrorism and extremism, something it denied.

A separate court hearing about the fate of the Memorial Human Rights Center was due on Dec. 29.

Putin, a former intelligence officer in the Soviet KGB security service, said this month that Memorial had defended organizations that Russia considers extremist and terrorist, and that its list of victims of Soviet-era repression included Nazi collaborators.

By Andrew Osborn and Maria Kiselyova
On Christmas Eve, despite the fact that 100 percent of the sailors aboard the USS Milwaukee were fully vaccinated, they had a COVID-19 outbreak, which forced the warship to suspend operations.

And its not only happening to warships. On the very same day, a cruise linerwith fully vaccinated passengers and a fully vaccinated stafflikewise experienced a COVID-19 outbreak, which stopped them from being able to dock in Mexico.

Lastly, as all this is taking place, the University of California fired the director of their Medical Ethics Program because he defied the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

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Beef cattle feed on hay at a ranch on the outskirts of Delano, Calif., on Feb. 3, 2014. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Farmers Sound Warning Amid Sharp Rise in Animal Feed Prices

Dottie Overlands pigs get larger every day, but her family may never get a chance to eat them.

With the cost of farm feed rising to unprecedented levels, buying feed for 10 pigs has become prohibitively expensive for Overland. Our intention was to grow them for us. We were going to butcher them ourselves, she told The Epoch Times. Its disappointing.

Overland, a Georgia resident, raises pigs and chickens to eat and sell. But after feed prices rose by nearly a fourth, shes considered selling her pigs before they grow up.

But she isnt making this decision without a fight, she said. To dodge rising feed costs, Overland now feeds her pigs on grasses and day-old grocery store bread. She plans to ferment the feed she buys now so it will be more nutritious and stretch further. Its not ideal, but it keeps the animals fed for now.

Hogs are raised on a farm near Polo, Ill., on June 6, 2018. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Its like junk food, she said. But pigs do OK on that kind of thing.

Under normal circumstances, these foods are usually only a little less expensive than pig feed, but right now, theyre more of a bargain than usual.

The livestock industry is already a business in which farmers often lose money when they sell animals, but 2021s rising prices on feed make the work of farmers a lot harder.

Filling the Trough

Overlands problems are overshadowed by the animal feed problems faced by large-scale livestock producers. Abigail Banks is the co-owner of Georgias Goat Farm Road. On that farm, she cares for around 300 animalsgoats, sheep, and rabbits.

This year has been one of the hardest years for us, she told The Epoch Times. Our feed barn is usually slammed full, its now probably not even half full right now.

A herd of goats at the Goat Farm Road farm in Georgia. (Abigail Banks)

Her business functions on a simple equation. Selling animals makes money; raising animals takes money.

Every day, the livestock at Goat Farm Road consumes about 125 pounds of food, Banks estimated. It makes them grow, increase in numbers, and become more valuable. If it stops, they weaken, sicken, and die quickly.

They kind of go downhill, they will get sickly if they dont eat enough, she said. You will notice in less than a day or two that theyve lost weight.

Right now, the feed Banks uses costs between $13 and $28 per bag, she said. It used to cost between $9.45 and $18 per bag.

We have to buy everything by the ton-load, she said.

Banks said the rise in feed costs started not long after President Joe Biden took office, but she wasnt sure why.

Although the rising prices of feed have made things difficult for farmers, in 2021, the government offered about $28 billion in pandemic aid. But when the aid ends in 2022, farmers will lose nearly a fifth of their income.

Goats feed on hay at a farm in Pescadero, Calif., on April 26, 2019. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

People like eating goats during the winter, Banks said. But during the summer, selling them can be a loss.

At certain times of the year, you can sell these animals for a good price. And theres also times of year where if you sell them, youre not going to be getting as much as you hoped for, she said.

One way Banks has responded to rising prices is by not feeding grain to goats without kids. In some ways, raising goats is emotionally taxing, she said. Nurturing animals destined for slaughter is a strange feeling, she said.

I try not to think about it, because Ive sold two billies that Ive raised on the bottle, and I sent them to slaughter, she said.

Food Delivery

According to Alesia Stewart, owner of the Feed Store and More in Texas, the rising prices come mainly from shipping fees.

Whenever I get oats, theyve been $2 to $3 more a bag when I received them, and its all because of the freight, she told The Epoch Times. All my feed has went up to anywhere from $2 to $3.

Stewart added that her suppliers blame truck driver shortages for the supply difficulties.

Although she runs a feed store, Stewart said shes affected less by rising feed costs than livestock farmers are.

We havent really suffered that bad, because people still want to feed their animals, she said.

Cows at feeding time at a farm in Escondido, Calif., on April 16, 2020. (Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images)

Big Beef

When animal feed gets expensive, commercial farmers have few options, said Joel Greeno, president of Family Farm Defenders, a farming activism group.

First, farmers can give animals less food, but this measure is temporary, he said. A dairy cow can only go without food for two days before it stops producing milk.

Farmers must quickly decide whether to sell animals for money now or feed them and hope theyll be profitable later.

If you need to feed your cattle, you have to buy feed or you dont have cattle anymore, Greeno told The Epoch Times.

The livestock farmers dilemma grows even more complex after the first glance. For many of them, their current herd of animals is a future livelihood thats too expensive to support in the present because of feed. Some farmers are in debt and have little credit left for taking out loans, he said.

Cattle farmer Ben Gotschall organizes his cattle while moving them to a new field for grazing in Raymond, Neb., on Oct. 11, 2014. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

When already-indebted farmers find feed unaffordable, their creditors often dont know what to do, Greeno said. He recalled one creditor asking people at a U.S. Department of Agriculture meeting for advice on whether to keep lending money to a farmer who owed $100,000 in feed bills already.

Its a double-edged sword, because she knows that if she cuts the farmer off, shell never get the $100,000, but she also knows that if hes already $100,000 behind, the pictures pretty bad already, he said.

Greeno blamed livestock troubles on the meatpacking industry. Farmers have to take whatever prices the meatpacking industrys major producers offer.

He argued that major meat companies make immense amounts of money by using monopolistic market control to buy meat from farmers at prices far below the market price of meat.

Its a very dangerous and detrimental plan for rural America and our food farm system, Greeno said. Theyre seeing record profits. And its all at the expense of farmers and consumers.
A small plane flies near Manassas Regional Airport in Manassas, Va. The plane is among a fleet of surveillance aircraft by the FBI, which are primarily used to target suspects under federal investigation. Such planes are capable of taking video of the ground, and somein rare occasionscan sweep up certain identifying cellphone data. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

FBI Secret Spy Plane Surveillance Program Detailed in Court Records

The FBIs so-called secret spy plane surveillance program is under scrutiny in a Florida terrorism case, where the defendant has asked a federal judge to toss evidence from the bureaus aerial surveillance activities.

The FBIs aerial surveillance program was first revealed in June 2015 by The Associated Press, which reported that the bureau maintained a civilian air force through private shell companies. The FBI admitted to the program days later.

It should come as no surprise that the FBI uses planes to follow terrorists, spies, and serious criminals, the FBI said in a statement at the time. Contrary to some recent media reporting, the FBIs aviation program is not classified. Some of our aircraft are registered covertly because overt registration would put our aircraft and operations at risk of compromise.

Nevertheless, the existence of the FBIs program sparked outrage among civil libertarians, who celebrated when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled in June that a similar program operated by the Baltimore Police Department violated the Fourth Amendment.

In August, accused terrorist Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari asked U.S. District Judge Anthony Porcelli to review the FBIs program. According to prosecutors, Al-Azhari planned and attempted to carry out an attack on behalf of ISIS before his arrest in May 2020.

Al-Azharis motion accuses the FBI of running a secret spy plane surveillance program, as described by the AP and other reports, before providing details about how the bureaus air force was used to monitor him.

Al-Azhari said the FBIs planes would circle his Tampa home often for hours on end.

The planes followed Mr. Alazhari as he went about his life, for example, watching him pick up his mail from his mailbox, watching him drive to visit his sister at her apartment, watching him visit an Urgent Care facility, and watching him check himself in for inpatient mental health treatment, the motion reads.

The planes generally flew at about 10,000 feet, sometimes above cloud cover. Small, quiet, and high in the sky, the planes were barely noticeable to those on the ground. The FBI sometimes used multiple planes on the same day, with a new plane picking up the surveillance another had left off.

According to Al-Azhari, the FBI captured 428 hours of footage of him and created 935 separate videos with the planesviolating the Fourth Amendment in the process.

This court should suppress the aerial footage and any evidence derived from the aerial surveillance because the surveillance was an unreasonable search under the Fourth Amendment, the motion reads.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) responded to the motion on Sept. 29, accusing the defense of mischaracterizing the FBIs aerial surveillance activities. Prosecutors said the aerial surveillance performed in this case wasnt a search under the Fourth Amendment and that even if it were a search, it would still be legal.

The surveillance conducted in this case is not novel, nor did it involve highly invasive or extensive monitoring that would raise constitutional concerns, prosecutors said.

The DOJ also stated that FBI agents and surveillance pilots were prepared to testify to the facts, including that they only surveilled what was visible in public, unobstructed areas; that they only used one plane for surveillance at a time; and that the planes operated only in close coordination with ground surveillance.

Prosecutors stated: The last point merits further discussion. At the time aerial surveillance ramped up, the FBI had every reason to believe that the Defendant was planning an imminent attack.

They also noted that the FBI was leaving nothing to chance.

In short, the aerial surveillance at issue functioned as an extra set of eyes: another member of the investigative team that supportednot supplantedthe on-the-ground effort, the DOJ stated.

A hearing has yet to be scheduled for the parties to argue Al-Azharis motion to suppress. Additional motions have been filed in the meantime, including a request for a mental health exam, as the defense is also arguing that Al-Azhari could be mentally unfit for trial.

Porcelli granted the defenses request for a mental exam on Dec. 7, finding reasonable cause to believe that the defendant may be presently suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him incompetent to proceed in this matter.

A status conference is set for Jan. 18.
Flights in and out of UK Declined by Over 70 Percent in 2021 Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Air travel in and out of the United Kingdom declined by more than 70 percent in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across the globe.

According to data released by aviation analytics company Cirium in its annual On-Time Performance Review, reported by Business Traveller, there was a 71 percent drop in international flights in and out of the UK this year.

The report examines flight status and arrival data curated from over 600 global sources, including published schedules, government agencies, civil aviation authorities, airlines, airports, and major airline reservation systems.

Roughly 406,060 international flights operated from the country between January and December this year compared with 1,399,170 in 2019 before pandemic-related travel restrictions were put in place.

In that same period, Heathrow welcomed 78,820 flights, Stansted 32,070, Manchester 29,690, Gatwick 25,960, and Luton welcomed 19,770.

Budget airline Ryanair remained the largest carrier in the UK, with around 101,420 UK flights in 2021. This was followed by easyJet, with 82,580 flights, and British Airways with 77,460 flights.

The busiest international route was between Londons Heathrow and New Yorks JFK, despite the United States closing its borders to travelers at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

The White House reopened its borders to UK travelers with proof of vaccination in November. American travelers had been able to fly to the UK since July 28.

Meanwhile, UK domestic flights declined by almost 60 percent.

The UKs busiest domestic route was the 31-mile flight between Lands End to St Marys on the Isles of Scilly, with a total of 2,330 one-way flights recorded this year, all of which were operated by Scilly Skybus.

Ciriums On-Time Performance Report reveals a dramatic 71 percent fall in international flights to and from the UK during 2021, as the aviation sector continues its recovery from the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions, Jeremy Bowen, Cirium CEO, said.

Cirium analysis shows UK domestic flights have fared better with a lower reduction of 60 percent, as the huge pent-up demand for restriction-free flying returnsled by leisure travel followed by the more cautious recovery of business travel, Bowen said.

The data comes as thousands of flights across the United States have been canceled and delayed in recent days over the peak holiday period amid a nationwide surge in CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases.

Some of the biggest airlines in the United States, including Delta and American airlines, were forced to scrap both national and international flights after staff members tested positive for the virus amid an influx in Omicron variant cases, leaving airlines facing employee shortages.

On Tuesday, around 3,129 flights were canceled globally, according to the flight-tracking website, FlightAware. Of those, 1,291 were within, or to, or from the United States.

There were 177,201 confirmed cases of Omicron in the UK as of Dec. 28, according to government data (pdf). However, UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed on Dec. 27 that no further COVID-19 restrictions will be introduced in England, at least before the new year.

In the United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky told The Associated Press on Monday that the United States will experience significantly more Omicron cases.

Not all of those cases are going to be severe. In fact many are going to be asymptomatic, she said. We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science.
Florida Surgeon General: Biden Admin Actively Preventing Monoclonal Antibody Treatments

HHS spokesman disputes Ladapo, says federal government recently allocated 22,000 doses in past 2 weeks

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Tuesday accused the Biden administration of actively blocking the sending of monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 patients to Florida, according to a letter he sent to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra.

Both HHS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in September the federal government would pause the distribution of antibody therapies manufactured by Regeneron and Eli Lily.

The White House still supplies Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody from Glaxosmithkline, which reportedly works against the Omicron variant.

But Ladapo, who was appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis several months ago, contended that federal agencies under your control should not limit our states access to any available treatment for COVID-19, according to his letter to Becerra.

Florida can expand treatment options for patients by distributing therapeutics to providers working in areas with a low prevalence of Omicron or clinics capable of variant screening, his letter read.

Going a step further, Ladapo accused the administration of actively preventing the effective distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments in the U.S. and remarked that the sudden suspension of multiple monoclonal antibody therapy treatments from distribution to Florida removes a health care providers ability to the best treatment options for their patients in this state.

A spokesperson for HHS disputed that Ladapos claims, arguing the federal government never stopped allocating or shipping COVID-19 therapeutics to Florida.

With regard to monoclonal antibody treatments, the federal government has allocated about 22,000 doses in just the past two weeks (11,050 doses last week and 10,576 doses this week), the spokesperson told The Epoch Times Wednesday. Thats in addition to the approximately 28,000 doses of product that they have on hand from their previous orders.

As of now, Florida should have a strong supply of treatment regimens and more than most other states, said the HHS official, who added HHS will work with Florida to supply them with federal resources.

In his letter, Ladapo also referenced President Joe Bidens recent comment about there being no federal solution to deal with the two-year-long pandemic. The president suggested that state governments ultimately are in control of their own destinies.

Florida is a large, diverse state with one of the highest percentages of seniors in the U.S., and we must empower healthcare providers to make decisions that will save the lives of Americans everywhere without the dictates imposed by the federal government, Ladapo added in the letter.

Earlier this week, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott criticized the federal government for not distributing Sotrovimab after several infusion centers allegedly ran out of the treatment therapy.

On Wednesday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director (CDC) Rochelle Walensky, in a round of television interviews, said she was watching the nations caseload and its potential impact on health care providers due to the Omicron variant.

We may have many, many more cases and so we may still very well see a lot of severe disease in the hospitals, Walensky said.

States showing the highest daily infection numbers on Tuesday included New York, which reported as many as 40,780 cases, and California, which reported over 30,000. Texas reported more than 17,000 cases and Ohio over 15,000.

The Omicron variant was estimated to make up 58.6 percent of the COVID-19 variants circulating in the United States as of Dec. 25, according to data from the CDC.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A man uses a COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit at home in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2021. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Free COVID-19 Home Test Kits Now Available for Orange County Residents

SANTA ANA, Calif.The Orange County Health Care Agency announced on Dec. 28 free at-home COVID-19 tests kitssaliva-based and nasal swab optionshave been made available for those who live or work in the county.

Individuals can order self-collection test kits through the agencys website.

The test kits may be delivered to Orange County zip codes only and include prepaid return shipping.

The agency recommends those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who have been exposed to the virus, regardless of vaccination status, order the kits.

Within 2448 hours, the agency will fulfill the orders.

The agency suggested that individuals living in Orange County call their health care provider for a COVID-19 test before ordering a self-collection kit.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated COVID-19 guidelines by shortening the recommended isolation and quarantine period for the general population from ten days to five days.

In addition, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told ABC News testing at the end of isolation isnt required because PCR tests can stay positive for up to 12 weeks.

Orange County currently shows approximately 1,000 new cases, 322 new hospitalizations66 ICU patientsand 6 new deaths, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Over 6 million tests have been administered to date in Orange County, according to the agency.
GOP Lawmaker Seeks to Hold China Accountable for Its Unfair Trade Practices

A U.S. bipartisan bill seeks to hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for its unfair trade practices, according to Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), who co-sponsored the legislation with Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.).

The bill aims to stop [China] from dumping counterfeit products dumping, flooding the market with steel, as well as doing so through their proxy countries when confronted about it, Johnson told NTDs Capitol Report program. NTD is an affiliate of The Epoch Times.

Level the Playing Field Act 2.0, introduced on Dec. 2, also seeks to address cross-border subsidization. A lot of countries like China  subsidize their manufacturing industries to give  companies in their country the ability to lower their prices to a point where American companies cannot compete, said Johnson.

The congressman mentioned the case of a manufacturing company from Marietta, Ohio. He said the small firm had been affected by Chinas dumping of flexible magnets into Americanamely, selling these goods at less than fair valueat a cost that wasnt enough for the company to buy the raw materials necessary to make them.

The company, Magnum Magnetics Corp, filed a petition with the U.S. International Trade Commission, which determined that China and Taiwans dumping of raw flexible magnets dumping was threatening the American industry. As a result, the Commerce Departments International Trade Administration in September 2008 slapped anti-dumping duties on flexible magnets coming from China and Taiwan.

Yet, according to Johnson, China managed to circumvent the order, using Vietnam as a proxy to dump the same product into the American market. The same product started flooding into the United States undercutting that  small company, and they were right back at fighting that again, he said.

Rep. Johnson went on to say that China must understand that it should act sensibly as part of the community of nations, or face serious consequences.

The congressman argued that because of the CCPs suppression of freedom, China lacks the culture that breeds innovation and ingenuity, and thus relies on stealing know-how and technology from the United States and other Western nations.

According to Johnson, this makes the Chinese one generation away from extinction, a fact that Western countries should use to their advantage, by setting clear rules when dealing with China. The diplomatic boycott against the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022, by the United States, the UK, and other nations, helped send that message to the CCP, he said.

When asked about U.S. corporations dealings with China, Johnson said that some American companies exporting steel, technology and investments to China, are oblivious of the Chinese threat.

They dont understand that the technologies, even low-end technologies  can be built upon and used in military and intelligence gathering, particularly information technology, Johnson said.

Theyre so concerned about the bottom line in their financial balance sheet, that theyre willing to overlook what the Chinese are doing, and they dont understand the existential risk that the Chinese pose right now to the free world, he added.

The GOP lawmaker further mentioned that while the Trump administration had made some progress by addressing the CCPs threat on the trade front, he is concerned that the Biden administration might take its eye off the ball.

Yet, Johnson believes this is a cause that might band both parties together.

I believe the issue of China, the trade imbalance, the provocative actions of the Chinese government, is certainly something that will unite Republicans and Democrats, he said.
Govt Cant Be Trusted With Cellphone Tracking Amid Pandemic: Former Ontario Privacy Commissioner

Ontarios former privacy commissioner is sounding the alarm about the governments tracking of cellphone data to inform policy, after it was revealed recently that a federal agency has been analyzing the movements of Canadians since the onset of the pandemic.

It concerns me enormously that this would enable the government to collect more and more information, Ann Cavoukian told The Epoch Times.

I do not want to [see] a trend where the government is consistently doing this and starting now. You cant trust the government.

Cavoukian, who served as Ontarios privacy commissioner from 1997 to 2014, is founder of the advocacy group Global Privacy & Security by Design and heads the Privacy by Design Centre of Excellence at Ryerson University.

In March 2020, [Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau said that tracking cellphone users was not being considered. Well, they did it, PHACs been doing it, and they want to do it even more, Cavoukian said.

First reported by Blacklocks Reporter on Dec. 21, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has since confirmed that it has been using cellphone data to conduct analysis of Canadians anonymized movements in the context of the pandemic, and that it plans on expanding the program to other health issues and continuing it until 2026.

[Officials] say as soon as the emergency is over, were going to return to privacy. They dont. The privacy invasive measures that are introduced during emergencies, pandemics, etc., often continue well after the emergency is over, said Cavoukian.

She believes PHAC wanted to keep this under wraps  because they know people do not want to have their mobile devices tracked.

Part of the data used by PHAC was obtained through Teluss Data for Good program beginning in March and ending Oct. 8.

Cavoukian said shes not worried about the Telus data because they take privacy very seriously, noting that the company has obtained certification for various products and services five times through the Privacy by Design program she runs at Ryerson University.

However, she said shes concerned about other data sources used by PHAC that are unknown.

Other cellphone data PHAC accessed came from the Communications Research Centre (CRC), a little-known organization under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada that specializes in wireless research and big data analytics.

In partnership with CRC, PHAC has been producing report summaries to look at how movement trends of the Canadian population have changed over the course of the pandemic, including identifying new patterns to help direct public health messaging, planning, and policy development, PHAC said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

The health agency said it did not receive or collect any individual mobility data and that no individual-level data has been acquired or stored by PHAC.

PHAC is now looking for a contractor to provide it with a steady flow of de-identified cellphone data. It posted its request for proposal (RFP) online on Dec. 16.

In the statement of work in the RPF, the agency said that it requires access to cell-tower/operator location data that is secure, processed, and timely in addition to being adequately vetted for security, legal, privacy and transparency considerations to assist in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cavoukian perused the RFP and says the language reflects an intention to collect this data and retain it.

Shes also worried that some de-identification of data could be done very poorly and could be easily re-identified.

At the very least, the Privacy Commissioners Office should be all over this, and saying we need to examine exactly what measures you introduced to do this and how youre going to protect privacy and de-identify data such that it cannot be re-identified, she said.

Examine this from end to end. Look under the hood.

The Privacy Commissioners Office told The Epoch Times on Dec. 22 that it was seeking information from PHAC on the issue.

Other Jurisdictions Also Collecting Data

The federal government is not alone in using cellphone data to inform pandemic policies. Teluss Data for Good web page indicates the cities of Surrey, B.C., and Ottawa have used its program.

Many governments around the world have also been collecting this type of data and studying its use since the pandemic began.

Privacy International (PI), a UK-based NGO that works to promote privacy rights globally, has been tracking how various countries use cellphone data in their pandemic policies. PI says on its website that the emphasis on the use of locational data collected by mobile phone companies is primarily for enforcement purposes, to aid the monitoring and enforcement of social distancing.

A September 2020 article on the use of mobile phone data to inform COVID-19 pandemic policies, published in the science journal Nature, said the use of such data must be considered alongside a careful understanding of the behaviours and populations they capture.

The article addressed some of the shortcomings of using the data in public health policy, saying it is increasingly clear that the COVID-19 burden is not equally borne throughout the population. Using aggregate mobility flows to estimate population-level reductions in travel will fail to capture increased risk among essential workers unable to stay home.

In addition, the population more at-risk from COVID-19, the elderly, might not have the same cellphone habits as the younger population.

The authors also sounded a word of caution.

Collecting potentially sensitive identifiable data, perhaps passively or without opt-in consent, requires a deep, careful understanding of the legal, ethical, and privacy concerns surrounding the collection and use of these data relative to the potential public health applications and benefits, they wrote.

In all cases, transparent data policies must be used to ensure community engagement and appropriate use and dissemination of collected data.
Growing Reams of Survey Data Show Biden, Democrats Losing Grip on Hispanic Voters

News Analysis

Shock waves are still roiling the political universe weeks after a Dec. 8 Wall Street Journal story reported new survey data showing Hispanic voters souring on President Joe Biden and being evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

The same Hispanic voters who favored Biden, a Democrat, in 2020 by a two-to-one margin over Republican President Donald Trumpthen well on his way to fulfilling his 2016 promise to build the wall on the U.S. border with Mexicoare now split between the two parties, according to the Journal.

Forty-four percent said they would again back Biden in a 2024 rematch, while 43 percent marked themselves for Trump. Those numbers indicate a 20 point drop for Biden. If they hold in the next presidential election, the 2024 outcome could reverse 2020.

The same even split is seen in the Journals results among Hispanics regarding the two major political parties, with 37 percent identifying as Democrats and 37 percent identifying as Republicans.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), left, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) walk on Capitol Hill on Dec. 20, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

With Republicans already heavily favored to regain congressional majorities in 2022, an even split among Hispanics, who normally vote overwhelmingly Democrat at the congressional level, could be disastrous for Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

The Journal survey was conducted jointly by Democratic pollster John Anzalone and Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio. Their survey interviewed 1,500 registered voters, including 165 Hispanics. The small Hispanic sample would usually be a warning to not put too much stock in the results.

But the reason the shock waves didnt subside shortly after the Journal story appeared is that data showing a dramatic shift among Hispanic voters began emerging soon after the 2020 election, and the results of more recent surveys suggest that the trend is accelerating.

Strategists in both parties have been working since the 2020 election to calculate the size of the shift among Hispanic voters to the GOP and to understand its causes. One in-depth study, by Catalist, which compiles and analyzes voter data for Democratic candidates and progressive causes, found that Hispanic voters swung toward Mr. Trump by 8 points compared with 2016 in the two-party vote, the Journal reported.

President Donald Trump walks to Marine One en route to Ohio for a rally at the White House on Jan. 9, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Shifts in some parts of the country were larger. In its analysis of the 2020 electorate, Equis Labs, which studies the Latino electorate, found swings toward the GOP of 20 points in parts of Floridas Miami-Dade County; of 12 points in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas; and double-digit swings in parts of the Northeast. In South Florida, the shift was big enough to flip two congressional seats to the GOP, the firm concluded.

David Shor, research director of Open Labs R&D, a New York-based data analysis firm, told NPR on July 11 that the 2020 elections showed a definite shift among Hispanics away from Democrats to Republicans.

Basically everywhere where there were large concentrations of Hispanic voters, there were large swings in the 6 to 9 percent range. And, you know, that ranges from the Bronx in New York to Arizona to Massachusetts to California. This was a national trend that happened basically everywhere, Shor told NPRs Lulu Garcia-Navarro.

A more recent indicator of an accelerating trend among Hispanics away from Biden and the Democrats is seen in the most recent NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist College Poll, which found that 65 percent of Hispanic respondents disapproved of Bidens performance since taking office in 2021. Only 35 percent of Hispanic voters said they still supported Biden, with an unusually small 2 percent being unsure of who they would support.

The Hispanic results of the Marist survey, which was conducted during the second week of December among more than 1,000 registered voters, were far from the only worries that it produced for Biden and Democrats. Among respondents making less than $50,000 annually, 57 percent disapproved of Biden, compared to 37 percent approving. The numbers for those making more than $50,000 were similar, showing 55 percent disapproving and 42 percent approving.

Similarly, 52 percent of nonwhite voters disapproved of Bidens job performance, compared to 44 percent who approved of it. White college-educated suburban women were the only consistent Biden supporters in the survey.

People listen as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Gala on Sept. 15, 2016, in Washington.

(Brendan Smialowski /AFP/Getty Images)

University of Southern California (USC) sociology professor Manuel Pastor told The Epoch Times on Dec. 29 that the trend is definitely occurring.

To some extent, a lot of political analysts were surprised that Trump did as well with Latinos, or Hispanics, in the most recent presidential election, especially after four years of anti-immigrant rhetoric, though that was toned down a bit in the last year, he said.

Pastor, director of USCs Equity Research Institute (ERI), said the shift was initially attributed to Hispanic voters in Texas and Florida, particularly in areas on the U.S. border with Mexico.

The painting of the Democrats as socialists raises a lot of fears, not just among Cubans, but also other exiles that are immigrants to Florida and Texas, he said. In the borderlands of Texas, Hispanics are likely to have an undocumented cousin and an uncle who works for the Border Patrol, so they tend to be of two minds about how tough to be about the border.

The Republican inroads have been a little bit stronger or more widespread than that. Latinos are still overwhelmingly Democrats, but not at the same level as black Americans are.

Thats not entirely a surprise, as Latinos have long been a constituency that Republicans could make some inroads with because of family formation and family values [and] high levels of labor force attachment, which squares with work ethic, because of high levels of entrepreneurship.

The ERI describes itself as seeking to use data and analysis to contribute to a more powerful, well-resourced, intersectional, and inter-sectoral movement for equity.

Asked about Bidens high disapproval numbers, Pastor pointed to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the Hispanic community.

The Latino population has been super-hard hit by COVID, by the combination of the health impacts where the case rates have been much higher, and, especially, the death rates, which when you adjust for the age disparities, has been much higher than among black Americans, he said.

Lending support to Pastors analysis on the role of the virus is the fact that respondents rated COVID-19 as their number one concern in the most recent Ipsos-Axios Latino Poll, which was done in conjunction with Telemundo.
Security guards are walking in an area that is under restrictions following a recent coronavirus outbreak in Xi'an city, Shaanxi province, China, on Dec. 22, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Hard to Buy Groceries: Strict COVID-19 Lockdown Leaves a Chinese City Devastated

With COVID-hit Xian city tightly locked down, residents said they are facing the basic challenge of getting food.

More than 13 million residents in Xian, the provincial capital of northwestern Shaanxi Province, entered their sixth day of home confinement on Dec. 28.

Initially, one family member was allowed to leave the home to buy necessities every two days, but restrictions soon stepped up. Starting from Dec. 27, residents were barred from leaving their neighborhoods unless permitted to for COVID-19 testing.

Read More Editorial: Giving the Right Name to the Virus Causing a Worldwide Pandemic

A resident in the citys Yanta district shared about their difficulties buying groceries and other necessities to Chinese-language news outlet NTD, a sister media of The Epoch Times.

Now, the prices of vegetables have risen a lot  but the problem is you still cant buy any for even double the price, said the woman who goes by the surname Wang.

Wang said vegetables are hard to deliver as all the roads in Yanta district have been closed.

Xian has banned private vehicles from the roads since Monday. The public security bureau has told residents that breaking the rules could result in 10 days detention and a fine of 500 yuan ($80).

Officials said in a Monday notice that shopping could resume for people in less risky areas once test results come back negative, but did not say exactly when the suspension would be lifted. The city started a new round of mass testing on Monday.

It feels like a long time, a 22-year-old resident surnamed Jin told Reuters.

The fact that I havent yet been told when I can shop again makes me a bit anxious, he said after running out of fresh greens and unable to make orders online without waiting for nearly a week before delivery.

Chinas Twitter-like Weibo has been flooded with people complaining about problems getting food.

I cant remember how many days I have lived on instant noodles  now, there are no instant noodles left, wrote a user.

Residents in Xian have no food  please help.

Im really too hungry to sleep, a user wrote at midnight. I followed the authorities advice not to stock up on food at the beginning of the lockdown  now, my housing compound wont let me out, and there is no delivery service.

The hashtag, Hard to buy groceries in Xian garnered more than 160 million views on Weibo as of Tuesday evening. [I] feel Xian is not hit by the pandemic, but by famine, a user joked. All thats in the news is food, said another.

Local government-backed media said on Tuesday night that government workers are busy delivering food. Local authorities claimed on Monday that supplies have been stable as they tightened up travel restrictions.

Despite the sweeping measures the Xian government has taken, daily infections continue to rise. Xian city officially reported 175 new cases on Tuesday, pushing the total infected number to 810 since Dec. 9.

Given the Chinese regime is known to grossly underreport its virus numbers, the official figure is not likely to reflect the true total. But the figure represents the highest reported daily count across China since the outbreak first emerged in Wuhan city.

Cases linked to Xian have been detected in five other regions, including Chinas capital Beijing. Local authorities are under pressur to contain its latest COVID-19 outbreak driven by the spread of the Delta variant as Beijing is set to hold the Winter Olympics in six weeks, which the regime has pledged will be a COVID-safe Games.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Holmes Jury Heads Into Fifth Day of Deliberations

SAN JOSE, Calif.The jury weighing fraud charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes faces the fifth day of deliberations Tuesday. Holmes is facing 11 criminal charges alleging that she duped investors and patients by hailing her companys blood-testing technology as a medical breakthrough when in fact it was prone to wild errors.

The eight men and four women on the jury have been meeting in a San Jose, California, federal courthouse after absorbing reams of evidence during a high-profile trial that has captivated Silicon Valley.

Last week, the jurors sent out two notes to U.S. District Judge Edward Davilaone making a swiftly rejected request to take their instructions home with them for further study and another that that allowed them a replay of a 2013 recording of Holmes discussing Theranos dealings with prospective investors.

The jury completed Mondays session without providing any clues as to how far along it is in its deliberations. Jurors are scheduled to resume their discussions Tuesday morning.

The case has attracted worldwide attention. At its core is the rise and fall of Holmes, who started Theranos as a 19-year-old college dropout and then went on to break through Silicon Valleys male-dominated culture with her bold claims and fundraising savvy. She become a billionaire on paper before it all evaporated amid allegations she was more of a charlatan than an entrepreneur.

By Michael Liedtke
A woman walks in between a homeless encampment in Venice Beach, Calif., on Nov. 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Homeless Tents Pop Up Near LA Schools Despite Encampment Ban

LOS ANGELESDespite an ordinance prohibiting homeless encampments near schools and other public areas, some unhoused Angelenos have been camping out near schools, causing concern for student safety among educators and parents.

Some Los Angeles residents have noted several encampments near schools in various parts of the city, including a Catholic elementary school in Venice Beach most recently.

A Venice resident first noted encampments by the school in a Dec. 23 tweet showing pictures of the sidewalk with one tent on Dec. 21 and two tents on Dec. 23.

Encampment across from [Saint Mark School] is growing daily, again, the Twitter user wrote.

For comparison, a pre-pandemic picture of the same location filled with camps was later posted by the same Twitter user, who said Now [Councilman Mike Bonin] wont be happy until the sidewalk is completely blocked by hard drug users that scream profanities and/or assault families on the way to church or schoolAGAIN.

A homeless encampment in Venice Beach, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Earlier this year, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the city council passed Ordinance 41.18, which prohibits encampments in public areas and within a 500-foot radius from sensitive-use areas, such as schools, day care centers, parks, and libraries.

According to the ordinance, other prohibited areas include any overpass, underpass, freeway ramp, tunnel, or bridge designated by a districts councilmember.

However, enforcement of the ban in a district requires a motion to be introduced by the districts councilmember and approved by the council.

Bonin, who oversees District 11 and the Venice area, has a history of voting no on other councilmembers motions to enforce the encampment ban in their respective districts.

On Nov. 30, the council passed a motion to enforce the ban in seven locations of District 12, with dissent from Bonin and Councilwoman Nithya Raman.

Venice resident and neighborhood activist Rick Swinger told The Epoch Times that Bonins decision has caused public safety issues in the neighborhood.

Bonin has lost control, and his inactions are causing huge safety issues around our schools and neighborhoods, Swinger said. This ordinance to limit unregulated camping is a useful tool to guard our schools, but Bonin refuses to use it, creating chaos and crime instead of peace.

A homeless encampment in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

In another neighborhood in the city, students were also forced to walk in the street on their way to school as large tents blocked the sidewalk.

Los Angeles Police Departments (LAPD) South Traffic Division responded to a call on Dec. 15 from Downtown Value Charter Schools principal regarding encampments under Interstate 10 on Washington Boulevard and Toberman Street, LAPD Officer Vaughn told The Epoch Times.

Vaughn said that the principal had been notified by parents about the encampments.

LAPD Officer Payne told The Epoch Times that police remained at the scene for a few days after receiving the call, making a path in the street so that children could avoid oncoming car traffic while walking around the tents.

The encampments have since been cleaned up by the city, according to Payne.

The underpass was designated as an enforcement area by District 1s Councilman Gil Cedillo on Dec. 8.

Downtown Value Charter School, the Los Angeles Archdiocese, and the office of Councilman Mike Bonin didnt respond to requests for comment by press time.

Students and parents arrive for the first day of the school year at Grant Elementary School in Los Angeles on Aug. 16, 2021. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)
Hong Kong Voter Turnout at Historical Low Amid Worsening Political Environment

The majority of Hong Kong voters did not cooperate with the Hong Kong regimes patriots only Legislative Council elections this month.

The turnout at the Dec. 19 election was the lowest since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took over Hong Kongs sovereignty in 1997, with only 30.2 percent of the 4.5 million registered voters casting votes. Compared to the 2016 election, it was 28 percent lower.

In the run-up to the election, the CCP exerted stricter control than ever, turning the Hong Kong Legislative Council into a copy of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) in mainland China.

A video circulating online showed that when the pro-establishment campaign teams went door-to-door to campaign for votes, a citizen said sarcastically: Do you still need votes? Youll win without a doubt!

In Hong Kong, all pro-communist parties are known as pro-establishment parties, as opposed to those belonging to the pro-democratic camp.

Under the CCPs control, the reworked election rules excluded many pro-democracy candidates, and the pro-establishment candidates won all 90 seats in the Legislative Council election.

In 2019, a large-scale democratic movement erupted in Hong Kong, demanding universal suffrage. In November of that year, the turnout rate for the Hong Kong District Council (DC) election was as high as 71.23 percent, and the election results showed that 85.9 percent of new DC members were from the pro-democracy camp.

Communist Patriots Rule Hong Kong

In March of this year, the NPC amended Hong Kongs electoral system, officially claiming the slogan Patriots Rule Hong Kong would be fully implemented. After that, the Hong Kong regime swiftly cooperated and enacted the patriots only policy that supposedly limits the parliament to patriotic voters only. The term patriots here refers to politicians who follow the orders of the CCP, which has increasingly tightened its grip on Hong Kong.

Former district councilor Lancelot Chan has been suspended from running in any election for 5 years, because he belongs to the pro-democracy camp. He told The Epoch Times that this election is no different from the regime appointing people; its not an election.

If you want to run for office, you have to be nominated by the Election Committee first, and thats like bargaining with the devil. If he accepts the Election Committees conditions, he cant face his voters, Chen said.

The Election Committee is a pro-Beijing group consisting of 1,500 people from five sectors, one of which includes NPC deputies, CPPCC (Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference) members, and representatives of Hong Kong members of national organizations directly under the control of the CCP. To be nominated by them to run for election, one must have their approval.

The revised election system completely filters out all democratic legislators that the CCP does not like.

Hong Kongs Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she was pleased with the election results.

In the 2019 DC election, Hong Kongs democratic camp celebrated a historic victory, winning 389 of the 452 elected seats in 18 districts and gained control of 17 DCs, except for the Outlying islands. However, after the NPC amended the Hong Kong election system, there have been rumors that the regime would disqualify DC members and demand the return of their salaries and allowances since they took office, prompting more than 260 DC members to resign. Many others have lost their seats because they left Hong Kong or were imprisoned, such as former Central and Western district councilor Ted Hui Chi-fung, who is in exile, and former Southern district councilors Tiffany Yuen Ka-wai, Tsuen Wan Sham, and Lester Shum, who were sentenced to more than three months in prison.

During their swearing-in ceremony, 49 members of the democratic camp in Hong Kong were disqualified by the Hong Kong regime for not fulfilling their allegiance to the SAR and upholding the Basic Law. A total of 327 DC members have lost their seats, leaving only 62 in office.

Crackdown on Pro-democracy

After the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law was passed on July 1, 2020, the Hong Kong pro-democracy camp held a primary election for the Legislative Council general election and were accused of illegal activities by the regime. It resulted in the arrest of 47 people on grounds of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law.

In November of the same year, a number of pro-democracy legislators were disqualified by Beijing and the Hong Kong authorities, and the pro-democracy camp announced their collective resignation as a form of protest.

The Hong Kong regimes crackdown on dissenting voices is not only towards politicians, but is also commonly reflected in the crackdown on ordinary citizens who participated in the 2019 anti-revision movement.

From June 2019 to July 31, 2021, Hong Kong police arrested 10,265 people for participating in the pro-democracy movement, of which 2,684 were prosecuted, and 905 convicted, on charges including participation in a riot, unlawful assembly, and assault causing bodily harm.

The regimes unprecedented crackdown on freedom of speech, association, and assembly in 2021 has made Hong Kong people furious. But many are scared to speak out, because even just forwarding a post online that calls for casting a blank vote, will get one arrested.

Its defined by the revised election law as an illegal act to publicly influence someone to not vote or to cast an invalid vote during an election. This month, the Hong Kong regime issued a warrant for seven exiled former members of the Legislative Council and former DC members, and has arrested 10 people on this particular charge, two of whom have been charged.

Lowest Voter Turnout in Hong Kong History

Polling stations during the December 2021 Legislative Council election were quiet. Compared to the bustle of the DC election in November 2019, it was more like a referenduma vote by Hong Kong people on the electoral system.

An earlier opinion poll indicated that only 30 percent of voters would vote. The Hong Kong regime did everything they could to stimulate voter turnout because it was a matter of losing facetheirs and Beijings.

In addition to a massive and costly propaganda campaign, the CCP set up polling stations specifically near the border with the mainland.

A Hong Kong businessman in mainland China, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Epoch Times that a public security officer in Shenzhen called him and urged him to go to the border to vote, and another public security officer invited him to dinner. During the dinner, the officer handed him a pile of money, saying that he might need his help in Hong Kong to support the scene. The businessman said that the officers acted in such a matter-of-fact way that it seemed as if they had done it many times.

To make it easy and convenient for Hong Kong people to vote, the Hong Kong regime set voting day during the weekend and even arranged for free public transportation.

People took advantage of the free transportation, visiting Disneyland and shopping malls. They turned voting day into a holiday. But few voted.

In the spirit of nonviolent resistance the Hong Kong people refused to go along with the referendum.

Hong Kong Is Becoming More and More Like the Mainland

After the pro-democracy movement was suppressed by the regime in 2019, many Hong Kong citizens started to leave Hong Kong. In 2021 alone, the number was over 100,000. They have been working in finance, healthcare, education, government agencies, and international organizations. Along with their skills, they are also taking their wealth away with them.

According to Hong Kong financial analyst Jiang Tianming, people from mainland China will fill the vacant jobs and bring in new capital and gradually replace Hong Kongs middle and upper classes, and Hong Kong will increasingly become like an ordinary city within mainland China.

The CCPs constitution provides that all members of the NPC are elected, and the NPC should be the highest authority and legislative body in the country. The current Congress is composed of nine parties, including the CCP, and non-partisan members. But in reality, ordinary Chinese people have never been allowed to vote, and the NPC has no substantial legislative power nor is it the highest authority. In China, all power is ultimately in the hands of the CCP.

Epoch Times reporter Ying Ge contributed to this report.
A plane drops off immigrant children at Scranton International Airport on Christmas night, Dec. 25, 2021, while three buses stand ready for the next leg of their journey. (Courtesy Jim Gallagher, Aviation Technologies)

Immigrant Children Land at Scranton Airport Amid Lax COVID-19 Protocols

While wearing a mask to curb the spread of COVID-19 on an airplane and in airports is federally required, workers at the Wilkes Barre-Scranton International Airport in Pennsylvania say that only about half of the immigrant children, teens, and chaperones who have been flown into that facility on charter flights have been wearing masks.

Now, at least one airport worker has contracted COVID-19.

It leaves airport staff wondering if they want to take more flights or if they need to crack down on COVID mitigation protocols that have become lax on these flights, Jim Gallagher, an airport contractor, told The Epoch Times.

Gallagher is president of Aviation Technologies Inc., a fixed-based operator at the airport that has a government contract to fuel and facilitate federal aviation travel, including military, federal prison, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement flights. Lately, the contract has had them serving planes chartered by the U.S. departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services.

The airport has received four airplanes in December carrying hundreds of illegal immigrant children and adolescents to be resettled in the region, and three more planeloadseach with a capacity for 150 passengersare expected on Dec. 30, 31, and Jan. 1.

After crossing the southern border illegally, the children are being flown from Texas, placed on private charter buses in Pennsylvania, and then sent to destinations that airport workers are instructed not to disclose, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) told The Epoch Times in a statement.

Since learning of these flights, I have been in contact with airport officials and contacted the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services (HHS) to get answers from each agency on their protocols for notifying local officials, COVID-19 testing, criminal background checks, as well as the immigrants final destination. I have also discussed the issue with several of my colleagues in Congress to develop a plan to prevent immigrant resettlement flights from continuing to occur without consulting local officials, said Meuser, whose congressional district ends just outside the airport.

Wilkes Barre and Scranton are now border cities as a direct result of the Biden Administrations policies at the southern border. Since coming to office, President Biden resumed catch and release, ended Title 42 expulsions for illegal immigrants, and incentivized illegal immigration with the promise of amnesty in the House-passed Build Back Better Act.

These policies are the reason why this year, 2 million illegal immigrants crossed the border. Overdose fatalities are at an all-time high in my district and throughout the country because twice as much fentanyl has crossed the border this year compared to 2020.

Central and South American migrants await access into the United States at the El Chapperal migrant encampment in Tijuana, Mexico, on May 22, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Its the legal responsibility of HHS to safely care for unaccompanied children until they can be unified with a parent or a vetted sponsor, the department said in an email to The Epoch Times.

As part of the unification process, our Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facilitates travel for the children in its custody to their family or sponsors across the country. Over recent weeks, unaccompanied children passed through the Wilkes-Barre airport en route to their final destination to be unified with their parents or vetted sponsor, an HHS spokesperson said.

The ORR only cares for unaccompanied children 17 years of age and younger, not adults or families.

Christmas With the Feds

On Christmas night, the airport handled two immigrant-filled airplanes and about 240 young passengers. The last plane that night came in around 9 p.m. and most flights have been at odd hours, which has caused workers to scramble to staff the flights.

Airport workers noticed the children didnt speak English; instead, most spoke one of several dialects of Spanish common in far southern regions. A few seemed to be from the Middle East, based on their clothing. There was a typical mix of boys and girls.

Each child or teen had a single duffel bag with their name written on a piece of duct tape stuck to the bag. Some were crying when they got off the airplane, Gallagher said. Hundreds of children were on the tarmac in the dark because thats when they were sent.

We had to set every bag on the tarmac for the children to find their bag before they boarded the bus, Gallagher said.

The airport often takes diverted flights, and that is what some of these were. One plane was headed to the Allentown airport, but Allentown refused to take them.

They called us that morning and said look: Weve got a flight coming and we cant find a place to land. Will you take them? Gallagher said. That was Dec. 17. The plane landed around 10:30 p.m. with 150 people.

Another flight was diverted from New York.

In early June, ORR began distributing COVID-19 vaccines to eligible unaccompanied children, following CDC guidance. All unaccompanied children follow COVID-19 protocols and must be medically cleared to travel, the ORR said. While traveling, the children are required to wear masks and follow all federal guidelines for safe air travel.

Immigrants captured by Border Patrol agents are transferred to a hotel in Indio, Calif., on Oct. 18, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Meuser says families and young people are coming to the United States under false pretenses.

They think there is a welcome mat for the United States, and that upon arrival, they will have a better way of life. The drug cartels, and in a way, the Biden administration, are lying to these immigrants, that their trek to the United States will be easy, Meuser said.

The fact is, hundreds die on the perilous journey to the border, and some are deported after paying their life savings to a cartel for passage. It is a humanitarian crisis.

President Biden rescinded Executive Order 13888 that ensured Governors would be consulted and could prevent the relocation of illegal immigrants to their states. Although Governors no longer have such authority, [Pennsylvania] Governor [Tom] Wolf should be demanding answers from the Biden Administration, as I am.

Every Pennsylvanian should be concerned that the Biden Administrations policies have turned the southern border into a humanitarian crisis and our state into a border state.
A man wearing a Santa Claus costume helps an auto rickshaw driver to wear a protective face mask as he distributes the masks for free during the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Ahmedabad, India, on Dec. 24, 2021. (Amit Dave/Reuters)

India Boosts Arsenal Against COVID-19 With Merck Pill, 2 More Vaccines

BENGALURUIndia has approved Mercks COVID-19 pill and two more vaccines for emergency use as the worlds second-most populous country braces for a possible spike in coronavirus cases due to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

Asias third-largest economy has already said it will allow COVID-19 booster shots for some of its population as some Indian states logged an uptick in Omicron cases.

The emergency approvals come at a time measures are being taken to ramp up oxygen supplies and strengthen the countrys health infrastructure.

Molnupiravir will be manufactured in India by 13 companies for restricted use under emergency situation for treatment of adult patients with COVID-19, the countrys Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.

Mercks anti-viral pill molnupiravir was authorized by the United States last week for certain high-risk adult patients and has been shown to reduce hospitalizations and deaths by around 30 percent in a clinical trial.

Earlier this year, Aurobindo Pharma, Cipla, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and some others signed non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with Merck to manufacture and supply molnupiravir in India.

Two other COVID-19 vaccines, Serum Institute of Indias version of Novavax Incs shot, Covovax, and homegrown drugmaker Biological Es Corbevax were also granted emergency use approval, Mandaviya said on Twitter.

Medical experts have said India needs to double down on its vaccine campaign and some states have imposed night curfews and other restrictions in the run-up to New Year festivities to prevent a spike in infections and a repeat of summer 2021 when a devastating second wave of infections left tens of thousands dead.

The countrys inoculation drive so far has been dominated by a domestically produced version of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 shot by Serum Institute and Bharat Biotechs inactivated vaccine Covaxin.

India has so far administered 1.43 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses and 62 percent of its eligible population have received both doses. The country plans to start vaccinating those aged 1518 from Jan. 3.

By Chandini Monnappa
A Boeing 737 MAX airplane lands after a test flight at Boeing Field in Seattle, Wash., on June 29, 2020. (Karen Ducey/Reuters)

Indonesia Allows Boeing 737 Max Resume Operation After 2018 Fatal Crash

Indonesias Transport Ministry on Tuesday said that it has given the green light for the Boeing 737 MAX to resume operation, three years after the Lion Air tragedy that killed 189 people, following a review of the aircrafts system modifications.

We have coordinated with aviation authorities and operators from around the world, especially ASEAN. Until now, several countries have allowed the 737 MAX aircraft to resume operation, the Director-General of Air Transportation Novie Riyanto said in a statement, reported Indonesia media Tempo.

In October 2018, the Lion Air 737 MAX plunged toward the Java Sea shortly after taking off from Jakarta airport in Indonesia, killing all 189 people onboard the plane.

A similar crash happened in March 2019 involving one of the aircraft operated by Ethiopian Airlines, which saw 157 people killed, prompting the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground all Boeing 737 MAX planes.

According to Riyanto, the Indonesian government has decided to lift the ban on the Boeing 737 MAX after completing the evaluation of the aircraft system modification with several aviation regulators.

The activity was attended by representatives of the United States Federal Aviation Administration in Singapore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Boeing, and was also attended virtually by the Directorate General of Air Transportation, and Boeing Seattle, he said.

The government has asked the airlines to follow airworthiness directives and inspect their planes before they can fly the 737 MAX again, the ministry said.

The approval of the aircrafts return in Indonesia comes months after it returned to service in the United States and Europe, and follows the more recent lifting of grounding orders in countries including Australia, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Ethiopia.

China, the first country to ground the aircraft, also lifted the operating ban on the Boeing 737 MAX in December after assessing the aircraft safety adjustments to be adequate.

The FAA lifted its grounding ban on Boeing 737 MAX in November 2020 after its administrator, Steve Dickson, signed an order that allows the aircraft to return to commercial service, following a comprehensive and methodical safety review process that took 20 months to complete.

During that time, FAA employees worked diligently to identify and address the safety issues that played a role in the tragic loss of 346 lives aboard Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, FAA said in a statement.

FAA also noted that Dickson personally took the recommended pilot training and piloted the Boeing 737 MAX to experience the handling of the aircraft firsthand.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London on Sept. 27, 2021. (Steve Parsons/PA)

Policing of Insulate Britain Protests Costs 4.3 Million Pounds

Road-blocking protests carried out by the climate campaign group Insulate Britain have cost UK taxpayers at least 4.3 million pounds ($5.8 million), an investigation has found.

The information was collated by the PA news agency, which filed Freedom of Information requests to police forces who handled the protests.

Insulate Britain, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, demands that the government insulate all British homes to cut emissions. The group, which began a wave of protests in September, has blocked the M25 motorway, other roads in London including around Parliament, roads in Birmingham and Manchester, and around the Port of Dover in Kent.

The Metropolitan Police in London said it spent 4 million pounds ($5.4 million) dealing with the groups protests between Sept. 13 and Nov. 20.

Some 6,651 of the forces officers and staff were involved, at a cost of 3.1 million pounds ($4.2 million). A further 600,000 pounds ($806,000) was spent on deploying vehicles, while the overtime cost was 300,000 pounds ($400,000).

Four other forces provided figures totalling more than 300,000 pounds ($400,000) but only included overtime bills, meaning the actual cost of policing protests in their areas was considerably higher.

They were Hertfordshire Constabulary (185,000 pounds, or $248,000), Surrey Police (110,000 pounds, or $148,000), City of London Police (44,000 pounds, or $59,000), and Greater Manchester Police (10,000 pounds, or $13,000).

Commenting on the report, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter: Selfish Insulate Britain protests not only wreaked havoc on our roads & diverted emergency services away from vital work, a staggering amount of public money had to be spent to keep road-users safe.

The government-owned National Highways applied to the High Court for injunctions to ban protests on motorways and other main roads in England. It cost just under 220,000 pounds ($296,000) to obtain the first three injunctions.

Thanks to the injunctions weve brought, 11 protesters have now been jailed & well continue to act against this lawless behaviour while getting on with tackling climate change, Shapps said.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, described the cost of policing the protests as staggering.

Unfortunately, we have to police whats put in front of us, he said. Its disgusting that were having to spend that sort of money on these protests.

He described responding to the protests on 70 mph motorways as some of the most dangerous things my colleagues have had to do.

Insulate Britain spokeswoman Tracey Mallaghan said she believes the groups actions have made home insulation something people are talking about.

Asked why they blocked roads rather than conducting legal protests, she replied, It seems the only way we can get air time is by annoying enough ordinary people.

PA contributed to this report.
Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz speaks during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Dec. 9, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Israel Approves Measures After Inviting Palestinian President for Rare Meeting

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was invited by Israels Defense Minister Benny Gantz for a rare meeting to discuss security coordination and preventing ongoing violence and acts of terrorism.

Following the meeting, Gantzs office said he approved confidence-building measures, including the transfer of tax payments to the Palestinian Authority, the authorization of hundreds of permits for Palestinian merchants and VIPs, and approving residency status for thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

We discussed the implementation of economic and civilian measures, and emphasized the importance of deepening security coordination and preventing terror and violencefor the well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians, Gantz said in a statement on social media.

Abbas met with Gantz at his private residence in a Tel Aviv suburb on Dec. 28. The meeting marked the first time the Palestinian leader held talks with a senior Israeli official on Israeli territory in over a decade.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas gives a joint statement with the U.S. secretary of state at the Palestinian Authority headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah on May 25, 2021. (Alex Brandon/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The IsraeliPalestinian conflict is one of the worlds most enduring conflicts, but the Dec. 28 negotiations made no mention of a peace process.

The government of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has shown no interest in reviving peace talks, which broke down more than a decade ago, but has said it wants to reduce tensions by improving living conditions in the West Bank. Recent months have seen a surge in violence by Palestinians attacking Israelis in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as Israelis attacking Palestinians in the West Bank.

Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel, said he believes the Dec. 28 dialogue was positive, adding that the meeting itself was important at a time when we are security challenged in Judea and Samariawhich is commonly referred to as the West Bank.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog waves as he arrives at No. 10 Downing Street in central London on Nov. 23, 2021. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

We need to find paths for dialogue with the neighboring people in any way that can improve the lives of all of us and all the peoples, and certainly integrate into the impressively evolving regional fabric, Herzog said on Dec. 29.

In a separate incident, less than a day after Abbas met with Gantz, an Israeli civilian was wounded by gunfire in an attack on the Gaza border, the military said. The attack was the first instance of cross-border violence along the border of the Palestinian enclave in months and comes as Abbas drew condemnation from the enclaves Hamas rulers for his visit to Israel.

The Israeli military said it responded with tank fire at multiple Hamas terrorist positions in the Gaza Strip. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Hamas, the terrorist group that rules Gaza, slammed Abbas for meeting with Gantz, calling it reprehensible and condemnable, The Times of Israel reported.

This is an attack on the uprising taking place in the West Bank, said Hazim Qasim, a spokesperson for the designated terrorist groupapparently referring to a spate of recent attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians.

The Palestinians seek an independent state that includes all of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Hamas seized Gaza from Abbass forces in 2007, a year after the terrorist group won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections. Gaza has been under an IsraeliEgyptian blockade since then.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
This is a post about the absolutely insane, crushing restrictions being imposed on young, healthy vaccinated (often booster and often naturally immune) people by institutions of knowledge. In order to prove my thesis that these policies are misguided, let me start with some basics.

When it comes to COVID19, there are only 3 things any of us can do:

We can lower the risk of bad outcomes when we encounter the virus. We can delay the time to meet the virus We can engage in theater which does not delay the time to meet the virus

What goes in these buckets?

Category 1 (risk reduction) is easy. You cant modify your age, a huge risk favor, but you can modify your vaccination status, and you can modify your weight and general health.

Category 2 (delay time to virus) is harder. We dont have many well done studies, but theoretically if you sealed yourself in a bunker and ate canned food, you would do this. Wearing a snug n95 might also delay the time to meeting the virus. The challenge with these interventions is they are not sustainable by most people, and may lead to fatigue or backsliding, and thus the effect is transient.

Delaying serves two purposes:

For the individual, it makes sense if, by delaying, you can do something for category 1 that you cannot do today. If you are waiting for your vaccine, for instance, by all means delay. For the community it makes sense, if, by some delaying, the pandemic trajectory is bent and hospitals are less likely to be overwhelmed.

Delaying also has a downside. It may hurt your mental health, particularly when you do it effectively. If you need evidence of this damage: please see twitter.

Category 3 (useless, virtue signaling theater) is the most common. Wearing your mask when you enter a restaurant and walk to your table, but not when you sit there for two hours laughing and drinking is one example. The fact this policy exists reflects serious impairment in thinking and total failure of policy makers.

Making a 2-4 year old wear a cloth mask in day care (which the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the advice of the World Health Organization), but, of course, kids take the cloth mask off to nap next to each other for 4 hours in the same room! Theater.

Closing beaches and other outdoor activities. Wearing a mask outside. The list goes on and on, and most things we did fit in this category. On a side note: Here we review all data on masking.

Enter Young, Healthy College Kids

The vast majority are either double vaxxed or have natural immunity or both, and some are also boosted. They are young (lucky them!), and the majority are healthy. What more can such students do for Category 1? Nothing.

What about category 2? It appears that many universities are making college kids wear masks, restricting their movement, banning gatherings etc. Here is just one example of how extreme they are:

Emerson College in Boston has issued a stay in room directive for returning students next month  the same students already required to get boosted and tested twice a week. Sounds like fun pic.twitter.com/F5mUYZtDKP  Michael Tracey (@mtracey) December 23, 2021

These severe restrictions might actually delay the time till college kids meet the virus! But it does so with a huge disruption to their lives. All the wonderful things of being young require being very close to other people. Many simply cannot occur with a mask on.

Will these restrictions benefit the college kids? Absolutely not. When they eventually meet the virus and they will on vacation or next semester they will just be a little older, but have similar great chances of doing well.

Will the restrictions benefit society? Doubtful. After all, everyone not on a college campus is not following any of these ridiculous rules, and the pandemic trajectory will be dictated by those (aka 99.9% ) of places.

It will likely not even to protect the faculty and staff on campus, who will largely face risks when they leave work and go home and on vacation, and again, if these folks have already optimized Category 1, delay makes little sense.

Will it harm the college kids? Absolutely, it will. Their mental health will surely suffer from this isolation. It has already. I will say again: all of the joys of youth require being close to other people.

What is the net balance? The net balance is these policies are catastrophically detrimental to them. Moreover, there is no countervailing benefit to staff or society to justify the huge imposition. It is morally and scientifically bankrupt.

Truly, I cant even understand how anyone thinks these policies are justified. I am also surprised college students have accepted them with scant protest. I can only surmise that many have been mislead into thinking this sacrifice serves a broader interest (i.e. believe they are being altruistic), or that the incentives on their lives and career for conformity are so great they are afraid to speak up.

I suspect the strong link between restrictions and political party may also affect them. After all, the youth most strongly leans left (full disclosure: as do i!), and thus adheres to the identity badges of the left (but in my case, sadly, I spent too many years studying & publishing on scientific evidence to turn my brain off).

In short, draconian restrictions on vaccinated young people or those with natural immunity living in tiny pockets of college campus makes no sense, and is a policy that contributes to a harm in societal well-being. The policy is unethical and illogical.

To young people: I am personally sorry that those of us who recognized the futility and harm of these policies could not have done more to shield you from the anxieties and risk aversion of the irrational.

This article was originally published by Brownstone Institute. Republished under Creative Commons License 4.0.
A visitor sets up his camera in the Victoria Peak area to photograph the skyline in Hong Kong, on Sept. 1, 2019. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

Its the CCP That Thwarted Democracy in Hong Kong

Debunking Beijing's white paper on Hong Kong's democracy

Commentary

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) published a white paper on Dec. 20 that condemned the British government for not granting the Hong Kong people democratic election during its 150 years of colonial rule. The CCP then claimed that Hong Kong had to wait until its reversion back to Chinese sovereignty that its people could enjoy democracy.

The white paper, titled Hong Kong Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country Two Systems, stated: The British government repeatedly rejected all calls for democratic reform in Hong Kong. People in Hong Kong made numerous demands for democracy, but the British government rejected or ignored all of them.  Over a prolonged period in Hong Kong, there were repeated calls to establish a municipal council, to provide elected seats in the Legislative Council, and to restructure the Legislative Council, as well as requests for local autonomy. All were rejected by the British government.

This is the standard accusation the CCP levelled against the British for the lack of democracy in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, this accusation is well received not only by people in China, but also by many scholars abroad. Nothing could be more fallacious.

The fact is the CCP had threatened twice to take back Hong Kong once the British started some sort of democratic reform in its colony. Consequently, the British succumbed.

This unbeknown fact finally came to light in 2002 when the British government declassified a batch of secret documents, including a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) file, numbered 40/327 (see exhibit 1).

The first historian who wrote about the discovery was Mao Laiyou. In a 2014 article published in VJ Media, Mao explained why there was no democracy in Hong Kong under British rule. He attached two exhibits of the original documents: one message from then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and another from Liao Chengzhi, Zhous right-hand man who was handling Hong Kong affairs at the time. Both documents were kept in the FCO.

Exhibit 1: Screenshot of Mao Laiyous post showing the folder containing document FCO 40/327. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

According to Mao, these two documents were provided at the request of Sir Murray MacLehose, the then-governor-designate of Hong Kong. Before he formally took up the new office, on May 3, 1971, he had a dialogue with Kenneth Michael Wilford of the FCO about Hong Kong affairs. MacLehose said he had heard that China opposed any move by the British to democratize the colony. He wanted to know if there were any official records to verify the claim. Wilford then produced the two documents showing Beijings displeasure at the idea of democratizing Hong Kong.

Zhou Enlais message was relayed in a note from Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Cantlie to former British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan. It reads:

With regard to Hong Kong there was an important point he (Zhou Enlai) wished to put forward personally to Mr. MacMillan or at least to his deputy. A plot, or conspiracy, was being hatched to make Hong Kong a self-governing Dominion like Singapore. This had the approval of several members of the British and Hongkong Governments. He wished Mr. MacMillan to know that China would regard any move towards Dominion status as a very unfriendly act. China wished the present colonial status of Hong Kong to continue with no change whatsoever. See exhibit 2 below.

Exhibit 2: Screenshot of Mao Laiyous post showing the document on Zhou Enlais warning. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Kenneth Cantlie (18991986) was the son of Sir James Cantlie, the teacher of Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China. Sir James was instrumental in rescuing Sun when he was held captive in the Chinese Legation in London in 1896. Because of their close ties, Sir James asked Sun to be the godfather of Kenneth.

Kenneth was a prominent railway engineer who helped build railways in Argentina, India, and China. The British National Railway Museum kept a Kenneth Cantlie Archive. According to Leena Lindell, the archivist, Official documents and correspondence found in the collection also shed light on the political relations of the two countries in a tumultuous cold war era.  Crucially, he [Kenneth Cantlie] acted as a go-between for Premier Zhou Enlai and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan delivering messages relating to sensitive political issues such as UN membership, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Sino-British trade embargo in the 1950s.

The FCO 40/327 files contained another document that expressed similar misgivings toward the democratization of Hong Kong and even threatened to take back the city by force. This was a message delivered by Liao Chengzhi to a left-wing trade union group. Liao was the chief of the State Councils Office of Overseas Chinese Affairs. At that time he was assisting Zhou in overseeing Hong Kong affairs. The document reads:

American imperialism is our dreadful enemy and there is no doubt that the British do not like this proposal.  If the work in educating and bringing compatriots in the New Territories into unity were properly done, the American imperialists would never succeed. Should the proposal come from the British it would be a different matter. We shall not hesitate to take positive action to have Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories liberating as, up to this very moment, we have never recognized Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories as British territories. However, the present status of Hong Kong is to our benefit. Through Hong Kong we can trade and contact people of other countries and obtain materials we badly need. For this reason, we have hitherto made no demand for the return of Hong Kong. You are patriots. On return to Hong Kong, you should do what you ought to do. We want to get back Hong Kong in a good state and not in a state of ruin. See exhibit 3 below.

Exhibit 3: Screenshot of Mao Laiyous post showing Liao Chengzhis message. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

The document mentioned an American proposal on the New Territories, but this proposal was unclear. The colony of Hong Kong consisted of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula, which were perpetually ceded to Britain, and the New Territories, which was leased for 99 years. Given this fact, it could be deduced that the United States might have proposed to make the New Territories an autonomous area. Such a proposal would have undermined British rule.

According to Mao, Liao asked the left-wing trade unionists to pass this message to the British authority in Hong Kong.

The de-classification of these documents proved that the CCP from very early on frowned upon the democratization of Hong Kong and forced the British to give up such plans.

I can provide an anecdote that proved that it was the CCP that stopped all local efforts to democratize Hong Kong.

In the 1970s, I regularly attended the monthly function of the Marco Polo Club, founded by the late barrister Percy Chan (19011989) in 1959. This club (not the Cathay Pacific Airlines VIP club bearing the same name) served as a united front outfit of the CCP through which China maintained unofficial contacts with the West at a time when it practiced self-imposed isolation.

Chan had been very active in the early post-war years fighting for democratic reform in Hong Kong. He set up the Hong Kong Chinese Reform Association (HKCRA) in 1949 along with Ma Man-fai (19051994), an ardent advocate of self-rule in the British colony. In July 1949, they held a colony-wide petition, asking the British government to give Hong Kong greater autonomy.

He told me personally that soon after the CCP gained power, the HKCRA became a pro-Beijing organization. The CCP advised him not to further pursue the quest for self-rule or democratization. Since then, the HKCRA no longer paid attention to democratic reform, but focused only on peoples livelihood issues.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
An aerial view shows the storage tanks for treated water at the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, on Feb. 13, 2021. (Kyodo/Reuters)

Japan Maps out Action Plan for Disposal of Fukushima Water

TOKYOJapans government on Tuesday mapped out a plan for releasing contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, including compensation standards for local industry and the compilation of a safety assessment report.

Japan said in April it would discharge more than 1 million tonnes of contaminated water in stages after treatment and dilution, starting around spring 2023. The announcement provoked concerns from local fishermen and objections from neighboring China and South Korea.

Earlier this month, the plants operator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) outlined detailed plans for the disposal, including building an underwater tunnel to release the water.

Under the government scheme, Japan aims to set standards for compensation for damage caused by what it described as harmful rumors on local industries such as fishing, tourism, and agriculture, while reinforcing monitoring capability and transparency to avoid reputational damage.

Japan also expects the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to compile an interim safety assessment next year, based on its review over the safety of the treated water, competence of local analytical laboratories, and regulatory frameworks, it said.

In an effort to improve transparency to gain the trust of the international community, Japan asked the IAEA in April to conduct a review to assess and advise on the handling of the water.

A decade after a massive earthquake and tsunami ravaged the countrys northeastern coast, disabling the plant and causing the worlds worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, nearly 1.3 million tonnes of contaminated water has accumulated at the site.

The water, enough to fill about 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools, is stored in huge tanks at an annual cost of about 100 billion yen ($870 million), and space is running out.

Japan has argued the release is necessary to press ahead with the complex decommissioning of the plant. It says similarly filtered water is routinely released from nuclear plants around the world.

($1 = 114.8900 yen)

By Yuka Obayashi
Ghislaine Maxwell, the Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, watches as Lawrence Visoski, longtime pilot of the late Jeffrey Epstein, is cross examined during her trial in a courtroom sketch in New York City, on Nov. 30, 2021. (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters)

Judge for Ghislaine Maxwell Trial Trying to Avoid a Mistrial Over Omicron

NEW YORK CITYThe judge presiding over the Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking trial has asked jurors to continue attending court ahead of the New Years period, expressing concern over the speed of spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Noting the astronomical spike in COVID-19 cases, Judge Alison Nathan requested that jurors be available to deliberate on Dec. 30 and 31, which were originally scheduled as days off for New Years. Additionally, the days will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., instead of finishing at 5 p.m.

Nathan noted that the jurors can take as much time as they need to deliver their ruling. She also noted that, if they choose, they can stay later than 6 p.m. going forward.

She said specifically she was trying to avoid a mistrial due to the Omicron variant.

The jury is now into their fourth full day of deliberations on the innocence or guilt of Maxwell to six federal counts, including sex trafficking of minors, enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and three counts of conspiracy.

Maxwell faces up to 70 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

The jurys somewhat convoluted question to the court regarding a specific element of a specific charge against Ghislaine Maxwell was answered by Nathan on Dec. 27 in favor of the prosecution. At the time, Maxwells defense team voiced its objection.

In the early morning hours of Dec. 28, the defense sent a followup letter to Nathan on the issue, which saw further debate on the topic in the courtroom at about 10 a.m. EST.

When defense attorney Christian Everdell started his discussion of the topic again, Nathan said he was seeking a third bite of the apple, but added, Go ahead, and heard the latest version of his argument.

Prosecutor Alison Moe had previously said to Nathan, The jury has been accurately instructed on the law and thats all thats required.

Nathan stood by her original answer to the question, which was for the jury to follow specific directions written out in their instructions.

There was no new activity until 4:45 p.m. when the jury sent its latest note that read, Our deliberations are moving along and making progress, and then requested to be dismissed at 5 p.m.

Nathan brought the jury in and granted their request, while noting the changes in scheduling going ahead.
Ghislaine Maxwell Found Guilty on Sex-Trafficking Charges

NEW YORKAfter five days of deliberation, on Dec. 29, a jury found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty on five of the six sex-trafficking charges brought against her in federal court.

Maxwell was found guilty on the following charges:

Count One: Conspiracy to Entice Minors to Travel to Engage in Illegal Sex Acts

Count Three: Conspiracy to Transport Minors With Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

Count Four: Transportation of a Minor With Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

Count Five: Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking of Minors

Count Six: Sex Trafficking of Minors

The jury found her not guilty on count two: Enticement of a Minor to Travel to Engage in Illegal Sex Acts.

Earlier in the day, the jurors had requested transcripts of five witness testimonies. The jurors were off for two days for the Christmas holiday and were originally scheduled to have two days off for New Years, but Judge Alison Nathan requested they be available to work through them.

At 4:57 p.m., all parties were assembled in the courtroom, and Nathan told them, We have our verdict. She asked everyone to remain seated and calm and reminded them that there were federal marshals in the room in case they were needed. After the verdict was read, she thanked everyone in the room and told them they were adjourned.

The testimony of Jane, who testified how her abuse by Maxwell and deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein started when she was 14, was directly related to counts one through four.

Each of the nonconspiracy charges contained elements (up to four), and if the jury decided just one of them wasnt satisfied in the nonconspiracy charges, then Maxwell was not guilty of the entire charge.

Maggy Krell, a human rights attorney, a former prosecutor in the California Office of the Attorney General, and author of the forthcoming book on sex trafficking Taking Down Backpage, had anticipated a quick verdict.

In my experience, holiday jurors tend to be decisive, she told The Epoch Times. And I dont think this case was overly complicated.

You dont learn in law school when jurors are coming back.

Krell is aware of the grooming techniques of potential victims the prosecution presented in its case.

Thats how grooming works. Its a classic technique of predators, and its totally ubiquitous, she said.

Krell said that even though the Maxwell case involves famous, wealthy people and private jets, In a lot of ways, its a very basic sex-trafficking case thats playing out throughout the country, because the techniques are so classic from the traffickers playbook, and thats the grooming, she said.

As a former prosecutor, Krell knows how dubious a jury can be.

It only takes one juror to not agree, she said. Finding 12 people to agree is challenging.

As for sentencing, some of these counts have 10-year mandatory minimums, said Krell. The judge [will] have to determine what she deserves under these circumstances.

Judges tend to not go light on defendants like this, she said.

Sentencing will be in 2022.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is the focus of a new bestselling book that exposes the corrupt business of medicine and politics. Among the major revelations is on how Fauci oversaw experiments in the 1990s, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), that abused foster children in human experiments for an experimental HIV drug, where many children died. The book is by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and is titled The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health.

Meanwhile, theres been an interesting shift in federal government policy on the pandemic. Now, President Joe Biden is saying there is no federal solution to the COVID-19 pandemic and that this gets solved at the state level. Biden made these statements during a Dec. 27 meeting with the National Governors Association and the White House COVID-19 response team. He also stated, It ultimately gets down to where the rubber meets the road, and thats where the patient is in need of help or preventing the need for help. He also noted that some governors were curious about possible vaccine requirements for domestic air travel, following statements from Fauci, saying the United States should seriously consider such mandates, but that people shouldnt expect a mandate.

As this is happening, the CDC is now shortening its quarantine guidelines for the general population. This reverses a previous recommendation by cutting the number of days Americans need to spend in isolation if they catch COVID-19 from 10 days to 5. This is regardless of vaccination status. This allegedly follows data showing that people who contract the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus are the most infectious two days before and three days after they start showing symptoms. This also comes amid data showing that the Omicron variant is leading to far fewer hospitalizations than previous strains, but also amid government claims that the virus season may peak in January.

In this live Q&A with Crossroads, Joshua will discuss these stories and others, and answer questions from the audience.

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An Orange County Transportation Authority bus transports passengers to Fullerton, Calif., on March 1, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Man Dies After Being Hit by Bus in Orange County

FULLERTON, Calif.A man was struck and killed by an Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus on Dec. 26, Fullerton Police said in a statement.

Police reported to the scene in the southbound lanes of Harbor Blvd., south of Valencia Mesa Dr., shortly after receiving a call from the OCTA bus driver at around 6:38 p.m.

Harbor Blvd. in Santa Ana, Calif., on Aug. 24, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Officers arrived to find the man unresponsive along with the OCTA bus driver that remained on the scene.

The pedestrian was immediately transported to the hospital where he later passed away.

Officers suspect the man was walking in the traffic lanes when he was hit by the bus.

The identity of the victim was not released.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Fullerton Police Investigator H. Barclay at (714) 738-6815.

Anonymous tips can be sent to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1(855) TIP-OCCS.

An Orange County Transportation Authority bus stop in Costa Mesa, Calif., on March 3, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Many Children Hospitalized With COVID-19 Are Admitted for Another Reason: CDC Director

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director (CDC) Dr. Rochelle Walensky says the number of hospitalizations for children with COVID-19 has increased in recent days, but she pointed out that many of them are not related to the virus.

Many of them are actually coming in for another reason. But they happen to be tested when they come in and theyre found incidentally to have COVID, she told MSNBC on Dec. 29, referring to the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Walensky also noted that the high number of child hospitalizations is common for this time of year, adding that children more often dont require intensive care unit treatment. Toward the end of the segment, Walensky said that children who are eligible should receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

The CDC director, who has come under fire for her messaging on the COVID-19 pandemic since she was appointed this year, was asked about a report suggesting that the average number of hospitalizations for children who have COVID-19 has increased 52 percent as of Dec. 26. New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Florida, and Ohio saw the highest increases.

Its winter, and this is a winter virus, and this Omicron is particularly contagious, so I think you were going to see an increase anyway, Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, told Today earlier this week. Offit similarly noted that many children have tested positive for COVID-19 without showing any symptoms.

We test anybody whos admitted to the hospital for whatever reason to see whether or not they have COVID, and were definitely seeing an increase in cases. However, were really not seeing an increase in children who are hospitalized for COVID or in the intensive care unit for COVID, Offit said.

The average number of daily confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States hit a record high of 258,312 over the past seven days, a Reuters tally showed on Dec. 29, as U.S. officials weigh the impact of the more transmissible Omicron variant.

But during a COVID-19 briefing at the White House the same day, Walensky said that despite the record surge, hospitalizations are relatively lower than previous waves.

The average seven-day COVID-19 hospitalization number is up 14 percent from the previous week to about 9,000 per day, although the seven-day average case rate has increased by 60 percent.

Data procured from other countries showed that Omicron presents less severe disease and lower hospitalization rates. However, Walensky said its still too early to tell.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A woman wearing a mask stands near an ad featuring models for makeup products, in Beijing, on Dec. 28, 2021. (Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)

Mercedes Draws Flak for Insulting China With Slanted-Eyes Model

German automaker Mercedes-Benz provoked anger in China for using a model with slanted eyes in a video advertisement.

The Asian-looking female model, featuring small, slanted eyes and high cheekbones, drew criticism from nationalistic Chinese netizens upon its release via Chinese social media platform Weibo on Dec. 25.

The relevant hashtag has since generated about 250 million views and 150 million comments by users. Hu Xijin, former chief editor of Chinese state-owned tabloid Global Times newspaper said he was extremely frustrated and angry at the advertisement.

According to the paper, some netizens were not happy with the way makeup was applied on the model. The makeup of the female model looked like slanted eyes and once again aroused a heated discussion from netizens with many blaming that the makeup reflects Western stereotypes about Asian people.

Mercedes took down the advertisement on Dec. 28, according to Chinese state media.

Some Chinese internet users have become infuriated.

This is a deliberate test of [our] bottom line, wrote netizen ManYao on Dec. 28.

Yet, other netizens see the way Asian models are depicted as normal and called for respect for cultural diversity and individuals preferences. For either ancient drawing of Chinese ladies or from the ancient makeup history, the slanted eye has always been a feature of Chinese makeup.  I dont see whats wrong with the eyes of the model in this advertisement, a netizen said on Dec. 30 via Weibo.

Mercedes is only the latest company to receive criticism for using Asian-looking models in advertisements. In 2019, a local Chinese snack brand, Three Squirrels, featured advertisements for noodle products on its Weibo microblogging account, showing a Chinese model. Critics accused the company of defaming China over its selection of models and makeup styles.

The food company apologized in a statement, saying the model is Chinese and the makeup style was designed to suit her natural features.

The Chinese #snack brand Three Squirrels was criticized for using a female model with slanted eyes in an advertisement. The company denied the posters were deliberately smearing #Asians. The model is #Chinese, and her makeup style is based on her personal characteristics. pic.twitter.com/fHl5OsrMUA   Ifeng (@IFENG__official) December 27, 2021

The model featured in its advertisements has spoken out against criticism.

Just because my eyes are small, Im not good enough to be a Chinese person? I dont know what to say to these comments  Im really helpless, the model said in a Weibo post under the handle Cai Niangniang.

As a professional model, what I need to do is be photographed according to what the client wants, she said, calling such nationalism sickness.

A netizen disagreed with the insulting China allegation. On the contrary, I think this model is very beautiful, because she has a high-class face, he said in a Twitter post.

Foreign brands in China are trying to court Chinese shoppers but have gotten caught in the crosshairs of Chinese nationalism.

In November, luxury brand Dior, apologized and withdrew a photo, depicting an Asian model clutching a Dior handbag, from an art exhibit. The model had freckles and wore very dark makeup. In response to criticism in China, the company removed related content from social media and said that it respects the feelings of the Chinese people.

It is not the first time the French brand decided to tow Beijings line. In December 2019, the company issued an apology after it was criticized for using a map of China during a business presentation that didnt include Taiwan.

In November 2018, Italian luxury fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana saw its goods pulled from Chinese e-commerce sites after presenting a brand model using chopsticks to eat Italian food in its online promotional videos.

Chinese netizens saw it as mocking Chinese culture, which soon sparked an outcry nationwide, including calls for a boycott on social media and the cancellation of one of its biggest shows in Shanghai.

Last week, Intel stoked nationalist fervor in China by asking suppliers not to source products or labor from Chinas Xinjiang, where more than 1 million Uyghurs are held in detention camps.

Meanwhile, Walmart faced backlash on Chinese social media after it stopped offering products from the northwestern region in its China-based stores.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship is seen docked in the island of Cozumel, off the coast of Mexico's Quintana Roo State, on June 16, 2021. (Elizabeth Ruiz/AFP via Getty Images)

Mexican Government Allowing Cruise Ships With COVID-19 to Disembark

Mexico will allow cruise ships carrying people infected with COVID-19 to dock, the countrys government announced on Tuesday.

In a news release, the government said it will allow passengers who show symptoms of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, to disembark but they must quarantine. Those who test positive will be provided with medical assistance.

In accordance with the biosafety protocols established in the national and international spheres, the Government of Mexico will receive in its maritime ports cruise ships that request to dock in our country, they said in a statement.

Asymptomatic people or those with a mild condition will be kept in preventive quarantine, while individuals who present serious symptoms will be treated in the hospitals of the cities where they disembarked.

Passengers or crew who do not show symptoms of COVID-19 will enjoy free transit but must follow preventative measures such as wearing face masks, regularly washing hands with soap and water, or using 70 percent alcohol-gel, and maintain a healthy social distance.

The release also said that a cruise ship that was recently denied entry to a Mexican port would be allowed to dock but did not provide further details as to which cruise ship it was referencing.

The Mexican state of Jaliscos health department confirmed in a statement to media outlets on Dec. 29 that 21 crew members onboard the Koningsdam cruise line tested positive for the virus when it arrived in the tourist resort city of Puerto Vallarta over the weekend.

Holland America confirmed in a statement on Saturday to news outlets that a small number of fully-vaccinated crew on Koningsdam tested positive for COVID-19.

All are showing mild or no symptoms and are in isolation. Close contacts have been quarantined out of an abundance of caution, the cruise line said.

According to the Jalisco health department, all crew members were tested for COVID-19 prior to departure on Dec. 19 and just one person tested positive for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19.

Regarding a cruise ship that was denied access in two maritime ports of our country, it is reported that it will be received in the port of Guaymas, Sonora, with the support of the government of that entity, the Mexican government said on Tuesday.

The Secretaries of Health and Tourism of the Government of Mexico reiterate the commitment to respect the provisions of the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO), for which cruises will be received in ports maritime of the country, the release continued.

Our country maintains its policy of solidarity and fraternity, as well as the principle of non-discrimination towards all people, so the health and tourism authorities remain pending to provide necessary medical assistance to those who visit us for recreational, work, commercial reasons, and academics, among other activities, carried out in compliance with national laws, the release said.

Mexico is one of the few countries in the world that has not implemented travel bans, testing requirements, or mandatory face mask wearing for visitors.

The countrys deputy health secretary, Dr. Hugo Lopez-Gatell Ramirez, said on Nov. 27 that travel restrictions and border closures in response to the recently discovered Omicron variant of the virus are unhelpful measures that will affect the economy and well-being of the people.

It [Omicron variant] has not been shown to be more virulent or to evade the immune response induced by vaccines, Ramirez said last month.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 298,777 deaths from the CCP virus in Mexico. Some 138,851,637 vaccine doses have been administered.
Shipping containers wait to be transferred from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Oct. 14, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Neighborhood Decries LA Ports Plan for New Cargo Parking Lot

Residents living next to the overloaded Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are not happy about the harbors plans to build a new container parking lot in their neighborhood, according to a local official.

Wilmington has taken the brunt of increased truck traffic and containers this year, said Wilmington Neighborhood Council board member Valerie Contreras.

If you have trucks weighing 80,000 pounds going through here, where our children are playing, thats a hazard, Contreras said. The port has to put these containers somewhere, but weve done our fair share.

Shipping containers are left on the streets where their children play, creating safety concerns, she said. One container also fell off the back of a semi-truck in October, crushing a parked passenger car.

As the ports continue to deal with an overload of cargo during this years supply chain crisis, the Los Angeles Harbor Department has proposed building a new parking lot in Wilmington to store cargo boxes. The John S. Gibson Container Parking Lot project plan was released last week.

Contreras and other council members plan to schedule a special neighborhood meeting at the beginning of the new year to ask the LA Harbor Department about the proposal.

We are happy its not in a residential area, but were not happy that they continue to backfill Wilmington like its part of the port, Contreras told The Epoch Times. The impacts are enormous.

The community of about 54,000 people is located adjacent to the port complex. Wilmington is made up of nearly 90 percent Latino residents, according to the U.S. Census.

Contreras said Wilmington has become a target for the city because most of the residents are low-income and of Latin descent.

Were just this economic engine for the city of LA, Contreras said.

The plan proposed by the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports calls for building the 19-acre site along John S. Gibson Boulevard. The lot would be enclosed by 30-foot walls and would be used to load, unload, and store trucks and containers.

Upon the citys completion of the project, the parking lot would be sold or leased to a private operator.

The site is expected to increase truck traffic in the area, with over 350 daily one-way trips to the site and nearly 100 more trips to the port, according to the report.

At full capacity, the lot could hold a maximum of about 2,000 shipping containers, if they are stacked five high, according to a study published by the city of Los Angeles.

City planners mostly expect companies to store cargo containers on truck chassis or trailers. But the design also allows full containers to be stacked three high and empty boxes to be stacked five high.

The proposed sites boundaries are on the edge of Harbor City, Wilmington, Long Beach, and Rancho Palos Verdes.

Currently, the land can only be used for open space, according to city zoning laws. The property is covered in sparse vegetation and is vacant except for two abandoned cell towers, a partial road, and abandoned oil pipelines and utilities.

Studies at the site have found that some of the land is contaminated with crude oil chemicals and by-products, which are being monitored by the Western Fuel Oil Company.

The twin ports approved a container dwell fee in October to try to encourage companies to remove containers more quickly from the terminal area. Companies would face a $100 per day fine for each container left longer than nine days, if transported by truck, and six days if moved by rail. The fine would escalate by $100 per day until the cargo was removed.

However, the ports continued to delay the implementation of the new fee and will reevaluate the start date on Jan. 3, both ports announced Dec. 27.

The Los Angeles port reported that about 72,000 empty containers were stored at locations in or around the area on Dec. 28.

A longtime crane operator at the ports said the lack of space due to the container pileup in the yard may be contributing to the supply chain backup.

I think we are backed up in our yards, and I think that is another reason why things are going slow, Steve, a 26-year longshoreman at the docks who declined to use his last name, told The Epoch Times.

Before the crisis, four to five cranes were operating per ship, per terminal. Now the terminals only operate one or two cranes per ship, he said.

Under the direction of President Joe Bidens administration, the ports reportedly started operating around the clock to ease the crisis, but not many longshoremen want to work the extra shift from 3:00 to 8:00 am, Steve said.

Nobody likes to work that shift, he said. I dont see anything going on at that time at all.

The public has until Jan. 17 to submit comments about the John S. Gibson Container Parking Lot project to the citys Harbor Department. Comments can be submitted in writing or via email to ceqacomments@portofla.org.

A request for comment about the project submitted to Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino, who represents the area, was not returned by press time.
The New Mexico Capitol in Santa Fe on June 5, 2005. (Einar Einarsson Kvaran/Wikimedia Commons, CC3.0)

New Mexico to Raise State Minimum Wage to $11.50 for the New Year

New Mexicos minimum wage will once again be raised by a dollar at the start of the new year on Jan. 1, 2022.

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) alerted employers and workers that the minimum wage would go up from $10.50 per hour to $11.50 per hour.

The state tipped minimum wage will be set at $2.80 per hour from $2.55 per hour.

The Minimum Wage Act is a responsible and phased approach to increasing pay for New Mexicans, said NMDWS Acting Secretary Ricky Serna.

NMDWS takes seriously its responsibility to ensure compliance with minimum wage laws through education, technical support and enforcement.

The latest minimum wage increase, the third since 2019, is in accordance with an amendment to the New Mexico Minimum Wage Act that was signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 1, 2019.

The law will gradually raise the statewide minimum wage to $12 by 2023.

The minimum wage in New Mexico prior to the passing of the act in 2019 was $7.50 an hour.

The NMDWS stated that the minimum wage is the lowest wage that an employer is legally required to pay workers and that the agency will enforce the new state minimum wage law.

The cities of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and Santa Fe County, are not affected by the amendment as they have already enacted their own minimum wage increases that are higher than the state requirements.

The NMDWS is requiring employers to post a copy of the New Mexico Minimum Wage Act in a place where all workers can easily see it.

A nationwide push for raising the state and Federal minimum wage to $15 an hour has been increasing lately from labor advocacy groups and Democrats.

New York and California are the only states so far to have enacted a law raising their minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Virginia are set to follow over the next four years after passing a $15 minimum wage increase.

According to a report that was provided to USA TODAY by the National Employment Law Project, 21 states and 35 cities and counties are set to raise their minimum wages on or about New Years Day.

President Joe Biden and the Democrats have proposed a raise in the federal minimum wage requirement for most workers to $15 an hour from $7.25.

The federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009, as Republicans have repeatedly blocked efforts to increase it.

Many small businesses and restaurants say that they will be hurt by a minimum wage increase. Michael Saltsman, Managing Director of the Employment Policies Institute, a restaurant industry organization, said that the wage increases have already accelerated a trend toward more automation and fewer workers.

In the current environment, where employers are trying to reduce costs by pulling labor out of the restaurant, the last thing you want to do is give them another incentive to do so, said in an interview with USA TODAY.
Chad Isaak, of Washburn, appears during the third day of his murder trial at the Morton County Courthouse in Mandan, N.D., on Aug. 4, 2021. (Mike McCleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP)

North Dakota Man Convicted of Killing 4 Gets Life in Prison

MANDAN, N.D.A man convicted of killing four people in what authorities say was one of the most gruesome crimes in North Dakota history was sentenced Tuesday to multiple life prison terms without the possibility of parole.

South Central District Judge David Reich sentenced Chad Isaak, 47, to consecutive life terms for each of his four murder convictions. One of Isaaks lawyers had asked Reich to allow for the possibility of parole.

Isaak, wearing a blue mask, stood still and stared straight ahead as the judge delivered his verdicts. Before learning his fate, Isaak briefly addressed the court, saying, I can honestly tell you Im not a murderer, and thats all I have to say.

A jury in August found Isaak guilty of killing RJR Maintenance and Management co-owner Robert Fakler, 52; and employees Adam Fuehrer, 42; Bill Cobb, 50; and his wife, Lois Cobb, 45.

The four were shot and stabbed on April 1, 2019, inside the property management companys building in Mandan, a city of about 20,000 people across the Missouri River from Bismarck. Investigators said the victims were stabbed more than 100 times, total.

Before Reich sentenced Isaak, family members of the victims were allowed to address the court.

Robert Faklers wife, Jackie Fakler, called Isaak a coward who didnt give the victims a chance to flee or fight.

You have made me hate, she said.

Jackie Fakler also read victim impact statements from the Cobb family, who couldnt make the hearing because of bad weather.

Jamie Binstock, a daughter of Robert and Jackie Fakler, told the court that Isaak is a heinous individual who should spend the rest of his life in prison and experience a lifetime of suffering and nightmares.

I do not want your life to end. Your family does not need to suffer the same way we did, Binstock said.

North Dakota doesnt have the death penalty.

The jury deliberated for more than four hours at the end of the nearly three-week trial before it convicted Isaak of murder, burglary, unlawful entry into a vehicle, and a misdemeanor count of unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Isaak, a chiropractor and Navy veteran, lived at a Washburn property that the company managed, but authorities never established a motive for the killings.

It was one of the most heinous crimes in North Dakota history, defense attorney Bruce Quick acknowledged during his opening statement. But he maintained that investigators didnt seriously consider other possible suspects, including people who had either been evicted, sued or fired by RJR.

The defense also argued that police failed to check out the ex-husband of a woman who allegedly had an affair with Fakler.

I wanted you to know that these four individuals were wonderful people, Jackie Fakler said to Isaak. I thoroughly loved my husband and I forgive him.

In asking the judge to deny Isaak the possibility of parole, prosecutor Gabrielle Goter said Isaak is a danger to the community who hasnt shown any remorse for the crimes, which she said were preplanned and premeditated. The judge agreed.

Prosecutors during trial showed security camera footage from numerous businesses that authorities said tracked Isaaks white pickup truck from Mandan to Washburn on the day of the killings, along with footage from a week earlier that they said indicated the killer had planned out the attack.

Forensic experts testified that fibers on the clothing of the slain workers matched fibers taken from Isaaks clothing, and that DNA evidence found in Isaaks truck was linked to Fakler and possibly Lois Cobb.

Prosecutors presented the case as a puzzle in which all of the pieces pointed to Isaak, including a knife found in his washing machine and gun parts found in his freezer.

By James MacPherson
Falun Gong practitioners take part in a parade marking the 22nd year of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 18, 2021. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times)

#NotFromChina Pledge: Rights Groups Urge End to CCPs Billion-Dollar Organ Harvesting Industry

Rights groups have launched a campaign called the #NotFromChina Pledge in a bid to end Chinas industrial-scale murder of prisoners of conscience for their organs.

The campaign, which began on Dec. 8, involves a personal commitment not to receive an organ transplant from China should one become ill, to avoid inadvertently aiding the regimes grisly practice of organ harvesting.

It is an abomination that today in the 21st century, innocent individuals, including prisoners of conscience, are killed to harvest their organs for profit, said Andrew Bremberg, president of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC), a Washington-based advocacy group.

The appeal is co-sponsored by VOC, and two other nonprofits, the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC) and China Aid. The pledge can be taken on the ETAC website, and a personalized I took the pledge card can be shared on social media.

The rights groups have called on people to take the pledge to help put an end to Chinas billion-dollar murder-for-organs industry.

In 2019, the China Tribunal, an independent peoples tribunal, concluded that the Chinese regime has been committing forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience for years, and on a substantial scale.

The tribunals final judgment (pdf) stated that it was certain the organs are being sourced from imprisoned Falun Gong adherents and that theyre probably the principal source. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice whose adherents have been systematically persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since 1999.

Mounting evidence also suggests that Uyghurs and other persecuted minorities in northwest China are also victims of organ harvesting, along with Tibetans and House Christians, according to the campaigns website.

Organ harvesting is a lucrative business for the CCP. During a Nov. 29 hearing before the European Parliaments Subcommittee on Human Rights, Geoffrey Nice, who chaired the China Tribunal, said the Chinese regime could obtain up to half a million dollars from each victims body.

Experts have estimated that 60,000 to 100,000 transplants take place in China every year, far exceeding the regimes official figure of 10,000. Organs for those additional transplants are predominantly sourced from prisoners of conscience, they said.

The CCP has repeatedly denied this practice.

The free world cannot stand by as the Chinese Communist Party continues to lie about this widespread practice in China blatantly, Bremberg said. We call on all people of goodwill to personally commit to ending this horrific practice by committing not to receive an organ transplant from China.

In June, a dozen human rights experts affiliated with the United Nations expressed alarm at what they said were credible allegations of forced organ harvesting at the hands of Chinas communist regime, targeting Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims, and Christians held in detention. The experts included special rapporteurs to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and members of a working group on arbitrary detention.

The pledge campaign drew inspiration from the Taiwan International Religious Freedom Forum in 2019, when China Aid organized more than 70 politicians, activists, and religious leaders to sign a pledge not to receive organ transplants from China.

It was magical in Taiwan when we all took the pledge, said Bob Fu, president of China Aid.

I am thrilled that this initiative is now going global as it will strengthen our movement and send a clear message to China that they cannot hide this crime any longer.
NYC Schools to Open in January With Scaled-Up COVID-19 Testing

Public school students in New York City will be met with increased COVID-19 testing when they return from winter break, according to the citys new plan.

Under the plan released on Tuesday at a press conference with outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio and Mayor-elect Eric Adams, the return to school for the citys more than 938,000 students will take place on Jan. 3 as originally scheduled. There will be a new test-to-return policy for students who share a classroom with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

When one student tests positive for COVID-19, every other student in the class will be sent home with a rapid testing kit for two tests over seven days, according to de Blasio. A student who tests negative on the first test and does not demonstrate COVID-19 symptoms will be able to return to school the following day, instead of being placed in quarantine at home for 10 days as per old policies.

This guarantees more consistency in their education, it guarantees fewer disruptions, said de Blasio, who is set to be replaced by Adams on Jan. 1.

Were going to double the amount of testing we do in schools, he said, adding that the city will continue to encourage parents to sign consent forms so that their children can participate in random testings at school. These are the things were going to do to keep everyone safe.

The mayor also pointed to data from health officials showing that 98 percent of students who have had close contact with an infected classmate do not contract the virus.

De Blasio and Adams were joined by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who announced that a total of 2 million rapid test kits, including 1 million sent by the state, will be available to New York Citys schools by the end of this week.

We saw the failed experiment with remote teaching and the parents who were just pulling their hair out at kitchen tables, Hochul said, referring to the 18-month school closure spanning from March 2020 through September 2021.

The move comes after New York Citys powerful teachers union indicated that it would try to block a Jan. 3 opening of school buildings if the incoming Adams administration did not expand the scale of testing.

Our testing system that we have is now broken, Michael Mulgrew, president of the 94,000 member-strong United Federation of Teachers, said in an interview with NY1 last week.

Im working with the Adams administration. Well work through this entire break. But if we dont see were getting the testing system, we know we need to keep our schools and communities and children safe, then were going to have to take a different position on this whole schools have to remain open [policy], the president said.
Ohio Deploys Additional 1,250 National Guardsmen to Hospitals

Ohio is not shutting down, there is not a mask mandate in place, but the state is buckling down against the surge it is seeing in the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that 1,250 more members of the Ohio National Guard are being deployed to hospitals throughout the state. That is in addition to the 1,050 that were deployed earlier this month.

Plus, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District is going remote for the first week back to classes (Jan. 37) following the Christmas break as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is beginning to affect all ages, according to Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff.

DeWine, accompanied at the press conference by Ohio National Guard Gen. John Harris and Vanderhoff continued to urge Ohioans to get vaccinated and get a booster shot to further protect themselves from the fast-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Ohio set a new record Wednesday for COVID-19 hospitalizations at 5,356 patients, surpassing the previous record for hospitalizations was 5,308 on Dec. 15, 2020.

Ohio also set a new record for daily reported COVID-19 cases Wednesday, at 20,320 cases, according to Vanderhoff.

Were at a different stage, DeWine said during the press conference. Weve made it past the shutdowns, weve got the vaccines, now we need people to take them.

We need to focus on whats going on with our hospitals, DeWine said. We are in a surge, but we do not expect it to last forever. It will get better.

In addition to urging Ohioans to become fully vaccinated, Ohio has distributed 1.4 million COVID-19 test kits in December at venues, including libraries and drugstores.

There are 40,000 people getting tested a day in the state, Vanderhoff said.

We are getting a good snapshot of the number of cases and the types of cases, Vanderhoff said. The Delta variant is being replaced by Omicron as the dominant cases. We just need everyone to get vaccinated and do what they can to protect themselves. That way, you can stay out of the hospital.

More than 90 percent of COVID patients hospitalized in the ICU are not vaccinated, and more than 80 percent of those hospitalized have not been vaccinated, Vanderhoff said. Younger people and children are becoming more vulnerable.

Vanderhoff suggested that when students do return to school, to wear a mask.

So far, there have been 6.4 million Ohioans vaccinated, with 39 percent of those receiving the booster shot, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Harris added, Were here to protect critical infrastructure, and part of that critical infrastructure is our hospitals. Were just one of many fingers in the dike.
Oklahoma Judge Denies States Request to Stop National Guard COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

An Oklahoma federal judge on Tuesday ruled against an attempt from the state to block the Department of Defenses COVID-19 vaccine mandate for National Guard members.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot rejected a motion from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), Attorney General John OConnor, and sixteen Oklahoma Air National Guard members for a preliminary injunction to the mandate, saying the plaintiffs claims were without merit, and thus the motion would be denied.

Stitt and Attorney General John OConnor, both outspoken critics of vaccine mandates, filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the vaccine mandate on Dec. 3, 2021.

In a complaint (pdf) which names President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and dozens more federal officials and agencies as defendants, the state argued that the mandate violates the Constitution and has no legal basis.

This vaccine mandate certainly interferes with the sovereign prerogatives of the State of Oklahoma. It undermines the laws, public policy, dignity, and interests of the State of Oklahoma in governing the field of public health, including vaccinations, the state wrote in its complaint.

However, in a 29-page ruling this week, senior District Judge Stephen P. Friot wrote that the court would be hard-put to find that the public interest would be served by entry of an order prohibiting the implementation of a vaccine mandate which adds one FDA-approved vaccine to the list of nine that all service members are already required to takethat tenth vaccine being the one which has been shown to be remarkably effective in mitigating the effects of the pandemic which has affected millions of Americans, including thousands of service members.

The court is required to decide the case on the basis of federal law, not common sense. But, either way, the result would be the same, Friot said.

The district judge did, however, urge the Biden administration to give members of the National Guard more time to comply with the mandate before action was taken against them that could directly or indirectly end their military careers.

Unvaccinated members of the National Guard who fail to get their COVID-19 shots by the June 30, 2022 deadline will be barred from participating in drills, training, and other duties, unless they are granted an exemption in accordance with department policy, according to a memo sent to military officials by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier this month.

A member of the U.S. Armed Forces administers a COVID-19 vaccine to a police officer at a FEMA community vaccination center in Philadelphia, Pa., on March 2, 2021. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Preventative Medicine Services NCOIC Sergeant First Class Demetrius Roberson prepares to administer a COVID-19 vaccine to a soldier in Fort Knox, Ky., on Sept. 9, 2021. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

National Guard members who are not vaccinated by next years deadline will also not receive any payment from the Department of Defense for their performed duties. The deadline for Air National Guard members to be fully vaccinated was Dec. 2.

Stitt and OConnor are asking the court to block the mandate for all federal employees, not just the National Guard.

Having denied the motion, the court cannot but note the potential consequences, for individual Guard members, of failure to comply with the vaccine mandate, Friot wrote in the ruling. Loss of one or two paychecks is one thing, serious though that may be in individual cases. What the court cannot ignore is the potentially devastating effect of involuntary separation (either as a result of direct action or as a result of continuing loss of pay), especially where, as appears to be the case here, the individual non-compliant Guard members did not have the benefit of well-informed leadership at the highest level of the Oklahoma Guard.

The court strongly urges the defendants to give every consideration to providing a brief grace periodto facilitate prompt compliance with the vaccination mandatebefore directly or indirectly taking action which would end the military careers of any Oklahoma Guard members, Friot said.

Oklahoma state officials have filed numerous lawsuits challenging such federal mandates. The White House maintains that fully vaccinated individuals are 10 times less likely to be hospitalized with CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus and are better protected against the disease and its variants, including Delta.

Stitt asked Austin earlier this month to suspend the vaccine requirement for Guardsmen in the state because it asks them to potentially sacrifice their personal beliefs in order to not lose their jobs. The governor noted that some 10 percent of Oklahomas force could be lost if the mandate remained in effect. Austin denied that request.

A spokesperson for both Stitt and OConnor told The Associated Press that theyre still reviewing the judges decision.

We filed this lawsuit to support these Oklahomans who object to the presidents vaccine mandate, OConnors office said in a statement. We are disappointed with this decision.

The Epoch Times has contacted a spokesperson for the Oklahoma National Guard.

Friot noted in his ruling that 89 percent of the airmen in the Guard have been vaccinated, while just 40 percent of Army guardsmen have been vaccinated.
An Orange County Transportation Authority bus stop in Costa Mesa, Calif., on March 3, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Orange County Offers Free Bus Rides on New Years Eve

ORANGE, Calif.Orange County Transportation Agency (OCTA) is helping residents ring in the New Year safely by providing free fares on buses from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1.

For 20 years, OCTA has been offering free New Years Eve bus rides, with over 162,000 boardings recorded. For this New Year, the special service will run from 6 p.m. on Friday to 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Those who choose to go out to mark the New Year are encouraged to consider taking advantage of the free bus service to help celebrate responsibly, OCTA said in a statement.

The bus routes operate near Downtown Fullerton, Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, and other popular destinations.

Riders are required to wear a face-covering when on board.

To plan your New Years Eve trip in advance, visit the OCTA website here.
Oregon Hospital System Reports Outbreak of Rare Fungal Superbug

A hospital in Salem, Oregon, reported an outbreak of a rare fungal infection that has hospitalized at least three people in the state.

The Oregon Health Authority confirmed three cases of Candida auris at Salem Hospital in Salem, the states capital city. The first was detected on Dec. 11, while the second was found on Dec. 23 and a third case was discovered on Dec. 27.

Two of the cases did not have international health care exposures, but had epidemiologic links to first case, indicating healthcare-associated spread of Candida auris to the second and third patientsidentified Dec. 23 and Dec. 27, respectively, said a bulletin from the state health agency.

An investigation into the rare fungal outbreak is underway, officials said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also involved.

Candida auris is an emerging pathogen of concern because it can cause serious infections, particularly in those with serious medical problems, and can be resistant to the antifungal drugs we have to treat it, said Rebecca Pierce, with the Oregon Health Authority, in a news release.

Candida auris is a type of yeast fungus that is highly resistant to antifungal drugs and is considered difficult to detect, making it tricky to treat in infected patients. It was discovered in the United States in 2013, coming about four years after it was first detected in Japan

It can cause a severe infection in hospital or nursing home patients, federal officials say. These patients are often already very sick  infections often do not get better with the antifungal medicines that usually treat candida infections.

Upon entering the body, the fungus can cause severe infection of the organs or bloodstream, likely occurring more often in individuals with weakened immune systems, according to federal officials. Whats more, it can be spread via contact with objects or equipment that have been infected.

Hospital or long-term nursing home patients can be colonized with Candida auris and can spread it to objects in the facility, such as bedside tables and handrails, officials say.

The CDCs website has called Candida auris a serious global health threat, reporting some 1,156 clinical cases of the yeast fungus in states stretching across the United States.

Jasmin Chaudhary, the director of infection prevention at Salem Health, said her hospital system is taking action to prevent the spread of the fungus.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a rise in multi-drug resistant organisms around the world and nationwide, and Salem is not immune, Chaudhary added, noting that some proactive steps are being implemented to assist in preemptively identifying new cases to prevent spread.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks after a meeting of the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Jan. 22, 2020. (Majdi Mohammed/AP Photo)

Palestinian President Abbas Visits Israels Defense Minister in Rare Trip

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz late Tuesday in a rare visit to discuss strengthening economic and security ties.

The pair met at Gantzs home in Israel, marking the second meeting between the pair since Abbas hosted Gantz in August in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, Israels public broadcaster Kan reported.

Gantz told Abbas that he intended to continue to promote actions to strengthen confidence in the economic and civilian fields, as agreed during their last meeting, a statement from the Israeli Defense Ministry said.

The two men discussed security and civil matters, the statement added, noting that the meeting lasted for roughly two and a half hours.

Gantz confirmed the meeting in a statement on Twitter, saying that he and Abbas discussed the implementation of economic and civilian measures.

They also emphasized the importance of deepening security coordination and preventing terror and violence  for the well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians, Gantz said.

His office said in a statement that the defense minister emphasized the shared interest in strengthening security cooperation, preserving security stability, and preventing terrorism and violence.

Abbas was accompanied by his key adviser Hussein al-Sheikh, the Palestinian official responsible for managing ties with Israel. Palestinian intelligence chief Majed Faraj also attended the meeting.

Al-Sheikh said the pair discussed the importance of creating a political horizon, for the solution of the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The last round of peace talks collapsed in 2014.

The meeting dealt with the importance of creating a political horizon that leads to a political solution  as well as the tense conditions in the field due to the practices of settlers, al-Sheikh said on Twitter.

Their talks mark the highest-level public meetings between Abbas and an Israeli minister since Israels new government was formed in June.

But few see prospects for a resumption of peace talks with Israels coalition government headed by hawkish Prime Minister Naftali Bennett who opposes Palestinian statehood.

The Palestinians seek an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with a capital in east Jerusalem. Israel captured those territories in the 1967 Middle East war.

The Palestinians have limited self-rule in the West Bank. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move unrecognized internationally and in 2005 pulled out of Gaza, which is now controlled by the Islamist terrorist group Hamas.

Former President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 7, 2017, saying, We are not taking a position of any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, or the resolution of contested borders.

The status of Jerusalemhome to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religionsis one of the thorniest obstacles to forging a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as their capital.

Hamas, which has fought several wars with Israel, condemned the Abbas-Gantz talks.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas (R), Soledad Peralta (2nd R), the parents of Valentina Orellana-Peralta, and attorney Ben Crump (2nd L), arrive for a news conference outside the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters in Los Angeles, on Dec. 28, 2021. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo)

Parents of Girl Shot Dead in Dressing Room by Los Angeles Police Call for Justice

LOS ANGELESThe parents of a girl killed in a clothing store dressing room by a Los Angeles police officers stray bullet last week called for justice on Tuesday, the day after police released a video showing the chaotic moments leading to the fatal shooting.

The 14-year-old girl, Valentina Orellana-Peralta, was inadvertently shot dead in a North Hollywood store on Dec. 23 when a police officer opened fire on a man who was bludgeoning another shopper after accosting and menacing several others.

The suspect was killed. But police said one round from the officers rifle apparently pierced the wall of a fitting room where the girl was hiding, out of view, with her mother, striking the teenager in the chest. The girl, who had been shopping for a dress, died instantly in her mothers arms.

It is like my whole heart has been ripped out of my body, her father, Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas, said in a statement read by the familys attorney, Ben Crump, during a news conference outside of Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) headquarters. We want justice for our daughter. Valentinas life mattered.

The parents wept as they stood next to a wreath with flowers and photographs of their Chilean-born daughter. They wore signs around their necks that read justice for my daughter written in both English and Spanish.

The parents and their lawyers did not specify how they would like justice to be served.

The parents described their daughter as an exceptional student who aspired to become an engineer.

She had great dreams of becoming an American citizen. She wanted to be here in the United States because this was the land of opportunity, Crump said.

Soledad Peralta, the mother of Valentina Orellana-Peralta, cries at a news conference outside Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters in Los Angeles, on Dec. 28, 2021. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo)

Orellana-Peralta was born and raised in Chiles capital, Santiago, and came to the United States six months ago with her mother to visit an older sister, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Her mother had been working on documentation to stay in the United States with her daughter permanently.

Police Chief Michel Moore issued a statement promising a thorough, complete, and transparent investigation. The California attorney generals office also has opened an independent inquiry.

Store security video released on Monday showed the suspects erratic, threatening behavior after he entered the store with his bicycle, and the pandemonium that ensued as he began attacking customers with a heavy, metal cable lock.

Police also released recordings of 911 emergency calls from store employees and others reporting an armed suspect assaulting customers, triggering an evacuation.

Audio-video footage from several officers body-worn cameras showed the final, violent moments of the incident as police arrive on the scene with guns drawn and close in on the suspect, who was bludgeoning a woman.

Bodycam footage shows Los Angeles Police Department officers surrounding the assault suspect at a shopping mall in North Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 23, 2021 in this still image taken from

a video. (LAPD/Handout via Reuters)

The policeman nearest the suspect can be heard shouting, Shes bleeding, shes bleeding, just before he rounds a corner and confronts the assailant, as the woman tries to crawl away.

The suspect, holding the bike lock and another large object in his hands, is seen standing with his back to the outside of the fitting room, several steps from the bleeding victim as the officer raises his rifle and fires three shots at him.

The man, identified as Daniel Elena-Lopez, 24, died at the scene. The Los Angeles Times has reported he had several prior felony convictions.

The 14-year-old girl was found shot to death shortly afterward in the dressing room as police searched the store for any additional victims, police said. The woman beaten with the cable lock was taken to a local hospital and survived.

The officer who fired the shots has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, police said.

By Steve Gorman and Brendan OBrien
Prosecutor: 2 Iowa Teens Ambushed Teacher, Then Killed Her

DES MOINES, IowaThe county attorney prosecuting the case of two southeast Iowa teens charged with murder in the death of their high school Spanish teacher said in court documents they surveilled her pattern of life, ambushed her along her daily walk, and dragged her into the woods, returning later to better hide her lifeless body.

Those additional details of the death of Nohema Graber in early November were revealed in a Dec. 23 filing in the case of Jeremy Goodale, 16, of Fairfield. He is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder with classmate Willard Miller, also 16. Attorneys for both teens have asked a judge to move their case to juvenile court.

Hearings on the requests are scheduled for Jan. 27.

In court documents filed Dec. 23, Jefferson County Attorney Chauncy Moulding offered the additional details of Grabers death.

Nohema Graber. (Fairfield (Iowa) Police Department via AP)

Graber, 66, was reported missing Nov. 2 and her remains were found later that day in a park. Authorities earlier confirmed she had suffered inflicted trauma to the head and her body was found concealed under a tarp, wheelbarrow, and railroad ties at the Chautauqua Park in Fairfield, about 95 miles southeast of Des Moines.

Authorities have not released a motive. Both teens attended Grabers Spanish class at Fairfield High School, where she had taught since 2012.

Moulding argued trying Goodale as an adult is the only appropriate plan because he would be released at age 18, less than 24 months, if he is tried and convicted in the juvenile court system.

This prosecuting attorney cannot fathom any combination of programming at any Iowa juvenile facility which could appropriately treat or rehabilitate the defendant if adjudicated as a juvenile, he said.

Millers attorney has made a similar request and Moulding resisted for many of the same reasons.

Miller and Goodale are being held on $1 million cash bond in juvenile detention facilities awaiting trial. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Moulding charged them as adults with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The sentence in Iowa would be life in prison for first-degree murder as an adult, although a 2016 Iowa Supreme Court ruling requires juveniles to have a chance of release when given life sentences.

By David Pitt
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube speaks during a news conference where he gave an update on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Montreal on Dec. 28, 2021. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Provinces Debate Allowing COVID-19 Positive Health Care Workers to Remain on the Job

As daily updates resume after pausing for the holiday weekend, provinces are considering following Quebecs lead in letting health care personnel who have tested positive for COVID-19 to continue working out of fear of eroding the ability of health care institutions to treat their patients.



Quebecs Minister of Health Christian Dube announced on Dec. 27 that the province is allowing some workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 to keep working, as the provincial health care system struggles to stay operational in the face of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Omicrons contagion is so exponential that a huge number of personnel have to be withdrawn, and that poses a risk to the network capacity to treat Quebecers, Dube said, adding that the government is consulting with unions regarding the policy change.

It forced us to make a paradigm shift. In previous waves, we wanted to identify and remove at-risk employees as quickly as possible. With the current level of vaccination, we have to do otherwise, we have no choice.

Dube noted that the decision to allow COVID positive staff to continue working will be made on a case-by-case basis, according to a list of priorities and risk-management. An updated policy that will involve all essential workers, not just those in the health care sector, will be announced soon.

Quebecs policy shift has raised some questions regarding its limitation of only certain residents.

Right now, in my province of Quebec, its ok for COVID positive people to go to work, in many cases dealing with our most vulnerable, but its not ok for a bunch of people without COVID to go to the movie theatre? Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos commented on Twitter following the announcement.

While Quebec is the first to implement new regulations for COVID positive workers, several provinces are also considering similar changes.

Manitobas top doctor said on Dec. 27 that the province is looking at the possibility of keeping COVID positive workers on the job to avoid overwhelming the health system.

Ontario is also considering similar measures for infected health care workers, while it added new restrictions on Dec. 28 that halt public visits to long-term care homes and bar their residents from leaving for social reasons.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article
Queensland Scraps All PCR Testing for Interstate Travellers as Clinics Deal With Holiday Surge

Queensland has decided to scrap PCR testing for travellers prior to entering the state, switching to the more convenient rapid antigen tests (RAT).

In a social media post on Wednesday morning, state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, From Jan. 1, travellers into Queensland from interstate hotspots can use a negative rapid antigen test to satisfy border pass requirements. A PCR test will no longer be required.

Queensland, and several other jurisdictions, previously required domestic travellers take a PCR test for COVID-19 and receive a negative result within 72 hours of crossing the border.

The latest decision comes after the Queensland government on Tuesday did away with a requirement for travellers to receive a PCR test on the fifth day of their visit.

State Health Minister Yvette DAth said the decision was based on data in the past 24 hours, which prompted the chief health officer to advise for the tests to be cancelled.

Anyone who is waiting in lines for their day five tests can leave, DAth said.

Recent data also showed only 0.6 percent of positive cases were being picked up by the test.

The quick removal of all PCR testing for interstate travellers to Queensland has come amid increasing pressure from other states.

A combination of Christmas travel demand, testing requirements on travellers, the emergence of the Omicron strain, and essentially free testing for residents (PCR testing is subsidised by the government), has seen hundreds of thousands of Australians line up at testing sites resulting in major disruptions to the health system and travel plans.

Residents queue up inside their cars for PCR tests at the St Vincents Bondi Beach COVID-19 drive through testing clinic on December 22, 2021 in Sydney, as the number of COVID-19 cases keeps on the rise across the New South Wales state ahead of the Christmas festivities. (Photo by Mohammad Farooq/AFP via Getty Images)

Some individuals have reported being turned away from clinics, while others have been forced to wait hours in line.

The processing of test results has also been met with delays with some people receiving their results several days after the test, cutting into the 72 hour timeframe to cross the borderthis has seen some travel plans cancelled or postponed.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Premier Dominic Perrottet of neighbouring New South Wales (NSW) revealed that he had continually called on state leaders to remove PCR testing as a condition for entry into their jurisdictions.

It is clogging up the system. Perrottet said. It is putting people in lengthy queues that are not necessary.

We obviously would continue to ask here in NSW, for our people who are going to Queensland on holiday  please can you reconsider that decision? he said.

If we can move that PCR requirement to a rapid antigen test requirement, that will significantly alleviate some of the pressure on the testing over summer.

At the same time he thanked South Australian Premier Steven Marshall for also axing their PCR test requirement.

Visitors must still be fully vaccinated, or must quarantine in government-arranged accommodation for 14 days at their own expense.
Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci responds to accusations by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., as he testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 20, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/Pool/AP Photo)

Report Puts Faucis Retirement at $350K Per Year, Biggest in US Government Pension History

Dr. Anthony Fauci has been on the federal payroll for 55 years and currently has no plans to retire, but when he does, a new analysis of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases directors records shows he will get the largest pension in U.S. government history.

Our auditors at OpenTheBooks.com estimate Dr. Faucis annual retirement would exceed $350,000. Thereafter, his pension and benefits would continue to increase through annual cost-of-living adjustments. Fauci has 55 years of service as a federal employee, reports Adam Andrzejewski, founder and president of the Illinois-based foundation that boasts of posting every dime in real time of government spending at all levels in the United States.

Fauci began his career at the National Institutes for Health in 1966, as part of an intramural research program known as the Yellow Berets. Then, after serving 18 months as chief resident at the New York HospitalCornell Medical Center, Fauci went back to NIH as a top investigator. In 1984, Fauci was named director of the NIAID, his present job. The NIAID is part of NIH.

For the second year in a row, Fauci was the most highly compensated federal employee and out-earned the president, four-star generals, and roughly 4.3 million of his colleagues. As director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Fauci earned $434,312 in 2020, the latest year available, up from $417,608 in 2019, Andrzejewski said.

Pensions for federal employees who began working in civil service prior to 1984 are determined under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), which requires 30 years of service and at least age 55 in order to receive full retirement. Accumulate those service credits, and the pension equals 80 percent of the three highest-paid years on the payroll.

But the pot gets sweeter for employees who, like Fauci, stay in government long after they reach the 30-year mark. Thats because the formula for calculating the retiring workers monthly pension checks considers only the highest three years of salary, which are typically those immediately prior to leaving government.

OpenTheBooks.com based its calculations on data it obtained using a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed in November with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which administers CSRS and other federal pension programs.

Andrzejewski told The Epoch Times in an email that government officials didnt make it easy to obtain Faucis compensation data.

NIAID would not respond to our request for comment, they stonewalled our FOIA request for basic employment docs, so we sued them and a federal judge already ordered production starting on Feb. 1, 2022, he said in the email.

We questioned his job description in conjunction with his 400 media events in 18 months, and we broke the story that Fauci received a permanent pay increase in 2004 precisely because he was supposed to prevent the next pandemic. No response to our Fauci pension investigation today or any other investigation that weve published in the national news.

A spokesman for NIAID didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment on Faucis future pension by press time.

Fauci also would be eligible for an annual annuity payment from Uncle Sam.

After serving 10 years, federal employees are eligible for 2 percent of [their] high-3 average salary for each year. Dr. Fauci has more than surpassed the 10-year-minimum work requirement, and if he retired last year, he could have drawn down at least an extra $8,344 a year (($1,251,545/3) x 2 percent = $8,344). If he leaves at the end of this month, that figure is likely closer to $8,575 a year in annuity payments, assuming his salary did not go down in 2021, Andrzejewski said.

Fauci is the exception to the rule for government pensions due to his uncommonly long career, but federal retirement packages, like salaries and other perks of the civil service, are generous and funded mostly by taxpayers.

Employees who joined the federal government after 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a Reagan administration reform that combines investment income from an annuity, a thrift savings account, and Social Security benefits. Older federal retirees dont get Social Security.

A January 2020 analysis of federal retirement programs by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) found the following results:

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, 96 percent of current civilian federal employees were enrolled in FERS, which covers employees hired since 1984. Four percent were enrolled in CSRS, which covers only employees hired before 1984.

In FY 2018, more than 2.6 million people received civil service annuity payments, including 2,132,713 employee annuitants and 514,266 survivor annuitants. Of these individuals, 67 percent received annuities earned under CSRS.

About one-third of all federal employee annuitants and survivor annuitants reside in five states: California, Texas, Florida, Maryland, and Virginia.

The average civilian federal employee who retired in FY 2016 was 61.5 years old and had completed 26.8 years of federal service.

The average monthly annuity payment to workers who retired under CSRS in FY 2018 was $4,973. Workers who retired under FERS received an average monthly annuity of $1,834. Employees retiring under FERS had a shorter average length of service than those under CSRS. FERS annuities are supplemented by Social Security benefits and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

Based on the CRS data, the average CSRS pensioner receives just under $60,000 annually, while the average FERS pensioner gets an annuity worth $22,008 annually. The latter also receives Social Security and TSP income.
A boy rides an e-bike with his surfboard along the beach in Huntington Beach, Calif., on May 20, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

San Clemente Pushes E-Bike Ban Forward After Safety Hazard Concerns

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.After nearly 370 comments from concerned citizens were recorded, the San Clemente City Council moved forward Dec. 21 to ban the use of bicycles and electric bicycles (e-bikes) along the beach, pier, and all trails within the city.

Its dangerous, problematic, and of concern, Councilman Steve Knoblock said during the meeting. I have no problem supporting a prohibition on e-bikes on the beach trail.

Ten months ago, the city council approved the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commissions recommendation to prohibit all bicycles on all turf within the city parks, according to the agenda report.

However, electric cyclists could continue riding along the beach trail at or under the established speed limit of 10 mph.

San Clemente, Calif., on Oct. 20, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The council also directed staff to develop a film and education course concerning e-bike safety for all e-bike users while trekking along city terrain and traffic.

Moreover, the council directed staff to establish an E-bike Web Portal/Hotline for residents to report incidents or experiences relating to e-bikes while using city amenities or public spaces and return with the collection of data back to the city council after six months.

In many cases, the portal indicates e-bike usersprimarily riders under 18 years olddisregarding stop signs, riding against the flow of traffic, and crashing into pedestrians and vehicles.

We saw that ring very loudly, Samantha Wylie, the citys recreation manager, said during the meeting.

Last year, Councilwoman Kathy Ward, who was mayor at the time, voted to test the use of e-bikes on the Beach Trail only during the winter. However, she pulled back her position on the matter.

She said the blind curves put pedestrians in harms way against fast-approaching e-bikes.

Its an accident waiting to happen, she said.

A Pedego Electric Bike sits on display within the companys offices, in Fountain Valley, Calif., on Jan. 14, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The reporting portal gathered data from March to December of this year and focused on six areas: Beach, Parks, Sidewalks, Streets, Trails, and Other.

Of 367 comments received, beach activity received 13 percent, trail activity received 34 percent, streets received 28 percent, and sidewalks received 14 percent.

According to the citys agenda report, nearly 90 percent of these reports were directed toward the beach and beach trails.

They are a public nuisance and a safety hazard, Al Cullen, resident, said during public comments. We need some enforcement so that we dont have further fatalities in this city.

Cullen also suggested the city require license plates for e-bikes, citing that when a violation occurs, authorities could easily track down the offender.

Other public commentators, as well as Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan, echoed Cullens suggestion.

We dont know who these individuals were that were involved in any of these incidents, Duncan said during the meeting.

The city council voted to prohibit walking, pushing, and parking bicycles and e-bikes on the pier and to increase bicycles racks at the piers entrance.

Council will come back for a vote on an updated ordinance of the bike and e-bike ban at a future meeting.
In this photo, provided by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), smokes and flames billow from vehicles in Hpruso township, Kayah state, Myanmar, on Dec. 24, 2021. (KNDF via AP)

Save the Children Staff Confirmed Dead in Myanmar Massacre

BANGKOKThe humanitarian group Save the Children said Tuesday it has confirmed that two of its staff were among at least 35 people, including children, who were killed in eastern Myanmar on Christmas Eve in an attack it blamed on the countrys military.

It said the two staff members were caught up in the attack in Kayah state as they were traveling back to their office after conducting humanitarian activities in a nearby community.

Violence against innocent civilians including aid workers is intolerable, and this senseless attack is a breach of International Humanitarian Law, the groups chief executive, Inger Ashing, said in a statement.

This is not an isolated event. The people of Myanmar continue to be targeted with increasing violence and these events demand an immediate response, Ashing said.

The army seized power in February, ousting the elected government and arresting top officials. Its action was met by nonviolent nationwide demonstrations, which security forces quashed with deadly force, killing nearly 1,400 civilians, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Peaceful protests have continued, but an armed resistance has also grown amid the severe crackdown, to the point that U.N. experts have warned the country could be sliding into civil war.

Save the Children called on the U.N. Security Council to respond to the army violence with steps including an arms embargo. It also urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to press for the implementation of an agreement reached in April with Myanmars leader calling for the cessation of violence in the country and mediation by an ASEAN special envoy.

Photos of the attack have spread on social media in Myanmar, fueling outrage against the military.

The photos show the charred bodies of over 30 people in three burned-out vehicles who were reportedly shot by government troops as they were fleeing combat.

On Sunday, the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar said it was appalled by the barbaric attack in Kayah state that killed at least 35 civilians, including women and children.

We will continue to press for accountability for the perpetrators of the ongoing campaign of violence against the people of Burma, it said, using Myanmars previous name.

A villager who said he went to the scene told The Associated Press that the victims had fled the fighting between armed resistance groups and Myanmars army near Koi Ngan village, which is just beside Mo So, on Friday. He said they were killed after they were arrested by troops while heading to refugee camps in the western part of the township. His account could not be immediately verified.

A report in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper on Saturday said the fighting near Mo So broke out on Friday when members of ethnic guerrilla forces, known as the Karenni National Progressive Party, and those opposed to the military drove in suspicious vehicles and attacked security forces after refusing to stop.

The newspaper said the seven vehicles they were traveling in were destroyed in a fire. It gave no further details about the killings.

Earlier this month, government troops were also accused of rounding up villagers, some believed to be children, tying them up and slaughtering them. An opposition leader, Dr. Sasa, who uses only one name, said the civilians were burned alive.

Save the Children said it has been working in Myanmar since 1995, providing healthcare, food, education and child protection services. It said it has suspended operations in the region of the attack.
Members of the public are seen shopping on Waverley Bridge in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Dec. 18, 2021. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Scots Urged Not to Evade COVID-19 Rules by Celebrating New Year in England

The Scottish government has warned people not to evade the regions more stringent COVID-19 rules by travelling to neighbouring England for New Year celebrations.

Scotlands Deputy First Minister John Swinney said on Dec. 29 that it would be the wrong course of action for Scottish residents to mark Hogmanayor New Yearon the other side of the border, where COVID-19 restrictions are more relaxed.

Under curbs introduced by the Scottish National Party (SNP) administration over the weekend, large events are limited to 100 people standing indoors, 200 people sitting indoors, and 500 people outdoors. As a result, New Years Eve street parties, including in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, have been cancelled.

In addition, nightclubs have been ordered to close, and pubs and restaurants are limited to table service only.

The SNP government is also urging people to stay at home as much as possiblewith any meet-ups to be limited to a maximum of three householdsto slow the spread of the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Swinney said it would go against the spirit of the Scottish regulations for party-goers to celebrate Hogmanay in England, where nightclubs are still open.

Asked if there would be anything to stop people heading to England, Swinney said: People are free to take those decisions, but I would discourage them from doing so. I think it is the wrong course of action for people to take because we have a serious situation we have got to manage and we encourage everybody to play their part in addressing that.

Asked about reports of people planning to travel across the border from Wales and Scotland into England to celebrate the New Year, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters: I think everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way.

Chloe Smith, the UKs work and pensions minister, said people are more than free to move around the UK over the New Year.

Asked if it would be wrong for people from Scotland to travel into England for the celebrations, Smith acknowledged slightly different points of guidance and regulation operating in the different parts of the UK.

But she told BBC Radio 4s World at One programme: I think perhaps I should just add the obvious constitutional point here, which is that we are one country and people are more than free to move around inside our country under the general law, obviously.

PA contributed to this report.
A video photo of Lina Sardar Khil. (TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY/SAN ANTONIO POLICE via AP/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Search for Missing Girl, 3, Continues in Texas

Police in San Antonio are searching for a 3-year-old girl who was last seen the evening of Dec. 20 at an apartment complex playground.

Authorities dont yet know whether Lina Sardar Khil wandered away from the playground or if she was taken by someone.

Police Chief William McManus says the child was last seen between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday at the playground within a gated apartment complex.

Linas father, Riaz Sardar Khil, tells San Antonio TV station KENS that the family moved to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2019.

He says the family initially thought Lina may have left the playground with another Afghan family but now believes she may have been abducted.
Canadian human rights lawyer David Matas testifies at a U.S. Congressional hearing on forced organ harvesting, in this file photo. (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)

Soft-Pedaling Chinas Atrocities Only Metastasized Its Machinery of Repression: Human Rights Experts

The belief that downplaying Beijings human rights abuses would lead to reforms in China has not only validated the Chinese Communist Partys approach against faith groups such as Falun Gong, but has also given it licence to repeat the atrocities, a paper published by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) says.

Successive Canadian governments, and others around the world, have convinced themselves that soft-pedaling on atrocities would somehow encourage reforms in China. Instead, the machinery of oppression that was built to crush the Falun Gong has metastasized, becoming a permanent feature of Communist Partys governance apparatus, said renowned Canadian human rights lawyer David Matas and human rights expert Caylan Ford in their paper Keeping Our Eyes Open to Chinas Machinery of Repression.

Published by MLI on Dec. 10, the paper notes that politicians have taken the easier path when confronted with issues regarding Falun Gong.

For diplomats seeking to advance complex and multi-faceted agendas with China, the persecution of Falun Gong is understood to be a third rail, the authors said.

Talk about some other forms of repression, and the Chinese Communists will offer denials and justifications. Talk about persecution of Falun Gong, and the Communists get angry and walk out of the room.

Given the risks, it seems much simpler and more productive to simply focus on other things, they added.

Arthur Waldron, professor of Chinese history at the University of Pennsylvania, as cited in the paper, observed that Beijing places Falun Gong right at the top of its persecution targets.

Falun Gong is not simply on Beijings blacklist. Its name is recorded in the blackest of black letters, he said in a July 2007 article published by the Falun Dafa Information Center.

Although Canada announced on Dec. 8 that it will join the United States, Australia, and the UK in a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing, it is an obvious half-measure, Matas and Ford said.

They reasoned that even though the diplomatic boycott is meant to demonstrate the Canadian governments displeasure with Chinas human rights violations, particularly against the minority Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, it has come too late.

Those who argued that we must not participate in Beijings genocide Olympics forget something crucial: we already have, they wrote.

The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics also took place against a backdrop of mass atrocities. The success of those games, and the muted response of the international community to the human rights abuses surrounding them, was understood by Beijing as a validation of its approach, and as licence to repeat it.

The authors cited findings from the 2008 annual report of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China that noted over 8,000 Falun Gong adherents were detained between December 2007 and the end of June 2008 in a nationwide pre-Olympics clampdown. Another report by Amnesty International in 2008 documented at least 100 of them died as a result of ill-treatment in custody.

This occurred sometimes within walking distance of Olympic venues and major landmarks, the paper said.

The persecution campaign against Falun Gong that was launched by former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Jiang Zemin in July 1999 targeted 100 million people practicing it in China as well as their relatives, friends, and coworkers.

In prisons, forced labour camps, and reeducation centres, they are subjected to high-pressure tactics to forcibly transform their minds, including beatings, sleep deprivation, sexual humiliation and rape, suspension in stress positions, shocks with electric batons, and injections with unknown psychotropic drugs, the authors said.

The CCP also created the 610 Officean extralegal police task forcewhich has mobilized the media, the judiciary, security forces, and all party and state institutions against the faith group over the past two decades.

Falun Gong practitioners take part in a parade marking the 22nd year of the persecution campaign against Falun Gong in China, in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 18, 2021. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times)

In 2006, when Chinese whistleblowers alerted that the rapid expansion of Chinas for-profit organ transplant industry was fuelled by the organs harvested from Falun Gong prisoners of conscience, numerous subsequent investigationsincluding one conducted by Matas and former Canadian MP David Kilgourappear to confirm the allegations, the paper said.

The authors also pointed to an independent tribunal of scholars and jurists who in 2019 also concluded in their investigation that organs harvested from non-consenting Falun Gong adherents had been the main source of supply for Chinas lucrative transplant sector.

The reason the CCP wants to completely eradicate Falun Gong is because it cannot tolerate any belief incompatible with its communist, atheist ideology, the authors argued.

Religious faith is a threat to totalitarians everywhere, because they cannot countenance the idea that any authorityespecially a divine authoritystands above their own, Matas and Ford said.

There can be no loyalty except loyalty to the party, no meaning except that which is prescribed by the party, no truth that cannot be altered by fiat or force.

This fact explains not only why the Communist Party sought to destroy Falun Gong, but also why it suppresses Tibetan Buddhists, Uyghur Muslims, faithful Catholics, and members of underground Protestant churches, they added.

Yet most Canadians know little to nothing about the repression of Falun Gong in China, Matas and Ford said, adding that political leaders in Canada seldom acknowledge it.

Besides politicians, the paper noted some Canadian and U.S. media outlets have reportedly spiked or censored stories about the persecution campaign, possibly due to pressure from the Chinese regime.

Broadly speaking, it seems that media can hardly touch this story if they want to continue to operate in China, the paper read. Chinese scholars are also at risk of being denied a visa into China if they write about Falun Gong in a way not approved by the communist state.

The authors attribute another reason to the obscurity of the groups name and its adherents when the persecution started.

At the time that the suppression in China began, the group was virtually unknown in the West. They had not acquired significant social capital, had few networks or connections, and there were no natural constituencies to whom they could appeal for support, the authors said.

They added that due to the language and cultural barriers faced by the Falun Gong adherents, and the lack of a proper mechanism to mount an effective public awareness campaign, many people didnt know what the practice was about and the atrocities that were happening in China.

There are also those who arent willing to confront the reality that such a large-scale persecution exists in todays society.

Despite the depths of depravity seen in the Holocaust, there remains still a naive belief that these sorts of atrocitiesthe mass industrialized killing by an advanced society of a group of innocent peoplecannot happen, Matas and Ford wrote.

The authors stressed that, whether it is the persecution of Uyghur Muslims or faithful Christians, it is carried out by many of the same people, with the same tactics, that the Falun Gong have endured for decades.

Those who ignored the brutal repression of Falun Gong for decades cannot now claim to be surprised, they said.
As opioid deaths climb during the pandemic, some hope a new vaccine may help, though key questions remain unanswered.(Numstocker/Shutterstock)

The Long-Held Hope for an Opioid Vaccine

As overdose deaths climb during the pandemic, vaccine makers seek a treatment

COVID-19 is the public health emergency that dominates the headlines, but it isnt the only one. The opioid epidemic was raging for several years before COVID and is still going strong. Despite numerous years spent addressing the problem, this public health crisis is now worse than ever.

Opioid deaths have risen steadily over the past 20 years. And since the emergence of COVID, abuse and fatalities have only grown faster. Data indicates 93,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2020 compared to 70,000 deaths a year earliera 30 percent increase.

This widespread and often deadly addiction may also share something else with COVID: a vaccine may soon be used to treat it.

In September 2021, researchers began the first human trials for an opioid vaccine. It works like a traditional vaccine, in that it prompts the bodys immune system to make antibodies. However, these antibodies arent used to block a virus. Instead, theyre designed to block opioid molecules from reaching the brain.

What makes this trial special is that many failed attempts have preceded it. Hopes for an opioid vaccine have been around since the 1970s, although trials until recently have fallen short. Most never made it out of the discovery phase.

But support for the idea has persisted. A 2019 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report discussing opioid vaccines notes at least three early-stage clinical trials then in development, including one from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research testing a heroin vaccine. In August 2020, The National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases began funding these projects.

Hopes remain high that an approved opioid vaccine lies just around the corner. However, one of the limitations involved in this strategy is the specificity built into each shot. The one now in human trials, for example, only blocks oxycodone molecules. It doesnt interfere with other opioids, such as fentanyl or heroin. Proponents of these vaccines say this feature is a benefit, because it leaves the door open for other treatment options in the event a patient might require pain management in the future. However, it also means that multiple vaccines are necessary if patients turn to other opioids when they can no longer get a fix from their favorite.

And theres a wide spectrum of choices when it comes to opioids, which originated from the opium poppya plant at the center of two major wars between Great Britain and China in the 1800s. Since then, the humble poppy has spawned many opium derivatives that are stronger and far more addictive, including OxyContin, morphine, and heroin.

Perhaps the most potent opioid drugs are called fentanylsa family of synthetics said to be 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine.

Fentanyls potential for abuse and fatality is greater as well. According to an analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, fentanyl fatalities have skyrocketed under COVID. From April 2020 to April 2021, more than 64,000 overdose deaths were attributed to fentanyl poisoningnearly double the same period in 2019. According to Families Against Fentanyl (FAF), the drug has become the No. 1 cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.

Due to fentanyls capacity to kill, and the enormous quantities that have been smuggled across the U.S. borders in recent years from China and Mexico, some believe it must be taken more seriously. In July, FAF sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to classify fentanyls as weapons of mass destruction.

The Department of Homeland Security seizes only a fraction of the fentanyls that traffickers attempt to bring into the U.S. Sadly, it is estimated that more than 40,000 Americans died last year from these dangerous chemicals, the letter states. The significant presence of illicitly manufactured fentanyls in our cities and neighborhoods places all of us in danger.

Vaccines for Every Ill

An opioid vaccine may sound strange, because we typically think of vaccines as treatments that provide protection against contagious diseases. But the injection format has expanded to address a range of issues. Vaccines are now in development to fight Alzheimers, Parkinsons, heart disease, allergies, autoimmune disease, and more.

In fact, two companies currently known for creating vaccines for COVIDBioNTech and Modernawere originally set up to develop vaccines to fight cancer.

Vaccination has been around for more than 200 years, but today, its more popular than ever. From the constant messaging urging everyone to get their COVID shot and follow-up boosters, to the slightly less persistent messages to get flu, shingles, and other shots available at your local drug store.

Vaccines are already a major part of modern health care, and their influence is expected to grow even larger. Some see the future treatment of all diseases one day taking the form of a jab. As of April 2020, there were nearly 260 vaccines in development by U.S. drug companies, both to prevent and treat disease.

But will a shot solve the opioid crisis? It isnt likely. Even the most ardent supporters of the treatment admit its no magic bullet. If and when an opioid jab does finally make it to market, its at best expected to fill a few gaps left by the other three medications to treat opioid abuse that are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Ideally, the shot would provide some preventative protection when drugs to address overdoses arent readily available.

According to the GAO, the protection of a single shot could perhaps last months or even years, and would require little medical supervision.

However, even larger gaps in the strategy to end opioid addiction would still remain. For example, a shot wont stop the shipments of illegal fentanyl that continue to flood the country, nor can one undo the damage caused by drug companies that aggressively promoted opioid drugs in the 1990s and early 2000s, and misrepresented their potential for abuse. A jab also is unlikely to address the pain and trauma that are typically found behind an addiction.

One question about what the regulatory framework will be for any opioid vaccine that does get approved, since vaccine makers currently enjoy unique protection from financial liability for vaccine injury claims. While a drug maker can be sued and subjected to a class action lawsuit for problems associated with their products, in the United States vaccine makers cant, due to the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act passed in 1986 and more recent legislation approved in response to COVID-19.
Southwest Airlines planes are seen at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Md., on Dec. 22, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Thousands of Flights Canceled as Airlines Struggle With Staffing

Thousands of flights were canceled on Wednesday as airlines struggle with inclement weather and getting enough workers to work over the holidays.

Over 2,700 flights were canceled worldwide, including nearly 1,000 that had been set to operate into, within, or out of the United States, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking service.

Over 10,000 other flights were delayed, nearly half of which were linked to America.

Airlines blamed weather and the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19.

The nationwide spike in Omicron cases has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation. As a result, weve unfortunately had to cancel some flights and are notifying impacted customers in advance of them coming to the airport. Were sorry for the disruption and are working hard to rebook as many people as possible and get them on their way during the holidays, a United Airlines spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email.

A Delta Air Lines spokesperson also offered an apology and said the company is working to reroute aircraft and crews in an attempt to cut down on cancellations and delays.

We are experiencing some delays due to weather conditions in various parts of the country, a Southwest Airlines spokesperson added.

Alaska Airlines said winter weather displaced both plans and staffers. That issue, combined with the Omicron variant affecting an unspecified number of workers, are converging to cause more canceled and delayed flights for Alaska Airlines this week, the company said in a statement.

All flyers booked to fly before Jan. 2, 2022, were encouraged to shift their travel to a later date.

Airlines started canceling or delaying many flights before Christmas, with thousands axed or put off until later on Christmas weekend.

Bob Mann, an airline consultant with R.W. Mann & Company, told The Epoch Times in an email that airlines schedule crews on a monthly basis, and weather and flight delays cause airlines to effectively use up crew and reserve coverage at a higher rate, earlier in the month, leaving less available at month end.

Holiday periods usually have a higher rate of sick calls and fewer workers willing, or able, to work beyond their scheduled hours, according to Mann.

A highly transmissible COVID variant with a changing CDC self-quarantine policy adds a new variable to the flight, terminal, and ramp staffing availability equation. I suspect that at least a few carriers did not consider that seriously enough, Mann said. Bottom line: what we see is some airlines having run out of crew resource options. Some of these delays and cancellations will resolve over the New Years weekend.
Candidate for Congress Heidi St. John in an interview with The Epoch Times at a TurningPointUSA event in Phoenix, Ariz., in December 2021. (The Epoch Times)

Time to Rein In Power of Federal Government: Congressional Candidate Heidi St. John

Heidi St. John, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House from Washington states 3rd Congressional District, says its time to defend the Constitution and rein in the power of the federal government.

The people that I have elected to represent me are not representing me. And in fact, in many cases, theyre working actively to undermine the things that I believe so passionately in, St. John told The Epoch Times in an interview at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix last week.

St. John said she never thought she would run for office until the congresswoman representing her districtRep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.)voted to impeach former President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.

In a Jan. 12 statement, Beutler said that Trump incited a riot intended to halt the peaceful transfer of power. She was later censured by Washingtons Clark County Republican Party.

So I thought, its time to start sending ordinary people who are not part of the political elites or the ruling class to Washington, D.C., to say enough is enough, to stand in defense of the Constitution, and rein in the power of the federal government, which is wildly outside of its jurisdiction, St. John said. So that was what precipitated my run.

As a mother of seven who homeschooled all her kids, St. John told The Epoch Times that her husband and her focus has largely been homeschooling. She is a board member of the Home School Legal Defense Association, the largest homeschool resource center in the nation. She also authored eight books and has a successful podcast with a million downloads a month.

I believe very passionately in parent-led education, in other words, putting parents back in the drivers seat of their childrens education, because the family is the building block of the culture. And if you attack the family, the culture lies in ruin. And that is what were seeing around the country right now.

St. John said the left has already gained control of the education system, social media, major media outlets, and Big Pharma. The lockdowns and mandates in the past year and a half also showed the lefts influence over the medical institutions.

The linchpin is the education system. And we are cranking out by the hundreds of thousands, every single year, students who hate this country, who do not understand why freedom is so important. They dont know the Constitution, and they dont know why freedom is worth defending. And that has to stop, St. John said.

And so I would like to see the federal government absolutely out of education, Id like to see it returned to the States, which is where it should be in the first place. And even closer into the local municipalities.

St. John also criticized the Biden administrations big-spending policies.

Thank God for Joe Manchin, who basically just put a nail in the coffin of the build back broke bill that the Biden administration wants to subject the American people to, St. John said. I work hard, and he wants to take most of my money and then saddle my grandchildren with a debt theyll never be able to pay.

On Dec. 19, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced that he would not support President Joe Bidens $1.9 trillion Build Back Better spending package. In the 50-50 Senate, Manchins vote would literally make it impossible for Democrats to pass the bill via reconciliation.

What would happen if Heidi St. John raised the debt ceiling every single year? I would have declared bankruptcy, St. John continued, adding that there are so many things wrong in the country right now and she wants to see common-sense solutions brought back to the American people.

The first-time candidate expressed confidence in her running.

I know I can win my race because I have been working for the people of my district for nearly 20 years, advocating for them, going to the floor of the House of Representatives in Olympia, going to Washington, D.C., to advocate for educational freedom. And my record there is well known, St. John added.

In the primary, St. John will face the six-term incumbent Beutler and at least four other Republican candidates, including Trump-endorsed Joe Kent.

St. John said its a misnomer that Washington, California, and Oregon are wildly leftist states.

There are good people here, St. John said. There are lots and lots of conservatives who love freedom and will stand for Liberty who are really being marginalized by tyrannical governments. And that is what the issue is.

It is time for the mama bears and the papa bears in this country to say enough is enough and start taking back the country, St. John added. If it can happen in Washington Stateand I think it canit will send shockwaves to the entire country.

Nick Vandennieuwenhof contributed to this report.
A security officer leapt over conveyor belt rollers and saved a 2-month-old boy who stopped breathing at a security checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, newly released video shows.

The footage, released Thursday by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, shows TSA officer Cecilia Morales springing into action to resuscitate the child Dec. 9 after his mother picked him up from a car carrier and noticed he wasnt breathing.

Morales, an EMT who has been a TSA officer for about two months, told the agency she performed the infant version of the Heimlich maneuver, placing the baby face down on her arm and patting him on the back to get him breathing again.

TSA officer Cecilia Morales jumps over a conveyor belt at security checkpoint to assist a mother with her unresponsive baby on Dec. 9, 2021, at Newark Liberty International Airport. (Transportation Security Administration via AP)

This undated photo shows TSA officer Cecilia Morales. (Transportation Security Administration via AP)

It was the first time she had performed the technique on an infant, she said. A pediatric EMT arrived a short time later to give the baby oxygen. A TSA spokesperson said the agency didnt know what caused the baby to stop breathing.

I saw the video afterward, Morales said. It was the first time Ive ever seen myself in action, saving a life. It was mind-blowing to watch. I felt that my training and experience just took over.

Two months on the job and shes literally a life-saver, Thomas Carter, the TSAs federal security director for New Jersey, said in a statement. Officer Moraless quick reaction and actions helped ensure that this family will have a happy holiday season. Her actions were inspiring.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Twitter Suspends Key mRNA Vaccine Contributor Dr. Robert Malone

Dr. Robert Malone, a key contributor to mRNA vaccine technology and an outspoken critic of COVID-19 mandates and rules, was suspended by Twitter.

Writing on his Substack page, Malone, who had massed more than 500,000 followers, confirmed that his account was permanently suspended from Twitter and said, We all knew it would happen eventually.

Over a half million followers gone in a blink of an eye. That means I must have been on the mark, so to speak, he wrote on Dec. 29. Over the target. It also means we lost a critical component in our fight to stop these vaccines being mandated for children and to stop the corruption in our governments, as well as the medical-industrial complex and pharmaceutical industries.

According to Malones post, he directed users to read his Substack page for future updates. Meanwhile, hes slated to appear on comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogans podcast on Dec. 30.

Substack is absolutely the best way to see my writings. I appreciate everyones support in signing up for my newsletter. It truly matters to me, he wrote in the post.

When attempting to access Malones page, it gives the boilerplate Twitter suspension message: Account suspended. Twitter suspends accounts that violate the Twitter rules.

The San Francisco-based social media firm hasnt issued a public comment yet on why it suspended Malones account, or specifically what post drew the companys ire. Twitter has not responded to a request by The Epoch Times for comment by press time.

Malone told The Epoch Times on Wednesday evening that Twitter provided him with no advance notice before it handed down the suspension.

Over the past year, I have had a few notices from Twitter that there was a complaint about a post but that no action was taken, he said. I received no warning prior to the banning.

Malone provided the Epoch Times with a screenshot with text from Twitter that reads, Specifically, for: Violating our policy on spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19. You may not use Twitters services to share false or misleading information about COVID-19 which may lead to harm. The platform didnt appear to elaborate further.

In an interview with The Epoch Times earlier this year, Malone said that the immunity conferred by a previous COVID-19 infection is superior to that conferred by the COVID-19 vaccines.

People are faced with a situation where they had been told that natural immunity was not as protective, that they cant rely on that; that if youve been previously infected, you should still get both doses of vaccine; that this vaccination would provide broad durable protection, it would protect you and it would protect your elders from you potentially spreading disease to them, he said during the interview, which was published in September.

Twitter has drawn the ire of free speech advocates and Republicans after banning high-profile individuals, including former President Donald Trump. Another prominent critic of COVID-19 mandates, former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson, filed a lawsuit against Twitter earlier this month over its ban of his account months earlier.

Berenson, who also operates a Substack page, alleged Twitters permanent suspension from the social media platform violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as well as laws in California.

Twitter is indisputably a messenger service. A longstanding California law regulates messenger services as common carriers. This means that they must accept all messages they receive. Twitter thus must accept all tweets it receives. It has no First Amendment rights to refuse them on the basis that it does not agree with them, Berenson wrote on his page on Dec. 21.
A bus goes past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in London on Dec. 29, 2021. (Hollie Adams/AFP via Getty Images)

UK CCP Virus Cases at Record Levels, Hospitalisations Steady

The number of reported daily COVID-19 cases in the UK has broken a new record, but the numbers of hospitalisations and deaths have remained steady.

A record 129,471 new cases were reported in the UK on Tuesday, 90 percent higher than the highest number from the previous waves of CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus infectionsand second only to the number in the United States.

The number doesnt include Scotland and Northern Ireland, which havent updated their figures since Christmas Eve, but Wales number (12,378) was artificially high because data wasnt updated on Christmas day and Dec. 27.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (pdf), the percentage of Omicron cases has ballooned to 92 percent of the new cases by Dec. 27one month after the first two cases were discovered in England.

Looking at the number of new cases per million people, the UKs number was 1,670, the eighth highest in the world after Andorra, Denmark, San Marino, Aruba, Ireland, Iceland, and Gibraltar, according to the analysis by Our World in Data website.

But the UK is also one of the countries doing the most testshaving the highest 7-day rolling average in the world on Dec. 23.

The number of people in hospitals with the CCP virus has been rising slightly. The latest numberupdated on Dec. 22was 8,240, almost 14 percent up from the beginning of the month but 79 percent less than the highest daily number reported on Jan. 18.

NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson on Monday quoted a hospital chief executive in South West England as saying: Weve seen a 30% increase in COVID positive inpatient numbers compared to 7 days ago. But largest proportion are incidental finding on admission, so COVID-19 is not the reason for admission.

The number of patients with COVID-19 in ventilation beds has been travelling slightly downward since the beginning of November, with 842 patients in ventilation beds on Dec. 22the latest number available.

The number of people who died within 28 days of a positive test was gappy in the last few days due to the Christmas holiday, but it appears to have been travelling downward. The latest 7-day average was 84 deaths per day, recorded on Christmas day, less than 7 percent of the number on Jan. 20.

The extent of how Omicron had affected older people during Christmas gatherings is expected to be reflected in data in the coming days.

On Dec. 28, the UK has a 7-day average of 1.23 new COVID-19-related death per million people, compared with 4.58 in the United States, and 3.76 in the European Union.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks on the Biden administration's Indo-Pacific strategy at the Universitas Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Dec. 14, 2021. (Oliver Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

US Building Alliances to Counter China Threat

News Analysis

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognizes China as the predominant threat to the United States. He outlined the U.S. policy for limiting the power of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), while enhancing relations with U.S. allies.

China is the only country with the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to seriously challenge the stable and open international system, Blinken said in his first major foreign policy speech in March.

Consequently, he said that the administration must protect U.S. jobs, improve relationships with allies, maintain the U.S. military advantage, oppose unfair trade practices, and limit the power of the CCP.

U.S. tensions with China are predicated on human rights in Xinjiang, Taiwans right to exist as an independent nation, Hong Kongs autonomy, the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, Chinas unfair trade practices, the Chinese militarys global expansion, the right of all nations to access maritime shipping lanes, and Chinas aggression in the Indo-Pacific.

U.S. allies are suffering at the hands of the CCP. Chinas illegal fishing operations are hurting Southeast Asian nations. Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has lent money with opaque terms, fostering corruption and increasing the debt burden of some of the poorest nations. Chinese companies building megaprojects in foreign countries, using Chinese labor, has decreased the number of jobs created for locals. Oftentimes, quality standards on BRI projects are not met, resulting in poorly built infrastructure, which the host country must pay for. Additionally, the Chinese regime subjects developing nations to resource extraction and environmental degradation.

In the face of the CCPs expanding influence, Blinken pledged that the United States would forge stronger ties with Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, and the Philippines, as well as ASEAN. He also called for increased cooperation on maritime issues, security, resource management, and conservation of fisheries.

Speaking at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta on Dec. 14, Blinken said that Washington is prepared to work with its allies to defend the rules-based order and to ensure that countries have the right to choose their own path.

According to Blinken, the United States is more aligned with its allies now and in a stronger position to oppose China, than in the past. He reaffirmed that the United States supports Lithuania, a small nation that recently made international headlines by standing up to Beijings bullying over Taiwan relations. Furthermore, he said that the United States is prepared to cooperate with like-minded nations to push back against the CCP.

Blinken affirmed the importance of Southeast Asia in the U.S. Indo-Pacific policy, warning the CCP to desist from aggressive actions in the region. He accused the CCP of restricting access to the sea, subsidizing state-run companies, and banning trade with countries that stand up against Beijings aggression. For example, China threatened the United States and European Union for speaking out against genocide in Xinjiang as well as supporting the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. Furthermore, the CCP regularly threatens countries that engage with Taiwan. At a virtual conference between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden last month, Xi said that support for Taiwan was like playing with fire,and that Beijing would take decisive measures if Taiwan moved toward independence.

The CCP threatens freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, which sees the transit of $3 trillion of cargo each year. Additionally, Beijing claims all of the resources of the disputed waters, although five other nations, including Taiwan, have conflicting claims. The PLA has also stationed weapons in the disputed zone, including anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles, despite the fact that in 2016, an international tribunal declared that China had no historical basis to claim the entire South China Sea.

Two Chinese SU-30 fighter jets take off from an unspecified location to fly a patrol over the South China Sea in this undated photo. (Jin Danhua/Xinhua via AP)

The PLA has increased the frequency of its drills in the Indo-Pacific, deploying numerous J-16 fighters, H-6 long-range bombers, and anti-submarine and surveillance aircraftwhich violates the waters and airspace around Taiwan.

Japan feels particularly threatened by Chinese militancy directed at Taiwan, as Japan sees Taiwan as an important component in its own national security. The Japanese government also regards Chinas economic rise, combined with its increased aggression, as a threat to Japanese prosperity and security.

Blinken restated last month that the United States and its allies would take action if China attacked Taiwan. He also assured his Japanese counterpart that the United States is committed to defending both Taiwan and Japan. He was particularly careful to mention that Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty for the Senkaku Islands was in force.

Article 5 states, Each Party recognizes that an armed attack against either Party in the territories under the administration of Japan would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger. Essentially, Blinken was confirming that the United States recognizes the disputed Senkaku Islands as Japanese, not Chinese, territory.

On an ongoing basis, the CCP bullies, exploits, and intimidates other nations. Countries across the region want this behavior to changewe do too, affirmed Blinken. He went on to say that the United States would enhance its current alliances, while forging new ones, cooperating militarily and economically with Asian nations to maintain regional peace and prosperity.

According to Blinken, the new U.S. strategy will derive from a position of power, sharing diplomacy, military might, and intelligence with Americas Asian partners.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to reporters at the Pentagon in Washington on Aug. 18, 2021. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

US Troops Not Required to Get COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

U.S. troops are being encouraged but not required to get COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, according to a newly published memorandum.

Troops were told earlier this month in the memo, published by the military on Dec. 28, that receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose is not mandatory.

The memo, from Gilbert Cisneros, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, also states that a vaccine booster shot isnt required for a person to be considered fully vaccinated.

Cisneros noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended in November that all adults aged 18 and older get a vaccine booster because of the waning effectiveness against both infection and severe disease seen among those who have received a primary regimen.

People can get a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine booster dose six months after the completion of the primary series or a Johnson & Johnson vaccine booster two months following the single-shot vaccine.

Teenagers aged 16 or 17 can also get a booster, though its not explicitly recommended at this time.

Top Pentagon officials had discussed requiring troops to get vaccine booster shots.

There are active discussions here in the department at the policy level about booster shots and whether or not to make those mandatory, John Kirby, Department of Defense spokesman, told reporters on Dec. 10.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a vaccine mandate in August that required troops to get the primary regimen of a COVID-19 vaccine. Exceptions were outlined for those who applied for medical, religious, or administrative exemptions.

The military has granted thousands of medical and administrative exemptions, but still hasnt approved a single religious one, something attorneys representing troops say violates federal law.

I think it shows that the military now believes that its above the law, that it doesnt have to follow the Constitution or federal law when it comes to enforcing its rules or its policies, Mike Berry, an attorney with First Liberty Institute, told The Epoch Times.

The Pentagon has defended its reluctance to grant religious exemptions, claiming that its process has remained unchanged from prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A religious exemption is really an individual decision to seek one and the decisions are made individually. Theyre not made en masse, Kirby said last week. Each exemption asked for on religious grounds is evaluated by a chaplain, by a chain of command, by medical experts, and is given quite a lot of thought, and theyre all decided case by case individually.

Deadlines to get vaccinated have passed for all active-duty troops. Reservists have varying timelines depending on which branch they serve under. The deadlines for reserve components in the Air Force, Navy, and Marines came and went earlier this month. Reservists in the Army, including the Army National Guard, have until June 30, 2022, to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, now the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), removes her mask to speak as Presidential Candidate Joe Biden announces nominees and appointees to serve on his health and CCP virus response teams during a news conference at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Del., on Dec. 8, 2020. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Vaccine Mandate for Domestic Flights Not Being Considered, Says CDC Director After Faucis Proposal

A COVID-19 vaccine mandate for domestic flights is not currently being considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CDC Director Rochelle Walensky confirmed on Tuesday.

Certainly, domestic flights has been a topic of conversation but that is not something were revisiting right now, Walensky said on NPR when pressed on the issue.

Walensky also elaborated on the CDCs decision to cut its recommended isolation time for infected Americans in halffrom 10 days to five if they are asymptomatic.

We are standing on the shoulders now of two years of science, Walenksy told NPR of the new rules, explaining that the vast majority of transmission occurs around two days prior to the onset of symptoms and three days after.

So in that five day window is really when that transmission is happening.

Walensky acknowledged that although transmission can occur after the fifth day of isolation, the CDC made the decision to reduce its recommended isolation time for infected Americans because it anticipates a really large number of cases due to the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

We also want to make sure that we keep the critical functions of society open and operating. We started to see challenges with that, with airline flights and other areas, the CDC director explained.

Her remarks come a day after infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci suggested that the Biden administration should seriously consider vaccine requirements for domestic air travel.

Proof of vaccination is currently only required for noncitizens entering the United States, as well as a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours of departure.

If youre making a requirement for vaccination for people to get on planes who are coming into the country, thats understandable, White House COVID-19 adviser Fauci told MSNBC on Dec. 27.

You dont want to bring more cases into the country. But if youre talking about requiring vaccination to get on a plane domestically, that is just another one of the requirements that I think is reasonable to consider, he added.

Fauci didnt elaborate on why he believes a vaccine mandate for domestic flights would be a reasonable requirement.

When you make vaccination a requirement, thats another incentive to get more people vaccinated. If you want to do that with domestic flights, I think thats something that seriously should be considered, Fauci added.

Shortly later, Fauci clarified that he does not expect a mandate for domestic flights would be implemented by the Biden administration in the reasonably foreseeable future.

Its on the table, and we consider it, but that doesnt mean its going to happen, he told CNN.

He also appeared to walk back his remarks in a separate interview with MSNBCs Joy Reid on Monday.

I did not say I support mandates on domestic flights. I said that is something on the table for consideration, Fauci said.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden on Monday declined during a press briefing to comment on whether he favored such a mandate. Biden has previously said he does not consider it necessary to have a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel.

Domestic flights in the United States have taken a hit due to staffing issues amid rising COVID-19 cases, with flight cancellations continuing to cause holiday travel chaos nationwide. More than 1,000 flights were canceled by airlines on Monday amid a surge in cases caused by the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Virginia Supreme Court Adopts Electoral Map Shifting Congressional Districts

The Virginia Supreme Court has given its blessing to new electoral maps for Virginias congressional delegation and its state legislature following a process that for the first time kept elected officials out of the decision-making.

The contentious once-in-a-decade exercise included a bipartisan redistricting commission that deadlocked and failed to complete the task. It then fell to the court to appoint two special mastersRealClearPolitics senior elections analyst Sean Trende and University of CaliforniaIrvine political science professor Bernard Grofmanto draft the new maps.

Trende, who was nominated by Republican lawmakers, and Grofman, who was nominated by Democratic lawmakers, unveiled their proposed maps on Dec. 7 to the court.

On Dec. 20, Virginias two Democratic U.S. senatorsMark Warner and Tim Kaineurged the court to reject proposed modifications to the states congressional map, claiming that the changes would make it more difficult for three incumbent Democratic lawmakers to be reelected, as The Epoch Times previously reported.

Trende and Grofman, who, according to a court press release, were instructed to create maps that are fully compliant with constitutional and statutory law applied in an apolitical and nonpartisan manner, accepted public comments after Dec. 7 on the maps, made more changes, and then submitted the adjusted maps. The two men explained their methods in a separate memo.

Trende and Grofman said in a statement that public comments made them aware they had inadvertently divided communities in the maps.

Hearing from residents from all walks of life and from all corners of the Commonwealth gave us a much deeper understanding of the issues involved and brought to our attention things that we had honestly missed, they said.

Liz White, executive director of the anti-gerrymandering group OneVirginia2021, told the Washington Post her organization was still combing through the details of the memo and final district maps, [but] at first glance, we are pleased to see that the Special Masters went above and beyond to incorporate as many specific public comments as possible.

The special masters had originally proposed moving the 7th Congressional District, now represented by U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, from the Richmond area to Stafford and Prince William counties in Northern Virginia. The final map reportedly moves the district south but still doesnt encompass Henrico County, where the congresswoman resides.

The new 1st District, represented by U.S. Rep. Robert Wittman, a Republican, will now include sections of Henrico and Chesterfield counties, which had been separated in an earlier proposed map.

Analyst Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report wrote on Twitter that the final map was quite different from the special masters first proposal and offered thoughts on the plights of three Democratic congresswomen.

He said Spanberger will now represent a more tenuous district, and U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria of the 2nd Congressional District (Norfolk, Virginia Beach) is still very vulnerable, while U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton of the 10th Congressional District (Dulles, Purcellville) remains in a safe district.

All seven justices on the court signed the Dec. 28 final redistricting order that creates a new map for the Virginia House of Delegates, one for the state Senate, and one for Virginias representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The court directed the State Board of Elections and the Virginia Department of Elections to implement the new maps, which are effective immediately and will be used in the 2022 Congressional elections, and any future regular primary or general elections that may be held for the Virginia Senate, Virginia House of Delegates, and Congress will proceed as scheduled.

In the U.S. Congress, Virginia is currently represented in the Senate by two Democrats and in the House by seven Democrats and four Republicans. In the 2020 presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden nabbed the states 13 electoral votes, beating incumbent Republican Donald Trump 54.1 percent to 44 percent, according to official results.

In the Nov. 2, 2021, election, Republicans wrested control of the offices of Virginia governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general from Democrats. While the GOP also regained control of the Virginia House of Delegates, the Senate, which wasnt up for election this year, remains under the control of Democrats.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is seen during a congressional hearing in Washington on April 15, 2021. (Amr Alfiky/Pool/Getty Images)

Walensky: PCR Tests Can Remain Positive for up to 12 Weeks

One reason for not recommending officials require COVID-19 testing at the end of the revised shortened isolation period is because polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests can stay positive for up to three months after one contracts the illness, according to the top Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official.

The CDC cut its recommendations this week in half for people who contract COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. The agency also removed a testing recommendation for leaving isolation.

The CDC doesnt set policy, but its guidelines are widely adopted across the United States.

Some experts criticized the moves.

Ending isolation of COVID cases in five days without testing negative is the nose-out-of-mask of COVID-19 policies, Saad Omer, director of Yale Universitys Institute for Global Health, said on social media.

By not including a testing requirement, there will be a lot of infectious people in the workforce transmitting the virus to the othersfurther increasing the public health risks and likely economic disruptions.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the CDC, responded to critics during a Dec. 29 briefing.

The shortened time period, she said, was due to studies demonstrating that people are most infectious after getting SARS-CoV-2, another name for the CCP virus, during the two days before symptoms develop and during the three days after they develop.

After five days, the risk of ongoing transmission substantially decreases, she added.

The CDC did not respond to a request for the studies that were referenced. Several studies published last year indicated a window similar to that outlined by Walensky.

The lack of a testing piece, the CDC director continued, stems from PCR tests potentially coming back positive months after people initially get COVID-19.

We know that PCR testing would not be helpful in this setting as people can remain PCR-positive for up to 12 weeks after infection and long after they are transmissible and infectious, she said. Antigen tests, which yield results sooner but are widely known to be less reliable than PCR tests, may not give a good indication of transmissibility at this stage of infection, Walensky added.

Health officials have also pointed to the dominance of the Omicron variant of the CCP virus, which is more transmissible than earlier strains but also appears to lead to fewer cases of severe disease on average, as the reason for the adjusted requirements.

Another key factor is worries that industries could be left without an adequate number of workers.

The purpose of it was, given the wavethe extraordinary, unprecedented wavethat we are experiencing now, and will certainly experience more of in the next few weeks, there is the danger that there will be so many people who are being isolated who are asymptomatic for the full ten days, that you could have a major negative impact on our ability to keep society running. So the decision was made, although its not completely risk-free, of saying lets get that cut in half, Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on CNN this week.

While many experts said the adjusted isolation recommendations werent strong enough, others praised the updates.

We know most people do most of the spreading in the first five days, so I thought this was a good way to reduce the burden of a 10-day isolation and get people back out there with their families sooner, Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, said on Newsmax.
Delta airplanes sit on the tarmac at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York City on Jan. 31, 2020. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Woman Charged With Assault After Punching, Spitting on Unmasked Passenger on Delta Flight

A woman who was recorded in a viral video punching and spitting an unmasked male passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight was charged in Georgia.

The woman who was identified as Patricia Yannet Cornwall was charged with assaulting by striking, beating, or wounding; a crime which is punishable by a fine and/or up to one year in jail if found guilty.

Records from the Walton County Sheriffs Office show Cornwall is a California resident.

According to the complaint and sworn affidavit from FBI Task Force Officer Rudyard Jarrard, the incident happened during the flight from Tampa, Florida, to Atlanta, Georgia. The disputes were started over a beverage cart blocking the aisle.

Who am I, Rosa Parks? Cornwall responded when the flight attendant asked her to find an open seat until beverage service was completed. The male passengerwho is identified as R.S.M. in the complaintseemed to think that Cornwalls response was inappropriate, and told her that she isnt black  this isnt Alabama and this isnt a bus.

Cornwall then turned on the male passenger and ended up striking his head with a closed fist and causing visible injury. She also spat in the passengers face and head area.

She was taken by the flight security and restrained for the remainder of the flight, reads the complaint.

Cornwall was released on Monday after a $20,000 bond was posted, court records show.

A federal public defender, Mildred Geckler Dunn, was assigned as her attorney.

The Epoch Times reached out to Dunn for comments.

A snapshot of Patricia Yannet Cornwall. (The Walton County Sheriffs Office)

The complaint doesnt mention any disputes over masking during the altercation. However, a video clip that captured the event shows an argument about masks being part of the feud.

Delta flight from Tampa to Atlanta got crazy pic.twitter.com/I9BZUKv3LB  ATL Uncensored | Atlanta News (@ATLUncensored) December 25, 2021

Cornwall can be seen in the videowith her mask under her chintelling the male passenger Wear your [sic] mask?

Im eating, the passenger can be heard responding.

Sit down, Karen! the passenger can be heard shouting at Cornwall once during the video.

R.S.M. and at least another passenger reminded Cornwall to wear her mask during the event.

He can be heard swearing while telling Cornwall to wear her mask.

Cornwall punched him right after.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  An Arkansas judge on Wednesday struck down a state law that prevents schools and other governmental entities from requiring face masks.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox had already temporarily blocked the law in August. On Wednesday, he ruled the law unconstitutional on multiple grounds, including that it discriminates between children in public and private schools. Private schools were not barred from requiring masks under the law.

More than 100 public charter schools and school districts in Arkansas imposed mask mandates following Foxs ruling in August. Many have since eased or lifted their requirements altogether.

Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed the ban into law in April, though he has since said he regretted that decision and has said he agreed with Foxs initial ruling against the ban.

Hutchinson faced heavy opposition from fellow Republicans in August when he proposed rolling back the ban.

The governor said Wednesday that he was pleased with Fox's decision.

The ruling that Act 1002 is unconstitutional serves as a restraint against the legislative branch and helps reset the correct balance between the branches of government, Hutchinson said in a statement posted on Twitter. The ruling also makes it clear that local school boards have the authority to protect the health of students during this pandemic.

Fox's ruling comes as COVID-19 cases are surging again in Arkansas.

On Wednesday, the state reported more than 3,700 new cases of COVID-19 and an increase of 15 people hospitalized statewide, for a total of 585 total hospitalizations.

Hutchinson said the actual number of positive cases is higher with the availability of at-home testing.
CARLYLE, Ill. (AP)  Police have arrested a Kentucky man in connection with the fatal shooting of an eastern Illinois deputy early Wednesday and a carjacking in neighboring Missouri a couple of hours later.

An Illinois State Police SWAT team arrested Ray Tate, 40, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on Wednesday afternoon at a home in Carlyle where Tate allegedly committed a home invasion and took the homeowner hostage in addition to the carjacking victim, police said.

Tate was charged with murder by the Wayne County States Attorney and lodged in the Clinton County Jail.

Neither the carjacking victim nor the home invasion victim was injured, police said.

No other suspect was being sought, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The Wayne County, Illinois, Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that Deputy Sean Riley responded to a motorist assist call on Interstate 64 near Mill Shoals around 5 a.m. Wednesday. A second officer who arrived at the scene found Riley dead. The deputy's squad car was later found abandoned on I-64.

The search for the suspect extended to St. Peters, Missouri, where police believe a man involved in a shooting and carjacking shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday at a QuikTrip convenience store was the same person who killed the deputy.

St. Peters police spokeswoman Melissa Doss said in an email that there was evidence at the QuikTrip scene which indicates the suspect was also involved in the series of crimes which occurred in Illinois earlier this morning. She declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

St. Peters police said the man drove away from the convenience store in a car that was later found near Interstate 70 in nearby O'Fallon, Missouri. The suspect then stole a white pickup truck, police said.

Carlyle is 47 miles (76 kilometers) east of St. Louis.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)  The jury weighing fraud charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes left the court Tuesday without reaching a verdict after a fifth day of deliberations. Holmes is facing 11 criminal charges alleging that she duped investors and patients by hailing her companys blood-testing technology as a medical breakthrough when in fact it was prone to wild errors.

The eight men and four women on the jury have been meeting in a San Jose, California, federal courthouse after absorbing reams of evidence in a three-month trial that captivated Silicon Valley.
NEW YORK  The Broadway revival of The Music Man has been one of the hottest tickets in town and it has limped along without co-star Sutton Foster. But now the show is being shuttered until the new year because Hugh Jackman has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Jackman took to social media Tuesday to announce that he had tested positive. He says that although his symptoms are mild with only a scratchy throat and a runny nose, he needs to quarantine.

Some Broadway shows have closed for several days and some have folded completely because of virus cases Thoughts of a Colored Man joined Waitress and Jagged Little Pill as shows that have closed this winter due in part to rising infection rates.

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HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC:

 Undertakers, rabbis join global fight promoting COVID shot

 US officials recommend shorter COVID isolation, quarantine

 Fauci: US should consider vaccine mandate for US air travel

 In eastern Germany, pastors push for shots despite protests

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Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

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HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING TODAY:

BATON ROUGE, La.  Louisiana officials are urging residents to go online for Office of Motor Vehicles services, and say 12 offices are temporarily closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The department said Tuesday that Louisiana residents should only visit OMV field offices if its absolutely necessary."

Louisiana, officials reported Monday that hospitalizations of people infected with the coronavirus had doubled over the course of a week.

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ORLANDO Fla.  The mayor of one of Floridas largest counties on Tuesday blasted Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying he has been missing in action during the latest wave of COVID-19, as some counties brought back mask mandates for government workers and other municipalities opened up new testing sites in response to overwhelming demand.

The mayor of Orange County, Jerry Demings, said local governments had been forced to figure out on their own, without help from the state, how to respond to the omicron variant that has rapidly overtaken the delta variant as the dominant strain of the coronavirus in Florida.

Florida hit a new record for daily cases last weekend, with the state reporting 32,850 new cases on Saturday.

Demings said new restrictions placed by DeSantis and the Florida Legislature on actions that can be taken by local governments and private businesses to combat the virus have made fighting the pandemic more difficult.

A new law signed by DeSantis last month prevents businesses from having vaccine mandates unless they allow workers to opt out, bars schools and governments from having vaccine mandates and allows parents to sue schools with masking requirements.

The governors office did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

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MADRID  A recent sharp surge in coronavirus infections in Spain gave no signs of abating Tuesday with nearly 100,000 cases reported in the previous 24 hours, a new all-time pandemic high.

Health Ministry data showed that the 14-day infection rate soared to 1,360 cases per 100,000 residents, up from 1,206 new cases on Monday, nearly twice the level from a week earlier and five times the incidence rate at the beginning of December.

Authorities reported a total of 99,671 new positive cases, a new daily record for the seventh consecutive day.

But the sharp increase in contagion is not replicating the flow patients requiring hospital care that strained Spains public health system in previous surges, something that experts partially explain because of a vaccine uptake of more than 80% of the total population. Intensive care unit occupation with COVID-19 patients remained at an average of 18.7% of the national capacity.

With 114 new casualties, the pandemics confirmed death toll is 89,253 in the southern European country.

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ATLANTA  Georgia is setting new records for the number of test-confirmed COVID-19 cases.

An extremely rapid rise in cases pushed totals on Tuesday beyond peaks previously set in January. The state recorded nearly 14,000 positive tests in its report released Tuesday, a combination of molecular PCR tests and rapid antigen tests.

The seven-day average of positive tests in Georgia roe to nearly 10,000. The number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals rose to nearly 2,200 statewide on Tuesday.

Rising cases led the city of Atlanta to cancel its New Years Peach Drop. Emory University says it will begin spring semester classes online. And some public schools say they will require students to again wear masks in January.

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SEATTLE  The Washington state Department of Health has reported a new record number of cases tallied in a single day.

The Seattle Times reports state officials confirmed 6,235 new cases on Dec. 24. The states previous single-day record number of cases was 5,526 cases on Dec. 7, 2020.

Dec. 24 also marked the first time Washington state reported over 6,000 cases in a single day.

The spike in cases mirrors that of other U.S. cities as the highly contagious omicron variant has become dominant.

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HONOLULU  The University of Hawaii will conduct mostly online classes for the first two weeks of the spring semester as the state watches a surge in omicron coronavirus cases.

Hawaii has had all-time record high daily COVID-19 numbers in recent days. University of Hawaii officials say that campuses across the islands will temporarily move many classes to online instruction.

In an email to students and staff, University of Hawaii President David Lassner says only classes that can be effectively taught online will change.

Other classes will be taught in person but with physical distancing, mask wearing and health screenings in place

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ATLANTA  Emory Universitys president said Tuesday the school is switching to virtual classes to start the spring semester because of a national surge in COVID cases fueled by the omicron variant.

In a letter to the university community, President Gregory Fenves said Emory will transition back to in-person learning on January 31 if conditions permit that.

The switch to remote learning applies to undergraduate, graduate and professional courses. Residence halls will remain open, though students are encouraged to delay their return to campus.

COVID-19 infections in the Atlanta area, where Emory is located, are climbing rapidly.

The seven-day average of COVID-19 cases in Georgia rose to nearly 8,700 a day on Monday, according to the state Public Health Department. Thats nearing the peaks that Georgia saw in infection numbers in early January and early September.

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LONDON  The U.K. has reported another record number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, with a further 129,471 infections on Tuesday.

The data was incomplete because of the Christmas holidays, and did not include figures from Scotland or Northern Ireland.

A further 18 people had died after testing positive for the coronavirus, the government said.

Officials have said some 90% of cases in the country are now the omicron variant.

Despite the high daily infections Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government has said it is not imposing further virus restrictions in England before the new year. Meanwhile Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which make their own public health rules, began shuttering nightclubs and limiting social gatherings from Boxing Day.

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In February, with the images of the violent insurrection in Washington still fresh in the minds of Americans, newly confirmed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took the unprecedented step of signing a memo directing commanding officers across the military to institute a one-day stand-down to address extremism within the nations armed forces.

The stand-down came in response to the participation and the subsequent arrests of several veterans and at least one active duty service member, who along with thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, stormed the U.S. Capitol in a melee that sent lawmakers scrambling for safety, left one person fatally shot by Capitol Police and caused millions of dollars in damages to the building largely seen as the symbol of American democracy.

Austins order, which also came as America as a whole was grappling with how to address systemic racism, was the latest in a series of decades-long efforts by the military to purge its ranks of extremists and white supremacists. Last week, in response to the order the military issued new rules to deal with extremism that included social media usage policy updates where liking and reposting white nationalist and extremist content could result in disciplinary action. The DOD also updated its screening of recruits and is looking at how to prepare troops who are retiring from being targeted by extremist organizations.

But an AP investigation found that despite the new rules, racism and extremism remain an ongoing concern in the military.

The investigation shows the new guidelines do not address ongoing disparities in military justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the legal code that governs the U.S. armed forces. Numerous studies, including a report last year from the Government Accountability Office, show Black and Hispanic service members were disproportionately investigated and court-martialed. A recent Naval Postgraduate School study found that Black Marines were convicted and punished at courts-martial at a rate five times higher than other races across the Marine Corps.

The AP investigation also shows the militarys judicial system has no explicit category for hate crimes  something the federal government, 46 states, and the District of Columbia have on the books  making it difficult to quantify crimes motivated by prejudice.

As a result, investigative agencies such as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service or Army Criminal Investigative Division also dont have a specific hate crime category, which impacts how they investigate cases.

While its possible hate crimes have occurred, our investigations are not titled as such, the NCIS said in an email. For example, an assault on a person, regardless of the reason for the assault, would still be categorized as an assaultregardless of what motivated the crime.

The new National Defense Authorization Act signed into law by President Biden on Monday directs the Secretary of Defense to make a recommendation to Congress within 180 days if a new statute is needed to address violent extremism, but does not address hate crimes or racial disparities in military law.

The new Pentagon rules do not outright ban service members from being members of extremist organizations, such as the Ku Klux Klan, Oath Keepers, or other right-wing and white nationalist groups. The regulations, like the previous ones, only prohibit active participation, in such groups, a murky policy that civil rights organizations have raised concerns about for years. The military describes active participation as publicly demonstrating or rallying, fundraising, recruiting and training members, as well as organizing or leading organizations.

Experts interviewed by the AP say theres also ongoing concern over the military commanders ability to enact a wide range of administrative and disciplinary actions -- including administrative separation or appropriate criminal action -- against military personnel who engage in prohibited activities.

Commanders essentially have total discretion to determine how to address situations as they arise, which experts say has created non-uniform, scattershot enforcement, with some commanders establishing a no-tolerance approach and others employing weak enforcement of the rules.

The AP investigation also found that while the Department of Defense says it considers racism and extremism within the military to be a security concern, it does not have dedicated funding that specifically supports efforts to address extremism. Instead, military officials said the Pentagon uses personnel vetting programs, training and education programs, and the Insider Threat Program to positively contribute to countering extremism within the force.

The Pentagon did not respond to questions about how much money it has spent or budgeted for efforts solely related to diversity and inclusion, and how many employees are dedicated to it.

Pentagon Spokesperson Maj. Cesar Santiago acknowledged in a statement to the AP that extremism and extremist ideology can have an outsized effect on the military force.

But he added: The vast majority of the women and men in uniform serve their nation with honor and integrity. He said since taking office in January, Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first African American to serve as Secretary of Defense, has taken immediate action to address extremism. In addition to the new guidelines on extremism, the Defense Department appointed an interim deputy inspector general for diversity and inclusion and military insider threats in April.

Susan Corke, the director of the Southern Poverty Law Centers Intelligence Project, commended the Defense Department for taking key steps this year, including the changes announced last week, to address extremism. She said the Defense Department sought the expertise of civil rights organizations, academics, and others who have sounded the alarm about the dangers of extremism in the ranks for years.

But Corke said its too soon to definitively say whether the updated policies will purge extremism from military ranks.

The devil will be in the details, she said.  I do appreciate that there is a commitment from the Defense Department to have much more consultation with outside partners and that theres much more focus on doing additional research. So, were going to hold their feet to the fire.

Corke said the SPLC is still pressing for additional reforms, including how the militarys command structure allows commanders to have virtually absolute command authority over subordinates, which might discourage members from reporting incidents or concerns of extremism.

Even some in the military agree that the armed forces need to do more. There needs to be a change in action and behaviors  elements that cant be so easily influenced by a change in military law,  said Maj. Tyrone Collier, a judge advocate in the Marine Corps Reserve, in an interview with the AP.

Even if some legislation is passed from the highest echelons of government that says you will do this and that, will it actually get done? Collier said.

___

Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/
SPRINGFIELD  Officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation are pleased with the major projects delivered or coming to life across the state in 2021.

The Interstate 255 rebuild in Madison County, one of the first Rebuild Illinois projects to fix one of the worst roads in the state, won top honors for technology and innovation from the Midwest chapter of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials.

This past year was perhaps the most eventful in the history of IDOT, said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. "Because of Rebuild Illinois, we made history in 2021 with generational improvements to highways, bridges, rail, transit, waterways, airports as well as bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

"We head into 2022 prepared to build an even safer, more equitable transportation system for all of Illinois.

IDOT was able to manage about $2.4 billion in improvements to 1,314 miles of highway and 142 bridges, as well as 194 safety improvements, in the 2021 fiscal year.

Additionally, with the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed last month, Illinois is estimated to receive about $17.8 billion over the next five years.

Highway and bridges

The new $1.2 billion Interstate 74 Mississippi River bridge in the Quad Cities opened to traffic Dec. 3 following four years of construction and a ribbon-cutting led by the governor. A joint project with Iowa, the bridge is one of the biggest projects in state history.

Construction wrapped up on expanding I-80 to six lanes between Interstate 355 and U.S. 30 in Joliet and New Lenox. The work was tied to the reconstruction of the U.S. 30 interchange and a prelude to six-year plan to rebuild 16 miles of I-80  a $1.2 billion project that is currently in progress.

In Champaign-Urbana, construction began on rebuilding the I-57/74 interchange. The $216.8 million project replaces the more than 50-year-old original interchange and will provide safer and more efficient movement of freight and people.

Work advanced on replacing the eastbound McClugage Bridge that carries U.S. 150 in Peoria. One of six bridges spanning the Illinois River in the Peoria area, the $167 million project ended the year about 40% complete. The new structure will improve capacity, increase safety, reduce travel times and provide multimodal access with bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

In southern Illinois, work will be underway in January on a $67.6 million expansion of nine miles of I-57 north of Illinois 149 to south of Illinois 154. The project continues the ongoing effort to expand I-57 from four to six lanes in West Frankfort.

Rail service

Lincoln Service, Carl Sandburg/Illinois Zephyr and Illini/Saluki state-supported Amtrak trains resumed full service in July after being limited due to COVID-19. In November, communities along the Illinois Zephyr celebrated the 50th anniversary of the service connecting Chicago and Quincy.

Ground was broken on a new federal and state effort with several railroads to reconfigure an outdated network of tracks and signals while replacing the 97-year-old Lenox Tower in the Metro East. The project, expected to conclude in 2022, is modernizing rail operations, safety and mobility.

In December, a new schedule was implemented for Lincoln Service trains to reflect higher 90 mph speeds as a result of improvements made along the Chicago-St. Louis corridor. Work continues toward the ultimate goal of increasing speeds to 110 mph by 2023. Testing of the new Siemens Venture passenger rail cars occurred, with the cars expected to go into service in early 2022 in Illinois and other Midwest states.

Additionally, more than 50 Alternative Fuels Corridor signs were posted on interstates statewide to guide motorists to electric vehicle charging stations. The Federal Highway Administration has designated 145,000 miles of interstate for promoting alternative fuels, including along Interstates 39, 55, 70, 74, 80, 90 and 94 in Illinois.

An improved winter road conditions map debuted on the popular Getting Around Illinois website. The map now offers greater detail into how weather events are impacting roads under the jurisdictions of the more than 120 snow-and-ice team sections that work out of

Efforts by IDOT to promote pollinator habitat and the monarch butterfly continued going strong in 2021 with the opening of the Litchfield Route 66 Prairie. The result of a four-year partnership between IDOT and local Montgomery County environmental groups, the 10-acre prairie thats part of the Route 66 Monarch Flyway is home to more than 200 native plant species and several types of large and small animals.
MIAMI (AP)  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating more cruise ships due to new cases of COVID-19 as the omicron variant drives extremely high infection levels in the industry hub of Florida.

The CDC said 88 vessels are now either under investigation or observation, but it did not specify how many COVID-19 cases have been reported. Four other vessels are also being monitored by the CDC as well.

Florida hit a new record for daily cases on Tuesday with 46,900 new cases in a day. Since Christmas, the state's 7-day average of daily cases has surpassed previous records set during last summer's surge, rising to 29,400 infections.

Coronavirus hospitalizations in the state have also risen from about 1,200 patients two weeks ago to about 3,400 on Wednesday. But that is still less than one-fifth the number of hospitalizations reported in late August due to the delta wave.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal is calling for the CDC and cruise lines to again halt cruise travel, six months after the industry mounted its comeback.

Our warnings have proved sadly prescient and continuously compelling. Time for CDC and cruise lines to protect consumers, again pause  docking their ships, the Connecticut senator posted on Twitter.

Cruise lines have not announced any plans to halt cruising. And the CDC did not say it would adopt any changes, adding it still had plans to allow for the expiration of a set of rules that cruises must follow to sail during the pandemic. The regulation, called a conditional sailing order, is scheduled to expire on Jan. 15 to become a voluntary program.

CDC acknowledges that it is not possible for cruising to be a zero-risk activity, CDC spokesperson Jasmine Reed said in an emailed statement.

Most lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Cruise ships are allowed to relax measures such as mask use if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are fully vaccinated.

The federal agency recommends that people avoid cruise travel if they are at increased risk of severe illness, regardless of vaccination status.

None of the ships so far appear to have so many cases that they would overwhelm medical resources on board and require a return to port. But some have been denied entry at some foreign ports.

Several Florida-based ships have reported outbreaks. The Carnival Freedom was denied entry to Aruba and Bonaire after an undisclosed number of passengers and crew aboard caught the virus.

Some cruise ships have not been allowed to disembark in Mexican ports due to cases reported, bringing to memory the early days of the pandemic when cruise lines negotiated docking plans as ships were being turned away by officials worried about the viruss spread.

The Mexican government said Tuesday it would allow cruise ships with reported coronavirus cases to dock. The country's Health Department said passengers or crew who show no symptoms will be allowed to come ashore normally, while those with symptoms or a positive virus test will be quarantined or given medical care.
Black-eyed peas are a traditional favorite of Houstonians and others across the South on New Years Day. They are seen as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity to many. (Photo from Facebook)
The Buhari led-administration has tired many Nigerians. And most of us cannot wait any longer for the government to pack their loads, baggage and belongings out of the Aso Rock Villa as their tenure will definitely come to an end in 2023. Apparently, since their reception of the wheel of power to steer the State, our mysteries have become more miserable. Our burdens are more heavier. Our pains are more injurious and worsening. We have utmost endured their failures and we cannot keep in anticipation of their exit, if not extinction.

We cannot wait to see this administration off out of office. The godsend Buhari who Nigerians had wanted has blatantly failed and mis-ruled the country. I am still sceptical if this current President was the real candidate in 2015 general election. The Buhari we had known before the election was who promised to transform Nigeria from bad to good governed State. Who assured Nigerians restructuring and modern Nigeria. Who sworn to fight corruption, nepotism, tribalism, favoritism and do justice without being selective or bias. The Buhari we voted in 2015 was who vowed to change Nigeria; give us prosperous economy, alleviate sufferings, eradicate unemployment, provide security and sustainable infrastructural developments. The 2015 Buhari gave us hope and kept us in anticipation of good governance and dividends of democracy. But sadly, the Buhari we admired has become a predator and a failure. For this last six years, he has become nothing but an incompetent, hypocrite and clueless leader.

President Buhari unarguably has failed in his capacity to rescue our country from chaos. He has mis-governed our State, mismanaged our economy and jeopardised our bright future. Compare the value of our Naira in 2015 to this present day, the Gap is unimaginable and incomparable! As of today, insecurity is unabated. Food security and employment rates are at a low level. Certainly, we cannot just keep waiting for another a year and half for them to leave their footprint of failure and return to their farms!

We have had enough of this hypocrite President Buhari led - government who outright decried corruption publicly but never checked the various corruption allegations within his corridor and levelled against his closet cabinet members. Has Ibrahim Magu the former EFCC Chairman, sent to prison? Has our President seen to the investigation of members of his party accused of corruption? He hasn't and can never! He is only readily to use government apparatus to fight opposition, and oppress, suppress and disrupt peaceful protest. Truly, we cannot long for this government who pretended vulnerable to fight insurgents , bandits and gunmen who have been wrecking havoc on communities; but proactive to issue threat and deploy high - powered security personnel to dispel and victimise freedom fighters who bear no arms. We cannot wait for Buhari government who appoints based on ethnicity and tribalism to take his bow and leave. And leave us with their regrettable memories. Once again, We are tired of them as they too are tired to govern well.

As we would continue and enduring the economic hardship under their watch in 2022, I pray the Almighty God ease any burden which the government may inflict or has inflicted on us and pray for God's protection against our internal predators! Amen!

Wishing you resourceful New Year!

Damilare Adeleye is an undergraduate in Lagos State University. Can be reached via; [email protected]
Since the announcement during the World Bank Nigeria Development Update, November 2021 edition titled Time for Business Unusual by the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Malam Mele Kyari that the price of the Petroleum product may range between N320 and N340 per litre, the Nigeria Labour Congress have been beating drums of war.

Since 2004 when the Federal Government started the policy of selling the crude oil earmarked for local refining/consumption at international price, it created a situation where the landing price of petroleum products was higher than the regulated pump price of petroleum products in the country.

The old system where crude oil earmarked for local refining/consumption was sold to the NNPC at a subsidized rate was able to take care of the price differential between landing cost and regulated pump price.

With the new policy, a system of subsidy payment was introduced to take care of the price differential.

But over time, the subsidy system became cumbersome and the Federal Government began to find it cumbersome and untenable.

For instance, the NNPC Limited had disclosed that the nation spent N10.413 trillion on fuel subsidy between 2006 and 2019, even as the country consistently grappled with low revenue generation over the same period.

The various attempts to end the subsidy regime by deregulating the downstream became a constant subject of bitter conflicts between the government and labour, sometimes resulting in debilitating strikes.

The leadership of organized labour have been beating drums of war, contending that a pump price increase would impose more hardship on Nigerians who are already battling the effect of a sluggish economy.

The Petroleum Industry Act did not make provision for subsidy payment as it provides that by the end of February 2022, the nation should be out of the subsidy regime.

For clarification purposes, the Act establishes incorporated joint companies under Section 65 of the Act. The NNPC Limited is to conduct its affairs on a commercial basis in a profitable manner without recourse to government funds and their memorandum and articles of association shall state these restrictions.

The NNPC is also required to declare dividends to its shareholders and retain 20% of profit as retained earnings to grow its business like any other incorporated entity incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, as provided under Section 53(7) of the Petroleum Industry Act.

The deregulation of the downstream through the Petroleum Industry Act will bring about liberalization of the sector which would make it possible for all petroleum products marketers to source their products from anywhere and sell at any price dictated by prevailing market forces.

The competition arising from that would have helped to force pump prices down to the benefit of the citizens.

Deregulation of the downstream and pump price increase have been very testy issues that have generated a lot of conflict between the government and labour for close to two decades.

One reality the Nigeria Labour Congress must realize is that subsidy removal would encourage investments in private refineries such as the Dangote Refinery, the BUA Refinery, among others springing up in the country presently.

Petrol subsidy would free revenues for the government to provide essential services and at the same time boost investments in the downstream sector.

There is no doubt that investments will increase. It will boost investments in private refineries such as Dangote Refinery, while those who will buy our dilapidated refineries that are under rehabilitation will also come.

Fuel subsidy removal would give operators the opportunity to recover their costs, adding that it would in the long run, encourage investment and create jobs.

Therefore, labour must learn to be objective in its resistance to the downstream sector reforms meant to eradicate the distortions in the market which have been responsible for bouts of scarcity and lack of investments in the sector.

If the labour leaders spearheading the resistance to deregulation are fair to themselves, they would recognise that the deregulation has largely stabilized petroleum products supply over this past year.

One of the key arguments of labour is that if the refineries were in operation, it would help reduce the prices of products and mitigate the hardship that deregulation would impose. But the reality on ground does not support that.

The revamping of the refineries will only result in a marginal decrease in the pump price of petroleum products since the only cost element it would affect is the freight cost. Since the refineries would pay international prices for crude oil, the benefit from local refining in terms of product pricing would be marginal.

The earlier the labour leaders understand this, the better for Nigeria and Nigerians.

The same people who are resisting the deregulation would be the same people who would turn around to castigate NNPC Ltd for not supplying enough fuel to guarantee zero fuel queues and for not making a profit at the end of its financial year.

The market stabilization that has been brought about by the past one year of deregulation should be enough to assure labour that full deregulation is the way to go if Nigerians are to enjoy the full benefits of their hydrocarbon wealth.

Resisting deregulation under the guise of fighting for the welfare of Nigerians is only an attempt to hoodwinking Nigerians into believing that they can eat their cake and still have it.

Adewole Kehinde is a Public Affairs Analyst based in Abuja and can be reached via 08166240846, 08123608662. E-mail: [email protected]
Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC, Limited has faulted the judgment of the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State and has subsequently filed an appeal challenging the ruling.

The Court had ordered the company to stop flaring of gas in Iwhrekan community in Delta State.

In reaction, the oil firm filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Benin with Suit No. CA/B/419/2017.

Shell in the appeal is seeking the appeal court understanding to determine if the lower court judge had the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

The oil giant argues that evidence relied upon for Iwhrekan community did not scientifically prove the judgment by the trial judge before judgment was given in their favour.

The appeal suit, slated for hearing January 20, 2022, at the Court of Appeal, Benin, has Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Ltd and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as applicants while Mr. Gbemre (for Iwhrekan community) and Attorney General of the Federation are respondents.

Iwhrekan community is one of the host communities to West Africas biggest gas plant, Otorogu Gas Plant, in Ughelli South, Delta State, where Shell has been flaring gas for decades.

Justice J. Nwokorie of the Federal High Court, Benin, had in the case instituted by Gbemre on behalf of Iwhrekan community ordered SPDC to stop flaring of gas in the community.
Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has said that former President Goodluck Jonathan's administration flushed out Boko Haram insurgents just before the 2015 general elections from the 14 local government areas they held in Borno State.

Clark was speaking against the the claims by the minister of information, Lai Mohammed, crediting Buhari with the feat.

The Ijaw leader, spoke in a statement on Tuesday.

He said that it was the administration's action that enabled elections to hold in the areas.

Clark said the minister's recent statement was fallacious and misleading when he declared that Nigeria would have been an Islamic state without President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the one-time federal commissioner of information, what gave Mohammed the impetus to make the statement is the fact that Nigerians have not dispelled this fraudulent and false claim that it was President Muhammadu Buhari's government that expelled the Boko Haram group from the fourteen Local Government Areas of Borno State.

He quoted excerpts from Jonathan's recent book where the former president narrated how the insurgents were flushed out saying: Anyhow, the six weeks served us well, we received the military equipment we were expecting within that period and our Armed Forces commendably, dealt a deserving blow on the terrorists and repossessed all territorial areas of Nigeria previously occupied by terrorists. Boko Haram was deflated up to the point of handing over to my successor on 29th May, 2015.

We concluded the elections peacefully, even if there were issues raised about the fairness, at least the nation was relieved that the election held peacefully and that there was no post-election violence.

According to Clark, no patriotic Nigerian will believe Mohammed's statement that it was President Buhari that prevented the takeover of Nigeria by Islam, rather, most Nigerians have the strong feeling that it is his government that has given or created the environment for the sect to return and be more daring.

With all the menacing activities of this group, no armed herdsmen have been arrested. Is it by coincidence?

He said Mohammed therefore again, decided to garb himself with the propagandist toga, which he used to wear as the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives' Congress (APC), forgetting that he is today, the Information Minister of the country, a position which he should use to build bridges between the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, and across all divides in the country.

The Ijaw nationalist recalled that while negotiations were being suggested with the insurgents, they chose then Major Gen. Buhari ad their chief negotiator

Clark added: Setting the records straight: It is pertinent to reiterate that Boko Haram was expelled from the fourteen Local Government Areas of Borno State by former President Goodluck Jonathan's government through the engagement of combined forces who were assisted by hired mercenaries.

Prior to the period the sect was expelled, they were occupying fourteen Local Government Areas in the State. As a matter of fact, it was as a result of this that the elections could not be conducted at the initial scheduled date and had to be postponed.

It was this effrontery of making the state not to hold its functions that made the then government take the bull by the horn and flushed out the Boko Haram group out of Nigeria.

It is, therefore, not true that it was President Mohammadu Buhari that expelled Boko Haram out of 14 Local Government Areas of Borno State.

It must be remembered that some Nigerians believed that the Boko Haram sect will be used to harass and torment President Goodluck Jonathan, getting him out of office.

Even when it was suggested then that there should be a meeting to see the possibility of having negotiations between the Nigerian state and Boko Haram, the sect chose Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, rtd, as he then was, as their Chief Negotiator, even though a few days after the choice, he (Gen. Buhari), rejected the sect's choice of him.

There were no accusations the APC did not level against President Jonathan then, including criticising him for killing innocent Northerners through the sponsor of Boko Haram.

There were no accusations the APC did not level against President Jonathan then, including criticising him for killing innocent Northerners through the sponsor of Boko Haram.

Meanwhile all these were fabricated lies from the pit of hell, against an innocent man whose only offence is that he as the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Force of a country, where some people think they alone have the exclusive right to be in that position.

Recalling the exchange he had with three former northeast governors including Admiral Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, Kashim Shetima of Borno State, and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State, on their accusations of Jonathan as the promoter of Boko Haram to kill northerners, he said it was a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

Clark also recounted some of the statements made by Mohammed against Jonathan after the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram including accusing his government of being behind the insurgents and Jonathan trying to gain political capital from the release of the school girls.

Chief Clark argued: On the contrary, one can even adduce that it is Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his co-travellers on this voyage of destroying an innocent President Jonathan, that should be the prime suspects.

For instance, the attitude of both the then Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetima of not heeding to the advice of security experts and the Federal Ministry of Education which strongly objected, to relocate the Chibok schoolgirls to another school to write their West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) examinations based on security reasons, was bluntly rejected by the Governor, who rather stated that he would provide adequate security for the students, but which of course he deliberately he did not do.

Another worrisome aspect about the abduction is how did the abductors get the army uniforms they wore, with which they deceived about 200 school girls that they had come to rescue them. It was reported that the girls thought that the abductors were genuine soldiers because of the uniform they wore. They took away the girls in vehicles, unchallenged.

According to the elder statesman, the gang up against the former president started when former incumbent president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua fell ill in the office with Jonah as his vice.

Clark stated: The whole gang up against former President Goodluck Jonathan started when the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua took ill and eventually died on 9th May, 2010. It was at this stage that some 'prominent' persons from the North have vowed to themselves that they will not want Dr. Jonathan to return to power in 2011, and allegedly started orchestrating all manners of evil, including the fuelling the activities of the monster called Boko Haram.

He noted that the upsurge in Boko Haram's activities especially their bombing campaign in the federal capital was the most trying time for the Jonathan administration.

He further noted: During this period, the opposition, of which Alhaji Lai Mohammed was one of its arrowheads, as the spokesman, carried out all sorts of propaganda, name-calling, against a sitting President. They ensured that their false and malicious statements made headlines in the news; they had a field day with social media.

However, today, anyone who tries to do 1/100 of what they did or said then, will be guilty of 'hate speech.

President Goodluck Jonathan knew that people were out to get at him, in any way, by all means. He even openly stated that Boko Haram had infiltrated his government.

In contrast, however, those who never wanted him in office and those who never liked him were basking in joy because their handiwork was succeeding. And actually, nurtured the group to be more daring in any way possible including people who made statements that fanned the embers of their activities, like Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

But like the saying goes what goes around, comes around, they never knew they were raising what is like the proverbial Frankenstein monster. What they created became uncontrollable and returns to haunt them.

Today, part of Niger State in the North-Central geopolitical zone is occupied by Boko Haram. The Governor of the State, Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello, has cried out several times about this. The insurgents have hoisted their flags in parts of the State, collecting levies and taxes from farmers before the latter will not only be allowed to go about their business but also enable them to live in peace.

Only recently, on 19th December 40 innocent persons were gruesomely murdered in Kaduna State by terrorists, in a state that has very major state security installations. These are not imaginary persons; they are sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, relatives of persons. In fact, the names of 29 of them were published, the rest were yet to be identified.

Just a few days ago, there were rocket explosions at different locations when the President visited Maiduguri. Yet, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Information Minister, is not seeing this; what he keeps seeing in his imagination is his warped images of 2015.

It is a blatant falsehood for Alhaji Lai Mohammed to claim that but for President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria would have been Islamised, that it was President Buhari government that sent Boko Haram out of the fourteen Local Government Areas in Borno State.

The leader of the Southern Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) admonished President Buhari over the utterances of his spokesmen who he stated are the president's albatross.

I want to reiterate that the spokesmen of President Mohammadu Buhari, are his albatross. Their unwarranted attacks, insults, arrogance on opponents, behaving like Paul Joseph Goebbels, the chief propagandist of the Nazi Party of Germany, and one of the closest allies and spokesmen of Adolf Hitler during World War 2.

As Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed should be building bridges, instead of widening and expanding the gulf, he stated
The war between the two forces of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and Hope Uzodinma continues to move from one new stage to another. It looks like they hate each other's moral and ideological views  so they just disagree with each other perhaps inwardly, subconsciously, and outwardly.

Is it ever acceptable to wish another person dead? No. But I will not be surprised if by way of imagination, Uzodinma and Okorocha have not periodically wished each other death.

We will never know how much hatred they have for each other. Only God knows.

I dare say, for far too long the Imolites have suffered from this untreated divide affecting the State.

The inhabitants of Imo state, know, in their minds who has created a culture of corruption, like across Nigeria, they know many Nigerians with public power will wield it for private gain.

In general, the pattern of abusing powers for personal or political gain has reached an alarming level that hasn't been seen in recent history and will have long-lasting consequences for the future of Nigerian democracy.

The personal and political war between Uzodinma and Okorocha is largely an institutional problem, rather than a cultural one, as it is reflective of a nation where everyone shows their own power and showcase who is more safeguarded by extended power or influence.

If truth be told, Nigeria is yet to act as a democracy and as a country founded on the rule of law with guaranteed fundamental rights.

In a real democracy, accountability, which refers to the processes and structures that hold the inhabitants and public officials legally responsible for their actions and that impose sanctions if they violate the law is almost fictional.

Any good observer of the Nigerian affairs will not be perturbed that the police invaded a church, jumped to the altar, interrupted sermons, and shot indiscriminately, and arrested Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law to former Governor Rochas Okorocha, who was doing thanksgiving service for his late mother.

Do not be surprised that a so-called police investigation could be carried out but end up in oblivion, like many others because the police is subordinate under an Inspector General (IG) that is under the thumb of the Presidency. Even when a good attempt is made to probe a matter, under the psychology of the order from above the police and its senior officials will instantly act in service to the interest of the master than to the rule of law.

In a weak or deficient institutional democracy, it is always about show me I show you or do me I do you, type governance, meaning, a system in which those with power make up their own rules and use personal influence to go against each other.

In a society propelled by persons in power, use politicized security agencies to cater for their selfish interests, the rule of man prevails.

On a psychological and political note, I have been an observer of these two interesting personalities in Imo State. They both appeared likeable persons. Now, let us dig dipper.

Okorocha to me, acts as a stand-up comedian governor in a solo manner. As a comic executive, he engaged in an endless need to get attention, and he did it with pride, impunity, and indifference, and sometimes with generosity.

Okorocha tends to appreciate aggressive humor, when he supposedly dismissed workers, sometimes refused to pay workers/contractors, engages in demolition of markets, ignores court orders, and have gotten vindictive with competitors he disliked, and he is known to destroy peoples houses.

Humorously, he appears as one who expresses authoritarian, venal, and dictatorial might. Okorocha made his sister the commissioner for happiness, he made his son-in-law Deputy Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government from 2011 to 2013, commissioner for Lands from 2013 to 2015, and Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2019. I am referring to Uche Nwosu who after been placed under arrest, was dragged out of the church, stripped half-naked, handcuffed, and flown in a private jet to a police unit in Abuja, as if there are no police stations and investigators in Imo State.

Okorocha, as part of his apparent delusional approach to power, made his sister serve as deputy chief of staff and commissioner. He gave a ministerial position to his daughters father-in-law. His fantasy extended to building and acquiring properties that included schools, hotel, hospital, estate, and others.

As part of his humorous poetics, he bult the Eastern Palm University, allegedly with state funds money but personalized it. After leaving office, he ignored governments order by breaking into his wife's sealed Royal palm spring estate and got arrested. At least for some hours. Is the case currently in court, keeping waiting?

To hold on to all his power and wealth, he finds his aggressive fantasies becoming actualized in aggressive behaviors. He has been known to use his thugs and aides to beat up top officials, and even a police officer was once pounded into a coma for delaying in opening the gate to the state government house.

His last huge fantasy was when he anointed his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, to succeed him as governor, it all crashed.

In a video clip, as a sitting governor, he said The salary of a Governor is N750,000/month. So, if you dont have a second office and you dont have something else to do, you must steal; excuse me. Every political office holder who does not have a second office must steal." A video that is now continuously used for anti-corruption education globally.

Okorochas unpleasant competitor, Uzodinma, a long-time federal Senator, who was declared by the Supreme court as the winner of the governorship of Imo State held in 2019, would come in with what I call the Uzodinma Reality.

Since Uzodinma assumed office, Okorochas aggressive humor and romantic powers, have faced a set of multiple Uzodinma s consequential medicines. Okorochas world through executive powers of governor Uzodinma and the law has fallen, at least for now, and he knows that he is in deep stressful trouble. I do worry about his health.

There are nightmares rattling and pounding him. Everything he now associates with, including his very close supporters are affected. Okorocha is now tasting revenge fantasies but with realism.

Using the powers of the courts, Uzodinma, is recovering properties of the state apparently looted by Okorocha and his family members. Uzodinma, has returned lands said to be forcefully taken from the owners by Okorocha. Reality hit Okorocha gravely as his Eastern Palm University, by court order was renamed Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU).

Uzodinma, knows that Okorocha is not apparently delusional enough to think he has continued power.

Uzodinma, with the power of the law and influence, is bent on bringing down the cold-blooded and malicious acts of Okorocha, a man who now appeared as driven by wounded personal pride and wobbly energy.

In a non-institutional democracy like Nigeria, where who pass you or personalized democracy dominates, Uzodinma, is more covertly and overtly supported by the powers that be, with a small handful, on Okorochas side. Although, Okorocha is clearly and forcefully pushing back in exasperations.

Nigeria, Imo Sate cannot continue this way. Those with personalized power boldly undermine democracy and the rule of law with recklessness.

Nigeria is a country where persons patently unfit for public office get power due to corruption and habitual dishonesty.

It is difficult to say anything is institutionally correct in Nigeria, including the presidency, police, and the judiciary as each operates generally, not according to the rule of law, and not for the full interest and fate of the Nigerian democracy.

The air is filled with so called leaders who are always waging war against the rule of law, ethics, and morality.

In the Nigeria society, rule by position, whereby an occupier of government is considered above the law. The rule of law, which implies that everyone in society is bound by the law, including the government is under duress and dismissal.

As for the Imolites, majority feel worn out by the amount of political stress in the State, constantly unsure about the future in terms livelihood and personal security.

It is a fair to say that these two warring men are lovely Imolites, who have done some good things for the people.

Today one is a politically wounded Senator, and the other is a Governor under public test.

If they are alive their bitter poetical relationship will continue but let us hope they will be thinking more in the spirit of institutional democracy.

And focus on developing the state, enhancing governance, and pushing to help the people of Imo environment out of impoverishment, hardship, insecurity and assist in providing lifesaving surroundings.

On the larger side, those who abuse public power, occupy position for personal advantage, exploit tribal loyalty to advance personal gain, and pursue parochial interests need to be more open to the psychology of trustworthiness and competence.

In the absence of these inner qualities, all of us will continue to experience poor governance, painful poverty, infrastructure deficit, a deteriorating economy and protracted insecurity.

May God/Allah give us good thinking men and women filled with the psychology of commonsense and rationality.

John Egbeazien Oshodi who was born in Uromi, Edo State in Nigeria, is an American based Police/Prison Scientist and Forensic/Clinical/Legal Psychologist. A government Consultant on matters of forensic-clinical adult/child psychological services in the USA; Chief Educator and Clinician at the Transatlantic Enrichment and Refresher Institute, an Online Lifelong Center for Personal, Professional and Career Development. A former Interim Associate Dean/Assistant Professor at the Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African settings. In 2011, he introduced the State-of-the-Art Forensic Psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C and the Nasarawa State University where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. A Virtual Professor at the ISCOM University, Benin of Republic. Founder of the Proposed Transatlantic Egbeazien University (TEU) of Values and Ethics, a digital project of Truth, Ethics, Openness. Author of over 40 academic publications/creations, at least 200 public opinion writeups on African issues, and various books. He specializes in psycho-prescriptive writings regarding African institutional and governance issues.

John Egbeazien Oshodi wrote in via [email protected]
"It is Islamically allowed for one to defend himself (sic), his family and assets. If you die while trying to defend yourself, you'll be considered a Martyr."

The above comment was attributed to His Excellency, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state. As reported yesterday by Sahara Reporters, the Governor urged the residents of the state to 'brace up against the ravaging bandits, noting that they (the residents) will become Martyrs if they die in the battle with the terror - group'. Without being malice against the Governor, he has just shown insensitiveness to the insecurity of his state.

Like other states of the federation, Katsina has not also been spared from the prevailing insecurity bedeviling our country. Bandits today. Gunmen tomorrow. Insurgents in the north. And, kidnappers and herdsmen in the east and south. This is just the thread. And, it seems unchecked.

For a sitting governor, the Chief Security Officer of a state, to have uttered such statement, it has shown the government's admittance of being incapacitated on his mandate. The Governor had just inadvertently appraised his failure to deliver his constitutional, obligatory and fundamental responsibility: The provision of maximum security for the state; for the people and for property. Perhaps, it would have been more honorable if the Governor had tendered his resignation letter immediately after this comment. Because his inability to get the state under his control secured should not turn the state to a battlefield or warfront. Sadly, Katsina for that matter! The home state of Nigeria President. Well though, the President himself had rebuffed state police and any attempt towards decentralization of security architecture of the country. However, it is now evident that the current security system we have has been jeopardised and consequently failed we the people!

The Governor, Aminu Masari, also decried that security personnel available in the state are not enough and therefore hapless citizens within the state should confront and defend themselves. First, if I may ask, defend themselves with what? With Machetes or local rifles in the face of pump action guns and sophisticated weapons in the hands of those constituting the banditry? Furthermore, if the terrorists are eventually eliminated, how do the state plan to get the weapons which the Governor advised for the citizens recovered from them? Will this method not cause more threat and death in the state particularly? If Mr Governor is truly more genuine about the lives of his helpless people, wouldn't be more sensible to declare State of Emergency instead of putting the sacred lives of people at more stake?

Pointedly, I must say the Governor was not being sincere. Perhaps, he is one of the first class enjoy full protection with armed security men and women. He is also among those that drive around the state in convoy with heavy security escorts with tax payers' fund. His Excellency also has free access to different public security outfits: Police, Army, DSS and private security personnel. With all these with him alone, it wouldn't be any concern if residents have to face their fears fiercely. Anyway, inasmuch as the security of Mr Aminu Masari is concerned to me, the Governor must be protected with full- force, even when at the detriment of citizens security. To the Governor, it is the citizens' responsibility to protect themselves from banditry attacks. And that should be shameful.

If perhaps shortage of security personnel is the contention, will I also implore the Governor to be benevolent enough to cut- down the number of security men attached to him, his office and other big men/ cash madam in the state to enable the state has more personnel on ground for general maximum security for all.

Alternatively, other factors which government must take curious look to curb the ugly menace are the level of education and rate of unemployment. Any sociey where these two factors are low, crimes and criminalities are inevitable. Therefore, government should brace up and be proactive to eradicate the high level of unemployment rate and equipped the young individuals in the state with quality education so as to contain the phenomenon of insecurity. At least, the people elected the leaders to protect them; not the other way round.

An undergraduate in Lagos State University. Can be reached via; [email protected]

 Damilare Adeleye
Israeli fined for fleeing positive Omicron result

BANGKOK: The Bangkok South Municipal Court yesterday (Dec 28) fined an Israeli tourist B2,000 for fleeing his hotel before he could receive a positive test result for the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

CoronavirusCOVID-19healthcrimetourism

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 29 December 2021, 09:28AM

Ohad Baruch, 29, has been fined and will be deported. Photo: Bangkok Post

An arrest warrant was issued by Thong Lor police on Dec 21 against Ohad Baruch, 29, reports the Bangkok Post. It was reported that Baruch arrived in the country on Dec 17 on a Test & Go travel package and was quarantined overnight at a hotel in the Sukhumvit area, pending an RT-CPR test result. However, he left the same evening and visited Pattaya and then Koh Samui in the South. On Dec 22, Baruch surrendered to police at a restaurant at Bang Rak beach in tambon Bo Phut on Koh Samui. Pol Col Duangchote Suwancharas, superintendent of Thong Lor police, said the suspect pleaded guilty in court, so his punishment was reduced to a B2,000 fine. Immigration police have taken him into custody for deportation, Pol Col Duangchote said. Pol Col Duangchote said Baruchs actions violated COVID-control measures issued under section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations.
Police ramp up 100% helmet campaign

PHUKET: Provincial Police have ramped up their 100% Wear a Helmet campaign with a public awareness event held at the Region 8 Police headquarters at Tha Chatchai, at the northern end of Phuket.

transportSafetyaccidentsdeath

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 29 December 2021, 01:06PM

The number of deaths and serious injuries from accidents in Thailand last year (left) and so far this year (right). Screenshot: ThaiRSC

The event, held on Monday (Dec 27), was presided over by Region 8 Police Commander Lt Gen Amphol Buarabphon.

Also present were senior police commanders from across the island as well as senior local officials and representatives from the Thalang District Office, Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor), Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Office of Insurance Commission, Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) and the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO).

Also present to receive helmets handed out at the event were motorbike taxi drivers and students.

Road accidents cause a lot of damage to lives and property, Lt Gen Amphol said. The government pays attention to this problem. The expected goal is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from road accidents by 50% by 2030.

Thailand is currently ranked as the ninth deadliest country in the world for road accidents, with 22,491 deaths [period not explained], accounting for 34% of the population per 100,000 people.

In the Provincial Police Region 8 area [comprising the seven provinces of Upper Southern Thailand], there were an average of 60 deaths from road accidents per month, and the severity of most accidents comes from not wearing helmets, Lt Gen Amphol said.

According to the Thai Road Safety Commission (ThaiRSC), Thailand has recorded 13,494 deaths and 869,539 injured in road accidents so far this year.

Last year, ThaiRSC recorded 15,746 deaths and more than a million people (1,014,306) injured in road accidents throughout the country.

TAKING ACTION

Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Maj Gen Wimon Phitakburapha explained that the government was now pushing ahead with its attempt to reduce deaths and serious injuries from road accidents by 50% by the 2030.

Road accidents kill many Thais, he said. The government has made road safety a national agenda in which all sectors must work together to drive towards the goal effectively.

The Road Safety Center has integrated all sectors to take action for prevention and reduction of road accidents seriously, and continuously at all levels under the national plan and global framework at the 3rd World Conference on Road Safety in Sweden.

Thailand has been aware of the goal to reduce road accident deaths by at least 50% between 2020 and 2030 under the Stockholm Declaration, according to the policy of the government and all sectors including the Royal Thai Police, Provincial Police Region 8, he said.

Maj Gen Wimon explained that police were introducing tougher measures under the new campaign in order to have people riding motorbikes wear helmets.

To solve the problem of road accidents in the area, Provincial Police Region 8 has launched this campaign, which is a strong measure for law enforcement. If the driver or passenger does not wear a helmet, that person who is arrested will not be allowed to drive or continue to ride a motorcycle by not wearing a helmet even if the fine has been paid until driver or passenger can get the helmet, he said.

The campaign was initially launched on Dec 13, with Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong presiding over a launch event in Phuket Town while Lt Gen Amphol presided over a similar launch event in Patong.

The campaign came into force on Dec 13, with officers giving warnings, Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Lt Col Sathit Nurit explained at the event in Phuket Town.

A helmet will be given to the offender, and the offender must return the helmet to police within seven days, Lt Col Sathit said.

But later motorbike drivers will be charged for not wearing a helmet, and they will be charged if their passengers are not wearing a helmet, he explained.

From Feb 1 to Mar 31 offenders will be fined B200 for each time they are caught. From April 1 to May 31 next year offenders will be fined B300, and from June 1, 2022 onwards offenders will be fined at the highest rate required by law [B500], Lt Col Sathit said.

Of note, as police across the island ramp up their helmet campaign, the seven-day period of intensive efforts by police to reduce road accidents for the New Year holidays, traditionally called the Seven Days of Danger, began at midnight last night (00:01am Dec 29).
Sandbox helps Russians stay top in Phuket

PHUKET: Tourist arrivals from Russia held the top spot as the Number 1 tourist source market demographic over the Christmas holidays, a position they are likely to keep throughout the coming New Year.

tourismRussian

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 29 December 2021, 04:46PM

The Phuket Reopening Daily report issued by the TAT on Tuesday (Dec 28). Image: TAT

The Phuket Reopening Daily report issued by the TAT on Monday (Dec 27). Image: TAT

More direct flights to Phuket from Russian-speaking countries continue to launch, despite the Test & Go scheme being suspended. Photo: AoT Phuket

More direct flights to Phuket from Russian-speaking countries continue to launch, despite the Test & Go scheme being suspended. Photo: AoT Phuket

More direct flights to Phuket from Russian-speaking countries continue to launch, despite the Test & Go scheme being suspended. Photo: AoT Phuket

More direct flights to Phuket from Russian-speaking countries continue to launch, despite the Test & Go scheme being suspended. Photo: AoT Phuket

More direct flights to Phuket from Russian-speaking countries continue to launch, despite the Test & Go scheme being suspended. Photo: AoT Phuket

More direct flights to Phuket from Russian-speaking countries continue to launch, despite the Test & Go scheme being suspended. Photo: AoT Phuket

More direct flights to Phuket from Russian-speaking countries continue to launch, despite the Test & Go scheme being suspended. Photo: AoT Phuket

Russians first climbed into the top spot at the end of November, and have maintained their winter holiday trend to Phuket throughout December.

According to the Phuket Immigration Daily Report for Tuesday (Dec 28), more than 17,513 Russians had landed in Phuket since the beginning of the month, followed by German nationals with 11,960 and British in third place with 9,476 arrivals.

Of note, since Monday arrivals entering Phuket under the Test & Go scheme, which has now been suspended, have begun to fall dramatically. Sandox arrivals, however, have yet to show a clear downward trend.

Also of note, the suspension of the Test & Go scheme never affected Russian tourist arrivals as Russia, and Kazakhstan and Ukraine, were never added to the list of approved countries.

According to the Phuket Reopening Daily Report issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Monday saw 4,372 tourists land on the island. Of those, 2,631 were Test & Go Tourists and 1,719 were Sandbox arrivals.

By Tuesday, the number of arrivals dropped to 3,139. Of those, Test & Go arrivals had fallen to 1,769, but Sandbox arrivals had fallen only to 1,340.

The tourists who landed on the island yesterday arrived on 17 flights: THAI Airways, TUI Fly, 2 private jets, Air Astana, Etihad, emirates, Finnair, Qatar Airways (2), Turkish Airlines, S7 Airline, Hong Kong Express, Scoot and Singapore Airlines (3).

As marked by the TAT reports, both Monday and Tuesday saw TUI flights bringing tourists to Phuket, despite reports still circulating in the media that travel giant TUI Nordic had cancelled all flights to Phuket since Dec 25. The companys Sweden headquarters dismissed the reports in a direct reply to The Phuket News by email on Monday night.

Meanwhile, new direct flights to Phuket from Russian-speaking countries continue to launch. Sunday Airlines resumed flights to Phuket on Sunday (Dec 26), bringing 240 tourists from Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Ural Airlines resumed their direct flights on Christmas Eve (Dec 24), bringing 90 tourist arrivals from Irkutsk, in Russias Far East.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 30F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 30F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
ALTON  Off-year municipal elections are seldom monumental events.

But the April ballots in 2021 brought about historic changes for several Riverbend communities, including Alton's first Black mayor.

The area continued to contend with COVID-19, with signs of optimism evident for a return to a somewhat more normal life. Little did we know a hazardous materials incident would offer an unexpected challenge in June.

Here is a look at events from April, May and June this past year. The items are memories of where we've been and omens of what awaited us.

April

 On April 2, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 1871 sponsored by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, establishing permanent ballot drop boxes and allowing curbside voting across Illinois for early voting or on Election Day.

 On April 6, David Goins  a former Alton Police officer and the pastor of an Alton church  defeated incumbent Brant Walker to become the first Black mayor of Alton. Other winners included Mike Morrow in Grafton, Mike McCormick in Godfrey, Darren Carlton in East Alton, Tom Stalcup in Wood River, William Bill Robertson in Hartford, Barbara Overton in South Roxana, John Hamm in Madison, Art Risavy in Edwardsville, Bob Marcus in Glen Carbon and Michael Parkinson in Granite City. Godfrey voters also approved a $7.5 million bond issue to build a new centralized fire station.

 On April 7, Beth and Gary Machens shared a large tunnel discovered under their Alton home. The tunnel may have been used to store a horse drawn carriage.

 On April 10, Madison County States Attorney Thomas Haine announced the formation of a Cross-River Crime Task Force to address suspects entering the Riverbend from Missouri to commit crimes.

 On April 13, Robert Watson retired as a Lewis and Clark Community College trustee. Watson had served as a trustee since 1977, longer than any current sitting trustee.

 On April 13, Alton officials announced a new hotel and restaurant was planned near the Amtrak station. It was later revealed a Holiday Inn and a related restaurant, Freddys Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, was planned for the site.

 On April 14, Madison County officials took the first public step in discussing how to spend an estimated $81 million in federal

COVID-related funding.

 On April 20, U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, introduced legislation to establish national

park status for Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.

 On April 24, the first murder trial in Madison County since the start of the COVID pandemic resulted in a guilty verdict against Kevin Campbell for the October 2018 fatal shooting of Tyrone Williams.

May

 On May 5, Ben Mazur, who is on the autism spectrum, was surprised while at his job at Schnucks as family, friends, reporters and Alton Mayor Brant Walker were outside to celebrate his heroic actions earlier this year. In March, Mazur saw an unattended grocery cart with a toddler in the kiddie seat rolling through the lot and stopped it.

 On May 7, ground was broken for a $12.1 million addition to the Trouw Nutrition Pilot Plant in Highland. The expansion will

increase the existing 8,100-square-foot plant to a 32,052-square-foot facility.

 On May 11, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook announced he plans to retire at the end of the 2021-22 academic year.

 On May 12, hundreds watched David Goins be sworn in as Alton's first Black mayor.

 On May 19, Lewis and Clark Community College held its 50th graduation ceremony for the class of 2021. LCCC President Ken Trzaska said he could not think of a graduating class in colleges 50-year history that has persevered and endured as much as the Class of 2021.

 On May 25, Kyle P. Swanson, head of KTS Predator Hunters LLC, was indicted on charges stemming from a Jan. 12 altercation. The group, which sought to catch sex offenders in sting operations, later was disbanded and Swanson moved to Texas.

 On May 28, the East Alton Fire Department celebrated its 100th anniversary.

 On May 29, the Alton River Dragons played their first-ever game in the Prospect League at Lloyd Hopkins Field.

June

 On June 2, half way between Wood River and Hartdford, a pressure relief disk on a railcar from the Phillips 66 property ruptured and sulfuric acid began venting to the atmosphere, prompting a shelter-in-place warning for nearby residents and a days-long hazardous materials operation. Eventually four railcars were venting, with firefighters applying a water curtain over the cars to help dissipate the vapor.

 On June 5, Gov. J.B. Pritzker released guidelines for Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan  the full reopening of all businesses and activities  which would go into effect June 11.

 On June 12, Members of OSF Moeller Cancer Center in Alton planted a Kwanzan Cherry Tree in the far left end of the center in memory of Cancer Survivor Day. OSF Saint Anthony President Jerry Rumph said that the tree represents the journey of life and growth. The tree was decorated with bells, each belonging to present and future survivors of cancer.

 On June 16, The YWCA of Alton announced the 2021 Women of Distinction. 2021's honorees were Marie Nelson, Sandra West, Trish Holmes, Lanea DeCocini, Cameo Holland, Jennifer Gottlob, Lacy Spraggins McDonald, Crystal Uhe, Yvonne Campbell, Amy Gabriel, Carrie Schildroth, Savanna Bishop, Starrette Smith, Leah Becoat and Katie Stuart.

 On June 19, the annual Alton Juneteenth Celebration marked its 30th celebration  two days after Juneteenth was made a federal holiday.

 On June 21, Edwardsville Public Works employees removed the statue of Ninian Edwards, the founder of Edwardsville, from its small park. People wanted the statue removed because Edwards, the first territorial governor in the early 1800s, had owned enslaved people and was supportive of slavery.

 On June 30, John Pearson officially retired as superintendent at East Alton-Wood River High School after 21 years.
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP)  President Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin will speak Thursday as the Russian leader has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe while maintaining an unsettling buildup of troops near Russia's border with Ukraine.

The two leaders will discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements," National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement announcing the call.

The talks come as the U.S. and Western allies have watched the massing of Russian forces along the border, growing to an estimated 100,000 and fueling fears that Moscow is preparing to further invade Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken reiterated the United States unwavering support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the face of Russias military buildup on Ukraines borders.

Price said the two discussed efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine and upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia.

Putin said earlier this week he would ponder a slew of options if the West fails to meet his push for security guarantees precluding NATOs expansion to Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Moscow submitted draft security documents demanding that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back its military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.

The U.S. and its allies have refused to offer Russia the kind of guarantees on Ukraine that Putin wants, citing NATOs principle that membership is open to any qualifying country. They agreed. however, to hold talks with Russia next month to discuss its concerns.

The U.S. and Russia are to hold high-level talks on Jan. 10. Moscow and NATO representatives are expected to meet that same week as well as Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which includes the United States.

In Thursday's call, which was requested by the Russians, Biden is expected to stress to Putin that the U.S. is united with its allies but will demonstrate a willingness to engage in principled diplomacy with Russia, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the upcoming call. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity. The two leaders held a video call earlier this month.

The official added that the White House sees the leader- to-leader engagement as important as the administration looks to find a way beyond this moment of crisis" over growing worries of a further Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In 2014, Russian troops marched into the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and seized the territory from Ukraine. Russia's annexation of Crimea  one of the darker moments for former President Barack Obama on the international stage  looms large as Biden looks to contain the current smoldering crisis.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has made clear in public comments that the administration is ready to discuss Moscows concerns about NATO in talks with Russian officials, but emphasized that Washington is committed to the principle of nothing about you without you in shaping policy that affects European allies.

Were approaching the broader question of diplomacy with Russia from the point of view that ... meaningful progress at the negotiating table, of course, will have to take place in a context of de-escalation rather than escalation, Sullivan said at an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations earlier this month. He added that its very difficult to see agreements getting consummated if were continuing to see an escalatory cycle.

The two leaders are also expected during Thursday's call to discuss efforts to persuade Iran to return to the 2015 nuclear accord, which was effectively scrapped by the Trump administration.

Despite differences on Ukraine and other issues, White House officials have said the Iran nuclear issue is one where they believe the U.S. and Russia can work cooperatively.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin would speak with Biden on Thursday but provided no details.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Cottage Hills man was charged Monday with possession of methamphetamine and burglary tools by one police agency and burglary by another agency.

Quinton W. Harrison, 35, of Cottage Hills, was charged Dec. 27 with burglary, a Class 2 felony; unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony; and unlawful possession of burglary tools, a Class 4 felony.

The burglary charge was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. The other charges were by the East Alton Police Department.

According to court documents, on Dec. 23 Harrison allegedly entered a storage unit in Cottage Hills to commit theft. In a separate charge he allegedly was found to have less than five grams of methamphetamine and pliers, a crescent wrench, screwdrivers, a flashlight and gloves suitable for use in breaking into a storage unit to commit theft.

Bail was set at $50,000 for the burglary, and $50,000 for the drug and possession of burglary tools charges.

Other felony charges filed Dec. 28 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Justin L. Lard, 31, of Chicago, was charged with aggravated possession 0f a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 1 felony; criminal damage to property, a Class 3 felony; and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony. The charges were presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. According to court documents, on Dec. 27 Lard allegedly was found to have a stolen 2022 GMC Canyon valued in excess of $25,000\. He also allegedly caused in excess of $10,000 damage to the vehicle and attempted to flee a Venice police officer, disobeying two or more traffic control devices. Bail was set at $75,000.

 Michelle L. Jackson, 40, of Alton, was charged with two counts of offenses relating to motor vehicles, both Class 2 felonies, and two counts of criminal damage to property, both Class 4 felonies. The charges were presented by the East Alton Police Department. On Dec. 10 and Dec. 19 Jackson allegedly had a stolen 2020 Jeep Gladiator and, on both occasions, caused damage in excess of $500 to the vehicle. Bail was set at $75,000.

 Brittany M. Armbruster, 25, of Granite City, was charged with burglary, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Dec. 18 Armbruster allegedly entered a 2004 Chevrolet van in Granite City to commit theft. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Alison R. Copeland, 39, of Godfrey, was charged with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On Dec. 23 Copeland allegedly took merchandise valued in excess of $300 from the Godfrey Walmart. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Tuan D. Steward, 30, of Alton, was charged with criminal trespass to land, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On Dec. 26 Steward allegedly entered a residence in the 2100 block of State Street, Alton, without the residents permission, knowing that resident was there. Bail was set at $15,000.
CAIRO (AP)  Libya failed to hold its first presidential election as planned this month, a major blow to international efforts to end a decade of chaos in the oil-rich Mediterranean country.

The postponement of the Dec. 24 vote has opened up uncertainty over what comes next in the tenuous peace process, raising worries Libya could slide into new round of violence after more than a year of relative calm.

The planned vote was the lynchpin of international peace efforts, and major regional and international powers had for months pushed for it to take place as scheduled.

But many inside and outside Libya doubted the election would proceed as planned. Some warned that holding the vote could destabilize the country, given the continued polarization.

Libya descended into chaos following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted and then killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Since then, armed groups have proliferated, including local and tribal militias, nationalist and mainstream Islamist groups, al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

Since parliamentary elections in 2014, the country has been divided between two main rival administrations: one in the east backed by military commander Khalifa Hifter, and another in the west - an array of militias loosely allied with a weak, U.N.-recognized government in the capital Tripoli.

WHAT WAS THE PLAN?

Hifter, who was senior officer under Gadhafi but defected in the 1980s, is based in the eastern city of Benghazi, the epicenter of the 2011 uprising. His forces, the self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces, control much of eastern and southern Libya, including its oil fields and terminals. He is backed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

In April 2019, Hifter and his forces launched an offensive on Tripoli, but Turkey and Qatar stepped up their military support for his Tripoli-based rivals, including deploying troops and Syrian mercenaries. The offensive failed after 14 months of fighting.

An internationally brokered October 2020 cease-fire has kept a relative peace since. But some its main provisions  the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries within three months and adherence to a U.N. arms embargo  have not been met.

After the cease-fire deal, the U.N. led a political process called the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, which includes 75 delegates from across the country.

The forum set presidential and parliamentary elections for Dec. 24. It also appointed an interim government that included a three-member Presidential Council led by an eastern figure, and a Cabinet led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, a powerful businessman from the western city of Misrata.

The interim governments main task was to prepare the country for the elections.

WHAT HAPPENED?

From the beginning, the process was hampered by disputes.

The main leadership body in the west, the Tripoli-based Supreme Council of State, denounced the rules governing the election, drawn up by the eastern-based parliament. Dbeibeh joined the criticism. With legal challenges over the rules still unresolved, the Council of State persistently called for the vote to be delayed.

Mistrust deepened when lawmakers decided to hold parliamentary elections a month after the planned Dec. 24 presidential vote, rather than simultaneously.

The presidential election became sharply polarized when several figures who were considered intolerable by their opponents declared their intention to run  particularly Hifter and Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the ousted dictator's son and one-time heir apparent.

Khalid al-Mishri, the head of the Supreme Council of State, threatened violence to prevent Hifter from taking office if he is elected.

Seif al-Islams declaration of his candidacy prompted vows from opponents never to allow a return of Gadhafi family rule. The election commission disqualified him along with two dozen other would-be candidates. But on appeal, courts restored most of them, including Seif al-Islam.

Dbeibeh also declared his candidacy, causing outrage because when he was appointed to the head the transitional government, he had promised not to run.

Around 100 people submitted documents to run for president, but with legal disputes still roiling, the election commission was unable to declare a final list of candidates.

It was also never clear what would happen after the elections. All sides agree the constitution needs to be rewritten, but there has been no agreement on who will do so or when.

With so much at stake and so much still unresolved, militias showed their discontent. Militias demanding a postponement blocked roads in parts of Tripoli, raising warnings from the U.N. mission in Libya that the tensions could explode into violence.

And each side in the countrys main east-west split remains ready for a fight, bolstered by mercenaries provided by their foreign backers who have not withdrawn. The current number of mercenaries is not known, but according to the U.N., they have numbered as high as 20,000, including Syrians, Russians, and Sudanese in the country.

WHAT IS NEXT?

The failure to hold the vote as planned threatens to open a political vacuum.

Lawmakers have argued that the interim governments mandate ended on Dec. 24. They say the government failed in its main tasks, preparing the country for the vote, unifying its institutions, and dismantling militias or integrating them into regular security forces.

Dbeibeh, the interim prime minister, said in a televised address Tuesday that he and his administration would remain until real elections are held. He said the election laws were flawed and called for the vote to be based on a newly crafted constitution.

Major Western governments have called for the government to remain in power until prompt parliamentary and presidential elections are held.

The election commission proposed Jan. 24 as a new date.

But its not clear when or if the factions can resolve the disputes that led to the failure to hold the vote as planned. Stephanie Williams, the U.N. special adviser on Libya, has for two weeks shuttled between major Libyan players.

A legislative committee for the election blamed militias that it said wanted to craft a distorted electoral process, an apparent reference to complaints from Tripoli over the election rules.

The committee suggested drawing a practical roadmap for elections and restructuring the interim government to achieve stability, without specifying dates.

More than 100 lawmakers held two days of deliberations this week in the eastern city of Tobruk over the future of the electoral process and the interim government. The session ended without a decision and is expected to continue next week.
WILTON MANORS, Fla. (AP)  Authorities have found the car that plowed into a group of children, killing two and injuring four, but detectives are still searching for the man who was driving.

The Broward Sheriffs Office said two girls who were 5 and 6 died at the scene outside an apartment building in Wilton Manors, Florida, on Monday. Two 9-year-old girls, a 10-year-old boy and a 2-year-old boy were taken to a hospital with severe injuries, but their conditions were unknown Tuesday.
CARLYLE  A Kentucky man was arrested in Carlyle Wednesday afternoon in connection with the killing of a Wayne County deputy.

Ray Tate, 40, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, has charged first degree murder in connection with the death of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley, according to the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8.

At about 5 a.m. Wednesday, Riley was dispatched to a motorist assist on Interstate 64 eastbound at Milepost 115. A short time later another responding officer found Riley deceased on scene. The deputys squad car was missing and located a short time later abandoned just east of the scene.

State police allege Tate carjacked a truck tractor semi-trailer near the area where Rileys squad car was found. The driver of the truck was held against his will and forced to drive Tate to a QuikTrip gas station in St Peters, Missouri, according to state police.

While in Missouri, Tate allegedly participated in a series of carjackings, robberies and shootings before traveling back into Illinois with a kidnapped victim in another stolen vehicle. At one point radio traffic indicated the suspect may have been near Highland.

On Wednesday afternoon, a stolen vehicle connected to the manhunt for Tate was located at a rural Carlyle residence in Clinton County where Tate allegedly committed a home invasion and took the homeowner and the kidnapped victim hostage.

State police said that at about 1:42 p.m. its Special Weapons and Tactics members were able to make entry into the residence and take Tate without incident. The homeowner and kidnapped victim were located in the residence uninjured.

Tate was transported to the Clinton County Jail where he has been been charged with first degree murder by the Wayne County States Attorney.

On behalf of the Illinois State Police, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Wayne County Deputy Sean Rileys family, friends, and brothers and sisters at the Wayne County Sheriffs Office, stated ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.

Once again, the Illinois State Police has safely apprehended an alleged cop killer with exceptional professionalism, patience and persistence standing side by side with all Illinois law enforcement through another dark and difficult moment," he said. "Mercifully, this incident was concluded with no further harm to first responders, and this defendant will now face justice.

State police said they were assisted by multiple agencies in southern Illinois and eastern Missouri in the investigation and arrest.
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois Department of Labor is reminding people of new laws that take effect Jan. 1.

There are several new laws that have either taken effect or will in the coming days that impact employees and employers across the state, said Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik.

The Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) was amended to create the Violent Crime Victims Leave Act, which allows employees who are victims of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of violence to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per any 12-month period to seek medical help, legal assistance, counseling, safety planning, and other assistance.

The amendment also prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who are victims of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of violence.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, IDOL is responsible for maintaining a database that allows the public to search certified payrolls submitted by construction contractors on public works projects subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. This is the result of Public Act 102-0332, which is intended to ensure contractors are complying with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.

Contractors are required to file those certified payrolls by the 15th of each month. By the 16th day of each month following the month work was performed, IDOL will make relevant information available to the public.

There are new health insurance coverage disclosures employers must make to better inform employees in accordance with the Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act. While state health insurance coverage requirements are limited to state-regulated plans, the new law brings transparency by requiring all employers doing business in Illinois to disclose to their employees what group health plans do and do not cover, if they provide group health insurance.

Employers offering group health insurance plans in Illinois must provide employees with a comparison of coverage by the employers group health plan and the essential health benefits covered by ACA Marketplace health plans sold in Illinois. All in all, there are 42 medical services and treatments that employers must identify as covered or not. IDOL has provided employers guidance and necessary documents to comply with the disclosure requirements on its web site: Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act.

Trampoline courts will be subject to inspection and permitting under the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Act (ARAS) in 2022. IDOL does not allow amusement rides or attractions to operate unless they have been inspected and permitted. Rides and/or attractions are insured and meet predetermined safety standards before operating in Illinois.

IDOL crafted legislation to make sure trampoline facilities and employees meet industry standards. At the time of inspection, owners are required to provide documentation for all employees involved with the operation of trampoline equipment that a criminal history records check and sex offender registry check have been conducted, provide documentation they received proper training and have a substance abuse policy in place, which includes random drug testing.
ANNE DRAGO, Stonington, Girls Basketball, Senior; Drago was named to the all-tournament team at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. In two games, she scored 38 points and had eight rebounds.

DANTE WILK, Westerly, Boys Basketball, Senior; Wilk was named MVP of the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament after the Bulldogs beat Chariho in the title game. Wilk had a combined 35 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and eight steals in two tournament victories.

TYLER LABELLE, Chariho, Boys Basketball, Junior; LaBelle scored 41 points in two games to earn all-tournament honors at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. LaBelle had 22 in a win against South Kingstown and 19 in a loss to Westerly.

ADDIE HAUPTMANN, Wheeler, Girls Basketball, Senior; Hauptmann scored 32 points in two games in the Montville Christmas Tournament. She also had 20 rebounds, seven assists and eight steals.

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For more than a year, I have been plagued by cold calls and spam emails. Like most people, I usually just hang up on nuisance callers. But these werent just dodgy salesman or scammers trying their luck.

Many were calling from reputable energy firms, and one was even a major charity. Yet Id never been a customer and certainly hadnt signed up for sales calls.

So how on earth had they got my mobile number  and why did they think they had permission to call me?

Money Mail editor Victoria Bischoff has been plagued by unwanted sales calls for more than a year (file picture)

Someone must be handing out my contact details  no doubt for a tidy profit  and I wanted to know who.

On the trail of the mystery phone pests

It began with a phone call from Scottish Power while on holiday in Devon in October 2020. Surprised to receive a cold call on my mobile, I asked the salesman how he had got my number. But he refused to say and my request for a callback from a manager was ignored.

I might have let it go, but around the same time I was also being bombarded with spam emails from a host of companies Id never heard of. One firm, Job Crown, sent 11 emails in just three days.

Many had an old postcode in the subject line along with phrases such as urgent employment or applicants requested.

Another firm, called Super Savvy Me, sent 19 emails  11 of which were reminding me to confirm my password. Yet I had never heard of the firm nor opened an account.

Something fishy was going on, so I asked each company how they had got my email address. Under data protection laws  General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR  you are entitled to know what data companies hold on you and where they got it from.

You can request this information by making a so-called subject access request. But getting answers is far from easy. And I soon found myself down a rabbit hole.

Take Job Crown, for example. It claimed to have got my email address from a company called Prize Reactor, who in turn said it had received my details from its partner site, The Secret For You.

From there, I was directed to the site owner, Response Concepts  which then pointed me to data collector, Green Flamingo.

Five tips to protect your details 1. Use two emails Create a second email account to use when shopping online and registering for services. That way only a few essential firms have your primary email address. 2. Opt out You should opt out of marketing communications with any firm you dont want to hear from. The Telephone Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association and Mailing Preference Service all let you remove yourself from databases. 3. Minimise cookies When you visit a website for the first time, you will be asked to accept cookies. Some of these are necessary, like functional cookies that store login details, but many share your personal information. Always choose the minimum option. 4. The name trick Misspell your name or use capitals when sharing data with sites you are concerned about. This way, it is significantly harder for scammers to steal your identity. 5. Withhold data Only fill out essential fields in online forms so less information is at risk and avoid ticking the third parties box that allows firms to share your data.

Is your head spinning yet?

When Green Flamingo eventually handed over all the data it held on me, it was clear something was amiss. It claimed I had participated in two contests organised for a website called The Secret For You  which seems to be an online clothes store.

One on October 9 at 5.20am and another on October 21 at 19.56. There was the first clue that it wasnt me.

There is no way on earth Id be awake at 5.20am, let alone messing about on my phone or computer.

The firm also provided two different dates of birth for me  neither of which was close to accurate.

And the postcode given was more than a decade out of date. Plus Id never lived at the house number on record.

Green Flamingo also supplied two IP addresses, 12-digit codes that identify what device was used to access the internet. After Googling What is my IP address, I found neither matched my own.

So, of all the data it held, only my name, email address and mobile phone number were correct.

It was clear someone else had entered my details into the website  but who?

And why was this website permitted to share my contact information with whoever it fancied?

Uncovering a tangled web

Green Flamingo said that by providing my data I had also given consent for it to be used for marketing purposes and to be contacted by third parties  which is where Scottish Power came back into the picture.

It turns out the energy giant had also sourced my details from the website The Secret For You.

Scottish Power said it contracts data firms to provide leads that give it permission to contact people about its services.

These leads are generated when a person has visited a particular website.

It pointed me to Response Concepts, which describes itself as a lead generation agency that acquires opt-in data on behalf of its clients from data collection companies  such as Green Flamingo.

A spokesman suggested that someone else had used my information to sign up to these websites.

A check on the website, Have I Been Pwned, which tells you if your details have been leaked, shows that my email address has been involved in 11 separate data breaches. So it wouldnt be difficult for someone to find.

Im not suggesting any of the firms named here are the guilty party. But it does raise concerns as to what checks are carried out to ensure data is accurate and legally obtained before being sold on.

Know your rights: Under data protection laws you are entitled to know what data companies hold on you and where they got it from

Going round in circles

Meanwhile, Id also gone to battle with another energy firm, Utilita, after receiving a call out of the blue in January.

After some back and forth, I received a call from a very friendly man called Ian who works for a firm called Lead365  which is the data processor responsible for delivering information to Utilita.

Ironically, to find out how the energy firm had come to get my personal details, I had to pass strict privacy checks.

But as they, too, had the wrong date of birth and an out-of-date address, this involved a frustrating guessing game.

It turns out Utilita had also gathered my information from a number of websites  including, you guessed it, The Secret For You, along with another called hnm.uk-freebies.com.

Ian said he thought it was most likely that an automated bot had scraped information from social media sites to fill in the gaps needed to create a full data profile.

It may have then merged this with correct information, including my phone number and email address, which was why some details were old or wrong.

He added it was unlikely someone was doing it to make money as they would only be paid fractions of pennies for selling this type of data.

By now, more calls were flooding in and I was also receiving endless emails from a firm called CashbackDiscount  most of which are addressed to someone called Sean Shaw.

Yet despite explaining that is not my name and I did not sign up, I continued to receive emails for weeks after alerting the firm.

Pretending to be me, but who?

The call from Octopus Energy was perhaps the most baffling.

The firm said my contact details had been provided by a lead agency called Choose Leads, which claimed I had entered an online competition to win a Kitchen Aid gadget on February 23.

I was also told someone had used an Associated Newspapers IP address to access the website, Quiztionnaire.

Yet a quick call to our IT department revealed the IP address was definitely not one of ours. Experts tell me IP addresses can be spoofed, so any computer could have been used to access the website.

Plus, I was in bed that day recovering from Covid, so wasnt using a work computer to enter online competitions. The date of birth and address registered on the site were also incorrect.

It later emerged a mistake had been made. Octopus said that my details had in fact been entered in a competition to win 500 of North Face vouchers run by data controller Qubiq on February 23.

Further checks revealed the data had been inputted manually rather by a computer bot  which would mean someone is masquerading as me. But who?

I had also received a call from Diabetes UK around the same time. The charity said it had been given my details by a lead generator Membrain, which had sourced them from a competition website at 3.18am (!) on the same date.

Why are these major firms checking our credit ratings? Weexpect companies to search our credit files when we apply for a loan or insurance quote  but why are they searching the records of people who arent their customers? I tried to answer this question after discovering a host of insurers Id never used had accessed my credit file multiple times over an 18-month period. They all performed soft searches, where firms check your file to see your credit rating or verify your identity without it affecting your score. Under Data Protection Act rules, everyone has a right to know what data is being collected about them, how it is used and whether it is shared with third parties But when credit reference agency Experian contacted the insurers on my behalf to ask why they were looking at my file, they just deleted the search records and refused to say more. Under Data Protection Act rules, everyone has a right to know what data is collected about them and how it is used, so I tried asking the insurers. After approaching the AA, I was finally told it had been given my information by comparison site Moneysupermarket  which I hadnt used in years. Insurer First Central said the same. So I made a subject access request to find out what information Moneysupermarket held about me. Eventually, I received documents showing it held a record of the main details of my personal life going back to 2010, including everywhere I had lived, cars Id owned, my jobs, salaries, education status and even whether I was single. Most of this data was based on searches Id made more than five years ago  but after yet more identity checks, it turned out my husband used the site to search for car insurance in 2019 and listed me as a named driver. When using the site, customers are asked to tick a box to accept its terms and conditions. But many wont realise that by doing so the firm can hold, access and share your data for years after, even if you do not buy a policy. Moneysupermarkets terms are in the small print of an 8,000-word privacy policy. Consumer rights expert Martyn James says our data is incredibly valuable to insurers. It helps them target customers to market products but it also helps them profile drivers to refine their premium pricing, he explains. A Moneysupermarket.com spokesperson says: We place the highest importance on our customers privacy . . . It is down to the primary policyholder inputting additional driver details to seek consent for the additional data.

So is all this legal?

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced in 2018 to give people more control over how organisations use their data.

But there are grey areas that are open to interpretation. And your information can still be shared with third parties even if you do not give explicit consent. Instead, firms can claim they have a legitimate interest in doing so.

This is what might allow a competition website to legally share your data with its partners for related marketing purposes.

Firms are still obliged to abide by a check list of strict rules  such as ensuring the wording is clear and making it easy to opt out.

They are also not permitted to use pre-ticked boxes or any other method of default consent such as vague small print.

Yet when I showed two of the competitions I had allegedly entered to GDPR expert Mark Gracey, he expressed concerns.

I would say the fact that they want to share your data with third-parties that dont necessarily relate to the competition is not clear and relies on you to specifically read their privacy policy, he says.

There is no obvious way for you to unsubscribe  and GDPR requires opt-out to be as easy as opting-in. GDPR also requires that consent is freely given and refusing is not detrimental. So arguably, you should be able to enter the competition without your data being shared, he adds.

Firms are also prohibited from making marketing calls or sending emails and text messages without your permission under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Those who break the rules face fines of up to 500,000 and company directors can be held personally liable.

The Information Commissioners Office logged 60,363 complaints about nuisance calls and texts between April and September, and 130,046 about emails.

The law also states that if you request not to be called again, the firm should remove your details from its marketing lists.

And you can add your number to the Telephone Preference Service (tpsonline.org.uk).

This means a company cannot contact you unless they have express permission  though this wont stop calls from fraudsters.

But James Walker, chief executive of Rightly, a firm that helps customers manage their data, says: The Government needs to change the outdated Data Protection Act and force companies to be more transparent about how they use consumer information and to treat personal data more fairly.

A firm called Super Savvy Me, sent Victoria 14 emails - 11 of which were reminding her to confirm her password. Yet she had never heard of the firm nor opened an account

What was my outcome?

After investigating for more than a year, Im sadly little closer to discovering exactly who has been giving out my contact details.

Most firms were reasonably quick to respond to subject access requests stating how they got hold of my data.

But when I pointed out the details were incorrect and that I had not given out the information, most went quiet. They just said that they had done their due diligence and that was that.

And as you can see from my experience, you end up being passed back and forth between them.

Its clear we need far more transparency around how our details are traded. At present, as this sorry saga shows, once your data is out there, it could end up in anyones hands.

What the firms said

A Scottish Power spokesman says: We treat this matter seriously and therefore would like to thank Mrs Bischoff for bringing this to our attention and we are now carrying out our own investigation.

A Utilita spokesman said: Our best practice methods far exceed the legal obligations that we are required to meet.

A Diabetes UK spokesman apologises and says that no one should receive a cold call from the charity.

Choose Leads, which provided Octopus Energy with my information, says it takes compliance very seriously, and takes steps to ensure any sources of data and collection websites comply with ICO guidelines.

Response Concepts says it performs strict due diligence on its partners to ensure their methods are reliable  and that what happened to me is rare.

A spokesman for Octopus says analysis indicates my data was collected in a compliant manner, but that the firm would not be renewing its telesales agency contacts when they came to an end.

Green Flamingo did not respond to requests for a comment.

v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk
Bernie Madoff, who died in an American jail in April, is regarded as the high priest of modern Ponzi schemes.

He paid those who entrusted their money to his asset management firm a 1 per cent income every month come rain or shine, and offered a money-back guarantee, plus capital returns, on demand.

The steady and excess rewards were made possible because Madoff used the cash in his notional 15billion of funds from new investors to pay off the old.

Fools gold: Unlike, say, investment in shares and bonds, bitcoin makes no contribution to the greater economic or public good

When the financial crisis scared investors to death and many demanded their money back at the same time, he was exposed as a rogue.

In spite of the glorious ride enjoyed by investors in bitcoin, who saw the price soar to $68,000 on November 8 before it dropped back to $48,000 towards the end of the year, this column has stubbornly refused to endorse it as a safe place to invest.

An aura of respectability provided by its adoption by the Central American republic of El Salvador as an official currency and backing from Elon Musk failed to convince me of its durability.

It must be acknowledged that fortunes have been made by early adopters and those smart enough to take profits on the way up.

Central bankers have been sceptical from the start. Former Fed chairman Alan Greenspan, appearing on CNBC, likened it to the flimsy currencies that proliferated in the US during and after the American civil war of 1861-65 and eventually disappeared.

On a visit to London last month James Gorman, Aussie chairman of investment bankers Morgan Stanley, said that rather than $60,000 (the prevailing price) he doubted it was worth sixty dollars.

Academic scepticism about bitcoin is increasing. Boston University senior fellow Robert McCauley, in a blog posted on FT Alphaville, argues that comparing bitcoin to a Ponzi scheme is unfair to Ponzi schemes!

People buy into bitcoin in expectation of handsome returns. That expectation is sustained by the profits of those who cash out. But there is no external source of income.

As in a classic Ponzi scheme old investors cashing out only do so at the expense of new money coming in.

Unlike, say, investment in shares and bonds, bitcoin makes no contribution to the greater economic or public good.

Moreover, whereas legal processes have led to the recovery of $14billion, or 70 per cent of lost funds for early Madoff investors, there is no possibility of the last bitcoin savers ever recovering their capital. Bitcoin is a scam that will only end in tears.

Merry-go-round

Asset managers, pension funds and wealthy family offices are attracted to private equity by superior returns.

There have been some spectacular successes. Blackstones quick flip of trading platform and financial data powerhouse Refinitiv to the London Stock Exchange is a case in point.

The remaking of Worldpay under the tutelage of Advent and Philip Jansen (now at BT) is another.

As we report today, private equity also is bringing new capital into global sporting enterprises ranging from Liverpool FC to Six Nations rugby.

Not all the cash hits useful targets. In 2021 some 31billion of private equity deals consisted of partners selling corporate assets from funds to new portfolio companies.

This apparently allows partners to return cash to earlier-stage investors.

Needless to say it can also be profitable for private equity principals who collect carried interest, usually a 20 per cent share of transaction values, as they pass Go.

Doesnt the concept of using new funds to pay off old have a familiar ring?
Once again, it has been a million-pound year for Money Mail readers as weve fought your corner in the face of crumbling customer service.

With victories ranging from a few pounds to tens of thousands, weve forced firms and government bodies to treat their customers with respect, winning back 1.14 million in total.

Our Wooden Spoon awards have highlighted how the same old organisations dodge their responsibilities week in, week out.

In some cases, the malaise runs deep, as senior management use Covid as an excuse to force customers online, ignore phone calls and letters, and refuse face-to-face meetings.

In your corner: With victories ranging from a few pounds to tens of thousands, we've forced companies and government bodies to treat their customers with respect, winning back 1.14m

Elderly and vulnerable customers can now find it impossible to gain access to services without delving into complex technology which can leave them dangerously exposed to fraud.

But the most shocking cases this year have all involved the callous treatment of bereaved people.

Why would Barclaycard tell a widowed 81-year-old that she must apply for a new card online after her husband of 62 years died? Without computer skills, she felt abandoned by her bank in her hour of greatest need.

How did Barclays incorrectly tell grieving children that they could not have access to their deceased fathers account to pay for funeral expenses?

And why did Legal & General go into nit-picking overdrive when a desperately ill man was attempting to get a 40,000 terminal illness claim paid? Its pettifogging delays meant he died before the payment was made, leaving his grieving widow to pick up the fight.

There has been the usual slew of bank blunders. Money Mails biggest win of the year was 280,000 for a man whose life savings went missing after he sold his home.

He needed the money for his next property, but it was lost following a series of errors by banks and building societies. It was finally tracked down after we intervened.

Energy companies have excelled themselves in their ability to add complaints to my mailbox.

Among the more jaw-dropping cases was Scottish Power continuing to take a monthly direct debit of 255 after someone had moved out of their house in October 2019 following a fire.

Despite its customers protests, it then increased the debit to 319 at the start of this year.

After I intervened, it still took two months for 3,600 to be refunded.

In a separate case, Scottish Power refunded a customer 10,000 made up of 7,122 overpayments, 675 interest and 2,203 compensation after taking erroneous meter readings since February 2014.

One point of which all customers should take note came up in a dispute involving British Gas.

It had failed to read a meter for almost two years, despite having been told a smart meter was not working. Clearly, back-billing rules should apply.

These state that a company should not charge for more than a year in arrears as long as customers have co-operated with readings.

However, British Gas told me this reduction must be applied manually. Hence it took my intervention for the arrears bill to be reduced by 300 before being wiped out with a 253 goodwill gesture.

Occasionally, we are taken by surprise. We are often sent details of old savings passbooks or insurance policies, which are usually worth pennies or turn out to have been cashed in years ago.

But when I looked into policies dating back to the 1960s for a widow who had been trying to get Reassure to examine them for months, the result was astonishing.

A search of microfiche records revealed these investments should have paid an income for many years  and further investigation uncovered another policy, resulting in a payout of 43,000.

Fraud is, of course, a permanent part of the landscape  as is the reluctance of banks to honour their commitments.

We were forced to take Barclays to task when it ignored rules introduced in May 2019 by failing to refund a 49,500 mortgage deposit stolen in a bank transfer scam.

The customer had taken reasonable care but was outwitted by sophisticated criminals. Barclays added 877 redress.

Fear of fraud can instil panic when we believe our money has vanished. This happened to one reader attempting to transfer an investment Isa from Barclays Smart Investor to Fundsmith.

Both firms left their 83-year-old customer and her money in a Bermuda Triangle. The problem was slow service and a cheque with the wrong name on it, but no one had the wit to sort it out before I banged heads together.

The 18,000 eventually moved, months late, with an extra 2,500 in compensation and investment growth from Barclays, and 350 from Fundsmith.

HMRC made some appearances, too. One case was a recurring problem from last year, when a doctors receptionist was allocated the details of a higher paid colleague with the same name. The result was a hugely inflated tax bill.

One error is forgivable, but when the same error was repeated the following year, it looked careless.

Another surprise was how easy it is for banks to stop sending vital information to customers without making a decent attempt to check their address.

One reader fell foul of Santander after Royal Mail returned its letters, even though they were correctly addressed.

Rather than attempting to contact the customer by phone or email, Santander simply stopped sending bank and credit card statements.

Another reader stopped receiving his pension for the same reason. Again, no attempt had been made to contact him another way.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing I have noticed lately is that companies increasingly expect we wont write about them once they have resolved an issue, or think they can avoid adverse publicity by not commenting on cases.

What seems to bypass them is that the only reason we have to become involved is because their customer service operations have failed. No one writes to Money Mail without first trying to resolve an issue themselves.

Treat your customers with respect and your names wont appear in Ask Tony, unless it is to receive a worthy pat on the back.

Covid has brought home the importance of reading insurance smallprint, but this is not only important for travel cover.

E-bikes are becoming more popular, but would your insurance cover yours if it was stolen? RSA refused a claim on a stolen e-bike while paying out on a mountain bike.

The decision and policy exclusion seemed daft to me, so I checked my own policy and found I would have been covered by my insurer in similar circumstances.

But can anything match the utter daftness of Aviva? Last month, my house insurance payment didnt go through because I had received a new credit card to replace a lost one.

Aviva sent a letter asking me to call a number which, when dialled, told me they dont take phone calls and to email via the website instead!

So basically, whoever is in charge of Aviva customer service is too lazy to update this letter template that presumably goes out to thousands of customers, instead making them waste their time calling a number that offers only an automated message. Poor.

moneymail@dailymail.co.uk
The boss of Ryanair has lashed out at regulators for failing to take action against online travel agents.

Michael OLeary claims the firms overcharge customers for flights and prevent airlines contacting them directly with refund information.

He has reported the online pirates to the Civil Aviation Authority and Competition and Markets Authority, but says that they are not interested in protecting customers.

Complaints: Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary claims online travel agents overcharge customers for flights and prevent airlines contacting them directly with refund information

Mr OLeary estimates that between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of Ryanair flights are booked via an online travel agency, amounting to as many as 25 million passengers a year.

He says they are often charged a premium for the flight as well as higher fees for extras, including baggage and seat reservations.

Yet when customers make the payment, some agents then transfer the cost of the flight to Ryanair using a virtual credit card and made-up email address, rather than the passengers real details, he explains.

So when flights are later amended or cancelled and the information is sent to the email addresses on file, customers do not receive it.

Customers may also not receive a full refund because Ryanair only repays the cost of the flight, leaving passengers battling online agents for any extras.

In December last year, Money Mail revealed how some online travel agents were charging twice the amount for flights and deducting fees from refunds.

One Ryanair flight from London to Edinburgh cost 32.99 on lastminute.com  a 138 per cent increase on the price paid when booking direct with the airline.

And another agent, eSky, charged 40 per cent more for a return flight to Lanzarote.

The Competition and Markets Authority would not comment on whether it was investigating but says that it will consider any evidence it receives.

The Civil Aviation Authority did not respond to requests for comment.

a.murray@dailymail.co.uk
The FTSE 100 has hit its highest level since February 2020 today, just before the pandemic-induced stock market crash.

The UK bluechip index closed up 0.7 per cent at 7,420.7, leaving it on track for its biggest annual rise since 2009. The FTSE 250 ended the day up 1.1 per cent at 23,517.27.

In company news, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has exercised all of his options expiring next year, signalling an end to his stock sales that triggered a fall in the share price of the world's most valuable carmaker.

Musk has so far offloaded 15.7 million shares in Tesla, worth around $16.4billion, coming close to the 10 per cent stake the billionaire has pledged to sell.

Deutsche Bank has been slapped with a 8.7million fine (7.3million) over its handling of submissions for Euribor, a euro interbank lending rate at the centre of a scandal that rocked the industry.

The boss of Ryanair has lashed out at regulators for failing to take action against online travel agents.

Michael OLeary claims the firms overcharge customers for flights and prevent airlines contacting them directly with refund information.

>If you are using our app or a third-party site click here to read Business Live
Deutsche Bank has been slapped with a 8.7million fine (7.3million) over its handling of submissions for Euribor, a euro interbank lending rate at the centre of a scandal that rocked the industry.

The fine imposed by German financial regulator BaFin is a setback for the nation's largest lender as it seeks to restore its reputation, although it is comparatively small considering the bank made 1billion (840million) in pre-tax profit last year.

As is the case with the UK's soon-to-be-defunct Libor, Euribor is the benchmark rate with which banks lend or borrow from one another and is calculated using submissions from Europe's biggest banks.

Fined: Deutsche Bank's latest fine comes after a record $2.5bn fine for rigging Libor in 2015

Over the past few years, a number of bankers working at UK and European banks have been convicted of manipulating these benchmarks at the height of the financial crisis for personal gain.

BaFin said Deutsche Bank did not have in place 'effective preventive systems, controls and policies' to prevent manipulation of the rate.

Deutsche Bank said it accepted the fine and had implemented 'initial measures' to improve its controls.

'Deutsche Bank has no indication that the fined issue led to incorrect submissions to the benchmark administrator,' it added.

The German bank was also fined a record $2.5billion for rigging Libor in 2015 - the highest penalty in the benchmark-rigging scandal that shredded the banking industry's reputation.

The latest fine, which comes after more than a decade after the financial crisis, suggests Deutsche Bank hasnt fully delivered on pledges it made in 2015.

The bank has also been the subject of other numerous regulatory and legal investigations over the past decade.

In April, BaFin ordered Deutsche Bank to enact further safeguards to prevent money laundering.

The lender has also been trying to restore its image which was battered after it failed to spot wrongdoing ahead of the 2020 collapse of German payments company Wirecard.

Deutsche Bank was among lenders that helped Wirecard sell a 500million bond to investors in September 2019, less than a year before the payments group went bust.
Milk & More, the UK's largest doorstep milk delivery service, will become a standalone business in the next year as its German owner looks to cash in on the online shopping boom.

The company, which also delivers plant-based milks, organic groceries, artisanal bread and other products from small suppliers to more than 400,000 households, said it was looking for larger stores to work with.

German owner Theo Muller Group, which acquired it from Dairy Crest in 2015 and has since returned it to profitability, will remain its largest shareholder when the company is spun-off in February.

Going alone: Milk & More has plans to expand its delivery service

Patrick Muller, who is chief executive of Milk & More but who is no relation to the founding family, told the Telegraph they were looking for more partners to expand the delivery service.

'They could be food companies, flower companies, whatever', he said.

'The new legal entity will create a more agile e-commerce focused company within the doorstep delivery market.'

The move comes as Milk & More upset some of its elderly long-standing customers earlier this year when it became an online-only company.

Since the end of April, customers wanting to continue receive their milk and grocery deliveries have had to set up an online account from which to place all orders.

The move was part of Muller's turnaround strategy, which also included abolishing its franchising system and buying a fleet of electric vehicles to make deliveries.

The pandemic was a boon to the company, with revenue rising 20 per cent since 2019 and customer numbers now two-thirds higher than two years ago.

Not just milk: The company also delivers groceries, eco loo rolls, fruit and artisan bread

Last year, Milk & More told us that milk delivery has seen a 'huge revival' thanks to people looking to 'live more sustainably and reduce plastic waste'.

Its 'doorstep magic' service means people can order up until 9pm in the evening and get items before 7am the next morning.

After those morning home deliveries, its drivers also deliver milk to nurseries and schools under a new tie-up.

Its expansion plans come despite strife competition, which saw organic online grocer Farm Drop go bust a week before Christmas.

Backed by entrepreneur Alex Chesterman and the Duke of Westminster, Farm Drop said it had struggled to find fresh capital at a time when 'the growth in orders and sales [had] not translated into profitability'.
Iran and Russia both gave upbeat views on Tuesday about talks that kicked off this week to salvage Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal with global powers, although Western nations have said the negotiations are going too slowly.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said a deal was possible in the near future if other parties showed good faith while Russian envoy Mikhail Ulyanov said a working group was making indisputable progress in the eighth round of talks.

Indirect talks between Iran and the United States resumed on Monday in Vienna, with Tehran focused on getting U.S. sanctions lifted again, as they were under the original bargain, despite scant progress on reining in its atomic activities. read more

The seventh round of talks, the first under Irans new hardline President Ebrahim Raisi, ended 11 days ago after some new Iranian demands were added to a working text.

Iran insists all U.S. sanctions must be lifted before steps are taken on the nuclear side, while Western negotiators say nuclear and sanctions steps must be balanced in the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA).

The Vienna talks are headed in a good direction, Iranian Minister Amirabdollahian said in comments to reporters broadcast by state media. We believe that if other parties continue the round of talks which just started with good faith, reaching a good agreement for all parties is possible.

France, Germany and the United Kingdom said in a statement on Tuesday that technical progress had been made in the last round and the parties now needed to fully focus on the key outstanding issues, particularly nuclear and sanctions.

They said while they were not setting an artificial deadline, there were weeks not months left to strike a deal.

We are clear that we are nearing the point where Irans escalation of its nuclear programme will have completely hollowed out the JCPoA, they said.

The negotiation is urgent  and our teams are here to work swiftly and in good faith towards getting a deal.

ISRAEL WANTS FIRMER POSITION

The original agreement lifted sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on its atomic activities but Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the deal in 2018, a year after he became U.S president. Iran later breached many of the deals nuclear restrictions and kept pushing well beyond them.

The parties to the deal besides the United States  Iran, Russia, China, France, Britain, Germany and the European Union  kicked off the new round of talks on Monday.

Iran refuses to meet U.S. officials directly, meaning other parties must shuttle between the two sides.

Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian envoy, said on Tuesday that a working group was making progress. Sanctions lifting is being actively discussed in informal settings, he wrote on Twitter.

The 2015 deal extended the time Iran would need to obtain enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb  if it chose to  to at least a year from about two to three months. Most experts say that time is now less than before the deal, although Iran says it only wants to master nuclear technology for civil uses.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel would not automatically oppose a nuclear deal but world powers must take a firmer position.

Israel says it will never allow Iran to get nuclear weapons and that all options are on the table. Israeli leaders have said that a nuclear Iran would pose an existential threat to Israel.

We are not the bear who said No, Bennett said in an interview with Israels Army Radio, referring to a popular naysaying character from childrens literature.

For sure there can be a good agreement. For sure. We know the parameters. Is that expected to happen now in the current dynamics? No. Because there needs to be a much firmer position.

Bennett declined to comment on Israels military strike capabilities against Iran, saying he preferred the approach of speak little and do a lot.

SOURCE: REUTERS
The mid-Hudson region recorded 620 COVID-related hospitalizations as of Tuesday, nearly tripling the 216 hospitalizations reported the previous month, according to New York State health data. The total number of COVID-19 patients in hospital ICUs also nearly doubled from 44 in November to 78 now.

The surge in hospitalizations has been seen throughout lower New York, including Long Island and New York City. This new wave of cases and hospitalizations was expected in the midst of holiday season gatherings and travel against the backdrop of the fast-spreading, more contagious omicron variant.

Despite the increase in hospitalizations, the number of overall available hospital beds in the Hudson Valley region is still above the threshold that would otherwise cancel non-essential elective surgeries. As of Tuesday, 25 percent of hospital beds and 20 percent of ICU beds are available in the region, for both COVID and non-COVID patients.

A decrease in the number of hospital beds has a ripple effect for all patients, including those who need hospital assistance for non-COVID conditions. In Iowa, for example, a man with sepsis died after a 15-day wait for a hospital bed.

Here, Nuvance Health, which operates Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Putnam Hospital Center and Northern Dutchess Hospital, is encouraging residents not to come to the emergency department for routine COVID testing, in an effort to make health care workers available for pressing patient care. Nuvance is asking residents to schedule a telehealth appointment if they are experiencing no or mild COVID symptoms instead.

We are prepared for potential surge scenarios and committed to providing continued access to medical care, Dr. Christopher Lehrach, Nuvance Healths Chief Physician Executive, said in a statement. You can also help us as we are all managing through another spike in COVID.

Despite another COVID surge, Lehrach said in a statement to not delay emergency care if you require immediate attention.

Our emergency departments have strict protocols in place to keep patients who need emergency care safe, such as cohorting and separation of patients according to symptoms, Lehrach said.

Just 7 percent of Sullivan Countys hospital beds were available as of Tuesday, the lowest rate in the region. Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris has only one out of 85 hospital bed remaining, and all of its 11 ICU beds are full.

The hospitals second location, the Grover M. Hermann site in Callicoon, does not offer ICU beds there, but does have all five of its hospital beds available, according to state health data.

Downtime is the best time Make the most of your Hudson Valley weekend, every week with our newsletter.

Sullivan County has the lowest vaccination rate in the mid-Hudson region with 63.5 percent of residents receiving the first dose. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 103 COVID-related deaths in the county. Right now, 22 people there are hospitalized with COVID.

Orange County is also seeing a squeeze in available ICU beds there, with only nine left across the countys four hospitals. The county is reporting 115 COVID hospitalizations there currently, and 975 COVID-related deaths since the start of the pandemic; 64.1 percent of Orange County residents have received one dose of the vaccine.

In Dutchess County, 82 residents are currently hospitalized with COVID, nearly double from the 43 hospitalizations reported a month ago.

Putnam Hospital Center, the only hospital in Putnam County, has one ICU bed available as of Tuesday.
The second year of COVID-19 started on a high note: vaccines were rolling out and people looked forward to a summer free from illness.

But the year is ending with uncertainty again as another variant sweeps through the country.

The delta variant over the summer played havoc with many back-to-the-office initiatives, even among vaccinated workers, and some people began to delay travel again because it was unclear whether it would be safe.

Delta drove case numbers up through fall and is now being eclipsed locally and nationally by the omicron variant, which health officials say appears to be more contagious than delta although the illness it causes may be less severe.

I think there was hope the vaccine would be the get-out-of-jail-free card. It really hasnt worked out that way, said Steven Hanks, chief clinical officer and COO of St. Peter's Health Partners.

Health officials urged adults in December to get a third shot of vaccine to better protect them from the omicron variant. Scientists are still trying to determine the effectiveness of boosters, if omicron will be as deadly as previous variants, and if current treatments will still work.

Many parents looked forward to getting their children vaccinated when the shots for those as young as 5 slowly rolled out - but they too were left in uncertainty, because it's not yet clear if people who can't get boosted have much protection against omicron. Those under age 16 can't be boosted yet.

Those who have children too young for vaccines, especially those who live in a high-risk household, are in the same tenuous situation theyve been in for the past two years.

Its not the way people expected 2021 to end.

There were twice as many deaths from COVID-19 in 2021 than in 2020, with 1,060 Capital Region residents dying of the disease in the last 12 months. And while the vaccine was readily available to everyone age 12 and older by May, and through age 5 in October, only 70 percent of Capital Region residents got it by the end of the year.

Schools reopened for full in-person classes, but cases spiked in November and hospitals reported being overwhelmed. In December, mask rules were reimposed statewide, but some county officials immediately announced they wouldnt enforce the rules. At the same time, some employees went to court to avoid getting vaccinated. The Supreme Court let stand New York state's vaccine mandate for health care workers.

At this point, anyone who is high risk cant relax their guard, Hanks said.

The best advice to those folks is to continue to lay low. Thats a difficult message to swallow though for two straight holiday seasons, he said, adding that he canceled his holiday plans with his elderly relatives. Really the best advice is to try to hunker down.

There is some hope on the horizon.

Just before Christmas, the Food and Drug Administration gave emergency authorization to Pfizer for a COVID-19 treatment pill. It is a prescription medication like Tamiflu, which is given to people who test positive for the flu.

It may actually be highly efficacious if given very early in the course of COVID. Possibly even more effective than Tamiflu, Hanks said. That will really be a game-changer. Because right now what we have is monoclonal antibodies. Its expensive, its difficult to get. A pill is much easier to distribute.

In early 2022, Hanks said, the world might get great news about the pandemic  or terrible news.

Omicron might crowd out all the other variants in circulation now, he said. Its transmitting so rapidly it could burn itself out and the pandemic would end. The virus becomes endemic and circulates in low levels and doesnt cause the kind of outbreaks weve seen.

Or, he said, it could turn out omicron hits reset on the entire pandemic.

The pessimistic view  is it may be an escape variant. An escape variant is one that the existing vaccines and existing treatments dont really do something for, he said. That would be the most depressing scenario.

He predicted scientists will know which is happening by mid-January.
ALBANY  The states top court will hear arguments Tuesday on the appeal of John Wakefield, a career criminal who was convicted in 2015 of strangling a man in Schenectady in a case featuring powerful new DNA technology.

Wakefield, 55, is serving life without the possibility of parole in maximum-security Elmira Correctional Facility in Chemung County for the April 11, 2010, robbery and murder of 41-year-old Brett Wentworth in the victims Wendell Avenue home.

A Schenectady County jury took about six hours to convict Wakefield of using an amplifier cord to fatally choke Wentworth, a paranoid schizophrenic who had befriended him. Wakefield, who had six prior convictions that included two felonies, was out of prison less than three weeks at the time of the murder. Prosecutors said Wakefield's primary motive in the killing was to steal money, a laptop and a PlayStation 3 video game system from Wentworth to use to buy crack cocaine.

At issue before the seven-member Court of Appeals is trial testimony from forensic scientist Mark Perlin, the Pittsburgh-based founder of Cybergenetics True Allele Casework, a kind of computer-assisted DNA technology that uses mathematical formulas to pinpoint individual human DNA on items that may have been touched by many people.

Perlin testified that Wakefields DNA was found on the victims shirt collar. It was the first time that the DNA technology was used in a New York court.

Prior to trial, Wakefield, represented by attorney Fred Rench, requested the "source code" to Perlin's technology, saying it was needed to assess its credibility. Following a hearing, state Supreme Court Justice Michael Coccoma ruled that scientists had validated the reliability of True Allele, even though its source code was not publicly available. At the time, the science had been subjected to at least 25 validation studies and ruled admissible in California, Virginia and Pennsylvania, court papers said.

In 2019, the state's second-highest court  the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court's Third Department in Albany  upheld Wakefield's conviction. Wakefield's appellate lawyer, Matthew Hug, argued to justices that without the source code, his client was denied the right under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to confront witnesses at trial.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Justice Stanley Pritzker stated in the 5-0 ruling that Hug's argument "raises legitimate and substantial questions concerning due process as impacted by cutting-edge science" but upheld the conviction alongside Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry and Justices Sharon Aarons, Robert Mulvey and Phillip Rumsey,

On Tuesday, the Court of Appeals will begin hearing arguments at 2 p.m. The court includes Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Associate Judges Jenny Rivera, Michael Garcia, Rowan Wilson, Eugene Fahey, Madeline Singas and Anthony Cannataro.

Hug will represent Wakefield. Schenectady Assistant District Attorney Peter Willis, who prosecuted the case, will argue on behalf of District Attorney Robert Carney.
GUILDERLAND  Friends recall Kentish Bennett as many things, all at once: a designer, tailor, singer, dancer, gymnast and drag performer well known in the region's LGBTQ community.

Bennett, who died Thursday after sustaining blunt-force injuries at his home in Guilderland, was also an electropop songwriter and musician who went by the stage name K.swiff. Ryan Ramdass became fast friends with Bennett after meeting the gender-fluid performer 11 years ago at the Waterworks Pub, a gay pub and dance club in Albany.

As a way of performing for mainstream, typically heterosexual folks, he developed this drag persona, Kayla Stennett, and thats how he was able to perform at queer venues and still perform his songs," Ramdass said. "And sometimes he would throw in a lip-sync, but he was still able to perform his songs for a larger audience." Several of Bennett's performances as Stennett are posted on YouTube.

In his different personas, Bennett performed in New York, Vermont and beyond.

Ebro Helmy, another close friend, had recently spoken to Bennett about performing at a drag brunch scheduled for next month at the Funny Bone comedy club at Crossgates Mall.

"So many people know him, because he was a part of so many communities  he was part of the crafting community, the sewing community, the LGBT community. He ... worked in various places and touched so many people," Helmy said. " ... He was always kind and welcoming to everybody."

A candlelight vigil in Bennett's memory was held at Tawasentha Park in Altamont on Tuesday evening.

Guilderland Police have charged Jason Seminary, 43, with manslaughter in connection with Bennett's death at a Western Turnpike residence. Bennett, who would have turned 42 on Tuesday, died at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Seminary, who according to police sources has prior convictions for robbery and burglary, is being held without bail at Albany County Jail.

The Times Union has previously reported that Bennett suffered blunt-force trauma injuries to his abdomen. Deputy Guilderland Police Chief Curtis Cox said detectives were still "actively working the case," but more arrests are not expected.

Ramdass said Bennett, born in Jamaica, emigrated with his family to Brooklyn when he was around 16 years old.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Bennett had two children, a boy and a girl, who Helmy said live in Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies.

A GoFundMe page set up by Bennetts sister, Ann Beckford-Crosby, said Bennetts life was tragically taken by people he trusted and that the two most important people in Kentishs life (are) now left without their father.

She wrote that Bennett would often FaceTime with his kids.

The phone calls between his children and him often were about his dream of bringing them to live with him in the U.S., all the things he wanted them to experience with him, and if the conversation wasnt a serious one they would send each other funny faces or have an animal head while on the video call, Beckford-Crosby wrote. She promised her brother that if anything happened to him, she would take care of the children.
COLONIE  Sepsis took many things from Josh Woodward.

The former Albany International Airport firefighter's near-fatal health emergency began on Feb. 7, 2019, with a strep infection that entered his bloodstream and set off a cascading series of organ failures. Woodward was in a coma for 10 days. Doctors gave him a 5 percent chance of survival. His right hand and right foot were amputated.

Some called it a miracle that he survived.

Oxycodone painkillers he was prescribed in the hospital extended his life and aided his recovery. Before long, though, they became an addiction. As he took more and more of the pills, they threatened to destroy the very thing that had actually saved him: his marriage and family.

Sepsis just doesnt end, the 36-year-old told me on a recent Sunday morning at the Starbucks on Route 7 in Latham, near his home. He held out his left hand in greeting. I extended my right. It didnt seem awkward. We both drank our coffee black, dark roast. He had no interest in dancing around tough questions.

My lifes an open book, he said.

Woodwards wife, Chelsea, has offered an unvarnished account of her husbands ordeal on Facebook. One year clean!," she wrote on Dec. 5. "Yall know Josh and I have been to hell and back a time or two, but the opioids were the only thing that had a fair fight in ending us. And they tried.

Woodward's initial fight for survival and his wife's online chronicle of his struggle drew widespread interest and support. After a time, the media glare  90,000 Facebook followers, waves of online get-well messages, donations from first responders and strangers around the world  faded.

Woodward completed rehab, endured a series of surgeries and was getting used to using his prosthetic hand and foot. He was no longer employed and long months stretched before him with too much time to ponder all he had lost and to worry about an uncertain future for himself, his wife and their two kids: Holland, 5, a kindergartner, and Jackson, 8, a third-grader on the autism spectrum.

Whenever he was in pain or felt depressed or angry, he could go to the medicine cabinet and shake out a 5-milligram Oxycodone pill. It took the edge off and made him comfortably numb. He would take two a day. Oxy gave him a lift, a passing ray of happiness.

Before long, he was shaking out three or four pills a day, and then six or seven or eight. He woke up needing them. He went to sleep in an Oxy haze.

I knew they were becoming a problem because my brain forgot how to be happy without the Oxy, he said. They were altering my brain chemistry. It was like a demon in a pill. That little white pill had total power over me.

When he managed moments of clarity, he realized things werent going so great in his marriage. In an effort to taper off the painkillers, he asked his wife to hide the pills and ration his usage. That worked for a while. But he found the prescription bottle and started abusing the pills again.

She got so angry, and we had a huge fight when she realized I had found the pills, Woodward said. That almost finished our marriage. Drug addiction is a deal-breaker for Chelsea, right up there with cheating.

She was from Michigan, he was from Florida. They relocated to the Capital Region for jobs. They met in the late summer of 2009 at Maxies, a karaoke bar on Wolf Road in Colonie. He was with four buddies, a little drunk. He stepped up to the mic and launched into his go-to karaoke tune, Journeys Dont Stop Believin.

She laughed and clapped. They talked and shared a drink. There were sparks.

We just hit it off immediately, Woodward said. They dated and married on June 2, 2012.

We took our wedding vows in sickness and in health, and she stuck around and lived those vows. Im forever in her debt, he said.

The young couple kicked around in Florida, but moved back to Albany within two years. After completing firefighter training academies and volunteering in Guilderland, in 2017 he landed a full-time job as a firefighter at Albany International Airport. The shift was 24 hours on and 48 hours off. Chelsea held it all together on the home front with two little ones.

It was my dream job and everything was going great, he said.

And then sepsis.

On Dec. 4, 2020, Woodward decided his family was the most important thing in his life. He took his last Oxycodone pill.

I went all in. I quit cold turkey, he said.

Withdrawal left him sick and depressed. On Christmas 2020, severe abdominal pain landed him back in the hospital. He needed gall bladder surgery. More painkillers were prescribed, which Chelsea filled. But Woodward was determined to tough it out with ibuprofen, and did.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Six months later, when Chelsea was out in Michigan comforting her mom after her dads cancer diagnosis, Woodward found the pills from the gall bladder surgery. He called his wife on FaceTime and counted them all, and then flushed them down the toilet. Their marriage had survived another test.

The journey has been harrowing, and there have been moments of distrust and fear and anger, she wrote on Facebook. But Josh is a model of integrity and Im so proud of him.

The couple credits therapy with helping them get through.

They hung a sign in the bedroom, where he can see its message each morning: Youre braver than you believe.

They are in a good place now. He is a full-time student at Modern Welding School in Schenectady and expects to get his certification in May. Im essentially starting my life over, he said. Theyve been accepting and accommodating of me as an amputee. Its going great so far.

For more than a year, Chelsea ran Woodward Strong Inc., which the couple formed to assist first responders in crisis. It was their way of paying it forward. Donations dried up during the pandemic and the entity is not currently active.

Now, Chelsea is working in real estate and studying for her Realtor license. Shes my rock, Woodward said.

In his spare time, he lifts weights in the basement, where he also has a small recording studio set up. He creates beats and writes rap songs as MC Anomaly. His knowledge of hip-hop is encyclopedic.

Their 3-year-old black Lab, Moxie, died unexpectedly in the fall. We miss her terribly. She got us through the hard times, he said.

These days, he wakes before dawn to walk their new puppy, Ruby, also a black Lab.

As I started to pull out of the Starbucks parking lot, I noticed that Woodward had gotten out of his car nearby and was scraping ice off his rear windshield. He was using his metal and rubber prosthetic on his right hand.

Works as an ice scraper, huh? I called out.

Yeah. It works pretty good, he laughed, before we both drove off.

Paul Grondahl is director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany and a former Times Union reporter. He can be reached at grondahlpaul@gmail.com.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Harry Reid, the former U.S. Senate majority leader and Nevadas longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82.

Reid died Tuesday, peacefully and surrounded by friends at home in suburban Henderson, following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer, according to family members and a statement from Landra Reid, his wife of 62 years.

Harry was a devout family man and deeply loyal friend, she said. "We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from so many over these past few years. We are especially grateful for the doctors and nurses that cared for him. Please know that meant the world to him, Landra Reid said.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in coming days, she said.

Harry Mason Reid, a combative former boxer-turned-lawyer, was widely acknowledged as one of toughest dealmakers in Congress, a conservative Democrat in an increasingly polarized chamber who vexed lawmakers of both parties with a brusque manner and this motto: I would rather dance than fight, but I know how to fight.

Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

President Joe Biden said that during the two decades they served together in Congress and the eight years they worked together when Biden was vice president, Reid met the marker for what he believed was the most important measure of a person  their actions and their words.

If Harry said he would do something, he did it. If he gave you his word, you could bank on it. Thats how he got things done for the good of the country for decades, Biden said in a statement.

Reid retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye, and revealed in May 2018 that hed been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.

Less than two weeks ago, officials and one of his sons, Rory Reid, marked the renaming of the busy Las Vegas airport as Harry Reid International Airport. Rory Reid is a former Clark County Commission chairman and Democratic Nevada gubernatorial candidate.

Neither Harry nor Landra Reid attended the Dec. 14 ceremony held at the facility that had been known since 1948 as McCarran International Airport, after a former U.S. senator from Nevada, Pat McCarran.

Reid was known in Washington for his abrupt style, typified by his habit of unceremoniously hanging up the phone without saying goodbye.

Even when I was president, he would hang up on me, Obama said in a 2019 tribute video to Reid.

Reid was frequently underestimated, most recently in the 2010 elections when he looked like the underdog to tea party favorite Sharron Angle. Ambitious Democrats, assuming his defeat, began angling for his leadership post. But Reid defeated Angle, 50% to 45%, and returned to the pinnacle of his power. For Reid, it was legacy time.

I dont have people saying hes the greatest speaker, hes handsome, hes a man about town, Reid told The New York Times in December that year. But I dont really care. I feel very comfortable with my place in history.

Born in Searchlight, Nevada, to an alcoholic father who killed himself at 58 and a mother who served as a laundress in a bordello, Reid grew up in a small cabin without indoor plumbing and swam with other children at a pool at a local brothel. He hitchhiked to Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada, 40 miles (64 kilometers) from home, where he met the wife he would marry in 1959, Landra Gould. At Utah State University, the couple became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The future senator put himself through George Washington University law school by working nights as a U.S. Capitol police officer.

At age 28, Reid was elected to the Nevada Assembly and at age 30 became the youngest lieutenant governor in Nevada history as Gov. Mike OCallaghans running mate in 1970.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone else in Nevada history. He narrowly avoided defeat in a 1998 Senate race when he held off Republican John Ensign, then a House member, by 428 votes in a recount that stretched into January.

After his election as Senate majority leader in 2007, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the states caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season. That forced each national party to pour resources into a state that, while home to the countrys fastest growth over the past two decades, still only had six votes in the Electoral College. Reids extensive network of campaign workers and volunteers twice helped deliver the state for Obama.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Obama in 2016 lauded Reid for his work in the Senate, declaring, I could not have accomplished what I accomplished without him being at my side.

The most influential politician in Nevada for more than a decade, Reid steered hundreds of millions of dollars to the state and was credited with almost single-handedly blocking construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain outside Las Vegas. He often went out of his way to defend social programs that make easy political targets, calling Social Security one of the great government programs in history.

Reid championed suicide prevention, often telling the story of his father, a hard-rock miner who took his own life. He stirred controversy in 2010 when he said in a speech on the floor of the Nevada legislature it was time to end legal prostitution in the state.

Reids political moderation meant he was never politically secure in his home state, or entirely trusted in the increasingly polarized Senate. Democrats grumbled about his votes for a ban on so-called partial-birth abortion and the Iraq war resolution in 2002, something Reid later said it was his biggest regret in Congress.

He voted against most gun control bills and in 2013 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, dropped a proposed ban on assault weapons from the Democrats gun control legislation. The package, he said, would not pass with the ban attached.

Reids Senate particularly chafed members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats. When then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, muscled Obamas health care overhaul through the House in 2009, a different version passed the Senate and the reconciliation process floundered long enough for Republicans to turn it into an election-year weapon they used to demonize the California Democrat and cast the legislation as a big-government power grab. Obama signed the measure into law in March 2010. But angered by the recession and inspired by the small-government tea party, voters the next year swept Democrats from the House majority.

Reid hand-picked a Democratic candidate who won the election to replace him in 2016, former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, and built a political machine in the state that helped Democrats win a series of key elections in 2016 and 2018.

On his way out of office, Reid repeatedly lambasted President Donald Trump, calling him at one point a sociopath and a sexual predator who lost the popular vote and fueled his campaign with bigotry and hate.

Reid, who brushed off verbal tussles with the seen-it-all calm of a political veteran, was known to tell his staff they werent life-or-death situations.

Reid, after all, had faced one of those before he ever got to Washington. Then head of the Nevada Gaming Commission investigating organized crime, Reid became the target of a car bomb in 1980. Police called it an attempted homicide. Reid blamed Jack Gordon, who went to prison for trying to bribe him in a sting operation Reid participated in over illegal efforts to bring new games to casinos in 1978.

Following Reids lengthy farewell address on the Senate floor in 2016, his Nevada colleague, Republican Sen. Dean Heller, declared: Its been said that its better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. And as me and my colleagues here today and those in the gallery probably agree with me, no individual in American politics embodies that sentiment today more than my colleague from Nevada, Harry Mason Reid.

___

Kellman, an Associated Press writer in Jerusalem, covered Congress for the AP during Reids time as Senate majority leader. Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in New York and correspondent Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  COVID-19 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes have almost doubled in the past week, an indicator that the state is likely heading into another major surge of virus cases and hospitalizations, a top health official said Wednesday.

Were in the midst of a peak of transmission that weve never seen, most likely, this whole pandemic, Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said during a Wednesday news conference.

The state health officer said people who test positive or are exposed should take precautions and quarantine for at least five days, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Dont perpetuate the chain of transmission, Dobbs said. This is really a love thy neighbor sort of moment, and love thy family, also. Stay home.

There were 63 outbreaks in Mississippi nursing homes Monday, nearly twice the number of nursing home outbreaks reported in the state last week, state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers wrote Wednesday in a memo to Mississippi hospitals and health care providers. There were 8,344 new COVID-19 cases reported last week, an 80% increase from the week before. Byers said a growing proportion of Mississippi cases are fueled by the omicron variant of the virus.

We really are in the fifth wave now of COVID for Mississippi, Byers said during the news conference.

Last week, the omicron variant accounted for about 13% of all samples sequenced in the state, up from about 8% in the previous week. Byers said these numbers likely underrepresent the impact of omicron on the state because some samples collected recently are still pending sequencing. The omicron variant is significantly more infectious than the delta variant.

A total of 400 people were hospitalized with a confirmed coronavirus infection in Mississippi on Monday, compared with 239 people on Christmas Eve, the Department of Health reported.

Jim Craig, senior deputy for the Mississippi Department of Health and director of health protection, the shortage of health care workers continues to be a concern for health officials. Lack of staff prevents hospitals from opening all available beds to treat patients.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for our smaller community, county hospitals to transport patients to some of our larger centers. ... It all plays back to the staffing issue," he said.

Health officials said Tuesday that 48% of Mississippi residents were fully vaccinated, and 29% had received a booster shot. About 63% of people nationwide are fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University.

With the surge in new virus cases, there has also been a surge in demand for testing. Dobbs said the state is expanding the number of available testing sites, and asked residents to be patient.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

There is testing available, its just not on-demand like weve had before," he said. ... That convenience might not be quite as big as it has been. But you know, this is a moment of phenomenally increased demand. So itll be a little bit of a challenge.

Due to a surge in new confirmed coronavirus cases, the mayor of Mississippi's capital city has ordered the closure of city hall and other offices.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's new executive order closing offices went into effect Wednesday. Only essential employees will continue to work in person, he said. The order will stay in place until at least next Wednesday.

The infectious spread of COVID-19 through both the Delta and Omicron variants has continued and dramatically increased in the City of Jackson, with a corresponding increase in hospitalizations and death rate," the mayor said in a statement. The City of Jackson does not have the luxury of a wait-and-see approach to the continued threat.

___

Leah Willingham 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.
In the weeks leading up to the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, a handful of Americans  well-known politicians, obscure local bureaucrats  stood up to block then-President Donald Trumps unprecedented attempt to overturn a free and fair vote of the American people.

In the year since, Trump-aligned Republicans have worked to clear the path for next time.

In battleground states and beyond, Republicans are taking hold of the once-overlooked machinery of elections. While the effort is incomplete and uneven, outside experts on democracy and Democrats are sounding alarms, warning that the United States is witnessing a slow-motion insurrection with a better chance of success than Trumps failed power grab last year.

They point to a mounting list of evidence: Several candidates who deny Trumps loss are running for offices that could have a key role in the election of the next president in 2024. In Michigan, the Republican Party is restocking members of obscure local boards that could block approval of an election. In Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, the GOP-controlled legislatures are backing open-ended reviews of the 2020 election, modeled on a deeply flawed look-back in Arizona. The efforts are poised to fuel disinformation and anger about the 2020 results for years to come.

All this comes as the Republican Party has become more aligned behind Trump, who has made denial of the 2020 results a litmus test for his support. Trump has praised the Jan. 6 rioters and backed primaries aimed at purging lawmakers who have crossed him. Sixteen GOP governors have signed laws making it more difficult to vote. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll showed that two-thirds of Republicans do not believe Democrat Joe Biden was legitimately elected as president.

The result, experts say, is that another baseless challenge to an election has become more likely, not less.

Its not clear that the Republican Party is willing to accept defeat anymore, said Steven Levitsky, a Harvard political scientist and co-author of the book How Democracies Die. The party itself has become an anti-democratic force.

American democracy has been flawed and manipulated by both parties since its inception. Millions of Americans  Black people, women, Native Americans and others  have been excluded from the process. Both Republicans and Democrats have written laws rigging the rules in their favor.

This time, experts argue, is different: Never in the country's modern history has a a major party sought to turn the administration of elections into an explicitly partisan act.

Republicans who sound alarms are struggling to be heard by their own party. GOP Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming or Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, members of a House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection, are often dismissed as party apostates. Others have cast the election denialism as little more than a distraction.

But some local officials, the people closest to the process and its fragility, are pleading for change. At a recent news conference in Wisconsin, Kathleen Bernier, a GOP state senator and former elections clerk, denounced her partys efforts to seize control of the election process.

These made up things that people do to jazz up the base is just despicable and I dont believe any elected legislator should play that game, said Bernier.

LOCAL CONTROL

Berniers view is not shared by the majority of the Republicans who control the state Legislature in Wisconsin, one of a handful of states that Biden carried but Trump wrongly claims he won. Early in 2021, Wisconsin Republicans ordered their Legislative Audit Bureau to review the 2020 election. That review found no significant fraud. Last month, an investigation by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty came to the same conclusion.

Still, many Republicans are convinced that something went wrong. They point to how the nonpartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission  which the GOP-led Legislature and then-Republican governor created eight years ago to run the states elections  changed guidance for local elections officers to make voting easier during the pandemic.

That's led to a struggle for control of elections between the state Legislature and the commission.

We feel we need to get this straight for people to believe we have integrity, said GOP Sen. Alberta Darling, who represents the conservative suburbs north of Milwaukee. Were not just trying to change the election with Trump. Were trying to dig into the next election and change irregularities.

Republicans are also remaking the way elections are run in other states. In Georgia, an election bill signed this year by the GOP governor gave the Republican-controlled General Assembly new powers over the state board of elections, which controls its local counterparts.

The law is being used to launch a review of operations in solidly-Democratic Fulton County, home to most of Atlanta, which could lead to a state takeover. The legislature also passed measures allowing local officials to remove Democrats from election boards in six other counties.

In Pennsylvania, the GOP-controlled legislature is undertaking a review of the presidential election, subpoenaing voter information that Democrats contend is an unprecedented intrusion into voter privacy. Meanwhile, Trump supporters are signing up for local election jobs in droves. One pastor who attended the Jan. 6 rally in the nation's capital recently won a race to become an election judge overseeing voting in a rural part of Lancaster County.

In Michigan, the GOP has focused on the states county boards of canvassers. The little-known committees power was briefly in the spotlight in November of 2020, when Trump urged the two Republican members of the board overseeing Wayne County, home to Democratic-bastion Detroit, to vote to block certification of the election.

After one of the Republican members defied Trump, local Republicans replaced her with Robert Boyd, who told The Detroit Free Press that he would not have certified Bidens win last year.

Boyd did not return a call for comment.

A similar swap  replacing a traditional Republican with one who parroted Trump's election lies  occurred in Macomb County, the states third most populous county.

The Detroit News in October reported that Republicans had replaced their members on boards of canvassers in eight of Michigan's 11 most populous counties

Michigan officials say that if boards of canvassers dont certify an election they can be sued and compelled to do so. Still, that process could cause chaos and be used as a rallying cry behind election disputes.

Theyre laying the groundwork for a slow-motion insurrection, said Mark Brewer, an election lawyer and former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.

The states top election official, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, warned: The movement to cast doubt on the 2020 election has now turned their eyes ... to changing the people who were in positions of authority and protected 2020.

TRUMPS RETRIBUTION

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

That includes Benson.

Multiple Republicans have lined up to challenge her, including Kristina Karamo, a community college professor who alleged fraud in the 2020 elections and contended that the Jan. 6 attackers were actually antifa activists trying to frame Trump supporters.

Trump has been clear about his intentions: He is seeking to oust statewide officials who stood in his way and replace them with allies.

We have secretary of states that did not do the right thing for the American people, Trump, who has endorsed Karamo, told The Associated Press this month.

The most prominent Trump push is in Georgia, where the former president is backing U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, who voted against Biden's Electoral College victory on Jan. 6, in a primary race against the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger. He rejected Trump's pleas to find enough votes to declare him the winner.

Trump also encouraged former U.S. Sen. David Perdue to challenge Gov. Brian Kemp in the GOP primary. Kemp turned down Trump's entreaties to declare him the victor in the 2020 election.

In October, Jason Shepherd stepped down as chair of the Cobb County GOP after the group censured Kemp. Its shortsighted. Theyre not contemplating the effects of this down the line, Shepherd said in an interview. They want their pound of flesh from Brian Kemp because Brian Kemp followed the law.

In Nevada, multiple lawsuits seeking to overturn Biden's victory were thrown out by judges. A suit aimed at overturning his congressional loss was filed by Jim Marchant, a former GOP state lawmaker now running to be secretary of state, and it too was dismissed. The current Republican secretary of state, Barbara Cegavske, who is term limited, found there was no significant fraud in the contests.

Marchant said he's not just seeking to become a Trump enabler, though he was endorsed by Trump in his congressional bid. I've been fighting this since before he came along, Marchant said of Trump. All we want is fair and transparent elections.

In Pennsylvania, Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who organized buses of Trump supporters for Trump's rally near the White House on Jan. 6, has signaled hes running for governor. In Arizona, state Rep. Mark Finchem's bid to be secretary of state has unnerved many Republicans, given that he hosted a daylong hearing in November 2020 that featured Trump adviser Rudolph Giuliani. Former news anchor Kari Lake, who repeats Trump's election falsehoods, is running to succeed Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who stood up to Trump's election-year pressure and is barred from another term.

Elsewhere in Arizona, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, who defended his office against the conspiratorial election review, has started a political committee to provide financial support to Republicans who tell the truth about the election. But he's realistic about the persistence of the myth of a stolen election within his party's base.

Right now, Richer said, the incentive structure seems to be strongly in favor of doing the wrong thing.

HIGH STAKES RACES FOR GOVERNOR

In Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Democratic governors have been a major impediment to the GOP's effort to overhaul elections. Most significantly, they have vetoed new rules that Democrats argue are aimed at making it harder for people of color to vote.

Governors have a significant role in U.S. elections: They certify the winners in their states, clearing way for the appointment of Electoral College members. That raises fears that Trump-friendly governors could try to certify him  if he were to run in 2024 and be the GOP nominee  as the winner of their state's electoral votes regardless of the vote count.

Additionally, some Republicans argue that state legislatures can name their own electors regardless of what the vote tally says.

But Democrats have had little success in laying out the stakes in these races. It's difficult for voters to believe the system could be vulnerable, said Daniel Squadron of The States Project, a Democratic group that tries to win state legislatures.

The most motivated voters in America today are those who think the 2020 election was stolen, he said. Acknowledging this is afoot requires such a leap from any core American value system that any of us have lived through.
In the recent case of A.C. v. McKee, brought by students who are challenging the inadequacy of their civics education in Rhode Island, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith wrote:

American democracy is in peril  Its survival, and (these students) ability to reap the benefit of living in a country with robust freedoms and rights  is something that citizens must cherish, and constantly work for.

This case represents an accelerating awareness of the importance of civic education in these perilous times. In this context, it is especially disconcerting that tens of thousands of students in New York are receiving no civic education whatsoever. These students are enrolled in ultra-Orthodox yeshivas that focus almost exclusively on religious texts. They provide their students almost no instruction in history, civics and science, and only rudimentary instruction in early grades in English and math. Most of these students will grow up ill-equipped to earn a living  and to vote competently, to serve on juries, and to function as capable citizens.

State Education Law requires that instruction in ultra-Orthodox yeshivas, as in all private schools, be substantially equivalent to what public schools provide. It calls upon all schools to teach American history, civics and other important secular subjects.

For years, however, the authorities failed to enforce this law. After this issue was brought to the fore, the New York City Department of Education did inspect 28 out of more than 100 ultra-Orthodox yeshivas. It found that 26 of the 28 schools were not meeting the legal requirements. Eventually, a few agreed to adopt new curricula in English and math in the elementary grades  but none committed to providing their students adequate civics instruction.

In light of these revelations, the state Board of Regents is now preparing new regulations aimed at ensuring that all private schools are upholding the law. Representatives of many of these schools are lobbying hard for the Regents to water them down, arguing that enforcement of meaningful regulations would somehow infringe the religious liberties of their students and their parents. This position has no legal merit.

Almost a century ago, the U.S. Supreme Court held that state regulation of religious schools is constitutional. In Pierce v. Society of Sisters, a case brought by Catholic school parents, the Supreme Court upheld the parents right to send their children to private schools  religious or otherwise  but at the same time held that states retained the power to regulate these schools to require that  certain studies plainly essential to good citizenship must be taught, and that nothing be taught which is manifestly inimical to the public welfare.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Opponents of substantial equivalency regulations also cite the Supreme Courts 1973 ruling in Wisconsin v. Yoder. In that case, the court exempted old-order Amish parents from the states requirement that their students attend a high school. The Yoder parents sought instead to provide an informal vocational education to prepare them for an agricultural life. They did not object to a K-8 education that, among other things, prepared them for citizenship. It is also important to note that the Amish were a self-reliant community that totally rejected public assistance, and that very few of them voted.

The court emphasized that that probably few other religious groups or sects could make the factual showing of these Amish plaintiffs, and, indeed, almost 50 years later, no other group has qualified for any exemption from compulsory education requirements.

Unlike the Amish who led a strictly insular life, many in the ultra-Orthodox community in New York do receive public assistance because of their inability to obtain employment, and members of the community vote in substantial numbers, so much so that their political support is eagerly sought by politicians at all levels. It is especially important, therefore, that the Regents adopt meaningful substantial equivalence regulations, and that the Legislature provide the funding necessary for the State Education Department to adequately enforce them.
ALBANY  The potential criminal fallout for former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo from his alleged harassment of multiple women continued to fade this week when a second district attorney declared that their office would not file charges regarding accusations that Cuomo had inappropriately kissed two women on the cheek, including a state trooper who had been on his protective detail.

"Our investigation found credible evidence to conclude that the alleged conduct in both instances ... did occur," Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah said in a statement. "However, in both instances, my office has determined that, although the allegations and witnesses were credible, and the conduct concerning, we cannot pursue criminal charges due to the statutory requirements of the criminal laws of New York."

Rocah's statement came a week after Nassau County District Attorney Joyce Smith said similar allegations investigated by their office also were credible, but according to her did not rise to the level of a crime under state law.

Lindsey Boylan, a former aide in Cuomo's administration, had also accused Cuomo of kissing her without consent in his Manhattan office in 2018. Boylan and her attorney met earlier this year with investigators, including officials with Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's office, but no charges are expected in that case, either.

The narrowing chances of a criminal conviction from Cuomo's alleged sexual misconduct may rest solely on the allegations of Brittany Commisso, an aide who has accused the former governor of groping her breast during a workplace encounter at the Executive Mansion in Albany a year ago. Cuomo, who has denied the allegation, faces a misdemeanor forcible touching charge in Albany City Court for that allegation, although it's possible prosecutors could move to dismiss the case if they believe the evidence is problematic. An initial court appearance in that matter is slated to take place Jan. 7.

For the 64-year-old lifelong bureaucrat and politician, an acquittal or dismissal in the Albany case could lift some of the stigma related to the multiple scandals that engulfed Cuomo over the past year and led to his resignation from office in August. It could also open the door for his eventual return to politics, whether as an elected official or possibly an influential lobbyist who has navigated the maze of power politics for most of his adult life.

"I think it would take a really unlikely alignment of lucky stars for him to be successful," Christopher B. Mann, a professor of political science at Skidmore College, said when asked about Cuomo's potential to make a comeback.

"Is there a path? Absolutely: a multi-way primary in which you get kind of a circular firing squad dynamic of different candidates going after each other, (or) a primary in which hes running against some other tainted or weakened candidate," Mann said. "If he gets in with that type of scenario, he might be the lesser of evils."

Another scenario Mann said could pave a way for Cuomo's return: If Gov. Kathy Hochul were to win the June Democratic primary but lose the general election in November, "then Andrew Cuomo tries to make a comeback in 2026 that could change the narrative a lot. The 'proven winner' narrative would run to his favor."

Other probes

Will Waldron/Times Union

Cuomo also has a formidable campaign account  roughly $18 million in the most recent filings.

"There are 18 million reasons why he can run for public office again if he so chooses; thats a lot of money," said Steve Greenberg, a longtime political observer and a spokesman for the Siena Research Institute. "You can run a serious campaign for virtually any office with that kind of money."

Still, there are other law enforcement investigations that remain open and could bring criminal consequences for Cuomo. The U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn has been investigating the former administration's handling of data related to COVID-19 nursing home deaths in 2020, when Cuomo was receiving national accolades for his handling of the pandemic and was striking a multimillion-dollar deal to produce a book about it.

State Attorney General Letitia James' office is also examining the book deal, including whether state resources were used to produce the memoir. But that office, like the state Assembly's impeachment investigation of Cuomo, appears to have abandoned an investigation into allegations that Cuomo's friends and family members received secret priority COVID-19 testing in the early stages of the pandemic  at a time when many front-line health care workers were unable to access those tests. (The Assembly committee dropped that investigation as it became clear many lawmakers in that chamber also benefited from the priority testing.)

If neither the Justice Department nor James' office pursues criminal charges, Cuomo still would need to overcome the damage to his reputation that resulted from the myriad allegations of misconduct. There was also harm to his reputation when his brother Chris Cuomo was terminated earlier this month from his job as a CNN anchor after evidence released by James' office revealed the level of his behind-the-scenes efforts to assist his sibling, including using his journalism contacts to research the women who had accused the former governor of harassment.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

"The fact that his brothers media career has also gone down in flames, and those headlines about the Cuomo brothers and the tainting of the family legacy, doesnt do the governor any good, either," Mann said. "The ripple effects of this, which largely seem to have gone from Andrew to Chris, also come back in the other direction if Andrew Cuomo tries to make a comeback."

Off the canvas

Cuomo also has made a comeback before. In 2002, he suspended his gubernatorial campaign as it faltered, leaving H. Carl McCall as the uncontested Democratic challenger against incumbent Republican Gov. George E. Pataki, who soundly won a third term.

Cuomo and his former top aide, Joseph Percoco, who was recently released from federal prison for a bribery conviction related to his work for the former governor, responded by crisscrossing the state and building support for Cuomo's successful 2006 campaign for attorney general.

At a 2019 fundraiser in New York City, Cuomo reflected on his failed campaign for governor in 2002.

"The common refrain was we would be bolder and we would work harder to make real tangible change in real peoples lives," Cuomo said, characterizing government as "incompetent" and adding that the public had lost faith in its ability to help them.

But Greenberg noted that in 2002 Cuomo merely lost an election, while this year he resigned in the face of overwhelming controversies.

"He has shown resiliency; like a great boxer he has shown the ability to get knocked down and come back up," Greenberg said. "Does he have another comeback in him in his mid-60s? ... This is a case where as a third-term governor he resigned, and despite what he and his folks say there was no coup, there was no overthrowing of the governor. ... He resigned because he was awash in scandal. Im not sure what constituency hes going to convince that hes the right person at the right time for the right office."

There is also the potential for Cuomo to launch a congressional bid, including vying for Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer's seat should he step down in the coming years. But Cuomo, an attorney, is known more for his "executive demeanor," and has never served in a legislative setting, Mann noted.

"He seems more likely to have a path to political relevance by being a behind-the-scenes power broker," Mann said. "Hes been in and around Albany and state politics for his entire life. Hes well-connected. His persona with the public is much more problematic than his ability to work with various interest groups in a lobbyist type of role  because he knows people; he knows where the bodies are buried ... and he knows how the process works."
Former President Donald Trump says he will endorse Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy for reelection, but only if the governor doesnt back U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowskis bid to return to the Senate
The third-generation editor and publisher of a historic Black newspaper in North Carolina and a driving force behind the pardons of the Wilmington 10 has died
Pamala Palmas house is pictured in all its glory. The Palma house, located at 319 N. Brown St., was recently crowned winner of the Titusville SEG Tours Residential Holiday Decorating Contest.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Police in Prescott Valley say a man killed on Christmas night when he was struck by a vehicle was a recently retired U.S. Army Ranger who served 10 deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan
The rate of local killing continues to escalate without much hope of a solution from our elected leaders who have CONSTANTLY ATTACKED POLICE in an overtly political gambit that hopes to garner more control over the police budget and, inevitably, pensions.

Accordingly, and again, this is homicide #158 #157 so far this year compared to 178 at this time last year, 151 the year before that and only 138 in 2018.

Check the first report . . .



Homicide 14th and Paseo

This morning just before 2:30am, officers were called to Truman and Brooklyn on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers began an area canvass where they located a vehicle at E 13th Street and Paseo. Officers located a victim inside the vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.



Detectives and Crime Scene Personnel have responded to the scene. They will processing the scene for any evidence and canvassing for witnesses. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the Homicide Unit at 816-234-5043. Or if you would like to remain anonymous you can do so by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.



Southbound Paseo will be closed for a couple of hours at minimum.

#############



Update . . . THE PASEO HAS REOPENED .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

KCPD investigating overnight homicide at 13th and Paseo KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri, police are investigating a homicide near East13th Street and The Paseo. Officers were initially called to the area of East Truman Road and Brooklyn Avenue around 2:30 a.m. for a reported shooting. Police canvassed the area and found a vehicle at East 13th Street and The Paseo with a gunshot victim inside.

Police investigate overnight homicide at 13th and Paseo in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Kansas City police are on the scene of an overnight shooting death that happened near 13th Street and The Paseo. Officers responded around 2:30 a.m. to an area near Truman Road and Brooklyn Avenue in reference to a shooting.

KC police investigate homicide near 13th, The Paseo Hide Transcript Show Transcript CODY: NOT TOO BAD OUT THERE. THANK YOU. BREAKING THIS MORNING, THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF PASEO HAVE REOPENED DOWNTOWN AFTER AN OVERNIGHT MURDER. POLICE SAY SOMEONE HEARD GUNSHOTS AROUND 2:30 A.MAT. TRUMAN AND BROOKLYN. WHEN THEY GOT THERE, THEY FOUND SOMEONE DEAD INSIDE A CAR AT 13TH AND PASEO, RIGHT OFF I-70.

UPDATE . . .

A recent death was ruled an overdose and this is now the #157th homicide so far this year.



Developing . . .


Thanks to a KICK-ASS TKC READERS we're getting a glimpse behind the sordid curtain of Missouri Republican fundraising.



I never get these kind of e-mails because they seem to know I'm out of cash.

However, here's a worthwhile explanation . . .



An end-of-quarter fundraising letter from the Missouri Republican Party takes the creative angle "Are you a DEMOCRAT now?!?" To quote the French, probably incorrectly, "J'Accuse!"

Take a peek . . .



Again, as always, we want to remind readers that our constant editorial stance regards partisan politics as a losing game for suckers.

This time around, we simply offer a peek at Missouri Republicans desperate to get locals to put their money where their mouth is amid time of plague and worsening American discord.



You decide . . .


A local alleged fist fighter has earned local acclaim for his antics and we take another moment to report the fists of fury attacking suburban box store patrons merely looking to save a buck.

Aftermath on the charges . . . And reminder that meth is a hell of a drug . . .

According to court documents provided by the Platte County Prosecutor's Office, 30-year-old has been charged with the following:



- One count of felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)

- One count of third-degree assault (hitting someone in the face)

- 10 counts of fourth-degree assault (striking 10 people)



According to the police, the disturbance happened at 6:42 p.m. at the Walmart at 8551 N. Boardwalk Ave. Ultimately, officers determined that no shots had been fired despite having heard that from dispatch while en route.



THE SUSPECT was taken into custody outside the store and a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine was found in the pocket of his pants.





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

Man facing numerous assault charges following disturbance at Walmart on Monday night PLATTE COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- A man is facing numerous charges in connection with a disturbance that happened at the Walmart on N. Boardwalk Avenue last night. According to court documents provided by the Platte County Prosecutor's Office, 30-year-old Aundrey M.

Man charged after reportedly punching 11 people inside Northland Walmart KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A man faces a dozen charges after reportedly punching 11 people Monday night in a Northland Walmart . Aundrey Reece, 30, of Kansas City, Missouri, is charged in Platte County Court with 10 counts of misdemeanor assault, one count of felony assault and possession of a controlled substance, according to court records.

Developing . . .
The Ukrainian Air Force will receive a mobile field hospital from the German Government in January, defense minister Oleksii Reznikov posted on Twitter.

According to Reznikov, more than 160 Ukrainian service members have undergone treatment in Germany, and Ukraine has received more than 13 million euros for medical needs and equipment from Germany since 2014.

Thanks to our partners, in January 2022, the Ukrainian Air Force will receive a mobile field hospital Role-2. We appreciate this," Reznikov wrote.

As reported, Bild German media outlet conducted the investigation and revealed that Germany has been using NATO's mechanism since May 2021 to prevent other Allies from selling weapons to Ukraine for defense purposes.

According to the media, due to the German veto and other tactics, the supply of 90 Barrett M82 rifles from the United States and 20 EDM4S-UA drone mitigation systems from Lithuania was blocked.

Ukraine paid for both armaments in early 2021 through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), but in May, representatives of Germany and the Netherlands in the NSPA board opposed the sales of American rifles and blocked them.

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Over the past 24 hours, on December 28, the Ukrainian military reported two ceasefire violations by the Russian occupation forces.

This was reported on Facebook by the press service of the Joint Forces Operation HQ, Ukrinform reports.

In Luhansk region, near Katerynivka, the enemy opened fire using automatic and anti-tank grenade launchers, as well as small arms.

In the direction of Krymske, the occupiers opened fire employing easel-mounted and anti-tank grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns.

Enemy attacks brought no casualties, the report adds.

Ukrainian defenders returned fire without using any weapons proscribed by the Minsk agreements, forcing the enemy to cease shelling.

Thanks to the efforts of Joint Forces, the Ukrainian units in the zone of hostilities held their ground along the entire line of contact.

Read also: On chemical weapons and distinctive smell of Russian disinformation

As of 7:00 on December 29, no new ceasefire violations were recorded.

Joint Forces keep monitoring the situation, continuing to repel and deter Russias armed aggression, the report says.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on December 27, Ukraine reported 10 ceasefire breaches by the Russian occupation forces.

Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action amid the said enemy attacks.

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss discussed Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine in a phone call on Tuesday, December 28.

According to Ukrinform, Truss announced this on Twitter.

"Spoke to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg about Russia's aggression towards Ukraine. We agreed that NATO is resolute in its support for Ukraine. An incursion would lead to severe costs for Russia," she wrote.

Spoke to NATO Secretary-General @jensstoltenberg about Russias aggression towards Ukraine. Agreed:



 NATO is resolute in its support for Ukraine



 An incursion would lead to severe costs for Russia



 Any dialogue must fully respect Ukraines sovereignty pic.twitter.com/F8f99RKCOd  Liz Truss (@trussliz) December 28, 2021

Truss added that "any dialogue must fully respect Ukraine's sovereignty."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said earlier that the United States and NATO would not accept Russia's demand to halt NATO's eastward expansion, as it would be the greatest humiliation for the U.S. and NATO since the military alliance was founded.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has assured Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau that Russia would face serious consequences in the event of its further aggression against Ukraine.

Blinken and Rau spoke about this in a phone call held on Tuesday, December 28, at the request of the U.S. side, Ukrinform reports, citing the Polish Foreign Ministry.

"The foreign policy chiefs of Poland and the United States discussed the current security situation in Europe, including the escalation of the actions of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine, as well as Belarus holding a hybrid attack on the border with Poland. Secretary Blinken reiterated President [Joe] Biden's words about the strong reaction of the U.S. and its allies in the event of Russia's aggression against Ukraine," the statement said.

Commenting on the situation in Ukraine and Belarus, Blinken stressed the need for close allied cooperation within the OSCE during Poland's presidency of the organization in 2022. Blinken and Rau emphasized the need to coordinate actions in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, reiterating that any further military aggression would have serious consequences for Russia.

The Polish Foreign Ministry added that the two countries' foreign ministers agreed that the dialogue with Russia should be based on the principles of diplomacy and deterrence, in close coordination between allies.

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Ukraine considers wrong the view of some American experts that the United States should put on pause the situation regarding Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine and focus on challenges posed by China.

This was stated by Ukraines Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, who spoke in an interview with LB.ua, Ukrinform reports.

"We sometimes hear some American experts say (some of them  not without some help of our northern neighbor) that they need to put on pause the Russia story and deal with China. We see this point of view as wrong. If the democratic world seeks to demotivate China from bad moves in the future, it must react today to Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine," Markarova said.

Commenting on the assumption that Washington's agreement to launch a dialogue with Russia is primarily due to challenges for the United States coming from China, the ambassador said that "there are no such linear solutions in geopolitics."

"In addition, it is impossible to negotiate with governments that are not very predictable. Our position is very clear: the fight Ukraine is waging is that for democracy. We were being attacked precisely because weve chosen a democratic, Euro-Atlantic path. Russia and China are autocratic powers after all. It is impossible to address the issue with an autocratic power by settling with another autocracy, the diplomat is convinced.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Japans Kyodo agency released a report of a Japan-U.S. joint action plan of response in case China unleashes a war in Taiwan.

Tensions between Taiwan and China have risen sharply in recent months amid increasing military pressure from Beijing, including the presence of Chinese warplanes in the region. Beijing has said it will seize Taiwan by force if necessary, as China considers the island its sovereign territory. Instead, Taiwan emphasizes that the country will defend its independence and democracy.

Earlier, ex-Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that at multiple world expert platforms discussions were being held behind closed doors on the issue of Russia possibly getting an opportunity to try to gain control of the southeastern part of Ukraine, to which Moscow refers as Novorossiya, should China move into Taiwan in the near future.

im
In 2022, the international partners should stay united against Russian aggression and define the next steps towards Ukraine's membership in NATO and the EU.

According to Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna, this year Ukraine has been proactively forming the agenda of the dialogue with the EU and NATO, proposed solutions and actively defended its interests.

"2022 will be politically difficult for achieving Ukraine's aspirations. But it will be difficult, above all, for our international partners, who should stay united against Russia's aggression, support the establishment of democracies in the region, and define next steps towards Ukraine's NATO and EU membership," Stefanishyna posted on Twitter.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna announced that next year Ukraine planned to accede to the Convention on the Common Transit Procedure and the NCTS system and complete the revision of the Association Agreement with the EU.

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The Russian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas settlement has claimed it would be "inexpedient" to hold an extraordinary meeting as proposed by Ukraine.

Thats according to Ukraines delegate to the TCG, journalist Serhiy Harmash, Ukrinform reports.

"It is immediately obvious who seeks what. We have applied for an extraordinary meeting of the TCG in connection with ceasefire violations. The Russian side responded: inexpedient, Harmash wrote on Facebook.

According to media reports, on December 28, the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG initiated an extraordinary meeting in connection with the latest ceasefire breaches by enemy forces in Donbas. The delegation proposed that the talks be held on Wednesday, December 29.

Acting first deputy chief of the Ukrainian delegation, Andriy Kostin, noted that he "sent a letter to the OSCE Representative in the TCG with a proposal to convene an extraordinary TCG meeting tomorrow (December 29 - ed.) in connection with the ceasefire violation."

im
Since 2014, the Security Service (SBU) counterintelligence units have neutralized more than 30 hostile intelligence networks in various regions of the country. Courts have found more than 180 perpetrators guilty of treason and espionage.

Thats according to the SBU press service, Ukrinform reports.

In addition, the SBU has exposed over 20 Russian intelligence officers, who had been operating in Ukraine under diplomatic cover. All of them were declared personae non grata.

Throughout this period, Ukrainian counterintelligence operatives neutralized more than 300 enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups, while 26 culprits were nabbed while plotting explosions at critical infrastructure facilities, including defense objects.

More than 250 militants have been sentenced to various terms for crimes against Ukraine's national security. Among them are leaders and members of illegal armed groupings and "LPR/DPR" terrorist groups.

In a massive special operation, the SBU exposed a Russian FSB intelligence network. The assets operated across Kyiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zhytomyr, and Chernihiv regions.

The network was preparing the acts of sabotage in relation to a number of fighter jets based at one of the Air Force airfields.

Almost 3 kg of TNT with electric detonators, as well as anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades, were seized in the raid.

In the Joint Forces Operation zone, SBU counterintelligence operatives detained a saboteur, hired by the Russian special services, upon an attempt to plant a bomb onto an ammonia tank at the premises of an industrial facility in Luhansk region.

Two RPG-22 anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades were seized, which the attacker had previously retrieved from an arms cache in the area.

In Kharkiv, SBU officers exposed a Russian military intelligence asset. On the instructions of his handlers, he had been gathering confidential information about the latest Ukrainian-made armored vehicles.

The culprit had been trying to obtain design documentation for the T-84BM Oplot main battle tank.

Another Russian spy was detained in Luhansk region where he had arrived to gather intelligence on the units involved in the Joint Forces Operations.

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Ukraine's information security strategy will allow all branches of government to cooperate against Russian disinformation, as well as increase the level of media literacy in Ukraine.

"First and foremost, the presidential decree is not about some kind of general threat to Ukraine, but specifically about the Russian Federation, whose information policy poses a threat to all democracies. This decree is a response to Russia's total interference in Ukraine's internal affairs through information technologies," Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachenko posted on Telegram.

He noted that the document would allow all branches of government to cooperate against the Russian disinformation machine and also aimed to increase the level of media culture and media literacy in Ukraine.

As reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of October 15, 2021 "On the Information Security Strategy".

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News Release  UNHCR

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and the UN family are saddened by the death of its staff member, an unfortunate casualty of the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

We are saddened by this tragic loss of our colleague and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones, said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UNHCRs Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes Region.

UNHCR calls on all parties to protect civilians, including aid workers, refugees and those forcibly displaced in line with obligations under international humanitarian law.

It is imperative to put an end to this conflict which has caused so much human suffering, loss of life and led to millions becoming forcibly displaced, she added.

UNHCR continues to work with partners to ensure that the refugees and internally displaced people in Ethiopia receive the support they need.

ENDS

For more information on this topic, please contact:

In Nairobi, Faith Kasina, [email protected], +254 113427094
A displaced Yemeni after receiving his NFI items in Aden. November 2021

 UNHCR



UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and Qatar Charity (QC) signed an agreement worth more than 1.8 million Qatari Riyals to support internally displaced people in Marib, Yemen. According to the agreement, UNHCR will provide urgent assistance to more than 2,000 internally displaced families (approximately 12,252 individuals), through distribution of relief items which includes blankets, kitchen sets, solar lamps and sleeping mats.

UNHCRs Representative in Qatar, Ayat El Dewary, lauded the generous contribution and the pioneering humanitarian role of Qatar Charity, which is reflected in its continuous support to UNHCR and its humanitarian response in Yemen, stating: We deeply thank and appreciate Qatar Charity for their vital contribution, which will have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of displaced Yemenis, who rely on humanitarian assistance to alleviate their suffering and improve their living conditions.

On his part, Nawaf Abdulla Al-Hammadi, Chief Global Programs Officer at Qatar Charity expressed QCs commitment towards providing continuous support to UNHCRs operations and added: We are proud of our long-lasting partnership with UNHCR, and we strive to support its efforts in responding to the existing humanitarian needs of displaced Yemenis.

After more than six years of the conflicts outbreak in Yemen, it remains the largest humanitarian crisis in the world with over 20 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, and 5 million people on the brink of famine. According to the latest statistics, there are more than 4 million internally displaced Yemenis, and nearly 40,000 people who have been forced to flee in Marib since September. This represents almost 70% of all displacements in this south-eastern governorate since the beginning of the year. Marib now hosts half of the estimated 120,000 newly displaced countrywide in 2021.

This contribution will support UNHCRs efforts in the humanitarian response in Yemen. In light of this protracted humanitarian crisis and new displacement in Yemen, needs such as, shelter, essential household items, water and sanitation, education, and protection services, continue to be exacerbated, in addition to other daily challenges of displacement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Maria Hatem , Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer, [email protected]

, Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer, Khaled Kabbara, Communications Officer- GCC Countries, [email protected]

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ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 29th Dec, 2021) Attorney General Counsellor Dr Hamad Al Shamsi received today Ambassador of Kazakhstan Madyar Menelikov and his accompanying delegation, to discuss ways of enhancing judicial and legal cooperation between the two nations.

The ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan officially extended an official invitation for Al Shamsi to visit Kazakhstan during the meeting which was held in the latter's office here.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called for holding Pakistan's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in a befitting manner to highlight the country's distinctive identity, culture and unique location

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Dec, 2021 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called for holding Pakistan's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in a befitting manner to highlight the country's distinctive identity, culture and unique location.

"On the occasion of country's 75th independence anniversary, there is a need to tell youth about the aim Pakistan's creation and the true message of Allama Iqbal," Imran Khan said while presiding over a meeting held here to review the preparations for Pakistan's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations 2022.

Federal Ministers Ch. Fawad Hussain, Shaukat Tarin, Special Assistants to PM Dr. Shehbaz Gill, Shahzad Nawaz and senior officers attended the meeting.

The prime minister said that Pakistan had been bestowed by Almighty Allah with all kinds of blessings, which required to be highlighted.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ch. Fawad Hussain briefed the prime minister in detail about the preparations for Pakistan's Diamond Jubilee.

The meeting was told that the Golden Jubilee Celebrations will focus on highlighting country's history, culture, national heroes, renowned women of Pakistan Movement, local sports, tourism, economy, Green Pakistan and relations with friendly countries through various events and documentaries.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 29th December, 2021) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has won a more than $492 million US Navy modification contract to provide logistics support for delivered F-35 jets for the Air Force, Marine Corps and the Navy, the US Defense Department said.

"Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company (of) Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $492,685,342 ...modification to a previously awarded contract," the Defense Department said in a press release on Tuesday.

The modification exercises options to provide logistics support to include ground maintenance activities, action request solutions, depot activities, automatic logistics information system operation and maintenance, reliability and maintainability, the release said.

It will also include supply chain management, pilot training, maintainer training and training system sustainment in support of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft systems, the release added.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 29th December, 2021) The security situation in 2021 remained complex as terrorist threats persisted in many countries, including Syria, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said in an interview with Sputnik.

"The situation in counterterrorism remains very tense ...

A difficult state of affairs remains in Syria and Iraq, where the main destabilizing factors are the fact radical groups still hold ground in the Idlib de-escalation zone and the presence of ISIS (IS, the Islamic State) and Al-Qaeda (both banned in Russia) sleeper cells," Syromolotov said.

According to Syromolotov, the Russian and Syrian forces have managed to significantly weaken the potential of IS terrorists in 2021.

The official also said that the security situation remains difficult in Africa, especially in the Sahel region.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the murder and burning of 35 people, including four children, and two Save the Children officials in Eastern Myanmar, UNICEF announced in a press release on Tuesday

UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th December, 2021) The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the murder and burning of 35 people, including four children, and two Save the Children officials in Eastern Myanmar, UNICEF announced in a press release on Tuesday.

"UNICEF is shocked and saddened by the reported killing and burning of at least 35 people, including four children and two staff members of the humanitarian organization Save the Children, in Kayah State in Eastern Myanmar, on 24 December," the release said.

Credible reports suggest that four children were killed in the attack, including two 17-year-old boys, a teenage girl and a child of approximately five to six years of age, UNICEF said.

"UNICEF strongly condemns this attack on civilians, children and humanitarian workers. The protection of civilians, and particularly children and humanitarian workers, must be treated as a priority during times of conflict, in accordance with international humanitarian law," Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific Debora Comini said.

The two Save the Children staff members, whose deaths were confirmed today, were killed while returning to the organization's Loikaw office after they initially responded to a humanitarian needs call in a nearby community, the release said.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 29th December, 2021) Almost 3,000 flights have been canceled and more than 11,500 flights have been delayed worldwide on Tuesday amid the surge of the coronavirus Omicron variant, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

There were 2,969 flight cancellations and 11,512 flight delays worldwide on Tuesday, with 1,172 of the cancellations and 5,458 of the delays occurring within, into, or out of the United States, according to the FlightAware data.

A day earlier, a total of 12,528 delayed flights and 2,959 canceled flights were reported with airlines and airports in the United States, accounting for nearly half of all delays and cancellations worldwide, Flightradar24 data showed.

Similarly, air travelers in the United States experienced a number of flight disruptions with 2,513 flights canceled on Sunday and 2,850 on Saturday due to a significant number of staff calling in sick.

US media reported that Monday was "horrible" for air travelers amid the Holidays celebrations during the Christmas weekend, when airlines canceled more than 6,000 flights worldwide on Saturday.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current seven-day moving average of daily new cases reached 122,297 - an increase of 1.5% compared with the previous period.

However, US health authorities have acknowledged that Omicron cases are mild and no deaths attributable to the variant have so far been reported.
The US State Department has appointed two officials to lead the United States' efforts to defend the rights of Afghan women and girls under the Taliban government (under UN sanctions for terrorism), Secretary of State Antony Blinken said

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 29th December, 2021) The US State Department has appointed two officials to lead the United States' efforts to defend the rights of Afghan women and girls under the Taliban government (under UN sanctions for terrorism), Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

"Two highly qualified and respected leaders will advance the State Department's vital work to support Afghan women, girls, and human rights: Special Envoy Rina Amiri and Senior Advisor Stephenie Foster. They bring decades of public policy, diplomatic and advocacy experience to the Department," Blinken said.

Amiri served as senior adviser to the US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan during the administration of President Barack Obama.

Blinken explained that Amiri will work on issues of critical importance to the Biden administration and US national security, focusing on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, girls, and other at-risk populations "in all of their diversity.

"

"We desire a peaceful, stable, and secure Afghanistan, where all Afghans can live and thrive in political, economic, and social inclusivity. Special Envoy Amiri will work closely with me toward that goal," he said.

Blinken added that Foster, a career diplomat, will help advance the State Department's Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) team with its relocation and resettlement efforts on behalf of our Afghan allies and their families.

The announcement comes a day after Taliban opened fire on protesters in Kabul near a building that housed the Ministry of Women's Affairs in the past.
At the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the courage of St. Joseph in rescuing Jesus from the massacre of Bethlehem, and urges Christians to live that courage in our everyday lives.

By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis continued his catechesis series on St. Joseph at the weekly General Audience, focusing on his role as a persecuted and courageous migrant.

Following the depiction of Jesus foster father in the Gospel of Matthew (2:13-23), the Pope explored the massacre of all children under the age of 2 in Bethlehem, ordered by King Herod after the visit of the Magi.

Humiliation of uncertainty

In fleeing into Egypt to escape Herods wrath, the Holy Family suffered such humiliation and experienced first-hand the precariousness, fear and pain of having to leave their homeland.

Many of our own contemporaries are forced to endure the same injustice and suffering, said the Pope.



The cause is almost always the arrogance and violence of the powerful, he said. This was also the case for Jesus.

Listen to our report

Cruel despots and courageous migrants

Pope Francis said King Herod ordered the massacre because he felt his power threatened by the newborn King of the Jews.

The flight into Egyptas the episode is knownsaves Jesus, but does not prevent the murder of so many innocent children.

The Pope said the episode exposes two opposing personalities: on the one hand, Herod with his ferocity; and, on the other, Joseph with his care and courage.

Herod is the symbol of tyrants and despots of every ageeven our own, insisted the Popewho defend their power with ruthless cruelty and by carrying out inhuman acts of violence.

Yet, said Pope Francis, we too can succumb to the same attitude when we try to dispel our fears with arrogance, even if only verbal or made up of small abuses intended to mortify those close to us.

Courage: an everyday virtue

St. Joseph, noted the Pope, was Herods opposite: a just man who shows his courage in following the Angels order to flee.

One can imagine the vicissitudes he had to face during the long and dangerous journey and the difficulties involved in staying in a foreign country and speaking a different language: so many difficulties. His courage emerges also at the moment of his return, when, reassured by the Angel, he overcomes his understandable fears and settles with Mary and Jesus in Nazareth.

However, courage can be lived in our daily lives, and is not only a virtue of heroes, noted the Pope.

In all times and cultures, he added, we find courageous men and women who, in order to be consistent with their beliefs, have overcome all kinds of difficulties, and have endured injustice, condemnation and even death.

Courage is another way to say fortitude, one of the cardinal virtues.

Scandal of humanity

Finally, Pope Francis said St. Joseph teaches us to overcome our fears to confront the adversities life holds for us.

And he invited everyone to pray for the many migrants and refugees of our own times, who have been forced to flee their homes, and for those who are unable to escape or die along the journey.

Let us spare a thought for the many people who fall victim to war and wish to flee their homelands but are unable. Let us think about those migrants who set out on that path toward freedom and end up on the street or in the sea. Let us consider Jesus in the arms of Joseph and Mary, fleeing; and may we see in him each of todays migrants.

The Pope said the ongoing migration crisis is a scandal of humanity which we cannot ignore.

Prayer for migrants

And he concluded with a prayer to St. Joseph for those who find themselves in need of courage and in similar situations.

Saint Joseph,

you who have experienced the suffering of those who must flee

to save the lives of those dearest to you,

protect all those who flee because of war,

hatred, hunger.

Support them in their difficulties,

Strengthen them in hope, and let them find welcome and solidarity.

Guide their steps and open the hearts of those who can help them. Amen.
Twelve civilians and 38 rebels have died in four days of fighting in northeast DR Congo, where the armed forces are carrying out a crackdown on militias.

By Linda Bordoni

The latest clashes in the violence-wracked Democratic Republic of Congo erupted between militia groups and the military in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.

Decades of internal conflict have claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions in the Central African nation.

Last weeks attacks took place in Ituri province where, in separate conflicts, the army is battling the Allied Democratic Forces -. a group with links to the so-called Islamic State - and an ethnic-based militia called CODECO.

According to military and local sources, nine civilians in Ituris Mambembe area were "massacred" by the ADF last week, and three more were killed in an attack on Saturday. They said thousands of civilians have been displaced and ADF rebels are moving about in the region.

In another part of Ituri, soldiers reportedly killed seven ADF militants and captured one in an offensive. Separately, the army said it had carried out a "helicopter-backed operation" against CODECO in Ituri, in which over 30 rebels were killed and several wounded.

CODECO is the acronym of Cooperative for the Development of the Congo. It is described as a military-religious sect that claims to represent the Lendu ethnic group, which has a historic feud with the Hema community.

Fighting between the two groups flared between 1999 and 2003, claiming tens of thousands of lives before being quelled by a European Union peacekeeping force. But violence resumed in 2017.

Meanwhile, a suicide attack in neighbouring North Kivu province on Saturday killed seven people.

North Kivu is the epicenter of ADF attacks that have claimed some 6,000 deaths since 2013. The group has also been blamed for a string of attacks on Ugandan soil this year.

Last November, the DRC and Uganda launched a joint operation against the ADF, a historically Ugandan rebel coalition that established itself in eastern DRC in 1995. It has since declared affiliation to the Islamic State and become the deadliest of scores of outlawed forces in the troubled region.

Dire humanitarian situation

Currently there are more than 5.2 million internally displaced people in DR Congo and nearly a quarter of the population faces severe food insecurity. About 120 armed groups are active in the eastern part of the nation. Many of their fighters  and abusive government security forces  have been accused of carrying out massacres, kidnappings, sexual violence, recruitment of children, and other attacks on civilians. (Source AFP)
In a report published in Dec. 2021 by AlgorithmWatch, a nonprofit organization based out of Germany, it has been revealed how automated decision-making (ADM) systems, driven by advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, were deployed by numerous governments across the globe to clandestinely track and monitor its populations.

In the report titled Tracing the Tracers 2021 Report: Automating COVID Responses AlgorithmWatch details how numerous countries including, Greece, and Poland, among others, adopted with almost no transparency, no evidence of their efficacy, no adequate safeguards, and insufficient democratic debate, ADM systems to track its populations citing public health concerns as justification.

Greece

In Greece, authorities utilized simple SMS services to advanced data analytics tools and machine learning (ML) algorithms, during two lockdown periods in 2020 and 2021.

During these times people were only authorized to leave their homes for specific reasons and were required to notify authorities if they left their homes by sending an SMS to 13033, a service run by the Hellenic Ministry of Citizen Protection.

More than 885 million SMSs were sent during the two lock down periods. The increased surveillance prompted the civil society organization, Homo Digitalis, to file a complaint against the Hellenic Ministry of Citizen Protection via the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (DPA).

The complainant asserted that the SMS service was not in compliance with the GDPR, and that inadequate information was provided as to how authorities were utilizing and protecting the personal data it was collecting,

Greece also implemented an advanced machine learning (ML) algorithm dubbed Eva.

Upon entering the country, travelers were required to complete a questionnaire which collected information such as the travelers name, age, and gender as well as information about the travelers permanent country of residence and previously visited countries, that was then fed into the Eva algorithm. Greek authorities justified the collection of data as a means to screen incoming travelers so that Greek authorities could assess whether the traveler should be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival.

The Hellenic Union of Computer Scientists raised concerns about the use of the algorithm. Eva was supplied to the Greek government pro bono by a group of scientists who wanted to assist the Greek authorities. The union argued that the adoption of Eva was not a result of an open public procurement procedure [and] without prior evaluation and no guarantee that it would be effective at an operational level. Despite these concerns Greek authorities forged ahead with the untested technology.

Poland

In Poland one of the first responses to the challenges of the pandemic was the use of technology, the report reads.

Like other governments around the world, Poland implemented quarantine requirements for close contacts and people infected with the COVID-19 virus. The government financed the development of applications to monitor people staying in quarantine as well as a tracking program to control entrepreneurs who received government support because their ability to work was restricted

In the Polish city of Gdynia, authorities went as far as to implement a city monitoring system that included rapid identification of large concentrations of people.

The code was placed on Github (a popular code sharing platform) however following a test phase the monitoring function was abandoned.

Polish authorities also authorized the development of an app called the Home Quarantine app and made the installation and use of the app a legal obligation for those who have to undergo quarantine.

The use of the app was to unburden police officers who were tasked with checks on people quarantining at home.

Police in Northern Poland said that, Every day police officers in the Pomeranian province have to supervise the course of quarantine of more than 24,000 people, which is a really demanding and time-consuming challenge.

The app was plagued with problems resulting in the app receiving a one star rating on popular app depositories like the Google Play Store.

Canada

Absent from AlgorithmWatchs report, Canadas public health agency admitted that it tracked 33 million mobile devices during a COVID-19 lockdown in the country without authorization from the users.

The Public Health Agency of Canada accessed location data from 33 million mobile devices to monitor peoples movement during lockdown, The National Post Reported.

Canada has a population of just over 38 million people.

A spokesperson for Canadas health agency told the National Post that due to the urgency of the pandemic, (PHAC) collected and used mobility data, such as cell-tower location data, throughout the COVID-19 response.

The agency said it used the data to ascertain the effectiveness of public lockdown measures and to allow the Agency to understand possible links between movement of populations within Canada and [the] spread of COVID-19.

The Agency intends to track population movement in Canada for the next five years citing other public health issues such as other infectious diseases, chronic disease prevention and mental health.

Privacy advocates were quick to raise concerns.

David Lyon, author of Pandemic Surveillance and former director of the Surveillance Studies Centre at Queens University, said in an email to the National Post, I think that the Canadian public will find out about many other such unauthorized surveillance initiatives before the pandemic is overand afterwards.

Alarmingly Lyon warned that PHAC uses the same kinds of reassuring language as national security agencies use, for instance not mentioning possibilities for re-identifying data that has been de-identified.

Lyon urged the need for more information regarding exactly what was done, what was achieved and whether or not it truly served the interest of Canadian citizens.

Martin French, an associate professor of Concordia University noted in an email to the National Post that Evidence is coming in from many sources, from countries around the world, that what was seen as a huge surveillance surge  post 9/11  is now completely upstaged by pandemic surveillance.
Turkey is the staple Christmas dish  one roasted turkey on the middle of the table can bring a family together in holy cheers for the holidays.

However, what happens when you happen to celebrate Christmas in a land where turkey is not as abundant? One man, in 1970s Japan, was determined to bring cheer for the people around him with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and a little white lie.

A turkey-less Christmas

Despite the population being only about one percent Christian, business for KFC seems to boom every Christmas period, as families order Party Barrels before Christmas Day arrives.

Christmas decorations and Santa-themed displays are common in Japan during this time, but the people there have developed their own ways to celebrate the holidays. KFC chicken is a common meal for Japanese Christmas culture  it is even reported from Google that KFC-related searches in Japan increase every December.

It is almost customary to have a statue of Colonel Sanders, founder of KFC, wearing a Santa suit at the entrances of businesses to greet customers.

So, when did this culture start? How did Japan come to embrace KFCs chicken as a substitute for the traditional turkey?

Even back in the 1930s, Japan was already beginning to feel the spirit of Christmas, despite the eventual chaos that followed in the 1940s. Newspapers advertised The Old Man of the North, with families also giving gifts and celebrating in Christmas dances and theater shows.

As Japan recovered from the aftermath of the Second World War, its economy began to skyrocket to the top. U.S. influence began to shape Japans interest in Western culture, including foods. According to the documentary titled Colonel Comes to Japan, the countrys fast-food industry grew 600% between 1970 and 1980.

However, Japan still needed one thing  the traditional Christmas turkey, or at least, something like it.

A white lie

The origin of KFCs thriving business in Japan has multiple stories. One of which included foreigners requesting a substitute to turkey, culminating in a campaign called Kentucky for Christmas which allowed the franchise to blossom in the country.

There is another story that has become prevalent, involving one Takeshi Okawara, the manager of Japans first KFC. Recently, he has come forth admitting that his role in KFCs success in Japan was somewhat untruthful. While KFC itself denies the story, it still represents the commitment to give to others for the holidays.

Inspired by the success of Colonel Sanders, Okawara joined KFC as an in-store manager after declining a previous offer for an administrative position within the company.

By doing that I can learn and study about how to make wonderful fried chicken, by myself, from scratch, he told Business Insider.

Okawara worked at KFCs first Japanese outlet in Nagoya that opened in 1970. However, business did not go so well for the manager. As he told Household Name, people couldnt tell what the building was selling, as they looked at the red-and-white striped roof and English signage.

No one knew what the hell we were selling. Okawara said. Theyd come in and say, Is this a barber? Are you selling chocolate?

Not wanting to give up, Okawara was committed to carry on with his business, backed by the delicious treat of KFCs chicken.



The more I tasted it, the more I was convinced this business will be okay, he told Household Name. However, the delectable taste of Sanders chicken could not quash the taste of defeat as the shop continued to stumble. Business was failing so badly that Okawara was almost homeless, forced to sleep on flour sacks in the back of the store to save money on rent.

Then, when all hope seemed lost, salvation came in the form of a nun from a nearby Catholic school. According to Okawara, the nun asked him if he would like to take part in a Christmas party with KFCs fried chicken for the event.

Pressed to succeed, Okawara agreed and attended the party. In fact, he even went the extra mile and dressed up as Santa, or as they called him, Santa-san. Holding a bucket of chicken, Santa-san began singing Kentucky Christmas, Kentucky Christmas, Happy Happy, a song he made up.

I made up a song and danced around. Kids liked it. he told Household Name.



Soon enough, another kindergarten asked him to do another party for them. It was then that Okawara decided to make the idea his own and went all out.

This is where the white lie comes in.

Okawara then decided to market KFCs chicken as a replacement to the traditional Christmas turkey  something that the Japanese had seen on TV and movies. He dressed the Colonel Sanders statue outside his store with a Santa suit and promoted chicken and sides together in Party Barrels.

As word of the Christmas Party Barrels spread across the nation, national broadcaster NHK had an interview with Okawara. They asked if fried chicken was actually a common Christmas tradition. Tempted by the success of KFCs business, Okawara said yes.

I know that the people are not eating chicken, they are eating turkey, he said. But I said yes. It was [a] lie.

To this day, Okawara still regrets telling the country his lie. However, he does not ignore the significance the marketing move had.

I still regret that, but people liked it because it was something good [they thought came] from the U.S. or European countries, he told Household Name.

Not long after, KFC Japan thrived after the business move, growing to 75 locations across the country and the Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakki (Kentucky for Christmas in Japanese) promotion ran at every store. By 1986, 600 locations were established. Okawara was promoted to CEO of KFC Japan itself, giving birth to a new tradition.

With Christmas taking over Japan, plus the resemblance of Colonel Sanders to Santa Claus, KFC Japan continues to be a staple.

In the 1970s KFC and other family restaurants were seen as trendy and hip, not just fast and convenient, writes Dr. Eric Rath, professor of Japanese history at the University of Kansas. One could bring a date there and not feel ashamed, Rath said.

Christmas has an association with a kind of exotic and romantic view of the West that is entirely divorced from history, religion, or any other inconvenient facts. Dr. Nathan Hopson, professor of Japanese history at the University of Nagoya said.

KFC Japan has not responded to any comments regarding Okawaras story, and the NHK interview with Okawara has not been found.

Nevertheless, it does not take away the importance of tradition, and KFC was able to bring millions of families together to enjoy a joyous meal. No matter if it was the romanticized vision of turkey or the edible modern taste of fried chicken, the message is the same  everyone can unite and celebrate together, no matter what is served.
Chinas largest district prosecution office, the Shanghai Pudong Peoples Procuratorate, has developed and deployed an artificial intelligence (AI) that can file charges against suspects based only on a verbal description, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

According to its researchers the AI prosecutor boasts a 97 percent accuracy rate when levying charges however, mistakes can be made. A prosecutor from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, raised concerns with SCMP stating, Who will take responsibility when it happens? The prosecutor, the machine or the designer of the algorithm?

The machine was trained by feeding it data from more than 17,000 cases that took place from 2015 to 2020. Currently it can charge people with eight of the most common crimes in Shanghai including, fraud, credit card fraud, theft, dangerous driving, intentional injury, obstructing official duties, running a gambling operation and picking quarrels and provoking trouble.

The projects lead, Professor Shi Yong, director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences big data and knowledge management laboratory told SCMP that the AI was developed and deployed in an attempt to reduce the courts prosecutors daily workload.

The system can replace prosecutors in the decision-making process to a certain extent, Shi said.

Shi told SCMP that the existing AI tools have a limited role in the process and that they do not participate in the decision-making process of filing charges and [suggesting] sentences.

The AI works in tandem with another AI known as System 206 which is a tool that researchers say can evaluate the strength of evidence, conditions for an arrest and how dangerous a suspect is considered to be to the public, SCMP reported.

System 206, an AI assistive tech, was first deployed at trial in January 2019. The tech was utilized to assist in a robbery and murder case with supporters of the tech saying the AI eliminates human errors.

At the time, Wu Haiyin, deputy head of the information department of Shanghai High Peoples Court said, The transcript and evidence presentation went along as the trial proceeded. The 206 system realized full-course intelligence assistance and reviewed evidences comprehensively, playing an active role in impartial judgment, China Daily, a state-run media organization reported.

READ MORE: UN, International Community Call For Immediate Release of Jailed Chinese Journalist Zhang Zhan

READ MORE: Chinese Agricultural Businessman Sun Dawu Sentenced to 18 Years for Seeking Quarrels and Provoking Trouble

Picking quarrels

Picking quarrels and provoking trouble is a common catch all charge levied primarily against dissenters against the state.

The vague charge of picking quarrels, according to Chinese law, involves people who willfully attack another person with bad circumstances, chasing, intercepting, or cursing another person, forcibly taking away, demanding, or willfully damaging or seizing public or private property or creating a disturbance in a public place causing serious disorder.

The AI prosecutor reportedly has the ability to navigate such broad charges and circumstances by analyzing verbal cues only.

Notable people charged with the crime include Yang Maodong, a Chinese human rights lawyer who was sentenced to six years in prison in 2015 and Wang Jingyu, a teenager who posted content to Chinese social media, that the state found questionable, concerning the India-China border standoff and Hong Kong pro-democracy demonstrations.

Sun Dawu, a former Chinese billionaire was sentenced to eighteen years in prison in July 2021 under the law.

Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who reported on the early outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan was arrested in May 2020 and sentenced to four years in prison in December 2020 under the same law.

The new prosecutor AI is still in its infancy and has not yet been widely rolled out. However, after the reported success of System 206 Chinese citizens who find themselves at the mercy of the Chinese court system may find themselves at the mercy of a machine as well.
Cantopop star Denise Ho was arrested in Hong Kong on Wednesday, with six others, for allegedly publishing seditious materials during her time as a director of the independent news provider Stand News.

The artist, who is also a Canadian citizen, was apprehended at her home while authorities raided the offices of Stand News and arrested three men and four women, between the ages of 34 and 73, shuttering the news outlet. Stand News was one of Hong Kongs last pro-democracy media outlets.

Those arrested are accused of conspiracy to publish seditious material via their work with Stand News.

More than 200 police officers were reportedly sent to raid the publications offices.

Those arrested include the former and acting chief editors of Stand News, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam. Board members Margaret Ng, Christine Fang, and Chow Tat-chi, were also detained, the BBC reported.

In a Facebook post Stand News stated that Because of the situation, Stand News is ceasing operations immediately, adding that, This morning, the police arrested a number of senior and former senior staff of the company, [and] took many people away to assist in the investigation.

Hong Kong national security police raided the office of Stand News and arrested six people, including senior staff, for suspected 'seditious publications' offenses. Stand News is the most prominent remaining pro-democracy publication in Hong Kong https://t.co/ErNPbO9E2E pic.twitter.com/rEM8AHvxGX  Reuters (@Reuters) December 29, 2021

Chief Secretary for Administration, John Lee said during a press conference on Wednesday in Hong Kong that Anybody who attempts to make use of media work as a tool to pursue their political purpose or other interests [and] contravenes the law, particularly offences that endanger national security, they are the evil elements that damage press freedom.

READ MORE: Jimmy Lai, 7 Others Sentenced for Urging Participation in Banned Tiananmen Vigil

READ MORE: The Great Leap Backwards: New Report Slams the State of Journalism in China

Ho has been a long-time contributor to the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and has been arrested in the past for her involvement. She emerged as a defiant voice during the 2014 Umbrella Movement where she demanded wider democracy alongside thousands of other Hongkongers.

Born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada Ho once testified in the U.S. Capitol concerning reports of police brutality during protests in Hong Kong. She also served as a trustee for a now defunct humanitarian fund for arrested or injured protesters.

Sunny Cheung, one of the activists who had traveled with Ho to the U.S. to testify, told the Guardian, Denise Ho has been the most vocal and popular artist in Hong Kong who dares to oppose Beijing.

Due to Hos activism, in 2014, Ho was banned from performing on the mainland and many brands and other celebrities shunned her.

Since Ho is a Canadian citizen, her detention has the potential to further complicate Canada-China relations. Relations that were already strained following the imprisonment of the two Michaels, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor who were detained in China for years following the apprehension of Meng Wanzhou by Canadian authorities at the behest of the United States government. Spavor and Kovrig were later released after Meng reached a deferred prosecution agreement with U.S. authorities.
The Government of New Zealand has confirmed that Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are eligible for a newly-enacted euthanasia law that pays doctors who provide the service a $1,087 plus travel expenses fee.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health (MOH) describes the End of Life Choice Act 2019 (EOLCA) on its website as legislation that gives people who experience unbearable suffering from a terminal illness the option of legally asking for medical assistance to end their lives.

The EOLCA was approved by the people of New Zealand in a 2020 rider referendum accompanying a federal election that saw lockdown and vaccine mandate fanatic Jacinda Arden win a second term as Prime Minister.

State-sanctioned medically-induced suicide came into effect on Nov. 7.

The EOLCAs website defines Assisted Dying as when a person with a terminal illness (and who meets the eligibility criteria) requests medication to relieve their suffering and end their life.

It further defines Assisted Dying as an act that involves either a persons medical practitioner, nurse, or themselves as giving them medication to relieve their suffering by bringing on death.

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According to an October article by NZ media outlet Stuff, An official notice has been gazetted setting out a price schedule for the practice, including what medical practitioners will be paid by the Government for performing the procedure  $1087.20.

Stuff noted that additional fees can be collected for traveling costs, as well as by psychiatrists who participate in assessments to determine clients of the Assisted Dying program as being of sound mind and not under duress.

The Eligibility portion of the MOHs EOLCA website gives the following criteria:

Aged 18 years or over

A citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand

Suffers from a terminal illness that is likely to end their life within 6 months

In an advanced state of irreversible decline in physical capability

Experiencing unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner that the person considers tolerable

Must be competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying.

On Dec. 19, New Zealand anti-euthanasia publication The Defender published the results of an Official Information Act (the NZ version of FOIA) query the outlet submitted to the MOH in November, asking, Could a patient who is severely hospitalised with Covid-19 potentially be eligible for assisted suicide or euthanasia under the Act if a health practitioner viewed their prognosis as less than 6 months?

The Defender explained its rationale for its probe into the Governments motives, Firstly, New Zealand is currently described as being in a precarious position when it comes to COVID-19 and hospital resources.

In light of this, it would not be hard to envisage a situation in which a speedy and sizeable rise in COVID-19 hospitalisations could result in pressure to utilise euthanasia and assisted suicide as tools to resolve such a serious crisis.

A response was received from the MOH on Dec. 7, and is partially published on the outlets website. Notably, the Ministry stated, A terminal illness is most often a prolonged disease where treatment is not effective. The EOLC Act states eligibility is determined by the attending medical practitioner (AMP), and the independent medical practitioner.

The Defender was alarmed by this response on several fronts, Firstly, there is nothing concrete about the phrase most often, in fact, its inclusion in this specific context clearly seems to suggest that the MOH considers the definition of terminal illness to be subjective and open to interpretation.

The very next sentence seems to back this up, the article continues. It clarifies that the MOH considers the attending medical practitioner (AMP) and the independent medical practitioner to be empowered by the EOLCA to make the determination about what does and doesnt qualify as a terminal illness.

Editor of The Defender, Henoch Kloosterboer, stated, In light of this vague interpretation, it is reasonable to suggest that COVID-19 could be classified as a terminal illness depending on the prognosis of the patient and the subjective judgments of the AMP and independent medical practitioner. This feels like weve been sold one thing, and been delivered another.

In the final paragraph, the MOH made it clear that the pandemic qualified for eligibility, so long as attending doctors say so, Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis; therefore, the Ministry cannot make definitive statements about who is eligible. In some circumstances a person with COVID-19 may be eligible for assisted dying.

In an interview with the Catholic Herald on Dec. 20, UK House of Lords member, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, who is also a doctor and a professor of palliative care at Cardiff University School of Medicine, said that the inclusion of COVID patients in euthanasia eligibility in a country that has extensively used lockdowns, measures, and vaccine mandates to fight the pandemic turns the ethos of medicine on its head.

It is bizarre that a country which has been trying to protect it citizens [sic] by closing down completely from a virus from which people can fully recover  is now suggesting that these patients should be killed by their doctors, she stated.

You really cannot predict death 100 per centSo why not support them while they are dying and leave the door open in case they are in the group that defies all odds and recovers completely?
Four months pregnant, 27-year-old Li Tiantian was only half-dressed when police dragged her out of her residence, and was barely able to bring her phone by hiding it in her underwear.

Li, who teaches elementary school in a rural county of southern Chinas Hunan Province, was then threatened and sent to a psychiatric hospital for mental problems due to her online defense of recently terminated university lecturer Song Gengyi on Dec. 17.

Find a way to save me! Li wrote in a final text to another internet user, after describing her experience and worry for her unborn child as the police had said they would use injections to cure her. Li has not been seen or heard from since Dec. 19.

Standing up for a peer

Song Gengyi, who taught journalism at the Shanghai Zhendan Vocational College, caused a stir earlier by expressing skepticism at the official number of victims in the infamous Nanjing Massacre  when Japanese soldiers commited widespread rape and murder in the then-capital of China.

Though the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that took over after World War II largely ignored Japanese atrocities for years, in recent decades it has maintained that 300,000 men, women, and children were killed in Nanjing when the Imperial Japanese Army took over the city in December 1937.

But Song disputed the certainty of that death toll, noting that there are a number of estimates ranging from tens of thousands to 500,000. She asked students to do their own research and draw their own conclusions about the atrocity.

Japanese Gen. Iwane Matsui (left, on horse) rides into Nanjing shortly after the citys capture in December 1937; Japanese soldiers soon began a weekslong spree of murder and rape throughout Nanjing. (Image: Asahi Shimbun/Public Domain)

A student attending Songs lecture recorded her talking about the Nanjing Massacre figures, but left out her mention of 500,000 and uploaded the video to social media. Song was accused of denying Japans wartime brutality and fired, causing further discussion on Chinas Twitter-like Weibo about whether the lecturer deserved to lose her job.



On Dec. 17, Li Tiantian voiced support for Song, writing on Weibo Moments that Song didnt deny the violence during the Nanjing Massacre itself.  She just presented her individual viewpoint.

Li added that there was nothing wrong with Songs actions and argued that what should be considered questionable was the student reporting his teacher, authorities who manipulated the reporting, and intellectuals who stayed silent about the incident.

Deemed mentally ill

The Communist Party often uses mental illness as a justification for the incarceration and torture of religious prisoners or those with undesirable political opinions.

Prior to her disappearance, Li had written several posts on social media saying that local authorities had been threatening and harassing her. According to The Epoch Times, education authorities, police, and hospital employees forced her to sign her name on documents in a show of her pleading guilty for her online speech.



According to an Internet user named Brother Lou who was in contact with Li until she disappeared, Li began receiving threats from officials soon after publicly speaking out in support of Song.

Lou first reposted a message from Li seeking help at 6:09 p.m. on Dec. 18.

In the post, Li said that seven or eight officials from the local education and police authorities suddenly showed up at her front door and coerced her to sign her name on documents admitting her guilt, according to her relayed message. If she refused, she would lose her job and be arrested. They told her that the provincial governor had issued instructions to punish her.

Im pleading for societys help, the teacher wrote in her post to Brother Lou. If I die, that would be two lives!

Schoolteacher Li Tiantian is shown holding her book Fox Watching the Moon in an undated photo. (Image: via RFA)

At 4:51 p.m. on Dec. 19, Brother Lou relayed a second message from Li saying the local education authority and the hospital sent people to harass her, requiring her to seek hospital care for injections and medication, citing mental health concerns, according to the message.



Teacher Chen, Im Li Tiantian, she wrote. Im being forcibly held in the psychiatric hospital of Yongshun County by local police. She said she had managed to hide the phone in her underwear. My cellphone is running out of power.

Why was Li targeted?

Li Xuewen, a writer, shared on social media that Li Tiantians disappearance had caused great indignation across the countrys tightly controlled internet.

In the post, Li argues the young teacher was likely targeted by government officials from Hunans Xiangxi prefecture, who used her support for Song as an excuse for punishing her over an article she wrote criticizing the governments rural education system in 2019.

She was just exercising the basic rights of a citizen, and you actually forced her to disappear, Li Xuewen wrote. This is an abuse of public power  and must be immediately rectified.

The Epoch Times reported that inquiries were sent to Hunans local public security bureau and the education bureau, but went unanswered.

Staff in the Xiangxi Prefecture Psychiatric Hospital also declined to provide client information or a phone number, citing privacy concerns.

Leo Timm contributed to this report.
On this edition of Straight Talk Africa, host Hayde Adams and guests take a look at the history of African diaspora communities in the United States and Latin America. Guests include Calvin Dark, global affairs analyst at RC Communications, Barbara Santos, multimedia journalist for VOA Portuguese and Johanna Leblanc, national security law and foreign policy analyst.
In a court filing Tuesday, lawyers for Prince Andrew say a lawsuit by an American who claims he sexually abused her when she was 17 might have to be thrown out because she no longer lives in the United States.

Attorneys Andrew Brettler and Melissa Lerner said they recently discovered that Virginia Giuffre has lived in Australia all but two of the last 19 years and cannot claim she's a resident of Colorado, where she hasn't lived since at least 2019.

In an August lawsuit filed in federal court in New York, Giuffre claimed the prince abused her on multiple occasions in 2001.

The prince's lawyers in October asked Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to throw out the lawsuit, saying the prince "never sexually abused or assaulted" Giuffre. The lawyers acknowledged that Giuffre may well be a victim of sexual abuse by financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting a sex trafficking trial.

A message seeking comment from Giuffre to the latest filing by the prince's lawyers was sent to a spokesperson for her lawyers.

Last month, Kaplan said a trial in Giuffre's lawsuit against the prince could be held between September and December 2022.

But the prince's lawyers say the new information about Giuffre's residence should result in the suspension of any progress in the lawsuit toward trial, including depositions of Andrew and Giuffre, until the issue is settled as to whether her foreign residence disqualifies her from suing the prince in the U.S.

They asked the judge to order Giuffre to respond to written legal requests about her residency and submit to a two-hour deposition on the issue.

The lawyers wrote that Giuffre has an Australian driver's license and was living in a $1.9 million home in Perth, Western Australia, where she has been raising three children with her husband, who is Australian.

"Even if Ms. Giuffre's Australian domicile could not be established as early as October 2015, there can be no real dispute that she was permanently living there with an intent to remain there as of 2019  still two years before she filed this action against Prince Andrew," the lawyers wrote.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they choose to come forward publicly, as Giuffre has.
A few days after Vladimir Putin was reelected his countrys president in 2018, a former top Kremlin official outlined to VOA how perilous relations had become between the West and Russia. In a wide-ranging conversation, almost foretelling the high-stakes clash developing now between the Kremlin and NATO over Ukraine, he said Putin believed the fracture between Russia and Western powers was irreparable.

And he identified NATOs eastward expansion as the key reason. The final blow came for Putin, he said, with the 2013-14 popular Maidan uprising in Ukraine that led to the ouster of his ally, then Ukraines President Viktor Yanukovych.

The Kremlin insider, who occupied a senior position in former Russian President Boris Yeltsins government and went on to become a core member of Putins team, blamed the West for a collapse of trust and the lack of common ground. Maybe all that can be done is to do smaller things together to try to recreate trust, he said. If we cant do that, maybe we will wake up one day and someone will have launched nuclear missiles.

Fast forward and Kremlin officials have been openly threatening in recent days to deploy tactical nuclear weapons amid rising fears that Putin is considering a further military incursion into Ukraine. This would be a repeat of Russias 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and its seizure of a large part of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, bordering Russia.

There will be confrontation, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden and Putin held a two-hour video conference Dec. 18, aimed at defusing a burgeoning crisis over Russian military movements near Ukraine's borders and an amassing of around 100,000 troops.

Ryabkov warned that Russia would deploy weapons previously banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, an arms control deal struck in 1987 by then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, which expired in 2019.

Last week, in remarks broadcast by Russian media, Putin said, If the obviously aggressive line of our Western colleagues continues, we will take adequate, retaliatory military-technical measures [and] react toughly to unfriendly steps.

For Western leaders and officials, the Kremlins grievances and fears over NATOs expansion are delusional at best, or at worst a pretext to redraft the security architecture of Europe with Putin as the deciding architect.

Western officials say it is nonsensical for Russia to paint the West as the aggressor, considering the hybrid warfare and hostile acts they accuse the Kremlin of conducting against the West for years. They see these as revanchist steps seeking to turn the clock back to when Russia controlled half of Europe.

Western officials cite cyber-attacks targeting American and European nuclear power plants and other utility infrastructure, a nerve gas assassination on British soil of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, disinformation campaigns seeking to meddle in Western elections and politics and the funding of disruptive far-right and far-left populist parties as part of an effort to destabilize the European Union.

Facts are a funny thing and facts make clear that the only aggression we are seeing at the border of Russia and Ukraine is the military build-up by the Russians and the bellicose rhetoric by the leader of Russia, Jen Psaki, U.S. President Joe Bidens spokeswoman, told reporters last week.

But for Kremlin officials, the blame rests with the Western powers for their failure to heed the building Russian frustration over NATOs enlargement since the end of the Cold War. There have been waves of new admissions to the Western military alliance since 1999, bringing in a dozen central European and Baltic states that were once members of the Soviet Unions Warsaw Pact.

At times as the enlargement proceeded, ugly behind-the-scenes clashes erupted, notably over Western objections to Russia establishing closer ties with its former Soviet republics. The issue triggered a face-to-face argument between Putin and then-White House National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice during a meeting in Sochi. Rice maintained that the former Soviet republics were independent states and should determine their future without what she saw as Russian intimidation.

And Kremlin aides have been adamant that the Maidan protests were Western-fomented and not a popular uprising. The blaming of the West for the return of Cold War-like enmity, and the sense of pessimism Russian officials have been displaying about East-West relations, illustrates how difficult it will be to bridge the rift.

Putins pent-up resentment spilled out last week at his end-of-the-year press conference in Moscow during which he demanded an immediate answer to his demand that NATO withdraw its forces from central and eastern Europe. The Russian leader said he was running out of patience. You must provide guarantees. You must do that at once, now, and not keep blathering on about this for talks that will last decades, he said.

His demands include not only troop withdrawals from former communist states that are members of NATO but a promise that Ukraine will not one day become a member of the Western alliance. In effect, it would mean the West recognizes former Soviet states and ex-communist countries as part of the Kremlins sphere of influence.

Nina Khrushcheva, a professor at The New School in New York, remains pessimistic about the prospects for planned talks next month among the United States, NATO and Russia. In a commentary this week, Khrushcheva, a great-granddaughter of former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, says Russia has a special-nation mindset and warns Putin isnt alone among Russians who want not to revive the USSR, but rather to preserve their countrys status.

How that can be done, how Russian Cold War resentment can be soothed, while at the same time not denying the rights of other, smaller sovereign states to decide their own paths, will be the key challenge facing Western negotiators when they hold talks in January.
With Iraqs October parliamentary election results now ratified, political parties are negotiating the composition of the countrys next government.

Observers say they see alliances between different groups changing, not based on ideology but on narrow political interests. The central focus now is on who will become Iraqs next prime minister as the country struggles over its future direction.

The election victory by nationalist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has the potential to break Irans grip on Iraqi politics, observers say.

Osama Al Sharif, an Amman-based Middle East political commentator, says al-Sadr is one of Iraqs few political figures calling for the dissolution of armed pro-Iranian militias.

Writing in the Saudi Arab News daily, Al Sharif said al-Sadrs Sairoon alliance is the only one brave enough to denounce the political quota system and the rampant corruption beleaguering the new Iraq.

And perhaps thats precisely why, Al Sharif said, Iraqi voters gave al-Sadrs parliamentary bloc 73 seats at the expense of pro-Iran blocs such as Hadi Al-Amiris Fatah coalition  a political front for the pro-Iran militias.

But Iraqi journalist Mina Al Oraibi, writing in Dubais The National newspaper, says that despite al-Sadrs win, he does not have a majority. Given the shifting alliances, she wrote, it is unclear whether [he] can pull together a majority in parliament to name the next prime minister, who will be tasked with forming the future government.

Al Oraibi and other observers say they would like to see Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi maintain his position, saying that al-Kadhimi still represents Iraqs best chance at stability.

Senior analyst Nicholas Heras with the Newlines Institute in Washington says there are no guarantees at this time that al-Kadhimi will keep his post.

There is a distinct possibility that Kadhimi will be replaced. Although there is no clear answer as to who his replacement would be. Fundamentally, Kadhimi came into office in the spring of 2020 as sort of a compromise candidate. The Iranians, the Americans, the Shia, the Sunni, the Kurds, other groups could all sort of come to the agreement that he was the best of whatever was available in terms of options, and there is still this sense that Kadhimi could play that role, Heras said.

Journalist Al Oraibi says al-Kadhimis strength as prime minister is that he is not beholden to a political party and is largely seen as a nationalist, not swayed by ethnic or sectarian beliefs.
Tidal waves and coastal erosion have submerged an entire fishing community on Ghana's eastern coast. Many villagers already had been relocated because of past tidal waves, and they have petitioned the government for a permanent solution.

The RC Primary School lays in ruins after what authorities say in November was the largest tidal wave to ever hit Ghanas eastern coast.

It was the third re-location of the school farther inland after two previous sites were completely submerged along with the Fuvemeh village fishing community.

Fuvemeh Assistant Head Man Knowledge Dewornu says no matter how many times the villagers move farther from the shore, flooding and coastal erosion have brought it right back.

So, it started in 1997 and it did not destroy all the land, it destroyed part of it. And in 2016, it also destroyed part of it again, and [in] 2018 it destroyed all the land at Fuvemeh, so you can't see anybody at Fuvemeh now. So, these are the villages near Fuvemeh, which is now being destroyed by the sea again, Dewornu expressed.

The once thriving fishing village of 2,500 people has been reduced to a few hundred, who are struggling to keep their heads above water.

A United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) study says 37 percent of Ghanas eastern coastal land was lost by erosion and flooding between 2005 and 2017.

Emmanuel Gemegah, chief executive of the coastal town of Keta, blames rising seas from climate change, as well as human activities, such as building dams and ports and harvesting sand from beaches to sell for use in construction.

So, as the chairman of the MUSEC, the Municipality Security Council, we held a meeting, and we came out with an order, which seeks to ban the fetching of sand from the beaches until further notice, he noted.

In a meeting with authorities, Fuvemeh villagers said the ban was not enough.

Seji Saji Amedonu, the deputy director of the National Disaster Management Organization, calls for building a sea defense wall, as has been done on some other areas of the coast.

The whole shore of Ghana, from Axim to Aflao, that protection needs to be done. Because if we protect one particular place and leave the others, the devastation will continue. But it is capital intensive. We are just hoping that along the line, government will find the money and do this thing and solve the problem completely, Amedonu pointed out.

While all of coastal West Africa suffers from erosion, Ghanaian experts say their countrys long coastline  almost 550 kilometers  makes it most vulnerable.

The University of Cape Coasts Center for Coastal Management says Ghanas shoreline moves inland an average of two meters annually.
The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted Wednesday of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by the American millionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

The verdict capped a monthlong trial featuring sordid accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14, told by four women who described being abused as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epstein's palatial homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico.

Jurors deliberated for five full days before finding Maxwell guilty of five of six counts.

She faces the likelihood of years in prison, an outcome long sought by women who spent years fighting in civil courts to hold Maxwell accountable for her role in recruiting and grooming Epstein's teenage victims and sometimes joining in the sexual abuse.

The defense had insisted Maxwell was a victim of a vindictive prosecution devised to deliver justice to women deprived of their main villain when Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial in 2019.

Witnesses for prosecution 

During the trial, prosecutors called 24 witnesses to give jurors a picture of life inside Epstein's homes.

A housekeeper testified he was expected to be "blind, deaf and dumb" about the private lives of Epstein, a financier who cultivated friendships with influential politicians and business tycoons, and Maxwell, who had led a jet-setting lifestyle as the favorite child of a media mogul.

Pilots took the witness stand and dropped the names of luminaries  Britain's Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump  who flew on Epstein's private jets.

Jurors saw physical evidence like a folding massage table once used by Epstein and a "black book" that listed contact information for some of the victims under the heading "massages."

There were bank records showing he had transferred $30.7 million to Maxwell, his longtime companion, one-time girlfriend and later employee.

But the core of the prosecution was the testimony of four women who said they were victimized by Maxwell and Epstein at tender ages.

Three testified using first names or pseudonyms to protect their privacy: Jane, a television actress; Kate, a former model from Great Britain; and Carolyn, now a mom recovering from drug addiction. The fourth was Annie Farmer, a psychologist who chose to use her real name after being vocal about her allegations in recent years.

They echoed one another in their descriptions of Maxwell's behavior: She used charm and gifts to gain their trust, taking an interest in their adolescent challenges and giving them assurances that Epstein could use his wealth and connections to fulfill their dreams.

They said the script would darken when Maxwell coaxed them into giving massages to Epstein that turned sexual, encounters she played off as normal.

Defense team

Maxwell, 60, vehemently denied the charges through her lawyers.

Still, she declined to take the risk of testifying, telling the judge: "The government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt so there is no reason for me to testify."

"The charges against Ghislaine Maxwell are for things that Jeffrey Epstein did," one of Maxwell's lawyers, Bobbi Sternheim, emphasized to the jury. "But she is not Jeffrey Epstein, and she is not like Jeffrey Epstein."

Maxwell's legal team questioned whether the accusers' memories were faulty or had been influenced by lawyers seeking big payouts from Maxwell and from Epstein's estate in civil court.

During their two-day presentation, they called as a witness Elizabeth Loftus, a University of California Irvine professor who has testified as a memory expert for defense lawyers at about 300 trials. She said memory can be contaminated by suggestions made by an interviewer, particularly law enforcement or the media.

Maxwell's family  faithfully in attendance each day of the trial  complained she was under duress from harsh conditions at the Brooklyn jail where she's been held since her arrest in July 2020. She had repeatedly, and futilely, sought bail, arguing that she was unable to adequately contribute to her defense.

The legal fights involving Epstein and Maxwell are not over.

Maxwell still awaits trial on two counts of perjury.

Lawsuits involving the abuse allegations also continue, including one in which a woman not involved in the trial, Virginia Giuffre, says she was coerced into sexual encounters with Prince Andrew when she was 17. Andrew has denied her account and that lawsuit is not expected to come to trial for many months.


Harry Reid, the former U.S. Senate majority leader and Nevada's longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82.

Reid died Tuesday, ``peacefully'' and surrounded by friends at home in suburban Henderson, ``following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer,'' according to family members and a statement from Landra Reid, his wife of 62 years.

``Harry was a devout family man and deeply loyal friend,'' she said. ``We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from so many over these past few years. We are especially grateful for the doctors and nurses that cared for him. Please know that meant the world to him,'' Landra Reid said.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in coming days, she said.

Former boxer turned lawyer

Harry Mason Reid, a combative former boxer-turned-lawyer, was widely acknowledged as one of toughest dealmakers in Congress, a conservative Democrat in an increasingly polarized chamber who vexed lawmakers of both parties with a brusque manner and this motto: ``I would rather dance than fight, but I know how to fight.''

Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

``If Harry said he would do something, he did it,'' President Joe Biden said in a statement after the death of his longtime Senate colleague. ``If he gave you his word, you could bank on it. That's how he got things done for the good of the country for decades.''

Reid retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye, and revealed in May 2018 that he'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.

Less than two weeks ago, officials and one of his sons, Rory Reid, marked the renaming of the busy Las Vegas airport as Harry Reid International Airport. Rory Reid is a former Clark County Commission chairman and Democratic Nevada gubernatorial candidate.

Neither Harry nor Landra Reid attended the Dec. 14 ceremony held at the facility that had been known since 1948 as McCarran International Airport, after a former U.S. senator from Nevada, Pat McCarran.

Reid was known in Washington for his abrupt style, typified by his habit of unceremoniously hanging up the phone without saying goodbye.

Obama: 'He would hang up on me'

``Even when I was president, he would hang up on me,'' Obama said in a 2019 tribute video to Reid.

Reid was frequently underestimated, most recently in the 2010 elections when he looked like the underdog to tea party favorite Sharron Angle. Ambitious Democrats, assuming his defeat, began angling for his leadership post. But Reid defeated Angle, 50% to 45%, and returned to the pinnacle of his power. For Reid, it was legacy time.

``I don't have people saying `he's the greatest speaker,' `he's handsome,' `he's a man about town,''' Reid told The New York Times in December that year. ``But I don't really care. I feel very comfortable with my place in history.''

Born in Searchlight, Nevada, to an alcoholic father who killed himself at 58 and a mother who served as a laundress in a bordello, Reid grew up in a small cabin without indoor plumbing and swam with other children at a pool at a local brothel. He hitchhiked to Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada, 40 miles (64 kilometers) from home, where he met the wife he would marry in 1959, Landra Gould. At Utah State University, the couple became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The future senator put himself through George Washington University law school by working nights as a U.S. Capitol police officer.

Lieutenant governor at age 30

At age 28, Reid was elected to the Nevada Assembly and at age 30 became the youngest lieutenant governor in Nevada history as Gov. Mike O'Callaghan's running mate in 1970.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone else in Nevada history. He narrowly avoided defeat in a 1998 Senate race when he held off Republican John Ensign, then a House member, by 428 votes in a recount that stretched into January.

After his election as Senate majority leader in 2007, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the state's caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season. That forced each national party to pour resources into a state that, while home to the country's fastest growth over the past two decades, still only had six votes in the Electoral College. Reid's extensive network of campaign workers and volunteers twice helped deliver the state for Obama.

Obama praises Reid

Obama in 2016 lauded Reid for his work in the Senate, declaring, ``I could not have accomplished what I accomplished without him being at my side.''

The most influential politician in Nevada for more than a decade, Reid steered hundreds of millions of dollars to the state and was credited with almost single-handedly blocking construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain outside Las Vegas. He often went out of his way to defend social programs that make easy political targets, calling Social Security ``one of the great government programs in history.?

Reid championed suicide prevention, often telling the story of his father, a hard-rock miner who took his own life. He stirred controversy in 2010 when he said in a speech on the floor of the Nevada legislature it was time to end legal prostitution in the state.

Reid's political moderation meant he was never politically secure in his home state, or entirely trusted in the increasingly polarized Senate. Democrats grumbled about his votes for a ban on so-called partial-birth abortion and the Iraq war resolution in 2002, something Reid later said it was his biggest regret in Congress.

Gun control

He voted against most gun control bills and in 2013 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, dropped a proposed ban on assault weapons from the Democrats' gun control legislation. The package, he said, would not pass with the ban attached.

Reid's Senate particularly chafed members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats. When then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, muscled Obama's health care overhaul through the House in 2009, a different version passed the Senate and the reconciliation process floundered long enough for Republicans to turn it into an election-year weapon they used to demonize the California Democrat and cast the legislation as a big-government power grab. Obama signed the measure into law in March 2010. But angered by the recession and inspired by the small-government tea party, voters the next year swept Democrats from the House majority.

Reid hand-picked a Democratic candidate who won the election to replace him in 2016, former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, and built a political machine in the state that helped Democrats win a series of key elections in 2016 and 2018.

Lambasted Trump

On his way out of office, Reid repeatedly lambasted President Donald Trump, calling him at one point ``a sociopath'' and ``a sexual predator who lost the popular vote and fueled his campaign with bigotry and hate.''

Reid, who brushed off verbal tussles with the seen-it-all calm of a political veteran, was known to tell his staff they weren't life-or-death situations.

Reid, after all, had faced one of those before he ever got to Washington. Then head of the Nevada Gaming Commission investigating organized crime, Reid became the target of a car bomb in 1980. Police called it an attempted homicide. Reid blamed Jack Gordon, who went to prison for trying to bribe him in a sting operation Reid participated in over illegal efforts to bring new games to casinos in 1978.

Following Reid's lengthy farewell address on the Senate floor in 2016, his Nevada colleague, Republican Sen. Dean Heller, declared: ``It's been said that it's better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. And as me and my colleagues here today and those in the gallery probably agree with me, no individual in American politics embodies that sentiment today more than my colleague from Nevada, Harry Mason Reid.''
Roughly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, no massive outbreaks have been reported in refugee camps to date. Health experts have some theories about why, but they also urge continued wariness against the very real and present danger of widespread transmission in camps, as the World Health Organization has cautioned.

The U.N. refugee agency, or UNHCR, had been fearing  and preparing for  large outbreaks at refugee camps, which fortunately did not happen, spokeswoman Aikaterini Kitidi acknowledged in an email exchange with VOA.

However, this doesnt mean we are out of the woods yet, she said. With new variants such as omicron, which are far more infectious, we may very well see more cases. We must remain vigilant and scale up surveillance and testing, as well as the equitable distribution of vaccines.

UNHCR estimates that roughly 80 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced by persecution and conflict, with most living in low-resource countries with frail health systems. Millions of them live in camps  some formal, some informal  with limited water and sanitation facilities. They also face overcrowding, making social distancing a challenge.

Yet comparatively few COVID infections have been reported in the camps: 55 Central African refugees tested positive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for instance, as UNHCR reported in a global COVID-19 response update of December 20.

Because of population density, early on, we were concerned that [COVID-19] transmission would be very high and so would deaths, even with the younger demographics of refugee camps, said Paul Spiegel, an epidemiologist who directs Johns Hopkins University's Center for Humanitarian Health. That hasnt been the case that were aware of  but then data have been very poor.

Undercounting is a real possibility, Spiegel said. There could be scenarios where it [COVID] actually has gone through the refugee camps at a high level but symptoms werent severe enough for the infected people to seek care. He added that there hasnt been enough blood testing to know the extent that COVID has actually been transmitted in these settings.  It takes a lot of time and money to be able to do this.

Individual circumstances

Transmission rates ultimately may vary depending on the individual camp or other setting, said Spiegel, a former UNHCR senior official who has responded to crises in the Middle East, parts of Africa and Asia. He was on a team that, early in the pandemic, advised the United Nations, governments and humanitarian groups on best responses.

In early December, Spiegel completed five weeks of touring and assessing health conditions in Afghanistan for the World Health Organization. In that country, he said, only three of 39 facilities intended for treating COVID were functioning; the rest were devoid of supplies or paid staff following the Taliban takeover in August and subsequent sanctions by the United States and other Western allies. Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department said it would lift restrictions on some humanitarian aid.

On behalf of UNHCR, Spiegel also is looking at COVIDs impact on two Syrian refugee camps in Jordan: Zaatari, a northern site with nearly 80,000 residents, and Azraq, a northeastern site hosting 38,000. Preliminary data indicate lower rates of infection and death in those two camps than among residents of surrounding areas, he said.

So why would that be? We have some hypotheses, Spiegel said, noting that those camps went into lockdown early, restricting refugees to the camp, limiting outsiders access, and promoting more handwashing and social distancing. Local and international NGOs sustained their support for the camps, he said, so residents could continue to access health care and food, even if its not enough to meet their caloric needs. He also noted that people in camps spend a lot of time outside.

Spiegel said hes involved in additional studies of refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and in three African countries: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. He said he anticipated their findings to be published in 2022.
China spent much of 2021 addressing threats across Asia with a growing sophistication  the result of economic clout and superpower status  that tolerated few compromises, Asia experts say.

In the diplomacy department, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in November his country would always be a "good friend and good partner" to Southeast Asia, where some governments resent Beijing's maritime expansion.

Turning to another would-be border flashpoint, China offered in September to build new infrastructure in Taliban-run Afghanistan.

But between those overtures, the Chinese government passed its border law, which authorizes use of weapons along its 22,117-kilometer land boundary.

Last year, China got locked into a deadly standoff with India  still a source of tension despite talks in 2021. It also flew military planes into Taiwan's air defense identification zone almost daily in 2021.

"I think they have more tools in their toolkit and more levers to pull if they need to punish countries that are not abiding by China's interests," said Derek Grossman, senior defense analyst with the U.S.-based Rand Corporation research organization.

Multilayered diplomacy

Sino-foreign flaps came up throughout the year.

The 200-plus Chinese fishing boats that suddenly moored in a disputed tract of the South China Sea soured Beijing's relations with rival claimant Manila early in 2021, for example, while the spread of civil unrest in Myanmar after the country's military coup in February challenged China to stop rebels from spilling over its border. Taiwan stood its ground all year rather than negotiating over China's goal of unification.

At an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in late November, Xi pledged to always be a "good friend" to ASEAN to assuage the Philippines and three other claimants to the contested sea, analysts told VOA. A month earlier, Xi had advocated peaceful unification with Taiwan, a self-ruled island where polls show most citizens prefer autonomy.

"China's behavior is not really historically new," said Eduardo Araral, associate professor at the National University of Singapore's public policy school. "That has been always the behavior of rising great powers. ASEAN countries have a basis for their concern, for their worry, about the rise of China. That's why President Xi's assurances would probably be very much welcome."

Xi's government added deeds to words by offering COVID-19 vaccines and personal protective gear to multiple countries, scholars say.

Filipinos noticed, said Aaron Rabena, research fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation in metro Manila. "The public, they're quite skeptical. They're not as receptive as the (Philippine) government when it comes to Chinese vaccines, but a lot in the public has received Chinese vaccines because they didn't have much of a choice," he said.

Pandemic diplomacy helped "burnish" China's image in much of the world, said Jeffrey Kingston, a history instructor at the Japan campus of Temple University.

Speedy help for Afghanistan was among China's top achievements in 2021, Kingston added.

China intends to invest billions of dollars if the Taliban can guarantee security for Chinese workers and their assets, the Taliban's acting deputy minister of information and culture said in October.

A return to authoritarian rule in Myanmar has helped China's interests in the Southeast Asian nation's gas pipes and natural resources, Kingston said. Myanmar was expected to grow closer to China as Western countries oppose junta rule.

'Wolf warrior' remarks, rising resentment in US, EU

China garnered less welcome attention around Asia and beyond largely for what became known as its "wolf warrior" diplomacy, a widely used term that the think tank National Bureau of Asian Research defines as open expression of "controversial thoughts" that may hurt bilateral relations.

"The wolf warrior diplomacy has been a total failure in terms of projecting a positive image of China around the world," Kingston said. "All it's done is generated anxiety in Asia, which basically has backfired on Beijing's intentions."

Beijing's comments and military movement in Asia catalyzed a banding together by Western allies in favor of ASEAN's South China Sea claimants, Rabena said, pointing particularly to a renewal of the U.S-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement on military cooperation, which ensures the continuation of bilateral engagements with the armed forces of the Philippines that "range from expert exchanges" to joint "training exercises," according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Many European Union members hope China will follow United Nations maritime rules in the South China Sea to ensure consistency with other world waterways and to protect booming seaborne trade in goods with Asia.

Western countries have come together this year as well to support Taiwan, a fellow democracy, over China.

Fatigued by a 3-year-old trade dispute with the United States, hopeful of a zero COVID-19 caseload and intent on charting their own economic future, Chinese officials have turned on expatriates from much of the world over the past year by curbing immigration, analysts have told VOA.

That shift dovetails with the land boundary law, which took effect in October partly to stop infections coming from abroad.

"Clearly, the border closures and tensions with the U.S. and tensions with Europe are on their mind," said Ker Gibbs, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, who plans to spend much of his time in California from December onward partly because of the pandemic-linked border controls.

"China wants a cooperative relationship with both major economies  and they're having a struggle right now, frankly," he told VOA.

Going into 2022, the Winter Olympics in Beijing are expected to test China's ties with the world following months of calls overseas for boycotts and U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement that his country would not send diplomats. China's response to the pileup of boycotts and how it would make Xi look overseas will be analyzed by China scholars in the weeks to come.
Tram Pham tears up recalling how tough life was at first in the U.S. But she also remembers the joy she felt as a 22-year-old refugee from Vietnam when a nurse spoke to her in her native language and guided her through a medical screening required of new arrivals.

Nearly three decades later, Pham hopes to pay that comfort forward as a registered nurse at the same San Jose, California, clinic that treated her family. The TB and Refugee Clinic at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center is screening people from Afghanistan who began seeking asylum in the U.S. after American troops withdrew from the country in August.

Pham can't speak Farsi or Pashto. But she can soothe patients stressed out over the job they can't find or the rent that's due. The other day, she held the hand of an older Afghan woman as she cried out her fears.

"I can see patients from all over the world come in. I see, you know, Vietnamese patients. I see a lot of refugee patients," she said. "I see myself."

The TB and Refugee Clinic joins a vast network of charities and government organizations tasked with carrying out President Joe Biden's plan to relocate nearly 100,000 people from Afghanistan by September 2022. Nearly 48,000 Afghans have already moved off U.S. military bases and settled in new communities, the U.S. State Department said in an email, including more than 4,000 in California.

The operation has been hampered by the need to scale up quickly after steep cutbacks to refugee programs under President Donald Trump. But the community response has been overwhelming and enthusiastic, said Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, one of nine national resettlement agencies.

"We know that resettlement isn't a weekslong or monthslong process. Success requires years of effort. And so, that's where it's really important to have strong community ties," Vignarajah said.

The nonprofit, which operates in at least two dozen states, has resettled roughly 6,000 newly arrived Afghans since summer, including 1,400 in northern Virginia, 350 in Texas, 275 in Washington and Oregon and 25 in Fargo, North Dakota.

The state of Oklahoma has received about half of the 1,800 people it was told to expect, said Carly Akard, spokeswoman for Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City. Akard said that in their rush to escape, many of the refugees arrived without identification.

"They fled and didn't have anything," she said.

In San Jose, the clinic is scrambling to hire more people and reallocate staff for the more than 800 people expected in the county through September. Not only is the number a large increase from the 100 people the clinic assessed in all of the last fiscal year, but it is uncertain when they will arrive, said health center manager Nelda David.

But David said that won't stop the staff of roughly three dozen from rolling out the welcome mat at the clinic, founded four decades ago specifically to assist Southeast Asians after the Vietnam War. Most of the nurses, assistants and other staff are immigrants or former refugees themselves, and they understand the shock of starting over in a new country.

Medical interpreter Jahannaz Afshar welcomes Farsi speakers at the front door even before they check in for their first visit. In a windowless office, she explains what to expect over at least four visits as part of a comprehensive health assessment, which includes updating immunizations and checking for infectious diseases. A medical exam is required of all refugees.

But Afshar, who moved from Iran in 2004, also explains cultural differences, such as the American preference for personal space and chitchat. She'll tell newcomers how to take the bus or use the public library, and reassure them that in the U.S., people help without expectation of getting anything in return.

Most staff members are bilingual, and come from a number of countries, including China, Myanmar, Sierra Leone and Mexico, said Mylene Madrid, who coordinates the refugee health assessment program. But staff can help even without speaking the same language.

An Afghan woman was tense and nervous when she arrived the other day for her first medical exam. By the end of the hourslong visit, however, she was cracking jokes and sharing photos with public health assistant Nikie Phung, who had fled Vietnam decades earlier with her family.

Another new arrival from Afghanistan dropped by the clinic complaining of chest pains but was so anxious she couldn't elaborate on her symptoms. Pham, the nurse, asked if she could hold her hand. They sat as the woman sobbed, then finally spoke of the stress of having her entire family living in a cramped hotel room.

By then, her pains had receded. Pham noticed that the woman's daughter and son-in-law were upbeat and more comfortable speaking English. She pulled the daughter aside.

"Would you please spend time with your mom?" she asked her. "Talk to her more."

Staff members have gone out of their way to connect patients to jobs, furnish empty apartments and tap the broader community for rent and other relief. They've stocked diapers for babies and handed out gift baskets at Thanksgiving. During a routine visit, a patient mentioned he needed car repairs for work. Within weeks, the clinic had raised $2,000 to give him.

"Your heart is different," says Jaspinder Mann, an assistant nurse manager originally from India, of immigrants' desire to help.

Afshar says she can't imagine what refugees are going through. The former apparel designer and her husband were not fleeing strife and shootings when they chose to leave Iran. And yet, she, too, struggled at first.

"And this is one of the things that I always share," she said. "That even though it's going to be hard, later you're going to be happy because ... you're going to learn so much and you're going to grow so much."

At the clinic, she hops on the phone to arrange an eye exam for Mohammad Attaie, 50, a radio technician who fled the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, this summer with his wife, Deena, a journalist, and their daughter. Sana, 10, adores her new school in San Jose, but the couple worries about finding work when they can't speak the language.

Still, seeing people like Afshar and Pham gives them confidence.

"They are successful. They're working here. Their language skills are good. I am hoping that in less than a year I can stand on my feet," Deena Attaie said, speaking in Farsi.
In his Nobel speech, Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov described journalism as the "antidote to tyranny."

The editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta and his staff face frequent threats because of the independent paper's investigative, hard-hitting coverage. Several of its journalists and contributors have been killed, including Anna Politkovskaya, who reported on human rights abuses in Chechnya.

A memorial to Politkovskaya was vandalized in December, just a few days after Muratov and Philippine journalist Maria Ressa were handed the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.

In an exclusive interview with VOA's Russian Service, Muratov spoke about the struggle to defend and uphold media freedom in Russia and how the threat of violence and legal action affects reporting.

This interview has been translated from Russian and edited for length and clarity.

Question: In your Nobel speech, you called journalism an antidote to tyranny. But in Russia, 15 years of freedom after the end of the Soviet Union have given way to censorship, persecution and killings, and a rollback of civil liberties and democracy. Why is this antidote not working in Russia?

Dmitry Muratov: Society allowed it, the country allowed it, the people allowed it. I reread a book by American researcher Olga Velikanova about the (Soviet) constitution of 1936. This constitution, "Stalin's constitution," was unique in its set of freedoms: equal voting rights, no more persecution of "kulaks" (wealthy members of the peasant class). It was considered the most progressive European constitution.

Stalin submitted it (nationwide) for discussion  but hundreds of thousands of letters poured in, saying, "We don't want your freedoms. We don't want those put in labor camps to come back. They may claim their property, but now it's ours. Why do you give voting rights to collective farmers?"

I agree with Velikanova when she says that Stalin (soon) realized that people were ready for nonfreedom, for repression.

It seems to me that in many ways this story is happening again, of people not being ready to take responsibility for themselves. If that's the case, then they are not ready to resume responsibility for this basic value of freedom of speech.

Question: Do you think that people are deterred from demanding change because of an awareness of what may happen if they do?

Muratov: I would divide this question into two parts.

In the last century (the Soviet Union and Communism) lost about 100 million people. So how can we judge the country after that? Every family was orphaned in some way, everyone lost someone. Yet the only thing left that people could rely on was the state (even when it was responsible for their loss.)

The second part of the question is more complicated. There was a moment in the 1990s when it seemed like we had freedom. Where did it all go?

I don't have an answer to that question. But for the first time in our history, money became an issue. Under socialism, everyone earned roughly the same, from 114 to 350 rubles. Members of the Politburo received 520.

Now you have to pay the mortgage, otherwise the family can be evicted. Largely, in my country, money did not come to mean personal freedom, the freedom to choose. Rather it meant dependence, dependence on the state.

I'm not willing to condemn people  for not prioritizing freedom of speech, because for them, the freedom to feed their family is the priority.

Question: What support do Russian journalists need from colleagues, from human rights activists, or even foreign countries?

Muratov: Readers' support is very important. Nobody in the parliament represents the people. Only the authorities are represented. Therefore, the media have become a kind of parliament for readers by representing the interests of the people.

Ten years ago, a wonderful slogan was left at Bolotnaya Square (in Moscow). I wish I could give an award to the author of this slogan.

It read "    ," which translates as "You do not even represent us" or "You are incapable of envisioning who we are."

(Editor's note: the Russian word "" has multiple meanings including "represent" and "envision," which gives the slogan a double meaning.)

The Duma (parliament) still does not represent the people, but the media do. The media are a parliament of readers, and this is the most important thing.

In the past two and a half months alone, more than a hundred people have been declared a "foreign agent." Let's not pretend that is not the same as "enemy of the people." Yes, in the Stalinist connotation  and in Russia it is the Stalinist connotation that is back in circulation right now  a "foreign agent" is an "enemy of the people."

I am grateful to countries that have taken up the noble mission of taking in our journalists, human rights defenders, leaders of nongovernmental organizations.

Those countries have given us the opportunity to live and work, and to preserve the dignity of our professional journalists.

Question: Does foreign support increase the risk that a journalist in Russia will be designated as a "foreign agent"?

Muratov: The current financial monitoring system, which exists not only in our country but also in other countries, can see every penny from a foreign source. The safety of journalists depends on support, but if that support comes in the form of a dollar or a ruble, it certainly increases risks.

Those risks pose a huge threat to journalists, so I think that those countries we call democratic should think about how they can help and do no harm in the process.

Question: Some people criticized your Nobel speech for not mentioning the Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who harassed Novaya Gazeta. Some said that mentions of President Vladimir Putin were not critical enough. What is your response?

Muratov: You know, I don't follow social media much. I run a professional media outlet. But I understand those people who criticized me, because they were forced to leave their country, otherwise they would have been imprisoned, arrested.

I can have my own opinion about Leonid Volkov (chief of staff for jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny), but I also understand perfectly well that if he had stayed, he would have been put in jail. How can I judge him, or (Navalny team members and supporters) Lyubov Sobol, for example, or Georgy Alburov? They've been pushed out of the country.

They have a high pain threshold, and they believe that there needs to be a different degree of outrage about what led to Navalny being a hostage in prison for over 300 days. Navalny has become a political prisoner based on false charges.

So at first I thought, "Are you stupid or something, don't you get it?" and then I thought, "Maybe it's me who doesn't get something."

If someone is disappointed (by my speech), I certainly will not apologize, I have nothing to apologize for. But next time, I promise to consider their feedback.

Question: What is more dangerous for journalists in Russia: direct violence or repressive laws?

Muratov: (There is) a hybrid war of the state against the media. It is a hybrid war waged by different people who consider themselves representatives of the state. The nature of hybrid war is such that you can be killed and not even know who did it.

However, if we are talking about which threat is greater for a journalist, the law or violence, the threat of physical violence, as usual, is greater.

(Vandals) desecrated the plaque to Politkovskaya on our building. Before that, they poured toxic liquid everywhere and made it impossible to work for a week. During a parade of Kadyrov's troops (in Chechnya) they said that Putin should close (Novaya Gazeta) or they'll take matters into their own hands.

We've been sent powders and a severed pig's head, with an SS Nazi dagger stuck in it. By the way, I still have not found out who tortured the poor pig.

Then they sent us sheep. Ten sheep in a cage, to be exact, delivered near the entrance to the office. We saved the sheep, we gave them to a farm, and they are thriving. They thrive, as do the knuckleheads who wage a hybrid war against us, because they think they captured the state's frame of mind.

Question: The Russian Constitution prohibits censorship. Could journalists appeal in court against what they consider censorship and win?

Muratov: Journalists cannot win in a Russian court. They can win in the European Court of Human Rights; we win all the time. But we always lose in Russian courts. That's how things are now. We don't need to pretend otherwise.

We have created a caste state, a corporate state. The ruling caste lives by one set of laws, while the rest of the people live by another. We live by the laws they made for us. Under these laws, we can't do anything, can't work, can't fully perform our duties as journalists.

This article originated in VOA's Russian Service.


Rights groups in Kenya are pushing authorities to resettle tens of thousands of squatters evicted just ahead of the holidays to make way for a Chinese-backed expressway.

Kenyan Lucy Wangare, in her forties, cleans a makeshift tent that has provided her family flimsy shelter since October, when Nairobi city authorities evicted them from their home of almost two decades.

She, her husband, and her sister spent the holiday season living in the tent, enduring cold and wet nights.

City authorities evicted more than 40,000 squatters like Wangare from the Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum and razed their homes to make way for construction of the Nairobi Expressway.

What is left of the Mukuru slum looks like a wasteland, with scores of makeshift tents forming a small island.

Authorities gave them just days notice to vacate their homes, says Wangare.

"If you look at where I sleep, youd think I wasnt a Kenyan citizen, youd think I was a refugee, said Wangare.

They used to have property and houses but, right now, theyve been left destitute. She blames Kenyas government.

The half a billion dollars elevated expressway aims to ease Nairobis notorious traffic by connecting the main international airport to the city center and wealthy suburbs.

The Chinese state-owned China Road and Bridge Corporation is building and financing the expressway, which should be working in 2022, and will collect the tolls for nearly three decades.



Despite critics calling it a road for the rich, Kenyas President Uhuru Kenyatta defended the project while taking a tour of it the day before Christmas.

The difference that is being occasioned by the road building, the drainage being build, by the sewage being put in  I do believe that within another two years, Nairobi will be a truly 21st century city, catering for its population in a positive manner and in a manner befitting our people, said Kenyatta.

But Kenyan rights activists fault the government for not striking a balance between the need for infrastructure and human dignity for those evicted.

Anami Daudi, 25, is with the Mukuru Community Justice Center.

Its so traumatizing, people are having mental issues here, we have other special challenges, they should get like special attention. But you find out that even the facilities we have around they cant even accommodate to create maybe that space to provide such services, he said.

The single squatters left homeless, like 38-year-old Pauline Gathoni, struggle with security fears.

"Its very dangerous to spend the night here, especially for us, women," she said. The men can defend themselves if attacked, but she cant fight anybody. "If someone attacks me and steals my property, tells me to leave, I will have no choice but to obey them," she said.

City authorities promises to compensate and help resettle the evicted families have yet to come true.
Low vaccination rates are of mounting concern amid a new wave of COVID-19 infections in Africa, where nearly 227,000 deaths have been reported, according to the Africa CDC's COVID-19 dashboard. Only 20 African countries had vaccinated at least 10% of their populations as of mid-December, according to the United Nations.

Vaccine access is a major stumbling block.

Vaccines have been slow to arrive from wealthier countries; when they do, there may not be sufficient infrastructure to support timely distribution. On December 22, Nigeria's government destroyed more than 1 million doses of donated AstraZeneca vaccine that authorities said could not be used before the expiration date.

Meanwhile, the African Union and its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are pushing efforts to develop vaccine manufacturing on the continent.

But, "even in countries where vaccines are being rolled out, there might be administrative and other obstacles that prevent refugees from being vaccinated," said Aikaterini Kitidi, a spokeswoman for the U.N. refugee Agency, or UNHCR.

Some countries "require identity documents, which refugees often do not have," she added. "Others have set up online [registration] systems that can deter or prevent people without access to the internet or who are not computer literate."

Awareness

Another challenge is misinformation.

It's "heavily impacting the vaccination process and hindering people from coming," said Dr. Martin Kalibuze, who directs the vaccination program in Uvira refugee camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province. "There are a lot of rumors, like 'people are going to die from vaccination, women are going to turn infertile.'"

Sifa Akimana, a 28-year-old Burundian refugee living in the DRC's Kavimvira transit center with her two babies, told VOA's Central Africa service she was opposed to getting inoculated because "I hear from people that if you're vaccinated, it's very dangerous. It's a way to control people's movements with their detective machines."

Kalibuze said any vaccination drive first needs a strong awareness campaign to smooth the way.

Priorities

There's at least one more impediment to COVID vaccination: competing priorities.

Across Africa and elsewhere, especially in zones with displaced people, "ministries of health have so many different crises that they have to tackle that COVID isn't always on the top of their list," said Jason Straziuso, a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

For instance, he said, they might decide it's wiser to invest in more mosquito nets to protect against malaria, a historically deadly disease that the WHO estimates killed 627,000 people in 2020 alone, mostly young African children.

The ICRC doesn't distribute vaccines on its own but instead partners with health ministries and national Red Cross Societies, Straziuso said, noting it depends on those relationships "to move into contested areas and to carry out vaccination campaigns."

Straziuso said the organization hopes to "do a lot more in 2022" to aid vulnerable people, including refugees and the displaced. "There's just millions of people who don't have access to these vaccines," he said. "So, it's a slow and long process."

Vedaste Ngabo Ndagijimana reported for VOA's Central Africa Service from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Carol Guensburg reported from Washington, D.C.


Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas visited Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday during a rare trip to Israel for what Gantz's department said were talks on security and civil matters.

Gantz told Abbas that he intended to "continue to promote actions to strengthen confidence in the economic and civilian fields, as agreed during their last meeting," an Israeli Defense Ministry statement said.

"The two men discussed security and civil matters," it added of the meeting, which Israeli media reported took place at Gantz's home in Rosh HaAyin, central Israel.

In late August, Gantz visited the Palestinian Authority's headquarters for talks with Abbas, the first official meeting at such a level in several years.

But after those talks, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that there was no peace process ongoing with the Palestinians, "and there won't be one."

Palestinian Civil Affairs Minister Hussein Al Sheikh tweeted on Wednesday that "Abbas met with Benny Gantz, where the meeting dealt with the importance of creating a political horizon that leads to a political solution in accordance with international resolutions."

The pair also discussed "the tense conditions on the ground due to the practices of settlers, and the meeting dealt with many security, economic and humanitarian issues."

Opposition party Likud condemned the latest meeting, saying that "concessions dangerous for Israel's security were only a matter of time."

"The Israeli-Palestinian government has put the Palestinians and Abbas back on the agenda ... it is dangerous for Israel," the party added in a statement.

Relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, have deteriorated substantially in recent years.

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu sidelined the issue during his 2009 to 2021 tenure as prime minister with peace talks suspended in 2014 while Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank expanded.

Bennett, the former head of a settler lobbying council who opposes Palestinian statehood, leads a coalition that took over in June.


A livestream published early Wednesday morning alerted the world to another raid on a pro-democracy news outlet in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong national security police, armed with a search warrant, were pressing to enter the home of Stand News journalist Ronson Chan.

Officers told Chan they were there as part of an investigation related to charges of conspiring to publish seditious content and told the journalist to stop recording.

Later in the day, authorities announced that six people had been arrested, and Stand News announced via Facebook that the news website would immediately cease to operate.

Chan, deputy assignment editor at Stand News and chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, described the closure as a sad day when he spoke with reporters. He also posted to Facebook: Reluctant but need to say goodbye. Thanks to Stand News again.

Chan was not among the six staff members facing charges of conspiracy to publish seditious publications, but he was said to be assisting with police investigations.

When authorities entered Chans home, they confiscated the journalists computer, phone, press pass and bank records, he later told reporters.

Around 200 officers also raided the newspapers offices, according to a government press release.

Steve Li, head of the police national security department, told reporters that Stand News had published news and commentary inciting hatred against authorities, Reuters reported.

Li said police seized assets worth HK$61 million ($7.82 million) and did not rule out further arrests. "We are not targeting reporters. We are targeting national security offenses," Li said.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary John Lee said he supported the efforts of the authorities.

"Anybody who attempts to make use of media work as a tool to pursue their political purpose or other interests countering the law, particularly offenses that endanger national security, they are the evil element that damage press freedom," Lee said.

Founded in 2014, Stand News was shortlisted this year for the Reporters Without Borders Independence award. The media watchdog cited the outlets reporting on crucial political and social developments in the territory, and  in-depth coverage of government policy and all trials related to the National Security Law.

During anti-government protests in the city in 2019, several of its reporters were injured, including journalist-turned-activist Gwyneth Ho. She was one of 47 people accused of subversion under the national security law in February.

More recently, the news site has come under pressure, including from pro-Beijing state-run media, which alleged that its reports incited terrorism.

In June, Stand News announced it had removed some commentaries, opinions, blogs and reader contributions of its own accord. At the same time, six board members resigned, including former Stand News board member Denise Ho, legislator Margaret Ng, and Tat-chi Chow, who were among the six arrested Wednesday.

The other three detained were chief editor Patrick Lam, former chief editor Chung Pui-Kuen and former board member Christine Fang.

Hours before the police raids, editor Chan spoke at the Hong Kong Journalists Association annual dinner about the challenges for the citys media.

The HKJA said in a statement that it was following closely the case against its chairperson and Stand News.

[HKJA] is deeply concerned that the police have repeatedly arrested senior members of the media and searched the offices of news organizations containing large quantities of journalistic materials within a year. HKJA urges the government to protect press freedom in accordance with the Basic Law, the association said.

The raids and imminent closure of Stand News came just six months after pro-democracy news outlet Apple Daily folded. Authorities froze assets and arrested several of the outlets executives, including founder Jimmy Lai, under the national security law.

Alvin Chan, a freelance journalist for Stand News who had worked at Apple Daily, told VOA the situation was a nightmare.

Actually, fear is not the emotion, perhaps anger. Again, we did nothing wrong, and I believe journalists in Stand News did nothing wrong, too, Alvin Chan said.

The authorities seem to have a drama script, which is what happened in 2019 was incited by the media, including Apple Daily and Stand News, Alvin Chan said, referring to the mass protests that year.

Unlike Apple Daily, those arrested at Stand News are facing charges of sedition rather than crimes under the national security law.

However, recent court judgments have enabled authorities to use powers under the national security law to deploy rarely used colonial-era laws covering sedition, Reuters reported.

The United Nations, rights groups and journalist organizations criticized Wednesdays raid, saying it would damage Hong Kongs press freedom record.

The U.N. rights office said it was "alarmed by the continued crackdown on civic space" in Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong has a legal obligation to respect the rights to freedom of information, expression and association, as well as to guarantee due process," it said in a statement to Reuters. "We are witnessing an extremely rapid closing of the civic space and outlets for Hong Kongs civil society to speak and express themselves freely."

Hong Kong Watch, a watchdog group in Britain, described the arrests as nothing short of an all-out assault on the freedom of the press in Hong Kong. And the citys Foreign Correspondents Club said that while it was not commenting on the legality of the actions, [they] are a further blow to press freedom in Hong Kong and will continue to chill the media environment in the city following a difficult year for the citys news outlets.

Concerns for Hong Kongs media environment have been raised since Beijing imposed the national security law in June 2020.

In an interview with VOA this month, Ronson Chan said the red lines for Hong Kong media had made 2021 the saddest year.

We never can get back  Hong Kong has changed, he said, predicting that the situation would get worse. Next year will not be easy. We still have a very critical situation.

Some information for this article came from Reuters.
The growing issue of plastic pollution in the worlds oceans is affecting coastal marine life, transporting many species to areas of the open ocean, surprising researchers.

A group of U.S. and Canadian marine and environmental scientists were amazed to find that some species are thriving on plastic trash floating in the Pacific Ocean.

The team discovered oceanic barnacles and crabs living alongside coastal barnacles and anemones.

We expected to find oceanic marine species that have adapted on plastics, but we were absolutely surprised to discover coastal marine species as well, said Linsey Haram, a research associate with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland.

It is not known how some coastal marine life managed to get out into the ocean, added Haram, the lead author of a recent report on the findings in the journal Nature Communications.

They may already be out there settling on the plastics, but most likely they are being rafted or transported from the coast on floating debris, she told VOA.

The study focused on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located between Hawaii and California. The massive garbage patch, which is over 1.5 million square kilometers, is mostly made up of plastic waste, big and small.

The debris includes massive quantities of tiny plastic fragments, along with water bottles, toothbrushes and abandoned fishing gear that are drawn into the patch by ocean currents called gyres.

The report notes the plastic can remain in the gyres for years.

They come into the center [of the gyres] where the water is relatively stationary, explained Amy V. Uhrin, chief scientist of the Marine Debris Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington. The majority of the garbage comes from the Pacific Rim and the West Coast of North America, she said.

The size of the patch can change depending on the wind and ocean currents, Uhrin told VOA in an interview.

The Ocean Voyages Institute in Sausalito, California, which works to clean up trash in the ocean, provided plastic samples for the research.

Weve had a large sailing cargo ship with a crane hoist tons of trash from the patch onto the deck of the vessel, especially the very harmful elements like plastic fishing nets that still catch and kill whales, dolphins and turtles, Ocean Voyages founder and President Mary Crowley said.

The results from the samples provided the researchers with some food for thought.

What has been most eye-opening is that the coastal marine species were not only thriving but reproducing, Haram said.

However, there are many questions still unanswered.

How do you survive being on piece of plastic in the middle of the ocean? asks Greg Ruiz, a marine ecologist with the Smithsonians Environmental Research Center and a contributor to the report.

The coastal species may be creating their own ecosystem on the plastic debris that allows for microorganisms and algae to grow and essentially function as a food chain, Ruiz said. Fish and bird waste in the water may also be contributing nutrients.

We also want to figure out how the coastal and oceanic species are interacting since they are competing for limited space on the objects, Haram said. They could be using each other as a source of food.

There is concern coastal hitchhikers could become invasive species.

We want to know if other coastal marine life are on plastics in all of the five main ocean gyres worldwide, Haram said.

Ruiz added, were concerned that coastal organisms from different regions could form colonies and spread disease to other marine life, including fish.
A Bosnian war crimes prosecutor has indicted nine Bosnian Serbs for the killing of around 100 Muslim Bosniaks, including seven entire families, early in the 1992-95 war, the prosecutor's office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Twenty-six years after the end of its devastating war between Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats and Muslim Bosniaks in which about 100,000 people had died, Bosnia is still searching for people who went missing and seeking justice against the suspected perpetrators.

At the same time, the Balkan country is going through its worst post-war political crisis, with Bosnian Serb leaders' threat of pulling out of Bosnia's national institutions, including the joint armed forces, raising fears of a new conflict.

The nine men, the former members and commanders of the Bosnian Serb wartime army, are accused of killing the Bosniak civilians from the area around the southeastern Bosnian town of Nevesinje, including dozens of women, elderly people and small children.

The prosecutor's office said seven families were among those killed in the summer of 1992. The remains of 49 people have been found while 47 people are still unaccounted for.

Bosnia's state court will need to confirm the indictment for the case to proceed.
A total of 116 cities in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia were in a state of emergency because of flooding on Tuesday due to heavy rains that have been pounding the region since the end of November.

Cities in at least five other states in Brazil's north and southeast have also been flooded in recent days.

In Bahia, flooding has affected more than 470,000 people. In at least 50 cities, water surged into homes and businesses, and people were forced to abandon their belongings. Official data from the state government say 34,163 people have been made homeless and almost 43,000 are displaced. There have been a total of 21 deaths and 358 people injured since the beginning of the month.

This is the heaviest period of rainfall for Bahia in the last 32 years, according to the website of the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters, a government agency. In southern Bahia, it rained more than five times the normal amount for this time of the year.

In an interview with local radio stations Tuesday morning, Bahia Gov. Rui Costa compared the situation to a "bombardment." He also said that coronavirus vaccines were lost in the floods of some cities.

"Some municipal health offices and medicine depots were completely under water," he said.

On Tuesday, the population of at least four municipalities in Bahia received warnings to leave their homes because of the increased flow of the Pardo River due to the opening of the Machado Mineiro dam's sluice gates in neighboring Minas Gerais state, according to the state government's advisory office.

Bahia's Civil Defense superintendent, Col. Miguel Filho, told The Associated Press that there are still flooded and isolated cities, and rains are still ongoing.

"Our first response is to help, then to shelter, to care for the population in the shelters by giving humanitarian aid, with sheets, blankets, food," he said.

He added that at least five dams in Bahia are at risk of bursting. Bridges and federal and state roads in the state were destroyed and have been provisionally rebuilt to allow food and other items to be brought to people in need.

"We still don't have a complete list of all the damage caused, the amount of structures that will need to be replaced," Costa said. "It isn't possible to stipulate a timeframe for recovery, because we don't have that dimension. We're guaranteeing accessibility, the detour, the temporary structure so that people can come and go."

The above-average rainfall is due to the La Nina atmospheric phenomenon, which increases precipitation in some areas of Brazil, including Bahia, the government's science ministry said in a statement last week.

Carlos Nobre, a prominent climatologist, explained to the Associated Press that the intensity of rains observed in Bahia are due to global warming. "We have to expect that these kinds of phenomena become more and more common. It's how the planet responds. The evaporation of the oceans is greater and, with more water vapor in the atmosphere, there are more conditions for more intense rains, as we saw in Europe and China months ago," said the expert, who also mentioned other climatic phenomena that are becoming more intense and frequent, such as droughts, hurricanes and fires.

The federal government has authorized emergency spending totaling 80 million reais ($14.2 million) for Bahia alone. Additional funds will be directed to other regions also affected by the rains in recent weeks, and which are still suffering the consequences.

In Tocantins state, which is adjacent to Bahia in Brazil's northern region, 22 municipalities were affected by the rains by early Tuesday afternoon. The executive director of the state's civil defense authority, Maj. Alex Matos, told the AP this number is expected to grow in the coming hours.

"We're predicting an increase in the volume of the Araguaia River, which will fill the Tocantins River even more," he said.


Sudanese gunmen have looted a World Food Program (WFP) warehouse containing about 1,900 metric tons of food aid in Darfur amid a surge of violence in the western region, officials said Wednesday.

Residents of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, reported heavy gunfire near the warehouse late Tuesday, and the local authorities imposed a nighttime curfew on the town after the attack, state news agency SUNA reported.

"We heard intense gunfire," local resident Mohamed Salem told AFP.

A WFP official said the organization was "conducting an audit into what was stolen from the warehouse, which contained some 1,900 [metric tons] of food products" intended to be lifesaving supplies for some of the most vulnerable people.

"One in three people in Sudan needs humanitarian assistance," said Khardiata Lo N'diaye, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Sudan. "Humanitarian assistance should never be a target."

On Twitter, Darfur Governor Mini Minawi denounced the raid as a "barbaric act" and said those responsible "will face justice."

The vast, arid and impoverished region awash with guns is still reeling from a conflict that broke out under former President Omar al-Bashir in 2003, leaving hundreds of thousands of people dead.

While the main conflict in Darfur has subsided under a peace deal struck with key rebel groups last year, violence continues to erupt.

The region has seen a spike in conflict since October triggered by disputes over land, livestock and access to water and grazing, with around 250 people killed in fighting between herders and farmers.

Tens of thousands have been forced to flee their homes, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The violence has occurred while Sudan reels from political turbulence in the wake of a coup led by military chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on October 25.

Last week, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned looting and reported violence near a former U.N. logistics base in El Fasher that had been handed over to the local authorities days earlier.

A joint U.N. and African Union mission, UNAMID, ended 13 years of peacekeeping operations in December last year, but Guterres said "substantial amounts of equipment and supplies" from the looted base were intended to be used by Sudanese communities.

More than 14 million Sudanese will need humanitarian aid next year, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the highest level for a decade.
The United States and Russia will hold talks in January about nuclear arms control and tensions along the Russia-Ukraine border.

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council told reporters the two sides would meet January 10, followed by Russia-NATO talks on January 12. In addition, Russia, the United States and other members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which includes Ukraine, will participate in a meeting January 13.

"When we sit down to talk, Russia can put its concerns on the table, and we will put our concerns on the table with Russia's activities as well," the spokesperson said. "There will be areas where we can make progress and areas where we will disagree. That's what diplomacy is about."

Western governments have been alarmed by the buildup of Russian troops along the border with Ukraine, expressing concern about potential plans for a Russian invasion. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has denied any such plans and has demanded guarantees against NATO expansion close to its territory.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign affairs minister, has tweeted Ukraine's support for the talks and desire to participate.

"We support the idea of the US, the EU, NATO talking to Russia as long as the primary topic is ending the international armed conflict, Russia's war on Ukraine. Euro-Atlantic security is at stake in Ukraine, therefore Ukraine should be part of security consultations on the matter."

The U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said that in respect to Ukraine's own interests, the U.S.-Russia talks will not reach any decisions about Ukraine.

"President Biden's approach on Ukraine has been clear and consistent: Unite the alliance behind two tracks  deterrence and diplomacy. We are unified as an alliance on the consequences Russia would face if it moves on Ukraine," the spokesperson said.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst told VOA the United States and the West should use any talks with Russia to note Russian misbehavior and to insist that Russia observe the commitments it has made under various international accords.

If Ukraine, the U.S. or Germany and France in the Minsk talks offer Moscow concessions now, or if the West chooses to negotiate with Moscow about Ukraine without Ukraine, the Kremlin would win an important tactical victory.This would only encourage Putin to commit further provocations, Herbst said.

On Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group to remain in the Mediterranean Sea, delaying its voyage to the Middle East.

The "schedule change reflects the need for a persistent presence in Europe and is necessary to reassure our allies and partners of our commitment to collective defense," a defense official said.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.


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A number of Jordanian members of parliament, or MPs, engaged in a fight Tuesday inside the Parliament during a session in Amman, held to discuss constitutional amendments. (Reuters)
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Warm-weather front to bring sharp rise in temperatures to Italy.

After a rainy Christmas, Italy is set for a sunny New Year thanks to the arrival of an African anticyclone of subtropical origin, according to weather forecasters.

The warm-weather front will bring "almost spring temperatures" to central and southern Italy, reports state broadcaster RAI, with highs of 20-21 degrees Celsius expected in Sicily and Sardinia, rising to about 17 degrees in Rome.

The warmer weather is to arrive on Wednesday, in time for New Year's Eve on Friday, and is expected to last until the early days of 2022.

However the sunshine and warmth will not affect northern Italy, due to fog and overcast skies, where temperatures will not exceed 7-9 degrees.

Cover image: Piazza Navona, Rome. Photo credit: Kirk Fisher / Shutterstock.com.
Expanding passenger rail doesnt just burden the federal budget. It could also harm the broader economy. On most of its routes, Amtrak pays private freight carriers for access to their tracks. Because passenger trains are (by law) given preference on these routes, theyre likely to slow down the nations freight network and hence raise shipping costs. Because they may require improvements (such as longer sidings or safety upgrades), they can also entail huge upfront costs. Amtraks proposal to restart its Gulf Coast line could require as much as $1.3 billion, according to a report commissioned by the Florida Department of Transportation  for a service that might carry a few hundred passengers a day, on what one local politician called a joyride for the affluent.
With negotiations to revive the JCPOA faltering, it is more than likely 2022 will witness its formal demise. This will leave the Biden administration scrambling to prevent the Islamic Republic from becoming a nuclear threshold state, like Japan and South Korea, with the ability to quickly weaponize its uranium stockpile. It is far from certain the U.S. can count on the full backing of the European signatories to the deal, much less China and Russia.
Even natural disaster is too broad a category for useful analysis. There are an infinite number of things that might happen, but a manageably small number of ways they can cause financial crises. An institution might not have necessary cash to pay its bills. There might be physical destruction of buildings or essential records. An institution might become insolvent due to a decline in value of its assets or an increase in value of its liabilities, or it might be prevented from doing business for regulatory reasons such as lack of capital. Key employees might be killed, incapacitated or act perversely. Essential communication links might be severed. Public trust might evaporate, as in a bank run. Massive fraud or error or security breaches might be discovered. Government actions, up to and including war, could trigger crisis.
JE: Curtin was a bit of a scold at that point in his life. He was offended that Australians continued to go the races and drink beer and so forth. He was incensed by strikes on the waterfront and in coal mines. Curtin wanted a greater appreciation of the challenge Australia faced. He required a mobilized society in the same way that we have edged much closer to during the pandemic: Adherence to the rules in which behavior determined to be for the greater good is the rule. There are resonances with that rhetoric and what politicians have been saying over the last couple of years. Metaphorically, we often describe ourselves as being in a war against Covid. There are links in a kind of mental attitude. But I wonder whether they will be any more permanent this time than during an actual war? People do revert pretty quickly to what they wish.
By the early 1970s, the conglomerate began to fall out of favor, as stock analysts belatedly noticed that the sum total of the value of each component of a conglomerate was often more than the value of the conglomerate itself. The sum of the parts was greater than the whole. Over the remainder of the decade, giants like Ling saw their fortunes and reputations collapse, along with their stock values.
Close ties to the leaders of the nations biggest corporations could alienate the Democratic voters already unhappy with her over her career as a prosecutor before being elected to the Senate in 2016. And corporate leaders have used the conversations to push Harris on their own priorities, lobbying against changes to the tax code or for legislation that could prove a boon to their companies. That could prove problematic if she once again seeks her partys nomination for president.
Days after Didis IPO, Chinas cybersecurity regulator told app stores to remove the companys app, citing serious violations on the collection and usage of personal information. Didis share price fell as much as 25% on the first trading day after that. Shareholders sued the company, as well as its directors and underwriters, claiming Didi failed to disclose talks it was having with Chinese authorities about its compliance with cybersecurity laws. Didi said Dec. 2 that it will file for a delisting of its American depositary shares from the New York Stock Exchange and start work on a Hong Kong share sale. It said it would ensure that the U.S. stock will be convertible into freely tradable shares on another internationally recognized stock exchange. Meanwhile, other companies were said to have shelved or delayed their U.S. IPO plans, including health-care firm LinkDoc Technology Ltd., bike-sharing company Hello Inc. and audio-sharing platform Ximalaya Inc. RoboSense, a Chinese developer of sensor technologies used in self-driving cars, decided to list in Hong Kong instead, following others like Lalamove and Xiaohongshu.
Suicide rates rose 33 percent between 1999 and 2019 before falling slightly the past two years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although there is disagreement over the cause of the increase, many researchers cite an increasing lack of community or family connections. Although suicides havent gone up during the pandemic, there have been alarming trends such as a rise in attempted suicides by adolescent girls that is widely attributed to isolation from teachers, friends and other traditional forms of support.
The agents say they face a backlash in liberal sanctuary jurisdictions where authorities strictly limit contact with ICE but also in some Republican-led states where politicians are vocal in their support for the agency. And the toll on HSI agents is getting worse, according to the report that was prepared by a working group of agents formed by HSI to consider changes to the agencys place within the Department of Homeland Security.
Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah (D) said Tuesday that allegations by two women that former New York governor Andrew M. Cuomo (D) had kissed them on the cheek against their will were credible, but that she nonetheless would not pursue criminal charges because of New York states statutory requirements.
The Biden administration has stressed that Russia will need to begin showing signs of de-escalation before any sort of diplomatic end game is possible, a point repeated by the senior administration official previewing the call to reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House. The official noted that the United States has continued to observe a significant Russian troop presence near the Ukrainian border that is not static and continues to be gravely concerned about what moves the Russians have been making near the Ukrainian border.
In the article, Thompson said Trumps delayed response in asking those who had invaded the Capitol to leave could be a factor in deciding whether to make a criminal referral, which is when Congress informs the Justice Department it believes a crime has been committed. It would then be up to federal prosecutors to decide whether to pursue a charge.
By February 2020, his body had been broken by cancer treatments, his hair gone, with vision only in one eye because of a 2015 exercise injury. But his mind remained the same, veering back and forth between prescient political analysis  he dismissed those who thought Bidens campaign was over  and the bravado that drew headlines.
The aesthetic is rustic, country and barn-style. The inside can be designed in any style by an architect or by the owners who typically are DIYers. Often its an open floor plan but any design is possible. Because steel beams frame the house and support its load, moving an interior wall during construction is easy if you change your mind, for example, about the size of a childs bedroom.
For all its moral dudgeon, the religious left apparently has little ability to bring voters and activists into the Democratic coalition who were not already there, and it cannot deliver moderates or conservatives of any race or creed. And while religious left activism is ever more ecumenical and interfaith, political actors know by now that its leaders in the religious left cannot credibly claim to speak for countless millions  and may not speak for anyone other than themselves.
The latest Ive heard (was) from a graduate student who was asked at an interview for medical school what he thought about terrorists and the usage of Allahu Akbar, said Omar Tawil, a chaplain for Muslim life at Arizona State University. Before the student could offer a reply, the interviewer continued to say that he was only asking out of a concern or hope that a potential medical student would be able to be loyal to scientific truth over religious beliefs.
In the first episode, Love, Francis takes the viewer to his native country of Argentina. Before becoming pope, Francis  then Jorge Mario Bergoglio  was a provincial of the Jesuits in the country during the political unrest of the 1970s known as the dirty war, when agents of the ruling military junta kidnapped and killed supporters of the leftist opposition.
(RNS)  In a year in which we expected the news to get better, the stories followed most closely by the Jewish community in 2021 were for the most part sequels to the difficult and dire stories of 2020: COVID-19, surging antisemitism and strife between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. But a new government in Jerusalem and Israels broadening ties to Arab countries brought glimmers of hope for peace. Here are the 10 most important stories on topics of Jewish concern this year:
Its hard to lose Joan Didion. I never met her, but she was always in the background, an elfin woman with an unflinching eye, teaching me about writing.

A very young Jennifer Byrne, just back from a stint as San Francisco correspondent for The Age, introduced Didion to me. I was a young reporter finding my feet as a writer of what were called colour pieces. I knew a bit about the New Journalism that had turned conventional reportage upside down, and its male heroes: the flamboyant Tom Wolfe, the possibly unhinged Hunter S. Thompson. But where were the women in this exciting movement?

There was just one. At that time shed written three novels and two books of extraordinary essays. Ive just reread one of her earliest, Slouching Towards Bethlehem (later the title of her 1968 essay collection), about the hippies in San Francisco. My jaw drops all over again. For the most part, all she does is hang around the Haight-Ashbury district, meeting the renegades and runaways, watching them take drugs, fall sick, go on bad trips and bounce back again. The girls do a lot of macrobiotic baking. They accept Didions presence in a condescending way. She tells one boy she is 32. Dont worry, theres old hippies too, he says.

Joan Didion mingles with a crowd of hippies in San Franciscos Golden Gate Park in 1967 while researching her essay Slouching Towards Bethlehem. Credit:Ted Streshinsky/Corbis/Getty

They are all very young, vague, sweet and dangerous to each other. By the time I get to one of Didions rare comments  We were seeing the attempt of a handful of pathetically unequipped children to create a community in a social vacuum  I know exactly what she means. She ends the essay calmly and unsensationally, with a three-year-old who sets himself on fire and a five-year-old on acid. Her mother has been giving her acid and peyote for a year.
Sadly, Melbourne has been remembered this year more as the worlds most locked-down city than as a vibrant centre of engaging art music. But while ducking and weaving around four lockdowns, various curfews and other restrictions that could change at the drop of a hat, Victorias classical musicians and arts organisations revealed incredible resilience and ingenuity at no little cost to their emotional and financial wellbeing.

Launched in 2020, Melbourne Digital Concert Halls star continued to shine this year.

The farsighted and timely establishment of the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall last year has continued to bear prodigious fruit. Its national reach is being acknowledged with rebranding as the Australian Digital Concert Hall, together with well-deserved federal government funding and the accolade of Limelight magazines Australian Artist of the Year.

In these difficult times ADCHs role as financial and artistic lifeline, especially for cherished local artists and small ensembles, cannot be underestimated.

ADCH heralded several changes of focus concerning artists and presentation that are now common to the classical scene. With international borders closed or severely restricted, there has been a welcome celebration of the wealth of Australian talent.
Westport and Weston will be distributing at-home testing kits and N95 masks as part of the statewide effort to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Two testing kits will be given per vehicle. They will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, both first selectwomen said.

Because of the scarcity of these kits, I am asking the residents of our state to please take only the kits that you need for your immediate family so that we can distribute as many as possible to help flatten the omicron curve, Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said, adding people should limit gathering sizes during the holiday week.

Westport is set to receive 3,420 tests from the state and will distribute them to Westport residents at Staples High School at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Westport residents looking to get one of the testing kits should enter Staples through the main entrance on North Avenue. People should remain in their vehicles and be prepared to show their drivers license to the attendant.

Weston is set to receive 1,350 at-home testing kits from the state, which will be distributed to residents from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the Weston Intermediate School parking circle. People must bring proof of Weston residency to receive a kit.

The State of Connecticut has communicated to the Town of Weston that it is planning to distribute kits to school age children after the first of the year, said Weston First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor. In addition, test kits are expected to be provided to the general public in January from federal resources.

The state announced earlier this week it would distribute a 3 million at-home testing kits and 6 million N95 masks to municipalities.

As early as next week, the state of Connecticut will also be distributing N95 masks that will be available to the public, Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker said. State officials stress that details of the distribution of the N95 masks are still being finalized and are subject to change.

If a self-test is positive, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the person to stay home or isolate for five days if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. Another PCR test is not needed. Given the highly infectious nature of the omicron variant, it is most important to wear a mask both in public spaces and when interacting in close contact with individuals outside of your household, according to the latest CDC guidelines.

A negative test result means that the test did not detect the virus and you may not have an infection, but it does not rule out infection, Nestor said. Repeating the test within a few days, with at least 24-hours between tests, will increase confidence that you are not infected.

Families with children attending the Westport Public Schools are asked to report positive student COVID-19 cases using the districts reporting voicemail or email.

Parents of Weston students should email District Nursing Supervisor Sheryl Zulkeski at sherylzulkeski@westonps.org if the student tests positive during break. Parents should contact the nurse at their child's particular school when school is in session.

It is not necessary to report positive results from at-home testing to the Westport Weston Health District, however people who test positive should tell close contacts.

We urge our residents to remain cautious and safe to protect yourselves, your families, and your neighbors. Thank you for your commitment to the health and well-being of the Westport Community, Tooker said.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Cloudy with snow developing between 9pm and midnight, then steadier snow from midnight to sunrise. A few inches of snow for everyone, with a widespread 1-3" with most getting closer to 3". Higher 3-6" amounts closer to the I-95 corridor..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow developing between 9pm and midnight, then steadier snow from midnight to sunrise. A few inches of snow for everyone, with a widespread 1-3" with most getting closer to 3". Higher 3-6" amounts closer to the I-95 corridor.
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

Cloudy with snow developing between 9pm and midnight, then steadier snow from midnight to sunrise. A few inches of snow for everyone, with a widespread 1-3" with most getting closer to 3". Higher 3-6" amounts closer to the I-95 corridor..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow developing between 9pm and midnight, then steadier snow from midnight to sunrise. A few inches of snow for everyone, with a widespread 1-3" with most getting closer to 3". Higher 3-6" amounts closer to the I-95 corridor.
Senior Adviser - Ethics in Evidence Generation, Florence, Italy

Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Childrens Fund

Country: Italy

City: Florence

Office: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence

Closing date: Thursday, 20 January 2022

Senior Adviser - Ethics in Evidence Generation, Fixed Term P5 - Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence Italy

Job no: 546998

Position type: Fixed Term Appointment

Location: Italy Division/Equivalent: Field Results Group

School/Unit: Florence, Italy

Department/Office: Office of Research

Categories: Private Fundraising and Partnerships

UNICEF works in some of the worlds toughest places, to reach the worlds most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Research

Job organizational context: To underpin its programmatic, policy and advocacy work, UNICEF invests substantially in commissioning and conducting research, evaluation and data collection and analysis in order to create a strong evidence base to support the realization of the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged.

The Office of Research-Innocenti (UNICEF Innocenti) is the dedicated research office of UNICEF. It commissions and undertakes research on emerging or current issues of relevance for children in order to inform the strategic directions, policies and programmes of UNICEF and its partners. The office explores emerging issues, identifies research gaps, and brings together existing researchers to support or undertake new research, data collection and analysis to address critical questions. Under the UNICEF Policy on Research (CF/EXD/2016-2003) of 19 April 2016, the Office also supports and facilitates the research of other parts of UNICEF, including through the development of appropriate procedures and guidelines and establishing quality and ethical standards. This includes the establishment and oversight of the UNICEF Procedure for Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation and Data Collection and Analysis (CF/PD/DRP/2015-001 v.2 March 2021) of 1st April 2021.

DAPM is responsible for driving and shaping UNICEFs evidence-informed analysis and advocacy, strategic planning, monitoring, reporting and learning. The work enables UNICEF to function in a more coherent manner across headquarters, regional offices and country offices to accelerate results for children at-scale based on data, evidence, and analysis, and the application of human-rights based and results-based management approaches. The Data & Analytics section (D&A) which sits within the Division of Data Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM), is the global go-to for data on children. It leads the collection, validation, analysis, use and communication of the most statistically sound, internationally comparable data on the situation of children and women around the world. D&A upholds the quality, integrity and organization of these data and makes them accessible as a global public good on the data.unicef.org website.

UNICEFs Evaluation Office, based in New York, serves as the steward of UNICEFs independent evaluation function. The Evaluation Office commissions and manages independent corporate evaluations and other evaluative exercises (e.g., evaluability assessments, syntheses, reviews), usually conducted in collaboration with external consultants but sometimes embedding Evaluation Office staff in the evaluation teams. It also leads in the development and implementation of evaluation policy, strategy and systems; oversees evaluation quality assurance processes; undertakes evaluation capacity development activities within and outside the Organization; actively promotes an enabling environment for evaluation and a strong evaluation culture; and ensures transparent access to evaluation information. Working in a complementary manner with UNICEFs other data, evidence and research functions, the Evaluation Office aims to deliver consistently timely, credible and useful independent analyses that harness knowledge to help the Organization deliver results for children.

All three offices play a key role in building an evidence and learning culture across UNICEF and beyond and have responded to the institutional requirement for stronger ethical standards in all evidence generation and use activities by developing relevant procedures, guidance and tools. They have also provided technical assistance across the organization and beyond to strengthen generation, communication and use of quality-assured and ethically generated evidence in decision-making

Further information on UNICEF-Innocenti can be found at https://www.unicef-irc.org/ and some of its work to date on ethical evidence generation at https://www.unicef-irc.org/research/ethical-research-and-children/

Information on the Evaluation Office and evaluation function can be found at https://www.unicef.org/evaluation/.

information on the Data and Analytics function can be found at: https://data.unicef.org/about-us/

Purpose of the job: Ethical reflection and conduct in evidence generation is requisite in an equity-based organizational framework. A focus on the most marginalized, and frequently, the most vulnerable population groups necessitates measures to ensure that participants are respected and that the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of all children, groups and persons involved in or likely impacted by the evidence generation activity are protected throughout the process. Further, efforts must be taken not only to mitigate against risks to participants, but also to staff and to the organization as a whole. Finally, the practice of data collection and analysis entails ethical issues that extend beyond the "do no harm" principle and include issues around bias mitigation and other threats to the validity and reliability of data being used in analysis, as well as ethical knowledge management practices in the dissemination and rollout of analytical work.

The incumbent is responsible for acting as an institutional focal point for technical advisory support in ethical evidence generation (EEG) to UNICEFs 220+ offices and National Committees. This role also has a mandate within UNICEF for developing standards, training and education on ethical evidence generation issues and for representing the organization or providing inputs to relevant UN and other external for a on such issues. The incumbent will also develop think pieces in new and emerging areas of ethics and child rights, for example, ethics in a digital age or ethics and innovation, particularly in relation to global audiences and as a contribution to our global public goods mandate.

He/She will work with staff to attain high ethical standards in their proposed evidence generation and use activities and will be responsible for establishing processes to ensure the organization has access to internal and external ethical review processes. Where relevant, the incumbent will manage, design or implement these processes and support their development where local responses are created.

The incumbent will be required to deliver training on EEG which may take place at any of our global locations or be delivered remotely. The post will also be responsible for developing other capacity-strengthening materials or tools as necessary in order to support ethical evidence generation and use amongst UNICEF staff and partners more widely.

This post will report directly to the Director of UNICEF Innocenti with on-going guidance and input from the Director of Evaluation and the Chief Data Officer, Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring. More formal matrix management reporting arrangements will also be explored in 2022.

The post will be based at the UNICEF Office of Research-Innocenti in Florence, Italy.

Summary of the key functions/accountabilities:

1. Set an agenda for the Ethics in Evidence Generation function for the period of the new Strategic Plan 2022 2025 (15%) and monitor outcomes.

Audit organizational needs across UNICEFs service and programme functions in relation to ethical evidence generation, technical gaps and support needs.

Ensure ongoing monitoring of frontier issues in ethics in evidence generation, particularly as pertains to technologies.

Establish and monitor an implementation plan for the duration of the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022 - 2025, focusing on priority activities for the period and reflecting and reviewing implementation in relation to contemporary developments and needs over the period.

2. Establish UNICEF Ethics Review Processes across the organization that are flexible and responsive to organizational need (20%)

Maintain and continue to promote the UNICEF U-Report Ethics Focal Point programme allowing for local reviews of polls submitted via the U-Report and other digital platforms.

Provide remote training for U-Report Ethics Focal Points and timely technical assistance for complex or sensitive polls on request.

Provide regular technical assistance to staff on whether ethical review is required, its potential nature and appropriate review processes to utilise.

Establish, monitor and quality assure use of private IRBs/ERBs under Long-Term Agreements or other appropriate organizational contracting arrangements.

Support any local development of UNICEF ethics review panels through the provision of templates and delivery of training as required and orientation of panel members to the technical and ethical literature, appropriate policy, statutes and regulations.

Determine the nature, implementation, maintenance and quality assurance of any contracting arrangement with third party ethical review providers.

Document common EEG issues arising at UNICEF and disseminate de-identified findings to inform guidance materials, training, lesson-learning and other institutional capacity development activities as well as to inform external discourse and products on critical issues relating to EEG involving children.

Develop other tailored approaches for ethical review as required.

3. Provide ongoing technical advisory support in ethical evidence generation and use, acting as an institutional focal point in this area (25%)

Provide technical advisory support to staff on complex operational questions pertaining to ethical evidence generation, to mitigate against ethical violations and/or endorsement of partner activities that may present not only ethical, but legal and reputational issues as well as to ensure joined up and consistent ethical processes across the organization.

Participate and contribute to relevant organizational working groups in relation to issues such as data privacy, child safeguarding, data governance and technologies and ethics. Provide inputs into relevant internal and external documents on critical issues and organizational positions in relation to ethical considerations in these domains.

Provide ethical guidance to UNICEF staff across programming and for evidence generation activities undertaken by National Committees as well as service units and divisions that undertake various forms of data collection and analysis that involve human subjects or sensitive secondary data.

Monitor the UNICEF Procedure for Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation and Data Collection and Analysis (2021) to ensure ongoing relevance, minimum standards, incorporation of technological advances that may affect its implementation and its practical application in the field for subsequent reviews of the Procedure.

Provide advisory support to ensure that ethical standards are maintained along the entire evidence chain from generation, through to sharing and safe storage/disposal of data as well as of data use/re-use, working in close collaboration with the Data Protection & Privacy Specialist situated within the Office of the Executive Director in order to ensure consistency of advice.

4. Capacity development in Ethical Evidence Generation for UNICEF staff and partners (25%)

Undertake training and institutional capacity building activities in ethical evidence generation tailored to UNICEF needs, such as online presentations, consultations, face-to face workshops in global or regional events and meetings and online e-course development.

Contribute to delivering Innocentis Research Management and Methods training (and associated products) upon request to regional and country offices, including updating and delivering the existing module on Ethical Evidence Generation within the training.

Maintain and update the Innocenti Ethics in Evidence Generation webpage providing tools, guides and relevant resources and links to support organizational practice

Maintain the Child Research Legislation Mapping project

5. Internal and External Engagement with Relevant Partners (15%)

Contribute to production of new think pieces including Innocenti discussion papers related to new and emerging areas of ethical research and child rights e.g. ethics in a digital age, ethics and technologies for data collection etc. This should seek to maintain UNICEFs reputation amongst external audiences as a global thought leader on critical ethical issues relating to evidence generation involving children and help to facilitate and inform external discourse and advocacy.

Represent UNICEF in regular meetings of the United Nations Inter-Agency Committee on Bioethics. c2QGLgQ Dh7qKS

Participate or input into other relevant external fora including conferences and meetings of relevance to ethical evidence generation involving children.

Liaise with the UNICEF Ethics Office for cross referral of relevant ethics issues and requests for advice and, where appropriate, to support the UNICEF Ethics Office with organization-wide Ethics initiatives.

Contribute to the UNICEF Evidence into Action blog and to the relevant evidence functions webinars, podcasts, Facebook chats and other communication channels as appropriate - to make a contribution to ensuring that UNICEF retains its thought leadership role in the Ethics and Child Rights area.

Manage and support the Ethical Research Involving Children Programme (ERIC) in collaboration with Southern Cross University ensuring further development of blogs, research tools, training resources, case studies and online events where relevant to generate awareness of ethical research involving children, support reflective practice and foster greater interest and engagement with the ERIC initiative.

Participate as a member of the United Nations Evaluation Group working group on ethics.

Participate in relevant organizational committees and working groups including the Responsible Data for Children Initiative managed by Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring Division and the data sharing working group led by the Legal Office.

Ensure that UNICEF staff across all evidence functions (data, research, evaluation) are kept informed and updated in all areas of ethical evidence generation to enable them to carry out their own roles and in support of an organizational evidence and learning culture.

For every child, you demonstrate: Core Values

Care

Respect

Integrity

Trust

Accountability

Core Competencies

Builds and maintains partnerships (I)

Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (I)

Drive to achieve results for impact (I)

Innovates and embraces change (I)

Manages ambiguity and complexity (I)

Thinks and acts strategically (I)

Works collaboratively with others (I)

Functional Competencies

Analyzing (III)

Relating & Networking (III)

Deciding & Initiating Action (III)

Applying Technical Expertise (III)

Planning and Organizing (III)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Qualifications:

Education: Advanced university degree in social or political science, international relations, ethics, human rights, child rights or other fields related to the work of UNICEF. A Ph.D. or equivalent qualification or experience is preferred but not essential.

Professional Experience: A minimum of fifteen years of professional experience at the national and international levels, preferably in the fields of international development research/evaluation and child rights.

Demonstrable knowledge of principles, regulations, guidelines, policies, and ethical standards governing conduct of research with human subjects, particularly with children .

Experience in human research ethics deliberation including membership of formal or informal ethics review committees. Provision of ethical decision making in respect of research involving children within a review process will be highly regarded.

At least three years of experience in designing and delivering organizational learning, tools, guidance, capacity building and training activities regarding ethical evidence generation with human subjects.

Demonstrable understanding of evolving ethical research processes and practices in the digital age.

Strong networks in the research ethics field, particularly amongst those working in the international development and child rights sectors.

Demonstrated ability to create and implement effective ethical policies and procedures across diverse and decentralized institutional contexts.

Understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks for the transfer and use of human subjects data across diverse international contexts.

Proven experience in communicating complex scientific concepts in a straight-forward manner for non-specialists, through oral and written channels.

Proven ability to convey credibility and authority when delivering ethics-related technical advisory support and training. Other requirements: Previous experience in establishing and managing a Human Research Ethics Review Board or Committee would be well regarded but is not essential.

Independent decision making, critical appraisal and attention to detail skills and the ability to make good judgements are critical.

Ability to navigate complex ethical situations, giving contextualized and pragmatic advice.

Experience in applying ethical regulations and guidance to practical situations including in low and middle-income country contexts.

Demonstrated experience of translating strategic direction into tangible objectives and plans of action.

Demonstrated ability to work independently, organize work according to deadlines, set high standards for quality of work and consistently achieve project goals.

Solid writing, analytical, problem-solving and presentation skills particularly in the context of international work settings.

Good knowledge of UNICEFs internal organization is an advantage but not essential.

Language Requirements: Fluency in spoken and written English is required; working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Remarks:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Internal candidates may be given preference over external candidates. The term "Internal" refers to all staff members with fixed term, continuing or permanent appointments.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Advertised: Dec 21 2021 W. Europe Standard Time Application close: Jan 20 2022 W. Europe Standard Time

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1640115664908
Training and Communication Associate (NPSA-7), Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Country: Uzbekistan

City: Tashkent

Office: UNDP Tashkent

Closing date: Saturday, 8 January 2022

Job Identification : 1798

Locations : Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Posting Date : 12/10/2021, 07:32 AM

Apply Before : 01/08/2022, 04:59 AM

Degree Level : Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : NB3

Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Innovation

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS

Contract Duration : 1 Year

Education & Work Experience : High School certificate

Other Criteria : 7 years of relevant experience in the area of communications, journalism or related field

Required Languages : Fluency in English, Uzbek and Russian

Job Description

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP supports the Government of Uzbekistan in revisiting and increasing the ambition of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement in the light of the targets set by the government by 2025.

An important step towards including climate change considerations across national policy areas was the adoption of the Strategy for the transition of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the "green" economy, 2019-2030. Climate change has been addressed, to some extent, in the Uzbekistan Agri-food Development Strategy 2020-2030.

The Government of Uzbekistan is currently implementing Uzbek Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System (UAKIS) Strategy and Roadmap which aims to provide effective solutions to overcome challenges faced by farmers and agri-food businesses. A range of financial and technical assistance support is being mobilized to facilitate the process, focused primarily upon knowledge development and accelerating learning in the first stages of development. To complement this approach, more direct support for the development and promotion of innovation is needed.

The intention of the EU-funded UNDP UAKIS project is to establish a range of Agri-food Innovation Support and Brokering Services that will play a crucial role in galvanizing local knowledge and capacities and getting many worthwhile practical projects off the ground, accelerating the process by which ideas can be turned into innovations and used by farmers and agri-businesses to respond to the growing threats caused by climate change, boost rural livelihoods and promote sustainable resource use and protection.

The strong focus on inclusion will be followed in developing innovative public-private collaboration models to support small producers. The project will support a systemic change, which will facilitate larger "green" investments in the agri-food sector, and which will ensure inclusive access to related support services and financing.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator, the Training and Communication Associate will be responsible for planning and ensuring implementation of the Training and Communication Program of UAKIS Project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Training:

Plan and ensure implementation of the Training and Communication Program of the project;

Organize training needs assessment;

Design, coordinate with major stakeholders, organize and report on capacity building activities, including trainings, workshops, roundtables and other events of the project, ensure participation of relevant trainees as well as sector, government, civil society, donor organizations and mass media representatives when feasible;

Support in organization and implementation of training sessions for water professionals jointly collaborating with MoA and national beneficiaries in the regions;

Coordinate a pre- and post-testing for participants of training sessions together with the trainers to asses learning results;

Monitor training process and compile training evaluation records;

Provide recommendations to project management for improving quality of training;

Assist in formulation of project reports in the part related to training activity results;

Ensure close collaboration with respective organizations involved in capacity and needs assessment and support them in the development of educational and training programmes and modules in water sector;

Coordinate and organize logistical arrangement for training sessions;

Assist in designing and organization of tailored study visits to EU countries with similar climatic conditions and applicable water management practices that will be organized for training providers, water managers and local authorities, water user associations, farmers and communities within the frame of capacity building activity;

Assist in establishing links and networking with EU institutions and practitioners through facilitation of cooperation and networking with governmental, educational and public organizations in the EU with purpose to learn EU best practices, know-how and expertise in water efficiency techniques;

Support in development of a unified/systemize capacity building programme that will be based on the baseline and capacity needs assessment.

Communications:

Assist in establishing and maintaining communication with government agencies, business community, international organizations, private sector, UN agencies and other development partners, to keep them informed on project activities and encourage for active collaboration;

Provide support in planning and organizing of various communication events and activities, such as Project publications, newsletter, develop scenarios for video clips, TV and radio programs, support conducting of roundtable discussions, workshops, seminars, forums and presentations, as well as prepare and disseminate respective informational and advocacy materials, such as press releases;

Assist in maintaining close cooperation with relevant specialists in EU Delegation in Uzbekistan, UNDP Communication and Outreach Specialist and Implementing Agencys Press Service to ensure regular and timely publicity of the Projects activities in accordance with EU, UNDP and Implementing agencys procedures and requirements;

Promote and spread the information on best water management approaches and new available experiences related to capacity building among researchers, producers, service providers and other stakeholders; c2z4P0L Dh7qKS

Contribute to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in project activities (gender mainstreaming) ensuring gender disaggregated data available;

Operational Functions:

Analyze potential problems and take appropriate measures to ensure timely delivery of agreed inputs. Define cost-effective measures for optimal utilization of resources related to capacity building activities;

Be responsible for the satisfactory achievement and implementation of the project outputs related to outreach/information dissemination;

Participate in planning and development of analytical reports, business guides and other deliverables aimed at enhancing public awareness on the role results of the projects;

Plan and implement the work in accordance with the overall work-plan using both human and financial resources available in the most effective/efficient way.

Required Skills and Competencies

Education.

Secondary education.

Bachelors degree in public relations, journalism, social sciences or other relevant field would be desired.

Experience

7 years of relevant experience in the area of communications, journalism or other related field.

Alternatively, if in a possession of Bachelors degree, the 4 years of working experience relevant to specified training and communications, preparing and implementing training programs would be required.

Experience in conducting training courses in natural resources and prior experience with UNDP projects would be an advantage.

Required Language(s)

Fluency in English, Uzbek and Russian.

Desired Additional Skills and Competencies

Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures;

Understanding the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;

Possessing basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;

Demonstrating good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;

Presenting information on best practices in organizational change;

Demonstrating the ability to identify problems and propose solutions.

Creating synergies through self-control.

Ability to interact and network with technical/scientific agencies, academia and other stakeholders

Institutional Arrangement

The Training and Communication Associate will work under the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator. The incumbent will also receive a substantive guidance from the Lead Technical Advisor and Task Manager in terms of involving appropriate European experience and methodology related to training materials towards enhancing capacity of national stakeholders within AKIS.

Travel

Official travel expected in pilot regions of Uzbekistan with performing the functions of Training and Communication Associate.

Required Documents

P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1640644769679
The Manitoba Technology Accelerator (MTA) together with its angel investor network, the Manitoba Knights, are injecting close to $1 million into two Manitoba companies with well-developed technologies and clearly identified global markets.

The Manitoba Technology Accelerator (MTA) together with its angel investor network, the Manitoba Knights, are injecting close to $1 million into two Manitoba companies with well-developed technologies and clearly identified global markets.

Thanks to a steady revenue stream from its participation in the federal governments Startup Visa program, the MTA has cash of its own to invest.

The recipients of the recent cash infusion  Cubresa and Power HV  both have the potential to become $100-million companies according to MTAs chief executive, Marshall Ring.

Cubresa makes PET (positron emission tomography) units for brain scans that can be installed in existing MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machines.

Power HV makes patented high-efficiency bushing used in electrical transmission infrastructures as well as sensors that are about one-tenth the price of existing sensors used in electrical grids. The company has a manufacturing operation in Reston, Man.

Both companies already have customers lined up with revenue already established or just about to. Power HV is generating revenue in South Africa where its founders were based until moving to Manitoba a couple of years ago and Cubresa has shipped its first $1-million unit and has a couple more sales booked.

After becoming one of the federal governments designated organizations to deliver the Startup Visa (SUV) program the MTA, a not-for-profit entity, now has a total of 350 active clients from the program under contract and a growing balance of surplus cash in its bank account.

MTA is now planning to use that cash to invest in its homegrown startups alongside the successful angel network which has been providing seed and growth capital for MTAs homegrown companies for a few years now.

In a busy year-end spurt of activity MTA invested $400,000 in both Cubresa and Power HV and a pitch to the Manitoba Knights for the same amount was oversubscribed in both cases.

The two companies plan to use the capital raised to scale up production.

"These investments are to be used to scale up manufacturing," said Ring. "Its not for research. This is growth capital for both companies."

The distinction is significant in that the technology has already been developed and proven out and customers have been identified.

Cubresa, which expects to grow from 14 employees to 35 by the end of 2022, has been developing its technology for close to five years. During that time it introduced a smaller version of the unit targeted at small animals used in the pre-clinical research labs.

James Schellenberg, the CEO of Cubresa, said his technology offers "the highest spatial resolution of the brain that you can get from this the type of imager."

The companys strategy always was to start with small animals and grow into the human market. Along the way the company has succeeded in raising angel capital a few times.

"Cubresa has raised money on a few occasions," Schellenberg said. "Manitobans have been very good to Cubresa."

While the enthusiasm from the angel network is indicative of the commercial potential for both companies  Power HV has a joint venture with a South African engineering firm that is already generating profits for the company and pilot demonstrations for the national grid in India and China have been scheduled in the new year  the fact that MTA is also able to directly provide growth capital is a potential game-changer for the Manitoba startup ecosystem.

Ring said the plan is to invest a total of $2 million by the end of 2022 including these first two placements.

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"Right now we are cash and asset rich based on the success of our operations and we plan to invest it all back into the community," Ring said.

The funds it is investing comes straight from MTAs bank account that has grown over the past few years through its success in attracting potential immigrants with startup business concepts.

MTA receives a fee from service from the 350 startup visa clients it currently has, many of whom have not yet been able to move to Manitoba. (They cant come to Canada until they have work permits.)

MTA is marketing its services in the startup visa program on a national basis and while many of them may end up starting their businesses elsewhere in the country, Ring figures at least 10 per cent will settle in Manitoba.

"Were trying to collaborate with the province and the federal government to make that number go to 30 to 40 per cent," he said. "Were homers. We want the companies here so were trying to figure out how to make Winnipeg the most attractive choice. Imagine what 100 new companies per year would do for the economy in Manitoba."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
EDMONTON - It was a speech that symbolized Alberta's pandemic politics in 2021: Premier Jason Kenneys boastful, bullhorn-loud, first-out-of-the-gate victory whoop over COVID-19 preceding a crushing hospital crisis.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney speaks about the Open for Summer Plan and next steps in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, in Edmonton, Friday, June 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

EDMONTON - It was a speech that symbolized Alberta's pandemic politics in 2021: Premier Jason Kenneys boastful, bullhorn-loud, first-out-of-the-gate victory whoop over COVID-19 preceding a crushing hospital crisis.

In 2022, Kenney and his United Conservative government aim to forge ahead on the economy and catch up on the thousands of surgeries cancelled when hospitals were overwhelmed during the fourth wave of COVID-19 in the fall.

Health Minister Jason Copping said it will take some time. The goal is to catch up on the pre-pandemic surgery waiting list of 68,000 by the middle of next year.

"That is my job No. 1 apart from the response to COVID, of course," Copping said earlier this month, announcing that the number of cancelled surgeries had stabilized at about 81,000. "We are going to bring that waiting list down."

The wind is in the UCP's sails, at least in the short term, with a late-year bounty of oil and gas revenues slashing the projected budget deficit by two-thirds to under $6 billion.

There was other good economic news.

Tech-giant Amazon Web Services announced in November it had broken ground on a $4.3-billion cloud-computing server hub in Calgary.

Alberta's unemployment dropped below eight per cent.

Big budget film productions leveraged tax credits to shoot in the province  including HBO's "The Last of Us"  and pumped millions of dollars into local economies.

"Albertans are natural optimists. They just need a reason for their optimism. Well, there are lots of reasons right now including the fact that we are leading Canada by far in economic growth," Kenney told the Calgary Chamber of Commerce this month.

There was a $3.8-billion deal with the federal government that will see daycare costs start to drop in January and fall to $10 a day by 2026.

Doug Schweitzer, minister for jobs, economy and innovation, announced: "This was the year that Alberta got our swagger back."

Kenney struck a similar triumphant tone on June 18 in his speech on a sunlit day near Edmontons river valley.

He announced Alberta would end almost all COVID-19 health restrictions as of July 1  in time for Alberta's signature Calgary Stampede rodeo and festival.

It was the fastest reopening in Canada, but one Kenney said was justified by sufficient vaccination rates.

Kenney said his government wasn't planning for a worst-case scenario and chided reporters and medical experts for suggesting it could even happen. His party sold it as "the Best Summer Ever" and marketed hats trumpeting the feel-good slogan.

COVID-19 didn't get the memo.

The government then failed to act as cases spiralled in August and didnt change course until September. Deaths mounted, officials scrambled to double the intensive care unit capacity, army medics were called in and 15,000 reported surgeries across the province, including cancer operations, were delayed.

Kenney introduced a form of vaccine passport and other restrictions that boosted vaccinations and reduced hospital cases. It seemed to help pull the system back from the brink.

The premier took responsibility, saying "the buck stops with me."

But the mea culpa had asterisks: other provinces had problems, too; he didnt act sooner because he wasn't sure COVID-19 weary-Albertans would follow the rules; he would have acted sooner, but he was waiting for Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the chief medical officer of health, to propose changes.

COVID-19 conflicts and controversies sent Kenney's popularity numbers plunging and opened deep and, at times, public rifts within his caucus and party.

Critics said Kenney was late to impose health rules for the last three waves, endangering health-system capacity, because he feared alienating anti-vaccination elements in his party.

Kenney tried to contain the internal strife. Dissidents Todd Loewen and Drew Barnes were voted out of caucus. Cabinet minister Leela Aheer became an ex-cabinet minister.

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Kenney, under pressure from cabinet and later by about two dozen constituency associations, agreed to move up a review of his leadership to a one-day vote April 9 in Red Deer from late 2022.

Problems remain, starting with his former UCP leadership rival Brian Jean.

Jean, one of the party's co-founders, won the nomination to represent Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche in an upcoming byelection. He's running on a platform to end Kenney's time as leader, saying Kenneys top-down style and bungled decisions on COVID-19 can't be redeemed and that the party needs a new leader if it hopes to win the 2023 election.

"Kenney's pinning everything on (oil and gas prices)," said political scientist Duane Bratt of Calgary's Mount Royal University. "The other story of 2021, obviously, is COVID.

"At almost every step of the way, the government acts later than anybody else in the country and responds weaker than everybody else in the country, is defiant about what theyre doing, and then gradually reverses course. We'll have to see what occurs in January if Omicron (variant of COVID-19) does become as serious as some believe."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Dec. 29, 2021.
ENIWA, Japan (AP)  The dozens of Type 90, or Kyumaru, tanks rumbling through recent shooting drills on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido exemplify the challenge its arms makers face both at home and overseas as the country fortifies its defenses against strategic threats.

ENIWA, Japan (AP)  The dozens of Type 90, or Kyumaru, tanks rumbling through recent shooting drills on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido exemplify the challenge its arms makers face both at home and overseas as the country fortifies its defenses against strategic threats.

The Self Defense Force needs the more advanced aircraft and weaponry sold by U.S. arms manufacturers as Japans strategic focus shifts from Russia in the north to the south, where it faces incursions by Chinese fighter jets and naval vessels and North Korean missile launches.

Big Japanese defense manufacturers like Mitsubishi, IHI Corp. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are struggling to sell 20th century tanks, aircraft and warships. They need to develop better technology to serve a military in the market for unmanned aircraft like Tritons made by Northrop Grumman and Boeings undersea Echo Voyager.

Likewise, Japan's international arms sales never really have taken off. Uncompetitive, with high prices, aging technology and scant government support, arms makers in Japan increasingly are just withdrawing from the business.

The hefty Kyumaru tanks built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries debuted 30 years ago and are being replaced with lighter and more mobile armored vehicles that can travel on public roads and or have amphibious capabilities, including American amphibious assault vehicles.

People may think Japan has advanced technology and it can quickly catch up with others and start selling equipment if it only gets serious, but I think thats wrong, said Heigo Sato, an expert on defense issues and professor at Hokkaido's Takushoku University.

The problem is, Japans defense products are not first grade. Nobody is interested in buying second- or third-grade products at higher prices, he said.

Japan created its own Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency in 2015 to try to energize the sluggish domestic defense industry and promote joint technology research, development and sales with friendly nations. But profits have dwindled at home, as the government, instead of promoting sales, increased big-ticket purchases from the United States.

Japan is the worlds 12th largest arms importer, with a 2.2% global share. Most purchases are from its ally the United States, according to the latest survey by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a global research organization.

A large and growing share of the 2 trillion yen ($17.7 billion) annually in equipment purchases by the Defense Ministry are made through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. They more than tripled from 190.6 billion yen ($1.7 billion) in 2014 to 701.3 billion yen ($6.2 billion ) in 2019, when Japan placed orders for F-35 stealth fighters, missile interceptors and other expensive equipment to reinforce its defenses against China and North Korea.

Haggling over expensive American jets and other equipment has slowed progress on revamping the nations defenses, Defense Ministry officials said.

Japan has negotiated the cost of upgrading dozens of F-15 fighter jets, which had doubled from the initial U.S. estimate, down to 397 billion yen ($3.5 billion) from 552 billion yen ($4.8 billion), they said. To cut costs, Japan switched to domestic-made shorter-range air-to-surface standoff missiles from the initial plan to use U.S. long-range anti-ship cruise missiles, among other revisions, they said.

Army officials at the Hokkaido drills said they'd take whatever equipment they can get. One official joked that his camouflage uniforms were surely still Japanese made.

Japan's total defeat in World War II, when it tried to conquer much of Asia, has left many Japanese wary of military buildups. The postwar constitution limits use of force to self-defense, and a ban on arms exports was only lifted in 2014.

Moreover, Japanese scientists tend to be reluctant to engage in research and development of technologies that can be used for military purposes.

Since the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency was launched, Japan has sold just one finished product  a surveillance radar  to the Philippines. It first gave away five used TC-90 training aircraft along with pilot training and 40,000 items of parts for UH-1H multipurpose helicopters.

In 2016, a possible breakthrough sale of Soryu-class submarine technology fell through when Australia chose France to develop 12 diesel submarines. That $65 billion contract recently was scuttled when Australia switched to nuclear submarines under the AUKUS pact with Britain and the United Sates.

Negotiations to sell about a dozen US-2 ShinMaywa Industries sea planes to India have been held up by pricing disagreements. Japan's attempts to export a radar to Thailand and frigates to Indonesia also ended unsuccessfully.

As a latecomer, Japan lacks the marketing and technology transfer expertise of the U.S., with its FMS program, and other major exporters.

Japan needs to be more competitive, more assertive and also be more willing to engage with customers in the marketing and promotion of defense platforms, Jon Grevatt, principal of Indo-Pacific research and analysis at the Janes, told a recent online event.

The government and the industry haven't entirely given up. Japan is developing its own long-range surface-to-air cruise missile, and as Chinas military buildup now extends to cyberspace and outer space, the Defense Ministry has begun pushing for research and development of artificial intelligence-operated autonomous vehicles, supersonic flight and other game-changing technologies.

Experts say Japan should accelerate work on drones, satellite constellations and technology against electronic attacks. To fund such research, the ministry requested a record 291 billion yen ($2.55 billion) budget for the year beginning in April 2022, up 38% from this year.

Japan is also pursuing joint development of its next-generation F-X fighter jet with the United States and Britain to replace its aging fleet of F-2s by around 2035. Japan and Britain recently announced plans to jointly develop a future fighter aircraft engine demonstrator and to explore work on other air combat technologies and subsystems. The project includes Japan's Mitsubishi and IHI and Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems in the UK.

It's a race against time as defense contractors drop out.

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Yu Yamada, a Japan Business Federation senior manager for the defense industry, said it has 60-plus member companies with defense-related operations, down by about 10 in recent years.

Komatsu Ltd., a leading construction equipment manufacturer, stopped developing and making armored vehicles after upgrades failed to meet Defense Ministry requirements. Komatsu, once the 7th largest supplier, now only maintains existing fleets it supplied. It still makes ammunition.

In March, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co. sold its warship unit to Japans top contractor Mitsubishi. Daicel Corp., a major electronic and chemical material maker and supplier of warplane ejection seats, is dropping its unprofitable defense business to put resources elsewhere.

Sumitomo Heavy Industries stopped making 5.56 millimeter machine guns, citing a bleak long-term outlook.

If the trend continues, both the military and the defense industry could face supply problems, higher costs or quality concerns, Yamada said. Supply chains cannot be reconstructed in just one to two years. The industry is facing a rather difficult situation," he said.

In an emailed statement, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency acknowledged that keeping a domestic defense industry base was a challenge" as companies withdraw. We must ensure businesses are succeeded smoothly so that the technology of key suppliers wont be lost in case of withdrawals.
A key part of the car buying process is familiarizing yourself with some of the key terms youll encounter on automaker websites or on the dealership lot. You want to ensure that youre getting the right features in your new vehicle. But if youre new to buying cars or arent familiar with auto industry lingo, a conversation with the salesperson can go right over your head.

This undated photo provided by American Honda Motor Co. shows a trim name on a Honda Civic. In the trim lineup, Touring trims are typically more loaded with features than entry-level LX trims. (Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. via AP)

A key part of the car buying process is familiarizing yourself with some of the key terms youll encounter on automaker websites or on the dealership lot. You want to ensure that youre getting the right features in your new vehicle. But if youre new to buying cars or arent familiar with auto industry lingo, a conversation with the salesperson can go right over your head.

With this in mind, here are the basics about trim levels, styles, options, packages and accessories. Weve organized them in the order youre likely to come across them when searching for a vehicle or configuring one online.

MAKE AND MODEL

Lets start with the basics of a cars identity. Makes are the companies that make the cars: Kia, Ford or Subaru, for example. Models are the cars the automaker sells: Telluride, Explorer or Crosstrek. Some carmakers, including Genesis, BMW and Lexus, use alphanumeric names, such as GV70, X3 or IS 350.

TRIM LEVELS AND BODY STYLES

Trim levels further identify a vehicle by a particular set of special features. Higher trim levels either add to the features of the entry-level model (often called the base model) or replace them with something else. Trim levels are where youll come across terms such as SE, Limited, Sport and Grand Touring, among countless others. You might also encounter the word style.

Some people use style and trim level interchangeably, but in general, a style usually indicates whether the vehicle is a sedan, pickup truck or SUV, and also what type of engine and drive system comes standard. It is possible to have two cars that have the same model and trim level but a different style. For example, the Toyota Corolla in SE trim can be had in one of two body styles: sedan or hatchback.

Though it might seem overwhelming to keep track of trim information, the good news is automakers typically apply a consistent hierarchy of trim levels to their vehicles. In every car Honda makes, for example, an EX will always be a higher trim than an LX. With Ford vehicles, the SEL trim level will always be higher than the S.

OPTIONS

Options are features that dont come as standard equipment with the vehicle. These items can range from a sunroof to a better sound system to a larger engine. Sometimes even color can be an option, in that it costs extra to apply that specific shade of paint. Most options are installed at the factory. Others are port-installed options, meaning they are added to the vehicle before it is shipped to the dealership.

Some automakers such as Honda and Acura consolidate options into the trim levels. In most cases, once the customer has chosen a model, the only things that person has to decide are the trim level, color and drivetrain. Other carmakers, such as Mini and Porsche, encourage their customers to personalize their vehicles with everything from seats upholstered in different colors of leather to colorful graphic decals for the bodywork.

Though an automaker might offer a wide and possibly confusing array of options, this doesnt mean every vehicle on a dealers lot will have those options. Dealerships often order a selection of vehicles from the manufacturer based on what will help the cars sell more quickly, not necessarily what will give customers a wide choice of optional equipment. If youre set on a specific combination of options, you can custom order the vehicle  provided you are willing to wait eight to 12 weeks for delivery.

PACKAGES

Packages are groups of options that have been bundled together with a common theme. For example, a technology package might include such options as a larger touchscreen, navigation, upgraded headlights and adaptive cruise control. A cold weather package might have heated seats, headlight washers and all-weather floor mats. Some automakers may give their packages a vague name, such as Convenience or Popular Equipment Group. In such cases, youll want to check the automakers website for more information.

DEALER-INSTALLED ACCESSORIES

Accessories are parts that dealerships sell and install. These items can be anything ranging from a cargo net to larger wheels to performance parts. Some are made by the manufacturer; others are products sold by the dealership. Items sold by the dealership are often things such as tinted windows, fabric protection or an antitheft device.

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These dealer-installed accessories can potentially add thousands to the cost of the car and are itemized on something called a supplemental window sticker. Make sure to ask about these when inquiring about a vehicle in stock.

EDMUNDS SAYS: Once you speak the language of make and model, trim and options, youll be better able to find the car thats right for you and less likely to wind up with a fully loaded model that blows your budget.

_____

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Ronald Montoya is a senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds. Follow Ron on Twitter

Related links:

Edmunds car news
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Las Vegas isn't canceling or scaling back plans for big New Years gatherings amid concerns about the rapid spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19, regional public safety and elected leaders said Wednesday.

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman speaks during a press conference discussing preparations for the upcoming Las Vegas New Year's Eve celebration, at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP)  Las Vegas isn't canceling or scaling back plans for big New Years gatherings amid concerns about the rapid spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19, regional public safety and elected leaders said Wednesday.

More than 300,000 visitors are expected in town for events including a New Years Eve fireworks show on the Las Vegas Strip that was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thousands of ticketholders also are expected at a multi-stage outdoor music event beneath a canopy light show at a downtown casino pedestrian mall called the Fremont Street Experience.

If youre sick, stay at home. If youre indoors, wear a mask, said Michael Naft, a Clark County commissioner who stood with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and police, fire and communications center officials to outline restrictions including bans on glass and metal containers, coolers, strollers, backpacks, purses and luggage.

We encourage everyone to look out for one another, take personal responsibility and proactively take actions to limit the spread of COVID-19, Naft said.

The safety talk came on a day that a coronavirus surge driven largely by the highly contagious omicron variant pushed new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. to the highest level on record, at more than 265,000 per day on average. The previous mark was 250,000 cases per day last January, according to data kept by Johns Hopkins University.

Paris, London, Berlin and New York are among cities that have scaled back or called off New Years festivities, and airlines have canceled thousands of flights amid staffing shortages blamed on the virus.

Items prohibited from the strip for the upcoming Las Vegas New Year's Eve celebration, are displayed during a press conference discussing preparations of the event at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Chicago officials said this week their fireworks show was still on, despite Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzkers warning during a news conference that, Omicron and delta are coming to your party.

In Las Vegas, regional health officials on Wednesday reported 2,201 new coronavirus cases  the biggest increase in one day since last Jan. 11  and 15 new deaths. New cases and deaths have been trending up, and the number of people hospitalized in Clark County with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 has also jumped.

The countys 14-day test positivity rate, representing a percentage of people tested for COVID-19 and found to be positive, reached 10.1%, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. The World Health Organization goal is 5% or less to relax mitigation measures.

The Southern Nevada Health District reported 68.2% of Las Vegas-area residents have had at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine, and 55.8% are fully vaccinated.

Goodman, a vocal critic of Nevada mask mandates and restrictions on crowd sizes in the first months after business closures were enacted in March 2020, wore a mask Wednesday but removed it to remind the media that the biggest Las Vegas events will be outside.

We are saying people (can) feel comfortable to be mask-free, the mayor said. But individually, if you have an issue or youre concerned, wear your mask. Its a question of respect.

Last year, even though fireworks were canceled, thousands of revelers still congregated on casino-lined Las Vegas Boulevard to ring in 2021.

This year, the National Weather Service predicts a chilly Friday night with temperatures near freezing on the Strip beneath mostly clear skies and winds that are not expected to prevent fireworks.

The eight-minute choreographed pyrotechnic display will be shot from atop eight resort properties bracketed by The STRAT tower and the MGM Grand hotel, accompanied by a soundtrack airing on two FM radio stations in Las Vegas.

Clark County Undersheriff Christopher Darcy invoked lessons learned about police, fire, ambulance and communications cooperation since a lone shooter in October 2017 rained gunfire for 10 minutes from a high-rise hotel into a Las Vegas Strip concert crowd. Fifty-eight people died that night, and hundreds were injured. At least two other deaths were later attributed to the mass shooting, which remains the deadliest in modern U.S. history.

Darcy said about 1,200 police officers will be assigned in the Las Vegas Boulevard area, where roads will be closed and hotels also have thousands of security guards. Several hundred officers will be assigned to the Fremont Street district.

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A curfew requires anyone under 18 in both areas to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

We encourage folks to take the proper precautions  be that vaccinations or the wearing of face coverings  and to do all the things you can do to protect yourself, the police official said.

He added revelers should arrange transportation that does not involve driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes, said Deputy Clark County Fire Chief Warren Whitney. Stay hydrated, and be prepared to do a lot of walking.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority pointed in a statement to the fireworks being visible on and off the Strip and around the Las Vegas valley.

We encourage revelers to take the proper health and safety precautions before they arrive and while they are in Las Vegas, follow the indoor mask mandate and seek medical care if they are feeling unwell, the statement said.
Even though one judge rejected OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's sweeping settlement of thousands of lawsuits over the opioid crisis, another refused Wednesday to allow litigation to move ahead just yet against members of the Sackler family who own the company  but also ordered negotiations for a reworked settlement.

FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2021, file photo, fake pill bottles with messages about OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma are displayed during a protest outside the courthouse where the bankruptcy of the company is taking place in White Plains, N.Y. A federal judge on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, has rejected OxyContin maker Purdue Pharmas bankruptcy settlement of thousands of lawsuits over the opioid epidemic because of a provision that would protect members of the Sackler family from facing litigation of their own. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Even though one judge rejected OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's sweeping settlement of thousands of lawsuits over the opioid crisis, another refused Wednesday to allow litigation to move ahead just yet against members of the Sackler family who own the company  but also ordered negotiations for a reworked settlement.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain on Wednesday granted Purdue's request to extend an injunction until Feb. 1 protecting the company and the Sacklers from litigation. He also ordered Purdue, the Sacklers, the states and other parties to negotiate a new settlement.

In a hearing conducted Wednesday via video conference, the White Plains, New York-based judge warned the family and others that he would end the protections early if there are not serious talks toward a new settlement. If the parties do not negotiate in good faith, he said, they will face the consequences of the injunction unraveling.

Drain is the same judge who approved the company's settlement in September.

The deal had been hashed out over two years of negotiations and mediation in bankruptcy court. Eventually, lawyers for the overwhelming majority of local governments and states signed on. The plan called for members of the Sackler family to give up ownership of Purdue, which would be transformed into a new company whose profits would be used to fight the opioid crisis.

Sackler family members would also contribute $4.5 billion in cash and charitable assets, with the money to go to victims of the crisis and efforts to end the crisis, which has been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. since 2000, counting overdoses of both prescription opioids and illicit ones, such as heroin and illegally produced fentanyl.

In exchange for the contributions, Sackler family members were also granted protections from lawsuits over opioids.

But eight states and one office in the U.S. Department of Justice objected. They said it was improper for them to be forced to give up their right to sue members of the Sackler family, who themselves were not seeking bankruptcy protection. The holdout states argued that the $4.5 billion does not properly hold the family members accountable.

In December, U.S District Judge Colleen McMahon ruled in favor of those states, finding that judges do not have authority to grant third-party releases as Drain did.

Purdue said it would appeal that ruling while also trying again to strike a settlement deal that all the states would be willing to join. The Stamford, Connecticut-based company also asked Drain to protect it and the family from lawsuits while that's sorted out. A injunction previously in place was to expire Thursday.

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Two states  Connecticut and Washington  argued that suits against the Sacklers should be allowed to move ahead immediately. Those states said they would not move ahead now with litigation against the company.

Irve Goldman, a lawyer for Connecticut, said in court Wednesday that their suits against the Sacklers wont be resumed immediately if the family members are in good-faith settlement negotiations. He also said that the Sacklers have not been in such talks so far since the settlement was dissolved on Dec. 16.

Lawyers for Sackler family did not speak at Wednesdays hearing. Representatives of the family did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press.

Connecticut and Washington said in a filing that the Sacklers would agree to an appropriate settlement only if lawsuits can move ahead and they are then forced to come to grips with the prospect of continued litigation against them.

But Benjamin Kaminetzky, a lawyer for Purdue, told Drain in court that the opposite was true. If the stay is lifted, everyone will be scrambling to get their claims on file as quickly as possible, he said. In this environment, negotiations would be an afterthought at best, likely a no-thought.

Still, he said that if the Sackler family does not negotiate in January, Purdue would not seek further injunctions to protect the family from lawsuits.
CALGARY - A major Canadian electricity producer is successfully off coal power in this country, nine years ahead of a government deadline.

A pedestrian walks past the TransAlta building in downtown Calgary, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CALGARY - A major Canadian electricity producer is successfully off coal power in this country, nine years ahead of a government deadline.

Calgary-based Trans-Alta Corp. announced Wednesday it has finished its planned transition from coal to natural gas in its Canadian power generation.

The company said the recently completed conversion of the Keephills Unit 3 power plant west of Edmonton was the last of three coal-to-gas conversions at its Alberta thermal power generation facilities.

In a news release, TransAlta president and chief executive John Kousinioris said the company has achieved a significant milestone well ahead of the federal mandate that will require the full phaseout of coal-fired electricity generation in Canada by 2030.

"We are pleased to have completed this important step, nine years ahead of the government target," Kousinioris said. "Our coal transition is among the most meaningful carbon emissions reduction achievements in Canadian history."

Since 2019, TransAlta says it has invested $295 million into its coal-to-gas program, which also included the conversion of Sundance Unit 6 and Keephills Unit 2 near Wabuman, Alta., and Sheerness Units 1 and 2 near Hanna, Alta., plus the construction of new high-volume gas delivery infrastructure.

Converting to natural gas from coal maintains the company's current generation capacity while at the same time reducing carbon dioxide emissions by almost 50 per cent, the company said.

As of Friday, TransAlta will also close its Highvale thermal coal mine, which is the largest in Canada and has been in operation on the south shore of Wabamun Lake west of Edmonton, since 1970.

TransAlta's move away from coal is a major milestone in Alberta, which has been working to reduce its reliance on coal for power generation.

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In 2014, 55 per cent of Alberta's electricity was produced from coal. The province, under then-premier Rachel Notley, announced in 2015  three years ahead of the federal government's own coal mandate  that it would eliminate emissions from coal-powered generation by 2030.

In addition to TransAlta, other Alberta-based companies have also made major utility conversion commitments. Edmonton-based Capital Power Corp. has said it will spend nearly $1 billion to switch two coal-fired power units west of Edmonton to natural gas, and will stop using coal entirely by 2023.

TransAlta said that overall, it has retired 3,794 megawatts of coal-fired generation since 2018. The company still operates the Centralia coal-fired power plant in Washington State, which is set to shut down at the end of 2025.

TransAlta said that it is on track to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent, or 19.7 million tonnes, by 2030 over 2015 levels and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2021.

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BERLIN (AP)  The head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday that he's worried about the omicron and delta variants of COVID-19 producing a tsunami of cases between them, but he's still hopeful that the world will put the worst of the pandemic behind it in 2022.

Medical workers wearing protective gear prepare to take samples at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

BERLIN (AP)  The head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday that he's worried about the omicron and delta variants of COVID-19 producing a "tsunami" of cases between them, but he's still hopeful that the world will put the worst of the pandemic behind it in 2022.

Two years after the coronavirus first emerged, top officials with the U.N. health agency cautioned that it's still too early to be reassured by initial data suggesting that omicron, the latest variant, leads to milder disease. First reported last month in southern Africa, it is already the dominant variant in the United States and parts of Europe.

And after 92 of the WHO's 194 member countries missed a target to vaccinate 40% of their populations by the end of this year, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged everyone to make a "new year's resolution" to get behind a campaign to vaccinate 70% of countries' populations by the beginning of July.

A health worker collects a swab sample of a woman to test for COVID-19 at a market in Jammu, India, Wednesday, Dec.29, 2021. In India, which has been getting back to normal after a devastating COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year, omicron is once again raising fears, with more than 700 cases reported in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

According to WHO's figures, the number of COVID-19 cases recorded worldwide increased by 11% last week compared with the previous week, with nearly 4.99 million newly reported from Dec. 20-26. New cases in Europe  which accounted for more than half of the total  were up 3% while those in the Americas rose 39% and there was a 7% increase in Africa. The global gain followed a gradual increase since October.

"I'm highly concerned that omicron, being more transmissible (and) circulating at the same time as delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases," Tedros said at an online news conference. That, he said, will put "immense pressure on exhausted health workers and health systems on the brink of collapse."

WHO said in its weekly epidemiological report that the "overall risk" related to omicron "remains very high." It cited "consistent evidence" that it has a growth advantage over the delta variant.

It noted that a decline in case incidence has been seen in South Africa, and that early data from that country, the U.K. and Denmark suggest a reduced risk of hospitalization with omicron, but said that more data is needed.

A flight crew walk through the terminal at Sydney Airport, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. Authorities in Australia said Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, that two travelers who arrived in Sydney from Africa became the first in the country to test positive for the new variant of the coronavirus, omicron. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

WHO's emergencies chief, Dr. Michael Ryan, underlined that note of caution. He said it will be important in coming weeks to "suppress transmission of both variants to the minimum that we can."

Ryan said that omicron infections began largely among young people, "but what we haven't seen is the omicron wave fully established in the broader population. And I'm a little nervous to make positive predictions until we see how well the vaccine protection is going to work in those older and more vulnerable populations."

WHO officials didn't offer specific comments on decisions by the U.S. and other countries to reduce self-isolation periods. Ryan said "these are judgement calls that countries make"  taking into account scientific, economic and other factors. He noted that the average incubation period to date has been around five to six days.

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"We need to be careful about changing tactics and strategies immediately on the basis of what we're seeing" about omicron, Ryan said.

Tedros renewed longstanding warnings that "ending health inequity remains the key to ending the pandemic." He said that missing the target of getting 40% of populations vaccinated this year "is not only a moral shame  it cost lives and provided the virus with opportunities to circulate unchecked and mutate."

Countries largely missed the target because of limited supply to low-income nations for most of the year and then vaccines arriving close to their expiry date, without things such as syringes, he said.

All the same, "I still remain optimistic that this can be the year we can not only end the acute stage of the pandemic, but we also chart a path to stronger health security," Tedros said.

___

Follow all AP stories on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
A Winnipeg mother is warning others needing COVID-19 tests for young children to stick with drive-thrus or appointments, after being crammed into a hallway with unvaccinated adults Monday.

A Winnipeg mother is warning others needing COVID-19 tests for young children to stick with drive-thrus or appointments, after being crammed into a hallway with unvaccinated adults Monday.

"Theres got to be a better way; kids get a lot of colds," said Ally Beauchesne, who took her baby to get tested at the Dynacare site on the University of Manitoba campus.

As the mom of a toddler and a baby, Beauchesnes no stranger to COVID-19 test centres, having gone to the St. Marys Road testing centre a couple of times when her kids developed symptoms.

But with a long wait for appointments there, a baby with a cough and a husband wondering whether to return to work, Beauchesne opted for the walk-in centre on Research Road. She figured it would be faster than the drive-thru, and easier to manage with a breastfeeding baby.

Beauchesne said the Dynacare staff at the site separated the line based on the new criteria unveiled that day.

Fully vaccinated Manitobans showing symptoms could pick up rapid tests to screen themselves at home and return for a lab test if the take-home screen showed a possible positive. Everyone else got into what staff called "the line for the unvaxxed," which was much slower.

Both Beauchesnes kids are too young to qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine, so they were put in the line with unvaccinated adults who werent eligible to get a rapid- test kit. Staff said children too young for vaccination dont qualify for the kits.

With the outside temperatures below -12 C, staff eventually asked people to wait inside, which Beauchesne described as being crowded in a hallway with 15 adult strangers, many of whom were coughing as testing-centre staff asked everyone to take off their masks and apply fresh ones.

"People were touching my arm; there was no social distancing. And here Im holding my baby who is unvaxxed and its not her fault. And people are coughing and sneezing and Im like, Am I doing the right thing?" Beauchesne said.

She was called in for the test about 10 minutes later.

In a statement, Dynacare said it was piloting the provinces new guidelines at that site "with a very tight timeframe for implementation" during a huge increase in demand for testing.

"Our employees continue to refine the process by adjusting as needed," wrote spokeswoman Janine Reed.

"We regret any inconvenience which may have temporarily been experienced. We thank our employees for their ongoing dedication to providing the residents of Manitoba with a safe and secure experience for everyone."

Communication Services Manitoba, which handles government media queries, was off Tuesday.

Beauchesne said she wanted the result to update the other household she spent Christmas with, before her baby showed symptoms and get clarity on whether her husband can go into work.

"When I left, I really felt like I had done the wrong thing by my daughter," she said in a phone interview, with her baby coughing in the background.

"If she wasnt COVID-positive when we got there, it would be hard to believe that we wouldnt have gotten COVID while we were there."

Beauchesne said the clinic staff seemed to be trying their best under stressful conditions. Some clients complained about the wait and took photos despite rules against doing so at testing sites.

Still, she regrets not opting for a drive-thru site, or isolating for days to wait for a spot at the testing site shed previously visited.

While Beauchesne was waiting in the hallway, Beauchesne said she saw confusing scenes around how staff doled out rapid tests at the site. Employees seemed to be scrambling to assemble test components into plastic bags, and at least one customer came five times to get rapid tests, and was given them each time.

"Its like they didnt care; they were just handing them out," she said.

To add to the confusion, Shared Health put out a tweet Monday morning telling parents they can head into a walk-in clinic with kids showing cough or cold symptoms  three days after officials gave the opposite advice.

"Younger Manitobans, those under age 40, and those without underlying medical conditions, if you have respiratory symptoms  cold-like symptoms, flu-like symptoms  you can assume you have Omicron," Manitobas chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said last Friday. "Stay home and isolate."

In the Monday tweet, Shared Health said advised that "non-emergent cold/flu symptoms can be assessed and treated by a primary care provider or clinic" and that parents go see a doctor or nurse practitioner.

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A pediatrician at the Manitoba Clinic told Beauchesne they cant see symptomatic kids who dont have a negative test result, a policy echoed by numerous walk-in clinics.

Shared Health said the tweet was trying to direct parents of children with mild symptoms away from the Childrens Hospital emergency department toward Access clinics.

"This includes two walk-in connected care locations in Winnipeg where children can be assessed. If their symptoms indicate the potential for COVID-19, they would also be swabbed at that time," a spokeswoman wrote.

Meanwhile, parents of young children might need to consider staying at home if schools dont open, with the Manitoba Child Care Association warning that some of its members might not be ready to welcome kids next month.

"Many facilities are short staffed and have had to reduce enrolment and/or hours of operation," the group wrote on Twitter. "Families should have alternative child-care plans."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Rebecca Chambers wants her students to think twice before picking up the cheapest pair of pants they can find at the mall during holiday clearout sales.

Rebecca Chambers wants her students to think twice before picking up the cheapest pair of pants they can find at the mall during holiday clearout sales.

Before the last bell rang at Shaftesbury High School to signal the start of winter vacation, Chambers portable classroom was packed with masked teenagers concentrating on various stages of the tedious jean-making process.

One 16-year-old was cutting out a paper pattern to produce a pair of pants that will be tailor-made for her. Peers took turns folding and ironing raw indigo fabric. Others were at rows of sewing machines to stitch what will soon become the pockets of their high-waisted denims.

Students occasionally muttered or sighed  sure signs of frustration amid the meticulous work that requires problem-solving aplenty.

"Not only do they get a lot of practical skills for sewing and constructing garments, but they also get some appreciation for how much work goes into the garments they wear," said Chambers.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Rebecca Chambers (right) helps Helen Yang (left) and Angelin Hou.

The textiles teacher wants her students to be asking questions, such as, "If your pair of jeans costs you $30, how is that store still making a profit?"

Over the last five years, Manitoba has rolled out a new fashion design and technology curriculum for grades 9 to 12. Sustainability, citizenship and consumer responsibility are key themes.

Students now learn about the fashion industry "through design and illustration, marketing and merchandising while acknowledging the environmental and social justice influences on local communities."

The sector is one of the highest-polluting sectors on the planet, not far behind the oil and gas industry.

Grade 11 student Alysha Finnson has learned about everything from the massive amount of clothing that ends up in landfills annually to the poor conditions garment workers in industrial nations face to make a living.

"Being in this class and learning about it has changed my perspective a lot  thats why I like buying from thrift stores, so I can reuse stuff and make my own clothes," said Finnson, 16, who signed up for a home economics class in Grade 9 to learn how-to patch holes in fabric.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Grade 11 student Angelin Hou works on making her own jeans.

Like many of the Grade 11 and 12 students currently making jeans under Chambers supervision, Finnson said she has continued to take textiles courses because of how much she respects her teacher.

So far this semester, the upper-year class has already designed miniskirts and sewn T-shirts. The ongoing jeans project is, by far, the most complex. This year marks the first time Chambers has tasked her students with the challenging technical assignment.

"Ive been stuck on this step (making pockets) for three days," said Grade 11 student Angelin Hou. While the 16-year-old admitted the project has put her patience to the test, she said the course is "always fun."

Jessica Walker echoed those sentiments during a pause in assembling her jeans, which will be of the indigo, high-waisted, wide-leg variety.

The Grade 11 student said shes thankful to have been able to attend in-person classes full time in the fall, following a year of alternate-day instruction in 2020-21.

The start of the pandemic saw what should have been her first experience with sewing cancelled. The 16-year-old wasnt able to sew pajama pants in Grade 9, so she is now determined to finish a pair of jeans.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Rebecca Chambers (centre) helps Angelin Hou (left) as Alysha Finnson (right) lays out a pattern.

"I really appreciate being able to make something more detailed," she added.

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Should students have to shuffle to remote learning temporarily in the new year, Chambers has reassured them they will be able to make up for lost time over lunch hours in the second semester.

The teacher said she has seen how beneficial it is for students well-being to make things with their hands.

"These students have been put through the wringer as far as social connection (disruptions), anxieties around COVID and the pressures of having to interact exclusively online for over a year," she said.

"I can see in them, when they can settle in and work on a project, how much calmer they are."

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
Winnipeg bars and nightclubs have cancelled New Years Eve parties or temporarily closed their doors altogether, after the province imposed tighter capacity limits and banned alcohol sales after 10 p.m. amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Winnipeg bars and nightclubs have cancelled New Years Eve parties or temporarily closed their doors altogether, after the province imposed tighter capacity limits and banned alcohol sales after 10 p.m. amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business owners described the measures, which went into effect Tuesday to try to slow a rapid rise of infections, as another blow to Manitobas hospitality industry at what is usually a busy time of year.

Chris Graves, owner of the Kings Head Pub in the Exchange District, predicted he would have to lay off staff due to a downturn in customers and sales.

"Its extremely frustrating. Really, the only restrictions they announced affected our industry, which is an unfortunate thing," Graves said Tuesday. "It affects a lot of us greatly."

He was left to wonder why the Tory government hasnt imposed a full lockdown to combat the spread of the more contagious Omicron variant. "If you really want to curb it, why wouldnt you shut it down before Christmas?"

Graves called on the province to provide further financial relief to the industry, fearing some restaurants or bars struggling with debt could go out of business.

He estimated the Kings Head will miss out on up to $15,000 in sales on its busiest nights after being forced to reduce capacity. The pub usually has 20 employees working such nights, but now has only six.

Gatherings must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, under new rules announced Monday by Premier Heather Stefanson and Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer.

That applies to everything from bars and restaurants to museums and religious services. Liquor sales in restaurants and licensed premises are not allowed after 10 p.m.

The restrictions are due to expire Jan. 11.

Both Graves and Erick Casselman, owner of the Park Theatre in South Osborne, predicted the 10 p.m. cutoff, which has been used previously, would lead to an increase in house parties.

"This is the third time weve been down this road," said Graves. "When people left at 10 p.m. (previously), I would watch them go to house parties. You dont have those rules and regulations because no one is checking vaccination cards at house parties.

"Its ridiculous. Theres no scientific evidence were more prone to get COVID drinking after 10 p.m."

The Kings Head has been closed since the previous round of restrictions, which forced indoor spaces such as restaurants and bars to reduce capacity by 50 per cent, was announced Dec. 17.

It had planned to reopen Wednesday.

Graves said a wedding was to be held on the top floor New Years Eve, but the booking was cancelled Tuesday as health orders took effect.

The Park Theatre cancelled its New Years Eve party after the government announced new capacity limits Dec. 17.

Casselman is debating whether to go ahead with other scheduled events before the current rules are due to end Jan. 11.

"Part of you thinks the new restrictions are not enough. Were trying not to overburden the hospitals, but part of you thinks its super frustrating as a business," said Casselman. "We keep getting hammered over and over again.

"This time of year is usually when we catch up on our bills and debt. Hopefully, we all make it through to the other side of this."

Several local bars and nightclubs announced temporary closures or cancellations as restrictions tightened.

In an Instagram post, the Yellow Dog Tavern said it was shutting its doors for now.

"Due to the state of things and staff waiting on test results, we have made the decision to close until further notice," Mondays post stated. "The health and safety of our staff and patrons is our main priority."

Two other downtown venues, Fame Nightclub and Club 200, cancelled their respective New Years Eve parties.

"With the new health restrictions, I am sad to say we have to cancel another NYE," a post on Fames Instagram account stated Tuesday.

Meantime, Dr. Eric Jacobsohn, an anesthesiologist and critical care physician in Winnipeg, called for a full lockdown to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"Why would one not do the safe thing and say, Lets ratchet down for a few weeks?" he said. "We are living in a city, a province where the health-care system has barely coped and thats putting it kindly."

Dr. Aleeza Gerstein, assistant professor of microbiology and statistics at the University of Manitoba, was concerned about the health and safety of those who are unable to work from home.

"I dont think anyone should be forced to go to work in an unsafe environment that will potentially put them in harms way," said Gerstein. "Employers should be doing everything possible to keep their employees safe and government should have policies in place that continue to get money into peoples bank accounts."

Manitoba NDP health critic Uzoma Asagwara said hospitality business owners and workers are in "desperate need" of financial support.

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"The government needs to provide direct support to people affected by these restrictions," said Asagwara.

On Dec. 22, the province introduced the Sector Support Program, which it said will provide up to $22 million to businesses affected by public health orders.

A spokeswoman for Stefanson urged Manitobans to "limit their close contacts" and follow the rules.

"Many factors, including enforcement and public buy-in, are taken into consideration when developing public health orders," the spokeswoman said.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching
WINNIPEG - Few might have foreseen it at the time, but the toppling of two statues on the Manitoba legislature grounds in July would end up having far-reaching effects on Manitoba politics.

A headless statue of Queen Victoria is seen overturned and vandalized at the provincial legislature in Winnipeg, Friday, July 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kelly Geraldine Malone

WINNIPEG - Few might have foreseen it at the time, but the toppling of two statues on the Manitoba legislature grounds in July would end up having far-reaching effects on Manitoba politics.

The government's response to it  led by remarks that were repeatedly revised  would lead to the resignation of a cabinet minister, would prompt veiled criticism of then-premier Brian Pallister from government caucus members and may have hastened Pallister's departure from the premier's office.

"It's part of the moral duty of a politician, it seems to me, to not inflame social divisions but rather to seek to build consensus and support for the actions you propose to take," said Paul Thomas, professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba.

The two statues were tied with ropes and hauled to the ground during a demonstration on Canada Day over the deaths of Indigenous children at residential schools.

The statue of Queen Victoria, larger and placed prominently near the main entrance to the legislature grounds, had its head removed. A smaller statue of the Queen located close to the lieutenant-governor's residence was toppled but left largely intact.

The actions followed the discovery of unmarked graves and the remains of up to 215 children at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia.

Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs was at a separate event when the statues were damaged.

"I don't condone the vandalism ... but I think the statues that were torn down, that was a symptom of a greater problem," Dumas, the son of a residential school survivor, recalled in a recent interview.

"People have to keep in mind what was happening to our communities in that moment."

The following week, Pallister denounced the vandalism at a lengthy press conference and called on people to build up instead of tear down. He said people who came to Canada, both before and after it was a country, did not come to destroy but to build communities, farms, businesses and churches.

The comments were widely condemned as a defence of colonialism. Pallister's Indigenous affairs minister, Eileen Clarke, resigned from the Progressive Conservative cabinet. Some caucus members took to social media to distance themselves from the remarks.

Clarke's replacement, Alan Lagimodiere, immediately landed in hot water when he said the original intentions behind residential schools were not all bad. While Lagimodiere and Pallister both apologized, the fallout continued as two Indigenous men resigned from government-appointed economic development agencies.

Pallister said at the time he was not speaking in defence of colonialism, that he was appealing to all people to work together, and his words were misunderstood and torqued by the media.

He has since revealed the comments had undergone several changes as part of a prepared statement.

"It was the fifth draft of that text," Pallister said in an interview with The Canadian Press shortly before he left office.

"And the third draft had 'the people who came here long before there was a Canada  Indigenous, non-Indigenous and Metis  didn't come to destroy, they came to build', and I took it out because it wasn't inclusive enough."

Some people wrongly assumed that in the final draft he used, he was saying only non-Indigenous people were builders, Pallister said, when he meant everyone.

Pallister left that July 7 press conference feeling he had spoken to unify people, unaware of the anger that awaited him.

"When we left the press conference, my assistant said 'that's the best press conference you've ever done.'"

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While Pallister had hinted at leaving politics before the end of his term in 2023, he was widely expected to stay on for some time. He had said he would be premier until the pandemic ended and had talked about hosting his fellow premiers at a conference planned for October.

He surprised many with a resignation announcement in August at the start of a Tory caucus retreat in Brandon, Man.

As for the statues, the government is still working to determine whether they will be repaired and where they might be located. The government had earlier committed to having a memorial to Chief Peguis, which would be the first statue of a First Nations person on the legislature grounds.

That project is still underway and will be welcomed by Dumas.

"I think this is an opportune time to correct some of the historic disrespect that has happened ... and actually create some statues that are truly reflective of what Manitoba truly is."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2021.
Tom Johnson is ending the year much the way he started it: waiting and praying for snow to fall.

Tom Johnson is ending the year much the way he started it: waiting and praying for snow to fall.

"I would sure love to see a little more snow on the ground," Johnson said prior to Christmas.

"Theres sure not much moisture right now. And the lake  a lot of our pasture and hay land is right beside the lake. And they said this year that this is the lowest the lake has ever been  ever. And Ive never ever seen it this low."

The lake he refers to is Lake Manitoba, which borders his near-century-old cattle farm in Oak Point. From where he stands in his home, he could still see bare patches of pasture midway through the month, and the dugouts beside the road hadnt filled with snow yet, which  at this point of the year  he called, "very curious."

"Well need some more snow and awful quick."

Witnessing the direct and immediate impacts of climate change was a hallmark of 2021 in Canada. Whether it manifested itself in heat, drought, fires or, more recently, intense atmospheric rivers and flooding, a world of extremes is upon us.

This summer, Johnson thought hed lose everything his family had built on the eastern shore of Lake Manitoba. The extreme drought that enveloped the province meant the water sources his cattle regularly relied on had dried up.

For the first time in the farms history, Johnson and his son, Cam, drilled wells on their property and hauled water to makeshift troughs they made in the pastures out of old tractor tires. They gave everything they had to keep the farm going; at the end of July, they really didnt know if it would be enough. The prospect of having to sell off their cattle loomed large.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS For the first time in the farms history, Johnson and his son, Cam, drilled wells and hauled water to makeshift troughs made out of old tractor tires. The family survived through drought conditions, but other farming families were forced to sell everything.

"If my son hadnt wanted to keep going, I would have just sold everything and packed it in. But he kind of pushed for us to keep going," Johnson said.

Government support came in the form of subsidies for feed and hay that needed to be purchased because the fields had produced so little. It meant the Johnson family farm would live to fight another day. Johnson sold off the calves early  in the fall instead of the spring  but the rest of the herd remains intact.

Other families in the region werent so lucky, Johnson said. "They sold everything. They said, No, thats enough."

Hay and feed across Canada became so scarce and expensive throughout the summer and fall the RCMP warned online scammers were taking advantage of desperate farmers.

This summers historic drought didnt just hit farmers hard.

In forested parts of the province and region, fire came with a vengeance. In July, Dave Schafer, director of the Manitoba Wildfire Service, said it was one of the most challenging firefighting seasons hed seen in his 40-year career.

Five First Nations along the east side of Lake Winnipeg, with more than 2,000 residents, were evacuated. Fires torched power lines, which meant people from Little Grand Rapids and Pauingassi were virtually held hostage in hotels across Winnipeg for more than 80 days before repatriation flights could bring them home.

The City of Morden, also experiencing extreme drought, applied strict water restrictions in the spring and further increased its stringency as it continues to deal with the threat of water shortages. New water purchasing agreements from neighbouring communities mean residential water prices will increase by nearly 18 per cent starting in March.

This month, polar bears left Churchill in one of the latest freeze-ups of the Hudson Bay in living memory.

"Climate change, absolutely, is raising our temperatures at all times of the year. To date, its mostly been in the colder months of the year that weve really noticed the warming temperatures, but this year, the summer temperatures were also very high," said Danny Blair, co-director of the University of Winnipegs Prairie Climate Centre.

"And on top of that, we had lower than normal precipitation. And both of those conditions  higher temperatures and lower amounts of precipitation in the summertime  is what weve been projecting for a very long time Into the decades ahead, this is going to become more common, unfortunately."

Blair called 2021 a "preview" for what Manitoba will experience in the coming decades.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Tom Johnson, a cattle farmer, checks on a water dugout for his cattle on his farm near Oak Point north of Winnipeg in July. Months later, Johnson says hed love to see more snow on the ground.

Amid the chaos, the climate story of the year, for Blair, was the astounding heat wave in Western Canada that had Lytton, B.C., reach a record temperature of 49.6 C.

"The heat wave event, for me, was a shocking event," Blair said. "But the real thing is that it killed more people than any other weather disaster in Canada. It killed almost 700 people. That is 600 people or so in B.C. and 60 or so in Alberta.

"Thats a remarkable and distressing thing to see so many people fall victim to the heat stress that was associated with this remarkable heat wave."

The death toll from the Western Canadian heat wave draws attention, again, to the fact Manitoba health authorities still do not track the number of heat-related deaths locally.

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The last 12 months were also marked by the COP26 conference and the raising of international goals to lower emissions on a global scale, including Canadas commitments. International agreements made this year have kept the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 C alive  but just barely.

Further advances in science have improved researchers ability to communicate the impact of climate change on specific events. The heat wave in Western Canada, for example, researchers were able to say it would have been impossible for it to have occurred without climate change.

This type of advancement in the science of weather attribution is critical because journalists and other communicators have long-been afraid to draw definitive lines between extreme weather events and climate change. The direct and definitive lines are now becoming possible.

"Its a really important development because it does help convince people, if thats the right term, that climate change is making the weather different. So the very complicated science of attribution is contributing to our understanding and awareness that climate change is affecting things," Blair said.

 special to the Free Press

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
CONSPIRACY theories are nothing new, but they are gaining prevalence. A recent poll conducted by Elections Canada found that 17 per cent of voters believe the government is covering up a link between vaccines and autism. A different survey conducted by Pollara in 2019 found that 11 per cent of Canadians believe the moon landing was faked, and two per cent believe the Earth is flat.

Opinion

CONSPIRACY theories are nothing new, but they are gaining prevalence. A recent poll conducted by Elections Canada found that 17 per cent of voters believe the government is covering up a link between vaccines and autism. A different survey conducted by Pollara in 2019 found that 11 per cent of Canadians believe the moon landing was faked, and two per cent believe the Earth is flat.

These arent staggering numbers, but theyre large enough that its worth examining why people are drawn to conspiracy theories  particularly because those numbers are climbing. That Pollara poll found only four per cent of respondents believed vaccines cause autism, 13 per cent fewer than in an Elections Canada poll conducted this fall. So why do people believe conspiracy theories?

There is a mosaic of reasons. There is an ego aspect, in that many people have a desire to be possessors of esoteric knowledge they perceive to elevate themselves above others. Also a tribal aspect  we have an urge to form communities of in-groups and out-groups, so people are drawn to build communities around such esoteric knowledge. Plus, sometimes conspiracy theories are true.

For example, take one of the questions in the recent Elections Canada poll. It found that two in five Canadians believe a powerful cabal is orchestrating world events. This number would be staggering if one assumes this question asks whether there is a group of occult lizard-people sacrificing children at black mass while they raise the price of gas.

But if one takes it to be asking if there are institutional powers covertly upholding the capitalist paradigm by undermining democratic efforts around the world which might threaten for-profit interests? That is more fact than theory.

In such cases of power preserving itself, we can at least point to a rational motive. But why are people ready to believe in conspiracies, absent a coherent motive? Take the Sandy Hook conspiracy theory. The theories range from the government orchestrating the murder of schoolchildren to the whole thing being staged by crisis actors, but the motive theorists assign is always the same: theyre coming for our guns.

Despite the fact no meaningful gun control is ever passed in the aftermath of mass shootings, and gun sales even typically enjoy a surge afterward, people still believe that.

I would posit this is due to another reason we believe in conspiracy theories  a theological one. For much of human history, we had a need to explain catastrophic events with appeals to Gods will. Humanitys suffering was ascribed to an unseen deity, whose mark on this Earth might seem cruel to us.

Yet our monotheistic religions are based around the idea that He has a plan too complex for us to comprehend, ascribing to Him a level of competence that effectively transmutes tragedy into benevolence.

In our increasingly secular world, I believe conspiracy theories have come to fill that void. Many people have difficulty coming to terms with the meaninglessness of our worlds casual cruelty. So when they stare into that void, from it they pull a convenient ambiguous force to pin the blame on. Only these days, it takes the form of public figures, such as a Bill Gates or Barack Obama.

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Not to say that such public figures havent earned criticism; the legitimate complaints are legion. But so are the fake ones. The level to which some of our public figures have become lightning rods leads one to think that Nietzsche would feel vindicated if he could look upon these droves of people desperate for a God to shake their fist at.

As patently absurd as we might see perspectives such as the U.S. government murdering dozens of children to enact gun reform, or the global science community fabricating a pandemic, perhaps people clutch these conspiracy narratives like talismans against a universe of malicious chance. Its more comforting to believe in a grand design, even a ruthless one, than a world in which disease or random gunmen might strike us down at any moment.

The former can be rallied against, while the latter cannot.

There is much blame to place on our institutions and public figures for societys ills, but we must also make peace with the fact we live in a world of cold chaos. The level of competency we ascribe to our world leaders in controlling world events is often misplaced. As opposed to brilliant 3D chess moves of a super villain, often the malfeasance can be explained by bumbling expressions of basic human foibles such as vanity, fear and plain old ignorance.

While they may be the architects of some of the worlds problems, we do ourselves no favours by making gods of them.

Alex Passey is the Winnipeg-based author of the sci-fi introspective Mirrors Edge.
Community organizers protested outside the provincial health ministers constituency office Wednesday, demanding free N95 masks for all Manitobans.

As staff at Audrey Gordons Southdale office handed out boxes of KN95 masks to constituents, advocates with Safe September Manitoba and Parents for Public Education held their quiet protest with a smattering of signs and a banner. Gordons office had posted on social media that staff would hand out masks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Within half an hour, all the masks had been snapped up.

People protest Wednesday outside the office of Manitoba Health Minister Audrey Gordon. High-quality masks should be available for free to Manitobans, said organizers. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

The groups want the government to make the mask mandate stricter in public spaces by requiring the use of high-quality N95-type masks that offer more protection against the COVID-19 virus than one-layer cloth masks.

The high-quality masks should be available for free to essential workers, those on the front lines, and the public, considering the virus spreads via airborne transmission, said co-organizers Dawnis Kennedy and Luanne Karn.

Theyre angry, Karn said, describing attempts to obtain proper masks as "the Hunger Games" for Manitobans.

"Now the whole community is in need of stronger measures to protect Manitobans against the Omicron variant, which is much more transmissible, and instead, our government is failing more than any other time in the pandemic to provide PCR testing, staff, rapid tests, high-quality masks, ventilation-filtration for schools and other congregate settings," said Karn, a middle school teacher.

The government has said it is working on wider mask distribution. Boxes of masks were distributed to all MLAs, including members of the opposition parties, to give out, a spokesperson for the Central Services department said Wednesday.

The NDP caucus purchased bulk KN95 masks for its members to distribute, a spokesperson said. Liberal MLAs have given out most of their supply already, a party spokesperson said.

Kennedy, a mom of a nine-year-old who is not yet fully vaccinated, said the province needs to show leadership to protect the most vulnerable.

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High-quality masks should be available for free to essential workers, those on the front lines and the public, says co-organizer Dawnis Kennedy. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

"We need to think about everybody. We need to protect everybody, and we need leadership," she said.

In addition to free N95s, the groups want the province to update its definition of a close contact to reflect aerosol transmission of COVID-19, and to require all close contacts of a positive case to self-isolate until they test negative. Theyre asking for portable HEPA filters for classrooms, free rapid antigen tests and paid leave for parents and workers who have to isolate because of COVID-19 exposure. If those extra safety measures arent implemented before students are set to return to school Jan. 10, Safe September MB said it would support a remote-learning "circuit-breaker."

The province has said it will expand access to rapid tests, but hasnt promised to supply them to teachers or daycare staff as students prepare to return to school.

Back-to-school plans are still in the works, chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said.

"We dont have definite plans on that but that is part of the number of things were looking at right now as were thinking about getting kids back to school," Roussin said Wednesday.

katie.may@winnipegfreepress.com
MONTREAL - Vaccinated Quebec health-care workers who test positive for COVID-19 could be allowed back on the job after seven days if they have no symptoms, health officials announced Wednesday, but labour unions said the policy is incoherent and risky.

People wait in line at a COVID-19 testing and vaccination site in Montreal, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL - Vaccinated Quebec health-care workers who test positive for COVID-19 could be allowed back on the job after seven days if they have no symptoms, health officials announced Wednesday, but labour unions said the policy is incoherent and risky.

"It's like letting a wolf in a sheep barn," Rejean Leclerc, president of the largest union representing health-care and social services employees in the province, said in an interview. Quebec should be protecting workers not putting them at risk, Leclerc, head of Federation de la sante et des services sociaux, added.

Officials announced the new policy during a technical briefing with reporters, a day after Health Minister Christian Dube said that isolation time for health-care staff would be reduced from the standard 10 days to avoid a breakdown in services.

In emergency situations, health-care staff could return to work after seven days of isolation if they are asymptomatic and vaccinated with at least two doses, officials said. Vaccinated workers who are exposed to COVID-19 outside their homes no longer need to isolate, they added. Health-care staff who are exposed to a positive case at home, however, are asked to isolate for seven days.

Leclerc said the plan is incoherent compared with every other measure the government has been pushing during the pandemic.

"The messages are contradictory," he said. "If positive people are asked to isolate, how do you justify that health-care workers don't need to?"

Leclerc said the new policy is too risky. Allowing COVID-19-positive workers out of isolation before 10 days will increase transmission of the novel coronavirus in places such as public transport and inside hospital hallways and cafeterias.

Officials also announced a new isolation policy for non-health-care essential workers, such as police officers, firefighters and snow-removal workers. They said if service disruptions are imminent, asymptomatic essential workers could be called back to work six days after testing positive for COVID-19.

Dr. Richard Masse, a strategic adviser at the Health Department, told reporters Wednesday the government didn't create a list of all essential workers, adding that it was up to employers to decide whether their employees were subject to the new guidance.

To avoid disruptions of services, people in charge are the best equipped to judge of the pertinence and obligation to maintain the services," he said.

Masse said the government wasn't able to measure the impact of the new policy on COVID-19 transmission. "We are calling upon civility and good judgment to be able to manage the crisis," he said.

Another major union representing health-care workers, Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la sante et des services sociaux, said it was disappointing they weren't consulted on the new policy.

"It's the worst measure they could have taken," union president Robert Comeau said. "The solution is extreme."

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Comeau urged the government to rethink the measures, adding that he fears they will put too much pressure on the system and push health-care staff to quit.

Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious diseases expert at the McGill University Health Centre, said the decision shows the desperation Quebec is facing during the latest wave.

"This is another wake-up call, hopefully, to the government to make them realize that once again we are telling you that the health-care system is grossly understaffed," Vinh said. "And that should be a primary priority for their agenda in the next little while."

Meanwhile, Quebec on Wednesday continued to break records in new daily COVID-19 cases.

Health officials reported 13,149 new infections and 10 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus. They said COVID-19-related hospitalizations rose by 102 compared with the prior day, to 804, after 179 people entered hospital and 77 were discharged. There were 122 people in intensive care, a rise of seven patients.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Dec. 29, 2021.
DENVER (AP)  A gunman who went on a shooting rampage through several business districts in and around Denver, killing five people and wounding two others, was targeting at least some of his victims, authorities said Tuesday.

A bouquet of flowers is placed outside the door of a tattoo parlor along South Broadway Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Denver, one of the scenes of a shooting spree that left five people deadincluding the suspected shooter Monday eveningand left three more people wounded. The spree spread from the core of Denver to the western suburb of Lakewood where the suspect was shot and killed by police near a busy intersection in a bustling shopping district. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER (AP)  A gunman who went on a shooting rampage through several business districts in and around Denver, killing five people and wounding two others, was targeting at least some of his victims, authorities said Tuesday.

The suspect also died after exchanging gunfire with officers in a shopping area in the Denver suburb of Lakewood Monday night. Police identified him Tuesday as Lyndon James McLeod, 47.

Those wounded included a police officer who confronted McLeod.

Matt Clark, commander of the Denver Police Departments Major Crimes Division, said the gunman knew some of his victims.

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said during a news conference that McLeod was on the radar of law enforcement and had been investigated in both 2020 and 2021. He said charges were not filed against McLeod, but he declined to say what he was investigated for.

A customer walks away from the closed entrance to an Xfinity store Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Lakewood, Colo., one of the scenes in a shooting spree that left five people deadincluding the suspected shooter Monday eveningand left three more people wounded. The spree spread from the core of Denver to the western suburb of Lakewood where the suspect was shot and killed by police near a busy intersection in a bustling shopping district. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The shootings started shortly after 5 p.m. in central Denver along Broadway, a busy street lined with shops, bars and restaurants, where two women were killed and a man was injured, Pazen said. On Tuesday, candles and flower bouquets rested in the doorway of a nearby tattoo shop.

A short time later, a man was fatally shot in another location, Pazen said. Gunshots were also fired along another busy street near Denver Health hospital, but no one was injured.

Later, Denver police chased the vehicle believed to have been involved in the shootings and exchanged gunfire with the person inside, but the suspect was able to get away after "disabling" the police car, Pazen said. The suspect then fled into Lakewood.

A sign in the window of an Xfinity store advises customers of a closure Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, in Lakewood, Colo., near one of the scenes of a shooting spree that left several people deadincluding the suspected shooter Monday eveningand left a few more people wounded. The spree spread from the core of Denver to the western suburb of Lakewood where the suspect was shot and killed by police near a busy intersection in a bustling shopping district. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Just before 6 p.m., the Lakewood Police Department received a report of shots fired at a business in the city, said John Romero, a spokesman for that department.

A gunshot victim was later found and pronounced dead at the scene.

When officers found the car suspected of being involved in the Belmar shopping area, the suspect opened fire and officers shot back. The suspect ran away and allegedly threatened someone in a business with a gun before going into a Hyatt hotel and shooting a clerk, who was taken to the hospital, Romero said.

A Honda Civic parked along Alaska Drive has a bullet hole through the hood and a flat, left-front tire Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Lakewood, Colo., as it sits near one of the scenes of a shooting spree that left five people deadincluding the suspected shooter Monday eveningand left three more people wounded. The spree spread from the core of Denver to the western suburb of Lakewood where the suspect was shot and killed by police near a busy intersection in a bustling shopping district. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The hotel clerk, identified Tuesday as Sarah Steck, has since died.

The suspect also shot and wounded a Lakewood police officer in the abdomen after leaving the hotel, Romero said. The officer shot back, and the suspect was killed.

The wounded officer, whose name has not been released, underwent surgery Monday night. She is expected to make a full recovery.

Two people sit at a table in a Jamba Juice store Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Lakewood, Colo., near one of the scenes of a shooting spree that left five people deadincluding the suspected shooter Monday eveningand left three more people wounded. The spree spread from the core of Denver to the western suburb of Lakewood where the suspect was shot and killed by police near a busy intersection in a bustling shopping district. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

On Tuesday, in Lakewoods Belmar shopping district, where shops line sidewalks in a modern version of a downtown, plywood covered some of the windows of a wood-fired pizza restaurant where workers were cleaning up inside. Investigators also were checking the aluminum window frame of a store for bullet holes. Nearby on the street, which was decorated with large, silver holiday ornaments, sat an older two-door Honda Civic with a bullet through the hood and a flat front tire.

Family members identified one of the victims Tuesday as Alicia Cardenas, 44, who was killed in the initial shooting.

Alfredo Cardenas told KMGH-TV that Alicia Cardenas, his only daughter, owned her first tattoo shop when she was 19 and had worked in the Broadway location in Denver for 15 to 20 years.

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"Very gregarious, very friendly, but she was a very determined person," he said. "She knew where she was going."

Alicia Cardenas is survived by her 12-year-old, Alfredo Cardenas said.

___

Associated Press photographer David Zalubowski contributed to this report.

___

This version has been updated to correct the spelling of the suspect's last name.
The last county board meeting of 2021 was held Tuesday morning. Here are some highlights of the topics that were discussed.

The first two topics that were voted on concerned the ongoing county jail project. The first item on the agenda was the awarding of the bid for the detention equipment that the jail will use.

The proposed winner of the bid process was Noah Detention Construction, with its bid coming in at $4,336,700.00 which was more than $100,000 less than the other bid in consideration from Pauly Jail Building Company. The funds for this will come out of the jail project fund.

A motion was made and seconded to award the bid to Noah Detention Construction. The motion passed with a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Greg Olson, Chris Meyer, and Marie Kovesci voting in favor and Chair Marcia Ward and Commissioner Steve Jacob voting against.

The second jail-related item was to approve the amended guaranteed maximum price and amended AIA, or American Institute of Architects, agreement. The previous price and agreement had not included the detention equipment.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the amended price and agreement. The motion passed with a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Olson, Meyer, and Kovesci voting in favor and Chair Ward and Commissioner Jacob voting against.

Another topic that was heavily discussed was the WinLaC Prioritization and Public Outreach Agreement. This item had been tabled at the December 14 meeting due to technical difficulties with the board being unable to hear Emily Zanon, a representative of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency who was participating in the meeting via Zoom.

The grant from the state for this project would provide $26,000 for the purpose of completing a baseline chlorine monitoring of the countys Mississippi River watershed, as well as the watershed in La Crescent.

Commissioner Jacob opened discussion by mentioning that there was a section of the agreement that said: covered individuals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as defined in the policy or submit to testing at least once a week. This had also been mentioned at the December 18 meeting.

County Attorney Karin Sonneman added she had looked over the contract and wasnt sure if that section of the contract could be supported by the law. Her recommendation was to vote on the contract without this section and go from there.

Chair Ward voiced her support of the contract, with the removal of the mentioned section of the contract. Commissioner Meyer voiced her support for the contract with the inclusion of the vaccination section but she would heed the advice of Attorney Sonneman.

After further discussion about the involvement of other counties, a motion was made and seconded to approve the agreement with the deletion of the vaccination section. The motion was passed unanimously.

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At age 28, Reid was elected to the Nevada Assembly and at age 30 became the youngest lieutenant governor in Nevada history as Gov. Mike OCallaghans running mate in 1970.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone else in Nevada history. He narrowly avoided defeat in a 1998 Senate race when he held off Republican John Ensign, then a House member, by 428 votes in a recount that stretched into January.

After his election as Senate majority leader in 2007, he was credited with putting Nevada on the political map by pushing to move the states caucuses to February, at the start of presidential nominating season. That forced each national party to pour resources into a state that, while home to the countrys fastest growth over the past two decades, still only had six votes in the Electoral College. Reids extensive network of campaign workers and volunteers twice helped deliver the state for Obama.

Obama in 2016 lauded Reid for his work in the Senate, declaring, I could not have accomplished what I accomplished without him being at my side.
The process begins when a person in the kitchen sets the food on Jonny 5 and then tells the robot to bring it to a certain table or to the front counter for takeout orders. The robot then whisks the order to the programmed table, where it stops and says, Please take your food. When a weight sensor detects the food is gone, the robot says, Thank you. Please enjoy your food, before heading back to the kitchen.

Shanghai Bistro customized Jonny 5 with a note that reads, Please tip the humans or they wont plug me in, and added foam reindeer antlers for the holiday season.

The robot also can be programmed to play Christmas music, as it has been lately, or even sing Happy Birthday, as it did much to the delight of Elliana on her recent visit.

We didnt know it sang Happy Birthday. That was a big surprise, said Ellianas father, Mike Davis. When it sang, she just smiled and got all blushy. She was so happy.

Though it was the second visit to Shanghai Bistro since Jonny 5s debut for the Davises, the robot hasnt lost its luster with Elliana.

She keeps bugging me about going back because of that robot, Mike Davis said with a chuckle.
A teen from Madison is charged with stealing a phone and defacing property in the town of Hampden.

Victoria H. Mchoes, 19, Madison, is facing charges of burglary of a building or dwelling, a class F felony, and two misdemeanor counts of graffiti and disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint, on Aug. 3 a victim living on Hall Road in Hampden reported someone came to the residence early in the morning. The victim told a Columbia County Sheriff Deputy someone allegedly spread white paint in the driveway and threw eggs on the roof of the residence.

The victim said the person was at the residence between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. and allegedly used blue and red spray paint to write obscenities at the residence such as racist and homophobe. The victim also told the deputy they drew male genitals with the spray paint.

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The complaint states Mchoes was identified as a person of interest in August. Then on Oct. 6 the same victim contacted the sheriffs office about a stolen phone. The victim alleged the phone was stolen and some lights were on that they could not remember turning on and a window was broken.
As the CDC shortens the isolation period to five days for asymptomatic cases of Covid-19, President Biden says there was not enough done to expand testing across the country. CNN's Leyla Santiago reports.

Posted: Dec 29, 2021 11:06 AM

Posted By: CNN
NEW YORK (AP) - The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted of helping lure teenage girls to be sexually abused by the late Jeffrey Epstein.

The verdict announced Wednesday capped a monthlong trial featuring accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14.

Jurors deliberated for five full days before finding Maxwell guilty of every count except one. She faces years in prison.

Its an end long sought by women who spent years fighting to hold Maxwell accountable for abusing them. Her lawyers said shes being used as a scapegoat for crimes committed by Epstein, who killed himself in 2019.

(Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)
ONEONTA, N.Y.  Just one day after an NBT Bank was robbed in Rome, a branch in Oneonta was targeted.

Oneonta police say the robbery happened at the location on Wall Street around 11 a.m.

A man went into the bank and demanded an undisclosed amount of cash, according to police.

The suspect is 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall and about 220 to 250 pounds with a heavy build. Police say he was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and was last seen walking east on Wall Street.

Police do not believe the suspect was armed or that the community is in any danger.

Investigators are still looking for the suspect and working on getting footage from the bank security cameras.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the incident is asked to call Oneonta police at 607-432-1111.
NEWPORT, N.Y. -- Patty Jean's is back in Newport, and it's only right down the street from their old location that was destroyed by a fire in 2018.

Joanne and Kevin Bienkowski opened their new location back up a few weeks ago, and Joanne said she's happy to be back.

"We can't believe we did it. It was a long haul, a very long haul," Bienkowski said.

When the fire happened three years ago, they only salvaged two things for their kitchen: A dishwasher and a broiler.

Kevin was determind to get all the equpment used to cook Patty Jean's food locally, so he traveled to multiple auctions across Central New York to get it. The Bienkowski's say that between making all their food from scratch, outsourcing from local companies, or even just going to other local restaurants, they understand how important it is to support local businesses because of what they learned from their own struggles through the pandemic.

"Everything here is local, and we're proud of that," Bienkowski said.
ROME, N.Y.  Authorities were called to the NBT Bank on Black River Boulevard in Rome Tuesday for the second time in a week.

A robbery was reported to 911 just after 4 p.m., and police were at the scene when the NEWSChannel 2 crew arrived.

Rome Police Department says a white male suspect, approximately 6 tall and of medium build entered the lobby of NBT Bank, displayed a handgun, and demanded money from the bank teller.

The suspect left with an undetermined amount of money. Police say he then fled the scene on a bicycle.

The suspect was wearing blue jeans, a green jacket, a winter hat and a scarf covering his face.

NBT Bank is offering $2,500 for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect.

Police are asking people to review home surveillance videos for suspicious activity or footage of the suspect.

Anyone with information can contact Rome Police Department's tip line at 315-339-7744 or online at www.p3tips.com.
VERONA, N.Y. (UPDATED)  New York State Police say a female was killed on the railroad tracks near Route 31 and Station Street in Verona in an apparent suicide.

Authorities were called to the scene around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. The tracks run under Route 31 not far from the intersection with Route 365.

Police were able to identify the victim but will not be releasing her name.

Limited details are available as the investigation continues.
UTICA, N.Y.  The Utica Zoos only remaining red panda has died just two months after his mate passed away unexpectedly.

The zoo says the 10-year-old panda, Muse, died from a sudden and severe gastrointestinal impaction. In October, the zoos other red panda, Ming Yue, died of a lung infection.

Photo courtesy of Utica Zoo Photo courtesy of Utica Zoo

The loss of any animal impacts the zoo staff at all levels; the fact that this tragic loss occurred so unexpectedly while were still under the cloak of grief from losing Ming Yu has been just terrible. Were grateful for the comfort being shared amongst the team, from our board and volunteers and from our community says Utica Zoo Executive Director Andria Heath.

The preliminary results from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine did not show any foreign objects in Muses system but did show evidence of an intestinal infection. The cause of the infection and final results are still pending.

We know there was a mass of partially-digested normal food items and plant material found in Muse system, along with some inflammation that will be further examined, said Jay Pratte, Utica Zoos deputy director of life sciences and facilities. For those of us with dogs in our homes, we know how severe impaction can be. The deaths of our beloved red pandas is a severe blow to the team and to the community that loves them. While they did occur in a relatively short period of time, the two incidents appear entirely unrelated.

Muse came to the Utica Zoo from the Red River Zoo in North Dakota in 2012.

Muse and Ming Yue had two groups of cubs in 2019.

Red pandas are endangered species, and the Utica Zoo works with the Red Panda Species Survival Plan on conservation efforts.

The zoo is working on constructing an updated red panda habitat and plans to get more of the animals once that is complete.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI)-The Indiana Legislative session is set to start on January 4th. One problem that has been an ongoing issue in Tippecanoe County is Township matters. Mainly when it comes to transparency between the Township Board its trustee.

"One of the issues I would like to address in legislation is giving our board more oversite and power in their abilities while overseeing the Township Trustee, " said State Representative Chris Campbell a Democrat for District 26.

The legislation would require townships to pass a budget each year. Both the board and the Trustee would have to sign off on it.

"If they don't approve a budget they can't just let it roll over," said Representative Campbell. "The Trustee would have to go through every single appropriation to have approval through the board."

Along with that, Campbell plans on filing legislation that would help veterans. It would require the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles to turn over how many veterans are in each county which is something it already tracks.

"My goal is if that information is released in a report to the Indiana veterans council it will make it easier for our individual county councilors to be able to obtain that information a little more easily so they can reach out to veterans in their communities to make sure they are meeting their needs," said Representative Campbell.

She also plans on filing a bill that would provide paid family leave. She says it's needed now more than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding would come from a small fee on each paycheck citizens receive. She says it would work a lot like unemployment.

"When need to take that time off you would have a partial income up to six weeks of paid time off," said Representative Campbell.

Campbell also plans on submitting legislation that would curb the use of puppy mills.

"No retail sale of pure breed animals could happen. So it would decrease the ability to sell those animals in that way," said Representative Campbell.

Each lawmaker is able to file five bills per session. Campbell is still deciding what her final legislative priority will be. The filing deadline is January 11th.
Thirty diplomats from various countries and their spouses were invited to experience Peking Opera at Tianleyuan Theater in Beijing on Monday. [For China Daily/Feng Yongbin]

Thirty diplomats from various countries, including Azerbaijan, Brazil, Pakistan, Spain and Indonesia, along with their spouses, were invited to experience Peking Opera at Tianleyuan Theater in Beijing on Monday.

The diplomats were introduced to the ancient art form and got to try on Peking Opera costumes and makeup, as well as watch performances.

The event, titled 2021 New Year's Experience Journey to Peking Opera for Diplomatic Missions in China, is part of the Taihu World Cultural Forum, a nonofficial platform created by China for international cultural exchanges.

Thirty diplomats from various countries and their spouses were invited to experience Peking Opera at Tianleyuan Theater in Beijing on Monday. [For China Daily/Feng Yongbin]

"Peking Opera embodies the essence of Chinese traditional culture,'' Zheng Chuanxin, secretary-general of the forum, says in a video greeting to the diplomats.

"It's full of Chinese philosophy, aesthetics and traditional values, like loyalty, bravery and honesty. It's a great way to get to know Chinese culture by experiencing the ancient art form."

The forum, launched in 2008, was named after Taihu Lake in the Yangtze River Delta. Since its inception, the forum has successfully held six conferences in Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Shanghai, Macao, Beijing and Bengbu in Anhui Province, respectively.

The forum has attracted hundreds of politicians, scholars, entrepreneurs and cultural notables from more than 80 countries and regions to share ideas and deepen mutual understanding among cultures.

Thirty diplomats from various countries and their spouses were invited to experience Peking Opera at Tianleyuan Theater in Beijing on Monday. [For China Daily/Feng Yongbin]

The gray-brick Tianleyuan Theater is located in the capital's Qianmen area, a popular tourist area. The theater has a history spanning more than 200 years and reopened in March 2019, after six years of renovation.

Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang (1894-1961) performed there for four years, from the tender age of 17. Cheng Yanqiu (1904-58) also premiered four of his classic Peking Opera shows at the theater from 1923 to 1927, including The Legend of Hongfu and A Red Mole. Both Mei and Cheng were known for their danroles, that is, men who played women characters in Peking Opera pieces, because, at the time, women were forbidden to appear onstage.

Thirty diplomats from various countries and their spouses were invited to experience Peking Opera at Tianleyuan Theater in Beijing on Monday. [For China Daily/Feng Yongbin]

The theater also produced one of the country's first women Peking Opera troupes, Chongyashe, in 1916.

The 5,000-square-meter theater also hosts exhibitions of historical photos. Visitors can try their hand at stage costumes and makeup with the help of professional performers.

The theater is now run by former TV host Ma Yingying and her company. Ma fell in love with Peking Opera after hosting a TV program about it. She has tried to give it a modern appeal by combining the ancient art form with contemporary elements, hoping to popularize it, especially among the younger generation.

Thirty diplomats from various countries and their spouses were invited to experience Peking Opera at Tianleyuan Theater in Beijing on Monday. [For China Daily/Feng Yongbin]

Yegana Zeynalli, spouse of the ambassador of the Republic of the Azerbaijan to China, was one of the participants in the event on Monday. "China has an ancient history and rich culture, in which Peking Opera holds a special place. It is recognized as a pearl of Chinese culture," she says.

"Peking Opera is a window that allows us to look into Chinese history, music and culture, as well as offering a great opportunity to understand the life philosophy of the Chinese people."

She notes that Azerbaijan was invited as an honorary guest country to this year's Taihu World Cultural Forum, which was held in October in Bengbu.

Thirty diplomats from various countries and their spouses were invited to experience Peking Opera at Tianleyuan Theater in Beijing on Monday. [For China Daily/Feng Yongbin]

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
Crystal River is a small city located in Citrus County in the US State of Florida. The city of Crystal River forms the heart of Florida's Nature Coast. The city is situated around Kings Bay, a spring-fed bay that maintains a constant 22 C temperature throughout the year. During winter, more than 400 manatees are found in Kings Bay and is the only place in the entire United States where people can interact with these manatees in their natural conditions. Incorporated in 1903, the city of Crystal River is also nicknamed "Manatee Haven."

Geography Of Crystal River

Manatees in Crystal River, Florida.

The city of Crystal River covers a total area of 17.7 sq. km, of which 1.7 sq. km is occupied by water and 16.0 sq. km is occupied by land. The city is located on the northeastern side of Kings Bay and the Crystal River, an arm of the Gulf of Mexico. The U.S. Route 19 and the U.S. Route 98 highways run through the heart of the city and lead about 11km south to the unincorporated community of Homosassa Springs and about 74km north to the city of Chiefland. The State Road 44 highway leads 27km east to the city of Inverness.

Population Of Crystal River

Crystal River, Florida, was home to 3,129 people with a median age of 56.8 in 2019. The majority of the residents in Crystal River are considered White, and in 2019, there were 9.8 times more White residents than any other race or ethnicity. The largest ethnic groups in the city are non-Hispanic White representing up to 85.5% of the citys population, Black or African American at 8.66%, Two or more races at 2.84%, Hispanic at 1.37%, and Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander at 1.09%. Nearly 98% of residents are U.S. citizens, and 5.05% were born outside the country. In 2019, the most common birthplace for foreign-born residents of Florida was Cuba, followed by Haiti and Colombia. Despite the diverse population and home of the residents, all households in Crystal River speak English as their primary language.

Economy Of Crystal River

The median household income in Crystal River is only $24,225. Although Florida has an income inequality that is lower than the national average (0.43 measured by Gini index), males have an average income that is 1.34 higher than the average income of females. The economy of Crystal River employs around one-third of the citys population in different industries, but the largest ones are Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Accommodation & Food Services. However, Finance & Insurance & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing, and Educational Services are the highest paying industries in Crystal River.

Tourist Attractions In Crystal River

Swimming with manatees at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, Crystal River, Florida.

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is a 0.32 sq. km refuge area that is only accessible via boat and was established in 1983 as a protected habitat for the endangered West Indian manatee. Today, the refuge protects 20 barrier islands, and visitors go there for different recreational activities, including fishing on the refuge artificial lake, paddling, photography, and boating.

A view of Three Sisters Springs with a manatee in water.

Tourists also enjoy the Three Sisters Springs when they visit Crystal River. The Three Sisters Springs are a trio of beautiful springs within the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and open to the public only between November and March. The preserve is a significant habitat for endangered manatees in Citrus County. Visitors can view the manatee and other native wildlife. The Crystal River State Archeological Site is a United States National Historic landmark and protects a complex of six significant indigenous mounds. The mounds provide evidence of the regions history as one of Floridas longest continually occupied sites. Visitors see the artifacts and learn more about the regions indigenous groups.

Brief History

Stairs to Temple Mound A at Crystal River Archaeological State Park, Crystal River, Florida. Editorial credit: Holly Guerrio / Shutterstock.com

Around 500 B.C, Native Americans built a settlement along the Crystal River, which is currently the Crystal River Archaeological State Park. The settlement was abandoned later for unknown reasons before European colonization. After the Second Seminole War, the United States federal government passed the Armed Occupation Act of 1842, encouraging settlers into the area. By the mid-1800s, families started settling in the Crystal River area. Following the American Civil War, people from northern states came to Crystal River for its climate and the potential to become wealthy growing citrus fruits. The Spanish explorers brought oranges on their ships and discarded the seeds in the new world. Crystal River was part of Hernando County since its inception in 1843. However, in 1844, the county name changed to Benton in honor of Senator Thomas Hart Benton. Benton had sponsored the Armed Occupation Act of 1842, which had brought settlers to the area. The county name was changed back to Hernando in 1850. Hernando County was divided into three parts: Citrus County, Pasco County, and Hernando County in 1887. In 1889, phosphate was discovered in the eastern side of Citrus County, and the phosphate industry proliferated and boomed in Citrus County and Crystal River until 1914, when it could no longer be shipped due to the First World War. The railroad reached Crystal River in 1888 and provided an easier way to ship goods and encourage tourists to visit the area. Crystal River became a town in 1903 and was officially incorporated as a city on July 3, 1923.
Weather Alert

...VERY COLD TONIGHT... ...BLACK ICE LIKELY OVER MUCH OF THE REGION... As we clear out tonight, temperatures will drop to lows in the single digits most areas to just above 10 degrees toward the Missouri Bootheel. Combined with north, northwest winds 5 to 10 mph, minimum wind chill temperatures should range from 5 above zero to around 10 below zero, making for a very cold start to the day Friday. In addition, the very cold temperatures will cause moisture on area roadways to freeze up into black ice, resulting in very slick and hazardous driving conditions. The slick conditions will continue well beyond daybreak Friday morning, as temperatures rise very slowly. Be extremely cautious if you must travel tonight or Friday morning.
Councillor questions if Centre 67 old vicarage demolition could affect City of Culture bid

Wrexham Councils intention to demolish a Victorian vicarage next door to a listed church in Rhosddu will make the towns bid for City of Culture far more difficult, says a local councillor.

The old Rhosddu vicarage also known as Centre 67, on Rhosddu Road, is due to be demolished after Wrexham Council announced plans to clear the site to make way for social housing.

However Grosvenor councillor Marc Jones says doing so could make Wrexhams bid for City of Culture 2025 more difficult.

Wrexham is one of eight towns and cities across the UK on the long-list to hold the next event.

Every four years, a town or city is given the title  helping to raise its profile, boost its local economy and highlight everything thats good about the location, and often triggering a range of investment.

Cllr Jones said: Im fully behind the bid for City of Culture in 2025  its got real potential to transform Wrexham for the better. Wrexham appears to have a good chance of success so why blow it by demolishing an important part of our local heritage? It looks like a piece of civic vandalism driven by spite rather than logic.

There isnt even a plan in place to replace the old Vicarage with anything at the moment  it would be tarmacced and left idle, probably for years.

The Wrexham Council-owned building has been vacant since 2005, and the council say clearing the site will allow them to progress with looking at future options for the land  including detailed work on a masterplan.

Cllr Jones added that he had recently been sent pictures of the buildings interior: The pictures reveal an interior in excellent condition, the building is watertight and has many old features that merit keeping rather than bulldozing.

Professionals are deeply unhappy with the councils attitude towards this building, which has clear historic value to the county borough. The council has ignored representations by myself and the wider community. Our own planning policies  specifically GDP1 of the current development plan  encourages the protection of local culture, yet is being ignored.

To ensure the council has the best chance of winning the City of Culture bid for 2025, Im asking again that the councils leadership reconsiders plans to demolish and allows us to find an alternative use or incorporate the existing building into future plans for the wider site.

Previously Cllr Mark Pritchard, Lead Member for Assets, said: The preference is for a new-build social housing scheme. This would be similar to the fantastic work weve done at Nant Silyn and Hightown in recent years, where weve been able to build smart, modern homes for the people of Wrexham.

However, to move forward with this aspiration, we need to clear key parts of the site, including the area of land occupied by Centre 67. So being able to demolish the disused building is an important step forward.

Councillor David Griffiths, Lead Member for Housing, also previously said: The easy choice would be to sell the land to a private developer, but we dont want to do that  we want to provide the right kind of housing for local people who need it.

Demolishing Centre 67 will support both the cost of any new-build social housing scheme, and make it easier to meet important carbon targets and if we can realise our aspirations, it will be the latest in many successful housing projects weve delivered in Wrexham.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner urges parents to protect their children from online perverts

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has issued a warning to parents to put parental controls on their childrens smart phones and other devices to protect them from online perverts.

Andy Dunbobbin spoke out after hearing that two nine year old girls from the region were filmed dancing naked in a sexually provocative way on a live streaming app.

During a visit to meet North Wales Polices team of cybercrime experts, the commissioner was also told that sexting by school children was also on the increase.

According to Mr Dunbobbin, tackling the growing menace of cyber dangers was one of the key priorities in his new Police and Crime Plan which sets out the blueprint for policing North Wales.

Mr Dunbobbin said: Technology is playing an increasingly vital role in policing so this is a hugely important area.

The increase in online crime is a massive challenge for the police, here in North Wales and across the UK.

The criminal fraternity and online paedophiles are becoming ever more sophisticated in the way they operate and we need to respond accordingly so we can stay one step ahead.

It is therefore imperative that we invest to ensure we have the most up-to-date technology at our disposal so we can crack down on these online dangers.

At the same time, educating children is incredibly important. Its important to show all youngsters how to stay safe online and not to give out personal information- and Im glad to say that North Wales Police are very proactive in this regard.

But parents also have a vitally important role to play in protecting their own children from the dangers lurking online and the risks of paedophiles targeting youngsters that they can groom.

Mums and Dads can and should set parental controls that will prevent their children accessing sites with inappropriate sexual material.

There is a lot of advice and information available one of the most useful sites parents can tap into is the website of the National Cybersecurity Centre, www.ncsc.gov.uk

It was a message echoed by Detective Sergeant Carl Taraborelli who said: The chances are that many parents are blissfully unaware of what their children are using their phones and iPads for whilst they are connected to the internet.

The sending of inappropriate pictures is a growing trend amongst children, compounded by the use of technology and social media.

Its mainly teenagers who do this but in some cases, it can be a lot younger as well.

Parents need to ask and check what their children are doing online and if they were to visit the National Cybersecurity Centres website there is a lot of advice aimed towards parents/guardians to help them, help their children keep safe from online harm.

The police do not routinely criminalise children for this behaviour and our priority is to educate and steer those children from harm.

I know from my previous role as a detective sergeant in Child Protection however, that we used to receive regular queries from partner agencies and other officers with mobile phones belonging to children who were sending images to one another, so it is sadly an area of concern.

The children dont always appreciate the dangers that presents to them and the subsequent loss of control of those images once that image is out. It can often result in elements of cyber bullying and public embarrassment.

In the most serious of cases, it can really affect those children and there have been examples where children have really struggled to cope following the effects and outcome of this type of behavior  you have to treat that extremely seriously and make sure that all the relevant support is in place in those types of situations.

Weve got a strong cohort of school liaison officers and cyber safety is an important part of their remit. The ideal solution is to stop this problem at source.

For more information parents can go to the National Cybersecurity Centres website, www.ncsc.gov.uk
Wrexham Glyndwr University launches new paramedic science degree

Wrexham Glyndwr University is now offering a Degree in Paramedic Science, a role which is rocketing in popularity, partly due to a string of TV documentaries about the profession.

Shows such as the BBCs Ambulance and Channel 4s Paramedics: Britains Lifesavers have provided a glimpse into the life of a Paramedic to the wider public.

It is the first time such a course has been available in this part of North Wales, and means prospective students from the area can stay local to pursue their studies.

The course will be led by Senior lecturer Daniel Finnerty, who has been a Paramedic since 2007 and arrives at Wrexham Glyndwr from Birmingham City University.

Daniel has worked for three ambulance trusts, and worked for three years on cruise ships as a paramedic officer, before going on to teach newly-qualified Paramedics.

He is now looking forward to launching the new Degree, which has already received huge interest from prospective students.

Daniel said: Its such an exciting opportunity to create a modern Paramedic programme from scratch.

This is one of the first Paramedic programmes to be written post-Covid. It will focus on the importance of patient assessment, use of technology, use of simulation during education.

Ive almost been overwhelmed by how many people who live locally seem to have been waiting for this opportunity. Theres always been great interest in Paramedic Science because its such a visible profession.

People see Paramedics in every day life, and there has also been an increase in publicity because of some of the documentaries on TV, the perception of it being an exciting, dramatic career  people are interested in it.

Young people that have approached me about the course so far tend to be local, they want to stay local, and want to stay home. Then there are others who have wanted to do this for a very long time, or are currently in the ambulance service, or a first responding role locally, who are also able to pursue it as its close to home.

Daniel added: Ideally wed be looking for people who have care experience, or customer facing it experience. It doesnt have to be in-depth because we know how difficult it is to get volunteer placements particularly if youre 18 or younger, especially during Covid.

Perhaps someone been caring for a relative, undertaken a volunteer role or part- time job, its something they really want to do, not just because theyve seen it on TV.

Although the rise in TV documentaries following the emergency services has created a huge surge of interest in the profession, Daniel says they show just a fraction of what day-to-day life is like for a Paramedic  and that prospective students looking to embark on a career in need be aware of all it involves.

He said: The documentaries are great to introduce what we do to the wider public as you cant go in an ambulance on work experience  but they are dramatised  so we want people who have researched and know what Paramedics do, who know that what is shown on TV is 10 per cent of the job.

The other aspects are wellbeing, social care, health issues, referrals, it can be routine healthcare assessments too.

Its important that people realise that its an academic programme, its a Science programme, so you have got to be prepared to study, to learn, to commit to the experience.

If youre not the most academic thats okay, the University will support you  but youve got to have that drive to engage with the lessons, the pre and post-session material, the resources available, the personal tutors.

You need to know anatomy, about bones, cells, structures. It can be quite challenging so were looking for resilience as well. Its not just a job. Its a profession, you own it. Its a profession that is rapidly changing, and opens the door to many other roles in the NHS.

The HEIW commission means that bursary funding may be available for eligible students who commit to working in Wales after completion of their studies.

This bursary would cover the cost of their studies, for more information visit here.

Students who accept the bursary and commit to working in Wales for the first two years of their career gain the opportunity to become part of its dedicated NHS workforce.

To learn more about the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science Degree at Wrexham Glyndwr University, please visit the website.
Thirty years after the Stalinist dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian state is trying to outlaw all research into the crimes of Stalinism. On December 28, the countrys Supreme Court issued a verdict confirming a November 11 recommendation by the government that International Memorial, a human rights organization centrally involved in documenting and exposing the crimes of Stalinism, be shuttered for allegedly having violated Russias legislation on foreign agents.

Founded in the midst of the terminal crisis of Stalinism in 1987, Memorial has created several databases with the names and biographical information of over 3 million victims of the Stalinist Great Terror. Entries often also provide information about and links to related archival holdings and other source material. Memorials own archive includes the personal records (lichnye dela) of 60,000 victims of the terror, as well as material from members of the Soviet dissident movement; its library has over 40,000 volumes, many of them rare editions. The organization runs a museum, which has organized many important exhibitions and events over the years. All of this would be liquidated, should the ruling stand.

Tables with the names of those who were executed at the Kommunarka shooting site near Moscow (c) WSWS Media

Russias Supreme Court ordered the shutdown of all of Memorials many regional branches, which have been involved in helping survivors of the Terror, setting up local exhibitions, and excavation work at mass shooting sites. Memorial published a forceful statement opposing the ruling and announced that it will appeal the decision.

Just a day before Tuesdays verdict, another Russian court extended the prison sentence of historian Yuri Dmitriev, who worked with Memorials branch in Karelia, to 15 years. Under conditions of a raging pandemic, the ruling against Dmitriev, who is 65 and in ill health, is tantamount to a death sentence.

There can be no doubt that the trial against Memorial was orchestrated at the highest levels of the Russian state. The prosecutions case was backed by Russias Ministry of Justice and Roskomnadzor, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media.

On December 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose office had earlier feigned ignorance of the case against Memorial, publicly denounced the organization for allegedly supporting terrorist and extremist groups. Putin also accused Memorial of violating its humanistic ideals because the organization, which is heavily understaffed, had accidentally included the names of three Nazi collaborators on its website, an error that was quickly corrected.

In Tuesdays court session, the state prosecutor, Alexei Zhafyarov, made no attempt to hide the political motivations behind the persecution of Memorial. He accused Memorial of committing the crime of criticizing state authorities and stated: It is obvious that Memorial distorts the historical memory about the Great Patriotic War [World War II] and creates a false image of the USSR as a terrorist state by engaging in speculations about repression in the 20th century; and is whitewashing and rehabilitating Nazi criminals who have the blood of Soviet citizens on their hands (emphasis added).

These neo-Stalinist lies and slanders must be rejected! Workers must rally to prevent the liquidation of Memorial and its invaluable archives, and demand the immediate release of Yuri Dmitriev.

The political differences of the WSWS with Russias liberal opposition, to which Memorial's leadership has ties, are well documented. But this is not what this case is about. With its work, Memorial has cut across the efforts of the Putin regime to rehabilitate and justify the crimes of Stalin. The defense of Memorial is the defense of access to the historical truth about the crimes of Stalinism.

The Great Terror of the 1930s resulted in the murder of more than a million people and the imprisonment of millions more in labor camps. In what amounted to political genocide, entire generations of revolutionaries were wiped out, first and foremost those who led the October Revolution and the struggle of the Left Opposition against Stalinism. Leon Trotsky, the co-leader of the revolution along with Lenin and the chief opponent of Joseph Stalin, was assassinated by a GPU agent in Mexico in August 1940.

The entry in one of Memorial's data bases for Alexander Voronsky, a leading Trotskyist and literary critic. It includes the dates of his birth, execution, and rehabilitation; his former address, occupation, previous exiles and arrests, his sentence, and a reference to archival holdings.

The Russian oligarchy traces its roots back to this violent historical reaction against the worlds first victorious socialist revolution. It fears that the resurgence of the class struggle internationally will reignite interest in the origins and fate of the 1917 Revolution and the struggle of Leon Trotsky against Stalinism. It seeks to block this by suppressing historical truth and perpetuating the Stalinist falsification of history.

At the 12th Plenum of the International Committee of the Fourth International in March 1992, David North stressed :

If one considers the impact of the crimes of Stalinism on the political development of the working class, one must say that no political force ever had such a devastating effect on the progressive development of humanity. Hitler was what he was. He was a fascist, imperialist politician. But Stalin and the Soviet bureaucracy, as well as the mass Stalinist parties all over the world, claimed to speak in the name of the October Revolution.  What was Stalin seeking to do? One cannot explain the mass killings except as an attempt to exterminate all traces of Marxist culture within the working class and within society.  The purpose of this mass murder was the extirpation of the individuals who embodied the revolutionary political, social and cultural environment that had produced October 1917. I dont think its possible to understand what has happened in the last year [in 1991] if one doesnt grasp the enormity of this crime.  To answer the lie that Stalinism is Marxism requires that we expose the deeds of Stalinism. To know what Stalinism is one has to show whom Stalinism murdered. We have to answer the question: against what enemy did Stalinism strike its most terrible blows?

Tens of thousands of revolutionaries, including thousands of Trotskyists who would not capitulate to Stalinism, have been erased from the historical memory of the working class. Their proud record of political struggle and their often outstanding and voluminous writings remain almost entirely unknown.

The information in Memorials databases, as well as the organizations archives and library, are indispensable to research into the history of the Soviet Union and the international workers movement in the 1920s and 1930s.

Excavation works at the most notorious mass shooting sites of the Great Terrorincluding the Kommunarka burial groundhave virtually always proceeded with assistance from Memorial. And the organization has helped families of the Terrors victims learn about their relatives fates and win their rehabilitation.

The Putin regime believes that it can intimidate the working class and historians with this verdict. Further attacks on historical institutions and archives will be prepared.

It may well have miscalculated. The persecution of Memorial has generated outrage, including among high school and college students, artists and workers. One young woman described the liquidation of Memorial as an attempt to erase my memory.

Despite the decades-long counterrevolution, Russia is still a highly politicized country; the October revolution, the 1920s and 1930s and World War II, while little understood, are the subject of TV series, books and discussions on a regular basis.

Moreover, three decades of social misery and reaction under capitalism, which have now culminated in the daily experience of mass death and disease, have left their mark on the consciousness of the working class. While there is still a great deal of confusion about the nature of Stalinism, the Soviet Union and the 1917 revolution, there is also a deep sense among many workers and intellectuals that the truth about this history is an essential precondition for social progress.

The historical record uncovered and preserved by Memorial is essential to awakening the consciousness of the working masses. The widespread opposition to the attack on Memorial must now be mobilized and rooted in the Russian and international working class, the only social constituency for the defense of historical truth and democratic rights.


A group of Apple employees organized a walkout on Christmas Eve to demand improvements in wages, benefits and health and safety conditions during the pandemic. Approximately 50 Apple retail and corporate staff participated in the strike action across three states.

On Monday, Apple closed more than 20 of its retail stores, including in New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Houston and Miami, because a wave of COVID-19 cases among employees had left the stores understaffed. We regularly monitor conditions and we will adjust our health measures to support the well-being of customers and employees, Apple said in a statement.

An organization called Apple Together (@AppleLaborers) posted a tweet under the hashtag #AppleWalkout on December 23 announcing that the strike would take place the following day. The tweet said, Calling all Apple workers and patrons! Tomorrow, December 24th, 2021, Apple workers are staging a walkout/callout to demand better working conditions.

Apple Store in Amsterdam (photo by Reflexiste)

The post provided a link for employees to apply for strike pay and a graphic that said, Dont cross the picket line. We are Apple. We deserve a respectful workplace. We deserve paid sick time. We deserve protection on the frontlines. We deserve proper mental healthcare. The post also said, Demand that Apple upholds its image with your wallet. Dont shop in stores. Dont shop online.

Janneke Parrish, a former corporate Apple employee who is helping the organizers of the strike, told the Huffington Post, Apple workers are fed up with being unheard, and that the strike aims to make sure people are aware of how retail workers are being treated. She also said Apples retail workers have extremely limited sick leave and that hazard pay is the absolute least that is owed to employees during the pandemic.

In a statement to the Daily Dot via Twitter, Apple Together said that the job action was prompted in part after a customer spit on an Apple employee in Jacksonville, Florida. The organizers said the customer was not only not asked to leavethey were allowed back in the store repeatedly, and The employee who was assaulted was essentially told the customer did nothing wrong but has since been convinced to file a police report.

Apple Together told the Daily Dot, Upon hearing about the stores plan to walkout, we decided to spread it further for support, in asking the public not to purchase Apple products today. The group also cited COVID surges in Apple retail stores as a reason for the strike.

The Apple employee group refined its demands on the day of the strike in a tweet that said the workers were demanding hazard pay, living wage adjustment increases, health care premium coverage, more accessible paid leave, full benefits for part-time workers and protections from abusive customers. The tweet finished with a list of PPE items for the COVID pandemic: N95 masks for all, sanitizing stations, appointments only, no loitering.

As the most exploited section of Apple employees, the conditions facing the firms retail workers are no doubt untenable. The tech giant is the most valuable entity on Wall Street with a market capitalization of $2.94 trillion. Of the total of 154,000 employees, there are approximately 30,000 retail workers at 516 locations worldwide.

According to Glassdoor.com, these workers make between $19 and $25 at the 272 locations in the US. This compares to the average executive compensation at the Cupertino, California-based monopoly of $235,778. The compensation packages of the highest-paid executives are in the range of $24 million annually and Apple CEO Cook earned $265 million in 2020, the eighth highest-paid executive in the US.

At the same time, the competition among the tech giants for engineers and tech designers is intense and Apple has resorted to significant and unprecedented stock bonuses to keep staff from leaving for Facebook or Google. According to a report in Bloomberg, the recent bonuses ranged from about $50,000 to as much as $180,000 in some cases. Many of the engineers received amounts of roughly $80,000, $100,000 or $120,000 in shares, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the program isnt public. Other engineers who did not receive the bonuses believe the selection process is arbitrary. The value of some of the bonuses equaled the annual stock grant given to some engineering managers.

Over the summer, Apple Together organized a protest around the hashtag #AppleToo, which was influenced by middle-class identity politics and had the stated aim of exposing patterns of racism, sexism, inequality and abuse with the company.

Increasingly, Apple employees, like their counterparts at Amazon, Google and Microsoft, are putting forward demands for improved wages, benefits and working conditions and highlighting the immense gap between the tech giant executives who have made billions during the pandemic and the workers who have risked their lives.

In April, Apple software engineer Cher Scarlett filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against the company for engaging in coercive and suppressive activity that has enabled abuse and harassment of organizers of protected concerted activity. Scarlett had started a pay equity survey that was shut down by management on the grounds of privacy concerns.

The employees also lobbied the company to provide more flexible remote work options during the pandemic. While the company initially insisted that employees plan to return to the office by February 1, Apple announced on December 15 that the plan was being delayed indefinitely due to the pandemic surge.

Retail and technology workers at Apple and other Silicon Valley firms are right to take the initiative and organize independently of the companies and put forward and fight for their demands for improved wages, benefits and working conditions. However, as we have done in a recent report on the recent struggle mounted by Google employees, tech workers must be warned about the attempt by the official union organizationssuch as the Communications Workers of America and other unions affiliated with the AFL-CIOto co-opt their struggle and transform it into a prop for their alliance with the Democratic Party.

These organizations work to guarantee an accommodation with management that is beneficial to the profit interests of the giant corporations and secures for themselves a weekly dues checkoff that is taken out of employee paychecks. We call on Apple and other tech workers to contact the WSWS for assistance in building rank-and-file committees in every workplace to unite workers in other industries in the US and internationally. This effort must be based on the struggle to put an end to the capitalist profit system through the establishment of a global socialist economic structure that guarantees workers in every country a job with livable wages and benefits.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) is today publishing further comments from WSWS readers and supporters of the fight to free WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Many of those calling for Assanges immediate release attended an emergency meeting called by the SEP on December 23 in response to the December 10 ruling by the UK High Court, which ordered Assanges extradition to the US. The online meeting was attended by people from at least 26 countries.

Speakers at the meeting urged defenders of Assange to orient themselves to the international working class, not the very forces responsible for Assanges plight, such as those in the British and Australian political establishments.

They also drew the connection between the fight for the truth conducted by WikiLeaks to expose the war crimes and abuses of the US and its allies, and the campaign being waged by the SEP and the WSWS against the lies and misinformation used by capitalist governments around the world to justify their profit-driven COVID-19 pandemic policies.

Dimitri

Dmitri, a 23-year-old writer in Adelaide, said: The UK High Court decision is a very transparent abuse of power to use trumped-up charges to try and punish whistleblowing or any sharing of information about things which should be public knowledge anyway.

We should be allowed to know what the military and our governments are doing. Theyre doing it not just to punish Assange, but also to make an example of himto show anyone if they try to do something like expose war crimes or even have a database for sharing those things, this is what theyll do.

Assanges health has been suffering. They want to do this to him just as were on the precipice of calling for war against China or Russia, to make a political statement.

On the response of the Labor Party, the Greens, and the pseudo-left, Dmitri said: They might give different reasons, but it seems like theyre all opposed to a genuine response to the war machine and imperialism. These parties are based on the upper middle-class layers who are not opposed to war because they actually benefit from them.

Liam, a mechanic from western Sydney, commented: The recent call [for Assange not to be extradited] by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce only reveals that there is serious concern in the broader public about Assange and all his case represents, and that Joyces sudden concern is a way for him to harness this public support.

But ultimately, its just going to lead the movement into a dead end, because Australia and its political class are beholden to US interests. Thats all Joyces comments show and thats why I think the work by the Dont Extradite Assange Group, in appealing to a political system that is trying to destroy Assange and opposition to war, is ultimately futile.

Matt

Matt, a carpenter from the New South Wales South Coast, said: As the pivot to Asia escalates, the ruling elite cant tolerate a rebellious working class in Australia, Britain or the United States. They are worried that an intelligent and belligerent population will stop their war machine. They have learned the lessons from the Vietnam War, and the very powerful images the American public witnessed on live TV, images of Viet Cong soldiers getting shot in the head. They want to pacify and dull the consciousness of the workers and to do that theyve got to step on people like Julian Assange.

Right-wing populist figures, like Ron Paul in America or Barnaby Joyce in Australia, allow the bourgeoisie to tout that you can work within the system, but that is directly contradicted by Joyces preposterous comment that he cant do anything [to defend Assange.]

The Labor Party, through the unions, could have hundreds of thousands of people on the street tomorrow if they really wanted to, and theyre doing nothing. What needs to happen is not just protest politics, people on the streets, but that would be a significant start. There needs to be a great flowering of consciousness. Workers do need to read the World Socialist Web Site, that is part of the answer. Its definitely been a big part of developing my consciousness. We owe it to Assange to keep him alive.

Damien, a printing worker and long-time SEP supporter in Brisbane, commented: Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, with the aid of courageous whistleblowers like Chelsea Manning, waged their own information war, most memorably with the release in 2010 of the sickening Collateral Murder video. They laid bare the crimes of US imperialism and its allies. It is therefore no surprise that Assange would be targeted by those same powers. Indeed, it is a credit to Assanges courage and principles that he did not allow that danger to deter him.

Appeals to capitalist governments and their judiciaries have fallen on deaf ears. As we have seen most recently in the changes to Australias electoral registration laws, capitalism is increasingly abandoning any pretence of upholding democratic rights. The living with COVID-19 policy demonstrates that the capitalist state has as much respect for its citizens lives as it has for those abroad on whom it wages war. Is it any surprise that the capitalist class views someone like Assange as a dangerous enemy?

The only force that can free Assange is the international working class. For that reason, I fully support the call for the formation of rank-and-file committees and a program of demands that includes the freeing of Julian Assange. His future is tied to the struggle to build the International Committee of the Fourth International in every country, overthrow capitalism and establish a global socialist society.

Mitchell, an IT worker and new SEP electoral member in Brisbane, said: Having had its pride hurt by a journalist of the highest honour, the mainstream media was front and centre in demanding revenge against Assange, none more so than the reputable Guardian the paper of Russiagatewhich profited off a hatchet job of a book against Assange, then degraded him with smear after smear.

Organisations like PEN America and the Committee to Protect Journaliststhe latter of which has left Assange off their Jailed Journalists Index for three years in a rowalso refused to take a stand, as did respectable journalists like Peter Greste and Maria Ressa, who respectively preached responsible journalism and protecting national security even as Julian was being thrown to the wolves.

And then, of course, no one has proven as perfidious as the pseudo-left parties in Australia and the UK, especially Britains Labour under Jeremy Corbyn, who maintained a deafening silence on Assanges plight during his entire tenure as party leader, allowed himself to be destroyed by completely false allegations levelled against him by the partys Blairites. He now has the audacity to claim Assanges freedom is the cause of our timea travesty that should shatter any remaining illusions that Labour will bring fundamental change to British workers.

In sharp contrast, the SEP has defended both Julian Assange and WikiLeaks from the very beginning for their indispensable contributions to the struggle against imperialism, and is now better positioned than any other political force to spearhead the final drive to prevent Julians extradition to the United Statesa drive whose success depends on mobilising the extraordinary might of the international working class.

Peter, an ex-BHP steelworker, said: Julian Assange is the living embodiment of honest and courageous journalism. His relentless and sadistic persecution has only been possible by the silence or active collusion of organisations and governments who once claimed to in some way oppose the excesses of capitalism.

Its no accident that it was Labor and Democratic administrations at the helm of government that led the campaign to silence Assange. Appeals to the forces who jailed Assange and kept the witch-hunt alive ignores the factual history of this case and places the fate of Assange and the truth in the hands of those very forces that sacrifice both. Truth is a class issue and only the intervention of the working class and the oppressed can assure Assanges freedom.
As COVID-19 infections surge across most of Australia, opposition is mounting among health workers, as well as the general public, to the dismantling of testing, contact tracing and most other public health measures by the state and federal governments.

More than 18,000 new cases were reported in Australia today, an increase of 60 percent of yesterdays record-high figure. The bulk of these were in New South Wales (NSW), where the daily case numbers nearly doubled to 11,201, but they also soared to new heights in Victoria (3,767), Queensland (1,589) and South Australia (1,471).

Largely fuelled by the extremely transmissible Omicron mutation, the positivity test rate continues to rise. It is now above 7 percent in NSW, indicating that the official statistics seriously underestimate the true level of infection.

COVID-19 testing site in the Melbourne suburb of Fawkner (Photo: @JoanWil85024201, Twitter)

While governments and the media continue to insist, without adequate evidence, that the Omicron variant is milder than the Delta strain, the sheer volume of cases is starting to overwhelm health systems. Already, 1,252 people are officially hospitalised with COVID-19 nationwide, up from 1,146 yesterday. Eight people died from the virus in Australia yesterday.

Such is the level of public concern that lines stretch for kilometres at testing sites around the country, with many people being turned away. Those who are tested are waiting up to five days for results. This breakdown in the testing system means that the official figures are far behind the actual infection rates.

Dr Josie McSkimming, a clinical social worker, wrote on Twitter: It is patently obvious that in NSW at least you CANNOT get tested for covid. Sick people cannot queue for upwards of 5 hrs, then wait for 3-4 days for results. And now the results arent always reliable anyway.

Another health worker, Michael Wu, reported on Twitter: In my telehealth job Im taking a lot of calls from people who have tested positive to covid on rapid antigen tests, but who cant, for various reasons, obtain a PCR test. The official covid numbers are just the tip of the iceberg.

The governments, Labor Party and Liberal-National alike, are trying to blame the meltdown of COVID-19 testing on tourism testing. They are denouncing people for seeking to ensure their safety and those of their loved ones before travelling and visiting. But a popular social media thread started on Monday by a pathology worker exposed the real reason people are waiting many days for test resultsthe lack of resources and staffing.

Reddit user Scematix wrote: We are currently at the absolute limit of testing, there is literally no more equipment available, let alone staff, in the country to process more samples.

The worker explained that the increasing positivity rate in NSW meant that batch testing of samples was becoming less efficient. [Batch testing] is all well and good when the percentage of positive results is low, however it all starts to fall apart when this percentage increases and every other batch we test is positive and requires individual testing.

Scematix said that, in pathology labs, and throughout the health care system, the staffing situation is dire. During the pandemic, many of my colleagues quit due to the impossible workload, stress, poor compensation and inhumane treatment by our management.  New hires are not yet up to speed, and are expected to process double the amount of specimens with the same amount of resources.

The writer also reported that, on Sunday, 1 in every 4 patients who presented to the emergency department and were tested with rapid PCR at the hospital which I work at returned positive for COVID.

We are running out of supplies to operate our rapid PCR analysers, inpatient needs are being set aside so that we can identify positive cases in the emergency department because other testing sites are no longer reliable. People are panicking and flocking to hospitals. As a result, those who are in need for other reasons are being neglected.

Scematix concluded: What I witnessed yesterday has left a terrifying impression on me. The hospitals are not equipped for this.

Many of the more than 800 replies to the post came from other health workers who corroborated the dire picture painted by Scematix, referred to as the original poster (OP).

One wrote: We are swimming (DROWNING) in samples. We are 6,000 behind and also sending away anywhere from 200-2,000 samples a day to other locations to help us (this depends on what they will take).

Another said: To the OP, well done for speaking up. Politicians and management have no clue. The problem is that the nurses union, the AMA [Australian Medical Association] and training colleges wont speak up and tell the truth.

Responding to the announcement that isolation periods for NSW health workers exposed to COVID-19 would be slashed, Enoon-Mai, a registered nurse, condemned NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

She wrote: Its like living in an alternative universe when you hear Perrottet and Hazzard promote the notion of just accepting were all going to be infected and that we, as healthcare professionals, should be all good with the prospect we might infect our own patients.

Another wrote: Those who say just let it rip, well all get it eventually have no idea how vulnerable the healthcare system is right now. The overworked healthcare system will affect everyone in some way for decades to come.

On Facebook, Queensland health worker Christine Cocks wrote: Nurses have dreaded the borders opening to NSW, with the lax public health restrictions with regard covid. And it has come across the border, just as we all knew it would.

Now nurses are frightened of what the next days/weeks/months will bring. Some are being recalled from annual leave. This is allowed if the circumstances are unforeseen. There is nothing unforeseen about opening borders and allowing covid in, and the impact this will have on our hospitals.

Tammy Copley, another Queensland health worker, wrote: Our hospital system has been in crisis for decades and has been a lot worse the last 5-10 years. Covid is simply proving that. Nurses and Midwives are leaving the professions and that has been ignored for way too long. Weve had two years to plan for Covid and that has been very poorly done.

Opposition to the mass infection policies is not limited to health workers. Social media postings provide some idea of the mounting shock and outrage.

On Twitter, Lexie wrote: Theyre branding pretend there isnt a pandemic as living with it. Another Twitter user, Soph, wrote: Living with it is just a government excuse for not wanting to put the resources in to contain spread and stop community transmission.

Far from being inevitable, or even necessary, as the governments claim, the escalating COVID-19 crisis is the direct product of the actions of Labor and Liberal-National governments alike, carried out to satisfy the demands of big business for the full reopening of the economy for the sake of profit. The failure of basic health facilities, such as testing and tracing, and the mounting stress on hospitals, has also exposed the decades of underfunding and running down the public health system.
Due to the combined impact of the highly contagious Omicron variant and the dismantling of most public health measures, Canada is now experiencing far and away its biggest-ever wave of COVID-19 infections.

Yesterday Ontario and Quebec recorded over 21,650 new infections, with Quebec reporting 12,833 additional cases and Ontario 8,825. Nationally, active COVID-19 cases stand at 175,000 or more, up by approximately 75 percent from the 103,000 reported by the federal government less than a week ago, on December 23.

As grave as the official figures of new COVID cases are, they no longer provide anywhere near an accurate indication of the extent of the virus spread. As a result of the federal and provincial governments decision to let the virus run rampant, testing capacity across the country has become overwhelmed. Both provincial and local health authorities are now urging people not to get an official PCR-test unless they are showing symptoms or, in some cases, serious symptoms.

Canadian Armed Forces personnel have repeatedly had to be deployed to assist overwhelmed health care facilities during the five waves of a pandemic that has now killed more than 30,000 Canadians and infected over two million. (CAF)

One Toronto-area emergency room doctor, commenting on the fact that Ontarios official daily number of new infections has hovered around 10,000 in recent days, told CTV News, It's been stuck for a while at 10,000 because thats probably the max that our system can handle in positive results. Its probably closer to 100,000 if I had to guess.

This assessment is backed up by skyrocketing test positivity rates. Quebec reported Tuesday that over 26 percent of all tests performed in the province in the previous 24 hours came back positive, more than five times the 5 percent threshold beyond which the pandemic is considered to be out of control. Other provinces, including Ontario and Manitoba, have test backlogs running into the tens of thousands.

Hospitalizations, which generally lag infection rates by at least two weeks, are also starting to rise. Close to 500 people are currently receiving hospital treatment for COVID-19 in Ontario, with 187 of those in intensive care. On Tuesday Quebec recorded 88 hospitalizations over the previous 24 hours, including an increase of intensive care patients by six, to 115.

Under conditions of this mounting health disaster, the principal concern of governments and their public health officials is how to scrap the few remaining remnants of public health protections in order to safeguard corporate profits. They are following the lead of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which took the scandalous decision Monday to cut the isolation period for those infected with COVID-19 in half, from 10 days to just five. The CDC added that those who have received a booster vaccine will not need to isolate at all, even though preliminary evidence indicates that a booster dose only provides 75 percent protection against an Omicron infection and that this protection wanes after just 10 weeks. The CDCs open flouting of science-based recommendations was underscored by the fact that its announcement came as a direct response to an appeal from airline executives to loosen quarantine rules so their operations could continue unhindered.

Quebecs Health Minister Christian Dube announced Tuesday that health care workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be forced to remain on the job if they are not displaying symptoms, based on new government rules for managing and balancing risk. Dube said that, with more than 8,000 health care workers already off the job due to COVID-19 infection or pandemic burnout, the only alternative would have been to stop providing non-emergency care. He added that the provincial Coalition Avenir Quebec government, which like its predecessors is committed to relentless austerity, would soon present similar rules so that other COVID-infected essential workers can keep working.

Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Kieran Moore, notorious for his demand earlier in the fall to normalize COVID-19 infections in schools, has said that in light of Mondays CDC decision, he will be presenting revised isolation rules for the province in the next day or two.

The chorus demanding the virtual scrapping of isolation requirements is growing. Egged on by the corporate media, various doctors and academics are being trotted out to promote what is in effect the homicidal herd immunity policy that is responsible for millions of premature deaths around the world. Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti, a Mississauga-based physician, told CTV News, What this is showing is that we have this mild virus right now, for the most part, especially if youre vaccinated, ripping through the population and thats going to cause a lot of, and I mean this in a good way, immunityI think that this is actually, believe it or not, good news.

Ottawa-based epidemiologist Dr. Raywat Deonandan agreed, asserting, We will get to the point where exposures are happening so commonly that we cant keep people at home if theyre asymptomatic. Im not saying blow the doors wide open. Im not saying throw caution to the wind. Im not saying keep everything open. Im saying reassess isolation protocols to keep society running.

The demand to keep society running is in reality a plea to keep profits flowing to Bay Street and corporate Canada, irrespective of the loss in human life and number of people crippled by the debilitating impact of Long COVID. It amounts to blowing the doors wide open to infection and sabotaging any coordinated public health measures to contain the pandemic.

This savage class war agenda of mass infection and death is being spearheaded by the Trudeau Liberal government, which has slashed the already meagre pandemic financial supports available to workers over recent months in order to force them back on the job. The Trudeau government has not enforced a single new public health policy to combat the rapid spread of Omicron, other than a few worthless travel restrictions adopted after the variant had already taken hold at the community level in Ontario, Quebec and other parts of the country. Its priorities throughout the pandemic have been safeguarding the wealth of the super-rich and the profits of big business.

Even though the Trudeau governments top public health official, Dr. Theresa Tam, declared last week that hospitals would collapse in a matter of weeks if contacts are not substantially reduced, governments at all levels are doubling down on their strategy of mass infection.

For the ruling class, a critical element in keeping society running is ensuring schools remain open, which allows parents to be freed from childcare responsibilities so that they remain available for the labour market, i.e., pumping out profits for the capitalists. Quebec intends to reopen elementary schools as planned next week, with high schools returning just one week later, on January 10. Ontario is expected to finalize its decision on school reopenings later this week. Currently, schools are scheduled to open for full in-class instruction on Monday, January 3.

Opposition to school reopenings is growing under conditions in which the central role they play in driving community transmission of COVID-19 is widely understood. As a high school student in the YRDBS (York Region District School Board), fully vaccinated, Im terrified to go back on January 3, a student wrote on Twitter. For the first time, I actually want to learn online if thats what will keep me safe.

Responding to a group of doctors demanding that schools remain open, a teacher tweeted, I have 25 kids in my class and see 40 different unmasked kids daily when I have lunch duty in two different classes. A Twitter poll conducted by the biostatistician Ryan Ingrund, who has built up a large following due to his provision of data on COVID-19 outbreaks in schools, found that only 21 percent of respondents favour reopening schools in Ontario.

The critical task now is to arm this widespread anger and outrage over the ruling elites pandemic policy of mass infection and death with a clear political program aimed at eliminating COVID-19 on a global scale. What is required is a mass movement led by working people to fight for a comprehensive Zero COVID strategy, including mass testing, contact tracing, the isolation of all infected cases, mass vaccination, and the shutdown of all nonessential production and schools, with full compensation for all workers affected, to stop all community transmission.
Anger is growing in the working class in the United States in response to Mondays announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it was shortening its guidelines for quarantining for positive cases from 10 days to five. In remarks to the press, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and Bidens top COVID adviser Anthony Fauci admitted that the purpose of loosening the restrictions is to ensure the supply of labor for American businesses. This occurs while the surge of the Omicron variant is expected to infect 140 million Americans in the next three months, more than 40 percent of the country.

The announcement amounts to an abdication by the federal government of any pretense of attempting to contain the pandemic. Instead, workers are being told that they must learn to liveand to diewith the virus, in the name of protecting the economy, a euphemism for the profit margins and share values of the major corporations. It follows a televised address last week by President Biden in which he rejected new lockdowns of schools and workplaces, and even encouraged Americans not to cancel their holiday travel plans.

However, the spread of the virus itself among airline workers forced the cancellation of thousands of flights. An appeal to the CDC by the heads of major airlines is what immediately prompted the change to quarantine guidelines.

Stellantis workers at Warren Truck Plant in suburban Detroit (WSWS Media)

The announcement has stunned and angered workers, who are being confronted with the fact that the corporate and political establishment consider their lives and those of their friends and relatives expendable. One tweet by a worker who was instructed to come to work even though his roommate tested positive was liked more than 360,000 times and retweeted 44,000 times. Workers flooded the replies to the tweet with their own horror stories from work and school.

One such tweet read, I'm a high school teacher and when I was told two weeks ago during lunch that the group of people I had dinner with tested positive I told my admin that I was leaving to get tested. The [New York City Department of Education] told me if I didn't have any symptoms, I would be docked a half day. I was positive.

Another tweet read, My granddaughters Daycare sent a text last night that said one of the care givers had tested positive but is asymptomatic and will still be coming to work. Just a heads up in case someone didnt want their kid exposed. Unbelievable. Another said, My sister's workplace told her to just come to work because you could test positive for 3 months so it doesn't matter if you come to work. and they didnt tell other employees when someone got covid. gotta love america.

Workers across the country spoke to the World Socialist Web Site.

One Southern California nurse said, To be honest, I have lost a lot of trust in the CDC. This is the same organization that told us it was okay to come to work wearing a bandana [in the opening weeks of the pandemic, in response to widespread mask shortages]. I get itthe country wasnt prepared and there weren't enough N95s, but they put us at risk and a lot of people got sick.

Then we were told by Fauci, If youre vaccinated you wont get it and you wont spread it. That was also a lie and they have really undermined the legitimacy of the CDC. This is a big issue because it has played into the hands of people denying that COVID exists.

She concluded, 'You are playing with peoples lives and its unforgivable. What I want to know is what data are they going off of? Where is the data?'

A general surgeon from the Midwest said, When I asked my colleague what she thought of the CDC guidelines she burst out with they are a crock of s---! She has a young family, and her husband works in the emergency department, so she hears it all.

I know a lot of people are joking about them, but they are setting a dangerous precedent. This will cost lives, and possibly many young lives. The number of kids getting hospitalized is remarkable. He added, I took a test this morning because I got word that the person in my operating room who had a bad cough tested positive last night. I will test again tomorrow, but will have to go to work regardless unless I develop symptoms.

A flight attendant responded angrily to the fact that the CDC had bowed to the demands of airline executives. I dont see how the airlines are allowed to dictate what the CDC decides, she said. Their decisions are being based strictly on the economy and the stock market. My friend was triple vaccinated, has emphysema, and Southwest Airlines made her work. Now they are telling her she only has to quarantine five days.

The decision will have particularly dire consequences for schools, which have functioned as the chief vectors of transmission throughout the pandemic. The number of children with severe cases has risen steadily in recent months.

One Philadelphia educator said, As a teacher, I am disturbed by endless seemingly unscientifically warranted changes to protocol. [Alongside this,] increases are occurring in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths...with the most contagious variants spreading faster than any variants of this virus ever have before. If the peoples voices were considered in this supposedly democratic government decision, such decisions would not have been made, he said. As it is, however, our voices are being drowned out by corporate voices and their accomplices in the government. Instead, we have societal murder.

A teacher from Massachusetts told the World Socialist Web Site, If there was any remaining doubt that the CDC was taking its cues from corporate lobbyists as opposed to science, the new quarantine guidelines have eliminated it. The scarier part is that the Biden administration has encountered so little resistance from [the unions] throughout the pandemic that it no longer feels compelled to obscure this reality. Airline CEOs requested shorter quarantines, the CDC obliged, now Bidens surrogates are all over the news talking about how this was done to get workers back to work faster.

What kind of inhumane society would see the number of COVID hospitalizations multiplying, and at the very same time decide to shorten the quarantine guidelines? a teacher from Westchester County, New York asked. They have even been bold enough to admit that the goal post has been moved mid-game solely to keep the workforce in place. To me, this reeks of the Hunger Games mentality, in which segments of our population are deemed expendable. We have arrived at a remarkably horrific crossroads in history, one in which our failure to fight for our youngest members will mark us as barbarians for generations to come.

Autoworkers throughout the country spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about the situation in their plants, where infections are spiraling out of control. One Ford Kansas City Assembly worker said he suspects COVID cases to be on the rise at that plant because he and others are always being called in to cover shifts. He said that he hears from other workers that the reason why is because more workers are under quarantine. However, neither the United Auto Workers union nor management ever tells workers the truth about why their coworkers are not coming to work or why theyve died.

Within the last three weeks, he said, two workers from the plant have died, one 46 and the other 51 years old, with no cause of death given. The 51-year-old worker died at the door of the plant, but no one gave the cause of death. He seemed to be in good health before. His shift started at 11:30 at night and his shift times changed around a lot. He dropped and was rolling around on the ground. They said he couldnt breathe. By the time the ambulance got there, he was gone.

A worker at a General Motors parts warehouse in Memphis, Tennessee told the WSWS, Since all the COVID started, we are damned if we do and damned if we dont with reporting cases. The people who have tested positive are sent out, but the others that worked side-by-side with them are never notified. Everything is all hush-hush, and we are told to mind our own business.

A worker at the Dana auto parts plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana said, COVID in the plant is spreading. I believe it is spreading faster because of the Danas COVID policy. People are being forced back to work and I think they are still contagious. You dont need a negative result to come back to work. Human Resources treated this more seriously in the beginning, but now they try [to] minimize it.

A young worker at the Stellantis Warren Truck plant in suburban Detroit said, The CDCs decision just shows they dont care about our lives. So many workers are sick in my plant. The company is working the TPTs (temporary part-time workers) 12 hours or more to make up for all the workers out sick.

Now they are talking about converting some other plants in the area to critical status, so they can work you 90 straight days. To me, the only reason you should designate any plant critical is when it reaches a critical number of COVID cases, and it should be shut down immediately. Thats whats happening now.

An auto parts worker at the Faurecia plant in Saline, Michigan explained that an infected forklift driver had spread the virus to several coworkers, and now half of the workers line is out without any explanation from management or the UAW.

They were infected, and the company covered it up. They did not even sanitize their workstations. They just sent people in to replace them. She went on to contrast the complete disregard for human life in the US to the situation in China where public health measures were taken, including temporary lockdowns of schools and businesses, to prevent the transmission of the virus.

In China, the government really took action to stop the spread, and the people followed in line and supported that. The corporations are running our country. They are trying to make profit. In China it looks like they are concerned about the health of the people. So, they make sure that the people follow the rules. In our country the government is doing what the big corporations say as opposed to the people. Thats what I fear.

I dont support the government of China. But it shows you can stop the virus. The working class needs to step up. We have to figure out how, because we all work for the corporations and need to stick together so we dont feel threatened.

We know that the union is not relevant to help us. We have to do it on our own, the working class and our communities including the schools and the small businesses, as opposed to the corporations.

We urge workers to contact the WSWS with information about the spread of infections in your workplaces. All information will be kept anonymous.
Directed by Adam McKay

When Donald Trump was reminded about the dangers of climate change in the midst of a surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall of 2020, he replied, I dont think science knows, actually. Trumps open disdain for scientific truth on both climate change and the pandemic was symptomatic of capitalisms intellectual and moral rot.

Trump was not alone, of course. The Democrats, and the present Biden administration, with its political lackeys in the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), have also been complicit in their own attacks on science, including covering up truths about the pandemic that might threaten the rising stock market.

Such life-and-death matters are taken up with varying degrees of success in Dont Look Up, a dark comedy in which scientists attempt to alert the world about a comet set to hit Earth in six months time. Written and directed by Adam McKay (Succession, Vice, The Big Short, Anchorman), from a story by David Sirota (editor-at-large at Jacobin, former advisor to Bernie Sanders presidential campaign), the film skewers the anti-scientific stupidity and criminality of the American political establishment, as well as the corrupt nexus of corporations, the government and the media.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in Don't Look Up

When McKay began working on the film, prior to the global COVID-19 pandemic, he was focused on the issue of climate change. But many of its themes will resonate with audiences who have experienced millions killed by a virus that has attacked and devastated society, an entirely preventable disaster.

Dont Look Up, currently the most popular film on Netflix, is not entirely successful or satisfying. It is guilty of a certain heavy-handedness, and its tone veers toward the bleak and misanthropic at times. A disdain for the broader population weakens it. Nonetheless, many moments stand out for their entirely legitimate urgency and anger.

The film opens with the discovery by Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), a Michigan State University graduate student and PhD candidate in astronomy, of a large comet late one night while making telescopic observations. She alerts her advisor, Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), who makes the startling calculation that the large body will hit Earth in a little more than half a year and cause a planet-wide extinction event.

Dr. Mindy alerts NASAs Planetary Defense Coordination Office head Dr. Teddy Oglethorpe (Rob Morgan), who has them sent to the White House to meet President Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep). Orlean suggests a composite of various former presidents, with their hypocrisies and stupidities.

When Dr. Mindy and Dibiasky explain the dire situation to President Orlean and her son and Chief of Staff, Jason Orlean (Jonah Hill), they are met with unseriousness and bemusement.

Don't Look Up

Dr. Mindy then elaborates with greater urgency the implications of the impending event, only to be mockingly interrupted by Jason once again. Ogelthorpe interjects, Madam President, this comet is what we call a planet-killer.

The White House refuses to confront this deadly reality, in scenes reminiscent of the two most recent administrations. The Orlean White House, moreover, is in the middle of a sex scandal as the president heads into the midterm elections and, according to news reports, is in full crisis mode.

Dr. Mindy and Dibiasky leak the information to the New York Herald, whose editors abandon the news story when it doesnt prove to be generating internet traffic. The story is drowned out by various pieces of celebrity gossip. The pair of scientists eventually end up on a circus-like talk show, The Daily Rip, with hosts Brie Evantee (Cate Blanchett) and Jack Bremmer (Tyler Perry), whose aim is to keep the bad news light. The co-hosts demonstrate the trademark smugness and idiocy that dominates American television.

Meanwhile, tech billionaire CEO Peter Isherwell (Mark Rylance) of the BASH corporation gets wind of the comet and learns that it contains trillions in rare-earth materials. Isherwell convinces the White House that instead of deploying a scientific strategy to destroy the comet, BASH should send its rockets to mine the comet for its minerals first.

Dr. Mindy is elevated to become the face of this operation (and he is briefly seduced by the position and the media attention), with Kate sidelined, but Isherwells increasingly reckless plan leads to disaster. When Kate eventually informs the public that the White House doesnt care if the comet strikes the planet, it sparks riots. Kate meets a semi-religious, half-witted anarchist type named Yule (Timothee Chalamet), who enters her life as the comet hurls toward Earth.

There are powerful and hilarious moments in Dont Look Up that stand out. When President Orlean is told about the planet-killing crisis, she initially responds, Lets bottom line this. What is this going to cost me?

Orlean even has a Mission Accomplished moment, aboard a warship where she announces a bombastic plan full of hot air to address the comet threat, and stages a photo-op as George W. Bush did at the outset of the Iraq War.

Dr. Mindy later appears on The Daily Rip and has a mad as hell moment. He challenges conspiracy theorists dismissing the reality of the comet. Mindy has a breakdown on the show in response to the inanity of its banter. Look, lets establish once again that there is a huge comet headed to the earth. The reason we know theres a comet is because we saw it with our own eyes with a telescope. We should have deflected the comet when we had the f---ing chance, but we didnt do it. And now theyre actually firing scientists like me for speaking out, for opposing them. The president of the United States is fing lying! This whole administration has lost its fing mind! I think were all going to die! Hes then gagged and escorted off with a black bag over his head in a CIA-like maneuver.

The talented Chalamet as Yule is perhaps the weakest character. To a certain extent, he and the rest of the younger characters are treated with contempt, and this is a serious flaw. Theyre represented as fickle, and the population as a whole is portrayed as too obsessed and distracted by social media and celebrity culture to take reality seriously.

All this points to the biggest weaknesses in the outlook of McKay (whose contributions to Succession and other films are strong, especially Vice) and Sirota in particular. Sirotas generally contemptuous view of the population is common to the liberal and pseudo-left layers at the Nation and Jacobin.

These are the elements that support Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Democratic Socialists of America (McKay is a member of the DSA), which is nothing but a faction of the Democratic Party itself. The attacks on the Clinton wing are evident, but ultimately these lefts operate within the Democratic Partys political orbit.

The screenwriting is also careless at times and many of the slapstick gags are too crude and drag on, as does the film as a whole. While there are hints of Stanley Kubricks Dr. Strangelove (1964) and Sidney Lumets Network (1976), the writing is hardly as disciplined and focused.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Dont Look Up is at its strongest when it reveals how everything in America is reduced to a question of profit vs. science. The incestuous relationship between corporate tycoons and the government and the media is unevenly lampooned. Right-wing media crackpots and fascistic types are also mocked.

The film is effectively shot and the music by Nicholas Britell (who did the soundtrack for Succession) is striking. DiCaprio, Lawrence, Streep and Blanchett take their roles as seriously as they can, despite the limitations of the script. Hill is amusing in his satirical portrayal of the Trump Jr.-like sycophant.

To their credit, Lawrence and DiCaprio see parallels between the present pandemic crisis and the dangers raised in the film. According to Yahoo News, Lawrence told reporters, Its just so sad and frustrating to watch people who have dedicated their lives to learning the truth, be turned away because people dont like what the truth has to say.

DiCaprio also said, I was just thankful to play a character who is solely based on so many of the people that Ive met from the scientific community, and in particular climate scientists, whove been trying to communicate the urgency of this issue and feeling like theyre subjected to the last page on the newspaper.

And then, of course, COVID hit and there was a whole new scientific argument going on there, and its just such an important film to be a part of at this particular time.

Despite many of its limitations, Dont Look Up has struck a chord with the population as the pandemic reaches a new and deadly phase, with millions dead and the political establishment following the dictates of profit over science and human lives.
The following statement was unanimously endorsed by a December 15 meeting of the Health Workers Action Committee in Sri Lanka.

Health workers protest in Kandy last June [WSWS Media]

The Health Workers Action Committee (HWAC) welcomes the Global Workers Inquest and pledges full support to make it a success.

Because governments in country after country are engaged in a policy of living with the virus, this inquest, we believe, will expose this murderous policy and solidarise the global working class against it. The successful zero COVID-19 policy in China further confirms the criminality of these governments.

As frontline health workers we have been battling the pandemic in hospitals and experiencing how the government has been handling the pandemic in a criminal manner.

At the early stages of the pandemicthat is, from mid-March 2020the government imposed a lockdown for just a few weeks, until the last week of April 2020. There was no effective lockdown of the country, despite an upsurge of the pandemic from October 2020 until August this year.

In August, the government was forced to impose a second lockdown, after the deadly Delta variant began rampaging through the country. It led to patients overflowing at hospitals, with over 200 deaths per day and more than 5,000 infections per day, even with low numbers of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests.

While Sri Lankan experts recommended a minimum of 40,000 PCR tests per day, the government has only been carrying out between 5,000 and 20,000 tests. Factories and most workplaces continued working which led to COVID-19 infections reaching their highest level in the last weeks of August.

On July 5, 2021, the HWAC issued a statement which explained the worsening situation: Instead of shutting down all non-essential workplaces, in parallel with a rapid vaccination program and massively increasing the number of infection detection tests, the scientific method of eradicating the pandemic, the government has allowed the profiteering of big businesses to continue. Large businesses, including all factories, are operating, and the so-called travel restrictions have been lifted, despite expert advice.

Due to the rapid spread of the pandemic, there has been a sharp increase of patients in hospitals dedicated to COVID-19, as well as other hospitals. The record number of infected patients in the hospital system is at an unbearable level of 30,000. The spread of the more powerful Delta virus is reportedly exacerbating the situation.

The government handling of the pandemic here in Sri Lanka is very similar to government responses around the world, including the US and in Europe. From the early days of the pandemic, the government adopted the murderous policy of herd immunity, allowing mass infections. The official undercounted number of pandemic deaths is now reaching 15,000 and infections are exceeding 570,000.

As health workers we have suffered a lot during the peaks of the pandemic. Health staff have had to work strenuously long shifts of up to 18 hours at a stretch. The government did not recruit any new hands with the outbreak of the pandemic, even though there were dire shortages of health staff in hospitals, so workloads increased immensely.

Nor did the government supply proper personal protective equipment (PPEs), forcing health workers to improvise by using garbage bags and sewing together other things. Medically recommended face masks are rarely provided to us. We have also had to bear all the expenses for transport, isolation, and quarantining.

Mortuaries have overflowed, posing immense difficulties to health staff who have also suffered acute mental distress because of the large number of preventable deaths.

Hundreds of health employees and their families have been infected while at least 20 workersfrom medical officers to ancillary workershave died so far from the virus. On some occasions infected health workers were unable to find a bed inside hospitals during COVID-19 peaks.

Hospitals have also faced shortages of drugs, oxygen, and proper medical equipment to treat patients.

Successive Sri Lankan governments over decades have cut funding to public health infrastructure while boosting private healthcare. The upsurge of the pandemic, which has brought the dilapidated public hospital system to the brink of collapse, is an indictment of the entire ruling elite.

Patients have had to stay at home due to the non-availability of hospital beds. The intensive care unit (ICU) capacity of the public hospitals is about 500 beds and only a fraction of these can be used for COVID-19 patients. This has led to an increase in the number of pandemic deaths in normal wards and in homes.

As soon as Sinopharm and AstraZeneca became available, the government declared that vaccinations were the ultimate solution and began reducing health safety measures and directing all workplaces to operate at full capacity.

While health workers rising anger against the government is expressed in frequent sporadic strikes and protests over our dire conditions, it has been difficult organising a collective struggle because of trade union pressure. The health sector unions divide us according to grades, and even within each grade, and there are several rival health unions. Getting together with the other sections of the working class has also been blocked by the unions.

The HWAC has issued several statements and campaigned among health workers to establish workers action committees in hospitals, independent of the unions, to unite health workers across all grades and divisions.

As a November 25 HWAC statement explained: This year alone, the number of campaigns called by the health workers unions exceeds 25. The unions that called these actionsseparately or collectivelydid not serve the interests of the workers but betrayed them, while serving needs of the government

We need to build action committees, independent of unions, in every workplace, which will enable us to reach out to other workers in struggle and our international class brothers and sisters.

We advance a program that fights for reorganising production according to human need not for the profits of a few. This political program is based on the fight for international socialism.

The government and pliant experts have responded to the Omicron variant by claiming that it only has mild symptoms. The dangerous and highly contagious nature of Omicron has been downplayed, health measures have been relaxed with schools and workplaces fully opened, along with public transport. With PCR tests now cut to around 5,000 per day, even though there are about 700 daily infections being reported, we expect to face a dire situation.

The HWAC condemns the governments criminal policies of profit before lives. As frontline health workers we take the brunt of these brutal policies and see firsthand that the working masses are the main victims.

We look forward to further involvement in the Global Workers Inquest and will provide information on the latest findings and experiences of HWAC members from Sri Lankan hospitals. We are determined to build up an international movement of working masses to eliminate and ultimately eradicate the virus as has been explained by the independent scientists who have participated in the webinars organised by the WSWS.
On December 23, Los Angeles police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting an assault inside a crowded clothing store in North Hollywood, a working-class area within the City of Los Angeles. During the incident, one police officer fired three rounds from a military-style assault rifle, killing the assailant and also unintentionally killing a young girl, who was in a dressing room with her mother.

The victim, 14-year-old Valentina Orellana-Peralta, was trying on clothes for her quinceanera, the traditional celebration of a females fifteenth birthday throughout Latin American culture.

Valentina Orellana-Peralta (family photo)

On Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) released a 35-minute-long Critical Incident Community Briefing videoa slickly edited compilation of 911 calls, radio transmissions, surveillance camera footage, and body camerasto explain away the tragedy.

Surveillance video shows that the suspect, Daniel Elena-Lopez, entered the Burlington store with a bicycle and wearing a tank top and shorts. Moments later, he was wearing a multicolored jacket and long pants, viciously swinging his bike lock chain at female customers.

Body camera videos show that several police officers arrived on the scene and entered the store, attempting to find the suspect. The officers took the escalator up to the second floor and found a woman on the floor covered in blood with the suspect a short distance away behind her, posing no immediate threat to anyone.

An officer with an assault rifle, who pushed himself to the lead position while others are heard saying, Slow down, instantly fired three shots at Elena-Lopez, who dropped to the floor.

Immediately after the shots were fired, screaming and crying were heard in the background. Fourteen-year-old Valentina Orellana-Peralta and her mother were hiding in a dressing room. One of the rounds penetrated a flimsy wall, hitting Valentina in the chest. Orellana-Peralta explained later that she was hugging her daughter and praying when she was shot dead by police.

Both Elena-Lopez and Valentina were pronounced dead at the scene, while at least one unnamed woman attacked by Elena-Lopez was taken to a trauma center for medical attention.

The LAPD absurdly claimed that a bullet ricocheted off the floor and through the wall into the dressing room where Valentina and her mother were hiding. The officers video clearly shows he fired level, aiming at center mass, and without regard to people who might be in the background.

The assault rifle, which is identical to those used in the military, fires high-velocity, jacketed rounds that can easily penetrate drywall and are designed to inflict maximum damage when hitting human beings.

An LAPD official told CNN that the unidentified officer is on paid administrative leave, per department protocols for officer-involved shootings, for at least two weeks.

The California Department of Justice is investigating the shooting under regulations set by Assembly Bill 1506, which took effect on July 1st, requiring the California Attorney Generals office to independently investigate police shootings that result in the death of unarmed civilians.

According to a statement issued by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, once the investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to the special prosecutions section of his office for independent review.

On Tuesday, Valentinas family made a public statement. It is like my whole heart has been ripped out of my body, said Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas, Valentinas father. Originally from Chile, she came to the US early this year with big dreams of becoming an engineer.

Civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump, who represented George Floyds family last year, spoke of Valentina as a promising youth who wanted to make the world a better place. Her most important dream was to become an American citizen. They came to America from Chile to get away from violence and to have a better life.

Rahul Ravipudi, an attorney for the grief-stricken family, called for the LAPD to release all available video and to hold the officer accountable. He argued, There was no weapon, there was no active shooter, and so there may be multiple problems, whether it be a system failure, whether it be somebody who just shouldnt have even been on the job.

On the day of the incident, LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Los Angeles Times, We have a young girl who was in a dressing room behind a wall that my understanding was in the path of where the officer fired. This is a devastating and tragic circumstance, and it occurred during the actions of one of our officers.

Moore then pirouetted to a knee-jerk defense of the officer, ignoring the fact that the suspect was not armed with a gun and appeared emotionally disturbed. Moore falsely claimed that there was no way the officer who fired would have known that there was anyone behind there or that he was looking at anyone other than the suspect and a wall.

Police officers are trained that bullets, especially high-velocity rifle ammunition, penetrate walls, and that background must be taken into account before firing a weapon.

Body camera video confirms that officers knew that there was a dressing room in the immediate vicinity of the suspect prior to the moment they made contact with him. One officer even clearly stated, in reference to the suspect, Hes hidden to the right. Near the fitting rooms.

At least two officers had less lethal weapons, while others were carrying service pistols with low-velocity ammunition. None of the officers drew a Taser.

In an immediate sense, this tragedy occurred as a direct consequence of the reckless actions of the unidentified shooter, who reflects the general devaluation of working-class life shared by law enforcement generally. The shooters own video shows he fired within two seconds of encountering Elena-Lopez, when he was turning away from the officer and not posing any immediate threat to the officer or anyone else in the store.

More broadly, such tragedies are the inevitable result of a society that brutalizes large layers of the population. Life in the US is characterized by staggering levels of social inequality and an unprecedented global health crisis. As the situation intensifies, the response of the ruling class is to build an increasingly militarized army of unrestrained agents whose ultimate goal is the necessary repression of any form of social upheaval, in favor of authoritarian rule.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced last week that it had reached a settlement with Amazon to grant unions more access to its workers at the companys more than 100 fulfillment centers, delivery stations and other facilities across the United States.

The settlement is based upon the rulings from six lawsuits filed against Amazon by various organizations that have sought to unionize warehouses. According to the written agreement, Amazon is required to post notices for a period of at least 60 consecutive days at its facilities, informing employees that they have a right to form, join, or assist a union drive on Amazons properties.

In addition to posting notices in its facilities about the right to join a union, the company is also required to send electronic notices through its work scheduling app and email hundreds of thousands of individuals who have worked for the company since March 22, 2021.

Amazon fulfillment center worker (Source: Amazon Press Center)

According to the settlement, Amazon will not do anything to prevent [workers] from exercising the above rights. The company must allow off-duty workers involved with union activities access to non-work areas where other off-duty workers congregate, including break rooms. Workers involved in union activities will also be allowed to talk to workers in company-owned parking lots without being thrown out. Several union-aligned groups complained that Amazons refusal to allow them to campaign beyond 15 minutes before or after a shift had prevented them from reaching workers.

NLRB general counsel Jennifer Abruzzo praised the deal as a great victory for workers. This settlement agreement provides a crucial commitment from Amazon to millions of its workers across the United States that it will not interfere with their right to act collectively to improve their workplace by forming a union or taking other collective action.

In comments to the New York Times, Wilma B. Liebman, former NLRB chief during the Obama administration, said the agreement was a big deal and that [i]t sends a signal that this general counsel is really serious about enforcing the law.

The NLRB did not make this decision to strengthen workers in their fight against exploitation by the giant logistics firm. On the contrary, the Biden administration is trying to preempt a rebellion by hundreds of thousands of workers against Amazon by installing a pro-company union, which can be relied on to contain opposition and strangle it within the confines of American system of labor-management relations.

This is a critical question for the Biden administration. Amazon is the USs second largest employer with nearly a million workers in the US and 1.5 million worldwide. The corporation is a strategic cog in the global supply chain through its various logistics hubs, cloud providers, government contracts and more.

Biden hopes to use the unions to suppress workers demands for improved wages and working conditions and counter the growing political radicalization of the working class against social inequality and sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of lives for corporate profit during the pandemic. The White House has relied on the American Federation of Teachers, the United Auto Workers and other unions to keep schools and non-essential businesses open amid surges in COVID-19.

At the same time, the Biden administration is seeking to fully integrate the union apparatus into the structure of the US government as it prepares for trade war and military confrontation with China, Russia and other countries.

The NLRBs ruling comes weeks after the federal labor agency called for a new election at Amazons BHM1 fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) filed a complaint against Amazon after the humiliating defeat of its unionization campaign in Alabama.

The RWDSU only garnered the vote of 738 workers, or about 13 percent of the warehouses nearly 6,000 employees. This was despite the fact that the RWDSU had the fulsome support from both President Bidens White House, leaders in the Democratic Party and media, and even sections of the Republican Party .

The RWDSU claimed its loss was due to Amazon installing a ballot box on its property, which destroyed the laboratory conditions of the vote because workers might believe the company was counting their ballots.

The World Socialist Web Site wrote at the time that the RWDSUs effort to blame its debacle on a strange mailbox was an explanation that could only be given by wealthy executives with no connection to the working class and the class struggle.

Throughout the course of its campaign, RWDSU failed to raise a single demand to improve the facility, whether this was to oppose dangerous working conditions, workers being forced to forego bathroom breaks in order to make rate, or grueling and long work hours. This is because the entire campaign was based on establishing a collaborative relationship with the corporation based on the defense of its profit interests.

The RWDSUs real attitude to the BHM1 workers was driven home by its silence in response to the death of an employee at the facility just a month after the unionization vote. Since that time, at least two other BHM1 workers at have died. According to the multimedia website Mashable last week, [t]wo Amazon workers from [the] Bessemer, Alabama facility died last month, one of them suffering a stroke not long after his request to go home was denied. Workers at BHM1 said work continued as normal despite the deaths.

The RWDSU was given a second chance to run an election at BHM1 the same day one of the Bessemer warehouse workers allegedly died. But the RWDSU has no intention of fighting the conditions that led to the deaths of the Bessemer Amazon workers, any more than the previous deaths which occurred among its members, including Tyson poultry workers in Camilla, Georgia who died of COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic.

If the RWDSU or other unions were able to eventually gain a foothold at the e-commerce giant with the help of the government, rank-and-file workers would soon face a struggle not only against Amazon but against an organization that was union in name but a tool of corporate management in reality.

Rather than allowing their struggles to be suppressed, Amazon workers should follow the lead of the Baltimore Amazon Workers Rank-and-File Safety Committee, which was formed last year independently of the official trade union apparatus and political parties of big business. This organization is formed of, for, and led by Amazon workers which will defend the rights and safety of our fellow employees and supports every move by workers to protest, strike and organize in resistance to Amazons exploitative practices. We encourage Amazon workers to join and build rank-and-file committees in every workplace and unite with logistics workers in the US and around the world to begin a genuine fight back against the corporation.
Thousands of migrant workers in New Zealand continue to face major barriers to staying in the country, despite the Labour Party-led government announcing a decision to grant a one-off pathway to residency for 165,000 people already in the country on temporary visas.

The policy, implemented in response to business complaints about a shortage of workers, came into effect on December 1. The processing of applications, however, is extremely slow. By December 21, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) had received applications covering 27,529 people, but so far only 881 had been approved and issued residency visas. Most of these, 756, were approved in the week of December 15 to 21. At this rate, it would take more than four years to grant residency to 165,000 people.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people on temporary visas are in insecure situations, vulnerable to exploitation from employers, ineligible for welfare benefits, and fearful that they may not be able to stay in the country. Many people have already been waiting years for residency. INZ stopped processing most residency applications under the Skilled Migrant Category after the border closed in March 2020.

Protest in central Auckland on December 16, calling on the government to allow more migrants to apply for residency. (Source: "2021 Resident Visa Impacted" Facebook page)

Like governments throughout the world, Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns administration has for years sought to scapegoat migrants for the housing crisis, social inequality and pressure on public services. Throughout the pandemic, it has continued a brutal policy of deportations, including for people who overstay the term of their visa or who commit trivial breaches of their visa conditions.

According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, from January 2020 to the end of September 2021, the government deported 854 people (of these, 455 were classified as self-deportations, meaning they left the country before they could be deported). These include 189 people sent back to India, 47 to Fiji, 35 to Malaysia and 25 to the UKall countries where COVID-19 has overwhelmed health systems and killed thousands, or hundreds of thousands.

In one case, a Filipino couple and their young child were due to be deported on Christmas Day after the father, Jeffrey Santos, committed the crime of claiming emergency food grants when he was unable to find work and ineligible for welfare during the 2020 lockdown. The deportation order provoked widespread outrage, prompting Associate Immigration Minister Phil Twyford to intervene on December 24 to extend the familys visas by 12 months.

Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez March, who has been promoted by the Unite union as a champion for migrants, hailed the decision as a Christmas miracle and proof that the government, which the Greens are part of, can be swayed by public pressure. However, there is no guarantee the Santos family will be allowed to stay longer than one year, and their situation is far from unique.

On December 20, Newshub reported on the cruel decision to deport a mother, father and two children aged eight and three to India. The reason is that the father allegedly performed additional tasks for his employer outside of his role as an ICT workerthe skill for which he was granted a work visa. The family moved to New Zealand in 2013, and their children have grown up in the country.

The Immigration and Protection Tribunal dismissed the familys appeal to be allowed to stay in New Zealand on humanitarian grounds. Advocates told the tribunal that there have been millions of deaths from COVID-19 in India, and the family would have great difficulty relocating to a country where the children have never lived. The family was given eight months to prepare to leave.

Migrants continue to protest against discriminatory rules that block many people on work, student and other visas from applying for the pathway to residency. Applicants must meet one of six criteria: have lived in New Zealand for three or more years, earn above the median wage, work in a role on the long-term skill shortage list, be registered to work in health or education, or be a worker in the healthcare or primary industry.

The recently established migrants Facebook page 2021 Resident Visa Impacted organised street protests in central Auckland on December 16 and 20. In a statement, a spokesman for the group said: All of us survived COVID-19 pandemic together, but because of holding an ineligible visa on 29 September, 2021 we are unfairly excluded Covid-19 had been the same for all of us and many of us even risked our lives to keep the New Zealand economy growing during the lockdowns. Since this policy was designed to show gratitude to the migrant community in New Zealand, we do not deserve any less than the One-off Resident Visa 2021.

Meanwhile, thousands of New Zealand work and student visa holders outside the country have been barred from returning since the border closed in March 2020. Most will not be able to enter until the border reopens, which is currently scheduled for April 30, 2022. The government has refused to extend the temporary visas of migrants stuck offshore, including many with long-standing ties to New Zealand.

Some New Zealand residents and citizens are also unable to return, due to the limited number of places available in the countrys managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) system. Anyone who wants to enter the country must book to spend 10 days in one of several hotels that have been repurposed as MIQ facilities.

The government has refused to expand the MIQ system for more people to enter the country and to establish purpose-built facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, it intends to phase out the system, in line with the demands of big business to remove public health restrictions and allow the coronavirus to spread.

Last month, the opposition National Party exploited the plight of people stuck overseas to promote a petition demanding an immediate end to MIQ. This would have allowed the extremely infectious Omicron variant to infect the community; there are 54 people with the variant in MIQ.

While thousands of migrants remain in limbo, just before Christmas the Labour-Greens government resumed a policy offering residency visas to multi-millionaire investors. On December 22, Stuff reported that Immigration NZ has now approved visas for 32 people who agreed to invest at least $10 million each in New Zealand, and a further 76 who agreed to invest at least $3m each. There were more than 800 other wealthy investors visa applications in the queue.
In the three weeks since the Omicron variant of COVID-19 began to spread through New York City, the number of children aged 0-19 who were hospitalized because of COVID-19 infections has quadrupled. According to the latest figures, 109 children are now hospitalized with conditions related to COVID-19, compared to 22 in early December. Half of the children recently hospitalized were too young to be vaccinated.

The rise in severe childhood illness from COVID-19 accompanies a climb in the overall hospitalization rate in the city of 73 percent. As of December 27, 2,777 city residents have been recently hospitalized for COVID-related conditions with 348 in intensive care units. Statewide, hospitalizations surged 11 percent in just one day, from 4,891 on Christmas to 5,526 on Sunday.

PS 245 elementary school in New York City, September 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

New York City is in the forefront of the Omicron wave of infection sweeping across the United States. The highly infectious variant is largely responsible for the more than doubling of the seven-day average of daily new cases over the past two weeks, from 120,563 to 266,563. Pediatric hospitalization rates across the US have increased 48 percent in the last week. Since March 2020, 1,035 children 17 and younger have died from COVID-19, the majority over the past four months amid the bipartisan, union-backed campaign to fully reopen schools this fall.

An unknown number of those now being infected with Omicron, including children, will suffer long-term effects from the disease, even among those who were never hospitalized. On Monday, another 22,000 people in the city tested positive, with a test positivity rate of roughly 20 percent, indicating that many more infectious are going undetected. The latest figures show that over 1 in 50 Manhattan residents have been infected in the last two weeks.

The unfolding disaster for children in New York has been met by a united front, as the New York Times put it, of leading Democratic Party politicians committed to sending children back into school buildings when classes resume on January 3. The outgoing Democratic mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, the Democratic governor of the state, Kathy Hochul, and incoming Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, appeared at a news conference on Tuesday morning to lie about the safety of schools and the need to keep them open.

In announcing his Stay Safe, Stay Open plan, de Blasio said, We start with a reminder that our schools have been extraordinarily safebluntly, the safest places to be in New York City, very low levels of COVID.

Bluntly, the mayor was lying. His claim is based on the small percentage of students that are actually tested in the schools, supposedly 10 percent weekly but, in reality, far fewer since only a small number of students have ever turned in the required parental consent form.

Since September, when the schools opened, educators have been demanding more frequent testing, which the de Blasio administration cut in half. The farcical character of the program is well known in the school system. Its the same 10 kids tested over and over in my school, as one educator said to the World Socialist Web Site. Before the Omicron surge, one parents group estimated that only 14 percent of positive cases in 518-year-olds in the city were discovered by testing in school. The rest came from independent tests administered by the city outside of the schools or by private testing services.

De Blasio also announced that the amount of in-school testing would double and will include both vaccinated and unvaccinated students. The city will ask, but not require, that students be tested before they return to school on January 3. In an implementation of the national test to stay program of the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC), entire classrooms will no longer be quarantined when there is an outbreak in a school, and students who test negative will be required to remain in class.

On this basis, the three Democratic politicians proceeded to emphasize again and again that not only are the schools physically safe, but they must be opened for the mental health of children. De Blasio referred to the failed experiment  with remote teaching in 2020 and proceeded to promote vaccination as the magic bullet to stop the pandemic.

Governor Hochul claimed, We could avert all this if every child were vaccinated. We still have time. This is an absurdity, as the number of infections from the Omicron variant climbs daily and large numbers of unvaccinated children will return to school in less than a week, long before any child vaccinated today will have full protection against the virus.

On Monday, Hochul announced that not only was New York state implementing the CDCs deadly scaling down of quarantine for health care workers who test positive from 10 to five days, but was adding a category of essential workerswhich presumably includes teachersto the five-day isolation period.

Adams presence at the event made it clear that there will be no change in course on school openings or any other city pandemic policy. Adams began his remarks by cutting to the chase: Not only our schools, but our businesses, must be open We must reopen our city and we can do that.

Behind the endless and phony repetition of the word safe in relation to schools lies the impulse of keeping them open. No one who pays attentionand many educators and parents follow the plans of the Democratic Party politicians closelybelieves that safety is a priority. Millions have learned in the last two years, if they did not already know it, that this is a gang of corporate-funded liars. The proposal to open the largest American school district of nearly one million children is nothing less than murderous.

The reaction to the broadcast of the press conference on the mayors Twitter feed of this event was scathing:

Were at 20% positivity rate you psychopath, said one parent.

A mother of four added. Stop lying schools ARE NOT SAFE! I RECEIVE CONFIRMED CASE UPDATES ALMOST DAILY!

Youve ruined the city beyond repair. And now deblasio 2.0 is coming into office to ruin it some more. Youre all a joke. SHUT THE SCHOOLS FOR TWO WEEKS! STOP BEING SCARED, added another.

Another parent commented, I am very upset at the NY state and NYC response to Covid. I am very worried about sending my children back to school. This is not enough.

Another wrote, @ericadamsfornyc @NYCMayor can talk about what the numbers show on school covid safety all they want, but the reality is that our BK [Brooklyn] K-5 school had 18 cases in a week, NOT ONE of which was posted on the @NYCSchools dashboard. The numbers are fake, and they're lying.

As to the supposed mental health benefits of learning face-to-face during a pandemic, one teacher commented on the de Blasio tweet: Attendance is abysmal at best and the kids aren't learning bc they are terrified. One of my kids told me his dad was on a ventilator bc of covid. Kids parents lost their jobs, got covid, died, etc. Then there is gun violence all over the place in the DOE [New York City Department of Education]. The kids that show up are checked out. Everyone is collectively terrified and [people] in my building call themselves sacrifices at this point.

One New York City parent told the WSWS simply that her reaction to the plans of the city was not to return to school on Jan 3rd, to give us remote learning until COVID-19 and this new variant is over.

A Brooklyn middle school teacher commented, De Blasios claims about the schools are all built on lies because theyre not even testing 10 percent of the kids. How does that make any sense? Now they say theyre going to test teachers? Weve seen how that works. You have to fill out a consent form with a link that doesnt work, and you have to do it three days ahead of the test date which you dont know because they come randomly. And also where is [United Federation of Teachers president Michael] Mulgrew? I was starting to talk to the other teachers about a sickout because this is outrageous.

These comments are only a small indication of the social explosion that is building in New York City. A direct confrontation by the working class with the Democratic Party and the trade unions has become inevitable.

Everything that can be done must be done to give this movement a socialist, scientifically grounded, and politically and organizationally independent character. Parents, educators and students in New York City who seek to organize to keep schools closed and stop the spread of Omicron should sign up to join the New York City Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee today.
Have things really reached that point again? This question arises with the latest news from the German district of Tuttlingen in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, where the district is pressuring elderly care and nursing homes to evaluate whether transferring their residents to hospital in the event of a COVID-19 infection is really worthwhile. And all parties, including the Left Party, defend this call for preventive triage, which is reminiscent of the darkest period in German history.

You know your residents, states the undated letter which reached the care facilities in early December. You can determine their presumed or actual will, and through your actions you can do a great deal to prevent the available treatment resources from being overloaded.

The letter from the Tuttlingen district is signed by Dr. Sebastian Freytag, Managing Director of Tuttlingen District Hospital Ltd., as well as Bernd Mager, head of social affairs. The latter is both the department head of the district for labor and social affairs and a member of the regional executive of the Christian Democrats (CDU) in Tuttlingen.

A nursing home resident receives a corona vaccination, Cologne, December 27, 2020 (AP Photo / Martin Meissner)

It is worth studying this letter, with the seal of an official German authority, carefully. It begins with the reference to the current wave of the coronavirus pandemic and the very critical situation at the local hospital. This had reached the capacity limit both in terms of the utilization of the intensive care unit and in terms of personnel. The ladies and gentlemen of the inpatient facilities and outpatient services and the relatives and residents in the Tuttlingen district should bear in mind that every bed in which people in need of intensive care are cared for  requires a staff of skilled workers, a resource, which is limited in the short term!

With the scarce resource of intensive care, the following urgent appeal is justified at the end: We ask those responsible for the inpatient facilities and outpatient services to sensitize the residents, clients and their relatives to this, especially by carefully considering hospital admissions during this difficult time. This also applies to the use of emergency medical services.

By being reluctant to approve hospital admissions, the resources of clinical intensive and emergency care could ultimately be left open to those whose diseases are associated with a good prognosis with a view to extending life with a good quality of life, the letter reads.

In order to record the presumed or actual will (as it says in the letter) of the resident, the district attached a document to the letter headlined Assessment on the occasion of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a one-page form with which an existing will can be supplemented with a residents wishes regarding care. However, as the letter expressly states, the form can also be filled out and handed in explicitly without a prior willa procedure that is obviously in a legal gray area.

The person concerned must tick a box on the form to indicate whether they want to be transferred to hospital in the event of a severe COVID 19 disease, undergo emergency therapy with or without invasive ventilation, or only want to receive palliative care to relieve pain and symptoms. They must expressly sign that these declarations also apply without medical advice regarding my desired or rejected form of treatment.

One rubs ones eyes. Here, the specialist care staff is asked quite bluntly to distinguish at an early stage among the people entrusted to their care between those with a good prognosis with a view to extending life with a good quality of life from those whose lives are consequently to be regarded as worthlessEspecially elderly and very old people, many with serious comorbidities, as the letter says. Inevitably, images from the worst period of the Nazi dictatorship come to mind, when in the interests of the national community supposedly unworthy life was destroyed.

The letter from the Tuttlingen district office was met with horror and outrage from the public. In a letter on December 7, the St. Francis Foundation, which operates several care facilities, expressed its great concern and urgently asked the district office to withdraw its appeal.

Our mission as a service provider is to ensure help, care and support for very vulnerable social groups, wrote the church foundation. In this regard, we also help these groups of people to exercise their basic rights. We do not see our mission in keeping people away from the support and care structures to which they are entitled.

The spokesman for Caritas Disability Aid, Wolfgang Tyrychter, also protested the actions of the Tuttlingen district authorities. Die Welt quoted him as saying, As a service provider for people of old age and with disabilities, we reject the demand to make a preselection before possible hospital admissions and to use the hospital system only cautiously.

Picking out particularly vulnerable groups and asking them to think twice about whether they actually want intensive care treatment in an emergency is discriminatory, said Tyrychter. On public broadcaster ARDs Mittagsmagazin he explained, We have to be able to rely on the fact that people in old age, people with disabilities, will first receive the medical help that everyone else gets.

The organization AbilityWatch, which represents the interests of the disabled, published a piece on its website under the title Pure horror! Triage in Tuttlingen. Regarding the letter from the Tuttlingen district, the organisation raises legitimate questions: How does the Tuttlingen district define quality of life? Are we seriously asking such questions again in Germany? And in public and without a feeling of shame?

The district office defended its position on December 15 in an angry statement that is still available today on the official website of the district, along with the original letter, the declaration form and the letter from the Franziskus Foundation. We would like to stick to this urgent and reality-oriented appeal. We still consider we are right on this issue, it states. It is not expedient to argue over basic rights to medical care.

Never again, it was said in the postwar period. Society would never be allowed to sink into barbarism again, to send the old, the infirm or the handicapped to their deaths in a targeted manner. But COVID-19 has made it possible. Indifference to human life is dictating the response of all governments to the pandemic. Instead of consistently fighting the pandemic, profits are put above lives.

In April 2020, the then president of the federal parliament, Wolfgang Schauble (CDU), laid down the law when he told Tagesspiegel, But when I hear that everything else has to step back in order to protect life, then I have to say: That is not correct in this absoluteness. Fundamental rights are mutually limiting. If there is one absolute value in our Basic Law, then it is the dignity of the person. But that does not exclude us from having to die.

Boris Palmer (Green Party) is the mayor of Tubingen. He put it particularly brutally at the timeWe may save people who would be dead in six months anywayto justify his call for an end to all COVID-19 public health measures that restrict the economy.

With the latest letter from the Tuttlingen district, an alarming new stage has been reached in the ruling elites pandemic policy, which includes refusing to take any serious measures even against the highly contagious Omicron variant. Olaf Scholzs traffic light coalition government is even more ruthless on this issue than was Merkels grand coalition.

While the German stock exchange climbs ever higher, thousands of COVID-19 patients are dying a premature and gruesome death over the second Christmas period in a row. The terrible toll of 110,000 coronavirus deaths has already been exceeded. Now, the consequences of the total overwhelming of nursing staff in the intensive care units and emergency care are being borne by the weakest, who are least able to defend themselvesthe elderly and disabled people in need of care.

The triage recommendation of the Tuttlingen district is not only supported by the CDU, which heads the social affairs department. Politicians of all stripes, including the Left Party, have defended the appeal.

Philipp Polster, who ran for the Left Party in Tuttlingen in 2021, defended the core of the message as still correct on Twitter, citing the right to die. The right to die also applies to nursing home residents and  applies to people who can no longer express their will.  The clinic/LK [district] has only called for all homes to clarify exactly these cases. ... I think thats right, he wrote. Polsters tweet was also liked and commented on positively by the local Social Democrats.

The triage recommendation in Tuttlingen shows once again that ending the pandemic requires a political struggle and the mobilization of the working class. To eliminate COVID-19, an internationally coordinated lockdown is necessary, which shuts down all nonessential businesses, closes schools and day care centers and fully compensates workers. All governments and established parties have no intention of carrying out such measures.
2022 will be a decisive year for all those employed by Volkswagen. In addition to the consequences of the German governments murderous COVID-19 policy which threatens their health and lives, workers at Germanys largest auto company must brace themselves for attacks on their jobs and working conditions the likes of which have not been seen in decades.

Referring to VWs headquarters and its biggest plant in Germany, VW CEO Herbert Diess told a press conference on December 9 that the executive, works council and shareholders had agreed to plans for a comprehensive restructuring of the company by 2026. We will not recognise Wolfsburg in 10 years. His words must be understood as a threat.

Caption: VW plant in Wolfsburg

The conclusion of the restructuring talks was preceded by a public dispute between Diess and the companys joint works council led by its new chair Daniela Cavallo (IG Metall). There was speculation that Diess would have to vacate his post. The works council was particularly annoyed by the fact that the scenarios commissioned by Diess, envisaging the loss of 30,000 jobs, had been made public and alarmed the workforce.

Once again the works council and the executive closed ranks. Diess is being allowed to stay, albeit with slightly reduced powers. The plans for mass redundancy remain on the table but are now to be given a positive spin. Instead of job cuts, wage reductions and worsening working conditions, the talk now is of investment, transformation and competitiveness. What this means for workers has not been spelled out.

I am now much more confident that we will manage the transformation and remain competitive, Diess explained. And we will see a new competitiveness, we have made sure of that. He has been stressing for some months that its rival Tesla takes just 10 hours to produce a car, as opposed to around 30 hours at VW.

Everyone can work out what this means for VW. The 89 billion euros the company plans to invest in electro-mobility and digitalisation by 2026 will make tens of thousands of jobs redundant. Fewer workers and lower personnel costs means higher profits, dividends and share prices. This is what Diess, IG Metall and the works council mean by competitiveness.

The attacks on workers will begin immediately in the new year as the company responds to the worldwide chip shortage. Like all auto makers, the VW Group is rationing out the scarce supply of semiconductors to those brands that promise the highest profits. In the case of VW these are mainly its premium brands, Porsche and Audi. Those employed in making more popular, mass brands such as VW, Skoda and Seat are at a distinct disadvantage. The latter three brands made losses from July to September, although the company is making profits, based mainly on the profitability of Porsche and Audi.

Responding to the effects of the chip shortage, the chairwoman of the joint works council, Cavallo, declared the worst is yet to come. Production in Wolfsburg, she said, was at its lowest level since the late 1950s, with less than 400,000 cars made, half as many as planned. A special edition of the works council newspaper Mitbestimmen! has already prepared workers for possible cuts, noting: The coming months will be tough.

The workforce should not bear the burden of the semiconductor shortage unilaterally, Cavallo writes, i.e., workers must share the burden! On the details she is non-committal. In the meantime, workers are worried because they know that management and the works council are discussing whether the current system of paying 100 percent for short-time working will be continued or whether there will be wage cuts.

In the near future the effects of the switch to electric mobility will have much more significant consequences than the chip shortage. The special edition of the works council newspaper focuses on investments due to run to 2026 agreed to by the supervisory board on December 9. The individual factory works councils describe in detail how many millions and billions of euros will be invested in individual plants. In total, 159 billion euros is to be set aside for investment, more than half of which will go towards electro-mobility and digitalisation.

While the works council and the companys board of directors rave about investments that are supposed to secure competitiveness, they say absolutely nothing about the effects on jobs. The works council shares the same outlook as VW management: Profits come first!

Cavallo, who announced the new plans together with Diess after their joint talks, did not say what impact the reduction of production times per auto by two-thirds would have on the number of employees. Instead, workers at the companys various plants are, as always, being played off against each other.

In 2023 the workforce of the Wolfsburg plant is due to take over production of the e-model ID.3 from the VW factory in Zwickau, with full production planned for 2024. The works council and the company are currently devising a location package whereby the plantor more precisely, the workforcemust prove that production of the ID.3 in Wolfsburg is economically viable. In 2026, the new e-model of the Trinity Project should then roll off the production line.

There are also plans to intensify production schedules. The previous procedure is unviable, and shift models should also be reorganised for the core workforce, Cavallo said, adding that the works council was involved in talks about such plans.

Particularly in Wolfsburg, the envisaged electric models, which require less intensive production methods and are produced with state-of-the-art robots, are likely to make jobs dispensable in the eyes of the executive and works council.

Global car companies, whose numbers are constantly decreasing thanks to numerous mergers, are conducting merciless cut-throat competition, all on the backs of autoworkers. VW, like all other manufacturers, is sticking to its profit targets despite falling sales and has even increased its targets for the coming years with a corresponding increase in share prices and dividends.

More than 1,000 temporary workers have already had to quit and are the first to lose their jobs. More than 900 workers from Wolfsburg, Braunschweig and Salzgitter have been joined by almost 150 from Emden.

Global competition has assumed brutal forms. In the important US market, Tesla has a market share of almost 70 percent for electric autos, while in China, VW competes not only against Tesla models but also with those produced by its Asian and Chinese rivals.

China is the most important market for VW, where it sells more than 40 percent of all its autos. Up until now, Chinese VW joint ventures have transferred 3 billion euros profit annually, but sales figures are currently collapsing, down by 8 percent so far this year. In November, deliveries in China slumped by 38 percent.

The working conditions at Tesla and the Chinese manufacturers are the benchmark for VW and the other auto producers. This relentless competition will have repercussions that will extend far beyond the loss of the 30,000 jobs Diess projected in September.

On December 9, the supervisory board not only decided on future investments but also relieved Diess of his responsibility for China. The current head of VWs main brands, Ralf Brandstatter, is to move to Beijing in mid-2022 and at the same time join the companys executive. Diess is to concentrate on the transition to electro-mobility together with the works council.

The works council, IG Metall, the executive board and shareholderswhich includes the state of Lower Saxony (represented by state premier Stefan Weill, SPD)are all closely working together. The works council has achieved what it wanted, job cuts, wage reductions and worsened working conditions, all worked out and implemented jointly with the VW executive. All this is to be done, however, with as little fuss as possible. That was the only difference the union had with Diess.

Meanwhile, workers are kept in the dark regarding the deals agreed upon between the works council and VW management. Similar to the situation in the US, the trade unions and their workplace representatives no longer communicate any information about the agreements they make behind closed doors with company management. Only self-congratulatory press releases, or works council newspapers, are issued which amount to little more than company advertising. In the US unions refer to this as the highlights of contracts and agreements.

VW workers must demand that their works councils disclose all details of the latest round of planning as well as the job-cutting scenarios drawn up by Diess. What is in the small print? How many jobs will be transformed, i.e., destroyed?

Workers, however, can only achieve these aims if they join together in action committees independent of the works council and the trade union. These committees must establish contact with workers throughout the company to other sections of workers in Germany and globally. We call on autoworkers from VW and all other manufacturers to contact the WSWS for assistance in building such action committees. Join our Facebook group, the Network of Action Committees for Safe Workplaces.
An asphalt storage tank owned by the Oklahoma company Blueknight Energy Partners.

In its second-consecutive year landing within the Top 10 of the Oklahoma Inc. rankings, Blueknight Energy Partners saw a 458.1% change in earnings per share from 2020 to 2021.

Blueknight fell two places in the rankings  from 8 in 2020 to 10 in 2021  but was one of three companies to remain in the Top 10 ranking from 2020, all while selling its crude oil business to become a purely asphalt terminalling company.

"With this sale, we can now give more attention toward expanding our core asphalt terminalling business that historically contributed approximately 80% of our operating margins but arguably received less focus due to the complexity of managing four operating segments at our size," said Chief Executive Officer Andy Woodward in a march call with investors.

The Tulsa-based company was founded in 2007 and owns and operates the largest independent asphalt storage network in the continental United States, with 8.7 million barrels of asphalt and residual fuel oil storage and 53 terminals across 26 states.

Prior to getting out of the crude oil business, part of the company's portfolio of assets were 6.9 million barrels of above-ground crude oil storage capacity, 604 miles of crude oil pipeline and 63 crude oil transportation vehicles deployed in Oklahoma and Texas.

In a May conference call with investors, Chief Financial Officer Matthew Lewis said the company's sale of its crude oil business in the first quarter of 2021 brought in $75.1 million. This sale also resulted in the consolidation of corporate office space by more than 50%, Lewis said in an August conference call.

The sale and savings associated with it are likely the reason that despite taking a hit in revenue with a 33.3% decrease from 2020 to 2021, Blueknight saw the third best profit growth of Oklahoma's publicly traded companies. In 2020, Blueknight brought in almost $170.4 million and profited $12.6 million, compared to 2021's revenue of $113.3 million and profit of $74.1 million.

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The company also saw a 194.8% one year total return, a 20.4% return on average equity and had the best two-year total return with a 303.9% increase in stock prices from 2019 to 2021.

Woodward said looking forward, Blueknight is prioritizing its people as a catalyst for growth.

"Growth for us is not only about progress measured year-over-year, it's also about the promoting and instituting the right culture and organization to facilitate this growth," Woodward said. "We are actively engaging our people at all levels to establish a growth mindset and creating a collaborative and cross-functional approach to our business development activities."

Woodward said the company has four strategic aims that will help it become a leading terminalling business:

Attracting high-quality customers that stick around through "superior service and solutions."

Targeting quality, well-positioned assets that strengthen the existing network.

Maximizing value to all stakeholders through developing a mission-driven organization and culture.

Allocating capital to maximize risk adjusted return.

"We believe these 4 strategic aims, along with leveraging our core competencies and competitive advantages within asphalt will create the most value for our stakeholders over the long-term and lead to new market opportunities as we stay focused on the customer, identify their evolving needs, and ultimately position ourselves to best serve those needs over time," Woodward said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Blueknight Energy Partners lands at No. 10 in Oklahoma Inc. rankings
Whether you were scrounging for a great deal on Christmas gifts or bulking up on products for a New Year's Eve party, there's a good chance you've done some shopping at Costco lately. In early December, Costco reported that it had experienced a strong rise in sales both online and in-stores ahead of the holidays. But if you were one of the customers boosting these sales, you might want to take a look at your recent purchases. Costco is now pulling one popular product from shelves following a recall, and shoppers who bought this item before it was removed are being asked to get rid of it as well. Read on to find out which Costco product should be tossed immediately.

RELATED: Costco Just Gave This Major Warning to All Customers.

Costco is removing a dessert from shelves due to a recall.

A popular dessert sold at Costco is being removed from its stores following a voluntary recall by the product's manufacturer. On Dec. 23, the retailer posted a statement notifying customers that Poppies International issued a recall on its Delizza 120-count Cream Puffs. Poppies is recalling this product "due to the possible presence of small metal fragments," Costco's statement said.

RELATED: This Product Sold at Home Depot and Costco Has Been Recalled After a Death.

But only certain stores are pulling the cream puffs.

According to Costco's announcement, Poppies is only recalling the cream puffs the were sold at specific stores. The recall affects those "distributed to select Costco locations in Northern California, as well as Carson City, and Sparks, Nevada." Impacted products were made between Dec. 7 to Dec. 10.

The announcement said that you should check for specific UPC and lot codes to determine if you bought any of the recalled cream puffs. Those affected by the recall will have a UPC of 676670008006, a lot code that is either L32E5021 or L32F5021, and a best-by date of June 7, 2023. These numbers will be located on the side of each tub by the lid.

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You should not keep any of the recalled products.

Despite the possible presence of metal, no injuries or incidents have yet been reported in connection with the cream puffs, according to Costco's announcement. But the recall notice said you should still not keep any of the affected products. "Any consumers who have purchased or received any of the products  should immediately discontinue use of the product and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund," Costco said. If you have any questions about the recall, contact the Delizza company directly.

RELATED: For more recall news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

This is not the only recalled food product that has been removed from Costco stores recently.

In mid-December, Flower Foods issued a voluntary recall on some of its Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread due to the presence of undeclared milk. Impacted bread was potentially distributed to various retailers, including Costco. According to a Costco Food Safety Alert, affected products have a "Best If Used By" date of Dec. 26 printed on the package. "If you have a milk allergy, do not eat any remaining bread with that date; please return it to Costco for a full refund," the retailer said.

RELATED: These Products Sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Other Stores Are Being Recalled.
For first-time foster parents, the experience of fostering can be exciting but nerve-wracking. Planning home visits and getting licensed is a necessary but time-consuming process, and soon-to-be parents need to be preparedphysically, emotionally, and financially.

Each state pays foster parents a certain amount for a child, but that is often only enough to cover the very basic needs. The amount itself varies based on the state, the child's age, and their needs. However, if you're thinking that fostering may be a lucrative way to make money, that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, new foster parents are required to provide proof that they can support a child without accounting for the state payments. And most foster parents report spending much more than the state allowance on the children.

For first-time foster parents, financial planning is key to ensuring their foster children are safe and happy. Ahead, seasoned foster parents share their tips and suggestions that worked for them.

Budget, budget, and budget again.

Making a budget and sticking to it will be essential. To get a good estimate of your earnings and estimates, create a meticulous list of all income sources, along with all fixed and varying expenses per month. Based on the amount left over, you will know whether that is enough to support another child. If not, you will have to make some lifestyle adjustments.

Every item you previously considered a "need" may have to be reconsidered according to your new budget. For example, you may want to go from having Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu to having just one of them and canceling any subscriptions that you rarely or never use.

Dave Hancock, 35, a foster parent from Indiana who has fostered 16 children with his wife over the past 10 years, says that "planning ahead is huge. You quickly learn where to spot bargains at places like yard sales, Goodwill, and department stores. Local foster closets (places where donations of clothes, bedding, furniture, etc. are given to help foster families) are a tremendous blessing." He adds that "budgeting is also a life skill you'll quickly learn, if you don't have that attribute already. Coupons and buying in bulk are your friend."

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Set up an emergency fund.

As a foster parent, you need to plan for the unexpected. While the state will cover medical costs and provide insurance, it does not account for car breakdowns, work hours lost, or the cost of braces, for example. To avoid dipping into your life savings, set up a separate foster emergency fund, which you can use when a curveball comes your way.

The emergency fund can be especially useful in sticking to your budget. If you lose work hours in a particular month, you can dip into these savings to cover costs, and replenish them the next month.

Consider lost work.

"When we started fostering a newborn, because she was so young, we couldn't put her in daycare, because daycares in Oklahoma don't accept children younger than six weeks," says Kimberly Blodgett, 46, a foster parent from Oklahoma who has fostered four children over the past four years.

"At the time, my husband and I both worked full-time," Blodgett continues. "I am a teacher, and my husband works for an energy company. We tried hiring a nanny, but she worked one day and quit, so finding childcare was not easy for us. I decided to resign from my teaching position and stay home with the babyso that was definitely unexpected, and we had to learn to budget around one income."

With infants, or children with special needs, losing work hours may become the norm. Finding childcare can be difficult and expensive, and sometimes in dual-income families, the best option is for one parent to stay home with the children, even if temporarily.

When accepting a new foster placement, consider if the household could run on a single income, or an income based on fewer work hours. "We weren't expecting the lack of childcare issue to lead to my resignation," Blodgett adds, "but it has been worth it." She notes that this potentially necessary change is "definitely something foster parents should prepare for and consider."

An image of a woman hugging a child.

Getty Images.

Build and rely on community support.

Fostering can be a challenging experience, and community support is essentialeven financially. Relying on community donations and free occasional childcare can make a world of a difference. Joining support groups or a foster parent network can help teach you all the tips and tricks and where to get the best dealswhether that's on everyday products or low-cost medical service providers, suggests Rene Denfeld, 54, an Oregon-based foster parent who has fostered on and off for 25 years.

"Don't be afraid to look for help in the community," Denfeld adds. "I'm a working single mom, and at first finding dependable summer daycare was a struggle. Then, I learned many places offer scholarships. My kids got to do some really great day camps, like a rock climbing camp, that we couldn't otherwise afford, because of scholarships."

Get creative.

Having fun on a budget, while also providing everything that your child needs, can feel like a challenge. However, if you're willing to get creative, it's definitely possible. A low-budget birthday party at a park with all of kiddo's friends can be as exciting as a party at a fancy restaurant. This will allow you to save your money for the more essential things, such as medical and educational expenses.

"Children need love, consistency, and your calm, positive, happy good nature more than they need fancy things," Denfeld says. "Your time is more valuable than anything you can buy. Money is not the secret sauce to fostering; you can do it on a budget. I did for many years. You can find so many fun things to do with kids that don't cost anything at all, like playing in the park or making artwork together. Save your money for what the kids really need."

Managing finances on a budget can feel difficult enough when you aren't fostering children, and even more so when you are. But with a little bit of pre-planning, and support from state and private agencies, you can make it work.

As Hancock explains: "If you think you're going to make some sort of financial windfall by fostering, you're wrong and not in it for the right reasons. Fostering is all about providing a safe, loving home for a child who otherwise wouldn't have that. There's plenty of assistance out there if you know where to look and are willing to accept it."
Sandra Jaffe, cofounder of Preservation Hall in New Orleans, died peacefully on Monday, December 27 at the age of 83, her son Ben Jaffe confirmed via Instagram.

By opening Preservation Hall, Jaffe played a major role in preserving the unique blend of African, Caribbean, and European music known as jazz, for which New Orleans is famous for today. The famous jazz auditorium also helped to integrate the city by welcoming all audiences and artists regardless of their race during a time when the South was largely segregated. After 60 years in business, Preservation Hall remains an integral part of New Orleans' culture.

Sandra Jaffe

Courtesy of the Jaffe family

Sandra Smolen Jaffe was born to Russian immigrant parents on March 10, 1938. Raised in public housing in Philadelphia, Jaffee attended nearby Harcum College, where she studied public relations and journalism. After graduating, she worked for a Philadelphia advertising agency while taking night classes at the University of Pennsylvania.

During that time, she met her future husband Allen Jaffe while watching a play in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The couple married on Christmas day in 1960 and set off on a Kerouac-style adventure to Mexico City. On the tail-end of their extended honeymoon, as they made the journey back north, they stopped in New Orleans to look for jazz records. The decision changed their livesand the fate of the cityforever.

In an Instagram tribute to his late mother, Jaffe's son Ben wrote this about his parents' fateful trip to The Big Easy: "They stopped off in New Orleans and, like others before and after, found themselves swept up in the beauty, romance, excitement, mystery, freedom, history, and charm of the city."

While in the city, the couple attended a traditional jazz performance at Larry Borenstein's art gallery in the French Quarter. Entranced by what they heard, they decided to extend their stay if only to take in a few more performances.

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"When I heard the music for the first time, it felt like a total transformation," Jaffe wrote in a blog post on the Preservation Hall website. "We found this whole new world the music was just so wonderful."

After a few days, Borenstein came to the young jazz lovers with an unexpected proposition. He wanted them to take over hosting jazz performances in the space, while he moved the art gallery next door.

"We didn't even think about it," Jaffe told Patches, the alumni magazine of Harcum College. "It wasn't even a thought. 'Of course,' we said, and that was the beginning of Preservation Hall. We never left New Orleans."

Sandra and Allan ran the venue together for the next 26 years before Allan died in 1987. During those years, Allan played the sousaphone for the venue's house band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and served as the venue's booking agent. Meanwhile, Sandra handled the ins and outs of keeping the business running, including acting as both the venue's hostess and bouncer on especially rowdy nights.

As creative director for Preservation Hall, as well as leader of Preservation Hall Band, Ben will continue the incredible legacy left behind by his parents. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Preservation Hall Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and perpetuating New Orleans music and culture through music education experiences.

Jaffe is survived by her two sons Ben and Russell Jaffe, her younger sisters Resa Lambert and Brenda Epstein, and her four grandchildren Alaina, Rebecca, William, and Emma Lena.

Our thoughts are with Jaffe's family, friends, and jazz lovers everywhere.
Sex and the City viewers have waited for Sarah Jessica Parkers response to Chris Noths sexual assault allegations ever since they first heard the upsetting newsand now, we finally know what SJP really thinks of her former co-star.

Parker and Noth starred as love interests Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big on Sex and the City for six seasons before reprising their roles in the HBO Max SATC revival, And Just Like That in December 2021. Shortly following the series premiere, multiple women stepped forward with claims that Noth sexually assaulted or harassed them in the past. His And Just Like That co-starsKristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon and Parkerquietly responded to the allegations in a joint statement, noting that they were deeply saddened and would continue to support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. Since then, sources have revealed Parkers private reaction to the news, with one insider telling Us Weekly that she was heartbroken by the allegations.

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She is fiercely protective of Carrie Bradshaw and livid that she and everyone else at the show has been put into this position, the insider told the site on December 29, 2021. It is not about the money, but rather her legacy. Carrie was all about helping women and now, under her watch, women are saying that they have been hurt.

The source went on to note that Parker feels like there has been two deaths, referring to Noths character Mr. Bigs death in the And Just Like That premiere. She takes the power of being Carrie Bradshaw very seriously. With great power comes great responsibility and although SJP knows this is about him, not her, she feels like she has let everyone down, the insider said, adding that Parker had no idea about the alleged incidents and felt blindsided by the reports. Now, Parker still needs time to process what has happened.

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Click here to read the full article.

Image: New Line Cinema/courtesy Everett Collection.

In a December 16, 2021 report by The Hollywood Reporter, two women accused Noth of sexual assault. The womeneach triggered to share their stories after witnessing promotional materials of HBO Maxs And Just Like Thatboth alleged that Noth sexually assaulted them in 2004 and 2015, respectively, after luring them to private rooms. One woman, who went by the name Zoe in the report, alleged that the actor rape[d] her from behind without a condom on despite her asking him to use one. It was very painful and I yelled out, Stop! she told THR. And he didnt. I said, Can you at least get a condom? and he laughed at me. Lily, the second woman, claimed Noth left her feeling totally violated after an encounter in New York City, which took place when he was already married to his now-wife, Tara Wilson.

Noth denied the allegations at the time, telling The Hollywood Reporter, The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. These stories couldve been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago  no always means no  that is a line I did not cross. The encounters were consensual. Its difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out. I dont know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women.

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Your friends at the Mineral Daily News Tribune wish you a healthy, happy New Year!

Cedar City is hosting its first-ever New Year's Eve event with special guest David Archuleta this week, and that isn't the only major New Year's event set for southwestern Utah this week.

Here are some of the biggest ways that residents in the St. George and Cedar City areas are set to ring in 2022.

Cedar City Finale: New Years Bash

David Archuleta performs Christmas songs at the Burns Arena Monday, Dec. 3, 2018.

Cedar City will be kicking off the new year with musician David Archuleta and an 80s-themed mingle. There will also be a dessert bar as well as the traditional fireworks show later in the evening.

If you go:

What: Cedar City Finale: New Years Bash.

When: Friday, Dec 31, 8 p.m. to midnight.

Where: Heritage Theatre Lobby, 105 N. 100 East, Cedar City.

Cost: $35 to $55 for tickets.

Online: www.cedarcity.org/1331/Cedar-City-Finale-New-Years-Bash.

Washington City New Years Eve Celebration

The City of Washington will be doing its annual fireworks display for the community. The Washington City Community Center will be open for a portion of the event for the public to come and join them for seating.

If you go:

What: Washington City New Years Eve Celebration.

When: Friday, Dec 31, 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: Washington City Community Center 350 N. Community Center Dr., Washington.

Cost: Free.

Online: washingtoncity.org/community/celebrations.

Ring in 2022 at The Ledges

The Ledges and Fish Rock Grille will be hosting a New Years Eve event with plenty of activities. There will be a live DJ, a balloon drop, a photo booth, and a toast for the event. Fish Rock Grille will be providing and an appetizer buffet for attendees.

If you go:

What: Ring in 2022 at The Ledges.

When: Friday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Where: The Ledges, 1585 Ledges Pkwy., St. George.

Cost: $49 tickets can only be purchased online. No tickets at the door.

Online: ledges.com/events/ring_in_2022_at_the_ledges.

Taphouse 435 New Years Eve Party

Taphouse 435 is hosting a masquerade New Years Eve party for the community. Two local bands will be playing during the event and a champagne toast will happen at midnight.

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More: Hive 435 Tap House set to open next week after struggle to be third bar in St. George

If you go:

What: Taphouse 435 New Years Eve Party.

When: Friday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Where: Taphouse 435, 61 W. St. George Blvd., St. George.

Cost: Varies on purchases but is free to enter. Adults only.

Online: www.hive435taphouse.com/events/new-years-eve-party.

Elle Cabrera covers breaking news and topics. Please help us to continue producing this content at thespectrum.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: David Archuleta, fireworks among local 2022 New Year's Eve events
Flowers are left in memory of Valentina Orellana-Peralta, the 14-year-old fatally shot by police at a Burlington store in North Hollywood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The 14-year-old girl whose life was cut short Thursday when an LAPD officer shot her inside a Burlington clothing store in North Hollywood seemed to be finding herself in her adopted country.

Valentina Orellana-Peralta came to the U.S. from Chile with her mother, Soledad Peralta, about six months ago to visit her older sister, who worked in a restaurant.

"Valentina was a shy girl in Chile, but everything was turning out well for her in the U.S.," her aunt Carolina Peralta, 51, said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "She was catching up with English and being more outgoing. She was happy to be with her older sister."

Valentina was born and raised in the working-class neighborhood of Macul in Santiago, Chile's capital. Her father, Juan Pablo Orellana, was a bank clerk, her aunt said.

Soledad Peralta and her younger daughter had decided to reunite the family in the U.S. They were working on documentation to stay in the country permanently.

Valentina's father traveled to Los Angeles on Sunday. The family took to the internet to ask police to release footage of the shooting and to raise money for travel. Carolina Peralta said they are being legally advised on next steps.

The funeral is expected to be Jan. 3.

Carolina Peralta said Valentina liked to listen to reggaeton and that her niece and her mother were shopping on the day of the shooting.

"Valentina died in the arms of her mother, inside the dressing room," her aunt said. "My sister does not understand how this tragedy could have happened just when they had managed to reunite the family."

A fallen victim and the suspect in images released by the LAPD of the fatal Burlington store shooting. (Los Angeles Police Department)

According to police, officers responded to a call about 11:45 a.m. Thursday regarding an assault with a deadly weapon at the North Hollywood store in the 12100 block of Victory Boulevard. Soon after, the officers shot the suspect a short distance from a woman whom he had allegedly been assaulting.



The man, identified by the Los Angeles County coroner's office as Daniel Elena Lopez, 24, was fatally shot in the chest. The unidentified woman he had allegedly been assaulting was hospitalized for treatment.

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Only after the shooting, as they searched the store, did officers find Valentina in a dressing room; she had been struck by an officer's round that had pierced a wall near Elena Lopez, police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Edwin Arroyo, supervisor of Nancy's Cleaning Services, spent Friday morning cleaning broken glass near the store's front doors before heading inside to the second-floor dressing rooms.

There, he said, he saw blood smeared on a wall, on a cream-colored dress left on a hanger and on more than a dozen other items. He described it as "a horrible scene."

"I don't know how many gunshots there were," he said, "but there was a lot of blood."

Flowers were left in memory of Valentina Orellana-Peralta. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Jorge Poblete is a special correspondent in Santiago, Chile.

For the record:

12:54 a.m. Dec. 28, 2021: A previous caption on the photo taken inside the store misidentified the person on the floor as Valentina Orellana-Peralta. The person has not been named by the LAPD.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Former President Donald Trump, left, said his endorsement of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, center, would be contingent on Dunleavy not backing Sen. Lisa Murkowski. L-R: Elsa/Getty Images, Yereth Rosen/REUTERS, Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump said he'll endorse Alaskan Gov. Mike Dunleavy  with one caveat.

Dunleavy has to refrain from backing Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican and Trump critic.

Trump has vowed political revenge against Murkowski for voting to impeach him.

Former President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he'd support Alaska's GOP Gov. Mike Dunleavy for reelection, but only if Dunleavy doesn't back Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican with a history of criticizing Trump.

"Mike Dunleavy has been a strong and consistent Conservative since his time in the Alaska State Senate," Trump said in a statement. "I was proud to endorse his first run for Governor, and I am proud to support his reelection, too."

Trump praised Dunleavy for his handling of the pandemic and gave him his "Complete and Total Endorsement"  with one caveat.

"This endorsement is subject to his non-endorsement of Senator Lisa Murkowski who has been very bad for Alaska, including losing ANWAR, perhaps the most important drilling site in the world, and much else," the statement read, referring to a suspended drilling project at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Should Dunleavy fail to meet that condition, Trump's endorsement would be "null and void, and of no further force or effect," the former president said.

Murkowski was one of the seven GOP senators who voted to convict Trump in his February impeachment trial. In January, she called for his resignation in the wake of the Capitol attack and said she would leave the Republican Party if it didn't break off from the former president.

"I want him to resign. I want him out," Murkowski said, according to the Anchorage Daily News. "He has caused enough damage."

In turn, Trump has sought to oust Murkowski in her reelection campaign, endorsing her opponent, Kelly Tshibaka, as Insider's John Dorman previously reported. The former president even said he would travel 5,000 miles from his home in Florida to Alaska to campaign against Murkowski.

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"Murkowski has got to go!" Trump wrote in June. "Kelly Tshibaka is the candidate who can beat Murkowski  and she will. Kelly is a fighter who stands for Alaska values and America First. She is MAGA all the way, pro-energy, strong on the Border, tough on Crime and totally supports our Military and our great Vets."

Dunleavy, who survived a recall campaign against him earlier this year, has aligned himself with Trump and supported the former president when he refused to concede the 2020 election.

"I for one will support our President's efforts to ensure that the election is completed with integrity. Let us hope and pray that it is," Dunleavy wrote in a statement in November 2020.

Read the original article on Business Insider
E-8C JSTARS aircraft US Air Force

The US military flew an intelligence-gathering aircraft over Ukraine this week.

It was the first time an E-8C JSTARS has flown over the country, a military official told CNN.

The flight comes amid continued concerns about Russia's military buildup near Ukraine.

The US sent a surveillance aircraft flying over Ukraine this week as Russia continues to maintain a large force near the Ukrainian border, perpetuating fears Russia may move to take military action against its neighbor.

In a first for the US military, the US Air Force flew an E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft designed to gather ground intelligence over the eastern part of the country on Monday, a US European Command official told CNN Wednesday.

The aircraft's flight path is unclear, as are the details of the intelligence gathered during the flight, which was carried out with Ukraine's permission. EUCOM spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Russ Wolfkiel told CNN only that US flights in that part of the world support "various US and coalition intelligence objectives."

The E-8C JSTARS aircraft are military versions of the Boeing 707-300 able to provide battle management, command and control, and intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities.

The plane's long, side-looking phased array antenna in the radome offers a 120-degree field of view and can gather information on ground forces across roughly 20,000 square miles, according to the Air Force. As CNN noted, an E-8C flying over Ukraine would potentially be able to observe military activities on both sides of the country's border with Russia.

Russia announced over the weekend that it was withdrawing around 10,000 troops from the area following the conclusion of military exercises. Russia is believed to still have a significant military presence near Ukraine though.

In early December, The Washington Post reported that the alarming Russian military buildup near Ukraine was somewhere between 70,000, according to US estimates, and 94,000, according to Ukrainian assessments. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense later told Military Times there were as many as 120,000 Russian troops in the area.

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And satellite images taken over the past couple of months, including as recently as last week, show a number of Russian tactical battle groups, as well as military vehicles and other equipment at locations near Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly denied having plans to take aggressive military action against Ukraine, but these denials have done little to alleviate concerns.

Earlier this month, a Biden administration official shared intelligence with multiple news outlets, explaining that "the Russian plans call for a military offensive against Ukraine as soon as early 2022" and may "involve extensive movement of 100 battalion tactical groups with an estimated 175,000 personnel, along with armor, artillery and equipment."

Amid fears Russia might decide to invade Ukraine, the US has repeatedly warned of consequences, which would include serious economic and financial penalties for Russia.

It was reported this week that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the US Navy's Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to remain in the Mediterranean rather than relocate to the Middle East in order to reassure US allies and partners in Europe.

The warships are expected to remain in the area throughout planned talks between the US and Russia and between NATO and Russia, CNN reported.

Additionally, President Joe Biden signed the annual defense spending bill on Monday, approving $300 million in military aid to Ukraine, and Wednesday, it was announced that Biden will have another phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to "discuss a range of topics."

"I think both leaders believe that there is genuine value in direct leader-to-leader engagement, that we are at a moment of crisis and have been for several weeks now given the Russian buildup, and that it will take a high level of engagement to address this and to try to find a path to de-escalation," a senior Biden administration official explained to reporters, according to NPR.

The senior official said that since Biden and Putin last spoke, "we continue to be gravely concerned about the nature of the Russian troop presence there" and "the capabilities that they have."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ethiopia's Tigray taps Muslim past in propaganda push Thousands of people have been killed since the conflict erupted last year between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba)

Rebels from Ethiopia's Tigray region are drawing on early Islamic history in an Arabic-language propaganda push to rally solidarity among Muslims online for their battle against the government.

Thousands of people have been killed since the conflict erupted last year between the government in Addis Ababa and its foes, the rebel Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

The overwhelmingly Christian Tigrayan people account for less than six percent of Ethiopia's 110 million people, and the media-savvy TPLF rebels may hope to win over Muslim allies among anti-government forces in the country's complex multi-ethnic population -- as well as generate sympathy abroad.

Amongst Tigray's five percent Muslim-minority, Tigrinya speakers writing in Arabic have sought to remind people about the role the region played as one of the first Islamic settlements and as a refuge for early Muslims fleeing Mecca.

But while their references may be drawn from the Koran, "the conflict in Ethiopia is not religious but ethnic", one Tigrayan activist using the alias Mustafa Habashi told AFP in Arabic, who insists his efforts are not connected to TPLF activities.

One Twitter account, "Tigray in Arabic", has amassed about 40,000 followers in just a few months.

It translates statements by rebel leaders into Arabic and publishes reactions to statements from Addis Ababa.

"Our mastery of Arabic and our Islamic culture has helped us address the Arab and Muslim world to make our cause known," Habashi said.

- Islamic history -

After Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent federal forces into the Tigray region in November 2020, the number of times "Ethiopia" has appeared in Arabic on social media has risen sharply.

The term received around 70 million likes, clicks, posts and comments on Facebook, according to social media analytics tool CrowdTangle, data that includes all online content about the country.

For reference, the number of Facebook users in the Arab world stands at about 187 million.

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By comparison, between November 2019 and November 2020, amid heightened concerns among Egyptian and Sudanese users over Ethiopia's upstream Nile mega dam, this figure was less than 40 million.

While Tigray may figure in many people's consciousness because of the conflict, for much of the Arab world -- where Islamic history is on the curriculum in schools -- the region's history is ingrained in the collective imagination.

About 1,400 years ago, companions of the Prophet Mohammed fleeing persecution sought refuge with the Christian king, or Negus, in the city of Axum, now a key town in Tigray.

Tigrayans are using this history to reach out to the estimated 300 million Arabs active on social media.

"How many times has a small troop, by the grace of Allah, defeated a very large troop!" one user writes, quoting the Koran, about David and Goliath to allude to the battle between Tigrayan and Ethiopian forces.

On December 20, the TPLF announced they had withdrawn from the Amhara and Afar regions to their Tigray stronghold.

The account "Tigray in Arabic" references early Islamic general Khaled ibn al-Walid -- famed for having emerged victorious in 50 battles because of his tactical skill -- to explain the TPLF's so-called "tactical withdrawal".

Habashi boasted that the Tigrayan media push meant that Arabic speakers were "becoming more and more interested in what is happening in Ethiopia".

- Media war -

Alongside fighting on the ground, both the government in Addis Ababa and the TPLF accuse each other of spreading lies in a bitter media war.

For the TPLF, allied to the rebel Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), the propaganda outreach may also be a way to burnish credentials among the wider 40 million-strong Oromo people, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, of whom roughly half are Muslim.

Internationally, the Tigrayan media campaign may hope to act as a counterbalance to those backing the government, with countries including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Iran having reportedly supplied Addis Ababa with drones deployed against the TPLF, according to analysts.

Meanwhile, with relations between Addis Ababa and Sudan and Egypt already frayed over Ethiopia's construction of its Blue Nile mega dam, the TPLF also may hope to woo backers.

Members of Tigray's small Muslim minority take every opportunity to make their calls heard to the nearly two billion Muslims around the world.

"In the past, you needed Tigray, and it is because of this that I am a Muslim today," proclaimed one activist on YouTube. "Now, it is Tigray that needs you."

ks/sbh/jsa/srm/pjm
Dec. 29PHOENIX  The Gophers offense and special teams showed in the first quarter of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Tuesday that those units have been guaranteed to grate during the 2021 season.

Minnesota had two drives stall in West Virginia's red zone and they missed a short field goal. Then in the second quarter, the Gophers showed how bowl games can, and should be, fun.

Right tackle Daniel Faalele lined up at fullback and the massive man plunged over the goal line to give Minnesota the opening lead in an eventual 18-6 win.

In college football slang, that type of score is considered a big-man touchdown, but given Faalele's size  6-foot-8 and 380 pounds  it's more like the biggest-man touchdown. Minnesota put Faalele in the backfield, West Virginia called a timeout to adjust, and the Gophers stuck with the play call.

"I was ready," Faalele said. "I was super excited. Last game and we wanted to do something fun. A big-man touchdown, everyone was happy. "

Unveiling a rare trick play, which they ran in practice Saturday, gave a roughly 70-percent majority maroon-and-gold crowd something to cheer. The Gophers teased it by calling a run play for Faalele in the 2019 spring game and had him throw a pass in last year's exhibition, but the expectant early 2022 NFL draft pick got some unexpected glory in his final game for Minnesota.

As an offensive lineman himself, the part-time fullback wasn't going to forget to thank his O-line; it was the first thing he did in his postgame interview.

Besides that oddity, Minnesota capped a nine-win season by doing what were near guarantees this season: play stifling defense and running the ball. The U rushed for 249 yards and held West Virginia only 66 yards on the ground after their 1,000-yard tailback Leddie Brown opted out to get ready for the NFL.

"They had a beat on us," West Virginia coach Neal Brown said.

Minnesota's defense ranked in the top 10 in the nation this season, and it showed again Tuesday, with six pass breakups, five sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. They held the Mountaineers (6-7, 4-5 Big 12) to their second-lowest point total of the season.

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"Maybe one of the best defensive seasons that I can remember as a head football coach," head coach P.J. Fleck said. "That goes to (defensive coordinator) Joe Rossi and his staff, Chad, Wilt, Joe Harasymiak, Paul Haynes and the (support staff members)."

The Gophers (9-4, 6-3 Big Ten) were a five-point favorite Tuesday and never trailed en route to the program's record-best fifth-straight bowl win, including the Outback Bowl (2020), the Holiday Bowl (2016) and two Quick Lane Bowls (2015, '18).

Besides the U's miscues in the first quarter, both teams had trouble adjusting to the wet, temporary turf laid down at the Arizona Diamondbacks' stadium. Despite the chance of rain all day, bowl officials opened the retractable roof to have four paratroopers drop onto the field pregame and for the venue to shoot red rockets into the sky during the national anthem. Rain poured down and soaked the field before the roof was closed near kickoff.

The pregame pomp is what fans come to expect in bowl games, but the consequence was players slipping on the surface all night. In the third quarter, quarterback Tanner Morgan slid on the grass and had to eat a seven-yard loss. On the next drive, receiver Mike Brown-Stephens slipped on a route, and Mountaineers nickel back Charles Woods intercepted Morgan's pass.

If West Virginia were able to have any success against Minnesota's defense, the poor field conditions would have had a bigger impact on the game's outcome.

Facing criticism, the bowl's account tweeted snark: "We thought Gophers could swim?"

While Faalele took the early spotlight, Gophers tailbacks Ky Thomas and Mar'Keise Irving continued to shoulder the load. Each eclipsed 100 yards against the Mountaineers. It was the 12th and 13th times Minnesota has had five different running backs go over century mark in games this season, and it was the first time it's happened in a bowl since Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber III did it in the 2004 Music City Bowl.

Thomas, who won the bowl's offensive MVP award, finished with 144 yards and one touchdown; Irving ended with 129 yards.

Safety Jordan Nubin won defensive MVP with a team-high eight tackles, one sack and a pass-breakup, but per usual, a handful of defensive players were deserving of the award.

The Gophers forced West Virginia to go three-and-out on its opening drive and then went 42 yards on 10 plays, but it stalled inside the Mountaineers' 5-yard line. Morgan's pass on second down was batted down and he was sacked on third down before Matthew Trickett's 25-yard field went wide left.

On the second drive, Minnesota drove 52 yards down to West Virginia's 15, but Thomas fumbled, the first giveaway for a Gophers running back this year. "Empty drives," Fleck said.

Then Faalele's play filled it with fun.
Law enforcement officers salute as fallen Wayne County Illinois sheriffs deputy Sean Riley is placed in a vehicle at the Vanderburgh County Coroner in Evansville, Ind., Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 29, 2021. He was transported to the Vanderburgh County Coroner after he was reportedly shot and killed in the line of duty and found along Interstate 64 according to police. Riley was being transported back to Illinois.

A Wayne County, Illinois, sheriff's deputy was shot and killed in the line of duty and found along Interstate 64 on Wednesday, police said.

And the man suspected in the killing is accused of embarking on a multistate carjacking and robbery spree until he was arrested later in the day.

A Facebook post from the Wayne County sheriff's office identified the deputy as Sean Riley. He'd reportedly responded to a vehicle assist call near the Illinois-Indiana border some time overnight. When another officer arrived on scene Wednesday, he found Riley dead and the deputy's squad car missing.

The squad car was eventually found abandoned along the interstate.

In a news release, Illinois State Police identified the suspect in Riley's killing as 40-year-old Ray Tate of Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

After the shooting, police believe Tate carjacked a semi near where Riley's abandoned cruiser was found. According the release, Tate reportedly held the semi driver against their will while the driver took him to a gas station in St. Peters, Missouri, around 7 a.m.

There, according to St. Louis' Fox 2, the man shot another person in the shoulder and fled the scene in the victim's 2017 Chevy Cruze. It was reportedly part of what Illinois State Police called a "series of carjackings, robberies and shootings."

"Tate then traveled back into Illinois with a kidnapped victim in another stolen vehicle," the release states.

That vehicle was eventually located at a house in rural Clinton County. Inside the residence, police believe Tate held a kidnapped victim and the homeowner hostage until SWAT units were able to get inside and arrest Tate without further incident, police said.

Tate was reportedly transferred to the Clinton County jail on a preliminary charge of first-degree murder.

A procession of police cars accompanied Riley's body as it was taken to the Vanderburgh County morgue for an autopsy on Wednesday. They then followed him back home to Illinois.

Contact Jon Webb at jon.webb@courierpress.com

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Kentucky man charged with killing Illinois officer in crime spree
On Nov. 10 at the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland (which Rich Killmer attended), six major automakers including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors and Volvo, as well as 30 national governments pledged to work toward phasing out sales of new gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles by 2040 worldwide, and by 2035 in leading markets. The goal of the nations of the world for ending the climate crisis is to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to keep the global temperature to a 1.5-degree Centigrade increase since the late 19th century.

Richard Killmer

This announcement was another sign that the days of the internal combustion engine could soon be numbered. Electric vehicles continue to set new global sales records each year, and major car companies have recently begun investing tens of billions of dollars to retool their factories and produce electric vehicles.

Worldwide transportation produces roughly one-fifth of humanitys carbon dioxide emissions that are responsible for climate change, with a little less than half of that coming from cars and vans. In recent years, governments around the world  including China, the United States and the European Union  have begun heavily subsidizing electric vehicles.

Some of the major automakers that did not sign the agreement are nonetheless investing heavily in electric vehicle technology. Volkswagen has outlined plans to spend tens of billions of dollars to build six battery factories.

There is a difference between waiting and preparing. Waiting is the role of the observer; sitting intently waiting for something to happen. Waiting is passive. We are not making something happen.

Preparing shows action. Preparing is taking steps which we believe will help something happen. Our family will not eat if we dont prepare the meal. The successful athlete prepares by practicing, staying in good shape and participating in games.

The difference between waiting and preparing is a matter of agency. How much are we engaged in bringing about change? Waiting will not get us closer to our desired outcome. The person preparing for a goal does more to bring it about than the person waiting for that event to take place. We can wait for a new playground to be built or we can advocate for the new playground, raise funds to build it, and help design it.

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It is clear that the climate crisis requires all of us to prepare for a new reality. Nobody can wait. We have the agency to choose preparation over waiting. That is true for presidents, governors, legislators, administrators and citizens like all of us.

Rev. Jayme Babczak

We need to support steps that enable vehicle owners to choose electric powered vehicles, getting us closer to our goals. On Sept. 22, Gov. Whitmer announced two new programs that will help Michiganders use the electric vehicles that the automobile companies promised. Their promise was to not build any gas-powered vehicles after 2040 and in some markets after 2035.

The governor is committed to the Lake Michigan EV Circuit, an electric vehicle route with charging options along Lake Michigan and key tourism clusters, creating a new road-trip for EV owners in America. It will tie together key coastal and rural communities, state and national parks and tourism attractions into a wider EV network by providing EV charging stations where chargers are needed.

Grants will be made to install the charging stations which will be provided through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). "Michigan put the world on wheels. Now we are making those wheels more sustainable, less polluting, and part of the push to decarbonize Michigan's economy, said Liesl Clark, EGLE Director. "Building muscle onto Michigan's EV charging infrastructure is a cornerstone for moving away from climate pollution."

The second program is The Michigan Revolution for Electrification of Vehicles Academy/Academies (MiREV) which will prepare people to work in the EV industry. MiREV will work directly with employers to make sure that Michigan has the right kind of programs and resources for this task which will help protect our grandchildren from major climate disasters.

There have been many articles asking if COP26 in Glasgow was successful. The bottom line is that COP26 will only be seen as successful for the U.S., if towns, cities and states implement plans for reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions and for keeping the global temperature to a 1.5-degree Centigrade increase. Taking steps to encourage the use of EVs should happen now.

 Rev. Richard Killmer is a retired Presbyterian minister living in East Grand Rapids. Rev. Jayme Babczak is the Associate Pastor of the First Parish Church (United Church of Christ), Yarmouth, Maine.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Richard Killmer: Enabling the use of electric vehicles is key to ending climate crisis
Sir Geoffrey Boycott believes it will be time for Joe Root to step down as captain when Englands humiliating Ashes series ends.

England were bowled out for 68  their lowest total on Australian soil since 1904  as the hosts won the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne by an innings and 14 runs to take a decisive 3-0 series lead.

The result capped a dreadful run of results for the Test team under Root, who have become the first England side to lose nine games in a year.

Joe Root has presided over a record nine England Test defeats in a calendar year (Jason OBrien/PA)

Former England batter Boycott, writing in the Daily Telegraph, has clearly seen enough and said: Joes captaincy lacks imagination. His team selection and decision making has been staggeringly off the mark.

At the end of this series the question should be asked: would England benefit from a change of captain?

Thats not me trying to be hurtful to Joe or just being controversial. We all love Joe.

It is impossible not to like him, but before the squad left the UK Joe said players and captains are defined by Ashes series, particularly in Australia.

So far this series we have been dreadful and if Joe believes what he has been saying then it is time for someone else to be given the opportunity to try and galvanise the players.

Captains accept the accolades when their team wins so they have to accept some blame or criticism when they lose.

Roots return with the bat in 2021 contrasts starkly to that of his record as captain.

The 30-year-old became just the third player in history to break 1,700 Test runs in a calendar year after Sir Viv Richards and record holder Mohammad Yousuf.

Boycott added: Many of us are tired of these interviews where Joe says England will learn from a bad day or Joe says he expects a response after a poor performance.

We have had enough of this rubbish. Stop treating us ex-players and cricket supporters as idiots.

And lets be honest  we havent just lost, we have been smashed.
A federal judge has refused to throw out an indictment charging four alleged leaders of the far-right Proud Boys with conspiring to attack the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Bidens electoral victory
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The public prosecutors office has raised charges against a Chinese man who stabbed a fellow patient to death in a Budapest hospital this spring.

The prosecutor has called for the man to undergo compulsory psychiatric treatment following an assessment by a forensic psychiatrist who established that the suspect suffers from psychiatric disorder and cannot be held criminally liable.



The Budapest prosecutors office said on Tuesday that the 38 year-old suspect strangled a fellow patient in a hospital in Budapests 6th district on March 13 and injured the hand of a nurse with surgical scissors.



He then walked to the Covid ward next door and repeatedly stabbed a female patient who was unable to defend herself, causing her fatal injuries.



He also injured one of the security guards who stopped and disarmed him.



The man is currently receiving preliminary compulsory treatment.
Hungarys health-care system is prepared to handle a potential next wave of the coronavirus pandemic, and there are sufficient quantities of vaccines available, a government official said on Tuesday.

Csaba Domotor, parliamentary secretary of the Prime Ministers Office, told public news channel M1 that developments connected to the new Omicron variant were constantly being monitored.



Epidemic protection measures are determined by circumstances such as whether enough protective equipment is available and health-care capacities.



Hospital capacity, he said, was now sufficient and there were significant reserves, too. Only vaccination, however, offered an effective solution in combatting the epidemic, he added.



Domotor welcomed that over 6 million Hungarians have been vaccinated, including over 3 million who have received their booster shots.



Future restrictions can be avoided if the number of vaccinated further increases, he said.
Spend enough time in this country and Hungarian pride in famous people with Magyar origins begins to rub off on you. Ive gone way beyond being satisfied by announcing that Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, who discovered ascorbic acid or vitamin C, did so in Szeged in the 1930s, or that Drew Barrymores mother was Hungarian, as was Goldie Hawns.

Recently, Ive made three deeply satisfying discoveries concerning the Hungarian origins of the unlikeliest of characters: American painter Georgia OKeeffe - pictured above - , writer Alexander Lenard and architect Antti Lovag, only the last of whom has a hint of the Hungarian in that name. Each of these influenced their chosen art form in a surprising way.



OKeeffe is best known for her paintings of giant flowers, landscapes of New Mexico where she lived for many years and New York skyscrapers. She was born in Canada in 1887, one of seven children. Her father was of Irish descent (hence the surname), but her grandfather was George Victor Totto, a Hungarian count who arrived in America in 1848.



I could find out nothing about Totto of any great interest other than the fact that he was born in 1820, the year an 80-ton sperm whale attacked and sunk a whaling ship from Nantucket, Massachusetts 2,000 miles off the cost of South America. This story partly inspired Herman Melvilles classic novel Moby-Dick. Melville, however, had no Magyar blood.



Although she lived to be almost 100, OKeeffe was a legendary figure and inspiration to women as early as the 1920s. This was as much for her free spirit as it was for art, which embraced abstraction along with the flower paintings and landscapes. An exhibition of photographs of OKeeffe by her lover (and future husband) photographer Alfred Stieglitz in 1921 caused a sensation because many of the photographs were nudes.



One of the portraits of OKeeffe by Stieglitz shows her gazing into the camera. Her eyes are intelligent and slightly hooded. Her nose is heroic. She looks Hungarian.



No Choice

While Georgia OKeeffes grandfather had sailed to America to seek his fortune, Alexander Lenard, born in Budapest in 1910, had no choice but to leave Hungary. He was studying medicine in Vienna in 1938 when the German Anschluss forced him to leave Austria for Italy. Lenard was Jewish and heading back to Budapest wasnt an option.



In Italy, Lenard traded his medical knowledge in exchange for food and shelter while spending his time in the Vatican library in Rome reading Latin. He read so much that Latin became second nature to him.



In 1951, Lenard emigrated to Brazil with his Italian wife and settled in the Dona Irma valley, in the municipality of Santa Catarina. The daughter of a local resident who Lenard was tutoring in Latin complained that she had nothing to read, spurring Lenard to translate Winnie The Pooh into Latin. Lenard worked on his translation for seven years. Unable to find a publisher, he printed his book privately. Its reputation spread by word of mouth until it became a bestseller.



In the foreword to Lenards The Valley of the Latin Bear, one of the books that followed the translation of Winnie The Pooh, the poet and author Robert Graves described Lenard as like most educated Hungarians of his generation, a polyglot; writes a very lucid, unaffected English, speaks it without any discernible accent. He has a well-knit body, a quiet laugh, an iron-gray curly beard, and two dedicated professions: medicine and poetry.



Eclectic Hint

I was alerted to my last discovery by my Hungarian partner whose Instagram feed is extraordinarily eclectic. She found out that the architect of the Palais Bulles or Bubble Palace, Pierre Cardins home in the south of France which, after his death on December 29 last year, went on the market priced at around USD 390 million, was Hungarian architect Antti Lovag, born in Budapest in 1920.



Lovag, known for his organic architecture, arrived in France in the late 1940s. Working with Jacques Couelle in the 1960s, he was exposed to organic architecture. He took this to extraordinary heights with Maison Bernard (later renamed Palais Bulles) in Theole sur Mer, on the south French coast, built for the industrialist Pierre Bernard.



The mansion, begun by Lovag in 1975, took 14 years to build. According to Wikipedia, it was sold it to Pierre Cardin in 1991, two years after completion, following Bernards death. Cardin himself never lived in the house, preferring a residence nearby, but he did use it for entertaining.



Quoted in Architectural Digest, Hugh Wade-Jones, managing director of Enness Global Mortgages, says that Palais Bulles faces an uncertain future.



The Palais Bulles is undoubtedly an iconic piece of real estate; however, the predominant opinion is that the property is a bit of a white elephant, he said. Its architecturally incredible, but largely impractical for residential living and would require a huge amount of work to remedy that.



Lovag himself didnt appear to care about the practicalities of designing homes for clients. He said, I have three conditions Im obliged to respect: I dont know what its going to look like, I dont know when its going to be finished, and I dont know how much its going to cost.



Despite the almost absurd use of bubble shapes at Palais Bulles, Lovag was deadly serious. He was trying to overturn the tyranny of the cube in architecture, arguing that the circle structures the way human life is carried out.



I began this article as a celebration of the simple fact that OKeeffe, Lenard and Lovag were Hungarian and made their mark on the world beyond this countrys borders. Thinking about it more deeply, I realize that all three were true artists whose work was more about artistic expression than anything else.



This adds up to a certain kind of search for purity and freedom from material constraints that, for me, is an essential part of the Hungarian emigre spirit.



Article by David Holzer
The Top Expat CEOs magazine is an annual publication that forms part of our commitment to honoring the most influential expat CEOs in Hungary. As well as an economic background to Hungarys economy, Top Expat CEOs presents some of the leading market players in the country.

As such, it is an essential aide to getting to know the personalities behind the business.



Top Expat CEOs is a subjective listing, not a ranking, based on our three-decade history of producing the Budapest Business Journal and the Book of Lists, and the accumulated knowledge of our management, editors, journalists and sales executives over that time.



Selection is based on the influence we believe these CEOs have on the Hungarian economy. Usually this is down to the size of their business here, but it may also be due to the international footprint of their parent company, or their involvement in areas of business identified as a priority by Hungary, and the likelihood that they therefore have the ear of government.



The readership of Top Expat CEOs mirrors much of that of the BBJ, including many of the countrys leading business executives, diplomats and decision makers.



Why should you subscribe?

 Provides an essential overview of Hungarys economy.

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 Get to know the personalities behind the business.

 Read personal accounts from the countrys leading non-Hungarian CEOs, including their experiences of doing business in Hungary and what they enjoy about life here.



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According to court documents, when another deputy arrived, the driver told him he did have a firearm on his person.

The driver was handcuffed and the deputies conducted a search of his person. It is alleged they found a Smith and Wesson 40-caliber handgun in his jacket pocket. The firearm was loaded with one round in the chamber and five additional rounds in the inserted magazine. The deputy said a records check revealed he did not possess a concealed weapons permit in any state.

They said they also found 12.9 grams of methamphetamine on his person.

During a search of the vehicle, the deputies allege they found a digital scale with methamphetamine residue, wrapping papers and a bag with marijuana residue.

The man was arrested, later appeared in court and then bonded out.

After the man bonded out, the York County Sheriffs Department received a call from a man who identified himself as Ray Green Jr. He said he received papers from York County Court, but he hadnt been arrested in York County. He said his wallet was stolen in Topeka, Kan., a few months earlier and he had reported it stolen. He also said he believed the man who was arrested in York County was Bryan January.
NEW YORK (AP)  The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted Wednesday of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by the American millionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

The verdict capped a monthlong trial featuring sordid accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14, told by four women who described being abused as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epsteins palatial homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico.

Jurors deliberated for five full days before finding Maxwell guilty of five of six counts. With the maximum prison terms for each charge ranging from five to 40 years in prison, Maxwell faces the likelihood of years behind bars  an outcome long sought by women who spent years fighting in civil courts to hold her accountable for her role in recruiting and grooming Epsteins teenage victims and sometimes joining in the sexual abuse.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  A school district in northwestern New Mexico is providing high-speed internet to students' families, most of whom are Indigenous, in a $1.2 million deal that leapfrogs piecemeal efforts by state and tribal officials.

Cuba Independent Schools superintendent Karen Sanchez-Griego said staff began installing Starlinks $500 receivers at students homes in November and hope to connect all 450 families by the end of the school year.

Traditional fiber optic cables haven't been installed around Cuba because of the area's sparse population, lack of money, and crisscrossing red tape from tribal, federal, and state agencies that have to approve digging.

New Mexico education officials were ordered by a court in April to provide high-speed internet to students in Cuba and other areas but haven't done so.

Wi-Fi hotspots from the state didn't work well in remote areas far from cellphone towers. Education officials are planning on purchasing Starlink units for around 1,000 families around the state but haven't specified a timeline for doing it.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP)  A Missouri boarding school doctor accused of several child sex crimes has been taken into custody in Arkansas.

The Kansas City Star reports that 57-year-old David Smock was arrested Tuesday night in Harrison, Arkansas, not far from the Missouri border. Authorities said they considered him a fugitive for several days.

However, Smock's attorney said Wednesday that his client had been returning to Missouri to turn himself in when he was arrested. He was visiting his son in Louisiana when he learned of the charges, attorney Craig Heidemann said.

Smock began feeling ill on his return to Missouri and tested positive for COVID-19 at the Arkansas jail, said Heidemann, who was representing Smock on charges filed in Cedar County.

Dr. Smocks concern is that law enforcement has wrongly painted him as a fugitive when in fact hes a COVID victim trying to get back to deal with these charges, Heidemann said.
Additionally, Airmen and Soldiers supported the Food Bank of Lincoln and Food Bank for the Heartland to distribute food to pantries throughout the state. Over two months in the spring of 2020, Guard members helped package and deliver over 400,000 pounds of produce and packaged food. This work helped families around the state put food on the table during the peak disruption period of the pandemic.

The Guard plays a leading role in the States firefighting efforts as well. In November, I called on the National Guard to help contain the Buffalo Creek wildfire in Banner and Scotts Bluff counties. The Guard flew two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to the blaze and dropped more than 100,000 gallons of water on the hottest spots of the fire. Their aerial firefighting capabilities played a big role in our success putting a stop to the fire before it harmed anyone. This wasnt the only wildfire the Guard helped fight in 2021 either. Helicopter crews provided aerial assistance to combat wildfires in Holt County in June, the Hackberry wildfire near Harrison in August, and September fires south of Crawford and west of Scottsbluff.
Patna: Amid the alarming rise in the COVID-19 and Omicron cases in the country, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has warned that the third wave of the pandemic has already begun in the state.

Importantly, the Bihar Chief Minister is one of the top National Democratic Alliance leaders to have openly acknowledged the presence of a third COVID wave.

Nitish said that Bihar is already in the midst of a third wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Bihar Chief Minister reportedly issued the warning while addressing the Indian Medical Association's (IMA) 96th national conference.

Kumar, however, said that the Bihar government is fully prepared and doing everything to tackle the pandemic. He said that the states "health department is busy improving facilities at the hospitals as per the guidelines issued by the central and state governments."

So far, Bihar has not detected a single case of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, which was first identified in South Africa. But, the country's overall Omicron tally has crossed the 700-mark.

The state is seeing a steady rise in COVID-19 cases. Currently, Bihar has 117 active cases of the Coronavirus, according to mygov.in data. On Tuesday, the state government ordered the closure of parks from December 31 to January 2 due to COVID-19.

Bihar Chief Minister had earlier on Saturday ruled out the probability of bringing in restrictive measures in the state, amid rising cases of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus in the country, which led neighbouring states such as Uttar Pradesh to go in for night curfews.

"Yahan abhi koi avashyakta nahin hain" (it is not needed here as of now) was the terse reply of Kumar when he was asked about night curfews being introduced by the Yogi Adityanath administration in UP.

Bihar adopted similar measures when COVID-19 first struck in 2020 and again earlier this year when the second wave of the infection caused devastation. The new variant, considered to be not very severe though highly contagious, has triggered fear of a fresh spike.

States such as Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, besides UP, have gone for measures like prohibitory orders and night curfews.

Live TV
New Delhi: Richest Indian Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday mentioned about leadership transition at his energy-to-retail conglomerate, saying he wants the process to be accelerated with seniors, including him, yielding to the younger generation.

Ambani, 64, who has previously not spoken about succession plans at the country's most valuable company, said Reliance is "now in the process of effecting a momentous leadership transition."

Ambani has three children -- twins Akash and Isha, and Anant.

Speaking at the Reliance Family Day, which marks the birth anniversary of the group's founder Dhirubhai Ambani, he said Reliance Industries Ltd will become one of the strongest and most reputed Indian multinational companies in the world in the coming years, propelled by forays into the clean and green energy sector as well as retail and telecom business reaching unprecedented heights.

"Achieving big dreams and impossible-looking goals is all about getting the right people and the right leadership. Reliance is now in the process of effecting a momentous leadership transition... From seniors belonging to my generation to the next generation of young leaders," he said.

And this process, he would like "to be accelerated."

The speech was reported by Ambani-owned news outlet News18.Com.

The company did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comments on Ambani's remarks about succession.

"All seniors -- myself included -- should now yield to the highly competent, extremely committed, and incredibly promising young leadership talent at Reliance," Ambani said. "We should guide them, enable them, encourage them and empower them... And sit back and applaud as they perform better than us."

He did not elaborate.

Reliance now has three verticals -- energy business comprising of oil refineries at Jamnagar in Gujarat, petrochemicals plants and new energy factories, the retail business made up of physical stores and online e-commerce unit in JioMart, and telecom and digital business housed in Jio.

Ambani said an organisational culture must be built at Reliance that outlasts its leaders. "I have no doubt that Akash, Isha and Anant as the next-gen leaders will lead Reliance to even greater heights."

In them, he saw "the same spark and potential" that legendary industrialist and his father had "for making a difference to millions of lives and contributing to India's growth."

"Let us all wish them good luck in their mission to make Reliance ever more successful with even more transformative initiatives and achieving even greater accolades for our Reliance," he said.

At the beginning of the speech, he also mentioned about the spouses of Isha (Anand Piramal) and Akash (Shloka) as well as Radhika, who is rumoured to be bride-to-be of Anant. He also mentioned about Prithvi, one-year-old son of Akash and Shloka.

Ambani said the time is now to "lay the foundation for Reliance's future growth over the coming decades" by seizing the humungous opportunity.

He sounded cautious over not letting the guard down saying while normalcy is slowly returning after the pandemic, it still is clouded by uncertainty over the spread of the new variants.

"As we enter the second half of Reliance's Golden Decade, I can tell you that the future of our company looks brighter to me than ever before. I can confidently make two predictions. First, India will become one of the top three economies in the world. Second, Reliance will become one of the strongest and most reputed Indian multinational companies in the world," he said.

Ambani said despite the pandemic, Reliance has completely re-engineered its energy business.

Energy business previously was confined to oil refining, petrochemicals, fuel retailing and natural gas production. Now, it is investing billions of dollars in setting up clean energy factories.

"Now, Reliance is poised to become a global leader in clean and green energy and materials," he said. "This transformation of our oldest business will provide us the largest growth engine for Reliance and yet another opportunity to many of you to do things that will be first in the world."

With a presence in both online and physical store formats, Reliance Retail has revolutionized organised retail in India.

"In the past one year alone, we have onboarded nearly one million small shopkeepers and created nearly one lakh new employment opportunities. This growth engine will continue to create significant societal value by providing unlimited opportunities for our partners and employees," he said.

Telecom arm Jio has gained over 120 million subscribers and brought fiber to nearly 4 million homes and commercial establishments. "It has laid the foundation for making India the world's premier digital society," he said.

Stating that it was time to lay the foundation for Reliance's future growth just as his father Dhirubhai had laid for today's Reliance at the beginning of the 1990s, he said given existing portfolio, growth engines and strong balance sheet, availability of finance and opportunities will be unlimited.

"What we must focus on is imperative to build an organisation culture capable of translating the opportunity into reality," he said.

He went on to list imperatives of must-dos -- never become complacent by achieving perpetual growth through constant renewal and re-invention; continuously revisit, iterate, re-iterate and communicate the common philosophy of 'We Care' that guides and inspires Reliance; and self-growth.

"Now, a semblance of normality is slowly returning. But this normalcy is still clouded by uncertainty," he said. "Which is why we simply cannot afford to lower the guard."

Covid, he said, has taught important lessons, including that health is true wealth, safety first and family first.

"Earning and retaining this wealth of good health is in our own hands. The ingredients are healthy food, good thoughts, good deeds, yoga, meditation, sports, exercises," he said. "During the pandemic, work from home has enabled all of us to spend more quality time with our children, spouse and parents. In future, technology will offer even more exciting ways of hybrid and virtual work."

Ambani said for him 'Reliance as a Happy Family' is as important as the 'Reliance as a Super-Successful Company'.

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#mute
GATE Exam is scheduled by IIT Kharagpur this year. The GATE Exam 2022 is an extensive exam for candidates who wish to take admissions in renowned colleges and universities of India for PG program.

IIT Kharagpur has released the examination schedule and timetable for the candidates on its official website. The candidates can note down the dates with times for the particular exam in the given schedule on the official website of The GATE 2022 Exam. Candidates can also visit the official website for more information: https://gate.iitkgp.ac.in/

GATE Exam 2022, official notice mentions that from February 5, 2022, the examination would begin, and it ends on February 13, 2022. On February 4, 2022, the schedule mentioned miscellaneous activities from 2 pm to 5 pm. Candidates can also be allowed to visit their allotted exam centres.

Candidates can also check their complete exam schedule below to check the date and time for the particular exam IIT Kharagpur had released.

GATE 2022 Examination Schedule:

Admit Card Updates:

According to the official website of the GATE 2022 Exam, admit cards would release on Monday, January 3, 2022. At this crucial time, candidates are advised to check the official site regularly to check the updates. Until now, IIT Kharagpur had announced the date of Admit card would be January 3, 2022.

In this last month of preparation, students should go with very selective study material to ace their preparation. Students can also start doing their preparation with Gate 2022 Exam with Oswaal previous year-solved question papers for GATE 2022 Exams. Students will get different learning aspects there like:

12 Years Solved Papers 2010-2021 (Year-wise) with detailed explanations

2 Sample Question Papers  Smart Answer key with detailed explanations.

Blended Learning (Print and online support)

Tips & Tricks to Crack the Exam in the first attempt

GATE Qualifying Cut-offs and Highest Marks of 2021 and 2020- Steam-wise

GATE General Aptitude 2021 to 2017  Trend Analysis

GATE Score Calculation

Mind Maps and concept learnings

Here is the recommended link for previous year solved question papers for GATE examination 2022 click here https://bit.ly/3EkRAKT

(Brand Desk Content)
New Delhi: For mothers, their breastfeeding journey has an emotional connect and to celebrate it lifelong as a remembrance, jewellery made from it has emerged as a new way of order. Not just in the West but this special order is also facilitated back home in Chennai.

In an interview with The New York Times, Alma Partida, who nursed her daughter, Alessa, for almost 18 months wanted to mark her journey of breastfeeding in a special way. And guess what? While she was checking out Facebook, she got to know of jewellery made from Breast Milk.

Alma sent about 10 millilitres of breast milk to a company called Keepsakes by Grace and a month later, she received a milky-white heart-shaped pendant. "Its the last drop. Its the last thing you have to remember the journey, she told The New York Times.

Keepsakes by Grace owner Sarah Castillo told the publication, "A lot of my orders come from clients that are either suffering through a hard time or theyre weaning theyre and not ready yet. A lot of it comes from that, almost like a desire to continue but either they cant or they decided its time to stop.

Sarah Castillo's pieces typically cost $60 to $150.

BREAST MILK JEWELLERY IN INDIA

Back home in India, a Chennai-based artist named Preethi runs this line of using breastfeeding into keepsakes that parents can have as a momento. According to News Minute, Preethy's jewellery includes earrings, rings, pendants among other things.

She got the idea of going ahead with the jewellery line after many asked about it on a Facebook forum. Preethy's price ranges from Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000, depending on the design and the material.

Not just breast milk, but Preethy told News Minute that she gets an order request to make pieces with a child's first tooth, a lock of hair and even the umbilical cord.
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will virtually inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various developmental projects worth Rs 49.36 crores in his parliamentary constituency Gandhinagar in Gujarat on Wednesday.

The program will be held at 1.20 pm.

"Union Home Minister Amit Shah through video conferencing will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of various developmental projects worth Rs 49.36 crores in Gandhinagar parliamentary constituency," the office of Amit Shah informed in a tweet (roughly translated from Hindi).

Shah on Tuesday offered prayers at the Sankat Mochan Temple in Uttar Pradesh`s Varanasi. Shah is addressing rallies in Uttar Pradesh as part of BJP`s campaign for Assembly polls, which are scheduled to be held next year.

Live TV
The security forces today gunned down three terrorists in southern Kashmir's Kulgam district. The encounter took place in Kulgam's Mirhama village.

Earlier, Kashmir Zone police had tweeted: "#Encounter has started at Mirhama area of #Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow."

"A cordon and search operation was launched in the village on a specific input about the presence of terrorists," a police officer monitoring the operation said. The operation was carried out by a joint team of police, Army and CRPF.

As the joint team of forces intensified searches and the suspected spot was cordoned, an exchange of fire started, he added.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was scheduled to visit United Arab Emirates (UAE) in January, has been postponed, sources said on Wednesday. According to the sources, PM Modi was scheduled to visit the UAE on January 6 and was expected to meet the top leadership of the UAE there.

The visit has been postponed amid global concerns about increasing Covid and Omicron cases. Not for the first time, the PM's visit has been postponed due to Covid crisis. Earlier this year, the virus had forced Modi's visit to Portugal, France and UK to be postponed. Last year, his visit to Brussels was postponed as Covid numbers increased.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to UAE postponed. PM Modi was scheduled to visit the UAE on Jan 6: Sources (File pic) pic.twitter.com/G1AUCp6Dbn  ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2021

India has seen increase in number of cases, with Delhi and Maharashtra reporting the maximum number of cases. A yellow alert came into effect in India's national capital on Tuesday, which means thar all non-essential activities will be closed and a curfew being imposed from 10 pm to 5 am. UAE has also seen an increase with over 1800 cases being reported recently even as mega Dubai expo faces closure as cases spike. Earlier reports had mentioned that PM Modi would visit the India Pavillion at the Dubai Expo. Another key focus of the visit was supposed to be the signing of the India-UAE Free trade agreement.

India and UAE have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and have seen increased engagement at every level. PM Modi had visited the West Asian country in 2015, 2018 and 2019. UAE has conferred the highest civilian award 'the Order of Zayed on the PM. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, (MBZ) Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, visited India in from February 2016. MBZ visited India again in January, 2017 as the Chief Guest at Indias Republic day celebrations.

UAE houses one of the largest populations of Indians outside of India. Indian expatriate community of approx. Around 3.3 million is the largest ethnic community in UAE constituting roughly about 30 per cent of the countrys population. Among the Indian States, Kerala is the most represented followed by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Indians from the Northern States also form a significant portion of the UAE Indian population.

PM Modi was however not supposed to visit Kuwait during his UAE trip. The last high-level visit from India to the country was by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in June of this year. During the visit EAM called on the Prime Minister of Kuwait and held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Kuwait. The last prime ministerial visit from India to Kuwait was by PM Indira Gandhi in 1981.

Live TV
Mumbai: The 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case took a new twist as one more witness turned hostile and told Mumbai`s special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Tuesday that he was tortured by ATS to falsely take Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and five RSS members` names. Currently, the case is being investigated by NIA.

The witness, who is the 15th witness to turn hostile in the case, told the court that he was kept in Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) office for seven days after the blast and after that, ATS threatened to torture and frame his family members, an ANI report said.

The witness reportedly told Special NIA court that he was tortured by ATS, the then probe agency of the case. He also told the court that ATS forced him to falsely name Yogi Adityanath and 4 other people from RSS.

Earlier on November 24, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sadhvi Pragya Thakur made an appearance in Mumbai`s Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) trial court in connection with the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

Apart from Thakur, LT Col Purohit, Chaturvedi, and Kulkarni, Ajay Rahirkar, retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay and Sudhakar Dwivedi are also accused in the case.

They have been charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The charges include Sections 16 (committing the terrorist act) and 18 (conspiring to commit terrorist act) of the UAPA and Sections 120(b) (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 153(a) (promoting enmity between two religious groups) of the IPC.

Indresh Kumar demands apology from Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi

After a witness in the 2008 Malegoan blast case deposed that he had been threatened to take the names of BJP and RSS leaders, senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar demanded an apology from Congress leaders - former prime minister Manmohan Singh, party chief Sonia Gandhi, former Home Minister P Chidambaram, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Digvijay Singh and Salman Khurshid - for assassinating the character of BJP and RSS leaders.

Kumar's reaction came after a witness in the 2008 Malegoan blast case turned hostile and deposed in a court in Mumbai earlier in the day that the then senior ATS officer Param Bir Singh and another officer had threatened him to take the names of Yogi Adityanath, who is the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh at present, and four other RSS leaders, including Indresh Kumar. Singh, who is facing extortion and other cases, was suspended this month.

" It (deposition of the witness) has proved that all the cases of saffron terror (lodged) at that time were a conspiracy hatched by the Congress as part of its dirty politics," the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader is quoted as saying in an audio message to the PTI.

"Manmohan Singh (former Prime Minister), (Congress leaders) Sonia Gandhi, P Chidambaram, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Salman (Khurshid), Digvijay Singh--all of them should apologise for committing such a big sin and a crime," he reportedly demanded.

The RSS leader also slammed the other political parties and their leaders, "who are now sitting in Opposition", saying they had also committed "a big sin and a crime" as they stood by the Congress and its coalition government's "dirty politics and conspiracy to falsely implicate the BJP and the RSS leaders" in the so-called saffron terror cases.

Kumar appealed to the people to "democratically" teach a lesson to all those parties and leaders who were involved "in the creation of saffron terror" or supported "such an inhuman politics", adding "It is the height of their shamelessness that they have not yet even apologised for hatching such a political conspiracy intended to commit atrocities (on the BJP and RSS leaders)."

As many as 220 witnesses have been examined in the case till now and 15 of them have turned hostile. Six people were killed and over 100 injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon, a town in north Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: Expanding India's basket of COVID-19 vaccines, the countrys drug regulator Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) recently gave it nod to Serum Institute of India's vaccine Covovax, Biological E's jab Corbevax and anti-Covid pill Molnupiravir for restricted use in emergency situations.

The announcement in this regard was made by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday, a day after the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) recommended granting emergency use authorisation (EUA) to the COVID-19 vaccines Covovax and Corbevax with certain conditions.

The committee had also recommended granting restricted emergency use approval to the drug Molnupiravir for treatment of adult patients with COVID-19 and who have a high risk of progression of the disease.

With this approval, the number of Covid vaccines which have received EUA in the country has increased to eight. The Health Minister said the approvals will further strengthen the global fight against the pandemic.

Six COVID-19 vaccines - Serum Institute's Covishield, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Zydus Cadila's ZyCoV-D, Russia's Sputnik V and the US-made Moderna and Johnson and Johnson - had already received EUA from the Indian drug regulator earlier.

Healthcare, frontline workers and citizens above 60 years of age with comorbidities would be administered the third dose of the same vaccine they had been given before as of now. Any decision on whether the two new vaccines -Corbevax and Covovax which were cleared on Tuesday can be used for the third dose would be taken in due course, sources said.

Corbevax

Corbevax vaccine is India's 1st indigenously developed RBD protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19. It has been developed by Hyderabad-based firm Biological-E. It's now the 3rd vaccine developed in India. The Nanoparticle Vaccine, Covovax, will be manufactured by Pune-based firm Serum Institute of India.

The Corbevax vaccine is administered through an intramuscular route with a two-dose schedule of day 0 and 28 and is stored at 2 degrees Celsiua to 8 degrees C temperatures and presented as 0.5 ml (single dose) and 5 ml (10 doses) vial pack, according to a health ministry statement.

The company has conducted phase 1/2, 2/3 clinical trials of its Covid-19 vaccine in the country. Further, it has conducted a phase 3 active comparator clinical trial to evaluate superiority against Covishield vaccine, it said.

The EUA proposal for Corbevax was reviewed by SEC on 10.12.2021 and 27.12.2021 wherein after a detailed deliberation, it recommended for grant of permission for restricted use in an emergency situation to manufacture and market Corbevax in 18 years and above, it said.

Covovax

The Covovax vaccine of SII is a technology transfer of the Novavax USA vaccine. It is administered through an intramuscular route with the two-dose schedule of day 0 and 21. The vaccine is stored at 2 degreees C to 8 degrees Celsius temperatures and presented as 0.5 ml (single-dose) and 5 ml (10 doses) vial pack.

Serum has conducted phase 2/3 immuno bridging clinical in the country for comparing safety and immunogenicity of Covovax of Serum and Novavax vaccine. The Novavax has conducted phase-3 efficacy trials in the USA and UK wherein the efficacy of vaccine is reported to be 90.4 per cent and 86.9 per cent respectively, the statement said.

"The EUA proposal for Covovax was reviewed by SEC on November 24 and Dec 27 after which it recommended grant of permission for restricted use in an emergency situation to manufacture and market the jab," it said.

Molnupiravir

Molnupiravir is an antiviral that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication by viral mutagenesis. The antiviral drug will now be manufactured in the country by 13 companies for restricted use under emergency situation for the treatment of adult patients with COVID-19 and who have a high risk of progression of the disease," Health Minister Mandaviya said.

The UK MHRA on December 4 granted approval for Molnupiravir under special conditions for treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease in adults with a positive SARS-COV-2 diagnostic test and who have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness, the statement said.

The US FDA on December 23 has granted EUA for Molnupiravir for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, and for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
New Delhi: As India fights the new Omicron variant, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (December 29) directed officials to review the COVID-19 situation in the state.

Addressing an administrative review meeting at Sagar Island, she also instructed the officers to identify containment zones in the city, where coronavirus infection is on the rise.

The state government will also consider shutting schools and colleges for some time if the situation demands, PTI reported. "COVID-19 cases are on the rise... There are a few Omicron cases also. So, review the situation in the state. We may consider closing down schools and colleges for some time," the West Bengal CM said.

Moreover, offices might be asked to function with just 50 per cent employee attendance, if required.

Banerjee is at Sagar Island to take stock of the arrangements for the annual Gangasagar mela. She said a call on international flights and local train services will be taken after reviewing COVID-19 situation. A decision needs to be taken on the international flights coming to Kolkata. As of now, we are not reducing the number of trains due to Ganga Sagar Mela, ANI quoted her as saying.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee holds administrative review meeting at Ganga Sagar, South 24 Paraganas A decision needs to be taken on the international flights coming to Kolkata. As of now, we are not reducing the number of trains due to Ganga Sagar Mela, CM says. pic.twitter.com/KFxX0plEVO  ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2021

On Monday, the West Bengal CM had hinted at reimposing curbs to stem the transmission of coronavirus and asked officials to be on guard to prevent any spike in cases.

West Bengal has reported 11 cases of Omicron-variant of coronavirus so far, PTI reported. As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has logged 781 Omicron cases spread across 21 states and UT in the country.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: The Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Wednesday (December 29) decided to continue yellow alert under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the national capital amid a worrying rise in COVID-19 cases.

No new restrictions have been imposed even after Delhi on Tuesday registered a massive spike in daily COVID-19 infections with 496 new cases, while the positivity rate increased to 0.89 percent.

A virtual meeting of DDMA chaired by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal was held today to assess the preparedness in the wake of a possible third wave.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Revenue Minister Kailash Gehlot, Chief Secretary, several important officers of the Health Department, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) Chairman, AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria, NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul were also preset during the meeting.

The DDMA decided that a call on further restrictions will be taken in the coming days in view of the occupancy of hospital beds.

The next alert (L-2) is 'Amber' which will come into force if the positivity rate rises above one per cent or new cases reach 3,500 or oxygenated bed occupancy reach 700.

Under the current yellow alert in Delhi, cinema halls, banquet halls, spas, gyms, swimming pools, schools, colleges and educational institutions have been closed, Delhi metro train and buses will run at 50% seating capacity, shops in malls and shopping complexes will open based on an odd-even formula from 10 AM to 8 PM, restaurants will function with 50 per cent capacity from 8 am to 10 pm, bars can operate with 50 per cent capacity from 12 noon to 10 pm, private offices can function with up to 50 per cent of the staff.

In accordance with 'Level-1' alert under the GRAP, Delhi has also imposed a night curfew between 10 pm and 5 am.
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing protest by resident doctors in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into ways to "personally resolve" the issue, as he asserted that doctors should be in hospitals, not streets when the coronavirus cases are rising again.

In his letter, he also urged the prime minister to ensure that the NEET-PG counselling process is expedited.

"On one hand, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading at an alarming speed, on the other, doctors in hospitals under the central government in Delhi are on strike," Kejriwal said in the letter.

In a tweet, he shared a copy of the letter, and wrote, "We strongly condemn the police brutality inflicted on the doctors. The Prime Minister must accept their demands soon."

                            ,           ,       PM      PM    pic.twitter.com/yE5waHecAz  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 28, 2021

Intensifying their stir over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling, resident doctors in Delhi on Tuesday gathered in a large number on the premises of Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital, even as police personnel were deployed to ensure maintenance of law and order. Their protest, a day earlier had taken a dramatic turn, as medics and police personnel had faced off in streets, with both sides claiming several persons suffered injury in the ensuing melee.

Also, later in the day on Tuesday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a meeting with a delegation of protesting resident doctors and urged them to call off their strike over delay in NEET PG counselling in the larger interest of the public.

In his letter, Kejriwal said that doctors have been on strike for several days, and they served during the pandemic by risking their lives, and urged the prime minister to "personally resolve the issue at the earliest".

"COVID-19 cases are rising again. The doctors should be in the hospitals, not in the streets," he wrote.

However, police on Monday had denied any allegations of lathicharge or use of abusive language from their end, and said, 12 protestors were detained and released later.

Kejriwal in his letter said that these are the same doctors that have treated Covid patients over the last year-and-a-half, without caring about their own lives during the pandemic.

He added that numerous doctors have lost their lives to the deadly virus, but they continued to work tirelessly, and did not neglect their duty.

Resident doctors at many big government hospitals like Safdarjung, Ram Manohar Lohia are on strike for the last one month due to repeated postponement of NEET-PG counselling. It is a matter of deep despair that even after their persistent struggle, the demands of these resident doctors were not listened to by the central government, he added.

"However, it is even more upsetting that yesterday, when these doctors were protesting peacefully, the police behaved violently and harassed them," the chief minister alleged.

"Delay in NEET-PG counselling not only affects the future of these doctors but at the same time also causes a shortage of doctors in the hospitals. The burden on the rest of the doctors increases due to this as well. I request the central government to conduct NEET-PG counselling as soon as possible," Kejriwal added.

Resident doctors in Delhi, who have been protesting over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling for the past 12 days, on Tuesday decided to continue the stir, as a meeting between their federation's delegation and the Union health minister failed to make any headway.

The meeting between a delegation of the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) and Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya took place at Nirman Bhawan here, but the doctors' body said, the "response was not satisfactory".

Earlier in the day, intensifying their stir over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling, resident doctors in Delhi on Tuesday morning gathered in large numbers on the premises of Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital, even as police personnel were deployed to ensure law and order is maintained. Doctors raised slogans like 'We want justice', and sought to bolster the morale of each other, after the face-off with the police on Monday went all the way to midnight, as dramatic scenes were witnessed at the Sarojini Nagar police station.

FORDA president Dr Manish and a few other protesting resident doctors, later in the day, met Mandaviya, who urged them to call off their strike in the larger public interest.

The stir, led by FORDA, entered its 12th day on Tuesday, even as patient care remained affected at three Centre-run facilities -- Safdarjung, RML and Lady Hardinge hospitals and some of the Delhi government-run hospitals.

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New Delhi: As India's largest-ever cash seizure in Kanpur has been hogging the limelight for the past few days, many have mistaken the identity of the accused perfume trader Piyush Jain for a Samajwadi Party leader.

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Wednesday (December 29) solved this case of mistaken identity, which has caused political ruffles with parties linking each other with the accused.

After Kanpur-based perfume trader Piyush Jain was arrested, he was mistaken by some as Samajwadi Party MLC Pushpraj Jain aka Pampi Jain, who prepared the Samajwadi Attar (perfume) ahead of the upcoming 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

Till now, many people believed him to be the Kanpur trader, accused of tax evasion. However, the accused is not SP MLC Pushpraj Jain. Coincidentally, the SP MLC also dwells in Kannauj, near Piyush Jain's residence and the distance between their houses is a mere 500 meters.

On December 23, the Income Tax and GST Intelligence team found Rs 177 crore cash from a house in Kanpur.

After further investigation, it was found that this house belongs to Piyush Jain, a perfume trader from Kannauj. From here - some people spread rumours that this is the same P Jain who had made Samajwadi perfume for SP this year - which was launched by Akhilesh Yadav on November 9.

When Zee News investigated the matter, we found out this Piyush Jain is not the SP leader Pushpraj Jain aka Pampi Jain, who made perfume for the Samajwadi Party.

The man whose house was raided has nothing to do with Samajwadi Party.

In an exclusive interview with Zee News, Pushpraj Jain categorically denied any link with Piyush Jain. He said his name was dragged into the mud because of the upcoming polls.

Meanwhile, Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) officials have recovered a whopping Rs 177 crore cash from Piyush Jain's Kanpur house, another Rs 19 crore cash from Kannauj residence, 23 kgs of gold and more than 600 kgs (value: Rs 6 crore approx) of sandalwood in its biggest cash seizure ever.

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New Delhi: A hailstorm, accompanied by heavy rainfall, hit Maharashtra's Shirdi on Tuesday (December 28, 2021).

The hailstorm has reportedly damaged crops of grapes and onion in Rahata, Shrirampur and Nevasa in the Ahmednagar district.

According to the India Meteorological Department, isolated thunderstorms, lightning and hailstorm are also likely over Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Sikkim on December 29 and December 30.

This comes amid 2021 being one of the most important years in history that saw climate change being discussed at major events. The year, however, also witnessed some extreme weather events that shattered records around the globe with hundreds dying in storms and heatwaves and farmers struggling with drought.

Wildfires in 2021 also set new records for carbon emissions and swallowed forests, towns and homes.

ALSO READ | From killer heatwaves to floods, climate change worsened weather extremes in 2021

Many of these events are said to be exacerbated by climate change and scientists say that there are more to come.

A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on climate change, that was released this year, also had a serious warning for several countries including India.

It claimed that the country's financial capital Mumbai will be one of the worst affected coastal regions by climate change. The report suggests that almost 65 per cent of the city will be submerged in the coming times.

ALSO READ | Climate fury: Kashmirs apple orchards may vanish, fear researchers

The IPCC report also stated that Kolkata will also be impacted by the rise of sea-level rise as most of the areas of the city, including Baranagar, Rajpur Sonarpur, and regions surrounding Howrah like Santragachi, Balitikuri, are feared to be drowned.

Chennai is also expected to be impacted the most, while Tamil Nadu's other coastal areas like Chidambaram, Mahabalipuram, Kalpakkam, Marakkanam, Chunampet, Thiruporir, Velachery are also at risk of getting flooded due to the rise in sea level.

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Kolkata: An inquiry team of the Indian Army visited the Oting village in Mon district of Nagaland on Wednesday (December 29) to investigate the botched counter-insurgency operation that killed 13 civilians.

In the wake of the Indian Army constituting a Court of Inquiry to investigate the killing of 13 civilians by security personnel and collect evidence, the Inquiry team visited the site.

The Court of Inquiry constituted by the Indian Army to investigate the Mon incident visited the site at Oting Village on December 29, 2021. The inquiry team, headed by a senior rank officer, a Major General, inspected the site to understand the circumstances in which the incident could have happened, said a statement from the Indian Army.
Srinagar: A cop was injured as an encounter started between security forces and militants in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday (December 29).

The encounter started in Dooru area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir.

Kashmir zone police tweeted, #Encounter has started at Nowgam Shahabad, Dooru area of #Anantnag. In the initial firing, 01 police personnel got injured & was shifted to hospital. Police & SFs are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice.
Authorities flabbergasted, neighbours in disbelief, a movie in making and a big political slugfest - such has been the story so far for Piyush Jain - a trader from Uttar Pradesh's city of Kanpur - who had stashed a whopping amount of unaccounted wealth in the basement of his factory.

The perfume businessman from UP's Kanpur was raided by tax authority DGGI on December 23, on suspicion of tax thievery.

The officials, however, found themselves landed in a pond of unaccounted wealth - to find a staggering amount Rs 177 crore cash - the largest such seizure ever. However, the buck didn't stop here - the authorities later recovered another Rs 19 crore cash from Jain's Kannauj residence.

In addition to the cash, the authorities also seized approximately 23 kgs of gold and more than 600 kgs (value: Rs 6 crore approx) of sandalwood oil hidden in underground storage. Further searches are underway at Jain's residential/factory premises in Kannauj.

The raid was concluded today. The story, however, continues.

Political Slugfest - PM vs Akhilesh Yadav

A war of words broke out between PM Narendra Modi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, who are campaigning extensively in the state ahead of assembly elections.

Both, PM Modi and Akhilesh are linking each other's party to Piyush Jain.

PM Modi, on Monday, said that the "'Ittar'(perfume) of corruption that it had sprinkled all over Uttar Pradesh before 2017 is there for everyone to see."

Yadav, in a rebuttal categorically denied any links between his party and Jain, and mockingly said the ruling BJP got "its own businessman" raided "by mistake".

"Boxes filled with notes have stumbled out. I was thinking they will say that this was also done by us. The people of Kanpur understand business and trade well. Before 2017, the perfume of corruption that they had sprinkled all over Uttar Pradesh is there for everyone to see," Modi said without taking any name. The SP was in power from 2012 to 2017.

Akhilesh, however, has been denying any link with Piyush Jain.

"By mistake, the BJP got its own businessman raided. Instead of SP leader Pushpraj Jain, it got Piyush Jain raided," Yadav told reporters before the start of the "Samajwadi Rath Yatra" in Unnao.

Piyush Jain's simple lifestyle

For one who has thrown up the biggest cash haul in the history of the country, Piyush Jain can easily be mistaken as just another common man. For one who stacked up crores in cash at his house and its walls, Jain`s lifestyle has been astonishingly simple.

In his hometown Kanpur, Jain still rides an old scooter and his house was extremely modest, though he recently renovated it. An IANS report says that Jain owns a Qualis and a Maruti, and when cash spilled out of his house, his neighbours were shocked.

"He was just another businessman in the perfume business and we never imagined that he would have so much cash stacked in his house. He never flaunted his wealth and even his lifestyle was very middle class," said RK Sharma, who lives in the Chippatti locality where Jain also lives.

Judicial custody

On Monday, Jain was remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a local court after he was arrested under Section 132 of CGST Act.

"Jain has accepted that the cash recovered from the residential premises is related to sale of goods without payment of GST," said a GST official.

'Acceptance'

A statement by the DGGI said that Jain has accepted that the cash belongs to him. He, however, claims that he got the money after selling ancestral gold, for which he didn't want to pay taxes.

A movie in making

Noted filmmaker Kumar Mangat Pathak has announced that he will make a film, titled `Raid-2` on the recent Income Tax (I-T) raids in Kanpur and Kannauj on perfumer Piyush Jain.

Pathak made the announcement during a panel discussion at the three-day `Kashi Film Festival` in Varanasi on Tuesday evening.

Pathak, who had earlier produced the Ajay Devgn starrer `Raid`, said that this film only showed that money can come out of walls too, whereas in the recent I-T raids in Kanpur and Kannauj, the money actually started coming out of the walls.

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Farrukhabad (UP): The BJP has slammed the Congress over the Malegaon case, with both Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accusing the Congress of harbouring anti-Hindu agenda. Adityanath accused Congress of "nurturing" terrorists and foisting false cases against Hindu organisations when in power, while Patra said the century-old party has a hatred for Hindus and is trying to bring separatism in the country.

The witness, who turned hostile, on Tuesday (December 28) at old Mumbai's special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court that ATS officers had forced him to take the names of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and five RSS members in the terror case.

"This mischief of the Congress is a crime against the country and its leaders should apologise to the people," Adityanath said while addressing a public meeting during the BJP's Jan Vishwas Yatra in Farrukhabad, UP. "How the Congress played with the country is not hidden. When in government, they encouraged and nurtured terrorists and fake cases were foisted against Hindu organisations. And now when it is out of government, it opposes all works which are in people's interest," the CM alleged.
Mumbai: In a massive rise in Covid-19 cases, Mumbai recorded 2,510 new cases in the last 24 hours. Yesterday, the city had reported 1,377 cases, which means that there's a 82% rise in one day. This has sent alarm bells ringing but Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray urged people not to panic.

Asking people to exercise caution, Aaditya Thackeray took to Twitter and said, "Seeing the surge of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai, we held a meeting at the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) to review the situation, preparation, as well as to plan for the proposed vaccination for ages 15-18 that we want to carry out in early January. I urge all not to panic but exercise extreme caution."

Focusing on the vaccination of minors, Thackeray said, "In the next 48 hours, BMC will be connecting with all educational institutions in the city to plan an organised vaccination drive for all those from 15 to 18 years of age. In early December, in my letter to the union health minister, I had mentioned how crucial this is." "We have also asked all the covid care jumbo centres to be at stand by, at all readiness levels, along with basic facilities to medical infrastructure. Testing and tracing protocols for all that have been operational all through, were reviewed too," he added.

Meanwhile, amid a rising Omicron scare, the Maharashtra government had earlier issued guidelines regarding the upcoming New Year's celebrations. The aim is to restrict festivities and keep them low-key, so as to minimise chances of spread of Covid-19.

Apart from Mumbai, capital Delhi has also seen a huge spike in Covid-19 cases today. Delhi today reported 923 coronavirus cases, a rise of 86 per cent compared to yesterday, the highest single-day jump in six months. The positivity rate climbed to 1.29 per cent from 0.89 per cent on Tuesday. No fresh fatality was reported, the bulletin stated.

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New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has said that no doctors certificate or prescription would be required for persons aged 60 and above with comorbidities for getting a precaution dose. Such persons are expected to obtain the advice of their doctors before deciding to avail of the precaution dose, said the Health Ministry.

During a workshop with states and union territories to review the rollout of vaccination for the age group 15-18 and precautionary third dose for vulnerable categories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan emphasised that nine months or 39 weeks should elapse since the administration of the second dose to make the beneficiary eligible for the precaution dose.

Bhushan categorically underlined that the government has not issued any directions on the requirement of the doctor`s certificate to establish comorbidity at the vaccination centre.

He said that the doctors prescription and certificates are not mandated to be produced at the centre for administration of the precaution dose. The CoWIN will send reminder messages to all those eligible for the precaution dose and the dose will be reflected in the digital vaccination certificates, he added.

The states and UTs have been exhorted to undertake proper planning in advance for the distribution of Covaxin to identified session sites for the 15-18 age group. To avoid the mixing-up of vaccines during administration, the ministry has advised states to manage separate arrangements including separate session sites and queues in case adult vaccination is going at the same place.
New Delhi: Amid threat of a third COVID-19 wave, Goa is planning to make negative COVID-19 report or double vaccination certificate mandatory to attend parties or visit restaurants, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday (December 29).

District administrations will issue a notification in this regard by eveing today, the CM added. The onus will be on the organisers of these various events in the coastal state to ensure that the guests carry these certificates, PTI reported.

On Tuesday, the Goa government decided not to impose night curfew, for now, so that tourism business remains unaffected amid New Year festivities. "Imposing immediate night curfew is not feasible being a tourist state. We will need time. We have appealed to tourists to take maximum precautions. The health department and police have been instructed to ensure COVID-19 norms are not violated," the Goa CM had said.

Sawant had also said his government was keeping an eye on the COVID-19 positivity rate. Further, the BJP CM said stringent decisions would be taken during the meeting of the task force on January 3 in case the positivity rate sees a spike.

On Tuesday, 112 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Goa, the state health department said. A day earlier, the coastal state had logged 67 coronavirus cases.

The COVID-19 tally rose to 1,80,229 on Tuesday, while the death toll climbed to 3,520 following the death of one patient, as per official data.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Russian minister for Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexei Chekunkov and governors of Russian Far East will participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit that will take place in Gandhinagar next month. Four governors of Far East Provinces of Russia will participate in the summit that will take place from January 10 to 12.

The biennial investors' summit, 10th in the edition will see a roundtable on the first day itself with Governors and Heads of Far Eastern Federal Districts of the Russian Federation. The roundtable is expected to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A readout on the event from the official website of the summit says the roundtable will "further boost the bilateral cooperation and enhancing collaboration in trade, commerce, and investments."

The focus on Russian Far East, an area rich in mineral resources at the summit comes even has there has been greater engagement from India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Vladivostok, region's second largest city in 2019 and had spoken at the 5th Eastern Economic Summit. During that visit, PM announced $1 billion line of credit to Russian far east to develop the region. That same year saw Trade Minister Piyush Goyal leading a high-power delegation of Chief Ministers of Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Goa and about 140 Indian companies to Vladivostok to increase business engagement.

The presence of Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic is another stand out. Minvostokrazvitiya as it is known, is a Russian executive body that coordinates, in the Far Eastern Federal District, the implementation of state programmes and federal targeted programmes.

Around five heads of states will be participating at the summit. Italy is the partner country for the mega investor meet. The summit will see special country session for--Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Mozambique, UK, Japan, Sweden, Norway and South Korea. Sessions are also on Business environment in Latvia and doing business in Africa. Since the meet happens amid the covid crisis, a number of covid protocols have been put in place. These include entry to venue only on basis of fully vaccinated certificate.

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NEW DELHI: Amid the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases and its fast-spreading new Omicron variant, several states in India have taken adequate precautionary measures and made it mandatory to get both doses of the Coronavirus vaccines for visiting public places. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also stressed the need to speed up the vaccination drive and inoculate as much population as possible to fight the severity of the newly found variant.

It is advisable for people to save their vaccination certificates on their mobile phones since health officials would visit public places and ask them to show their COVID vaccination certificates at random. A soft copy (digital certificate) on a mobile phone or a hard copy stating that they have taken two doses can be displayed when asked. The Health teams could visit parks, hotels, restaurants, cinema halls, and other public places.

Non-compliance with the new rules and COVID-19 guidelines could attract punishment. Here are the states where vaccination has been made compulsory.

Haryana

The Haryana government has made the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination mandatory from 1st January 2022 for visiting public places. According to an announcement by the Manohar Lal Khattar government, only fully vaccinated people will be allowed at public places from the New Year. As per the state government's order, only fully vaccinated persons will be allowed to travel from bus stands and railway stations from January 1. Further, eligible people who are not fully vaccinated will not be permitted inside crowded places like malls, cinema halls and restaurants.

Haryanas Health and Home Minister Anil Vij said, "From January 1, 2022, any eligible person who has not taken both doses of Covid vaccine will not be permitted in malls, hotels, restaurants, marriage palaces, cinema halls, offices, banks or any such places which attract crowds."

Punjab

Only fully vaccinated people will be permitted at public places such as markets, malls, hotels and cinema halls, according to an announcement by the Punjab government. The order, which comes into effect from January 15, however, conspicuously did not mention political rallies at a time when the state is gearing up to hold elections early next year.

Private and public sector banks, hotels, bars, restaurants, malls, shopping complexes, cinema halls, gyms and fitness centres have been ordered to allow only fully vaccinated adults. All government, board and corporation offices located in Chandigarh will allow only fully vaccinated people, according to the order issued by the state's home affairs and justice department.

The Punjab government has also announced that no salary will be given to government employees without vaccine certificates. The state government has taken this step under the 'no vaccine, no salary' policy to promote people to get vaccinated.
Mumbai: The rapid rise of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra has sent alarm bells ringing. One of the worst-hit states in the second wave, Maharshtra also has - after Delhi (238) - the highest number of Omicron cases now (167).

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday (December 29) expressed concern over the rise in the number of fresh as well as active Covid-19 cases in the state, and termed it as an "alarming situation". The Health Minister of the state urged people and authorities to exercise caution.

He said in the last 8-10 days, the active cases in the state stood in the range of 5,000-6,000. On Tuesday, the state had 11,492 active cases. On Wednesday, the number of active cases could rise over 20,000, he said. "The rise in active cases in the state is alarming," the minister said.

He also expressed concern over the fast doubling rate of cases in the state and the rising number of infections in Mumbai. On Tuesday, Maharashtra reported 2,172 fresh coronavirus cases, up by 50% from 1,426 infections recorded a day before, and 22 new deaths, the health department earlier said.

With these additions, the state's COVID-19 tally rose to 66,61,486, while the death toll increased to 1,41,476, it said.

(With PTI inputs)

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Global COVID-19 infections hit a record high over the past seven-day period, Reuters data showed on Wednesday, as the Omicron variant raced out of control, keeping workers at home and overwhelming testing centres. Almost 900,000 cases were detected on average each day around the world between Dec. 22 and 28, with myriad countries posting new all-time highs in the previous 24 hours, including the United States, Australia and many in Europe.

Almost two years after China first alerted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to a cluster of "viral pneumonia" cases of unknown origin in the city of Wuhan, the regularly mutating coronavirus is still wreaking havoc, forcing numerous governments to rethink quarantine and test rules.

Although studies have suggested Omicron is less deadly than some previous variants, the huge numbers of people testing positive mean that hospitals in some countries might soon be overwhelmed, while businesses might struggle to carry on because of workers having to quarantine.

"Delta and Omicron are now twin threats driving up cases to record numbers, leading to spikes in hospitalisation and deaths," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Tedros told a news briefing.

"I am highly concerned that Omicron, being highly transmissible and spreading at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases."

French Health Minister Olivier Veran told lawmakers France was seeing a "dizzying" rise in cases, with 208,000 reported in the space of 24 hours - a national and European record.

`GEAR CHANGE` NEEDED

Britain, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta all registered record numbers of new cases on Tuesday, while the seven-day average number of new daily cases in the United States hit a record 258,312, according to a Reuters tally on Wednesday. The previous peak was 250,141, registered last January. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky told television interviewers she expected many more U.S. cases.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said 90% of patients ending up in intensive care had not received booster vaccines, which medics say is the best protection against Omicron.

"You`re seeing cases rising in hospitals, but it is obviously milder than the Delta variant," Johnson said. Australia registerd almost 18,300 new cases, eclipsing Tuesday`s previous pandemic high of around 11,300.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia needed "a gear change" to manage overburdened testing labs, with long walk-in and drive-in queues in a number of areas. In Spain, demand for free testing kits from the Madrid regional government far outstripped supply, with long queues forming outside pharmacies.

Early data from Britain, South Africa and Denmark suggests the risk of hospitalisation from Omicron is lower than from Delta, the WHO said in its latest epidemiological report.

However, the WHO`s top emergencies expert, Mike Ryan, said it was too soon to draw definitive conclusions because Omicron was so far circulating largely among younger, less vulnerable age groups. "What we haven`t seen is the Omicron wave fully established in the broader population," he said.

`I JUST WANT TO GO HOME`

A number of governments were also increasingly worried by the huge numbers being forced into self-isolation because they had been in contact with a coronavirus sufferer.

"We just can`t have everybody just being taken out of circulation because they just happen to be at a particular place at a particular time," Australia`s Morrison told reporters.

Italy was expected to relax some quarantine rules on Wednesday, worried about grinding to a halt because of the number in precautionary self-isolation. Cases there doubled within a day to 78,313 on Wednesday.

However, China stuck to its policy of zero tolerance, keeping 13 million people in Xian under rigid lockdown for a seventh day as 151 new cases were reported on Tuesday, albeit none with Omicron so far.

"I just want to go home," said a 32-year-old mechanic who was in the city on business last week when it was effectively shut off from the outside world.

The surge in cases coincides with many countries` New Year holidays, normally a period of parties and travel. Some countries, such as Italy, have cancelled public celebrations, while authorities in Japan urged residents to keep New Year gatherings small.

"The highest risk is meeting people without taking adequate measures to prevent infection," said Norio Ohmagari, director of the Disease Control and Prevention Center.

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New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal-led government on Tuesday (December 28) implemented a 'Yellow alert' in Delhi due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. The development came a day after a night curfew was re-imposed in the national capital on Monday.

Patients and pregnant women, people out to buy essential items, and those travelling to or from railway stations, bus stops and airports are exempted from the night curfew that was kicked in between 11 pm and 5 am from Monday.

Who are exempted from Delhi night curfew?

Those going to or returning from railway stations, bus stops and airports.

Police, home guards and civil defence personnel, fire and emergency services, district administration, pay and accounts office, public transport, NIC, NCC, and the Women and Child Development department.

Private medical personnel such as doctors and nursing staff, paramedical and other hospital services such as diagnostic centres, clinics and pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies

Officials related to functioning of offices of diplomats as well as those holding constitutional posts, government officers involved in conducting academic or recruitment examinations

Persons involved in essential activities such as postal services, banks, insurance offices and ATMs, RBI and services designated by the RBI as essential, SEBI and stock market-related offices, and NBFCs.

People running shops dealing in food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk, meat and fish, animal fodder, pharmaceuticals and medicines, ophthalmologists, telecom and internet cable services

People running shops dealing in petrol pumps, LPG, CNG, petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets, power generation, transmission and distribution, manufacturing units of essential commodities, aviation and related services.

Inter-state and intra-state movement for the exempted categories, and transportation of essential and non-essential goods.

Read: DDMA Order regarding night curfew in Delhi

Is e-pass required to travel during night curfew in Delhi?

Unlike the night curfew that was imposed earlier during the first and second COVID-19 waves, no separate permission or e-pass is required this time. People who come under the exempted categories are required to produce a valid identity card or tickets if found outside during the night curfew hours.

Over 400 FIRs for violating COVID-19 norms

More than 400 FIRs were registered and 754 challans were issued for violations of COVID-appropriate behaviour during the first day of night curfew imposed across the national capital.

According to data shared by the Delhi Police for Monday-Tuesday, 411 FIRs under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 754 challans were issued to those violating COVID-19 norms.

In the last two days, the Delhi government is also said to have taken action against 8,547 people for various COVID-related violations, registered 53 FIRs and imposed fine of Rs 1,70,24,300.

496 new COVID-19 cases in Delhi, highest since June 4

Delhi on Tuesday reported 496 fresh COVID-19 cases in a day, the highest since June 4, with the positivity rate rising to 0.89 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department. There has been a spike in fresh cases in the last few days amid a jump in cases of the new Omicron variant. Delhi, notably, is the worst Omicron-hit in India.

(With agency inputs)

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In a scary incident, a British Airways aircraft carrying around 200 holiday travellers from London suffered a mid-air windscreen crack, causing panic at 35,000 ft. Luckily for passengers, the plane landed safely at San Jose without much problem. A lump of ice from a jet 1,000 feet above the British Airways' jet smashed into the plane at 35,000 feet that left its windscreen cracked, according to media reports.

The Boeing 777 aircraft cruising at 35,000 feet was making the journey from London Gatwick to San Jose in Costa Rica on Christmas Day when the freak accident took place. The ice block completely cracked up the two-inch-thick windscreen, which is built to withstand extreme force and is similar to bulletproof glass.

The incident has been described as a "one-in-a-million" chance and left some 200 passengers stranded over Christmas instead of being able to make it back to London. "The BA app was saying something vague about the flight being delayed to the next day. The flight time, however, only showed a four-hour delay. We had received no information via email or message so we hoped it was just a glitch. We dropped our car and continued to the airport, desperately hoping it wasn't true," Mitchell, a passenger said.

British Airways 777 flying from Gatwick to Costa Rica has its windshield smashed by block of ice which fell from a plane flying 1,000ft above it. No injuries reported. https://t.co/CjYBJkGSKC pic.twitter.com/TzEF3dW2Nu  Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) December 27, 2021

Despite the mid-air accident, all the passengers were safe but were stranded at an airport for several hours after their plane made an emergency landing. The flight was rescheduled 50 hours after the passengers' original scheduled time.

Also read: UK Court rules in favour of Air India, what it means for the aviation industry?

Following the incident, British Airways issued an apology to the passengers who had their Christmas Day plans ruined. "We will never fly an aircraft unless we feel it is completely safe to do so, and on this occasion, our engineers were unable to clear it to fly. Since then, our teams have been working behind the scenes to do all they can to ensure an aircraft is ready at the earliest opportunity to bring customers to London," the official said.

British Airways has offered a full refund to all the affected passengers, and will also pay the 520 pounds per person stipulated for long delays under air passengers' rights rules, the report said.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Kanpur Metro Rail Project, riding the metro train on the 9 km priority stretch from IIT to Motijheel. Before boarding the metro, PM Modi also purchased the ticket of Kanpur Metro Rail and was seen holding his ticket in hand while entering the metro platform. He was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

On board the state of the art Kanpur metro. Heading to the programme where key development works will be launched. pic.twitter.com/vnlVGPqTAm  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 28, 2021

Many users on various social media websites lauded the move by PM Modi. BJP leader Sambit Patra, also took to Twitter to laud the Prime Minister for buying the ticket. "Simplicity at its best! PM Modi purchased a ticket to travel in Kanpur Metro," Patra tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earlier in the day, inaugurated the completed section of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project and took a metro ride. The completed 9 km long section of Kanpur Metro Rail Project stretches from IIT Kanpur to Moti Jheel. The entire length of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project is 32 km and is being built at a cost of over Rs 11,000 crore. Kanpur Metro is going to be the fastest built metro project in the country.

Also read: 10 points to know about the Kanpur Metro Rail Project

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath started the construction work of the Kanpur metro project on November 15, 2019, and the trial run took place on the 9 km IIT to Motijheel Priority Corridor on November 10, 2021, in less than two years.

Besides, the Metro Rail Project, Prime Minister also inaugurated the Bina-Panki Multiproduct Pipeline Project.As per the PMO, the 356 Km long Bina-Panki Multiproduct Pipeline Project has a capacity of around 3.45 million metric tonnes per annum.

With inputs from ANI

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New Delhi: In view of the rising COVID-19 cases and the Omicron variant, several state governments including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have imposed restrictions.

While a 'Yellow alert' has been sounded in Delhi, the Yogi Adityanath-led government has imposed a night curfew in Uttar Pradesh.

If you're travelling from Noida to Delhi, you need to note that a night curfew has also been re-imposed in the national capital.

Patients and pregnant women, people out to buy essential items, and those travelling to or from railway stations, bus stops and airports are exempted from the night curfew that was kicked in between 11 pm and 5 am from Monday.
New Delhi: Veteran Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan breathed her last on July 3, 2020, in the wee hours of 2 am. Her demise was mourned by one and sundry. From colleagues in the film fraternity, political leaders to fans - everyone condoled the death of Masterji, as she was fondly called.

A few days back, late Saroj Khan's daughter Sukaina Nagpal took to Instagram and shared some rare, unseen pictures of hers posing with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. And guess what? Fans are loving it!

For the unversed, the late legendary choreographer Saroj Khan was admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital in Bandra, Mumbai on June 20 after she complained of chest pain. The 71-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest on July 3, 2020.

Saroj Khan is survived by daughter Sukaina Khan and son Raju Khan.

Her name is synonymous with brilliant choreography and chartbuster songs in the Hindi movie industry. In fact, it was for her great skills that Filmfare actually introduced the 'Best Choreography' category in awards and she won the first one for 'Tezaab'.

Her camaraderie and collaboration with superstar Madhuri Dixit delivered sure shot success. Blockbuster songs like 'Ek Do Teen' in Tezaab, Tamma Tamma Loge in Thanedaar and Dhak Dhak Karne Laga in Beta are a few milestones in her career which helped her emerge as the numero uno choreographer in Bollywood.

Her on-screen and off-screen bonding with Madhuri Dixit resulted in some of the iconic dance moves. Incidentally, her last film 'Kalank' (2019) was with Madhuri for the song 'Tabaah Ho Gaye'.

She worked with all the A-lister actresses from Madhuri Dixit to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in her long illustrious career. Her death has left a void in Bollywood which can never be filled again.
New Delhi: Apple said it had placed the southern Indian factory of iPhone assembler Foxconn on probation after both companies found that some worker dormitories and dining rooms did not meet required standards.

Apple did not explain what probation meant.

When it placed the southern India plant of another supplier, Wistron Corp, on probation after unrest last year, it said it would not award that company new business until it addressed the way workers were treated.

The latest action follows protests that erupted this month after more than 250 women who work at the Foxconn plant and live in one of the dormitories were treated for food poisoning. More than 150 were hospitalised, Reuters reported.

The plant, which is located in the town of Sriperumbudur town near Chennai and employs about 17,000 people, was closed on Dec 18. Apple and Foxconn did not say when they expected it to reopen.

A spokesperson for Taiwan`s Foxconn said on Wednesday that it was restructuring its local management team, taking immediate steps to improve facilities and added that all employees would continue to be paid while it makes necessary improvements to restart operations.

An Apple spokesperson said on Wednesday it had dispatched independent auditors to assess conditions at the dormitories "following recent concerns about food safety and accommodation conditions at Foxconn Sriperumbudur."

Apple said it had found that some of the dormitory accommodations and dining rooms, which were not on the factory`s premises, did not meet its requirements and that it was working with the supplier to ensure a comprehensive set of corrective actions, adding that it will ensure its strict standards are met before the facility reopens.

A senior government official familiar with the matter said Foxconn has been answering queries from the state government on amenities provided to workers. "Once they get clearances from the government, workers will be inducted and the company will resume production," the official said.

A second official said the reopening of the Foxconn plant in Chennai could be delayed until Monday.

Earlier this week, Reuters reported that Foxconn as well as 11 of its contractors including those who provide food and living facilities, were summoned for a meeting with the state government and that officials had asked Foxconn to review services provided to the workers, including power backup at the hostels, food and water. Also Read: Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Portfolio: Buy THIS Rs 100 stock to get 35% return in few weeks - Experts

The impact on Apple from the closure of the plant, which makes iPhone 12 models and has started trial production of the iPhone 13, is expected to be minimal, analysts have said. But the factory is strategic in the long term as the U.S. tech giant tries to cut its reliance on its Chinese supply chain amid trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. Also Read: ITR filing FY 2020-21 due date ends in just 2 days, know what happens if you miss December 31 deadline

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New Delhi: Lakhs of Indian farmers are eagerly waiting for the disbursal of 10th installment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN). Though several dates in the month of December were speculated regarding the date of disbursal of PM KISAN money, it has now been confirmed that the 10th installment will be transfered on January 1.

A message is being sent by the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Tomar informing eligble farmers that on January 1, 2022, Rs 2,000 will be transferred to their accounts under PM KISAN scheme. In the message sent to the farmers, it has been said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the next installment under PM Kisan Yojana on January 1, 2022 and will release equity grant to farmer producer organizations. Farmers can join this program through pmindiawbcast.nic.in or through Doordarshan. (Also read: Aadhaar linking a must to get Rs 6,000 annual benefit? Know here)

The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme provides annual cash transfer of Rs 6000 to the farmers in three equal instalments. The first instalment is between April- July; second instalment is between August-November and the third instalment is between December-March.

But, some farmers may get Rs 4,000 instead of Rs 2,000 benefit this time when the PM-KISAN 10th installment is credited into their account.

Here is why some farmers may get Rs 4,000 instead of Rs 2,000 benefit

PM-KISAN 10th installment comprises of Rs 2,000 benefit only. However, under this scheme, those farmers who did not receive the 9th installment amount, will get the same credited in their account along with the PM-KISAN 10th installment money. Therefore, for some farmers, the total benefit will be Rs 4,000, i.e, the 9th and the 10th installment combined together.

Here is how to check your name via PM Kisan website using the direct link

Log on to pmkisan.gov.in website

On the right hand side, you will see Farmers Corner

Click Farmers Corner

Now from the option, click Beneficiary Status

You will have to furnish a few details like your Aadhaar number, bank account and your mobile number to see your status

After you complete the above procedure, you will find your name if it is there in the list

How to check your name in PM KISAN via mobile App

To check your name via Mobile App, you will have to first download PM Kisan Mobile App. Once you have downloaded the App, you will have access to all the details.

Is PM-KISAN Scheme for only Small and Marginal Farmers' families?

ln the beginning when the PM-KISAN Scheme was launched (February, 2019), its benefits were admissible only to Small & marginal Farmers' families, with combined landholding upto 2 hectare. The Scheme was later on revised in June 2019 and extended to all farmer families irrespective of the size of their landholdings

Who are excluded from the PM-KISAN Scheme?

Those excluded from the PM-KISAN include institutional land holders, farmer families holding constitutional posts, serving or retired officers and employees of State or Central government as well as Public Sector Undertakings and Government Autonomous bodies. Professionals like doctors, engineers and lawyers as well as retired pensioners with a monthly pension of over Rs 10,000 and those who paid income tax in the last assessment year are also not eligible for the benefits.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister's Office (PMO), on Wednesday (December 29), announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 10th installment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on January 1, 2022, via video conferencing.

PMO said that PM Modi will transfer Rs 20,000 crore directly to the bank accounts of more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families. In line with the continued commitment and resolve to empower grassroots level farmers, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will release the 10th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on 1st January 2022 at 12:30 PM via video conferencing. This will enable the transfer of an amount of more than Rs. 20,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families, PMO said.

For the unversed, eligible farmers receive Rs 6000 annually in three separate installments of Rs 2000 each. So far, the government has transferred nine installments directly to the bank accounts of the eligible farmers.

The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In this scheme, Samman Rashi of over Rs. 1.6 lakh crore has been transferred to farmer families so far, PMO said in its statement.

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In what could be termed as an anti-climax, Allu Arjun, star of 'Pushpa: The Rise' made it amply clear that the supposed nude confrontation scene between the protagonist and antagonist in the movie's climax was never there in the first place.

"It was never on the cards," Allu Arjun told IANS in very unambiguous terms.

The issue has its roots in a media interaction where the movie's director Sukumar had been quoted as stating that the climax scene of 'Pushpa' was originally envisaged as a face-off between actors Allu Arjun and Fahad Faasil, in the nude.

But wary of the Telugu audience's sensitivities, the makers had apparently backed off. Speaking to IANS, Sukumar acknowledged that he had indeed made a statement on those lines. But in hindsight, it appears to have been a classic case of 'lost in translation'.

Speaking to IANS, Sukumar said he had actually meant to explain the creative origins of the scene in which emotions are supposed to be strung high and nerves on edge.

"It was something that dropped out in a moment of enthusiasm as a first thought. When giving so many interviews, sometimes something like this rolls out unintentionally. What I wanted to say about the naked emotions at play was about the creative origins behind the scene. I tried to explain that but it came out differently," he told IANS.

"Everyone is trolling me." he ended with a rueful smile on his face.

Meanwhile, Allu Arjun made it amply clear about his stance on acting out such a scene if the director is okay canning it.

"No, no. We're all commercial films actors. We want people to come and enjoy the film. I do mass films. I'm a mass hero," he laughed and said in response to the question.

'Pushpa: The Rise' released on December 17, to Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi audiences. The film stars Allu Arjun, with Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, and Dhananjay essaying important roles.

The film directed by Sukumar revolves around red sandalwood smuggling activities in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. The movie has successfully garnered audiences in most of the markets it was screened in.


New Delhi: Apple has made New Year of select engineers with massive bonuses to prevent them from leaving the company for tech competitors such as Meta (Facebook), according to a report by Bloomberg.

The bonuses offered to the employees are in the form of stocks that are reportedly valued between $50,000 and $180,000. However, most employees are receiving a bonus in the range of $80,000 and $120,000.

The bonuses offered to the top engineers at the firm vest over the course of four years, the report added. The bonus is in addition to all the bonuses the company offers its employees. As of now, Apple hasnt officially announced the rewards for its engineers to the media outlets.

In Silicon Valley, top tech firms such as Meta, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, among others, are reportedly poaching for brightest engineers from other rival companies to double down on their upcoming products.

Meta has reportedly hired more than 100 Apple engineers in recent months, while the iPhone maker has also been successful in bringing a few from the social media company.

To retain the talent the companies are offering several benefits to employees such as snack bars and even in-house masseuses, according to a report by Business Insider. Most of these perks remained unavailable during the pandemic-driven office shutdowns. Also Read: As Jharkhand cuts petrol price by Rs 25, heres looking at latest fuel rates in Indian cities

With most tech companies building their own metaverse, the hiring scenario is expected to intensify in the coming months. Both Meta and Apple are working on their virtual reality products to fuel their metaverse ambitions. Also Read: RBI flags Omicron threat to growth; says banks strong enough to face challenges

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Noida: Despite several restrictive measures taken by the state government, the Noida and Ghaziabad districts of Uttar Pradesh account for over one-third of active COVID-19 cases across the state. According to official data, nearly one-third of the active COVID cases are concentrated in these two districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh currently has 324 active COVID-19 cases, the state health department said on Monday. There were 57 active cases in Ghaziabad, while there were 56 active cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar, the two districts accounted for 34.87 per cent of the active coronavirus cases in the state, the data showed.

The highest number of 63 active cases was recorded in the state capital Lucknow. Ghaziabad recorded two fresh coronavirus cases on Monday, while Gautam Buddh Nagar logged five such cases, the data showed.

Ghaziabad's death toll due to COVID-19 stands at 461, while 468 people have succumbed to the viral disease in Gautam Buddh Nagar. Meerut (16), Prayagraj (16), Varanasi (15) and Agra (10) were the other four districts in Uttar Pradesh with an active coronavirus case tally in double digits, according to the data.

The Uttar Pradesh government has already imposed a night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am starting Saturday amid rising cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. In compliance with the order, the Gautam Budh Nagar administration in Noida also imposed Section 144 in the district, besides adding several other measures.

The order will remain in force from December 25 to January 31, 2022. Earlier on December 1, Section 144 was clamped down and restrictions were imposed over fears of the spread of Covid-19 during the festival season.

Wearing a mask will continue to be mandatory for all people whenever they step out of their homes. Taking prior permission from the authority for any kind of event will be compulsory till January 31, while only 200 people will be allowed in marriage functions in closed spaces.

According to the guidelines, people disobeying the order will be charged under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. Meanwhile, the UP has already been declared a COVID-affected state.

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Noida: In yet another shocking case of crime against women, a woman from Haryana was allegedly gang-raped by a lawyer and his close aides in Noida. According to reports, the woman was seeking legal help from the culprits to get her husband out on bail.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that the lawyer had called her to his office in Noida on the pretext of helping her where he and his accomplishes took turns to rape her. They also allegedly made a video clip of the heinous crime.

The woman's husband was booked by the Noida Police and jailed in connection with a case.

Sharing details about the shamefull case, Ankita Sharma, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Noida said the woman, a resident of Ballabhgarh district in Haryana, informed told the police that while her husband was in jail, she was looking for a lawyer to seek bail for him. She got a call from one Vikas who promised her that he would help her husband in getting bail and made her meet a lawyer Mahesh.

The woman further alleged that after meeting Mahesh, she was called to his office in Sector 2 of Noida where Mahesh, Vikas, Devendra and another person gangraped her for days and threatened to kill her if she reported the matter to anyone.

A complaint was later registered at Sector 20 police station and the matter is being investigated.

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New Delhi: As the world fights the new COVID-19 variant, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the overall risk related to Omicron 'remains very high'.

In a weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 on Tuesday (December 28, 2021), the global health body stated that consistent evidence shows that the Omicron variant has a 'growth advantage over the Delta variant' with a doubling time of 2-3 days.

"Rapid increases in the incidence of cases is seen in a number of countries, including those where the variant has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America," the WHO said.

ALSO READ | US sets grim new record of 512,553 daily Covid-19 cases amid Omicron surge

"The rapid growth rate is likely to be a combination of both immune evasion and intrinsic increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant," it added.

Reduced risk of hospitalization

The WHO stated that early data from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Denmark suggests there is a reduced risk of hospitalization for the Omicron compared to the Delta variant. It, however, said that further data are needed to understand the clinical markers of severity including the use of oxygen, mechanical ventilation and death, and how severity may be impacted by vaccination and/or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.

"It is also expected that corticosteroids and interleukin 6 receptor blockers will remain effective in the management of patients with severe disease, however, preliminary data suggest that monoclonal antibodies may be less able to neutralize the Omicron variant," it said.

New COVID-19 cases increase globally

During the week December 20-26, following a gradual increase since October, the global number of new coronavirus cases have increased by 11% as compared to the previous week. The number of new deaths, however, remained similar to the number reported during the previous week.

The Region of the Americas have reported the largest increase in new cases in the last week (39%), followed by the African Region, which reported an increase of 7%. The South-East Asia Region continued to report a decrease in new cases as compared to the previous week (12%) while in the European, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific Regions, the number of new cases was similar to those reported during the previous week.

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The African Region reported the highest increase in the number of new deaths (72%), followed by the South-East Asia Region (9%) and the Region of the Americas (7%).
Washington: US President Joe Biden has signed a proclamation on Tuesday rescinding a previous order that restricted travel from eight countries in southern Africa in the hopes of containing the now-widespread Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The highly contagious strain, which now accounts for the vast majority of new COVID-19 cases in the US, was first detected by scientists in South Africa in late November. President Biden quickly restricted travel by non-US citizens from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi in response.